bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BUSINESS CYCLE, CURRENCY AND TRADE, REVISITED
Authors: ARTIS MICHAEL J. , OKUBO TOSHIHIRO 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis paper provides long‐run historical evidence for the link between business cycle synchronization, trade and the exchange rate regime. Using data from a large number of industrialized countries and a group of Asian economies, we examine this link in three sub‐periods: the first globalization period (1870–1913), the bloc economy period (1915–1959) and the second globalization period (1960–2004). The business cycle is identified as the series of deviates from a Hodrick–Prescott filtered trend. Cyclical turning points are located in the business cycles of our sample of 21 major countries, which enables us to comment on the characteristics of business cycles in the three periods. Cross‐correlations of the cyclical deviates are calculated for all the pairs of the 21 countries examined. It is apparent from casual inspection that the business cycle characteristics and the pattern of cross‐correlations in the bloc economy period are different from those found for the two globalization periods, whereas there is less difference between the two globalization periods. Following the estimations by Frankel and Rose, we relate business cycle synchronization to trade patterns and currency unions. Consequently, we find that European integration was already discernible in terms of business cycle synchronization in the early 1900s and that a similar synchronization was not discernible for Asia.
Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion long‐term therapy in advanced Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Nyholm D. , Klangemo K. , Johansson A. 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Infusion of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (Duodopa®; Abbott) was introduced in Sweden in 1991 as an experimental treatment in advanced Parkinson’s disease and obtained EU approval in 2004. There is compelling evidence for short‐term use of this treatment; however, long‐term data are scarce.Methods:  A retrospective review of medical records was performed. The primary objective was to assess the duration of treatment for all Swedish patients starting long‐term levodopa/carbidopa gel therapy between January 1991 and June 2008. Secondary aims were to study demographics, treatment with anti‐Parkinson’s disease drugs and other concomitant medications, and reasons for discontinuation of levodopa/carbidopa gel.Results:  Of 150 identified patients, 135 were included in the study. On average, patients were 49 years at diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and 63 years when infusion therapy was initiated. The median treatment time on infusion was 3.4 years (range, 0–16 years). The restricted mean treatment time was nearly 8 years; 81 patients were still on treatment at the end of the study. Levodopa was used as monotherapy in a majority of patients. Dosage of the drug was stable over time. Thirty‐one patients discontinued infusion prior to the cutoff date and 23 patients died. Device‐related problems were the most common reason for discontinuation. Patients were more likely to discontinue infusion therapy before 2000. The year of infusion initiation was significantly earlier in the dropout group compared with a matched group of continuing patients.Conclusions:  Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion is a long‐term treatment alternative in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Right‐to‐left shunts as a cause of juxtacortical spots in patients with migraine
Authors: Yoon G.‐J. , Kim J.‐T. , Chang J. , Kim D.‐E. , Cho B.‐H. , Lee J.‐H. , Jung H.‐J. , Lee S.‐H. , Choi S.‐M. , Park M.‐S. , Cho K.‐H. 
Published: February 2012

Backgrounds:  Juxtacortical spots on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images can be frequently detected in patients with migraine. However, the origins of the cerebral lesions (including juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images) found in the previous studies are not known. We sought to investigate the association between juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images and right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) in migraine patients.Methods:  Juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images were arbitrarily defined as small areas of hyperintensities in the juxtacortex and cortico‐subcortical junction. The presence of RLS was examined by a transcranial Dopper (TCD) with the agitated saline test. The degree of RLS was categorized into four grades according to the number of microemboli: no shunt, <10 microbubbles (MB), >10 MB single spots pattern, and >10 MB shower/curtain pattern. We compared the results for migraine patients (n = 49) with those for healthy controls (n = 49).Results:  Juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images occurred in 38/98 subjects; of them, 27/49 (55.1%) had migraines and 11/49 (22.2%) were healthy controls (P = 0.002). The independent factors associated with juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images were female, migraine patients, and RLS by multivariate analysis. In migraine patients, RLS was independently associated with juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that juxtacortical spots on FLAIR images were frequently found in migraine patients and might be associated with the presence of RLS in those patients. Further studies are needed to assess whether juxtacortical spots have clinical implications in patients with migraine.
Self‐medication of regular headache: a community pharmacy‐based survey
Authors: Mehuys E. , Paemeleire K. , Van Hees T. , Christiaens T. , Van Bortel L. M. , Van Tongelen I. , De Bolle L. , Remon J.‐P. , Boussery K. 
Published: February 2012

Background:  This observational community pharmacy‐based study aimed to investigate headache characteristics and medication use of persons with regular headache presenting for self‐medication.Methods:  Participants (n = 1205) completed (i) a questionnaire to assess current headache medication and previous physician diagnosis, (ii) the ID Migraine Screener (ID‐M), and (iii) the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire.Results:  Forty‐four percentage of the study population (n = 528) did not have a physician diagnosis of their headache, and 225 of them (225/528, 42.6%) were found to be ID‐M positive. The most commonly used acute headache drugs were paracetamol (used by 62% of the study population), NSAIDs (39%), and combination analgesics (36%). Only 12% of patients physician‐diagnosed with migraine used prophylactic migraine medication, and 25% used triptans. About 24% of our sample (n = 292) chronically overused acute medication, which was combination analgesic overuse (n = 166), simple analgesic overuse (n = 130), triptan overuse (n = 19), ergot overuse (n = 6), and opioid overuse (n = 5). Only 14.5% was ever advised to limit intake frequency of acute headache treatments.Conclusions:  This study identified underdiagnosis of migraine, low use of migraine prophylaxis and triptans, and high prevalence of medication overuse amongst subjects seeking self‐medication for regular headache. Community pharmacists have a strategic position in education and referral of these self‐medicating headache patients.
The impact of silent vascular brain burden in cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: González‐Redondo R. , Toledo J. , Clavero P. , Lamet I. , García‐García D. , García‐Eulate R. , Martínez‐Lage P. , Rodríguez‐Oroz M. C. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain are associated with dementia and cognitive impairment in the general population and in Alzheimer’s disease. Their effect in cognitive decline and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still unclear.Methods:  We studied the relationship between WMHs and cognitive state in 111 patients with PD classified as cognitively normal (n = 39), with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 46) or dementia (n = 26), in a cross‐sectional and follow‐up study. Cognitive state was evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and WMHs were identified in FLAIR and T2‐weighted MRI. The burden of WMHs was rated using the Scheltens scale.Results:  No differences in WMHs were found between the three groups in the cross‐sectional study. A negative correlation was observed between semantic fluency and the subscore for WMHs in the frontal lobe. Of the 36 non‐demented patients re‐evaluated after a mean follow‐up of 30 months, three patients converted into MCI and 5 into dementia. Progression of periventricular WMHs was associated with an increased conversion to dementia. A marginal association between the increase in total WMHs burden and worsening in the Mini Mental State Examination was encountered.Conclusions:  White matter hyperintensities do not influence the cognitive status of patients with PD. Frontal WMHs have a negative impact on semantic fluency. Brain vascular burden may have an effect on cognitive impairment in patients with PD as WMHs increase overtime might increase the risk of conversion to dementia. This finding needs further confirmation in larger prospective studies.
The Logic of Urban Squatting
Authors: PRUIJT HANS 
Published: February 2012

AbstractExisting frameworks tend to break down when applied to the analysis of urban squatting. Five basic configurations — combinations of features that fit together well and are therefore effective — are discussed in this article. Where squatting is concerned, the configurations differ with respect to the following: the characteristics of the people involved, the type of building, the framing, the demands made by activists, and mobilization and organization patterns. Each configuration also entails specific problems. Deprivation‐based squatting involves poor people who are distressed because of severe housing deprivation. In squatting as an alternative housing strategy, people organize squatting to meet their own housing needs. Entrepreneurial squatting offers opportunities for setting up almost any kind of establishment without the need for large resources or the risk of getting bogged down in bureaucracy. Conservational squatting is a tactic used in the preservation of a cityscape or landscape against efficiency‐driven planned transformation. Political squatting is a field of action for those who are engaged in anti‐systemic politics.RésuméLes cadres d'analyse existants ont tendance à s'écrouler lorsqu'on les applique aux squats urbains. Cinq configurations de base, combinant des caractères en adéquation, donc efficaces, sont analysées dans cet article. En matière de squats, les configurations diffèrent sur les plans suivants: caractéristiques des personnes impliquées, type de bâtiment, mode de cadrage, demandes exprimées par les militants, schémas de mobilisation et d'organisation. De plus, des problèmes spécifiques correspondent à chaque configuration. L'habitat en squat pour cause de dénuement concerne des individus pauvres qui n'ont pas les moyens de se loger. Lorsque le squattage est une stratégie de logement alternative, les individus l'organisent en fonction de leurs besoins personnels. Le squattage en vue d'une activité offre une possibilité de créer presque n'importe quel type d'établissement sans apport de ressources important, ni risque de s'empêtrer dans des démarches administratives. Le squattage conservatoire est une tactique qui permet de préserver un paysage (urbain) en s'opposant à une transformation décidée sur des critères de rentabilité. Le squattage politique est un champ d'action pour ceux qui s'engagent dans une politique anti‐système.
Are Trees Always ‘Good’? Urban Political Ecology and Environmental Justice in the Valleys of South Wales
Authors: Kitchen Lawrence 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis article explores the potential of Urban Political Ecology analyses to reveal the nuanced relationships produced by nature and social relations in urban forests. A critique of the Urban Political Ecology forest literature, it focuses on the assumption in much of the literature that people in urban spaces perceive themselves to be advantaged by the presence of trees and disadvantaged by their absence. This critique leads to a call for an increased emphasis on the importance of different urban forest contexts and on the differential insights produced. The article constructs a narrative of the complex relationships, both historic and current, between communities, forest and the regulatory authorities in the governance of the urban forest of the valleys of south Wales. It then draws on recent research to reveal tensions in capitalist production and consumption relations, and identifies specific issues. Analysing these relationships and comparing the south Wales valleys case with other examples in Urban Political Ecology literature, the article seeks to promote the utility of Urban Political Ecology as a concept and to advance theoretically both Urban Political Ecology and, by extension, environmental justice.RésuméL'écologie politique urbaine, à travers ses analyses, est susceptible de révéler les relations en demi‐teintes que génèrent la nature et les relations sociales dans les forêts urbaines. Dans une critique des publications d'écologie politique urbaine sur la forêt, cet article s'intéresse à l'hypothèse courante selon laquelle les habitants des espaces urbains ressentent la présence d'arbres comme un avantage, et leur absence comme un désavantage. Il apparaît nécessaire de souligner l'importance des différents contextes de la forêt urbaine, ainsi que la diversité des perspectives qu'ils créent. L'article expose les rapports complexes, tant passés qu'actuels, entre communautés, forêt et autorités de réglementation dans le cadre de la gouvernance de la forêt urbaine de ‘The Valleys’ en Galles du sud. De plus, à partir de travaux de recherches récents, il repère des tensions dans les relations entre production capitaliste et consommation des espaces forestiers, et identifie des problèmes spécifiques. L'analyse de ces relations et la comparaison du cas des vallées des Galles du sud avec d'autres exemples traités dans les textes d'écologie politique urbaine encouragent à voir cette discipline comme un concept utile, donc à développer son cadre théorique et, par extension, celui de la justice environnementale.
Does supplemental feeding affect the viability of translocated populations? The example of the hihi
Authors: Chauvenet A. L. M. , Ewen J. G. , Armstrong D. P. , Coulson T. , Blackburn T. M. , Adams L. , Walker L. K. , Pettorelli N. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTranslocations are commonly used conservation actions that aim at establishing new, self‐sustaining populations of threatened species. However, many translocated populations are not self‐sustaining but managed through supplemental feeding from the onset. Often, the decision to start managing is ad hoc, but managers will eventually have to make decisions for the future, for example, stop intervening, continue as it is or change the quantity of food provided. Such a decision requires managers to quantify the importance of supplemental feeding in determining the performance and population dynamics of translocated populations, information that is rarely available in the published literature. Using the hihi as a case study, we examined the importance of supplemental feeding for the viability of a translocated population in New Zealand. We found that supplemental feeding positively affected the survival and abundance of translocated adult hihi but also found evidence of negative density dependence on recruitment. We present two stochastic population models that project the hihi population under different management scenarios, quantitatively assessing the impact supplemental feeding has had on the population. Our results illustrate how important long‐term targeted monitoring is for robust decision making about adaptive management.
The outcomes of glucose abnormalities in pre‐diabetic chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy
Authors: Huang Jee‐Fu , Yu Ming‐Lung , Huang Chung‐Feng , Juo Suh‐Hang Hank , Dai Chia‐Yen , Hsieh Ming‐Yen , Hou Nei‐Jen , Yeh Ming‐Lun , Hsieh Meng‐Hsuan , Yang Jeng‐Fu , Lin Zu‐Yau , Chen Shinn‐Chern , Shin Shyi‐Jang , Chuang Wan‐Long 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsPre‐diabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) development. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of treatment response on sequential changes in glucose abnormalities in pre‐diabetic chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.MethodsChronic Hepatitis C patients with a baseline haemoglobin A1C (A1C) range 5.7–6.4% who achieved 80/80/80 adherence were prospectively recruited. All patients received current peginterferon‐based recommendations. The primary outcome measurement was their A1C level at the end of follow‐up (EOF). The interaction between variants of the IL28B gene and outcomes of glucose metabolism was also measured.ResultsA total of 181 consecutive CHC patients were enrolled. The mean A1C at EOF was 5.82 ± 0.41%, which was significantly lower than the baseline level (5.93 ± 0.21%, P < 0.001). At EOF, 63 (34.8%) patients became normoglycaemic, whereas 10 (5.5%) patients developed DM. The sustained virological response (SVR) rates of 63 normoglycaemics, 108 pre‐diabetics and 10 diabetic patients at the EOF were 92.1%, 84.3% and 50% respectively (normoglycaemics vs. diabetics P = 0.003; pre‐diabetics vs. diabetics P = 0.02). Achievement of an SVR was the only predictive factor associated with normoglycaemia development at EOF by multivariate logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio = 2.6, P = 0.04). The prevalence of the interleukin 28B rs8099917 TT variant in patients who developed DM (70.0%) at EOF tended to be lower than that in patients with pre‐diabetics (87.0%) or normoglycaemics (92.1%).ConclusionSuccessful eradication of HCV improves glucose abnormalities in pre‐diabetic CHC patients.
Oral care and oropharyngeal and tracheal colonization by Gram‐negative pathogens in children
Authors: Kusahara Denise Miyuki , Friedlander Lais Tambelli , Peterlini Maria Angélica Sorgini , Pedreira Mavilde Luz Gonçalves 
Published: February 2012

Background: Critical care nursing interventions to oral care can reduce microorganisms in the oropharynx available for translocation.Objectives: To analyse the effect of 0·12% chlorhexidine digluconate on the colonization of oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions by Gram‐negative pathogens in mechanically ventilated children.Methods: A randomized, controlled and double‐blinded study was performed in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a Brazilian university hospital. Exclusion criteria included child age under 28 days, pneumonia diagnosis at admission, use of tracheostomy, PICU length of stay (LOS) less than 48 h and refusal to participate. Children were randomly allocated to the interventional group (IG), in which oral care with chlorhexidine was administered, or to the placebo group (PG), which received oral care without antiseptic use. The data were analysed through Pearson's χ2 test, Fisher's exact and ANOVA tests with significance levels set at 0·05.Results: The demographic characteristics of the 74 children were not statistically different between groups. No between‐group differences in oropharyx colonization by Gram‐negative pathogens were identified (p = 0·316). Pathogens were isolated in the tracheal secretions of two (10·0%) children in the PG and four (19·0%) children in the IG (p = 0·355).Conclusion: The use of chlorhexidine did not significantly influence the colonization of oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions by Gram‐negative pathogens of the studied sample.Relevance to clinical practice: This study demonstrated no influence of a specific antiseptic agent on colonization profile of mechanically ventilated children in PICU. Further research in this field is necessary to promote evidence‐based nursing practice on oral care of critically ill children.
Species composition of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cultivated chrysanthemum (Asteraceae) in Okinawa, southwestern Japan
Authors: GANAHA‐KIKUMURA Tomoko , OHNO Suguru , KIJIMA Keisuke , MASUMOTO Masami , MAEKADO Naomi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe investigated the species composition of phytophagous thrips and spider mites on cultivated chrysanthemum in Okinawa, southwestern Japan. Eight thrips species belonging to the genera Frankliniella, Microcephalothrips, Scirtothrips and Thrips were found on chrysanthemum leaves. Among them, Thrips nigropilosus was the predominant species irrespective of season, island or cultivation environment (meshed greenhouse or open field), with its infestation frequency being 89% of the fields in which thrips occurred. This high frequency of occurrence suggests that T. nigropilosus is a major pest of chrysanthemum in Okinawa, even though this species has rarely been regarded as an important pest of chrysanthemum or other crops in any other areas. Thrips palmi was the second most dominant (infestation frequency 36%) and other species were scarce (<14%). Tetranychus urticae (green form) was the only tetranychid species on chrysanthemum in our survey. This lack of diversity among spider mites on chrysanthemum is peculiar considering that eight Tetranychus species have been found on vegetables in the same area. Since T. urticae (green form) has been shown to be resistant to a number of pesticides, severe pesticide applications might have simplified the spider mite fauna on chrysanthemum in Okinawa.
The StenTec Gauge for Measuring Static Intra‐access Pressure Ratio (PIa Ratio) of Fistulas and Grafts
Authors: Ash Stephen R. , Dhamija Rajiv , Zaroura Mohamad Y. , Hentschel Dirk M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe StenTec™ Gauge provides a method to determine the static intra‐access pressure ratio (PIa Ratio) within a fistula or graft. The StenTec Gauge estimates the peak systolic pressure within the fistula or graft by measurement of the distance that the blood–air interface progresses into the tubing of the fistula needle, after the needle is inserted “dry” into the fistula or graft and before the cap is removed from the tubing. The peak systolic pressure is graphically compared with the systolic arterial blood pressure of the patient, to determine PIa Ratio. For best accuracy, the StenTec Gauge should be chosen that best matches the internal volume of the fistula needle tubing (2.3–2.6 ml for 12‐inch tubing and 3.6 ml for 16‐inch tubing) and the approximate elevation of the city in which it is used (0–1000, 1000–3000, and 3000–6000 feet above sea level). In this article, we explain the rationale for this method of surveillance, evidence for accuracy of the StenTec Gauge, and the correlation of changes in the PIa Ratio to the development of stenosis in a fistula or graft.