bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Técnica de la Lectura Veloz en el perfeccionamiento de la expresión oral en alumnos universitarios
Authors: Espinoza Herrera Margarita , Carlos Yangali Hugo Augusto , Herrera Aponte Milca Betsabé , Vilcas Mamani Sherly
Published: February 2024

La investigación se ejecutó con el propósito de determinar contribuir en la mejora e la expresión oral, con el objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la técnica de la lectura veloz en el perfeccionamiento de la expresión oral en los alumnos de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica, como hipótesis: la técnica de la lectura veloz influye significativamente en el perfeccionamiento de la expresión oral en los alumnos de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica Se utilizó el método científico, tipo de investigación experimental, diseño pre experimental; con una muestra de 15 estudiantes, elegido con el muestro no probabilístico por conveniencia; la técnica fue la encuesta el instrumento un cuestionario sobre expresión oral, dichos instrumentos recibieron la validez y confiabilidad a través de juicio de expertos con la prueba de V de Ayken, los resultados fueron procesados con el programa estadístico SPSS 21, Word y Excel 2010. Resulto un elevado nivel a un 93,3%(14) en expresión oral y solo el 6,7%(1) un nivel bajo después de haber aplicado constantemente la técnica de la lectura veloz. Por lo tanto, la lectura veloz influye significativamente en el perfeccionamiento de la expresión oral en los alumnos de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica, de acuerdo al valor t= -2,156 y su valor p = 0,041<0,05.
Langstrakt etik
Authors: Kofoed Jette
Published: February 2024

Igennem en særlig affektiv og besværlig begivenhed afsøger jeg, hvad forsknings-etik også kan indebære. Begivenhedens elementer vedrører på forskellige måder digital mobning, og ligger år tilbage. Denne begivenhed fungerer i teksten som en prøvesten for, hvad forskningsetik kan være, når det ikke alene drejer sig om den akutte in situ etik. Teksten strækker sig igennem besværligheden i begivenheden, og vil fra første side handle, ikke alene om forskningsetik, men om de tidstråde, der forsinker svaret. Ved at afsøge begivenheden gennem læsning af Maria Tumarkin, Maria Puig de la Bellacasa, Astrid Schrader og Lauren Berlants tænkning, bliver det med års forsinkelse muligt at formulere artiklens bud: at forskningsetisk ansvar kan forstås som modtagelighed, og det overhovedet at give sig af med at svare, at forskningssvare. At svare-an kunne man sige, også selvom det sker med forsinkelse.

Nøgleord:

Forskningsetik, affekt, temporalitet, begivenhed, digital mobning, care
Epic Sock Puppet Theater : artistic tactics for mitigating online disinformation
Authors: Curry Derek , Gradecki Jennifer
Published: February 2024

This case study presents the artistic research and production process for an interactive installation, Epic Sock Puppet Theater (ESPT), that uses artivist tactics to engage with the divisive socio-political content of online disinformation campaigns. The project allows viewers to interact with a dataset of social media posts made by “sock puppets” or imposter accounts used as part of state-sponsored disinformation campaigns so the viewer can become better equipped to recognize disinformation in their own social media feeds, less susceptible to its negative effects and less likely to unwittingly share it. The project is based on inoculation theory, a biological metaphor for building resistance against future disinformation through careful preemptive exposure to disinformation messages, as well as research that found that the revelation of a sock puppet account helped social media users identify other sock puppets spreading disinformation. In this case study, we summarize our research, user testing, and artistic process as a resource for others who may be interested in combining research, art and activism. Through our research and experimentation, we carefully selected artistic tactics, focusing on techniques from Brechtian epic theater to present emotionally and politically charged content that is designed to polarize viewers in a way that allows for critical reflection. The result is an artistic solution to a socio-technical problem: an animatronic sock puppet theater that simultaneously helps to familiarize and distance the public from online sock puppet disinformation, to creatively mitigate its negative effects.
Gumijas korda elastīgo sajūgu un to stiprinājuma bultskrūvju atteikumu pētījums
Authors:   , Gorbačovs Dimitrijs
Published: February 2024

Promocijas darbā izstrādāta gumijas korda sajūga un tā stiprinājuma bultskrūvju atteikumu novēršanas metodika. Metodika aprobēta, izmantojot dzelzceļa ritošā sastāvā plaši lietotos gumijas korda sajūgus. Darbā apkopota un detalizēti izpētīta gumijas korda sajūgu un tā stiprinājuma bultskrūvju atteikumu statistika, kā arī dati par gumijas korda sajūga slīpuma leņķiem. RTU laboratorijā veikti dažādu gumijas korda sajūga paraugu vienpusējas izstiepšanas testi, iegūti slodzes deformācijas grafiki un noskaidroti gumijas korda sajūga bultskrūvju bojājuma cēloņi. Programmā SolidWorks veikti aprēķini un slodžu, kas ietekmē gumijas korda sajūga apvalka defektu rašanos, meklēšana.
Cartas vazias: leituras e leitores de um Centro de Referência de Down
Authors: Esteves Ana Maria
Published: February 2024

A partir do século XIX, as mulheres passaram a frequentar a escola, foram para a universidade, para o trabalho e para as ruas. Aprender a ler e a escrever trouxe para essas mulheres uma nova rotina de leitura: depois dos livros de reza, vieram os diários, os romances, as revistas femininas, a correspondência, os jornais. Nessa perspectiva, Ana Maria Esteves analisa as práticas de leitura de mulheres, mais particularmente os processos de apropriação da leitura e da escrita de professoras, de mães e de meninas portadoras da síndrome de Down em um Centro de Referência. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, de caráter etnográfico, que clarifica as trajetórias próprias de leitura dessas mulheres que, entre táticas e estratégias, apropriaram-se de maneiras de ler nas relações da oralidade com a cultura escrita e constituíram uma comunidade leitora. Para essas mulheres, a leitura assume uma presença singular no cotidiano e um significado especial em suas vidas.
Documental y futuro: disgresiones
Authors: Corro Penjean Pablo
Published: February 2024

El texto, basado en el análisis del documental Ecología, del cineasta brasileño León Hirszman, interpreta la preocupación por los trastornos medioambientales que produce el régimen de explotación de la naturaleza en el siglo XX, como una inusitada variante en la caracterización hegemónica del futuro como previsión epistemológica del devenir político en los documentales del “Nuevo cine latinoamericano”.
Arte ecuatoriano, meridiano entre meridianos
Authors: Cazar Katya
Published: February 2024

El siguiente artículo reflexiona brevemente sobre el contexto en el que se desarrolla el arte ecuatoriano actual. Analiza el nivel de importancia de las instituciones culturales en el desarrollo del arte plástico en el Ecuador y su transformación última, a nivel conceptual y de proyecto, pues se percibe al arte como una apuesta de los artistas por ir más allá de su realidad.Geográficamente, se ubica al país en un meridiano imaginario metafórico, que a su vez integra los imaginarios de un país de múltiples realidades, que pueden ser el “otro” contexto del que se vale el artista para crear y proponer discursos estéticos.
Diálogo 8: Nueva Ley de Delitos Económicos
Authors: Fernández Montalbán Mauricio , Vial Reynal Paula , Blavi Aros Francisco , Cobo Romaní Nicolás , González Vergara Paulina , Pereira Arce Estíbaliz , Piña Rochefort Juan Ignacio , Valenzuela Concha Andrés
Published: February 2024

A continuación, se presenta una versión editada de la conversación sostenida por algunos de los miembros del comité de redacción de la revista con Paula Vial Reynal, profesora de la Facultad de Derecho UC, y Mauricio Fernández Montalbán, director de la Unidad Especializada en Delitos Económicos, Medioambientales, Ciberdelitos y Lavados de Activos de la Fiscalía Nacional. La conversación se llevó a cabo el 9 de noviembre de 2023 en dependencias del Magíster LLM UC.
Síntese e caracterização de revestimentos híbridos em aço A36 para aplicações anticorrosivas
Authors: Clemente Guilherme Augusto Bertelli Fernandes , Rocha Lucas Alonso , Gonçalves Gustavo Henrique , Santos Gustavo Soares , Marotta Luiza Ignez Mollica , Lima Gilberto de Miranda
Published: February 2024

O aço é um material amplamente utilizado pela indústria, e a corrosão é responsável por sua perda funcional. Assim, materiais hidrofóbicos podem ajudar, já que têm a resistência à umidade como característica funcional, reduzindo a corrosão. Este artigo tem como objetivo preparar revestimentos usando o processo sol-gel, como alternativa para revestimentos anticorrosivos em superfícies metálicas. Para isso, foram preparadas soluções precursoras contendo diferentes concentrações de água, etanol, tetraetilortossilicato, brometo de cetitrimetilamônio e polieteramina e, em seguida, os revestimentos foram depositados em velocidades diferentes pela técnica de revestimento por imersão em borossilicato e substratos de aço A36. Portanto, não foram observados sinais de corrosão em substratos com revestimentos depositados com imersão na solução precursora por 24h, enquanto aqueles com deposição de 300 mm/min apresentaram sinais de corrosão. Este fato pode ser atribuído à diferença na espessura dos revestimentos. Por fim, os testes para avaliação da hidrofobicidade dos revestimentos mostraram que as amostras com maior quantidade de PPO400 e menor tempo de deposição do revestimento são menos hidrofílicas.
Preparação de vernizes contendo luminóforos para aplicação em sinalização
Authors: Clemente Guilherme Augusto Bertelli Fernandes , Rocha Lucas Alonso , Gonçalves Gustavo Henrique , Santos Gustavo Soares , Marotta Luiza Ignez Mollica , Lima Gilberto de Miranda
Published: February 2024

Esta pesquisa teve como foco principal, o tema material com mecanismo da luminescência persistente, buscando definir qual melhor combinação de verniz ou resina acrílica, e um elemento luminóforo, para a obtenção de material de sinalização de trânsito e de emergência. Todo o interesse no tema atual da pesquisa foi resultado de uma ideia inicialmente sobre a preparação de produtos com mecanismo da luminescência persistente e obtenção de material utilizado em sinalização de em e definir o verniz ou resina acrílica, adequados, para compor um material com luminescência persistente, dopados com luminóforos comerciais, que seja ideal para manter o material luminescente o tempo suficiente para sinalizar situações de alerta de trânsito e emergência. Outro fator definido, foi qual a melhor forma de aplicação do produto para que material atenda adequadamente a funcionalidade desejada, além de fomentar a maior discussão sobre o tema por parte dos cientistas e empresas interessados pelo assunto em questão.
How Do Corporate Social Responsibility Messages Moderate From E-Wom And Trust To Online Purchase Intention And E-Loyalty?
Authors: Quan Nguyen Hong , Huong Pham Lan , Ha Pham Thai , Ha Tran Hong , Loan Le Thi Hong , Ngoc Ha Minh , HA PHAM THAI
Published: February 2024

This study aims to examine how electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) with corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages enhance customer trust, online purchase intention and e-loyalty in the B2C e-commerce industry. A direct online survey was conducted on 579 online shopping customers in Vietnam. Data analysis used the EFA, CFA and smart PLS. The validity and reliability of the measurements were confirmed before testing the hypotheses. The results revealed that e-WOM and CSR messages have positive and direct impacts on customer trust, which positively affects online purchase intention and e-loyalty. In addition, CSR messages moderate the relationship between e-WOM and customer trust.
Customer satisfaction towards m-shopping and the significance of relational values and co-presence
Authors: Chung Kim Choy
Published: February 2024

Customer satisfaction literature largely ignores the environmental perspective of relational values as the motivational force behind m-shopping. This study investigates utilitarian, hedonic, and relational values as motivating forces of customer satisfaction towards m-shopping during the covid-19 pandemic and how co-presence impacts these forces. Four hundred and eighty valid questionnaire surveys were collected from Taiwan and Malaysia. The survey data were subjected to two-step structural equation modeling procedures. The results indicated that utilitarian, hedonic, and relational values are significant motivators of consumer satisfaction toward m-shopping. Among the post covid-19 occurrence data group, there is a greater impact of co-presence on the hypothesized path of hedonic value-customer satisfaction than among the pre covid-19 group. The covid-19 outbreak manifested the influence of relational values in m-shopping.
Review of Traditional Plants from Toliara Province in Southern Madagascar for the Treatment of Diabetes and Cancer
Authors: Razafimahatratra Jean Hugues , Hanitriniaina Carène , Soavina Silvère , Razafimahefa Solofoniaina , Lequart Vincent , Manjovelo Christian , Martin Patrick , Fatiany Ruphin
Published: February 2024

In all countries, plants have always been and still are used for their health benefits as part of traditional medicine. The same is true of Madagascar, which also boasts considerable biodiversity, including plants that are totally endemic to the country. Our study aims to identify medicinal plants traditionally used to treat diabetes and cancer in the province of Toliara in Madagascar. At the end of the survey we carried out with the local population, using pre-established questionnaires, 34 plants were identified. Thus, among the species recorded, Myrothamnus moschatus, Zanthoxylum decaryi and Calotropis procera were targeted. These are multi-use species, they are used respectively to treat convulsion, hypertension and healing. Among the three species studied, two are endemic to Madagascar (Myrothamnus moschatus and Zanthoxylum decaryi), however the third is introduced. This study has enabled us to demonstrate the importance of ethnobotanical investigation in the field of research. The identification of these three species provides us with a basis for phytochemical development.
Assessment of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum) Varietal Performance in Natural Ventilation Polyhouse Settings
Authors: Rathore Rahul , Bahadur Vijay
Published: February 2024

An experiment entitled, "Assessment of Capsicum (Capsicum annuum) Varietal Performance in Natural Ventilation Polyhouse Settings." was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, during the year 2022-23. Ten Capsicum Varieties, Names Sweet Pepper Nemalite, Sweet Pepper Cebrail, Sweet Pepper Bungi. Capsicum Varun, Sweet Pepper Volante, Shehzadi. Alpine 8510, Alpine 8248, Capsicum Orange and Capsicum IMP were evaluated at SHUATS, Prayagraj in randomized block design with three replications during winter season 2022-23 to evaluate best performing variety in terms of growth, yield and quality. The Sweet Pepper Volante was found maximum performance with the maximum fruit weight (154.20g), Fruit length (8.83cm), Fruit yield per plant (1.47 kg), Fruit yield (17.72 q/200 sq. m.). Sweet Pepper Volante was found superior based on overall performance in term of growth, yield and quality and highest cost benefit ratio (2.79) was found for capsicum in Sweet Pepper Volante variety under naturally ventilated polyhouse condition.
Comprehensive Assessment of Aphid (Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) Resistance in Mustard Cultivars
Authors: Sinha Sandhya , Shukla Abhishek , Singh Yashowardhan
Published: February 2024

The study focuses on mustard (Brassica spp.) crops, crucial rabi oilseed crops in India. This study aimed to assess the susceptibility of 45 mustard crop cultivars to Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach, commonly known as the mustard aphid, a significant biotic stressor affecting Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The necessity of this study lies in the importance of identifying aphid-resistant cultivars to enhance pest management strategies and improve mustard crop yields. Field experiments were conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India during the rabi season, using a Randomized Block Design. The study utilized a mean aphid index-based scoring scheme to categorize the cultivars into different susceptibility levels, ranging from highly resistant to highly susceptible. The classification was determined based on normal distribution values, including highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), susceptible (S), and highly susceptible (HS). The results revealed that none of the cultivars fell into the highly resistant category, but five cultivars demonstrated resistance, with mean aphid index values below 0.34. Thirty cultivars were classified as moderately resistant, displaying mean aphid index values between 0.34 and 0.66. Six cultivars exhibited moderate susceptibility (mean aphid index between 0.66 and 0.82), while four cultivars were categorized as susceptible (mean aphid index between 0.82 and 0.98). Notably, none of the cultivars were highly susceptible. The study underscores the importance of identifying aphid-resistant cultivars to enhance pest management strategies and improve mustard crop yields. The results provide valuable insights into the susceptibility levels of different cultivars, guiding farmers in selecting appropriate varieties for cultivation. The research also emphasizes the significance of environmentally friendly pest management options, considering the potential risks associated with pesticide use. Overall, this study contributes to the development of sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques for Indian mustard cultivation.
Choice of Restorative Material by Dentists for Class I Caries in Second Mandibular Primary Molar in 3-6 Year Children Visiting a University Dental Hospital “A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sivarajan Madhumithaa , Rakshagan V. , Govindaraju Lavanya
Published: February 2024

Dental caries has long been a frequent and costly disease in the world, with paediatric caries being the most common infectious disease. Caries risk is higher in children who live in rural areas, are impoverished, or have inadequate access to dental care. Restorative treatment should be based on the findings of an appropriate clinical examination and should ideally be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account the dentition's developmental status, caries risk assessment, the patient's oral hygiene, parental compliance and likelihood of timely recall, and the patient's willingness to cooperate for treatment. Glass–ionomers, resin ionomers, resin ionomer products, and enhanced resin-based composite systems have all been developed, and they are all having a significant impact on restoration of primary teeth.The study's goal was to evaluate pedodontists' restoration choices in youngsters in Chennai. The current study was conducted in a university dental hospital in Chennai and was a retrospective observational study. The data of Pediatrics patients from June 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 was examined. There were 1448 patients aged 3-6 years with class 1 caries in their second mandibular teeth. The next step was to tabulate the data in Excel. The data was analysed with SPSS software, and the Chi square test was used to compare groups.
Memoirs of the Life of Sir James Stewart Denham, Baronet
Authors: Buchan Earl of
Published: February 2024

Sir James Steuart Denham, Baronet, was the son of Sir James Steuart of Goodtrees, Bart. Sollicitor General for Scotland, by Anna, daughter of Sir Hugh Dalrymple, Bart. Lord President of the College of Justice in Scotland, who was the third son of the illustrious and learned Lord Viscount of Stair.
Account of the Parish of Haddington
Authors: Barclay George
Published: February 2024

SECTION I. Situation, Boundaries, and Topographical Description of the Parish, Number of Inhabitants, Ancient and Modem Seats, Nature of Soils, State of Agriculture, Rivers, Bridges, etc. (page 40)

SECTION II. Its Antiquity, Police, Trade, Manufactures, Remarkable Occurrences, etc. (page 50)

SECTION III. Abbacy of Haddington, Parish Church of Haddington, and other Religious Foundations, with the succession of Ministers since the Reformation, and other particulars relating to Ecclesiastical History. (page 62)

SECTION IV. Eminent Persons who were natives of the Parish of Haddington. (page 69)

APPENDIX I. Catalogue of Pictures at Amisfield. (page 77)

APPENDIX II. List of the Farms and Ploughgates in the County of Haddington. (page 84)

APPENDIX III. Condescendence by Mr William Law, Sheriff Depute of the County of Haddington, of his Mode of Striking the Fiars of that County. (page 90)

APPENDIX IV. Act of Parliament in favoris of the Towne of Haddington, 28th Junii 1633. (page 96)

APPENDIX V. The Inscriptions upon the Monument in the Earl of Lauderdale’s Aile upon the North Side of the Church of Haddington. (page 102)

APPENDIX VI. Carta Confirmationis, Cartae Prioratui de Hadington per Willielmum St. Andreae concessae. (page 106)

APPENDIX VII. Ex Cartul. Priorat. St Andr. Ricardus de Ecclesia de Hadintona. (page 112)
Somatic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors in growth hormone deficiency: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of the effect of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone
Authors: Bell W. , Davies J.S. , Evans W.D. , Scanlon M.F. , Mullen R.
Published: August 2004

The purpose of the present study was to identify the effect of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on seven somatic characteristics and eight clinical cardiovascular risk factors. Twenty‐seven male and 24 female patients between the ages of 21 and 60 years were examined. The investigation was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of 12 months duration. Patients were assigned randomly to treatment (T) and placebo (P) groups. In the first 6 months group T received rhGH and group P placebo. In the second 6 months both groups received rhGH. Complete data were available for 23 males and 20 females. Increments were calculated between 6 months –BL (increment 1) and 12–6 months (increment 2) in both T and P groups. Apart from the somatotype, data were analysed with a 2 × 2 mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) using treatment (rhGH and placebo) and time (increments 1 and 2). Somatotype data were analysed using a 2 × 3 multivariate ANOVA. Three significant interactions were identified in males: waist circumference (P = 0.006), trunk fat (P = 0.0001), and conicity index (P = 0.001). The only significant interaction in females was trunk fat (P = 0.006). In general, treatment and placebo groups responded differently by time and treatment. Responses were similar in males and females. In the first 6 months when group P was on placebo, waist circumference, trunk fat, and conicity index increased slightly; with group T on rhGH somatic variables declined markedly. In the second 6 months when both groups received rhGH there was a marked decline in group P and a continued decline (but less steeply) in group T. In males there were significant decreases in endomorphy in group T and increases in mesomorphy in group P. In females the somatotype remained stable. There were no significant interactions in clinical cardiovascular risk factors in either males or females. Favourable responses occurred in male and female lipid profiles, although these were not significant. It was concluded that in males waist circumference, trunk fat, conicity index, and somatotype responded significantly to treatment with rhGH; in females the only significant response was trunk fat. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:533–543, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress and female reproductive function: A study of daily variations in cortisol, gonadotrophins, and gonadal steroids in a rural Mayan population
Authors: Nepomnaschy Pablo A. , Welch Kathy , McConnell Dan , Strassmann Beverly I. , England Barry G.
Published: August 2004

We report here on a longitudinal study of stress and women's reproduction in a small Kaqchikel Mayan community in rural Guatemala. Current understanding of the effects of stress on the reproductive axis in women is mostly derived from clinical studies of individual stressors. Little is known, however, about the cumulative effects of “real life” stress. Cortisol increases in response to a broad variety of individual stressors (Tilbrook et al., 2002). In this article, we evaluate the association between daily fluctuations in women's urinary cortisol and reproductive hormones: estrone conjugates (E1C), pregnandiol glucuronide (PdG), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). To assess the association between daily changes in cortisol levels and changes in the profiles of the reproductive hormones, we used a random coefficients model based on polynomial regression. The sample includes 92 menstrual cycles provided by 24 participants over a year‐long prospective study. Increases in urinary cortisol levels were associated with significant increases in gonadotrophin and progestin levels during the follicular phase. Also, in a time window between days 4 and 10 after ovulation, increased cortisol levels were associated with significantly lower progestin levels. These results are significant because untimely increases in gonadotrophins and low midluteal progesterone levels have previously been reported to impinge on the ovulatory and luteinization processes and to reduce the chances of successful implantation (Ferin, 1999; Baird et al., 1999). Future research should consider the possibility that stress may affect fecundability and implantation without necessarily causing amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:523–532, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kin influence on female reproductive behavior: The evidence from reconstitution of the Bejsce parish registers, 18th to 20th centuries, Poland
Authors: Tymicki Krzysztof
Published: August 2004

The phenomenon of kin‐oriented help, according to inclusive fitness theory, should be of crucial importance with respect to the process of reproduction. This is due to the fact that the devoted time and resources might indirectly contribute to the reproductive performance of a donor. This study aimed at analyzing the kin effects on fertility in order to check whether help received from kinsmen enhance a recipient's reproduction in terms of parity transition risk, completed fertility, and the number of survivors. The data came from reconstitution of church registers from Bejsce parish, Poland. To estimate the kin effect, regression models for count outcomes and techniques of multilevel event history analysis were applied. The analyses have shown that completed fertility and parity‐specific transition risks are strongly influenced by various kin groups. Moreover, a multilevel hazard model revealed differences in the patterns of the kin influence among controlled fertility than among natural fertility birth cohorts. Female reproductive outcome is influenced mainly by the presence of siblings and postreproductive helpers (grandparents). However, there is a negative impact of so‐called helpers‐at‐the‐nest (older children in the household) on parity transition risks. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:508–522, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heritability of body height and educational attainment in an international context: Comparison of adult twins in Minnesota and Finland
Authors: Silventoinen Karri , Krueger Robert F. , Bouchard Thomas J. , Kaprio Jaakko , McGue Matt
Published: August 2004

We studied the effect of genetic and environmental factors on the association between self‐reported height and education in Minnesota and Finland. Our data included 1,598 twin pairs in Minnesota and 5,454 twin pairs in Finland born between 1936 and 1955. Correlations between education and height were found in Minnesota (r = 0.09 in men and 0.11 in women) and in Finland (r = 0.17 and 0.14, respectively) after adjustment for age. This trait correlation was mainly because of the correlation between shared environmental factors in Minnesota (rC = 0.38 and 0.36, respectively) and in Finland (rC = 0.74 and 0.37, respectively). An unshared environmental correlation was found only in Finland (rE = 0.13 and 0.06, respectively). Our results indicate that the association between body height and education is overwhelmingly due to the correlation of the shared environmental factors affecting these two traits. The differences between Minnesota and Finland are possibly associated with average higher education in Minnesota, which decreases the effect of the childhood environment on education, seen as a weaker correlation between height and education. Nonfamilial factors affecting education are possibly different in Minnesota than in Finland, since in Finland they are partly associated with the factors affecting height. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:544–555, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolic syndrome among Moroccan Sahraoui adult Women
Authors: Rguibi Mohamed , Belahsen Rekia
Published: August 2004

Factors related to metabolic syndrome were investigated in a sample of 249 Moroccan Sahraoui women, ages 15 years and older. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure were measured. The results indicate that central obesity was the most common comorbid factor (75%) followed by hypertension (28.6%), hypertriglyceridemia (22.4%), hyperglycemia (11.9%), and hypercholesterolemia (11.6%). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 16.3%, and it was more prevalent in obese, older, married, and women without education than nonobese, younger, single, and educated women. Also, the prevalence of all metabolic syndrome components decreased with physical activity. The results suggest that prevention of obesity, particularly central obesity, could be the most direct route to prevention of this syndrome and its complications. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:598–601, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of bipolar and tetrapolar impedance techniques for assessing fat mass
Authors: Dittmar Manuela
Published: August 2004

Whole body fat mass (BF) can be predicted by different bioimpedance (BIA) techniques measuring the whole body (tetrapolar hand‐to‐foot technique, HF), lower body (bipolar foot‐to‐foot technique, FF), or upper body (bipolar hand‐to‐hand technique, HH). This study analyzed 146 healthy volunteers (age 18–84 years) for whether these three techniques differ in their estimates of BF, and whether sex and age of the subjects influence estimates of BF. Reproducibility of the techniques was tested by calculating the technical error (TE). Effects of BIA technique, sex, and age on predicted BF were analyzed with ANOVA for repeated measurements in a mixed effect design. Results showed high reproducibility for the three BIA techniques (TE = 0.01–0.03 kg). ANOVA indicated interactions between BIA technique and sex (P = 0.035), BIA technique and age (P < 0.001), as well as effects of sex (P = 0.004) and age (P = 0.001) on variation in BF. The HH technique gave the highest values for BF in males, but lowest values in females, whereas the reverse was found for the FF technique. The HH technique yielded the lowest values for BF in young adults, but highest values in older ones. The reverse was noted for the FF technique. The data suggest that the observed differences in the three BIA techniques in predicting BF reflect sex differences and age‐associated changes in body fat patterning. Therefore, the whole body impedance method is preferred over the HH and FF techniques due to the interactions with sex and age. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:593–597, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in Aegyptopithecus and early Miocene African catarrhines
Authors: Rossie James B.
Published: August 2004

Neontological comparisons suggest that paranasal sinus anatomy is diagnostic of several catarrhine clades such as Cercopithecoidea, Hominoidea, Homininae, and Ponginae. However, while the loss of sinuses in cercopithecoids is generally recognized as a derived condition, determining the polarity of character‐state changes within noncercopithecoid catarrhines requires knowledge of the primitive catarrhine condition. To address this problem, the paranasal sinus anatomy of Aegyptopithecus and several early Miocene catarrhines was investigated. Two partial facial skeletons of Aegyptopithecus were subjected to computed tomography in order to reveal their internal anatomy. These data were compared with facial and palatal specimens of Proconsul, Limnopithecus, Dendropithecus, Rangwapithecus, and Kalepithecus in the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, and to wet and dry specimens of living taxa. Results confirm that cercopithecoid paranasal anatomy is derived, and reveal that the sinus anatomy of stem catarrhines included a hominoid‐like maxillary sinus as well as an ethmofrontal system like that of hominines. Accordingly, these two features do not constitute evidence for the hominoid, hominid, or hominine status of any fossil species. Conversely, the absence of the ethmofrontal sinus system in Sivapithecus and Pongo is synapomorphic. In addition, features of the nasal cavity of Limnopithecus and Kalepithecus support previous suggestions that these taxa are stem catarrhines rather than hominoids. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Titelbild: Structural Revision and Total Synthesis of Azaspiracid‐1, Part 1: Intelligence Gathering and Tentative Proposal (Angew. Chem. 33/2004)
Authors: Nicolaou K. C. , Vyskocil Stepan , Koftis Theocharis V. , Yamada Yoichi M. A. , Ling Taotao , Chen David Y.‐K. , Tang Wenjun , Petrovic Goran , Frederick Michael O. , Li Yiwei , Satake Masayuki
Published: August 2004

Das Muscheltoxin Azaspiracid‐1 aus Mytilus edulis hat für erhebliche Verwirrung gesorgt, denn ursprünglich war eine falsche Struktur für die Verbindung vorgeschlagen worden. K. C. Nicolaou und Mitarbeiter beschreiben in ihren Zuschriften auf S. 4412 ff. die Aufklärung der Struktur und der absoluten Konfiguration durch Abbaustudien und Totalsynthese. Die Synthese sollte die wertvolle Substanz für dringend notwendige Biotoxin‐Tests und biologische Untersuchungen zugänglich machen.
Webometrics: An introduction to the special issue
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Vaughan Liwen
Published: August 2004

Webometrics, the quantitative study of Web phenomena, is a field encompassing contributions from information science, computer science, and statistical physics. Its methodology draws especially from bibliometrics. This special issue presents contributions that both push forward the field and illustrate a wide range of webometric approaches.
Characteristics of scientific Web publications: Preliminary data gathering and analysis
Authors: Jepsen Erik Thorlund , Seiden Piet , Ingwersen Peter , Björneborn Lennart , Borlund Pia
Published: August 2004

Because of the increasing presence of scientific publications on the Web, combined with the existing difficulties in easily verifying and retrieving these publications, research on techniques and methods for retrieval of scientific Web publications is called for. In this article, we report on the initial steps taken toward the construction of a test collection of scientific Web publications within the subject domain of plant biology. The steps reported are those of data gathering and data analysis aiming at identifying characteristics of scientific Web publications. The data used in this article were generated based on specifically selected domain topics that are searched for in three publicly accessible search engines (Google, AllTheWeb, and AltaVista). A sample of the retrieved hits was analyzed with regard to how various publication attributes correlated with the scientific quality of the content and whether this information could be employed to harvest, filter, and rank Web publications. The attributes analyzed were inlinks, outlinks, bibliographic references, file format, language, search engine overlap, structural position (according to site structure), and the occurrence of various types of metadata. As could be expected, the ranked output differs between the three search engines. Apparently, this is caused by differences in ranking algorithms rather than the databases themselves. In fact, because scientific Web content in this subject domain receives few inlinks, both AltaVista and AllTheWeb retrieved a higher degree of accessible scientific content than Google. Because of the search engine cutoffs of accessible URLs, the feasibility of using search engine output for Web content analysis is also discussed.
Lexical and semantic clustering by Web links
Authors: Menczer Filippo
Published: August 2004

Recent Web‐searching and ‐mining tools are combining text and link analysis to improve ranking and crawling algorithms. The central assumption behind such approaches is that there is a correlation between the graph structure of the Web and the text and meaning of pages. Here I formalize and empirically evaluate two general conjectures drawing connections from link information to lexical and semantic Web content. The link‐content conjecture states that a page is similar to the pages that link to it, and the link‐cluster conjecture that pages about the same topic are clustered together. These conjectures are often simply assumed to hold, and Web search tools are built on such assumptions. The present quantitative confirmation sheds light on the connection between the success of the latest Web‐mining techniques and the small world topology of the Web, with encouraging implications for the design of better crawling algorithms.
Trend detection through temporal link analysis
Authors: Amitay Einat , Carmel David , Herscovici Michael , Lempel Ronny , Soffer Aya
Published: August 2004

Although time has been recognized as an important dimension in the co‐citation literature, to date it has not been incorporated into the analogous process of link analysis on the Web. In this paper, we discuss several aspects and uses of the time dimension in the context of Web information retrieval. We describe the ideal case—where search engines track and store temporal data for each of the pages in their repository, assigning timestamps to the hyperlinks embedded within the pages. We introduce several applications which benefit from the availability of such timestamps. To demonstrate our claims, we use a somewhat simplistic approach, which dates links by approximating the age of the page's content. We show that by using this crude measure alone it is possible to detect and expose significant events and trends. We predict that by using more robust methods for tracking modifications in the content of pages, search engines will be able to provide results that are more timely and better reflect current real‐life trends than those they provide today.
XRCC1 and glutathione‐S‐transferase gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to radiotherapy‐related malignancies in survivors of Hodgkin disease
Authors: Mertens Ann C. , Mitby Pauline A. , Radloff Gretchen , Jones Irene M. , Perentesis John , Kiffmeyer William R. , Neglia Joseph P. , Meadows Anna , Potter John D. , Friedman Debra , Yasui Yutaka , Robison Leslie L. , Davies Stella M.
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

One of the most serious late effects of treatment for childhood cancer is the occurrence of subsequent malignancy. Survivors of Hodgkin disease (HD), in particular, have been shown to be at high risk of subsequent malignancy, the occurrence of which has been associated strongly with exposure to radiotherapy.

METHODS

In the current study, the authors investigated the association between polymorphisms in 3 genes—glutathione‐S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1), glutathione‐S‐transferase T1 (GSTT1), and XRCC1, with roles in protection from a variety of DNA‐damaging agents—and the risk of subsequent malignancy in 650 survivors of HD enrolled in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study who had received radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Individuals lacking GSTM1 but not GSTT1 were at increased risk of any subsequent malignancy (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0–2.3), and for subsequent cancer within the radiation field (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9–2.1). A nonsignificant increased risk of thyroid carcinoma was observed in individuals lacking either GSTM1 (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 0.8–10.9) or GSTT1 (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 0.6–23.5). Individuals having the genotype of the arginine/glutamine polymorphism at codon 399 in the XRCC1 gene (R399) showed a nonsignificant increased risk of breast carcinoma compared with those without (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7–2.7), and a nonsignificant decreased risk against a subsequent thyroid carcinoma (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.2–1.6). No differences in genotype frequencies were observed between survivors with basal cell carcinoma when compared with survivors without a subsequent cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These data illustrated the potential value of incorporating the collection of genomic DNA in longitudinal cohort studies of populations with well defined, potentially carcinogenic exposures. Evaluation of additional genetic polymorphisms in this cohort may help define genes that influence individual sensitivity to radiotherapy. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Bladder neck invasion is an independent predictor of prostate‐specific antigen recurrence
Authors: Poulos Christopher K. , Koch Michael O. , Eble John N. , Daggy Joanne K. , Cheng Liang
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

The 1997 TNM staging system for prostatic carcinoma and the 2002 revision thereof classified prostatic carcinoma with bladder neck involvement classified as pT4 disease. This classification is based on the belief that tumors that invade surrounding structures are more aggressive and warrant higher staging than tumors that do not invade surrounding structures. Recent reports in the literature suggested that microscopic involvement of the bladder neck does not carry independent prognostic significance. Therefore, resection specimens with bladder neck involvement should not be classified as pT4. The current study prospectively examined the prognostic significance of bladder neck involvement by prostatic carcinoma.

METHODS

The authors analyzed the totally embedded and whole‐mounted radical prostatectomy specimens from 364 consecutive patients. The mean patient age was 66 years (range, 41–77 years). The bladder neck, which had been coned from the specimen, was cut in a perpendicular fashion. Involvement of the bladder neck was defined as the presence of neoplastic cells within the smooth muscle bundles of the coned bladder neck. The data were prospectively collected. Bladder neck involvement was analyzed in relation to age, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, prostate weight, Gleason score, final pathologic classification, tumor volume, surgical margin status, the presence of high‐grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasm, multifocality, seminal vesicle invasion, extraprostatic extension, perineural invasion, and PSA recurrence.

RESULTS

Bladder neck involvement was found in 22 (6%) of 364 patients. Univariate results indicated that bladder neck involvement versus no bladder neck involvement was significantly associated with preoperative PSA (P < 0.001), higher pathologic classification (P < 0.001), larger tumor volume (P< 0.001), extraprostatic extension (P < 0.001), positive surgical margins (P < 0.001), and PSA recurrence (P = 0.003). In a multivariate logistic regression model controlling for pathologic classification, Gleason score, and surgical margin status, bladder neck involvement was an independent predictor of PSA recurrence (P = 0.04). The adjusted odds ratio for bladder neck involvement was 3.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–10.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, bladder neck involvement was an independent predictor of early PSA recurrence. The data demonstrated the importance of continued assessment of bladder neck invasion and supported the placement of tumors with bladder neck involvement in a stage that recognizes the prognostic implications of such involvement. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Cranial nerve deficits in patients with metastatic prostate carcinoma
Authors: McDermott Raymond S. , Anderson Penny R. , Greenberg Richard E. , Milestone Barton N. , Hudes Gary R.
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

Cranial nerve lesions due to metastases from prostate carcinoma to the skull base are an uncommon yet clinically significant finding.

METHODS

The authors report the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes for 15 patients who presented with cranial nerve palsies complicating metastatic prostate carcinoma. Patient charts identified from a Fox Chase Cancer Center treatment data base were reviewed.

RESULTS

All patients had hormone‐refractory disease at the time of symptom onset. Twelve of 15 patients had received prior chemotherapy, and 13 of 15 patients had received prior radiation therapy to areas of bony pain. Symptoms varied from recognized clinical syndromes involving multiple cranial nerves to isolated cranial nerve lesions. All patients had lesions at the skull base that were visualized on computed tomography scans or magnetic resonance images. All patients were treated with palliative radiation therapy to either the whole brain or the skull base. Fourteen of 15 patients had a clinical (either partial or complete) response to radiation therapy. All responding patients subsequently died of prostate carcinoma without worsening of residual or development of new cranial nerve symptoms. Ten of 15 patients (67%) died within 3 months of developing symptoms, and the remaining 5 patients lived between 9 months and 31 months from onset of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that palliative radiation therapy should be considered in this heterogeneous group of patients given the potential for significant symptom improvement. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Cystic adrenal neoplasms
Authors: Erickson Lori A. , Lloyd Ricardo V. , Hartman Robert , Thompson Geoffrey
Published: August 2004

BACKGROUND

Cystic lesions of the adrenal gland are uncommon and demonstrate a spectrum of histologic changes and may vary from pseudocysts to malignant cystic neoplasms.

METHODS

The authors analyzed a series of primary cystic lesions of the adrenal gland to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and histologic spectrum and to determine features that are helpful in distinguishing benign from malignant cystic adrenal tumors.

RESULTS

A total of 41 cases of macroscopically cystic lesions among patients who underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic were identified over a 25‐year period. Of these 41 cases, 32 were pseudocysts, 8 were endothelial cysts, and 1 was an epithelial cyst. Of the 32 pseudocysts, 6 were associated with adrenal neoplasms, including 2 adrenal cortical carcinomas, 2 adrenal cortical adenomas, and 2 pheochromocytomas. One pheochromocytoma case was identified in association with an endothelial cyst. Both patients with cystic adrenal cortical carcinomas died of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal neoplasms, including adrenal cortical carcinomas, may be associated with benign‐appearing cysts. Extensive pathologic sampling of resected tissues is important to rule out malignancy in patients with cystic adrenal lesions. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.