bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Political representation and the normative logic of two-level games
Authors: Savage Deborah , Weale Albert 
Published: March 2009

This paper develops the normative logic of two-level games linking international negotiation and domestic acceptability. The kernel of the logic is to be found in the claim that normatively governed relations involve agents simultaneously asking whether the expectations that they have under an agreement are reasonable given the expectations of others under that agreement. This normative logic mirrors the empirical logic that Putnam (1988) identified in his seminal account.The normative logic is derived from a consideration of relevant concepts of representation, and in particular the concepts of authorization in international negotiation and accountability in domestic ratification. Rawls’ (1996) distinction between the reasonable and the rational is then deployed to state normative conditions of domestic acceptability as well as the obligations of fairness that states owe to one another. Two implications for democratic theory are drawn.
Efficacy of metformin supplementation during ovarian stimulation of lean PCOS patients undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: KUMBAK BANU , KAHRAMAN SEMRA 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective. To evaluate the effect of metformin addition during ovarian hyperstimulation on cycle parameters and outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with a body mass index (BMI) <28 kg/m2. Design. Retrospective review of patients’ records. Setting. Istanbul Memorial Hospital Assisted Reproductive Treatment Unit. Population. A total of 339 non‐obese PCOS patients undergoing IVF were evaluated according to the supplementation of metformin. Methods. Cycle parameters and IVF outcomes of 220 patients given metformin were compared to those of 119 patients treated without metformin. Main outcome measures. Implantation and pregnancy rates. Results. Metformin co‐treatment led to significantly lower peak E2 levels (3,481 pg/ml vs. 4,192 pg/ml; p <0.0001). However, gonadotropin consumption, stimulation duration, numbers of total and mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, and ratio of grade I embryos developed were similar in both groups. In the metformin administered group, significantly higher implantation (25% vs. 18%; p = 0.003) and pregnancy rates (58% vs. 45%; p = 0.04) were achieved. Abortion and moderate–severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome rates were found to be similar in both groups. Conclusions. Although metformin use was especially and strongly recommended in obese PCOS cases, its supplementation during IVF in PCOS patients with a BMI <28 kg/m2 was observed to be beneficial and efficacious.
Correlation between Aurora‐A expression and the prognosis of cervical carcinoma patients
Authors: ZHANG WEI , WANG JIAN , LIU SHU‐JUAN , HUA WEI , XIN XIAO‐YAN 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective. Aurora‐A, a novel member of the serine/threonine kinase family, has been reported to be correlated with tumorigenesis. Our aim was to investigate whether Aurora‐A expression correlates with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of cervical carcinoma patients. Design/setting. Retrospective study. Population. Seventy‐four cervical carcinoma patients, between 1996 and 2002. Methods. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays were performed to detect the expression of Aurora‐A gene in cervical carcinoma cells and paired cancerous and corresponding noncancerous tissues from 74 cervical carcinoma patients. The expression of Aurora‐A protein in tissues was also determined by immunohistochemistry. The relationships of Aurora‐A expression with clinical factors and prognosis of patients were evaluated by statistical analysis. Results. The expression of Aurora‐A mRNA and protein was significantly higher in cervical carcinoma cells than in normal cervical epithelial cell (p <0.05). The expression of Aurora‐A mRNA in cancerous tissues was significantly higher than that in corresponding noncancerous tissues (p<0.001). The expression of Aurora‐A protein was also increased in tumor tissues by immunochemistry. Aurora‐A transcript expression was correlated with FIGO stage (p = 0.018), tumor differentiation (p = 0.014), parametrial invasion (p = 0.024), lymphnode or hematogenous metastasis (p = 0.005 or 0.019), but not other clinicopathological factors. Patients with high Aurora‐A expression had a poorer disease‐free survival and overall survival rates than patients with low Aurora‐A expression. Multivariate analysis showed that high Aurora‐A mRNA expression was an independent prognostic factor (risk ratio: 2.88; p = 0.005). Conclusions. Aurora‐A might be used as a prognostic marker for cervical carcinoma patients.
Jordanian obstetricians’ personal preference regarding mode of delivery
Authors: LATAIFEH ISAM , ZAYED FAHEEM , AL‐KURAN OQBA , AL‐MEHAISEN LAMA , KHRIESAT WADAH , KHADER YOUSEF 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe personal preference of Jordanian obstetricians regarding mode of delivery in uncomplicated pregnancy with singleton cephalic presentation at term was surveyed by an anonymous structured questionnaire distributed at five conferences/scientific meetings on obstetrics and gynecology held in Jordan in 2007. The response rate was 70% (n = 315), and 22 (7%) of the respondents chose elective cesarean section (CS). Respondents <45 years seemed to be more in favor of elective CS than those ≥55 years (14.1% vs. 3.7%). In multivariate analysis, increased age was inversely associated with the odds of choosing elective CS (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99, p = 0.024) after adjusting for gender, sector, and duration of practice. The main reasons for preferring abdominal delivery were the fear of long‐term sequel (stress incontinence and anal sphincter damage) and the wish to preserve sexual function (86.4 and 50.0%, respectively). The majority of Jordanian obstetricians and gynecologists preferred vaginal delivery in uncomplicated pregnancy for themselves or their wives.
Composite material stent comprising metallic wire and polylactic acid fibers, and its mechanical strength and retrievability
Authors: Shomura Y. , Tanigawa N. , Tokuda T. , Kariya S. , Kojima H. , Komemushi A. , Sawada S. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Although metallic stents are characterized by strong expanse of force, thin walls, and easy stent deployment, their removal from the body is usually difficult or impossible due to the difficulty of unraveling their mesh structure. A stent built of a composite material comprising a metallic wire and a polylactic acid (PLA) fiber, in which the metallic wire component could be unraveled after PLA fiber degradation in the body, should allow easy stent removal. Purpose: To evaluate the mechanical strength and retrievability of a composite material stent comprising a metallic wire and a PLA fiber. Material and Methods: We produced a composite material stent comprising a metallic wire and a biodegradable fiber (hybrid stent). As the metallic wire is not cross-linked with itself, but with the PLA fibers only, the hybrid stent can be easily unraveled after PLA fiber degradation. This stent was built with a 0.2-mm stainless-steel wire and a 0.23-mm PLA fiber knitted in the same textile as an Ultraflex stent. For comparison, an identical stent was built using PLA fiber only (PLA stent). The mechanical strength of these stents was tested by the radial expansive force response against circumferential shrinkage stress load. Change in radial force due to PLA fiber degradation was estimated by adding an artificial PLA degeneration process, by immersing each stent in a water bath at 80°C for 48 hours. Retrievability of the hybrid stent after PLA degeneration was examined by hooking and pulling out the residual stainless-steel wire from a silicon tube. Results: The hybrid stent exhibited a linear response in radial expansive force within the range of 15% diameter reduction. The PLA stent did not exhibit linear response at over 15% diameter reduction. Decrease of radial expansive force after PLA degradation was within 5% of the original force in the hybrid stent, but the PLA stent did not create effective radial expansive force. Hybrid stents, even after PLA degradation, exhibited a linear response in radial expansive force, within the range of 15% diameter reduction. The metallic component of the heat-processed hybrid stent was easily unraveled by pulling out the wire. Conclusion: The hybrid stent comprising a stainless-steel wire and a PLA fiber appears to provide effective radial expansive force and retrievability.
Involvement of the proximal tibiofibular joint in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Hong Hyun Pyo , Chung Hye Won , Choi Byeong-Kyoo , Yoon Young Cheol , Choi Sang Hee 
Published: March 2009

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) may affect peripheral joints, with the shoulder, hip, and knee being well known involved sites. However, involvement of the proximal tibiofibular (PTF) joint has not yet been investigated. Purpose: To evaluate PTF joint abnormalities in patients with AS. Material and Methods: From July 1997 to June 2005, 16 patients (15 male, one female; mean age 25 years), who were clinically diagnosed with AS, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate knee pain. All patients also underwent plain radiographs of the knee, lumbar spine, and pelvis. Twenty knee MRIs (bilateral in four patients) and 16 sets of knee, lumbar spine, and pelvic radiographs were retrospectively reviewed in order to evaluate possible AS involvement. The presence of abnormalities suggesting AS involvement were recorded separately in the sacroiliac joints, lumbar spine, hip, and femorotibial and PTF joints. If the PTF joint showed any pathologic findings, the radiologic findings were recorded. Results: Three of 16 patients (18.7%) had pathologic features of the PTF joint observed by plain radiographs or MRI. One of these three patients showed bilateral involvement of the PTF joints on plain radiographs, while the other two patients showed unilateral involvement on MRI. Subchondral sclerosis, cartilage abnormality, erosion, and abnormal bone marrow signal intensity were identified on MRI. Plain radiographs of two patients revealed subchondral sclerosis and spur formation in the PTF joint. The frequencies of involvement of other joints in the 16 patients were as follows: lumbar spine, n=5 (31%), hip joint, n=1 (6%) (identified by plain radiographs), and femorotibial joints, n=10 (62.5%) (identified by knee MRI). Conclusion: MR imaging of the PTF joint can depict synovial changes and their effect on joint structures in patients with AS. The MRI findings of AS involving the PTF joints are subchondral sclerosis, cartilage abnormality, erosion, and abnormal bone marrow signal intensity.
Success of an Infection Control Program to Reduce the Spread of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kochar Sandeep , Sheard Timothy , Sharma Roopali , Hui Alan , Tolentino Elaine , Allen George , Landman David , Bratu Simona , Augenbraun Michael , Quale John 
Published: March 2009

Objective.To assess the effect of enhanced infection control measures with screening for gastrointestinal colonization on limiting the spread of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a New York City hospital endemic for this pathogen.Design.Retrospective observational study with pre- and postinterventional phases.Methods.Beginning in 2006, a comprehensive infection control program was instituted in a 10-bed medical and surgical intensive care unit at a university-based medical center. In addition to being placed in contact isolation, all patients colonized or infected with carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were cohorted to one end of the unit. Improved decontamination of hands and environmental surfaces was encouraged. In addition, routine rectal surveillance cultures were screened for the presence of carbapenem-resistant pathogens. The number of patients per quarter with clinical cultures positive for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae was compared during the approximately 2-year periods before and after the intervention.Results.The mean number ( ± SD) of new patients per 1,000 patient-days per quarter with cultures yielding carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae decreased from 9.7 ± 2.2 before the intervention to 3.7 ± 1.6 after the intervention (P< .001 ). There was no change in the mean number of patient-days or the mean number of patients per quarter with cultures yielding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, or carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa after the intervention. There was no association between antibiotic usage patterns and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.Conclusions.The comprehensive intervention that combined intensified infection control measures with routine rectal surveillance cultures was helpful in reducing the incidence of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae in an intensive care unit where strains producing the carbapenemase KPC were endemic.
Traditional kinship foster care in northern Ghana: the experiences and views of children, carers and adults in Tamale
Authors: Kuyini Ahmed Bawa , Alhassan Abdul Razak , Tollerud Inga , Weld Hanne , Haruna Iddi 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTSurveys were employed to explore the experiences of children in care and their carers about traditional fostering. They also examined the perspectives of randomly selected adults in the community about the practice of traditional foster care in the Tamale area of northern Ghana. The 74 participants responded to closed‐ and open‐ended interview questions about traditional foster care. Frequencies and thematic grouping of qualitative responses showed that the need to keep family ties alive was the key reason for placement of children with family and kin. Majority of the children expressed satisfaction with living in foster care, even though they had experienced physical and emotional abuse and intimidation. Although most carers were not formally employed and had little personal income, they were positive about having the care role, but faced challenges in providing for many children in a difficult economic situation. The report highlights the role of reciprocity, altruistic and socio‐cultural factors in quality of care, and the potential for the traditional kinship foster care to provide suitable avenues of placement for children as recommended by the Ghana child rights law. It also identifies the need for education for carers around children's needs and Ghana's child rights law.
A longitudinal study of autism spectrum disorders in individuals diagnosed with a developmental language disorder as children
Authors: Mouridsen S. E. , Hauschild K‐M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  A number of studies have shown that the diagnosis of developmental language disorder (DLD) can be unstable over time, such that young children with a diagnosis of DLD may show symptoms more characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at a later date.Method  To estimate the types and prevalence of ASD 469 individuals with a DLD, consecutively assessed in the same clinic during a period of 10 years, and 2345 controls from the general population were screened for ASD through the nationwide Danish Psychiatric Central Register (DPCR). The mean length of observation was 34.7 years, and the mean age at follow‐up 35.8 (range: 28.3–46.7) years.Results  At follow‐up, 10 (2.1%) in the DLD group and two (0.09%) in the comparison group were known in the DPCR with a diagnosis of any ASD (P < 0.0001; odds ratio = 25.5; 95% confidence interval 5.5–116.9).Conclusion  Our results provide additional support to the notion that DLD is a marker of increased vulnerability to the development of ASD.
An interagency service delivery model for autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Rowlandson P. H. , Smith C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  A multiplicity of government initiatives advocate increasing shared working between services to ensure that holistic and co‐ordinated assessment of need and related shared intervention is available to children and families. Concurrently, there is an increasing demand upon services to provide a wide range of support for children with complex difficulties.Methods  On the Isle of Wight, joint services have been developing shared practice. The inter‐agency service was initiated in 2001 through a 3‐year project funded jointly between all services on the Island and the government through the ‘Invest to Save’ initiative. The project initially focused upon developing a combined process of diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and the co‐ordination of intervention at schools, within families and in the child's community. Gradually, the service extended to include children with a much wider range of difficulties, including those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental co‐ordination disorder and co‐morbid diagnoses.Results  There are 19 000 school‐aged children on the Isle of Wight. A total of 1101 referrals have been accepted between June 2001 and May 2007. In total, 201 children have been given a diagnosis of ASD. Overall, 392 children have been given a diagnosis of ADHD or ADHD/Co‐morbid. Seventy were co‐morbid for ASD and ADHD. The current service is rated as 85% satisfactory by its users, in contrast to the high level of complaint which resulted in the bid for the project initially.Conclusion  Following the successful conclusion of the 3‐year government‐funded project Education Services, Social Care and The Health Authority shared the ongoing funding of the current service. This has been operating effectively for over 6 years and has highlighted a wide variety of issues around this style of service delivery.
Community structure in temporary freshwater pools: disentangling the effects of habitat size and hydroregime
Authors: VANSCHOENWINKEL BRAM , HULSMANS ANN , DE ROECK ELS , DE VRIES CHRIS , SEAMAN MAITLAND , BRENDONCK LUC 
Published: March 2009

Summary1. Hydroregime (duration, frequency and predictability of the aquatic phase) is a key feature of temporary aquatic habitats that not only moulds community structure and diversity (species sorting) but also life history characteristics of the inhabitants (natural selection). However, since hydroregime is a complex multidimensional entity that cannot be estimated from short term observations, morphometric variables are commonly used as proxies for hydroregime, making it impossible to separate effects of habitat size and hydroregime on biota.2. We have used a simple hydrological model, validated with recent (average r2 = 96%) and historic water level observations (average r2 = 81%), to accurately reconstruct hydroregime based on historical rainfall and evaporation data in a cluster of 36 temporary rock pools in central South Africa.3. Using the model output, we demonstrated that both hydroregime and habitat size had unique and shared effects on temporary pool biota and that these effects depended on the dispersal modes of the taxa. Model‐generated hydrological data explained more variation in community patterns than short‐term observations of hydroperiod. Hydroregime was more important for passive dispersers than for active dispersers that can migrate when pools dry up. Basin morphometry was a relatively poor predictor of pool hydroregime. We concluded that simple modelling may greatly improve the resolution of studies linking hydroregime to biological variables.4. An accurate account of hydrological variation provides a firm foundation to understand community and population structure and dynamics in temporary aquatic habitats. Since many of these habitats have been destroyed or degraded in recent decades, our findings and tools may contribute to the development of reliable conservation guidelines.
Assessing and conserving groundwater biodiversity: an introduction
Authors: GIBERT JANINE , CULVER DAVID C. 
Published: March 2009

Summary1. This paper is an introduction to and overview of a special issue on groundwater ecology with a focus on biodiversity assessment and conservation. The subterranean environment harbours unique biological communities of remarkable diversity, comprising both microorganisms and micro‐, meio‐ and macrofauna. This biodiversity of ground waters remains poorly known compared to that of freshwater surface habitats.2. The papers in this special issue summarise the outcome of a large‐scale European survey, the PASCALIS project (Protocol for theASsessment andConservation ofAquaticLifeIn theSubsurface), complemented by results from a few other comprehensive studies on groundwater diversity. The papers fall into five broad groups. The first group reviews the biology and ecology of poorly investigated but important subterranean taxa such as Bacteria and Archaea, Oligochaeta and Copepoda. Five papers deal with groundwater biodiversity patterns in the six selected PASCALIS regions. Issues addressed range from broad‐scale diversity patterns to partitioning of species richness, cryptic diversity, sampling methodology, and the use of surrogate taxonomic groups for assessing overall diversity. Four papers analyse biodiversity patterns in single European regions, the French Jura, the Walloon region of Belgium, the Lessinian Mountains of Italy and south‐western Germany. Two additional papers address the issue of site selection for the conservation and protection of groundwater species, and the fifth group of three papers expands two central PASCALIS themes – sampling adequacy and the role of dispersal. Finally, a concluding synthesis paper summarises advances in understanding groundwater biodiversity patters and conservation and points out important challenges for future research.3. Collectively, the information presented in this special issue represents the first broad‐scale examination of aquatic subterranean diversity based on a rigorously standardised sampling protocol, the first examination of stygofauna patterns in both karstic and non‐karstic aquifers, a first step toward integrating traditional and molecular taxonomic studies of groundwater biodiversity, and a start toward elaborating strategies for groundwater reserve selection.