bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trial by fire: a multivariate examination of the relation between job tenure and work injuries
Authors: Breslin F C , Smith P 
Published: December 2005

Aims:This study examined the relation between months on the job and lost-time claim rates, with a particular focus on age related differences.Methods:Workers’ compensation records and labour force survey data were used to compute claim rates per 1000 full time equivalents. To adjust for potential confounding, multivariate analyses included age, sex, occupation, and industry, as well job tenure as predictors of claim rates.Results:At any age, the claim rates decline as time on the job increases. For example, workers in the first month on the job were over four times more likely to have a lost-time claim than workers with over one year in their current job. The job tenure injury associations were stronger among males, the goods industry, manual occupations, and older adult workers.Conclusions:The present results suggest that all worker subgroups examined show increased risk when new on the job. Recommendations for improving this situation include earlier training, starting workers in low hazard conditions, reducing job turnover rates in firms, and improved monitoring of hazard exposures that new workers encounter.
Laboratory work and pregnancy outcomes: a study within the National Birth Cohort in Denmark
Authors: Zhu J L , Knudsen L E , Andersen A-M N , Hjollund N H , Olsen J 
Published: December 2005

Aims:To examine pregnancy outcomes in women doing laboratory work.Methods:Using data from the Danish National Birth Cohort (1997–2003), the authors conducted a prospective cohort study of 1025 female laboratory technicians and 8037 female teachers (as reference). The laboratory technicians were asked about laboratory work tasks during pregnancy in an interview (at around 16 weeks of gestation). Pregnancy outcomes were obtained by linking the cohort to the national registers. Hazard ratios (HRs) of late fetal loss and diagnosing of congenital malformations were calculated by using Cox regression, and odds ratios (ORs) of preterm birth and small for gestational age were calculated by using logistic regression.Results:Overall, there were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between laboratory technicians and teachers. However, we found that laboratory technicians working with radioimmunoassay or radiolabelling had an increased risk of preterm birth (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 6.2 for radioimmunoassay, and OR = 1.9, 95% CI 0.8 to 4.6 for radiolabelling) and “major” malformations (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.7 for radioimmunoassay, and HR = 1.8, 95% CI 0.9 to 3.7 for radiolabelling). The ORs of preterm birth doubled for women working with these tasks every day or several times a week. When an exposure matrix was applied, an increased risk of “major” malformations for exposure to organic solvents was seen.Conclusions:The results did not indicate any high risk of reproductive failures in laboratory technicians in general. Exposure to radioisotopes may carry a high risk of preterm birth and congenital malformations. This finding deserves further investigation.
OPERADS AND JET MODULES
Authors: NIEPER-WISSKIRCHEN MARC A. 
Published: December 2005

Let A be an algebra over an operad in a cocomplete closed symmetric monoidal category. We study the category of A-modules. We define certain symmetric product functors of such modules generalizing the tensor product of modules over commutative algebras, which we use to define the notion of a jet module. This in turn generalizes the notion of a jet module over a module over a classical commutative algebra. We are able to define Atiyah classes (i.e., obstructions to the existence of connections) in this generalized context. We use certain model structures on the category of A-modules to study the properties of these Atiyah classes. The purpose of the paper is not to present any really deep theorem. It is more about the right concepts when dealing with modules over an algebra that is defined over an arbitrary operad, i.e., the aim is to show how to generalize various classical constructions, including modules of jets, the Atiyah class and the curvature, to the operadic context. For convenience of the reader and for the purpose of defining the notations, the basic definitions of the theory of operads and model categories are included.
Some Suggestions Towards Better Implementation of the United Nations Agreement on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 1995
Authors: Nandan Satya , Lodge Michael 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn light of the upcoming Conference to review implementation of the 1995 United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA), this article: (1) reviews the main contribution of UNFSA to high seas fisheries governance; (2) notes issues that have arisen regarding implementation of UNFSA; and (3) suggests ways these might be addressed. Though the main problems pertain to inadequate implementation of the provisions of UNFSA, the article also addresses two areas that require further attention at the global level within the framework of UNFSA. The first involves discrete high seas fish stocks, particularly deep sea fish stocks and the impacts of destructive fishing practices. The second is the absence within RFMOs of a mechanism for allocation of allowable catches or levels that also takes conservation interests into consideration together with the economic and social interests of states. Specific recommendations for action are summarised in Annex II.
Addressing Regulatory Gaps in High Seas Fisheries
Authors: Molenaar Erik Jaap 
Published: December 2005

AbstractGeographical and substantive regulatory gaps in high seas fisheries are serious weaknesses in the current global regime for the governance of marine capture fisheries. This article discusses recent developments on the establishment of new regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and arrangements, identifies geographical gaps and examines scenarios to fill these. In view of the need for upgrading existing fishery bodies to ensure compatibility with the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, ample attention is devoted to the tool of performance assessments. Also examined in depth are the constraints for coastal States that wish to exercise their sovereign rights in relation to fishing practices that impact on sedentary species on their outer continental shelf. The discussion of the reform of the international legal regime for high seas fisheries is in particular devoted to discrete high seas fish stocks.
Ecosystem Considerations in Fisheries Management: Theory and Practice
Authors: Parsons Scott 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThis article examines recent developments with respect to the development and application of an ecosystem approach in marine fisheries management. A number of international fisheries legal instruments now include explicit references to ecosystem considerations. While there has been general agreement on the need to take ecosystem considerations into account, there is no clarity or consensus on how this can best be done. Various definitions of an ecosystem approach emphasise that the focus must be on managing the human activities, which are part of, and impact on, marine ecosystems. An ecosystem approach is neither inconsistent with, nor a replacement for, existing fisheries management approaches—it is not a panacea for the problems confronting world fisheries. Realistically, we can only move to an ecosystem approach incrementally, starting with more rigorous/cautious application and extension of single species methods. A key element of any ecosystem approach will likely be to set harvest rates for target species at even lower conservative levels than might be suggested by single species analysis. Fisheries management measures should also ensure the protection not only of target species, but also of non-target, associated or dependent species. Reducing the killing power of the world's fishing fleets is an essential component of ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Implementing Existing Tools: Turning Words Into Actions – Decision-Making Processes of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs)
Authors: McDorman Ted 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThis paper deals with decision-making processes within those regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) with the capacity to adopt management measures respecting either straddling or highly migratory fish stocks. The perception is that the decisions emanating from RFMOs are not achieving the goal of sustainable management of the fish stocks. Concerns raised in this regard are the perceived: non-adherence of RFMO decisions to science; lack of timeliness in making decisions; ability of RFMO members to avoid certain decisions; and adoption of management decisions that are not sufficiently rigorous. This contribution does not seek to evaluate the validity of the perception, rather it explores the manner in which RFMO conventions (the constitutive texts of RFMOs) deal with the decision-making process by looking at the trends within RFMOs, the challenges that exist and suggests ways to meet the challenges.
Economic Drivers of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
Authors: Schmidt Carl-Christian 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIUU fishing is an activity driven by economic factors, that is, the IUU fisher's expected net benefit. When expected net benefit is positive, the activity will continue somewhere, somehow. This underscores the importance of co-operation, international and regional, to ensure that the expected benefits from IUU activities are reduced by making sure potential loopholes are identified and fixed.OECD work on IUU fishing activities focuses on identifying new strategies that are based on the economics of the IUU activity. A number of key economic, institutional and social drivers have been identified, including excess fishing capacity, market value (price) of fish, the level of MCS (including VMS) operations and associated sanctions against IUU fishing, domestic management regimes, weak international legal frameworks and poor economic and social conditions in many parts of the fisheries world. These economic, institutional and social drivers underpin or weaken the profitability of IUU activities.In devising new strategies and measures to combat IUU fishing, it is essential to identify instruments that either reduce the expected income stream or alternatively increase the costs of the activity. To change the "expected benefit" of IUU fishing operations a number of actions can be taken. Among the promising avenues are efforts to step up monitoring and surveillance of IUU fishing activities. However, to be effective these also require that sufficiently restrictive levels of fines and penalties are in place. In the longer term, emphasis is also needed on more general development and educational activities that can provide fishers with alternative sources of income.
Verification of TMI-Adjusted Rainfall Analyses of Tropical Cyclones at ECMWF Using TRMM Precipitation Radar
Authors: Benedetti A. , Lopez P. , Moreau E. , Bauer P. , Venugopal V. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
A validation of passive microwave–adjusted rainfall analyses of tropical cyclones using spaceborne radar data is presented. This effort is part of the one-dimensional plus four-dimensional variational (1D+4D-Var) rain assimilation project that is being carried out at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Brightness temperatures or surface rain rates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are processed through a 1D-Var retrieval to derive values of total column water vapor that can be ingested into the operational ECMWF 4D-Var. As an indirect validation, the precipitation fields produced at the end of the 1D-Var minimization process are converted into equivalent radar reflectivity at the frequency of the TRMM precipitation radar (13.8 GHz) and are compared with the observations averaged at model resolution. The averaging process is validated using a sophisticated downscaling/upscaling approach that is based on wavelet decomposition. The precipitation radar measurements are ideal for this validation exercise, being approximately collocated with but completely independent of the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer measurements. Qualitative and statistical comparisons between radar observations and retrievals from the TMI-derived surface rain rates and from TMI radiances are made using 17 well-documented tropical cyclone occurrences between January and April of 2003. Several statistical measures, such as bias, root-mean-square error, and Heidke skill score, are introduced to assess the 1D-Var skill as well as the model background skill in producing a realistic rain distribution. Results show a good degree of skill in the retrievals, especially near the surface and for medium–heavy rain. The model background produces precipitation in the domain that is sometimes in excess with respect to the observations, and it often shows an error in the location of precipitation maxima. Differences between the two 1D-Var approaches are not large enough to make final conclusions regarding the advantages of one method over the other. Both methods are capable of redistributing the rain patterns according to the observations. It appears, however, that the brightness temperature approach is in general more effective in increasing precipitation amounts at moderate-to-high rainfall rates.
Selective activation of TACI by syndecan-2
Authors: Bischof Daniela , Elsawa Sherine F. , Mantchev George , Yoon Juhan , Michels Grace E. , Nilson Allan , Sutor Shari L. , Platt Jeffrey L. , Ansell Stephen M. , von Bulow Gotz , Bram Richard J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractB-lymphocyte homeostasis and function are regulated by complementary actions of the TNFR family members TACI, BCMA, and BAFF-R, which are expressed by mature B cells. How these receptors are differentially activated is not entirely understood, because the primary ligand BAFF binds to all three. We searched for alternative ligands for TACI using recombinant TACI-Fc fusion protein as a probe and identified syndecan-2 as a new binding partner. TACI binding appears to require heparan sulfate posttranslational modifications of syndecan-2, because free heparin or pretreatment with heparitinase blocked the interaction. Syndecan-2 bound TACI but bound neither BAFF-R nor BCMA. Transfected cells expressing syndecan-2 activated signaling through TACI, as indicated by an NFAT-specific reporter. Syndecan-1 and syndecan-4 were also able to induce TACI signaling in a similar manner. This is the first identification of ligands that selectively activate TACI without simultaneously triggering BCMA or BAFF-R. This finding may help explain the alternative outcomes of signaling from this family of receptors in B cells.
Altered IL-7Rα expression with aging and the potential implications of IL-7 therapy on CD8+ T-cell immune responses
Authors: Kim Hang-Rae , Hong Myung Sun , Dan Jin Myung , Kang Insoo 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
We investigated the effects of aging on the IL-7-mediated CD8+ T-cell survival pathway and of IL-7 therapy on T-cell immunity. Cells expressing IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) αhigh and αlow were identified in a CD45RA+ effector memory (EMCD45RA+, CD45RA+CCR7-) CD8+ T-cell subset. Elderly subjects (65 years and older) had an increased frequency of EMCD45RA+ IL-7Rαlow CD8+ T cells, leading to decreased STAT5 phosphorylation and survival responses to IL-7 compared with young subjects (40 years and younger). These EMCD45RA+ IL-7Rαlow cells were largely antigen experienced (CD27-CD28-), replicatively senescent (CD57+), and perforinhigh CD8+ T cells that had decreased IL-7Rα mRNA, independent of guanine and adenine binding protein α (GABPα) and growth factor independence-1 (GFI1) expression. In measuring T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells, the elderly had a limited repertoire in IL-7Rαhigh and IL-7Rαlow cells, whereas the young had a diverse repertoire in IL-7Rαhigh but not in IL-7Rαlow cells. These findings suggest that aging affects IL-7Rα expression by EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells, leading to impaired signaling and survival responses to IL-7, and that IL-7 therapy may improve the survival of EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells with a diverse TCR repertoire in the young but not in the elderly.
Induction and regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-12in human airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Xie Shaoping , Issa Razao , Sukkar Maria B , Oltmanns Ute , Bhavsar Pankaj K , Papi Alberto , Caramori Gaetano , Adcock Ian , Fan Chung K 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackgroundThe elastolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 has been implicated in the development of airway inflammation and remodeling. We investigated whether human airway smooth muscle cells could express and secrete MMP-12, thereby participating in the pathogenesis of airway inflammatory diseases.MethodsLaser capture microdissection was used to collect smooth muscle cells from human bronchial biopsy sections. MMP-12 mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. MMP-12 protein expression and secretion from cultured primary airway smooth muscle cells was further analysed by Western blot. MMP-12 protein localization in bronchial tissue sections was detected by immunohistochemistry. MMP-12 activity was determined by zymography. The TransAM AP-1 family kit was used to measure c-Jun activation and nuclear binding. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistical significance.ResultsWe provide evidence that MMP-12 mRNA and protein are expressed byin-situhuman airway smooth muscle cells obtained from bronchial biopsies of normal volunteers, and of patients with asthma, COPD and chronic cough. The pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1β, induced a >100-fold increase in MMP-12 gene expression and a >10-fold enhancement in MMP-12 activity of primary airway smooth muscle cell cultures. Selective inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase reduced the activity of IL-1β on MMP-12, indicating a role for these kinases in IL-1β-induced induction and release of MMP-12. IL-1β-induced MMP-12 activity and gene expression was down-regulated by the corticosteroid dexamethasone but up-regulated by the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α through enhancing activator protein-1 activation by IL-1β. Transforming growth factor-β had no significant effect on MMP-12 induction.ConclusionOur findings indicate that human airway smooth muscle cells express and secrete MMP-12 that is up-regulated by IL-1β and TNF-α. Bronchial smooth muscle cells may be an important source of elastolytic activity, thereby participating in remodeling in airway diseases such as COPD and chronic asthma.
Use of a food frequency questionnaire in American Indian and Caucasian pregnant women: a validation study
Authors: Baer Heather J , Blum Robin E , Rockett Helaine RH , Leppert Jill , Gardner Jane D , Suitor Carol W , Colditz Graham A 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Background
Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been validated in pregnant women, but few studies have focused specifically on low-income women and minorities. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Harvard Service FFQ (HSFFQ) among low-income American Indian and Caucasian pregnant women.

Methods
The 100-item HSFFQ was administered three times to a sample of pregnant women, and two sets of 24-hour recalls (six total) were collected at approximately 12 and 28 weeks of gestation. The sample included a total of 283 pregnant women who completed Phase 1 of the study and 246 women who completed Phase 2 of the study. Deattenuated Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare intakes of 24 nutrients estimated from the second and third FFQ to average intakes estimated from the week-12 and week-28 sets of diet recalls.

Results
Deattenuated correlations ranged from 0.09 (polyunsaturated fat) to 0.67 (calcium) for Phase 1 and from 0.27 (sucrose) to 0.63 (total fat) for Phase 2. Average deattenuated correlations for the two phases were 0.48 and 0.47, similar to those reported among other groups of pregnant women.

Conclusion
The HSFFQ is a simple self-administered questionnaire that is useful in classifying low-income American Indian and Caucasian women according to relative dietary intake during pregnancy. Its use as a research tool in this population may provide important information about associations of nutrient intakes with pregnancy outcomes and may help to identify groups of women who would benefit most from nutritional interventions.
In situ studies of algal biomass in relation to physicochemical characteristics of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Major Kelly M , Kirkwood Andrea E , Major Clinton S , McCreadie John W , Henley William J 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
This is the first in a series of experiments designed to characterize the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (SPNWR) ecosystem in northwestern Oklahoma and to catalogue its microbial inhabitants. The SPNWR is the remnant of an ancient ocean, encompassing ~65 km2 of variably hypersaline flat land, fed by tributaries of the Arkansas River. Relative algal biomass (i.e., chlorophyll concentrations attributed to Chlorophyll-a-containing oxygenic phototrophs) and physical and chemical parameters were monitored at three permanent stations for a one-year period (July 2000 to July 2001) using a nested block design. Salient features of the flats include annual air temperatures that ranged from -10 to 40°C, and similar to other arid/semi-arid environments, 15–20-degree daily swings were common. Shade is absent from the flats system; intense irradiance and high temperatures (air and sediment surface) resulted in low water availability across the SPNWR, with levels of only ca. 15 % at the sediment surface. Moreover, moderate daily winds were constant (ca. 8–12 km h-1), sometimes achieving maximum speeds of up to 137 km h-1. Typical of freshwater systems, orthophosphate (PO4
3-) concentrations were low, ranging from 0.04 to <1 μM; dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels were high, but spatially variable, ranging from ca. 250–600 μM (NO3
- + NO2
-) and 4–166 μM (NH4
+). Phototroph abundance was likely tied to nutrient availability, with high-nutrient sites exhibiting high Chl-a levels (ca. 1.46 mg m-2). Despite these harsh conditions, the phototrophic microbial community was unexpectedly diverse. Preliminary attempts to isolate and identify oxygenic phototrophs from SPNWR water and soil samples yielded 47 species from 20 taxa and 3 divisions. Our data indicate that highly variable, extreme environments might support phototrophic microbial communities characterized by higher species diversity than previously assumed.