bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Global Reach of Human Rights
Authors: SEN AMARTYA 
Published: May 2012

abstractWe live in a world in which the idea of human rights is persistently invoked. However, despite the tremendous appeal of the idea of human rights, it is also seen by many as lacking in foundation. I have argued, particularly in my book The Idea of Justice, that human rights are best seen as articulations of commitments in social ethics, comparable to — but very different from — accepting utilitarian reasoning. Like other ethical tenets, human rights can, of course, be disputed, but the claim is that they will survive open and informed scrutiny.This view contrasts with seeing human rights in primarily legal terms, either as consequences of humane legislation, or as precursors of legal rights, or as pointing towards what should ideally be legal rights. Human rights may well be reflected in legislation, may inspire legislation, and may even serve, in many circumstances, as ideals that demand legislative attention. However, these are ‘further facts’— not the defining characteristics of human rights.
The PEDALS stationary cycling intervention and health‐related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: DEMUTH SHARON K , KNUTSON LORETTA M , FOWLER EILEEN G 
Published: May 2012

Aim  The aim of this study was to assess health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) following a stationary cycling intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Method  This was a phase I multisite randomized controlled trial with single blinding. HRQOL was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory SF15 (PedsQL; children) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI; parent proxy) before and after a 3‐month stationary cycling intervention. Sixty‐two children (29 male, 33 female; mean age 11y; range 7–18y) with spastic diplegic CP, classified as levels I to III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System, were enrolled. Paired and independent t‐tests were used to evaluate within‐ and between‐group differences respectively.Results  Between‐group differences, favoring the cycling group, were found for PedsQL emotional functioning (p=0.046) and Parental PODCI treatment expectations scores (p=0.006). Between‐group differences were not found for other scales. Within‐group improvements were found in the cycling group: PedsQL total score (+5.8; p=0.006), psychosocial health summary (+6.9; p=0.008), and school functioning (+8.0; p=0.038). PODCI satisfaction with symptoms decreased significantly only in the control group (–12.0; p=0.046).Interpretation  A beneficial influence of exercise on pediatric emotional well‐being and parental treatment expectations was found. The evidence was not strong for other aspects of HRQOL. Results support the positive relationship between physical fitness and emotional well‐being in the general population. A child’s perception is important when examining change in his or her emotional well‐being due to intervention.
Bi‐directional regulation of CaMKIIα phosphorylation at Thr286 by NMDA receptors in cultured cortical neurons
Authors: Zhou Xianju , Zheng Fei , Moon Changjong , Schlüter Oliver M. , Wang Hongbing 
Published: May 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 295–307.AbstractThe N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR)‐stimulated autophosphorylation of calmodulin‐dependent kinase IIα at Thr286 may regulate many aspects of neuroplasticity. Here, we show that low NMDA concentration (20 μM) up‐regulated Thr286 phosphorylation, and high concentration (100 μM) caused dephosphorylation. We next modulated the strength of NMDAR activation by manipulating NMDAR 2A subunit (NR2A) and NMDAR 2B subunit (NR2B), which represent the major NMDAR subtypes in forebrain regions. Pharmacological inhibition and molecular knockdown of NR2A or NR2B blocked 20 μM NMDA‐induced phosphorylation. Conversely, over‐expression of NR2A or NR2B enhanced phosphorylation by 20 μM NMDA. The 100 μM NMDA‐induced dephosphorylation was suppressed by inhibition or knockdown of NR2A or NR2B, and enhanced by over‐expression of NR2A or NR2B. Compared to NR2A, NR2B showed a higher impact on the NMDA‐stimulated bi‐directional regulation of Thr286 phosphorylation. We further found that activation of NR2A and NR2B by 100 μM NMDA‐induced dephosphorylation through protein phosphatases (PP) that are inhibited by high concentration okadaic acid (1 μM), but not by PP2A and PP2B inhibitors. This novel function of NMDAR in dynamic regulation of calmodulin‐dependent kinase IIα activity provides new evidence to support the current understanding that, depending on the degree of activation, NMDAR may lead to different and even opposing effects on intracellular signaling.
Life‐sharing experiences of relatives of persons with severe mental illness – a phenomenographic study
Authors: Weimand Bente M. , Hall‐Lord Marie Louise , Sällström Christina , Hedelin Birgitta 
Published: May 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 99–107

Life‐sharing experiences of relatives of persons with severe mental illness – a phenomenographic study
Relatives of those suffering from severe mental illness experience multiple challenges and a complex life situation. The aim of this study was to describe life‐sharing experiences from the perspective of relatives of someone with severe mental illness. A qualitative, descriptive study was performed, and interviews were carried out with eighteen relatives of persons with severe mental illness. A phenomenographic analysis, according to the steps described by Dahlgren and Fallsberg, was used to describe the relatives’ conceptions of their situation. The findings show that the experiences of these relatives can be summarized in one main category: ‘The art of balancing between multiple concerns’. Two descriptive categories emerged: ‘Making choices on behalf of others and oneself’ and ‘Constantly struggling between opposing feelings and between reflections’. Relatives report that they have to manoeuvre between different ways to act and to prioritize between different wishes and needs. In addition, they face a wide range of strong feelings and they search for hope and meaning. Relatives of someone with severe mental illness have to balance multiple concerns, which induce ethical dilemmas. They felt love, compassion or sense of duty towards the mentally ill person. The changeable situation made it difficult for the relatives to establish a balance in their lives. To be able to prioritize some private time was important. Relatives need own support and sufficient follow‐up of the mentally ill next of kin from the mental health services.
State legitimacy: An updated dataset for 52 countries
Authors: GILLEY BRUCE 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA previous article in this journal presented a conceptualisation of the political legitimacy of the state and its operationalisation for 72 countries c. 2000. This article provides an updated dataset of state legitimacy for 52 countries c. 2008 using the same conceptualisation. It presents a brief discussion of the comparative results of the two datasets.
Changes in reproductive behavior in adult damselfly Calopteryx splendens (Odonata: Calopterygidae) in response to flood
Authors: GOŁĄB Maria J. , ŚNIEGULA Szymon 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe reproductive behavior of adult Calopteryx splendens males and females inhabiting the Nida River, south Poland, was studied and compared during a pre‐flood and a post‐flood year. The flood disturbance in 2010 caused a decrease in aquatic macrophytes, thus reducing availability of potential territories and consequently, significantly influencing male behavior towards a frequent non‐territorial strategy. Many males in the post‐flood population had damaged wings due to extremely aggressive contests. Male–male tandems were commonly observed; this is an uncommon behavior in C. splendens. Although the sex ratio was male‐biased throughout the whole study, we observed more males in the post‐flood year. We also observed less‐frequent copulations and ovipositions during the post‐flood year. The only unchanged characteristic was population density, which did not differ before and after the flood disturbance. Floods have significant impact on damselfly reproductive sites and this, due to changes in behavior and sex ratio, may result in further consequences on population dynamics.
A thermodynamic model for silicate melt in CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 to 50 kbar and 1800 °C
Authors: Green E. C. R. , Holland T. J. B. , Powell R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA fully thermodynamic model for mafic melt in CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 (CMAS) has been calibrated, for calculation of melting equilibria in the pressure range 0–50 kbar. It is intended as a preliminary step towards a large‐system melt model, suitable for exploring melting, melt loss and crystallization processes in a wide range of natural rock compositions. Calibration was performed with attention to the model's behaviour in its compositional subsystems, as a rigorous test of model structure and parameterization. The model is consistent with the latest Holland & Powell thermodynamic data set, and can therefore be used to calculate phase relations in conjunction with the many solid‐phase activity–composition models written for the data set. Model calculations successfully reproduce experimental melting reactions in CMAS spinel lherzolite and garnet lherzolite assemblages, as well as sapphirine‐ and kyanite‐bearing assemblages, at moderate to high pressure. Thermodynamically sensitive features, such as thermal divides are also recovered. However, some changes to the model structure will be required before the model can describe the full range of mafic and ultramafic melt compositions known from experiment at low pressures.
Fish Scale Collagen—A Novel Material for Corneal Tissue Engineering
Authors: Krishnan Sasirekha , Sekar Santhanam , Katheem Mohammed Farhan , Krishnakumar Subramanian , Sastry Thotapalli Parvathaleswara 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe ex vivo cultured limbal stem cells over a biocompatible scaffold are used in the management of limbal stem cell deficiency as an ideal replacement for human amniotic membrane (HAM). A novel source of collagen from fish scales (FSC) was used to fabricate the scaffold. In this study, we have evaluated the physicochemical, mechanical, and culture characteristics of FSC and compared with denuded HAM. The cultured corneal cells were characterized by real‐time polymerase chain reaction for putative stem cell markers. The swelling ratio, collagenase assay, and microbial resistance of FSC gave better results when compared to those of HAM. The mechanical and physical strengths of FSC were good enough to handle when compared to HAM. Under microscopic observation, epithelial migration was noted at the end of 48 h from limbal explants plated on FSC and on HAM at the end of 72 h. By the end of the 15th day, 90 to 100% confluent growth was seen resembling the morphological features of limbal epithelium. In conclusion, FSCs from a novel renewable biological source were optically clear with sufficient strength, and gave encouraging results in culture studies; the same may be tried as potential candidate for corneal transplantation after in vivo studies.
Progress towards genetic and pharmacological therapies for keratin genodermatoses: current perspective and future promise
Authors: Chamcheu Jean Christopher , Wood Gary S. , Siddiqui Imtiaz A. , Syed Deeba N. , Adhami Vaqar M. , Teng Joyce M. , Mukhtar Hasan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHereditary keratin disorders of the skin and its appendages comprise a large group of clinically heterogeneous disfiguring blistering and ichthyotic diseases, primarily characterized by the loss of tissue integrity, blistering and hyperkeratosis in severely affected tissues. Pathogenic mutations in keratins cause these afflictions. Typically, these mutations in concert with characteristic features have formed the basis for improved disease diagnosis, prognosis and most recently therapy development. Examples include epidermolysis bullosa simplex, keratinopathic ichthyosis, pachyonychia congenita and several other tissue‐specific hereditary keratinopathies. Understanding the molecular and genetic events underlying skin dysfunction has initiated alternative treatment approaches that may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for affected patients. Animal and in vitro disease modelling studies have shed more light on molecular pathogenesis, further defining the role of keratins in disease processes and promoting the translational development of new gene and pharmacological therapeutic strategies. Given that the molecular basis for these monogenic disorders is well established, gene therapy and drug discovery targeting pharmacological compounds with the ability to reinforce the compromised cytoskeleton may lead to promising new therapeutic strategies for treating hereditary keratinopathies. In this review, we will summarize and discuss recent advances in the preclinical and clinical modelling and development of gene, natural product, pharmacological and protein‐based therapies for these disorders, highlighting the feasibility of new approaches for translational clinical therapy.
New method for extracting plant indicators based on their adaptive responses to management practices: application to semi‐natural and artificial grassland data
Authors: Koyanagi Tomoyo , Kusumoto Yoshinobu , Hiradate Syuntaro , Morita Sayaka , Yokogawa Masashi , Takahashi Yoshitaka , Sato Chiyoshi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractQuestionsWhat is the best way to identify plant indicators for monitoring the responses of semi‐natural grassland communities to various management practices (i.e. burning, burning and mowing, burning and grazing)? Can a multi‐trait plant functional group (PFG) approach extract indicator species more effectively than a single‐trait approach?LocationSemi‐natural and artificial grasslands in the northern and eastern parts of the somma of Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.MethodsWe analysed a data set from 203 semi‐natural and artificial grassland vegetation plots (each 1 m × 1 m), and compared species and functional compositions among the management types and between the northern and eastern locations using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Potential indicator species were extracted by indicator species analysis (INSPAN) and compared with the results of single‐trait and multi‐trait PFG approaches, which classify plant species into groups based on individual or combinations of traits (growth form, life span, dispersal mode, flowering season and plant height).ResultsOnly the multi‐trait PFG approach successfully clustered the vegetation plots for each management type. Semi‐natural burned‐and‐grazed grasslands in the eastern and northern regions were characterized by a specific PFG among 21 PFGs, whereas the same three PFGs characterized the burned‐and‐mowed semi‐natural grassland of the two regions. The extracted PFGs represent combinations of vegetative, dispersal and reproductive traits (e.g. short, wind‐ and animal‐dispersed species for grazed semi‐natural grasslands; tall, summer‐flowering forbs for mowed semi‐natural grasslands). As compared to indicator species extracted by the multi‐trait PFG approach, INSPAN extracted additional indicator species, but some of these were inappropriate.ConclusionsWe identified PFGs representing each management type and characterized species adaptations to different disturbance regimes, such as mowing and grazing. Among the species extracted by INSPAN, only those classified into the representative PFGs can serve as indicators for characterizing managed semi‐natural grasslands. Our findings indicate that using a multi‐trait PFG approach can provide reasonable plant indicators for monitoring grassland communities throughout the regions when combined with a species‐based INSPAN approach. This proposed method would contribute to the conservation of plant biodiversity in threatened semi‐natural grazed and mowed grasslands.
Salivary flow rate and risk of malnutrition – a study among dentate, community‐dwelling older people
Authors: Syrjälä Anna‐Maija H. , Pussinen Päivi I. , Komulainen Kaija , Nykänen Irma , Knuuttila Matti , Ruoppi Piia , Hartikainen Sirpa , Sulkava Raimo , Ylöstalo Pekka 
Published: May 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00679.x

Salivary flow rate and risk of malnutrition – a study among dentate, community‐dwelling older people
Objective:  To analyse the relation between unstimulated and stimulated salivary secretion and the risk of malnutrition among home‐dwelling elderly people.Background:  Saliva has an important role in eating. Despite this, there are only a few studies on the role of salivary secretion in the development of malnutrition among elderly people.Materials and methods:  The study population consisted of 157 subjects aged 75 or older. This was a part of GeMS study carried out in Kuopio, in eastern Finland. The data used in this study were collected by means of interviews and geriatric and oral clinical examinations. The risk of malnutrition was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short‐Form. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).Results:  Subjects with a low unstimulated salivary flow rate (<0.1 ml/min) or stimulated salivary flow rate (<1.0 ml/min) had no statistically significant increase in risk of malnutrition, OR: 1.3, CI: 0.5–3.9, OR: 1.5, CI: 0.5–4.2, respectively, when compared with those with a normal unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate.Conclusion:  Our results do not support the concept that low salivary secretion is an important risk factor for malnutrition among community‐dwelling elders.
A highly conserved tryptophan in the N‐terminal variable domain regulates disulfide bond formation and oligomeric assembly of adiponectin
Authors: Radjainia Mazdak , Huang Bosheng , Bai Bo , Schmitz Michael , Yang Sung H. , Harris Paul W. R. , Griffin Michael D. W. , Brimble Margaret A. , Wang Yu , Mitra Alok K. 
Published: May 2012

Adiponectin is a collagenous adipokine with direct anti‐diabetic and anti‐atherogenic properties. It can assume an ensemble of oligomeric states, e.g. trimers, hexamers and octadecamers, each being involved in distinct signaling pathways relevant to adiponectin’s diverse biological function in metabolism, immunity, inflammation and cellular homeostasis. Assembly of the active variants principally the octadecameric high molecular weight form is achieved via the tightly controlled oxidation of cysteine 39 located in the adiponectin hyper‐variable domain (AHD, residues 18–44) between the signal sequence and the collagen‐like domain. We show that mutation of a highly conserved tryptophan (W42A) in the AHD profoundly affects assembly by trapping full‐length adiponectin in the oxidized trimeric or hexameric states with a concomitant major reduction in the high molecular weight form. Our biophysical measurements on synthesized analogues of the AHD suggests that the aberrant oligomer distribution can be explained based on the fact that the proximity of W42 to C39 causes a reduction in the rate of C39 oxidation, an effect that to our knowledge has not been documented before. At the biological level, the perturbed oligomer distribution of full‐length mutant adiponectin leads to a major reduction in the AMP‐activated protein kinase activation in endothelial cells and liver tissues.Structured digital abstract
Adiponectin and Adiponectin bind by molecularsieving (Viewinteraction)
Adiponectin and Adiponectin bind by molecularsieving (View Interaction: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Adiponectin and Adiponectin bind by cosedimentation in solution (View interaction)
Adiponectinphysically interacts with ERP44and DsbA‐L by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Adiponectin and Adiponectin bind by nuclear magnetic resonance (View interaction)
Adiponectin and Adiponectin bind by transmission electron microscopy (View interaction)
A methodology to evaluate disease severity: a case study of chestnut blight in El Bierzo region (northwestern Spain)
Authors: Tizado E.J. , Terrón A. , Núñez‐Pérez E. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCorrect knowledge of the incidence and severity of disease is essential for implementation of timely and effective management control strategies. In this article, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) is applied to evaluate the severity of chestnut blight incited by the ascomyceteous fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. This economically important bark disease leads to the loss of an important part of the chestnut production and the progressive death of the tree. A total of 7240 living European chestnut (Castanea sativa) trees across 452 plots were surveyed in El Bierzo, NW Spain. For each tree, the main stem and canopy were visually assessed for signs of the pathogen and/or symptoms of the disease and the extent of the disease was classified on a qualitative ordinal scale consisting of six levels. The statistical procedure is useful because it quickly analyses measurable, discrete observations from assessed individuals to provide a disease severity measure related to tree features and disease extension inside the tree. The results indicated that the penetration of the pathogen is located in the lower part of the crown and spreads to the tips of the branches in the upper part of the crown. Thus, our results suggest that man‐made wounds, when the tree was grafted or pruned, are the main channel of pathogen penetration in El Bierzo region. Disease severity estimates and incidence data for C. parasitica across the region were compared. From the perspective of the management and control of the disease, a disease severity value provides a more accurate indication of the scenario of the disease in a region than presence or absence data alone.
Immunoadsorption in Dermatology
Authors: Meyersburg Damian , Schmidt Enno , Kasperkiewicz Michael , Zillikens Detlef 
Published: May 2012

AbstractImmunoadsorption (IA) has been successfully used in a large variety of autoantibody‐mediated disorders. In dermatology, IA is increasingly applied as adjuvant treatment for severe and/or refractory autoimmune bullous diseases. These disorders are characterized by autoantibodies against structural proteins of the skin and/or mucous membranes and include, among others, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, and bullous pemphigoid. Autoimmune blistering diseases are associated with a high mortality (pemphigus) or morbidity (bullous pemphigoid) and in particular in pemphigus diseases, treatment is challenging. The pathogenetic role of autoantibodies in most of the immunobullous diseases has been clearly demonstrated, therefore, removal of these autoantibodies is a rational therapeutic approach. IA has been shown to effectively lower the serum autoantibodies and to lead to rapid clinical responses. Most recently, IA has been successfully applied in patients with severe atopic dermatitis and high total serum IgE levels. Here, the different treatment protocols, clinical efficacy, and adverse events are summarized.
Design and Testing of a Convenient Benchtop Sandbox for Controlled Flow Experiments
Authors: Bowen Ian R. , Devlin J.F. , Schillig Peter C. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA benchtop sandbox constructed from nested storage tanks (NeSTs), was assembled for studying flow and transport in porous media. Molded plastic storage containers, purchased at a department store, were modified to fashion the tanks. The remaining construction materials were also inexpensive and the NeST design made it virtually leak‐proof. The uniformity of flow in the NeST was evaluated with three independent tracer tests. Estimated velocities were within about ±20% including all test results, indicating a high degree of predictability and uniformity in the flow. The NeST is a simple and robust tool suitable for research and teaching purposes, particularly for the testing of flow measurement sensors like the point velocity probes.