Showing papers by "University of Manchester published in 1999"
TL;DR: A review of the literature on consumer-perceived risk over the past 30 years can be found in this paper, where the authors identify and report the theoretical and model developments over this period and propose criteria which researchers can use in deciding the most useful model for their own research.
Abstract: Reviews the literature on consumer‐perceived risk over the past 30 years. The review begins by establishing perceived risk’s relationship with related marketing constructs such as involvement and trust. It then tackles some debates within the literature, concerning subjective and objective risk and differences between the concepts of risk and uncertainty. It describes how different models have been devised and operationalised to measure risk and how these have developed over the years. Aims to identify and report the theoretical and model developments over the past 30 years and to propose criteria which researchers can use in deciding the most useful model for their own research. The criteria are: understanding, prediction, suitability for reliability and validity assessment, practicality and usability. It is suggested that the basic two‐component model is still the most generally useful for researchers and practitioners alike.
1,394 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that the PSYRATS are useful assessment instruments and can complement existing measures and have excellent inter-rater reliability.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Scales to measure the severity of different dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions are few. Biochemical and psychological treatments target dimensions of symptoms and valid and reliable measures are necessary to measure these. METHOD: The inter-rater reliability and validity of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS: auditory hallucination subscale and delusions subscale), which measure several dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions were examined in this study. RESULTS: The two scales were found to have excellent inter-rater reliability. Their validity as compared with the KGV scale (Krawiecka et al. 1977) was explored. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the PSYRATS are useful assessment instruments and can complement existing measures.
1,259 citations
01 Jan 1999
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have developed a framework to help managers successfully plan and implement an ERP project, which can support a business vision and strategy; a poor, decentralized one can break a company.
Abstract: An effective IT infrastructure can support a business vision and strategy; a poor, decentralized one can break a company. More and more companies are turning to off-the-shelf ERP (enterprise resource planning) solutions for IT planning and legacy systems management. The authors have developed a framework to help managers successfully plan and implement an ERP project
1,075 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that chronic amphetamine abusers show similar decision-making deficits to those seen after focal damage to orbitofrontal PFC, which may reflect altered neuromodulation of the orbitof prefrontal PFC and interconnected limbic-striatal systems by both the ascending 5-HT and mesocortical dopamine projections.
1,065 citations
TL;DR: Symptoms of atopic eczema exhibit wide variations in prevalence both within and between countries inhabited by similar ethnic groups, suggesting that environmental factors may be critical in determining disease expression.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence of atopic eczema outside Northern Europe.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the magnitude and variation in the prevalence of atopic eczema symptoms throughout the world.
METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on random samples of schoolchildren aged 6 to 7 years and 13 to 14 years from centers in 56 countries throughout the world. Those children with a positive response to being questioned about the presence of an itchy relapsing skin rash in the last 12 months that had affected their skin creases were considered to have atopic eczema. Children whose atopic eczema symptoms resulted in sleep disturbance for 1 or more nights per week were considered to have severe atopic eczema.
RESULTS: Complete data was available for 256,410 children aged 6 to 7 years in 90 centers and 458,623 children aged 13 to 14 years in 153 centers. The prevalence range for symptoms of atopic eczema was from less than 2% in Iran to over 16% in Japan and Sweden in the 6 to 7 year age range and less than 1% in Albania to over 17% in Nigeria for the 13 to 14 year age range. Higher prevalences of atopic eczema symptoms were reported in Australasia and Northern Europe, and lower prevalences were reported in Eastern and Central Europe and Asia. Similar patterns were seen for symptoms of severe atopic eczema.
CONCLUSIONS: Atopic eczema is a common health problem for children and adolescents throughout the world. Symptoms of atopic eczema exhibit wide variations in prevalence both within and between countries inhabited by similar ethnic groups, suggesting that environmental factors may be critical in determining disease expression. Studies that include objective skin examinations are required to confirm these findings.
958 citations
TL;DR: The authors have developed a framework to help managers successfully plan and implement an ERP project.
Abstract: An effective IT infrastructure can support a business vision and strategy; a poor, decentralized one can break a company. More and more companies are turning to off-the-shelf ERP (enterprise resource planning) solutions for IT planning and legacy systems management. The authors have developed a framework to help managers successfully plan and implement an ERP project.
946 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used up-to-date financial panel data, and investigated the capital structure of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.
Abstract: This article utilises up-to-date financial panel data, and investigates the capital structure of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK Different capital structure theories are reviewed in order to formulate testable propositions concerning the levels of debt in small businesses, and a number of regression models are developed to test the hypotheses
903 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the evolution of the field in terms of ten "schools" and ask whether these perspectives represent fundamentally different processes of strategy making or different parts of the same process.
Abstract: In this article, we review briefly the evolution of the field in terms of ten "schools." We ask whether these perspectives represent fundamentally different processes of strategy making or different parts of the same process. In both cases, our answer is yes. We seek to show how some recent work tends to cut across these historical perspectives - in a sense, how cross-fertilization has occurred. To academics, this represents confusion and disorder, whereas to others - including ourselves - it expresses a certain welcome eclecticism, a broadening of perspectives. We discuss this in terms of another metaphor that is also popular in strategic management: the tree with its roots and branches.
781 citations
TL;DR: A substantial genetic contribution to variance in liability was confirmed for the major diagnostic categories except Research Diagnostic Criteria depressive psychosis and unspecified functional psychosis, where familial transmission was confirmed, but the relative contribution of genetic and common environmental factors was unclear.
Abstract: Background Previous twin studies have supported a genetic contribution to the major categories of psychotic disorders, but few of these have employed operational diagnostic criteria, and no such study has been based on a sample that included the full range of functional psychotic disorders. Methods A total of 224 twin probands (106 monozygotic, 118 dizygotic) with a same-sex co-twin and a lifetime history of psychosis was ascertained from the service-based Maudsley Twin Register in London, England. Research Diagnostic Criteria psychotic diagnoses were made on a lifetime-ever basis. Main-lifetime diagnoses of DSM-III-R and International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision schizophrenia were also made. Probandwise concordance rates and correlations in liability were calculated, and biometrical model fitting applied. Results A substantial genetic contribution to variance in liability was confirmed for the major diagnostic categories except Research Diagnostic Criteria depressive psychosis and unspecified functional psychosis, where familial transmission was confirmed, but the relative contribution of genetic and common environmental factors was unclear. Heritability estimates for Research Diagnostic Criteria schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mania, DSM-III-R schizophrenia, and International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision schizophrenia were all between 82% and 85%. None of the estimates differed significantly from any other. Conclusions Heritability estimates for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mania were substantial and similar. Population morbid risk estimates were inferred rather than directly measured, but the results were very similar to those from studies where morbid risks were directly estimated.
777 citations
TL;DR: There is now increasing evidence that a number of psychological treatments and antidepressants are helpful in reducing symptoms and other consequences of the FGIDs in children and adults.
735 citations
06 Sep 1999
TL;DR: An algorithm is presented that decides satisfiability of the DL ACC extended with transitive eind inverse roles, role hierarchies, and quaJifying number restrictions, and early experiments indicate that this algorithm is well-suited for implementation.
Abstract: Description Logics (DLs) axe a family of knowledge representation formetlisms mainly chauracterised by constructors to build complex concepts and iroles from atomic ones. Expressive role constructors are important in many applications, but can be computationally problematical. We present an algorithm that decides satisfiability of the DL ACC extended with transitive eind inverse roles, role hierarchies, and quaJifying number restrictions. Early experiments indicate that this algorithm is well-suited for implementation. Additionally, we show that ACC extended with just transitive and inverse roles is still in PSPACE. Finally, we investigate the limits of decidability for this family of DLs.
TL;DR: The fundamental characteristics of active database systems are presented, a collection of representative systems within a common framework are described, the consequences for implementations of certain design decisions are considered, and tools for developing active applications are discussed.
Abstract: Active database systems support mechanisms that enable them to respond automatically to events that are taking place either inside or outside the database system itself. Considerable effort has been directed towards improving understanding of such systems in recent years, and many different proposals have been made and applications suggested. This high level of activity has not yielded a single agreed-upon standard approach to the integration of active functionality with conventional database systems, but has led to improved understanding of active behavior description languages, execution models, and architectures. This survey presents the fundamental characteristics of active database systems, describes a collection of representative systems within a common framework, considers the consequences for implementations of certain design decisions, and discusses tools for developing active applications.
TL;DR: The results of this study demonstrate the functional significance of the ATA haplotype and reveal a significant association of genotypes containing this haplotype with extended oligoarthritis.
Abstract: Objective. To determine the distribution of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) 5' flanking region haplotypes in children with arthritis and in controls, and to investigate the functional significance of each haplotype. Methods. Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing was used to determine haplotype frequency. Transient transfection studies were used to investigate the transcription of reporter genes driven by each haplotype. Whole blood cultures were performed to assess IL-10 production by each genotype. Results. Patients with arthritis involving >4 joints were more likely to have a genotype with an ATA haplotype than those whose arthritis remained restricted to <4 joints. This ATA haplotype was associated with lower transcriptional activity than the GCC haplotype (P = 0.02), and the ATA/ATA genotype was associated with lower IL-10 production under lipopolysaccharide stimulation than other genotypes (P < 0.02). Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate the functional significance of the ATA haplotype and reveal a significant association of genotypes containing this haplotype with extended oligoarthritis.
TL;DR: A new classification system is provided that separates the known capsules of E. coli into four distinct groups, taking into account the organization of capsule gene clusters, details of the assembly pathway, and regulatory features that dictate capsule expression.
Abstract: Many Escherichia coli strains are covered in a layer of surface-associated polysaccharide called the capsule. Capsular polysaccharides represent a major surface antigen, the K antigen, and more than 80 distinct K serotypes result from structural diversity in these polymers. However, not all capsules consist of K antigen. Some are due to production of an extensive layer of a polymer structurally identical to a lipopolysaccharide O antigen, but distinguished from lipopolysaccharide by the absence of terminal lipid A-core. Recent research has provided insight into the manner in which capsules are organized on the Gram-negative cell surface, the pathways used for their assembly, and the regulatory processes used to control their expression. A limited repertoire of capsule expression systems are available, despite the fact that the producing bacteria occupy a variety of ecological niches and possess diverse physiologies. All of the known capsule assembly systems seen in Gram-negative bacteria are represented in E. coli, as are the majority of the regulatory strategies. Escherichia coli therefore provides a variety of working models on which studies in other bacteria are (or can be) based. In this review, we present an overview of the current molecular and biochemical models for capsule expression in E. coli. By taking into account the organization of capsule gene clusters, details of the assembly pathway, and regulatory features that dictate capsule expression, we provide a new classification system that separates the known capsules of E. coli into four distinct groups.
TL;DR: Teaching patients with bipolar disorder to recognise early symptoms of manic relapse and seek early treatment is associated with important clinical improvements in time to first manic relapse, social functioning, and employment.
Abstract: Objective: To determine the efficacy of teaching patients with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive psychosis) to identify early symptoms of relapse and seek prompt treatment from health services. Design: Single blind randomised controlled trial with matching on four baseline variables using a minimisation algorithm. Setting: Mental health services in four NHS trusts (one teaching, three non-teaching). Subjects: 69 patients with bipolar disorder who had had a relapse in the previous 12 months. Interventions: Seven to 12individual treatment sessions from a research psychologist plus routine care or routine care alone. Main outcome measures: Time to first manic or depressive relapse, number of manic or depressive relapses, and social functioning examined by standardised interviews every six months for 18 months. Results: 25th centile time to first manic relapse in experimental group was 65weeks compared with 17weeks in the control group. Event curves of time to first manic relapse significantly differed between experimental and control groups (log rank 7.04, df=1, P=0.008), with significant reductions in the number of manic relapses over 18months (median difference 30% (95% confidence interval 8% to 52%), P=0.013). The experimental treatment had no effect on time to first relapse or number of relapses with depression, but it significantly improved overall social functioning (mean difference 2.0(0.7to 3.2), P=0.003) and employment (mean difference 0.7(0.1to 1.3), P=0.030) by 18months. Conclusion: Teaching patients to recognise early symptoms of manic relapse and seek early treatment is associated with important clinical improvements in time to first manic relapse, social functioning, and employment.
TL;DR: Modulation of the extracellular matrix, by remodelling its structure and activity, has profound effects on its function and the consequent behaviour of cells residing on or within it.
TL;DR: Investigation of events committing cells to death revealed that a concealed NH2-terminal epitope of the pro-apoptotic protein Bak became exposed in vivo before apoptosis after treatment of human Jurkat or CEM-C7A T-lymphoma cells with the mechanistically disparate agents staurosporine, etoposide or dexamethasone.
Abstract: Investigation of events committing cells to death revealed that a concealed NH2-terminal epitope of the pro-apoptotic protein Bak became exposed in vivo before apoptosis. This occurred after treatment of human Jurkat or CEM-C7A T-lymphoma cells with the mechanistically disparate agents staurosporine, etoposide or dexamethasone. The rapid, up to 10-fold increase in Bak-associated immunofluorescence was measured with epitope-specific monoclonal antibodies using flow cytometry and microscopy. In contrast, using a polyclonal antibody to Bak, immunofluorescence was detected both before and after treatment. There were no differences in Bak protein content nor in subcellular location before or after treatment. Immunofluorescence showed Bcl-xL and Bak were largely associated with mitochondria and in untreated cells they coimmunoprecipitated in the presence of nonioinic detergent. This association was significantly decreased after cell perturbation suggesting that Bcl-xL dissociation from Bak occurred on exposure of Bak's NH2 terminus. Multiple forms of Bak protein were observed by two dimensional electrophoresis but these were unchanged by inducers of apoptosis. This indicated that integration of cellular damage signals did not take place directly on the Bak protein. Release of proteins, including Bcl-xL, from Bak is suggested to be an important event in commitment to death.
TL;DR: The data provide evidence that permanent exclusion of plant species from the species pool can have important consequences for overall vegetation composition in addition to the direct effects of vegetation removal, and various potential effects on both the above- and belowground subsystems.
Abstract: The consequences of permanent loss of species or species groups from plant communities are poorly understood, although there is increasing evidence that individual species effects are important in modifying ecosystem properties. We conducted a field experiment in a New Zealand perennial grassland ecosystem, creating artificial vegetation gaps and imposing manipulation treatments on the reestablishing vegetation. Treatments consisted of continual removal of different subsets or “functional groups” of the flora. We monitored vegetation and soil biotic and chemical properties over a 3-yr period. Plant competitive effects were clear: removal of the C3 grass Lolium perenne L. enhanced vegetative cover, biomass, and species richness of both the C4 grass and dicotyledonous weed functional groups and had either positive or negative effects on the legume Trifolium repens L., depending on season. Treatments significantly affected total plant cover and biomass; in particular, C4 grass removal reduced total plant biomass in summer, because no other species had appropriate phenology. Removal of C3 grasses reduced total root biomass and drastically enhanced overall shoot-to-root biomass ratios. Aboveground net primary productivity (NPP) was not strongly affected by any treatment, indicating strong compensatory effects between different functional components of the flora. Removing all plants often negatively affected three further trophic levels of the decomposer functional food web: microflora, microbe-feeding nematodes, and predaceous nematodes. However, as long as plants were present, we did not find strong effects of removal treatments, NPP, or plant biomass on these trophic groupings, which instead were most closely related to spatial variation in soil chemical properties across all trophic levels, soil N in particular. Larger decomposer organisms, i.e., Collembola and earthworms, were unresponsive to any factor other than removal of all plants, which reduced their populations. We also considered five functional components of the soil biota at finer taxonomic levels: three decomposer components (microflora, microbe-feeding nematodes, predaceous nematodes) and two herbivore groups (nematodes and arthropods). Taxa within these five groups responded to removal treatments, indicating that plant community composition has multitrophic effects at higher levels of taxonomic resolution. The principal ordination axes summarizing community-level data for different trophic groups in the soil food web were related to each other in several instances, but the plant ordination axes were only significantly related to those of the soil microfloral community. There were time lag effects, with ordination axes of soil-associated herbivorous arthropods and microbial-feeding nematodes being related to ordination axes representing plant community structure at earlier measurement dates. Taxonomic diversity of some soil organism groups was linked to plant removals or to plant diversity. For herbivorous arthropods, removal of C4 grasses enhanced diversity; there were negative correlations between plant and arthropod diversity, presumably because of negative influences of C4 species in the most diverse treatments. There was evidence of lag relationships between diversity of plants and that of the three decomposer groups, indicating multitrophic effects of altering plant diversity. Relatively small effects of plant removal on the decomposer food web were also apparent in soil processes regulated by this food web. Decomposition rates of substrates added to soils showed no relationship with treatment, and rates of CO2 evolution from the soil were only adversely affected when all plants were removed. Few plant functional-group effects on soil nutrient dynamics were identified. Although some treatments affected temporal variability (and thus stability) of soil biotic properties (particularly CO2 release) throughout the experiment, there was no evidence of destabilizing effects of plant removals. Our data provide evidence that permanent exclusion of plant species from the species pool can have important consequences for overall vegetation composition in addition to the direct effects of vegetation removal, and various potential effects on both the above- and belowground subsystems. The nature of many of these effects is driven by which plant species are lost from the system, which depends on the various attributes or traits of these species.
TL;DR: In this paper, a modified Landweber iteration method is proposed to enhance the quality of the image when two distinct phases are present, and a simple constraint is used as a regularization for computing a stabilized solution, with better immunity to noise and faster convergence.
Abstract: Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is a so-called `soft-field' tomography technique. The linear back-projection (LBP) method is used widely for image reconstruction in ECT systems. It is numerically simple and computationally fast because it involves only a single matrix-vector multiplication. However, the images produced by the LBP algorithm are generally qualitative rather than quantitative. This paper presents an image-reconstruction algorithm based on a modified Landweber iteration method that can greatly enhance the quality of the image when two distinct phases are present. In this algorithm a simple constraint is used as a regularization for computing a stabilized solution, with a better immunity to noise and faster convergence. Experimental results are presented.
TL;DR: The DNA sequence of the human IFN-gamma gene shows the presence of a variable-length CA repeat in the first intron of the gene, and the allele distribution of this microsatellite region in 164 unrelated healthy individuals and the association with interferon-gammas production were investigated.
Abstract: The DNA sequence of the human IFN-γ gene shows the presence of a variable-length CA repeat in the first intron of the gene. We investigated the allele distribution of this microsatellite region in 164 unrelated healthy individuals, and the association with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. In vitro production of IFN-γ showed a significant correlation with the presence of allele #2.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors distinguish between static and dynamic, and micro-and macro-efficiency, and argue that labor market regulation has an important role to play in the institutional transformation needed to reconcile goals of efficiency and equality.
TL;DR: The presence of persistent low back pain is determined not only by clinical factors associated with pain but also by the premorbid state.
Abstract: Objectives: To quantify the relative contribution of premorbid and episode specific factors in determining the long term persistence of disabling symptoms of low back pain. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting: Two general practices in the south Manchester area. Participants: 180 patients, who previously participated in a cross sectional population survey, who consulted because of low back pain during the study period. They were followed at 1 week and 3 and 12 months after consultation. Main outcome measure: Persistent disabling low back pain in the 12 months after the consultation. Results: Disabling low back pain persisted in one third of participants after consultation and was more common with increasing age, among those with a history of low back pain, and in women. Persistence of symptoms was associated with “premorbid” factors (high levels of psychological distress (odds ratio 3.3; 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 7.2), poor self rated health (3.6; 1.9 to 6.8), low levels of physical activity (2.8; 1.4 to 5.6), smoking (2.1; 1.0 to 4.3), dissatisfaction with employment (2.4; 1.3 to 4.5)) and factors related to the episode of low back pain (duration of symptoms, pain radiating to the leg (2.6; 1.3 to 5.1), widespread pain (6.4; 2.7 to 15), and restriction in spinal mobility). A multivariate model based on six factors identified groups whose likelihood of persistent symptoms ranged from 6% to 70%. Conclusions: The presence of persistent low back pain is determined not only by clinical factors associated with pain but also by the premorbid state
TL;DR: The irregular xylem3 (irx3) mutant of Arabidopsis has a severe deficiency in secondary cell wall cellulose deposition that leads to collapsed xyleM cells, and in contrast to radial swelling1 (rsw1) plants, irx3 plants show no increase in the accumulation of beta-1,4-linked glucose in the noncrystalline cell wall fraction.
Abstract: The irregular xylem3 ( irx3 ) mutant of Arabidopsis has a severe deficiency in secondary cell wall cellulose deposition that leads to collapsed xylem cells. The irx3 mutation has been mapped to the top arm of chromosome V near the marker nga106. Expressed sequence tag clone 75G11, which exhibits sequence similarity to cellulose synthase, was found to be tightly linked to irx3 , and genomic clones containing the gene corresponding to clone 75G11 complemented the irx3 mutation. Thus, the IRX3 gene encodes a cellulose synthase component that is specifically required for the synthesis of cellulose in the secondary cell wall. The irx3 mutant allele contains a stop codon that truncates the gene product by 168 amino acids, suggesting that this allele is null. Furthermore, in contrast to radial swelling1 ( rsw1) plants, irx3 plants show no increase in the accumulation of β-1,4–linked glucose in the noncrystalline cell wall fraction. IRX3 and RSW1 fall into a distinct subgroup (Csa) of Arabidopsis genes showing homology to bacterial cellulose synthases.
TL;DR: Following immunoperoxidase or silver‐intensified immunogold labeling, neuronal, somatodendritic, and/or axonal immunoreactivity was detected in numerous brain regions, including all those in which ligand binding sites and 5‐HT2A mRNA had previously been reported.
Abstract: Light and electron microscope immunocytochemistry with a monoclonal antibody against the N-terminal domain of the human protein was used to determine the cellular and subcellular localization of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the central nervous system of adult rat Following immunoperoxidase or silver-intensified immunogold labeling, neuronal, somatodendritic, and/or axonal immunoreactivity was detected in numerous brain regions, including all those in which ligand binding sites and 5-HT2A mRNA had previously been reported The distribution of 5-HT2A-immunolabeled soma/dendrites was characterized in cerebral cortex, olfactory system, septum, hippocampal formation, basal ganglia, amygdala, diencephalon, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord Labeled axons were visible in every myelinated tract known to arise from immunoreactive cell body groups
In immunopositive soma/dendrites as well as axons, the 5-HT2A receptor appeared mainly cytoplasmic rather than membrane bound Even though the dendritic labeling was generally stronger than the somatic, it did not extend to dendritic spines in such regions as the cerebral and piriform cortex, the neostriatum, or the molecular layer of the cerebellum Similarly, there were no labeled axon terminals in numerous regions known to be strongly innervated by the immunoreactive somata and their axons (eg, molecular layer of piriform cortex) It was concluded that the 5-HT2A receptor is mostly intracellular and transported in dendrites and axons, but does not reach into dendritic spines or axon terminals Because it has previously been shown that this serotonin receptor is transported retrogradely as well as anterogradely, activates intracellular transduction pathways and intervenes in the regulation of the expression of many genes, it is suggested that one of its main functions is to participate in retrograde signaling systems activated by serotonin J Comp Neurol 409:187–209, 1999 © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc
TL;DR: Several suicide prevention measures in mental health services are implied by these findings, including measures to improve compliance and prevent loss of contact with services.
Abstract: Objective: To describe the clinical circumstances in which psychiatric patients commit suicide. Design: National clinical survey. Setting: England and Wales. Subjects: A two year sample of people who had committed suicide, in particular those who had been in contact with mental health services in the 12 months before death. Main outcome measures: Proportion of suicides in people who had had recent contact with mental health services; proportion of suicides in inpatients; proportion of people committing suicide and timing of suicide within three months of hospital discharge; proportion receiving high priority under the care programme approach; proportion who were recently non-compliant and not attending. Results: 10 040 suicides were notified to the study between April 1996 and March 1998, of whom 2370 (24%; 95% confidence interval 23% to 24%) had had contact with mental health services in the year before death. Data were obtained on 2177, a response rate of 92%. In general these subjects had broad social and clinical needs. Alcohol and drug misuse were common. 358 (16%; 15% to 18%) were psychiatric inpatients at the time of death, 21% (17% to 25%) of whom were under special observation. Difficulties in observing patients because of ward design and nursing shortages were both reported in around a quarter of inpatient suicides. 519 (24%; 22% to 26%) suicides occurred within three months of hospital discharge, the highest number occurring in the first week after discharge. 914 (43%; 40% to 44%) were in the highest priority category for community care. 488 (26% excluding people whose compliance was unknown; 24% to 28%) were non-compliant with drug treatment while 486 (28%; 26% to 30%) community patients had lost contact with services. Most people who committed suicide were thought to have been at no or low immediate risk at the final service contact. Mental health teams believed suicide could have been prevented in 423 (22%; 20% to 24%) cases. Conclusions: Several suicide prevention measures in mental health services are implied by these findings, including measures to improve compliance and prevent loss of contact with services. Inpatient facilities should remove structural difficulties in observing patients and fixtures that can be used in hanging. Prevention of suicide after discharge may require earlier follow up in the community. Better suicide prevention in psychiatric patients is likely to need measures to improve the safety of mental health services as a whole, rather than specific measures for people known to be at high risk.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare the timeliness and conservatism of reported earnings across the U.S. and U.K. GAAP regimes, and find that the degree of conservatism of the US GAAP regime appears significantly greater than for the UK, when estimated using ordinary earnings.
Abstract: In this study we compare the timeliness and conservatism of reported earnings across the U.S. and U.K. GAAP regimes. We present a theoretical model of the differential speeds of recognition of good news and bad news. This suggests informative and relatively robust ways of measuring dimensions of conservatism in income recognition. The analysis shows the importance of distinguishing between delays in reporting good news and early recognition of bad news, when comparing conservatism across GAAP regimes. Empirical results suggest that the treatment of extraordinary items is important in assessing relative conservatism. The degree of conservatism of the U.S. GAAP regime appears significantly greater than for the U.K. GAAP regime, when estimated using ordinary earnings. However, when conservatism is estimated using earnings after extraordinary items we find that the gap is far less pronounced, and may even disappear. Our results further indicate that the main feature distinguishing the timeliness of earnings between the U.S. and U.K. is not the relative speed of recognition of bad news, but the much slower recognition of good news under U.S. GAAP.
TL;DR: The gene (CTSC) encoding the lysosomal protease cathepsin C (or dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) lies within this interval and the genomic structure of CTSC is defined and mutations in all eight families are found.
Abstract: Papillon-Lefevre syndrome, or keratosis palmoplantaris with periodontopathia (PLS, MIM 245000), is an autosomal recessive disorder that is mainly ascertained by dentists because of the severe periodontitis that afflicts patients. Both the deciduous and permanent dentitions are affected, resulting in premature tooth loss. Palmoplantar keratosis, varying from mild psoriasiform scaly skin to overt hyperkeratosis, typically develops within the first three years of life. Keratosis also affects other sites such as elbows and knees. Most PLS patients display both periodontitis and hyperkeratosis. Some patients have only palmoplantar keratosis or periodontitis, and in rare individuals the periodontitis is mild and of late onset. The PLS locus has been mapped to chromosome 11q14-q21 (refs 7, 8, 9). Using homozygosity mapping in eight small consanguineous families, we have narrowed the candidate region to a 1.2-cM interval between D11S4082 and D11S931. The gene (CTSC) encoding the lysosomal protease cathepsin C (or dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) lies within this interval. We defined the genomic structure of CTSC and found mutations in all eight families. In two of these families we used a functional assay to demonstrate an almost total loss of cathepsin C activity in PLS patients and reduced activity in obligate carriers.
TL;DR: The results suggest that in the short term, the abundance and activity of soil micro-organisms in upland grasslands are regulated more by plant species traits than by a direct effect of nitrogen.
Abstract: 1. The aim was to assess the extent to which the microbial biomass and activity, and community structure of fertilized upland grasslands are directly related to changes in soil N availability or indirectly related to individual plant species effects caused by changes in plant species composition and dominance. We investigated the short-term interactive effects of dominant plant species (Lolium perenne, Agrostis capillaris, Holcus lanatus and Festuca rubra) and nitrogen (N) amendment using an N-limited upland grassland soil. 2. In soils planted with different grass species, soil microbial biomass, and to some extent microbial activity, were determined by temporal changes in plant productivity. Variations in the way that individual plants influenced soil microbial biomass and activity were highly inconsistent over time, and largely independent of N-additions and differences in plant productivity. At the final sample date, those grass species which co-dominate the total plant biomass of intermediate fertility (H. lanatus) and semi-improved grasslands (A. capillaris and F. rubra) had a beneficial effect on the soil microbial biomass. In contrast, the dominant plant species of improved grasslands, L. perenne, had zero or a negative effect on soil microbial biomass. Two plant species (A. capillaris and H. lanatus) increased the proportion of fungi relative to bacteria in the soil microbial community, relative to the unplanted control soil and the other plant species. Lolium perenne and A. capillaris reduced the evenness of microbial PLFAs, suggesting negative effects of these plant species on the diversity of the soil microbial community. 3. The addition of N had no consistent effect on measures of soil microbial biomass or activity, but significantly altered the structure of the microbial community in favour of fungi. The lack of effects of N-addition on microbial biomass and activity were despite the finding that nitrogen addition reduced root biomass in all plant species and increased rhizosphere acidity. 4. The results suggest that in the short term, the abundance and activity of soil micro-organisms in upland grasslands are regulated more by plant species traits than by a direct effect of nitrogen. These effects are likely to be related to variations amongst plant species in root exudation patterns and/or efficiency of nutrient aquisition. 5. Our study provides evidence that the functional characteristics of dominant plant species are important determinants of soil biological properties, and hence ecosystem functioning in temperate upland grasslands.
01 Apr 1999
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the possible existence and form of regional systems of innovation (RSI) and examine whether the broad definition of national system of innovation can also be applied at a regional level.
Abstract: Introduction This chapter explores the possible existence and form of regional systems of innovation (RSI). Christopher Freeman has defined a national system of innovation (NSI) as the network of institutions in the public and private sectors whose activities and interactions initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies (Freeman, 1987, p. 1). Although this definition was applied at a national level it can arguably be equally applied at a regional or local level. This chapter will seek to explore these issues, not suggesting that regional systems of innovation should be seen in some way as supplanting national systems of innovation, but rather should be viewed as providing another layer or conceptual lens to the whole system of innovation. In so doing, it seeks to develop in a geographical sense at least part of Metcalfe's (1995, p. 41) view that the national unit may be too broad a category to allow a clear understanding of the complete dynamics of a technological system and instead focus should be on ‘a number of distinct technology-based systems each of which is geographically and institutionally localised within the nation but with links into the supporting national and international system’. More specifically, therefore, this analysis will examine whether the broad definition of national systems of innovation can also be applied at a regional level. Do, or can, regions offer distinct systems of innovation that are worthy of study? If they do exist, in what ways are they different from national systems of innovation? If the concept is relevant, is it becoming more or less applicable over time? What more general lessons can be learnt from the study of regional systems of innovation?
TL;DR: More regular use of full-matrix inversion is urged to establish positional precision and hence the precision of non-dictionary distances in both high- and low-resolution structures.
Abstract: Full-matrix least squares is taken as the basis for an examination of protein structure precision. A two-atom protein model is used to compare the precisions of unrestrained and restrained refinements. In this model, restrained refinement determines a bond length which is the weighted mean of the unrestrained diffraction-only length and the geometric dictionary length. Data of 0.94 A resolution for the 237-residue protein concanavalin A are used in unrestrained and restrained full-matrix inversions to provide standard uncertainties σ(r) for positions and σ(l) for bond lengths. σ(r) is as small as 0.01 A for atoms with low Debye B values but increases strongly with B. The results emphasize the distinction between unrestrained and restrained refinements and between σ(r) and σ(l). Other full-matrix inversions are reported. Such inversions require massive calculations. Several approximate methods are examined and compared critically. These include a Fourier map formula [Cruickshank (1949). Acta Cryst. 2, 65–82], Luzzati plots [Luzzati (1952). Acta Cryst. 5, 802–810] and a new diffraction-component precision index (DPI). The DPI estimate of σ(r, Bavg) is given by a simple formula. It uses R or Rfree and is based on a very rough approximation to the least-squares method. Many examples show its usefulness as a precision comparator for high- and low-resolution structures. The effect of restraints as resolution varies is examined. More regular use of full-matrix inversion is urged to establish positional precision and hence the precision of non-dictionary distances in both high- and low-resolution structures. Failing this, parameter blocks for representative residues and their neighbours should be inverted to gain a general idea of σ(r) as a function of B. The whole discussion is subject to some caveats about the effects of disordered regions in the crystal.