bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEMORY ORGANIZATION AS THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN CASE‐BASED REASONING AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL IN BIOMEDICINE
Authors: Bichindaritz Isabelle
Published: November 2006

Mémoire proposes a general framework for reasoning from cases in biology and medicine. Part of this project is to propose a memory organization capable of handling large cases and case bases as occur in biomedical domains. This article presents the essential principles for an efficient memory organization based on pertinent work in information retrieval (IR). IR systems have been able to scale up to terabytes of data taking advantage of large databases research to build Internet search engines. They search for pertinent documents to answer a query using term‐based ranking and/or global ranking schemes. Similarly, case‐based reasoning (CBR) systems search for pertinent cases using a scoring function for ranking the cases. Mémoire proposes a memory organization based on inverted indexes which may be powered by databases to search and rank efficiently through large case bases. It can be seen as a first step toward large‐scale CBR systems, and in addition provides a framework for tight cooperation between CBR and IR.
VISIO‐SPATIAL CASE‐BASED REASONING: A CASE STUDY IN PREDICTION OF PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Authors: Davies Jim , Glasgow Janice , Kuo Tony
Published: November 2006

We show that visio‐spatial representations and reasoning can be used as a similarity metric for case‐based protein structure prediction. Our system retrieves pairs of α‐helices based on contact map similarity, then transfers and adapts the structure information to an unknown helix pair. We show that similar protein contact maps predict a similar three‐dimensional protein structure. The success of this method provides support for the notion that changing representations can enable similarity metrics in case‐based reasoning.
ACCOUNTING FOR THE TEMPORAL DIMENSION IN CASE‐BASED RETRIEVAL: A FRAMEWORK FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Montani Stefania , Portinale Luigi
Published: November 2006

Time‐varying information embedded in cases has often been neglected and its role oversimplified in case‐based reasoning systems. In several real‐world problems, and in particular in medical applications, a case should capture the evolution of the observed phenomenon over time. To this end, we propose to represent temporal information at two levels: (1) at thecase level, when some features are collected in the form of time series, because they describe parameters varying within a period of time (which corresponds to the case duration), and we aim at analyzing the system behavior within the case duration interval itself; (2) at thehistory level, when we are interested in reconstructing the evolution of the system by retrieving temporally related cases. In this paper, we describe a framework for case representation and retrieval that is able to take into account the temporal dimension, and is meant to be used in any time dependent domain, which is particularly well suited for medical applications. To support case retrieval, we provide an analysis of similarity‐based time series retrieval techniques; to support history retrieval, we introduce possible ways to summarize the case content, together with the corresponding strategies for identifying similar instances in the knowledge base. A concrete application of our framework is represented byRhene, a system for intelligent retrieval in the hemodialysis domain.
AN EVALUATION OF THE USEFULNESS OF EXPLANATION IN A CASE‐BASED REASONING SYSTEM FOR DECISION SUPPORT IN BRONCHIOLITIS TREATMENT
Authors: Doyle Dónal , Cunningham Pádraig , Walsh Paul
Published: November 2006

The research presented here explores the hypothesis that the deployment and acceptance of decision support systems in medicine will be enhanced if the basis for the recommendation produced by the system is apparent. We describe a decision support system for advising on patients suffering from bronchiolitis. This system supports its recommendations with precedent cases selected to support the recommendation along with justification text that highlights aspects of these cases relevant to the query case. It also presents an estimate of its confidence in the recommendation. The main contribution of this paper is an evaluation of this system in a clinical context. The evaluation shows that this type of explanation does enhance the usefulness of the system for practitioners.
New Specifications for Exponential Random Graph Models
Authors: Snijders Tom A. B. , Pattison Philippa E. , Robins Garry L. , Handcock Mark S.
Published: November 2006

The most promising class of statistical models for expressing structural properties of social networks observed at one moment in time is the class of exponential random graph models (ERGMs), also known as p* models. The strong point of these models is that they can represent a variety of structural tendencies, such as transitivity, that define complicated dependence patterns not easily modeled by more basic probability models. Recently, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms have been developed that produce approximate maximum likelihood estimators. Applying these models in their traditional specification to observed network data often has led to problems, however, which can be traced back to the fact that important parts of the parameter space correspond to nearly degenerate distributions, which may lead to convergence problems of estimation algorithms, and a poor fit to empirical data.

This paper proposes new specifications of exponential random graph models. These specifications represent structural properties such as transitivity and heterogeneity of degrees by more complicated graph statistics than the traditional star and triangle counts. Three kinds of statistics are proposed: geometrically weighted degree distributions, alternating k-triangles, and alternating independent two-paths. Examples are presented both of modeling graphs and digraphs, in which the new specifications lead to much better results than the earlier existing specifications of the ERGM. It is concluded that the new specifications increase the range and applicability of the ERGM as a tool for the statistical analysis of social networks.
Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Macroeconomic Monitoring Framework
Authors: Agénor Pierre‐Richard , Bayraktar Nihal , Moreira Emmanuel Pinto , El Aynaoui Karim
Published: November 2006

This paper presents a macroeconomic approach to monitoring progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Sub‐Saharan Africa. At the heart of our framework is a macro model which captures key linkages between foreign aid, public investment (disaggregated into education, infrastructure and health), the supply side and poverty. The model is then linked through cross‐country regressions to indicators of malnutrition, infant mortality, life expectancy and access to safe water. A composite MDG Indicator is also calculated. The functioning of our framework is illustrated by simulating the impact of an increase in foreign aid to Niger at the MDG horizon of 2015, under alternative assumptions about the degree of efficiency of public investment. Our approach can serve as the building block for Strategy Papers for Human Development (SPAHD), a more encompassing concept than the current ‘Poverty Reduction’ Strategy Papers.
Myth, Sin and Redemption in Capital Account Liberalisation
Authors: Snowden Nicholas
Published: November 2006

The Fund's argument that capital account liberalisation in developing countries might appeal for justification to the recognised gains from free trade in goods and services was seriously undermined by the Asian financial crisis. Perhaps the most remarkable critique in view of his pre‐eminence in the development of international trade theory and policy was a short paper by Jagdish Bhagwati in which the Fund's parallel was described as a ‘myth’. Taking up the argument he advanced, this article explores further the underlying weakness of the Fund's case. Jagdish emphasised the discrepancy between the nebulous long‐term benefits from capital flow liberalisation and the painful consequences of the crises that they had recently occasioned. The relevance of the ‘original sin’ hypothesis in determining the magnitude of these costs is therefore discussed here with attention drawn to country inability to borrow readily in their own currencies as a reason for their acute exposure to exchange rate speculation. ‘Redemption’ for borrowers is then sought through an identification of sources of genuine comparative advantage in financial trade. Net flows of finance are not required for the realisation of these gains and a final section argues that there should be no presumption that net transfers improve welfare – just as Jagdish claimed.
Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland: Policy Implications for Emerging Economies
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Ruane Frances
Published: November 2006

Ireland's success in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) provides guidance for emerging economies. The key to Ireland's success is its consistency of policy towards FDI. Ireland's success suggests that emerging countries should be proactive in seeking FDI, offer a package of incentives that is enterprise‐centred yet is sufficiently selective to build self‐sustaining clusters. Policy consistency is important to inward investors and this can be traded off against selectivity and monitoring of performance.
Improvement of the quasi‐likelihood ratio test in ARMA models: some results for bootstrap methods
Authors: Canepa A. , Godfrey L. G.
Published: November 2006

Abstract.  Quasi‐likelihood ratio tests for autoregressive moving‐average (ARMA) models are examined. The ARMA models are stationary and invertible with white‐noise terms that are not restricted to be normally distributed. The white‐noise terms are instead subject to the weaker assumption that they are independently and identically distributed with an unspecified distribution. Bootstrap methods are used to improve control of the finite sample significance levels. The bootstrap is used in two ways: first, to approximate a Bartlett‐type correction; and second, to estimate the p‐value of the observed test statistic. Some simulation evidence is provided. The bootstrap p‐value test emerges as the best performer in terms of controlling significance levels.
Embedding a Gaussian discrete‐time autoregressive moving average process in a Gaussian continuous‐time autoregressive moving average process
Authors: Huzii Mituaki
Published: November 2006

Abstract.  Embedding a discrete‐time autoregressive moving average (DARMA) process in a continuous‐time ARMA (CARMA) process has been discussed by many authors. These authors have considered the relationship between the autocovariance structures of continuous‐time and related discrete‐time processes. In this article, we treat the problem from a slightly different point of view. We define embedding in a more rigid way by taking account of the probability structure. We consider Gaussian processes. First we summarize the necessary and sufficient condition for a DARMA process to be able to be embedded in a CARMA process. Secondly, we show a concrete condition such that a DARMA process can be embeddable in a CARMA process. This condition is new and general. Thirdly, we show some special cases including new examples. We show how we can examine embeddability for these special cases.
COORDINATION FAILURES IN NETWORK MIGRATION*
Authors: HEITMUELLER AXEL
Published: November 2006

Previous immigration facilitates future immigration, a phenomenon called network migration. While well recognized, previous research has mainly focused on the implications of immigrant networks on future migrants. In contrast, this paper derives a simple model from the perspective of the incumbent immigrant population by introducing sub‐networks and argues that the incumbent migrants fail to achieve a Pareto optimal network size due to differences in inter‐ and intra‐migrant group externalities and subsequently coordination failures. In short, it stresses the active role incumbents take in the provision of network effects and provides theoretical evidence that self‐perpetuating and sustained immigration is not at odds with rational acting individuals. It also shows that optimally chosen migration quotas may appeal to incumbent migration cohorts and provides an alternative explanation for inter‐ and intra‐migrant group tensions.
Can Early Foreign Language Learning Contribute to the Shared Emotional and Motivational Landscape of a Primary School?
Authors: HOOD PHILIP
Published: November 2006

The government's stated intention is that all KS2 learners will have an entitlement to foreign language learning by 2010. Disquiet about motivation for language learning in the secondary sector led to the reduction in status of ML in 2003 to an option subject in KS4. We should not simply consider how best to assure motivation among primary learners of MFL but, in addition, explore what early foreign language learning can contribute to the whole school. There are grounds for claiming that learning a foreign language can contribute to children's overall enjoyment of, motivation for and self‐esteem in learning. In its early implementation, it can create a shared curricular experience for a whole school, which can be built upon subsequently. The strength of language learning is sometimes seen as being because it is different, but this article also explores the framework and approach needed to ensure that it is strongly embedded in the whole‐school curriculum. In addition to a literature‐based rationale for this proposal, the article also contains quotations from four interviews conducted at a primary school in the East Midlands with a headteacher and three small groups representing pupils in Reception, Y3 and Y6 classes.
Counselling, Culture and Conformity: Some Implications for the Education of Counsellors and Others Involved in Pastoral Care
Authors: THOMAS DI
Published: November 2006

This paper seeks to explore some of the implications that recent critiques of therapeutic language have for counselling and Pastoral Care. Are we in the midst of a creation of a more caring and emotionally intelligent society or in danger of losing individual autonomy and political power by the inadvertent construction of a ‘fragile self’? Does this apparent valorization of the emotional become an emotionalism that destroys autonomy and undermines our power to think and act rationally? What are the implications of the increased acceptance of the need for emotional expression: does this in turn become new conformity where the private space of the individual is policed by counsellors in the name of the state? This paper supports the observations that the new cultural trend towards giving primacy to emotional expression can have deleterious political and social effects but seeks to distinguish counselling and psychotherapy from the ‘therapism’ of popular culture.
Smith, Hume and the Moral Imagination: Sympathy and Social Justice
Authors: HYSLOP‐MARGISON EMERY J.
Published: November 2006

In this article, the author argues that there is still much to learn from the moral theories developed by two eminent philosophers, John Smith and David Hume, that can contribute to enhancing the sensibilities of students in classroom discussions about a range of moral and social justice issues. He argues that when school students are afforded the opportunity to imagine the circumstances of those persons suffering various forms of social marginalization, they can gain a heightened awareness on the affective and practical implications of social injustice, and feel more compelled to transform the unacceptable inequities they encounter. He suggests that encouraging students to use their moral imaginations and sensibilities will invoke a sympathetic response that raises their collective consciousness on the moral importance of attempting to create a more compassionate, benevolent and equitable society.
One School's Experience of Engaging with a Comprehensive Anti‐Bullying Programme in the Irish Context: Adolescent and Teacher Perspectives
Authors: JAMES DEBORAH J. , LAWLOR MARIA , FLYNN ANN , MURPHY NIAMH , COURTNEY PAT , HENRY BERNIE
Published: November 2006

In this article, the authors report on the evaluation of an anti‐bullying programme, the cool school programme (CSP), conducted in a secondary school in Ireland. The study explored how participation in the anti‐bullying programme affected students and teachers in one second‐level school. The programme focused on students' faith in the teachers' ability to deal with bullying effectively, their willingness and confidence in telling a teacher about bullying and whether they felt safe in school. Teacher confidence and behaviour with regard to bullying were also explored. The study found that 91 per cent of students felt that teachers took bullying seriously. Eighty‐nine per cent thought that teachers knew how to deal with bullying and 75 per cent felt able to tell a teacher if they were bullied. Eighty‐seven per cent said there was a better atmosphere in their class. Ninety‐three per cent of students felt safe in school. Seventy‐two per cent of teachers reported greater confidence in their ability to manage bullying and 84% reported increased vigilance. Ninety‐four per cent thought that students felt safer in the school. Sixty‐nine per cent said there was a better atmosphere in the school. Most felt that the programme was now part of the school culture (94%) and would continue in the school (97%). The authors acknowledge that relying on reported levels of bullying may not give a complete picture of the impact of an anti‐bullying intervention. They argue that researchers may need to take into consideration teacher approachability, challenging the culture of silence, responding appropriately and ensuring student safety in school when evaluating programmes.
Ecological consumer behaviour: an empirical analysis
Authors: Fraj Elena , Martinez Eva
Published: November 2006

Increasingly, consumers choose ecological products when they do the shopping, not only because it is a healthier option but also because it helps to sustain the environment for future generations. They are prepared to switch products for ecological reasons and stop buying products from companies that cause pollution. Firms and other economic institutions are aware of the importance of reflecting these attitudes towards the environment in developing their products. This paper is focused on environmental attitudes as meaningful predictor of ecological behaviour. A three‐dimensional approach to this variable has been developed, which addresses its emotional, cognitive and conative components. A random sample survey of 573 individuals was used to verify the conceptual model and framework. This model was assessed initially by principal factor analysis and subsequently, by structural equation modelling. Findings of this study showed that environmental attitudes have a significant effect on ecological behaviour. This research improves our understanding of how consumers feel and what attitudes best define their way of behaving in relation to environmental problems.
Isolation and characterization of 20 microsatellite marker loci from the Indri (Indri indri) genome
Authors: ZAONARIVELO JOHN R. , SOMMER JULIE A. , SHORE GARY E. , MCGUIRE SUSIE M. , ENGBERG SHANNON E. , BRENNEMAN RICK A. , LOUIS EDWARD E.
Published: November 2006

Twenty novel polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the Indri, Indri indri, genome. Along with sequence data, this marker suite will be used in future studies to establish population structure throughout its range and to verify the proposed subspecific nomenclature. Gene diversity (0.760 and 0.783) and allelic richness (5.8 and 6.43) were estimated in the Betampona and Andasibe populations, respectively.
genclone: a computer program to analyse genotypic data, test for clonality and describe spatial clonal organization
Authors: ARNAUD‐HAOND SOPHIE , BELKHIR KHALID
Published: November 2006

genclone 1.0 is designed for studying clonality and its spatial components using genotype data with molecular markers from haploid or diploid organisms. genclone 1.0 performs the following tasks. (i) discriminates distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs), and uses permutation and resampling approaches to test for the reliability of sets of loci and sampling units for estimating genotypic and genetic diversity (a procedure also useful for nonclonal organisms); (ii) computes statistics to test for clonal propagation or clonal identity of replicates; (iii) computes various indices describing genotypic diversity; and (iv) summarizes the spatial organization of MLGs with adapted spatial autocorrelation methods and clonal subrange estimates.
Isolation, characterization and evaluation of 11 autosomal STRs suitable for population studies in black and gold howler monkeysAlouatta caraya
Authors: OKLANDER LUCIANA I. , ZUNINO GABRIEL E. , DI FIORE ANTHONY , CORACH DANIEL
Published: November 2006

We identified 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers forAlouatta caraya. Three markers were isolated from an enriched genomic library ofA. caraya(AC14, AC17, AC45), five were previously described inHomo sapiens(TGMS1, TGMS2, D5S117, D8S165, D17S804), and three were identified forLagothix lagotricha(1110, 1118, 157). Forty‐eight individuals from one Argentinean population were genotyped, yielding heterozygosity values between 0.146 and 0.792. These markers provide an exclusion power of 0.922 when neither parent is known (0.992 when one parent is known) and are suitable for parentage analysis, population genetics and phylogeographical studies ofA. caraya,the southernmost primate in the New World.
New microsatellite markers for the snow crabChionoecetes opilio(Brachyura: Majidae)
Authors: AN H. S. , JEONG J. H. , PARK J. Y.
Published: November 2006

Nine novel microsatellite loci were isolated fromChionoecetes opilioby screening an enriched genomic library using nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction techniques, and the polymorphisms were examined to estimate genetic variability. The genetic variabilities varied depending on the locus. All loci were found to be polymorphic with an average of 9.7 alleles per locus (range 3–25). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.80 to 0.98 and from 0.56 to 0.95, respectively. Five loci showed significant Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium at theP < 0.05 level. The high variabilities revealed in this study suggest that these microsatellite loci should provide useful markers for genetic variation monitoring ofC. opilio.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the invasive plant Cytisus scoparius
Authors: KANG MING , LOWE ANDREW , BUCKLEY YVONNE
Published: November 2006

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a serious weed of natural and pastoral ecosystems and is invasive in many countries worldwide. Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 23. The range of observed heterozygosity was between 0.207 and 0.928. These microsatellite markers will be useful tools for studies of population genetics in the native and invasive range of this species.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Labiotermes labralis (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae)
Authors: HARRY M. , ROY V. , MERCIER A. , LIVET A. , GARNIER E. , BOUSSERRHINE N. , DEMANCHE C.
Published: November 2006

We report here on the development of six polymorphic microsatellite loci for Labiotermes labralis. This soil‐feeding species is restricted to the Neotropical rainforest and then could represent a major candidate for being a bio‐indicator of anthropic disturbance resulting in the forest fragmentation. The microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized using a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library. The primers were tested on a French Guyanese population of L. labralis, represented by the sampling of one soldier in 22 nests. The primers were also tested against nine species of the same Nasutitermitinae subfamily and were successfully amplified at five loci in Armitermes minutus.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic trinucleotide microsatellites of the polyploid crucian carp (Carassius auratus)
Authors: JUNG JONGWOO , LEE EUNJUNG , KIM WON
Published: November 2006

In this study, we isolated and characterized nine polymorphic trinucleotide microsatellites (CAG and CCT) from the crucian carp (Carassius auratus). The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six. Five loci showed a significantly excess homozygosity, and a genetic linkage between CAL0102 and CAL0495 was strongly suggested. Our results confirmed the triploidy of Korean individuals, and the microsatellites were found to be useful for analysing the allelic state of the polyploid crucian carp.
Characterization of nine microsatellite loci on endemic kangaroo rats Dipodomys simulans peninsularis from southern Baja California Peninsula
Authors: VEGA A. MUNGUÍA , ESTRELLA R. RODRÍGUEZ , BLÁZQUEZ M. C.
Published: November 2006

Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated to investigate the effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow and genetic variation of the peninsular kangaroo rat Dipodomys simulans peninsularis on agricultural landscape from the Baja California Peninsula. The markers had an average of 9.11 alleles per locus (range 2–14), with mean observed and expected heterozygosities 0.646 (range 0.333–0.900) and 0.788 (range 0.284–0.932), respectively. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was found across pairs of loci, and only one locus exhibited evidence of null alleles.
Development and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers in the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus (Gobiidae)
Authors: LARMUSEAU M. H. D. , HELLEMANS B. , VAN HOUDT J. K. J. , VOLCKAERT F. A. M.
Published: November 2006

A microsatellite‐enriched genomic library was constructed for the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas 1770), and nine polymorphic DNA microsatellite markers of high quality were successfully optimized. Characterization of 96 individuals from the Vaccarès lagoon (France) showed moderate to high levels of polymorphism (two to 54 alleles). All the markers conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and showed no evidence of null alleles, large allele dropout, stuttering and linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci. These markers successfully amplify in three closely related species and can be employed to investigate population genetic structure and to clarify paternity in Pomatoschistus species.
Characterization and the broad cross‐species applicability of 20 anonymous nuclear loci isolated from the Taiwan Hwamei (Garrulax taewanus)
Authors: LIN RONG‐CHIEN , YAO CHENG‐TE , LO WEN‐SUI , LI SHOU‐HSIEN
Published: November 2006

We isolated 20 anonymous nuclear loci (8556 bp in total) from the Taiwan Hwamei (Garrulax taewanus), an endemic songbird of Taiwan. A panel of nine to 15 individuals with unknown relationship was used to characterize polymorphism of these loci. We identified 46 single nucleotide polymorphic sites (SNPs) in 15 polymorphic loci. Frequency of SNPs was one per every 186 bp in average. Nucleotide diversity, θ, ranged from 0.00054 to 0.00371 per locus. We also tested cross‐species applicability of these loci on 17 species from eight different passerine families. All 20 loci could be successfully amplified (ranged from one to 16 species, mean = 7.9 species).
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Sabatia campestris (Gentianaceae), an Illinois state‐endangered plant
Authors: LYONS‐SOBASKI S. A. , BEEVER J. E.
Published: November 2006

Sabatia campestris is a regionally endangered prairie plant. Eight polymorphic loci have been generated for S. campestris (Gentianaceae) using non‐enriched and enriched libraries. Polymorphism was quantified from an isolated population from central Illinois yielding mean observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.723 and 0.801, respectively. The number of alleles per locus for this population ranged from three to 25 with a median of 15.5. These genetic markers will be used to determine population genetic structure of Illinois populations as well as to estimate fine‐scale gene flow rates.
Mining and charactering microsatellites in Cucumis melo expressed sequence tags from sequence database
Authors: KONG Q. , XIANG C. , YU Z. , ZHANG C. , LIU F. , PENG C. , PENG X.
Published: November 2006

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) derived from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are valuable markers because they represent transcribed regions and often have putative functions. We mined and characterized microsatellites in melon ESTs. Three hundred and eighty‐three SSR loci were identified in 309 of 3188 unigenes assembled by 5747 EST and mRNA sequences in GenBank with occurring frequency of 1/4.7 kb. Twenty‐two polymorphic EST‐SSR markers were developed with the mean allele number of 2.9 per locus and mean expected heterozygosity of 0.442. Amplification products were also detected by 15 pairs of primer in Cucumis sativus. Those informative EST‐SSR markers can be used in melon genetic improvement projects.
Microsatellite markers for the polygamous termite Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae)
Authors: ATKINSON LYNN , ADAMS ELDRIDGE S. , CROZIER ROSS H.
Published: November 2006

We developed eight highly variable microsatellite markers for the termite Nasutitermes corniger. Allele number per locus ranged from nine to 34, and expected heterozygosity from 0.45 to 0.94, in samples from seven sites in the former canal zone of Panama. The utility of these markers was assessed for five congeners varying in phylogenetic distance to N. corniger. The markers will be useful for fine‐scale examination of population and colony genetic structure in N. corniger and other closely related species.
A fast and inexpensive DNA extraction/purification protocol for brown macroalgae
Authors: HOARAU GALICE , COYER JAMES A. , STAM WYTZE T. , OLSEN JEANINE L.
Published: November 2006

Here we describe a rapid method for extracting DNA from dried brown algae material using a microtitre plate system in conjunction with a milling instrument. The method allows the preparation of nuclear and organelle DNA of quality suitable for polymerase chain reaction amplification. It combines high throughput with low cost per sample: DNA from 192 samples can be extracted in c. 3 h for < €0.40 per sample, nearly tenfold cheaper than commercially available kits. Furthermore, by using microtitre plates, efficient storage and downstream processing is facilitated.
The determination of multiple microsatellite genotypes and DNA sequences from a single pollen grain
Authors: MATSUKI Y. , ISAGI Y. , SUYAMA Y.
Published: November 2006

Pollen plays important roles in the reproduction and gene flow of flowering plants, and its haploid DNA sequence provides useful information for studies of plant evolution and genealogy. We describe a new method for multiple microsatellite genotyping and DNA sequencing from a single pollen grain. The haploid DNA was extracted from a single pollen grain by using a simple DNA extraction method, and multiple microsatellite genotypes and DNA sequences of multiple chloroplast loci were determined. Using nine pairs of microsatellite primers, more than 90% of genotypes were successfully determined, and 71% and 100% of DNA sequences were determined at two chloroplast DNA loci, the trnL intron region and the trnL/trnF intergenic spacer region, respectively. This simple method of genetic analysis for a single pollen grain will facilitate detailed study of pollination, evolution and genealogy.
A select panel of polymorphic microsatellite loci for individual identification of snow leopards (Panthera uncia)
Authors: WAITS LISETTE P. , BUCKLEY‐BEASON VALERIE A. , JOHNSON WARREN E. , ONORATO DAVE , MCCARTHY TOM
Published: November 2006

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are elusive endangered carnivores found in remote mountain regions of Central Asia. New methods for identifying and counting snow leopards are needed for conservation and management efforts. To develop molecular genetic tools for individual identification of hair and faecal samples, we screened 50 microsatellite loci developed for the domestic cat (Felis catus) in 19 captive snow leopards. Forty‐eight loci were polymorphic with numbers of alleles per locus ranging from two to 11. The probability of observing matching genotypes for unrelated individuals (2.1 × 10−11) and siblings (7.5 × 10−5) using the 10 most polymorphic loci was low, suggesting that this panel would easily discriminate among individuals in the wild.
Microsatellite DNA markers for analysis of population structure in the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii
Authors: BANKS SAM C. , PIGGOTT MAXINE P. , WILLIAMSON JANE E. , BEHEREGARAY LUCIANO B.
Published: November 2006

We describe the development of 13 variable microsatellites developed to investigate population structure and dispersal in the sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii. This species is the dominant grazing herbivore in southeast Australian coastal waters and has the ability to modify benthic community structure. The microsatellites we identified showed a range of allele numbers (4–21) and expected heterozygosity (0.32–0.91) in two sampled populations. Contrary to previous findings in free‐spawning marine invertebrates, genotype proportions in neither population deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg expectations.
Characterization of SSRs from the American lobster, Homarus americanus
Authors: HODGINS‐DAVIS ANDREA , ROBERTS STEVEN , COWAN DIANE F. , ATEMA JELLE , BENNIE MICHAEL , AVOLIO CARLA , DEFAVERI JACQUELIN , GERLACH GABRIELE
Published: November 2006

The American lobster (Homarus americanus), a commercially important benthic marine crustacean, is widely distributed along the continental shelf of the western North Atlantic. The population substructure of this species remains poorly understood despite its economic value. Informative markers are required to clarify relationships between local populations. To this end, we developed eight polymorphic short sequence repeats (SSR) for the American lobster, which were derived from expressed sequence tags. Additionally, we tested four SSRs previously identified for the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus L.) for cross‐species utility; only one of these showed polymorphism.
The absence of lateral congruency between sighting dominance and the eye with better visual acuity
Authors: Pointer Jonathan S.
Published: November 2006

The notion that in subjects with normal binocular vision (i.e. non‐strabismic cases) the eye showing sighting dominance will also most likely be that individual's better‐sighted eye has proved to be persistent. A review and analysis of the literature has now demonstrated, across several population groups, the fallacy of this belief. In fact, the occurrence of lateral congruency between sighting dominance and the eye with better visual acuity is at a statistical level no greater than chance would predict. Some clinical implications of this outcome are considered.
Fact and Fiction in the Icelandic Sagas
Authors: Cormack Margaret
Published: November 2006

After a survey of the types of historical evidence that can be used for comparison with Icelandic sagas, current scholarly approaches to these sagas as historical sources are presented and critiqued. Pitfalls in using this material are pointed out, and some new research is discussed.
The Later Medieval English Urban Household
Authors: Rees Jones Sarah , Riddy Felicity , Beattie Cordelia , Carpenter Charlotte , Holford Matthew , McClure Lara , Williams Sarah , Rimmer Jayne , Goldberg Jeremy , Hamblen Bethany , Davis Isabel , Moss Rachel , Tai Wanchen , Kane Bronach , McLean Kate
Published: November 2006

Home is one of the most emotive words in any language but our experience of being at home is historically and culturally specific. This article reviews a range of recent scholarship on the later medieval English urban household in the disciplines of History, Literary criticism and Archaeology. It has been composed collaboratively by the members of the York Medieval Household Research Group. After an introduction tracing the wider context in which all histories of domesticity are located, we focus in on our particular period through a close study of contemporary later medieval vocabularies of homeliness. This is followed by a sequence of short thematic sections addressing the historiography of different aspects the demographic structure, ideological construction and daily and emotional life of the household as reflected in the current interests of members of the group.
A Clinical Study of Migraine Evolution
Authors: Pryse‐Phillips William , Aubé Michel , Bailey Peter , Becker Werner J. , Bellavance Andre , Gawel Marek , Giammarco Rose , Mackie Gordon , Purdy R. Allan , Robinson Gordon , Shapero Gary , Wilson Keith
Published: November 2006

Background.—The buildup time of migraine headaches has not been well delineated in publications to date and we are aware of patients whose migraines last well over 72 hours. More concentration on these factors in the assessment of patients might lead to more appropriate therapeutic choices.

Method.—Prospective ascertainment of such data through a questionnaire completed by 253 informed and willing patients with IHS migraine with or without aura consulting Canadian headache specialists. Data were electronically sent to a central computer from each center, tabulated and analyzed using standard statistical parameters.

Results.—In 253 patients with migraine ascertained using applied IHS criteria, nausea was a feature in over 90% of cases, especially in those with aura. This inhibited the ingestion of oral medications in about a quarter of all subjects. The time to build from no pain to moderate/severe pain was shorter in subjects with auras and was less than 2 hours in 97% of those with and 86% of those without auras. However, we also identified a group of subjects with migraine (over 10% of all) in whom the build time to maximum pain is delayed for over 2 hours. Nausea was experienced by 91.7% of subjects, slightly but significantly later in those without auras. While most headaches in each group lasted from 4 to 72 hours, 24.3% of those with and 20.6% of those without aura expected to experience pain for more than 72 hours, while in untreated cases disability due to pain, nausea, or malaise usually persisted for over 3 days in 24.3% and 16.7% of those with and without aura, respectively. One‐fifth of migraineurs may be in pain and/or disabled by accompanying symptoms for over 3 days in a typical migraine attack. Over half of our subjects reported that their medications worked well or excellently.

Conclusions.—Attacks of migraine in real‐life clinical situations vary somewhat from the IHS criteria in that they are more often associated with nausea that interferes with oral therapy; can persist for over 72 hours; may have slow (>2 hours) buildup to maximum pain in 10% of cases; and may cause disability for over 3 days. Nevertheless, current therapeutic regimens (including prescribed medications) work well for a substantial majority.
Gene Expression Profiling in Cluster Headache: A Pilot Microarray Study
Authors: Sjöstrand Christina , Duvefelt Kristina , Steinberg Anna , Remahl Ingela Nilsson , Waldenlind Elisabet , Hillert Jan
Published: November 2006

Background.—Cluster headache (CH) is a primary neurovascular headache disorder characterized by attacks of excruciating pain accompanied by ipsilateral autonomic symptoms. CH pathophysiology is presumed to involve an activation of hypothalamic and trigeminovascular systems, but inflammation and immunological mechanisms have also been hypothesized to be of importance.

Objective.—To identify differentially expressed genes during different clinical phases of CH, assuming that changes of pathophysiological importance would also be seen in peripheral venous blood.

Methods.—Blood samples were drawn at 3 consecutive occasions from 3 episodic CH patients: during attacks, between attacks and in remission, and at 1 occasion from 3 matched controls. Global gene expression was analyzed with microarray tehnology using the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 2.0 Plus GeneChip® Set, covering more than 54,000 gene transcripts, corresponding to almost 22,000 genes. Quantitative RT‐PCR on S100P gene expression was analyzed in 6 patients and 14 controls.

Results.—Overall, quite small differences were seen intraindividually and large differences interindividually. However, pairwise comparisons of signal values showed upregulation of several S100 calcium binding proteins; S100A8 (calgranulin A), S100A12 (calgranulin C), and S100P during active phase of the disease compared to remission. Also, annexin A3 (calcium‐binding) and ICAM3 showed upregulation. BIRC1 (neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein), CREB5, HLA‐DQA1, and HLA‐DQB1 were upregulated in patients compared to controls. The upregulation of S100P during attack versus remission was confirmed by quantitative RT‐PCR analysis.

Conclusions.—The S100A8 and S100A12 proteins are considered markers of non‐infectious inflammatory disease, while the function of S100P is still largely unknown. Furthermore, upregulation of HLA‐DQ genes in CH patients may also indicate an inflammatory response. Upregulation of these pro‐inflammatory genes during the active phase of CH has not formerly been reported. Data from this pilot microarray study provide a basis for further studies in CH.
Change of Excitability in Brainstem and Cortical Visual Processing in Migraine Exhibiting Allodynia
Authors: Shibata Koichi , Yamane Kiyomi , Iwata Makoto
Published: November 2006

Background.—Clinical and neurophysiological manifestations of information processing associated with central sensitization are little known. Allodynic migraine (AM) can be caused by the sensitization of trigeminal neuron, but no study has reported on AM between attacks using blink reflex (BR) and pattern‐reversal visual evoked potentials (PVEPs).

Objective.—We explored the characteristics of AM between attacks associated with central sensitization using BR and PVEP.

Methods.—We recruited 13 patients with interictal AM and 15 patients with nonallodynic migraine (NA), and 30 healthy subjects (HS). BRs were obtained using paired pulses delivered at the interstimulus interval (ISI) of 150, 300, and 500 ms. The ratio of the area in the R2 of the second to R2 of the first shock was measured for each ISI. PVEP were recorded with 2 spatial frequencies (0.5 and 4.0 cpd) and 2 low and high contrasts (29% and 98%, respectively). Amplitudes of P100 were measured.

Results.—For BR, there were no significant differences in the ratio of the area of the R2 between the sides of stimulation, and the sides of headache. AM patients had less suppression of the R2 at the ISI of 150 and 300 ms when compared with the NA patients and HS. For PVEP, at 0.5, there were significant differences of amplitude between AM patients and HS, and between NA patients and HS in low and high contrast. At 4.0 cpd, there were significant differences of amplitude between AM patients and HS in low contrast, and between AM patients and HS, and NA patients and HS in high contrast. In AM patients, there was a significant difference of amplitude ratio between 0.5 and 4.0 cpd.

Conclusions.—Our BR and PVEP study showed that migraine patients exhibiting allodynia may show central sensitization of brainstem trigeminal neuron and have contrast modulating dysfunction during the cortical visual processing of striate and extrastriate on visual cortex in‐between attacks.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (Glu298Asp) Polymorphism is an Independent Risk Factor for Migraine with Aura
Authors: Borroni Barbara , Rao Renata , Liberini Paolo , Venturelli Elisabetta , Cossandi Michela , Archetti Silvana , Caimi Luigi , Padovani Alessandro
Published: November 2006

Objective.—The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the functional endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) Glu298Asp polymorphism, which has been demonstrated to decrease the endothelial NOS activity, might be a risk factor for migraine.

Background.—It has widely demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in migraine pathogenesis. Several genetic risk factors have been associated with migraine, but no study has unraveled a possible relationship between migraine and eNOS Glu298Asp.

Methods.—One hundred fifty‐six migraine patients and 125 healthy nonheadache volunteers entered the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were carefully recorded, and a neurological workup was performed.

Results.—eNOS AspAsp homozygous patients had a 3‐fold time risk for migraine with aura (MA) when compared to migraine without aura (MO) patients (OR‐3.02, 95% CI‐1.21 to 7.51), and more than 2‐fold time increased risk when compared to control subjects (OR‐2.21, 95% CI‐1.00 to 5.04).

In migraine patients, no difference in age at onset, mean attack's intensity, family history for any of the studied comorbidities, or the presence of comorbidities was found in eNOS AspAsp homozygous compared to eNOS GluGlu or eNOS GluAs carriers.

Conclusions.—Homozygous Asp298, a common variant of the eNOS gene, is an independent risk factor for MA in this study population.
Occipital Neuralgia Evoked by Facial Herpes Zoster Infection
Authors: Kihara Takeshi , Shimohama Shun
Published: November 2006

Occipital neuralgia is a pain syndrome which may usually be induced by spasms of the cervical muscles or trauma to the greater or lesser occipital nerves. We report a patient with occipital neuralgia followed by facial herpes lesion. A 74‐year‐old male experienced sudden‐onset severe headache in the occipital area. The pain was localized to the distribution of the right side of the greater occipital nerve, and palpation of the right greater occipital nerve reproduces the pain. He was diagnosed with occipital neuralgia according to ICHD‐II criteria. A few days later, the occipital pain was followed by reddening of the skin and the appearance, of varying size, of vesicles on the right side of his face (the maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve region). This was diagnosed as herpes zoster. This case represents a combination of facial herpes lesions and pain in the C2 and C3 regions. The pain syndromes can be confusing, and the classic herpes zoster infection should be considered even when no skin lesions are established.
The Prophylactic Treatment of Chronic Daily Headache
Authors: Mathew Ninan T.
Published: November 2006

Chronic daily headache (CDH), a heterogeneous group of headache disorders occurring on at least 15 days per month, affects up to 4% to 5% of the general population. CDH disorders include transformed (or chronic) migraine, chronic tension‐type headache, new daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua. Patients with CDH have greater disability and lower quality of life than episodic migraine patients and often overuse headache pain medications. To date, only topiramate, gabapentin, tizanidine, fluoxetine, amitriptyline, and botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) have been evaluated as prophylactic treatment of CDH in randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, or active comparator‐controlled trials. The evidence supporting the use of BoNTA as prophylaxis of CDH is composed of larger and longer trials, as over 1000 patients were evaluated for up to 11 months duration. Compared with placebo BoNTA has significantly reduced the frequency of headache episodes, a recommended efficacy measure for headache trials and has been demonstrated to be safe and very well tolerated with few discontinuations due to adverse events. Side effects are generally transient, mild to moderate, and nonsystemic. The results of clinical trials using traditional oral pharmacotherapy, while supportive of their use as prophylactic treatment of CDH, are limited by several factors, including small numbers of patients, the choice of efficacy measures, and short treatment periods. The use of oral agents was associated with systemic side effects, which may limit their effectiveness as prophylactic treatment of CDH.