bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loop Current Ring Shedding: The Formation of Cyclones and the Effect of Topography
Authors: Chérubin Laurent M. , Morel Yves , Chassignet Eric P.
Published: May 2006

The formation of cyclones in the vicinity of the Loop Current ring during the separation stage is analyzed in the frame of a high-resolution ECMWF daily wind-forced Miami Isopycnic Coordinate Ocean Model (MICOM) simulation. Mesoscale cyclones, observed in sea surface height maps in the vicinity of the Loop Current in a necking-down position, are found to contribute to the separation of the ring from the Loop Current as they grow between the Loop Current and the ring in the MICOM simulation. To understand the origin of the cyclones, the instability of the Loop Current idealized as an isolated vortex is studied. After noticing the cyclonic vorticity belt around the Loop Current, and based on the vertical distribution of potential vorticity in a Loop Current ring in the MICOM simulation, the linear stability of a shielded vortex is studied in the quasigeostrophic formalism. To simulate the effects of the planetary vorticity gradient and topography on the Loop Current, the nonlinear states of the idealized Loop Current are analyzed using the adiabatic MICOM code. Results from the analysis of the MICOM simulation show that cyclones are the products of a vortex rim instability. The modal analysis of the Loop Current instability reveals that mode 4 is the fastest-growing mode and that baroclinic (barotropic) instability is intensified in the deep (surface) layers. These results are confirmed by the analytical study of the idealized Loop Current. The nonlinear state shows that a Loop Current–like vortex is indeed a pentapole on an f plane. On the β plane, the northern cyclone is separated from the anticyclone by the β effect and both drift westward. When the topography of the Gulf of Mexico is taken into account—namely, the Campeche Bank, the southward slope north of the Loop Current, and the Florida shelf east of the Loop Current—several effects are observed: 1) the northern corner of the Campeche Bank erodes the Loop Current ring and its cyclones and interacts with the vortex’s most unstable mode, 2) the northern southward slope scatters the northern cyclone while the anticyclone remains coherent and propagates to the west, and 3) realistic westward propagation speeds are obtained in the presence of the northern Campeche shelf, which acts as a mirror effect on the Loop Current ring, as opposed to the Florida shelf, which tends to block the ring.
A New Study of the Mediterranean Outflow, Air–Sea Interactions, and Meddies Using Multisensor Data
Authors: Yan Xiao-Hai , Jo Young-Heon , Liu W. Timothy , He Ming-Xia
Published: May 2006

Previous studies of the Mediterranean Sea outflow and meddies (O&M) were limited by the poor spatial and temporal resolution of conventional in situ observations as well as the confinement of satellite observations to the ocean’s surface. Accordingly, little is known about the formation and transport of meddies and the spatial and temporal variation of O&M trajectories, which are located, on average, at a depth of 1000 m. However, a new remote sensing method has been developed by the authors to observe and study the O&M through unique approaches in satellite multisensor data integration analyses. Satellite altimeter, scatterometer, infrared satellite imagery, and XBT data were used to detect and calculate the trajectories and the relative transport of the O&M (January 1993–December 2002). Two experiments [covering 1993–95: A Mediterranean Undercurrent Seeding Experiment (AMUSE) and Structures des Echanges Mer–Atmosphère, Propriétés des Hétérogénéités Océaniques: Recherche Expérimentale (SEMAPHORE)] and XBT temperature measurements were used to directly validate the method presented herein. The monthly mean features derived from floats and XBTs for multiple meddies and the results of the presented method were significantly correlated based on a statistical chi-square test. In addition, the complex singular value decomposition method was used to identify the propagating features and their phase speeds. It was found that saltier water from the Mediterranean Sea was transported into the North Atlantic Ocean over the Strait of Gibraltar in boreal spring and summer relative to boreal autumn and winter. Streamfunctions using altimetry, and time–frequency energy distributions using the Hilbert–Huang transform, were computed to evaluate the meddy interactions with the sea surface variation. Since the O&M play a significant role in carrying salty water from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic, such new knowledge about their trajectories, transport, and life histories is important to the understanding of their mixing and interaction with North Atlantic water. This may lead to a better understanding of the global ocean circulation and global climate change.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current in Three Dimensions
Authors: Radko Timour , Marshall John
Published: May 2006

A simple theory is developed for the large-scale three-dimensional structure of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the upper cell of its overturning circulation. The model is based on a perturbation expansion about the zonal-average residual-mean model developed previously by Marshall and Radko. The problem is solved using the method of characteristics for idealized patterns of wind and buoyancy forcing constructed from observations. The equilibrium solutions found represent a balance between the Eulerian meridional overturning, eddy-induced circulation, and downstream advection by the mean flow. Depth and stratification of the model thermocline increase in the Atlantic–Indian Oceans sector where the mean wind stress is large. Residual circulation in the model is characterized by intensification of the overturning circulation in the Atlantic–Indian sector and reduction in strength in the Pacific Ocean region. Predicted three-dimensional patterns of stratification and residual circulation in the interior of the ACC are compared with observations.
Bryan R. Wilson: hommage au spécialiste des sectes de terrain protestant
Authors: Séguy Jean
Published: May 2006

English

This homage outlines Bryan Wilson ’s career as a researcher and teacher. It recalls his numerous publications, starting with his doctoral thesis, Sects and Society, which has become indispensable for the study of both the Protestant sects and new religious movements (NRMs). His work was based upon reliable data, a rigorous comparative methodology, and a vast knowledge of the available studies of sectarian groups. One of the outcomes of this “science of sects” was the publication, in 1970, of Religious Sects in which Bryan Wilson expounded his typology. Bryan Wilson liked sectarians as people who have the courage to live according to what they believe to be God ’s will for them; our friend used to help them when they were having problems with the British courts.

French

Cet hommage retrace la carrière de chercheur et d'enseignant de Bryan Wilson. Il évoque ses nombreuses publications et tout d'abord sa thèse de doctorat, Sects and Society, ouvrage incontournable pour l'étude des sectes de terrain protestant et des nouveaux mouvements religieux (NMR). Ses travaux s'appuient sur une information fiable, une méthodologie comparative rigoureuse et une vaste connaissance de l'ensemble des travaux existants sur les groupes sectaires. C'est cette science de la matière sectaire qui rend possible, en 1970, la publication de Religious Sects, ouvrage dans lequel B. Wilson développe sa typologie. Bryan Wilson aimait les membres des sectes qu'il voyait comme des gens qui avaient le courage de vivre selon ce qu'ils tenaient pour la volonté de Dieu; il apporta même son aide à des sectaires en difficulté avec les tribunaux britanniques.
Bryan Wilson’s Contribution to the Study of the New Religious Movements
Authors: Barker Eileen
Published: May 2006

English

Bryan Wilson pointed to the similarities and differences within and between new religious movements (NRMs), established sectarian movements and older religious traditions, demonstrating a “fit” between certain contemporary NRMs and the demands of a secularizing, consumer-oriented society. While Wilson steadfastly advocated the sociological approach of “sympathetic detachment”, this did not preclude him from involvement in some of the legal battles that the movements, in tension with the wider society, have fought in the courts. Wilson will also be remembered for his encouragement of other scholars in this, as in other areas of the sociology of religion.

French

Bryan Wilson a souligné les similarités et les différences entre nouveaux mouvements religieux (NMR), mouvements sectaires établis et traditions religieuses plus anciennes, et a montré qu'une certaine affinité existe entre certains NMR et les demandes d'une société consumériste, de plus en plus sécularisée. Si Wilson a constamment défendu l'approche sociologique du 'détachement sympathique', cela ne l'a pas empêché de s'engager dans des batailles juridiques que les mouvements, en tension avec la société globale, ont engagées auprès des tribunaux. Nous nous souviendrons également de Wilson pour avoir encouragé les autres chercheurs à entreprendre cette démarche ainsi qu'à explorer d'autres champs de la sociologie des religions.
Religion, sphère publique, sphère privée: comment traiter sociologiquement une distinction aussi connotée?
Authors: Campiche Roland J.
Published: May 2006

English

The public-private distinction forces us to confront the difficulty of analysing representations. These vary with the circumstances and the actors involved. The three articles discussed in this report clearly show the fragility of a dichotomy which belongs to political or philosophical debates. But these articles also allow us to think about new ways of considering the approach to religion in late modernity.

French

La distinction public-privé nous renvoie au problème délicat de l'analyse des représentations. Or celles-ci fluctuent en fonction des circonstances et des acteurs concernés. Les trois communications abordées dans ce rapport font bien ressortir la fragilité d'une dichotomie qui appartient au débat politique ou philosophique. Elles permettent aussi d'envisager un renouvellement de l'approche de la religion en modernité tardive.
We’ve Got to Draw the Line Somewhere: An Exploration of Boundaries that Define Locations of Religious Identity
Authors: Barker Eileen
Published: May 2006

English

Given the theme of the ISSR Conference for which I was invited to prepare the paper, “Religion and Society: Challenging Boundaries”, I found myself asking what kind of boundaries are likely to be associated with different kinds of locations of religious identity, one, but only one, of which would be based on the nation. This involved: (1) contrasting the sociological relativism espoused by Mary Douglas with the Platonic essentialism associated with many believers; (2) considering the variety to be found between different types of boundaries; (3) constructing an ideal typology of some possible locations of religious identity and (4) hypothesizing about variations in the types of boundaries that each of the types of locations might exhibit.

French

Le thème de la conférence de la SISR pour laquelle j'ai été invitée à préparer la communication 'Religion et société: les frontières en question', m'a conduite à me demander quelles frontières pourraient être associées à différents types de localisation de l'identité religieuse. La nation ne constitue qu'un seul d'entre eux. Ceci a impliqué: (1) de mettre en contraste le relativisme sociologique adopté par Mary Douglas et l'essentialisme platonicien partagé par de nombreux croyants; (2) de prendre en compte la diversité des différents types de frontières que l'on peut trouver; (3) de construire une typologie des localisations possibles de l'identité religieuse et (4) d'imaginer les variations au sein des types de frontières dont chacun des types de localisation sera susceptible de faire preuve.
A Preliminary Challenge: Borders or Frontiers?
Authors: Vrcan Srđan
Published: May 2006

English

The author explores five hypotheses that aim to fill a gap in sociological thinking about the intersection of nation, culture and religion in the area of the former Yugoslavia. The central argument is that a distinction between “borders” and “frontiers” contributes towards a better understanding of the processes whereby culture has been radically politicized and whereby religion has been patrimonialized.

French

L'auteur explore cinq hypothèses pour tenter de combler les manques de la pensée sociologique concernant l'intersection entre nation, culture et religion dans l'ancienne Yougoslavie. L'argument central s'appuie sur une distinction entre 'bords' et 'frontières', permettant une meilleure compréhension des processus par lesquels la culture a été radicalement politisée et la religion a pris la forme d'un patrimoine.
Borders, Boundaries and Frontiers in the Study of Religion: A Sociological Response
Authors: Davie Grace
Published: May 2006

English

The author responds to the three papers presented in the plenary session of the Zagreb conference concerned with borders and boundaries in the study of religion. She takes each of the papers in turn before offering a short, more general conclusion.

French

L'auteure répond aux trois communications présentées à la session plénière de'la conférence de Zagreb, ayant pour thème les bords et les frontières dans l'étude de la religion. Elle évoque chacune des communications avant de proposer une courte conclusion générale.
Is Conventional Sociology of Religion Able to Deal with Differences between Eastern and Western European Developments?
Authors: Tomka Miklós
Published: May 2006

English

Important religious phenomena in Eastern Europe challenge the sociology of religion. There are signs of a religious revival and an extended atheism. Yet observers have come to opposing conclusions. These contradicting interpretations call for conceptual and terminological clarifications. The author suggests that key notions in the sociology of religion such as religion itself, faith, religious practice, communal belonging and others have basically different meanings and implications under different socio-cultural circumstances. Accordingly, one needs different indicators and research methodology for them. Focusing on the traditional versus post-traditional dimension, as well as on the supposed differences between religious cultures in Eastern and Western Christianity, the author seeks to isolate structural ideal-types to identify specific kinds of religious settings and to elaborate the contextual and socio-cultural elements of different types of religion.

French

D'importants phénomènes religieux d'Europe centrale défient la sociologie des'religions. Il y a des signes de revivalisme religieux en même temps qu'une extension de l'athéisme. Jusqu'ici les observateurs ont abouti à des conclusions opposées. Ces interprétations contradictoires appellent des clarifications conceptuelles et terminologiques. L'auteur suggère que les notions-clés de la sociologie des religions telles que la religion elle-même, la foi, la pratique religieuse, l'appartenance communautaire et d'autres encore ont à la base des significations et des implications particulières à chaque contexte socioculturel. Par conséquent, il est nécessaire d'utiliser des méthodes de recherches et des indicateurs adaptés à chacun. En se centrant sur l'opposition qui existe entre les dimensions traditionnelle et post-traditionnelle, ainsi que sur les supposées différences entre les cultures religieuses du christianisme occidental et oriental, l'auteur cherche à isoler des idéaux-types structurels afin de pouvoir identifier les différents types de configurations religieuses et d'en préciser les aspects contextuels et socio-culturels.
Orthodoxy Confronting the Collapse of Communism in Post-Soviet Countries
Authors: Borowik Irena
Published: May 2006

English

In focusing on transformations in the religious institutions of Eastern Orthodox Europe and on the functions of Orthodoxy in the new social order that has arisen after the collapse of Communism and the Soviet empire, the author centres on the Russian Orthodox Church as the largest Eastern European Church and as the most ambitious in seeking to determine the role of Orthodoxy in the world. In this context, the analysis examines the ambiguous but close historical relation between Church and state in predominantly Orthodox countries, the inevitable role of Orthodoxy in shaping post-Communist state-political and national identities and yet the practical difficulties that Orthodox churches face in terms of resources, internal divisions, and adjustment to a religiously pluralist environment. The author concludes by stressing both the different and similar contexts in which Christian Churches in the two halves of Europe find themselves.

French

En prêtant attention aux transformations des institutions religieuses de l'Europe centrale orthodoxe et aux fonctions de l'orthodoxie dans le nouvel ordre social qui a émergé après la chute du communisme et de l'empire soviétique, l'auteure étudie l'Eglise russe orthodoxe en tant qu'Eglise d'Europe centrale la plus répandue et la plus ambitieuse dans sa volonté de déterminer le rôle de l'orthodoxie dans le monde. Dans ce contexte, l'auteure examine la relation historique, certes ambiguë mais proche, entre l'Eglise et l'Etat dans les pays majoritairement orthodoxes, le rôle inévitable de l'orthodoxie dans la formation des identités nationales, étatiques et politiques dans l'ère post-communiste et, en même temps, les difficultés pratiques auxquelles les Eglises sont confrontées en termes de ressources, de divisions internes et d'ajustement à un environnement religieux pluriel. Elle insiste enfin sur les similarités et les différences entre les contextes des parties orientale et occidentale de l'Europe dans lesquels se trouvent les Eglises chrétiennes.
Religion Within and Beyond Borders: The Case of Croatia
Authors: Jerolimov Dinka Marinović , Zrinščak Siniša
Published: May 2006

English

The authors analyse religiosity in Croatia from the point of view of significant differences among its regions demonstrating an array of theoretical and methodological difficulties in interpreting religious changes in the post-Communist era, particularly the revitalization of religion in some countries and the contradictory social role of religion in most countries of Central and Eastern Europe. That the differences in religiosity between Croatian regions are connected to borders with countries of different religions, nations and/or languages and with the historical as well as recent social processes is very visible. Apart from the dominant paradigms of explanation (differences in historical processes and the trend of politicization of religion and “religionization” of politics in the transitional period), the authors suggest that the possible influence of politicization must be considered over a much longer historical period, that different patterns of socio-religious development have long-lasting consequences and that the role of religion as a cultural resource for individuals and for social groups must not be neglected.

French

Les auteurs analysent les variantes régionales significatives de la religiosité en Croatie et mettent en lumière l'ensemble des difficultés méthodologiques et théoriques d'une interprétation des changements religieux dans la période du post-communisme, en particulier la revitalisation de la religion dans certains pays et le rôle social contradictoire de la religion dans la plupart des pays d'Europe centrale et de l'Est. On observe différents types de religiosité dans les régions croates qui doivent être mis en relation avec le pays de religion, nation et/ou langue différente dont elles sont limitrophes. Au-delà des paradigmes explicatifs dominants (les différences de processus historiques ainsi que la politisation de la religion et la'religionisation' de la politique dans la période de transition), les auteurs suggèrent que l'éventuelle influence de la politique doit être observée dans une période historique bien plus longue, que les divers types de développements socio-religieux ont des conséquences à long terme et que le rôle de la religion comme ressource culturelle pour les individus et les groupes sociaux ne doit pas être négligé.
The Catholic Citizen: Perennial Puzzle or Emergent Oxymoron?
Authors: Baggett Jerome P.
Published: May 2006

English

Why is it that, in light of strong Church teachings on social justice, American Catholics are no more civic than members of other denominations? Based on an ongoing ethnographic study of Catholic parishes in the San Francisco Bay Area, this article addresses this question through a production of culture perspective. It contends that, by facilitating Catholic identities that are loosely defined and delimiting the prospects for extended discourse on social and political concerns, local parish cultures actually, and somewhat ironically, reduce parishioners ’ capacity for discerning the political and civic ramifications of their own Church ’s teachings.

French

Bien que l'Eglise leur dispense un enseignement fort dans le domaine de la justice sociale, l'auteur se demande pourquoi les catholiques américains ne sont pas plus civiques que les membres des autres confessions. C'est dans une perspective culturelle qu'il a approfondi cette question au cours d'une étude ethnographique des paroisses catholiques de la région de la Baie de San Francisco. Ses conclusions vont à l'encontre de ce que, parce qu'elles facilitent la définition d'identités catholiques vagues et qu'elles cadrent les questions sociales et politiques dans des perspectives à long terme, les cultures paroissiales diminueraient - ceci est dit avec une pointe d'ironie - la capacité des paroissiens à discerner les orientations politiques et civiles présentes dans les enseignements de leur Eglise.
Crime and the university: The story of Sort’d, a community-(higher) education project
Authors: Neary Mike
Published: May 2006

This article is about undergraduate students and young offenders working together on an education project in an Institute of Higher Education. The author argues that the ways in which the students and offenders learn together provide lessons for academics and practitioners working to develop progressive probation practices. This link between the academic and practice is pushed in new directions by the theoretical framework within which Neary situates his work. Neary presents a challenging reinterpretation of the notion that all crime is property crime, including crimes of sex and violence. Neary argues that while not all crime is motivated by money, money is the most significant form of social property; and, therefore, an understanding of the social power of money and the society it dominates is the key to any social theory that seeks to develop the most progressive forms of critical practice. In the Sort’d project money is very much the central issue, not only in terms of Neary’s critical social theory, but through the provision of £500 grants that are awarded to young offenders who complete their educational projects.
Libraries in Korea: a general overview
Authors: Yoon Hee-Yoon , Chang Duk-Hyun , Kim Young-seok
Published: May 2006

Describes the current situation of libraries in the Republic of Korea, including the National Library of Korea, the National Assembly Library, the Supreme Court Library, public, academic, school and special libraries. Informatization, balanced development, reading promotion, legal and regulatory changes and institutional mechanisms are key components of efforts to continue library development in Korea.
The Vigorous Advancement of Libraries in China
Authors:   The Library Society of China
Published: May 2006

Outlines the development of libraries in China, including the National Library, university libraries, public libraries, specialized libraries and other types of library, and the work of the Library Society of China.
Changes in University and Public Libraries in Japan
Authors: Hosono Kimio
Published: May 2006

Describes the factors and institutions influencing university and public libraries in Japan, the organizational structure and basic characteristics of both types of libraries. The role and activities of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the National Institute of Informatics (NII), the National Diet Library, and the Japan Library Association are outlined. University libraries face problems related to budget cuts, journal price increases, insufficient shelf capacity, collection development, interlibrary lending and staff expertise. Public libraries face problems related to the merger of local governments, the Shitei Kanrisha System (outsourcing of local government management), budget cuts and poor staff qualifications. Public libraries are introducing business information and consumer health information services as well as IC tag systems.
Sustainable Digital Library Development for Scientific Communities in China
Authors: Xiaolin Zhang
Published: May 2006

The paper analyses the digital library services for China's scientific communities, explores the challenges toward sustainable digital libraries, presents a development strategy for digital libraries using Chinese Academy of Sciences as an example, and provides a layered design framework for a digital library in an e-science environment.
Between East and West: libraries of the Russian Far East
Authors: Filatkina Irina V.
Published: May 2006

Outlines the library network in the the Far East Federal District (FEDF) of the Russian Federation and describes the Far Eastern State Research Library (FESRL), the largest library in the FEDF. Its current collection is about 3 million items. The OPAC, created in 1994, contains 500,000 bibliographic records. Every year around 45,000 readers are registered. The FESRL is actively involved in library education and training and interlibrary cooperation. Library publications include regional bibliographical manuals such as Books on the Far East and Literature on Khabarovsk Krai, a bibliography Published in Khabarovsk Krai, monographs, conference proceedings, current bibliographic indexes, a directory-calendar of Far East events Time and Events and The Far East State Research Library Bulletin, a quarterly journal on the theory and practice of library science, bibliographic science and book science. The library plays the role of an educational, cultural and enlightenment center.
Historical spaces of social psychology
Authors: Kalampalikis Nikos , Delouvée Sylvain , Pétard Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2006

An extensive analysis of all social psychology textbooks included a history chapter published in French between 1947 and 2001, provides a rich corpus for the study of the history of social psychology. Drawing upon this corpus, in this article we study the historical spaces of social psychology in order to show how the discipline was located in geographical, urban, institutional and collective spaces. We argue that spaces are essentially related to some solitary and consensual scholars' names without any informative reference to their institutions, nor to any trace of collective work. Moreover, we try to highlight several styles, ways and norms of collective writing the history of this discipline.
Serial transplantation of mismatched donor hematopoietic cells between HLA-identical sibling pairs with congenital immunodeficiency: in vivo tolerance permits rapid immune reconstitution following T-replete transplantation without GVHD in the secondary recipient
Authors: Cohen Jonathan M. , Rogers Valerie , Gaspar H. Bobby , Jones Alison , Davies E. Graham , Rao Kanchan , McCloskey Daniel J. , Gilmour Kimberley , Wynn Robert , Amrolia Persis J. , Veys Paul
Published: May 2006

We report serial transplantation procedures in 2 sets of brothers with X-linked primary immunodeficiency. The first boy in each family received a T-cell–depleted transplant from a mismatched donor. The recipients then acted as donors for T-replete transplantation of the “tolerized” graft into their HLA-identical brothers with the same disorder. Immune reconstitution was noted to occur at a significantly faster rate in the secondary recipients, and without the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), despite the presence of donor cells mismatched for 1 to 3 HLA antigens. This serial transplantation technique allows the primary recipient of HLA-mismatched donor cells to act as a functionally “HLA-matched” donor for subsequent affected siblings, and should be considered as a therapeutic option in families with congenital disorders.
Comparison of the epidemiology and co-morbidities of heart failure in the pediatric and adult populations: a retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Webster Gregory , Zhang Jie , Rosenthal David
Published: May 2006

Background

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that is associated with a significant number of interventional procedures and has received a large amount of scrutiny in the adult literature; however, the epidemiology in children is less well described.

Methods

We analyzed two large, commercially available inpatient datasets collected in 1997 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: the Kids' Inpatient Database and the National Inpatient Study, accounting for 50% of the U.S. pediatric discharges and 20% of the U.S. adult discharges in 1997.

Results

The database contained 5,610 children and 732,752 adults with a diagnosis of HF. When compared with the adult sample, the pediatric sample showed a higher proportion with cardiac procedures (61.4% vs. 0.28%, p < 0.01), a higher prevalence of congenital heart disease (61% versus 0.3%, p < 0.01), a higher percentage of male patients (50% pediatric vs. 44% adult, p < 0.01), and a lower percentage of white patients (40.9% vs. 65.6%, p < 0.01). Children had a significantly different spectrum of co-morbidities compared with adults. There was no difference in mortality rate between children and adults (7.5% vs. 7.9%, p = NS).

Conclusion

There are significant differences in the epidemiological profile of children and adults with heart failure. Children suffer from different types of co-morbidities and require different procedures in the hospital setting. As such, children with heart failure who are hospitalized may require significantly different facilities, management and therapeutic intervention than adults with similar symptoms.
A sensitive one-step real-time PCR for detection of avian influenza viruses using a MGB probe and an internal positive control
Authors: Di Trani Livia , Bedini Barbara , Donatelli Isabella , Campitelli Laura , Chiappini Barbara , De Marco Maria Alessandra , Delogu Mauro , Buonavoglia Canio , Vaccari Gabriele
Published: May 2006

Background

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are endemic in wild birds and their introduction and conversion to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in domestic poultry is a cause of serious economic losses as well as a risk for potential transmission to humans. The ability to rapidly recognise AIVs in biological specimens is critical for limiting further spread of the disease in poultry. The advent of molecular methods such as real time polymerase chain reaction has allowed improvement of detection methods currently used in laboratories, although not all of these methods include an Internal Positive Control (IPC) to monitor for false negative results.

Therefore we developed a one-step reverse transcription real time PCR (RRT-PCR) with a Minor Groove Binder (MGB) probe for the detection of different subtypes of AIVs. This technique also includes an IPC.

Methods

RRT-PCR was developed using an improved TaqMan technology with a MGB probe to detect AI from reference viruses. Primers and probe were designed based on the matrix gene sequences from most animal and human A influenza virus subtypes. The specificity of RRT-PCR was assessed by detecting influenza A virus isolates belonging to subtypes from H1–H13 isolated in avian, human, swine and equine hosts. The analytical sensitivity of the RRT-PCR assay was determined using serial dilutions of in vitro transcribed matrix gene RNA. The use of a rodent RNA as an IPC in order not to reduce the efficiency of the assay was adopted.

Results

The RRT-PCR assay is capable to detect all tested influenza A viruses. The detection limit of the assay was shown to be between 5 and 50 RNA copies per reaction and the standard curve demonstrated a linear range from 5 to 5 × 108 copies as well as excellent reproducibility. The analytical sensitivity of the assay is 10–100 times higher than conventional RT-PCR.

Conclusion

The high sensitivity, rapidity, reproducibility and specificity of the AIV RRT-PCR with the use of IPC to monitor for false negative results can make this method suitable for diagnosis and for the evaluation of viral load in field specimens.
Gitelman-like syndrome after cisplatin therapy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Panichpisal Kessarin , Angulo-Pernett Freddy , Selhi Sharmila , Nugent Kenneth M
Published: May 2006

Background

Cisplatin is a well-known nephrotoxic antineoplastic drug. Chronic hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria is one of the rare complications associated with its use.

Case presentation

A 42- year-old woman presented with a 20 year-history of hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis with hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria after cisplatin-based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. This patient has had chronic muscle aches and fatigue and has had episodic seizure-like activity and periodic paralysis. Only thirteen other patients with similar electrolyte abnormalities have been described in the literature. This case has the longest follow-up.

Conclusion

Cisplatin can cause permanent nephrotoxicity, including Gitelman-like syndrome. This drug should be considered among the possible causes of chronic unexplained electrolyte disorders.
REFERQUAL: a pilot study of a new service quality assessment instrument in the GP exercise referral scheme setting
Authors: Cock Don , Adams Iain C , Ibbetson Adrian B , Baugh Phil
Published: May 2006

Background

The development of an instrument accurately assessing service quality in the GP Exercise Referral Scheme (ERS) industry could potentially inform scheme organisers of the factors that affect adherence rates leading to the implementation of strategic interventions aimed at reducing client drop-out.

Methods

A modified version of the SERVQUAL instrument was designed for use in the ERS setting and subsequently piloted amongst 27 ERS clients.

Results

Test re-test correlations were calculated via Pearson's 'r' or Spearman's 'rho', depending on whether the variables were Normally Distributed, to show a significant (mean r = 0.957, SD = 0.02, p < 0.05; mean rho = 0.934, SD = 0.03, p < 0.05) relationship between all items within the questionnaire. In addition, satisfactory internal consistency was demonstrated via Cronbach's 'α'. Furthermore, clients responded favourably towards the usability, wording and applicability of the instrument's items.

Conclusion

REFERQUAL is considered to represent promise as a suitable tool for future evaluation of service quality within the ERS community. Future research should further assess the validity and reliability of this instrument through the use of a confirmatory factor analysis to scrutinise the proposed dimensional structure.
Dioxin-like activities in serum across European and Inuit populations
Authors: Long Manhai , Andersen Birgitte S , Lindh Christian H , Hagmar Lars , Giwercman Aleksander , Manicardi Gian-Carlo , Bizzaro Davide , Spanò Marcello , Toft Gunnar , Pedersen Henning S , Zvyezday Valentyna , Bonde Jens Peter , Bonefeld-Jorgensen Eva C
Published: May 2006

Background

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides can cause a series of adverse effects on e.g. reproduction in animals and humans, many of which involve the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The aim of the present study was to compare the integrated serum level of AhR mediated activity among European and Inuit populations, and evaluate whether the activity was associated to the selected POP markers, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE).

Methods

The study included 338 males from Greenland (Inuit's), Sweden, Warsaw (Poland) and Kharkiv (Ukraine). The AhR transactivity of serum extracts alone (AhRag) and competitive AhR activity (AhRcomp) upon co-exposure with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were determined in the lipophilic serum fraction containing the POPs using the AhR mediated luciferase reporter Hepa1.12cR cell assay.

Results

The European groups showed higher median level of AhR-TEQ (TCDD toxic equivalents) compared to the Inuit's, whereas higher incidence of Inuits sample further induced AhRcomp activity. Neither AhRag nor AhR-TEQ were correlated to CB-153 or p,p'-DDE for any of the study groups. Multiple regressions showed a significant heterogeneity of association between the CB-153 and the AhRcomp across the study groups, and accordingly a negative association between AhRcomp and CB-153 was found for the Kharkiv group.

Conclusion

No consistent correlation between AhR activities and two POP markers was found. Although the difference of AhRag between European and Inuit men could not be explained by CB-153 or p,p'-DDE levels alone, we believe that the variation of AhR serum activity reflects different pattern of POP exposure, genetics and/or life style factors.
Use of point-of-sale data to track usage patterns of residential pesticides: methodology development
Authors: Bekarian Nyree , Payne-Sturges Devon , Edmondson Stuart , Chism Bill , Woodruff Tracey J
Published: May 2006

Background

Residential-use pesticides have been shown to be a major source of pesticide exposure to people in the United States. However, little is understood about the exposures to household pesticides and the resultant health effects. One reason that little is known about home-use pesticide exposure is the lack of comprehensive data on exposures to pesticides in the home. One method to help ascertain the amount of pesticides present in the home is use of point-of-sale data collected from marketing companies that track product sales to obtain the volume of pesticides sold for home-use. This provides a measure of volume of home-use pesticide.

Methods

We have constructed a searchable database containing sales data for home-use permethrin-containing pesticides sold by retail stores in the United States from January 1997 through December 2002 in an attempt to develop a tracking method for pesticide. This pilot project was conducted to determine if point-of-sale data would be effective in helping track the purchase of home-use permethrin containing pesticides and if it would stand as a good model for tracking sales of other home-use pesticides.

Results

There are several limitations associated with this tracking method, including the availability of sales data, market coverage, and geographic resolution. As a result, a fraction of sales data potentially available for reporting is represented in this database. However, the database is sensitive to the number and type of merchants reporting permethrin sales. Further, analysis of the sale of individual products included in the database indicates that year to year variability has a greater impact on reported permethrin sales than the amount sold by each type of merchant.

Conclusion

We conclude that, while nothing could completely replace a detailed exposure assessment to estimate exposures to home-use pesticides, a point-of-sale database is a useful tool in tracking the purchase of these types of pesticides to 1) detect anomalous trends in regional and seasonal pesticide sales warranting further investigation into the potential causes of the trends; 2) determine the most commonly purchased application types; and 3) compare relative trends in sales between indoor and outdoor use products as well as compare trends in sales between different active ingredients.
Intrahost variations in the envelope receptor-binding domain (RBD) of HTLV-1 and STLV-1 primary isolates
Authors: Kim Felix J , Lavanya Madakasira , Gessain Antoine , Gallego Sandra , Battini Jean-Luc , Sitbon Marc , Courgnaud Valérie
Published: May 2006

Four primate (PTLV), human (HTLV) and simian (STLV) T-cell leukemia virus types, have been characterized thus far, with evidence of a simian zoonotic origin for HTLV-1, HTLV-2 and HTLV-3 in Africa. The PTLV envelope glycoprotein surface component (SUgp46) comprises a receptor-binding domain (RBD) that alternates hypervariable and highly conserved sequences. To further delineate highly conserved motifs in PTLV RBDs, we investigated the intrahost variability of HTLV-1 and STLV-1 by generating and sequencing libraries of DNA fragments amplified within the RBD of the SUgp46envgene. Using new and highly cross-reactiveenvprimer pairs, we observed the presence of Env quasispecies in HTLV-1 infected individuals and STLV-1 naturally infected macaques, irrespective of the clinical status. These intrahost variants helped us to define highly conserved residues and motifs in the RBD. The new highly sensitiveenvPCR described here appears suitable for the screening of all known variants of the different PTLV types and should, therefore, be useful for the analysis of seroindeterminate samples.
Inhibition of highly productive HIV-1 infection in T cells, primary human macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes by Sargassum fusiforme
Authors: Paskaleva Elena E , Lin Xudong , Li Wen , Cotter Robin , Klein Michael T , Roberge Emily , Yu Er K , Clark Bruce , Veille Jean-Claude , Liu Yanze , Lee David Y-W , Canki Mario
Published: May 2006

Background

The high rate of HIV-1 mutation and increasing resistance to currently available antiretroviral (ART) therapies highlight the need for new antiviral agents. Products derived from natural sources have been shown to inhibit HIV-1 replication during various stages of the virus life cycle, and therefore represent a potential source of novel therapeutic agents. To expand our arsenal of therapeutics against HIV-1 infection, we investigated aqueous extract fromSargassum fusiforme(S. fusiforme) for ability to inhibit HIV-1 infection in the periphery, in T cells and human macrophages, and for ability to inhibit in the central nervous system (CNS), in microglia and astrocytes.

Results

S. fusiformeextract blocked HIV-1 infection and replication by over 90% in T cells, human macrophages and microglia, and it also inhibited pseudotyped HIV-1 (VSV/NL4-3) infection in human astrocytes by over 70%. Inhibition was mediated against both CXCR4 (X4) and CCR5 (R5)-tropic HIV-1, was dose dependant and long lasting, did not inhibit cell growth or viability, was not toxic to cells, and was comparable to inhibition by the nucleoside analogue 2', 3'-didoxycytidine (ddC).S. fusiformetreatment blocked direct cell-to-cell infection spread. To investigate at which point of the virus life cycle this inhibition occurs, we infected T cells and CD4-negative primary human astrocytes with HIV-1 pseudotyped with envelope glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which bypasses the HIV receptor requirements. Infection by pseudotyped HIV-1 (VSV/NL4-3) was also inhibited in a dose dependant manner, although up to 57% less, as compared to inhibition of native NL4-3, indicating post-entry interferences.

Conclusion

This is the first report demonstratingS. fusiformeto be a potent inhibitor of highly productive HIV-1 infection and replication in T cells, in primary human macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes. Results with VSV/NL4-3 infection, suggest inhibition of both entry and post-entry events of the virus life cycle. Absence of cytotoxicity and high viability of treated cells also suggest thatS. fusiformeis a potential source of novel naturally occurring antiretroviral compounds that inhibit HIV-1 infection and replication at more than one site of the virus life cycle.
Death and Help Expected from Nurses when Dying
Authors: Shih Fu-Jin , Gau Meei-Ling , Lin Yaw-Sheng , Pong Suang-Jing , Lin Hung-Ru
Published: May 2006

This project was undertaken to ascertain the perceptions of a group of Taiwan’s fourth-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students regarding death and help expected from nurses during the dying process. Within the Chinese culture, death is one of the most important life issues. However, in many Chinese societies it is difficult for people to reveal their deepest feelings to their significant others or loved ones. It was in this context that this project was developed because little is known about how Taiwan’s nursing students perceive death and the dying process. Using an open-ended, self-report questionnaire, 110 senior BSN students recorded their thoughts on: (1) their fears before physical death; (2) afterlife destinations; and (3) the help they would expect from nurses when dying. The data were analyzed using a three-layer qualitative thematic analysis. The students’ reported needs during the dying process were directed towards three main goals: (1) help in reaching the ‘triple targets of individual life’; (2) help in facilitating in-depth support so that both the dying person and significant others can experience a blessed farewell; and (3) help in reaching a destination in the afterlife. The results support the belief of dying as a transition occurring when life weans itself from the mortal world and prepares for an afterlife.
Documentation of Patients’ Participation in Care at the End of Life
Authors: Lindström Irma , Gaston-Johansson Fannie , Danielson Ella
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to describe how patients’ participation in the care they received was documented in their health care records during the last three months of their lives. Two hundred and twenty-nine deceased adult persons were randomly identified from 12 municipalities in a Swedish county and their records were selected from different health care units. Content analysis was used to analyse the text. Four categories of patient participation were described: refusing offered care and treatments; appealing for relief; desire for everyday life; and making personal decisions. The most common way for these patients to be involved in their care at the end of their life was by refusal of the treatment and care offered. Characteristic of the different ways of participation were the diverse activities represented. The description of patients’ involvement in their life situation at this time indicated their dissociation from the health care offered more than consenting to it.
Potential Termination of Pregnancy in a Non-Consenting Minor
Authors: Unsworth-Webb John
Published: May 2006

The pregnancy of a 12-year-old girl provides the basis for a consideration of approaches to a dilemma brought about by conflicting expectations. Here, medical opinion is to reject action implied by the lack of Gillick competence and by a ‘parental responsibility’ claim adopted by the girl’s mother. Construction of the dilemma and the subsequent process, which sought resolution, illustrates that the Gillick ruling, and other guidelines intended to be helpful, can prove to be less so.