bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International law's invisible hand and the future of corporate accountability for violations of human rights
Authors: Simons Penelope 
Published: March 2012

In May 2011, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises (SRSG), Professor John G Ruggie, submitted to the Human Rights Council his ‘Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’ aimed at implementing his ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ policy framework. The Council unanimously adopted the Guiding Principles at its June 2011 session. Ruggie's work has been both welcomed and criticised and his Guiding Principles are likely to remain controversial. Apart from the SRSG's recommendation to the HRC to develop a process to clarify the legal obligations of business entities not to commit international crimes, his work on this issue did not include a recommendation that the future development of binding international obligations should be one of the goals of his policy framework and guiding principles.This article argues that Ruggie's approach to addressing corporate human rights impunity was misconceived. For Ruggie, ‘[t]he root cause of the business and human rights predicament today lies in the governance gaps created by globalization – between the scope and impact of economic forces and actors, and the capacity of societies to manage their adverse consequences’. It is argued here, however, that to address corporate impunity effectively, one cannot simply deal with the governance gaps alone. One must also identify and address the root causes of those gaps. This article contends that corporate human rights impunity is deeply embedded in the international legal system. It seeks to demonstrate the problems with the SRSG's approach by arguing that, along with the interventions of international financial institutions in the economies of developing states, one of the most significant impediments to corporate human rights accountability is the structure of the international legal system itself. The validity of this assertion is explored through an examination of the critiques of the international legal system by Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) scholars, as well as insights drawn from feminist critiques of international law. It is argued that powerful states have used international law and international institutions to create a globalised legal environment which protects and facilitates corporate activity and, although the SRSG identified symptoms of this reality during his tenure, he did not examine the deep structural aspects of this problem. This article demonstrates that such an examination would have revealed the crucial need for binding international human rights obligations for business entities in any adequate strategy aimed at addressing corporate impunity. It concludes with some recommendations for developing such obligations incrementally.
Determination of naphthalen‐1‐yl‐(1‐pentylindol‐3‐yl)methanone (JWH‐018) in mouse blood and tissue after inhalation exposure to ‘buzz’ smoke by HPLC/MS/MS
Authors: Poklis Justin L. , Amira Dorra , Wise Laura E. , Wiebelhaus Jason M. , Haggerty Brenda J. , Lichtman Aron H. , Poklis Alphonse 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe disposition of the cannabimimetic naphthalen‐1‐yl‐(1‐pentylindol‐3‐yl)methanone (JWH‐018) in mice following inhalation of the smoke of the herbal incense product (HIP) ‘Buzz’ is presented. A high‐pressure liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (HPLC/MS/MS) method was validated for the analysis of JWH‐018 in the specimens using deuterated Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (d3‐THC) as the internal standard. JWH‐018 was isolated by cold acetonitrile liquid–liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Zorbaz eclipse XDB‐C18 column. The assay was linear from 1 to 1000 ng/mL. Six C57BL6 mice were sacrificed 20 min after exposure to the smoke of 200 mg ‘Buzz’ containing 5.4% JWH‐018. Specimen concentrations of JWH‐018 were: blood, 54–166 ng/mL (mean 82 ± 42 ng/mL); brain, 316–708 ng/g (mean 510 ± 166 ng/g); and liver, 1370–3220 ng/mL (mean 1990 ± 752 ng/mL). The mean blood to brain ratio for JWH‐018 was 6.8 and ranged from 4.2 to 10.9. After exposure, the responses of the mice were consistent with cannabinoid receptor type 1 activity: body temperatures dropped 7.3 ± 1.1 °C, and catalepsy, hyperreflexia, straub tail and ptosis were observed. The brain concentrations and physiological responses are consistent with the hypothesis that the behavioral effects of ‘Buzz’ are attributable to JWH‐018. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization and validation of organochlorine compounds in adipose tissue by SPE‐gas chromatography
Authors: Fernandes Virgínia C. , Pestana Diogo , Monteiro Rosário , Faria Gil , Meireles Manuela , Correia‐Sá Luísa , Teixeira Diana , Faria Ana , Calhau Conceição , Domingues Valentina F. , Delerue‐Matos Cristina 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTScientific evidence has shown an association between organochlorine compounds (OCC) exposure and human health hazards. Concerning this, OCC detection in human adipose samples has to be considered a public health priority. This study evaluated the efficacy of various solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and cleanup methods for OCC determination in human adipose tissue. Octadecylsilyl endcapped (C18‐E), benzenesulfonic acid modified silica cation exchanger (SA), poly(styrene‐divinylbenzene (EN) and EN/RP18 SPE sorbents were evaluated. The relative sample cleanup provided by these SPE columns was evaluated using gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC–ECD). The C18‐E columns with strong homogenization were found to provide the most effective cleanup, removing the greatest amount of interfering substance, and simultaneously ensuring good analyte recoveries higher than 70%. Recoveries > 70% with standard deviations (SD) < 15% were obtained for all compounds under the selected conditions. Method detection limits were in the 0.003–0.009 mg/kg range. The positive samples were confirmed by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS). The highest percentage found of the OCC in real samples corresponded to HCB, o,p′‐DDT and methoxychlor, which were detected in 80 and 95% of samples analyzed respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical Areas and Entry Points for Sustainability‐Related Strategies in the Sugarcane‐Based Ethanol Industry of Brazil
Authors: Spetic Wellington , Marquez Patricia , Kozak Robert 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis study reveals five critical areas that Brazil's sugarcane‐based ethanol industry could capitalize on to incorporate sustainability into their firms' strategies. The emergent theoretical framework represents a starting point for further investigations aimed at integrating the sustainability construct and strategies for the industry. A growing body of literature calls for strategic management to adapt to complex and ever‐changing environments and sustainability trends. For many firms in developing economies, sustainability remains isolated from mainstream strategy, resulting in reactive approaches on the part of management. A qualitative research method – grounded theory – was used to induct from data. Five themes emerged from the analysis providing guidance on where sustainability‐related strategies ought to begin. This research posits that existing sectoral innovation systems could be used to channel sustainability‐driven innovations. In addition, a combination of public and private efforts to foster innovations based on the emergent themes could increase the value of industry under study, while lessening its social and environmental footprint. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Selective Isotopic Unlabeling of Proteins Using Metabolic Precursors: Application to NMR Assignment of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Authors: Rasia Rodolfo M. , Brutscher Bernhard , Plevin Michael J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSelective isotopic unlabeling of proteins can provide important residue‐type information as well as reduce congestion of NMR spectra. However, metabolic scrambling often complicates the final isotope‐labeling pattern. Here, an array of metabolic precursors is used to perform robust, residue‐specific unlabeling of proteins. The resulting isotopic‐labeling patterns are predictable and nicely complement NMR experiments that differentiate residue types. This approach has widespread applications, but it is particularly relevant for proteins that lack sequence complexity or a defined tertiary structure.
Directed Evolution of Subtilisin E into a Highly Active and Guanidinium Chloride‐ and Sodium Dodecylsulfate‐Tolerant Protease
Authors: Li Zhenwei , Roccatano Danilo , Lorenz Michael , Schwaneberg Ulrich 
Published: March 2012

AbstractProteases have niche applications in diagnostic kits that use cell lysis and thereby require high resistance towards chaotropic salts and detergents, such as guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Subtilisin E, a well‐studied serine protease, was selected to be re‐engineered by directed evolution into a “chaophilic” protease that would be resistance to GdmCl and SDS, for application in diagnostic kits. In three iterative rounds of directed evolution, variant SeSaM1–5 (S62I/A153V/G166S/I205V) was generated, with improved activity (330 %) and increased half life in 1 M GdmCl (<2 min to 4.7 h) or in 0.5 % SDS (<2 min to 2.7 h). Saturation mutagenesis at each site in the wild‐type subtilisin E revealed that positions 62 and 166 were mainly responsible for increased activity and stability. A double mutant, M2 (S62I/G166M), generated by combination of the best single mutations showed significantly improved kinetic constants; in 2 M GdmCl the Km value decreased (29‐fold) from 7.31 to 0.25 mM, and the kcat values increased (fourfold) from 15 to 61 s−1. The catalytic efficiency, kcat/Km, improved dramatically (GdmCl: 247 mM−1 s−1 (118‐fold); SDS, 179 mM−1 s−1 (13‐fold)). In addition, the SeSaM1–5 variant showed higher stability in 2.0 % SDS when compared to the wild‐type (t1/2 54.8 min (>27‐fold)). Finally, molecular dynamics simulations of the wild‐type subtilisin E showed that Gdm+ ions could directly interact with active site residues, thereby probably limiting access of the substrate to the catalytic centre.
DNA Architectonics: towards the Next Generation of Bio‐inspired Materials
Authors: Stulz Eugen 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe use of DNA in nanobiotechnology has advanced to a stage at which almost any two or three dimensional architecture can be designed with high precision. The choice of the DNA sequences is essential for successful self‐assembly, and opens new ways of making nanosized monomolecular assemblies with predictable structure and size. The inclusion of designer nucleoside analogues further adds functionality with addressable groups, which have an influence on the function of the DNA nano‐objects. This article highlights the recent achievements in this emerging field and gives an outlook on future perspectives and applications.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: Evidence from Asian Economies
Authors: Scholtens Bert , Kang Feng‐Ching 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTWe investigate how earnings management is associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and investor protection with 139 firms in ten Asian countries. In Asia, CSR is increasingly attracting attention but the legal system generally is perceived as being poor. We hypothesize that there is an inverse relationship between CSR and earnings management, as well as between investor protection and earnings management. Regarding earnings management, we investigate earnings smoothing and earnings aggressiveness. We find that Asian firms with relatively good CSR are engaged significantly less with earnings management. Investor protection also is negatively associated with earnings management. We find that this is very case sensitive and depends on the ways in which earnings management and investor protection are actually measured. In addition, we establish that CSR shows positive interaction with investor protection. We conclude that in Asian countries CSR moderates firms’ earnings management and that this is conditioned by the legal system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
An alternative methodology for designing tuned mass dampers to reduce seismic vibrations in building structures
Authors: Moutinho Carlos 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYIt is well established that small tuned mass dampers (TMDs) attached to structures are very effective in reducing excessive harmonic vibrations induced by external loads but are not as interesting within the context of earthquake engineering problems. For this reason, large mass ratio TMDs have been proposed with the objective of adding a significant amount of damping to structures, thus constituting a good means of reducing structural response in these cases. This solution has other important and attractive dynamic features such as robustness to system uncertainties and reduction of the motion of the inertial mass. In this context, this paper aims to describe an alternative methodology to existing procedures used to tune these devices to earthquake loads and to present some additional considerations regarding its performance in controlling seismic vibrations. The main feature of the proposed method consists of establishing a direct proportion between the damping ratios of the structure's first two vibration modes and the adopted mass ratio. By equalizing the damping ratios of the system's main vibration modes, this proposal also facilitates the use of simplified methods, such as modal analysis based on response spectra. To demonstrate the usefulness of this alternative methodology, an application example is presented, which was also used to perform a parametric study involving other tuning methods and to estimate mass ratio values from which there is no significant advantage in increasing the TMD mass. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomic profiling by whole‐genome single nucleotide polymorphism arrays in Wilms tumor and association with relapse
Authors: Perotti Daniela , Spreafico Filippo , Torri Federica , Gamba Beatrice , D'Adamo Pio , Pizzamiglio Sara , Terenziani Monica , Catania Serena , Collini Paola , Nantron Marilina , Pession Andrea , Bianchi Maurizio , Indolfi Paolo , D'Angelo Paolo , Fossati‐Bellani Franca , Verderio Paolo , Macciardi Fabio , Radice Paolo ,   on behalf of the Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica Wilms Tumor Working Group
Published: March 2012

AbstractDespite the excellent survival rate of Wilms tumor (WT) patients, only approximately one‐half of children who suffer tumor recurrence reach second durable remission. This underlines the need for novel markers to optimize initial treatment. We investigated 77 tumors using Illumina 370CNV‐QUAD genotyping BeadChip arrays and compared their genomic profiles to detect copy number (CN) abnormalities and allelic ratio anomalies associated with the following clinicopathological variables: relapse (yes vs. no), age at diagnosis (≤24 months vs. >24 months), and disease stage (low stage, I and II, vs. high stage, III and IV). We found that CN gains at chromosome region 1q21.1‐q31.3 were significantly associated with relapse. Additional genetic events, including allelic imbalances at chromosome arms 1p, 1q, 3p, 3q, and 14q were also found to occur at higher frequency in relapsing tumors. Interestingly, allelic imbalances at 1p and 14q also showed a borderline association with higher tumor stages. No genetic events were found to be associated with age at diagnosis. This is the first genome wide analysis with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays specifically investigating the role of genetic anomalies in predicting WT relapse on cases prospectively enrolled in the same clinical trial. Our study, besides confirming the role of 1q gains, identified a number of additional candidate genetic markers, warranting further molecular investigations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The dynamics of natural pipe hydrological behaviour in blanket peat
Authors: Smart R. P. , Holden J. , Dinsmore K. J. , Baird A. J. , Billett M. F. , Chapman P. J. , Grayson R. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractNatural soil pipes are found in peatlands, but little is known about their hydrological role. This paper presents the most complete set of pipe discharge data to date from a deep blanket peatland in Northern England. In a 17.4‐ha catchment, we identified 24 perennially flowing and 60 ephemerally flowing pipe outlets. Eight pipe outlets along with the catchment outlet were continuously gauged over an 18‐month period. The pipes in the catchment were estimated to produce around 13.7% of annual streamflow, with individual pipes often producing large peak flows (maximum peak of 3.8 l s−1). Almost all pipes, whether ephemerally or perennially flowing, shallow or deep (outlets > 1 m below the peat surface), showed increased discharge within a mean of 3 h after rainfall commencement and were dominated by stormflow, indicating good connectivity between the peatland surface and the pipes. However, almost all pipes had a longer period between the hydrograph peak and the return to base flow compared with the stream (mean of 23.9 h for pipes, 19.7 h for stream). As a result, the proportion of streamflow produced by the pipes at any given time increased at low flows and formed the most important component of stream discharge for the lowest 10% of flows. Thus, a small number of perennially flowing pipes became more important to the stream system under low‐flow conditions and probably received water via matrix flow during periods between storms. Given the importance of pipes to streamflow in blanket peatlands, further research is required into their wider role in influencing stream water chemistry, water temperature and fluvial carbon fluxes, as well as their role in altering local hydrochemical cycling within the peat mass itself. Enhanced piping within peatlands caused by environmental change may lead to changes in the streamflow regime with larger low flows and more prolonged drainage of the peat. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of snow water equivalent over the eastern part of Turkey using passive microwave data
Authors: Sorman A. Unal , Beser Ozgur 
Published: March 2012

AbstractInformation on regional snow water equivalent (SWE) is required for the management of water generated from snowmelt. Modeling of SWE in the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey, one of the major headwaters of Euphrates–Tigris basin, has significant importance in forecasting snowmelt discharge, especially for optimum water usage. An assimilation process to produce daily SWE maps is developed based on Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) model and AMSR‐E passive microwave data. The characteristics of the HUT emission model are analyzed in depth and discussed with respect to the extinction coefficient function. A new extinction coefficient function for the HUT model is proposed to suit models for snow over mountainous areas. Performance of the modified model is checked against the original, other modified cases and ground truth data covering the 2003–2007 winter periods. A new approach to calculate grain size and density is integrated inside the developed data assimilation process. An extensive validation was successfully performed by means of snow data measured at ground stations during the 2008–2010 winter periods. The root mean square error of the data set for snow depth and SWE between January and March of the 2008–2010 periods compared with the respective AMSR‐E footprints indicated that errors for estimated snow depth and predicted SWE values were 16.92 cm and 40.91 mm, respectively, for the 3‐year period. Validation results were less satisfactory for SWE less than 75.0 mm and greater than 150.0 mm. An underestimation for SWE greater than 150 mm could not be resolved owing to the microwave signal saturation that is observed for dense snowpack. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reservoir storage for managing floods in urban areas: a case study of Dzorwulu basin in Accra
Authors: Owusu P. A. , Odai S. N. , Annor F. O. , Adjei K. A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe study simulated the effect of using reservoir storage for reducing flood peaks and volumes in urban areas with the Dzorwulu basin in Accra, Ghana as case study. A triangulated irregular network surface of the floodplain was created using ArcGIS from ESRI by integrating digital elevation model and the map of the study area. The weighted curve number for the basin was obtained from the land use and soil type shape files using ArcGIS. The Soil Conservation Service curve number unit hydrograph procedure was used to obtain an inflow hydrograph based on the highest rainfall recorded in recent history (3–4 June 1995) in the study area and then routed through an existing reservoir to assess the impact of the reservoir on potential flood peak attenuation. The results from the analysis indicate that a total of 13.09 × 106 m3 of flood water was generated during this 10‐h rainstorm, inundating a total area of 6.89 km2 with a depth of 4.95 m at the deepest section of the basin stream. The routing results showed that the reservoir has capacity to store 34.52% of the flood hydrograph leading to 45% reduction in flood peak and subsequently 38.5% reduction in flood inundation depth downstream of the reservoir. From results of the study, the reservoir storage concept looks promising for urban flood management in Ghana, especially in communities that are over‐urbanized downstream but have some space upstream for creating the storage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porous scaffold architecture guides tissue formation
Authors: Cipitria Amaia , Lange Claudia , Schell Hanna , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Reichert Johannes C , Hutmacher Dietmar W , Fratzl Peter , Duda Georg N 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Critical-sized bone defect regeneration is a remaining clinical concern. Numerous scaffold-based strategies are currently being investigated to enable in vivo bone defect healing. However, a deeper understanding of how a scaffold influences the tissue formation process and how this compares to endogenous bone formation or to regular fracture healing is missing. It is hypothesized that the porous scaffold architecture can serve as a guiding substrate to enable the formation of a structured fibrous network as a prerequirement for later bone formation. An ovine, tibial, 30-mm critical-sized defect is used as a model system to better understand the effect of the scaffold architecture on cell organization, fibrous tissue, and mineralized tissue formation mechanisms in vivo. Tissue regeneration patterns within two geometrically distinct macroscopic regions of a specific scaffold design, the scaffold wall and the endosteal cavity, are compared with tissue formation in an empty defect (negative control) and with cortical bone (positive control). Histology, backscattered electron imaging, scanning small-angle X-ray scattering, and nanoindentation are used to assess the morphology of fibrous and mineralized tissue, to measure the average mineral particle thickness and the degree of alignment, and to map the local elastic indentation modulus. The scaffold proves to function as a guiding substrate to the tissue formation process. It enables the arrangement of a structured fibrous tissue across the entire defect, which acts as a secondary supporting network for cells. Mineralization can then initiate along the fibrous network, resulting in bone ingrowth into a critical-sized defect, although not in complete bridging of the defect. The fibrous network morphology, which in turn is guided by the scaffold architecture, influences the microstructure of the newly formed bone. These results allow a deeper understanding of the mode of mineral tissue formation and the way this is influenced by the scaffold architecture. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.