bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quest for a null model for macroecological patterns: geometry of species distributions at multiple spatial scales
Authors: Storch David , Šizling Arnošt L. , Reif Jiří , Polechová Jitka , Šizlingová Eva , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: July 2008

There have been several attempts to build a unified framework for macroecological patterns. However, these have mostly been based either on questionable assumptions or have had to be parameterized to obtain realistic predictions. Here, we propose a new model explicitly considering patterns of aggregated species distributions on multiple spatial scales, the property which lies behind all spatial macroecological patterns, using the idea we term ‘generalized fractals’. Species’ spatial distributions were modelled by a random hierarchical process in which the original ‘habitat’ patches were randomly replaced by sets of smaller patches nested within them, and the statistical properties of modelled species assemblages were compared with macroecological patterns in observed bird data. Without parameterization based on observed patterns, this simple model predicts realistic patterns of species abundance, distribution and diversity, including fractal‐like spatial distributions, the frequency distribution of species occupancies/abundances and the species–area relationship. Although observed macroecological patterns may differ in some quantitative properties, our concept of random hierarchical aggregation can be considered as an appropriate null model of fundamental macroecological patterns which can potentially be modified to accommodate ecologically important variables.
Development and evaluation of a quantitative real‐time PCR assay for the detection of saltwater Bacteriovorax
Authors: Zheng Guili , Wang Cynthia , Williams Henry N. , Pineiro Silvia A.
Published: July 2008

Bdellovibrio‐and‐like‐organisms (BALOs) are small, Gram‐negative predatory bacteria with the ability to prey on a wide variety of Gram‐negative bacteria, and which may have a significant ecological role. Detection and quantification of BALOs by culture‐dependent methods are complicated, as their reproduction is dependent upon the use of appropriate prey. For this reason, a sensitive and specific molecular detection method was developed. This paper describes a SYBR Green‐based real‐time PCR (quantitative PCR) assay that combines the use of a specific 16S rDNA primer with a universal primer for quantitative detection of halophilic Bacteriovorax. 16S rDNA sequences from 174 BALO strains, including both halophilic and freshwater, were aligned and a consensus region was identified that is unique to the halophilic Bacteriovorax strains. A specific primer was designed and analysed for specificity. The PCR conditions were optimized to obtain high specificity and sensitivity. The specificity was evaluated by testing a series of halophilic Bacteriovorax samples and prey specimens, including both pure cultures and environmental saltwater samples. A linear and reproducible standard curve was obtained over a range of 101−106 gene copies and the detection limit was determined to be 10 copies of 16S rRNA gene per reaction. The results presented in this study validate the procedure as a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for the detection and quantification of halophilic Bacteriovorax in environmental saltwater samples. It is anticipated that this culture‐independent method will facilitate future investigations of the distribution and population dynamics of these interesting predatory bacteria, leading to a better understanding of their ecological role.
Revealing the uncultivated majority: combining DNA stable‐isotope probing, multiple displacement amplification and metagenomic analyses of uncultivatedMethylocystisin acidic peatlands
Authors: Chen Yin , Dumont Marc G. , Neufeld Josh D. , Bodrossy Levente , Stralis‐Pavese Nancy , McNamara Niall P. , Ostle Nick , Briones Maria J. I. , Murrell J. Colin
Published: July 2008

Peatlands represent an enormous carbon reservoir and have a potential impact on the global climate because of the active methanogenesis and methanotrophy in these soils. Uncultivated methanotrophs from seven European peatlands were studied using a combination of molecular methods. Screening for methanotroph diversity using a particulate methane monooxygenase‐based diagnostic gene array revealed thatMethylocystis‐related species were dominant in six of the seven peatlands studied. The abundance and methane oxidation activity ofMethylocystisspp. were further confirmed by DNA stable‐isotope probing analysis of a sample taken from the Moor House peatland (England). After ultracentrifugation,13C‐labelled DNA, containing genomic DNA of theseMethylocystisspp., was separated from12C DNA and subjected to multiple displacement amplification (MDA) to generate sufficient DNA for the preparation of a fosmid metagenomic library. Potential bias of MDA was detected by fingerprint analysis of 16S rRNA using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for low‐template amplification (0.01 ng template). Sufficient template (1–5 ng) was used in MDA to circumvent this bias and chimeric artefacts were minimized by using an enzymatic treatment of MDA‐generated DNA with S1 nuclease and DNA polymerase I. Screening of the metagenomic library revealed one fosmid containing methanol dehydrogenase and two fosmids containing 16S rRNA genes from theseMethylocystis‐related species as well as one fosmid containing a 16S rRNA gene related to that ofMethylocella/Methylocapsa. Sequencing of the 14 kb methanol dehydrogenase‐containing fosmid allowed the assembly of a gene cluster encoding polypeptides involved in bacterial methanol utilization (mxaFJGIRSAC). This combination of DNA stable‐isotope probing, MDA and metagenomics provided access to genomic information of a relatively large DNA fragment of these thus far uncultivated, predominant and active methanotrophs in peatland soil.
Identity and abundance of active sulfate‐reducing bacteria in deep tidal flat sediments determined by directed cultivation and CARD‐FISH analysis
Authors: Gittel Antje , Mußmann Marc , Sass Henrik , Cypionka Heribert , Könneke Martin
Published: July 2008

The identity and abundance of potentially active sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in several metre deep sediments of a tidal sand flat in the German Wadden Sea were assessed by directed cultivation and cultivation‐independent CARD‐FISH analysis (catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization). Presumably abundant SRB from different sediment layers between 0.5 and 4 m depth were selectively enriched in up to million‐fold diluted cultures supplemented with lactate, acetate or hydrogen. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from highest dilution steps showing sulfide formation indicated growth of deltaproteobacterial SRB belonging to the Desulfobulbaceae and the Desulfobacteraceae as well as of members of the Firmicutes. Subsequent isolation resulted in 10 novel phylotypes of both litho‐ and organotrophic sulfate‐reducing Deltaproteobacteria. Molecular pre‐screening identified six isolates as members of the Desulfobulbaceae, sharing highest identities with either candidatus ‘Desulfobacterium corrodens’ (95–97%) or Desulfobacterium catecholicum (98%), and four isolates as members of Desulfobacteraceae, being related to either Desulfobacter psychrotolerans (98%) or Desulfobacula phenolica (95–97%). Relatives of D. phenolica were exlusively isolated from 50 and 100 cm deep sediments with 10 and 2 mM of pore water sulfate respectively. In contrast, relatives of D. corrodens, D. psychrotolerans and D. catecholicum were also obtained from layers deeper than 100 cm and with less than 2 mM sulfate. The high in situ abundance of members of both families in sediment layers beneath 50 cm could be confirmed via CARD‐FISH analysis performed with a set of six SRB‐specific oligonucleotide probes. Moreover, SRB represented a numerically significant fraction of the microbial community throughout the sediment (up to 7%) and reached even higher cell numbers in deep, sulfate‐poor layers than in the sulfate‐rich surface sediment. This relatively large community size of potentially active SRB in deep sandy sediments might on the one hand be a result of their syntrophic association with other anaerobes. Our results furthermore support the hypothesis that enhanced advective pore water transport might supply nutrients to microbial communities in deep sandy sediments and point to their so far unrecognized contribution to biogeochemical processes in Wadden Sea sediments.
Increased susceptibility of white spot syndrome virus‐infected Litopenaeus vannamei to Vibrio campbellii
Authors: Phuoc L. H. , Corteel M. , Nauwynck H. J. , Pensaert M. B. , Alday‐Sanz V. , Van den Broeck W. , Sorgeloos P. , Bossier P.
Published: July 2008

The concept of polymicrobial disease is well accepted in human and veterinary medicine but has received very little attention in the field of aquaculture. This study was conducted to investigate the synergistic effect of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Vibrio campbellii on development of disease in specific pathogen‐free (SPF) shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The juvenile shrimp were first injected with WSSV at a dose of 30 SID50 shrimp−1 (SID50 = shrimp infectious dose with 50% endpoint) and 24 h later with 106 colony‐forming units (cfu) of V. campbellii shrimp−1. Controls receiving just one of the pathogens or negative inocula were included. In the treatment with WSSV only, shrimp started to die at 48–108 h post injection (hpi) and cumulative mortality reached 100% at 268–336 hpi. In the treatment with only V. campbellii injection (106 cfu shrimp−1), cumulative mortality reached 16.7%. Shrimp in the dual treatment died very quickly after V. campbellii injection and 100% cumulative mortality was obtained at 72–96 hpi. When WSSV‐injected shrimp were given sonicated V. campbellii instead of live V. campbellii, no synergistic effect was observed. Density of V. campbellii in the haemolymph of co‐infected moribund shrimp collected 10 h after V. campbellii injection was significantly higher than in shrimp injected with V. campbellii only (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in WSSV replication between shrimp inoculated with WSSV only compared with dually inoculated ones. This study revealed that prior infection with WSSV enhances the multiplication and disease inducing capacity of V. campbellii in shrimp.
Theory‐Based Health Behavior Change: Developing, Testing, and Applying Theories for Evidence‐Based Interventions
Authors: Lippke Sonia , Ziegelmann Jochen P.
Published: July 2008

Theories are needed to explain and predict health behavior, as well as for the design and evaluation of interventions. Although there has been a history of developing, testing, applying, and refining health behavior theories, debates and limitations in evidence exist: The component of theories which, for example, predicts change should be better elaborated so that we can more easily understand what actually drives behavior change. Theories need to be empirically testable in two ways. Theories need to specify a set of changeable predictors to describe, explain, and predict behavior change, and they should enable us to design an effective intervention that produces exactly those changes in behavior that are predicted by the relevant theory. To make this possible, theories need to be specified in such a way that they can be rigorously tested and falsified. Moreover, for the design of theory‐based interventions it must be possible to derive change techniques from the theory and to use them to generate changes in behavior. Based on eight state‐of‐the‐science articles that make conceptual and empirical contributions to the current debate on health behavior theories, various approaches are discussed to gain further insights into explaining and changing health behaviors and the iterative process of theory development.
A Theory of Physical Activity Maintenance
Authors: Nigg Claudio R. , Borrelli Belinda , Maddock Jay , Dishman Rod K.
Published: July 2008

Regular physical activity is related to numerous psychological and physical benefits. Physical activity interventions have had varying degrees of success with adoption; however, maintenance over the long term is even more difficult to achieve, as the majority of individuals who start a physical activity program drop out or relapse. Although the physical activity maintenance literature is scant, there is evidence that the predictors of adoption are different from those of maintenance. Thus, it follows that physical activity adoption and maintenance require unique approaches. The explanatory power of such predictors, however, is limited by the absence of a cogent theoretical framework. Therefore, this paper presents the Physical Activity Maintenance (PAM) theory, which incorporates individual psychosocial variables (goal‐setting, motivation, and self‐efficacy), and contextual variables of the environment and life stress (triggers of relapse). Goal‐setting is framed as satisfaction, attainment, and commitment; motivation as self‐motivation and expectations; and self‐efficacy as both barrier and relapse. The contextual variables may facilitate or impede physical activity maintenance directly and indirectly via the individual psychosocial variables. The PAM is presented to stimulate research on physical activity maintenance and advance our understanding of how and why people do and do not maintain physical activity long term.
Prediction of Behaviour vs. Prediction of Behaviour Change: The Role of Motivational Moderators in the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Skår Silje , Sniehotta Falko F , Araújo‐Soares Vera , Molloy Gerard J.
Published: July 2008

Research has identified moderating variables of the cognition–behaviour relationship in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). These include intention certainty, affective–cognitive congruence of attitudes, attitudinal ambivalence, and past behaviour. It has not yet been systematically tested if these moderators apply in similar ways to the prediction of behaviour and behaviour change (when past behaviour is controlled). A sample of 1,418 university students completed measures of the direct predictors of the TPB (perceived behavioural control; PBC and intention), intention certainty, affective–cognitive congruence of attitudes, attitudinal ambivalence, and the Godin Leisure Time Physical Exercise Questionnaire at the beginning of the academic year and two months later. Data were analysed using moderated hierarchical linear regressions. Without controlling for baseline behaviour, intention certainty and affective–cognitive congruence moderated both the intention–behaviour and PBC–behaviour relationships and showed additional main effects. Attitudinal ambivalence did not contribute to the prediction. When past behaviour was controlled, the main effects were attenuated and only the intention certainty* PBC interaction remained significant. Predictors of behaviour do not necessarily predict behaviour change. The TPB‐related moderators studied here weakly contributed to the prediction of behaviour change. Proposals for increasing the predictive power of TPB for behaviour change are discussed.
Theory Testing Using Quantitative Predictions of Effect Size
Authors: Velicer Wayne F. , Cumming Geoff , Fava Joseph L. , Rossi Joseph S. , Prochaska James O. , Johnson Janet
Published: July 2008

Traditional Null Hypothesis Testing procedures are poorly adapted to theory testing. The methodology can mislead researchers in several ways, including: (a) a lack of power can result in an erroneous rejection of the theory; (b) the focus on directionality (ordinal tests) rather than more precise quantitative predictions limits the information gained; and (c) the misuse of probability values to indicate effect size. An alternative approach is proposed which involves employing the theory to generate explicit effect size predictions that are compared to the effect size estimates and related confidence intervals to test the theoretical predictions. This procedure is illustrated employing the Transtheoretical Model. Data from a sample (N = 3,967) of smokers from a large New England HMO system were used to test the model. There were a total of 15 predictions evaluated, each involving the relation between Stage of Change and one of the other 15 Transtheoretical Model variables. For each variable, omega‐squared and the related confidence interval were calculated and compared to the predicted effect sizes. Eleven of the 15 predictions were confirmed, providing support for the theoretical model. Quantitative predictions represent a much more direct, informative, and strong test of a theory than the traditional test of significance.
Tapping Deep Pockets: The Role of Resources and Social Capital on Financial Capital Acquisition by Biotechnology Firms in Biotech–Pharma Alliances
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Shanthi , Scillitoe Joanne L. , Santoro Michael D.
Published: July 2008

abstract

Strategic alliances with pharmaceutical firms allow small biotechnology firms to acquire needed financial capital in exchange for sharing new, cutting‐edge technologies. This study draws from aspects of resource‐based view and social capital theory to examine the factors that influence the extent of financial capital biotech firms acquire when forming an alliance with pharmaceutical firms. Using a sample of 184 alliances from the period 1995–2000, we found that alliances where the pharmaceutical firm has greater management control are associated with greater acquisition of financial capital by the biotech firm. We also found that the credibility of the pharmaceutical firm is positively associated with the extent of financial capital acquired by the biotechnology firm and that the number of patents that the biotech firm has is negatively associated to the financial capital the biotech firm receives. We discuss the implications of our findings for theory, research, and management practice.
Examining the Conditional Limits of Relational Governance: Specialized Assets, Performance Ambiguity, and Long‐Standing Ties
Authors: Poppo Laura , Zhou Kevin Zheng , Zenger Todd R.
Published: July 2008

abstract Despite recognition of the benefits of relational governance in inter‐organizational exchanges, factors that may erode its value have received little examination. We extend the literature by asking whether self‐interested opportunities and long‐standing ties erode the positive association between relational governance and performance. Consistent with transaction cost and moral hazard logics, exchange hazards, particularly asset specificity and difficult performance measurement, dampen the positive association of relational governance and performance. We further find, consistent with recent inquiries into the dark side of embedded ties that the performance benefits associated with relational governance decline when parties rely on repeated partnerships.
Validity and reliability of measures of television viewing time and other non‐occupational sedentary behaviour of adults: a review
Authors: Clark Bronwyn K. , Sugiyama Takemi , Healy Genevieve N. , Salmon Jo , Dunstan David W. , Owen Neville
Published: July 2008

Time spent in non‐occupational sedentary behaviours (particularly television viewing time) is associated with excess adiposity and an increased risk of metabolic disorders among adults; however, there are no reviews of the validity and reliability of assessing these behaviours. This paper aims to document measures used to assess adults' time spent in leisure‐time sedentary behaviours and to review the evidence on their reliability and validity. Medline, CINAHL and Psych INFO databases and reference lists from published papers were searched to identify studies in which leisure‐time sedentary behaviours had been measured in adults. Sixty papers reporting measurement of at least one type of leisure‐time sedentary behaviour were identified. Television viewing time was the most commonly measured sedentary behaviour. The main method of data collection was by questionnaire. Nine studies examined reliability and three examined validity for the questionnaire method of data collection. Test–retest reliabilities were predominantly moderate to high, but the validity studies reported large differences in correlations of self‐completion questionnaire data with the various referent measures used. To strengthen future epidemiological and health behaviour studies, the development of reliable and valid self‐report instruments that cover the full range of leisure‐time sedentary behaviour is a priority.
Motivators and Inhibitors for University Faculty in Distance and e‐learning
Authors: Cook Ruth Gannon , Ley Kathryn , Crawford Caroline , Warner Allen
Published: July 2008

This article reports on four United States studies of how rewards systems, extrinsic and intrinsic, could play an important role in providing incentives for university faculty to teach (or remain teaching) electronic and distance education courses. The first three studies conducted prior to 2003 reported faculty were inherently motivated to teach e‐learning and distance education. The fourth study in 2003 reported key findings that differed from the earlier studies. Using a principal components analysis, the researchers found nine indicators of motivation to participate or not participate in electronic or distance education. The implications from the fourth study indicated that, while faculty members were inherently committed to helping students, faculty members wanted their basic physiological needs met by university administration through extrinsic motivators, such as salary increases and course releases.
Proactivity Directed Toward the Team and Organization: The Role of Leadership, Commitment and Role‐breadth Self‐efficacy
Authors: Strauss Karoline , Griffin Mark A. , Rafferty Alannah E.
Published: July 2008

Employees' proactive behaviour is increasingly important for organizations seeking to adapt in uncertain economic environments. This study examined the link between leadership and proactive behaviour. We differentiated between organizational leadership and team leadership and proposed that transformational leadership by team leaders would enhance commitment to the team, which would predict team member proactivity. In contrast, transformational leadership by leaders of the organization would enhance commitment to the organization, which we expected to predict organization member proactivity. Transformational leadership on both levels was expected to increase employees' role‐breadth self‐efficacy, the confidence necessary to engage in proactive behaviour. Our results demonstrate the importance of leadership as an antecedent of proactive work behaviour and suggest that leadership at different levels influences proactivity via different mediators. Transformational team leaders seem to facilitate proactivity by increasing employees' confidence to initiate change. Transformational organizational leaders on the other hand increase proactivity by enhancing employees' commitment to the organization.
Multinationals and Exports in a Large and Protected Developing Country
Authors: Cinquetti Carlos A.
Published: July 2008

This paper examines an industry‐level model developed to analyze the impact of affiliates of multinational firms (MNFs) on the host country's revealed comparative advantages (RCAs), which predicts that the referred impact is given by both technology service and industry orientation. Based on Brazilian manufacturing industries during the import‐substitution industrialization, panel data estimates show that MNFs negatively affected RCA, which is explained by location advantages in industries presenting comparative disadvantages, as reinforced by a location model. Two other important results are: (i) import protection had a stronger anti‐export effect on multinationals than on national firms; (ii) MNFs were concentrated in industries with lower world‐export growth.
The Second Phase of US Welfare Reform, 2000–2006: Blaming the Poor Again?
Authors: Daguerre Anne
Published: July 2008

This article examines the evolution of the programme Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) since 1996. In 1996, the transformation of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) marked a watershed in American social policy. AFDC was the main US public assistance programme for single parents. By the mid‐1990s, it was also the most unpopular social programme in the United States, which explained why Bill Clinton promised to ‘end welfare as we know it’ during his presidential campaign in 1996. TANF ended automatic individual entitlement to public assistance, established a five‐year time limit for receiving cash assistance, and promoted a punitive approach towards welfare recipients, who were in theory increasingly required to work in exchange for benefits. This approach is known as the Work First Approach. Cash assistance was temporary, and granted as a favour to low‐income mothers, who were required to comply with various behavioural requirements. TANF was hailed as a tremendous success on both sides of the political spectrum. This bipartisan consensus explains why the new Republican administration (G. W. Bush became President in January 2001) wanted to build upon the existing programme.
Retrenchment, Expansion and the Transformation of Mexican Social Protection Policies
Authors: Dion Michelle
Published: July 2008

Social protection policies in Mexico have been transformed since 1988 through partial retrenchment of social insurance and significant expansion of targeted or means‐tested social assistance. These changes reflect a substantial redefinition of social protection through incremental changes in policy. The changes reflect the abandonment of the goal of developing an employment‐based, universal welfare regime, which had been pursued by Mexican governments as late as the 1970s. Instead, recent administrations have moved towards the redefinition of Mexico's welfare regime into a residual, means‐tested model with significant private provision of benefits and services. This shift in social protection is consistent with the change in Mexico's overall economic development strategy and increasing political competition in the process of democratization.
A High‐Frequency Investigation of the Interaction between Volatility and DAX Returns
Authors: Masset Philippe , Wallmeier Martin
Published: July 2008

One of the most noticeable stylised facts in finance is that stock index returns are negatively correlated with changes in volatility. The economic rationale for the effect is still controversial. The competing explanations have different implications for the origin of the relationship: Are volatility changes induced by index movements, or inversely, does volatility drive index returns? To differentiate between the alternative hypotheses, we analyse the lead‐lag relationship of option implied volatility and index return in Germany based on Granger causality tests and impulse‐response functions. Our dataset consists of all transactions in DAX options and futures over the time period from 1995 to 2005. Analyzing returns over 5‐minute intervals, we find that the relationship is return‐driven in the sense that index returns Granger cause volatility changes. This causal relationship is statistically and economically significant and can be clearly separated from the contemporaneous correlation. The largest part of the implied volatility response occurs immediately, but we also observe a smaller retarded reaction for up to one hour. A volatility feedback effect is not discernible. If it exists, the stock market appears to correctly anticipate its importance for index returns.
Trust‐annotated ontology integration using social modelling*
Authors: Hooijmaijers Dennis , Stumptner Markus
Published: July 2008

Abstract:As ontologies become more prevalent for information management the need to manage the ontologies increases. Multiple organizations, within a domain, often combine to work on specific projects. When separate organizations come together to communicate, an alignment of terminology and semantics is required. Ontology creation is often privatized for these individual organizations to represent their view of the domain. This creates problems with alignment and integration, making it necessary to consider how much each ontology should influence the current decision to be made. To assist with determining influence a trust‐based approach on authors and their ontologies provides a mechanism for ranking reasoning results. A representation of authors and the individual resources they provide for the merged ontology becomes necessary. The authors are then weighted by trust and trust for the resources they provide the ontology is calculated. This is then used to assist the integration process allowing for an evolutionary trust model to calculate the level of credibility of resources. Once the integration is complete semantic agreement between ontologies allows for the revision of the authors' trust.
An empirical comparison of scalable part–whole ontology engineering patterns
Authors: Lefort Laurent , Taylor Kerry , Ratcliffe David
Published: July 2008

Abstract: To enhance aerospace applications such as supply chain management or maintenance tracking and reliability assessment, aircraft manufacturers need to enrich their electronic documentation systems with better conceptualizations of the aerospace domain. Because of the number and diversity of products and parts in an aircraft, ontologies to model this domain can potentially be very large. Therefore, it is critical to have scalable ontology generation approaches, along with an understanding of how the design of these ontologies has an impact on the performance of description logic reasoners that can operate over them. In this paper, we investigate how to achieve this goal though the application of best practice ontology engineering patterns. In particular, we examine two types of ontology engineering patterns used to instantiate large‐scale ontologies based on part–whole relations. The first approach is a direct implementation of the part–whole guidelines published by W3C. The second approach uses right‐identity axioms supported by the EL+ description logic. The results of our empirical evaluation show the benefits of the latter approach, whereby the CEL reasoner is able to perform the task of classification over large ontologies significantly faster than the description logic reasoners FaCT++, RACER and Pellet that operate over comparable ontologies designed using the W3C pattern.
Agent‐based ontology mapping and integration towards interoperability
Authors: Li Li , Yang Yun
Published: July 2008

Abstract: Interoperability is an important issue in ontology research. In this paper, a novel agent‐based framework for managing ontologies in a dynamic environment is developed. The framework has several key characteristics such as flexibility and extensibility that differentiate this research from others. Based on the proposed framework, ontology mapping and integration are investigated. It is believed that inter‐ontology processes like ontology mapping with logical semantics are foundations of ontology‐based applications. Accordingly, several types of semantic relations are proposed and corresponding mapping mechanisms are developed. Based on mapping results, ontology integration is developed to provide abstract views for participating organizations in the presence of a variety of ontologies. A prototype is built to demonstrate the design and functionalities and is applied to beer ontologies. The prototype shows that the framework is not only flexible but also practical. All agents derived from the framework exhibit their behaviours as expected.
Approaches for semantic interoperability between domain ontologies
Authors: Orgun Bhavna , Dras Mark , Nayak Abhaya , James Geoff
Published: July 2008

Abstract:Domain ontologies and knowledge‐based systems have become very important in the agent and semantic web communities. As their use has increased, providing means of resolving semantic differences has also become very important. In this paper we survey the approaches that have been proposed for providing interoperability among domain ontologies. We also discuss some key issues that still need to be addressed if we are to move from semi‐automated to fully automated approaches to providing consensus among heterogeneous ontologies.
Could male circumcision reduce HIV incidence in the UK?*
Authors: Rice BD , Delpech VC , Evans BG
Published: July 2008

We consider the public health relevance of three recent African clinical trials showing male circumcision (MC) to reduce female‐to‐male transmission of HIV for the UK. Although heterosexually acquired HIV infections now account for the majority of new diagnoses in the UK each year, it is important to note that when considering the public health relevance of MC for the UK a large majority of these infections are acquired abroad. Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain those most at risk of acquiring their HIV infection in the UK. The efficacy and effectiveness of MC among MSM and in particular its protective role in unprotected anal intercourse between men remains unknown. Any future consideration of the role of MC in reducing HIV incidence in the UK should not be at the expense of weakening existing effective interventions.
Effect of early initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy on CD4 cell count and HIV‐RNA viral load trends within 24 months of the onset of acute retroviral syndrome*
Authors: Voirin N , Routy J‐P , Smith D , Baratin D , Trépo C , Cotte L , Touraine J‐L , Livrozet J‐M , Cooper DA , Ritter J , André P , Vanhems P
Published: July 2008

Objectives

The effect of starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) early after the onset of acute retroviral syndrome (ARS) on CD4 and HIV‐RNA trends was studied over a 2‐year follow‐up period.

Methods

Four groups of HIV‐infected patients stratified according to the time interval from ARS onset to HAART initiation and a control group of untreated patients were compared.

Results
The results indicated that the earlier the start of HAART, the faster was the rate of CD4 increase and HIV‐RNA decrease. However, this difference did not seem to persist at 24 months.

Conclusions

The optimal treatment strategy for HIV‐infected patients needs to be explored further.
Potential health risks of complementary alternative medicines in HIV patients
Authors: Ladenheim D , Horn O , Werneke U , Phillpot M , Murungi A , Theobald N , Orkin C
Published: July 2008

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and purpose of complementary alternative medicines (CAMs) use in people receiving treatment for HIV infection. To identify and quantify potential health risks of CAM use in this population and to explore options for improved pharmacovigilance.

Methods

Cross‐sectional questionnaire survey of 293 patients receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy at three specialist HIV out‐patient clinics in central London, UK. The use of herbal medicines and supplements was explored, and potentially adverse side effects or significant drug interactions with conventional therapies were identified.

Results

Of the 293 patients included, 61% (n=179) were taking herbal remedies or supplements and 35% (n=103) were using physical treatments. Twenty‐seven per cent (n=80) used a combination of both. Twenty per cent (n=59) potentially compromised their HIV management through using CAM therapy. Ten per cent (n=29) were advised to stop their CAMs and 15% (n=43) were made aware of potential drug interactions and adverse effects and were advised to monitor their care.

Conclusions

There are potentially significant health risks posed by the concomitant use of CAMs in patients taking ARV therapy. Medical practitioners need to be able to identify CAM use in HIV‐positive patients and recognize potential health risks. Patients should be encouraged to disclose CAM use to their clinicians and other healthcare professionals.
Prediction of phenotypic susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs using physiochemical properties of the primary enzymatic structure combined with artificial neural networks
Authors: Kjær J , Høj L , Fox Z , Lundgren JD
Published: July 2008

Objectives

Genotypic interpretation systems extrapolate observed associations in datasets to predict viral susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for given isolates. We aimed to develop and validate an approach using artificial neural networks (ANNs) that employ descriptors of physiochemical properties for mutations in HIV‐1 protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) to predict phenotypic susceptibility to all currently approved ARVs.

Method

We extracted pairs of PR and RT gene sequences (n=1507; 98.5% sub‐type B) and their corresponding exact phenotype values (PhenoSense only, n=10 132) from the Stanford HIV database. All amino acid positions and mixture codes were accounted for. For each ARV, an ANN was trained with 10‐fold internal cross‐validation. The predictive abilities of these trained ANNs were validated on separate datasets.

Results

Correlation coefficients between observed and predicted phenotype values in the 10‐fold cross‐validation ranged from: 0.75 (tenofovir) to 0.94 [lamivudine (3TC)] for nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs); 0.82 [efavirenz (EFV)] to 0.83 [nevirapine (NVP)] for non‐nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs); and 0.83 (atazanavir) to 0.92 (ritonavir) for PR inhibitors (PIs). For the validation set the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.76 (didanosine) to 0.96 (3TC) for NRTIs; 0.68 (EFV) to 0.81 (NVP) for NNRTIs; and 0.88 (amprenavir) to 0.95 (saquinavir) for PIs. For C sub‐type predictions, with ANNs trained on sub‐type B data, the correlation coefficient was 0.89.

Conclusions

ANNs, based on the physiochemical properties of the PR and RT amino‐acid sequences, predict phenotypic susceptibility to ARVs inhibiting these enzymes to an extent that is comparable to routine phenotypic susceptibility testing. These ANNs can also be used to predict resistance to C sub‐types.
MRI in the classical MM1 and the atypical MV2 subtypes of sporadic CJD: an inter‐observer agreement study
Authors: Krasnianski A. , Kallenberg K. , Collie D. A. , Meissner B. , Schulz‐Schaeffer W. J. , Heinemann U. , Varges D. , Summers D. M. , Kretzschmar H. A. , Talbot T. , Will R. G. , Zerr I.
Published: July 2008

Background and purpose:  To establish radiological features in the atypical MV2 subtype of sCJD compared with the classical MM1 subtype, as well as region‐ and sequence‐dependent inter‐observer correlation.

Methods:  MRI hyperintensity of basal ganglia (BG), cortex and thalamus was evaluated in 31 MM1 and 32 MV2 patients. Each MR scan was analyzed independently by two neuroradiologists blinded to PRNP genotype/prion protein type.

Results:  Cumulative T2‐sensitivity for BG hyperintensity was higher in the MV2 subtype (84% for both observers versus 61% in observer 1/42% in observer 2 in MM1 patients). Significant inter‐observer agreement was found for BG and thalamus on T2, FLAIR, PD and DWI, but for cortex only on DWI. Thalamic changes were significantly more frequent in MV2 than in MM1 patients (cumulative sensitivity 86% vs. 12.5% on DWI).

Discussion:  The high frequency of thalamic hyperintensity in the MV2 subtype allowed differentiation from MM1 patients. Good inter‐observer agreement was found for BG and thalamus in all sequences. DWI showed the highest inter‐observer correlation independent of the investigated brain region and was therefore not only highly sensitive but also relatively independent of investigator bias. Since inter‐observer correlation for cortical hyperintensity in T2, FLAIR and PD is relatively low, the cortical changes should not be over‐interpreted with these sequences.
Older people within transnational families: the social policy implications
Authors: Lunt Neil
Published: July 2008

Given that more people ‘permanently’ migrate today than in the past, migration has taken on a heightened profile internationally. Such mobility raises fundamental social policy questions of entitlement and (re)negotiation of caregiving obligations and arrangements. Social policy has traditionally approached problems and developed responses within the confines of the nation‐state and faces difficulties in recognising and addressing issues arising from mobility. Migration contributes to family being ‘stretched’ beyond national boundaries to become dispersed, global or transnational families. This article focuses attention on one dimension of transnational living – older people as members of transnational families. The combination of increasing population mobility and the elongation of new post‐retirement life‐stages is resulting in a set of pressing social policy issues. It explores immigration, pension eligibility and portability, and social services and caregiving issues. To illustrate these issues the article draws on New Zealand's diverse transnational family forms and experience.
Pruritus is a common and significant symptom of acne
Authors: Lim YL , Chan YH , Yosipovitch G , Greaves MW
Published: July 2008

Background  Acne is a common condition in both adolescents and adults. Characteristics of acne are well described, but itch is rarely mentioned as a clinical feature. Pruritus could be a significant contributory factor to the burden of disability in patients with acne.

Objective  We examine the prevalence of pruritus and its clinical attributes in patients with acne in an outpatient clinic.

Study design  Descriptive study over a 15 month period from October 2005 to December 2006.

Patients and methods  120 consecutive patients with acne attending an outpatient clinic at National Skin Centre, Singapore were recruited. Pruritus was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Severity of acne was determined using FDA Global Acne Grading.

Results  84 patients (70%) reported itch in acne. Patients who experienced itch in acne tended to be slightly older (p = 0.05). Majority of patients (83%) reported itch at noon and most experienced itch on a transient nature. The most common descriptor of itch was tickling (68%). Severity of pruritus in acne was comparable to mosquito‐bite and it significantly affected patients’ mood (55%). Common aggravating factors for the pruritus were sweat (71%), heat (62%) and stress (31%). A significant proportion of patients with itch (52%) had scratched or rubbed the affected area while 37% would wash the area to find relief.

Conclusion  Our results suggest that itch is a common and significant symptom in acne. Acne patients experienced considerable disability due to the associated pruritus.
Persons with Disabilities as Parents: What is the Problem?
Authors: Reinders Hans S.
Published: July 2008

Background  This paper discusses the recent debate on parenting by people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands. By and large this debate has been dominated by disastrous examples of child abuse and neglect in families where one or both parents have a disability. Feeding on horror stories the media have construed the issue as one of moral and legal constraint: should people with disabilities be allowed to have children? In view of this construal, many professionals in the field have rejected the debate as irrelevant. In their view the issue is about support, not about constraint.

Aim  The national organization for self‐advocacy in The Netherlands has claimed the right to parenting based on the principle of equal citizenship. This paper aims at (1) reconstructing and (2) evaluating the positions taken in the Dutch debate since its incipience in 2002, particularly with regard to this principle.

Method  A philosophical reconstruction of how the moral principle of equal citizenship structured the Dutch debate on parenting by people with intellectual disabilities, in particular with regard to the nation of ‘good enough parenting’.

Conclusion  The analysis shows how the principle of equal citizenship guided research in The Netherlands and how it is crucial in criticizing negative responses that depend on stereotyping of people with intellectual disabilities as parents. It indicates how in at least two instances, these responses can be shown to constitute a case of discrimination against these people.
Mothering with Intellectual Disabilities: Relationship Between Social Support, Health and Well‐Being, Parenting and Child Behaviour Outcomes
Authors: Aunos Marjorie , Feldman Maurice , Goupil Georgette
Published: July 2008

Background  There is a general agreement in the literature that no systematic correlation exists between parental intellectual disability per se and parenting performance. Yet, a few studies in the field of parents and parenting with intellectual disability have explored other potential determinants of parenting and child outcomes. In this study, we examined the relationship between maternal social support, psychological well‐being, parenting style, quality of the home environment and child problem behaviours.

Materials and Methods  The sample included 32 mothers recruited through agencies that offer services exclusively to persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, and each mother’s oldest child in the 2‐ to 13‐year age range. In a series of semi‐structured interviews, participating mothers completed a demographic and social support questionnaire, the SF‐36 (health measure), the Parenting Stress Index, the HOME Inventory and the Child Behavior Checklist. Parenting style was assessed using the Canadian National Longitudinal Study on Children and Youth parenting questionnaire.

Results  On an average, the participating mothers reported poorer physical and mental health compared with population norms. However, a few reported clinically significant levels of parenting stress. Overall, the target children did not have significant problem behaviours, but these were more common in older children. Main findings include a significant correlation between parenting stress, parenting style and perceived child problem behaviours.

Conclusion  Global assessment, including health status (mental and physical) and level of parenting stress, as well as everyday life and parenting skills is recommended as basis for designing individualized supports and services for mothers with intellectual disabilities.
The ‘Mother’ behind the Mother: Three Generations of Mothers with Intellectual Disabilities and their Family Support Networks
Authors: Traustadóttir Rannveig , Sigurjónsdóttir Hanna Björg
Published: July 2008

Background  Given appropriate supports mothers with intellectual disabilities can successfully raise their children. Historically, this support has been provided by extended family members while support from formal services is a recent development. This paper examines the role of extended family members in assisting mothers with intellectual disabilities to keep and raise their children.

Methods  Qualitative methods were used to study three generations of mothers with intellectual disabilities and their children over half a century (1950–2005). Eighteen mothers were key participants in this study. Data were collected through participant observation and in‐depth interviews with mothers, their children, partners, extended family members and professionals.

Results  Despite the development of formal support services, the importance of assistance from extended family continues to be crucial in determining whether mothers with intellectual disabilities retain custody of their children. In‐depth examination of the support offered by family members reveals that women relatives referred to as ‘mothers’ played the most important role. The ‘mother’ was a non‐disabled woman who provided practical and emotional assistance and advocated on behalf of the disabled mother and her family. If successful, the ‘mother’s’ advocacy was found to play a crucial role in facilitating the maintenance of the custody of the children by their birth mothers.

Conclusions  This study indicates that provision of formal services has changed the nature of help needed from extended family members with advocacy and assistance in dealing with the service system becoming increasingly important.