bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Security and the Human Rights of Undocumented Migrants: Systemic Vulnerabilities and Obligations of Protection
Authors: Estrada-Tanck Dorothy 
Published: March 2017

Human security emerged as a post-Cold War discourse out of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the 1990s, and provides the focus of the 2003 Commission on Human Security Report and the 2012 UN Secretary General's Second Report on Human Security. The concept of human security attempts to confront threats that had been overlooked by conventional state-centred conceptions of national security, addressing risks faced by individuals and communities, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, and violence against women. It places human rights as one of its core pillars and advocates a person-centred approach to dangers that create interlinked vulnerabilities for persons worldwide. The focus of human rights on the individual often provides a fragmented picture of phenomena that are, in fact, interconnected. In response to this, the paper asks whether the introduction of the concept of human security has the potential to enrich International Human Rights Law by enabling it to adapt to the challenges faced by undocumented migrants. It examines legal irregularity as a source of risk through the lens of human security. In reviewing illustrative judicial cases from the European and Inter-American human rights' systems, it analyses whether a human security-sensitive approach, with its view of widespread threats, offers a more integrated approach towards the rights of undocumented migrants, as well as examining the consequences that unfold when it is overlooked.
Sharing International Responsibility for Poor Migrants?
Authors: Hesselman Marlies 
Published: March 2017

This article analyses possible legal bases for the establishment of extra-territorial socio-economic human rights obligations on the part of wealthier European ‘Destination Countries' vis-à-vis poor migrants. In particular, it considers whether obligations of international cooperation and assistance under the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) might provide a basis for addressing socio-economic deprivation in Countries of Origin and lead to the provision of social assistance. The article also analyses the socio-economic case-law under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in respect of expulsion of migrants (e.g. MSS v Belgium and Greece, Sufi and Elmi v the UK, and SHH v the UK). The analysis of these documents supports the claim that wealthy states can attract responsibilities for providing protection against living in poverty for persons in other countries. At the same time, although language and semantics relating to extra-territorial socio-economic protection are converging under the ICESCR and ECHR, there are a number of pertinent questions that remain in the sphere of concrete burden sharing. These relate primarily to the allocation to wealthy European states of concrete burdens of responsibility for the elimination/prevention of poverty in other countries and raise the question of how far the responsibility stretches.
Decomposing Child Poverty Reduction
Authors: Bradshaw Jonathan , Huby Meg 
Published: March 2017

European countries vary in the extent to which they succeed in reducing poverty using social transfers. However, we do not have good ways of understanding how these different outcomes are achieved. It is therefore very difficult to learn lessons from abroad. This paper uses micro data from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Condition (SILC), and attempts to decompose reductions in child poverty rates and gaps into the contribution made by children, old age, social exclusion, housing and work-related benefits. The analysis is undertaken for all families with children under 16, lone parent families, couple families, and then for families with varying levels of work intensity. Transfers make a substantial contribution to reducing child poverty rates and closing poverty gaps. The contribution varies between countries in the European Union. There is no single model, no most successful exemplar. Some countries do better for their children in lone parent households and others do better for their children in couple households. The analysis has enabled some opening up of the how question, though what is going on is still something of a mystery in some countries. It is probable that analysis at the national level with greater knowledge of national benefits systems is necessary to further open the ‘black box’.
Decentralisation at a Time of Harsh Austerity: Multilevel Governance and the Welfare State in Spain and Italy Facing the Crisis
Authors: Del Pino Eloísa , Pavolini Emmanuele 
Published: March 2017

Decentralisation was one of the most relevant trends in the institutional development of the Spanish and Italian welfare states up to the onset of the economic crisis. The present article tries to answer two questions. How have central government – subnational government relationships and models of welfare governance evolved? What has happened to territorial inequalities in access to welfare state provision before and after the onset of the crisis and the introduction of austerity policies?. Before the crisis, territorial differences in the operation of the welfare state across regions were more pronounced and intense in Italy than in Spain. With the onset of the crisis and austerity, the differences between territorial clusters in Spain have remained relatively stable or have decreased, whereas in Italy they have often increased. In both cases, regional governments have, in recent years, been more dependent on central government. In fact, to receive support or extra funding, regional governments have accepted the conditions imposed by central government. Sub-national governments have been forced to accept significant cuts and greater control or supervision of their budgets. As the largest part of the regional budget is spent on social policies, regional welfare systems have inevitably been affected both in scope and in the way in which decisions are made.
A Meta-Methodological Study of Dutch and Belgian PHDs in Social Security Law: Devising a Typology of Research Objectives as a Supporting Tool
Authors: Kestemont Lina 
Published: March 2017

This article presents a typology of research objectives for legal scholarship in response to the strong call for research on legal methodology. Based on an in-depth literature study, the possible research objectives of legal scholarship are classified, labelled and discussed. In conjunction with the theoretical clarification of the typology, the article also provides concrete examples of research objectives discerned in Dutch and Belgian PhDs in social security law. The development of the typology presented in this article forms part of a broader PhD project aiming to apply a ‘bottom-up’ approach to research on legal methodology. In order to do this, the project identifies which research objectives and research methods have been used in a representative sample of legal research in the field of social security law. Looking into existing research on social security law makes it possible to grasp the ways in which research is being conducted in this particular branch of law. The sample analysed includes all PhDs on social security law defended at all Dutch or Belgian Law Faculties between 1945 and 2012. The typology discussed in this article then serves as a supporting tool for the analysis of the selected PhDs on social security law.
Who is Responsible for Health and Safety of Temporary Workers? EU and UK Perspectives
Authors: Howes Victoria 
Published: March 2017

There have been several attempts to provide certain protection to temporary agency workers at the EU level by Directive 91/383/EEC in respect of health and safety and most recently by Directive 2008/104/EC in respect of other working conditions. However, the precarious employment status of temporary workers has been a stumbling block in clear understanding of who owes duties and responsibilities for health and safe of these workers. By seeking to address this issue, the paper analyses the existing legal provisions relating to health and safety of temporary agency workers at the EU and UK levels in the context of a more general problem associated with the employment status of such workers, and suggests a number of alternatives to the existing legal regime which could potentially clarify the situation.
Oxytocin stimulates cell proliferation in vaginal cell line Vk2E6E7
Authors: Kallak Theodora K , Uvnäs-Moberg Kerstin 
Published: March 2017

Objective During and after menopause, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy cause great discomfort and necessitate effective treatment options. Currently, vaginally applied oxytocin is being investigated as a treatment for the symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. To clarify the mechanisms behind oxytocins effects on vaginal atrophy, the present study investigated the effects of oxytocin on cell proliferation in the cells of the Vk2E6E7 line, a non-tumour vaginal cell line. The study also compared the effects of oxytocin with those of estradiol (E2). Study design The effects of both oxytocin and E2 on the proliferation of Vk2E6E7 cells were investigated using Cell Proliferation ELISA BrdU Colorimetric Assay. The expression of both oxytocin and oxytocin receptor was studied in Vk2E6E7 cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescent staining. Main outcome measures Cell proliferation and gene expression. Results Oxytocin increased cell proliferation both time dependently and dose dependently. This differed from the effect pattern observed in cells treated with E2. In addition, in oxytocin-treated cells, the oxytocin receptor was found to be co-localized with caveolin-1, indicating pro-proliferative signalling within the cell. Conclusions Oxytocin stimulates cell proliferation and the co-localization of oxytocin receptor with caveolin-1 in oxytocin-treated cells, supporting the role of oxytocin signalling in cell proliferation. In addition, these findings suggest that increased cell proliferation is one mechanism by which local vaginal oxytocin treatment increases vaginal thickness and relieves vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy.
Variation in lung function as a marker of adherence to oral and inhaled medication in cystic fibrosis
Authors: White Helen , Shaw Nicola , Denman Sarah , Pollard Kim , Wynne Sarah , Peckham Daniel Gavin 
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to characterise adherence in an adult population with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to investigate if variation in lung function was a predictor of adherence to treatment.The adherence of patients aged ≥16 years from an adult CF centre was measured by medication possession ratio (MPR) and self-report. Patients were assigned to one of three adherence categories (<50%, 50 to <80%, ≥80%) by their composite score (MPR). Ordinal regression was used to identify predictors of adherence, including coefficient variation measures for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), weight and C-reactive protein concentration, measured from 6 months and 12 months before baseline.MPR data for 106 of 249 patients (mean age 29.8±9.2 years) was retrieved, indicating a mean adherence of 63%. The coefficient of variation for FEV1was inversely related to adherence and was a univariate predictor of adherence (6 months: OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.98, p=0.005; 12 months: OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.99, p=0.03) and remained significant in the final models. The coefficient of variation of weight and C-reactive protein were not predictive of adherence.The coefficient of variation of FEV1was identified as an objective predictor of adherence. Further evaluation of this potential marker of adherence is now required.
Tropism and innate host responses of influenza A/H5N6 virus: an analysis ofex vivoandin vitrocultures of the human respiratory tract
Authors: Hui Kenrie P. Y. , Chan Louisa L. Y. , Kuok Denise I. T. , Mok Chris K. P. , Yang Zi-feng , Li Run-feng , Luk Geraldine S. M. , Lee Elaine F. , Lai Jimmy C. C. , Yen Hui-ling , Zhu Huachen , Guan Yi , Nicholls John M. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Chan Michael C. W. 
Published: March 2017

Since their first isolation in 2013, influenza A/H5N6 viruses have spread amongst poultry across multiple provinces in China and to Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. So far, there have been 14 human H5N6 infections with 10 fatalities.We investigated the tropism, replication competence and cytokine induction of one human and two avian H5N6 isolates inex vivoandin vitrocultures derived from the human respiratory tract. Virus tropism and replication were studied inex vivocultures of human nasopharynx, bronchus and lung. Induction of cytokines and chemokines was measuredin vitroin virus-infected primary human alveolar epithelial cells.Human H5N6 virus replicated more efficiently than highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and as efficiently as H1N1pdm inex vivohuman bronchus and lung and was also able to replicate inex vivocultures of human nasopharynx. Avian H5N6 viruses replicated less efficiently than H1N1pdm in human bronchial tissues and to similar titres as HPAI H5N1 in the lung. While the human H5N6 virus had affinity for avian-like receptors, the two avian isolates had binding affinity for both avian- and human-like receptors. All three H5N6 viruses were less potent inducers of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with H5N1 virus.Human H5N6 virus appears better adapted to infect the human airways than H5N1 virus and may pose a significant public health threat.
Determination of Ultra Trace Cr(III) and Cr(VI) Species by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Simultaneous Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction with the Aid of a Novel Imidazolium-Functionalized Magnetite Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite
Authors: Sarikhani Zohreh , Manoochehri Mahboobeh 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Herein, a novel imidazolium-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (GO@magnetite@Im) composite was synthesized and utilized for speciation analysis of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) via determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The nanosorbent was characterized with various techniques. This material is illustrated to represent a viable sorbent for separation and removal of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions. GO@magnetite@Im sorbent exhibited selectivity toward Cr(VI) species at pH = 2.0 through electrostatic interaction with imidazolium rings, while Cr(III) and Cr(V) species were sorbed on the active sites of the sorbent at pH = 6.0, simultaneously. No preoxidation or prereduction step was performed. Experimental design methodology was employed to find the best extraction conditions by exploring the affecting parameters on extraction procedure. Under the best optimized extraction conditions the linearity was 4–350 ng L−1 for Cr(VI) and 5–400 ng L−1 for total chromium. Detection limit and relative standard deviation for Cr(VI) were 1.2 ng L−1, and 6.8%, respectively, while these values for total chromium were 1.9 ng L−1 and 8.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the developed method was confirmed by analyzing two certified reference materials. Ultimately, this method was utilized for rapid extraction and speciation analysis of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples and food samples.
Electroantennogram response of the parasitoid, Microplitis croceipes to host-related odors: The discrepancy between relative abundance and level of antennal responses to volatile compound
Authors: Morawo Tolulope , Burrows Matthew , Fadamiro Henry 
Published: March 2017

Herbivores emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) after feeding on plants. Parasitoids exploit these VOCs as odor cues to locate their hosts. In nature, host-related odors are emitted as blends of various compounds occurring in different proportions, and minor blend components can sometimes have profound effects on parasitoid responses. In a previous related study, we identified and quantified VOCs emitted by cotton plant-fed Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, an herbivore host of the parasitoid Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). In the present study, the olfactory response of female M. croceipes to synthetic versions of 15 previously identified compounds was tested in electroantennogram (EAG) bioassays. Using M. croceipes as a model species, we further asked the question: does the relative abundance of a volatile compound match the level of antennal response in parasitoids? Female M. croceipes showed varying EAG responses to test compounds, indicating different levels of bioactivity in the insect antenna. Eight compounds, including decanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanone, 2-ethylhexanol, tridecane, tetradecane, α-farnesene and bisabolene, elicited EAG responses above or equal to the 50th percentile rank of all responses. Interestingly, decanal, which represented only 1% of the total amount of odors emitted by cotton-fed hosts, elicited the highest (0.82 mV) EAG response in parasitoids. On the other hand, (E)-β-caryophyllene, the most abundant (29%) blend component, elicited a relatively low (0.17 mV) EAG response. The results suggest that EAG response to host-related volatiles in parasitoids is probably more influenced by the ecological relevance or functional role of the compound in the blend, rather than its relative abundance.
The cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation paradox in natural waters
Authors: Paerl Hans 
Published: March 2017

Nitrogen fixation, the enzymatic conversion of atmospheric N (N2) to ammonia (NH3), is a microbially mediated process by which “new” N is supplied to N-deficient water bodies. Certain bloom-forming cyanobacterial species are capable of conducting N2fixation; hence, they are able to circumvent N limitation in these waters. However, this anaerobic process is highly sensitive to oxygen, and since cyanobacteria produce oxygen in photosynthesis, they are faced with a paradoxical situation, where one critically important (for supporting growth) biochemical process is inhibited by another.N2-fixing cyanobacterial taxa have developed an array of biochemical, morphological, and ecological adaptations to minimize the “oxygen problem”; however, none of these allows N2fixation to function at a high enough efficiency so that it can supply N needs at the ecosystem scale, where N losses via denitrification, burial, and advection often exceed the inputs of “new” N by N2fixation. As a result, most marine and freshwater ecosystems exhibit chronic N limitation of primary production. Under conditions of perpetual N limitation, external inputs of N from human sources (agricultural, urban, and industrial) play a central role in determining ecosystem fertility and, in the case of N overenrichment, excessive primary production or eutrophication. This points to the importance of controlling external N inputs (in addition to traditional phosphorus controls) as a means of ensuring acceptable water quality and safe water supplies.Nitrogen fixation, the enzymatic conversion of atmospheric N2to ammonia (NH3) is a microbially-mediated process by which “new” nitrogen is supplied to N-deficient water bodies. Certain bloom-forming cyanobacterial species are capable of conducting N2fixation; hence they are able to circumvent nitrogen limitation in these waters. However, this anaerobic process is highly sensitive to oxygen, and since cyanobacteria produce oxygen in photosynthesis, they are faced with a paradoxical situation, where one critically-important (for supporting growth) biochemical process is inhibited by another. Diazotrophic cyanobacterial taxa have developed an array of biochemical, morphological and ecological adaptations to minimize the “oxygen problem”; however, none of these allows N2fixation to function at a high enough efficiency so that it can supply N needs at the ecosystem scale, where N losses via denitrification, burial and advection often exceed the inputs of “new” N by N2fixation. As a result, most marine and freshwater ecosystems exhibit chronic N-limitation of primary production. Under conditions of perpetual N limitation, external inputs of N from human sources (agricultural, urban, industrial) play a central role in determining ecosystem fertility and in the case of N-overenrichment, excessive primary production, or eutrophication. This points to the importance of controlling external N inputs (in addition to traditional phosphorus controls) as a means of ensuring acceptable water quality and safe water supplies.
Recent advances in the management of dry age-related macular degeneration: A review
Authors: Bandello Francesco , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Lea , Corbelli Eleonora , Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Querques Giuseppe 
Published: March 2017

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most important cause of vision loss in elderly people, is a degenerative disorder of the central retina with a multifactorial etiopathology. AMD is classified in dry AMD (d-AMD) or neovascular AMD depending on the presence of choroidal neovascularization. Currently, no therapy is approved for geographic atrophy, the late form of d-AMD, because no treatment can restore the damage of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) or photoreceptors. For this reason, all treatment approaches in d-AMD are only likely to prevent and slow down the progression of existing atrophy. This review focuses on the management of d-AMD and especially on current data about potential targets for therapies evaluated in clinical trials. Numerous examinations are available in clinics to monitor morphological changes in the retina, RPE and choroid of d-AMD patients. Fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are considered the most useful tools in the diagnosis and follow-up of d-AMD alterations, including the monitoring of atrophy area progression. Instead, OCT-angiography is a novel imaging tool that may add further information in patients affected by d-AMD. Several pathways, including oxidative stress, deposits of lipofuscin, chronic inflammation and choroidal blood flow insufficiency, seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of d-AMD and represent possible targets for new therapies. A great number of treatments for d-AMD are under investigation with promising results in preliminary studies. However, only few of these drugs will enter the market, offering a therapeutic chance to patients affected by the dry form of AMD and help them to preserve a good visual acuity. Further studies with a long-term follow-up would be important to test the real safety and efficacy of drugs under investigation.
Growth performance and feed utilization of keureling fish Tor tambra (Cyprinidae) fed formulated diet supplemented with enhanced probiotic.
Authors: Muchlisin Zainal A. , Murda Tanzil , Yulvizar Cut , Dewiyanti Irma , Fadli Nur , Afrido Fardin , Siti-Azizah Mohd Nor , Muhammadar Abdullah A. 
Published: March 2017

Background The objective of the present study was to determine the optimum dosage of probiotic in the diet of keureling fish (Tor tambra) fry. Methods Lactobacillus casei from Yakult® was used as a starter, and enhanced with Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Kaempferia galanga and molasses. The mixture was fermented for 7 days prior to use as probiotic in a formulated diet containing 30% crude protein. Four levels of probiotic dosage; 0 ml kg-1 (control), 5 ml kg-1, 10 ml kg-1 and 15 ml kg-1 were tested in this study. The fish was fed twice a day at 08.00 AM and 06.00 PM at the ration of 5% body weight for 80 days. Results The results showed that growth performance and feed efficiency increased with increasing probiotic dosage in the diet from control (no probiotic) to 10 ml kg-1 of probiotic dosage and then decreased when the dosage was increased up to 15 ml kg-1. Conclusions The best values for all measured parameters were recorded at the dosage of 10 ml kg-1. Therefore, it was concluded that the optimum dosage of enhanced probiotic for T. tambra fry was 10 ml kg-1 of feed.