bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two sequential outbreaks in two villages illustrate the various modes of transmission of cholera
Authors: DAS A. , MANICKAM P. , HUTIN Y. , PATTANAIK B. , PAL B. B. , CHHOTRAY G. P. , KAR S. K. , GUPTE M. D. 
Published: January 2009

SUMMARYWe investigated two sequential outbreaks of severe diarrhoea in two neighbouring villages of Orissa, in 2005. We conducted descriptive and matched case-control studies. The attack rates were 5·6% (n=62) and 5·2% (n=51), respectively, in the first and second villages. One death was reported in the second village (case fatality 2%). We identified that consumption of milk products prepared in the household of the index case [matched odds ratio (mOR) 5·7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·7–30] in the first village, and drinking well water in the second village were associated with the illness (mOR 4·7, 95% CI 1·6–19). We isolated Vibrio cholerae El Tor O1 Ogawa from stool samples from both the villages. Mishandling of milk products led to a cholera outbreak in the first village, which led to sewerage contamination of a well and another outbreak in the second village. Environmental contamination should be expected and prevented during cholera outbreaks.
Variable payout annuities and dynamic portfolio choice in retirement
Authors: HORNEFF WOLFRAM J. , MAURER RAIMOND H. , MITCHELL OLIVIA S. , STAMOS MICHAEL Z. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractMany retirees hope to continue earning capital market rewards on their saving while avoiding outliving their funds during retirement. We model a dynamic utility maximizing investor who seeks to benefit from holding both equity and longevity insurance. She is free to adjust her portfolio allocation of her financial wealth as well as of the annuity over time, and she can purchase variable payout annuities any time and incrementally. In this setting, we show that the retiree will not fully annuitize even without bequests; rather, she will combine variable annuities with withdrawals from her liquid financial wealth so as to match her desired consumption profile. Optimal stock exposures decrease over time, both within the variable annuity and the withdrawal plan. Welfare gains from this strategy can amount to 40% of financial wealth, depending on risk parameters and other resources; additionally, many retirees will do almost as well as the fully optimized outcome if they hold variable annuities invested 60/40 in stocks/bonds.
The repeal of the retirement earnings test and the labor supply of older men
Authors: ENGELHARDT GARY V. , KUMAR ANIL 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of the Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act of 2000, which abolished the Social Security retirement earnings test for those aged 65–69, on the labor supply of older men using data from the 1996–2004 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We use the fine structure of the 2000 Act to develop a new measure of exposure to the earnings test that varies across calendar years both by month and year of birth. We find that much, if not all, of the labor-supply response occurred for sub-groups of men who, either because of high mortality risk, high rates of pure time preference, or liquidity constraints, may have found the actuarial adjustment built into the earnings test relatively disadvantageous, particularly the lesser educated.
Public pension systems and distortions of intra-EU mobility: the Lodge Test
Authors: FENGE ROBERT , VON WEIZSÄCKER JAKOB 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse how national public pension systems can distort intra-EU movements of workers despite the existing totalization/proratization agreement. As a benchmark test, we propose the ‘Lodge Test’ of mobility neutrality: Two identical individuals who swap countries and jobs should receive the same pension claims in either of the two pension systems compared to a situation where each would have stayed at home. Using the Lodge Test, we identify those features of national pension formulae that are systematically mobility distorting and discuss possible remedies.
The impact of private participation and countervailing information on disability costs: evidence from Chile
Authors: JAMES ESTELLE , EDWARDS ALEJANDRA COX , IGLESIAS AUGUSTO 
Published: January 2009

AbstractMany social security systems face high and escalating disability costs. In Chile's new system, the disability assessment procedure includes participation by private pension funds (AFPs) and insurance companies, who finance the benefit, have a direct pecuniary interest in controlling costs and are able to pursue this objective by helping to set criteria and providing countervailing information. We hypothesize that these procedures and incentives will keep costs low, by cutting the incidence of successful claims. Using the Cox proportional hazard model and a retrospective sample of new and old-system affiliates (EPS, 2002), we find that disability hazard rates are only 20–35% as high in the new system as in the old traditional system. Analysis of mortality rates suggests that the new system has accurately targeted individuals with more severe medical problems.
Compassion Campaigns and Antigay Politics: What Would Arendt Do?
Authors: Burack Cynthia 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCompassionate conservatism is usually dismissed on the American political left as an empty slogan intended to mystify the real roots and aspirations of conservative politics. However, conservative Christian organizations and churches now conduct well-coordinated compassion campaigns on contested social issues such as sexual and reproductive rights. Through compassion campaigns, the Christian right also disseminates particular forms of political pedagogy regarding sexuality and compassion for followers who are subject to the movement's influence. Here, I turn to Hannah Arendt to analyze the politics of compassion at work in the ex-gay movement and in antiabortion projects such as Silent No More. This article presents evidence for a turn to compassionate pedagogies on the Christian right, analyzes these projects, and suggests ways that Arendt's political thought can inform our readings of conservative Christian compassionate discourse and political practices.
A memoryless, stochastic mechanism of timing of phases of behavior by a neural network controller
Authors: Contractor Saaniya , Kozlova Nataliya , Brezina Vladimir 
Published: January 2009

AbstractFor a sensorimotor network to generate adaptive behavior in the environment, the phases of the behavior must be appropriately timed. When the behavior is driven simply by the sensory stimuli from the environment, these can supply the timing. But when the behavior is driven by an internal "goal" that ignores and perhaps even opposes the immediate sensory stimuli, the timing must be generated internally by the network. We have modeled a realistic behavioral scenario that requires such internal timing.When the sea slug Aplysia feeds, it incrementally ingests long strips of seaweed, driven by ingestive stimuli emanating from the seaweed. But if, having ingested a strip, the animal fails to break the strip off the substrate, it must incrementally egest the entire strip again. To do this, it must ignore the inherent ingestiveness of the seaweed and generate the opposite, egestive behavior, driven by an internal egestive goal, for a length of time that is appropriate for the length of the strip to be egested.In previous work, we found that a differential-equation model of the Aplysia feeding network, with dynamics like those experimentally observed, performed this task extremely well. In this model, the goal-driven egestion was appropriately timed by a slowly decaying dynamical transient that "remembered" the time elapsed since the beginning of the egestion.We have now used genetic algorithms to evolve very simple artificial neural network controllers that perform the task equally well. But these networks time the egestion by a completely different mechanism. Their dynamics are characterized by discrete ingestive and egestive attractors, to which they switch in response to ingestive and egestive stimuli. However, the switch in behavior follows the switch in stimulus only with a considerable delay, during which the network continues to generate the old behavior. Existing always near an attractor, the network has no long-term memory. Instead, the switch in behavior finally occurs when a sufficiently high local stimulus density appears in the stochastic stimulus input stream. This complex event occurs rarely. To perform the task, the evolution of the network tunes its connection weights so that the switch requires a density that occurs, on average, about as often as the time that is required to egest the typical length of seaweed strip with which the network is evolved. Thus a simple memoryless network, aware of only the local stimulus, is nevertheless able to organize behavior over arbitrarily long time scales.
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide complements the GRACE risk score in predicting early and late mortality following acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Khan Sohail Q. , Narayan Hafid , Ng Kelvin H. , Dhillon Onkar S. , Kelly Dominic , Quinn Paulene , Squire Iain B. , Davies Joan E. , Ng Leong L. 
Published: January 2009

The GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) risk score has been shown to offer predictive power with regard to death and AMI (acute myocardial infarction) in patients with ACS (acute coronary syndromes). NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) has also been found to be useful in predicting mortality following ACS. In the present study, we sought to investigate the use of the GRACE score and NT-proBNP levels at predicting risk of early and late deaths following ACS. We studied 1033 patients (740 men, mean age 66.5±12.7 years) with AMI. Blood was drawn once within 24 h following the onset of chest pain. The plasma concentration of NT-proBNP was determined using an in-house non-competitive immunoassay. Patients were GRACE risk scored. The 30-day mortality was 3.7% and the 6-month mortality was 7.8%, and all were related to higher GRACE risk scores (P=0.001 for trend). Higher NT-proBNP levels were also related to increased mortality (P&lt;0.0001). In a Cox proportional hazards model, independent predictors of 30-day and 6-month mortality included NT-proBNP levels and the GRACE risk score. The receiver-operating curve for the GRACE risk score was complemented by NT-proBNP levels for prediction of 30-day mortality [AUC (area under the curve), 0.85] and 6-month mortality (AUC, 0.81). NT-proBNP gives complementary information to the GRACE risk score for predicting early and late mortality. The inclusion of the NT-proBNP blood test is useful in risk-stratifying patients after ACS.
Circulating CD34+/KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells are reduced in chronic heart failure patients as a function of Type D personality
Authors: Van Craenenbroeck Emeline M. , Denollet Johan , Paelinck Bernard P. , Beckers Paul , Possemiers Nadine , Hoymans Vicky Y. , Vrints Christiaan J. , Conraads Viviane M. 
Published: January 2009

The aim of the present study was to assess whether EPC (endothelial progenitor cell) number/function might be an explanatory factor for the observed relationship between Type D personality (a joint tendency towards negative affectivity and social inhibition) and poor cardiovascular prognosis. We also assessed whether the effect of a single exercise bout on EPC number/function was affected by Type D personality. A total of 35 sedentary men with CHF (chronic heart failure; left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45%) underwent CPET (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) and personality assessment with the 14-item Type D scale. CD34+/KDR (kinase insert domain-containing receptor)+ cells were quantified by flow cytometry before and immediately after CPET. Migration of early EPC towards VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and SDF-1α (stromal-cell-derived factor-1α) was investigated. Type D (n=10) and non-Type D (n=25) patients were comparable with regards to demographics, disease severity and Framingham risk factor score. Circulating EPC numbers were reduced by 54% in Type D compared with non-Type D patients (0.084±0.055 and 0.183±0.029% of lymphocytes respectively; P=0.006). Exercise led to a 60% increase in EPC in Type D patients, whereas the EPC number remained unchanged in the non-Type D group (P=0.049). Baseline migratory capacity was related to disease severity, but was not different between Type D and non-Type D patients. Exercise induced a highly significant enhancement of migratory capacity in both groups. In conclusion, reduced EPC numbers might explain the impaired cardiovascular outcome in Type D patients. The larger increase in circulating EPCs observed in these patients suggests that acute exercise elicits a more pronounced stimulus for endothelial repair.
The influence of soccer‐specific activity on the kinematics of an agility sprint
Authors: Greig Matt 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of soccer‐specific fatigue on the kinematics of an agility sprint. Ten male professional soccer players (age 24.7±4.4 years, body mass 77.1±8.3 kg) completed an intermittent treadmill protocol replicating the activity profile of match‐play, comprising two 45‐min halves separated by a 15‐min passive half‐time interval. Pre‐exercise and at 15‐min intervals each player completed an agility sprint that consisted of a 180° cutting manoeuvre. Knee joint kinematics in the frontal and sagittal planes were determined for both the support and turning leg using a nine‐camera automated motion analysis system operating at 200 Hz. During the penultimate foot contact, knee kinematics were characterized by joint flexion and increased varus alignment. Knee flexion at touchdown decreased significantly (P<0.05) as a function of exercise duration from 57.4±15.5° before exercise to 37.0±5.9° at the end of the second half. The range of joint movement during the knee flexion phase increased significantly during the first half (T 45=66.6±18.2°) and remained elevated during the second half (T 75=66.4±18.1°; T 90=65.7±20.4°; T 105=70.2±19.4°) relative to pre‐exercise values (51.8±18.8°). During the final foot contact, knee kinematics were also characterized by flexion and increased varus alignment. Knee flexion at touchdown decreased during each half, with the knee angle at the end of the first half (30.6±7.0°) significantly (P=0.02) straighter than before exercise (39.5±6.3°), and significantly straighter at the end of the second half (30.2±2.9°) than after the half‐time interval (37.7±7.8°) or before exercise. The range of knee flexion during ground contact increased significantly during each half. The range of knee varus during flexion changed from a varus displacement during the first 15 min to a valgus displacement thereafter. Peak valgus observed at the end of each half (T 45=4.7±7.9°; T 105=6.9±7.4°) was significantly (P<0.05) greater than before exercise. The range of valgus movement during knee extension was greatest following the passive half‐time interval (T 60=6.2±7.3°), and tended to increase throughout the second half. Prolonged exposure to soccer‐specific intermittent exercise therefore induced changes in knee kinematics that may have implications for injury incidence. The increased varus alignment and time‐dependent decrease in knee flexion at touchdown represent two potential mechanisms for increased injury risk.
An acute bout of whole‐body vibration on skeleton start and 30‐m sprint performance
Authors: Bullock Nicola , Martin David T. , Ross Angus , Rosemond Doug , Jordan Matthew J. , Marino Frank E. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractMaximal 30‐m upright sprinting and bent over, skeleton push performance were examined in five female national team skeleton athletes before and 10 min after an acute bout of whole‐body vibration or no vibration. The whole‐body vibration was applied at a frequency of 45 Hz with 4‐mm displacement for 3×1‐min treatments separated by 1 min. All changes in 30‐m sprint and skeleton push times before and after whole‐body vibration were small or trivial and within the tests’ typical variation (∼3.7% for the skeleton push and ∼3.2% for the upright sprint). Athletes were able to achieve 75–79% of their 30‐m upright sprinting velocities when pushing a skeleton sled. These results question the effectiveness of whole‐body vibration as an ergogenic aid immediately before performing a maximal upright sprint or skeleton push following a comprehensive warm‐up.
The main and interactive effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self‐efficacy
Authors: Coffee Pete , Rees Tim 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn this study, we examined the effects of immediate and reflective attributions upon subsequent self‐efficacy. At Time 1 (Day 1), 117 participants (mean age 25.8 years, s=8. 5) completed a measure of attributions after performance (immediate attributions). At Time 2 (Day 4), the participants completed the same measure of attributions (reflective attributions). At Time 3 (Day 7, 8 or 9), they completed a measure of self‐efficacy relating to an up‐coming performance. Immediately after more successful performances, global attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy; upon reflection, stable, global, and/or personal attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy. Immediately after and upon reflection of less successful performances, controllable attributions were associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy; an interaction for controllability and stability demonstrated that when causes are perceived as likely to recur, greater controllability is associated with higher subsequent self‐efficacy. Results suggest that following more successful performances, analysis of reflective assessments of attributions may help to further understanding of the relationships between attributions and outcomes such as self‐efficacy. This study serves as a stimulus for future research to examine relationships between attributions assessed across time and outcomes such as self‐efficacy, as well as to examine interactions among attribution dimensions.
Angular momentum and landing efficiency in the long jump
Authors: Bouchouras Georgios , Moscha Dimitra , Papaiakovou Georgios , Nikodelis Thomas , Kollias Iraklis 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the amount of angular momentum and the efficiency of landing for the hang and 2½ hitch kick long jump techniques. Twelve male long jumpers participated in this investigation and were divided into two groups based on their flight technique (hang group, n=6; hitch kick group, n=6). The participants performed three jumps with full run‐up, the best of which was selected for analysis. A two‐dimensional DLT analysis of the take‐off, flight, and landing was conducted for the two groups. Three cameras (JVC GR‐DVL 9800 GL, Victor Company, Japan) with a sampling frequency 50 Hz were used. Two of the cameras were placed perpendicular to the run‐up, on the right and left side of the take‐off board, to record the take‐off and the flight of the athletes (from both sides of the movement); the third was placed perpendicular to the pit, on the right side, to record the landing. The two groups differed in their angular momentum at the instant of take‐off (hang: −11.92 kg·m2·s−1; hitch kick: −22.69 kg·m2·s−1; P<0.001) in the front direction, and in linear and angular velocity, mainly of the arms, at the instant of take‐off. According to the results, the 2½ hitch kick group had greater angular and linear velocities (P<0.05). The 2½ hitch kick group had better landing efficiency than the hang style group (P<0.05), as the athletes in the former group managed to land their pelvis in front of their heels during landing. On the other hand, the hang style group landed their pelvis almost 5.81 cm behind the heels during landing and shortened their final distance. It seems that the 2½ hitch kick group had better landing efficiency because of their greater amount of angular momentum. The hang style group could have achieved better landing through an increase in angular momentum, which depends on an increase of the linear and angular velocities of the two arms during take‐off.
Variability in the Hawthorne Effect With Regard to Hand Hygiene Performance in High- and Low-Performing Inpatient Care Units
Authors: Kohli Erol , Ptak Judy , Smith Randall , Taylor Eileen , Talbot Elizabeth A. , Kirldand Kathryn B. 
Published: January 2009

Objective.To determine the impact of known observers on hand hygiene performance in inpatient care units with differing baseline levels of hand hygiene compliance.Design.Observational study.Setting.Three inpatient care units, selected on the basis of past hand hygiene performance, in a hospital where hand hygiene observation and feedback are routine.Participants.Three infection control practitioners (ICPs) and a student intern observed hospital staff.Methods.Beginning in late 2005, the 3 ICPs, who were well known to the hospital staff, performed frequent, regular observations of hand hygiene in all 3 inpatient care units of the hospital, as part of routine surveillance. During the study period (January-May 2007), a student intern who was unknown to the hospital staff also performed observations of hand hygiene in the 3 inpatient care units. The rates of hand hygiene compliance observed by the 3 ICPs were compared with those observed by the student intern.Results.The 3 ICPs observed 332 opportunities for hand hygiene during 15 observation periods, and the student intern observed 355 opportunities during 19 observation periods. The overall rate of hand hygiene compliance observed by the ICPs was 65% (ie, in 215 of the 332 opportunities, the performance of proper hand hygiene by hospital staff was observed), and the overall rate of hand hygiene compliance observed by the student intern was 58% (ie, in 207 of the 355 opportunities, the performance of proper hand hygiene by hospital staff was observed) (P = .1). Both the ICPs and the student intern were able to distinguish between inpatient care units with a high rate of hand hygiene compliance (hereafter referred to as high-performing units) and those with a low rate (hereafter referred to as low-performing units). However, in the 2 high-performing units, the ICPs observed significantly higher compliance rates than did the student intern, whereas in the low-performing unit, both the ICPs and the student intern measured similarly low rates of hand hygiene compliance.Conclusions.Recognized observers are associated with higher rates of hand hygiene compliance, even in a healthcare setting where such observations have become routine. This effect (ie, the Hawthorne effect) is more pronounced in high-performing units and insignificant in low-performing units. The use of unrecognized observers may be important for verifying high performance but is probably unnecessary for documenting poor performance. Moreover, the Hawthorne effect may be a useful tool for sustaining and improving hand hygiene compliance.