bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Secondary Peritonitis: Is a Less Expensive Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic as Effective as a Carbapenem?
Authors: Genné D. , Menetrey A. , Jaquet A. , Indino P. , Sénéchaud C. , Siegrist H.H.
Published: August 2003

Background: In this retrospective study, the possibility of using amoxicillin/clavulanate for empirical therapy of secondary peritonitis as an alternative to imipenem was explored. Methods: All secondary peritonitis cases at our institution between 1998 and 2000 were included. Susceptibility to imipenem and amoxicillin/clavulanate of microorganisms isolated in peritoneal fluid and success rates were compared. Therapeutic failure was defined as death, necessity of repeated surgical intervention, or clinical deterioration with persistent positive cultures. Results: Seventy-six cases of secondary peritonitis with 156 microorganisms were found. One hundred and forty-nine (98%) were susceptible to imipenem versus 124 (82%) to amoxicillin/clavulanate (p = 0.0001). Thirteen therapeutic failures occurred in 52 patients treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate (25%) versus 3 out of 8 (38%) with imipenem (p = 0.43). The proportion of organisms resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate in therapeutic failures was greater in nosocomial versus community-acquired secondary peritonitis (p = 0.041). Conclusion: Despite its better in vitro bacteriological activity, clinical efficacy of imipenem was identical to amoxicillin/clavulanate. The use of amoxicillin/clavulanate instead of imipenem would save 889 Euro per case.
Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Node Biopsy during Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Early Cancer
Authors: Tonouchi Hitoshi , Mohri Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kouji , Konishi Naomi , Ohmori Yukinari , Kobayashi Minako , Watanabe Yuri , Matsumura Kaname , Takeda Kan , Kusunoki Masato
Published: August 2003

Background/Aims: Intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel node (SN) biopsy can potentially be combined with minimally invasive surgery, but there are few reports of laparoscopic lymphatic mapping for gastrointestinal cancer. We examined the feasibility and accuracy of laparoscopic lymphatic mapping in predicting lymph node status in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: Seventeen patients with gastric cancer invading the mucosal or submucosal layers (T1) underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy with lymphatic mapping between March 2001 and May 2002. The day before surgery, a technetium-99m-labelled tin colloid solution was injected endoscopically around the tumor. Immediately after the pneumoperitoneum, patent blue was injected. Gastrectomy was performed in all patients, and blue-stained or radioactive nodes were defined as SNs. Fresh SNs were immediately processed for frozen-section examination by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. All non-SNs harvested from resected specimens were subjected to histological examination with H&E. Results: SNs were detected in all patients by combination of the two kinds of tracers. Three patients had lymph node metastases in their final examination, and SNs in these 3 were operatively diagnosed as positive by H&E or IHC staining. Lymphatic mapping and SN biopsy under laparoscopic surgery were performed with 100% accuracy. Conclusion: Our preliminary study shows the feasibility of intraoperative lymphatic mapping in laparoscopic gastrectomy for T1 gastric cancer.
Effect of Donor/Recipient Body Weight Mismatch on Patient and Graft Outcome in Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: El-Agroudy Amgad E. , Hassan Nabil A. , Bakr Mohamed A. , Foda Mohamed A. , Shokeir Ahmed A. , El-Dein Ahmed B. Shehab , Ghoneim Mohamed A.
Published: August 2003

Background/Aims: There have been conflicting reports showing that kidneys from small donors may be at risk for graft loss if they are transplanted into large recipients. The aim of this work was to examine the donor/recipient body weight ratio (D/RBWR) on patient and graft outcome. Methods: During the period from January 1990 to January 2002, 856 kidney transplants were performed. Of these, 776 kidney transplant recipients were selected after exclusion of pediatric, second transplant patients and those with a body mass index of ≧35. All patients achieved a minimum follow-up of 1-year. According to D/RBWR, patients were divided into 3 groups: low (≤0.9), medium (0.91–1.2) and high (≧1.2). Data were collected on graft function, acute and chronic rejection, post-transplant complications, and 1- and 5-year graft and patient survival. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of chronic rejection, post-transplant hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the low group. The incidence and frequency of acute rejection episodes were nearly the same in the 3 groups. Graft function, estimated by serum creatinine at 1 year, was significantly lower in the low group. The 5-year graft and patient survival was 71, 80, 88 and 81, 85 and 92%, in the low, medium and high groups, respectively. Conclusions: We conclude that a low D/RBWR may contribute to inferior long-term renal allograft survival. The hyperfiltration hypothesis due to low nephron mass in the low D/RBWR group may explain these findings.
School Reform Models and Special Education
Authors: Koh Myung-Sook , Robertson Janna Siegel
Published: August 2003

In an investigation of three comprehensive school reform models, Accelerated Schools, Roots and Wings, and Voices of Love and Freedom, teacher surveys were collected and analyzed to determine their impact on special education. There were no differences found in the special education teachers' perceptions of the models in the areas of professional development, resources, pedagogical changes, or outcomes. Teachers reported that there was increased inclusion and social interaction for special education students as well as some accommodations for students' learning needs. Weaknesses identified in implementation included a fast-paced curriculum and lack of modifications for special education students. Although the literature on these school reform models promises to improve the learning of all students at the school, especially at-risk students, the special education teachers in the urban school district gave mixed views on whether implementation of their school's model was of great benefit to their students.
Beyond the Ivory Towers
Authors: Voronov Maxim , Coleman Peter T.
Published: August 2003

The aim of this article is to consider how the important insights offered by critical management studies (CMS) can be made more accessible to wider audiences and used to inform organizational practice. The authors start by briefly discussing the main ideals and aims of CMS, touching on the heterogeneity of the field and focusing on the issues that CMS scholars have had to address to find receptive ears among non-CMS scholars and practitioners. They then proceed to suggest how CMS may become better able to reach those audiences by offering more accessible concepts and methodologies. The notion of organizational power practices is introduced as a way to facilitate that task by making CMS-inspired investigation of power more accessible and relevant to everyday organizational concerns.
Accurate Logic Simulation by Overcoming the Unknown Value Propagation Problem
Authors: Kang Sungho , Szygenda Stephen A.
Published: August 2003

As circuits become larger and more complicated, logic simulation plays an important role in design verification and is widely used. However, unknown values in three-value simulation may cause the unknown value propagation problem that produces indeterminate output values. In this article, a new simulation algorithm is developed that can efficiently overcome the unknown value propagation problem. The algorithm is based on the partitioning approach. The experimental results using benchmark circuits prove the effectiveness of the new simulation algorithm.
The Influence of Mass Media and Other Culprits on the Projection of Personal Opinion
Authors: Christen Cindy T. , Gunther Albert C.
Published: August 2003

This study analyzed the relative predictive power of four theoretical models that have been tested as explanations for the projection bias—the tendency of people to see others' opinions as much like their own. Our analysis focused particularly on audience processing of information in mass media, and in doing so we proposed a revision of the standard logical information processing model. We tested this set of hypotheses using data from a random telephone sample of 760 U.S. residents who answered opinion items about four current science, environmental, and health issues. The data showed mixed support for the various models but largely supported our conjecture that media coverage will either enhance or diminish the projection bias in predictable directions.
The Prison Preference Inventory
Authors: Summers Roger , Dear Greg E.
Published: August 2003

Toch (1977) developed the 56-item Prison Preference Inventory (PPI) to measure inmates' preferences regarding eight psychosocial aspects of the prison environment. Items on the PPI consist of statements that are supposedly indicative of preferences for one of these eight aspects paired with statements that are indicative of one of the other seven aspects, and respondents indicate their preference. Evidence of construct validity is limited, and no studies have examined substantive validity, that is, whether each statement is reliably indicative of the intended environmental aspect and of only that aspect. The current study examined the substantive validity of the items with Australian prisoners and found that for 21 (37.5%) of the 56 items either or both statements in the pair failed to demonstrate adequate validity. When the more stringent criterion of displaying substantive validity for each of four demographic subgroups was applied, only 8 of the 56 items were deemed valid.
The Promises and Perils of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Exploring Emerging Social and Ethical Issues
Authors: Sweeney Aldrin E. , Seal Sudipta , Vaidyanathan Pallavoor
Published: August 2003

Rapid advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology are profoundly influencing the ways in which we conceptualize the world of the future, and human ability to manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular levels offers previously unimagined possibilities for scientific discovery and technological applications. The convergence of nanotechnology with biotechnology, information technology, cognitive science, and engineering may hold promise for the improvement of human performance at a number of levels. Based on a National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in nanoscience and nanotechnology at the University of Central Florida (summer 2002), a variety of social and ethical issues associated with these advances is discussed. Implications for the future of science-technology-society studies and K-16 science education also are presented.
Whose Sustainable Development? An Analysis of Japanese Foreign Aid Policy and Funding for Energy Sector Projects
Authors: Yamaguchi Hideka
Published: August 2003

This article evaluates Japanese foreign aid policy in light of the World Commission on Environment and Development's concept of sustainable development by focusing on Japanese official development assistance (ODA) to energy sectors in the global South. The analysis reported here finds two fundamental weaknesses in Japanese ODA policy on the energy sector: first, its premise of the compatibility of economic growth with environmental sustainability and, second, its heavy reliance on modern science. As an alternative, this article suggests a policy of promoting small and decentralized renewable energy technology.
Circadian Rhythms in Neurospora Crassa: Farnesol or Geraniol Allow Expression of Rhythmicity in the Otherwise Arrhythmic Strains frq 10, wc-1, and wc-2
Authors: Granshaw Tabitha , Tsukamoto Michelle , Brody Stuart
Published: August 2003

In Neurospora crassa, the circadian rhythm can be seen in the bd (band) strain as a series of “bands” or conidiation (spore-forming) regions on the surface of an agar medium. Certain mutations at 3 different genes ( frq, wc-1,or wc-2) lead to the loss of the circadian rhythm. In this study, it was found that the addition of 10-4 to 10-5 M of geraniol or farnesol restored rhythmic banding to strains that lack a circadian rhythm due to mutations in any 1 of these 3 genes. These 3 conditionally arrhythmic strains now exhibited robust, free-running conidiation rhythms. Their rhythms were neither temperature-compensated nor obviously sensitive to light, so the full properties of a circadian rhythm were not restored. At 20 °C, in growth tubes, farnesol treatment gave periods of 28, 26, and 22 h for the frq10, wc-1, and wc-2 strains, respectively. Geraniol treatment at 20 °C gave periods of 23, 25.5, and 24.5 h for the frq10, wc-1, and wc-2 strains, respectively. A PRC for temperature pulses (1 h, 20 to 40 °C) for the frq10 strain grown in the presence of geraniol showed strong resetting (type 0), suggesting that a temperature-sensitive oscillator was present. Farnesol and geraniol are related to known intermediates in the steroid (or mevalonate) pathway. These data are interpreted in terms of a 2-oscillator model, in which farnesol/geraniol activate or amplify a remaining oscillator (a postulated frq-less oscillator).
Mapping Global Production in New York City's Garment Industry: The Role of Sunset Park, Brooklyn's Immigrant Economy
Authors: Hum Tarry
Published: August 2003

As a key production site in New York City's garment industry, Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood is increasingly made up of small Asian and Latino immigrant-owned firms. Market conditions created by the globalization of garment production and the continued influx of low-skill immigrants promote a primary competitive advantage embedded in “low-road” strategies evident in the prevalence of sweatshop conditions. Reflecting a “carrot and stick” approach, Sunset Park has been a target for the federal and state departments of labor as well as the site for developing a garment manufacturers' incubator, Brooklyn Mills. This article examines the mismatch of using a conventional economic development strategy to address the conditions of Sunset Park's immigrant economy. Brooklyn Mills illustrates how immigrant firms feel the stick but benefit little in terms of innovative policy intervention, that is, carrots, to stimulate equitable development in a sweatshop economy.
Who is Protecting the Canadian Public Health System?
Authors: Kothari Anita , Edwards Nancy
Published: August 2003

One aim of this article was to inform readers about the organization of the public health system in Canada. Constitutional arrangements are such that provinces and territories are responsible for public health services. Unlike medical and hospital care, however, public health services are not bound by national standards. Consequently, the type and degree of health promotion and preventive services vary by region. Disease surveillance and health protection programs, however, appear to be the most uniform across the country. Another aim of this article was to situate the system against three current issues. The devolution of health care provides an opportunity for the public health community to examine and improve the public health infrastructure. The evidence-based medicine movement has already stimulated the systematic synthesis of public health interventions. The orientation to a global marketplace suggests frontline public health workers must work even harder to ensure local health needs remain heard.
Community Health Nursing in the People's Republic of China: Evolution, Status, and Challenges
Authors: Xu Zhaoming , Wang Ailing , Xu Yu
Published: August 2003

This article examines the evolution, development, and current status of community health nursing in the People's Republic of China. Although its origin in China went back as early as the 1920s, community health nursing in the contemporary American sense was a recent development after the 1980s. Specifically, the article reviews the delivery models and service areas of community health nursing and discusses its current challenges. Based on original government policy documents, first-hand field knowledge, and published literature in both English and Chinese, the article also provides an account of the latest developments and elaborates on the implications of these policies for future community health nursing development in China.
Community Health Programs for Infants and Children in Mexico
Authors: Nachem Beverly
Published: August 2003

Mexico has many community health programs, which are carried out nationally within a health care system that is divided into many subsystems. All Mexicans are entitled to health care; the subsystem from which a family receives care is determined by their employment status. One of the health care subsystems in La Paz provides an example of how programs that focus on infants and children are implemented. Three of these programs are the promotion of breastfeeding, immunization of children, and oral rehydration therapy for children with dehydration from diarrhea. The Mexican health care system is in the process of dealing with some of the challenges it faces, but nurses and other health care professionals have developed effective methods of promoting children's health and reducing risks within the current system.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America's Interactions with the Health Professionals Code
Authors: Gingerich Barbara Stover
Published: August 2003

The scrutiny continues on pharmaceutical manufacturers and their relationships with health care providers. As a result of this intense scrutiny, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) developed and released its code, which follows the American Medical Association format (see http://www.phrma.org/publications/quickfacts/04/19/2002.). When reviewing the PhRMA code, it is clear to see that it is more restrictive and although not a legal document, it is anticipated that the government will eventually consider this the standard to be met. The contents of this code should be available for the corporate compliance officer's reference and use within the organization. This column provides a summation of this resource document.
Taking on the Unknown
Authors: Regoeczi Wendy C. , Miethe Terance D.
Published: August 2003

Aside from noting the dramatic rise in their numbers, homicides with unknown victim/offender relationships have attracted little research attention. This study uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis and data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports for 1976 through 1998 to examine the nature of unknown relationship homicides and changes in their structure over time. The findings indicate that a large number of unknown relationship cases are contained within a few prevalent homicide situations while also occurring in a diverse array of less common situations. The situational context of unknown homicides exhibits considerable change over time, shifting from the killing of older White males with a variety of weapons to killings involving young Black males with guns. Although unknown and stranger homicides frequently share common structures, they demonstrate notable differences as well, suggesting that unknown relationships cannot automatically be assumed to involve strangers. Implications of the findings for policy and future research are discussed.
Neighborhoods and Homicide
Authors: Titterington Victoria B. , Vollum Scott , Diamond Pamela M.
Published: August 2003

A number of prevailing themes in lethal violence research are explored in this study of homicide for the period 1985 to 1994 in Chicago, Houston, and Miami. Homicide and census tract data from the National Consortium on Violence Research Data Center are combined to analyze 14,443 homicides across 1,409 census tracts. Cluster analysis of indicators of social disorganization and social control from studies at larger aggregations (i.e., cities, standard metropolitan statistical areas, and states) results in the classification of three distinct neighborhood types. This results in a rich description of overall and sex-specific rates of adult homicide victimization and offending in expressive and instrumental incidents. Implications for future research are discussed.
Zelda 64 and Video Game Fans
Authors: Consalvo Mia
Published: August 2003

This article argues that to better understand and theorize video games and game playing, it is necessary to study the activities of gamers themselves. This research examines game fans' construction of walkthroughs, which guide other players through the action and story of the game. It is argued that these walkthroughs function as narratives for gamers, which are read intertextually by game fans. Further, gamers should be considered active creators of meaning regarding games, as they exhibit many of the characteristics of traditional media fans, including active reading of the media text, construction of media texts to share with other fans, and knowledge of intertextual relations between various media forms.
Marine and human activity influences on the groundwater quality of southern Korinthos area (Greece)
Authors: Stamatis G. , Voudouris K.
Published: August 2003

In this paper the groundwater quality of the southern part of Korinthos region (north‐east Peloponnese) is discussed. The geology is characterized by a thick sequence of Neogene marls alternating with sandstones, overlain by superficial Quaternary deposits. The latter consist of a mixture of loose materials such as conglomerates, marly sandstones, sands and clay to silty sands. The area is crossed by a fault system parallel to the coastline, and the Quaternary sediments have formed extended Tyrrhenian marine terraces. Two aquifers have been identified in the area. The first is unconfined and occurs within the Quaternary sediments whereas the other is a deep confined aquifer occurring within the underlying Neogene marl series. Analysis of hydrochemical evolution over the past 30 years has indicated significant deterioration of quality owing to seawater intrusion and nitrate pollution. The various sources of pollution have rendered, to a large extent, shallow groundwater unsuitable not only for potable water supply but also for irrigation purposes. However, this is not the case for the deeper confined aquifer. Statistical analysis was used to explore the evolution of salinization during the years 1968 and 1998. In view of the alarming conditions caused by the documented groundwater quality deterioration, the need for integrated water resources management is stressed to maintain the socio‐economic growth of the region studied. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An effective approach to phase‐noise reduction for microwave sources
Authors: Xu Yansheng , Bosisio Renato G.
Published: August 2003

In this paper, a new method of phase‐noise reduction for microwave sources is proposed. The phase noise is reduced from a microwave signal generator or microwave oscillator without need of high‐Qcomponents. The output of the microwave source is compared with its delayed counterpart using a six‐port comparator. The detected phase‐difference signal is used to make corrections to the original microwave signal in order to reduce its phase variation due to noise effect. A schematic diagram of this approach is provided and its feasibility is tested by analysis and simulation. Analysis shows that the introduction of the six‐port comparator for phase‐noise reduction is very effective; a great amount of phase noise can be removed and the quality of the microwave signal is improved significantly. The implementation of this approach is also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 36–39, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11119
The effect of pulse voltage trimming on current noise of polymer thick film resistors
Authors: Srinivasa Rao Y. , Satyam M.
Published: August 2003

This paper deals with the investigations carried out on the variation of current noise (1/f noise) in polymer thick film resistors, when they are subjected to pulse voltage trimming. The current noise is measured in terms of noise index (micro volts of noise per volt of DC applied, in a decade of frequency) using Noise Meter Model 315 C manufactured by Quan‐Tech of New Jersey. It has been found that current noise decreases as the resistors are trimmed to lower values. An attempt has been made to explain the decrease in current noise with the trimming of resistors.
Option pricing model for cash rebate mortgages
Authors: Lam Eddie
Published: August 2003

This paper alters the traditional model of valuation by introducing trinomial trees, and determines the difference between the traditional plain‐vanilla, adjustable‐rate mortgages and cash rebate mortgages. By presenting an economic model for studying the combined effects of mortgage value by prepayment, delinquency, default, and cure speed, the model builds a simulation program to generate different cash flow scenarios. The results indicate that the value of cash rebate mortgages is higher than that of standard mortgages, although they are more sensitive to embedded options. If the probability of exercising an option is higher, then the value of cash rebate mortgages will drop at a faster rate than that of standard mortgages.
Comparison of Automated and Manual Nucleic Acid Extraction Methods for Detection of Enterovirus RNA
Authors: Knepp Julia H. , Geahr Melissa A. , Forman Michael S. , Valsamakis Alexandra
Published: August 2003

Automated nucleic acid extraction is an attractive alternative to labor-intensive manual methods. We compared two automated methods, the BioRobot M48 instrument (Qiagen, Inc.) and MagNA Pure (Roche Applied Sciences) methods, to two manual methods, the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit (Qiagen) and TRIzol (Invitrogen), for the extraction of enterovirus RNA. Analytical sensitivity was assessed by dilution analysis of poliovirus type 2 Sabin in cerebrospinal fluid. The sensitivity of PCR was equivalent after RNA extraction with QIAamp, BioRobot M48, and MagNA Pure. All 18 replicates of 100 PFU/ml were detected after extraction by the four methods. Fewer replicates of each successive dilution were detected after extraction by each method. At 10−1PFU/ml, 17 of 18 replicates were positive by QIAamp, 15 of 18 replicates were positive by BioRobot M48, and 12 of 18 replicates were positive by MagNA Pure; at 10−2PFU/ml, 4 of 17 replicates were positive by QIAamp, 2 of 18 replicates were positive by BioRobot M48, and 0 of 18 replicates were positive by MagNA Pure. At 10−3PFU/ml, no replicates were detected. Evaluation of TRIzol was discontinued after nine replicates due to a trend of lower sensitivity (at 10−3PFU/ml eight of nine replicates were positive at 100 PFU/ml, four of nine replicates were positive at 10−1PFU/ml, and zero of nine replicates were positive at 10−2PFU/ml). Concordant results were obtained in 24 of 28 clinical specimens after extraction by all methods. No evidence of contamination was observed after extraction by automated instruments. The data indicate that the sensitivity of enterovirus PCR is largely similar after extraction by QIAamp, BioRobot M48, and MagNA Pure; a trend of decreased sensitivity was observed after TRIzol extraction. However, the results of enterovirus PCR were largely concordant in patient samples, indicating that the four extraction methods are suitable for detection of enteroviruses in clinical specimens.
Detection of Circulating gp43 Antigen in Serum, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Paracoccidioidomycosis
Authors: Marques da Silva Silvia Helena , Colombo Arnaldo Lopes , Blotta Maria Heloisa Souza Lima , Lopes José Daniel , Queiroz-Telles Flávio , Pires de Camargo Zoilo
Published: August 2003

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an important systemic fungal disease, particularly among individuals living and working in rural areas of endemicity in Latin America, who, without antifungal therapy, may develop fatal acute or chronic infection. For such patients, the detection of antibody responses by immunodiffusion is of limited value due to false-negative results. In contrast, the detection of
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
gp43 circulating antigen may represent a more practical approach to the rapid diagnosis of the disease. Accordingly, an inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (inh-ELISA) was developed for the detection of a 43-kDa
P. brasiliensis
-specific epitope incorporating a species-specific murine monoclonal antibody. With sera from patients with acute and chronic forms of the disease (
n
= 81), the overall sensitivity of the test was found to be 95.1%, while specificity was found to be 97.5% compared to that with normal human sera from blood donors (
n
= 93) and sera from patients with other chronic fungal infections (histoplasmosis [
n
= 33] and cryptococcosis [
n
= 20]). The inh-ELISA detected circulating antigen in 100% of patients with the acute form of PCM and in 95.31 and 100% of patients with the chronic multifocal and unifocal forms of PCM according to the patient's clinical presentation. Cerebrospinal fluid from 14 patients with neuroparacoccidioidomycosis and 13 samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with pulmonary unifocal PCM were also tested for gp43 detection, with the test showing 100% sensitivity and specificity. This novel, highly specific inh-ELISA represents a significant addition to the existing tests for the diagnosis of PCM.
Genotypic Identification of Erythromycin-Resistant
Campylobacter
Isolates as
Helicobacter
Species and Analysis of Resistance Mechanism
Authors: Kuijper Ed J. , Stevens Servi , Imamura Toshihiro , de Wever Bob , Claas Eric C. J.
Published: August 2003

The correct identification of
Campylobacter
species remains cumbersome, especially when conventional biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns are used for a phenotypical identification. Correct identification is important for epidemiological purposes and for studying changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns. Six erythromycin-resistant campylobacter strains were investigated by 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing, 23S rDNA sequencing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a putative heme-copper oxidase domain described as being specific for thermophilic
Campylobacter
species. Three erythromycin-resistant isolates from feces of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients with diarrhea and one blood isolate of from HIV-seropositive patient with cellulitis were identified by 16S rDNA analysis as
Helicobacter cinaedi
, whereas 23S rDNA sequencing suggested
Wolinella succinogenes
. The 16S rDNA sequence data of fecal isolates of two patients with travelers diarrhea revealed
Helicobacter pullorum
and were also in contrast with 23S rDNA sequencing. Of 4
H. cinaedi
isolates, 1 contained the putative heme-copper oxidase gene thought to be specific for thermophilic species. The six erythromycin-resistant
Helicobacter
species had a similar point mutation A2143G in 23S rDNA resembling the macrolides resistance in
Helicobacter pylori.
We conclude that 16S rDNA sequencing should be preferred to 23S rDNA analysis and that macrolide-resistant campylobacter strains should be investigated by this approach for a correct identification.
Transmission ofAnaplasma marginalebyBoophilus microplus: Retention of Vector Competence in the Absence of Vector-Pathogen Interaction
Authors: Futse James E. , Ueti Massaro W. , Knowles Donald P. , Palmer Guy H.
Published: August 2003

Whether arthropod vectors retain competence for transmission of infectious agents in the long-term absence of vector-pathogen interaction is unknown. We addressed this question by quantifying the vector competence of two tick vectors, with mutually exclusive tropical- versus temperate-region distributions, for genetically distinct tropical- and temperate-region strains of the cattle pathogenAnaplasma marginale. The tropical cattle tickBoophilus microplus, which has been eradicated from the continental United States for over 60 years, was able to acquire and transmit the temperate St. Maries (Idaho) strain ofA. marginale. Similarly, the temperate-region tickDermacentor andersoniefficiently acquired and transmitted the Puerto Rico strain ofA. marginale. There were no significant quantitative differences in infection rate or number of organisms per tick following feeding on cattle with persistent infections of eitherA. marginalestrain. In contrast, the significantly enhanced replication of the Puerto Rico strain in the salivary gland ofB. microplusat the time of transmission feeding is consistent with adaptation of a pathogen strain to its available vector. However, the transmission of both strains byB. microplusdemonstrates that adaptation or continual interaction between the pathogen and vector is not required for retention of vector competence. Importantly, the results clearly show that reestablishment of acaricide-resistantB. microplusin the United States would be associated withA. marginaletransmission.
Evaluation of a Modified Single-Enzyme Amplified-Fragment Length Polymorphism Technique for Fingerprinting and Differentiating of
Mycobacterium kansasii
Type I Isolates
Authors: Gaafar Ayman , Unzaga M. Josebe , Cisterna Ramón , Clavo Felicitas Elena , Urra Elena , Ayarza Rafael , Martín Gloria
Published: August 2003

The usefulness of single-enzyme amplified-fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis for the subtyping of
Mycobacterium kansasii
type I isolates was evaluated. This simplified technique classified 253 type I strains into 12 distinct clusters. The discriminating power of this technique was high, and the technique easily distinguished between the epidemiologically unrelated control strains and our clinical isolates. Overall, the technique was relatively rapid and technically simple, yet it gave reproducible and discriminatory results. This technique provides a powerful typing tool which may be helpful in solving many questions concerning the reservoirs, pathogenicities, and modes of transmission of these isolates.
Detection of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) in Blood with the EVIGENE MRSA Detection Kit
Authors: Levi Katrina , Towner Kevin J.
Published: August 2003

A total of 200 blood cultures containing putative staphylococci were analyzed by a commercial gene probe hybridization assay (EVIGENE; Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark), and 18 were identified as methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) positive. Of these, 17 were positive by PCR and 16 were positive by culture. Detailed analysis of the discrepant results showed that the EVIGENE kit allowed specific identification of MRSA in blood cultures without any of the drawbacks associated with PCR.
Close Relationship between G8-Serotype Bovine and Human Rotaviruses Isolated in Nigeria
Authors: Adah Mohammed I. , Nagashima Shigeo , Wakuda Mitsutaka , Taniguchi Koki
Published: August 2003

A bovine rotavirus, NGRBg8, isolated from the feces of a calf with diarrhea in Nigeria was characterized by reverse transcription-PCR, nucleotide sequence analysis, and Northern blot hybridization. The nucleotide sequence of the VP7 gene of the strain was most closely related to that of a Nigerian human G8-serotype strain, HMG035 (99.9%). The NSP1 gene of strain NGRBg8 is highly related (99.4%) to that of a Thai G8 bovine strain, A5-10. Northern blot hybridization revealed a high overall genomic relatedness of bovine strain NGRBg8 with human strain HMG035; all 11 RNA segments hybridized to each other. Thus, the results show the close relationship between G8 bovine and human rotaviruses in Nigeria.
Molecular cytogenetic analysis of wheatbarley hybrids using genomic in situ hybridization and barley microsatellite markers
Authors: Malysheva L , Sjakste T , Matzk F , Röder M , Ganal M
Published: August 2003

In the present investigation, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and barley microsatellite markers were used to analyse the genome constitution of wheatbarley hybrids from two backcross generations (BC1and BC2). Two BC1plants carried 3 and 6 barley chromosomes, respectively, according to GISH data. Additional chromosomal fragments were detected using microsatellites. Five BC2plants possessed complete barley chromosomes or chromosome segments and six BC2plants did not preserve barley genetic material. Molecular markers revealed segments of the barley genome with the size of one marker only, which probably resulted from recombination between wheat and barley chromosomes. The screening of backcrossed populations from intergeneric hybrids could be effectively conducted using both genomic in situ hybridization and molecular microsatellite markers. GISH images presented a general overview of the genome constitution of the hybrid plants, while microsatellite analysis revealed the genetic identity of the alien chromosomes and chromosomal segments introgressed. These methods were complementary and provided comprehensive information about the genomic constitution of the plants produced.Key words: wheatbarley hybrids, introgressive hybridization, recombination, molecular markers, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH).
Genetic analysis of the second chromosome centromeric heterochromatin ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Coulthard Alistair B , Eberl Daniel F , Sharp Cecil B , Hilliker Arthur J
Published: August 2003

Here we bring together our published and unpublished work with recent published findings of other laboratories to provide a revised map of the centromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 2 and descriptions of the 21 genetic elements therein. These elements consist of 16 vital loci, one male and one female sterile loci, one Minute locus, and two components of the Segregation Distorter system. Based on our latest analysis of the lethal mutant phenotypes of the vital genes, we have provided names for several genes that were previously known by their lethal number assignments.Key words: heterochromatin, Drosophila, cytogenetics.
Isolation, characterization, and cross-species utility of microsatellites in yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)
Authors: Bérubé Yanik , Ritland Carol , Ritland Kermit
Published: August 2003

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is an ecologically and economically important conifer of the north Pacific coastal forests. To aid in studies of clonal structure and genetic differentiation of this and related species, we isolated and characterized microsatellites from C. nootkatensis. A microsatellite-enriched library yielded 75 repeat-containing sequences for which primer pairs were designed. Only five showed reliable amplification and polymorphism, with an average of 13.7 alleles/locus and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.592. In progeny tests with four families, few null alleles were directly detected and loci segregated according to Mendelian expectations. However, in one primer pair, high heterozygote deficiency was observed, suggesting the presence of a null allele. The ability of primer pairs to cross amplify was tested on 18 species of the Cupressaceae sensu lato; three primer pairs yielded polymorphic loci in Cupressus and Juniperus species, but not in other Chamaecyparis species. This also supports recent findings of a closer affinity of C. nootkatensis with Cupressus over other Chamaecyparis species.Key words: Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, conifer, Cupressaceae, genetics, microsatellites, yellow cedar.
An integrated physical, genetic and cytogenetic map around thesunnlocus ofMedicago truncatula
Authors: Schnabel E , Kulikova O , Penmetsa R V , Bisseling T , Cook D R , Frugoli J
Published: August 2003

The sunn mutation of Medicago truncatula is a single-gene mutation that confers a novel supernodulation phenotype in response to inoculation with Sinorhizobium meliloti. We took advantage of the publicly available codominant PCR markers, the high-density genetic map, and a linked cytogenetic map to define the physical and genetic region containing sunn. We determined that sunn is located at the bottom of linkage group 4, where a fine-structure genetic map was used to place the locus within a ~400-kb contig of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. Genetic analyses of the sunn contig, as well as of a second, closely linked BAC contig designated NUM1, indicate that the physical to genetic distance within this chromosome region is in the range of 1000 1100 kb·cM1. The ratio of genetic to cytogenetic distance determined across the entire region is 0.3 cM·μm1. These estimates are in good agreement with the empirically determined value of ~300 kb·μm1measured for the NUM1 contig. The assignment of sunn to a defined physical interval should provide a basis for sequencing and ultimately cloning the responsible gene.Key words: FISH, physical to genetic distance, Medicago truncatula, map-based cloning.
Identification of ISSR markers associated with productivity traits in silkworm,Bombyx moriL.
Authors: Chatterjee S N , Mohandas T P
Published: August 2003

Bombyx mori L., commonly recognised around the world as the mulberry silkworm, is characterized by a wide variability in yield and developmental traits, which have been proven through conventional genetic analysis to be of polygenic nature. A large number of morpho-biochemical traits and RFLP and RAPD markers are mapped on different linkage groups, but to this point very little attention has been given to unravelling the genetics of yield traits. To address this issue, polymorphic profiles of 147 markers generated with 12 ISSR primers on the genomic DNA of 20 silkworm stocks of diverse yield status were subjected to multiple regression and discriminant function analyses (DFA). This led to the identification of eight markers generated by six primers, which demonstrated high β-coefficient indices of 0.451 to 0.940. Furthermore, a significant difference between the yield traits for stocks with and without the specific marker could also be established. The inheritance pattern of one marker, L13800bp, identified at the first step of selection of markers through stepwise regression analyses for five yield parameters is discussed in the context of applying multiple regression analysis for establishing association, if not linkage, between a group of DNA markers and a particular yield trait of polygenic nature and using such markers in molecular marker-assisted breeding programs.Key words: Bombyx mori, silkworm, ISSR markers, yield components.
Interval Methods in Knowledge Representation
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: August 2003

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send your abstract (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here), to vladik@cs.utep.edu, or by regular mail to: Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
European Integration and National Social Citizenship
Authors: Ferrera Maurizio
Published: August 2003

The deepening of European integration has weakened the traditional coercive monopoly of the state on actors and resources that are crucial for the stability of redistributive institutions. The article explores these issues adopting a “state-building” perspective and drawing on Stein Rokkan's pioneering insights on boundary building and internal structuring. The first part of the article briefly presents the theoretical perspective. The second part sketches the development of national welfare institutions up to the early 1970s, underlining the importance of bounding processes. The third part describes the challenges recently emerged to the “social sovereignty” of the nation-state largely linked to European integration. The final part offers some more speculative remarks on the changing architecture of social protection, with some hints at cross-national variations and possible developments at the European Union level.
News Content and Form
Authors: Grabe Maria Elizabeth , Lang Annie , Zhao Xiaoquan
Published: August 2003

This experiment examines the effect of tabloid and standard packaging styles on calm and arousing news stories. The goal of this line of research is to investigate the combined influence of form and content on information processing and viewer evaluations of television news. Results indicate that the bells and whistles of tabloid production features enhance memory for calm news items but overburden the information processing system when applied to arousing news content. The evaluative measures produced data that show formal features have an influence on the meaning viewers derive from news content and that they rate news packaged in the tabloid format as less objective and believable than stories without these dramatic features.
The Contemporary University and the Poverty of Nations: Rethinking the Mission of STS
Authors: Vanderburg Willem H.
Published: August 2003

Most aspects of the current crisis regarding society-biosphere interactions can be attributed to the knowledge strategy adopted by contemporary universites. The artificial separation of science, technology, and society in separate faculties makes it very difficult for teaching staff and students to cross their boundaries. It is argued that STS, with its emphasis on transdisciplinarity, can help to ameliorate this crisis by providing an integrated learning experience. To do this, however, STS has to restructure itself to overcome the limitations imposed by the knowledge strategy of the contemporary university.
Religion on the Internet: Community and Virtual Existence
Authors: Foltz Franz , Foltz Frederick
Published: August 2003

There is considerable controversy concerning the ability of the Internet to provide communal experiences. This article looks at the ability of the World Wide Web to foster religious community, particularly from a Christian perspective. It looks at the nature of religion and community and shows to what extent the Internet has and has not been successful in recreating religious community. It looks at the reaction of two particular groups of users and categorizes Web sites into five types: research sites, extensions of local community, independent sites, spiritual retreats, and online worship. Finally it discusses the limitations of disembodied experience and argues that most individuals use the media within these limitations.
Using Ethnography to Identify Cultural Domains within a Systems Engineering Organization
Authors: Collins Shawn T.
Published: August 2003

Many engineering corporations are attempting to adapt successful manufacturing quality initiatives to the office environment. These adaptations can be improved by considering the cultural domains in which knowledge is created and transferred. Ethnographic research conducted at a research engineering company identifies several shared cultural domains within the systems engineering group. It is suggested that the elements in these domains be incorporated into quality improvement, new employee training, and career development opportunities. This research identifies technology design as a common concern for both anthropologists and engineers. The nature of emerging technology practice will change to the degree that these and other disciplines interact to shape choices affecting how technology is designed rather than waiting to discuss how it should be used.
Massive Questionnaires for Personality Capture
Authors: Bainbridge William Sims
Published: August 2003

Contemporary information technology facilitates the creation and administration of much longer questionnaires than was feasible traditionally. People might be motivated to respond to these questionnaires as a means of capturing significant aspects of their personalities, and this can be useful when designing sociable technology—computer avatars, software agents, and robots with simulated personalities—and when creating personality archives for research or memorial purposes. In this article, the author illustrates how “personality capture” can be accomplished through 20,000 questionnaire items culled from responses to open-ended online questions, content analysis of existing verbal or textual material, and words from dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauri. This approach enables detailed idiographic study of a single individual, based on fresh measurement items and scales derived from the ambient culture.