bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Democratising Trade Politics in the Americas: Insights from the Women's, Environmental and Labour Movements
Authors: Icaza Rosalba , Newell Peter , Saguier Marcelo 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThis paper explores the extent to which and the ways in which civil society groups are contributing to the democratisation of trade policy and politics in the Americas. It explores the strategies adopted by a range of NGOs and social movements to influence the decision‐making processes and the content of the trade agenda. This includes efforts to open up existing spaces of participation as well as the creation of new ones through forms of citizen engagement, democratic innovation and efforts to change the terms of debate. We concentrate on the cases of the women's, environmental and labour movements in relation to the trade agenda promoted by the NAFTA, MERCOSUR and FTAA initiatives.The first part of the paper provides a discussion of the constraints that recent trade integration processes in the Americas pose to the possibility of deepening democracy. This is followed by an engagement with existing literatures on democratisation in Latin America to draw parallels and identify insights on the nature of the relationship between trade and democracy. The second part draws on three case studies of the strategies of movements in Latin America in their attempts to influence trade policy processes across political scales. The first case study explores the initiatives of women's and feminist organisations in Mexico to incorporate a gender perspective into the debate about NAFTA. The second case deals with the engagements of the environmental movement at the sub‐regional and hemispheric levels in relation to the NAFTA, MERCOSUR and FTAA initiatives. The third case focuses on the labour movement in the Americas in relation to the FTAA process. The conclusion reflects on what has been achieved and what future challenges remain.
The Politics of Taxation and Implications for Accountability in Ghana 1981–2008
Authors: Prichard Wilson 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn many ways the raising of tax revenues is the most central activity of any state, but it is only recently that the development field has begun to take questions about taxation and its relationship to the performance of government seriously. This research seeks to investigate the particular hypothesis that a government that relies primarily on tax revenues, as opposed to natural resource rents or foreign aid, is more likely to be accountable to its citizens.This research seeks to capture the evolution of the Ghanaian central government tax system since 1982. The first goal is to understand the politics behind this evolution, in order to pinpoint the factors influencing the willingness and ability of governments to raise domestic revenue. The research then proceeds to ask whether the evolution of the tax system provides evidence that government efforts to raise taxes have given rise to successful demands for greater accountability.The research finds that there is significant evidence that taxation has often been a catalyst for demands for greater accountability, but also finds that the nature of this relationship has varied dramatically across time, context and tax types. While generalisations demand further research, initial evidence points to several factors that shape the nature of state‐society bargaining over taxation, among them: the broader state of politics, the role of elites, the mobilising capacity of civil society, the motives for the tax increase and the type of tax in question.
Group Acupuncture to Relieve Radiation Induced Xerostomia: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Simcock Richard , Fallowfield Lesley , Jenkins Valerie 
Published: September 2009

Background A distressing complication of radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer is xerostomia (chronic oral dryness). Xerostomia is difficult to treat conventionally but there are reports that acupuncture can help. We conducted a feasibility study to examine the acceptability of a standardised group acupuncture technique and adherence to group sessions, together with acceptability of the objective and subjective measurements of xerostomia. Methods 12 males with established radiation induced xerostomia were treated in three groups of four. Each received eight weekly sessions of acupuncture using four bilateral acupuncture points (Salivary Gland 2; Modified Point Zero; Shen Men and one point in the distal radial aspect of each index finger (LI1)). Sialometry and quality of life assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of treatment. A semi-structured interview was conducted a week after completing the intervention. Results Adherence to and acceptability of the treatment and assessments was 100%. There were objective increases in the amounts of saliva produced for 6/12 patients post intervention and the majority also reported subjective improvements. Mean quality of life scores for domains related to salivation and xerostomia also showed improvement. At baseline 92% (11/12) patients reported experiencing a dry mouth “quite a bit/very much” as compared to 42% (5/12) after the treatment. Qualitative data revealed that the patients enjoyed the sessions. Conclusion The pilot study shows that a standardised group technique is deliverable and effective. The tools for objective and subjective assessment are appropriate and acceptable. Further examination in a randomised trial is now warranted.
Risk factors for exercise-related acute cardiac events. A case–control study
Authors: van Teeffelen W M , de Beus M F , Mosterd A , Bots M L , Mosterd W L , Pool J , Doevendans P A , Grobbee D E 
Published: September 2009

Background:In spite of the benefits of physical activity, exercise may provoke acute cardiac events in susceptible individuals. Understanding risk factors of exercise-related acute cardiac events may identify opportunities for prevention.Methods:A case–control study was conducted to examine determinants of acute cardiac events in athletes. The cases were athletes who suffered an acute cardiac event during or shortly after vigorous exercise. Athletes who visited a hospital because of a minor sports injury were selected as controls. Information on cardiovascular disease, family history of cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular symptoms and other potential risk factors was collected through questionnaires.Results:57 cases (mean age 41.8 years, range 11–73) and 57 controls (mean age 40.9 years, range 13–68) were included in the study. Athletes with a history of cardiovascular disease were at a markedly increased risk for cardiac events during exercise (OR = 32; 95% CI 7.4 to 143). Smoking (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.9 to 18), fatigue (OR = 12; 95% CI 1.2 to 118) and flu-like symptoms (OR 13; 95% CI 1.4 to 131) in the month preceding the event were related to acute cardiac events in athletes.Conclusions:Prior cardiovascular disease, smoking, and a recent episode of fatigue or flu-like symptoms are associated with an increased risk of exercise-related acute cardiac events. Athletes and physicians should pay careful attention when these factors exist or occur.
PCR detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue: a study in Thai patients
Authors: Nopvichai C , Sanpavat A , Sawatdee R , Assanasen T , Wacharapluesadee S , Thorner P S , Shuangshoti S 
Published: September 2009

Background:Necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis can be observed in several conditions, most notably infection (including tuberculosis, yersiniosis and nocardiasis), Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.Aims:To evaluate the role of PCR in the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis in Thai patients using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.Methods:35 patient samples showing necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis were subjected to PCR for detection of the IS6110sequence ofM tuberculosis. For comparison, sections were visually assessed for acid-fast bacilli using the Ziehl–Neelsen stain.Results:Among 35 cases of necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis, a conclusive diagnosis could be reached in 23 cases: 15 cases of Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease, 6 of tuberculosis and 2 of systemic lupus erythematosus. Of the 6 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis, 4 (66.6%) were detected by PCR in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. PCR was positive in 6/12 of the remaining cases (50%) in which a definitive diagnosis could not be reached by other methods.Conclusion:Using PCR, a significant percentage (28%) of cases of necrotising non-granulomatous lymphadenitis in this study could be attributed toM tuberculosis. PCR for identification of the organism can be extremely helpful in confirming a diagnosis of tuberculosis when Ziehl–Neelsen staining is negative.
Primary lymphoma of bone: extranodal lymphoma with favourable survival independent of germinal centre, post-germinal centre or indeterminate phenotype
Authors: Heyning F H , Hogendoorn P C W , Kramer M H H , Holland C T Q , Dreef E , Jansen P M 
Published: September 2009

Aims:To determine prognostic significance of immunohistochemical markers and investigate possible germinal centre (GC) derivation in primary lymphoma of bone (PLB).Methods:Immunohistochemical expression of BCL-6, CD10, BCL-2, p53, CD30, CD44 and MUM-1 was studied in 36 patients with PLB. All cases were clinically staged and cases of secondary bone involvement of primary nodal lymphomas were excluded, prior to immunostaining. Clinical charts were reviewed for clinical symptoms and therapy given; survival post-biopsy was calculated.Results:All patients presented with pain and a palpable mass. The majority showed centroblastic-multilobated morphology; half of the cases (19/36) had a GC phenotype (CD10+BCL-6+ or CD10−BCL-6+MUM-1−), whereas 8/36 cases had a non-GC phenotype (CD10−BCL-6− or CD10−BCL-6+MUM-1+). Nine cases were of indeterminate phenotype (CD10−BCL-6+; MUM-1 not available). Eight of 22 evaluated patient samples showed immunoreactivity for MUM-1. Most patients (31/36) received combination therapy in the form of polychemotherapy and radiotherapy. The five-year overall survival was 75%. No significant difference in survival was found between the three different tumour phenotypes, or for the tested antigens individually. Age at presentation and stage of disease had a significant influence on five-year overall survival. Survival rates were 90% for the patients <60 years of age and 40% for those ⩾60 years. Survival rates were 90% for stage I and 41% for stage IV.Conclusion:This study illustrates the homogeneity of PLB. The majority of cases are of the GC phenotype which has a favourable prognosis.
Massive localised lymphoedema: a clinicopathological study of 22 cases and review of the literature
Authors: Manduch M , Oliveira A M , Nascimento A G , Folpe A L 
Published: September 2009

Background:Massive localised lymphoedema (MLL) is a rare, relatively recently described pseudosarcoma most often occurring in morbidly obese patients.Aim:To perform a retrospective review of all cases diagnosed as MLL.Methods and Results:Clinical information was obtained. 22 morbidly obese adults (mean patient weight 186 kg) presented with unilateral, large soft tissue lesions of longstanding duration. Most lesions involved the thigh, but also occurred in the posterior calf and lower leg. Clinically, most lesions were regarded as representing benign processes, including pedunculated lipoma, lymphocoele or recurrent cellulites, although soft tissue sarcoma was also suspected in two cases. Grossly, all masses showed markedly thickened skin with a “cobblestone” appearance, and were ill-defined, unencapsulated, lobulate, and very large (mean size 31 cm, range 15–61.5 cm, mean weight 3386 g, range 1133–10800 g). Histologically, all 22 cases showed striking dermal fibrosis, expansion of the fibrous septa between fat lobules with increased numbers of stromal fibroblasts, lymphatic proliferation and lymphangiectasia. Multinucleated fibroblastic cells, marked vascular proliferation, moderate stromal cellularity and fascicular growth raised concern among referring pathologists for atypical lipomatous tumour/well differentiated liposarcoma, angiosarcoma, and a fibroblastic neoplasm such as fibromatosis in 10, 2 and 1 case, respectively.Conclusion:The diagnosis of MLL continues to be challenging, in particular for pathologists. Awareness of this entity, clinical correlation and gross pathological correlation are essential in the separation of this distinctive pseudosarcoma from its various morphological mimics.
Medical mortality in Pakistan: experience at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Tariq M , Jafri W , Ansari T , Awan S , Ali F , Shah M , Jamil S , Riaz M , Shafqat S 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAimTo acquire systematic data on the causes of hospital mortality in Pakistan, a developing country with scant mortality records.Study designRetrospective review of death certificates and hospital charts of patients dying on general and specialty medical services at our hospital during one calendar year.ResultsOf a total 10 590 admissions, 657 (6.2%) died in hospital. The deceased included 357 (54.4%) males and 299 (45.6%) females, with a collective median age of 63 years and mean length of stay 6.71 days (median 4 days, range 1–56 days). Primary cause of death was categorised as infectious (21.2%), pulmonary (17.2%), cancer related (15.7%), cardiovascular (12.6%), gastrointestinal and hepatic (10.8%), neurological (11.4%) and miscellaneous (11.1%). Within each category, the most common diagnoses were septicaemia (76.9% of infectious cases), pneumonia (55.7% of pulmonary cases), myocardial infarction (40.9% of cardiovascular), intracranial haemorrhage (37.3% of neurological), and cirrhosis (45.0% of gastrointestinal). There were multiple causes among malignant disorders with no single cause dominating. Patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary deaths tended to be older than the median age (p = 0.001), while patients with gastrointestinal and cancer related deaths tended to be younger than the median age (p = 0.001). Length of stay did not differ significantly among the various subgroups. About a quarter (26.4%) deaths occurred within 24 h of admission.ConclusionsInfections, including septicaemia and pneumonia, are the leading causes of hospital mortality in our setting, followed by malignancy and cardiovascular causes. The overall mortality rate is comparable to published mortality data from other hospital settings.
Preventing type 2 diabetes: can we make the evidence work?
Authors: Yates T , Davies M , Khunti K 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is associated with many serious comorbidities and is one of the leading causes of mortality globally. Type 2 diabetes is preceded by a condition called prediabetes, which is characterised by elevated glucose concentrations resulting from peripheral and/or hepatic insulin resistance. Individuals with prediabetes have been the traditional target of diabetes prevention programmes; these have consistently shown that lifestyle modification can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This has led to the implementation of diabetes prevention initiatives in several countries. However, a number of key areas still need to be addressed. For example, important questions remain regarding how best to identify at-risk individuals and whether the findings from resource intensive research projects can be replicated using pragmatic lifestyle interventions tailored to the resources and infrastructure available to usual health care practice. This article highlights findings from diabetes prevention programmes and discusses key issues involved in translating research into practice.
Palaeoproterozoic supercontinents and global evolution: correlations from core to atmosphere
Authors: Reddy S. M. , Evans D. A. D. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe Palaeoproterozoic era was a time of profound change in Earth evolution and represented perhaps the first supercontinent cycle, from the amalgamation and dispersal of a possible Neoarchaean supercontinent to the formation of the 1.9–1.8 Ga supercontinent Nuna. This supercontinent cycle, although currently lacking in palaeogeographic detail, can in principle provide a contextual framework to investigate the relationships between deep-Earth and surface processes. In this article, we graphically summarize secular evolution from the Earth's core to its atmosphere, from the Neoarchaean to the Mesoproterozoic eras (specifically 3.0–1.2 Ga), to reveal intriguing temporal relationships across the various ‘spheres’ of the Earth system. At the broadest level our compilation confirms an important deep-Earth event atc. 2.7 Ga that is manifested in an abrupt increase in geodynamo palaeointensity, a peak in the global record of large igneous provinces, and a broad maximum in several mantle-depletion proxies. Temporal coincidence with juvenile continental crust production and orogenic gold, massive-sulphide and porphyry copper deposits, indicate enhanced mantle convection linked to a series of mantle plumes and/or slab avalanches. The subsequent stabilization of cratonic lithosphere, the possible development of Earth's first supercontinent and the emergence of the continents led to a changing surface environment in which voluminous banded iron-formations could accumulate on the continental margins and photosynthetic life could flourish. This in turn led to irreversible atmospheric oxidation at 2.4–2.3 Ga, extreme events in global carbon cycling, and the possible dissipation of a former methane greenhouse atmosphere that resulted in extensive Palaeoproterozoic ice ages. Following the great oxidation event, shallow marine sulphate levels rose, sediment-hosted and iron-oxide-rich metal deposits became abundant, and the transition to sulphide-stratified oceans provided the environment for early eukaryotic evolution. Recent advances in the geochronology of the global stratigraphic record have made these inferences possible. Frontiers for future research include more refined modelling of Earth's thermal and geodynamic evolution, palaeomagnetic studies of geodynamo intensity and continental motions, further geochronology and tectonic syntheses at regional levels, development of new isotopic systems to constrain geochemical cycles, and continued innovation in the search for records of early life in relation to changing palaeoenvironments.
U-Pb and Sm-Nd constraints on the nature of the Campinorte sequence and related Palaeoproterozoic juvenile orthogneisses, Tocantins Province, central Brazil
Authors: Giustina Maria E. S. D. , de Oliveira Claudinei G. , Pimentel Márcio M. , de Melo Luciana V. , Fuck Reinhardt A. , Dantas Elton L. , Buhn Bernhard 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
The Palaeoproterozoic era was the most important stage of crustal accretion in the South American Platform, being responsible for the development of several magmatic arcs, which represent approximately 35% of the present-day continental crust.

The recently mapped Campinorte volcano-sedimentary sequence and associated plutonic rocks represent this Palaeoproterozoic history in the northern Brasilia Belt, central Brazil. The sequence consists of metapsammites and metapelites, with interbedded lenses of gondites and metacherts, as well as rhyolite and pyroclastic deposits. Tonalite, granodiorite and granite crystallized between
c
. 2.18 and 2.16 Ga, as indicated by U–Pb zircon analyses. Sm–Nd T
DM
model ages range between
c
. 2.1 and 2.7 Ga, with
ε
Nd
values ranging from −2.14 to +3.36, indicating the dominantly juvenile nature of the original magmas. A LA-ICPMS provenance study of zircon grains from a quartzite sample reveals a single sediment source with Palaeoproterozoic age. The data presented here provide new information on the Palaeoproterozoic juvenile crust of central Brazil and suggest correlation with other Palaeoproterozoic provinces, especially the Birimian Belt in West African Craton and those of the Guiana Shield, thus contributing to reconstruction of the Columbia supercontinent.
Correlations and reconstruction models for the 2500-1500 Ma evolution of the Mawson Continent
Authors: Payne Justin L. , Hand Martin , Barovich Karin M. , Reid Anthony , Evans David A. D. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractContinental lithosphere formed and reworked during the Palaeoproterozoic era is a major component of pre-1070 Ma Australia and the East Antarctic Shield. Within this lithosphere, the Mawson Continent encompasses the Gawler–Adélie Craton in southern Australia and Antarctica, and crust of the Miller Range, Transantarctic Mountains, which are interpreted to have assembled duringc. 1730–1690 Ma tectonism of the Kimban–Nimrod–Strangways orogenies. Recent geochronology has strengthened correlations between the Mawson Continent and Shackleton Range (Antarctica), but the potential for Meso- to Neoproterozoic rifting and/or accretion events prevent any confident extension of the Mawson Continent to include the Shackleton Range. Proposed later addition (c. 1600–1550 Ma) of the Coompana Block and its Antarctic extension provides the final component of the Mawson Continent. A new model proposed for the late Archaean to early Mesoproterozoic evolution of the Mawson Continent highlights important timelines in the tectonic evolution of the Australian lithosphere. The Gawler–Adélie Craton and adjacent Curnamona Province are interpreted to share correlatable timelines with the North Australian Craton atc. 2500–2430 Ma,c. 2000 Ma, 1865–1850 Ma, 1730–1690 Ma and 1600–1550 Ma. These common timelines are used to suggest the Gawler–Adélie Craton and North Australian Craton formed a contiguous continental terrain during the entirety of the Palaeoproterozoic. Revised palaeomagnetic constraints for global correlation of proto-Australia highlight an apparently static relationship with northwestern Laurentia during thec. 1730–1590 Ma time period. These data have important implications for many previously proposed reconstruction models and are used as a primary constraint in the configuration of the reconstruction model proposed herein. This palaeomagnetic link strengthens previous correlations between the Wernecke region of northwestern Laurentia and terrains in the eastern margin of proto-Australia.
Palaeoproterozoic to Eoarchaean crustal growth in southern Siberia: a Nd-isotope synthesis
Authors: Gladkochub Dmitry P. , Donskaya Tatiana V. , Reddy Steven M. , Poller Ulrike , Bayanova Tamara B. , Mazukabzov Anatoliy M. , Dril Sergei , Todt Wolfgang , Pisarevsky Sergei A. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Nd-isotope analyses from 114 rock samples are reported from the southern part of the Siberian craton to establish a first-order crustal formation scheme for the region. The Nd-isotope data show considerable variability within and among different cratonic units. In many cases this variability reflects differing degrees of mixing between juvenile and older (up to Eoarchaean) crustal components. The fragments of Palaeoproterozoic juvenile crust within the studied segment of the Siberian craton margin have Nd-model ages of
c
. 2.0–2.3 Ga. Voluminous Palaeoproterozoic granites (
c
. 1.85 Ga) were intruded into cratonic fragments and suture zones. These granites mark the stabilization of the southern Siberian craton. The complexity in the Nd data indicate a long history of crustal development, extending from the Eoarchaean to the Palaeoproterozoic eras, which is interpreted to reflect the amalgamation of distinct Archaean crustal fragments, with differing histories, during Palaeoproterozoic accretion at 1.9–2.0 Ga and subsequent cratonic stabilization at 1.85 Ga. Such a model temporally coincides with important orogenic events on nearly every continent and suggests that the Siberian craton participated in the formation of a Palaeoproterozoic supercontinent at around 1.9 Ga.