bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early disruption of centromeric chromatin organization in centromere protein A (Cenpa) null mice
Authors: Howman Emily V. , Fowler Kerry J. , Newson Ainsley J. , Redward Saara , MacDonald Andrew C. , Kalitsis Paul , Choo K. H. Andy
Published: July 2002

Centromere protein A (Cenpa for mouse, CENP-A for other species) is a histone H3-like protein that is thought to be involved in the nucleosomal packaging of centromeric DNA. Using gene targeting, we have disrupted the mouseCenpagene and demonstrated that the gene is essential. Heterozygous mice are healthy and fertile whereas null mutants fail to survive beyond 6.5 days postconception. Affected embryos show severe mitotic problems, including micronuclei and macronuclei formation, nuclear bridging and blebbing, and chromatin fragmentation and hypercondensation. Immunofluorescence analysis of interphase cells at day 5.5 reveals complete Cenpa depletion, diffuse Cenpb foci, absence of discrete Cenpc signal on centromeres, and dispersion of Cenpb and Cenpc throughout the nucleus. These results suggest that Cenpa is essential for kinetochore targeting of Cenpc and plays an early role in organizing centromeric chromatin at interphase. The evidence is consistent with the proposal of a critical epigenetic function for CENP-A in marking a chromosomal region for centromere formation.
The genetics of ivermectin resistance in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Dent Joseph A. , Smith McHardy M. , Vassilatis Demetrios K. , Avery Leon
Published: July 2002

The ability of organisms to evolve resistance threatens the effectiveness of every antibiotic drug. We show that in the nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans,
simultaneous mutation of three genes,
avr-14, avr-15
, and
glc-1
, encoding glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) α-type subunits confers high-level resistance to the antiparasitic drug ivermectin. In contrast, mutating any two channel genes confers modest or no resistance. We propose a model in which ivermectin sensitivity in
C. elegans
is mediated by genes affecting parallel genetic pathways defined by the family of GluCl genes. The sensitivity of these pathways is further modulated by
unc-7
,
unc-9
, and the Dyf (dye filling defective) genes, which alter the structure of the nervous system. Our results suggest that the evolution of drug resistance can be slowed by targeting antibiotic drugs to several members of a multigene family.
Modernization, globalization and the welfare state: a comparative analysis of old and new convergence of social insurance since 1930
Authors: Montanari Ingalill
Published: July 2002

Convergence of policies and institutions across countries has been a recurrent theme within social sciences. ‘Old’ and ‘new’ convergence hypotheses have been associated with changing concepts and catchwords, such as modernization, logic of industrialism, post‐industrialism, post‐Fordism and globalization, but share some underlying theoretical perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to analyse tendencies towards convergence of social insurance systems in 18 OECD countries between 1930 and 1990, a period which has seen our sample of countries develop from predominantly agricultural societies to industrial or post‐industrial market democracies. Data from the Social Citizenship Indicator Program (SCIP) are used to examine the development of institutional variables within the various national social insurance systems. Sub‐samples of larger and smaller countries are examined separately, in order to test the open‐economy hypothesis that smaller countries, being more exposed to international pressures than larger ones, could be expected to show higher degrees of social protection and also more convergence.

Hypotheses on differentiated institutional barriers against pressures from the processes of transnationalization of the economy, as well as possible convergence effects of the supra‐national policy making within the European Union, are dis‐cussed in the last section.
The Social Ecology of the Post-Fordist/Global City? Economic Restructuring and Socio-spatial Polarisation in the Toronto Urban Region
Authors: Walks R. Alan
Published: July 2002

Numerous authors have asserted that globalisation and occupational changes associated with post-Fordist economic restructuring have led to a growth in intraurban social disparity and even polarisation. This hypothesis is most consistently articulated in the literature on global cities. However, the social effects of post-Fordist economic restructuring and the interplay between occupational changes and social and spatial factors within urban areas are not well understood. This paper seeks to provide an initial investigation into processes of socioeconomic change which may be presently ocurring within cities, and to model how such processes may be articulated within urban space. To gauge the impact of occupational restructuring on the social structure of the city, and to test the assertion that economic changes are related to increased polarisation, shifts in occupation, immigration and income variables in the urban region of Toronto, Canada, are examined. The patterns of social and spatial change occurring between 1971 ands 1991 are plottted and the possible tendencies towards increasing polarisation are analysed and discussed.
Modelling High-intensity Crime Areas in English Cities
Authors: Craglia Massimo , Haining Robert , Signoretta Paola
Published: July 2002

Police forces responsible for large metropolitan areas in England and Wales have claimed that within certain parts of their urban areas there exist high-intensity crime areas (HIAs). These are areas that raise special policing problems because of the particularly violent forms of crime sometimes found within them and because of the unwillingness or inability of the resident population to co-operate fully with the police in part because of fears for their own safety. A sample of metropolitan police forces was asked to identify the location of their HIAs and this paper reports the results of a GIS-based spatial analysis to try and model the location of these areas using census data. Three police force areas were used to develop the model. This was subsequently validated against a further set of HIA data from different police forces. The model suggests that HIAs are characterised by populations that are deprived and live at high density, and by higher levels of population turnover.
Ethnic Differences in Urban Neighbour Relations in Israel
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S. , Manor Orit
Published: July 2002

This study considers the role of ethnic differences in the relevance of the local community as a network of social relations that provide companionship, friendship and social support. Data for this study were collected from a representative sample of the population in the Haifa metropolitan area, the third-largest metropolitan area in Israel. It was found that measures of investment in the neighbourhood such as home-ownership and stage in the life-cycle were not related to the number of locally based instrumental ties. However, nationality had a negative effect. Israeli Jews reported fewer locally based instrumental ties than the Arab Israelis. The findings provide partial support for compression theory. Israeli Arabs reported a higher number of locally based instrumental social ties than Israeli Jews. Apparently their higher levels of residential segregation compressed their social relationships to the local neighbourhood more than was the case for Israeli Jews. Implications of the findings for other theoretical frameworks are discussed.
The Politics of 'Integrated' Local Policy in England
Authors: Valler David , Betteley David
Published: July 2002

From its inception in the early 1970s, local economic policy has shifted, albeit in complex and locally specific ways, through a variety of distinctive periods. One critical aspect of change has been the developing relation of 'economic' and 'social' policy spheres which are becoming less distinct, or even directly integrated. In this paper, we examine the emergence of ostensibly 'integrated' local economic and social strategies in two English metropolitan districts—Sandwell and Rotherham—which were at the forefront of policy development in the mid 1990s. In developing this analysis, we locate the roots of integrated policy in the changing ideological foundations of the relationship between economic and social policy under 'late Thatcherism' and 'New Labour', and in reactions to the shortcomings of previous Thatcherite urban policies. However, the process of integrated strategy-making is critically mediated by pre-existing institutional and political forms in localities, producing distinctive institutional responses and policy processes which in turn suggest the limits of policy integration in contemporary local governance.
Does Terror Have an Urban Future?
Authors: Savitch H.V. , Ardashev Grigoriy
Published: July 2002

This article was written and submitted before the 11 September terrorist attack on New York City. Minor revisions were made to the text and a post-script added in order to bring it up to date, but the original data, themes and findings have been left intact. Our study examines the occurrence of terror in 40 cities across the globe. We survey incidents, fatalities, injuries and damage due to terror between 1993 and 2000. We also encapsulate these statistics in a terror score for each city. We conclude that terror is more common in cities and we explain why this might be the case. In explaining urban terror, we rely on three factors: social breakdown, resource mobilisation and target-proneness. Essentially, we argue that cities with high cumulative standing on these factors also incur high levels of terror. We are able to explain terror in the remaining cities with high 'terror scores' by showing that terror is often 'exportable'. That is, terror originates in places with high social breakdown and resource mobilisation, but is often transmitted to globally oriented, target-prone cities. These cities are located in what we have labelled an International Message Category. Among others, the leading `candidates' for terror attack have been listed as New York, London, Paris, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Athens and Istanbul.
Small Towns and Regional Development: Major Findings and Policy Implications from Comparative Research
Authors: Hinderink Jan , Titus Milan
Published: July 2002

The role of lower-order urban centres in regional development constitutes an important subject of debate. The existing controversies in the literature and the lack of empirical data to support the optimistic assumptions of policy-makers and planners inspired a team of geographers at Utrecht University in the 1980s to start a programme of comparative studies on the role of small towns in a selected number of regions. These regions were considered to be representative for four types of context with respect to the functioning of small towns-a south-east Asian and a Sahelian context, the context of agricultural colonisation and export production areas in central America and southern Africa, and the context of industrialising borderland areas in northern Mexico. The findings from the comparative studies and from recent literature allow us to challenge optimistic assumptions about the development role of small towns. The divergent character of the selected contexts and the differential impact of regional conditions explain the observed variations in town-hinterland conditions and the potential development role of small urban centres. The findings establish that generalisations about the role of small towns are hard to make and lead to some important policy implications.
Social Exclusion, Urban Regeneration and Economic Reintegration
Authors: McGregor Alan , McConnachie Margaret
Published: July 2002

The increasing spatial concentration of the disadvantaged has resulted in the isolation of many individuals and households from mainstream social and economic activities. This paper is concerned with the exclusion of these individuals from the labour market. This in turn constitutes a considerable barrier to the ability of individuals and households to access services, facilities and networks in the wider economy and society. Recognising the impact of wider macroeconomic forces, the paper reviews and assesses policies aimed to address this problem at the neighbourhood level. Programmes considered include the creation of employment opportunities within disadvantaged neighbourhoods and those which aim to build links between these areas and the wider labour market. The potential contribution of housing programmes and expenditure is assessed. The complex nature of the problem is highlighted leading to an emphasis on the need for multi-sectoral solutions.
The Comparative Performance of Business Services in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Hitchens D.M.W.N. , O'Farrell P.N. , Conway C.D.
Published: July 2002

Comparisons are made between firms in five business service industries located in the two parts of Ireland. The focus is on explaining the differential performance of the business services sector in the two areas. Matched comparisons show independent offices grow at the same rate though Rol sample firms are characterised by higher charge-out rates and higher sales per head. Comparisons of supply-side characteristics show few differences in the basic capability of firms. Attention is drawn to the dependence of the industry on Irish demand and the low level of cross-border trade. Consideration is given to how to increase trade between NI and the Rol and to increase the competitive advantages of firms in order to penetrate markets outside Ireland. Future opportunities for the sector are considered in the light of the outbreak of peace and deeper cross-border integration.
Demand for Housing Attributes in Developing Countries: A Study of Pakistan
Authors: Pasha Hafiz A. , Butt Mohammad S.
Published: July 2002

The paper has applied a conventional framework of analysis of implicit markets to determine the characteristics of demand for housing attributes of quantity and quality in the urban areas of a large, low-income developing country like Pakistan. Income elasticities generally appear to be low, although somewhat higher for indicators of quality. Own-price elasticities are high while the cross-price effects with respect to different attribute prices reveal the high degree of substitutibility among these attributes. Methodological innovations in the paper include the use of a weighted factor score for the measurement of housing quality and incorporation of the effect of changes in non-housing prices on demand for housing attributes. Given the large magnitude of own-price effects and the negative impact of a rise in non-housing prices, it appears that in the face of slow growth in real incomes and double-digit inflation in Pakistan residential overcrowding conditions are likely to worsen over time.
Understanding Neighbourhood Dynamics: A Review of the Contributions of William G. Grigsby
Authors: Megbolugbe Isaac F. , Hoek-Smit Marja C. , Linneman Peter D.
Published: July 2002

This paper summarises William G. Grigsby's contribution to our understanding of neighbourhood change. We discuss seven contributions among Grigsby's most-lasting. First, he staked out the boundaries of the still-nascent field very early in his career. Secondly, he situated the subject within the broader framework of metropolitan housing market dynamics. Thirdly, he developed a theoretical framework for investigating the subject that featured the analysis of housing sub-markets, the market process of neighbourhood succession, and residential segregation. Fourthly, he identified the economic, social, institutional and demographic forces that create neighbourhood change. Fifthly, he linked neighbourhood decline and deterioration to the spatial concentration of poverty. Sixthly, he underscored the significance of this understanding for formulating public policies to deal with deteriorated neighbourhoods. And seventhly, he provided a remarkably complete and robust framework for analysing neighbourhood change. This last-mentioned contribution is the culmination of his lifetime work and will prove perhaps to be his most significant. It provides a road map to future research on neighbourhood dynamics that others may wish to follow. It is very important to note that Grigsby's contributions are so foundational to the modern field of housing economics and housing policy that many of the first-generation analysts like John Kain, John Quigley, William Wheaton, Richard Muth and Anthony Downs do not bother to cite his works. Grigsby's contributions have become ingrained in the core of housing policy. The paper concludes by noting that Grigsby did not let the state of technology or the availability of data limit his vision. As a result, his ideas about neighbourhood change remain fresh and will remain important for years to come.
Private Home-ownership Finance for Low-income Households
Authors: Tomann Horst
Published: July 2002

German home-ownership rates are significantly lower than home-ownership rates in other nations. Perhaps attributable to several reasons, the ownership differential has become a major housing policy concern. This paper analyses the typical liquidity constraints for first-time home-buyers. It is well known that these constraints largely depend on the rate of inflation and result in credit rationing for investors whose income expectations are high but whose capital endowments are poor. Typically, this is the case for young families. Recently, German tax benefit schemes to promote home-ownership were rescheduled to avoid discrimination against young households. Still, the schemes place a high burden on public budgets. By contrast, the German Housing Policy commission proposed a scheme of home-ownership finance that combines private finance with a public pledge to overcome credit rationing. This paper examines the new proposal and its social, economic and fiscal implications.
An Employment Approach to Urban Poverty Alleviation: Employment Patterns of AFDC Recipients—The Milwaukee Experience, 1989-93
Authors: White Sammis B.
Published: July 2002

Major changes are underway in the American programme to aid mothers with dependent children. One major component of the proposed changes is a work requirement for mothers. To begin to explore what problems and opportunities may be created by a work requirement, this paper explores several questions related to the work and earnings' experience of a cohort of 42 000 aid recipients in an urban county. Among the several findings is the fact that about 70 per cent of the welfare recipients have recent work experience. For some, the experience is limited; for others, especially those known to have left welfare, it is extensive. The earnings produced from work range from basically pocket change to well in excess of US$16 500 per year. The implications for policy changes vary with one's perspective. What is clear is that some recipients can earn more than welfare; for others, such earnings will be more difficult.
Infrastructure Provision, the Negotiating Process and the Planner's Role
Authors: Ennis Frank
Published: July 2002

While acknowledging the importance of considering infrastructure as a critical feature in the development process, this paper suggests that a deeper study of the issues involved can offer new insights into the role of planners and the functioning of planning systems. An awareness of the problems of implementation and the importance of understanding the significance of negotiative practice in the process is critical here. The essential argument is that, because traditional planning was founded on concepts of modernity, it was assumed that implementation was not a concern. The author suggests that negotiations have long been a feature of planning systems which need further and wider consideration. An ideal model for negotiating practice—positional bargaining—is examined to provide a means for assessing the papers included in this collection. In acknowledging that the negotiating strategies examined in the case study papers are a product of the socio-political context, the paper proposes that a mechanism for cross-cultural comparison needs to be devised and applied in order that the capacity to generalise across a diversity of circumstances is made possible.
Negotiating Planning Gains through the British Development Control System
Authors: Claydon Jim , Smith Bryan
Published: July 2002

The British planning system provides for the exercise of discretion in the interpretation of policy and at the operational level processing planning applications. That discretionary space is utilised to negotiate, often over the provision of planning gains. Three applications for commercial uses drawn from different parts of England are taken as case study examples. They are examined within the context of an analytical framework which identifies the activity of negotiation, the influences on it and the actors involved. Consideration is given to the influences on negotiation from both the developers' and the local planning authorities' points of view. Factors relevant to the developer include the structure and nature of developer, their interest, the nature of development, the political culture, the nature of the planning gain and the merits of the gain. Similarly, the local planning authority's approach is influenced by organisational procedures, the degree of delegation, the nature of the negotiations and the preparation undertaken. The authors suggest a negotiating frame which shapes the process of negotiation. The article concludes by highlighting the separate but parallel development control and negotiation processes which both demand managing and integrating. The skill to achieve this integration, to handle knowledge of the law and development process and the judgement to assess others' priorities are all demanded of successful negotiators.
An Ordo-liberal Perspective on Land Problems in Korea
Authors: Lee Jin S.
Published: July 2002

Recurring land price inflation in Korea is one of the most worrisome policy issues. It frustrates people's aspirations of home-ownership, aggravates income/wealth disparities, raises business costs and requires higher costs for government of land acquisition for infrastructure. Any effort to combat this problem must consider whether this land price inflation reflects a change in fundamentals or is led by speculative bubbles. An econometric test concludes that land markets in Korea have partly been driven by speculative bubbles. Then this paper argues that bubbles are cyclically formed and are persistent due to structural differences in the rate of return between land and financial assets, which are enforced by the centrally administered economic order. Thus, to reduce the bubble element in Korean land prices, fundamental reform is necessary towards a genuine market economy. This includes financial liberalisation and land tax reform to decrease speculative demand, and reform of land-use control to increase the supply of urban land.
When Jobs Move, Do Black and Latino Men Lose? The Effect of Growth in Job Decentralisation on Young Men's Jobless Incidence and Duration
Authors: Stoll Michael A.
Published: July 2002

The spatial mismatch hypothesis suggests that the movement of jobs from central cities to suburbs negatively affects blacks' employment both absolutely and relative to whites. In this paper, data are used from the 1984 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and the 1972 and 1982 US Census of Industries to examine the effect of growth in metropolitan job decentralisation on young males' jobless incidence and duration. Overall, growth in job decentralisation is found to affect negatively young black and Latino males' jobless incidence and duration. In addition, the metropolitan unemployment rate is found to affect negatively young black males' jobless incidence and durations only. Thus, the combination of full employment policies with policies to alter the distribution of jobs in metropolitan areas in favour of the central city will do more to improve young black and Latino males' labour market position than either approach by itself.
Urbanisation and Regional Productivity in Korean Manufacturing
Authors: Joon Lee Yung , Zang Hyoungsoo
Published: July 2002

As the first study for Korea, we estimate the effects of urbanisation and localisation economies on the productivity of 19 Korean manufacturing industries in 1983, 1988 and 1993. Based on the observation that material inputs contributed about 60 per cent of productivity growth in Korea, we consider gross output productivity, which is an innovation that distinguishes our study from previous ones. We find that localisation economies have been dominant features of Korean manufacturing industries, whereas Korean manufacturing industries did not benefit much from locating in large cities. More interestingly, there are some indications of quadratic relations between city size and urbanisation economies.
The Position and Role of Former Public Sector Homes in the Owner-occupied Sector: New Evidence from the Scottish Housing Market
Authors: Pawson Hal , Watkins Craig
Published: July 2002

By 1995, around one-third of Scotland's public sector housing stock (as at 1980) had been sold to sitting tenants under the 'Right to Buy'. An estimated 67 000 of these 300 000 dwellings have subsequently been resold on the open market. At the peak of the resale activity, in 1992, the volume of resales reached just under 14 000 transactions, accounting for 14 per cent of all 'second-hand' market activity in that year. There appears to be a substantial differential between the realised market values of former public sector homes as compared with other second-hand dwellings, characteristic of regions of England where demand for housing is less intense. There is also evidence of considerable variations in prices of former public sector properties within districts, depending on the reputation of the neighbourhood concerned. Survey evidence shows that the resale market is not predominantly a first-time-buyer market. Half of those who have purchased former public sector dwellings were already owner-occupiers at the time. For most of those concerned, buying an ex-RTB property presented an opportunity to trade up in the market in terms of size and type. Nevertheless, for a considerable proportion of first-time buyers, the availability of a former public sector property may have been crucial in facilitating access to home-ownership. Significantly, one-third of this group had previously contemplated social renting.
Globalisation, Social Change and Minorities in Metropolitan Paris: The Emergence of New Class Patterns
Authors: Rhein Catherine
Published: July 2002

This paper deals with two intertwined issues linked to social strata analysis, namely social fragmentation and spatial polarisation within metropolitan/global cities. It aims at pointing out the missing link in the analysis of changes in job structures and their impacts upon social strata in large metropolitan areas. Although there was no apparent process of polarisation in the metropolitan employment structures, an in-depth analysis of social strata and of the school-age population provided supportive evidence that a double process of social polarisation and of spatial concentration of foreign households has been at work in metropolitan Paris during the 1982-90 period.
Dynamic Equilibrium of the Housing Market
Authors: Tse Raymond Y. C. , Webb James R.
Published: July 2002

This paper, derived within a general equilibrium framework, demonstrates that housing price can be explicitly expressed as a combination of an exponential and linear function of housing rental. This model provides an explanation as to why housing appreciation may not match inflation in the long-run steady state. We show that only under a very particular set of conditions, will housing prices grow at a rate greater than the inflation rate. Evidence from the Hong Kong housing market supports the predictions of theory. Our model indicates that the housing market will be in the long-run steady state when the rent-value ratio is equal to the net discount rate.
Size, Sprawl, Speed and the Efficiency of Cities
Authors: Prud'homme Remy , Lee Chang-Woon
Published: July 2002

The efficiency of cities, defined here as labour productivity, adjusted for differences in industry-mix, is hypothesised to be a function of the 'effective size' of the labour market of cities, defined as the average number of jobs available in less than t minutes to workers in the city. This hypothesis is verified on a sample of 23 French cities. This effective size of the labour market is further explained by three factors: the size of the city; the average potential job-home distance (sprawl); and the average speed at which journey to work takes place. The same sample of 23 cities is used to determine the elasticities of the effective size of the labour market with respect to each of these three factors.
General Trends in Financing Social Housing in Spain
Authors: Eastaway Montserrat Pareja , San Martin Ignacio
Published: July 2002

The affordability of houses has become one of the main problems for Spanish families in recent decades. The government has been actively involved in designing policies to solve this problem. Theoretically, the characteristics of the housing stock and population always determine the type of public intervention. In the Spanish case, there are some features that give rise to a particular approach which is slightly different from that of the rest of Europe. The following elements, among other things, have been taken into account when designing housing policies in Spain: the cultural importance of home-ownership, the evolution of prices, the distinct condition of large cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, the high proportion of mortgage burdens in relation to family income and the role played by the several levels of government. In present Spanish housing policy, it is possible to identify at least two main trends. Both the 1992-95 scheme and the 1996-99 scheme seek to provide financial support, basically to the demand side, in order to promote ownership and reactivate the building sector as a way to expand the whole economy. The housing market in Spain is strongly influenced by government intervention: a varied set of instruments has been applied in housing policy for the period 1996-99. The government also formulated a plan of action that followed the trends established by the former programme (Plan de Vivienda 1992-95). The aim of this paper is to examine in detail the objectives of the scheme and the instruments implemented to achieve them. In addition, we will analyse the involvement of the banks and the savings bank system and their role in the funding of the scheme. We will conclude with an evaluation of the extent to which the objectives of the first scheme have been met. We will also make some predictions and mention the special details concerning the second scheme.
Mother-infant interaction and acculturation: I. Behavioural comparisons in Japanese American and South American families
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Cote Linda R.
Published: July 2002

This study examined similarities and differences in mothers’ and infants’ activities and interactions among 37 Japanese American and 40 South American dyads. Few relations between maternal acculturation level or individualism/collectivism and maternal parenting or infant behaviours emerged in either group. However, group differences were found in mothers’ and infants’ behaviours indicating that culture-of-origin continues to influence parenting behaviour in acculturating groups.
Attachment and adolescents’ emotion regulation during a joint problem-solving task with a friend
Authors: Zimmermann Peter , Maier Markus A. , Winter Monika , Grossmann Klaus E.
Published: July 2002

This study looks at adolescents’ emotion regulation patterns during a joint problem-solving situation with a friend, based on data from a longitudinal study. Specifically concurrent attachment representation, as assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview and earlier infant-father and infant-mother attachment patterns, as assessed by the strange situation procedure are used as predictors. A total of 41 adolescents participated in a complex problem-solving situation with their friends and were videotaped during their work. Emotional expression and cooperative and uncooperative, disruptive behaviour were assessed from the videotapes. Each participant completed an emotion self-rating during the task. The results show that the concordance between the two levels of assessment of emotion relates to attachment representation for the emotions sadness and anger. Depending on the intensity of specific emotions, adolescents with insecure attachment representations showed more disruptive behaviours towards their friend. This was also true for adolescents with insecure infant-father attachment patterns. The findings suggest that attachment organisation in adolescence and infancy influences the balance between autonomous and cooperative problem solving between friends.
Motor activity level and behavioural control in young children
Authors: Campbell Darren W. , Eaton Warren O. , McKeen Nancy A.
Published: July 2002

How do young children’s typical levels of physical movement relate to their ability to inhibit task-inappropriate behavioural responses? This question was investigated with a cross-sectional sample of 85 children, 4- to 6-years of age. Children’s typical levels of activity were assessed with actometers, mechanical measures of movement frequency. Multiple measures of contra-habitual task performance, reflecting children’s ability to inhibit the typical response associated with a task and to execute a less typical response, were aggregated. Procedurally similar control tasks, not dependent on the inhibition of behavioural responses, were also assessed. Contra-habitual task performance was positively and uniquely related to activity level, and an age by movement interaction showed that this relation was most reliable among the younger children in our sample. Young children’s motor activity is associated with enhanced, not diminished behavioural control.
The use of AUDIT as a screening tool for alcohol use in the police work‐place
Authors: DAVEY JEREMY D. , OBST PATRICIA L. , SHEEHAN MARY C.
Published: July 2002

There has been little research examining the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as a work‐place screening tool. In the current study a large scale sample (n = 4193) of police personnel completed the 10 AUDIT questions and two readiness‐to‐change questions. The sample represented 67% of all members of an Australian State Police organization. Analysis of AUDIT scores showed that 65% of the sample scored in the low risk of hazardous alcohol consumption range, 32% (33% of males and 24% of females) scored in the at risk for harmful alcohol consumption range and 3% scored in the range indicating risk of alcohol dependence. Age emerged as a clear risk factor of hazardous drinking patterns. The 18–25‐year age group recorded higher average alcohol consumption, higher rates of risk of abnormal drinking behaviour, higher rates of adverse consequences from drinking alcohol and higher total AUDIT scores than other age groups. This was consistent for both males and females. Of those scoring in the at‐risk range, 72.5% reported that they did not have a drinking problem. Sixty percent also reported that it would be easy to stop drinking. This study exemplifies how the AUDIT can be used to provide strong evidence for the need for work‐based intervention programmes. Further, it can be used to target particular groups within the organization at risk of harmful alcohol use.
Maternal action and ethnicity in the prevention of adolescent smoking in south eastern Sydney
Authors: TANG K.C. , RISSEL C. , ROWLING L.
Published: July 2002

Parents have a significant role in the prevention of smoking among their children, yet there is scarce research into what parents actually do to encourage non‐smoking. This paper examines the actions that a sample of mothers of grades 7 and 8 students in southern Sydney have taken with regard to smoking prevention and the factors associated with taking action. Data were collected from 1113 mothers through a self‐completed questionnaire sent home and returned by students. About four out of five mothers had had an open discussion about the importance of not smoking and 28% had enforced non‐smoking rules. Non‐smoking mothers, mothers with a more positive attitude towards their role in preventing their child from smoking and mothers who were worried about their child smoking were more likely to have enforced rules. After adjusting for maternal smoking, level of worry about their child smoking and attitude towards smoking, mothers speaking a language other than English at home were significantly less likely to have discussed not smoking, but tended to have enforced non‐smoking rules. When an associated study of the children of these mothers is considered, where students speaking a language other than English at home smoked less than those speaking English, it suggests that enforcing non‐smoking rules is an effective strategy for at least delaying smoking among grades 7 and 8 students.
Effects of the cationic protein poly‐L‐arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Shahana Shahida , Kampf Caroline , Roomans Godfried M.
Published: July 2002

Background: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).

Aim: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly‐L‐arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.

Methods: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly‐L‐arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.

Results: Poly‐L‐arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes.

Conclusions: The results point to poly‐L‐arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell‐cell contacts and generalized cell damage.
Effects after inhalation of (1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucan and relation to mould exposure in the home
Authors: Beijer Lena , Thorn Jörgen , Rylander Ragnar
Published: July 2002

Background: Damp conditions indoors favour the growth of microorganisms, and these contain several agents that may cause inflammation when inhaled. Moulds contain a polyglucose in their cell wall, defined as (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan, exhibiting effects on inflammatory cells.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an inhalation challenge to purified (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (grifolan) in humans could induce effects on inflammatory markers in blood, and to evaluate whether the reactions were related to the home exposure to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan.

Methods: Seventeen subjects in homes with high levels of airborne (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (G‐high) and 18 subjects in homes with low levels of (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan (G‐low) underwent two randomised, double‐blind inhalation challenges, one to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan suspended in saline and one to saline alone. A blood sample was taken before and after the challenges, and differential cell count, granulocyte enzymes in serum and the secretion of cytokines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured.

Results: Inhalation challenge with (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan induced a decrease in the secretion of tumour necrosis factor α from endotoxin‐stimulated PBMC in the G‐high group as well as in the G‐low group. In the G‐high group, the inhalation of (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan induced an increase in blood lymphocytes that was significantly different from the saline‐induced effect.

Conclusions: The results suggest that an inhalation challenge to (1→3)‐β‐D‐glucan has an effect on inflammatory cells and this effect may be related to a chronic exposure to moulds at home.
IgE‐mediated histamine release from nasal mucosa is inhibited by SLPI (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor) to the level of spontaneous release
Authors: Westin U. , Lundberg E. , Ohlsson K.
Published: July 2002

The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a low‐molecular‐weight inhibitor of proteases, such as elastase and cathepsin G which are released from leukocytes during phagocytosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not SLPI is able to inhibit IgE‐mediated histamine release. Nasal mucosa from 11 test subjects without atopic disposition was used for this in vitro study. We found that SLPI inhibited histamine release in a dose‐dependent way but was without influence on the spontaneous release.
Effects of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid on the growth of human mononuclear marrow cells and marrow stromal cell cultures
Authors: Desplat V. , Dupuis F. , Trimoreau F. , Dulery C. , Praloran V. , Denizot Y.
Published: July 2002

The effects of various lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA) were investigated on the growth of freshly isolated human bone marrow mononuclear cells and marrow stromal cell cultures. LTB4, LXA4, LXB4, 12‐HETE and 15‐HETE (1 μM) decreased [3H]‐thymidine incorporation on marrow stromal cell cultures without affecting cell number. Only 12‐HETE showed a dose‐response effect on [3H]‐thymidine incorporation. While LTB4 (1 μM) decreased thymidine incorporation on marrow mononuclear cells, LTC4, LXA4, LXB4, 12‐HETE and 15‐HETE had no effect. The lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA had no effect on both cell types suggesting no role of endogenous lipoxygenase metabolites on cell growth. These results suggest no important role of lipoxygenase metabolites of AA on the proliferation of human marrow mononuclear cells and marrow stromal cell cultures.
Estimation of SLE Activity Based on the Serum Level of Chosen Cytokines and Superoxide Radical Generation
Authors: Waszczykowska Elzbieta , Robak Ewa , Wozniacka Anna , Narbutt Joanna , Torzecka Jolanta Dorota , Sysa-Jedrzejowska Anna
Published: July 2002

We estimated the serum levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α and IL10, and generation of superoxide radicals, as well as their mutual dependence, in 63 SLE patients at various stages of disease activity. Our results indicate a statistically significant increase of the serum levels studied, and an increase of superoxide anion generation by granulocytes, in correlation with SLE activity. These results indicate that oxygen metabolism and the examined cytokines play an important role in pathogenesis of SLE. The assessment of these parameters can be useful in the estimation of disease activity.
Gamma‐Hydroxybutyric Acid: Patterns of Use, Effects and Withdrawal
Authors: Miotto Karen , Darakjian Jack , Basch Janice , Murray Shanna , Zogg Jennifer , Rawson Richard
Published: July 2002

Gamma‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is gaining popularity as a drug of abuse. Reports of toxicity and lethality associated with GHB use have increased. This survey study was designed to identify patterns of GHB use, its effects, and withdrawal syndrome. A survey inquiring about the effects of GHB was administered to 42 users. The results showed that GHB was used to increased feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sexuality. Adverse effects occurred more frequently in daily users and polydrug users than in occasional GHB users. Loss of consciousness was reported by 66% overdose by 28%% and amnesia by 13% of participants during GHB use and by 45% after GHB use. Three daily users developed a withdrawal syndrome that presented with anxiety, agitation, tremor, and delirium. Participants described GHB intoxication as having similarities to sedative‐hypnotic or alcohol intoxication. Regular use has been shown to produce tolerance and dependence. Participants dependent on GHB reported using multiple daily doses around the clock. High frequency users appeared at the greatest risk for developing withdrawal delirium and psychosis after abrupt discontinuation of GHB use.
Cocaine‐like effects of intravenous procaine in cocaine addicts
Authors: ADINOFF BRYON , BRADY KATHLEEN , SONNE SUSAN , MIRABELLA ROBERT F. , KELLNER CHARLES H.
Published: July 2002

Pharmacological treatments that alter dopaminergic functioning have not lessened cocaine use in addicted patients. Non‐dopaminergic mechanisms may therefore be important in the chronic use of cocaine. Procaine, like cocaine, is a local anesthetic, but has only 1% of cocaine's affinity for the dopamine reuptake receptor. In order to assess the subjective effects of procaine and its similarity to cocaine, we administered procaine to nine cocaine‐dependent subjects. Patients 2‐3 weeks abstinent were administered placebo, low dose procaine (0.46 mg/kg), and high dose procaine (1.84 mg/kg procaine) over a single 2‐hour session. Patients were assessed for craving and similarity to cocaine experience and were administered the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL90R). High dose procaine was identified as similar to cocaine and induced significant cocaine craving. High dose procaine also induced significant elevations in somatization, obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, phobic anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, positive symptoms and global severity (from the SCL90R). Our findings suggest that procaine shares subjective effects similar to cocaine, despite a much lower affinity for the dopamine reuptake receptor. Procaine may be a useful tool to explore non‐dopaminergic mechanisms of cocaine's reinforcing and addictive properties.
Different school placements following language unit attendance: Which factors affect language outcome?
Authors: Conti‐Ramsden Gina , Botting Nicola , Knox Emma , Simkin Zoë
Published: July 2002

The study compared the outcomes of two groups of children who were attending language unit provision at 7 years of age. Of 242 children in the original study, 62 (28%) transferred to mainstream school placements at age 8 years. These children were then closely matched to children still attending language unit provision at this age using measures of non‐verbal IQ, expression and comprehension. These two groups of children were compared on outcome at 11 years in the areas of language skill, non‐verbal IQ and social behaviour. Teacher/speech‐language therapist opinions of placement were also examined as factors affecting outcome. Results show that children who moved to mainstream provision at 8 years were more likely to be attending mainstream at 11 years, although the majority received extra support. No further differences were evident in outcome according to placement type. However, there was a main effect of teacher/therapist opinion on outcome–children whose teachers were not entirely happy with the 8−year placement performed more poorly at 11 years on language measures. There were no differences on any other measures. The findings suggest that follow‐on placements for children attending language units need to be more closely in line with teacher's opinions and that more flexibility needs to be evident in school placement policy in order that appropriate educational settings can be arranged.
Microtubule-mediated Transport of Incoming Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Capsids to the Nucleus
Authors: Sodeik Beate , Ebersold Melanie W. , Helenius Ari
Published: July 2002

Herpes simplex virus 1 fuses with the plasma membrane of a host cell, and the incoming capsids are efficiently and rapidly transported across the cytosol to the nuclear pore complexes, where the viral DNA genomes are released into the nucleoplasm. Using biochemical assays, immunofluorescence, and immunoelectron microscopy in the presence and absence of microtubule depolymerizing agents, it was shown that the cytosolic capsid transport in Vero cells was mediated by microtubules. Antibody labeling revealed the attachment of dynein, a minus end–directed, microtubule-dependent motor, to the viral capsids. We propose that the incoming capsids bind to microtubules and use dynein to propel them from the cell periphery to the nucleus.