bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulatory reform of the UK gas market: The sase of the storage auction
Authors: Hawdon David , Stevens Nicola 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe UK gas industry has undergone major changes since it was privatised in 1986 as a fully integrated monopoly. The most significant of these has occurred not as a result of the privatisation legislation but by the intervention of the ordinary competition authorities in support of an active industry regulator. While price capping continues to be used as the primary instrument for welfare protection against the still substantial monopolistic powers of the incumbent, new competition (which has been positively encouraged) has had the greater impact on prices and choice. Recently, however, the regulator has encouraged the use of auctions for the sale of storage capacity. This paper considers the merits of auctions and makes a tentative evaluation of their effectiveness. Further use of auctions is recommended but reserve prices are considered inappropriate where monopoly power still remains.
Yardstick and incentive issues in UK electricity distribution price controls
Authors: Weyman‐Jones Thomas 
Published: December 2007

AbstractElectricity distribution is a primary candidate for regulation since it is a natural monopoly whose costs it would be inefficient to duplicate in a competitive market. In the UK since privatisation of the electricity industry in 1990, this regulation has emphasised incentives for cost efficiency through the use of RPI‐X price capping applied to 14 regional distribution businesses. The paper examines the issues that have arisen in implementation, including the practice of bench‐marking the operating and capital expenditures of different companies. It analyses how the price set at the beginning of each review period depends on the determination of cost yardsticks, the weighted average cost of capital and the regulatory asset base of the companies. The analytical model is used to evaluate Ofgem's 1999 Distribution Price Control Review and compares it with other European distribution price regulations.
Application of labour and employment law beyond the contract of employment
Authors: FREEDLAND Mark 
Published: December 2007

Abstract:The personal scope of employment law is the subject of much ongoing debate. Arguing that an exclusively contractual analysis of this domain is unsatisfactory, the author constructs a European‐based empirical typology distinguishing the personal work relations of “standard employees”, public officials, “liberal professions”, individual entrepreneurial workers, marginal workers, and labour market entrants. These categories and their inter‐relationships are then analysed dynamically in terms of “personal work nexuses” ‐ a concept encompassing complex legal ramifications beyond the contractual framework. The conclusions highlight the value of this analytical approach to recent efforts by the ILO and the European Commission to “modernize” labour law.
Beyond corporate codes of conduct: Work organization and labour standards at Nike's suppliers
Authors: LOCKE Richard , KOCHAN Thomas , ROMIS Monica , QIN Fei 
Published: December 2007

Abstract:What role can corporate codes of conduct play in monitoring compliance with international labour standards and improving working conditions in global supply chains? Addressing this question, the authors first summarize the results of research on factory audits of working conditions in 800 of Nike's suppliers in 51 countries and two intensive case studies. They then discuss how the codes fit into the broader array of institutions, policies and practices aimed at regulating and improving working conditions, suggesting an evolutionary and complementary approach to regulating working conditions in global supply chains. They outline additional research and institutional innovations needed to test these ideas.
The distribution of earnings in OECD countries
Authors: ATKINSON Anthony B. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract:Earnings inequality in the OECD countries is commonly seen to have widened considerably since 1980 ‐ and this is generally explained by the steady increase in relative demand for skilled labour due to skill‐biased technical change and the growing exposure of unskilled workers to international competition through globalization. But this single explanation now looks questionable: the increase in inequality has been uneven across countries, and greater earnings dispersion has mostly been occurring at the top of the distribution. This article takes a fresh look at the evidence and considers alternative explanations to supplement that provided by the race between technology and education.
The informal economy, insecurity and social cohesion in Latin America
Authors: TOKMAN Víctor E. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract:Most Latin American countries adopted the welfare state as a model, though developing it in very different ways and, often, imperfectly because of structural differences between them and the industrialized countries. Social protection coverage is still patchy, with many informal‐sector workers not covered and widespread public feelings of insecurity. The author examines the complicated structural and labour situation and the latest ideas in Latin America and the European Union to strengthen social cohesion. He analyses approaches to incorporating the informal sector into the modern sector, addressing social exclusion, combining flexibility for employers with security for workers, and achieving near‐universal social protection.
Implications of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Penicillin Resistance and Serotype Distribution in Kuwait for Disease Treatment and Prevention
Authors: Mokaddas Eiman M. , Rotimi Vincent O. , Albert M. John 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
causes serious infections. Treatment is difficult because of the emergence of penicillin resistance in
S. pneumoniae
. Pneumococcal vaccines offer the promise of control and prevention of pneumococcal infections. Serotype prevalence and penicillin susceptibility data for a country will predict the usefulness of the vaccines in that country. In Kuwait, the 23-valent polysaccharide and the 7-valent conjugate vaccines are being used without knowledge of the prevalent serotypes in the country. To obtain the necessary background information, data on penicillin susceptibility and serogroups were obtained from 397 consecutive clinical isolates collected during 2004 and 2005. Two hundred fifty-three isolates (64%) were penicillin resistant, and resistance was significantly higher in patients ≤15 years old and among the upper respiratory tract and eye isolates. The most common serotypes were 23F, 19F, 6A, 6B, 14, and 19A. Among the penicillin-resistant strains, the most common serotypes were 23F, 19F, 6B, 14, and 9A. Among the invasive strains, the most common serotypes were 14, 23F, 19A, and 9V. The polysaccharide vaccine gave 82% coverage against invasive infections in all age groups >2 years. The coverage of the 7-valent conjugate vaccine against invasive serotypes in children ≤2 years old was 55%. This moderate coverage by the conjugate vaccine against invasive infections in children necessitates a revised strategy on the use of the present conjugate vaccine and shows the need for formulation of an improved vaccine for superior coverage for Kuwait and possibly other countries of the Arabian Gulf.
Peptide Impurities in Commercial Synthetic Peptides and Their Implications for Vaccine Trial Assessment
Authors: Currier Jeffrey R. , Galley Lynee M. , Wenschuh Holger , Morafo Vivian , Ratto-Kim Silvia , Gray Clive M. , Maboko Leonard , Hoelscher Michael , Marovich Mary A. , Cox Josephine H. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

The advent of T-cell assay methodologies that are amenable to high throughput coupled with the availability of large libraries of overlapping peptides have revolutionized the fields of vaccine efficacy testing and cellular immune response assessment. Since T-cell assay performance is critically dependent upon the quality and specificity of the stimulating peptides, assurance of high-quality and reliable input peptides is an important aspect of assay validation. Herein, we demonstrate that individual peptides from large human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-based peptide library sets obtained directly from two independent custom peptide suppliers contained contaminating peptides capable of giving false-positive results, which were consistent with nominal antigen-specific CD8
+
T-cell responses. In-depth investigation of the cellular response in terms of responding CD8
+
T-cell frequency and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction led to the conclusion that one set of HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-derived peptides was contaminated with a peptide from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which is commonly used in cellular immunology research applications. Analytical characterization of the original stock of the suspect HIV-1 peptide confirmed the presence of ∼1% by weight of the HCMV peptide. These observations have critical implications for quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) of peptides used in clinical trials where cellular immune-based assays are important end-point determinants. We propose a simple schema of biological QA/QC protocols to augment the standard biochemical QA/QC analyses as a means to circumvent this and other problems that can affect cellular immune-based assay outcome and interpretation.
A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Safety and Immunogenicity Study of a Refrigerator-Stable Formulation of Zostavax
Authors: Gilderman Larry I. , Lawless James F. , Nolen Thomas M. , Sterling Tina , Rutledge Ruth Z. , Fernsler Doreen A. , Azrolan Neal , Sutradhar Santosh C. , Wang William W. , Chan Ivan S. F. , Schlienger Katia , Schödel Florian , Silber Jeffrey L. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

The vaccine Zostavax has been shown to prevent herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia and is recommended for individuals ≥60 years of age. This study compared the safety and the immunogenicity of a refrigerator-stable formulation (Zostavax refrigerated) with those of the current formulation (Zostavax frozen) in subjects ≥50 years of age. Subjects with a negative history for HZ were randomized 1:1 to receive one dose of either formulation. Enrollment was stratified 1:2 by age (50 to 59 years and ≥60 years). Safety was evaluated for 28 days postvaccination. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody responses were measured by a glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA). The primary endpoints were the VZV antibody geometric mean titer (GMT; day 28), the VZV antibody geometric mean rise (GMR; days 1 to 28), and the incidence of vaccine-related serious adverse experiences (AEs) over 28 days. The refrigerated (
n
= 182) and frozen (
n
= 185) formulations induced similar GMTs (727.4 and 834.4 gpELISA units/ml, respectively); the estimated GMT ratio (refrigerated formulation/frozen formulation) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 1.07). The GMRs were 2.6- and 2.9-fold, respectively. No vaccine-related serious AEs were reported in either group, and the safety profiles of the formulations were generally similar. The frequencies of injection-site AEs during follow-up were 35.6% and 46.4% in the refrigerated and the frozen formulation groups, respectively, and were generally mild. The frequencies of systemic AEs were similar in the two groups, and those of vaccine-related AEs were ∼6% in both groups. The refrigerator-stable formulation of Zostavax has an acceptable safety profile and is as immunogenic as the frozen formulation; thus, the vaccine may be used in clinical settings where freezer availability is limited.
Detection of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
by a Sonicate Immunoassay Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Yakes Betsy Jean , Lipert Robert J. , Bannantine John P. , Porter Marc D. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

A sandwich immunoassay for the rapid, low-level detection of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
has been developed.
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is the causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle, and one of the major obstacles in controlling the spread of this disease is the inability to rapidly detect small amounts of bacteria or other diagnostic markers shed during the subclinical stage of infection. This paper details the development and performance of an assay for sonicated
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
lysate that is based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). There are two key components of the assay: (i) an immobilized layer of monoclonal antibodies that target a surface protein on the microorganism; and (ii) extrinsic Raman labels (ERLs) that are designed to selectively bind to captured proteins and produce large SERS signals. By correlating the number of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
bacilli present prior to sonication to the amount of total protein in the resulting sonicate, the detection limit determined for total protein can be translated to the microorganism concentration. These findings yield detection limits of 100 and 200 ng/ml (estimated to be 500 and 1,000
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
bacilli/ml) for sonicate spiked in phosphate buffer and sonicate spiked in whole milk, respectively. Moreover, the time required to complete the assay, which includes sample preparation, antigen extraction, ERL incubation, and readout, is less than 24 h. The potential for incorporation of this novel assay into diagnostic laboratories is also briefly discussed.
Profiling Antibodies to
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
by Multiplex Microbead Suspension Arrays for Serodiagnosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Khan Imran H. , Ravindran Resmi , Yee JoAnn , Ziman Melanie , Lewinsohn David M. , Gennaro Marila L. , Flynn JoAnne L. , Goulding Celia W. , DeRiemer Kathryn , Lerche Nickolas W. , Luciw Paul A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global disease. The fatality rate attributed to TB is among the highest of infectious diseases, with approximately 2 million deaths occurring per year worldwide. Identification of individuals infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and screening of their immediate contacts is crucial for controlling the spread of TB. Current methods for detection of
M. tuberculosis
infection are not efficient, in particular, for testing large numbers of samples. We report a novel and efficient multiplex microbead immunoassay (MMIA), based on Luminex technology, for profiling antibodies to
M. tuberculosis.
Microbead sets identifiable by unique fluorescence were individually coated with each of several
M. tuberculosis
antigens and tested in multiplex format for antibody detection in the experimental nonhuman primate model of TB. Certain
M. tuberculosis
antigens, e.g., ESAT-6, CFP-10, and HspX, were included to enhance the specificity of the MMIA, because these antigens are absent in nontuberculous mycobacteria and the vaccine strain
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette-Guérin. The MMIA enabled simultaneous detection of multiple
M. tuberculosis
plasma antibodies in several cohorts of macaques representing different stages of infection and/or disease. Antibody profiles were defined in early and latent/chronic infection. These proof-of-concept findings demonstrate the potential clinical use of the MMIA. In addition, the MMIA serodetection system has a potential for mining
M. tuberculosis
open reading frames (about 4,000) to discover novel target proteins for the development of more-comprehensive TB serodiagnostic tests.
VirB12 Is a Serological Marker ofBrucellaInfection in Experimental and Natural Hosts
Authors: Rolán Hortensia G. , den Hartigh Andreas B. , Kahl-McDonagh Melissa , Ficht Thomas , Adams L. Garry , Tsolis Renée M. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTTheBrucellaspecies type IV secretion system, encoded by thevirB1-12locus, is required for intracellular replication and persistent infection in vivo. The requirement of VirB proteins for infection suggests that they are expressed in vivo and may therefore represent serological markers of infection. To test this idea, we purified recombinant VirB1, VirB5, VirB11, and VirB12 and tested for their recognition by antibodies in sera from experimentally infected mice and goats by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody responses to VirB12 but not to VirB1, VirB5, or VirB11 were detected in 20/20 mice experimentally inoculated withBrucella abortusand 12/12 goats experimentally infected withBrucella melitensis. The potential use of VirB12 as a serological tool for the diagnosis of brucellosis was evaluated in the natural bovine host. Serum samples from 145 cattle of known serology (29% negative and 71% positive) were analyzed for the production of antibody responses to VirB12. One hundred two cattle samples (70.3%) were positive for antibodies to VirB12, while 43 samples were negative (29.7%). A positive serological response to VirB12 correlated with positive serology to wholeB. abortusantigen in 99% of samples tested. These results show that VirB12 is expressed during infection of both experimental and natural hosts ofBrucellaspecies, and they suggest that VirB12 may be a useful serodiagnostic marker for brucellosis.
Humoral Immune Responses of Type 1 Diabetes Patients to
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
Lend Support to the Infectious Trigger Hypothesis
Authors: Sechi Leonardo A. , Rosu Valentina , Pacifico Adolfo , Fadda Giovanni , Ahmed Niyaz , Zanetti Stefania 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is a zoonotic pathogen whose association with Crohn's disease in humans is under scrutiny. The objective of this work was to investigate its association with other chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), where the involvement of a persistent pathogen such as
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
could be the trigger. For this purpose, 59 diabetic patients and 59 healthy controls were investigated for the presence of antibodies against two recombinant proteins of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
and the whole-cell lysate. Extremely significant humoral immune responses to recombinant heparin binding hemagglutinin and glycosyl transferase proteins and the whole-cell lysates of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
bacilli were observed in T1DM patients and compared to those of healthy controls. Finding evidence of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
involvement in T1DM is perhaps a novel finding that might serve as a foundation stone in establishing an infectious etiology for T1DM.
Cryptococcal Glucoxylomannan Does Not Exhibit Cross-Reactivity in the MVista
Histoplasma
Antigen Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: Zhuang David , Hage Chadi , De Jesus Magdia , Hackett Emily , Durkin Michelle , Davis Thomas E. , Casadevall Arturo , Wheat L. Joseph 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

The potential for cross-reaction between
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Histoplasma capsulatum
in antigen assays was evaluated. We tested patient samples, spleens from infected mice, and purified polysaccharides in the MVista
Histoplasma
antigen enzyme immunoassay and cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system for cross-reactivity, and none was observed.
Performance Characteristics of Microparticle Enzyme and Chemiluminescence Immunoassays for Measurement of Anti-HBc Immunoglobulin M in Sera of Patients with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Hadziyannis Emilia , Manesis Emanuel , Vassilopoulos Dimitrios , Georgiou Anastasia , Archimandritis Athanasios 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTThe IMx, AxSym, and Architect immunoglobulin M anti-HBc assay systems for detecting hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection were compared. Despite good intra- and interassay coefficients of variation, significantly different values and low correlation (overestimation by AxSym and underestimation by Architect) were observed. Association and cutoff values for distinguishing patients with viral replication should be established for all methods.
Activation of Innate Immunity in Healthy
Macaca mulatta
Macaques by a Single Subcutaneous Dose of GMP CpG 7909: Safety Data and Interferon-Inducible Protein-10 Kinetics for Humans and Macaques
Authors: Stewart V. Ann , McGrath Shannon , Krieg Arthur M. , Larson Noelle S. , Angov Evelina , Smith Christopher L. , Brewer Thomas G. , Heppner D. Gray 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Following a demonstration that mouse-optimized cytosine-guanosine dinucleotide (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides stimulated innate immune protection against intracellular pathogens, we tested the ability of CpG 7909, a primate-optimized Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, to stimulate rhesus macaques to produce interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), a biomarker of immune activation. This study was performed prior to a similar trial with humans in order to facilitate the development of CpG 7909 as an immunomodulator for biodefense. A single subcutaneous dose of clinical-grade CpG 7909 was given to four groups of healthy adult rhesus macaques (0-mg dose [
n
= 5], 0.75-mg dose [
n
= 9], 1.5-mg dose [
n
= 9], and 3.0-mg dose [
n
= 9]). Directed physical examination findings, clinical laboratory values, and serum IP-10 concentrations were collected at scheduled intervals for 28 days. All three dose levels of CpG 7909 were safe and not associated with significant clinical or laboratory abnormality. The time to peak serum IP-10 concentration was 1.0 days at the 0.75-mg dose and 0.5 days at the 1.5- and 3.0-mg doses. A dose-dependent response was observed for the magnitude and duration of IP-10 concentrations, which remained significantly above baseline for 3 days for the 3.0-mg and 1.5-mg dose groups but above baseline for only 2 days for the 0.75-mg dose group. There were no nonresponders to CpG 7909. These rhesus macaque safety and IP-10 response data closely parallel a subsequent phase 1 human study of subcutaneously administered CpG 7909. A single dose of clinical-grade CpG 7909 induced a rapid, sustained IP-10 response, a biomarker for activation of the innate immune system. Given the similar susceptibilities of humans and rhesus macaques to infectious diseases, the rhesus macaque appears to be a suitable model to evaluate the potential of CpG 7909-mediated innate immune activation to protect humans against pathogens.
Use of Commercial Enzyme Immunoassays To Detect Antibodies to the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Glycoprotein G in a Low-Risk Population in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Thoai D. , Laeyendecker Oliver , La Hanh , Hogrefe Wayne , Morrow Rhoda Ashley , Quinn Thomas C. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Sera from 1,238 Vietnamese women in Hanoi were tested for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 prevalence was 2.0%. The Kalon and Biokit assays showed significantly higher concordance to Western blotting data than did the Focus assay (
P
< 0.01). Screening by Focus and then retesting with Kalon/Biokit of positive samples can reduce falsely positive results significantly (
P
< 0.01).