bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GUIDANCE: Development of a guidance programme for students with special educational needs in Kenya: a study on personal orientation
Authors: Wamocho Franciscah I. , Karugu Geoffrey K. , Nwoye Augustine
Published: November 2008

In this article, Franciscah Wamocho, lecturer and chairperson, Geoffrey Karugu, senior lecturer, both in the Department of Special Education, and Augustine Nwoye, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, all from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, argue that people with disabilities are likely to need the support of counselling services. The study reported here sought to collect baseline data that could be used in designing a comprehensive guidance programme for students with disabilities in secondary phase special schools and vocational rehabilitation training centres in Kenya. A personal orientation inventory was employed to measure values and behaviours among 229 students with visual impairments, hearing impairments and physical disabilities. The results reveal that the students with special educational needs may be non‐self‐actualising. The trend suggests that students with special needs may be living in the past or future with a lot of regrets and negative sentiments. Taking account of insights derived from Maslow's theory of self‐actualisation and other related literature, the findings of this study appear to reinforce the need for a guidance and counselling programme to be developed for students with special educational needs in Kenya. This study reveals the direction that such a programme could take if it is to be of benefit to a Kenyan clientele with special educational needs.
35 YEARS OF BJSE: Personal reflections on 35 years of BJSE
Authors: Tilstone Christina
Published: November 2008

Christina Tilstone was, for many years, the editor of BJSE and subsequently became the chair of the Editorial Board for the nasen journals. She is therefore in an excellent position to reflect upon the contribution the journal has made to the field over the past 35 years. In this article, she traces the origins of the journal back over 100 years. She notes the launch of BJSE's ancestor, Special Education: Forward Trends, and shares the contents of the issue of this journal that marked the publication of Mary Warnock's seminal report in 1978 and the development of the notion of inclusion. She goes on to describe the metamorphosis of Special Education: Forward Trends into BJSE in 1985 and soon after that, in 1992, the formation of nasen – still BJSE's sponsoring organisation. Christina Tilstone records the origins of BJSE's valued ‘Research Section’, now building a substantial archive of educational research papers, and the popular ‘Focus on Practice’ feature that enables practitioners to share reports of their work. She also notes the role that BJSE's other regular features, ‘Book Reviews’, ‘Politics Page UK’ and ‘Notes from the SENCo‐Forum’ (itself now ten years old) have played in the journal's recent national and international success.
In Defense of Change Processes
Authors: Adolph Karen E. , Robinson Scott R
Published: November 2008

Nativist and constructivist approaches to the study of development share a common emphasis on characterizing beginning and end states in development. This focus has highlighted the question of preservation and transformation—whether core aspects of the adult end state are present in the earliest manifestations during infancy. In contrast, a developmental systems approach emphasizes the process of developmental change. This perspective eschews the notions of objective starting and ending points in a developmental progression and rejects the idea that any particular factor should enjoy a privileged status in explaining developmental change. Using examples from motor development and animal behavior, we show how a developmental systems framework can avoid the pitfalls of the long and contentious debate about continuity versus qualitative change.
Methodological and Epistemological Issues in the Interpretation of Infant Cognitive Development
Authors: Müller Ulrich , Giesbrecht Gerald
Published: November 2008

This commentary on J. Kagan (2008) addresses 2 issues. The first concerns the importance of studying developmental sequences and processes of change. The second concerns epistemological differences between contemporary neonativist approaches and classical theories of development. The commentary argues that classical theories of infant cognition and contemporary neonativist theories fundamentally differ in terms of how they conceptualize the workings of the mind. These differences affect the meaning of terms such as representation and reasoning. Also discussed are implications of epistemological differences for developmental explanations. The commentary concludes that epistemological differences must be articulated more fully in order to improve understanding of different theories and in order to evaluate the relative merits and shortcomings of those theories.
Automatic Activation of Adolescents’ Peer‐Relational Schemas: Evidence From Priming With Facial Identity
Authors: Nummenmaa Lauri , Peets Kätlin , Salmivalli Christina
Published: November 2008

This study provides experimental evidence for automatic, relationship‐specific social information processing in 13‐year‐old adolescents. Photographs of participants’ liked, disliked, and unknown peers were used as primes in an affective priming task with happy and angry facial expression probes and in a hypothetical vignette task. For the affective priming, reaction times were faster for congruent than for incongruent prime–probe pairs when the prime visibility was high and the prime–probe stimulus onset asynchrony was long. In the vignette task, participants attributed more hostility toward the protagonist, experienced more anger, and were more likely to retaliate when the disliked peer served as a prime. It is concluded that peer‐relational schemas and related affect are activated automatically upon perception of a peer.
Romantic Partner Selection and Socialization During Early Adolescence
Authors: Simon Valerie A. , Aikins Julie Wargo , Prinstein Mitchell J.
Published: November 2008

This prospective study examined romantic partner selection and socialization among a sample of 78 young adolescents (6th–8th graders). Independent assessments of adolescent and romantic partner adjustment were collected before and after relationships initiated via peer nomination and self‐report. Prior to their relationship, adolescents and partners were significantly alike on popularity, physical attraction, and depressive symptoms. Controlling for initial similarity, partners’ popularity, depressive symptoms, relational aggression, and relational victimization significantly predicted changes in adolescents’ functioning in these areas over time. However, the magnitude and direction of change varied according to adolescents’ and partners’ prerelationship functioning. In general, adolescents who dated high‐functioning partners changed more than those who dated low‐functioning partners, and partner characteristics predicted greater change among low‐ versus high‐functioning adolescents. Results were consistent even when controlling for best friend characteristics. The current findings are among the first to demonstrate unique contributions of romantic partner characteristics to adolescents’ psychosocial functioning.
Neural Processing of Eye Gaze and Threat‐Related Emotional Facial Expressions in Infancy
Authors: Hoehl Stefanie , Striano Tricia
Published: November 2008

Combined with emotional expressions, eye gaze can provide essential information to indicate threat in the environment. The current study assessed the effects of eye gaze direction on infants’ neural processing of fearful and angry faces. Event‐related potentials were recorded from thirteen 7‐month‐old infants. Two face‐sensitive posterior components, the N290 and P400, as well as a frontocentral negative component (Nc), indicating attentional arousal, were sensitive to eye gaze direction and emotion. A larger Nc was observed for angry faces with direct compared to averted eye gaze. Fearful faces elicited a larger N290 than angry faces, whereas angry faces elicited a more prominent P400 regardless of eye gaze direction. The findings are discussed in terms of early social cognitive and neural development.
Promoting Academic and Social‐Emotional School Readiness: The Head Start REDI Program
Authors: Bierman Karen L. , Domitrovich Celene E. , Nix Robert L. , Gest Scott D. , Welsh Janet A. , Greenberg Mark T. , Blair Clancy , Nelson Keith E. , Gill Sukhdeep
Published: November 2008

Forty‐four Head Start classrooms were randomly assigned to enriched intervention (Head Start REDI—Research‐based, Developmentally Informed) or “usual practice” conditions. The intervention involved brief lessons, “hands‐on” extension activities, and specific teaching strategies linked empirically with the promotion of: (a) social‐emotional competencies and (b) language development and emergent literacy skills. Take‐home materials were provided to parents to enhance skill development at home. Multimethod assessments of three hundred and fifty‐six 4‐year‐old children tracked their progress over the course of the 1‐year program. Results revealed significant differences favoring children in the enriched intervention classrooms on measures of vocabulary, emergent literacy, emotional understanding, social problem solving, social behavior, and learning engagement. Implications are discussed for developmental models of school readiness and for early educational programs and policies.
Early Histories of School‐Aged Children With Attention‐Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Loe Irene M. , Balestrino Maria D. , Phelps Randall A. , Kurs‐Lasky Marcia , Chaves‐Gnecco Diego , Paradise Jack L. , Feldman Heidi M.
Published: November 2008

In a prospective study of developmental outcomes in relation to early‐life otitis media, behavioral, cognitive, and language measures were administered to a large, diverse sample of children at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9–11 years of age (N = 741). At 9–11 years of age, 9% of the children were categorized as having attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on parent report. Compared to the non‐ADHD group, the ADHD group had higher (i.e., less favorable) scores on parent and teacher versions of the Child Behavior Checklist at all ages. Children in the ADHD group also had lower scores on cognitive and receptive language measures in preschool. The findings support the concept that ADHD is a cognitive as well as a behavioral disorder.
A Process Model of Attachment–Friend Linkages: Hostile Attribution Biases, Language Ability, and Mother–Child Affective Mutuality as Intervening Mechanisms
Authors: McElwain Nancy L. , Booth‐LaForce Cathryn , Lansford Jennifer E. , Wu Xiaoying , Justin Dyer W.
Published: November 2008

This study identified mechanisms through which child–mother attachment security at 36 months was associated with mother‐ and teacher‐reported friendship quality at 3rd grade. Data from a subsample of 1,071 children (536 boys) participating in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. Separate structural equation models were tested for mother and teacher reports of peer functioning. For both models, the total indirect effect between attachment security and friendship quality was significant. Tests of specific indirect effects indicated that attachment security was associated with friendship quality via greater mother–child affective mutuality and better language ability at 54 months and fewer hostile attributions (teacher model only) and greater peer competence at first grade. The findings highlight interpersonal and intrapersonal mechanisms of attachment–friend linkages.
Children’s Responses to Interparental Conflict: A Meta‐Analysis of Their Associations With Child Adjustment
Authors: Rhoades Kimberly A.
Published: November 2008

A meta‐analysis examined the relations between children’s adjustment and children’s cognitive, affective, behavioral, and physiological responses to interparental conflict. Studies included children between 5 and 19 years of age. Moderate effect sizes were found for the associations between cognitions and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and self‐esteem problems, negative affect and behavioral responses and internalizing behavior problems, and behavioral responses and self‐esteem problems. Small to moderate effect sizes were found for the associations between cognitions and relational problems, negative affect and behavioral responses and externalizing behavior problems, and physiological reactions and internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. Effect sizes were, with 1 exception, larger for internalizing than for externalizing behavior problems. Age significantly moderated the majority of effect sizes.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme genotype and encephalopathy in Chernobyl cleanup workers
Authors: Kehoe A. D. , Nikiforov A. M. , Alexanin S. S. , Neronov E. G. , Tikhomirova O. V. , Shun’kov V. B. , Makarova N. V. , Rabinovich E. , Usmanova N. M. , Kazakov V. I. , Slozina N. M. , Montgomery H. E.
Published: November 2008

Background and purpose:  To identify, using a genetic model, a key role for the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the development of dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) in Chernobyl cleanup workers (CCW). The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene denotes a substantial individual variation in RAS activity with the D‐allele being associated with higher ACE activity.

Methods:  Ninety‐three male, Caucasian CCW were recruited from those under regular review at the All‐Russia Centre of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, St. Petersburg. The presence or absence of DE was determined using existing institutional guidelines. ACE genotype was determined using internationally accepted methodologies.

Results:  Angiotensin‐converting enzyme genotype distribution in 59 subjects with DE was II: 10 (17%), ID: 31 (53%), DD: 18 (30%), D‐allele frequency 56.8%. Whereas in those without the condition the distribution was II: 12 (35%), ID: 19 (56%), DD 3 (9%) and D‐allele frequency 35.9% (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:  These data are the first to identify an association between the ACE D‐allele and DE in CCW. They provide evidence of a significant role for the RAS in the development of DE and suggest that clinical trials of ACE inhibition would be profitable in this group.
Mobility and balance in Parkinson’s disease: a population‐based study
Authors: Matinolli M. , Korpelainen J. T. , Korpelainen R. , Sotaniemi K. A. , Matinolli V.‐M. , Myllylä V. V.
Published: November 2008

Background and purpose:  To assess the clinical correlates of mobility and balance, and to identify the risk factors for falls in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods:  One‐hundred and nineteen PD patients underwent clinical examination and tests for mobility and balance using the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, walking speed, and the measurement of postural sway.

Results:  The fallers (35% of the subjects) performed significantly worse in the TUG test than the non‐fallers, and they also had a slower walking speed (P = 0.037 and P = 0.006, respectively). The total Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score and age were positively associated with the TUG‐test score. The severity of the disease and the use of walking aids correlated negatively with the walking speed, whereas the use of dopamine agonists was positively associated with the walking speed. The UPDRS total score [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.01–1.07] and increased postural sway (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02–1.54) were independent risk factors for falling in PD.

Conclusion:  Advanced age and severity of the disease are related to impaired mobility and balance in PD patients. The severity of the disease and increased postural sway seem to be the most important independent risk factors for falling in PD.
European Stock Markets and the ECB's Monetary Policy Surprises*
Authors: Bohl Martin T. , Siklos Pierre L. , Sondermann David
Published: November 2008

This paper contributes to the literature measuring the response of stock markets to monetary policy actions. We analyse the reaction of European stock market returns to unexpected interest rate decisions by the European Central Bank (ECB). Endogeneity between interest rate changes and stock returns is taken into account using the identification through the heteroscedasticity approach. Relying on different methods to extract monetary policy shocks, we find a negative and significant relation between unexpected ECB decisions and European stock market performance. Moreover, monetary policy decisions of the ECB are well anticipated by the market, implying that the central bank successfully communicates its monetary policy.
Determinants of the satisfaction of firms with the competencies of university students: a Spanish case study
Authors: Marzo‐Navarro Mercedes , Pedraja‐Iglesias Marta , Rivera‐Torres Pilar
Published: November 2008

Spanish universities pay little attention to business demands with regard to workforce training and to the research that has been developed in this area. The present study analyses the effect of various factors on firms’ satisfaction with the education provided by universities. The factors include the content of the student's major subject of study and social, methodological and participation skills. The data were obtained from a survey of businesses. Although the results obtained show that all of the factors have an impact on overall satisfaction, they are not of equal importance. University managers may be able to use the information obtained from this study as a basis for designing and implementing action that might improve employers’ level of satisfaction, which has considerable positive consequences. Moreover, the study's methodology could be applied to other outputs of universities, such as the research performed.
Affective predictors of the effectiveness of training moderated by the cognitive complexity of expected competencies
Authors: Pilati Ronaldo , Borges‐Andrade Jairo Eduardo
Published: November 2008

Research in training, development and education (TD&E) in organizations has produced important results in the last two decades. Evaluation of TD&E has been a special focus of this research, which has resulted in the production of relevant predictive models. The present study has the aim of testing a model of effectiveness of training on work, with the trainee's motivation and satisfaction with training as the antecedent variables and the type of training as a moderator variable. Data collection with 600 participants in a Brazilian bank was conducted with measurement scales before training, at its end and three months later. The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that the motivation of the trainee and satisfaction with training are predictors of its effectiveness on work and that the type of training affects this predictive relationship. The key feature of the type of training was the cognitive complexity of expected competencies.
Unlocking the potential to influence government skills policy: a case study of the UK construction industry
Authors: Morgan Arthur , Raidén Ani , Naylor Gerald
Published: November 2008

Despite a series of national policy initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages in a number of sectors, little evidence of longer‐term change is apparent. This paper examines concerns expressed by small businesses that their local views are not sought or considered when national training policies and initiatives are either being developed or being implemented, and that the investment in skills development does not appear to adequately represent their skills needs.

The research was carried out on the UK construction industry, which is characterized by a small number of large contractors who employ mainly managerial and professional staff, and a large number of small, micro‐ and self‐employed firms that provide, on a subcontract basis, the majority of the industry's demand for a skilled manual workforce. The identification and delivery of vocational education and training at an industry level rests firmly on addressing the skills needs of the small and micro‐type organizations and not those of the large construction firms, although it is the voice of the larger firms that appears to dominate the skills and training development agenda.

The public policy model that articulates the requirements for training and skills development in the UK is based on sector‐specific skills councils. This model is examined in relation to the construction sector by drawing upon the experiences of the South Wales region as a case study. Findings indicate that the current construction skills framework, upon which public policy is formulated and delivered, fails to adequately reflect the structure, skills and training priorities of the industry. The tensions that exist in this system are highlighted and the implications for reform of public policy articulation with regard to sector skills councils are discussed.
The effects of learning organization culture on the practices of human knowledge‐creation: an empirical research study in Korea
Authors: Song Ji Hoon
Published: November 2008

This research aims to identify the influence of learning organization culture on the practices of organizational knowledge‐creation. Actionable knowledge‐creation practices are put forward as a variable in preference to the learning process itself because they may be more closely related to the achievement of individual and/or organizational performance improvement. Learning organization culture is defined in terms of the seven dimensions of the learning organization established by Watkins and Marsick and their questionnaire based on these dimensions is adapted for the present study. In order to measure knowledge‐creation practices, the knowledge conversion theory of Nonaka and Takeuchi was applied. Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement of internal consistency analyses were used to examine the psychometric properties of the instruments. Multivariate analyses were utilized for measuring the influential relations between variables. The results indicate that the proposed structural model is a valid concept in the Korean context for the purposes of the present research. Learning organization culture shows a strong and positive impact on organizational knowledge‐creation practices. Conclusions and implications are discussed.
The transcription factor ATF5: role in neurodevelopment and neural tumors
Authors: Greene Lloyd A. , Lee Hae Young , Angelastro James M.
Published: November 2008

We review recent findings regarding the properties of ATF5 and the major roles that this transcription factor plays in development of the nervous system and in survival of neural tumors. ATF5 is a widely expressed basic leucine zipper protein that has been subject to limited characterization. It is highly expressed in zones of neuroprogenitor cell proliferation. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that it functions there to promote neuroprogenitor cell expansion and to suppress their differentiation into neurons or glia. ATF5 expression is down‐regulated by trophic factors and this is required for their capacity to promote neuroprogenitor cell cycle exit and differentiation into either neurons, oligodendroglia or astrocytes. ATF5 is also highly expressed in a number of tumor types, including neural tumors such as neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas and glioblastomas. Examination of the role of ATF5 in glioblastoma cells indicates that interference with its expression or activity causes them to undergo apoptotic death. In contrast, normal astrocytes and neurons do not appear to require ATF5 for survival, indicating that it may be a selective target for treatment of glioblastomas and other neural neoplasias. Further studies are needed to identify the transcriptional targets of ATF5 and the mechanisms by which its expression is regulated in neuroprogenitors and tumors.
Axonal degeneration and regeneration: a mechanistic tug‐of‐war
Authors: Hilliard Massimo A.
Published: November 2008

Axonal degeneration is a common hallmark of both nerve injury and many neurodegenerative conditions, including motor neuron disease, glaucoma, and Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases. Degeneration of the axonal compartment is distinct from neuronal cell death, and often precedes or is associated with the appearance of the symptoms of the disease. A complementary process is the regeneration of the axon, which is commonly observed following nerve injury in many invertebrate neurons and in a number of vertebrate neurons of the PNS. Important discoveries, together with innovative imaging techniques, are now paving the way towards a better understanding of the dynamics and molecular mechanisms underlying these two processes. In this study, I will discuss these recent findings, focusing on the balance between axonal degeneration and regeneration.
Characterization of methanogenic and prokaryotic assemblages based on mcrA and 16S rRNA gene diversity in sediments of the Kazan mud volcano (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: KORMAS K. A. , MEZITI A. , DÄHLMANN A. , DE LANGE G. J. , LYKOUSIS V.
Published: November 2008

The diversity of the methyl‐coenzyme reductase A (mcrA) and 16S rRNA genes was investigated in gas hydrate containing sediment from the Kazan mud volcano, eastern Mediterranean Sea. mcrA was detected only at 15 and 20 cm below seafloor (cmbsf) from a 40‐cm long push core, while based on chemical profiles of methane, sulfate, and sulfide, possible anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) depth was inferred at 12–15 cmbsf. The phylogenetic relationships of the obtained mcrA, archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA genes, showed that all the found sequences were found in both depths and at similar relative abundances. mcrA diversity was low. All sequences were related to the Methanosarcinales, with the most dominant (77.2%) sequences falling in group mcrA‐e. The 16S rRNA‐based archaeal diversity also revealed low diversity and clear dominance (72.8% of all archaeal phylotypes) of the Methanosarcinales and, in particular, ANME‐2c. Bacteria showed higher diversity but 83.2% of the retrieved phylotypes from both sediment layers belonged to the δ‐Proteobacteria. These phylotypes fell in the SEEP‐SRB1 putative AOM group. In addition, the rest of the less abundant phylotypes were related to yet‐uncultivated representatives of the Actinobacteria, Spirochaetales, and candidate divisions OP11 and WS3 from gas hydrate‐bearing habitats. These phylotype patterns indicate that AOM is occurring in the 15 and 20 cmbsf sediment layers.
Microbial thiosulphate reaction arrays: the interactive roles of Fe(III), O2 and microbial strain on disproportionation and oxidation pathways
Authors: WARREN L. A , NORLUND K. L. I , BERNIER L.
Published: November 2008

In this work, we experimentally evaluate pH and  dynamics associated with abiotic and microbial  oxidation under varying [O2], [Fe(III)] and microbial strain/consortia (two pure strains, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, their consortia, and two enrichments from an acidic environmental system, Moose Lake 2002 and Moose Lake 2003). Results of the batch experiments demonstrate highly active microbial processing of  while abiotic controls under identical experimental conditions remain static with no pH decrease. When abiotic controls were manually titrated with acid to achieve similar pH decreases to those occurring in the microbial treatments, different S pathways were involved. In particular, disproportionation is a substantial component of initial microbial  processing, and is accelerated by the presence of Fe(III), indicating that recycling of S through intermediate oxidation states is likely to be widespread in acidic mine environments where high [Fe(III)] is common. Furthermore, the microbially mediated S reaction pathways were dependent on both environmental conditions and microbial strain/consortia, indicating that microbial community structure also plays a key role. Collectively, these results highlight the importance of microbial activity, their poor representation by abiotic S models, the likelihood that Fe(III), rather than O2, is a key control on microbial S processing in acid environments and the need to identify the microbial community/strain involved.
A high‐resolution chemical and structural study of framboidal pyrite formed within a low‐temperature bacterial biofilm
Authors: MACLEAN L. C. W. , TYLISZCZAK T. , GILBERT P. U. P. A. , ZHOU D. , PRAY T. J. , ONSTOTT T. C. , SOUTHAM G.
Published: November 2008

A novel, anaerobically grown microbial biofilm, scraped from the inner surface of a borehole, 1474 m below land surface within a South African, Witwatersrand gold mine, contains framboidal pyrite. Water flowing from the borehole had a temperature of 30.9 °C, a pH of 7.4, and an Eh of –50 mV. Examination of the biofilm using X‐ray diffraction, field emission gun scanning electron microscope equipped for energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis demonstrated that the framboids formed within a matrix of bacteria and biopolymers. Focused ion beam sectioning of framboids followed by NEXAFS measurements using both scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron emission microscopy revealed that the pyrite crystals grew within an organic carbon matrix consisting of exopolysaccharides and possibly extracellular DNA, which is intuitively important in sulfide mineral diagenesis. Growth of individual pyrite crystals within the framboid occurred inside organic templates confirms the association between framboidal pyrite and organic materials in low‐temperature diagenetic environments and the important role of microenvironments in biofilms in regulating geochemical cycles.
The Bond Mechanism in Stone‐ or Brick‐to‐Grout Interfaces
Authors: Vintzileou E. N. , Adami C.‐E. N.
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  An experimental research on the bond between masonry units and grout has been carried out at the National Technical University of Athens. In this study, tension and shear tests on composite substrate/grout specimens were performed. The composite specimens were consisted of two pieces of substrate connected with one grout joint. The substrate was either stone or brick, whereas hydraulic lime or tripartite (lime–pozzolan cement) or cement grouts were used. The experimental results have demonstrated that the developed tensile and shear bond strength of the studied hydraulic lime and tripartite grouts is comparable with those of cement‐based grouts. Moreover, the value of the reached bond strength (tensile or shear) is governed mainly by the substrate characteristics and the binding properties of the grouts. It was also found that interfaces subjected to shear exhibited similar behaviour with interfaces within concrete; thus the beneficial effect of normal compressive stress on the interface was confirmed. Finally, the experimental results are used for the formulation of a Mohr–Coulomb criterion for grout to travertine joints in shear–compression and shear–tension. The results of this project clearly confirm the efficiency of grouts with medium or low mechanical properties (tripartite and hydraulic lime grouts) for retrofitting historic masonries.
An Application of the Cell Method to Multiaxial Fatigue Assessment of a Test Component under Different Criteria
Authors: Cosmi F. , Hoglievina M.
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  A recent numerical method, the cell method, was applied for the dynamic analysis of an L‐shaped steel plate subjected to a sinusoidal load. The calculated stress time histories were post‐processed in order to assess fatigue life under four different high‐cycle fatigue criteria: two formulations of the equivalent Von Mises approach and two critical plane methods. The latter require the definition of amplitude and mean value of the shear stress acting on a material plane: when considering periodic stress histories, this is commonly achieved by the construction of the minimum circumscribed circle (MCC), encompassing the shear stress load path on the assumed fracture plane. In this study, a novel algorithm to determine the MCC has also been proposed and applied. The fatigue life assessment results were discussed and compared to point out the relevant characteristics of each method.
Investigation on the Influence of Temperature Variation on the Response of Miniaturised Piezoresistive Sensors
Authors: Olmi G.
Published: November 2008

Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis of temperature response of miniaturised piezoresistive strain sensors. Amorphous silicon sensors of different geometry were deposited on a glass specimen: on the basis of previous studies, each sensor has a linear response and can be compared with a full Wheatstone bridge, but dimensions and power consumption are much lower than those of ordinary resistance strain gauges. A preliminary experiment was performed to prove the robustness of sensor response, considering connections to the acquisition device having different lengths. The main experimental campaign was aimed at investigating the influence on response because of temperature variation during each test. Eight different sensor configurations were tested, both under load and no‐load conditions, with three replications. This paper describes test installation and measuring chain for simultaneous acquisition of both temperature and sensor voltage output. Thermal response linearity and hysteresis effects were investigated. In addition, the results, whose repeatability over the three replications was checked, made it possible to determine and compare the sensitivities of each sensor configuration to temperature variations. Analysis of variance (anova) showed that, despite its different values for configurations with different geometry, sensitivity remains the same under load or no‐load conditions.
Heritage Education for Heritage Conservation – A Teaching Approach (Contribution of Educational Codes to Study of Deterioration of Natural Building Stone in Historic Monuments)
Authors: Lobovikov‐Katz A.
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  The study of the physical state of historic monuments – the main content of the first and decisive stage in the process of their conservation, is a frequently treated topic in two distinct areas: scientific research and university courses. Can the two be combined to their mutual benefit? This paper examines a specific part of this question: whether students’ output on completion of their courses can be used by scientists and conservationists in material deterioration study and research on historic monuments. An approach applicable to non‐conservational curricula is outlined in brief, with a view to narrowing the existing gap between educational tradition and the needs of contemporary conservation.
Characterisation of Indentation‐Induced Pattern Using Full‐Field Strain Measurement
Authors: Kuo J.‐C. , Tung S.‐H. , Shih M.‐H. , Lu Y.‐Y.
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  In this study, digital image correlation (DIC)‐based strain analysis software was successfully developed. Its strain resolution lies in the order of 2.3 × 10−4–3.1 × 10−4. Full‐strain field measurement was used to study indentation‐induced plastic patterns around the spherical indenter for a polycrystal and a single crystal of pure aluminium. During indentation, the pure aluminium specimen of the single crystal revealed a symmetric indentation pattern of von Mises strain. The piling‐up around the residual impression was successfully and directly characterised by examining the sign of strain ɛX and ɛY in the X and Y directions. However, the inward, out‐of‐plane movement results in an error in calculating in‐plane strain referred to as a ‘distortion strain’ using two‐dimensional DIC.
MONETARY POLICY INDICATORS AS PREDICTORS OF STOCK RETURNS
Authors: Becher David A. , Jensen Gerald R. , Mercer Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2008

We explore the linkage between stock return predictability and the monetary sector by examining alternative proxies for monetary policy. Using two complementary methods, we document that failure to condition on the Fed's broad policy stance causes a substantial understatement in the ability of monetary policy measures to predict returns. Industry analyses suggest that cross‐industry return differences are also linked to changes in monetary conditions, as monetary policy has the strongest (weakest) relation with returns for cyclical (defensive) industries. Overall, we find that monetary conditions have a prominent and systematic relation with future stock returns, even in the presence of business conditions.
ADAPTIVE MESH MODELING AND BARRIER OPTION PRICING UNDER A JUMP‐DIFFUSION PROCESS
Authors: Albert Michael , Fink Jason , Fink Kristin E.
Published: November 2008

The computational burden of numerical barrier option pricing is significant, even prohibitive, for some parameterizations—especially for more realistic models of underlying asset behavior, such as jump diffusions. We extend a binomial jump diffusion pricing algorithm into a trinomial setting and demonstrate how an adaptive mesh may fit into the model. Our result is a barrier option pricing method that employs fewer computational resources, reducing run times substantially. We demonstrate that this extension allows the pricing of options that were previously computationally infeasible and examine the parameterizations in which use of the adaptive mesh is most beneficial.
Grassland Bird Responses to Land Management in the Largest Remaining Tallgrass Prairie
Authors: RAHMIG CORINA J. , JENSEN WILLIAM E. , WITH KIMBERLY A.
Published: November 2008

Abstract: Extensive habitat loss and changing agricultural practices have caused widespread declines in grassland birds throughout North America. The Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma—the largest remaining tallgrass prairie—is important for grassland bird conservation despite supporting a major cattle industry. In 2004 and 2005, we assessed the community, population, and demographic responses of grassland birds to the predominant management practices (grazing, burning, and haying) of the region, including grasslands restored under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). We targeted 3 species at the core of this avian community: the Dickcissel (Spiza americana), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), and Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Bird diversity was higher in native prairie hayfields and grazed pastures than CRP fields, which were dominated by Dickcissels. Although Dickcissel density was highest in CRP, their nest success was highest and nest parasitism by Brown‐headed Cowbirds (Moluthrus ater) lowest in unburned hayfields (in 2004). Conversely, Grasshopper Sparrow density was highest in grazed pastures, but their nest success was lowest in these pastures and highest in burned hayfields, where cowbird parasitism was also lowest (in 2004). Management did not influence density and nest survival of Eastern Meadowlarks, which were uniformly low across the region. Nest success was extremely low (5–12%) for all 3 species in 2005, perhaps because of a record spring drought. Although the CRP has benefited grassland birds in agricultural landscapes, these areas may have lower habitat value in the context of native prairie. Hayfields may provide beneficial habitat for some grassland birds in the Flint Hills because they are mowed later in the breeding season than elsewhere in the Midwest. Widespread grazing and annual burning have homogenized habitat—and thus grassland‐bird responses—across the Flint Hills. Diversification of management practices could increase habitat heterogeneity and enhance the conservation potential of the Flint Hills for grassland birds.
Availability and Characteristics of Nonbeverage Alcohols Sold in 17 Russian Cities in 2007
Authors: Gil Artyom , Polikina Olga , Koroleva Natalia , McKee Martin , Tomkins Susannah , Leon David A.
Published: November 2008

Background:  It is known that a range of nonbeverage alcohols including eau‐de‐colognes and medicinal tinctures are consumed by sections of the Russian population. Research conducted in a city in the Urals (2003 to 2005) showed that consumption of such products is associated with very high mortality from a wide range of causes. However, there have been no systematic attempts to investigate the extent to which such products are available in other cities of the Russian Federation. There is particular interest in establishing this following the introduction of new federal regulations in January 2006 aimed at restricting the availability of these products.

Methods:  In the first half of 2007, we conducted a survey in 17 cities that spanned the full range of city types in the Russian Federation excluding those in the Far East. In each city, fieldworkers visited pharmacies and other types of retail outlets and purchased samples of nonbeverage alcohols. These were defined as being typically 10 to 15 roubles per bottle, with an ethanol concentration of at least 60% by volume.

Results:  We were able to purchase samples of nonbeverage alcohols in each of the 17 cities we investigated. The majority of the 271 products included were a cheaper and more affordable source of ethanol than standard Russian vodka. Medicinal tinctures, sold almost exclusively in pharmacies, were particularly common with an average concentration of 78% ethanol by volume. Most importantly, the majority of the products were of a sort that our previous research in 2004 to 2005 had established were drunk by working‐age men.

Conclusions:  While the 2006 federal regulations introduced in part to reduce the availability and consumption of nonbeverage alcohols may have had some effect on certain classes of nonmedicinal products, up until June 2007 at least, medicinal tinctures as well as some other nonbeverage alcohols that are consumed appear to have been readily available.
An Intravascular Ultrasound Study of Cypher, Taxus, and Endeavor Stents on Relation between Neointimal Proliferation and Residual Plaque Burden
Authors: LEE CHI‐HANG , ZHANG JUNJIE , KAILASAM ANAND , TAI BEE‐CHOO , YE FEI , LOW ADRIAN F. , HOU XUMIN , HAY EDOURDO TIN , TEO SWEE‐GUAN , LIM YEAN‐TENG , CHEN SHAOLIANG , TAN HUAY‐CHEEM
Published: November 2008

Background: Studies on balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, and bare metal stent have shown a direct relation between residual plaque burden and restenosis. We investigated the relation between residual plaque burden and neointimal proliferation after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Methods: Over a period of 12 months, 65 patients (Cypher, n = 25; Taxus, n = 28; Endeavor, n = 12) from two centers underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination at 8.2 (interquartile range 6.8–9.5) months after coronary stent implantation in native de novo coronary arteries. IVUS images were acquired with motorized pullback at 0.5 mm/s, and cross‐sectional measurements were performed within the stents at 1‐mm intervals. The following measurements were obtained: (1) lumen area (LA), (2) stent area (SA), (3) external elastic membrane area (EEMA), (4) percent neointimal hyperplasia area (SA‐LA/SA) × 100, and (5) percent residual plaque area (EEMA‐SA)/EEMA × 100.

Results: The analysis of 1,173 cross sections (Cypher, n = 436; Taxus, n = 532, Endeavor, n = 205) using mixed model to account for intrasubject correlation showed an absence of relation between percent residual plaque area and percent neointimal hyperplasia area (P = 0.189). Mean residual plaque burden outside the stent for Cypher, Taxus, and Endeavor groups was similar (45.7%, 44.8%, and 42.4%, respectively). Mean percent neointimal hyperplasia area for the Cypher, Taxus, and Endeavor groups was 12.0%, 15.0%, and 16.2%, respectively (P = 0.163).

Conclusion: In patients after first‐generation DES implantation and without significant in‐stent restenosis, late in‐stent neointimal proliferation is not related to the amount of residual plaque burden after stent implantation. This suggests against routine plaque removal before DES implantation to reduce neointimal proliferation.
Lesion Complexity and Angiographic Outcomes in Radial Access Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: ROBERTS ELVED BRYN , RATHORE SUDHIR , BEAUMONT ANDREW , ALAHMAR ALBERT E. , ANDRON MOHAMMED , PALMER NICHOLAS D. , PERRY RAPHAEL A. , STABLES RODNEY H.
Published: November 2008

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increasingly performed from the radial arterial (RA) access site. Few studies have examined the interaction between a default radial approach, lesion complexity, and angiographic outcome. This study investigates lesion complexity, arterial access route, and angiographic outcome in routine clinical practice by default radial operators.

Methods: All cases of PCI over a 12‐month period (Jan 2005 to Jan 2006) at our regional cardiac center were prospectively entered into a database detailing arterial access route, target vessel and lesion characteristics, and lesion‐specific angiographic outcome. Angiographic success was defined as residual stenosis <50% for balloon angioplasty alone or <20% for a stented lesion in the presence of TIMI 3 flow in the target vessel. All procedures carried out by default radial operators were selected for further retrospective analysis. Reasons for not completing a case via the radial route were recorded. Radial and femoral cases by default radial operators were evaluated on grounds of lesion complexity and angiographic outcome for each treated lesion.

Results: RA was the intended route in 91.5% of 1,324 procedures (91.5% of 2,239 lesions), and the final route in 90.1% of procedures (90.2% of lesions). There were 19 crossover procedures (30 lesions), all from radial to femoral access (FA). Crossovers were due to failed radial artery cannulation or sheath placement (9 procedures), inability to advance the guide catheter into the aortic root (7 procedures), and other guide catheter handling or support issues (3 procedures). Counting crossovers as failures, angiographic success rate was 96% among lesions for which RA was the primary intention. Complexity of cases was high (80.1% of RA lesions ACC/AHA type B2 or C).

Conclusions: A default radial approach is compatible with successful treatment of a wide range of coronary lesions, with a low incidence of crossover to femoral access. When the radial approach fails, it is usually due to access problems rather than issues of guide catheter handling and support.
A Comparison of Echocardiographic Modalities to Guide Structural Heart Disease Interventions
Authors: HUDSON PAUL A. , ENG MARVIN H. , KIM MICHAEL S. , QUAIFE ROBERT A. , SALCEDO ERNESTO E. , CARROLL JOHN D.
Published: November 2008

Percutaneous techniques to treat structural heart disease are rapidly evolving based on innovative interventions and the considerable advancement in image guidance technology. While two‐dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography have been integral to procedural planning and execution, intracardiac and three‐dimensional echocardiography supply unique visualization of target structures with a potential improvement in patient safety and procedural efficacy. The choice of image guidance modality is based on specific differences between imaging systems, as well as other variables including cost, patient safety, operator expertise, and complexity of procedure. We will compare the adjunctive imaging tools for structural heart disease interventions, with a focus on intracardiac echocardiography and real‐time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.