bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resuspension phenomena of benthic sediments: The role of cohesion and biological adhesion
Authors: Righetti Maurizio , Lucarelli Corrado
Published: July 2009

The incipient motion conditions of benthic sediments are analysed and an original parametrization for the critical shear stress is proposed. Starting from momentum balance considerations on a single sediment floc, the Shields dimensionless mobility parameter in incipient motion conditions is expressed also as a function of both cohesive and adhesive forces that concur to stabilize the superficial layer of the benthic sediment. The entrainment model is validated on the basis of laboratory experiments carried out on natural benthic sediments sampled from three alpine Italian lakes, having different trophic conditions and different compositions of the bed. The experimental results show that the cohesive effects decrease as the sediment water content increases. Moreover the role of bioadhesion is experimentally evaluated: the critical shear stresses of ‘living’ sediments are higher than that measured on similar but ‘dead’, poisoned sediments. This stabilizing effect shows a variation in time on a seasonal time scale, accordingly to the literature indications where biological adhesion is related to phytoplankton and bacteria activity, the life and growth of which obviously depends on seasonal variations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of factors affecting the ratio of microcystin to chlorophyll‐a in cyanobacterial blooms using real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ha Joo H. , Hidaka Taira , Tsuno Hiroshi
Published: July 2009

Chlorophyll‐a concentration has been used as an indicator to estimate microcystin levels in water bodies. This study examined the microcystin to chlorophyll‐a ratio in a fishpond in Japan. The ratio varied spatially and temporally during the six‐month field survey, which is consistent with reports by other researchers. We investigated the causes of the variability of the ratio by quantifying microcystin synthetase (mcy) A gene with real‐time PCR, so as to observe the growth of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria and Microcystis strains in natural cyanobacterial blooms. The application of real‐time PCR enabled corroboration of the relationship between the toxigenicity and the toxicity of the blooms. The microcystin to chlorophyll‐a ratio was influenced by the combined effects of the durability of the toxic bloom, and the quantity of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria carrying the mcy A gene, especially toxic Microcystis strains. Cyanobacterial blooms produced more microcystin when high concentrations of microcystin‐producing Microcystis aggregated in a stationary state with low growth rates. The variable toxicity of blooms needs to be reflected in accurate and efficient alert systems for toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 21–28, 2011.
Differentiation between microcystin contaminated and uncontaminated fish by determination of unconjugated MCs using an ELISA anti‐adda test based on receiver‐operating characteristic curves threshold values: Application to Tinca tinca from natural ponds
Authors: Moreno Isabel María , Herrador M Ángeles , Atencio Loyda , Puerto María , González A. Gustavo , Cameán Ana María
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti‐Adda technique could be used to monitor free microcystins (MCs) in biological samples from fish naturally exposed to toxic cyanobacteria by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve software to establish an optimal cut‐off value for MCs. The cut‐off value determined by ROC curve analysis in tench (Tinca tinca) exposed to MCs under laboratory conditions by ROC curve analysis was 5.90‐μg MCs/kg tissue dry weight (d.w.) with a sensitivity of 93.3%. This value was applied in fish samples from natural ponds (Extremadura, Spain) in order to asses its potential MCs bioaccumulation by classifying samples as either true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), or false negative (FN). In this work, it has been demonstrated that toxic cyanobacteria, mainly Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon issatchenkoi, and Anabaena spiroides, were present in two of these ponds, Barruecos de Abajo (BDown) and Barruecos de Arriba (BUp). The MCs levels were detected in waters from both ponds with an anti‐MC‐LR ELISA immunoassay and were of similar values (between 3.8–6.5‐μg MC‐LR equivalent/L in BDown pond and 4.8–6.0‐μg MC‐LR equivalent/L in BUp). The MCs cut‐off values were applied in livers from fish collected from these two ponds using the ELISA anti‐Adda technique. A total of 83% of samples from BDown pond and only 42% from BUp were TP with values of free MCs higher than 8.8‐μg MCs/kg tissue (d.w.). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 45–56, 2011.
Three‐dimensional ultrasound features of the polycystic ovary in Chinese women
Authors: Lam P. , Raine‐Fenning N. , Cheung L. , Haines C.
Published: July 2009

Objectives

To quantify the three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound characteristics of ovaries in Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to compare these with previous data on a Caucasian cohort with PCOS.

Methods

3D pelvic ultrasound was performed in 40 Chinese women with PCOS and 40 controls. Ovarian volume, stromal volume and echogenicity, and antral follicle count (AFC) were measured and ovarian blood flow was quantified using both 3D power Doppler and two‐dimensional (2D) pulsed wave Doppler. These data were compared with previously published data on a Caucasian cohort with PCOS.

Results

Compared with controls, women with PCOS had a higher AFC (median (range), 15 (11–30) vs. 5.5 (1–10) per ovary, P < 0.01), ovarian volume (12.32 (8.10–16.16) mL vs. 5.64 (2.62–8.81) mL, P < 0.01) and stromal volume (9.74 (6.44–13.56) mL vs. 4.07 (1.52–6.67) mL, P < 0.01) but were comparable in stromal echogenicity and ovarian blood flow as measured by 3D power Doppler or 2D pulsed wave Doppler indices. However, in comparison with a previously reported Caucasian cohort with PCOS, the ovaries of Chinese women with PCOS had a significantly smaller stromal volume (median (range), 9.74 (6.44–13.56) mL vs. 10.79 (5.65–17.12) mL, P < 0.05), were less echogenic as reflected in a lower mean gray value (22.43 (13.13–35.50) vs. 32.36 (19.35–53.71), P < 0.01), and had reduced ovarian blood flow as reflected in a lower flow index (30.19 (23.32–44.88) vs. 33.54 (21.88–51.65), P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on 3D ultrasound measurements, Chinese women with PCOS have an increased stromal volume compared with controls. However, their stromal volume, echogenicity and vascularity is significantly lower than that in Caucasian women with PCOS. The possible etiology for these differences is discussed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic and interactive gynecological ultrasound examination
Authors: Testa A. C. , Van Holsbeke C. , Mascilini F. , Timmerman D.
Published: July 2009

How do we do it? Practical advice on imaging‐based techniques and investigations. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Octopus: monitoring, visualization, and control of sensor networks
Authors: Jurdak Raja , Ruzzelli Antonio G. , Barbirato Alessio , Boivineau Samuel
Published: July 2009

Sensor network monitoring and control are currently addressed separately through specialized tools. However, the high degree of coupling of network state to the physical environment in which the network is deployed demands that users can monitor the network and respond to network state changes continuously. This paper presents the open‐source Octopus visualization and control tool. Octopus is a protocol‐independent tool that provides live information about the network topology and sensor data in order to enable live debugging of deployed sensor networks. It enables operators to reconfigure the network behavior, such as switching between time‐driven, event‐driven, and query‐driven modes or between awake and sleep modes of one, many, or all nodes through its graphical interface. Octopus also supports changing duty cycles of nodes, data reporting period, or sensing thresholds in event‐driven networks. Reconfiguration of nodes is achieved through short request messages that support typical reconfiguration options without the overhead of epidemically sending new program images over the air. Our empirical tests showcase Octopus's capacity to debug application behavior and to characterize heterogeneous network performance under multiple settings, as a step toward establishing a rules database that relates data delivery to network‐level parameters, and toward enabling autonomous network reconfiguration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1,2,4‐Triazole Controlled CdII/MnII Complexes with Discrete Mononuclear, Polymeric 1D Chain, and 2D Layer Motifs
Authors: Liang Qing‐Qing , Liu Zheng‐Yu , Yang En‐Cui , Zhao Xiao‐Jun
Published: July 2009

Three Htrz‐based metal complexes, [Cd(trz)(CH3OH)(nb)]n (1), [Cd(Htrz)(H2O)(nb)2]n (2), and {[Mn(Htrz)2(H2O)4]·2nb} (3) (Htrz = 1,2,4‐triazole, Hnb = 4‐nitrobenzoic acid), have been synthesized by diffusion or solvent evaporation method and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR and fluorescence spectroscopy, and TG‐DTA. Structural determinations revealed that complex 1 has a two‐dimensional (2D) layer structure constructed by tridentate μN1,N2,N4‐bridging trz anions and CdII ions. Complex 2 presents a 1D polymeric chain structure bridged by bidentate μN1,N4‐bridging Htrz molecule and CdII ions, whereas compound 3 is a supramolecular assembly containing a mononuclear [Mn(Htrz)2(H2O)4]2+ dication and two free nb anions for charge compensation. Thus, the structural diversity of the three complexes is significantly governed by the coordination modes of the neutral/deprontated Htrz ligand, rather than the terminal/lattice nb anion. Additionally, the thermal stability of the complexes is observed to be dependent on the polymeric or discrete structure nature. At room temperature, the three solid complexes show Htrz‐based intraligand fluorescent emission.
Two‐Dimensional Divalent Metal Coordination Polymers Containing 3,4′‐Dipyridylketone Tethers: Layer Topology Tuning by Anion Binding Preferences
Authors: Farnum Gregory A. , Montney Matthew R. , Supkowski Ronald M. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: July 2009

Slow diffusion of aqueous cobalt thiocyanate or cadmium perchlorate and ethanolic solutions of 3,4′‐dipyridylketone (3,4′‐dpk) generated the coordination polymers {[Co(NCS)2(3,4′‐dpk)2]·2H2O}n (1) and {[Cd(H2O)2(3,4′‐dpk)2](ClO4)2·2H2O}n (2), which were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of interdigitated neutral [Co(NCS)2(3,4′‐dpk)2]n (4,4) rectangular grid coordination polymer layers. However, compound 2 manifests cationic [Cd(H2O)2(3,4′‐dpk)2]n2n+ two‐dimensional (6,3) herringbone lattices connected through hydrogen bonding mediated by interlamellar unligated perchlorate anions. Upon excitation with ultraviolet radiation, 2 emits blue‐violet light, ascribed to π–π* transitions within the pyridyl rings of the 3,4′‐dpk ligands. Thermal decomposition behavior of 1 is also discussed.
Synthese von Zinn(I)‐bromid. Ein neues binäres Halogenid für die Synthesechemie
Authors: Schrenk Claudio , Köppe Ralf , Schellenberg Inga , Pöttgen Rainer , Schnepf Andreas
Published: July 2009

Thermodynamic data for gaseous SnBr, derived from quantum chemical (MP2)‐calculations show that this monohalide should be formed at 1370 °C as a product of the reaction of elemental tin with HBr at 1 × 10–2 mbar. Applying the cocondensation technique, SnBr can be trapped at –196 °C and prepared in synthetic scale. Herein first analysis of SnBr are presented, showing that SnBr is more reactive than the corresponding GeBr, already disproportionating quantitatively to elemental tin and SnBr2 on heating to room temperature. 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements confirm the disproportionation by showing three single signals in the spectra which can be attributed to elemental tin, SnBr2 and a trace amount of SnO2.
An analytical solution of compressible charged porous media
Authors: Malakpoor K. , Huyghe J.M.
Published: July 2009

A one‐dimensional analytical solution is derived for saturated charged compressible porous media. The equations describe infinitesimal deformation of charged porous media saturated with a fluid with dissolved cations and anions. In the one‐dimensional case the governing equations reduce to a coupled diffusion equations for electro‐chemical potentials. Suitable initial and boundary conditions complete the equations.
Nutrient composition of plants consumed by black and white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata, in the Betampona Natural Reserve, Madagascar
Authors: Schmidt Debra A. , Iambana R. Bernard , Britt Adam , Junge Randall E. , Welch Charles R. , Porton Ingrid J. , Kerley Monty S.
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this study was to quantify the concentrations of crude protein, fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, nonstructural carbohydrates, and gross energy in plant foods consumed by wild black and white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium concentrations were also determined. A total of 122 samples from 33 plant families and more than 60 species were collected and analyzed for their nutritional content. The specific nutrient needs of black and white ruffed lemurs are unknown, but quantifying the nutritional composition of the foods they consume in the wild will help nutritionists and veterinarians formulate more appropriate diets for captive ruffed lemurs. This information will also supply information on how man‐induced habitat changes affect the nutritional composition of foods consumed by free‐ranging lemurs. Zoo Biol 29:375–396, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An osteoporotic hip fracture in a 14-year-old girl undergoing chemotherapy and operated for knee osteosarcoma
Authors: Zoccali Carmine , Prencipe Umberto , Ferraresi Virginia , Salducca Nicola
Published: July 2009

Non-weight-bearing, pre- and postsurgical immobilization, neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy are known to act on bone turnover, causing osteoporosis over short and long time periods. Treatment of fracture insurgence is very difficult because it really depends on being able to choose the right time (i.e., when immunodeficiency is less important). We report a case of spontaneous neck femur fracture during adjuvant chemotherapy in a young girl treated with resection and prosthesis reconstruction for distal femur osteosarcoma. Possible prevention and the correct approach and surgical timing are emphasized considering immunodeficiency following chemotherapy.
Epilepsy and inborn errors of metabolism in children
Authors: Wolf N. I. , García‐Cazorla A. , Hoffmann G. F.
Published: July 2009

Epilepsy is a frequent symptom in inborn errors of metabolism, with virtually no specific seizure types or EEG signatures. It is most important to look quickly for those few inborn errors of metabolism in which specific therapies such as supplementation of cofactors or diets can make all the difference. If these investigations remain negative, epilepsy has to be treated with conventional antiepileptic drugs. Still, epilepsy is a potentially treatable symptom of many inborn errors of metabolism, and optimal treatment is of great importance for patients and their families.
Aggravating effect of natural sand dust on male reproductive function in mice
Authors: Yoshida Seiichi , Hiyoshi Kyoko , Ichinose Takamichi , Nishikawa Masataka , Takano Hirohisa , Sugawara Isamu , Takeda Ken
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Although adverse health effects of environment (such as cadmium, pesticides, diesel exhaust, etc.) on the male reproductive system have been suggested, there is little experimental evidence of such an effect of atmospheric sand dust. In the present study, the effects of sand dust (mineral particles) were investigated on the male reproductive system of mice.

Methods

Two types of sand dusts (Asian sand dust and Arizona sand dust) were intratracheally administered (0.1 mg/mouse 4 times every other week) to ICR male mice and then male reproductive organ weight, daily sperm production (DSP), histological analysis and serum testosterone level were measured.

Results

Histological examination showed that interstitial edema was produced by both sand dust types, and partial vacuolation of the seminiferous tubules was detected in the exposed mice. Moreover, exposure to these natural sand dusts significantly decreased DSP. On the other hand, there was no significant differences in serum testosterone concentration.

Conclusions

These results suggest that natural sand dust‐exposure produced adverse effects on mouse male reproductive function.
How do Consumers Define Retail Centre Convenience?
Authors: Clulow Valerie , Reimers Vaughan
Published: July 2009

The 1980s and 1990s have been labelled the ‘decades of convenience’. In spite of this, retail research has often indicated that when compared with other shopping motives, consumers assign relatively less importance to the convenience of a retail centre when deciding where to shop. Such counter-intuitive findings could be due to the way in which academics have defined retail centre convenience. This study develops and tests an alternative definition. Comprising 16 attributes, it represents a fourfold increase over any existing definition. Subsequent empirical analysis provides strong support for the alternative definition, with respondents indicating that 14 of the test attributes serve as convenience attributes. The failure of existing definitions to incorporate so many of these attributes is a likely explanation behind the counter-intuitive proposition that convenience often serves as a less-than-salient determinant of retail centre patronage.
Variation in sex peptide expression inD. melanogaster
Authors: SMITH D. T. , HOSKEN D. J. , FFRENCH-CONSTANT R. H. , WEDELL N.
Published: July 2009

MaleDrosophila melanogastertransfers many accessory-gland proteins to females during copulation. Sex peptide (SP) is one of these and one of its main effects is to decrease female remating propensity. To date, there has been no investigation of genetic variation in SP-gene expression levels, or if such potential variation directly influences female remating behaviour. We assessed both these possibilities and found significant variation in expression levels of the SP gene acrossD. melanogasterisolines. A non-linear association between SP expression levels and female remating delay suggestive of disruptive selection on expression levels was also documented. Finally, while some isolines were infected with the endosymbiontWolbachia, no association betweenWolbachiaand SP expression level was found.
Targeted gain-of-function screening inDrosophilausingGAL4-UASand random transposon insertions
Authors: ZHONG JIM , YEDVOBNICK BARRY
Published: July 2009

Alterations in the activity level or temporal expression of key signalling genes elicit profound patterning effects during development. Consequently, gain-of-function genetic schemes that overexpress or misexpress such loci can identify novel candidates for functions essential for a developmental process.GAL4-Upstream Activating Sequence(UAS)-targeted regulation of gene expression inDrosophilahas allowed rapid analyses of coding sequences for potential roles in specific tissues at particular developmental stages.GAL4has also been combined with randomly mobilized transposons capable ofUAS-directed misexpression or overexpression of flanking sequences. This combination has produced a genetic screening system that can uncover novel loci refractory to standard loss of function genetic approaches, such as redundant genes. Available libraries of strains with sequenced insertion sites can allow direct correlation of phenotypes to genetic function. These techniques have also been applied to genetic interaction screening, where aGAL4driver andUAS-regulated insertion collection are combined with an extant mutant genotype. In this article, we summarize studies that have utilizedGAL4-UASoverexpression or misexpression of random loci to screen for candidates involved in specific developmental processes.
ALL NON-ARCHIMEDEAN NORMS ON K[X1, . . ., Xr]
Authors: GROZA GHIOCEL , POPESCU NICOLAE , ZAHARESCU ALEXANDRU
Published: July 2009

If K is a field with a non-trivial non-Archimedean absolute value (multiplicative norm) | |, we describe all non-Archimedean K-algebra norms on the polynomial algebra K[X1, . . . , Xr] which extend | |.
KOSTANT'S PROBLEM AND PARABOLIC SUBGROUPS
Authors: KÅHRSTRÖM JOHAN
Published: July 2009

Let be a finite dimensional complex semi-simple Lie algebra with Weyl group W and simple reflections S. For I ⊆ S let I be the corresponding semi-simple subalgebra of . Denote by WI the Weyl group of I and let w○ and wI○ be the longest elements of W and WI, respectively. In this paper we show that the answer to Kostant's problem, i.e. whether the universal enveloping algebra surjects onto the space of all ad-finite linear transformations of a given module, is the same for the simple highest weight I-module LI(x) of highest weight x ⋅ 0, x ∈ WI, as the answer for the simple highest weight -module L(xwI○w○) of highest weight xwI○w○ ⋅ 0. We also give a new description of the unique quasi-simple quotient of the Verma module Δ(e) with the same annihilator as L(y), y ∈ W.
THE MOMENTS OF MINKOWSKI QUESTION MARK FUNCTION: THE DYADIC PERIOD FUNCTION
Authors: ALKAUSKAS GIEDRIUS
Published: July 2009

The Minkowski question mark function ?(x) arises as a real distribution of rationals in the Farey tree. We examine the generating function of moments of ?(x). It appears that the generating function is a direct dyadic analogue of period functions for Maass wave forms and it is defined in the cut plane \ (1, ∞). The exponential generating function satisfies an integral equation with kernel being the Bessel function. The solution of this integral equation leads to the definition of dyadic eigenfunctions, arising from a certain Hilbert–Schmidt operator. Finally, we describe p-adic distribution of rationals in the Stern–Brocot tree. Surprisingly, the Eisenstein series G2(z) does manifest in both real and p-adic cases.
SOMEn−2TERRACES FROMnPOWER-SEQUENCES,nBEING AN ODD PRIME POWER
Authors: ANDERSON IAN , PREECE D. A.
Published: July 2009

A terrace formis an arrangement (a1,a2, . . . ,am) of themelements ofmsuch that the sets of differencesai+1−aiandai−ai+1(i= 1, 2, . . . ,m− 1) between them contain each element ofm\ {0} exactly twice. Formodd, many procedures are available for constructing power-sequence terraces form; each such terrace may be partitioned into segments, one of which contains merely the zero element ofm, whereas each other segment is either (a) a sequence of successive powers of an element ofmor (b) such a sequence multiplied throughout by a constant. We now adapt this idea by using power-sequences inn, wherenis an odd prime power, to obtain terraces form, wherem=n− 2. We write each element fromnso that they lie in the interval [0,n− 1] and then delete 0 andn− 1 so that they leaven− 2 elements that may be interpreted as the elements ofn−2. A segment of one of the new terraces may be of type (a) or (b), incorporating successive powers of 2, with each entry evaluated modulon. Our constructions providen−2terraces for all odd primesnsatisfying 0 <n< 1,000 except forn= 127, 241, 257, 337, 431, 601, 631, 673, 683, 911, 937 and 953. We also providen−2terraces forn= 3r(r> 1) and for some valuesn=p2, wherepis prime.
Mill's argument against religious knowledge
Authors: MAWSON T. J.
Published: July 2009

In On Liberty, Mill says that ‘the same causes which make … [a person] a Churchman in London, would have made him a Buddhist or a Confucian in Pekin’. Despite Mill's not having drawn it out, there is an argument implicit in his comments that is germane to both externalist and internalist understandings of the epistemic justification of religious beliefs, even though some of these understandings would not wish to use the term ‘epistemic justification’ to refer to whatever it is that they suggest must be added to true belief for it to count as knowledge. In this paper, we shall articulate this argument; examine how it challenges those religious believers who would wish to claim their religious beliefs as knowledge; and consider what they may do to meet this challenge.
J. R. R. Tolkien and the art of translating English into English
Authors: Smith Ross
Published: July 2009

Translation techniques favoured by Tolkien in rendering Beowulf and other medieval poetry into modern English. J. R. R. Tolkien was a prolific translator, although most of his translation work was not actually published during his lifetime, as occurred with the greater part of his fiction. He never did any serious translation from modern foreign languages into English, but rather devoted himself to the task of turning Old English and Middle English poetry into something that could be readily understood by speakers of the modern idiom. His largest and best-known published translation is of the anonymous 14th Century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which was published posthumously with two other translations from Middle English in the volume Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo (Allen & Unwin 1975). The translation of Middle English texts constitutes the bulk of his output in this field, both in the above volume and in the fragments that appear in his lectures and essays. However, his heart really lay in the older, pre-Norman form of the language, and particularly in the greatest piece of literature to come down to us from the Old English period, the epic poem Beowulf.
Forms and functions of English in multilingual signage
Authors: McCormick Kay , Agnihotri Rama Kant
Published: July 2009

Research on language contact phenomena (language switching and mixing, borrowing) shows that in a multilingual setting people's choice of language(s) is governed not simply by the need to be understood. Other factors play a role. These include various forms of positioning: the language, dialect, accent a speaker chooses for an interaction consciously or unconsciously displays particular aspects of his or her actual or aspired identity. These aspects cover, for example, being (or not being) educated/religious/from a particular region or social grouping. They position the speaker in relation to the person being spoken to. They may also indicate to the addressee not only how the speaker perceives him or her (for example as someone with particular background or attributes) but also as someone with particular aspirations. In multilingual societies language choice in commercial signage carries out similar positioning in addition to giving information about products or services: being understood is not always the sign producer's only or chief consideration. He or she needs to trigger aspects of identity and aspiration that are likely to create a desire for whatever is being sold. In this paper we focus on how English is used in relation to other languages in signage, mainly commercial signage, in two multilingual cities that are the centres of an ongoing research project on bilingual and multilingual signage: Delhi and Cape Town.
Expanding the tomato controversy: an exploratory study of the perception of standard British and American English in Portugal
Authors: de Barros Rita Queiroz
Published: July 2009

The recognition and reception of the two major international varieties of English in Portugal.

English has become the predominant language of the globe and Portugal is no exception to this predominance. It is the language that Portuguese people mostly use in international settings, the idiom dominating youth culture, science and technology, and a skill generally required in the tertiary sector. Though proficiency in English is far from attained at a national level, it is a subject that has been taught from the fifth grade in Portuguese schools for almost thirty years and which was recently made compulsory in primary schools.

However, the presence of English in Portugal far antedates its use for international, professional and academic purposes and its elevation to an international, global or world (standard) language. This recent condition was prepared by a long history of contact with Britain and its varieties and by a more recent record of low-mediated contact with American English due to the influx of American mass culture.
There's no easy way
Authors: Tulloch Alexander
Published: July 2009

The etymology of travel.

In the not too distant past there were really only two reasons why people travelled: to wage war and to conduct trade. And setting off on a journey for whatever purpose was frequently, if not always, an arduous task. In the 21st century, when we think nothing of getting on a plane and landing a few hours later on the other side of the world, it is perhaps difficult to appreciate what travel involved for our forebears. A brief time exploring the etymologies of the relevant vocabulary, however, soon leaves us in little doubt about the sheer hard slog getting from one place to another used to be.
Letter from Chicago
Authors: Sanford Kimberly
Published: July 2009

I recently had a conversation with a colleague about students who make rude comments in class. Many of us in higher education have experienced a student's inappropriately disparaging comment like ‘This is boring/stupid/worthless/a waste of time/you fill in the blank.’ I remember how shocked I felt the first time this happened to me. ‘Jack’ walked into class 10 minutes late, dropped into a desk in the back of the room and let out an audible yawn. That was the extent of his participation in class that day. He promptly leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't start snoring. A few minutes later, after I instructed the class to read a short text individually, I tapped Jack on the shoulder. Startled, he looked at me with what can only be described as a glare. Five minutes later, his head was down on his desk, eyes closed. I woke him up again and his response was, ‘But English classes are so boring. They're a waste of time. I'm just stuck here until I pass the TOEFL.’

Unfortunately, I've now come to expect a few of these comments to crop up every semester. At the risk of sounding like an uncaring teacher, I'll admit to sometimes writing these students off, letting them make their own choices, even if that results in failing the class. However, in my more patient moments, I try to reason with the student. Occasionally I've even asked a student for some practical suggestions to improve the class. But I always wonder, is this really my responsibility? After all, I'm their teacher, not their mother.
You could say that: the generic second-person pronoun in modern English
Authors: Berry Roger
Published: July 2009

An examination of a function of the second person pronoun frequently forgotten in pedagogical grammars of English.

A lawyer friend told me the following story about a court case in Hong Kong that he had taken part in. His client was in the witness box and was answering questions in Cantonese while an interpreter relayed his words in English to a judge who was not Chinese. At one point the opposing counsel put a point that was detrimental to the client's case and asked if he agreed with it. The translation of the reply was ‘you could say that’, which was understood by the court as indicating agreement. Of course, what he actually meant was ‘you (the counsel) could say that’ (i.e. ‘not me’), but it was understood as ‘you (people in general) could say that’ (i.e. ‘it is acceptable to say that’). In standard spoken English stress (as shown by the bold type above) and weak forms would normally disambiguate, but it seems the interpreter (a native speaker of Cantonese) gave each word equal stress, thus allowing for the unintended interpretation. I am pleased to report that this misunderstanding had no bearing on the outcome of the case, which was won by my friend's client.
Commentary
Authors: TallBear Kimberly
Published: July 2009

In May 2007, I gave a talk at the Institute for Public Health Genetics (IPHG) at the University of Washington (UW), Seattle. My topic was the Genographic Project, specifically the colonial history and racial narratives that I see as shaping the work of the project. I left IPHG encouraged by my conversations with UW researchers, including native researchers and program administrators who organize collaborative and ethically rigorous research. The individuals I met work in multiple native communities, especially those in the Pacific Northwest.
Science and Humanity
Authors: Lippert Dorothy
Published: July 2009

The Genographic Project is a fantasy of an idea. It represents the instinct of humankind to seek to understand ourselves, right down to the smallest pieces of our essential being. To follow this longing for knowledge is to be in the company of every great explorer that has ever been, from the first hominid moving beyond the boundaries of African Eden to the intrepid women, men, and children who sailed the seas beyond the mainland of Southeast Asia to become the first occupants of the continent of Australia, to the men and women perhaps not yet born who will seek to land on and inhabit planets other than this one. Such journeys reveal ways of relating to new worlds and, in that process, instruct us in new ways of being human. As another great journey of exploration, this search within ourselves may teach us equally as much. To be certain, none of our journeys thus far have been without hardship, and it is naive to think that this or any exploration is free from challenges.
Lessons from History
Authors: Marks Jonathan
Published: July 2009

Anthropological genetics is an oddly liminal field—not quite anthropology, yet not quite genetics either. Anthropologists are trained to be attuned to the people they work with; without the goodwill of its objects, the profession cannot exist—but one does not have to secure the goodwill of the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster, to study its DNA haplotypes in depth. Geneticists, however, are more prestigious and better funded—and what scientist doesn't aspire to that?
“Anti-colonial Genomic Practice?” Learning from the Genographic Project and the Chacmool Conference
Authors: Reardon Jenny
Published: July 2009

I want to commend the organizers of the Chacmool Conference panel. All too often attempts to discuss the broader social and cultural dimensions of genetic studies of ancient human migrations devolve into simplistic celebrations or condemnations. It is heartening to find here an example of a conference session that managed to avoid these dangerous poles, and to grapple instead with the hard task of discerning the issues raised and not raised by genomic studies of human migrations and history. I would like to devote my commentary to exploring what might be learned from the discussions at Chacmool.
Commentary on Implications of the Genographic Project
Authors: Anderson Jane
Published: July 2009

First, I would like to thank George Nicholas and Julie Hollowell for inviting me to comment on this important panel discussion. Second, I would like to thank all the panelists for their articulate and highly stimulating discussion, which deftly illustrates the range of cultural, historical, and political complexities that inform not only the Genographic Project but also research conducted with Indigenous peoples and indigenous communities more generally.
Competing scales in transnational networks: the impossible travel of Patrick Geddes' Cities Exhibition to America, 1911–1913
Authors: CHABARD PIERRE
Published: July 2009

At the turn of the 1910s, a productive tension opposed two competing kinds of North American city planning actors: urban reformers (such as Benjamin Marsh, founder of the National Conference on City Planning (NCCP) in 1909) and professional city planners (such as Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, new director of the NCCP in 1911). Analysing the many unsuccessful attempts, between 1911 and 1913, to send the ‘Cities and Town Planning Exhibition’ – a British itinerant exhibition directed by the Scottish thinker and reformer Patrick Geddes (1854–1932) – to tour America, this article examines the transnational similarities and interactions between American and European urbanist milieux; the competing scales (municipal, national, international) in this dialogue; and the strategies of the professionalization of planning.
Beyond nationalism: modernity, governance and a new urban history for India
Authors: NAIR JANAKI
Published: July 2009

The long hold of the idea that ‘India is the land of villages’ on the imaginations of politicians, policy makers and scholars alike was a result not just of the numerical preponderance of the village, but because it represented the space of an organic, unsullied authenticity. Needless to say, in many accounts, well into the late twentieth century, the authenticity was only made possible by relinquishing a claim to the turbulence of history, and indeed on ‘modernity’ itself. The Indian city in the period of colonial rule, on the contrary, became a heaving, undisciplined monster, the site of a corrupting modernity, illegitimate and even unauthentic in its form. Apart from the monumental cities of Delhi or Lucknow, and some attention to ‘temple’ towns, most monographs on modern Indian cities written in the last 60 years remained without a legible past and were the work largely of geographers or sociologists. Those early pioneers who explored the history of the modern Indian city on its own terms, such as Narayani Gupta, Mariam Dossal or Veena Oldenburg, were lonely outcrops in a vast field of historical works that were largely rooted in the countryside. The peasant and the village, rather than the worker and the city, occupied centre-stage in the most important phases of post-independence Indian historiography. Since the history of Indian nationalism gripped the scholars of the immediate post-independence years, and economic history powered by Marxism informed the next phase of writing (both of which were enormously productive lines of enquiry), the Indian city was embedded in works that traced either the fate of anti-colonial nationalism or the broader trajectories of labour and capital. The innovative approaches of the Subaltern Studies collective from the early 1980s drew historiographic attention once more to the rebellious peasant and rural communities or mentalities.
Report of the Coding Committee of the Association for European Paediatric Cardiology
Authors: Franklin Rodney C. G. , Anderson Robert H. , Daniëls Otto , Elliott Martin J. , Gewillig Marc H. M. L. , Ghisla Renzo , Krogmann Otto N. , Ulmer Herbert E. , Stocker Franco P.
Published: July 2009

IN 1999 AND EARLY 2000, THE ASSOCIATION FOR European Paediatric Cardiology published the European Paediatric Cardiac Code as independent but linked Short and Long Lists, containing 650 and 3876 primary terms respectively. The historical background and rationale for development of this coding system has been previously detailed, but essentially it followed a series of meeting of the coding committee of the Association between 1997–1999, during which a pre-existing Long List was adopted and then used to create the condensed Short List. The system was published as the recommended standard coding system for use across Europe, covering the diagnosis and therapy of children with congenital and acquired cardiac disease. The scope of the lists was to encompass the needs of all those involved with such patients, from the fetal cardiologist through to the specialist in adult congenital heart disease; and from the general paediatric cardiologist and cardiac surgeon, to those specialising in transcatheter interventions, paediatric electrophysiology, and paediatric echocardiographers. In addition, the code was crossmapped to the 9th and 10th revisions of the International Classification of Diseases (“ICD-9” and “ICD-10”) provided by the World Health Organisation in order to facilitate returns to central government, a requirement in most countries. In so doing, it was hoped to address the concerns of many centres that such information submitted by professional coding staff was often inaccurate due to the complex nature of congenital cardiac disease, together with the limited scope and vague terminology of the International listings.
Percutaneous aortic valvoplasty in congenital aortic valvar stenosis
Authors: Alva Carlos , Sánchez Agusím , David Felipe , Jiménez Santiago , Jiménez David , Ortegón José , Hernández Martha , Magaña José Antonio , Argüero Rubén , Ledesma Mariano
Published: July 2009

Objective: To evaluate immediate and midterm results with percutaneous aortic valvoplasty.Material and Methods: We reviewed the records of 141 patients undergoing percutaneous aortic valvopasty over a period of 13 years.Results: The patients were aged from 2 months to 40 years, with a mean of 10.9 ± 9.9 years. Of the total, 90 (63%) were male. The initial systolic peak-to-peak gradient decreased from 163 ± 52 mmHg to 32 ± 18 mmHg (p > 0.01) after valvoplasty in all 141 patients, while the proportional reduction ranged from 0 to 100%, with a mean of 72 ± 27%. The index of the size of the balloon to the diameter of the valvar orifice was 0.88 ± 0.19 in 128 patients. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 168 months, with a mean 51 ± 48 months in 70 patients. A significant difference was found in those failing after dilation when the initial evaluation was compared to the final evaluation of patients with follow-up. In those failing, the number of patients rose from 12 (17%) to 21 (30%) (p > 0.01). In contrast, in those in whom we achieved success, there was not such a great difference between the initial and final evaluation: 58 (83%) versus 49 (70%) (p > 0.1). The actuarial freedom curve of patients not needing new percutaneous aortic valvoplasty or surgery, by 182 months, was at 87% and 82% respectively.Conclusion: We have reviewed the largest series of patients in Latin-America reported thus far after undergoing percutaneous aortic valvoplasty, concentrating on mid term follow-up and limitations. New prospective and multicentric studies are needed from our region.
Cineangiographic aortic dimensions in normal children
Authors: Trivedi Kalyani R. , Pinzon Jorge L. , McCrindle Brian W. , Burrows Patricia E. , Freedom Robert M. , Benson Lee N.
Published: July 2009

Knowledge of normal aortic dimensions is important in the management of children with aortic disease. So as to define such dimensions, we undertook a retrospective review of clinical data and aortic cineangiograms from 167 subjects without aortic disease having a mean age of 3.67 years, with a range from 0.01 to 14.95 years. Amongst the patients, 56 were without detectable cardiac lesions, 66 patients had mild pulmonary stenosis, 30 were seen with Kawasaki disease, and 15 with small interatrial defects within the oval fossa. Aorto-grams were available in all. No patient had any hemodynamic derangement that would have affected the aorta during intrauterine life or childhood. Systolic dimensions were measured in the ascending and descending aorta at the level of the carina, at the transverse aortic arch distal to the brachiocephalic, of the left common carotid artery at its origin, at the transverse aortic arch distal to the left common carotid artery, at the aortic isthmus, and of the aorta at the level of the diaphragm. A regression analysis model was used to establish the range of predicted normal values, with their confidence limits, standardizing the values to height as the biophysical parameter having the highest correlation to aortic dimensions. Normal ranges were established for all the levels of measurement. The data should prove useful in identifying abnormalities of the thoracic aorta during childhood, and when assessing the outcomes of interventions.
Influence of early repair of tetralogy of Fallot without an outflow patch on late arrhythmias and sudden death: a 27-year follow-up study following a uniform surgical approach
Authors: Hamada Hiromichi , Terai Masaru , Jibiki Toshiaki , Nakamura Tsunetaro , Gatzoulis Michael A. , Niwa Koichiro
Published: July 2009

Abtsract

Pulmonary regurgitation and older age at the time of repair may have a large impact late after repair on subsequent mortality of patients with tetralogy of Fallot. We aimed to identify whether age at repair, and preservation of the pulmonary valve, had a favorable influence on morbidity and mortality. We also analyzed risk factors for late death subsequent to surgical repair. We identified 167 patients who, between 1965 and 1975, and at a mean age of 6 years, underwent total repair of tetralogy of Fallot by a single surgical team without use of an outflow patch. All patients were known to have survived for at least 30 days after repair, and late mortality was identified though the use of hospital records, interviews, and death certificates. The 29-year actuarial survival rate was 86%, with 24 late deaths. Of these deaths, seven occurred suddenly (4.2%). Morbidity was analyzed in 99 of the patients by means of a written questionnaire and telephone interview. It proved possible to analyze ventricular and valvar function in 50 of the patients. Survivors experienced no re-intervention, and 89% of them were in class I of the grading system of the New York Heart Association. We found evidence of 3 episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia (3.0%), and two episodes of atrial tachycardia (2.0%). Of the 50 patients in whom serial examinations were available, 18 had pulmonary regurgitation of moderate degree or greater, and none had more than moderate tricuspid regurgitation, with a mean QRS duration of 148ms and an ejection fraction for the left ventricle of 50%. Older age at repair (p = 0.03), and longer periods of cardiac arrest during repair (p = 0.02), were associated with late mortality. Although the mortality was similar to that observed in previous reports, our operative method might have a better effect in terms of late morbidity.
Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects in the oval fossa: is the method applicable in small children?
Authors: Bjørnstad Per G. , Holmstrøm Henrik , Smevik Bjarne , Tønnessen Tor Inge , Fosse Erik
Published: July 2009

We report our experience from 1996 through 1999, representing our initial experience with use of the Amplatzer device to close atrial septal defects. Of 46 patients taken to the catheter laboratory with the intention to close the defect, the device was permanently implanted in 40 (87%). They were aged between 1.4 and 71.8 years, with weights ranging from 7.8 to 90 kg. Both age and weight distributed into two peaks, demonstrating two different populations. The size of the devices, taking the biggest device if two were inserted, was between 9 and 30 mm. We underwent a short learning curve, but the time required for fluoroscopy, or the number of difficulties experienced, showed no connection with the size or age of the patient, nor the size of the defect itself. A suspicion that young age and small size would increase the risk and difficulties, and result in more interrupted procedures, could not be substantiated. In children no interruption was procedural. Our early experience, therefore, demonstrates that an experienced interventional team can use the Amplatzer occluder successfully to close atrial septal defects in patients of all ages and sizes, at least from 7.8 kg and up.