bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minority Mobilisation in Greece and Litigation in Strasbourg
Authors: Tsitselikis Konstantinos 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWhy would minorities of Greece bring their case before the European Court of Human Rights? What do the minority groups or individuals belonging to a minority group envisage when they communicate their case to Strasbourg? What are the common patterns of minority mobilisation for rights claims before the Court of Strasbourg? Minority mobilisation and litigation in Strasbourg is related to the formation of the status regarding a minority group, the latter being the product of a complex process of political character, dependent on a continuous, overt or covert struggle for power. The axis of this relation is defined by claims of the minority and their recognition or non-recognition by the state. In other terms, this struggle can be seen as a balance between demand and enjoyment of rights. These claims of minorities aim at improving, correcting or implementing the legal status. Freedom of expression, religion or association constitute the main grounds for allegations of more than 45 cases brought before the Court of Strasbourg so far. It seems that the Greek law-making and policy-implementing mechanisms are reluctant to accommodate a broader conception about membership to the Greek nation/Greek state mainly due to the continuing ideological constraints. Although religious otherness is slowly being acknowledged and institutionalised, the recognition of national otherness is so far not tolerated.
Enforcing Migrant Workers' Rights in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: McGeehan Nicholas , Keane David 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe appalling treatment of migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who constitute 80 per cent of the population and 95 per cent of the workforce, has largely escaped international scrutiny. The paper analyses the failure to protect migrant workers' rights in the UAE from a domestic and an international perspective. It outlines the extent of the abuses and demonstrates how the state's weak domestic laws have been further undermined by poor enforcement mechanisms and a lack of political will to address the issue. It examines violations of international human rights law and possible avenues of redress, notably those relating to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1965, one of only three international human rights treaties that the UAE has ratified. Furthermore, the paper will argue that the UAE's exploitation of the relative economic weakness of its South Asian neighbours has led to a situation that can be characterised as bonded labour of migrant workers, a form of slavery as defined under international law. It will be concluded that domestic labour provisions in the UAE will never be sufficient to provide basic rights to migrant workers due to the de facto control of the private sector by the public sector. Therefore, concerted international attention and pressure will be required to improve a situation in which over two million workers live in terrible conditions, wholly at odds with the wealth and luxury of the country they have helped to build.
Beyond the Rivers of Africa: The Afrocentric Pentecostalism of Mensa Otabil
Authors: van Gorder Christian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMensa Otabil is an African Pentecostal who has developed an Afrocentric focus as a way of responding to the initiatives and interest that face today's growing African Pentecostal church. Otabil warns African Americans that questions of their relationship with Africa must be addressed. Perhaps Otabil's legacy will be his most immediate role of a motivational speaker and encourager for progress in a part of the world that has been drowned with both internal and external projections of pessimism. What is certain is that Mensa Otabil believes in a Pentecostal faith which is able to speak to Africa's social needs. His conviction is rooted in his conviction that the inherent strength of the great people of Africa is yet to be fully released.
Coming of Age in African Theology: The Quest for Authentic Theology in African Soil
Authors: Mashau Derrick , Frederiks Martha 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis article explores the concept of African theology from a historical and methodological point of view. It shows that there is not one type of theology that can be called African theology but that there is a cluster of diverse theologies which share a number of common characteristics: African theology is theology done in Africa, arising out of the identity of African people, using African concepts of thought and speaking to the African context. The authors signal that there is relatively little interaction between the various theologies developed on the continent and that much theology is a reaction to Western Christianity and Western colonialism. The article ends by concluding that the quest for African theologies is in full progress, as the contexts in the midst of which African theologies are developed continue to change. Yet, despite the many challenges African theologians face, their theologies speak of hope and life. This vitality of African theologies, according to the authors, is the contribution of African theologies to the discourse of world Christianity.
Ethiopian Traditional Values versus the Social Teaching of the Church
Authors: Dejene Solomon 
Published: April 2008

AbstractEven if the Roman Catholic Church does not have a very long history in Ethiopia and constitutes a small minority of the society, her social significance is great in part due to the structural development programs she runs through out the country. The main aim of this paper is to identify how much the Church has made use of traditional systems and values in reflecting and communicating pastorally particularly in regard the Social of the Church (henceforth CST). By analyzing four selected pastoral letters, this article tries to spell out the strengths and shortcomings of the Church in employing traditional systems and values in giving form to the CST.
Rhetoric, Drama and Truth in Plato's Symposium
Authors: Sheppard Anne 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper draws attention to the Symposium's concern with epideictic rhetoric. It argues that in the Symposium, as in the Gorgias and the Phaedrus, a contrast is drawn between true and false rhetoric. The paper also discusses the dialogue's relationship to drama. Whereas both epideictic rhetoric and drama were directed to a mass audience, the speeches in the Symposium are delivered to a small, select group. The discussion focuses on the style of the speeches delivered by Aristophanes, Agathon, Socrates and Alcibiades. Aristophanes speaks in the simple style of comedy, fable and folktale, also used by Protagoras in Plato's Protagoras. Agathon speaks in the high-flown style of Gorgias. Socrates' speech is a miniature Platonic dialogue, and both Alcibiades' speech and Socrates' speech may be compared to satyr play. The paper concludes with a suggestion that the claim at 223D, that the same person should be able to write both comedy and tragedy, refers to style as well as subject-matter.
Multiple Scattering Effects in Pulsed Radar Systems: An Intercomparison Study
Authors: Battaglia Alessandro , Kobayashi Satoru , Tanelli Simone , Simmer Clemens , Im Eastwood 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
In this paper, two different numerical methods capable of computing multiple scattering effects in pulsed-radar systems are compared. Both methods are based on the solution of the time-dependent vectorial form of the radiative transfer equation: one exploits the successive order of scattering approximation, the other a forward Monte Carlo technique.
Different benchmark results are presented (including layers of monodisperse spherical water and ice particles), which are of specific interest for W-band spaceborne cloud radars such as CloudSat’s or EarthCARE’s cloud profiling radars. Results demonstrate a good agreement between the two methods. The pros and cons of the two models are discussed, with a particular focus on the validity of the second order of scattering approximation.
Defective circulating CD25 regulatory T cells in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Yu Jin , Heck Susanne , Patel Vivek , Levan Jared , Yu Yu , Bussel James B. , Yazdanbakhsh Karina 
Published: April 2008

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by the presence of antiplatelet autoantibodies as a result of loss of tolerance. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important for maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Decreased levels of peripheral Tregs in patients with ITP have been reported. To test whether inefficient production or reduced immunosuppressive activity of Tregs contributes to loss of tolerance in patients with chronic ITP, we investigated the frequency and function of their circulating CD4+CD25hi Tregs. We found a com-parable frequency of circulating CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+ Tregs in patients and controls (n = 16, P > .05). However, sorted CD4+CD25hi cells from patients with chronic ITP (n = 13) had a 2-fold reduction of in vitro immunosuppressive activity compared with controls (n = 10, P < .05). The impaired suppression was specific to Tregs as shown by cross-mixing experiments with T cells from controls. These data suggest that functional defects in Tregs contribute to breakdown of self-tolerance in patients with chronic ITP.
Insight into the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) through analysis of IgVH gene usage and mutation status in familial CLL
Authors: Crowther-Swanepoel Dalemari , Wild Ruth , Sellick Gabrielle , Dyer Martin J. S. , Mauro Francesca R. , Cuthbert Robert J. G. , Jonsson Viggo , Matutes Estella , Dearden Claire , Wiley James , Fuller Stephen , Catovsky Daniel , Houlston Richard S. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
To address the proposition that familial B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may exhibit a more restricted phenotype than sporadic CLL with respect to immunoglobulin gene usage or ontogenic development, we compared immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable region (VH) gene usage and IgVH mutation status in 327 patients with CLL from 214 families with 724 patients with sporadic cases. The frequency of mutated CLL was higher in familial CLL (P < .001), and there was evidence of intrafamilial concordance in mutation status (P < .001). The repertoire and frequency of IgVH usage was, however, not significantly different between familial and sporadic CLL. Furthermore, IgVH usage was not correlated between affected members of the same family. These observations provide evidence that familial CLL is essentially indistinguishable from sporadic CLL, favoring a genetic basis to disease development in general rather than a simple environmental etiology.
In vivosite-specific biotinylation of proteins within the secretory pathway using a single vector system
Authors: Predonzani Andrea , Arnoldi Francesca , López-Requena Alejandro , Burrone Oscar R 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundDue to its extremely high strength, the interaction between biotin and (strept)avidin has been exploited for a large number of biotechnological applications. Site-specific biotinylation of proteinsin vivocan be achieved by co-expressing in mammalian cells the protein of interest fused to a 15 amino acid long Biotin Acceptor Peptide (BAP) and the bacterial biotin-protein ligase BirA, which specifically recognizes and attaches a biotin to the single lysine residue of the BAP sequence. However, this system is mainly based on the contemporaneous use of two different plasmids or on induction of expression of two proteins through an IRES-driven mechanism.ResultsWe developed a single bigenic plasmid that contains two independent transcriptional units for the co-expression of both the protein tagged with BAP and an engineered version of the BirA enzyme. Upstream of the cDNA encoding BirA, a signal secretion leader sequence was added to allow translocation of the enzyme to the secretory pathway. Three different recombinant antibodies in the scFv format, a membrane bound and secretory truncated IgE Fc fragment and a soluble version of the human IgE high affinity receptor were shown to be efficiently biotinylated and to maintain their binding properties in immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA assays.ConclusionThe present study shows the universal applicability to both secretory and membrane bound proteins of a single bigenic plasmid to induce the site-specificin vivobiotinylation of target molecules tagged with a short acceptor peptide. These molecules could be easily obtained from supernatants or extracts of mammalian cells and used for a wide range of biological applications.
Review of the utilization of HEEPF – competitive projects for educational enhancement in the Egyptian medical sector
Authors: Abdellah Galal Abdel-Hamid , Taher Salah El-Din Mohamed Fahmy , Hosny Somaya 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
In Egypt, the medical sector has been facing the same problems that challenged the system of higher education in the past decades, mainly an increasing student enrollment, limited resources, and old governance and bylaws. These constraints and the escalating paucity of resources have had a major negative influence on quality of education. Consequently, thoughts of educational reform came forward in the form of competitive projects, which have attracted several institutes from the health sector to improve their educational performance. The aim of this paper is to review the share of the medical sector in the higher education enhancement project fund (HEEPF), its outcomes, sustainability, and to provide recommendations for keeping the momentum of reform pursuit in the future. The methodology included obtaining statistics pertaining to the medical sector in Egypt as regards colleges, students, and staff. We also reviewed the self-studies of the medical sector colleges, HEEPF projects reports, performance appraisal reports, and World Bank reports on HEEPF achievements in order to retrieve the required data. Results showed that medical sector had a large share of the HEEPF (28.5% of projects) as compared to its size (8% of student population). The projects covered 10 areas; the frequency distribution of which ranged between 4.4% (creation of new programs) to 97.8% (human resource development). In conclusion, educational enhancement in the medical sector in Egypt could be apparently achieved through the HEEPF competitive projects. A study of the long-term impact of these projects on the quality of education is recommended
Melatonin therapy to improve nocturnal sleep in critically ill patients: encouraging results from a small randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bourne Richard S , Mills Gary H , Minelli Cosetta 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Sleep disturbances are common in critically ill patients and when sleep does occur it traverses the day-night periods. The reduction in plasma melatonin levels and loss of circadian rhythm observed in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation may contribute to this irregular sleep-wake pattern. We sought to evaluate the effect of exogenous melatonin on nocturnal sleep quantity in these patients and, furthermore, to describe the kinetics of melatonin after oral administration in this patient population, thereby guiding future dosing schedules.

Methods
We conducted a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 24 patients who had undergone a tracheostomy to aid weaning from mechanical ventilation. Oral melatonin 10 mg or placebo was administered at 9 p.m. for four nights. Nocturnal sleep was monitored using the bispectral index (BIS) and was expressed in terms of sleep efficiency index (SEI) and area under the curve (AUC). Secondary endpoints were SEI measured by actigraphy and nurse and patient assessments. Plasma melatonin concentrations were measured in nine patients in the melatonin group on the first night.

Results
Nocturnal sleep time was 2.5 hours in the placebo group (mean SEI = 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17 to 0.36). Melatonin use was associated with a 1-hour increase in nocturnal sleep (SEI difference = 0.12, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.27; P = 0.09) and a decrease in BIS AUC indicating 'better' sleep (AUC difference = -54.23, 95% CI -104.47 to -3.98; P = 0.04). Results from the additional sleep measurement methods were inconclusive. Melatonin appeared to be rapidly absorbed from the oral solution, producing higher plasma concentrations relative to similar doses reported in healthy individuals. Plasma concentrations declined biexponentially, but morning (8 a.m.) plasma levels remained supraphysiological.

Conclusion
In our patients, nocturnal sleep quantity was severely compromised and melatonin use was associated with increased nocturnal sleep efficiency. Although these promising findings need to be confirmed by a larger randomised clinical trial, they do suggest a possible future role for melatonin in the routine care of critically ill patients. Our pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that the 10-mg dose used in this study is too high in these patients and may lead to carryover of effects into the next morning. Reduced doses of 1 to 2 mg could be used in future studies.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN47578325.
The influence of venous admixture on alveolar dead space and carbon dioxide exchange in acute respiratory distress syndrome: computer modelling
Authors: Niklason Lisbet , Eckerström Johannes , Jonson Björn 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Alveolar dead space reflects phenomena that render arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide higher than that of mixed alveolar gas, disturbing carbon dioxide exchange. Right-to-left shunt fraction (Qs/Qt) leads to an alveolar dead space fraction (VdAS/VtA; where VtA is alveolar tidal volume). In acute respiratory distress syndrome, ancillary physiological disturbances may include low cardiac output, high metabolic rate, anaemia and acid-base instability. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the extent to which shunt contributes to alveolar dead space and perturbs carbon dioxide exchange in ancillary physiological disturbances.

Methods
A comprehensive model of pulmonary gas exchange was based upon known equations and iterative mathematics.

Results
The alveolar dead space fraction caused by shunt increased nonlinearly with Qs/Qt and, under 'basal conditions', reached 0.21 at a Qs/Qt of 0.6. At a Qs/Qt of 0.4, reduction in cardiac output from 5 l/minute to 3 l/minute increased VdAS/VtA from 0.11 to 0.16. Metabolic acidosis further augmented the effects of shunt on VdAS/VtA, particularly with hyperventilation. A Qs/Qt of 0.5 may increase arterial carbon dioxide tension by about 15% to 30% if ventilation is not increased.

Conclusion
In acute respiratory distress syndrome, perturbation of carbon dioxide exchange caused by shunt is enhanced by ancillary disturbances such as low cardiac output, anaemia, metabolic acidosis and hyperventilation. Maintained homeostasis mitigates the effects of shunt.
Behavioral and neural responses of juvenile crayfish to moving shadows
Authors: Liden William H. , Herberholz Jens 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY
One of the most important decisions any animal has to make is how to respond to sensory cues that suggest an imminent attack by a predator. We measured behavioral and neural responses of juvenile crayfish to moving shadows of different velocities while the animals were searching for food. In all experiments, and independent of shadow velocity, each crayfish produced one of two discrete behavioral outputs: it either tail-flipped backwards by rapid flexion of its abdomen or it immediately stopped its forward locomotion. The probability of each behavioral response was dependent on the velocity of the shadows that were presented. While most animals responded with tail-flips to slow-moving shadows and stops were rarely observed, the number of tail-flips decreased as shadow velocity increased. Tail-flips were almost absent for very fast-moving shadows and stopping behavior became the dominating response. By using a non-invasive technique to record neural activity, we were able to identify the underlying neural circuit that controlled the observed tail-flips. All tail-flips were mediated by activation of the medial giant neurons, which are part of a hardwired neural circuit previously described to produce reflexive responses to tactile stimulation.
Control of shell colour changes in the lobster, Panulirus cygnus
Authors: Wade Nicholas M. , Melville-Smith Roy , Degnan Bernard M. , Hall Michael R. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY
The transition from juvenile to adult in the Australian western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus (George), is preceded by a mass migration from inshore nursery reefs to offshore breeding grounds. Associated with this migration is a moult which results in the animals that are due to migrate undergoing characteristic colour change from deep red to pale pink, known as the `white' phase, which is believed to be triggered by environmental factors. To investigate this phenomenon, the colour change of wild-caught animals was measured over two separate years in response to two important modifiers of crustacean shell colour, dietary carotenoid and background substrate colour. Changes in shell colour during this colour transition period were influenced more greatly by other factors independent of diet or background substrate and no mass colour change was induced during this time. Shell colour measurement and carotenoid quantification confirmed the presence of animals similar to wild-caught `whites', regardless of the treatment. From these experimental observations we infer that the `white' phase of the western rock lobster is not triggered by dietary modification or in response to background substrate. We propose that this transition is under the regulation of an ontogenetic program activated at a specific moult, which induces presently unidentified molecular changes linked to shell colour production. This unique colour transition may have evolved to provide protective camouflage during migration,and serves as an excellent model to study the genetic mechanisms underlying crustacean shell colouration. These data also provide insight into the changes in carotenoid levels induced by environmental factors, and the ability to modify crustacean shell colour in aquaculture.