"Sacred Stones & Religious Nuts" Negotiating Ethnic Disputes Over Absolute Space

This study focuses on ethnopolitical secessionist conflicts where, for historic, symbolic or spiritual reasons, the disputed space cannot be divided into sub-units but still, because of a mutually hurting stalemate (the cost of continued violence exceeds the perceived cost of negotiation), cannot be resolved in any way other than through negotiations. The stakes in such conflicts are not just "indivisible," but have become "absolute" in the perception of the parties. Territorial "absolutes" cannot be exchanged for something else (like security), paid off (by compensation), or substituted (by territory elsewhere else). Parties in such disputes often have identical or extremely similar (but exclusive) interests concerning a territory that is so well defined that flexibility is impossible to introduce. Two of the most prominent examples of absolute territorial conflicts are Kosovo and Israel/Palestine. Sacredness is an integral part of territorial absolutes because the spiritual connection between the land and the identity of an ethnic group makes conflicts different from most conflicts of secession or independence. When two ethnic groups have interlocking histories in a land that at least one side perceives as absolute, the dispute goes beyond the normal notions of self-determination or sovereignty. Whereas in most violent conflict situations, parties eventually reach a point where it is clear that continuing the conflict incurs higher costs than what would be lost through negotiation, conflicts over territorial absolutes seem to never reach this point. This can partly be explained by the fact that violence sometimes is sustained at low levels, enabling actors to keep refurbishing a dispute for generations. However, the argument put forth in this paper is that for many actors whose connection with a disputed territory is "absolute," no cost, including death, is too high if compared to giving up any of the land to the enemy group. This study explores territorial "absolutes" conceptually in order to explain how absolute perceptions influence conflict management and negotiation

An investigation into the use of computational and in vitro methods for acute systemic toxicity prediction

We have assessed the abilities of five alternative (non-animal) approaches to predict acute oral toxicity, a toxicological endpoint relevant to multiple pieces of legislation on chemicals and consumer products. In particular, we have investigated four QSAR models (ToxSuite, TOPKAT, TEST and ADMET Predictor) and one in vitro method (3T3 NRU). Based on a test set of in vitro and in vivo data for 180 compounds, we have characterized the predictive performance of each method when used alone (both for LD50 prediction and acute toxicity classification into three categories), as well as multiple test combinations (batteries) and stepwise testing strategies (for acute toxicity classification into three categories). When used individually, the alternative methods showed an ability to predict LD50 with correlation coefficients in the range from 49% to 84%, and to classify into three toxicity groups with accuracies in the range from 41% to 72%. When the alternative methods were combined into batteries or testing strategies, the overall accuracy of prediction could reach 76%. We also illustrate how different combinations of methods can be used to optimize sensitivity or specificity.JRC.I.5-Systems Toxicolog

A modelling approach towards Epidermal homoeostasis control

In order to grasp the features arising from cellular discreteness and individuality, in large parts of cell tissue modelling agent-based models are favoured. The subclass of off-lattice models allows for a physical motivation of the intercellular interaction rules. We apply an improved version of a previously introduced off-lattice agent-based model to the steady-state flow equilibrium of skin. The dynamics of cells is determined by conservative and drag forces,supplemented with delta-correlated random forces. Cellular adjacency is detected by a weighted Delaunay triangulation. The cell cycle time of keratinocytes is controlled by a diffusible substance provided by the dermis. Its concentration is calculated from a diffusion equation with time-dependent boundary conditions and varying diffusion coefficients. The dynamics of a nutrient is also taken into account by a reaction-diffusion equation. It turns out that the analysed control mechanism suffices to explain several characteristics of epidermal homoeostasis formation. In addition, we examine the question of how {\em in silico} melanoma with decreased basal adhesion manage to persist within the steady-state flow-equilibrium of the skin.Interestingly, even for melanocyte cell cycle times being substantially shorter than for keratinocytes, tiny stochastic effects can lead to completely different outcomes. The results demonstrate that the understanding of initial states of tumour growth can profit significantly from the application of off-lattice agent-based models in computer simulations.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; version that is to appear in Journal of Theoretical Biolog

Hmong Adults Self-Rated Oral Health: A Pilot Study

Since 1975, the Hmong refugee population in the U.S. has increased over 200%. However, little is known about their dental needs or self-rated oral health (SROH). The study aims were to: (1) describe the SROH, self-rated general health (SRGH), and use of dental/physician services; and (2) identify the factors associated with SROH among Hmong adults. A cross-sectional study design with locating sampling methodology was used. Oral health questionnaire was administered to assess SROH and SRGH, past dental and physician visits, and language preference. One hundred twenty adults aged 18–50+ were recruited and 118 had useable information. Of these, 49% rated their oral health as poor/fair and 30% rated their general health as poor/fair. Thirty-nine percent reported that they did not have a regular source of dental care, 46% rated their access to dental care as poor/fair, 43% visited a dentist and 66% visited a physician within the past 12 months. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that access to dental care, past dental visits, age and SRGH were significantly associated with SROH (P \u3c 0.05). Multivariate analyses demonstrated a strong association between access to dental care and good/excellent SROH. About half of Hmong adults rated their oral health and access to dental care as poor. Dental insurance, access to dental care, past preventive dental/physician visits and SRGH were associated with SROH

Investigation of flow uniformity and pressure recovery in a turning diffuser by means of baffles

Turning diffuser is an engineering device that is widely used in the industry to reduce the flow velocity as well as change the direction of the flow. Having a curvature shape causes its performance to decrease in terms of pressure recovery (Cp) and flow uniformity (σu). Therefore, this study presents the work done in designing baffles to be installed in the turning diffuser with ratio of AR=2.16 to improve the flow uniformity and pressure recovery. It also aims to investigate the mechanism of flow structure and pressure recovery in turning diffusers by means of turning baffles. The results with varying inflow Reynolds number (Rein) between 5.786E+04 – 1.775E+05 have been experimentally tested and compared with previous study. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to determine the flow uniformity. On the other hand, a digital manometer provided the average static pressure of the inlet and outlet of turning diffuser. The best produced pressure recovery of Cp=0.526 were recorded when the system were operated at the highest Reynolds number tested Rein=1.775E+05. This result shows an improvement up to 54.625% deviation from previous study with Cp=0.239. The flow uniformity also shows an improvement of 47.127% deviation from previous study at the same Rein with σu=3.235 as compared to previous study σu=6.12

Mapping the glass ceiling — The EU regions where women thrive and where they are held back : monitoring EU regional gender equality with the female achievement and disadvantage indices

In some EU regions, women are able to flourish, while in others they languish behind. This paper presents two regional indices: the female achievement index and the female disadvantage index. They reveal in which regions women are achieving more and in which ones women are at a disadvantage compared to men. The two indices are based on 33 indicators grouped into seven domains. The paper shows that, on average, women in more developed regions are able to achieve more and are at less of a disadvantage, while most women in less developed regions face big challenges. Within countries, women in the capital region tend to achieve more and are at less of a disadvantage. In general, regions with a lower female achievement index have a lower GDP per head, while regions with a high female achievement have a higher level human development. Finally, quality of government is higher in regions where women achieve more.JRC.I.1 - Monitoring, Indicators & Impact Evaluatio

The JRC Statistical Audit of the 2018 European Skills Index (ESI)

Increased connectivity between nations, technological development, changes in work organisation and demographic trends have profound effects on the future of work and workplaces. Policies focusing on skills development and human capital are essential to turn these structural changes into an opportunity for all, by increasing productivity levels and quality of life in the EU. The Commission services have developed an EU tailor-made monitoring framework – the European Skills Index (ESI) – that measures the performance of a country’s skills system taking into account its multiple facets from continually developing the skills of the population to activating and effectively matching these skills to the needs of employers in the labour market. The European Skills Index builds on three pillars: skills development, skills activation and skills matching. These pillars are used to organise and aggregate 15 individual indicators into a single summary measure. This framework inevitably entails both conceptual and practical challenges. The statistical audit discussed in this note was conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, and it aims at maximising the reliability and transparency of the European Skills Index (1). It should enable policy analysts and researchers alike to draw more relevant, meaningful and useful conclusions on the national skills systems in the EU. (1) The JRC statistical audit is based on the recommendations of the OECD & JRC (2008) Handbook on Composite Indicators, and on more recent research from the JRC. Generally, JRC audits of composite indicators and scoreboards are conducted upon request of their developers, see https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/coin and https://composite-indicators.jrc.ec.europa.eu/JRC.I.1-Modelling, Indicators and Impact Evaluatio

Addressing capability failure in demand-led industrial transitions

Public policy is now confronted with the exceptional challenge of transforming our current production and consumption systems within timeframes defined by imperatives such as climate change mitigation. To this end, there are large potential policy gains from aligning, synchronising and/or sequencing demand-side policies for solution deployment with supply-side policies for production capability accumulation and diversification. For example, fiscal policies and regulations in support of solution deployment for the challenge of climate change with policies in support of innovation, investment and skills development. The present note outlines the conceptual basis for the development of a new System Dynamics model that aspires to quantify these policy gains. The model will be empirically calibrated and intended to capture the joint dynamics of solution deployment (demand) and production capability accumulation and diversification (supply) taking place over time horizons of one or more decades. This will serve as a basis to evaluate the approximate contributions of various policies over time. To facilitate model development, we demarcate an initial analytical space that combines high value for policy, theoretical soundness, sufficient data availability and well-established empirical regularities. The ambition is to offer a simulation environment that allows quick policy experimentation, learning and improvement, and can therefore facilitate the design of powerful packages of policies potentially spanning several policy areas and levels of governance.JRC.B.7 - Innovation Policies and Economic Impac

The JRC Statistical Audit of the Social Progress Index (SPI)

A spur of social progress is enabling people to fulfil their own potential and in doing so the capability of the society they are a part of. The Social Progress Index (SPI) is an international monitoring framework for measuring social progress without resorting to the use of economic indicators. It provides a basis to understand the relationship between economic and social progress and measures country performance on aspects of social and environmental performance. The Social Progress Index builds on three dimensions: Basic Human Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing and Opportunity. These dimensions establish the basis of the framework and are used to aggregate 51 social outcome indicators organized in 12 components into a single summary measure. The statistical audit discussed in this report was conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, and it aims at maximizing the reliability and transparency of the Social Progress Index. The audit focuses on the statistical coherence and the impact of key modelling assumptions used in the SPI framework. The statistical audit of the SPI should enable policy analysts and researchers alike to draw more relevant and well-targeted conclusions regarding inclusive growth strategies that benefit everyone at all levels of economic development.JRC.I.1-Modelling, Indicators and Impact Evaluatio