bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Diplomacy: Rethinking the Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement
Authors: Haughton Suzette 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe Shiprider Agreement — an important aspect of Jamaica-US bilateral diplomacy — represents the strength of diplomatic engagements that have been used to address the cross-border drug-trafficking problem. To substantiate this claim, this article examines the Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement on three criteria.First, examining some examples of counter-drug cooperation before the Shiprider Agreement demonstrates that the fundamental basis for the Agreement is premised on a positive Jamaica-US relationship. This relationship, along with the stipulated obligations enshrined in the 1988 Vienna Convention, impelled the United States' proposal of the Shiprider Agreement. Second, the article uses complex interdependence theory to test the negotiation process and the outcome of the Agreement. Findings demonstrate that complex interdependence mainly confirms explanations of the foreign policy outcomes and diplomatic conduct displayed in the Jamaica-US Shiprider case. Finally, the article assesses the breakdown in the negotiation process and the initial implementation phase of the Agreement, arguing that this breakdown must be seen in context given the Agreement's successful ratification and its non-controversial continuation. The article concludes that despite the instances of breakdown, the birth and provision of the judicious Jamaica-US Shiprider Agreement owed much to the success of diplomacy.
Faith-Based Diplomacy under Examination
Authors: Troy Jodok 
Published: November 2008

AbstractReligion has been largely absent in diplomacy, particularly in the Western world, for a long time. Some would even say since the Enlightenment. Moreover, religion has been ignored in present-day theories of international relations, and thus also in diplomatic studies. A recent 'resurgence' of religion in international affairs, however, presents an opportunity to apply moral insights and religious concepts towards the development of peaceful settlements of conflicts through diplomatic techniques. The approach of faith-based diplomatic approaches may infuse those insights into today's political reality, thereby incorporating important initiatives, such as reconciliation and forgiveness, into conflict resolution.This article examines the concept of faith-based diplomacy as declared track-two diplomacy in the context of classical track-one diplomacy. It starts with a brief overview of political science research of track-one and track-two diplomacy. Additional focus is applied to the principles and practices of Christian faith traditions and their potential contributions to peace-building. Finally, the article also evaluates the 'spiritual roots' of diplomacy. It assesses how 'diplomatic theory and practice can be informed and enriched by experimenting with spirituality'. The success of faith-based diplomacy lies in its insights and applications of religious values and methods. But it is also its realistic approach that makes faith-based diplomacy a promising, needed and additional style of diplomacy even though it cannot be properly located within either track-one or track-two diplomacy.
The results of two multicenter, open-label studies assessing efficacy, tolerability and safety of protiramer, a high molecular weight synthetic copolymeric mixture, in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: De Stefano N , Filippi M , Confavreux C , Vermersch P , Simu M , Sindic C , Hupperts R , Bajenaru O , Edan G , Grimaldi L , Marginean I , Medaer R , Orefice G , Pascu I , Pelletier J , Sanders E , Scarpini E , Mancardi GL 
Published: November 2008

Objective Two pilot studies were conducted to evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of two doses of Protiramer (TV-5010) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis. Background Both glatiramer acetate and TV-5010 are synthetic copolymers comprised the same four amino acids in a defined molar ratio. TV-5010 has higher average molecular weight than Glatiramer acetate and might be hypothesized that glatiramoids with higher molecular weight might be more immunoreactive than lower molecular weight peptides, thus increasing therapeutic potential and allowing for less frequent dosing. Methods In the two separate studies, after a 10 week pretreatment period, TV-5010 was given subcutaneously once weekly at 15 mg and 30 mg for 36 weeks. The primary end point was a reduction in the number of magnetic resonance imaging active lesions (i.e., T1-weigthed gadolinium-enhancing and new T2-weighted lesions) between the pretreatment period and the end of study. Results Both TV-5010 doses were generally well tolerated. The treatment with TV-5010 at a dose of 15 mg/wk did not show any significant effect. In contrast, in patients treated with at a dose of 30 mg/wk, a significant reduction in the mean number of gadolinium-enhancing (−58.8%; P = 0.0013) and new T2-W (−50%; P = 0.0002) lesions was observed. However, a large decrease in the mean number of both gadolinium-enhancing (−55%) and new T2-W (−40%) lesions during the pretreatment period made difficult the interpretation of the efficacy assessments. Conclusions Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data on safety and efficacy of TV-5010 at a weekly dose of 30 mg.
Brain atrophy evolution and lesion load accrual in multiple sclerosis: a 2-year follow-up study
Authors: Tedeschi G , Dinacci D , Comerci M , Lavorgna L , Savettieri G , Quattrone A , Livrea P , Patti F , Brescia Morra V , Servillo G , Orefice G , Paciello M , Prinster A , Coniglio G , Bonavita S , Di Costanzo A , Bellacosa A , Valentino P , Quarantelli M , Brunetti A , Salemi G , D’Amelio M , Simone I , Salvatore M , Bonavita V , Alfano B 
Published: November 2008

Background To investigate in a large cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), lesion load and atrophy evolution, and the relationship between clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlates of disease progression. Methods Two hundred and sixty-seven patients with MS were studied at baseline and two years later using the same MRI protocol. Abnormal white matter fraction, normal appearing white matter fraction, global white matter fraction, gray matter fraction and whole brain fraction, T2-hyperintense, and T1-hypointense lesions were measured at both time points. Results The majority of patients were clinically stable, whereas MRI-derived brain tissue fractions were significantly different after 2 years. The correlation between MRI data at baseline and their variation during the follow-up showed that lower basal gray matter atrophy was significantly related with higher progression of gray matter atrophy during follow-up. The correlation between MRI parameters and disease duration showed that gray matter atrophy rate decreased with increasing disease duration, whereas the rate of white matter atrophy had a constant pattern. Lower basal gray matter atrophy was associated with increased probability of developing gray matter atrophy at follow-up, whereas gray matter atrophy progression over 2 years and new T2 lesion load were risk factors for whole brain atrophy progression. Conclusions In MS, brain atrophy occurs even after a relatively short period of time and in patients with limited progression of disability. Short-term brain atrophy progression rates differ across tissue compartments, as gray matter atrophy results more pronounced than white matter atrophy and appears to be a early phenomenon in the MS-related disease progression.
Clean intermittent self-catheterization in persons with multiple sclerosis: the influence of cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Vahter L , Zopp I , Kreegipuu M , Kool P , Talvik T , Gross-Paju K 
Published: November 2008

Background Bladder problems are very common in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of PwMS to learn clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC). Methods The physical disability of 23 PwMS was evaluated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and cognitive status was evaluated with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N). CISC was taught by the same continence advisor who was blinded to the cognitive test results. The ability to learn CISC was evaluated immediately after sessions and 3 months later. Twenty-three consecutive PwMS participated in the study. Results In all, 87% (20/23) of the PwMS successfully finished CISC training. The number of lessons needed to acquire CISC skills differed significantly depending on the EDSS (Spearman r = 0.682, P = 0.0003), but the total cognitive decline subscore did not influence the ability to learn CISC. Only 13% (3/23) of the PwMS failed to learn CISC. The ability to learn CISC depended on the number of lessons needed to acquire CISC ( r = −0.499, P = 0.0313) and the EDSS score ( r = −0.433, P = 0.0390) but not on the course of the disease ( r = 0.125, P = 0.5696) or on cognitive decline ( r = −0.311, P = 0.1480). After 3 months of follow-up, 30% (6/20) of the PwMS had ceased performing CISC. A follow-up indicated no statistically significant correlations among any of the subscores of the cognitive test battery, the EDSS score, the course of the disease, and the time required to learn CISC and effective bladder management. Conclusions Our study thus confirmed that most (87%) PwMS were able to learn CISC in spite of cognitive dysfunction and therefore to improve their quality of life.
Red cell membrane: past, present, and future
Authors: Mohandas Narla , Gallagher Patrick G. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAs a result of natural selection driven by severe forms of malaria, 1 in 6 humans in the world, more than 1 billion people, are affected by red cell abnormalities, making them the most common of the inherited disorders. The non-nucleated red cell is unique among human cell type in that the plasma membrane, its only structural component, accounts for all of its diverse antigenic, transport, and mechanical characteristics. Our current concept of the red cell membrane envisions it as a composite structure in which a membrane envelope composed of cholesterol and phospholipids is secured to an elastic network of skeletal proteins via transmembrane proteins. Structural and functional characterization of the many constituents of the red cell membrane, in conjunction with biophysical and physiologic studies, has led to detailed description of the way in which the remarkable mechanical properties and other important characteristics of the red cells arise, and of the manner in which they fail in disease states. Current studies in this very active and exciting field are continuing to produce new and unexpected revelations on the function of the red cell membrane and thus of the cell in health and disease, and shed new light on membrane function in other diverse cell types.
Stability of multiple alignments and phylogenetic trees: an analysis of ABC-transporter proteins family
Authors: Wagner Holger , Morgenstern Burkhard , Dress Andreas 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
Sequence-based phylogeny reconstruction is a fundamental task in Bioinformatics. Practically all methods for phylogeny reconstruction are based on multiple alignments. The quality and stability of the underlying alignments is therefore crucial for phylogenetic analysis.

Results
In this short report, we investigate alignments and alignment-based phylogenies constructed for a set of 22 ABC transporters using CLUSTAL W and DIALIGN. Comparing the 22 "one-out phylogenies" one can obtain for this sequence set, some intrinsic phylogenetic instability is observed — even if attention is restricted to branches with high bootstrapping frequencies, the so-called safe branches. We show that this instability is caused by the fact that both, CLUSTAL W as well as DIALIGN, apparently get "confused" by sequence repeats in some of the ABC-transporter. To deal with such problems, two new DIALIGN options are introduced that prove helpful in our context, the "exclude-fragment" (or "xfr") and the "self-comparison" (or "sc") option.

Conclusion
"One-out strategies", known to be a useful tool for testing the stability of all sorts of data-analysis procedures, can successfully be used also in testing alignment stability. In case instabilities are observed, the sequences under consideration should be carefully checked for putative causes. In case one suspects sequence repeats to be the cause, the new "sc" option can be used to detect such repeats, and the "xfr" option can help to resolve the resulting problems.
Use of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299 to reduce pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of intubated patients: a randomised controlled open pilot study
Authors: Klarin Bengt , Molin Göran , Jeppsson Bengt , Larsson Anders 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is usually caused by aspiration of pathogenic bacteria from the oropharynx. Oral decontamination with antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine (CHX) or antibiotics, has been used as prophylaxis against this complication. We hypothesised that the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299) would be as efficient as CHX in reducing the pathogenic bacterial load in the oropharynx of tracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients.

Methods
Fifty critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation were randomised to either oral mechanical cleansing followed by washing with 0.1% CHX solution or to the same cleansing procedure followed by oral application of an emulsion of Lp299. Samples for microbiological analyses were taken from the oropharynx and trachea at inclusion and at defined intervals thereafter.

Results
Potentially pathogenic bacteria that were not present at inclusion were identified in oropharyngeal samples from eight of the patients treated with Lp299 and 13 of those treated with CHX (p = 0.13). Analysis of tracheal samples yielded similar results. Lp299 was recovered from the oropharynx of all patients in the Lp299 group.

Conclusions
In this pilot study, we found no difference between the effect of Lp299 and CHX used in oral care procedures, when we examined the effects of those agents on colonisation of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of intubated, mechanically ventilated patients.
Optimal Category Pricing with Endogenous Store Traffic
Authors: Fox Edward J. , Postrel Steven , Semple John H. 
Published: November 2008

We propose a dynamic programming framework for retailers of frequently purchased consumer goods in which the prices affect both the profit per visit in the current period and the number of visitors (i.e., store traffic) in future periods. We show that optimal category prices in the infinite-horizon problem also maximize the closed form sum of a geometric series, allowing us to derive meaningful analytical results. Modeling the linkage between category prices and future store traffic fundamentally changes optimal pricing policy. Optimal pricing must balance current profits against future traffic; under general conditions, optimal long-run prices are uniformly lower across all categories than those that maximize current profits. This result explains the empirical generalization that category demand in grocery stores is inelastic. Parameterizing profit per visit and store traffic reveals that, as future traffic becomes more sensitive to price, retailers should increasingly lower current prices and sacrifice current profits. We also determine how the burden of drawing future traffic to the store should be distributed across categories; this is the foundation for a new taxonomy of category roles.
Manufacture of laminated strand veneer (LSV) composite. Part 2: Elastic and strength properties of laminate of thin strand veneers
Authors: Weight Shilo W. , Yadama Vikram 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Laminated strand veneer (LSV) is a new engineered wood-strand composite consisting of laminated thin (3 mm) strand veneers (see Part 1 of this study). Advantages include utilization of low-density small-diameter timber, good mechanical properties for structural applications, and the ability to engineer the lay-up of laminates for specific end uses. In the present paper, the feasibility of the concept of engineering laminated composites made of thin strand veneers is scrutinized. Properties of individual strand plies and laminated products manufactured with strand plies were determined and compared with traditional wood composite panel properties and predictions based on the classical lamination theory (CLT). Elastic and strength properties of LSV composites compare favorably with plywood and laminated veneer lumber composites made of veneer, and exceeded those of oriented strand board and particleboard. It was shown that the CLT model was useful in engineering composite lay-ups to give an approximation of LSV composites properties. Strength and stiffness of LSV are 100–150% higher than that of the small-diameter parent wood from which it was formed.
Effect of autohydrolysis of Eucalyptus globulus wood on lignin structure. Part 2: Influence of autohydrolysis intensity
Authors: Leschinsky Moritz , Zuckerstätter Gerhard , Weber Hedda K. , Patt Rudolf , Sixta Herbert 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Three different levels of autohydrolysis intensity, expressed as the prehydrolysis (P)-factor, were applied to Eucalyptus globulus wood at a liquor/wood ratio of 5:1. Lignin fractions were isolated from the wood residue as milled wood lignin (MWL), from the hydrolysate by centrifugation (insoluble fraction) and by ethyl acetate extraction (soluble fraction), and from the reactor wall as precipitate. With increasing autohydrolysis duration, a decrease in the content of aliphatic hydroxyl groups and of β-O-4 structures was detected in all lignin fractions, whereas the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups increased in the same order. MWL isolated from wood residue after autohydrolysis at the highest P-factor contained only half the β-O-4 structures contained in native lignin. Molecular weight distribution measurements revealed that fragmentation reactions dominated over condensation reactions in all lignin samples investigated. However, low-molecular-weight lignin dissolved in autohydrolysate exhibited extremely high reactivity towards acid-catalysed condensation reaction, which inevitably leads to the formation of sticky precipitates during storage at elevated temperature under the acid conditions prevailing.
Allergologische Diagnostik von Überempfindlichkeitsreaktionen auf Arzneimittel / Allergological approach to drug hypersensitivity reactions Leitlinie der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft (DDG) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinische Immunologie (DGAKI) in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen (ÄDA) und dem Berufsverband Deutscher Dermatologen (BVDD)Entwicklungsstufe 1 (S 1) Erstellungsdatum: 30.09.2007Nächste Überprüfung geplant: 1.10.2011
Authors: Przybilla Bernhard , Aberer Werner , Bircher Andreas J. , Brehler Randolph , Brockow Knut , Dickel Heinrich , Fuchs Thomas , Hertl Michael , Mockenhaupt Maja , Pfaar Oliver , Ring Johannes , Sachs Bernhardt , Vieluf Dieter , Wedi Bettina , Worm Margitta , Zuberbier Torsten , Merk Hans F. 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Überempfindlichkeitsreaktionen auf Arzneimittel müssen ausreichend geklärt werden mit dem Ziel, den Auslöser zu identifizieren. Die Anamnese umfasst neben der allgemeinen Anamnese auch Informationen zu angewandten Arzneimitteln, zur Klassifikation und zu den Umständen der Reaktion. Hauttests erfolgen bei allen Reaktionen mit Symptomen allergischer Überempfindlichkeiten mit geeigneten Testkonzentrationen, möglichst zwischen 4 Wochen und 6 Monate nach Abheilung der Reaktion durch Pricktest, Intrakutantest, Epikutantest oder Photopatchtest. Validierte Tests zum Nachweis spezifischer IgE-Antikörper im Serum sind nur für wenige Arzneistoffe (vor allem Betalaktamantibiotika) verfügbar; andere immunologische Labormethoden, z.B. der Basophilen-Aktivierungstest, werden nur in ausgewählten Fällen angewendet. Provokationstests sind indiziert, wenn der Auslöser durch bisherige Untersuchungen nicht mit Sicherheit identifiziert werden kann. Die Bewertung der Ergebnisse von Provokationstests sollte möglichst anhand objektiver Parameter erfolgen. Das Ergebnis der abschließenden Gesamtbeurteilung wird mit dem Patienten ausführlich besprochen und in einem Allergiepass niedergelegt.
Vitamin D und Parathormon: Ein Weg zur Bestimmung methodenabhängiger unterer Grenzwerte für Vitamin D / Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone: a tool to determine assay-specific cutoff values for vitamin D
Authors: Thierfelder Wulf , Roth Heinz J. , Laussmann Detlef , Pientka Ludger , Schumacher Jochen , Schulz Jörg , Scheidt-Nave Christa 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Vitamin D wird eine Rolle in der Pathogenese zahlreicher chronischer Erkrankungen zugesprochen. Als Indikator des endogenen Vitamin D Status dient die Bestimmung von 25-Hydoxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Eine suboptimale Versorgung mit möglichen gesundheitlichen Langzeitfolgen liegt möglicherweise bereits bei Serum-Konzentrationen vor, die weit über einem skelettsensitiven Schwellenwert liegen. Bisher besteht keine Einigung hinsichtlich eines klinisch relevanten Grenzwertes. Erschwerend für die klinische Diagnostik, aber auch die Interpretation von Forschungsergebnissen, wirken sich Standardisierungsdefizite bei den Messmethoden aus. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden drei 25(OH)D-Assays miteinander verglichen: eine In-house High-Performance-Liquid-Chromatography (HPLC)-Methode und zwei Lumineszenzassays verschiedener Hersteller (DiaSorin, Nichols). Zusätzlich wurde intaktes Parathormon (iPTH) im Serum mit zwei verschiedenen Methoden bestimmt (Lumineszenzassay, DiaSorin; Elektrochemilumineszenz-Immunoassay, Roche). Basierend auf der gegenläufigen Beziehung zwischen Vitamin D und intaktem Parathomon in der engmaschigen Regulation des Serum-Kalziums wurden mit Hilfe von ROC-Analysen testspezifische Schwellenwerte für Serum-25(OH)D ermittelt, die eine optimale Differenzierung zwischen erhöhten und innerhalb des vom Hersteller angegebenen Referenzbereichs liegenden iPTH-Serumkonzentrationen erlauben. Für die HPLC-Methode lag dieser Wert bei 22,9 μg/L, für den Lumineszenzassay (Nichols) bei 19,5 μg/L und den Lumineszenzassay (DiaSorin) bei 14,4 μg/L. Diese Schwellenwerte sind als untere Alarmgrenze zu verstehen und belegen zugleich, dass sie zum Teil bereits in die etablierten Referenzbereiche der hier untersuchten Methoden für Serum-25(OH)D fallen. Am iPTH-orientierte methodenspezifische Grenzwerte für Serum-25(OH)D ersetzen nicht die Erstellung von Referenzbereichen für die verschiedenen möglichen gesundheitlichen Langzeitfolgen einer Vitamin D Unterversorgung.
Familiäres Antiphospholipidsyndrom / Familial antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Schambeck Christian M. 
Published: November 2008

Zusammenfassung
Von einer familiären Häufung von Lupusantikoagulanz und Anticardiolipin-Antikörper wurde immer wieder berichtet. Der Nachweis von Antiphospholipid-Antikörpern innerhalb einer Familie war nur gelegentlich mit klinischen Ereignissen verknüpft. Verlässliche Daten zu Häufigkeit und klinischer Relevanz dieses Phänomens fehlen. Eine Assoziation von HLA DR4, DR7, DRw53 und DQw7 zum primären APS, die sich vom HLA-Muster eines SLE unterscheidet, weisen auf eine immungenetische Prädisposition hin. Das β2-Glycoprotein I ist ein wichtiger Bindungspartner von Anticardiolipin-Antikörpern. Der Val247Leu-Polymorphismus in der fünften Domäne des β2-Glycoprotein I scheint sich auf die Antigenität des β2-Glycoprotein I auszuwirken.