bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversity of polyketide synthase genes from bacteria associated with the marine sponge Pseudoceratina clavata: culture‐dependent and culture‐independent approaches
Authors: Kim Tae Kyung , Fuerst John A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDiverse ketosynthase (KS) genes were retrieved from the microbial community associated with the Great Barrier Reef sponge Pseudoceratina clavata. Bacterial isolation and metagenomic approaches were employed. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA of culturable sponge‐associated bacterial communities comprised eight groups over four phyla. Ten KS domains were amplified from four genera of isolates and phylogenetics demonstrated that these KS domains were located in three clusters (actinobacterial, cyanobacterial and trans‐AT type). Metagenomic DNA of the sponge microbial community was extracted to explore community KS genes by two approaches: direct amplification of KS domains and construction of fosmid libraries for KS domain screening. Five KS domains were retrieved from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using sponge metagenome DNA as template and five fosmid clones containing KS domains found using multiplex PCR screening. Analysis of selected polyketide synthase (PKS) from one fosmid showed that the PKS consists of two modules. Open reading frames located up‐ and downstream of the PKS displayed similarity with membrane synthesis‐related proteins such as cardiolipin synthase. Metagenome approaches did not detect KS domains found in sponge isolates. All KS domains from both metagenome approaches formed a single cluster with KS domains originating from metagenomes derived from other sponge species from other geographical regions.
Follow‐up of basal cell carcinomas: an audit of current practice
Authors: Mc Loone NM , Tolland J , Walsh M , Dolan OM 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Follow‐up of patients after treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) allows for monitoring of recurrence and detection of new tumours, but adds a significant burden to outpatient clinics. At the skin tumour clinic in the dermatology department, the Royal Hospitals, Belfast, all patients are reviewed for 2 years after surgical excision of a low‐risk primary BCC.Objectives  An audit was undertaken to determine the quality of data set recorded relating to prognostic factors for BCCs to determine the rate of recurrence and number of new primary tumours detected and to determine the completeness of follow‐up by patients.Method  Patients who had primary BCCs treated by excision were identified from a database held at the clinic. Medical charts were reviewed to determine data recorded about lesions, the number of recurrent BCCs and new tumours detected, and the number of patients completing follow‐up.Results  Between January 1999 and December 2000, 114 patients had 121 primary BCCs excised. BCC location and size were recorded in 100% and 35% of cases, respectively. Histological type was stated for morphoeic or multifocal lesions. Two years of follow‐up was completed by 53% of patients and 1 year by 78% of patients. The rate of recurrence was low, with 2 BCC recurring within 2 years of excision. The risk of developing a new BCC was 11.6% in the first year and 6.3% in the second year.Conclusions  Follow‐up of patients after excision of a low‐risk BCC at the clinic has been reduced to 1 year. A proforma has been developed to encourage documentation of prognostic factors.
Development in infants with autism spectrum disorders: a prospective study
Authors: Landa Rebecca , Garrett‐Mayer Elizabeth 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Autism is rarely diagnosed before three years of age despite evidence suggesting prenatal abnormalities in neurobiological processes. Little is known about when or how development becomes disrupted in the first two years of life in autism. Such information is needed to facilitate early detection and early intervention.Methods:  This prospective study of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) examined development using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) in 87 infants tested at target ages 6, 14, and 24 months. Participants came from infants at high risk (siblings of children with autism) and low risk (no family history of autism) groups. Based on language test scores, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and clinical judgment at 24 months of age, participants were categorized as: unaffected, ASD, or language delayed (LD). Longitudinal linear regression and ANOVA models were applied to MSEL raw scores, and estimates were compared between the three diagnostic groups.Results:  No statistically significant group differences were detected at 6 months. By 14 months of age, the ASD group performed significantly worse than the unaffected group on all scales except Visual Reception. By 24 months of age, the ASD group performed significantly worse than the unaffected group in all domains, and worse than the language delayed group in Gross Motor, Fine Motor, and Receptive Language. The developmental trajectory of the ASD group was slower than the other groups’, and showed a significant decrease in development between the first and second birthdays.Conclusions:  Variations from typical and language delayed development are detectable in many children with ASD using a measure of general development by 24 months of age. Unusual slowing in performance occurred between 14 and 24 months of age in ASD.
Annotation: Tourette syndrome: a relentless drumbeat – driven by misguided brain oscillations
Authors: Leckman James F. , Vaccarino Flora M. , Kalanithi Paul S.A. , Rothenberger Aribert 
Published: April 2006

Objective:  This annotation reviews recent evidence that points to the likely role of aberrant neural oscillations in the pathogenesis of Tourette syndrome (TS).Methods:  The available anatomic and electrophysiological findings in TS are reviewed in the context of an emerging picture of the crucial role that neural oscillations play in maintaining normal central nervous system (CNS) function.Results:  Neurons form behavior‐dependent oscillating networks of various sizes and frequencies that bias input selection and facilitate synaptic plasticity, mechanisms that cooperatively support temporal representation as well as the transfer and long‐term consolidation of information. Coherent network activity is likely to modulate sensorimotor gating as well as focused motor actions. When these networks are dysrhythmic, there may be a loss of control of sensory information and motor action. The known electrophysiological effects of medications and surgical interventions used to treat TS likely have an ameliorative effect on these aberrant oscillations. Similarly, a strong case can be made that successful behavioral treatments involve the willful training regions of the prefrontal cortex to engage in tic suppression and the performance of competing motor responses to unwanted sensory urges such that these prefrontal regions become effective modulators of aberrant thalamocortical rhythms.Conclusions:  A deeper understanding of neural oscillations may illuminate the complex, challenging, enigmatic, internal world that is TS.
Inner speech impairments in autism
Authors: Whitehouse Andrew J.O. , Maybery Murray T. , Durkin Kevin 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Three experiments investigated the role of inner speech deficit in cognitive performances of children with autism.Methods:  Experiment 1 compared children with autism with ability‐matched controls on a verbal recall task presenting pictures and words. Experiment 2 used pictures for which the typical names were either single syllable or multisyllable. Two encoding conditions manipulated the use of verbal encoding. Experiment 3 employed a task‐switching paradigm for which performance has been shown to be contingent upon inner speech.Results:  In Experiment 1, children with autism demonstrated a lower picture‐superiority effect compared to controls. In Experiment 2, the children with autism showed a lower word‐length effect when pictures were presented alone, but a more substantial word‐length effect in a condition requiring overt labelling. In Experiment 3, articulatory suppression affected the task‐switching performance of the control participants only.Conclusions:  Individuals with autism have limitations in their use of inner speech.
Co‐occurrence of conduct disorder and depression in a clinic‐based sample of boys with ADHD
Authors: Drabick Deborah A.G. , Gadow Kenneth D. , Sprafkin Joyce 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk for the development of comorbid conduct disorder (CD) and depression. The current study examined potential psychosocial risk factors for CD and depression in a clinic‐based sample of 203 boys (aged 6–10 years) with ADHD.Methods:  The boys and their mothers participated in an evaluation that involved assessments of cognitive, behavioral, academic, and family functioning. Potential predictors of CD and depression involved four domains: parenting behaviors, family environment, academic/cognitive functioning, and peer relations. ADHD groups were defined using mother‐ and teacher‐report of DSM‐IV symptoms. Mother‐ratings of DSM‐IV symptoms were obtained for a subsample of 91 boys approximately 5 years after the initial assessment.Results:  For both mother‐ and teacher‐defined ADHD groups, social problems were related to depression symptoms; hostile, inconsistent, and detached parenting behaviors were related to CD symptoms; and family environment characterized by low cohesion, high conflict, and low marital satisfaction was related to CD and depression symptoms. For the teacher‐defined ADHD group, parenting variables also predicted depression symptoms. Academic and cognitive variables did not predict CD or depression symptoms when parenting, family, and peer relationship variables were taken into account. Depression prospectively predicted CD, but not the reverse, and parental hostile control and familial conflict prospectively predicted CD for the teacher‐defined ADHD group only.Conclusions:  Source‐specificity is a useful consideration when describing the relation of parenting and home environment with CD and depression symptoms in boys with ADHD. Intervention efforts that address these parenting, family, and peer relationship variables may aid in preventing the development of comorbid conditions.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci in Linum usitatissimum
Authors: ROOSE‐AMSALEG C. , CARIOU‐PHAM E. , VAUTRIN D. , TAVERNIER R. , SOLIGNAC M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe report the characterization of 28 polymorphic microsatellite markers in Linum usitatissimum that allow distinguishing almost all cultivars of both flax and linseed. Polymorphism was low, ranging from two to 10 alleles per locus in the 93 cultivars screened. Linkage disequilibrium was found at about a third of the pairs of loci likely due to self‐fertilization and strong selection by breeders. We tested these loci for cross‐amplification in nine additional species of Linum and found that three species amplified a majority of loci.
EST‐SSR markers from Fragaria vesca L. cv. Yellow Wonder
Authors: BASSIL NAHLA V. , NJUGUNA WAMBUI , SLOVIN JANET P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractFourteen microsatellite primer pairs were developed from a cDNA library of heat‐treated seedlings of Fragaria vesca cv. yellow wonder. Transferability to 13 species of Fragaria ranged from 71% in diploid species F. gracilis Losinsk., F. iinumae Makino, F. nilgerrensis Schltdl. ex J. Gay and F. nipponica Makino, to 100% in octoploid domestic strawberry and its progenitors. Polymorphism was high in polyploid Fragaria species. However, polymorphism and heterozygosity of eight EST‐SSRs (expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeats) was low in 14 F. vesca genotypes.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in Brachyderes rugatus, the Canary Islands pine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: FORGIE SHAUN A. , GOODACRE SARA L. , TAYLOR MARTIN I. , EMERSON BRENT C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe Canary Island pine weevil Brachyderes rugatus (Wollaston) consists of four allopatric subspecies that are thought to have arisen from several historic colonization events within the archipelago. We have isolated and optimized seven microsatellite loci from Brachyderes rugatus calvus from Gran Canaria. Six of these loci are polymorphic within B. rugatus (11–22 alleles per locus; heterozygosity between 0.43 and 0.84). There is no evidence for heterozygote deficit within populations or for linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci. These molecular markers are likely to prove useful tools for quantifying the genetic variability of bottlenecked island populations.
Identification and characterization of nuclear microsatellites in Mediterranean cedars (Cedrus sp.)
Authors: CHAIB J. , DANAN S. , JOUAUD B. , HAGEN L. S. , LEFEVRE F. , FADY B. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe developed primers for the amplification of six polymorphic nuclear microsatellites in Mediterranean Cedrus taxa. Microsatellites originated from two Cedrus atlantica genomic libraries enriched for TC (four markers) and TG (two markers) motifs. No distortion from Mendelian segregation was observed. There were up to eight alleles per locus and mean expected heterozygosity was 0.75. Four microsatellites also amplified in the Himalayan cedar. These markers should be helpful for species identification, diversity studies, parentage analysis and genome mapping and to monitor biodiversity in endangered Mediterranean Cedrus forests.
Characterization and cross‐species amplification of microsatellite loci in a Cyprinodon species flock
Authors: STRECKER ULRIKE 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn this study, two new microsatellite loci from a library of Cyprinodon beltrani from Laguna Chichancanab, Mexico, were characterized. Additionally, cross‐species amplification with primer pairs developed for other Cyprinodon species was performed. The 11 markers show moderate to high levels of polymorphism (two to 33 alleles) in six species of the Cyprinodon flock from Laguna Chichancanab and in their sister species Cyprinodon artifrons. These loci were characterized for population genetic study to detect gene flow between the different endemic pupfish species.
RELATIONSHIPS AND UNDERWRITER SPREADS IN THE EUROBOND FLOATING RATE NOTE MARKET
Authors: Kollo Michael G. , Sharpe Ian G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe examine the role of issuer‐underwriter relationships in determining underwriter spreads for Eurobond floating rate notes from 1992 to 2002. Financial and nonfinancial firms with long‐term relationships pay a higher underwriter spread. Financial issuers that switch underwriters receive a discounted spread that is invariant to the underwriter's reputation and quality of the issue. However, the discount is not evident for nonfinancial firms. For both financial and nonfinancial firms, spreads are higher for noninvestment grade issues and, within investment grade, increase as quality declines. We also find higher spreads when underwriting is syndicated, and a strong negative time trend consistent with increasing competitive pressures.
INDUSTRY EFFECTS OF ANALYST STOCK REVISIONS
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , Madura Jeff , Newman Melinda 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe examine the industry valuation effects of analyst stock revisions and identify the variables that influence these effects. Our results show that industry rivals experience significant abnormal returns in response to revision announcements. Although the mean stock price response suggests contagion effects, there is also evidence of significant competitive effects. The valuation effects are influenced by the magnitude of the rated firm's announcement return, along with analyst‐specific and industry‐specific characteristics. However, the sensitivity of the valuation effects to these characteristics is conditioned on whether the industry effects are contagious or competitive.
DIRECT EVIDENCE ON THE MARKET‐DRIVEN ACQUISITION THEORY
Authors: Ang James S. , Cheng Yingmei 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe provide direct empirical evidence that share overvaluation is an important motive for firms to make stock acquisitions. We find that more overvalued firms are more likely to acquire with stock, and acquirers are more overvalued in successful stock mergers than in withdrawn mergers. Acquirers' overvaluation, on average, exceeds the targets' premium‐adjusted overvaluation. Shareholders of stock acquirers, whose overvaluation is greater than their targets' premium‐adjusted overvaluation, realize sustained wealth gains from one day before the merger announcement up to three years after the merger completion, as compared with a matching sample of similarly overvalued but nonacquiring firms.
MUTUAL FUND MORTALITY, 12B‐1 FEES, AND THE NET EXPENSE RATIO
Authors: Dukes William P. , English Philip C. , Davis Sean M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe Securities and Exchange Commission is currently reviewing Rule 12b‐1, which governs how fund advisors may pay for the distribution of fund shares. We provide evidence that even after adjusting for economies of scale, funds with 12b‐1 fees have higher expense ratios net of the 12b‐1 fees than do funds without such fees. This finding suggests that 12b‐1 fees are more than just a deadweight cost. We also demonstrate that 12b‐1 fees are highest for funds that ultimately fail, that the proportion of funds with 12b‐1 fees is increasing over time, and that the level of those fees is also increasing over time.
Inhibitory and activatory KIR gene frequencies in the Polish population
Authors: Łuszczek W. , Majorczyk E. , Nowak I. , Pawlik A. , Jasek M. , Wiśniewski A. , Kuśnierczyk P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryKiller cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) present on natural killer cells and minor subpopulations of T cells recognize class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on the surface of target cells. Human individuals differ by the presence or absence of some KIR genes on their chromosomes (haplotypic polymorphism). As KIRs (especially two‐immunoglobulin‐domain‐like containing, or KIR2D, molecules) are important for the outcome of tissue (particularly for haematopoietic stem cell) transplantation and possibly for pregnancy, the knowledge of KIR gene distribution in a given human population is of practical value. Therefore, we tested 175 healthy individuals from Poland for the presence or absence of these KIR genes which show haplotypic polymorphism and are expressed. Results were compared with those published for other human populations, showing close relations with other Caucasoids.
Strategic Sourcing: An Empirical Investigation of the Concept and Its Practices in U.S. Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Kocabasoglu Canan , Suresh Nallan C. 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study is to enhance understanding of strategic sourcing and to discuss the challenges in adopting strategic sourcing. First, a literature review is undertaken to identify the key, characterizing elements of strategic sourcing. This is followed by an analysis of the relationships between different elements of strategic sourcing using data from 140 U.S. manufacturing companies. Results indicate that strategic sourcing is based on the status of the purchasing function within the firm, the level of internal coordination of purchasing with other functions within the firm, information sharing with key suppliers and development of key suppliers.
Supply's Growing Status and Influence: A Sixteen‐Year Perspective
Authors: Johnson P. Fraser , Leenders Michiel R. , Fearon Harold E. 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYThe recent completion of a major survey of large North American supply organizations in 2003 permits a longitudinal perspective on supply roles and responsibilities over a 16‐year period. The latest survey complements two earlier studies in 1987 and 1995. All three surveys counted at least 280 responding large North American supply organizations, thereby providing a valuable opportunity to examine trends and changes over time. Major areas of investigation for respondents in both the manufacturing and services sectors include supply organizational structure, supply chain responsibilities, and chief purchasing officer (CPO) reporting line, title and background. This research provides solid evidence that in both manufacturing and services, today's CPOs have greater responsibilities, report higher in the organization and carry more significant titles than their predecessors. The conclusion is that, at least in large North American companies, supply has grown substantially in corporate status and influence since 1987, a particularly welcome discovery.
INMATE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV TRANSMISSION IN PRISON*
Authors: KREBS CHRISTOPHER P. 
Published: April 2006

Research Summary:The prevalence of AIDS infection is approximately four times higher in state and Federal prisons than among the general U.S. population. It is also apparent that high‐risk HIV transmission behaviors occur inside prison; however, data that validly document cases of HIV transmission in prison are rare. This study uses data from a large sample of state prison inmates and logistic regression to determine what inmate characteristics are associated with contracting HIV inside prison. Findings indicate that inmates who are nonwhite and younger and who have been convicted of sexual crimes and have served longer sentences are more likely to contract HIV inside prison.Policy Implications:Documenting that HIV is transmitted inside prisons justifies the need for additional research and effective prevention strategies. Modeling what types of inmates might be at risk for contracting HIV inside prison can help public and correctional health researchers and officials improve their current prevention practices and ultimately reduce or prevent HIV transmission both inside and outside prison.
OREGON'S GET TOUGH SENTENCING REFORM: A LESSON IN JUSTICE SYSTEM ADAPTATION
Authors: MERRITT NANCY , FAIN TERRY , TURNER SUSAN 
Published: April 2006

Research Summary:Oregon's Measure 11, a mandatory minimum sentencing policy passed in 1994, had fewer negative system impacts than had been anticipated by many state and local criminal justice administrators, due largely to the fact that prosecutors exercised the discretion provided them under the law to selectively prosecute cases. Consequently, fewer Measure 11‐eligible cases were sentenced under the relevant statues than before passage of the measure, and more were sentenced to lesser related offenses. At the same time, incarceration rates and sentence lengths increased for both Measure 11 and lesser related offenses. Trial rates increased for two years after Measure 11 took effect before reverting to previous levels.Policy Implications:The “unintended consequences” that Measure 11 produced should not have been unexpected. Our research indicates that the entire system will quickly adapt to mitigate the more draconian outcomes predicted by those who assume a simplistic implementation, which underscores the importance of understanding system dynamics and inter‐relationships before implementing reform, as well as the pitfalls of designing legislation for either symbolic appeal or formal logic rather than for actual effect.
Tasks for labour law research
Authors: Hepple B.A. , Brown W.A. 
Published: April 2006

What are the prospects for research in the area of labour law in the 1980s? This article argues that the main concern of research should be with legislative intervention in labour relations and should address itself to two inter-related questions: what lies behind the legislation? and how does the legislation function? We make some suggestions about the methodologies and theoretical perspectives of this research.The urgent need to focus upon legislation requires little justification in view of the fundamental changes in the content of labour law in the last 17 years, particularly since 1971.