bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antihyperglycaemic medication modifies factors of postprandial satiety in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mourad C. , Chevalier S. , Morais J. A. , Lamarche M. , Gougeon R. 
Published: May 2009

Aim:  Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycaemia, delayed gastric emptying and a blunted response of gut hormones during feeding that may modulate satiety. We hypothesized that it is associated with more hunger when treated by medication.Methods:  We studied nine type 2 diabetic men (A1C: 6.7 ± 0.3%, waist circumference: 104 ± 4 cm) after an overnight fast, during 5 h in response to a 2.88 MJ breakfast, twice, in a crossover design, with or without antihyperglycaemic agents. Satiety ratings, thermic effect of meal, gastric emptying, plasma concentrations of gut peptides, leptin, insulin and substrates and intake from a subsequent buffet were determined.Results:  With medication, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels were lower but area under the curve (AUC) did not vary vs. without medication. Gastric emptying was shortened, branched chain amino acids (BCAA) AUC and thermic effect were lower, and postprandial glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY3–36) were maintained at higher levels beyond 4 h. Correlations were significant between duration of diabetes and fasting ghrelin (r = 0.779, p = 0.013) and peak insulin (r = −0.769, p = 0.016), 5‐h postmeal ghrelin and peak glucose (r = 0.822, p = 0.007), 5‐h glucose and GLP‐1 (r = −0.788, p = 0.012), and 5‐h hunger scores and energy intake at buffet (r = 0.828, p = 0.006). Without medication, fullness scores correlated with BCAA levels. Visual analogue scale scores, ghrelin and leptin levels did not differ between studies.Conclusions:  The decrease in factors associated with postprandial satiety with treatment is counterbalanced by higher GLP‐1 and PYY3–36. Medication may normalize the link between perception of hunger and subsequent food intake.
Comparison of vildagliptin and metformin monotherapy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a 24‐week, double‐blind, randomized trial
Authors: Schweizer A. , Dejager S. , Bosi E. 
Published: May 2009

Aims:  The study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, vildagliptin, and metformin in drug‐naïve elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary objective was to demonstrate non‐inferiority of vildagliptin vs. metformin in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction.Methods:  This was a double‐blind, randomized, multicentre, active‐controlled, parallel‐group study of 24‐week treatment with vildagliptin (100 mg daily, n = 169) or metformin (titrated to 1500 mg daily, n = 166) in drug‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥65 years (baseline HbA1c 7–9%).Results:  Participants had a mean age of 71 years, known duration of diabetes of 3 years and mean baseline HbA1c of 7.7%. At end‐point, vildagliptin was as effective as metformin, improving HbA1c by −0.64 ± 0.07% and −0.75 ± 0.07%, respectively, meeting the predefined statistical criterion for non‐inferiority (upper limit of 95% confidence interval for between‐treatment difference ≤0.3%). Body weight changes were −0.45 ± 0.20 kg in vildagliptin‐treated patients (p = 0.02) and −1.25 ± 0.19 kg in metformin‐treated patients (p < 0.001; p = 0.004 vs. vildagliptin). The proportion of patients experiencing an adverse event (AE) was 44.3 vs. 50.3% in patients receiving vildagliptin and metformin respectively. Gastrointestinal (GI) AEs were significantly more frequent with metformin (24.8%) than with vildagliptin (15.0%, p = 0.028), mainly driven by a 4.4‐fold higher incidence of diarrhoea. A low incidence of hypoglycaemia was observed in both treatment groups (0% with vildagliptin and 1.2% with metformin).Conclusions:  Vildagliptin is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating similar improvement in glycaemic control as metformin, with superior GI tolerability.
Predicting steady‐state HbA1c responses to sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus*
Authors: Kanazu S. , Horie Y. , Narukawa M. , Nonaka K. , Taniguchi T. , Arjona Ferreira J. C. , Takeuchi M. 
Published: May 2009

Aims:  To develop predictive formulas using short‐term changes in glycaemic parameters [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG)] with sitagliptin, a highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, to assess longer term steady‐state changes in HbA1c.Methods:  Results from two, 12‐week, double‐blind studies of sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving once‐daily sitagliptin 100 mg were used to construct linear models to develop predictive formulas based on study 1 (S1) and to validate them using study 2 (S2). HbA1c and FPG were the primary and the key secondary end‐point for both studies and were both used to develop predictive formulas.Results:  The predictive formulas using HbA1c ± FPG results (slope of change) from week 0 to week 4 in S1 showed high correlations between fitted and observed week 12 HbA1c: for HbA1c alone R2 = 0.76, for HbA1c + FPG R2 = 0.89. When using the sitagliptin 100 mg group of S2 data set to assess the validity of the predictive formulas, high correlations for HbA1c alone (R2 = 0.76) and for HbA1c + FPG (R2 = 0.77) were also observed. Data using a lower dose (25 mg once daily) of sitagliptin also demonstrated similar results.Conclusions:  The early responses (over 4 weeks) in HbA1c and FPG with sitagliptin can be used to accurately predict later responses (at week 12) in HbA1c in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additional studies applying this approach to other agents with diverse mechanisms are important.
A Validation of MODIS Snowcover Products in Romania: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Flueraru Cristian , Stancalie Gheorghe , Craciunescu Vasile , Savin Elena 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe MODIS snowcover product is one of many geophysical products derived from MODIS data. A cross‐validation of the MODIS snowcover daily products with data obtained from the meteorological network stations was conducted for the entire territory of Romania. The validation time interval covered the period between 29 October, 2004 and 1 May, 2005. The overall accuracy for the whole set of cloud‐free useful data proved to be 95%. The validation time interval included the three common snow situations: (1) late autumn months where 37.1% of the initial set of the data was used, and the overall accuracy was 98.6%; (2) the “winter” months where the clouds reduced the set of useful data – 31.75%– and the overall accuracy was 93.7%; and (3) the months of February and March which returned the highest accuracy (> 95%). Additionally, a cross‐validation using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) high‐resolution imagery was carried out. Furthermore, the MODIS, meteorological data and ASTER data were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to perform flexible and comprehensive cross‐checking followed by a thematic analysis based on additional sets of data such as digital elevation models (DEMs) and land‐cover datasets.
Designing Service Architectures for Distributed Geoprocessing: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Friis‐Christensen Anders , Ostländer Nicole , Lutz Michael , Bernard Lars 
Published: May 2009

AbstractIn this paper we study the feasibility of using services offered by a Spatial Data Infrastructure as a basis for distributed service oriented geoprocessing. By developing a prototype we demonstrate that a Spatial Data Infrastructure facilitates rapid development of applications that solve typical problems for an existing risk management application. The prototype provides users with a distributed application that enables the assessment of fire damage areas based on land cover data in a given area. The services involved in the application include: Web Feature Services, Web Map Services, a Gazetteer Service, a Catalogue Service, and Geoprocessing Services. We present the architecture of the application and describe details about implementation‐specific issues. We conclude that current OGC specifications provide a sound basis for developing service oriented architectures for geographic applications; however, in particular for geoprocessing applications, we question the feasibility of the use of Web Feature Services as data sources for larger amounts of data and call for further research in this direction.
Water Quality Monitoring to Support the European Commission's Water Framework Directive Reporting Requirements
Authors: Álvarez‐Robles José Antonio , Latre Miguel Ángel , Muro‐Medrano Pedro Rafael , Zarazaga‐Soria Francisco Javier , Béjar Ruben 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis article aims at providing a simple way for water quality monitoring in a set of reservoirs using an earth observation‐based approach and the assessment of the use of this technique for a monitoring network in order to meet the requirements and objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by the Member States of the European Union. The study carried out was preformed in 42 reservoirs of the Ebro River Basin, in the northeast of Spain. The proposed methodology is based on the development of an algorithm for the estimation of water quality by means of LANDSAT TM band reflectance. Some band ratios were used in the model as well. Trophic State Index (TSI), calculated by means of Secchi Disc Transparency data, was estimated using a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis and the TM2 band and TM1/TM2 ratio. The final results showed a large variability in water quality across reservoirs. Moreover, substantial spatial heterogeneity was also observed in the water bodies. These results demonstrate the likelihood of developing a monitoring network based on remote sensing techniques for the implementation of the WFD.
Intelligent Visualisation and Information Presentation for Civil Crisis Management
Authors: Andrienko Natalia , Andrienko Gennady 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper describes an ongoing research work on developing methods for effective visualisation support for situation analysis, decision making, and communication in the course of disaster management. The major goals are to reduce the information load of the analyst, decision maker, or information recipient without omission of anything important and to ensure quick and accurate comprehending of the information. The work embraces the issues of selection of the relevant information and defining the appropriate level of detail, data preparation (aggregation and other transformations), and selection of the appropriate methods for visual representation depending on the user's tasks or communication goals, recipient's profile, and the target presentation medium. A practical outcome from the research will be a knowledge base that can be used to support analysis, decision making, and information communication in emergency situations. A great part of the knowledge, specifically, knowledge on data transformation and representation, is generic and can be used for different applications.
Enhancing Geo‐Service Chaining through Deep Service Descriptions
Authors: Lemmens Rob , De By Rolf , Gould Michael , Wytzisk Andreas , Granell Carlos , Van Oosterom Peter 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe demonstrate the integrated use of semantic and syntactic service descriptions, called deep service descriptions, for service chaining by combining two prototypes: one that deals with geoservice discovery abstract composition (called ‘GeoMatchMaker’), with one that supports concrete composition and execution of geoservices services (called ‘Integrated Component Designer’). Most other service chaining approaches confine themselves to handling either syntactic or semantic service descriptions. The proprietary formats of these descriptions hamper an effective integration of discovery, composition and execution of multiple services. In essence, service chaining should help a user by providing an appropriate combination of executable services to solve a specified problem or query. Current XML‐based service description languages, such as the Web Ontology Language‐Services (OWL‐S) and the Web Service Description Language‐Semantics (WSDL‐S), allow us to build a geoservice‐reuse architecture based on common ontologies and shared service descriptions. Our approach uses annotation as a bridge between the syntax and semantics of services. This paper reports on its context and implementation issues. The target groups of this research are geo‐information engineers who are confronted with information integration issues and service interoperability issues, and secondly, information engineers who in general are confronted with distributed information and with end users that need to access distributed services as one virtual application.
Assessment of Regional Variations in Biomass Production Using Satellite Image Analysis between 1992 and 2004
Authors: Kovàcs Ferenc 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAs a consequence of the increasing aridity experienced in Hungary in the past decades, any future spatial planning decisions should consider the threat of an arid environment. For identifying sensitive and endangered areas, suitable methods should be developed. These could help those responsible for decision making in providing quick and suitable actions in planning. Through the investigation of vegetation, regional scale variations in the landscape along with the responses of forests to climatic changes can be easily detected. Our primary aim was the evaluation of the natural water supply on the Danube Tisza Interfluve by studying the forests, meadows and pastures of the area in the summers of 1992 and 2004. We investigated with the help of remote sensing the short‐term response of vegetation to the altered environmental conditions. According to the spatial and temporal analyses of vegetation indices (NDVI) based on AVHRR and MODIS images, a considerable decrease in the activity of vegetation can be observed throughout the entire vegetation period. Due to the suspected climatic changes, 33% of the studied vegetation might be endangered.
A Framework for Intensional and Extensional Integration of Geographic Ontologies
Authors: Tomai Eleni , Prastacos Poulicos , Kavouras Marinos 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper presents ongoing research in the field of extensional mappings between ontologies. Hitherto, the task of generating mappings between ontologies has focused on the intensional level of ontologies. The term intensional level herein, refers to the set of concepts that are included in an ontology. However, an ontology that has been created for a specific task or application needs to be populated with instances. These comprise the extensional level of an ontology. This particular level is generally neglected during the ontologies’ integration procedure. Thus, although methodologies of geographic ontologies integration, ranging from alignment to true integration, have, in the course of years, presented a solid ground for information exchange, little has been done in exploring the relationships between the data. In this context, this research strives to set a framework for extensional mappings between ontologies using Information Flow Theory by presenting a case study of interoperability between the thematic content of maps.
Rising property ownership among women in Kathmandu, Nepal: an exploration of causes and consequences
Authors: Pandey Shanta 
Published: May 2009

Pandey S. Rising property ownership among women in Kathmandu, Nepal: an exploration of causes and consequencesInt J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 281–292 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.There is evidence that property ownership empowers women by increasing their self‐confidence, ability to contribute to decisions, control over their reproductive behaviour, ability to borrow and economic independence. Yet, women around the world own negligible assets. It is not surprising that assets ownership among Nepalese women is insignificant. In urban areas of Nepal, however, women's assets holdings have increased dramatically over the last four decades. The article analyses the institutions that resulted in increased asset holdings among women in Kathmandu, Nepal, and shows how strategic action by some men and women has given rise to new norms which favour property ownership among women. The findings are based on a sample of 193 women who legally own property (home or land) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Berlin's Failed Bid to Host the 2000 Summer Olympic Games: Urban Development and the Improvement of Sports Facilities
Authors: ALBERTS HEIKE C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRecently scholars have become interested in how the Olympic Games can create a positive legacy for the cities that host them. These benefits often include state‐of‐the‐art sports facilities, improved transportation infrastructure and beautification projects, such as the creation of parks. Stimulated by the Olympic Games, cities may embark on large‐scale urban development projects that may otherwise not be carried out or would be carried out on a much more limited scale. As cities now compete for hosting the Olympic Games, they often try to gain an advantage over other candidate cities by starting some of the projects before submitting their bid documents. Therefore, even an unsuccessful bid may arguably be beneficial. In this article, I describe Berlin's planning goals and overall concept for the 2000 Summer Olympics, as well as the individual projects that were planned. I then discuss why some of these projects have been realized despite the failed bid, while others were abandoned. I argue that the bid provided a stimulus for the improvement of some sports facilities in Berlin because these projects complemented wider planning goals, while other projects were eventually carried out due to other landmark events, such as the move of the federal government to the city.RésuméDes études se sont intéressées récemment à la façon dont les Jeux olympiques peuvent laisser un héritage positif dans leurs villes d'accueil. Ces atouts comptent souvent des installations sportives ultramodernes, une amélioration des infrastructures de transport et des projets d'embellissement, telle la création de parcs. Sous l'impulsion des J.O., des villes se lancent parfois dans de vastes projets d'urbanisme qui, sinon, n'auraient pas existé ou auraient été réalisés à une échelle bien plus modeste. Désormais, étant donnée la compétition entre les villes candidates, celles‐ci tentent souvent de prendre le pas sur leurs concurrentes en démarrant certains projets avant même le dépôt de leur dossier. En conséquence, même une candidature rejetée peut, d'une certaine manière, être profitable. Cet article décrit les objectifs d'aménagement et le concept d'ensemble proposés par Berlin pour les J.O. d'été de 2000, ainsi que les différents projets prévus. Il analyse ensuite pourquoi certains de ces projets ont vu le jour malgré le refus du dossier, d'autres étant abandonnés. La candidature a procuré l'élan nécessaire à une amélioration d'installations sportives berlinoises, car ces projets venaient en complément d'objectifs d'aménagement plus larges; par ailleurs, d'autres projets ont finalement abouti dans le cadre d'autres grands événements, comme le transfert du gouvernement fédéral à Berlin.
Identification and determination butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane in the presence benzophenone‐3 and ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate in suncare preparation
Authors: Imamović B. , Šober M. , Bečić E. 
Published: May 2009

SynopsisThe protection of sun radiation is a problem on global level for all living organisms on Earth. The need of people for the overexposure to the UV radiation led human population towards finding novel ways of protection of this kind of radiation, in form of cosmetic preparations applied on the skin. So far, the high values of protection factors of preparations and total block preparations with sun protection factor of 50+ were achieved. Physical and chemical filters which absorb radiation are constituents of these preparations. European Union has set regulations as which substances and in what amounts could be used as UV absorbers. American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) also gave its list of the most frequently used UV absorbers in the sunscreen products, as well as their declared concentrations. The most frequently used concentrations of UV filters in cosmetics is between 0.1% and 10%. Concentrations of UV filters in sunscreen products have to be monitored in order to ensure that they are not less from the declared levels, on which depends the efficacy and safety of the product.Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDM) is used as a UV‐A filter in suncare products. Optimized high performance liquid chromatography method for BMDM determination in the presence of other UV filters in suncare preparations is presented in this paper. Determination was performed on C8 reversed phase using UV detection at 357 nm and isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.5% phosphoric acid (70 : 30 v/v). Proposed method has limit of detection of 0.058 μg mL−1, limit of quantification 0.193 μg mL−1 and linearity correlation coefficient of 0.9989. Commercially available products were analysed using the proposed method. All analysed samples complied with EU directives limit of BMDM content to no more than 5%.
Comparative analysis of solar radiation‐induced cellular damage between ex vivo porcine skin organ culture and in vitro reconstructed human epidermis
Authors: Bacqueville D. , Mavon A. 
Published: May 2009

SynopsisReconstructed human epidermis models (RHE) constitute an innovative alternative to study phototoxicity and photoprotection in the cosmetic industry. However, little information is currently available concerning the harmful effects of solar‐simulated radiation (SSR) in these in vitro skin models. In this study, the phototoxic effects of a single acute SSR dose of 275 kJ m−2 were evaluated in a validated RHE model (from SkinEthic), and were compared with those obtained from an ex vivo skin organ culture recently developed from domestic pig ears. The RHE model was well differentiated in vitro and released a significant level of the cytosolic enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and extracellular signal‐related kinase 2 (ERK2) protein in the culture medium 24 h after SSR exposure. The SSR‐induced cytotoxicity was related to the formation of sunburn cells and the appearance of DNA damage (thymine dimer and DNA fragmentation) in keratinocytes. Interestingly, these DNA alterations were associated with the activation of the caspase‐3 protease, mainly in the basal layers of the epidermis. In addition, the RHE model responses were comparable with porcine skin following solar irradiation, and none of the above cellular responses was observed in non‐irradiated skin models. Finally, topical application of a broad‐spectrum UVB + A sunscreen formulation efficiently protected both the RHE and pig skin against the deleterious effects of SSR. Thus, both RHE and ex vivo pig skin organ culture models are complementary tools in the assessment of SSR‐induced DNA damage and apoptosis, and they may be used to evaluate the photoprotective capacity of cosmetic formulations.