bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of ALD‐ZnO Thin Films Toward Higher Conductivity
Authors: Beh Holger , Hiller Daniel , Zacharias Margit
Published: March 2018

Zinc oxide (ZnO) fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising material to replace tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO) as standard transparent conductive oxide (TCO). However, its conductivity is still often about one order of magnitude below that of ITO. Variations in precursor choice, deposition process parameters, and post‐processing of ALD‐ZnO are tested concerning their impact in improvement of the TCO performance. Replacing the conventional diethylzinc (DEZ) with dimethylzinc (DMZ) as well as post‐deposition annealing in H2 yields no improvement for the highly conductive films (<10 mΩ cm) deposited at around 200 °C. However, reducing the purge time of the ALD process from 10 s down to 1 s and simultaneously increasing the DEZ pulse duration leads to a reduction in resistivity from 7.6 mΩ cm to 2.8 mΩcm. Furthermore, this process optimization involves a reduction of the total deposition time by almost one order of magnitude.
A sequential hypothesis testing procedure for the process capability index Cpk
Authors: Scagliarini Michele
Published: March 2018

In this study, we propose a sequential method for hypothesis testing on the Cpk process capability index. We compare the properties of the sequential test with the performances of nonsequential tests by performing an extensive simulation study. The results show that the proposed sequential test makes it possible to save a large amount of sample size as compared with the fixed sample size tests while maintaining the desired α‐level and power.
Synergistic Strengthening by Severe Plastic Deformation and Post‐Heat Treatment of a Low‐Carbon Steel
Authors: Soleimani Foad , Kazeminezhad Mohsen
Published: March 2018

Low‐carbon steel sheets are severely plastic deformed to strains of up to ≈3.48 and subsequently heat treated by conventional annealing followed by water‐quenching. Four temperatures are chosen for the annealing below and over the Ac1 and Ac3 transformation lines. The effects of post‐deformation heat treatment are investigated by evaluating the microstructure and mechanical properties, including strength, ductility, work hardening capability, and hardness. A maximum increase of 86% in the strength is obtained through intercritical annealing and quenching of the samples subjected to strain of 1.16. It is interesting that both the elongation and ultimate tensile strength values are higher after heat treatment at a variety of temperatures in comparison with those of the non‐treated samples; up to 197% for the former and up to 33% for the latter. These would be achieved in combination with yield ratios even lower than that of the as‐received material, demonstrating the higher deformation capability of the specimens. However, these beneficial outcomes are deteriorated toward higher amounts of strain. Despite the heat treated undeformed low‐carbon steels, the stress − strain curves for heat treated deformed samples show little or no discontinuous yielding correlated to variations of mobile dislocations density as a result of microstructural evolution.
Prevalence of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species in unowned and military dogs in New Caledonia
Authors: Dahmani Mustapha , Tahir Djamel , Cabre Olivier , Raoult Didier , Fenollar Florence , Davoust Bernard , Mediannikov Oleg
Published: March 2018

Dogs are competent reservoir hosts of several zoonotic agents, including Filariidae nematodes and Anaplasmataceae family bacteria. The latter family unites human and veterinary pathogens (Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neorickettsia bacteria) with Wolbachia, some of which are obligatory endosymbionts of pathogenic filarial nematodes. The epidemiology of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species infecting dogs living in kennels in New Caledonia was studied. 64 EDTA blood samples were screened for the presence of Anaplasmataceae and filarial nematodes. Molecular study was conducted using primers and probe targeting the of 23S rRNA long fragment of Anaplasmataceae species. Next, all blood sample was screened for the presence of Filariidae species targeting the primers and probe targeting the COI gene, as well as primers targeting the COI and 5S rRNA genes of all filarial worms. Anaplasma platys was identified in 8/64 (12.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4–20.6%) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of Dirofilaria immitis in 8/64 (12.5%, CI: 4.4–20.6%). Filariidae species investigation was performed and showed that 11/64 (17.2%, CI: 7.9–26.4%) dogs were infected with D. immitis, whereas, 2/64 (3.1%, CI: 0.0–7.3%) were infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum. Finally, we checked the occurrence of co‐infection between Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae species. Co‐occurrence with Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. immitis was observed in seven dogs, one dog was co‐infected with A. platys and A. reconditum and another was co‐infected with Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. immitis and A. reconditum. These results are the first report of Anaplasmataceae and Filariidae occurring in dogs in New Caledonia.
Epidemiology and genetic characterization of Peste des petits ruminants virus in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mohammed Z. , Haider Najmul , Gurley Emily S. , Ahmed Sadia , Osmani Mozaffar G. , Hossain Muhammad B. , Islam Ariful , Khan Shahneaz A. , Hossain Mohammad Enayet , Epstein Jonathan H. , Zeidner Nord , Rahman Mustafizur
Published: March 2018

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, highly contagious disease responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates in susceptible sheep and goats. Adequate knowledge of the diversity of circulating strains of PPR virus will help livestock authorities choose appropriate vaccines. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of PPR and characterize the strains circulating in Bangladesh. Veterinarians enrolled goats showing signs consistent with PPR, including diarrhoea, fever and respiratory distress, from three veterinary hospitals. Post‐treatment follow up was carried out to ascertain health outcomes of the goats. Faecal and throat swab samples were collected from the goats and tested for PPRV RNA using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT‐PCR). Nucleotide sequence‐based phylogenetic analyses of two structural genes, the nucleocapsid (N gene), and the haemagglutinin (H gene) were studied to determine the genetic variations of PPRV strains. Of the 539 goats enrolled, 38% (203/539) had detectable RNA for PPRV. We were able to follow up with 91% (184/203) of the PPRV infected goats; 44 of them died (24%). PPRV was more frequently identified in the summer (45%) than in the rainy season (29%) (Odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–3.1). Bangladeshi strains were phylogenetically similar to the lineage IV PPRV strains; showing particularly strong affiliation with Tibetan and Indian strains. PPR is a common viral infection of the goats in Bangladesh, with a high case‐fatality rate. This study confirms the circulation of lineage IV PPRV in the country with unique amino acid substitutions in N and H proteins and provides baseline data for vaccine development and implementation.
Experimental processing of seaweeds for biofuels
Authors: Michalak Izabela
Published: March 2018

The following paper provides an overview of the potential uses of seaweeds derived both from artificial cultivation as well as from eutrophic reservoirs as the feedstock for biofuels production. This review presents biochemical (anaerobic digestion [AD] and fermentation), chemical (extraction and transesterification) and thermochemical conversions (combustion, liquefaction, gasification and pyrolysis) of seaweeds for biofuels with special attention being paid to seaweeds processing such as pretreatment techniques, production methods and experimental conditions, and so forth. Seaweeds are considered as a suitable source for biogas and bioethanol production due to their high carbohydrate content. This review explores also the possibility of the application of oil extracted from seaweeds for biodiesel production. Since the chemical composition of seaweeds significantly differs from land biomass, a new comprehensive approach is required. Many macroalgal components are recalcitrant to bioconversion and pose microbiological challenges. The text deals with advantages and disadvantages of seaweeds as a feedstock for biofuels. Since macroalgae exploitation only for energy production is too expensive, seaweed integrated biorefineries were proposed as a solution which enables a development of high‐value algal bioproducts. Algae appear to be a promising source of biofuels. Utilization of waste algal biomass constitutes a link between the pollution abatement and energy production.

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials
Analysis of a dilaton EFT for lattice data
Authors: Appelquist Thomas , Ingoldby James , Piai Maurizio
Published: March 2018

Abstract

In a recent paper, we developed and applied a dilaton-based effective field theory (EFT) to the analysis of lattice-simulation data for a class of confining gauge theories with near-conformal infrared behavior. It was employed there at the classical level to the SU(3) gauge theory with eight Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation. Here, we explore the structure of the EFT further. We examine its application to lattice data (newly updated) for the SU(3) theory with eight Dirac fermions in the fundamental representation, and the SU(3) theory with two Dirac fermions in the sextet representation. In each case, we determine additional fit parameters and discuss uncertainties associated with extrapolation to zero fermion mass. We highlight universal features, study the EFT at the quantum loop level and discuss the importance of future lattice simulations.
MPS‐IIIA mice acquire autistic behaviours with age
Authors: Lau Adeline A. , Tamang Sarah J. , Hemsley Kim M.
Published: March 2018

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIA is an inherited, neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder resulting from mutations in the SGSH gene. Consequently, N‐sulphoglucosamine sulphohydrolase enzyme activity is reduced resulting in impaired catabolism of heparan sulphate. After an asymptomatic period, patients typically show a progressive loss of cognitive and motor skills, with death often during the second decade of life. The diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include impaired communication and social interactions, as well as displays of repetitive behaviours and fixed interests. Children with MPS‐IIIA have been shown to exhibit decreased social communicative behaviours from approximately 3–4 years of age but behavioural stereotypies are mostly absent. In this study, we investigated whether a mouse model of MPS‐IIIA exhibited ASD‐like symptoms. The BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J inbred mouse model of autism was used as a positive control. Male MPS‐IIIA and BTBR mice were less sociable compared with unaffected C57BL/6 male mice in the reciprocal social approach test administered at 20 weeks of age. Alternations in the frequency of social interactions was not evident at earlier stages of the disease course, suggesting an acquisition of ASD‐like social behaviours. Stereotypical behaviours were not evident in male MPS‐IIIA mice in the marble‐burying test nor was the quality of nest constructed by mice affected. Collectively, these data suggest that MPS‐IIIA mice acquire autistic social behaviours similar to the human condition, and thus they may be useful for elucidating symptom generating mechanisms and novel treatments for ASD.
Effects of Insulin Lispro Mix 25 and Insulin Lispro Mix 50 on Postprandial Glucose Excursion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Li Wei , Ping Fan , Xu Lingling , Zhou Meicen , Li Hongmei , Dong Yaxiu , Li Yuxiu
Published: March 2018

Introduction

We compared the effects of insulin lispro mix 25 (LM25) and insulin lispro mix 50 (LM50) on postprandial glucose excursion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

In this randomized, open-label, investigator-initiated trial, 81 T2DM patients treated with premixed human insulin 70/30 (PHI70/30) for more than 90 days were randomly divided into two groups and received a crossover protocol of either LM25 or LM50 twice daily for 16 weeks. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed for 72 h at baseline and at the end of each treatment phase to evaluate glycemic excursions in the subjects.

Results

The LM50 regimen resulted in significantly smaller postprandial glycemic excursions than the LM25 regimen after breakfast (1.3 ± 2.5 vs. 2.4 ± 2.6 mmol/L, P = 0.046) and dinner (1.5 ± 2.8 vs. 2.8 ± 2.4 mmol/L, P = 0.036). Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were similar for the patients on the three regimens. The percentage of patients who achieved their glycosylated hemoglobin target was significantly higher for the LM25 and LM50 regimens than for the PHI70/30 regimen, regardless of whether the target was set at 7.0% or 6.5%. The proportion of the patients who were hypoglycemic for a high percentage (> 10%) of the time was lower for the LM50 regimen than for the LM25 and PHI70/30 regimens.

Conclusions

LM50 may provide better glycemic excursion control after breakfast and dinner than LM25 in T2DM patients.

Trial Registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn # ChiCTR-TTRCC-12002516.

Funding

Lilly Suzhou Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Branch, China) and National Key Program of Clinical Science of China (WBYZ 2011-873).
Taking on the stress‐depression link: Meaning as a resource in adolescence
Authors: Dulaney Ellen S. , Graupmann Verena , Grant Kathryn E. , Adam Emma K. , Chen Edith
Published: March 2018

We investigated how meaning in life affects the link between stress and depression symptoms in adolescents. Adolescents (N = 177; 58.4% female, mean age = 14.75 years) reported on their meaning in life, exposure to stressors, and depression symptomatology. Higher meaning in life predicted lower depression symptoms. Importantly, meaning in life moderated the relationship between stress exposure and depressive symptoms: stress exposure was associated with higher depression when meaning in life was low, when meaning in life was high, there was no association between stressors and depression. These findings indicate the importance of having a sense of meaning in life adolescence. A positive relationship was found between stress exposure and depression symptomatology levels at a time‐point seven months earlier. This lends a longitudinal perspective; meaning in life moderated a relationship that had been present for seven months. Therapeutic implications for protecting at‐risk youth are discussed.
Results of Ambrosetti–Prodi type for non-selfadjoint elliptic operators
Authors: Sirakov Boyan , Tomei Carlos , Zaccur André
Published: March 2018

The well-known Ambrosetti–Prodi theorem considers perturbations of the Dirichlet Laplacian by a nonlinear function whose derivative jumps over the principal eigenvalue of the operator. Various extensions of this landmark result were obtained for self-adjoint operators, in particular by Berger and Podolak, who gave a geometrical description of the solution set. In this text we show that similar theorems are valid for non-self-adjoint operators. In particular, we prove that the semilinear operator is a global fold. As a consequence, we obtain what appears to be the first exact multiplicity result for elliptic equations in non-divergence form. We employ techniques based on the maximum principle.
Estimating the division rate and kernel in the fragmentation equation
Authors: Doumic Marie , Escobedo Miguel , Tournus Magali
Published: March 2018

We consider the fragmentation equation

\frac{\partial f}{\partial t}(t,x) = −B(x)f(t,x) + \int \limits_{y = x}^{y = \infty }k(y,x)B(y)f(t,y)dy,

and address the question of estimating the fragmentation parameters – i.e. the division rate

B(x)

and the fragmentation kernel

k(y,x)

– from measurements of the size distribution

f(t, \cdot )

at various times. This is a natural question for any application where the sizes of the particles are measured experimentally whereas the fragmentation rates are unknown, see for instance Xue and Radford (2013) [26] for amyloid fibril breakage. Under the assumption of a polynomial division rate

B(x) = \alpha x^{\gamma }

and a self-similar fragmentation kernel

k(y,x) = \frac{1}{y}k_{0}(\frac{x}{y})

, we use the asymptotic behavior proved in Escobedo et al. (2004) [11] to obtain uniqueness of the triplet

(\alpha ,\gamma ,k_{0})

and a representation formula for

k_{0}

. To invert this formula, one of the delicate points is to prove that the Mellin transform of the asymptotic profile never vanishes, what we do through the use of the Cauchy integral.
Dynamic Penile Corpora Cavernosa Reconstruction Using Bilateral Innervated Gracilis Muscles: A Preclinical Investigation
Authors: Yin Zhuming , Liu Liqiang , Xue Bingjian , Fan Jincai , Chen Wenlin , Liu Zheng
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Prosthesis-assisted penile reconstruction has been performed extensively to restore a cosmetically acceptable phallus. However, a large number of patients will undergo revision surgery for various prosthesis-related complications.

Aim

To develop a 1-stage prosthesis-free dynamic cavernosa reconstruction method using bilateral innervated gracilis muscles and to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the surgical design.

Methods

10 fresh cadavers were dissected to assess the availability of bilateral gracilis muscles for functional cavernosa rebuilding. 11 mongrel female dogs were involved in the penile reconstruction surgery. The neophallus consisted of bilateral gracilis muscles as the neo-cavernosa, a right gracilis skin flap as the neourethra, and a lower abdominal flap with an anterior rectus sheath as the skin envelope and neo-tunica albuginea. The function and structure of the neo-phalli were assessed 7 months postoperatively.

Main Outcome Measures

The neurovascular pedicle length of the gracilis muscles and the volume of the gracilis venter musculi were measured in the cadaveric investigation. The average dimensions of the canine neo-phalli at rest and during electrostimulated erection were obtained and the muscular fatigue-resistant curve was drawn. Histologic evaluations also were performed.

Results

The neurovascular pedicle length and volume of the gracilis muscles were sufficient to yield a nearly normal appearance of the neo-cavernosa in the cadaveric and animal studies. The muscular fatigue-resistant curve demonstrated adequate length, stiffness, and duration of erection of the neo-phalli to accomplish normal coitus. Histologic evaluations showed an intact neourethra and nearly normal muscle structure in the inner layer of the canine neo-cavernosa, except for significantly increased amount of collagen fibers and type I/III collagen ratio in the outer layer of the neo-cavernosa. The percentage of type II (fatigue-prone) muscle fibers did not change significantly.

Conclusion

Our preclinical investigation proves that corpora cavernosa reconstruction using bilateral innervated gracilis muscles is technically feasible and functionally efficacious.
Resolving the Lophiostoma bipolare complex: Generic delimitations within Lophiostomataceae
Authors: Hashimoto A. , Hirayama K. , Takahashi H. , Matsumura M. , Okada G. , Chen C.Y. , Huang J.W. , Kakishima M. , Ono T. , Tanaka K.
Published: March 2018

Lophiostoma bipolare was taxonomically revised based on the morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of molecular data from nuclear rDNA SSU-ITS-LSU, TUB, tef1, and rpb2 genes. Twenty-nine strains were morphologically similar to Lo. bipolare.
A total of 174 sequences were generated from the Lo. bipolare complex. Phylogenetic analyses based on TUB sequence revealed 11 distinct species within the Lo. bipolare complex. Morphological features of the ascospores and the anatomical structure of the ascomata
from both field collections as well as axenic culture, which have been reported previously as variable features at intraspecific levels, were compared to evaluate the taxonomic reliability of these features. To clarify the generic position of the 11 species, phylogenetic analyses were done
on SSU-ITS-LSU-tef1-rpb2 gene sequences. The Lo. bipolare complex shared phylogenetic relationships with Pseudolophiostoma and Vaginatispora, and formed an additional five distinct clades from other members of Lophiostomataceae. According to
its phylogenetic position, Lo. bipolare sensu stricto was distantly related to Lophiostoma s. str., and formed an independent clade within Lophiostomataceae. Lophiostoma bipolare s. str. could be distinguished from the other lophiostomataceous genera by the clypeus around
the ostiolar neck and by the thin and uniformly thick peridium. A novel genus described as Lentistoma was established to accommodate this species, and the epitypification of Lentistoma bipolare (basionym: Massarina bipolaris) was proposed. Other lineages of the Lo.
bipolare complex could not be separated on the basis of the ascospore size and sheath variations, but were distinguished based on ascomatal features, such as the existence of the clypeus, brown hyphae surrounding the peridium, and the contexture of the peridium, which were stable indicators
of generic boundaries in Lophiostomataceae. Four additional new genera with five new species were recognised based on these morphological differences: Crassiclypeus (C. aquaticus), Flabellascoma (F. cycadicola and F. minimum),
Leptoparies (Lep. palmarum), and Pseudopaucispora (Pseudop. brunneospora). Three new species were added to Pseudolophiostoma (Pseudol. cornisporum, Pseudol. obtusisporum, and Pseudol. tropicum) and two
new species were added to Vaginatispora (V. amygdali and V. scabrispora). The re-evaluation of the validity of several previously recognised genera resulted in the introduction of two new genera with new combinations for Lophiostoma pseudoarmatisporum
as Parapaucispora pseudoarmatispora and Vaginatispora fuckelii as Neovaginatispora fuckelii.
TOWARD HILBERT–KUNZ DENSITY FUNCTIONS IN CHARACTERISTIC 0
Authors: TRIVEDI VIJAYLAXMI
Published: March 2018

For a pair
$(R,I)$
, where
$R$
is a standard graded domain of dimension
$d$
over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0, and
$I$
is a graded ideal of finite colength, we prove that the existence of
$\lim _{p\rightarrow \infty }e_{HK}(R_{p},I_{p})$
is equivalent, for any fixed
$m\geqslant d-1$
, to the existence of
$\lim _{p\rightarrow \infty }\ell (R_{p}/I_{p}^{[p^{m}]})/p^{md}$
. This we get as a consequence of Theorem 1.1: as
$p\longrightarrow \infty$
, the convergence of the Hilbert–Kunz (HK) density function
$f(R_{p},I_{p})$
is equivalent to the convergence of the truncated HK density functions
$f_{m}(R_{p},I_{p})$
(in
$L^{\infty }$
norm) of the mod 
$p$

reductions

$(R_{p},I_{p})$
, for any fixed
$m\geqslant d-1$
. In particular, to define the HK density function
$f_{R,I}^{\infty }$
in char 0, it is enough to prove the existence of
$\lim _{p\rightarrow \infty }f_{m}(R_{p},I_{p})$
, for any fixed
$m\geqslant d-1$
. This allows us to prove the existence of
$e_{HK}^{\infty }(R,I)$
in many new cases, for example, when Proj R is a Segre product of curves.
Nonparametric Ideal-Point Estimation and Inference
Authors: Tahk Alexander
Published: March 2018

Existing approaches to estimating ideal points offer no method for consistent estimation or inference without relying on strong parametric assumptions. In this paper, I introduce a nonparametric approach to ideal-point estimation and inference that goes beyond these limitations. I show that some inferences about the relative positions of two pairs of legislators can be made with minimal assumptions. This information can be combined across different possible choices of the pairs to provide estimates and perform hypothesis tests for all legislators without additional assumptions. I demonstrate the usefulness of these methods in two applications to Supreme Court data, one testing for ideological movement by a single justice and the other testing for multidimensional voting behavior in different decades.
Curved adjustable fibre-optic diode laser in microscopic cholesteatoma surgery: description of use and review of the relevant literature
Authors: McCaffer C J , Pabla L , Watson C
Published: March 2018

Objective:

The use of lasers in cholesteatoma surgery is common and well accepted. The most commonly used laser fibres are straight and non-adjustable; these have several limitations. This paper describes the use of an alternative laser fibre.

Method:

This ‘How I Do It’ paper describes and illustrates the use of an alternative curved adjustable fibre-optic diode laser in microscopic cholesteatoma surgery.

Results:

The curved, adjustable laser fibre allows accurate and atraumatic disease removal when the use of a straight laser fibre may be less effective or accurate. It reduces potential damage to delicate structures without the need for extra drilling or bone removal.

Conclusion:

It is suggested that the curved adjustable laser fibre is superior to the traditional straight fibre for cholesteatoma surgery.
Determinants of re-operation for bleeding in head and neck cancer surgery
Authors: Haapio E , Kinnunen I , Airaksinen J K E , Irjala H , Kiviniemi T
Published: March 2018

Objective:

Post-operative bleeding in the head and neck area is potentially fatal. This ‘real world’ study sought to assess factors that increase the risk of re-operation for post-operative bleeding in head and neck cancer surgery.

Methods:

A total of 456 patients underwent surgery for head and neck cancer (591 operations). The primary endpoint was re-operation for bleeding.

Results:

The rate of re-operation for bleeding was 5 per cent of all operations. Re-operation for bleeding was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (odds ratio = 5.27, p = 0.014). Risk factors for re-operation because of bleeding included excessive (more than 4000 ml) fluid administration (over 24 hours) (p < 0.001), heavy alcohol consumption (p = 0.014), pre-operative oncological treatment (p = 0.017), advanced disease stage (p = 0.020) and higher tumour (T) classification (p = 0.034). Operations with more excessive bleeding (700 ml or more) were associated with an increased risk (p = 0.001) of re-operation for post-operative bleeding. Moreover, the risk of re-operation was significantly higher in patients undergoing microvascular surgery compared to those who had no oncological treatment pre-operatively (18 vs 6 per cent, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The 30-day mortality risk increased over 5-fold in patients undergoing re-operation for bleeding.
Order beyond the state: explaining Somaliland's avoidance of maritime piracy
Authors: Hastings Justin V. , Phillips Sarah G.
Published: March 2018

How do some places with weak institutional capacity avoid being caught in the cycles of violence and criminality so often associated with African institutions in the ‘failed states’ literature? This paper exploits in-country variation in piracy incidence across different regions of Somalia to investigate how some territories with low state capacity can nonetheless deter piracy and provide relative order. We find that the usual explanation – state ‘failure’ in Somalia, compared with a reasonably functional government in Somaliland – does not withstand scrutiny. Somaliland's lack of piracy was not due to ‘strong’ state institutions, but can be attributed to the strength of a discourse that emphasises Somaliland's ‘inherent’ capacity for order against the disorder supposedly endemic to the rest of Somalia. The exploration of the discursive underpinnings of Somaliland's supposed ‘piratelessness’ has implications for understanding the relationship between state institutions, political order and violence, particularly where the state does not exercise a monopoly on force.
Human smuggling across Niger: state-sponsored protection rackets and contradictory security imperatives
Authors: Raineri Luca
Published: March 2018

In recent years, Niger has gained prominence as a hub for the smuggling of migrants from West Africa to North Africa and Europe. Urged on by European concerns, Niamey has adopted repressive measures to contain such migrations in the region. These, however, have largely failed, and have yielded unintended and unexpected results, which challenge policy predictions. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, the article suggests that contradictory security imperatives have brought about the de facto regularisation of human smuggling. As a result, protection rackets sponsored by the state through patronage networks have severely limited the impact of externally sponsored measures to counteract irregular migration.
Prison, Penance or Purgatory: The Interpretation of Matthew 5.25–6 and Parallels
Authors: Eubank Nathan
Published: March 2018

Scholarship on Matt 5.25–6 has focused on the question of whether the saying offers mundane wisdom or threatens divine judgement, with the majority concluding that it refers to eternal punishment in hell. This article examines debt-prison and related phenomena before turning to the illuminating history of ancient interpretation. The article concludes that the ‘eternal damnation’ gloss widely favoured today is an overinterpretation first inspired by the exigencies of fourth- and fifth-century doctrinal controversy. Instead of eternal perdition, Matt 5.25–6 and its parallels suggest a time of straits followed by possible release.
Roman Faith and Christian Faith
Authors: Morgan Teresa
Published: March 2018

These three short papers were delivered at the 72nd General Meeting of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, held in Pretoria, South Africa, on 8–11 August 2017. The ‘Quaestiones disputatae’ session was chaired by the President of the Society, Professor Michael Wolter. The first two papers engage with Teresa Morgan's book, Roman Faith and Christian Faith, and Professor Morgan responds to them in the third.
Dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder: a review of the mental health risk factors for dementia in the military veteran population
Authors: Rafferty L. A. , Cawkill P. E. , Stevelink S. A. M. , Greenberg K. , Greenberg N.
Published: March 2018

Background

Dementia is currently incurable, irreversible and a major cause of disability for the world's older population. The association between mental health difficulties, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), and dementia has a long history within the civilian population. Despite the increased importance of this link within the military veteran population, who suffer a greater propensity of mental health difficulties and consist largely of over 65s, attention is only recently being paid to the salience of such an association for this group. This paper aims to explore the relationship between PTSD and MDD with dementia within the military veteran population.

Method

A systematic review was conducted on articles from 1990 to July 2016 on MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO and Web of Science electronic databases with an update conducted in February 2017.

Results

Six empirical studies were identified from the review, the majority of which originated from the USA. Five of the studies asserted that veterans with a diagnosis of either PTSD or MDD are at a significantly greater risk of developing dementia than ‘healthy’ controls. The final study, conducted in Australia, found only a small, but non-significant, correlation between earlier MDD and future dementia, but no concurrent correlation.

Conclusions

While causality cannot be determined, it is likely that PTSD and depressive disorders are related to an increased risk of dementia in military veterans. Potential pathological explanations and risk factors are reviewed and the clinical and neuroscience implications of these findings are explored.
‘Are You Local?’ Indigenous Iron Age and Mobile Roman and Post-Roman Populations: Then, Now and In-Between
Authors: Hingley Richard , Bonacchi Chiara , Sharpe Kate
Published: March 2018

The Iron Age and Roman periods are often defined against each other through the establishment of dualities, such as barbarity–civilisation, or spiritual–rational. Despite criticisms, dualities remain prevalent in the National Curriculum for schools, television, museum displays and academic research. Recent scientific studies on human origins, for example, have communicated the idea of an ‘indigenous’ Iron Age, setting this against a mobile and diverse Roman-period population. There is also evidence for citizens leveraging dualities to uphold different positions on contemporary issues of mobility, in the UK and internationally. This paper discusses values and limitations of such binary thinking, and considers how ideas of ambiguity and temporal distancing can serve to challenge attempts to use such dualities to map the past too directly onto the present, reflecting on recent social media debates about Britain and the European Union.
The interpretation of focused pronouns in Norwegian children and adults
Authors: Foyn Camilla Hellum , Vulchanova Mila , Nilsen Randi Alice
Published: March 2018

Earlier research states that if an unaccented pronoun refers to the subject of the preceding sentence, a focally accented pronoun will refer to the object. In the current study, we tested whether Norwegian adults select the intended pronoun referent in this context. Our study is also the first one to use eye-tracking to investigate children's developing sensitivity to intonational cues in pronoun resolution, and consequently the first one where Norwegian is the object language. The participants were monolingual 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old children, and a group of adults. They listened to the Norwegian version of utterances like ‘Saraihugged Mariaj. Then shei/SHEjhugged her own teddy bear’, while watching two corresponding figures on a screen. This was followed by the question, in Norwegian, ‘Who hugged her own teddybear?’ When answering the question, the adults selected the subject referent (Sara) after unaccented pronouns, and the object referent (Maria) after focally accented pronouns. Eye-tracking data revealed that the 7-year-olds initially looked towards the object referent after hearing the pronoun, and then switched to look at the subject referent, regardless of the pronoun's intonation. The 5-year-olds answered the question by selecting the intended referent more often after a focally accented pronoun than after an unaccented one. Finally, the 3-year-olds showed no clear preferences. These results suggest that Norwegian children under the age of seven are still not adult-like when resolving accented and unaccented pronouns.
New Deal Mass Surveillance: The “Black Inquisition Committee,” 1935–1936
Authors: Beito David T.
Published: March 2018

At the behest of the Roosevelt administration in 1935, the U.S. Senate established a special committee to investigate lobbying activities by opponents of the “death sentence” of the Public Utility Holding Company Bill. Chaired by Hugo L. Black (D-Ala.), the “Black Committee” expanded its mission into a more general probe of anti–New Deal organizations and individuals. The committee used highly intrusive methods, notably catch-all dragnet subpoenas, to secure evidence. It worked closely with the IRS for access to tax returns and with the FCC to obtain copies of millions of telegrams. When the telegram search became public information, there was a major backlash from the press, Congress, and the courts. Court rulings in 1936, resulting from suits by William Randolph Hearst and others, not only limited the committee’s powers but provided important checks for future investigators, including Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Social Policy by Other Means? Mutual Aid and the Origins of the Modern Welfare State in Britain During the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Authors: Harris Bernard
Published: March 2018

During the last twenty years, several writers have drawn attention to the role played by friendly societies and other mutual-aid organizations in the development of Britain’s welfare state. Proponents of mutual aid have argued that these organizations were part of the rich associational culture of working-class life; that they represented a viable alternative to state welfare; and that they were eventually undermined by it. However, this article highlights the challenges that these organizations were already facing toward the end of the nineteenth century as a result of changes in working-class culture and the rise of more commercial insurance agencies. It suggests that the rise of state welfare was not so much a cause of these difficulties as a response to them. It also examines the role that friendly societies played in the expansion of welfare services after 1914 and their attitude to calls for further expansion before 1945.
Natural Gas Policy Path: Built to Boom
Authors: Kear Andrew R.
Published: March 2018

Using federalism as a guide, this research explores the conflicted, complementary and unique natural gas policy paths of the U.S. federal government, Wyoming and Colorado and analyzes how policies facilitate and respond to booms. Federal policymaking has consistently focused on gas ownership, leasing, interstate dispute resolution and fiscal mechanisms to stimulate and manage development. At the state level, policies are designed to enable exploration and production while protecting fuel mineral rights, minimizing waste and generating revenue. During the most recent gas boom, driven in part by technological advances like fracking, policies are being tested from local to national levels. Colorado demonstrates that states can balance economic benefits with environmental and social costs of gas booms, thus providing an example for other gas producing states. Whether states serve as stewards or laggards is a function of federalism and choice, but the direction of federal and state natural gas policy remains a long-term play.
Clearing the Pipeline? Gender and the Review Process at the American Political Science Review
Authors: Breuning Marijke , Gross Benjamin Isaak , Feinberg Ayal , Martinez Melissa , Sharma Ramesh , Ishiyama John
Published: March 2018

Is the peer-review process at academic journals gendered? The answer to this question has important implications for the advancement of women in the political science profession. However, few studies have had access to data that can evaluate whether the peer-review process is gendered. We investigate this for papers submitted to the American Political Science Review across two editorial teams to identify trends over time. We evaluate overall differences across gender, but we also present more fine-grained data to evaluate gender differences across subfield, methodology, and submitting author’s institutional affiliation and academic rank. Furthermore, we show that prior service as a reviewer is associated with a higher acceptance rate for first-time submitters. We demonstrate that the review process is not gendered. Women’s share of submissions and acceptances has risen but remains lower than their presence in the discipline.
Control into infinitival relatives
Authors: DOUGLAS JAMIE
Published: March 2018

This article focuses on a novel English construction involving control and infinitival relatives. Examples such as this is John's book to read have a head noun (book) modified by an infinitival relative clause (to read) and a prenominal possessor (John's). I argue that there is a control relation between the prenominal possessor and the PRO subject of the infinitival relative. I show that this control relation bears the structural hallmarks of obligatory control whilst at the same time permitting PRO to be interpreted as arbitrary. I discuss these empirical facts in the context of a syntactic, Agree-based theory of control.
Transfer or Compensation?
Authors: Inauen Jennifer , Radtke Theda , Rennie Laura , Scholz Urte , Orbell Sheina
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This study tested the effects of exercise on eating behavior. The transfer hypothesis proposes that exercise leads to a generalization of healthy behavior and therefore an improved diet. The compensation hypothesis assumes that exercise leads to increased caloric intake in order to “compensate” for the energy expenditure. We tested these hypotheses for actual as well as imagined exercise. Female university employees or students (N = 227) were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: actual exercise vs. imagined exercise vs. control. After baseline data had been obtained, the participants engaged in a 5-minute experimental task and were then left alone with unhealthy snacks. Participants who had imagined themselves exercising (M = 101 kcal, SD = 128 kcal) consumed significantly fewer calories than did controls (M = 129 kcal, SD = 142 kcal), consistent with a transfer effect. Participants who had engaged in actual exercise, but had been distracted from thinking about exercise, consumed quantities (M = 127 kcal, SD = 111 kcal) similar to those consumed by controls. This study suggests that transfer effects are underpinned by psychological processes, such as goal activation, which should be investigated in the future.
Validation of a Short Scale in Italian to Measure Teacher Burnout
Authors: Marcionetti Jenny , Castelli Luciana , Crescentini Alberto , Avanzi Lorenzo , Fraccaroli Franco , Balducci Cristian
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This study creates and validates a short, Italian-language scale to measure teacher burnout. To this end, we used two scales from the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory which had already been translated into Italian in a previous study. We administered this measure to two samples of teachers (n1= 2688 and n2= 676) in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. The final scale consisted of 10 items that measure teacher burnout on the dimensions of work- and student-related burnout. We performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the psychometric properties of the instrument as well as conducting analyses of invariance between the sexes and across school sectors. Results showed that work- and student-related burnout were significantly correlated with the constructs of perceived workload, optimism, and life satisfaction. Moreover, neither dimension of burnout was associated with sex, age, seniority, or family status, although both dimensions of burnout were significantly correlated with professional status and percentage of working hours per week. Overall, the analyses show that the final short scale is a valid instrument for measuring teacher burnout. Because of its brevity, this scale can easily be integrated into surveys conducted by public health institutions and education departments.
Das Absurde wird alltäglich
Authors: Müller Christoph
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Elias Hirschl hat als Zivildiener in einem Wohnheim für Behinderte und psychisch erkrankte Menschen in der österreichischen Hauptstadt Wien gearbeitet. Diese bewegende Zeit hat der Schriftsteller und Poetry Slammer in seinem Buch „Hundert schwarze Nähmaschinen“ dokumentiert. Das abwechslungsreiche Buch erweckt den Eindruck, in beeindruckender Authentizität das Erlebte nachzuzeichnen. Christoph Müller hat mit Elias Hirschl über die Verrücktheiten und Absurditäten der Arbeit mit Menschen gesprochen, die sich zum Teil selber entrückt sind.
Ten Everyday Objects That Can Be Used for Science
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: March 2018

Need a way to store sediment cores or grind up soil? These scientists have your answer.
Accumbens dopamine D2 receptors increase motivation by decreasing inhibitory transmission to the ventral pallidum
Authors: Gallo Eduardo F. , Meszaros Jozsef , Sherman Jeremy D. , Chohan Muhammad O. , Teboul Eric , Choi Claire S. , Moore Holly , Javitch Jonathan A. , Kellendonk Christoph
Published: March 2018

Dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulate motivated behavior, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unresolved. Here, we show that selective upregulation of D2Rs in the indirect pathway of the adult NAc enhances the willingness to work for food. Mechanistic studies in brain slices reveal that D2R upregulation attenuates inhibitory transmission at two main output projections of the indirect pathway, the classical long-range projections to the ventral pallidum (VP), as well as local collaterals to direct pathway medium spiny neurons. In vivo physiology confirms the reduction in indirect pathway inhibitory transmission to the VP, and inhibition of indirect pathway terminals to VP is sufficient to enhance motivation. In contrast, D2R upregulation in the indirect pathway does not disinhibit neuronal activity of the direct pathway in vivo. These data suggest that D2Rs in ventral striatal projection neurons promote motivation by weakening the canonical output to the ventral pallidum.
Publisher Correction: Mammalian display screening of diverse cystine-dense peptides for difficult to drug targets
Authors: Crook Zachary R. , Sevilla Gregory P. , Friend Della , Brusniak Mi-Youn , Bandaranayake Ashok D. , Clarke Midori , Gewe Mesfin , Mhyre Andrew J. , Baker David , Strong Roland K. , Bradley Philip , Olson James M.
Published: March 2018

In the original version of this Article the colour key for the amino acid enrichment score was inadvertently omitted from the lower panel of Figure 5b during the production process. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Dark zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet controlled by distributed biologically-active impurities
Authors: Ryan Jonathan C. , Hubbard Alun , Stibal Marek , Irvine-Fynn Tristram D. , Cook Joseph , Smith Laurence C. , Cameron Karen , Box Jason
Published: March 2018

Albedo—a primary control on surface melt—varies considerably across the Greenland Ice Sheet yet the specific surface types that comprise its dark zone remain unquantified. Here we use UAV imagery to attribute seven distinct surface types to observed albedo along a 25 km transect dissecting the western, ablating sector of the ice sheet. Our results demonstrate that distributed surface impurities—an admixture of dust, black carbon and pigmented algae—explain 73% of the observed spatial variability in albedo and are responsible for the dark zone itself. Crevassing and supraglacial water also drive albedo reduction but due to their limited extent, explain just 12 and 15% of the observed variability respectively. Cryoconite, concentrated in large holes or fluvial deposits, is the darkest surface type but accounts for <1% of the area and has minimal impact. We propose that the ongoing emergence and dispersal of distributed impurities, amplified by enhanced ablation and biological activity, will drive future expansion of Greenland's dark zone.
The underappreciated potential of peatlands in global climate change mitigation strategies
Authors: Leifeld J. , Menichetti L.
Published: March 2018

Soil carbon sequestration and avoidable emissions through peatland restoration are both strategies to tackle climate change. Here we compare their potential and environmental costs regarding nitrogen and land demand. In the event that no further areas are exploited, drained peatlands will cumulatively release 80.8 Gt carbon and 2.3 Gt nitrogen. This corresponds to a contemporary annual greenhouse gas emission of 1.91 (0.31–3.38) Gt CO2-eq. that could be saved with peatland restoration. Soil carbon sequestration on all agricultural land has comparable mitigation potential. However, additional nitrogen is needed to build up a similar carbon pool in organic matter of mineral soils, equivalent to 30–80% of the global fertilizer nitrogen application annually. Restoring peatlands is 3.4 times less nitrogen costly and involves a much smaller land area demand than mineral soil carbon sequestration, calling for a stronger consideration of peatland rehabilitation as a mitigation measure.