bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mass Legal Executions of Blacks in the United States, 17th-20th Centuries
Authors: Blackman Paul H. , McLaughlin Vance
Published: August 2003

Throughout history, governments have sometimes executed persons in groups for the same offense. The United States has done less of it than most, with or without due process. But although never numerous, a look at an unstudied aspect of both multiple homicide and capital punishment showed the occurrence of posttrial mass executions—four or more persons for the same incident—interesting for what they tell about the social climate of the eras in which they occurred, particularly regarding the place of Blacks in society. Before the end of slavery, more than half of the mass legal executions were of Blacks, generally for slave revolts. After that, Blacks were still disproportionately involved relative to population, accounting for one third of those executed. Counting mass lynchings would probably raise the percentage toward that in the pre-1866 era and to the percentage of Blacks legally executed overall.
Murder in Black and White
Authors: Paulsen Derek J.
Published: August 2003

Over the past 20 years there has been a wealth of research pertaining to newspaper coverage of crime and its potential effect on public perception and fear of crime. Although research has shown that crimes such as homicide are disproportionately chosen by newspapers as crime stories over other types of crime, there is little known about how accurately this coverage reflects the true reality of violent crime. Specifically, prior research concerning the newspaper coverage of homicide has failed to address issues relating to either prominence of coverage or yearly fluctuations in coverage. The purpose of this research is to explore the difference between the reality of homicide in Houston, Texas, between 1986 and 1994 and the socially constructed reality of homicide as portrayed by newspaper coverage of homicide incidents. Specifically, what differences are there between actual homicide incidents, those that receive cursory newspaper coverage, and those that receive celebrated newspaper coverage?
Maintenance of the Classroom Health Education Curricula: Results from the Catch-on Study
Authors: Johnson Carolyn C. , Li Donglin , Galati Todd , Pedersen Sheryl , Smyth Mary , Parcel Guy S.
Published: August 2003

Maintenance of the interactive Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) third- to fifth-grade curricula was studied in the 56 original intervention schools and 20 of the original control schools 5 years postintervention in four regions of the United States. Target grade teachers completed a self-administered survey that included questions regarding use of the CATCH materials, training in CATCH or other health education, barriers and perceived support for health education, and amount of health education currently taught. Percentage of teachers who continued to teach CATCH in the classroom was low; however, percentages were significantly higher in former intervention compared with control schools, even though control schools received training and materials following the main field trial. The results of this study can provide useful information for future development of classroom health promotion materials with a higher level of sustainability.
The Future: Just-in-Time Learning Expectations and Potential Implications for Human Resource Development
Authors: Brandenburg Dale C. , Ellinger Andrea D.
Published: August 2003

The problem and solution. The expectation for “just-in-time learning” (JIT learning) in the workplace is growing. JIT learning is broadly conceived as anywhere, anytime, anyhow learning that is just enough, just for me, and just in time. However, despite the increasing demand for JIT learning, we are only beginning to comprehend what it is and its implications for the field of human resource development (HRD). This article provides a current perspective on JIT learning and summarizes issues likely to confront HRD practitioners and theorists.
The Future: The Drive for Shareholder Value and Implications for HRD
Authors: May Gary L. , Sherlock John J. , Mabry Christie K.
Published: August 2003

The problem and the solution. Increasing shareholder pressure for short-term profits was identified as the number one business trend affecting the human resource development (HRD) profession during the ASTD/AHRD (Academy of Human Resource Development) future search conference and the issue most in conflict with HRD values. Subsequent events have thrown the concept of managing businesses based solely on shareholder value into a state of flux. This article examines the concept of shareholder value and suggests ways HRD professionals can and must influence the debate.
“You Take Care of the Patients, We'll Take Care of their TV”
Authors: Fuqua Joy V.
Published: August 2003

This article examines how manufacturers marketed and advertised television's uses and benefits to a professional audience of hospital administrators and nurses. The article draws on a variety of archival materials, including advertisements from medical trade journals such as Modern Hospital and the American Journal of Nursing and analyses of healthcare architecture. Extending substantial theoretical work on the relationship between technology and gendered labor forms, it demonstrates that television's entrance into the nondomestic, institutional context of the hospital was contingent upon received notions about nurses' labor and patient comfort. Recognizing the possibilities of television as a new communication medium, the most significant challenge involved the integration of television into the daily operation of the hospital. This article shows that assumptions about the nature of nursing labor influenced the design and implementation of television and its technologies (such as the remote-control, pillow-speaker, and nurse-call features).
Tracing ofher5progeny in zebrafish transgenics reveals the dynamics of midbrain-hindbrain neurogenesis and maintenance
Authors: Tallafuß Alexandra , Bally-Cuif Laure
Published: August 2003

The midbrain-hindbrain domain (MH) of the vertebrate embryonic neural tube develops in response to the isthmic organizer (IsO), located at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB). MH derivatives are largely missing in mutants affected in IsO activity; however, the potentialities and fate of MH precursors in these conditions have not been directly determined. To follow the dynamics of MH maintenance in vivo, we used artificial chromosome transgenesis in zebrafish to construct lines where egfp transcription is driven by the complete set of regulatory elements of her5, the first known gene expressed in the MH area. In these lines, egfptranscription faithfully recapitulates her5 expression from its induction phase onwards. Using the stability of GFP protein as lineage tracer,we first demonstrate that her5 expression at gastrulation is a selective marker of MH precursor fate. By comparing GFP protein and her5 transcription, we further reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of her5 expression that conditions neurogenesis progression towards the MHB over time. Finally, we trace the molecular identity of GFP-positive cells in the acerebellar (ace) and no-isthmus(noi) mutant backgrounds to analyze directly fgf8 and pax2.1 mutant gene activities for their ultimate effect on cell fate. We demonstrate that most MH precursors are maintained in both mutants but express abnormal identities, in a manner that strikingly differs between the ace and noi contexts. Our observations directly support a role for Fgf8 in protecting anterior tectal and metencephalic precursors from acquiring anterior identities, while Pax2.1 controls the choice of MH identity as a whole. Together, our results suggest a model where an ordered MH pro-domain is identified at gastrulation, and where cell identity choices within this domain are subsequently differentially controlled by Fgf8 and Pax2.1 functions.
Simulation environment for designing the dynamic motion behaviour of the mechatronic system machine tool
Authors: Zaeh M F , Baudisch T
Published: August 2003

Machine tools consist of mechanical and electronic components and software, and thus constitute mechatronic systems. To make sure that they work reliably in the overall system these different components have to be designed in coordination. This process is complicated by the fact that virtual prototyping is becoming increasingly important in machine tool design and every development department employs different software tools, e.g. finite element method, multibody system simulation, computer aided control engineering software, etc. Moreover, every department has its own method of setting up models within these programs. The result is that various sets of data are produced that are mutually incompatible due to different modelling methods. This paper describes a new method for setting up a model for the mechatronic system machine tool, with special emphasis on the design of its motion dynamics. The main objective of the method is to standardize the model set-up within the different simulation tools with a view to producing reusable data. A concept for data management and provision is also presented.
Chemical processing as a tool to generate ovalbumin variants with changed stability
Authors: Kosters Hans A. , Broersen Kerensa , de Groot Jolan , Simons Jan‐Willem F. A. , Wierenga Peter , de Jongh Harmen H. J.
Published: August 2003

Processing of ovalbumin may result in proteins that differ more than 23°C in denaturation temperature while the structural fold is not significantly affected. This is achieved by 1) conversion of positive residues into negative ones (succinylation); 2) elimination of negative charges (methylation); 3) reducing the proteins hydrophobic exposure (glycosylation); 4) increasing the hydrophobic exposure (lipophilization); or by 5) processing under alkaline conditions and elevated temperature (S‐ovalbumin). The effect on the structural fold was investigated using a variety of biochemical and spectroscopic tools. The consequences of the modification on the thermodynamics of the protein was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and by monitoring the tryptophan fluorescence or ellipticity at 222 nm of protein samples dissolved in different concentrations of guanidine‐HCl. The impact of the modification on the denaturation temperature scales for all types of modifications with a free energy change of about 1 kJ per mol ovalbumin per Kelvin (or 0.0026 kJ per mol residue per K). The nature of the covalently coupled moiety determines the impact of the modification on the protein thermodynamics. It is suggested that especially for lipophilized protein the water‐binding properties are substantially lowered. Processing of globular proteins in a controlled manner offers great opportunities to control a desired functionality, for example, as texturizer in food or medical applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 61–70, 2003.
Use of confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure the concentrations of aerial and penetrative hyphae during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on a solid surface
Authors: Nopharatana Montira , Mitchell David A. , Howes Tony
Published: August 2003

In order to develop a method for use in investigations of spatial biomass distribution in solid‐state fermentation systems, confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to determine the concentrations of aerial and penetrative biomass against height and depth above and below the substrate surface, during growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on potato dextrose agar. Penetrative hyphae had penetrated to a depth of 0.445 cm by 64 h and showed rhizoid morphology, in which the maximum biomass concentration, of 4.45 mg dry wt cm−3, occurred at a depth of 0.075 cm. For aerial biomass the maximum density of 39.54 mg dry wt −3 occurred at the substrate surface. For both aerial and penetrative biomass, there were two distinct regions in which the biomass concentration decayed exponentially with distance from the surface. For aerial biomass, the first exponential decay region was up to 0.1 cm height. The second region above the height of 0.1 cm corresponded to that in which sporangiophores dominated. This work lays the foundation for deeper studies into what controls the growth of fungal hyphae above and below the surfaces of solid substrates. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84: 71–77, 2003.
Privatization and the allure of franchising: a Zambian feasibility study
Authors: Fiedler John L. , Wight Jonathan B.
Published: August 2003

Efforts to privatize portions of the health sector have proven more difficult to implement than had been anticipated previously. One common bottleneck encountered has been the traditional organizational structure of the private sector, with its plethora of independent, single physician practices. The atomistic nature of the sector has rendered many privatization efforts difficult, slow and costly—in terms of both organizational development and administration. In many parts of Africa, in particular, the shortages of human and social capital, and the fragile nature of legal institutions, undermine the appeal of privatization. The private sector is left with inefficiencies, high prices and costs, and a reduced effective demand. The result is the simultaneous existence of excess capacity and unmet need.

One potential method to improve the efficiency of the private sector, and thereby enhance the likelihood of successful privatization, is to transfer managerial technology—via franchising—from models that have proven successful elsewhere. This paper presents a feasibility analysis of franchizing the successful Bolivian PROSALUD system's management package to Zambia. The assessment, based on PROSALUD's financial model, demonstrates that technology transfer requires careful adaptation to local conditions and, in this instance, would still require significant external assistance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study of water fluxes in a residential area: 1. Rainfall, roof runoff and evaporation: the effect of slope and aspect
Authors: Ragab R. , Bromley J. , Rosier P. , Cooper J. D. , Gash J. H. C.
Published: August 2003

An experimental study of water fluxes from roofs in a residential area has quantified water fluxes from different types of roof and identified the major controls on the process. Roofs with pitches of 0°, 22° and 50° and orientations of 15° (from true north) (NNE) and 103° (ESE) were selected. A novel automatic system for monitoring has been developed. Noticeable differences in rainfall, runoff and evaporation were found for different roof slopes, aspects and heights. Depending on height, flat roofs collected 90 to 99% of rainfall recorded at ground level. Roofs with a 22° slope; facing south‐south‐west (i.e. facing the prevailing wind) captured most rain, whereas east‐south‐east facing roofs with slopes of 50° received the least. Depending on the roof slope, the average rainfall captured ranged from 62 to 93% of that at ground level. For the same slope, the results indicated that from roofs orientated normal to the prevailing wind; (i) captured rainfall was higher, (ii) evaporation was higher and (iii) runoff was less than that from roofs having other aspects. Monthly variations in the runoff–rainfall ratio followed the rainfall distribution, being lowest in summer and highest in winter. The highest mean ratio (0·91) was associated with the steeper roof slope; the lowest ratio (0·61) was for roofs facing the prevailing wind direction. For the same amount of rainfall, the runoff generated from a steeper roof was significantly higher than that generated by a moderate roof slope, but the lowest runoff was from roofs facing the prevailing wind. The results have also shown that the amount of runoff collected (under UK climatic condition) was sufficient to supply an average household in the studied area with the major part of its annual water requirements. The use of this water not only represents a financial gain for house owners but also will help protect the environment by reducing demand on water resources through the reduction of groundwater abstraction, construction of new reservoirs, and a reduction of the flood risk as its in situ use is considered a preventive measure known as a source control. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling water balances in an Alpine catchment through exploitation of emergent properties over changing time scales
Authors: Eder G. , Sivapalan M. , Nachtnebel H. P.
Published: August 2003

This paper is addressed towards the problem of extracting appropriate model structures by systematic analysis of rainfall‐runoff relationships in gauged catchments. The Upper Enns catchment in the Austrian Alps is selected as the basis of this study. The downward approach championed by Klemes is followed, which involves stepwise adjustment of model structure to capture the observed streamflow variability progressively at the annual, monthly, and then on to daily time scales. Throughout, we focus on emergent properties of the hydrological system at the various time scales, as detected in key signature plots and hydrographs, and model complexity is always kept to the minimum required. Any further alteration or calibration of parameter values is avoided, either with change of scales or in response to inadequate predictions. The downward approach presented leads to parsimonious water balance models with excellent performance and the minimum set of parameters, with a good balance being achieved between model performance and complexity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between canopy height and the reference value of surface conductance for closed coniferous stands
Authors: Komatsu Hikaru
Published: August 2003

When estimating the dry‐canopy evaporation rate of coniferous stands using the Penman–Monteith equation, it is crucial to determine the reference value of surface conductance Gs. This paper examines the relationship between canopy height and the reference value of Gs based on the maximum value of Gs with a vapour pressure deficit ≥ 1·0 kPa, Ĝs max. There is a clear correlation between canopy height and Ĝs max when the projected leaf area index ≥3·0. This suggests that using this relationship will enable more accurate determination of the reference value of Gs for closed stands. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymer‐based S‐shaped waveguide VOA for applications in the broadband DWDM network
Authors: Lu Ying‐Tsung , Guo Huang‐Chen , Wang Hseng‐Tsong , Chi Sien
Published: August 2003

A polymer‐based thermal‐controllable waveguide variable optical attenuator (VOA) is proposed. We numerically design an S‐shaped buried waveguide structure with a polymer core and silica cladding, which can attenuate light with satisfactory optical attenuation in the spectrum range from 1.28 to 1.58 μm. The design is suitable for the integration of VOAs with planar lightwave devices and is easy to fabricate as monolithic optical modules for application in optical communication systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 1–4, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11108
Unequivocal total assignment of 13C and 1H NMR spectra of some pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine derivatives by 2D‐NMR
Authors: Suri Krishan A. , Suri Om P. , Amina Musarat , Wakhloo Basant P. , Satti Naresh K.
Published: August 2003

We report the total assignments of the 13C and 1H NMR spectra of some 4‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐(2H)‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine and 2‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐(4H)‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine derivatives. The products were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and reported data for similar compounds. No comparative data for the two sets of isomeric compounds with respect to 13C and 1H NMR have been reported to date. We made some detailed studies of the 2D NMR spectra of these compounds and observed that assignments made for non‐protonated carbon atoms by us and those reported in the literature for similar compounds need correction. The revised assignments were made on the basis of heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) techniques. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children with cystic fibrosis: An eradication protocol
Authors: Solís A. , Brown D. , Hughes J. , van Saene H.K.F. , Heaf D.P.
Published: August 2003

A retrospective 12‐year study (May 1988–July 2000) was undertaken in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) to evaluate 1) the magnitude of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in these children; 2) the clinical impact of MRSA on CF; and 3) the efficacy of an MRSA protocol aimed at the eradication of the carrier state. The study maneuver comprised of 1) surveillance cultures of throat/rectum to detect the MRSA carrier state; 2) life‐long cephradine rather than flucloxacillin to lift selection pressure; 3) topical application of oral and nebulized vancomycin for 5 days to clear the carriage of MRSA; and 4) a strict antistaphylococcal hygiene program, including handwashing and device policy. Fifteen children with CF (11 boys, with median age 117 months) positive for MRSA were enrolled. The current prevalence of MRSA among children with CF in our hospital is 6.5%. Of 15 children identified, only 12 (18 episodes of MRSA colonization) were treated according to protocol. Median age of MRSA acquisition was 73 months (interquartile range, 43–134 months). In 7 patients (55%), MRSA was eradicated. Of a total of 18 MRSA episodes, the protocol was successful in 10 episodes. The mean period of MRSA‐free status was 12 months (range, 6–36 months). Pulmonary function (measured by FEV1) was not affected (68% of predicted before treatment, and 68% of predicted after treatment). All children were oropharyngeal carriers of both MRSA and ceftazidime‐resistant P. aeruginosa. We believe that an effort has to be made to limit MRSA in CF clinics for the following reasons: 1) MRSA carriage in any individual is an abnormal condition; 2) limitation of systemic vancomycin use is desirable; 3) MRSA carriage may be a contraindication for lung transplantation; and 4) epidemiologically, a CF unit with a substantial MRSA problem functions as a source of dissemination for other patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:189–195. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flavors of protein disorder
Authors: Vucetic Slobodan , Brown Celeste J. , Dunker A. Keith , Obradovic Zoran
Published: August 2003

Intrinsically disordered proteins are characterized by long regions lacking 3‐D structure in their native states, yet they have been so far associated with 28 distinguishable functions. Previous studies showed that protein predictors trained on disorder from one type of protein often achieve poor accuracy on disorder of proteins of a different type, thus indicating significant differences in sequence properties among disordered proteins. Important biological problems are identifying different types, or flavors, of disorder and examining their relationships with protein function. Innovative use of computational methods is needed in addressing these problems due to relative scarcity of experimental data and background knowledge related to protein disorder. We developed an algorithm that partitions protein disorder into flavors based on competition among increasing numbers of predictors, with prediction accuracy determining both the number of distinct predictors and the partitioning of the individual proteins. Using 145 variously characterized proteins with long (>30 amino acids) disordered regions, 3 flavors, called V, C, and S, were identified by this approach, with the V subset containing 52 segments and 7743 residues, C containing 39 segments and 3402 residues, and S containing 54 segments and 5752 residues. The V, C, and S flavors were distinguishable by amino acid compositions, sequence locations, and biological function. For the sequences in SwissProt and 28 genomes, their protein functions exhibit correlations with the commonness and usage of different disorder flavors, suggesting different flavor‐function sets across these protein groups. Overall, the results herein support the flavor‐function approach as a useful complement to structural genomics as a means for automatically assigning possible functions to sequences. Proteins 2003;52:573–584. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequence analysis reveals how G protein–coupled receptors transduce the signal to the G protein
Authors: Oliveira Laerte , Paiva Paulo B. , Paiva Antonio C. M. , Vriend Gerrit
Published: August 2003

Sequence entropy—variability plots based on alignments of very large numbers of sequences—can indicate the location in proteins of the main active site and modulator sites. In the previous article in this issue, we applied this observation to a series of well‐studied proteins and concluded that it was possible to detect most of the residues with a known functional role. Here, we apply the method to rhodopsin‐like G protein–coupled receptors. Our conclusion is that G protein binding is the main evolutionary constraint on these receptors, and that other ligands, such as agonists, act as modulators. The activation of the receptors can be described as a simple, two‐step process, and the residues involved in signal transduction can be identified. Proteins 2003;52:553–560. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of dominant‐negative effects on the heat shock response in Arabidopsis thaliana by transgenic expression of a chimaeric HSF1 protein fusion construct
Authors: Wunderlich Markus , Werr Wolfgang , Schöffl Friedrich
Published: August 2003

Upon heat stress, heat shock factors (HSFs) control the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) genes by transcriptional activation. The perplexing multiplicity of HSF genes in Arabidopsis– 21 potential genes have been identified – renders it difficult to identify mutant phenotypes. In this study, we have attempted to generate a transdominant‐negative mutant of HSF by transgenic expression of a protein fusion construct, EN‐HSF1, consisting of the Drosophila engrailed repressor domain (EN) and the complete Arabidopsis AtHSF1. Transgenic lines were screened for impaired ability to induce high levels of low‐molecular‐weight heat shock proteins (sHSPs). Two lines, EH14‐6 and EH16‐3, which showed quantitative differences in the expression of EN‐HSF1, were further analysed for induction of thermotolerance and heat‐stress‐dependent mRNAs of a number of different HSF target genes encoding different HSP and HSF. The mRNA levels of all genes tested were moderately downregulated in EH14‐6 but strongly reduced in EH16‐3 plants compared to wild‐type (Wt) and HSF1‐overexpressing control plants. The inhibition of the induction of heat shock response correlated with impaired basal and acquired thermotolerance of the EH16‐3 line. The kinetics of HSP expression suggest that the negative effect of EN‐HSF1 is stronger in the early phase of the heat shock response, and that the reduction in mRNA levels is partially compensated at the translational level.
Alteration of DNA adenine methylase (Dam) activity in Pasteurella multocida causes increased spontaneous mutation frequency and attenuation in mice
Authors: Chen Liang , Paulsen Daniel B. , Scruggs Daniel W. , Banes Michelle M. , Reeks Brenda Y. , Lawrence Mark L.
Published: August 2003

Pasteurella multocidais one of the primary bacterial pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) complex. Relatively few virulence factors ofP. multocidahave been characterized, and there is a need for improved vaccines for prevention of BRD. In other Gram-negative species, DNA adenine methylase (Dam) regulates the expression of virulence genes, and appropriate expression of Dam is required for virulence. In this study, the authors cloned and sequenced theP. multocidaA1damgene and demonstrated that it is able to restore Dam function in anEscherichia coli dammutant. WhenP. multocida damwas placed under the control of a constitutively expressed promoter on a plasmid, it caused an increased spontaneous mutation rate inP. multocida. In addition, the plasmid-mediated alteration of Dam production inP. multocidacaused it to be highly attenuated in mice. These findings indicate that appropriate expression of Dam is required for virulence ofP. multocida, which is believed to be the first report that Dam is required for virulence of a species in thePasteurellaceae. Therefore, Dam may function as a virulence gene regulator in thePasteurellaceae, similar to previously reported findings from other Gram-negative species.
Mutation of lasA and lasB reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa invasion of epithelial cells
Authors: Cowell Brigitte A. , Twining Sally S. , Hobden Jeffrey A. , Kwong Mary S. F. , Fleiszig Suzanne M. J.
Published: August 2003

Pseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic bacterial pathogen implicated in a variety of devastating conditions. Its flexibility as a pathogen is attributed to a myriad of virulence factors and regulatory elements that respond to prevailing environmental conditions. ExoS and ExoT are type III secreted effector proteins, regulated by the transcriptional activator ExsA, that can inhibit invasion of epithelial cells by cytotoxic strains ofP. aeruginosa. This study sought to understand why invasive strains, which can secrete both ExoS and ExoT, still invade epithelial cells. The results showed that LasA and elastase (LasB), which are regulated by the Las and Rhl quorum-sensing systems, modulatedP. aeruginosainvasion. Mutation oflasAand/orlasBreducedP. aeruginosainvasion, which was not fully restored by extracellularly added LasB,P. aeruginosaconditioned medium containing LasA and LasB, or EGTA pretreatment of cells. This indicated that protease effects on invasion involved factors additional to tight junction disruption and subsequent alterations to cell polarity. Upon mutation oflasAand/orlasB, steady-state levels of ExoS and ExoT were increased in culture medium ofP. aeruginosagrown under conditions stimulatory for these toxins. The increase in ExoS was significantly correlated with reduced invasion.In vitroexperiments showed that purified LasB degraded recombinant ExoS. Taken together, these studies suggest a mechanism by which invasive strains can synthesize inhibitors of invasion, ExoS and ExoT, yet still invade epithelial cells. By this mechanism, LasA and LasB decrease the levels of the toxins directly or indirectly, and thus reduce inhibition of invasion.
pGIL01, a linear tectiviral plasmid prophage originating from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis
Authors: Verheust Céline , Jensen Gert , Mahillon Jacques
Published: August 2003

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis harbours, in addition to several circular plasmids, a small linear molecule of about 15 kb. Sequence analysis of this molecule, named pGIL01, showed the presence of at least 30 ORFs, five of which displayed similarity with proteins involved in phage systems: a B-type family DNA polymerase, a LexA-like repressor, two potential muramidases and a DNA-packaging protein (distantly related to the P9 protein of the tectiviral phage PRD1). Experimental evidence confirmed that pGIL01 indeed corresponds to the linear prophage of a temperate phage. This bacteriophage, named GIL01, produces small turbid plaques and is sensitive to organic solvents, which suggests the presence of lipid components in its capsid. Experiments using proteases and exonucleases also revealed that proteins are linked to the genomes of both pGIL01 prophage and GIL01 phage at their 5′ extremities. Altogether, these features are reminiscent of those of phages found in the Tectiviridae family, and more specifically of those of PRD1, a broad-host-range phage of Gram-negative bacteria. Dot-blot hybridization, PFGE, PCR and RFLP analyses also showed the presence of pGIL01 variants in the Bacillus cereus group.
Customer perceptions of service quality in the banking sector of a developing economy: a critical analysis
Authors: Sureshchandar G.S. , Rajendran Chandrasekharan , Anantharaman R.N.
Published: August 2003

Focusses on investigating the critical factors of customer perceived service quality in banks of a developing economy – India. Compares and contrasts the three groups of banks in India with respect to the service quality factors from the perspective of the customers. There seems to be a great amount of variation with respect to the level of service quality offered by the three groups of banks. Identifies the factors that discriminate the three groups of banks. Customers in developing economies seem to keep the “technological factors” of services such as core service and systematization of the service delivery as the yardstick in differentiating good and bad service while the “human factors” seem to play a lesser role in discriminating the three groups of banks. The service quality indices with respect to the three groups and the Indian banking industry as whole, offer interesting information on the level of service quality delivered by banks in India.
Using Remote Sensing to Evaluate Environmental Institutional Designs: A Habitat Conservation Planning Example
Authors: Schweik Charles M. , Thomas Craig W.
Published: August 2003

Objective. Satellite‐based remote‐sensing analysis is a beneficial, yet underused, tool for environmental policy, planning, and evaluation. We identify its benefits and costs to encourage social scientists to consider the use of remote sensing as a tool for planning and evaluating environmental institutions. Methods. We analyze two multispectral Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite images to evaluate a habitat conservation plan (HCP) implemented pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. Results. Image analysis provides useful broad spatial scale information on HCP performance that is not discernible to the naked eye or through other methodologies. Conclusions. Satellite image analysis should be considered as a tool for planning and evaluating environmental institutional designs—despite the financial costs and requisite technical training. These images provide ecological and land cover change information that may not be available elsewhere. We provide lessons learned to help make analysts cognizant of some important issues surrounding the use of satellite‐based imagery for environmental institutional analysis.
Saving Open Spaces: Determinants of 1998 and 1999 “Antisprawl” Ballot Measures
Authors: Romero Francine , Liserio Adrian
Published: August 2003

Objective. Although such measures received media attention as indicative of a nationwide rebellion against sprawl, determinants of the appearance and success of 1998 and 1999 open‐space preservation ballot measures have not been investigated. We suspect that, contrary to assumptions, these are not triggered by sprawled development and represent a response limited to small, wealthy communities. Methods. The influence of population density, total population, percentage of Anglos, and median income on these initiatives is estimated through regression. Results. Low population density is not the trigger for the appearance and passage of these measures; however, demographic factors determinant of limits on growth in general do exhibit significant influence. Conclusions. The 1998 and 1999 open‐space measures are better explained by the broad “growth machine” approach than they are by popular assumptions of what prompted these policies. In short, the existence of sprawl lacks a positive empirical link to its putative solution.
Comparison of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Immunoblotting, and PCR for Diagnosis of Toxoplasmic Chorioretinitis
Authors: Villard Odile , Filisetti Denis , Roch-Deries Florence , Garweg Justus , Flament Jacques , Candolfi Ermanno
Published: August 2003

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the major cause of posterior uvetis in European populations. The clinical diagnosis of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis is based upon ophthalmoscopic findings, which are often but not always typical. Laboratory testing is therefore important to confirm the etiology of the disease. In the present 2-year prospective study, the relative diagnostic sensitivities of the three analytical techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], immunoblotting, and PCR) were compared by using a group of patients (
n
= 19) with suspected ocular toxoplasmosis. The relative specificities of the three techniques were assessed by including two control groups of patients: one with nontoxoplasmic and noninflammatory ocular disease (
n
= 48) and the other with nontoxoplasmic and inflammatory ocular disease (
n
= 20). All 19 of the clinically suspect patients had serological evidence of exposure to
Toxoplasma gondii
: 17 had been previously infected, and 2 had current infection. The analysis of paired aqueous humor and serum samples by ELISA and immunoblotting revealed the local production of specific antibodies of the immunoglobulin G type in 63% (12 of 19) and 53% (10 of 19) of patients, respectively. PCR analysis of aqueous humor samples confirmed the presence of
T. gondii
DNA in 28% (5 of 18) of cases. When combined, ELISA, immunoblotting, and PCR findings confirmed the toxoplasmic origin of retinal lesions in 83% (15 of 18) of patients. The relative specificities of the three techniques were 89% for ELISA and immunoblotting and 100% for PCR.
Comparison of SmartCycler Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay in a Public Health Laboratory with Direct Immunofluorescence and Cell Culture Assays in a Medical Center for Detection of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Habib-Bein Nadia F. , Beckwith William H. , Mayo Donald , Landry Marie L.
Published: August 2003

A single-tube real-time (fluorogenic) reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with the SmartCycler instrument (SmartCycler RT-PCR) for influenza A virus detection was evaluated with 238 respiratory specimens. Direct immunofluorescence antibody staining (DFA) and primary rhesus monkey kidney cell culture were performed on-site at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Specimens were transported to the Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory for real-time RT-PCR. Cell culture detected influenza A virus in all 150 influenza A virus-positive specimens, DFA detected the virus in 148 influenza A virus-positive specimens, and SmartCycler RT-PCR detected the virus 143 influenza A virus-positive specimens. The sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR were 95.3 and 100%, respectively. The high sensitivity and specificity and the rapid turnaround time made the SmartCycler RT-PCR valuable for the rapid diagnosis of influenza A, especially in a public health laboratory. The closed real-time RT-PCR system avoided cross-contamination possible with RT-PCR and the excessive manipulations required for conventional RT-PCR analysis and saved time and labor as well. In a medical center, rapid diagnosis by DFA was labor intensive but was 98.7% sensitive and 100% specific compared to the results of culture and provided results within 2 h throughout operating hours, helping with bed allocation on admission and patient management.
Comparison of the
Bordetella pertussis
and
Bordetella parapertussis
Isolates Circulating in Saint Petersburg between 1998 and 2000 with Russian Vaccine Strains
Authors: Kourova Natacha , Caro Valérie , Weber Christian , Thiberge Sabine , Chuprinina Raisa , Tseneva Galina , Guiso Nicole
Published: August 2003

We analyzed the
Bordetella pertussis
and
Bordetella parapertussis
isolates circulating in Saint Petersburg that were collected between 1998 and 2000 and compared them with isolates collected 40 years ago and Russian vaccine strains. The analysis involved serotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of chromosomal DNA after digestion with
Xba
I and
Spe
I, and sequencing of the
ptxS1
and
prn
genes, which encode the S1 subunit of the pertussis toxin and the major adhesin pertactin, respectively. The Russian isolates were classified in five of the six pulsed-field gel electrophoresis groups identified in other European countries. The
B. pertussis
isolates currently circulating in Saint Petersburg differed from the Russian whole-cell vaccine strains and the isolates collected in the prevaccine era. However, their repartition in the major pulsed-field gel electrophoresis groups was slightly different from that of isolates collected in countries that have had a high level of vaccine coverage for a long time, probably because the level of vaccine coverage in Saint Petersburg has increased only recently, after decreasing until the early 1990s. Most of the
B. parapertussis
isolates studied were similar to those circulating in France. However, some variants were observed, perhaps because
B. parapertussis
infections are more common in children in this area.
Virulence Genes and Neutral DNA Markers ofHelicobacter pyloriIsolates from Different Ethnic Communities of West Bengal, India
Authors: Datta Simanti , Chattopadhyay Santanu , Balakrish Nair G. , Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Hembram Jabaranjan , Berg Douglas E. , Rani Saha Dhira , Khan Asis , Santra Amal , Bhattacharya S. K. , Chowdhury Abhijit
Published: August 2003

Virulence-associated genes and neutral DNA markers ofHelicobacter pyloristrains from the Santhal and Oroan ethnic minorities of West Bengal, India, were studied. These people have traditionally been quite separate from other Indians and differ culturally, genetically, and linguistically from mainstream Bengalis, whoseH. pyloristrains have been characterized previously.H. pyloriwas found in each of 49 study participants, although none had peptic ulcer disease, and was cultured from 31 of them. All strains carried thecagpathogenicity island and potentially toxigenic s1 alleles of vacuolating cytotoxin gene (vacA) and were resistant to at least 8 μg of metronidazole per ml. DNA sequence motifs invacAmid-region m1 alleles,cagA, and an informative insertion or deletion motif next tocagAfrom these strains were similar to those of strains from ethnic Bengalis. Three mobile elements, IS605, IS607, and ISHp608, were present in 29, 19, and 10%, respectively, of Santhal and Oroan strains, which is similar to their prevalence in BengaliH. pylori.Thus, there is no evidence that the gene pools ofH. pyloriof these ethnic minorities differ from those of Bengalis from the same region. This relatedness of strains from persons of different ethnicities bears on our understanding ofH. pyloritransmission between communities and genome evolution.
Culture of
Tropheryma whipplei
from Human Samples: a 3-Year Experience (1999 to 2002)
Authors: Fenollar Florence , Birg Marie-Laure , Gauduchon Valérie , Raoult Didier
Published: August 2003

The culture of
Tropheryma whipplei
, the bacterium responsible for Whipple's disease, has been established only recently. Our objective is to describe, based on our experience, the culture of
T. whipplei
in HEL cells detected by immunofluorescence staining. Over 3 years, we received 18 samples for
T. whipplei
culture from 15 patients with Whipple's disease. Ten duodenal biopsy specimens from 10 patients with digestive symptoms were available. Five cardiac valves and three blood samples from five patients with endocarditis were also available. We correlated the results of culture with the type of sample and the culture procedure. Seven isolates were obtained, and three were subsequently established for more than 4 passages. The mean delay for the primary detection was 30 days. The bacterium was isolated more frequently from sterile specimens (5 of 8) than from duodenal biopsy specimens (2 of 10), but the difference (
P
= 0.14) was not significant. Decontamination of digestive samples containing colistin, amphotericin B, and cephalotin or ciprofloxacin did not impair the isolation of
T. whipplei
. The use of vancomycin precludes the primary isolation (7 of 12 versus 0 of 6;
P
= 0.08) and the establishment of
T. whipplei
(3 of 12 versus 0 of 6;
P
= 0.5). Omitting samples cultured with vancomycin, the establishment of the strain was significantly higher when antibiotics were prescribed for no more than 7 days (3 of 4 versus 0 of 8;
P
= 0.03). Our results demonstrate that samples must be collected within 1 week of an antibiotic regimen's initiation for the successful establishment of the bacterium.
Type III Secretion Genes in
Aeromonas salmonicida
subsp.
salmonicida
Are Located on a Large Thermolabile Virulence Plasmid
Authors: Stuber Katja , Burr Sarah E. , Braun Martin , Wahli Thomas , Frey Joachim
Published: August 2003

Type III secretion genes in
Aeromonas salmonicida
subsp.
salmonicida
are located on a large plasmid of approximately 140 kb. Cultivation of this organism at elevated temperatures such as 25°C can, however, result in loss of this plasmid. This is accompanied by a loss of virulence for cultured fish cells.
Rapid Identification of
Candida glabrata
with a New Commercial Test, GLABRATA RTT
Authors: Freydiere A.-M. , Robert R. , Ploton C. , Marot-Leblond A. , Monerau F. , Vandenesch F.
Published: August 2003

The GLABRATA RTT test (Fumouze Diagnostics, Levallois Perret, France) is based on the ability of
Candida glabrata
to hydrolyze trehalose but not maltose. It requires an inoculum of only four to six colonies, and the results are available within 20 min. We tested GLABRATA RTT with 330 stock isolates grown in subcultures on four different primary fungal isolation media and obtained a sensitivity of 94 to 98% (depending on the medium used) and a specificity of 97.3 to 98.6%. The false-positive results corresponded to
C. tropicalis
,
C. famata
, and
C. lusitaniae.
GLABRATA RTT thus offers rapid and reliable identification of
C. glabrata
.
Molecular Epidemiology of
Haemophilus influenzae
Type b Isolated from Children with Clinical Cases of Conjugate Vaccine Failures
Authors: Campos José , Aracil Belén , Román Federico , Pérez-Vázquez María
Published: August 2003

We analyzed eight invasive
Haemophilus influenzae
strains isolated from individual children vaccinated appropriately for their ages. Five of the strains were type b and three were nontypeable strains. Children infected with nontypeable strains had a protective level of anti
-H. influenzae
type b antibodies, while only one of the children whose cases represented true vaccine failure did.
Detection of the Emerging Rotavirus G9 Serotype at High Frequency in Italy
Authors: Martella Vito , Terio Valentina , Del Gaudio Giuseppe , Gentile Mattia , Fiorente Paola , Barbuti Salvatore , Buonavoglia Canio
Published: August 2003

Group A human rotavirus strains belonging to the unusual serotype G9 were detected at high frequency in stool specimens from infected children with acute diarrhea in Bari, Italy, during a 15-month survey from March 2001 to June 2002. This may signify a local reemergence of the G9 rotaviruses detected in Italy in the early and mid-1990s or may be related to the global emergence of G9 rotaviruses in recent years.
Severe
Serratia liquefaciens
Sepsis following Vitamin C Infusion Treatment by a Naturopathic Practitioner
Authors: Engelhart S. , Saborowski F. , Krakau M. , Scherholz-Schlösser G. , Heyer I. , Exner M.
Published: August 2003

A 66-year-old female patient developed severe
Serratia liquefaciens
sepsis following vitamin C infusion treatment by a naturopathic practitioner. The clinical course of the infection was characterized by several complications, and the direct costs of the hospital stay amounted to about 40,000 Euro. Genotypically identical
S. liquefaciens
was isolated from the residue of the infusate given to the patient, as well as from the washbasin overflow and from two other infusion bottles. A careful inspection of the dispensing facilities and review of procedures used to prepare the infusate revealed several indications of poor hygiene. However, the source of contamination could not be fully clarified. This case report raises questions about the local facilities and personal qualifications required for naturopathic practitioners to conduct invasive procedures and demonstrates that lapses in hygiene can lead to severe morbidity and high cost.