bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in social identities over time: The role of coping and adaptation processes
Authors: Amiot Catherine E. , Terry Deborah J. , Wirawan Dian. , Grice Tim A.
Published: January 2010

The present studies investigated the processes by which group members integrate a new social identity. Based on a newly developed theoretical model, we anticipated that social factors (social support and need satisfaction) would be facilitators of this change process and should have an impact on the coping and adaptation strategies group members use to deal with the membership in a new group. These strategies, in turn, should predict intra‐individual changes in level of identification with the new group, which should then predict enhanced psychological adjustment over time. The proposed associations were tested among university students over the course of their first academic year (Study 1) and among on‐line gamers joining a newly established on‐line community (Study 2). Path analyses provided support for the hypothesized associations. The results are discussed in light of recent theoretical developments pertaining to intra‐individual changes in social identities.
What is grievance thinking and how can we measure this in sexual offenders?
Authors: Barnett Georgia D.
Published: January 2010

Purpose. This study proposes and examines a three‐stage model of the grievance process, one of the dynamic risk factors related to risk of sexual recidivism, and aims to evaluate some of the existing measures of this construct.

Methods. The research used a sample of 322 male sexual offenders who had completed a cognitive–behavioural programme that aims to reduce recidivism in higher‐risk sexual offenders (as measured using a static actuarial tool). Participants completed two questionnaires measuring aspects of grievance thinking pre‐ and post‐treatment.

Results. The results indicated some support for stages 1 and 2 of the proposed model. Contrary to the study hypotheses, results indicated that both measures used have similar psychometric properties. Pre‐ to post‐change analyses suggest that the custodial treatment programme may be having some effect on grievance thinking. However, generally offenders' scores on both measures were low pre‐ and post‐treatment and as a result, according to individual change analyses, the majority did not demonstrate reliable or clinically significant change. Those who were classed as high scorers on either measure did, however, demonstrate such change.

Conclusions. Further exploration of a three‐stage model of grievance is warranted. It appears that current measures of grievance in sexual offenders are not adequate to capture this concept fully.
2-Pile Nim with a Restricted Number of Move-Size Imitations
Authors: Larsson Urban
Published: January 2010

We study a variation of the combinatorial game of 2-pile Nim. Move as in 2-pile Nim but with the following constraint: Suppose the previous player has just removed say
Squares in (12 + m 2) ⋯ (n 2 + m 2)
Authors: Ho Pak Tung
Published: January 2010

Recently, Cilleruelo proved that the product
On Monochromatic Sets of Integers Whose Diameters Form a Monotone Sequence
Authors: Bialostocki Arie , Wilson Bryan
Published: January 2010

Let
Une forme effective d'un théorème de Bateman sur la fonction phi d'Euler
Authors: Derbal Abdallah
Published: January 2010

Let Φ(
The SLIT–ROBO pathway: a regulator of cell function with implications for the reproductive system
Authors: Dickinson Rachel E , Duncan W Colin
Published: January 2010

The secreted SLIT glycoproteins and their Roundabout (ROBO) receptors were originally identified as important axon guidance molecules. They function as a repulsive cue with an evolutionarily conserved role in preventing axons from migrating to inappropriate locations during the assembly of the nervous system. In addition the SLIT-ROBO interaction is involved in the regulation of cell migration, cell death and angiogenesis and, as such, has a pivotal role during the development of other tissues such as the lung, kidney, liver and breast. The cellular functions that the SLIT/ROBO pathway controls during tissue morphogenesis are processes that are dysregulated during cancer development. Therefore inactivation of certainSLITsandROBOsis associated with advanced tumour formation and progression in disparate tissues. Recent research has indicated that the SLIT/ROBO pathway could also have important functions in the reproductive system. The fetal ovary expresses most members of theSLITandROBOfamilies. TheSLITsandROBOsalso appear to be regulated by steroid hormones and regulate physiological cell functions in adult reproductive tissues such as the ovary and endometrium. Furthermore severalSLITsandROBOsare aberrantly expressed during the development of ovarian, endometrial, cervical and prostate cancer. This review will examine the roles this pathway could have in the development, physiology and pathology of the reproductive system and highlight areas for future research that could further dissect the influence of the SLIT/ROBO pathway in reproduction.
Evolutionary and Functional Properties of a Two-Locus β-Globin Polymorphism in Indian House Mice
Authors: Runck Amy M , Weber Roy E , Fago Angela , Storz Jay F
Published: January 2010

Electrophoretic surveys of hemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism in house mice from South Asia and the Middle East have revealed that two alternative β-globin haplotypes, Hbbd and Hbbp, are often present at intermediate frequencies in geographically disparate populations. Both haplotypes harbor two functionally distinct β-globin paralogs, HBB-T1 (which encodes the β-chain subunits of the major Hb isoform) and HBB-T2 (which encodes the β-chains of the minor Hb isoform). The Hbbd and Hbbp haplotypes share identical HBB-T1 alleles, but products of the alternative HBB-T2 alleles (dminor and pminor) are distinguished by two amino acid substitutions. To investigate the possible adaptive significance of the Hbbd/Hbbp polymorphism we conducted a population genetic analysis of the duplicated β-globin genes of Indian house mice (Mus castaneus) in conjunction with experimental studies of Hb function in inbred strains of mice that carry the alternative Hbbd and Hbbp haplotypes. The main objectives of this study were (i) to characterize patterns of nucleotide polymorphism and linkage disequilibrium in the duplicated β-globin genes of M. castaneus, (ii) to test the hypothesis that the Hbbd and Hbbp haplotypes are maintained as a balanced polymorphism, and (iii) to assess whether allelic differences in the alternative minor Hb isoforms (dminor and pminor) are associated with different O2-binding properties. A multilocus analysis of polymorphism and divergence revealed that levels of diversity at the HBB-T2 gene exceeded neutral expectations, and reconstructed haplotype networks for both β-globin paralogs revealed extensive allele sharing with several other closely related species of Mus. However, despite this suggestive evidence for balancing selection, O2-equilibrium curves revealed no discernible functional differences between red cell lysates containing the dminor and pminor Hb isoforms. If the dminor and pminor alleles are maintained as a balanced polymorphism, our results indicate that the associated fitness variance is not directly related to respiratory functions of Hb.
Performance of 2004 American Heart Association Recommendations for Treatment of Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Yellen Elizabeth S. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Takahashi Masato , Burns Jane C. , Shulman Stanford , Baker Annette L. , Innocentini Nancy , Zambetti Chiara , Pancheri Joan M. , Ostrow Adam , Frazer Jeffrey R. , Sundel Robert P. , Fulton David R. , Newburger Jane W.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The 2004 American Heart Association (AHA) statement included a clinical case definition and an algorithm for diagnosing and treating suspected incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD). We explored the performance of these recommendations in a multicenter series of US patients with KD with coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs).

METHODS:

We reviewed retrospectively records of patients with KD with CAAs at 4 US centers from 1981 to 2006. CAAs were defined on the basis of z scores of >3 or Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare criteria. Our primary outcome was the proportion of patients presenting at illness day ≤21 who would have received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment by following the AHA guidelines at the time of their initial presentation to the clinical center.

RESULTS:

Of 195 patients who met entry criteria, 137 (70%) met the case definition and would have received IVIG treatment at presentation. Fifty-three patients (27%) had suspected incomplete KD and were eligible for algorithm application; all would have received IVIG treatment at presentation. Of the remaining 5 patients, 3 were excluded from the algorithm because of fever for <5 days at presentation and 2 because of <2 clinical criteria at >6 months of age. Two of these 5 patients would have entered the algorithm and received IVIG treatment after follow-up monitoring. Overall, application of the AHA algorithm would have referred ≥190 patients (97%) for IVIG treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Application of the 2004 AHA recommendations, compared with the classic criteria alone, improves the rate of IVIG treatment for patients with KD who develop CAAs. Future multicenter prospective studies are needed to assess the performance characteristics of the AHA algorithm in febrile children with incomplete criterion findings and to refine the algorithm further.
New Intrauterine Growth Curves Based on United States Data
Authors: Olsen Irene E. , Groveman Sue A. , Lawson M. Louise , Clark Reese H. , Zemel Babette S.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to create and validate new intrauterine weight, length, and head circumference growth curves using a contemporary, large, racially diverse US sample and compare with the Lubchenco curves.

METHODS:

Data on 391 681 infants (Pediatrix Medical Group) aged 22 to 42 weeks at birth from 248 hospitals within 33 US states (1998–2006) for birth weight, length, head circumference, estimated gestational age, gender, and race were used. Separate subsamples were used to create and validate curves. Smoothed percentile curves (3rd to 97th) were created by the Lambda Mu Sigma (LMS) method. The validation sample was used to confirm representativeness of the curves. The new curves were compared with the Lubchenco curves.

RESULTS:

Final sample included 257 855 singleton infants (57.2% male) who survived to discharge. Gender-specific weight-, length-, and head circumference-for-age curves were created (n = 130 111) and successfully validated (n = 127 744). Small-for-gestational age and large-for-gestational age classifications using the Lubchenco curves differed significantly from the new curves for each gestational age (all P < .0001). The Lubchenco curves underestimated the percentage of infants who were small-for-gestational-age except for younger girls (≤36 weeks), for whom it was more likely to be overestimated; underestimated percentage of infants (≤36 weeks) who were large-for-gestational-age; and overestimated percentage of infants (>36 weeks) who were large-for-gestational-age.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Lubchenco curves may not represent the current US population. The new intrauterine growth curves created and validated in this study, based on a contemporary, large, racially diverse US sample, provide clinicians with an updated tool for growth assessment in US NICUs. Research into the ability of the new definitions of small-for-gestational-age and large-for-gestational-age to identify high-risk infants in terms of short-term and long-term health outcomes is needed.
Management of Acute Otitis Media After Publication of the 2004 AAP and AAFP Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Coco Andrew , Vernacchio Louis , Horst Michael , Anderson Angela
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVES:

Observation without initial antibiotic therapy was accepted as an option for acute otitis media (AOM) management in the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians clinical practice guideline. The guideline also recommended amoxicillin as the first-line treatment for most children, and analgesic treatment to reduce pain if it was present. Our objective was to compare the management of AOM after publication of the 2004 guideline.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We analyzed the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2002–2006 (N = 1114), which occurred in US physicians' offices. The patients were children aged 6 months to 12 years who were diagnosed with AOM. The time comparisons were the 30-month periods before and after the guideline. The main outcome was the encounter rate at which no antibiotic-prescribing was reported. Secondary outcomes were the identification of factors associated with encounters at which no antibiotic-prescribing was reported and antibiotic- and analgesic-prescribing rates.

RESULTS:

The rate of AOM encounters at which no antibiotic-prescribing was reported did not change after guideline publication (11%–16%; P = .103). Independent predictors of an encounter at which no antibiotic-prescribing was reported were the absence of ear pain, absence of reported fever, and receipt of an analgesic prescription. After guideline publication, the rate of amoxicillin-prescribing increased (40%–49%; P = .039), the rate of amoxicillin/clavulanate-prescribing decreased (23%–16%; P = .043), the rate of cefdinir-prescribing increased (7%–14%; P = .004), and the rate of analgesic-prescribing increased (14%–24%; P = .038).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although management of AOM without antibiotics has not increased after the publication of the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians clinical practice guideline, children who did not receive antibiotics were more likely to have mild infections. In accordance with the guideline, the prescribing of amoxicillin and analgesics has increased. Contrary to the guideline, the prescribing of amoxicillin/clavulanate has decreased, whereas the prescribing of cefdinir has increased.
Factors Associated With Pediatric Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Birdee Gurjeet S. , Phillips Russell S. , Davis Roger B. , Gardiner Paula
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND:

Limited data are available on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and factors associated with use among the pediatric population in the United States.

METHODS:

Using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey data among individuals <18 years of age (n = 9417), we compared CAM users (excluding those using vitamins and minerals) and non-CAM users. Using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models, we examined independent associations of CAM use with sociodemographic factors, prescription medication use, delays in health care caused by access difficulties, and common medical conditions/symptoms.

RESULTS:

In an adjusted multivariable logistic model, CAM users were more likely than non-CAM users to be adolescents rather than infants or toddlers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.61 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–2.34]); live in the West (aOR: 2.05 [95% CI: 1.62–2.59]), Northeast (aOR: 1.36 [95% CI: 1.02–1.80]), or Midwest (aOR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.04–1.74]) compared with those in the South; more likely to have a parent with a college education (aOR: 4.33 [95% CI: 2.92–6.42]); and more likely to use prescription medication (aOR: 1.51 [95% CI: 1.19–1.92]). Pediatric CAM users were more likely to have anxiety or stress (aOR: 2.54 [95% CI: 1.89–3.42]), dermatologic conditions (aOR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.03–1.78]), musculoskeletal conditions (aOR: 1.94 [95% CI: 1.31–2.87]), and sinusitis (aOR: 1.54 [95% CI: 1.11–2.14]). Use of CAM by a parent was strongly associated with the child's use of CAM (aOR: 3.83 [95% CI: 3.04–4.84]).

CONCLUSIONS:

In 2007, pediatric CAM users were more likely to take prescription medications, have a parent who used CAM, and have chronic conditions such as anxiety or stress, musculoskeletal conditions, dermatologic conditions, or sinusitis. Research is required to guide pediatricians in making recommendations on CAM modalities for children including potential risks and/or benefits and interactions with conventional therapies.
Effect of Telavancin on the Pharmacokinetics of the Cytochrome P450 3A Probe Substrate Midazolam: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Wong Shekman L. , Goldberg Michael R. , Ballow Charles H. , Kitt Michael M. , Barriere Steven L.
Published: January 2010

Study Objective. To examine the effect of telavancin, a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with potent gram‐positive activity, on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A probe substrate.

Design. Phase I, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study

Setting. Clinical research center.

Participants. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers.

Intervention. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of telavancin 10 mg/kg or placebo once/day for 7 days. On day 7, a single dose of intravenous midazolam 1 mg was given immediately after completion of the last infusion of telavancin or placebo. Patients crossed over to the alternate treatment regimen after a washout period of at least 7 days.

Measurements and Main Results. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed on study days 7 and 21. Blood was collected before telavancin or placebo dosing and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 hours after midazolam administration. Formal equivalence analysis using the two onesided t test method showed that the geometric mean ratios for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and areas under the plasma concentrationtime curve (AUC) for midazolam coadministered with telavancin versus midazolam coadministered with placebo were close to unity. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) around the ratios fell within the 0.8‐1.25 bioequivalence bounds (geometric mean ratio for AUC from time zero to the last measured plasma concentration 0.95, 90% CI 0.910‐0.984; Cmax geometric mean ratio 1.03, 90% CI 0.956‐1.11). The multiple‐dose pharmacokinetic profile of telavancin with concomitant administration of midazolam (Cmax 97 μg/ml, concentration 24 hrs after completion of telavancin infusion 9 μg/ml, terminal‐phase elimination half‐life 8.9 hrs, clearance 13.3 ml/hr/kg) was consistent with data from earlier studies.

Conclusion. These pharmacokinetic data show that intravenous telavancin administered at the intended therapeutic dose does not affect the pharmacokinetics of intravenous midazolam. The results indicate that telavancin is unlikely to inhibit hepatic CYP3A activity to a clinically meaningful extent.
Role of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids for Prevention or Treatment of Perinatal Depression
Authors: Borja‐Hart Nancy L. , Marino Jehan
Published: January 2010

Perinatal depression is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest during pregnancy or after childbirth. Women with perinatal depression may not receive proper medical treatment because of concerns over teratogenic effects related to drug therapy. Evidence suggests that low levels of omega‐3 fatty acids are correlated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after delivery. Omega‐3 fatty acids may produce antidepressant effects due to their role in serotonin functioning. A literature search identified seven clinical trials of omega‐3 fatty acids for the prevention or treatment of perinatal depression. Depression rating scale scores used in the studies improved, but results were statistically significant in only three trials. Four studies were randomized and placebo controlled, and three were open label. One study evaluating the prevention of postpartum depression in women with a history of depression was discontinued early due to relapse of depressive symptoms. In the trials we evaluated, the most common adverse effects were foul breath and/or unpleasant taste, and gastrointestinal complaints; no serious adverse events were reported. The seven studies were limited by small sample sizes and variable dosing and study durations. In the studies that demonstrated statistical significance, improvement in depression rating scale scores for omega‐3 fatty acids was comparable to placebo. Overall, results have been inconclusive, but further investigation of omega‐3 fatty acids is warranted because they did improve depression scores and appeared to be safe during pregnancy.
Length change of C–S–H of variable composition immersed in aqueous solutions
Authors: Beaudoin J.J. , Patarachao B. , Raki L. , Margeson J. , Alizadeh R.
Published: January 2010

The dimensional stability of calcum silicate hydrate phases (C–S–H), (with varying C/S ratios) in saturated-lime water, distilled water and a methylene solution was investigated in this study. Two distinct regions of C/S ratio exhibited maxima in length change versus C/S ratio curves generated from results in all three test solutions. Differences in behaviour in all three solutions were minimal. It would appear that the C–S–H nanostructures that quickly form in methylene solution are comparatively stable in aqueous media. Possible mechanisms for the length change behaviour are discussed.
3D visualisation of pore structures in cement-based materials by LSCM
Authors: Zhang W.M. , Sun W. , Chen H.S.
Published: January 2010

The visualisation and representation of three-dimensional (3D) pore morphologies in cement-based materials are of significant interest for understanding the relationship between pore structures and durability. In this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to observe a series of two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images. Thresholding was used as the image segmentation technique to group the image pixels by checking the pixel intensities against a set of thresholds. 3D models of the pore structures and the matrix were reconstructed by grey-level interpolation, which transformed the 2D cross-sectional images into 3D models. The experimental results show that the 3D complex morphologic characters of pore structures and the matrix can be accurately visualised with the image segmentation technique and grey-level interpolation.
Eurocodes in Britain: the questions that still need answering
Authors: Beal Alasdair N
Published: January 2010

Next month BSI is withdrawing a total of 57 structural design codes as they are deemed to have been superseded by the 58 parts of the ten new Eurocodes. However, as this paper sets out, despite the lengthy gestation of the Eurocodes there are still several issues that need to be resolved before the codes can be successfully implemented in Britain. Liability issues, difficulties of language and presentation, and problems associated with the complex partial factor system are investigated. The resources required for the necessary retraining of design engineers and building control officers are also considered.
Rural water supply: volunteers deliver a sustainable solution
Authors: Fun Oimei , Third Katie , Bowen Jerome
Published: January 2010

The rural community of Tenganan in eastern Bali, Indonesia has been suffering crippling water shortages for years. However, the 4000 locals developed a conceptual water supply solution and then asked an engineering charity for technical assistance to develop this to construction stage along with their own capability to build and manage it. This paper discusses the innovative aspects of the project since its inception in December 2006, including the use of external and in-country design teams to provide access to an extensive international network of engineering resources and experienced volunteers. The project aims to produce a successful ‘bottom-up’ development action that will deliver a sustainable solution.
Analytical and combined numerical methods evaluating pore water pressure on tunnels
Authors: SHIN J.H.
Published: January 2010

One of the main issues in tunnel maintenance is the hydraulic deterioration of the drainage system. In this study, simple methods to evaluate pore water pressures on existing tunnels were proposed. The methods involve an indirect and non-destructive approach while providing a convenient and easy method to evaluate the residual pore water pressure on the lining.
Performance of plain concrete under biaxial tension–compression after freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Shang H.-S. , Song Y.-P. , Ou J.-P.
Published: January 2010

An experimental study on the strength and deformation of plain concrete under biaxial tension–compression after 0, 25, 50 and 75 cycles of freeze–thaw was completed. The 100 mm concrete cubes were tested in a static and dynamic triaxial testing machine. The tensile strength, compressive strength, stress–strain curves and failure modes were examined. The experimental results showed that the tensile strength and the compressive strength under biaxial tension–compression decreased as the freeze–thaw cycles were repeated. The effects of the number of freeze–thaw cycles and the stress ratio on the tensile strength, compressive strength and corresponding tensile strain, compressive strain were analysed. In addition, a formula of strength versus freeze–thaw cycles is suggested.
Developing a model for prioritising high crash road segments
Authors: Boroujerdian A. M. , Saffarzadeh M. , Abolhasannejad V.
Published: January 2010

A traffic accident results from the combination of various factors each of which plays a role in its occurrence. It is logical that accidents with different causes should not be considered together as accident cause is one of the most important factors for prioritising high crash road segments. In the present study, the main cause of an accident in a high crash road segment were identified and then the accidents in each segment was classified based on their cause. A new model was developed for prioritising high crash road segments based on the causes of accidents. This model is different from the current models and renders different and more accurate prioritisation results. According to the developed model, a segment may be compared with another and identified to be highly accident-prone with the same cause, whereas, the total number of accidents that occurred in the former may be less than that in the latter. The model was evaluated based on real data collected from highway segments in Tehran.
Roundabout capacity in adverse weather and light conditions
Authors: Tenekeci G. , Montgomery F. , Wainaina S.
Published: January 2010

Roundabouts are a widespread form of junction globally, and are particularly common in the UK. This study focuses on the entry capacity at roundabouts under adverse conditions of weather and light in order to determine the extent to which entry capacity is reduced, and the impact that this has on current practical design. So far no specific studies have attempted to quantify this effect. The study was limited to conventional at-grade, normal-size, non-signalised roundabouts in urban areas. Data were collected in 1998 using video capture techniques at four different sites with a total of 13 approaches, comprising 37 entry lanes. The data were transcribed and classified to exclude those minutes of data which did not satisfy the preset traffic criteria, resulting in the extraction and utilisation of 7721 minutes of detailed entry-lane based data. The entry capacities were classified according to whether the conditions were: dry and light; dry and dark; wet and light; and wet and dark. The results identified that wet and dark conditions had a substantial effect on the entry capacity of urban normal-size roundabouts. Entry capacity was found to be reduced by 14% under dry–dark, 17% under wet–light, and 25% under wet–dark conditions. The paper sets out the main practical implications of these findings for design engineers.
Bus travel-time prediction based on bus speed
Authors: Yu B. , Yang Z. Z. , Wang J.
Published: January 2010

Bus travel-time prediction has attracted a lot of research interest in recent years. In the present study a support vector machine was applied to the bus travel-time prediction problem in an attempt to suggest a new model with better explanatory power and stability. Bus travel times forecast by the model were assessed using the data of transit route number 23 in Dalian, China. The results show that the support vector machine models outperformed the historic mean prediction model, the autoregressive integrated moving average and the artificial neural network model.
Heavy vehicle age and road safety
Authors: Christoforou Z. D. , Karlaftis M. G. , Yannis G.
Published: January 2010

As a result of the importance of commercial motor vehicle transport internationally, much literature has concentrated on improving our understanding of the factors that influence commercial vehicle accident occurrence and severity. However, vehicle age, an important factor in practice, has been largely overlooked. In the present study the effects of vehicle age on road safety are investigated through accident rates and severity indices for vehicles of different age classes, using detailed reports for more than 13 000 accidents in Greece. Findings suggest that older vehicles have a 4·5 times higher accident involvement probability in comparison with newer vehicles, while accidents involving older vehicles have a four times higher probability of resulting in a fatality. Further analysis suggests that the mean per capita cost to tax payers from commercial vehicle accidents surpasses €100 per year, more than half of which is attributed to older vehicles. Measures to mitigate the problem are suggested.
Probabilistic modelling of pavement joint opening
Authors: Lee S.-W. , Jeong J.-H. , Chon B.-J.
Published: January 2010

Joint opening of concrete pavement is caused by changes in the temperature and humidity of concrete slabs. The joint opening influences the load transfer efficiency between two adjacent slabs and the performance of sealants of the joint. Thus, joints that show larger openings than the predicted size may experience faulting at an early age of the concrete pavement owing to loss of the load transfer efficiency due to pumping of base materials through the failed joint sealants. In addition, because of intrusion of incompressible materials into the joints through the torn sealants, unexpected spalling may develop. In this study, factors influencing variation in the joint openings of concrete pavements were investigated using data of the US Federal Highway Administration long-term pavement performance seasonal monitoring programme sections. A probabilistic joint opening model using the upper bound of the 90% confidence interval of the joint opening was developed in order to mitigate underestimation of the joint opening. The newly developed joint opening model was validated using a series of data pertaining to joint movement measured at the Korea Expressway Corporation test road.
Impact of hurricane Ivan on Grenada water supply
Authors: Peters E. J.
Published: January 2010

Caribbean islands suffer from many natural disasters. In September 2004 damages from hurricane Ivan in Grenada were estimated at US$900M, twice the gross domestic product. This study investigates the impact of hurricane Ivan on Grenada's water supply. While it was found that a lack of water supply immediately following the hurricane resulted in hardship to citizens, the impact was reduced in areas where rainwater harvesting was established. The long term impacts of the hurricane on water supply may be reduced due to the rapid recovery of damaged vegetation in the water-producing watersheds, facilitated by a decline in agricultural activities in these watersheds. The absence of a national land use policy and lack of consideration for women in the management of water resources can impact negatively in the future on Grenada's ability to overcome a similar disaster. It is recommended that the National Water Authority includes the cost of insurance for its infrastructure in developing water tariffs and mainstreams disaster management and planning in its operations.
Comparison of three coagulants by online turbidity monitoring
Authors: Cheng W. P. , Kao Y. P. , Yu R. F.
Published: January 2010

The removal of suspended algae by coagulation with polyaluminium chloride, polyaluminium silicate chloride and polyaluminium ferric silicate chloride was investigated by online turbidity monitoring. The experimental results indicate that although a smaller (compared with polyaluminium silicate chloride and polyaluminium ferric silicate chloride) polyaluminium chloride dose is required for coagulation, polyaluminium chloride is less efficient in producing large and settleable flocs. Thus, for both polyaluminium silicate chloride and polyaluminium ferric silicate chloride, which are hydrolytic co-polymeric products between metal ions and polysilicic acid, the efficiency of algal removal is enhanced by activated silicic acid. However, polysilicic acid may also decrease the positive charges carried by polyaluminium silicate chloride and polyaluminium ferric silicate chloride. Therefore, increased doses of polyaluminium silicate chloride and polyaluminium ferric silicate chloride are needed to flocculate the algal suspension effectively. Additionally, a new online nephelometric turbidimeter connected to a data-acquisition unit was used in this study for continuous measurement of the coagulated sample turbidity every second during rapid mixing, slow mixing and sedimentation. The experimental results thus obtained provided much better and more detailed information than conventional jar test results.
The Winds of Congressional Change
Authors: Zelizer Julian E
Published: January 2010

This article argues a central change in the composition of the American state has taken place in Congress. Since the volatile 1960s, Congress has undergone two periods of reformone in the 1970s and another in the 1990sthat resulted in profound changes to the institution. Congress also underwent significant changes as a result of developments in external institutions and in the electorate.
The End of Financial Globalization 3.0
Authors: Schularick Moritz
Published: January 2010

Over the past decade, developing nations such as China built up reserves to prevent a repeat of the 97-98 East Asian financial crisis. However, this may have set the stage for our current financial troubles, as spelled out by Moritz Schularick.
Sentence imitation as a tool in identifying expressive morphosyntactic difficulties in children with severe speech difficulties
Authors: Seeff‐Gabriel Belinda , Chiat Shula , Dodd Barbara
Published: January 2010

Background: Sentence imitation has been identified as a good indicator of children's language skills, with performance differentiating children with specific language impairment and showing relationships with other language measures. It has a number of advantages over other methods of assessment. The assessment of morphosyntax in children who have severe speech difficulties presents unique challenges which currently available sentence imitation assessments do not address.

Aims: This paper presents a new sentence imitation test (The Sentence Imitation Test (SIT‐61)) and reports on an investigation which sets out to determine whether this test (1) reveals differences in performance between a group of children diagnosed with specific language impairment and a group of typically developing children (2) reveals distinct profiles of performance amongst children with different speech difficulties, and (3) provides information about morphosyntactic strengths and difficulties.

Methods & Procedures: SIT‐61 is a finely graded sentence imitation test in which the phonotactic structure, segmental phonology and length of words were kept as developmentally simple as possible. Responses are scored for number of content words, function words and inflections correct. A novel scoring system was devised to credit a child where there was evidence of targeting a morpheme even if it was mispronounced. The test was administered to four groups of children between the ages of 4 and 6 years: 33 children with typical development, 13 children with known expressive morphosyntactic difficulties (specific language impairment), and two groups of 14 children with different types of speech disorder: a group with consistent phonological disorder, who used atypical phonological error patterns consistently; and a group with inconsistent phonological disorder, who produced atypical phonological errors inconsistently.

Outcomes & Results: SIT‐61 found differences in performance between the group of typically developing participants and the three clinic groups. While the consistent phonological disorder group obtained extremely high scores for content and function words, they obtained lower inflection scores reflective of their speech difficulties. The scores of the specific language impairment and inconsistent phonological disorder groups were comparable for content and function words, but the groups were differentiated through an analysis of their errors. Further analyses confirmed that low scores obtained by some children in the inconsistent phonological disorder group were due to morphosyntactic difficulties and not speech difficulties.

Conclusions & Implications: A new sentence imitation test, the SIT‐61, is shown to be valuable tool for identifying expressive morphosyntactic difficulties in children. It is informative about the morphosyntactic abilities of children with speech disorders and raises questions as to the nature of their difficulties.
Song Performance Rules in the Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus salauris)
Authors: Bhattacharya H , Cirillo J , Subba BR , Todt D
Published: January 2010

Members of the thrush family (Turdidae) are renowned for a quite melodious but nevertheless complex mode of singing. Such holds true also for the Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis) that settles in some tropical regions of Asia. We have studied the territorial singing of this species in the area of Biratnagar (Nepal), and present a list of first results here. Analysis of singing episodes of (duration ~ 40 min each) recorded from adult males (n=5) who were flagging their territories at the beginning of their breeding season (March 2007), yielded three sets of findings: (1) oriental magpie robins resemble some song performance rules of other thrushes, and such concern especially the time domain. (2) However, some interesting idiosyncracy were found as well. This was true, for instance, for the robins’ repetitive singing style and their mode of motif type combination within and also across songs. (3) In addition, it was remarkable that neighbours did not share parts of their repertoires. These findings contribute to the discussion of two aspects; namely the use of ‘song as an interactive tool’ and the role of ‘learning as an origin of pattern similarity’. Keywords: Oriental magpie robin; Copsychus salauris; Repertoire size; Repertoire performance; Structural hierarchy.doi:10.3126/on.v5i1.791Our Nature (2007)5: 1-13
Species Diversity of Hornworts (Anthocerotae: Bryophyta) in Lowland Nepal with an account of Foliocerus assamicus D.C. Bhardwaj, a new report to the country
Authors: Pradhan Nirmala , Joshi Sanu Devi
Published: January 2010

Anthocerotae (Hornwort) is a primitive and less familiar class of Bryophyta which comprises two families with eight species in Nepal. This paper deals with six species of two families which are reported from below 1000 m elevation across Terai belt of Nepal. Folioceros assamicus D.C. Bhardwaj is a new report to the country. Status category of every mentioned species has also been provided. Keywords: Diversity, Hornworts, Terai, New report, Nepaldoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.795Our Nature (2007)5:31-36
Phytodiversity in Beeshazar Lake and Surrounding Landscape System
Authors: Jha Sasinath
Published: January 2010

This paper deals in general with diversity of vascular plants, status of invasive alien species (IAS) and nationally threatened plant species, human use potentials of phytodiversity, and some phytodiversity-based measures to restore and improve the Ramsar characteristics of Beeshazar Lake and surrounding landscape system, which isa part of the Barandabhar forest corridor (BFC) - an extension of buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Keywords: Phytodiversity, Beeshazar Lakedoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.797Our Nature (2007)5:41-51
Introduction of Sahar (Tor putitora) in Cage-Cum-Pond Integration System of Mixed-Sex Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Yadav RK , Shrestha MK , Pandit NP
Published: January 2010

Introduction of sahar in cage-cum-pond integration system of mixed-sex Nile tilapia was evaluated using 15 outdoor cemented ponds of 24 m2 (4.9m × 4.9m) size with 1.25 m water depth placing a cage of 1.2m× 1m × 1m size holding 1 m3 water at the center of each pond at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur, Chitwan, for 158 days. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were: large sized Nile tilapia in cage and small sized Nile tilapia in pond (cage-cum-pond system) (T1); cage-cum-pond system with 2 sahar (T2), cage-cum-pond system with 4 sahar (T3), cage-cum-pond system with 8 sahar (T4) and cage-cum-pond system with 16 sahar (T5). Stocking density of caged and pond tilapia was 1 fish/m2 and 2 fish/m2, and size was 78-90 g and 15-16 g respectively. The feed, containing 20% crude protein, was supplied for caged tilapia at the rate of 2% body weight daily. Mean stocking size, harvest size, survival rate, daily weight gain and net fish yield of both caged and pond Nile tilapia were not significantly different among treatments (p > 0.05). Mean harvest weight and daily weight gain of sahar in treatment 2 was significantly higher than other treatments (p < 0.05). NFY of caged tilapia, pond tilapia and combined fish yield were not significantly different among treatments (p > 0.05). Higher numbers of recruits were observed in control and lowest in the treatment 5 suggesting that higher number of sahar in this system effectively controls the tilapia recruits. This experiment showed that addition of sahar in the cage-cum-pond integration system of Nile tilapia effectively controls the number of tilapia recruits and increase NFY.Key words: cage-cum-pond integration, Nile tilapia, Sahardoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.798Our Nature (2007)5:52-59
Strong mosquitocidal Bacillus thuringiensis from Mt. Everest
Authors: Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Shahukhal Gyan Sunder , Tiwari Kiran Babu , Pokhrel Subarna , Singh Anjana , Agrawal Vishwanath Prasad
Published: January 2010

Bacillus thuringiensis strains were isolated from soil samples collected from Khumbu Base Camp of the Everest region and characterized by standard microbiological techniques viz. colonial and morphological characteristics, and biochemical tests. Insect bioassay of each isolate was performed by standard method using mosquito larva. Among ten randomly selected isolates, one isolate showed the highest insecticidal activity against Dipteron insects. Keywords: Insect-bioassay, Isolates, Khumbu region, Mosquitocidal, Mosquito larvadoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.800Our Nature (2007)5:67-69
Drought Induced Nepotistic Behaviour in Indian Black Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) Inhabiting the Arid Zone of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Soni K.C. , Sharma A.N. , Soni V.C.
Published: January 2010

Drought induced nepotistic behaviour in the Indian Black ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) inhabiting the arid zone of Rajasthan has been studied. The aim of the present study is to know about any breeding abnormalities induced in the Indian Black ibis by seasonal tragedy like drought. As such the nepotistic behaviour is not found in the Black ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) during normal season. Drought induces a reduced nesting activity and nepotistic behaviour in the Black ibis inhabiting arid zone. The helper birds (Non breeding birds of the own species) become active during drought to assist breeding pairs of Black ibis in various reproductive activities like feeding of breeding female, nestlings, fledglings and defending the nests. The role of helpers in breeding activities of Black ibis during drought also improves their clutch size, hatching success and fledgling success. The significance of the drought induced nepotistic behaviour in Black ibis in view of Hamilton’s theory of kin selection has been discussed.Keywords: Nepotistic behaviour, Black ibis, arid zone, Rajasthan, Indiadoi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1654Our Nature (2008)6:47-51
Hodgsonia macrocarpa Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae): New Record for Flora of Nepal
Authors: Maden Kamal , Rai Ram Kumar
Published: January 2010

Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbit family) includes about 268 genera in the world. Hara and Williams (1979) reported its altogether 21 genera, 30 species and 2 forma from Nepal, while Press et al. (2000) added 2 more varieties and 1 forma. The present paper communicates one more new genus for flora of Nepal, recorded in Churia and mid hills of eastern Nepal. The specimens were collected from Sindrang Village Development Committee (VDC) of Bhojpur district, at elevation of 700 m and Raja Rani Pond vicinity of Bhogateni VDC, Morang district, Koshi Zone (Churia Hills), at the elevation of 450 m. The specimens were identified with the help of literature (Grierson and Long, 1991). This additional species is Hodgsonia macrocarpa Cogn.Keywords: Hodgsonia macrocarpa, New record, Nepaldoi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1658Our Nature (2008)6:78-79
Fresh Water Algae from Running Streams of Gajurmukhi VDC, Ilam, Nepal
Authors: Rai Shiva Kumar , Subba Bharat Raj , Limbu Kul Prasad
Published: January 2010

In the present communication, a total 18 fresh water algae have been identified from streams and rivers of Gajurmukhi VDC, Ilam. The present study may help in the algal database of Nepal and to conserve aquatic biodiversity.Keywords: Algae, Chlorophyceae, Diatoms, Gajurmukhi, Ilam, Nepaldoi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1659Our Nature (2008)6:80-81