bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Human Rights in Investment Awards
Authors: Desierto Diane A 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter explores the existing jurisprudence of investor-state arbitral awards to map four primary uses of human rights in the context of investor-state disputes. First, human rights have been invoked for investment treaty reinterpretation, particularly to recalibrate or evolve existing understandings of investment treaty provisions on investment treaty standards, to take into account the international human rights obligations of host states. Second, while human rights have been invoked separately as part of the applicable law to investment disputes often as part of the host state’s regulatory environment, the inclusion of human rights law as part of the applicable law has had little practical or operational effect thus far on desired human rights outcomes. Third, human rights have been invoked as evidence for substantive arguments of both investors as well as host states, with varying degrees of success. Finally, while human rights law has also figured in non-disputing party submissions (eg amicus submissions in various cases), the parameters of current investor-state arbitration procedures has constrained the effectiveness of non-disputing party contributions. On the whole, investor-state arbitral tribunals have thus far had a tangential experience with human rights fact-finding and the associated processes of interpreting these state obligations in investment disputes. Thus far, the normative potential for international human rights law to extensively inform and substantially affect investor-state disputes remains largely unexplored.
Investment Tribunals’ Search for the Truth and Its Impact on the Arbitral Award
Authors: Blackaby Nigel , Julia Milesi Maria 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Because of the international nature of investment arbitration, and the fact that arbitrators come from different cultures, tribunals often follow a ‘hybrid’ approach to the exercise of their fact-finding powers. That is, tribunals do not always rely exclusively on the parties’ presentation of the case and sometimes take an active fact-finding role by going beyond the parties’ submissions when deciding the cases in front of them. Through specific examples, this chapter explores the impact that the tribunals’ search for the ‘material truth’ has had on the resulting awards. In particular, this chapter highlights the importance of the tribunals’ exercise of their fact-finding powers in the field of investment arbitration where there may be policies and issues of public interest beyond the narrower interests of the disputing parties.
The Impact of Expert Legal Opinions
Authors: Lévesque Céline , Schmid Christian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The use of expert legal opinions is an understudied topic in international investment arbitration. Focusing on Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the case study in this chapter examines the practice and impact of expert legal opinions in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The chapter highlights and discusses three issues with the practice—independence from the disputing parties, delegation of decision-making powers from tribunals to experts, and due process—and provides examples of each. The case study confirms that more expert legal opinions on international law were submitted early under NAFTA while expert legal opinions on domestic law have been used more constantly throughout the years. The chapter’s findings have implications for the jura novit curia principle, double-hatting prohibitions, and transparency.
The Role of Tribunal Secretaries in the Drafting of Investment Awards
Authors: Frutos-Peterson Claudia , Umerov Marat , Ozolins Marija 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
According to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the average duration of an international investment arbitration administered by ICSID is more than three years. Where these arbitrations involve voluminous party submissions, complex facts, and can result in 300-plus page awards, it is no wonder that busy tribunal members often need help managing case procedures. Tribunals often appoint a tribunal secretary for this very purpose, and some individual arbitrators seek additional support from assistants. The trouble lies at the heart of this method of dispute resolution: arbitration is always based on consent of the parties. Where parties appoint specific arbitrators to determine their dispute, there is understandable discomfort and alarm when the line between supporting a tribunal and contributing to decision-making can seem blurred. Concerns about the role of a tribunal secretary in drafting have led to challenges of awards, and could be seen as a factor undermining the legitimacy of investment arbitration. It is critical that arbitral institutions, tribunals, and parties openly discuss the duties and role of tribunal secretaries in order to achieve transparency and consensus on the permissible scope of their activities.
An Empirical Analysis of Legal Reasoning
Authors: Strong SI 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Legal reasoning is at the heart of international arbitration, yet relatively little is known about how arbitrators go about determining the outcome of a particular dispute. This chapter—which is an offshoot of a larger mixed qualitative–quantitative study of legal reasoning in international commercial disputes—undertakes a novel empirical analysis of legal reasoning in international arbitration, using a quantitative analysis of original arbitral awards brought to the United States for recognition or enforcement under the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention). The study compares awards arising out of contract-based investment arbitration with awards generated by international commercial disputes, using an innovative methodology that captures entirely new data. In so doing, the analysis provides novel insights into a variety of matters, including the nature of legal authorities and factual authorities (evidence) cited by international arbitrators (thereby showing the types of materials arbitrators find most persuasive) as well as the relative rates of citation of legal and factual material.
Annulment and Set-Aside
Authors: Hindelang Steffen , Nassl Julia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter reviews the basic principles of the mechanisms that govern the life of an award in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) after it was rendered, in particular annulment and set-aside. It analyses the similarities and differences between the two review procedures in terms of preserving the finality of an award as an essential feature of ISDS, while considering competing policy considerations. It first examines annulment according to Article 52 of the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID Convention) and the performance of the ad hoc committees in their role as guardians of both the arbitral process and the finality of awards. It then briefly compares this ‘tailor-made’ review mechanism with the set-aside procedure for non-ICSID awards under domestic arbitration law at the seat of arbitration in domestic courts. Finally, the chapter reflects on the general increase in challenges to awards in recent years and the implications for ‘finality’ in ISDS.
Review beyond Annulment
Authors: Nowrot Karsten , Sipiorski Emily 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The chapter introduces and assesses different types of so-called post-award remedies that are of practical relevance in international investment arbitration. In particular, it covers requests for correction and rectification, requests for additional awards and supplementary decisions, requests for interpretations, as well as requests for revision of the award. Moreover, adopting an overarching perspective, the chapter draws attention to and addresses a number of challenges that may arise in connection with recourse by parties to these post-award remedies in the practice of international investment arbitration.
A Sociology of Religious Freedom
Authors: Breskaya Olga , Giordan Giuseppe , Richardson James T 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Freedom of and from religion is a key concept to understand the place of religious and spiritual identities, beliefs, and practices in the contemporary world. Sociology can assist in explaining why and how religious freedom holds a variety of meanings in society and may be perceived differently by individuals, social groups, and institutions. This book addresses three major questions of a sociology of religious freedom. First, how to define religious freedom as a multidimensional concept considering its complex and controversial nature. Second, what are the recurrent sociological conditions and relevant social perceptions that will foster an understanding of religious freedom in varying political, legal, and socioreligious contexts. Third, what are the mechanisms of social implementation of religious freedom that contribute to making it a fundamental value of human rights culture in a society. The book suggests that a sociological definition of religious freedom requires taking into account historical, philosophical, legal, religious, and political considerations of a given society. By disclosing the interplay of structural conditions and individual and group perceptions, sociology develops an understanding of the normative and value-laden nature of religious freedom, as well as its societal functions. The book argues that the social mechanisms of incorporation of religious freedom principles into institutional culture are as important as its legal implementation.
Toward a Sociology of Religious Freedom
Authors: Breskaya Olga , Giordan Giuseppe , Richardson James T 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter highlights the importance of providing a comprehensive vision of religious freedom in modern societies. It develops a working definition of religious freedom as a multidimensional concept and emphasizes the value of a sociological approach when specifying its meaning and key elements. It proposes to consider religious freedom integrating theoretical perspectives within which it has been defined in four complementary ways by Berger, Finke, Richardson, and Fox. By illustrating these perspectives, it specifies their sociological aspects, putting at the center the following five dimensions for further analysis: (a) individual and groups’ autonomy; (b) the societal value of religious freedom; (c) the normative principle of state–religion governance; (d) international human rights standards; and (e) sociolegal impacts of the judicialization of religious freedom. It highlights that this concept involves a much broader understanding than the usual legal and political perspectives.
Elements of Sociology of Religious Freedom
Authors: Breskaya Olga , Giordan Giuseppe , Richardson James T 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter delves into recurrent structural conditions and social perceptions of religious freedom that represent central elements of a sociology of religious freedom. It argues that in establishing the norms of religious freedom within everyday interactions two overlapping processes must be considered. The first focuses on the effects produced by structural conditions inherent to legal and political institutions. The second process refers to how individuals or groups develop the meanings they attribute to specific practices and convictions such as religious garb, religious holidays, dietary restrictions, conversion, collective religious and secular experiences, and others. In this attempt to analyze structural conditions and everyday life issues connected to the norms of religious freedom, the chapter describes functions of this freedom. It scrutinizes the relationship between the legal and social implementation of religious freedom. Important legal cases from Turkey and Russia are examined.
Introduction
Authors: Hardy Jeffrey S 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The introduction explores the background behind the Soviet Gulag, presenting it as a hybrid prison–concentration camp system that served several competing goals. One of those goals was to produce productive Soviet citizens who accepted Soviet ideology, including atheism, although this was often neglected as the Gulag became hyperfocused on maximizing production. This introduction also lays forth the place of religion, and especially Christianity, in the late Russian Empire and the early Soviet Union. Although Vladimir Lenin and his Bolsheviks were atheists, they at times suggested—including in the constitution itself—that the separation of church and state was sufficient in terms of official state policy. This meant that the USSR and its penal system were founded on a set of contradictions in terms of how hard to fight against religious believers. And this tension would ultimately provide space for the persistence of religion in the Gulag.
Separating Church and State in Bolshevik Prisons
Authors: Hardy Jeffrey S 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter focuses on the early Soviet period before Joseph Stalin seized the reins of power. Attempts to create a new penal system were challenged by scarce resources and conflicting ideas about the regime’s new values, including both atheism and the freedom of religion. This resulted in inmates not only being held in monasteries, surrounded by images of Christian belief, but in many cases being allowed to attend worship services (which some guards also attended). Antireligious propaganda, meanwhile, was scarce initially before becoming more pervasive as the 1920s went on. In the midst of this confusion, inmates were often able to continue their religious practices with relatively little interference from prison guards.
The War against Religion in the Gulag
Authors: Hardy Jeffrey S 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter investigates the creation of the Gulag, a hybrid prison-camp system in the 1930s, and a rise in antireligious propaganda and repression among prisoners. The imprisoned religious community at Solovki was broken up and dispersed to various other camps, and other inmates suffered greater abuse and more confiscations of religious books and symbols. And yet intense production demands placed on Gulag camps actually provided some space for religiosity. Propaganda focused so much on labor and production that other concerns, including the teaching of atheism, were neglected. And at least some camp overseers tasked with reaching quotas left religious inmates to quietly practice their faith in peace as long as they were hard workers.
Khrushchev’s Reforms and the Camp for Sectarians
Authors: Hardy Jeffrey S 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
This chapter explores religion in the Gulag during the reign of Nikita Khrushchev (1953–1964). Although the “Thaw,” as this period is often called, featured a relaxation of repression in many aspects of Soviet life, Khrushchev renewed the assault against religion in the early 1960s. This was reflected to some extent in the reformed penal system, which became much smaller after Stalin’s death but continued to persecute devout Christians for their beliefs. One of the more fascinating aspects of this period is the creation of a few isolated zones for Christian “sectarians” in the Dubravny Camp. Separated from other inmates to prevent them from proselytizing, these prisoners enjoyed a vibrant and to some extent competitive environment of religious worship barely encumbered by the guards.
The Significance of Insignificance
Authors: Glasgow Joshua 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIf we are cosmically insignificant, how should we feel about that fact? Many, such as Pascal, feel a kind of fear or terror. This chapter argues that such fear is misplaced. In addition to the fact that being significant is not in our interests, so also being insignificant is in our interests. In particular, it can liberate us from the pressure and anxiety we feel when trying to optimize our choices. Once we appreciates that our choices do not matter so much, this “tyranny of value” becomes less tyrannical. Our choices still do matter; but if we are relatively insignificant, then they do not matter as much as they might have, and this is a good thing for us.
Escalation process of critical values when these cannot be communicated on first attempt: A hospital-wide process improvement project
Authors: Guarner Jeannette , Osoria Zully , Barker Debra , Stigaard Leslie C 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Since laboratory critical values reflect such an abnormal pathologic state that there is imminent danger to the patient, it is crucial to deliver the result upon initial call with an escalation process when the initial call cannot occur. In our 8-hospital system, one of the hospitals used the escalation procedure twice as frequently compared with the other hospitals. This work presents hospital-wide quality improvement processes that decreased escalation of critical value calls so as to reach the same proportion of escalated calls compared to other hospitals in the system.

Methods
The laboratory met weekly with leaders of different hospital areas and quality management; they presented the interventions they implemented, and the laboratory monitored their progress.

Results
Monitoring and reviewing with providers the importance of critical values decreased temporarily escalated calls from 25% to 18%. Having a dedicated phone to call critical values in each hospital area decreased the calls in a sustained fashion, which now fluctuate between 9% and 14%. Other interventions, including having a dedicated person receiving critical value results, did not decrease escalated critical value calls.

Conclusions
Having a dedicated phone in each hospital area that receives the initial critical value call simplifies and standardizes the process.
The KCa3.1 Channel Blocker TRAM-34 and Minocycline Prevent Fructose-Induced Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Hamad Abdelrahman , Ozkan Melike Hacer 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
High fructose consumption increases blood pressure through microglia-related neuroinflammation in rats. Since intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (KCa3.1) potentiates microglial reactivity, we examined whether the pretreatment with the KCa3.1 channel blocker TRAM-34 or minocycline prevents hypertension development in fructose-fed rats.

METHODS
The study involved male Wistar rats that were given either high fructose (10% in drinking water) or tap water for 21 days. Fructose groups also received minocycline or TRAM-34 systemically for 21 days. We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate (HR) periodically with tail-cuff; proinflammatory cytokines, and insulin levels in plasma via Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and neuroinflammatory markers in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) by qPCR at the end of 21 days. We also examined endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)-type vasorelaxations in isolated mesenteric arteries of the rats ex vivo.

RESULTS
SBP, DBP, and HR increased in the fructose group. Both minocycline and TRAM-34 significantly prevented these increases. Fructose intake also increased plasma interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and insulin levels, whereas pretreatment with TRAM-34 prevented these increases as well. Iba-1, but not cluster of differentiation-86 levels were significantly higher in the NTS samples of fructose-fed hypertensive rats which implied microglial proliferation. EDH-type vasorelaxations mediated by endothelial KCa3.1 attenuated in the fructose group; however, TRAM-34 did not cause further deterioration in the relaxations.

CONCLUSIONS
TRAM-34 is as effective as minocycline in preventing fructose-induced hypertension without interfering with EDH-type vasodilation. Furthermore, TRAM-34 relieves high fructose-associated systemic inflammation.
Oral Administration of Lutein Improves Fat Graft Survival by Alleviating Oxidative Stress in Mice
Authors: Chen Zhiyou , Liu Tong , Luan Jie 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Oxidative stress induced by ischemia and hypoxia in fat transplantation is a major obstacle to graft retention. Previous studies have shown that lutein has excellent adipose tissue affinity and antioxidative stress ability, however, the effects of oral lutein on fat transplantation have not yet been studied.

Objectives
We aimed to investigate whether oral lutein could improve fat transplantation retention by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokine levels in graft tissues.

Methods
Nude mice were assigned to the control group (normal saline), low-dose lutein group (10 mg/kg/day), and high-dose lutein group (20 mg/kg/day) randomly. All mice received treatment by gavage 1 week before fat grafting and continued for 2 weeks. The grafts were collected 1, 2, and 12 weeks after treatment. By conducting histological analyses, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and cell metabolic function detection, the regulatory effects of lutein on apoptosis and oxidative stress in grafts were demonstrated. Additionally, RNA sequencing was conducted to further clarify the efficacy of lutein on fat grafting.

Results
Lutein induced superior graft retention, histological structures, and more viable adipocytes than the control group. It relieved tissue oxidative stress and lipid oxidative damage by decreasing reactive oxygen species and significantly reduced inflammation and apoptosis of grafts. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed that lutein could downregulate the gene expression of oxidative stress and related inflammation and apoptosis.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that oral administration of lutein can improve fat graft survival by reducing the levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in grafted fat.
Resolution of Vascular Compromise From Liquid Rhinoplasty Using Hirudo medicinalis Therapy
Authors: Rivkin Alexander , Chepka Solomiia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a relatively safe and effective means of cosmetic treatment for the face; however, as the numbers of both patients and injectors continue to rise, reports of adverse events (AEs) and ischemia are increasing. Although visual complications and stroke are the most-feared AEs, skin and underlying tissue necrosis is far more common and can be catastrophic. HA can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, but this does not always resolve ischemia. In some instances, including the case presented here, conventional interventions are inadequate to reverse the progression of ischemia and restore blood flow. In this case study, HA injection of the nasal sidewall resulted in ischemia and impending necrosis of the nasal tip. Following failure of standard-of-care measures to reverse the progression of ischemia and restore blood flow, Hirudo medicinalis therapy was successfully used as an adjuvant treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of H. medicinalis therapy for treatment of ischemia and necrosis from aesthetic filler injection. Based on experience here, this approach should be considered for patients who are out of therapeutic options, or as a helpful adjunct to speed resolution of vascular occlusion. In addition, the success of H. medicinalis therapy, which acts locally on the microvasculature, may inform our understanding of the mechanism of vascular occlusion with fillers.

Level of Evidence: 5 (Therapeutic)