Starvation Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

We investigated whether spiders fed lipid-rich rather than protein-rich prey elevate metabolism to avoid carrying excessive lipid deposits, or whether they store ingested lipids as a buffer against possible future starvation. We fed wolf... more

We investigated whether spiders fed lipid-rich rather than protein-rich prey elevate metabolism to avoid carrying excessive lipid deposits, or whether they store ingested lipids as a buffer against possible future starvation. We fed wolf spiders (Pardosa prativaga) prey of different lipid:protein compositions and measured the metabolic rate of spiders using closed respirometry during feeding and fasting. After a 16-day feeding period, spider lipid:protein composition was significantly affected by the lipid:protein composition of their prey. Feeding caused a large and fast increase in metabolism. The cost of feeding and digestion was estimated to average 21% of the ingested energy irrespective of diet. We found no
difference in basal metabolic rate between dietary treatments. During starvation ˙VO2 and ˙VCO2 decreased gradually, and the larger lipid stores in spiders fed lipid-rich prey appeared to extend survival of these spiders under starvation compared to spiders fed protein-rich prey. The results show that these spiders do not adjust metabolism in order to maintain a constant body composition when prey nutrient composition varies. Instead, lipids are stored efficiently and help to prepare the spiders for the long periods of food deprivation that may occur as a consequence of their opportunistic feeding strategy.

The fact that Mycobacterium tuberculosis mobilizes lipid bodies (LB) located in the cytosol during infection process has been proposed for decades. However, the mechanisms and dynamics of mobilization of these lipid droplets within... more

The fact that Mycobacterium tuberculosis mobilizes lipid bodies (LB) located in the cytosol during infection process has been proposed for decades. However, the mechanisms and dynamics of mobilization of these lipid droplets within mycobacteria are still not completely characterized. Evidence in favour of this characterization was obtained here using a combined fluorescent microscopy and computational image processing approach. The decrease in lipid storage levels observed under nutrient depletion conditions was correlated with a significant increase in the size of the bacteria. LB fragmentation/condensation cycles were monitored in real time. The exact contribution of lipases in this process was confirmed using the lipase inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin, which was found to prevent LB degradation and to limit the bacterial cell growth. The method presented here provides a powerful tool for monitoring in vivo lipolysis in mycobacteria and for obtaining new insights on the growth of cells and their entry into the dormant or reactivation phase. It should be particularly useful for studying the effects of chemical inhibitors and activators on cells as well as investigating other metabolic pathways.

Ketosis induced by starvation or feeding a ketogenic diet have widespread and often contradictory effects due to the simultaneous elevation of both ketone bodies and free fatty acids. While the elevation of ketone bodies increase the... more

Ketosis induced by starvation or feeding a ketogenic diet have widespread and often contradictory effects due to the simultaneous elevation of both ketone bodies and free fatty acids. While the elevation of ketone bodies increase the energy of ATP hydrolysis by reducing mitochondrial NAD couple and oxidizing the co-Q couple, thus increasing the redox span between site I and site II. In contrast, metabolism of fatty acids leads to a reduction of both mitochondrial NAD but also of mitochondrial Q causing decrease in the G of ATP hydrolysis. In contrast, feeding ketone body esters leads to pure ketosis, unaccompanied by elevation of free fatty acids, producing a physiological state not previously seen in nature. The effects of pure ketosis on transcription and upon certain neurodegenerative diseases make approach not only interesting, but one of potential therapeutic value. by guest, on November 11, 2016 www.jlr.org Downloaded from 12. Li, L., and J. L. Messina. 2009. Acute insulin resistance following injury. Trends Endocrinol.Metab 20: 429-435. 13. Kashiwaya, Y., M. T. King, and R. L. Veech. 1997. Substrate signaling by insulin: a ketone bodies ratio mimics insulin action in heart. Am.J.Cardiol. 80: 50A-64A.

The career of the third Viscount Palmerston as foreign secretary and prime minister has been thoroughly studied, but few are aware that he was one of the first Irish landlords to finance the emigration of starving tenants during the great... more

The career of the third Viscount Palmerston as foreign secretary and prime minister has been thoroughly studied, but few are aware that he was one of the first Irish landlords to finance the emigration of starving tenants during the great Irish famine. Although the first boatloads of emigrants were well outfitted, by the end of 1847 Palmerston stood accused of cruelly mistreating his departing tenants. One Canadian official compared conditions on the vessels he chartered to those of the slave trade. Given the tremendous detail with which historians have scrutinized Palmerston's long career, it is surprising that no thorough account of either the management of his Irish estate or of his emigration scheme has ever been written. An examination of the programme under which 2,000 residents of Palmerston's Sligo estate fled to America in 1847 adds significantly to our understanding of the career of one of Britain's most important nineteenth-century statesmen, the complicated m...

Adipocytes anatomically associated with lymph nodes (and omental milky spots) have many special properties including fatty acid composition and the control of lipolysis that equip them to interact locally with lymphoid cells. Lymph node... more

Adipocytes anatomically associated with lymph nodes (and omental milky spots) have many special properties including fatty acid composition and the control of lipolysis that equip them to interact locally with lymphoid cells. Lymph node lymphocytes and tissue dendritic cells acquire their fatty acids from the contiguous adipocytes. Lymph node-derived dendritic cells suppress lipolysis in perinodal adipocytes but those that permeate the adipose tissue stimulate lipolysis, especially after minor, local immune stimulation. Inflammation alters the composition of fatty acids incorporated into dendritic cells, and that of node-containing adipose tissue, counteracting the effects of dietary lipids. Thus these specialised adipocytes partially emancipate the immune system from fluctuations in the abundance and composition of dietary lipids. Prolonged, low-level immune stimulation induces the local formation of more adipocytes, especially adjacent to the inflamed lymph node. This mechanism may contribute to hypertrophy of the mesentery and omentum in chronic inflammatory diseases such as HIV-infection, and in smokers. Paracrine interactions between adipose and lymphoid tissues are enhanced by diets rich in n-6 fatty acids and attentuated by fish oils. The latter improve immune function and body conformation in animals and people. The partitioning of adipose tissue in many depots, some specialised for local, paracrine interactions with other tissues, is a fundamental feature of mammals.

To assess potential indices of nutritional condition, we examined changes in lipid content and the blood refractive index (BRI) of postlarval, juvenile and adult prawns (Penaeus spp.) that had been starved or fed to different levels of... more

To assess potential indices of nutritional condition, we examined changes in lipid content and the blood refractive index (BRI) of postlarval, juvenile and adult prawns (Penaeus spp.) that had been starved or fed to different levels of satiation. The whole-body lipid content (WBL) of small juvenile P. esculentus (20-120 mg wet weight) decreased significantly after 12 h of starvation. The WBL of postlarval P. monodon (4-10 mg wet weight) also decreased during starvation, with WBL almost halving after 5 days. Juvenile P. monodon (0.5-1.3 g wet weight) fed at 25 or 50% of the satiation ration for 6 days had significantly lower WBL than satiated prawns. The lowest concentrations of WBL were recorded for starved prawns and those fed to 25% of satiation. In larger juvenile P. semisulcatus (0.3-1.2 g wet weight) the WBL was also sensitive to starvation, declining significantly after only 1 day. The blood lipid content and digestive gland lipid of adult P. semisulcatus (28-43 g wet weight) decreased significantly after 4 days of starvation. The BRI of starved prawns and those fed to satiation correlated well with the WBL in the case of smaller prawns (r. 0.96) and with the blood lipid of adult P. semisulcatus (28-43 g wet weight). However, there was a weaker correlation between BRI and WBL in prawns whose feed allocations were between starvation and satiation (r 5 0.86). These results from several prawn species and different size classes show that both the BRI and WBL have potential as indices of nutritional condition. Although BRI is much easier and cheaper to measure than WBL and can be measured in the field, it is suitable only for prawns from which sufficient blood can be obtained-generally those larger than 300 mg wet weight (7 mm carapace length). In contrast, WBL can be measured with a good level of precision in individual prawns as small as 20 mg wet weight (3 mm carapace length) using relatively simple laboratory equipment.

An analytical model is proposed to describe the priority schemes of the EDCA mechanism of the IEEE 802.11e standard. EDCA provides class-based differentiated QoS to IEEE 802.11 WLANs. The main contribution of this paper opposed to other... more

An analytical model is proposed to describe the priority schemes of the EDCA mechanism of the IEEE 802.11e standard. EDCA provides class-based differentiated QoS to IEEE 802.11 WLANs. The main contribution of this paper opposed to other works is that the model predicts the throughput, delay and frame dropping probabilities of the different traffic classes in the whole range from a lightly loaded, non-saturated channel to a heavily congested, saturated medium. Furthermore, the model describes differentiation based on different AIFS-values, in addition to the other adjustable parameters (i.e. window-sizes, retransmission limits, TXOP lengths etc.) also encompassed by previous models. AIFS differentiation is described by a simple equation that enables access points to predict at which traffic loads starvation of a traffic class will occur. The model is calculated numerically and validated against simulation results. We observed a good match between the analytical model and simulations.

1. On a private property with a stable population of wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and an appropriate habitat for the survival of the species, reinforcement repopulations were carried out in the months of October and November... more

1. On a private property with a stable population of wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and an appropriate habitat for the survival of the species, reinforcement repopulations were carried out in the months of October and November for two consecutive years using 5-to 6-month-old birds reared on a commercial game farm. 2. Of the 36 released birds, none was still alive by the following spring's breeding period. Mean survival time was 9 . 4 d in the first year and 7 . 6 d in the second year. 3. Seventy-two per cent of mortality was attributable to predation, 11% to hunting and 17% to doubtful causes of death, accidents and starvation. 4. Post-release mean dispersion was 377 . 8 m in the first year and 526 . 3 m in the second. Mean home range was 7 . 1 ha in the first year and 5 . 4 ha in the second. 5. The production systems and handling practices of commercial game farms may have modified some anti-predator ethological patterns and strategies, which might make it more difficult for the birds to adapt and integrate into the wild, resulting in reduced survival due to premature mortality.

The concept of processes scheduling has had a major role since the advent of operating scheduling policies, the CPU plays a significant role in the computer system by transferring control between different processes and must work... more

The concept of processes scheduling has had a major role since the advent of operating scheduling policies, the CPU plays a significant role in the computer system by transferring control between different processes and must work efficiently, the operating system performs a basic task, which is scheduling the processor for its efficient and optimized use. Scheduling the processor is one of the most important operational implemented through the operating system. Different algorithms for processor scheduling exist including the scheduling algorithm of priority. The priority number makes the algorithm effective. In this research, a proposed algorithm for scheduling the processor between processes was adopted using the KNAPSACK algorithm in order to eliminate the waiting state and starvation situation that occurs for low priority processes.

The expressions of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the pyloric caeca of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were studied in three experiments. Two internal (trypsin phenotypes, life stages) and three common external factors (starvation, feeding,... more

The expressions of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the pyloric caeca of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were studied in three experiments. Two internal (trypsin phenotypes, life stages) and three common external factors (starvation, feeding, temperatures) influencing growth rates were varied. Growth was stimulated by increased temperature and higher feeding rate, and it was depressed during starvation. The interaction between trypsin phenotype and start-feeding temperature affected specific activity of trypsin, but not of chymotrypsin. Trypsin specific activity and the activity ratio of trypsin to chymotrypsin (T/C ratio) increased when growth was promoted. Chymotrypsin specific activity, on the other hand, increased when there was a reduction in growth rate whereas fish with higher growth had higher chymotrypsin specific activity resulting in lower T/C ratio value. During a rapid growth phase, trypsin specific activity did not correlate with chymotrypsin specific activity. On the other hand, a relationship between specific activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin could be observed when growth declined, such as during food deprivation. Trypsin is the sensitive key protease under conditions favouring growth and genetically and environmentally affected, while chymotrypsin plays a major role when growth is limited or depressed. Trypsin specific activity and the T/C ratio value are shown to be important factors in the digestion process affecting growth rate, and could be applicable as indicators for growth studies of fish in captive cultures and in the wild, especially when food consumption rate cannot be measured.

A brief paper on the history about the Holodomor Famine (1932-1933).

Merely “surreal” might describe the interview given by Aqua America’s CEO, Nick DeBenedictis, to Crissa Shoemaker DeBree did the fact that he is lying not portend such devastating consequences for so many people. The security of the... more

Merely “surreal” might describe the interview given by Aqua America’s CEO, Nick DeBenedictis, to Crissa Shoemaker DeBree did the fact that he is lying not portend such devastating consequences for so many people. The security of the nation’s water supply is an important, but often silent, priority for water companies, said the head of Aqua America. The worldview evinced in DeBenedictis’ brief interview with DeBree is not, in fact, surreal; it’s not even “merely” self-deluded. Rather, it epitomizes the “up is down,” “true is false,” “the sky is pink” (thanks Josh Fox) propaganda promoted by the hydraulic fracturing corporations and their associates in order to justify the construction of 200,000 fracked wells, their attendant compressor stations, water withdrawal depots, freshwater impoundments, and “produced water” deep injection disposal wells. For DeBenedictis, the sky is pink—and water is the green of a big fat dollar bill.

Japanese flounder larvae and early juveniles were reared for 39 days after hatching (DAH) in order to determine pancreatic enzymes activities (trypsin and neutral lipase) using fluorogenic substrates during ontogeny and to compare enzymes... more

Japanese flounder larvae and early juveniles were reared for 39 days after hatching (DAH) in order to determine pancreatic enzymes activities (trypsin and neutral lipase) using fluorogenic substrates during ontogeny and to compare enzymes activities of starved fish at different developmental stages.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether Holocaust survivors will show the same eating pathologies that were found in other participants who had also undergone starvation. Fifty-five Holocaust survivors and 43 matched... more

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether Holocaust survivors will show the same eating pathologies that were found in other participants who had also undergone starvation. Fifty-five Holocaust survivors and 43 matched control participants answered a questionnaire designed to explore eating problems and pathologies described in the literature as lasting for decades after a period of severe food restriction. Confirmation of the survivors' reports was obtained from their children. No significant differences in current eating habits were found between the Holocaust survivors and their matched controls. Prolonged starvation in Holocaust survivors did not lead to disordered eating habits in the sample. These results conflict with the notion that severe starvation consistently leads to food preoccupation and disordered eating.

Three distinct but related concepts have been used to estimate the numbers of people affected by hunger and to analyze the global food situation: food shortage, food poverty, and food deprivation. They focus on different aspects of the... more

Three distinct but related concepts have been used to estimate the numbers of people affected by hunger and to analyze the global food situation: food shortage, food poverty, and food deprivation. They focus on different aspects of the phenomenon of hunger and different levels of aggregation involved in its study. Food shortage occurs when total food supplies within a designated area—the world as a whole or continents, countries, or regions within countries—are insufficient to meet the needs of its population. Food poverty refers to the situation in which households cannot obtain enough food to meet the needs of all their members. Food deprivation refers to inadequate individual consumption of food or specific nutrients, also known as undernutrition. The relationships between food shortage, food poverty, and food deprivation are complex. If a region suffers a food shortage, some households will be food poor, and at least one household member will suffer food deprivation. Conversely, food poverty also can (and does) occur within regions where there is no aggregate food shortage, and individual food deprivation can occur in households that are not food poor. The key factor in both cases is distribution.

Purpose: To assess perceptions of food insecurity (FI), socioeconomic change, and health among urban poor households in Thailand. Research questions were: (a) what are the experiences of food insecurity among households living in slum... more

Purpose: To assess perceptions of food insecurity (FI), socioeconomic change, and health among urban poor households in Thailand. Research questions were: (a) what are the experiences of food insecurity among households living in slum areas? and (b) what are the socioeconomic conditions, basic needs, food-related behaviors, and perceptions of health that have changed in this group since the 1997 economic recession? Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted to identify experiences of FI and perceptions of health in households living in slum areas. Questionnaires on food security, health, and nutritional assessment, including 3-day dietary records, and anthropometric measurements, were collected from 199 female food providers of households. Findings: Only 44.2% of the households reported food security, and 39.2%, 13.6%, and 3% reported FI without hunger, FI with moderate hunger, and FI with severe hunger, respectively. Overall, households reported lower income and worse health and life satisfaction as a result of the economic recession. In addition, a decrease in income led to difficulty meeting their basic needs, such as access to health service and food provision. Conclusions: FI was prevalent and the reported experiences of those with FI indicate areas for improvement of health policy for urban poor families. The results of the study are constructive for developing health programs to empower the urban poor and contribute to health promotion of food security in Thailand.

The high prevalence of antenatal common mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa compared to high-income countries is poorly understood. This qualitative study explored the sociocultural context of antenatal mental distress in a rural... more

The high prevalence of antenatal common mental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa compared to high-income countries is poorly understood. This qualitative study explored the sociocultural context of antenatal mental distress in a rural Ethiopian community. Five focus group discussions and 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively sampled community stakeholders. Inductive analysis was used to develop final themes. Worry about forthcoming delivery and fears for the woman's survival were prominent concerns of all participants, but only rarely perceived to be pathological in intensity. Sociocultural practices such as continuing physical labour, dietary restriction, prayer and rituals to protect against supernatural attack were geared towards safe delivery and managing vulnerability. Despite strong cultural norms to celebrate pregnancy, participants emphasised that many pregnancies were unwanted and an additional burden on top of preexisting economic and marital difficulties. Short birth interval and pregnancy out of wedlock were both seen as shameful and potent sources of mental distress. The notion that pregnancy in traditional societies is uniformly a time of joy and happiness is misplaced. Although antenatal mental distress may be self-limiting for many women, in those with enduring life difficulties, including poverty and abusive relationships, poor maternal mental health may persist.

We evaluated the effects of starvation and refeeding on digestive enzyme activities in juvenile roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus. Fish were divided into four feeding groups (mean mass 1.68 ± 0.12 g). The control group was fed to satiation... more

We evaluated the effects of starvation and refeeding on digestive enzyme activities in juvenile roach, Rutilus rutilus caspicus. Fish were divided into four feeding groups (mean mass 1.68 ± 0.12 g). The control group was fed to satiation twice a day throughout the experiment with formulated diet (SFK). The other three groups were deprived of feed for 1(S1), 2(S2), and 3(S3) weeks, respectively, and then fed to satiation during the refeeding period. The results showed that trypsin specific activity was not affected significantly either by starvation or refeeding, in all experimental groups. Chymotrypsin specific activity did not change significantly in S1 fish during the experimental period. In S2 and S3 fish no significant changes were observed during the starvation period. Upon refeeding, the activity increased in S2 fish, while it decreased in S3 fish. Amylase specific activity decreased significantly during the starvation period in all experimental groups. Upon refeeding, the activity increased. Alkaline phosphatase specific activity did not change significantly during the experiment period in S3 fish, while it showed significant changes during the starvation and refeeding period in the S1 and S2 fish. Starvation also had a significant effect on the structure of the intestine.

Na memória colectiva do povo da ilha de S. Vicente, este acto de guerra ficou registado como uma ajuda alimentar à população durante a crise alimentícia provocada pelas secas de 1916-18. O autor investigou as fontes alemãs, brasileiras,... more

Na memória colectiva do povo da ilha de S. Vicente, este acto de guerra ficou registado como uma ajuda alimentar à população durante a crise alimentícia provocada pelas secas de 1916-18.
O autor investigou as fontes alemãs, brasileiras, portuguesas e cabo-verdianas e chegou a conclusão diferente.

"The connection between human rights law and suffering has its roots in recent history: the development of international human rights norms after the Second World War was an immediate response to the Holocaust, which would become the... more

"The connection between human rights law and suffering has its roots in recent history: the development of international human rights norms after the Second World War was an immediate response to the Holocaust, which would become the symbol of extreme human suffering for post-war generations. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights itself was to large extent informed by the full discovery, during the Nuremberg trials, of the atrocities committed in the Nazi concentration camps.
However, human rights theory has traditionally paid little attention to the problem of suffering as such, which has been usually regarded just as the implicit psychological underpinning of human rights violations, but not as a legally relevant concept in itself. It is only in the last few decades that greater awareness has developed about the need to take pain and suffering more seriously and explicitly into account in the implementation of every human rights policy. Modern societies are just beginning to realize that the moral duty to prevent human suffering must play a crucial role in the discussions about the form and content of human rights, and that the cornerstone of human rights must be a concern for human suffering.
This chapter first argues that the whole human rights movement can be regarded as a social response to suffering; second, it claims that, although suffering is not the foundation of human rights, it is a factor that crucially contributes to their recognition; finally, it analyzes how three concrete forms of human suffering are addressed by human rights instruments: torture, starvation, and terminal illness. "

The witiko was a monster of mythical proportions in Cree and other Algonquian traditions, but remained frighteningly real, especially in the case of witiko possession of human beings. Imbued with a profound sense of contingency, of... more

The witiko was a monster of mythical proportions in Cree and other Algonquian traditions, but remained frighteningly real, especially in the case of witiko possession of human beings. Imbued with a profound sense of contingency, of dependence for survival on other persons -both human and nonhuman (animals and spiritual beings) -Cree culture gave paramount importance to personal virtues required for competence in interpersonal relations, both to avoid or mitigate hardship, and to maintain selfcontrol in potentially dire circumstances that defy control. For 19thcentury Cree hunters, the human witiko epitomised and embodied social, ethical and epistemological incompetence in the extreme: the rejection of relationships -which are essential to our humanity -and their corresponding responsibilities, the perversion of the distinction between edible (animal) and non edible (human) persons, and ultimately the dehumanisation of self and other. The witiko was the antithesis of selfcontrol, provoking fear, and evoking chaos. Cree culture may no longer have quite the same notion of the witiko, but some notion of the witiko and of the monstrous is perhaps still needed in their culture and especially in western culture, in which -as Philip Rieff argues -the 'therapeutic has triumphed'. In short, if we lie to ourselves enough about reality -especially on the ethical plane where it effects our relations with others and our ability to appreciate and fulfill the responsibilities that flow from these relationships -then we risk becoming monstrous. And that is something we should fear no less than the Cree feared witiko possession.

Programs intended to improve nutrition often fall short of expectations. One exception, however, occurred during the rationing years of World War II, when U.S. citizens were encouraged to incorporate protein-rich organ meats into their... more

Programs intended to improve nutrition often fall short of expectations. One exception, however, occurred during the rationing years of World War II, when U.S. citizens were
encouraged to incorporate protein-rich organ meats into their protein-deficient diets. Unfortunately, most of the insights resulting from these efforts remained unpublished or in limited distribution. For the first time, the author synthesizes selected studies from this era
according to how the program restructured social norms, changed perceptions of taste, and helped assimilate variety into the U.S. diet. The author discusses the behaviorally driven
implications from these “lost lessons” in the context of the empirical contributions they made in defining what makes an unfavorable food acceptable.

The refeeding syndrome is a potentially lethal complication of refeeding in patients who are severely malnourished from whatever cause. Too rapid refeeding, particularly with carbohydrate may precipitate a number of metabolic and... more

The refeeding syndrome is a potentially lethal complication of refeeding in patients who are severely malnourished from whatever cause. Too rapid refeeding, particularly with carbohydrate may precipitate a number of metabolic and pathophysiological complications, which may adversely affect the cardiac, respiratory, haematological, hepatic and neuromuscular systems leading to clinical complications and even death. We aimed to review the development of the refeeding syndrome in a variety of situations and, from this and the literature, devise guidelines to prevent and treat the condition. We report seven cases illustrating different aspects of the refeeding syndrome and the measures used to treat it. The specific complications encountered, their physiological mechanisms, identification of patients at risk, and prevention and treatment are discussed. Each case developed one or more of the features of the refeeding syndrome including deficiencies and low plasma levels of potassium, phosphate, magnesium and thiamine combined with salt and water retention. These responded to specific interventions. In most cases, these abnormalities could have been anticipated and prevented. The main features of the refeeding syndrome are described with a protocol to anticipate, prevent and treat the condition in adults.

This paper argues that the Rome Statute must be amended to include a prohibition of the intentional starvation of civilians in NIACs, particularly in light of the current state of international humanitarian law and customary international... more

This paper argues that the Rome Statute must be amended to include a prohibition of the intentional starvation of civilians in NIACs, particularly in light of the current state of international humanitarian law and customary international law which outlaws such a practice across the board, as well as in consideration of the fact that starvation as a method of war is more often used and more detrimental in contemporary NIACs. This paper will put forth several reasons why the Rome Statute should be amended, including that the use of civilian starvation as a method of warfare may be more readily used and more detrimental in the NIAC context; that the practice of charging alternate crimes, including other war crimes or crimes against humanity that go toward the same conduct, does not capture the full nature of intentional starvation and presents a host of other concerns; and, that the correct labeling of a crime is imperative for fairness toward both the accused as well as the victims of the crime.

Objective: To assess the 1999-2000 food security situation and the food relief programmes in Ethiopia, and evaluate the need for a national food and nutrition policy. Design: A systematic search of data sources from the Ethiopian Disaster... more

Objective: To assess the 1999-2000 food security situation and the food relief programmes in Ethiopia, and evaluate the need for a national food and nutrition policy. Design: A systematic search of data sources from the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), the Ethiopian Central Statistical Authority, the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the bibliographic database Medline and direct contacts with associations, institutions and people concerned with food security in Ethiopia. Setting: Consultations to WFP Ethiopia. Results: Food availability was severely restricted due to recurrent disasters such as drought, flood, war and a lack of diversity of food items. Food accessibility was limited due to a weak subsistence-agriculture-based economy, depletion of assets, absence of income diversity and a lack of alternative coping mechanisms. Food intake adequacy was rarely achieved due to food shortages, improper diet and poor sanitary conditions. There was a lack of early warning data to monitor food security indicators. Food aid programmes did not meet the requirements for food quantities and composition, and faced major obstacles in logistics and targeting of the vulnerable population. Conclusions: Improvements in food security and the eradication of famine will require investment in sustainable projects. There is an immediate need for better planning and targeting of food aid and a national food security monitoring system. A national food and nutrition policy is recommended, focusing both on relief efforts and on underlying factors contributing to the famine.

The appropriate measurement of food security is critical for targeting food and economic aid; supporting early famine warning and global monitoring systems; evaluating nutrition, health, and development programs; and informing government... more

The appropriate measurement of food security is critical for targeting food and economic aid; supporting early famine warning and global monitoring systems; evaluating nutrition, health, and development programs; and informing government policy across many sectors. This important work is complicated by the multiple approaches and tools for assessing food security. In response, we have prepared a compendium and review of food security assessment tools in which we review issues of terminology, measurement, and validation. We begin by describing the evolving definition of food security and use this discussion to frame a review of the current landscape of measurement tools available for assessing food security. We critically assess the purpose/s of these tools, the domains of food security assessed by each, the conceptualizations of food security that underpin each metric, as well as the approaches that have been used to validate these metrics. Specifically, we describe measurement tools that 1) provide national-level estimates of food security, 2) inform global monitoring and early warning systems, 3) assess household food access and acquisition, and 4) measure food consumption and utilization. After describing a number of outstanding measurement challenges that might be addressed in future research, we conclude by offering suggestions to guide the selection of appropriate food security metrics.

The semiotics of fasting in Jainism

The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases.... more

The article reviews the current knowledge regarding altered states of consciousness (ASC) (a) occurring spontaneously, (b) evoked by physical and physiological stimulation, (c) induced by psychological means, and (d) caused by diseases. The emphasis is laid on psychological and neurobiological approaches. The phenomenological analysis of the multiple ASC resulted in 4 dimensions by which they can be characterized: activation, awareness span, self-awareness, and sensory dynamics. The neurophysiological approach revealed that the different states of consciousness are mainly brought about by a compromised brain structure, transient changes in brain dynamics (disconnectivity), and neurochemical and metabolic processes. Besides these severe alterations, environmental stimuli, mental practices, and techniques of self-control can also temporarily alter brain functioning and conscious experience.

Female common eiders (Somateria mollissima) starve during the nesting stage and may loose 30-45% of their initial body mass, mostly through lipid mobilization. In this study, the effects of fasting on the blood concentrations of three... more

Female common eiders (Somateria mollissima) starve during the nesting stage and may loose 30-45% of their initial body mass, mostly through lipid mobilization. In this study, the effects of fasting on the blood concentrations of three lipid-soluble organochlorines (OCs: polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB]-153; 1dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene [p,p 0 -DDE]; and hexachlorobenzene [HCB]) were examined in eiders breeding in the high Arctic. Blood samples were taken from females (n = 47) at day 5 and day 20 of the incubation period. The mean wet weight concentrations of PCB-153 and p,p 0 -DDE increased strongly between day 5 and day 20 (3.6 and 8.2-fold, respectively), while HCB increased less (1.7-fold). There was a strong negative association between daily increase in PCB-153 and clutch size, and a weaker relationship for p,p 0 -DDE, suggesting that maternal transfer to the eggs is a significant pathway of elimination of OCs in eiders. Moreover, poor body condition (body mass controlled for body size) late in the incubation period was associated with strong daily increase of both p,p 0 -DDE and PCB-153, which may suggest that the release of these compounds increases when lipid reserves become depleted. For HCB, the increase was mainly associated with increase in blood lipid concentrations, and weakly to the amount of burned lipids. The causes for the differences between the compounds are, however, poorly understood. Although the absolute levels of OCs in eiders were relatively low, their rapid build up during incubation is worrying as it coincides with poor body condition and weakened immune systems.

La società futura non estenderà gli attuali metodi bestiali, pardon, civili, a tutta la terra. Sfrutterà la scienza dell'alimentazione portandola a mete ben diverse che non la pura e semplice produttività. Perché questa, ed è persino un... more

La società futura non estenderà gli attuali metodi bestiali, pardon, civili, a tutta la terra. Sfrutterà la scienza dell'alimentazione portandola a mete ben diverse che non la pura e semplice produttività. Perché questa, ed è persino un luogo tristemente comune ripeterlo, è vertiginosa per azienda, ma è fallimentare per la massa degli uomini: 100 milioni di uomini muoiono ogni anno per malnutrizione; 340 milioni sono cronicamente ammalati per lo stesso motivo; 730 milioni non hanno sufficiente denaro per nutrirsi con le calorie indispensabili a sopportare un lavoro qualsiasi.

In 2018, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2417, that condemned the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare and urged states to investigate and seek accountability for starvation crimes. Despite... more

In 2018, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2417, that condemned the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare and urged states to investigate and seek accountability for starvation crimes. Despite the state consensus, to date, there are no international criminal prosecutions for starvation of civilians in armed conflict. Concerned with the widespread use of starvation-tactics in the modern-day armed conflicts, this study inquires whether foreseeable ‘incidental starvation’ can trigger individual criminal responsibility under the war crime of starvation Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute. The term ‘incidental starvation’, is intended to encompass all instances of foreseeable civilian starvation that occurred as a result of military actions, without it being the primary or the main goal of the conduct in question. The study clarifies the scope of the war crime in international criminal law, with particular focus on the necessary mental standard (mens rea). In doing so, it examines the corresponding prohibition on the use of starvation as a method of warfare in International Humanitarian Law. This study concludes that ‘incidental starvation’ can meet the necessary mental element of the war crime of starvation, however, it is likely to be a challenging task. Therefore, when necessary, the IHL principles of proportionality, precaution and distinction can assist in discerning the overall purpose of the attacks, helping the prosecutor to determine the intent of the perpetrator. The relevance of these findings is exemplified with a brief analysis of the Saudi Arabi-led coalition de facto blockade during the ongoing war in Yemen.

Food and nutrition became a crucial problem in wartime Russia. This problem may be considered as three closely related questions. The first of these concerns food production and consumption, the second is associated with the state's... more

Food and nutrition became a crucial problem in wartime Russia. This problem may be considered as three closely related questions. The first of these concerns food production and consumption, the second is associated with the state's efforts to defuse a crisis of supply, and the third is related to ways of surviving attempted by different social groups. The crisis of supply strengthened gradually throughout the war and became a cause of the February Revolution in 1917. The various approaches to solving the problem demonstrated the weakness of official power and the social disturbances which prevented the old regime from passing unchanged through the war.

The filtration process of Sabella spallanzanii Gmelin on bacterial community was studied in a coastal area of the Northern Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea) at three sites, S. Vito, Lido Gandoli and Lido Silvana, where some specimens of S.... more

The filtration process of Sabella spallanzanii Gmelin on bacterial community was studied in a coastal area of the Northern Ionian Sea (Mediterranean Sea) at three sites, S. Vito, Lido Gandoli and Lido Silvana, where some specimens of S. spallanzanii were transplanted. Analyses were performed both on water and worm samples. A total of six microbial groups were examined: culturable heterotrophic bacteria, total culturable bacteria at 37°C, culturable vibrios, total and fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci. The bacterial densities were usually orders of magnitude higher in the worm homogenates than in the corresponding seawater and the highest values were observed in August. The ability of S. spallanzanii to accumulate the microbial pollution indicators suggests this species can be employed as a bioindicator for monitoring water quality. Moreover, the accumulation capability of S. spallanzanii for specific micro-organisms provides a potential role in sewage bioremediation.

The last 50 years has witnessed a major epidemic of obesity in Western societies. The development of obesity has a strong genetic component, yet the timescale of its increase cannot have come about because of population genetic changes.... more

The last 50 years has witnessed a major epidemic of obesity in Western societies. The development of obesity has a strong genetic component, yet the timescale of its increase cannot have come about because of population genetic changes. Consequently, the most accepted model is that obesity is a consequence of a gene-environment interaction. This current model suggests that we have an ancient genetic predisposition to deposit fat that is particularly expressed in the modern environment. Why we have this genetic predisposition has been a matter of much speculation. There is currently a broad consensus that over evolutionary time we have been exposed to regular periods of extreme food shortage (famines), during which time fatter individuals would have had a selective advantage. Consequently, individuals with genes promoting the efficient deposition of fat during periods between famines (so-called "thrifty genes") would be favored. In the modern environment this genetic predisposition prepares us for a famine that never comes, and an epidemic of obesity follows. This chapter presents five fundamental flaws with the famine hypothesis for the genetic origins of obesity. The flaws are that (1) modern hunter-gatherer and subsistence farming communities show no fat deposition between famines; (2) famines occur only about once every 100-150 years and involve increases in total mortality that only rarely exceed 10% of the population; (3) most people in famines die of disease rather than starvation, the latter factor accounting for between 5 and 25% of the famine mortality; (4) famine is a modern phenomenon and most human populations have probably not experienced more than 100 famine events in their history; and (5) the age distribution of mortality during famine would not result in differential mortality between lean and obese people. Even ignoring this latter factor, a simple genetic model presented in this chapter shows that famines provide insufficient selective advantage over an insufficient time period for a thrifty gene to have any penetration in the modern human population.

The carbon isotope values in the exhaled breath of an animal mirror the carbon isotope values of the metabolic fuels being oxidized. The measurement of stable carbon isotopes in carbon dioxide is called 13C-breath testing and offers a... more

The carbon isotope values in the exhaled breath
of an animal mirror the carbon isotope values of the metabolic
fuels being oxidized. The measurement of stable carbon
isotopes in carbon dioxide is called 13C-breath testing
and offers a minimally invasive method to study substrate
oxidation in vivo. 13C-breath testing has been broadly used
to study human exercise, nutrition, and pathologies since
the 1970s. Owing to reduced use of radioactive isotopes
and the increased convenience and affordability of 13C-analyzers,
the past decade has witnessed a sharp increase in the
use of breath testing throughout comparative physiology—
especially to answer questions about how and when animals
oxidize particular nutrients. Here, we review the practical
aspects of 13C-breath testing and identify the strengths
and weaknesses of different methodological approaches
including the use of natural abundance versus artificiallyenriched
13C tracers. We critically compare the information
that can be obtained using different experimental protocols
such as diet-switching versus fuel-switching. We also
discuss several factors that should be considered when
designing breath testing experiments including extrinsic
versus intrinsic 13C-labelling and different approaches to
model nutrient oxidation. We use case studies to highlight
the myriad applications of 13C-breath testing in basic and
clinical human studies as well as comparative studies of
fuel use, energetics, and carbon turnover in multiple vertebrate
and invertebrate groups. Lastly, we call for increased
and rigorous use of 13C-breath testing to explore a variety
of new research areas and potentially answer long standing
questions related to thermobiology, locomotion, and
nutrition.

An experiment designed for Calliphora vicina Robineau -Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera, Calliphoridae) to check the potential pupariation capability of these flies when food is no longer available has been performed under laboratory conditions.... more

An experiment designed for Calliphora vicina Robineau -Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera, Calliphoridae) to check the potential pupariation capability of these flies when food is no longer available has been performed under laboratory conditions. Successful development has been obtained for maggots recently moulted into 3d instar but already feeding, with small but fertile adults being obtained that developed normally under laboratory conditions. The results of this experiment may be of great interest for specific cases when the corpse is removed from the scene but maggots remain there, and for archaeological research concerned with mummification processes.

Deficits in set shifting tasks are present in anorexia nervosa (AN), but it is not known whether these deficits are traits independent of current disease or nutritional status or merely a temporary consequence of starvation or... more

Deficits in set shifting tasks are present in anorexia nervosa (AN), but it is not known whether these deficits are traits independent of current disease or nutritional status or merely a temporary consequence of starvation or psychopathology. The aims of the present study were to determine if set-shifting sub-optimal performance are state or trait-related by examining set shifting in patients with current or past AN, and the extent of association of these deficits with obsessive compulsive traits and behaviours. To achieve this we examined set shifting abilities in three groups of subjects: (a) AN patients with current illness, prior to receiving treatment (AN); (b) people with past AN currently in long term recovery (ANRec) and a healthy comparison group (HC). We also longitudinally followed up a subset for the AN group who showed weight recovery in response to in patient treatment (ANWR). We administered a group of set shifting tests, which included cognitive, perceptual and motor shifting tasks. A semi-structured interview was obtained to ascertain obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) traits as a child and adult. Set-shifting difficulties were observed in the AN group, but to a lesser extent in the ANRec group. In the AN group these difficulties did not show any improvement follow re-testing after weight recovery. Performance on set shifting tasks was associated with childhood rigidity and inflexibility. Some aspects of set shifting sub-optimal performance in AN appear to be a trait rather than a state marker.

Se, come è vero e come Marx dimostra, una certa rendita, molto bassa, sta anche sulle terre dei "latifondi", lo Stato riformatore acchiapperebbe sempre un qualcosa (come dimostrammo altra volta, con le cifre dell'agricoltura nazionale,... more

I exposed this paper at the Conference 'Current Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities', which took place at the Department of Ethics and Aesthetics of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent,... more

I exposed this paper at the Conference 'Current Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities', which took place at the Department of Ethics and Aesthetics of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, on Friday, 29 April 2022. The paper has been published in the Proceedings of the Conference, pp. 8-20. My principal aim in this analysis is to describe Sen’s meditation as a teaching against fatalism, indifference, resignation and inaction: Sen’s criticism of these attitudes aims to uncover the deep roots of these attitudes themselves, since these attitudes conceal precise responsibilities. Sen fights both in economics and in ethics against every form of concealing, under the idea of the unavoidability of nature, failures due to human mistakes. Unavoidable destiny proves to be, actually, as not so unavoidable as someone would like to present it. For instance, Sen’s opinion that famines are not a natural, but a social phenomenon aims to uncover all the attempts to present famines as something unavoidable, in relation to which the only solution is resignation. Sen’s intention is clearly to say that famines have precise responsibilities, and that those who present famines as natural phenomenon want to conceal their own responsibilities for the insurgence of famines. Governments try to blame on nature the cause of catastrophes, whereas the causes of social catastrophes are to be connected to the inefficiency of governments. In particular, I would like to concentrate my exposition on the following themes:
• Sen’s criticism of the thesis of food shortages as the (only) cause of famines.
• Famines happening when there is no political will that want to fight against the factors bringing to the famines. Persons, and not nature, are responsible for the occurring of famines.
• Sen’s defense of democracy as a system which is compatible with economic growth against all those who considers democracy as an obstacle to economic growth.
Keywords Sen, famine, starvation, Ricardo, fatalism, entitlement, freedom, democracy, development