bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players
Authors: Duncan M J , Woodfield L , al-Nakeeb Y 
Published: June 2006

Objectives:To investigate the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of junior elite volleyball players.Method:Twenty five national level volleyball players (mean (SD) age 17.5 (0.5) years) were assessed on a number of physiological and anthropometric variables. Somatotype was assessed using the Heath-Carter method, body composition (% body fat, % muscle mass) was assessed using surface anthropometry, leg strength was assessed using a leg and back dynamometer, low back and hamstring flexibility was assessed using the sit and reach test, and the vertical jump was used as a measure of lower body power. Maximal oxygen uptake was predicted using the 20 m multistage fitness test.Results:Setters were more ectomorphic (p<0.05) and less mesomorphic (p<0.01) than centres. Mean (SD) of somatotype (endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy) for setters and centres was 2.6 (0.9), 1.9 (1.1), 5.3 (1.2) and 2.2 (0.8), 3.9 (1.1), 3.6 (0.7) respectively. Hitters had significantly greater low back and hamstring flexibility than opposites. Mean (SD) for sit and reach was 19.3 (8.3) cm for opposites and 37 (10.7) cm for hitters. There were no other significant differences in physiological and anthropometric variables across playing positions (all p>0.05).Conclusion:Setters tend to be endomorphic ectomorphs, hitters and opposites tend to be balanced ectomorphs, whereas centres tend to be ectomorphic mesomorphs. These results indicate the need for sports scientists and conditioning professionals to take the body type of volleyball players into account when designing individualised position specific training programmes.
Human growth hormone doping in sport
Authors: Saugy M , Robinson N , Saudan C , Baume N , Avois L , Mangin P 
Published: June 2006

Background and objectives:Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been on the list of forbidden substances since availability of its recombinant form improved in the early 1990s. Although its effectiveness in enhancing physical performance is still unproved, the compound is likely used for its potential anabolic effect on the muscle growth, and also in combination with other products (androgens, erythropoietin, etc.). The degree of similarity between the endogenous and the recombinant forms, the pulsatile secretion and marked interindividual variability makes detection of doping difficult. Two approaches proposed to overcome this problem are: the indirect method, which measures a combination of several factors in the biological cascade affected by administration of GH; and the direct method, which measures the difference between the circulating and the recombinant (represented by the unique 22 kD molecule) forms of GH. This article gives an overview of what is presently known about hGH in relation to sport. The available methods of detection are also evaluated.Methods:Review of the literature on GH in relation to exercise, and its adverse effects and methods of detection when used for doping.Results and conclusion:The main effects of exercise on hGH production and the use and effects of rhGH in athletes are discussed. Difficulties encountered by laboratories to prove misuse of this substance by both indirect and direct analyses are emphasised. The direct method currently seems to have the best reliability, even though the time window of detection is too short. hGH doping is a major challenge in the fight against doping. The effect of exercise on hGH and its short half-life are still presenting difficulties during doping analysis. To date the most promising method appears to be the direct approach utilising immunoassays.
Glucocorticosteroids in football: use and misuse: Figure 1
Authors: Dvorak J , Feddermann N , Grimm K 
Published: June 2006

Background and objectives:Glucocorticosteroids are widely used in medicine and have shown unchallenged therapeutic potential in several chronic inflammatory and other diseases. They are also widely used in sports medicine for the treatment of conditions such as asthma and acute injuries. In fact, as banned substances, most requests for therapeutic use exemption concern glucocorticosteroids. Nevertheless, their beneficial effect in certain conditions in sports, where inflammation is only a secondary reaction, remains to be validated. This paper aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the literature covering the therapeutic use of glucocorticosteroids since 1977 in conditions ranging from chronic rheumatic illness to peritendinous or intra-articular injection in acute injuries.Methods:Search of the medical literature published between 1977 and 2006 using PubMed. Articles relevant to the question “When and if at all is the use of glucocorticosteroids justified in football?” were selected and analysed.Results and conclusions:The findings clearly point out that, despite the common use of glucocorticosteroids in acute injuries in sports, there is actually limited evidence of the true benefits of such a practice. Physicians must take the possible adverse effects into consideration. In an athlete with clinically verified asthma, inhalational glucocorticosteroids remain first line therapy. Finally, for the purposes of education and prevention of misuse, it should be stressed that a measurable performance enhancing effect of glucocorticoids could not be proved on the basis of the results of the scientific studies to date.
Cannabis and sport
Authors: Saugy M , Avois L , Saudan C , Robinson N , Giroud C , Mangin P , Dvorak J 
Published: June 2006

Background and objectives:Cannabis is on the list of prohibited substances in the practice of sport, although its performance enhancing effect has not yet been proved. Its popularity among the younger generations as a social drug puts cannabis at the top of the list of compounds detected by the anti-doping laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency worldwide. The management of the results of urine analysis is quite difficult for the medical and disciplinary committees not only because of the social use of the substance, but also because of the interpretation of the analytical data from urine samples. This paper gives an overview of what is presently known about cannabis in relation with the practice of sport.Methods:Review of literature on the cannabis and exercise, its effect in the body, and the problems with interpretation of results when it is detected in urine.Results:The paper outlines the major effects of cannabis in the context of its social use and its use for sport activities. The difficulties in the interpretation of urine sample analysis results because of the protracted excretion time of the main metabolite, long after the intake, are described.Conclusions:There is an urgent need for sport authorities to take measures necessary to avoid players misusing cannabis.
Inhaled β2agonists and performance in competitive athletes
Authors: Kindermann W , Meyer T 
Published: June 2006

Objectives:To provide an overview of the current literature on the use of inhaled β2agonists in non-asthmatic competitive athletes, and to assess the performance enhancing effect of inhaled β2agonists.Methods:Review of the literature.Results:Twenty randomised, placebo controlled studies (19 double blind, one single blind) were located. Only three studies reported a performance enhancing effect of inhaled β2agonists. However, methodological shortcomings were most likely responsible for these findings (for example, non-elite athletes, inconsistent results in different tests, subgroups with above-average responsiveness).Conclusions:This review reveals that there is no ergogenic potential of inhaled β2agonists in non-asthmatic athletes. In view of the epidemiology of asthma in athletes and the considerable workload involved in provision of therapeutic use exemptions the inclusion of inhaled β2agonists on the list of prohibited substances should be reconsidered.
A Natural Antibody to Oxidized Cardiolipin Binds to Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein, Apoptotic Cells, and Atherosclerotic Lesions
Authors: Tuominen Anu , Miller Yury I. , Hansen Lotte F. , Kesäniemi Y. Antero , Witztum Joseph L. , Hörkkö Sohvi 
Published: June 2006

Objective—Cardiolipin (CL) is found in membranes of bacteria, in the inner membrane of mitochondria and in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) are associated with disease states, and we have suggested that many aCL bind to oxidized CL (oxCL) but not native CL. To determine the immunogenicity and origins of oxCL in vivo, we cloned a natural antibody to oxCL.Methods and Results—A monoclonal IgM antibody to oxCL (LRO1) was cloned from a nonimmunized LDLR−/−mouse. The VHsequence originated from the VHGam3.8 germline with one nucleotide difference, and the Vκ was 100% identical to Vκ19–20 germline gene, making LRO1 a natural antibody. LRO1 bound specifically to oxCL and oxidized-LDL, but not to native CL or native LDL. LRO1 epitopes were demonstrated in apoptotic, but not in viable, Jurkat cells by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and deconvolution microscopy. Human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesions contained LRO1 epitopes. Human LDL (n=113) showed LRO1 immunoreactivity, which correlated with aCL IgG titers (r=0.32,P=0.0004).Conclusions—These data demonstrate that some aCL antibodies are highly conserved natural antibodies binding to oxCL in oxLDL, apoptotic cells, and atherosclerotic lesions. This suggests that oxCL is one of the pathogen-associated molecular patterns of innate immunity and gives insight into the pathogenic events of diseases with increased titers of aCL antibodies.
Establishment of a Functionally Active Collagen-Binding Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Fusion Protein In Situ
Authors: Ishikawa Tetsuya , Eguchi Masamichi , Wada Mika , Iwami Yo , Tono Kayoko , Iwaguro Hideki , Masuda Haruchika , Tamaki Tetsuro , Asahara Takayuki 
Published: June 2006

Objective—Tissue regeneration requires both growth factor and extracellular matrix such as collagen, serving as a scaffold for cell growth. We established FNCBD-VEGF121, consisting of the fibronectin collagen-binding domain (FNCBD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 121, and investigated its properties.Methods and Results—FNCBD-VEGF121 specifically bound to gelatin and type I, II, III, IV, and V collagen. This collagen-bound FNCBD-VEGF121 captured soluble VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)/Fc chimeric protein. Cell growth-promoting activity of FNCBD-VEGF121 was almost identical to that of VEGF121. The VEGF fusion protein significantly enhanced the expression of VEGFR-2 (71.6±0.8%) on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from umbilical cord blood. Expectably, the collagen-bound VEGF fusion protein not only promoted the growth of endothelial cells (ECs) but also induced the expression of VEGFR-2 (63.7±0.8%) on non-adherent cells expanded from bone marrow CD34+cells. Moreover, the VEGF fusion protein enhanced sprout formation of ECs in a matrigel model. In vivo experiments revealed that FNCBD-VEGF121 had local effects but not systemic effect on EPC mobilization.Conclusions—These results suggest that FNCBD-VEGF121 stably maintains an optimally high and local concentration of VEGF with collagen matrix and stimulates both ECs and EPCs in situ, supplying a vascular regeneration niche.
Bilateral Level of Effort of the Plantar Flexors, Hip Flexors, and Extensors During Gait in Hemiparetic and Healthy Individuals
Authors: Milot Marie-Hélène , Nadeau Sylvie , Gravel Denis , Requião Luis F. 
Published: June 2006

Background and Purpose—Muscle weakness is recognized as a key factor in gait performance of poststroke individuals, but its impact on lower-limb muscular effort has been scarcely studied. The aims of this study were to compare the level of effort of the lower limbs of hemiparetic and able-bodied individuals and to assess the effect of side, cadence, and muscle group.Methods—Seventeen chronic hemiparetic participants (7 females and 10 males) with a mean age of 60.5±13.4 years were assessed when walking. They were compared with a group of 14 able-bodied individuals. The level of effort was estimated from the muscular utilization ratio (MUR), which relates the walking moment of a given muscle group to its maximal potential moment. Peak MUR and MURareawere used as main outcome measures.Results—Hemiparetic individuals showed greater peak MUR values (45% to 78%) than the able-bodied subjects matched for cadence (24% to 63%). For both groups, the peak MUR values were similar between sides and increased with cadence. At self-selected cadence, the plantar flexors showed greater peak MUR values, whereas at maximal cadence, levels of effort for all muscles were equivalent. The MURareavalues at the hip joint were greater for the hemiparetic group, and both groups had values that increased with cadence. Differences between sides and muscle groups were noted for the hemiparetic and healthy individuals, respectively. Large peak MUR values were associated with high MURareavalues.Conclusions—For a similar cadence, the levels of effort of hemiparetic individuals were greater than those of the able-bodied. In the presence of muscle weakness, similar bilateral levels of effort could mean that hemiparetic individuals relied on their sense of effort while walking.
Area-Averaged Surface Fluxes in a Semiarid Region with Partly Irrigated Land: Lessons Learned from EFEDA
Authors: Jochum M. Anna Osann , de Bruin Hendrik A. R. , Holtslag Albert A. M. , Belmonte Alfonso Calera 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The European Field Experiment in a Desertification-Threatened Area (EFEDA) provides a comprehensive land surface dataset for a semiarid Mediterranean environment with natural vegetation and cultivated dry and irrigated land. This paper discusses the methods and practical aspects of deriving area-averaged fluxes for a range of areas from the whole EFEDA region to several numerical weather prediction model grid cells (on 10–100-km scales). A time series of grid-scale surface fluxes for the entire observational period of 1 month was obtained from weighted surface averages, using a crop phenology–based land use classification together with a homogenized set of surface observations representative of the four major vegetation classes. The flux-aggregated surface observations were compared with two other approaches to obtain grid-scale fluxes (airborne flux observations and radiosondes in conjunction with a simple mixed-layer model). The area-aggregated fluxes (in particular of latent heat) depend strongly on the location of the area boundaries whenever a significant fraction of irrigated land is present. This result confirms clearly the importance of adequately accounting for tiles of irrigated land in surface schemes and corresponding physiographic databases of large-scale models. A simple way to accommodate for minimum information on the canopy water status is proposed in terms of the distinction of at least two seasonal classes of irrigated crops—one of spring and one of summer growing cycles. The main lesson from this aggregation exercise concerns the role of irrigation. First, this study quantifies the uncertainties in the space–time pattern and its effects on aggregated surface fluxes for the first time on the grounds of observational data. Second, it demonstrates practical ways to accomplish the parameterization of irrigation in flux aggregation schemes, by identifying the key data along with their possible sources and by defining a practical implementation procedure.
Measurements of Boundary Layer Profiles in an Urban Environment
Authors: Frehlich Rod , Meillier Yannick , Jensen Michael L. , Balsley Ben , Sharman Robert 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBoundary layer profiles of mean temperature, velocity, and small-scale turbulence from in situ sensors, Doppler lidar, sodar, and rawinsondes are intercompared for an urban environment. A new Doppler lidar algorithm is presented to produce high-resolution profiles of small-scale velocity statistics. The lidar-derived profiles are robust and accurate even for challenging conditions such as stable boundary layers with a low-level jet, low turbulence, and low wind speed. Similar results are expected for other locations and convective conditions.
Vertical Velocity and Buoyancy Characteristics of Coherent Echo Plumes in the Convective Boundary Layer, Detected by a Profiling Airborne Radar
Authors: Miao Qun , Geerts Bart , LeMone Margaret 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Aircraft and airborne millimeter-wave radar observations are used to interpret the dynamics of radar echoes and radar-inferred updrafts within the well-developed, weakly sheared continental convective boundary layer. Vertically pointing radar reflectivity and Doppler velocity data collected above and below the aircraft, flying along fixed tracks in the central Great Plains during the International H2O Project (IHOP_2002), are used to define echo plumes and updraft plumes, respectively. Updraft plumes are generally narrower than echo plumes, but both types of plumes have the dynamical properties of buoyant eddies, especially at low levels. This buoyancy is driven both by temperature excess and water vapor excess over the ambient air. Plumes that are better defined in terms of reflectivity or updraft strength tend to be more buoyant.
TRMM Calibration of SSM/I Algorithm for Overland Rainfall Estimation
Authors: Dinku Tufa , Anagnostou Emmanouil N. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
This paper extends the work of Dinku and Anagnostou overland rain retrieval algorithm for use with Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) observations. In Dinku and Anagnostou, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) rainfall estimates were used to calibrate TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) retrieval. Regional differences in PR-based TMI calibration were investigated by testing the algorithm over four geographic regions, consisting of Africa, northern South America (containing the Amazon basin), the continental United States, and south Asia. In this paper the performance of Dinku and Anagnostou's technique applied on SSM/I data over three of these regions (Africa, Amazon, and South Asia) is demonstrated. Two approaches are investigated for using PR rainfall products to calibrate the algorithm parameters. In the first approach, TMI channels are remapped to the spatial resolutions of the corresponding SSM/I channels; then, PR is used to calibrate the rain retrieval on the remapped TMI data. In the second approach, the PR-based TMI algorithm calibration is performed at a coarser (0.25°) resolution. To assess the quality of algorithm estimates with respect to PR, rainfall fields derived from Dinku and Anagnostou, applied to SSM/I observations (using parameters determined from both approaches), are compared with matched (within ±15 min of the satellites' overpass time difference) PR surface rain rates. Calibration data come from the wet seasons (January–March) of 2000 and 2001. To assess the quality of the estimates with respect to PR, data from a 5-month period (December–April) of 2002, 2003, and 2004 are used. In comparison with the latest version of the Goddard profiling (GPROF) algorithm rain estimates, the current algorithm shows significant improvements in terms of both bias and random error reduction. The paper also shows that rain estimation based on TMI observations is associated with lower error statistics in comparison with the corresponding SSM/I retrievals.
Globalization and global justice
Authors: Ferguson Iain , Lavalette Michael 
Published: June 2006

English The transformation of the social work role through the imposition of neo-liberal policies is creating widespread dissatisfaction. This article identifies some bases for resistance to these policies and discusses their potential for informing a new paradigm, based on a rejection of neoliberalism in social work. French L'application des politiques néo-libérales transforme le rôle du travail social, ce qui suscite une insatisfaction généralisée. Cet article identifie certains fondements de la à ces politiques et il en évalue le potentiel pour créer un nouveau paradigme fondé sur le rejet du néo-libéralisme en travail social. Spanish El papel del trabajo social está cambiando como consecuencia de la imposición de políticas neoliberales. Esto crea una insatisfacción general. Se identifican las bases para resistir estas políticas y se explora la posibilidad de que esas bases informen un nuevo paradigma, basado en el rechazo del neoliberalismo en el trabajo social.
Human rights and community work
Authors: Ife Jim , Fiske Lucy 
Published: June 2006

English Much effort has been made to develop international understandings of human rights without the corresponding attention to responsibilities. The authors argue that a community development framework may be useful in reconceiving human rights in a more holistic way, and that social workers and community development workers are well placed to be grassroots human rights workers. French Beaucoup d'efforts ont été déployés pour développer une compréhension internationale des droits humains sans accorder une attention correspondante aux responsabilités. Les auteurs considèrent qu'un cadre axé sur le développement communautaire serait utile pour réexaminer la question des droits humains de façon holistique. Ils démontrent que les travailleurs sociaux et les organisateurs communautaires sont bien placés pour devenir des travailleurs à ras du sol pour les droits humains. Spanish Se ha empleado mucho esfuerzo en desarrollar el entendimiento de los derechos humanos sin la atención correspondiente a las obligaciones. Se arguye que un marco de desarrollo comunitario puede ser útil en re-concebir los derechos humanos de una manera comprensiva, y que los trabajadores sociales y los trabajadores comunitarios pueden jugar un papel importante como trabajadores de base de derechos humanos.
Civil society’s role in promoting local development in countries in transition
Authors: Hermoso Jocelyn Clare R. , Luca Carmen Geanina 
Published: June 2006

English This article discusses civil society’s role in the process of local development undertaken by countries transitioning towards democracy, comparing and contrasting the experiences of the Philippines and Romania. The study illuminates the limits and possibilities offered by the democratization process in terms of how civil-society organizations can participate more meaningfully in local development and in establishing structures of democracy. French Cet article examine le rôle de la société civile dans le processus de développement local entrepris dans deux pays en transition vers la démocratie, les Philippines et la Roumanie. L'étude met en lumière les limites et les possibilités du processus de démocratisation quant à la participation des organisations civiles dans le développement et l'établissement de structures démocratiques. Spanish Se explora el papel de la sociedad civil en el desarrollo local llevado a cabo en países en transición hacia la democracia. Se compara la experiencia de Las Filipinas, Rumania. Se iluminan los límites y posibilidades ofrecidas por el proceso de democratización en ambos países en términos de cómo las organizaciones civiles pueden participar de una forma significativa en el desarrollo local y en el establecimiento de estructuras democráticas.