bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information literacy and its relationship to cognitive development and reflective judgment
Authors: Jackson Rebecca
Published: June 2008

This chapter maps the Association of College and Research Libraries' Information Competency Standards for Higher Education to the cognitive development levels developed by William G. Perry and Patricia King and Karen Kitchener to suggest which competencies are appropriate for which level of cognitive development.
Effective librarian and discipline faculty collaboration models for integrating information literacy into the fabric of an academic institution
Authors: Brasley Stephanie Sterling
Published: June 2008

In academe, information literacy is best integrated into student learning through meaningful collaboration between discipline faculty and librarians, and through strategic, curricular, and programmatic efforts that align it with an institution's mission and outcomes. The author describes a framework for collaboration and reviews exemplars for collaborations that lead to successful information literacy development and infusion.
College student engagement surveys: Implications for information literacy
Authors: Gratch‐Lindauer Bonnie
Published: June 2008

This chapter describes the library use and information literacy behaviors included on standardized college student surveys of engagement and experiences, particularly information literacy‐related experimental items developed by ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy's College Student Surveys Project Group on the 2006 NSSE College Student Report.
Natural history of pelvic lymphocysts as observed by ultrasonography after bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy
Authors: Tam K. F. , Lam K. W. , Chan K. K. , Ngan H. Y. S.
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To determine, in patients who have undergone bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological cancer, the incidence of lymphocyst formation, their change in size with time, risk factors and correlation with symptoms.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 108 patients undergoing bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological cancer in our unit. We performed serial three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound assessment at 2 and 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. Before each ultrasound assessment, symptoms were recorded and a physical examination was performed.

Results

Forty‐eight (44.4%) patients had unilateral or bilateral lymphocysts detected during the follow‐up period; 26 were on the left side, 16 were on the right side and six were bilateral. In 39 (81.2%) of the patients, the lymphocysts were first noted 2 weeks after the operation. In nine (18.8%) the lymphocysts persisted until 12 months after surgery. There was no association between lymphocyst formation and diagnosis, type of operation performed, surgeon, operative blood loss, adjuvant radiotherapy and number of lymph nodes removed. Four lymphocysts were detected by physical examination before the ultrasound diagnosis. There was no association between lymphocyst and symptoms, including pain over the abdomen, pelvis, thigh, legs or back, lymphedema, fever or symptoms of cystitis. Only one patient developed an infection of the lymphocyst, which required surgical intervention.

Conclusion

Lymphocyst formation is common following bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Most patients with lymphocysts are asymptomatic and the development of major complications is rare. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control strategy of a wind turbine drive by an integrated model
Authors: Andriollo M. , De Bortoli M. , Martinelli G. , Morini A. , Tortella A.
Published: June 2008

In this paper, an integrated equivalent circuit is defined to analyse the operation of a wind generator–rectifier system connected to a DC link, with the electric machine consisting of a surface‐mounted permanent magnet synchronous generator (SPMG) directly coupled to the wind turbine. Such circuit is defined by integrating the models related to the electromechanical equations implemented into a Simulink® code, where the SPMG parameters are derived by the elaboration of sequences of magnetostatic FEM analyses. The integrated equivalent circuit can be very useful to examine the wind generator dynamics because of wind speed variations, and to analyse the influence of the electromechanical parameters on the energy output in order to identify the appropriate control strategies involving the regulation of the rotor speed, the DC link current and the blade pitch angle. In particular, a sensorless algorithm is implemented to estimate the main mechanical quantities (output torque and rotor speed) and to determine the wind speed by means of only electrical measurements. The comparison with an anemometer‐based solution shows that similar performances can be achieved in different operating conditions. The control strategies set up by the circuit model are verified on a 20 kW‐rated SPMG with outer rotor, comparing the sensor and sensorless approaches in terms of capability of energy production, dynamic promptness and sensitivity to parameter disturbances, also with wind turbulence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Host–parasitoid community model and its potential application in biological control of cereal stemborers in Kenya
Authors: Jiang Nanqing , Zhou Goufa , Overholt William A. , Schulthess Fritz
Published: June 2008

A two‐host–two‐parasitoid model was constructed to assess the effects of the introduced larval parasitoid, the braconid Cotesia flavipes, on its primary target host, the invasive crambid Chilo partellus, and on secondary host species, in inter‐specific competition with Cotesia sesamiae, the main native parasitoid species of stemborers in Kenya. The model assumed that: (1) there was no host discrimination by either parasitoid species; (2) Cotesia flavipes was the superior competitor that out‐competed Cotesia sesamiae when the host was suitable; and (3) Cotesia flavipes could only develop in an unsuitable host if it had been previously parasitized by Cotesia sesamiae. Model parameters were estimated from surveys conducted in Kenya and from laboratory experiments. Different scenarios of host and parasitoid species composition and host suitability occurring in the different ecological zones in Kenya were analyzed. Results indicated that: (1) the coexistence of stemborer host populations are determined by their population growth rates, the degree of aggregation of the parasitoids and their searching efficiency; (2) in the regions where both the invasive and the predominant native host species were suitable to either parasitoid species, stemborer densities would be reduced to and controlled at low densities, and Cotesia flavipes would become the dominant parasitoid species. However, the extinction or predominance of the native stemborer species depends on the ratio of the growth rates of exotic and native stemborers and their relative searching efficiencies; and (3) if the native host species was acceptable but unsuitable to Cotesia flavipes, the parasite would not become established.
Mentoring the New Graduate Perioperative Nurse: A Valuable Retention Strategy
Authors: Persaud Debra
Published: June 2008

THE PRACTICE OF HIRING new graduate nurses to work in the OR is becoming more the norm than the exception.

IF LEFT TO TRANSITION into this environment alone, new nurses can quickly become overwhelmed and feel isolated and discouraged.

THIS ARTICLE DETAILS a mentoring program for new nurses in the OR. The purpose of the program is twofold: to help new nurses transition into the surgical environment and to increase the facility's nurse retention rate. AORN J 87 (June 2008) 1173‐1179. © AORN, Inc, 2008.
Epidemiology of chronic pain in Denmark: An update
Authors: Sjøgren Per , Ekholm Ola , Peuckmann Vera , Grønbæk Morten
Published: June 2008

The most recent Danish health survey of 2005 is based on a region‐stratified random sample of 10.916 individuals. Data were collected via personal interviews and self‐administrated questionnaires. Respondents suffering from chronic pain were identified through the question ‘Do you have chronic/long‐lasting pain lasting 6 months or more?’ The prevalence of chronic pain among individuals with a present or earlier cancer diagnosis was also assessed. In all, 7275 individuals (66.6%) completed a personal interview and 5552 individuals (50.9% of the original sample) completed and returned the self‐administrated questionnaire. The same questions were included in the survey in 2000 and, hence, it was possible to evaluate the trends in the past five years. In all, 20.2% of the adult Danish population has chronic pain. From year 2000–2005 the prevalence of chronic pain has remained stable. Generally, chronic pain was associated with female gender and increasing age. Higher prevalence of chronic pain were associated with being divorced, separated or widowed, having less than 10 years of education and high BMI. Musculoskeletal diseases (66.8%) were the most common cause for chronic pain and most persons with chronic pain rated their health and quality of life as poor. Persons with earlier or present cancer diagnosis were more likely to report chronic pain. A substantial part of persons with chronic pain were not satisfied with the examinations and treatments offered. In conclusion, over a five‐year period the prevalence of chronic pain in Denmark has remained stable, but high.
Effect of electroacupuncture on thalamic neuronal response to visceral nociception
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Liang , Zhang Shi‐Ping , Zhang Hong‐Qi
Published: June 2008

The thalamus has been shown to play an important role in somatovisceral integration. This study set out to examine thalamic neuronal responses to visceral nociception when electrical stimulation was applied to the skin receptive field (RF) or to ST36, an acupoint most frequently used for abdominal pain conventionally. Single neuronal recordings were carried out extracellularly in the thalamic ventrobasal nucleus of anaesthetized rats. Among numerous neurons responding to tactile stimulation, 72 units were found responsive not only to innocuous stimulation on skin RF (60 activated, 12 inhibited) but also to noxious colorectal distension (CRD). Electrical stimulation (2Hz, 1mA) of the neuronal somatic receptive field center reduced the subsequent neuronal responses to CRD in 40 neurons tested. High frequency stimulation (100Hz) produced stronger inhibition than low frequency (2Hz) stimulation at RF. The inhibition on visceral nociceptive response occurred immediately after the stimulation. In comparison with the effect of RF stimulation, the inhibitory effect was less at either ipsilateral or contralateral ST36. Our data suggest that, at single thalamic neuron level, stimulation at conventional acupoint is not necessarily as effective as stimulation at neuronal skin receptive field, and high frequency is more effective than low frequency stimulation for the inhibition of visceral nociception.
FAK nuclear export signal sequences
Authors: Ossovskaya Valeria , Lim Ssang-Taek , Ota Nobuyuki , Schlaepfer David D. , Ilic Dusko
Published: June 2008

Ubiquitously expressed focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a critical component in transducing signals from sites of cell contacts with extracellular matrix, was named after its typical localization in focal adhesions. A nuclear localization of FAK has been also reported and its scaffolding role in nucleus and requirement for p53 ubiquitination were only recently described. Whereas FAK nuclear localization signal (NLS) was found in F2 lobe of FERM domain, nuclear export signal (NES) sequences have not been yet determined. Here we demonstrate that FAK has two NES sequences, NES1 in F1 lobe of FERM domain and NES2 in kinase domain. Although, both NES1 and NES2 are evolutionary conserved, and present as well in FAK‐related protein kinase Pyk2, only NES2 demonstrates full biological nuclear export activity.
Oral supplementation with l-lysine did not prevent upper respiratory infection in a shelter population of cats
Authors: Rees Tina M. , Lubinski Janet L.
Published: June 2008

Cats in animal shelters are highly susceptible to infection by feline herpesvirus (FHV) by virtue of their stress and close proximity to other cats. Animal shelters take several different approaches to prevent FHV-related upper respiratory infections (URIs), including empirically treating all cats with l-lysine, a supplement believed to prevent the replication of FHV and, therefore, manifestations of herpesvirus infections. In this study we tested oral supplementation of l-lysine as a means to prevent URIs. One hundred and forty-four cats were treated with l-lysine in a small amount of canned food once daily. A ‘no treatment’ group of 147 cats received no lysine during the course of the study. The development of conjunctivitis or URI was tracked between the two groups. In all measures, there was no effect between the two groups, suggesting that lysine was not able to prevent URI or conjunctivitis in our shelter situation. Cats entering shelters encounter stressors that may make them more susceptible to FHV reactivation or infection. Infection control and control of fomite transmission are also key to keeping cats healthy in a group housing situation. The finding that lysine did not prevent URI in this animal shelter suggests that shelters may better use their resources by finding ways to decrease stress among their feline population, focusing on proper infection control measures, and limiting fomite transmission of disease.
Outcomes in bilateral cochlear implantation
Authors: Bichey Bradford G. , Miyamoto Richard T.
Published: June 2008

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore improvements in quality of life and the costutility of bilateral cochlear implantation.

Study Design and Setting

A prospective case‐control study was conducted on 23 bilateral cochlear implant patients with the Mark III health utility index.

Results

Results indicate a 0.48 mean gain in health utility after bilateral cochlear implantation and a discounted cost per quality adjusted life year of $24,859 in this cohort of patients. With a comparison of patient scores for unilateral and bilateral use, improvements in the domains of hearing, speech, emotion, and cognition were noted, resulting in a mean gain in health utility of 0.11.

Conclusions

This study found an improvement in quality of life and a favorable cost‐utility associated with bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with profound hearing loss. These patients showed additional improvements in quality of life after they received their second implant.

Clinical Significance

This is the first study that showed improvements in quality of life and a favorable cost‐utility after bilateral cochlear implantation in patients with profound hearing loss.
Arterial coupling for microvascular free tissue transfer
Authors: Chernichenko Natalya , Ross Douglas A. , Shin Joseph , Chow Jen Y. , Sasaki Clarence T. , Ariyan Stephen
Published: June 2008

Objective

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of arterial coupling.

Study Design

Retrospective data were collected in a consecutive series of 124 patients undergoing surgical resection of head and neck tumors followed by free tissue transfer (FTT).

Methods And Measures

The Unilink coupling device was used to perform arterial and venous anastomosis. Flap survival and thrombosis of the arterial anastomoses were determined.

Results

A total of 124 consecutive patients underwent a total of 127 microvascular FTTs. Reconstruction included 90 radial forearm, 26 fibula, 9 rectus abdominis, and 2 iliac crest myocutaneous free flaps. There were four (3.2%) complications related to arterial insufficiency in our series, three of which were salvageable. There were three (2.4%) flap failures, resulting in an overall free flap survival rate of 97.6 percent.

Conclusion

The flap survival with the Unilink Microvascular Anastomotic System is similar to that of standard suture techniques. Use of a coupler device is the preferred method in performing microvascular FTT at our institution.
How much influence does inspiration have on pulse transit time in sleep apnea?
Authors: Yin Min , Nakayama Meiho , Miyazaki Soichiro , Ishikawa Kazuo
Published: June 2008

Objectives

To study how much affect inspiration has on pulse transit time (PTT).

Study Design

Prospective study.

Subjects and Methods

Polysomnograms were performed in 51 consecutive patients (male 45, female 6; ages 49.2 π 14.7 years) with obstructive sleep apnea. PTT changes during normal breathing, obstructive apnea (OA), and central apnea (CA) were compared, and the correlations between simultaneous changes in PTT and intraesophageal pressure (Peso) were discussed.

Results

In comparison with normal breathing, increases in PTT were greater in OA but significantly less in CA. The mean continuous increases in PTT were significantly higher in OA (17.0 ± 4.9 ms) than those in CA (9.5 ± 2.7 ms). Simultaneous changes in Peso and PTT correlated significantly but with a lower correlation coefficient in a portion of patients.

Conclusions

Inspiration obviously affects PTT, and the linear relationship between simultaneous changes in PTT and Peso might be reflected to some extent.
Differential gene expression profiles of the olfactory bulb after nasal obstruction in neonatal rats
Authors: Semjidsuren Gan‐Undram , Im Gi Jung , Lee Sang Hag , Park Se Jin , Hwang Ho Yeon , Jung Hak Hyun
Published: June 2008

Objective

Microarray technique is a useful tool to identify functional gene candidates. In this study, we evaluated the gene expression profiles in the olfactory bulbs of normal rats and naris‐occluded rats using the gene microarray technique.

Study Design and Methods

To induce atrophic change in the olfactory bulb, we performed a unilateral nasal obstruction by electronic cauterization on postnatal day 1 rats. Differential gene expression profiles of the nasal obstruction group and the normal control group at postnatal day 35 were analyzed with a DNA microarray.

Results

Microarray revealed 41 genes that were upregulated at least 2‐fold in the nasal obstruction group compared with the control group. Among these upregulated genes, increased expression levels of 20 functional genes were confirmed by semiquantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusion

This study examines candidate genes associated with the development, apoptosis, and signal transduction of the olfactory bulb. These results may explain the fact that blockage of airflow by inflammation and nasal polyps causes deprivation of olfactory functions in vivo.
Utility of spiral and cine CT scans in pediatric patients suspected of aspirating radiolucent foreign bodies
Authors: Hong Soo‐Jong , Goo Hyun Woo , Roh Jong‐Lyel
Published: June 2008

Objective

To review our experience with spiral and cine CT imaging for the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration.

Study Design and Setting

Fifty‐one consecutive pediatric patients suspected of aspirating radiolucent FBs underwent chest radiography and a 3‐dimensional spiral CT scan with 12 also undergoing a cine CT scan within 24 hours before rigid bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopic and CT results were compared.

Results

Rigid bronchoscopy showed that FBs were present in the main bronchus or bronchus intermedius of 42 patients. Spiral CT scans localized airway FBs in these same 42 patients. In the remaining nine patients without FBs, six were true‐negatives and three were false‐positives on CT scan interpretation, making the overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of CT scans 100% (95% confidence interval, 91%–100%), 66.7% (29%–92%), 94.1% (64%–99%), 93.3% (81%–98%), and 100% (54%–100%), respectively. The cine CT scan correctly diagnosed nine of 12 patients as true‐positives and three as true‐negatives with identification of air trapping and secondary lung changes.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that CT scans may be used in airway FB management of pediatric patients, especially with diagnostic dilemmas, and further prospective evaluations should be considered to assess its overall efficacy.
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: Evaluation and surgical management of advanced disease
Authors: Danesi Giovanni , Panciera Davide T. , Harvey Richard J. , Agostinis Cristina
Published: June 2008

Objective

Evaluate preoperative imaging in predicting operative stage. Describe the outcomes in surgically treated juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) with the influence of middle cranial fossa, carotid, or dural involvement on recurrence.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort of surgically treated patients with JNA.

Subjects and Methods

Eighty‐five patients from a regional Italian referral center were assessed for recurrence, radiologic, and operative staging. High risk areas involved were recorded at surgery.

Results

Recurrence for advanced disease (IIIb+) was 18.2% (6 of 33) and 15.3% (13 of 85) overall. Preoperative staging poorly correlated with operative stage (P = 0.15). No single high risk area was predictive for recurrence, but the absence of any risk factor was associated with a favorable outcome (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Dural involvement by tumor is rare and imaging may overstage disease. Anterior access, endoscopic or open, is sufficient to address intracranial involvement. When an open approach is used, a midface degloving technique affords excellent exposure even for advanced disease. Lateral approaches with their associated morbidity can be reserved for selected recurrent disease.
Postoperative imaging of vestibular schwannomas
Authors: Bennett Marc L. , Jackson C. Gary , Kaufmann Ryan , Warren Frank
Published: June 2008

Objectives

Assess the need for serial magnetic resonance imaging after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective case review.

Subjects and Methods

Study included all patients who underwent vestibular neuromas surgery over a five‐year period from 1996 to 2000 at a single tertiary referral center. Analysis of tumor recurrence and correlation with enhancement types on postoperative imaging was performed.

Results

During the five‐year period, 359 cerebellopontine angle tumors were removed. The 299 patients had MRI imaging at one and five years for analysis and a five‐year follow‐up examination. Of these patients, 284 were found to have no enhancement at both one and five years. Linear enhancement was seen in ten patients but did not enlarge in any patient. Nodular enhancement of the internal auditory canal was observed in three patients. Two patients with nodular enhancement had tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

Complete vestibular schwannoma resection has a low recurrence rate. Initial imaging should be performed at one year. Only patients with enhancement, subtotal resections, or neurofibromatosis type II need serial imaging.
Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma: Diagnostic difficulty and outcome
Authors: Zbären Peter , Zbären Sibylle , Caversaccio Marco D. , Stauffer Edouard
Published: June 2008

Objective

To analyze a series of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) and to assess the diagnostic difficulties.

Study Design

The clinical presentation of 24 CXPAs was compared with 300 pleomorphic adenomas (PAs). Furthermore, pathohistological findings and follow‐up results of CXPAs were evaluated.

Results

Eight of 24 (33%) CXPAs versus 41 of 300 (14%) PAs were localized in the deep lobe (P < 0.05). Forty‐two percent of CXPAs versus 6 percent of PAs, respectively, were greater than 4 cm (P < 0.05). The sensitivity in detecting CXPA by fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was 47 percent. The tumor was known to be malignant preoperatively in 10 (42%) patients. Six of 24 (25%) patients with CXPA developed a tumor recurrence. The overall 5‐year survival rate of CXPA was 76 percent.

Conclusion

CXPAs are difficult to identify preoperatively. FNAC has a low accuracy and sensitivity. CXPAs versus PAs are significantly more frequently localized in the deep lobe and are significantly greater in size.
Increased risk of otitis media with effusion in allergic children presenting with adenoiditis
Authors: Marseglia Gian Luigi , Pagella Fabio , Caimmi Davide , Caimmi Silvia , Castellazzi Anna Maria , Poddighe Dimitri , Klersy Catherine , Ciprandi Giorgio
Published: June 2008

Objective

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common disorder in childhood. The aim of the study was to assess the association of atopy and endoscopic features with the presence of OME.

Subjects and Methods

This cross‐sectional study evaluated 287 children presenting with acute upper‐airway infections persistent for at least ten days and tested through nasal endoscopy and skin‐prick test.

Results

Fifty‐three patients had a diagnosis of OME; out of them, 23 showed acute rhinosinusitis, ten adenoiditis, and 20 both features. OME was diagnosed in 26 atopic children and in 27 nonatopic ones. On a multivariable analysis, allergic rhinitis, endoscopic pattern of adenoiditis, and younger age were all shown to be independently associated with a diagnosis of OME.

Conclusions

This study suggests that allergic rhinitis and adenoiditis are significant risk factors to OME development and that the risk becomes higher when these two conditions are con‐comitantly present.
Treatment outcomes for nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis in children based on the type of surgical intervention
Authors: Wei Julie L. , Bond Justin , Sykes Kevin J. , Selvarangan Rangaraj , Jackson Mary Anne
Published: June 2008

Objective

To report treatment outcomes of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

Study Design

A retrospective study from 1995 to 2006.

Subjects and Methods

Fifty‐one patients (mean age, 30.3 months).

Results

All but one patient presented with lymphadenopathy. The mean time from symptoms to diagnosis was 42.3 days. Tuberculin skin testing (TST) was performed on 21 of 51 patients and was positive on 14 of 21 patients. Imaging was ordered in 23; 19 had CT scans. Pathology confirmed caseating granuloma in 45 (88%); cultures grew Mycobacterium avium‐intracellulare complex in 46 of 51. Interventions included fine‐needle aspiration (5, 10%), incision and drainage ± curettage (24, 46%), and complete excisional biopsy (20, 38%). Of those who underwent complete excisional biopsy initially, 95 percent were cured compared with 32 of 51 (63%) with nonexcisional surgery. Macrolides and rifampin were more likely to be recommended in referred cases and when nonexcisional surgical treatment was not feasible or had failed. The average total duration of antibiotic therapy was 89.1 days.

Conclusion

NTM infections require high levels of suspicion for timely diagnosis, and complete excisional biopsy results in least likelihood of persistent/recurrent disease.
Biofilms with fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Healy David Y. , Leid Jeff G. , Sanderson Alicia R. , Hunsaker Darrell H.
Published: June 2008

Objectives

Demonstrate that bacterial biofilm in sinus mucosal samples from patients with eosinophilic mucin chronic rhinosinusitis (EMCRS) and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) contains fungal elements; identify specific organisms in the biofilm.

Methods

Mucosa samples from 11 patients undergoing sinus surgery were collected. Patients were classified as having AFRS, EMCRS, or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on histopathologic findings. Three mucosal samples from controls were also collected. Samples were stained with specific bacterial fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) DNA probes (Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumophilia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a general pan‐fungal FISH probe. The samples were analyzed for bacterial biofilm ultrastructure and fungal elements using epifluorescent microscopy.

Results

Bacterial biofilm was demonstrated in 9/11 samples and 2/3 controls. H. influenzae was the predominant biofilm present. There was a trend showing more fungal elements in AFRS and EMCRS biofilms than in CRS and controls.

Conclusion

This is a preliminary study demonstrating fungal elements within sinus mucosal biofilm and demonstrating biofilm in AFRS.
Late Cretaceous (Campanian—Maastrichtian) marine reptiles from the Adaffa Formation, NW Saudi Arabia
Authors: KEAR B. P. , RICH T. H. , ALI M. A. , AL-MUFARRIH Y. A. , MATIRI A. H. , MASARY A. M. , ATTIA Y.
Published: June 2008

Marine reptile remains occur in the Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian to lower Maastrichtian) Adaffa Formation of NW Saudi Arabia. This is the first detailed report of late Mesozoic marine reptiles from the Arabian Peninsula. The fossils include bothremydid (cf. Taphrosphyini) turtles, dyrosaurid crocodyliforms, elasmosaurid plesiosaurs, mosasaurs (Prognathodon, plioplatecarpines) and an indeterminate small varanoid. The assemblage is compositionally similar to contemporary faunas from elsewhere in the Middle East/North Africa, and comprises taxa that are typical of the southern margin of the Mediterranean Tethys.
Reexamining the priorities of theNational Standards for Foreign Language Education
Authors: Magnan Sally Sieloff
Published: June 2008

TheNational Standards for Foreign Language Educationoffer goals for student learning. During the past decade, they have been used increasingly as objectives for foreign language teaching. In theStandardsdocument, the five Standards are presented in a hierarchical order: 1. Communication, 2. Cultures, 3. Connections, 4. Comparisons, and 5. Communities. Looking to Dell Hymes's portrayal of communicative competence and building on notions from sociocultural theory and the concept communities of practice, this paper questions this hierarchical ordering especially in terms of the primacy of Communication over Cultures and Communities. It is suggested that, of the five Cs, Communities should be considered the most fundamental.
Assessing L2 reading texts at the intermediate level: An approximate replication of Crossley, Louwerse, McCarthy & McNamara (2007)
Authors: Crossley Scott A. , McNamara Danielle S.
Published: June 2008

This paper follows up on the work of Crossley, Louwerse, McCarthy & McNamara (2007), who conducted an exploratory study of the linguistic differences of simplified and authentic texts found in beginner level English as a Second Language (ESL) textbooks using the computational tool Coh-Metrix. The purpose of this study is to provide a more comprehensive study of second language (L2) reading texts than that provided by Crossley et al. (2007) by investigating the differences between the linguistic structures of a larger and more selective corpus of intermediate reading texts. This study is important because advocates of both approaches to ESL text construction cite linguistic features, syntax, and discourse structures as essential elements of text readability, but only the Crossley et al. (2007) study has measured the differences between these text types and their implications for L2 learners. This research replicates the methods of the earlier study. The findings of this study provide a more thorough understanding of the linguistic features that construct simplified and authentic texts. This work will enable material developers, publishers, and reading researchers to more accurately judge the values of simplified and authentic L2 texts as well as improve measures for matching readers to text.
IATEFL research publications
Authors: Borg Simon , Ioannou-Georgiou Sophie
Published: June 2008

IATEFL is the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (www.iatefl.org). This report outlines research papers which have appeared in recent IATEFL publications. Four publications are discussed in turn. Three of these were published by the IATEFL Research Special Interest Group (SIG), while the fourth was published by the Young Learners SIG. The range of research reported here reflects the international nature of IATEFL's activities and its commitment to supporting and promoting research within the association. The publications reviewed are available for purchase from IATEFL.
Potential use of singing in educational settings with pre-pubertal children possessing speech and voice disorders: a psychological perspective
Authors: Rinta Tiija
Published: June 2008

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether children who possess speech and voice disorders could benefit from engaging in singing activities in educational settings, based on the psychological benefits of such activities. The impact of singing on children's psychological state and well-being was investigated with a participant population of 76 pre-pubertal children. Voice recordings, interviews and a survey were conducted. The main finding was that singing has a positive effect on children's overall vocal functioning and on their psychological well-being. Thus, singing could be exploited in educational settings with children suffering from speech and voiced disorders in order to achieve improvement in such domains.
FRACTIONAL COINTEGRATION IN STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODELS
Authors: da Silva Afonso Gonçalves , Robinson Peter M.
Published: June 2008

Asset returns are frequently assumed to be determined by one or more common factors. We consider a bivariate factor model where the unobservable common factor and idiosyncratic errors are stationary and serially uncorrelated but have strong dependence in higher moments. Stochastic volatility models for the latent variables are employed, in view of their direct application to asset pricing models. Assuming that the underlying persistence is higher in the factor than in the errors, a fractional cointegrating relationship can be recovered by suitable transformation of the data. We propose a narrow band semiparametric estimate of the factor loadings, which is shown to be consistent with a rate of convergence, and its finite-sample properties are investigated in a Monte Carlo experiment.
Approximate amenability of Fréchet algebras
Authors: LAWSON P. , READ C. J.
Published: June 2008

The notion of approximate amenability was introduced by Ghahramani and Loy, in the hope that it would yield Banach algebras without bounded approximate identity which nonetheless had a form of amenability. So far, however, all known approximately amenable Banach algebras have bounded approximate identities (b.a.i.). In this paper we define approximate amenability and contractibility of Fréchet algebras, and we prove the analogue of the result for Banach algebras that these properties are equivalent. We give examples of Fréchet algebras which are approximately contractible, but which do not have a bounded approximate identity. For a good many Fréchet algebras without b.a.i., we find either that the algebra is approximately amenable, or it is “obviously” not approximately amenable because it has continuous point derivations. So the situation for Fréchet algebras is quite close to what was hoped for Banach algebras.
The effect of twisting on the 2-Selmer group
Authors: SWINNERTON–DYER PETER
Published: June 2008

Let Γ be an elliptic curve defined over Q, all of whose 2-division points are rational, and let Γb be its quadratic twist by b. Subject to a mild additional condition on Γ, we find the limit of the probability distribution of the dimension of the 2-Selmer group of Γb as the number of prime factors of b increases; and we show that this distribution depends only on whether the 2-Selmer group of Γ has odd or even dimension.
Gaussian integer points of analytic functions in a half-plane
Authors: FLETCHER ALASTAIR
Published: June 2008

A classical result of Pólya states that 2zis the slowest growing transcendental entire function taking integer values on the non-negative integers. Langley generalised this result to show that 2zis the slowest growing transcendental function in the closed right half-plane Ω = {z∈: Re(z) ≥ 0} taking integer values on the non-negative integers. LetEbe a subset of the Gaussian integers in the open right half-plane with positive lower density and letfbe an analytic function in Ω taking values in the Gaussian integers onE. Then in this paper we prove that iffdoes not grow too rapidly, thenfmust be a polynomial. More precisely, there existsL> 0 such that if either the order of growth offis less than 2 or the order of growth is 2 and the type is less thanL, thenfis a polynomial.
Bugotu and Cheke Holo reduplication: in defence of the Emergence of the Unmarked
Authors: Kennedy Robert
Published: June 2008

This paper provides an analysis of the reduplicative systems of Bugotu, Cheke Holo, Tuvaluan and Hoava. In Bugotu and Cheke Holo, intervocalic consonants are not reflected in the reduplicative substring; Tuvaluan reduplication creates initial geminate consonants, while Hoava reduplicants include coda consonants. Blevins (2003, 2005) argues that these languages pose a serious problem for the optimality-theoretic hypothesis of the Emergence of the Unmarked (McCarthy & Prince 1994), which predicts that reduplicated structures should not favour relatively marked outputs. I show that the data in fact are not problematic for the Emergence of the Unmarked hypothesis, because different, conflicting dimensions of markedness can arise in reduplicative phonology. In Bugotu and Cheke Holo, the tolerance of extrasyllabic segments combined with size-penalising constraints helps produce the consonant-deletion pattern. A similar defence of the Emergence of the Unmarked is offered for the reduplicative systems of Tuvaluan and Hoava.
THE APPLICATION OF MICROARRAY BASED COMPARATIVE GENOMIC HYBRIDIZATION IN PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS
Authors: CHOY KWONG WAI , TSANG PO TING , LEUNG TAK YEUNG , WANG CHI CHIU , LAU TZE KIN
Published: June 2008

Microscopic forms of karyotyping and cytogenetic analysis by means of G-banded chromosome analysis and rapid FISH (fluorescencein situhybridization) on amniotic fluids or chorionic villus samples are at present regarded as the gold standard for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies. Nevertheless, up to now the resolution of conventional chromosomal analysis was limited to approximately 4–5 Mb and not smaller than 2 Mb for FISH. Thus numerous common microdeletion syndromes are not detectable by conventional karyotyping. In addition, prenatal cells yield lower band resolution by conventional karyotyping than peripheral white blood cells making detection of subtle abnormalities even more difficult. With the advances in molecular-based techniques, a collaborative effort has led to the standardized method for detection of a restricted set of common chromosomal aneuploidies and microdeletion syndromes such as Down's syndrome, DiGeorge or Angelman syndrome either by rapid FISH and/or quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR). Even if the presence of particular phenotypic features of microdeletion or duplication syndromes may direct the use of syndrome-specific FISH tests in the postnatal period, syndrome-specific FISH analysis still has a very limited potential and application in the prenatal period due to the limitation in prenatal morphological or imaging diagnosis of many of the syndromes.
Implications of solar wind suprathermal tails for IBEX ENA images of the heliosheath
Authors: Prested C. , Schwadron N. , Passuite J. , Randol B. , Stuart B. , Crew G. , Heerikhuisen J. , Pogorelov N. , Zank G. , Opher M. , Allegrini F. , McComas D. J. , Reno M. , Roelof E. , Fuselier S. , Funsten H. , Moebius E. , Saul L.
Published: June 2008

Decades of interplanetary measurements of the solar wind and other space plasmas have established that the suprathermal ion intensity distributions (j) are non‐Maxwellian and are characterized by high‐energy power law tails (j ∼ E−κ). Recent analysis by Fisk and Gloeckler of suprathermal ion observations between 1–5 AU demonstrates that a particular differential intensity distribution function emerges universally between ∼2–10 times the solar wind speed with κ ∼ 1.5. This power law tail is particularly apparent in downstream distributions beyond reverse shocks associated with corotating interaction regions. Similar power law tails have been observed in the downstream flow beyond the termination shock by the Low Energy Charged Particle instrument on both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Using kappa distributions with internal energy, density, and bulk flow derived from large‐scale magnetohydrodynamic models, we calculate the simulated flux of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) produced in the heliosheath by charge exchange between solar wind protons and interstellar hydrogen. We then produce simulated ENA maps of the heliosheath, such as will be measured by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission (IBEX). We also estimate the expected signal to noise and background ratio for IBEX. The solar wind suprathermal tail significantly increases the ENA flux within the IBEX energy range, ∼0.01–6 keV, by more than an order of magnitude at the highest energies over the estimates using a Maxwellian. It is therefore essential to consider suprathermal tails in the interpretation of IBEX ENA images and theoretical modeling of the heliospheric termination shock.
Formation of the low‐latitude boundary layer and cusp under the northward IMF: Simultaneous observations by Cluster and Double Star
Authors: Bogdanova Y. V. , Owen C. J. , Dunlop M. W. , Wild J. A. , Davies J. A. , Lahiff A. D. , Taylor M. G. G. T. , Fazakerley A. N. , Dandouras I. , Carr C. M. , Lucek E. A. , Rème H.
Published: June 2008

On 28 February 2004 the configuration of the Cluster and Double Star TC1 satellites facilitated a simultaneous study of plasma properties inside the low‐latitude boundary layer (LLBL) near the subsolar magnetopause and inside the midaltitude cusp during an interval with strong northward IMF. TC1, crossing the dayside magnetopause, observed a complex structure of boundary layers. We suggest that one part of the LLBL, characterized by high fluxes of magnetosheath‐like electrons, is formed due to reconnection processes. We can identify three different plasma populations inside this region: on open field lines outside the magnetopause which are reconnected in the northern hemisphere lobe sector; on open field lines inside the magnetosphere which are reconnected in the northern hemisphere lobe sector and sink inside the magnetosphere; and on reclosed field lines, which undergo a second reconnection in the southern hemisphere lobe sector. Another part of the LLBL, characterized by equal fluxes of magnetosheath‐like and plasma sheet populations, is formed by diffusion processes as strong pitch angle diffusion and formation of a loss cone are observed inside this region. Cluster, moving from the polar cap toward the dayside magnetosphere via the cusp region, crossed many different sublayers with different plasma properties. Comparison of plasma populations inside the different subregions of the LLBL and cusp shows that the complex LLBL observed at the dayside magnetopause maps into the midaltitude cleft/cusp region and that observed sublayers inside the cusp can be explained by reconnection in the lobe sector of one or both hemispheres and by diffusion processes.
Survey of magnetosonic waves and proton ring distributions in the Earth's inner magnetosphere
Authors: Meredith Nigel P. , Horne Richard B. , Anderson Roger R.
Published: June 2008

Fast magnetosonic waves can lead to the local acceleration of electrons from ∼10 keV up to a few MeV on a timescale of 1–2 d and may play an important role in radiation belt dynamics. Here we present a survey of wave and particle data from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) to determine the global morphology of the waves as a function of magnetic activity, and to investigate the role of proton rings as a potential source mechanism. The intensity of fast magnetosonic waves in the frequency range 0.5 fLHR < f < fLHR increases with increasing magnetic activity suggesting they are related to periods of enhanced convection and/or substorm activity. They are observed at most magnetic local times (MLT) outside the plasmapause but are restricted to the dusk sector inside the plasmapause. The MLT distribution of low energy proton rings (ER < 30 keV) with energies exceeding the Alfvén energy (ER > EA) required for instability closely matches the distribution of magnetosonic waves on the dusk side, both inside and outside the plasmapause, suggesting that low energy proton rings are a likely source of energy driving the waves. However, intense magnetosonic waves are also observed outside the plasmapause on the dawn‐side that do not satisfy (ER > EA). Although proton rings with ER > 30 keV could drive the instabilities, the source of these waves is yet to be properly identified. Since fast magnetosonic waves can accelerate electrons we suggest that they may provide a significant energy transfer process between the ring current and the outer electron radiation belt.
Hydroacoustic detection of large winter aggregations of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) at depth in ice‐covered Franklin Bay (Beaufort Sea)
Authors: Benoit Delphine , Simard Yvan , Fortier Louis
Published: June 2008

In the Canadian Arctic, the large biomass of Arctic cod that must exist to explain consumption by predators has eluded detection. From December 2003 to May 2004, acoustic estimates of Arctic cod biomass at a 225‐m‐deep station in central Franklin Bay (southeastern Beaufort Sea) increased progressively by 2 orders of magnitude, reaching maximum values of 2.7 and 55 kg m−2in April. During accumulation in Franklin Bay, the fish occupied the lower part of the Pacific halocline (140 m to bottom), where the temperature‐salinity signature (−1.4 to 0.3°C; 33 to 34.8 practical salinity units) corresponded to slope waters. Currents at 200 m along the western slope of Amundsen Gulf headed SSE in early winter, suggesting the passive advection of Arctic cod from Amundsen Gulf into Franklin Bay. Retention in Franklin Bay against the general circulation resulted from the fish keeping at depth to reduce predation by diving seals and/or to benefit from relatively warm temperatures in the lower halocline. Extrapolating a standing biomass of 11.23 kg m−2at the station in April to the whole of Franklin Bay, the availability of polar cod would amply satisfy the requirements of predators. Dense accumulations of Arctic cod in embayments in winter likely play an important role in structuring the ecosystem of the Beaufort Sea. Understanding how climate change and the reduction of the sea ice cover will affect the stability of the oceanographic/behavioral accumulation process requires further research and modeling.
Methane uptake responses to nitrogen deposition in three tropical forests in southern China
Authors: Zhang Wei , Mo Jiangming , Zhou Guoyi , Gundersen Per , Fang Yunting , Lu Xiankai , Zhang Tao , Dong Shaofeng
Published: June 2008

Methane (CH4) uptake responses to simulated nitrogen (N) deposition in a mature forest, a rehabilitated forest and a disturbed forest in tropical China were studied. The experiment was designed with four N treatment levels (three replicates) (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha−1 a−1 for Control, Low‐N, Medium‐N, and High‐N treatment, respectively) in the mature forest, but only three levels (Control, Low‐N, and Medium‐N) in the disturbed and rehabilitated forests. Between October 2005 to September 2006, soil CH4 flux was measured once a week from April to September and once every other week in the other time using static chamber and gas chromatography techniques. Monthly ammonium‐nitrate (NH4NO3) application had been applied previously to the plots since July 2003 and continued during the CH4 flux measurement period. The average CH4 uptake rates in control plots were −41.1 ± 1.8, −28.6 ± 2.2, and −17.8 ± 1.6 μg CH4‐C m−2 h−1 in the mature, rehabilitated, and disturbed forest, respectively. For the mature forest, average CH4 uptake rates decreased by 6, 14, and 32% when compared to the control plots for the Low‐N, Medium‐N, and High‐N plots, respectively. These decreases in soil CH4 uptake mainly occurred in the fall (October and November). Nitrogen additions had no significant effect on CH4 uptake in the rehabilitated and disturbed forests. Our results suggest that the response of soil CH4 uptake to N deposition in tropical forests may vary depending on the soil N status directly, and on land‐use history of the forest indirectly.