bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
H‐B‐E (hexanol‐butanol‐ethanol) fermentation for the production of higher alcohols from syngas/waste gas
Authors: Fernández‐Naveira Ánxela , Veiga María C , Kennes Christian
Published: January 2017

CO, H2, and CO2 are major components of syngas and some industrial CO‐rich waste gases (e.g. waste gases from steel industries), besides some additional minor compounds. It was recently shown that those gases can be bioconverted, by acetogenic/solventogenic bacteria, into ethanol and higher alcohols such as butanol, but also hexanol, through the so‐called HBE fermentation. That process presents some advantages over existing chemical conversion processes. This paper reviews HBE fermentation from C1‐gases after briefly describing the more conventional ABE (acetone‐butanol‐ethanol) fermentation from carbohydrates by Clostridium acetobutylicum, in order to allow for comparison of both processes. Although acetone may appear in carbohydrate fermentation, alcohols are the only major end‐metabolites in the HBE process with Clostridium carboxidivorans. The few acetogenic bacteria known to metabolize C1‐gases and produce butanol or higher alcohols are described. Clostridium carboxidivorans has been used in most cases. Bioconversion of the gaseous substrates takes place in two stages, namely acidogenesis (production of acids) followed by solventogenesis (production of alcohols), characterized by different optimal fermentation conditions. Major parameters affecting each bioconversion stage as well as the overall fermentation process are analyzed. Although it has been claimed that acidification is required in ABE fermentation to initiate the solventogenic stage, strong acidification seems to some extent not to be a prerequisite for solventogenesis in the HBE process. Bioreactors potentially suitable for this type of bioconversion process are described as well. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation and characterization of graphite oxide nano‐reinforced biocomposites from chicken feather keratin
Authors: Esparza Yussef , Ullah Aman , Wu Jianping
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Natural polymers have gained increased attention in reducing the dependence on petroleum‐based materials. Chicken feather proteins are an abundant industrial by‐product suitable for the fabrication of sustainable thermoplastics. However, protein‐based plastics generally exhibit poor physical and thermal properties which limit their application.

In this research, the fabrication of feather keratin based nano‐reinforced biocomposites by the addition of graphite oxide (GO) in a reactive extrusion system were investigated. The effects of GO carbon/oxygen ratio (C/O, 2.48, 2.07, and 1.55) and concentration (0.5–2%) of the selected GO on the conformational, physical and thermal properties of thermoplastic films were investigated.

RESULTS

Chicken feather–GO nanocomposites were successfully prepared at 150 °C in the reactive extrusion system. Tensile strength and Young modulus of chicken feather plastic films were significantly increased without affecting their elongation using low GO concentrations (0.5 to 1.5% w/w of protein). Our results suggest that higher content of hydroxyl groups and increased graphene interlayer space in GO facilitated interactions with feather keratin and plasticizers.

CONCLUSIONS

Graphite oxide proved to be an inexpensive alternative to graphene for the reinforcement of protein based composites. Extrusion provided a cost‐effective and environment‐friendly method for the processing of sustainable composites. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of acute thermal damage volumes in muscle using magnetization‐prepared 3D T2‐weighted imaging following MRI‐guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound therapy
Authors: Staruch Robert M. , Nofiele Joris , Walker Jamie , Bing Chenchen , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Bailey April , Kim Young‐Sun , Chhabra Avneesh , Burns Dennis , Chopra Rajiv
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate magnetization‐prepared 3D T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of acute tissue changes produced during ablative MR high‐intensity focused ultrasound (MR‐HIFU) exposures.

Materials and Methods

A clinical MR‐HIFU system (3T) was used to generate thermal lesions (n = 24) in the skeletal muscles of three pigs. T1‐weighted, 2D T2‐weighted, and magnetization‐prepared 3D T2‐weighted sequences were acquired before and after therapy to evaluate tissue changes following ablation. Tissues were harvested shortly after imaging, fixed in formalin, and gross‐sectioned. Select lesions were processed into whole‐mount sections. Lesion dimensions for each imaging sequence (length, width) and for gross sections (diameter of lesion core and rim) were assessed by three physicists. Contrast‐to‐background ratio between lesions and surrounding muscle was compared.

Results

Lesion dimensions on T1 and 2D T2‐weighted imaging sequences were well correlated (R2 ∼0.7). The contrast‐to‐background ratio between lesion and surrounding muscle was 7.4 ± 2.4 for the magnetization‐prepared sequence versus 1.7 ± 0.5 for a conventional 2D T2‐weighted acquisition, and 7.0 ± 2.9 for a contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted sequence. Compared with diameter measured on gross pathology, all imaging sequences overestimated the lesion core by 22–33%, and underestimated the lesion rim by 6–13%.

Conclusion

After MR‐HIFU exposures, measurements of the acute thermal damage patterns in muscle using a magnetization‐prepared 3D T2‐weighted imaging sequence correlate with 2D T2‐weighted and contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted imaging, and all agree well with histology. The magnetization‐prepared sequence offers positive tissue contrast and does not require IV contrast agents, and may provide a noninvasive imaging evaluation of the region of acute thermal injury at multiple times during HIFU procedures.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:354–364
Application of generalised finite differences method to reflection and transmission problems in seismic SH waves propagation
Authors: Ureña Miguel , Benito Juan José , Ureña Francisco , Salete Eduardo , Gavete Luis
Published: January 2017

A matrix formulation of the generalised finite difference method is introduced. A necessary and sufficient condition for the uniqueness of the solution is demonstrated, and important practical consequences are obtained. A generalised finite differences scheme for SH wave is obtained, the stability of the scheme is analysed and the formula for the velocity of the wave due to the scheme is obtained in order to deal with the numerical dispersion. The method is applied to seismic waves propagation problems, specifically to the problem of reflection and transmission of plane waves in heterogeneous media. A heterogeneous approach without nodes at the interface is chosen to solve the problem in heterogeneous media. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainty principle for measurable sets and signal recovery in quaternion domains
Authors: Kou Kit Ian , Yang Yan , Zou Cuiming
Published: January 2017

The classical uncertainty principle of harmonic analysis states that a nontrivial function and its Fourier transform cannot both be sharply localized. It plays an important role in signal processing and physics. This paper generalizes the uncertainty principle for measurable sets from complex domain to hypercomplex domain using quaternion algebras, associated with the quaternion Fourier transform. The performance is then evaluated in signal recovery problems where there is an interplay of missing and time‐limiting data. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Venous thromboembolism in pediatric trauma patients: Ten‐year experience and long‐term follow‐up in a tertiary care center
Authors: Leeper Christine M. , Vissa Madhav , Cooper James D. , Malec Lynn M. , Gaines Barbara A.
Published: January 2017

Background

Pediatric trauma patients are at high risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our objective is to describe incidence, risk factors, and timing of development of VTE, anticoagulation complications, and long‐term VTE outcomes in a critically injured pediatric population.

Procedure

We did a retrospective review of pediatric (0–17 years) trauma admissions to intensive care unit from 2005 to 2014. Our center employs VTE screening and prevention protocols for high‐risk patients based on hypercoagulable history, age, injuries, and medical interventions. We collected demographics, VTE prevention measures, VTE incidence, therapeutic anticoagulant use, and outcomes including postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and clot resolution. Analysis included Wilcoxon rank–sum, Fisher exact, and logistic regression modeling.

Results

Seven hundred fifty‐three subjects were analyzed. No patients on chemical prophylaxis (21/753) developed VTE. Overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was 8.9%; pulmonary embolism (PE) was 0%. Time to diagnosis was median (interquartile range [IQR]) 10.5 (6.5–14.5) days, with 63% of clots being symptomatic. Risk factors for VTE development included severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), acute traumatic coagulopathy (defined by elevated admission international normalized ratio), age less than or equal to 3 or age 13 years or more, injury severity, and child abuse mechanism. At a median (IQR) follow‐up of 13 (6–19) months, 52.1% had persistent clot and 15.8% had PTS. Therapeutic anticoagulation was not associated with clot resolution or prevention of PTS.

Conclusion

TBI therapy is closely linked to the development of DVT. Coagulopathy on admission is associated with hypercoagulability in the postinjury period, suggesting a patient phenotype with systemic coagulation dysregulation. Treatment was not associated with improved VTE outcomes, suggesting that pediatric protocols should emphasize VTE prevention and prophylaxis strategies.
Enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composites filled with hybrid filler system of aluminium nitride and boron nitride
Authors: Permal Anithambigai , Devarajan Mutharasu , Huong Ling Hung , Zahner Thomas , Lacey David , Ibrahim Kamarulazizi
Published: January 2017

The study aims to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy composite materials. This is done based on combination of micron sized aluminium nitride (AlN) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) particles. A set of AlN/BN hybrid epoxy composites with filler content ranging from 35, 40, and 42 wt% was prepared by conventional casting method. The use of these hybrid fillers was found to be very effective in increasing the composite thermal conductivity due to synergetic connectivity offered by the fillers with different geometries; polyhedral AlN and hBN platelets. Maximum thermal conductivity of 0.57 W mK−1 was achieved for the formulation of AlN:BN = 2:1 at 42 wt% filler loading. Glass transition (Tg), coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and modulus of the composites were measured experimentally. The integrated properties of AlN/BN epoxy composites are expected to enhance the heat dissipating capabilities in microelectronic industry. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1372–E1380, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Side chain flexibility and coupling between the S4‐S5 linker and the TRP domain in thermo‐sensitive TRP channels: Insights from protein modeling
Authors: Romero‐Romero Sergio , Gomez Lagunas Froylan , Balleza Daniel
Published: January 2017

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily is subdivided into several subfamilies on the basis of sequence similarity, which is highly heterogeneous but shows a molecular architecture that resembles the one present in members of the Kv channel superfamily. Because of this diversity, they produce a large variety of channels with different gating and permeability properties. Elucidation of these particular features necessarily requires comparative studies based on structural and functional data. The present study aims to compilate, analyze, and determine, in a coherent way, the relationship between intrinsic side‐chain flexibility and the allosteric coupling in members of the TRPV, TRPM, and TRPC families. Based on the recently determined structures of TRPV1 and TRPV2, we have generated protein models for single subunits of TRPV5, TRPM8, and TRPC5 channels. With these models, we focused our attention on the apparently crucial role of the GP dipeptide at the center of the S4‐S5 linker and discussed its role in the interaction with the TRP domain, specifically with the highly‐conserved Trp during this coupling. Our analysis suggests an important role of the S4‐S5L flexibility in the thermosensitivity, where heat‐activated channels possess rigid S4‐S5 linkers, whereas cold‐activated channels have flexible ones. Finally, we also present evidence of the key interaction between the conserved Trp residue of the TRP box and of several residues in the S4‐S5L, importantly the central Pro. Proteins 2017; 85:630–646. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
X‐ray crystal structure of the N‐terminal region of Moloney murine leukemia virus integrase and its implications for viral DNA recognition
Authors: Guan Rongjin , Aiyer Sriram , Cote Marie L. , Xiao Rong , Jiang Mei , Acton Thomas B. , Roth Monica J. , Montelione Gaetano T.
Published: January 2017

The retroviral integrase (IN) carries out the integration of a dsDNA copy of the viral genome into the host DNA, an essential step for viral replication. All IN proteins have three general domains, the N‐terminal domain (NTD), the catalytic core domain, and the C‐terminal domain. The NTD includes an HHCC zinc finger‐like motif, which is conserved in all retroviral IN proteins. Two crystal structures of Moloney murine leukemia virus (M‐MuLV) IN N‐terminal region (NTR) constructs that both include an N‐terminal extension domain (NED, residues 1–44) and an HHCC zinc‐finger NTD (residues 45–105), in two crystal forms are reported. The structures of IN NTR constructs encoding residues 1–105 (NTR1–105) and 8–105 (NTR8–105) were determined at 2.7 and 2.15 Å resolution, respectively and belong to different space groups. While both crystal forms have similar protomer structures, NTR1–105 packs as a dimer and NTR8–105 packs as a tetramer in the asymmetric unit. The structure of the NED consists of three anti‐parallel β‐strands and an α‐helix, similar to the NED of prototype foamy virus (PFV) IN. These three β‐strands form an extended β‐sheet with another β‐strand in the HHCC Zn2+ binding domain, which is a unique structural feature for the M‐MuLV IN. The HHCC Zn2+ binding domain structure is similar to that in HIV and PFV INs, with variations within the loop regions. Differences between the PFV and MLV IN NEDs localize at regions identified to interact with the PFV LTR and are compared with established biochemical and virological data for M‐MuLV. Proteins 2017; 85:647–656. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discovery and characterisation of field resistance to organophosphorus chemicals in a major mite pest, Halotydeus destructor
Authors: Umina Paul A , Lord Alan , Micic Svetlana , Edwards Owain
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

The redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) is an agricultural pest in Australia that attacks a wide variety of crops and pasture species. Chemicals remain an important part of control strategies for H. destructor, despite the existence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in this species. Recent chemical control failures involving a second insecticide class, organophosphates, were investigated using pesticide bioassays.

RESULTS

We confirmed, for the first time, resistance to organophosphates in H. destructor, and show that resistance is not confined to a single property, or region. There was no evidence that resistance to organophosphorus chemicals has evolved in Australian states outside of Western Australia.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the strong evolutionary capability of H. destructor and highlight the need for ongoing resistance surveillance within Australia. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
How glyphosate affects plant disease development: it is more than enhanced susceptibility
Authors: Hammerschmidt Ray
Published: January 2017

Glyphosate has been shown to affect the development of plant disease in several ways. Plants utilize phenolic and other shikimic acid pathway‐derived compounds as part of their defense against pathogens, and glyphosate inhibits the biosynthesis of these compounds via its mode of action. Several studies have shown a correlation between enhanced disease and suppression of phenolic compound production after glyphosate. Glyphosate‐resistant crop plants have also been studied for changes in resistance as a result of carrying the glyphosate resistance trait. The evidence indicates that neither the resistance trait nor application of glyphosate to glyphosate‐resistant plants increases susceptibility to disease. The only exceptions to this are cases where glyphosate has been shown to reduce rust diseases on glyphosate‐resistant crops, supporting a fungicidal role for this chemical. Finally, glyphosate treatment of weeds or volunteer crops can cause a temporary increase in soil‐borne pathogens that may result in disease development if crops are planted too soon after glyphosate application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
DeliveringBeauveria bassianawith electrostatic powder for the control of stored‐product beetles
Authors: Athanassiou Christos G , Rumbos Christos I , Sakka Maria , Potin Olivier , Storm Clare , Dillon Aoife B
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of aBeauveria bassiana‐based formulation (Bb38) with Entostat, an electrostatically charged powder, was investigated as a surface treatment againstCryptolestes ferrugineus,Oryzaephilus surinamensisandSitophilus granariusadults. In lab bioassays, the efficacy of Bb38 against the aforementioned species was examined on concrete, plywood, steel and ceramic, whereas its residual efficacy against the same species was assessed on concrete and steel in the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, the efficacy of Bb38 againstO. surinamensisandS. granariusadults was assessed in a commercial grain storage facility under realistic field conditions.

RESULTS

In the lab trials,O. surinamensisandC. ferrugineuswere much more susceptible to Bb38 thanS. granariuson all types of surfaces. Moreover, Bb38 was, at least forO. surinamensisandC. ferrugineus, as effective as the chemical standard (deltamethrin) for at least 2 months after the application, regardless of the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, in the field trial Bb38 provided a satisfactory level of control againstO. surinamensis.

CONCLUSION

Bb38 is an effective surface treatment, but its efficacy varies according to the target species, the type of surface and the time post‐application. This is the first published report that examines the efficacy of Bb38 as a surface treatment for wider uses in empty warehouses and related storage facilities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Output feedback stabilization for a Kirchhoff‐type nonlinear beam with general corrupted boundary observation
Authors: Guo Wei , Chen Yunlan , Feng Hongyinping
Published: January 2017

This paper is concerned with the boundary output feedback stabilization for a Kirchhoff‐type nonlinear beam equation with boundary observation subject to a general disturbance. The active disturbance rejection control approach is adopted to design the controller and the disturbance estimator. By this approach, the disturbance is estimated by a relatively independent estimator and then canceled in the feedback loop. The existence and uniqueness of the classical solution to the closed‐loop system are proved. The asymptotical convergence of the closed‐loop system is obtained. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive finite‐time consensus tracking for multiple uncertain mechanical systems with input saturation
Authors: Cai Mingjie , Xiang Zhengrong
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the problem of finite‐time consensus tracking for a class of multiple uncertain mechanical systems under switching topologies. In the presence of uncertainties and input saturations, a distributed observer‐based adaptive finite‐time tracking protocol is proposed. At the first step, a distributed observer is proposed for each mechanical system to observe the leader's state in finite time; then, an adaptive finite‐time tracking protocol is designed to track the estimated state via recursive design method. Neural networks are used to approximate the unknown continuous functions. It is proved that under the designed protocol, the consensus tracking of position and velocity can be achieved in finite time. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
All Inorganic Halide Perovskites Nanosystem: Synthesis, Structural Features, Optical Properties and Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Cao Fei , Yu Dejian , Chen Jun , Sun Zhiguo , Shen Yalong , Zhu Ying , Wang Lin , Wei Yi , Wu Ye , Zeng Haibo
Published: January 2017

The recent success of organometallic halide perovskites (OHPs) in photovoltaic devices has triggered lots of corresponding research and many perovskite analogues have been developed to look for devices with comparable performance but better stability. Upon the preparation of all inorganic halide perovskite nanocrystals (IHP NCs), research activities have soared due to their better stability, ultrahigh photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY), and composition dependent luminescence covering the whole visible region with narrow line‐width. They are expected to be promising materials for next generation lighting and display, and many other applications. Within two years, a lot of interesting results have been observed. Here, the synthesis of IHPs is reviewed, and their progresses in optoelectronic devices and optical applications, such as light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors (PDs), solar cells (SCs), and lasing, is presented. Information and recent understanding of their crystal structures and morphology modulations are addressed. Finally, a brief outlook is given, highlighting the presently main problems and their possible solutions and future development directions.
Research methods for exploring the links between climate change and conflict
Authors: Ide Tobias
Published: January 2017

The potential links between climate change and conflict have received much attention in recent years, but there is little consensus on the issue in the relevant literature. So far, few methodological reflections exist in climate–conflict research. This is unfortunate given the tremendous innovations in methods the research field has experienced in recent years and the potential of diverse methods to shed light on different aspects of the subject matter, thereby increasing our understanding of potential climate–conflict links. In order to counteract this shortcoming, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the developments and innovations in methods in climate–conflict research. It first identifies and discusses the most common methods in the research field: large‐N statistical analysis and qualitative case study. The study goes on to evaluate four new methods that have emerged particularly since 2012: integration of statistical techniques and qualitative case studies; field experiment; risk analysis based on geographical information systems (GIS); and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). The review provides an overview of these methods and their potentials and pitfalls when used to study climate–conflict links. It also discusses how future research can deal with a pluralism of methods in order to gain deeper insights into the relationship between climate change and conflict. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e456. doi: 10.1002/wcc.456

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Traditional and novel tools to probe the mitochondrial metabolism in health and disease
Authors: Zhang Yanfei , Avalos José L.
Published: January 2017

Mitochondrial metabolism links energy production to other essential cellular processes such as signaling, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition to producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source, mitochondria are responsible for the synthesis of a myriad of important metabolites and cofactors such as tetrahydrofolate, α‐ketoacids, steroids, aminolevulinic acid, biotin, lipoic acid, acetyl‐CoA, iron‐sulfur clusters, heme, and ubiquinone. Furthermore, mitochondria and their metabolism have been implicated in aging and several human diseases, including inherited mitochondrial disorders, cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Therefore, there is great interest in understanding mitochondrial metabolism and the complex relationship it has with other cellular processes. A large number of studies on mitochondrial metabolism have been conducted in the last 50 years, taking a broad range of approaches. In this review, we summarize and discuss the most commonly used tools that have been used to study different aspects of the metabolism of mitochondria: ranging from dyes that monitor changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential and pharmacological tools to study respiration or ATP synthesis, to more modern tools such as genetically encoded biosensors and trans‐omic approaches enabled by recent advances in mass spectrometry, computation, and other technologies. These tools have allowed the large number of studies that have shaped our current understanding of mitochondrial metabolism. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1373. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1373

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods

Biological Mechanisms > Metabolism

Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
Culture and Technology
Authors: Murphie Andrew , Potts John
Published: January 2017

We are 'going virtual' in more and more areas of our lives - from shopping to education, filing systems to love affairs. How can we assess the relationship between technology and culture when culture is so imbued with technology? This clear, concise and readable text aims to offer the student a one-stop guide through this complex and slippery terrain. Introducing a wealth of theoretical perspectives in a lucid and engaging style and covering a range of topical, challenging and intriguing examples - from cyborgs to digital art - it will be an essential text for everyone wanting to make sense of crucial forces of change on contemporary culture.
An overview of structural equation modeling: its beginnings, historical development, usefulness and controversies in the social sciences
Authors: Tarka Piotr
Published: January 2017

This paper is a tribute to researchers who have significantly contributed to improving and advancing structural equation modeling (SEM). It is, therefore, a brief overview of SEM and presents its beginnings, historical development, its usefulness in the social sciences and the statistical and philosophical (theoretical) controversies which have often appeared in the literature pertaining to SEM. Having described the essence of SEM in the context of causal analysis, the author discusses the years of the development of structural modeling as the consequence of many researchers’ systematically growing needs (in particular in the social sciences) who strove to effectively understand the structure and interactions of latent phenomena. The early beginnings of SEM models were related to the work of Spearman and Wright, and to that of other prominent researchers who contributed to SEM development. The importance and predominance of theoretical assumptions over technical issues for the successful construction of SEM models are also described. Then, controversies regarding the use of SEM in the social sciences are presented. Finally, the opportunities and threats of this type of analytical strategy as well as selected areas of SEM applications in the social sciences are discussed.
Active resistance to democratic diffusion
Authors: Vanderhill Rachel
Published: January 2017

Recent research on the international diffusion of democracy has focused on demonstrating how diffusion can change regime outcomes. Although there is still debate within the field of democratization over how important democratic diffusion is relative to domestic factors, autocratic leaders believe that democratic diffusion can be a threat to their rule. It is clear that some countries, such as North Korea, prevent diffusion by severely restricting interactions with foreigners and forbidding access to external sources of information. The more intriguing question is how the states that have economic, diplomatic, and social linkages with democratic states prevent democratic diffusion. In other words, what methods do globally-engaged, autocratic governments use to limit exposure to and reduce receptivity to democratic diffusion?

In addition to using coercion and economic patronage, autocratic states utilize two nonmaterial mechanisms to prevent democratic diffusion: 1) restricting exposure to democratic ideas and 2) developing alternative narratives about democracy to reduce local receptivity to democratic diffusion. Sophisticated autocratic leaders can limit receptivity to democratic diffusion if they convince citizens that those ideas are “foreign,” will cause “chaos,” or if they believe they already have their own form of democracy. I explore these methods of establishing firewalls to prevent diffusion by examining the cases of China and Kazakhstan, two countries where a high level of economic linkage coincides with a successful continuation of autocratic rule, despite the global spread of democratic norms. China has developed extensive methods to restrict access to foreign ideas about democracy while Kazakhstan has mainly focused on developing an alternative narrative about democracy. This article contributes to the literature on authoritarian persistence and democratic diffusion by investigating the internal methods autocratic leaders adopt to ensure that democratic diffusion does not threaten their rule.
Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights—A Time for More Teamwork?
Authors: AMIS Lucy
Published: January 2017

Mega-Sporting Events (MSEs) like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup inspire humanity and have the potential to promote human rights, including through job creation and urban regeneration. Yet for over a decade MSEs have been linked to a pattern of human rights abuses that reads like a panoply of Business and Human Rights themes. The very legitimacy and social license of MSEs is increasingly on the line. Yet we may have reached a tipping point. In the past year the Commonwealth Games Federation, FIFA, and the International Olympic Committee have begun to instigate human rights reforms. A new multi-stakeholder coalition, chaired by Mary Robinson and facilitated by IHRB, meanwhile is pursuing innovative collaborate solutions to the human rights issues at stake. Supported by international agencies, governments, sports bodies, sponsors and broadcasters, and civil society, this coalition seeks to promote learning and accountability in a sector for whom business and human rights is new territory.
Testing the START Triage Protocol: Can It Improve the Ability of Nonmedical Personnel to Better Triage Patients During Disasters and Mass Casualties Incidents ?
Authors: Badiali Stefano , Giugni Aimone , Marcis Lucia
Published: January 2017

Objective

START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) triage is a tool that is available even to nonmedical rescue personnel in case of a disaster or mass casualty incident (MCI). In Italy, no data are available on whether application of the START protocol could improve patient outcomes during a disaster or MCI. We aimed to address whether “last-minute” START training of nonmedical personnel during a disaster or MCI would result in more effective triage of patients.

Methods

In this case-control study, 400 nonmedical ambulance crew members were randomly assigned to a non-START or a START group (200 per group). The START group received last-minute START training. Each group examined 6000 patients, obtained from the Emergo Train System (ETS Italy, Bologna, Italy) victims database, and assigned patients a triage code (black-red-yellow-green) along with a reason for the assignment. Each rescuer triaged 30 patients within a 30-minute time frame. Results were analyzed according to Fisher’s exact test for a P value<0.01. Under- and over-triage ratios were analyzed as well.

Results

The START group completed the evaluations in 15 minutes, whereas the non-START group took 30 minutes. The START group correctly triaged 94.2% of their patients, as opposed to 59.83% of the non-START group (P<0.01). Under- and over-triage were, respectively, 2.73% and 3.08% for the START group versus 13.67% and 26.5% for the non-START group. The non-START group had 458 “preventable deaths” on 6000 cases because of incorrect triage, whereas the START group had 91.

Conclusions

Even a “last-minute” training on the START triage protocol allows nonmedical personnel to better identify and triage the victims of a disaster or MCI, resulting in more effective and efficient medical intervention. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:305–309)
The effect of gender norms on the association between violence and hope among girls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Stark L. , Asghar K. , Meyer S. , Yu G. , Bakemore T. , Poulton C. , Falb K.
Published: January 2017

Background.

Girls at early stages of adolescence are vulnerable to violence victimization in humanitarian contexts, but few studies examine factors that affect girls’ hope in these settings. We assessed attitudes toward traditional gender norms as an effect modifier of the relationship between violence exposure and future orientation in displaced girls.

Methods.

Secondary analysis, using multivariable regression of cross-sectional data from girls ages 10–14 in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Key variables of interest were attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV), Children's Hope Scale (CHS) score, and exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual violence within the last 12 months. Additional covariates included age, educational status, and territory.

Results.

The interaction of exposure to violence and attitudes toward IPV magnified the association between violence exposure and lower CHS score for physical violence (β = −0.09, p = 0.040) and unwanted sexual touching (β = −0.20, p = 0.003) among girls age 10–14, when adjusting for other covariates. The interaction of exposure to violence and attitudes toward IPV magnified the association between violence exposure and lower CHS score for forced sex (β = −0.22, p = 0.016) among girls age 13–14, when adjusting for covariates. Findings for emotional violence, any form of sexual violence, and coerced sex trended toward lower CHS scores for girls who reported higher acceptance of IPV, but did not reach significance.

Conclusions.

Findings support the utility of gender norms-transformative programming in increasing resilience of girls who have experienced sexual violence in humanitarian contexts.
Europe’s Other Democratic Deficit: National Authoritarianism in Europe’s Democratic Union
Authors: Kelemen R. Daniel
Published: January 2017

This article argues for a radical recasting of the European Union democratic deficit debate. Critics have long argued that the EU suffers from a democratic deficit and that growing EU power undermines national democracy. But recent backsliding on democracy and the rule of law in Hungary and Poland reminds us that grave democratic deficits can also exist at the national level in member states and that the EU may have a role in addressing them. This article will place the EU’s struggles with democratic deficits in its member states in comparative perspective, drawing on the experience of other democracies that have struggled with pockets of subnational authoritarianism. Comparative analysis suggests that considerations driven by partisan politics may allow local pockets of autocracy to persist within otherwise democratic political unions.
Reconstructing chemical weathering during the Lower Mesozoic in the Western-Central Mediterranean area: a review of geochemical proxies
Authors: PERRI FRANCESCO
Published: January 2017

The Triassic–Jurassic rift-valley stage of Tethyan rifting in the Western-Central Mediterranean area is characterized by a development of a puzzle of plates and microplates with the deposition of continental redbeds (in the internal domains of the Gibraltar Arc and Calabria–Peloritani Arc) that can be considered a regional lithosome. This paper aims to reconstruct the chemical weathering conditions of the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in the Western-Central Mediterranean area using the geochemical and mineralogical composition of continental redbed mudrocks of Mesozoic age. The mudrocks from the Calabria–Peloritani Arc show higher values of weathering (mobility) indices (αMg=(Al/Mg)sed/(Al/Mg)UCC;αK=(Th/K)sed/(Th/K)UCC;αBa=(Th/Ba)sed/(Th/Ba)UCC) than the Gibraltar Arc samples. Furthermore, the CIA (Chemical Index of Alteration) and MIA (Mineralogical Index of Alteration) values and the ‘Rb-type indices’ (e.g. Rb/Sr and Rb/K ratios) are higher for the Calabria–Peloritani Arc mudrocks than the Gibraltar Arc samples. All these geochemical proxies closely resemble each other and show similar variations suggesting climatic changes towards humid conditions through the Uppermost Triassic to Lowermost Jurassic that favoured chemical weathering conditions. This period is probably characterized by seasonal climate alternations corresponding to an increase in palaeoclimatic humidity. The mineralogical compositions of the Mesozoic mudrocks further confirm these indications as shown by a higher abundance of kaolinite, related to warm–humid conditions, in the Calabria–Peloritani Arc mudrocks than in those of the Gibraltar Arc.
Who needs it? Variation in experiencer marking in Estonian ‘need’-constructions
Authors: LINDSTRÖM LIINA , VIHMAN VIRVE-ANNELI
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we tackle the twin issues of obligatoriness of semantic arguments and variation in their expression through a study of Estonian constructions denoting need. The variation under investigation consists in the choice of case-marking, between adessive and allative case, as well as the option to omit the oblique argument. We extracted and coded ‘need’-constructions from spoken and written corpora and used non-parametric classification methods for analysis. We found high rates of oblique experiencer omission in these constructions (nearly 60% across corpora). The most important predictors of overt expression of the experiencer in our models were participant-internal modality and the presence of nominal complements, meaning that both semantic and syntactic factors are relevant. The choice between two overt cases is affected by person, complement type, and referential distance. Topical experiencer arguments do not show the subject-like tendency to be omitted more often, but they are more likely to be marked with adessive case, suggesting that adessive is more grammaticalised as a structural, non-nominative, argument-marking case than the more semantic allative case. Our findings show that oblique, semantic arguments may be frequently omitted, and both semantic and syntactic factors may affect variation in case-marking.
Increased fronto-striatal reward prediction errors moderate decision making in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Hauser T. U. , Iannaccone R. , Dolan R. J. , Ball J. , Hättenschwiler J. , Drechsler R. , Rufer M. , Brandeis D. , Walitza S. , Brem S.
Published: January 2017

Background

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) has been linked to functional abnormalities in fronto-striatal networks as well as impairments in decision making and learning. Little is known about the neurocognitive mechanisms causing these decision-making and learning deficits in OCD, and how they relate to dysfunction in fronto-striatal networks.

Method

We investigated neural mechanisms of decision making in OCD patients, including early and late onset of disorder, in terms of reward prediction errors (RPEs) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. RPEs index a mismatch between expected and received outcomes, encoded by the dopaminergic system, and are known to drive learning and decision making in humans and animals. We used reinforcement learning models and RPE signals to infer the learning mechanisms and to compare behavioural parameters and neural RPE responses of the OCD patients with those of healthy matched controls.

Results

Patients with OCD showed significantly increased RPE responses in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the putamen compared with controls. OCD patients also had a significantly lower perseveration parameter than controls.

Conclusions

Enhanced RPE signals in the ACC and putamen extend previous findings of fronto-striatal deficits in OCD. These abnormally strong RPEs suggest a hyper-responsive learning network in patients with OCD, which might explain their indecisiveness and intolerance of uncertainty.
Justice as Lawfulness and Equity as a Virtue in Aristotle'sNicomachean Ethics
Authors: Guest James W.
Published: January 2017

This essay examines Aristotle's account of justice as a virtue in theNicomachean Ethicsby considering two related parts of it: Aristotle's elevated account of justice as lawfulness and his description of equity as a virtue. I focus on moral rather than legal questions by emphasizing Aristotle's identification of justice as lawfulness with complete virtue, and a broad sense of equity as superlatively good character. Some of the more difficult passages in book 5 prove to be tied together by the question of the goodness of justice and I argue that Aristotle points to a specific confusion in this regard characteristic of virtuous people. I conclude that Aristotle's critique of our ordinary opinions about justice offers crucial, albeit limited, support for the superiority of the contemplative life announced at the end of book 10.
BIOLOGICAL WELFARE AND NUTRITIONAL INEQUALITY IN RURAL MEDITERRANEAN SPAIN: THE IRRIGATED AREA OF VALENCIA, 1859-1939
Authors: Ayuda María-Isabel , Puche Javier
Published: January 2017

This article analyses the biological welfare and inequality of the male population of the irrigated area of Valencia between 1859 and 1939. It studies the effects that the agrarian development process had on physical welfare and the relationship between height and access to land ownership. Height data for conscripts in five municipalities constitute the source for the study. The results reveal that there was a growing trend in the evolution of heights in the irrigated area of Valencia at the beginning of agrarian capitalism. Nutritional inequalities can be observed between farmers and farm workers: land owners were taller than landless labourers. However, this biological inequality diminished over the period under study.
Best practices in global governance
Authors: Bernstein Steven , van der Ven Hamish
Published: January 2017

Best practices are increasingly used to govern a range of global issues. Yet, the rise of global governance through best practices has received scant attention in the International Relations literature. How do best practices differ from other modes of governance? How are they constructed? And to what end? We offer a novel conceptualisation of best practices as a unique mode of global governance principally distinguished by basing claims of political authority on existing practices. Belying their apolitical terminology, best practices in global governance are purposively constructed by political actors to steer targeted actors toward desired ends. We illustrate the characteristics of governance through best practices with reference to state and non-state global governance initiatives in a wide range of issue areas, ranging from finance and development to human rights and the environment, and through an in-depth case study of the ISEAL Alliance, a disseminator of best practices for transnational sustainability standard-setters. We find that governance through best practices has both positive and negative consequences. While it offers a pragmatic approach to global governance under conditions of fragmentation and polycentricity, it can also mask underlying power dynamics and political agendas and therefore requires ongoing critical scrutiny.
INCORPORATING ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES INTO A HEALTH ECONOMIC MODEL
Authors: Marsh Kevin , Ganz Michael , Nørtoft Emil , Lund Niels , Graff-Zivin Joshua
Published: January 2017

Objectives: Traditional economic evaluations for most health technology assessments (HTAs) have previously not included environmental outcomes. With the growing interest in reducing the environmental impact of human activities, the need to consider how to include environmental outcomes into HTAs has increased. We present a simple method of doing so.

Methods: We adapted an existing clinical-economic model to include environmental outcomes (carbon dioxide [CO2] emissions) to predict the consequences of adding insulin to an oral antidiabetic (OAD) regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over 30 years, from the United Kingdom payer perspective. Epidemiological, efficacy, healthcare costs, utility, and carbon emissions data were derived from published literature. A scenario analysis was performed to explore the impact of parameter uncertainty.

Results: The addition of insulin to an OAD regimen increases costs by 2,668 British pounds per patient and is associated with 0.36 additional quality-adjusted life-years per patient. The insulin-OAD combination regimen generates more treatment and disease management-related CO2 emissions per patient (1,686 kg) than the OAD-only regimen (310 kg), but generates fewer emissions associated with treating complications (3,019 kg versus 3,337 kg). Overall, adding insulin to OAD therapy generates an extra 1,057 kg of CO2 emissions per patient over 30 years.

Conclusions: The model offers a simple approach for incorporating environmental outcomes into health economic analyses, to support a decision-maker's objective of reducing the environmental impact of health care. Further work is required to improve the accuracy of the approach; in particular, the generation of resource-specific environmental impacts.
Multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to whole apples used in commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples: United States, 2014–2015
Authors: ANGELO K. M. , CONRAD A. R. , SAUPE A. , DRAGOO H. , WEST N. , SORENSON A. , BARNES A. , DOYLE M. , BEAL J. , JACKSON K. A. , STROIKA S. , TARR C. , KUCEROVA Z. , LANCE S. , GOULD L. H. , WISE M. , JACKSON B. R.
Published: January 2017

Whole apples have not been previously implicated in outbreaks of foodborne bacterial illness. We investigated a nationwide listeriosis outbreak associated with caramel apples. We defined an outbreak-associated case as an infection with one or both of two outbreak strains of Listeria monocytogenes highly related by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST) from 1 October 2014 to 1 February 2015. Single-interviewer open-ended interviews identified the source. Outbreak-associated cases were compared with non-outbreak-associated cases and traceback and environmental investigations were performed. We identified 35 outbreak-associated cases in 12 states; 34 (97%) were hospitalized and seven (20%) died. Outbreak-associated ill persons were more likely to have eaten commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples (odds ratio 326·7, 95% confidence interval 32·2–3314). Environmental samples from the grower's packing facility and distribution-chain whole apples yielded isolates highly related to outbreak isolates by wgMLST. This outbreak highlights the importance of minimizing produce contamination with L. monocytogenes. Investigators should perform single-interviewer open-ended interviews when a food is not readily identified.