bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A questionnaire study into the use of blood glucose reflectance meters by general practice staff
Authors: Parker C
Published: March 2007

An audit of the use of blood glucose reflectance meters by staff working in 39 general practices. Questions focused on training in the use of meters; health, safety and legal implications of producing results by meters; and whether practices were employing internal or external quality assessments to monitor the results obtained.

Results highlighted varied sources of training. Only a minority of practices had actively addressed health, safety and legal implications in the use of meters. The survey revealed that three practices employed internal quality control. No practices were using external quality assessments.
Implications of modern diabetes practice on glycaemic control and frequency of hypoglycaemia
Authors: Chalmers J , McBain AM , Campbell IW
Published: March 2007

To evaluate changes made in 1988 in clinical diabetes care, aimed at achieving best possible glycaemic control, an audit of HbA1 values was conducted in our insulin‐treated patients in 1992 and compared with the values of an earlier audit performed in 1987. In 1988 major innovations were made in our diabetes clinic with the appointment of a diabetes specialist nurse, the setting up of educational sessions for multiple injection regimens and blood glucose monitoring, along with open access daytime telephone advice. The mean HbA1 fell from 11.4% to 10.7% (normal range 5.6–9.0%) between 1987 and 1992. This reduction in HbA1 was not attributable to multiple injection or home monitoring but appears to be related to the time spent by the diabetes specialist nurse in education. This fall in HbA1 was achieved with no serious hypoglycaemia‐related morbidity or mortality, although the frequency of a severe hypoglycaemic episode doubled from 7–8% per year in 1987 to 15.4% in 1992. The DCCT implications for diabetes care show that the goal of improved glycaemic control, as assessed by HbA1, is not without its risk in increasing the frequency of severe hypoglycaemia with the associated difficulties relating to driving and occupation.
Capillary blood sampling: How much pain is necessary?. Part 3: Pricking the finger can be less painful
Authors: Fruhstorfer H , Lange H
Published: March 2007

A new lancing device (Softclix®) with an adjustable penetration depth was compared to the Glucolet® which had proven to be the least painful device in an earlier study1. At the lowest depth setting for obtaining just enough blood for a glucose test (⩽20μl), the new device was significantly less painful. This is mainly due to the fact that the Glucolet® lacks low and intermediate depth settings.
A simple rule to identify people with diabetes at risk of foot ulceration
Authors: Jones RB , Gregory R , Murray KJ , Titterington DM , Allison SP
Published: March 2007

There is a need for a simple rule based on the sort of clinical data generated by annual review examinations, which predicts those at risk of foot ulcers with reasonable specificity and sensitivity. We have used data on 5, 153 patients free of ulcer or amputation at registration who were followed up at University Hospital Nottingham for between one and 12.4 years. A ‘sensitive’ rule using neuropathy and pulse ‘scores’ and HbA1 predicted 95% of those who developed an ulcer and missed only one person out of 39 who worsened to amputation. The rule seemed fairly effective when tested on data from Nottingham City Hospital, and although developed and tested on outpatient attenders, the rule should be relevant in primary care.
Standardisation of rapid in‐gel digestion by mass spectrometry
Authors: Granvogl Bernhard , Gruber Patrick , Eichacker Lutz Andreas
Published: March 2007

In‐gel digestion has been standardised using a poly(propylene) disposable. We designed a four‐step rapid and simple in‐gel digestion protocol which is carried out in one self‐contained reaction tube avoiding keratin contamination. In order to quantify the efficiency of in‐gel digestion, we developed a rapid on‐column peptide acetylation protocol. Results show that trypsin in‐gel uptake is increased and in‐gel digestion is 90% complete within 15 min. We further show that spectrum quality, peptide yield and sequence coverage for mass spectrometric analysis are enhanced. We utilise 2‐D PAGE separation of photosystem II from barley to demonstrate that the protocol facilitates identification of highly hydrophobic membrane proteins.
Use of fungal antagonists for biocontrol of damping‐off and sclerotinia diseases
Authors: Whipps John M. , McQuilken Mark P. , Budge Simon P.
Published: March 2007

Two mycoparasites, Pythium oligandrum and Coniothyrium minitans, have been tested for their ability to act as disease biocontrol agents. P. oligandrum oospores, grown in a cane molasses liquid medium and coated onto cress and sugar‐beet seeds using commercial thin‐film or pelleting techniques, gave significant control of damping‐off in cress and sugar‐beet caused by Pythium ultimum and Aphanomyces cochlioides respectively, in glasshouse pot trials. In some cases, the control was equivalent to fungicide drenches or standard fungicide seed treatments, but little control was achieved with any treatment when the pathogen inoculum potential in the soil was high. Pre‐planting application of a solid substrate preparation of C. minitans gave reproducible control of sclerotinia disease in the glasshouse. The degree of control was equivalent to that achieved with regular foliar sprays of vinclozolin, when there was less than 40% disease in the control plots naturally infested with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. At higher disease levels biocontrol was lost. Nevertheless, C. minitans survived in the soil for over one year and continued to degrade sclerotia and reduce apothecial production. The commercial potential of these biocontrol agents is discussed.
The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and its potential as a biocontrol agent
Authors: Zimmermann Gisbert
Published: March 2007

Metarhizium anisopliae is a well‐known entomopathogenic fungus active against many insect pests. This paper discusses the characteristics of M. anisopliae and related species of the same genus, its natural occurrence and host range, identifies the current target pest species and reports some new aspects in production and formulation; present safety data are summarized. Investigations on this fungus demonstrate that M. anisopliae can be an efficient biocontrol agent.
Evolving strategies for biological control of weeds with plant pathogens
Authors: Sandst David C. , Miller R. Vincent
Published: March 2007

Current biological control strategies involve the use of exotic or native biocontrol agents, proven to be host‐specific and lethal. This is a successful field of endeavor, attractive lo a large cadre of entomologists and a few plant pathologists. The main limitation is that each weed species must be attacked by a separate host‐specific agent and these organisms are not always lethal. Only by using a radical paradigm shift can we reach a new strategy of biocontrol. In this strategy, lethal, broad host‐range pathogens are genetically modified to permit their safe release. Either they are rendered host‐specific or they are given a chemical dependency that prevents their spread or long‐term survival. This genetic‐manipulative approach offers numerous and diverse scenarios for biocontrol. Host‐specific promoters or toxins, host‐dependency by multiple auxotrophy, or mutants dependent on specific environmental conditions are all approaches that lend themselves to genetic modification. Such self‐delimiting pathogens may have the advantage of repeated marketability, environmental safely and multiple target weeds.
Market‐driven research and development in biological control
Authors: van Schelt Jeroen
Published: March 2007

A short overview is given of native and introduced pests in Dutch glasshouses. Several examples are presented to illustrate how external and internal factors influenced the choice and introduction of natural enemies on the market. The development time and acceptance of new beneficials has shortened considerably. The factors that influenced the biological control program of aphids and thrips are discussed in more detail.
Spirulina did not ameliorate idiopathic chronic fatigue in four N‐of‐1 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Baicus Cristian , Baicus Anda
Published: March 2007

Idiopathic chronic fatigue is an exclusion diagnosis established when no chronic disease is found. Spirulina platensis is an alga with a rich content of proteins, vitamins, minerals and amino acids and is considered as a bioactive additive with multiple effects, among them being effects against fatigue. However, despite the worldwide utilization of Spirulina, there are only a few quality studies with it and none concerning fatigue. The N‐of‐1 randomized trials are made on one patient, and by this kind of study the efficacy of a treatment on that particular patient can be assessed. A series of four N‐of‐1 double‐blind, randomized trials were performed on four physicians who complained of chronic fatigue. Each patient was his own control and received three pairs of treatments comprising 4 weeks of spirulina and 4 weeks of placebo. Spirulina platensis was administered in a dose of 3 g/day. For each pair, the order of treatments was randomized. Outcome measures were severity of fatigue measured on a 10‐point scale.

The scores of fatigue were not significantly different between spirulina and placebo.

Spirulina administered in a dose of 3 g/day did not ameliorate fatigue more than the placebo in any of the four subjects, and possibly it has no effect on chronic fatigue. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating the utility of ion mobility separation in combination with high‐pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to facilitate detection of trace impurities in formulated drug products
Authors: Eckers Christine , Laures Alice M.‐F. , Giles Kevin , Major Hilary , Pringle Steve
Published: March 2007

Many formulated products contain complex polymeric excipients such as polyethylene glycols (PEGs). Such excipients can be readily ionized by electrospray and may be present at very high concentrations, thus making it very difficult to identify trace level impurities such as degradants in samples, even if hyphenated techniques such as liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) are used. Ion mobility (IM) spectrometry is a very rapid gas‐phase separation technique and offers additional separation capability within the LC timeframe. This work investigates the use of an IM separator in combination with high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and MS, to improve the separation of drug‐related materials from excipients, thus aiding the identification of trace‐level impurities in an anti‐HIV medication, Combivir. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New method for caffeine quantification by planar chromatography coupled with electropray ionization mass spectrometry using stable isotope dilution analysis
Authors: Aranda Mario , Morlock Gertrud
Published: March 2007

A new high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPTLC/ESI‐MS) method for the quantification of caffeine in pharmaceutical and energy drink samples was developed using stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA). After sample preparation, samples and caffeine standard were applied on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates and over‐spotted with caffeine‐d3 used for correction of the plunger positioning. After chromatography, densitometric detection was performed by UV absorption at 274 nm. The bands were then eluted by means of a plunger‐based extractor into the ESI interface of a single‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. For quantification by MS the [M+H]+ ions of caffeine and caffeine‐d3 were recorded in the positive ion single ion monitoring (SIM) mode at m/z 195 and 198, respectively. The calibration showed a linear regression with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9998. The repeatability (RSD, n = 6) in matrix was ≤ ± 3.75%. The intermediate precisions (RSD, n = 2) for two samples of different brand names were determined three times and ranged between RSD ±0.68% and ±2.64% (sample 1) and between ±3.44% and ±8.60% (sample 2). The method accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results obtained by HPTLC/SIDA‐ESI‐MS with those from the validated HPTLC/UV method. The results for pharmaceutical and energy drink samples were (ng/band) 99.82 ± 3.75 and 338.09 ± 4.87 by HPTLC/SIDA‐ESI‐MS and 104.74 ± 1.51 and 334.86 ± 5.63 by HPTLC/UV. According to the F‐test (homogeneity of variances) and the t‐test (comparison of means) the two methods show no significant difference. The detection and quantification limits were 75 and 250 µg L−1 (0.75 and 2.5 ng/band), respectively, which were a factor of 13 lower than those established for HPTLC/UV. The positioning error (RSD ±6%) was calculated by comparing HPTLC/SIDA‐ESI‐MS with HPTLC/ESI‐MS. However, using SIDA the positioning error was nullified. HPTLC/SIDA‐ESI‐MS was demonstrated to be a highly reliable method for the quantification of compounds by planar chromatography coupled online with mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current issues in non‐inferiority trials
Authors: Fleming Thomas R.
Published: March 2007

Non‐inferiority (NI) trials enable a direct comparison of the relative benefit‐to‐risk profiles of an experimental intervention and a standard‐of‐care regimen. When the standard has clinical efficacy of substantial magnitude that is precisely estimated ideally using data from multiple adequate and well‐controlled trials, with such estimates being relevant to the setting of the NI trial, then the NI trial can provide the scientific and regulatory evidence required to reliably assess the efficacy of the new intervention. In clinical practice, considerable uncertainty remains regarding when such trials should be conducted, how they should be designed, what standards for quality of trial conduct must be achieved, and how results should be interpreted. Recent examples will be considered to provide important insights and to highlight some of the challenges that remain to be adequately addressed regarding the use of the NI approach for the evaluation of new interventions. ‘Imputed placebo’ and ‘margin’‐based approaches to NI trial design will be considered, as well as the risk of ‘bio‐creep’ with repeated NI trials, use of NI trials when determining whether excess safety risks can be ruled out, higher standards regarding quality of study conduct required with NI trials, and the myth that NI trials always require huge sample sizes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A typology of offshoring and outsourcing in electronically transmitted services
Authors: Metters Rich
Published: March 2007

The offshoring and outsourcing of service work from high‐wage to low‐wage countries has received considerable exposure in the popular press. Some have claimed that virtually all services that can be electronically transmitted should be offshored due to the extreme labor rate differentials. Relatively little work has actually been offshored to date, making empirical assessment difficult. Here, a normative model of the appropriate role of offshoring is proposed. We present a strategic contingency model, to be viewed at the process level, intimating that firms with the same processes should come to different solutions regarding these decisions.
Is more IT offshoring better?
Authors: Bhalla Ajay , Sodhi ManMohan S. , Son Byung‐Gak
Published: March 2007

We explore the link between a company's performance and the extent of its offshoring of IT‐enabled services, focusing on large western companies. Our performance measures comprise sales, profit as percentage of sales, profit/employee and sales/employee over 1999–2004. To measure offshoring, we consider the extent to which these companies have offshored: (1) software development and other IT‐related development and maintenance, (2) business processes such as payroll or claims processing, and (3) call centers. We performed cluster analysis using the three corresponding offshoring variables to obtain broad patterns of offshoring. Then we compared the average performance of the companies in different clusters using ANOVA; did a regression analysis of the performance measures against the three offshoring variables; and performed non‐parametric correlations within industry sectors. None of these tests indicated any clear link between company performance and the extent of offshoring thus suggesting that further study is needed to understand when to offshore and how best to do it.
Invisible costs in offshoring services work
Authors: Stringfellow Anne , Teagarden Mary B. , Nie Winter
Published: March 2007

Offshoring service work is an accelerating trend. While the cost‐savings from offshoring service work are usually clear, operating at a distance also brings with it certain “invisible costs.” We combine existing service operations theory with insights from the literature on communications and culture to present a new conceptual framework, organized around interaction intensity and interaction distance. We identify the drivers of these costs. We conclude with recommendations for controlling or attenuating invisible costs in offshoring service work.
Decline of the Tucumán parrot Amazona tucumana in Argentina: present status and conservation needs
Authors: Rivera Luis , Politi Natalia , Bucher Enrique H.
Published: March 2007

The Tucumán parrot Amazona tucumana is a rare, Near Threatened species on CITES Appendix I with a restricted range in the tropical and subtropical montane forests of Argentina and Bolivia. We assessed the conservation status of the species in Argentina based on a detailed review of available information and an extensive survey throughout its range. A total of 6,015 individuals were detected in 14 sites, eight of which are new localities. The total number recorded in this study represents less than a third of the number exported from Argentina between 1985 and 1989 (18,641), indicating a significant reduction in population size. Research needs to be extended to additional sites, especially in Bolivia, to assess further the global status of the species, and high priority given to the creation of state and private reserves for the species.
The impacts of climate change on marine mammals: early signs of significant problems
Authors: Simmonds Mark P. , Isaac Stephen J.
Published: March 2007

Climate change is now known to be affecting the oceans. It is widely anticipated that impacts on marine mammals will be mediated primarily via changes in prey distribution and abundance and that the more mobile (or otherwise adaptable) species may be able to respond to this to some extent. However, the extent of this adaptability is largely unknown. Meanwhile, within the last few years direct observations have been made of several marine mammal populations that illustrate reactions to climate change. These observations indicate that certain species and populations may be especially vulnerable, including those with a limited habitat range, such as the vaquita Phocoena sinus, or those for which sea ice provides an important part of their habitat, such as narwhals Monodon monoceros, bowhead Balaena mysticetus and beluga Delphinapterus leucas whales and polar bears Ursus maritimus. Similarly, there are concerns about those species that migrate to feeding grounds in polar regions because of rapidly changing conditions there, and this includes many baleen whale populations. This review highlights the need to take projected impacts into account in future conservation and management plans, including species assessments. How this should be done in an adequately precautionary manner offers a significant challenge to those involved in such processes, although it is possible to identify at this time at least some species and populations that may be regarded as especially vulnerable. Marine ecosystems modellers and marine mammal experts will need to work together to make such assessments and conservation plans as robust as possible.
Holding on in the Djebela: Barbary macaque Macaca sylvanus in northern Morocco
Authors: Waters Siân S. , Aksissou Mustapha , Harrad Ahmed El , Hobbelink Maria-Elisa , Fa John E.
Published: March 2007

A survey of Vulnerable Barbary macaque Macaca sylvanus populations in the Djebela region of northern Morocco was conducted in October-November 2004 and the species' presence verified in four areas. This macaque occurs in habitat types ranging from matorral (shrub vegetation) to higher altitude fir forest. A total of 89 individuals were observed in nine groups. Comparisons of our survey with the previous one undertaken in the same area in 1980 indicate that group sizes are similar but the total population size may have decreased. We estimate there is a population of 200–300 Barbary macaques in the Djebela. Although some areas where the species is found are now protected, further work will be crucial to safeguarding this species in northern Morocco.
Confirmation of the survival of the Critically Endangered dama gazelle Gazella dama in south Tamesna, Mali
Authors: Lamarque François , Sid'Ahmed Amewey Ag , Bouju Stéphane , Coulibaly Gaoussou , Maïga Daouda
Published: March 2007

In February 2005 a survey confirmed the existence of Critically Endangered dama gazelle Gazella dama in south Tamesna, eastern Mali. Two zones, covering an area of 1,775 km2, were systematically surveyed. Seven gazelles were seen and evidence was found of 18 additional individuals, giving an estimated density of 0.047 gazelles km−2. The dama gazelles are taking refuge in places where it is difficult to drive because of a strongly-marked relief and the presence of grassy tussocks. Preliminary genetic analysis of faeces indicates that these gazelles belong to the subspecies Gazella dama dama. These populations are of particular importance for the conservation of the dama gazelle, and an aerial survey has been planned to confirm the terrestrial observations. The government of Mali has, however, already decided to create three protected areas in Tamesna for the conservation of the dama gazelle and Vulnerable dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas.
The epidemiology of DSM-IV specific phobia in the USA: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
Authors: STINSON FREDERICK S. , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , PATRICIA CHOU S. , SMITH SHARON , GOLDSTEIN RISE B. , JUNE RUAN W. , GRANT BRIDGET F.
Published: March 2007

Background. There is a lack of current detailed national data on the prevalence, correlates, disability and co-morbidity of DSM-IV specific phobia (SP), the prevalence of specific objects and situations feared, and associations between impairment, treatment and co-morbidity and the number of specific situations and objects feared, among adults in the USA.

Method. The data were derived from a large (43093) representative sample of the adult population in the USA.

Results. Prevalences of 12-month and lifetime DSM-IV SP were 7·1% and 9·4% respectively. Being female, young, and low income increased risk, while being Asian or Hispanic decreased risk (p<0·05). The mean age at onset of SP was 9·7 years, the mean duration of episode was 20·1 years and only 8·0% reported treatment specifically for SP. Most specific phobias involved multiple fears, and an increasing number of fears, regardless of content, was associated with greater disability and impairment, treatment seeking and co-morbidity with other Axis I and II disorders.

Conclusions. SP is a highly prevalent, disabling and co-morbid disorder in the US adult population. The early onset of SP and the disorders most strongly associated with it highlights the need for longitudinal studies beginning in early childhood. Results suggest the existence of a generalized subtype of SP much like social phobia, which, once revealed, may lead to a classification of SP that is more etiologically and therapeutically meaningful.
The gradual emergence of sex differences in aggression: alternative hypotheses
Authors: HAY DALE F.
Published: March 2007

Nearly a century of observational studies and more recent longitudinal surveys reveal that, in infancy, girls and boys use force at similar rates. Over the next few years boys become significantly more aggressive. Alternative hypotheses accounting for the widening gender gap are evaluated. These include hypotheses about normative patterns of male escalation and female desistance; boys' preference for active play that promotes aggression; girls' tendency to hide aggression; girls' use of alternative forms of aggression; boys' increased risk for the cognitive and emotional problems that are linked to aggression; boys' sensitivity to situational triggers of aggression; and boys' vulnerability to adverse rearing environments. The evidence bearing on each hypothesis is mixed. In general, the overall difference between the sexes appears to be produced by a minority of boys who deploy aggression at high rates. Three general principles govern the emergence of sex differences in aggression: female precocity, male vulnerability, and the salience of sex as a social category that shapes children's lives.
Variation in the population dynamics of the palm Sabal yapa in a landscape shaped by shifting cultivation in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Pulido María T. , Valverde Teresa , Caballero Javier
Published: March 2007

To understand the population dynamics of a species, it is necessary to document the way in which its demographic behaviour varies through space and time. Anthropogenic disturbance, such as shifting cultivation, is an important factor causing demographic variation in many tropical non-timber forest products. The leaves of the palm Sabal yapa are an important non-timber forest product used for thatching by Mayan peoples. The demography of Sabal yapa was studied in three habitats (mature forest, successional forest and crop fields), representing successional phases along the slash-and-burn agricultural cycle in the Yucatan Peninsula. Matrix population models, along with elasticity analyses and life-table-response experiments were employed. Population growth rate differed between patches (MF: λ = 1.043; SF: λ = 1.027; CF: λ = 0.959). Only the λ value of the mature forest was significantly higher than unity. Fecundity and seedling survival were lowest in the crop fields and highest in the mature forest. The elasticity analyses and life-table-response experiments showed that entries with a high positive contribution to λ also showed high elasticity values, while those with a negative contribution to λ showed low elasticity. Thus, both analyses are crucial to understand the demography of a species and to aid in conservation and management practices.
Possible Islands of Predictability: The Legal Thought of Hannah Arendt
Authors: KLABBERS JAN
Published: March 2007

This essay explores the legal thought of Hannah Arendt, and is one of the first to do so. Having presented an Arendtian view on law and its relations to politics, it subsequently discusses how an Arendtian view might yield insights on some topical international issues, in particular the much-discussed issue of constitutionalism in international law.
The Armed Activities Case and Non-state Actors in Self-Defence Law
Authors: KAMMERHOFER JÖRG
Published: March 2007

In the Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo case the International Court of Justice has – for the first time in its history – found a state to have violated the prohibition of the use of force in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. For the first time also, the Court has discussed the scope of self-defence directly under Article 51. In this article the focus lies on this aspect of a wide-ranging judgment. In finding that Uganda had violated the Charter, the Court kept to its jurisprudence constante; it did not bow to ‘post-11 September’ pressure to extend the logic of Article 51 to private actors. This article discusses the merits of the scholarly claims for both sides, but warns of drawing conclusions for the Court's future jurisprudence – the apparent unity among judges may have to do more with the case rather than the wider issue.
Compulsion of Information from States and Due Process in Cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Authors: DAWSON GRANT , DUNGEL JOAKIM
Published: March 2007

The procurement of information in the sole possession of states is pivotal to the fair and expeditious conduct of trials before the ICTY. At the same time, states possessing sought-after information may have certain legitimate interests they wish to protect in relation to such material, for example national security interests. Taking into account the uniqueness of the ICTY as an institution created by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, this article analyses situations where tensions have arisen, or may potentially arise, between state interests and the presentation of evidence crucial to the guilt or innocence of the accused. After setting out the continuously developing law of the ICTY that has striven to reconcile these competing demands, the authors propose alterations to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, in the form of amendments to Rule 54 bis and a new rule, Rule 54 ter.
Reparation to Victims of Sexual Violence: Possibilities at the International Criminal Court and at the Trust Fund for Victims and Their Families
Authors: DE BROUWER ANNE-MARIE
Published: March 2007

In this contribution the reparation possibilities for victims of sexual violence at the Inter-national Criminal Court and at the Trust Fund for Victims and their families are explored. This is done by explaining first of all why victims of sexual violence – and especially women – are in urgent need of reparation during and after conflict, with a special focus on the situation of female survivors of sexual violence in Rwanda. The reparation possibilities for victims of sexual violence at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda are subsequently discussed, followed by a similar discussion with regard to the ICC. Questions such as the nature of the best forms of reparation for victims of sexual violence and at what point they are made are also dealt with. Although the ICC reparations regime offers in theory a good means of providing restorative justice to victims of sexual violence, it is important that the special concerns and needs of such victims are not easily overlooked by the Court and that swift action is taken by the Trust Fund for Victims and their families to address their plight.
Consideration at the United Nations of an International Prohibition on the Cloning of Human Beings
Authors: PRONTO ARNOLD N.
Published: March 2007

At the turn of the twenty-first century rapid advances in the life sciences had culminated in the successful cloning of mammals, with the potential for the development of cures to major diseases. It also raised the spectre of the cloning of human beings – a possibility declared repugnant to human dignity by UNESCO in 1997. In 2001, France and Germany initiated a process in the UN General Assembly to negotiate an international treaty banning the reproductive cloning of human beings. What started as a seemingly straightforward proposal soon ran into the cross-winds of the broader debate on the ethical and legal appropriateness of human embryonic stem-cell research. A major confrontation ensued at the United Nations between those states favouring a narrow ban limited to cloning for reproductive purposes, and those insisting on prohibiting all forms of human cloning, including for ‘therapeutic’ purposes. At play was not only a difference in worldview as to the meaning of human dignity in the twenty-first century (and the boundaries on scientific research), but also considerations relating to respect for cultural diversity, the economic consequences of finding cures to major diseases, and the ability of the technological ‘have-nots’ to limit the activities of the technological ‘haves’.
Increase in bloodstream infections in Finland, 1995–2002
Authors: SKOGBERG K. , LYYTIKÄINEN O. , RUUTU P. , OLLGREN J. , NUORTI J. P.
Published: March 2007

A national, population-based laboratory surveillance of bloodstream infections (BSI) in Finland was performed. Blood-culturing rates were determined from data from clinical microbiology laboratories and trends in rates were evaluated using Poisson regression. During 1995–2002, 51 510 cases of BSI were notified; the annual incidence increased from 104 to145 cases/100 000 (40%). Rates increased in all age groups but persons aged ⩾75 years accounted for 28% of cases and showed the largest rate increase. Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 58% of isolates and their relative proportions were unchanged over time. The annual blood-culturing rate increased by one-third during the study period but the number of BSI detected per blood cultures remained unchanged. Regional BSI incidence was significantly associated with blood-culturing rates. We conclude that the increase in BSI rates may have been due to more frequent blood culturing but was not associated with changes in the reporting system or aetiology of BSI.
The effect of discontinued use of antimicrobial growth promoters on the risk of therapeutic antibiotic treatment in Danish farrow-to-finish pig farms
Authors: VIGRE H. , LARSEN P. B. , ANDREASEN M. , CHRISTENSEN J. , JORSAL S. E.
Published: March 2007

This study estimated the effect of discontinued use of antimicrobial growth promoters (duAGPs) on the risk of antibiotic treatment for diarrhoea, arthritis, pneumonia, unthriving and miscellaneous disorders in Danish pig farms. The estimation was done in a case-crossover study comparing: (1) the proportion of days per farm where treatment was performed (PDT) and (2) the proportion of pigs treated per day per farm at days where treatment was performed (PPT) before and after duAGPs at 68 farrow-to-finish farms. The farms were selected using a two-stage (veterinarian/farm) convenience sampling. On average, during the first year after duAGPs there was a significant increase in the risk of antibiotic treatment for diarrhoea (PDT: OR 2·5, 95% CI 1·7–3·8; PPT: OR 1·6, 95% CI 1·1–2·2). However, the effect varied among farms – some farms experienced substantial problems, while others experienced few problems after duAGPs. No effect was identified for the risk of treatment for other diseases.
Clinical surveillance of thrombotic microangiopathies in Scotland, 2003–2005
Authors: POLLOCK K. G. J. , YOUNG D. , BEATTIE T. J. , TODD W. T. A.
Published: March 2007

The prevalence, incidence and outcomes of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura (TTP) are not well established in adults or children from prospective studies. We sought to identify both outcomes and current management strategies using prospective, national surveillance of HUS and TTP, from 2003 to 2005 inclusive. We also investigated the links between these disorders and factors implicated in the aetiology of HUS and TTP including infections, chemotherapy, and immunosuppression. Most cases of HUS were caused by verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC), of which serotype O157 predominated, although other serotypes were identified. The list of predisposing factors for TTP was more varied although use of immunosuppressive agents and severe sepsis, were the most frequent precipitants. The study demonstrates that while differentiating between HUS and TTP is sometimes difficult, in most cases the two syndromes have quite different predisposing factors and clinical parameters, enabling clinical and epidemiological profiling for these disorders.
Recent recordings of plainchant
Authors: WEBER JEROME F.
Published: March 2007

One new recording is a landmark of sorts, for the line of choirmasters at Solesmes runs from Dom André Mocquereau (1889–1914), Dom Joseph Gajard (1914–71), Dom Jean Claire (1971–96), and an interim visitor from St Benoît-du-Lac, Dom Richard Gagné (1996–2003), to a young monk of Solesmes, frère Yves-Marie Lelièvre. His first recording (no. 1 in the list below) offers the Mass Propers for the first three Sundays of Ordinary Time, formerly the Sundays after Epiphany, a programme that matches Dom Gajard’s last recording directing the nuns of Argentan in 1971 (7536 in my discography). Two of those chants have been replaced here, as in the Graduale Triplex, and the expanded playing time of a CD has been given over to seven organ selections played on the abbey’s Schwenkedel organ by Jacques Kauffmann of Paris. Frère Lelièvre selected a schola of twenty-one monks, perhaps not much smaller than Dom Claire used, and elicited a lightness of execution that simply must be heard. There is a forward motion in the singing that is particularly effective in the melismas. Just hear the seldom-recorded gradual ‘Benedictus Dominus’. This is the portent of a fine series of recordings.
Seasonal food insecurity and perceived social support in rural Tanzania
Authors: Hadley Craig , Mulder Monique Borgerhoff , Fitzherbert Emily
Published: March 2007

Objectives

To examine whether the occurrence of seasonal food insecurity was related to ethnicity, household wealth and perceived social support, and to assess whether social support was more efficacious in protecting against food insecurity in wealthier households. Secondary objectives were to assess the association between past food insecurity, current dietary intake and perceived health.

Design, setting and subjects

A sample of 208 randomly selected mothers from two ethnic groups living in the same villages in rural Tanzania participated in a cross-sectional survey.

Results

Food insecurity was highly prevalent in this area, particularly among the poorer ethnic group. Half of ethnically Sukuma households fell into the most food-secure category, compared with only 20% of ethnically Pimbwe households. Among both groups, measures of household wealth and social support were strongly associated with food security. Interestingly, social support appeared to be more effective among the wealthier ethnic group/community. Past food insecurity was also related to current indicators of dietary intake and women's self-perceptions of health.

Conclusion

Greater social support is associated with food security, suggesting that it may protect against the occurrence of seasonal food insecurity. Social support also interacts with wealth to offer greater protection against food insecurity, suggesting that increasing wealth at the community level may influence food insecurity through both direct and indirect means. Seasonal food insecurity also appears to have lasting effects that likely create and reinforce poverty.
Energy, macro- and micronutrient intake among a true longitudinal group of South African adolescents at two interceptions (2000 and 2003): the Birth-to-Twenty (Bt20) Study
Authors: MacKeown Jennifer M , Pedro Titilola M , Norris Shane A
Published: March 2007

Objective

This study reports on the energy, macro- and micronutrient intakes of a true longitudinal group of 143 urban black South African children from the Birth-to-Twenty (Bt20) study at two interceptions (2000 and 2003) when they were 10 and 13 years old, respectively.

Methods

Subjects resided in the urban Johannesburg/Soweto area of the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The coded data were analysed using SAS.

Results

Mean daily intake of energy, all six macronutrients and most micronutrients (17/19) increased from 2000 to 2003. Of the 19 micronutrients investigated, the mean daily intake of eight (calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin) fell below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) at both interceptions. More than 70% of the children consumed less than the RDA for these same eight nutrients. From 2000 to 2003, there was a decrease in the percentage of children falling below the RDA for energy (from 73 to 59%), but an increase in the percentage of children falling below the RDA for most of the micronutrients. There was a positive percentage change in mean daily intake for all 26 macro- and micronutrients from 2000 to 2003.

Conclusion

Mean daily intake of nutrients increased from 2000 to 2003, but intakes for most micronutrients were still below the RDA at both interceptions for a large percentage of the children. The study has provided valuable information on the nutrient intake and change in intake over time among a longitudinal group of South African adolescents.
Adiposity, education and weight loss effort are independently associated with energy reporting quality in the Ontario Food Survey
Authors: Ward Heather , Tarasuk Valerie , Mendelson Rena
Published: March 2007

Objectives

To examine the associations of adiposity, dietary restraint and other personal characteristics with energy reporting quality.

Design/subjects

Secondary analysis of 230 women and 158 men from the 1997/98 Ontario Food Survey.

Methods

Energy reporting quality was estimated by ratios of energy intake (EI) to both basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total energy expenditure (TEE). Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine energy reporting quality between two dietary recalls and in relation to body mass index (BMI) with adjustment for potential confounders. Energy reporting quality was explored across categories of age, BMI, income, education, dieting status and food insecurity through analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

From the ANOVA, energy reporting quality was associated with BMI group, age category and weight loss for men and women, as well as with education among women (P < 0.05). The multivariate regression analyses indicated that energy reporting quality was positively associated with education and inversely associated with obesity and dieting. No associations were observed in relation to food insecurity or income (P>0.05). EI:BMR and EI:TEE on the first and second 24-hour recalls were positively related (P < 0.0001 for men and women). A higher proportion of variance in energy reporting quality was explained for women than for men (R2 = 0.19 and 0.14, respectively).

Conclusions

Studies of diet and adiposity are probably hindered to some extent by BMI-related variation in energy reporting quality. Methods to address this issue are urgently needed if population surveys will continue to serve as the primary source of dietary intake data.
Strategies to promote healthier food purchases: a pilot supermarket intervention study
Authors: Mhurchu Cliona Ni , Blakely Tony , Wall Joanne , Rodgers Anthony , Jiang Yannan , Wilton Jenny
Published: March 2007

Objective

To pilot the design and methodology for a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) of two interventions to promote healthier food purchasing: culturally appropriate nutrition education and price discounts.

Design

A 12-week, single-blind, pilot RCT. Effects on food purchases were measured using individualised electronic shopping data (‘Shop ’N Go’ system). Partial data were also collected on food expenditure at other (non-supermarket) retail outlets.

Setting

A supermarket in Wellington, New Zealand.

Participants

Eligible customers were those who were the main household shoppers, shopped mainly at the participating store, and were registered to use the Shop ’N Go system. Ninety-seven supermarket customers (72% women; age 40 ± 9.6 years, mean ± standard deviation) were randomised to one of four intervention groups: price discounts, nutrition education, a combination of price discounts and nutrition education, or control (no intervention).

Results

There was a 98% follow-up rate of participants, with 85% of all reported supermarket purchases being captured via the electronic data collection system. The pilot did, however, demonstrate difficulty recruiting Maori, Pacific and low-income shoppers using the electronic register and mail-out.

Conclusions

This pilot study showed that electronic sales data capture is a viable way to measure effects of study interventions on food purchases in supermarkets, and points to the feasibility of conducting a large-scale RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of price discounts and nutrition education. Recruitment strategies will, however, need to be modified for the main trial in order to ensure inclusion of all ethnic and socio-economic groups.
Rethinking research in breast-feeding: a critique of the evidence base identified in a systematic review of interventions to promote and support breast-feeding
Authors: Renfrew MJ , Spiby H , D'Souza L , Wallace LM , Dyson L , McCormick F
Published: March 2007

Objective

To appraise critically the relevance and value of the evidence base to promote and support the duration of breast-feeding, with a specific focus on disadvantaged groups.

Design

A systematic review was conducted of intervention studies relevant to enhancing the duration of breast-feeding; topics included public health, public policy, clinical issues, and education, training and practice change. A systematic search was conducted. Eighty studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were systematically extracted and analysed. Full results and recommendations are reported elsewhere. Here a critique of the evidence base – topics, quality and gaps – is reported.

Results

Many studies were substantially methodologically flawed, with problems including small sample sizes, inconsistent definitions of breast-feeding and lack of appropriate outcomes. Few were based on relevant theory. Only a small number of included studies (10%) were conducted in the UK. Very few targeted disadvantaged subgroups of women. No studies of policy initiatives or of community interventions were identified. There were virtually no robust studies of interventions to prevent and treat common clinical problems, or of strategies related to women's health issues. Studies of health professional education and practice change were limited. Cost-effectiveness studies were rare.

Conclusions

Policy goals both in the UK and internationally support exclusive breast-feeding until 6 months of age. The evidence base to enable women to continue to breast-feed needs to be strengthened to include robust evaluations of policies and practices related to breast-feeding; a step change is needed in the quality and quantity of research funded.
Faktoren individueller Bedrohungs-, Wirksamkeits- und Kostenbewertung bei Umweltstressoren
Authors: Homburg Andreas , Wagner Ulrich
Published: March 2007

Zusammenfassung. Faktoren individueller Bedrohungs-, Wirksamkeits- und Kostenbewertungen bei Umweltstressoren werden untersucht. Hiermit soll zur bereichspezifischen Weiterentwicklung von Modellen zur Erklärung umweltschonenden Verhaltens beigetragen werden (vgl. Gardner & Stern, 1996 ). Basierend auf zwei Fragebogenerhebungen (Ns = 275, 115) kann im Bereich der Bedrohungsbewertung ein modifiziertes dreifaktorielles Modell der Bedrohungsbewertung (Bedrohung der eigenen Person, anderer Menschen, der Natur; Schultz, 2001 ) über konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen belegt werden. Im Bereich der Wirksamkeits- und Kostenbewertung können jeweils fünffaktorielle Modelle bestätigt werden (Bereiche: Individuum, Beruf, Region, Land, globale Ebene).
Psychopharmakologie autistischer Störungen
Authors: Poustka Luise , Poustka Fritz
Published: March 2007

Zusammenfassung: Die Wirksamkeit pharmakologischer Interventionen beim Autismus wird derzeit vermehrt untersucht. Ziele der Interventionen sind vor allem ausagierende Begleitstörungen, die die Anwendung anderer therapeutischer Interventionen beträchtlich stören können, während die Kernsymptome des Autismus kaum beeinflussbar sind. Darüber hinaus fehlt derzeit die Evaluation von Kombinationstherapien, die in der praktischen klinischen Arbeit aber keine unwesentliche Rolle spielen. Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob in Zukunft die Wirksamkeit der Kombination von verhaltenstherapeutischen mit psychopharmakologischen Interventionen sowie der (mitunter sinnvoll erscheinenden) Kombination mehrerer Medikamente untersucht werden. Neuere Psychopharmaka erleichtern offensichtlich die Anwendung bei autistischen Störungen, auch aufgrund ihrer besseren Verträglichkeit. Die Verfügbarkeit von Studien mit einiger methodischer Sicherheit nimmt aber deutlich zu.