bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractional exclusion statistics as an occupancy process
Authors: Fahssi Nour-Eddine
Published: July 2019

We show the possibility of describing fractional exclusion statistics (FES) as an occupancy process with global and local exclusion constraints. More specifically, using combinatorial identities, we show that FES can be viewed as “ball-in-box” models with appropriate weighting on the set of occupancy configurations (merely represented by a partition of the total number of particles). As a consequence, the following exact statement of the generalized Pauli principle is derived: for an [Formula: see text]-particles system exhibiting FES of extended parameter [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are co-prime integers such that [Formula: see text]), (1) the allowed occupation number of a state is less than or equal to [Formula: see text] and not to [Formula: see text] whenever [Formula: see text] and (2) the global occupancy shape is admissible if the number of states occupied by at least two particles is less than or equal to [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]). These counting rules allow distinguishing infinitely many families of FES systems depending on the parameter [Formula: see text] and the size [Formula: see text].
Studying the finiteness of the first meeting time between Lévy flight jump and Brownian particles in the fluid reactive anomalous transport
Authors: El-Hadidy Mohamed Abd Allah
Published: July 2019

We consider linear flows of a Lévy flight jump particle that moves randomly in the fluid reactive anomalous transport with random waiting time depending on the Gaussian distribution. The particle aims to meet another Brownian particle in this fluid. From the viewpoint of a probability theory, we present a theoretical and analytical study that gives conditions which make the expected value of the first meeting time between the two particles finite.
INFORMAL SECTOR RETAIL START-UPS IN A CARIBBEAN CONTEXT
Authors: MUHAMMAD AMANDA J. , WAITE ALINA M. , WYRE DWUENA C.
Published: July 2019

Retailing dominates the informal environment where activities occur in private and public spaces. Notwithstanding the contributions from informal retailing entrepreneurs (IRE), a paucity of research remains on the complex entrepreneur-environment exchange and in particular, the relationship between retailing entrepreneurs and the informal environment in Caribbean economies. This qualitative study aims to explore the informal retailing environment between 2003 and 2018 for informal sector start-ups in the Caribbean, specifically Barbados. Guided by Gnyawali and Fogel’s Integrative Model of Entrepreneurial Environments, content analysis of newspaper articles unveiled insights about the country’s environmental conditions pertaining to (a) government policies and procedures, (b) socioeconomic conditions, (c) entrepreneurial and business skills, (d) financial assistance, and (e) non-financial assistance and its impact on new enterprise creations. The study’s results imply that the Barbadian IRE have not been embraced fully, which reduces the likelihood of new informal venture creations testing the market and the potential for more IRE transitioning to the formal market. Empirical findings infer that efficient market functioning requires clear policies and procedures and fewer barriers limiting people from pursuing business opportunities, making the environment more conducive to new business start-ups.
Distilling and Applying Criteria for Best Practice EIA Follow-Up
Authors: Pinto Elise , Morrison-Saunders Angus , Bond Alan , Pope Jenny , Retief Francois
Published: July 2019

Follow-up is an essential component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) if the success of EIA in improving the sustainability of a project once implemented is to be determined. This paper aims to establish universally-applicable criteria for EIA follow-up to evaluate project performance once assessed and underway. A suite of 24 criteria is derived from EIA follow-up best practice principles published by the International Association for Impact Assessment. The criteria are categorized according to the five dimensions of EIA follow-up: monitoring, evaluation, management, communication and governance. Posed as questions, the criteria support qualitative assessments of EIA follow-up performance for a project. Through application of the criteria to a case study currently under construction (the Shell Cove Marina project in eastern Australia), we found they provided an effective basis for a document review process delivering a short but informative account of the follow-up performance of the case study. The more robust evaluation of some of the criteria, particularly in the governance category, would require supplementary techniques such as interviews.
Effects of fluid and norepinephrine resuscitation in a sheep model of endotoxin shock and acute kidney injury
Authors: Ferrara Gonzalo , Kanoore Edul Vanina Siham , Caminos Eguillor Juan Francisco , Buscetti María Guillermina , Canales Héctor Saúl , Lattanzio Bernardo , Gatti Luis , Ince Can , Dubin Arnaldo
Published: July 2019

The pathophysiology of renal failure in septic shock is complex. Although microvascular dysfunction has been proposed as a mechanism, there are controversial findings about the characteristics of microvascular redistribution and the effects of resuscitation. Our hypothesis was that the normalization of systemic hemodynamics with fluids and norepinephrine fails to improve acute kidney injury. To test this hypothesis, we assessed systemic and renal hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in 24 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep. Renal cortical microcirculation was evaluated by SDF-videomicroscopy. Shock ( n = 12) was induced by intravenous administration of endotoxin. After 60 min of shock, 30 mL/kg of saline solution was infused and norepinephrine was titrated to reach a mean blood pressure of 70 mmHg for 2 h. These animals were compared with a sham group ( n = 12). After endotoxin administration, mean blood pressure, cardiac index, and systemic O2 transport and consumption decreased ( P < 0.05 for all). Resuscitation improved these variables. Endotoxin shock also reduced renal blood flow and O2 transport and consumption (205[157–293] vs. 131 [99–185], 28.4[19.0–38.2] vs. 15.8[13.5–23.2], and 5.4[4.0–8.8] vs. 3.7[3.3–4.5] mL·min−1·100 g−1, respectively); cortical perfused capillary density (23.8[23.5–25.9] vs. 17.5[15.1–19.0] mm/mm2); and creatinine clearance (62.4[39.2–99.4] vs. 10.7[4.4–23.5] mL/min). After 2 h of resuscitation, these variables did not improve (174[91–186], 20.5[10.8–22.7], and 3.8[1.9–4.8] mL·min−1·100 g−1, 19.9[18.6–22.1] mm/mm2, and 5.9[1.0–11.9] mL/min). In conclusion, endotoxin shock induced severe renal failure associated with decreased renal flow, O2 transport and consumption, and cortical microcirculation. Normalization of systemic hemodynamics with fluids and norepinephrine failed to improve renal perfusion, oxygenation, and function.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This experimental model of endotoxin shock induced severe renal failure, which was associated with abnormalities in renal regional blood flow, microcirculation, and oxygenation. Derangements included the compromise of peritubular microvascular perfusion. Improvements in systemic hemodynamics through fluids and norepinephrine were unable to correct these abnormalities.
Effect of Transcriptional Regulator ID3 on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
Authors: Avecilla Vincent
Published: July 2019

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can be discovered in patients who have a loss of function mutation of activin A receptor-like type 1 (ACVRL1) gene, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type 1 receptor. Additionally, ACVRL1 mutations can lead to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, an autosomal dominant inherited disease that results in mucocutaneous telangiectasia and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Transcriptional regulator Inhibitor of DNA-Binding/Differentiation-3 (ID3) has been demonstrated to be involved in both PAH and HTT; however, the role of its overlapping molecular mechanistic effects has yet to be seen. This review will focus on the existing understanding of how ID3 may contribute to molecular involvement and perturbations thus altering both PAH and HHT outcomes. Improved understanding of how ID3 mediates these pathways will likely provide knowledge in the inhibition and regulation of these diseases through targeted therapies.
Gender-Related Differences in Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Premature Coronary Artery Disease: Insight from the FOCUS Registry
Authors: Qu Ya’nan , Yang Ji’e , Zhang Feng , Li Chenguang , Dai Yuxiang , Yang Hongbo , Gao Yang , Pan Yueyi , Yao Kang , Huang Dong , Lu Hao , Ma Jianying , Qian Juying , Ge Junbo
Published: July 2019

Introduction. Although coronary artery disease (CAD) presentations and clinical outcomes differ by sex, little is known about premature CAD (PCAD). The present analysis aimed to evaluate the gender-related differences of PCAD in an Asian population from the FOCUS registry. Methods. A total of 1397 Asian young patients with angiographically confirmed CAD undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation were included in this analysis and divided into two groups according to the genders. Patients were followed up for three years and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Results. Young women were older and more likely to have hypertension and diabetes than men (all p<0.001). In contrast, males with PCAD had higher BMI and higher prevalence of current smoking as well as previous vessel revascularizations (all p<0.05). Men were more likely to be manifested as total occlusive lesions (p<0.001). Regardless of the clinical characteristics, the cumulative incidences of adverse events such as major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), cardiovascular death, and all-cause death were not significantly different at one- or three-year follow-up (all p>0.05). Conclusion. Despite remarkable differences in clinical characteristics between Asian males and females with PCAD, the two groups did not differ significantly in clinical outcomes.
Determination of Mohr–Coulomb Parameters from Nonlinear Strength Criteria for 3D Slopes
Authors: Wu Di , Wang Yuke , Qiu Yue , Zhang Juan , Wan Yukuai
Published: July 2019

Many experimental data have illustrated that the strength envelops for soils are not linear. Nevertheless, the linear Mohr–Coulomb (MC) strength parameters are widely applied for the conventional method, software codes, and engineering standards in the slope design practice. Hence, this paper developed the 3D limit analysis for the stability of soil slopes with the nonlinear strength criterion. Based on a numerical optimization procedure written in Matlab software codes, the equivalent MC parameters (the equivalent friction angle and the equivalent cohesion) from the nonlinear strength envelopes were derived with respect to the least upper‐bound solutions. Further investigations were made to assess the influences of nonlinear strength parameters and slope geometries on the equivalent MC parameters. The presented results indicate that the equivalent MC parameters are closely related to the nonlinear strength parameters. As the inclination angle increases, the equivalent friction angle becomes bigger, but the equivalent cohesion becomes smaller. Besides, 3D effects on the equivalent MC parameters were found to be slight. The presented approach for the determination of MC strength parameters is analytical and rigorous, and the approximate MC strength parameters in the provided design tables can be alternative references for practical use.
Excellent Response to Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Metastatic Gastroesophageal Junction Squamous Carcinoma
Authors: Sadagopan Narayanan , Devoe Craig
Published: July 2019

Unresectable gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. We report the case of a patient with a Siewert class III gastroesophageal junction squamous carcinoma with metastatic spread into the liver who had an exceptional response to a combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab despite being programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) negative, microsatellite stable (MSS), and having a low tumor mutational burden. He initially experienced disease progression on the chemotherapy regimens modified DCF and FOLFIRI resulting in limited functional status, esophageal stent placement, and feeding tube placement. After about 6 months on nivolumab and ipilimumab, he had near-complete disease resolution. He was able to return to his baseline functional status, as well as have the esophageal stent and feeding tube removed. Our case contributes to the value of exploring immunotherapy as an option for a variety of hard to treat cancers.
Subjective Evaluation of Music Compressed with the ACER Codec Compared to AAC, MP3, and Uncompressed PCM
Authors: Cunningham Stuart , McGregor Iain
Published: July 2019

Audio data compression has revolutionised the way in which the music industry and musicians sell and distribute their products. Our previous research presented a novel codec named ACER (Audio Compression Exploiting Repetition), which achieves data reduction by exploiting irrelevancy and redundancy in musical structure whilst generally maintaining acceptable levels of noise and distortion in objective evaluations. However, previous work did not evaluate ACER using subjective listening tests, leaving a gap to demonstrate its applicability under human audio perception tests. In this paper, we present a double-blind listening test that was conducted with a range of listeners (N=100). The aim was to determine the efficacy of the ACER codec, in terms of perceptible noise and spatial distortion artefacts, against de facto standards for audio data compression and an uncompressed reference. Results show that participants reported no perceived differences between the uncompressed, MP3, AAC, ACER high quality, and ACER medium quality compressed audio in terms of noise and distortions but that the ACER low quality format was perceived as being of lower quality. However, in terms of participants’ perceptions of the stereo field, all formats under test performed as well as each other, with no statistically significant differences. A qualitative, thematic analysis of listeners’ feedback revealed that the noise artefacts that produced the ACER technique are different from those of comparator codecs, reflecting its novel approach. Results show that the quality of contemporary audio compression systems has reached a stage where their performance is perceived to be as good as uncompressed audio. The ACER format is able to compete as an alternative, with results showing a preference for the ACER medium quality versions over WAV, MP3, and AAC. The ACER process itself is viable on its own or in conjunction with techniques such as MP3 and AAC.
Notch Signaling Activation as a Hallmark for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Subtype
Authors: Giuli M. V. , Giuliani E. , Screpanti I. , Bellavia D. , Checquolo S.
Published: July 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subgroup of 15%-20% of diagnosed breast cancer patients. It is generally considered to be the most difficult breast cancer subtype to deal with, due to the lack of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which usually direct targeted therapies. In this scenario, the current treatments of TNBC-affected patients rely on tumor excision and conventional chemotherapy. As a result, the prognosis is overall poor. Thus, the identification and characterization of targets for novel therapies are urgently required. The Notch signaling pathway has emerged to act in the pathogenesis and tumor progression of TNBCs. Firstly, Notch receptors are associated with the regulation of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) behavior, as well as with the aetiology of TNBCs. Secondly, there is a strong evidence that Notch pathway is a relevant player in mammary cancer stem cells maintenance and expansion. Finally, Notch receptors expression and activation strongly correlate with the aggressive clinicopathological and biological phenotypes of breast cancer (e.g., invasiveness and chemoresistance), which are relevant characteristics of TNBC subtype. The purpose of this up-to-date review is to provide a detailed overview of the specific role of all four Notch receptors (Notch1, Notch2, Notch3, and Notch4) in TNBCs, thus identifying the Notch signaling pathway deregulation/activation as a pathognomonic feature of this breast cancer subtype. Furthermore, this review will also discuss recent information associated with different therapeutic options related to the four Notch receptors, which may be useful to evaluate prognostic or predictive indicators as well as to develop new therapies aimed at improving the clinical outcome of TNBC patients.
Association between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Dementia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Xiaotong , Wei Biying , Tung Tao-Hsin , Tao Ping , Chien Ching-Wen
Published: July 2019

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease among the elderly, which has been linked to cognitive decline. However, the relationship between COPD and dementia remains unclear. Summary: We conducted a systematic literature review by searching databases such as Pubmed, Embase, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library (from inception to April 18, 2018) for studies on COPD that also investigated the prevalence of dementia. We found 3 cohort studies including a total of 39,392 COPD patients. Then we applied the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to evaluate the risk of bias. Key Messages: COPD patients faced a higher risk of dementia (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.22–1.75; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis on gender determined that the association between COPD and dementia was stronger in male patients (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20–1.86, p < 0.001) than in female patients (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.27–1.57, p < 0.001). A subset study of patients aged >65 years revealed that the HR was greater for patients aged ≥75 years (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.07–2.00, p = 0.02) than for those aged 65–74 years (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.28–1.53, p < 0.001). The cohort studies included were from similar population-based databases, suggesting possible regional limitations and publication bias.
The Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery Depend on Presurgical Control over Eating
Authors: Muñoz-Rodríguez José Ramón , Rodríguez-Cano Teresa , Polo Filomena , Sáenz-Mateos Luis , Agarrado Andrea , Segura Esperanza , Casas Gloria , Martín-Fernández Jesús , Beato-Fernández Luis , Salas Elisabet , González-Martín Carmen , Alguacil Luis F.
Published: July 2019

Background: The outcomes of bariatric surgery are very irregular and mostly unpredictable. The search for variables of predictive value is encouraged to help preventing therapeutic failures. Objective: We aimed to confirm the hypothesis that preexisting eating behaviors could predict neuroendocrine and metabolic outcomes of gastric bypass surgery in morbidly obese subjects. Methods: Twenty-one morbidly obese patients from the Bariatric Surgery Program of our hospital were selected according to the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. The subjects filled out a validated questionnaire to quantify the “loss-of-control” (LC) dimension of food craving and provided serum samples at the onset of the study and 1 year after gastric bypass surgery. Hematological, metabolic, and hormonal variables were studied by conventional clinical tests and enzyme immunoassays and checked for correlations with LC both before and after surgery. Results: Those patients that had exhibited worse eating control at the beginning of the study experienced a better metabolic response 1 year after surgery in terms of reduction of serum insulin, HOMA1-IR, HOMA2-IR, and vitamin D1; all these variables were inversely correlated with presurgical LC. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels showed the same tendency; in fact, BDNF significantly decreased only in those patients with worse eating control. Conclusions: Problematic eating behaviors may predict a better response of insulin resistance and a specific reduction of serum BDNF in morbidly obese patients after gastric bypass surgery.
Comparative study of egg contamination with Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Osowski Germana Vizzotto , Baron Lana Flávia , Codebella Arlei , Fonseca Francisco Noé , Mota Sandra Camile Almeida , Degenhardt Roberto , Duarte Sabrina Castilho
Published: July 2019

Cases of salmonellosis in humans have been associated with consumption of eggs contaminated with this bacterial pathogen due to insufficient heat treatment. The most prevalent serotypes of Salmonella in Brazil include serotypes Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Heidelberg. The first two serotypes are major causes for eggs to be withheld from sale and for recalls over Salmonella contamination concerns in both domestic and foreign markets. Eggs may be contaminated through transovarian infection (transovarial transmission) due to the presence of the microorganism in the hen’s oviduct and bacterial penetration of the eggshell. There is little data in the literature on the susceptibility of egg contamination and eggshell penetration by Brazilian serotypes of Salmonella. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of S. Heidelberg and S. Typhimurium serotypes to penetrate through the eggshell and detect these bacteria in the albumen and yolk according to the thickness of the eggshell. SPF (specific-pathogen-free) eggs were artificially contaminated by contact with moist cotton containing Salmonella (15 x 108 CFU/ml). Eggs were divided into the following groups: negative control (not contaminated), S. Heidelberg, and S. Typhimurium. Subsequently, these eggs were incubated at 37°C, and their contents analyzed after 4 h and 24 h of incubation. The evaluation (assessment) of the contamination was performed by traditional bacteriology and confirmed by biochemical and serological tests. Treatments were compared with Fisher’s test using a SAS statistical software. For S. Heidelberg, the percentage of positivity (positive cases) was lower in both albumen and yolk at 4 h and 24 h intervals (33.33% and 3.7%, and 3.7% and 3.7%, respectively) compared to S. Typhimurium (26.63% and 7.41%, and 33.33% and 33.33%, respectively). These findings suggest that the former strain (S. Heidelberg) was unable to survive in the hostile environment of the albumen. In contrast, eggshell thickness had no significant correlation with the number of positive samples. In conclusion, the results obtained in the egg infection model show that the Salmonella strains tested were able to penetrate the eggshell and multiply in both the albumen and yolk and that S. Typhimurium proved to be the most efficient to grow within these portions of the egg.
Incremental Value of Implantable Cardiac Device Diagnostic Variables Over Clinical Parameters to Predict Mortality in Patients With Mild to Moderate Heart Failure
Authors: Manlucu Jaimie , Sharma Vinod , Koehler Jodi , Warman Eduardo N. , Wells George A. , Gula Lorne J. , Yee Raymond , Tang Anthony S.
Published: July 2019

Background

Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Clinical prediction models provide suboptimal estimates of mortality in this population. We sought to determine the incremental value of implantable device diagnostics over clinical prediction models for mortality.

Methods and Results

RAFT
(Resynchronization/Defibrillation for Ambulatory Heart Failure Trial) patients with implanted devices capable of device diagnostic monitoring were included, and demographic and clinical parameters were used to compute Meta‐Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) heart failure risk scores. Patients were classified according to
MAGGIC
score into low (0–16), intermediate (17–24), or high (>24) risk groups. Mortality was evaluated from 6 months postimplant in accordance with the
RAFT
protocol. In a subset of 1036 patients, multivariable analysis revealed that intermediate and high
MAGGIC
scores, fluid index, atrial fibrillation, and low activity flags were independent predictors of mortality. A device‐integrated diagnostic parameter that included a fluid index flag and either a positive atrial fibrillation flag or a positive activity flag was able to significantly differentiate higher from lower risk for mortality in the intermediate
MAGGIC
cohort. The effect was more pronounced in the high‐risk
MAGGIC
cohort, in which device‐integrated diagnostic–positive patients had a shorter time to death than those who were device‐integrated diagnostic negative.

Conclusions

Device diagnostics using a combination of fluid index trends, atrial fibrillation burden, and patient activity provide significant incremental prognostic value over clinical heart failure prediction scores in higher‐risk patients. This suggests that combining clinical and device diagnostic parameters may lead to models with better predictive power. Whether this risk is modifiable with early medical intervention would warrant further studies.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00251251.
Student Heterogeneity and Financial Incentives in Graduate Education: Evidence from a Student Aid Reform
Authors: Sten-Gahmberg Susanna
Published: July 2019

In this paper, I study heterogeneity in graduate students’ responses to financial incentives. The incentive was given by a student aid reform in Norway that was intended to increase the proportion of students who graduate on time by offering a reduction of their student loan. Using a difference-in-difference strategy and detailed Norwegian register data, I find considerable variation in the treatment effect by student characteristics. Male students, students from low-income families, students in the middle of the ability distribution, and students with dependent children responded more strongly to the reform than others. Both employment rates and earnings of treated students were significantly reduced in the reform period, but the take-up of loans was not largely affected. In summary, male students mainly responded by reducing working hours, whereas female students largely exited employment. Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds must have adapted through other channels than employment, earnings, or take-up of loans. Students with dependent children responded by increasing their take-up of loans. There is an understudied relationship between student characteristics and student behavior. By learning more about this relationship, it might be possible to design policies that affect student behavior more efficiently than the ones that are in place today.
Generating New Space-Filling Test Instances for Continuous Black-Box Optimization
Authors: Muñoz Mario A. , Smith-Miles Kate
Published: July 2019

This article presents a method to generate diverse and challenging new test instances for continuous black-box optimization. Each instance is represented as a feature vector of exploratory landscape analysis measures. By projecting the features into a two-dimensional instance space, the location of existing test instances can be visualized, and their similarities and differences revealed. New instances are generated through genetic programming which evolves functions with controllable characteristics. Convergence to selected target points in the instance space is used to drive the evolutionary process, such that the new instances span the entire space more comprehensively. We demonstrate the method by generating two-dimensional functions to visualize its success, and ten-dimensional functions to test its scalability. We show that the method can recreate existing test functions when target points are co-located with existing functions, and can generate new functions with entirely different characteristics when target points are located in empty regions of the instance space. Moreover, we test the effectiveness of three state-of-the-art algorithms on the new set of instances. The results demonstrate that the new set is not only more diverse than a well-known benchmark set, but also more challenging for the tested algorithms. Hence, the method opens up a new avenue for developing test instances with controllable characteristics, necessary to expose the strengths and weaknesses of algorithms, and drive algorithm development.
Reparations for Mass Torts Involving the United Nations
Authors: Ferstman Carla
Published: July 2019

In recent years, UN peacekeepers have been accused of several mass torts causing significant injury to host populations. Using the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations as a backdrop, this article charts the efforts taken by host populations to seek reparation for the harms they suffered and the responses of the UN to arguments about their institutional liability and the consequential obligations to afford reparation. The author argues that the misapplication of the lex specialis principle has been central to the UN’s avoidance strategies.
Speculating on the World Bank’s Involvement in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Operations and Activities
Authors: Seatzu Francesco
Published: July 2019

Over the last few decades, the World Bank (‘WB’) has gained wide experience in post-conflict peacebuilding by experimenting new approaches to peace-and state-building in a wide range of difficult, fragile and conflict-affected countries such as Burundi, Liberia, and Nepal, all of which were undergoing significant political processes in the area of post-conflict reconstruction and democratic consolidation. The WB is the principal organization of the UN system providing low-interest loans for improvements in countries in difficulties. This paper explores the extent to which the WB can assert a role in the operational management of post-conflict reconstruction and argues that the WB’s increasing engagement with post-reconstruction issues is proper and permissible according both to its Establishing Agreement and its Relationship Agreement with the UN. But this is only provided it is balanced against a recognition of its intrinsic and operational limitations: namely and in particular the limitations that arise, respectively, from the UN Security Council’s competing competence in the same sector and the enduring existence of political prohibition clauses in the WB’s and IDA’s Establishing Agreements. If the WB’s post-conflict activities continue, it will turn out to be a player of great significance and actuality in developing and applying international post-conflict reconstruction norms and principles. Ultimately, given the inextricable link between development and conflict, the WB’s competence over post-conflict reconstruction issues is functional to its legitimacy. Support for the WB’s evolving role in post-conflict reconstruction scenarios will be highest if the WB enacts measures to promote its substantive and procedural legitimacy among member countries. This paper therefore collocates its analysis within the framework of democratic decision-making and argues for a clearer definition of responsibilities among the WB financial institutions and other organizations and organs belonging to the same UN family, such the UN Security Council, ECOSOC and the UN Peacebuilding Commission.
The Constitutional Framework of International Law in the Gulf: Ratification and Implementation of International Treaties in GCC Constitutions
Authors: Parolin Gianluca P.
Published: July 2019

This article investigates how ratification and implementation of international treaties are regulated in GCC Constitutions and how these regulations currently operate. First, it considers the models of internal/international law relations that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Constitutions espouse. Second, it then reviews ratification procedures and practices. Finally, it examines alternative options to guarantee implementation. Shifting the focus away from conventional court implementation mechanisms, the article argues that internal accountability mechanisms of executives might guarantee a more effective enforcement of international treaties in the GCC Member States.
Akanthomyces araneicola, a new araneogenous species from Southwest China
Authors: CHEN WAN-HAO , LIU CHANG , HAN YAN-FENG , LIANG JIAN-DONG , TIAN WEI-YI , LIANG ZONG-QI
Published: July 2019

During a survey of spider-pathogenic fungi from Southwest China, a new araneogenous species was found. The new species, Akanthomyces araneicola, differs from other species based on mostly smaller fusiform conidia (2.5–5.0 × 1.3–1.9 μm), mononematous conidiophores and, additionally, in parasitising a spider. Both the morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF sequence data support A. araneicola as a new species in the genus Akanthomyces.
A new species of Oecetis McLachlan (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) from the Sandhills region of South Carolina, USA

Authors: FLINT, JR. OLIVER S. , FLOYD MICHAEL A. , MOULTON JOHN K.
Published: July 2019

A new species Oecetis McLachlan, O. psammophila sp. nov., is described from the Sandhills ecoregion of South Carolina. Illustrations of male and female genitalia and wing photographs are provided. Following the classification of Chen (1993), O. psammophila belongs to the O. parva Species-group of the subgenus Pseudosetodes Ulmer. Adult specimens were taken at ultraviolet lights near or immediately adjacent to impounded streams or spring-fed wetlands. The larva remains unknown, but other Nearctic members of the O. parva Species-group inhabit lentic habitats.
Using DNA barcode data to add leaves to the Trichoptera tree of life
Authors: FRANDSEN PAUL B. , ZHOU XIN , FLINT JR. OLIVER , KJER KARL M.
Published: July 2019

The Trichoptera barcode of life initiative has gathered barcodes for a large portion of Trichoptera species diversity. Although the primary use of these data is species identification, they can also be used to generate species-level phylogenetic hypotheses. In order to ameliorate the well-documented difficulties of resolving deep divergences with the COI barcode fragment, we used a method of defining well-supported nodes from other data sources and filling out the “leaves” within these defined nodes of the Trichoptera tree of life with trees generated from the barcode fragment. We demonstrate the potential of this approach with the generation of a tree for Xiphocentronidae + Psychomyiidae. Using this example, we present two suspicious clades that warranted a more careful analysis, and demonstrate that a simple analysis of barcodes can generate and help answer other, related questions. We find that Zelandoptila is supported as belonging to Ecnomidae rather than Psychomyiidae, and we placed an unidentified specimen from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collection as sister to Beraeidae.
A contribution to knowledge of some main trends in evolutionary transformations of the male genitalia in superorder Amphiesmenoptera (Insecta, Trichoptera + Lepidoptera)

Authors: PONOMARENKO MARGARITA G.
Published: July 2019

The general trends of evolutionary transformations in the male copulatory apparatus of the lower ditrysian Lepidoptera, family Gelechiidae, on the base of functional morphological analysis are similar to those in the order Trichoptera. Evolution of the genitalia in both groups was directed to improvement of efficiency of mating mechanisms. It is found that one of the general trends in trichopterans, reduced of gonopods, corresponds to the main direction of valvae transformation in lower ditrysian moths Gelechiidae. These structures, being of importance in grasping the female in other groups of Lepidoptera, lost this function in some genera and they completely disappeared in most advanced groups of gelechiid moths. That phenomenon is associated with transformations of other structures in copulatory apparatus, which functionally compensate for the lack of valvae. Such functional analogues are found in the course of comparative morphological analysis of the male genitalia in both groups. Similar changes and similar traits of the genital appendages in both groups, trichopterans and lower ditrysian lepidopterans, can be considered as evidence of parallel evolution. The possible parallelisms as indicators of common evolutionary trends in transformation of copulatory apparatus within the two lineages, Trichoptera and Lepidoptera, having a common ancestor, are discussed.
Distribution of Hydropsychidae (Insecta, Trichoptera) and water quality parameters in Mae Tao Creek, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, northern Thailand

Authors: PROMMI TAENG-ON , PEUMWARUNYOO PRONTHIP , MANSUKPHOL PHARAWEE
Published: July 2019

The distribution of adult Hydropsychidae and physicochemical variables at Mae Tao Creek, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, northern Thailand, were sampled bi-monthly from February to December 2011. Five sampling sites were selected along the creek. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, sulfate, nitrate-nitrogen, and orthophosphate did not vary significantly during the research period, and pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, and sulfate did not vary significantly among the sampling sites. A total of 1,065 male individuals were caught belonging to 5 genera and 20 species. Cheumatopsyche carmentis Malicky & Chantaramongkol 1997, Cheumatopsyche dhanikari Malicky 1979, Cheumatopsyche globosa Ulmer 1910, Cheumatopsyche lucida Ulmer 1907 and Potamyia flavata Banks 1934 were identified as the most common species of the research area. Pearson’s correlations were used to determine the relationships between water quality variables and the adult caddisfly faunas. Air temperature, turbidity, nitrate-nitrogen, and ammonia-nitrogen were strongly correlated only with the presence of adult caddisflies.
Caddisflies (Trichoptera) in benthic communities of southern Sakhalin rivers, Far East Russia
Authors: ZHIVOGLYADOVA LYUBOV L. , LABAY VYACHESLAV S.
Published: July 2019

During one year we studied caddisfly assemblages in benthic macroinvertebrate communities of mountain (Frikena River) and piedmont (Partizanka River) reaches of the Lyutoga River Basin. For most of the year in the mountain reaches, the scraper Neophylax ussuriensis Martynov dominates. Maximum caddisfly density (403 ind./m2) and biomass (14,441 g/m2) was recorded in July before mass emergence of that dominant species. The density of caddisflies in the benthic community was more significant in November (32%), and caddisfly biomass was most significant in July (69%). In the piedmont reaches of Lyutoga River Basin in various seasons, Rhyacophila (Hyporhyacophila) sp., Hydatophylax sp., Hydropsyche orientalis Martynov, and Stenopsyche marmorata Navás dominated. Maximum density and biomass of caddisflies (451 ind./m2, 1,576 g/m2) were recorded in 5 September. The density of filterers H. orientalis and S. marmorata occurs in the salmon spawning season and seems to be correlated with the increased abundance of suspended organic substances in the water column as salmon spawn. In the piedmont reaches the role of caddisflies are the most significant in September (49% of total macroinvertebrate density and 56% of biomass).
The List of Caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) collected in South Primorye during the symposium and post-symposium excursions of the XIV International Symposium on Trichoptera (5 and 8−13 July 2012)
Authors: VSHIVKOVA TATYANA , FLINT OLIVER , ITO TOMIKO , IVANOV VLADIMIR , HOLZENTHAL RALPH , MELNITSKY STANISLAV , MEY WOLFRAM , NOZAKI TAKAO , OH MIN WO , DROZDOV KONSTANTIN , TOJO KOJI , SAITO RIE , TORI TAKAAKI
Published: July 2019

A list of the caddisflies obtained during the 14th International Symposium on Trichoptera, 2−7 July 2012, Vladivostok, Russia, is presented. Imago and immature stages were collected in different places in South Primorye during the symposium (5 July 2012) and post-symposium excursions (8−13 July 2012). The list of collected caddisflies includes 98 species of 45 genera belonging to 22 families. The coordinates for collecting sites and photos of working moments of the expeditions are included as well as photos of some species made by expedition participants.
Investigation into the Trichoptera fauna of the Opa Stream in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria
Authors: AMUSAN BABATUNDE , OGBOGU SYLVESTER
Published: July 2019

The species composition and abundance of caddisflies in association with some water quality parameters (pH, water temperature and conductivity) in Opa Stream in Ile-Ife, Nigeria were investigated during October 2009–August 2010. One hundred and ninety adult caddisflies collected from the stream represent six species in six genera and three families. Hydropsychidae had three species, which is more than were found in other families. The caddisflies showed a relative mean abundance of 62% and 38.9% in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Caddisfly abundance was positively correlated with pH and conductivity but there was a negative relationship between water temperature and the abundance of caddisflies in the stream.
Biology of Plectrocnemia latissima Martynov 1913 (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae) from the rivers and streams of Central Caucasus northern slopes

Authors: CHERCHESOVA SUSANNA. K. , YAKIMOV ANDREY V. , BIASOV VADIM O. , KATAEV STANISLAV V. , DZHIOEVA IYA E.
Published: July 2019

The caddisfly Plectrocnemia latissima Martynov 1913 inhabits springs, streams and rivers of the northern slopes of the Central Caucasus. Aspects of the biology of this species are reported here. Its larvae require a high oxygen concentration and can be used as a good indicator of water quality.
Mesoscale Processes during the Genesis of Hurricane Karl (2010)
Authors: Bell Michael M. , Montgomery Michael T.
Published: July 2019

Observations from the Pre-Depression Investigation of Cloud Systems in the Tropics (PREDICT), Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP), and Intensity Forecast Experiment (IFEX) field campaigns are analyzed to investigate the mesoscale processes leading to the tropical cyclogenesis of Hurricane Karl (2010). Research aircraft missions provided Doppler radar, in situ flight level, and dropsonde data documenting the structural changes of the predepression disturbance. Following the pre-Karl wave pouch, variational analyses at the meso-β and meso-α scales suggest that the convective cycle in Karl alternately built the low- and midlevel circulations leading to genesis episodically rather than through a sustained lowering of the convective mass flux from increased stabilization. Convective bursts that erupt in the vorticity-rich environment of the recirculating pouch region enhance the low-level meso-β- and meso-α-scale circulation through vortex stretching. As the convection wanes, the resulting stratiform precipitation strengthens the midlevel circulation through convergence associated with ice microphysical processes, protecting the disturbance from the intrusion of dry environmental air. Once the column saturation fraction returns to a critical value, a subsequent convective burst below the midlevel circulation further enhances the low-level circulation, and the convective cycle repeats. The analyses suggest that the onset of deep convection and associated low-level spinup were closely related to the coupling of the vorticity and moisture fields at low and midlevels. Our interpretation of the observational analysis presented in this study reaffirms a primary role of deep convection in the genesis process and provides a hypothesis for the supporting role of stratiform precipitation and the midlevel vortex.
Modeling the effect of uniaxial deformation on electrical conductivity for composite materials with extreme filler segregation
Authors: Lebedev Oleg V , Abaimov Sergey G , Ozerin Alexander N
Published: July 2019

In this work, the correlation between electrical conductivity and uniaxial deformation of a material with highly segregated distribution of conductive filler is studied. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are used as a model filler. A numerical model that can be used to predict changes in conductive microstructure made of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in response to uniaxial deformation of material is proposed. The model takes into account the ability of nanotubes to assume various conformations and orientations during deformation. Numerical simulations are conducted for uniformly distributed multi-walled carbon nanotubes providing confinement of the filler in a two-dimensional film structure with high volume fraction of the filler. The embedded element method to conduct realistic and computationally efficient simulation of multi-walled carbon nanotube behavior during deformation of the composite material is implemented. Finally, the results of numerical simulations of changes in electrical conductivity of composite during deformation are compared with the experimental data to prove the correctness of assumptions used in the model.
Options for agricultural service cooperatives in a postsocialist economy: Evidence from Romania
Authors: Wolz Axel , Möllers Judith , Micu Marius Mihai
Published: July 2019

Almost three decades since the collapse of the socialist regime, Romania’s farm structure is characterized by a distinct dual pattern. The far majority of farms is relatively small, while a small number manages about half of the total utilized agricultural area. Most farmers face significant constraints in creating viable farm businesses. When this is the case, it can be assumed that farmers will unite and establish agricultural service cooperatives (ASCs), as has been observed in many other parts of the world. In Romania, however, as in many other postsocialist economies, farmers tend to be reluctant to form or join formal organizations of mutual assistance. Yet there are signs of change, as first ASCs have recently been established. The objectives of this contribution are twofold: First, we discuss the major obstacles why ASCs did not develop after regime change. Second, we analyze the major reasons and influencing factors why private family farmers become more open to this type of formal organization in recent years. The analysis is based on a literature review, farm statistics, and qualitative in-depth interviews with farmers in 2018.