bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of public–private–NGO partnerships: Water and sanitation services in slums
Authors: Baruah Bipasha 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The Self‐Employed Women's Association (SEWA) is a trade union founded in 1972 to organize women in the informal sector in the western Indian state of Gujarat for better working conditions and social security provisions. The Gujarat Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT) and the SEWA Bank are independently registered SEWA sister organizations that facilitate self‐employed women's access to housing and financial services, respectively. This paper seeks to document and critically analyze the experiences of MHT and SEWA Bank in partnering with the state, the private sector, funding agencies, urban local bodies and other NGOs in developing and delivering housing, water and sanitation programs for low‐income urban families living in slums. Using MHT as a case study, this paper will shed light upon challenges and opportunities NGOs may face while collaborating with partners with different core philosophies, motivations, working styles, strengths and constraints. The paper also makes recommendations that would enable different actors to play an optimal role in partnerships designed to improve the living and working conditions of the poor.
THE REUNIFICATION OF CARL ZEISS IN JENA AND OBERKOCHEN
Authors: Hobbie D. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The reunification of Germany also paved the way for the reunion of Carl Zeiss in Jena and Oberkochen in 1991, after many months of negotiation. For the surveying and photogrammetry divisions, this means that a joint policy for development, production and marketing will be pursued in Jena and Oberkochen in the future. The two photogrammetry divisions in Jena and Oberkochen will continue to exist on the market, with both their advanced aerial survey cameras (LMK 2000 and RMK TOP) being available. While Oberkochen will concentrate on the further development of analytical plotters and aerial photograph rectification systems, Jena will increasingly specialise in software development, which is an expanding field. Due to its longstanding expertise in these fields, Jena will also continue its activities in the fields of interpretation and close range photogrammetry, including the taking and evaluation of images. Résumé La ré‐unification de ľAllemagne a éalement ouvert la voie à celle des deux Zeiss, léna et Oberkochen, en 1991, après plusieurs mois de négotiation. Pour les divisions des levés et de la photogrammétrie, cela signifie qu ľon mènera dorénavant, à Iéna et à Oberkochen, une politique commune en ce qui concerne les developpements, la production et le marketing. Les deux divisions photogrammétriques, celle ďléna et celle ďOberkochen, continueront ďêtre présentes sur le marché, offrant toutes deux lews chambres photogrammétriques aériennes avancées LMK 2000 et RMK TOP. Tandis qu à Oberkochen on concentre les activités sur lapoursuite du développement des restituteurs analytiques et des systèmes de redressement des photographies aériennes, à léna on se spécialisera dans le développement des logiciels, domaine qui est en expansion. Etant donnée la compétence que ľon a acquise de longue date à Iéna dans le domaine de ľinterprétation et dans celui de la photogrammétrie à courte distance, on γ poursuivra les activités dans ces domaines, qui comprennent également la saisie et ľévaluation des images. Zusammenfassung Die Wiedervereinigung Deutschlands bahnte im Jahre 1991 nach vielen Monalen der Verhandlung auch den Weg zur Vereinigung der Firmen von Carl Zeiss in Jena und Oberkochen. Für die Abteilungen Vermessung und Photogrammetrie bedeutet das, daβ in Zukunft für Entwicklung, Produktion und Vertrieb in Jena und Oberkochen eine abtestimmte Politik verfolgt wird. Die beiden photogrammetrischen Abteilungen in Jena and Oberkochen werden weiterhin mil ihren beiden Luftbildmeβkammern (LMK 2000 und RMK TOP) auf dem Markt vertreten sein. Wahrend sich Oberkochen auf die Weiterentwicklung analytischer Auswertegeräte und von Systemen zur Luftbildentzerrung konzentriert, wird sich Jena auf die Software‐Entwicklung spezialisieren, was ein stark expandierendes Gebiet ist. Dank langjähriger Erfahrungen wird Jena seine Aktivitäten auf den Gebieten Photointerpretation und Nahbereichsphoto‐grammetrie fortsetzen, wobei Bildaufnahme und Bildbewertung einges‐chlossen sind.
HEIGHT ESTIMATION USING VIDEO SECURITY IMAGERY
Authors: Chandler J. H. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Security video imagery has been used by the Engineering Photogrammetry Unit at City University to determine the height of a person robbing a betting office. The problem of selecting the correct functional model where a network is geometrically weak and consequently unreliable is both illustrated and stressed. Controlled tests suggest that appropriate software and detailed analysis can produce both precise and accurate estimates. Benefit to the legal profession of this particular measurement technique is not apparent, due to non‐photogrammetric limitations. Resume On a pu utiliser ľimagerie ďune video ďun systéme de surete, au laboratoire de photogrammétrie ďingénierie de la City University, pour déterminer la taille ďune personne dévalisant un bureau du pari mutuel. On met plus particuliérement ľaccent sur le probléme du choix ďun modèle fonctionnel correct, là où le réseau est géométriquement très lâche et par conséquent peu fiable. Des essais contrôles ont montré qu'en procéant à une analyse détaillée et en utilisant un logiciel approprié on pouvait obtenir des évaluations à la fois précises et exactes. Toutefois le bénéfice que peut tirer la profession juridique de cette technique de mesures particulière n'est pas évident, par suite des limitations qui ne sont pas ďordre photo‐grammétrique. Zusammenfassung Aufzeichnungen eines Sicherheits‐Video‐Systems wurden durch die Abteilung für Ingenieurphotogrammetrie der City University genutzt, um die Gröβe einer Person zu bestimmen, die ein Wettbüro ausgeraubt hat. Die Auswahl eines korrekten funktionalen Modells bei schwacher und folglich unzuverlässiger geometrischer Grundlage wird veranschaulicht und als Problem herausgearbeitet. Kontrollierte Versuche zeigen, daβ eine geeignete Software und detaillierte Analyse sowohl genaue me auch zuverlässige Schätzwerte liefern können. Ein Vorteil dieser besonderen Meβmethodefür Juristen ist wegen der nicht‐photogrammetrischen Begrenzungen nicht erkennbar.
Safety and Immunogenicity Profile of the Concomitant Administration of ZOSTAVAX and Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Adults Aged 50 and Older
Authors: Kerzner Boris , Murray Alexander V. , Cheng Eric , Ifle Rudy , Harvey Peter R. , Tomlinson Mark , Barben Julie L. , Rarrick Kimberly , Stek Jon E. , Chung Mi‐Ok , Schödel Florian P. , Wang William W. B. , Xu Jin , Chan Ivan S. F. , Silber Jeffrey L. , Schlienger Katia 
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of ZOSTAVAX administered concomitantly with inactivated influenza vaccine or sequentially in adults aged 50 and older.DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled study.SETTING: Thirteen U.S. and seven European study sites.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eighty‐two concomitantly, 380 sequentially vaccinated subjects.INTERVENTION: The concomitant vaccination group received influenza vaccine and ZOSTAVAX at separate injection sites on Day 1 and placebo at Week 4. The nonconcomitant vaccination group received influenza vaccine and placebo at separate injection sites on Day 1 and ZOSTAVAX at Week 4.MEASUREMENTS: Primary safety endpoints: vaccine‐related serious adverse experiences (AEs) within 28 days postvaccination (PV); and diary card–prompted local and systemic AEs. Primary immunogenicity endpoints: geometric mean titer (GMT) and geometric mean fold rise (GMFR) from baseline of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) antibody (Ab) at 4 weeks PV according to glycoprotein enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA) and GMT of influenza Ab for the three vaccine strains (2005–2006 influenza season) at 4 weeks PV according to hemagglutination inhibition assay. Secondary immunogenicity endpoint: influenza seroconversion rates (SCRs).RESULTS: No serious AEs related to ZOSTAVAX were observed during the study. VZV Ab GMTs 4 weeks PV for the concomitant and sequential groups were 554 and 597 gpELISA U/mL, respectively. The estimated VZV Ab GMT ratio was 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.8–1.0), indicating noninferior (P<.001 for the null hypothesis of GMT ratio <0.67) responses. Estimated VZV Ab GMFR from baseline in the concomitant group was 2.1 (95% CI=2.0–2.3), indicating acceptable fold rise. Estimated GMT ratios (concomitant/sequential) for influenza strains A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B were 0.9 (95% CI=0.8–1.1), 1.1 (95% CI=0.9–1.3), and 0.9 (95% CI=0.8–1.1), respectively, and SCRs were comparable across both groups, with more than 85% achieving titers of 1:40 or greater, meeting regulatory criteria.CONCLUSION: ZOSTAVAX and influenza vaccine given concomitantly are generally well tolerated in adults aged 50 and older. Ab responses were similar whether ZOSTAVAX and influenza vaccine were given concomitantly or sequentially.
Kidney Function as a Predictor of Loss of Lean Mass in Older Adults: Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Authors: Fried Linda F. , Boudreau Robert , Lee Jung Sun , Chertow Glenn , Kurella‐Tamura Manjula , Shlipak Michael G. , Ding Jingzhong , Sellmeyer Deborah , Tylavsky Frances A. , Simsonick Eleanor , Kritchevsky Stephen B. , Harris Tamara B. , Newman Anne B. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: September 2007

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between kidney function and change in body composition in older individuals.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: Two sites, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Memphis, Tennessee.PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand twenty‐six well‐functioning, participants aged 70 to 79 in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (bone‐free lean mass and fat mass) was measured using dual x‐ray absorptiometry annually for 4 years. Kidney function was measured at baseline according to serum creatinine (SCr). Comorbidity and inflammatory markers were evaluated as covariates in mixed‐model, repeated‐measures analysis.RESULTS: High SCr was associated with loss of lean mass in men but not women, with a stronger relationship in black men (P=.02 for difference between slopes for white and black men). In white men, after adjustment for age and comorbidity, higher SCr remained associated with loss of lean mass (−0.07±0.03 kg/y greater loss per 0.4 mg/dL (1 standard deviation (SD)), P=.009) but was attenuated after adjustment for inflammatory factors (−0.05±0.03 kg/y greater loss per SD, P=.10). In black men, the relationship between SCr and loss of lean mass (−0.19±0.04 kg/y per SD, P<.001) persisted after adjustment for inflammation and overall weight change.CONCLUSION: Impaired kidney function may contribute to loss of lean mass in older men. Inflammation appeared to mediate the relationship in white but not black men. Future studies should strive to elucidate mechanisms linking kidney disease and muscle loss and identify treatments to minimize loss of lean mass and its functional consequences.
Reinsurance for Natural and Man‐Made Catastrophes in the United States: Current State of the Market and Regulatory Reforms
Authors: Cummins J. David 
Published: September 2007

AbstractU.S. insurers are heavily dependent on global reinsurance markets to enable them to provide adequate primary market insurance coverage. This article reviews the response of the world's reinsurance industry to recent mega‐catastrophes and provides recommendations for regulatory reforms that would improve the efficiency of reinsurance markets. The article also considers the supply of insurance and reinsurance for terrorism and makes recommendations for joint public–private responses to insuring terrorism losses. The analysis shows that reinsurance markets responded efficiently to recent catastrophe losses and that substantial amounts of new capital enter the reinsurance industry very quickly following major catastrophic events. Considerable progress has been made in improving risk and exposure management, capital allocation, and rate of return targeting. Insurance price regulation for catastrophe‐prone lines of business is a major source of inefficiency in insurance and reinsurance markets. Deregulation of insurance prices would improve the efficiency of insurance markets, enabling markets to deal more effectively with mega‐catastrophes. The current inadequacy of the private terrorism reinsurance market suggests that the federal government may need to remain involved in this market, at least for the next several years.
Stock Market Sensitivity to U.K. Firms' Pension Discounting Assumptions
Authors: Klumpes Paul J. M. , McMeeking Kevin 
Published: September 2007

AbstractNew U.K. pension accounting regulations significantly increase the exposure of the balance sheets of U.K. firms to volatilities in pension fund valuations. We examine whether the abnormal returns of firms that voluntarily used market‐based pension discount rates are significantly different from the abnormal returns of industry‐matched pair samples of firms that retained traditional cost‐based valuation assumptions during the period surrounding the release of the related exposure draft. We also examine the interest rate sensitivity of stock price returns over the 4‐year period before and after the announcement date. Consistent with our hypotheses, U.K. stock price returns incorporate the effect of unexpected interest rate changes on sources of pension earnings for firms that voluntarily switched to market‐based assumptions but do not incorporate these effects for firms that did not switch. These results suggest that unexpected changes in interest rates have a differential effect on a firm's sources of pension, financial, and core earnings.
Implications of IFRS for the European Insurance Industry—Insights From Capital Market Theory
Authors: Post Thomas , Gründl Helmut , Schmidl Lisa , Dorfman Mark S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe European insurance industry is currently undergoing a substantial change in financial reporting requirements. Beginning in 2005, compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) has been required in the European Union. Substantial sections of the IFRS—leading to a market‐oriented valuation of insurance contracts—are still under construction and will be introduced in the next few years. To date, assessment of the potential impact of the new IFRS accounting and reporting system is largely found in trade literature, and in insurance industry business leader and expert commentator statements. The tenor of opinion is that the IFRS will create a serious challenge for the European insurance industry. To evaluate the impact of IFRS more scientifically, this article applies—where indicated—capital market theory and the concept of information efficiency. The article suggests that concerns about the effects of IFRS are exaggerated, and reveals that the main area of IFRS impact on the European insurance industry is likely to be on insurance product design.
Differentiating Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia from Junctional Tachycardia: Novel Application of the Delta H‐A Interval
Authors: SRIVATHSAN KOMANDOOR , GAMI APOOR S. , BARRETT RENEE , MONAHAN KRISTI , PACKER DOUGLAS L. , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J. 
Published: October 2007

Introduction: Junctional tachycardia (JT) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can be difficult to differentiate. Yet, the two arrhythmias require distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We explored the utility of the delta H‐A interval as a novel technique to differentiate these two tachycardias. Methods: We included 35 patients undergoing electrophysiology study who had typical AVNRT, 31 of whom also had JT during slow pathway ablation, and four of whom had spontaneous JT during isoproterenol administration. We measured the H‐A interval during tachycardia (H‐AT) and during ventricular pacing (H‐AP) from the basal right ventricle. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of measurements was assessed. Ventricular pacing was performed at approximately the same rate as tachycardia. The delta H‐A interval was calculated as the H‐AP minus the H‐AT. Results: There was excellent interobserver and intraobserver agreement for measurement of the H‐A interval. The average delta H‐A interval was −10 ms during AVNRT and 9 ms during JT (P < 0.00001). For the diagnosis of JT, a delta H‐A interval ≥ 0 ms had the sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 84%, and negative predictive value of 88%. The delta H‐A interval was longer in men than in women with JT, but no gender‐based differences were seen with AVNRT. There was no difference in the H‐A interval based on age ≤ 60 years. Conclusion: The delta H‐A interval is a novel and reproducibly measurable interval that aids the differentiation of JT and AVNRT during electrophysiology studies.
The Transmural Activation Sequence in Porcine and Canine Left Ventricle Is Markedly Different During Long‐Duration Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: ALLISON J. SCOTT , QIN HAO , DOSDALL DEREK J. , HUANG JIAN , NEWTON JONATHAN C. , ALLRED JAMES D. , SMITH WILLIAM M. , IDEKER RAYMOND E. 
Published: October 2007

Background: Humans are more similar in transmural Purkinje and cardiac ion channel distributions to dogs than pigs. The Purkinje network in pigs is transmural but confined to the endocardium in dogs. Little is known about intramural activation during long‐duration ventricular fibrillation (LDVF) given these differences. We tested the hypothesis that the transmural activation sequence is similar in sinus rhythm (SR) and LDVF in dogs as well as pigs, but different between species.Methods and Results: In six pigs and seven dogs, 50–60 plunge needles (six electrodes, 2‐mm spacing) were placed throughout the left ventricle. Unipolar recordings were made for >10 minutes of LDVF. SR and LDVF activation times were grouped into waves by linking activations along each needle. Origin (earliest activation) and propagation direction were determined for each wave. The mean wave origin was significantly more endocardial in dogs than pigs for SR and 1 through 10 minutes of LDVF. Predominant propagation direction in LDVF and SR was endocardial to epicardial in dogs, but the opposite or equal in both directions in pigs. Fastest activation rate was epicardial in pigs, but endocardial in dogs with an increasing endocardial‐to‐epicardial activation rate gradient as LDVF progressed in dogs but not pigs.Conclusions: The transmural activation sequence in SR and LDVF is markedly different between pigs and dogs. These differences may be related to differences in Purkinje fiber and ion channel distributions and suggest that dogs are a better model for investigating activation sequences during LDVF, given the similarities with humans.
Clinical Significance of Macroscopic T‐Wave Alternans After Sodium Channel Blocker Administration in Patients with Brugada Syndrome
Authors: TADA TAKESHI , KUSANO KENGO FUKUSHIMA , NAGASE SATOSHI , BANBA KIMIKAZU , MIURA DAIJI , NISHII NOBUHIRO , WATANABE ATSUYUKI , NAKAMURA KAZUFUMI , MORITA HIROSHI , OHE TOHRU 
Published: October 2007

Introduction: Macroscopic T‐wave alternans (TWA) is sometimes observed after sodium channel blocker administration in patients with Brugada syndrome (BS), but little is known about the association between occurrence of TWA and clinical characteristics in BS patients. We investigated the association between spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurrence and TWA after pilsicainide, a sodium channel blocker administration in BS patients. Methods and Results: We administered pilsicainide at a dose of 1 mg/kg to 77 BS patients (76 males and one female; mean age, 48.4 years) and examined the association between TWA after pilsicainide administration and clinical characteristics, including age, spontaneous VF, syncope, family history of sudden death, spontaneous coved ST elevation, late potentials (LP), induction of VF by programmed electrical stimulation, and SCN5A mutation. None of the patients had TWA before pilsicainide administration, but TWA became apparent in 17 (22.1%) of the patients after pilsicainide administration. Patients with TWA had a significantly higher incidence of spontaneous VF (52.9% vs 8.3%, P < 0.001) and syncope (58.8% vs 26.7%, P < 0.05) than did patients without TWA. Then, we focused on the association between spontaneous VF and clinical characteristics. Patients with spontaneous VF had a significantly higher incidence of TWA (64.3% vs 12.7%, P < 0.001) and LP positive (92.9% vs 56.5%, P < 0.01) than did patients without spontaneous VF. In multivariate analysis, TWA (P = 0.001) and LP (P = 0.047) appeared as the independent predictor for spontaneous VF. Conclusion: TWA after pilsicainide administration is associated with a high risk of clinical VF in patients with BS.
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin in combination with attenuated doses of standard induction chemotherapy can successfully induce complete remission without increasing toxicity in patients with acute myeloid leukemia aged 55 or older
Authors: Eom Ki‐Seong , Kim Hee‐Je , Min Woo‐Sung , Lee Seok , Min Chang‐Ki , Cho Byung‐Sik , Kim Sung‐Yong , Kim Yoo‐Jin , Lee Dong‐Gun , Choi Su‐Mi , Cho Seok‐Goo , Kim Dong‐Wook , Lee Jong‐Wook , Shin Wan‐Shik , Kim Chun‐Choo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground:  In this study, the effectiveness and safety of combining gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) with an abbreviated schedule of standard induction chemotherapy were assessed in 37 patients (aged ≥55) yr with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:  GO was administered at a dose of 6 mg/m2 as a single 2‐h intravenous infusion on day 1. Following GO, an abbreviated schedule of induction chemotherapy consisting of idarubicin (12 mg/m2/d, days 2–4), and N4‐behenoyl‐1‐β‐arabinofuranosyl cytosine (300 mg/m2/d, days 2–6) was given.Results:  Thirty‐seven patients were treated with GO in combination with chemotherapy. Complete remission (CR) and CR with incomplete platelet recovery were achieved in 28 patients (75.7%) and one patient (2.7%) respectively. Two patients (5.4%) died during induction and two patients (5.4%) with grade 4 treatment emergent adverse effects during chemotherapy did not complete induction chemotherapy. The majority of toxicities were mild and manageable. Severe myelosuppresion was universal with significantly prolonged thrombocytopenic period. In total, 25 patients who received consolidation treatment, 19 patients remain alive at the time of analysis. Thirteen patients had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, three are preparing for transplantation and seven are receiving their consolidation chemotherapy course.Conclusion:  Although only a relatively small number of cases were included in this preliminary study and the follow‐up duration was short, frontline GO in combination with attenuated conventional chemotherapy was found to be effective and feasible in elderly patients with AML.