bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When teachers go the extra mile: Foci of organisational identification as determinants of different forms of organisational citizenship behaviour among schoolteachers
Authors: Christ Oliver , Van Dick Rolf , Wagner Ulrich , Stellmacher Jost
Published: September 2003

Background: Psychological variables should play an important role in determining teachers' involvement in behaviours not directly or formally forced by contracts. Organisational identification as proposed from the Social Identity Approach is examined as a possible determinant of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) among schoolteachers.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationships between different foci of organisational identification and different forms of OCB in schools.

Sample: Data sets of altogether 447 German school teachers who filled in all relevant items in a cross‐sectional questionnaire are used for analyses in the present study.

Methods: Standardised questionnaires measuring organisational identification and OCB were administered.

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed the proposed foci of identification (i.e., career identification, team identification, and organisational identification), as well as different forms of OCB (i.e., OCB towards the own qualification, towards the team, and towards the organisation). Structural equation modelling supports the main hypothesis that foci of identification relate differentially to forms of OCB.

Conclusions: The results emphasise the importance of organisational identification as a determinant of OCB in schools. Practical implications are discussed.
Secondary school teachers' attitudes towards and beliefs about ability grouping
Authors: Hallam Susan , Ireson Judith
Published: September 2003

Background: Internationally and historically considerable research has been undertaken regarding the attitudes of secondary school teachers towards different types of ability grouping. There has been no recent research taking account of the changing educational context in the UK.

Aims: This paper aims to explore secondary school teachers' attitudes and beliefs about ability grouping taking account of school type, gender, experience and qualifications.

Sample: The sample comprised over 1,500 teachers from 45 schools divided into three groups based on their ability grouping practices in years 7‐9 (the students were aged 11‐14). The sample included all the lower school teachers of mathematics, science and English and a random sample of teachers from other subjects in each school.

Methods: Teachers responded to a questionnaire which explored their attitudes towards ability grouping through the use of rating scales and open‐ended questions.

Results: The findings showed that the teachers' beliefs broadly reflected research findings on the actual effects of ability grouping, although there were significant differences relating to the type of school they taught in and the subject that they taught. Separate analysis of school types showed that length of time teaching, individual school differences and teacher qualifications were also significant predictors of attitudes.

Conclusions: Teachers' beliefs about ability grouping are influenced by the type of groupings adopted in the school where they work, the subject that they teach, their experience and qualifications. As pedagogical practices are known to be influenced by beliefs these findings have important implications for teacher training.
Learning styles: Self‐reports versus thinking‐aloud measures
Authors: Veenman Marcel V. J. , Prins Frans J. , Verheij Joke
Published: September 2003

Background: Learning styles are often assessed through students' self‐reports on instruments such as Vermunt's Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS). Recent research, however, has questioned the adequacy of questionnaires for the assessment of learning styles.

Aims: The objective of this paper is to evaluate methods of learning style assessment as a means for identifying students at risk. Therefore, the ILS as a self‐report instrument will be compared with the students' actual study processes, assessed through the thinking‐aloud method.

Sample: In the first study 1,060 students from the Technical University of Delft participated. Thirty‐three of them were selected on the ILS for participation in the second study.

Method: The ILS was administered to the 1,060 participants and their study results (GPA and credit points) were collected. Next, the selected 33 participants studied a technical text while thinking aloud. Knowledge acquisition was measured by means of a post‐test. Thinking‐aloud protocols were analysed on frequencies of study activities, thus representing process measures of learning styles.

Results: The ILS proved to be a rather weak predictor of study results in Study 1. Results from Study 2 show hardly any correspondence between ILS and study process measures, although principal component structures of both measures were highly similar. Furthermore, study process measures outweighed the ILS in the prediction of study results (post‐test, GPA and credit points).

Conclusions: Learning style theory was confirmed by results on the study process measures. The assessment of learning styles through self‐report instruments such as the ILS, however, should be reconsidered.
Experimental analysis of students' course selection
Authors: Babad Elisha , Tayeb Arik
Published: September 2003

Background: Prior to every term, students must select courses (i.e., academic units of instruction within a degree programme) to determine their study programme. Course selection (CS) is a sequential decision‐making (DM) process — students weigh various types of information available about each course. Every decision influences the weighting of considerations for the next. This study is focused on three central dimensions of CS: Learning Value (low or high in being intellectually challenging, interesting and thought‐provoking), Lecturer's Style (low or high — exciting, charismatic and humorous versus dry, inflexible, unclear, etc.), and Course Difficulty (easy, moderate or hard).

Aims: (1) To examine students' preferences for each dimension in five choices and in their sequential location (1st to 5th). (2) To trace compromises in dilemma situations after the desirable combinations had already been selected. (3) To investigate differential selection as a function of students' age, gender, and academic standing (average grades).

Sample: Advanced undergraduates in various departments in an Israeli university (N=1,007).

Method: In an experimental design, respondents were presented with 12 course descriptions representing 2×2×3 combinations, and asked to select five courses in a sequential order.

Results: The 12 courses were found to be empirically divided into: ideal courses (2), first‐degree (4) and second‐degree (4) compromises, and rejected courses (2). Students avoided selecting hard courses unless they had no choice. Learning Value was the most preferred dimension, followed closely by Lecturer Style. Correlations showed that older and higher achieving students chose more difficult and high Learning Value courses.

Comments: The discussion centred on the methodological issue of the effectiveness of an experimental design for the investigation of CS, conceptual issues concerning Course Difficulty in students' selection and evaluation, and applied issues concerning the availability of information about the three investigated dimensions to students in real‐life CS.
A nonparametric item analysis of a selected item subset of the Learning Process Questionnaire
Authors: Sachs John , Law Yin Kum , Chan Carol. K. K.
Published: September 2003

Background: Although there have been numerous studies conducted on the psychometric properties of Biggs' Learning Process Questionnaire (LPQ), these have involved the use of traditional omnibus measures of scale quality such as corrected item total correlations, internal consistency estimates of reliability, and factor analysis. However, these omnibus measures of scale quality are sample dependent and fail to model item responses as a function of trait level. And since the item trait relationship is typically nonlinear, traditional factor analytic methods are inappropriate.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify a unidimensional subset of LPQ items and examine the effectiveness of these items and their options in discriminating between changes in the underlying trait level. In addition to assessing item quality, we were interested in assessing overall scale quality with non‐sample dependent measures.

Method: The sample was split into two nearly equal halves, and a undimensional subset of items was identified in one of these samples and cross‐validated in the other. The nonlinear relationship between the probability of endorsing an item option and the underlying trait level was modelled using a nonparametric latent trait technique known as kernel smoothing and implemented with the program TestGraf. After item and scale quality were established, maximum likelihood estimates of participants' trait level were obtained and used to examine grade and gender differences.

Results: A undimensional subset of 16 deep and achieving items was identified. Slightly more than half of these items needed some of their options combined so that the probability of endorsing an item option as a function of increasing trait level corresponded to the ideal rank ordering of the item options. With this adjustment, scale quality as measured by the information function and standard error function was found to be good. However, no statistically significant gender differences were observed and, although statistically significant grade differences were observed, they were not substantively meaningful.

Conclusions: The use of nonparametric kernel‐smoothing techniques is advocated over parametric latent trait methods for the analysis of attitudinal and psychological measures involving polychotomous ordered‐response categories. It is also suggested that latent trait methods are more appropriate than traditional test‐based measures for studying differential item functioning both within and between cultures. Nonparametric kernel‐smoothing techniques hold particular promise in identifying and understanding cross‐cultural differences in student approaches to learning at both the item and scale level.
Psychometric properties of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children‐Checklist as a screening instrument for children with a developmental co‐ordination disorder
Authors: Schoemaker Marina M. , Smits‐Engelsman Bouwien C.M. , Jongmans Marian J.
Published: September 2003

Background: The Checklist of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) was developed to screen children for movement difficulties in the school situation. However, the psychometric properties of the Checklist have not been investigated in detail.

Aim: The psychometric properties of the M‐ABC Checklist were investigated including its usefulness as a screening instrument.

Samples: A group of 120 children, 6 to 11 years old, randomly selected from mainstream schools and a group of 64 children, 6 to 9 years old, referred for assessment of their motor functioning.

Methods: A reliability analysis was performed to investigate whether the 48 items of the Checklist measure the same construct. Construct validity was investigated by means of a factor analysis. And lastly, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the Checklist were investigated by comparing the performance of children on both the Test and Checklist of the M‐ABC.

Results: The items of the Checklist measure the same construct. Seven factors were obtained after factor analysis, revealing that the Checklist measures a broad range of motor skills. The Checklist met the standards for sensitivity in all age groups, except in the 8‐year‐old group, where too many children with motor problems were not detected. With the exception of the 6‐year‐old children, specificity was poor. The positive predictive value was acceptable, except for the 7‐year‐old children.

Conclusion: the Checklist proved to meet standards for reliability and most aspects of validity. Its use by teachers for screening children with movement difficulties can be recommended.
Longitudinal analysis of the presence, efficacy and stability of maternal scaffolding during informal problem‐solving interactions
Authors: Conner David B. , Cross David R.
Published: September 2003

The use of contingent instruction by parents and a related positive outcome for subsequent child behaviours have been documented in past research. In the current study the scaffolding paradigm was used to investigate patterns of maternal instructional behaviours and related child behaviours during informal problem‐solving interactions and during independent problem‐solving tasks. Forty‐five mother‐child dyads were observed at four time points across a 3‐year period (children aged 16, 26, 44 and 54 months). In general, mothers showed systematic decreases in the amount of support offered and systematic increases in their use of contingent instruction, whereas children became more successful in their behaviours during the parent‐child interactions. Surprisingly, there was little or no stability across time for each mother‐child dyad. Mothers and children became more successful at working together during the problem‐solving tasks, but each parent and each child was not consistent from one period to the next. In addition, when predicting children's success during independent tasks at the earlier ages there was an indirect link between parent behaviours and child success, whereas at 54 months there was a direct effect for both parent behaviours and children's previous abilities.
Text comprehension and its relation to coherence and cohesion in children's fictional narratives
Authors: Cain Kate
Published: September 2003

This study investigated the relation between children's text comprehension, their ability to produce a coherent and cohesive story, and the extent to which external cues aid these aspects of narrative production. Children with reading comprehension difficulties demonstrated deficits in both aspects of story organization, relative to same‐age skilled comprehenders and younger children of equivalent comprehension ability. Their performance was poor when a topic title was used to elicit the narrative, but performance improved when stories were elicited with more informative verbal and pictorial prompts. Stories with poorer structures did not contain proportionately fewer connectives in general, but the type of connective included differed in relation to story event structure. These findings are discussed in relation to the use of coherence and cohesion in narratives and their relation to comprehension skill.
The Westermarck Effect and early childhood co‐socialization: Sex differences in inbreeding‐avoidance
Authors: Walter Alex , Buyske Steven
Published: September 2003

The aim of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in regard to the effect of early childhood co‐socialization on inbreeding‐avoidance at sexual maturity. Multiple logistic regression methodology was used to model the relationship between cousin relationship and social proximity in childhood and its effect on mate choice beyond adolescence for a sample of Moroccan participants. Females showed a synergistic interaction effect for cousin marriage and childhood co‐socialization and an additional interaction effect for co‐socialization during the first seven years of childhood. Male participants showed no significant effect for early childhood co‐socialization. The Westermarck Effect hypothesis that early childhood co‐socialization leads to a lack of sexual interest at maturity is thus supported for female participants but not for male participants. These results are consistent with expectations from parental investment theory that females should show greater inbreeding‐avoidance than males do because of the greater costs females suffer as a consequence of inbreeding depression.
Prosocial children, bullies and victims: An investigation of their sociometric status, empathy and social problem‐solving strategies
Authors: Warden David , MacKinnon Suzanne
Published: September 2003

This study investigates links between children's social behaviour and their sociometric status, empathy and social problem‐solving strategies. Sociometric ratings were obtained from a sample of 131 9–10‐year‐old children drawn from two matched schools. Each child also completed a newly developed and empirically derived Social Behaviour Questionnaire. This questionnaire led to the identification of 21 prosocial children, 23 bullies and 14 victims of bullying. Children in these subgroups were then assessed on measures of empathy and social problem‐solving. Prosocial children were significantly more popular than the other role groups, and bully‐victims were most frequently rejected by their peers. Prosocial children also showed greater empathic awareness than either bullies or victims, but gender was the significant source of variance. Prosocial children and victims responded more constructively than did bullies to socially awkward situations, and bullies were less aware than prosocial children of the possible negative consequences of their solution strategies.
Do children with autism find it difficult to offer alternative interpretations to ambiguous figures?
Authors: Ropar Danielle , Mitchell Peter , Ackroyd Katie
Published: September 2003

Previous research suggests that the ability to reverse ambiguous figures may be related to an understanding of one's own and others' mental states. We can infer from these findings that individuals who have difficulty representing mental states, such as those with autism, may also have difficulty reversing ambiguous figures. The results from our study, however, showed that a majority of those with autism easily succeeded in making alternative interpretations despite many making errors in tests of false belief. Many also had difficulty acknowledging that a less informed person would interpret a non‐descript portion of a drawing differently than themselves. Comparison participants with moderate learning disabilities, who had a similar intellectual profile, generally performed well on the theory of mind tests and a majority made alternative interpretations of ambiguous figures. Typically developing children aged 7 and 8 years performed well on all tests. The ambiguity test does not require participants to understand that representations are open to revision, unlike theory of mind tests, and this might explain their good performance.
To be or not to be a galaprock: Preschoolers' intuitions about the importance of knowledge and action for pretending
Authors: Gottfried Gail M. , Hickling Anne K. , Totten Leah R. , Mkroyan Alice , Reisz Amber
Published: September 2003

Can someone pretend to be a galaprock without knowing what a galaprock is? Do children recognize that such knowledge is required for pretending? Three studies focusing on the relations among action, knowledge and pretending suggest that children have this understanding by age 4 years. In Study 1, 4‐year‐olds and adults willingly pretended to be moving and unmoving objects but had trouble pretending to be objects that were difficult to represent physically. In Study 2, 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds claimed they could not pretend to be an unknown thing, justifying their refusals with mentalistic language indicating their ignorance of the object or its typical actions. In Study 3, 3‐ to 5‐year‐olds predicted that other children who have knowledge of an object unfamiliar to the subjects themselves can nevertheless pretend to be it, whereas those lacking that knowledge cannot. The results add support to the growing literature showing that preschoolers conceptualize pretense as involving mental activity.
Traces of the artist: Sensitivity to the role of the artist in children's pictorial reasoning
Authors: Callaghan Tara C. , Rochat Philippe
Published: September 2003

In three studies we investigated the question of whether children consider the attributes of the artist (sentience, age level, affective style, emotion) when making judgments about the traces (drawings) made by that artist. In Study 1, 2–5‐year‐old children were asked to find pictures drawn by a machine, an adult, an older and a younger child. Results indicated that children younger than 4 years do not consider the artists' attributes when making judgments, but 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds do. Furthermore, whereas the oldest children were adept at both machine‐person (sentience) and person‐person (age) contrasts, 4‐year‐olds succeeded only with person‐person contrasts. In Study 2, videotaped artists displayed differences in degree of agitation (affective style) while drawing, and this attribute was manipulated in the drawing by varying line density, asymmetry, line overlap and line gap, or all four features, across stimuli. Three‐ and five‐year‐old children judged whether a calm or agitated person drew the stimuli. Findings showed that five‐year‐old, but not 3‐year‐old, children easily completed the task. In Study 3, 3‐, 5‐ and 7‐year‐old children judged whether happy or sad artists made paintings of matching emotional tone. Performance on this picture judgment task was contrasted with performance on three theory of mind tasks (false belief, emotion and interpretative). The results indicated that 5‐ and 7‐year‐olds successfully judged the impact of artists' emotions on paintings, but 3‐year‐olds did not. Performance on the picture task was related to that on the false belief task, but not to the emotion or interpretive tasks. Taken together, the results suggest that children's view of visual symbols includes a consideration of the qualities of the artist beginning around 5 years, and there appears to be a common link between judgments of the mind behind the visual symbol in the picture task and judgments of mental state reasoning in the false belief task.
Object individuation in 10‐month‐old infants: Manipulating the amount of introduction
Authors: Krøjgaard Peter
Published: September 2003

The role of habituation/introduction as a possible confounder in the so‐called violation‐of‐expectation method has been discussed recently among infancy researchers. This study reports two experiments on object individuation in 10‐month‐old infants using the occlusion design employed by Xu and Carey (1996, Experiment 2). The first experiment replicated the procedure used by Xu and Carey (1996). In the second experiment the amount of introduction was reduced considerably. The first experiment replicated the original findings of Xu and Carey (1996): infants having unequivocal access to spatiotemporal information succeeded in object individuation, whereas those provided with feature/kind information did not. In the second experiment, however, infants failed in object individuation in both conditions. The findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature.
Effect of gelation on the flow processability of poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Fujiyama Mitsuyoshi , Kondou Manabu
Published: September 2003

The processing of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) consists of fusion, flow, and solidification processes. In this study, we examined how gelation in the fusion process affected the processability in the following flow process. We prepared sheets with adjusted degrees of gelation (Gs) by rolling a rigid‐pipe‐formulation PVC compound with a degree of polymerization of 1050 by changing the milling temperature and time. The rheological properties, including viscosity, die swell, melt fracture, and entrance pressure loss (ΔPent), of the sheets were measured with a capillary rheometer, and the effect of gelation on the flow processability was studied. The viscosity slightly increased as the milling temperature and time increased, and hence, G increased. The flow activation energy showed a maximum at a shear rate around 100 s−1 and increased with increasing gelation. The die swell was larger when a sheet with a more advanced gelation was extruded at a higher temperature. Melt fracture easily occurred when a sheet with an advanced gelation was extruded at a low temperature. The critical shear rate at the onset of melt fracture changed by over 3 decades, depending on G. ΔPent increased linearly with G. The dependence of the rheological properties on the gelation was in the following order: melt fracture > die swell ≒ ΔPent > viscosity: The effect was larger for the elasticity than for the viscosity. The change in these rheological properties with increasing gelation was caused by a transition from particle flow to uniform molecular chain flow. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1808–1824, 2003
Synthesis, structure, and thermophysical and mechanical properties of new polymers prepared by the cationic copolymerization of corn oil, styrene, and divinylbenzene
Authors: Li Fengkui , Hasjim Jovin , Larock Richard C.
Published: September 2003

New thermosetting polymeric materials were prepared by the cationic copolymerization of corn oil or conjugated corn oil with styrene and divinylbenzene initiated by boron trifluoride diethyl etherate or related modified initiators. The gel times ranged from a few minutes to hours or even days depending on the stoichiometry and curing temperatures. These polymeric materials possessed crosslink densities of 50 to 1.5 × 104 mol/m3 and glass‐transition temperatures of 30–99°C. The materials range from soft rubbers to tough and rigid plastics. The Young's moduli of these materials varied from 0.6 to 474 MPa, the ultimate tensile strengths varied from 0.5 to 17.6 MPa, the elongation at break percentages varied from 2 to 198%, the flexural strengths varied from 0.2 to 36 MPa, and the compressive strengths varied from 4.8 to 63.8 MPa. In addition to having commercially viable thermophysical and mechanical properties, these new materials also possessed good damping and shape‐memory properties, suggesting numerous, promising applications for these novel corn oil‐based polymeric materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1830–1838, 2003
Formation of ordered microporous films with water as templates from poly(D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) solution
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyong , Cai Qing , Shi Guixin , Shi Yanqiao , Chen Guanwen
Published: September 2003

Recently a method that uses water droplets at the air–solution interface as an ordered template was reported for the preparation of ordered micrometer‐size honeycomb structures. Here we show that the method can also be used for formation of honeycomb‐like porous films from random copolymers with certain hydrophilicity, besides those polymers with defined structures such as block copolymers, starlike homopolymers, amd amphiphilic polymers. This demonstrates that the stabilization of water droplets is the key factor for the regular structure. Also we indicate that size and structure of the films can be regulated by such variables as concentration and atmospheric humidity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1846–1850, 2003
Synthesis of novel magnetic polymer microspheres with amphiphilic structure
Authors: Liu Xue‐Yong , Ding Xiao‐Bin , Zheng Zhao‐Hui , Peng Yu‐Xing , Long Xin‐Ping , Wang Xiao‐Chuan , Chan Albert S. C. , Yip C. W.
Published: September 2003

Novel magnetic polymer microspheres with amphiphilic structure ranging in diameter from 5 to 80 μm were prepared by dispersion copolymerization of styrene and poly(ethylene oxide) acrylamide macromonomer (MPEO) in the presence of Fe3O4 magnetic fluid. The effects of various polymerization parameters on the average particle size were systematically investigated. The average particle size was found to increase with increasing initiator concentration. It also increased with decreasing stabilizer concentration and MPEO concentration. The content of the amino groups localized in the microspheres ranged from 0.01 to 0.25 mmol/g. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1879–1884, 2003
Behavior of volatile depletion for LaRC™‐PETI‐5 amide acid/N‐methylpyrrolidinone solution
Authors: Hou T. H. , Costen R. C.
Published: September 2003

The fabrication of composites from polyimide precursors (polyamide acids) that involve condensation reactions requires the removal of volatiles (solvent and reaction by‐products) prior to consolidation in order to achieve a void‐free laminate. Volatile removal is commonly accomplished with a B‐stage processing step. In this study, a PETAA/NMP (phenylethynyl terminated amide acid in N‐methylpyrrolidinone) solution and prepreg were characterized using therogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microdielectrometry. A master weight loss profile was constructed by superimposing measurements at various heating rates. The TGA results correlated well with the dielectric ionic conductivities. Under the same thermal conditions, volatiles were depleted at slower rates from the wet prepreg than the neat resin solution. Dielectric properties were more sensitive to the residual volatile contents than the TGA measurements in both the neat resin and wet prepreg. Dielectric sensing technology was demonstrated to be a feasible tool for future volatile management in the fabrication of PETI composites. This study demonstrates that the combination of TGA and dielectrometry provides useful information to develop proper processing conditions for composite fabrication from prepregs containing volatiles. © Published 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1906–1916, 2003
Surface modification and in vitro blood compatibilities of polyurethanes containing z‐lysine segments in the main chain
Authors: Meng Wan , Hyun Jae‐Yong , Song Dong‐Ik , Kang Inn‐Kyu
Published: September 2003

Polyurethanes containing z‐lysine segments in the main chain (PULL) were synthesized from 4,4′‐diphenylmethyl diisocyanate, poly(tetramethylene glycol), and z‐lysine oligomer as a chain extender. PULL film was treated with a 10% HBr–acetic acid solution and subsequently with a saturated sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution to produce a primary amine group on the surface. Heparin‐immobilized PULL (PULL‐H) was prepared by the coupling reaction of PULL surface amine groups and heparin carboxylic acid groups. The surface‐modified PULLs were then characterized by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and a contact angle goniometer. The concentration of amine groups and heparins introduced on the PULL surfaces were about 2.1 μmol/cm2 and 1.9 μg/cm2, respectively. To assess in vitro blood compatibility, the interaction of modified PULLs with plasma proteins and platelets was examined. In the experiments with plasma proteins, plasma recalcification time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly prolonged on PULL‐H compared to those on the other surfaces. The percentage of serotonin released from platelets adhering on PULL‐H was less than that on the other surfaces, demonstrating a good in vitro blood compatibility. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1959–1969, 2003
How effortful decisions get enacted: the motivating role of decision processes, desires, and anticipated emotions
Authors: Bagozzi Richard P. , Dholakia Utpal M. , Basuroy Suman
Published: September 2003

Building on recent research examining the influence of decision making on subsequent goal striving and decision enactment, we consider and elaborate on the mechanisms through which effortful decisions are made, maintained, and enacted. Our proposed framework builds on the Dholakia and Bagozzi (2002) model, distinguishes between two important types of intentions and desires, and shows that the motivation‐mustering function of the decision process is mediated by goal and implementation desires. In addition to decision processes, the roles of goal feasibility, anticipated emotions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are also elaborated on. Through a two‐wave field study tracking real decisions and their pursuit by participants, we find empirical support for our model of effortful decision making and enactment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential clinical implications of direction of a trans-sphincteric anal fistula track
Authors: Buchanan G N , Williams A B , Bartram C I , Halligan S , Nicholls R J , Cohen C R G
Published: September 2003

Background

The longitudinal direction of a trans-sphincteric anal fistula track through the anal sphincter complex may have implications regarding fistulotomy.

Methods

The angle of the track of trans-sphincteric fistulas relative to the longitudinal axis of the anal canal was measured before operation by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 46 patients. This was compared with the findings at operation.

Results

The track passed cranially as well as laterally at an acute angle (less than 90°) in 23 patients while it passed either transversely or caudally at an obtuse angle (90° or more) in the remaining 23. The internal opening was significantly higher in relation to the dentate line (above in eight patients, at the dentate line in 14 and below in one patient) when the track was acute than when it was obtuse (above in one, at the dentate line in 17 and below in five patients) (P = 0·004). The fistula track crossed the sphincter at a median angle of 35°, 95° and 132° from internal openings sited above, at and below dentate line level respectively (P = 0·002).

Conclusion

Fistula tracks passed cranially and laterally through the sphincter complex in half of these patients, and were most acutely angled on MRI when internal openings were situated above the dentate line. Preoperative MRI might alert surgeons to the potential hazard of fistulotomy being more extensive than anticipated from simple palpation of the level of the internal opening.
Effect of sacral nerve stimulation on autonomic nerve function
Authors: Kenefick N J , Emmanuel A , Nicholls R J , Kamm M A
Published: September 2003

Background

Sacral nerve stimulation has been used successfully to treat motility disorders of the bladder and bowel. The mechanism of action remains unknown. This study examined the effect of stimulation on rectal blood flow as a measure of autonomic nerve function.

Methods

Sixteen patients (15 women) of median age 59 (range 38–71) years were studied. All had undergone permanent electrode implantation for faecal incontinence, a median of 27 (range 2–62) months previously, with clinical benefit. Rectal laser Doppler flowmetry was performed at the level of chronic stimulation, without stimulation, and then at 0·1-V stepwise increments between zero and 1·0 V, and at 1-V increments to 5 V.

Results

There was a significant difference in the median flux between no stimulation and chronic stimulation: 545 (range 355–887) versus 869 (range 507–989) flux units (P = 0·001). Stepwise increments of 0·1 V, between zero and 1·0 V, caused a significant immediate rise in flux (P < 0·001). Further increments did not result in any further significant increase.

Conclusion

Chronic sacral nerve stimulation has a significant effect on rectal blood flow and the autonomic innervation of the distal bowel. The response is rapidly reversible and varies in a dose-dependent manner up to a level of stimulation of 1·0 V.
Use of radiolabelled iododeoxyuridine as adjuvant treatment for experimental tumours of the liver
Authors: Zager J S , Delman K A , Ebright M I , Malhotra S , Larson S , Fong Y
Published: September 2003

Background

The aim of the study was to determine whether hepatic regeneration stimulates growth of tumour residing within the liver, and whether a difference in the rate of DNA synthesis in liver and tumour may be used to target cancer using the radiolabelled thymidine analogue 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IUdR).

Methods

Partial hepatectomy was performed on Buffalo rats bearing solitary nodules of syngeneic Morris hepatoma. Liver and tumour DNA synthesis was measured by incorporation of radioactive IUdR. [125I]IUdR was tested as an adjuvant therapy after hepatectomy in Buffalo rats bearing diffuse microscopic Morris hepatomas to simulate the clinical situation.

Results

Liver regeneration enhanced liver and tumour DNA synthesis as measured by incorporation of radioactive IUdR. Liver DNA synthesis returned to baseline by 7 days, whereas tumour DNA synthesis remained above baseline level. Hepatectomy enhanced the growth of microscopic liver tumours. [125I]IUdR (250 µCi or 1 mCi/kg) administered 4 days after hepatectomy significantly reduced tumour growth without signs of systemic toxicity or liver dysfunction.

Conclusion

The local environment of the regenerating liver stimulates tumour growth. The thymidine analogue [125I]IUdR may be used preferentially to target tumour DNA synthesis in the regenerating liver, and may prove useful as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic tumours after surgical resection.
Anastomotic leakage after curative anterior resection results in a higher prevalence of local recurrence
Authors: Bell S W , Walker K G , Rickard M J F X , Sinclair G , Dent O F , Chapuis P H , Bokey E L
Published: September 2003

Background

The aim of this study was to determine whether leakage from a colorectal anastomosis following potentially curative anterior resection for rectal cancer is an independent risk factor for local recurrence.

Methods

The study included all patients who had a potentially curative anterior resection with anastomosis for adenocarcinoma of the rectum between 1971 and 1991 at Concord Hospital. The data were collected prospectively, with complete follow-up for at least 5 years. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare time to recurrence between strata of categorical variables. Proportional hazards regression was used in multivariate modelling.

Results

There were 403 patients in the study. After adjustment for lymph node metastases, the distal resection margin of resection, non-total anatomical dissection of the rectum and the level of anastomosis, multivariate analysis identified a significant association between anastomotic leakage and local recurrence (hazard ratio 3·8, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·8 to 7·9).

Conclusion

Leakage following a colorectal anastomosis after potentially curative resection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum is an independent predictor of local recurrence.
Central projections of the saccular and utricular nerves in macaques
Authors: Newlands Shawn D. , Vrabec Jeffrey T. , Purcell Ian M. , Stewart C. Matthew , Zimmerman Brett E. , Perachio Adrian A.
Published: September 2003

The central projections of the utricular and saccular nerve in macaques were examined using transganglionic labeling of vestibular afferent neurons. In these experiments, biotinylated dextran amine was injected directly into the saccular or utricular neuroepithelium of fascicularis (Macaca fascicularis) or rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys. Two to 5 weeks later, the animals were killed and the peripheral vestibular sensory organs, brainstem, and cerebellum were collected for analysis. The principal brainstem areas of saccular nerve termination were lateral, particularly the spinal vestibular nucleus, the lateral portion of the superior vestibular nucleus, ventral nucleus y, the external cuneate nucleus, and cell group l. The principal cerebellar projection was to the uvula with a less dense projection to the nodulus. Principle brainstem areas of termination of the utricular nerve were the lateral/dorsal medial vestibular nucleus, ventral and lateral portions of the superior vestibular nucleus, and rostral portion of the spinal vestibular nucleus. In the cerebellum, a strong projection was observed to the nodulus and weak projections were present in the flocculus, ventral paraflocculus, bilateral fastigial nuclei, and uvula. Although there is extensive overlap of saccular and utricular projections, saccular inputs to the lateral portions of the vestibular nuclear complex suggest that saccular afferents contribute to the vestibulospinal system. In contrast, the utricular nerve projects more rostrally into areas of known concentration of vestibulo‐ocular related cells. Although sparse, the projections of the utricle to the flocculus/ventral paraflocculus suggest a potential convergence with floccular projection inputs from the vestibular brainstem that have been implicated in vestibulo‐ocular motor learning. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:31–47, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of perforin‐independent NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity
Authors: Wallin Robert P. A. , Screpanti Valentina , Michaëlsson Jakob , Grandien Alf , Ljunggren Hans‐Gustaf
Published: September 2003

Natural killer (NK) cells have been thought to depend largely on perforin‐mediated mechanisms for the induction of cell death in targets. However, this view has more recently been challenged. It is now clear that NK cells are capable of using death ligands like Fas ligand (FasL) or tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) to induce cytotoxicity. Still, relatively little is known about the control of these "perforin‐independent" cell death eliciting reactions, for example, the regulation of FasL expression on NK cells. In the present study, we confirm the ability of NK cells to mediate target cytotoxicity in the absence of perforin, in vivo and in vitro. We show that the induction of perforin‐independent NK cell‐mediated cell death is prevented by inhibiting signals mediated by MHC class I recognition. Furthermore, we demonstrate in vitro that cross‐linking of the activation receptor NK1.1 on NK cells leads to the up‐regulation of FasL on the cell surface. However, simultaneous engagement of an MHC class I binding inhibitory receptor prevents the externalization of FasL. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for theMHC class I‐dependent regulation of perforin‐independent cytotoxicity.
Increased CD40 expression in skin fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc): role of CD40‐CD154 in the phenotype of SSc fibroblasts
Authors: Fukasawa Chikako , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Harigai Masayoshi , Sugiura Tomoko , Takagi Kae , Kawamoto Manabu , Hara Masako , Kamatani Naoyuki
Published: September 2003

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by tissue fibrosis, which may result from the activation of lesional fibroblasts exhibiting excessive production of extracellular matrix components. However, it has yet to be determined how SSc fibroblasts are activated. CD40 is a cell surface molecule expressed on various cells that is important for the response to activated T cells through CD154. CD40 mRNA was found to be constitutively expressed in both SSc and normal fibroblasts by reverse transcription PCR. Expression of CD40 protein was increased on SSc fibroblasts compared to normal fibroblasts as measured by flow cytometry. Ligation of CD40 by recombinant human CD154 (0.5–2 μg/ml) resulted in increased production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in SSc fibroblasts in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas these phenomena were not shown in normal fibroblasts even with the addition of CD154. CD80, a costimulatory molecule, was also induced on SSc fibroblasts by CD40 ligation. In the present study, our findings suggest the possibility of a cell‐mediated response between fibroblasts and T cells in the lesional skin of SSc patients. Since it is suggested that the CD40‐CD154 system may play a crucial role in the aberrant production of immune mediators by SSc fibroblasts, blockage of CD40‐CD154 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for SSc.
Molecular characterization of the chemokine receptor CXCR3: evidence for the involvement of distinct extracellular domains in a multi‐step model of ligand binding and receptor activation
Authors: Xanthou Georgina , Williams Timothy J. , Pease James E.
Published: September 2003

CXCR3 is a chemokine receptor predominantly expressed on T lymphocytes, and binds the chemokines CXCL9 (Mig), CXCL10 (IP‐10) and CXCL11 (I‐TAC). Here, we have investigated the role of the extracellular domains of CXCR3 in ligand selectivity and receptor activation by assessing the ligand binding and chemotactic responses of chimeric CXCR3/CXCR1 constructs. Our data reveal that the secondextracellular loop of CXCR3 is essential for receptor activation in response to all CXCR3 ligands. In contrast, the N terminus and first extracellular loop of CXCR3 play some role in CXCL10‐ and CXCL11‐mediated activation but are dispensable for CXCL9‐induced signaling. The third extracellular loop of CXCR3 is important only for CXCL9‐ and CXCL10‐induced chemotaxis. Binding studies suggest that the CXCR3 ligands bind to distinct sites composed of multiple domains of CXCR3 and that high‐affinity binding and receptor activation are disparate functions. Collectively, our data support a multi‐site model for CXCR3 interactions with its agonists, in which several extracellular domains of CXCR3 contribute to ligand binding and the induction of receptor activation. The development of antagonists targeting the second extracellular loop of CXCR3 should impede receptor activation and aid the treatment of several human inflammatory disorders.
Contribution of low‐molecular‐weight antioxidants to the antioxidant capacity of raw and processed lentil seeds
Authors: Fernandez‐Orozco Rebeca , Zieliński Henryk , Piskuła Mariusz K.
Published: September 2003

In this study four cultivars of lentil originating from Spain were examined: cv Paula, cv Agueda, cv Almar and cv Alcor. Since consumption of these seeds after heat treatment and as sprouts has been popularised, the impact of cooking (up to 30 min) and germination process (in dark, at 25°C, for up to 4 days) on peroxyl radical‐trapping capacity (PRTC) and Trolox‐equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of the processed seeds was addressed. Also, changes in the content of low‐molecular‐weight antioxidants (LMWA) and soluble proteins in the course of cooking and germination were studied. The analyzed LMWA were: total phenolics, tocopherols (α‐T, β‐T, γ‐T, δ‐T( reduced glutathione, and L‐ascorbic acid. On the basis of the results obtained, the contribution of LMWA and soluble proteins to the PRTC and TEAC of raw, cooked, and germinated lentil seeds was calculated by multiple mean values for the content of investigated compounds and their relative potential with respect to Trolox. The results showed a very high molar percentage contribution of phenolic compounds and low contribution of tocopherols, glutathione, soluble proteins, and ascorbate (only in germinated seeds) to the total TEAC and total PRTC calculated as a sum of data provided for phosphate‐buffered and 80% methanolic extracts of raw and processed lentil seeds.
Effects of moisture content and drying temperature on the physicochemical properties of ostrich jerky
Authors: Lee Seog‐Won , Kang Chang‐Su
Published: September 2003

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of temperature (50, 60, and 70°C) and moisture content (18, 21, and 24%) on the quality of jerky products from ostrich meat. The jerky products were evaluated by physicochemical and sensory methods. The tensile strength of the samples prepared to 24% w.b. moisture content at 50°C was lowest (p < 0.05; 124 N) while those prepared under other conditions were in the range of 208–268 N (p > 0.05). The water activity of the jerky products was 0.51–0.72, and significant influence of drying temperature on protein solubility was also observed, but the samples dried at the same temperature had similar levels of soluble protein (p > 0.05) regardless of moisture content of samples. The pH of the samples dried at 50°C and 60°C showed little change in different moisture content, but samples dried at 70°C tended to affect the pH by moisture content. Hunter a‐values showed a predominantly increasing trend in all moisture levels as the heating temperature increased. The jerky product prepared to 24% w.b. moisture content at 60°C showed the best sensory overall acceptability.