bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of prehybridization PCR amplification on microarray detection of nitrifying bacteria in wastewater treatment plant samples
Authors: Siripong Slil , Kelly John J. , Stahl David A. , Rittmann Bruce E. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA gel‐based microarray that included a set of 26 oligonucleotide probes targeting all nitrifying bacteria at varying levels of specificity suggested the presence of targeted microorganisms when hybridized to RNA isolated from a wastewater treatment plant, but could not discriminate between perfectly matched and mismatched sequences due in part to low signal intensity. To enhance sensitivity and improve discrimination, polymerase chain reaction was used to selectively amplify the 16S rRNA genes of specific nitrifier groups. RNA transcribed from these DNA templates was hybridized to the microarray and thermal dissociation analysis was used to characterize the specificity of hybridization. Amplification with Nitrospira‐specific primers resulted in the selective amplification of this target group, confirmed by both a significant increase in signal intensity and a melting profile identical to the reference RNA. In contrast, Nitrobacter was not detected in the environmental samples with probe Nbac1000 despite pre‐amplification with Nitrobacter‐specific primers, indicating the absence of strains containing this Nitrobacter‐specific sequence. Pre‐amplification using primers specific for β‐Proteobacterial ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria resulted in a significant increase in signal intensity for probe Nso190, but melting profiles for probe Nso190 showed a slight deviation between amplified RNA and the reference microorganism, suggesting that the amplification products contained some sequences that varied by a single nucleotide difference in the probe target region.
High predictability of the seasonal dynamics of a species‐like Polynucleobacter population in a freshwater lake
Authors: Wu Qinglong L. , Hahn Martin W. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryOne of the key questions in microbial ecology is if seasonal patterns of bacterial community composition (BCC) observed in one year repeat in the following years. We have investigated if the recorded annual dynamics of a species‐like Polynucleobacter (subcluster PnecB) population allowed the prediction of the population dynamics in another year. The abundance of PnecB bacteria in the pelagic of temperate Lake Mondsee was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) over three consecutive years. The PnecB bacteria formed a persistent population, and were present in the entire water body of the lake. Two of the three investigated years differed strongly in summer temperatures and precipitation, which resulted in markedly different growth conditions. But despite of these different environmental conditions, the PnecB population demonstrated remarkably similar seasonal dynamics in the three investigated years. Water temperature was the best predictor of the population dynamics during the first half of the annual cycles. Statistical analysis also indicated influences of phytoplankton and metazooplankton successions on the PnecB population dynamics. Furthermore, 65 lakes and ponds were investigated for the presence of PnecB bacteria. They were detected in the majority (78%) of circum‐neutral and alkaline freshwater habitats, but not in any investigated acidic or saline habitat.
A preliminary revision of the genusPlecotus(Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results
Authors: Spitzenberger Friederike , Strelkov Petr P. , Winkler Hans , Haring Elisabeth 
Published: May 2006

The phylogenetic relationships within the genusPlecotuswere assessed using molecular as well as morphological methods. With only three species missing, our study is based on an almost comprehensive taxonomic sampling. The genetic analysis comprised 151 individuals from throughout the range. Sequences of two mitochondrial sections, parts of the 16S rRNA gene (16S) and of the control region (CR) were analysed. The morphological analysis of cranial and external characters comprised 697 individuals, including 10 holotypes and one lectotype. Data from 15 craniometric characters of 442 specimens were used in the multivariate analyses. The molecular data identified nine primary clades representing 11 species, 10 of which could be assigned to described taxa, whereas one was described as a new species,Plecotus strelkoviSpitzenberger sp. nov. The tree based on 16S revealed two major lineages, one consisting of only one primary clade restricted to the Mediterranean, the other consisting of eight primary clades representing Eurasian taxa. The morphological analysis revealed five additional species, two of them not described. Together with the recently describedP. taivanus,P. sardusandP. balensis, which were not included in our analysis, the genusPlecotuscomprises at least 19 more or less cryptic species. Phylogenetic and phenetic analyses resulted in similar but not completely concordant arrangements of the species. The proposed classification relies mainly on the tree based on 16S sequences. The current distribution indicates that 16 species can be linked to arboreal refugia, three to eremial refugia. We assume that speciation within the gleaning, rather slow flying long‐eared bats is due to a multitude of disruption and isolation processes within a formerly continuous range of the broad‐leaved Arcto‐Tertiary forest in whichPlecotusprobably originated. An exact calibrated molecular dating of the splits is not possible. The Early Oligocene age of the presumed ancestor of the Plecotini and a correlation of the molecular diversifications with palaeogeographic reconstructions suggest that the divergence of the two major lineages may have occurred already during the Middle Miocene, 14.5 Mya.
Comparison of insulin lispro mixture 25/75 with insulin glargine during a 24‐h standardized test‐meal period in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Roach P. , Malone J. K. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims  To compare insulin lispro mixture (25% insulin lispro and 75% NPL; Mix 25/75) twice‐daily plus oral glucose‐lowering medications (metformin and/or sulphonylurea) with once‐daily insulin glargine plus oral agents with respect to postprandial glycaemic control and other glucose and lipid parameters in patients with Type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with insulin and/or oral glucose‐lowering agents.Methods  This was a randomized, open‐label, crossover study. Prestudy oral agents were continued and patients not already on oral agents were treated with metformin. Mix 25/75 and insulin glargine were adjusted over 3 months to attain premeal plasma glucose (PG) < 6.0 mmol/l and were then given during a 24‐h in‐patient test meal period with frequent PG, serum triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) measurements.Results  Twenty patients (10 F/10 M; mean ±sd age 54.0 ± 10.7 years, body mass index 37.0 ± 8.6 kg/m2, HbA1c 8.4 ± 1.01%) participated. Mean doses were 23 U before the morning and 37 U before the evening meal for Mix 25/75 and 44 U for insulin glargine. The combined 2‐h morning and evening meal postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) was not different between groups (9.2 ± 2.04 vs. 9.9 ± 1.66 mmol/l, P = 0.161). Mix 25/75 was associated with a lower mean 2‐h PPG for all meals combined (9.0 ± 1.88 vs. 9.9 ± 1.80 mmol/l, P < 0.05) and lower mean 24‐h PG (6.7 ± 1.00 vs. 7.5 ± 1.32 mmol/l, P < 0.01). Eight patients experienced mild hypoglycaemia (PG < 3.5 mmol/l) with Mix 25/75 and 3 with insulin glargine. The endpoint HbA1c was lower with Mix 25/75 (6.9 ± 0.52% vs. 7.3 ± 0.81%, P < 0.05).Conclusions  In a 24‐h test‐meal setting in 20 patients, Mix 25/75 insulin plus oral glucose‐lowering agents was associated with lower mean PPG and 24‐h PG, more mild hypoglycaemia and similar TG, FFA and fasting PG concentrations. HbA1c was lower with Mix 75/25 plus oral agents, although it may not have reached steady state due to ongoing dose adjustment.
Survey Non-Response and the Duration of Unemployment
Authors: Van Den Berg Gerard J. , Lindeboom Maarten , Dolton Peter J. 
Published: May 2006

SummarySocial surveys are often used to estimate unemployment duration distributions. Survey non-response may then cause a bias. We study this by using a data set that combines survey information of individual workers with administrative records of the same workers. The latter provide information on durations of unemployment and personal characteristics of all survey respondents and non-respondents. We develop a method to distinguish empirically between two explanations for a bias in results based on only survey data: selectivity due to related unobserved determinants of durations of unemployment and non-response and a causal effect of a job exit on non-response. The latter may occur even in fully homogeneous populations. The methodology exploits variation in the timing of the duration outcome relative to the survey moment. The results show evidence for both explanations. We discuss implications for standard methods to deal with non-response bias.
Responsive Design for Household Surveys: Tools for Actively Controlling Survey Errors and Costs
Authors: Groves Robert M. , Heeringa Steven G. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryOver the past few years surveys have expanded to new populations, have incorporated measurement of new and more complex substantive issues and have adopted new data collection tools. At the same time there has been a growing reluctance among many household populations to participate in surveys. These factors have combined to present survey designers and survey researchers with increased uncertainty about the performance of any given survey design at any particular point in time. This uncertainty has, in turn, challenged the survey practitioner's ability to control the cost of data collection and quality of resulting statistics. The development of computer-assisted methods for data collection has provided survey researchers with tools to capture a variety of process data (‘paradata’) that can be used to inform cost–quality trade-off decisions in realtime. The ability to monitor continually the streams of process data and survey data creates the opportunity to alter the design during the course of data collection to improve survey cost efficiency and to achieve more precise, less biased estimates. We label such surveys as ‘responsive designs’. The paper defines responsive design and uses examples to illustrate the responsive use of paradata to guide mid-survey decisions affecting the non-response, measurement and sampling variance properties of resulting statistics.
The Children Act 2004 and Implications for Counselling in Schools in England and Wales
Authors: JENKINS PETER , POLAT FILIZ 
Published: May 2006

A questionnaire survey of 607 secondary schools in England and Wales, carried out in 2003–4, provided initial information on counselling as being a decentralized, largely school‐based, demand‐led, non‐statutory, multi‐sourced form of provision. It was mainly school funded, broadly child‐centred and was provided by individual counsellors, who were directed by school managers in a loosely integrated manner. The advantages of school counselling were identified as benefiting individual pupils and as providing educational, behavioural and social benefits to the host school. The disadvantages were largely managerial and professional, i.e. related to resources and addressing the barriers to future service development.The authors contrast this diverse, demand‐led model of counselling provision with the emerging profile of counselling, provided by multi‐agency teams, based in extended schools, which is promoted by the Green Paper, ‘Every Child Matters’. The community focus of such a model, and expectations of high levels of information sharing among professional staff with flexible role descriptions, are likely to present major challenges to existing role‐based forms of school counselling. Particular issues explored are the professional orientation of the service, confidentiality and relationship with other professions.
The Europeanization of Higher Education: Markets, Politics or Learning?*
Authors: BACHE IAN 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis article looks at increased European co‐operation in higher education, taking as its main case study the proposal for universities to adopt a common core curriculum for European studies. The article situates higher education co‐operation in the context of political and economic imperatives promoting ‘ever closer union’ and highlights immanent dangers for academic goals. However, it also identifies the scale of European co‐operation as an opportunity for national higher education actors to resist together what they may be unable to resist alone: namely, greater economic and political intrusion into academic life. Long term, this may prove crucial to the vitality of the European integration process.
Subregional Integration and EU Enlargement: Where Next for CEFTA?*
Authors: DANGERFIELD MARTIN 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe fifth enlargement of the EU has necessitated various adjustments to the pan‐European trade and integration framework. This article discusses ways in which the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) has been affected by this process. What was CEFTA's role in the EU pre‐accession process? How did CEFTA downsizing affect trade arrangements between the enlarged EU and the remaining CEFTA members? Also, how realistic is the idea that the end of CEFTA's role in central Europe could be a prelude to its revitalization as a vehicle for multilateralization of trade arrangements in the south east European setting?
What Makes a Good EU Presidency? Italy and Ireland Compared*
Authors: QUAGLIA LUCIA , MOXON‐BROWNE EDWARD 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWhat makes a ‘good’ EU presidency? A comparison between the two most recent Italian and Irish experiences in office can be instrumental in evaluating the crucial factors that affect presidency performance. The argument is developed in three main stages. Firstly, four key roles are selected in order to benchmark presidencies. Secondly, these roles are applied to the empirical record as criteria to devise a score‐card of the two presidencies under consideration. Thirdly, presidency‐specific factors are elicited and analysed, arguing that intangible assets, such as knowledge of EU affairs (process expertise, content expertise and information); political credibility and reputation; and general attitudes towards European integration, are crucial in performing the roles of president‐in‐office effectively and legitimately.
Eighteen years of saturation tagging data reveal a significant increase in nesting hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on Long Island, Antigua
Authors: Richardson J. I. , Hall D. B. , Mason P. A. , Andrews K. M. , Bjorkland R. , Cai Y. , Bell R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractHawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata nesting on Long Island, Antigua, West Indies (also known as Jumby Bay) has been monitored since 1987. Although the numbers of nesting females remained relatively constant for the first 11 survey seasons (1987–1997), inclusion of more recent data (1998–2004) in the analysis reveals a statistically significant upward trend. In particular, neophytes have shown a significant upturn in numbers, whereas the remigrant subpopulation has remained stationary. This indicates that recruitment is driving the upward trend in the total number of nesters. Predictive models based on the Poisson distribution suggest that the neophyte subpopulation will continue to grow in size by an average of 10% per annum. Model‐based predictions and their limitations are discussed. The Jumby Bay Hawksbill Project, which has monitored and protected nesting hawksbills and their eggs since the project's onset, is one among several factors that may contribute to the recent increase in nesting females.
Sleep disruptions and emotional insecurity are pathways of risk for children
Authors: El‐Sheikh Mona , Buckhalt Joseph A. , Mark Cummings E. , Keller Peggy 
Published: May 2006

Background:  Sleep problems are prevalent in American children. A critical need is to identify sources and processes related to sleep disruptions and their sequelae. We examined a model linking parental marital conflict and children's emotional insecurity, sleep disruptions, and their adjustment and academic problems.Method:  One hundred and sixty‐six elementary school children reported on marital conflict and their emotional insecurity, the quantity and quality of children's sleep were examined through actigraphy, and parents and teachers reported on child functioning.Results:  In the context of exposure to normative levels of marital conflict, children's emotional insecurity regarding their parents’ marital relationship is an intervening variable in the marital conflict–sleep disruptions link. In turn, disruptions in the quality and duration of children's sleep have a negative effect on children's behavioral, emotional, and academic performance.Conclusions:  Findings highlight the importance of marital conflict and children's emotional insecurity as variables that can affect a fundamental aspect of biological regulation, sleep, which consequently influences children's adjustment and academic performance.
Improving library services for graduate nurse students in New Zealand
Authors: Honey Michelle , North Nicola , Gunn Cathy 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  Graduate students are expected to have basic information literacy skills. Knowing how to access and select relevant information and then utilize that information is a necessary skill in today's knowledge and information‐age world. In the health‐care sector, the rise in evidence‐based medicine has brought into focus the importance of information literacy skills for nurses. In the case described, information literacy skills are embedded in the curriculum and strengthened in collaboration with library staff.Aims:  To identify graduate student nurses’ use of the library, and the library's response to findings.Methods:  A case‐study approach was used with both quantitative and qualitative data. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all nurses enrolled in graduate courses in the second semester of 2002. Interviews were then undertaken with library staff.Results:  The university library services were not used by 43% of graduate nursing students and the library responded by developing a number of initiatives.Conclusions:  Finding a deficit in use of the library by graduate nurses, this paper outlines the response by the library to improving awareness of services, access and providing education in a bid to improve literacy skills.
Evaluation of the KA24 (Knowledge Access 24) service for health‐ and social‐care staff in London and the south‐east of England. Part 1: quantitative
Authors: Cumbers Barbara , Urquhart Christine , Durbin Jane 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAims and objectives: This two‐part paper aims to identify the main transferable lessons learned from both the quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the Knowledge Access 24 (KA24) service of online databases and selected full‐text journals for health and social care staff in London and the south‐east of England. The quantitative evaluation analysed usage rates and user registration with the objective of measuring uptake by previously disadvantaged staff, and to inform the subsequent qualitative survey.Methods: User and usage data were analysed by type of NHS Trust, by type of user, and by what was being used. The evaluation assessed development in user registration and usage of both databases and journals over a 2‐year period. Data were aggregated and analysed both monthly and quarterly.Results: Usage levels increased, but uptake in both the mental health and primary care sectors was comparatively slow. Nurses and allied professionals used the service more than doctors. The increase in usage of full‐text journals over the usage of databases was marked.Conclusions: Previously disadvantaged staff used electronic resources. A qualitative survey was needed to identify the main enablers and barriers to uptake.
Demonstrating the positive impact of information support on patient care in primary care: a rapid literature review
Authors: Bryant Sue Lacey , Gray Anne 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim: To review the literature on the positive impact of information services, or information resources, on patient care in primary care.Objectives: To identify and summarize key papers on which librarians might draw in making the case for investment, and to highlight gaps in the research evidenceMethodology: A rapid literature review was conducted in the summer of 2005.Results: There is a small body of evidence to demonstrate the positive impact of library and information services on the direct care of patients as well as a beneficial impact on the care of future patients through the application of evidence to multiple patients.Conclusions: There is relatively limited research evidence of the impact of information, and library services, in primary care, in comparison with hospital settings and the research available is generally reliant on small samples. There is a lack of impact studies conducted with non‐clinical staff. The review highlights the value of critical incident technique (CIT). It is possible to gather evidence of the potential for information services to deliver cost savings.
Metalloproteinase‐9 in circulating monocytes in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Cantini‐Salignac Caroline , Lartaud Isabelle , Schrijen Francine , Atkinson Jeffrey , Chabot François 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in pulmonary hypertension (PH) is complex as MMPs are involved in both the vascular and cardiac remodelling associated with PH. To gain insight into this problem, monocytes were isolated from pulmonary arterial blood in patients suffering from PH, related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 6), chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 3) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 8). The severity of PH was associated with decreases in cardiac index (CI) and mixed venous blood oxygen saturation (SO2), and an increase in right atrial pressure (). Monocyte pro‐MMP‐9 content (zymography) was positively correlated with SO2 (r = 0.73, P < 0.05) and CI (r = 0.66, P < 0.05), and negatively with (r = 0.54, P < 0.05); there was no significant correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance. In conclusion, the pro‐MMP‐9 content of circulating monocytes was lower in the more severe forms of PH which showed heart failure suggesting that such MMP enzymatic activity reflects heart failure following pulmonary vascular and myocardial remodelling in PH.
Metabolic normalization of α‐ketoglutarate against N‐nitrosodiethylamine‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats
Authors: Dakshayani K.B. , Subramanian P. , Manivasagam T. , Mohamed Essa M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractChemoprevention of cancer is one of the reliable approaches to control the incidence of cancer. In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive role of α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) during N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis. The activities of serum aspartate and alanine transaminases were found to be significantly higher in NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. Administration of α‐KG restored the activities of transaminases to near normal range. The levels of lipid peroxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were decreased in the liver tissue of NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. α‐KG reversed the lipid peroxide levels to near normal range. Levels of antioxidants, reduced glutathione and activities of its dependent enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐S‐transferase were found to be significantly higher in liver tissue of NDEA + CCl4‐treated animals when compared with control animals. α‐KG administration positively modulated the antioxidant levels to near normal range. In conclusion, it can be suggested that α‐KG exerts chemopreventive role which may attributable to its ability to positively modulate the transaminase activities and oxidant–antioxidant imbalance during hepatocarcinogenesis.