bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of TGFβ superfamily components and other markers of oocyte quality in oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue staining: Relevance to early embryonic development
Authors: Ashry Mohamed , Lee KyungBon , Mondal Mohan , Datta Tirtha K. , Folger Joseph K. , Rajput Sandeep K. , Zhang Kun , Hemeida Nabil A. , Smith George W.
Published: February 2015

Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) is a super‐vital stain that has been used to select competent oocytes in different species. One objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between BCB staining, which correlates with an oocyte's developmental potential, and the transcript abundance for select TGFβ‐superfamily components, SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5 phosphorylation levels, and oocyte (JY1) and cumulus‐cell (CTSB, CTSK, CTSS, and CTSZ) transcript markers in bovine oocytes and/or adjacent cumulus cells. The capacity of exogenous follistatin or JY1 supplementation or cathepsin inhibitor treatment to enhance development of embryos derived from low‐quality oocytes, based on BCB staining, was also determined. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) from abattoir‐derived ovaries were subjected to BCB staining, and germinal‐vesicle‐stage oocytes and cumulus cells were harvested from control, BCB+, and BCB− (low‐quality oocyte) groups for real‐time PCR or Western‐blot analysis. Remaining COCs underwent in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, and embryo culture in the presence or absence of the above exogenous supplements. Levels of FST, JY1, BMP15, and SMAD1, 2, 3, and 5 transcripts were higher in BCB+ oocytes whereas CTSB, CTSK, CTSS, and CTSZ mRNA abundance was higher in cumulus cells surrounding BCB− oocytes. Western‐blot analysis revealed higher SMAD1/5 and SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in BCB+ than BCB− oocytes. Embryo‐culture studies demonstrated that follistatin and cathepsin inhibitor treatment, but not JY‐1 treatment, improve the developmental competence of BCB− oocytes. These results contribute to a better understanding of molecular indices of oocyte competence. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 251–264, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrical impedance myography in duchenne muscular dystrophy and healthy controls: A multicenter study of reliability and validity
Authors: Zaidman Craig M. , Wang Lucy L. , Connolly Anne M. , Florence Julaine , Wong Brenda L. , Parsons Julie A. , Apkon Susan , Goyal Namita , Williams Eugene , Escolar Diana , Rutkove Seward B. , Bohorquez Jose L. ,   the DART‐EIM Clinical Evaluators Consortium*
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a non‐invasive, painless, objective technique to quantify muscle pathology. Methods: We measured EIM in 8 arm and leg muscles in 61 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and 31 healthy boys, ages 3–12 years, at 5 centers. We determined the reliability of EIM and compared results in boys with DMD to controls and to 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD), North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA), timed functional tests (TFTs), and strength (hand‐held dynamometry). Results: EIM was well tolerated and had good inter‐ and intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.81–0.96). The averaged EIM phase value from all muscles was higher (P < 0.001) in controls (10.45 ± 2.29) than boys with DMD (7.31 ± 2.23), and correlated (P ≤ 0.001) with 6MWD (r = 0.55), NSAA (r = 0.66), TFTs (r = –0.56), and strength (r = 0.44). Conclusion: EIM is a reliable and valid measure of disease severity in DMD. Longitudinal studies comparing EIM with other assessments over time in DMD are warranted. Muscle Nerve 52: 592–597, 2015
Gene expression and fiber type variations in repeated vastus lateralis biopsies
Authors: Boman Niklas , Burén Jonas , Antti Henrik , Svensson Michael B.
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Muscle sample collection can introduce variation in any measured variable due to inter‐ and intramuscle variation. We investigated the variation in gene expression and fiber type composition after repeated biopsy sampling from the vastus lateralis muscle. Methods: Six subjects donated 3 tissue samples each. One hour after baseline sampling from 1 vastus lateralis muscle, samples from both vastus lateralis muscles were obtained. Results: The fiber type composition differed between biopsies taken from the same leg. There were no within‐subject differences in gene expression between the 3 biopsies. Multivariate analysis supports a model in which gene expression differs significantly between individuals but is not affected by repeated muscle biopsy sampling from the same subject. Conclusion: One vastus lateralis muscle sample per subject is sufficient to establish a reliable baseline for comparing gene expression representing selected pathways over time within the same individual. Muscle Nerve 52: 812–817, 2015
Business‐driven policy optimization for service management
Authors: Rubio‐Loyola Javier , Toscano‐Pulido Gregorio , Charalambides Marinos , Magaña‐Aguilar Marisol , Serrat‐Fernández Joan , Pavlou George , Galeana‐Zapién Hiram
Published: February 2015

The performance of services offered by network operators has a direct impact on its reputation, on its revenue due to new customer subscriptions, and also on penalties that can apply when services are not provided to an acceptable quality level. Previous research on business‐oriented network and service optimization has mainly focused on optimizing individual business indicators, such as profit and revenue, in isolation without analyzing the effect on network configurations and the subsequent impact on other indicators. Given that different business objectives are usually incompatible, a single network configuration cannot optimize them simultaneously. Determining the configuration and the associated trade‐offs that satisfy multiple objectives is a complex task. This paper addresses this gap and presents a framework that derives policy configurations that optimize the business value of the network infrastructure. We describe a methodology to quantify business functions considering the dynamics of network events, the dynamics of end‐user service usage, the nature of the business indicators, and their relationships with the underlying control methods. The proposed approach addresses the complexity of the target problem through a surrogate‐based optimization approach properly tailored to match our application domain needs. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach through experimentation in a simulation environment we developed over OPNET. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrophobic poly(lauryl methacrylate)‐coated magnetic nano‐composite particles for removal of organic pollutants
Authors: Shabnam Rukhsana , Ahmad Hasan
Published: February 2015

This paper described a simple novel technique to prepare magnetic nano‐composite particles coated with highly crosslinked poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), a hydrophobic polymer because of its long chain alkyl group for application in waste water purification. Nano‐sized magnetite (Fe3O4) particles prepared by coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ from their alkali aqueous solution were encapsulated with SiO2 following treatment with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). Finally precipitation copolymerization of LMA and divinyl benzene (DVB) in the presence of Fe3O4/SiO2 particles was carried out within stable isolated droplets containing hexadecane–toluene mixture (4:1 mixture HD‐T). The produced PLMA‐coated magnetic composite particles named as Fe3O4/SiO2/P(LMA‐DVB) were characterized by Fourier Transform IR (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry (TG) and X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) analyses. The performance of the composite particles was evaluated for the removal of organic pollutants from water. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preference‐sensitive risk‐cutoff values for prenatal‐integrated screening test for Down syndrome
Authors: Yan Jia , Ayer Turgay , Keskinocak Pinar , Caughey Aaron B.
Published: February 2015

Objective

For a pregnant woman considering prenatal screening for early detection of Down Syndrome (DS), there are at least two major outcomes of interest: undetected DS live births and euploid procedure‐related fetal losses. The risk‐cutoff value of 1/270 has been commonly used for recommending a diagnostic test. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of women's preferences for different pregnancy outcomes on the optimal risk‐cutoff values for integrated screening.

Method

We built a Monte Carlo simulation model of 100 000 singleton second‐trimester pregnancies to assess the probabilities of DS live births and euploid procedure‐related fetal losses for various risk‐cutoff values. To capture how undesirable some women may view an undetected DS live birth relative to a euploid procedure‐related fetal loss, we used a ratio W1 : W2 of weights (penalties) assigned to these two adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results

As the relative weight changes, the optimal risk‐cutoff value changes significantly.

Conclusion

A one‐size‐fits‐all risk‐cutoff value, such as 1/270, may not always be the best choice, depending on the preferences of women. Preference‐sensitive risk‐cutoff values for DS screening have the potential to improve the pregnancy outcomes and patient satisfaction. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HOW MUCH HOPE IS ENOUGH? LEVELS OF HOPE AND STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SCHOOL FUNCTIONING
Authors: Marques Susana C. , Lopez Shane J. , Fontaine Anne Marie , Coimbra Susana , Mitchell Joanna
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the characteristics of students who report extremely high levels of hope. A sample of 682 students (ages 11–17) completed measures of hope, school engagement, life satisfaction, self‐worth, and mental health. Academic achievement was obtained from students’ school records. Based on their hope scores, students were divided into three groups: “extremely low” (bottom 10% of the distribution), “average” (middle 25%), and “extremely high” (upper 10%). Results indicate that students in the extremely high hope (EHH) group differed from students with average (AH) and extremely low hope (ELH) on all measures. Further, EHH and AH are associated with mental health benefits that are not found among students reporting comparatively ELH levels. Taken together, the findings support the notion that EHH in students is associated with adaptive psychological and school‐related functioning. Overall, given the superior adjustment profile, perhaps ‘‘enough hope’’ should be defined as “EHH.”
Flow‐sensitive runtime estimation: an enhanced hot spot detection heuristics for embedded Java just‐in‐time compilers
Authors: Lee Seong‐Won , Moon Soo‐Mook , Kim Seong‐Moo
Published: February 2015

Java just‐in‐time compilers often compile only hot methods because the compilation overhead is a part of the running time. This requires precise and efficient hot spot detection, which includes distinguishing hot methods from cold ones, detecting them as early as possible, and paying a small detection overhead. Hot spot detection is especially important in embedded applications because they show more of a start‐up phase behavior of a regular application where methods are not executed heavily, so the hot methods are not definite. Because a long‐running method is likely to be a hot method, we can detect a hot method by measuring its running time during interpretation. However, precise measurement of the running time during execution is too expensive, especially in embedded systems, so many counter‐based heuristics have been proposed to estimate it such as Oracle's HotSpot heuristic. One problem is that although the overhead of these heuristics is low, they do not estimate the running time precisely, which may lead to imprecise hot spot detection.This paper proposes a new hot spot detection heuristic called flow‐sensitive runtime estimation, which can estimate the running time more precisely than others with a relatively low overhead. It only counts important bytecode instructions dynamically, but it can obtain the precise count of all interpreted bytecode instructions with a simple arithmetic calculation. We also propose a static analysis technique to predict those hot methods which spends a huge execution time once invoked, so as to compile them at their first invocation. Our experimental results show that these techniques can improve the performance by as much as an average of 7.4% compared with the HotSpot heuristic for the benchmarks when they run once, which is often regarded as showing the start‐up phase behavior. Even for real embedded Java applications such as the digital TV Java Xlet applications, our techniques can improve the user response time by an average of 7.1%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Getting Them Speaking: Classroom Social Factors and Foreign Language Anxiety
Authors: Effiong Okon
Published: February 2015

This study, which focuses on foreign language anxiety (FLA) experienced by Japanese learners of English in four universities, explores causative agents by looking into the classroom. The research questions aim to explore how FLA is influenced by classroom social factors. The study adopted qualitative data collection procedures, and the field work took place over a period of 4 months. Data were obtained from observing the classes and interviewing 24 student and four teacher participants (two nonnative English speakers and two native English speakers). The findings of this study show that Japanese EFL learners experience higher levels of FLA as a result of the teacher's age, friendliness, tone of voice, and self‐presentation, as evidenced in their dress code. Other FLA predictors for higher anxiety were peer gender, familiarity, laughter, and a quiet class. Language teachers should therefore dress and appear less formal in class to alleviate FLA.
Correction of a Non-orthogonal, Three-Component Sonic Anemometer for Flow Distortion by Transducer Shadowing
Authors: Horst T. W. , Semmer S. R. , Maclean G.
Published: February 2015

We propose that flow distortion within a non-orthogonal CSAT3 sonic anemometer is primarily due to transducer shadowing, which is caused by wakes in the lee of the acoustic transducers impinging on their measurement paths. The dependence of transducer shadowing on sonic path geometry, wind direction and atmospheric stability is investigated with simulations that use surface-layer data from the Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (HATS) field program and canopy roughness-sublayer data from the CHATS (Canopy HATS) field program. We demonstrate the efficacy of correcting the CSAT3 for transducer shadowing with measurements of its flow distortion in the NCAR wind tunnel, combined with 6 months of data collected in the atmospheric surface layer with adjacent CSAT3 and orthogonal ATI-K sonic anemometers at the NCAR Marshall field site. CSAT3 and ATI-K measurements of the variance of vertical velocity

$$\sigma _w^2$$

σ
w
2

and the vertical flux of sonic temperature agree within 1 % after correction of both sonics for transducer shadowing. Both the simulations of transducer shadowing and the comparison of CSAT3 and ATI-K field data suggest a simple, approximate correction of CSAT3 surface-layer scalar fluxes with an increase on the order of 4–5 %, independent of wind direction and atmospheric stability. We also find that

$$\sigma _w/u_*$$

σ
w

/

u

∗

(where

$$u_*$$

u

∗

is the friction velocity) and

$$r_{uw}$$

r

u
w

(the correlation coefficient) calculated with corrected CSAT3 data are insensitive to wind direction and agree closely with known values of these dimensionless variables for neutral stratification, which is evidence for the efficacy of the correction of the horizontal wind components for transducer shadowing as well.
Fixation for Metacarpal Neck Fracture: A Biomechanical Study
Authors: Malasitt Pramote , Owen John R. , Tremblay Marc-Antoine , Wayne Jennifer S. , Isaacs Jonathan E.
Published: February 2015

Background

There is no robust evidence of the best operative treatment for displaced unstable metacarpal neck fractures. Numerous constructs are used in the fixation of metacarpal neck fractures. Currently, two common methods are dorsal locking plate and K-wire fixation. A new metacarpal sled fixation system for metacarpal neck fracture was designed to provide fracture stability but limit dissection and avoid exposed hardware. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical integrity of the metacarpal sled versus standard locking plate fixation and retrograde K-wire fixation in a simulated porcine metacarpal fracture model.

Methods

Transverse metacarpal neck fractures were created in 30 porcine second metacarpals. The specimens were randomly fixed with locking plates, metacarpal sleds, or retrograde K-wires. Constructs were then loaded to failure in three-point bending. Stiffness and peak load were measured from the load-to-failure deflection curve. Data were analyzed via ANOVA, followed by Tukey–Kramer's post hoc pairwise comparison.

Results

The K-wire group had the highest initial stiffness followed by the sled group and then the plate group. Statistical difference was only found between K-wires and plate. Peak load for the K-wire group was lowest, followed by sled, and then by plate. A statistically significant difference was observed between the peak loads of the K-wires and plate, as well as the sled and plate. However, a difference in peak load was not detected between the K-wires and sled.

Conclusions

For transverse metacarpal neck fractures, a metacarpal sled construct provides similar fixation to K-wires with limited dissection and without exposed hardware or the potential for soft tissue tethering. The new low profile construct using a minimally invasive technique would be suitable for unstable metacarpal neck fractures.
Back to Basics: Procedural Sedation
Authors: Spruce Lisa
Published: February 2015

Patients undergoing surgery frequently receive procedural sedation from RNs in the perioperative setting. With appropriate training, perioperative RNs can administer procedural sedation safely and effectively, helping to eliminate the pain and anxiety often experienced by patients. Facility sedation protocols should provide guidance on training requirements, the RN's role, the credentialing process, the medications the RN may use, and when anesthesia personnel should be consulted. Creating these protocols is guided by state scope of practice laws, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Interpretive Guidelines, and accreditation requirements. Training, physician guidance, and appropriate protocols give the necessary support for perioperative nurses to provide safe and effective procedural sedation.
Pathophysiology of Pain: Implications for Perioperative Nursing
Authors: Rodriguez Les
Published: February 2015

The pathophysiology of pain is a complex process that varies according to duration (eg, acute, chronic) or type (eg, nociceptive, neuropathic, psychogenic). Perioperative nurses should understand the pathways that lead to pain to better assist in managing patients’ pain symptoms. Approaching pain from a patient‐centered stance includes acknowledging that pain is defined entirely by the subjective experience of the patient, which may not be proportional with the level of tissue damage. This article provides a brief description of the pathophysiology of pain and the components of nociceptive and neuropathic pain pathways to aid the perioperative nurse in pain management.
Considerations for Complementary and Alternative Interventions for Pain
Authors: Schulenburg Julia
Published: February 2015

Nurses play an important role in pain management. When considering strategies for effective pain management, nurses must consider and be able to provide information about complementary and alternative therapies. Awareness of alternative interventions for pain extends across herbal therapies, energy medicine, and mind‐body exercises. Treatment regimens that integrate conventional therapies with alternative therapies based on the medical systems of non‐Western cultures may affect outcomes positively through medical interactions. Nurses should question patients and families about complementary health practices to determine whether they may affect postsurgical recovery and also to determine the level of openness to alternative practices that have evidence of success or equivalency in managing pain.
Specific Radiological Findings of Traumatic Gastrointestinal Tract Injuries in Patients with Blunt Chest and Abdominal Trauma
Authors: Kokabi Nima , Harmouche Elie , Xing Minzhi , Shuaib Waqas , Mittal Pardeep K. , Wilson Kenneth , Johnson Jamlik-Omari , Nicolaou Savvas , Khosa Faisal
Published: February 2015

Gastrointestinal hollow viscus injury after blunt chest and abdominal trauma is uncommon and complicates 0.6%-1.2% of all cases of trauma. Early recognition of such injuries significantly decreases morbidity and mortality. Since physical examination is not accurate in detecting such injuries, contrast-enhanced computed tomography has been the mainstay for diagnosis in many emergency departments. This pictorial essay aims to review the incidence, mechanisms, and signs of gastrointestinal hollow viscus injuries in the setting of blunt chest and abdominal trauma.
Web Resources for Model Organism Studies
Authors: Tang Bixia , Wang Yanqing , Zhu Junwei , Zhao Wenming
Published: February 2015

An ever-growing number of resources on model organisms have emerged with the continued development of sequencing technologies. In this paper, we review 13 databases of model organisms, most of which are reported by the National Institutes of Health of the United States (NIH; http://www.nih.gov/science/models/). We provide a brief description for each database, as well as detail its data source and types, functions, tools, and availability of access. In addition, we also provide a quality assessment about these databases. Significantly, the organism databases instituted in the early 1990s—such as the Mouse Genome Database (MGD), Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD), and FlyBase—have developed into what are now comprehensive, core authority resources. Furthermore, all of the databases mentioned here update continually according to user feedback and with advancing technologies.
The Right to Strike in Vietnam’s Private Sector
Authors: LY KHANH Trinh
Published: February 2015

This article addresses the right to strike in the context of the new Labour Code and amended Trade Union Law of Vietnam.1 It analyses major problems posed today by wildcat strikes in Vietnam’s private sector. It argues that the ongoing approaches of the Vietnamese government and its social partners in strike resolution are ineffective and inconsistent with International Labour Standards. Finally, it suggests a model for the prevention and settlement of such strikes.
The role of adjunctive antibiotics in the treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fahimi Jahan , Singh Amandeep , Frazee Bradley W.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To perform a review and meta-analysis on the effect of antibiotics on treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses (SSTAs) after incision and drainage.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. For RCTs, we included studies comparing any antibiotic (treatment) to placebo (control). For observational studies, treatment was the use of appropriate antibiotics effective against bacterial isolate, and control was the use of inappropriate (ineffective) or no antibiotics. Outcome was treatment success during follow-up. Two investigators reviewed records, assessed quality (according to Cochrane and Newcastle-Ottawa tools), and extracted treatment success rates. Primary analysis was the effect of treatment among RCTs. Secondary analyses included the effect of treatment in 1) observational studies of confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (MRSA-only) and 2) all studies after 1998 (MRSA-era). We used random effects modelling, except when no heterogeneity was present when we used fixed effects.

Results

We screened 1,968 records. Twelve were included (five RCTs, seven observational studies), representing 1,969 subjects. Seven enrolled from emergency departments, two from surgical clinics, and three from ambulatory clinics. Three enrolled children only. Pooled relative risk (RR) of treatment success among RCTs was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97−1.08). Pooled RR in the secondary analyses was 1.05 (95% CI 0.96−1.15) in MRSA-only and 0.99 (95% CI 0.98−1.01) in MRSA-era.

Conclusion

Despite limitations in pooling available data, there is no clear evidence to support antibiotic use in treating uncomplicated SSTAs.
Comparative Reasoning in Legal Adjudication
Authors: Canale Damiano
Published: February 2015

This paper focuses on the practice of making reference to foreign law in legal adjudication. On the one hand, this practice has received overwhelming attention from legal scholars in the last two decades under the headings of “judicial dialogue”, “judicial cross-fertilization” or “constitutional conversation”; on the other hand, a systematic, theoretical picture of this practice is still lacking. The paper aims to bridge this gap by elucidating the structure of legal comparison in judicial decision-making from the point of view of argumentation theory. To this end, the paper examines the various forms of comparative reasoning, identifies the set of their implicit premises and shows under what conditions referring to foreign law in legal adjudication is justified on its own grounds. This analysis will lead us to discuss the thesis according to which comparative reasoning by courts is changing the nature of law and the structure of contemporary legal systems.
The Coxford Lecture Patriation and Patrimony: The Path to the Charter
Authors: Finnis John
Published: February 2015

This annotated Coxford Lecture is the first account dedicated to tracing the part played in the 1980-82 patriation of the Canadian Constitution by the British House of Commons, particularly by its Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. This committee, for which author was the adviser, investigated the propriety of the UK Parliament’s acceding to a request for amendment of the British North America Act 1867 (as amended) if the amendment were opposed by a substantial number of Provinces and it would affect their powers. Against the firm opposition of the Canadian government (secretly being assisted by the British government), the Committee reported in January 1981 that acceding to such a request in such circumstances would be a breach of Parliament’s constitutional responsibilities. A second report, in April 1981, defended that opinion against the Canadian government’s vigorous attempt in March to refute it. The Committee’s position strongly resembles that of the “conventions” majority of the Canadian Supreme Court in September 1981. But the resemblance should not obscure a significant difference, rooted in the distinct authority of the UK Parliament during this terminal phase of the patrimony that, by Canadian decision in 1931, it had inherited: some imperial responsibilities (by then only procedural, and terminated in 1982) for the polity and people of Canada.
Modelling Fundamental Legal Change: The Paradox of Context and the Context of Paradox
Authors: Gélinas Fabien
Published: February 2015

The author takes the paradox of omnipotence faced by lawyers in the context of constitutional change as a starting point to explore the relationship between formal law, logic, and the “pragmatics” that inform legal reasoning. Self-reference in constitutions appears problematic because it has no representation in basic, first-order logic. But self-reference in the context of legal change effectively represents a time dimension that is essential to the practice of law. The dissolution of the paradox is then used to illuminate the relationship between formal law and the context in which it is embedded. The author concludes with a nuanced understanding of law as a semi-open system in which judges play the key role of translating fundamental constitutional change into the law’s “internal” point of view.
Coercion and Deception in Sexual Relations
Authors: Pundik Amit
Published: February 2015

In most Common-Law jurisdictions, deceptive sexual relations are criminalized with the same offence that is used to criminalize coercive sexual relations. This trend is strongly supported by feminist scholars like Susan Estrich, who regard deceptive sexual relations as being as wrongful as coercive. Others conflate coercion and deception, going as far to consider deception to be a form of coercion. Against this trend, the present paper argues firstly that deceptive sexual relations are analytically distinct from both coercive and consensual: secondly that, to the extent that cases of deception should be criminalized, this should be done by using an offence distinct from, and less grave than, the offence applicable to coercive sexual relations. To support the latter conclusion this paper suggests a novel argument for why coercive sexual relations are more wrongful than deceptive. The coercer's conduct is more wrongful because it involves typical wrongmaking features that deception lacks: the coercer cruelly proceeds with the coercion while faced with the victim’s suffering and they dismissively disregard negative reactive attitudes such as resentment and anger that the victim forms and expresses toward them. It is then argued that this difference in wrongfulness serves as a reason for criminalizing coercion and deception in separate offences, the former graver than the latter.
Wrongful Pregnancy and the Offset/Benefits Approach
Authors: Ramsay Marc
Published: February 2015

Wrongful pregnancy cases involve unwanted pregnancies and births caused by medical negligence. In all such cases, the resulting child is unplanned and the relevant healthcare professional’s services were retained in order to prevent pregnancy and childbirth. I argue that wrongful pregnancy victims are entitled to Total Recovery, damages for both child-rearing costs and losses associated with pregnancy. Critics of Total Recovery often appeal to the Offset/Benefits Approach (OBA). In its most radical form, OBA insists that healthy children always constitute an overall benefit to their parents and that this overall benefit cancels out any claim to damages for child-rearing costs. However, OBA cannot justify blocking or reducing wrongful pregnancy victims’ claims to child-rearing damages. The conviction that children must always be treated as overall beneficial to their parents is based on a confused combination of moralistic judgment and legal fiction. More importantly, the benefits of children, whatever these may be, fall outside the scope of the tortfeasor/victim relationship; these benefits are irrelevant to the assessment of damages. My case against OBA is based on an account of corrective justice that draws on the works of Ernest Weinrib and Arthur Ripstein. I illuminate both the defects of OBA and the justice of Total Recovery by comparing wrongful pregnancy suits with Weinrib’s famous plane crash example.
Mistake, Failure of Consideration and the Planning Theory of Intention
Authors: Sheehan Duncan
Published: February 2015

Recovery of mistaken payments in the law of restitution is often justified by reference to a vitiated intention and that of payments where there is a failure of consideration by reference to a qualified intention. This paper aims to investigate whether this is a misleading characterisation and suggests that both causes of action should be understood in terms of conditions affecting our intentions. Specifically we should look at the failure of our planning agency, and Michael Bratman’s theory of agency in particular. In cases of mistaken payments we should look at the failure of a background condition to the payment. In such cases to fail to allow recovery is to fail to respect me as an autonomous actor, acting under norms having agential authority for me. In failure of consideration cases the autonomy of the other party is at stake, but we can take this into account by positing not a failure of a condition affecting personal intention, but affecting collective intention. There are different views on what collective intention is and how it should be understood, which may themselves have different implications in terms of the concurrency of mistake and failure of consideration as unjust factors. The paper examines different ways in which collective intentions might fail and how they fit the failure of consideration paradigm.
Agreement and Disagreement in Law
Authors: Smith Dale
Published: February 2015

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in the question of whether Ronald Dworkin was correct to allege that legal positivists are unable to account for theoretical disagreement about law. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the related question of who can best account for agreement about law. An important exception is Brian Leiter’s argument that there is massive and pervasive agreement in legal judgments and that positivism can account for this agreement but Dworkin cannot. In this article, I argue that Dworkin can account for such agreement, and that his explanation is no less straightforward than the positivist’s. I further contend that Leiter’s strategy for explaining theoretical disagreement is weakened once we recognise that Dworkin has a plausible explanation of agreement in legal judgments. I conclude by exploring how we might choose between the positivist’s and Dworkin’s competing explanations of agreement in legal judgments.
Who Said Anything About Justice? Bail Court and the Culture of Adjournment
Authors: Myers Nicole Marie
Published: February 2015

The criminal court is supposed to be a place of adversarial justice; however, these formal legal values do not appear to translate into practice. The courtroom workgroup, though made up of formal adversaries with widely divergent roles and objectives, is a community of workers whose shared interests include getting through the day as quickly and efficiently as possible. Using data from 142 days of bail court observation in Ontario the author argues that a “culture of adjournment” has taken over the bail process. Rather than the court being run by an efficient adversarial group of people processing criminal cases through the system, the courtroom has developed a culture that emphasizes the importance of expeditiously disposing of the daily docket over distributing justice.
Numerical simulation of debris-removal trajectories on the transport mirrors in high-power laser systems
Authors: Li Yangshuai , Zhu Jianqiang , Pang Xiangyang , Tao Hua , Jiao Xiang , Wu Yongzhong
Published: February 2015

In high-power laser systems (HPLSs), understanding debris-removal trajectories is important in eliminating debris from the surfaces of transport mirrors online and keeping other optical components free from contamination. NS equations, the RNG

$k{-}{\it\varepsilon}$

model and the discrete phase model of the Euler–Lagrange method are used to conduct numerical simulations on the trajectories of contaminant particles of different sizes and types on the mirror surface using Fluent commercial software. A useful device is fabricated based on the simulation results. This device can capture and collect debris from the mirror surface online. Consequently, the effect of debris contamination on other optical components is avoided, cleaning time is shortened, and ultimately, the cleanliness of the mirrors in HPLSs is ensured.
Flow control over an airfoil using virtual Gurney flaps
Authors: Feng Li-Hao , Choi Kwing-So , Wang Jin-Jun
Published: February 2015

Flow control over a NACA 0012 airfoil is carried out using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator at the Reynolds number of 20 000. Here, the plasma actuator is placed over the pressure (lower) side of the airfoil near the trailing edge, which produces a wall jet against the free stream. This reverse flow creates a quasi-steady recirculation region, reducing the velocity over the pressure side of the airfoil. On the other hand, the air over the suction (upper) side of the airfoil is drawn by the recirculation, increasing its velocity. Measured phase-averaged vorticity and velocity fields also indicate that the recirculation region created by the plasma actuator over the pressure surface modifies the near-wake dynamics. These flow modifications around the airfoil lead to an increase in the lift coefficient, which is similar to the effect of a mechanical Gurney flap. This configuration of DBD plasma actuators, which is investigated for the first time in this study, is therefore called a virtual Gurney flap. The purpose of this investigation is to understand the mechanism of lift enhancement by virtual Gurney flaps by carefully studying the global flow behaviour over the airfoil. First, the recirculation region draws the air from the suction surface around the trailing edge. The upper shear layer then interacts with the opposite-signed shear layer from the pressure surface, creating a stronger vortex shedding from the airfoil. Secondly, the recirculation region created by a DBD plasma actuator over the pressure surface displaces the positive shear layer away from the airfoil, thereby shifting the near-wake region downwards. The virtual Gurney flap also changes the dynamics of laminar separation bubbles and associated vortical structures by accelerating laminar-to-turbulent transition through the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability mechanism. In particular, the separation point and the start of transition are advanced. The reattachment point also moves upstream with plasma control, although it is slightly delayed at a large angle of attack.
Aspect-ratio effects on rotating wings: circulation and forces
Authors: Carr Zakery R. , DeVoria Adam C. , Ringuette Matthew J.
Published: February 2015

We employ experiments to study aspect ratio ($\def\AR{A\mkern-8muR}\AR$) effects on the vortex structure, circulation and lift force for flat-plate wings rotating from rest at 45° angle of attack, which represents a simplified hovering-wing half-stroke. We use the time-varying, volumetric $\AR =2$ data of Carr et al. (Exp. Fluids, vol. 54, 2013, pp. 1–26), reconstructed from phase-locked, phase-averaged stereoscopic digital particle image velocimetry (S-DPIV), and an $\AR =4$ volumetric data set matching the span-based Reynolds number ($\mathit{Re}$) of $\AR =2$. For $\AR =1{-}4$ and $\mathit{Re}_{\mathit{span}}$ of $O$($10^{3}$–$10^{4}$), we directly measure the lift force. The total leading-edge-region circulation for $\AR =2$ and 4 compares best overall using a span-based normalization and for matching rotation angles. The total circulation increases across the span to the tip region, and is larger for $\AR =2$. After the startup, the total circulation for each $\AR$ has a similar slope and a slow growth. The first leading-edge vortex (LEV) and the tip vortex (TV) for $\AR =4$ move past the trailing edge, followed by substantial breakdown. For $\AR =2$ the outboard, aft-tilted LEV merges with the TV and resides over the tip, although breakdown also occurs. Where the LEV is ‘stable’ inboard, its circulation saturates for $\AR =2$ and the growth slows for $\AR =4$. Aft LEV tilting reduces the spanwise LEV circulation for each $\AR$. Both positive and negative axial flow are found in the first LEV for $\AR =2$ and 4, with the positive component being somewhat larger. This yields a generally positive (outboard) average vorticity flux. The average lift coefficient is essentially constant with $\AR$ from 1 to 4 during the slow growth phase, although the large-time behaviour shows a slight decrease in lift coefficient with increasing $\AR$. The S-DPIV data are used to obtain the lift impulse and the spanwise and streamwise components contributing to the lift coefficient. The spanwise contribution is similar for $\AR =2$ and 4, due to similar trailing-edge vortex interactions, LEV saturation behaviour and total circulation slopes. However, for $\AR =2$ the streamwise contribution is much larger, because of the stronger, coherent TV and aft-tilted LEV, which will create a relatively lower-pressure region over the tip.
Numerical study of oblique shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction considering sidewall effects
Authors: Wang Bo , Sandham Neil D. , Hu Zhiwei , Liu Weidong
Published: February 2015

Large-eddy simulations are conducted to uncover physical aspects of sidewall-induced three-dimensionality for a moderately separated oblique shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) at $M=2.7$. Simulations are run for three different aspect ratios of the interaction zone. The swept SWBLI on the sidewalls and the corner flow behaviour are investigated, along with the main oblique SWBLI on the bottom wall. As the aspect ratio decreases to unity, the separation and reattachment points on the central plane are observed to move upstream simultaneously, while the bubble length initially increases and then stabilizes to a length 30 % larger than for the infinite-span quasi-two-dimensional case. A distorted incident shock and a three-dimensional (3D) bottom-wall separation pattern are observed, with a patch of attached flow between the central and corner separations. The 3D flow structure is found to be induced by the swept SWBLI formed on the sidewalls. The location of the termination point of the incident shock near the sidewall is limited by a sweepback effect, allowing the definition of a penetration Mach number $M_{p}$ that is shown to correlate well with the spanwise extent of the core flow. The structure and strength of the incident shock are modified significantly by the swept SWBLI on the sidewalls, along with a compression wave upstream and a secondary sidewall shock downstream, leading to a highly 3D pressure field in the main flow above the main SWBLI on the bottom wall. The reflection of the swept SWBLI from the bottom wall leads to a corner compression wave and strong transverse flow close to the bottom wall. A physical model based on the quasi-conical structure of the swept SWBLI on the sidewall is proposed to estimate the 3D SWBLI pattern on the bottom wall, in which the swept SWBLI features and the aspect ratio of the interaction zone are considered to be the critical factors.
Combined use of clozapine and ECT: a review
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Hazari Nandita , Kate Natasha
Published: February 2015

Objective

This paper aims to review the available evidence for the use of clozapine and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in combination.

Methodology

Electronic searches were carried out to identify reports describing the combined use of clozapine and ECT.

Results

Forty reports including 208 patients were identified. The majority of reports were in the form of case reports and case series, with few retrospective and open-label studies. The majority of patients were aged between 18 and 65 years and diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Most of the patients refractory to clozapine were started on ECT as an augmentation therapy; however, in some reports, both ECT and clozapine were started concurrently, and in few cases clozapine was started after ECT. In terms of effectiveness, 37.5–100% patients improved in short-term, and sustained long-term improvement (3 weeks to 24 months) was described in few studies. In terms of the side-effect profile, five patients each had delirium and tachycardia and only four patients were described to have prolonged seizures. Overall, the combination was considered effective and safe.

Conclusion

There is evidence for the effectiveness and safety of the clozapine–ECT combination and it should be used in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who do not respond to clozapine.
RESPONSES OF WHEAT PLANTS UNDER POST-ANTHESIS STRESS INDUCED BY DEFOLIATION: I. CONTRIBUTION OF AGRO-PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS TO GRAIN YIELD
Authors: DODIG DEJAN , SAVIĆ JASNA , KANDIĆ VESNA , ZORIĆ MIROSLAV , VUCELIĆ RADOVIĆ BILJANA , POPOVIĆ ALEKSANDRA , QUARRIE STEVE
Published: February 2015

When water stress develops post-anthesis, wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) plants have to rely increasingly on remobilization of previously stored assimilates to maintain grain filling. In two-year field trials, we studied more than 20 agronomic and developmental traits in 61 wheat genotypes (27 F4:5 families, 17 parents used for the crosses and 17 standards), comparing plants that were defoliated (DP) by cutting off all leaf blades 10 days after anthesis with intact control plants (CP). Estimated contributions of stem and sheath assimilate reserves to grain weight/spike were from 10–54% and from 24–84% in CP and DP plants, respectively. Stem-related traits were among key traits determining stem reserve contribution (SRC). The most important genetic variables in differentiating genotypes for stress tolerance were biomass/stem, stem reserves mobilization efficiency and grain filling rate (GFR). Balance among traits related to yield maintenance in DP were more important than their high values. In general F4:5 families (FAM), that had been crossed to combine typical breeding traits such as biomass and yield components, showed better tolerance under moderate stress than standards and parents.
Bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve palsy following tonsillectomy: a very rare and difficult complication of a common procedure
Authors: Trinidade A , Philpott C M
Published: February 2015

Objectives:

Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed otolaryngological procedures. Bilateral palsy of the glossopharyngeal nerve is an exceedingly rare complication that can result in significant morbidity. This case report aimed to raise awareness of this complication and outline management strategies.

Case report:

A 31-year-old woman who underwent routine tonsillectomy presented with progressive numbness of the palate, dysgeusia, xerostomia, paraesthesia of the tongue and the feeling of something in her throat within 2 weeks of surgery. She reported the post-operative onset of snoring. Examination revealed a symmetrically low, ‘dropped’ soft palate. Over time, her symptoms have lessened, but dysgeusia and snoring remain.

Conclusion:

The position of the glossopharyngeal nerve in the tonsillar bed makes it prone to injury during tonsillectomy, especially if ‘hot’ methods are used. Bilateral injury can result in significant morbidity that can be difficult to treat. Patients should be warned about this risk and care should be taken to minimise it.
Reproductive biology of NW Mediterranean tonguefish Symphurus nigrescens and Symphurus ligulatus
Authors: Bustos-Salvador F. , Fernandez-Arcaya U. , Ramirez-Llodra E. , Aguzzi J. , Recasens L. , Rotllant G. , Company J.B.
Published: February 2015

The population structure and reproductive biology of deep-water continental margin Cynoglossidae is poorly known. Here, we focused on two highly abundant species of the upper slope of the NW Mediterranean Sea, Symphurus nigrescens and S. ligulatus. Megafaunal sampling of 37 hauls was conducted between April 2003 and May 2004 in the Blanes canyon and the adjacent open slope between 300–1500 m depth. The differential bathymetric distribution between the two species was surveyed by standardizing catch data per unit of swept surface and by pooling resulting densities by 100 m depth interval. Females of both species were classified into a five-stage maturity scale according to their external appearance and their gonads dissected for histological analysis. The analysis of the species' bathymetric distribution revealed a differential and only partial overlap. In both species, an increase in size with depth was observed coinciding with the dominance of females in deeper depth strata. The shallower species, S. nigrescens showed a marked spawning period with a peak in summer. In contrast, the deeper-living species, S. ligulatus, presented a longer spawning period ranging from spring to autumn. Moreover, histological examination demonstrated that the ovaries of both species had an asynchronous organization. Present results on spatial-temporal size frequency distribution, spawning temporality and oocyte size are discussed assuming interspecific competition and the different environmental conditions related to their bathymetric distribution.