bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implant Installation With Ridge Augmentation Using Autogenous Bone Harvested From an Adjacent Site
Authors: Park Jun-Beom
Published: June 2010

In general, autogenous bone is the most predictable material of choice for augmentation procedure. However, the autogenous bone graft procedure requires an additional surgical wound, and the amount of graft is limited because of the donor site. In this case, autogenous corticocancellous bone cores were harvested adjacent to the implant surgical site and the defect, which was distal to the implant surface, was treated with autogenous bone and deproteinized bovine bone. The implant-supported prosthesis was functioning well up to 6 months without any probing depth or gingival inflammation.
Cooling Profile Following Prosthetic Preparation of 1-Piece Dental Implants
Authors: Cohen Omer , Gabay Eran , Machtei Eli E.
Published: June 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water irrigation on heat dissipation kinetics following abutment preparation of 1-piece dental implants. UNO 1-piece dental implants were mounted on Plexiglas apparatus clamping the implant at the collar. T-type thermocouple was attached to the first thread of the implant and recorded thermal changes at 100 millisecond intervals. Implants were prepared using highspeed dental turbine at 400 000 RPM with a coarse diamond bur. Once temperature reached 47°C, abutment preparation was discontinued. Thirty implants were divided into 2 groups. Group A: Passive cooling without water irrigation. Group B: Cooling with turbine's water spray adjacent to the implant (30 mL/min). The following parameters were measured: T47 (time from peak temperature to 47°C), T50%, T75% (time until the temperature amplitude decayed by 50% and 75%, respectively), dTemp50%/dt decay, and dTemp75%/dt decay (cooling rate measured at 50% and 75% of amplitude decay, respectively). Water spray irrigation significantly reduced T47 (1.37 ± 0.29 seconds vs 19.97 ± 3.06 seconds, P < 0.0001), T50% (3.04 ± 0.34 seconds vs 27.37 ± 2.56 seconds, P < 0.0001), and T75% (5.71 ± 0.57 seconds vs 57.61 ± 5.47 seconds, P < 0.0001). Water spray irrigation also increased cooling capacity ninefold: dTemp50%/dt decay (4.14 ± 0.61°C/s vs 0.48 ± 0.06°C/s, P < 0.0001), and dTemp50%/dt decay (1.70 ± 0.29°C/s vs 0.19 ± 0.03°C/s, P < 0.0001). The continuous use of water spray adjacent to the abutment following the cessation of implant preparation might prove beneficial for rapid cooling of the implant.
Differential expression of steroid 5α-reductase isozymes and association with disease severity and angiogenic genes predict their biological role in prostate cancer
Authors: Das Kakoli , Lorena Pia D N , Ng Lai Kuan , Lim Diana , Shen Liang , Siow Woei Yun , Teh Ming , Reichardt Juergen K V , Salto-Tellez Manuel
Published: June 2010

The biological role of steroid 5α-reductase isozymes (encoded by the SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 genes) and angiogenic factors that play important roles in the pathogenesis and vascularization of prostate cancer (PC) is poorly understood. The sub-cellular expression of these isozymes and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PC tissue microarrays (n=62) was examined using immunohistochemistry. The effect of SRD5A inhibition on the angiogenesis pathway genes in PC was also examined in prostate cell lines, LNCaP, PC3, and RWPE-1, by treating them with the SRD5A inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride, followed by western blot, quantitative PCR, and ELISA chip array techniques. In PC tissues, nuclear SRD5A1 expression was strongly associated with higher cancer Gleason scores (P=0.02), higher cancer stage (P=0.01), and higher serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (P=0.01), whereas nuclear SRD5A2 expression was correlated with VEGF expression (P=0.01). Prostate tumor cell viability was significantly reduced in dutasteride-treated PC3 and RWPE-1 cells compared with finasteride-treated groups. Expression of the angiogenesis pathway genes transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFB1), endothelin (EDN1), TGFα (TGFA), and VEGFR1 was upregulated in LNCaP cells, and at least 7 out of 21 genes were upregulated in PC3 cells treated with finasteride (25 μM). Our findings suggest that SRD5A1 expression predominates in advanced PC, and that inhibition of SRD5A1 and SRD5A2 together was more effective in reducing cell numbers than inhibition of SRD5A2 alone. However, these inhibitors did not show any significant difference in prostate cell angiogenic response. Interestingly, some angiogenic genes remained activated after treatment, possibly due to the duration of treatment and tumor resistance to inhibitors.
Forging an Identity: An Insider-outsider Study of Processes Involved in the Formation of Organizational Identity
Authors: Gioia Dennis A. , Price Kristin N. , Hamilton Aimee L. , Thomas James B.
Published: June 2010

We investigated the processes involved in forming an organizational identity, which we studied during the founding of a distinctive new college by using an interpretive, insider-outsider research approach. The emergent grounded theory model suggests that organizational identity formed via the interplay of eight notable processes, four of which occurred in more-or-less sequential, stage-like fashion —(1) articulating a vision, (2) experiencing a meanings void, (3) engaging in experiential contrasts, and (4) converging on a consensual identity—plus four recurrent processes that were associated with two or more of the sequential stages: (5) negotiating identity claims, (6) attaining optimal distinctiveness, (7) performing liminal actions, and (8) assimilating legitimizing feedback. The findings show that internal and external, as well as micro and macro influences affected the forging of an organizational identity. In addition, we found that both social construction and social actor views of identity-related processes were not only germane to the formation of organizational identity but that these processes were also mutually constitutive in creating a workable identity.
Recent versus Remote: Flashbulb Memory for 9/11 and Self-Selected Events from the Reminiscence Bump
Authors: Denver Jenny Y. , Lane Sean M. , Cherry Katie E.
Published: June 2010

In two related studies, we examined flashbulb memories acquired from different points in the lifespan in younger and older adults. When asked to remember flashbulb memories from their lives, older adults were most likely to recall events from the reminiscence bump (Study 1A). In Study 1B, younger and older adults recalled 9/11 and a personal flashbulb event that occurred between ages 10 and 30. Older adults' memories of a recent event (9/11) were less likely than younger adults' to be classified as flashbulb memories; however, when memories were examined in their entirety, these age-related declines disappeared. Older adults' memories for a remote flashbulb event appeared to be quite similar, if not more detailed than their memories for the recent event, suggesting that remote flashbulb memories are relatively stable over time. Implications of these data for current views of flashbulb memory in late adulthood are discussed.
Synergy between Molecular and Contextual Views of Coping among Four Ethnic Groups of Older Adults
Authors: Conway Francine , Magai Carol , McPherson-Salandy Renee , Milano Kate
Published: June 2010

The coping styles of four ethnic groups of older adults in response to negative life events were analyzed in a population-based study of 1118 residents of Brooklyn, New York. Using a molecular approach, data regarding the context of events and the corresponding coping responses was obtained. Open-ended semi-structured interviews allowed participants to describe recent negative life events and explain how they coped. An empirically derived coding system distinguished four major negative life events: Death, Illness/Injury, Empathic Response to Distress of Others, and Interpersonal Conflict. Nine major styles of coping emerged: Medicate, Active Coping, Passive Response, Prayer, Stoicism, Social Support, Positive Self-Talk, Acknowledgment of Emotions, and Distraction. Gender and ethnic differences in coping styles were found. Although ethnic specificity in coping emerged when context was considered, the few effects of ethnicity suggests that the major normative events of later life may pull for generic coping responses.
Passing Over: Identity Transition in Widows
Authors: Cheek Cheryl
Published: June 2010

This qualitative study of nine women examined the changes in their everyday lives as they cared for their terminally-ill husbands and after their husbands died. It also studied how the women coped with these changes, and how their coping contributed to their identity change from wife to widow. Symbolic interaction was utilized to study the changes in their social relationships, time usage, and the utilization of everyday objects. Initially, these changes eroded identity stability, but the women's efforts to deal with them contributed to the development of new skills, interests, and ultimately, new identities.
Efficacy of Primary Prevention Interventions When Fasting and Postglucose Dysglycemia Coexist
Authors: Ramachandran Ambady , Arun Nanditha , Shetty Ananth Samith , Snehalatha Chamukuttan
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) have different pathophysiological abnormalities, and their combination may influence the effectiveness of the primary prevention tools. The hypothesis was tested in this analysis, which was done in a pooled sample of two Indian Diabetes Prevention Programmes (IDPP-1 and IDPP-2).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Researchers analyzed and followed up on the details of 845 of the 869 IGT subjects in the two studies for 3 years. Incidence of diabetes and reversal to normoglycemia (normal glucose tolerance [NGT]) were assessed in group 1 with baseline isolated IGT (iIGT) (n = 667) and in group 2 with IGT + IFG (n = 178). The proportion developing diabetes in the groups were analyzed in the control arm with standard advice (IDPP-1) (n = 125), lifestyle modification (LSM) (297 from both), metformin (n = 125, IDPP-1), and LSM + metformin (n = 121, IDPP-1) and LSM + pioglitazone (n = 298, IDPP-2). Cox regression analysis was used to assess the influence of IGT + IFG versus iIGT on the effectiveness of the interventions.

RESULTS

Group 2 had a higher proportion developing diabetes in 3 years (56.2 vs. 33.6% in group 1, P = 0.000) and a lower rate of reversal to NGT (18 vs. 32.1%, P = 0.000). Cox regression analysis showed that effectiveness of intervention was not different in the presence of fasting and postglucose glycemia after adjusting for confounding variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of primary prevention strategies appears to be similar in subjects with iIGT or with combined IGT + IFG. However, the possibility remains that a larger study might show that the effectiveness is lower in those with the combined abnormality.
Effect of Paternal Diabetes on Pre-Diabetic Phenotypes in Adult Offspring
Authors: Penesova Adela , Bunt Joy C. , Bogardus Clifton , Krakoff Jonathan
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

Paternal and maternal type 2 diabetes, exclusive of gestational diabetes, may influence risk factors in the offspring differently (through possible epigenetic effects of parental diabetes) and are difficult to identify without accurate dates of diagnosis. We aimed to examine a metabolic phenotype in three different groups of offspring to see distinct paternal versus maternal effects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We examined body composition and insulin action (M) in nondiabetic subjects and insulin secretion tested via acute insulin response (AIR) in normal glucose-tolerant full-heritage Pima Indian adults categorized by disparate parental diabetes status: 1) offspring of fathers with early-onset diabetes (age <35 years) and nondiabetic mothers (ODF; n = 10), 2) offspring of mothers with early-onset diabetes (age <35 years), not exposed to diabetes in utero with nondiabetic fathers (OMED; n = 11), and 3) a control group of offspring of parents without diabetes until >50 years of age (CON; n = 15).

RESULTS

ODFs were leaner than CONs and OMEDs (percent of body fat [%BF]: least-squares means adjusted for age and sex [95% CI]: 27.3 [23.3–31.3] in ODFs vs. 35.4 [32.2–38.5] in CONs and 32.4 [28.8–36.1] in OMEDs, P = 0.04). ODFs were more insulin sensitive (had a higher M) than OMEDs or CONs, but not after adjustment for age, sex, and %BF. AIR adjusted for M, age, sex, and %BF was lower in ODFs versus CONs and OMEDs (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adult ODFs were leaner and had lower early insulin secretion, despite being equally insulin sensitive after adjustment for body fat compared to the other groups, indicating a paternal imprinted effect.
Statistical approximation of Baskakov and Baskakov-Kantorovich operators based on the q-integers
Authors: Mahmudov Nazim
Published: June 2010

In the present paper we introduce and investigate weighted statistical approximation properties of a q-analogue of the Baskakov and Baskakov-Kantorovich operators. By using a weighted modulus of smoothness, we give some direct estimations for error in the case 0 < q < 1.
Effects of two modes of exercise training on physical fitness of 10 year-old children
Authors: dos Santos Chaves Ribeiro Lígia , de Nazaré Dias Portal Maria , da Silva João , Saraiva Alan , da Cruz Monte Gerson , Dantas Estélio
Published: June 2010

Effects of two modes of exercise training on physical fitness of 10 year-old children

Study aim: To compare two exercise training modes on the physical fitness of 10 year-old children. Material and methods: A sample of 60 schoolboys aged 10 years were randomly divided into 3 groups: Traditional (TG), trained according to the Brazilian national curricular parameters, Maturational (MG), in which the degree of difficulty of the activities was adjusted to the level of maturity of subjects, and Control group (CG). The Greulich-Pyle protocol was used to assess biological maturity. The following fitness tests were applied: 5x10 m shuttle run (SHR), Burpee's test (BCT), goniometric (LABIFIE) measurement of shoulder joint flexibility (SAA), horizontal shoulder flexion (HSF), shoulder joint abduction (SJA), lumbar spine flexion (LSF), hip joint extension (HJE) [10], Sargent's Jump Test (SJT), endurance shuttle run (ESR) and 50-m run. The TG and MG groups trained 16 weeks, twice weekly.

Results: The only significant (p<0.05) between-group differences were found for SJA (TG>MG) and LSF (TG>CG).

Conclusions: Despite the lack of clear-cut results, biological maturation combined with chronological age should be considered when applying various methodological approaches in order to encourage the engagement in physical exercises as this would have favourable carry-over effects.
The Mechanical Transient Process at Asynchronous Motor Oscillating Mode
Authors: Antonovičs Uldis , Bražis Viesturs , Greivulis Jānis
Published: June 2010

The Mechanical Transient Process at Asynchronous Motor Oscillating Mode

The research object is squirrel-cage asynchronous motor connected to single-phase sinusoidal. There are shown, that by connecting to the stator windings a certain sequence of half-period positive and negative voltage, a motor rotor is rotated, but three times slower than in the three-phase mode. Changing the connecting sequence of positive and negative half-period voltage to stator windings, motor can work in various oscillating modes. It is tested experimentally. The mechanical transient processes had been researched in rotation and oscillating modes.
Solid insulation drying of 110 kV paper-oil instrument transformers
Authors: Gavrilovs Gerards , Vītoliņa Sandra
Published: June 2010

Solid insulation drying of 110 kV paper-oil instrument transformers

Influence of moisture on the instrument transformers' paper-oil insulation and its further maintenance is described in this paper. Improved insulation drying method using vacuum and temperature regulation with definite regulation algorithm of parameters is proposed and analyzed by comparing it with conventional drying method.
Determination and analysis of synchronous motor's parameters
Authors: Mesņajevs Aleksandrs , Zviedris Andrejs
Published: June 2010

Determination and analysis of synchronous motor's parameters

In this work the parameters of synchronous machines are analyzed- direct-axis reaction Xad and quadrature-axis reaction Xaq. Methods of calculation in view of magnetic system's and its element's saturation are presented.

It is shown that definition of these reactances, using as a basis a two-reaction method, is not correct and connected with work demanding chart analyzing calculations.

The new approach to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of synchronous machine's operating modes which is based on consecutive use of the magnetic field's theory is offered, without it with two-reaction parameters Xad and Xaq. This approach is realized by means of a magnetic field's modeling using numerical methods with help of modern computers.
Optimization of the magnetic circuit of an axial inductor machine
Authors: Dirba Jānis , Levin Nikolaj , Orlova Svetlana , Pugachov Vladislav
Published: June 2010

Optimization of the magnetic circuit of an axial inductor machine

The present work gives the results of experimental testing calculation methods of the tooth zone's optimal geometry of an axial inductor generator adopted earlier.
Modeling of overheat process control of electric motor
Authors: Uteshevs Igors , Levchenkov Anatoly
Published: June 2010

Modeling of overheat process control of electric motor

The paper presents the research of heating electric traction motor, the temperature dependence of the load current and control impact. The process of heat in heating electric traction motor is given.
Operation Modes of HV/MV Substations
Authors: Survilo Josifs , Kutjuns Antons
Published: June 2010

Operation Modes of HV/MV Substations

A distribution network consists of high voltage grid, medium voltage grid, and low voltage grid. Medium voltage grid is connected to high voltage grid via substations with HV/MV transformers. The substation may contain one, mostly two but sometimes even more transformers. Out of reliability and expenditure considerations the two transformer option prevail over others mentioned. For two transformer substation, there may be made choice out of several operation modes: 1) two (small) transformers, with rated power each over 0.7 of maximum substation load, permanently in operation; 2) one (big) transformer, with rated power over maximum substation load, permanently in operation and small transformer in constant cold reserve; 3) big transformer in operation in cold season, small transformer-in warm one. Considering transformer load losses and no load losses and observing transformer loading factor β it can be said that the mode 1) is less advantageous. The least power losses has the mode 3). There may be singled out yet three extra modes of two transformer substations: 4) two big transformers in permanent operation; 5) one big transformer permanently in operation and one such transformer in cold reserve; 6) two small transformers in operation in cold season of the year, in warm season-one small transformer on duty. At present mostly two transformers of equal power each are installed on substations and in operation is one of them, hence extra mode 5). When one transformer becomes faulty, it can be changed for smaller one and the third operation mode can be practiced. Extra mode 4) is unpractical in all aspects. The mode 6) has greater losses than the mode 3) and is not considered in detail. To prove the advantage of the third mode in sense of power losses, the notion of effective utilization time of power losses was introduced and it was proven that relative value of this quantity diminishes with loading factor β. The use of advantageous substation option would make it possible to save notable amount of electrical energy but smaller transformer lifetime of this option must be taken into account as well.
Analysis of Gate Drivers for Overvoltage Suppression in Matrix Converters for Integrated Drives
Authors: Sokolovs Alvis , Galkins Ilja
Published: June 2010

Analysis of Gate Drivers for Overvoltage Suppression in Matrix Converters for Integrated Drives

This paper describes commutation overvoltage suppression methods by means of gate voltage and current control. Power IGBT gate drive circuits are compared in order to estimate the most compact and efficient topology in terms of gate charge and discharge current. Suggestions for further development of such drivers are made.
Development of a Modular Power Converter
Authors: Stepanov A. , Biesenieks L. , Sokolovs A. , Galkin I.
Published: June 2010

Development of a Modular Power Converter

This report describes the most important details of elaboration of a versatile power module that can be utilized as a part of various converters. Two or more modules connected together can form a frequency converter or multilevel converter or 3-phase inverter/rectifier etc. Initially the module was developed for fast prototyping of uninterruptible power supplies and energy systems with alternative energy sources. The module can be used also as a basis for laboratory equipment of the power electronics course.
Investigation of the Input Unit of Frequency Converter
Authors: Rankis I. , Zhiravecka A. , Bunina I.
Published: June 2010

Investigation of the Input Unit of Frequency Converter

The paper considers scheme of single-phase input unit with AC circuit reactor of frequency converter, its operation, dependencies of characteristics on parameters of the scheme and influence on supply network.
Low Cost Embedded Controlled Full Bridge LC Parallel Resonant Converter
Authors: Chandrasekhar P. , Reddy S.
Published: June 2010

Low Cost Embedded Controlled Full Bridge LC Parallel Resonant Converter

In this paper the converter requirements for an optimum control of an electrolyser linked with a DC bus are analyzed and discussed. An electrolyser is a part of renewable energy system which generates hydrogen from water electrolysis. The hydrogen generating device is part of a complex system constituted by a supplying photovoltaic plant, the grid and a fuel cell battery. The characterization in several operative conditions of an actual industrial electrolyser is carried out in order to design and optimize the DC/DC converter. A dedicated zero voltage switching DC/DC converter is presented and simulated inside the context of the distributed energy production and storage system. The proposed supplying converter gives a stable output voltage and high circuit efficiency in all the proposed simulated scenarios. The adopted DC/DC converter is realized in a full-bridge topology technique in order to achieve zero voltage switching for the power switches and to regulate the output voltage. This converter has advantages like high power density, low EMI and reduced switching stresses. The simulation results are verified with the experimental results.
Comparison and Choice of Supply and Driver Unit for Power LED Luminary
Authors: Galkin Ilya , Avotinsh Ansis , Suzdalenko Alexander , Ribickis Leonids
Published: June 2010

Comparison and Choice of Supply and Driver Unit for Power LED Luminary

the given paper estimates LED lighting technology in the context of development of Riga city illumination system. The main content of the presented report is the analysis of the photometrical and electrical performance of power LEDs at different supply and driving conditions. Possible configurations of the LED luminaries are described, as well as experimentally tested and compared. Conclusions regarding the further development of the LED luminaries are made.
Automatic Measurement for Internal Resistance of Battery in Uninterruptible Power Source
Authors: Mezitis Mareks , Karevs Vladimirs
Published: June 2010

Automatic Measurement for Internal Resistance of Battery in Uninterruptible Power Source

This paper considers the approach to the measurement of internal resistance of the battery in the uninterruptible power sources (UPSs [1]). Advantages of the approach are the measurements in power supplies without switching-off the battery, simplicity in realization of algorithm.

The basic expressions of the theory used in the method about internal resistance of the storage battery are considered.

The function chart of construction of an analog part of the scheme, and also algorithm of action of the scheme of logic of decision-making are considered.

Construction of the tracing generator of load, the important part in realization of the method is stated. The use of the analog machine for processing of the results of measurements and a differential method of measurement with the purpose of increase the accuracy of the method is offered.
A Sensorless Speed Control System for DC Motor Drives
Authors: Georgiev Tsolo , Mikhov Mikho
Published: June 2010

A Sensorless Speed Control System for DC Motor Drives

An approach to sensorless speed control of permanent magnet DC motor drives is presented in this paper. The motor speed has been estimated indirectly by the respective back EMF voltage. Using a discrete vector-matrix description of the controlled object, an optimal modal state observer has been synthesized, as well as an optimal modal controller. The results obtained show that the applied control method can ensure good performance.
Control of Comfort Parameters in Interior of Railway Coach Using ANN and RFID Tasks
Authors: Beinarts Ivars , Levchenkov Anatoly
Published: June 2010

Control of Comfort Parameters in Interior of Railway Coach Using ANN and RFID Tasks

The main idea of this paper is to use methods of ANN (artificial neural network) and RFID (radio frequency identification) to create an algorithm and coordination mechanism for climate parameters control in the railway passengers' coach to save an electrical energy and keep a high comfort level in the passengers' interior of railway coach. The article presents mathematical problem using intelligent control of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems for microclimate parameters optimal control. The methods of the problem solving and the structure of problem solving algorithm are given in the article.
Integration of Technology, Curriculum, and Professional Development for Advancing Middle School Mathematics
Authors: Roschelle Jeremy , Shechtman Nicole , Tatar Deborah , Hegedus Stephen , Hopkins Bill , Empson Susan , Knudsen Jennifer , Gallagher Lawrence P.
Published: June 2010

The authors present three studies (two randomized controlled experiments and one embedded quasi-experiment) designed to evaluate the impact of replacement units targeting student learning of advanced middle school mathematics. The studies evaluated the SimCalc approach, which integrates an interactive representational technology, paper curriculum, and teacher professional development. Each study addressed both replicability of findings and robustness across Texas settings, with varied teacher characteristics (backgrounds, knowledge, attitudes) and student characteristics (demographics, levels of prior mathematics knowledge). Analyses revealed statistically significant main effects, with student-level effect sizes of .63, .50, and .56. These consistent gains support the conclusion that SimCalc is effective in enabling a wide variety of teachers in a diversity of settings to extend student learning to more advanced mathematics.
Confounded Statistical Analyses Hinder Interpretation of the NELP Report
Authors: Paris Scott G. , Luo Serena Wenshu
Published: June 2010

The National Early Literacy Panel (2008) report identified early predictors of reading achievement as good targets for instruction, and many of those skills are related to decoding. In this article, the authors suggest that the developmental trajectories of rapidly developing skills pose problems for traditional statistical analyses. Rapidly developing skills yield correlations with later reading success that change with learning, so the predictive strengths are temporary and unstable. The correlations are strong only briefly, when children demonstrate partial learning of a skill that they will master completely later. Thus correlations with rapidly developing skills exaggerate the strength of the relation to later achievement, ignore the transient developmental window, and inflate effect sizes of interventions.
Advancing Early Literacy Learning for All Children
Authors: Gutiérrez Kris D. , Zepeda Marlene , Castro Dina C.
Published: June 2010

The authors examine the implications and limitations of the National Early Literacy Panel report on the early care of young children who are dual-language learners (DLLs). They examine the relevance of the report for DLLs, particularly the practice in this and other national synthesis reports of extrapolating implications for the education of young DLLs based on a broader population of children. The article addresses the existing gaps in knowledge about literacy practices—knowledge that is central to the development of sound and appropriate educational policies and practices that support DLLs’ full development as language and literacy learners.
Developing Early Literacy Skills
Authors: Lonigan Christopher J. , Shanahan Timothy
Published: June 2010

This rejoinder provides responses to the conceptual concerns expressed in the nine critiques published in this issue of Educational Researcher of the 2008 National Early Literacy Panel report. It explains the necessity of adhering to clearly established study selection parameters in conducting trustworthy meta-analyses and the need to be cautious in claims made on the basis of empirical evidence. The rejoinder summarizes the report’s extensive analyses of language development data and highlights substantial empirical evidence that contradicts the critics’ claims about alphabetic code-related skills. Also included are pointed discussions of the critics’ conceptual arguments concerning shared reading activities, parent/home literacy programs, English-language learners, and early childhood education.
The NELP Report on Shared Story Reading Interventions (Chapter 4)
Authors: Schickedanz Judith A. , McGee Lea M.
Published: June 2010

The authors discuss the 19 individual studies included in chapter 4 (shared story reading interventions) of the report of the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP) and offer more nuanced conclusions than the report’s authors do. They also emphasize the need for more comprehensive approaches to shared story reading in preschool than those found in the studies available to the NELP for its meta-analysis. Like the panel authors, the authors of this response call especially for shared reading interventions that support children’s understanding of meaning, as well as vocabulary and syntax development and print-related skills.
Recasting the Role of Family Involvement in Early Literacy Development
Authors: Dail Alanna Rochelle , Payne Rebecca L.
Published: June 2010

The authors argue that the findings from the National Early Literacy Panel (NELP; 2008) report related to parent involvement and family literacy programs require further clarification. Based on an ideological view of literacy, the authors offer three recommendations that would provide a more accurate representation of parent involvement and family literacy programs and the families they serve, as well as enhance the findings of the NELP report: (a) Create an expanded definition of parent involvement and family literacy programs, (b) include programs that are familial and culturally competent, and (c) develop expanded matrices for evaluating family literacy programs that reflect a more inclusive measure of effectiveness.
Lessons From My Mother
Authors: Neuman Susan B.
Published: June 2010

This review focuses on the inclusion criteria for the selection of studies in the National Early Literacy Panel report. It argues that the interpretation of early literacy is overly narrow and ignores the important role of background knowledge and conceptual development. To make this argument, it examines studies of comprehension in content areas and shows how domain-specific knowledge uniquely contributes to literacy learning. It suggests that code-based skills do not sufficiently account for early literacy development. Rather, content-rich settings in which skills are learned through meaningful activity help children acquire the broad array of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that build a foundation for literacy learning.
Guest Editor’s Introduction
Authors: McGill-Franzen Anne
Published: June 2010

This special issue was a joint effort of two Educational Researcher ( ER) editorial teams, including former ER editors, led by Greg Camilli. Current ER associate editor Deborah Dillon and her editorial colleagues then partnered with Anne McGill-Franzen and Timothy Shanahan to oversee the manuscript review and revision process. In the introduction, McGill-Franzen provides the rationale for a critical examination of the National Early Literacy Panel report, in particular the implications of this important research synthesis for the development of policy in early literacy. She also establishes a context for each of the commentary pieces that follow.
Patterns of cord, placental and post‐delivery maternal malaria parasitemia
Authors: Oringanje Chioma , Meremikwu Martin , Ogar Bam , Okon Asikpo , Udoh Albert
Published: June 2010

Malaria transmission is high and perennial in south‐east Nigeria and is associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years and pregnant women. It is associated with maternal anemia, placental infection, intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight. To evaluate the status of malaria in pregnancy in Cross River State, Nigeria, we assessed the prevalence rates of maternal, cord and placental malaria parasitemia in the dry and rainy seasons for 626 consecutively recruited pregnant women who delivered at two rural and two urban health facilities. Demographic data were obtained at delivery and maternal, placental and cord blood samples were collected and examined for malaria parasites by light microscopy. Of the mother and infant pairs, 120 (19.2%), 69 (14.7%) and 62 (13.5%), respectively, had positive maternal, placental and cord blood parasitemia. Parasitemia rates in the rainy season were higher than in the dry season (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in maternal, placental and cord parasitemia between urban and rural areas. The prevalence rates of parasitemia at delivery indicate high malaria transmission and poor control during pregnancy.
Representations of Eastern Europe in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, Jonathan Stroud's The Bartimaeus Trilogy, and J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series
Authors: Oziewicz Marek
Published: June 2010

This essay examines the cultural maps of Eastern European nations drawn by Philip Pullman in His Dark Materials trilogy, Jonathan Stroud in The Bartimaeus Trilogy and J. K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series. I argue that each of those authors, in subtle and unintentional ways, perpetuates Western politico-cultural superiority in regard to Eastern Europeans. One reason for this may be that Pullman, Stroud and Rowling share a specifically British cultural attitude of regarding the continent as alien and incomprehensible. This perspective is part of a fuzzy cluster of notions, seemingly widespread across Europe, which comprise what Lawrence J. Sharpe calls ‘an East-West continuum of cultural one-upmanship’ (309). As the most westerly people on this continuum, so the explanation goes, the British tend to look down on everyone else to the East. My focus in this article is on how these attitudes are communicated in some of the most internationally popular British fantasy series of the recent years.
State of the Art and Trends in Wind Resource Assessment
Authors: Probst Oliver , Cárdenas Diego
Published: June 2010

Given the significant rise of the utilization of wind energy the accurate assessment of the wind potential is becoming increasingly important. Direct applications of wind assessment techniques include the creation of wind maps on a local scale (typically 5 20 km) and the micrositing of wind turbines, the estimation of vertical wind speed variations, prospecting on a regional scale (>100 km), estimation of the long-term wind resource at a given site, and forecasting. The measurement of wind speed and direction still widely relies on cup anemometers, though sonic anemometers are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, remote sensing by Doppler techniques using the backscattering of either sonic beams (SODAR) or light (LIDAR) allowing for vertical profiling well beyond hub height are quickly moving into the mainstream. Local wind maps are based on the predicted modification of the regional wind flow pattern by the local atmospheric boundary layer which in turn depends on both topographic and roughness features and the measured wind rose obtained from one or several measurement towers within the boundaries of the planned development site. Initial models were based on linearized versions of the Navier-Stokes equations, whereas more recently full CFD models have been applied to wind farm micrositing. Linear models tend to perform well for terrain slopes lower than about 25% and have the advantage of short execution times. Long-term performance is frequently estimated from correlations with nearby reference stations with concurrent information and continuous time series over a period of at least 10 years. Simple methods consider only point-to-point linear correlations; more advanced methods like multiple regression techniques and methods based on the theory of distributions will be discussed. Both for early prospecting in regions where only scarce or unreliable reference information is available, wind flow modeling on a larger scale (mesoscale) is becoming increasingly popular.
Bacterial Exopolysaccharides from Extreme Marine Habitats: Production, Characterization and Biological Activities
Authors: Poli Annarita , Anzelmo Gianluca , Nicolaus Barbara
Published: June 2010

Many marine bacteria produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) as a strategy for growth, adhering to solid surfaces, and to survive adverse conditions. There is growing interest in isolating new EPS producing bacteria from marine environments, particularly from extreme marine environments such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents characterized by high pressure and temperature and heavy metal presence. Marine EPS-producing microorganisms have been also isolated from several extreme niches such as the cold marine environments typically of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, characterized by low temperature and low nutrient concentration, and the hypersaline marine environment found in a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems such as salt lakes and salterns. Most of their EPSs are heteropolysaccharides containing three or four different monosaccharides arranged in groups of 10 or less to form the repeating units. These polymers are often linear with an average molecular weight ranging from 1 × 105 to 3 × 105 Da. Some EPS are neutral macromolecules, but the majority of them are polyanionic for the presence of uronic acids or ketal-linked pyruvate or inorganic residues such as phosphate or sulfate. EPSs, forming a layer surrounding the cell, provide an effective protection against high or low temperature and salinity, or against possible predators. By examining their structure and chemical-physical characteristics it is possible to gain insight into their commercial application, and they are employed in several industries. Indeed EPSs produced by microorganisms from extreme habitats show biotechnological promise ranging from pharmaceutical industries, for their immunomodulatory and antiviral effects, bone regeneration and cicatrizing capacity, to food-processing industries for their peculiar gelling and thickening properties. Moreover, some EPSs are employed as biosurfactants and in detoxification mechanisms of petrochemical oil-polluted areas. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of current knowledge on EPSs produced by marine bacteria including symbiotic marine EPS-producing bacteria isolated from some marine annelid worms that live in extreme niches.
Change Detection Accuracy and Image Properties: A Study Using Simulated Data
Authors: Almutairi Abdullah , Warner Timothy A.
Published: June 2010

Simulated data were used to investigate the relationships between image properties and change detection accuracy in a systematic manner. The image properties examined were class separability, radiometric normalization and image spectral band-to-band correlation. The change detection methods evaluated were post-classification comparison, direct classification of multidate imagery, image differencing, principal component analysis, and change vector analysis. The simulated data experiments showed that the relative accuracy of the change detection methods varied with changes in image properties, thus confirming the hypothesis that caution should be used in generalizing from studies that use only a single image pair. In most cases, direct classification and post-classification comparison were the least sensitive to changes in the image properties of class separability, radiometric normalization error and band correlation. Furthermore, these methods generally produced the highest accuracy, or were amongst those with a high accuracy. PCA accuracy was highly variable; the use of four principal components consistently resulted in substantial decreased classification accuracy relative to using six components, or classification using the original six bands. The accuracy of image differencing also varied greatly in the experiments. Of the three methods that require radiometric normalization, image differencing was the method most affected by radiometric error, relative to change vector and classification methods, for classes that have moderate and low separability. For classes that are highly separable, image differencing was relatively unaffected by radiometric normalization error. CVA was found to be the most accurate method for classes with low separability and all but the largest radiometric errors. CVA accuracy tended to be the least affected by changes in the degree of band correlation in situations where the class means were moderately dispersed, or clustered near the diagonal. For all change detection methods, the classification accuracy increased as simulated band correlation increased, and direct classification methods consistently had the highest accuracy, while PCA generally had the lowest accuracy.
Investigation on the Patterns of Global Vegetation Change Using a Satellite-Sensed Vegetation Index
Authors: Li Ainong , Deng Wei , Liang Shunlin , Huang Chengquan
Published: June 2010

The pattern of vegetation change in response to global change still remains a controversial issue. A Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset compiled by the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) was used for analysis. For the period 1982–2006, GIMMS-NDVI analysis indicated that monthly NDVI changes show homogenous trends in middle and high latitude areas in the northern hemisphere and within, or near, the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn; with obvious spatio-temporal heterogeneity on a global scale over the past two decades. The former areas featured increasing vegetation activity during growth seasons, and the latter areas experienced an even greater amplitude in places where precipitation is adequate. The discussion suggests that one should be cautious of using the NDVI time-series to analyze local vegetation dynamics because of its coarse resolution and uncertainties.
Modeling and Analysis of Energy Conservation Scheme Based on Duty Cycling in Wireless Ad Hoc Sensor Network
Authors: Chung Yun Won , Hwang Ho Young
Published: June 2010

In sensor network, energy conservation is one of the most critical issues since sensor nodes should perform a sensing task for a long time (e.g., lasting a few years) but the battery of them cannot be replaced in most practical situations. For this purpose, numerous energy conservation schemes have been proposed and duty cycling scheme is considered the most suitable power conservation technique, where sensor nodes alternate between states having different levels of power consumption. In order to analyze the energy consumption of energy conservation scheme based on duty cycling, it is essential to obtain the probability of each state. In this paper, we analytically derive steady state probability of sensor node states, i.e., sleep, listen, and active states, based on traffic characteristics and timer values, i.e., sleep timer, listen timer, and active timer. The effect of traffic characteristics and timer values on the steady state probability and energy consumption is analyzed in detail. Our work can provide sensor network operators guideline for selecting appropriate timer values for efficient energy conservation. The analytical methodology developed in this paper can be extended to other energy conservation schemes based on duty cycling with different sensor node states, without much difficulty.
Comparison of Several Methods for Determining the Internal Resistance of Lithium Ion Cells
Authors: Schweiger Hans-Georg , Obeidi Ossama , Komesker Oliver , Raschke André , Schiemann Michael , Zehner Christian , Gehnen Markus , Keller Michael , Birke Peter
Published: June 2010

The internal resistance is the key parameter for determining power, energy efficiency and lost heat of a lithium ion cell. Precise knowledge of this value is vital for designing battery systems for automotive applications. Internal resistance of a cell was determined by current step methods, AC (alternating current) methods, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and thermal loss methods. The outcomes of these measurements have been compared with each other. If charge or discharge of the cell is limited, current step methods provide the same results as energy loss methods.
On the Use of Piezoelectric Sensors in Structural Mechanics: Some Novel Strategies
Authors: Irschik Hans , Krommer Michael , Vetyukov Yury
Published: June 2010

In the present paper, a review on piezoelectric sensing of mechanical deformations and vibrations of so-called smart or intelligent structures is given. After a short introduction into piezoelectric sensing and actuation of such controlled structures, we pay special emphasis on the description of some own work, which has been performed at the Institute of Technical Mechanics of the Johannes Kepler University of Linz (JKU) in the last years. Among other aspects, this work has been motivated by the fact that collocated control of smart structures requires a sensor output that is work-conjugated to the input by the actuator. This fact in turn brings into the play the more general question of how to measure mechanically meaningful structural quantities, such as displacements, slopes, or other quantities, which form the work-conjugated quantities of the actuation, by means piezoelectric sensors. At least in the range of small strains, there is confidence that distributed piezoelectric sensors or sensor patches in smart structures do measure weighted integrals over their domain. Therefore, there is a need of distributing or shaping the sensor activity in order to be able to re-interpret the sensor signals in the desired mechanical sense. We sketch a general strategy that is based on a special application of work principles, more generally on displacement virials. We also review our work in the past on bringing this concept to application in smart structures, such as beams, rods and plates.