bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 12-15 years in LongNan city，Gansu province，China
Authors: Yan Yi Ting , Sornlorm Kittipong , Mahato Roshan Kumar , Laohasiriwong Wongsa
Published: April 2024

Background: Body mass index of adolescents and children has risen rapidly so that the overweight and obesity rate has been significantly increased in social life, and it is now widely regarded as a serious global public health problem.
Objectives：This present study aimed to identify prevalence of factors associated with overweight and obesity among 12–15-year-old adolescents and children in Longnan City, Gansu Province.
Methods：A total 620 of students from Nine schools in Longnan City were selected and questionnaire survey was done in each school.  Participants were selected as students from each school to investigate the influencing factors associated with overweight and obesity among them. Multiple logistic regression model considering backward elimination has been used for analysis.
Results: A total of 620 adolescents and children were investigated in this study. Multiple logistic regression model results demonstrated that the risk of obesity was higher in males (AOR=3.47，95% CI:2.27-5.31) than in females. Statistically, eating fast food (AOR=1.65，95% CI:1.05-2.58), chocolate (AOR=2.07, 95% CI:1.31–3.27) ，not participating in weekly exercise (AOR=1.58，95% CI:1.05–2.39), lack of weekly exercise time (AOR=2.75，95% CI:1.20–6.31), and not eating fruit (AOR=1.53，95% CI:1.01–2.32) were significantly associated with childhood obesity. Children living in cities (AOR=1.80, 95% CI:1.20–2.70) were more likely to be obese than those living in rural areas, and that children with a family genetic history of obesity (AOR=2.20，95% CI:1.36–3.56) were also at risk of developing obesity.
Conclusion：In Longnan City, boys are more prone to be obese than girls. Eating behavior, number of exercises, length of exercise, area of residence and family genetic history are the main influencing factors for overweight and obesity in adolescents and children. Raising awareness, promoting healthy eating habits, and implementing policies are crucial to prevent and reduce overweight and obesity among adolescents and children.
Factors associated with sanitation practices among household-level in Mogadishu, Somalia
Authors: Yusuf Abdirizak Mohamud , Pasukphun Nittaya , Suma Yanasinee
Published: April 2024

Background: Poor sanitation is responsible for 4% of mortalities and 5.7% of morbidity worldwide, particularly among under five children. In 2015, the WHO estimated that 2.39 billion children under five had diarrhea. Diarrhea is accountable for 18% of all child deaths from water contamination, improper sanitation, or hygienic practices.
Objectives: This present study aimed to identify factors associated with sanitation practices among household-level in Mogadishu, Somalia    
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia, from December 2021 to February 2022. The study subjects were randomly selected from 241 households. Descriptive statistics were processed, and logistic regression analysis was used. A confidence interval of 95% and a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. 
Results: Among 29% of households had poor sanitation conditions. More than 60.6% of the participants lived in multi-family homes, and 81.3% of households lacked access to hand-washing facilities. There was an association between residences with multiple families and diarrhea in children under five years [AOR= 0.001 - 95% CI 0.001-0.002]. While families without toilets had [AOR= 0.577 - 95% CI 0.673- 0.623], and children in households using pit latrines were statistically significant [AOR= 9.393 - 95% CI 2.377-37.115]. Similarly, family income had a nearly increased risk of diarrhea occurrence in children [AOR= 0.125 - 95% CI 0.041-0.381]. 
Conclusion: Provide adequate water, hygiene and sanitation services in the Hodan district is vital for diarrheal prevention. Awareness-raising at a household level and improved sanitation facilities, and sanitation practices and encouraging, should be scaled up accordingly. Further in-depth studies should also be conducting.
Factors influencing the utilization of institutional delivery services by Chepang women in Chitwan district of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Sakriya , Bhusal Chetnath , Vajanapoom Nitaya
Published: April 2024

Background: Nepal has not yet achieved less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births of the SDG. To reduce the maternal death rates, a safe motherhood program has been implemented across Nepal to provide pregnant women with free delivery care in a healthcare facility, as well as transportation incentives promoting institutional delivery. Being a marginalized group of people residing in hilly slope areas, the Chepang population is deprived of significance usage of healthcare services.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence of delivery complications, and to investigate the factors associated with the utilization of institutional delivery of the Chepang women in the Chitwan district.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rapti, Kalika and Ichchhakamana municipalities with a proportional random sample of 557 mothers. A face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire was performed to collect the data. Using stepwise logistic regression analysis, the data were analyzed.
Results: The results show that the incidence of delivery complications among those who utilized an institutional delivery was lower than the non-institutional delivery respondents. The literate parents were strongly associated with the increased usage of an institutional delivery (OR=12.08, 95%CI=6.32-23.06), and (OR=5.45, 95%CI=2.82-10.51) for literate mothers and literate spouses, respectively. Other significant factors were older ages at delivery of mothers as compared to younger ages mothers (OR= 3.28, 95%CI=1.83-5.90 for ages 20-29 year.; OR=3.75, 95%CI=1.80-7.83 for ages ≥30 year.), and engagement in business and services occupation of mothers (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.01-4.01). The associations were observed for vehicle transportation to the delivery facility (OR =1.99, 95% CI =1.28-3.11) and travel time ≤30 minutes to the delivery facility (OR=2.80, 95%CI=1.58-4.96). 
Conclusions: The results revealed a lower incidence of delivery complications among those who utilized the institutional delivery. The analysis also demonstrated that age, education, income, and convenient access to an institutional delivery facility for mothers were associated with the utilization of institutional delivery of Chepang women.  The findings could benefit health professionals in developing a health intervention to increase institutional delivery services for marginalized Chepang women.
Knowledge and attitude towards emergency contraceptive among undergraduate students of Kathmandu metropolitan, Nepal
Authors: Gautam Laxmi , Karna Aditya , Maharjan Aastha , Khati Krishna , Sharma Sudip
Published: April 2024

Background: Emergency Contraception is the only method women can use to prevent pregnancy after they have had unprotected sexual intercourse, have experienced a contraceptive failure, have remembered too late that they have forgotten to take their birth control pills, or have been forced to have sex against their will. Unintended pregnancy poses a major challenge to the reproductive health of young adults both in developed and developing nations.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate students of Kathmandu Metropolitan City towards Emergency Contraceptive.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in which self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 370 sample size was drawn and multi-step sampling technique was used. Quantitative research method was applied, and the data was entered and analysed using SPSS v.16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Ill., USA).
Results: Of the total 370 participants, 42.2% were over the age of 20 years, female participants (54.3%) were slightly more than male participants (45.7%). More than half (54.1%) of the participants had adequate knowledge regarding Emergency Contraception. Age was found to be significantly associated with knowledge of the students (AOR=4.71, 95% CI: 2.02-10.95). 32.11% and they had a positive attitude towards Emergency Contraceptive. Janjati ethnicity compared to Brahmin/Chhetri (AOR=3.049, 95% CI:1.716-5.419), and BBS/BBA study program (AOR=1.962, 95% CI: 1.168-3.297) were found to be significantly associated with the attitude of the participants regarding Emergency Contraceptive. 47% of the participants responded that they will use Emergency Contraception in the future and 52% responded that they will recommend it in future.
Conclusion: This study has shown that there is inadequate knowledge and negative attitude of participants towards Emergency Contraception. This study highlights the necessity of awareness campaigns regarding emergency contraception to all faculties and levels of students.
Tomémonos en serio la ciencia ficción
Authors: Roig Antoni
Published: April 2024

La ciencia ficción audiovisual vive una era particularmente destacada gracias al éxito reciente de películas como Dune Parte 2 o de apuestas decididas de series de televisión como Para toda la humanidad, Constelación, Silo, Fundación o El problema de los tres cuerpos. Esto sin contar con otras producciones que se sitúan en sus límites (dependiendo de qué entendamos por ciencia ficción). Y por supuesto, otros campos tan fértiles como la literatura o los juegos.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE GLOBAL CRYPTOCURRENCY MARKET
Authors: Stevanović Suzana , Starčević Vitomir , Mićić Ljubiša
Published: April 2024

Cryptocurrencies represent a new form of property that exists only on the Internet. The first cryptocurrency to appear on the global market was Bitcoin, and its appearance is linked to the first financial crisis in 2008. The market capitalization of Bitcoin grew very quickly and in 2017 reached the highest capitalization in history (334 billion US dollars). Later, there was an expansion of new cryptocurrencies, of which there are currently over 1500 (e.g. Ethereum, Tether, BNB, USD Coin, etc.). The emergence of cryptocurrencies as a new concept affects the change in the perception of payments and money as a means of payment in general. The development of the global cryptocurrency market is indeed rapid and dynamic, and it is becoming an increasingly popular method of payment. Since the emergence of cryptocurrencies is not related to central banks, the need to change the classical systems and economic policies of countries is also expressed. The dynamic development of the mentioned market takes place in parallel with the development of information technologies, so there is a trend of capital outflow from classic capital markets to emerging global cryptocurrency markets. The question arises of the survival of traditional banks in the future, as more users trust cryptocurrencies. Global cryptocurrency markets are expected to expand more and more in the future. The paper will analyze the development of the global cryptocurrency market based on a sample of five of the most significant cryptocurrencies today.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES THAT SMALL OPEN ECONOMIES“ ARE (NOT) ALLOWED TO AND CAN (NOT) SOLVE -Why Bosnia and Herzegovina can (not) answer
Authors: Tuševljak Spasoje
Published: April 2024

The modern world is a complicated paradigm of influence and struggle for interests, with the fact that the possibilities of winning positions have diversified and increased in a sophisticated way!? Military, economic and political scenarios and penetration projects are integrated with the aim of gaining dominance in the market, especially in the market of having modern technologies, strategic raw materials and resources. "Exporting ideology" has become the doctrinal and governing credo of the supremacy of the capitalist mode of production and the methodological framework for the operationalization of globalization as the "perfect model" of international economic relations!? Globalization, based on the philosophy of liberalism, cannot consistently function and solve problems because theoretically, the issue of competition, equal rights for all, as well as the issue of subsidies and risk insurance, and the problems of the "natural lottery" have not been satisfactorily resolved!? Contemporary philosophical, political and economic thinking is faced with intriguing conundrums in the domain of formulating answers to the following areas and generated questions: 1. Current position and perspectives of globalization; 2. National economies and international economic order; 3. Sovereignty - security – economy; 4. Classical dichotomy commodity-monetary sector; 5. Economic crises. In all of this, the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is "struggling frantically" to be "its own", "European" and "sovereign", is a special challenge in the current circumstances of institutional and management deformations and incompleteness, in which everyone is continuously against the positions for which a certain political segment advocates, and vice versa!? On the other hand, history teaches us that the vices and whims of the big have always been paid for by the small!!?!!!
Neuropsychological syndromes of disorders of mnestic activity in patients with strokes in the right (subdominant) hemisphere
Authors: Selkin Mikhail Dmitrievich
Published: April 2024

The work carried out a neuropsychological assessment of different types of memory and determined the profiles of mnestic disorders depending on the type of hemispheric asymmetry and localization of the lesion. The analysis of the features of the course of stroke in the right (subdominant) hemisphere was carried out. The main symptoms of impaired types of memory, for which the subdominant hemisphere is responsible, were studied. The presented data correlate with the data found in the world literature: stroke in the subdominant hemisphere has a less pronounced effect on memory impairment, is associated with a better prognosis, while visual memory, spatial, logical, and mechanical suffer more often. A detailed topographic analysis of the syndromatics is presented, comparing instrumental data on visualization of the lesion and psychological tests that reveal a deficiency of a particular type of memory. The data obtained make it possible to identify targets and opportunities for early neuropsychological correction of disorders by attracting compensatory brain capabilities, which is important when planning an individual rehabilitation program. The analysis of mnestic activity in patients with strokes in the right (subdominant) hemisphere was carried out. The applied set of patho- and neuropsychological methods: The Wexler memory scale, Indirect memorization according to A.N. Leontiev, the "Pictograms" technique, Benton's Visual retention, the "Memorizing 10 words" Technique, the "Memorizing faces" technique, the "Memorizing shapes" method., the MOSS test. For the first time, a comprehensive clinical, psychological and experimental psychological study was conducted, which made it possible to characterize the quality and hierarchy of impaired and preserved types of mental activity in the defeat of the right (subdominant) hemisphere. For the first time, a comparative analysis of disorders of the mnestic activity of the dominant and subdominant hemispheres of the brain was carried out, which allowed us to identify the specifics of memory disorders depending on the lateralization of lesions. The novelty is also represented by the systematization of mnestic disorders carried out by the author, accompanied by the isolation of neuropsychological syndromes of disorders of mnestic activity in the defeat of various parts of the right (subdominant) hemisphere in the acute period of syndromes of occipital, temporal, parietal lobe lesions and their combinations. Based on the data obtained, the necessity of studying the features of mnestic activity in order to restore and further rehabilitate higher mental functions in patients with cerebral infarction in the right hemisphere is justified.
Low repetition rate passive mode-locked semiconductor disk laser
Authors: He Liang , Peng Xue-Fang , Shen Xiao-Yu , Zhu Ren-Jiang , Wang Tao , Jiang Li-Dan , Tong Cun-Zhu , Song Yan-Rong , Zhang Peng ,   College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China,   Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033, China,   Faculty of Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China,   National Center for Applied Mathematics in Chongqing, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Published: April 2024

Semiconductor disk lasers (SDLs) have advantages of high output power and good beam quality. Their flexible external cavity provides convenience for inserting additional optical element to start mode locking and produce ultra-short pulse train with duration from picosecond to femtosecond. However, the very short lifetime in a range from about a few nanoseconds to tens of nanoseconds of the carrier in semiconductor gain medium limits the decrease of pulse repetition rate, thus restricting the increase of peak power of the mode-locked laser pulse to some extent. In this work, by using the relatively shallow In0.2GaAs quantum wells, which have a relatively long carrier lifetime in the active region of gain chip, as well as the particularly designed semiconductor saturable absorption mirror (SESAM) that has a relatively small saturation flux, a passively mode-locked SDL with low repetition rate and high peak power is demonstrated. The used six-mirror cavity has a spot radius of about 200 μm on the chip and a 40 μm spot on the SESAM, and the total cavity length is about 1.92 m. The SESAM passively mode-locked SDL produces a stable pulse train with a lowest repetition rate of 78 MHz. When the temperature is 12 ℃ and the transmittance of the output coupler is T = 3%, an average output power value of 2.1 W and a pulse duration of 2.08 ps are achieved. The corresponding pulse peak power reaches 12.8 kW, which is about twice the reported highest peak power in an SESAM mode-locked SDL. When T = 2% and T = 5%, the obtained average output power values are 1.34 W and 1.62 W respectively, and the corresponding pulse peak power values are 8.17 kW and 9.88 kW. Based on the values reported in the literature and the results of pulse repetition rate in our experiments, the estimated lifetime of the carriers of the In0.2GaAs quantum wells in the active region of the gain used chip is 16.4 ns. This high peak power mode-locked semiconductor disk laser has important potential applications in biomedical photonics, chemistry, and nonlinear microscopy.
Carbapenemase genes in clinical and environmental isolates of Acinetobacter spp. from Quito, Ecuador
Authors: Sotomayor Nicole , Villacis José Eduardo , Burneo Noela , Reyes Jorge , Zapata Sonia , Bayas-Rea Rosa de los Ángeles
Published: April 2024

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. is associated with nosocomial infections in intensive care unit patients, resulting in high mortality. Although Acinetobacter spp. represent a serious public health problem worldwide, there are a few studies related to the presence of carbapenemases in health care facilities and other environmental settings in Ecuador. The main aim of this study was to characterize the carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. isolates obtained from four hospitals (52) and from five rivers (27) close to Quito. We used the disc diffusion and EDTA sinergy tests to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and the production of metallo β-lactamases, respectively. We carried out a multiplex PCR of gyrB gene and the sequencing of partial rpoB gene to bacterial species identification. We performed molecular screening of nine carbapenem-resistant genes (blaSPM, blaSIM, blaGIM, blaGES, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, and blaOXA-143) by multiplex PCR, followed by identification using sequencing of blaOXA genes. Our findings showed that carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii were the main species found in health care facilities and rivers. Most of the clinical isolates came from respiratory tract samples and harbored blaOXA-23, blaOXA-366, blaOXA-72, blaOXA-65, blaOXA-70, and blaOXA-143-like genes. The river isolates harbored only the blaOXA-51 and probably blaOXA-259 genes. We concluded that the most predominant type of carbapenem genes among isolates were both blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-65 among A. baumannii clinical isolates.
Analysis of Trade Effects of Parallel Exchange Rate in Nigeria
Authors: Oyetayo Oluwatosin Juliana , Olaifa Felix Gbenga , Olubiyi Ebenezer Adesoji
Published: April 2024

Aims: The study examines the potency of parallel exchange rates in the movement of international trade in Nigeria. The monetary authorities have embarked on various exchange rate regimes basically because the supply of foreign exchange is not enough to meet the demand. Consequently, a parallel market for exchange rates exists and has become a strong and functional market in the country. But the reason for managing foreign exchange and by extension, introducing various exchange rate regimes was to correct the balance of trade disequilibrium. Yet the balance of trade deteriorates, particularly that of non-oil trade balance.  Does the parallel exchange rate contribute to this or does it ameliorate it?  
Study Design: Descriptive, Correlation, and Regression analysis on time series data.
Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Monthly data from January 2007 to December 2022 (2007:1-2022:12) were extracted from the online data repository of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Methodology: The autoregressive distributed lag technique was employed on monthly data between January 2007 and December 2022 (2007:1-2022:12).
Results: The result indicates that the short-run dynamics of total exports (total imports) are negatively (positively) and significantly affected by parallel exchange rate. Generally, depreciation of the parallel exchange rate is detrimental to export particularly non-oil exports. Further, depreciation of parallel exchange rate encourages imports and highly persistent in influencing non-oil imports.  The J-curve phenomenon breaks down for total balance of trade. However, the J-curve phenomenon cannot be confirmed in the case of oil trade balance because there is no information about the long run effect of parallel exchange rate on oil export due to the non-integration of the model.  In the case of non-oil trade balance, the short-run outcome confirms the existence of the J-curve prediction. 
Conclusion: Following these results, it is recommended among others that government should activate a single market (window) for foreign exchange. Also, the authorities should ensure that importation of non-oil products such as exotic cars by government officials be stemmed.
Hydrologic drainage of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Lewis Sarah M. , Smith Laurence C.
Published: May 2009

A simple hydrologic drainage network for the Greenland Ice Sheet is modelled from available digital elevation models (DEMs) of bedrock, and surface topography and assumptions of hydrostatic water pressure, uniform hydraulic conductivity, and no conduit flow within the ice sheet. As such, it is a first‐order model best suited for broad‐scale hydrological assessment. Results identify 293 distinct hydrologic basins (185–117 000 km2) together with their ‘realized’ (wet) and ‘unrealized’ (dry) drainage patterns. Intersection with 1991–2000 Polar MM5 (PMM5) mesoscale climate model hindcasts of meltwater runoff suggest that these basins route varying amounts of water to the ice edge, ranging from 0 to 16 km3 annually and totalling 242 km3/year for the entire ice sheet. Regionally speaking, average annual volumetric meltwater production (km3/year) is highest in southwest and lowest in northeast Greenland, with greater hydrologic activity in western regions than in eastern regions for a given latitude. The extent to which meltwater truly reaches the ice margin as modelled is difficult to test. However, the simulated flow outlet locations show qualitative agreement with the locations of 460 observed meltwater outlets (proglacial lakes, streams, and rivers; and sediment plumes into fjörds) mapped continuously along the ice sheet perimeter. On average, about 36% of the modelled drainage network was activated (i.e. received water) over the 1991–2000 study period. Remaining areas, barring dynamic changes to ice‐surface topography, would presumably activate if surface melt penetrates deeper into the ice sheet interior. Both new datasets are freely available for scientific use at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (ftp://sidads.colorado.edu/pub/DATASETS/parca/nsidc‐0372‐hydrologic‐outlets; ftp://sidads.colorado.edu/pub/DATASETS/parca/nsidc‐0371‐hydrologic‐sub‐basins). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical grade mesenchymal stem cells transdifferentiated under xenofree conditions alleviates motor deficiencies in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Shetty Prathibha , Ravindran Geeta , Sarang Shabari , Thakur Anirbhan M. , Rao Harinarayana S. , Viswanathan Chandra
Published: May 2009

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) is a valid, definitive candidate for repair of damaged tissues in degenerative disorders in general and neurological diseases in particular. We have standardized the processing conditions for proliferation of BMMSCs using xenofree medium and checked their in vitro and in vivo neurogenic potential.

Method: The proliferative potential of BMMSCs was analyzed using xenofree media and functionality checked by transplantation into Parkinson's disease (PD) animal models. In vitro neuronal differentiation was investigated by neuronal induction media supplemented with growth factors. Differentiated cells were characterized at cellular and molecular levels. In vitro functionality estimated by dopamine secretion.

Results: A pure population of BMMSCs showing an 8–10 fold expansion was obtained using xenofree media. On differentiation to neuronal lineage, they exhibited neuronal morphology. Detectable levels of dopamine (1.93 ng/ml) were secreted into the culture media of differentiated cells. There was a significant behavioural improvement in PD models 3 months post transplantation.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that BMMSCs can be transdifferentiated efficiently into functional dopaminergic neurons both in vitro and in vivo. This holds immense clinical potential as a replacement therapy for PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Differential changes in GPR55 during microglial cell activation
Authors: Pietr Maciej , Kozela Ewa , Levy Rivka , Rimmerman Neta , Lin Yi Hsing , Stella Nephi , Vogel Zvi , Juknat Ana
Published: May 2009

We examined how lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), known to differentially activate microglia, affect the expression of G protein‐coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), a novel cannabinoid receptor. We found that GPR55 mRNA is significantly expressed in both primary mouse microglia and the BV‐2 mouse microglial cell line, and that LPS down‐regulates this message. Conversely, IFN‐γ slightly decreases GPR55 mRNA in primary microglia, while it upregulates this message in BV‐2 cells. Moreover, the GPR55 agonist, lysophosphatidylinositol, increases ERK phosphorylation in BV‐2 stimulated with IFN‐γ, in correlation with the increased amount of GPR55 mRNA. Remarkably, these stimuli‐induced changes in GPR55 expression are similar to those observed with CB2‐R, suggesting that both receptors might be involved in neuroinflammation and that their expression is concomitantly controlled by the state of microglial activation.
The oligomeric conformation of peroxiredoxins links redox state to function
Authors: Barranco-Medina Sergio , Lázaro Juan-José , Dietz Karl-Josef
Published: May 2009

Protein–protein associations, i.e. formation of permanent or transient protein complexes, are essential for protein functionality and regulation within the cellular context. Peroxiredoxins (Prx) undergo major redox‐dependent conformational changes and the dynamics are linked to functional switches. While a large number of investigations have addressed the principles and functions of Prx oligomerization, understanding of the diverse in vivo roles of this conserved redox‐dependent feature of Prx is slowly emerging. The review summarizes studies on Prx oligomerization, its tight connection to the redox state, and the knowledge and hypotheses on its physiological function in the cell as peroxidase, chaperone, binding partner, enzyme activator and/or redox sensor.
A nucleolar protein RRS1 contributes to chromosome congression
Authors: Gambe Arni E. , Matsunaga Sachihiro , Takata Hideaki , Ono-Maniwa Rika , Baba Akiko , Uchiyama Susumu , Fukui Kiichi
Published: May 2009

We report here the functional analysis of human Regulator of Ribosome Synthesis 1 (RRS1) protein during mitosis. We demonstrate that RRS1 localizes in the nucleolus during interphase and is distributed at the chromosome periphery during mitosis. RNA interference experiments revealed that RRS1‐depleted cells show abnormalities in chromosome alignment and spindle organization, which result in mitotic delay. RRS1 knockdown also perturbs the centromeric localization of Shugoshin 1 and results in premature separation of sister chromatids. Our results suggest that a nucleolar protein RRS1 contributes to chromosome congression.
Reversible unfolding of dimeric phosphofructokinase‐2 fromEscherichia colireveals a dominant role of inter‐subunit contacts for stability
Authors: Baez Mauricio , Babul Jorge
Published: May 2009

Escherichia coliphosphofructokinase‐2 (Pfk‐2) is a homodimer whose subunits consist of a large domain and an additional β‐sheet that provides the interfacial contacts between the subunits, creating a β‐barrel flattened‐like structure with the adjacent subunit's β‐sheet. To determine how the structural organization of Pfk‐2 determines its stability, the reversible unfolding of the enzyme was characterized under equilibrium conditions by enzymatic activity, circular dichroism, fluorescence and hydrodynamic measurements. Pfk‐2 undergoes a cooperative unfolding/dissociation process with the accumulation of an expanded and unstructured monomeric intermediate with a marginal stability and a large solvent accessibility with respect to the native dimer.
Neonatal ontogeny and neurotoxic effect of decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 209) on levels of synaptophysin and tau
Authors: Viberg Henrik
Published: May 2009

Mice and rats have a period of rapid growth and development that occurs postnatally, while in humans the corresponding period is perinatal. This gives us the opportunity to study direct effects of chemicals during developmental processes of the central nervous system (CNS) in murine animals. Mammals have a marked period of rapid brain growth and development, the brain growth spurt (BGS), which is postnatal in mice and rats, spanning the first 3–4 weeks of life and reaching its peak around postnatal day 10. The proteins synaptophysin and tau are involved in developmental processes in the nervous system during the BGS in mice. One class of flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is present and increasing in the environment and in human milk, which is also true for the only congener still in use, decabrominated diphenyl ether (2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′‐decaBDE, PBDE 209). The present study was divided into two parts (a) the neonatal ontogeny of synaptophysin and tau and (b) the developmental neurotoxic effect of PBDE 209 on synaptophysin and tau during the neonatal ontogeny in mice. The level of synaptophysin measured on postnatal days 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 28, increased continuously during the neonatal period, while tau has a bell‐shaped ontogeny curve that peaks between postnatal days 7 and 10. The effects of PBDE 209 on the developmental expression of synaptophysin and tau were examined in neonatal NMRI male mice, orally exposed on day 3 to 20.1 mg PBDE 209/kg body weight. The animals were euthanized 7 days after exposure to PBDE 209 and levels of synaptophysin and tau were analyzed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The protein analysis showed that synaptophysin had increased significantly in the hippocampus, but not in the cerebral cortex, in mice 7 days after exposure to PBDE 209. The analysis of protein levels showed no changes in tau in the hippocampus or cerebral cortex 7 days after exposure to PBDE 209 on postnatal day 3. A recent study shows that neonatal PBDE 209‐exposure can affect levels of BDNF (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor), CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II), and GAP‐43 (growth associated protein 43), which are proteins that are important for normal brain development. The present study shows that PBDE 209 affects the level of synaptophysin in the developing brain, which further supports the recent findings that PBDE 209 can disturb components of normal brain maturation and act as a developmental neurotoxicological agent. Furthermore, this suggests that certain proteins involved in developmental processes can serve as markers of developmental neurotoxicity.
The ghosts of the past, the dreamlands of the future … or why fantasies are bound to fail in socialism and the market: The case of public health policy development in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Fotaki Marianna
Published: May 2009

The transition ‘from planned to market economy’ in the former Soviet Union and in several countries in post-communist Europe is one of the most sweeping social transformations of the second half of the 20th century. It is widely accepted that this transformation was driven by a shared belief in the market’s superior ability to deliver economic growth, to create wealth and contribute to the well-being of the populations after the demise of the defunct socialist ideology. However, the element of utopian fantasy undergirding the grand projects of socialism and the market is usually ignored, often with detrimental results. The study draws on Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis to propose an alternative reading of the process of transition, as an exchange of one powerful fantasy for another. My key contention is that as long as the common utopian dream of social harmony underlying both projects will not be recognised for what it is, which is in itself an unattainable desire of the human psyche, the illusory dreamlands will continue to exist and so will their violent political consequences. The study uses the example of public health policy development in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia to illustrate how unacknowledged fantasy leads to violent utilitarianism as it was manifested in socialism, and is now repeated differently but no less tyrannically in the market. In conclusion, I argue for integrating fantasy as a constitutive element of political projects and explore the possibility of the autonomous (self-determined) mode of governance that Cornelius Castoriadis (1987/2005) theorised on and juxtaposed to the heteronomous ways of organising ruled by master signifiers present in various ideologies.
Negotiating the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Authors: Bechhoefer Bernhard G.
Published: May 2009

The negotiations leading to the creation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), both in their political and psychological contexts, are an interesting and indeed unique episode in post World War II diplomatic history. The most significant feature of the negotiations was that they succeeded. The Soviet Union and the United States reached a measure of agreement in the vital field of atomic energy. Virtually the entire world joined enthusiastically in this agreement. An international organization came into being with vast potential—even though today in a changed political atmosphere doubts exist that the potential will ever be realized.
The Official Pressure Group of the Council of Europe's Consultative Assembly
Authors: Mower A. Glenn
Published: May 2009

The universal and regional international organizations that are part of the twentieth century political scene confront one basic question: how to move successfully from international recommendation to national action. Mechanisms that offer at least a partial answer to this problem are of interest; and one such approach is the official pressure group of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, its Permanent Working Party on Parliamentary and Public Relations.
The Organization of African Unity and African Borders
Authors: Touval Saadia
Published: May 2009

Anaversion to the international borders drawn by the colonial powers, if not their complete rejection, has been a consistent theme of anticolonial nationalism in Africa. The borders are blamed for the disappearance of a unity which supposedly existed in Africa in precolonial times; they are regarded as arbitrarily imposed, artificial barriers separating people of the same stock, and they are said to have balkanized Africa. The borders are considered to be one of the humiliating legacies of colonialism which, according to this view, independent Africa ought to abolish.
The International Monetary Fund
Authors: Bernstein Edward M.
Published: May 2009

One would not ordinarily think of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as of particular importance to the less developed countries. Nevertheless, in recent years the less developed coun-tries have come to have a very high regard for the IMF; and the IMF, in turn, has become the great defender of the interests of the less developed countries. This entente has evolved out of the course of events. In the current discussions on international monetary reform the IMF has be-come the spokesman for universal participation in reserve creation. This suits the institutional interests of the IMF. At the same time it makes the IMF the advocate of the interests of the less developed countries
The United Nations, the United States, and the Maintenance of Peace
Authors: Claude Inis L.
Published: May 2009

This essay is addressed to the issue of the extent to which and the ways in which the United Nations may serve the interest of the United States in the maintenance of world peace during the decade that lies ahead. It rests upon two assumptions, both of which require careful qualification: first, the assumption that the United States has, and recognizes that it has, a fundamental interest in international peace; second, the assumption that the United Nations is in principle an organization dedicated to the promotion of international peace.
Sweden and the Atlantic Pact
Authors: Wigforss Harald
Published: May 2009

Words, like thoughts, often change their significance when used as political symbols. For a great many Swedes neutrality has come to be a synonym for peace and independence. Of course neutrality, if it succeeds, always means peace for the country itself. But it is hardly a policy intended to preserve peace among nations. It is more similar to one of those means which man has invented in order to be able to wage war. When neutrality began to appear as a conception in international law it was rooted in the view that war is a legitimate contest and that no distinction should be drawn between an aggressor state and the state attacked. When in modern war a mighty aggressor looks upon the neutrality of small countries not as a useful limitation of the theater of operations but as an obstacle to victory, that power simply forces its will upon the neutral. At the same time the great contest of our time arises from a conflict between authoritarian states and free democracies and tends to be total, involving all spheres of national and individual life. Moreover, international law no longer implies a sovereign right to go to war but moves towards a distinction between an unjust war of aggression and a just war of defense. All this means that the states attacked are not likely to look upon impartial neutrality as a matter of course and a proper standard of conduct.
The Impact of the United Nations on United States Foreign Policy
Authors: Cohen Benjamin V.
Published: May 2009

During the last five years the United States has been an active participant in the work of the United Nations. During this period the most vital international issues have come before various organs of the United Nations, have been discussed, and in various ways have been acted upon. The question naturally arises what has been the impact of the United Nations on the foreign policy of the United States?
International trade and international relations
Authors: Baldwin Robert E. , Kay David A.
Published: May 2009

In the 21 years since the conclusion of the Second World War, a complicated, piecemeal framework of trading arrangements under various international organizations has been created. Now there is concern, internationally and domestically, as to whether this framework is a durable basis for expanded world trade.
Foreign aid: its speckled past and future prospects
Authors: Frank Charles R. , Baird Mary
Published: May 2009

At the present time, the political popularity of foreign assistance, both bilateral and multilateral, has reached a low point in the United States. The lack of enthusiasm is epitomized by the vote of the House of Representatives in January 1974 against the United States's pledge of $550 million to support the International Development Association (IDA), the soft-loan subsidiary of the World Bank (even though that vote was subsequently reversed). Total US commitments of official development assistance have declined from 0.59 percent of GNP in 1963 to 0.29 percent in 1972.
Trusteeship in Action: The United Nations Mission to Western Samoa
Authors: Finkelstein Lawrence S.
Published: May 2009

Since the United Nations Charter was agreed upon at San Francisco, with its provisions for a system of trusteeship for certain dependent territories, there has been considerable conjecture concerning the impact which this new machinery might have on “the colonial problem.” Extravagant claims have been made that this crystallization of the concept of collective responsibility was a panacea, that it could provide a suitable resolution for the forces which have for so long exercised a disturbing influence on our society. The trusteeship system has been compared both favorably and unfavorably with the League of Nations mandates system. It has been both lauded and condemned before it has had an opportunity to demonstrate what, if any, are its capacities.
The United Nations Special Fund
Authors: Manzer Ronald A.
Published: May 2009

The United Nations Special Fund was the result of a compromise between two proposals which were debated at nineteen meetings of the Second (Economic and Financial) Committee during the twelfth session of the General Assembly. The first of these proposals was an eleven-power draft resolution, based on the recommendations of the Scheyven Committee, to establish a Special United Nations Fund for Economic Development (SUNFED). The second was a United States proposal to ncrease the financial resources of the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and to establish within it a Speical projects Fund Which would be used to widen the scope of EPTA7's activities.
UNRWA, the Palestine Refugees, and World Politics: 1949–1969
Authors: Forsythe David P.
Published: May 2009

It has been suggested that the United Nations may perform any of three general functions in its field operations: peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peaceservicing. The first two functions are more widely recognized than the third, and it is to the third that this article is directed with specific application to the Middle East. Peacekeeping, the termination or containment of violence, has been extensively discussed; in the Middle East such agencies as the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), and the Mixed Armistice Commissions are regarded as peacekeeping units of the parent organization. Increasingly a separate functional category for analysis termed peacemaking has been employed referring to efforts to remove or mollify the substantive issues causing violence. In the Middle East missions such as the Conciliation Commission for Palestine (CCP), its special representatives, and the representatives of the secretary-general such as Gunnar Jarring are generally labeled peacemakers rather than peacekeepers.
American Ambassador to the League of Nations—1933: A Proposal Postponed
Authors: Ostrower Gary B.
Published: May 2009

Ever since Adolph Hitler's invasion of Poland, American and European interwar diplomacy has, with good reason, been judged a failure. Analyzing what went wrong, American historians have been quick to note their own nation's withdrawal from European affairs following the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Consequently, they have focused great attention on the Senate's rejection of United Statesmembership in the League of Nations, an act which has been seen as both cause and effect of the ensuing years of isolation. Indeed, nonmembership in the Geneva-based international organization came to have—for contemporaries and historians alike—deep symbolic and emotional overtones as well as diplomatic significance, appearing as the quintessence of isolationism itself.
The debt crisis and adjustment responses in Eastern Europe: a comparative perspective
Authors: Tyson Laura D'Andrea
Published: May 2009

The responses of East European states to changing international economic opportunities and constraints during the 1973–84 period are examined and contrasted with a sample of newly industrializing countries, including Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil, and Yugoslavia. The effects of external economic shocks and internal policy choices on balance-of-payments difficulties and borrowing requirements in the mid-1970s are assessed. With the exception of Korea, all the countries that chose to borrow heavily at this time, including all of the East European countries, confronted a debt crisis by the early 1980s and were compelled to introduce austerity measures. Economic performance under austerity is compared in terms of the policy instruments different countries used and their effects on output growth, distributional goals, the balance of payments, and debt levels. Long-term effects of the debt crisis on development strategy and economic and political structure are also considered.
On context, facts, and norms: response to Hall and Kratochwil
Authors: Fischer Markus
Published: May 2009

Hall and Kratochwil raise several serious claims in their critique of my recent article on feudal Europe. In order to demonstrate that these claims are unwarranted and that my study is sound, I will address the following points: (1) the relevance of context to empirical analysis, (2) counterfactual evidence and the representativeness of sample, (3) understanding the normative argument of critical theory, and (4) the accuracy of my citations.