bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithium Ion Induced Stabilization of the Liquid Crystalline DNA
Authors: Sundaresan Neethu , Thomas Thresia , Thomas Thekkumkat John , Pillai Chennakkatu Krishna Saolashiuan
Published: December 2005

Summary: A comparative study of the effects of alkali metal ions Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ on the liquid crystalline organization of high‐molecular‐weight calf thymus DNA using polarized light microscopy was performed. Major differences in the behavior of Li+ as compared to the other ions were found. Critical DNA concentration expected to exhibit anisotropic behavior was found to be the same for all the monovalent ions, except for Li+. DNA initially showed cholesteric textures, which later changed to higher ordered columnar phase for all ions, with the cholesteric‐columnar transition facilitated upon increasing the size of the counterion. For Li+ ion, a nematic schlieren‐like texture was formed initially, which after a few days changed to a highly stable (for more than 2 months) biphasic cholesteric‐columnar arrangement. The observed differences between Li+ and other alkali metal ions could be rationalized on the basis of the higher number of hydration water molecules of Li+ and its complexation behavior. Highly stable DNA mesophases may find applications in the field of nanoelectronics, in designing biosensing units, and in DNA chips.

Nematic schlieren‐like texture obtained in presence of Li+ ion after 5 h of incubation at 37 °C. Magnification 10×.

magnified image

Nematic schlieren‐like texture obtained in presence of Li+ ion after 5 h of incubation at 37 °C. Magnification 10×.
Triclosan Release from Coated Polyglycolide Threads
Authors: Zurita Raül , Puiggalí Jordi , Rodríguez‐Galán Alfonso
Published: December 2005

Summary: Copolymerization of lactide, ε‐caprolactone, and trimethylene carbonate is performed. The synthesis is focused on obtaining materials with adequate properties for application as a suture coating that could contain an antimicrobial agent like triclosan. An amorphous character, a low glass transition temperature, a moderate susceptibility to degradation, and a hydrophobic nature are the conditions required for the optimal behavior of this coating. These properties can be attained with a copolymer of composition 10:60:30. Triclosan is added to the surface of polyglycolide threads and its release is studied in different media with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The influence of the temperature, the diameter of the thread, the initial concentration of the antibacterial agent, and the applied procedure on the incorporation of triclosan is also evaluated. A total release of triclosan is attained after a few days of exposure to a Dulbecco's based medium, whereas equilibrium concentrations are reached when a Sörensen hydrophilic medium is used. Partition and diffusion coefficients are also estimated.

SEM of a braided polyglycolide thread coated with PLA/PCL/PTMC that incorporates triclosan (1%).

magnified image

SEM of a braided polyglycolide thread coated with PLA/PCL/PTMC that incorporates triclosan (1%).
DNA‐Based Gels for Oral Delivery of Probiotic Bacteria
Authors: Jonganurakkun Benjamas , Nodasaka Yoshinobu , Sakairi Nobuo , Nishi Norio
Published: December 2005

Summary: A single‐stranded DNA, readily extracted from industrial discarded salmon milt, was used to prepare hydrogels and complex gels by cross‐linking with gelatin and κ‐carrageenan, for the oral delivery of probiotic bacteria. The complex gels showed a higher protective capability over the hydrogels for approximately one log scale. However, the hydrogels were more stable during storage at 4 °C. The Lactobacillus and Lactococcus due to protection of the hydrogels could better tolerate to acid than the Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, food‐graded hydrogels were prepared and optimized to a similar protective capability for future applications.

SEM of bacteria fixed in DNA‐based hydrogel and DNA‐based complex gel.

magnified image

SEM of bacteria fixed in DNA‐based hydrogel and DNA‐based complex gel.
A Novel Epoxy Resin/CaCO3 Nanocomposite and its Mechanism of Toughness Improvement
Authors: Shi Quan , Wang Li , Yu Haojie , Jiang Song , Zhao Zhenrong , Dong Xiaochen
Published: December 2005

Summary: In this work, epoxy resin/CaCO3 nanocomposites were prepared by in situ and inclusion polymerization. Nanoparticles with a size of 30–40 nm were dispersed efficiently in bisphenol‐A alkaline solution before polymerization and the dispersion could be kept in the resultant composite by a reaction that took place at the nanoparticle surface and among the nanoparticles when epichlorohydrin was added. Furthermore, the slightly conglomerated nanoparticles could even be separated by epoxy resin growing among them. This method showed a better dispersion of nanoparticles compared with solution‐blending as observed with TEM. Owing to better combination of epoxy resin and nanoparticles, the resultant nanocomposite showed a 12 °C increase in Tg compared to the nanocomposite prepared by solution‐blending. Tensile test revealed that the tensile strain of nanocomposites rises as the nano‐CaCO3 content increases.

The dispersion mechanism of nanoparticles through in situ and inclusion polymerization.

magnified image

The dispersion mechanism of nanoparticles through in situ and inclusion polymerization.
Polypyrrole‐Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanocomposite Prepared by Ultrasonic Irradiation
Authors: Qiu Guihua , Wang Qi , Nie Min
Published: December 2005

Summary: Ultrasonic irradiation was employed to prepare polypyrrole (PPY)/Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposite by chemical oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This approach can solve the problem in the dispersion and stabilization of inorganic nanoparticles in polymer. The structure and properties of PPY/Fe3O4 nanocomposite were characterized by TEM, XPS, FT‐IR, TG, and XRD. PPY deposits on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles while Fe3O4 nanoparticles are dispersed at the nanoscale by ultrasonic irradiation, which leads to the formation of polypyrrole‐encapsulated Fe3O4 composite particles. The doping level of PPY in PPY/Fe3O4 nanocomposite is higher than that of neat PPY. The composites possess good electrical and magnetic properties. With the increase in the Fe3O4 content, the magnetization increases and the conductivity first increases and then decreases. When the Fe3O4 content is 40 wt.‐%, the conductivity reaches a maximum value of 11.26 S · cm−1, about nine times higher than that of neat PPY, and the saturation magnetization is 23 emu · g−1. Also, the introduction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles enhances the thermal stability of PPY/Fe3O4 composite.

Conductivity of PPY/Fe3O4 composite at different Fe3O4 content.

magnified image

Conductivity of PPY/Fe3O4 composite at different Fe3O4 content.
Non‐Ionic, Poly(ethylene oxide)‐Based Surfactants as Intercalants/Dispersants/Exfoliants for Poly(propylene)‐Clay Nanocomposites
Authors: Moad Graeme , Dean Katherine , Edmond Lex , Kukaleva Natalia , Li Guoxin , Mayadunne Roshan T. A. , Pfaendner Rudolf , Schneider Armin , Simon George P. , Wermter Hendrik
Published: December 2005

Summary: Poly(propylene) (PP)‐clay nanocomposites were prepared from unmodified montmorillonite clays (NaMMT), with poly(ethylene oxide)‐based nonionic surfactants as dispersants/intercalants/exfoliants. The primary objective of this research was to find dispersants that (a) allow PP nanocomposites to be formed by direct melt mixing; (b) are effective with unmodified clays and (c) comprise of only a minor component with respect to both the clay and the overall composition. Linear, branched, gemini and sugar‐based surfactants and structures containing poly(dimethyl siloxane) and poly(methyl methacrylate) blocks were examined. These additives were found to be effective in breaking down the clay agglomerates to tactoids, giving some expansion of the clay structure and partial exfoliation and providing substantially improved clay dispersion. The properties of the derived nanocomposites depend on the level of additive and its structure. Tensile and impact properties show significant improvement over the precursor PP. Also notable are the significantly better thermal and thermo‐oxidative stabilities, as compared to both PP and “clay alone” composites. For optimal properties, it is both necessary and desirable that the surfactant should only be a minor constituent (20–50%) of the composition, with respect to the clay. A preferred surfactant is linear PE‐block‐PEO, with a short PEO block and an alkyl chain with approximately 30 carbon atoms (C30).

magnified image
Untangling influences of hydrophobicity on protein sequences and structures
Authors: Yahyanejad Mehdi , Burge Christopher B. , Kardar Mehran
Published: December 2005

We perform a statistical analysis of solvent accessibility and hydrophobicity profiles of a representative set of proteins. The joint probability distribution is well fitted to a multivariable Gaussian, which takes a relatively simple form when expressed in terms of the Fourier transforms of the profiles. This allows us to quantify the asymmetric manner by which these profiles influence each other. For example, the α‐helix periodicity in sequence hydrophobicity is dictated by the solvent accessibility of structures, and not vice versa, possibly indicating the faster evolution of sequences compared to structures. The decorrelated hydrophobicity and solvent accessibility profiles show distinct behaviors at long periods, where sequence hydrophobicity fluctuates less, while solvent accessibility fluctuates more than average. The correlations between the two profiles can be interpreted as the Boltzmann weight of the solvation energy at room temperature, consistent with earlier observations. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural variation and immune recognition of the P1.2 subtype meningococcal antigen
Authors: Tzitzilonis Christos , Prince Stephen M. , Collins Richard F. , Achtman Mark , Feavers Ian M. , Maiden Martin C. J. , Derrick Jeremy P.
Published: December 2005

Neisseria meningitidis is a globally important cause of bacterial meningitis and septicemia. No comprehensive antimeningococcal vaccine is available, largely as a consequence of the high sequence diversity of those surface proteins that could function as components of a vaccine. One such component is the protein PorA, a major surface porin of this Gram‐negative organism that has been used in a number of experimental and licensed vaccines. Here we describe a series of experiments designed to investigate the consequences for antibody recognition of sequence diversity within a PorA antigen. The binding of a 14‐residue peptide, corresponding to the P1.2 subtype antigen, to the MN16C13F4 monoclonal antibody was sensitive to mutation of five out of the six residues within the epitope sequence. The crystal structure of the antibody Fab fragment, determined in complex with the peptide antigen, shows a remarkably hydrophobic binding site and interactions between the antigen and antibody are dominated by apolar residues. Nine intrachain hydrogen bonds are formed within the antigen which maintain the β‐hairpin conformation of the peptide. These hydrogen bonds involve residues that are highly conserved amongst different P1.2 sequence variants, suggesting that some positions may be conserved for structural reasons in these highly polymorphic regions. The sensitivity of antibody recognition of the antigen towards mutation provides a structural explanation for the widespread sequence variation seen in different PorA sequences in this region. Single point mutations are sufficient to remove binding capability, providing a rationale for the manner in which different meningococcal PorA escape variants arise. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of protein stability changes for single‐site mutations using support vector machines
Authors: Cheng Jianlin , Randall Arlo , Baldi Pierre
Published: December 2005

Accurate prediction of protein stability changes resulting from single amino acid mutations is important for understanding protein structures and designing new proteins. We use support vector machines to predict protein stability changes for single amino acid mutations leveraging both sequence and structural information. We evaluate our approach using cross‐validation methods on a large dataset of single amino acid mutations. When only the sign of the stability changes is considered, the predictive method achieves 84% accuracy—a significant improvement over previously published results. Moreover, the experimental results show that the prediction accuracy obtained using sequence alone is close to the accuracy obtained using tertiary structure information. Because our method can accurately predict protein stability changes using primary sequence information only, it is applicable to many situations where the tertiary structure is unknown, overcoming a major limitation of previous methods which require tertiary information. The web server for predictions of protein stability changes upon mutations (MUpro), software, and datasets are available at http://www.igb.uci.edu/servers/servers.html. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Static secondary ion mass spectrometry for nanoscale analysis: surface characterisation of electrospun nanofibres
Authors: Van Royen Pieter , Schacht Etienne , Ruys Luc , Vaeck Luc Van
Published: December 2005

The viability of static secondary ion mass spectrometry (S‐SIMS) for selected applications of nanoscale analysis has been investigated, focusing on nanofibres produced by electrospinning (ES) as a test case. The samples consist of non‐woven nanowebs of which the individual fibres have diameters in the range of 100 nm. Use of solutions with functionalised polymers or polar additives potentially allows the surface composition to be tailored as a function of the application. So far nanowebs are primarily characterised by morphological examination. This paper describes the first detailed characterisation of molecular composition at the surface of nanofibres electrospun from poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) solutions in acetone containing 0–15 mol% (relative to PCL) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Application of S‐SIMS to nanowebs has allowed mass spectra to be recorded containing the major diagnostic ions of both components. Their relative intensities point to surface enrichment and depletion of the polar CTAB additive relative to the PCL matrix for samples electrospun from solution containing low and high CTAB concentrations, respectively. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of a gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry based method for the quantification of pesticides in food commodities
Authors: Vidal J. L. Martínez , Liébanas F. J. Arrebola , Rodríguez M. J. González , Frenich A. Garrido , Moreno J. L. Fernández
Published: December 2005

A new multiresidue method has been validated in cucumber matrix for the routine analysis of 130 multiclass pesticide residues by gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The pesticides were extracted with ethyl acetate. A first identification of the pesticides was based on a tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) screening method, which monitors a single transition for each target compound, in less than 12 min. After that, potentially non‐negative samples were analyzed again by the MS/MS confirmation/quantification method, which monitors two or three MS/MS transitions for each compound, also in less than 12 min. Performance characteristics, such as trueness, precision, linear range, detection limit (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ), for each pesticide were calculated. The average recoveries obtained ranged between 70 and 120% at three different fortification levels (25, 200 and 500 µg/kg) with precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), values lower than 15%. The calculated LOD and LOQ were typically <3.2 and 9.6 µg/kg, respectively. Such limits were much lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) established by European legislation. The proposed methodology was applied to the determination of pesticides in real vegetable samples from Almería (Spain). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disruptiveness of innovations: measurement and an assessment of reliability and validity
Authors: Govindarajan Vijay , Kopalle Praveen K.
Published: December 2005

Strategic management scholars have long explored the broad topic of innovation, a cornerstone in creating competitive advantage. Any attempt at theory construction in this area must encompass reliable and valid measures for key innovation characteristics. Yet, with respect to an important construct, i.e., disruptiveness of innovations, there has been relatively little academic research. Without formalizing the disruptiveness concept with a reliable and valid measure, it is difficult to conduct rigorous research to uncover the causes of the innovator's dilemma and identify mechanisms to help incumbents develop such innovations. In this paper, we develop a scale for the disruptiveness of innovations. We collected data from senior executives (vice president or general manager level) at 199 strategic business units (SBUs) in 38 Fortune 500 corporations and performed a series of analyses to establish the reliability and validity of the disruptiveness scale. The reliability measures, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and subsequent statistical tests strongly support our measure. Further, we also present nomological validity of the disruptiveness construct, thus establishing its predictive validity. Thus, this paper distinguishes the disruptiveness concept from other established innovation constructs, such as radicalness and competency destroying. Finally, we discuss the significance of our results and how this study might be useful to other researchers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transvaginal ultrasound after first‐trimester uterine evacuation reduces the incidence of retained products of conception
Authors: Debby A. , Malinger G. , Harow E. , Golan A. , Glezerman M.
Published: December 2005

Objective

To assess the incidence of retained products of conception (RPOC) in relation to transvaginal ultrasound performed after first‐trimester uterine evacuation.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized study involving 809 women undergoing first‐trimester uterine evacuation. The study group included 404 women in whom transvaginal sonography was performed at the end of the surgical procedure and the control group contained 405 women who did not undergo ultrasound examination. Initially, in the study group, recurettage was immediately performed if the endometrium appeared irregular but latterly only if endometrial thickness was ≥ 8 mm. The patients were followed up by gynecological and ultrasound examinations 5–8 days following the surgical procedure.

Results

The total complication rate was 4.3%. RPOC presented in three women in the study group (0.7%) and in 15 women in the control group (3.7%, P < 0.05). Vaginal bleeding requiring hospitalization occurred in two women in the study group (0.5%) vs. seven in the control group (1.7%, P = 0.2). Endometritis was diagnosed in one woman in the study group (0.2%) vs. six in the control group (1.5%) and uterine perforation occurred in one woman in the control group vs. none in the study group. There were no cases of RPOC in women who had an endometrial thickness of < 8 mm as demonstrated by ultrasound at the end of the surgical procedure.

Conclusion

Transvaginal sonography immediately following first‐trimester uterine evacuation may reduce the incidence of RPOC and the total complication rate. When the endometrial thickness is ≥ 8 mm at the end of suction curettage, an attempt at re‐evacuation of the uterine cavity is indicated. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility and reproducibility of an image‐scoring method for quality control of fetal biometry in the second trimester
Authors: Salomon L. J. , Bernard J. P. , Duyme M. , Doris B. , Mas N. , Ville Y.
Published: December 2005

Objectives

The need for training programs and certification processes in fetal ultrasound has become obvious. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a score‐based quality control system for fetal biometry in the second trimester.

Methods

Standard measurements of biparietal diameter and head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length at 20–24 weeks had been made by four operators using the same ultrasound machine. Twenty‐five of each of the cephalic, abdominal and femoral images with the calipers in place were selected arbitrarily from each operator's ultrasound database and anonymized. These 300 images were analyzed by three experienced reviewers blinded to the operator's identity. Each image was first evaluated subjectively and then scored according to six criteria for abdominal and cephalic measurements and four criteria for femur length making a six‐point score for abdominal and cephalic biometry and a four‐point score for femur length. For subjective evaluation, inter‐reviewer differences were analyzed using percentage agreement and adjusted kappa. For objective evaluation, a difference in scoring of one point or less among reviewers was considered good agreement. Intrareviewer variability was assessed using 40 images of each type of examination selected arbitrarily.

Results

The distribution of scores was similar between reviewers. One operator obtained significantly lower scores whereas the other three had good and comparable results. There was no statistical difference in the mean score attributed by each reviewer and agreement was good in 84–90% of the cases. Intrareviewer agreement was good in 90–100% of the cases, with similar scores for each reviewer.

Conclusion

A quality control policy based on image scoring is feasible and allows for fair to good inter‐ and intrareviewer reproducibility. The potential contribution of this approach to assess the quality of routine ultrasound examinations should be tested on a larger scale. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound and color power Doppler in the detection of metastatic omentum: a prospective study
Authors: Testa A. C. , Ludovisi M. , Savelli L. , Fruscella E. , Ghi T. , Fagotti A. , Scambia G. , Ferrandina G.
Published: December 2005

Objectives

To analyze prospectively the ability of ultrasound to detect metastatic omentum in patients with suspicious pelvic masses and to describe the sonographic features of metastatic omental disease.

Methods

One hundred and eighty‐four patients were evaluated preoperatively by ultrasound examination and of these 173 were used in the analysis. We defined as an ultrasound‐positive examination one which visualized intra‐abdominal aperistaltic solid tissue, located above the bowel loops and below the anterior peritoneal surface. Preoperative sonographic findings were compared with pathological results.

Results

Sonographic detection of metastatic omentum was achieved in 104 of 173 patients (60.1%), appearing as either solid aperistaltic tissue (80.8% of cases), or as solid discrete nodules (19.2%). When considering the echostructure of the surrounding bowel loops, this tissue appeared hypoechoic in 46 (44.2%) cases and isoechoic or slightly hyperechoic in the other 58 (55.8%) cases. In the overall series, the negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) and the accuracy of ultrasound examination were 92.7%, 91.3% and 91.9%, respectively. When considering only the group of ovarian tumors, the NPV, PPV and accuracy were 91.9%, 94.6%, and 93.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Ultrasound examination is highly accurate in detecting metastatic omental involvement in cases with suspicious pelvic masses. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal prediction of survival in isolated left‐sided diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Jani J. , Keller R. L. , Benachi A. , Nicolaides K. H. , Favre R. , Gratacos E. , Laudy J. , Eisenberg V. , Eggink A. , Vaast P. , Deprest J. ,   Antenatal‐CDH‐Registry Group
Published: December 2005

Objective

To investigate the potential value of antenatally determined intrathoracic herniation of the liver and the ratio of fetal lung area to head circumference (LHR) in the prediction of postnatal survival in isolated, left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods

In this multicenter study, we searched the antenatal‐CDH‐Registry for fetuses with isolated left‐sided CDH that were liveborn after 30 weeks of gestation and were followed up postnatally for at least 3 months after discharge from hospital. The patients were subdivided into those with and those without intrathoracic herniation of the liver and into subgroups according to the LHR that had been measured between 22 + 0 and 28 + 0 weeks of gestation. The rate of survival in each group and subgroup of patients was determined and compared.

Results

The registry search identified 184 patients that fulfilled the entry criteria. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that significant predictors of survival were the presence or absence of intrathoracic herniation of the liver and the LHR. In 86 cases there was liver herniation (Group A) and in 98 the liver was confined to the abdomen (Group B). In Group A, the survival rate was 50.0% and was significantly associated with LHR; in Group B the survival rate was 76.5% and was unrelated to LHR.

Conclusion

In isolated, left‐sided CDH, the postnatal mortality rate is substantially higher if there is intrathoracic herniation of the liver. In fetuses with liver herniation, measurement of LHR at 22–28 weeks of gestation is useful in the prediction of subsequent survival. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Automated Screening Assay for Determination of Aqueous Equilibrium Solubility Enabling SPR Study During Drug Lead Optimization
Authors: Tan Helming , Semin David , Wacker Maggie , Cheetham Janet
Published: December 2005

Aqueous solubility is one of the most critical physicochemical properties to be determined in the process of drug lead optimization. Particularly, an equilibrium solubility method is highly valuable to the study of structure property relationship (SPR), while meeting the needs of analytical sensitivity, reproducibility, and throughput. In this report, an automated solubility assay in a 96-well library format was designed and developed by means of robotic liquid handling, centrifugal separation, and HPLC-UV quantification. Requiring 1 mg of solid compound, this assay was used to determine the equilibrium solubility in three user-selected media, that is, 0.01 N HCl, phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and fasted state simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), with a throughput of up to 192 compounds a week. The assay parameters, including the equilibration time and the separation technique, were optimized to ensure that the thermodynamic solubility was measured at the presence of excess solid compound. A fast gradient HPLC method was developed with single-point on-plate calibration for each compound, followed by a customized 96-well chromatographic data analysis. The reporting solubility range was 1–200 μg/mL, appropriate for oral drug candidate selection at the stage of discovery lead optimization. Based on the test results obtained on the commercially available drugs and Amgen research compounds, this assay was considered to be equivalent to the conventional shake-flask methods. Examples were given to demonstrate that the thermodynamic solubility determined by this assay enabled the SPR study to support drug lead optimization.
‘Wound cat’
Authors: Malik Richard , Norris Jacqueline , White Joanna , Jantulik Bozena
Published: December 2005

‘Wound man’ refers to a stylised diagram used in early medical textbooks to illustrate the various injuries that the human body can sustain in battle. We have adapted this concept to create ‘Wound cat’, as a way to emphasise the type and location of injuries cats may inflict on one another during combat. We have further extended this concept to include wounds that may result from interactions with rodents and snakes. It is hoped that our ‘Wound cat’ concept will assist less experienced clinicians locate sites of cat bites and scratches, and to recognise why certain infections arise in particular stereotyped locations. In addition, this approach should assist veterinarians in determining which pathogens are most likely to be involved in wounds located in a given anatomical region.
A Most Enduring Problem: Police Complaints Reform in England and Wales
Authors: SMITH GRAHAM
Published: December 2005

This article examines police complaints reform in England and Wales during the course of the last 40 years. In that time, four separate complaints systems have been in operation and each has been established at the end of a reform cycle characterised by stages of mounting public concern, appointment of formal inquiries, the legislative process and inception. Recurrent themes identified over the decades have been the trend towards independence, under-representation of complainants’ interests, the longevity of the reform process, and changing police priorities. It is argued that marginalisation of complainants’ interests in the reform process is the principal reason for the endurance of the police complaints problematic.
Public Services and the Service Economy: Individualism and the Choice Agenda
Authors: JORDAN BILL
Published: December 2005

This article argues that services have been under-theorised, in both welfare economics and social policy analysis. Programmes for opening up public services for competition and choice, and for widening the scope for ‘targeted’ services, treat them as analogous to goods. This ignores relational and contextual elements in human well-being, and the potentially crucial role of services in meeting such needs. The author calls for co-operation between economists and social policy analysts in filling this gap in welfare theory.
Qualitative Research and the Evidence Base of Policy: Insights from Studies of Teenage Mothers in the UK
Authors: GRAHAM HILARY , McDERMOTT ELIZABETH
Published: December 2005

Qualitative research is ambiguously placed as a source of evidence for policy. It provides a way of accessing the experiences and perspectives of those targeted by welfare interventions, yet it is routinely excluded from the evidence reviews undertaken to inform these interventions. The article explores what qualitative research – mapped and synthesised through a systematic review – can contribute to evidence and policy. Taking teenage motherhood as a case study, it juxtaposes the conclusions of quantitative reviews with themes emerging from a systematic review of qualitative studies of teenage mothers’ lives. It highlights how teenage motherhood, identified in quantitative reviews and in policy interventions as a route to social exclusion, emerges in these studies as an act of social inclusion. It highlights, too, how social disapproval as well as material hardship weigh on teenage mothers, and the potential role that policies could play in supporting the identities and resilient practices mothers develop in the face of material and social disadvantage.
Hantavirus and arenavirus antibody prevalence in rodents and humans in Trentino, Northern Italy
Authors: KALLIO-KOKKO H. , LAAKKONEN J. , RIZZOLI A. , TAGLIAPIETRA V. , CATTADORI I. , PERKINS S. E. , HUDSON P. J. , CRISTOFOLINI A. , VERSINI W. , VAPALAHTI O. , VAHERI A. , HENTTONEN H.
Published: December 2005

The spatial and temporal distribution of hantavirus and arenavirus antibody-positive wild rodents in Trentino, Italy, was studied using immunofluorescence assays (IFA) in two long-term sites trapped in 2000–2003, and six other sites trapped in 2002. The overall hantavirus seroprevalence in the bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus (n=229) screened for Puumala virus (PUUV) antibodies was 0·4%, and that for Apodemus flavicollis mice (n=1416) screened for Dobrava virus (DOBV) antibodies was 0·2%. Antibodies against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) were found in 82 (5·6%) of the 1472 tested rodents; the seroprevalence being 6·1% in A. flavicollis (n=1181), 3·3% in C. glareolus (n=276), and 14·3% in Microtus arvalis (n=7). Of the serum samples of 488 forestry workers studied by IFA, 12 were LCMV-IgG positive (2·5%) and one DOBV-IgG positive (0·2%), however, the latter could not be confirmed DOBV-specific with a neutralization assay. Our results show a widespread distribution but low prevalence of DOBV in Trentino, and demonstrate that the arenavirus antibodies are a common finding in several other rodent species besides the house mouse.
Impact of water supply, domiciliary water reservoirs and sewage on faeco-orally transmitted parasitic diseases in children residing in poor areas in Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Authors: TEIXEIRA J. C. , HELLER L.
Published: December 2005

The objectives of this study were to characterize faeco-orally transmitted parasitic diseases and to identify the factors associated with these diseases, with emphasis on environmental factors, in children ranging from 1 up to 5 years old residing in substandard settlement areas. A population-based cross-sectional epidemiological design was used in a non-random selection of 29 out of the 78 substandard settlement areas in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. A sample of 753 children were assessed from the target population consisting of all children of the appropriate age range residing in the selected areas. Data were collected by means of domiciliary interviews with their mothers or with the person responsible for them. The Hoffmann–Pons–Janer method was used in the parasitological examination of faeces. Binary logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with the diseases. A total of 319 sample children presented faeco-orally transmitted parasitic diseases. The factors associated with these parasitic diseases included the children's age, family income, number of dwellers in the domicile, consumption of water from shallow wells, consumption of water from natural sources, absence of covered domiciliary water reservoirs, and the presence of sewage flowing in the street.
Sorbitol-fermenting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157: indications for an animal reservoir
Authors: ORTH D. , GRIF K. , DIERICH M. P. , WÜRZNER R.
Published: December 2005

This study investigates a sorbitol-fermenting enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (SF EHEC) O157 infection in a farmer's family in the Austrian province of Salzburg. The investigation commenced after a 10-month-old boy was admitted to hospital with the clinical diagnosis of a haemolytic–uraemic syndrome (HUS) and his stool specimen grew SF EHEC O157:H−. In a subsequent environmental survey, a stool specimen of the 2-year-old brother and faecal samples of two cattle from the family's farm were also found to be positive for SF EHEC O157:H−. All four isolates had indistinguishable phenotypic and molecular characteristics and were identical to the first strain detected in Bavaria in 1988. Despite identical isolates being demonstrated in Bavaria after 1988, and until this report, increased surveillance in neighbouring Austria had not found this organism. We propose that the strain may have recently spread from Bavaria to Austria. Although SF EHEC O157:H− strains are still rare, they may represent a considerable health threat as they can spread from farm animals to humans and between humans.
Listeria spp. in the coastal environment of the Aqaba Gulf, Suez Gulf and the Red Sea
Authors: EL-SHENAWY MOUSTAFA A. , EL-SHENAWY MOHAMED A.
Published: December 2005

Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogen which causes an infection called listeriosis. Because of the high mortality rate (~30%) associated with listeriosis, and the widespread nature of the organism, it is a major concern for food and water microbiologists since it has been isolated from various types of foods, including seafood, as well as from the aqueous environment. To investigate the prevalence of this pathogen in the Aqaba Gulf (12 sites), Suez Gulf (14 sites) and Red Sea (14 sites), 200 water samples (collected during five sampling cruises in 2004), 40 fresh fish samples and 15 shellfish samples were analysed using the enrichment procedure and selective agar medium. All water samples were also examined for the presence Listeria innocua which was the most common of the Listeria spp. isolated, followed by L. monocytogenes, with a low incidence of the other species. During the whole year, the percentage of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in 200 water samples was 20·5% (41 samples) and 13% (26 samples) respectively. In fresh fish (40 samples) it was 37% (15 samples) and 17·3% (7 samples) and in shellfish (15 samples) 53% (8 samples) and 33% (5 samples) respectively. In water samples, there was an association between the faecal contamination parameters and the presence of the pathogen; however, water salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH did not influence the occurrence of this bacterium. These results may help in the water-quality evaluation of the coastal environments of these regions.
The distribution of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease within selected European countries, and a comparison with tourist patterns
Authors: RICKETTS K. D. , JOSEPH C. A.
Published: December 2005

Much data has been gathered by the EWGLINET scheme on the distribution of cases of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease (TALD) by country of infection, but less analysis has been carried out on the distribution of these cases within countries. Travel-associated cases with onset in 2002 linked to France, Italy, Spain and Turkey were mapped. Rates of Legionnaires' disease per 100000 tourists were calculated for internal and foreign visitors for the regions of each country, and mapped. Rates of 1·5 cases/100000 and 2 cases/100000 tourists were classified as ‘high’ and ‘very high’ respectively. Cases of TALD were concentrated in certain regions, but when rates were calculated using tourist data, the results were relatively constant throughout each country. Rates were higher among foreign visitors than internal visitors; three of the countries had at least one region with ‘high’ rates, whilst Turkey additionally had three regions with ‘very high’ rates.
Isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus from wild aquatic birds in Japan
Authors: MIYASAKA J. , YAHIRO S. , ARAHIRA Y. , TOKUNAGA H. , KATSUKI K. , HARA-KUDO Y.
Published: December 2005

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus were isolated from faecal samples of wild aquatic birds in winter. Although V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus were present in low numbers in seawater in the area where the faecal samples of the birds were collected, the pathogens were isolated from the faeces of the birds. This study demonstrates that wild aquatic birds are a vehicle for V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus to survive in winter.
An evaluation and comparison of three commonly used statistical models for automatic detection of outbreaks in epidemiological data of communicable diseases
Authors: ROLFHAMRE P. , EKDAHL K.
Published: December 2005

We evaluated three established statistical models for automated ‘early warnings’ of disease outbreaks; counted data Poisson CuSums (used in New Zealand), the England and Wales model (used in England and Wales) and SPOTv2 (used in Australia). In the evaluation we used national Swedish notification data from 1992 to 2003 on campylobacteriosis, hepatitis A and tularemia. The average sensitivity and positive predictive value for CuSums were 71 and 53%, for the England and Wales model 87 and 82% and for SPOTv2 95 and 49% respectively. The England and Wales model and the SPOTv2 model were superior to CuSums in our setting. Although, it was more difficult to rank the former two, we recommend the SPOTv2 model over the England and Wales model, mainly because of a better sensitivity. However, the impact of previous outbreaks on baseline levels was less in the England and Wales model. The CuSums model did not adjust for previous outbreaks.
Specific IgM and IgG responses in primary and secondary dengue virus infections determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: SA-NGASANG A. , ANANTAPREECHA S. , A-NUEGOONPIPAT A. , CHANAMA S. , WIBULWATTANAKIJ S. , PATTANAKUL K. , SAWANPANYALERT P. , KURANE I.
Published: December 2005

IgM- and IgG-capture ELISAs are widely used as diagnostic tests for confirmation of dengue virus infection. The positive rate of anti-dengue IgM and IgG detection was examined in primary and secondary dengue virus infections in the setting of a provincial hospital using IgM- and IgG-capture ELISAs. Disease day 1 was defined as the day of onset of symptoms. In total, 232 plasma samples were collected from 106 confirmed dengue cases consisting of 12 primary and 94 secondary infections. In primary infection, anti-dengue IgM was detected in 4 out of 5 samples collected on disease day 5 and in all the 21 samples collected on disease day 6 or later. Specific IgG was detected in 2 out of 5 samples collected on day 12, and in 5 out of 6 samples collected on disease days 13–15, but was not detected in samples collected on disease day 10 or earlier. In secondary infection, IgM was not detected in the samples on disease days 2 and 3, but detected in 20 out of 79 samples collected on days 4–6, in 44 out of 65 on disease days 7–11 and in 40 out of 51 samples on disease days 12–14. In contrast, specific IgG was detected in 21 out of 60 samples on disease days 4 and 5, in 13 out of 19 on disease day 6, in 62 out of 65 on disease days 7–11 and in all the samples collected on disease day 12 or later. The result indicate that seroconversion rates of IgM and IgG are different between primary and secondary infections, and suggest that detection of specific IgM and IgG is necessary for determining dengue virus infection and for differentiating primary and secondary dengue infections.
Changes in stress pattern around epicentral region of Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001
Authors: Singh Vijay P. , Singh Ramesh P.
Published: December 2005

The 26 January 2001 Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.6) was one of the deadly Indian earthquakes that took about 20,000 lives. The region was seismically quite in the last 50 years. In the present paper, we have made efforts to understand the general nature of stress field and also spatial and temporal stress field around Bhuj prior and after the earthquake by analyzing lineaments extracted from remote sensing data. Our results demonstrate N to NE orientation of stress showing a high level of correlation between the SHmax deduced from the lineament and earthquake focal mechanism. The present results show the use of lineaments derived from remote sensing data in the evaluation of seismic hazards of any region and will be useful in updating world stress map.
A stochastic sea: The source of plasma sheet boundary layer ion structures observed by Cluster
Authors: Ashour‐Abdalla M. , Bosqued J. M. , El‐Alaoui M. , Peroomian V. , Zelenyi L. M. , Walker R. J. , Wright J.
Published: December 2005

On 14 February 2001 the Cluster Ion Spectrometry (CIS) experiment onboard three of the Cluster spacecraft observed velocity‐dispersed ion structures (VDIS) as the spacecraft passed from the tail lobes into the plasma sheet boundary layer. These are the first multiple spacecraft observations of the VDIS phenomenon. The Cluster 1 spacecraft (SC1) observed a dispersed ion signature with beamlets and a second structure like that expected to be produced by an echo, while Cluster 3 (SC3) observed much less pronounced structuring a few minutes later. During this same event and over an extended interval the ACE spacecraft observed an interplanetary magnetic field that was directed southward. We have inferred the sources and acceleration mechanisms of the ions in these VDIS observations by following millions of ion trajectories backward and forward in time through time‐dependent electric and magnetic fields obtained from a global MHD simulation. ACE data were used as input for the MHD model. We found that almost all of the particles comprising the first (A1) and second (A2) beamlets observed by SC1 had been nonadiabatic earlier in their history, while particles in the A3 beamlet exhibited a combination of adiabatic and nonadiabatic behavior. Beamlet A4 particles were always adiabatic. Moreover, for all of the beamlets the current sheet crossing that took place prior to their detection occurred between x = −13 RE and x = −16 RE in the tail, well earthward of the permanent stochastic “sea” from which all of the beamlets originated. Our model does not favor the multiple source scenario suggested by A. Keiling et al. Instead, it indicates that the source regions of the structures are spatially correlated. We have carried out a similar analysis of the SC3 observations. In general, SC3 beamlets have higher κ values, partly because of the depolarization of the field lines during these observations. In time forward calculations only a small fraction of ions from SC1 A structures returned to the spacecraft location. “Echoes” were more pronounced on SC3. In addition, in our calculations, some particles from SC1 A structures interacted with the current sheet and returned to the SC3 location, at the time when SC3 observed the A structures. When Cluster observations were organized by latitude instead of time, we found that all three Cluster spacecraft seemed to observe the same primary structure that persisted throughout the interval of observation.
Theoretical study of the low‐ and midlatitude ionospheric electron density enhancement during the October 2003 superstorm: Relative importance of the neutral wind and the electric field
Authors: Lin C. H. , Richmond A. D. , Heelis R. A. , Bailey G. J. , Lu G. , Liu J. Y. , Yeh H. C. , Su S.‐Y.
Published: December 2005

During magnetic storms the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) at low‐ and midlatitudes often shows great enhancements, which may be associated with mechanisms producing midlatitude storm‐enhanced density (SED). The TEC enhancements may result from different ionospheric drivers such as electric fields, neutral winds, and neutral composition effects. To study the importance of the ionospheric drivers in producing the TEC enhancement, we perform numerical simulations for the 29–30 October 2003 superstorm period in the American longitude sector (∼ −70°W) using the Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model (SUPIM) with values for the neutral wind, temperature, and composition provided by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Thermosphere Ionosphere General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). Various numerical experiments were run to identify the relative importance of the storm‐time ionospheric drivers. For carrying out the storm‐time SUPIM simulation, the storm‐time upward/poleward E × B drifts are derived from ROCSAT‐1 satellite measurements at low and equatorial latitudes and input to SUPIM, while the storm‐time neutral wind and composition disturbances are obtained from TIEGCM run. The simulation results presented in this paper, mainly during the evening period, show that the enhanced upward E × B drifts due to storm‐time eastward penetration electric field can expand the low‐latitude equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) to higher latitudes and produce the TEC enhancement. However, by the effect of penetration electric fields alone, the TEC enhancement is less than by combining the storm‐generated equatorward neutral winds and the penetration electric fields. Disturbance neutral composition effects decrease the plasma density at higher latitudes and increase it at low and equatorial latitudes. However, the composition effects do not produce a density increase as large as that produced by the neutral‐wind and electric‐field effects. Our simulations suggest that the storm‐generated equatorward neutral winds play an important role in producing the TEC enhancement at low‐ and midlatitudes, in addition to the eastward penetration electric field.