bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Holism and comparative religious ethics1
Authors: Levine Michael P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article is devoted to an examination of Jeffrey Stout's holistic approach to comparative religious ethics. Although the strategy I pursue involves a close examination of Stout's criticism of a particular work in comparative religious ethics, defending that work is incidental to my purpose. I argue, first, that Stout is seriously mistaken about the implications of holism for comparative study and, second, that his own approach to doing comparative religious ethics is unacceptable for a variety of theoretical and practical reasons. On a more positive side, I briefly explain what I take the purpose of comparative ethics to be. I also set out to show that how one understands the task of comparative religious ethics, and the way one undertakes comparative work in general, cannot be divorced from the type of concern with method and theory (e.g., a theory of religion) that Stout surprisingly sees as detrimental to comparative study.
Religion and magic: Durkheim and the Année sociologique group
Authors: Belier Wouter W. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe study of religious phenomena was very important for early sociologists. It is to be expected, therefore, that they tried to define religious phenomena precisely. For example, Durkheim, Mauss, and Hubert attached great value to definitions of the social phenomena under research. However, they differed on the meaning of the adjective "social". In this article, I examine the implicit and explicit definitions given by these writers. More precisely, the article focuses on the distinctions they made between religion and magic. It turns out that for these scholars the given definitions and the distinctions between religion and magic are ambiguous. The paper argues that, when it comes to defining religion and magic, there were considerable differences between the central members of the Année sociologique. The paper concludes that differences between Mauss' and Hubert's definitions, on the one hand, and Durkheim's, on the other, can be related both to a difference in their initial motivations for research into religious phenomena and to their differing definitions of the adjective "social".
The World Bank and ICSID: Family or Incestuous Ties?
Authors: Fouret Julien 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article attempts to clarify the different issues regarding the links and the possible conflicts of interest between the World Bank, the parent institution, and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the child. Structural issues, philosophical problems concerning the possible bias when judging World Bank's policies, and the involvement of former Bank officials in ICSID tribunals will be considered in turn. The amendment of the Arbitration Rules in April 2006 raised many hopes but fell short of solving some of the practical problems that result from the close ties between these two Washingtonian institutions. Some necessary structural changes should thus be envisaged for ICSID.
United Nations Experts on Mission and their Privileges and Immunities
Authors: Miller Anthony 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPersons, other than officials of the Organization, who are entrusted with tasks requiring professional expertise by the Secretary-General, or by an organ of the United Nations, may be accorded the status of experts on mission under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. Such tasks may be entrusted to experts on mission by treaty organs not part of the United Nations. Whether this requires an explicit or implied decision of the General Assembly and whether such treaty organs are limited to those without their own Secretariats is open to question. The privileges and immunities enjoyed by experts on mission are quasi-diplomatic in nature because it was foreseen that they would often operate away from UN premises, which are inviolable. However, these privileges and immunities are enjoyed in the interests of the United Nations. If immunity is asserted against a third party alleging damage by the expert, a remedy must be provided by the United Nations to finally dispose of the substance of the claim. This ensures that the United Nations is accountable for such acts. The General Assembly has promulgated regulations to govern the conduct of experts and to ensure that they are held to account for their activities.
Safeguarding the Organizational Acquis: The EU's External Practice
Authors: Klabbers Jan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTreaty conflict is one of the more significant practical issues in international law these days, in particular as the law of treaties is unable to solve the most difficult emanations. With international organizations, there is the added consideration that the organization may wish to preserve its internal legal order. The present paper investigates the practice of the EC/EU plus its member states, trying to chart the techniques used by them in order to solve or prevent treaty conflicts. It presents a taxonomy of this practice as well as an interpretation.
Engaging with Tragic Spirituality and Victim Sensibility: On the Cultural Setting of Mission in the West Today
Authors: Kettle David 
Published: March 2012

AbstractResearchers into contemporary spirituality in Britain raise the question of a possible return of the classical tragic sense of life once displaced by Christianity. Such a sense of life renders faith incredible. This profound mission challenge shows itself especially in "tragic spirituality" and in an exalted "victim sensibility." The intrinsic relation between tragedy and victimhood is here explored. Since the experience of tragic victimhood is personally demanding it is characteristically evaded, in one of two basic ways: either by adopting a dismissive attitude, or by giving in to being overwhelmed and spiritually defeated. Both responses are destructive: the former tends to create or re-victimize victims, while the latter turns into self-destructive resentment and rage which readily creates new victims. Jesus Christ accepted the vocation of the ultimate victim who embraces radical victimhood without evasion and empowers others to do the same. Nevertheless Christians have sometimes either been dismissive of victimhood by appealing superficially to the resurrection, or have made Jesus the mere icon of tragic suffering. Western culture is now seen to foster vulnerability towards overwhelming by victimhood. This vulnerability is associated with the cultural fostering of depleted, narcissistic personalities. Such overwhelming often shows itself in rage and the search for scapegoats. The relation between overwhelming, the sacrifice of scapegoats and the sacred is now explored with attention to René Girard's writings. His discernment here of a contemporary "twofold Nietzschean heritage" is presented as a vital context for mission today, together with "scapegoating" tendencies in fundamentalist religion. In conclusion, an underlying issue is alternative understandings of "the sacred" and the ensuing relation between sacred and secular, and the need to witness to what true sacredness is. This is to be found in Christ's self-sacrificial love towards all who dismiss or are overwhelmed by the painful demands of this same love.
Inculturation and Theology in Africa
Authors: Okoye James C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this article James C. Okoye first speaks about inculturation as the mutual transformation of culture and understandings of the gospel. He then outlines some aspects of the inculturation process as it has been employed in Africa in the last four decades.. In a brief historical overview, Okoye speaks of three stages of inculturation in Africa: the stage of indigenization and adaptation, the stage of inculturation and liberation and the stage of contextualization. The rest of the article is devoted to outlining inculturation efforts in two crucial areas for African theology: salvation and christology. Salvation for Africans is more physical and ecclesial than spiritual and individualistic. A plurality of christological approaches exist in African and perhaps can be characterized as comparative, as systematic, as formed by the theology of liberation, and as arising from communal experience. Professor Okoye concludes with a brief overview of the Kairos Document from South Africa.
Women and Hiv/Aids
Authors: Paterson Gillian 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe worldwide epidemic of HIV/AIDS has in recent years begun to affect women, and infants born to them, in an alarming degree. Research done in a WCC program entitled "Women and Health and the Challenge of HIV/AIDS" has suggested that this situation is intimately linked both to patriarchy and irresponsible capitalism. The challenge for the church's mission is to work, on the one hand, to prevent the spread of HIV infection in very direct ways; on the other hand, it is to work for the dignity and autonomy of women in all cultures, including giving women voice and responsibility in the churches themselves.
Mission as Dialogue
Authors: Thomas Joy 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis Forum Paper argues along with Michael Amaladoss and Paul Knitter that the practice of interreligious dialogue, while not replacing the duty of proclamation of the gospel, is an essential part of Christian mission. As the church moves from an "ecclesiocentric" understanding of salvation to an understanding shaped by the Reign of God, it recognizes that dialogue is the way that the church fulfills its mission in a non-Christian or pluralistic environment. Christians need to partner with other believers for the sake of God's Reign while witnessing by their lives and commitment to the truth to the power of the gospel and the love of God in Jesus Christ.
Optimizing school-based health-promotion programmes: Lessons from a qualitative study of fluoridated milk schemes in the UK
Authors: Foster Geraldine RK , Tickle Martin 
Published: March 2012

Background and objective: Some districts in the United Kingdom (UK), where the level of child dental caries is high and water fluoridation has not been possible, implement school-based fluoridated milk (FM) schemes. However, process variables, such as consent to drink FM and loss of children as they mature, impede the effectiveness of these schemes. The aim of this study was to investigate the views of lay participants in FM schemes on the barriers and potential solutions to optimizing schemes and understand how this may inform the implementation of other school-based health-promotion programmes. Design and setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups was carried out in schools participating in FM schemes in the north west of England. Findings: Grounded theory analysis on interview data revealed that the overarching potential solution for optimizing schemes was the need for engagement by schools in the scheme. The degree of engagement with the scheme was related to (the interrelated categories of) acceptability and understanding of FM by the school community. Conclusion: The concept of the need for engagement by schools in health-promotion programmes may be useful for sensitizing health planners to the needs of the school community when developing strategies for the implementation of fluoridated-milk schemes and other school-based health-promotion programmes.
Early childhood development and obesity risk-factors in a multi-ethnic, low-income community: Feasibility of the ‘Five Hundred under Five’ social determinants of health pilot study
Authors: Hearst Mary O , Martin Lauren , Rafdal Brooke H , Robinson Ronel , McConnell Scott R 
Published: March 2012

Objective: First, to describe a community–academic partnership that piloted a parent and home-based programme focused on the intersection of health and education from a social determinants foundation and determine the feasibility and acceptability of such work. Second, to examine trends and co-occurrence of social and environmental context, including obesity-related and school-readiness risk factors. Design: Cross-sectional component of pilot intervention. Setting: Family-based programme based in a low-income, multi-ethnic neighbourhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2007–2009. Methods: English/Spanish/Somali-speaking families with preschool-aged children were recruited for the pilot intervention. Interviews were conducted with study staff to assess feasibility and acceptability. The intervention included an outreach worker and a parent education programme, home visits, school readiness activities and coordination and referral to social, health and school readiness resources through a trained family support advocate. Developmental assessments and a health and sociodemographic survey were conducted. Results: Complete data were available for 60/136 enrolled families. Recruiting and measuring families was feasible and acceptable under certain circumstances. The programme was well accepted by participants. Descriptive analyses suggest a relationship between school readiness, social conditions and obesity-related risk factors. Conclusions: This type of intervention has challenges but offers promising community-based strategies to address the interconnectedness of social conditions, weight-related health and education.
Weight management guides for pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40kg/m2: A qualitative exploration of their use in maternity care
Authors: Smith Debbie M , Ward Christine , Forbes Shareen , Reynolds Rebecca M , Denison Fiona C 
Published: March 2012

Objective: Maternal obesity (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥ 30kg/m2) is associated with numerous maternal and fetal complications. Recent guidelines have called for advice to be given to women as pregnancy is a good time for intervention as due to women’s motivations for change being high and changes may impact on the wider family. Weight management guides can provide relevant lifestyle information for women but little is known about their use in pregnancy. This study examined whether weight management guides, designed for women with a BMI > 30kg/m2, are accessible and appropriate for pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 40kg/m2. Design: A cross-sectional qualitative study. Setting: Scotland, United Kingdom (UK). Method: Fourteen pregnant women attending a high-risk antenatal clinic for women with a BMI ≥ 40kg/m2 were interviewed. A semi-structured topic guide was used to explore the women’s views towards the content and layout of the two weight management guides. Results: Inductive thematic analysis highlighted four themes which summarized the women’s views towards the weight management guides: professionalism; personal; handy tool for behaviour change; and detail. The guides were well received and several features played an integral part in the women liking them: the goal grid; suitable pictures; appealing layout; relevant case stories; and alternative food choices/exercise tips. Conclusion: Limitations include the possible increased motivation of women who were recruited from a specialized antenatal clinic for very severely obese women. Weight management guides as an antenatal behaviour change intervention need researching in terms of impact on gestational weight gain and maternal and fetal outcomes.
Nine Kindreds of Familial Sticky Platelet Syndrome Phenotype
Authors: Šimonová Radoslava , Bartošová Lenka , Chudý Peter , Staško Ján , Rumanová Stanislava , Sokol Juraj , Kubisz Peter 
Published: March 2012

Introduction: Sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) is most likely a hereditary thrombophilia characterized by platelet hyperaggregation after low concentrations of platelet inducers—adenosine diphosphate and/or epinephrine. We present 9 kindreds with SPS familial occurrence. Material and Methods: Familial trait of SPS was looked up in the database of the National Center of Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Families with at least 3 SPS-positive members were studied, described, and presented. Results: In the group of 1093 symptomatic patients, SPS was confirmed in 240 cases. Familial occurrence with at least 3 SPS-positive relatives was found in 9 cases. Conclusion: The exact pathogenesis of SPS is not sufficiently explained. Our findings seem to support the idea that SPS might have an autosomal dominant hereditary fashion.
Advanced glycation end products induce a prothrombotic phenotype in mice via interaction with platelet CD36
Authors: Zhu Weifei , Li Wei , Silverstein Roy L. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDiabetes mellitus has been associated with platelet hyperreactivity, which plays a central role in the hyperglycemia-related prothrombotic phenotype. The mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are not established. In the present study, we investigated the role of CD36, a class-B scavenger receptor, in this process. Using both in vitro and in vivo mouse models, we demonstrated direct and specific interactions of platelet CD36 with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated under hyperglycemic conditions. AGEs bound to platelet CD36 in a specific and dose-dependent manner, and binding was inhibited by the high-affinity CD36 ligand NO2LDL. Cd36-null platelets did not bind AGE. Using diet- and drug-induced mouse models of diabetes, we have shown that cd36-null mice had a delayed time to the formation of occlusive thrombi compared with wild-type (WT) in a FeCl3-induced carotid artery injury model. Cd36-null mice had a similar level of hyperglycemia and a similar level of plasma AGEs compared with WT mice under this condition, but WT mice had more AGEs incorporated into thrombi. Mechanistic studies revealed that CD36-dependent JNK2 activation is involved in this prothrombotic pathway. Therefore, the results of the present study couple vascular complications in diabetes mellitus with AGE-CD36–mediated platelet signaling and hyperreactivity.
Autonomous murine T-cell progenitor production in the extra-embryonic yolk sac before HSC emergence
Authors: Yoshimoto Momoko , Porayette Prashanth , Glosson Nicole L. , Conway Simon J. , Carlesso Nadia , Cardoso Angelo A. , Kaplan Mark H. , Yoder Mervin C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe extra-embryonic yolk sac (YS) is the first hematopoietic site in the mouse embryo and is thought to generate only primitive erythroid and myeloerythroid progenitor cells before definitive HSC emergence within the embryo on E10.5. Here, we have shown the existence of T cell–restricted progenitors in the E9.5 YS that directly engraft in recipient immunodeficient mice. T-cell progenitors were also produced in vitro from both YS and para-aortic splanchnopleura hemogenic endothelial cells, and these T-cell progenitors repopulated the thymus and differentiated into mature T-cell subsets in vivo on transplantation. Our data confirm that the YS produces T-lineage–restricted progenitors that are available to colonize the thymus and provide new insight into the YS as a definitive hematopoietic site in the mouse embryo.
Genome-wide microarray analysis of tomato roots showed defined responses to iron deficiency
Authors: Zamboni Anita , Zanin Laura , Tomasi Nicola , Pezzotti Mario , Pinton Roberto , Varanini Zeno , Cesco Stefano 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Plants react to iron deficiency stress adopting different kind of adaptive responses. Tomato, a Strategy I plant, improves iron uptake through acidification of rhizosphere, reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ and transport of Fe2+ into the cells. Large-scale transcriptional analyses of roots under iron deficiency are only available for a very limited number of plant species with particular emphasis for Arabidopsis thaliana. Regarding tomato, an interesting model species for Strategy I plants and an economically important crop, physiological responses to Fe-deficiency have been thoroughly described and molecular analyses have provided evidence for genes involved in iron uptake mechanisms and their regulation. However, no detailed transcriptome analysis has been described so far.

Results
A genome-wide transcriptional analysis, performed with a chip that allows to monitor the expression of more than 25,000 tomato transcripts, identified 97 differentially expressed transcripts by comparing roots of Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient tomato plants. These transcripts are related to the physiological responses of tomato roots to the nutrient stress resulting in an improved iron uptake, including regulatory aspects, translocation, root morphological modification and adaptation in primary metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and TCA cycle. Other genes play a role in flavonoid biosynthesis and hormonal metabolism.

Conclusions
The transcriptional characterization confirmed the presence of the previously described mechanisms to adapt to iron starvation in tomato, but also allowed to identify other genes potentially playing a role in this process, thus opening new research perspectives to improve the knowledge on the tomato root response to the nutrient deficiency.
Ancestral synteny shared between distantly-related plant species from the asterid (Coffea canephora and Solanum Sp.) and rosid (Vitis vinifera) clades
Authors: Guyot Romain , Lefebvre-Pautigny Florent , Tranchant-Dubreuil Christine , Rigoreau Michel , Hamon Perla , Leroy Thierry , Hamon Serge , Poncet Valérie , Crouzillat Dominique , de Kochko Alexandre 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Coffee trees (Rubiaceae) and tomato (Solanaceae) belong to the Asterid clade, while grapevine (Vitaceae) belongs to the Rosid clade. Coffee and tomato separated from grapevine 125 million years ago, while coffee and tomato diverged 83-89 million years ago. These long periods of divergent evolution should have permitted the genomes to reorganize significantly. So far, very few comparative mappings have been performed between very distantly related species belonging to different clades. We report the first multiple comparison between species from Asterid and Rosid clades, to examine both macro-and microsynteny relationships.

Results
Thanks to a set of 867 COSII markers, macrosynteny was detected between coffee, tomato and grapevine. While coffee and tomato genomes share 318 orthologous markers and 27 conserved syntenic segments (CSSs), coffee and grapevine also share a similar number of syntenic markers and CSSs: 299 and 29 respectively. Despite large genome macrostructure reorganization, several large chromosome segments showed outstanding macrosynteny shedding new insights into chromosome evolution between Asterids and Rosids. We also analyzed a sequence of 174 kb containing the ovate gene, conserved in a syntenic block between coffee, tomato and grapevine that showed a high-level of microstructure conservation. A higher level of conservation was observed between coffee and grapevine, both woody and long life-cycle plants, than between coffee and tomato. Out of 16 coffee genes of this syntenic segment, 7 and 14 showed complete synteny between coffee and tomato or grapevine, respectively.

Conclusions
These results show that significant conservation is found between distantly related species from the Asterid (Coffea canephora and Solanum sp.) and Rosid (Vitis vinifera) clades, at the genome macrostructure and microstructure levels. At the ovate locus, conservation did not decline in relation to increasing phylogenetic distance, suggesting that the time factor alone does not explain divergences. Our results are considerably useful for syntenic studies between supposedly remote species for the isolation of important genes for agronomy.