bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TOPO TA is A‐OK: a test of phylogenetic bias in fungal environmental clone library construction
Authors: Taylor D. Lee , Herriott Ian C. , Long James , O'Neill Keith 
Published: March 2007

SummaryTA cloning methods are widely used in analyses of environmental microbial diversity, yet the potential of TA methods to yield phylogenetically biased results has received little attention. To test for a TA bias, we constructed clone libraries of fungal amplicons spanning the ribosomal internally transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial large subunit (LSU) from 92 boreal forest soil DNA extracts using two contrasting methods: the Invitrogen TOPO‐TA system and the Lucigen PCR‐SMART system. The Lucigen system utilizes blunt‐ended rather than TA cloning and transcription terminators to reduce biases due to toxicity of expressed inserts. We analysed 588 clone sequences from the two libraries. Species diversity estimators applied to operational taxonomical units (OTUs) were slightly higher for Invitrogen than Lucigen, but confidence intervals for accumulation curves overlapped. Abundances of OTUs were correlated between the libraries (r2 = 0.5, P < 0.0001), but certain OTUs had contrasting abundances in the two libraries and a likelihood ratio test rejected homogeneity of the OTU counts. We constructed parsimony and Bayesian trees from aligned LSU regions, and the ‘phylogenetic test’ revealed that lineage representation was not significantly different between the two libraries. We conclude that characterization of this fungal community was fairly robust to cloning method and no biases due to TA cloning were found.
Capacity Constraints and Hedge Fund Strategy Returns
Authors: Naik Narayan Y. , Ramadorai Tarun , Stromqvist Maria 
Published: March 2007

Abstract Hedge funds have generated significant absolute returns (alpha) in the decade between 1995 and 2004. However, the level of alpha has declined substantially over this period. We investigate whether capacity constraints at the level of hedge fund strategies have been responsible for this decline. For four out of eight hedge fund strategies, capital inflows have statistically preceded negative movements in alpha, consistent with this hypothesis. We also find evidence that hedge fund fees have increased over the same period. Our results provide support for the

Berk and Green (2004)

rational model of active portfolio management.
The Performance of Hedge Fund Strategies and the Asymmetry of Return Distributions
Authors: Ding Bill , Shawky Hany A. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract We present hedge fund performance estimates that adjust for stale prices, Fama‐French risk factors and skewness. We contrast these new performance estimates with traditional performance measures. Using three‐factor models to adjust for staleness in prices and to incorporate Fama‐French factors along with the Harvey‐Siddique (2000) two‐factor model that incorporates skewness, we find that for the period 1990–2003, all hedge fund categories achieve above average performance when measured against an aggregate market index. More significantly, however, when we estimate performance at the individual hedge fund level, we discover that only 40 to 47% of the funds are shown to achieve an above average performance over that time period depending on the model used. These results have important implications for investors, endowments and pensions when they choose hedge fund managers.
The Evolution of an Innovation System in a Rural Area: The Case of La Pocatière, Québec
Authors: DOLOREUX DAVID , DIONNE STÈVE , JEAN BRUNO 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article aims to examine the development trajectory of a local innovation system in a rural region, namely La Pocatière, Québec (Canada), from an extended historical perspective (1830–2005). More specifically, its objective is to identify and analyse historical factors that give us a better understanding of the main determinants of the special heritage of this innovation system and of the institutional context in which it emerged and evolved. In short, the relation between the dynamics of innovation and institutional change is examined over time. Historical documents are analysed and the research provides a description and contextualization of the development of this innovation system, and of its spread, particularly in the farming and agricultural‐science sector initially, and subsequently in technological and industrial areas (physical technologies and the transport equipment industry). Four main periods are described, corresponding to changes in types of institutional behaviour in relation to innovation: a phase of setting up pioneering institutions and innovations (1827–1911), a phase of growth and influence of the agricultural‐science institutions (1911–62), a phase of rupture, economic diversification and development of the technological cluster (1962–97), and a phase of redeployment and growing complexity of the elements of the innovation system (1997–2005).
City‐Regions, Neoliberal Globalization and Democracy: A Research Agenda
Authors: PURCELL MARK 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper argues that research on city‐regions could benefit from more sustained and critical attention to the question of democracy. That is, it should examine more closely how decisions in city‐regions are made, why they are made that way, and how they can be made more democratically. Much current research on politics in cities has framed the issue in terms of citizenship. That work has produced great insight. However, the attention to citizenship has prompted very little attention to democracy, even though the two concepts are deeply intertwined. Current interest in city‐regions opens up the possibility that a vibrant line of research on democracy can be added to and engage with that on citizenship.
Connecting the gendered door: women, violence and doorwork*
Authors: Hobbs Dick , O'Brien Kate , Westmarland Louise 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper explores the emerging role of women who work as ‘bouncers’, or doorstaff, in the night‐time economy and examines how the cultural capital of the female bouncer is connected to the methods utilized to control licensed premises. It is drawn from a study that combined ethnographic observations and interviews in five major UK cities which explored a diverse range of issues such as gendered bodies, femininities and violence; the changing needs of the night‐time economy in the UK and the experiences of women engaged in ‘non‐traditional’ occupations. In this paper, we draw on interview data with one particular category of female door staff; women who share similar histories of exposure to violence and violent cultures, and we examine how their experiential knowledge of violence equips them with the resources to ‘work the doors’. Our attention focuses on this group of women, who we refer to as ‘The Connected’, and examine how they are ‘doing gender’ when they negotiate violence ‘on the door’
The changing practice of eating: evidence from UK time diaries, 1975 and 20001
Authors: Cheng Shu‐Li , Olsen Wendy , Southerton Dale , Warde Alan 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper examines some central themes about change in consumption behaviour through an empirical investigation of the practice of eating. It analyses patterns of food consumption in the UK using time diary data from 1975 and 2000. The practice of eating is decomposed into four component activities which are used to explore systematically the inter‐relationships between social processes – such as commodification and temporal fragmentation – and ways of providing and consuming food. It charts the expansion of eating out, the degree to which it substitutes for other eating activities, and the implications of its development for social relations and the temporal organization of daily life. Analysis reveals that food consumption continues to be differentiated along established lines of social division, although the content of those divisions has changed and varies across components of the practice. Increasing commodification of the food chain is documented, but without appearing to have a corrosive impact on household organization or social relationships. While tendencies indicative of temporal fragmentation are revealed, counter‐tendencies exist which suggest that the practice of eating is resilient to many forms of external pressure. Finally, the application of a practice‐based analytical approach permits critical evaluation of theories of social transformation.
Operationalizing Max Weber's probability concept of class situation: the concept of social class1
Authors: Smith Ken 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this essay I take seriously Max Weber's astonishingly neglected claim that class situation may be defined, not in categorial terms, butprobabilistically. I then apply this idea to another equally neglected claim made by Weber that the boundaries of social classes may be determined by the degree of social mobilitywithinsuch classes. Taking these two ideas together I develop the idea of a non‐categorial boundary ‘surface’ between classes and of a social class ‘corridor’ made up of all those people who are still to be found within the boundaries of the social class into which they were born. I call social mobilitywithina social class ‘intra‐class social mobility’ and social mobilitybetweenclasses ‘inter‐class social mobility’. I also claim that this distinction resolves the dispute between those sociologists who claim that late industrial societies are still highly class bound and those who think that this is no longer the case. Both schools are right I think, but one is referring to a high degree of intra‐class social mobility and the other to an equally high degree of inter‐class mobility. Finally I claim that this essay provides sociology with only one example among many other possible applications of how probability theory might usefully be used to overcome boundary problems generally in sociology.
Putting Adam Ferguson in his place1
Authors: Brewer John D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper re‐conceptualizes the relationship between Ferguson's life and work by locating him in his biographical and geographical context for the purposes of better understanding his proto‐sociological writings. Ferguson's work is relatively unknown outside limited sets of literature and current representations of the link between his life and work risk misplacing him as both Scotsman and sociologist. The popular portrayal suggests there is a strong connection between his Highland background and his famous book An Essay on the History of Civil Society. It will be argued that this claim reproduces the social construction of space in Scottish society and is based on stereotypical views of his birthplace and upbringing. Ferguson did not construct an autobiographical narrative to offer his own understanding of the link between his life and work. This reflects the strengths and weaknesses of sociology as it was developing in the eighteenth century. The ‘self’ was not recognized as an object of intention or symbolic construction. Ferguson's writings analysed modernity as it was emerging in eighteenth‐century Lowland Scotland and contrary to common opinion, there was no self‐identity as a Highlander to shape his understanding of that social process.
Screening of the endothelin1 gene (EDN1) in a cohort of patients with essential left ventricular hypertrophy.
Authors: Castro M. G. , Rodríguez‐Pascual F. , Magán‐Marchal N. , Reguero J. R. , Alonso‐Montes C. , Morís C. , Alvarez V. , Lamas S. , Coto E. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryOur objective was to analyse the role of endothelin1 gene (EDN1) variation in essential left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We searched for EDN1 variants in 145 Spanish patients with an essential form of LVH (not secondary to hypertension, aortic stenosis, or any other disease that could explain the hypertrophy). The five EDN1 coding exons and 1.5 kilobases of the promoter region were analysed through single strand conformation analysis and direct sequencing. We found four nucleotide changes: ‐1224 C/A (promoter), ‐131 ins/del A (exon 1, 5′‐non‐translated sequence), A/G in codon 106 (exon 3, silent), and G/T in codon 198 (exon 5, lys198asn). To determine the association between these polymorphisms and cardiac hypertrophy, we compared the genotype frequencies from these 145 patients with 250 healthy controls. We found a higher frequency of patients homozygous for 198 lys (198 KK) (65% vs. 52%; p = 0.01; OR = 1.76) and for –1224 AA (73% vs. 66%; p = 0.19). Homozygotes for ‐1224 A + 198 K (AA+KK) were significantly more frequent in patients (62% vs. 45%; p = 0.0007; OR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.35‐3.25). The expression of the –1224 C/A and exon 5 K198N variants was analysed with cells in culture. These in vitro studies showed that these variations did not differ in their expression levels. In conclusion, our work has shown that EDN1 variation, and in particular homozygosity for the ‐1224A/198K haplotype, is associated with the risk of developing cardiac hypertrophy. However, these EDN1 variants do not affect in vitro gene expression.
Competition with Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca overrides environmental factors in determining productivity of Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus
Authors: CURTIS ODETTE E. , HOCKEY PHILIP A. R. , KOESLAG ANN 
Published: March 2007

We studied a population of Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus that has recently colonized the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Black Sparrowhawks are winter breeders: over most of their range winters are dry, but the Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate, with most rain falling in winter. The birds bred at an average density of 38 pairs/100 km2. Monitoring of 70 breeding attempts by 26 pairs showed that the birds favoured large stands of trees for breeding. Birds breeding in smaller stands were more randomly spaced, dispersion being determined by habitat availability. Parameters related to climate, habitat and aspects of nest‐site selection failed to predict the birds’ productivity despite the fact that they had recently colonized a novel climatic window. Rather, productivity was best explained by the probability of nest usurpation by highly aggressive Egyptian Geese Alopochen aegyptiaca. Pairs encountering Goose usurpation problems raised an average of 0.76 chicks per breeding attempt, compared with 1.58 chicks for pairs without Geese. The only defence against nest usurpation by Geese appears to be the construction of multiple nests, an option most available to and most exploited by birds breeding in large stands of trees.
Constant Current Electrophoretic Infiltration Deposition of Fiber‐Reinforced Ceramic Composites
Authors: Bao Yahua , Nicholson Patrick S. 
Published: March 2007

Modified electrophoretic infiltration deposition (EPID) under constant current conditions is used to fabricate non‐conductive‐fiber‐reinforced composites from an ethanol suspension. Particles are infiltrated through a fiber preform by an electric field and are deposited on the front of the electrode and “backfill” through the fiber preform. A uniform morphology is achieved at the optimum deposition rate. The constant current EPID process is modeled as capillary infiltration electrophoresis. Particles “stream” the fiber preform due to the repulsive interaction between the fiber filaments and the particles as both have the same‐sign surface charge. Electro‐osmotic flow makes no contribution to deposit yield as the net flow across a closed capillary cross section is zero. Hamaker's law is extended to electrophoretic infiltration; however, the total deposit yield is controlled by particle electrophoresis outside the capillaries due to the much lower electric field in the suspension. The deposit thickness increases linearly with time under optimum current conditions. Too high a deposition rate promotes air entrapment in the depositing green body.
Dendritic Cell‐Based Immunotherapy of Malignant Melanoma: Success and Limitations
Authors: Tuettenberg Andrea , Schmitt Edgar , Knop Jürgen , Jonuleit Helmut 
Published: March 2007

SummaryDendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen‐presenting cells in the immune system which are able to induce primary T‐cell responses. Because of their central role in the initiation of immune responses, DC are an important tool for tumor‐antigen‐specific immunotherapy of cancer. DC vaccination using tumor‐antigen‐loaded DC has led to tumor regression in individual advanced‐stage cancer patients. However, there is a discrepancy between strong and antigen‐specific T cell responses in vaccinated cancer patients detectable ex vivo and only weak clinical responses. In most cases the immune system of advanced stage IV cancer patients allows only a temporary anti‐tumor response and increasing evidence exists that active suppressive mechanisms of the immune system as well as of the tumor itself ultimately prevent “autoaggressive“ immune reactions against the tumor. Active counter‐regulation of effector T cells by tumor‐antigen‐specific regulatory T‐cell (Treg) populations play a central role in limiting the efficacy of the vaccines. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that DC,additionally activated byToll‐Like‐receptor ligands (TLRL) can neutralize these suppressive effects of Treg and facilitate the induction of long‐lasting effector T cell responses even in the presence of activated Treg. These studies open a new way for “conditioning“ of DC by TLRL and might significantly enhance the efficiency of DC‐based melanoma vaccines in the future.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with bullae associated with porphyria cutanea tarda
Authors: Peitsch Wiebke K. , Lorentz Katharina , Goebeler Matthias , Goerdt Sergij 
Published: March 2007

SummaryA 58‐year‐old patient presented with both annular and polycyclic as well as vesicular lesions. Histology revealed an interface dermatitis with focal hyperkeratosis and subepidermal blistering. Antinuclear antibodies were elevated (1 : 1280) and autoantibodies against Ro‐SS‐A were found. Based on these findings we made a diagnosis of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) with blister formation. Additionally, we diagnosed porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) triggered by alcohol abuse. Treatment with systemic corti‐costeroids and low‐dose hydroxy‐chloroquine led to rapid resolution of the skin changes.SCLE with blister formation is a rare cause of bullous skin eruptions and has to be distinguished from bullous autoimmune diseases as well as from bullous SLE. Recognition of concomitant PCT, which may be associated with all forms of LE, is especially important because of the therapeutic implications, since a reduced dosage of antimalarials is required.
Deception and Dishonesty with Data: Fraud in Science
Authors: Hand David 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The scientific community was shaken last year when leading stem cell and cloning researcher Woo Suk Hwang was accused of making up his results. He is not alone; Newton, Sigmund Freud and Nobel prizewinners have all been accused of being less than honest with data. David Hand looks at fraud in science and finds it is hardly rare.
Bay! Bar Charts
Authors: Reese Allan 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Allan Reese has often asserted that authors and editors appear less able to proofread graphs than text. It is hard to prove such a claim except by parading examples that, had they been expressed in text, would fall into the category that Private Eye calls “Colemanballs”—things you would never say with brain fully engaged. Here, he provides a few such examples.
Application of Law to the Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Authors: Alderman Jess , Smith Jason A. , Fried Ellen J. , Daynard Richard A. 
Published: March 2007

Childhood obesity is a national public health problem. Regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, children are “gaining weight to a dangerous degree and at an alarming rate.” Since 1980, the number of overweight children has doubled; among adolescents the number has almost tripled. Today, among children who are more than six years old, about nine million are obese. Many of the factors that contribute to obesity occur at a societal level, prompting the Surgeon General to conclude that preventing obesity is a “community responsibility.”Childhood obesity is, in many important respects, a result of legal policy. Law shapes the situational and environmental influences that drive both dietary intake and physical activity. Government, public health advocates, and the food industry all use the law to alter these influences in furtherance of their respective goals. Public interest advocates attempt to persuade government and corporations to act in the interest of public health while the industry focuses on profit.
Local Venues for Change: Legal Strategies for Healthy Environments
Authors: Ashe Marice , Feldstein Lisa M. , Graff Samantha , Kline Randolph , Pinkas Debora , Zellers Leslie 
Published: March 2007

Mounting evidence documents the extraordinary toll on human health resulting from the consumption of unhealthy food products and physical inactivity. Diseases related to poor nutrition – such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers – are among the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. Poor diet and lack of exercise come second only to tobacco use in actual causes of preventable death in this country. It is estimated that 6% of all adult health care, 7% of Medicare, and 11% of Medicaid expenditures are attributable to obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the direct medical cost associated with physical inactivity was nearly $76.6 billion in 2000.In response to America's growing obesity problem, local policymakers have been looking for legal strategies to adopt in their communities to encourage healthful behaviors. Taking the lead from the successful tobacco control movement, nutrition advocates are seeking strategies to “denormalize” unhealthy behaviors, rather than pursuing education-based approaches that encourage individuals to change their own personal behavior.
Connecting Distributions with Power Tails on the Real Line, the Half Line and the Interval
Authors: Jones M.C. 
Published: March 2007

Summary Univariate continuous distributions have three possible types of support exemplified by: the whole real line, , the semi‐finite intervaland the bounded interval (0,1). This paper is about connecting distributions on these supports via ‘natural’ simple transformations in such a way that tail properties are preserved. In particular, this work is focussed on the case where the tails (at ±∞) of densities are heavy, decreasing as a (negative) power of their argument; connections are then especially elegant. At boundaries (0 and 1), densities behave conformably with a directly related dependence on power of argument. The transformation from (0,1) tois the standard odds transformation. The transformation fromtois a novel identity‐minus‐reciprocal transformation. The main points of contact with existing distributions are with the transformations involved in the Birnbaum–Saunders distribution and, especially, the Johnson family of distributions. Relationships between various other existing and newly proposed distributions are explored.
A Note About the Ground State of the Hydrogen Molecule
Authors: Turbiner Alexander V. , Guevara Nicolais L. 
Published: March 2007

A trial function is presented for the H2 molecule which provides the most accurate (the lowest) Bohr-Oppenheimer ground state energy among few-parametric trial functions (with ≤14 parameters). It includes the electronic correlation term in the form ~ exp (γr12) where γ is a variational parameter.