Battle Ground Research Articles

European Union’s Last Intact Forest Landscapes are at A Value Chain Crossroad between Multiple Use and Intensified Wood Production

Research Highlights: The European Union’s last large intact forest landscapes along the Scandinavian Mountain range in Sweden offer unique opportunities for conservation of biodiversity, ecological integrity and resilience. However, these forests are at a crossroad between intensified wood production aimed at bio-economy, and rural development based on multi-functional forest landscapes for future-oriented forest value chains. Background and Objectives: We (1) estimate the area of near-natural forests potentially remaining for forest harvesting and wood production, or as green infrastructure for biodiversity conservation and human well-being in rural areas, (2) review how forest and conservation policies have so far succeeded to reduce the loss of mountain forests, and (3) discuss what economic, socio-cultural and ecological values that are at stake, as well as different governance and management solutions. Materials and Methods: First, we estimated the remaining amount of intact mountain forests using (1) the Swedish National Forest Inventory, (2) protected area statistics, (3) forest harvest permit applications and actually harvested forests, (4) remote sensing wall-to-wall data on forests not subject to clear-felling since the mid-1950s, (5) mapping of productive and non-productive forestland, and (6) estimates of mean annual final felling rate. Second, we review policy documents related to the emergence of land use regulation in north Sweden, including the mountain forest border, and illustrate this with an actual case that has had significant policy implementation importance. Results: There is a clear difference between the proportions of formally protected productive forestland above the mountain forest border (52.5%) and north Sweden in general (6.3%). A total of 300,000 ha of previously not clear-felled mountain forest outside protected areas remain, which can support novel value chains that are not achievable elsewhere. Conclusions: The mountain forests in Sweden provide unique conservation values in the European Union. Since the beginning of the 1990s, policy regulations have been successful in limiting forest harvesting. Currently, however, mountain forests are a battle ground regarding intensification of forest use, including logging of forests that have never been subject to clear-felling systems vs. nature conservation and wilderness as a base for rural development. The ability of mountain municipalities to encourage sustainable rural forest landscapes must be strengthened.

The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

Sino-Indian Engagement in Central Asia: Implications for Pakistan

Five Central Asian Republics (CARs) got independence in December 1991 as a result of the collapse of the USSR. Politically, economically, strategically and geographically Central Asia is regarded as the Heart of Asia. This region is the hub of the natural resources. It became a battle ground for the states which have interest in its hydrocarbon reserves. The paper examines the ongoing competition between China and India for the resources of Central Asia. Both of these countries are eyeing the huge potential of trade relations with this large market. They were also trying to create energy partnerships with the gas- and oil-rich region. This resulted in competition between the two countries inof the region. This article describes China and India as competitors in this region. As a neighbouring country, this engagement of China and India has serious implications for Pakistan.

The Agon Motif: Redux. A Study of the Contest Element in Sport

Abstract The contest element of modern sport has its ancient roots in the “agon” of early Greek life. We begin with an overview of the material and historical continuities in the social development of sport, followed by a discussion of our suppositions regarding the original linkage of sport and war in terms of what we call “the agon motif”, and conclude with speculations about residuals of the agon motif in modern sport. We argue it is important to recognize that notwithstanding of the many transitions and transformations in the social development of sport since the agon of Homeric and Hellenic Greek cultures there are notable, long-standing, material and historical continuities in the structure of sport and the ethos of agonal contests. To better depict the relationships between the concepts of sport and contest, we highlight these vestiges of agon. We employ the phrase “the agon motif” to embrace both the concept of “agon”and the concept of “aethlos”. In a structural sense the agon motif refers to the overall properties, processes, and products of agonal competition, including contestants, spectators, battle grounds, sporting venues, festivals and spectacles, prizes and award ceremonies. Whereas, in an ideational sense, the agon motif refers to the ethos of chivalric competition associated with the pursuit of prestige (status-honor) and the active quest to achieve excellence (bodily and moral) through physical prowess in agonal contests wherein individuals place their reputation, moral character, and at times, their very lives at stake. There is a close link to the cult of masculinity and masculine domination in the Western world, since the primary avenues of pursuing the agon motif through war and sport are two of the most highly and rigidly “gendered” activities in the history of humankind. We suggest that the most fundamental dynamic of the agon motif as well as the most enduring residual of the agon motif in modern sport is the pursuit of prestige, honor and excellence through physical prowess. The ethical framework of archaic (heroic) agon represents the epitome of a morality of honor and an ethics of virtue and offers a largely unfamiliar picture from a contemporary viewpoint of winning and losing in sport.

Ethnic Politics, Elite Fracture and Security Dilemma in Ethiopia: New Trends and Scenarios Since 2015

Ethiopia has been battle ground among contesting and competing ethnic identities for centuries and this infamous history of enmity images, perceptions, contradictory narrative, and insecurity dilemma in turn perpetuated mutual fear and mistrust among Ethiopian political elites and opposition leaders, identity groups, national institutions and symbols. This cyclic cause-effect interplay of unpredictable political order has continued to breed sense of insecurity and unresolvable uncertainty manifested in bloody protests, declaration of state of emergency, widespread territorial and identity claims and questions, violation of constitutional provision, disregard of legal protection for citizens, and incapacity to deliver rule, order and security. The post-2015 political unpredictability and uncertainty is washing away the core national and institutional values of democratic governance, equality, rule of law, self-rule and shared rule (ethnic federalism), the prospects for peace, accommodation, and development. Keywords: ethnic federalism, constitutionalism, security dilemma, elite fracture, ethnic protest DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-5-01 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Mitochondria: the birth place, battle ground and the site of melatonin metabolism in cells

It was a surprising discovery when mitochondria,
 as the power houses of cells, were also found to synthesize the potent
 mitochondrial targeted antioxidant, melatonin. The melatonin synthetic enzyme serotonin
 N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) was found in matrix and also in the intermembrane space
 of mitochondria. We hypothesize that the melatonin synthesis occurs in the matrix
 due to substrate (N-acetyl co-enzyme A) availability while the intermembrane
 space may serve as the recycling pool of SNAT to regulate the melatonin
 circadian rhythm. Another surprise was that the melatonin membrane receptors,
 including MT1 and MT2, were also present in mitochondria. The protective
 effects of melatonin against neuronal injury induced by brain ischemia/reperfusion
 were proven to be mainly mediated by mitochondrial melatonin receptors rather
 than the cell surface membrane receptors which is contrary to the classical
 principle. In addition, melatonin metabolic enzyme has also been identified in
 the mitochondria. This enzyme can convert melatonin to N-acetylserotonin to
 strengthen the antitumor effects of melatonin. Thus, mitochondria are the
 generator, battle ground and metabolic sites of melatonin. The biological
 significance of the strong association between mitochondria and melatonin
 should be intensively investigated.

Mitochondria: the birth place, battle ground and the site of melatonin metabolism in cells

It was a surprising discovery when mitochondria,
 as the power houses of cells, were also found to synthesize the potent
 mitochondrial targeted antioxidant, melatonin. The melatonin synthetic enzyme serotonin
 N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) was found in matrix and also in the intermembrane space
 of mitochondria. We hypothesize that the melatonin synthesis occurs in the matrix
 due to substrate (N-acetyl co-enzyme A) availability while the intermembrane
 space may serve as the recycling pool of SNAT to regulate the melatonin
 circadian rhythm. Another surprise was that the melatonin membrane receptors,
 including MT1 and MT2, were also present in mitochondria. The protective
 effects of melatonin against neuronal injury induced by brain ischemia/reperfusion
 were proven to be mainly mediated by mitochondrial melatonin receptors rather
 than the cell surface membrane receptors which is contrary to the classical
 principle. In addition, melatonin metabolic enzyme has also been identified in
 the mitochondria. This enzyme can convert melatonin to N-acetylserotonin to
 strengthen the antitumor effects of melatonin. Thus, mitochondria are the
 generator, battle ground and metabolic sites of melatonin. The biological
 significance of the strong association between mitochondria and melatonin
 should be intensively investigated.

Thought Experiments as a Tool for Undermining Methodological Naturalism

There is a substantial literature on the question of whether methodological naturalism (MN) is and/or should be among the principles operative in the natural and social sciences; moreover the status of MN has been one of the battle grounds in prominent debates regarding the demarcation lines between science and theology (e.g., the debate over whether intelligent design hypotheses can ever count as genuinely scientific). I review some concrete examples of the use of thought experiments in this context, and argue that there are realistic thought experiments showing how metaphysical naturalism (MTN) could be subjected to empirical falsification; that in turn implies that MN should not be employed universally as an operative principle in the sciences. I conclude by discussing some recent actual experimental work concerning near-death experiences (NDEs), work which may point towards the likelihood of just such empirical falsification taking place in the relatively near future.

SUBJECTIVE VALUES VERSUS OBJECTIVE SCIENCE

The purpose of this paper is to expose the bias in much of our social science research. The values and ethics of authors often influence their research procedures and results. Thus, the public gets a distorted (or unbalanced) view of important topics in marriage, sexuality, and family life. Universities have turned into institutions of liberal, secular-humanistic indoctrination and show little tolerance for conservative views on almost any topic. College classrooms have turned into battle grounds of competing ideologies where professors and students will not give the other and opportunity to speak freely and without negative repercussions.

MicroRNAs as Key Regulators of Ovarian Cancers.

The tumor microenvironment can be realistically viewed as an active battle ground between the host immune system and the growing tumor cells. This reactive space surrounding the tumor possesses several possibilities and facilitates the progression of a tumor from a neoplastic stage to that of metastasis. The contemporary approach of understanding the cancer biology from a “within the cell” perspective has been largely challenged with complex and intricate “outside the cell” events. Thus understanding the biology of the tumor microenvironment has been of scientific and clinical interest. Small non-coding microRNAs with a pleotropic and wide range of cellular gene targets can be reasonably hypothesized to regulate the events of carcinogenesis and progression. MicroRNAs have been investigated in different cancer models, and evidence of their involvement in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment has been of much interest. In particular, a major interest has been exploring the role of the tumor microenvironment in regulating the interaction of cancer cells with surrounding stromal components and the effect of such interactions on the cancer cells. Fine-tuned regulation by these microRNAs extends our contemporary understanding of these small biomolecules in epigenetic regulations. This review focuses on microRNAs that are dysregulated in ovarian carcinomas, their effect on the components of the tumor microenvironment, and the correlation of their heterogeneous expression profiles with disease severity and prognosis in patients. In addition, this paper also discusses the differential expression of exosomal microRNAs that are known to link the cancer cell with its microenvironment, facilitating the development of an improved prognostic/diagnostic marker and effective therapeutic regime.

Ismail Agha Shakak and his political activism And the military in Iran's Kurdistan 1895-1930(Historical and documentary study)

Ismail Agha activity was a prominent page In the history of Contemporary Iran where Iran's Kurdistan was at critical stage before , during and after world war first Its territory became a battle ground during the war , which Ismail Agha exploited for political and military activity to expand his power by establishing an alliance with Kurdish clans which was then in vain for the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in Iran's Kurdistan , but the British and Turkish apposition prevented it

An Overview of the Impact of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) In Nigeria

This study examined the impact of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria. It solely depended on the secondary source for information. SARS is one of the Nigeria Police Force units that is saddled with the responsibility of fighting crime in the society; specifically, robbery and kidnapping. The impact was examined in two ways: Positive and Negative impact. From the positive point of view, SARS has been able to reduce robbery and kidnapping to an extent but unfortunately, people now use them as bodyguards to intimidate, suppress, and harass other people. From our findings, SARS tortures people mercilessly, extort, beat, kill and jail people who are not forthcoming with their demands. It was also discovered that, most of them lacks orientation on human relation which is a big gap the Nigeria Police Force need to cover by re-orienting them. Again, it was discovered that some of the personnel smoke and drink. They are often intoxicated while on duty, wielding sophisticated guns. From the study, the following recommendations were made: control measures should be put in place for SARS to be stopped from torturing people. They should equally be stopped from extorting, beating, killing (except in a battle ground) and framing people up just to be jailed. Investigative jobs as that of SARS should be exclusively for graduates in the Police Service. Again, the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Police Service Commission need to often re-orient these officers on human relations. Finally, officers caught drinking or smoking (especially hard drugs) on duty should be properly dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.

English

This paper deals with caste system and its implication in contemporary India. It begins with the origin of caste, religious sanction and justification made by ancient Hindu scriptures. How the role of caste which was originally followed on the basis of function among people turned out to be a discriminating element of ‘Untouchability”. It highlights various factors influencing the stabilization and destabilization of caste in the lives of people. Finally, it takes us to understand the process of Dalitization in India which gives future orientation to Dalit struggles. Certainly, their victory is found on the battle ground than visualizing it in the future. In this process at this juncture the political democracy of India is really at stake. Key words: Dalit, untouchability, identity assertion, discrimination, Dalitization, dignity of labour, transformation.

Sense and Sensibilities: A Feminist Critique of Legal Interventions against Sexual Violence

Feminists have spent decades trying to reform laws and evidential procedures relating to sexual assault. Using the current Scottish context as a case study, I will argue that while efforts to reform the text of the substantive as well as evidential and procedural aspects of the law have been largely successful, in practice the impact of these reforms has not always been felt. Drawing on contemporary examples from Scotland, and setting these within the broader context of similar problems and arguments in other jurisdictions such as England and Wales, Australia and Canada, I will examine the ways in which the ‘laws on the books’ have not always translated smoothly through to ‘law in action’. The aim is to highlight an ongoing failure on the part of those charged with applying the law (judges, legal professionals, juries) to do so appropriately, raising the question of whether it makes sense for feminist scholars to try to engage with what seems like the entrenched ‘sensibilities’ of criminal law. It may well be that the contemporary battle ground is not over legal territory as such, but over whose voices are heard in public debates on sexual violence. Ultimately, I argue that our all too frequent failures to punish sexual violence in a meaningful way suggests that we need to think again about how we deal with issues of sexual violence in contemporary society.

REVOLUTIONARY EUROPE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF JAVA’S OLD ORDER, 1808-1830

At first glance, it may seem strange that Java, an island situated half a world away from France Revolutionary, should the end up being one of the key battle grounds in the global conflict which followed with the fateful Girondin decision to declare war on Austria in the spring of 1792. Yet, in the compass of less than a decade, Java’s own ancient regime that was violently overturned as in quick succession of a Franco-Dutch regime (1808-11) under Napoleon’s only non-French marshal, Herman Willem Daendels (1762-1818), and a five-year British occupation (1811-1816) under the equally dictatorial Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), transformed the colony. This paved the way for the restoration of Dutch rule in 1816 under the terms of the Treaty of Vienna by which time the commercial dealings of the Company had been replaced by the beginnings of a modern colonial state, the post-January 1818 Netherlands Indies. Over the next century, this would reduce the power of the local rulers and establish Dutch authority in nearly every corner of the archipelago. The boundaries of present-day Indonesia were determined at this time.

Novel frontiers in detecting cancer metastasis.

Cancer microenvironment is the critical battle ground between the cancer cells and host response. Thus, more emphasis is directed to study the relationship between cancer cells and the stromal cells. Multiplex microscopy is an emerging technique in which multiple cell populations within the cancer microenvironment may be stained so that spatial relationship between cancer cells and, in particular, the immune cells may be studied during different stages of cancer development. Recent discovery of mutational burden and neoantigens in cancer has opened new landscapes in the interaction of host immune cells and cancer neoantigens. The emerging role of miRNAs may become an added dimension to study cancer beyond traditional pathway of DNA directed RNA being associated with the malignant behavior of cancer. Circulating tumor cells, cancer markers and ctDNA can be used as markers for circulating cancer cells in the blood. Further studies are needed to validate if liquid biopsy of cancer may become a routine clinical tool to screen cancer or follow patients for recurrence or responses to treatment.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system as a transcriptional regulator of plant immunity.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been shown to play vital roles in diverse plant developmental and stress responses. The UPS post-translationally modifies cellular proteins with the small molecule ubiquitin, resulting in their regulated degradation by the proteasome. Of particular importance is the role of the UPS in regulating hormone-responsive gene expression profiles, including those triggered by the immune hormone salicylic acid (SA). SA utilizes components of the UPS pathway to reprogram the transcriptome for establishment of local and systemic immunity. Emerging evidence has shown that SA induces the activity of Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) that fuse chains of ubiquitin to downstream transcriptional regulators and consequently target them for degradation by the proteasome. Here we review how CRL-mediated degradation of transcriptional regulators may control SA-responsive immune gene expression programmes and discuss how the UPS can be modulated by both endogenous and foreign exogenous signals. The highlighted research findings paint a clear picture of the UPS as a central hub for immune activation as well as a battle ground for hijacking by pathogens.

The Battle Ground between Two Giants: Toe Transfer and Hand Allotransplantation.

A few severe hand injuries represent a gray zone for the reconstructive surgeon, for which autologous tissue transfer and allotransplantation can yield satisfactory results, but not without downsides or morbidity.This article is written to address the dilemma of application of both techniques in those selected cases.

Thin-slicing Tremé as a subjective sashay: heretical pilgrimages to St. Augustine Catholic Church

ABSTRACTFive heretical field researchers celebrate human subjectivity in a fractured journey toward St. Augustine Catholic Church in the heart of Tremé in September 2015. They populate their diverse pentagonal thoughts with Mary Douglas’ negotiated concepts of purity and pollution, rituals and symbols as a counterweight in their backpacks. Some are inspired by the theatrical mythologies of the guides who take them there, others are stopped in their track by the residual devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Some stop to wonder at Nicolas Cage’s future resting place, others line up at food-trucks to add smells and taste to Tremé’s mediated precreation. Some frame it as a battle ground of past and present injustice, others acknowledge the strife inside the dirty tourist. The thin-sliced meanings acquired on the boulevards to St. Augustine Catholic Church provide a touch of truthfulness, in the idiosyncratic segments, and the spirited spaces in between.

Introduction: critical development studies—critique and radical praxis

Introduction: critical development studies—critique and radical praxis