bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Biomass‐Based Porous Carbons with High Specific Capacitance for Applications in Supercapacitors
Authors: Shen Honglong , Xia Xifeng , Ouyang Yu , Jiao Xinyan , Mutahir Sadaf , Mandler Daniel , Hao Qingli
Published: April 2019

Supercapacitors are developing in terms of high power and energy densities. Carbon materials can meet this challenge to a certain extent. A sustainable high‐performance carbon material for supercapacitors was prepared through the simple and green thermal pyrolysis of orange peels as raw materials by using KOH as an activator. The biomass‐derived carbon materials activated at different temperatures were evaluated as electrode materials. The adsorption properties, structure, and surface elemental chemical states of the prepared materials were studied. Carbonation temperature plays a key role in the preparation of materials, and it has different effects on the physical and electrochemical properties of materials. The opc700 and opc800 samples have large pore volumes, which provide the necessary space for the storage of electrolyte ions. The temperature has a pronounced effect on the specific surface area and the electrochemical performance. The specific surface area of opc800 is as high as 2004 m2 g−1 and the pore volume is 1.24 cm3 g−1. The maximum specific capacity of opc800 is 306.6 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and the specific capacitance is 251.2 F g−1 at 20 A g−1.
Self‐Assembled Three‐Dimensional Graphene Aerogel with an Interconnected Porous Structure for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Liang‐ai , He Zhishun , Guo Jianfeng , Pei Shi‐en , Shao Haibo , Wang Jianming
Published: April 2019

We report a low‐cost method for the fabrication of three‐dimensional graphene aerogel (3DGA) with an interconnected porous structure by using a simple hydrothermal reaction of graphite oxide (GO) in the presence of treated filter paper and subsequent annealing. In the hydrothermal process, the filter paper prevents GO sheets from intimate layer‐by‐layer stacking and serves as linkers to construct a three‐dimensional structural graphene hydrogel (GH). The pure 3DGA with an interconnected porous structure is achieved through the calcination of the GH with a three‐dimensional network structure. The as‐fabricated 3DGA electrode exhibits an improved lithium storage performance with a capacity of 712.8 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at a rate of 200 mA g−1. More importantly, the electrode still shows a reversible capacity of 237.1 mAh g−1 even at a high rate of 1600 mA g−1, demonstrating its remarkable rate capability. The excellent electrochemical performance of the 3DGA electrode is ascribed to its distinct interconnected porous nanoarchitecture with exposed defects and edges as well as large specific surface area. The present design concept of 3DGA may provide a novel strategy for the preparation of advanced carbon materials for electrochemical energy storage systems.
Synthesis of Oligo(1,8‐pyrenylene)s: A Series of Functional Molecular Liquids
Authors: Walsh Joshua C. , Hogan David T. , Williams Kerry‐Lynn M. , Brake Simon D. , Venkataramana Gandikota , Misener Tara A. , Wallace Brandon J. , Johnson Richard P. , Thompson David W. , Zhao Yuming , Wagner Brian D. , Bodwell Graham J.
Published: April 2019

A monomer‐through‐pentamer series of oligo(1,8‐pyrenylene)s was synthesized using a two‐step iterative synthetic strategy. The trimer, tetramer, and pentamer are mixtures of atropisomers that interconvert slowly at room temperature (as shown by variable‐temperature NMR analysis). They are liquids well below room temperature, as indicated by POM, DSC and SWAXS analysis. These oligomers are highly fluorescent both in the liquid state and in dilute solution (λF,max = 444–457 nm, φF = 0.80) and an investigation of their photophysical properties demonstrated that delocalization plays a larger role in their excited states than it does in related pyrene‐based oligomers.
Future New York Energy Challenges Eye Current Gas Moratorium
Authors: Daly Matthew , Simovic Uros
Published: April 2019

When New York State launched Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) and its broad regulatory reforms in April 2014, Richard Kauffman (then chairman of energy and finance for New York) stated, “New York is moving to a more market‐based, decentralized approach with how it shapes energy policy. This new approach will help protect the environment, lower energy costs and create opportunities for economic growth … changing the energy industry into a clean, cost‐effective and dynamic system that is more resilient to the impacts of climate change.” In the five years since REV, New York has made significant progress on many of its ambitious and laudable goals, such as increasing solar capacity in the state nearly 800 percent from 2012 to 2016, and approving the first offshore wind farm in New York.
Why Publitize? Prospects for Undoing Investor‐Ownership of Electric Utilities
Authors: Makholm Jeff D.
Published: April 2019

In 1994, I wrote a short paper entitled “Why Privatize? Prospects in Developed and Underdeveloped Economies.” The world was in the thick of the privatization wave, and throughout the 1990s I was working on whether such changes in the ownership and operations of public utilities might be applicable for Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union, including Russia.
Federal Energy Policy: An Assault on Our Democracy
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: April 2019

Federal energy policy being driven by presidential executive order (EO), not legislation, defies reason and logic. As such, it represents an assault on science, the environment, and our democracy. While this statement might appear provocative, it is agnostic to what might be considered right or wrong and is apolitical, independent of political persuasion. Making an end‐run around Congress and regulatory due process for making or rescinding regulations that guide many aspects of private‐sector activities ties policy decisions up in the courts. The lengthy court battles that ensue from circumventing foundational democratic principles by issuing EOs that do not have the force of law creates confusion and uncertainty in markets. It also ignores the rationale that necessitated the law and subsequent regulations being challenged in the first place. To date, attempts by the administration to circumvent existing laws and regulations have been overturned by the courts, and rightly so. Facts and democratic principles matter.
The use of isotopes in evolving groundwater circulation models of regional continental aquifers: The case of the Guarani Aquifer System
Authors: Kirchheim Roberto Eduardo , Gastmans Didier , Chang Hung Kiang , Gilmore Troy E.
Published: April 2019

The Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) has been studied since the 1970s, a time frame that coincides with the advent of isotopic techniques in Brazil. The GAS isotope data from many studies are organized in different phases: (a) the advent of isotope techniques, (b) consolidation and new applications, (c) isotope assessments and hydrochemistry evolution, and (d) a roadmap to a new conceptual model. The reasons behind the phases, their methodological approaches, and impacts on the regional flow conceptual models are examined. Starting with local δ2H and δ18O assessments of values for water fingerprinting and estimates of recharge palaeoclimate scenarios, studies evolved to more integrated approaches based on multiple tracers. Stable isotope application techniques were consolidated during the 1980s, when new dating approaches dealing with radiogenic and heavy isotopes were introduced. Through the execution of an international transboundary project, the GAS was studied and extensively sampled for isotopes. These results have triggered wider application of isotope techniques, reflecting also world research trends. Presently, hydrochemical evolution models along flow lines from recharge to discharge areas, across large‐scale tectonic features within the entire sedimentary basin, are being combined with residence time estimates at GAS outcrop areas and deep confined units. In a complex system, it is normal that many, and even contradictory hypotheses are proposed, but isotope techniques provide a unique chance to test them. Stable isotope assessments are still needed near recharge areas, and they can be combined with groundwater classical dating procedures, complemented by newer techniques (3H‐3He, CFCs, and SF6). Recent noble gas sampling and world pioneer analytical efforts focused on the confined units in the GAS will certainly led to new findings on the overall GAS circulation. The objective of this article is to discuss how isotope information can contribute to the evolution of conceptual groundwater flow models for regional continental aquifers, such as the GAS.
Review of Remediation Goals at Contaminated Sediment Sites in the United States
Authors: Pelletier Derek , Sacks Victoria Paris , Sorensen Mary , Magar Victor
Published: April 2019

Remediation decisions for contaminated sediment sites are typically based on comparisons of in situ sediment concentrations to preliminary remediation goals (PRGs). Preliminary remediation goals are typically developed for protection of human health and the environment, with consideration of site-specific factors that play an important role in determining the sediment concentrations that are consistent with the human health and environmental protection objectives. Remediation goals are selected from among the PRGs. Sediment remediation goals for 4 common contaminants (PCBs, PAHs, Pb, and Hg) at contaminated sediment sites throughout the United States were compiled to determine significant trends and evaluate causes of those trends. Remediation goals were compiled from Records of Decision (RODs) and 5-year review reports for 77 contaminated sediment sites throughout the continental United States. Remediation goals were developed both as surface-weighted average concentrations (SWACs) and action levels (i.e., not-to-exceed values). One or both may be used to define areas requiring remediation. Remediation goals based on SWACs are typically applied to bioaccumulative chemicals for human health and wildlife receptors, whereas action levels are typically used for chemicals that result in an acute toxicity to small home range, sediment-dwelling biota. The findings from this review of remediation goals indicate that SWACs are an increasingly common approach for developing remediation goals. In addition, the findings from this review indicate that although remediation goals adopted for Pb have become more stringent over time, no trend is evident for PCBs, PAHs, and Hg. Remediation goals for PCBs, PAHs, and Hg vary among a number of factors, such as geography, habitat, human or ecological risks, and other local factors. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:772–782. © 2019 SETAC.
The encouraging role of long noncoding RNA small nuclear RNA host gene 16 in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer via directly acting on miR‐17‐5p/metalloproteinases 3 axis
Authors: Peng Hao , Li Hao
Published: April 2019

The present investigation was intended to elucidate whether long noncoding RNA small nuclear RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) could regulate the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process of bladder cancer cells by directing expressions of miR‐17‐5p and metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3). To elucidate the point, we collected 275 pairs of bladder cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues, as well as four bladder cancer cell lines and the normal human bladder epithelial cell line. Moreover, pcDNA3.1‐SNHG16, si‐SNHG16, miR‐17‐5p mimic, miR‐17‐5p inhibitor, pcDNA3.1‐TIMP3, and si‐TIMP3 were prepared for transfection, and CCK‐8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were carried out. Finally, the dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to figure out whether targeted regulations were present among SNHG16, miR‐17‐5p, and TIMP3. The laboratory findings demonstrated that the bladder cancer patients carrying under‐expressed SNHG16 or miR‐17‐5p were associated with extended survival time when compared with those possessing overexpressed SNHG16 and miR‐17‐5p (P < 0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of SNHG16 and miR‐17‐5p both enhanced the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion (P < 0.05), and simultaneously suppressed their apoptosis (P < 0.05). Transfections of pcDNA3.1‐SNHG16 and si‐SNHG16, respectively, resulted in overexpression and under‐expression of miR‐17‐5p, and the dual luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated a targeted relationship between SNHG16 and miR‐17‐5p (P < 0.05). Besides, the expression of TIMP3 was subjected to targeted regulation of miR‐17‐5p (P < 0.05), and its overexpression could reverse the effects of miR‐17‐5p on proliferation and metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusively, purposeful modification of SNHG16/miR‐17‐5p/TIMP3 signaling might be conducive to postpone the aggravation of bladder cancer.
The Effect of SNAP and School Food Programs on Food Security, Diet Quality, and Food Spending: Sensitivity to Program Reporting Error
Authors: Kang Kyung Min , Moffitt Robert A.
Published: April 2019

There is an extensive research literature on the effects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on food‐related outcomes which has shown somewhat mixed results but generally favorable effects. However, most of the research has used data sets whose information on SNAP participation is gathered from responses on household surveys, and such responses are subject to reporting error. This study uses the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey data set to examine the effect of reporting error on food‐related outcomes, for that data set contains information on SNAP participation gathered from government administrative records. Our analysis shows that the degree of reporting error is small and has little effect on the estimated impact of participation in the SNAP program on food security, diet quality, and food spending. A supplemental analysis of the effect of school food programs likewise shows no difference in using survey or administrative data in the analysis.
Stories of Digital Lives and Digital Divides: Newcomer Families and Their Thoughts on Digital Literacy
Authors: Gallagher Tiffany L. , Di Cesare Dane , Rowsell Jennifer
Published: April 2019

Young students must become proficient in the new literacies of 21st‐century technologies to be considered literate. This department explores how literacy educators can integrate information and communication technologies into the curriculum.
Computational prediction and functional analysis of arsenic‐binding proteins in human cells
Authors: Pang Shichao , Yang Junchen , Zhao Yilei , Li Yixue , Wang Jingfang
Published: April 2019

Background

Arsenic has a broad anti‐cancer ability against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. To systematically understand the biological functions of arsenic, we need to identify arsenic‐binding proteins in human cells. However, due to lack of effective theoretical tools and experimental methods, only a few arsenic‐binding proteins have been identified.

Methods

Based on the crystal structure of ArsM, we generated a single mutation free energy profile for arsenic binding using free energy perturbation methods. Multiple validations provide an indication that our computational model has the ability to predict arsenic‐binding proteins with desirable accuracy. We subsequently apply this computational model to scan the entire human genome to identify all the potential arsenic‐binding proteins.

Results

The computationally predicted arsenic‐binding proteins show a wide range of biological functions, especially in the signaling transduction pathways. In the signaling transduction pathways, arsenic directly binds to the key factors ( e.g., Notch receptors, Notch ligands, Wnt family proteins, TGF‐beta, and their interacting proteins) and results in significant inhibitions on their enzymatic activities, further having a crucial impact on the related signaling pathways.

Conclusions

Arsenic has a significant impact on signaling transduction in cells. Arsenic binding to proteins can lead to dysfunctions of the target proteins, having crucial impacts on both signaling pathway and gene transcription. We hope that the computationally predicted arsenic‐binding proteins and the functional analysis can provide a novel insight into the biological functions of arsenic, revealing a mechanism for the broad anti‐cancer of arsenic.
Moisture content analysis of metal powders using oven desorption followed by Karl Fischer titration
Authors: Mellin Pelle , Zavalis Tommy , Tingö Linnéa , Brodin Håkan , Wendel Johan , Berg Sigurd , Riabov Dmitri , Strondl Annika , Nyborg Lars
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we use Oven Desorption followed by Karl Fischer Titration (KF), to measure moisture content in metal powder. In a PBF-LB Hastelloy X powder, from a newly opened container, we found 28.8 ppm (or µg/g). In a stored PBF-EB powder we found 13.7 ppm. In a stored HIP powder we found 6.7 ppm. This method heats a powder sample inside a hermetically closed vial, in an oven. At the same time an inert gas flow enters, flushes out the desorbed water and exits the vial, via a double hollow needle. The gas–water mixture that exits is directed to the Karl Fischer Titration, where the desorbed moisture is quantified.

Included is also a comparison with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a climate chamber moisturization experiment of a PBF-LB HX powder followed by KF analysis. After the moisturization and KF analysis, the same powder was characterized in terms of oxygen content.
Introduction
Authors: Klein Claude
Published: April 2019

The question discussed in the articles published in this issue of the Israel Law Review is not really new. In 1978, published an article in this review dealing with the issue. At that time, it looked much more like an academic question with very few potential practical consequences. The reason for this is clear. It was like the discussions that took place in European countries a century ago regarding judicial review (of legislation). Even those who favored it were not able to consider any form of implementation. In the absence of an established principle of judicial review, the problem looked purely theoretical. Later, after World War II, judicial review of legislation became very fashionable and conquered almost all modern occidental democracies. The question arising now is whether we can expect a similar development as regards the validity and efficacy of eternity clauses. On the one hand, there is a growing number of eternity clauses; on the other hand, we have witnessed an extraordinary development in the field of judicial review, which is the result of the general growth of judicial activism in all countries. In other words, two parallel trends are coming increasingly close to one another and will certainly give rise to a new chapter in constitutional theory and practice.

In April 2010, the International Association of Constitutional Law (I ACL) held one of its two annual round tables in Jerusalem. Entitled “Unconstitutional Constitutional Amendments,” it was devoted to the issue of constitutional review. In this issue of the Israel Law Review, we present some of the papers presented at the round table by experts from various countries.
Old and Protected? On the "Supra-Constitutional" Clause in the Constitution of Norway
Authors: Smith Eivind
Published: April 2019

The world's second-oldest written constitution (1814) still existing presumably also contains the world's oldest substantive “supra-constitutional” or “eternity” clause. According to its text, the “spirit “ and “principles” of the Constitution cannot be amended.

However, it is less than clear that the clause is meant to exclude not only “amendments” but also the adoption of a brand new constitution. Moreover, the meaning of the clause two centuries later cannot be determined without regard to subsequent changes to other parts of the Constitution. The examples discussed include the constitutional monarchy, affected not only by the radical shift in our perception of the role of a hereditary king but first and foremost by formal amendments. In this way, “principles” that may initially have been protected may no longer enjoy a similar status.

Who has the last word as to the substantive limits to amendments? The widely held view in Norway is that the judiciary should stand back. While judicial review of legislation leaves the last word about what norms to apply in the future to the constitution-amending power, judicial review of constitutional amendments would leave the last word about the future meaning of the Constitution itself to judges. Another argument refers to our inherent right as human beings to resist oppression. This argument deserves attention even if it is not substantiated in the text of the Constitution.

Are the “spirit” and “principles” of the Constitution of Norway well protected? If the clause is understood as a contribution to the smoothness of constitutional development over time and thereby to the relative success of the Norwegian Constitution, the assessment is likely to be rather positive.
The Language of Eternity: Judicial Review of the Amending Power in France (or the Absence Thereof)
Authors: Baranger Denis
Published: April 2019

In several rulings from 1962, 1992, and 2003, the French Constitutional Court (Conseil constitutionnel) has denied jurisdiction over constitutional amendments. This article shows that this solution can only be understood in the light of the doctrinal background that provides its intellectual justification. While refusing to judicially review constitutional amendments, the Constitutional Court is in fact deeply involved in the ongoing process of altering the Constitution. Also, while the quasi-official doctrinal analysis insists on the absence of material limits to the amendment of the Constitution, and on the absence of any “supra-constitutional” rules, an analysis of the language used by the Court in these rulings offers reasons to diverge from this view. While the Court has refused to review constitutional amendments, it has done so in a way that comes very close to the language used by those courts that stated that such amendments were justiciable. Far from adhering to a mere policy of neutrality and self-restraint, the Constitutional Court speaks a “language of eternity” with a rich substantive content.
The Implications of “Eternity Clauses”: The German Experience
Authors: Preuss Ulrich K.
Published: April 2019

This paper explores the conceptual possibility and implications of the concept of unconstitutional constitutional amendments. In the first section, the author argues that unconstitutional constitutional norms are conceptually impossible within the conventional hierarchical model of norms. In the second section, the author discusses the normative particularity of the amending power and concludes that an unlimited power may endanger the constitution. In sections III and IV, the author explains why so-called “eternity clauses,” in order to fend off such a danger, have been designed to place certain immutable elements of the constitution beyond the limits of the amending power. The paradigmatic case is the German Basic Law and a recent decision by the Federal Constitutional Court that discusses the implications of the “eternity clause” with reference to the distinction between constituent power and the constituted amending power. The author develops an alternative understanding of that distinction and its consequences for the amending power. The possible adverse effects of “eternity clauses” on the normality of the constitution are briefly considered in the final section.
Spécimen: Dutch (1948)
Authors: Fischer-Jørgensen Eli , Talma-Schilthuis J. G.
Published: April 2019

The reprinted text entitled ‘Dutch’ was written by Eli Fischer-Jørgensen and J. G. Talma-Schilthuis, in original phonetic transcription, for the 1948 January–June issue (vol. 89) of Le Maître Phonétique and is an example of the spécimen type of contribution. Eli Fischer-Jørgensen (1911–2010) was a member of the Linguistic Circle of Copenhagen from 1933 and became Denmark's first Professor of Phonetics at the University of Copenhagen. Johanna Geertruida Talma-Schilthuis (1901–1984) studied with Daniel Jones in 1921.
Indocyanin Green Videoangiography Study of Hemangioblastomas
Authors: Murai Yasuo , Adachi Koji , Matano Fumihiro , Tateyama Kojiro , Teramoto Akira
Published: April 2019

Objective:

We present herein the intraoperative indocyanin green videoangiography (ICGVAG) findings for three cases of cerebellar hemangioblastoma (HB).

Cases:

Cerebellar HB was detected in three patients presenting with symptoms of vertigo and/or headaches and diagnosed on the basis of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebral angiographic findings. Preoperative embolization of the tumor feeding artery was not performed in any of the patients. None of the patients underwent any procedure prior to ICGVAG that would affect the ICG findings, such as perilesional hemostatic coagulation or ablation. In each patient, it was possible to judge the approximate location of the tumor in relation to the brain surface and to distinguish the feeding and draining vessels. Following resection of the tumor, ICGVAG images confirmed that the mural nodule had been eliminated. None of the patients required blood transfusion, either during or after the surgery. For each patient, the lesion was pathologically confirmed as HB, postoperative contrast-enhanced MRI confirmed the absence of residual tumor, and diffusion-weighted MRI revealed no ischemic changes.

Results:

Differentiation of feeding and draining vessels in the region of the lesion is particularly important for successful surgical removal of HB. In the present three patients, ICGVAG findings enabled easy vascular differentiation and were also useful for confirming that there was no residual tumor. Indocyanin green videoangiography was concluded to be useful for safe resection of HB.
Bipolar Electrocoagulation on Cortex after AVMs Lesionectomy for Seizure Control
Authors: Cao Yong , Wang Rong , Yang Lijun , Bai Qin , Wang Shuo , Zhao Jizong
Published: April 2019

Background:

The findings of previous studies remain controversial on the optimal management required for effective seizure control after surgical excision of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We evaluated the efficacy of additional bipolar electrocoagulation on the electrically positive cortex guided by intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) for controlling cerebral AVMs-related epilepsy.

Clinical Material and Methods:

Sixty consecutive patients with seizure due to cerebral AVMs, who underwent surgical excision of cerebral AVMs and intraoperative ECoG, were assessed. The AVMs and surrounding hemosiderin stained tissue were completely removed, and bipolar electrocoagulation was applied on the surrounding cerebral cortex where epileptic discharges were monitored via intraoperative ECoG. Patients were followed up at three to six months after the surgery and then annually. We evaluated seizure outcome by using Engel's classification and postoperative complications.

Results:

Forty-nine patients (81.6%) were detected of epileptic discharges before and after AVMs excision. These patients underwent the removal of AVMs plus bipolar electrocoagulation on spike-positive site cortex. After electrocoagulation, 45 patients' epileptic discharges disappeared, while four obviously diminished. Fifty-five of 60 patients (91.7%) had follow-up lasting at least 22 months (mean 51.1 months; range 22-93 months). Determined by the Engel Seizure Outcome Scale, 39 patients (70.9%) were Class I, seven (12.7%) Class II, five (9.0%) Class III, and four (7.2%) Class IV.

Conclusions:

Even alter the complete removal of AVM and sunwinding gliolic and hemosiderin stained tissue, a high-frequency residual spike remained on the surrounding cerebral cortex. Effective surgical seizure control can be achieved by carrying on I additional bipolar electrocoagulation on the cortex guided by the intraoperative ECoG.
The ASPIRE Approach for TIA Risk Stratification
Authors: Coutts S. B. , Sylaja P. N. , Choi Y. B. , Al-Khathami A. , SivaKumar C. , Jeerakathil T.J. , Sarma P. S. , Hill M. D.
Published: April 2019

Background:

The risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA) is elevated in the days to weeks after TIA. A variety of prediction rules to predict stroke risk have been suggested. In Alberta a triage algorithm to facilitate urgent access based on risk level was agreed upon for the province. Patients with ABCD2 score ≥ 4, or motor or speech symptoms lasting greater than five minutes, or with atrial fibrillation were considered high risk (the ASPIRE approach). We assessed the ability of the ASPIRE approach to identify patients at risk for stroke.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed charts from 573 consecutive patients diagnosed with TIA in Foothills Hospital emergency room from 2002 through 2005. We recorded clinical and event details and identified the risk of stroke at three months.

Results:

Among 573 patients the 90-day risk of stroke was 4.7% (95% CI 3.0%, 6.4%). 78% of the patients were identified as high risk using this approach. In patients defined as high risk on the ASPIRE approach there was a 6.3% (95% CI 4.2%, 8.9%) risk of stroke. In patients defined as low risk using the ASPIRE approach there were no recurrent strokes (100% negative predictive value). In contrast, two patients with low ABCD2 scores (ABCD2 score < 4) suffered recurrent strokes.

Conclusions:

The ASPIRE approach has a perfect negative predictive value in the population in predicting stroke. However, this high sensitivity comes at a cost of identifying most patients as high risk.
Neuropsychological Functioning in PLS: A Comparison with ALS
Authors: Grace Gloria M. , Orange J. B. , Rowe Ann , Findlater Karen , Freedman Morris , Strong Michael J.
Published: April 2019

Objective:

In order to characterize the nature and extent of neuropsychological dysfunction in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), we studied prospectively cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning in PLS, and compared performances to functioning in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods:

Eighteen patients with PLS and 13 patients with ALS completed a neuropsychological test battery assessing both cognitive skills and emotional/behavioral functioning.

Results:

Both PLS and ALS groups scored broadly within normal limits (mean T-scores greater than 40) on all cognitive measures and no significant between-group differences were found with the exception of one variable. However, when examined on a case by case basis, the data revealed considerable heterogeneity amongst patients in both groups. Overall, 39% of PLS patients and 31% of ALS patients were considered cognitively impaired. A higher than expected frequency of abnormal scores was noted for several tests of executive function in both groups, and a majority of PLS patients also exhibited abnormal behavioural symptoms. There was no relationship in PLS or ALS groups between cognitive functioning and disease duration, current site of disease, site of onset, functional status, and respiratory variables. Comparison between the PLS and ALS groups indicated virtually no differences in cognitive test scores and overall emotional/behavioural symptoms.

Conclusions:

We observed deficits in cognition and behaviour in a significant proportion of PLS patients which were comparable to those observed in ALS cases. Although deficits were not in the range of frontotemporal dementia, both ALS and PLS cases demonstrated deficits most prominently on tests of executive functioning.
Transformations de la zone torride
Authors: Safier Neil
Published: April 2019

Cet article envisage l’histoire environnementale des tropiques à travers l’analyse des techniques narratives des individus qui ont parcouru les paysages équatoriaux de l’Amérique du Sud au XVIIIesiècle. À quelques exceptions près, les spécialistes d’histoire environnementale n’ont pas tenu compte des pratiques d’écriture qui ont accompagné les observationssuretdansla nature, une relation avec le monde naturel encouragée par des techniques de collecte, de mesure et d’édition. À travers différentes manières de capturer les tropiques sous une forme écrite, nous examinons les significations culturelles attachées à l’idée classique de « zone torride » dans une époque qui correspond à l’âge d’or de son évaluation instrumentale. La métamorphose de la zone torride – de lieu conçu comme un désert inhospitalier en région caractérisée par des conditions climatiques et des productions naturelles variées – s’est accomplie à travers un large ensemble d’entreprises éditoriales, allant des traités historiques aux listes et aux catalogues, réalisées à la fois par des voyageurs et des naturalistes.
Retour à Seveso
Authors: Centemeri Laura
Published: April 2019

À partir du cas du désastre de Seveso (1976), l’article aborde la question de l’intégration de l’environnement dans la construction d’un « monde en commun », à travers l’analyse de diverses façons de mettre en forme le dommage à l’environnement comme problème d’une communauté. Après avoir discuté l’échec à Seveso de la critique sociale dans sa tentative d’articuler le dommage à l’environnement à la lutte de classe, il suit le travail d’un groupe de militants qui ont vécu directement cet échec. Ayant quitté Seveso dans les années 1980, ils reviennent avec un projet de réparation politique du dommage causé à l’environnement, animés par l’idée d’une action politique attachée au territoire habité, à même de reconnaître la complexité des maux suscités par le dommage.
Protection sociale et mobilité transatlantique: les migrants italiens au début du XXe siècle
Authors: Douki Caroline
Published: April 2019

La question du transbordement maritime des migrants – en transit à travers l’Atlantique – s’est constituée en problématique humanitaire internationale au début du XXe siècle. Elle fait notamment l’objet d’une mobilisation importante dans la société italienne, où les émigrants à destination de l’Amérique sont en grand nombre et se trouvent souvent piégés dans des formes graves de dépendance économique à l’égard des agents d’émigration qui les recrutent et des compagnies maritimes qui les transportent. Analyser comment l’Italie s’est efforcée d’élaborer un dispositif d’action publique pour encadrer et protéger sa population en partance pour l’Amérique, particulièrement dans l’espace-temps très spécifique qu’est la traversée maritime, permet de reconsidérer plusieurs enjeux mis au jour par les études consacrées aux migrations internationales, au gouvernement des populations et à la mondialisation marchande. Tout en rappelant le rôle très actif qu’eurent certains pays d’origine dans la protection de leur ressortissants migrants, ce cas montre que le sort de ceux-ci ne se jouait pas dans le seul face à face entre états émetteur et récepteur, mais aussi dans la nécessaire régulation du marché du transbordement, et tout autant dans l’opposition et l’arbitrage entre des acteurs et des intérêts divergents à l’intérieur même de la société italienne.
Enfants et purification ethnique dans la Tchécoslovaquie d’après-guerre
Authors: Zahra Tara
Published: April 2019

À partir du cas de la Tchécoslovaquie d’après-guerre, cet article démontre la centralité des enfants dans l’histoire de la purification ethnique. Pendant et après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, les enfants devinrent à la fois des dépouilles de guerre et la cible de campagnes visant à créer des états-nations homogènes en Europe. Entre 1945 et 1948, trois millions d’Allemands tchécoslovaques furent expulsés de Tchécoslovaquie, alors que cet état lançait à travers le continent une recherche des « enfants perdus » kidnappés ou déportés par les nazis. Les deux processus se compliquèrent du cas des milliers d’enfants de couples tchécoallemands, qui força les autorités à choisir entre deux buts nationalistes concurrents : l’ambition d’effacer à court terme toute trace de germanité en Tchécoslovaquie, et la volonté à plus long terme d’une croissance démographique. Alors que le populationnisme triomphait dans les ministères à Prague, il fut souvent tenu en échec dans la pratique locale. Ces débats illustrent l’importance des enfants non seulement dans l’histoire des politiques de population et de migration dans l’Europe du XXe siècle, mais aussi dans tous les processus de la reconstruction d’après-guerre.
Is locating acute wards in the general hospital an essential element in psychiatric reform? The UK experience
Authors: Totman Jonathan , Mann Farhana , Johnson Sonia
Published: April 2019

Locating psychiatric wards in general hospitals has long been seen in many countries as a key element in the reform of services to promote community integration of the mentally ill. In the UK, however, this is no longer a policy priority, and the recent trend has been towards small freestanding inpatient units, located either within the communities they serve, or on general hospital sites, but separate from the main building. Whether locating the psychiatric wards in the general hospital is essential to psychiatric reform has been little discussed, and we can find no relevant evidence.

Perceived strengths of general hospital psychiatric wards are in normalisation of mental health problems, accessibility to local communities, better availability of physical health care resources, and integration of psychiatry with the rest of the medical profession, which may faclilitate recruitment. However, difficulties seem to have been encountered in establishing well-designed psychiatric wards with access to open space in general hospitals. Also, physical proximity may not be enough to achieve the desired reduction in stigma, and complaints from the general hospital may sometimes result in undue restrictions on psychiatric ward patients. There are strong arguments both for and against locating psychiatric wards in general hospitals: an empirical evidence base would be helpful to inform important decisions about the best setting for wards.

Declaration of Interest: None.
Assessing risk of bias in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Purgato Marianna , Barbui Corrado , Cipriani Andrea
Published: April 2019

Even though randomised controlled trials are the design of choice for evaluating the efficacy of health care interventions, they are not immune to bias that may affect research process and validity of results. In the present paper we discussed how trial quality may be appraised considering both whether a clinical trial is reported in a comprehensive and complete way (consistently with what had been declared in the study protocol), and whether the characteristics of the trial itself are associated with risk of bias.
Employees with mental health problems: Survey of UK employers' knowledge, attitudes and workplace practices
Authors: Brohan Elaine , Henderson Claire , Little Kirsty , Thornicroft Graham
Published: April 2019

Aim– To investigate whether employers who have experience of hiring people with mental health problems differ significantly from those without such experience in terms of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding mental health in the workplace, and the concerns which they report about employing people with mental health problems. We also examine whether non-workplace social contact is associated with the above variables.Methods– A telephone survey was conducted with a randomly selected sample of British employers. The sample included a similar number of human resource managers and managers/executive employees in other roles.Results– 502 employers took part. Having employed someone with a mental health problem was associated with closer non-workplace social contact. Those with experience of employing applicants with mental health problems had significant differences in knowledge (regarding the law), and behaviour (having a policy on hiring applicants with disabilities) but not in attitudes.Conclusions– Non-workplace social contact may be useful to consider in understanding hiring practices. The nature of social contact at work and possible lack of impact of this contact on employer attitudes and concerns warrants further study. Greater support is needed for employers to understand the law regarding mental health problems in the workplace.

Declaration of Interest:The study was part funded by Big Lottery and Comic Relief through their funding of the Time to Change programme. The study was also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) applied programme grant awarded to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The authors report no conflict of interest in the preparation of this manuscript.
Authors are not criminals and editors should not be policemen
Authors: Jorgensen Povl Munk
Published: April 2019

Authors are a necessary and most appreciated basis for the publishing of any scientific journal. They should be welcomed for their creativity, originality and productivity, not stigmatized in general as cheaters and criminals because a very few were tempted beyond their control to cut the slices a bit too thin, overdo the utilization of leftover data, listed too many authors to a paper, forgot to report a harmless study to an ethical committee, or in very few cases commit severe actions of fraud.

The managerial way of thinking, meeting every author with systems of control and limitations is like poison to creative minds. Instead of appointing editors as policemen, we may preferably meet the vast majority of classical scholarly working scientists with trust, confidence and support, facilitating the process of disseminating the results from their creative minds – and of course consequently show the deliberately cheating researchers the door when they act unfaithfully to the scientific society.
The place of theBritish Journal of Psychiatryin the mental health league
Authors: Tyrer Peter
Published: April 2019

TheBritish Journal of Psychiatryis an independent mainstream general psychiatric journal that competes reasonably well with others in the field. It does so by keeping a healthy balance between the demands of its readers, its contributors and the need for good science. It publishes an eclectic mix of original articles, reviews, editorials, reappraisals, comment, opinion and extras, the latter including poetry, short summaries, literature and psychiatry, and a touch of humour. These contributions are not always in keeping with the harsh requirements of the impact factor, but we judge that this makes for a better all-round journal that advances psychiatry in all its manifold aspects and is anything but dull.
World Psychiatry and the WPA task force to promote dissemination of psychiatric research conducted in low and middle income countries
Authors: Maj Mario
Published: April 2019

World Psychiatry, the official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), is now published in five languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French) and reaches more than 33,000 psychiatrists in 121 countries. It received recently its first impact factor, 3.896. The publication of the journal has two objectives. The first is to reach as many psychiatrists of the various countries of the world as possible, disseminating information on recent significant clinical, service and research developments in a language that can be assimilated by the vast majority of them. The second is to give voice to psychiatrists of all regions of the world, encouraging submission of research papers, commentaries and reports on innovative service modalities. Related to this second objective has been the establishment by the WPA of a task force aiming to promote dissemination of psychiatric research conducted in low and middle income countries. Among the objectives of this task force is to advise and support the editors of high quality journals produced in those countries in their efforts to achieve indexation.

Declaration of Interest: None.
Longitudinal imaging studies in schizophrenia: the relationship between brain morphology and outcome measures
Authors: Bellani Marcella , Dusi Nicola , Brambilla Paolo
Published: April 2019

Imaging studies have tried to identify morphological outcome measures of schizophrenia in the last two decades. In particular, longitudinal studies have reported a correlation between larger ventricles, decreased prefrontal volumes and worse outcome. This would potentially allow to isolate subtypes of schizophrenia patients with a worse prognosis and more evident biological impairments, ultimately helping in designing specific rehabilitation interventions.
The process of producing a “NICE” guideline
Authors: Goldberg David
Published: April 2019

This paper describes the process of preparing a Clinical Guideline for “NICE”, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the United Kingdom. The procedure involves the group appointed to prepare the guideline relating to the various “stakeholders” who have an interest on the one hand, and satisfying the fairly demanding standards set by NICE on the other. The strengths and limitations of the approach based on evidence based medicine are discussed.
Parental bonding and eating psychopathology in bulimia nervosa: personality traits as possible mediators
Authors: Fassino Secondo , Amianto Federico , Rocca Giuseppe , Abbate Daga Giovanni
Published: April 2019

Aims– The relationship between eating disorders, attachment, personality traits and eating psychopathology remains unexplored. This study tested the mediating role of temperament and character between parental bonding and psy-chopathology in bulimic women.Methods– 154 bulimic subjects and 154 healthy controls were compared using Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Multiple regression analysis tested the mediation of personality traits between parenting and eating psy-chopathology.Results– Bulimic subjects displayed low maternal and paternal care and low self-directedness, and high novelty seeking and eating psychopathology. Maternal care was negatively related to social insecurity, inadequacy and impulsiveness. Paternal care predicted novelty seeking, self-directedness, interoceptive awareness, impulsiveness, and asceticism. The mediation effect of self-directedness between paternal care and psychopathology was significant, not the one of novelty seeking. Conclusions – Parental care is lower in bulimic than in control women even when controlled for possible confounding variables. Some eating psychopathology traits are related to maternal and paternal care, but not the bulimia subscale. Paternal care is also related to temperament and character traits which are related to eating psychopathology. Self-directedness mediates with different degrees between parenting and eating psychopathology. Clinical implications are discussed.

Declaration of Interest:The first author received financing from Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation for the research on eating disorders (3989 IT/FA 2005.1797). The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) awarded a Charron Family Grant to the second author to sustain research about the families of subjects affected by eating disorders. The third author received a grant from “Regione Piemonte” for research on Eating Disorders for the years 2008 and 2009. The authors have not received any other financing for the present research, including pharmaceutical company support or any honoraria for consultancies for interventions during the last two years. The authors are not involved in any conflict of interest in connection to the submitted article.