bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil erodibility, microbial biomass, and physical–chemical property changes during long‐term natural vegetation restoration: a case study in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Zhu Bingbing , Li Zhanbin , Li Peng , Liu Guobin , Xue Sha
Published: January 2010

Soil erodibility (Kfactor) is an important index for measuring soil susceptibility to water erosion, and an essential parameter that is needed for the prediction of soil erosion. Field investigation and laboratory analysis were conducted to study the changes of soil characteristics during long‐term vegetation restoration in the hilly gullied loess area. The soil erodibilityKvalues were calculated using the EPIC model and the physico‐chemical properties as well as microbial characteristics were evaluated along a chronosequence of natural vegetation recovery (0–50 years) in abandoned land in the Zhifanggou Watershed of Ansai County, northwestern Shaanxi Province, China. The results showed that natural vegetation recovery following abandonment resulted in improvement of the soil properties and structure and these improving effects were closely related to the date of abandonment. Specifically, theKvalue of the surface layer (0–20 cm) was significantly reduced with time, while the total organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil microbial biomass C, microbial N and microbial P and the water‐stable aggregate increased quickly. During the first 10 years of abandonment, these changes occurred relatively quickly due to a significant increase in soil organic matter, after which they gradually fluctuated for approximately 20 years, reaching their uttermost or minimum levels finally. However, these values differed greatly underPlatycladus orientalisforest, which suggests that soil rehabilitation is a long‐term task that requires several generations to complete.
The Impact of Fallible Item Parameter Estimates on Latent Trait Recovery
Authors: Cheng Ying , Yuan Ke-Hai
Published: January 2010

In this paper we propose an upward correction to the standard error (SE) estimation of
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, the maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of the latent trait in item response theory (IRT). More specifically, the upward correction is provided for the SE of
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when item parameter estimates obtained from an independent pretest sample are used in IRT scoring. When item parameter estimates are employed, the resulting latent trait estimate is called pseudo maximum likelihood (PML) estimate. Traditionally, the SE of
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is obtained on the basis of test information only, as if the item parameters are known. The upward correction takes into account the error that is carried over from the estimation of item parameters, in addition to the error in latent trait recovery itself. Our simulation study shows that both types of SE estimates are very good when θ is in the middle range of the latent trait distribution, but the upward-corrected SEs are more accurate than the traditional ones when θ takes more extreme values.
Comparative Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of Jatropha Seed Oil from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand
Authors: Emil A. , Yaakob Zahira , Satheesh Kumar M. N. , Jahim J. M. , Salimon J.
Published: January 2010

The jatropha oil was extracted from the jatropha seeds collected from different origins viz., Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The physicochemical properties such as density, viscosity, percentage free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value, saponification value and peroxide value of the extracted jatropha seed oil were evaluated. The evaluation of fatty acid composition using gas chromatography (GC) revealed that, oleic (42.4–48.8%) and linoleic acid (28.8–34.6%) are the dominant fatty acids present in the jatropha seed oil. The saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acid lie in the range 13.25–14.5 and 7–7.7%, respectively. The observed major triacylglycerol (TAG) composition was OOL (22.94–25.75%) and OLL (15.52–20.77%).
Influence of risk of neurological impairment and procedure invasiveness on health professionals’ management of procedural pain in neonates
Authors: Stevens Bonnie , McGrath Patrick , Ballantyne Marilyn , Yamada Janet , Dupuis Annie , Gibbins Sharyn , Franck Linda , Finley G. Allen , Howlett Alexandra , Johnston Celeste , O'Brien Karel , Ohlsson Arne
Published: January 2010

Objectives: To describe how (i) risk of neurological impairment (NI) and (ii) procedure invasiveness influence health professionals’ assessment and management of procedural pain in neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Three tertiary level NICUs in Canada.

Participants: 114 neonates, 25–40 weeks gestational age (GA) undergoing painful procedures.

Main Outcome Measures: Physical and behavioural pain indicators and pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain interventions.

Results: 114 neonates at high (Cohort A, n = 35), moderate (Cohort B, n = 25) and low (Cohort C, n = 54) risk of NI were observed during 254 painful procedures performed by 147 health professionals. Physical pain indicators were used more frequently by health professionals to assess pain with Cohorts A and B than C (p < .05). Behavioural pain indicators were used similarly across Cohorts. Nonpharmacological interventions were implemented most frequently for pain management. Physical interventions were used with 84% of procedures across Cohorts; particularly for the most invasive procedures. Infants with the highest NI risk (Cohort A) received the most behavioural interventions (p < .05) irrespective of procedural invasiveness. Pharmacological interventions were implemented with 23.2% of procedures; Cohort B received pharmacological interventions most frequently (Cohort B > A, B > C, p < .05) and for increasingly invasive procedures (p < .05).

Conclusions: Health professionals use multidimensional indicators to assess neonatal pain. Nonpharmacological interventions dominate pain management. NI risk status and procedure invasiveness are important contextual factors in neonatal pain assessment and management.
Effects of eccentric jaw exercise on temporal summation in jaw‐closing muscles of healthy subjects
Authors: Torisu Tetsurou , Wang Kelun , Svensson Peter , De Laat Antoon , Tanaka Mihoko , Shimada Akiko , Ikoma Akiko , Murata Hiroshi , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars
Published: January 2010

Eccentric jaw exercises has been known to cause muscle soreness but no studies have so far examined to what extent temporal summation mechanisms within the exercised muscles are changed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of an eccentric biting exercise on the temporal summation, mechanical pressure sensitivity and jaw muscle activity.

A total of 15 healthy men participated in a two‐session‐experiment: In one session, they performed 30 min controlled eccentric jaw exercise and the other session served as a no‐exercise control. Soreness sensations at rest and during maximal biting, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and electromyographic (EMG) activity during maximal jaw biting were recorded before (baseline), immediately after (Post‐task), and 1 day after the exercise (1‐day‐after). The temporal summation ratio using intra‐muscular electrical stimulation of the masseter was investigated at baseline and at 1‐day‐after. The eccentric jaw exercise was associated with significant increases in soreness sensation and decreased PPTs at Post‐task and at 1‐day‐after. The EMG activity and biting force did not change. The summation ratio was significantly decreased at 1‐day‐after in both sessions. The present findings demonstrate that eccentric jaw exercise does not induce detectable changes in temporal summation. However, the summation ratio may have clinical utility to differentiate the location of sensitization.
Sub-Kolmogorov resolution partical image velocimetry measurements of particle-laden forced turbulence
Authors: TANAKA TOMOHIKO , EATON JOHN K.
Published: January 2010

Previous studies have shown that a dilute dispersion of fine particles can either augment or attenuate the gas-phase turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). However, such turbulence modification is not accurately captured by numerical simulation models. A critical reason is that the models do not incorporate flow distortion occurring at small scales on the order of the particle diameter or the Kolmogorov scale. These scales are too small to be resolved by most experiments and simulations, so the small-scale effects remain poorly understood. The main objective of this study is to investigate experimentally the small-scale turbulence structures that affect the overall turbulence modification to improve understanding and prediction of the macroscopic turbulence modification. A high resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was developed that provided two-dimensional velocity field measurements with a sub-Kolmogorov vector spacing of 60 μm. Measurements of gas-phase isotropic turbulence were performed in the facility developed by Hwang & Eaton (Exp. Fluids, vol. 36 (3), 2004a, p. 444) in the presence of dispersed 500 μm glass, 250 μm glass or 250 μm polystyrene particles at mass loading ratio up to 0.45. The Reynolds number based on the Taylor microscale was 130 for the unladen case. The TKE was attenuated by up to 25 % in the presence of particles. The high-resolution measurements of the dissipation rate show that changes in the dissipation rate are smaller than changes to the TKE, in contrast to previous underresolved experiments. An analysis of a large set of PIV images allowed calculation of the average turbulence distortion around particles. The measurements also showed strong damping of the TKE and strong augmentation of the dissipation rate in a roughly spherical region surrounding the particles.
Amplification of coherent streaks in the turbulent Couette flow: an input–output analysis at low Reynolds number
Authors: HWANG YONGYUN , COSSU CARLO
Published: January 2010

We compute the optimal response of the turbulent Couette mean flow to initial conditions, harmonic and stochastic forcing at Re = 750. The equations for the coherent perturbations are linearized near the turbulent mean flow and include the associated eddy viscosity. The mean flow is found to be linearly stable but it has the potential to amplify steamwise streaks from streamwise vortices. The most amplified structures are streamwise uniform and the largest amplifications of the energy of initial conditions and of the variance of stochastic forcing are realized by large-scale streaks having spanwise wavelengths of 4.4h and 5.2h respectively. These spanwise scales compare well with the ones of the coherent large-scale streaks observed in experimental realizations and direct numerical simulations of the turbulent Couette flow. The optimal response to the harmonic forcing, related to the sensitivity to boundary conditions and artificial forcing, can be very large and is obtained with steady forcing of structures with larger spanwise wavelength (7.7h). The optimal large-scale streaks are furthermore found proportional to the mean turbulent profile in the viscous sublayer and up to the buffer layer.
The effect of referral for brief intervention for alcohol misuse on repetition of deliberate self-harm: an exploratory randomized controlled trial
Authors: Crawford M. J. , Csipke E. , Brown A. , Reid S. , Nilsen K. , Redhead J. , Touquet R.
Published: January 2010

Background

Referral for brief intervention among people who misuse alcohol is reported to be effective but its impact among those who present to services following deliberate self-harm (DSH) has not been examined.

Method

Consecutive patients who presented to an Emergency Department (ED) following an episode of DSH were screened for alcohol misuse. Those found to be misusing alcohol were randomly assigned to brief intervention plus a health information leaflet or to a health information leaflet alone. The primary outcome was whether the patient reattended an ED following a further episode of DSH during the subsequent 6 months. Secondary outcomes were alcohol consumption, mental health and satisfaction with care measured 3 and 6 months after randomization.

Results

One hundred and three people took part in the study. Follow-up data on our primary outcome were obtained for all subjects and on 63% for secondary outcomes. Half those referred for brief intervention received it. Repetition of DSH was strongly associated with baseline alcohol consumption, but not influenced by treatment allocation. There was a non-significant trend towards the number of units of alcohol consumed per drinking day being lower among those randomized to brief intervention.

Conclusions

Referral for brief intervention for alcohol misuse following an episode of DSH may not influence the likelihood of repetition of self-harm. Longer-term interventions may be needed to help people who deliberately harm themselves and have evidence of concurrent alcohol misuse.
The allusive cognitive deficit in paranoia: the case for mental time travel or cognitive self-projection
Authors: Corcoran R.
Published: January 2010

Delusional beliefs are characteristic of psychosis and, of the delusions, the paranoid delusion is the single most common type associated with psychosis. The many years of research focused on neurocognition in schizophrenia, using standardized neurocognitive tests, have failed to find conclusive cognitive deficits in relation to positive symptoms. However, UK-based psychological research has identified sociocognitive anomalies in relation to paranoid thinking in the form of theory of mind (ToM), causal reasoning and threat-related processing anomalies. Drawing from recent neuroscientific research on the default mode network, this paper asserts that the common theme running through the psychological tests that are sensitive to the cognitive impairment of paranoia is the need to cognitively project the self through time, referred to as mental time travel. Such an understanding of the cognitive roots of paranoid ideation provides a synthesis between psychological and biological accounts of psychosis while also retaining the powerful argument that understanding abnormal thinking must start with models of normal cognition. This is the core theme running through the cognitive psychological literature of psychiatric disorders that enables research from this area to inform psychological therapy.
Delivery outcome after maternal use of antidepressant drugs in pregnancy: an update using Swedish data
Authors: Reis M. , Källén B.
Published: January 2010

Background

Concerns have been expressed about possible adverse effects of the use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy, including risk for neonatal pathology and the presence of congenital malformations.

Method

Data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register (MBR) from 1 July 1995 up to 2007 were used to identify women who reported the use of antidepressants in early pregnancy or were prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy by antenatal care: a total of 14 821 women with 15 017 infants. Maternal characteristics, maternal delivery diagnoses, infant neonatal diagnoses and the presence of congenital malformations were compared with all other women who gave birth, using the Mantel–Haenszel technique and with adjustments for certain characteristics.

Results

There was an association between antidepressant treatment and pre-existing diabetes and chronic hypertension but also with many pregnancy complications. Rates of induced delivery and caesarean section were increased. The preterm birth rate was increased but not that of intrauterine growth retardation. Neonatal complications were common, notably after tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) use. An increased risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) was verified. The congenital malformation rate was increased after TCAs. An association between use of paroxetine and congenital heart defects was verified and a similar effect on hypospadias was seen.

Conclusions

Women using antidepressants during pregnancy and their newborns have increased pathology. It is not clear how much of this is due to drug use or underlying pathology. Use of TCAs was found to carry a higher risk than other antidepressants and paroxetine seems to be associated with a specific teratogenic property.
How does cognitive behaviour therapy reduce fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome? The role of physical activity
Authors: Wiborg J. F. , Knoop H. , Stulemeijer M. , Prins J. B. , Bleijenberg G.
Published: January 2010

Background

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is known to reduce fatigue severity in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). How this change in symptomatology is accomplished is not yet understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the effect of CBT on fatigue is mediated by an increase in physical activity.

Method

Three randomized controlled trials were reanalysed, previously conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CBT for CFS. In all samples, actigraphy was used to assess the level of physical activity prior and subsequent to treatment or a control group period. The mediation hypothesis was analysed according to guidelines of Baron & Kenny [Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1986)51, 1173–1182]. A non-parametric bootstrap approach was used to test statistical significance of the mediation effect.

Results

Although CBT effectively reduced fatigue, it did not change the level of physical activity. Furthermore, changes in physical activity were not related to changes in fatigue. Across the samples, the mean mediation effect of physical activity averaged about 1% of the total treatment effect. This effect did not yield significance in any of the samples.

Conclusions

The effect of CBT on fatigue in CFS is not mediated by a persistent increase in physical activity.
Four–dimensional metrics conformal to Kähler
Authors: DUNAJSKI MACIEJ , TOD PAUL
Published: January 2010

We derive some necessary conditions on a Riemannian metric (M,g) in four dimensions for it to be locally conformal to Kähler. If the conformal curvature is non anti–self–dual, the self–dual Weyl spinor must be of algebraic typeDand satisfy a simple first order conformally invariant condition which is necessary and sufficient for the existence of a Kähler metric in the conformal class. In the anti–self–dual case we establish a one to one correspondence between Kähler metrics in the conformal class and non–zero parallel sections of a certain connection on a natural rank ten vector bundle overM. We use this characterisation to provide examples of ASD metrics which are not conformal to Kähler.

We establish a link between the ‘conformal to Kähler condition’ in dimension four and the metrisability of projective structures in dimension two. A projective structure on a surfaceUis metrisable if and only if the induced (2, 2) conformal structure onM=TUadmits a Kähler metric or a para–Kähler metric.
Marker-assisted reduction of redundancy in a genebank collection of cultivated lettuce
Authors: van Treuren R. , de Groot E. C. , Boukema I. W. , van de Wiel C. C. M. , van Hintum Th. J. L.
Published: January 2010

To reduce the level of redundancy in a collection of cultivated lettuce, data from 160 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fragments and 10 polymorphic microsatellites were used in combination with passport data and morphological data, the latter obtained from an experimental field trial performed for verification purposes. Based on the observed distribution of the number of marker differences between and within accessions, a minimum of three AFLP differences and two microsatellite differences were regarded as levels warranting distinction between accessions in the redundancy analysis. The strategy followed in the redundancy analysis was mainly based on the confirmation of duplication by each of two independently generated data sources. The molecular data were used for the validation as well as the identification of potential duplicates, revealing a total number of 198 redundancies, corresponding to 12.9% of the total collection. Trueness to type, number of characterization and evaluation data, and collection management considerations, such as available seed quantities and germination percentages, were used as primary, secondary and tertiary criteria to decide which accession from duplication groups to maintain in the collection. Removal of accessions showed negligible effects on total collection diversity, as quantified for AFLPs and microsatellites, characterization and evaluation traits and resistance profiles against downy mildew pathotypes, indicating that the applied strategy was effective.
Allocation of treated wastewater among competitive farmers under asymmetric information
Authors: Axelrad Gilad , Feinerman Eli
Published: January 2010

Following suitable treatment, municipal wastewater can be used for agricultural irrigation; the potential benefit to the agricultural sector is especially significant in arid and semiarid regions, where fresh water is scarce. The analysis focuses on a region which consists of a principal (a wastewater “producer” (a city)), and two competitive agents (water users (two groups of farmers' associations)), who make decisions under conditions of asymmetric information. First, we develop an optimization model aimed at maximizing the principal's profits from conveying treated wastewater without damaging the farmers' reservation utilities or profits. The analysis determines the treated‐wastewater allocation, income transfers, and profit allocation among the three assumed economic entities. Contracts composed of transfer payment–wastewater combinations are studied in a mechanism design setting in which the city has incomplete information on the farmers' demand for treated wastewater. The theoretical analysis is applied to the situation in the Sharon region of Israel. The empirical results show that regional cooperation is profitable for all of the involved economic entities.
An important contribution to springtime Arctic aerosol from biomass burning in Russia
Authors: Warneke C. , Froyd K. D. , Brioude J. , Bahreini R. , Brock C. A. , Cozic J. , de Gouw J. A. , Fahey D. W. , Ferrare R. , Holloway J. S. , Middlebrook A. M. , Miller L. , Montzka S. , Schwarz J. P. , Sodemann H. , Spackman J. R. , Stohl A.
Published: January 2010

Using aircraft observations and transport model calculations we determine the total amounts of various gas‐phase and aerosol species in the Arctic due to distant biomass burning (BB) emissions. We find that for many climate‐relevant species, including black carbon (BC) and organic aerosols, fires in Russia that typically occur during the critical springtime snowmelt can more than double the high seasonal Arctic atmospheric background that has built up in the winter months (commonly called “Arctic haze”). Decision makers have targeted BC, because it is expected to cause strong positive forcing over snow‐covered surfaces yet is significantly shorter lived than greenhouse gases. These results demonstrate that BB is more important for the Arctic than previously believed and should be considered in any attempt to mitigate impacts.
Cloning and functional characterization of pig CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase for the synthesis of N-glycolylneuraminic acid as the xenoantigenic determinant in pig–human xenotransplantation
Authors: Song Kwon-Ho , Kang Yun-Jeong , Jin Un-Ho , Park Yong-Il , Kim Sung-Min , Seong Hwan-Hoo , Hwang Seongsoo , Yang Boh-Suk , Im Gi-Sun , Min Kwan-Sik , Kim Jin-Hoi , Chang Young-Chae , Kim Nam-Hyung , Lee Young-Choon , Kim Cheorl-Ho
Published: January 2010

In the present study, the pig CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase gene (pcmah), a key enzyme for the synthesis of NeuGc (N-glycolylneuraminic acid), was cloned from pig small intestine and characterized. The ORF (open reading frame) of pcmah was 1734 bp, encoding 577 amino acids and consisting of 14 exons. Organ expression pattern analysis reveals that pcmah mRNA is mainly expressed in pig rectum, tongue, spleen and colon tissues, being the most highly expressed in small intestine. In the ectopic expression of pcmah, when pig kidney PK15 cells and human vascular endothelial ECV304 cells were transfected with the cloned pcmah, the NeuGc contents of these transfectants were greater in comparison with vector transfectants used as controls. In addition, in the functional analysis of NeuGc, HSMC (human-serum-mediated cytotoxicity) was elevated in the ectopic NeuGc-expressing pcmah-transfected cells compared with controls. Moreover, binding of human IgM to the pcmah-transfected cells was significantly increased, whereas binding of IgG was slightly increased, indicating that the human IgM type was a major anti-NeuGc antibody. Furthermore, pcmah silencing by shRNA (short hairpin RNA) resulted in a decrease in NeuGc content and xenoantigenicity in PK15. From the results, it was concluded that the pcmah gene was capable of synthesizing the NeuGc acting as a xenoantigen in humans, confirming the NeuGc-mediated rejection response in pig–human xenotransplantation.
Fenofibrate improves endothelial function in the brachial artery and forearm resistance arterioles of statin-treated Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Hamilton Sandra J. , Chew Gerard T. , Davis Timothy M.E. , Watts Gerald F.
Published: January 2010

Dyslipidaemia contributes to endothelial dysfunction and CVD (cardiovascular disease) in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. While statin therapy reduces CVD in these patients, residual risk remains high. Fenofibrate corrects atherogenic dyslipidaemia, but it is unclear whether adding fenofibrate to statin therapy lowers CVD risk. We investigated whether fenofibrate improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated Type 2 diabetic patients. In a cross-over study, 15 statin-treated Type 2 diabetic patients, with LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol <2.6 mmol/l and endothelial dysfunction [brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated dilatation) <6.0%] were randomized, double-blind, to fenofibrate 145 mg/day or matching placebo for 12 weeks, with 4 weeks washout between treatment periods. Brachial artery FMD and endothelium-independent NMD (nitrate-mediated dilatation) were measured by ultrasonography at the start and end of each treatment period. PIFBF (post-ischaemic forearm blood flow), a measure of microcirculatory endothelial function, and serum lipids, lipoproteins and apo (apolipoprotein) concentrations were also measured. Compared with placebo, fenofibrate increased FMD (mean absolute 2.1±0.6 compared with −0.3±0.6%, P=0.04), but did not alter NMD (P=0.75). Fenofibrate also increased maximal PIFBF {median 3.5 [IQR (interquartile range) 5.8] compared with 0.3 (2.1) ml/100 ml/min, P=0.001} and flow debt repayment [median 1.0 (IQR 3.5) compared with −1.5 (3.0) ml/100 ml, P=0.01]. Fenofibrate lowered serum cholesterol, triacylgycerols (triglycerides), LDL-cholesterol, apoB-100 and apoC-III (P≤0.03), but did not alter HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol or apoA-I. Improvement in FMD was inversely associated with on-treatment LDL-cholesterol (r=−0.61, P=0.02) and apoB-100 (r=−0.54, P=0.04) concentrations. Fenofibrate improves endothelial dysfunction in statin-treated Type 2 diabetic patients. This may relate partly to enhanced reduction in LDL-cholesterol and apoB-100 concentrations.
Effects of a Supplemental Spanish Oral Language Program on Sentence Length, Complexity, and Grammaticality in Spanish-Speaking Children Attending English-Only Preschools
Authors: Restrepo M. Adelaida , Castilla Anny P. , Schwanenflugel Paula J. , Neuharth-Pritchett Stacey , Hamilton Claire E. , Arboleda Alejandra
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a supplemental Spanish language instruction program for children who spoke Spanish as their native language and were attending English-only preschool programs. Specifically, the study evaluated the program’s effects on the children’s Spanish sentence length in words, subordination index, and grammaticality of sentences.

Method

Forty-five Spanish-speaking children attending English-only prekindergarten classrooms were selected for study. Of those, 15 children received 30 min of Spanish instruction 5 days a week for 16 weeks. The program targeted 5–10 vocabulary words a week, dialogic book reading, phonemic awareness, and letter knowledge. The remaining 30 children participated in regular preschool English instruction. Students were evaluated before intervention, immediately after intervention, and 4 months following intervention.

Results

Repeated measures analyses of variance indicated that the children who received the small-group supplemental Spanish language instruction made significant gains in their Spanish sentence length in words and subordination index when compared to those receiving regular English-only classroom instruction. There were no differences in the children’s grammaticality of sentences.

Discussion and Clinical Implications

The findings demonstrate that a daily short native language program has significant effects on sentence length in words and subordination index in English language learners who are attending English-only preschool programs.
The Language and Literacy Development of Head Start Children: A Study Using the Family and Child Experiences Survey Database
Authors: Hammer Carol Scheffner , Farkas George , Maczuga Steve
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This article provides information about the Head Start Family and Children Experiences Survey (FACES). It also presents the findings of a study that capitalizes on the strengths of the data from FACES to investigate the impact of child and family characteristics, speech-language impairment, and the home literacy environment on the language and early literacy outcomes of children from low-income families.

Method

Data from the FACES 1997 cohort were used in this study. Variables included in the analysis were child and family characteristics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, etc.); parent report of speech-language impairment; frequency of home literacy activities; and children’s scores on vocabulary, letter-word identification, and early reading assessments.

Results

The results revealed that children’s vocabulary abilities in Head Start were affected by maternal education, ethnicity, and the frequency of home literacy activities, and children’s letter-word identification abilities were impacted by maternal education and the child’s gender and age. Additionally, children’s reading abilities in kindergarten were predicted by ethnicity, speech-language impairment, and the home literacy environment, as well as by children’s vocabulary and letter-word identification abilities in Head Start.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate the unique contributions that the home literacy environment and the presence of speech-language impairment during preschool make in children’s early reading outcomes.
Genetic Influences on Language, Reading, and Mathematics Skills in a National Sample: An Analysis Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
Authors: Hart Sara A. , Petrill Stephen A. , Kamp Dush Claire M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The present study had two purposes: provide an illustration of use of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Children’s (CNLSY; U.S. Department of Labor, 2009) database and use the database to seek convergent evidence regarding the magnitude and significance of genetic effects influencing low and typical performers on measures of language, reading, and mathematics.

Methods

A kinship algorithm that assigned a degree of genetic relatedness to all available pairings was applied to the 1994 wave of the CNLSY sample. Four cognitive achievement outcomes related to language, reading, and mathematics were analyzed across the general sample as well as for children selected below the lowest 20
th
percentile.

Results

The tests of receptive vocabulary, decoding, reading comprehension, and mathematics all suggested estimates of group heritability and full sample heritability of moderate effect sizes, and all estimates were statistically significant. Furthermore, all estimates were within confidence intervals of previously reported estimates from twin and adoption studies.

Conclusion

The present study provides additional support for significant genetic effects across low and wide ranges of specific achievement. Moreover, this study supports that genetic influences on reading, language, and mathematics are generalizable beyond twin and adoption studies.
Using Language Sample Databases
Authors: Heilmann John J. , Miller Jon F. , Nockerts Ann
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Over the past 50 years, language sample analysis (LSA) has evolved from a powerful research tool that is used to document children’s linguistic development into a powerful clinical tool that is used to identify and describe the language skills of children with language impairment. The The Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT; J. F. Miller & A. Iglesias, 2008) Software Project has developed several databases of language samples from more than 6,000 typical speakers. This article presents an overview of the SALT databases and then demonstrates the power of these databases in classifying children with language impairment.

Method

Conversational language samples were elicited from 244 children with language impairment who were between 3 and 13 years of age. Language production measures generated from these transcripts were compared to measures from 244 transcripts in the SALT conversational database. A series of discriminant function analyses were completed to document the sensitivity and specificity of the language sample measures.

Results

The language sample measures were effective in classifying children based on their language status, with correct identification of 78% of the children with language impairment and 85% of the children who were typically developing.

Conclusion

The SALT databases provide a useful tool for the clinical management of children with language impairment.
The Academic and Functional Academic Skills of Youth Who Are at Risk for Language Impairment in Residential Care
Authors: Hagaman Jessica L. , Trout Alexandra L. , DeSalvo Cathy , Gehringer Robert , Epstein Michael H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Undiagnosed language impairment (LI) for youth in residential care is a concern as similar populations have shown elevated levels of language delays. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to identify the percentage of youth in residential care who are at risk for LI and to compare the demographic, academic achievement, and functional academic skills of youth with or without possible LI.

Method

Participants were 80 youth in residential care. Risk for LI was determined using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals—4 Screening Test (E. Semel, E. H. Wiig, & W. A. Secord, 2004). Independent-samples
t
tests and chi-square analyses were conducted to assess the differences between groups. Measures used included the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement (R. W. Woodcock, K. S. McGrew, & N. Mather, 2001) and the Kaufman Functional Academic Skills Test (A. S. Kaufman & N. L. Kaufman, 1994).

Results

More than half of the sample (54%) were identified as being at risk for LI. Statistically significant differences between youth with and without LI were found on academic variables. Specifically, youth who were at risk for LI presented academic achievement and functional academic scores in the low to low-average ranges.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that there is a need to screen youth entering residential programs for possible LI. Implications for treatment and program planning are discussed.
Promotion of shoot development and tuberisation in potato by expression of a chimaeric cytokinin synthesis gene at normal and elevated CO2 levels
Authors: Tao Guo-Qing , Letham D. Stuart , Yong Jean W. H. , Zhang Kerong , John Peter C. L. , Schwartz Owen , Wong S. Chin , Farquhar Graham D.
Published: January 2010

The bacterial cytokinin biosynthesis gene ipt under control of a chalcone synthase promoter (PCHS) was introduced into potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Two transgenic lines were selected for detailed study, because in these, root development was reduced only moderately, thus, enabling the plants to be grown in pots. Expression of the PCHS-ipt gene elevated the level of zeatin cytokinins markedly in the apical bud, subapical stems and leaves. The transgenic (IPT) plants exhibited a lower and denser leaf canopy relative to wild-type (WT) plants owing to reduction in main stem length, increase in node number per stem and promotion of lateral shoot development. Main stem diameter was increased markedly due to promotion of cell division associated with activation of cyclin-dependent kinase in the subapical stem. Expression of the PCHS-ipt gene induced aerial stolons, promoted growth of underground stolons and increased tuber number but reduced tuber weight and nitrogen content. The gene expression also increased pinnae and pinnule number per leaf, increased thickness of pinnae and promoted transpiration, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance – effects monitored by gas exchange and 18O and 13C analysis. The elevation of [CO2] to 900 μmol mol–1 promoted growth of both WT and IPT plants, ameliorated the negative effect of high cytokinin on tuber weight and interacted additively with ipt gene expression to promote stem growth.
Sustaining multiple ecosystem functions in grassland communities requires higher biodiversity
Authors: Zavaleta Erika S. , Pasari Jae R. , Hulvey Kristin B. , Tilman G. David
Published: January 2010

Society places value on the multiple functions of ecosystems from soil fertility to erosion control to wildlife-carrying capacity, and these functions are potentially threatened by ongoing biodiversity losses. Recent empirically based models using individual species’ traits suggest that higher species richness is required to provide multiple ecosystem functions. However, no study to date has analyzed the observed functionality of communities of interacting species over multiple temporal scales to assess the relationship between biodiversity and multifunctionality. We use data from the longest-running biodiversity-functioning field experiment to date to test how species diversity affects the ability of grassland ecosystems to provide threshold levels of up to eight ecosystem functions simultaneously. Across years and every combination of ecosystem functions, minimum-required species richness consistently increases with the number of functions considered. Moreover, tradeoffs between functions and variability among years prevent any one community type from providing high levels of multiple functions, regardless of its diversity. Sustained multifunctionality, therefore, likely requires both higher species richness than single ecosystem functionality and a diversity of species assemblages across the landscape.
Spatio-temporal population structuring and genetic diversity retention in depleted Atlantic Bluefin tuna of the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Riccioni Giulia , Landi Monica , Ferrara Giorgia , Milano Ilaria , Cariani Alessia , Zane Lorenzo , Sella Massimo , Barbujani Guido , Tinti Fausto
Published: January 2010

Fishery genetics have greatly changed our understanding of population dynamics and structuring in marine fish. In this study, we show that the Atlantic Bluefin tuna (ABFT,
Thunnus thynnus
), an oceanic predatory species exhibiting highly migratory behavior, large population size, and high potential for dispersal during early life stages, displays significant genetic differences over space and time, both at the fine and large scales of variation. We compared microsatellite variation of contemporary (
n
= 256) and historical (
n
= 99) biological samples of ABFTs of the central-western Mediterranean Sea, the latter dating back to the early 20th century. Measures of genetic differentiation and a general heterozygote deficit suggest that differences exist among population samples, both now and 96–80 years ago. Thus, ABFTs do not represent a single panmictic population in the Mediterranean Sea. Statistics designed to infer changes in population size, both from current and past genetic variation, suggest that some Mediterranean ABFT populations, although still not severely reduced in their genetic potential, might have suffered from demographic declines. The short-term estimates of effective population size are straddled on the minimum threshold (effective population size = 500) indicated to maintain genetic diversity and evolutionary potential across several generations in natural populations.
The α
2
δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels form GPI-anchored proteins, a posttranslational modification essential for function
Authors: Davies Anthony , Kadurin Ivan , Alvarez-Laviada Anita , Douglas Leon , Nieto-Rostro Manuela , Bauer Claudia S. , Pratt Wendy S. , Dolphin Annette C.
Published: January 2010

Voltage-gated calcium channels are thought to exist in the plasma membrane as heteromeric proteins, in which the α1 subunit is associated with two auxiliary subunits, the intracellular β subunit and the α
2
δ subunit; both of these subunits influence the trafficking and properties of Ca
V
1 and Ca
V
2 channels. The α
2
δ subunits have been described as type I transmembrane proteins, because they have an N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal hydrophobic and potentially transmembrane region. However, because they have very short C-terminal cytoplasmic domains, we hypothesized that the α
2
δ proteins might be associated with the plasma membrane through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor attached to δ rather than a transmembrane domain. Here, we provide biochemical, immunocytochemical, and mutational evidence to show that all of the α
2
δ subunits studied, α
2
δ-1, α
2
δ-2, and α
2
δ-3, show all of the properties expected of GPI-anchored proteins, both when heterologously expressed and in native tissues. They are substrates for prokaryotic phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and trypanosomal GPI-PLC, which release the α
2
δ proteins from membranes and intact cells and expose a cross-reacting determinant epitope. PI-PLC does not affect control transmembrane or membrane-associated proteins. Furthermore, mutation of the predicted GPI-anchor sites markedly reduced plasma membrane and detergent-resistant membrane localization of α
2
δ subunits. We also show that GPI anchoring of α
2
δ subunits is necessary for their function to enhance calcium currents, and PI-PLC treatment only reduces calcium current density when α
2
δ subunits are coexpressed. In conclusion, this study redefines our understanding of α
2
δ subunits, both in terms of their role in calcium-channel function and other roles in synaptogenesis.
Anti-CD73 antibody therapy inhibits breast tumor growth and metastasis
Authors: Stagg John , Divisekera Upulie , McLaughlin Nicole , Sharkey Janelle , Pommey Sandra , Denoyer Delphine , Dwyer Karen M. , Smyth Mark J.
Published: January 2010

Extracellular adenosine is a potent immunosuppressor that accumulates during tumor growth. We performed proof-of-concept studies investigating the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapy against CD73, an ecto-enzyme overexpressed on breast-cancer cells that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of adenosine monophosphates into adenosine. We showed that anti-CD73 mAb therapy significantly delayed primary 4T1.2 and E0771 tumor growth in immune-competent mice and significantly inhibited the development of spontaneous 4T1.2 lung metastases. Notably, anti-CD73 mAb therapy was essentially dependent on the induction of adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Knockdown of CD73 in 4T1.2 tumor cells confirmed the tumor-promoting effects of CD73. In addition to its immunosuppressive effect, CD73 enhanced tumor-cell chemotaxis, suggesting a role for CD73-derived adenosine in tumor metastasis. Accordingly, administration of adenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide to tumor-bearing mice significantly enhanced spontaneous 4T1.2 lung metastasis. Using selective adenosine-receptor antagonists, we showed that activation of A2B adenosine receptors promoted 4T1.2 tumor-cell chemotaxis in vitro and metastasis in vivo. In conclusion, our study identified tumor-derived CD73 as a mechanism of tumor immune escape and tumor metastasis, and it also established the proof of concept that targeted therapy against CD73 can trigger adaptive anti-tumor immunity and inhibit metastasis of breast cancer.
Estrogen receptor acting
in cis
enhances WT and mutant p53 transactivation at canonical and noncanonical p53 target sequences
Authors: Menendez Daniel , Inga Alberto , Resnick Michael A.
Published: January 2010

p53 is a master regulatory, sequence-specific transcription factor that directly controls expression of over 100 genes in response to various stress signals. Transactivation is generally considered to occur through p53 binding to a consensus response element (RE) composed of two 5′-RRRCWWGYYY-3′ decamers. Recently, studying the human angiogenesis-related gene
FLT1
we discovered that p53 can mediate limited transactivation at a noncanonical 1/2 site and could synergize with the estrogen receptor (ER) acting
in cis
at a nearby ER 1/2 site. To address the generality of concerted transactivation by p53 and ER, the 1/2 site in the FLT1 promoter was replaced with a variety of 1/2 sites, as well as canonical weak and strong p53 REs of human target genes. The p53 transactivation of all tested sequences was greatly enhanced by ligand-activated ER acting
in cis
. Furthermore, enhanced transactivation extends to several cancer-associated p53 mutants with altered function, suggesting ER-dependent mutant p53 activity for at least some REs. The enhanced transactivation was also found with p63 and p73. We propose a general synergistic relationship between p53 family and ER master regulators in transactivation of p53 target canonical and noncanonical REs, which might be poorly responsive to p53 on their own. This relationship greatly expands the transcriptional master network regulated by p53 in terms of genes affected and levels of expression and has implications for the appearance and possible treatments of cancer.