bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the relations between reading fluency and reading comprehension for english language learners
Authors: Quirk Matthew , Beem Sofie
Published: May 2012

This study examined the relations between reading fluency and comprehension among elementary school students (N = 171) in Grades 2, 3, and 5, all of whom were designated as English language learners (ELL) at some point in their educational careers. Although the overall relation between reading fluency and comprehension (r = .56) was consistent with previous research using non‐ELL student samples, results also revealed a substantial number of students (55.5%) who exhibited a significant gap (SD, 0.67 ) between their scores on reading fluency and comprehension assessments. In addition, the prevalence of students with fluency/comprehension gaps varied significantly across grade and English language proficiency levels. The results suggested that, although reading fluency and comprehension are significantly related for ELL students, practitioners should be cautious when making identification and instructional decisions for ELL students based solely on oral reading fluency data. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substituent effects on indirect carbon–carbon couplings, J(CC), in substituted thiophenes, pyrroles, and furans studied by experiment and theory
Authors: Kamieńska‐Trela Krystyna , Dvornikova Elena , Biedrzycka Zenobia , Witanowski Michał
Published: May 2012

An excellent linear correlation is found between a large set of experimental spin–spin carbon–carbon coupling constants, J(CC), in thiophene, pyrrole, and furan systems and the corresponding B3PW91/6‐311++G(2d,p)//B3PW91/6‐311++G(2d,p) calculated estimates. The correlation does not differ significantly from the simplest relationship possible, J(CC)exp. = J(CC)calcd., within a small and random spread of about 1 Hz. There are 285 experimental values considered, and 202 out of these are new and come from the present work. The character of the correlation indicates that rovibronic effects on aromatic J(CC)'s, and those of nuclear motions on aromatic J(CC)'s are practically negligible. All of this is in a perfect agreement with our recent extensive studies on aromatic J(CC)'s in pyridine and benzene ring systems. As has been shown by computations, not only large one‐bond couplings but also almost all long‐range ones occurring between the carbons of the heteroaromatic rings are, with a few exceptions, positive. Significant substituent effects experimentally observed in the one‐bond as well as long‐range couplings are very accurately reproduced by the computation. The experimental coupling magnitudes vary from ca. 1 to 98 Hz. The J(CC)'s computed for the model variously substituted trimethylsilyl and fluoro derivatives, which are not easily accessible experimentally, span a range of about 130 Hz, from ca. −2 in up to ca. +125 Hz . Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telephone‐delivered health education and interpersonal counseling improve quality of life for Latinas with breast cancer and their supportive partners
Authors: Badger Terry A. , Segrin Chris , Hepworth Joseph T. , Pasvogel Alice , Weihs Karen , Lopez Ana Maria
Published: May 2012

Objective

This study aims to test two telephone‐delivered interventions for their efficacy in improving quality of life (QOL) (psychological, physical, social, and spiritual) among Latinas with breast cancer and their family members or friends (labeled supportive partners in this study).

Methods

Latinas with breast cancer and their supportive partners (SPs) were randomly assigned to one of two telephone delivered 8‐week interventions: (i) telephone interpersonal counseling (TIP‐C) or (ii) telephone health education (THE). QOL assessments were made at baseline, immediately after the 8‐week interventions ended, and at an 8‐week follow‐up. Seventy Latinas and their 70 SPs completed all assessments (36 in health education and 34 in counseling) and were included in the final analysis.

Results

Both Latinas with breast cancer and their SPs had significant improvements in virtually all dimensions of QOL over the 16 weeks of the investigation. However, there was no evidence documenting the superiority of either intervention for improving QOL. Preliminary cost analysis found that the counseling intervention cost about $164.68 for one dyad compared with $107.03 for health education. The majority of participants reported benefit from the intervention and liked that the intervention was in Spanish, included SPs, and was delivered by telephone.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that relatively brief, culturally appropriate, and highly accessible telephone‐delivered interventions that provide emotional and information support can bring about substantial improvements in QOL for both Latinas with breast cancer and their SPs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pilot training programme for health and social care professionals providing oncological and palliative care to lesbian, gay and bisexual patients in Ireland
Authors: Reygan Finn C. G. , D'Alton Paul
Published: May 2012

Objective

The international literature points to the specific cancer risks and palliative care needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) populations. However, with the exception of a programme in the USA, there is a lack of training internationally for health and social care professionals providing oncological and palliative care to LGB patients. In Ireland, a training project funded by the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Hospice Foundation and the Health Service Executive developed a training pilot programme for health and social care professionals providing oncological and palliative care to LGB patients.

Methods

Over 200 (N = 201) oncology and palliative care staff participated in 17 brief, 50‐min trainings in pilot sites. Evaluation of the training included self‐report questionnaires at the end of each training and an evaluation interview with one participant from each of the four sites.

Results

The majority of participants reported that they would recommend the training to their colleagues, were interested in further training in the area and found the training useful for their practice. They also reported becoming more familiar with LGB‐related language and terminology, became more knowledgeable of LGB health issues and reported becoming more confident in providing care to LGB patients.

Conclusions

Recommendations are that the training be made available across the health services in Ireland and included in postgraduate courses for trainee health and social care professionals. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An energy‐based conformer library for side chain optimization: Improved prediction and adjustable sampling
Authors: Subramaniam Sabareesh , Senes Alessandro
Published: May 2012

Side chain optimization is a fundamental component of protein modeling applications such as docking, structural prediction, and design. In these applications side chain flexibility is often provided by rotamer or conformer libraries, which are collections of representative side chain conformations. Here we demonstrate that the sampling provided by the library can be substantially improved by adding an energetic criterion to its creation. The result of the new procedure is the Energy‐Based library, a conformer library selected according to the propensity of its elements to fit energetically into natural protein environments. The new library performs outstandingly well in side chain optimization, producing structures with significantly lower energies and resulting in improved side chain conformation prediction. In addition, because the library was created as an ordered list, its size can be adjusted to any desired level. This feature provides unprecedented versatility in tuning sampling. It allows to precisely balance the number of conformers required by each amino acid type, equalizing their chances to fit into structural environments. It also allows to scale the amount of sampling to the specific requirement of any given side optimization problem. A rotameric version of the library was also produced with the same method to support applications that require a dihedral‐only description of side chain conformation. The libraries are available at http://seneslab.org/EBL. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of the impact of alternative splicing on protein dynamics: The cases of glutathione S‐transferase and ectodysplasin‐A isoforms
Authors: Barbany Montserrat , Morata Jordi , Meyer Tim , Lois Sergi , Orozco Modesto , de la Cruz Xavier
Published: May 2012

Recent studies have shown how alternative splicing (AS), the process by which eukaryotic genes express more than one product, affects protein sequence and structure. However, little information is available on the impact of AS on protein dynamics, a property fundamental for protein function. In this work, we have addressed this issue using molecular dynamics simulations of the isoforms of two model proteins: glutathione S‐transferase and ectodysplasin‐A. We have found that AS does not have a noticeable impact on global or local structure fluctuations. We have also found that, quite interestingly, AS has a significant effect on the coupling between key structural elements such as surface cavities. Our results provide the first atom‐level view of the impact of AS on protein dynamics, as far as we know. They can contribute to refine our present view of the relationship between AS and protein disorder and, more importantly, they reveal how AS may modify structural dynamic couplings in proteins. Proteins 2012; © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A dynamic model of long‐range conformational adaptations triggered by nucleotide binding in GroEL‐GroES
Authors: Skjaerven Lars , Muga Arturo , Reuter Nathalie , Martinez Aurora
Published: May 2012

The molecular chaperone, GroEL, essential for correct protein folding in E. coli, is composed of 14 identical subunits organized in two interacting rings, each providing a folding chamber for non‐native substrate proteins. The oligomeric assembly shows positive cooperativity within each ring and negative cooperativity between the rings. Although it is well known that ATP and long‐range allosteric interactions drive the functional cycle of GroEL, an atomic resolution view of how ligand binding modulates conformational adaptations over long distances remains a major challenge. Moreover, little is known on the relation between equilibrium dynamics at physiological temperatures and the allosteric transitions in GroEL. Here we present multiple all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations of the GroEL‐GroES assemblies at different stages of the functional cycle. Combined with an extensive analysis of the complete set of experimentally available structures, principal component analysis and conformer plots, we provide an explicit evaluation of the accessible conformational space of unliganded GroEL. Our results suggest the presence of pre‐existing conformers at the equatorial domain level, and a shift of the conformational ensemble upon ATP‐binding. At the inter‐ring interface the simulations capture a remarkable offset motion of helix D triggered by ATP‐binding to the folding active ring. The reorientation of helix D, previously only observed upon GroES association, correlates with a change of the internal dynamics in the opposite ring. This work contributes to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms in GroEL and highlights the ability of all‐atom MD simulations to model long‐range structural changes and allosteric events in large systems. Proteins 2012;. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of the G143A mutation associated with QoI resistance in Cercospora beticola field isolates from Michigan, United States
Authors: Bolton Melvin D , Rivera Viviana , Secor Gary
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is the most serious foliar disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) worldwide. Disease control is mainly achieved by timely fungicide applications. In 2011, CLS control failures were reported in spite of application of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide in several counties in Michigan, United States. The purpose of this study was to confirm the resistant phenotype and identify the molecular basis for QoI resistance of Michigan C. beticola isolates.

RESULTS: Isolates collected in Michigan in 1998 and 1999 that had no previous exposure to the QoI fungicides trifloxystrobin or pyraclostrobin exhibited QoI EC50 values of ⩽0.006 µg mL−1. In contrast, all isolates obtained in 2011 exhibited EC50 values of > 0.92 µg mL−1 to both fungicides and harbored a mutation in cytochrome b (cytb) that led to an amino acid exchange from glycine to alanine at position 143 (G143A) compared with baseline QoI‐sensitive isolates. Microsatellite analysis of the isolates suggested that QoI resistance emerged independently in multiple genotypic backgrounds at multiple locations. A real‐time PCR assay utilizing dual‐labeled fluorogenic probes was developed to detect and differentiate QoI‐resistant isolates harboring the G143A mutation from sensitive isolates.

CONCLUSION: The G143A mutation in cytb is associated with QoI resistance in C. beticola. Accurate monitoring of this mutation will be essential for fungicide resistance management in this pathosystem. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of Ni/Ag contact to p‐GaN with an O2 plasma treatment and its application to GaN‐based LEDs
Authors: Lin Nan‐Ming , Shei Shih‐Chang , Chang Shoou‐Jinn
Published: May 2012

In this paper, the contact structure of Ni–Ag/p‐GaN with different O2 plasma treatment times for 1 and 5 min was utilized for investigation. From experimental results, the Ni–Ag contact to p‐GaN with different O2 plasma treatment for 1 and 5 min reveals Schottky behaviors. Based on the variation of the specific contact resistance with respect to temperature, the dominant transport mechanism of Ni–Ag/p‐GaN structure presented form thermionic emission to field emission as increasing time from 1 to 5 min. From the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results, the increase of the N vacancies and antisite defects (ON) would enhance the resistance of the treated p‐GaN underneath the contact, which would make the Ni–Ag/p‐GaN contact reveal Schottky behavior. With a 20 mA current injection, the operation voltage of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with Ni/Ag contact to p‐GaN through O2 plasma treatment 400 W–5 min was 3.13 V larger than the LEDs with Ni/Ag contact to p‐GaN through O2 plasma treatment 400 W–1 min. This is due to the larger specific contact resistance. The 3.13 V operation voltage is still good and acceptable. Furthermore, the largest output power among all devices can be achieved. Besides, the reliability is still good.
Influence of annealing atmosphere on optical properties of Al‐doped ZnO powders
Authors: Li Chundong , Lv Jinpeng , Zhou Bo , Liang Zhiqiang
Published: May 2012

We systematically studied the influences of annealing atmosphere on the structural and optical properties of Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) powders by performing anneals in N2, Ar2, H2 and O2 atmospheres. The results indicated that the optical properties were highly influenced by the annealing atmosphere, which were more pronounced for the AZO powders annealed in forming gas and an oxygen atmosphere. The E1 (LO) vibration mode in the Raman spectra exhibits a good correlation with the green emission and is demonstrated to be originated from VO defects. We conclude that both VO and Oi defects give rise to the green photoluminescence in ZnO, and each will play a dominant role in oxygen‐deficient and oxygen‐rich environments, respectively.

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Effect of purple light on the ferroelectric and transport properties of epitaxial Mn‐doped BiFeO3 film
Authors: Peng Zengwei , Liu Baoting , Zhu Huijuan , Zhao Qingxun , Wang Yinglong
Published: May 2012

An epitaxial SrRuO3 (SRO)/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 (BFMO)/SRO heterostructure is fabricated on (001)‐SrTiO3 (STO) substrate, in which the SRO film is prepared by magnetron sputtering and the BFMO film is deposited by a sol–gel method. The effect of purple‐light irradiation on the SRO/BFMO/SRO capacitor is studied. It is found that the leakage current density of the SRO/BFMO/SRO capacitor, measured at 5 V, increases from 0.013 A/cm2 in the dark to 0.043 A/cm2 in the light. The change of the hysteresis loop of the capacitor upon irradiation can be interpreted by the trapping of photoinduced charges to incur the reorientation of domain and the increase of the leakage current density. In addition, the capacitance versus voltage (C–V) characteristic of this film is investigated and displays a typical butterfly shape. The above results indicate a potential application of BFMO film for optoelectronic devices.
InGaN quantum wells and dots on initially shaped GaN islands: Growth and luminescence studies
Authors: Xiong H. , Wang G. B. , Fang Z. L.
Published: May 2012

Direct growth of InGaN active layers on initially shaped pyramid‐like GaN islands of low dislocation density, realized by enhanced island growth via slightly Si doping in the GaN islands, was investigated in detail. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies reveal the selective growth of relatively thin quantum wells (QWs) on semipolar sidewall facets, whereas In‐rich InGaN quantum dots (QDs) form on the island apex. Spatially resolved scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cathodoluminescence (CL) studies show strong emission from the island sites, whereas very weak emission arises from the nonisland sites, suggesting the preferential growth of InGaN active layers on the GaN islands rather than on the SiNx‐treated nonisland sites. Polychromatic emissions from the InGaN QWs on island sidewall and top facets, and the In‐rich InGaN QDs on the island apex were observed. Studies on the growth mechanism and properties of InGaN/GaN QWs on nanoscale faceted islands may serve as a nanoscale investigating tool for further studies of GaN island shaping and shape variations during heteroepitaxy in the early growth stages.
Robust modular control system design using an inner‐loop reference model and μ synthesis techniques
Authors: Vermillion Chris , Sun Jing , Butts Ken
Published: May 2012

For complex dynamic systems, a modular control design process is often employed, wherein the overall design is partitioned into smaller modules. This paper considers a particular inner‐loop/outer‐loop modular control strategy in which the designer of the outer‐loop module does not know the specifics of the inner loop but instead possesses a reference model that captures the ideal inner‐loop input–output behavior. In the first part of this paper, we establish analytical properties of the modular reference‐model‐based design. In the second part, we introduce a novel mechanism, referred to as the modular control error compensation, which mitigates the performance loss that arises when the inner‐loop reference model is not matched. We propose an iterative algorithm, using μ synthesis, to design this compensator to reduce performance loss on the basis of two concrete worst‐case performance metrics. The effectiveness of the modular control strategy with the modular control error compensation is demonstrated through experimental results on an automotive system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the quality of VoIP with DCCP for satellite communications
Authors: Sarwar Golam , Boreli Roksana , Lochin Emmanuel
Published: May 2012

We present experimental results for the performance of selected voice codecs using Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP) with CCID4 congestion control over a satellite link. We evaluate the performance of both constant and variable data rate speech codecs for a number of simultaneous calls using the ITU E‐model. We analyse the sources of packet losses and additionally analyse the effect of jitter, which is one of the crucial parameters contributing to Voice over IP (VoIP) quality and has, to the best of our knowledge, not been considered previously in the published DCCP performance results. We propose modifications to the CCID4 algorithm and demonstrate how these improve the VoIP performance, without the need for additional link information other than what is already monitored by CCID4. We also demonstrate the fairness of the proposed modifications to other flows. Although the recently adopted changes to TCP‐Friendly Rate Control specification alleviate some of the performance issues for VoIP on satellite links, we argue that the characteristics of commercial satellite links necessitate consideration of further improvements. We identify the additional benefit of DCCP when used in VoIP admission control mechanisms and draw conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed DCCP/CCID4 congestion control mechanism for use with VoIP applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐M‐Interaktionsdiagramme für Verbundwände aus Stahl und Beton
Authors: Iliopoulos Aristidis , Nikolaou Efthimios , Vayas Ioannis
Published: May 2012

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird eine praxisfreundliche Vorgehensweise zur Bemessung von Verbundwänden aus Baustahl und Beton für Biegung mit Längskraft vorgestellt. Die Wände bestehen aus Randstützen aus Baustahl und einer Stahlbetonwand, die miteinander durch Kopfbolzen fest verbunden sind. Es werden Interaktionsdiagramme angegeben, die als Hilfsmittel für eine schnelle Tragfähigkeitsberechnung angewendet werden können.

Capacity diagrams for steel‐concrete composite shear walls. In this article a design method for the calculation of steel‐concrete composite shear walls under axial and bending loading is presented. Steel columns are used as edge members connected through shear studs with the concrete core of the shear wall. The diagrams given can be used for a quick capacity calculation.
Research on the finite element simulation of and updating method for old riveted truss bridges
Authors: Chen Weizhen , Yan Bochong , Liu Xue , Jiang Yingda
Published: May 2012

Finite element modelling to establish the actual mechanical performance of very old riveted truss bridges with complex configurations is essential for the sake of accurately assessing their remaining service life and their safety. This paper describes a study on finite element simulation and its updating for the 104‐year‐old Waibaidu Bridge in Shanghai. First of all, a solution is proposed for structural simulation problems as the shear deformation of built‐up members, gusset plate rigid field and relevant cracks as well as the concrete slab’s composite action. The area loss of the main truss members and the actual effective width of the concrete slab are identified as key factors after error analysis for actual performance modelling, considering several causes such as second‐order effects, shear deformation, corrosion and the composite action of the concrete slab. Afterwards, the dual‐stage model updating method is tailored to old riveted truss bridges, which modifies structural stiffness through static load testing in the first step and then calibrates mass distribution through vibration testing. The research shows that: 1) dual‐stage finite element simulation is effective; 2) the shear deformation effect should be taken into consideration for latticed members, and the influence of second‐order effects and shear deformation should be also taken into account when bridge lateral response is involved, while the errors of composite parameters of concrete slab can never be neglected; and 3) corrosion modelling for truss members and crack monitoring for gusset plates have little significance on the finite element simulation and updating of old riveted truss bridges.
Die Stahlkonstruktion der Terminalhalle des Flughafens Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt
Authors: Nienhoff Hubert , Göppert Knut , Fackler Thomas
Published: May 2012

Bauwerke wie Brücken, Tunnel, Türme, Bahnhöfe und natürlich auch Flughäfen sind ein wesentlicher Bestandteil unserer modernen Infrastruktur. Ihre Größe und lange Lebensdauer führen zu einem prägenden und permanenten Einfluss auf das Erscheinungsbild unserer natürlichen und gebauten Umwelt. In Verbindung mit den komplexen funktionalen und wirtschaftlichen Anforderungen unserer modernen Zivilisation wird für die Planung und die Begleitung der Ausführung eines solchen Infrastrukturprojekts ein Arbeiten in interdisziplinären Teams unumgänglich. Die erfolgreiche Umsetzung dieser Zusammenarbeit wird nachfolgend am Beispiel des neuen Flughafens Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt erläutert.

The new airport Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt.The built environment, buildings, bridges, tunnels, towers, train stations and of course airports, are forming a large portion of our modern infrastructure. The size and the life time of our built infrastructure lead to a highly visible and permanent impact for our natural and urban environment. Combined with the complex functional and economical requirements of our modern civilization an integrative planning in interdisciplinary teams is necessary. The realisation of these requirements beginning from the preliminary design up to the supervision of the assembling will be exemplary described and illustrated.
Untersuchungen zum zeitabhängigen mechanischen Materialverhalten von S460 im Brandfall
Authors: Schneider Regine , Lange Jörg
Published: May 2012

Für die Brandbemessung von Stahlbauten ist eine genaue Kenntnis des mechanischen Materialverhaltens unter erhöhter Temperatur erforderlich. Der Eurocode 3 Teil 1‐2 [1] stellt hierzu für die Baustahlsorten S235 bis S460 einheitliche Spannungs‐Dehnungsbeziehungen bis 1200 °C zur Verfügung. Für den hochfesten Feinkornbaustahl S460 sind diese jedoch nicht hinreichend experimentell abgesichert. Die im Brandfall auftretenden Kriechdehnungen können im Rahmen des Bemessungskonzeptes nach [1] grundsätzlich nicht explizit berücksichtigt werden. In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse eines Forschungsprojektes zur Untersuchung des zeitabhängigen mechanischen Materialverhaltens hochfester Feinkornbaustähle S460 im Brandfall vorgestellt. Aus umfangreichen instationären Warmkriechversuchsreihen wurden die Hochtemperatur‐Werkstoffgesetze ermittelt. Ferner wurde das Kriechverhalten von S460 im Brandfall analysiert und ein empirisches Kriechgesetz formuliert, das die exakte Berücksichtigung der Kriechdehnungen in den Werkstoffgesetzen ermöglicht. Mit Hilfe metallographischer Untersuchungen konnte der Einfluss der chemischen Zusammensetzung und des Herstellprozesses auf die Hochtemperaturfestigkeit identifiziert werden.

Analysis of the time‐dependent mechanical behaviour of S460 in case of fire. The knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of structural steel at elevated temperatures is essential for structural fire design. In Eurocode 3 Part 1‐2 [1] stress‐strain relationships up to 1200 °C are provided which are uniform for steel grades from S235 to S460. However, there is no sufficient experimental data base for the high strength fine grain structural steel S460. Creep strain developing in the course of a fire can, according to the design concept of [1], not be considered explicitly. This article presents the results of a research project dealing with the time‐dependent mechanical material behaviour of high strength fine grain structural steel S460 in case of fire. The stress‐strain relationships at elevated temperatures were derived from the results of extensive transient test series. Subsequently the creep behaviour of S460 under fire conditions was analysed and an empirical creep law was developed which allows for the accurate consideration of creep strain in the stress‐strain relationships. By means of metallographic investigations it was possible to identify the influence of the chemical composition and the production process on the high temperature resistance.
Numerical analysis of low‐frequency properties in single‐junction thermal converters
Authors: Amagai Yasutaka , Nakamura Yasuhiro
Published: May 2012

We have performed numerical calculations to analyze the low‐frequency properties of a single‐junction thermal converter using a modified low‐frequency model. A feature of the modified low‐frequency model is the incorporation of the heat capacity of the thermocouple and ceramic bead, which had been previously neglected. Since thermocouple and ceramic bead can increase the thermal inertia of the heater, they can modify the thermal time constant, which plays a crucial role at low frequencies. The calculated data using modified low‐frequency model for the AC–DC transfer differences correspond better to the experimental data. The difference of the AC–DC transfer difference between calculated and measured data is less than 10 µV/V down to 10 Hz. IEEJ Trans 2012. doi: 10.1002/tee.21739
Teacher Development in a Global Profession: An Autoethnography
Authors: Canagarajah A. Suresh
Published: May 2012

In this ethnographic self‐reconstruction, the author represents the ways in which he negotiated the differing teaching practices and professional cultures of the periphery and the center in an effort to develop a strategic professional identity. He brings out the importance of using multiple identities critically for voice in the wider professional discourses and practices. As global English acquires local identities, and diverse professional communities develop their own socially situated pedagogical practices, it is becoming important to chart a constructive relationship between these communities in TESOL. Through his journey of professionalization, the author explores the framework of relationships that would enable an effective negotiation of practices and discourses between the different professional communities and facilitate more constructive teacher identities.
“The School of Life”: Differences in U.S. and Canadian Settlement Policies and Their Effect on Individual Haitian Immigrants’ Language Learning
Authors: Duguay Annie Laurie
Published: May 2012

A growing body of literature suggests that language proficiency in the main language of the destination country is one of the most significant factors in the integration of immigrants. This study examines the overall differences in U.S. and Canadian settlement policy, using the provision of language courses as a specific example of the ways in which adult immigrants are integrated into the host society. Eleven Haitian women in both countries were interviewed to compare the way in which participants accessed key settlement information and services. The findings reveal that Canadian‐based participants were much more likely to cite professional institutions (“formal facilitators”) for referrals, whereas U.S.‐based participants were more likely to learn from “informal facilitators.” The findings also highlight differences in access and completion rates of language classes. Implications for how national settlement policy affects individual immigrants and their language acquisition are analyzed in the discussion.
A new method to efficiently induce a site‐specific double‐strand break in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Sunder Sham , Greeson‐Lott Nikole T. , Runge Kurt W. , Sanders Steven L.
Published: May 2012

Double‐strand DNA breaks are a serious threat to cellular viability and yeast systems have proved invaluable in helping to understand how these potentially toxic lesions are sensed and repaired. An important method to study the processing of DNA breaks in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is to introduce a unique double‐strand break into the genome by regulating the expression of the site‐specific HO endonuclease with a galactose inducible promoter. Variations of the HO site‐specific DSB assay have been adapted to many organisms, but the methodology has seen only limited use in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe because of the lack of a promoter capable of inducing endonuclease expression on a relatively short time scale (~1 h). We have overcome this limitation by developing a new assay in which expression of the homing endonuclease I‐PpoI is tightly regulated with a tetracycline‐inducible promoter. We show that induction of the I‐PpoI endonuclease produces rapid cutting of a defined cleavage site (> 80% after 1 h), efficient cell cycle arrest and significant accumulation of the checkpoint protein Crb2 at break‐adjacent regions in a manner that is analogous to published findings with DSBs produced by an acute exposure to ionizing irradiation. This assay provides an important new tool for the fission yeast community and, because many aspects of mammalian chromatin organization have been well‐conserved in Sz. pombe but not in S. cerevisiae, also offers an attractive system to decipher the role of chromatin structure in modulating the repair of double‐stranded DNA breaks. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to Train Surgical Residents to Perform Laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y Gastric Bypass Safely
Authors: Iordens Gijs I. T. , Klaassen René A. , van Lieshout Esther M. M. , Cleffken Berry I. , van der Harst Erwin
Published: May 2012

Background

As a result of increasing numbers of patients with morbid obesity there is a worldwide demand for bariatric surgeons. The Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass, nowadays performed mostly laparoscopically (LRYGB), has been proven to be a highly effective surgical treatment for morbid obesity. This procedure is technically demanding and requires a long learning curve. Little is known about implementing these demanding techniques in the training of the surgical resident. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the introduction of LRYGB into the training of surgical residents.

Methods

All patients who underwent LRYGB between March 2006 and July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The procedure was performed by a surgical resident under strict supervision of a bariatric surgeon (group I) or by a bariatric surgeon (group II). The primary end point was the occurrence of complications. Secondary end points included operative time, days of hospitalization, rate of readmission, and reappearance in the emergency department (ED) within 30 days.

Results

A total of 409 patients were found eligible for inclusion in the study: 83 patients in group I and 326 in group II. There was a significant difference in operating time (129 min in group I vs. 116 min in group II; p < 0.001) and days of hospitalization. Postoperative complication rate, reappearance in the ED, and rate of readmission did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that under stringent supervision and with sufficient laparoscopic practice, implementation of LRYGB as part of surgical training is safe and results in only a slightly longer operating time. Complication rates, days of hospitalization, and the rates of readmission and reappearance in the ED within 30 days were similar between the both groups. These results should be interpreted by remembering that all procedures in group I were performed in a training environment so occasional intervention by a bariatric surgeon, when necessary, was inevitable.
Cardiac Arrest during Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Patient on an Angiotensin Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Goodman Susan M. , Krauser Daniel , Mackenzie C. Ronald , Memtsoudis Stavros
Published: May 2012

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARA) are effective and well-tolerated first-line drugs in the therapy of hypertension and, therefore, are frequently encountered in the perioperative setting. Hemodynamic compensation for volume depletion seen in the perioperative period is normally mediated by the renin–angiotensin system, which is blocked by ACEI/ARA. These drugs may contribute to severe hypotension during anesthesia induction and may have contributed to the cardiac arrest seen in this patient. Additional factors such as increased intra-abdominal pressures and respiratory obstructive episodes leading to diminished venous return, as well diuretic use and the fasting state, common in the perioperative orthopedic patient, are likely to have contributed as well. Medication use may be an easily modifiable risk factor for severe hypotension and possible cardiac arrest in the perioperative setting.
Synthesis, Characterization and Surface Activity of Alkyl m‐Xylene Sulfonate Isomers
Authors: Luan Huo‐xin , Wu Wen‐xiang , Cheng Jie‐cheng , Yu Tao , Qu Guang‐miao , Xu Ya‐bin , Li Guo‐qiao , Gao Xiao‐yu , Li An‐jun , Yuan Dan‐dan , Tong Wei , Li Zhong , Liu Kang , Liu Guo‐yu , Ding Wei
Published: May 2012

This paper deals with the synthesis of a series of alkyl m‐xylene sulfonate isomers (with the m‐xylene located at the eighth carbon atom along the long alkyl chain) by the Friedel–Crafts reaction, and the Grignard reaction followed by hydrogenation. The structures were confirmed by 1H NMR. All analytical methods indicated high levels of purity of the isomers with the eighth carbon atom at the long alkyl chain. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension and maximum surface excess concentration at the CMC and area per molecule at the interface were determined. As the long alkyl chains increased the surfactant molecule tends to pack closely at the gas–liquid interface. Accordingly, the CMC decreased, the adsorption density increased, and the surface tension reduction was strengthened.
The International Atomic Energy Agency's Activities in Radiation Medicine and Cancer: Promoting Global Health through Diplomacy
Authors: Deatsch-Kratochvil Amanda N. , Pascual Thomas Neil , Kesner Adam , Rosenblatt Eduardo , Chhem Rethy K.
Published: May 2012

Global health has been an issue of seemingly low political importance in comparison with issues that have direct bearing on countries’ national security. Recently, health has experienced a “political revolution” or a rise in political importance. Today, we face substantial global health challenges, from the spread of infectious disease, gaps in basic maternal and child health care, to the globalization of cancer. A recent estimate states that the “overall lifetime risk of developing cancer (both sexes) is expected to rise from more than one in three to one in two by 2015.” These issues pose significant threats to international health security. To successfully combat these grave challenges, the international community must embrace and engage in global health diplomacy, defined by scholars Thomas Novotny and Vicanne Adams as a political activity aimed at improving global health, while at the same time maintaining and strengthening international relations. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is an international organization with a unique mandate to “accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health, and prosperity throughout the world.” This article discusses global health diplomacy, reviews the IAEA's program activities in human health by focusing on radiation medicine and cancer, and the peaceful applications of atomic energy within the context of global health diplomacy.
Health Canada Safety Code 35: Awareness of the Impacts for Diagnostic Radiology in Canada
Authors: Bjarnason Thorarin A. , Thakur Yogesh , Aldrich John E.
Published: May 2012

Health Canada Safety Code 35 brings Canada's diagnostic imaging radiation output and protection standards to an international level. This Safety Code is comprehensive and will have broad implications for most health care facilities. This Safety Code outlines quality control procedures that will ultimately reduce patient dose while providing the best quality diagnostic images, all within a safe working environment. However, the Safety Code has some important omissions and errors of which radiologists should be aware, especially if they act as radiation safety officers. We hope that highlighting these issues will be the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between Health Canada, radiologists, medical physicists, and technologists that will not only bring awareness of Safety Code 35 but will provide a basis for updating, correcting, and improving future revisions of the Safety Code.
Alternative approaches for thinking about and modeling consumer decisions in relationships
Authors: Bagozzi Richard P.
Published: May 2012

Simpson, Griskevicius, and Rothman identify an understudied area in consumer research (namely, decision making in social relationships), propose an important starting point for enquiry (a dyadic framework), and suggest many fruitful moderators for study that can be incorporated in their framework. After pointing out some boundary conditions and opportunities for future research concerning their suggestions, I consider a recent approach in psychology that applies to a relatively circumscribed domain of social relationships (i.e., the social relations model) and then briefly review an emerging approach (plural subject theory applied to goal‐directed behavior) that goes beyond the social relations model and better fits certain psychological and social psychological phenomena in consumer behavior.
Rehabilitation—Between management and knowledge practices: An historical overview of public action in Norwegian welfare reforms
Authors: Feiring Marte
Published: May 2012

This article explores current Norwegian welfare reforms using the example of rehabilitation policy. One distinctive trend is the development of rehabilitation as part of a management system across administrative levels, sectors, as well as at the interface between public and private service provision. Another is the emergence of rehabilitation as a knowledge practice based on diverse disciplines, in addition to the experiences of both service providers and recipients. My research question is: in what ways do policy reforms redefine rehabilitation as a knowledge practice by using management tools? In terms of design, I briefly describe the history of rehabilitation services before addressing how today's welfare reforms redefine the field. I use document analysis and conduct a critical examination of selected political documents. The article concludes that in current rehabilitation practices, professionals, managers and clients are more interwoven than in the past.
Turbulent buoyant convection from a maintained source of buoyancy in a narrow vertical tank
Authors: van Sommeren Daan D. J. A. , Caulfield C. P. , Woods Andrew W.
Published: May 2012

We describe new experiments to examine the buoyancy-induced mixing which results from the injection of a small constant volume flux of fluid of density ${\rho }_{s} $ at the top of a long narrow vertical tank with square cross-section which is filled with fluid of density ${\rho }_{0} \lt {\rho }_{s} $. The injected fluid vigorously mixes with the less dense fluid which initially occupies the tank, such that a dense mixed region of turbulent fluid propagates downwards during the initial mixing phase of the experiment. For an ideal source of constant buoyancy flux ${B}_{s} $, we show that the height of the mixed region grows as $h\ensuremath{\sim} { B}_{s}^{1/ 6} {d}^{1/ 3} {t}^{1/ 2} $ and that the horizontally averaged reduced gravity $ \overline{{g}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } } = g( \overline{\rho } \ensuremath{-} {\rho }_{0} )/ {\rho }_{0} $ at the top of tank increases as $ \overline{{g}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } } (0)\ensuremath{\sim} { B}_{s}^{5/ 6} {d}^{\ensuremath{-} 7/ 3} {t}^{1/ 2} $, where $d$ is the width of the tank. Once the mixed region reaches the bottom of the tank, the turbulent mixing continues in an intermediate mixing phase, and we demonstrate that the reduced gravity at each height increases approximately linearly with time. This suggests that the buoyancy flux is uniformly distributed over the full height of the tank. The overall density gradient between the top and bottom of the mixed region is hence time-independent for both the mixing phases before and after the mixed region has reached the bottom of the tank. Our results are consistent with previous models developed for the mixing of an unstable density gradient in a confined geometry, based on Prandtl’s mixing length theory, which suggest that the turbulent diffusion coefficient and the magnitude of the local turbulent flux are given by the nonlinear relations ${ \kappa }_{T}^{\mathit{nl}} = {\lambda }^{2} {d}^{2} \mathop{ (\partial \overline{{g}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } } / \partial z)}\nolimits ^{1/ 2} $ and ${J}^{\mathit{nl}} = {\lambda }^{2} {d}^{2} \mathop{ (\partial \overline{{g}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } } / \partial z)}\nolimits ^{3/ 2} $, respectively. The $O(1)$ constant $\lambda $ relates the width of the tank to the characteristic mixing length of the turbulent eddies. Since the mixed region is characterized by a time-independent overall density gradient, we also tested the predictions based on a linear model in which the turbulent diffusion coefficient is approximated by a constant ${ \kappa }_{T}^{l} $. We solve the corresponding nonlinear and linear turbulent diffusion equations for both mixing phases, and show a good agreement with experimental profiles measured by a dye attenuation technique, in particular for the solutions based on the nonlinear model.
Long-lived and unstable modes of Brownian suspensions in microchannels
Authors: Khoshnood Atefeh , Jalali Mir Abbas
Published: May 2012

We investigate the stability of the pressure-driven, low-Reynolds-number flow of Brownian suspensions with spherical particles in microchannels. We find two general families of stable/unstable modes: (i) degenerate modes with symmetric and antisymmetric patterns; (ii) single modes that are either symmetric or antisymmetric. The concentration profiles of degenerate modes have strong peaks near the channel walls, while single modes diminish there. Once excited, both families would be detectable through high-speed imaging. We find that unstable modes occur in concentrated suspensions whose velocity profiles are sufficiently flattened near the channel centreline. The patterns of growing unstable modes suggest that they are triggered due to Brownian migration of particles between the central bulk that moves with an almost constant velocity, and a highly-sheared low-velocity region near the wall. Modes are amplified because shear-induced diffusion cannot efficiently disperse particles from the cavities of the perturbed velocity field.
Adherence to the Baltic Sea diet consumed in the Nordic countries is associated with lower abdominal obesity
Authors: Kanerva Noora , Kaartinen Niina E. , Schwab Ursula , Lahti-Koski Marjaana , Männistö Satu
Published: May 2012

Due to differences in food cultures, dietary quality measures, such as the Mediterranean Diet Score, may not be easily adopted by other countries. Recently, the Baltic Sea Diet Pyramid was developed to illustrate healthy choices for the diet consumed in the Nordic countries. We assessed whether the Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) based on the Pyramid is associated with a decreased risk of obesity and abdominal obesity. The population-based cross-sectional study included 4720 Finns (25–74 years) from the National FINRISK 2007 study. Diet was assessed using a validated FFQ. The score included Nordic fruits and berries, vegetables, cereals, ratio of PUFA:SFA andtrans-fatty acids, low-fat milk, fish, red and processed meat, total fat (percentage of energy), and alcohol. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured and BMI values were calculated. In a multivariable model, men in the highestv.lowest BSDS quintile were more likely to have normal WC (OR 0·48, 95 % CI 0·29, 0·80). In women, this association was similar but not significant (OR 0·65, 95 % CI 0·39, 1·09). The association appeared to be stronger in younger age groups (men: OR 0·23, 95 % CI 0·08, 0·62; women: OR 0·17, 95 % CI 0·05, 0·58) compared with older age groups. Nordic cereals and alcohol were found to be the most important BSDS components related to WC. No association was observed between the BSDS and BMI. The present study suggests that combination of Nordic foods, especially cereals and moderate alcohol consumption, is likely to be inversely associated with abdominal obesity.