bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy and Human Herpesvirus 8 Reactivation in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Women
Authors: Lisco Andrea , Barbierato Massimo , Fiore Josè R. , Gasperini Paola , Favia Anna , Volpe Anna , Chironna Maria , Pastore Giuseppe , Chieco-Bianchi Luigi , Calabrò Maria Luisa
Published: November 2006

To investigate the impact of pregnancy on human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) reactivation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected women, the HHV-8 DNA presence and load were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) from 15 pregnant women coinfected with HIV-1 and HHV-8. HHV-8 detection was analyzed in relation to anti-HHV-8 antibodies and HIV-1-related parameters. Nucleotide sequence analysis of an ORFK1 hypervariable region of the HHV-8 strains was performed. HHV-8 was detected in maternal PBMCs (5/15 women) from the second trimester and in CVSs (5/15 women) mainly from the third trimester. The HHV-8 load significantly increased late in pregnancy in both maternal compartments and was associated with a significant increase in HIV-1 shedding in the genital tract. Antilytic antibodies were significantly more common in HHV-8 DNA-positive women. An elevated HHV-8 load was found in the PBMCs of an infant born to a mother with large amounts of HHV-8 in both compartments at delivery. Different ORFK1 subtypes were found in maternal samples, whereas the same subtype was identified in the mother-child pair. These data suggest that pregnancy may induce HHV-8 replication in HIV-1-infected women. An augmented HHV-8 load may, in turn, influence mother-to-child transmission, since one of the HIV-1-infected mothers with HHV-8 reactivation transmitted her ORFK1 subtype to the infant, who showed a high level of HHV-8 viremia indicative of a primary infection. This finding documents for the first time the perinatal transmission of a specific HHV-8 subtype. Vertical transmission may thus play a role in HHV-8 spread also in areas of subendemicity among HIV-1-infected women.
Optimal Surveillance Culture Sites for Detection of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
in Newborns
Authors: Rosenthal Alana , White Diane , Churilla Sheila , Brodie Sandra , Katz Kevin C.
Published: November 2006

We describe two outbreaks among newborns, one caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and the other by hospital-associated MRSA. The umbilicus, rectum, and nares were tested for colonization. We found that no single body site had optimal sensitivity when tested alone. The combination of umbilical and nasal swabs achieved a sensitivity of >90%.
What Does Detection of
Mycobacterium ulcerans
DNA in the Margin of an Excised Buruli Ulcer Lesion Tell Us?
Authors: Rondini Simona , Mensah-Quainoo Ernestina , Junghanss Thomas , Pluschke Gerd
Published: November 2006

We determined by real-time PCR the distribution of
Mycobacterium ulcerans
DNA in the excised lesion of a Buruli ulcer patient. A new lesion developed adjacent to the site of excision in the patient. The excised margin around the primary lesion contained a small amount of mycobacterial DNA in the area where the secondary lesion developed. These results suggest that a relatively small number of infiltrating mycobacteria can lead to the development of a recurrence.
Differences between Tissue-Associated Intestinal Microfloras of Patients with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Gophna Uri , Sommerfeld Katrin , Gophna Sharon , Doolittle W. Ford , Veldhuyzen van Zanten Sander J. O.
Published: November 2006

A leading hypothesis for the role of bacteria in inflammatory bowel diseases is that an imbalance in normal gut flora is a prerequisite for inflammation. Testing this hypothesis requires comparisons between the microbiota compositions of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients and those of healthy individuals. In this study, we obtained biopsy samples from patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and from healthy controls. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the tissue samples, amplified using universal bacterial 16S rRNA gene primers, and cloned into a plasmid vector. Insert-containing colonies were picked for high-throughput sequencing, and sequence data were analyzed, yielding species-level phylogenetic data. The clone libraries yielded 3,305 sequenced clones, representing 151 operational taxonomical units. There was no significant difference between floras from inflamed and healthy tissues from within the same individual.
Proteobacteria
were significantly (
P
= 0.0007) increased in Crohn's disease patients, as were
Bacteroidetes
(
P
< 0.0001), while
Clostridia
were decreased in that group (
P
< 0.0001) in comparison with the healthy and ulcerative colitis groups, which displayed no significant differences. Thus, the bacterial flora composition of Crohn's patients appears to be significantly altered from that of healthy controls, unlike that of ulcerative colitis patients. Imbalance in flora in Crohn's disease is probably not sufficient to cause inflammation, since microbiotas from inflamed and noninflamed tissues were of similar compositions within the same individual.
Characterization of Atypical Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strains That Express Typical Localized Adherence in HeLa Cells in the Absence of the Bundle-Forming Pilus
Authors: Hernandes Rodrigo Tavanelli , Vieira Mônica Aparecida Midolli , Carneiro Sylvia Mendes , Salvador Fábia Andréia , Gomes Tânia Aparecida Tardelli
Published: November 2006

The characterization of nine atypical enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
strains expressing localized adherence in HeLa cells in the absence of the bundle-forming pilus revealed a diversity of serotypes, plasmids, and virulence genes. Although the strains lacked known
E. coli
adhesin genes, the identification of new adhesins could contribute to the characterization of similar enteropathogenic
E. coli
isolates.
Rapid Identification of Pathogens in Blood Cultures with a Modified Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Assay
Authors: Peters Remco P. H. , van Agtmael Michiel A. , Simoons-Smit Alberdina M. , Danner Sven A. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M. J. E. , Savelkoul Paul H. M.
Published: November 2006

We evaluated a modified fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay for rapid (<1 h) identification of microorganisms in growth-positive blood cultures. The results were compared to those of the standard FISH technique and conventional culturing. The rapid identification of microorganisms with modified FISH can have important effects on clinical management of patients with bloodstream infections.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of
Campylobacter jejuni
Strains Reveals Diversity Due to Genomic Elements Similar to Those Present in
C. jejuni
Strain RM1221
Authors: Parker Craig T. , Quiñones Beatriz , Miller William G. , Horn Sharon T. , Mandrell Robert E.
Published: November 2006

Analysis of the complete genomic sequence of
Campylobacter jejuni
strain RM1221 identified four large genomic elements,
Campylobacter jejuni
-
i
ntegrated
e
lements (CJIEs), that were absent from
C. jejuni
strain NCTC 11168. To further investigate the genomic diversity of
Campylobacter
, we conducted a comparative genomic analysis from a collection of 67
C. jejuni
and 12
Campylobacter coli
strains isolated from various geographical locations and clinical and veterinary sources. Utilizing PCR, we demonstrated that 55% of the
C. jejuni
strains examined were positive for at least one RM1221-like genomic element and 27% were positive for two or more of these CJIEs. Furthermore, many
C. coli
strains were positive for either genomic element CJIE1 or CJIE3. To simultaneously assess for the presence or absence of several genes that comprise the various CJIEs, we developed a multistrain
C. jejuni
DNA microarray that contained most of the putative coding sequences for strains NCTC 11168 and RM1221. A comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis of 35 of the 67
C. jejuni
strains confirmed the presence of genomic elements similar to those in strain RM1221. Interestingly, the DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that these genomic elements in the other
C. jejuni
strains often exhibited modular patterns with some regions of the CJIEs present and other regions either absent or highly divergent compared to strain RM1221. Our CGH method also identified 18 other intraspecies hypervariable regions, such as the capsule and lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis regions. Thus, the inclusion of genes from these integrated genomic elements and the genes from the other intraspecies hypervariable regions contributes to a better assessment of the diversity in
C. jejuni
and may increase the usefulness of DNA microarrays as an epidemiological genotyping tool. Finally, we also showed that in CJIE1, a
Campylobacter
Mu-like phage, is located differentially in other strains of
C. jejuni
, suggesting that it may integrate essentially randomly.
Use of the
Coccidioides posadasii
Δchs5 Strain for Quality Control in the ACCUPROBE Culture Identification Test for
Coccidioides immitis
Authors: McGinnis Michael R. , Smith Michael B. , Hinson Elizabeth
Published: November 2006

Coccidioides posadasii
Δchs5 is a strain that is excluded from the select agent list. Sixteen assays using test reagents from three different ACCUPROBE
Coccidioides immitis
culture identification test lots had an average of 132,998 relative light units (RLU), which is well beyond the 50,000-RLU positive cutoff value for the test.
Coccidioides posadasii
Δchs5 is a satisfactory quality control isolate in the ACCUPROBE culture identification test for
Coccidioides immitis
.
Performance of Rapid Streptococcal Antigen Testing Varies by Personnel
Authors: Fox James W. , Cohen Daniel M. , Marcon Mario J. , Cotton William H. , Bonsu Bema K.
Published: November 2006

Rapid carbohydrate antigen tests are frequently used to diagnose group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Despite evidence of modest sensitivity in medical settings, rapid antigen tests are available to the public for self-testing. We sought to determine if the personnel performing a rapid streptococcal antigen test influence the test's performance characteristics. Throat swabs of pediatric patients performed for GAS pharyngitis in a tertiary-care children's hospital network were included during two study periods in 2004 and 2005. The performance characteristics of a rapid carbohydrate antigen test were evaluated in three clinical settings against a nucleic acid probe test method according to the personnel performing the test (laboratory technologist versus nonlaboratory personnel). Between the study periods, nonlaboratory personnel from one site underwent retraining. Subsequently, the performance characteristics of the rapid antigen test were reassessed. The sensitivity of the rapid antigen test varied widely among the different testing sites (56 to 90%). Notably, test sensitivity was consistently greater when the test was performed by laboratory technologists than when it was performed by nonlaboratory personnel (
P
< 0.0001). Although the rapid antigen test sensitivity significantly improved after nonlaboratory personnel at one testing site were retrained (sensitivity before versus after retraining;
P
< 0.0001), the sensitivity remained greater in the laboratory technologist cohort (
P
< 0.0001). These data confirm the important relationship of the operator performing a rapid streptococcal antigen test with the test's accuracy, even in a clinical setting, where operator training is mandated. Therefore, its use outside the medical setting by lay persons cannot be recommended without culture backup.
Production of Monoclonal Antibodies toTropheryma whippleiand Identification of Recognized Epitopes by Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Yu Yuefei , Kowalczewska Malgorzata , Decloquement Philippe , Nappez Claude , La Scola Bernard
Published: November 2006

Tropheryma whipplei, the agent of Whipple's disease, is a gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that belongs to the group of actinobacteria. In order to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against this bacterium, we inoculated mice with two different strains, Slow2 and Endo5. We produced 13 and 10 MAbs against Slow2 and Endo5, respectively. Nine of the Slow2 MAbs and seven of the Endo5 MAbs recognized a 58-kDa epitope. In addition, three other Endo5 MAbs detected a unique 84-kDa epitope. These MAbs were species specific, as they did not react with a selection of 22 different bacterial species, but they were not strain specific, as they did react with six other strains ofT. whipplei. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was combined with mass spectrometry (MS) to identify the 58-kDa and 84-kDa epitopes recognized by MAbs. After trypsin in-gel digestion of the spot, the 58-kDa protein was identified as an ATP synthase F1 complex beta chain, whereas the 84-kDa protein was identified as a polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase by MS with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight. In an in vitro model, one of these MAbs allowed good detection ofT. whippleiin stool samples, contrary to a rabbit polyclonal antibody, which led to high fluorescent background. In the prospective studies, the produced MAb will be tested for detection ofT. whippleiin clinical samples, and the gene coding for identified 58-kDa and 84-kDa antigens will be tentatively cloned and then tested for its use in a diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Whipple's disease.
MAGNETIC BRANES FROM GENERALIZED 't HOOFT TENSOR
Authors: DUAN YI-SHI , WU SHAO-FENG
Published: November 2006

't Hooft–Polykov magnetic monopole regularly realizes the Dirac magnetic monopole in terms of a two-rank tensor, the so-called 't Hooft tensor in 3D space. Based on the Chern kernel method, we propose the arbitrary rank 't Hooft tensors, which universally determine the quantized low energy boundaries of generalized Georgi–Glashow models under asymptotic conditions. Furthermore, the dual magnetic branes theory is built up in terms of ϕ-mapping theory.
THE GENERALIZED MULTI-COMPONENT AKNS HIERARCHY AND N-FOLD DARBOUX TRANSFORMATION
Authors: YANG HONG-XIANG , WANG DAO-LIN , LI CHANG-SHENG
Published: November 2006

Starting from a 3×3 spectral problem, by using the Tu scheme, a hierarchy of generalized multi-component AKNS soliton equations are derived. It is shown that each equation in the resulting hierarchy is Liouville integrable. With the help of gauge transformations of the Lax pairs, an N-fold Darboux transformation (DT) with multi-parameters for the spectral problem is set up. For application, the soliton solutions of the first nonlinear soliton equation are explicitly given.
EPR AND MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY STUDIES ON MnO-TeO2-B2O3-SrF2 GLASSES
Authors: ARDELEAN I. , MUREŞAN N. , PǍŞCUŢǍ P.
Published: November 2006

EPR and magnetic susceptibility measurements on x MnO ·(100-x)[70 TeO 2·25 B 2 O 3·5 SrF 2] glasses, within 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 50 mol% were performed. The number of isolated Mn 2+ ions, participating at the g ≈ 4.3 resonance increases up to 1 mol% MnO and after that decreases to nil for 10 mol% MnO . The number of Mn 2+ ions participating at the g ≈ 2.0 resonance increases when the MnO content rises. From line-width composition dependence of these glasses, for x > 3 mol%, the manganese ions participate in the superexchange magnetic interaction. Magnetic measurements revealed both Mn 2+ and Mn 3+ valence states as simultaneously present in the vitreous matrix and these ions are involved in negative superexchange interactions, being antiferromagnetically coupled.
On almost coincidence points in generalized convex spaces
Authors: Mitrović Zoran D
Published: November 2006

We prove an almost coincidence point theorem in generalized convex spaces. As an application, we derive a result on the existence of a maximal element and an almost coincidence point theorem in hyperconvex spaces. The results of this paper generalize some known results in the literature.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Potentially Probiotic Vaginal Lactobacilli
Authors: Ocaña Virginia , Silva Clara , Nader-Macías María Elena
Published: November 2006

Objective. To study the antimicrobial susceptibility of six vaginal probiotic lactobacilli. Methods. The disc diffusion method in Müeller Hinton, LAPTg and MRS agars by the NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) procedure was performed. Due to the absence of a Lactobacillus reference strains, the results were compared to those of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) with 21 different antibiotics in LAPTg agar and broth was also determined. Results. LAPTg and MRS agars are suitable media to study antimicrobial susceptibility of lactobacilli. However, the NCCLS procedure needs to be standardized for this genus. The MICs have shown that all Lactobacillus strains grew at concentrations above 10 μg/mL of chloramphenicol, aztreonam, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, streptomycin and kanamycin. Four lactobacilli were sensitive to 1 μg/mL vancomycin and all of them were resistant to 1000 μg/mL of metronidazole. Sensitivity to other antibiotics depended on each particular strain. Conclusions. The NCCLS method needs to be standardized in an appropriate medium to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Lactobacillus. Vaginal probiotic lactobacilli do not display uniform susceptibility to antibiotics. Resistance to high concentrations of metronidazole suggests that lactobacilli could be simultaneously used with a bacterial vaginosis treatment to restore the vaginal normal flora.
An Unusual Case of Urinary Tract Infection in a Pregnant Woman With Photobacterium damsela
Authors: Alvarez Jesus R. , Lamba Sangeeta , Dyer Keisha Y. , Apuzzio Joseph J.
Published: November 2006

We describe a case of a urinary tract infection with an unusual pathogen, Photobacterium damsela, in a pregnant female. This pathogen has been described as having a virulent life threatening nature, so a detailed history and prompt treatment is needed.
Simple and subdirectly irreducibles bounded distributive latticeswith unary operators
Authors: Celani Sergio Arturo
Published: November 2006

We characterize the simple and subdirectly irreducible distributive algebras in
some varieties of distributive lattices with unary operators, including topological and monadic positive modal algebras. Finally, for some varieties of Heyting algebras with operators we apply these results to determine the simple and subdirectly irreducible algebras.
Dimensions of subsets of cantor‐type sets
Authors: Zhen Fang-Xiong
Published: November 2006

We define the Cantor‐type set E first, and then the Besicovitch
subset Bp of E. We mainly show the dimensions of
subsets of Cantor‐type set E in compatible case and incompatible case.
The distribution of nonprincipal eigenvalues of singularsecond‐order linear ordinary differential equations
Authors: Pinasco Juan Pablo
Published: November 2006

We obtain the asymptotic distribution of the nonprincipal eigenvalues
associated with the singular problem x″ + λq(t)x = 0 on an infinite interval
[a, +∞). Similar to the regular eigenvalue problem on compact intervals, we can
prove a Weyl‐type expansion of the eigenvalue counting function, and we derive the
asymptotic behavior of the eigenvalues.
Analytic solution of certain second‐order functional differentialequation
Authors: Kaewong Theeradach , Niamsup Piyapong
Published: November 2006

We consider the existence of analytic solutions of a certain class of
iterative second‐order functional differential equation of the form , m, r ≥ 0.
A radical for right near‐rings: The right Jacobson radical oftype‐0
Authors: Rao Ravi Srinivasa , Prasad K. Siva
Published: November 2006

The notions of a right quasiregular element and right
modular right ideal in a near‐ring are initiated. Based on these (R), the right Jacobson radical of type‐0 of a near‐ring R is introduced. It is obtained that is a radical map and , where N(R) is the nil radical of a near‐ring R. Some characterizations of (R) are given and its relation with some of the radicals is also discussed.
Asymptotic analysis of powers of matrices
Authors: Dominici Diego
Published: November 2006

We analyze the representation of An as a linear combination of Aj, 0 ≤ j ≤ k − 1, where A is a k × k matrix. We obtain a first‐order asymptotic approximation of An as n → ∞, without imposing any special conditions on A. We give some examples showing the application of our results.
Thin organic layers for photography and electronic devices
Authors: Tani Tadaaki , Seki Kazuhiko , Yoshihara Keitaro , Hanna Junichi
Published: November 2006

The dye sensitization in photography is achieved by thin layers of
J‐aggregated dyes on silver halide grains. Studies by Yoshihara et al. with picosecond
and femtosecond spectroscopies have indicated that the migration of excitons in the dye
layers plays important roles in their charge separation to inject electrons
into the grains. Studies by Seki et al. with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy have
revealed that the electronic structure of the interface between dye layers and a
substrate is characterized by the fact that the vacuum level of the
former is lowered with respect to that of the latter by the electric double layer formed at the interface, and that this characteristic structure is generally valid for the interfaces between organic layers and substrates. Hanna et al. have confirmed the formation of such an electronic double layer at the interfaces between a
liquid crystalline organic semiconductor and electrodes by analyzing the current voltage characteristics.
Current Strategies and New Approaches in the Treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Fuchs Michael , Diehl Volker , Re Daniel
Published: November 2006

As a result of continuous improvement in therapeutic options and their verification by large multicenter trials, Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) has become one of the best curable cancers in adults. Nowadays, about 80–90% of patients in all stages achieve long-term survival. Nevertheless, these good results are threatened by treatment-associated toxicities such as infertility, cardiopulmonary toxicity and secondary malignancies. It is therefore the aim of future trial generations both to maintain excellent treatment results and to minimize late effects. At early stages, ongoing trials ask how many cycles of ABVD-like chemotherapy are necessary and if radiation doses might be further reduced or even omitted in favorable early-stage disease. In advanced stages, new combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs with higher dose densities are tested with or without the application of consolidating radiotherapy. The treatment of patients with relapsed HL depends on previous therapies with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation. For patients with multiple relapses, experimental treatment strategies include antibody- and small-molecule-based regimens. In this review we present current treatment strategies for patients with a first diagnosis of HL and relapsed HL as well as recent experimental therapeutic approaches.
The M694V Variant of the Familial Mediterranean Fever Gene Is Associated with Sporadic Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in an Italian Population Sample
Authors: Arra Mariarosa , Emanuele Enzo , Martinelli Valentina , Minoretti Piercarlo , Bertona Marco , Geroldi Diego
Published: November 2006

Background: Inflammation is deemed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We sought to determine whether the proinflammatory M694V mutation of pyrin, the gene responsible for familial Mediterranean fever, could lead to an increased risk for AD. Methods: We compared the M694V variant genotypes in 378 sporadic AD patients and 384 healthy control subjects of Italian descent. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the M694V mutation was found to be associated with an increased risk for AD in subjects with an age at onset of 65 years or younger (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, OR: 3.01, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.24–6.72, p = 0.021), but not in patients with an age at onset older than 65 years (multivariate-adjusted OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.34–1.99, p = 0.847). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that AD patients bearing the M694V mutation presented with disease onset 7 years earlier than carriers of the wild-type genotype (log rank = 41.61, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data indicate that the M694V sequence variant in the pyrin gene might influence the age at onset of AD in the Italian population.
Using Climate Forecasts for Drought Management
Authors: Steinemann Anne C.
Published: November 2006

Drought hazards, and the ability to mitigate them with advance warning, offer potentially valuable applications of climate forecast products. Yet the value is often untapped, owing to the gap between climate science and societal decisions. This study bridged that gap; it determined forecast needs among water managers, translated forecasts to meet those needs, and shaped drought decision making to take advantage of forecasts. NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) seasonal precipitation outlooks were converted into a forecast precipitation index (FPI) tailored for water managers in the southeastern United States. The FPI expresses forecasts as a departure from the climatological normal and is consistent with other drought indicators. Evaluations of CPC seasonal forecasts issued during 1995–2000 demonstrated positive skill for drought seasons in the Southeast. In addition, using evaluation criteria of water managers, 88% of forecasts for drought seasons would have appropriately prompted drought responses. Encouraged by these evaluations, and the understandability of the FPI, state water managers started using the forecasts in 2001 for deciding whether to pay farmers to suspend irrigation. Economic benefits of this forecast information were estimated at $100–$350 million in a state-declared drought year (2001, 2002) and $5–$30 million in the other years (2003, 2004). This study provides four main contributions: 1) an investigation of the needs and potential benefits of seasonal forecast information for water management, 2) a method for translating the CPC forecasts into a format needed by water managers, 3) the integration of forecast information into agency decision making, and 4) the economic valuation of that forecast information.
The Modified Palmer Drought Severity Index Based on the NCEP North American Regional Reanalysis
Authors: Mo Kingtse C. , Chelliah Muthuvel
Published: November 2006

A 32-km high-resolution modified Palmer drought severity index (MPDSI) based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) North American Regional Reanalysis (RR) from 1979 to 2004 is presented. The assumptions of Palmer, such as the water balance equation, the difference between observed precipitation and the climatologically expected precipitation over the maximum conditions, and the changes of the index as a function of the current index, are preserved. Many deficiencies of the original PDSI are eliminated by taking fields directly from the RR or by making better estimates. For example, fields such as potential evapotranspiration, evaporation, runoff, total soil moisture, and soil moisture change in a given month are obtained directly from the RR. The potential recharge is defined as the total soil moisture needed to reach the maximum total soil moisture at each grid point for each calendar month. The potential precipitation is defined as the maximum precipitation at each grid point for a given calendar month. The underground volumetric soil moisture includes both frozen and liquid form. Therefore, the contribution of snowmelt is taken into account inexplicitly. The questionable assumptions of two-layer soil model and the available soil moisture capacity are no longer needed. Overall, the MPDSI, when averaged over a large area and long time, often resembles the traditional PDSI based on the Palmer formula and the climate-division data. The MPDSI obeys Gaussian distribution, and so it can also be used to assess the potential for floods. Together with a consistent suite of soil moisture, surface energy, and atmospheric terms from the RR, the MPDSI can be used to monitor and diagnose drought and floods.
The Successive-Order-of-Interaction Radiative Transfer Model. Part II: Model Performance and Applications
Authors: O’Dell Christopher W. , Heidinger Andrew K. , Greenwald Thomas , Bauer Peter , Bennartz Ralf
Published: November 2006

Radiative transfer models for scattering atmospheres that are accurate yet computationally efficient are required for many applications, such as data assimilation in numerical weather prediction. The successive-order-of-interaction (SOI) model is shown to satisfy these demands under a wide range of conditions. In particular, the model has an accuracy typically much better than 1 K for most microwave and submillimeter cases in precipitating atmospheres. Its speed is found to be comparable to or faster than the commonly used though less accurate Eddington model. An adjoint has been written for the model, and so Jacobian sensitivities can be quickly calculated. In addition to a conventional error assessment, the correlation between errors in different microwave channels is also characterized. These factors combine to make the SOI model an appealing candidate for many demanding applications, including data assimilation and optimal estimation, from microwave to thermal infrared wavelengths.
Comparisons of Transport and Dispersion Model Predictions of the Mock Urban Setting Test Field Experiment
Authors: Warner Steve , Platt Nathan , Heagy James F. , Jordan Jason E. , Bieberbach George
Published: November 2006

The potential effects of a terrorist attack involving the atmospheric release of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or other hazardous materials continue to be of concern to the United States. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency has developed a Hazard Prediction Assessment Capability (HPAC) that includes initial features to address hazardous releases within an urban environment. Improved characterization and understanding of urban transport and dispersion are required to allow for more robust modeling. In 2001, a scaled urban setting was created in the desert of Utah using shipping containers, and tracer gases were released. This atmospheric tracer and meteorological study is known as the Mock Urban Setting Test (MUST). This paper describes the creation of sets of HPAC predictions and comparisons with the MUST field experiment. Strong consistency between the conclusions of this study and a previously reported HPAC evaluation that relied on urban tracer observations within the downtown area of Salt Lake City was found. For example, in both cases, improved predictions were associated with the inclusion of a simple empirically based urban dispersion model within HPAC, whereas improvements associated with the inclusion of a more computationally intensive wind field module were not found. The use of meteorological observations closest to the array and well above the obstacle array—the sonic anemometer measurements 16 m above ground level—resulted in predictions with the best fit to the observed tracer concentrations. The authors speculate that including meteorological observations or vertical wind profiles above or upwind of an urban region might be a sufficient input to create reasonable HPAC hazard-area predictions.
Identities and Preferences in Corporate Political Strategizing
Authors: Wilts Arnold
Published: November 2006

This conceptual article draws on structuration theory and social identity theory to isolate firm-internal institutionalization processes as antecedents and drivers of corporate political strategizing. Path dependencies in corporate routines and actors' knowledgeability about these path dependencies are singled out as primary factors structuring strategic decision making within the firm. The concepts of path dependency and knowledgeability, respectively, refer to the institutional and cognitive dimension of corporate political strategizing. These two dimensions come together in actors' identities. Identities on their turn shape managers' recognition of policy issues and the interpretation of issue salience relative to corporate interests. Thus, the article argues that institutional features of competitive environments precipitate in processes of identity building and preference formation and are reproduced through organizational routines and practices within the firm.
Measuring Attentional Ability in Older Adults
Authors: Hoffman Lesa , Yang Xiangdong , Bovaird James A. , Embretson Susan E.
Published: November 2006

Although deficits in visual attention are often postulated as an important component of many declines in cognitive processing and functional outcomes in older adults, surprisingly little emphasis has been placed on evaluating psychometric instruments with which individual differences in visual attention ability can be assessed. This article reports the development and beginning psychometric evaluation of DriverScan, a change detection measure of attentional search for older adults. A constrained graded response model is used to approximate response speed and accuracy with categories of immediate, delayed, or no response. DriverScan items are shown to have excellent reliability over the studied sample, and the distribution of items is shown to adequately cover the difficulty continuum and to be maximally sensitive at distinguishing individuals with lower than average abilities (i.e., individuals with attention deficits). Item design features representing goaldirected and stimulus-driven attentional processing significantly predict item difficulty as hypothesized.
Measuring General Self-Efficacy
Authors: Scherbaum Charles A. , Cohen-Charash Yochi , Kern Michael J.
Published: November 2006

General self-efficacy (GSE), individuals'belief in their ability to perform well in a variety of situations, has been the subject of increasing research attention. However, the psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) associated with the scores on GSE measures have been criticized, which has hindered efforts to further establish the construct of GSE. This study examines the reliability of responses to the items, as well as the item parameters of three GSE measures using item response theory. Contrary to the criticisms, the responses to the items on all three measures of GSE demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties, especially at lower levels of GSE. The results indicate that the New General Self-Efficacy Scale has a slight advantage over the other measures examined in this study in terms of the item discrimination, item information, and relative efficiency of the test information function. Implications for GSE research are discussed.
Guardians of the State’s Problem Children
Authors: Inderbitzin Michelle
Published: November 2006

Cottage staff members in a juvenile training school play a crucial role in the state’s attempts to rehabilitate or resocialize adolescent offenders. As the predominant adult influences in the lives of juvenile inmates during their incarceration, cottage staff members set the tone and help to define the institutional experience for the youth assigned to the living unit. In this ethnographic study of one cottage of violent offenders, the author examines and discusses the crucial role of cottage staff members who, in many ways, embody the spirit of parens patriae and serve as their adolescent inmates’ guardians, keepers, counselors, and role models.
Strategic Human Resources Management: Where Do We Go From Here?
Authors: Becker Brian E. , Huselid Mark A.
Published: November 2006

The authors identify the key challenges facing strategic human resource management (SHRM) going forward and discuss several new directions in both the scholarship and practice of SHRM. They focus on a clearer articulation of the “black box” between HR and firm performance, emphasizing the integration of strategy implementation as the central mediating variable in this relationship. There are direct implications for the nature of fit and contingencies in SHRM. They also highlight the significance of a differentiated HR architecture not just across firms but also within firms.
Stealing Cultural Studies: Dialogues With Norman K. Denzin
Authors: King C. Richard
Published: November 2006

This article stages two (or more) dialogues with Norman K. Denzin. It is at once an interview encouraging Denzin to reflect on his work and its contribution and an effort to use the methods pioneered by Denzin to bring his reflections into conversation with others in critical studies of sport and society. Throughout, an effort is made to think through the (dis)articulations of cultural studies and sport studies.
Cardiovascular risk scores and the presence of subclinical coronary artery atherosclerosis in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Chung C P , Oeser A , Avalos I , Raggi P , Stein C M
Published: November 2006

The Framingham risk score is widely used to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk, and women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a marked increased prevalence of cardiovascular events. Thus, we examined the hypothesis that cardiovascular risk scores would identify women with SLE who had asymptomatic coronary atherosclerosis. Ninety-three women with SLE and 65 control subjects were studied. The Framingham score and a score for younger populations developed from the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) study were compared in both groups. Coronary atherosclerosis was ascertained by electron beam computed tomography. There were no significant differences in the median (interquartile range) Framingham [5 (2-10) compared to 7 (0-10), P = 0.88] and PDAY [15 (14-18) compared to 16 (13-18), P = 0.99] scores in patients with SLE and controls, respectively. Coronary atherosclerosis was associated with higher Framingham [12 (3-15) compared to 4 (1-8), P = 0.008] and PDAY [17 (15-19 compared to 15 (12-18), P = 0.03)] scores in patients with SLE; however, 99% of patients were classified as low-risk with a 10-year predicted risk of 1% (<1-3%). Our data indicate that cardiovascular risk scores are not adequate for risk stratification in women with SLE. Measurement of coronary calcification may add information to identify asymptomatic women with lupus who might benefit from aggressive preventive measures.
Effects of temperament, symptom severity and level of functioning on maternal stress in Greek children and youth with ASD
Authors: Konstantareas M. Mary , Papageorgiou Vaya
Published: November 2006

This study examined the effect of child temperament, symptom severity, verbal ability and level of functioning on maternal stress in 43 Greek mothers of children and young people with autism spectrum disorder. Symptom severity was assessed by the CARS, level of functioning by the PEP, temperament by the Dimensions of Temperament Scale (DOTS-R) and maternal stress by the Clarke Modification of Holroyd’s Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS). Lower-functioning children and those with high activity level, low flexibility and low mood scores were perceived to be more stressful. Counter to expectation, children with ASD who were rated high on rhythmicity and task orientation were perceived as more stressful. Best predictors of maternal stress were high activity level, low mood and high symptom severity. Mothers of non-verbal children were more stressed than those of verbal. The relevance of child temperament for understanding maternal stress is discussed with particular relevance to the Greek culture and available supports.
Parents’ experience of having a child with autism and learning disabilities living in a group home
Authors: Benderix Ylva , Nordström Berit , Sivberg Bengt
Published: November 2006

Some children with autism and learning disabilities also have aberrant behaviours that are difficult to regulate and stressful for both the child and family members. This case study concerns experiences of 10 parents from five families before and 2 years after entrusting their 10- to 11-year-old child with autism to a group home. Hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of narrative interviews with the parents before the child’s moving showed them experiencing grief and sorrow, total exhaustion because of inability to regulate their child’s behaviours, social isolation, and negative effects on the child’s siblings, but experiencing themselves as more sympathetic than previously towards other people with problems. Two years later they experienced relief for the family due to the group home arrangement and the child’s improvement, but with an ethical dilemma which made them feel guilty, despite increased hope for the future. Some also felt unhappy with the staff situation at the group home.
Thieno[3,4-d]imidazolium-containing Molecular Wire: Switching Behavior of Photoinduced Intramolecular Electron Transfer
Authors: Ie Yutaka , Kawabata Tetsuro , Kaneda Takahiro , Aso Yoshio
Published: November 2006

Zinc–porphyrin–oligothiophene–fullerene triad, where diethynylthieno[3,4-d]imidazolium is incorporated as a central unit of oligothiophene, has been synthesized. A dramatic enhancement of fluorescence from the zinc–porphyrin unit was observed on displacing counter anion from I− to F− in the imidazolium salt, indicating that photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer is controllable by the electronic perturbation to this unit.
Lower Temperature Dehydrogenation of Methylcyclohexane by Membrane-assisted Equilibrium Shift
Authors: Gora Artur , Tanaka David A Pacheco , Mizukami Fujio , Suzuki Toshishige M
Published: November 2006

Selective removal of hydrogen by the palladium membrane of novel configuration shifts the equilibrium in the dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane allowing a continuous operation at below the critical temperature of palladium α–β phase transition.
Standardizing the Psychological Autopsy: Addressing the Daubert Standard
Authors: Snider Jenifer E. , Hane Steve , Berman Alan L.
Published: November 2006

The psychological autopsy, as a research, clinical, and forensic tool, has gained widespread usage in suicidology over the last half century. In forensic settings, the lack of standardization and problems determining the procedure's validity and reliability pose significant issues for the procedure's admissibility under the Daubert standard of evidence. The Daubert standard requires that evidence must be founded on scientific knowledge and established five guidelines for judicial decisions regarding the admissibility of expert testimony. In this paper we examine expert opinion regarding the psychological autopsy and recommend a standardized protocol or template regarding areas and lines of inquiry for a psychological autopsy used in legal cases.
Youth Suicide Risk Factors and Attitudes in New York and Vienna: A Cross‐Cultural Comparison
Authors: Dervic Kanita , Gould Madelyn S. , Lenz Gerhard , Kleinman Marjorie , Akkaya‐Kalayci Tuerkan , Velting Drew , Sonneck Gernot , Friedrich Max H.
Published: November 2006

The prevalence of suicide risk factors and attitudes about suicide and help‐seeking among New York and Viennese adolescents were compared in order to explore possible cross‐cultural differences. Viennese adolescents exhibited higher rates of depressive symptomatology than their New York counterparts and had more first‐hand experience with suicidal peers. More attribution of suicide to mental illness was reported in Vienna; yet Viennese youth were less likely than New York adolescents to recognize the seriousness of suicide threats. Help‐seeking patterns of Viennese adolescents were influenced by their setting a high value on confidentiality. These cross‐cultural differences may reflect the limited exposure of Austrian youth to school‐based suicide prevention programs. The findings highlight the need of taking the sociocultural context into consideration in the planning of youth suicide prevention strategies.
Effects of Live-Well Conditions on Mortality and Largemouth Bass Virus Prevalence in Largemouth Bass Caught during Summer Tournaments
Authors: Schramm Harold L. , Walters Aaron R. , Grizzle John M. , Beck Benjamin H. , Hanson Larry A. , Rees Steven B.
Published: November 2006

We evaluated the effect of improved live-well conditions and the interaction of tournament stress and largemouth bass virus (LMBV) on tournament-associated mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides caught during 12 summer tournaments. Improvements in live-well conditions (reduction in water temperature by 2–5°C; addition of NaCl; continuous aeration) significantly reduced initial mortality of largemouth bass from 7% to 3% (F1,11 = 10.29, P < 0.01). However, postrelease mortality of fish held for 5 d in net-pens or raceways was not reduced by the improved live-well conditions and averaged 76% for all tournament fish (F1,11 = 0.09, P = 0.77). The percentage of angler-caught fish infected with LMBV at the end of tournaments (14%) was significantly higher (P = 0.05) than the percentage infected in the general population (7%). The percentage of LMBV-infected fish increased during the post-tournament retention period to 64% for fish from live wells with improved conditions and 70% for fish from control live wells. Reference fish collected by electrofishing and held with tournament fish for 5 d also had high mortality (59%) and LMBV prevalence (47%), but these variables were significantly lower than those for tournament fish (mortality: F2,30 = 3.63, P = 0.04; prevalence [Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test]: P < 0.01). Many of the fish also had bacterial diseases during the post-tournament period, so the effect of LMBV on postrelease mortality could not be determined. However, the higher postrelease mortality of tournament and reference fish in our study relative to that observed in previous tournaments on lakes presumed free of LMBV suggests that this newly discovered pathogen influences measurement of post-tournament mortality. Increases in LMBV prevalence after typical fishing tournaments without prolonged post-tournament fish confinement will probably be lower than those we observed, but further research on the effects of LMBV on fish released from tournaments is warranted.