bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying and characterizing contemporary riparian sedimentation
Authors: Steiger J. , Gurnell A. M. , Goodson J. M.
Published: June 2003

Fluvial processes of erosion, sediment transport and deposition determine the changing form and sedimentary structure of naturally adjusting riparian zones. Riparian sediment storage has both scientific and management importance in relation to: (i) the quantities of sediment that are involved; (ii) the quality of the sediment; and (iii) the dispersal of biological materials, notably the vegetation propagules that are transported and deposited in association with the sediment.

After discussing the significance of riparian sedimentation processes, this paper reviews methods for quantifying contemporary sediment deposition within water bodies and their margins. Methods for investigating contemporary riparian sedimentation are given particular emphasis, and the extent to which different methods provide comparable estimates and have been used to support the analysis of different physical and chemical properties of the sediment are outlined. The importance of the following are stressed: (i) selecting a sampling method that is suited to the sedimentation environment; (ii) incorporating careful cross‐calibration if measurements from different methods are to be combined; and (iii) replicating measurements to give more robust estimates if small traps are employed. It is concluded that artificial turf mats provide a useful design of sediment trap across a range of environmental conditions because: (i) their surface roughness reduces problems of sediment removal by flood waters or rainfall; (ii) their pliability permits installation on irregular surfaces; (iii) they can be securely attached to the ground with metal pins to resist high shear stresses from river flows; (iv) they are robust and light and so easily manipulated in the field and laboratory; (v) it is possible to fully recover the deposited sediment to accurately determine the amount of sediment deposited and to support a range of other analyses.

Results are presented to illustrate how artificial turf mats can be used to estimate the quantity and quality of deposited sediment and to explore the associated deposition of viable seeds. This provides one example of the important hydroecological role of riparian sedimentation processes and of the potential for the development of innovative, interdisciplinary research on riparian sediment dynamics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alcohol promotes dopamine release in the human nucleus accumbens
Authors: Boileau Isabelle , Assaad Jean‐Marc , Pihl Robert O. , Benkelfat Chawki , Leyton Marco , Diksic Mirko , Tremblay Richard E. , Dagher Alain
Published: June 2003

Microdialysis experiments in rodents indicate that ethanol promotes dopamine release predominantly in the nucleus accumbens, a phenomenon that is implicated in the reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis in humans that an oral dose of ethanol would lead to dopamine release in the ventral striatum, including the nucleus accumbens. Six healthy subjects underwent two [11C]raclopride PET scans following either alcohol (1 ml/kg) in orange juice or orange juice alone. Subjective mood changes, heart rate, and blood‐alcohol levels were monitored throughout the procedure. Personality traits were evaluated using the tridimensional personality questionnaire. PET images were co‐registered with MRI and transformed into stereotaxic space. Statistical parametric maps of [11C]raclopride binding potential change were generated. There was a significant reduction in [11C]raclopride binding potential bilaterally in the ventral striatum/nucleus accumbens in the alcohol condition compared to the orange juice condition, indicative of increased extracellular dopamine. Moreover, the magnitude of the change in [11C]raclopride binding correlated with the alcohol‐induced increase in heart rate, which is thought to be a marker of the psychostimulant effects of the drug, and with the personality dimension of impulsiveness. The present study is the first report that, in humans, alcohol promotes dopamine release in the brain, with a preferential effect in the ventral striatum. These findings support the hypothesis that mesolimbic dopamine activation is a common property of abused substances, possibly mediating their reinforcing effects. Synapse 49:226–231, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personality abnormality in severe mental illness and its influence on outcome of intensive and standard case management: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tyrer P. , Manley C. , Van Horn E. , Leddy D. , Ukoumunne O.C.
Published: July 2003

One hundred fifty-five (77%) of 201 participants recruited in a trial of intensive vs standard case management of patients with recurrent psychotic illness had their personality status measured before treatment and were followed up for two years. The primary outcome was the total number of days spent in psychiatric hospitalisation in the two years following randomisation. Thirty-three (21%) of the patients had a personality disorder and their duration of hospital stay (105 days) was greater than in those without personality disorder (56 days). There was weak evidence that intensive case management more effective in reducing the duration of care in those with personality disorder than in those without personality disorder.
Add‐on therapy with montelukast or formoterol in patients with the glycine‐16 β2‐receptor genotype
Authors: Sims Erika J. , Jackson Catherine M. , Lipworth Brian J.
Published: July 2003

Aims  We assessed whether montelukast or formoterol provides additive effects to asthmatics not controlled on inhaled corticosteroids, by studying patients who were considered to be genetically susceptible to β2‐receptor down regulation and subsensitivity, and who expressed the homozygous glycine‐16 β2‐receptor genotype.

Methods  Fifteen corticosteroid‐treated, mild to moderate persistent asthmatics received montelukast 10 mg once daily or formoterol 9 µg twice daily for 2 weeks, separated by a 2‐week placebo run‐in and washout, in a double‐blind, double‐dummy, randomized crossover design. Bronchoprotection against adenosine monophosphate (AMP) challenge (primary endpoint), spirometry and blood eosinophils were measured at trough after placebo, first and last doses.

Results  For AMP PC20vs placebo, there were sustained significant (P < 0.05) doubling dilution improvements following first (1.1; 95% CI 0.4, 1.9) and last (1.0; 95% CI 0.3, 1.8) doses of montelukast, and following first (1.3; 95% CI 0.1, 2.6) but not last (0.3; 95% CI −0.9, 1.6) doses of formoterol. Blood eosinophils (× 106 l−1) were significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed after the last dose of montelukast (−71; 95% CI −3, −140) compared with placebo, while formoterol exhibited a nonsignificant rise (20; 95% CI −92, 132). Neither treatment significantly improved FEV1, FEF25‐75 or PEF after 2 weeks.

Conclusions  In genetically susceptible patients with the homozygous glycine‐16 genotype, montelukast, but not formoterol, conferred sustained anti‐inflammatory properties in addition to inhaled corticosteroid, which were dissociated from changes in lung function after 2 weeks. Thus, assessing lung function may miss potentially beneficial anti‐inflammatory effects of montelukast when used as add‐on therapy.
Expression of Arabidopsis CBF1 regulated by an ABA/stress inducible promoter in transgenic tomato confers stress tolerance without affecting yield
Authors: LEE J.‐T. , PRASAD V. , YANG P.‐T. , WU J.‐F. , DAVID HO T.‐H. , CHARNG Y.‐Y. , CHAN M.‐T.
Published: July 2003

Modern‐day plants are subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses thereby limiting plant productivity and quality. It has previously been reported that the use of a strong constitutive 35S cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) promoter to drive the expression of Arabidopsis CBF1 in tomato improved tolerance to cold, drought and salt loading, at the expense of growth and yield under normal growth conditions. Hence in the present study, the suitability of expressing the Arabidopsis CBF1 driven by three copies of an ABA‐responsive complex (ABRC1) from the barley HAV22 gene in order to improve the agronomic performance of the transgenic tomato plants was investigated. Northern blot analysis indicated that CBF1 gene expression was induced by chilling, water‐deficit and salt treatment in the transgenic tomato plants. Under these tested stress conditions, transgenic tomato plants exhibited enhanced tolerance to chilling, water‐deficit, and salt stress in comparison with untransformed plants. Under normal growing conditions the ABRC1‐CBF1 tomato plants maintained normal growth and yield similar to the untransformed plants. The results demonstrate the promise of using ABRC1‐CBF1 tomato plants in highly stressed conditions which will in turn benefit agriculture.
Effects of goats' or cows' milks on nutritive utilization of calcium and phosphorus in rats with intestinal resection
Authors: Campos Margarita S. , López-Aliaga Inmaculada , Alférez María J. M. , Nestares Teresa , Barrionuevo Mercedes
Published: July 2003

We analysed the effects of goats' milk (GM) on the nutritive utilization of Ca and P in rats with resection of 50% distal small intestine in comparison with cows' milk (CM) and a standard non-milk diet. The three test diets contained 200 g protein and 100 g fat/kg. The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of Ca and P were considerably higher in the two groups of rats given the GM diet than those given the other two diets. Ca and P retention did not decrease by effect of intestinal resection with GM diet. In both groups of animals, serum Ca and P levels and ionic Ca were higher in the case of the GM diet than the other two diets, whereas the parathyroid hormone levels were lower. Ca content in femur, sternum andlongissimus dorsimuscle was higher in rats given the GM diet. P content in femur and sternum was higher among the two groups of rats given a milk-based diet (GM or CM), especially with GM diet. The GM diet has beneficial effects on nutritive utilization of Ca and P in control rats and those with resection of the distal small intestine.
Measuring dietary fatty acid intake: validation of a food-frequency questionnaire against 7d weighed records
Authors: Broadfield Emma , McKeever Tricia , Fogarty Andrew , Britton John
Published: July 2003

There are few validated methods of measuring dietary fatty acid intake that are suitable for epidemiological research. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed to measure individual dietary fatty acid intakes against 7d weighed dietary records, in a sample of thirty-one healthy adult volunteers. The FFQ was based on a previously validated questionnaire (DIETQ; Tinuviel Software, Warrington, Ches., UK), adapted to include greater detail on those foods from which the majority of dietary fatty acids are obtained. The FFQ and weighed records were analysed using food nutrient data fromMcCance and Widdowson's Food Composition Tables, supplemented with a food fatty acid content database (Foodbase, London, UK). Results from the two dietary assessment methods were compared by correlation coefficients and limits of agreement. The mean intake of individual fatty acids tended to be lower when assessed by FFQ. Correlation coefficients comparing unadjusted individual fatty acid intakes assessed by FFQ and weighed records ranged from 0·29 for 18:1n−9 to 0·71 for 20:4n−6. Adjusting for energy intake tended to increase the correlation coefficients between saturated fatty acids and decrease those between unsaturated fatty acids. In conclusion, this food-frequency method provides reliable estimates of dietary intake of many individual fatty acids for use in epidemiological studies.
Vitatmin C and bone markers: investigations in a Gambian population
Authors: Munday Karen
Published: July 2003

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient. Absence from the diet will result in the deficiency disease scurvy, typically characterised by weakening of collagenous structures. High intakes of vitamin C have been associated with decreased incidence or severity of a number of diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. These beneficial effects may be attributed to its antioxidant properties, although the exact mechanisms of action remain elusive. It is also unclear what intake levels are required for optimal health benefits. The task of defining optimal intakes is hindered by the lack of a reliable functional marker of tissue vitamin C status in man. Many different pathways have been investigated, but none of them have measurable outcome variables relating directly to scorbutic changes. The bone-collagen formation pathway has the potential to provide a functional index of tissue vitamin C adequacy. Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for the enzyme lysyl hydroxylase, which is required for the hydroxylation of lysine residues in procollagen chains. Pyridinoline is a mature collagen cross-link formed from three hydroxylysine residues, deoxypyridinoline is formed from two hydroxylysine and one lysine residue. Guinea-pig studies have shown an alteration in the pyridinium cross-link ratios in response to graded vitamin C intakes ‘Tsuchiya & Bates, 1998’. In order to investigate whether these changes can be seen in a human population group, a study was carried out in rural Gambia, where there is a marked seasonal variation in dietary vitamin C. The present review discusses the rationale behind the study and presents some preliminary results.
The role of polyphenolic compounds in the diet as inhibitors of platelet function
Authors: Hubbard Gary P. , Wolffram Siegfried , Lovegrove Julie A. , Gibbins Jonathan M.
Published: July 2003

Platelets play a substantial role in cardiovascular disease, and for many years there has been a search for dietary components that are able to inhibit platelet function and therefore decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Platelets can be inhibited by alcohol, dietary fats and some antioxidants, including a group of compounds, the polyphenols, found in fruits and vegetables. A number of these compounds have been shown to inhibit platelet function bothin vitroandin vivo. In the present study the effects of the hydroxycinnamates and the flavonoid quercetin on platelet activation and cell signallingin vitrowere investigated. The hydroxycinnamates inhibited platelet function, although not at levels that can be achieved in human plasma by dietary intervention. However, quercetin inhibited platelet aggregation at levels lower than those previously reported. Quercetin was also found to inhibit intracellular Ca mobilisation and whole-cell tyrosine protein phosphorylation in platelets, which are both processes essential for platelet activation. The effect of polyphenols on platelet aggregationin vivowas also investigated. Twenty subjects followed a low-polyphenol diet for 3 d before and also during supplementation. All subjects were supplemented with a polyphenol-rich meal every lunchtime for 5 d. Platelet aggregation and plasma flavonols were measured at baseline and after 5 d of dietary supplementation. Total plasma flavonoids increased significantly after the dietary intervention period (P=0·001). However, no significant changes inex vivoplatelet aggregation were observed. Further investigation of the effects of individual polyphenolic compounds on platelet function, bothin vitroandin vivo, is required in order to elucidate their role in the relationship between diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Open publishing
Authors: Morris Sally
Published: July 2003

There is increasing pressure from academia to make the results of publicly funded research freely available to all. Preprint archives have grown up in some disciplines, and institutional archives are now being developed. While openly accessible preprints seem to have damaged publishers less than was originally feared, the final published versions of articles – when combined with sophisticated retrieval software – may turn out to be a different matter. Publishers have already done much to make their content more accessible through bundling, consortia licensing, access for less‐developed countries, more liberal customer and author agreements, and collective licensing. Some are experimenting with open access journals, although this may not work in all disciplines. It seems clear, however, that there are elements of value in journals themselves, and in the functions performed by journal publishers, which should survive.
OpenURL: making the link to libraries
Authors: Hellman Eric
Published: July 2003

The background and theory of the open URL are described and examples given of its usefulness. An account is then given of the OpenURL system and its relationship to CrossRef.
Terrorism, the publishing decision and beyond
Authors: Singleton Alan
Published: July 2003

The legal, ethical and practical aspects of the journal publisher's position when material that appears to be of use to terrorists is presented for publication are discussed and some alternative strategies set out.
The economics of scholarly journals: a case study on a society‐published journal
Authors: Ha Louisa
Published: July 2003

This article re‐examines the economics of publishing scholarly journals and illustrates the dilemma of publisher identity and publication format with a case study of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's Media Management and Economics division. The study investigates the perceived interest and demand for a society‐published journal for the field of media management and economics and the preferred format for that journal – print or online. Results showed a divided opinion on the support of a society‐published journal and no consideration of the benefits or harms of journal publishing to the society. The print journal, though a desirable format for authors, is deemed uneconomical. The online journal is viewed as a feasible publication outlet, but its status as a prestigious journal is doubtful. Applications of scholarly journal publishing and economic models to the case are discussed.
Perceptions of the customer
Authors: Kahn Deborah
Published: July 2003

At a time when customer focus is an aim in many publishing companies, this paper looks at how people in publishing organizations think about customers, why they think like this and what this might mean to the products the company produces. It suggests that views of the customer are often internally constructed and become a self‐fulfilling prophecy, which could lead to publishers missing out on opportunities. The conclusion is that more and different interactions with customers are needed if publishers are to become truly customer focused.
Essay Review
Authors: Singleton Alan
Published: July 2003

Scholarly Publishing: Books, Journals, Publishers and Libraries in the Twentieth Century edited by Richard E. Abel and Lyman W. Newlin (Against the Grain Special Millennial Issue), Wiley, 2002, 318 pp.
Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics of Rifampin in an Aerosol Infection Model of Tuberculosis
Authors: Jayaram Ramesh , Gaonkar Sheshagiri , Kaur Parvinder , Suresh B. L. , Mahesh B. N. , Jayashree R. , Nandi Vrinda , Bharat Sowmya , Shandil R. K. , Kantharaj E. , Balasubramanian V.
Published: June 2003

Limited information exists on the pharmacokinetic (PK)-pharmacodynamic (PD) relationships of drugs against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Our aim was to identify the PK-PD parameter that best describes the efficacy of rifampin on the basis of in vitro and PK properties. Consistent with 83.8% protein binding by equilibrium dialysis, the rifampin MIC for
M. tuberculosis
strain H37Rv rose from 0.1 in a serum-free system to 1.0 mg/ml when it was tested in the presence of 50% serum. In time-kill studies, rifampin exhibited area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)-dependent killing in vitro, with maximal killing seen on all days and with the potency increasing steadily over a 9-day exposure period. MIC and time-kill studies performed with intracellular organisms in a macrophage monolayer model yielded similar results. By use of a murine aerosol infection model with dose ranging and dose fractionation over 6 days, the PD parameter that best correlated with a reduction in bacterial counts was found to be AUC/MIC (
r
2
= 0.95), whereas the maximum concentration in serum/MIC (
r
2
= 0.86) and the time that the concentration remained above the MIC (
r
2
= 0.44) showed lesser degrees of correlation.
High-Level Expression of AmpC β-Lactamase Due to Insertion of Nucleotides between −10 and −35 Promoter Sequences in
Escherichia coli
Clinical Isolates: Cases Not Responsive to Extended-Spectrum-Cephalosporin Treatment
Authors: Siu L. K. , Lu Po-Liang , Chen J.-Y. , Lin F. M. , Chang Shan-Chwen
Published: June 2003

Two
Escherichia coli
isolates were recovered from the blood of two cancer patients and were demonstrated to produce high levels of the AmpC β-lactamase with isoelectric points of >9.0. The hypertranscription of
ampC
RNA was observed by Northern blot hybridization in both isolates. One isolate (isolate EC44) had a point mutation (G→A at position −28) and insertion of thymidine between positions −20 and −19 of the
ampC
promoter gene (GenBank accession no.
AE000487
). The single nucleotide insertion of T between positions −19 and −20 created an optimal distance (17 bp) in the Pribnow box for
ampC
hyperproduction. The other isolate (isolate EC38) had two point mutations (G→A at position −28 and C→T at position +58) and a 2-base (GT) insertion between positions −14 and −15. Although the insertion of GT between positions −14 and −15 may create a new promoter next to the original promoter, cloning of the
ampC
region with truncated nucleotides of the original −35 region of EC38 failed to verify the hypothesis that a new promoter would be created by such a nucleotide insertion. Instead, multiple start sites for
ampC
transcription at −1, +1, +2, and +3 were observed in an S1 nuclease protection assay. These results suggest that the RNA polymerase is flexible in the selection of a start site in
ampC
hypertranscription. In conclusion, nucleotide insertions between the −35 and −10
ampC
promoter sequences was the mechanism for the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase and resistance to oxyimino-cephalosporins. The failure of the two patients to respond to treatment with oxyimino-cephalosporins highlights the important role of such a resistance mechanism in the clinical setting.
Randomized Open Trial of Gentamicin and Doxycycline for Eradication of
Bartonella quintana
from Blood in Patients with Chronic Bacteremia
Authors: Foucault C. , Raoult D. , Brouqui P.
Published: June 2003

Chronic
Bartonella quintana
bacteremia is known to occur in homeless people exposed to lice. We present here the results of an open randomized trial performed to evaluate the efficacy of doxycycline in combination with gentamicin in the eradication of
B. quintana
bacteremia. From 1 January 2001 to 1 April 2002, homeless people with blood cultures positive for
B. quintana
were randomized to receive either no treatment (untreated controls) or a combination of gentamicin (3 mg/kg of body weight/day intravenously for 14 days) and doxycycline (200 mg/day orally for 28 days). Patients were evaluated from the results of blood cultures performed between day 28 (the end of treatment) and day 90 postinclusion. Intention-to-treat analysis of 20 included patients showed eradication of bacteremia in 7 out of 9 treated patients versus 2 out of 11 untreated controls (
P
= 0.01). In the per-protocol analysis, eradication was obtained for 7 out of 7 treated patients versus 2 out of 9 untreated controls (
P
= 0.003). This study demonstrates the efficiency of the combination of doxycycline and gentamicin in eradicating
B. quintana
bacteremia.
Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance in Clinical Isolates of
Escherichia coli
from Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Minggui , Tran John H. , Jacoby George A. , Zhang Yingyuan , Wang Fu , Hooper David C.
Published: June 2003

Although quinolone resistance usually results from chromosomal mutations, recent studies indicate that quinolone resistance can also be plasmid mediated. The gene responsible,
qnr
, is distinct from the known quinolone resistance genes and in previous studies seemed to be restricted to
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Escherichia coli
isolates from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where this resistance was discovered. In Shanghai, the frequency of ciprofloxacin resistance in
E. coli
has exceeded 50% since 1993. Seventy-eight unique ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical isolates of
E. coli
from Shanghai hospitals were screened for the
qnr
gene by colony blotting and Southern hybridization of plasmid DNA. Conjugation experiments were done with azide-resistant
E. coli
J53 as a recipient with selection for plasmid-encoded antimicrobial resistance (chloramphenicol, gentamicin, or tetracycline) and azide counterselection.
qnr
genes were sequenced, and the structure of the plasmid DNA adjacent to
qnr
was analyzed by primer walking with a sequential series of outward-facing sequencing primers with plasmid DNA templates purified from transconjugants. Six (7.7%) of 78 strains gave a reproducible hybridization signal with a
qnr
gene probe on colony blots and yielded strong signals on plasmid DNA preparations. Quinolone resistance was transferred from all six probe-positive strains. Transconjugants had 16- to 250-fold increases in the MICs of ciprofloxacin relative to that of the recipient. All six strains contained
qnr
with a nucleotide sequence identical to that originally reported, except for a single nucleotide change (CT
A
→CT
G
at position 537) encoding the same amino acid.
qnr
was located in complex In4 family class 1 integrons. Two completely sequenced integrons were designated In36 and In37. Transferable plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance associated with
qnr
is thus prevalent in quinolone-resistant clinical strains of
E. coli
from Shanghai and may contribute to the rapid increase in bacterial resistance to quinolones in China.
Recombinant Single-Chain Variable Fragment Antibodies Directed againstClostridium difficileToxin B Produced by Use of an Optimized Phage Display System
Authors: Deng Xiao K. , Nesbit Lance A. , Morrow K. John
Published: July 2003

Recombinant antibody cloning and phage display technologies were used to produce single-chain antibodies (scFv) againstClostridium difficiletoxin B. The starting material was the mouse B cell hybridoma line 5A8, which generates a monoclonal antibody against the toxin. The integrated cloning, screening, and phage display system of Krebber et al. (J. Immunol. Methods201:35-55, 1997) allowed us to rapidly obtain toxin B-binding scFv sequences derived from the hybridoma cell line. The best candidate scFv sequences, based on preliminary enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening data were then subcloned into the compatible expression vector. Recombinant single-chain antibodies were expressed inEscherichia coli.A 29-kDa band was observed on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as predicted. The expressed product was characterized by immunoblotting and detection with an anti-FLAG antibody. The toxin B-binding function of the single-chain antibody was shown by a sandwich ELISA. The antibody was highly specific for toxin B and did not cross-react with material isolated from a toxin B-negativeC. difficilestrain. The sensitivity of the soluble single-chain antibody is significantly higher than the original monoclonal antibody based on ELISA data and could detect a minimum of 10 ng of toxin B/well. Competitive ELISAs established that the affinity of the 5A8 parent antibody and the best representative (clone 10) of the single-chain antibodies were similar and in the range of 10−8M. We propose that recombinant antibody technology is a rapid and effective approach to the development of the next generation of immunodiagnostic reagents.
Differences in Clinical Manifestations and Hematological and Serological Responses after Experimental Infection with Genetic Variants ofAnaplasma phagocytophilumin Sheep
Authors: Stuen Snorre , Bergström Karin , Petrovec Miroslav , Van de Pol Ingrid , Schouls Leo M.
Published: July 2003

Five-month-old lambs were experimentally infected with two 16S rRNA genetic variants ofAnaplasma phagocytophilum, variants 1 (GenBank accession no.M73220) and 2 (GenBank accession no.AF336220). Additional sequencing of thegroESLheat shock operon gene indicated that these variants differ in three nucleotides at positions 782, 824, and 890. The variants were obtained by blood sampling ofA.phagocytophilum-infected lambs from one sheep flock in Norway and were stored at −70°C with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide as a cryoprotectant before being inoculated intravenously into susceptible lambs. The infectious blood contained, per ml, approximately 0.5 × 106neutrophils infected with either of the variants. Six weeks after the primary inoculation, the lambs were challenged with the same infectious dose of the heterologous variant. The results of the study indicate a marked difference in clinical manifestation, neutropenia, antibody response, and cross-protection after experimental infection with the two variants ofA. phagocytophilum.
Many-Electron Problem in Terms of the Density: From Thomas–Fermi to Modern Density-Functional Theory
Authors: Harbola Manoj K. , Banerjee Arup
Published: July 2003

In this paper we focus on the use of electron density and current-density as basic variables in describing a many-electron system. We start with a discussion of the seminal Thomas–Fermi theory and its extension by Bloch for time-dependent hamiltonians. We then present modern density-functional theory (for both time-independent and time-dependent hamiltonians) and approximations involved in implementing it. Also discussed is perturbation theory in terms of electron density and its use for calculating various response properties and related quantities. In particular, van der Waals coefficient C6is calculated using density and current density in time-dependent perturbation theory. Throughout the paper, results for alkali-metal clusters are presented to demonstrate the strength of density-based theories.
The Impact of ICT Investment on Establishment Productivity
Authors: Zwick Thomas
Published: July 2003

This paper finds substantial effects of ICT investments on productivity for a large and representative German establishment panel data set. In contrast to the bulk of the literature also establishments without ICT capital are included and lagged effects of ICT investments are analysed. In addition, a broad range of establishment and employee characteristics are taken account of in order to avoid omitted variable bias. It is shown that taking into account unobserved heterogeneity of the establishments and endogeneity of ICT investments increases the estimated lagged productivity impact of ICT investments.
The Political Economy of Slovak and Czech Health Policy: 1989-2000
Authors: Lawson Colin , Nemec Juraj
Published: July 2003

After 1989, the Czech and Slovak health-care systems followed dissimilar policies. Change was faster, more profound and more experimental in the Czech Republic. But after 10 years there are clear similarities in their health status achievements and systemic problems. By showing how a common past and a similar insurance-based finance model interact with commitments to universal access, the common outcomes and problems are explained. It is argued that greater spending, rather than privatization, has improved health-care outcomes since transition began. It is also argued that most of the key problems with the two systems are finance related.
The Theory of Reflexive Modernization
Authors: Beck Ulrich , Bonss Wolfgang , Lau Christoph
Published: July 2003

How can one distinguish the concept of second modernity from the concept of postmodernity? Postmodernists are interested in deconstruction without reconstruction, second modernity is about deconstruction and reconstruction. Social sciences need to construct new concepts to understand the world dynamics at the beginning of the 21st century.

Modernity has not vanished, we are not post it. Radical social change has always been part of modernity. What is new is that modernity has begun to modernize its own foundations. This is what it means to say modernity has become reflexive. It has become directed at itself. This causes huge new problems both in reality and in theory. There has been a pluralization of the boundaries within and between societies, between society and nature, between Us and Other, between life and death. This pluralization also changes the inherent nature of boundaries. They become not so much boundaries as a variety of attempts to draw of boundaries. Border conflicts become transformed into conflicts over the drawing of boundaries. Where postmodernism simply celebrates this multiplication of boundaries, the theory of second modernity starts with the problem this new reality poses for individual and collective decisions, and with the problem that the continued existence of such decisions poses for theory. Institutions that are capable of such conscious boundary drawing are enabled in a way that those of the first modernity were not. But this process also generates qualitatively new kinds of trouble and crises. To investigate those troubles is to unveil the emergence of the second modernity.
Mechanism, Control and Design Methodology of the Nonholonomic Quasi-Omnidirectional Vehicle “ODV9”
Authors: Mori Yoshikazu , Nakano Eiji , Takahashi Takayuki
Published: June 2003

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design of ODV9, a nonholonomic quasi-omnidirectional vehicle to be used as a general platform for mobile robots. Omnidirectional mobility is a desirable property for such a platform because indoor mobile robots are often requested to move in a narrow space. ODV9 has four wheel modules, and each module incorporates one motor, one steering brake, and one conventional wheel equipped with a rubber tire. The use of caster wheels means that ODV9 can be operated with just two motors. Compared with other omnidirectional vehicles, the advantages of ODV9 are not limited to the simplicity of its mechanism. Benefiting from being able to use pneumatic tires, ODV9 is capable of moving on somewhat bumpy road surfaces. The disadvantage of ODV9 is inferiority in its maneuverability. The quasi-omnidirectionality means that an arbitrary x , y and yaw motion cannot be achieved. The disadvantage is, however, compensated by proper use of many possible running modes according to the situation. Experimental results and simulations verify the effectiveness of the design. The ability of ODV9 to get over a step and change its width is also discussed.
Dexterous Grippers: Putting Nonholonomy to Work for Fine Manipulation
Authors: Bicchi Antonio , Marigo Alessia
Published: June 2003

In this paper, we describe the realization and control of robotic end-effectors that are designed to achieve high operational versatility with limited constructive complexity. The design of such end-effectors, which can be regarded either as low-complexity robot hands or as highly versatile robot grippers, is based on the intentional exploitation of nonholonomic effects that occur in rolling. While the potential usefulness of manipulation by rolling has been theoretically established in the literature, several problems in the practical implementation of the concept remained open. In particular, manipulation of parts of complex, and a priori unknown, shape is considered in this paper. Experimental low-complexity grippers that realize dexterous manipulation by rolling are also described.
Acquisition of Elastic Models for Interactive Simulation
Authors: Jochen Lang  , Pai Dinesh K. , Woodham Robert J.
Published: June 2003

We present method and implementation to acquire deformable models of elastic objects. The method is based on the Green's functions matrix representation of an elastic solid. In this paper, we present a robust estimation technique for this Green's functions matrix. Robustness is achieved by regularization and a fitting technique which we describe here in detail. The underlying data for estimation are acquired with a robotic measurement system. We describe the UBC Active Measurement System (ACME) as it relates to the deformable model acquisition. In particular, we characterize the ability of ACME to record the global deformation of an object based on our previously presented range-flow technique. We provide results for two elastic objects: a plush toy and a medical physical soft-tissue wrist model.
Airflow Optimizing Control Research Based on Genetic Algorithm During Mine Fire Period
Authors: Zhong Maohua , Xing Wei , Weicheng Fan , Peide Li , Baozhi Chen
Published: July 2003

Mine fire is a very complex physicochemical process. Once it happens, there are lots of poisonous and harmful gas ingredients while the oxygen density is greatly reduced. Such gas will cause poison, suffocation or death if it is inhaled. As we know, the main cause of great amount of person losses during mine fire is fume poison and suffocation. Additionally, the fume caused by the fire will block the vision and decrease the visibility, which will impede human evacuation and fire fighting. Moreover, due to the turbulent airflow of ventilation network during mine fire period, it is easy to cause the gas and coal dust explosion. So it is very important for the evacuation of miners and mining salvation to research the air flow control during mine fire.

In this paper, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to solve wind-flow quantitative optimizing control. And in “Introduction” we introduce some researches of airflow control of mining fire. In “Main Principles of Airflow Control During Mine Fire Period”, the fundamental principles of airflow control during mine fire are introduced. The airflow optimizing control models are introduced in “Nonlinear Programming Model of Air Current Optimum Control During Mine Fire Period”. In “Computation of Nonlinear Programming of Airflow Control During Mining Fire Period”, the computation methods and the selection of relative parameters of the control model are discussed. Finally, a computation example is given.
Electrosensitive Fluids in Acoustic Devices
Authors: Rubanov Anatolyi S. , Karabko Alexsandra O.
Published: July 2003

This article is aimed at elucidation of the specific features in propagation of ultrasound waves in an electrostructurized medium, of their dependence on an applied electric field and implementation of the effects obtained in practice.
Fundamental Boundary Tribology: ESF
Authors: Bullough W. A. , Wong P. L. , Feng C. , Leung W. C.
Published: July 2003

Friction and wear phenomena associated with electro-structured fluids (ESF) are reviewed with respect to operation in the boundary lubricated region. Opportunities for fundamental research into “system effects” are revealed in the light of recent results from magneto-rheological fluid, steel on steel, block on ring, sliding contact tests. Consideration of characterisation means and of conditions for best performance are stimulated by the wide ranging nature of the information presented.
Patterned Staining of Rendered Facades: Hygro-Thermal Analysis as a Means for Diagnosis
Authors: Becker R.
Published: July 2003

Pathological phenomena in physical performance of buildings, such as façade staining, require accurate diagnosis and understanding of causative mechanisms in order to suggest effective remedial means. Lately, rendered façades of newly built residential buildings in Israel have developed patterned staining revealing the underlying structure. Samples from stained areas indicated selective growth of microorganisms. Typical finishes proved to support fungi growth under optimal growth conditions. However, this could not explain selective growth. Only advanced hygro-thermal analysis could explain in detail substrate-dependent surface moisture content evolutions. It showed that significantly larger moisture contents are obtained above thermally insulated parts, even in the absence of surface condensation and rain, and that decreasing the rendering's moisture diffusivity enhances these differences.
Teaching People to Fish? Building the Evaluation Capability of Public Sector Organizations
Authors: McDonald Bron , Rogers Patricia , Kefford Bruce
Published: July 2003

In response to an increasing demand for public sector accountability, many government agencies have sought to develop their internal evaluation capabilities. Often these efforts have focused on increasing the capacity to supply credible evaluations, yet addressing demand is just as important. This article focuses on a government agency and tracks its five-year journey towards developing such a capability. It documents contextual matters, drivers for change, the actions taken by the agency, and its response to emergent challenges during four phases. Based on feedback from project staff and managers and those involved in the capability development project, it offers seven recommendations. These are: start small and grow evaluation; address both supply and demand; work top-down and bottom-up simultaneously; use a theory of change behaviour; develop a common evaluation framework, including a generic programme theory; build knowledge of what works within the agency's context; and systematically and visibly evaluate each stage.
‘At All Costs Let Us Avoid Any Risk of Allowing Our Hearts to be Broken Again’: A Review of John Bowlby’s Forty-Four Juvenile Thieves
Authors: Dixon Angela
Published: July 2003

In this classic study, Bowlby reports on 88 children seen in the London Child Guidance Clinic during the 1930s. Half of them were referred for stealing, and half for other problems. Bowlby distinguishes several factors which may lead to mal- adjustment, but was particularly concerned with the hypothesis that prolonged separation of the child from the mother in the early years was a causative factor in delinquent character formation. Such separation, thought Bowlby, was especially instrumental in the development of an ‘Affectionless Character’ often seen in the persistent offender. Development of this indifferent, or dismissive pattern of attachment protected these children from forming close, personal relationships, hence eliminating ‘any risk of allowing our hearts to be broken again.’ His first empirical study, Bowlby’s comprehensive and detailed analysis of the 44 thieves ushered in his revolutionary human attachment theory and foretells the enormous contribution of his subsequent career.
Textual Spaces, Social Identities and Race in Singapore Advertising
Authors: Goh Robbie B.H.
Published: July 2003

Advertising in Singapore contests certain notions that prevail in much of the current advertising theory - notions of the advertisement as `commodity sign', removed from the real particularities of social contexts, in order to interpellate consumer readers into a uniform set of `symbolic exchange values'. The influence of Marxist thought in such theory is clear. However, this method of analysis is not remunerative in the Singapore context, chiefly because of its small size, highly multiracial and multicultural society and strong degree of governance. These are manifested in a number of ways: indirectly, for example, in the creation of so-called `Asian values' which are meant to resist `western influence'; and directly in the form of media and advertising regulations and government advertising campaigns that create signs quite different from the commodity signs touted by neo-Marxist theory. In addition, racial and cultural sensitivities are registered in textual dialogics which interrogate both this theory as well as the constructed identities (whether commodified or governanced) in advertising texts.
Loyalties in Flux
Authors: Kantola Anu
Published: July 2003

Institutional politics have become increasingly market oriented, consensual and therapeutic. The emerging form of political governance relies on consensual expertise and paternal care rather than on political differences and ideologies. These changes have an impact on the ways in which citizenship is defined and articulated. The classical ideals of an active polis citizenship (i.e. the ideas of dialogue, joint political action and political process) seem to be losing momentum. In particular, state-bound citizenship is losing its ability to provide the means for meaningful political action and identities. Instead, citizenship is to an increasing extent defined by market-oriented discourses and institutions, which are constructing identities and governance overlapped by traditional political citizenship. It is suggested that cultural studies could consider the cultural changes at the heart of political and economic power in order to understand the changing discourses of citizenship.
The Predicament of Cultural Studies
Authors: Illouz Eva
Published: July 2003

The article examines the critiques against cultural studies that have been voiced by Richard Rorty, Todd Gitlin and others. The article offers a response to these authors by suggesting that John Rawls and Michael Walzer's theories of justice can help us address some of these critiques.
Responsibility for Past Injustice: How to Shift the Burden
Authors: Kukathas Chandran
Published: July 2003

This article considers the question of the responsibility of present generations for injustices committed by previous ones. It asks whether the descendants of victims of past injustice have claims against the descendants of the perpetrators of injustice. Two modes of argument are examined: the individual responsibility approach, according to which descendants cannot have claims against other descendants, and the collective responsibility approach, according to which descendants do have strong claims. Both approaches are criticized, but for different failings. An alternative view, building on the individualist approach, is defended. This view argues that some people may have to bear responsibility for past injustice if lines of responsibility can clearly be drawn. This is most likely when certain kinds of corporate agents persist over generations, even after original members of such corporations have ceased to exist.
CEA, CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 in serum and pleural fluid of patients with pleural effusions
Authors: Romero S , Fernandez C , Arriero JM , Espasa A , Candela A , Martin C , Sanchez-Paya J
Published: July 2003

The role of tumour marker assays in differentiating malignant from benign pleural effusions is not yet clear. This study was designed to prospectively assess the individual and combined diagnostic utility of three tumour markers in patients with pleural effusion. Pleural and serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) were determined in 115 patients with pleural effusions (42 malignant and 73 benign). The diagnostic utility of each tumour marker was assessed using accuracy to determine the optimal cut-off point, whilst a logistic regression model was used to obtain the optimal combined test. In serum, every marker showed an individual high specificity (over 97%) for malignancy. The sensitivity of CEA, CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 was 36, 48 and 31%, respectively. In patients without renal failure, the sensitivity of CYFRA 21-1 rose to 53%, while those of CEA and CA 15-3 remained almost unchanged. In pleural fluid, CYFRA 21-1 showed low sensitivity (32%) and specificity (82%), while CEA showed the highest sensitivity (57%). Excluding patients with renal failure, the combined determination in serum of CEA, CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 has a high accuracy (88%), similar to that for CEA plus CA 15-3 in pleural fluid (87%). We conclude that CYFRA 21-1 is useless in pleural fluid and should not be used in serum for patients with renal failure. The combined determination of CEA, CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 in serum may obviate its determination in pleural fluid.