bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identity and the Politics of American Indian and Hispanic Women Leaders
Authors: Prindeville Diane-Michele
Published: August 2003

This article examines the influence of race/ethnicity and gender identity on the politics of American Indian and Hispanic women leaders. The data are drawn from personal interviews with 50 public officials and grassroots leaders active in state, local, or tribal politics in New Mexico. Borrowing from Tolleson Rinehart's model of “gender consciousness,” the author creates a classification scheme for assessing the role that race/ethnicity and gender play in the political ideology and motives of the leaders. The findings reveal that racial/ethnic identity is generally more important to Native leaders and grassroots activists, while gender identity is somewhat more salient for Hispanic leaders and public officials. Her classification system for measuring racial/ethnic and gender identity is useful for analyzing qualitative data and may be helpful to other researchers.
Internet Recruiting
Authors: Braddy Philip W. , Thompson Lori Foster , Wuensch Karl L. , Grossnickle William F.
Published: August 2003

In this study, the authors investigate the effects of two web site design features on prospective applicants' evaluations of a hiring company's online recruitment image. A total of 175 students navigated one of four web sites to locate and review a job advertisement. Participants visited a web site that was easy or difficult to surf and viewed a job ad that was presented in bullets or paragraphs of text. Afterward, they completed a survey that measured their impressions of the recruitment image, reactions to the hiring organization, and their willingness to apply for a position. The results provide partial support for the anticipated favorable effect of navigational ease on participants' impressions of recruitment image. Contrary to the authors' prediction, however, organizing the text in bulleted rather than paragraph format did not significantly improve evaluations of the company's recruitment image.
Race, Religion, and Abstinence from Alcohol in Late Life
Authors: Krause Neal
Published: August 2003

Objective: This study aimed to see whether involvement in religion helps explain why older Blacks are more likely to avoid drinking alcohol than older Whites. Methods: Interviews were conducted with a nationwide sample of older Whites and older Blacks. Survey items were administered to assess whether study participants consume alcohol, whether they affiliate with fundamentalist congregations, how often they attend religious services, how often they pray privately, and whether they derive a sense of meaning from their faith. Results: The findings reveal that older people who affiliate with fundamentalist churches and who find meaning in religion are more likely to avoid drinking. However, neither church attendance nor private prayer are related to alcohol use. Race differences in the odds of drinking were no longer statistically significant once the religion measures were added to the model. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of religion in shaping the health behaviors of older adults.
The Crisis of Authoritarianism in the Legal Institutions
Authors: Agozino Biko
Published: August 2003

Contrary to the unexamined assumption that democracy goes hand-in-hand with the rule of law, this study argues that the root of the crisis in legal institutions is a lag in the democratization of the judicial arm government. Although the executive and the legislative arms of government have been relatively democratized in many parts of the world, the judicial arm, including policing, courts, and corrections, remains essentially feudal as the emphases on force, bureaucratization, authoritarianism, and imperialism guide ideologies of legal institutions.
Identifying Group Task Satisfaction at Work
Authors: Mason Claire M. , Griffin Mark A.
Published: August 2003

Group task satisfaction is defined as the group's shared attitude toward its task and the associated work environment. It represents the group-level counterpart to individual job satisfaction. An investigation of group task satisfaction in 47 student groups demonstrated that group members were able to distinguish among group task satisfaction, task cohesion, social cohesion, group potency, group climate, and individual job satisfaction. Ratings of group task satisfaction displayed within-group agreement and significant between-group variance. Group task satisfaction was related to the mean level of individual job satisfaction within the group and the quality of the group's work.
Tool Development for Measuring Caller Satisfaction and Outcome with Telephone Advice Nursing
Authors: Moscato Susan Randles , David Marion , Valanis Barbara , Gullion Christina M. , Tanner Christine , Shapiro Susan , Izumi Shikego , Mayo Ann
Published: August 2003

Caller descriptions and evaluations of their experiences with telephone advice services provide unique information that correlates highly with objective measures of quality and can help interpret data from other sources. An author-developed questionnaire assessed caller outcomes of telephone nursing advice. In Phase I an iterative, purposive sample of 40 callers was interviewed by phone. An emergent design was used to develop questions, analyze constructs of interest, and test questions for a draft caller questionnaire, which was tested in Phase II. Responses to the questionnaire provided information about caller characteristics, advice call characteristics, and nurse practice behaviors that caused the authors to further revise the questionnaire. The resulting tool provides feedback to advice nurses about the outcomes of their practice and information to design orientation and development programs and support fund allocation decisions.
Are Reproductive Health Services a Good Place to Screen for Intimate Partner Violence?
Authors: McCarraher Donna R. , Bailey Patricia E. , Martin Sandra L.
Published: August 2003

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem and is associated with many adverse reproductive health outcomes. One intervention that has been used in the United States to address this issue is to train health care providers to screen women for IPV and refer them to services for support and counseling. For this intervention to be used in other countries, it must first be known if violence victims seek health care services. This article examines IPV and the use of reproductive health care services among 607 women who lived in La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia.
A Strategy for Increasing Postrape Medical Care and Forensic Examination
Authors: Konradi Amanda
Published: August 2003

Despite the physical and emotional damage of sexual assault, most raped women do not receive postassault medical care. This article describes a social marketing strategy to sell sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) services available on a college campus directly to matriculated students (potential victims and allies). Significant results found in postcampaign surveys were that the majority of students saw posters and generally retained the information in them, students exposed to more sources of information had more accurate knowledge of services, and students' recommendations concerning SANE usage reflected their exposure to information and their perception of assault risk. The article concludes with policy recommendations.
Justification, Legitimization and Naturalization of Mergers and Acquisitions: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Media Texts
Authors: Vaara Eero , Tienari Janne
Published: August 2003

This article concentrates on the discursive construction of mergers and acquisitions in the media. Drawing on critical discourse analysis, the article focuses on justification, legitimization and naturalization processes in three historically significant cases in the Finnish media. The analysis reveals four distinctive discourse types- `rationalistic', `cultural', `societal' and `individualistic'-and elaborates their structural characteristics. The analysis shows that rationalistic discourses typically dominate discussion, while the other discourses are subordinated to the rationalistic discursive practices. This usually means justification of particular merger or acquisition deals and legitimization of specific actions taken by management. In the longer run, this is likely to lead to naturalization of specific management practices in the mergers and acquisitions context.
Challenges to the Field of Human Resources Development
Authors: Bing John W. , Kehrhahn Marijke , Short Darren C.
Published: August 2003

The problem and the solution. Although the future of the field of human resource development (HRD) cannot be precisely foretold, trends and analyses provide us with insight into the challenges likely to be faced by professionals in the field. How we, as HRD professionals, react to these challenges will determine our contribution to organizations and society. This article explores the major challenges identified from within this journal issue.
Revisiting the Y2K Bug
Authors: Best Kirsty
Published: August 2003

The Y2K bug was a global media event of the twentieth century, only to fade from view after an anticlimactic change of millennium. This article argues that a reexamination of the text of the Y2K bug illuminates the contemporary cultural construction of value in information and networking technologies. Through the examination of a broad range of media reports and articles, this article illustrates how a hegemonic discourse is creating scales of value that have a profound impact on resource allocation. However, the Y2K bug also illustrates how this discourse is subject to its own gaps in meaning, or internal dissociations, as well as to a variety of creative external attacks, including culture jamming.
Critical Madness, Enunciative Excess: The Figure of the Madwoman in Postmodern Feminist Texts
Authors: Schlichter Annette
Published: August 2003

This article provides a comparison of the politics of representation through the performance of hysteria and madness in Luce Irigaray's collection of essays, This Sex Which Is Not One, and Kathy Acker's novel, Don Quixote: Which Was a Dream. Through close readings of Irigaray's and Acker's texts, the article explores how these critical, feminist projects question the mechanisms and effects of a dominant tradition in which they participate at the same time. These readings argue against a widespread feminist position which claims that the use of “the madwoman” restricts feminist theory either to silence or to a powerless, delirious, speaking position. Rather, this article shows that the figure does not exclusively symbolize the restrictions of feminist theory through dominant discourses but that it aids postmodern authors such as Irigaray and Acker in the creation of an excessive politics of enunciation, which destabilizes and reconfigures the conditions of representation.
Theses on Sleater-Kinney
Authors: Doane Randal
Published: August 2003

Marx wrote the “Theses on Feuerbach” in 1845 in preparation for The German Ideology, which he coauthored with Friedrich Engels. Engels only discovered the “Theses” after Marx's death, and he regarded them to be “the brilliant germ of the new world outlook.” In postmodernity, outlooks are certainly less sweeping. This article offers a set of cultural materialist theses on the sound of the all-female rock trio, Sleater-Kinney, in a dialogue often faithful to Marx's original work.
Mechanism of inhibition of theDrosophilaand mammalian EGF receptors by the transmembrane protein Kekkon 1
Authors: Ghiglione Christian , Amundadottir Laufey , Andresdottir Margret , Bilder David , Diamonti John A. , Noselli Stéphane , Perrimon Norbert , Carraway III Kermit L.
Published: August 2003

The transmembrane protein Kekkon 1 (Kek1) has previously been shown to act in a negative feedback loop to downregulate the Drosophila Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (DER) during oogenesis. We show that this protein plays a similar role in other DER-mediated developmental processes. Structure-function analysis reveals that the extracellular Leucine-Rich Repeat(LRR) domains of Kek1 are critical for its function through direct association with DER, whereas its cytoplasmic domain is required for apical subcellular localization. In addition, the use of chimeric proteins between Kek1 extracellular and transmembrane domains fused to DER intracellular domain indicates that Kek1 forms an heterodimer with DER in vivo. To characterize more precisely the mechanism underlying the Kek1/DER interaction, we used mammalian ErbB/EGFR cell-based assays. We show that Kek1 is capable of physically interacting with each of the known members of the mammalian ErbB receptor family and that the Kek1/EGFR interaction inhibits growth factor binding, receptor autophosphorylation and Erk1/2 activation in response to EGF. Finally, in vivo experiments show that Kek1 expression potently suppresses the growth of mouse mammary tumor cells derived from aberrant ErbB receptors activation, but does not interfere with the growth of tumor cells derived from activated Ras. Our results underscore the possibility that Kek1 may be used experimentally to inhibit ErbB receptors and point to the possibility that, as yet uncharacterized, mammalian transmembrane LRR proteins might act as modulators of growth factor signalling.
Mutation of the photoreceptor specific homeodomain genePph13results in defects in phototransduction and rhabdomere morphogenesis
Authors: Zelhof Andrew C. , Koundakjian Edmund , Scully Audra L. , Hardy Robert W. , Pounds Linda
Published: August 2003

The expression and organization of the phototransduction signaling proteins into a specialized light-sensing organelle, the rhabdomere, is required for photoreceptor cells to detect light. We report the characterization of the mutant Pph13hazy. Pph13 is a homeodomain transcription factor expressed only in photoreceptor cells. Pph13 expression correlates with the differentiation and not specification of photoreceptor cells. In agreement with its expression profile, we find Pph13 is required for both rhabdomere morphogenesis and for the proper detection of light. In addition,we demonstrate that Pph13 exerts its effect by the regulation of photoreceptor specific gene expression.
The effects of scheduling flexibility on the performance of a flexible manufacturing system
Authors: Chan F T S
Published: August 2003

In today's industries, flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) play an important role in manufacture. An FMS is a modern technology that helps to improve the factories by improving their response time, lowering their unit costs and producing better quality goods. It is designed to combine the efficiency of mass-production of mid-volume and mid-variety products.

In this paper, the performance of an FMS is evaluated in terms of makespan, average flow time, average delay time at local buffers and average machine utilization, observing the effects of different scheduling flexibilities, which include dispatching and routeing flexibilities. The three routeing policies considered in this paper are ‘no alternative routeings’, ‘alternative routeings dynamic’ and ‘alternative routeings planned’. The above routeing policies are combined with seven dispatching rules and are studied in different production volumes which vary from 50 to 500 parts. In addition, the impact of both infinite and finite local buffer capacities is analysed. Since an FMS usually deals with a variety of products, the effects of changing the part mix ratio are also discussed. Finally, the study of machine failure is also covered in this research.
Development of a multi-attribute selection procedure for non-traditional machining processes
Authors: Yurdakul M , Cçogun C
Published: August 2003

The uncertainties regarding the capabilities, the large number of alternatives offered, the lack of versatility and the shortage of experienced planners of non-traditional machining processes (NTMPs) require the development of a structured process selection procedure. In this paper, a multi-attribute selection procedure is presented to help manufacturing personnel in determining suitable NTMPs for given application requirements. The selection procedure first enables the user to narrow down the list of NTMPs to a short list containing feasible processes. Then, the procedure ranks the feasible NTMPs according to their suitability for the desired application. In ranking the feasible alternatives, the selection procedure uses a combination of two multi-attribute decision-making tools, namely the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). For use in the selection procedure, possible shape applications performed by the processes, process technical capabilities and attributes necessary to measure the performance of processes are developed. Many industrial case studies are introduced to examine the dependability of the developed approach, and successful results are obtained.
Silencing of retroviral vector transduced LacZ reporter gene by frameshift mutation
Authors: Valkova Christina , Georgiev Oleg , Karagyozov Luchezar , Milchev Georgi
Published: August 2003

Moloney murine leukemia virus‐based vector expressing Escherichia coli β‐galactosidase (lacZ) as reporter gene and the transposon Tn5 neomycin resistance (neo) gene was transduced at low‐multiplicity of infections into NIH 3T3 cells. Geneticin (G418)‐resistant cells were recloned and cell lines containing β‐galactosidase positive or β‐galactosidase negative cells were obtained. Both positive and negative cell lines contained a single proviral copy at distinct integration sites. RNA complementary to lacZ was detected in β‐galactosidase positive as well as in one of three investigated β‐galactosidase negative cell lines. DNA sequence analysis of proviral LacZ gene in β‐galactosidase negative cell line C6 showed a single nucleotide insertion at position 1567 resulting in reading frame shift and translational stop codon at position 1629. This mutation explains the enzyme inactivation. The absence of β‐galactosidase after retroviral transduction of LacZ reproter gene may be a consequence of definite mutation but not a consequence of ineffective transduction or transcriptional inactivation of transgene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 84:1–6, 2003.
Cost analysis of pneumonia treatment in the Philippines
Authors: Liu Kehui , Dong Hengjin , Sauerborn Rainer
Published: August 2003

The objectives of this study were to describe the cost distribution of pneumonia treatment in tertiary hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) and to identify variations in costs in order to provide basic information to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) for quality assurance and policy development. This study focuses on 3861 reimbursement claims, which come from 22 government and 38 private tertiary hospitals. Wide variations of cost existed among the hospitals and among the inpatients. Medicine was the leading expenditure in total costs (38%), second was examinations (27%), third was beds (22%) and the last was doctors fees (13%). The same ranking ocurred for reimbursement by PHIC. The private hospitals were more expensive than the government hospitals, but also more efficient in the length of hospitalization. The member patients spent more and were reimbursed more for clinical practice than the dependent patients. However, there was no difference in the length of hospitalization between member and dependent patients. There was no difference in the length of hospitalization and expenditure between Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 1997 and Social Security System (SSS) patients. Clinical guidelines should be effectively implemented and PHIC should contribute more to reduce existing variations, improve cost‐effectiveness and the quality of clinical practices. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nordic privatization and private healthcare
Authors: Øvretveit John
Published: August 2003

The role of the private sector in public healthcare systems is much debated, but there is little research to inform the debate. In the Nordic countries the extent and type of private sector involvement is largely unknown and the changes and the consequences have not been studied. This paper presents a conceptual framework and some limited data about the changing private–public mix and privatization in the Nordic countries between 1985 and 2000. The data suggest a small increase in both private financing and provision which has accelerated in recent years, especially in specific healthcare fields such as diagnostic centres, dentistry, primary medical care and care for older people.

The overall increase is small, but large in certain sectors. Differences between the countries can only be understood in relation to their historical, financial, economic and political context, even though there are many commonalities. Impact also is context dependent, but the findings do show a cross‐country pattern of a willingness to experiment and a change in underlying assumptions. The findings show a more extensive interpenetration of private and public than previously recognized but more research is required, especially about changes in recent years about which data are scarce. The paper considers the factors driving these trends, the likely larger changes in the next 10 years and the possible consequences for patients, professionals, managers and governments. It notes the different ways governments can control or influence finance and provision. It proposes that the Nordic and other governments improve regulation and data collection about the private sector and consider influencing private providers through partnership arrangements, rather than leaving the developments to be shaped by growing consumer demands or market logic alone. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of hydrological processes on the chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River, China
Authors: Gao Quanzhou , Tao Zhen , Xie Meiqi , Cui Kunyan , Zeng Feng
Published: August 2003

The chemical composition of riverine suspended sediment is the integration of the weathering crust minerals, soil organic matter and erosion agency within a specific drainage basin, which has been largely disturbed by the human activities. Selected metal elements of the riverine suspended sediment in the Zhujiang River were analysed using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) in three different hydrological phases from 1997 to 1998 at Makou and Sanshui hydrographic gauge stations, located at the lower reaches of the two main tributaries of the Zhujiang River, i.e. the Xijiang and the Beijing Rivers respectively. Organic carbon and nitrogen were also analysed using a conventional element analyser. The results demonstrate that the chemical composition of the riverine suspended sediment show obvious variability in different hydrological phases, which closely correlate to the organic matter content in suspended sediment. Intensified erosion in the flood phase results in lower concentration of the organic matter than that in the lower water level phase. The riverine suspended sediment with rich organic matter in the lower water level phase adsorbs some metal elements from the river water. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex permittivity measurements of chicken blood
Authors: Kratzenberg E. , Afsar M. N. , Wang Y.
Published: August 2003

The basic dielectric properties of biological materials are required for the development of next‐generation microwave‐based medical instrumentation. The purpose of this paper is to further the study of the properties of blood using several different commonly used measurement methods. New data on the complex permittivity of chicken blood are presented in the frequency range between 45 MHz and 26.5 GHz at room temperature by using open‐ended coaxial probe techniques, and in the Ku‐band using waveguide techniques, with an Agilent 8510C network analyzer. A commonly used reference material, methanol, is used to verify the efficacy of these techniques. This data favorably compares to the general permittivity of blood that previous authors have published. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 54–56, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11125
Inhaled corticosteroids in childhood asthma: Income differences in use
Authors: Kozyrskyj Anita L. , Mustard Cameron A. , R. Simons F. Estelle
Published: August 2003

Asthma hospitalization rates in children increase with decreasing level of household income. This research was undertaken to determine whether use of inhaled corticosteroid drugs, which can prevent asthma hospitalizations, followed a similar socioeconomic gradient in children with asthma. We performed a cross‐sectional study of association, using population‐based prescription and healthcare data sources. Our subjects were 16,862 Manitoba children, aged 5–15 years, with prescriptions for asthma drugs during January 1995–March 1996. Our measures were adjusted for asthma severity, physician specialty, and proportion of children with an inhaled corticosteroid prescription by neighborhood income. Forty‐five percent of children treated for asthma had at least one inhaled corticosteroid prescription during January 1995–March 1996. The proportion of children with inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions decreased with successive decreases in neighborhood income. The socioeconomic gradient in the likelihood of an inhaled corticosteroid prescription was most evident among children with mild‐moderate asthma who were not in the care of an asthma specialist. In conclusion, a socioeconomic gradient in the use of inhaled corticosteroids prescriptions can be found among children with universal access to healthcare and drug insurance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:241–247. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discrimination of native loop conformations in membrane proteins: Decoy library design and evaluation of effective energy scoring functions
Authors: Forrest Lucy R. , Woolf Thomas B.
Published: August 2003

The recent determination of crystal structures for several important membrane proteins opens the way for comparative modeling of their membrane‐spanning regions. However, the ability to predict correctly the structures of loop regions, which may be critical, for example, in ligand binding, remains a considerable challenge. To meet this challenge, accurate scoring methods have to discriminate between candidate conformations of an unknown loop structure. Some success in loop prediction has been reported for globular proteins; however, the proximity of membrane protein loops to the lipid bilayer casts doubt on the applicability of the same scoring methods to this problem. In this work, we develop “decoy libraries” of non‐native folds generated, using the structures of two membrane proteins, with molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo techniques over a range of temperatures. We introduce a new approach for decoy library generation by constructing a flat distribution of conformations covering a wide range of Cα–root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) from the native structure; this removes possible bias in subsequent scoring stages. We then score these decoy conformations with effective energy functions, using increasingly more cpu‐intensive implicit solvent models, including (1) simple Coulombic electrostatics with constant or distance‐dependent dielectrics; (2) atomic solvation parameters; (3) the effective energy function (EEF1) of Lazaridis and Karplus; (4) generalized Born/Analytical Continuum Solvent; and (5) finite‐difference Poisson–Boltzmann energy functions. We show that distinction of native‐like membrane protein loops may be achieved using effective energies with the assumption of a homogenous environment; thus, the absence of the adjacent lipid bilayer does not affect the scoring ability. In particular, the Analytical Continuum Solvent and finite‐difference Poisson–Boltzmann energy functions are seen to be the most powerful scoring functions. Interestingly, the use of the uncharged states of ionizable sidechains is shown to aid prediction, particularly for the simplest energy functions. Proteins 2003;52:492–509. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clients’ characteristics and marketing of products: some evidence from a financial institution
Authors: Fernández‐Aguirre Karmele , Gallastegui‐Zulaica Inmaculada , Modroño‐Herrán Juan Ignacio , Núñez‐Antón Vicente
Published: August 2003

Within the framework of database marketing, that is, data mining applied to large databases for marketing purposes, we analyze the database of clients of a financial institution, trying to extract from it indications which could help to establish its marketing policies in an efficient way. The application of multiple correspondence and cluster analysis leads to a classification of clients based on a few easily identifiable variables. As suggested by other authors in marketing research, the clients’ position in the life cycle emerges as one of the main factors inducing their financial behaviour.
Antecedents and outcomes of service recovery performance: an empirical study of frontline employees in Turkish banks
Authors: Yavas Ugur , Karatepe Osman M. , Avci Turgay , Tekinkus Mehmet
Published: August 2003

This study investigates the potential impact of organizational variables on the service recovery performance of frontline employees, and the impact of successful service recovery on frontline employees’ job satisfaction and intensions to resign. Data obtained from a survey of frontline employees working in several banks in two cities in Western Turkey serve as the study setting. Results and their implications are discussed.
New modeling approach of on‐chip interconnects for RF integrated circuits in CMOS technology
Authors: Ymeri H. , Nauwelaers B. , Maex K. , De Roest D.
Published: August 2003

New analytical approximation for the frequency‐dependent impedance matrix components of symmetric VLSI interconnect on lossy silicon substrate are derived. The results have been obtained by using an approximate quasi‐magnetostatic analysis of symmetric coupled microstrip on‐chip interconnects on silicon. We assume that the magnetostatic field meets the boundary conditions of a single isolated infinite line; therefore, the boundary conditions for the conductors in the structure are approximately satisfied. The derivation is based on the approximate solution of quasi‐magnetostatic equations in the structure (dielectric and silicon semi‐space), and takes into account the substrate skin‐effect. Comparisons with published data from circuit modeling or full‐wave numerical analyses are presented to validate the inductance and resistance expressions derived for symmetric coupled VLSI interconnects. The analytical characterization presented in this paper is well situated for inclusion into CAD codes in the design of RF and mixed‐signal integrated circuits on silicon.
Quality Control Trial for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Drug Resistance Testing Using Clinical Samples Reveals Problems with Detecting Minority Species and Interpretation of Test Results
Authors: Korn Klaus , Reil Heide , Walter Hauke , Schmidt Barbara
Published: August 2003

Between January and March 2000, a quality control panel for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance testing was analyzed by 20 laboratories in five countries. The panel consisted of three clinical samples with different drug resistance genotypes and phenotypes and one HIV-negative plasma. Participants were asked to report the methods used for amplification and sequencing, a list of drug resistance-associated mutations that were detected in the protease and reverse transcriptase of each sample, and an interpretation concerning the susceptibility or resistance to 14 antiretroviral drugs. A total of 22 genotypic data sets were generated, which showed an overall good technical quality except for three participants, who failed to report key mutations for drug resistance. Problems were encountered in three respects: (i) resistant minorities of L90M in the protease, which were determined to about 12% by real-time amplification, were only detected by one-fourth of the participants; (ii) newly described resistance mutations were frequently not reported; and (iii) interpretations of drug resistance-associated mutations varied widely, in particular for protease inhibitors. In some cases, different interpretations were caused by differences in the detection of resistant minorities, but even for the same genotypic profile, interpretations varied considerably. Similar discrepancies were revealed if current Web-based interpretation systems were used to predict drug resistance for samples of the proficiency panel. This indicates that a consensus for the interpretation of drug resistance-associated mutations is urgently needed.
Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci: Comparison of Phenotypic and Genotypic Oxacillin Susceptibility Tests and Evaluation of the Agar Screening Test by Using Different Concentrations of Oxacillin
Authors: Ferreira Rosana B. R. , Iorio Natalia L. P. , Malvar Karoline L. , Nunes Ana Paula F. , Fonseca Leila S. , Bastos Carla C. R. , Santos Kátia R. N.
Published: August 2003

This study evaluated the oxacillin susceptibilities of 152 coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CoNS) strains of 12 species by disk diffusion; agar dilution; E-test; the slide latex agglutination test (Slidex MRSA Detection test; bioMérieux S/A, Paris, France); the agar screening test with 1, 2, 4, or 6 μg of oxacillin per ml and incubation for 24 or 48 h; and detection of the
mecA
gene by PCR. The results revealed that the agar screening test with 4 μg of oxacillin per ml and incubation for 48 h was superior to any single phenotype-based susceptibility assay, presenting a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% each. For the different methods evaluated, the sensitivities and specificities were as follows: for disk diffusion, 94.2 and 91.8%, respectively; for the agar dilution test 100 and 73.5%, respectively; for E-test, 100 and 71.4%, respectively; and for the slide latex agglutination test, 97.1 and 98%, respectively. A good correlation was observed between oxacillin susceptibility testing results and PCR results for
Staphylococcus epidermidis
,
S. haemolyticus
,
S. hominis
subsp.
hominis
, and all
mecA
-positive strains. However, at least 60% of the
mecA
-negative isolates of the species
S. saprophyticus
,
S. cohnii
subsp.
urealyticum
,
S. lugdunensis
, and
S. sciuri
were erroneously classified as oxacillin resistant by the agar dilution test. Conversely, the slide latex agglutination test presented a high sensitivity (97.1%) and a high specificity (98%) for all CoNS species. Our results demonstrated the accuracy of the agar screening test with 4 μg of oxacillin per ml and incubation for 48 h and the slide latex agglutination test for the appropriate detection of the oxacillin susceptibilities of CoNS isolates. Both assays are technically simple and can be easier to perform in routine laboratories than PCR.
Oral
Actinomyces
Isolates Forming Red Colonies on Brain Heart Blood Agar Can Be Unambiguously Classified as
A. odontolyticus
by Macroscopic Examination
Authors: Kaetzke Annette , Körner Henrike , Kneist Susanne , Eschrich Klaus
Published: August 2003

The accurate classification of oral
Actinomyces
isolates as one species is difficult. Out of 18
Actinomyces
isolates forming red colonies on brain heart blood agar, 12 could be straightforwardly assigned as
Actinomyces odontolyticus
by biochemical, morphological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics. For the remaining six isolates, the results of the different identification methods were inconsistent. By sequencing a 16S ribosomal DNA fragment by a rapid mass spectrometric method, all isolates could be identified unambiguously as
A. odontolyticus.
This result proves the importance of red colony pigmentation on brain heart blood agar together with the characteristic cell morphology for unequivocal assignment of oral
Actinomyces
isolates to the species
A. odontolyticus
.
Rapid Identification of Bacteria from Positive Blood Cultures by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Profile Analysis of the 16S rRNA Gene
Authors: Christensen Jeffrey E. , Stencil Jennifer A. , Reed Kurt D.
Published: August 2003

Bacteremia results in significant morbidity and mortality, especially among patient populations that are immunocompromised. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered to patients suspected to have bloodstream infections that are awaiting diagnosis that depends on blood culture analysis. Significant delays in identification of pathogens can result, primarily due to the dependence on growth-based identification systems. To address these limitations, we took advantage of terminal restriction fragment (TRF) length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) due to 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence diversity to rapidly identify bacterial pathogens directly from positive blood culture. TRF profiles for each organism were determined by sizing fragments from restriction digests of PCR products derived from two sets of 16S rDNA-specific fluorescent dye-labeled primers. In addition, we created a TRF profile database (TRFPD) with 5,899 predicted TRF profiles from sequence information representing 2,860 different bacterial species. TRF profiles were experimentally determined for 69 reference organisms and 32 clinical isolates and then compared against the predicted profiles in the TRFPD. The predictive value of the profiles was found to be accurate to the species level with most organisms tested. In addition, identification of 10 different genera was possible with profiles comprising two or three TRFs. Although it was possible to identify
Enterobacteriaceae
by using a profile of three TRFs, the similarity of the TRF profiles of these organisms makes differentiation of species less reliable with the current method. The ability to rapidly (i.e., within ∼8 h) identify bacteria from blood cultures has potential for reducing unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and promoting more timely prescription of appropriate antibiotics.
Seronegative Bacteremic Melioidosis Caused by
Burkholderia pseudomallei
with Ambiguous Biochemical Profile: Clinical Importance of Accurate Identification by 16S rRNA Gene and
groEL
Gene Sequencing
Authors: Woo Patrick C. Y. , Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Gibson K. S. , Fung Ami M. Y. , Ngan Antonio H. Y. , Hui Wai-ting , Yuen Kwok-yung
Published: August 2003

An aerobic gram-negative bacterium was isolated from the blood and sputum of an 84-year-old, chair-bound nursing home resident with acute bacteremic pneumonia. Although the phenotypic characteristics suggested that the bacterium could be
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, the Vitek 1 system (GNI+), which can successfully identify 99% of
B. pseudomallei
strains, showed that the bacterium was “unidentified.” Immunoglobulin G against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of
B. pseudomallei
, as detected by an LPS-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with 95% sensitivity, was negative in both the acute-phase and convalescent-phase sera. Sequencing of the
groEL
gene showed that the isolate was
B. pseudomallei
. Proper identification of the bacterium in this study is crucial, since there would be a radical difference in the duration of antimicrobial therapy.
Mapping QTL for yield components, vigor, and resistance toPhytophthora palmivorainTheobroma cacaoL.
Authors: Clement D , Risterucci A M , Motamayor J C , N'Goran J , Lanaud C
Published: August 2003

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for agronomic traits was carried out in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.). Regions of the genome involved in yield, vigor, and resistance to Phytophthora palmivora were identified. Three heterozygous clones, one upper Amazon Forastero (IMC78) and two Trinitario (DR1 and S52), were crossed with the same male parent, a lower Amazon Forastero (Catongo), known to be highly homozygous. Observations were made on progeny over nine consecutive years. One to three QTL related to yield were detected in each of the three populations, located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, and 10. They explained between 8.1 and 19.3% of the phenotypic variation and showed various levels of repeatability. In IMC78, the QTL detected on chromosome 5 was the most repeatable over years. The QTL for the average individual pod weight on chromosome 4 was the most significant with an LOD of 17.3 and an R2of 43.7. QTL related to these traits were identified in the same region of the genome in clones of different genetic groups. This suggests that molecular markers can be used to improve cocoa varieties.Key words: Theobroma cacao, agronomic traits, quantitative trait loci (QTL).
Genetic diversity among accessions of an ancient olive variety of Cyprus
Authors: Banilas Georgios , Minas John , Gregoriou Costas , Demoliou Cathrine , Kourti Anna , Hatzopoulos Polydefkis
Published: August 2003

To evaluate germplasm variability and to discriminate between accessions of 'Ladolia', an ancient olive variety of Cyprus, different accessions from a germplasm collection were screened with 11 selected oligonucleotide primers in RAPD-PCRs. A total of 49 polymorphic markers were scored, the combination of which resulted in 70 distinct electrophoretic patterns. Based on either unique or combined patterns, all accessions were identified. Seven genotype-specific markers were detected. One RAPD marker could distinguish accessions according to fruit size. Genetic similarities between accessions, estimated using the Dice similarity coefficient, indicated a high degree of genetic diversity among 'Ladolia' accessions. Genetic relationships were estimated by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA) and principal components analysis (PCA). Three main groups of accessions were detected. The first group was generally composed of accessions with small-sized fruits and could be further divided into two subgroups. According to PCA, most accessions with medium- or large-sized fruits were clustered together. Our results support previous observations suggesting that 'Ladolia' is actually a highly variable mixture of genetically distinct landraces.Key words: DNA polymorphism, germplasm variability, RAPD markers, Olea europaea.
Isolation and characterization of S genome specific sequences fromAegilopssect.sitopsisspecies
Authors: Giorgi D , D'Ovidio R , Tanzarella O A , Ceoloni C , Porceddu E
Published: August 2003

Three S genome specific sequences were isolated from Aegilops sect. sitopsis species using different experimental approaches. Two clones, UTV86 and UTV39, were isolated from a partial genomic library obtained from DNA of Aegilops sharonensis, whereas a third clone, UTV5, was isolated from Aegilops speltoides. The three clones were characterized by sequencing, analysis of methylation, and sequence organization and abundance in some Aegilops and Triticum species. The clones UTV39 and UTV5 belong to the same family of tandem repeated sequences and showed high homology with a sequence already present in nucleotide databases. The UTV86 clone from Ae. sharonensis corresponded to an interspersed low frequency repeated sequence and did not show any significant homology with reported sequences. Southern hybridization experiments, using the cloned sequences as probes, detected polymorphism in the restriction patterns of all the five Aegilops species in section sitopsis. Aegilops speltoides showed the most divergent hybridization pattern. A close relationship was detected between the S genome of Ae. speltoides and the G genome of the wild Triticum timopheevii. In situ hybridization revealed a telomeric and (or) subtelomeric location of the sequences UTV39 and UTV5.Key words: Aegilops, genome-specific sequences, sitopsis, wheat evolution.
Long-Term Citicoline (Cytidine Diphosphate Choline) Use in Patients with Vascular Dementia: Neuroimaging and Neuropsychological Outcomes
Authors: Cohen Ronald A. , Browndyke Jeffrey N. , Moser David J. , Paul Robert H. , Gordon Norman , Sweet Lawrence
Published: August 2003

Background: Cytidine diphosphate choline (citicoline) has been previously shown to have efficacy in reducing the functional impairments associated with acute stroke. Citicoline is thought to have neuroprotective benefits and has been used for the treatment of chronic cerebrovascular disorders, though its effectiveness has not been fully tested. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine whether daily citicoline treatment improves neurocognitive and neuroimaging outcome over 12 months among patients diagnosed with vascular dementia (VaD). Methods: 30 patients diagnosed with VaD, based upon NINDS-AIREN and DSM-IV criteria, were randomized and treated with either 500 mg of citicoline or placebo twice per day. Patients were assessed at baseline, and at 6, and 12 months on a battery of neurocognitive tests. Neuroimaging measures of total brain volume and subcortical/periventricular hyperintensity (SH) volume on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected at baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Results: The citicoline and placebo treatment groups did not differ in their neuropsychological performance at baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Significant declines in neuropsychological performance were noted, as well as significantly increased SH and reduced total brain volumes on MRI for both groups at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: The efficacy of long-term citicoline treatment for cognitive impairment and neuropathological decline in those patients already meeting criteria for VaD does not appear to be substantiated by the current study.
Invasive Carcinoma after Endoscopic Ablative Therapy for High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Oesophagus
Authors: van Hillegersberg Richard , Haringsma Jelle , ten Kate Fibo J.W. , Tytgat Guido N.J. , van Lanschot Jan J.B.
Published: August 2003

Background: Patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s oesophagus carry a significant risk of developing adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) aim at the radical ablation of the dysplastic area. Methods: We used EMR to resect the macroscopic area of dysplastic mucosa followed by PDT to eliminate residual disease. PDT was performed after oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA, 40 mg/kg), using fractionated illumination 3 and 6 h later with 630 nm light at 100 J/cm2 through an endoscopic balloon diffuser. Results: We report 2 patients who developed adenocarcinoma shortly after incomplete endoscopic ablation of Barrett’s epithelium. In a 61-year-old man with HGD in 8-cm Barrett’s segment, HGD persisted 3 months after treatment. The oesophagectomy specimen showed a 2.3-cm pT2N0M0 adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s. In a 69-year-old woman with extensive HGD in 5-cm Barrett’s, HGD persisted after 3 PDT sessions in 1 year. Adenocarcinoma occurred 6 months after treatment. The oesophagectomy showed a pT1bN0M0 adenocarcinoma and extensive multifocal HGD in Barrett’s. Conclusions: The combination of EMR and PDT may be a promising option for local treatment of patients with HGD in Barrett’s oesophagus, provided all dysplastic tissue can be removed. Currently it should be offered only to patients who are willing to participate in a clinical trial with an intensive endoscopic follow-up programme.
Media Violence in the News
Authors: McIntyre Jeff J.
Published: August 2003

How do researchers talk to the media about the media? How is research about the media portrayed by those responsible for reporting objective findings? This article summarizes the efforts of the American Psychological Association's Public Policy Office on violence in the media in the late 1990s. By looking at the range of dynamics at play (school shootings blamed on popular music, rapidly evolving technology, a Presidential Campaign), this article explores the complexity of accurately representing psychological research in a medium where the findings could impact profits.