bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nucleotide sequence of RNA2 of Lettuce big-vein virus and evidence for a possible transcription termination/initiation strategy similar to that of rhabdoviruses
Authors: Sasaya Takahide , Kusaba Shinnosuke , Ishikawa Koichi , Koganezawa Hiroki
Published: August 2004

Lettuce big-vein virus (LBVV) is the type species of the genus Varicosavirus and is a two-segmented negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus. The larger LBVV genome segment (RNA1) consists of 6797 nt and encodes an L polymerase that resembles that of rhabdoviruses. Here, the nucleotide sequence of the second LBVV genome segment (RNA2) is reported. LBVV RNA2 consisted of 6081 nt and contained antisense information for five major ORFs: ORF1 (nt 210–1403 on the viral RNA), ORF2 (nt 1493–2494), ORF3 (nt 2617–3489), ORF4 (nt 3843–4337) and ORF5 (nt 4530–5636), which had coding capacities of 44, 36, 32, 19 and 41 kDa, respectively. The gene at the 3′ end of the viral RNA encoded a coat protein, while the other four genes encoded proteins of unknown functions. The 3′-terminal 11 nt of LBVV RNA2 were identical to those of LBVV RNA1, and the 5′-terminal regions of LBVV RNA1 and RNA2 contained a long common nucleotide stretch of about 100 nt. Northern blot analysis using probes specific to the individual ORFs revealed that LBVV transcribes monocistronic RNAs. Analysis of the terminal sequences, and primer extension and RNase H digestion analysis of LBVV mRNAs, suggested that LBVV utilizes a transcription termination/initiation strategy comparable with that of rhabdoviruses.
Natural variation among human adenoviruses: genome sequence and annotation of human adenovirus serotype 1
Authors: Lauer Kim P. , Llorente Isabel , Blair Eric , Seto Jason , Krasnov Vladimir , Purkayastha Anjan , Ditty Susan E. , Hadfield Ted L. , Buck Charles , Tibbetts Clark , Seto Donald
Published: August 2004

The 36 001 base pair DNA sequence of human adenovirus serotype 1 (HAdV-1) has been determined, using a ‘leveraged primer sequencing strategy’ to generate high quality sequences economically. This annotated genome (GenBank AF534906) confirms anticipated similarity to closely related species C (formerly subgroup), human adenoviruses HAdV-2 and -5, and near identity with earlier reports of sequences representing parts of the HAdV-1 genome. A first round of HAdV-1 sequence data acquisition used PCR amplification and sequencing primers from sequences common to the genomes of HAdV-2 and -5. The subsequent rounds of sequencing used primers derived from the newly generated data. Corroborative re-sequencing with primers selected from this HAdV-1 dataset generated sparsely tiled arrays of high quality sequencing ladders spanning both complementary strands of the HAdV-1 genome. These strategies allow for rapid and accurate low-pass sequencing of genomes. Such rapid genome determinations facilitate the development of specific probes for differentiation of family, serotype, subtype and strain (e.g. pathogen genome signatures). These will be used to monitor epidemic outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in a defined test bed by the Epidemic Outbreak Surveillance (EOS) project.
Geographically and temporally distant natural recombinant isolates of Plum pox virus (PPV) are genetically very similar and form a unique PPV subgroup
Authors: Glasa Miroslav , Palkovics Laszlo , Komínek Petr , Labonne Gérard , Pittnerová Soňa , Kúdela Otakar , Candresse Thierry , Šubr Zdeno
Published: August 2004

Natural recombinantPlum pox virus(PPV) isolates were detected in Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Despite different geographical origins and dates of isolation, all the recombinant isolates were closely related at the molecular level and shared the same recombination breakpoint as well as a typical signature in their N-terminal coat protein sequence, suggesting a common origin. Biological assays with four recombinant isolates demonstrated their capacity to be aphid-transmitted to variousPrunushosts. One of these isolates had a threonine-to-isoleucine mutation in the conserved PTK motif of itsHC-Proand showed a drastically decreased, although not abolished, aphid transmissibility. The complete genome sequence of one of the recombinant isolates, BOR-3, was determined, as well as some partial sequences in theHC-ProandP3genes for additional natural recombinant isolates. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships between the recombinant isolates and other sequenced PPV isolates confirmed that the recombinant isolates form a phylogenetically homogeneous lineage. In addition, this analysis revealed an ancient recombination event between the PPV-D and M subgroups, with a recombination breakpoint located in theP3gene. Taken together, these results indicate that recombinant isolates represent an evolutionarily successful, homogeneous group of isolates with a common history and unique founding recombination event. The name PPV-Rec is proposed for this coherent ensemble of isolates.
Study on the haplotypes of MICA and MICB microsatellite and HLA‐B locus in the Guangzhou Han population
Authors: Feng M.‐L. , Guo X.‐J. , Zhang J.‐Y. , Xie J.‐H. , Chen L. , Lu Q. , Yang J.‐H. , Ji Y. , Qian K.‐C.
Published: August 2004

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic polymorphisms and haplotypes of microsatellite locus in exon 5 of the MICA gene and intron 1 of the MICB gene and human leukocyte antigen‐B (HLA‐B) gene based on 106 samples of the Guangzhou Han population through means of polymerase chain reaction and the fluorescent technique (6‐FAM). The corresponding haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium values and relative linkage disequilibrium values were estimated based on population data. The results show that the genotype distributions of MICA and MICB microsatellite and HLA‐B satisfy the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In total, five alleles of MICA microsatellite locus and 14 alleles of MICB microsatellite locus were observed. MICA A5 was the most common allele (0.2877), whereas A4 was the least common (0.1321). MICB CA14 was the most common allele (0.3255), and CA19 and CA28 were the two least common (0.0047). CA27 was not observed at all. Five kinds of MICA–MICB haplotypes, 18 kinds of MICA–HLA‐B haplotypes and 12 kinds of MICB–HLA‐B haplotypes occurred at frequencies of more than 1%. The common haplotypes of MICA–MICB, MICA–HLA‐B and MICB–HLA‐B were A5‐CA14, A5.1‐CA18, A4‐CA26, A9‐CA15, A5‐B*15(62), A5.1‐B*1301/1302, A4‐B*1301/1302, A6‐B*51, A6‐B*4403, A9‐B*3802, CA14‐B*4601, CA18‐B*1301/1302 and CA26‐B*1301/1302, and these haplotypes showed strong linkage disequilibrium. The polymorphisms and haplotype distributions of MICA and MICB microsatellite and HLA‐B locus in the Guangzhou Han population have their own distinct genetic characteristics. The microsatellite locus of exon 5 of the MICA gene and intron 1 of the MICB gene could therefore be used as genetic markers in the studies of anthropology, gene linkage analysis in genetic diseases, individual identification and paternity testing in forensic medicine.
Is Board Size an Independent Corporate Governance Mechanism?
Authors: Beiner Stefan , Drobetz Wolfgang , Schmid Frank , Zimmermann Heinz
Published: August 2004

Using a simultaneous equations framework with a comprehensive set of publicly listed Swiss companies, our findings suggest that the size of the board of directors is an independent corporate governance mechanism. This implies that any potential relationship between board size and firm valuation is indeed causal. However, in contrast to previous studies, we do not uncover a significant relationship between board size and firm valuation, which can be interpreted as support for the hypothesis of the existence of an optimal board size. On average, firms choose the number of board members just optimally. This indicates that cross‐sectional variations in board size to a large extent reflect differences in firms' underlying environment, and not mistaken choices.
Does Ownership Matter? Empirical Evidence from the German Wine Industry
Authors: Frick Bernd
Published: August 2004

There is widespread belief among economists that the separation of ownership and control tends to reduce the performance of companies while competition tends to improve it. Irrespective of their theoretical appeal these assumptions have not been tested very often. Using an unbalanced panel of about 300 German wineries (compiled from four different editions of a highly respected and widely used wine guide), the paper shows that firms run by ‘managing directors’ produce higher quality and more expensive wines than otherwise identical owner‐managed firms. Since firms have identical production functions and due to the intense competition in the sector under consideration it is very likely that differences in human capital explain the observed productivity differences.
Policy Advice as an Investment Problem
Authors: Heine Klaus , Mause Karsten
Published: August 2004

From the viewpoint of Public Choice theory, the logic of electoral competition makes it difficult for rational, self‐interested politicians to advance unpopular reforms. As political decision‐makers have primarily the aim of re‐election in mind, ‘inconvenient’ scientific policy advice often falls on deaf ears in the political arena. This implementation problem has been widely discussed in political science, economics, and related social sciences. Complementary to this qualitative dimension, the present paper uses insight from the economics of innovation to analyze the quantitative dimension of policy advice. It is assumed that additional expert opinion is only requested whenever it increases a politician's chance to become re‐elected. This simple politico‐economic reasoning, it will be argued, induces a systematic under‐and overinvestment in policy advice, which is inefficient in terms of social welfare. After discussing the advisor's role in this framework, the paper concludes with a brief presentation of possible remedies to dilute these undesirable incentive effects. The theoretical reasoning will be illustrated by the case of Germany where problems of policy advice have become apparent in recent years.
Corruption's Effect on Growth and its Transmission Channels
Authors: Pellegrini Lorenzo , Gerlagh Reyer
Published: August 2004

A common finding of recent theoretical and empirical literature is that corruption has a negative effect on economic growth. In the paper, through growth regression analysis, we estimate the direct and indirect effects of corruption on economic growth. The indirect transmission channels, specifically investments, trade policy, schooling, and political stability, analysed in our study prove to be significant in explaining the deleterious effect of corruption on growth rates. We find that one standard deviation increase in the corruption index is associated with a decrease in investments of 2.46 per centage points, which in turn decreases economic growth by 0.34 per cent per year. The second, by importance, transmission channel is openness: a standard deviation increase in the corruption index is associated with a decrease of the openness index by 0.19, resulting in a decrease in economic growth by 0.30 percent per year. Jointly, the transmission channels explain 81 per cent of the effect of corruption on growth. While combating corruption is a long‐term task, an understanding of the transmission channels, through which corruption affects the economy, may suggest ways to limit corruption's negative, but indirect, effects on growth.
News matters: Influences on the vote in the Danish 2000 euro referendum campaign
Authors: VREESE CLAES H. DE , SEMETKO HOLLI A.
Published: August 2004

Abstract.  This study investigates how the information environment in the Danish 2000 euro referendum campaign served to crystallize opinion on the issue within the context of a number of other hypothesized influences on the vote, based on previous studies of referendum voting. Our data include a nationally representative two‐wave panel survey and a content analysis of news coverage during the referendum campaign. We develop a weighted measure of exposure to news on public and private television channels, that takes into account the volume and tone of the coverage towards the YES and NO campaigns, and using this we find that exposure to public television news significantly influences vote choice when controlling for other predictors. We also find varied levels of support for hypotheses concerning the influence of other key variables such as ideology, economic evaluations, government approval and issue‐specific contextual variables. The findings emphasize the importance of considering the information environment during referendum campaigns.
The diffusion of regulatory impact analysis – Best practice or lesson‐drawing?
Authors: RADAELLI CLAUDIO M.
Published: August 2004

Abstract.  This article presents the main results of a research project on regulatory impact analysis (RIA) in comparative perspective. Its main theoretical thrust is to explore the limitations of the conventional analysis of RIA in terms of de‐contextualised best practice and provide an alternative framework based on the lesson‐drawing literature. After having discussed how demand and supply of best practice emerge in the OECD and the European Union, some analytic (as opposed to normative) lessons are presented. The main lessons revolve around the politics of problem definition, the nesting of RIA into wider reform programmes, the political malleability of RIA, the trade‐off between precision and administrative assimilation, the roles of networks and watchdogs, and institutional learning. The conclusions discuss the implications of the findings for future research.
Economic voting: The effect of political context, volatility and turnout on voters’ assignment of responsibility
Authors: BENGTSSON ÅSA
Published: August 2004

Abstract.  This study analyses macroeconomic conditions and the electoral fortune of incumbents in 21 parliamentary Western countries between 1950 and 1997 in 266 national elections. Voters’ assignment of responsibility for the state of the national economy is assumed to vary according to the context of the election. Building on previous research, the importance of the political context – clarity of responsibility and availability of alternatives – is analysed. The study also breaks new ground by introducing two new contexts of importance: volatility, seen from a systemic perspective, and the trend in turnout. The contextual hypothesis is confirmed. The universal economic effect as such is very weak indeed. However, given a favourable political and institutional environment (clear responsibility structure and availability of alternatives), an economic effect appears. Tests including the new contexts created on the basis of behavioural patterns in the electorate (system volatility and turnout trend) identify elections where the economic effects are even stronger.
Explaining politics: An empirical test of competing value measures
Authors: ROSSTEUTSCHER SIGRID
Published: August 2004

Abstract.  Values have long played a major role both in the analysis of political culture and as an explanatory concept relating to human attitudes and action: in fact, their scientific significance depends crucially on their explanatory function. After more than three decades of debate about the rise of postmaterialism and Inglehart's particular value measure, this rationale appears at times to be lost. This article examines the crucial issue of value's potential to explain political phenomena. How much can the postmaterialism‐materialism instrument explain? Are there alternative operationalisations of values that have greater utility? The empirical analysis, based upon a representative survey conducted in Germany in 1992, leads to the surprisingly unambiguous result that among different value measures, Inglehart's variant explains the least.
Geographic locale and relative dominance patterns among North American passerine communities
Authors: Husak Michael S. , Linder Eric T.
Published: August 2004

Numerous studies have addressed variation in the local occurrence and abundance of species, but only recently have investigators begun considering the influence of spatial context on community structure. We examined the influence of geographic position within a species’ range on its dominance (relative abundance) within the community. Our three primary questions were: 1) Does dominance within a community vary across a species’ range? 2) Do dominance‐location trends differ between widely and narrowly distributed species? and 3) Does dominance within a guild vary across a species range? We examined 40 passerine species (20 widely distributed, 20 narrowly distributed) and their communities using North American Breeding Bird Survey data, of which, a subset of 11 species belonging to a single foraging guild were used for addressing guild effects. Data were gathered from communities at the center (10 locations) and periphery (10 locations) of each species’ range. Focal species were significantly less dominant at locations on the periphery of their ranges compared to central locations, and did not differ between widely and narrowly distributed species. In examining factors influencing these patterns, it was found that narrowly distributed species occur in communities of fewer individuals and fewer species compared to widely distributed species irrespective of locale. Within the foraging guild, dominance was also lower at the periphery than at the center of focal species’ ranges. However, guild abundance was also lower at the periphery of ranges while guild richness did not vary with locale. Specifically, focal species abundance decreased at a greater rate than abundance of other members of the foraging guild. Contrary to overall community data, widely distributed species were more dominant members of their guild at the center of their ranges. No significant patterns were found between distribution and guild dominance at the periphery of ranges.
Beta diversity and latitude in North American mammals: testing the hypothesis of covariation
Authors: Rodríguez Pilar , T. Arita Héctor
Published: August 2004

Several hypotheses attempt to explain the latitudinal gradient of species diversity, but some basic aspects of the pattern remain insufficiently explored, including the effect of scales and the role of beta diversity. To explore such components of the latitudinal gradient, we tested the hypothesis of covariation, which states that the gradient of species diversity should show the same pattern regardless of the scale of analysis. The hypothesis implies that there should be no gradients of beta diversity, of regional range size within regions, and of the slope of the species‐area curve. For the fauna of North American mammals, we found contrasting results for bats and non‐volant species. We could reject the hypothesis of covariation for non‐volant mammals, for which the number of species increases towards lower latitudes, but at different rates depending on the scale. Also, for this group, beta diversity is higher at lower latitudes, the regional range size within regions is smaller at lower latitudes, and z, the slope of the species‐area relationship is higher at lower latitudes. Contrarily bats did not show significant deviations from the predictions of the hypothesis of covariation: at two different scales, species richness shows similar trends of increase at lower latitudes, and no gradient can be demonstrated for beta diversity, for regional range size, or for the slopes of the species‐area curve. Our results show that the higher diversity of non‐volant mammals in tropical areas of North America is a consequence of the increase in beta diversity and not of higher diversity at smaller scales. In contrast, the diversity of bats at both scales is higher at lower latitudes. These contrasting patterns suggest different causes for the latitudinal gradient of species diversity in the two groups that are ultimately determined by differences in the patterns of geographic distribution of the species.
Beta diversity of rock‐restricted cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi: importance of environmental and spatial factors
Authors: Genner M. J. , Taylor M. I. , Cleary D. F. R. , Hawkins S. J. , Knight M. E. , Turner G. F.
Published: August 2004

The rock‐restricted cichlid fish assemblages of Lake Malawi exhibit high spatial diversity in their species composition and relative abundance. However the extent to which this is due to the effects of local environmental differences, dispersal limitation of constituent taxa, and the assignment of allopatric populations to species is uncertain. We examined the factors associated with diversity within an assemblage from the north‐western shores, encompassing a spatial scale of 170 km. For both the whole assemblage, and all constituent species‐complexes, spatial variance in community structure was significantly dependent upon both geographic distances between locations and local habitat variables. Pronounced effects of distance indicate limited dispersal, but our results also show that that the spatial variance explained by geographic distance alone was strongly linked to proportion of allopatric populations within a species‐complex with species status. Thus, the taxonomic status of allopatric populations underlies, at least partially, the biogeographical structure of this assemblage. Substrate composition and habitat depth were also significant determinants of community structure, although spatial variance attributed to these variables was less than that associated with distance alone. Substantial unexplained variance may be a consequence of the effects of unmeasured habitat variables, high ecological similarity between co‐occurring species, stochastic influences on population abundance, and the effects of local adaptation. Despite low spatial variance explained by the assessed environmental variables, significant environmental influence on cichlid assemblage structure across a wide spatial scale indicates that even slight future environmental changes may have the capacity to significantly alter species composition.
Lasting effects of conditions at birth on moose body mass
Authors: Johan Solberg Erling , Loison Anne , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Heim Morten
Published: August 2004

Whether cohort effects can be retrieved in adult phenotypes depends on the possibility for individuals to compensate for a good or bad start in life. This ability to compensate may itself depend on the environment and on individual sex. In large polygynous ungulates, male reproductive success relies more on body size than the reproductive success of females, which makes them more sensitive to a bad start in life. Based on current theories of life history evolution and sexual selection, we tested the following predictions in a moose population: 1) cohort effects and year effects occur in both male and female adult body mass, but due to 2) compensatory growth, cohort effects tend to fade away with the individual's age; and 3) males are more sensitive to cohort effects than females. In support of the first prediction, we found that density and climate during the year‐of‐birth and the year‐of‐harvest affected moose body mass in both sexes. However, the magnitude of the effects of environmental conditions at birth on adult body mass decreased with increasing age, but less so in males than in females. Thus, as expected based on our third prediction, environmental conditions early in life were more influential on adult body mass of males compared to females. Such a result supports the existence of sex‐specific life history tactics, with males maximising growth rate and females rather trading‐off growth for reproduction.
The influence of diet, consumption and lipid use on recruitment of white bass
Authors: Eckmayer William J. , Margraf F. Joseph
Published: August 2004

The abundance of white bass (Morone chrysops) in Lake Erie has declined in recent years, sparking interest in mechanisms influencing its recruitment. We evaluate two mechanisms affecting recruitment: diet and the potential for competition, and storage of lipid energy reserves and the relationship to overwinter survival. The fish in our study were characteristic of white bass in the northern portion of their range, feeding predominantly on zooplankton. Only the largest age‐0 white bass ate fish as a significant portion of their diet. Over the summer sampling period, we found decreasing ration sizes, expressed as a percentage of maximum ration, as the summer progressed with a concomitant decrease in the relative amount of lipid storage. In laboratory experiments, age‐0 white bass held at 5°C and given food ad libitum did feed, but at rates that were insufficient to maintain body weight. Loss in weight was accompanied with a loss in lipids at a rate of 2.8 mg of lipids per gram of body weight per day. Based on our data, we concluded that age‐0 white bass in Lake Erie were food‐limited. Food limitation resulted in reduced growth rates, presumably related to competition with other planktivorous fishes. Reduced growth results in increased mortality and, ultimately, low recruitment through increased risk of predation by larger piscivorous fishes, reduced ability for white bass to switch to more energetically profitable piscivory and the increased likelihood of higher overwinter mortality because of reduced lipid stores.
Serine phosphorylation of mCRY1 and mCRY2 by mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Sanada Kamon , Harada Yuko , Sakai Mihoko , Todo Takeshi , Fukada Yoshitaka
Published: August 2004

The circadian oscillator is composed of a transcription/translation‐based autoregulatory feedback loop in which Cryptochromes and Periods function as negative regulators for their own gene expression. Although post‐translational modifications such as phosphorylation of these regulators appear crucial for circadian time‐keeping mechanism, less is known about responsible protein kinases and their contribution to the function of the regulators. We found that mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) associates with and phosphorylates mouse Cryptochromes (mCRY1 and mCRY2). Mass spectrometry analysis identified Ser265 and Ser557 of mCRY2 to be in vitro phospho‐acceptor residues. Mutations of both the Ser residues to Ala completely abolished MAPK‐mediated mCRY2 phosphorylation, suggesting that the two residues are the principal phosphorylation sites in mCRY2. Similarly, MAPK phosphorylates mCRY1 at Ser247, a site corresponding to Ser265 of mCRY2. An effect of the Ser phosphorylation was investigated by mutating Ser247 of mCRY1 and Ser265 of mCRY2 to Asp, which resulted in attenuation of each mCRYs’ ability to inhibit BMAL1: CLOCK‐mediated transcription, whereas a similar mutation at Ser557 of mCRY2 induced no measurable change in its activity. These results illustrate a model of MAPK‐mediated negative regulation of mCRY function by phosphorylation at the specific Ser residue.
The role of pre‐existing aggregates in Hsp104‐dependent polyglutamine aggregate formation and epigenetic change of yeast prions
Authors: Kimura Yoko , Koitabashi Sumiko , Kakizuka Akira , Fujita Takashi
Published: August 2004

Amyloid‐like protein aggregates have been implicated in various diseases and in the protein‐based inheritance of yeast prions. The molecular chaperone Hsp104 has been shown to be necessary for the aggregate formation of polyglutamine in yeast, and for the maintenance of several yeast prion phenotypes through the formation of self‐propagating aggregates. In this paper, we show that the polyglutamine aggregates that are formed independently of Hsp104, are required for Hsp104 to efficiently produce more aggregates. Similarly, in the yeast prion [PSI+] system, Hsp104‐dependent epigenetic changes to the [PSI+] prion phenotype require the presence of prion aggregates in the normal [psi−] state. We also show that the co‐localization of different prion aggregates suggests that cross‐seeding by different yeast prions increases the probability of Hsp104‐dependent epigenetic change. These findings highlight the role of pre‐existing aggregates in chaperone‐dependent establishment of the epigenetic trait in yeast prions, and possibly in the pathology of several neurodegenerative diseases.
Resource Input, Service Process and Resident Activity Indicators in a Welsh National Random Sample of Staffed Housing Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Felce David , Perry Jonathan
Published: August 2004

Background  The aims were to: (i) explore the association between age and size of setting and staffing per resident; and (ii) report resident and setting characteristics, and indicators of service process and resident activity for a national random sample of staffed housing provision.

Methods  Sixty settings were selected randomly from those accommodating six or fewer adults with intellectual disabilities in Wales. Nine settings subsequently withdrew. Information from the remaining 51 was obtained on resident ages, gender, adaptive behaviour, physical and sensory disabilities, social impairment and challenging behaviour, the number and working hours of staff, staff:resident ratios at different times of the day, working practices, resident receipt of attention and assistance from staff and resident activity. The sample of 51 residences was divided into four groups of 12, 13, 13 and 13 settings each, according to ascending average adaptive behaviour scale scores.

Results  Age of residence was associated with larger size of residence and fewer staff hours per resident. Higher staffing per resident was associated with smaller setting size. Staffing per resident differed across adaptive behaviour groups to a limited extent. Size and age of residence, working practices, resident receipt of attention and assistance from staff did not differ across groups but resident engagement in activity did. Considerable within‐group variation was found.

Conclusions  The data illustrate trends in provision over time. In addition, they give a picture of recent practice and raise questions about whether staff input, on one hand, and staff training and performance, on the other hand, are well enough matched to the different needs of residents at different points of the adaptive behaviour spectrum.
Evaluation of Brief Group‐Administered Instruction for Parents to Prevent or Minimize Sleep Problems in Young Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Stores Rebecca , Stores Gregory
Published: August 2004

Background  The study concerns the unknown value of group instruction for mothers of young children with Down syndrome (DS) in preventing or minimizing sleep problems.

Method 

Children with DS were randomly allocated to an Instruction group (given basic information about children's sleep) and a Control group for later comparison including objective sleep measures (actometry).

As a secondary exercise, parental reports of sleep problems and objective sleep measures were compared in children with DS and a small sample of unimpaired children (U group) of comparable age and sex distribution.

Results  Instruction (shown to have improved mothers' knowledge) was associated with improvement in behavioural sleep problem ratings at 6‐month follow up with no change in sleep‐related breathing problem ratings or actometry findings. Sleep‐related breathing problem symptoms and actometry abnormalities were significantly more common in the DS group than in the U group at baseline, with no obvious differences for behavioural sleep problems.

Conclusions  Group instruction offers some benefit regarding behavioural sleep problems but not for sleep‐related breathing problems to which more attention should be paid in children with DS, with a view to precise diagnosis and treatment.
A Functionally Focused Curriculum for Children with Profound Multiple Disabilities: a Goal Analysis
Authors: Van Der Putten Annette , Reynders Koop , Vlaskamp Carla , Nakken Han
Published: August 2004

Background  This study analysed goals formulated in a functionally focused curriculum called Mobility Opportunities Via Education™ (MOVE).

Method  The subjects were 49 children with profound multiple disabilities (PMD) who attended a centre for special education where the MOVE curriculum was implemented. Each goal was analysed to see whether or not it was formulated in terms of concrete skills. Furthermore, each goal was analysed for its objective, and it was decided whether or not the goal focused on the child's interests. The three aspects were analysed separately, so the percentages cannot be added up.

Results  Ninety‐six per cent of the goals were formulated in terms of concrete skills. With regard to the objectives, 53% of the goals dealt with mobility skills and 23% were related to social functioning. Only 14% of the goals dealt with aspects related to care. In 52% of the analysed goals, it was made clear what the interest of the child was.

Conclusions  Goals formulated for children with PMD by a curriculum that is based on functionality did not completely satisfy theoretical principles. This can be partially explained because the concept of functionality is a broad and unspecific notion that can be implemented in various ways.
Changing Selves: a Grounded Theory Account of Belonging to a Self‐advocacy Group for People with Intellectual Disabilities1
Authors: Beart Suzie , Hardy Gillian , Buchan Linda
Published: August 2004

Purpose  To explore the experience of belonging to a self‐advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities, and how membership of such a group impacts on individual members.

Methods  Eight people with intellectual disabilities, who belonged to a self‐advocacy group for at least 6 months, were interviewed about their experiences of membership. A grounded theory approach was used to generate and analyse the interview data.

Results  A model of the impact of belonging to a self‐advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities on individual members' self‐concept is developed. The model proposes that participants' self‐concept changes as a result of group membership and that this process of change involves six key categories: joining the group; learning about and doing self‐advocacy; becoming aware of group aims and identity; experiencing a positive social environment; identifying positive change in self‐concept and seeing the future of self and group as interlinked.

Conclusion  Membership of a self‐advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities changes the self‐concept of participants. The processes surrounding these changes have important implications for self‐advocacy groups both, in recruitment and in supporting group members.
People with Intellectual Disabilities Living in Generic Residential Services for Older People in the UK
Authors: Thompson D. J. , Ryrie I. , Wright S.
Published: August 2004

Background  As part of a UK programme of work focusing on older people with intellectual disabilities, the circumstance of those who reside in generic services for older people were investigated.

Materials and methods  Questionnaires were sent to 2570 residential and nursing homes in 53 local authorities across the UK.

Results  Five hundred and thirty returned questionnaires identified 215 people with intellectual disabilities currently living in 150 homes. They were significantly younger than the other residents, and were placed in these homes more often because of organizational change or the ageing/death of a family carer, rather than any changes in their own needs. Several potential indicators of a low quality of life were identified, including limited opportunities to get out, to access day services, to have contact with family or friends and to receive input from professionals outside the home.

Conclusions  Attention needs to be given both to people with intellectual disabilities already residing in older people's services and to the prevention of further inappropriate placements.
The Relationship Between Life Events and Psychopathology Amongst Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hatton Chris , Emerson Eric
Published: August 2004

Background  Research has established a clear relationship between life events and psychopathology amongst children generally, but this relationship has not been investigated in children with intellectual disabilities.

Methods  A secondary analysis of data collected by the 1999 ONS survey of the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in Great Britain, investigating associations between adverse life events and psychopathology amongst 264 children with intellectual disabilities and 10 040 children without intellectual disabilities.

Results  Children with intellectual disabilities were more likely to experience a greater number and range of adverse life events than children without intellectual disabilities, a difference partly accounted for by family poverty. For children with and without intellectual disabilities, there were robust associations between several life events and child psychiatric disorders, most strongly emotional disorder. There also appeared to be a cumulative effect of life events on the psychopathology of children with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusions  Adverse life events play an important role in the psychopathology of children with intellectual disabilities and require further research attention. Policy interventions to reduce family poverty may have an indirect effect upon child psychopathology.
Job Stress, Burnout and Job Satisfaction: An Intervention Study for Staff Working with People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Innstrand Siw Tone , Espnes Geir Arild , Mykletun Reidar
Published: August 2004

Background  The present paper reviews staff stress, burnout and job satisfaction.

Methods  A longitudinal, quasi experimental study was carried out among staff working with people with intellectual disabilities in two municipalities in Norway. The purpose was to measure mean differences of stress, burnout and job satisfaction after different intervention approaches were applied to staff in one of the municipalities. Staff in the other municipality acted as a control group.

Results  Using the pretest score as the covariate, by analysis of covariance (ancova), the experimental group showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in stress and exhaustion, and a strong significant rise in job satisfaction after intervention.

Conclusions  This was a sufficiently promising result to encourage further research, not only to promote the individual worker's health and well being, but also to ensure the health and well being of those for whom services are provided.
Exploring the relation between work domains and work‐related learning: the case of the Dutch police force
Authors: Doornbos Anja J. , Bolhuis S. , Denessen E.
Published: August 2004

The principal aim of this study is to explore the relations between work domains and the work‐related learning of workers. The article is intended to provide insight into the learning experiences of Dutch police officers during the course of their daily work. Interviews regarding actual learning events and subsequent changes in knowledge, skills or attitudes were conducted with police officers from different parts of the country and at different stages of their careers. Interpretative analyses grounded in the notion of intentionality and developmental relatedness revealed how and in what kinds of work domains police officers appear to learn. Homogeneity analysis use of Alternating Least Squares (HOMALS) analysis showed work‐related learning activities to vary with different kinds of work domains. The implications for training and development involve the role of colleagues in different hierarchical positions for learning and they also concern the utility of the conceptualisation of work‐related learning presented here.
Company training in the United States 1970–2000: what have been the trends over time?
Authors: Stern David , Song Yingquan , O'Brien Bridget
Published: August 2004

This study uses data from surveys of U.S. employees to determine whether any trends are apparent in the proportion who say they receive some form of training at work.  Discussions of economic change in the U.S. and elsewhere have frequently asserted that work has become more intellectually demanding.  This implies that training in workplaces should have become more prevalent.  However, the survey data do not reveal any overall trend in the prevalence of workplace training between 1970 and 2000.  There did appear to be a rising trend for women, evidently reflecting women's increased representation in professional and managerial occupations.  Throughout this period, more highly educated workers are more likely to say they receive training at work.
Assessing the antecedents of transfer intentions in a training context
Authors: Machin M. Anthony , Fogarty Gerard J.
Published: August 2004

This study examined the underlying structure of transfer climate and those aspects of transfer climate that were related to pre‐training self‐efficacy, pre‐training motivation, and post‐training transfer implementation intentions. Positive and negative affectivity (PA and NA) were also measured in order to better understand the relationship of these variables to trainees’ perceptions of the transfer climate and the other training‐related variables. Transfer climate was best represented by two underlying constructs, although these were correlated. After controlling for PA and NA, none of the transfer climate variables were significantly related to pre‐training self‐efficacy, while only positive reinforcement was significantly related to pre‐training motivation. Pre‐training self‐efficacy was also a significant predictor of pre‐training motivation, even after controlling for PA and NA. Negative affectivity was the only significant predictor of post‐training transfer implementation intentions. Further research needs to clarify whether PA and NA are contributors to the trainees’ perceptions of the transfer climate or are a product of these perceptions.
Book reviews
Authors: Stewart Jim
Published: August 2004

Book reviewed:

Marcia Bench. The Career Coach's Ultimate Resource Guide.
GUIDE study: double‐blind comparison of once‐daily gliclazide MR and glimepiride in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Schernthaner G. , Grimaldi A. , Di Mario U. , Drzewoski J. , Kempler P. , Kvapil M. , Novials A. , Rottiers R. , Rutten G. E. H. M. , Shaw K. M.
Published: August 2004

Background  Progressive β‐cell failure is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes; consequently, β‐cell secretagogues are useful for achieving sufficient glycaemic control. The European GUIDE study is the first large‐scale head‐to‐head comparison of two sulphonylureas designed for once‐daily administration used under conditions of everyday clinical practice.

Design  Eight hundred and forty‐five type 2 diabetic patients were randomized to either gliclazide modified release (MR) 30–120 mg daily or glimepiride 1–6 mg daily as monotherapy or in combination with their current treatment (metformin or an α‐glucosidase inhibitor) according to a double‐blind, 27‐week, parallel‐group design. Efficacy was evaluated by HbA1c and safety by hypoglycaemic episodes using the European Agency definition.

Results  HbA1c decreased similarly in both groups from 8·4% to 7·2% on gliclazide MR and from 8·2% to 7·2% on glimepiride. Approximately 50% of the patients achieved HbA1c levels less than 7%, and 25% less than 6·5%. The mean difference between groups of the final HbA1c was −0·06% (noninferiority test P < 0·0001). No hypoglycaemia requiring external assistance occurred. Hypoglycaemia with blood glucose level < 3 mmol L−1 occurred significantly less frequently (P = 0·003) with gliclazide MR (3·7% of patients) compared with glimepiride (8·9% of patients). The distribution of the sulphonylurea doses was similar in both groups.

Conclusions  This study provides new insights into therapeutic strategies using sulphonylureas. It shows that gliclazide MR is at least as effective as glimepiride, either as monotherapy or in combination. The safety of gliclazide MR was significantly better, demonstrating approximately 50% fewer confirmed hypoglycaemic episodes in comparison with glimepiride.
Metabolism of cholesterol ester of apolipoprotein B100‐containing lipoproteins in dogs: evidence for disregarding cholesterol ester transfer
Authors: Bailhache E. , Briand F. , Nguyen P. , Krempf M. , Magot T. , Ouguerram K.
Published: August 2004

Background  It has been shown that dogs exhibit no cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in vitro, in contrast to humans. The aim of our study was to determine modalities of in vivo plasma cholesterol ester turnover in this species, using a kinetic approach with stable isotopes.

Materials and methods  Kinetics of very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) were studied in seven adult male Beagle dogs using a dual isotope approach through endogenous labelling of both their cholesterol moiety and their protein moiety. A primed constant infusion of both [1,213C]acetate and [5,5,5‐2H3]leucine enabled us to obtain measurable deuterium enrichments by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry for plasma leucine and apoB100, as well as measurable 13C enrichment by gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotopic ratio mass spectrometry for unesterified cholesterol and cholesterol ester in the VLDL and LDL. Two identical multicompartmental models (SAAM II) were used together for the analysis of tracer kinetics’ data of proteins and cholesterol.

Results  Characterization of the apoB100‐containing lipoprotein cholesterol ester model allowed determination of kinetic parameters of VLDL and LDL cholesterol ester metabolism. We succeeded in modelling VLDL and LDL cholesterol ester metabolism and apoB100 metabolism simultaneously. Fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of apoB100 and CE had the same values. Introducing cholesterol ester transfer between lipoproteins in the model did not significantly improve the fit. Total VLDL FCR was 2·97 ± 01·47 h−1. Approximately one‐quarter corresponded to the direct removal of VLDL (0·81 ± 00·34 h−1) and the remaining three‐quarters corresponded to the fraction of VLDL converted to LDL, which represented a conversion of VLDL into LDL of 2·16 ± 01·16 h−1. Low‐density lipoproteins were produced exclusively from VLDL conversion and were then removed (0·031 ± 0·004 h−1) from plasma.

Conclusion  These kinetic data showed that VLDL cholesterol ester and LDL cholesterol ester metabolism followed VLDL and LDL apoB100 metabolism, and that consequently there is no in vivo transfer of cholesterol ester in dogs.
Elevated rates of schizophrenia in a familial sample with mental illness and intellectual disability
Authors: Greenwood C. M. T. , Husted J. , Bomba M. D. , Hodgkinson K. A. , Bassett A. S.
Published: August 2004

Background  It is unknown whether intellectual disability (ID) is more familially related to psychotic mood disorders or schizophrenia. L. S. Penrose's large sample of families with two or more members admitted to psychiatric hospitals provided a unique opportunity to investigate the familial relationship between mild ID, schizophrenia and psychotic affective disorders.

Method  There were 183 affected relative pairs comprising probands with mild ID (95 male, 88 female) and their first or second degree relatives with schizophrenia or psychotic affective disorder.

Results  There were nearly twice as many relatives with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 121) as relatives with affective disorders (n = 62) among the intellectually impaired probands. This excess of schizophrenia was statistically significant, even after accounting for the increased risk of hospitalization for schizophrenia (P = 0.005), and was fairly constant across the different relative types. First‐degree relatives with either mental illness were more likely to be parents (n = 77) than siblings (n = 51) or children (n = 3), but there was no excess of mother–son pairs.

Conclusions  These results suggest a stronger familial relationship of ID with schizophrenia than psychotic affective disorder, and lend some support to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia.