bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights: Designing the Big Tent
Authors: Choudhury Tufyal
Published: February 2017

In Great Britain a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (hereafter the CEHR or the Commission) will be in operation from 2007. The CEHR will replace the existing commissions for sex, race and disability discrimination and have responsibility for age, religion and belief, sexual orientation and human rights. This paper explores the role the existing commissions played in shaping the structure, responsibilities and powers of the CEHR. The paper argues that the creation of the new commission revealed tensions between the role such bodies play as regulatory agencies and their importance in providing a voice for groups and individuals that experience discrimination. The author argues that, while initial proposals emphasised the role of the CEHR as a regulatory agency, in the course of the consultative and legislative process, new and imaginative mechanisms were introduced to ensure the experiences of those that face discrimination informs the CEHR's work. However, the author also argues that an opportunity was missed to strengthen both the regulatory and representative role of the CEHR through greater structural independence for the CEHR from government and in the introduction of a single equality act that would ensure that all strands went into the new Commission on an equal legislative footing.
Locus Standi of Private Applicants under the Article 230 EC Action for Annulment: Any Lessons to Be Learnt from France?
Authors: De Parfouru Anatole Abaquesne
Published: February 2017

This article examines the rules on locus standi of private applicants under the Article 230 action for annulment of the EC Treaty. It adopts a comparative approach to the question of standing of private parties to challenge a piece of secondary EC legislation under the action for annulment, by contrasting the standing rules in Article 230(4) EC, as interpreted by the ECJ and the CFI, with those, elaborated by the Conseil d'Etat, on locus standi of private applicants to challenge French administrative acts in a Recours pour Excès de Pouvoir (REP). Four major aspects will be considered: the types of acts amenable to review by non-privileged applicants, the two requirements of direct and individual concern and their equivalent in French administrative law (in particular the differences between the notions of ‘cercle d'intérêt’ and of'closed class'), as well as the locus standi of associations.

The premise of this paper lies in the suggestion that ‘a revision of the Treaty which would borrow from the Member States' systems of judicial review should be considered’.

Due consideration will be taken of the limits of comparing a supranational legal order to a national one. This comparison should be considered as a pretext to analyse the standing rules for private applicants under the action for annulment, and suggest possible improvements to these conditions in the light of the constitutional reflection on the role of citizens and of the civil society underlying the liberal standing requirements in French administrative law.

The objective of this paper is therefore to demonstrate the inappropriateness of the strict locus standi rules for private applicants under Article 230(4) EC, and the refusal to abandon the ‘closed class test’ and the Plaumann formula, even where the applicants constitute a ‘small and easily identifiable group’, as the ECJ made clear in UPA and Jégo-Quéré.

The need for reform of standing rules for non-privileged applicants is particularly pressing in light of the inadequacy of alternative mechanisms of judicial review and of the principle of effective judicial protection. In this respect, the modifications of the unratified 2004 Constitutional Treaty were clearly insufficient, and the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon, signed in December, reiterates this mistake by adopting an identical formulation of the standing rules for private applicants to that in the 2004 Constitutional Treaty.
Anticipating New Union Competences in Energy
Authors: Inglis Kirstyn
Published: February 2017

The Treaty of Lisbon will introduce a new Title on Energy to the EC Treaty (now referred to as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European union (TFEU)). It is contained in Title XXI, Article 194 of the consolidated version of the TFEU.
The European Arrest Warrant and Domestic Legal Orders. Tensions between Mutual Recognition and Fundamental Rights: The Italian Case
Authors: Marin Luisa
Published: February 2017

This article presents and discusses some recent decisions on the European Arrest Warrant by the Italian higher courts, the Constitutional Court and the Court of Cassation. Though not as challenging to the EAW as the ‘first round’ of European judgments of 2005, they bring however some interesting developments on aspects concerning the enforcement of EAW and domestic provisions related to fundamental rights protection. Secondly, these cases allow analysis of mutual recognition, the principle underlying the whole EAW system. A first element stressed here is the importance of dialogue among European actors on third pillar instruments and more generally subjects involving criminal law and justice administration. Secondly, it is suggested here that there are several views on the EAW and mutual recognition. Analysis of Italian case law reveals that domestic courts are faced with the issue of enforcing EAW and securing fundamental rights protection; in so doing, they remain anchored in the domestic system of legal guarantees, which could lead to divergent solutions across European states. The suggestion made is that mutual recognition requires an active role to be played by courts, that it has systemic implications, and that it requires domestic courts to be able to exercise some political discretion, not so different as under extradition schemes.
A Law and Economics Perspective on Injunctive Relief
Authors: Ogus Anthony , Visscher Louis
Published: February 2017

The Law and Economics perspective on injunctive relief has been developed primarily from the Calabresi and Melamed (1972) distinction between property rules and liability rules, two different judicial means of enforcing legal rights. Their analysis is predicated on the assumption that, if the prevention of the unlawful activity by an injunction does not reach an efficient solution between the relevant parties, then the latter can modify the terms of the injunction by means of bilateral negotiation, drawing on Coase's basic analysis. The approach is particularly important once it is appreciated that legal entitlements are imperfectly formulated and that, in appropriate circumstances, legal wrongdoing can increase social welfare. For example, in areas where intellectual property rights are particularly difficult to formulate because of the high technology involved, too rigid an enforcement of those imperfectly targeted rights generates welfare losses.

The task for economic analysis is then to determine whether injunctive relief or damages is preferable in the particular circumstances governing the parties' activities. This largely involves comparing on the one hand the welfare losses which arise from imperfect damages awards which arise predominantly where the court has high information costs in assessing the plaintiff's losses (particularly where those losses are subjective and therefore cannot be determined by reference to market evaluation) or include irrecoverable third-party losses with, on the other hand, the transaction costs of negotiating a compromise solution or the welfare losses arising from a holdout (both conditions are likely where more than two parties are involved).

One branch of the literature has added a new dimension to this analysis. It is concerned to explore how the choice of remedy ex post affects behaviour ex ante, in particular the propensity to invest. In addition, literature on optimal enforcement provides insights regarding the optimal timing of sanctions, which is relevant for the choice between injunctions (the first possible stage of legal intervention) and damages (the last possible stage).
Enforcing the Right to Property Properly
Authors: Lindenbergh Siewert D.
Published: February 2017

Of all patrimonial rights, the right to property is considered by far the most powerful. The owner is entitled to the exclusive use of the object, the word ‘use’ is understood in a very wide meaning and the owner has a strong position as far as enforcement of his right is concerned. He can reclaim the object from anyone (revindicatio), he is usually entitled to both positive injunctions (removal of objects from his premises) and prohibitory injunctions (in case of trespass). And finally, when the owner has to put up with infringements, he is entitled to damages. There seems, however, to be quite a gap between the position of the owner who is entitled to an injunction and that of the owner who has to bear infringements and is only entitled to damages. In the first situation (injunction), the owner can vindicate his right according to a property rule which allows him to set the price for infringements. In the second case (damages), the owner is left to compensatory standards. In this paper, the consequences of the substantial shift in protection from an injunction to (different levels of) compensation will be illustrated with examples from the modern civil code of The Netherlands.

Dutch law offers examples of different regimes of protection of the owner: a rather strong position (injunctive power) in the area of neighbour law, a relatively strong position in case of expropriation (a generous level of compensation), a typical liability rule (compensation according to objective standards) when a pressing societal interest prohibits injunctive relief, and a weak level of protection in case of a limited restraint of the owners capacity in case of a public development plan (only ‘fair’ compensation). These examples, which show a sliding scale of levels of protection, raise the question whether the right to property is vindicated properly when injunctive power is left for some form of compensation in money. They also raise the question according to which standards of compensation the right to property can and should be adequately protected.
Second-Rate Citizens: Junian Latins and the Constitutio Antoniniana
Authors: Koops Egbert
Published: February 2017

The introduction of citizenship of the European Union in 1992 is mirrored by a famous grant of ‘universal’ citizenship by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in 212 AD. The similarity even extends to the 1997 clarification that European citizenship is complementary to national citizenship, an idea that is also found in earlier grants of Roman citizenship. Caracalla's grant is often held to cover (nearly) all inhabitants of the Roman world with the exception of slaves. However, there are reasons to believe it merely gave limited citizenship to a certain class of freedmen, the Junian Latins, who remained in a state of dependency vis-à-vis their former masters. In previous grants of citizenship or of other honorifics, Roman Emperors had been careful to safeguard existing rights and local identities, and it is quite likely that Caracalla's chancery followed legal precedent in drafting the ‘universal’ grant. This paper argues that the Constitutio Antoniniana could only succeed as an integrative force, uniting the Roman world under a common citizenship, by not upsetting the framework of Roman society.
Is Online Mediation the Way to Fit the Forum to the Fuss?
Authors: Lombardi Ettore Maria
Published: February 2017

Traditional mediation is conducted in person with all affected parties at a physical ‘table’ with a session is orchestrated by the mediator with the parties and their representatives, often utilizing both joint and caucus sessions. Techniques as subtle as non-verbal cues, and techniques as overt as removing one party from the mediation room can be used. Online dispute resolution (ODR) takes place in ‘cyberspace’, described by the US Supreme Court as the virtual world ‘located in no particular geographic location but available to anyone, anywhere in the world, with access to the Internet’ (Reno v. Aclu, 521 U.S. 844, 849 (1997).

ODR differs from traditional mediation in at least three ways relating to the formation and resolution of disputes. It represents a virtual community which deconstructs time, space, and the physical. Because it eliminates and changes boundaries it is important to rethink the traditional paradigms for resolving conflict and create opportunities for design of an interest-based dispute resolution model for the internet. This article discusses the differences between traditional mediation and ODR and with an online mediation conducted like traditional mediation, in which a neutral human third party facilitates discussions between the parties and helps them reach a voluntary settlement.
The Loss of Chance in Civil Law Countries: A Comparative and Critical Analysis
Authors: Ferreira Rui Cardona
Published: February 2017

Bearing in mind the judgments recently given by the Portuguese Supreme Court, which have recognized the right to be compensated for loss of chance for the first time, this article sets out to discover the actual legal framework for this type of damage. In order to do so, the evolution of loss of chance within French and Italian law – the two mainland systems in which this damage has been generally accepted – will be analysed. This will be followed by a critical evaluation of the results accomplished. Dissatisfied with the traditional framework of loss of chance, alternative proposals will be sought, especially those formulated by some German scholars, given the proximity of Portuguese civil law to German civil law. The consequence is, on the one hand, the need to take into consideration the normative framing and the nature of the final damage for which the compensation for loss of chance is a substitute and, on the other hand, the need to include loss of chance, when qualified as an economic loss, in a system of civil liability with limited mobility and permeability as to value judgements.
The Transformation of Consumer Law in the EU in the Last 20 Years
Authors: Stuyck Jules
Published: February 2017

In the early years consumer protection was an exception to the logic of the internal market. Since the case of Dassonville in 1974, the CJEU has recognized the power of Member States to restrict free movement by reasonable measures in the interest of consumers (see in particular Cassis de Dijon in 1979). Harmonization of consumer laws will enhance the confidence of consumers and businesses and hence contribute to the internal market programme. So far, fundamental rights have played a limited role in EU consumer law. The contribution of EU consumer law to innovative governance is more important. There is an increasing number of regulations that directly set contractual rights for consumers, and alternative dispute resolution has gained momentum with the recent adoption of an ADR directive and an ODR regulation. The most significant evolution of consumer law in the past 20 years is innovation in the field of enforcement, both by the judiciary and the legislature, such as the active role of the judge (case law on the unfair contract terms directive), ADR, administrative cooperation and individual and collective remedies.
The New Approach to the New Approach: The Juridification of Harmonized Standards in EU Law
Authors: Schapel Harm
Published: February 2017

In July 2012, the Court of Justice rendered the judgment in Fra.bo, a case about the liability of a German private standards body under the free movement of goods. In October 2012, the European Parliament and Council adopted Regulation 1025/2012 on European Standardization, the long awaited formal legal framework for the cooperation between the Commission and the European Standards Organizations. It is very unlikely that either the Court or the Union legislators were planning in these instances to affect a radical overhaul of the New Approach to technical harmonization. And yet, that is exactly what they did. The result of Fra.bo and the new Regulation is to subject European harmonized standards to judicial challenge by any disgruntled manufacturer of products excluded or adversely affected by the contents of such a standard.

To have each and every manufacturer or importer complain in each and every court of the Union about each and every harmonized standard that adversely affects its position on the market, however, is much more likely to lead to wholesale paralysis than it is to increase the procedural integrity of European standardization.
The Employee Shareholder
Authors: de Gioia-Carabellese Pierre
Published: February 2017

The aim of this paper is to discuss and analyse the impact of the new category of the employee shareholder within the context of the traditional theory of the contract of service and contract for services. A commentary on the provisions of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013 which heralded the introduction of the employee shareholder category will be provided in addition to a focus on the implied duties traditionally applied to personal employment contracts. One of the themes of the analysis is to assess whether and how these duties will apply to the future hybrid (and obscure) statutory construct of the ‘employee shareholder’. To provide a comparative analysis, this contribution will also briefly examine whether any potential counterpart of the new British concept exists in Italian law.

Finally, the paper will discuss possible flaws in the British legislation concerning employee shareholders, by taking an approach that is disarticulated from the traditional theory of employment law. One such issue concerns the systematic offer of shares and acceptance of the loss of employee status, which may render the EU law requirements of publication of a prospectus and communication of a redundancy plan to the trade unions redundant.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport and EU Law
Authors: Duval Antoine
Published: February 2017

At the time when the Bosnian case was decided, nearly twenty years ago, few could have predicted that one of its main institutional legacies would be the transformation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne into a true ‘Supreme Court of World Sport’. In fact, the use of arbitration has proven to be a very successful legal strategy to curb access to national courts and to curtail the reach of EU law in the sporting world. Nevertheless, the legal relationship between EU law and the CAS remains largely uncharted. However, resort to the CAS for many of today's biggest sporting disputes raises numerous questions regarding both its handling of EU law and its status under EU law. These questions will be addressed here, with the purpose of providing a preliminary roadmap to critically grasp the interaction between the CAS and EU law. The first part of this article will introduce the general traits of the interaction between EU law and arbitration (Section 2). In the second part, I will tackle the way the CAS has been dealing with EU law in its proceedings (Section 3). Finally, in a third part, I will consider how CAS awards can be challenged on the basis of EU law (Section 4). I will conclude by calling for the imposition of what I coined a ‘Solange’ formula on the CAS.
The Validity and Primacy of EU Law and the ‘Cooperative Relationship’ between National Constitutional Courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Claes Monica
Published: February 2017

This article places the Gauweiler reference in a broader comparative perspective, in two distinct ways. First, it offers a comparative analysis of the positions of other constitutional courts on the primacy of EU and national constitutional reservations, in order to test the allegation of the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht; FCC) that its position on ultra vires and identity review is widely shared among constitutional courts in the European Union. The analysis demonstrates that the position of the German court is much more isolated than it wants us, and the Court of Justice to believe. Secondly, the article reflects on the so far very limited participation of constitutional courts in the preliminary reference procedure, and commends the FCC for making a reference in this case, as it is the only procedural channel available for the much wanted dialogue (for want of a better word) between constitutional courts and the Court of Justice.
Information Exchange in European Administrative Law
Authors: Eliantonio Mariolina
Published: February 2017

European policies are increasingly implemented through the joint production, gathering, management and exchange of information. These information exchange mechanisms may pose problems in the context of judicial protection because it may be difficult to identify the actor responsible for a piece of information which was the basis for a final measure, and the act of information sharing may not be challengeable before a court. The purpose of this article is to examine the gaps in judicial protection – if any – arising from the widespread use of information sharing activities in European administrative law. After an overview of the information exchange and management activities in European administrative law, the gaps in judicial protection are identified and discussed in the context of two case studies. The central argument is that although the system of administrative decision-making is becoming increasingly integrated, the disintegrated system of judicial protection poses a serious threat to the principle of effective judicial protection in information sharing activities that are aimed at implementing EU policies. The article ends with recommendations on how these judicial protection gaps could be filled.
Validation of commercial ELISAs for quantifying anabolic growth factors and cytokines in canine ACD-A anticoagulated plasma
Authors: Birdwhistell Kate , Basinger Robert , Hayes Brian , Norton Natalie , Hurley David J. , Franklin Samuel P.
Published: February 2017

Platelet-rich plasma has been studied extensively in dogs, but validation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for quantifying anabolic growth factors and inflammatory cytokines in canine plasma prepared with citrate-based anticoagulants is not available. We performed a validation of commercial ELISAs for transforming growth factor–beta 1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor–BB (PDGF-BB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin–1 beta (IL-1β) for use with canine plasma prepared with acid–citrate–dextrose, solution A (ACD-A). Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) anticoagulated with ACD-A as well as PPP anticoagulated with ACD-A and spiked with the relevant canine recombinant proteins were evaluated with each ELISA to calculate the efficiency of spike recovery. Replicates of the spiked PPP were also assessed in 2 additional assays to quantify intra-assay and interassay precision. The efficiency of spike recovery was within 75–125% of the expected concentration for the TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, and VEGF ELISAs. The intra- and interassay variability were <25% for the TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, VEGF, and TNF-α ELISAs. The TGF-β1, PDGF-BB, and VEGF ELISAs demonstrate acceptable efficiency of spike recovery and intra- and interassay variability, whereas the TNF-α and IL-1β ELISAs did not meet industry standards of performance with ACD-A anticoagulated canine plasma.
Forensic Evaluation of a Hazardous Household Product
Authors: Nemire Kenneth , Stevick Glen , Xu David
Published: February 2017

Product liability litigation often follows injury to a person, then retention of human factors experts to evaluate causes of the injury. The nature of the investigation may require additional evaluations by other domain experts. This forensic case involved a man who died after using denatured alcohol as a fuel. Forensic analyses indicated that a flame arrestor, plastic fuel container, and adequate warnings most likely would have prevented this fatal incident. In addition, the analyses showed that the product manufacturer failed to guard consumers from the hazards of using the product and failed to warn consumers of the hazards that accompanied use of denatured alcohol.
Kinship and Social Archaeology
Authors: Souvatzi Stella
Published: February 2017

Kinship is a most significant organizing principle of human grouping, the basic matter of social categories in archaeological and ethnographic societies, and an important concept universally. However, its significance has rarely been adequately incorporated within archaeology’s theoretical and interpretative practice. This article aims to not only show the potential of bringing kinship into social archaeology, but also argue that archaeology can make important contributions to wider social research. Grounded on prehistoric data, spanning from the 8th to the 4th millennium bc, and drawing on cross-cultural discussions, it explores how understandings and practices of kinship might have been constructed and enacted in the first farming communities through architecture, time, material products, burials, and rituals. In doing so, the article addresses key issues of common interest in archaeology and anthropology, inviting interdisciplinary dialogue.
Influence of flow velocity and flexural rigidity on the flow induced vibration and acoustic characteristics of a flexible plate
Authors: Purohit Ashish , Darpe Ashish K , Singh SP
Published: February 2017

A numerical investigation on the influence of structural flexibility and flow velocity on the flow-induced acoustic and vibration response of a plate is presented. Simulations are performed on a test geometry of rigid square bluff body with a trailing flexible plate in low Reynolds number flow stream. The focus of the study is to characterize the flow-induced vibration and associated aerodynamic far field sound radiation from a flexible structure in flow. The role of flow velocity and level of structural flexibility on the acoustic radiation is thoroughly investigated. A linearized Euler equation based computational aeroacoustic hybrid method and a surface source approach for coupling the flow and acoustic domains are implemented with a bi-directional fluid structure interaction. The vortex shedding frequency of the coupled fluid-structure system synchronizes with the fundamental frequency of the trailing plate and steady-state vibration of the plate is observed. The results indicate that the relation between vibration level and the flow velocity as well as structural flexibility is not linearly related. For a particular combination of flow velocity and plate stiffness, the coupled fluid-structure system shows the resonance condition. The observed resonance frequency is slightly different from the free vibration (natural) frequency of the plate. Computation of the acoustic shows that the magnitude and spectral nature of the far field sound depends on the amplitude of the vibration and a higher acoustic pressure and the sound rich in tones is observed at resonance condition.
Seeking refuge in a superordinate group: Non-EU immigration heritage and European identification
Authors: Erisen Elif
Published: February 2017

The attitudes of the European Union (EU) citizens towards immigration and the impact of their national identification on attitudes towards the EU have received ample attention in the literature. However, the immigrants’ identification with Europe has not been adequately studied. This article investigates the impact of non-EU immigration heritage on European identification. Based on social identity theory and using Eurobarometer cross-sectional data, it compares the European identification of those with a first generation non-EU immigration heritage to that of EU country natives. Moreover, it focuses on salient aspects of immigrant experience such as country policies directed at reducing discrimination and personal experience of discrimination. The results show that those with non-EU immigration heritage have higher European identification compared to the natives. Furthermore, in line with social identity theory, this article shows that successful anti-discrimination policies pull immigrants towards national identification rather than European identification.
The domestic basis of the scientific career: gender inequalities in ecology in France and Norway
Authors: Loison Anne , Paye Simon , Schermann Agnes , Bry Clementine , Gaillard Jean-Michel , Pelabon Christophe , Bråthen Kari-Anne
Published: February 2017

Gender-related inequalities in scientific careers are widespread, evidenced by the attrition of women along the different stages of the promotion ladder. We studied the interwoven personal and professional trajectories of researchers in ecology and compared these trajectories between France and Norway. Given their differing welfare state policies and work/family regimes, we expected contrasts in the depth and modalities of the gender gap. We focused on the career consequences of time-use inequalities in the workplace and in the private sphere (domestic tasks and parental care). We find a more frequent assignment of women to less-valued tasks at work (e.g. teaching) and pronounced gender differences in the involvement in domestic and parental tasks, especially in France. Age at promotion and probability to be promoted differed between gender in both countries and more so in France, women being less promoted and promoted later than men. This gender gap was particularly discriminating women with children, when they were either single or with a partner who also was a researcher. These differences are mainly due to a lower scientific productivity of women when they get children. These analyses raise a number of questions on welfare policies and on the definition of academic standards of peer judgment within local employment policies in universities.
When Students Drink Too Much: Whose Problem Is It Anyway?
Authors: Foster Holly A.
Published: February 2017

This case is for use in graduate courses in student affairs and higher education administration. It presents the challenges faced by student affairs professionals at the University of Virginia where some students participate in an annual high-risk drinking practice that has resulted in injuries and even death. Student affairs professionals at the university have attempted to address this dangerous practice for almost 20 years with minimal success. This case highlights the complex issues that administrators must often face as well as provides students the opportunity to evaluate the complex issues from the perspectives of the various constituencies involved.
Nonlocal effect in carbon nanotube resonators: A comprehensive review
Authors: Askari Hassan , Younesian Davood , Esmailzadeh Ebrahim , Cveticanin Livija
Published: February 2017

This article provides a comprehensive review about the use of nonlocal theory in modeling of the vibrations of the carbon nanotube resonators. It is fully described how the nonlocal effect has been exploited by researchers to mathematically model vibrations of carbon nanotube resonators. Fusion of different classical beam theories with nonlocal theory is discussed. Also, the article presents the combination of nonlocal models with different physical phenomena which have influence in the vibrations of carbon nanotube resonators.
Improved fast global sliding mode control based on the exponential reaching law
Authors: Xiu Chunbo , Hou Jianguo , Xu Guowei , Zang Yakun
Published: February 2017

In order to improve the control performance of the global sliding mode control method, a fast global sliding mode control method is proposed to accelerate the response of the system by changing the exponential decay function in the sliding surface as an exponential bilateral decay function which can make the dynamic sliding mode surface evolve into the linear sliding mode surface in the finite time. The exponential reaching law is used to design the control law, and Lyapunov stability theory is used to prove the stability of the system. The control method proposed in this article can be applied to control the uncertain nonlinear system. Simulation results show that the method has faster response rate than the conventional global sliding mode control method. The method can be used to control the quad-rotor unmanned helicopter, and its good practicability can be verified.
Calculation and analysis of the first interface micro-gaps of the thermal production wells
Authors: Chen Yong , Liang Tao , Peng Xu , Yu Hao
Published: February 2017

Heavy oil is an important oil resource. The main development method is thermal exploitation—steam stimulation. Drastic variation in temperature will result in thermally induced micro-gaps in the first interface during steam stimulation. The existence of micro-gaps will cause steam channeling in the hole and difficulty in engineering logging interpretation. According to the stress of casing string of thermal production wells and thermal injection model, the mechanical model of casing string of thermal production wells is divided into four intervals for further analysis, including the wellhead movement extension interval, the extension and compression movement interval between low-temperature zones, the packer movement interval, and the extension and compression movement interval between perforation sections. For different casing string intervals, two types of mathematical models of first interface micro-gap width are established. In order to comprehensively evaluate the micro-gaps, the mathematical model comprehensively evaluating cement sheath micro-gaps is established through superposition and geometric mean of two models. The models can be used to calculate the first interface micro-gap width of different intervals. In addition, the tri-strata axial symmetric finite element model of first interface with micro-gap is established, and the variation in temperature field, stress field, and width of micro-gap interval of wellbore is analyzed, which provides the theoretical basis for evaluation of micro-gaps.
Noninvasive tongue stimulation combined with intensive cognitive and physical rehabilitation induces neuroplastic changes in patients with multiple sclerosis: A multimodal neuroimaging study
Authors: Leonard Gabriel , Lapierre Yves , Chen Jen-Kai , Wardini Rima , Crane Joelle , Ptito Alain
Published: February 2017

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have central nervous system (CNS) lesions that may impede cognitive and sensorimotor function. Few rehabilitative therapies are available.

Objectives

The objective of this paper is to study effects of noninvasive tongue stimulation using the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS™) combined with intensive cognitive and physical rehabilitation on working memory, gait, balance and concomitant changes in the brain.

Methods

Fourteen MS patients, seven each in an active and a sham stimulation group, participated. Participants received intensive physical therapy and working memory training for 14 weeks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using motor imagery and working-memory tasks were completed prior to and following therapy, as were sensory organization tests (SOT), motor performance measures, and neuropsychological assessment.

Results

On the SOT, the active group showed significant improvement from baseline. fMRI revealed significant blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes in the left primary motor cortex for the Active Group, while the sham group had increased activity in bilateral premotor cortices. All individuals improved on working-memory tasks, but only the active group showed increased dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity.

Conclusions

In this cohort of MS patients, the results suggest that PoNS stimulation can enhance motor performance and working memory while also driving neuroplasticity. Further studies are warranted to explore these findings.
A Cross-Cultural Perspective on the Privacy Calculus
Authors: Trepte Sabine , Reinecke Leonard , Ellison Nicole B. , Quiring Oliver , Yao Mike Z. , Ziegele Marc
Published: February 2017

The “privacy calculus” approach to studying online privacy implies that willingness to engage in disclosures on social network sites (SNSs) depends on evaluation of the resulting risks and benefits. In this article, we propose that cultural factors influence the perception of privacy risks and social gratifications. Based on survey data collected from participants from five countries (Germany [ n = 740], the Netherlands [ n = 89], the United Kingdom [ n = 67], the United States [ n = 489], and China [ n = 165]), we successfully replicated the privacy calculus. Furthermore, we found that culture plays an important role: As expected, people from cultures ranking high in individualism found it less important to generate social gratifications on SNSs as compared to people from collectivist-oriented countries. However, the latter placed greater emphasis on privacy risks—presumably to safeguard the collective. Furthermore, we identified uncertainty avoidance to be a cultural dimension crucially influencing the perception of SNS risks and benefits. As expected, people from cultures ranking high in uncertainty avoidance found privacy risks to be more important when making privacy-related disclosure decisions. At the same time, these participants ascribed lower importance to social gratifications—possibly because social encounters are perceived to be less controllable in the social media environment.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and inhaler device handling: real-life assessment of 2935 patients
Authors: Molimard Mathieu , Raherison Chantal , Lignot Severine , Balestra Aurelie , Lamarque Stephanie , Chartier Anais , Droz-Perroteau Cecile , Lassalle Regis , Moore Nicholas , Girodet Pierre-Olivier
Published: February 2017

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be prevented by inhaled treatment. Errors in inhaler handling, not taken into account in clinical trials, could impact drug delivery and minimise treatment benefit. We aimed to assess real-life inhaler device handling in COPD patients and its association with COPD exacerbations.

To this end, 212 general practitioners and 50 pulmonologists assessed the handling of 3393 devices used for continuous treatment of COPD in 2935 patients. Handling errors were observed in over 50% of handlings, regardless of the device used. Critical errors compromising drug delivery were respectively made in 15.4%, 21.2%, 29.3%, 43.8%, 46.9% and 32.1% of inhalation assessment tests with Breezhaler® (n=876), Diskus® (n=452), Handihaler® (n=598), pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) (n=422), Respimat® (n=625) and Turbuhaler® (n=420).

The proportion of patients requiring hospitalisation or emergency room visits in the past 3 months for severe COPD exacerbation was 3.3% (95% CI 2.0–4.5) in the absence of error and 6.9% (95% CI 5.3–8.5) in the presence of critical error (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.14–3.04, p<0.05).

Handling errors of inhaler devices are underestimated in real life and are associated with an increased rate of severe COPD exacerbation. Training in inhaler use is an integral part of COPD management.
Tracking the embryonic stem cell transition from ground state pluripotency
Authors: Kalkan Tüzer , Olova Nelly , Roode Mila , Mulas Carla , Lee Heather J. , Nett Isabelle , Marks Hendrik , Walker Rachael , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Lilley Kathryn S. , Nichols Jennifer , Reik Wolf , Bertone Paul , Smith Austin
Published: February 2017

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are locked into self-renewal by shielding from inductive cues. Release from this ground state in minimal conditions offers a system for delineating developmental progression from naïve pluripotency. Here, we examine the initial transition process. The ES cell population behaves asynchronously. We therefore exploited a short-half-life Rex1::GFP reporter to isolate cells either side of exit from naïve status. Extinction of ES cell identity in single cells is acute. It occurs only after near-complete elimination of naïve pluripotency factors, but precedes appearance of lineage specification markers. Cells newly departed from the ES cell state display features of early post-implantation epiblast and are distinct from primed epiblast. They also exhibit a genome-wide increase in DNA methylation, intermediate between early and late epiblast. These findings are consistent with the proposition that naïve cells transition to a distinct formative phase of pluripotency preparatory to lineage priming.
Optimal threshold estimation for binary classifiers using game theory
Authors: Sanchez Ignacio Enrique
Published: February 2017

Many bioinformatics algorithms can be understood as binary classifiers. They are usually compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. On the other hand, choosing the best threshold for practical use is a complex task, due to uncertain and context-dependent skews in the abundance of positives in nature and in the yields/costs for correct/incorrect classification. We argue that considering a classifier as a player in a zero-sum game allows us to use the minimax principle from game theory to determine the optimal operating point. The proposed classifier threshold corresponds to the intersection between the ROC curve and the descending diagonal in ROC space and yields a minimax accuracy of 1-FPR. Our proposal can be readily implemented in practice, and reveals that the empirical condition for threshold estimation of “specificity equals sensitivity” maximizes robustness against uncertainties in the abundance of positives in nature and classification costs.
Technology in welding of wrought aluminum alloy 1151
Authors: Курбатова Ирина , Kurbatova Irina , Дриц Александр , Drits Aleksandr , Овчинников Виктор , Ovchinnikov Viktor , Гуреева Марина , Guryeyeva Marina
Published: February 2017

The results of the investigations of susceptibility to hot cracks formation at welding of alloy 1151 in comparison with alloys 1201 and 1460 are shown. The character of alloy 1151 is a possibility of hot crack propagation both through a metal seam and through the area of a seam fusion with basic metal. The durability of welds of alloy 1151 carried out by fuse welding and friction welding with blending exceeds the durability of alloys 1201 and 1460. Corrosion resistance of welds of alloy 1151 exceeds considerably the corrosion resistance of compositions of alloy 1201.
High technology of cutting disks rolling by spherical rollers
Authors: Карпачев Андрей , Karpachev Andrey , Букеткин Борис , Buketkin Boris
Published: February 2017

The preparation for the operation of disk cutting tools by means of the creation of in them a preliminary stressed state (residual stresses) is considered. Methods for the definition of the influence arising at the operation of the uneven heating of a tool body upon its stability and dynamic characteristics which allows substantiating a choice of a formed field of residual stresses at preparation are mentioned. The admissible levels of residual stresses which do not result in the flat form distortion of a disk after rolling are defined and a method for the definition of corresponding pressing forces of rolling elements in the form of spherical rollers is offered.
Comparative analysis of pulse copper vapour laser parameters fume with known types of technological lasers
Authors: Лябин Николай , Lyabin Nikolay , Казарян Мишик , Kazaryan Mishik , Григорьянц Александр , Grigoryants Aleksandr , Шиганов Игорь , Shiganov Igor
Published: February 2017

The shown in the work investigations on a comparative analysis of emission parameters of lasers and laser systems on copper vapour (LPM and LSPM) with known technological gas and solid-state lasers have shown that LPM and LSPM with wave lengths of emission in a yellow-green spectrum range – 510.6 and 578.2 nm; pulse nano-second duration – 10…30ns; high frequencies of pulse repetition – 10…20kH and low pulse energy – 0.1…10mJ stay power pulse sources of coherent radiation and according to parameter totality are unique tools for micro-processing.

On the basis of the complex of scientific-technical, technological and circuit solutions there is created a new generation with high efficiency, reliability and quality of emission, industrial welded-off active elements on copper vapour of small (1…20W) and average (30…100W) levels of power and on their basis industrial LPM and LSPM for the collection of technological equipment.

High coherent emission of this class of lasers with the aid of objective lens is focused in a spot of small dimensions – 10…20µm with the peak power density 109…1012W/cm2 sufficient for the efficient micro-processing of materials.
Can Retail Sales Volatility be Curbed Through Marketing Actions?
Authors: Esteban-Bravo Mercedes , Vidal-Sanz Jose M. , Yildirim Gökhan
Published: February 2017

For many years, marketing managers have used dynamic sales response models to compute expected sales conditional on the available information. These models fail to recognize that the volatility (conditional variance) of sales can vary over time. Moreover, the covolatilities (conditional covariances) between sales and marketing-mix variables can be time varying. Both concepts introduce a new range of strategic and tactical considerations for product and brand managers. Using a multivariate volatility model, we investigate the covolatility of sales and the marketing mix of a focal brand and competing brands in the market. We also examine carryover effects from a volatility perspective. The methodology is applied to six product categories sold by Dominick’s Finer Foods. The results reveal valuable implications for marketing managers.

Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2016.1013 .
Research roundup: February 2017
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: February 2017

In brief

Non-medical prescribers are as effective as medical prescribers, but further studies are needed to fully quantify the benefits Infant rotavirus vaccine reduces episodes of acute gastroenteritis by up to 50%, saving £12.5 million a year Listerine reduces Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the pharynx of men who have sex with men The NHS Health Check programme in England prevents up to 8400 heart attacks, strokes or deaths over 5 years Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy is effective for some prostate cancers
Childhood immunisation
Authors: Kraszewski Sarah
Published: February 2017

The childhood immunisation programme is an important public health activity in which the independent prescriber has a key role to play. This article explores how the independent presciber can contribute to the effective operation of the programme.
Prescribing for schizophrenia and psychosis in pregnancy
Authors: Hardy Sheila
Published: February 2017

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness which often requires life-long treatment with antipsychotic medication. Women with schizophrenia are more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy than the rest of the female population of child-bearing age. There is little evidence to show the effects of antipsychotic use in pregnancy on the woman and fetus; however, there is guidance available written by experts in the field.