bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow‐up of tailored behavioural treatment and exercise based physical therapy in persistent musculoskeletal pain: A randomized controlled trial in primary care
Authors: Åsenlöf Pernilla , Denison Eva , Lindberg Per 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis study examined long‐term effects of a tailored behavioural treatment protocol (TBT), as compared with an exercise based physical therapy protocol (EBT). One‐hundred and twenty‐two patients who, due to persistent musculoskeletal pain, consulted physical therapists in primary care were originally randomized to either of the two conditions. Follow‐up assessments two‐year post‐treatment were completed by 65 participants. According to per‐protocol analyses, short‐term effects were maintained in both groups for the primary outcome, pain‐related disability. The TT‐group reported lower disability levels compared with the EBT‐group. Intention‐to‐treat analyses (ITT) conveyed similar results. Secondary outcomes of pain intensity, pain control, and functional self‐efficacy were maintained over the 2‐year post‐treatment, but previous group differences were levelled out according to the most conservative method of ITT. Fear of movement/(re)injury increased in the EBT‐group, and EBT participants reported higher fear of movement/(re)injury two years post‐treatment compared to TT.The study supports tailoring of treatments in concordance with patients’ needs and preferences of activity goals and functional behavioural analyses including predictors of pain‐related disability, for successful immediate outcomes and their maintenance in the long run. Exercise‐based treatments resulted in somewhat smaller immediate treatment effects but had similar maintenance of effects over the 2‐year follow‐up period.
Anti‐apoptotic role of omega‐3‐fatty acids in developing brain: perinatal hypothyroid rat cerebellum as apoptotic model
Authors: Sinha Rohit A. , Khare Priyanka , Rai Asit , Maurya Shailendra Kumar , Pathak Amrita , Mohan Vishwa , Nagar Geet Kumar , Mudiam Mohana Krishna Reddy , Godbole Madan M. , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra 
Published: March 2009

AbstractInadequate maternal intake of omega‐3‐fatty acids (ω3 FAs) causes adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in the progeny; however, their molecular mechanism of action is obscure. Since ω3 FAs are known to inhibit neuronal apoptosis during neuro‐degeneration, we investigated their possible contribution in regulating neuronal apoptosis during brain development. Using rat model of hypothyroidism‐induced neuronal apoptosis, we provide evidence for anti‐apoptotic role of ω3 FAs during cerebellar development. ω3 FAs were supplemented as a mixture of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to pregnant and lactating rats, and primary hypothyroidism was induced by administering methimazole. The cerebella from postnatal day 16 (d16) pups were isolated, and studies on apoptosis were conducted. We observed that ω3 FA‐supplementation significantly reduced DNA fragmentation and caspase‐3 activation in developing cerebellum of hypothyroid pups. The protection provided by ω3 FAs was associated with their ability to prevent increases in the level of pro‐apoptotic basal cell lymphoma protein‐2 (Bcl‐2)‐associated X protein (Bax) in the cerebellum during thyroid hormone (TH) deficiency. ω3 FAs increased the levels of anti‐apoptotic proteins like Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐extra large (Bcl‐xL), known to be repressed in hypothyroidism. ω3 FAs also restored levels of cerebellar phospho (p)‐AKT, phospho‐extracellular regulated kinase (p‐ERK) and phospho‐c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK), which were altered by hypothyroid insults, without interfering with the expression of TH responsive gene, myelin basic protein (mbp). Taken together, these results supplement an insight into the molecular mechanism of action of ω3 FAs in developing brain that involves regulation of apoptotic signaling pathways under stress.
Incorporation of Core Competency Questions Into an Annual National Self‐Assessment Examination for Residents in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Results and Implications
Authors: Webster Joseph B. 
Published: March 2009

ObjectiveTo determine the performance and change over time when incorporating questions in the core competency domains of practice‐based learning and improvement (PBLI), systems‐based practice (SBP), and professionalism (PROF) into the national PM&R Self‐Assessment Examination for Residents (SAER).DesignProspective, longitudinal analysis.SettingThe national Self‐Assessment Examination for Residents (SAER) in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which is administered annually.ParticipantsApproximately 1100 PM&R residents who take the examination annually.InterventionsInclusion of progressively more challenging questions in the core competency domains of PBLI, SBP, and PROF.Main Outcome MeasurementsIndividual test item level of difficulty (P value) and discrimination (point biserial index).ResultsCompared with the overall test, questions in the subtopic areas of PBLI, SBP, and PROF were relatively easier and less discriminating (correlation of resident performance on these domains compared with that on the total test). These differences became smaller during the 3‐year time period. The difficulty level of the questions in each of the subtopic domains was raised during the 3 year period to a level close to the overall exam. Discrimination of the test items improved or remained stable.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that, with careful item writing and review, multiple‐choice items in the PBLI, SBP, and PROF domains can be successfully incorporated into an annual, national self‐assessment examination for residents. The addition of these questions had value in assessing competency while not compromising the overall validity and reliability of the exam. It is yet to be determined if resident performance on these questions corresponds to performance on other measures of competency in the areas of PBLI, SBP, and PROF.
REGULATING TRANSATLANTIC STOCK EXCHANGES
Authors: Schammo Pierre 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the regulatory questions surrounding transatlantic stock exchange consolidation. Underlying these questions is, in essence, a problem of fit between, on the one hand, the market space and, on the other hand, the regulatory space. Legislation which has predominantly a domestic focus is outdated in view of the increasingly global focus of financial market actors. High-profile mergers such as NYSE Euronext have brought the problem of the regulation of transatlantic or indeed global stock exchanges to the fore. Which national securities laws apply? What consequences does technological integration have for the regulatory position of exchanges and financial market actors? What are the extraterritorial implications? This article takes these questions as a starting point for investigating the problems of, and solutions to, transatlantic stock exchange consolidation.
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE: A FUTURE TRUTH COMMISSION FOR ZIMBABWE?
Authors: du Plessis Max , Ford Jolyon 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAn eventual sustained democratic transition process in Zimbabwe may include a ‘truth and reconciliation’ commission. The need for—and possible form of—any such institution is situated in a number of discussions: the balance of principle and pragmatism that peace deals sometimes require; comparative experiences in other societies and the promise and limits of institutional modelling; the dynamic between global expectations or prescriptions and ground-level exigencies; the interface of international criminal law and institutions with national-level justice processes; the content of the State's international legal duty to afford a remedy. In considering the extent of an international normative framework limiting the justice options of transitional States, a certain margin of appreciation may be appropriate or necessary to enable a society to reconcile with its violent past on its own terms.
THE BRITISH BANK NATIONALIZATIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL LAW PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Calamita N Jansen 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe British Government's nationalization of the shares of Northern Rock plc and Bradford & Bingley plc in 2008 raises important issues about the standard of protection owed to the banks' non-UK investors and the manner in which compensation should be calculated. The United Kingdom is party to numerous bilateral investment treaties as well as the European Convention on Human Rights, which adopt an international standard of protection for foreign investors and require the payment of ‘market value’ compensation for the property taken. As the analysis in this article shows, the compensation scheme established by the British Government appears to fall short of these obligations.
Migration and motility of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract of the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata (Acari, Argasidae)
Authors: RESLER J. H. , FRAZIER J. L. , SHEPHERD J. G. , MODAFFERI J. D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe spermatozoa of ticks are anomalous in many respects: they are very large, cytoplasm-rich cells which lack a flagellum but move with a peculiar gliding motility. Their metamorphosis after deposition in the female has been well documented, but many of the subsequent events in the career of the spermatozoa are controversial or poorly documented. Our observations of motility imply that the many types of motility that have been reported (up to 5 different types in several reports) can be reduced to 2 apparently independent types of active motility: (1) gliding motility generated along the whole spermatozoon and (2) contortions of the anterior tip of the head. These types of motility appear as a consequence of sperm maturation after transfer to the female, but only become pronounced if the female has taken a recent bloodmeal. A consequence of this enhanced gliding motility after feeding is the movement of the spermatozoa out of the naturally ruptured neck of the spermatophore and up the female genital tract. This occurs without any apparent assistance from the female's musculature and likely is the prime mechanism of movement of the spermatozoa to the site of fertilization.
Infestation of the cupped oysters Crassostrea angulata, C. gigas and their first-generation hybrids by the copepod Myicola ostreae: differences in susceptibility and host response
Authors: BATISTA F. M. , BOUDRY P. , DOS SANTOS A. , RENAULT T. , RUANO F. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYWe studied the prevalence and intensity of the parasitic copepod Myicola ostreae in 2 closely related oysters Crassostrea angulata and C. gigas and their F1 hybrids. The effects on host and host reaction were also analysed to better understand host-parasite relationships between copepods and bivalve molluscs. Full reciprocal crosses were carried out between C. angulata and C. gigas and the progenies were reared in the wild in Ria Formosa Lagoon (Portugal), allowing natural infestation by M. ostreae. Prevalence and intensity were significantly higher in C. angulata than in C. gigas. The parasite level of F1 hybrids was similar to C. angulata and significantly higher than in C. gigas. The results of our study support a hypothesis of dominantly inherited susceptibility to M. ostreae infestation. Moreover, copepods were observed on the gill surface of C. gigas engulfed by a capsule-like structure. Histological analyses revealed that the copepods were surrounded by a massive agglomerate of haemocyte-like cells encircled by a thin layer of fibroblast-like cells. This encapsulation response was not observed in C. angulata or in F1 hybrids. These results suggest that the differential susceptibility to M. ostreae between C. angulata and C. gigas may be ascribed to host defence factors.
Sharing or commoditising? A discussion of some of the socio-economic implications of Nunavik's Hunter Support Program
Authors: Gombay Nicole 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe article considers the perceptions of Inuit in one settlement in Nunavik regarding the dynamic relations between market and subsistence economies. The socio-economic role of country foods in Inuit society are described followed by a discussion about the impacts of the Hunter Support Program (HSP) on Inuit society. A hybrid institution, the HSP buys country foods in order to give them away. Based on interviews that included Inuit purveyors to, and administrators of, the programme, the article discusses some socio-economic effects of commoditisation of country foods on subsistence economies and explores the ways in which this food moves in and out of commodity status. It is argued that these shifts are linked to conflicting notions of value. Some Inuit justify the existence of the HSP because they perceive it to be an essentially non-Inuit institution which lies outside the realm of customary socio-economic organization and thereby frees them from the need to observe those rules strictly while providing them with the income to be able to respect the requirement to share food amongst Inuit. Others express reservations about the programme because it elicits behaviours amongst Inuit that they perceive as threatening their socio-economic reproduction. It is argued that the HSP, an institution that both mimics and breaks with tradition, one which is designed to help Inuit to promote the subsistence way of life yet does so in the context of at least some components of the market, is an example of Wenzel's (2001) contention that the analytical distinction between acculturation and adaptation is not a matter of oppositions, but rather, part of a whole.
Tourist images of Greenland and the Arctic: a perception analysis
Authors: Hübner Anna 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTWithin the scope of climate change and the worldwide shift in travel patterns, the Arctic has become a highly favoured tourist destination. However, the literature on studying destination images of the northern polar regions lacks analysis of prevailing perceptions and of corresponding images held by tourists without previous travel experience. Therefore, this research, recently carried out in Germany, attempts to delineate tourists' perceptions of Greenland on the one hand and the Arctic as a whole on the other as destinations. Similarities, positive and negative differences of the cognitive and affective stages are generated and an overview of perceived dimensions and factors influencing the images are given. Although the results strongly coincide with each other, there are minor differences found in favour of Greenland. With the findings it is hoped to provide a better insight into the images held by potential visitors to the Arctic and to help those engaged in marketing Greenland as a tourist destination to identify an efficient strategy.
Norway's rule on Svalbard: tightening the grip on the Arctic islands
Authors: Pedersen Torbjørn 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTOver the last four decades, Norwegian rule on the Svalbard islands has developed gradually, from being virtually non-existent to firm. This study explains these developments in Norwegian jurisdiction both from a perspective of international relations and within a paradigm of domestic politics. It finds that external forces have been the permissive causes of change, while internal forces represent the efficient causes. Norway's incremental strengthening of jurisdiction, notably from the mid-1970s onward, has resulted in an unprecedented Norwegian grip on the Arctic islands in which the other parties to the 1920 Svalbard Treaty seemingly acquiesce.
A new method to solve robot inverse kinematics using Assur virtual chains
Authors: Simas H. , Guenther R. , da Cruz D. F. M. , Martins D. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThis paper describes a numerical algorithm to solve the inverse kinematics of parallel robots based on numerical integration. Inverse kinematics algorithms based on numerical integration involve the drift phenomena of the solution; as a consequence, errors are generated when the end-effector location differs from that desired. The proposed algorithm associates a novel method to describe the differential kinematics with a simple numerical integration method. The methodology is presented in this paper and its exponential stability is proved. A numerical example and a real application are presented to outline its advantages.
Comparison of mechanical and biological prostheses when used to replace heart valves in children and adolescents with rheumatic fever
Authors: Travancas Paulo R. , Dorigo Ana H. , Simões Luiz C. , Fonseca Sandra C. , Bloch Kátia V. , Herdy Gesmar V. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the outcomes in children and adolescents with rheumatic fever of the implantation of mechanical as opposed to biological heart valves.MethodsWe assessed 73 patients with rheumatic heart disease under the age of 18 years, who underwent replacement of heart valves between January, 1996, and December, 2005, at the National Institute of Cardiology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Of the group, 71 patients survived, and were divided into a group of 52 receiving mechanical prostheses, and 19 with biological prostheses. We compared endpoints between the groups in terms of mortality, reoperation, haemorrhage, and stroke. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by the Mantel (log-rank) test.ResultsOverall mortality was 8.2%. In those receiving mechanical prostheses, 2 (3.8%) patients died, 5 (9.6%) underwent reoperation, 2 (3.8%) suffered severe haemorrhage, and 3 (5.8%) had strokes. In those receiving biological valves, 2 (10.5%) patients died, and 4 (21%) underwent reoperation. After 2, 4, and 8 years, overall survival was 96%, 93% and 86%, respectively, with a borderline difference between the groups (p = 0.06). The probabilities of remaining free from reoperation (p = 0.13), and from combined endpoints, showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.28).ConclusionsPatients with mechanical prostheses had lower mortality and required fewer reoperations, but when all combined endpoints were considered, the groups did not differ. The biological prosthesis proved to be a good option for cardiac surgery in children and adolescents with difficulties or risks of anticoagulation.
Assessment of the effects of physiological release of melatonin on arterial distensibility and blood pressure
Authors: Yildiz Mustafa , Akdemir Osman 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAimThe aim of our study was to investigate the effects of endogenous melatonin on arterial distensibility using measurements of the velocity of the aortic pulse wave between the carotid and femoral arteries in healthy young students assessed in the supine position.Material and methodsWe studied 29 healthy young students, aged between 18 and 27 years, with 19 being male. The measured the velocity of the aortic pulse wave between the carotid and femoral arteries, along the blood pressures and heart rate, while the subjects were in the supine position at two time points, namely from 01.30–02.30 and 13:30–14:30 hours, during a day, also taking plasma to measure the concentrations of melatonin. The velocity of the pulse waves was determined using an automatic device, the Complior Colson (France), which allowed on-line recording and automatic calculation of the velocity, the calculations being made by measuring the transit time of the pulse wave as it traversed the distance between two sites of recording according, the velocity of the pulse wave in meter per second being equal to the distance in meters divided by the time of transit in seconds.ResultsAlthough the velocity of the pulse wave, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures, and heart rate were all increased in the morning relative to measurement made later in the day, levels of melatonin in the plasma were increased in the night. There was negative correlation between diurnal levels of melatonin and the velocity of the pulse wave.ConclusionOur findings indicate that increased levels of melatonin during the night may cause a decreased velocity of the aortic pulse wave, along with blood pressures and heart rate.
Commons as insurance: safety nets or poverty traps?
Authors: DELACOTE PHILIPPE 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTCommon property resources are often used by households of developing countries as insurance in case of economic stress. The aim of this paper is to consider the potential poverty-trap implications of this use. If the capacity of the resource is low, or if the population in need of insurance is too large, the households are trapped in CPR extraction activity and cannot get more than their subsistence requirement. In this context, cooperation between households and the introduction of a cooperative insurance mechanism may sustain an equilibrium outside the poverty trap and relax pressure on the resource. Moreover, private insurance schemes could also be a potential solution to this poverty trap.
Measurement of environmental efficiency and productivity: a cross-country analysis
Authors: KUMAR SURENDER , KHANNA MADHU 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper measures environmental efficiency (EE) and environmental productivity (EP) in 38 countries over the period 1971–92 and analyzes differences in these across countries. It explores several macro-economic factors that could explain these differences, such as income levels and the degree of openness in these countries. The average EE and EP indexes are found to be almost steady over the period 1971–92. In the annex-I countries, an increase in income levels initially leads to an increase in the average EE but subsequently to a decline in EE. In non-annex I countries, EE is increasing over the range of income in these countries. This study also finds an EKC type relationship between EP and per capita GDP in annex-I countries. The degree of openness has a significant positive impact on EE in annex-I countries.
Endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women
Authors: DOMINGUES ANA PATRÍCIA , LOPES HELENA , DIAS ISABEL , DE OLIVEIRA CARLOS FREIRE 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe malignancy risk of endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women was correlated with the presence or absence of abnormal uterine bleeding. Of 481 postmenopausal women who presented with endometrial polyps at diagnostic hysteroscopy between 2004 and 2007, 48.9% were asymptomatic and 51.1% had postmenopausal uterine bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed abnormal endometrial thickness in 60.0% vs. 57.7%, polyps in 37.9% vs. 32.9%, endometrial tumors in 1.3% vs. 0.8%, and submucosal myomas in 0.9% vs. 2.0% by the absence or presence of bleeding. Around three‐fourth of the polyps were removed. Histopathologic diagnoses showed mucous polyps in 93.7 of asymptomatic women compared to 80.7% of those with bleeding, while endometrial tumors were only seen in those bleeding (7.2%). The malignancy risk within endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women varies with the presence of vaginal bleeding, and is minimal in asymptomatic women.