From The Hague to Geneva: The protection of civilians and refugees in the perspective of legal history, 1899-1951

The presentation proposed here shall focus on international (and as far as possible some cases of national) legal protection of civilians and refugees between the first Hague Convention of 1899 and the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Refugees in 1951. An analysis of international legal texts as well as, if possible, some exemplary national constitutions will form the core of the presentation, which will try to find out, to what extent not only the civilian population remaining close to front-line fighting, but also under occupation was supposed to be protected by legal norms, but also to what extent the issue of forcing civilian to leave their homes became part of the international legal discourse as well as of international legal norms.

Comparative Study of Digital Rights Management Systems for Music and Text Files

Digital Rights Management Systems (DRMS) are seen by content providers as the appropriate tool to, on the one hand, fight piracy and, on the other hand, monetize their assets. Although these systems claim to be very powerful and include multiple protection technologies, there is a lack of understanding about how such systems are currently being implemented and used by content providers. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it provides a theoretical basis through which we present shortly the seven core protection technologies of a DRMS. Second, this paper provides empirical evidence that the seven protection technologies outlined in the first section of this paper are the most commonly used technologies. It further evaluates to what extent these technologies are being used within the music and print industry. It concludes that the three main Technologies are encryption, password, and payment systems. However, there are some industry differences: the number of protection technologies used, the requirements for a DRMS, the required investment, or the perceived success of DRMS in fighting piracy.

Social capital and adolescent health risk behavior in El Salvador

An emerging body of research suggests that the social capital available in one's social environment, as defined by supportive and caring interpersonal relationships, may provide a protective effect against a number of youth risk behaviors. In exploring the potential protective effect of social capital at school and at home on adolescent health and social risk behavior, a comprehensive youth risk behavior study was carried out in El Salvador during the summer of 1999 with a sample of 984 secondary school students attending 16 public rural and urban schools. The following dissertation, entitled Social Capital and Adolescent Health Risk Behavior in El Salvador, presents three papers centered on the topics of social capital and risk behavior. ^ Paper #1. Dangers in the Adolescent River of Life: A Descriptive Study of Youth Risk Behavior among Urban and Rural presents prevalence estimates of four principal youth risk behavior domains—aggression, depression, substance use, and sexual behaviors among students primarily between the ages of 13 and 17 who attend public schools in El Salvador. The prevalence and distribution of risk behaviors is examined by gender, geographic school location, age, and subjective economic status. ^ Paper #2. Social Capital and Adolescent Health Risk Behavior among Secondary School Students in El Salvador explores the relationship between social resources (social capital) within the school context and several youth risk behaviors. Results indicated that students who perceived higher social cohesion at school and higher parental social support were significantly less likely to report fighting, having been threatened or hurt with a weapon, suicidal ideation, and sexual intercourse than students with lower perceived social cohesion at school and parental social support after adjusting for several socio-demographic variables. ^ Lastly, paper #3. School Health Environment and Social Capital : Moving beyond the individual to the broader social developmental context provides a theoretical and empirical basis for moving beyond the predominant individual-focus and physical health concerns of school health promotion to the larger social context of schools and social health of students. This paper explores the concept of social capital and relevant adolescent development theories in relation to the influence of social context on adolescent health and behavior. ^

Targeting dysregulated nuclear proteins androgen receptor and enhancer of zeste homolog 2: Clinical implication and mechanism underline

Cancer is the most devastating disease that has tremendous impacts on public health. Many efforts have been devoted to fighting cancer through either translational or basic researches for years. Nowadays, it emerges the importance to converge these two research directions and complement to each other for battling with cancer. Thus, our study aims at both translational and basic research directions. The first goal of our study is focus on translational research to search for new agents targeting prevention and therapy of advanced prostate cancer. Hormone refractory prostate cancer is incurable and lethal. Androgen receptor (AR) mediates androgen's effect not only on the tumor initiation but also plays the major role in the relapse transition of prostate cancer. Here we demonstrate that emodin, a natural compound, can directly target AR to suppress prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and prolong the survival of C3(1)/SV40 transgenic mice in vivo. Emodin treatment resulted in repressing androgen-dependent transactivation of AR by inhibiting AR nuclear translocation. Emodin decreased the association of AR and heat shock protein 90 and increased the association of AR and MDM2, which in turn, induces AR degradation through a proteasome-mediated pathway in a ligand independent manner. Our work indicates a new mechanism for the emodin-mediated anticancer effect and justifies further investigation of emodin as a therapeutic and preventive agent for prostate cancer. The second goal of our study is try to elucidate the fundamental tumor biology of cancer progression then provide the rationale to develop more efficient therapeutic strategy. Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) plays an important role in many biological processes through its intrinsic methyltransferase activity to trimethylate lysine 27 in histone H3. Although overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to be involved in cancer progression, the detailed mechanisms are elusive. Here, we show that Akt phosphorylates EZH2 at serine 21 and suppresses its methyltransferase activity by impeding the binding to its substrate histone H3, resulting in a decrease of lysine 27 trimethylation and derepression of silenced genes, thus promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Our results also show that histone methylation is not permanent but regulated in a dynamic manner and that the Akt signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of this epigenetic modification through phosphorylation of EZH2, thus contributing to oncogenic processes. ^

The association between mental health and hypertension in the 2005 Department of Defense Population Survey

Major objectives within Healthy People 2010 include improving hypertension and mental health management of the American population. Both mental health issues and hypertension exist in the military which may decrease the health status of military personnel and diminish the ability to complete assigned missions. Some cases may be incompatible with military service even with optimum treatment. In the interest of maintaining a fit fighting force, the Department of Defense regularly conducts a survey of health related behaviors among active duty military personnel. The 2005 DoD Survey was conducted to obtain information regarding health and behavioral readiness among active duty military personnel to assess progress toward selected Healthy People 2010 objectives. ^ This study is a cross-sectional prevalence design looking at the association of hypertension treatment with mental health issues (either treatment or perceived need for treatment) within the military population sampled in the 2005 DoD Survey. There were 16,946 military personnel in the final cross-sectional sample representing 1.3 million active duty service members. The question is whether there is a significant association between the self-reported occurrence of hypertension and the self-reported occurrence of mental health issues in the 2005 DoD Survey. In addition to these variables, this survey examined the contribution of various sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioral covariates. An analysis of the demographic composition of the study variables was followed by logistic analysis, comparing outcome variables with each of the independent variables. Following univariate regression analysis, multivariate regression was performed with adjustment (for those variables with an unadjusted alpha level less than or equal to 0.25). ^ All the mental health related indicators were associated with hypertension treatment. The same relationship was maintained after multivariate adjustment. The covariates remaining as significant (p < 0.05) in the final model included gender, age, race/ethnicity and obesity. There is a need to recognize and treat co-morbid medical diagnoses among mental health patients and to improve quality of life outcomes, whether in the military population or the general population. Optimum health of the individual can be facilitated through discovery of treatable cases, to minimize disruptions of military missions, and even allow for continued military service. ^

Evaluating the U.S. Global Health Policy Initiative

In understanding that the efforts made in improving global health affects the health of U.S. citizens, a policy analysis of President Barak Obama's Global Health Initiative was conducted. Using materials gathered from experts in the field of health and their findings and recommendations, paired with the current policies of other G8 countries that pledged to support the efforts of improving global health, the analysis was conducted using four specifically defined criteria. The set criteria determine the appropriateness, responsiveness, effectiveness and equity of Obama's GHI in comparison to other G8 country health policies and overall global health priorities. G8 countries without a specific global health policy, or with a policy that was not in English were excluded from this study and Switzerland, headquarters of the World Health Organization, was added due to its membership in the OECD, and the fact that it has a specific foreign health policy. In evaluating the U.S. Global Health Initiative it is clear that in terms of implementing foreign policy specific to health, the United States is on the forefront alongside the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Other G8 Countries have pledged monies and in order to Millennium Development Health Goals by 2015. The U.S. Global Health Policy does not address issues necessary to meet Millennium Development Goals in Health. Instead the Global Health Initiative is focused narrowly on Fighting and rolling back the HIV/Aids Epidemic based on President Bush's PEPFAR policy. Policy recommendations for a more effective and efficient Global Health Initiative include building upon the PEPFAR policy foundation in order to strengthen health systems worldwide, allowing individuals and communities to combat unnecessary death and disease through research, education, and other preventative methods.^

RELATIONSHIP OF ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY SYNDROME IN BOYS TO PARENTAL ALCOHOL/DRUG DEPENDENCY

The study focused on the relationship between antisocial personality syndrome in boys ages 8-15 and parental alcohol/drug dependency. The population studied was case records of 101 boys coming to a private psychiatrist from 1966 through 1979. The boys were predominantly white and from middle to upper income families.^ A boy was determined to have antisocial personality syndrome if he exhibited antisocial behaviors in four or five major categories, did not exhibit a brain syndrome, and did not exhibit a thought disorder. The five major behavior categories were: (1) self-control (i.e., temper tantrums or hyperactivity), (2) behavior at home (i.e., disobedience or lying), (3) behavior at school (i.e., truancy or cheating), (4) behavior toward peers (i.e., bullying, fighting, or tattling), and (5) behavior against property (i.e., destructiveness or stealing). A boy was determined to be a control if he exhibited antisocial behaviors in two or less behavior categories.^ A parent was determined to have alcohol/drug dependency if s/he exhibited a score above the established threshold (1) for the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (28 or above), and (2) for the Holmes Alcoholism Scale (35 or above) which are used with the MMPI. A parent was classified not alcohol/drug dependent if s/he had scores below set thresholds (22 on the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale and 28 on the Holmes Alcoholism Scale).^ For the final sample (N = 10), there was no reason to believe a relationship exists between antisocial personality syndrome in boys ages 8-15 and parental alcohol/drug dependency (Fisher's Exact Test {FET} P = 1.0). The small sample size primarily occurred as a result of 88.12% of the parents being classified in a questionable category in terms of alcohol/drug dependency.^ The sample was suggestive of a relationship between the fathers' Psychopathic Deviate (Pd) Scale scores as a measure of antisocial tendencies and the boy having antisocial personality syndrome (N = 75; P = .12). There was no evidence of such a relationship for mothers (N = 75; P = .97). ^

Cutting knife assembly for a combine

A cutting knife assembly for a combine having an elongated platform with an auger means rotatably mounted thereon. The auger means has first and second helical fighting sections extending inwardly from its ends which are adapted to convey the cut crop to the center of the platform. A first endless chain is operatively positioned forwardly of the first flighting section and has a plurality of first cutting elements mounted thereon. A second endless chain is operatively positioned forwardly of the second flighting section and has a plurality of second cutting elements mounted thereon. The first and second chains are operated in opposing directions so that the first and second cutting elements move away from the center of the platform as the cutting elements cut the standing crop. The opposing action of the cutting elements causes the crop stems to be properly oriented with respect to the flighting sections so that the stems will be inclined towards the center of the platform in the same direction as the auger feed.

El ciudadano como actor social : debatiendo la participación en el estado actual

El presente artículo analiza desde sus orígenes la conceptualización de la ciudadanía y el impacto de su ejercicio en el ámbito político y social de las sociedades, las respuestas que los Estados modernos han ido dando a las demandas planteadas al constituirse los ciudadanos en actores sociales luchando por sus derechos; los enfoques de diversos autores sobre el contenido de la condición ciudadana tanto en las sociedades modernas como en las actuales y los profundos cambios que la globalización y la cultura posmoderna han producido en la caracterización del ciudadano. Plantea el desarrollo de la ciudadanía en la República Argentina y las distorsiones en su ejercicio producidas por los cambios societales y políticos ocurridos a fines del siglo pasado y principio del presente, a partir de una nueva configuración social marcada por la pobreza y la exclusión; compara los tipos ciudadanos con los modelos societales a que da lugar cada uno y el papel a desempeñar por el Estado ante las demandas como actores sociales que plantea el individuo en los respectivos modelos.

La respuesta de Diómedes : Construcción discursiva de la autoridad y el disenso en el Agón verbal del canto IX de Ilíada

En Ilíada, los combates o agones verbales resultan esenciales en tanto instancias de confrontación de argumentos. Sin embargo, el desacuerdo con la autoridad no es un mecanismo instalado desde el inicio del poema. En el canto IX encontramos una escena de enfrentamiento verbal, la asamblea, que da lugar a la posibilidad de un discurso de oposición ante una propuesta por parte de Agamenón. Desde el punto de vista del análisis del discurso examinaremos la respuesta de Diomedes a Agamenón, observando la situación enunciativa, las elecciones léxicas y los ordenamientos relevantes, en función de analizar su configuración discursiva. Partimos de considerar la participación en el agón como determinada por el presupuesto de una condición de igualdad. En base a esto, indagaremos acerca de las posibilidades de expresar el disenso frente a la autoridad máxima, lo cual permitirá explorar el contexto y la estructura del debate que Ilíada presenta

Ese otro Ortiz : Juan L. en revista Claridad

Publicados en el nº 205 de la revista Claridad, de abril de 1930 -hecho hasta hoy desconocido-, los tres poemas hallados sirven como punto de partida para una novedosa lectura de la producción poética de Ortiz, entendida como una intervención consciente en el campo artístico de las izquierdas argentinas en las décadas del '30 y del '40. Como un arco que tensa la década, una crítica a su cuarto libro aparecida en 1941 en la misma revista, deja asentada la suspicacias que despierta la 'elegía combatiente', así como el lugar central del entrerriano dentro de su generación

La compañía de Jesús en las estrategias familiares coloniales : Catamarca, siglos XVII-XVIII

En este trabajo daremos cuenta de un litigio sobre tierras catamarqueñas para analizar qué estrategias de contacto establecieron los pobladores coloniales con la Compañía de Jesús, la institución más poderosa de la época. Tres familias, los Segura, los Agüero y los Díaz, cruzaron sus destinos con los de un estado borbónico avasallante y una iglesia católica cada vez más asediada. En los intersticios de esa lucha, cada familia habría negociado su identidad frente a una multiplicidad de intereses en juego, buscando el campo de posibilidades entre las que debieron elegir

La expansión de monocultivos de exportación en Argentina y Costa Rica : Conflictos socioambientales y lucha campesina por la justicia ambiental

El trabajo analiza la expansión del monocultivo extractivista en Costa Rica y la Argentina en detrimento del capital natural y las poblaciones campesinas. La metodología incluyó entrevistas realizadas a campo en ambos países y consultas a fuentes documentales, periodísticas y bibliográficas. Se concluye que los conflictos ecosociales son provocados por la ausencia de un ordenamiento territorial, la escasa fiscalización estatal en materia ambiental y la alianza de los gobiernos con el capital concentrado. En este contexto, también se evidencian estrategias de resistencia de los campesinos que luchan por la justicia ambiental y la concreción de una institucionalidad socioambiental acorde con sus intereses

Ese otro Ortiz : Juan L. en revista Claridad

Publicados en el nº 205 de la revista Claridad, de abril de 1930 -hecho hasta hoy desconocido-, los tres poemas hallados sirven como punto de partida para una novedosa lectura de la producción poética de Ortiz, entendida como una intervención consciente en el campo artístico de las izquierdas argentinas en las décadas del '30 y del '40. Como un arco que tensa la década, una crítica a su cuarto libro aparecida en 1941 en la misma revista, deja asentada la suspicacias que despierta la 'elegía combatiente', así como el lugar central del entrerriano dentro de su generación

La compañía de Jesús en las estrategias familiares coloniales : Catamarca, siglos XVII-XVIII

En este trabajo daremos cuenta de un litigio sobre tierras catamarqueñas para analizar qué estrategias de contacto establecieron los pobladores coloniales con la Compañía de Jesús, la institución más poderosa de la época. Tres familias, los Segura, los Agüero y los Díaz, cruzaron sus destinos con los de un estado borbónico avasallante y una iglesia católica cada vez más asediada. En los intersticios de esa lucha, cada familia habría negociado su identidad frente a una multiplicidad de intereses en juego, buscando el campo de posibilidades entre las que debieron elegir