bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review on conventional and biotechnological approaches in white pepper production
Authors: Aziz Nurul S , Sofian‐Seng Noor‐Soffalina , Mohd Razali Noorul S , Lim Seng Joe , Mustapha Wan AW
Published: November 2018

White pepper is the dried seeds obtained from pepper berries (Piper nigrum L.) after the removal of the pericarp. It has been widely used as seasoning and condiments in food preparation. Globally, white pepper fetches a higher price compared to black pepper due to its lighter colour, preferable milder flavour and pungency. Increasing global demand of the spice outpaced the supply as the conventional production method used is laborious, lengthy and also not very hygienic. The most common conventional method is water retting but can also include pit soil, chemical, boiling, steaming and mechanical methods. The introduction of a biotechnological approach has gained a lot of interest, as it is a more rapid, convenient and hygienic method of producing white pepper. This technique involves the application of microorganisms and/or enzymes. This review highlights both conventional and latest biotechnological processes of white pepper production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Disentangling the effects of high permittivity materials on signal optimization and sample noise reduction via ideal current patterns
Authors: Vaidya Manushka V. , Sodickson Daniel K. , Collins Christopher M. , Lattanzi Riccardo
Published: November 2018

Purpose

To investigate how high‐permittivity materials (HPMs) can improve SNR when placed between MR detectors and the imaged body.

Methods

We used a simulation framework based on dyadic Green’s functions to calculate the electromagnetic field inside a uniform dielectric sphere at 7 Tesla, with and without a surrounding layer of HPM. SNR‐optimizing (ideal) current patterns were expressed as the sum of signal‐optimizing (signal‐only) current patterns and dark mode current patterns that minimize sample noise while contributing nothing to signal. We investigated how HPM affects the shape and amplitude of these current patterns, sample noise, and array SNR.

Results

Ideal and signal‐only current patterns were identical for a central voxel. HPMs introduced a phase shift into these patterns, compensating for signal propagation delay in the HPMs. For an intermediate location within the sphere, dark mode current patterns were present and illustrated the mechanisms by which HPMs can reduce sample noise. High‐amplitude signal‐only current patterns were observed for HPM configurations that shield the electromagnetic field from the sample. For coil arrays, these configurations corresponded to poor SNR in deep regions but resulted in large SNR gains near the surface due to enhanced fields in the vicinity of the HPM. For very high relative permittivity values, HPM thicknesses corresponding to even multiples of λ/4 resulted in coil SNR gains throughout the sample.

Conclusion

HPMs affect both signal sensitivity and sample noise. Lower amplitude signal‐only optimal currents corresponded to higher array SNR performance and could guide the design of coils integrated with HPM.
Inverse optimization in minimum cost flow problems on countably infinite networks
Authors: Nourollahi Sevnaz , Ghate Archis
Published: November 2018

Given the costs and a feasible solution for a minimum cost flow problem on a countably infinite network, inverse optimization involves finding new costs that are close to the original ones and that make the given solution optimal. We study this problem using the weighted absolute sum metric to quantify closeness of cost vectors. We provide sufficient conditions under which known results from inverse optimization in minimum cost flow problems on finite networks extend to the countably infinite case. These conditions ensure that recent duality results on countably infinite linear programs can be applied to our setting. Specifically, they enable us to prove that the inverse optimization problem can be reformulated as a capacitated, minimum cost circulation problem on a countably infinite network. Finite‐dimensional truncations of this problem can be solved in polynomial time when the weights equal one, which yields an efficient solution method. The circulation problem can also be solved via the shadow simplex method, where each finite‐dimensional truncation is tackled using the usual network Simplex algorithm that is empirically known to be computationally efficient. We illustrate these results on an infinite horizon shortest path problem.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Job Demands in Nursing Scale and Job Resources in Nursing Scale: Results from a national study
Authors: Penz Kelly L. , Kosteniuk Julie G. , Stewart Norma J. , MacLeod Martha L. P. , Kulig Judith C. , Karunanayake Chandima P. , Kilpatrick Kelley
Published: November 2018

Aim

To develop and test the psychometric properties of the Job Resources in Nursing (JRIN) Scale and the Job Demands in Nursing (JDIN) Scale.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

A three‐phase process of instrument development and psychometric evaluation was employed: Phase 1: development of a 42‐item JRIN Scale and 60‐item JDIN Scale through extensive literature review, expert consultation and an iterative content evaluation; Phase 2: pilot survey of 89 nurses and use of item discrimination analysis to estimate the internal consistency reliability of each subscale and reduce the length of each scale; Phase 3: Modified scales were tested in a nationwide survey of 3,822 rural/remote nurses, including use of exploratory factor analysis.

Results

The 24 items related to job resources favoured a six‐factor structure, accounting for 63% of the variance, Cronbach's alpha 0.88. The 22 items related to job demands favoured a six‐factor structure, accounting for 59% of the variance, Cronbach's alpha 0.84.
Deep eutectic solvent as a green solvent for enhanced extraction of narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin from Aurantii Fructus
Authors: Liu Yongjing , Zhang Hua , Yu Hongmin , Guo Suhua , Chen Dawei
Published: November 2018

Introduction

In the present study, a green and efficient extraction method using deep eutectic solvents as extraction solvent was developed for extracting the four major active compounds narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin from Aurantii Fructus.

Methodology

A series of tunable deep eutectic solvents were prepared and investigated by mixing choline chloride or betaine to different hydrogen‐bond donors, and betaine/ethanediol was found to be the most suitable extraction solvent. To achieve the best extraction yield, the primary factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as hydrogen‐bond acceptor/hydrogen‐bond donor ratio, water content in deep eutectic solvents, extraction temperature, solid/liquid ratio and extraction time, were investigated.

Results

The optimal extraction conditions were 40% of water in betaine/ethanediol (1:4) at 60°C for heated extraction of 30 min and solid/liquid ratio 1:100 g/mL. Under the optimum extraction condition, the extraction yields of narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin were 8.39 ± 0.61, 83.98 ± 1.92, 3.03 ± 0.35 and 35.94 ± 0.63 mg/g, respectively, which were much higher than those of methanol as extraction solvent (5.5 ± 0.48, 64.23 ± 1.51, 2.16 ± 0.15 and 30.14 ± 0.62 mg/g).

Conclusion

The present results showed that deep eutectic solvents could be promising green and efficient solvents for extraction of the bioactive ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine.
The role of loops B and C in determining the potentiation of GABAA receptors by midazolam
Authors: Moody Olivia A. , Jenkins Andrew
Published: November 2018

Many benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABAA receptors that cause sedation, hypnosis, and anxiolysis. Benzodiazepines bind GABAA receptors at the extracellular interface of the α and γ subunits. Within the α subunit, the benzodiazepine binding site is defined by three highly conserved structural loops, loops A‐C. Although previous mutagenesis studies have identified His102 in Loop A as important for benzodiazepine modulation of GABAA receptors, the functional roles of many of the other conserved residues in loops A‐C remain incompletely understood. In this study, we made single mutations in loops A‐C of the benzodiazepine binding‐site across all six α subunits. We used whole‐cell patch clamp recording to measure the functional effects of these mutations on midazolam potentiation. The results showed that mutating the threonine in loop B and serine in loop C (Thr163 and S206 in human α1) did not abolish the receptors’ responsiveness to midazolam, as the α1(H102R) mutation did. The loop C mutations exhibited a novel array of α‐isoform specific effects on midazolam potentiation. The α3(S230I) and α5(S209I) mutations had the largest effect on midazolam potentiation, increasing the efficacy of midazolam. Novel benzodiazepines targeting loop C may represent a future direction for designing new drugs that specifically alter the activity of α3‐ and α5‐containing GABAA receptors.
Unit reliability and integrity process development and implementation
Authors: Hanning David
Published: November 2018

A little over 10 years ago, Chevron developed and implemented an Asset Reliability Process with the goal of improving the reliability of our facilities, with a strong focus on improving the availability of our facilities. This was known as URIP or our Unit Reliability Improvement Process. The building blocks of this process include subprocedures for:

Design for reliability

Reliability opportunity identification and resolution

Risk assessment and asset strategy

Surveillance and condition monitoring

Proactive maintenance

Maintenance and failure prevention

While we were successful in improving the availability of our facilities with the implementation of URIP, we continued to experience incidents and unplanned downtime associated with the integrity of our assets. As a result, we identified the need to revise our process to place a greater focus on asset integrity. This presentation describes the development and implementation of our revised reliability process, which we have renamed as our Unit Reliability and Integrity Process. The resulting asset care program still includes the subprocedures listed above, with the incorporation of asset integrity requirements. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12018, 2019
His‐Tag‐Epitope Imprinted Thermoresponsive Magnetic Nanoparticles for Recognition and Separation Thyroid Peroxidase Antigens from Whole Blood Samples
Authors: Turan Eylem
Published: November 2018

In the epitope imprinting method, a short peptide, even without a defined tertiary structure, can be used as the template to produce protein‐selective polymers. In this study, His‐tag‐epitope imprinted magnetic nanoparticles (EMIP‐MNPs) were prepared via epitope imprinting method onto the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles for specific recognition and separation of thyroid peroxidase antigens (TPO). 3‐(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPM), copper (II) acrylate (Cu(II)Ac) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were chosen as functional monomers. Ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2’‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were selected as crosslinking agent and initiator, respectively. The EMIP‐MNPs were prepared within 30 min by epitope imprinting method which was shorter than the surface imprinting method. The prepared EMIP‐MNPs were thermosensitive and showed selective affinity to target TPO antigens. Moreover, the EMIP‐MNPs were easily and quickly recognized and separated to target antigens from the whole blood sample.
Gold Nanoclusters Enhanced Photocatalytic Property of Bismuth Oxychloride
Authors: Chen Rui , Wang Lili , Yan Yan , Lu Xin , Wang Xin , Yang Qiang
Published: November 2018

This paper have synthesized bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanoplate (BNS) by hydrothermal method and fabricated BiOCl‐gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) heterostucture nanomaterials (BANC) through electrostatic interaction. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations indicate Au NCs successfully modified on BNS. The small energy gap makes Au NCs suitable for absorbing sunlight, while staggered energy bands between Au NCs and BiOCl could effectively separate electrons and holes, resulting in enhanced photocatlytic performance. Actually, under simulated sunlight irradiation, BANC could completely degrade rhodamine B within 30 minutes. In addition to this, the photostability test showed that the structure of BNAC did not changed after irradiation.
Progress on the Photocatalytic Reduction Removal of Chromium Contamination
Authors: Zhao Zengying , An He , Lin Jing , Feng Mingchao , Murugadoss Vignesh , Ding Tao , Liu Hu , Shao Qian , Mai Xianmin , Wang Ning , Gu Hongbo , Angaiah Subramania , Guo Zhanhu
Published: November 2018

Rapid industrialization leads to increased wastewater discharge encompassing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), which leads to serious environmental problems of toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Removal of these species is normally carried out by ion‐exchange, precipitation, membrane filtration, sorption, photocatalytic reduction, etc. This review mainly focuses on the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of Cr (VI), because of their advantages over other methods such as reduced risk of secondary pollution by non‐reduced Cr (VI), no sludge formation, no need for a large amount of chemical reagents, clean and easy installation. The main factors influencing the photocatalytic reduction efficiency of Cr (VI) such as catalyst activity, solution pH, Cr adsorption on the catalyst and additives, are briefly discussed. Finally, a special emphasis is provided to the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction of Cr (VI).
Edge dynamics from the path integral — Maxwell and Yang-Mills
Authors: Blommaert Andreas , Mertens Thomas G. , Verschelde Henri
Published: November 2018

Abstract

We derive an action describing edge dynamics on interfaces for gauge theories (Maxwell and Yang-Mills) using the path integral. The canonical structure of the edge theory is deduced and the thermal partition function calculated. We test the edge action in several applications. For Maxwell in Rindler space, we recover earlier results, now embedded in a dynamical canonical framework. A second application is 2d Yang-Mills theory where the edge action becomes just the particle-on-a-group action. Correlators of boundary-anchored Wilson lines in 2d Yang-Mills are matched with, and identified as correlators of bilocal operators in the particle-on-a-group edge model.
Split fermionic WIMPs evade direct detection
Authors: Ghorbani Karim
Published: November 2018

Abstract

We consider a model with two gauge singlet fermionic WIMPs communicating with the SM particles by a singlet scalar mediator via a Higgs portal. While the light WIMP is stable and plays the role of the dark matter (DM) candidate, the heavy partner is a short-lived WIMP without contribution to the current DM relic density. Along with the coannihilation effects the heavy WIMP, acting as a mediator in t- and u-channel DM annihilation cross sections, has a significant effect in finding the viable parameter space against the direct detection constraints provided by XENON1t and LUX experiments. This is an extension to the minimal singlet fermionic DM model whose entire parameter space (except a resonance region) excluded by the latest direct detection experiments. It is found out that there are viable regions in the parameter space which evade direct detection upper bounds and respect the observed DM relic density by WMAP/Planck. We also found that the Fermi-LAT upper limits on the DM annihilation cross section into

$$ b\overline{b} $$

b

b
¯

can exclude small regions of the viable parameter space which elude direct detection experiments. This model exemplifies a case within the WIMP paradigm whose DM candidate can escape direct detection experiments nontrivially. Such models are interesting to be studied in collider experiments like the LHC.
Bariatric Surgery Versus Lifestyle Intervention in Class I Obesity: 7–10‐Year Results of a Retrospective Study
Authors: Vitiello Antonio , Angrisani Luigi , Santonicola Antonella , Iovino Paola , Pilone Vincenzo , Forestieri Pietro
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO) have both stated that bariatric surgery (BS) should not be denied in Class I patients. However, lifestyle intervention (LI), such as diet plus gym programs, is still considered the preferred approach for subjects with a BMI ranging from 30 to 35 kg/m2. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare results of LI and BS in patients in Class I obesity.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospective maintained databases of two centers for the “Interdisciplinary Treatment of Obesity” was performed. All patients in Class I obesity and follow‐up >7 years were included in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: BS group that included patients who had undergone surgery and LI group that included patients who underwent lifestyle intervention (LI). Percentage of excess body mass index loss (%EBMIL) and comorbidities remission were recorded.

Results

Seventy‐six patients were included in the study. Fifty‐six subjects were submitted to surgery (BS group); 20 subjects were treated with nonsurgical approach (LI group). In BS group, 34 underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, 13 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and 9 laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. EWL% resulted significantly higher in BS group at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is more effective than LI for patients in Class I obesity. Due to its versatility, low‐risk profile and high‐effectiveness LSG could be the standard intervention for these patients.
Negotiating Intelligence, Nerdiness, and Status in Physics Master’s studies
Authors: Johansson Anders
Published: November 2018

Motivated by widespread concerns for representation and equity in physics education, this study investigates negotiations of identity positions of master’s students in physics. The goal is to explore how sociocultural features of physics can structure the possibilities for becoming a physicist. Interviews with international master’s students in physics were analyzed focusing on perceived norms about physics and how students responded to and negotiated these in crafting a position as competent physicists-to-be. The results show how physics master’s students from varying backgrounds have to negotiate stereotypes of intelligence and nerdiness, as well as an implicit ranking of physics specializations. The stereotype that physicists are intelligent and nerdy is further complicated in physics studies, as some specializations—the more pure and theoretical—are viewed as more intellectually demanding and are in this way accorded a higher status. Students on these specializations are simultaneously seen as more intelligent and more nerdy, while a perception that students who choose other subjects do this just because they are notgood enoughto do theoretical physics is perpetuated. These notions become significant in relation to western society’s high regard of authentic intelligence and idolization of geniuses, ideas that can serve as powerful ideals in physics. This study gives novel insight about how well-known norms and stereotypes about physics come to matter in physics master’s students’ negotiations to become recognized as competent physicists.
A Fragmented Training Environment: Discourse Models in the Talk of Physics Teacher Educators
Authors: Larsson Johanna , Airey John , Danielsson Anna T. , Lundqvist Eva
Published: November 2018

This article reports the results of an empirical study exploring the discourses of physics teacher educators. We ask how the expressed understandings of a physics teacher education programme in the talk of teacher educators potentially support the identity construction of new teachers. Nine teacher educators from different sections of a physics teacher programme in Sweden were interviewed. The concept of discourse models was used to operationalise how the discourses of the teacher education programme potentially enable the performance of different physics teacher identities. The analysis resulted in the construction of four discourse models that could be seen to be both enabling and limiting the kinds of identity performances trainee physics teachers can enact. Knowledge of the models thus potentially empowers trainee physics teachers to understand the different goals of their educational programme and from there make informed choices about their own particular approach to becoming a professional physics teacher. We also suggest that for teacher educators, knowledge of the discourse models could facilitate making conscious, informed decisions about their own teaching practice.
Maternal folic acid deficiency stimulates neural cell apoptosis via miR‐34a associated with Bcl‐2 in the rat foetal brain
Authors: Li Wen , Li Zhenshu , Zhou Dezheng , Zhang Xumei , Yan Jing , Huang Guowei
Published: November 2018

Embryonic development is a critical period wherein brain neurons are generated and organized. Maternal dietary folate, a cofactor in one‐carbon metabolism, modulates neurogenesis and apoptosis in foetal brain neurons. We hypothesized that aberrant neuronal apoptosis may affect the development of the central nervous system during maternal folic acid deficiency, with evident effects because maternal folic acid deficiency modulates the microRNA‐34a associated with Bcl‐2 pathway during embryonic development. Four‐week‐old female Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided randomly into two groups (10 rats per group): a folate‐deficient diet group and a folate‐normal diet group. The diets were administered to the rats 60 d before mating, which was continued for the pregnant dams until parturition. Maternal folic acid deficiency increased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and the cortex in the offspring. Furthermore, maternal folic acid deficiency increased the ratio of cleaved caspase‐3/caspase‐3, followed by an increase in caspase‐3 activity. Moreover, maternal folic acid deficiency downregulated Bcl‐2 and upregulated Bax, and this effect associate with maternal folic acid deficient increases expression of microRNA‐34a. Together, the present results indicate that maternal folic acid deficiency stimulates neuronal apoptosis via microRNA‐34a associated with Bcl‐2 signalling in rat offspring.
Complications of Genital Enlargement Surgery
Authors: Furr James , Hebert Kristi , Wisenbaugh Eric , Gelman Joel
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The objective of genital enlargement surgery is to increase length and/or girth for cosmetic reasons; however, newer techniques have been recently reported to be associated with only minor complications in a small percentage of patients.

Aim

We aim to report the severe complications of penile augmentation surgery seen at a referral center and describe their subsequent management.

Methods

Institutional review board approval was obtained. We reviewed our prospectively collected database for all patients who presented with complications of genital enlargement surgery from 2002–2016.

Main Outcome Measure

Interventions following complications of genital enlargement surgery.

Results

11 Patients were identified. Mean age was 47 (21–77) years. Prior procedures included subcutaneous injection of silicone outside a medical setting, girth enhancement procedures involving the subcutaneous placement or injection of substances including fat, other substances, or subcutaneous silicone implants. All patients who underwent subcutaneous penile implant underwent removal prior to presentation. Adverse changes included sexually disabling penile deformity and severe shortening, curvature, edema, subcutaneous masses, infection, non-healing wounds, and sexual dysfunction. 10 patients underwent corrective surgery, with 2 requiring multiple procedures and 3 requiring split-thickness skin grafting. All 10 patients had an improved cosmetic appearance and those who had disabling shortening had significantly improved functional length.

Clinical Implications

Report of such adverse events should assist in appropriate perioperative counseling prior to genital enhancement surgery.

Strength & Limitations

Few reports of debilitating complications of penile enlargement exist in literature. However, without knowing the overall number of procedures performed, the true complication incidence is not known.

Conclusion

Penile and scrotal enhancement surgery can be associated with major disabling complications, leading to deformity and functional compromise in men with prior normal anatomy and function. Patients should be aware of these risks.
PERFORMING MIRACLES: THENATALICIAOF PAULINUS OF NOLA AS POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT
Authors: Fielding Ian
Published: November 2018

Paulinus of Nola might not be very widely read today, even among professional classicists, but he remains the most popular Latin poet in his adopted hometown. At the Christian basilica complex in Cimitile, near Nola, where Paulinus founded a community for ascetic devotees of the cult of St. Felix in the late fourth century, his poetry is still recited publicly on a number of festive days each year. On a recent visit to Cimitile, I found myself in the audience at one of thesenarrazioni, which had been organized as a prelude to the Festa dei Gigli, held annually in Paulinus’ honor on June 22. For a group of local residents, gathered around the tomb of Felix in thebasilica uetus, an actor read passages from an Italian translation of Paulinus’carmina, which were then subjected to theological exposition by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Nola. Even now, therefore, Paulinus’ poems, with their straightforward diction and everyday subject matter, are seen as an appropriate vehicle for inspiring religious devotion in the lay community. It is not difficult to imagine a similar scene at Cimitile when Paulinus himself was leading the festivities, 1600 years ago. Still, this modern recitation raises questions about how theNatalicia—that is, the series of poems he composed for Felix's feast day each January 14—were performed in their original context. Presumably, Paulinus would have delivered theNataliciaon his own, without the assistance of actors—but would he have recited all 858 verses ofNatalicium13 (for example), or would he only have presented excerpts? Would the readings have been supplemented by any commentary—theological, or even literary?
Engaging new Antarctic learners and ambassadors through flexible learning, open education and immersive video lectures
Authors: Priestley Rebecca , Dohaney Jacqueline , Atkins Cliff , Salmon Rhian , Robinson Kealagh
Published: November 2018

In April 2017, Victoria University of Wellington launched ICE101X—Antarctica: From Geology to Human History—on the global edX platform. This Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC, attracted 5735 learners from around the world, who engaged with content about Antarctic science, history, geology, and culture, primarily through video lectures filmed in Antarctica. Analysis of feedback from learners in three iterations of the course, offered between 2015 and 2017 and culminating in ICE101X, revealed that learners enjoyed the immersive Antarctic field lectures and learning through a diverse set of disciplinary lenses, had some preconceptions about Antarctica that were challenged by the course content, and completed the course with a new sense of interest in and protection of Antarctica.
The processing of dialectal variants: Further insight from French
Authors: DUFOUR SOPHIE , CHUANG YU-YING , NGUYEN NOËL
Published: November 2018

In two semantic priming experiments, this study examined how southern French speakers process the standard French [o] variant in closed syllables in comparison to their own variant [ɔ]. In Experiment 1, southern French speakers showed facilitation in the processing of the associated target word VIOLET whether the word prime mauve was pronounced by a standard French speaker ([mov]) or a southern French speaker ([mɔv]). More importantly, Experiment 1 has also revealed that words of type mauve, which are subject to dialectal variation, behave exactly in the same way as words of type gomme, which are pronounced with [ɔ] by both southern and standard French speakers, and for which we also found no modulation in the magnitude of the priming effect as a function of the dialect of the speaker. Experiment 2 replicated the priming effect found with the standard French variant [mov], and failed to show a priming effect with nonwords such as [mœv] that also differ from the southern French variant [mɔv] by only one phonetic feature. Our study thus provides further evidence for efficient processing of dialectal variants during spoken word recognition, even if these variants are not part of the speaker’s own productions.
What do we do now? Examining civilian masculinity/ies in contemporary liberal civil-military relations
Authors: Millar Katharine M.
Published: November 2018

In contemporary Western, liberal democratic societies, the soldier is frequently regarded as ‘the best of us’, taking on the unlimited liability for the protection and betterment of the whole. In the context of volunteer militaries and distant conflicts, the construction of men (and the universalised masculine citizen) as ‘always-already’ soldiers (or potential soldiers) poses a substantial obstacle to the identification or performance of ‘good’ civilian masculinity – particularly during wartime. The theorisation and articulation of a positive, substantive civilian masculinity, or masculinities, rather than one defined simply by an absence of military service and implication in the collective use of violence, is a central challenge of contemporary politics. As a means of illuminating the complex dynamics of this challenge, this article examines charitable practices of civilian support for the military, and corresponding constructions of masculinity, in the UK during the ‘war on terror’. In doing so, the article demonstrates the ways in which gendered ‘civilian anxiety’, through its connection to citizenship, comes to condition the political possibilities and subjectivities of all those who seek belonging in the liberal political community. The article concludes by arguing for the essentiality of a research programme oriented around ‘civilianness’, and civilian masculinity/ies.
The invocation of the right to self-defence in response to armed attacks conducted by armed groups: Implications for attribution
Authors: de Wet Erika
Published: November 2018

The right to self-defence in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter is increasingly being invoked in response to armed attacks conducted by armed groups located in a territory of another state, with or without the (direct) assistance of such a state. This article examines the implications of the invocation of the right to self-defence under these circumstances for the principles of attribution within thejus ad bellumparadigm. First, it illuminates how the threshold requirements for indirect armed attacks (that is, the state acting through a private actor) have been lowered since the 1986Nicaraguadecision of the International Court of Justice. In so doing, the article suggests that in order to prevent a complete erosion of the benchmarks of an indirect armed attack, the notions of ‘substantial involvement’ in an armed attack, ‘harbouring’, and ‘unwillingness’ should be interpreted as manifestations of due diligence. Thereafter, the article illustrates that there is also an increasing attribution of armed attacks directly to non-state actors, notably those located in areas over which territorial states have lost control. Such states could be depicted as being ‘unable’ to counter the activities of non-state actors. The article further submits that particularly in these instances, the principle of necessity within the self-defence paradigm can play an important role in curbing the potential for abuse inherent in the vague notion of ‘inability’, if interpreted in light of Article 25 of the Articles on State Responsibility for Internationally Wrongful Acts.
Large data limit for a phase transition model with thep-Laplacian on point clouds
Authors: CRISTOFERI R. , THORPE M.
Published: November 2018

The consistency of a non-local anisotropic Ginzburg–Landau type functional for data classification and clustering is studied. The Ginzburg–Landau objective functional combines a double well potential, that favours indicator valued functions, and thep-Laplacian, that enforces regularity. Under appropriate scaling between the two terms, minimisers exhibit a phase transition on the order ofɛ=ɛn, wherenis the number of data points. We study the large data asymptotics, i.e. as n → ∝, in the regime whereɛn→ 0. The mathematical tool used to address this question is Γ-convergence. It is proved that the discrete model converges to a weighted anisotropic perimeter.
LEARNING AND THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING MULTIPLIER – ERRATUM
Authors: Quaghebeur Ewoud
Published: November 2018

Table 4 of this article was incorrectly published with subheadings in Table 4 missing. The publisher regrets this error and the correct version of Table 4 is presented here.
Table 4.

Present-value multipliers for different specifications of fiscal policy in the new Keynesian model with rational expectations and with adaptive learning

Rational expectationsAdaptive learningImpact1 year4 years6 yearsImpact1 year4 years6 yearsStrategy 1: Lump-sum financing (baseline model)$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta Y} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$0.510.500.460.431.011.000.990.97$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta C} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.29−0.30−0.34−0.370.090.090.070.06$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta I} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.20−0.20−0.20−0.20−0.08−0.08−0.09−0.09Strategy 2: Capital tax financing$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta Y} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$0.320.290.120.020.430.380.200.08$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta C} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.23−0.26−0.40−0.48−0.08−0.12−0.27−0.37$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta I} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.68−0.69−0.70−0.71−0.80−0.80−0.81−0.82Strategy 3: Labor tax financing$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta Y} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.64−0.68−0.85−0.950.480.470.430.40$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta C} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−1.07−1.10−1.24−1.33−0.37−0.38−0.41−0.43$\frac{{PV\left( {\Delta I} \right)}}{{PV\left( {\Delta G} \right)}}\$−0.71−0.71−0.73−0.74−0.17−0.18−0.18−0.18

Note: See main text for a description of the different financing strategies.
Bereavement risk assessment of family caregivers of patients with cancer: Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool
Authors: Uchida Tomohiro , Satake Noriaki , Nakaho Toshimichi , Inoue Akira , Saito Hidemitsu
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT) seems to be useful in identifying those who are likely to suffer from the more severe consequences of bereavement. To date, however, only a few studies have examined bereavement risk using the BRAT. This study investigated bereavement risk in family caregivers of patients with cancer using the Japanese version of the Bereavement Risk Assessment Tool (BRAT-J). We also investigated the relationship of bereavement risk with psychological distress and resilience among caregivers to determine the validity of the BRAT-J.

Methods

We conducted family psychoeducation in the palliative care unit of Tohoku University Hospital with participants who were recruited in this study. Among the participants, 50 family caregivers provided their written informed consent and were included in this study. Participants were assessed using the BRAT-J and completed the Japanese version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Tachikawa Resilience Scale (TRS).

Results

According to the BRAT-J, five individuals (10%) were in the high category of bereavement risk (level 4 or 5). We also found that family caregivers of patients experienced many different pressures, such as facing the unknown; their own work; and insufficient financial, practical, or physical resources. These issues are associated with various mental problems. Additionally, the level of bereavement risk was significantly correlated with K6 scores (ρ = 0.30, p = 0.032), and the TRS score (ρ = –0.44, p = 0.001). These correlations confirmed previous findings and that the BRAT-J can be an efficient screening tool for the bereavement risk of family caregivers of patients with cancer.

Significance of results

It appears that the BRAT-J is useful in predicting the likelihood of difficulties or complications in bereavement for family caregivers and could help to provide support with these issues when needed.
Welcome to papers from the 4th International Meeting of Agora Paleobotanica – Preface
Authors: Cascales-Miñana Borja , Prestianni Cyrille , Gerrienne Philippe
Published: November 2018

On 7–9 July 2016, the palaeontological association Agora Paleobotanica organised its fourth international meeting. It took place at the National History Museum of Brussels and was attended by 45 delegates. This special volume of the Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh compiles key papers presented at this meeting. The topics covered include a wide variety of Devonian to Miocene plant taxa, with exciting new data on both mega- and microfossils.
Models of shareholder democracy: A transnational approach
Authors: SINGER ABRAHAM , RON AMIT
Published: November 2018

Existing discussions about shareholder control work with a state-centric and Westphalian conception of democracy. Therefore, they see the corporation as a state-analogue: shareholders (citizens) elect a board (legislature) charged with the responsibility to ensure that the executive follows their ‘collective interest’. We claim that state-centric models of democracy are not apt for an environment of corporate governance characterised by complex interdependence, porous boundaries, and criss-crossing relations of weak allegiances. Instead, we suggest that recent theories of transnational democracy provide us with better models for thinking about ‘popular’ control in such an environment. We look at shareholder democracy not as a system where a single body representing a ‘demos’ tries to control a single executive; instead, we view shareholders as constituting multipledêmoiwhich must coordinate and collaborate to control multiple corporate executives. We emphasise deliberation and communicative power as a central mechanism for thesedêmoiof shareholders to effectuate control.
Outlawry but with teeth: The problem of enforcing peace through international institutions
Authors: PALCHETTI PAOLO
Published: November 2018

If the main merit of The Internationalists is to shed light, in a powerful and convincing way, on the transformative power of rules, the role of institutions – and in particular of the United Nations and its collective security system centred around the activity of the Security Council – does not come out of the book as clearly as it might. It is submitted that the decision to concentrate upon the rule – the prohibition to use force – while limiting the attention paid to the institution – the United Nations and its collective security system – is not without consequence, particularly given the strict link existing, in the common perception, between the rule and the institution. This brief comment will focus on certain ambivalences emerging from the book about the contribution of the United Nations, as a peace-enforcing organisation, to fostering the emergence of a New World Order, as well as its continuing relevance for preserving the effectiveness of the principle on non-use of force.
Point-of-Care-Ultraschall: Lehren und Lernen in Ifakara, Tansania
Authors: Neugebauer Felix , Tuma Jan , Serra Andreas L. , Stieger Roland , Rohacek Martin
Published: November 2018

Zusammenfassung. Vorgestellt werden zwei Praxisfälle aus dem Point-of-Care-Ultraschallkurs in Ifakara, Tansania. Der erste Fall zeigt die sonografischen Befunde einer disseminierten Tuberkulose mit Befunden in der Lunge, im Herz, in den abdominalen Lymphknoten und der Milz. Im zweiten Fall Nachweis einer enterobiliären Fistel durch die sonografische Live-Darstellung von Luft, die vom Darm in die Gallenblase übertritt und eine nicht-iatrogene Aerobilie verursacht.
O’Bannon, Posner, and Solomatova Receive 2018 Mineral and Rock Physics Graduate Research Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: November 2018

Earl O’Bannon, Esther Posner, and Natalia Solomatova will receive the 2018 Mineral and Rock Physics Graduate Research Award at AGU’s Fall Meeting 2018, to be held 10–14 December in Washington, D. C. This award is given annually to one or more promising young scientists for outstanding contributions achieved during their Ph.D. research.
Intermodel Differences in Upwelling in the Tropical Tropopause Layer Among CMIP5 Models
Authors: Yoshida K. , Mizuta R. , Arakawa O.
Published: November 2018

The climatology of upwelling in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) in current climate simulations and in future climate projections is examined using models participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). Large intermodel differences in upwelling in the TTL appear in the current climate simulations. Model composite analysis and upwelling diagnosis based on the zonal momentum budget indicate that the intermodel differences in upwelling are controlled by meridional eddy momentum fluxes associated with tropical planetary waves and midlatitude synoptic waves. Future climate simulations indicate that upwelling changes in the TTL are significantly correlated with the upwelling in current climate simulations. Models with strong (weak) TTL upwelling in the current climate simulations tend to project strong (weak) upwelling enhancement in the future climate. The intermodel differences in the upwelling change arise from the same dynamical factors as the current climate cases. The contribution of sea surface temperature (SST) to the intermodel upwelling differences is examined by SST‐prescribed simulations in CMIP5. The contribution of intermodel SST differences to the upwelling is smaller than that of intrinsic atmospheric intermodel differences. The significant correlation of the tropical upwelling between the current climate simulations and the future changes appears to be independent of the target latitude range.
Multicenter validation of the flow measurement of classical monocyte fraction for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia diagnosis
Authors: Tarfi Sihem , Harrivel Véronique , Dumezy Florent , Guy Julien , Roussel Mikael , Mimoun Aguirre , Fenaux Pierre , Chapuis Nicolas , Solary Eric , Selimoglu-Buet Dorothée , Wagner-Ballon Orianne ,   on behalf of the Groupe Francophone des Myélodysplasies (GFM)
Published: November 2018

Peripheral blood monocytes include three subsets defined by CD14 and CD16 surface markers. An increase in the CD14++CD16− classical monocyte fraction ≥ 94% of the total monocytes was proposed to rapidly and efficiently distinguish chronic myelomonocytic leukemia from reactive monocytosis. The robustness of this assay required a multicenter validation. The flow cytometry assay designed to quantify peripheral blood monocyte subsets was implemented by multiple diagnosis laboratories in France. A nationwide survey was performed to evaluate its performance. All the 48 French laboratories answered the questionnaire, revealing that 63% use this assay routinely. Central blind reanalysis of 329 cytometry files collected from five laboratories demonstrated an excellent correlation in classical monocyte fraction measurement (r = 0.93; p < 0.0001). The cutoff value of 94% classical monocytes being the critical readout for diagnosis, we then compared 115 patients with classical monocytes ≥ 94% and 214 patients with a fraction < 94% between initial analysis and reanalysis. An agreement was obtained in 311 files. Finally, an overt diagnosis, available for 86 files, confirmed a good sensitivity (93.6%) and specificity (89.7%). This survey demonstrates the robustness of the flow assay with limited variability of classical monocyte percentage between centers, validates the 94% cutoff value, and confirms its sensitivity and specificity.
Inhibition of STAT5A promotes osteogenesis by DLX5 regulation
Authors: Lee Kyoung-Mi , Park Kwang Hwan , Hwang Ji Suk , Lee Moses , Yoon Dong Suk , Ryu Hyun Aae , Jung Ho Sun , Park Ki Won , Kim Jihyun , Park Sahng Wook , Kim Sung-Hwan , Chun Yong-Min , Choi Woo Jin , Lee Jin Woo
Published: November 2018

The regulation of osteogenesis is important for bone formation and fracture healing. Despite advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of osteogenesis, crucial modulators in this process are not well-characterized. Here we demonstrate that suppression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5A) activates distal-less homeobox 5 (DLX5) in human bone marrow-derived stromal cells (hBMSCs) and enhances osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo. We show that STAT5A negatively regulates expression ofDlx5in vitro and that STAT5A deletion results in increased trabecular and cortical bone mass and bone mineral density in mice. Additionally, STAT5A deletion prevents age-related bone loss. In a murine fracture model, STAT5A deletion was found to significantly enhance bone remodeling by stimulating the formation of a fracture callus. Our findings indicate that STAT5A inhibition enhances bone formation by promoting osteogenesis of BMSCs.
Evaluating metabarcoding to analyse diet composition of species foraging in anthropogenic landscapes using Ion Torrent and Illumina sequencing
Authors: Forin-Wiart Marie-Amélie , Poulle Marie-Lazarine , Piry Sylvain , Cosson Jean-François , Larose Claire , Galan Maxime
Published: November 2018

DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples is being successfully used to study the foraging niche of species. We assessed the ability of two benchtop high-throughput sequencing (HTS) platforms, to identify a large taxonomic array of food items from domestic cats Felis silvestris catus, including prey and human-related food taxa (pet food and leftovers leaving undetectable solid remains in faeces). Scats from a captive feeding trial (n = 41) and from free-ranging individuals (n = 326) were collected and analysed using a cytb mini-barcode in independent PCR replicates on the Ion PGM and the MiSeq platforms. Outputs from MiSeq were more sensitive and reproducible than those from Ion PGM due to a higher sequencing depth and sequence quality on MiSeq. DNA from intact prey taxa was detected more often (82% of the expected occurrences) than DNA from pet food (54%) and raw fish and meat (31%). We assumed that this variability was linked to different degree of DNA degradation: The Ion PGM detected significantly less human-linked food, birds, field voles, murids and shrews in the field-collected samples than the MiSeq platform. Pooling the replicates from both platforms and filtering the data allowed identification of at least one food item in 87.4% of the field-collected samples. Our DNA metabarcoding approach identified 29 prey taxa, of which 25 to species level (90% of items) including 9 rodents, 3 insectivores, 12 birds and 1 reptile and 33 human-related food taxa of which 23 were identified to genus level (75% of items). Our results demonstrate that using HTS platforms such as MiSeq, which provide reads of sufficiently high quantity and quality, with sufficient numbers of technical replicates, is a robust and non-invasive approach for further dietary studies on animals foraging on a wide range of food items in anthropogenic landscapes.