bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small arms and conflict among East African pastoralists: the Karamoja (in)security complex
Authors: Mulugeta Mercy Fekadu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWhile the conceptual models on conflict, security and regionalism have evolved and augmented with time, East African pastoral relations remain subject to simplistic explanatory analyses that view pastoral conflicts as cross-border community conflicts and small arms as part of their cultural heritage. This article strives to find a more nuanced understanding of the relations of pastoralist communities and the role of arms in the perennial cross-border conflict. It uses a regional security complex (RSC) approach, first proposed by Barry Buzan and subsequently moulded in ‘new regionalism’ perspectives, which emphasizes the intricate web of pastoralist relations shaped by their need for security, where their identity and livelihood (cattle) remain at the centre. Taking this further, it develops the concept of a Karamoja security complex (KSC) as an appropriate explanatory framework. Through historical analysis and primary data collected among the Nyàngatom in Ethiopia, the research reveals a regular and complex pattern of conflict moulded primarily by the fundamental need for security.
Molecular systematics, biogeography, and colony fusion in the European dry-wood termites Kalotermes spp. (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Kalotermitidae)
Authors: Scicchitano V. , Dedeine F. , Mantovani B. , Luchetti A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEuropean dry-wood termites belong to the genus Kalotermes (Kalotermitidae), one of the two termite genera in Europe. Until the recent description of two new species, Kalotermes italicus in Italy and Kalotermes phoenicae in the eastern Mediterranean area, Kalotermes flavicollis was the only taxon known in this region. The presence of additional entities, suggested by morphological and physiological variation observed in K. flavicollis, was supported by molecular studies revealing four distinct genetic lineages: lineage A, K. flavicollis sensu strictu, from the Aegean area to Italy; lineage B, in Tuscany; lineage SC, in Sardinia and Corsica; lineage SF, in southern France. Lineages A and B may form mixed colonies, suggesting hybridization. To draw a more detailed picture of Kalotermes evolution and biogeography in Europe, we analyzed samples from previously unsampled areas, such as Spain and southern Italy, by means of the highly informative cox1/trnL/cox2 mitochondrial DNA marker. Overall, phylogenetic analyses confirmed previously identified lineages and taxa, but widened the distribution of the lineage SC to the mainland and of the lineage SF to Spain and Portugal. Results further provided evidence for the synonymy between lineage B and K. italicus. Species delimitation analysis suggested that the three K. flavicollis lineages, as well as K. italicus, can be separate taxa. Data also suggest a possible interspecific hybridization between K. italicus and both K. flavicollis lineages A and SC.
Guadalupian cool versus warm water deposits in central Iran: a record of the Capitanian Kamura event
Authors: AREFIFARD SAKINEH 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAn integration of geochemical and grain association studies were carried out on Middle Permian deposits in central Iran where both cool and warm water carbonates are found. The recrystallization of most bioclasts, lime-mud matrix and ooids along with high Sr contents suggests a probable original aragonite mineralogy for carbonates of the Middle Permian Jamal Formation at the Shotori section. Low bulk carbonate δ18O values imply pervasive diagenetic alteration in this section. Conversely, Middle Permian deposits at the correlative Bagh-e Vang section have a probable calcite precursor supported by low Sr contents and no evidence of recrystallization. This mineralogical variation in these coeval carbonates is considered to be due to the change in depth and temperature of the depositional palaeoenvironment. δ13C values started to rise over 2 ‰ PDB and reached a maximum of 4.3 ‰ PDB at the Wordian–Capitanian boundary at the Bagh-e Vang section. This δ13C rise is attributed to high primary productivity as previously reported in the Capitanian Abadeh Formation in central Iran. The positive δ13C excursion in these sections is correlated with the Capitanian ‘Kamura event’ identified from the mid-Panthalassian sections in Japan. No noticeable positive excursion occurs in the δ13C plot at the Shotori section making the interpretation of palaeo-productivity difficult. It is suggested that an active oceanic upwelling was the probable driver of the Middle Permian oceanic productivity in central Iran. Remarkable negative δ13C excursions around 3.7 and 4.2 ‰ PDB in Capitanian carbonates close to the Guadalupian–Lopingian boundary at the Bagh-e Vang and Abadeh sections, respectively are recorded, which are a proxy for low palaeo-productivity and a transition from a cool to warm climate, consistent with an early Lopingian sea level rise.
Authoritarian Public Opinion and the Democratic Peace
Authors: Bell Mark S. , Quek Kai 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe “democratic peace”—the regularity that democracies rarely (if ever) fight with other democracies but do fight with nondemocracies—is one of the most famous findings in international relations scholarship. There is little agreement, however, about the mechanism that underpins the democratic peace. Recently, scholars have shown that mass publics in liberal democracies are less supportive of using military force against other democracies. This finding has been taken to support the idea that the content of public opinion may provide one mechanism that underpins the democratic peace. Using a large-scale survey experiment, we show that mass publics in an authoritarian regime—China—show the same reluctance to use force against democracies as is found in western democracies. Our findings expand the empirical scope of the claim that mass publics are reluctant to use force against democracies, but force us to rethink how public opinion operates as a causal mechanism underpinning the democratic peace.
Love between couples living with Alzheimer's disease: narratives of spouse care-givers
Authors: SHAVIT ORIT , BEN-ZE'EV AARON , DORON ISRAEL 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThe aim of this interdisciplinary study is to describe and analyse the meaning of love in relationships between couples living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite the wealth of studies describing relationships in the face of AD, little is known about the experience and changing meaning of ‘love’ between spouses when one of them is suffering from AD. A qualitative narrative approach was used to capture what love means for couples when one spouse is living with AD. A combination of open discussion along with a semi-guided interview was conducted with N = 16 spouses of persons living with AD. Data were analysed using Thematic Analysis. A leading theme that emerges from the interviews is that AD provides a significant indicator of the meaning and understanding of the experience of love. Five major types of relationship developments occurred after the disease emerged: love died, love became weaker, love did not change, love was enhanced and the spouse fell in love again. The need for further research is discussed. The findings of this study offer an additional perspective to the existing literature, thereby providing a more comprehensive outlook on marital relationships within the context of AD.
Poverty, deprivation and life satisfaction among Hong Kong older persons
Authors: CHEUNG KELVIN CHI-KIN , CHOU KEE-LEE 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThis investigation examines the association of four measures of poverty (income-based, expenditure-based and asset-based poverty, and material deprivation) with life satisfaction. Perceived life satisfaction was measured among 1,410 older Chinese persons aged 65 and over. Besides life satisfaction and measures of poverty, the study assessed socio-demographic variables, financial strain, health indicators, and social and community resources. Those who faced expenditure-based poverty, material deprivation and asset-based poverty reported a significantly lower level of perceived life satisfaction, while the association between expenditure-based poverty and life satisfaction was found to be the strongest. Other factors that had an impact on life satisfaction included gender, education and marital status; financial strain; social support; the number of close family members and friends; self-rated health; functional capacity; perceived memory; pain; sleep quality; neighbourhood collective efficacy; and engagement in cultural and entertainment activities. From the theoretical perspective, the findings have strong implications for the understanding of the factors that shape the perception of quality of life in old age. Our results also have important policy implications for the official measurement of poverty, monitoring of the poverty situation and the development of anti-poverty measures to help older persons living in poverty to improve the quality of their lives.
The reasons older immigrants in the United States of America report for returning to Mexico
Authors: VEGA ALMA , HIRSCHMAN KAREN 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTMexicans are the largest immigrant group in the United States of America (USA) and are ageing rapidly. Few studies investigate whether older immigrants return to Mexico for different reasons than younger immigrants. Using the Mexican Health and Aging Study (N = 952), we examine whether Mexican immigrants in the USA who returned to Mexico at age 50 and older report different reasons for returning than those who returned at younger ages. Few immigrants (regardless of age) returned for economic reasons. The most commonly reported reason for returning for both groups was missing family. However, the odds of selecting missing family over illness as their main reason for returning were lower for older immigrants than younger immigrants after controlling for the duration of their stay in the USA and other socio-demographic factors (odds ratio (OR) = 0.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.11, 0.68). Results indicate that older immigrants were just as likely to report returning due to economic reasons and migration problems as they were to report returning because of illness (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.15, 2.21; OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.12, 1.43). While existing research shows that older immigrants in the USA typically experience fewer migration problems and are often more economically stable than younger immigrants, our research suggests this may be entirely due to the duration of their stay in the USA.
Late management of truncus arteriosus: 20 years of humanitarian experience
Authors: Gouton Marielle , Lucet Vincent , Bical Olivier , Leca Francine 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesEarly surgical management of common arterial trunk is well established and has good prognosis. Late diagnosis is less common. We reviewed late-diagnosed common arterial trunk management and prognosis for children in developing countries. We also discuss the need for prior catheterisation.Material and methodsWe reviewed all common arterial trunk patients managed by our humanitarian organization since 1996.ResultsA total of 41 children with common arterial trunk were managed at a mean age of 3 years old. The lack of adequate facilities in developing countries explains the late management. The decision to proceed with surgery was based on clinical and radiological symptoms of persistent shunt, particularly a high cutaneous saturation level, regardless of catheterization – not carried out systematically. Eight children had to be withdrawn and 33 (80.5%) received operation – mean saturation 91%. The postoperative course was marked by pulmonary arterial hypertension requiring specific treatment in 30% of cases. The operative mortality was 1/33. The 32 children returned home without treatment after a mean post operative stay of 49 days and were followed up (mean FU 3.4 years, none lost to follow-up). At last contact, 1 child died six months after surgery, 1 child had a massive truncal valve insufficiency, 5 had a significant stenosis of the RV-PA tube, and 2 have had further surgery for tube replacement.ConclusionsLate management and surgery of common arterial trunk is possible with good long-term results without prior hemodynamic examination up to an advanced childhood when signs of left-to-right shunt persist. A high saturation level (above 88%) seems to be a good operability criterion.
The Study of the Antisaccade Performance and Contingent Negative Variation Characteristics in First-Episode and Chronic Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Kirenskaya Anna V. , Tkachenco Andrej A. , Novototsky-Vlasov Vladimir Yu. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe study tested whether the antisaccade (AS) performance and Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) measures differed between the first-episode and chronic patients to provide the evidence of PFC progressive functional deterioration. Subjects included 15 first-episode and 20 chronic schizophrenic patients (with the duration of illness more than 5 years), and 21 control subjects. The first-episode and chronic patients had significantly elevated error percent (p < .05, effect size 1.10 and p < .001, effect size 1.25), increased AS latencies (p < .01, effect size 1.18 and p < .001, effect size 1.69), and increased latencies variability (p < .01, effect size 1.52 and p < .001, effect size 1.37) compared to controls. Chronic patients had marginally significant increase of the response latency (p = .086, effect size .78) and latency variability (p < .099, effect size .63) compared to first-episode ones. Results of CNV analysis revealed that chronic patients only exhibited robustly declined frontal CNV amplitude at Fz (p < .05, effect size .70), F3 (p < .05, effect size .88), and F4 (p < .05, effect size .71) sites compared to controls. The obtained results might be related to specific changes in prefrontal cortex function over the course of schizophrenia.
Detecting Feigned Cognitive Impairment With Schretlen’s	Malingering Scale Vocabulary and Abstraction Test
Authors: van Impelen Alfons , Jelicic Marko , Otgaar Henry , Merckelbach Harald 
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Schretlen’s Malingering Scale Vocabulary and Abstraction test (MSVA) differs from the majority of performance validity tests in that it focuses on the detection of feigned impairments in semantic knowledge and perceptual reasoning rather than feigned memory problems. We administered the MSVA to children ( n = 41), forensic inpatients with intellectual disability ( n = 25), forensic inpatients with psychiatric symptoms ( n = 57), and three groups of undergraduate students ( n = 30, n = 79, and n = 90, respectively), asking approximately half of each of these samples to feign impairment and the other half to respond genuinely. With cutpoints chosen so as to keep false-positive rates below 10%, detection rates of experimentally feigned cognitive impairment were high in children (90%) and inpatients with intellectual disability (100%), but low in adults without intellectual disability (46%). The rates of significantly below-chance performance were low (4%), except in children (47%) and intellectually disabled inpatients (50%). The reliability of the MSVA was excellent (Cronbach’s α = .93–.97) and the MSVA proved robust against coaching (i.e., informed attempts to evade detection while feigning). We conclude that the MSVA is not ready yet for clinical use, but that it shows sufficient promise to warrant further validation efforts.
Caspase-2 deficiency enhances whole-body carbohydrate utilisation and prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity
Authors: Wilson Claire H , Nikolic Andrej , Kentish Stephen J , Keller Marianne , Hatzinikolas George , Dorstyn Loretta , Page Amanda J , Kumar Sharad 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCaspase-2 has been shown to be involved in metabolic homeostasis. Here, we show that caspase-2 deficiency alters basal energy metabolism by shifting the balance in fuel choice from fatty acid to carbohydrate usage. At 4 weeks of age, whole-body carbohydrate utilisation was increased in Casp2−/− mice and was maintained into adulthood. By 17 weeks of age, Casp2−/− mice had reduced white adipose mass, smaller white adipocytes decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma triglycerides but maintained normal insulin levels. When placed on a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD), Casp2−/− mice resisted the development of obesity, fatty liver, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. In addition, HFD-fed Casp2−/− mice had reduced white adipocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and expansion of both subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots. Increased expression of UCP1 and the maintenance of adiponectin levels in white adipose tissue of HFD-fed Casp2−/− mice indicated increased browning and adipocyte hyperplasia. We found that while the preference for whole-body carbohydrate utilisation was maintained, HFD-fed Casp2−/− mice were not impaired in their ability to switch to utilising fats as a fuel source. Our findings suggest that caspase-2 impacts basal energy metabolism by regulating adipocyte biology and fat expansion, most likely via a non-apoptotic function. Furthermore, we show that caspase-2 deficiency shifts the balance in fuel choice towards increased carbohydrate utilisation and propose that this is due to mild energy stress. As a consequence, Casp2−/− mice show an adaptive remodelling of adipose tissue that protects from HFD-induced obesity and improves glucose homeostasis while paradoxically increasing their susceptibility to oxidative stress induced damage and premature ageing.
Specific detection of soluble EphA2 fragments in blood as a new biomarker for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Koshikawa Naohiko , Minegishi Tomoko , Kiyokawa Hirofumi , Seiki Motoharu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBecause membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MT1-MMP) and erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor 2 (EphA2) expression are upregulated by the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, they are frequently coexpressed in malignant tumors. MT1-MMP cleaves the N-terminal ligand-binding domain of EphA2 and inactivates its ligand-dependent tumor-suppressing activity. Therefore, specific detection of the cleaved N-terminal EphA2 fragment in blood might be an effective biomarker to diagnose malignant tumors. To evaluate this possibility, we developed three monoclonal antibodies against the soluble EphA2 fragment. One of them recognized this fragment specifically, with negligible cross-reactivity to the intact form. We used the cleaved form-specific antibody to develop a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed the linear reactivity to the recombinant fragment. We applied this assay on commercially available serum specimens obtained from patients with several types of cancer including gastric, pancreatic, esophageal, gastroesophageal, and head-and-neck cancers, and healthy donors. Soluble EphA2 fragment levels in cancer-patient sera were higher than those in healthy donors (n=50). In particular, levels of eight out of nine (89%) pancreatic cancer patients and ten out of seventeen (59%) gastric cancer patients significantly exceeded cutoff values obtained from the healthy donors, whereas those of esophageal and head-and-neck cancer-patient sera were low. The preliminary receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for pancreatic cancer demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity were 89.0% and 90.0%, respectively, whereas those of the conventional digestive tumor marker CA19-9 were 88.9% and 72.0%, respectively. These results indicated that specific detection of soluble EphA2 fragment levels in serum could be potentially useful as a biomarker to diagnose pancreatic cancer.
Transglutaminase 2 mediates UV-induced skin inflammation by enhancing inflammatory cytokine production
Authors: Lee Seok-Jin , Lee Ki Baek , Son Young Hoon , Shin Jiwoong , Lee Jin-Haeng , Kim Hyo-Jun , Hong Ah-Young , Bae Hee Won , Kwon Mee-ae , Lee Won Jong , Kim Jin-Hee , Lee Dong Hun , Jeong Eui Man , Kim In-Gyu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUV irradiation elicits acute inflammation in the skin by increasing proinflammatory cytokine production in keratinocytes. However, the downstream protein target(s) that link UV radiation to the activation of signaling pathways responsible for cytokine expression have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we report a novel role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a member of the TG enzyme family whose activities are critical for cornified envelope formation, in mediating UV-induced inflammation. Our results showed that TG2-deficient mice exhibited reduced inflammatory responses to UV irradiation, including reduced erythema, edema, dilation of blood vessels, inflammatory cell infiltration, and levels of inflammatory cytokines. Using primary mouse keratinocytes and HaCaT cells, we found that UV irradiation-induced cytokine production by activating TG2, but not by upregulating TG2 expression, and that ER calcium release triggered by the UV-induced activation of phospholipase C was required for TG2 activation. Moreover, TG2 activity enhanced p65 phosphorylation, leading to an increase in NF-κB transcriptional activity. These results indicate that TG2 is a critical mediator of cytokine expression in the UV-induced inflammatory response of keratinocytes, and suggest that TG2 inhibition might be useful for preventing UV-related skin disorders, such as photoaging and skin cancer caused by chronic UV exposure.
BCL6 attenuates renal inflammation via negative regulation of NLRP3 transcription
Authors: Chen Dan , Xiong Xiao-Qing , Zang Ying-Hao , Tong Ying , Zhou Bing , Chen Qi , Li Yue-Hua , Gao Xing-Ya , Kang Yu-Ming , Zhu Guo-Qing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRenal inflammation contributes to the pathogeneses of hypertension. This study was designed to determine whether B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) attenuates renal NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inflammation and its underlying mechanism. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were used in the present study. Angiotensin (Ang) II or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was used to induce inflammation in HK-2 cells, a human renal tubular epithelial (RTE) cell line. NLRP3 inflammasome was activated and BCL6 was downregulated in the kidneys of SHR. Either Ang II or LPS suppressed BCL6 expression in HK-2 cells. BCL6 overexpression in HK-2 cells attenuated Ang II-induced NLRP3 upregulation, inflammation and cell injury. The inhibitory effects of BCL6 overexpression on NLRP3 expression and inflammation were also observed in LPS-treated HK-2 cells. BCL6 inhibited the NLRP3 transcription via binding to the NLRP3 promoter. BCL6 knockdown with shRNA increased NLRP3 and mature IL-1β expression levels in both PBS- or Ang II-treated HK-2 cells but had no significant effects on ASC, pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β expression levels. BCL6 overexpression caused by recombinant lentivirus expressing BCL6 reduced blood pressure in SHR. BCL6 overexpression prevented the upregulation of NLRP3 and mature IL-1β expression levels in the renal cortex of SHR. The results indicate that BCL6 attenuates Ang II- or LPS-induced inflammation in HK-2 cells via negative regulation of NLRP3 transcription. BCL6 overexpression in SHR reduced blood pressure, NLRP3 expression and inflammation in the renal cortex of SHR.