bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compensatory nutrition-directed mammary cell proliferation and lactation in rats
Authors: Kim S. H. , Moon Y. S. , Keller W. L. , Park C. S.
Published: June 2005

The proper use of a time-dependent and controlled nutrition regimen during the hormone-sensitive growth phase before first parturition can significantly affect mammary growth and subsequent lactation performance. The objective of the present study was to determine if a compensatory nutrition regimen improves lactation performance by affecting proliferation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells. Forty female rats (7 weeks of age, average weight 148 g) were assigned to either (1) control, free access to diet or (2) stair-step compensatory nutrition regimen, an alternating 3–4-week schedule beginning with an energy-restricted diet (31·2% restriction) for 3 weeks, followed by the control diet for 4 weeks. Estimated milk yield was greater (P<0·05) on day 15 of lactation in the compensatory nutrition group than in the control group. Mammary cell proliferation values were 1·4- and 2·7-fold greater in mammary tissue from the compensatory group during pregnant and early lactating stages respectively, compared with those from the control group. Ornithine decarboxylase (EC4.1.1.17)mRNA was 24% higher (P<0·05) in mammary tissues of rats from the compensatory nutrition group during pregnancy than in those from the control group. These results indicate that the compensatory nutrition regimen imposed during the peripubertal growth phase stimulated mammary epithelial cell proliferation and improved lactation performance.
Glutathione peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.9) and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activities in riboflavin-deficient rats infected with Plasmodium berghei malaria
Authors: Adelekan D. A. , Thurnham D. I.
Published: June 2005

Riboflavin deficiency interferes with the growth and multiplication of malaria parasites as well as the host response to malaria. The objective of the present work was to determine the effects of riboflavin deficiency on erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (EC1.11.1.9; GPx) and superoxide dismutase (EC1.15.1.1; SOD) in rats infected withPlasmodium bergheimalaria. Riboflavin in its co-enzyme form, FAD, is required by glutathione reductase (EC1.6.4.1) to regenerate GSH and GSH is an important cellular antioxidant both in its own right and also as a substrate for the enzyme GPx. Weanling rats were deprived of riboflavin for 8 weeks before intraperitoneal injection of 1 × 106P. bergheiparasites. Control animals were weight-matched to the respective riboflavin-deficient group. At 10d post-infection, parasite counts were higher in the weight-matched control group than the riboflavin-deficient group (P= 0.004). GPx activity was higher in erythrocytes of rats parasitized withP. bergheithan comparable non-infected rats regardless of riboflavin status (P< 0.05). As mature erythrocytes do not synthesize new protein, the higher GPx activities were probably due to the presence of the parasite protein. In erythrocytes from riboflavin-deficient rats, GPx activity tended to be lower than in those rats fed on diets adequate in riboflavin (weight-matched controls) whether parasitized or not, but the difference was not significant. Neither riboflavin deficiency nor malaria had any effect on erythrocyte SOD activity. It was concluded that riboflavin deficiency has no marked effect on erythrocyte GPx or SOD activity in the rat.
Origin and Evolution of Kinesin-Like Calmodulin-Binding Protein
Authors: Abdel-Ghany Salah E. , Day Irene S. , Simmons Mark P. , Kugrens Paul , Reddy Anireddy S.N.
Published: June 2005

Kinesin-like calmodulin-binding protein (KCBP), a member of the Kinesin-14 family, is a C-terminal microtubule motor with three unique domains including a myosin tail homology region 4 (MyTH4), a talin-like domain, and a calmodulin-binding domain (CBD). The MyTH4 and talin-like domains (found in some myosins) are not found in other reported kinesins. A calmodulin-binding kinesin called kinesin-C (SpKinC) isolated from sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) is the only reported kinesin with a CBD. Analysis of the completed genomes of Homo sapiens, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and a red alga (Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D) did not reveal the presence of a KCBP. This prompted us to look at the origin of KCBP and its relationship to SpKinC. To address this, we isolated KCBP from a gymnosperm, Picea abies, and a green alga, Stichococcus bacillaris. In addition, database searches resulted in identification of KCBP in another green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and several flowering plants. Gene tree analysis revealed that the motor domain of KCBPs belongs to a clade within the Kinesin-14 (C-terminal motors) family. Only land plants and green algae have a kinesin with the MyTH4 and talin-like domains of KCBP. Further, our analysis indicates that KCBP is highly conserved in green algae and land plants. SpKinC from sea urchin, which has the motor domain similar to KCBP and contains a CBD, lacks the MyTH4 and talin-like regions. Our analysis indicates that the KCBPs, SpKinC, and a subset of the kinesin-like proteins are all more closely related to one another than they are to any other kinesins, but that either KCBP gained the MyTH4 and talin-like domains or SpKinC lost them.
Connected brains
Authors: Iske Paul , Boersma Willem
Published: June 2005

Purpose

In this paper the aim is to describe the role that question‐driven knowledge exchange systems can play in the transfer of knowledge between people and to describe the conditions to be fulfilled for successful implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The conclusions in this paper are based on interpretation of results of case studies. These are combined with literature research.

Findings

The major conclusion of the work is that question and answer (Q&A) systems are more promising than traditional Yellow Pages systems. However, some challenges remain the same, especially those related to motivating people to ask (the right) questions.

Research limitations/implications

The authors believe that further study would be helpful to better understand the causal relationships between the success of a Q&A‐driven knowledge system and the context where they are applied. More case studies and a fundamental study of the types of knowledge and organizations that could benefit from this approach would help people to make better decisions when considering the implementation of a Q&A system.

Practical implications

The aim of this work is to help people make better decisions when they consider the implementation of a system that connects people with a knowledge question to people with the relevant knowledge. It helps them to understand whether such a system can add value at all and, if so, how to increase the probability of success.

Originality/value

As far as is known, there has not been a study so far, explicitly focusing on this type of system and the comparison of the application of Q&A systems to “traditional” Yellow Pages. The application of scenario‐thinking to this field is also new.
The impact of comorbid anxiety and depression on alcohol treatment outcomes
Authors: Burns Lucy , Teesson Maree , O'Neill Katy
Published: June 2005

Aims  This study examines the impact of comorbid Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM‐IV) anxiety and/or depression on out‐patient treatment for alcohol problems.

Design  A prospective correlational design.

Participants and settings  Seventy‐one clients seeking alcohol out‐patient treatment at two treatment sites were interviewed at commencement of a treatment episode for alcohol problems and reinterviewed using the same measures 3 months later. Comorbid DSM‐IV anxiety and/or depression were measured by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a comprehensive interview developed by the World Health Organization to assess current and life‐time prevalence of mental disorders. Outcome measures included standardized measures of disability [the short form (SF)‐12 Mental Health Summary Score and the number of days taken out of role] and the average amount of alcohol consumed. Clients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the services received.

Findings  Participants with comorbid DSM‐IV anxiety and/or depressive disorders were more disabled and drank more heavily than those without these comorbid disorders at entry to treatment. At 3‐month follow‐up both groups of participants (i.e. those with and without DSM‐IV comorbid anxiety and/or depression) were significantly less disabled and also drank significantly less alcohol on an average drinking occasion than at baseline. Despite this, the comorbid group remained more disabled and drank more heavily than the non‐comorbid group at follow‐up.

Conclusions  Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate model of care for alcohol treatment seekers with comorbid DSM‐IV anxiety and/or depression.
Challenging implicit and explicit alcohol‐related cognitions in young heavy drinkers
Authors: Wiers Reinout W. , Van De Luitgaarden Jade , Van Den Wildenberg Esther , Smulders Fren T. Y.
Published: June 2005

Aims  To test whether an expectancy challenge (EC) changes implicit and explicit alcohol‐related cognitions and binge drinking in young heavy drinkers. This is important for theoretical and practical reasons: the EC presents a critical test for the hypothesized mediational role of alcohol cognitions and the EC has been presented as a promising intervention to counter alcohol problems in heavy drinking youth.

Setting, participants and intervention  Ninety‐two heavy drinking college and university students (half women) were assigned randomly to the EC or control condition (a sham alcohol experiment in the same bar‐laboratory).

Measurements  Explicit alcohol cognitions and alcohol use were assessed with paper‐and‐pencil measures. Alcohol use was assessed prior to the experiment and during a 1‐month follow‐up. Implicit alcohol‐related cognitions were assessed with two versions of the Implicit Association Test (IAT), adapted to assess implicit valence and arousal associations with alcohol.

Findings and conclusions  The EC resulted in decreased explicit positive arousal expectancies in men and women alike. There was some evidence for a differential reduction in implicit arousal associations, but findings depended on the version of the IAT and on the scoring‐algorithm used. In men (but not in women) there was a short‐lived differential reduction in prospective alcohol use (significant in week 3 of the follow‐up), and this reduction was partially mediated by the decrease in explicit positive arousal expectancies. These findings suggest that an EC successfully changes explicit alcohol cognitions and that this may have short‐lived beneficial effects in heavy drinking young men.
Parental rules and communication: their association with adolescent smoking
Authors: Harakeh Zeena , Scholte Ron H. J. , De Vries Hein , Engels Rutger C. M. E.
Published: June 2005

Aims  To examine the association between parental rules and communication (also referred to as antismoking socialization) and adolescents’ smoking.

Design and participants  A cross‐sectional study including 428 Dutch two‐parent families with at least two adolescent children (aged 13–17 years).

Measurements  Parents’ and adolescents’ reports on an agreement regarding smoking by adolescents, smoking house rules, parental confidence in preventing their child from smoking, frequency and quality of communication about smoking, and parent's reactions to smoking experimentation.

Findings  Compared with fathers and adolescents, mothers reported being more involved in antismoking socialization. There were robust differences in antismoking socialization efforts between smoking and non‐smoking parents. Perceived parental influence and frequency and quality of communication about smoking were associated with adolescents’ smoking. The association between antismoking socialization practices and adolescents’ smoking was not moderated by birth order, parents’ smoking or gender of the adolescent.

Conclusions  Encouraging parents, whether or not they themselves smoke, to discuss smoking‐related issues with their children in a constructive and respectful manner is worth exploring as an intervention strategy to prevent young people taking up smoking.
Evaluating Area-Wide Crime-Reduction Measures
Authors: Marchant Paul
Published: June 2005

When we look around an imperfect world, we feel an understandable impulse to improve matters. We may therefore decide to intervene by prescribing medical treatment or by introducing crime reduction measures. But how do we know that what we do is likely to work? In medicine the standard answer is to do a trial; not surprisingly the same is true in crime reduction. But, says Paul Marchant, the lessons learned from medical trials have not been implemented in the latter field.
Defying Symmetry
Authors: Venn John
Published: June 2005

John Venn, Cambridge don, is best known for the “Venn diagram”, which he introduced in the course of his lectures on logic and published in 1880. But he had other strings to his bow. He wrote The Logic of Chance, which greatly influenced the development of the frequentist viewpoint and included the first drawing of a random walk in the plane (accompanied by the realization that in the limit the figure was fractal, as we should now say). He gave the first British lecture course on Theory of Statistics, in the Moral Science Tripos in 1890, and among historians he is famous for that branch of local history which concentrates on colleges, universities and their members.
Differential regulation of insulin resistance and hypertension by sex hormones in fructose-fed male rats
Authors: Vasudevan Harish , Xiang Hong , McNeill John H.
Published: June 2005

Differences in gender are in part responsible for the development of insulin resistance (IR) and associated hypertension. Currently, it is unclear whether these differences are dictated by gender itself or by the relative changes in plasma estrogen and/or testosterone. We investigated the interrelationships between testosterone and estrogen in the progression of IR and hypertension in vivo in intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed male rats. Treatment with estrogen significantly reduced the testosterone levels in both normal chow-fed and fructose-fed rats. Interestingly, fructose feeding induced a relative increase in estradiol levels, which did not affect IR in both intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed rats. However, increasing the estrogen levels improved insulin sensitivity in both intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed rats. In intact males, fructose feeding increased the blood pressure (140 ± 2 mmHg), which was prevented by estrogen treatment. However, the blood pressure in the fructose-fed estrogen rats (125 ± 1 mmHg) was significantly higher than that of normal chow-fed (113 ± 1 mmHg) and fructose-fed gonadectomized rats. Estrogen treatment did not affect the blood pressure in gonadectomized fructose-fed rats (105 ± 2 mmHg). These data suggest the existence of a threshold value for estrogen below which insulin sensitivity is unaffected. The development of hypertension in this model is dictated solely by the presence or absence of testosterone. In summary, the development of IR and hypertension is governed not by gender per se but by the interactions of specific sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
Regulation of human pulmonary surfactant protein gene expression by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Phokela Sarabjit S. , Peleg Sara , Moya Fernando R. , Alcorn Joseph L.
Published: June 2005

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] has been reported to stimulate lung maturity, alveolar type II cell differentiation, and pulmonary surfactant synthesis in rat lung. We hypothesized that 1,25(OH)2D3stimulates expression of surfactant protein-A (SP-A), SP-B, and SP-C in human fetal lung and type II cells. We found that immunoreactive vitamin D receptor was detectable in fetal lung tissue and type II cells only when incubated with 1,25(OH)2D3. 1,25(OH)2D3significantly decreased SP-A mRNA in human fetal lung tissue but did not significantly decrease SP-A protein in the tissue. In type II cells, 1,25(OH)2D3alone had no significant effect on SP-A mRNA or protein levels but reduced SP-A mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner when the cells were incubated with cAMP. SP-A mRNA levels in NCI-H441 cells, a nonciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cell line, were decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the absence or presence of cAMP. 1,25(OH)2D3had no significant effect on SP-B mRNA levels in lung tissue but increased SP-B mRNA and protein levels in type II cells incubated in the absence or presence of cAMP. Expression of SP-C mRNA was unaffected by 1,25(OH)2D3in lung tissue incubated ± cAMP. These results suggest that regulation of surfactant protein gene expression in human lung and type II cells by 1,25(OH)2D3is not coordinated; 1,25(OH)2D3decreases SP-A mRNA and protein levels in both fetal lung tissue and type II cells, increases SP-B mRNA and protein levels only in type II cells, and has no effect on SP-C mRNA levels.
Prevention of NF-κB activation in vivo by a cell-permeable NF-κB inhibitor peptide
Authors: Mora Ana L. , LaVoy John , McKean Martha , Stecenko Arlene , Brigham Kenneth L. , Parker Richard , Rojas Mauricio
Published: June 2005

The NF-κB/Rel transcription factor family plays a central role in coordinating the expression of a variety of genes that regulate stress responses, immune cell activation, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenic transformation. Interventions that target the NF-κB pathway may be therapeutic for a variety of pathologies, especially immune/inflammatory diseases. Using membrane translocating sequence (MTS) technology, we developed a cell-permeable dominant inhibitor of NF-κB activation, termed IκBα-(ΔN)-MTS. This molecule contains a 12-amino acid MTS motif attached to the COOH-terminal region of a nondegradable inhibitor protein [IκBα-(ΔN)]. The recombinant protein enters cells and localizes in the cytoplasm. Delivery of the IκBα-(ΔN)-MTS to cell lines and primary cells inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB proteins induced by cell activation. The protein also effectively inhibited NF-κB activation in vivo in two different animal models: NF-κB activation in response to skin wounding in mice and NF-κB activation in lungs after endotoxin treatment in sheep. Inhibition of NF-κB by the IκBα-(ΔN)-MTS in the endotoxin model attenuated physiological responses to endotoxemia. These data demonstrate that activation of NF-κB can be inhibited using a recombinant protein designed to penetrate into cells. This technology may provide a new approach to NF-κB pathway-targeted therapies.
Tensile, Flexural Properties of Unsaturated Polyester/Granite Powder and Unsaturated Polyester/Fly Ash Composites
Authors: Ramakrishna H. V. , Priya S. Padma , Rai S. K. , Varadarajulu A.
Published: June 2005

Composites are prepared using unsaturated polyester as the matrix and granite powder and fly ash as fillers. The tensile and flexural strengths of these composites are determined. The variation of tensile and flexural properties with weight fraction of the fillers is studied. The properties of granite powder composites are found to be better than those of fly ash composites.
Studies on Tensile and Flexural Properties of Epoxy Toughened with PMMA/Granite Powder and Epoxy Toughened with PMMA/Fly Ash Composites
Authors: Ramakrishna H. V. , Priya S. Padma , Rai S. K. , Varadarajulu A.
Published: June 2005

Epoxy is toughened with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and different percent weights of granite powder and fly ash are added to this matrix. The tensile and flexural strengths of these composites are determined. The variation of tensile and flexural strengths with granite powder and fly ash content is studied. For comparison, epoxy is also used as the matrix. The tensile and flexural strengths increased with PMMA content up to 4% (w/w) in the composites. The granite powder composites showed better properties than fly ash composites.
American School Counselor Association Ethical Code Changes Relevant to Family Work
Authors: Bodenhorn Nancy
Published: June 2005

Recent changes to the American School Counselor Association ethical codes relevant to working with families are outlined. Implications for school counselors, counselor educators, and other counselors working with school counselors are indicated.
Health Counseling With Individuals, Couples, and Families: Three Perspectives on Ethical and Professional Practice
Authors: Sperry Len
Published: June 2005

Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, counselors and therapists espouse at least three different views or perspectives on the relationship of professional ethics and professional practice. Needless to say, these perspectives influence the therapeutic relationship and the treatment process whether the client’s concern involves health or other issues. The article provides detailed sketches of each of these three perspectives and implications for clinical practice.
On the Theory of Cyclic Growth Twins
Authors: Ericksen J. L.
Published: June 2005

Various kinds of crystals are grown by nature in multiply twinned configurations called cyclic twins. Here, for the first time, I will use twinning equations to analyze some representative examples of these. Generally, these can be free of shear stresses only if lattice parameters are somewhat different from those commonly measured at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and theory provides a description of the former. So, in the usual environment, they must be subject to residual stresses, although they were probably not, in the environment in which they grew.
On Certain Deformation Classes of Compressible Hencky Materials
Authors: Aron M.
Published: June 2005

For the case of plane strain and in the absence of body forces an exact solution that describes the straightening of annular cylindrical sectors composed of compressible Hencky materials is obtained and, using the energy criterion, its stability is investigated. The most general class of isotropic, compressible, hyperelastic materials for which a solution of this type is possible is also determined. Under certain restrictions, an inequality that may be regarded as a universal relation is shown to hold for all materials in this class as well as for all isotropic, compressible, hyperelastic materials that satisfy the Baker-Ericksen inequality. Some other inequalities, showing that certain deformations of bodies composed of Hencky materials are necessarily accompanied by an overall volume increase (which may also be viewed as universal relations for the Hencky materials), are established.
A Rate-Independent Approach to the Delamination Problem
Authors: Kočvara M. , Mielke A. , Roubíček T.
Published: June 2005

We study delamination processes for elastic bodies glued together by an adhesive as an activated, rate-independent process. The adhesive is assumed to absorb a specific amount of energy during the delami-nation process. A solution is defined by energetic principles of stability and balance of stored and dissipated energies with the work of external loading, realized here through displacement on parts of the boundary. Starting from a time discretization, we construct solutions via a rigorous limiting analysis. Moreover, we provide computer simulations for some model problems using a further finite-element spatial discretization.
Uncertainty growth in Hypo-Elastic Material Models
Authors: Zohdi T. I.
Published: June 2005

The purpose of this note is to highlight a new point of concern in the use of hypo-elastic constitutive equations. In particular, it is shown that if there is any uncertainty in the material constants that appear in such equations, it can induce nonmonotone uncertainty growth in the resulting solutions.
Satellog: A database for the identification and prioritization of satellite repeats in disease association studies
Authors: Missirlis Perseus I , Mead Carri-Lyn R , Butland Stefanie L , Ouellette BF Francis , Devon Rebecca S , Leavitt Blair R , Holt Robert A
Published: June 2005

Background

To date, 35 human diseases, some of which also exhibit anticipation, have been associated with unstable repeats. Anticipation has been reported in a number of diseases in which repeat expansion may have a role in etiology. Despite the growing importance of unstable repeats in disease, currently no resource exists for the prioritization of repeats. Here we present Satellog, a database that catalogs all pure 1–16 repeat unit satellite repeats in the human genome along with supplementary data. Satellog analyzes each pure repeat in UniGene clusters for evidence of repeat polymorphism.

Results

A total of 5,546 such repeats were identified, providing the first indication of many novel polymorphic sites in the genome. Overall, polymorphic repeats were over-represented within 3'-UTR sequence relative to 5'-UTR and coding sequence. Interestingly, we observed that repeat polymorphism within coding sequence is restricted to trinucleotide repeats whereas UTR sequence tolerated a wider range of repeat period polymorphisms. For each pure repeat we also calculate its repeat length percentile rank, its location either within or adjacent to EnsEMBL genes, and its expression profile in normal tissues according to the GeneNote database.

Conclusion

Satellog provides the ability to dynamically prioritize repeats based on any of their characteristics (i.e. repeat unit, class, period, length, repeat length percentile rank, genomic co-ordinates), polymorphism profile within UniGene, proximity to or presence within gene regions (i.e. cds, UTR, 15 kb upstream etc.), metadata of the genes they are detected within and gene expression profiles within normal human tissues. Unstable repeats associated with 31 diseases were analyzed in Satellog to evaluate their common repeat properties. The utility of Satellog was highlighted by prioritizing repeats for Huntington's disease and schizophrenia. Satellog is available online at http://satellog.bcgsc.ca.
Determination of caspase-3 activation fails to predict chemosensitivity in primary acute myeloid leukemia blasts
Authors: Staib Peter , Tiehen Jan , Strunk Timo , Schinköthe Timo
Published: June 2005

Background

Ex-vivo chemosensitivity tests that measure cell death induction may predict treatment outcome and, therefore, represent a powerful instrument for clinical decision making in cancer therapy. Such tests are, however, work intensive and, in the case of the DiSC-assay, require at least four days. Induction of apoptosis is the mode of action of anticancer drugs and should, therefore, result in the induction of caspase activation in cells targeted by anticancer therapy.

Methods

To determine, whether caspase activation can predict the chemosensitivity, we investigated enzyme activation of caspase-3, a key executioner caspase and correlated these data with chemosensitivity profiles of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts.

Results

There was, however, no correlation between the ex-vivo chemosensitivity assessed by measuring the overall rates of cell death by use of the DiSC-assay and caspase-3 activation.

Conclusion

Thus, despite a significant reduction of duration of the assay from four to one day, induction of apoptosis evaluated by capase-3 activity does not seem to be a valid surrogate marker for chemosensitivity.
Genomic analysis of heat-shock factor targets in Drosophila
Authors: Birch-Machin Ian , Gao Shan , Huen David , McGirr Richard , White Robert AH , Russell Steven
Published: June 2005

We have used a chromatin immunoprecipitation-microarray (ChIP-array) approach to investigate the in vivo targets of heat-shock factor (Hsf) in Drosophila embryos. We show that this method identifies Hsf target sites with high fidelity and resolution. Using cDNA arrays in a genomic search for Hsf targets, we identified 141 genes with highly significant ChIP enrichment. This study firmly establishes the potential of ChIP-array for whole-genome transcription factor target mapping in vivo using intact whole organisms.
Dynamic assessment in the language classroom
Authors: Poehner Matthew E. , Lantolf James P.
Published: June 2005

The focus of this paper is on the implementation of Dynamic Assessment (henceforth, DA) in the L2 classroom setting. DA is an approach to assessment and instruction derived from Vygotsky’s theory of the Zone of Proximal Development (henceforth, ZPD). In what follows, we will first discuss briefly the concept of the ZPD and its realization in DA procedures; next we will briefly discuss the work of Reuven Feuerstein, whose work on DA is most directly relevant to the goal of the present article (for a discussion of other models of DA, see Lantolf and Poehner, 2004; Sternberg and Grigorenko, 2002); finally, we will compare DA to Formative Assessment (henceforth, FA) and will suggest how FA might be reconceptualized according to DA principles. In the language testing literature, FA is usually contrasted with Summative Assessment on the grounds that the former is intended to feed back into the teaching and learning process while the latter reports on the outcomes of learning (Bachman, 1990: 60-61). Moreover, FA procedures are generally considered to be less systematic and not as high-stakes as summative assessments. Following Rea-Dickins and Gardner (2000), however, we suggest that FA is not necessarily low-stakes and that it can be carried out quite systematically, yielding results that may be more systematic and revealing with regard to learner development than summative assessments.
Using peer review with Chinese ESL student writers
Authors: Hu Guangwei
Published: June 2005

Peer review has a prominent place in process-oriented writing instruction. In this paper, I share my developing use of peer review in an academic writing course for Chinese ESL learners. After reviewing the relevant literature, I describe the context in which I implemented peer review and conducted practitioner research into its productive use. Next, I present and discuss the training activities and follow-ups I used to prepare my students for effective peer review. The various instructional practices have been experimented with and refined in a 3-year action research effort to best facilitate my students’ acquisition of academic writing skills and hence enhance the quality of classroom life. In conclusion I summarize student performance in my most recent writing class and consider several instructional changes that are likely to help students understand better and thus benefit more from peer review.
Preparation and Characterization of Candidate Reference Materials for Telomerase Assays
Authors: Jakupciak John P , Barker Peter E , Wang Wendy , Srivastava Sudhir , Atha Donald H
Published: June 2005

Background: Telomerase has been measured in body fluids of cancer patients, and clinical tests for telomerase may have utility as noninvasive, cost-effective methods for the early detection of cancer. However, telomerase activity measured by common methods such as the telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and telomerase reverse transcriptase catalytic subunit (hTERT) mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) varies among laboratories.

Methods: We prepared a CHAPS buffer lysate from cultured A549 cells and stored it at −80 °C. Telomerase activity was measured by TRAP/PCR and real-time TRAP/PCR in conjunction with RT-PCR measurements of hTERT mRNA. Activity measured with use of the robot-assisted TRAP (RApidTRAP) multicapillary electrophoresis system was compared with single-capillary and slab-gel measurements in the range 10 to 10 000 cell equivalents.

Results: Preparations made after flash freezing and sonication of cells were ∼3-fold more active. Although the slab-gel and capillary instruments detected telomerase activity, the multicapillary instrument was better suited for high-throughput studies. Measurements of telomerase by TRAP/real-time PCR and hTERT mRNA/RT-PCR yielded reproducible titrations in the range 10 to 10 000 cell equivalents (CVs, 1%–8% and 1%–3%, respectively).

Conclusions: We have prepared and characterized a candidate reference material that appears to be suitable for use in a wide range of assays of telomerase activity and expression.
Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in association with indices of adiposity and adipose tissue distribution in adults
Authors: Baumgartner Richard N. , Siervogel Roger M. , Roche Alex F.
Published: June 2005

The hypothesis, that clustering of elevated levels of blood pressures, plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterols, and serum glucose in men and women was associated with indices of adiposity and adipose tissue distributione was tested while controlling for family membership, age, level of education, income, and smoking as well as menopause (surgical and natural )and the use of oral contraceptives and replacement estrogens in women. The study population included 146 white men and 171 white women, 18–88 years of age, from 4 large kindreds residing in the Dayton, Ohio, metropolitan area. The data were collected between 1977 and 1980 as part of a study of genetic factors in essentials hypertension. Four groups of individuals with similar levels for blood pressures, plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterols, and serum glucose were defined for each sex by using a k‐means clustering algorithm. A group was identified in each sex that had higher than average values for all of these risk factors. Membership in this group was associated significantly with age and weight/stature2 in the men, and with age, weight/stature2 and the interaction of age and weight/stature2 in the women, after controlling for level of education, income, smoking, and, in the women, also for menopause, use of oral contraceptives, and replacement estrogens. Group membership was not associated significantly with family membership or with an index of adipose tissue distribution.
Validity of anthropometric regression equations for predicting changes in body fat of obese females
Authors: Ballor Douglas L. , Katch Victor L.
Published: June 2005

The validity of ten popular anthropometric percent fat prediction equations for estimating changes in percentage of body fat for obese females was studied. Thirty‐one obese females (mean ± SEM, %fat = 36.7 ± 1.1%, body mass = 75.6 ± 1.7 kg, age = 32.8 ± 1.1 years) participated in a diet‐only, diet‐plus‐exercise, or exercise‐only program. Subjects lost 2.7 ± 0.3 fat percentage points and 3.0 ± 0.3 kg body mass during the 8‐week study. While many of the equations had acceptable validity before and after body mass loss, when applied to the prediction of changes in body fat none of the equations was acceptable. It was concluded that use of anthropometric prediction equations to estimate individual percent fat change scores results in large errors and is not recommended.
Resistant cross‐ age smoothing of age‐specific percentiles for growth reference data
Authors: Himes John H. , Hoaglin David C.
Published: June 2005

Resistant delineation, a technique adapted from exploratory data analysis (Tukey, Exploratory Data Analysis, 1977), was applied to smooth age‐specific percentiles for triceps skinfold thickness across ages from 1 to 20 years. Row percentiles were transformed to logarithms to promote symmetry and to render variability more nearly homogeneous across ages. The delineation involved smoothing resistantly the sequences of age‐specific log medians and the sequence of age‐specific positive differences between the “4253H, twice” (Velleman, J. Am. Statist. Assoc., 75:609–615, 1980). The delineation concluded by recombining these smoothed sequences to obtain smoothed percentiles in the log scale. Finally, the logarithmic transformation was reversed, yielding the smoothed age‐specific percentiles. Comparisons of smoothed results from resistant, delineation with the original data indicated a satisfactory fit. Comparisons with published smoothed percentiles, obtained from the same data by a cubic‐spline procedure, showed that the resistant delineation captured the structure of the raw data better than the cubic‐spline procedure. The resistant delineation procedure makes few assumptions of the underlying data, it ensures a proper order relationship among the smoothed percentiles, it is relatively insensitive to isolated unusual data, and it is available in a common software package.
Growth and maturity status of black and white children classified as obese by different criteria
Authors: Malina Robert M. , Skrabanek Michael F. , Little Bertis B.
Published: June 2005

Weight, stature, bicondylar and biepicondylar breadths, estimated midarm muscle circumference, grip strength, and skeletal maturity were compared in 111 obese Black and 120 obese White children, 6 through 12 years of age. The children were classified as obese by the triceps skinfold (TSF), body mass index (BMI), or both, and were labeled, respectively as TSF Obese, BMI Obese, and BMI+TSF Obese. The anthropmetric dimensions, including grip strength, were transformed to z scores on the basis of age‐, sex‐, and race‐specific means and standard deviations for a mixed longitudinal sample of children among whom the obese children were indentified. Skeletal maturityu was expressed as the diference between skeletal age (Tanner‐Whitehouse II RUS method) and chronological age. Within each racial group, BMI+TSF Obese are heavier and taller, have larger extremity bone widths, have larger estimated midarm musculature, are stronger, and are more advanced in skeletal maturity than TSF Obese and average nonobese children. Although the number of children classified as BMI Obese is small, their apparently unique characteristic is an especially large estimated midarm muscle circumference compared to other obese children.
Evolutionary, biosocial, and cross‐cultural perspectives on the variability in human biological aging
Authors: Pearson J. D. , Crews D. E.
Published: June 2005

Because of our traditional emphasis on evolutionary processes and the causes of variability, human biologists have contributed to the understanding of variability in human biological aging. The shared interests of human characterized by increased phenotypic variation in later stages of life and by reduced adaptive capacity. The papers in this issue illustrate the unique blend of evolutionary, biosocial, and cross‐cultural perspectives used by human biologists to study the variation in biological aging. The papers present examples of common methodological paradigms such as theoretical/mathematical models, epidemiological studies, natural experiments, and studies of isolated foci of diseases. The principles of human adaptability and the premises of the life‐course perspective may provide the foundation for a conceptual framework that integrates the study of biological, behavioral, and social aspects of human aging. Human biologists can play an important role in refining the theoretical and methodological tools that will be needed to understand the variability in human aging in populations throughout the world.
Measurement of short‐term growth with a new knee height measuring device
Authors: Cronk Christine E. , Stallings Virginia A. , Spender Quentin W. , Ross Judith L. , Widdoes H. Donald
Published: June 2005

Information on short‐term growth (growth over periods of 1 month or less) has potential use in the clinic for treatment of children with growth disorders, and knowledge about patterns of short‐term growth may also contribute to an understanding of growth control mechanisms. Limitations of measurement reliability for most measurements of linear growth have generally confined us to evaluation of growth over periods 3 month or longer. This report introduces the Knee Height Measuring Device (KHMD)

The Knee Height Measuring Device is available from Intersciences Development Associates, 3508 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215–662–0700), patent pending.

, which can measure changes in size of the lower leg of approximately 0.5 mm and thus assist in evaluation of short‐term growth. It is smaller, more portable, and less expensive than the Valk lower leg measuring device (knemometer) and uses a less subjectively biased measurement technique.

Preliminary comparisons using a sample of 15 children measured twice at a 28‐day interval of the validity and reliability of a prototype KHMD and the Valk knemometer. Yielded an intraobserver error of 0.295 for the KHMD and 0.206 for the knemometer. Agreement of the two instruments on the presence of detectable growth was 90%. Pearson correlation of growth rates detected by the two instruments was 0.73.

After additional alterations improving the design and measurement methodology of the KHMD, 103 children 6–10 years old were measured at 28‐day intervals from January to June and then at 3‐month intervals from June to December of 1988 using the improved KHMD alone. Intraobserver error for these measurements was 0.22 mm. This error was modestly associated with the weight of the child (r=.31) but unrelated to sex, height, or growth in any dimension. Interobserver error for 22 children measured by two observers was 0.33 mm.

We analyzed the knee height growth data primarily to test whether monthly growth could be reliably detected by this instrument. Average 28‐day knee height growth was 1.76±0.3 mm, which is three times greater than the 0.5 mm growth detectable with the KHMD. Over any given 1‐month interval, fewer than 10% of the children had growth less than that which could be detected with the instrument. We conclude that the KHMD can reliably detect growth over a 1‐month interval and has potential clinical use for monitoring growth and for evaluating the characteristics and associations of short‐term growth.
Neonatal nutrition and longitudinal growth in baboons: Adiposity measured by skinfold thickness
Authors: Coelho Anthony M. , Rutenberg Gary W.
Published: June 2005

This paper reports the results of a 5 year longitudinal experiment that (1) examined growth in adiposity of a group of 48 clinically normal olive savannah baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) who were randomly assigned at birth to one of three diet treatments that differed, during the first 16 weeks, in the amount of nutrients they provided; (2) tested the hypothesis that different amounts of food availability during the neonatal period (birth to 16 weeks) had a significant effect on growth and development of adiposity in the subsequent infant, juvenile, and adolescent periods; and (3) evaluated the extent to which underfed (LC) and overfed (HC) subjects were capable of growth canalization. Each diet contained different caloric densities but the same proportion of fat (34%), carbohydrate (55%), and protein (11%). All animals were fed the same volume of formula; however, HC subject were fed 40% more calories than MC subjects, who were fed 40% more calories than the LC subjects. Growth and development of adiposity were assessed by measuring neck, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds weekly from birth to 16 weeks and at 13 week intervals from 26 to 260 weeks of age. We found that during the first 16 weeks of the experiments, baboon growth was strongly influenced by food shortages but not by excesses; however, when the dietary treatment ceased, growth appeared to be strongly regulated by a genetic component (developmental canalization) and tended to return to a more normal growth pattern within a 26 week time frame. Males and females exhibited differences in adipose development in that males did not exhibit residual treatment effects while females tended to retain the effects of neonatal dietary treatments through early adolescence.
Changes in anthropometric indices of body composition with age in a healthy elderly population
Authors: Chumlea William Cameron , Rhyne Robert L. , Garry Philip J. , Hunt William C.
Published: June 2005

Changes in body composition are known to occur with old age, but there is limited knowledge of the normal values rates of change in anthropometric indices of body composition or the distribution of these changes in the elderly. In the present study, 98 elderly white men and 122 elderly white women were followed prospectively for 6 years. These participants were divided into 5‐years cohorts on the basis of age at the start of the study in 1980. Separate linear regressions of triceps skinfold thickness, midarm circumference, midarm muscle area, and weight divided by stature squared on age were computed for each participant. The mean annual changes or slopes for these indices were small for each sex. A loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue was indicated with age, but the effects of compression or measurement error may hamper the detection of changes in indices of body composition in the elderly.
Raymond Pearl memorial lecture, 1988: Evolution of mitochondrial DNA in human and other organisms
Authors: Spuhler J. N.
Published: June 2005

Within the last ten years complete sequencing of mitochondrial DNA in human and several other species, sequencing of nuclear and mitochondrial ribosomal and transfer RNAs in many species of bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, and population studies of restriction enzyme polymorphism in the mtDNAs of insects, mammals and sixteen species of primates produced a wide range of new data and theory in molecular evolutionary genetics. These data support the endosymbiotic origin of the eukaryotic cell, the evolution of the Genus Homo with Pan as the closest related living genus, and the origin of modern Homo sapiens by gradualistic, anagenetic, regional phyletic transformation from Homo erectus.
Molecular micro‐ and macroevolution in the primate alpha‐globin gene family
Authors: Marks Jonathan
Published: June 2005

Because hemoglobin is among the most abundant and accessible proteins in the human body, the molecular basis for its production is arguably the best‐known genetic system in any higher organism. The hemoglobin molecule is tetrameric and consists all developmental stage of two copies of each of two components, alpha‐like (141 amino acids) and beta‐like (146 amino acids). The beta‐like globins are located in a tight cluster on chromosome 11 and the alpha‐like globins on chromosome 16.

The alpha‐globin cluster consists of several functional genes and nonfunctional pseudogenes, each the product of an ancient duplication of primordial genes. The cluster therefore affords us a window on the major features of molecular evolution. Within human populations hypervariable regions exist which may serve as useful genetic markers; and unequal crossing‐over creates the most prevalent genotypes of alpha‐thalassemia. Recently a new member of the alpha‐globin cluster was discovered in the orangutan genome and then subsequently in other taxa, including Homo sapiens. It appears to encode a unique alpha‐like globin, and its protein product has yet to be isolated.
Growth of Filipino infants who differ in body proportions at birth
Authors: Adair Linda S.
Published: June 2005

Growth of infants who differ in body proportions at birth was followed during the first 12 months of life. The sample of 2,695 infants from Metropolitan Cebu, in the Central Philippines, was divided into five groups based on a cross tabulation of low‐birth‐weight(LBW) status (2,500 g or less) with low (<10th percentile), adequate (10th–90th percentile) or high (>90th percentile)Rohre's Index (RI). The groups exhibited significant differences in growth patterns. The importance of these groups, which reflect weight and body proportions of the infant at birth as a determinant of attained size at 2, 6, and 12 months of age, was evaluated by using multivariate techniques which took into consideration other factors known to affect growth. Results show that intergroup differences in growth patterns and attained size occur because of (1) differences in postnatal growth potential represented by weight and body proportions at birth, (2) differences in the important biological inputs that affect postnatal growth (such as feeding practices and morbidity), and (3) differences in the effects of inputs on growth. Infants who are LBW but well proportioned are most likely to remain small during the first year of life, while those with a low RI at birth are more capable of catch‐up growth.