bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial analysis of urban stormwater quality: Ramallah district as a case study, Palestine
Authors: Mimi Ziad 
Published: April 2008

AbstractUrban runoff pollution sources are formidable obstacles to achieving water source goals in numerous municipalities. Ramallah district currently holds one of the highest rates of urbanization in Palestine causing a significant increase in surface runoff. Consequently, this causes increased flooding and a significant decrease in water quality due primarily to the accumulation of pollutants. To date, most research has focused on specifying temporal variations of stormwater quality parameters that include high uncertainties and also increase the risk of pollution control structures' failure. Spatial variations of the runoff quality are the key factor in nonpoint source pollution studies. This research investigates the spatial variability of urban runoff quality parameters in relation to land use of urban catchments. The research estimated pollutant concentration for improved and efficient design of pollution control structures for each land use.
Balancing bias and precision in capture‐recapture estimates of abundance
Authors: Friday Nancy A. , Smith Tim D. , Stevick Peter T. , Allen Judy , Fernald Tom 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCapture‐recapture estimates of abundance using photographic identification data are sensitive to the quality of photographs used and distinctiveness of individuals in the population. Here analyses are presented for examining the effects of photographic quality and individual animal distinctiveness scores and for objectively selecting a subset of data to use for capture‐recapture analyses using humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) data from a 2‐year study in the North Atlantic. Photographs were evaluated for their level of quality and whales for their level of individual distinctiveness. Photographic quality scores had a 0.21 probability of changing by a single‐quality level, and there were no changes by two or more levels. Individual distinctiveness scores were not independent of photographic quality scores. Estimates of abundance decreased as poor‐quality photographs were removed. An appropriate balance between precision and bias in abundance estimates was achieved by removing the lowest‐quality photographs and those of incompletely photographed flukes given our assumptions about the true population abundance. A simulation of the selection process implied that, if the estimates are negatively biased by heterogeneity, the increase in bias produced by decreasing the sample size is not more than 2%. Capture frequencies were independent of individual distinctiveness scores.
Stomach contents of mass‐stranded short‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) from North Carolina
Authors: Mintzer Vanessa J. , Gannon Damon P. , Barros Nélio B. , Read Andrew J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe examined the stomach contents of 27 short‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that mass stranded on the North Carolina coast on 15 January 2005. Eleven whales had prey parts in their forestomachs. We used frequency of occurrence and numerical abundance to assess the relative importance of prey. Brachioteuthis riisei (numerical abundance 28%), an oceanic species, was the most important cephalopod prey, but Taonius pavo (12%) and Histioteuthis reversa (9%) also represented a substantial part of the diet. A large number of otoliths belonging to the fish Scopelogadus beanii were present (25%). These results differ from reports of the stomach contents of short‐finned pilot whales from the Pacific coast in which neritic species dominate the diet. Our findings also suggest that there is a considerable difference between the diet of short‐ and long‐finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the western North Atlantic. The latter feed predominantly on the long‐finned squid (Loligo pealei) whereas the former feed on deep‐water species. Our results indicate the whales fed primarily off the continental shelf prior to stranding.
Fine‐scale study finds limited evidence of kin clustering in a gray seal colony
Authors: Poland Veronica F. , Pomeroy Patrick P. , Twiss Sean D. , Graves Jeff A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMicrosatellites were used to investigate fine‐scale spatial and temporal genetic structure of a gray seal breeding colony, using samples collected throughout the colony (1997) and more extensive local sampling (2000–2002). Previous behavior of breeding seals on North Rona, including philopatry and high breeding site fidelity, suggested female kin may cluster together. However, low FST scores indicated no genetic differentiation between the major breeding aggregations in different regions of the colony. Nevertheless, the pairwise relatedness of mothers within regions was significantly higher than the relatedness of mothers between regions. Evidence of kin clustering occurred within one region in the colony. Within this region, mothers' pairwise relatedness decreased significantly with increasing distance between pupping sites. Pairwise relatedness of neighboring females within this region was also higher than expected. Conversely, in the other regions mothers that were considered likely to have social interactions, based on their spatial and temporal proximity, were not more related to each other than random. Therefore, sustained philopatry appears sufficient to produce differences in relatedness at a within‐colony scale (>500 m), but not at finer scales. This suggests that long‐term associations of mothers on North Rona detected previously are unlikely to be formed solely by close kin.
Quantification and genetic profiling of DNA isolated from free‐floating feces of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
Authors: Gillett R. M. , White B. N. , Rolland R. M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFecal analysis from the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale provides valuable information about health and reproductive parameters of individual animals. Genetically profiling the feces facilitates this connection when the sample originator is unknown. Although genetic analysis of feces collected in terrestrial systems has become well established, genetic studies of cetacean DNA are rare. Here, the use of free‐floating feces as a source of right whale DNA and the reliability of the genotypes produced are examined. On average, fecal extracts yielded 25 ng of DNA/mg dry weight, but less than 1% was right whale DNA. Although all samples were amplified using genus‐specific mitochondrial control region primers, the quantity of right whale DNA present was over estimated when compared to amplifications using nuclear primers. No correlation was found between the quantity of right whale DNA recovered and the duration the sample sat in the water. Composite microsatellite profiles from multiple amplifications of 28 fecal samples of known origin were consistent with profiles of the same individuals obtained from skin biopsies, however, the rate of allelic dropout varied depending on the amount of right whale DNA added. A screening and genotyping protocol for reliable genetic profiling based on fecal DNA quantification is presented.
Quality of plasma and its fractionation
Authors: Burnouf T. 
Published: April 2008

Human plasma (plasma for fractionation) is used as a source material for the manufacture of a large range of therapeutic products that are essential for the treatment of life‐threatening injuries as well as bleeding and immunological diseases. The industrial multistep process carried out to isolate the various therapeutic plasma proteins is known as ‘fractionation’. Typical plasma fractionation batches have a volume of 2000–4000 l obtained by pooling the individual donations from thousands of donors. The provision of safe plasma products relies upon the quality of the starting plasma and on a correct implementation of the fractionation processes, both under conditions meeting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards. The preparation of plasma for fractionation according to GMP is one key element in the quality and safety of medicinal plasma products. The quality specifications of plasma for fractionation should be precisely defined by the plasma fractionators and approved by the relevant regulatory authorities. Aspects of particular relevance for the control of infectious risks include (i) the selection criteria of blood/plasma donors, (ii) the methods used for the testing of blood/plasma donations, (iii) the epidemiological surveillance of the donor population, (iv) the adherence to GMP principles by blood establishments, and (v) the existence of a postdonation information system. Other quality aspects that may impact the range, quality, or recovery of fractionated products include the operational parameters used for plasma separation, rate of freezing and storage temperature. The industrial plasma fractionation process should be carried out under highly hygienic conditions in licenced facilities (plasma fractionation plants) operated in compliance with GMP. Manufacturing steps used to isolate the various fractions are implemented in a sequential and integrated manner. Crude fractions obtained by cryoprecipitation and cold ethanol precipitation steps are purified into individual therapeutic products most often by chromatographic methods. Validated dedicated treatments are implemented within the manufacturing process of each product to inactivate and/or remove enveloped and non‐enveloped viruses potentially present in the starting plasma pool. Recent experimental spiking studies also demonstrate that, several fractionation steps contribute to prion removal. When using current production technologies and under strict regulatory oversight, plasma products have reached a high level of quality and safety.
Early detection: a survey of secondary school teachers' knowledge about psychosis
Authors: Collins Amanda , Holmshaw Janet 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAims: To establish how much knowledge and experience secondary school‐teachers have about psychosis, sources of help available and how to access help.Methods: A questionnaire survey of 130 secondary school teachers from three secondary schools and one pupil referral unit within the catchment area of the Camden and Islington Early Intervention Service in London. Teachers completed a questionnaire about diagnosis, age of onset, aetiology, prognosis and treatment. They were also asked about their experiences of pupils with possible psychosis and for their views on the teacher's role regarding referral of pupils.Results: The majority of teachers were able to recognize psychotic symptoms from a case vignette and many were able to correctly identify possible causal factors, prognosis and factors that might help or hinder recovery. Almost a third of teachers had experienced a pupil with possible symptoms of psychosis. However, teachers were much less certain about their own role towards pupils presenting with psychosis and there was much confusion about who had responsibility to help, and how and where to refer such pupils.Conclusions: The results reinforce the view that teachers are in a strong position in relation to early detection and referral for young people with psychosis. The findings suggest a considerable staff development agenda, especially regarding how to access help and services. Teachers in this study seemed keen for further training in this area.
Transcriptional profiling of melanocytes from patients with vitiligo vulgaris
Authors: Strömberg Sara , Björklund Marcus Gry , Asplund Anna , Rimini Rebecca , Lundeberg Joakim , Nilsson Peter , Pontén Fredrik , Olsson Mats J. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryVitiligo is a complex, polygenic disorder characterized by patchy loss of skin pigmentation due to abnormal melanocyte function. Both genetic and environmental etiological factors have been proposed for vitiligo and lack of molecular markers renders difficulties to predict development and progression of the disease. Identification of dysregulated genes has the potential to unravel biological pathways involved in vitiligo pathogenesis, facilitating discovery of potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic approaches. In this study, we characterized the transcriptional profile of melanocytes from vitiligo patients. Oligonucleotide microarrays containing ∼16 000 unique genes were used to analyse mRNA expression in melanocytes from vitiligo patients and age‐matched healthy controls. In total, 859 genes were identified as differentially expressed. A substantial number of these genes were involved in (i) melanocyte development, (ii) intracellular processing and trafficking of tyrosinase gene family proteins, (iii) packing and transportation of melanosomes, (iv) cell adhesion and (v) antigen processing and presentation. In conclusion, our results show a significantly different transcription profile in melanocytes from vitiligo patients compared with controls. Several genes of potential importance for the pathogenesis and development of vitiligo were identified. Our data indicate that autoimmunity involving melanocytes may be a secondary event in vitiligo patients caused by abnormal melanocyte function.
Correlation between melanogenic and catalase activity in in vitro human melanocytes: a synergic strategy against oxidative stress
Authors: Maresca Vittoria , Flori Enrica , Briganti Stefania , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Fabbri Claudia , Mileo Anna M. , Paggi Marco G. , Picardo Mauro 
Published: April 2008

SummaryUV‐induced DNA damage can lead to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Understanding the mechanisms employed by melanocytes to protect against UV is therefore a key issue. In melanocytes, catalase is the main enzyme responsible for degrading hydrogen peroxide and we have previously shown that that low basal levels of catalase activity are associated with the light phototype in in vitro and ex vivo models. Here we investigate the possible correlation between its activity and melanogenesis in primary cultures of human melanocytes. We show that while the total melanin concentration is directly correlated to the level of pigmentation, the more the degree of pigmentation increased, the lower the proportion of pheomelanin present. Moreover, in human melanocytes in vitro, catalase‐specific mRNA, protein and enzymatic activity were all directly correlated with total cellular melanin content. We also observed that immediately after a peroxidative treatment, the increase in reactive oxygen species was inversely associated with pigmentation level. Darkly pigmented melanocytes therefore possess two protective strategies represented by melanins and catalase activity that are likely to act synergistically to counteract the deleterious effects of UV radiation. By contrast, lightly pigmented melanocytes possess lower levels of melanogenic and catalase activity and are therefore more susceptible to accumulate damage after UV exposition.
An update on the honesty of melanin‐based color signals in birds
Authors: McGraw Kevin J. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe control mechanisms and information content of melanin‐based color signals in birds have generated much recent interest and controversy among evolutionary biologists. Initial experimental studies on this topic manipulated coarse metrics of an individual’s condition (i.e. food intake, disease state) and failed to detect significant condition‐dependence of melanin ornament expression. However, three new lines of research appear profitable and target specific factors associated with the production of melanin pigments. These include the role of (i) metals, (ii) amino acids, and (iii) testosterone and social interactions in shaping the extent and intensity of melanin‐colored plumage patches. Here, I review recent studies of and evidence for these honesty‐reinforcing mechanisms.
IS THERE POLICY SPACE TO PROTECT SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE?
Authors: Sandrey Ron , Karaan Mohammad , Vink Nick 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to assess the amount of “policy space” available to increase tariff protection in South African agriculture. To this end, formal definitions for agricultural produce, actual import data, applied tariff data and bound tariff rates and tariff quota information were used to investigate the extent to which it is possible and feasible to increase tariffs. The analysis shows that in general the policy space available to South African agriculture is limited because of, among others, WTO binding and treaty obligations under the EU and SADC agreements. Furthermore, it does not make policy sense to increase protection on most other products.
CIGARETTE DEMAND IN SOUTH AFRICA OVER 1996‐2006: THE ROLE OF PRICE, INCOME AND HEALTH AWARENESS
Authors: Boshoff Willem H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe study seeks to re‐investigate the role of price, income and health awareness in the evolution of South African cigarette demand over the period 1996 to 2006. At first glance, rising cigarette prices appear to have played an important role in reducing cigarette consumption over the sample period, especially during the late 90s. But how dependent is the impact of price increases on general economic conditions and overall health awareness among smokers? Health awareness, in particular, has not received sufficient attention in the South African context, due to a lack of data. Previous estimates of price and income elasticities of cigarette demand are based on long annual time series data, which do not allow for changes in underlying tastes and preferences. The paper attempts to disentangle the forces of price, income, health awareness and policy intervention using a quarterly data set. In addition, the study also cautions against the upward bias in estimates derived from formal cigarette sales data – in the light of increasing illicit cigarette volumes in South Africa.
MEASURING THE WELFARE COST OF INFLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Uwilingiye Josine 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we estimate the long‐run equilibrium relationship between money balance as a ratio of income and the Treasury bill rate for the period of 1965:02 to 2007:01, and in turn use the relationship to obtain welfare cost estimates of inflation. Using the Johansen technique, we estimate a log‐log specification and a semi‐log model of the above relationship. Based on the fits of the specifications, we decided to rely more on the welfare cost measure obtained under the log‐log money demand model. Our estimates suggest that the welfare cost of inflation for South Africa ranges between 0.34% and 0.67% of GDP, for a band of 3‐6% of inflation. Thus, it seems that the South African Reserve Bank's current inflation target band of 3‐6% is not too poorly designed in terms of welfare.
POST‐TRANSITION POVERTY TRENDS BASED ON AN ALTERNATIVE DATA SOURCE1
Authors: Van Der Berg Servaas , Louw Megan , Yu Derek 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper analyses a previously unused source of data – the All Media and Product Survey (AMPS) – to arrive at alternative estimates of the post‐transition poverty path. The motivations for using this non‐official data source are twofold: concern over the comparability of the existing official post‐transition datasets – the Income and Expenditure Survey (IES) and Population Census – and a desire to extend analysis of poverty trends beyond 2001. While official data sources are generally preferred for purposes of poverty analysis, the IES and Census collect data at long (5 or 10 year) intervals, and additional years pass before these datasets become available to the public. In some cases there is also concern about data comparability between surveys. The expenditure data contained in the General Household Survey are available annually, although data are captured in a small number of categories that are not very conducive to analysis at the lower end of the income distribution. Analysis on AMPS data confirms the large decline in poverty implied by an increase of R18 billion (in 2000 Rand) in social grant payments between 2000 and 2004. The direction of this trend is consistent with recent research findings based on more frequently analysed data sources, including the work done by Agüero, Carter and May (2005), Seekings (2006) and Meth (2006).
THE DEMAND FOR FOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA1
Authors: Dunne J Paul , Edkins Beverly 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFood consumption is an important issue in South Africa, given its relation to poverty and deprivation. With the pressing need to increase food security, understanding the determinants of the demand for food and having some estimates of the likely impact of price and income changes has become a vital task. There is, however, surprisingly little economic research on this topic and almost none in recent times. This paper provides a comprehensive empirical analysis of the demand for food in South Africa for the years 1970‐2002. It moves beyond the usual static modelling approach in using a general dynamic log‐linear demand equation and a dynamic version of the almost ideal demand system, to provide estimates of the short‐ and long‐run price and expenditure demand elasticities.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TIME POVERTY IN LESOTHO
Authors: Lawson David 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper uses a combination of nationally representative individual level time use, household and community data to further our understanding of time poverty. With a common, and growing, perception in the empirical literature being that Sub Saharan African females are typically disadvantaged in market‐based activities because of the large time burden of having to undertake both formal work and domestic duties, it is important to understand some of the key processes and issues that underpin, and link with, poverty reduction. Using nationally representative data from Lesotho we are able to provide unique insights into gender‐related, formal and informal, work allocations and specifically obtain insights regarding the main determinants of those who are “time poor”, and how key infrastructural elements impact on this.
Daptomycin Is Effective in Treatment of Experimental Endocarditis Due to Methicillin-Resistant and Glycopeptide-Intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Marco Francesc , García de la Mària Cristina , Armero Yolanda , Amat Eurídice , Soy Dolors , Moreno Asunción , del Río Ana , Almela Manel , Mestres Carlos A. , Gatell José M. , Jiménez de Anta María Teresa , Miró José M. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with potent in vitro activity against gram-positive cocci, including
Staphylococcus aureus
. This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of daptomycin against two clinical isolates: methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) 277 (vancomycin MIC, 2 μg/ml) and glycopeptide-intermediate
S. aureus
(GISA) ATCC 700788 (vancomycin MIC, 8 μg/ml). Time-kill experiments demonstrated that daptomycin was bactericidal in vitro against these two strains. The in vivo activity of daptomycin (6 mg/kg of body weight every 24 h) was evaluated by using a rabbit model of infective endocarditis and was compared with the activities of a high-dose (HD) vancomycin regimen (1 g intravenously every 6 h), the recommended dose (RD) of vancomycin regimen (1 g intravenously every 12 h) for 48 h, and no treatment (as a control). Daptomycin was significantly more effective than the vancomycin RD in reducing the density of bacteria in the vegetations for the MRSA strains (0 [interquartile range, 0 to 1.5] versus 2 [interquartile range, 0 to 5.6] log CFU/g vegetation;
P
= 0.02) and GISA strains (2 [interquartile range, 0 to 2] versus 6.6 [interquartile range, 2.0 to 6.9] log CFU/g vegetation;
P
< 0.01) studied. In addition, daptomycin sterilized more MRSA vegetations than the vancomycin RD (13/18 [72%] versus 7/20 [35%];
P
= 0.02) and sterilized more GISA vegetations than either vancomycin regimen (12/19 [63%] versus 4/20 [20%];
P
< 0.01). No statistically significant difference between the vancomycin HD and the vancomycin RD for MRSA treatment was noted. These results support the use of daptomycin for the treatment of aortic valve endocarditis caused by GISA and MRSA.