bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interior-point revolution in optimization: History, recent developments, and lasting consequences
Authors: Wright Margaret
Published: November 2004

Interior methods are a pervasive feature of the optimization landscape today, but it was not always so. Although interior-point techniques, primarily in the form of barrier methods, were widely used during the 1960s for problems with nonlinear constraints, their use for the fundamental problem of linear programming was unthinkable because of the total dominance of the simplex method. During the 1970s, barrier methods were superseded, nearly to the point of oblivion, by newly emerging and seemingly more efficient alternatives such as augmented Lagrangian and sequential quadratic programming methods. By the early 1980s, barrier methods were almost universally regarded as a closed chapter in the history of optimization. This picture changed dramatically in 1984, when Narendra Karmarkar announced a fast polynomial-time interior method for linear programming; in 1985, a formal connection was established between his method and classical barrier methods. Since then, interior methods have continued to transform both the theory and practice of constrained optimization. We present a condensed, unavoidably incomplete look at classical material and recent research about interior methods.
Striking Differences in Individual Anticonvulsant Response to Phenobarbital in Rats with Spontaneous Seizures after Status Epilepticus
Authors: Brandt Claudia , Volk Holger A. , Löscher Wolfgang
Published: November 2004

Summary:  Purpose: More than one third of patients with epilepsy have inadequate control of seizures with drug therapy, but mechanisms of intractability are largely unknown. Because of this large number of pharmacoresistant patients with epilepsy, the existing process of antiepileptic drug (AED) discovery and development must be reevaluated with a focus on preclinical models of therapy‐resistant epilepsy syndromes such as mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, although various rodent models of TLE are available, the pharmacoresponsiveness of most models is not well known. In the present study, we used a post–status epilepticus model of TLE to examine whether rats with spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) differ in their individual responses to phenobarbital (PB).

Methods: Status epilepticus was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by prolonged electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala. Once the rats had developed SRSs, seizure frequency and severity were determined by continuous EEG/video recording over a 6‐week period (i.e., a predrug control period of 2 weeks, followed by PB treatment for 2 weeks, and a postdrug control period of 2 weeks). PB was administered twice daily at maximal tolerated doses.

Results: Analysis of plasma drug concentrations showed that drug concentrations within the therapeutic range (10–40 μg/ml) were maintained in all rats throughout the period of treatment. In six (55%) of 11 rats, complete control of seizures was achieved, and another rat exhibited a >90% reduction of seizure frequency. These seven rats were considered responders. The remaining four (36%) rats showed either no response at all (n = 3) or only moderate reduction in seizure frequency and were therefore considered nonresponders. Plasma drug concentrations did not differ between these two groups of rats.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate that, similar to patients with epilepsy, rats with SRSs markedly differ in their individual responses to AED treatment. Pharmacoresistant rats selected by prolonged drug treatment from groups of rats with SRSs may provide a unique model to study mechanisms of pharmacoresistance and to identify novel AEDs for treating seizures of patients currently not controlled with existing therapies.
Effects of Add‐on Melatonin Administration on Antioxidant Enzymes in Children with Epilepsy Taking Carbamazepine Monotherapy: A Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial
Authors: Gupta Madhur , Gupta Yogendra Kumar , Agarwal Sarita , Aneja Satinder , Kalaivani Mani , Kohli Kamlesh
Published: November 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Melatonin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antiexcitotoxic, and free radical–scavenging properties in various animal models. The study was designed to assess its effects on the blood levels of antioxidant enzymes in children with epilepsy receiving carbamazepine (CBZ).

Methods: In a double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled trial, we assessed the effect of add‐on melatonin (6–9 mg/day for 14 days) on the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd) in 31 children with epilepsy receiving CBZ monotherapy, who were seizure free at least for the last 6 months. The interaction of melatonin with CBZ and its active metabolite, carbamazepine‐10, 11‐epoxide (CBZ‐E), also was studied.

Results: An increase in GRd activity was noted in the melatonin group as compared with a decrease of the same enzyme in the placebo group. Changes in GPx activity failed to reach statistical significance. No significant changes were found in the serum levels of CBZ and CBZ‐E in either group.

Conclusions: The study suggests that melatonin exerts antioxidant activity in patients with epilepsy receiving CBZ therapy.
National and Regional Prevalence of Self‐reported Epilepsy in Canada
Authors: Tellez‐Zenteno José F. , Pondal‐Sordo Margarita , Matijevic Suzan , Wiebe Samuel
Published: November 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To assess the point prevalence of self‐described epilepsy in the general population nationally, provincially, and in different groups of interest.

Methods: We analyzed data from two national health surveys, the National Population Health Survey (NPHS, N = 49,000) and the Community Health Survey (CHS, N = 130,882). Both surveys captured sociodemographic information, as well as age, sex, education, ethnicity, household income, and labor force status of participants. Epilepsy was ascertained with only one question in both surveys. “Do you have epilepsy diagnosed by a health professional?” (NPHS) and “Do you have epilepsy?” (CHS). Prevalences were age‐adjusted by using national standard populations at the time of each survey. Exact 95% confidence intervals were obtained.

Results: In the NPHS, 241 of 49,026 subjects described themselves as having been diagnosed with epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.2 per 1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9–5.4]. In the CHS, 835 of 130,822 subjects described themselves as having epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.6 per 1,000 (95% CI, 5.1–6.0). Trends in differences in prevalence among some Canadian provinces were observed. Prevalence was statistically significantly higher in groups with the lowest educational level, lowest income, and in those unemployed in the previous year. Prevalence also was higher in nonimmigrants than in immigrants.

Conclusions: The overall and group‐specific results are in keeping with those obtained in other developed countries by using different ascertainment methods. We discuss methodologic aspects related to the ascertainment of epilepsy in both surveys, and to the validity and implications of our findings.
Benign Focal Seizures of Adolescence: A Prospective Study
Authors: Horacio Caraballo Roberto , Cersósimo Ricardo Oscar , Fejerman Natalio
Published: November 2004

Summary: Purpose:To characterize the clinical and EEG findings and evolution of the syndrome of benign focal seizures of adolescence (BFSA), as described by Loiseau et al.

Methods:A prospective study was performed in adolescents with normal clinical and neurologic examinations and normal neuroradiologic studies who had focal seizures that occurred isolated or in a cluster, with or without secondary generalization in the first 24 to 48 h after onset. None of the patients was treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Results:Between January 1996 and January 2002, 15 patients with BFSA were enrolled in the study. Median age at onset of BFSA was 14 years. Thirteen patients had focal sensory or motor seizures. In two patients, the ictal manifestation was motion arrest associated with oral automatisms. Eight of them evolved to generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Thirteen patients had seizures only when awake, and the other two, both when awake and during sleep. Repeated interictal EEGs were normal, but in four of the patients who had seizures in a cluster, we were able to record an EEG within 8 h after seizure onset. Two of these four patients had focal seizures, and their waking EEG showed focal centroparietal theta activities. The other two patients had secondarily generalized seizures, and their waking EEG showed bilateral theta activities instead. Prognosis was excellent.

Conclusions:BFSA is a well‐defined seizure syndrome, recognizable by clinical and EEG features, as described by Loiseau et al. In teenagers with these electroclinical features with a normal neurologic examination and normal neuroradiologic findings, AEDs should be avoided.
Patients' Perceptions of Memory Functioning Before and After Surgical Intervention to Treat Medically Refractory Epilepsy
Authors: Lineweaver Tara T. , Naugle Richard I. , Cafaro Alyce M. , Bingaman William , Lüders Hans O.
Published: November 2004

Summary:  Purpose: One risk associated with epilepsy surgery is memory loss, but perhaps more important is how patients perceive changes in their memories. This longitudinal study evaluated changes in memory self‐reports and investigated how self‐reports relate to changes on objective memory measures in temporal or extratemporal epilepsy patients who underwent surgery.

Methods: Objective memory (Wechsler Memory Scale–Revised) and subjective memory self‐reports (Memory Assessment Clinics Self‐Rating Scale) were individually assessed for 136 patients ∼6 months before and 6 months after surgery. A measure of depressive affect (Beck Depression Inventory–2nd Edition) was used to control variance attributable to emotional distress.

Results: Despite a lack of significant correlational relationships between objective and subjective memory for the entire sample, significant correlations between objective memory scores and self‐reports did emerge for a subset of patients who evidenced memory decline. Differences also were found in the subjective memory ratings of temporal lobe versus extratemporal patients. Temporal lobe patients rated their memories more negatively than did extratemporal patients and were more likely to report significant improvements in their memory after surgery.

Conclusions: In general, patients were not accurate when rating their memories compared to other adults. However, patients with significant declines in their memories were sensitive to actual changes in their memories over time relative to their own personal baselines.
Mechanisms underlying the interaction betweenPinus halepensisand the native late‐successional shrubPistacia lentiscusin a semi‐arid plantation
Authors: Maestre Fernando T. , Cortina Jordi , Bautista Susana
Published: November 2004

Pinus halepensishas been extensively planted in semi‐arid areas throughout the world. This has often led to slow‐growth stands that: a) suffer from insect plagues, b) promote nutrient depletion and c) fail to promote the recovery of native vegetation. The introduction of native late‐successional shrubs in these stands could stimulate successional processes, improve soil conditions and enhance their resilience against disturbances. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the interaction betweenPinusand the native late‐successional shrubPistacia lentiscusin a semi‐arid plantation. By using manipulative field and laboratory experiments, we evaluated direct (competition for soil resources and allelopathic effects) and indirect (competition with herbaceous understorey) interactions betweenPinusandPistacia. We found no effect ofPinuslitter and root exudates onPistaciagrowth. In the field,Pistaciaseedlings planted under the canopy ofPinusshowed higher survival than those planted in open areas with sparse vegetation. Girdling ofPinustrees did not affect the performance of plantedPistaciaseedlings, but suppression of the herbaceous understorey significantly enhanced both survival and physiological status ofPistaciaseedlings planted under the canopy ofPinus. The magnitude of the interference by herbaceous understorey was considerably higher than that byPinus. Our results provide evidence that a negative indirect interaction betweenPinusandPistacia, mediated by the herbaceous understorey, is taking place in the afforestation studied, and can help to explain the low rates of colonisation of late‐successional woody shrubs typically observed in semi‐aridPinushalepensisplantations.
Geographical variation in host specificity of fleas (Siphonaptera) parasitic on small mammals: the influence of phylogeny and local environmental conditions
Authors: Krasnov Boris R. , Mouillot David , Shenbrot Georgy I. , Khokhlova Irina S. , Poulin Robert
Published: November 2004

The evolution of host specificity remains a central issue in the study of host‐parasite relationships. Here we tackle three basic questions about host specificity using data on host use by fleas (Siphonaptera) from 21 geographical regions. First, are the host species exploited by a flea species no more than a random draw from the locally available host species, or do they form a taxonomically distinct subset? Using randomization tests, we showed that in the majority of cases, the taxonomic distinctness (measured as the average taxonomic distances among host species) of the hosts exploited by a flea is no different from that of random subsets of hosts taken from the regional pool. In the several cases where a difference was found, the taxonomic distinctness of the hosts used by a flea was almost always lower than that of the random subsets, suggesting that the parasites use hosts within a narrower taxonomic spectrum than what is available to them. Second, given the variation in host specificity among populations of the same flea species, is host specificity truly a species character? We found that host specificity measures are repeatable among different populations of the same flea species: host specificity varies significantly more among flea species than within flea species. This was true for both measures of host specificity used in the analyses: the number of host species exploited, and the index measuring the average taxonomic distinctness of the host species and its variance. Third, what causes geographical variation in host specificity among populations of the same flea species? In the vast majority of flea species, neither of our two measures of host specificity correlated with either the regional number of potential host species or their taxonomic distinctness, or the distance between the sampled region and the center of the flea's geographical range. However, in most flea species host specificity correlated with measures of the deviation in climatic conditions (precipitation and temperature) between the sampled region and the average conditions computed across the flea's entire range. Overall, these results suggest that host specificity in fleas is to a large extent phylogenetically constrained, while still strongly influenced by local environmental conditions.
The importance of interspecific interactions for breeding‐site selection: peregrine falcons seek proximity to raven nests
Authors: Sergio Fabrizio , Rizzolli Franco , Marchesi Luigi , Pedrini Paolo
Published: November 2004

The advent of GIS is initiating a rapid increase in the utilization of wildlife‐habitat models as tools for species and habitat management. However, such models rarely include estimates of interspecific interactions among explanatory variables. We tested the importance of such variables by using the peregrine falconFalco peregrinus, a medium‐sized raptor frequently reported to be affected by heterospecifics, as a model species. In an Alpine population, compared to random locations, peregrines selected breeding sites farther from conspecifics, on taller cliffs, with higher availability of farmland and closer to ravenCorvus coraxnests. Within suitable habitat, peregrines selected sites near ravens and far from elevations associated with golden eagleAquila chrysaetosnests. Productivity increased with cliff size, farmland availability (rich in the local main prey) and with proximity to ravens, suggesting that the observed choices were adaptive. Finally, at the regional level, peregrine density peaked at low elevation and was positively associated with raven density. The results suggested an active breeding association of peregrines with ravens, which may provide early‐warning cues against predators and safe alternative nest‐sites. They also confirmed the importance of including estimates of interspecific interactions among explanatory variables, which may: 1) make models more realistic; 2) increase their predictive power by lowering unexplained variance due to unmeasured factors; 3) provide unexpected results such as the cryptic, large‐scale breeding association of our study; and 4) stimulate further hypothesis formulation and testing, ultimately leading to deeper ecological knowledge of the study system.
Hypotonic stress activates an intermediate conductance K+ channel in human colonic crypt cells
Authors: Sand P. , Anger Å. , Rydqvist B.
Published: November 2004

Aim:  To investigate the effect of hypotonic stress on human colonic crypts cells in terms of ion channel activity and intracellular Ca2+ concentration.

Methods:  Single crypts were isolated from biopsies taken during colonoscopy. The patch clamp technique was used (in the cell‐attached mode) to observe the activity of ion channels during hypotonic stress. Calcium measurements were made using the fluophores Fluo 3 or 4.

Results:  The intermediate conductance (29 pS), Ca2+‐sensitive, K+ channel (also known as KCNN4) previously described (Sandle et al. 1994) was seen in 54 of 149 patches (36%) when the crypts were bathed in normal extracellular solution (290 mOsm kg−1). Forty‐one patches could be used for further analysis. Activation of one or several 29 pS channels was seen in 15 of 41 patches (39%) after 30 s to 4 min of exposure to hypotonic solution (160 mOsm kg−1). The open probability increased from 0.0043 in control solution to 0.44 at 5 min of hypotonic stress. When the crypts were exposed to hypotonic solution, an increase in intracellular Ca2+ could be seen. The increase in intracellular Ca2+ emanates mainly from intracellular stores.

Conclusion:  The 29 pS K+ channel takes part in volume regulation in human colonic crypt cells. The activation of this channel is mediated through an increase in intracellular Ca2+.
Quantitative trait loci for male reproductive traits in beef cattle*
Authors: Casas E. , Lunstra D. D. , Stone R. T.
Published: November 2004

The objective of the present study was to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for male reproductive traits in a half‐sib family from a Bos indicus (Brahman) × Bos taurus (Hereford) sire. The sire was mated with MARC III (1/4 Hereford, 1/4 Angus, 1/4 Red Poll and 1/4 Pinzgauer) cows. Testicular traits were measured from 126 male offspring born in 1996 and castrated at 8.5 months. Traits analysed were concentration of follicle stimulating hormone in peripheral blood at castration (FSH), paired testicular weight (PTW) and paired testicular volume (PTV) adjusted for age of dam, calculated age at puberty (AGE), and body weight at castration (BYW). A putative QTL was observed for FSH on chromosome 5. The maximum F‐statistic was detected at 70 cM from the beginning of the linkage group. Animals inheriting the Hereford allele had a 2.47‐ng/ml higher concentration of FSH than those inheriting the Brahman allele. Evidence also suggests the existence of a putative QTL on chromosome 29 for PTW, PTV, AGE and BYW. The maximum F‐statistic was detected at cM 44 from the beginning of the linkage group for PTW, PTV and AGE, and at cM 52 for BYW. Animals that inherited the Brahman allele at this chromosomal region had a 45‐g heavier PTW, a 42‐cm3 greater PTV, a 39‐day younger AGE and a 22.8‐kg heavier BYW, compared with those inheriting the Hereford allele. This is the first report of QTL for male reproductive traits in cattle.
Cloning and characterization of myogenic regulatory genes in three Ictalurid species
Authors: Gregory D. J. , Waldbieser G. C. , Bosworth B. G.
Published: November 2004

We report sequence, tissue expression and map‐position data for myogenin, MYOD1, myostatin and follistatin in three Ictalurid catfish species: channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), blue catfish (I. furcatus) and white catfish (Ameiurus catus). These genes are involved in muscle growth and development in mammals and may play similar roles in catfish. Amino acid sequences were highly conserved among the three Ictalurid species (>95% identity), moderately conserved among catfish and zebrafish (approximately 80% identity), and less conserved among catfish and humans (approximately 40–60% identity) for all four genes. Gene structure (number of exons and introns and exon–intron boundaries) was conserved between catfish and other species for all genes. Myogenin and MYOD1 expression was limited to skeletal muscle in juvenile channel catfish, similar to expression patterns for these genes in other fish and mammalian species. Myostatin was expressed in a variety of tissues in juvenile channel catfish, a pattern common in other fish species but contrasting with data from mammals where myostatin is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle. Follistatin was expressed in juvenile catfish heart, testes and spleen. All four genes contained polymorphic microsatellite repeats in non‐coding regions and linkage analysis based on inheritance of these microsatellite loci was used to place the genes on the channel catfish linkage map. Information provided in this study will be useful in further studies to determine the role these genes play in muscle growth and development in catfish.
Identification of a mutation associated with factor XI deficiency in Holstein cattle
Authors: Marron B. M. , Robinson J. L. , Gentry P. A. , Beever J. E.
Published: November 2004

An autosomal recessive deficiency of blood coagulation factor XI (FXI) has been described in Holstein cattle. Current testing methods are unsuitable for accurately identifying carriers (heterozygotes) of the disease. To identify the molecular basis of this deficiency, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based strategy was implemented to clone and sequence the bovine FXI gene (F11) from animals of different genotypes. Approximately 14 kb of genomic DNA sequence and 1.8 kb of cDNA sequence, corresponding to exon 3 through the 3′‐UTR, of the bovine gene were obtained. Comparison of sequences derived from homozygous normal and deficient individuals revealed that FXI deficiency in Holsteins is associated with the insertion of a 76 bp segment [AT(A)28TAAAG(A)26GGAAATAATAATTCA] within exon 12. This insertion introduces a stop codon that results in a mature FXI protein lacking the functional protease domain encoded by exons 13, 14 and 15. Based on these data, a DNA‐based diagnostic test has been developed for accurate genotyping. Using this method, the frequency of the mutated allele has been determined to be 1.2% in a contemporary population of the USA Holstein sires.
PRNPpolymorphisms in Chinese ovine, caprine and bovine breeds1
Authors: Zhang L. , Li N. , Fan B. , Fang M. , Xu W.
Published: November 2004

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) is a neurodegenerative disorder in humans and animals. Polymorphisms and mutations in the prion protein (PRNP) gene have been associated with the incidence of natural and experimental TSE and the incubation period length. In this study, we determinedPRNPpolymorphisms in Chinese ovine, caprine and bovine breeds using 400 samples from 13 ovine and caprine breeds and 250 samples from nine bovine breeds. In the ovine and caprinePRNPgene, we found five previously unreported amino acid polymorphisms and two silent nucleotide alterations. In bovinePRNP, we found eight previously unreported amino acid polymorphisms and six silent nucleotide alterations.
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: a comparative study of histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features using high throughput tissue microarray
Authors: Abrahams N A , MacLennan G T , Khoury J D , Ormsby A H , Tamboli P , Doglioni C , Schumacher B , Tickoo S K
Published: November 2004

Aims:  In some cases distinction between chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC), oncocytoma and clear cell (conventional) renal cell carcinoma (eosinophilic variant) using routine light microscopy remains problematic. The present study investigates the level of agreement in the diagnosis of CRCC, as well as the histological features most frequently used for this diagnosis by two pathologists with a special interest in renal neoplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers in cases with overlapping histological features in the diagnosis of CRCC were also studied. Electron microscopy was performed, as a diagnostic gold standard, on all of the cases.

Methods and results:  Thirty‐two renal tumours with predominantly eosinophilic cytoplasm were reviewed in a blinded fashion by two pathologists. The diagnosis and morphological features used to render each diagnosis were tabulated. Validation of the utility of keratin 7 and 20, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, CD10, parvalbumin, RCC antigen, antimitochondrial antibody and Hale's colloidal iron was performed by the construction of a tissue microarray (TMA) master block. Based on histological criteria alone, overall agreement on the diagnosis of these tumours was reached in 69% of the cases, while there was total disagreement in 12%. In 59% of the cases, total agreement was reached in classifying the case as a CRCC based on histology alone. Kappa statistics for interobserver variability were calculated as only slight agreement (κ = 0.3). The histological features most frequently associated with a diagnosis of CRCC were accentuated cell borders (87%) and a combination of hyperchromatic wrinkled nuclei (79%) and perinuclear halos (74%). The most sensitive and specific marker for CRCC was parvalbumin (sensitivity 0.91; specificity 1.0). The immunohistochemical profile of EMA+/ vimentin– was useful but had low specificity (sensitivity 0.75; specificity 0.4). CD10 had the highest sensitivity (1.0) but worst specificity (0.25) for CRCC. Keratin 7 had high sensitivity (0.83) but fairly low specificity (0.37) for CRCC. Hale's colloidal iron and the RCC antigen marker were not contributory. Finally, the antimitochondrial antibody was found to be fairly sensitive (0.83) for excluding CRCC.

Conclusions:  A small but significant proportion of renal tumours with cells having eosinophilic cytoplasm cannot be classified, even by experienced pathologists, based on histology alone. In these cases it is imperative to use markers with known sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CRCC.
Different worlds? A comparison of young people's home and school ICT use
Authors: Kent N. , Facer K.
Published: November 2004

Abstract This paper explores young people's access to and use of computers in the home and at school. Drawing on a questionnaire survey, conducted in 2001 and 2003 with over 1800 children in the South‐West of England, on group interviews in school with over 190 children and with visits to 11 families, the paper discusses: (1) children's current use of computers in the home and in school; 2) changing patterns of computer use in home and school between 2001 and 2003; (3) the impact of age, gender and socio‐economic area on young people's computer use in home and school. The paper then goes on to discuss young people's perceptions of the differences between home and school use of computers and to address the question of whether young people's home and school use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) are really ‘different worlds’. Through analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, the paper proposes that the boundaries between home and school are less distinct in terms of young people's ICT use than has previously been proposed, in particular through young people's production of virtual social networks through the use of instant messenger that seem to mirror young people's social school contexts. The paper concludes by suggesting that effective home–school link strategies might be adopted through the exploration of the permeability of home/school boundaries.
Savannah: mobile gaming and learning?
Authors: Facer K. , Joiner R. , Stanton D. , Reid J. , Hull R. , Kirk D.
Published: November 2004

This paper reports a study that attempts to explore how using mobile technologies in direct physical interaction with space and with other players can be combined with principles of engagement and self‐motivation to create a powerful and engaging learning experience. We developed a mobile gaming experience designed to encourage the development of children's conceptual understanding of animal behaviour. Ten children (five boys and five girls) aged between 11 and 12 years played and explored the game. The findings from this study offer interesting insights into the extent to which mobile gaming might be employed as a tool for supporting learning. It also highlights a number of major challenges that this format raises for the organisation of learning within schools and the design of such resources.
Real‐time PCR genotyping of human platelet alloantigens HPA‐1, HPA‐2, HPA‐3 and HPA‐5 is superior to the standard PCR‐SSP method
Authors: Ficko T. , Galvani V. , Rupreht R. , Dovc T. , Rožman P.
Published: November 2004

Summary.  Genotyping of the human platelet alloantigens (HPA) is useful for the diagnosis and therapy of the patients with alloimmune thrombocytopenic syndromes, such as post‐transfusion refractoriness to platelets, post‐transfusion thrombocytopenic purpura and foetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. We have developed, optimized and validated a new method for simultaneous genotyping of HPAs – HPA‐1, HPA‐2, HPA‐3 and HPA‐5 – by using the real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on TaqMan technology. Its performances were compared to those of the standard PCR‐sequence‐specific primers (SSP) method by testing 120 DNA samples. Several discrepancies between the two methods have been observed, especially in the HPA‐3 genotyping. Evidently, the PCR‐SSP method produced several false positive results due to its technical drawbacks. Based on our comparison, we believe that the new real‐time TaqMan PCR assay for the HPA‐1, HPA‐2, HPA‐3 and HPA‐5 genotyping is faster, more reliable and reproducible, compared to the standard PCR‐SSP.
Successful treatment of vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium endocarditis with linezolid in a renal transplant recipient with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Archuleta S. , Murphy B. , Keller M.J.
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Infections with vancomycin‐resistant Enterococci cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, including transplant recipients. We report the successful use of oral linezolid to treat a case of vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium endocarditis in a renal transplant recipient with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Multiple giant molluscum contagiosum in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Mansur A.T. , Göktay F. , Gündüz S. , Serdar Z.A.
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Atypical presentations of molluscum contagiosum (MC) infection can be expected in renal transplant recipients, as a result of long‐term immunosuppression. However, giant MC has rarely been reported in this population. We present a 28‐year‐old female renal transplant recipient receiving immunosuppressive therapy who developed multiple giant MC lesions on her axillary folds. The lesions were treated successfully with curettage and electrocauterization.
Lethal cytomegalovirus ischemic colitis presenting with fever of unknown origin
Authors: Lee C.‐J. , Lian J.‐D. , Chang S.‐W. , Chou M.‐C. , Tyan Y.‐S. , Wong L.‐C. , Chang H.‐R.
Published: November 2004

Abstract:We report a fatal case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) ischemic colitis in a renal transplant recipient. The disease was manifested with fever of unknown origin for 27 days followed by progressive right lower abdominal pain. The clinical condition deteriorated rapidly with development of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and internal bleeding despite right hemicolectomy and antiviral therapy. The patient died 11 days after the onset of abdominal pain. We conclude that the possibility of CMV ischemic colitis should be suspected if a patient presents with fever and abdominal pain in the early months after transplantation, and that early viral detection by CMV polymerase chain reaction can be lifesaving.
Accretion and postaccretion tectonics of the Calamian Islands, North Palawan block, Philippines
Authors: Zamoras Lawrence R. , Matsuoka Atsushi
Published: November 2004

Abstract  Upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic sedimentary sequences of chert (Liminangcong Formation), clastics (Guinlo Formation) and a number of limestone units (Coron Formation, Minilog Formation and Malajon Limestone) constitute the accretionary complex of the North Palawan block, Philippines. Based on chert‐to‐clastic transitions from different stratigraphic sequences around the Calamian Islands, three accretionary belts are delineated: the Northern Busuanga Belt (NBB), the Middle Busuanga Belt (MBB) and the Southern Busuanga Belt (SBB). The accretion events of these belts along the East Asian accretionary complex, indicated by their sedimentary transitions, began with the Middle Jurassic NBB accretion, followed by the Late Jurassic MBB accretion and the Early Cretaceous SBB accretion. Several limestone blocks that formed over the seamounts became juxtaposed with chert–clastic sequences during accretion. During the Late Cretaceous, accretion‐subduction along the East Asian margin subsided bringing tectonic stability to the region. The seafloor spreading during the mid‐Oligocene disconnected the entire North Palawan block from the Asian mainland and then migrated southward. The collision between the North Palawan block and the Philippine Island Arc system in the middle Miocene generated a megafold structure in the Calamian Islands as a result of the clockwise turn of the accretionary belts in the eastern Calamian from originally northeast–southwest to northwest–southeast.
Psychological Factors in Risk Assessment and Management of Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour by Men with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Smith Mark , Willner Paul
Published: November 2004

Aim  This study examined the responses of care managers and direct care staff to vignettes of inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) by a man with an intellectual disability. The aim was to identify psychological factors that influenced their assessment of risk and the perceived need for risk management strategies.

Method  The vignettes varied in response topography and the age of the victim. Regression analysis was used to examine the effect of three sets of psychological factors (causal explanations, causal attributions and emotional responses) on perceptions of risk, seriousness and appropriate service level responses to the ISB, and the inter‐relationships between these outcome variables.

Results  Behaviours involving intimate sexual contact or a child victim were rated as more serious, and more in need of supervision and management, than vignettes describing non‐contact behaviours or in which the victim was another adult with an intellectual disability. Levels of concern were generally lower for care managers than for direct care staff. The study cast little light on how care staff make decisions concerning the risk of recurrence of ISB. For care managers, high levels of concern were associated with the perception that the ISB was sexually motivated or was triggered by a negative emotional state, and with high levels of anger. Care managers appeared to make decisions about the appropriate intensity of service response based on an evaluation of the seriousness of the ISB, which was informed by the topography of the ISB and the identity of the victim. For direct care staff, high levels of concern were associated primarily with the perception that the cause of the behaviour was poor management; other factors associated with high levels of concern were the perception that the ISB was sexually motivated, and attributions that the ISB was controllable and stable. The central constructs in the decision making of direct care staff appeared to be the perceptions that, for it to have occurred, the behaviour must have been badly managed, and that offences against children require a response.

Implications  These differing approaches to decision making by care managers and care staff may lead to conflict in the implementation of care plans for men with intellectual disabilities who display ISB.
Adenosine A1 Receptor Blockade Mimics Caffeine's Attenuation of Ethanol‐Induced Motor Incoordination
Authors: Connole Laura , Harkin Andrew , Maginn Mark
Published: November 2004

Abstract: The effects of co‐administration of caffeine and ethanol were assessed on the motor coordination of rats on the accelerating rotarod (accelerod). Ethanol (2.5 g/kg, orally) decreased motor performance on the accelerod. Co‐administration of caffeine (5 and 20 mg/kg, orally) dose‐dependently attenuated this ethanol‐induced deficit. Caffeine (20 mg/kg, orally) alone did not affect motor performance in the test. As caffeine is a non‐selective adenosine receptor antagonist the ability of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor blockade to attenuate ethanol‐induced motor incoordination was determined. Pre‐treatment with the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) attenuated ethanol (2.5 g/kg, orally)‐induced motor incoordination. By contrast, prior administration of the adenosine A2A selective antagonist SCH 58261 (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) had no effect on the ethanol‐induced motor deficit. These data demonstrate that adenosine A1 receptor blockade mimics the inhibitory action of caffeine on ethanol‐induced motor incorordination, and may contribute to the ability of caffeine to offset the acute intoxicating actions of ethanol.
Fatty acid biomarkers: validation of food web and trophic markers using 13C-labelled fatty acids in juvenile sandeel (Ammodytes tobianus)
Authors: Dalsgaard Johanne , John Michael St
Published: November 2004

A key issue in marine science is parameterizing trophic interactions in marine food webs, thereby developing an understanding of the importance of top-down and bottom-up controls on populations of key trophic players. This study validates the utility of fatty acid food web and trophic markers using 13C-labelled fatty acids to verify the conservative incorporation of fatty acid tracers by juvenile sandeel (Ammodytes tobianus) and assess their uptake, clearance, and metabolic turnover rates. Juvenile sandeel were fed for 16 days in the laboratory on a formulated diet enriched in 13C16:0 followed by 14 days on a formulated diet enriched in 13C18:3(n  3). An exponential model was employed to estimate the uptake and clearance rates of recovered labelled fatty acids as a function of growth and fatty acid metabolism. The model predicted a faster uptake of 13C18:3(n  3) than 13C16:0 (0.0353 and 0.0086·day1, respectively), consistent with a structural role of (n  3) polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes, whereas saturated fatty acids presumably play a larger metabolic role. Clearance and metabolic rates of assimilated 13C16:0 were estimated as 0.0572 and 0.0211·day1, respectively. Lack of temporal trends in nonlabelled fatty acids confirmed the conservative incorporation of labelled fatty acids by the fish.
Linking the dynamics of harvest effort to recruitment dynamics in a multistock, spatially structured fishery
Authors: Parkinson Eric A , Post John R , Cox Sean P
Published: November 2004

A freshwater sport fishery that targets hundreds of geographically isolated stocks is simulated by combining a model of angler behavior with a model of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) population dynamics. Ideal free distribution (IFD) theory, which suggests that angling quality will be similar on all lakes, is used to drive angler effort distribution. Model parameters are based on creel survey data from 53 lakes and empirical relationships between growth, survival, and density derived from whole-lake density manipulations on nine lakes over a period of 10 years. We compared angling quality, population density, fish size, and yield under unfished conditions, harvest rates that maximize sustained yields (MSY), and an IFD equilibrium driven by angler behavior. The IFD equilibrium rarely maximized yields. Stocks with high MSY angling quality are overexploited at the IFD equilibrium because anglers move to take advantage of exceptional angling opportunities. These stocks would often be viewed as more resistant to harvest pressure because they have higher stock productivities and habitat capacities. However, in our model, they are systematically overharvested because their high fish density attracts excessive angling pressure. Conversely, stocks with low MSY angling quality are underexploited because anglers move to take advantage of better angling quality on other lakes.
A recipe for Bayesian network driven stock assessment
Authors: Hammond T R
Published: November 2004

Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), the most widely used algorithm in Bayesian statistics, can fail to converge. Although convergence is tested by various diagnostics, these can only reveal failure, never success. To avoid these difficulties, this paper suggests a recipe for using Bayesian network propagation (BNP) to compute posterior results for fish stock assessment. Bayesian networks employ discrete random variables and specify relationships between them with conditional probability tables. Therefore, the recipe uses a new technique called "fuzzy discretization" to convert a continuous Bayesian model into a discrete Bayesian network. The technique is illustrated on a Schaefer assessment model by showing how model equations can be converted to probability tables. Posterior density estimates for carrying capacity (K) from both MCMC and BNP were compared with exact results (obtained by analytic integration and grid search) under three scenarios. BNP outperformed MCMC (as implemented in WinBUGS) in all scenarios, though MCMC diagnostics previously deemed sufficient reported no problems. Tightening the grid resolution of discrete numeric variables over regions of high posterior probability greatly improved BNP performance, so a grid selection heuristic is included in the recipe. In summary, this recipe may provide an effective alternative to MCMC for similar Bayesian problems.
Relationship of fish catch and composition to water quality in a suite of agriculturally eutrophic lakes
Authors: Egertson Christopher J , Downing John A
Published: November 2004

We examined the fish community, water quality, and morphometry of 32 agriculturally eutrophic lakes. Our purpose was to explore the relationships between eutrophication and fish catch per unit effort by weight (CPUEw) and fish community composition of the six most important species in this suite of the world's most nutrient-rich lakes. We found that the CPUEwof the sum of all species increased with lake trophic status measured as chlorophyll a (r = 0.45, p < 0.009). By dissecting total fish CPUEwinto individual species and functional groups, we found that only common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and benthivore CPUEwincreased significantly with trophic status (p < 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). Sport fish (principally piscivores) decreased as a proportion of total CPUEwby approximately 50%, while benthivores, primarily common carp, increased by approximately 80% over an increase in cholorophyll a from 10 to 100 µg·L1. Common carp CPUEwwas correlated with and may have a negative influence on CPUEwof bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and a positive influence on white crappie (Pomoxis annularis). Our study suggests that species other than benthivores may be unable to exploit increased energy availability in hypereutrophic systems or are competitively excluded from using this increased production.
Survival of Puget Sound chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in response to climate-induced competition with pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)
Authors: Ruggerone Gregory T , Goetz Frederick A
Published: November 2004

We tested for competition between pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) originating from rivers in the Puget Sound area using coded-wire-tagged subyearling hatchery chinook salmon. Following a 2-year life cycle, many juvenile pink salmon enter Puget Sound in even-numbered years, whereas few migrate during odd-numbered years. During 19841997, juvenile chinook salmon released during even-numbered years experienced 59% lower survival than those released during odd-numbered years, a trend consistent among 13 chinook salmon stocks. Lower even-numbered-year survival of chinook salmon was associated with reduced first-year growth and survival and delayed maturation. In contrast, chinook salmon released into coastal streams, where few pink salmon occur, did not exhibit an alternating-year pattern of survival, suggesting that the interaction occurred within Puget Sound and the lower Strait of Georgia. Unexpectedly, the survival pattern of Puget Sound chinook salmon was reversed prior to the 19821983 El Niño: chinook salmon survival was higher when they migrated with juvenile pink salmon during 19721983. We hypothesize that chinook salmon survival changed as a result of a shift from predation- to competition-based mortality in response to recent declines in predator and prey abundances and increases in pink salmon abundance. Alternating-year mortality accounted for most of the 50% decline in marine survival of chinook salmon between 19721983 and 19841997.
PLANAR POINT LOCATION REVISITED
Authors: PREPARATA FRANCO P.
Published: November 2004

Point location is a fundamental primitive in Computational Geometry. In the plane it is stated as follows: Given a subdivision ℛ of the plane and a query point q, determine the region of ℛ containing q. We survey the work that has led to practical algorithms for the static version of the problem, and discuss current research on the corresponding dynamic algorithms.
DEADLOCK PREDICTION IN THE CASE OF DYNAMIC ROUTING
Authors: BOVET DANIEL P. , DI IANNI MIRIAM , CRESCENZI PIERLUIGI
Published: November 2004

One of the main issues in flow control problems is deadlock of messages caused by a limited amount of resources. In this paper, the problem of predicting whether a deadlock will necessarily occur in a Store-and-Forward Network is analyzed. We show that, in the case of dynamic routing, the deadlock prediction problem can be decided in polynomial time if tokens are allowed to transit more than once through the same vertex, in contrast with an NP-completeness result in the case where they are allowed to transit at most once.
BREADTH AND DEPTH GRAMMARS AND DEQUE AUTOMATA
Authors: CHERUBINI ALESSANDRA , CITRINI CLAUDIO , REGHIZZI STEFANO CRESPI , MANDRIOLI DINO
Published: November 2004

We introduce BD (Breadth-Depth) grammars which extend context-free grammars by allowing breadth-first derivations. Their languages are recognized by Deque (double ended queue) automata having a single state. BD languages also include languages recognized by monostatic queue automata.

It is shown that the commutative image of BD languages is semilinear, that they have a periodicity (pumping) property, and can be homomorphically characterized as h(DAD∩R), where DAD is the Dyck-AntiDyck language, and R a regular set.

Non-autoinclusive BD grammars coincide in power with breadth-first grammars with regular right parts.