bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA replication origins in the
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
genome
Authors: Dai Jianli , Chuang Ray-Yuan , Kelly Thomas J.
Published: December 2004

Origins of DNA replication in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
lack a specific consensus sequence analogous to the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
autonomously replicating sequence (
ARS
) consensus, raising the question of how they are recognized by the replication machinery. Because all well characterized
S. pombe
origins are located in intergenic regions, we analyzed the sequence properties and biological activity of such regions. The AT content of intergenes is very high (≈70%), and runs of A's or T's occur with a significantly greater frequency than expected. Additionally, the two DNA strands in intergenes display compositional asymmetry that strongly correlates with the direction of transcription of flanking genes. Importantly, the sequence properties of known
S. pombe
origins of DNA replication are similar to those of intergenes in general. In functional studies, we assayed the
in vivo
origin activity of 26 intergenes in a 68-kb region of
S. pombe
chromosome 2. We also assayed the origin activity of sets of randomly chosen intergenes with the same length or AT content. Our data demonstrate that at least half of intergenes have potential origin activity and that the relative ability of an intergene to function as an origin is governed primarily by AT content and length. We propose a stochastic model for initiation of DNA replication in the fission yeast. In this model, the number of AT tracts in a given sequence is the major determinant of its probability of binding SpORC and serving as a replication origin. A similar model may explain some features of origins of DNA replication in metazoans.
Cortactin and dynamin are required for the clathrin-independent endocytosis of γc cytokine receptor
Authors: Sauvonnet Nathalie , Dujeancourt Annick , Dautry-Varsat Alice
Published: December 2004

Endocytosis is critical for many cellular functions. We show that endocytosis of the common γc cytokine receptor is clathrin independent by using a dominant-negative mutant of Eps15 or RNA interference to knock down clathrin heavy chain. This pathway is synaptojanin independent and requires the GTPase dynamin. In addition, this process requires actin polymerization. To further characterize the function of dynamin in clathrin-independent endocytosis, in particular its connection with the actin cytoskeleton, we focused on dynamin-binding proteins that interact with F-actin. We compared the involvement of these proteins in the clathrin-dependent and -independent pathways. Thus, we observed that intersectin, syndapin, and mAbp1, which are necessary for the uptake of transferrin (Tf), a marker of the clathrin route, are not required for γc receptor endocytosis. Strikingly, cortactin is needed for both γc and Tf internalizations. These results reveal the ubiquitous action of cortactin in internalization processes and suggest its role as a linker between actin dynamics and clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis.
Phosphorylation-dependent translocation of sphingosine kinase to the plasma membrane drives its oncogenic signalling
Authors: Pitson Stuart M. , Xia Pu , Leclercq Tamara M. , Moretti Paul A.B. , Zebol Julia R. , Lynn Helen E. , Wattenberg Binks W. , Vadas Mathew A.
Published: December 2004

Sphingosine kinase (SK) 1 catalyzes the formation of the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate, and has been implicated in several biological processes in mammalian cells, including enhanced proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and oncogenesis. Human SK (hSK) 1 possesses high instrinsic catalytic activity which can be further increased by a diverse array of cellular agonists. We have shown previously that this activation occurs as a direct consequence of extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2–mediated phosphorylation at Ser225, which not only increases catalytic activity, but is also necessary for agonist-induced translocation of hSK1 to the plasma membrane. In this study, we report that the oncogenic effects of overexpressed hSK1 are blocked by mutation of the phosphorylation site despite the phosphorylation-deficient form of the enzyme retaining full instrinsic catalytic activity. This indicates that oncogenic signaling by hSK1 relies on a phosphorylation-dependent function beyond increasing enzyme activity. We demonstrate, through constitutive localization of the phosphorylation-deficient form of hSK1 to the plasma membrane, that hSK1 translocation is the key effect of phosphorylation in oncogenic signaling by this enzyme. Thus, phosphorylation of hSK1 is essential for oncogenic signaling, and is brought about through phosphorylation-induced translocation of hSK1 to the plasma membrane, rather than from enhanced catalytic activity of this enzyme.
Role of β2-integrins for homing and neovascularization capacity of endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Chavakis Emmanouil , Aicher Alexandra , Heeschen Christopher , Sasaki Ken-ichiro , Kaiser Ralf , El Makhfi Naual , Urbich Carmen , Peters Thorsten , Scharffetter-Kochanek Karin , Zeiher Andreas M. , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Dimmeler Stefanie
Published: December 2004

The mechanisms of homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to sites of ischemia are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that ex vivo–expanded EPCs as well as murine hematopoietic Sca-1+/Lin− progenitor cells express β2-integrins, which mediate the adhesion of EPCs to endothelial cell monolayers and their chemokine-induced transendothelial migration in vitro. In a murine model of hind limb ischemia, Sca-1+/Lin− hematopoietic progenitor cells from β2-integrin–deficient mice are less capable of homing to sites of ischemia and of improving neovascularization. Preactivation of the β2-integrins expressed on EPCs by activating antibodies augments the EPC-induced neovascularization in vivo. These results provide evidence for a novel function of β2-integrins in postnatal vasculogenesis.
Positive selection of the peripheral B cell repertoire in gut-associated lymphoid tissues
Authors: Rhee Ki-Jong , Jasper Paul J. , Sethupathi Periannan , Shanmugam Malathy , Lanning Dennis , Knight Katherine L.
Published: December 2004

Gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) interact with intestinal microflora to drive GALT development and diversify the primary antibody repertoire; however, the molecular mechanisms that link these events remain elusive. Alicia rabbits provide an excellent model to investigate the relationship between GALT, intestinal microflora, and modulation of the antibody repertoire. Most B cells in neonatal Alicia rabbits express VHn allotype immunoglobulin (Ig)M. Within weeks, the number of VHn B cells decreases, whereas VHa allotype B cells increase in number and become predominant. We hypothesized that the repertoire shift from VHn to VHa B cells results from interactions between GALT and intestinal microflora. To test this hypothesis, we surgically removed organized GALT from newborn Alicia pups and ligated the appendix to sequester it from intestinal microflora. Flow cytometry and nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that the VHn to VHa repertoire shift did not occur, demonstrating the requirement for interactions between GALT and intestinal microflora in the selective expansion of VHa B cells. By comparing amino acid sequences of VHn and VHa Ig, we identified a putative VH ligand binding site for a bacterial or endogenous B cell superantigen. We propose that interaction of such a superantigen with VHa B cells results in their selective expansion.
Measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Rise Jostein , Thompson Marianne , Verplanken Bas
Published: December 2004

The usefulness of measuring implementation intentions in the context of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was explored among 112 Norwegian college students. They responded to a questionnaire measuring past behavior, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions, implementation intentions, and actual performance of regular exercising and recycling of drinking cartons. Implementation intentions were measured using five items relating to recycling and four items relating to exercise, which showed satisfactory internal consistencies. Consistent with the main prediction, the presence of implementation intentions was related to performing the two behaviors, although behavioral intentions were the strongest determinant for both behaviors. The results suggest that the TPB may benefit from inclusion of the concept of implementation intentions to provide a more complete understanding of the psychological process in which motivation is translated into action.
Models‐of‐self and models‐of‐others as related to facial muscle reactions at different levels of cognitive control
Authors: Sonnby‐Borgström Marianne , Jönsson Peter
Published: December 2004

The hypotheses of this investigation were based on attachment theory and Bowlby's conception of “internal working models”, supposed to consist of one mainly emotional (model‐of‐self) and one more conscious cognitive structure (model‐of‐others), which are assumed to operate at different temporal stages of information processing. Facial muscle reactions in individuals with positive versus negative internal working models were compared at different stages of information processing. The Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ) was used to categorize subjects into positive or negative model‐of‐self and model‐of‐others and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure trait anxiety (STAI‐T). Pictures of happy and angry faces followed by backward masking stimuli were exposed to 61 subjects at three different exposure times (17 ms, 56 ms, 2,350 ms) in order to elicit reactions first at an automatic level and then consecutively at more cognitively elaborated levels. Facial muscle reactions were recorded by electromyography (EMG), a higher corrugator activity representing more negative emotions and a higher zygomaticus activity more positive emotions. In line with the hypothesis, subjects with a negative model‐of‐self scored significantly higher on STAI‐T than subjects with a positive model‐of‐self. They also showed an overall stronger corrugator than zygomatic activity, giving further evidence of a negative tonic affective state. At the longest exposure time (2,350 ms), representing emotionally regulated responses, negative model‐of‐self subjects showed a significantly stronger corrugator response and reported more negative feelings than subjects with a positive model‐of‐self. These results supported the hypothesis that subjects with a negative model‐of‐self would show difficulties in self‐regulation of negative affect. In line with expectations, model‐of‐others, assumed to represent mainly knowledge structures, did not interact with the physiological emotional measures employed, facial muscle reactions or tonic affective state.
Non‐ligand activation of estrous behavior in rodents: Cross‐talk at the progesterone receptor
Authors: Beyer C. , González‐Flores O. , García‐Juárez M. , González‐Mariscal G.
Published: December 2004

Estrous behavior in rodents is triggered by the binding of progesterone (P) to its intracellular receptor (PR). Non‐steroidal agents (i.e., gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, noradrenaline, dopamine and others), acting at the membrane, can facilitate estrous behavior in estrogen‐primed rats. This action is mediated through the generation of second messengers (cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, calcium) which, in turn, phosphorylate through diverse kinase systems (protein kinases A, G or C) either the PR or associated effector proteins linking the PR to the trans‐activation machinery. P or its metabolites also activate cyclic AMP‐signaling pathways by acting directly on the membrane or by modulating neurotransmitter release. Molecular processes resulting from second messenger signaling pathways and those from the progesterone–RP interaction synergize to elicit a full behavioral response.
Outline of the evolution of behavioral and nonbehavioral patterns of parental care among the vertebrates: Critical characteristics of mammalian and avian parental behavior
Authors: Rosenblatt Jay S.
Published: December 2004

An outline of the evolution of parental care among the vertebrates is presented, leading to a characterization of critical features of parental care among the mammals and birds. Among the lower vertebrates (fishes, amphibia) and reptiles there are a variety of patterns of parental care. These can be divided into those that involve parental behavior and those that are nonbehavioral. Among extant species, parental behavior is not the predominant form of parental care, although it is present in many species of fish, frog and reptile. Nonbehavioral patterns of parental care predominate and are equally effective as parental behavior. Parental behavior is based on reciprocal stimulus interaction (trophallaxis) between the parent and the offspring and includes behavior directed at the nest, eggs, and developing young. Among lower vertebrates and reptiles there are increases in the complexity and completeness of parental behaviors but only among the mammals and birds has parental behavior been elaborated as the only form of parental care. Critical characteristics of mammalian parental behavior are: simultaneous onset of birth, lactation, and maternal care, rapid formation of an attachment of the mother to her offspring, synchrony in the behavioral interaction between mother and young during their development until weaning, and the significance of the mother–offspring unit as the basis of social organization. Among birds there is the period of egg incubation in the nest preceding hatching of the young, in addition to the above characteristics of mammals, but the mother–offspring unit is not the basis for social organization.
Detailed analysis of the male copulatory motor pattern in mammals: Hormonal bases
Authors: Moralí Gabriela , Asunción Pía Soto María , Luis Contreras José , Arteaga Marcela , González‐Vidal María Dolores , Beyer Carlos
Published: December 2004

Data obtained, using a polygraphic technique, on the characteristics of the motor and genital copulatory responses of male rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs are reviewed. This methodology provided detailed information, not accessible to other analyses, on the frequency and dynamic organization of copulatory pelvic thrusting trains of the species studied. This comparative analysis showed that: (1) The male rat may display two types of ejaculatory responses, differing in the dynamic organization of the pelvic thrusting train, and in the duration of the intravaginal thrusting period preceding ejaculation. (2) In the guinea pigs and small rodents, but not in rabbits, pelvic thrusting at ejaculatory responses persists during intromission, and a period of fast intravaginal thrusting is associated with ejaculation. (3) The motor copulatory pattern of the rabbit, but not of the rat, hamster, or guinea pig, is affected by castration and hormone treatment, suggesting that, in rabbits, androgen acts both on motivation and on the spinal neural systems related to copulation.
Different corticostriatal patterns of L‐DOPA utilization in patients with untreated schizophrenia and patients treated with classical antipsychotics or clozapine
Authors: Gefvert Ola , Lindström Leif H. , Waters Nicholas , Waters Susanna , Carlsson Arvid , Tedroff Joakim
Published: December 2004

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been shown to be of great importance in elucidating the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs. In psychotic patients L‐[11C]DOPA PET has been used to demonstrate some differences in dopaminergic activity compared with that in healthy volunteers. Ten healthy volunteers were investigated with PET and L‐[11C]DOPA. Ten drug‐free patients with psychosis, nine stable schizophrenics treated with clozapine, and nine stable patients treated with classical antipsychotics were also investigated with L‐[11C]DOPA. Principal‐component analysis was employed for the analysis of L‐[11C]DOPA Ki values across a number of corticostriatal brain regions. These data revealed a significant three‐component model with clear‐cut separation between healthy controls and patients with unmedicated schizophrenia. Stable optimal treatment with either classical neuroleptics or clozapine partially, albeit differentially, reversed the aberrant patterns seen in drug‐free schizophrenia. It can thus be concluded that schizophrenia is associated with abnormal patterns of L‐[11C]DOPA utilization in corticostriatal systems. Treatment with clozapine or classical neuroleptics induces partial, albeit differential, normalization of the abnormal patterns seen in untreated schizophrenia.
Simulated Likelihood Approximations for Stochastic Volatility Models
Authors: Sørensen Helle
Published: December 2004

Abstract. This paper deals with parametric inference for continuous‐time stochastic volatility models observed at discrete points in time. We consider approximate maximum likelihood estimation: for the kth‐order approximation, we pretend that the observations form a kth‐order Markov chain, find the corresponding approximate log‐likelihood function, and maximize it with respect to θ. The approximate log‐likelihood function is not known analytically, but can easily be calculated by simulation. For each k, the method yields consistent and asymptotically normal estimators. Simulations from a model based on the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model are used for illustration.
Local Likelihood Estimation in Generalized Additive Models
Authors: Kauermann Göran , Opsomer J. D.
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT.  Generalized additive models are a popular class of multivariate non‐parametric regression models, due in large part to the ease of use of the local scoring estimation algorithm. However, the theoretical properties of the local scoring estimator are poorly understood. In this article, we propose a local likelihood estimator for generalized additive models that is closely related to the local scoring estimator fitted by local polynomial regression. We derive the statistical properties of the estimator and show that it achieves the same asymptotic convergence rate as a one‐dimensional local polynomial regression estimator. We also propose a wild bootstrap estimator for calculating point‐wise confidence intervals for the additive component functions. The practical behaviour of the proposed estimator is illustrated through a simulation experiment.
Linking Social Capital to Political Participation: Voluntary Associations and Networks of Recruitment in Sweden1
Authors: Teorell Jan
Published: December 2004

That organizational involvement has a positive impact on political action is a well‐established finding in empirical research around the world. To account for this, theorists since Tocqueville have pointed to the returns in human capital, in particular ‘civic skills’, yielded by associations. This article, by contrast, is a study of whether social capital theory can help explain the same effect. According to the logic of ‘weak ties’, organizational involvement provides bridging social capital by connecting the individual to a wider range of people. As a result, the input of requests for participation increases and this ultimately leads to more activity. Unspecified in this argument, however, is what aspect of associational memberships is most conducive to such weak ties: the sheer number of memberships, or the extent to which one's memberships provide links to people of dissimilar social origin. In an unprecedented empirical test based on survey data from Sweden in 1997, it is shown that being connected to multiple voluntary associations is what matters for political activity, not the extent to which one's memberships cut across social cleavages. Moreover, the social capital mechanism of recruitment is more important in explaining this effect than the human capital mechanism of civic skills, since the former can account for why even passive members, not just organizational activists, may become more prone to take political action.
Top Ten Challenges for Understanding Gender and Aggression in Children: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Authors: Underwood Marion K. , Galenand Britt R. , Paquette Julie A.
Published: December 2004

This essay identifies ten significant methodological challenges for understanding aggression and gender. In light of the recent explosion of research on indirect/relational/social aggression, it seems important to clarify gaps in our current understanding and to identify promising methods by which better answers might be found. The discussion begins with basic issues of definitions, contexts and subtypes, moves on to points concerning sampling and measures, and addresses whether current evidence warrants deciding that girls are as aggressive as boys. We conclude that although research has shown that the majority of girls’ aggression takes indirect/relational/social forms, it is premature to conclude that boys do not also engage in these behaviors. We caution against assuming that physical and indirect/relational/social aggression are comparable in their developmental origins and consequences, and urge researchers to consider that fully understanding indirect/relational/social aggression might require different conceptual frameworks and research methods.
Women Reconciling Paid and Unpaid Work in a Confucian Welfare State: The Case of South Korea
Authors: Sung Sirin
Published: December 2004

The participation of married women in the labour market has been increasing since industrialization in the 1960s in Korea; in 1999 it overtook that of unmarried women. This raises the issue of how women reconcile paid and unpaid work and how state policy responds to this issue. In Korea, there have been numerous policy reforms designed to support working women in combining work and family life. For example, a parental leave scheme was introduced in 1995 and maternity benefits were also introduced in 2001. However, it is doubtful whether these policies can be effective in practice in Korea, where Confucian traditions in respect of women's roles remain strong. Confucian tradition has long influenced Korean society culturally and socially. Although Korean society today is not as Confucian as in the past, some traditions still remain strong, particularly with regard to the family: for example filial piety, seniority, the married woman's responsibility for her parents‐in‐law. This paper will argue that Confucian tradition makes for difficulties in Korean women's experiences of reconciling paid and unpaid work and also affects the formation of state policy. The paper explores the impact of the Confucian welfare regimes on Korean women's experience of reconciling paid and unpaid care work, and questions the gendered characteristics of the Confucian welfare state.
Gender Identity in European Family Farming: A Literature Review
Authors: Brandth Berit
Published: December 2004

This article pinpoints the ways in which gender identities have been constructed in the literature on gender relations and farming published over the past twenty years. It identifies three significant discourses in the research literature, namely the discourse of the family farm, the discourse of masculinisation and the discourse of detraditionalisation and diversity. The discourse of the family farm is hegemonic in agricultural gender research. It positions men as head of the family farm enterprise; women in the subordinate position of ‘farm wives’ defined by their dependency, their marriage and family related responsibilities. The second discourse accounts for the masculinisation of agriculture. Gender positions are transformed and men and masculinity are loosing power and dominance, while women are pictured as taking action and adjusting themselves to late modern life. The “discourse of detraditionalisation and diversity” focuses on the various positions that contemporary women and men have in relation to the farm.
Farmers' Landscape Decisions: Relationships between Farmers' Values and Landscape Practices
Authors: Busck Anne Gravsholt
Published: December 2004

Research into farmers’ decision‐making has traditionally focused on agricultural production, though many researchers have perceived changes in the agricultural landscape as secondary and mere by‐products of farming. However, recently more attention has been directed towards the landscape effects of agriculture. To understand farmers’ landscape practices, it is important to analyse how values influence farmers' landscape practice. Most often emphasis is given to either the landscape consequences, or farmers' values concerning landscape. Using a hermeneutic approach and the concept of styles, this paper explores relationships between farmers' values and their landscape practice. Five styles are presented, based on detailed empirical data from a case study in Denmark. It is concluded that in a local context, the heterogeneity of landscape practices can be conceptualised based on differences in farmers’ values. The styles identified are a step towards a differentiated understanding of relationships between farmers’ landscape practices and their values.
The Topic Is ‘There’
Authors: Basilico David
Published: December 2004

This paper claims that the appropriate associate for ‘there’ is the small clause complement to the copula. It is argued that ‘there’ acts as a topic quantifier and that the small clause acts to provide a restriction for this topic quantifier. Furthermore, the SC in a ‘there’ existential sentence is licensed not by the T0 head of Tense but by the D0 of the expletive ‘there’. This approach is able to explain several puzzles associated with ‘there’ existential sentences, including the predicate restriction, the definiteness effect, and the contradictory subject (agreement) and object (extraction, scope) properties of the postcopular NP.
Arabic Modifying Adjectives and DP Structures
Authors: Fehri Abdelkader Fassi
Published: December 2004

Important characteristics of the Arabic adjectival system are investigated, in view of the question of how the DP system is organized. A first series of issues include: (a) how adjective serialization observes quasi‐universal hierarchical ordering restrictions (or their mirror image order), (b) how adjectives and other modifiers and determiners alternate in postnominal and prenominal positions, and (c) how distributional classes of adjectives relate to attributive/predicative, or head/modifier uses. A second series concerns (d) inflectional properties of adjectives (including Case, Definiteness, and Number and Gender features), and their Head/Spec dependent status. Such questions are approached through postulating an articulated (fissioned) DP structure. Structural grounds are provided for checking various inflectional features in hierarchically ordered, but autonomous DP domains. AP (or A) movement, as well as N and Possessor raisings, are independently motivated. Cross‐linguistic variation follows, depending on whether all, some, or none of these processes are involved, to yield convergent derivations. APs (along with NPs) are treated as DPs, taking into account their inflectional and interpretational behaviours. Definiteness inheritance and Genitive checking are reanalyzed in view of new empirical and theoretical considerations of synthetic possessive structures.
Regression through the Origin
Authors: Eisenhauer Joseph G.
Published: December 2004

This article describes situations in which regression through the origin is appropriate, derives the normal equation for such a regression and explains the controversy regarding its evaluative statistics. Differences between three popular software packages that allow regression through the origin are illustrated using examples from previous issues of Teaching Statistics.
Language and disciplinary differences in a biliterate context
Authors: Petersen Margrethe , Shaw Philip
Published: December 2004

This paper analyses some of the publication characteristics of a biliterate environment – the Faculty of Business Administration in a Danish business school. Academics in this faculty read predominantly in English, publish both in English and in Danish, but interact with one another almost exclusively in Danish. Data on text production, reception and publication are used to categorise the departments in the faculty and reveal interesting differences in spite of similarities in the overall linguistic environment. In particular, the paper considers potential relations between the local and the international academic forum; it shows that a languages–of–communication profile can be drawn for each department; it develops a notion of two types of publication cycles, reflecting different attitudes and demands across disciplines or academic units; and it shows that the existence of four potential communities to be served may contribute to our understanding of choice of language for publication.
Early Stopping by Using Stochastic Curtailment in a Three-Arm Sequential Trial
Authors: Leung Denis Heng-Yan , Wang You-Gan , Amar David
Published: December 2004

Interim analysis is important in a large clinical trial for ethical and cost considerations. Sometimes, an interim analysis needs to be performed at an earlier than planned time point. In that case, methods using stochastic curtailment are useful in examining the data for early stopping while controlling the inflation of type I and type II errors. We consider a three-arm randomized study of treatments to reduce perioperative blood loss following major surgery. Owing to slow accrual, an unplanned interim analysis was required by the study team to determine whether the study should be continued. We distinguish two different cases: when all treatments are under direct comparison and when one of the treatments is a control. We used simulations to study the operating characteristics of five different stochastic curtailment methods. We also considered the influence of timing of the interim analyses on the type I error and power of the test. We found that the type I error and power between the different methods can be quite different. The analysis for the perioperative blood loss trial was carried out at approximately a quarter of the planned sample size. We found that there is little evidence that the active treatments are better than a placebo and recommended closure of the trial.
Voluntarism, municipalism and welfare: the geography of hospital utilization in England in 1938
Authors: Mohan John
Published: December 2004

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the pattern of hospital utilization (rather than provision) in England prior to the establishment of the NHS, showing the extent to which the probability of obtaining hospital treatment was a function of residence. Access to hospital care depended on the vigour of voluntarism and the political priorities of local governments. The pattern of voluntary hospital utilization is shown to have been markedly unequal, but the effect of municipal provision was to reduce disparities in access to services. The paper demonstrates variations in hospital utilization and discusses contemporary assessments of the situation. This work contributes to debates about the efficacy of non‐profit forms of welfare delivery; it provides a novel British study to complement American work in this field. It also raises questions about the contemporary vogue for partnerships in health care delivery between the public and private sectors, arguing that such proposals rest on an optimistic view of history.
TRALI after the transfusion of cross‐match‐positive granulocytes
Authors: Sachs Ulrich J. , Bux Jürgen
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: TRALI is a serious complication of transfusion. WBC antibodies have been associated with TRALI. The importance of such antibodies for the transfusion of granulocytes is unknown.

CASE REPORT: A patient with hematologic malignancy and neutropenia‐associated pneumonitis received 2 units of granulocytes despite a positive serologic cross‐ match. She developed severe TRALI after the second transfusion.

RESULTS: The recipient's serum was reactive with immobilized HLA class I antigens from donor cells in a glycoprotein‐specific assay. With an absorption‐elution technique, at least anti‐HLA‐A2 could be identified as one of the donor‐reactive antibodies in the recipient's serum.

CONCLUSION: Granulocyte‐reactive antibodies are associated with TRALI in an alloimmunized patient receiving granulocyte transfusions. Performing a cross‐match procedure may be helpful in preventing severe pulmonary reactions. Additional data are required to determine whether cross‐matching as a regular practice in granulocyte transfusions would be beneficial for patients.
Collection of two units of leukoreduced RBCs from a single donation with a portable multiple‐component collection system
Authors: Snyder Edward L. , Elfath M. Dean , Taylor Harry , Rugg Neeta , Greenwalt Tibor J. , Baril Laurene , Whitley Pamela , Brantigan Barbara , Story Ken
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: A portable automated component collection system that produces double (2) units of leukoreduced RBCs (DRBCs) from a single donation was evaluated. This study analyzed quality of the collected and final products, the efficacy of automated leukoreduction, and donor safety.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The system was used to collect 120 DRBCs. WBCs were removed from 90 products with machine‐controlled filtration. DRBCs were collected in ACD‐A and stored in AS‐1 for 42 days at 1 to 6°C. Pre‐ and postprocedure donor vital signs and hematologic parameters were measured. Procedure time, product characteristics, and adverse events were also recorded. In vitro studies were performed on all products on Day 0 and at end of storage. In vivo recoveries of 28 leukoreduced and 9 nonleukoreduced products were measured on Day 42.

RESULTS: Day 0 mean percentage of hemolysis for leukoreduced and nonleukoreduced units was 0.05 percent. DRBCs had residual WBC counts of less than 1 × 106 cells per unit and mean RBC recovery after filtration of 91.9 ± 2.7 percent. Mean 24‐hour recovery after infusion for leukoreduced units at end of storage was 80.9 ± 6.9 percent and nonleukoreduced units was 77.6 ± 5.8 percent (p> 0.05). No clinically significant changes in donor vital signs or serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The quality of leukoreduced RBCs collected with this portable automated component collection system met or exceeded FDA requirements. This automated system is safe and effective for collection and processing of 2 units of RBCs suitable for transfusion.
Characteristics of mutations at the D5S818 locus studied with a tightly linked marker
Authors: Edwards Michael , Allen Robert W.
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Mutations to STR alleles are not well understood in terms of the mechanism(s) underlying such mutations or their relative frequency among different alleles at the locus.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A cytosine/thymosine (C/T) polymorphism was discovered 13 nucleotides upstream from the 5′‐end of the tandem array of the D5S818 locus (−13SNP). The −13SNP coinci‐dentally creates a restriction site polymorphism for the restriction endonuclease SnaBI that is tightly linked to the tandem array of D5S818. Forty D5S818 addition/deletion mutations in the tandem array were characterized with RFLP analysis with SnaBI.

RESULTS:  Among 40 mutations studied, 34 (∼85%) were of paternal origin, 1 (∼3%) was of maternal origin, and 5 (∼13%) had an unclear lineage of origin. In 26 cases where the magnitude of the repeat change could be determined, 23 (88%) involved changes of a single repeat unit, whereas 3 (12%) involved changes of 2 or more repeats. The number of additions to the tandem array was roughly equal to the number of deletions from the tandem array. In 19 instances it was possible to identify the parental allele that underwent the mutation. Alleles 13 and 14 were prone to mutation, whereas Allele 11 was resistant. Thus, there is an unequal sensitivity to mutation among D5S818 alleles.

CONCLUSIONS:  The use of the linked −13SNP marker has revealed several features of mutations at the D5S818 locus: 1) Single repeat changes are the most commonly observed. 2) Mutations are more likely in the paternal lineage. 3) Not all alleles undergo mutation with equal frequency.
Decreased responsiveness and development of activation markers of PLTs stored in plasma
Authors: Curvers Joyce , Van Pampus Elisabeth C.M. , Feijge Marion A.H. , Rombout‐Sestrienkova Eva , Giesen Peter L.A. , Heemskerk Johan W.M.
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Circulating PLTs have a low activation state and high responsiveness, which ensures adequate hemostatic activity at sites of vessel wall damage. PLTs collected for transfusion purposes preferably have retained these properties to restore impaired hemostasis with thrombocytopenia.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  We determined activation properties and coagulant activity of PLT‐plasma preparations that were pooled or collected from single donors via apheresis.

RESULTS:  In comparison to freshly isolated PLTs, both apheresis and pooled PLTs exhibited slow exposure of CD62 upon storage, followed by surface appearance of procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS) but not activated integrin αIIbβ3. During storage, thrombin‐ and ADP‐induced Ca2+ signal generation consistently decreased in apheresis and pooled PLTs, which was accompanied by lower agonist‐induced CD62 exposure and αIIbβ3 acti‐vation. In flowing whole blood, stored apheresis PLTs showed lower collagen‐induced Ca2+ responses and strikingly diminished participation in thrombus formation. Both apheresis and pooled PLT‐plasma concentrates exhibited high tissue factor‐triggered thrombin generation, which was insensitive to PLT inhibition and attributable to PS‐exposing microparticles.

CONCLUSION:  PLTs stored in plasma develop surface activation markers but, simultaneously, show markedly decreased responsiveness toward physiologic agonists. The plasma contains high coagulant activity, which is no longer PLT (activation)‐dependent.
Evaluation of HTLV‐I removal by filtration of blood cell components in a routine setting
Authors: Césaire Raymond , Kérob‐Bauchet Brigitte , Bourdonné Olivier , Maier Hélène , Ould Amar Karim , Halbout Philippe , Dehée Axelle , Désiré Nathalie , Dantin Fabienne , Béra Odile , Lézin Agnès
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  WBC depletion by filtration may prevent the transmission of HTLV‐I, which requires cell‐to‐cell contact. The removal of HTLV‐I‐infected cells in routinely filtered blood cell components was measured.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  The study was conducted in Martinique where systematic screening for HTLV‐I and ‐II and universal leukoreduction are mandatory. HTLV‐I was quantified by use of real‐time PCR in 8 RBC units and 4 PLT concentrates before and after filtration. HTLV‐I proviral load in PBMNCs was determined in five of the eight HTLV‐I‐infected blood donors.

RESULTS:  The amount of MNC‐associated HTLV‐I DNA in RBC units before filtration was 21 × 106± 29 × 106 copies (mean ± SD). HTLV‐I was detected in 4 of 8 RBC units after filtration, with a number of copies in the MNC fraction ranging from 20 to 140, following a 4.9 to 5.8 log reduction. Flow cytometry analysis performed in 2 of the filtered RBC units containing detectable HTLV‐I showed suboptimal and out‐of‐range leukoreduction (0.56 × 106 and 1.22 × 106 residual WBCs). HTLV was not detected in filtered RBCs from the blood donor with the highest percentage of HTLV‐I‐infected PBMCs (9%).

CONCLUSION:  This study confirms that HTLV‐I‐infected cells can be detected in filtered blood cell components and shows that optimal leukoreduction is critical for HTLV‐I removal.
Anatomy of ancient passive margin slope systems: Aptian gravity‐driven deposition on the Vocontian palaeomargin, western Alps, south‐east France
Authors: Friès Gérard , Parize Olivier
Published: December 2004

The Aptian succession on the Vocontian palaeomargin (south‐east France) consists of marl and marly calcareous pelagic slope facies together with a range of gravity‐driven deposits (slumps, debris‐flow deposits, turbidite packages and massive sandstones). The massive sandstones were emplaced by high‐density turbidity currents and are associated with extensive clastic sills and dykes. The sedimentology is constrained by a high‐resolution bio‐ and lithostratigraphic framework and permits a detailed analysis of the slope succession including: (1) a sequence stratigraphical analysis of the slope deposits; and (2) lateral tracing of individual sedimentary packages downslope. The resulting model for the Vocontian slope represents an alternative to the ‘classic’ Exxon delta‐fed, mud‐rich model. Key elements of the Vocontian model are: (1) an emphasis on lowstand slope erosion and complex slope morphology controlled by contemporary tectonism and salt diapirism; (2) slope deposition in confined erosional and structurally controlled conduits rather than the buildout of slope fans/channel‐levee complexes; (3) a dominance of large‐volume muddy slump and transitional debris‐flow deposits, with subordinate sandy turbidites, including significant massive sandstone facies; (4) common sand injections (sills and dykes) associated with the massive sandstone facies; and (5) minimal downslope evolution of the flows, with the nature of the source sediment being the over‐riding factor determining flow behaviour and deposit character. The Vocontian system is a rare instance in which large sections of a ‘fossil’ passive margin slope are preserved in the geological record. The slope deposits differ from the classic models of turbidite systems that have mainly been built from peripheral foreland basins, and the new insight makes it possible to compare ancient and present‐day passive margin slope systems.
Famennian microbial reef facies, Napier and Oscar Ranges, Canning Basin, western Australia
Authors: Stephens Nat P. , Sumner Dawn Y.
Published: December 2004

Following the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction, which eliminated most skeletal reef‐building fauna, the early Famennian reefs of the Canning Basin were constructed primarily by reef‐framework microbial communities. In the Napier and Oscar Ranges, the Famennian reef complexes had high‐energy, reef‐flat depositional environments on a reef‐rimmed platform that transitioned into low‐energy, deep‐water reefs growing in excess of 50 m below sea level. High‐energy, reef‐flat depositional environments contain doming fenestral stromatolites that grade into porous thrombolites and are associated with coarse‐grained sandstones and grainstones. The reef‐margin subfacies contains mounds of microdigitate thrombolites, which are more delicate than the reef‐flat thrombolites and locally contain abundant red algae, Girvanella, renalcids and sediment‐filled tubes. Within the thrombolites, the red algae are in upright growth positions, suggesting that the thrombolites are largely composed of carbonate that precipitated in situ. Reefal‐slope environments are dominated by Wetheredella and Rothpletzella with locally abundant Girvanella, renalcids and Uralinella. In reefal‐slope strata, delicate fans and microdigitate stromatolites of Wetheredella and Rothpletzella are often oriented horizontal or diagonal to bedding and are interpreted as syndepositionally toppled over. Most mesoscale microbial community structures contain several species of microbial fossils, and no single microbial species appears to have controlled the morphology of the community structure. Therefore, the depositional environment must have determined the distribution and morphology of the stromatolites, thrombolites and other microbial community structures. The adaptability of microbial communities to various reef environments allowed them to fill ecological niches opportunistically after the Frasnian–Famennian mass extinction.
A simple model for the prediction of the deflation threshold shear velocity of dry loose particles
Authors: Cornelis W. M. , Gabriels D.
Published: December 2004

A very important parameter in aeolian equations is the deflation threshold shear velocity, which quantifies the instant of particle motion. In this paper, a simple model is presented for the prediction of the threshold shear velocity of dry loose particles. It has the same functional form as the widely used models of Bagnold (1941) and Greeley & Iversen (1985), but differs in its treatment of the so‐called threshold parameter. As the new expression was based on the moment balance equation used by Greeley & Iversen, it includes a function for the aerodynamic forces, including the drag force, the lift force and the aerodynamic moment force, and a function for the interparticle forces. The effect of gravitation is incorporated in both functions. However, rather than using an implicit function for the effect of the aerodynamic forces as in the Greeley & Iversen model, a constant aerodynamic coefficient was introduced. From consideration of the van der Waals' force between two particles, it was also shown that the function for the interparticle cohesion force is inversely proportional to the particle diameter squared. The model was calibrated on data reported by Iversen & White (1982). The new expression compared, at least for terrestrial conditions, very well with the Greeley & Iversen model, although it is much simpler. It was finally validated with data from wind‐tunnel experiments on different fractions of dune sand and sandy loam soil aggregates. The soil aggregates were treated as individual particles with a density equal to their bulk density. The good agreement between observations and predictions means that, when predicting mass transport of particles above a given soil, minimally dispersed particle‐size distributions should be considered rather than the granulometric composition of the soil.
Reflux stratabound dolostone and hydrothermal volcanism‐associated dolostone: a two‐stage dolomitization model (Jurassic, Lebanon)
Authors: Nader Fadi H. , Swennen Rudy , Ellam Rob
Published: December 2004

The Kesrouane Formation, which is characterized by pervasive dolomitization, has a stratigraphic thickness that exceeds 1000 m. It is part of a broad carbonate platform deposited in the Levant region and represents 60% of the Lebanese Jurassic rocks. Two genetically distinct dolostones are recognized within this unit: (1) fine‐to‐medium crystalline non‐planar grey dolostone; and (2) coarse‐crystalline planar beige dolostone. The former is stratabound and of Early Jurassic age (87Sr/86Sr = 0·707455). This dolostone locally exhi‐bits pseudomorphs of evaporite nodules, pointing towards seepage‐reflux dolomitization by hypersaline‐ to marine‐related fluids. Exposures of the coarse‐crystalline dolostone are associated with regional pre‐Cretaceous faults, along which Late Jurassic volcanics also occur. Sedimentological and diagenetic considerations coupled with microthermometry support a hydrothermal origin for this dolostone, with TH values of primary inclusions between 50 and 80 °C. The related dolomitizing fluids are mesosaline (3·5–12·0 eq. wt% NaCl), and are believed to result from the mixing of evaporative brines and sea water. Dolomitization is thus believed to have occurred in two stages, whereby fluids invaded the host rocks first by seepage‐reflux, explaining the resulting Early Jurassic stratabound dolostone, and later through fracture flow along the faults associated with the Late Jurassic volcanism, explaining the coarse‐crystalline hydrothemal dolostone.
Systematics and phylogeny of Parapholidoptera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)
Authors: Ç ıplak Battal
Published: December 2004

Genus Parapholidoptera is revised and three species, P. yoruka sp.n., P. bolkarensis sp.n. and P. salmani sp.n., are described. Parapholidoptera delineata Stolyarov is placed in synonymy with P. ziganensis Karabağ. Parapholidoptera bodenheimeri Karabağ and P. distincta bodenheimeri Karabağ are placed in synonymy with P. distincta (Uvarov). Parapholidoptera flexuosa Karabağ, previously a subspecies of P. castaneoviridis (Brunner von Wattenwyl), is recognized as a separate species. A key to world species is provided. Cladistic analysis revealed the monophyly of the genus with two major clades. A short account of distribution is presented.