bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Civilizing Force of Social Movements: Corporate and Liberal Codes in Brazil's Public Sphere
Authors: Baiocchi Gianpaolo
Published: November 2006

Analysts of political culture within the “civil religion” tradition have generally assumed that discourse in civil society is structured by a single set of enduring codes based on liberal traditions that actors draw upon to resolve crises. Based on two case studies of national crises and debate in Brazil during its transition to democracy, I challenge this assumption by demonstrating that not only do actors draw upon two distinct but interrelated codes, they actively seek to impose one or another as dominant. In Brazil this is manifest in actors who defend elements from the code of liberty and its valuation of the freestanding citizen, and those who defend the corporate code and its valuation of the collectivity over the individual. In an earlier debate on crime the corporate code was dominant, but in a later debate surrounding presidential improprieties, the liberal code became dominant. This analysis makes two contributions to the literature: it highlights the importance of nonindividualist cultural codes, such as the corporate code, in animating discourse in the public sphere in democratizing societies, raising attention to the importance of the symbolic contestation between actors seeking to establish one or another code during political transitions. Second, it offers a subtle commentary on the literature on democratization: changes in collective representations in the public sphere may not proceed apace of institutional changes and may be contingent on the kinds of crisis events and actors willing to contest previously dominant codes.
Domestic Distortions and the Early Emergence of the International Trade in Fire Insurance from the UK
Authors: Westall Oliver M.
Published: November 2006

In the second half of the nineteenth century, British fire insurance exports grew rapidly to more than half of the revenue accepted by British fire insurance companies. It has been suggested by some, including Michael Porter, that this expansion was based on a comparative advantage created in large part by a highly competitive domestic insurance market. Yet the existence of strong and sophisticated cartels in the British insurance market is well known. The paper argues that in fact the chief motive for the drive to develop business abroad came from the existence of the cartel, whose increasing power prompted the creation of a number of new well‐supported companies. The circumstances of the insurance business forced them to develop a large and diversified business and this required them to join the cartel. This membership deprived them of the price weapon to develop their business in the domestic market. They were thus forced to develop innovative strategies to grow. One of these was to deploy innovative marketing policies at home. The other was to expand abroad. By contrast, most of the older companies that had created the cartel developed foreign business later and on a far smaller scale.
Genes mediate the association between P3 amplitude and externalizing disorders
Authors: Hicks Brian M. , Bernat Edward , Malone Steven M. , Iacono William G. , Patrick Christopher J. , Krueger Robert F. , McGue Matt
Published: November 2006

Reduced P3 amplitude has been consistently linked to a spectrum of externalizing disorders. Utilizing data from a large sample of adolescent male twins (N=1196), we used biometric modeling to assess the genetic and environmental contributions to the association between reduced P3 amplitude and a general vulnerability to externalizing disorders. Externalizing vulnerability was indexed by a composite of symptoms of conduct disorder, adult antisocial behavior, and alcohol, nicotine, and drug dependence. The sample included two independent age cohorts, providing an internal replication of the findings. For the best‐fitting model, genetic influences alone accounted for the association between P3 amplitude and externalizing disorders, with an estimated genetic correlation of rg=−.22. Results replicated across the two age cohorts and demonstrate that reduced P3 amplitude is a marker of the biological vulnerability to externalizing disorders.
Nicotine partially protects against paraquat‐induced nigrostriatal damage in mice; link to α6β2* nAChRs
Authors: Khwaja Mirium , McCormack Alison , McIntosh J. Michael , Di Monte Donato A. , Quik Maryka
Published: November 2006

Epidemiological studies indicate that smoking is a negative, and exposure to pesticides, a positive risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to assess the interplay between these two factors in a rodent model of nigrostriatal damage. To approach this, mice were administered nicotine, the agent in smoke implicated in neuroprotection. They were then treated for 3 weeks with the pesticide, paraquat, while nicotine was continued. Paraquat treatment decreased (25%) nigral dopaminergic neurons, consistent with previous results. Chronic nicotine administration significantly protected against nigral cell damage, with only a 16% decline in mice treated with both nicotine and paraquat. Paraquat treatment also decreased (14%) the striatal dopamine transporter, an effect that was partially prevented by nicotine. These changes in the striatal dopamine transporter paralleled those in a select striatal α6β2* nicotinic receptor (nAChR) subtype. In contrast, striatal α4β2* nAChRs were not decreased with paraquat treatment, suggesting they are on a differential subset of dopaminergic terminals. The results show that nicotine treatment partially protects against paraquat‐induced declines in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons to which a select population of α6β2* nAChRs are localized. Moreover, these data support epidemiological findings that environmental influences can elicit opposing effects on nigrostriatal dopaminergic integrity.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from the golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta Hoyle (Cephalopoda)
Authors: ZHENG XIAODONG , IKEDA MINORU , BARINOVA ANNA , TANIGUCHI NOBUHIKO
Published: November 2006

The first microsatellite markers were isolated from the golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta Hoyle. Eleven primer sets were designed to amplify the marker sequences via polymerase chain reaction. The 45–50 individuals from one wild population in the coastal waters of Ehime Prefecture, Japan were used to screen polymorphism in the 11 microsatellite loci. All the microsatellite loci were polymorphic, with the range of alleles from seven to 27 per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.380 to 0.980 and from 0.654 to 0.940, respectively. These marker loci except for one locus showing significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium will be useful for the assessment of genetic variation and population structure of this species.
Isolation, characterization and cross‐species amplification of microsatellite loci in the cycad genus Dioon (Zamiaceae). Potential utilization in population genetics studies of Dioon edule
Authors: MOYNIHAN JEREMY , MEEROW ALAN W. , FRANCISCO‐ORTEGA JAVIER
Published: November 2006

Dioon edule (Zamiaceae) is an endemic Mexican cycad. Nineteen microsatellite loci were isolated from three enriched genomic libraries of D. edule var. angustifolium, D. tomasellii, and D. caputoi. Seven of these loci showed polymorphisms in D. edule. Levels of polymorphism were assessed using 16 individuals from each of seven populations throughout the range of this species. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to five and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.0 to 0.9821 and from 0.0088 to 0.6318, respectively. All loci show significant linkage disequilibrium. Three loci depart significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.
Characterization of microsatellite markers in the interspecific hybrid Phytophthora alni ssp. alni, and cross‐amplification with related taxa
Authors: IOOS RENAUD , BARRÈS BENOÎT , ANDRIEUX AXELLE , FREY PASCAL
Published: November 2006

Phytophthora alni ssp. alni is an interspecific hybrid oomycete causing a large‐scale decay of alders throughout Europe. In this study we developed a set of 10 microsatellite markers that shows promise for population studies and for studying hybridization events between the parental species of the hybrid. Moreover, the genotype and the ploidy of the different subspecies of P. alni might be inferred from the quantitative ratio of amplified genome‐specific alleles. Nine primer pairs cross amplified with the related species Phytophthora cambivora and Phytophthora fragariae and yielded distinct alleles.
Characterization of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon(Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), and their amplification in related species
Authors: ZAKHAROV EVGUENI V. , HELLMANN JESSICA J.
Published: November 2006

Fifteen polymorphic dinucleotide and two trinucleotide microsatellite loci were identified in the Anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, from DNA genomic libraries enriched for simple sequence repeats. Allele numbers varied from eight to 29, with an excess of homozygotes observed for nine loci. This homozygosity is a feature of other lepidopteran microsatellites and is probably due to null alleles. Sixteen markers were amplified successfully in other representatives ofPapiliowith 11 loci retaining polymorphism in at least one species. These results suggest that the microsatellites reported here may be appropriate for measuring population genetic structure in a number ofPapiliospecies.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the caddisfly Drusus discolor (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)
Authors: PAULS STEFFEN U. , FELDHEIM KEVIN A. , HAASE PETER
Published: November 2006

We describe the development of and amplification conditions for microsatellite primers isolated from the caddisfly Drusus discolor. Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and screened for variability using 37 individuals from two populations from central Europe. The primers yielded an average of 8.6 alleles per loci. No linkage disequilibrium between loci was detected, while three loci showed deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in one of the two tested populations.
Characterization of 12 microsatellite primer pairs for the African grey parrot,Psittacus erithacusand their conservation across the Psittaciformes
Authors: TAYLOR TIAWANNA D. , PARKIN DAVID T.
Published: November 2006

This study describes 12 microsatellite loci identified in the African grey parrotPsittacus erithacus. Eleven were polymorphic, with observed heterozygosities 42–94% (average 68) and exclusion powers ofPE1 = 0.996 andPE2 = 0.999. Microsatellites have previously been developed for a number of other parrots but showed limited cross‐species polymorphism. Here high levels of cross‐species amplification were observed: 71% of 32 Psittacines (22 genera). At least seven loci, 58%, were polymorphic in other African parrots as well as Neotropical and Australasian parrots, which diverged from the African parrots c30.6 and over 41.4 million years ago, respectively.
salmonnb: a program for computing cohort‐specific effective population sizes (Nb) in Pacific salmon and other semelparous species using the temporal method
Authors: WAPLES ROBIN S. , MASUDA MICHELE , PELLA JEROME
Published: November 2006

We describe a new method and a computer program salmonnb to calculate the effective number of breeders (Nb) per year in semelparous species with variable age at maturity. The existing temporal method for the ‘salmon’ life history produces an estimate of the harmonic mean Nb in the two sampled years. salmonnb reads genotypic data in standard formats and computes yearly Nb values by combining information from pairwise comparisons of samples taken in 3 or more years. Simulations show that the new method produces unbiased estimates of yearly Nb, and precision is inversely proportional to true effective size.
Eight PCR primers to amplify EST‐linked microsatellites in the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica genome
Authors: CARLSSON JENS , REECE KIMBERLY S.
Published: November 2006

Twenty‐four microsatellite repeat sequences were identified by screening a total of 4446 eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, expressed sequence tags. Polymerase chain reaction primers were designed to amplify 12 of these loci. After optimizing reaction parameters, eight loci showed high variability with consistent amplification that could be scored unambiguously. Ninety two C. virginica from the James River, VA, were genotyped at these loci. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 11 to 53, expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.69 to 0.97, and from 0.30 to 0.99, respectively. Discrepancies between expected and observed heterozygosities were common and likely caused by null alleles.
Microsatellite‐enriched genomic libraries as a source of polymorphic loci for Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: RODRIGUES N. B. , SILVA M. R. , PUCCI M. M. , MINCHELLA D. J. , SORENSEN R. , LOVERDE P. T. , ROMANHA A. J. , OLIVEIRA G.
Published: November 2006

Microsatellite markers for Schistosoma mansoni were developed using four genomic microsatellite‐enriched libraries. Microsatellites were observed in 65.4% of all sequences. Primer pairs were designed and tested for 23 loci. Eighteen loci produced amplification products, out of which 11 were polymorphic and were further characterized on 100 individuals of S. mansoni. Two to 19 alleles per locus were detected. The average values of expected and observed heterozygosities among the 11 loci were 0.79 and 0.59, respectively.
Microsatellite loci for distinguishing spotted owls (Strix occidentalis), barred owls (Strix varia), and their hybrids
Authors: FUNK W. CHRIS , MULLINS THOMAS D. , FORSMAN ERIC D. , HAIG SUSAN M.
Published: November 2006

We identified four diagnostic microsatellite loci that distinguish spotted owls (Strix occidentalis), barred owls (Strix varia), F1 hybrids and backcrosses. Thirty‐four out of 52 loci tested (65.4%) successfully amplified, and four of these loci (11.8%) had allele sizes that did not overlap between spotted and barred owls. The probability of correctly identifying a backcross with these four loci is 0.875. Genotyping potential hybrid owls with these markers revealed that field identifications were often wrong. Given the difficulty of identifying hybrids in the field, these markers will be useful for hybrid identification, law enforcement and spotted owl conservation.
A set of EST‐SSRs isolated from peach fruit transcriptome and their transportability across Prunus species
Authors: VENDRAMIN E. , DETTORI M. T. , GIOVINAZZI J. , MICALI S. , QUARTA R. , VERDE I.
Published: November 2006

Twenty‐one expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat (EST–SSR) markers were developed in peach from a mesocarp cDNA library. Eighteen of them gave successful amplification in 22 peach genotypes and produced one to three alleles each with an average of 1.8 alleles per locus. The average value of expected and observed heterozygosities was 0.24 and 0.20, respectively. All the primers gave successful amplification in other six Prunus species (almond, apricot, sweet cherry, Japanese plum, European plum and Prunus ferganensis).
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers from fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis Poir. (Asteraceae)
Authors: LE ROUX JOHANNES J. , WIECZOREK ANIA M.
Published: November 2006

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from invasive fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) populations in the Hawaiian archipelago. These loci provided markers with polymorphism of six to 24 alleles per locus within 96 individuals collected from two populations from the island of Maui. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.31 to 0.91 and from 0.056 to 1. These markers should be useful to study the importance of genetic diversity in invasion success of this species.
Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci characterized in the house sparrow Passer domesticus (Passeridae, Aves)
Authors: GRIFFITH SIMON C. , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , JENSEN HENRIK , OCKENDON NANCY , GREIG CAROLYN , NEUMANN KARSTEN , BURKE TERRY
Published: November 2006

We characterized 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the house sparrow Passer domesticus. Four loci were isolated from house sparrow genomic libraries and 10 loci were identified by testing 100 loci that had been originally isolated in other passerine species. Loci were characterized in 37–54 unrelated sparrows from British and Norwegian populations. Each locus displayed between two and 31 alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.30 and 0.91.
FRESHWATER ALGAE FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC CUYANA BASIN OF ARGENTINA: PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Authors: ZAVATTIERI ANA M. , PRÁMPARO MERCEDES B.
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Diverse freshwater aquatic palynomorphs are present among rich terrestrial palynofloras from the upper part of the Potrerillos and Cacheuta formations outcropping in the Cuyana Basin at the southern extremity of the Precordillera of Argentina. The Potrerillos/Cacheuta sequence includes fluvial, deltaic and lacustrine facies deposited in the early Late Triassic fault‐bounded syn‐rift Cacheuta hemigraben. The phytoplankton described and illustrated consist of representatives of colonial chlorococcalean algae belonging to the Hydrodictyaceae (Plaesiodictyon) and Botryococcaceae (Botryococcus), a diverse group of Zygnemataceae zygospores, a freshwater dinoflagellate cyst (Bosedinia) and acritarchs (sphaeromorphs). Zygnematacean zygospores are represented by species of Gelasinicysta?, Lecaniella, Mougeotia, Ovoidites, Peltacystia and Schizocystia. Of these, Gelasinicysta? cuyanensis sp. nov. is newly described. Quantitative analysis of the palynofloras permits interpretation of changes in the local vegetation and phytoplankton communities controlled by changes in environmental setting. Two algal associations are recognized as belonging to different stages in the evolution of the basin. Diverse zygnematacean assemblages along with hydrodictyacean, botryococcacean and leiosphere/sphaeromorph algae are common in fluvial–deltaic environments of the upper part of the Potrerillos Formation and the lowermost part of the Cacheuta Formation. Higher in the sections (in the Cacheuta Formation) Botryococcus dominates, in association with amorphous kerogen, representing deposition in a relatively deep, quiet‐water, lacustrine environment where anoxic conditions prevailed. In the Cacheuta hemigraben the lacustrine shales have average TOC values of 4 per cent (locally reaching 20 per cent), with some terrigenous components (Type II/III kerogen), but dominant amorphous, algal‐like, organic matter (Type I/II kerogen). Oils derived from these source rocks are predominantly waxy.
Prophylactic COX 2 Inhibitor: An End to the Yom Kippur Headache
Authors: Drescher Michael J. , Elstein Yonatan
Published: November 2006

Introduction.—Religious fasting is associated with headache. This has been documented as “Yom Kippur Headache” and “First of Ramadan Headache.”

The Cox2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, has been reported effective in preventing perimenstrual migraine and in preventing recurrence of migraine. Given its 17 hour half‐life, we undertook this study to see whether 50 mg rofecoxib taken just prior to the 25 hour Yom Kippur fast would be effective in preventing headache.

Methods.—We performed a double‐blind randomized prospective trial of rofecoxib 50 mg versus placebo, taken just prior to the onset of fasting, Yom Kippur 2004. Healthy adults aged 18 to 65 were enrolled from the community and from hospital staff. Subjects completed a demographic data form and questions regarding headache history and a post‐fast survey on headache during the fast, headache intensity, general ease of fasting, and side effects.

Results.—We sent out 170 forms of which 105 were completed and returned. Of those subjects receiving rofecoxib (n = 53), 10 or 18.9% versus 34 or 65.4% of the placebo group (n = 52) had headache at some point during the fast (P < .0001). Severity of headache in the treatment group was significantly less for the treatment group (3.45 vs 6.29 on a visual analog scale of 10 (P= .009)). None of those receiving rofecoxib reported a “more difficult than usual fast” whereas the distribution of difficult to easy fast among the placebo group was more even.

Conclusion.—Rofecoxib 50 mg taken prior to a 25‐hour ritual fast prevents and attenuates fasting headache.
Topiramate for Migraine Prevention in Adolescents: A Pooled Analysis of Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Winner Paul , Gendolla Astrid , Stayer Catherine , Wang Steven , Yuen Eric , Battisti Wendy P. , Nye Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2006

Objective.—To characterize the efficacy and safety of topiramate for migraine prevention in adolescents from 3 randomized, 26‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials.

Background.—Limited information is available regarding the efficacy and safety of prophylactic medications for treatment of adolescent migraine, a significant health problem. In studies that included adults and children, topiramate 100 and 200 mg/day were effective and generally well‐tolerated in the prevention of migraine headache.

Methods.—We performed a post hoc subset analysis of the efficacy and safety data from the 51 patients, ages 12–17 years, enrolled in 3 pivotal trials of topiramate for migraine prophylaxis.

Results.—Daily treatment with topiramate 50, 100, and 200 mg for 26 weeks reduced monthly migraine frequency from baseline 46% (P= .07), 63% (P= .02), and 65% (P= .04), respectively, compared with placebo (16%). Similarly, topiramate reduced both the monthly mean number of migraine days (1, 4, and 5 days for topiramate 50, 100, and 200 mg/day, respectively, vs 1 day for placebo) and percentage of days during which acute migraine medications were administered (59%, 54%, and 67% for topiramate 50, 100, and 200 mg/day, respectively, vs 42% for placebo), although the treatment differences did not reach nominal statistical significance. Topiramate 200 mg/day did not appear to offer greater efficacy than 100 mg/day. Treatment was generally well‐tolerated, although adverse events were most frequent in the 200 mg/day dose group.

Conclusions.—This post hoc subset analysis suggests that topiramate 100 and 200 mg/day, and possibly 50 mg/day, administered prophylactically for 26 weeks may reduce migraine in adolescents.
Circadian and Seasonal Variation of Migraine Attacks in Children
Authors: Soriani Stefano , Fiumana Elisa , Manfredini Roberto , Boari Benedetta , Battistella Pier Antonio , Canetta Elisabetta , Pedretti Stefania , Borgna‐Pignatti Caterina
Published: November 2006

Object.—To investigate the rhythmicity of migraine episodes without aura in a pediatric population.

Methods.—Time of occurrence of 2517 migraine attacks in 115 children was recorded, by means of a diary, both by hourly and monthly intervals.

Results.—A significant circadian variation, characterized by a peak in the afternoon (P < .001) and one in the early morning (P= .002) was found. A seasonal peak was also observed between November and January, while a nadir was observed in July.

Conclusions.—The clustering of attacks in the morning and midday and in autumn‐winter, with a minimum frequency in July, suggests that school activities may represent an important cause of migraine.
Adult‐Onset Ophthalmoplegic Migraine with Recurrent Sixth Nerve Palsy: A Case Report
Authors: Mucchiut Marco , Valentinis Luca , Provenzano Antonio , Cutuli Daniela , Bergonzi Paolo
Published: November 2006

We describe a patient with ophthalmoplegic migraine and left sixth nerve palsy, in whom disease's onset occurred at middle age.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in childhood: serologic features in 100 cases
Authors: Vaglio Stefania , Arista Maria Cristina , Perrone Maria Paola , Tomei Gabriella , Testi Anna Maria , Coluzzi Serelina , Girelli Gabriella
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) autoimmunization is a relatively uncommon cause of anemia in children and presents some differences from those of adults. Due to its frequency, autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in childhood has prompted very few studies, and the literature consists mostly of sporadic case histories. The objective of this study was to stress the importance of an appropriate serologic diagnosis in suspected cases.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This report describes the immunohematologic features of 100 patients with AIHA studied in the Immunohaematologic Unit of Blood Bank, “La Sapienza” University of Rome. The patients were diagnosed in the same department from 1983 to 2003.

RESULTS: The peak incidence of AIHA was in the first 4 years of life. No sex predominance was noted. Warm AIHA was the most common type of acquired immune hemolytic anemia; it comprised 64 of the 100 patients, whereas 26 patients showed a cold AIHA. Associated AIHA showed a slightly more frequent incidence (54/100) compared to idiopathic forms of AIHA (46/100).

CONCLUSIONS: In this study serologic records of 100 children with confirmed AIHA are reported. This series, much larger than any previously reported, is critically reviewed and analyzed to delineate the immunologic features of the disease in childhood.
Inside Collaborative Networks: Ten Lessons for Public Managers
Authors: Agranoff Robert
Published: November 2006

This paper offers practical insights for public managers as they work within interorganizational networks. It is based on the author’s empirical study of 14 networks involving federal, state, and local government managers working with nongovernmental organizations. The findings suggest that networks are hardly crowding out the role of public agencies; though they are limited in their decision scope, they can add collaborative public value when approaching nettlesome policy and program problems.
Varieties of Participation in Complex Governance
Authors: Fung Archon
Published: November 2006

The multifaceted challenges of contemporary governance demand a complex account of the ways in which those who are subject to laws and policies should participate in making them. This article develops a framework for understanding the range of institutional possibilities for public participation. Mechanisms of participation vary along three important dimensions: who participates, how participants communicate with one another and make decisions together, and how discussions are linked with policy or public action. These three dimensions constitute a space in which any particular mechanism of participation can be located. Different regions of this institutional design space are more and less suited to addressing important problems of democratic governance such as legitimacy, justice, and effective administration.
Incrementalism before the Storm: Network Performance for the Evacuation of New Orleans
Authors: Kiefer John J. , Montjoy Robert S.
Published: November 2006

Hurricane Katrina revealed a lack of preparedness in disaster management networks covering the New Orleans area. This paper focuses on the operation of networks in preparing to evacuate residents in advance of a major disaster. There are two cases: the relatively successful evacuation of residents who left by private conveyance and the widely publicized failure to provide for those who could not or would not leave on their own. We trace the actions and inactions of various players to reach conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of networks in the special circumstances of disaster preparation.
Categorical Imperatives: The Interaction of Latino and Racial Identification*
Authors: Campbell Mary E. , Rogalin Christabel L.
Published: November 2006

Objective.Most large data sets solicit “ethnic” identification and “racial” identification in separate questions. We test the relative salience of these two identifications by exploring whether individuals who chose both a Latino “ethnic” label and a “racial” label on separate survey questions still chose both of these labels when they were given a single combined question about their racial and ethnic origins.

Methods.Using the May 1995 Race and Ethnicity Supplement to the Current Population Survey, we estimate a multinomial logit model of identification choices.

Results.We find that most individuals who chose a Latino label and a racial label chose a Latino‐only identification. Selection of multiple labels was more common for Latinos than non‐Latinos, however. Language use, local ethnic context, national origin, and age were all significantly related to these identification choices.

Conclusion.The format of “race” and “ethnicity” questions on surveys has significant implications for the identification patterns of Latinos.
Community Heterogeneity: A Burden for the Creation of Social Capital?*
Authors: Coffé Hilde , Geys Benny
Published: November 2006

Objective.This study examines the relationship between community heterogeneity and social capital on the local government level.

Method.We apply both OLS and interval regression techniques to objective macro data of 307 Flemish municipalities for the year 2000.

Results.Our results show that, after controlling for various socioeconomic characteristics of the municipality, income inequality is not significantly correlated with the municipality's level of social capital. We do find a significant negative relation between social capital and the number of nationalities within a municipality. Yet, contrary to the prevailing argument in the literature, it is not the presence of people with a clearly different ethnic‐cultural background that drives this negative relation.

Conclusions.In accordance with previous international findings, municipalities with large groups of differing nationalities among its citizenry are confronted with a lower level of social capital. Importantly, however, our findings emphasize the need to distinguish between different groups of nationalities and argue for explanations beyond “simple” ethnic‐cultural disparities.
Preschool and School Readiness of Children of Immigrants*
Authors: Magnuson Katherine , Lahaie Claudia , Waldfogel Jane
Published: November 2006

Objective. In this article, we use data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey—Kindergarten Cohort to analyze the links between preschool attendance and the school readiness of children of immigrants.

Methods. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey—Kindergarten Cohort, we estimate multivariate regression models for the effects of preschool on school readiness for children of immigrants and children of natives.

Results. We find that children whose mothers were born outside the United States are less likely to be enrolled in school or center‐based preschool programs than other children. We find that preschool attendance raises reading and math scores as much for children of immigrants as it does for other children. Attending preschool also raises the English‐language proficiency of children of immigrants. Although not the main focus of our study, we examined the effects of Head Start, and found that this program improves children's English proficiency, with especially large effects for children of immigrants whose mothers have less than a high school education; in this latter group, Head Start also improved math scores.

Conclusions. Given that preschool benefits children of immigrants as much as it does children of natives and given that children of immigrants are less likely to be enrolled, our findings strongly suggest that enrolling more children of immigrants in preschool would help reduce inequality in skills at school entry.
Second‐Order Analysis of Inhomogeneous Spatial Point Processes Using Case–Control Data
Authors: Diggle P. J. , Gómez‐Rubio V. , Brown P. E. , Chetwynd A. G. , Gooding S.
Published: November 2006

SummaryMethods for the statistical analysis of stationary spatial point process data are now well established, methods for nonstationary processes less so. One of many sources of nonstationary point process data is a case–control study in environmental epidemiology. In that context, the data consist of a realization of each of two spatial point processes representing the locations, within a specified geographical region, of individual cases of a disease and of controls drawn at random from the population at risk. In this article, we extend work byBaddeley, Møller, and Waagepetersen(2000,Statistica Neerlandica54, 329–350) concerning estimation of the second‐order properties of a nonstationary spatial point process. First, we show how case–control data can be used to overcome the problems encountered when using the same data to estimate both a spatially varying intensity and second‐order properties. Second, we propose a semiparametric method for adjusting the estimate of intensity so as to take account of explanatory variables attached to the cases and controls. Our primary focus is estimation, but we also propose a new test for spatial clustering that we show to be competitive with existing tests. We describe an application to an ecological study in which juvenile and surviving adult trees assume the roles of controls and cases.
Vannella epipetala n. sp. Isolated from the Leaf Surface of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) Growing in the Dry Forest of Costa Rica
Authors: AMARAL‐ZETTLER LINDA A. , COLE JEFFREY , LAATSCH ABBY D. , NERAD THOMAS A. , ANDERSON O. ROGER , REYSENBACH ANNA‐LOUISE
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT. As part of a Microbial Observatory of Caterpillars located in the Area de Conservacíon Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica, we isolated a novel species of the genus Vannella associated with the food of the caterpillars of the saturniid moth Rothschildia lebeau, namely the leaves of the dry forest deciduous tree Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae). The new species can be distinguished from other described species of the genus by the presence of a plasmalemma coated with a thickened, osmiophilic lamina containing glycostyles, and by its unusual habitat, the leaf surfaces or phylosphere of S. mombin. We further established the novelty of our isolate by sequencing its nuclear small‐subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and inferring its phylogenetic position among all other currently sequenced members of the genera Vannella and Platyamoeba. Our results reveal that our isolate shares most recent common ancestry with three strains of Platyamoeba placida, the type species of the genus Platyamoeba. Despite this placement, the isolate clearly possesses glycostyles that are the hallmark of the genus Vannella. In addition to the cultured isolate, we also present a closely related sequence from a SSU rRNA gene clone library constructed from a DNA extract of leaf‐wash of S. mombin with sterile water.
Delay in initial treatment contact after first onset of mental disorders in metropolitan China
Authors: Lee S. , Fung S. C. , Tsang A. , Zhang M. Y. , Huang Y. Q. , He Y. L. , Liu Z. R. , Shen Y. C. , Kessler R. C.
Published: November 2006

Objective:  There has been no community‐based research on treatment delay among people with mental disorders in China. This study examines lifetime treatment and treatment delay in metropolitan China.

Method:  A multi‐stage probability survey of 5201 respondents was administered in Beijing and Shanghai. Age of first treatment contact after onset of each of the three lifetime DSM‐IV/CIDI disorder classes was compared with retrospective information on age of disorder onset. Length and predictors of treatment delay were examined using survival analysis.

Results:  Survival curves estimate that 44.7%, 25.7%, and 7.9% of people with anxiety, substance, and mood disorders, respectively, will ever make treatment contact. Delays in first treatment contact of anxiety (21 years) and substance (17 years) disorders are longer than that of mood disorders (1 year). These delays are largely unrelated to sociodemographic variables.

Conclusion:  Failure to receive treatment is a pervasive phenomenon among people with mental disorders in metropolitan China.
A minimally invasive surgical technique with an enamel matrix derivative in the regenerative treatment of intra‐bony defects: a novel approach to limit morbidity
Authors: Cortellini Pierpaolo , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: November 2006

Aims: This study was undertaken to describe a new surgical approach (minimally invasive surgical technique, MIST) and to evaluate preliminarily its clinical performance and patient perception associated with the application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the treatment of isolated deep intra‐bony defects.

Methods: Thirteen deep isolated intra‐bony defects in 13 patients were surgically accessed with the MIST. This technique was designed to limit the mesio‐distal flap extension and the corono‐apical reflection in order to reduce the surgical trauma and increase flap stability. The incision of the defect‐associated papilla was performed according to the principles of the papilla preservation techniques. EMD was applied on the debrided root surfaces. Stable primary closure of the flaps was obtained with internal modified mattress sutures. Surgery was performed with the aid of an operating microscope and microsurgical instruments. Clinical outcomes were collected at baseline and at 1 year. Intra‐operative and post‐operative patient perception was also recorded.

Results: Early wound healing was uneventful: primary wound closure was obtained and maintained in all sites with the exception of one site with a small wound dehiscence at week 1. No oedema or haematoma were noted. Patients did not report any pain. Three patients experienced slight discomfort for 2‐days post‐operatively. The 1‐year clinical attachment level (CAL) gain was 4.8±1.9 mm. The 1‐year percent resolution of the defect was 88.7±20.7%, and reached 100% of the baseline intra‐bony component in seven sites. Residual probing depths (PD) were 2.9±0.8 mm. Differences between baseline and 1‐year CAL and PD were both clinically and statistically highly significant (p<0.0001). A minimal increase of 0.1±0.9 mm in gingival recession between baseline and 1 year was recorded (p=0.39).

Conclusions: This case cohort indicates that MIST associated with EMD resulted in excellent clinical improvements while limiting patient morbidity. These preliminary findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.
Structure–activity relationships for skin sensitization: recent improvements to Derek for Windows
Authors: Langton Kate , Patlewicz Grace Y. , Long Anthony , Marchant Carol A. , Basketter David A.
Published: November 2006

Derek for Windows (DfW) is a knowledge‐based expert system that predicts the toxicity of a chemical from its structure. Its predictions are based in part on alerts that describe structural features or toxicophores associated with toxicity. Recently, improvements have been made to skin sensitization alerts within the DfW knowledge base in collaboration with Unilever. These include modifications to the alerts describing the skin sensitization potential of aldehydes, 1,2‐diketones, and isothiazolinones and consist of enhancements to the toxicophore definition, the mechanistic classification, and the extent of supporting evidence provided. The outcomes from this collaboration demonstrate the importance of updating and refining computer models for the prediction of skin sensitization as new information from experimental and theoretical studies becomes available.
Patch testing with components of water‐based metalworking fluids: results of a multicentre study with a second series
Authors: Geier Johannes , Lessmann Holger , Becker Detlef , Bruze Magnus , Frosch Peter J. , Fuchs Thomas , Jappe Uta , Koch Patrick , Pföhler Claudia , Skudlik Christoph
Published: November 2006

Background:  Although many allergens in metalworking fluids (MWF) are identified, there are still some MWF components, which are not sufficiently investigated concerning their sensitizing properties.

Objectives:  To investigate sensitization to 10 frequently used MWF components, which are not part of the established MWF test series, in metalworkers with suspected occupational dermatitis due to MWF.

Patients/Methods:  Oleyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, dimethylolurea, 4,4′‐methylenebis morpholine, imazalil, 1‐amino‐2‐propanol (monoisopropanolamine; MIPA), 2‐amino‐2‐ethyl‐1,3‐propanediol (AEPD), 2,5‐bis(n‐octyldithio)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole, zinc alkyl dithiophosphate and dibenzyl disulfide have been patch tested in 144 patients.

Results:  7 patients reacted positively to the formaldehyde releaser 4,4′‐methylenebis morpholine, and 6 of these patients also reacted to formaldehyde and/or other formaldehyde releasers. 4 patients reacted positively to myristyl alcohol tested at 10% petrolatum (pet.). Additionally, 20 doubtful or irritant reactions occurred. 1 patient each reacted positively to oleyl alcohol, MIPA, and AEPD. None of the other test substances mentioned above elicited any clear‐cut positive reaction. Patch testing with well‐known MWF allergens showed proportions of positive reactions, which were comparable to those from other studies, e.g. 11% to monoethanolamine, 8% to colophonium and 3%–5% to various preservatives.

Conclusions:  4,4′‐methylenebis morpholine may be an important MWF allergen, although clinical relevance could not be stated definitely in every case. Myristyl alcohol should not be patch tested at 10% pet., but at a lesser concentration, due to irritant properties.
Inhibition of host extracellular matrix destructive enzyme production and activity by a high‐molecular‐weight cranberry fraction
Authors: Bodet C. , Chandad F. , Grenier D.
Published: November 2006

Background and Objective:  Periodontal diseases are a group of inflammatory disorders that are initiated by specific gram‐negative bacteria and lead to connective tissue destruction. Proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and elastase, produced by resident and inflammatory cells in response to periodontopathogens and their products, play a major role in gingival tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high‐molecular‐weight fraction prepared from cranberry juice concentrate on MMP‐3, MMP‐9 and elastase activities, as well as on MMP production by human cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Material and Methods:  MMP‐3 and MMP‐9 production by gingival fibroblasts and macrophages treated with the cranberry fraction and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. MMP‐3, MMP‐9 and elastase activities in the presence of the cranberry fraction were evaluated using colorimetric or fluorogenic substrates. The changes in expression and phosphorylation state of fibroblast intracellular signaling proteins induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide and the cranberry fraction were characterized by antibody microarrays.

Results:  The lipopolysaccharide‐induced MMP‐3 and MMP‐9 responses of fibroblasts and macrophages were inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner by the cranberry fraction. This fraction was found to inhibit fibroblast intracellular signaling proteins, a phenomenon that may lead to a down‐regulation of activating protein‐1 activity. MMP‐3, MMP‐9 and elastase activities were also efficiently inhibited by the cranberry fraction, even when it was used at low concentrations.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that cranberry compounds offer promising perspectives for the development of novel host‐modulating strategies for an adjunctive treatment of periodontitis.
Clinical features of polyhydramnios associated with fetal anomalies
Authors: Hara Kikue , Kikuchi Akihiko , Miyachi Keiko , Sunagawa Sorahiro , Takagi Kimiyo
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features of pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios associated with fetal anomalies. Sixty‐nine patients with a singleton pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios were retrospectively analyzed. Based on prenatal ultrasonographic findings, 13 cases were considered to have idiopathic polyhydramnios and the remaining 56 cases were associated with fetal anomalies. Between these two groups, no significant difference was found in the gestational weeks when polyhydramnios developed. However, significant difference was noted in the maximum amniotic fluid index (AFI) values during the pregnancy period; 25.4 ± 2.7 cm in the former, and 30.6 ± 8.9 cm in the latter (P = 0.0004). In all of 13 cases with idiopathic polyhydramnios, AFI values remained less than 30 cm until delivery. Twenty‐two patients (39%) with fetal anomalies required a prenatal treatment such as amnioreduction and tocolysis, whereas only one patient (7.7%) with idiopathic polyhydramnios needed tocolysis therapy (P = 0.03). There was a significant risk of premature delivery with fetal anomalies (35.6 ± 3.9 weeks’ gestation vs. 38.8 ± 1.5 weeks’ gestation, P = 0.004) because of refractory polyhydramnios, rupture of membranes, non‐reassuring fetal status, and intrauterine fetal death, and although most infants with idiopathic polyhydramnios were appropriate‐for‐dates, many of the infants with congenital anomalies were small‐for‐dates. Significant risk of fetal anomalies should be considered in pregnant women with severe polyhydramnios (AFI ≥ 30 cm), an increased trend of amniotic fluid during the pregnancy period, polyhydramnios requiring a prenatal treatment, or fetal growth restriction. On the other hand, based on our experience, a fetus without these conditions seems to have a low risk of congenital anomalies even if polyhydramnios is noted.
Population‐based case‐control teratogenic study of hydroxyprogesterone treatment during pregnancy
Authors: Dudás István , Gidai János , Czeizel Andrew E.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  Hydroxyprogesterone, a synthetic progestin, was used for the treatment of pregnant women with threatened abortion and preterm delivery. Previous studies showed some association between hydroxyprogesterone use during early pregnancy and some specific congenital abnormalities. The population‐based large Hungarian data set seemed to be appropriate to check this possible association. The Hungarian Case‐Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities between 1980 and 1996 includes 22 843 cases with congenital abnormalities and 38 151 controls without any defect. 318 (1.4%) cases, while 433 (1.1%) controls had mothers with hydroxyprogesterone treatment during pregnancy (adjusted POR with 95% CI: 1.3, 1.1–1.5). However, there was no association between risk for any congenital abnormality group and a higher use of maternal hydroxyprogesterone treatment during the second and third month of gestation. On the other hand hydroxyprogesterone is not effective in the prevention of preterm delivery. In conclusion, there was no detectable risk for congenital abnormalities in the offspring of mothers with hydroxyprogesterone treatment during early pregnancy, however, there is no reasonable indication of this treatment during pregnancy.