bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of a Surface Antigen‐based ELISA for the Detection of Antibodies AgainstNeospora caninumin Bovine Milk
Authors: Schares G. , Bärwald A. , Conraths F. J.
Published: February 2005

The aim of the present study was to determine whether an ELISA based on a 38‐kDa surface antigen (NcSRS2) ofNeospora caninumtachyzoites could be used to examine bovine milk for antibodies againstN. caninum. A total of 797 undiluted milk samples fromN. caninum‐infected herds were examined in the p38‐ELISA. Milk results of individual animals were compared with those obtained by the same ELISA for the corresponding serum samples. The linear correlation between milk and serum antibody results of individual animals was characterized by an adjustedR2of 0.644. The examination of the two‐graph receiver‐operating characteristics revealed an optimal cut‐off of 0.150 to obtain similar results in the examination of milk and serum. With this cut‐off, the test had a specificity and a sensitivity relative to the serum results of 93%. Using this cut‐off, excellent agreement was observed between milk and serum results (Kappa 0.85; 95% CI, 0.781–0.920). A cut‐off of 0.450 resulted in a specificity of 99% relative to the serum results. At this cut‐off, the sensitivity of the test was 80% relative to the serum‐ELISA and agreement was slightly lower (Kappa = 0.82; 95%CI, 0.749–0.887). An optimized linear regression model suggests that, in addition to the result in the p38‐serum‐ELISA, the variables abortion risk (ABRISK) (abortion between 100 and 269 days pregnant) and the age of the animal (AGE) affected the result of the p38‐milk‐ELISA. The optimized linear regression model had an adjustedR2of 0.8501.
Geochemical comparisons between estuaries with non‐industrialised and industrialised catchments: the Huon and Derwent River estuaries, Tasmania*
Authors: Jones B. G. , Chenhall B. E. , Debretsion F. , Hutton A. C.
Published: February 2005

The adjacent Huon and Derwent estuaries in Tasmania have similar climatic and physical characteristics, and provide a good comparison between relatively uncontaminated and industrially polluted estuaries, respectively. Representative samples were collected from both estuaries and analysed for grainsize and trace‐element content (using X‐ray fluorescence and neutron activation analyses). The Huon estuary drains a predominantly forested and agricultural catchment and contains low (baseline) concentrations of trace elements, including lead, zinc and copper. In contrast, the Derwent estuary has a geologically similar yet larger catchment and it passes through an industrialised area in the mid‐estuarine reach. A zinc refinery has, in the past, been a major source of trace‐element contamination. These contaminants are distributed downstream from the refinery by combined fluvial and tidal activity, while the latter also causes upstream movement of contaminants during non‐flood periods. Significant upstream contamination is limited by fluvial bottom flows remobilising contaminated fine sediment during flood periods. Maximum contamination occurs in the region around the refinery with values in the surface sediments ranging from 40 to 565 times baseline levels and from 2 to 55 times the Australian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines high‐levels for aquatic sediments (maximum 22593 ppm Zn, 3866 ppm Pb and 1182 ppm Cu). In the lower Derwent estuary, contaminant distribution is inversely related to tidal‐flow velocities and is most prominent in the lower energy muddy substrates. Trace‐metal levels in the more recent surficial aquatic sediments are slightly lower than those recorded in a previous study from the area, possibly reflecting the stricter environmental controls now operating.
Channel iron deposits of the Hamersley Province, Western Australia
Authors: Ramanaidou E. R. , Morris R. C. , Horwitz R. C.
Published: February 2005

The fluvial goethite–hematite channel iron deposits (CID) of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, formerly known as the ‘Robe Pisolite’, represent a major source of iron ore mined in the Hamersley Province. The CID occupy Early Tertiary palaeochannels that are typically less than 1 km but range to several kilometres in width and from 1 to ∼100 m thick. The Robe palaeochannel is the longest, with CID partly preserved over a distance of 150 km, whereas the Marillana palaeochannel contains CID along 80 km of its length. The CID range from goethitic mudstone to fine hematite–goethite gravel and intraformational conglomerate varying in distribution along the channels in a range of massive, bedded and altered types. The granular type that forms the bulk of the ore is typically ooidal, comprising pelletoids with goethite cortices around hematite nuclei (which often consist of fossilised wood), with typically abundant coarse goethitised wood fragments, a varied proportion of peloids, minor pisoids, and a diverse porous goethitic matrix. The Robe deposits tend to have more spherical pelletoids, with more regularly developed layering, and smaller cores than CID from the Yandi deposits of the Marillana valley. Generally, the presence of ferruginised fossil wood is the principal diagnostic field criterion used to distinguish CID from other comparable goethite–hematite detrital deposits. Electron microprobe X‐ray maps reveal that lattice Al and Si increase from the hematitic nuclei to the matrix, and then the cortex. In the Robe CID, alumina in the nuclei varies between 0.5 and 2.8%, whereas at Yandi, alumina in the nuclei ranges from 0.2 to 0.7%. The goethite cortex of a granule is usually richer in both alumina and silica than its nucleus, in a cortex : nucleus ratio of ∼2:1 at Robe and 3:1 at Yandi. The nucleus and cortex of individual pelletoids generally exhibit a similar trace‐element distribution, which can often be related to the surrounding country rock and, with the exception of Al, is different to that shown by the matrix. A visual classification (labelled co‐manual) based on the relative amount of cortex (co), matrix (ma) and nucleus (nu) enables an estimate of the deleterious minor elements, mainly aluminium (al), for separating samples into ore, near‐ore and non‐ore.
Neotectonic disruption of silicified palaeovalley systems in an intraplate, cratonic landscape: regolith and landscape evolution of the Mulculca range‐front, Broken Hill Domain, New South Wales
Authors: Hill S. M. , Eggleton R. A. , Taylor G.
Published: February 2005

The landscape expression of a wide range of ancient and contemporary regolith materials in the vicinity of the Mulculca Fault demonstrates two important points: (i) tectonism can be a significant factor in the evolution of landscapes in some parts of the Australian craton; and (ii) ancient and young regolith–landform features can coexist within a tectonically active landscape. Tectonic activity along the Mulculca Fault has created a range‐front near the Broken Hill Domain – Murray Basin margins. This tectonism defeated a now silicified palaeodrainage system that flowed from the area now occupied by the Barrier Ranges towards the present area of the Murray Basin. Stream defeat led to the development of lacustrine–overbank conditions within the area of the fault‐angle depression, which was later breached by stream incision across the range‐front. The area of lacustrine–overbank deposition is now dominated by alluvial (channel and overbank) deposits with minor colluvial and aeolian deposition. Silicification of palaeovalley sediments and adjacent saprolite has been occurring over a broad range of times during landscape development, including several stages of palaeovalley evolution and as minor red‐brown hardpan development in the contemporary landscape. Ferruginised regolith has been developing at many different times during the evolution of the landscape, including: (i) prior to the defeat of the palaeodrainage system; (ii) during the sedimentary infilling of the fault‐angle depression; and (iii) within the contemporary landscape. The variable preservation and, therefore, landscape expression of a wide range of regolith materials that formed over a long period of landscape evolution has persisted even though there has been tectonic activity along the Mulculca Fault. For example, topographically inverted, and therefore ancient, silicified alluvial deposits occur alongside contemporary colluvial and alluvial deposits along the tectonically active range‐front. This is in contrast to simple models invoking long‐term tectonic stability to account for the expression of ancient regolith and landforms in Australian cratonic landscapes.
Shoemaker impact structure, Western Australia
Authors: Pirajno F. , Hawke P. , Glikson A. Y. , Haines P. W. , Uysal T.
Published: February 2005

The Shoemaker impact structure, on the southern margin of the Palaeoproterozoic Earaheedy Basin, with an outer diameter of ∼30 km, consists of two well‐defined concentric ring structures surrounding a granitoid basement uplift. The concentric structures, including a ring syncline and a ring anticline, formed in sedimentary rocks of the Earaheedy Group. In addition, aeromagnetic and geological field observations suggest that Shoemaker is a deeply eroded structure. The central 12 km‐diameter uplift consists of fractured Archaean basement granitoids of syenitic composition (Teague Granite). Shock‐metamorphic features include shatter cones in sedimentary rocks and planar deformation features in quartz crystals of the Teague Granite. Universal‐stage analysis of 51 sets of planar deformation features in 18 quartz grains indicate dominance of sets parallel to ω {101–3}, but absence of sets parallel to π {101–2}, implying peak shock pressures in the range of 10–20 GPa for the analysed sample. Geophysical characteristics of the structure include a −100 µs−2 gravity anomaly coincident with the central uplift and positive circular trends in both magnetic and gravity correlating with the inner ring syncline and outer ring anticline. The Teague Granite is dominated by albite–quartz–K‐feldspar with subordinate amounts of alkali pyroxene. The alkali‐rich syenitic composition suggests it could either represent a member of the Late Archaean plutonic suite or the product of alkali metasomatism related to impact‐generated hydrothermal activity. In places, the Teague Granite exhibits partial to pervasive silicification and contains hydrothermal minerals, including amphibole, garnet, sericite and prehnite. Recent isotopic age studies of the Teague Granite suggest an older age limit of ca 1300 Ma (Ar–Ar on K‐feldspar) and a younger age limit of ca 568 Ma (K–Ar on illite–smectite). The significance of the K–Ar age of 568 Ma is not clear, and it might represent either hydrothermal activity triggered by impact‐related energy or a possible resetting by tectonothermal events in the region.
Gender differences in upper extremity motor performance of older persons
Authors: Buchman Aron S , Wilson Robert S , Bienias Julia L , Bennett David A
Published: February 2005

Background:  Motor performance declines with age. Although gender differences in motor strength and speed have been widely reported, the extent to which these differences are maintained in old age has not been well established.

Methods:  Upper extremity motor performance was assessed in 234 men and 530 women Catholic clergy members aged 65 years or older with no clinical evidence of dementia who were participants in the Religious Orders Study. As part of a uniform clinical evaluation, upper extremity motor performance including strength (grip and pinch dynamometry), movement speed including finger tapping and Purdue pegboard and muscle bulk of the arm were collected.

Results:  Men were stronger than women at all ages but this difference became less prominent at older ages. Women scored higher on the Purdue Pegboard than men whereas men had faster maximal finger tapping rates than women. Gender differences in speed were not modified by age. Men had greater muscle bulk than women at all ages and these differences were not modified by age. These relationships were not modified by participants with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease or stroke or by hormone replacement therapy in women.

Conclusions:  Gender differences in upper extremity speed and muscle bulk appear to be relatively stable with increasing age, whereas gender differences in strength were reduced in the oldest old. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if men and women differ in the rate of decline of strength in old age.
Reliability of a geriatric assessment instrument with illustrations
Authors: Okochi Jiro , Takahashi Tai , Takamuku Kiyoshi , Matsuda Shinya , Takagi Yasuo
Published: February 2005

Background:  The Typology of the Aged with Illustrations is a four‐scale geriatric assessment measure of elderly function and activity of daily living. Illustrations are incorporated to facilitate the understanding of elderly function and activity status. The purpose of the study was to test the reliability and validity of the instrument and the effectiveness of the illustrations in improving performance.

Methods:  Reliability of the typology was investigated using the test–retest procedure, with a sample of 240 elderly persons. The effectiveness of the illustrations was measured, using the instrument with and without the illustrations, by kappa statistics and the χ2 test. The results were stratified to assess differences in reliability between experienced and nonexperienced evaluators, and for elderly persons in residential institutions compared with day care facilities. Both constructive and concurrent validities were also evaluated.

Results:  The intra‐rater reliability (re‐assessment by the same evaluator 1 week later) of the instrument was increased significantly on all four scales (average kappa statistics: 0.82 with illustrations, 0.65 without illustrations) with the inclusion of illustrations vs no illustrations, and the inter‐rater reliability (re‐assessment by a second evaluator within 24 hours) was significantly increased for the mobility and eating scales. There was no difference in reliability for experienced and inexperienced evaluators, or for different care situations.

Conclusion:  The inclusion of illustrations in the instrument facilitated the understanding of elderly persons’ activity of daily living and increased its reliability. This instrument has wide applicability and can be used for communication between health care professionals and for on‐the‐job training in geriatric functional assessment.
Successful treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma in an elderly patient
Authors: Yamauchi Takahiro , Tsutani Hiroshi , Ishida Kentaro , Kuwata Atsushi , Fujie Hiroaki , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Kawai Hideya , Yoshida Masanori , Kubota Toshihiko , Itoh Harumi , Ueda Takanori
Published: February 2005

The successful treatment of an elderly patient with primary central nervous system lymphoma is described. A 74‐year‐old Japanese man with left hemiplegia and consciousness disturbance presented in December 2001. His performance status was Grade 4. Computed tomography of the brain revealed a tumor in the right paraventricle. A biopsy of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (diffuse large, B cell type). Radiographic examinations did not detect any other lesions outside the brain. Primary central nervous system lymphoma was diagnosed. Chemotherapy was initiated in January 2002 using intravenous administration of methotrexate (600 mg/m2, 6‐h infusion, day 1) combined with etoposide (25 mg/m2, continuous infusion, day 2–5), doxorubicin (5 mg/m2, continuous infusion, day 2–5), vincristine (0.2 mg/m2, continuous infusion, day 2–5), cyclophosphamide (350 mg/m2, 2‐h infusion, day 6) and dexamethazone (6 mg/body, 1‐h infusion, day 1–6), with intrathecal administration of methotrexate (15 mg/body, day 8) and prednisolone (10 mg/body, day 8). Four courses of chemotherapy were completed without severe toxicities, followed by whole‐brain radiotherapy (25 Gy). Complete remission was achieved, and the patient became alert with normalized movement of the left extremities. Despite poor prognostic factors (old age, low performance status), the patient was successfully treated as such and was still in remission without neurotoxicity in May 2004. The combination of methotrexate‐based chemotherapy and radiotherapy with appropriate dose modification may improve the outcome in elderly patients with this disease since supportive therapy; CHOP, a combination of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone; and solo radiotherapy are usually not effective.
Analysis of comprehensive geriatric assessment of elderly residents in a social welfare home for the aged compared with those in a residential care home in an urban area in Japan
Authors: Akamatsu Katsuhiro , Saito Aya , Wada Taizo , Ishine Masayuki , Roriz‐Cruz Matheus , Okumiya Kiyohito , Matsubayashi Kozo
Published: February 2005

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to clarify the influence of the socioeconomic factors during the middle age on the results of comprehensive geriatric assessments in later stage of life.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based study was conducted of elderly residents in a welfare home for the aged in Osaka and those in a residential care home in Kyoto. Results of questionnaires pertaining to activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QOL) and a 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale as well as medical and social histories of the two groups were compared by unpaired T‐test and χ2 test.

Results:  Elderly residents in the welfare home were significantly younger and more were both male and unmarried or divorced than among those in the residential care home. Scores in ADLs and QOLs were significantly lower and the prevalence of depression was significantly higher in residents in the welfare home than in the residential care home.

Conclusion:  The ADLs, mental mood and subjective QOLs of residents in the welfare home were significantly lower than those of residents in the residential care home. The reason for these differences is suggested to be due to both the differences in the lifestyles of the residents in their middle age and the difference in the quality and quantity of care the residents are receiving. Local social welfare government should pay more attention to lower ADLs and QOLs of residents in welfare homes and increase efforts to improve the quality and quantity of care for them.
The focus of attention in financial reporting
Authors: Rosenfield Paul
Published: February 2005

This article discusses a concept of the focus of attention and its implications for financial reporting, a concept that has essentially been ignored in the financial reporting literature. Ignoring it has made dealing with the conflict between the proprietary and the entity theories of the firm the most intractable problem in financial reporting. Exploring the concept of the focus of attention permits abandonment of the conflict rather than continuation of the attempt to solve it. It permits avoiding the errors committed by those involved in the conflict: dealing with the wrong level of abstraction and incorporating contradictions, fictions, and false assumptions. Applying the concept of the focus of attention helps solve a number of issues not solvable by consideration of the theories of the firm.
From privatized to government‐administered tax collection: tax farming in eighteenth‐century France1
Authors: WHITE EUGENE N.
Published: February 2005

The establishment of a government bureaucracy to collect taxes is regarded as one of the essential features of a modern economy. While Britain is considered a pioneer, France has been treated as a laggard because of continued reliance on tax farming. Focusing on the largest tax farm, France's late transition from private to government tax collection is explained in a principal‐agent context by the difficulties of monitoring employees and borrowing at low cost in the capital market. Tax farmers continued to earn high returns, absorbing the risk of fluctuating collections, leaving the Crown with lower revenue.
The wages and employment of female day‐labourers in English agriculture, 1740–18501
Authors: BURNETTE JOYCE
Published: February 2005

Using a new sample of farm accounts from 84 farms throughout England, this article provides measures of regional variation and changes over time in female wages and employment in agriculture. Female wages were not fixed, but changed over time and responded to high demand for female labour. The female‐male wage ratio fell between 1750 and 1850, except in the industrial north west. In 1851 approximately 19 per cent of agricultural day‐labourers were female. In the industrial north west, opportunities for factory employment reduced the supply of females to agriculture, but elsewhere the relative demand for female labour in agriculture declined.
The consumption of radio broadcast technologies in Hong Kong, c.1930–19601
Authors: CLAYTON DAVID
Published: February 2005

This article uses previously under‐exploited quantitative and qualitative primary sources in Hong Kong, the US, and the UK to chronicle how radio broadcast technologies extended in a Less Developed Country. As incomes were rising and the price of radio receiving sets was falling, demand‐side forces were strong in Hong Kong. Yet, these forces alone cannot explain the pattern of diffusion observed. Innovations accelerated the take‐up of radios. The liberalization and de‐regulation of radio broadcasting provided pre‐requisites for these supply‐side shifts.
Cognitive functioning in siblings discordant for schizophrenia
Authors: Hughes C. , Kumari V. , Das M. , Zachariah E. , Ettinger U. , Sumich A. , Sharma T.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  The objective of this study was to investigate neuropsychological impairment as a genetically mediated risk indicator for schizophrenia while accounting for prevalence of schizotypy signs/symptoms in siblings.

Method:  Cognitive functioning in 25 individuals with schizophrenia, 25 unaffected siblings and 25 unrelated healthy controls, was assessed using neuropsychological tests of sustained attention, memory and learning, executive function, visual‐spatial ability and psychomotor performance.

Results:  Unaffected siblings demonstrated better performance than patients on some measures of memory and learning and executive function. Patients and siblings demonstrated impaired Full Scale IQ and verbal fluency, otherwise siblings performed similarly to healthy controls. Controlling for differences in IQ, the shared deficit in verbal fluency disappeared.

Conclusion:  Patients with schizophrenia and unaffected siblings (without schizotypy personality disorder) shared a neuropsychological deficit in verbal fluency. This deficit appeared to be mediated by IQ. Deficits, which differentiated patients from controls, may not be inherited and perhaps are related to the manifestation or treatment of schizophrenia.
Co‐existence of lycanthropy and Cotard's syndrome in a single case
Authors: Nejad A. G. , Toofani K.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  Lycanthropy is an unusual psychiatric syndrome involving the delusion of being an animal. Cotard's syndrome is another rare condition in which the patient has nihilistic delusions and ideation of immortality. We report a psychiatric patient who had both syndromes simultaneously.

Method:  A single case was reported.

Results:  A patient meeting DSM‐IV criteria for bipolar mood disorder, mixed type with psychotic feature had the delusion of being transformed into a dog. He also deluded that he was dead. He was restless and had a serious sense of guilt about his previous sexual contact with a sheep.

Conclusion:  Co‐existence of lycanthropy and Cotard's syndrome has not been reported before. In this patient zoophilic orientation associated with a sense of guilt were concluded to be important factors causing his delusions.
Newer antipsychotic drugs and obesity in children and adolescents. How should we assess drug‐associated weight gain?
Authors: Vieweg W. V. R. , Sood A. B. , Pandurangi A. , Silverman J. J.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  Antipsychotic drugs may contribute to weight gain in children and adolescents.

Method:  We used Medline's PubMed in the pediatric age using key words ‘weight gain’ and ‘obesity’, for each newer antipsychotic drug.

Results:  We found 21 articles linking weight gain and obesity with newer antipsychotic drugs among youths. Risperidone was the most commonly cited agent. Weight gain from olanzapine was the largest among the more commonly prescribed newer agents. All studies reported absolute weight gain. Only a few studies used the better measure of body mass index (BMI). None incorporated growth charts to allow for changes in weight and height over time because of growth.

Conclusion:  Weight gain may be a major problem when prescribing newer antipsychotic drugs in the pediatric population. Risperidone is associated with less weight gain than olanzapine. Published reports and studies have not utilized state‐of‐the‐art techniques using BMI with readily available growth charts.
Drug‐use pattern, comorbid psychosis and mortality in people with a history of opioid addiction
Authors: Sørensen H. J. , Jepsen P. W. , Haastrup S. , Juel K.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  To compare the 15‐year mortality of people with a history of opioid dependence that had achieved stable abstinence, with the mortality associated with continued drug use. Another objective was to study the influence of hospitalization with comorbid psychosis on the 15‐year mortality.

Method:  In 1984, 188 persons (122 men and 66 women) with a history of intravenous narcotics addiction were interviewed about their drug‐use pattern. A registry‐based follow‐up continued through 1999 and mortality was assessed. Three 1984‐drug‐use categories were formed. In category 1, cohort members had achieved stable abstinence from drug use by 1984. Using Cox multiple regression analysis, we (i) estimated reduced mortality of category 1 drug users, and (ii) studied the influence of hospitalization with comorbid psychosis on mortality.

Results:  About 32% had died during the 15‐year follow‐up. The 15‐year mortality associated with stable abstinence was reduced by 56% when compared with the perceived worst drug‐use pattern. Hospitalization for comorbid psychosis was not independently associated with mortality in this sample. When drug‐use categories were compared with mortality expectations for the general population, the standard mortality rates (SMRs) were clearly elevated. Even in the stably abstinent drug‐use category (category 1), SMR was significantly elevated by at least seven‐fold in both genders.

Conclusion:  People who had achieved stable abstinence from injecting narcotics use were at lower risk of premature death than people with continued drug use. A residual observed excess mortality in people who had apparently achieved stable abstinence from drug use is consistent with the view of drug addiction as a chronic disease.
Olanzapine vs. other antipsychotics in actual out‐patient settings: six months tolerability results from the European Schizophrenia Out‐patient Health Outcomes study
Authors: Lambert M. , Haro J. M. , Novick D. , Edgell E. T. , Kennedy L. , Ratcliffe M. , Naber D.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  The European Schizophrenia Out‐patient Health Outcomes study is an observational study investigating treatment in schizophrenia. We report treatment‐emergent adverse events during the first 6 months of treatment.

Method:  The rate of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic use, weight gain and sexual related dysfunctions were assessed in 8400 out‐patients.

Results:  Patients typical antipsychotics and risperidone experienced significantly more EPS and anticholinergic use than patients in the clozapine, olanzapine, and quetiapine cohorts. Patients treated with amisulpride, typical antipsychotics and risperidone were significantly more likely to have sexual related dysfunctions and/or amenorrhea. Increases in weight and body mass index occurred in all cohorts, but were significantly greater in the olanzapine and clozapine cohorts.

Conclusion:  Patients treated with olanzapine, quetiapine and clozapine had better tolerability outcomes regarding EPS and sexual related dysfunctions compared with patients receiving risperidone, amisulpride and typicals. Patients treated with olanzapine and clozapine had higher weight increases than patients treated with risperidone, quetiapine and typicals.
EEG abnormalities and two year outcome in first episode psychosis
Authors: Manchanda R. , Norman R. , Malla A. , Harricharan R. , Takhar J. , Northcott S.
Published: February 2005

Objective:  This study examines the relationship of EEG to 2 year symptomatic outcome, duration of illness and untreated psychosis and gender.

Method:  A total of 122 patients presenting for treatment of first episode psychosis had their baseline EEG classified by modified Mayo Clinic system criteria as normal, essentially normal or dysrhythmia. Positive and negative symptoms of psychoses were rated on entry and after 2 years of treatment. The socio‐demographic variables and duration of illness and of untreated psychosis were also recorded.

Results:  Patients with a normal EEG showed significantly more reduction in both positive and negative symptoms of psychoses over 2 years and were more likely to be in ‘remission’ as compared with the essentially normal or dysrhythmia group. The dysrhythmic group had significantly higher duration of illness than either the normal or essentially normal groups. There were no gender differences in the distribution of EEGs.

Conclusion:  An abnormal EEG in patients with first episode psychosis is associated with a poorer prognosis and a longer duration of untreated illness.
Patterns of movement and habitat use by tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) in the Upper Zambezi River (Namibia)
Authors: Økland F. , Thorstad E. B. , Hay C. J. , Næsje T. F. , Chanda B.
Published: February 2005

Abstract – During 6 November to 24 December 2000, 23 tigerfish [(Hydrocynus vittatus), 30–54 cm] were tagged with radio transmitters in the Zambezi River (Namibia) to record habitat utilisation during low, rising and high water levels. The fish were tracked, on average, every fourth day during 23 November to 18 May. Two movement patterns were detected. Approximately 50% of the fish moved <1000 m among tracking surveys, staying within ‘defined’ home ranges. The remaining fish showed consistent site fidelity for periods, with long distance movements (>1000 m) to new areas among residency periods. Overall, mean distance moved between tracking surveys was 1447 m. Home range size varied among individuals, with a 95% probability of localisation within an average area of 276,978 m2. The fish utilised a mean river stretch of 18,836 m (range = 90–71,840). All the fish were recorded in the main stem, and on average, 95% of the fixes were in the main stem during low water. However, the fish used temporary flooded areas to an increasing extent during the rising and high water period, but did not undertake long‐distance migrations into the floodplains. Fish were sometimes near vegetation, but were never recorded into or under vegetation.
Discontinuity in fish assemblages across an elevation gradient in a southern Appalachian watershed, USA
Authors: Robinson J. L. , Rand P. S.
Published: February 2005

Abstract –  We examine patterns in fish species assemblages in the Toxaway and Horsepasture rivers, two high elevation streams in North Carolina, USA. This region is noted for extreme topographical relief, high cumulative annual rainfall and many rare and endemic plants and animals. The study area encompasses a portion of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the associated Brevard Fault Zone. We hypothesise that major waterfalls and cascade complexes have acted to limit invasion and colonisation by fishes from downstream. This hypothesis is supported by longitudinal fish assemblage patterns in our study streams. Fish species richness in Toxaway River increased from 4 to 23 between Lake Toxaway and Lake Jocassee, a distance of 10 river km. We found similar discontinuities in neighbouring Horsepasture River and Bearwallow Creek. We found no instances of species replacement along this elevation gradient, and the trend in increased diversity downstream showed discontinuities coincident with sharp elevation breaks. With regard to theories posited to explain community formation in headwater stream fish communities (especially in those characterised by high topographical relief), we suggest coloniser ‘access’ may be more important than other factors including competitive interactions.
Differential Role for CD23 Splice Forms in Apical to Basolateral Transcytosis of IgE/Allergen Complexes
Authors: Montagnac Guillaume , Yu Linda C. H. , Bevilacqua Claudia , Heyman Martine , Conrad Daniel H. , Perdue Mary H. , Benmerah Alexandre
Published: February 2005

The low affinity receptor for IgE (CD23) was recently implicated in the trans‐epithelial transport of IgE‐allergen complexes from the luminal side of enterocytes in animal models for intestinal allergy. Here, the respective functions of CD23 splice forms, b and bΔ5, in this apical to basolateral transport event have been investigated. First, the new bΔ5 splice form was further characterized, providing evidence that it binds IgE with high affinity, that its expression is induced by sensitization, and that bΔ5, unlike the classical b, undergoes constitutive internalization through clathrin‐coated pits. These results suggested that the two CD23 splice forms were likely involved in different transcytotic events. MDCK cell lines expressing either b or bΔ5 were generated to directly test this hypothesis. In both cell lines, CD23 splice forms were localized at the apical membrane as in enterocytes from sensitized mice. Using mouse monoclonal IgE, we obtained evidence showing that bΔ5 mediates the apical to basolateral transport of free IgE, whereas classical b is much more efficient in mediating the transcytosis of IgE/allergen complexes. The present results shed new light on the role of CD23 species in IgE/allergen transepithelial transport and provide a new powerful physiological tool to study apical to basolateral transcytosis, a process which remains poorly characterized.
Normal Lytic Granule Secretion by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Deficient in BLOC‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 and Myosins Va, VIIa and XV
Authors: Bossi Giovanna , Booth Sarah , Clark Richard , Davis E. Graham , Liesner Ri , Richards Katherine , Starcevic Marta , Stinchcombe Jane , Trambas Christina , Dell'Angelica Esteban C. , Griffiths Gillian M.
Published: February 2005

Melanocytes and cells of the immune system share an unusual secretory mechanism which uses the lysosome as a regulated secretory organelle. Recently, a number of the proteins required for these ‘secretory lysosomes’ to undergo exocytosis have been identified. These include Rab27a, Lyst, Rab geranyl geranyl transferase and the adapter protein complex AP‐3. Patients lacking any of these proteins are characterized by the rare combination of albinism and immunodeficiency, revealing roles for these proteins in both melanocyte and immune cell secretion. In order to ask how far the link between albinism and immunodeficiency extends we have examined cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) secretion from two BLOC‐3‐deficient patients and seven different mouse models of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, all of which display defects in pigmentation and platelet function. We find that CTL function is normal in HPS patients and pale‐ear mice deficient in BLOC‐3, pallid, muted and sandy mice deficient in BLOC‐1, ruby‐eye mice deficient in BLOC‐2 and buff mice deficient in Vps33a. Similarly, the unconventional myosins, Va, VIIa and XV, which can act as effectors for Rab27a in some cell types, are not required in CTL. These results reveal differences in the protein machinery required for biogenesis and/or secretion of lysosome‐related organelles in CTL and melanocytes.
Constitutive Nuclear Import and Stress‐Regulated Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of Mammalian Heat‐Shock Factor 1
Authors: Vujanac Milos , Fenaroli Angelia , Zimarino Vincenzo
Published: February 2005

Inducible expression of major cytosolic and nuclear chaperone proteins is mediated by the heat‐shock transcription factor HSF1 that is activated by derepressive mechanisms triggered by transient heat stress and sustained proteotoxicity. Despite progress in defining essential aspects of HSF1 regulation, little is known about the cellular dynamics enabling this factor to mediate gene responses to cytosolic stress signals. We report that the inactive, stress‐responsive form of HSF1 accumulates in the nucleus due to a relatively potent import signal, which can be recognized by importin‐α/β, and simultaneously undergoes continuous nucleocytoplasmic shuttling due to a comparatively weak, nonetheless efficient, export activity not involving the classical exportin‐1 pathway. Strikingly, experimental stresses at physiological or elevated temperature reversibly inactivate the export competence of HSF1. Likewise, mutations mimicking stress‐induced derepression impair export but not import. These findings are consistent with a dynamic process whereby exported molecules that are derepressed in an inductive cytosolic environment are recollected and pause in the nucleoplasm, replacing progressively the inactive pool. While steady‐state nuclear distribution of the bulk of HSF1 ensures a rapid gene response to acute heat stress, our results suggest that the capture in the nucleus of molecules primed for activation in the cytosol may underlie responses to sustained proteotoxicity.
Antibodies against Granulosa Luteinized Cells and their Targets in Women Attending IVF Program
Authors: Vangelov I. , Dineva J. , Nikolov G. , Lolov S. , Ivanova M.
Published: February 2005

Problem:  The study was conducted to investigate the presence and the possible role of anti‐granulosa luteinized cells (GLCs) antibodies in infertile patients, attending in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, as well as to attempt the identification of putative target antigens.

Method of study:  A total of 101 sera from infertile women (patient group) and 33 sera from fertile women (control group) were investigated. The patients were divided in subgroups according to:

• ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COHS) – poor responders and good responders;

• fertilization rate – low fertilization rate and high fertilization rate.

The relation between embryo transfer (ET) outcome and prevalence of anti‐GLC antibodies was investigated too. NONIDET P‐40 (NP‐40) and whole‐GLC lysates, as antigenic materials, were used in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting, respectively.

Results:  Based on the cut‐off value of 2 S.D. above the control mean value, the prevalence of patients positive for anti‐GLC antibodies was found to be 28.7% (29/101) compared with 9.1% (3/33) in control fertile women (P < 0.05). Anti‐GLC antibodies were detected in 54.8% (17/31) of women with low fertilization rate compared with 15.7% (11/70) of women with high fertilization rate (P = 0.003) and it was established that women positive for anti‐GLC antibodies had lower fertilization rate, than those negative for anti‐GLC antibodies. Immunoblotting has demonstrated a number of GLC proteins with molecular masses (MM) of 110, 70–80, 47 and 37 kDa, frequently reacting with anti‐GLC antibodies in patient's sera, as possible targets.

Conclusion:  The presented results on the prevalence and role of anti‐GLC antibodies, as well as the data on the target antigens confirmed our hypothesis about the potential involvement of GLC antigens in some cases of immunological infertility in IVF patients.
Going Public as a Legislative Weapon: Measuring Presidential Appeals Regarding Specific Legislation
Authors: BARRETT ANDREW W.
Published: February 2005

This article examines the public appeals of three modern presidents (Carter, Reagan, and the first Bush) concerning 253 significant pieces of legislation. It shows that these occupants of the Oval Office took their case to the American people only a few times regarding most of the bills examined. This finding holds across a number of measures of presidential appeals, including general appeals, calls for public and congressional action, television and radio appeals, and appeals made outside of Washington, DC. The presidents analyzed were more likely to speak in support of rather than in opposition to legislation, however. They also went public repeatedly regarding a handful of proposals, particularly their own initiatives.
Beyond Brinkmanship: Eisenhower, Nuclear War Fighting, and Korea, 1953‐1968
Authors: JACKSON MICHAEL GORDON
Published: February 2005

This article examines the question of how serious President Eisenhower was in contemplating the use of nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula and Chinese mainland. To do this, it surveys Eisenhower's thinking and policies about the issue from 1953 to 1968 in regard to maintaining the security of South Korea. In contrast to many in the literature who argue that Eisenhower would have been very reluctant to authorize their use or who downplay the significance of his many statements about the use of nuclear weapons, it maintains that the president was much more willing to use nuclear compellent force than many have supposed. In regard to Eisenhower's reputation, this article adopts a post‐revisionist stance that questions the consensus in the literature that he viewed them as instruments of deterrence, not war fighting. It also suggests that more research should be initiated to investigate the relationship between presidents’ national security policies, commitments, and the option of nuclear compellence.
Scandal, Elites, and Presidential Popularity: Considering the Importance of Cues in Public Support of the President
Authors: WOESSNER MATTHEW C.
Published: February 2005

Previous research on presidential job approval has neglected to consider how elites influence public assessments of the executive, particularly as it applies to potentially private misconduct. This article suggests that, in the aftermath of a major political event (such as a scandal), citizens look to elite rhetoric as a barometer of issue importance. Utilizing two distinct experimental designs, I show that, in the wake of a personal scandal, subjects rely upon elite cues to place the events in some political perspective. The first study focuses on evaluations of a fictional Alaskan governor. Responding to what they believe was an unfolding personal scandal, subjects assess executive performance based on the account of a randomly assigned counterfeit newspaper article. An analysis of subject evaluations indicates that cues provided by the political opposition were the most important factor in predicting assessments of executive job performance. The second study reexamines the importance of elite cues by testing whether or not a slight change in a political frame (regarding the Lewinsky scandal) can influence subjects’ evaluations of President Clinton. Consistent with the theory, the findings indicate that subtle changes in elite cues (framed by the language of the political debate) were a key predictor of the subjects’ evaluations of the president. While the findings do not directly contradict the traditional “peace and prosperity” models, they do suggest that a further consideration of elite messages is warranted.
The Law: When Law and Politics Collide: Presidents and the Use of the Twenty‐Fifth Amendment
Authors: KASSOP NANCY
Published: February 2005

Since the ratification of the Twenty‐Fifth Amendment in 1967, presidents have been advised by White House counsels on how and when to apply the sections that address temporary vacancies in the office of the president and transfers of power during such times. Early experience with presidential illness and incapacitation under the amendment during the Reagan administration indicated that counsels recognized the constitutional and practical purposes of these provisions, but encountered opposition from presidents and political advisers who viewed any temporary transfer of power as politically damaging to an incumbent president. More recent experiences suggest that counsels have been moderately successful in impressing the need for prior arrangements between presidents and their vice‐presidents on matters of incapacitation.
Source Material: Presidential Press Conferences: The Importance and Evolution of an Enduring Forum
Authors: KUMAR MARTHA JOYNT
Published: February 2005

When distinguishing among three important aspects of press conferences—importance as a forum, ground rules and practices, and participants—the sessions of the sixteen presidents can be grouped into four time periods. From 1913 to 1933, presidential press conferences were off‐the‐record sessions in which presidents responded to questions the press regarded as important. Between 1933 and 1953, presidents used it as a private forum for explaining their policies and actions to the public via journalists. From 1953 to 1981, presidents and their staffs wrestled with the advantages and disadvantages of using the now on‐the‐record press conferences to reach the public directly. During the last period, 1981 to 2004, presidents used such sessions as one of several forums in which they responded to reporters’ queries.
ON THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN LABOR
Authors: Aronowitz Stanley
Published: February 2005

There is now a vigorous debate, in the era of labor's decline, concerning the future of the American unions. Some have argued that revitalization requires the replacement of the so‐called service model of unionism which focuses mainly on meeting the needs of existing members by an “organizing” model that emphasizes expanding membership. This article argues that, even if organizing is important, the main problem is that unions have remained subordinate to capital and to the Democratic Party. Unions need to regain their independence, but the top leaders are probably not capable of reversing the transformation of members into clients. What is needed is an independent labor‐oriented catalyst that raises the question of the democratization of the labor movement, chiefly from the bottom.
REGULATING THE EMPLOYMENT SHARKS: RECONCEPTUALIZING THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE COMMERCIAL TEMP AGENCY
Authors: Freeman Harris , Gonos George
Published: February 2005

This article presents a historical and legal argument for reclassifying and regulating commercial staffing agencies as labor market intermediaries. Their current legal classification as employers is a major factor contributing to the exploitation of temps. The article contrasts the deregulated environment for commercial staffing agencies with the extensive federal regulation of union hiring halls. Because these two institutions serve a similar function—providing access to the job market for short‐term employees—both should be subject to comparable regulatory regimes in order to restore parity in the legal treatment of temporary employees by all parties to the employment relationship. A regulatory regime should impose on temporary help and staffing agencies a level of transparency and fiduciary obligations analogous to the duty of fair representation imposed on union hiring halls by federal labor law. Absent such legal reclassification, the staffing industry will remain unfairly privileged in the marketplace in a way that prevents fair treatment and representation for temps.
A STRATEGIC CHOICE FRAMEWORK FOR UNION DECISION MAKING
Authors: Weil David
Published: February 2005

This essay presents a framework for decision making by labor union leaders facing critical choices regarding the survival of their organizations. I argue that labor union leaders must place decisions regarding all aspects of their union life—from big picture concerns regarding political action, organizing opportunities, and collective bargaining to day‐to‐day issues regarding hiring of staff, resolution of contract disputes, and the amount of time and money spent on activities—into a framework that asks how those decisions will impact the union's strength on two dimensions: external leverage and internal organizational capacity. After explaining the central features of this “strategic choice” framework, I apply it to a wide variety of cases of union decision making to illustrate its application and importance in setting and evaluating chosen strategies.