bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and functional study of five novel monoclonal antibodies against human OX40L highlight reverse signalling: enhancement of IgG production of B cells and promotion of maturation of DCs
Authors: Wang Q. , Chen Y. , Ge Y. , Sun J. , Shi Q. , Ju S. , Dai J. , Yu G. , Zhang X.
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  OX40 ligand (OX40L), a molecule originally identified as human gp34, is an important co‐stimulatory molecule during immune response. In this study, we report on five functional mouse anti‐human OX40L monoclonal antibodies named as 9H10, 4C12, 8D10, 4H4 and 1G1, characterized by means of flow cytometry, Western blot and competition assay. These monoclonal antibodies bound to distinct OX40L epitopes on activated B cells and dendritic cells (DCs) and two of them could suppress the proliferation of T lymphocytes co‐stimulated by mature DCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that our monoclonal antibodies, such as 9H10 and 4C12, could trigger OX40L reverse signal that enhanced IgG production of B cells and promoted maturation of DCs as evidenced by the upexpression of CD80, CD86, CD83 and CXCR4 and monoclonal antibody 9H10 could also promote anti‐CD40 monoclonal‐antibody‐stimulated DCs in order to induce T cells to secrete more interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ, which suggested that OX40L signals could strengthen the effect of CD40 signals on promoting Th1 differentiation.
HLA‐E polymorphism in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Hirankarn N. , Kimkong I. , Mutirangura A.
Published: October 2004

Abstract:  Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been known to be associated with HLA class I region. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between HLA‐E and genetic susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis by comparing the frequencies of HLA‐E alleles in 100 Thai NPC patients and 100 healthy controls. HLA‐E typing was performed by means of polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probe method. The frequency of the HLA‐E*0103 allele and HLA‐E*0103, 0103 genotype, but not others, was increased in NPC patients, compared to controls. This observation suggests a possible role for HLA‐E in NPC development, possibly via natural killer cell or cytotoxic lymphocyte function.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among the Inuit in Greenland. A comparison between two proposed definitions
Authors: Jørgensen M. E. , Bjerregaard P. , Gyntelberg F. , Borch‐Johnsen K. ,   the Greenland Population Study
Published: October 2004

Aims  To estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among Greenland Inuit according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition and the definition suggested by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).

Methods  From 1999 to 2001, 917 adult Inuit participated in a health survey in Greenland. The examination included a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio and blood pressure were measured. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, lipids and urine albumin/creatinine ratio were measured. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria 1999 and to the working definition suggested by the NCEP 2001.

Results  Using the WHO and the NCEP criteria, 20.7% and 17.9% of the participants had the metabolic syndrome, respectively. There was a moderate agreement between the two definitions, κ = 0.56 (95% CI 0.51–0.61). Of those with the WHO metabolic syndrome, 37.9% did not have the NCEP syndrome, and 28.5% of those with the NCEP syndrome were not classified with the metabolic syndrome under the WHO criteria. Compared with the WHO syndrome, men with the NCEP syndrome had higher mean values of waist circumference, BMI and triglycerides, and lower mean values of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; among women, triglycerides were higher with the NCEP syndrome.

Conclusion  The metabolic syndrome is common among Inuit using either the WHO definition or the proposed NCEP definition. The classification disagreement is considerable and a universally accepted definition is needed.
Isolation of Bordetella trematum from a diabetic leg ulcer
Authors: Daxboeck F. , Goerzer E. , Apfalter P. , Nehr M. , Krause R.
Published: October 2004

Background  The species Bordetella trematum (a Gram‐negative, opportunistic bacterium) was established in 1996. To date, 10 cases of human infection/colonization with the pathogen have been described.

Case report  The first case of isolation of B. trematum from a diabetic ulcer is reported. Since there are no commercially available kits for identification of the organism, species diagnosis was based on 16S rDNA sequencing. B. trematum disappeared from the ulcer without antimicrobial therapy.

Conclusion  In the present case, there was no evidence for a causative role of the organism in the diabetic foot infection, which is in agreement with previously published data. However, B. trematum has to be considered when otherwise unclassified Gram‐negative rods are isolated from infected diabetic ulcers.
Pre‐prandial vs. post‐prandial capillary glucose measurements as targets for repaglinide dose titration in people with diet‐treated or metformin‐treated Type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Gerstein H. C. , Garon J. , Joyce C. , Rolfe A. , Walter C. M.
Published: October 2004

Objective  Repaglinide is an oral anti‐diabetic agent that has a short duration of action, and is suitable for preventing post‐prandial rises in glucose levels. Targeting post‐prandial glucose levels may lead to lower HbA1c levels and rates of hypoglycaemia than targeting pre‐prandial glucose levels.

Research design and methods  In 42 centres, 193 drug‐naïve (n = 122) or metformin‐treated (n = 71) individuals with Type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to a 40‐day period of repaglinide dose‐titration (starting at 0.5 mg three times daily) based on either self‐measured pre‐prandial or post‐prandial glucose levels. They were followed for a further 12 weeks and HbA1c and hypoglycaemia rates were recorded.

Results  Repaglinide reduced HbA1c by 1.25 and 1.07% in the post‐prandial and pre‐prandial groups, respectively (P for difference = 0.6), and achieved target glucose levels in 80.7 and 66.7%, respectively (P = 0.16). The effect of titration strategy differed by baseline drug therapy, and was more effective in the metformin‐treated individuals who experienced a HbA1c fall of 0.6 vs. 1.10% with pre‐prandial vs. post‐prandial titration (P for metformin‐allocated group interaction = 0.043). The rate of hypoglycaemia did not differ by group.

Conclusions  In drug‐naïve individuals with Type 2 diabetes, similar HbA1c levels are achieved with repaglinide when dosing is adjusted according to either post‐prandial or pre‐prandial levels. Conversely, in metformin‐treated individuals, repaglinide dosing according to post‐prandial levels may lead to better glycaemic control than dosing according to pre‐prandial levels.
Amylin replacement with pramlintide as an adjunct to insulin therapy improves long‐term glycaemic and weight control in Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a 1‐year, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ratner R. E. , Dickey R. , Fineman M. , Maggs D. G. , Shen L. , Strobel S. A. , Weyer C. , Kolterman O. G.
Published: October 2004

Aims  The autoimmune‐mediated destruction of pancreatic β‐cells in Type 1 diabetes mellitus renders patients deficient in two glucoregulatory peptide hormones, insulin and amylin. With insulin replacement alone, most patients do not achieve glycaemic goals. We aimed to determine the long‐term efficacy and safety of adjunctive therapy with pramlintide, a synthetic human amylin analogue, in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, multicentre study, 651 patients with Type 1 diabetes (age 41 ± 13 years, HbA1c 8.9 ± 1.0%, mean ± sd) were randomized to mealtime injections of placebo or varying doses of pramlintide, in addition to their insulin therapy, for 52 weeks.

Results  Addition of pramlintide [60 µg three times daily (TID) or four times daily (QID)] to insulin led to significant reductions in HbA1c from baseline to Week 52 of 0.29% (P < 0.011) and 0.34% (P < 0.001), respectively, compared with a 0.04% reduction in placebo group. Three times the proportion of pramlintide‐ than placebo‐treated patients achieved an HbA1c of < 7%. The greater reduction in HbA1c with pramlintide was achieved without an increase in concomitant insulin use and was accompanied by a significant reduction in body weight from baseline to Week 52 of 0.4 kg in the 60 µg TID (P < 0.027) or QID (P < 0.040) pramlintide treatment groups, compared with a 0.8‐kg gain in body weight in the placebo group. The most common adverse event in pramlintide‐treated patients was transient, mild‐to‐moderate nausea.

Conclusions  These results show that mealtime amylin replacement with pramlintide, as an adjunct to insulin therapy, improves long‐term glycaemic and weight control in patients with Type 1 diabetes.
Effects of improved glycaemic control maintained for 3 months on cognitive function in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mussell M. , Hewer W. , Kulzer B. , Bergis K. , Rist F.
Published: October 2004

Background and aim  In a previous study we failed to find beneficial short‐term effects of improved glycaemic control on cognitive functioning in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A subgroup of the entire sample was tested again to examine the effect of longer‐lasting improvement of metabolic control on cognitive functioning.

Methods  The cognitive performance of 26 patients with Type 2 diabetes was assessed at baseline and 3 months after discharge. Thirteen controls were tested at the similar time‐points. Attention/concentration, psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, verbal memory and depressive symptoms were assessed. Improved glycaemic control was generally achieved with insulin therapy (20/26).

Results  At baseline, there was a trend for diabetic patients to perform worse than controls. Both groups improved significantly over 3 months in several measures. However, diabetic patients did not improve more than controls.

Conclusions  In individuals with long‐standing Type 2 diabetes, previous reports of improved cognitive capacity following restoration and maintenance of near‐normoglycaemia were not confirmed. This might relate to the type of anti‐diabetic therapy.
Sustainability and effectiveness of comprehensive diabetes care to a district population
Authors: Whitford D. L. , Roberts S. H. , Griffin S.
Published: October 2004

Aims  To evaluate whether diabetes care in a district population can be sustained over time and intensive management of multiple risk factors can be achieved against a background of rising prevalence of known diabetes and shift of responsibility towards primary care.

Methods  Assessment of process and outcome measures achieved by a comprehensive diabetes service. Routine data were collected from patients registered with diabetes in a district population by repeated cross‐sectional survey in 1991 (n = 2284 patients) and 2001 (n = 5809 patients).

Results  Between 1991 and 2001 the recording of body mass index (76.8 vs. 71.3%, P = 0.01) and HbA1c measurement (92.2 vs. 86.4%, P < 0.001) decreased, whereas recording of smoking status (72.4 vs. 82%, P < 0.001), cholesterol level (54.7 vs. 82.5%, P < 0.001) and eye screening result (86.1 vs. 91.3%, P < 0.001) improved. Surviving patients with Type 2 diabetes had significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol, significant deterioration in HbA1c and creatinine, and no change in body mass index. Changes in blood pressure and HbA1c over time were similar to those reported in the UKPDS.

Conclusions  The delivery of processes and outcomes of care to a district population can be sustained at a high level over a 10‐year period within a comprehensive diabetes service. We would suggest that a multifaceted complex intervention is required to achieve these results.
Economic evaluation of therapeutic interventions to prevent Type 2 diabetes in Canada
Authors: Caro J. J. , Getsios D. , Caro I. , Klittich W. S. , O'Brien J. A.
Published: October 2004

Aims  To compare the health and economic outcomes of using acarbose, an intensive lifestyle modification programme, metformin or no intervention to prevent progression to diabetes in Canadian individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods  A model was developed to simulate the course of individuals with IGT under each treatment strategy. Patients remain in the IGT state or transition from IGT to diabetes, to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or to death. Effectiveness and resource use data were derived from published intervention trials. A comprehensive health‐care payer perspective incorporating all major direct costs, reported in 2000 Canadian dollars, was adopted.

Results  Over a decade, 70 of the 1000 untreated patients are expected to die and 542 develop diabetes. Intensive lifestyle modification is estimated to prevent 117 cases of diabetes, while metformin would prevent 52 and acarbose 74 cases. The proportion of those who return to NGT also increases with any treatment. While lifestyle modification is more effective, it can increase overall costs depending on how it is implemented, whereas acarbose and metformin reduce costs by nearly $1000 per patient. Lifestyle modification was cost effective, varying from $749/life year gained (LYG) vs. no treatment to about $10 000/LYG vs. acarbose. Acarbose costs somewhat more than metformin, but is more effective: $1798/LYG.

Conclusion  The results of this model suggest that the treatment of IGT in Canada is a cost‐effective way to prevent diabetes and may generate savings. While pharmacological treatments tended to be less costly, intensive lifestyle modification, if maintained, led to the greatest health benefits at reasonable incremental costs.
Engineering of enhanced glycine betaine synthesis improves drought tolerance in maize
Authors: Quan Ruidang , Shang Mei , Zhang Hui , Zhao Yanxiu , Zhang Juren
Published: October 2004

Glycine betaine plays an important role in some plants, including maize, in conditions of abiotic stress, but different maize varieties vary in their capacity to accumulate glycine betaine. An elite maize inbred line DH4866 was transformed with the betA gene from Escherichia coli encoding choline dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.1), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of glycine betaine from choline. The transgenic maize plants accumulated higher levels of glycine betaine and were more tolerant to drought stress than wild‐type plants (non‐transgenic) at germination and the young seedling stage. Most importantly, the grain yield of transgenic plants was significantly higher than that of wild‐type plants after drought treatment. The enhanced glycine betaine accumulation in transgenic maize provides greater protection of the integrity of the cell membrane and greater activity of enzymes compared with wild‐type plants in conditions of drought stress.
The structure of starch can be manipulated by changing the expression levels of starch branching enzyme IIb in rice endosperm
Authors: Tanaka Naoki , Fujita Naoko , Nishi Aiko , Satoh Hikaru , Hosaka Yuko , Ugaki Masashi , Kawasaki Shinji , Nakamura Yasunori
Published: October 2004

When the starch branching enzyme IIb (BEIIb) gene was introduced into a BEIIb‐defective mutant, the resulting transgenic rice plants showed a wide range of BEIIb activity and the fine structure of their amylopectins showed considerable variation despite having the two other BE isoforms, BEI and BEIIa, in their endosperm at the same levels as in the wild‐type. The properties of the starch granules, such as their gelatinization behaviour, morphology and X‐ray diffraction pattern, also changed dramatically depending on the level of BEIIb activity, even when this was either slightly lower or higher than that of the wild‐type. The over‐expression of BEIIb resulted in the accumulation of excessive branched, water‐soluble polysaccharides instead of amylopectin. These results imply that the manipulation of BEIIb activity is an effective strategy for the generation of novel starches for use in foodstuffs and industrial applications.
Development of flexible visual recognition memory in human infants
Authors: Robinson Astri J. , Pascalis Olivier
Published: October 2004

Research using the visual paired comparison task has shown that visual recognition memory across changing contexts is dependent on the integrity of the hippocampal formation in human adults and in monkeys. The acquisition of contextual flexibility may contribute to the change in memory performance that occurs late in the first year of life. To assess this skill, the images are presented on a background of one colour during familiarization and on a different coloured background during the recognition test. Our research showed that recognition memory is impaired by a change in context at 6 and 12 months of age but is unaffected at 18 and 24 months of age. The findings are discussed in relation to hippocampal development and the proposed developmental step in memory at 9–10 months of age.
A first step in form‐based category abstraction by 12‐month‐old infants
Authors: Gómez Rebecca L. , Lakusta Laura
Published: October 2004

The present experiments investigate how young language learners begin to acquire form‐based categories and the relationships between them. We investigated this question by exposing 12‐month‐olds to auditory structure of the form aX and bY (infants had to learn that a‐elements grouped with Xs and not Ys). Infants were then tested on strings from their training language versus strings from the other language using a preferential‐listening procedure. Importantly, the X and Y elements were new at test, requiring infants to generalize to novel pairings. We also manipulated the probability of encountering grammatical structures of the training language by mixing strings from two artificial languages according to 83/17 and 67/33 percentage ratios in Experiment 2. Experiment 1 shows that 12‐month‐olds are capable of forming categories of X‐ and Y‐elements based on a shared feature and, furthermore, form associations between particular a‐ and b‐elements and these categories. Experiment 2 shows that learning was sustained even when 17% of instances from another language were present during training. However, infants failed to generalize when exposed to a larger percentage of strings from another language. The findings demonstrate that the first step of form‐based category abstraction (the ability to generalize based on marker‐feature pairings) is in place by 12 months of age.
Twelve‐ and 16‐month‐old infants recognize properties of mentioned absent things
Authors: Saylor Megan M.
Published: October 2004

Absent reference comprehension is a critical achievement of early development, yet little is known about its emergence. In the current study, 12‐ and 16‐month‐old infants’ recognition of properties of mentioned absent things was used as an index of absent reference comprehension. Infants were presented with displays matching the color and prior spatial location of a mentioned absent object and displays matching the color and prior spatial location of a non‐mentioned absent object. Infants could reveal their comprehension of absent reference by directing more looking and gesturing at the display matching the mentioned absent object than at the display matching the non‐mentioned absent object. Infants at both ages revealed some tendency to do so, but infants at 16 months revealed more advanced understanding – infants at 16 months, but not at 12 months, coordinated their attention to the display matching properties of the mentioned absent thing with looks to the speaker. Implications for the infants’ understanding of communicative intentions are discussed.
Trade‐related Job Loss and Wage Insurance: a Synthetic Review
Authors: Kletzer Lori G.
Published: October 2004

The paper seeks to promote further integration of empirical and theoretical discussions of trade and worker adjustment. From the author's recent studies of the costs of job loss, she develops a set of stylized facts of trade‐related job loss, with a focus on worker characteristics and labor market consequences. These stylized facts are relevant to any (credible) model of trade liberalization and adjustment costs. The author discusses the basic ideas of wage insurance and summarizes the few data known about how a program might work if implemented in the United States. A final section provides a list of issues for a model of trade that will be consistent with the empirical stylized facts, and sets out questions for future research.
Structural Change and the Labor‐market Effects of Globalization
Authors: Gaston Noel , Nelson Douglas
Published: October 2004

The paper develops a simple political‐economy model of unemployment benefit determination in a small open economy characterized by bargaining between firms and unions. The authors derive a number of comparative static results and present empirical results for a panel of OECD countries that are broadly consistent with the theory.
Outsourcing, Foreign Ownership, and Productivity: Evidence from UK Establishment‐level Data
Authors: Girma Sourafel , Görg Holger
Published: October 2004

The paper presents an empirical analysis of “outsourcing” using establishment‐level data for UK manufacturing industries. The authors analyze an establishment's decision to outsource and the subsequent effects of outsourcing on the establishment's productivity. Outsourcing is compared in domestic with foreign‐owned establishments. The empirical results suggest that high wages are positively related to outsourcing, suggesting that the cost‐saving motive is important. Foreign‐owned firms have higher levels of outsourcing than domestic establishments. In the productivity analysis, an establishment's outsourcing intensity is positively related to its labor productivity and total factor productivity growth, and this effect is more pronounced for foreign establishments.
Does Exporting Increase Productivity? A Microeconometric Analysis of Matched Firms
Authors: Girma Sourafel , Greenaway Avid , Kneller Richard
Published: October 2004

Exporting involves sunk costs, so some firms export whilst others do not. This proposition derives from a number of models of firm behavior and has been exposed to microeconometric analysis. Evidence from the latter suggests that exporting firms are generally more productive than nonexporters. They self‐select, in that they are more productive before they enter export markets, but the evidence suggests that entry does not make them any more productive. This paper investigates exporting and firm performance for a large panel of UK manufacturing firms, applying matching techniques. The authors find that exporters are more productive and they do self‐select. In contrast to other evidence, however, exporting further increases firm productivity.
Timescales for reaching steady‐state fluid flow in systems perturbed by formation of highly permeable faults
Authors: Malkovsky V. I. , Pek A. A.
Published: October 2004

We consider the case of an isothermal, fluid‐saturated, homogeneous rock layer with transverse fluid flow driven by an imposed constant fluid pressure gradient. A rupture in the centre of the rock layer generates a highly permeable fault and results in a change of the initially homogeneous permeability distribution. This leads to a perturbation of the fluid flow field and its gradual transition to a new steady‐state corresponding to the new permeability distribution. An examination of this transitional process permits us to obtain an analytical estimation of the transition stage duration. The application of the results obtained to km‐scale faults in crystalline rock bodies leads to the conclusion that the evolution of the fluid velocity field is rather rapid compared with geological timescales.
Combining finite element and finite volume methods for efficient multiphase flow simulations in highly heterogeneous and structurally complex geologic media
Authors: Geiger S. , Roberts S. , Matthäi S. K. , Zoppou C. , Burri A.
Published: October 2004

The permeability of the Earth's crust commonly varies over many orders of magnitude. Flow velocity can range over several orders of magnitude in structures of interest that vary in scale from centimeters to kilometers. To accurately and efficiently model multiphase flow in geologic media, we introduce a fully conservative node‐centered finite volume method coupled with a Galerkin finite element method on an unstructured triangular grid with a complementary finite volume subgrid. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by comparison with traditional solution methods and by multiphase flow simulations for heterogeneous permeability fields including complex geometries that produce transport parameters and lengths scales varying over four orders of magnitude.
Origin of palaeofluids in a normal fault setting in the Aegean region
Authors: Verhaert G. , Muchez P. , Sintubin M. , Similox‐Tohon D. , Vandycke S. , Keppens E. , Hodge E. J. , Richards D. A.
Published: October 2004

The province of Burdur (SW Turkey) is seismically an active region. A structural, geochronological, petrographical, geochemical and fluid inclusion study of extension veins and fault‐related calcite precipitates has been undertaken to reconstruct the palaeofluid flow pattern in this normal fault setting in the Aegean region. A palaeostress analysis and U/Th dating of the precipitates reveals the neotectonic significance of the sampled calcites. Fluid inclusion microthermometry of calcites‐filling extension veins shows final melting temperatures (Tm ice) of 0°C. This indicates pure water, most likely of meteoric origin. The oxygen isotope values (−9.8‰ to −6.5‰ VPDB) and the carbon isotopic composition (−10.4‰ to −2.9‰ VPDB) of these calcites also show a near‐surface meteoric origin of the fluid responsible for precipitation. The microstructural characteristics of fault‐related calcites indicate that calcite precipitation was linked with fault activity. Final melting temperature of fault‐related calcites ranges between 0 and −1.9°C. The oxygen isotope values show a broad range between −15.0‰ and −2.2‰ VPDB. Several of these calcites have a δ18O composition that is higher or lower than the oxygen isotopic composition of meteoric calcites in the area (i.e. between −10‰ and −6‰ VPDB). The δ13C composition largely falls within the range of the host limestones and reflects a rock‐buffered system. Microthermometry and stable isotopic study indicate a meteoric origin of the fluids with some degree of water–rock interaction or mixing with another fluid. Temperatures deduced from microthermometry and stable isotope analyses indicate precipitation temperatures around 50°C. These higher temperatures and the evidence for water–rock interaction indicate a flow path long enough to equilibrate with the host–rock limestone and to increase the temperature.

The combined study of extension vein‐ and fault‐related calcite precipitates enables determining the origin of the fluids responsible for precipitation in a normal fault setting. Meteoric water infiltrated in the limestones to a depth of at least 1 km and underwent water–rock interaction or mixing with a residual fluid. This fluid was, moreover, tapped during fault activity. The extension veins, on the contrary, were passively filled with calcites precipitating from the downwards‐migrating meteoric water.
College students’ consumer competence: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Lachance Marie J. , Choquette‐Bernier Nadia
Published: October 2004

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate college people's perception of the competence necessary to play the consumer role and of the different socialization agents and processes involved in their consumer learning. Perception of the meaning of consumer competence seems mostly based on characteristics associated to preventive behaviours. If, on the whole, the subjects think they are competent consumers, their perception of other consumers is much less favourable. The mother appears to remain the most influential socialization agent but the father seems to play an increasing role. Young people's consumer socialization process is mainly achieved through communication, observation, and by learning through trial and error. Some of them find that consumer education in high school was useful but boring, and some others didn’t remember having received this education. The need to study further the competence of young adults and to provide consumer education is discussed.
Bed rest versus free mobilisation following embryo transfer: a prospective randomised study
Authors: Amarin Zouhair O. , Obeidat Basil R.
Published: October 2004

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of two clinical methods of post‐embryo transfer protocols in patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

Design  Prospective, randomised clinical trial.

Setting  Hospital‐based clinic for reproductive medicine.

Sample  Women under 40 years of age who were undergoing in vitro fertilisation with GnRH pituitary down‐regulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Methods  Patients were randomised to rest for either 1 or 24 hours after embryo transfer.

Main outcome measure  Clinical pregnancy per cycle rate (the percentage of cycles started that demonstrated a live fetus on ultrasound examination performed at six or seven weeks of gestation).

Results  The clinical pregnancy rates were 21.5% for the 1‐hour and 18.2% for the 24‐hour post‐embryo transfer groups. The implantation rate per embryo was significantly higher in the 1‐hour group (14.4%) than in the 24‐hour group (9%).

Conclusion  One‐hour and 24‐hour rest post‐embryo transfer result in comparable rates of clinical pregnancy. However, 24‐hour rest results in reduced implantation rate per embryo.
Current practice for the laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis: a national questionnaire survey of consultant gynaecologists in UK
Authors: Moses Sharon H. , Clark T. Justin
Published: October 2004

Objective  To determine current practice regarding laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

Design  A prospective questionnaire survey.

Setting  The United Kingdom.

Population  All 1411 UK consultant gynaecologists identified from a Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists database.

Methods  A postal questionnaire was sent to all consultants with reply paid envelopes. A postal reminder was sent three months following the initial questionnaire.

Main outcome measure  Current practice for the laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and willingness to participate in a randomised trial.

Results  The response rate was 66% (893/1411). Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed by 87% (772/893) of respondents. Seventy‐six percent of these (58/772) were confident to visually diagnose endometriosis and 6% (47/772) routinely verified the diagnosis histologically. Laparoscopic surgery was routinely undertaken by 41% (318/772) of respondents. Ablative therapy was the most frequently employed technique utilised [620/653 (95%)] and electrodiathermy was the most popular energy modality (80%). Among respondents expressing a preference, excision of disease was believed to be more effective, but less safe compared with ablation. One‐third of respondents (273/893) were willing to enter patients into a randomised controlled trial to compare laparoscopic treatments for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

Conclusion  Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis associated with pelvic pain is routinely undertaken by a large number of UK consultant gynaecologists, but techniques used and beliefs about efficacy vary. In view of this division of opinion regarding the relative roles of laparoscopic treatment methods, a randomised trial comparing the efficacy and safety of these methods is urgently needed.
Trustworthiness of think‐aloud protocols in the study of translation processes
Authors: Li Defeng
Published: October 2004

Research on translation processes using think‐aloud protocols (TAPs) as the research design has recently received increasing attention. Such studies over the past two decades have produced many interesting yet by no means definitive findings about mental activities during the process of translation. As the research community strives for more in‐depth investigations into translation processes, some researchers have rightly expressed concerns over the rigor and trustworthiness of such studies. To address this concern, the article first summarizes important safeguards that must be put in place in data‐based qualitative research to ensure this critical element of trustworthiness. These safeguards are then used to evaluate the research designs of 15 published reports on investigations of translation processes using TAPs. It was found that many of the safeguards were not incorporated in most of the surveyed studies, thus leaving much to be desired in their designs and reports. Implications for future TAP research and publishing are also discussed.
Aspects of advanced foreign language proficiency: Internet‐mediated German language play
Authors: Belz Julie A. , Reinhardt Jonathon
Published: October 2004

Adult foreign language play has been an under‐explored phenomenon in the field of applied linguistics, despite the fact that strong claims have been made about its importance in instructed foreign language learning. This article documents the nature of adult foreign language play in the electronic medium and examines the ways in which computer‐mediated communication may afford opportunities for its occurrence. It is further argued that examination of this phenomenon provides insights into issues of advanced foreign language proficiency. The article presents a case study of a 19‐year‐old American college student who was a participant in a telecollaborative course between the United States and Germany in the fall of 2002. Data are drawn from (a) his course web site, (b) his in‐class electronic correspondence with his German keypals, (c) his out‐of‐class correspondence with these same keypals and his German‐speaking girlfriend, (d) his cumulative course portfolio, and (e) focus group interviews.
5×5×5 = Creativity in the Early Years
Authors: Fawcett Mary , Hay Penny
Published: October 2004

5×5×5 − Creativity in the Early Years has involved five early years' settings, five artists and five cultural centres working in partnership to support young children (3–6 years) in their exploration, communication and expression of creative ideas. This year‐long research project has been inspired by the approach to education and the creative arts in early years' settings in Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy. The three aims have been evaluated; they were: to demonstrate ways in which creativity and innovation can be fostered in and with young children; to influence early years' educational practice by establishing creativity as an essential foundation of early learning; and to share findings as widely as possible, creating a legacy for the future. This article examines the collaborative processes between artists, educators and cultural centres as they worked with young children using a creative and reflective cycle. The underpinning principles and the role of professional development have been essential to the success of the project. Findings show that careful observations and documentation of children's words will provide insight into their ideas and understandings. As adults it is our role to facilitate and support children's depth of learning. By respecting children and taking time to make observations and connections with the children's thinking, we can refine our own efforts in supporting their learning more effectively.
Exploring the Links Between Visual Arts and Environmental Education: Experiences of Teachers Participating in an In‐Service Training Programme
Authors: Savva Andri , Trimis Eli , Zachariou Aravella
Published: October 2004

An in‐service teachers' training programme was designed aiming to encourage art teachers to learn through theoretical and artistic experiential activities in a specific environmental setting (Lemithou environmental education centre, Cyprus). The programme was based on the use of the environment as an educational resource, and sought to develop participants' environmental perception through artistic activities. Teachers (N=12) from public nursery, elementary and secondary schools, with particular interests and backgrounds in visual arts were invited to participate. The present study is particularly concerned with participants' artistic work inspired by the environment in three different settings of the area: (1) natural (e.g. forest) (2) the rural‐building (e.g. the village) and (3) culture and tradition (e.g. myths and people).

Qualitative methods based on observation; diary reports and photographic material were applied on a case study basis. Results revealed teachers': (1) abilities in integrating environmental aspects in their artistic work, (2) positive attitude and interest for environmental art, (3) abilities in enhancing their personal power of artistic expression based on their experiences and the world around them. The findings highlight the significance of artistic experiential activities (hands‐on activities) and critical enquiry in developing teachers' environmental perception.
Conceptions of Teaching Art Held by Secondary School Art Teachers
Authors: Lam Bick Har , Kember David
Published: October 2004

Research into teachers' conceptions of teaching can be justified in that deep seated beliefs impact upon the way teachers teach and influence the learning approaches of their students. This study examined conceptions of teaching art, through interviews with 18 secondary school art teachers in Hong Kong. The analysis resulted in a two‐level characterisation of conceptions under broad essentialist and contextualist orientations. There were four subordinate conception categories, namely moral development in art and aesthetic development in art under the essentialist orientation, and intellectual development through art, and expression and therapy through art as sub‐categories of the contextualist orientation. The categories were defined and delimited by six dimensions. The categories were seen as clearly distinguishable but related, though not hierarchically. There was no evidence of the category scheme being culturally specific, as the majority of the teachers held beliefs which were not consistent with the traditional manner of Chinese painting.
Somewhere in between Touch and Vision: In Search of a Meaningful Art Education for Blind Individuals
Authors: De Coster Karin , Loots Gerrit
Published: October 2004

This article offers a theoretical framework of a meaningful art education for blind people. Existing literature focuses on the interaction between the artwork and the blind person. This text describes this aesthetic encounter which is complex due to tactile sensations, individual differences of the non‐sighted viewer and specific features of the art work. The article demonstrates further the importance of thorough reflection on these issues. The paradoxical character of blindness and visual art raises some difficult theoretical problems. Several authors plead for an art education for the blind that emphasises tactile experiences, instead of visual information. The article considers the consequences of such reasoning and stresses the importance of visual information in an art educational setting for blind people. Finally the article considers the roles of the art educator and the museum guide, as moderators in this dichotomy between the tactile elements of an artwork and its visual features.
Cyanide levels near fairy rings affect the growth of grasses and fungi
Authors: Blenis P V , Chow P S , Duncan I , Knowles N R
Published: October 2004

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that cyanide produced by Marasmius oreades (Bolt ex Fr.) Fr., and further concentrated by a decrease in soil moisture near fairy rings, would reach levels inhibitory to grasses and soilborne fungi. Soil water content, cyanide levels per gram dry mass of soil, and micromolar concentrations of cyanide in soil solutions were determined for two fairy rings at five dates. Within 50-60 cm of the rings, increases in soil water and decreases in cyanide per gram dry mass of soil led to a steep decline in cyanide concentrations with distance from the rings. Seven fungi and four turfgrasses were exposed to different cyanide levels in vitro to estimate the cyanide concentration required to reduce fungal biomass or grass root length by 50% (EC50). These EC50 values were then compared with the observed cyanide concentrations in soil solutions near fairy rings. Within 25 cm of the rings, cyanide concentrations were sufficiently high to inhibit grass root growth and greatly inhibit the growth of some fungi, while having a negligible effect on others.Key words: cyanide, Marasmius oreades, fairy ring, turfgrass.
Variation of the understory composition and diversity along a gradient of productivity in Populus tremuloides stands of northern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Chen Han YH , Légaré Sonia , Bergeron Yves
Published: October 2004

Although various conceptual models exist to explain the pattern of diversity along a productivity gradient, studies of forest understory vegetation along a natural gradient of productivity are often confounded with changes in overstory cover types. We investigated how understory vegetation composition, cover, structure, and diversity change along a productivity gradient in 60 monodominant Populus stands in northeastern British Columbia. A partial canonical correspondence analysis indicated that understory vegetation composition was significantly related to aspen site index  dominant aspen tree height at breast-height age 50 years and several climate and soil variables, but not to stand basal area, density, or aboveground biomass, values that served as an index of light availability to forest understory. Indicator species analysis showed that Cornus sericea, Galium trifidum, and Equisetum pratense were associated with the higher productivity class, while Geocaulon lividum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and bryophytes like Polytrichum juniperinum and Pleurozium schreberi occurred only on poor sites. Total cover of all understory plants, woody plants, and herbaceous species did not vary, but that of bryophytes and lichens decreased from poor to intermediate sites, and diversity indices of total, woody, and herbaceous plants increased significantly with the site index. The greater diversity on more productive sites may be associated with greater spatial and resource heterogeneity.Key words: trembling aspen, forest productivity, site index, understory vegetation, species composition, diversity index.
Chrysophycean stomatocysts from a karstic sink-hole in the vicinity of Staszów on the Małopolska Upland, Poland
Authors: Wołowski Konrad , Cabała Jolanta , Zeeb Barbara A
Published: October 2004

Chrysophycean stomatocysts from a karstic sink-hole near Staszów (Małopolska Upland, Poland) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Seven stomatocysts are described as new morphotypes and one is reported for the first time from Europe. These different cyst morphotypes (unornamented and ornamented stomatocysts) were recorded and documented using both light and scanning electron micrographs, and written descriptions are provided following International Statospore Working Group guidelines.Key words: stomatocysts, Chrysophyceae, new morphotypes, taxonomy, karstic sink-hole, Małopolska Upland, Poland.
Response of the herbaceous layer to natural disturbance in North American forests
Authors: Roberts Mark R
Published: October 2004

Most work on the disturbance ecology of North American forests has focused on the tree canopy and woody understory, with little consideration of the herbaceous layer. Understanding how this species-rich and ecologically important layer responds to natural disturbances is needed as a guide for conservation. As a framework for this review, selected natural disturbances common to North American forests are evaluated in terms of a three-axis model of disturbance severity: percentage of tree canopy removed, percentage of understory vegetation removed, and percentage of forest floor and soil removed or disrupted. Eight factors, which control herbaceous-layer response, are linked to the three axes; these factors vary in dominance, depending on disturbance type and severity. The relative importances of different species' regeneration mechanisms also vary along severity gradients. The disturbance-severity model, along with the linked response factors and regeneration mechanisms, provide a framework for evaluating impacts of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Long-term studies of herbaceous-layer response to disturbance are needed, particularly mechanistic studies that focus on the relative importance of the eight factors controlling response. The conceptual model proposed herein needs to be tested across the full spectrum of severity levels. Finally, comparisons between natural and anthropogenic disturbances are needed.Key words: disturbance, forests, herbaceous layer, life-history characteristics, succession, understory.
Three-dimensional structure of tubular air channels formed by Armillaria spp. in water-saturated logs of silver fir and Norway spruce
Authors: Metzler B , Hecht U
Published: October 2004

Water saturation of wood impedes the availability of oxygen necessary for wood decay. Storage of logs under water sprinkling is therefore used as an economic method in forestry. However, sapwood decay caused by Armillaria spp. was found in logs under water sprinkling, even at a wood moisture content of more than 150% (dry weight basis). Decay was associated with the formation of tubular air channels discernible as bright streaks extending from the cambial region into the sapwood. Their light colour results from different refraction of light in gas-filled versus water-filled wood structures. To examine the structure of the tubular air spaces in greater detail, we sampled wood of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. and silver fir (Abies alba (Mill.)). Radial, transverse, as well as tangential sections of affected timber were examined, and a structural model of tubular air channels is presented. These structures are formed around wood rays by a tubular sheath of pseudoparenchymatous mycelium, which in its cellular structure is reminiscent of pseudosclerotial plates. This structure allows the efficiently located extrusion of water from water-saturated wood. The power necessary for this process is suggested to be the generation of gaseous CO2. Since the air channels are in contact with the external surface, they evidently act as a conduit allowing oxygen to enter and penetrate to a depth of several centimetres. By this unique arrangement of the tubular air channels, Armillaria spp. appear able to metabolize wood cells in an aerobic microenvironment within water-saturated wood. This results in wood decay leading to significant economic loss in stored timber despite the application of regular sprinkling.Key words: Armillaria spp., Picea abies, Abies alba, wood moisture content, oxygen supply, wood anatomy, wood decay.