bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypertriglyceridaemia is associated with an increased likelihood of albuminuria in extreme duration (> 50 years) Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Daousi C. , Bain S. C. , Barnett A. H. , Gill G. V. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To explore the association between dyslipidaemia and albuminuria at the extreme of diabetes duration.Methods  Data and samples were collected from 400 patients with extreme duration (> 50 years) of Type 1 diabetes in the UK (Golden Years Cohort). Urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (ACR), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, non‐fasting triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐ and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol were analysed in all patients.Results  Thirty‐six percent of patients had albuminuria (micro‐ or macroalbuminuria). After adjusting for age, gender, HbA1c, disease duration and presence of macrovascular disease, hypertriglyceridaemia was more likely to be associated with the presence of albuminuria.Conclusions  High triglycerides may be a potential risk factor for progression of diabetic nephropathy at the extreme of diabetes duration, but the benefit of targeting this aggressively remains to be evaluated further.
Symptoms of depression prospectively predict poorer self‐care in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gonzalez J. S. , Safren S. A. , Delahanty L. M. , Cagliero E. , Wexler D. J. , Meigs J. B. , Grant R. W. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To examine prospectively the association of depression symptoms with subsequent self‐care and medication adherence in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods  Two hundred and eight primary care patients with Type 2 diabetes completed the Harvard Department of Psychiatry/National Depression Screening Day Scale (HANDS) and the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities (SDSCA) at baseline and at follow‐up, an average of 9 months later. They also self‐reported medication adherence at baseline and at a follow‐up.Results  Baseline HANDS scores ranged from 0 to 27, with a mean score of 5.15 ± 4.99. In separate linear regression models that adjusted for baseline self‐care, patients with higher levels of depressive symptoms at baseline reported significantly lower adherence to general diet recommendations and specific recommendations for consumption of fruits and vegetables and spacing of carbohydrates; less exercise; and poorer foot care at follow‐up (β ranging from −0.12 to −0.23; P < 0.05). Similarly, each one‐point increase in baseline HANDS score was associated with a 1.08‐fold increase in the odds of non‐adherence to prescribed medication at follow‐up (95% confidence interval 1.001, 1.158, P = 0.047). Increases in depression scores over time also predicted poorer adherence to aspects of diet and exercise.Conclusions  Depressive symptoms predict subsequent non‐adherence to important aspects of self‐care in patients with Type 2 diabetes, even after controlling for baseline self‐care. Although the relationship between symptoms of depression and poorer diabetes self‐care is consistent, it is not large, and interventions may need to address depression and self‐care skills simultaneously in order to maximize effects on diabetes outcomes.
Renal failure and rhabdomyolysis associated with sitagliptin and simvastatin use
Authors: Kao D. P. , Kohrt H. E. , Kugler J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground  Sitagliptin is a new oral glucose‐lowering medication that acts via the incretin hormone system. The most common side‐effects are headache and pharyngitis, and few serious adverse events were observed during clinical trials. Dose adjustment is recommended in renal insufficiency, but long‐term safety experience is limited.Case report  We present a patient with chronic renal insufficiency who developed leg pain, weakness and tenderness after starting treatment with high‐dose sitagliptin while on simvastatin. The patient had acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis that resolved with cessation of sitagliptin, simvastatin, ezetimibe, diuretics and olmesartan. All drugs except sitagliptin, ezetimibe and simvastatin were resumed, and the patient was subsequently started on lovastatin without recurrence of rhabdomyolysis.Conclusions  High doses of sitagliptin may have worsened this patient's renal failure and precipitated rhabdomyolysis by increasing circulating levels of simvastatin. Given the high likelihood that sitagliptin will be co‐administered with statins and renally active medications, further study of long‐term safety of sitagliptin in renal sufficiency may be warranted.
Combined association of maternal and paternal family history of diabetes with plasma leptin and adiponectin in overweight Hispanic children
Authors: Koebnick C. , Kelly L. A. , Lane C. J. , Roberts C. K. , Shaibi G. Q. , Toledo‐Corral C. M. , Davis J. N. , Weigensberg M. J. , Goran M. I. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To investigate the importance of a maternal and paternal family history of Type 2 diabetes and their combined association with plasma leptin and adiponectin levels in overweight Latino children with a family history of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods  This cross‐sectional study investigated the combined association of a maternal and paternal family history of T2DM with leptin and adiponectin in 175 overweight Latino children (age 11.1 ± 1.7 years). All subjects had a family history of T2DM. Plasma adiponectin and leptin levels, body fat measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, Tanner stage, age and insulin sensitivity were assessed.Results  After adjustment for age, gestational diabetes, insulin sensitivity and body fat, a combined maternal and paternal family history of T2DM was associated with higher leptin concentrations (P = 0.004) compared with a maternal or paternal family history alone. This association was most pronounced at Tanner stage 1 (P for interaction family history × tanner stage = 0.022). The presence of a combined maternal and paternal family history of T2DM accounted for 4% (P = 0.003) of the variation in leptin concentrations. No such combined association was observed for adiponectin levels.Conclusions  Maternal and paternal family history of T2DM may have an additive impact on leptin, but not on adiponectin levels independent of adiposity and insulin sensitivity in overweight Latino children. This may contribute to a further clinically relevant deterioration of metabolic health in this population.
A Loose Coupling Technique for Integrating GIS and Multi‐Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Ghosh Debasis 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSpatial decision making is characterized by problems associated with multiple and conflicting alternatives relating to geographical features and their attributes. As such, the search for the best possible alternative from a large set of such alternatives can be a daunting task. The aim of integrating GIS with Multi‐Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is to develop a well‐defined process that can scan through such extensive fields of choice to arrive at the best possible solution. Goal Programming is one tool (developed in conjunction with MCDM) that can handle a problem with multiple, conflicting and incommensurable alternatives, and this article explains how the loose coupling technique can integrate MCDM with GIS to assist decision making among competing alternatives. As an example, this methodology has been applied for community development purposes in the Hooghly District of West Bengal, India.
Decomposing Malaria Mosquito Aquatic Habitat Data into Spatial Autocorrelation Eigenvectors in a SAS/GIS® Module
Authors: Jacob Benjamin G , Griffith Daniel A , Novak Robert J 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe present a geostatistical approach that accounts for spatial autocorrelation in malaria mosquito aquatic habitats in two East African urban environments. QuickBird 0.61 m data, encompassing visible bands and the near infra‐red (NIR) bands, were selected to synthesize images of Anopheles gambiae s.l. aquatic habitats in Kisumu and Malindi, Kenya. Field sampled data of An. gambiae s.l. aquatic habitats were used to determine which ecological covariates were associated with An. gambiae s.l. larval habitat development. A SAS/GIS® spatial database was used to calculate univariate statistics, correlations and perform Poisson regression analyses on the An. gambiae s.l. aquatic habitat datasets. Semivariograms and global autocorrelation statistics were generated in ArcGIS®. The spatially dependent models indicate the distribution of An. gambiae s.l. aquatic habitats exhibits weak positive autocorrelation in both study sites, with aquatic habitats of similar log‐larval counts tending to cluster in space. Individual anopheline habitats were further evaluated in terms of their covariations with spatial autocorrelation by regressing them on candidate spatial filter eigenvectors. This involved the decomposition of Moran's I statistic into orthogonal and uncorrelated map pattern components using a negative binomial regression. The procedure generated synthetic map patterns of latent spatial correlation representing the geographic configuration of An. gambiae s.l. aquatic habitat locations in each study site. The Gaussian approximation spatial filter models accounted for approximately 13% to 32% redundant locational information in the ecological datasets. Spatial statistics generated in a SAS/GIS® module can capture spatial dependency effects on the mean response term of a Poisson regression analysis of field and remotely sampled An. gambiae s.l. aquatic habitat data.
A Clustering‐Based Approach to the Capacitated Facility Location Problem1
Authors: Liao Ke , Guo Diansheng 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis research develops a clustering‐based location‐allocation method to the Capacitated Facility Location Problem (CFLP), which provides an approximate optimal solution to determine the location and coverage of a set of facilities to serve the demands of a large number of locations. The allocation is constrained by facility capacities – different facilities may have different capacities and the overall capacity may be inadequate to satisfy the total demands. This research transforms this special location‐allocation problem into a clustering model. The proposed approach has two parts: (1) the allocation of demands to facilities considering capacity constraints while minimizing the cost; and (2) the iterative optimization of facility locations using an adapted K‐means clustering method. The quality of a location‐allocation solution is measured using an objective function, which is the demand‐weighted distance from demand locations to their assigned facilities. The clustering‐based method is evaluated against an adapted Genetic Algorithm (GA) alternative, which integrates the allocation component as described above but uses GA operations to search for ‘optimal’ facility locations. Experiments and evaluations are carried out with various data sets (including both synthetic and real data).
GIScience Journals Ranking and Evaluation: An International Delphi Study
Authors: Caron Claude , Roche Stéphane , Goyer Daniel , Jaton Annick 
Published: June 2008

AbstractResearchers’ fame in most scientific fields is closely linked to their publishing capacity, both in terms of quantity and quality. In GIScience, as in other fields, this situation demands that the researcher evaluate and to be very familiar with the scientific journals in which they could publish. Some specialized journals (e.g. Journal of Citation Reports or JCR) are devoted to ranking these reviews according to various methods and criteria. Compared to other scientific communities, GIScience is relatively new and constantly evolving. Therefore, the journals of this field do not benefit from any real formal ranking yet. The objective of this paper is to present the process and results of a study aimed at addressing this gap. More specifically, the challenge is to elaborate an importance ranking of the scientific journals in the field of GIScience. To do so, both a qualitative (Delphi study carried out with 40 international experts) and a quantitative (JCR impact factor) approach has been implemented. This triangulation method leads to an early global ranking of the journals of this field.
Network Density Estimation: A GIS Approach for Analysing Point Patterns in a Network Space
Authors: Borruso Giuseppe 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHuman activities and more generally the phenomena related to human behaviour take place in a network‐constrained subset of the geographical space. These phenomena can be expressed as locations having their positions configured by a road network, as address points with street numbers. Although these events are considered as points on a network, point pattern analysis and the techniques implemented in a GIS environment generally consider events as taking place in a uniform space, with distance expressed as Euclidean and over a homogeneous and isotropic space. Network‐spatial analysis has developed as a research agenda where the attention is drawn towards point pattern analytical techniques applied to a space constrained by a road network. Little attention has been put on first order properties of a point pattern (i.e. density) in a network space, while mainly second order analysis such as nearest neighbour andK‐functions have been implemented for network configurations of the geographical space. In this article, a method for examining clusters of human‐related events on a network, called Network Density Estimation (NDE), is implemented using spatial statistical tools and GIS packages. The method is presented and compared to conventional first order spatial analytical techniques such as Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). Network Density Estimation is tested using the locations of a sample of central, urban activities associated with bank and insurance company branches in the central areas of two midsize European cities, Trieste (Italy) and Swindon (UK).
NON‐LINEAR PRICING AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Authors: Andersson Tommy 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates non‐linear pricing schedules that are based on Roemer's equality of opportunity (EOp) criterion, and compare them with the maximin and the utilitarian non‐linear pricing schedules. The main results suggest that the EOp policy offers a reasonable compromise between the maximin and the utilitarian policies in the sense that: (1) the consumption for each individual is highest under the utilitarian policy and lowest under the maximin policy, and (2) the individuals in the extreme positions rank the EOp policies between the maximin and the utilitarian policy in terms of utility level.
THE EFFECTS OF LABOUR MARKET FLEXIBILITY IN THE MONETARY THEORY OF PRODUCTION
Authors: Pacella Andrea 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present work is to study the effects of labour market flexibility on aggregate demand, productivity and employment within the theoretical framework of the Monetary Theory of Production. It is shown that labour market flexibility may not produce unidirectional effects on aggregate demand, productivity and employment, the working of the monetary market being decisive in establishing their levels.
THE HEX GAME THEOREM AND THE ARROW IMPOSSIBILITY THEOREM: THE CASE OF WEAK ORDERS
Authors: Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTThe Arrow impossibility theorem when individual preferences are weak orders is equivalent to the HEX game theorem. Because Gale showed that the Brouwer fixed point theorem is equivalent to the HEX game theorem, this paper indirectly shows the equivalence of the Brouwer fixed point theorem and the Arrow impossibility theorem. Chichilnisky showed the equivalence of her impossibility theorem and the Brouwer fixed point theorem, and Baryshnikov showed that the impossibility theorem by Chichilnisky and the Arrow impossibility theorem are very similar. Thus, Chichilnisky and Baryshnikov are precedents for the result—linking the Arrow impossibility theorem to a fixed point theorem.
Habitat factors affecting site occupancy and relative abundance of four‐horned antelope
Authors: Krishna Y. C. , Krishnaswamy J. , Kumar N. S. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe four‐horned antelope is endemic to the Indian sub‐continent. It was formerly distributed widely in deciduous forests throughout its range, but the current distributional patterns of this low‐density species are largely unknown and conservation efforts are hampered by the lack of information on species–habitat relationships. We investigated the habitat factors influencing four‐horned antelope occurrence and abundance in Bandipur National Park, an important four‐horned antelope conservation site in India. Detection/non‐detection data, collected under a systematic sampling framework, were used to test a priori hypotheses incorporating covariates believed to influence occurrence and abundance. The best fitting models for four‐horned antelope occurrence and relative abundance reveal that the tree‐savanna deciduous habitat sub‐type, characterized by relatively open habitats with a lower tree density and a high degree of deciduousness, is most preferred by the species. Four‐horned antelope conservation efforts in Bandipur National Park and other reserves should be focused on areas typified by tree‐savanna habitats. Four‐horned antelope occurrence was negatively related to the alien weed Lantana camara. The prolific spread of this weed in Indian deciduous forests is a likely threat.
Opposing effects of retinoid signaling on astrogliogenesis in embryonic day 13 and 17 cortical progenitor cells
Authors: Faigle Roland , Liu Lidong , Cundiff Paige , Funa Keiko , Xia Zhengui 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAll‐trans retinoic acid (RA) is a differentiation factor in many tissues. However, its role in astrogliogenesis has not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the effect of RA on the regulation of astrogliogenesis at different cortical developmental stages. We prepared rat cortical progenitor cells from embryonic day (E) 13 and E17, which correspond to the beginning of neurogenic and astrogliogenic periods, respectively. Surprisingly, RA promoted astrogliogenesis at E17 but inhibited astrogliogenesis induced by ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) at E13. The inhibitory effect of RA on astrogliogenesis at E13 was not due to premature commitment of progenitors to a neuronal or oligodendroglial lineage. Rather, RA retained more progenitors in a proliferative state. Furthermore, RA inhibition of astrogliogenesis at E13 was independent of STAT3 signaling and required the function of the α and β isoforms of the RA receptors (RAR). Moreover, the differential response of E13 and E17 progenitors to RA was due to differences in the intrinsic properties of these cells that are preserved in vitro. The inhibitory effect of RA on cytokine‐induced astrogliogenesis at E13 may contribute to silencing of any potential precocious astrogliogenesis during the neurogenic period.
Intrastriatal injection of colchicine induces striatonigral degeneration in mice
Authors: Liang Yajie , Li Shurong , Wen Can , Zhang Yanling , Guo Qiang , Wang Hanzhi , Su Bingyin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRecent studies from environmental toxicology and molecular genetics demonstrate that midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are particularly vulnerable to microtubule depolymerizing agents, indicating the involvement of microtubule dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Here we show that intrastriatal injection of colchicine (COL), a well‐known microtubule disruptor, induced degeneration of striatonigral pathway. Microtubule disruption caused by unilateral injection of COL blocked the retrograde axonal transport of fluorogold previously injected into striatum and induced substantial death of striatal and DA neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. Furthermore, COL‐induced pathologic changes were associated with robust glial reaction, which may be conducive to the degeneration of striatonigral pathway. We also found that intrastriatal injection of COL resulted in side bias in spontaneous turning activities and apomorphine‐induced rotational behavior. Together, our results provide in vivo data lending support to the concept that microtubule dysfunction may play a significant role in the death of DA neurons, though glial reaction may be involved and contribute to the degenerative process. Moreover, intrastriatal COL may serve as another experimental model of striatonigral degeneration (Parkinson’s variant of multiple system atrophy), given the concurrent loss of both striatal and DA neurons.
Opposition Party Support in Africa: An Elite–Mass Analysis
Authors: Kotzé Hennie , García-Rivero Carlos 
Published: June 2008

The existence of a healthy, respected and respectful opposition is a common feature of democratic politics. For a democracy to function properly, it needs an opposition to provide political contestation and electoral competition, thus limiting the power of the ruling party. In other words: no opposition – no democracy.In this regard, Africa has a poor track record. During the 1950s and 1960s, euphoria swelled throughout the continent following political independence from colonial rule. These new African democracies, however, rapidly began succumbing to authoritarianism. Political repression, single-party states and military rule flourished, causing authoritarian forms of government to become the norm throughout the continent. Opposition parties were, and in many countries still are, severely restricted and have generally had little chance to be heard. This is especially so in the many single-party states, characterized by a lack of democratic experience and culture, which became prevalent in post-independence Africa.
How to Approach a Monster: A Comparison of Different Approaches in the Historiography of Early Modern Monster Literature
Authors: Dunthorne Anna 
Published: June 2008

Abstract This essay won the 2007 History Compass Graduate Essay Prize, Europe Section. Monsters multiplied over the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in scholastic treatises, wonderbooks and cheap pamphlets. A Plymouth preacher complained that ‘the common sort make no further use of prodigies and strange births, than as a matter of wonder and table‐talk’. They should, he said, ‘look higher, and take notice of the special hand of God’. Idle wonder or moral purpose; there was more than one way to look at monsters in early modern Europe. The same might be said of historical approach. Historians have used monster literature to reflect on issues of difference, morality and control, conceptions of the supernatural and the dynamics of print culture. This article looks at the historiography of monsters or monstrosity and considers how modernising narratives might continue to influence the direction of historical enquiry. With a focus on particular historical accounts, I ask whether a return to the textual content and functions of these sources might shed new light on old questions or modify the ways we ask them.