bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Intakes and Familial Correlates of Overweight/Obesity: A Four-Cities Study in India
Authors: Gulati Seema , Misra Anoop , Colles Susan L. , Kondal Dimple , Gupta Nidhi , Goel Kashish , Bansal Sunil , Mishra Mamatha , Madkaikar Vaishali , Bhardwaj Swati
Published: May 2013

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is increasing in India. However, knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of health and nutrition in mothers and children have not been researched. Objective: To assess knowledge of, attitude towards and practice of nutrition, physical activity and other lifestyle practices in a nationally representative sample of urban children and mothers in India. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 1,800 children aged 9-18 years and their mothers, using qualitative (focus group) and quantitative (semi-structured survey) data. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity among the children was 19.2% in males and 18.1% in females; 64.8% of mothers were either overweight [body mass index (BMI) 23.0-24.9; 23.3%] or obese (BMI >25.0; 41.5%). Household family income, related socioeconomic factors, and overweight in mothers were most significantly associated with obesity in children (all p ≤ 0.001). Dietary consumption patterns (snacking, fast food etc.) showed a marked association between mothers and children (all p ≤ 0.000). Focus group discussion revealed several interesting attitudes and misconceptions among children (‘home-cooked food is old fashioned') and mothers (‘a child with chubby cheeks is healthy, not fat'). Importantly, only a few mothers understood that excess weight or diets are contributory factors of morbidities in children or themselves. Conclusions: This study highlights the poor knowledge, faulty attitudes and practices of urban Asian Indian mothers and their children in a highly correlated manner. These knowledge gaps must be addressed to formulate effective strategies for the prevention of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Anaplastic Ganglioglioma in the Spinal Cord: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kuten Jonathan , Kaidar-Person Orit , Vlodavsky Eugene , Postovsky Sergey , Billan Salem , Kuten Abraham , Bortnyak-Abdah Roxolyana
Published: May 2013

Anaplastic ganglioglioma (AGG) is a rare tumor. A PubMed database search yielded only a few case reports and fewer case series. An even rarer entity is AGG arising in the spinal cord. We present a case of a pediatric patient with a pathological diagnosis of spinal AGG.
Human Papillomavirus 16-Positive Uterine Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Coinfection with Human Papillomavirus 34 Has a Lower Incidence in Lymph Node Metastasis than That without Coinfection with Human Papillomavirus 34
Authors: Michimata Rie , Watari Hidemichi , Tomaru Utano , Sakuragi Noriaki , Ishizu Akihiro
Published: May 2013

Our earlier study demonstrated high prevalence of multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients with invasive uterine cervical cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). HPV 16 is the most predominant genotype related to SCC of the uterine cervix. The aim of this study was to reveal the biological significance of multiple HPV infection concerning the tumor progression of invasive uterine cervical SCC. In the present study, the effects of coinfection with genotypes other than HPV 16 on tumor growth and lymph node metastasis of invasive uterine cervical SCC with HPV 16 infection were examined. Although coinfection with most genotypes did not influence tumor progression, the clinical stage of patients coinfected with HPV 16 and HPV 34 was significantly lower than that of those without HPV 34 coinfection (p = 0.0038). Moreover, no patient coinfected with HPV 16 and HPV 34 manifested lymph node metastasis, but about half of the patient population without HPV 34 coinfection did (p = 0.0299). These findings suggested that coinfection with HPV 34 could prevent the tumor progression of invasive uterine cervical SCC with HPV 16 infection.
Review of Recent Guidelines and Consensus Statements on Hereditary Angioedema Therapy with Focus on Self-Administration
Authors: Cicardi M. , Craig T.J. , Martinez-Saguer I. , Hébert J. , Longhurst H.J.
Published: May 2013

Consensus meetings and the resulting recommendations shape treatment choices in rare diseases such as hereditary angioedema (HAE) because they combine the experience of prescribing physicians and the patients who are receiving therapy. Self-administration of HAE therapy was recognised as a potential treatment option in the first consensus publication in 2003. Recent studies have confirmed that self-administration of therapy resolves attacks quickly, safely and minimises burden of disease; however, the discovery of inconsistent treatment approaches is a concern and warrants investigation into the barriers that prevent adherence with current recommendations.
Current Status of Implementation of Self-Administration Training in Various Regions of Europe, Canada and the USA in the Management of Hereditary Angioedema
Authors: Caballero T. , Sala-Cunill A. , Cancian M. , Craig T.J. , Neri S. , Keith P.K. , Boccon-Gibod I. , Bethune C. , Bork K.
Published: May 2013

Results from a 16-question survey about self-administration of hereditary angioedema (HAE) therapy, administered in Europe, Canada and the USA, were used to guide discussion at an international HAE expert meeting. The aim was to capture information about current practice in self-administered HAE therapy in these countries, including self-administration training, the key benefits of switching to self-administration, the barriers to self-administration and trends in self-administration. Overall, switching to self-administration therapy is looked upon favourably from both patient and clinician perspectives by virtue of the potential improvement in quality of life arising from optimisation of therapy and early intervention. The recent changes to product licences allowing self-administration provide additional options for the management of HAE.
Differences in high on-treatment platelet reactivity between intracoronary and peripheral blood after dual anti-platelet agents in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Wu Cheng-Hsueh , Lin Yenn-Jiang , Chang Shih-Lin , Lo Li-Wei , Tuan Ta-Chuan , Chao Tze-Fan , Chung Fa-Po , Liao Jo-Nan , Tzeng Cheng-Hwai , Hu Yu-Feng , Lu Tse-Min , Chen Shih-Ann , Tsao Hsuan-Ming
Published: May 2013

The differences of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) between the coronary arteries and peripheral veins might be associated with poor prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery diseases. HPR from the peripheral blood might not adequately reflect the platelet responses in the coronary artery. A total of 21 patients were recruited, and regional differences in HPR were compared between blood samples from the intra-coronary artery (IC), femoral artery (FA), and femoral vein (FV) by light aggregometry (agonists: arachidonic acid, LTA-AA; ADP, LTA-ADP), VerifyNow P2Y12 assays, and a platelet function analyser (PFA-100, collagen and epinephrine cartridge, PFA-CEPI). There were regional differences in the platelet reactivities observed by LTA-AA, VerifyNow P2Y12 assays, and PFACEPI. Platelets from the IC had higher platelet reactivities than those from the FV and FA by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assays but lower reactivities by LTA-AA and PFA-CEPI. HPR values from the blood in the FA were more similar to those from the IC than those from the FV by any test. The monocyte percentages were the only factors associated with differences in HPR between the FV and IC by the VerifyNow P2Y12 assays. Triglyceride levels were associated with the differences in HPR between the FV and IC by LTA-ADP. During the six-month follow-up period, two patients developed cardiovascular events and exhibited differences in HPR between different sites by VerifyNow P2Y12 assays. In conclusions, there were regional differences in HPR in patients with coronary artery diseases, which might prevent the adequate prediction of cardiovascular events.
Factors associated with diagnosis and operability of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Simonneau Gérald , Pepke-Zaba Joanna , Mayer Eckhard , Ambrož David , Blanco Isabel , Torbicki Adam , Mellemkjaer Sören , Yaici Azzedine , Delcroix Marion , Lang Irene
Published: May 2013

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH) share a similar clinical presentation, and a differential diagnosis requires a thorough workup. Once CTEPH is confirmed, patients who can be safely operated have to be identified. We investigated risk factors associated with CTEPH and IPAH, and the criteria for the selection of operable CTEPH patients. This case-control study included 436 consecutive patients with CTEPH and 158 with IPAH in eight European centres, between 2006 and 2010. Conditions identified as risk factors for CTEPH included history of acute venous thromboembolism (p < 0.0001), large size of previous pulmonary embolism (p = 0.0040 in univariate analysis), blood groups non-O (p < 0.0001 in univariate analysis), and older age (p = 0.0198), whereas diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0006), female gender (p = 0.0197) and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.0103) were associated with increased likelihood for an IPAH diagnosis. Operability of CTEPH patients was associated with younger age (p = 0.0108), proximal lesions (p ≤ 0.0001), and pulmonary vascular resistance below 1200 dyn.s.cm-5 (p = 0.0080). Non-operable CTEPH patients tended to be less differentiable from IPAH patients by risk factor analysis than operable patients. This study confirmed the association of CTEPH with history of acute venous thromboembolism and blood groups non-O, and identified diabetes mellitus and higher mean pulmonary artery pressure as factors suggesting an IPAH diagnosis. Non-operable CTEPH is more similar to IPAH than operable CTEPH regarding risk factors.
Multilocus Genetic Risk Scores for Coronary Heart Disease Prediction
Authors: Ganna Andrea , Magnusson Patrik K.E. , Pedersen Nancy L. , de Faire Ulf , Reilly Marie , Ärnlöv Johan , Sundström Johan , Hamsten Anders , Ingelsson Erik
Published: May 2013

Objective—

Current guidelines do not support the use of genetic profiles in risk assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, new single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with CHD and intermediate cardiovascular traits have recently been discovered. We aimed to compare several multilocus genetic risk score (MGRS) in terms of association with CHD and to evaluate clinical use.

Approach and Results—

We investigated 6 Swedish prospective cohort studies with 10 612 participants free of CHD at baseline. We developed 1 overall MGRS based on 395 single nucleotide polymorphisms reported as being associated with cardiovascular traits, 1 CHD-specific MGRS, including 46 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and 6 trait-specific MGRS for each established CHD risk factors. Both the overall and the CHD-specific MGRS were significantly associated with CHD risk (781 incident events; hazard ratios for fourth versus first quartile, 1.54 and 1.52;
P
<0.001) and improved risk classification beyond established risk factors (net reclassification improvement, 4.2% and 4.9%;
P
=0.006 and 0.017). Discrimination improvement was modest (C-index improvement, 0.004). A polygene MGRS performed worse than the CHD-specific MGRS. We estimate that 1 additional CHD event for every 318 people screened at intermediate risk could be saved by measuring the CHD-specific genetic score in addition to the established risk factors.

Conclusions—

Our results indicate that genetic information could be of some clinical value for prediction of CHD, although further studies are needed to address aspects, such as feasibility, ethics, and cost efficiency of genetic profiling in the primary prevention setting.
Two Isoforms of Sister-of-Mammalian Grainyhead Have Opposing Functions in Endothelial Cells and In Vivo
Authors: Haendeler Judith , Mlynek Arne , Büchner Nicole , Lukosz Margarete , Graf Martin , Guettler Christopher , Jakob Sascha , Farrokh Sabrina , Kunze Kerstin , Goy Christine , Guardiola-Serrano Francisca , Schaal Heiner , Cortese-Krott Miriam , Deenen René , Köhrer Karl , Winkler Christoph , Altschmied Joachim
Published: May 2013

Objective—

Sister-of-Mammalian Grainyhead (SOM) is a member of the Grainyhead family of transcription factors. In humans, 3 isoforms are derived from differential first exon usage and alternative splicing and differ only in their N terminal domain. SOM2, the only variant also present in mouse, induces endothelial cell migration and protects against apoptosis. The functions of the human specific isoforms SOM1 and SOM3 have not yet been investigated. Therefore we wanted to elucidate their functions in endothelial cells.

Approach and Results—

Overexpression of SOM1 in primary human endothelial cells induced migration, phosphorylation of Akt1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and protected against apoptosis, whereas SOM3 had opposite effects; isoform-specific knockdowns confirmed the disparate effects on apoptosis. After reporter assays demonstrated that both are active transcription factors, microarray analyses revealed that they induce different target genes, which could explain the different cellular effects. Overexpression of SOM3 in zebrafish embryos resulted in increased lethality and severe deformations, whereas SOM1 had no deleterious effect.

Conclusions—

Our data demonstrate that the splice variant–derived isoforms SOM1 and SOM3 induce opposing effects in primary human endothelial cells and in a whole animal model, most likely through the induction of different target genes.
Common Genetic Variants of
MGP
Are Associated With Calcification on the Arterial Wall but Not With Calcification Present in the Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Wang Yibo , Chen Jinxing , Zhang Yu , Yu Weifeng , Zhang Channa , Gong Ling , Shao Liying , Lu Jinguo , Gao Yang , Chen Xuannan , Chen Xi , Hui Rutai
Published: May 2013

Background—

Two endophenotypes of arterial calcification, calcification on arterial wall and calcification in atherosclerotic plaques, are associated with different types of cardiovascular events.
Mgp
-deficient mice showed matrix Gla protein (MGP) is strongly associated with calcification on arterial wall without atherosclerotic plaques, and
MGP
variants were not significantly associated with myocardial infarction. MGP may play different roles in the 2 endophenotypes.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed the associations of
MGP
variants rs4236, rs1800801, and rs1800802 with the 2 endophenotypes determined by multidetector computed tomography angiography. A total of 585 with calcification on coronary artery wall, 675 with calcification in coronary atherosclerotic plaques, 454 with calcification on aortic wall, and 725 controls were enrolled. After Bonferroni correction, rs4236 and rs1800801 were still associated with calcification on arterial wall, the odds ratios were 0.708 (95% confidence interval, 0.540–0.928) for rs4236 and 0.652 (95% confidence interval, 0.479–0.888) for rs1800801 in coronary artery wall calcification, and 0.699 (95% confidence interval, 0.525–0.931) for rs4236 and 0.650 (95% confidence interval, 0.467–0.905) for rs1800801 in aortic wall calcification, respectively. The variants were correlated with calcification severity by ln(CAC Agatston score+1) in coronary artery wall calcification but not in atherosclerotic plaque calcification. In accordance with their associations with calcification on arterial wall, rs4236C and rs1800801A were associated with higher MGP plasma levels, whereas rs1800802C was associated with lower MGP levels in normal controls. Because of the role of calcification in plaque vulnerability, their associations with acute myocardial infarction were also determined in 771 controls and 752 patients, no association was found.

Conclusions—

MGP genetic variants showed association with calcification on arterial wall but not with calcification in atherosclerotic plaques.
Physical Fitness and Risk for Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Berry Jarett D. , Pandey Ambarish , Gao Ang , Leonard David , Farzaneh-Far Ramin , Ayers Colby , DeFina Laura , Willis Benjamin
Published: May 2013

Background—

Multiple studies have demonstrated strong associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and lower cardiovascular disease mortality. In contrast, little is known about associations of fitness with nonfatal cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results—

Linking individual participant data from the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study with Medicare claims files, we studied 20 642 participants (21% women) with fitness measured at the mean age of 49 years and who survived to receive Medicare coverage from 1999 to 2009. Fitness was categorized into age- and sex-specific quintiles (Q) according to Balke protocol treadmill time with Q1 as low fitness. Fitness was also estimated in metabolic equivalents according to treadmill time. Associations between midlife fitness and hospitalizations for heart failure and acute myocardial infarction after the age of 65 years were assessed by applying a proportional hazards model to the multivariate failure time data. After 133 514 person-years of Medicare follow-up, we observed 1051 hospitalizations for heart failure and 832 hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction. Compared with high fitness (Q4–5), low fitness (Q1) was associated with a higher rate of heart failure hospitalization (14.3% versus 4.2%) and hospitalization for myocardial infarction (9.7% versus 4.5%). After multivariable adjustment for baseline age, blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking status, and total cholesterol, a 1 unit greater fitness level in metabolic equivalents achieved in midlife was associated with ≈20% lower risk for heart failure hospitalization after the age of 65 years (men: hazard ratio [95% confidence intervals], 0.79 [0.75–0.83];
P
<0.001 and women: 0.81 [0.68–0.96];
P
=0.01) but just a 10% lower risk for acute myocardial infarction in men (0.91 [0.87–0.95];
P
<0.001) and no association in women (0.97 [0.83–1.13];
P
=0.68).

Conclusions—

Fitness in healthy, middle-aged adults is more strongly associated with heart failure hospitalization than acute myocardial infarction outcomes decades later in older age.
Reflections of Experiences of the Icons
Authors: Lay Nge
Published: May 2013

This Provocation comes from a series of several large-scale photographic works documenting scars-visible and also hidden-on the Burmese female body. In this image there is a reflection, an embedded meaning that is personal to the artist. It is the body of her aging mother, who nearly died giving birth to her. Within the folds of her skin are the scars of this wound, this memory. Nge Lay wishes to focus on her mother's sacrifices and her country's struggle against military rule and colonialism-what both have endured-via this female aging body.
Notes from the Blackout
Authors: Ricks Omar , McNair Kimberly
Published: May 2013

The 2010 Blackout protest at UC Berkeley affords a moment of reflection on what, if anything, Black life means in the world today.
Black Politics but Not Black People: Rethinking the Social and “Racial” History of Early Minstrelsy
Authors: Jones Douglas A.
Published: May 2013

Although American blackface minstrelsy in its early period (1829–1843) esteemed the anti-authoritarian potentiality of black alterity, the form's performers and most influential public (the white working class of the urban northeast) spurned actual black people. In minstrelsy they fashioned “blackness,” a new “race” with which to distinguish themselves from socioeconomic elites as well as African Americans.
“I Long for My Home in Kentuck”: Christy's Minstrels in Mid-19th-Century Britain
Authors: Davis Tracy C.
Published: May 2013

Christy's Minstrels set a new standard for minstrel performance in mid-Victorian Britain. Yet reception was far from monolithic: the cultural affiliations of audiences led to important regional differences in reception, including room for racialist perspectives complicated by religion, nationalism, class, and antislavery convictions.
Blackface Behind Barbed Wire: Gender and Racial Triangulation in the Japanese American Internment Camps
Authors: Roxworthy Emily
Published: May 2013

In a dark footnote to a dark chapter in US history, Japanese Americans interned by their own government during World War II performed in blackface behind barbed wire. Exploring blackface performance in the camps raises questions regarding the potential resistance of racial impersonation and blackface's potential for triangulating race.
Is the painted frog Discoglossus pictus a declining species in Italy? On the reliability of a distributional atlas approach
Authors: Lillo Francesco , Lillo Francesco , Faraone Francesco Paolo , Lillo Francesco , Faraone Francesco Paolo , Lo Valvo Mario
Published: May 2013

The conservation status of amphibians is often assessed using public databases because of a lack of up-to-date field data. However, it is crucial that this kind of data is used carefully, evaluating the reliability and the consistency of the information. In Italy, the conservation status of the painted frog, Discoglossus pictus, was recently assessed using public databases, and the outcome highlighted a worrying situation for the species. We analyzed the reliability of these conclusions and reassessed the status of the painted frog, taking into account its insular distribution and new data of species occurrence. Our results contrast with the previous analysis and show how an incautious use of public databases can lead to inaccurate assessment of the amphibian conservation status.
The roles of food quality and sex in chimpanzee sharing behavior (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Tinsman Jen , Suchak Malini , Eppley Timothy M. , Campbell Matthew W. , de Waal Frans B.M.
Published: May 2013

Both wild and captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) share food with non-relatives. Researchers have proposed several hypotheses to explain this behavior, including ‘food for sex’, ‘food for grooming or agonistic support’, and ‘sharing under pressure’. We examined food sharing in two captive groups of socially-housed chimpanzees. In contrast to previous captive studies, which only examined transfers of low-quality foods, we conducted seven trials with high-quality food and seven with low-quality food for each group to directly compare transfers of different food qualities. We recorded how male chimpanzees shared food, including active transfers, passive transfers, and co-feeding. We also noted all instances of copulations, female estrous states, benign attempts to access food (termed ‘perseverance’), and aggressive attempts (termed ‘harassment’) to examine whether any of these factors influenced food sharing. Male food possessors shared at the same rate in both food quality conditions, but seemingly for different reasons, indicating that food quality may affect the exchange of social benefits in chimpanzees. In the low-quality condition, there was an interaction with rank and perseverance: while low- and middle-ranking females received more food the more they persevered, high-ranking females received more food without perseverance and gained relatively little benefit from persevering. In the high-quality condition, there was an interaction between copulations and perseverance: females who copulated with the male food possessor received more food during that trial with less perseverance. Non-copulating females received more transfers the more they persevered. This result was only observed in the short-term — copulations over the previous year were not correlated with food transfers. Further, the copulations observed here were unusual for these chimpanzees in that they were not confined to peak fertility, suggesting a non-conceptive function for copulations in chimpanzees. Copulations in this study may have functioned to reduce tension and increase short-term tolerance, allowing females better access to food.
Effects of a plant extract-based nematicide (G8014S) and its components on the host finding behaviour and multiplication of Globodera pallida on glasshouse-grown potatoes
Authors: Danquah Wiseborn B. , Grove Ivan G. , Back Matthew A. , Haydock Patrick P.J.
Published: May 2013

In vitro and glasshouse studies were initiated to determine the mechanisms of action of an aqueous garlic extract, salicylaldehyde, a nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactant and a formulation (G8014S) containing these substances on the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida. The effects of these substances on host finding and migration of second-stage juveniles (J2) were assessed by investigating their ability to migrate through a sand column and towards potato roots in Pluronic F-127 gel. The garlic extract was shown to be the least disruptive to J2 host finding, reducing attraction by between 13 and 24% at concentrations of 7840 μl l−1 and 983 μl l−1, respectively. By contrast, a reduction of approximately 38% in J2 attraction to roots was achieved by treating J2 with 344 μl l−1 of G8014S. Of all the substances tested, salicylaldehyde was the least attractive to G. pallida J2 (4.1%) while the garlic extract and oxamyl treatments attracted 43.5 and 28.9% J2, respectively. In glasshouse experiments, different rates of the test substances were compared with the nematicide oxamyl for their effects on the in-soil hatch, egg viability and multiplication of G. pallida. The effect of treatment with 220.16 l ha−1 of G8014S on G. pallida multiplication in the glasshouse was comparable to that of oxamyl causing a five-fold reduction in PCN multiplication relative to the water control. These results provide evidence to support the potential of the formulation for the control of G. pallida in potatoes.
The Near Eastern Chaoskampf in the River Battle of Iliad 21
Authors: Kitts Margo
Published: May 2013

Abstract

This essay explores the river battle of Iliad 21 in terms of the Near Eastern mythological motif known as the Chaoskampf, wherein an order-promoting storm deity prevails over a water deity associated with chaos. The first section outlines four notable features of the protean Chaoskampf traditions in ancient Near Eastern literature, from Mesopotamia to the Levant to Anatolia. The second section traces these four features into the Iliad’s river battle and explains their presence by proposing cross-traditional mythopoesis, confluent with other cultural exchanges as established in recent decades. Understanding this part of the Iliad as influenced by West Asian traditions will help to explain why it is Hephaistos, not storm god Zeus, who unleashes his fire upon the menacing river god. The role of Hephaistos is examined against the roles of Ugaritic Kothar-wa-Hasis and Hittite-Hurrian Ea in their respective Chaoskampf myths.
Faith Development, Religious Styles and Biographical Narratives: Methodological Perspectives
Authors: Keller Barbara , Streib Heinz
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Narrative study of religious lives has formed part of numerous projects at the Bielefeld Research Center for Biographical Studies in Contemporary Religion. An essential instrument in our designs, which mostly combine qualitative and quantitative methods, is the Faith Development Interview (FDI). In response to longstanding criticism its cognitive structural framework has been revised in respect of styles and schemata. The religious styles perspective examines the self as articulated in narratives and associates it with affectivity and emotion. This article gives an overview of our theoretical and methodological revisions, which take cognizance of current developments in lifespan developmental and clinical psychology such as attachment, mentalization and wisdom. We illustrate the implementation of these advances with a case study from our current study of ‘spirituality’,1 which we locate in the complex multi-method design, and outline the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data.
Financing for Development: Examining the Concept of Resource Mobilization for International Organizations, a case study of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Authors: Kamau Faith , Colaiacomo Marieclaire
Published: May 2013

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was established in 1977 under unique circumstances during a period of severe food crisis coupled with the oil crisis. Although it was bestowed with a broad mandate to “mobilize additional resources to be made available on concessional terms for agricultural development in developing member states”, IFAD has relied almost exclusively on donor contributions through the traditional replenishment process to finance its operations. As a result, the scope and scale of IFAD’s operations has been dependent on its ability to mobilize resources from its donors, these contributions have not been particularly forthcoming.
The Imprint of the Imprints: Sojourners, Xiaoshuo Translations, and the Transcultural Canon of Early Chinese Fiction in Europe, 1697-1826
Authors: Sieber Patricia
Published: May 2013

Abstract

This paper posits that the circulation of the earliest items of Chinese fiction in early modern Europe was indebted to the popularity of certain titles within the Qing-dynasty book market on the one hand and to the participation of educated Chinese in the process of purchase, selection, and translation on the other. It further argues that European translations deployed specific features of Chinese imprints in order to differentiate translations from the hugely popular pseudo-Chinese transcreations, thereby seeking to establish textual authority for a philologically grounded Chinese voice. The paper terms this convergence of conceptual, material, and social factors in producing transculturally mediated texts “biblioglossia,” in order to capture aspects of textuality neglected or obscured in standard discussions of “orientalism.”
“Missing Links” in Investment Arbitration: Quantification of Damages to Foreign Shareholders
Authors: Skjold Hansen Jimmy
Published: May 2013

This article focuses on the tensions between law and economics which inevitably occur in connection with the quantification of damages in international investment disputes between foreign shareholders (foreign investors) and host states. In this context, four contemporary approaches to quantification are addressed. These concern 1) full loss of the investment or invested amounts, 2) lost share value, 3) lost dividends, or 4) discretionary compensation. It is analyzed to what extent these approaches comply with the fundamental, legal principles which are in play in most investment disputes today, that is a) identification of the protected investment, b) recognition of the corporate entity, c) “full reparation” of injury, d) causation and certainty of losses, and e) avoidance of double recovery. It is demonstrated that each approach may pose challenges in respect of one or more of these legal principles.
SOI - Save Our Investments! International Investment Law and International Humanitarian Law
Authors: Bray Heather L.
Published: May 2013

This article reviews the interaction between international humanitarian law (IHL) and international investment law (IIL). Specifically, this article analyses the point of intersection between IHL and IIL through the application of the full protection and security standard in times of armed conflict. From this comparative exercise, the author concludes that while IHL and IIL share important similarities, the clear absence of an individual complaints procedure for victims of IHL provides a clear point of departure. Unlike IHL, IIL provides foreign investors with the ability to submit a claim directly to an international forum for harm suffered during an armed conflict. This difference has enabled the international community to respond to the unique distress signal of one particular group of victims in times of armed conflict – foreign investors.
Compositermes vindai (Isoptera: Termitidae: Apicotermitinae), a new genus and species of soldierless termite from the Neotropics
Authors: SCHEFFRAHN RUDOLF H.
Published: May 2013

The New World Anoplotermes group is a common and diverse clade of soil-dwelling soldierless termites that is undergo-ing needed taxonomic reclassification. Based on robust worker gut morphology centered near the enteric valve, a new ge-nus and its singular species, Compositermes vindai, are described from collections encompassing a massive expanse of tropical America. The enteric valve armature is thought to enhance inoculation of the food stream with symbiotic bacteria.
“They are us”: Caryl Phillips’ A Distant Shore and the British transnation
Authors: Ellis David
Published: May 2013

This article discusses Caryl Phillips’ novel, A Distant Shore (2004), in the light of recent work by John McLeod and Bill Ashcroft’s notion of the transnation to describe a revised sense of the British nation within which new resemblances gesture towards the potential for a post-racial society. These ideas will be applied to Phillips’ sense of himself as occupying an ontological mid-Atlantic location in relation to recurring images and concerns to be found in his collected essays in A New World Order (2001) and Colour Me English (2011). The article does not argue that Phillips’ novel depicts the success of a post-racial transformation, but rather, one that shows the individual struggles through which such transformation may be possible.
Teaching Mathematical Word Problem Solving
Authors: Jitendra Asha K. , Petersen-Brown Shawna , Lein Amy E. , Zaslofsky Anne F. , Kunkel Amy K. , Jung Pyung-Gang , Egan Andrea M.
Published: May 2013

This study examined the quality of the research base related to strategy instruction priming the underlying mathematical problem structure for students with learning disabilities and those at risk for mathematics difficulties. We evaluated the quality of methodological rigor of 18 group research studies using the criteria proposed by Gersten et al. and 10 single case design (SCD) research studies using criteria suggested by Horner et al. and the What Works Clearinghouse. Results indicated that 14 group design studies met the criteria for high-quality or acceptable research, whereas SCD studies did not meet the standards for an evidence-based practice. Based on these findings, strategy instruction priming the mathematics problem structure is considered an evidence-based practice using only group design methodological criteria. Implications for future research and for practice are discussed.
Fresh carnations or all thorn, no rose? Nonviolent campaigns and transitions in autocracies
Authors: Celestino Mauricio Rivera , Gleditsch Kristian Skrede
Published: May 2013

Whereas optimists see the so-called Arab Spring as similar to the revolutions of 1989, and likely to bring about democratic rule, skeptics fear that protest bringing down dictators may simply give way to new dictatorships, as in the Iranian revolution. Existing research on transitions has largely neglected the role of protest and direct action in destabilizing autocracies and promoting democracy. We argue that protest and direct action can promote transitions in autocracies, and that the mode of direct action, that is, whether violent or nonviolent, has a major impact on the prospects for autocratic survival and democracy. We present empirical results supporting our claim that nonviolent protests substantially increase the likelihood of transitions to democracy, especially under favorable international environments, while violent direct action is less effective in undermining autocracies overall, and makes transitions to new autocracies relatively more likely.
Understanding strategic choice
Authors: Cunningham Kathleen Gallagher
Published: May 2013

What determines why some self-determination disputes develop into mass nonviolent campaigns, others turn into civil wars, and still others remain entirely in the realm of conventional politics? A great deal of work has addressed the factors that lead to violent mobilization, but less attention has been paid to understanding why disputes become violent or nonviolent, comparing these two as strategic choices relative to conventional politics. This article examines the determinants of strategy choice in self-determination disputes by analyzing how a variety of factors affect the costs and benefits of conventional political strategies, mass nonviolent campaign, and civil war. I find that civil war is more likely, as compared to conventional politics, when self-determination groups are larger, have kin in adjoining states, are excluded from political power, face economic discrimination, are internally fragmented, demand independence, and operate in states at lower levels of economic development. I find that nonviolent campaign is more likely, as compared to conventional politics, when groups are smaller, are less geographically concentrated, are excluded from political power, face economic discrimination, make independence demands, and operate in non-democracies. Examining the full set of strategies available to self-determination groups allows us to more accurately understand why these groups engage in mass nonviolent campaign and civil war.
Understanding nonviolent resistance
Authors: Chenoweth Erica , Cunningham Kathleen Gallagher
Published: May 2013

The events of the Arab Spring of 2011 have made clear the importance and potential efficacy of nonviolent resistance, as well as the field’s inability to explain the onset and outcome of major nonviolent uprisings. Until recently, conflict scholars have largely ignored nonviolent resistance. This issue features new theoretical and empirical explorations of the causes and consequences of nonviolent resistance, stressing the role that unarmed, organized civilians can play in shaping the course of conflicts. Contributors demonstrate the importance of treating nonviolent and violent strategies, as well as conventional politics strategies, as alternative choices for engaging the state, show how gender ideology can influence which opposition groups use nonviolent resistance, and suggest that the causes of civil war and nonviolent resistance often differ. Other pieces highlight the role of public attitudes regarding whether nonviolent resistance and violence are employed, how experience with activism and repression by the state can shape activists’ perceptions of justice, and how the perceptions of resistance leaders can influence strategic choices. Moreover, several articles examine the key role that security force defections can play in the success of nonviolent resistance, how micro-level nonviolent tactics can improve security in civil war, and how nonviolent campaigns can influence the stability of autocratic states. These contributions suggest that rigorous empirical study of civilian-based contentious politics (rather than only violent contention by armed non-state actors) must be incorporated into the conflict literature. Improved theory and data on the subject will help researchers and policymakers to shape strategies to support these movements when appropriate, and to manage changes in the international system that result from the success of nonviolent uprisings.
Intergenerational Housing Support Between Retired Old Parents and their Children in Urban China
Authors: Li Bingqin , Shin Hyun Bang
Published: May 2013

Intergenerational support between parents and children in Chinese cities has been dramatically affected by recent social changes. This paper investigates the changing pattern of intergenerational housing support between retired old parents and their children, and the legacy of public housing in shaping this pattern. By initially establishing an up-to-date picture of intergenerational housing support between retired old parents and their children, it seeks to determine how this support depends on whether parents have previously been allocated public housing and, if so, on whether they have disposed of it or have continued to occupy it. A survey with 1000 retired old people from Tianjin in 2009 is used for the analysis. A support flow model is used to go beyond studying housing support per se, and to study the flow of intergenerational support in both directions and in different forms.
Down These Mean Streets: An Analysis of the Local Public Discourse on Antisocial Behaviour in Disadvantaged Urban Neighbourhoods in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Leun Joanne , Koemans Monique
Published: May 2013

Dutch politicians claim that disorder and nuisance in the public domain have grown out of hand in deprived areas and that local inhabitants call for more repression. Recently, new administrative measures were introduced to tackle these issues more effectively, some of which were almost exact copies of British measures like the ASBO. Studies on ASB have usually focused on general views among the population. The present qualitative research studies the assumptions that the situation with respect to ASB has got out of hand and that the call for repression is dominant amongst local inhabitants. It is based on intensive fieldwork including observations and over 300 qualitative interviews with social workers, policemen, troublemakers themselves, and residents of 11 so-called problem neighbourhoods in four major Dutch cities. The study shows a more nuanced and mixed local public discourse on this policy landscape than politicians would like us to believe.
Housing Appreciation (Depreciation) and Owners’ Welfare: An Alternative View
Authors: Lai Fu-Chuan , Sun Chia-Hung , Wang An-Ming
Published: May 2013

Based on a lifetime consideration, previous research has extended Frank’s graphical model with borrowing, property taxes and moving costs to analyse the welfare effects of housing appreciation and depreciation, and has shown that appreciation can make homeowners worse off, but homeowners’ welfare cannot decrease with depreciation. The latter is counter-intuitive, especially for owners with a high portion of mortgage in a housing slump. Alternatively, this paper treats property tax as an annual taxation and measures mortgage loan as a portion of house value when it was purchased. It is shown that if a house owner adjusts his/her house size in response to a price change, then with a low mortgage loan (or no mortgage), the owner will be better off only when there is a large appreciation or depreciation, while he/she cannot be better off under depreciation if he/she bought that house largely via a mortgage loan.
Does Public Investment Improve Homeowners’ Happiness? New Evidence based on Micro Surveys in Beijing
Authors: Wu Wenjie
Published: May 2013

The Beijing government has made massive investments in rail transit construction since the 2000s. While existing studies provide marginal values for rail access in the real estate market, little is known about homeowners’ happiness evaluation of such public investment. Using large-scale micro survey data, this paper estimates, in a difference-in-difference framework, the effects on homeowners’ happiness about public commuting and other residential realms of a transport improvement that altered the residence–station distance for some households, whilst leaving others unaffected. The estimation accounts for the endogeneity between the residential location choice and transport choice by using non-market ( fang gai) housing with pre-determined residential location. It is found that better rail access not only provides sizeable happiness about public commuting to Beijing homeowners, but also affects their happiness in other residential realms. This finding adds to the evidence that public investment has an important role to play in influencing homeowners’ living experience.
When and Why Do Landlords Retain Property Investments?
Authors: Wood Gavin A. , Ong Rachel
Published: May 2013

This paper examines factors influencing Australian landlords’ decisions to retain their rental investments. A variety of statistical techniques are applied to uncover the factors precipitating the exit of landlords from rental housing markets. It is found that middle-aged investors are more attached to rental investments than younger investors. However, once retired, there is a sharp increase in the likelihood of exit from rental investments. The estimates also confirm the importance of financial variables. Leveraged loss-making investors with higher gross rental yields are more inclined to terminate leases. It is concluded that fiscal and monetary policy settings play an important role in shaping rental housing investment decisions, since interest rate and tax parameters are important in determining investors’ negative gearing status. These will in turn drive changes in housing supply and affordability in rental markets.
Does the LSI-R Have Utility for Sex Offenders?
Authors: Ragusa-Salerno Laura M. , Ostermann Michael , Thomas Shenique S.
Published: May 2013

Despite societal perception that sex offenders will repeat their crimes, research indicates these offenders are more likely to be generalists than sex offense–specific offenders. Sex offender–specific legislation has reinforced this erroneous perception while contributing to the excessive labeling of sex offenders as sexual recidivists. Additionally troubling is the lack of research on the efficacy of generalized risk/needs assessments for sex offenders. The present study fills this void by evaluating the adequacy of the Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R) for use with a sexual offending population. The predictive accuracy of the LSI-R for sexual and nonsexual recidivism outcomes was explored using a sample of 21,298 individuals released from New Jersey correctional facilities from 2004 to 2006. Results indicate that while the LSI-R does not have predictive utility for sexual offenses, it has utility for sex offenders overall. Policy implications of the usefulness of the LSI-R for this offending population are discussed.
Work, Family, and Well-Being at Midlife
Authors: Fischer Judith L. , Zvonkovic Anisa , Juergens Cheryl , Engler Rachel , Frederick Helyne
Published: May 2013

This study addressed work and family enhancement and conflict among adults at midlife ( N = 125). The study included personal well-being measured 25 years earlier. Participants were classified into groups on the basis of latent class analysis. Qualitative analyses of narratives within groups enhanced understanding of the experiences of those in the groups. The first of the three groups identified by latent class analysis consisted of a fairly large number of women who seemed to have achieved balance in roles and enjoyed marital and job satisfaction. The second group, almost exclusively male, was characterized by a low degree of work and family enhancement. In the small third group, a profound lack of marital satisfaction coupled with high work and family conflict and low enhancement identified men and women with seemingly enduring low levels of well-being. Narratives largely validated the quantitative analysis but also provided additional avenues for further research.
Files, Lists, and the Material History of the Law
Authors: Young Liam Cole
Published: May 2013

This article reviews Cornelia Vismann’s 2008 book Files: Law and Media Technology. In addition to an overview of Vismann’s media materialist approach to the study of the law, it provides both a consideration of her relationship to Friedrich Kittler’s media theory and a more focused examination of certain functional writing entities that might extend Vismann’s genealogical approach. It is suggested that a closer analysis of one such entity, the list, can offer further insight into the epistemological and ontological questions the book provokes.