bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An “International Human Rights Comittee for Slavery”?
Authors: Lador-Lederer J. J. 
Published: July 2017

It is certainly difficult to assess whether, and to what degree, international anti-slavery legislation has been successful. The facts are that in the nineteenth century, legal and religious motivations were conjoined with technical developments creating a situation in which the manpower problem came to differ in essentials from that which had sustained slavery, both in “exporter” and “importer” countries. In the result slavery was abolished west of the Atlantic, and with it slave trade on the western shores of Africa. It soon transpired, however, that the disintegration of the westward-bound trade only reinforced its eastward branch. Although attempts were made at an international level to extend to the East the western experience in abolition of the slave trade, they did not meet with full success, and, apart from the protection of women and minorities, abolition of slavery remains today the main problem of group protection confronting the United Nations Organization. At present, the U.N. is negotiating for its third set of “teeth” with which to confront this problem.The standing of the United Nations in this matter, is that of an Agent of Protection—a function which has in the last two hundred years or so developed in each case where international legislation related to groups of beneficiaries (such as slaves, minorities, prisoners-of-war, etc.) which have no independent standing as subjects of International Law, and therefore are incapable of negotiating for themselves (or through representatives appointed by them) the conditions of their protection in respect to sovereign States as obligatees, and even less of providing for a control of such protection and the obtention of remedial action. The range of effectiveness of such Agents of Protection is obviously indicated with the effective influence which such agencies may exercise in the orbit of Order (and Protection) through Authority—as an Order subsidiary and supplementary to the Order (and Protection) through Consent.
Spatial and temporal variations in evapotranspiration and net water requirements of typical Mediterranean crops on the island of Cyprus
Authors: CHRISTOU A. , DALIAS P. , NEOCLEOUS D. 
Published: July 2017

SUMMARYDiminishing irrigation water availability and increased crop evapotranspiration (ET) have already been shown to pose threats to agricultural productivity. The aim of the current study was to estimate the values and trends of both ET and net irrigation requirements (NIR) of those crops consuming most water due to the size of their cultivated area (citrus and potatoes) in a water-scarce region with typical Mediterranean climate, such as Cyprus, analyse possible spatial and temporal variations of these parameters, and discuss implications of this analysis on agricultural water conservation. A linear regression analysis of ET and NIR values of potatoes and citrus during recent decades in their four main cultivated areas uncovered both increasing and decreasing trends for these parameters. Overall, however, the results did not show any change in irrigation water demands for these crops during recent years. In accordance with this outcome, average ET and NIR values of the majority of cultivated crops on the island showed no statistically significant differences between the periods 1976–2000 and 1990–2014. Conversely, this was not the case when data were analysed within each weather station across crops. It is suggested, therefore, that agricultural water resource management schemes should not be focused merely on a regional analysis of changes but that emphasis should be given to site-specific values and trends of ET and NIR estimations, ultimately serving the conservation of agricultural water.
Beyond the Bazaars: Geographies of the slave trade in Central Asia
Authors: EDEN JEFF 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe slave trade in nineteenth-century Central Asia involved hundreds of thousands of slaves, predominantly Persian Shīʿites, and stopping the trade was alleged to be a major motivating factor in the Russian conquest of the region. Nevertheless, Central Asian slavery remains little-studied and little-understood. In this article I will argue, first, that the region's slave trade was characterized by decentralized trade networks and by abundant inter-nomadic trade; and, second, that Russian efforts to end the slave trade by decree and through military force in the 1860s and 70s were not as successful as has often been assumed.
Sexual Knowledge, Sexual Anxieties: Middle-class males in western India and the correspondence inSamaj Swasthya, 1927–53
Authors: BOTRE SHRIKANT , HAYNES DOUGLAS E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis article examines letters written by young men to the Marathi-language journalSamaj Swasthyaand its editor, R. D. Karve, a major advocate of birth control and sex education in western India. The letters, and Karve's responses to them, constituted perhaps the earliest sex-advice column in Indian print media. We argue here that the correspondence provides a unique vehicle for understanding the forms of sexual knowledge held by middle-class males in mid-twentieth-century India as well as for appreciating their most significant sexual anxieties. The article analyses the concerns expressed in the letters about masturbation and seminal emissions, the nature of the female body and processes of conception, birth control and same-sex sexual practices. It particularly illuminates the ways in which the concept of modern conjugality pervaded the sexual understandings of the young men who wrote to Karve. It thus offers valuable insights into specifically sexual aspects of conjugality and masculinity—aspects that have previously been unexplored.
Guilt, Practical Identity, and Moral Staining
Authors: Ingram Andrew 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe guilt left by immoral actions is why moral duties are more pressing and serious than other reasons like prudential considerations. Religions talk of sin and karma; the secular still speak of spots or stains. I argue that a moral staining view of guilt is in fact the best model. It accounts for guilt's reflexive character and for anxious, scrupulous worries about whether one has transgressed. To understand moral staining, I borrow Christine Korsgaard's view that we construct our identities as agents through our actions. The contribution of immoral actions to self-constitution explains why moral obligations have priority and importance.
Traditional empire–modern state hybridity: Chinese tianxia and Westphalian anarchy1
Authors: WANG HUNG-JEN 
Published: July 2017

Abstract:Individual relationships between Mainland China and Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan are considered confusing for some because China’s rising international power is not resulting in stronger calls for a shared identity based on ‘Chinese pride’ or historical links. Instead, China’s economic growth appears to be provoking increasingly stronger calls for autonomy or independence. In this article I discuss why Beijing’s self-described peace and development policy is failing to procure positive responses in those four regions, with a primary focus on the failed use of narrowly-defined Westphalian thinking to understand relevant issues. I argue that the reason for this failure is the tension between the individualist ontology underlying modern international politics (as expressed in terms of Westphalian sovereignty) and the relational ontology underpinning a traditional Chinese politics built upon a tianxia (‘all-under-heaven’) world view. This tension has become conspicuous in the context of China’s recent rise and Beijing’s growing confidence in contesting Western power. The Chinese leadership’s reliance on arguments involving historical connections with Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and calls for autonomy or independence from citizens living in those four areas, are examples of this contestation.
The Scottish independence referendum and the participatory turn in UK constitution-making: The move towards a constitutional convention
Authors: SUTEU SILVIA 
Published: July 2017

Abstract:This article looks at the continued calls for popular participation in UK constitution-making following the 2014 Scottish independence and 2016 Brexit referendums. In particular, it discusses the prospect of a UK constitutional convention being set up to deliberate upon and make recommendations concerning constitutional reform. The article proceeds by first mapping the arguments in favour of setting up such a body in a country with little but growing experience with direct democracy. It then analyses three difficulties surrounding a UK constitutional convention: deciding on a manageable mandate, identifying the political community or communities it is to represent and the method for selecting its membership, and defining the place of such a convention within the UK’s broader constitution-making mechanisms. The article highlights fundamental unknowns in need of clarification before such an instrument could be used while at the same time admitting the limitations of a constitutional convention as a panacea for all of the UK’s constitutional woes. In exploring these questions, the article shows how constitutional reform debates in the UK are no less complex than were those surrounding Scottish independence and have been further compounded by Brexit.
In vivo imaging to monitor differentiation and therapeutic effects of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in myocardial infarction
Authors: Pei Zhijun , Zeng Jing , Song Yafeng , Gao Yan , Wu Ruimin , Chen Yijia , Li Fuyan , Li Wei , Zhou Hong , Yang Yi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHere, we used a noninvasive multimodality imaging approach to monitor differentiation of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and recovery of cardiac function in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction (MI). We established a rat MI model by coronary artery ligation. Ninety rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham-operated, MI model, and α-MHC-HSV1-tk-transfected or un-transfected BMSCs-treated MI model. We used 18F-Fluro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor recovery of cardiac function, and 18F-FHBG PET/CT imaging to monitor transplanted BMSCs differentiation 24 h after 18F-FDG imaging. The uptake of 18F-FDG at 3, 16, 30 and 45 days after BMSCs injection was 0.39 ± 0.03, 0.57 ± 0.05, 0.59 ± 0.04, and 0.71 ± 0.05% ID/g, respectively. Uptake of 18F-FHBG increased significantly in large areas in the BMSCs-treated group over time. Ex vivo experiments indicated that expression of the cardiomyocyte markers GATA-4 and cardiac troponin I markedly increased in the BMSCs-treated group. Additionally, immunohistochemistry revealed that HSV-tk-labelled BMSCs-derived cells were positive for cardiac troponin I. Multimodal imaging systems combining an α-MHC-HSV1-tk/18F-FHBG reporter gene and 18F-FDG metabolism imaging could be used to track differentiation of transplanted BMSCs and recovery of cardiac function in MI.
Analysis of newly detected tetracycline resistance genes and their flanking sequences in human intestinal bifidobacteria
Authors: Wang Na , Hang Xiaomin , Zhang Min , Liu Xianglong , Yang Hong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDue to tetracycline abuse, the safe bifidobacteria in the human gastrointestinal intestinal tract (GIT) may serve as a reservoir of tetracycline resistance genes. In the present investigation of 92 bifidobacterial strains originating from the human GIT, tetracycline resistance in 29 strains was mediated by the tet(W), tet(O) or tet(S) gene, and this is the first report of tet(O)- and tet(S)-mediated tetracycline resistance in bifidobacteria. Antibiotic resistance genes harbored by bifidobacteria are transferred from other bacteria. However, the characteristics of the spread and integration of tetracycline resistance genes into the human intestinal bifidobacteria chromosome are poorly understood. Here, conserved sequences were identified in bifidobacterial strains positive for tet(W), tet(O), or tet(S), including the tet(W), tet(O), or tet(S) and their partial flanking sequences, which exhibited identity with the sequences in multiple human intestinal pathogens, and genes encoding 23 S rRNA, an ATP transporter, a Cpp protein, and a membrane-spanning protein were flanking by the 1920-bp tet(W), 1920-bp tet(O), 1800-bp tet(O) and 252-bp tet(S) in bifidobacteria, respectively. These findings suggest that tetracycline resistance genes harbored by human intestinal bifidobacteria might initially be transferred from pathogens and that each kind of tetracycline resistance gene might tend to insert in the vicinity of specific bifidobacteria genes.
Trajectory of blood pressure change during pregnancy and the role of pre-gravid blood pressure: a functional data analysis approach
Authors: Shen Minxue , Tan Hongzhuan , Zhou Shujin , Smith Graeme N. , Walker Mark C. , Wen Shi Wu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe study aims to examine the blood pressure (BP) trajectory during pregnancy and its association with pre-gravid BP level. In a pre-conception cohort study, newly-married women in Liuyang, China underwent pre-gravid measurements and were followed throughout the pregnancy. BP was measured at pre-conception and again throughout pregnancy. The functional principal component analysis was used to examine the trajectory of BP changes during pregnancy. A total of 1282 women with a singleton pregnancy who had both pre-conception and gestational BP measurements performed were included in the final analysis. The results showed that BP decreased significantly in early pregnancy and increased thereafter, without BP drop around 20 weeks of gestation. Pre-gravid BP level was inversely associated with the BP drop in early pregnancy, such that women with higher pre-gravid BP had greater BP drop at the beginning, while women with the lowest pre-gravid BP level demonstrated no obvious BP drop throughout the entire pregnancy.
Desmoglein 2 regulates the intestinal epithelial barrier via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase
Authors: Ungewiß Hanna , Vielmuth Franziska , Suzuki Shintaro T. , Maiser Andreas , Harz Hartmann , Leonhardt Heinrich , Kugelmann Daniela , Schlegel Nicolas , Waschke Jens 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntestinal epithelial barrier properties are maintained by a junctional complex consisting of tight junctions (TJ), adherens junctions (AJ) and desmosomes. Desmoglein 2 (Dsg2), an adhesion molecule of desmosomes and the only Dsg isoform expressed in enterocytes, is required for epithelial barrier properties and may contribute to barrier defects in Crohn’s disease. Here, we identified extradesmosomal Dsg2 on the surface of polarized enterocytes by Triton extraction, confocal microscopy, SIM and STED. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed Dsg2-specific binding events along the cell border on the surface of enterocytes with a mean unbinding force of around 30pN. Binding events were blocked by an inhibitory antibody targeting Dsg2 which under same conditions activated p38MAPK but did not reduce cell cohesion. In enterocytes deficient for Dsg2, p38MAPK activity was reduced and both barrier integrity and reformation were impaired. Dsc2 rescue did not restore p38MAPK activity indicating that Dsg2 is required. Accordingly, direct activation of p38MAPK in Dsg2-deficient cells enhanced barrier reformation demonstrating that Dsg2-mediated activation of p38MAPK is crucial for barrier function. Collectively, our data show that Dsg2, beside its adhesion function, regulates intestinal barrier function via p38MAPK signalling. This is in contrast to keratinocytes and points towards tissue-specific signalling functions of desmosomal cadherins.
Depression and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genetic variants are associated with pain in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lin Chin-Hsien , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Fan Jun-Yu , Ko Chia-I. , Rizos Alexandra , Chang Chia-Wen , Lin Han-I. , Wu Yih-Ru 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPain is a distressing symptom of Parkinson disease (PD). We aim to determine whether the genetic variants of chronic pain-related genes contribute to pain in PD patients. We included 418 PD patients and evaluated pain severity on King’s PD pain scale. We genotyped rs6267, rs6269, rs4633, rs4818 and rs4680 of COMT, rs6746030 of SCN9A, and rs1799971 of OPRM1. In total, 193 participants (46.2%) experienced pain. Compared to pain-free PD patients, PD patients with pain had an earlier age of onset, longer disease duration, and higher depression and motor severity (P < 0.01). The frequencies of COMT rs4680 “A” allele were higher in PD patients with pain than those without pain (46.1% vs. 31.1%, P < 0.01). Pain severity was significantly associated with disease duration (P = 0.02), and COMT rs6267 T allele (P < 0.01). We stratified PD by status of depression and the association between COMT rs6267 “GT” genotype and pain severity remained significant (P < 0.01). Furthermore, pain severity was significantly higher in participants having COMT rs4680 “GG” and “GA” genpotypes than those having “AA” genotype (P = 0.04). We concluded that depression and COMT rs4680 “GG” and “GA” genotypes and COMT rs6267 “GT” genotype contribute to pain in PD patients.
A brief exposure to cadmium impairs Leydig cell regeneration in the adult rat testis
Authors: Wu Xiaolong , Guo Xiaoling , Wang Huang , Zhou Songyi , Li Lili , Chen Xiaomin , Wang Guimin , Liu Jianpeng , Ge Hong-Shan , Ge Ren-Shan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCadmium is an endocrine disruptor, impairing male reproduction. The objective of this study is to investigate whether cadmium affects rat Leydig cell regeneration and to dissect the underlying mechanism. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 0, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg of cadmium chloride, followed by ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS) treatment to eliminate adult Leydig cells 20 days later. Compared to control (0 dose), cadmium treatment reduced serum testosterone levels by days 21, 35, and 56 after EDS treatment. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were also affected by day 56, the only time point examined. There were fewer regenerated Leydig cells in the cadmium-treated testis on days 35 and 56 after EDS treatment. Further studies demonstrated that the mRNA or protein levels of Leydig (Lhcgr,Scarb1,Star,Cyp11a1,Hsd3b1,Cyp17a1,Hsd17b3, andHsd11b1), non-Leydig (FshrandDhh), and gonadotroph (Lhb) cells were also significantly lower in cadmium-treated animals. Since LH and desert hedgehog (DHH) are critical factors for Leydig cell differentiation, our result demonstrated that the lower doses of cadmium exposure, even briefly, may permanently damage Leydig cell regeneration.
Keteniminium Ions: Unique and Versatile Reactive Intermediates for Chemical Synthesis
Authors: Evano Gwilherm , Lecomte Morgan , Thilmany Pierre , Theunissen Cédric 
Published: July 2017

Keteniminium ions have been demonstrated to be remarkably useful and versatile reactive intermediates in chemical synthesis. These unique heterocumulenes are pivotal electrophilic species involved in a number of efficient and selective transformations. More recently, even more reactive ‘activated’ keteniminium ions bearing an additional electron-withdrawing group on the nitrogen atom have been extensively investigated. The chemistry of these unique reactive intermediates, including representative methods for their in situ generation, will be overviewed in this review article.1	Introduction2	The Chemistry of Keteniminium Ions3	The Chemistry of Activated Keteniminium Ions4	Keteniminium Ions: Pivotal Intermediates for the Synthesis of Natural and/or Biologically Relevant Molecules5	Conclusions and Perspectives
The Significance of Antibodies against Domain I of Beta-2 Glycoprotein I in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Chayouâ Walid , Kelchtermans Hilde , Laat Bas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Progress is being made in understanding the pathogenesis of the syndrome, but difficulties persist in the identification of patients at risk for thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. Beta-2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), a plasma protein consisting of five sushi domains, is thought to be the main antigenic target of aPLs. Antibodies recognizing domain I of β2GPI are predominantly present in patients with an elevated risk of thrombosis, whereas antidomain IV/V antibodies are found in nonthrombotic autoimmune diseases. Indeed, domain I antibodies proved to be pathogenic in multiple studies. Retrospective studies have provided evidence for an added clinical value of antidomain I antibodies in the risk stratification of patients with APS. Still, wide ranges of odds ratio exist between studies, probably due to differences in the study and control population, and detection methods used. Despite the proven pathogenicity of antidomain I antibodies and their correlations with clinical manifestations of APS, heterogeneity of the current studies has prohibited their acceptance in the official diagnostic criteria. Well-designed large longitudinal prospective studies with available and new, preferentially functional, assays for the risk stratification of patients with APS are required.
Surgical Repair of Neglected Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tears Displaced into the Intercondylar Notch: Clinical and Radiological Results
Authors: Cetinkaya Engin , Gursu Sarper , Gul Murat , Aykut Umit , Ozcafer Rasit 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe literature contains very limited articles wherein the treatment results of bucket-handle meniscal tears according to various types are evaluated and wherein results for repair of chronic tears are discussed. The objective of this study is a clinical and radiologic evaluation of arthroscopic repair for patients suffering flipped, neglected chronic bucket-handle meniscal tear in the intercondylar notch. A total of 26 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age at the time of surgery was 27 years (range, 16–44). Mean period from meniscal injury to surgery was 28 months (range, 4–96). The mean follow-up period was 31 months (range, 11–67). During the follow-up, the patients were evaluated clinically, functional scores from the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Tegner as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mean preoperative Lysholm score of 24 increased to 85 postoperatively. Mean IKDC score was 56.3 preoperatively and 84.5 postoperatively. The mean Tegner score of 3.4 increased to 5.6 postoperatively. Mean Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores in the first group were 84, 74, and 5.1, respectively, and in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction group; 86, 85.9, and 5.8. While 20 (77%) out of 26 patients had none of the clinical findings, 6 patients (23%) presented with these findings. Postoperative MRI assessment revealed meniscal healing in 21 patients (27% complete, 54% partial healing) and no healing in 5 patients (19%). A clinical healing rate of 77% and a radiological healing rate of 81% along with statistically significant increases in Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores prove that the repair option is effective for neglected, chronic bucket-handle meniscal tears flipping to the intercondylar notch. This study showed that good results could be achieved with the repair of neglected, chronic period bucket-handle meniscal tears flipping to the intercondylar notch, whether with an accompanying ACL tear or not.