bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What's the Civil in Civil Society? Robert Putnam, Italy and the Republican Tradition
Authors: Mouritsen Per
Published: December 2003

Robert Putnam's Making Democracy Work implies a conception of civil society with claims to republican ancestry. However, in four ways, he misses the more ‘political’ understanding of this Enlightenment category in republican writers, including his hero, Tocqueville. Where Putnam's civic community is spontaneous and voluntaristic, republicans emphasise the creation of civil society from above by state-building and broader political associations. Where his civic spirit is local, republicans stress polity-centred citizenship identification. Where Putnam's ‘social capital’ is a generalised, all-purpose resource with positive effects, modern republicans such as Tocqueville stress normative ambiguities of civic space and see the associational cradles of modern trust and solidarity as more demanding. Finally, where his civil society is a harmonious, ‘functioning’ place, republicans often stress conflict between citizens and between citizens and the state. A reconsideration of empirical and theoretical problems in his analysis suggests that a more republican conceptualisation of civil society would have facilitated different questions and more interesting answers.
For the People, of the People and by the Military: The Regime Structure of Modern Turkey
Authors: Jacoby Tim
Published: December 2003

The arrival, and subsequent longevity, of the military in politics in much of the Middle East over the last 50 years or so has elicited considerable attention. This is, perhaps, particularly so in Turkey, where, since 1909, there has been only 10 years in which a fully civilian administration has governed. Recently, the collapse of the Kurdish Workers Party and the beginning of a process of constitutional amendment aimed at meeting EU accession criteria has sharpened the controversy over the role of the military in the Turkish polity. The aim of this paper is to contribute to this debate by analysing the methods through which military rule has been perpetuated since the Second World War. Using the work of the sociologists Eric Nordlinger and Michael Mann, I argue that two succinct regime strategies are discernible. The first – semi-authoritarian incorporation – was deployed throughout Turkey during the 1960s and 1970s. Following the 1980 coup, however, it existed alongside a second method – autocratic militarism – which emerged in south-east Anatolia. Thus, the primary purpose of this paper is to offer an explanation for the structure of these strategies.
The Agent-Structure Problem and Institutional Racism
Authors: Wight Colin
Published: December 2003

My aim here is to demonstrate the relevance of meta-theoretical speculation to policy design and implementation through an examination of the agent—structure problem. I then apply this problem to the concept of institutional racism as developed in the Macpherson inquiry into the death and subsequent police (mis)investigation of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. When considered through the lens of the agent—structure problem, the account of institutional racism developed in the Macpherson inquiry still lacks a solid analysis of the structural causes that help explain the phenomenon. Policies developed on the basis of the account will necessarily fail to address some of the causes of institutional racism. Careful attention to the agent—structure problem can help illuminate potentially unexplored areas of the social field that might help in controlling or eradicating racism.
Charles Taylor, Marx and Marxism
Authors: Fraser Ian
Published: December 2003

Charles Taylor's engagement with Marx and the Marxist tradition has been relatively neglected in the literature on his work. This is a strange omission, because he was not only a pivotal figure in the development of the New Left, but also wrote many pieces which critically engaged with the main principles of Marx and Marxism. This paper re-examines Taylor's engagement with Marxism and thereby exposes a neglected element in his political philosophy. The following themes emerge: the self; Taylor's conception of the affirmation of ordinary life; democracy; ecology; and religion. In one area at least, the affirmation of ordinary life, a crucial element of Marxism is retained and positively endorsed by Taylor. In relation to the other themes, while he raises important issues for Marxist theory, he is, at times, far too quick to dismiss Marx's arguments and also misses similarities between those arguments and his own work.
Semantic Vagueness and Lexical Polyvalence
Authors: Devos Filip
Published: December 2003

Abstract The present paper focuses on vagueness as a less charted area of semantic analysis. The introductory paragraph outlines the problematic treatment of semantic vagueness in several disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, logic and linguistics, especially as to (1) the interpretation of vagueness; (2) the analysis of the phenomenon; and (3) the delineation of the notion in the literature. Next, two basic types of semantic vagueness are distinguished. The principal part of the paper focuses on the demarcation problem: it poses the question how vagueness functions amidst what has been called ‘vagaries of reference’, like homonymy, polysemy, metaphor, metonymy and generality. Finally, the (linguistic) treatment of semantic vagueness is revisited in view of the three problems described at the outset.
For‐to Complement Clauses in English: A Cognitive Grammar Analysis
Authors: Hamawand Zeki
Published: December 2003

Abstract This paper seeks to substantiate two fundamental claims of Cognitive Grammar (CG) with regard to for‐to complement clauses used in verbal complementation. One claim is that all linguistic elements posited in grammar are ascribed some kind of conceptual import. On the basis of this claim, the paper argues that for‐to has not only a syntactic function but also meaning of its own which conditions its behaviour. The other claim is that the syntax of an expression is a reflection of its conceptual organisation, which represents the specific construal imposed on its content. On the basis of this claim, the paper argues that to‐infinitive complement clauses represent a self‐related construal in the sense of reflecting the main clause subject's involvement in the complement event, and so implying his/her high degree of interest in its realisation. By contrast, for‐to complement clauses represent an other‐related construal in the sense of reflecting the main clause subject's distance from the complement event, and so implying his/her low degree of interest in its realisation.
The Responsible Party Government Model in House and Senate Elections
Authors: Jones David R. , McDermott Monika L.
Published: December 2003

Responsible party government theory requires that voters hold parties electorally accountable for their performance in control of government. Existing literature suggests that voters do this only to a limited extent—holding the presidential party's candidates responsible for government performance on Election Day. While this method of voting may hold the executive accountable for his performance, it is not really an effective way to hold the party in control of Congress accountable for its performance. The method falls short particularly when Congress is controlled by a different party than the president, but also whenever a Congress controlled by the same party pursues policies different from the president's. Using surveys of voters leaving the polls in the 1990, 1994, and 1998 midterm congressional elections, this study tests whether voters' evaluations of Congress's job performance also affect their support for majority party candidates in House and Senate elections, during both unified and divided government.
Civil Wars and Economic Growth: Spatial Dispersion
Authors: Murdoch James C. , Sandler Todd
Published: December 2003

This article quantifies the impact of civil wars on economic growth at home and in nearby countries. Three alternative measures of nearness—contiguity, length of contiguous borders, and distance of closest approach—are used to capture the spatial dispersion of civil war consequences. We present short‐run panel estimates (at five‐year intervals) and long‐run (1961–95) panel estimates for the world. Generally, the distance measures, novel to this study, and not contiguity provides the most accurate measure of the diffusion of the negative economic consequences of civil wars on other countries. Unlike earlier studies, we also investigate the temporal influence of civil wars on growth at home and in nearby countries. Both the duration and the timing of civil wars have an economic impact.
The Limits of Ecological Inference: The Case of Split‐Ticket Voting
Authors: Tam Cho Wendy K. , Gaines Brian J.
Published: December 2003

We examine the limits of ecological inference methods by focusing on the case of split‐ticket voting.Burden and Kimball (1998)report that, by using the King estimation procedure for inferring individual‐level behavior from aggregate data, they are the first to produce accurate estimates of split‐ticket voting rates in congressional districts. However, a closer examination of their data reveals that a satisfactory analysis of this problem is more complex than may initially appear. We show that the estimation technique is highly suspect in general and especially unhelpful with their particular data.
Logical Inconsistency in EI‐Based Second‐Stage Regressions
Authors: Herron Michael C. , Shotts Kenneth W.
Published: December 2003

The statistical procedure EI–R, in which point estimates produced by the King (1997) ecological inference technique are used as dependent variables in a linear regression, can be logically inconsistent insofar as the assumptions necessary to support EI–R's first stage (ecological inference via King's technique) can be incompatible with the assumptions supporting its second stage (linear regression). In light of this problem, we develop a specification test for logical consistency of EI–R and describe options available to a researcher who confronts test rejection. We then apply our test to the implementation of EI–R in Burden and Kimball's (1998) study of ticket splitting and find that this implementation is logically inconsistent. In correcting for this problem we show that Burden and Kimball's substantive results are artifacts of a self‐contradictory statistical technique.
New Bottles for Old Wine? Affective Education and the ‘Citizenship Revolution’ in English Schools
Authors: Best Ron
Published: December 2003

This paper discusses particular recent developments which have significant implications for the place and priority given to different aspects or forms of affective education in the school curriculum in England and Wales. The author explores key questions. The first is: To what extent do recent developments in citizenship education constitute a significant break with tradition? Are we presented with ‘old wine in new bottles’, or ‘Is this a new vintage?’ The second is: How might the ‘re‐discovery’ of citizenship education as a curriculum priority at the level of national government be explained and in what ways is it problematic?
Peer Mentoring: A Citizenship Entitlement at Tanfield School
Authors: Nelson Ann
Published: December 2003

This paper describes the experience and benefits of peer led education at Tanfield School and how this led to the development of a peer mentoring scheme in the school, which was linked to citizenship education. The project aimed to strengthen existing links and ease the transition of pupils from feeder primary schools to the secondary school. The second aim was to improve the key skills of the mentors and have an impact on their learning. The project involved year 10 older students mentoring pupils in year 7. The findings of the evaluation are reported and it is argued that the aims were met.
An Exploratory Comparison of Disasters, Riots and Terrorist Acts
Authors: Peek Lori A. , Sutton Jeannette N.
Published: December 2003

One question that emerged following the 11 September attacks was how to categorise and classify the event within existing disaster and conflict‐event research frameworks. A decade ago, Quarantelli (1993) compared findings on the similarities and differences between consensus‐ and conflict‐type events by illustrating a conceptual distinction between the two. In this paper, this discussionis expanded to include terrorist attacks by offering comparisons from research findings following 11 September. We provide analyses of individual, organisational, and community‐level behaviour in crisis situations and suggest how 11 September is both similar to, and differs from, consensus‐ and conflict‐type events as they were previously considered. Applications for emergency management are also suggested.
The Caspian Sea: Potentials and Prospects
Authors: Bahgat Gawdat
Published: December 2003

The intense interest shown by the major international oil and gas companies in the Caspian Sea testifies to its promising potentials. The seven‐ hundred‐mile long Caspian Sea is located in northwest Asia. Five countries—Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan—share the Caspian basin. Shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Caspian states became open to foreign investment and the region has reemerged as a potentially significant player in the global energy policy. Indeed, the geological potential of the Caspian region as a major source of oil and gas is not in doubt. The rate of investment, however, is (and will continue to be) determined by the perceived risk in the region. This report examines three socioeconomic and political challenges to the region: ethnic conflicts, disagreements over the most cost‐effective pipeline routes, and disputes over the legal status of the Caspian.
Compliance with hormone replacement therapy at Songklanagarind Hospital
Authors: Wattanakumtornkul Saranya , Chichareon Saibua , Geater Alan , Suwan Kobkaew
Published: December 2003

Aim:  To determine compliance with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) over a 2‐year period, reasons for discontinuing HRT and the factors associated with non‐compliance.

Methods:  A total of 202 women attending the menopause clinic at Songklanagarind Hospital and taking HRT were included in this retrospective study. Compliance was assessed for each 6‐month interval within the first 2 years. Reasons for discontinuation were requested from women who had stopped using HRT.

Results:  Compliance rates with HRT for the study group were 57.9% at 6 months, 42.6% at 12 months, 35.1% at 18 months and 32.7% at 24 months. The main reasons for discontinuing HRT were improvement of climacteric symptoms (20.9%), fear of cancer (16.4%) and irregular bleeding (11.9%). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of non‐compliance of HRT among agriculturists or untrained workers (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.2–18.8; reference, government employees), those with delayed onset of treatment (>1 years; OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1–8.0; reference, 0–3 months) and those prescribed HRT for climacteric symptoms or reasons other than oophorectomy or ovarian failure (OR 18.2–41.6 depending on reasons). Agriculturists or untrained workers who delayed onset of treatment for climacteric symptoms had the highest expected non‐compliance rate of 0.95%.

Conclusion:  Long‐term compliance of HRT was not good at Songklanagarind menopause clinic. More attention has to be paid to the counseling of patients about HRT. Agricultural or untrained workers, late starting HRT, and presence of climacteric complaints were the significant factors for poor HRT compliance.
Hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes of the omentum
Authors: Koishi Asako , Gomibuchi Hideto , Inoue Jun , Minoura Shigeki , Itoh Eisaku , Saito Masumi
Published: December 2003

We report the first case of a hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes of the omentum. The mesenchymal tumor arises from a multiplication of fibroblastic cells containing large rosette‐like structures composed of a central collagen core surrounded by plump oval to spindle tumor cells. A 38‐year‐old woman exhibited the symptom of abdominal pain in the right side, with a correlated sensation of a mass in the same area. A tumor consisting of both solid and cystic cytologic features was subsequently diagnosed, on the right side of the uterus. Her serum level of CA‐125 was only slightly elevated. Surgical intervention indicated that the tumor originated from lower pole of the omentum and the histological diagnosis was hyalinizing spindle cell tumor with giant rosettes. The metastatic potential of this type of tumor is considered similar to that of the metastatic low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, which indicated the need for careful clinical follow up of this case.
Leiomyoma of the vagina: An unusual presentation
Authors: Gowri Raju , Soundararaghavan Subramanium , Oumachigui Asha , Sistla Sarath Chandra , Iyengar Krishnan R
Published: December 2003

Vaginal leiomyomas are rare. They usually arise from the anterior vaginal wall. We report a case of a vaginal leiomyoma arising from the right lateral wall that presented as a gluteal swelling with pus discharging per vagina, creating a clinical dilemma in diagnosis. Preoperative imaging and biopsy may help to rule out malignancy. The size of the tumor necessitated abdominoperineal approach and hysterectomy for better surgical access. To the best of our knowledge such a clinical presentation of a vaginal leiomyoma has not been reported in the literature.
Imperforate hymen: Report of an unusual familial occurrence
Authors: Lim Yun‐Hsuen , Ng Soon Pheng , Jamil Muhammad A.
Published: December 2003

Imperforate hymen is an uncommon obstructive anomaly of the female reproductive tract, which usually presents with intermittent and cyclical abdominal pain. Although it is usually sporadic, four cases of familial occurrence of imperforate hymen have been reported so far. Imperforate hymen is seldom associated with complications if it is detected early. In view of the possible familial occurrence, it is important to have a high index of suspicion in women who present with imperforate hymen. A detailed menstrual history of other female family members is necessary to enable early detection.
Facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries
Authors: Sharma Jai B. , Gupta Amita , Malhotra Monika , Arora Raksha
Published: December 2003

Aim:  To determine the incidence of facial and body blood contamination in various major gynecologic surgeries.

Methods:  A prospective study was conducted over a 6‐month period on 122 major gynecologic surgeries (abdominal and vaginal) to determine the incidence of blood splashes on masks, goggles (or spectacles), body and feet of surgeons and assistants.

Results:  The overall incidence of blood splashes was 49.18%, 59.5%, 28.68% and 22.95% on surgeons masks, goggles, body and feet, respectively. This incidence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for first assistants, who showed an incidence of blood splashes of 35.24% (mask), 38.13% (goggles), 20.49% (body) and 9.83% (feet). The lowest incidence of splashes was seen on second assistants, with 22.1% (mask), 24.73% (goggles), 10.52% (body) and 7.36% (feet). There was no significant difference in the facial splash rate between major abdominal and vaginal surgeries, but body and feet contamination was significantly higher in major vaginal surgeries (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  There is a very high risk of facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries, putting the surgeon and assistants at risk of acquiring viral disease. Routine use of universal precautions in all gynecologic surgeries is strongly recommended.
Successful management of a pregnant woman with heterozygous protein C deficiency using activated protein C concentrate
Authors: Sekiyama Kentaroh , Itoh Hiroaki , Sagawa Norimasa , Tatsumi Keiji , Yura Shigeo , Takayama Hiroshi , Fujii Shingo
Published: December 2003

Heterozygous protein C deficiency frequently causes deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy. We report the successful management of delivery using activated protein C concentrate in a patient with heterozygous protein C deficiency, who developed deep vein thrombosis in mid gestation.
Effect of montelukast pretreatment on inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in the lungs of antigen‐challenged allergic mice
Authors: Sade K. , Schwartz I. , Schwartz D. , Wolman Y. , Chernichovski T. , Fireman E. , Iaina A. , Kivity S.
Published: December 2003

Background
Growing evidence suggests that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is the main source of the high output of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in asthma. Treatment of asthmatic patients with glucocorticoids reduces high levels of exhaled NO mainly by inhibiting the transcription of iNOS. A similar reduction in exhaled NO was recently observed in patients treated with the leukotriene receptor antagonists, but the exact interaction between these drugs and iNOS remains obscure.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a leukotriene receptor antagonist, montelukast, on the expression and activity of iNOS in a murine model of allergic asthma.

Methods
Twenty‐four BALB/c mice were sensitized to OVA and were equally divided into 3 groups (Groups 1–3). Eight additional mice were sham sensitized and served as a negative control group (Group 4). Group 1 received montelukast 1 mg/kg/day in their drinking water, Group 2 received dexamethasone 1 mg/kg/day in their drinking water and Groups 3 and 4 received plain tap water. After 1 week, the animals were challenged by inhalation of OVA and, 3 h later, they were killed and their lung cells were isolated by enzymatic tissue digestion. NO generation was measured by a Griess assay, and iNOS mRNA was studied by RT‐PCR.

Results
A significant increase in iNOS mRNA expression and in NO generation was evident after allergen challenge compared with the controls. Pretreatment with montelukast mildly decreased NO production without producing a concomitant significant decrease in iNOS mRNA expression.

Conclusion: Unlike pretreatment with glucocorticoids, we failed to find compelling evidence for a major role for montelukast treatment in the modulation of iNOS mRNA in a murine model of acute asthma.
Anaphylaxis from topical bovine thrombin (Thrombostat®) during haemodialysis and evaluation of sensitization among a dialysis population
Authors: Wai Y. , Tsui V. , Peng Z. , Richardson R. , Oreopoulos D. , Tarlo S. M.
Published: December 2003

Background
Topical bovine thrombin (TBT) is used as a topical haemostatic agent in haemodialysis (HD) units and for surgical procedures. It has caused allergic reactions during surgical procedures, but no previous cases have been reported with dialysis usage.

Objective
A case is reported of anaphylaxis due to TBT in an HD patient. This led to a determination of whether HD patients exposed to TBT develop specific IgE and IgG antibodies to TBT and an assessment of the frequency of allergic symptoms in HD patients as compared with peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods
A cross‐sectional study of 100 HD and 52 PD patients was performed using a questionnaire to determine allergic symptoms. An ELISA assay was developed to determine TBT‐specific IgE and IgG serum antibodies among HD patients. HD patients without TBT exposure and age‐ and gender‐matched blood donors served as controls.

Results
Allergic symptoms temporally related to dialysis reported by a questionnaire were significantly more frequent for HD patients than for PD patients: rhinoconjuctivitis 11% vs. 2%, asthma symptoms 20% vs. 6%, urticaria 23% vs. 8% (P values <0.05). Positive TBT‐specific IgE and IgG antibodies were more frequent among 65 exposed HD patients (28% for IgE and 26% for IgG) than for controls (4% and 9%), P<0.05.

Conclusions
Results indicate the potential for sensitization and clinical allergic responses to beef thrombin when used for haemostasis in HD and suggest that other haemostatic methods should be considered.
Repeated measurements of allergens and endotoxin in settled house dust over a time period of 6 years
Authors: Topp R. , Wimmer K. , Fahlbusch B. , Bischof W. , Richter K. , Wichmann H.‐E. , Heinrich J. ,   for the INGA study group
Published: December 2003

Background  Studies investigating the effect of exposure to indoor allergens and endotoxin on human respiratory health usually take dust samples only at one single point of time and consider them to be representative for the indoor biocontaminant burden during a time period of several years. This singly measured biocontaminant concentration is related to adverse respiratory outcomes such as asthma, wheeze or others.

Objective  We analysed two repeated measurements of mite and cat allergens in mattress and living room floor dust as well as endotoxin concentrations in living room floor dust. The repeated samples were taken over a time period of about 6 years. We investigated the repeatability over time of their concentrations by determining correlation coefficients and computing within‐ and between‐home variance components.

Methods  Our analysis was based on the population of a study on Indoor Factors and Genetics in Asthma (INGA) being carried out in 1995/96 and followed up in 2000/01. Complete data were available from 152 participants.

Results  The measured allergen concentrations were low and a considerable percentage of the values was below the limit of detection. The crude Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between the two measurements taken in 1995/96 and 2000/01 ranged from 0.32 to 0.61 for the dust mites allergens, from 0.21 to 0.44 for cat allergen and from 0.35 to 0.51 for endotoxin. Correlations were higher if measurements were performed on the same floor or the same mattress at both sampling time‐points. The within‐home variance for all measured biocontaminant concentrations was of about the same order as the between‐home variance.

Conclusion  For studies like ours with low allergen and endotoxin concentrations, the repeatability of these concentrations over a time period as long as 6 years is low and a single measurement does not accurately reflect the true long‐term exposure in the homes.
Validation of an environmental exposure unit for controlled human inhalation studies with grass pollen in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Krug N. , Loedding H. , Hohlfeld J. M. , Larbig M. , Buckendahl A. , Badorrek P. , Geldmacher H. , Behnke W. , Dunkhorst W. , Windt H. , Luettig B. , Koch W.
Published: December 2003

Background
There is an increasing need for allergen inhalation systems to perform basic clinical research and test anti‐allergic drugs under well‐controlled conditions. This requires stability of environmental conditions like temperature and humidity, as well as allergen concentration and reproducible induction of allergic symptoms.

Objective
The aim of this study was to validate an environmental exposure unit for controlled human pollen inhalation studies in participants with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Methods
Temperature, relative humidity, and air flow rate were kept constant with an air conditioning system. Pollen atmosphere was generated using a specially designed feeding system and monitored online by laser counter and offline using rotating rod samplers. Efficacy (total nasal symptom score, nasal air flow rate, nasal secretion) and safety (lung function) parameters were evaluated at different pollen concentrations and repeated allergen challenges.

Results
Temperature, humidity, and air flow rate in the environmental exposure unit remained constant within a range of <2%. The spatial distribution and the temporal stability of the pollen concentration varied only slightly over 4 h (±10% and <4%, respectively). Dose‐dependent induction of allergic rhinitis symptoms, reduction in nasal air flow rate, and increase in nasal secretion were observed over time. These effects were reproducible from day to day. Lung function remained clinically normal at all concentrations and from day to day.

Conclusions
Thus, pollen exposure in the environmental exposure unit is an effective, reproducible, safe, and suitable method for single‐centre clinical studies on the efficacy of anti‐allergic treatment or basic clinical research.
Immune and airway effects of house dust mite aeroallergen exposures during postnatal development of the infant rhesus monkey
Authors: Miller L. A. , Plopper C. G. , Hyde D. M. , Gerriets J. E. , Pieczarka E. M. , Tyler N. K. , Evans M. J. , Gershwin L. J. , Schelegle E. S. , Van Winkle L. S.
Published: December 2003

Background
The effect of chronic environmental aeroallergen exposure on the immune system and airways has not been experimentally defined in very young children.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine the immunophenotype of peripheral blood and airway leucocytes in the newborn rhesus macaque monkey, following recurrent aerosol exposure to house dust mite (HDM) (Dermatophagoides farinae).

Methods
A regimen of HDM aerosolization was initiated for 2 h per day, three times per week, starting when rhesus macaque monkeys were 1 week of age. All monkeys were inoculated with diptheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine at 5 weeks of age to simulate human infant vaccination schedules.

Results
Following 8 weeks of HDM aeroallergen exposure, infant monkeys exhibited a significant reduction in the total peripheral blood lymphocyte numbers and a decreased frequency of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes with a CD45RA−‘memory’ immunophenotype. Lavage CD4+ T lymphocytes from HDM‐exposed monkeys showed elevated expression of CD25, as well as an increase in CD45RA−/CD62L−/CD11ahigh immunophenotype. Eosinophils were more abundant within airways of HDM‐exposed monkeys, accumulating maximally within the trachea.

Conclusion
These data demonstrate the development of immunological responses following chronic inhalation of a common environmental allergen during postnatal maturation in the non‐human primate.
Pollen counts in relation to the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and atopic eczema in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)
Authors: Burr M. L. , Emberlin J. C. , Treu R. , Cheng S. , Pearce N. E. ,   the ISAAC Phase One Study Group
Published: December 2003

Background
Although pollens are major allergens associated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, there is little information about the relative prevalence of these conditions in populations with different pollen exposures.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pollen exposure and allergic symptoms among children in different countries.

Methods
An ecological analysis was conducted to see whether pollen exposure (pollen counts, and duration and severity of pollen seasons) is associated with symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and atopic eczema in 28 centres within 11 countries (nine being in Europe). Data on the prevalence of symptoms in 13–14‐year olds were based on the responses to the written questionnaires from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The analysis was adjusted for gross national product and mean annual relative humidity.

Results
There was little relationship between pollen exposure and symptom prevalence, except for a significant inverse association between grass pollen counts and lifetime prevalence of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (P=0.03). Almost all the regression coefficients were negative. The associations were even weaker and all non‐significant when the analyses were conducted within countries, using a random intercept fixed slope model, but there was still no evidence of a positive association between pollen exposure and symptoms.

Conclusion
There is a weak but consistent tendency for the prevalence of allergic symptoms to be inversely associated with pollen exposure. This finding accords with evidence from several countries, suggesting that the prevalence of hayfever and asthma tends to be lower in rural than in urban areas, and lowest among people living on farms. Exposure to allergenic pollen in early life does not appear to increase the risk of acquiring symptoms of respiratory allergy, and may even give some protection against them.
Characterization of recombinant cat albumin
Authors: Reininger R. , Swoboda I. , Bohle B. , Hauswirth A. W. , Valent P. , Rumpold H. , Valenta R. , Spitzauer S.
Published: December 2003

Background  Indoor allergens derived from animals and mites often contribute to exacerbation of skin manifestations in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.

Objective  To produce and characterize recombinant cat albumin, a cross‐reactive animal allergen.

Methods  A complete cDNA coding for cat albumin was obtained by RT‐PCR amplification from cat liver RNA. Recombinant cat albumin was expressed in Escherichia coli as hexahistidine‐tagged protein, purified by nickel affinity chromatography and studied for IgE reactivity with sera from cat‐allergic patients by ELISA and immunoblotting. Furthermore, CD203c expression of basophils from cat‐allergic patients upon exposure to recombinant cat albumin was analysed.

Results  Recombinant cat albumin, a cross‐reactive animal allergen sharing most IgE epitopes with its natural counterpart, was produced in E. coli. It was recognized preferentially by IgE from AD patients and elicited IgE‐dependent basophil activation in sensitized patients.

Conclusions  Recombinant cat albumin may be used as a paradigmatic tool to analyse mechanisms of allergen‐triggered exacerbation of AD, for diagnostic and, perhaps for therapeutic purposes.
Measurement of Dermatophagoides mite allergens on bedding and human skin surfaces
Authors: Yasueda H. , Saito A. , Nishioka K. , Kutsuwada K. , Akiyama K.
Published: December 2003

Background
The level of the Dermatophagoides mite group 1 (Der 1) allergens in reservoir dust has been used as an index of exposure in most studies. However, the mite allergen level in reservoir dust cannot directly reflect the personal exposure level.

Objective
We sought to develop a new method for quantifying the Der 1 allergens on bedding and human skin surfaces as an index of exposure to mite allergens.

Methods
Samples were obtained with a small adhesive tape from the forearm skin of 30 healthy volunteers and from their regularly used mattresses. The level of Der 1 allergens collected onto the adhesive tape was measured by a newly developed sensitive fluorometric ELISA for Der p 1 and Der f 1.

Results
The Der 1 allergens could be detected in all the samples from bedding surfaces and in 28 of the 30 samples from skin surfaces. The Der 1 levels by adhesive tape sampling from the mattresses correlated with those by reservoir dust sampling. The sampling of the skin and bedding surface with adhesive tape correlated, but skin sampling did not correlate with reservoir sampling.

Conclusion
The Der 1 allergens on bedding surfaces and on human skin surfaces could be quantified with a very simple sampling technique. The system developed in this study will provide a new tool for the assessment of mite allergen exposure in daily life.
Interleukin‐4 and ‐13 expression is co‐localized to mast cells within the airway smooth muscle in asthma
Authors: Brightling C. E. , Symon F. A. , Holgate S. T. , Wardlaw A. J. , Pavord I. D. , Bradding P.
Published: December 2003

Background
Airway smooth muscle infiltration by mast cells is a feature of asthma and not eosinophilic bronchitis. In asthma, Th2 cytokines have been implicated as playing a critical role in the development of airway inflammation and hyper‐responsiveness. Whether inflammatory cells within the airway smooth muscle release these cytokines is unknown.

Methods
We have undertaken a comparative immunohistochemical study in bronchial biopsies from 14 subjects with asthma, 10 with eosinophilic bronchitis and eight normal controls recruited from two centres.

Results
The median number of IL‐4+ cells/mm2 smooth muscle was significantly higher in subjects with asthma than eosinophilic bronchitis and normal controls for both the anti‐IL‐4 mAb 3H4 (2.4, 0, 0, respectively; P=0.001) and anti‐IL‐4 mAb 4D9 (1.6, 0, 0, respectively; P=0.02). There were no group differences in the number of IL‐5+ cells (P=0.31). In six subjects with asthma, IL‐13 expression by cells within the airway smooth muscle was studied. The median (range) of IL‐13+cells was 2 (0.9–2.7). Ninety‐four percent of the cells expressing IL‐4 (3H4), 92% of those expressing IL‐4 (4D9) and 100% expressing IL‐13 in the airway smooth muscle were mast cells. Fifty‐five percent of the mast cells within the airway smooth muscle co‐localized to IL‐4 (3H4), 29% to IL‐4 (4D9) and 17% to IL‐13.

Conclusions
In asthma, IL‐4+ and IL‐13+ cells were present within the airway smooth muscle and were expressed predominantly by mast cells, suggesting that IL‐4 and IL‐13 may play an important role in mast cell–airway smooth muscle interactions.
Water–energy balance and the geographic pattern of species richness of western Palearctic butterflies
Authors: Hawkins Bradford A. , Porter Eric E.
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  1. Using two sources of data to estimate butterfly species richness, the potential influences of 11 environmental variables on the richness gradient of butterflies in western/central Europe and northern Africa were examined with multiple regression and spatial autocorrelation analysis. A measure of water–energy balance, actual evapotranspiration, explained 79% of the variance in butterfly species richness using data derived from range maps, and 72% of the variance using data derived from grid‐based distribution maps. All other variables explained less than 4% of the variance in the regression models and differed depending on the data source.

2. The spatial analysis indicated that actual evapotranspiration successfully removed most of the spatial autocorrelation in both richness data sets at all spatial scales, confirming the ability of the model to account for the spatial pattern in butterfly richness.

3. Plant species richness, a rarely tested variable hypothesised to be an important determinant of herbivore diversity, was weakly associated with butterfly richness, suggesting that it has little or no direct influence on butterfly richness.

4. A historical variable, the length of time that areas have been exposed for recolonisation after the retreat of the ice sheet following the last ice age, was also not associated with richness patterns, indicating that butterfly richness is in equilibrium with contemporary climate.

5. It was not possible to confirm a result reported for Canadian butterflies that land cover diversity is a strong predictor of butterfly richness, possibly because of methodological differences in the studies, differences in the range of climates found in Canada and the western Palearctic, or because of the highly modified landscape characteristic of Europe.

6. Water–energy balance offers a parsimonious explanation for the butterfly richness gradient in this region, operating partially indirectly via effects on plant productivity and partially directly via physiological effects on butterflies, and this conclusion is robust to differences in the types of distribution maps used to estimate richness patterns.
Bergmann's rule in larval ant lions: testing the starvation resistance hypothesis
Authors: Arnett Amy E. , Gotelli Nicholas J.
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  1. Body size of the ant lion Myrmeleon immaculatus follows Bergmann's rule – an increase in body size towards higher latitudes. The hypothesis that ant lion body size is larger in the north as an adaptation for starvation resistance was tested.

2. In a laboratory experiment testing starvation resistance, survivorship curves differed among 10 ant lion populations for both a starved and a fed treatment.

3. The average number of months survived by each population was correlated positively with latitude for both treatments. Across both treatments and all populations, large individuals survived longer than small individuals; however individuals from high latitudes had higher survivorship, even after factoring out variation due to initial body size.

4. These results suggest that starvation resistance may be an adaptation for coping with reduced prey availability in high latitudes. Starvation resistance may contribute to latitudinal gradients in body size of ant lions and other ectotherms.
Timing of diapause induction and its life‐history consequences in Nezara viridula: is it costly to expand the distribution range?
Authors: Musolin Dmitry L. , Numata Hideharu
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  1. From the early 1960s to 2000 Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) expanded its range northwards in Japan and reached Osaka following climate warming recorded in the region.

2. The timing of diapause induction and its effect on life‐history traits were studied under quasi‐natural conditions in Osaka. Egg masses were placed outdoors in six series in July–November 1999. Developmental events were monitored until September 2000.

3. Adult diapause was induced in September–October in agreement with the photoperiodic response obtained under laboratory conditions. Induction of diapause in early October ensured the highest winter survival. Nymphs that hatched after late September died by December–April showing that the species cannot survive winter in the nymphal stage.

4. Life‐history traits varied between the early (non‐diapause reproduction) and late (post‐diapause reproduction) series. Thus, non‐diapause females produced significantly fewer egg masses than did females that reproduced only after diapause. The timing of diapause induction strongly affected overwintering success and post‐diapause performance: females that became adults and entered diapause in October lived longer, had a longer period of oviposition, and produced more eggs in larger egg masses than females that attained adulthood and entered diapause in September.

5. Females from the early series reproduced until late November, although progeny from the late September eggs were destined to die during the winter. Pre‐winter reproduction of adults that emerged in mid‐September or later was a result of the imperfect timing of diapause induction. It is an ineffective allocation of resources and may be considered the ecological cost of range expansion.

6. To establish in the region, N. viridula will probably evolve a lengthening of the critical photoperiod of the diapause induction response. This will allow the species to enter diapause earlier and, thus, avoid maladaptive late‐autumn reproduction but, perhaps, increase the cost of diapause because of a possible adverse impact of pre‐winter high temperature conditions on overwintering.
Understanding gregariousness in a larval Lepidopteran: the roles of host plant, predation, and microclimate
Authors: Reader Tom , Hochuli Dieter F.
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  1. Many moth and butterfly larvae are gregarious early in development, but become solitary in late instars. This ontogenetic variation in behaviour is probably the result of temporal changes in the costs and benefits associated with gregariousness. This study provides observational and experimental evidence that, in one particular moth species, a series of different ecological factors influence larval behaviour at different times during development.

2. Field observations show that young caterpillars of the limocodid Doratifera casta form large aggregations while foraging, but that mature larvae are largely solitary.

3. A field experiment revealed that individual first to third instar larvae in larger groups develop more rapidly, but that group size had no detectable influence on survival. The developmental advantage associated with gregariousness is affected by host plant species, but not by predator exclusion, suggesting that group living in these cryptic early instar larvae promotes feeding facilitation, but does not provide individuals with protection from natural enemies.

4. Laboratory experiments revealed that aposematic fourth instar caterpillars in large groups were less likely to be attacked by a generalist insect predator than those in small groups.

5. Field observations provided no evidence that group living affects body temperature, suggesting that microclimatic factors do not favour gregariousness in this species.

6. It is concluded that gregariousness in D. casta confers at least two different advantages on larvae at different stages early in development, but that these advantages disappear, or are outweighed by costs associated with intraspecific competition, in final instars.
Community structure of arboreal caterpillars within and among four tree species of the eastern deciduous forest
Authors: Summerville Keith S. , Crist Thomas O. , Kahn Jonathan K. , Gering Jon C.
Published: December 2003

Abstract.  1. A seasonally replicated experimental design was used to address the question of how differences within and among host tree species affect arboreal caterpillar communities.

2. Seasonal variation influenced caterpillar community composition most significantly, and the similarity among caterpillar assemblages did not necessarily follow the pattern of phylogenetic relatedness among host trees.

3. Species richness and abundance of caterpillars were higher on oaks and maples than on American beech. Diversity partitioning models revealed that β diversity was only occasionally greater or less than expected by chance alone.

4. When β diversity was significant, values tended to be greater than expected by chance among replicate trees within each species and lower than expected by chance among the four tree species.

5. Differences among trees appeared important for determining patterns of species presence/absence for rare species and influencing patterns of species dominance within caterpillar assemblages. Differences among tree species had a significant effect on overall lepidopteran community composition and mean species diversity (i.e. α diversity).

6. Because β diversity of caterpillars among host trees was lower than expected by chance, host specificity within the Lepidoptera may be less prevalent than thought previously.
Formal versus informal interventions for challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Feldman M. A. , Atkinson L. , Foti‐Gervais L. , Condillac R.
Published: December 2003

Background  Although effective, humane treatments exist for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) who have challenging behaviour, little research has examined the extent to which clients receive formal, documented vs. undocumented interventions.

Methods  Caregivers (of 625 persons with ID living in community and institutional residences in Ontario, Canada) were interviewed to examine the prevalence of different types of interventions.

Results  Overall, 55% of the 2506 different interventions (for 1464 target behaviours) were informal (i.e. lacking documented input from a professional, written intervention plans, and systematic evaluation). No significant differences emerged on formality of intervention across participant gender, age, level of ID, and type of residence. There were significantly more informal than formal behavioural interventions and counselling/psychotherapy, and no significant difference in the overall prevalence of formal and informal intrusive procedures. Behaviour control medications were paired more often with formal (67%) than informal interventions for dangerous behaviours. Formal interventions were associated with higher caregiver‐reported estimates of behavioural improvement, higher inter‐rater agreement on the descriptions of an individual client's target behaviours and interventions, and more caregiver training and supervision.

Conclusions  The low levels of intervention accountability, training and supervision may place many clients with challenging behaviour at increased risk for ineffective and unnecessary restrictive interventions, and physical abuse. The results of this survey stimulated the government to write province‐wide standards (that have yet to be implemented).