Democratic cultural policy : democratic forms and policy consequences

The forms that are adopted to give practical meaning to democracy are assessed to identify what their implications are for the production of public policies in general and cultural policies in particular. A comparison of direct, representative, democratic elitist and deliberative versions of democracy identifies clear differences between them in terms of policy form and democratic practice. Further elaboration of these differences and their consequences are identified as areas for further research

Measurement of cross sections for alpha-induced reactions on 197Au and thick-target yields for the ((alpha),(gamma)) process on 64Zn and 63Cu

We have measured the cross sections for the {sup 197}Au({alpha},{gamma}){sup 201}Tl and {sup 197}Au({alpha},2n){sup 199}Tl reactions in the 17.9- to 23.9-MeV energy range, and {sup 197}Au({alpha},n){sup 200}Tl reaction in the 13.4- to 23.9-MeV energy range using an activation technique. Thick-target yields for the {sup 64}Zn({alpha},{gamma}){sup 68}Ge (7- to 14-MeV) and {sup 63}Cu({alpha},{gamma}){sup 67}Ga (7-MeV) reactions were measured. For all measurements, natural elements were bombarded with He{sup +} beams from the 88'' Cyclotron at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Irradiated samples were counted using a g-spectrometry system at LBNL's Low Background Facility. Measured {sup 197}Au({alpha},{gamma}){sup 201}Tl cross-sections were compared with the NON-SMOKER theoretical values. The thick-target yields for the {sup 64}Zn({alpha},{gamma}){sup 68}Ge and {sup 63}Cu({alpha},{gamma}){sup 67}Ga reactions are also compared with the theoretical yield, calculated numerically using the energy dependent NON-SMOKER cross section data. In both cases, measured values are found to follow a trend of overlapping the predicted value near the alpha nucleus barrier height and fall below with a slowly widening difference between them in the sub barrier energy points

Cohort profile: the avon longitudinal study of parents and children: ALSPAC mothers cohort

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Children and Parents (ALSPAC) was established to understand how genetic and environmental characteristics influence health and development in parents and children. All pregnant women resident in a defined area in the South West of England, with an expected date of delivery between 1st April 1991 and 31st December 1992, were eligible and 13 761 women (contributing 13 867 pregnancies) were recruited. These women have been followed over the last 19–22 years and have completed up to 20 questionnaires, have had detailed data abstracted from their medical records and have information on any cancer diagnoses and deaths through record linkage. A follow-up assessment was completed 17–18 years postnatal at which anthropometry, blood pressure, fat, lean and bone mass and carotid intima media thickness were assessed, and a fasting blood sample taken. The second follow-up clinic, which additionally measures cognitive function, physical capability, physical activity (with accelerometer) and wrist bone architecture, is underway and two further assessments with similar measurements will take place over the next 5 years. There is a detailed biobank that includes DNA, with genome-wide data available on >10 000, stored serum and plasma taken repeatedly since pregnancy and other samples; a wide range of data on completed biospecimen assays are available. Details of how to access these data are provided in this cohort profile

Genetic approaches to understanding the causes of stuttering

Stuttering is a common but poorly understood speech disorder. Evidence accumulated over the past several decades has indicated that genetic factors are involved, and genetic linkage studies have begun to identify specific chromosomal loci at which causative genes are likely to reside. A detailed investigation of one such region on chromosome 12 has identified mutations in the GNPTAB gene that are associated with stuttering in large families and in the general population. Subsequent studies identified mutations in the functionally related GNPTG and NAGPA genes. Mutations in these genes disrupt the lysosomal targeting pathway that generates the Mannose 6-phosphate signal, which directs a diverse group of enzymes to their target location in the lysosome of the cell. While mutations in these three genes can be identified in less than 10% of cases of familial stuttering, this knowledge allows a variety of new studies that can help identify the neuropathology that underlies this disorder