The loyalty trap : regime ethnic exclusion, commitment problems, and civil war duration in Syria and beyond

This article examines the impact of the ethnic exclusiveness of regimes on commitment problems and hence on civil conflict duration. It argues that members of privileged in-groups in highly exclusive regimes can be trapped into compliance with the regime. Ethnic exclusion helps to construct privileged-group members as regime loyalists. They therefore fear rebel reprisals even if they surrender or defect and consequently persist in fighting. The article finds in particular that, in ethnically exclusive regimes, privileged-group members mistrust even rebels who mobilize on a nonethnic agenda and regard rebel reassurances, including nonethnic aims, as suspect. Exclusion therefore induces privileged-group cohesion, an effect more resistant to rebel reassurances than previously recognized. A case study of the Syrian civil war shows this dynamic at a micro level, and a cross-national statistical analysis gives partial evidence that it lengthens civil conflicts on a larg`e scale

The African Independence Movement and United States Foreign Policy, 1945-1960

Throughout the Cold War, the United states and the soviet Union competed for the allegiance of the uncommitted areas of the world. Many of these areas, such as the newly emerging states of Africa sought independence from their colonial masters, some of whom were America\u27s major allies. Yet the United States advocated only a gradual transition to independence lest the new states fall prey to instability and communist penetration. This study examines the early cold war attempts of the Truman and Eisenhower Administrations to fashion a policy toward Africa which would please Europeans and Africans alike while preventing the growth of communist influence. The research is primarily based on public documents, such as the Public Papers of the Presidents, the Congressional Record, American Foreign Policy Documents, and the Department of state Bulletins

Impact of the Arts on Public Perception, Comprehension, and Retention of Scientific Research

Communicating research to broad audiences is a fundamental task for scientists. Art is hypothesized to be an effective medium for improving public perception of research, as well as student comprehension and retention of scientific discoveries. To test these hypotheses, we first created an interactive art exhibit with 20 original pieces aimed at communicating findings from two recently published papers. Next, to test whether art improves public perception of research, we asked visitors of the art show to fill out surveys about their perception of research before and after visiting the exhibit. Next, using content quizzes, we tested whether interacting with art allowed ecology students to better retain and comprehend scientific findings compared to reading scientific abstracts. Participation in the art exhibit caused a 20% improvement in perception of research for individuals with non-scientific backgrounds. However, participation in the art exhibit was less effective for participants with scientific backgrounds (10% improvement). Next, contrary to our hypothesis, participation in the art exhibit did not improve ecology student comprehension and retention of scientific material. In contrast, students scored the highest when reading abstracts. Collectively, this suggests that the use of art can facilitate scientific appreciation but is most influential with individuals with non-scientific backgrounds

The efficacy of ethnic stacking : military defection during uprisings in Africa

Does ethnic stacking in the armed forces help prevent military defection? Recent research, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, suggests so; by favoring in-groups, regimes can keep in-group soldiers loyal. In-group loyalty comes at the cost of antagonizing members of out-groups, but many regimes gladly run that risk. In this research note, we provide the first large-scale evidence on the impact of ethnic stacking on the incidence of military defection during uprisings from below, using data on fifty-seven popular uprisings in Africa since formal independence. We find clear evidence for the downside: ethnic stacking is associated with more frequent defection if out-group members are still dominant in the armed forces. We find more limited support for the hypothesized payoff. Ethnic stacking may reduce the risk of defection, but only in regimes without a recent history of coup attempts. Future research should therefore trace the solidification of ethnic stacking over time

Studies on the reprocessability of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Whilst demonstrating desirable mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and the ability to retain structural integrity over extended temperatures, PEEK (Poly (Ether Ether Ketone)) remains expensive, restricting broader usage. The reuse and recyclability characteristics of PEEK are therefore commercially important, where the most prevalent manufacturing process for PEEK is injection moulding. This study comments on the reprocessability of PEEK specifically applied to the injection moulding process, comparing the effect of repeated reuse on mechanical properties. Recycled PEEK retains its tensile properties through at least three moulding and regrinding cycles. XRD and DSC measurements confirmed that reused PEEK shows no degradation in crystallinity.The authors would like to thank Dave Baker for technical support and Rachel Trimble for comments on the manuscript. This work was part of a project co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) Collaborative Research and Development programme, following an open competition

Quantification of PLA Contamination in PET during Injection Moulding by In-line NIR Spectroscopy

PublishedArticleIn-line spectroscopy is a useful tool for monitoring processing conditions and polymer quality in the melt state in processes such as extrusion and injection moulding. This study extends the scope of this technique to the quantitative detection of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is a contaminant of concern in recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The near-infrared spectra of thermally treated PLA were studied for evidence of spectral changes which could be used as markers for PLA in PET, and these are discussed in detail. Several chemometric models for quantifying PLA in PET were developed and the influence of chemical or physical changes on the performance of the models is discussed. The selection of the final model was based on criteria aimed at eliminating interference due to spectral changes resulting from physical processes, to give a robust model based specifically on the chemistry of the polymers studied. Finally, the models were tested against a new test mixture of known composition and the outputs are discussed.This research was funded by Grant Agreement No. 285889 under the Seventh Framework Programme Theme SME-2011-2

Disloyalty and logics of fratricide in Civil War : executions of officers in republican Spain, 1936-19391

Violence within armed groups in civil wars is important and understudied. Linking literatures on civil war violence and military politics, this article asks when this fratricidal violence targets soldiers who try to defect, and when it does not. It uses a unique data set of executions of officers on the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War. The article finds that while much of the violence appeared to target those who actually tried to defect, many nondefectors were likely shot too, due most likely to a pervasive stereotype that officers in general were disloyal to the Republic. This stereotype was used as an information shortcut and was promoted by political actors. Accordingly, unlikely defectors were likelier to be shot in locations in which less information was available about loyalties and in which political forces that were suspicious of officers as a group were locally stronger

Preparation and thermal characterisation of poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites prepared from organoclays based on an amphoteric surfactant

New polymer-clay nano-composites composed of poly(lactic acid) and a novel organoclay based on cocamidopropylbetaine (CAB) and sodium montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared by solution casting and characterised by X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRDA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). A similar series of composites based on PLA and Cloisite 30B, a commercially available organoclay, were prepared for comparison. The thermal stability of the CAB-MMT organoclays decreased with increasing surfactant loading. Experimental organoclays with an organic content similar to that of the commercial organoclay were found to be of comparable thermal stability. XRDA analysis of the PLA-organoclay nano-composites showed that PLA intercalated the gallery space of both types of organoclay to similar extents and the increased spacing was confirmed by TEM. The thermal stabilities of the PLA-organoclay composites based on CAB-MMT were higher than those based on the commercial organoclay

Under the influence

Employees that report for duty under the influence often present a real problem to employers. The use of alcohol affects an employee’s sight, speech, coordination and reaction speed. Employees working with machinery or driving a vehicle, who are under the influence, hold a high risk to the employer, themselves and their colleagues. It is the employer’s responsibility to create a safe working environment for all employees and must therefore always act in accordance with the disciplinary code.http://www.agriconnect.co.za/dairy.htmlam2016Public La

Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from production lines of fresh and cold-smoked fish

Aims: The aims of this study were to characterize strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from cold-smoking fish plants to establish possible routes of contamination through the processing chain. Methods and Results: Listeria monocytogenes from fresh fish suppliers, raw materials, factory sites and finished products isolated in Portugal (162 isolates) and England (28 isolates) were characterized by serotyping, phage typing, tetracycline, cadmium and arsenic resistance, and plasmid profiling. On the basis of serotyping and phage typing, the isolates were categorized into eight groups. Although cultures within some of the groups could be further differentiated on the basis of plasmid profiling and cadmium and arsenite typing, consideration of all typing data predominantly clustered together isolates from a single location. L. monocytogenes strains: from fresh salmon suppliers were not found in the processing lines; from fresh salmon from different locations differed; and from the water where salmon trout were farmed differed from those isolated from the fish samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: No clear source or route of contamination in the cold-smoked processing chain could be established; however, these results highlight the complexity in tracking this bacterium through food chains