Silenced: Women’s Voices and the European Court of Human Rights (2019)

This article examines the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and its judgments associated with women’s rights in the areas of reproduction, religious, and refugee expression. As an international court, the ECtHR seeks to resolve disputes related to violations of human rights between an individual and a member state. Although the introduction of the court has been perceived as progressive for global human rights, the ECtHR’s recent judicial recommendationsindicate an absence of recognition or limited advocacy for women’s rights. In addition to analyzing how women’s reproduction, refugee, and religious expression rights have received inadequate support from the ECtHR, this article will also suggest five possible influences underlying the court’s decisions: namely, the ECtHR’s definition of rights as exclusive of women-specific liberties; hesitancy to override national sovereignty; the minority of female judges serving on the ECtHR’s Strasbourg bench; the court’s consideration of external conservative bodies such as the Catholic church; and finally, that the international court, which relies on member states’ cooperation, is susceptible to politicization and the rising far right. This article concludes with policy recommendations for the ECtHR, describing how the court might be able to move forward with increasing women’s representation inside the courtroom and formulating gender-sensitive case law. By pursuing a more progressive and inclusive mission, the court will likely benefit from increased international legitimacy while re-establishing itself as a distinguished defender of women’s basic liberties in Europe

Confronting the Intra-Racial Gender Gap: A Quantitative Study of the Impact of Gender on African American Students\u27 Perceptions of Campus Climate at a Predominantly White Institution

For the last decade, the attainment gap in college graduation rates between Black males and females has continued to grow, despite the best efforts of researchers interested in identifying both its causes and suggesting possible policy remedies. Although much of the work has focused on the search for cognitive differences between African American males and females, there has been little, if any, research on the different ways that Black males and females may perceive their campus climate. In an attempt to broaden the literature in this area, this study examined the perceptions of 366 undergraduate African American students at a predominately White institution regarding three specific dimensions of campus climate - the amount of institutional support received, the level of social integration, and the student\u27s level of self-efficacy. After constructing a series of indices for each of the dimensions as well as an overall index for each respondent, multiple regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which gender and other demographic factors may have contributed to the students\u27 perceptions of institutional support, social support, and self-efficacy. The findings from the study revealed few differences in the ways that Black males and females perceived the campus climate at the institution under study; in fact, the only significant difference was in the area of social support where males felt more supported than females. However, the results of the regression analysis revealed that demographic factors played a significant role in explaining the student\u27s overall perceptions of campus climate, as well as why some students felt more socially supported and self-efficacious than others. Specifically, age, gender, marital status, campus employment, membership in sororities, fraternities, and the Black Student Association were all significant predictors of social support, while the student\u27s collegiate grade point average was the only predictor for self-efficacy. Recommendations for future research include examining the perceptions of intra-racial groups at private four-year institutions as well as community colleges; testing for differences in campus climate between White institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and expanding upon the qualitative component of this dissertation to include a more nuanced discussion of individual students

Mixed High-Fat and Stock Diet Caused a Greater Increase in Body Mass than High-Fat Diet Alone

Increased dietary palatability may lead to excess food consumption which in turn causes an excess of caloric intake and weight gain. Although most obesity studies in rodents utilize a high-fat diet, food variation, a combination of different diets for example, may actually increase body weight and fat mass beyond that of solely high-fat feeding. Purpose: To examine the changes in weight gain and body composition in mice that consume either a high-fat diet or a combination of high-fat and stock diet. Methods: 10 CD-1 male mice were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on dietary composition (N=5/group). HF mice consumed a high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat) and HF+Stock mice consumed a 50:50 combination of high-fat and stock diet (13.5% kcal from fat) for 24-weeks. Bi-weekly measurements were made on body composition (lean and fat mass) using an EchoMRI scanner and body weight using a digital scale. Food intake was recorded weekly. Results: HF and HF+Stock gained significant body weight, 41% and 66% respectively, from baseline to week 24 (P\u3c0.001, F12,84=45.483). On average, HF gained 23% lean mass (P\u3c0.001, F10,70=42.276) and 170% fat mass (P\u3c0.001, F10,70=31.873), while HF+Stock gained 27% lean mass and 260% fat mass from baseline. There were no differences between groups for body weight, lean mass, or fat mass. Conclusions: Although not significant, there was a greater increase in body weight, lean and fat mass in mice that consumed a combination of high-fat and stock diets. The results suggest diet variation has a positive effect in inducing obesity in mice. This study is limited in that only five animals were used in each group, thus leading us to believe that increasing the N per group will result in significant differences between groups. Expansion of this pilot study is warranted in the future

Monocyte and Cytokine Responses are improved by Baker’s Yeast β-Glucan Supplementation following Exercise in a Hot, Humid Environment

Strenuous exercise is known to suppress the immune system, which can increase the chances of getting sick in the hours after exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if 10-d of supplementation with yeast b-glucan alters monocyte concentration, LPS-stimulated cytokine production, and plasma cytokine concentration in recreationally active subjects. Recreationally active subjects (29 men, 31 women, 22±4 y) completed 49±6 min of cycling (37±2°C, 45±5% relative humidity) after consuming either yeast b-glucan (250 mg/d, BG) or a placebo (sugar pill, PL) for 10-days prior to each exercise session. The investigators were blinded to the supplement conditions until all data was collected and analyzed. Venous blood was collected at baseline (prior to supplement), pre-, post-, and 2-hours (2H) post exercise. Total and subset monocyte concentration was measured by flow cytometry. LPS-stimulated production of 12 cytokines was measured using a whole blood assay. Plasma concentration of 13 cytokines was measured using a high-sensitivity MagPix assay. Monocyte (CD14+) concentration was significantly greater at 2H (P=0.05) with BG. Also, compared to PL, BG boosted LPS-stimulated production IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-g at PRE and POST (P\u3c0.05). Plasma concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10, and IFN-g were significantly greater at 2H in the BG compared to PL. In the placebo condition we observed the traditional response to strenuous exercise (rise at POST and suppression at 2H). It appears that 10-days of supplementation with BG primed blood leukocytes for the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-g. These cytokines were elevated prior to and immediately after exercise in LPS-stimulated cultures and subsequent elevation were observed at 2H with unstimulated plasma measures. In addition to cytokine changes, BG appeared to blunt post-exercise reduction in blood monocyte concentration, which may have implication of immune-surveillance. The key findings of the present study demonstrate that BG may be a suitable countermeasure to protect and boost the immune system following stressful exercise. Such boost is likely to lower the duration of the “open window” response. This study was funded by Biothera, The Immune Health Company

Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equids from Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom?

BACKGROUND: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) cause a significant biting nuisance to equines and are responsible for the biological transmission of African horse sickness virus (AHSV). While currently restricted in distribution to sub-Saharan Africa, AHSV has a history of emergence into southern Europe and causes one of the most lethal diseases of horses and other species of Equidae. In the event of an outbreak of AHSV, the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to screen equine accomodation is recommended by competent authorities including the Office International des Épizooties (OIE) in order to reduce vector-host contact. METHODS: Seven commercially avaliable pyrethroid insecticides and three repellent compounds, all of which are licensed for amateur use, were assessed in modified World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay trials in the laboratory using a colony line of Culicoides nubeculosus (Meigen), 1830. Two field trials were subsequently conducted to test the efficiency of treated net screens in preventing entry of Culicoides. RESULTS: A formulation of cypermethrin (0.15 % w/w) and pyrethrins (0.2 % w/w) (Tri-Tec 14®, LS Sales (Farnham) Ltd, Bloxham, UK) applied to black polyvinyl-coated polyester insect screen (1.6 mm aperture; 1.6 mm thickness) inflicted 100 % mortality on batches of C. nubeculosus following a three minute exposure in the WHO cone bioassays at 1, 7 and 14 days post-treatment. Tri-Tec 14® outperformed all other treatments tested and was subsequently selected for use in field trials. The first trial demonstrated that treated screens placed around an ultraviolet light-suction trap entirely prevented Culicoides being collected, despite their collection in identical traps with untreated screening or no screening. The second field trial examined entry of Culicoides into stables containing horses and found that while the insecticide treated screens reduced entry substantially, there was still a small risk of exposure to biting. CONCLUSIONS: Screened stables can be utilised as part of an integrated control program in the event of an AHSV outbreak in order to reduce vector-host contact and may also be applicable to protection of horses from Culicoides during transport.The work of LEH and GLI was supported by funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) (Vet/PRJ/766); TR was supported by funding from the University of Surrey; and JW was supported by the Alborada Trust and by the European Union FP7 project ANTIGONE (contract number 278976). RN is supported through a combined contribution to the Animal Health Trust’s Equine Infectious Disease Service from the HBLB, the Racehorse Owners’ Association (ROA) and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA). The Pirbright Institute receives grant aided support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom.This is the final version of the article. It was first available from BioMed Central via http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-1182-

Childhood Overweight is Associated with Increased Monocyte Concentration and Altered Subset Distribution

Childhood obesity rates have nearly tripled in the last 30 years. Obesity increases risk for chronic disease. While monocytes, cells of the innate immune system that are altered with obesity, are purported to play an integral role in the development of these chronic diseases, no research has focused on early phenotypic changes in monocytes of overweight children. Two monocytes subsets exist, classic and pro-inflammatory; alterations in number and distribution may be implicated in disease development in obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the concentration and relative distribution of monocytes among “normal weight” (N=66) and “at risk for being overweight/overweight” (N=56) Mexican American children. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for total monocyte concentration and monocyte subset concentration via flow cytometry. Total monocyte concentration, as well as the concentration of both classic and pro-inflammatory monocyte subsets was significantly greater in the “at risk for overweight/overweight” children (P\u3e0.05). Understanding early alterations in monocyte populations will be the first step in the development of early diagnosis and treatment techniques

Elevated MCP-1, TNF-α, Monocyte Concentration, and Dyslipidemia in Obese Mexican-American Children

Background: Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic disease. The prevalence of obesity is especially high among Mexican-American children. Peripheral blood monocytes contribute to systemic inflammation and may mediate the relationship between obesity and chronic disease. Obesity affects monocytes and the circulating levels of cytokines/chemokines that influence monocyte behavior. Purpose: investigate alterations in blood monocytes and plasma cytokines/chemokine levels among healthy weight (zBMI ≤ 85th percentile; N=66), overweight (zBMI=85th-95th percentile; N=23), and obese (zBMI ≥ 95th percentile; N=39) Mexican-American children. Methods: Blood samples were analyzed for total monocyte concentration, pro-inflammatory monocyte concentration, and classic monocyte concentration via flow cytometry. Serum MCP-1, Fractalkine, IL-8, and TNF-α were measured using a Milliplex MagPix assay. Serum cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and glucose were measured using an enzymatic reagent kit. Results: Total monocyte concentration (P=0.012), classic monocyte concentration (P=0.045), MCP-1 (P=0.015), and TNF- α (P=0.002) were significantly greater in obese children compared to heathly weight children. Also, overweight and obese children had elevated triglycerides (P=0.001) and reduced HDL (P=0.033) compared to healthy weight children. Conclusion: Elevations in circulating monocytes, MCP-1, and TNF-α have been implicated in the development of obesity-related chronic disease in adults. Childhood obesity alters monocytes and circulating chemokines, putting children at a greater risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases in adulthood. Further characterization of early immune alterations in childhood obesity may provide additional clinical insight into the assessment of obesity-related disease risk

Cadernos escolares: problemas aritméticos no ensino de matemática em um diário escolar dos anos 1950

Disponível em: http://histemat.com.br/index.php/HISTEMAT/article/view/140/96Este artigo aborda problemas aritméticos encontrados em um caderno escolar do quarto ano do curso primário, dos anos de 1950. O caderno utilizado como fonte de pesquisa pertenceu a um estudante do Grupo Escolar Ramiz Galvão, localizado em Rio Pardo, Rio Grande do Sul. Nessa época estava em vigor, no Estado, o Decreto nº 8.020, de 1939, que estabelecia os programas mínimos do curso primário, guiando os professores até o final dos anos 1950. O autor do caderno, Juvenal Rosa Nunes, concedeu uma entrevista que contribuiu para os resultados desta pesquisa. A partir de análise do caderno, da entrevista e do Decreto, o artigo conclui que os problemas eram uma das principais atividades das aulas de Matemática e que, por meio deles, a professora buscava retratar o cotidiano dos alunos e atingir os objetivos estabelecidos pelos programas. Também são identificadas semelhanças entre os temas e as redações dos enunciados dos problemas com enunciados encontrados em edição contemporânea do livro “Primeira Aritmética para meninos” de Souza Lobo

New Insights into Human Nondisjunction of Chromosome 21 in Oocytes

Nondisjunction of chromosome 21 is the leading cause of Down syndrome. Two risk factors for maternal nondisjunction of chromosome 21 are increased maternal age and altered recombination. In order to provide further insight on mechanisms underlying nondisjunction, we examined the association between these two well established risk factors for chromosome 21 nondisjunction. In our approach, short tandem repeat markers along chromosome 21 were genotyped in DNA collected from individuals with free trisomy 21 and their parents. This information was used to determine the origin of the nondisjunction error and the maternal recombination profile. We analyzed 615 maternal meiosis I and 253 maternal meiosis II cases stratified by maternal age. The examination of meiosis II errors, the first of its type, suggests that the presence of a single exchange within the pericentromeric region of 21q interacts with maternal age-related risk factors. This observation could be explained in two general ways: 1) a pericentromeric exchange initiates or exacerbates the susceptibility to maternal age risk factors or 2) a pericentromeric exchange protects the bivalent against age-related risk factors allowing proper segregation of homologues at meiosis I, but not segregation of sisters at meiosis II. In contrast, analysis of maternal meiosis I errors indicates that a single telomeric exchange imposes the same risk for nondisjunction, irrespective of the age of the oocyte. Our results emphasize the fact that human nondisjunction is a multifactorial trait that must be dissected into its component parts to identify specific associated risk factors