bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Authority, Control and Jurisdiction in the Extraterritorial Application of the European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Duttwiler Michael
Published: April 2017

The conditions under which the European Convention of Human Rights applies outside a Member State's territory continue to be imprecisely defined. This article attempts to clarify the meaning of ‘authority’ and ‘control’, the core notions employed by the Convention organs to determine extraterritorial ‘jurisdiction’ under Article 1 of the Convention. In line with early case law, it is argued that a State brings persons within its extraterritorial jurisdiction if it exercises actual authority over them. Actual authority, the article continues, should be understood as the ability to prescribe conduct. Whether a State prescribes conduct by formal or informal means is irrelevant; even seemingly mere factual acts may have a normative content and constitute authoritative acts. ‘Control’ describes the State's ability to enforce the conduct it has prescribed. Only where it has such control can the State be said to have actual authority, and therefore jurisdiction, over the person concerned.
New Challenges for Pluralist Adjudication after Lisbon: The Protection of Fundamental Rights in a Ius Commune Europaeum
Authors: Van Elsuwege Peter
Published: April 2017

With the introduction of a legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights and the envisaged accession of the European Union (EU) to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), the Treaty of Lisbon significantly affects the legal system for the protection of fundamental rights in Europe. It is argued that those innovations reinforce the integration between different legal suborders at the national, European Union and pan-European level into a common constitutional space. Simultaneously, it creates new challenges for pluralist adjudication on the part of the national constitutional courts, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. Arguably, the ambiguous scope of application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the uncertain implications of EU membership to the ECHR and the increasing overlap between national and European fundamental rights complicate the protection of human rights in the European legal order.
Framing Headscarves and other Multi-Cultural Issues as Religious, Cultural, Racial or Gendered: The Role of Human Rights Law
Authors: Loenen Titia
Published: April 2017

In many European societies emotions run high on claims for accommodating religious and/or cultural manifestations, such as wearing a headscarf at work or not being required to shake hands with persons of the opposite sex. People may perceive these issues in different ways as being about religion, culture, gender or race/ethnic origin. This article explores the question how human rights law feeds into this process of framing, concentrating on European human rights standards. What does human rights law (potentially) add to the way the issues are perceived and interpreted? What specific ways of framing will human rights law perhaps enable or stimulate? The overall conclusion is that human rights law is not a neutral factor in framing the headscarf and shaking hands issues as either cultural, religious, racial and/or gendered.
The American Convention and the Protocol of San Salvador: Two Intertwined Treaties
Authors: Ruiz-Chiriboga Oswaldo R.
Published: April 2017

This article discusses the direct enforceability of economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights in the Inter-American System, also called ‘the direct approach’. It starts by presenting two apparent conflicts between certain provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights (“the Convention”) and the Protocol of San Salvador (“the Protocol”) related to the ESC rights recognised in Article 26 of the Convention and the mechanisms of protection of such rights. The author concludes that ESC rights were never intended to be directly enforceable before the Inter-American System and therefore the direct approach is not feasible, except for the right to unionisation and the right to education, the only rights expressly conceived as directly enforceable by the Protocol. The recent decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Acevedo-Buendía et al. v. Peru is also studied. The Court declared that it has contentious jurisdiction over alleged violations of ESC rights, but it took no notice of the Protocol. This article stresses that every interpretation on ESC rights in the Inter-American System must not ignore the Protocol of San Salvador.
The Right to Development in International Human Rights Law: A Call for its Dissolution
Authors: Vandenbogaerde Arne
Published: April 2017

In light of its recent twenty-fifth anniversary and the determination of the core norm of the right to development, the article revisits the question concerning its added value. After having examined the current legal framework it finds that the right to development does not raise any new substantive obligations for States and non-State actors and thus appears dissolvable within the current framework. The article concludes by calling for a focus on extraterritorial and transnational human rights obligations in order to further advance towards an international enabling environment for the realisation of all human rights. At the moment, the right to development is doing a disservice to other human rights, especially economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights, as it considers those rights to be consolidated in their scope and content regarding international responsibilities.
Socio-Economic and Cultural Rights and Wrongs after Armed Conflicts
Authors: Schmid Evelyne
Published: April 2017

Commentators and practitioners increasingly emphasise that redressing violations of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) and improving the living conditions of individuals and communities is key in countries emerging from armed conflicts and widespread human rights abuses. Yet, it remains difficult to achieve this objective in practice and it is not obvious how international law can contribute to the enhancement of ESCR in the aftermath of pervasive abuses. This article addresses some of the subject's conceptual and practical complexities: Based on an analysis of all relevant concluding observations, the article traces the evolution of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' jurisprudence on armed conflict. It then uses this analysis to highlight specific ways in which the reporting procedure before this supervisory body could be used more effectively to address ESCR problems related to armed conflicts, including by forging synergies with transitional justice mechanisms and broader post-conflict recovery policies.
The ECOWAS Court as a Human Rights Promoter? Assessing Five Years' Impact of the Koraou Slavery Judgment
Authors: Adjolohoun Horace S.
Published: April 2017

The 2005 reform initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had the double effect of putting an end to ten years of judicial lethargy and positioning its Community Court of Justice (ECCJ) as a promising international human rights body. One of the most illustrative cases of the Court's impact is the landmark Koraou (Slavery) judgment in which the ECCJ condemned Niger for failing to protect the complainant from enslavement by a third party. Five years after the Koraou decision, this paper uses empirical based theories, case study and factual evidence to interrogate whether the ECCJ's judgment has had any further effect than just restoring the dignity of an individual litigant. Such assessment is important to thousands of other human beings who still live in bondage in the rest of the region. Ultimately, the paper seeks to demonstrate that although it has not reached the irradiating model of the European Court of Human Rights, the ECCJ has the potential of becoming a human rights promoter in the region and beyond.
The Role of Human Dignity in a World of Plural Values and Ethical Commitments
Authors: Addis Adeno
Published: April 2017

The concept of human dignity plays a central role in many legal and political theories. The concept also occupies a prominent place in numerous national and international legal documents as well as judicial decisions. Yet, it is not always clear what the concept means or entails. ‘Human dignity’ is one of those phrases that carries unspoken assumptions and connotations that can powerfully influence the discourse they permeate while escaping critical scrutiny. This article subjects the phrase to critical scrutiny to see which or what understanding (among many) is defensible and credible as a matter of legal and political practice. After examining some of the currently prominent approaches to dignity and finding them unsatisfactory, the article defines and defends an understanding of human dignity that develops from the bottom up rather than from the top down. Such a notion of dignity will necessarily be political in a sense that it develops through our works and conversations within and among traditions and systems. It emerges from an ‘overlapping consensus’ of various traditions and systems as to what it means to dignify humans or conversely to subject them to indignities. The article argues that only a notion of dignity developed and adopted in that manner will serve as a practical guide in a world of plural values and ethical commitments. The idea here is to establish human dignity as a norm within a global public enterprise which guides the actions of individuals and governmental entities both within and across communities. The article argues that the standards of human dignity developed here set limits to the sovereignty of States in that their violation (whether actual or anticipated) will be sufficient reason to authorise outside intervention, whether coercive or noncoercive.
Human Rights Due Diligence for Corporations: From Voluntary Standards to Hard Law at Last?
Authors: Martin-Ortega Olga
Published: April 2017

Multinational corporations may play a significant role in contemporary conflicts both directly or indirectly by contributing to the financing of activities of warring armed groups. The international attention to this problem has recently been integrated into the efforts to develop the regulatory framework covering activities and working methods of corporate actors that impact negatively on human rights. This article analyses the initiatives to develop standards to regulate corporate behaviour affecting human rights in conflict zones. In particular, it studies the initiatives taken to prevent corporate involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through the exploitation and trade of so-called ‘conflict minerals’. Its main focus is the developing standard of human rights due diligence for corporations, and how international and State practice may be contributing to its transformation from a voluntary standard to measure corporate compliance with social expectations into a potential normative standard.
Foregrounding Socioeconomic Rights in Transitional Justice: Realising Justice for Violations of Economic and Social Rights
Authors: Cahill-Ripley Amanda
Published: April 2017

Transitional justice has traditionally ignored or sidelined violations of economic and social rights, focussing on violations of civil and political rights as the primary grave human rights violations to be addressed when seeking justice for past atrocities. This paper explores the omission of these rights from the field and uncovers the shortcomings of such an approach. It will argue that there is a need for transitional justice to address both deliberate violations of economic and social rights resulting from conflict or repression, but also structural violations which have acted as root causes of conflict within the State. It is submitted that past experiences of prosecutorial and restorative justice illustrate that violations of economic and social rights have been acknowledged as background information rather than primary concerns for transitional justice. In conclusion it is contended that economic and social rights need to be brought to the foreground of transitional justice processes in order to ensure effective transitional justice which reflects the needs and rights of the local population, and addresses the root causes of conflict, thus preventing conflict reoccurring around the same sources. The inclusion of economic and social rights concerns within transitional justice mechanisms will therefore contribute to a more holistic and inclusive transitional justice process.
The Involvement of the European Court of Human Rights in the Implementation of its Judgments: Recent Developments under Article 46 ECHR
Authors: Sicilianos Linos-Alexander
Published: April 2017

Over the last decade the Court has been progressively involved in the execution of its judgments. The traditional approach, according to which the judgments of the Court are only of a declaratory nature and the Committee of Ministers has an exclusive competence to supervise their execution, does not correspond to recent practice. The Court has repeatedly recommended or even prescribed general or individual measures in the framework not only of pilot or quasi-pilot judgments, but also of “ordinary” ones. It is uncontestable that the Committee of Ministers bears the primary responsibility in the field of execution. Nevertheless, its powers are not exclusive. The Court has a complementary competence in this respect. The relevant case law has a solid legal basis in the Convention, as well as in instruments recently adopted by the Committee of Ministers. However, when indicating execution measures it is necessary for the Court to maintain and respect the institutional balance provided in the Convention and to leave, as a matter of principle, a more or less wide margin of appreciation to States.
Sub-National Human Rights Institutions and the Domestication of International Human Rights Norms
Authors: Wolman Andrew
Published: April 2017

While the domestication of international human rights law has been intensively studied in recent years, little attention has been paid to the domestication role of sub-national human rights institutions, meaning those ombudsmen, human rights commissions, and similar independent non-judicial governmental institutions that possess sub-national mandates, and whose mission includes the implementation of human rights norms. This article demonstrates that sub-national human rights institutions around the world are not simply local institutions implementing local norms. Rather, they are increasingly involved in the domestication of international human rights law through their quasi-judicial resolution of disputes, promotion of governmental compliance with international norms; promotion of international norms in civil society; promotion of the use of international norms by the courts, and use of international norms as standards in human rights monitoring. The article explores the implications of these actions, and how the sub-national human rights institutions add to the existing domestication of international norms by national-level actors.
The African Charter and Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights; How to Make it More Effective
Authors: Benedek Wolfgang
Published: April 2017

This contribution discusses how to improve the African system of human and peoples' rights on the basis both of the practice of the African Commission and of a revision of the African Charter in the light of the practice and experience of other regional human rights conventions and bodies. Particular emphasis is put on improvements in the procedure of communications. Furthermore, the role of the African Commission with regard to the move towards democracy and human rights in Africa and the relationship between the Commission and the OAU will be analyzed, and a number of proposals on strengthening the African Charter and the African Commission will be made.

In presenting the actual situation of the African Commission particular attention is given to the results of the 11th and 12th sessions (March and October 1992 respectively) of the African Commission which in respect to some concerns were breaking new ground.
Combating Racial Discrimination in the World and in Europe
Authors: van Boven Theo
Published: April 2017

The struggle against racism and racial discrimination requires a broad strategy of action, ranging from legal and political measures, including measures of conflict resolution and confidence building, to policies in the fields of teaching, education, culture and information. Attention is paid to the actions taken over the years by the United Nations to eliminate racism and racial discrimination. It may be concluded that the actions to combat racism and racial discrimination had, at least at the level of the United Nations, a spear-head function on the road to the progressive development of strategies and policies for dealing with the promotion and protection of human rights in general. Racial discrimination is a global problem that manifests itself in a variety of ways. The international standards, adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations, are applicable to all and not only with respect to a pre-selected number of countries and situations. These standards are universal. Subsequently, the question of racism and racial discrimination as it manifests itself in Europe is dealt with. With the disappearance of totalitarian communism, Europe has become a complicated place where in several areas national and ethnic violence has reached proportions and a degree of hatred and cruelty which are reminders of the days of World War II. Radical sentiments of nationalism and ethnocentrism re-emerge. Apart from this there is a steadily growing manifestation of racism and xenophobia against foreign immigrants and refugees. There are also countermovements, which are a source of hope that the struggle against racism and racial discrimination is a commitment as well as a common standard of achievement by all peoples and all nations. Action at the national level has to be supplemented by action at the international level. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is a strategic tool in this area. In the light of new challenges it is therefore of great importance that all States and all sectors of society, cooperate to implement this Convention and that the supervisory mechanism established under the Convention is able to carry out its critical role.
Disintegration and Statelessness
Authors: van Krieken Peter
Published: April 2017

In this article, the author focuses on the statelessness issue. He submits that in the aftermath of the disintegration of Unions and Federal Republics many an individual will end up empty handed, i.e. without a nationality. The article deals with: nation building, citizenship, citizens and non-citizens, non-citizens and foreigners, statelessness, the status of stateless persons and the UNHCR's involvement. Special attention has been paid to the Baltic countries. The author concludes, inter alia, that on the legal level one must make sure that all countries which (re-)gain their independence do follow international standards and do include in their municipal legislation a generous and liberal set of rules and regulations governing the status of the so-called non-nationals. He also advocates an early accession to the international instruments relating to statelessness.
A Conditional Promise
Authors: Jacobs Myriam
Published: April 2017

One of the major problems regarding the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women seems to be the issue of substantial reservations through which States Parties can exclude themselves from the treaty obligations. In this article the author tries to analyze the reasoning behind the reservations in order to initiate the discussion about universality of human rights of women.
At its 75th Anniversary, the International Labour Organisation Prepares Itself for an Active Future
Authors: Betten Lammy
Published: April 2017

In this article a few important aspects which have contributed to the significance of the International Labour Organisation will be analyzed, namely: the co-operation between governments, employers and workers; the detailed standard setting; and the supervision on implementation. In addition, attention is paid to the criticism as regards the Organisation's functioning.
Agreement between MRI and pathologic analyses for determination of tumor size and correlation with immunohistochemical factors of invasive breast carcinoma
Authors: Yoo Eun Young , Nam Sang Yu , Choi Hye-Young , Hong Min Ji
Published: April 2017

Background

There may be discordance between tumor size determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and that observed during pathologic analyses.

Purpose

To evaluate MRI-pathology concordance of tumor size in patients with invasive breast carcinoma.

Material and Methods

Data from 307 invasive breast carcinomas were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative breast MRI was reviewed for size, lesion type, morphology, and dynamic contrast-enhanced tumor kinetics. MRI tumor size was compared with tumor size measurements from the pathologic analysis. Concordance was defined as a difference in diameter of ≤ 0.5 cm. MRI-pathology concordance was compared according to clinical and histopathologic features.

Results

The mean tumor size on MRI was 2.48 ± 1.41 cm. Tumor measurements determined by MRI were not significantly different from those recorded in the pathologic reports (2.56 ± 1.61 cm, P = 0.199). MRI-pathology concordance was found in 229/307 (74.6%) cases; the size was overestimated in 36 (11.7%) tumors and underestimated in 42 (13.7%). On univariate analysis, MRI-pathology discordance was associated with larger tumor size ( P < 0.001), estrogen receptor (ER) negativity ( P = 0.006), and lymphovascular invasion ( P = 0.003). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive molecular subtype showed worse correlation between the tumor size measured by MRI and pathology compared with luminal A and luminal B subtypes ( P = 0.008 and 0.007). On multivariate analysis, tumor size and ER status significantly influenced MRI-pathology concordance ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

ER negativity and larger tumor size were strongly associated with MRI-pathology discordance in invasive breast carcinomas. Awareness of these factors might improve surgical planning.
Influence of Glenoid Defect Size and Bone Fragment Size on the Clinical Outcome After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Male Collision/Contact Athletes
Authors: Nakagawa Shigeto , Mae Tatsuo , Yoneda Kenji , Kinugasa Kazutaka , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: April 2017

Background:

The usefulness of arthroscopic Bankart repair for collision/contact athletes has varied in previous reports.

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of glenoid rim morphologic characteristics on the clinical outcome after arthroscopic Bankart repair without additional reinforcement procedures in male collision/contact athletes, including athletes with a large glenoid defect.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Eighty-six athletes (93 shoulders) followed for a minimum of 2 years were retrospectively investigated. The sports were rugby (36 shoulders), American football (29 shoulders), and other collision/contact sports (28 shoulders). Preoperative glenoid defect size, bone fragment size, and bone union after bony Bankart repair were investigated regarding factors influencing postoperative recurrence. Postoperative changes in glenoid defect size and bone fragment size were investigated as well as their influence on the clinical outcome.

Results:

Postoperative recurrence of instability was noted in 22 shoulders (23.7%). The recurrence rate was 33.3% in rugby, 17.2% in American football, and 17.9% in other collision/contact sports. The recurrence rate was only 7.1% in 28 shoulders without a preoperative glenoid defect, but it increased to 43.8% in 16 shoulders that did not have a bone fragment even though there was a preoperative glenoid defect. Additionally, the recurrence rate was 7.7% in 26 shoulders with bone union after arthroscopic bony Bankart repair but rose to 45% in 20 shoulders without bone union. In the shoulders with bone union, the mean bone fragment size increased from 8.2% preoperatively to 15.2% postoperatively, while the mean glenoid defect size decreased from 18.0% to 2.8%, respectively. The recurrence rate was 8.3% in shoulders with a final glenoid defect 5% or less versus 38.1% in shoulders with a defect greater than 5%. While the recurrence rate was low among athletes other than rugby players with a final defect of 10% or less, it was low in only the rugby players with a defect of 0%.

Conclusion:

In male collision/contact athletes, while the overall clinical outcome was unsatisfactory, a favorable outcome was achieved in athletes without a preoperative glenoid defect and athletes with bone union. The glenoid defect decreased in size postoperatively due to remodeling of the united bone fragment, and the recurrence rate was low when the final glenoid defect size was 5% or less.
Lethality Assessment Protocol
Authors: Grant Tanya M. , Cross-Denny Bronwyn
Published: April 2017

This exploratory, qualitative research study examined the attitudes and barriers police officers identified in successful implementation of the lethality assessment protocol (LAP), a collaborative intervention between police departments and domestic violence advocacy agencies in the state of Connecticut. Focus groups were conducted at three police departments to ascertain officers’ perceptions of the LAP. Officers ( N = 22) were recruited through an individual contact at each department. Responses to focus group questions indicated both system-wide and individual police department barriers. Results showed officers generally support the protocol and believe it has beneficial intent and purpose. Obstructions identified include timing of the implementation, lack of victim cooperation, and agency culture. Implementation barriers and officers’ attitudes are discussed.
Remifentanil for Sedation of Children With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hungerford James L. , O’Brien Nicole , Moore-Clingenpeel Melissa , Sribnick Eric A. , Sargel Cheryl , Hall Mark , Leonard Jeffrey R. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To determine whether remifentanil would provide adequate sedation while allowing frequent and reproducible neurologic assessments in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during mechanical ventilation.

Design:

Retrospective review.

Setting:

Tertiary care PICU.

Patients:

Thirty-eight patients over a 30-month period.

Measurements and Main Results:

Median age was 9 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.25-12 years). The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 9 (IQR: 8-10). All patients were tracheally intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation. A continuous infusion of remifentanil was started at 0.1 μg/kg/min, and bolus doses of 0.25 to 1 μg/kg were administered every 3 to 5 minutes as needed to reach the desired sedation level. Infusions were stopped at least hourly to perform neurologic examinations. The median remifentanil dose was 0.25 μg/kg/min with an IQR of 0.1 and 0.6 μg/kg/min. The maximum dose for any patient in the cohort was 2 μg/kg/min. Median duration of therapy with remifentanil was 20 hours (IQR: 8-44 hours). Adequate sedation was achieved with sedation scores (State Behavioral Scale) meeting target levels with a median value of 100% of the time (IQR: 79%-100%). Neurologic examinations were able to be performed within a median of 9 minutes (IQR: 5-14 minutes) of pausing the infusion. No serious safety events occurred. In 68% of the patients, neurologic examinations remained reassuring during remifentanil infusion, and patients were extubated. The remaining patients were transitioned to traditional sedative agents for long-term management of their traumatic injuries once the neurologic status was deemed stable.

Conclusion:

This data suggest that remifentanil is a suitable sedative agent for use in children with TBI. It provides a rapid onset of sedation with recovery that permits reliable and reproducible clinical examination.
Public Sector Pension Plans for Private Sector Workers
Authors: Kilgour John G.
Published: April 2017

It has long been recognized that millions of Americans do not have access to pensions or retirement savings programs at work. Various efforts have been made to address this problem legislatively. None have been particularly successful. The Obama Administration proposed the creation of a federal automatic enrollment Individual Retirement Account (IRA), but Congress would not act. Several states took an interest in the problem but were hindered by a number of problems, most importantly by the question of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) coverage. President Obama directed the Department of Labor to find a way around the ERISA preemption, which it did by extending the 1975 safe harbor regulations to state-operated payroll deduction IRAs. California’s Auto IRA program became effective on January 1, 2017. Others will soon follow.
Guarding the “Southern Border” in Communist Bulgaria: Policies, Practices, Experiences
Authors: Vukov Nikolai
Published: April 2017

This article is part of the special section titled From the Iron Curtain to the Schengen Area, guest edited by Wolfgang Mueller and Libora Oates-Indruchová.

Soon after the establishment of communist rule in Bulgaria, the state’s “Southern border” (with Turkey and Greece) became its most staunchly guarded borderline, stimulated by the ideological interpretation of the two countries as imperialist states that posed a direct threat to the entire socialist bloc. Since the early 1960s—copying the strategies applied to the Berlin Wall—various new measures were introduced by the communist state to make this borderline even more impermeable, involving the actions of military institutions, propaganda units, and the local population. The current article analyzes the guarding of the “Southern border” in communist Bulgaria and interprets it as an element of the overall strategy of these years to put borderline areas under strict supervision and control. The article presents the main steps in the organization of Border Troops in Bulgaria after 1944 and the various political, educational, and cultural policies developed by the communist state to create loyalty among the soldiers, the military staff, and the population in general. On the basis of archival materials, published memoirs, and literary texts, the article reconstructs the maintenance of constant alert about illegal trespassing, the organization of “voluntary troops” for border-guarding, the training of the young generations, and the romanticizing of the border guard service in those years. In the last part, emphasis is paid to the discrepancies between the propaganda messages and the reactions of the local population, which outline the multi-faceted encounters with ideological policies at the edges of this staunchly guarded world.
Numerical and experimental study on the separation characteristics of microgroove rotary seals
Authors: Xue Bing , Wei Chao , Hu Ji Bin , Zhao Yi Min
Published: April 2017

The microgroove rotary seals used in the wet clutches of a vehicle operate in a mixed-lubrication state at low rotational speeds. When the speed increases to a certain value, the full-film hydrodynamic-lubrication state occurs in the sealing end face. The transition characteristics of the microgroove rotary seal in this operating state are called the separation characteristics and the critical speed is called the separation speed. In this paper, the separation characteristics of microgroove rotary seals are studied. First, a theoretical model considering the asperity contacts, the fluid lubrication with microgrooves and the axial motion dynamic characteristics of the seal is established. Then, the variation in the separation characteristics is studied systematically using the microgroove parameters, such as the number Ng of microgrooves, the groove width ratio δθ, the extent δr of the radial seal dam and the spiral angle β. The optimum ranges of the microgroove parameters are determined: Ng = 40–50, δθ = 0.65–0.75 and δr = 0.7–0.8 for radial grooves and Ng = 30–40, δθ = 0.5–0.7, δr = 0.7–0.8 and β = 12–17° for spiral grooves. Finally, the variations in the microgroove parameters of the separation characteristics are verified by several experiments. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation results.
Regional climate change and the onset of farming in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia
Authors: Krossa Veronica Rohde , Moros Matthias , Leduc Guillaume , Hinz Martin , Blanz Thomas , Schneider Ralph
Published: April 2017

In Europe, the transition from hunter–gatherer–fisher-based communities into societies mainly relying on farming was spread from the southeast towards the north and west during the Holocene. In central Germany, farming was adopted at ~7500 cal. yr BP, whereas the shift is evident at ~6000–5500 cal. yr BP in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia. Consequently, farming techniques were available for more than a millennium. Some studies argue that climate change might have played a role in the onset of farming in those areas. The aim of this study is to reconstruct the mid- to late-Holocene sea surface temperature (SST) evolution in the Skagerrak to document potential regional climatic impacts on changes in human economy. We compare our results with a record of human settlement activity in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia. Prior to ~6300 cal. yr BP, warm SSTs are documented throughout the Skagerrak, suggesting dominance of North Atlantic sourced water inflow providing mild climatic conditions. Between ~6300 and 5400 cal. yr BP, that is, concomitant with the shift in human economy, SSTs in the NE Skagerrak dropped by ~5–6°C, as also documented in mean annual air temperatures in central South Sweden, although less pronounced. The regional cooling suggests outflow of colder Baltic Sea water only affecting the NE Skagerrak and central South Sweden. Probably, numerous severe winters reflecting a continental-dominated atmospheric circulation pattern prevailed over the region. These changes most likely caused a gradual restriction in natural food sources, in particular from the marine realm. We thus suggest that hunter–gatherer–fishers were forced to adopt farming strategies to counter-balance this environmental stress. Our results indicate that regional changes in oceanography probably amplifying North Atlantic climate change in the western Baltic were an important factor that played a role in the adoption of farming in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia.
The Complicated Partisan Effects of State Election Laws
Authors: Burden Barry C. , Canon David T. , Mayer Kenneth R. , Moynihan Donald P.
Published: April 2017

Conventional political wisdom holds that policies that make voting easier will increase turnout and ultimately benefit Democratic candidates. We challenge this assumption, questioning the ability of party strategists to predict which changes to election law will advantage them. Drawing on previous research, we theorize that voting laws affect who votes in diverse ways depending on the specific ways that they reduce the costs of participating. We assemble datasets of county-level vote returns in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential elections and model these outcomes as a function of early voting and registration laws, using both cross-sectional regression and difference-in-difference models. Unlike Election Day registration, and contrary to conventional wisdom, the results show that early voting generally helps Republicans. We conclude with implications for partisan manipulation of election laws.
A Conceptual Model of Wellness Destination Characteristics That Contribute to Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Thal Karen Irene , Hudson Simon
Published: April 2017

This study considered the characteristics of a stay at a wellness destination that enhance psychological well-being. Self-determination theory (SDT) was used to identify the necessary conditions to promote subjective well-being, and focus group sessions were then conducted to evaluate the SDT constructs in the context of a wellness facility. A conceptual model articulating characteristics of the external environment or wellness facility as well as ideal guest experiences, to ensure enhanced well-being as the outcome of a stay at a wellness facility, was then proposed. These conditions included the quality of staff–guest interactions, voluntary participation in novel and engaging activities in the context of a structured daily schedule, encouraging mindfulness practices, guest camaraderie, and enhanced competence or confidence overall.
Cross-sectional quantitative RT-PCR study of feline coronavirus viremia and replication in peripheral blood of healthy shelter cats in Southern California
Authors: Fish Eric J , Diniz Pedro Paulo VP , Juan Yen-Chen , Bossong Frank , Collisson Ellen W , Drechsler Yvonne , Kaltenboeck Bernhard
Published: April 2017

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of feline coronavirus (FCoV) viremia, and its replication in peripheral blood using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) methodology in a population of 205 healthy shelter cats in Southern California, as well as to assess any possible connection to longitudinal development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

Methods

The study was performed on buffy-coat samples from EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood samples of 205 healthy shelter cats. From 50 of these cats, fecal samples were also examined. FCoV genomic and subgenomic RNA in the buffy coats was amplified by a total FCoV RNA qRT-PCR. Evidence for FCoV replication in peripheral blood and feces was obtained by M gene mRNA qRT-PCR.

Results

Nine of 205 cats (4.4%) were viremic by the total FCoV RNA qRT-PCR, and one of these cats had evidence of peripheral FCoV blood replication by an FCoV mRNA qRT-PCR. The single cat with peripheral blood replication had a unique partial M gene sequence distinct from positive controls and previously published FCoV sequences. Neither seven of the nine viremic cats with follow-up nor the single cat with replicating FCoV with positive qRT-PCR results developed signs compatible with FIP within 6 months of sample collection.

Conclusions and relevance

FCoV viremia and peripheral blood replication in healthy shelter cats have a low prevalence and do not correlate with later development of FIP in this study population, but larger case-control studies evaluating the prognostic accuracy of the qRT-PCR assays are needed.
Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in Patients With Germline Mutations of VHL, RET, SDHB, and SDHD Genes: Thai Experience
Authors: Sriphrapradang Chutintorn , Choopun Kitjapong , Tunteeratum Atchara , Sura Thanyachai
Published: April 2017

Mutations in the VHL, RET, SDHB, and SDHD genes are responsible for von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), and familial paraganglioma, respectively. However, genotype-phenotype correlation data are lacking in Southeast Asia. A retrospective medical chart review was performed on patients referred to the genetics service. We found 35 patients diagnosed with clinical syndromes (16 VHL, 9 MEN2, 9 paragangliomas, and 1 neurofibromatosis type 1). In patients with VHL, 5 known VHL mutations were identified: p.Trp88X, p.Ile151Thr, p.Arg161X, p.Arg167Gln, and p.Leu178Arg. The most frequent RET mutations in patients with MEN2A occurred at codon 634 on exon 11: p.Cys634Tyr, p.Cys634Trp, and p.Cys634Arg. A patient with MEN2B had p.Met918Thr RET mutation. Approximately, 90% of patients with MEN2 had medullary thyroid carcinoma. Pheochromocytoma was found in 55.6% of patients with MEN2, and 60% of them had bilateral lesions. One patient with malignant thoracic paraganglioma had p.Arg46X mutation of SDHB. This study provides mutation phenotypes that offer a useful tool for clinicians and patients to stratify disease risks and tailor screening programs.
A review on tribological properties of natural fiber based sustainable hybrid composite
Authors: Karthikeyan S , Rajini N , Jawaid M , Winowlin Jappes JT , Thariq MTH , Siengchin Suchart , Sukumaran J
Published: April 2017

Natural fibers based composites having good mechanical properties have attracted tribologists to explore their application range from friction materials to friction modifiers. Hybridization of the fiber reinforced polymer composite is necessary to ensure combined mechanical strength and tribological properties. Hence, this review discusses “hybrid natural fiber composites” in detail. Earlier, reports listed the tribological failure in polymer composites from the view point of mechanical failures such as fiber/matrix interfacial debonding, matrix crack, fiber fragments, and debris generation. The present review focuses on the transfer layer formation, influence of contact temperature, and degradation of self-lubricating polymer behavior of natural fiber based hybrid composites. The authors assume that present review article on the tribological properties of hybrid composites can guide the research community towards innovative material design for tribological applications by the hybridization of natural fiber composites.
Bond graph analysis and optimal control of the hybrid dual clutch transmission shift process
Authors: Ranogajec V , Deur J
Published: April 2017

In order to meet ever demanding requirements on powertrain efficiency and performance improvement, new concepts of automatic transmissions have been introduced recently, including electrified conventional transmissions. A representative example of electrified transmission system is a hybrid dual clutch transmission. The paper presents an optimisation-based comparative analysis of gear shift processes of different hybrid dual clutch transmission configurations and the conventional dual clutch transmission. The paper first outlines a control-oriented mathematical model of a dual clutch transmission/hybrid dual clutch transmission-based powertrain and describes the basic dual clutch transmission gear shift characteristics. The emphasis is then on hybrid dual clutch transmission systems, including overview of most common hybrid dual clutch transmission configurations, bond graph modelling and analysis, and control trajectory optimisation. The bond graph analysis illustrates the possibilities of improving the transmission shift performance by utilising the incorporated electric motor. The analysis findings are then quantitatively illustrated by optimisation results, which point out that a proper electric motor action results in significant improvement of shift quality.
Clinical characteristics of unknown symptom onset stroke patients with and without diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery mismatch
Authors: Thomalla Götz , Boutitie Florent , Fiebach Jochen B , Simonsen Claus Z , Pedraza Salvador , Lemmens Robin , Nighoghossian Norbert , Roy Pascal , Muir Keith W , Ebinger Martin , Ford Ian , Cheng Bastian , Galinovic Ivana , Cho Tae-Hee , Puig Josep , Thijs Vincent , Endres Matthias , Fiehler Jens , Gerloff Christian
Published: April 2017

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) mismatch was suggested to identify stroke patients with unknown time of symptom onset likely to be within the time window for thrombolysis.

Aims

We aimed to study clinical characteristics associated with DWI-FLAIR mismatch in patients with unknown onset stroke.

Methods

We analyzed baseline MRI and clinical data from patients with acute ischemic stroke proven by DWI from WAKE-UP, an investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of MRI-based thrombolysis in stroke patients with unknown time of symptom onset. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without DWI-FLAIR mismatch.

Results

Of 699 patients included, 418 (59.8%) presented with DWI-FLAIR mismatch. A shorter delay between last seen well and symptom recognition (p = 0.0063), a shorter delay between symptom recognition and arrival at hospital (p = 0.0025), and history of atrial fibrillation (p = 0.19) were predictors of DWI-FLAIR mismatch in multivariate analysis. All other characteristics were comparable between groups.

Conclusions

There are only minor differences in measured clinical characteristics between unknown symptom onset stroke patients with and without DWI-FLAIR mismatch. DWI-FLAIR mismatch as an indicator of stroke onset within 4.5 h shows no relevant association with commonly collected clinical characteristics of stroke patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01525290; URL: https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu . Unique identifier: 2011-005906-32.
Sports rights and public service media/public broadcasting: Case studies on economic and political implications
Authors: Taylor Gregory , Thomass Barbara
Published: April 2017

The historic relationship between public service media and major national sporting events is strained and/or broken across the globe. This article offers a broad picture of the recent developments in the global market for sport broadcasting and frames the debate between those who view sport as an essential element of national culture and others, for whom sport is a product best left to the marketplace. This special issue explores the place of sports broadcasting rights in the increasingly contested environment of public service media.
Sportgulation: Courts as ‘deus ex machina’ in defining the ‘public interest’ in sport broadcasting – The case of Israel
Authors: Tamir Ilan , Limor Yehiel
Published: April 2017

In 2005, following an appeal to the High Court of Justice, secret financial agreements between the Israel Broadcasting Authority and Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team (a privately owned team that plays regularly in top European tournaments) were exposed. The documents revealed that the Israel Broadcasting Authority paid 26 million dollars in the previous six years for broadcasting Maccabi’s games, in addition to indirect payments related to sponsors. At the same year, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the Israeli Broadcasting Authority to broadcast all games of the Israeli women’s basketball champion, as part of European tournaments, after the Authority refused to do so. Why was one team favored by the public broadcasting service while the other required court intervention? Who, then, defines the public interest in sport? Who enjoys being broadcast: only national teams in popular sport branches (football and basketball) or private teams as well? Is it ‘men only’ or women’s sport is also considered worthy to be broadcast? This study seeks to examine the pressures and interests regarding sport broadcasting and focus on the role of courts as a ‘deus ex machina’ in solving the competition between the public and private interests. Based on analysis of courts’ decisions and in-depth interviews with senior officials at the three regulatory organs, who regulate all Israeli TV outlets and channels, we draw a complicated web of economic, political, and legal interests and pressures. When no one wins the ‘pressure game,’ it comes to court, which has to decide and define what a ‘public interest’ is, and thus becomes, de facto, a fourth regulator of the TV in sport broadcasting. The decisions made concerning sport broadcasting rights in Israel offer a window in the wider question of how Israel defines the public interest in broadcasting.