bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucose‐lowering activity of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor saxagliptin in drug‐naive patients with type 2 diabetes*
Authors: Rosenstock J. , Sankoh S. , List J. F. 
Published: March 2008

Aim:  Enhancing the physiologic actions of the endogenous incretin hormones, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4), the enzyme responsible for their degradation, is an emerging treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dose ranges of the DPP‐4 inhibitor saxagliptin (BMS‐477118) in patients with T2DM.Methods:  In a 12‐week, multicentre, randomized, parallel‐group, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial conducted at 152 out‐patient US study centres, 338 (low‐dose cohort) and 85 (high‐dose cohort) drug‐naive patients with T2DM and inadequate glycaemic control (baseline HbA1c ≥6.8 and ≤9.7%) were randomized. Following a 2‐week washout, patients received saxagliptin 2.5, 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg once daily, or placebo, for 12 weeks (low‐dose cohort). In a second cohort, patients received saxagliptin 100 mg once daily, or placebo, for 6 weeks (high‐dose cohort). The main outcome measure was saxagliptin dose response assessed as change from baseline in HbA1c following double‐blind treatment.Results:  In all treatment arms, saxagliptin significantly reduced HbA1c by 0.7–0.9% from an average baseline of 7.9% vs. placebo (0.3% reduction) in the low‐dose cohort. Placebo‐subtracted HbA1c reductions were 0.45–0.63% (low‐dose cohort). Saxagliptin had significant placebo‐subtracted reductions in fasting serum glucose (14–25 mg/dl). Postprandial glucose levels at 60 min following a standard liquid meal test were reduced by 24–41 mg/dl vs. placebo. Saxagliptin was weight neutral. Adverse events were similar across treatment groups, including placebo, with a very low incidence of confirmed hypoglycaemia in saxagliptin treatment arms.Conclusions:  Saxagliptin effectively improved glycaemic control in drug‐naive patients with T2DM and was generally safe, with a tolerability profile similar to placebo.
Spermatozoa of the Anomalodesmata (Bivalvia, Mollusca) with special reference to relationships within the group
Authors: Healy John M. , Bieler Rüdiger , Mikkelsen Paula M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSperm ultrastructure in the marine bivalve order Anomalodesmata is considered in the light of new information for Australian Myochama anomioides and Cuspidaria latesulcata. In M. anomioides, the acrosomal complex lies posterior to the nucleus, in contact with the asymmetrical midpiece mitochondria – an unusual configuration reported from most of the studied Anomalodesmata. Spermatozoa of M. anomioides resemble those of Myadora brevis (both in family Myochamidae). Myochamid spermatozoa are considerably less modified than those of the Lyonsiidae or Laternulidae, and may prove a basal type within the non‐septibranch anomalodesmatans. In contrast, C. latesulcata differs from other examined anomalodesmatans in having an anterior acrosomal complex and radial midpiece mitochondria (classic aquasperm features). Sperm data for the Anomalodesmata are limited but congruent with the most recent phylogenetic analyses that recognize distinct ‘thraciid’ and ‘lyonsiid’ clades. Results for C. latesulcata suggest septibranch origins before the development of a posteriorly positioned acrosomal complex and mitochondrial asymmetry.
Ontogenetic scaling of scansorial surface area and setal dimensions of Chondrodactylus bibronii (Gekkota: Gekkonidae): testing predictions derived from cross‐species comparisons of gekkotans
Authors: Webster Nicole B. , Johnson Megan K. , Russell Anthony P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractLittle is known of how the adhesive apparatus of gekkotans scales with growth. Cross‐species comparisons of certain characteristics, using size as a comparator to investigate scaling relationships, suggest certain relationships between subdigital pad area and body size. The manner in which the adhesive apparatus grows and scales within any one species, however, remains unknown, and it is unclear whether interspecific and intraspecific patterns are similar. To address this, we examined a post‐hatching ontogenetic series of the southern African gecko Chondrodactylus bibronii and demonstrate that setal density, setal basal diameter and setal spacing remain relatively constant in relation to size, indicating conserved subdigital pad assembly rules that are independent of size. Conversely, however, average and maximal setal lengths increase slightly and isometrically with size, an outcome that is probably explained by setal row recruitment, and the surface area of the subdigital pads scales close to, but below, isometry with respect to body mass and snout–vent length, it therefore does not increase sufficiently with size to compensate for the increase in mass. As a result, relative adhesive capacity decreases with growth with a regression slope of –0.45.
C‐reactive protein level predicts prognosis in patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Yoshida Soichiro , Saito Kazutaka , Koga Fumitaka , Yokoyama Minato , Kageyama Yukio , Masuda Hitoshi , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Kawakami Satoru , Kihara Kazunori 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of C‐reactive protein (CRP) level on the prognosis of patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy (ChRT), as it is increasingly recognized that the presence of a systemic inflammatory response is associated with poor survival in various malignancies.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe clinical records of 88 patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (cT2–4 N0M0) treated with ChRT were reviewed retrospectively. ChRT comprised external beam radiotherapy to the bladder (40 Gy) with two cycles of cisplatin (50–100 mg) at 3‐week intervals. Elevated CRP was defined as >0.5 mg/dL. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and a multivariate analysis was used to identify significant factors associated with prognosis, using a Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTSDuring the median (range) follow‐up of 33 (3–117) months, 19 patients died from bladder cancer; the 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rate was 73%. Ten patients had a high CRP level before ChRT (≥0.5 mg/dL) and their CSS rate was significantly worse than that in the remaining patients (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that CRP and cT stage were independent prognostic indicators for CSS, with a hazard ratio of 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.01–2.97; P = 0.046). Among 10 patients in those with elevated CRP the CRP levels became normal after ChRT in six, of whom all but one was alive with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during the follow‐up. By contrast, all four with no CRP normalization after ChRT died within 2 years.CONCLUSIONSTo our knowledge this is the first study to report that elevation of CRP before treatment predicts a poor prognosis in patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer who are receiving ChRT. Furthermore, failure of CRP levels to normalize after ChRT was associated with extremely poor survival.
How sudden is a compelling desire to void? An observational cystometric study on the suddenness of this sensation
Authors: De Wachter Stefan , Wyndaele Jean‐Jacques 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether a compelling desire to void (CDV) is always perceived suddenly, or whether it can result from the gradual build‐up of bladder‐filling sensations.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe pattern of filling sensations was evaluated during standard cystometric bladder filling in 75 patients who complained of urgency and showed detrusor overactivity during cystometry. Cystometric filling ended when a CDV was reported. The ‘warning volume’ is defined as the difference in volume between the first perception of filling and the volume at CDV.RESULTSDifferent patterns of bladder‐filling sensations were reported. A CDV occurred suddenly, without a preceding sensation in 13% of the patients, whereas 66% reported at least two normal preceding filling sensations before a CDV. The bladder volume at the CDV was significantly smaller in patients that reported no or just one preceding sensation compared with those that reported the normal pattern of two or three sensations (P < 0.005). The bladder volume at which the first filling perception was reported was not different regardless of whether it was described as a first sensation of filling, a first desire or a CDV (P = 0.42). The warning volumes were not different between patients with one or no standardized filling sensations (P = 0.7), but they were significantly smaller than in patients with two or three filling sensations (P = 0.85).CONCLUSIONA CDV can occur suddenly if normal filling sensation is disturbed, but also gradually if normal filling sensation is preserved. In cases of disturbed filling sensation, the volume at CDV and the warning volume are significantly lower.
PROBABILITY‐BASED OPTIMAL DESIGN
Authors: McGree J. M. , Eccleston J. A. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryOptimal design of experiments has generally concentrated on parameter estimation and, to a much lesser degree, on model discrimination. Often an experimenter is interested in a particular outcome and wishes to maximize in some way the probability of this outcome. We propose a new class of compound criteria and designs that address this issue for generalized linear models. The criteria offer a method of achieving designs that possess the properties of efficient parameter estimation and a high probability of a desired outcome.
HEAVY‐TAILED‐DISTRIBUTED THRESHOLD STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODELS IN FINANCIAL TIME SERIES
Authors: Chen Cathy W. S. , Liu F. C. , So Mike K. P. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryTo capture mean and variance asymmetries and time‐varying volatility in financial time series, we generalize the threshold stochastic volatility (THSV) model and incorporate a heavy‐tailed error distribution. Unlike existing stochastic volatility models, this model simultaneously accounts for uncertainty in the unobserved threshold value and in the time‐delay parameter. Self‐exciting and exogenous threshold variables are considered to investigate the impact of a number of market news variables on volatility changes. Adopting a Bayesian approach, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to estimate all unknown parameters and latent variables. A simulation experiment demonstrates good estimation performance for reasonable sample sizes. In a study of two international financial market indices, we consider two variants of the generalized THSV model, with US market news as the threshold variable. Finally, we compare models using Bayesian forecasting in a value‐at‐risk (VaR) study. The results show that our proposed model can generate more accurate VaR forecasts than can standard models.
CONDITIONAL EXPECTATION FORMULAE FOR COPULAS
Authors: Crane Glenis J. , Hoek John van der 
Published: March 2008

SummaryNot only are copula functions joint distribution functions in their own right, they also provide a link between multivariate distributions and their lower‐dimensional marginal distributions. Copulas have a structure that allows us to characterize all possible multivariate distributions, and therefore they have the potential to be a very useful statistical tool. Although copulas can be traced back to 1959, there is still much scope for new results, as most of the early work was theoretical rather than practical. We focus on simple practical tools based on conditional expectation, because such tools are not widely available. When dealing with data sets in which the dependence throughout the sample is variable, we suggest that copula‐based regression curves may be more accurate predictors of specific outcomes than linear models. We derive simple conditional expectation formulae in terms of copulas and apply them to a combination of simulated and real data.
THE AGGREGATE DEMAND FOR LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA: A META‐ANALYSIS*
Authors: DOUCOULIAGOS CHRIS 
Published: March 2008

In this paper, meta‐analysis techniques are applied to 34 studies of the aggregate demand for Australian labour. Inverse associations between the real wage and employment and demand and unemployment are established, and positive associations between demand and employment and the real wage and unemployment are established. The associations are stronger with respect to the real wage. The results suggest that at least two‐thirds of the variation in estimates across studies is artifactual and is due to specification differences. It is argued in this paper that the available studies are of limited value to policy formulation.No single empirical study can provide definitive measures of a particular parameter. This guarantees that substantial numbers of empirical studies of the more important parameters describing labor demand will have been produced. (Hamermesh, 1993, p. 61)
The objects of evidence
Authors: Engelke Matthew 
Published: March 2008

By and large, anthropology's reflections on the concept of evidence have been couched within other discussions – on truth, knowledge, and related concerns. This essay, which introduces the special issue, makes the case that evidence deserves more considered attention in its own right. Drawing on the small but growing body of literature in social and cultural anthropology that does address questions of evidence, I situate the articles here in relation to several anthropological conversations, suggesting in the process how an exploration of evidence can shed light on three key issues: anthropology's standards of judgement, the potentials within interdisciplinary collaboration, and the benefits of a public anthropology.RésuméDe manière générale, les réflexions de l'anthropologie sur le concept de preuve ont été imbriquées dans d'autres discussions concernant la vérité, la connaissance et d'autres questions connexes. En ouverture de ce numéro spécial, le présent essai avance que la preuve mériterait une attention plus spécifique pour elle‐même. À partir d'un corpus restreint mais grandissant d'études en anthropologie culturelle et sociale consacrées à la question de la preuve, l'auteur situe les articles réunis ici par rapport à plusieurs conversations anthropologiques, en suggérant comment une exploration de la preuve peut faire la lumière sur trois grandes questions : les critères de jugement de l'anthropologie, les possibilités offertes par une collaboration interdisciplinaire et les avantages d'une anthropologie publique.
Cultural evidence in courts of law
Authors: Good Anthony 
Published: March 2008

This paper examines the problems arising when culture is teleologized in courts of law, by being treated as ‘objective evidence’ or as the direct cause of persecution or delinquency. It starts by explaining the role of expert witnesses, and the kinds of evidence they can and cannot provide. It then addresses the widespread use, especially in the United States, of the ‘cultural defense’ in cases involving immigrant or minority defendants. It summarizes anthropological approaches to the notion of culture; the ongoing debate between rights‐based and culture‐based approaches to international law; and the impact upon anthropology of current notions of legal and cultural pluralism. Finally, it briefly addresses the treatment of anthropological evidence in English courts, with special reference to asylum appeals under the rubric of the 1951 Refugee Convention.RésuméLe présent article étudie les problèmes qui surviennent lorsque la culture est téléologisée dans les tribunaux en étant traitée comme une « preuve objective » ou une cause directe de persécution ou de délinquance. L'auteur commence par expliquer le rôle des experts devant les tribunaux et les types de preuves qu'ils peuvent et ne peuvent pas fournir. Il étudie ensuite l'usage très répandu, notamment aux États‐Unis, de la « défense culturelle » dans les cas impliquant des accusés issus de l'immigration ou d'une minorité. Il résume l'approche anthropologique de la notion de culture, le débat en cours entre les approches du droit international basées sur les droits et celles basées sur la culture, et l'impact sur l'anthropologie des notions actuelles de pluralisme juridique et culturel. Enfin, il aborde brièvement le traitement de la preuve anthropologique dans les tribunaux anglais, en faisant spécifiquement référence aux appels en matière de droit d'asile dans le cadre d'application de la Convention sur les réfugiés de 1951.
Three propositions for an evidence‐based medical anthropology
Authors: Ecks Stefan 
Published: March 2008

Medicine seems to collect evidence in ways entirely different from social anthropology. It aims to gather ‘best evidence’ through large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and advanced methods of statistical analysis. The latest phase in this drive towards quantification is the global rise of evidence‐based medicine (EBM). From the perspective of EBM, ethnographic evidence, with all its emphasis on ‘local’ knowledge, is at best anecdotal, at worst insignificant. Anthropological engagements with EBM have just begun, and much work – both empirically and conceptually – remains to be done. This paper takes up the challenge posed by EBM and develops three propositions for an ‘evidence‐based medical anthropology’. The first proposition is that anthropologists have to study medical evidence‐making differently than before. The second proposition is that EBM compels anthropologists to reconsider what they see as ‘evidence’. The third proposition reverses the analysis once more to suggest that anthropological evidence can discover fundamental blindspots in EBM. The examples presented here are drawn from research on treatments of depression by general physicians and psychiatrists in Kolkata (Calcutta, India).RésuméLa recherche de preuves en anthropologie sociale et en médecine semble être radicalement différente. Le but de cette dernière est de réunir « les meilleures preuves » grâce à de grandes études randomisées et contrôlées et à des méthodes avancées d'analyse statistique. La dernière phase de cette recherche de quantification est la montée en régime de la médecineevidence‐based, basée sur les preuves, dans le monde entier. Du point de vue de la médecine basée sur les preuves, la preuve ethnographique, mettant l'accent sur la connaissance « locale », est au mieux anecdotique, au pire insignifiante. Les anthropologues commencent tout juste à relever les défis posés par cette démarche et beaucoup de travail reste à faire au niveau à la fois empirique et conceptuel. L'auteur développe trois propositions pour une « anthropologie médicale basée sur les preuves ». La première proposition est que les anthropologues doivent changer d'approche dans leur étude de la recherche de preuves en médecine. La deuxième est que la médecine basée sur les preuves oblige les anthropologues à reconsidérer ce qu'ils voient comme des « preuves ». La troisième proposition inverse une fois de plus l'analyse pour suggérer que la preuve anthropologique peut révéler les angles morts fondamentaux de la médecine basée sur les preuves. Les exemples présentés ici sont issus de recherches sur le traitement de la dépression réalisées par des généralistes et des psychiatres à Kolkata (Calcutta), en Inde.
MODELLING THE IMPACT OF TELECOMMUTING ON FUTURE URBANISATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: MUHAMMAD SAIM , OTTENS HENK F.L. , DE JONG TOM 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTInformation and communication technologies (ICTs) have evolved to such a level that they can facilitate people's access to opportunities in virtual space (through telecommuting, teleshopping, e‐learning, and so forth) along with accessing them in physical space. A hybrid space is therefore emerging, which will have consequences for people's spatial behaviour. In particular telecommuting is expected to change residential preferences and affect future urbanisation patterns. To explore this assertion, residential land‐use allocation in the 2000 to 2030 period is projected for the Netherlands using a specially designed set of linked models for two scenarios (physical space and hybrid space). Results indicate that urban decentralisation and deconcentration are likely to accelerate because of increasing telecommuting. Attractive regions to live in at medium distances from large cities will in particular be confronted with new urban pressure of a sprawling nature. Urban policies have to be reconsidered to cope with these new spatial development trends.
ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF INTERNAL MIGRATION RATES: A COMPARISON ACROSS FIVE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Authors: VAN DER GAAG NICOLE , VAN WISSEN LEO 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the issue of the relationship between internal migration rates at NUTS 2 level and economic developments. For five European countries, several hypotheses were tested on three groups of economic variables: general business cycle indicators, financial variables as well as variables reflecting more structural labour market developments. The empirical analysis is based on first differences of all variables. Although some support was found for all of the hypotheses tested but one, the main conclusion is that there is a stable relationship between GDP per capita and internal migration that is highly similar across countries.
Prevalence of disabling spasticity 1 year after first‐ever stroke
Authors: Lundström E. , Terént A. , Borg J. 
Published: March 2008

Objective:  To estimate the prevalence of disabling spasticity (DS) 1 year after first‐ever stroke.Design:  Cross‐sectional survey 1 year after first‐ever stroke.Methods:  Patients above 18 years from one county with first‐ever stroke were identified by use of the national stroke registry. A representative sample of 163 patients was created and 140 of these were followed up. Assessments of motor function and ability with the modified Ashworth Scale, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the Barthel Index (BI) and clinical evaluation were performed in order to identify patients with spasticity‐related disability.Results:  The observed prevalence of any spasticity was 17% and of DS 4%. Patients with DS scored significantly worse than those with no DS on the mRS (P = 0.009) and the BI (P = 0.005). DS was more frequent in the upper extremity, correlated positively with other indices of motor impairment and inversely with age. There was an independent effect of severe upper extremity paresis (OR 22, CI 3.9–125) and age below 65 years (OR 9.5, CI 1.5–60).Conclusions:  The prevalence of DS after first‐ever stroke is low but corresponds to a large number of patients and deserves further attention with regards to prevention and treatment.
Ultrasound, atherosclerosis and stroke at a young age: a cross‐sectional long‐term follow‐up in western Norway
Authors: Waje‐Andreassen U. , Naess H. , Thomassen L. , Eide G. E. , Meijer R. , Vedeler C. A. 
Published: March 2008

Background and purpose:  Previous studies have shown significantly higher mortality and vascular morbidity amongst patients with ischaemic stroke onset at a young age compared with controls after a mean observation time of more than 11 years.Methods:  In the present cross‐sectional study, we measured the carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) in 140 (75%) of 187 survivors of ischaemic stroke after a mean observation time of 11.9 years. Their mean age when included was 41.1 years. IMT was measured by B‐mode ultrasonography.Results:  Total maximum IMT <1.0 mm was found in 34 (24%) patients, [1.0–1.2 mm) in 29 (21%) patients, [1.2–1.5 mm) in 29 (21%) patients and ≥1.5 mm in 48 (34%) patients. Increasing total maximum IMT was related to increasing age, male gender, recurrent ischaemic stroke, coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis, smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.Discussion:  IMT changes confirm increased vascular morbidity in patients who suffered ischaemic stroke at a young age.