bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Silico Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Modelling Study of 2-Haloalkanoic Acid Dehalogenase Enzymes from Bacterial and Fungal Origin
Authors: Satpathy Raghunath , Konkimalla V. B. , Ratha Jagnyeswar
Published: January 2016

2-Haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase enzymes have broad range of applications, starting from bioremediation to chemical synthesis of useful compounds that are widely distributed in fungi and bacteria. In the present study, a total of 81 full-length protein sequences of 2-haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase from bacteria and fungi were retrieved from NCBI database. Sequence analysis such as multiple sequence alignment (MSA), conserved motif identification, computation of amino acid composition, and phylogenetic tree construction were performed on these primary sequences. From MSA analysis, it was observed that the sequences share conserved lysine (K) and aspartate (D) residues in them. Also, phylogenetic tree indicated a subcluster comprised of both fungal and bacterial species. Due to nonavailability of experimental 3D structure for fungal 2-haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase in the PDB, molecular modelling study was performed for both fungal and bacterial sources of enzymes present in the subcluster. Further structural analysis revealed a common evolutionary topology shared between both fungal and bacterial enzymes. Studies on the buried amino acids showed highly conserved Leu and Ser in the core, despite variation in their amino acid percentage. Additionally, a surface exposed tryptophan was conserved in all of these selected models.
Structural Damage Detection by Power Spectral Density Estimation Using Output-Only Measurement
Authors: Lee Eun-Taik , Eun Hee-Chang
Published: January 2016

Most damage detection methods have difficulty in detecting damage using only measurement data due to the existence of external noise. It is necessary to reduce the noise effect to obtain accurate information and to detect damage by the output-only measurement without baseline data at intact state and input data. This work imported the power spectral density estimation (PSE) of a signal to reduce the noise effect. By estimating the PSE to characterize the frequency content of the signal, this study proposes a damage detection method to trace the damage by the curvature of the PSE. Two numerical applications examine the applicability of the proposed method depending on a window function, frequency resolution, and the number of overlapping data in the PSE method. The knowledge obtained from the numerical applications leads to a series of experiments that substantiate the potential of the proposed method.
Strength and Fatigue Properties of Sandstone under Dynamic Cyclic Loading
Authors: He Mingming , Li Ning , Chen Yunsheng , Zhu Caihui
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an experimental investigation of strength and fatigue properties of intact sandstone samples subjected to dynamic cyclic loading in the laboratory. Tests were conducted on sandstone samples with loading frequencies ranging in 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 Hz, loading amplitudes of 1, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kN, and loading speeds of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kN/s. In this study it was shown that the loading frequency, as well as the amplitude and loading speed, was of great significance and affected the mechanical characteristics of sandstone under dynamic cyclic loading. The fatigue life of sandstone was found to decrease with loading speeds and amplitudes but increase with loading frequencies. It was found that the minimum of the dynamic strength and deformation factor of sandstone was obtained at loading speeds of 2 kN/s but the maximum at loading frequencies of 1 Hz. Finally, it was concluded that the relationship between the fatigue life and loading speed, frequency, and stress amplitude under dynamic cyclic loading would be expressed as theS-Ncurve, which showed that the fatigue characteristic of sandstone was similar to that of metal materials.
Development of an Experimental Model of Diabetes Co-Existing with Metabolic Syndrome in Rats
Authors: Suman Rajesh Kumar , Ray Mohanty Ipseeta , Borde Manjusha K. , Maheshwari Ujwala , Deshmukh Y. A.
Published: January 2016

Background. The incidence of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus is on the rise globally.Objective. The present study was designed to develop a unique animal model that will mimic the pathological features seen in individuals with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, suitable for pharmacological screening of drugs.Materials and Methods. A combination of High-Fat Diet (HFD) and low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) at 30, 35, and 40 mg/kg was used to induce metabolic syndrome in the setting of diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats.Results. The 40 mg/kg STZ produced sustained hyperglycemia and the dose was thus selected for the study to induce diabetes mellitus. Various components of metabolic syndrome such as dyslipidemia(increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and decreased HDL cholesterol), diabetes mellitus (blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin, and C-peptide), and hypertension{systolic blood pressure}were mimicked in the developed model of metabolic syndrome co-existing with diabetes mellitus. In addition to significant cardiac injury, atherogenic index, inflammation (hs-CRP), decline in hepatic and renal function were observed in the HF-DC group when compared to NC group rats. The histopathological assessment confirmed presence of edema, necrosis, and inflammation in heart, pancreas, liver, and kidney of HF-DC group as compared to NC.Conclusion. The present study has developed a unique rodent model of metabolic syndrome, with diabetes as an essential component.
Analysis of Nonviscous Oscillators Based on the Damping Model Perturbation
Authors: Lázaro Mario , Casanova César F. , Ferrer Ignacio , Martín Pedro
Published: January 2016

A novel numerical approach to compute the eigenvalues of linear viscoelastic oscillators is developed. The dissipative forces of these systems are characterized by convolution integrals with kernel functions, which in turn contain a set of damping parameters. The free-motion characteristic equation defines implicitly the eigenvalues as functions of such parameters. After choosing one of them as independent variable, the key idea of the current paper is to obtain a differential equation whose solution can be considered, under certain conditions, a good approximation. The method is validated with several numerical examples related to damping models based on exponential kernels, on fractional derivatives, and on the well-known viscous model. Taylor series expansions up to the second order are obtained and in addition analytical solutions for the viscous model are achieved. The numerical results are very close to the exact ones for light and medium levels of damping and also very good for high levels if the chosen parameter is close to initial values that are defined for every case.
Vibration Modes and the Dynamic Behaviour of a Hydraulic Plunger Pump
Authors: Zhang Tianxiao , Zhang Nong
Published: January 2016

Mechanical vibrations and flow fluctuation give rise to complex interactive vibration mechanisms in hydraulic pumps. The working conditions for a hydraulic pump are therefore required to be improved in the design stage or as early as possible. Considering the structural features, parameters, and operating environment of a hydraulic plunger pump, the vibration modes for two-degree-of-freedom system were established by using vibration theory and hydraulic technology. Afterwards, the analytical form of the natural frequency and the numerical solution of the steady-state response were deduced for a hydraulic plunger pump. Then, a method for the vibration analysis of a hydraulic pump was proposed. Finally, the dynamic responses of a hydraulic plunger pump are obtained through numerical simulation.
Feature-Based Digital Modulation Recognition Using Compressive Sampling
Authors: Sun Zhuo , Wang Sese , Chen Xuantong
Published: January 2016

Compressive sensing theory can be applied to reconstruct the signal with far fewer measurements than what is usually considered necessary, while in many scenarios, such as spectrum detection and modulation recognition, we only expect to acquire useful characteristics rather than the original signals, where selecting the feature with sparsity becomes the main challenge. With the aim of digital modulation recognition, the paper mainly constructs two features which can be recovered directly from compressive samples. The two features are the spectrum of received data and its nonlinear transformation and the compositional feature of multiple high-order moments of the received data; both of them have desired sparsity required for reconstruction from subsamples. Recognition of multiple frequency shift keying, multiple phase shift keying, and multiple quadrature amplitude modulation are considered in our paper and implemented in a unified procedure. Simulation shows that the two identification features can work effectively in the digital modulation recognition, even at a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio.
A Validated Prognostic Multigene Expression Assay for Overall Survival in Resected Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases
Authors: Balachandran Vinod P. , Arora Arshi , Gönen Mithat , Ito Hiromichi , Turcotte Simon , Shia Jinru , Viale Agnes , Snoeren Nikol , van Hooff Sander R. , Rinkes Inne H.M. Borel , Adam René , Kingham T. Peter , Allen Peter J. , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Jarnagin William R. , D'Angelica Michael I.
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Risk stratification after surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) is achieved using clinicopathologic variables, however, is of limited accuracy. We sought to derive and externally validate a multigene expression assay prognostic of overall survival (OS) that is superior to clinicopathologic variables in patients with surgically resected CRLM.

Experimental Design: We measured mRNA expression in prospectively collected frozen tumor from 96 patients with surgically resected CRLM at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC, New York, NY). We retrospectively generated a 20-gene molecular risk score (MRS) and compared its prognostic utility for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) with three common clinical risk scores (CRS). We then tested the prognostic ability of the MRS in an external validation cohort (European) of 119 patients with surgically resected CRLM at the University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, the Netherlands) and Paul Brousse Hospital (Villejuif, France).

Results: For OS in the MSKCC cohort, MRS was the strongest independent prognosticator (HR, 3.7–4.9; P < 0.001) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.3; P ≤ 0.001). For OS in the European cohort, MRS was the only independent prognosticator (HR, 3.5; P = 0.007). For RFS, MRS was also independently prognostic in the MSKCC cohort (HR, 2.4–2.6; P ≤ 0.001) and the European cohort (HR, 1.6–2.5; P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Compared with CRSs, the MRS is more accurate, broadly applicable, and an independent prognostic biomarker of OS in resected CRLM. This MRS is the first externally validated prognostic multigene expression assay after metastasectomy for CRLM and warrants prospective validation. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2575–82. ©2016 AACR.
Compressive Myelopathy due to Osteochondroma of the Atlas and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sultan Muhammad , Khursheed Nayil , Makhdoomi Rumana , Ramzan Altaf
Published: January 2016

We report a case of vertebral osteochondroma arising from the posterior C1 arch that presented with features of compressive myelopathy. Osteochondromas are usually found in extremities and are rarely seen in the spine. They are most commonly found in posterior elements in the spine, and intraspinal extension is uncommon. The most common presentation is incidental finding during routine imaging followed by palpation of painless swelling. Compressive myelopathy as a presentation of vertebral osteochondroma in a child is a rare entity. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Spinal osteochondromas should also be kept in mind as a cause of spinal cord or nerve root compression in children.
Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision versus Open Complete Mesocolic Excision for Transverse Colon Cancer: Long-Term Survival Results of a Prospective Single Centre Non-Randomized Study
Authors: Storli Kristian Eeg , Eide Geir Egil
Published: January 2016

Background/Aim: Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) used in the treatment of transverse colon cancer has been questioned on the basis of the technical challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the medium- and long-term clinical and survival outcomes after laparoscopic and open CME for transverse colon cancer and to compare the 2 approaches. Methods: This study was a retrospective non-randomized study of patients with prospectively registered data on open and laparoscopic CME for transverse colon cancer tumour-node-metastasis stages I-III operated on between 2007 and 2014. This was a single-centre study in a community teaching hospital. A total of 56 patients with transverse colon cancer were included, excluding those with tumours in the colonic flexures. The outcome aims were 4-year time to recurrence (TTR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Morbidity was also measured. Results: The 4-year TTR was 93.9% in the laparoscopic group and 91.3% in the open group (p = 0.71). The 4-year CSS was 97.0% in the laparoscopic group and 91.3% in the open group (p = 0.42). Limitations: This was a prospective single-institution study with a small sample size. Conclusion: Results of the study suggest that the laparoscopic CME approach might be the preferred approach for transverse colon cancer, especially regarding its benefits in terms of short-term morbidity, length of stay and oncological outcome.
Paternalismus und Placebos: Die Herausforderung der ethischen Aufklärung in der Psychotherapie
Authors: Blease Charlotte , Trachsel Manuel , grosse Holtforth Martin
Published: January 2016

Gesundheitsfachpersonen sind heutzutage sowohl aus rechtlicher als auch ethischer Sicht dazu verpflichtet, für jede medizinische Intervention die informierte Einwilligung ihrer Patienten einzuholen. Dementsprechend hat paternalistisches Vorgehen gegenüber Patienten in den meisten ethischen Richtlinien keinen Platz mehr. Was genau bedeutet aber informierte Einwilligung im Kontext der Psychotherapie? In Bezug auf die ethische Rechtfertigung von Psychotherapie könnte z.B. die Behauptung, dass Psychotherapie nichts anderes als Placebo sei, für die informierte Einwilligung zum Problem werden. Tatsächlich wurde seit der Entstehung der modernen Psychotherapie immer wieder kritisiert, sie sei Augenwischerei und ihre Wirkung gründe auf einem Placeboeffekt. Wir argumentieren, dass im gesamten Feld der Biomedizin nach wie vor konzeptuelle Unschärfen hinsichtlich der Begriffe «Placebo» und «Placeboeffekt» bestehen. Wir sind zudem überzeugt, dass der Begriff «Placebo» im Bereich der Psychotherapie mehr Fragen aufwirft als die Auseinandersetzung damit zu beantworten vermag. Nichtsdestotrotz sind wir sicher, dass die moralisch geführte Kerndebatte über Placebo im klinischen Kontext wichtige Themen berührt, die in den psychotherapeutischen Kontext überführt werden können, nämlich: Informieren Therapeuten ihre Patienten in adäquater Weise über die Wirkmechanismen von Psychotherapie? Legen sie die potenziellen Risiken unerwünschter Nebeneffekte offen? In Anbetracht der kontinuierlichen empirischen Psychotherapieforschung folgern wir, dass Therapeuten ihren Patienten die allgemeinen Wirkfaktoren der Psychotherapie, die maßgeblich den Veränderungsprozessen während der Behandlung unterliegen, nicht hinreichend transparent machen. Somit scheint uns, dass es in der psychotherapeutischen Praxis oft zu verstecktem und unangebrachtem Paternalismus kommt. Wir sind davon überzeugt, dass sich Paternalismus in der Psychotherapie auch beim Vorliegen guter Absichten nicht rechtfertigen lässt und dass eine adäquate Offenlegung der angenommenen Wirkfaktoren für den therapeutischen Prozess nützlich ist.
Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Prospective, Randomized Study on the Effect of Octreotide LAR in the Control of Tumor Growth in Patients with Metastatic Neuroendocrine Midgut Tumors (PROMID): Results of Long-Term Survival
Authors: Rinke Anja , Wittenberg Michael , Schade-Brittinger Carmen , Aminossadati Behnaz , Ronicke Erdmuthe , Gress Thomas M. , Müller Hans-Helge , Arnold Rudolf ,   for the PROMID Study Group
Published: January 2016

Background: Somatostatin analogs have been shown to control the growth of well-differentiated metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. Their effect on overall survival is a matter of debate. We analyzed the prognostic significance of early treatment with octreotide LAR and of hepatic tumor load in the PROMID trial cohort. Patients and Methods: Between 2001 and 2008, 85 treatment-naïve patients were randomly assigned to monthly octreotide LAR 30 mg or placebo until tumor progression or death. Post-study treatment was at the discretion of the investigator. Upon disease progression, 38 out of 43 placebo patients (88.4%) received octreotide LAR. For survival, patients were followed until May 2014. Results: Forty-eight out of 85 patients (56.5%) died. In 38 patients (79.2%), death was tumor related. The median overall survival (84.7 and 83.7 months) was only slightly different in patients assigned to octreotide and placebo [HR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.47-1.46); p = 0.51]. The median overall survival was 84.7 months for all 85 patients, 107.6 months in the low-tumor-load (n = 64) and 57.5 months in the high-tumor-load (n = 21) subgroups [HR = 2.49 (95% CI: 1.36-4.55); p = 0.002]. There was a trend towards improved overall survival in patients with a low hepatic tumor load receiving octreotide compared to placebo [‘median not reached' and 87.2 months; HR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.29-1.2); p = 0.142]. Conclusion: The extent of tumor burden is a predictor for shorter survival. Overall survival was similar in patients receiving octreotide LAR or placebo treatment at randomization. Crossover of the majority of placebo patients to octreotide LAR may have confounded the data on overall survival.
Active Surveillance versus Surgery of Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms ≤2 cm in MEN1 Patients
Authors: Partelli Stefano , Tamburrino Domenico , Lopez Caroline , Albers Max , Milanetto Anna Caterina , Pasquali Claudio , Manzoni Marco , Toumpanakis Christos , Fusai Giuseppe , Bartsch Detlef , Falconi Massimo
Published: January 2016

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment for nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NF-PNEN) ≤2 cm in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-affected patients compared with surgical treatment. Methods: The databases of 4 tertiary referral institutions (San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan; Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg; University of Padua, Padua; Royal Free Hospital, London) were analyzed. A comparison of conservative management and surgery at initial diagnosis of NF-PNEN ≤2 cm between 1997 and 2013 was performed. Results: Overall, 27 patients (45%) underwent up-front surgery and 33 patients (55%) were followed up after the initial diagnosis. A higher proportion of patients in the surgery group were female (70 vs. 33%, p = 0.004). Patients were mainly operated on in the period 1997-2007 as compared with the period 2008-2013 (n = 17; 63 vs. 37%; p = 0.040). The rate of multifocal tumors was higher in the surgery group (n = 24; 89%) than in the ‘no surgery' group (n = 22; 67%; p = 0.043). After a median follow-up of 126 months, 1 patient deceased due to postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 63, 39, and 10%, respectively. The median PFS was similar in the two groups. Overall, 13 patients (32.5%) were operated on after initial surgical or conservative treatment. The majority of the surgically treated patients had stage 1 (77.5%), T1 (77.5%), and G1 (85%) tumors. Conclusions: NF-PNEN ≤2 cm in MEN1 patients are indolent neoplasms posing a low oncological risk. Surgical treatment of these tumors at initial diagnosis is rarely justified in favor of conservative treatment.
The ANZUS Treaty during the Cold War: A Reinterpretation of U.S. Diplomacy in the Southwest Pacific
Authors: Robb Thomas K. , Gill David James
Published: January 2016

This article explains the origins of the Australia–New Zealand–United States (ANZUS) Treaty by highlighting U.S. ambitions in the Pacific region after World War II. Three clarifications to the historiography merit attention. First, an alliance with Australia and New Zealand reflected the pursuit of U.S. interests rather than the skill of antipodean diplomacy. Despite initial reservations in Washington, geostrategic anxiety and economic ambition ultimately spurred cooperation. The U.S. government's eventual recourse to coercive diplomacy against the other ANZUS members, and the exclusion of Britain from the alliance, substantiate claims of self-interest. Second, the historiography neglects the economic rationale underlying the U.S. commitment to Pacific security. Regional cooperation ensured the revival of Japan, the avoidance of discriminatory trade policies, and the stability of the Bretton Woods monetary system. Third, scholars have unduly played down and misunderstood the concept of race. U.S. foreign policy elites invoked ideas about a “White Man's Club” in Asia to obscure the pursuit of U.S. interests in the region and to ensure British exclusion from the treaty.
The Development of an Information Criterion for Change-Point Analysis
Authors: LaMont Colin H. , Wiggins Paul A.
Published: January 2016

Change-point analysis is a flexible and computationally tractable tool for the analysis of times series data from systems that transition between discrete states and whose observables are corrupted by noise. The change point algorithm is used to identify the time indices (change points) at which the system transitions between these discrete states. We present a unified information-based approach to testing for the existence of change points. This new approach reconciles two previously disparate approaches to change-point analysis (frequentist and information based) for testing transitions between states. The resulting method is statistically principled, parameter and prior free, and widely applicable to a wide range of change-point problems.
Orthogonal Connectivity Factorization: Interpretable Decomposition of Variability in Correlation Matrices
Authors: Hyvärinen Aapo , Hirayama Jun-ichiro , Kiviniemi Vesa , Kawanabe Motoaki
Published: January 2016

In many multivariate time series, the correlation structure is nonstationary, that is, it changes over time. The correlation structure may also change as a function of other cofactors, for example, the identity of the subject in biomedical data. A fundamental approach for the analysis of such data is to estimate the correlation structure (connectivities) separately in short time windows or for different subjects and use existing machine learning methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA), to summarize or visualize the changes in connectivity. However, the visualization of such a straightforward PCA is problematic because the ensuing connectivity patterns are much more complex objects than, say, spatial patterns. Here, we develop a new framework for analyzing variability in connectivities using the PCA approach as the starting point. First, we show how to analyze and visualize the principal components of connectivity matrices by a tailor-made rank-two matrix approximation in which we use the outer product of two orthogonal vectors. This leads to a new kind of transformation of eigenvectors that is particularly suited for this purpose and often enables interpretation of the principal component as connectivity between two groups of variables. Second, we show how to incorporate the orthogonality and the rank-two constraint in the estimation of PCA itself to improve the results. We further provide an interpretation of these methods in terms of estimation of a probabilistic generative model related to blind separation of dependent sources. Experiments on brain imaging data give very promising results.
International Crisis Management and Human Security in the Framework of ‘Hybrid Wars’ and Unrecognized States
Authors: Asmussen Jan
Published: January 2016

This article deals with the impact of the current Ukrainian crisis on international conflict management and human security in the framework of ‘hybrid wars’ and unrecognized states. It analyses the particularities of the international community’s dealings with conflicts that have multi-party actors. Human security issues are difficult to redress when warfare takes hybrid forms and major actors are non-recognized entities that are not members of international organizations. The Ukrainian crisis has seen the resurrection of the osce as a major forum for conflict resolution endeavours. A new European order of peace that guarantees human security can only be achieved with minimum standards of mutual respect.
Human Rights Abuses in Crimea under Russia’s Occupation
Authors: Gorbunova Yulia
Published: January 2016

Russian and local authorities have severely curtailed human rights protection in Crimea since Russia began its occupation of the peninsula in February 2014. This article describes the human rights consequences of the extension of Russian law and policy to Crimea since the occupation. Russia has violated multiple obligations which it has as an occupying power under international humanitarian law – in particular in relation to the protection of people’s rights.
The Ukraine Crisis as a Challenge to Human Security in Europe
Authors: Lundin Lars-Erik
Published: January 2016

The package of measures agreed upon at the summit in Minsk on 11–12 February 20151 depends on the implementation of the agreed ceasefire. The stakes are high. The high priority given to an increase in defence expenditures in Russia2 in combination with a possible further aggressive posture may lead to a further escalation which imperfect international governance may be unable to prevent. The West needs longer-term cooperative solutions. Isolating Russia cannot be the objective. The combined impact of restrictive measures, the oil price and non-decisions to cooperate may have devastating consequences for Russia – and the West. The osce participating states agreed at the Astana summit in 2010 to reaffirm the principles and commitments since the inception of the csce process 40 years ago. But the way forward in addressing common-ground concerns so far remains blocked. This is tragic from the perspective of the wider human security agenda.
What Went Wrong with Crimean Autonomy?
Authors: Wydra Doris
Published: January 2016

Like many other successor states of the Soviet Union Ukraine had to find a means to accommodate a Russian minority. The Crimean Peninsula was granted territorial autonomy within an otherwise unitary Ukrainian state. After already striving for this autonomy in the 1990s, the final design of the autonomy defined by the Ukrainian state and the Crimean constitution remained weak, as Kiev was anxious not to open a Pandora’s box for further disintegration. The events of March 2014 showed that the autonomy was seemingly regarded as insufficient protection by the mainly Russian population of Crimea and mobilisation for integration into the Russian Federation was high. This paper argues that although without the military support of Russia the secession would not have been possible, a single focus on Russian aggression is short-sighted in explaining why the Crimean autonomy failed. Issues of a lack of power-sharing, Ukrainian state fragility and opposing identity narratives have to be considered as well.
European Security Architecture at Risk?
Authors: Wiersma Jan Marinus
Published: January 2016

The forty-year anniversary of the Helsinki Agreements on which the existing formal security arrangements of Europe are based, could have led to a convivial party. In reality the opposite is actually the case. The European safety relations in 2015 look now on course for another long-lasting conflict between East and West. There is little time to celebrate .1
Key Issues of the German osce Chairmanship 2016
Authors: Erler Gernot
Published: January 2016

Under the motto “Renewing Dialogue, Rebuilding Trust, Restoring Security”, the German osce Chairmanship 2016 will emphasize five priority areas. The primary focus will continue to be crisis and conflict management in and around Ukraine and in the other so-called protracted conflicts. Second, to this end it is necessary to strengthen the osce’s crisis reaction capacities. Third, the osce must be used as a forum for dialogue on a broad range of issues from arms control, via common transnational threats and other questions of European security, to shared understandings of principles and commitments. Fourth, the economic and environmental dimension should be used more effectively, and business should be given a stronger voice in osce forums. Finally, in the human dimension, Germany will pay special attention to issues closely related to current crises and security developments, such as tolerance and non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of the media, and minority rights.
The Bracquemond-Rousseau Table Service of 1866
Authors: Coman Sonia
Published: January 2016

Inspired by Japanese art and French eighteenth-century porcelain, the Rousseau-Bracquemond ceramic table service of 1866 blurred the line between the decorative and the fine arts. Exhibited at the 1867 World’s Fair in Paris, the service met with exceptional critical and commercial success. This paper focuses on the Rousseau-Bracquemond service to propose that cross-cultural encounters unsettled hierarchical relationships among media in nineteenth-century France. Through a visual and historiographical analysis of this case study, the paper offers a re-evaluation of the interrelationships among ceramics and modern painting. Challenging Eurocentric art historical narratives, the paper explores how the Rousseau-Bracquemond service connected Japonisme, historicism, and Republican thought. Politically charged and technically innovative, the service exemplified a new type of cross-media collaborations among a network of artists, dealers, critics, and collectors. At the intersection of ornament and realism, their radical work marked a major change in the relation between art and design.
Taxonomy of Baccharis subgen. Tarchonanthoides (Asteraceae: Astereae: Baccharidinae), a group from the southeastern South American grasslands and savannas
Authors: Heiden Gustavo , Pirani José Rubens
Published: January 2016

This is the first attempt to provide a taxonomic revision of a subgenus of Baccharis according to a phylogenetic framework, and under no geographic constraint. The recircumscription of Baccharis subgen. Tarchonanthoides involves the synonymization of Lanugothamnus, and the exclusion of Baccharis sect. Coridifoliae in order to keep the subgenus monophyletic. Other taxonomic changes are: Baccharis psammophila is confirmed as a synonym of B. gnaphalioides, and B. anabelae is a synonym of B. phylicifolia; the application of the latter name along with B. leucopappa and B. uleana is clarified. A lectotype is designated for the name B. uleana. Two recircumscribed sections, five new series and 13 species are accepted within the subgenus which diversified mainly in open vegetation types of southeastern South America in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. General morphological descriptions of the infrageneric taxa are provided, as well as a taxonomic key, descriptions, data on etymology, distribution and habitats, phenology, conservation status, ethnobotany and vernacular names, and a list of specimens examined, line drawings, pictures and distribution maps for all accepted species.
Topographic Impacts on the Spatial Distribution of Deep Convection over Southern Quebec
Authors: Kovacs Michael , Kirshbaum Daniel J.
Published: January 2016

Observations and numerical simulations reveal pronounced mesoscale variability in deep-convection occurrence over southern Quebec, Canada. A 22-yr climatology from the McGill radar just west of Montreal shows that deep-convection maxima exist (i) within the St. Lawrence valley surrounding Ottawa; (ii) within the Champlain valley of upstate New York, extending north to just east of Montreal; and (iii) in the lee of the Laurentian Mountains northeast of Trois-Rivières. These features are sensitive to the background low- to midlevel geostrophic wind direction, shifting northward as the southerly wind component increases. A meridional axis of suppressed convection also extends from Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks of New York north through Montreal and into the Laurentians. To physically interpret these features, a suite of quasi-idealized convection-permitting simulations is conducted. Analysis of the simulations, which broadly reproduce the observed extrema in convection occurrence, reveals that the maxima develop within pockets of moisture and mass convergence at the junctions of major river valleys and in the lee of prominent mountain ridges. In these locations, enhanced boundary layer humidity and convective available potential energy (CAPE) coincides with minimal convective inhibition (CIN). The minima occur over and downwind of water bodies, where limited surface heat fluxes reduce CAPE and increase CIN, and over the higher terrain, where reduced low-level moisture limits storm intensity.
Sensor-Specific Error Statistics for SST in the Advanced Clear-Sky Processor for Oceans
Authors: Petrenko B. , Ignatov A. , Kihai Y. , Dash P.
Published: January 2016

The formulation of the sensor-specific error statistics (SSES) has been redesigned in the latest implementation of the NOAA Advanced Clear-Sky Processor for Oceans (ACSPO) to enable efficient use of SSES for assimilation of the ACSPO baseline regression SST (BSST) into level 4 (L4) analyses. The SSES algorithm employs segmentation of the SST domain in the space of regressors and derives the segmentation parameter from the statistics of regressors within the global dataset of matchups. For each segment, local regression coefficients and standard deviations (SDs) of BSST minus in situ SST are calculated from the corresponding subset of matchups. The local regression coefficients are used to generate an auxiliary product—piecewise regression (PWR) SST—and SSES biases are estimated as differences between BSST and PWR SST. Correction of SSES biases, which transforms BSST back into PWR SST, reduces the effects of residual cloud; variations in view zenith angle; and, during the daytime, diurnal surface warming. This results in significant reduction in the global SD of fitting in situ SST, making it comparable with SD for the Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) L4 SST. Unlike the foundation CMC SST (which is consistent with in situ SST at night but biased cold during the daytime), the PWR SST is consistent with in situ data during both day and night and thus may be viewed as an estimate of “depth” in situ SST. The PWR SST is expected to be a useful input into L4 SST analyses, especially for foundation SST products, such as the CMC L4.
An Ensemble Approach for the Estimation of Observational Error Illustrated for a Nominal 1° Global Ocean Model
Authors: Karspeck Alicia R.
Published: January 2016

Least squares algorithms for data assimilation require estimates of both background error covariances and observational error covariances. The specification of these errors is an essential part of designing an assimilation system; the relative sizes of these uncertainties determine the extent to which the state variables are drawn toward the observational information. Observational error covariances are typically computed as the sum of measurement/instrumental errors and “representativeness error.” In a coarse-resolution ocean general circulation model the errors of representation are the dominant contribution to observational error covariance over large portions of the globe, and the size of these errors will vary by the type of observation and the geographic region. They may also vary from model to model. A straightforward approach for estimating model-dependent, spatially varying observational error variances that are suitable for least squares ocean data assimilating systems is presented here. The author proposes an ensemble-based estimator of the true observational error variance and outlines the assumptions necessary for the estimator to be unbiased. The author also presents the variance (or uncertainty) associated with the estimator under certain conditions. The analytic expressions for the expected value and variance of the estimator are validated with a simple autoregressive model and illustrated for the nominal 1° resolution POP2 global ocean general circulation model.
Using Reforecasts to Improve Forecasting of Fog and Visibility for Aviation*
Authors: Herman Gregory R. , Schumacher Russ S.
Published: January 2016

Fifteen years of forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Second-Generation Global Medium-Range Ensemble Reforecast (GEFS/R) dataset were used to develop a statistical model that generates probabilistic predictions of cloud ceiling and visibility. Four major airports—Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), Denver International Airport (KDEN), and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH) in Houston, Texas—were selected for model training and analysis. Numerous statistical model configurations, including the use of several different machine learning algorithms, input predictors, and internal parameters, were explored and verified through cross validation to develop skillful forecasts at each station. The final model was then compared with both probabilistic climatology-based forecasts and deterministic operational guidance. Results indicated significantly enhanced skill within both deterministic and probabilistic frameworks from the model trained in this study relative to both operational guidance and climatology at all stations. Probabilistic forecasts also showed substantially higher skill within the framework used than any deterministic forecast. Dewpoint depression and cloud cover forecast fields from the GEFS/R model were typically found to have the highest correspondence with observed flight rule conditions of the atmospheric fields examined. Often forecast values nearest the prediction station were not found to be the most important flight rule condition predictors, with forecast values along coastlines and immediately offshore, where applicable, often serving as superior predictors. The effect of training data length on model performance was also examined; it was determined that approximately 3 yr of training data from a dynamical model were required for the statistical model to robustly capture the relationships between model variables and observed flight rule conditions (FRCs).
Forecasting Tornadoes Using Convection-Permitting Ensembles
Authors: Gallo Burkely T. , Clark Adam J. , Dembek Scott R.
Published: January 2016

Hourly maximum fields of simulated storm diagnostics from experimental versions of convection-permitting models (CPMs) provide valuable information regarding severe weather potential. While past studies have focused on predicting any type of severe weather, this study uses a CPM-based Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model ensemble initialized daily at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) to derive tornado probabilities using a combination of simulated storm diagnostics and environmental parameters. Daily probabilistic tornado forecasts are developed from the NSSL-WRF ensemble using updraft helicity (UH) as a tornado proxy. The UH fields are combined with simulated environmental fields such as lifted condensation level (LCL) height, most unstable and surface-based CAPE (MUCAPE and SBCAPE, respectively), and multifield severe weather parameters such as the significant tornado parameter (STP). Varying thresholds of 2–5-km updraft helicity were tested with differing values of σ in the Gaussian smoother that was used to derive forecast probabilities, as well as different environmental information, with the aim of maximizing both forecast skill and reliability. The addition of environmental information improved the reliability and the critical success index (CSI) while slightly degrading the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve across all UH thresholds and σ values. The probabilities accurately reflected the location of tornado reports, and three case studies demonstrate value to forecasters. Based on initial tests, four sets of tornado probabilities were chosen for evaluation by participants in the 2015 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiment from 4 May to 5 June 2015. Participants found the probabilities useful and noted an overforecasting tendency.
Canada’s Global Engagement Challenge: A comparison of national strategies
Authors: Knight-Grofe Janine , Deacon Lisa
Published: January 2016

A key strength of Canada’s international education engagement is its openness to a multi-faceted exchange of knowledge and ideas across borders. But while Canada excels and continues to grow in international research collaboration, institutional partnerships, and inbound student mobility, its performance in the realm of outbound mobility is less impressive: a mere 3.1 percent of university students participate annually. Participation of college and high school students is even lower. This paper looks at recent developments in Canada and six other countries and regions to compare approaches regarding international learning experiences. It first examines the Canadian situation, then the various rationales for a high degree of participation in education abroad, followed by a review of international approaches. It concludes that Canada needs to redouble its efforts and investments or young Canadians will be less equipped to participate than their peers from other countries.
Climate change, rice crops, and violence
Authors: Caruso Raul , Petrarca Ilaria , Ricciuti Roberto
Published: January 2016

This article contributes to the literature on the nexus between climate change and violence by focusing on Indonesia over the period 1993–2003. Rice is the staple food in Indonesia and we investigate whether its scarcity can be blamed for fueling violence. Following insights from the natural science literature, which claims that increases in minimum temperature reduce rice yields, we maintain that increases in minimum temperature reduce food availability in many provinces, which in turn raises the emergence of actual violence. We adopt an instrumental variable approach and select the instruments taking into account the rice growing calendar. Results show that an increase of the minimum temperature during the core month of the rice growing season, that is, December, determines an increase in violence stimulated by the reduction in future rice production per capita. Results are robust across a number of different functional specifications and estimation methods. From a methodological point of view, we claim that the inconclusive results obtained in this literature may be caused by an overlook of the correct bundle crop/temperature. Studies concentrating on several countries with different crops and using variations of average temperature as a measure of climate change missed the biological mechanism behind the relationship between climate change and violence.
The downstream effects of combatant fragmentation on civil war recurrence
Authors: Rudloff Peter , Findley Michael G
Published: January 2016

We consider whether the fragmentation of combatants during civil war has downstream effects on the durability of peace following civil wars. We contend that the splintering of combatant groups, a primary manifestation of rebel group fragmentation, produces potential spoiler groups that are neither incidental nor unimportant in the process of civil war resolution. Making connections to the spoiling and credible commitment literatures, we hypothesize that rebel splintering hastens the recurrence of civil wars. Using event history modeling and propensity score matching to analyze two different civil war datasets, we examine whether the occurrence of fragmentation during a civil war influences the length of peace after the civil war. The empirical analysis of fragmentation events during civil wars since World War II offers support for the hypothesis that splintering decreases the duration of post-civil war peace. The results suggest the need to pay closer attention to the dynamics of fragmentation, and particularly how these dynamics lead to future consequences – even when those consequences take place after the war has concluded. For example, governments that attempt to splinter groups or to use existing fragmentations within rebel groups to end a civil war may encourage the unintended consequence of shorter peace duration.
Preschool Children’s Use of Thematic Vocabulary During Dialogic Reading and Activity-Based Intervention
Authors: Rahn Naomi L. , Coogle Christan Grygas , Storie Sloan
Published: January 2016

An adapted alternating treatments design was used to compare the expressive use of thematic vocabulary by three preschool children with developmental delays during Dialogic Reading, a shared book reading intervention, and Activity-Based Intervention, a naturalistic play-based teaching method. The design was replicated across two early childhood themes. For each theme, five vocabulary words were randomly assigned to Dialogic Reading, Activity-Based Intervention, or a control condition. Intervention was delivered 2 times per day for 5 days across 2 weeks. Results suggest both methods increased children’s use of target vocabulary and were similarly effective for increasing expressive use of thematic vocabulary by preschoolers with disabilities.
A death due to ecstasy – a case report
Authors: Chandra YP Girish , Shetty Akshith R , Jayanth SH , Hugar Basappa S , Praveen S , Harish S
Published: January 2016

Drug addicts face the dangers of accidental overdose, fatal intoxication, reduced tolerance and carelessness in consuming drugs. There is an increasing use of designer drugs in many cities. The body of a 29 year-old male, an event manager by profession with an alleged history of consumption of ecstasy tablets, was subjected to autopsy. The cause of death was found to be disseminated intravascular coagulation consequent upon consumption of methylenedioxymethamphetamine. This was based on the brief history, autopsy features and a chemical analysis report. This case is discussed with the background of the existing literature about the interplay of the actions of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, the hyperthermia that would result from physical exertion as in dancing in rave parties leading to hyponatremia and the causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Critical Race Theory 20 Years Later
Authors: Howard Tyrone C. , Navarro Oscar
Published: January 2016

As the nation’s schools become increasingly diverse along ethnic and racial lines, examining and understanding the racial complexities in the United States is more germane now than ever in the nation’s history. To that end, critical race theory (CRT) has been a transformative conceptual, methodological, and theoretical construct that has assisted researchers in problematizing race in education. As we reflect on 20 years of CRT, it is essential to examine in what ways, if any, CRT is influencing school practice and policy. Given the disparate educational outcomes for students of color, researchers have to inquire about the influence of CRT on the lived experiences of students in schools. In this article, the authors lay out the historical trajectory of CRT, discuss its influence on educational research, and then evaluate to what extent, if any CRT has had on school policy and practice. The article will conclude with research, practice, and policy implications that may influence CRT’s development over the next 20-year period.