bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an in-practice test for feline coronavirus antibodies
Authors: Addie Diane D. , McLachlan Shona A. , Golder Matthew , Ramsey Ian , Jarrett Oswald 
Published: February 2004

A commercially available in-practice test for feline coronavirus (FCoV) antibodies (FCoV Immunocomb, Biogal Galed Laboratories) was evaluated by comparison with the gold standard FCoV immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. One hundred and three serum or plasma samples were selected and tested: 70 were positive by both tests, 24 were negative by both tests. The in-practice test produced five false positive and four false negative results. The sensitivity of the in-practice test was 95% and the specificity was 83%. When the titres were compared it was found that the in-practice test results were significantly correlated with IFA titres but the degree of correlation was not likely to be clinically useful. The IFA titres of the four false negative samples were found to be low (less than 40) which suggests that even a cat with a false negative result is still unlikely to be excreting FCoV. A negative result with the in-practice assay is likely to be reliable for screening cats prior to entry into an FCoV-free cattery or stud. It would also be useful in the investigation of suspected FIP as most cats with this condition have high IFA titres of antibodies. A strong positive result would be useful in the diagnosis of FIP (in conjunction with other biochemical and cytological testing), but positive results would be of limited value in monitoring FCoV infection in healthy cats as the antibody titre could not be reliably compared with those obtained with IFA. All positive results obtained using the in-practice kit should be confirmed and titrated by IFA. The kit also appeared to work efficiently with ascites samples ( n=6) but too few samples were analysed to draw firm conclusions.
Comparison of kinematic analysis by mapping tibiofemoral contact with movement of the femoral condylar centres in healthy and anterior cruciate ligament injured knees
Authors: Scarvell Jennifer M. , Smith Paul N. , Refshauge Kathryn M. , Galloway Howard R. , Woods Kevin R. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractTwo methods of analysis of knee kinematics from magnetic resonance images (MRI) in vivo have been developed independently: mapping the tibiofemoral contact, and tracking the femoral condylar centre. These two methods are compared for the assessment of kinematics in the healthy and the anterior cruciate ligament injured knee.Sagittal images of both knees of 20 subjects with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury were analysed. The subjects had performed a supine leg press against a 150 N load. Images were generated at 15° intervals from 0° to 90° knee flexion. The tibiofemoral contact, and the centre of the femoral condyle (defined by the flexion facet centre (FFC)), were measured from the posterior tibial cortex.The pattern of contact in the healthy knee showed the femoral roll back from 0° to 30°, then from 30° to 90° the medial condyle rolled back little, while the lateral condyle continued to roll back on the tibial plateau. The contact pattern was more posterior in the injured knee (p = 0.012), particularly in the lateral compartment. The medial FFC moved back very little during knee flexion, while the lateral FFC moved back throughout the flexion arc. The FFC was not significantly different in the injured knee (p = 0.17).The contact and movement of the FFC both demonstrated kinematic events at the knee, such as longitudinal rotation. Both methods are relevant to design of total knee arthroplasty: movement of the FFC for consideration of axis alignment, and contact pattern for issues of interface wear and arthritic change in ligament injury. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Delegating Powers in the European Community
Authors: FRANCHINO FABIO 
Published: March 2004

The theory of delegation developed by Epstein and O'Halloran for the US federal system is used here to generate original hypotheses on the politics of delegation in the European Community (EC). It is argued that two institutional features of the Community, namely the decision rules of the Council of Ministers and the possibility of relying on both the Commission and the member states for policy implementation are at the core of the choices of delegation of EC legislators. Using an original dataset of 158 major EC legislative acts, it is demonstrated that the Council delegates greater policy authority to national institutions if legislation is adopted unanimously or in issue areas that require specialized and technical knowledge, while it relies to a greater extent on the Commission when acts are adopted by qualified majority voting or require general managerial skills at the supranational level.Results also show that national administrators are the main providers of policy expertise, while the informational role of the Commission appears to be secondary, though not negligible. Finally, these findings qualify propositions on the relation between veto players and bureaucratic autonomy and on that between conflict within the legislature and delegation outcomes.
Expanding Confusion: Common Misconceptions of Cosmological Horizons and the Superluminal Expansion of the Universe
Authors: Davis Tamara M. , Lineweaver Charles H. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe use standard general relativity to illustrate and clarify several common misconceptions about the expansion of the universe. To show the abundance of these misconceptions we cite numerous misleading, or easily misinterpreted, statements in the literature. In the context of the new standard ΛCDM cosmology we point out confusions regarding the particle horizon, the event horizon, the ‘observable universe’ and the Hubble sphere (distance at which recession velocity = c). We show that we can observe galaxies that have, and always have had, recession velocities greater than the speed of light. We explain why this does not violate special relativity and we link these concepts to observational tests. Attempts to restrict recession velocities to less than the speed of light require a special relativistic interpretation of cosmological redshifts. We analyze apparent magnitudes of supernovae and observationally rule out the special relativistic Doppler interpretation of cosmological redshifts at a confidence level of 23σ.
Influence of the Neutron Star 1E 161348–5055 in RCW 103 on the Surrounding Medium
Authors: Reynoso E. M. , Green A. J. , Johnston S. , Goss W. M. , Dubner G. M. , Giacani E. B. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe have carried out a study of the neutral hydrogen in the direction of the X-ray source 1E 161348–5055, a compact central object (CCO) located in the interior of the supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 103. The Hi 21 cm line observations were carried out using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, complemented with single dish data from the Parkes radio telescope to recover information at all spatial scales. We derive a distance to RCW 103 of 3.1 kpc, in agreement with previous distance measurements. We have also detected a small hole in the Hi emission which is positionally and kinematically coincident with the location of the CCO which confirms the association between the SNR and the CCO. This is the third case of a depression in Hi emission seemingly associated with CCOs in SNRs. The characteristic parameters of the holes such as their size, eccentricity and evacuated mass are similar in all three cases. We estimate the absorbing HI column density towards 1E 161348–5055 to be ∼6 × 1021 cm–2, a value compatible with a blackbody solution for the CCO X-ray emission. However, the implied temperature and luminosity are very high compared to most neutron stars. Moreover, the strong long-term variability in X-rays favours the hypothesis that 1E 161348–5055 is an accreting binary source rather than an isolated, cooling neutron star. An analysis of the continuum image obtained at 1.4 GHz from these observations shows no trace of a pulsar wind nebula around 1E 161348–5055, in spite of it being a young object.
The Large Scale Distribution of Galaxies in the Shapley Supercluster
Authors: Drinkwater Michael J. , Parker Quentin A. , Proust Dominique , Slezak Eric , Quintana Hernán 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe present new results of our wide-field redshift survey of galaxies in a 182 square degree region of the Shapley Supercluster (SSC) based on observations with the FLAIR-II spectrograph on the UK Schmidt Telescope (UKST). In this paper we present new measurements to give a total sample of redshifts for 710 bright (R ≤ 16.6) galaxies, of which 464 are members of the SSC (8000 < v < 18 000 km s–1). Our data reveal that the main plane of the SSC (v ≈ 14 500 km s–1) extends further than previously realised, filling the whole extent of our survey region of 10 degrees by 20 degrees on the sky (35 Mpc by 70 Mpc, for H0 = 75 km s–1 Mpc–1). There is also a significant structure associated with the slightly nearer Abell 3571 cluster complex (v ≈ 12 000 km s–1) with a caustic structure evident out to a radius of 6 Mpc. These galaxies seem to link two previously identified sheets of galaxies and establish a connection with a third one at V (V) = 15 000 km s–1 near RA = 13h. They also tend to fill the gap of galaxies between the foreground Hydra-Centaurus region and the more distant SSC. We calculate galaxy overdensities of 5.0 ± 0.1 over the 182 square degree region surveyed and 3.3 ± 0.1 in a 159 square degree region excluding rich clusters. Over the large region of our survey the inter-cluster galaxies make up 46 per cent of all galaxies in the SSC region and may contribute a similar amount of mass to the cluster galaxies.
Line‐based modified iterated Hough transform for automatic registration of multi‐source imagery
Authors: Habib Ayman F. , Alruzouq Rami I. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractImage registration aims at combining imagery from multiple sensors to achieve higher accuracy and derive more information than that obtained from a single sensor. The enormous increase in the volume of remotely sensed data that is being acquired by an ever‐growing number of earth observation satellites mandates the development of accurate, robust, and automated registration procedures. An effective automatic image registration has to deal with four issues: registration primitives, transformation function, similarity measure, and matching strategy. This paper introduces a new approach for automatic image registration using linear features as the registration primitives. Linear features have been chosen because they can be reliably extracted from imagery with significantly different geometric and radiometric properties. The modified iterated Hough transform (MIHT), which manipulates the registration primitives and similarity measure, is used as the matching strategy for automatically deriving an estimate of the parameters involved in the transformation function as well as the correspondence between conjugate primitives. The MIHT procedure follows an optimal sequence for parameter estimation that takes into account the contribution of linear features with different orientations at various locations within the imagery towards the estimation of the transformation parameters in question. Experimental results using real data proved the feasibility and robustness of the suggested approach.
Rising burden of immature sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus) on red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scoticus) chicks in the Scottish uplands
Authors: Kirby A. D. , Smith A. A. , Benton T. G. , Hudson P. J. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract.  The sheep tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) is an ectoparasite of major economic and pathogenic importance in Scotland. Its distribution in the Scottish uplands is assumed to be governed by the abundance and distribution of its definitive hosts (deer and sheep) and climatic variables such as temperature and rainfall. As the numbers of its major host in Scotland, red deer, have increased dramatically and climatic conditions have become more favourable, the level of parasitism could have been expected to rise. We use data gathered from tick counts on over 4000 red grouse chicks Lagopus lagopus scoticus Latham (Galliformes: Tetraonidae) in various experiments over the past 19 years to ascertain whether the intensity and prevalence of parasitism has been increasing.From 1985 to 2003 the average tick burden of a parasitized red grouse chick has grown from 2.60 ± 1.12 ticks per chick to 12.71 ± 1.44. Over this period the percentage of chicks of a given brood parasitized has also increased from 4 ± 2% to 92 ± 3%. The possible implications of this increase in parasitism for red grouse production are discussed.
Natural breeding places of phlebotomine sandflies
Authors: Feliciangeli M. D. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract.  Methods of finding larvae and pupae of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are described and the known types of breeding sites used by sandflies are listed. Three ways of detecting sandfly breeding places are the use of emergence traps placed over potential sources to catch newly emerged adult sandflies; flotation of larvae and pupae from soil, etc., and desiccation of media to drive out the larvae. Even so, remarkably little information is available on the ecology of the developmental stages of sandflies, despite their importance as vectors of Leishmania, Bartonella and phleboviruses affecting humans and other vertebrates in warmers parts of the world. Regarding the proven or suspected vectors of leishmaniases, information on breeding sites is available for only 15 out of 29 species of sandflies involved in the Old World and 12 out of 44 species of sandflies involved in the Americas, representing ∼3% of the known species of Phlebotominae.Ecotopes occupied by immature phlebotomines are usually organically rich moist soils, such as the rain forest floor (Lutzomyia intermedia, Lu. umbratilis, Lu. whitmani in the Amazon; Lu. gomezi, Lu. panamensis, Lu. trapidoi in Panama), or contaminated soil of animal shelters (Lu. longipalpis s.l. in South America, Phlebotomus argentipes in India; P. chinensis in China; P. ariasi, P. perfiliewi, P. perniciosus in Europe). Developmental stages of some species (P. langeroni and P. martini in Africa; P. papatasi in Eurasia; Lu. longipalpis s.l. in South America), have been found in a wide range of ecotopes, and many species of sandflies employ rodent burrows as breeding sites, although the importance of this niche is unclear. Larvae of some phlebotomines have been found in what appear to be specialized niches such as Lu. ovallesi on buttress roots of trees in Panama; P. celiae in termite hills in Kenya; P. longipes and P. pedifer in caves and among rocks in East Africa. Old World species found as immatures in the earthen floor of human habitations include P. argentipes, P. chinensis, P. martini and P. papatasi. Much more information on sandfly breeding sites is required to facilitate their control by source reduction.
Acarologic risk of exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi spirochaetes: long‐term evaluations in north‐western California, with implications for Lyme borreliosis risk‐assessment models
Authors: Eisen L. , Eisen R. J. , Chang C.‐C. , Mun J. , Lane R. S. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract.  Over a 5‐year period (1997–2001) the population densities of Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs infected with spirochaetes of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) were evaluated in areas of 2000 ha at two localities (CHR, nine sites; HREC, seven sites) 25 km apart in Mendocino County, north‐western California. The 5‐year median density of infected nymphs was significantly higher at CHR than at HREC (0.51 vs. 0.09 per 100 m2) and site‐specific yearly densities exceeding one infected nymph per 100 m2 were 10‐fold more likely to occur at CHR than at HREC. The importance of long‐term data in acarologic risk assessment was demonstrated by significantly higher median yearly densities of infected nymphs at CHR from 1997 to 1999, whereas both areas had similar densities during 2000–2001.Overall, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis in North America, B. burgdorferi Johnson et al. sensu stricto (s.s.) accounted for 76% of 46 genetically characterized B. burgdorferi s.l. infections from I. pacificus nymphs. Tremendous variability in acarologic risk was recorded within both areas: yearly densities of infected nymphs varied 11–97‐fold between sites at CHR and 8–30‐fold at HREC. Part of this variation could be explained by environmental traits, most notably deer usage. However, correlations between environmental factors and density of infected nymphs (for CHR and HREC combined) did not necessarily apply when these areas were considered separately. Thus, a Lyme borreliosis ecology model developed in one of these areas needs testing in the other area.
Potential vectors of West Nile Virus following an equine disease outbreak in Italy
Authors: Romi R. , Pontuale G. , CIufolini M. G. , Fiorentini G. , Marchi A. , Nicoletti L. , Cocchi M. , Tamburro A. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract.  In the late summer of 1998, an outbreak of equine encephalomyelitis due to West Nile virus (WNV) occurred in the Tuscany region of central Italy. The disease was detected in 14 race horses from nine localities in four Provinces: Firenze, Lucca, Pisa and Pistoia. The outbreak area included Fucecchio wetlands (1800 ha), the largest inland marsh in Italy, and the adjacent hilly Cerbaie woodlands with farms breeding horses. To detect potential vectors of WNV, entomological surveys of Fucecchio and Cerbaie were undertaken during 1999–2002 by collecting mosquito larvae from breeding sites and adult mosquitoes by several methods of sampling.Among 6023 mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected, 11 species were identified: Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Ae. vexans (Meigen), Anopheles atroparvus Van Thiel, An. maculipennis Meigen s.s., An. plumbeus Stephens, Culex impudicus Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens L., Culiseta longiareolata Macquart), Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas), Oc. detritus (Haliday) and Oc. geniculatus (Olivier). In Fucecchio marshes, Cx. impudicus predominated with seasonal peak densities in spring and autumn: its greatest abundance during early spring coincides with arrival of migratory birds from Africa. In Cerbaie hills, Cx. pipiens predominated with peak population density in late summer. No viruses were isolated from 665 mosquitoes processed. These findings, plus other data on Italian mosquito bionomics, suggest a possible mode of WNV transmission involving the most abundant Culex in the Fucecchio‐Cerbaie areas. Culex impudicus, being partly ornithophilic, might transmit WNV from migratory to non‐migratory birds during springtime; Cx. pipiens, having a broader host range, would be more likely to transmit WNV from birds to horses and, perhaps, to humans by late summer.
Educational Assessments in Latin America: The State of the Art
Authors: Wolff Laurence 
Published: March 2004

On s’intéresse de plus en plus à travers le monde aux évaluations dans la domaine de l’éducation. Cet article décrit les progrès que plusieurs pays d’Amérique latine ont réalisé dans ce secteur, y compris la participation de l’Amérique latine à un ensemble d’initiatives internationales. L’article expose quelques questions et problèmes et indique comment les programmes d’évaluation de ces pays pourrait être mieux exploités pour améliorer la qualité de l’éducation.Interest in educational assessments has grown throughout the world. This paper examines advances in educational assessments in several countries of Latin America, including Latin American participation in a variety of international efforts. The paper identifies issues and problems and suggests how assessment programs in this region can be used more effectively to improve the quality of education.1
Assessment in Multicultural Groups: The Role of Acculturation
Authors: Van De Vijver Fons J.R. , Phalet Karen 
Published: March 2004

On analyse le rôle de l’acculturation dans l’évaluation des groupes multiculturels. Des procédures standardisées doivent être développées pour prendre en compte la composition multiculturelle des sociétés contemporaines où les individus, relevants de références culturelles multiples, ne disposent pas de l’aisance culturelle et langagière que les procédures d’évaluation présupposent lors de la passation des tests psychologie et d’éducation. La première partie de l’article présente un bref survol des modèles d’acculturation et souligne la pertinence de l’acculturation dans le testing multiculturel. La seconde partie aborde des questions conceptuelles et méthodologiques dans l’évaluation de l’acculturation. S’ensuit une discussion sur la façon dont l’acculturation peut être prise en compte dans l’évaluation des groupes multiculturels, par exemple en établissant différentes normes pour des groupes culturels différents, en ajoutant une correction pour le statut d’acculturation, ou en évaluant l’acculturation et en utilisant ce score en covariation ou comme valeur seuil, ce qui décidera si oui ou non un résultat à un test peut être interprété valablement.The role of acculturation in assessment in multicultural groups is discussed. It is argued that standard procedures are to be developed to deal with the multicultural composition of today's societies, in which clients come from various cultural backgrounds and do not have the familiarity with the language and culture of the psychological and educational tests that is implicitly assumed in the assessment procedure. The first part presents a brief overview of acculturation models and points out the relevance of acculturation in multicultural testing. The second part of the paper discusses conceptual and methodological issues in the assessment of acculturation. This is followed by a discussion of ways in which acculturation can be taken into account in assessing multicultural groups, such as establishing different norms for different cultural groups, adding a “correction” for acculturation status, or assessing acculturation, and using this score either as a covariate or as a threshold value that determines whether or not a score on a target instrument can be interpreted adequately. Implications are discussed.