bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mission impossible? Bringing charges for the crime of attacking civilians or civilian objects before international criminal tribunals
Authors: Wuerzner Carolin 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThree main arguments may explain why few cases in international (and national) criminal law include charges for attacks against civilians or civilian objects. The law may be not sufficiently clear, there may be a lack of evidence or the selection of military targets may be based on mainly subjective considerations, which make it very hard to establish individual culpability. This article examines some legal and practical reasons for the difficulties the prosecutor faces when trying to charge individuals with such crimes. Although there are few examples, the ICTY has shown that it is generally possible to hold individuals responsible for such crimes.
C-type natriuretic peptide production by the human kidney is blunted in chronic heart failure
Authors: Kalra Paul R. , Clague Jonathan R. , Coats Andrew J. , Anker Stefan D. , Poole-Wilson Philip A. , Struthers Allan D. 
Published: May 2009

CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide) is a vasodilatory peptide produced by vascular endothelium and the human heart with a short half-life. CNP has been identified within the human kidney; however, few results are available on whether the human kidney is a systemic source of CNP. The aim of the present study was to establish whether CNP is secreted by the human kidney and if synthesis is blunted in CHF (chronic heart failure). A total of 20 male subjects (age, 57±2 years; mean±S.E.M.) undergoing CHF assessment (n=13) or investigation of paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmia (normal left ventricular function in sinus rhythm during procedure) (n=7) were recruited. Renal CNP production was determined from concomitant plasma concentrations in the aorta and renal vein. When considering all subjects, a significant step-up in plasma CNP was found from the aorta to renal vein (3.0±0.3 compared with 8.3±2.4 pg/ml respectively; P=0.0045). The mean increase in CNP was 5.3±2.4 pg/ml (range, −0.9 to +45.3 pg/ml). In patients with CHF, the aortic concentration was 3.3±0.4 pg/ml compared with a renal vein concentration of 4.3±0.6 pg/ml (P=0.11). In those with normal left ventricular function, the respective values were 2.5±0.5 and 15.7±6.0 pg/ml (P=0.01). In conclusion, CNP is synthesized and secreted into the circulation by the normal human kidney, where it may have paracrine actions. Net renal secretion of CNP appears to be blunted in patients with CHF.
Cumulative delivery rate in an in vitro fertilization program with a single embryo transfer policy
Authors: SUNDSTRÖM PER , SALDEEN PIA 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. To investigate the cumulative delivery rate for women completing three fresh embryo transfer cycles or giving birth after the first or second transfer cycle in an in vitro fertilization program with a single embryo transfer (SET) policy. Setting. Privately run infertility clinic in southern Sweden (Skåne region). Population. Four hundred fifty‐three consecutive, unselected public patients beginning an ovum pick‐up cycle between July 2002 and June 2004. Method. Retrospective, observational study. Main outcome measure: Cumulative delivery rates. Results. Of 370 women who completed the study with up to three fresh ET cycles (90% SETs), 244 women (66%) progressed to delivery. Among the deliveries were three sets of twins (1%), one dizygotic. Cumulative delivery rates showed significant differences relative to age <36 (71%) and ≥36 years (47%), and delivery rates relative to rank of ET cycle (first and second vs. third ET cycle – 35, 34, and 21% delivery rates, respectively). Conclusions. The 66% cumulative delivery rate is in accordance with rates in similar observational studies and in estimation studies, in which predominantly two embryos were used for transfer. The multiple delivery rate was low. We suggest that repeated SET cycles can be implemented on a large scale even in a primarily unselected patient population without compromising the outcome.
Diagnostic delay experienced among gynecological cancer patients: a nationwide survey in Denmark
Authors: ROBINSON KIRSTINE M. , OTTESEN BENT , CHRISTENSEN KARL BANG , KRASNIK ALLAN 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. To examine diagnostic delay among gynecological cancer patients. Design. Nationwide study. Setting. The cohort comprised all women receiving their first treatment for cervical, endometrial, or ovarian cancer between 1 October 2006 and 1 December 2007 in four of the five centers for gynecological cancer surgery in Denmark. Sample. Of the 911 women alive, 648 participated, resulting in a response rate of 71.1%; of these, 30.1% were diagnosed with cervical cancer, 31.0% with endometrial cancer, and 38.9% with ovarian cancer. Methods. Questionnaire survey. Main outcome measures. Diagnostic delay calculated as total delay, patient delay, general practitioner referral delay, gynecologist appointment delay, and secondary care delay. Results. Diagnostic delays were found in all parts of the diagnostic pathway. Total diagnostic delay has remained long with a median delay of 12 weeks from the time patients experience symptoms until the time they receive treatment; the 10% experiencing the longest delay wait for >41 weeks. For all types of delay, distributions were non‐normal. This indicates that the greatest potential for optimizing clinical outcomes may be among the minority of patients experiencing very long delays. Ovarian cancer patients experienced significantly shorter delays compared with other gynecological cancer patients in all parts of the health care system. Conclusions. Delays occur in all parts of the diagnostic process, suggesting that a multifaceted approach should be adopted with special focus on reducing the very long delays experienced by some patients. By reducing the total diagnostic delays, outcomes such as three‐year survival rates can potentially be improved.
Intravascular ultrasound with a vector phased-array probe (acunav) is feasible in endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Eriksson M.-O. , Wanhainen A. , Nyman R. 
Published: May 2009

Background: The ideal imaging method for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) should provide all data regarding diagnosis, measurements, and guiding of stent-graft deployment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is used for preoperative EVAR planning, together with intraoperative angiography. However, the administered contrast volume might result in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Purpose: To develop a technique for aortic measurements, vessel wall evaluation, and stent-graft positioning by using a vector phased-array intravascular ultrasound probe with color Doppler function (AcuNav) in elective EVAR. Material and Methods: Thirteen elective EVAR patients were included. AcuNav was compared to pre- and postoperative CT examinations, perioperative angiography, and postoperative duplex. Results: Measurements for stent-graft sizing were easily obtained and facilitated by the color Doppler function and corresponded well with CT and angiography. The combined information from AcuNav and fluoroscopy provided exact positioning of the stent graft. An aortic placement of the probe provided superior imaging results compared to an inferior vena cava approach. Detection of endoleak was found to be difficult. No complications were registered. Conclusion: The use of AcuNav combined with fluoroscopy in EVAR was found to be safe, effective, and feasible in planning and guiding EVAR procedures. Best results were seen with the probe placed in the artery. AcuNav might be used to replace contrast-enhanced CT and angiography, hence reducing the risk of CIN, especially in high-risk patients.
An experimental investigation of the determinants and consequences of self‐handicapping strategies across motivational climates
Authors: Coudevylle Guillaume R. , Martin Ginis Kathleen A. , Famose Jean‐Pierre , Gernigon Christophe 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine whether the use of claimed and behavioural self‐handicaps and their correlates differed across experimentally manipulated motivational climates. Fifty‐six competitive basketball players participated in the study. A crossover design was used, such that all participants completed the experimental task (i.e. a test of basketball skill) in both mastery and performance climates. Analyses of variance showed that claimed self‐handicaps were used more in the performance than the mastery condition but only for the men. In addition, greater behavioural self‐handicapping occurred in the performance than the mastery climate. Contrary to expectation, neither type of self‐handicap was related to performance on the basketball task in either climate. These findings reinforce the conceptual distinction between claimed and behavioural self‐handicaps and suggest that individual and environmental factors may differentially influence each type of handicap.
BRCA1 promoter methylation associated with poor survival in Chinese patients with sporadic breast cancer
Authors: Chen Yanglin , Zhou Jing , Xu Ye , Li Zhaosheng , Wen Xianzi , Yao Lihua , Xie Yuntao , Deng Dajun 
Published: May 2009

Transcriptional inactivation of breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) by DNA methylation is a frequent event in sporadic breast cancers. To investigate whether BRCA1 methylation is associated with survival in Chinese patients with sporadic breast cancer, BRCA1 methylation was determined using methylation specific PCR in 536 sporadic breast cancers. Survival curves for patients with methylated and unmethylated BRCA1 were compared using the log‐rank tests. Twenty‐six percent (139/536) of patients exhibited BRCA1 methylation in their tumors. The degree of BRCA1 methylation was correlated with clinical stages of breast cancer, but was not significant. Patients with BRCA1 methylated tumors had a significantly worse 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) than did patients with unmethylated tumors (DFS: 73.2%vs 82.6%, P = 0.045; DSS 80.5%vs 87%, P = 0.038, two‐sided). In conclusions, BRCA1 methylation is a frequent event in breast cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcome in Chinese women with breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1663–1667)
Zebrafish modelling of leukaemias
Authors: Payne Elspeth , Look Thomas 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe use of animal models has revealed important mechanisms relevant to the development and treatment of human cancer. In recent years the zebrafish has emerged as an exciting new organism in which to model leukaemogenesis. The zebrafish model has distinct advantages over other animal models, most notably a capacity for forward genetic studies and rapid small molecule screens which can be used to dissect novel genetic pathways contributing to the development of leukaemia. Additionally, the high fecundity and optical clarity of the zebrafish make it an attractive organism in which to directly visualize the localization and development of normal and abnormal haematopoiesis in vivo. Until recently, targeting mutations to specific genes was technically difficult in the zebrafish, but new technology using chimeric zinc fingers to create targeted gene knockouts has made reverse genetic modelling possible and promises to deliver many new and exciting models. This review summarizes the benefits of using the zebrafish to study leukaemogenesis, reviews current zebrafish models of specific leukaemias, and gives an overview of future direction for the zebrafish in the study of cancer.
Rituximab in non‐haematological disorders of adults and its mode of action
Authors: McDonald Vickie , Leandro Maria 
Published: May 2009

SummaryRituximab is currently licenced for the treatment of CD20 positive lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, it is increasingly being used off‐label in a wide variety of non‐haematological conditions. Although there are limited numbers of randomised controlled trials, there is a growing body of evidence for its efficacy in rheumatology, renal disease, solid organ transplantation, neuromuscular disorders, skin and endocrine disorders. The mechanism of action of rituximab in these conditions is not always clear and is likely to be via modification of both B and T cell function. Rituximab appears to be well tolerated in most groups of patients but certain side effects may be more prominent in particular conditions. This review examines the evidence base behind the use of rituximab in non‐haematological conditions in adults and any special considerations that need to be taken into account when treating particular disease groups.
Diagnostic management of clinically suspected acute deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Tan Melanie , Van Rooden Cornelis J. , Westerbeek Robin E. , Huisman Menno V. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common disease that may lead to potentially fatal complications, such as pulmonary embolism. In the past decades several diagnostic tools and algorithms for DVT have been studied. Currently the combination of a clinical decision rule, D‐dimer testing and compression ultrasonography has proved to be safe and effective for the diagnosis of DVT in the lower extremities. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be useful as additional or secondary imaging modalities. This review will discuss the elements currently used in making the clinical diagnosis of DVT. These elements include clinical decision rules and D‐dimer testing, different imaging investigations and the appropriate use of these within diagnostic algorithms in patients with clinically suspected DVT. Although current knowledge of the options available to diagnose DVT of the lower extremities is well established, there are still unresolved issues, including the optimal diagnosis of recurrent DVT and distal DVT. Furthermore, the diagnosis of DVT of the upper extremities will be discussed, including the different imaging modalities and the limitations of these techniques.
Ecologically heterogeneous populations of the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata within its native and introduced ranges
Authors: ORIVEL JÉRÔME , GRANGIER JULIEN , FOUCAUD JULIEN , LE BRETON JULIEN , ANDRÈS FRANÇOIS‐XAVIER , JOURDAN HERVÉ , DELABIE JACQUES H. C. , FOURNIER DENIS , CERDAN PHILIPPE , FACON BENOIT , ESTOUP ARNAUD , DEJEAN ALAIN 
Published: May 2009

Abstract 1. The biology of most invasive species in their native geographical areas remains largely unknown. Such studies are, however, crucial in shedding light on the ecological and evolutionary processes underlying biological invasions.2. The present study focuses on the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata, a species native to Central and South America that has been widely introduced and which has become invasive throughout the tropics. We characterise and compare several ecological traits of native populations in French Guiana with those in one of its introduced ranges, New Caledonia.3. We found ecologically heterogeneous populations of W. auropunctata coexisting in the species’ native geographical area. First, we found populations restricted to naturally perturbed areas (particularly floodplains) within the primary forest, and absent from the surrounding forest areas. These populations were characterised by low nest and worker densities. Second, we found dominant populations in recent anthropogenic areas (e.g. secondary forest or forest edge along road) characterised by high nest and worker densities, and associated with low ant species richness. The local dominance of W. auropunctata in such areas can be due to the displacement of other species (cause) or the filling‐up of empty habitats unsuitable to other ants (effect). With respect to their demographic features and ant species richness, the populations of native anthropogenic habitats were to a large extent similar to the invasive populations introduced into remote areas.4. The results point to the need for greater research efforts to better understand the ecological and demographic features of invasive species within their native ranges.
Assessing the consistency of response metrics of the invertebrate benthos: a comparison of trait‐ and identity‐based measures
Authors: POLLARD A. I. , YUAN L. L. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. The use of species traits to interpret biological changes in invertebrate assemblages across environmental gradients has been suggested as a method to improve discrimination over existing species composition methods. One reason for greater potential discrimination and predictive ability is the assumed universality of traits across a range of spatial and temporal scales. We explore this assumption by comparing the consistency of stressor–response relationships of a trait characteristic (percent clinging taxa) and a common taxonomy‐based metric [percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT)] over a stressor gradient of increasing benthic fine sediment.2. We use invertebrate assemblage and environmental data from three large‐scale surveys that cover the western United States, eastern United States and the Mid‐Atlantic Highlands of the US. These three datasets allow us to compare stressor–response relationships in terms of geographic position (west versus east) and spatial scale (entire east versus a sub‐region of the east). We compare the slopes and intercepts of the two measures of assemblage response.3. Trait characteristics exhibited more consistent stressor–response relationships than identity characteristics. Stressor–response relationships generated for clinging invertebrate richness had statistically similar slopes over sediment gradients, regardless of spatial scale or geographic location. In contrast, slopes were significantly different for relationships generated with EPT richness over sediment gradients.4. Results of this study support the hypothesis that trait‐based measures have a more consistent response to a stressor gradient than identity‐based assemblage measures. Choosing consistent measures of community response will facilitate comparisons among assemblages across large spatial scales.
Cortical locations of maximal spindle activity: magnetoencephalography (MEG) study
Authors: GUMENYUK VALENTINA , ROTH THOMAS , MORAN JOHN E. , JEFFERSON CATHERINE , BOWYER SUSAN M. , TEPLEY NORMAN , DRAKE CHRISTOPHER L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the main cortical regions related to maximal spindle activity of sleep stage 2 in healthy individual subjects during a brief morning nap using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Eight volunteers (mean age: 26.1 ± 8.7, six women) all right handed, free of any medical psychiatric or sleep disorders were studied. Whole‐head 148‐channel MEG and a conventional polysomnography montage (EEG; C3, C4, O1 and O2 scalp electrodes and EOG, EMG and ECG electrodes) were used for data collection. Sleep MEG/EEG spindles were visually identified during 15 min of stage 2 sleep for each participant. The distribution of brain activity corresponding to each spindle was calculated using a combination of independent component analysis and a current source density technique superimposed upon individual MRIs. The absolute maximum of spindle activation was localized to frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. However, the most common cortical regions for maximal source spindle activity were precentral and/or postcentral areas across all individuals. The present study suggests that maximal spindle activity localized to these two regions may represent a single event for two types of spindle frequency: slow (at 12 Hz) and fast (at 14 Hz) within global thalamocortical coherence.
Benefits of napping in healthy adults: impact of nap length, time of day, age, and experience with napping
Authors: MILNER CATHERINE E. , COTE KIMBERLY A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryNapping is a cross‐cultural phenomenon which occurs across the lifespan. People vary widely in the frequency with which they nap as well as the improvements in alertness and well‐being experienced. The systematic study of daytime napping is important to understand the benefits in alertness and performance that may be accrued from napping. This review paper investigates factors that affect the benefits of napping such as duration and temporal placement of the nap. In addition, the influence of subject characteristics such as age and experience with napping is examined. The focus of the review is on benefits for healthy individuals with regular sleep/wake schedules rather than for people with sleep or medical disorders. The goal of the review is to summarize the type of performance improvements that result from napping, critique the existing studies, and make recommendations for future research.
Circadian rhythm in handwriting
Authors: JASPER ISABELLE , HÄUßLER ANDREAS , MARQUARDT CHRISTIAN , HERMSDÖRFER JOACHIM 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to determine whether the motor process of handwriting is influenced by a circadian rhythm. Nine healthy young male subjects underwent a 40‐h sleep deprivation protocol under constant routine conditions. Starting at 09:00 hours, subjects performed every 3 h two handwriting tasks of different complexity. Handwriting performance was evaluated by writing speed, writing fluency and script size. The frequency of handwriting, as a measure of movement speed, revealed a circadian rhythm, validated by harmonic regression, with a slowing at the time of the onset of melatonin secretion (22:17 hours) and a trough in the very early morning at around 03:30 hours. In the temporal variability of handwriting an effect of task complexity was suggested in the direction of circadian variations in parallel with speed only for the sentence. Despite deficits of speed and temporal variability, writing fluency did not change significantly across sessions indicating that the basic automation of handwriting was preserved at any time. On the second day, daytime levels of the kinematics of handwriting did not reflect impaired performance after sleep deprivation. Our results show for the first time a clear circadian rhythm for the production of handwriting.
Error correction maintains post‐error adjustments after one night of total sleep deprivation
Authors: HSIEH SHULAN , TSAI CHENG‐YIN , TSAI LING‐LING 
Published: May 2009

SummaryPrevious behavioral and electrophysiologic evidence indicates that one night of total sleep deprivation (TSD) impairs error monitoring, including error detection, error correction, and posterror adjustments (PEAs). This study examined the hypothesis that error correction, manifesting as an overtly expressed self‐generated performance feedback to errors, can effectively prevent TSD‐induced impairment in the PEAs. Sixteen healthy right‐handed adults (seven women and nine men) aged 19–23 years were instructed to respond to a target arrow flanked by four distracted arrows and to correct their errors immediately after committing errors. Task performance and electroencephalogram (EEG) data were collected after normal sleep (NS) and after one night of TSD in a counterbalanced repeated‐measures design. With the demand of error correction, the participants maintained the same level of PEAs in reducing the error rate for trial N + 1 after TSD as after NS. Corrective behavior further affected the PEAs for trial N + 1 in the omission rate and response speed, which decreased and speeded up following corrected errors, particularly after TSD. These results show that error correction effectively maintains posterror reduction in both committed and omitted errors after TSD. A cerebral mechanism might be involved in the effect of error correction as EEG beta (17–24 Hz) activity was increased after erroneous responses compared to after correct responses. The practical application of error correction to increasing work safety, which can be jeopardized by repeated errors, is suggested for workers who are involved in monotonous but attention‐demanding monitoring tasks.