bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility Study on Using Visible-Near Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with a Factorial Discriminant Analysis Technique to Identify Sheep Milk from Different Genotypes and Feeding Systems
Authors: Mouazen A.M. , Dridi S. , Rouissi H. , De Baerdemaeker J. , Ramon H.
Published: December 2007

Quick detection of differences in raw milk samples due to feeding and genotype is needed for quality control of milk and milk products. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of visible (vis) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to discriminate between differences in sheep milk that are attributed to different feedings and genotypes. A mobile, fibre-type, vis-NIR spectrophotometer (Zeiss Corona 45 visnir fibre, Jena, Germany) with a light reflectance measurement range of 306.5–1710.9 nm was used to measure the light reflectance from 50 raw milk samples obtained from two experimental trials in Tunisia. Out of these 50 samples, 30 samples were from the first trial and were obtained equally from two different genotypes and 20 samples were from the second trial and were obtained equally from two different feedings of the same genotype. Milk samples were classified into four different classes, namely, Comisana genotype with pasture feeding (CO), Sicilo–Sarde genotype with pasture feeding (SS), Sicilo–Sarde genotype feeding on Scotch horse bean meal (SSB) and Sicilo–Sarde genotype feeding on soybean meal (SSS). Another milk sample classification based on three classes for three different feedings of one genotype (Sicilo–Sarde) was considered by removing CO. The factorial discriminant analysis (FDA) was applied on the first five principal components obtained from the principal component analysis performed on the vis-NIR spectra in order to classify milk samples into four and three assigned groups. Based on a four-group classification, correct classification (CC) of 92.5% and 95% was observed for the calibration and validation data sets, respectively. For a three-group classification, CC was 100% and 88.9% for the calibration and validation data sets, respectively. Even though the number of samples in the second trial (different feedings) was smaller (20 samples) compared with those in the first trial (30 samples), the FDA provided better discrimination of differences attributed to feeding compared to those attributed to genotypes. It was concluded that vis-NIR spectroscopy coupled with the FDA classification technique is a powerful tool to discriminate between genotypes and feeding differences that exist in raw sheep milk samples.
Basal phenotype: a powerful prognostic factor in small screen-detected invasive breast cancer with long-term follow-up
Authors: Evans A J , Rakha E A , Pinder S E , Green A R , Paish C , Ellis I O
Published: December 2007

Objective: To assess the frequency and prognostic significance of a basal phenotype in a group of women with screen-detected invasive breast cancers with long-term follow-up and to focus particularly on women with small ( < 15 mm) breast cancers.

Methods: The study group was derived by finding women common to a consecutive series of 1944 invasive breast cancers diagnosed in Nottingham between 1986 and 1998 with a known basal phenotype status and a prospectively collected database of all screen-detected breast cancers. In total, 356 women constituted the study group. Pathological and radiological features were recorded. Basal cell markers used were CK5/6 (cloneD5/16134) and CK14 (clone LL002). Tumours were classified as of basal phenotype if > or = 10% staining was seen with either marker.

Results: Of all screen-detected lesions, 43 (12%) had a basal immunophenotype and 313 (88%) were non-basal. There were 15 (35%) and 40 (13%) breast cancer deaths in the basal group and nonbasal groups, respectively ( P = 0.0006). On univariate analysis, nodal stage, histological grade, lympho-vascular invasion (LVI) status, invasive size and basal phenotype had prognostic significance. On multivariate analysis, basal phenotype, LVI and nodal stage maintain prognostic significance. Of the 189 women with < 15 mm lesions, eight of 20 (40%) of the basal group and eight of 169 (5%) of the non-basal group died of breast cancer ( P < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, basal phenotype was the only factor to maintain independent prognostic significance.

Conclusions: Basal phenotype is a powerful prognostic factor for women with small screen-detected invasive breast cancer.
Cost-effectiveness analysis for determining optimal cut-off of immunochemical faecal occult blood test for population-based colorectal cancer screening (KCIS 16)
Authors: Chen Li-Sheng , Liao Chao-Sheng , Chang Shu-Hui , Lai Hsin-Chih , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi
Published: December 2007

Objectives: We aimed to determine the optimal cut-off of the immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) by using cost-effectiveness analysis.

Methods: A total of 22,672 subjects aged 50 years or older were invited to have an uptake of iFOBT. We collected data from screen-detected cases for the cut-off above 100 ng/mL and obtained interval cancers from a nationwide cancer registry for a cut-off below 100 ng/mL. We found a total of 65 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, including 43 detected by screen and 22 diagnosed between screens (interval cases). The optimal cut-off was first determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Formal economic evaluation was further applied to identifying the optimal cut-off by assessing the minimum incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), an indicator for cost per life year gained (effectiveness), given a series of cut-offs of iFOBT, ranging from 30 to 200 ng/mL compared with no screening.

Results: ROC curve analysis found the optimal cut-off of iFOBT to be 100 ng/mL at which the sensitivity, false-positive and odds of being affected given a positive result were 81.5% (70.2%–89.2%), 5.7% (5.4%–6.0%) and 1.24 (1.19–1.32), respectively. The area under ROC curve was 0.87 (0.81–0.93). In economic appraisal, the screening programme irrespective of any cut-off dominated (less cost and more effectiveness) over the control group. The optimal cut-off (the lowest ICER) was 110 ng/mL at which an average of 0.054 life year was gained and that of 950 ($US) was saved.

Conclusions: We used cost-effectiveness to identify 110 ng/mL as the optimal cut-off of iFOBT in a Taiwanese population-based screening for CRC. Our model provides a useful approach for health policy-makers in designing population-based screening for CRC to determine the optimal cut-off of iFOBT when cost and effectiveness need to be taken into account.
Results from the UK NHS breast screening programme 2000–05
Authors: Bennett R L , Blanks R G , Patnick J , Moss S M
Published: December 2007

Objective: To present results from the UK NHS breast screening programme (NHSBSP) for the six-year period from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2005, and to compare these with targets.

Methods: Data are collected annually from all UK screening units on standard KC62 return forms.

Results: The prevalence of screen-positive cancer (cancer detection rate) has increased at both rounds during the six-year period. At the incident round, cancer detection rates increased by 24%, from 5.4 per 1000 in 2000 to 6.7 per 1000 in 2005 and the detection of small cancers (≤ 10 mm) has increased by 40%. Generally, quality measures in the programme continue to improve. However, while rates of recall at the incident screen decreased from 3.8% in 2000 to 3.6% in 2005, at the prevalent round, in 2005, 22% of units continued to recall more than 10% of women to assessment.

Conclusions: The results suggest that the performance of the programme continues to improve. In the future, analysis of data on interval cancers will assist the interpretation of cancer detection rates.
Factors associated with referral compliance of abnormal immunochemical faecal occult blood test
Authors: Li Chia-Ming , Shiu Ming-Neng , Chia Shu-Li , Liu Jen-Pei , Chen Tony Hsiu-Hsi , Chie Wei-Chu
Published: December 2007

Objective: This study investigated factors associated with the referral compliance of positive immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT).

Setting: Data were from a subset of people who received iFOBT at Taipei county of Taiwan in 2005.

Methods: All subjects with positive iFOBT were referred to hospital for further diagnostic examinations. In total, 226 such subjects who did not accept referral within 60 days were identified as the non-compliant group from the record of Public Health Bureau. Frequency-matched 219 subjects were sampled from the 599 people who accepted referral within 60 days as the compliant group. Telephone interviews were performed according to questionnaire designed basically under the Health Belief Model. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess effects of possible associated factors for referral compliance.

Results: A total of 145 persons in the compliant group and 115 persons in the non-compliant group completed the interview. Factors including 'perceived susceptibility' and 'cue to action: information' were positively associated with, while 'casual personality' was negatively associated with referral compliance.

Conclusions: Three factors in Health Belief Model were associated with referral compliance after positive FOBT.
Scheduling mammography screening for the early detection of breast cancer in Korean women
Authors: Lee Soon Young , Jeong Seong Hwa , Kim Jinheum , Jung Sang Hyuk , Song Keun Bae , Nam Chung Mo
Published: December 2007

Objective: To propose an efficient screening schedule for breast cancer among Korean women using the stochastic model in which the age-specific incidence rate was considered.

Setting: Female breast cancer data in the Korea Central Cancer Registry 2002.

Methods: The stochastic model was based on the threshold method, in which the schedule is determined by a pre-specified threshold value. The threshold value was defined as the probability of being in a preclinical state of breast cancer at age 40 years. The sensitivity of the mammography was specified as 0.7. Two models for mean sojourn time (MST) in the preclinical state were considered; MSTs for Model I were 2 (ages < 50 years), 3 (ages 50–59 years), and 4 years (ages ≥ 60 years), and MSTs for Model II were 3, 4, and 5 years for the corresponding age groups.

Results: The threshold method for Model I generated 19 examinations within the screening ages of 40–69 years. Each screening time was determined at ages 40.0, 41.6, 43.2, 44.8, 46.0, 47.2, 48.4, 49.6, 50.7, 51.7, 52.7, 53.7, 54.7, 56.2, 57.8, 59.4, 61.3, 63.1, and 64.9 years. The schedule sensitivity of Model I was 64.2%, which was higher than that (57.5%) of the biennial periodic schedule. Model II included 11 screenings between the ages of 40 and 69 years and also showed a higher schedule sensitivity, especially for women aged 40 years as compared with the biennial screening.

Conclusions: This finding suggests that the threshold screening schedule for breast cancer increase the schedule sensitivity by reflecting the age-specific incidence rate of a population.
The Politics of Community Planning for The Elderly
Authors: Estes C. L.
Published: December 2007

The research focused on: (1) characteristics of organizations and individuals involved in planning and their perspectives of the problems of aging; (2) the activities of the planning organizations, and (3) the contribution to planning activities and outcomes made by economic, status, or power interests of planning members. Study conclusions are that planning activities are dominated by ‘agingspecific’ organizations and their members. Planning activities are characterized by organizational and interorganizational conflicts in which the organizations and professionals involvcd attempt to legitimate and ‘professionalize’ their work in aging, partially as a means of dealing with their lack of rcsourccs and threatened organizational survival. The data indicate that both the nature and task of planning (conceptualized in broad and ambiguous terms) and the structure of the planning organizations (essentially federative) combined to prevent: (1) the objective identification of gaps and needs in the field of aging as a basis for ‘planning’; (2) the inclusion of members representing multiple professions, community organizations or institutions, or the elderly themselves, or (3) social action. Thus, in the politics of planning the planning organizations become a vehicle for relatively weak organizations to deal with their basic survival needs. Major implications of study findings in the light of present national legislation and policy in aging are discussed.
Diversity Within the Total Institution: Some Evidence from Boys’ Perceptions of Community Homes
Authors: Sinclair Ian , Heal Kevin
Published: December 2007

Some residential institutions allow staff considerable autonomy in the day-to-day running of the organization, while others curtail this freedom by imposing strong central control. One of the important differences between these two types of organization is the degree of diversity experienced by the residents. Taking a sample of community homes for delinquent boys, this study examines diversity within their welfare and work subsystems and also within houses and working groups. Two conclusions are reached: first, the more diverse the welfare and work subsystems, the less conflict is there between instrumental and expressive goals: secondly, the greater the diversity between house units within a community home, the more supportive the staff are seen to be.
Floaters, Loyalists and the Independence of Swing and Partisanship
Authors: Fuller M. F.
Published: December 2007

A model of movers and stayers (‘floaters’ and ‘loyalists’) is outlined (Section 1) in which the transitions and the floaters between one period and another are independent of the position (party or abstention) supported at the earlier time period. This model has some empirical support as a good first approximation to recent British voting behaviour. The conditions under which a national process of this kind can be seen as the aggregation of such processes operating at the constituency (or subgroup) level are established (Section 2). The extension of this model over a succession of time periods is seen to create no problems (Section 3). In Section 4, using a slight extension of the assumptions of Section 2, the (approximate) independence of swing and partisanship is seen as a natural consequence of the model and it is argued that the assumptions used are reasonable in the post-war British context.
Differential Bone Metabolism Between Postmenopausal Women With Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
Authors: Jiang Lei-Sheng , Zhang Zi-Ming , Jiang Sheng-Dan , Chen Wei-Hua , Dai Li-Yang
Published: December 2007

A comparative study of bone metabolism between postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis showed that differential levels of bone remodeling markers, leptin, free leptin index, and osteoprotegerin might partly contribute to the proposed inverse relationship in bone mass between postmenopausal women with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are two common disorders affecting the quality of life in the elderly. The association between OA and OP has always been debated. The objective of this study was to compare bone metabolism between postmenopausal women with OA and OP.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 postmenopausal women with OA and OP (n = 60, respectively) were included in this comparative study. Anthropometric parameters and BMD at the spine and the proximal femur were measured. Serum leptin, soluble leptin receptor (sLR), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and bone remodeling markers, including bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), deoxypyridinoline cross-links (DPD), and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (NTX), were quantified with commercial ELISA or EIA kits. Free leptin index (FLI) was also calculated by the ratio between serum leptin and sLR levels.

Results: Postmenopausal women with OA had higher body weight, body mass index, fat mass, and percentage of fat than those suffered from OP. Compared with the patients in OP group, the patients in OA group had significantly higher BMD values at all sites measured. Higher serum leptin and FLI and lower OPG levels were shown in the OA group (leptin: 31.22 ± 6.4 versus 26.50 ± 9.27 ng/ml, p < 0.001; FLI: 3.20 ± 1.02 versus 2.50 ± 0.95, p < 0.05; OPG: 4.75 ± 1.97 versus 6.96 ± 2.75 pM, p < 0.001), whereas lower serum OC and higher urine DPD were noted in the OP group (OC: 16.45 ± 8.45 versus 13.06 ± 6.25 ng/ml, p < 0.05; DPD: 10.83 ± 7.12 versus 15.29 ± 6.65 nM BCE/mM Cr, p < 0.001). Serum OPG levels negatively correlated with BMD at all sites assessed. However, no correlation was found between leptin and BMD. Only in the OA group di positive correlations exist between FLI and Z-score at the femoral neck and Ward's triangle region. After stepwise regression analysis, it was found that differential factors were able to predict the variance of BMD at different sites to a certain extent.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that there are significant differences in bone metabolism between postmenopausal women with OA and OP and provides evidence for the inverse relationship between OA and OP. Differential levels of bone remodeling markers, leptin, FLI, and OPG may partly contribute to the proposed inverse relationship. Roles of leptin and its soluble receptor in bone metabolism regulation should be explored further.
Overexpression of Smurf2 Stimulates Endochondral Ossification Through Upregulation of β-Catenin
Authors: Wu Qiuqian , Chen Di , Zuscik Michael J , O'Keefe Regis J , Rosier Randy N
Published: December 2007

Ectopic expression of Smurf2 in chondrocytes and perichondrial cells accelerated endochondral ossification by stimulating chondrocyte maturation and osteoblast development through upregulation of β-catenin in Col2a1-Smurf2 embryos. The mechanism underlying Smurf2-mediated morphological changes during embryonic development may provide new mechanistic insights and potential targets for prevention and treatment of human osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Our recent finding that adult Col2a1-Smurf2 mice have an osteoarthritis-like phenotype in knee joints prompted us to examine the role of Smurf2 in the regulation of chondrocyte maturation and osteoblast differentiation during embryonic endochondral ossification.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed gene expression and morphological changes in developing limbs by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, skeletal preparation, and histology. A series of markers for chondrocyte maturation and osteoblast differentiation in developing limbs were examined by in situ hybridization.

Results: Ectopic overexpression of Smurf2 driven by the Col2a1 promoter was detected in chondrocytes and in the perichondrium/periosteum of 16.5 dpc transgenic limbs. Ectopic Smurf2 expression in cells of the chondrogenic lineage inhibited chondrocyte differentiation and stimulated maturation; ectopic Smurf2 in cells of the osteoblastic lineage stimulated osteoblast differentiation. Mechanistically, this could be caused by a dramatic increase in the expression of β-catenin protein levels in the chondrocytes and perichondrial/periosteal cells of the Col2a1-Smurf2 limbs.

Conclusions: Ectopic expression of Smurf2 driven by the Col2a1 promoter accelerated the process of endochondral ossification including chondrocyte maturation and osteoblast differentiation through upregulation of β-catenin, suggesting a possible mechanism for development of osteoarthritis seen in these mice.
Low-Grade Metabolic Acidosis May Be the Cause of Sodium Chloride–Induced Exaggerated Bone Resorption
Authors: Frings-Meuthen Petra , Baecker Natalie , Heer Martina
Published: December 2007

Stepwise increase in NaCl intake in healthy male test subjects led to a low-grade metabolic acidosis. This was most likely the cause for increased bone resorption during high sodium chloride intake, as determined by analyzing bone resorption markers.

Introduction: We examined the effect of increased dietary sodium chloride (NaCl) on bone metabolism and acid-base balance.

Materials and Methods: Subjects were nine healthy men (mean age, 25.7 ± 3.1 yr; mean body weight [BW], 71.5 ± 4.0 kg). During the first period (6 days), subjects received 0.7 mEq NaCl/kg BW per day (phase 1), during the second period (6 days) 2.8 mEq NaCl/kg BW per day (phase 2), during the third period (10 days) 7.7 mEq NaCl/kg BW per day (phase 3), and during the fourth period (6 days) 0.7 mEq NaCl/kg BW per day (phase 4).

Results: Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of calcium and sodium rose significantly with increasing NaCl intake (p < 0.001 for both). Urinary excretion of bone resorption markers C- and N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX, NTX) increased from phase 2 to phase 3 (CTX, p = 0.013; NTX, p < 0.001) and decreased from phase 3 to phase 4 (CTX, p < 0.001; NTX, p = 0.002). Bone formation markers N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin remained unchanged from low to high NaCl intake. Blood pH levels decreased (p = 0.04) between phases 1 and 3. Blood bicarbonate (HCO3−) and base excess (BE) decreased from phases 1 to 3 (p < 0.001 for both) and from phases 2–3 (HCO3−, p = 0.003; BE, p = 0.015). Nearly all bone resorption markers and acid-base variables reached their baseline levels in phase 4.

Conclusions: We conclude that low-grade metabolic acidosis may be the cause of NaCl-induced exaggerated bone resorption.
Resources and Identity Verification from an Identity Theory Perspective
Authors: Stets Jan E. , Cast Alicia D.
Published: December 2007

The authors examine how personal, interpersonal, and structural resources are used in interaction to facilitate social actors' goal of self-verification. As the control of resources fosters self-verification, self-verification is expected to influence the availability of additional resources for actors to use to sustain themselves in future interactions. The authors employ a principal theory in sociology on the self, identity theory, to theoretically frame this research, and they use a representative sample of individuals in newly forged relationships to examine the reciprocal relationship between resources and the verification of a person identity and role identity. The findings reveal that the relationship between resource use and identity verification is mutually reinforcing: resource use facilitates identity verification and identity verification increases the resources available for future use. This reciprocal relationship occurs across identities and over time. The results provide insights on the idea that resources at the macro-, meso-, and microlevels are mobilized among social actors to support the self and each other, help maintain a system of interaction, and reproduce culture and social structure.
“In the Hood and on the Job”: Social Capital Accumulation among Legal and Unauthorized Mexican Immigrants
Authors: Granberry Phillip J. , Marcelli Enrico A.
Published: December 2007

Social capital research rarely separates interpersonal networks of reciprocity from trust (a characteristic of some relationships) or civic group participation and has generally ignored Portes's call to investigate determinants, rather than effects, of social capital. Employing data from a survey of randomly selected households of Mexican immigrants, the authors estimate how individual characteristics (including legal status and participation in civic groups) and various neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors influenced the probability of having had social capital—defined parsimoniously as having helped (or having been helped by) someone within one's family or friendship network when in need. Results suggest that higher educated, employed males residing in more densely populated neighborhoods with higher levels of homeownership were more likely to have engaged in such reciprocal exchange. Surprisingly, those who attended at least one labor union meeting during the previous year were less likely. Participation in other civic groups and unauthorized residency status appear to have had no effect.
Exploring the Relationship between Homophobia and Participation in Core Sports among High School Students
Authors: Osborne Danny , Wagner William E.
Published: December 2007

This article assesses the relationship between participation in extracurricular activities and homophobia in a population of high school students. During their transition from junior high to high school, participants ( N = 1,470) completed a series of phone interviews that included questions regarding homosexuality. Logistic regressions on these data indicated that males who participated in core sports (e.g., football, baseball, basketball, and/or soccer) were nearly three times more likely than individuals who did not participate in core sports to express homophobic attitudes (β = 2.967, p < .10). Conversely, females who participated in nonathletic extracurricular activities (e.g., debate club, science club) were half as likely as individuals who did not participate in nonathletic extracurricular activities to express homophobic attitudes (β = 0.599, p < .05). Future studies should focus on the rigid masculine/heterosexist identity that is perpetuated in core sports.
Comparison of germination responses of cultivated wheat ( Triticum ) and its wild relative ( Aegilops ) species under salinity, temperature and light
Authors: Yildiz M. , Kasap E.
Published: December 2007

The seed germination of bread (
Triticum aestivum
cv. Bezostaya 1 and Ceyhan 99) and durum (
Triticum durum
cv. Diyarbakır 81 and Fırat 93) wheat species and their wild relative species (
Aegilops biuncialis
and
Ae. triuncialis
) was compared at two light levels, nine NaCl concentrations and three alternating temperature regimes. No seeds germinated at 675 mmol/L NaCl. The highest seed germination (100%) of cultivated wheat cultivars was noted in the control at 15/25°C and 20/30°C, and that of wild wheat species in both the control and the 150 mmol/L NaCl treatment under all temperature regimes. The seed germination of bread and durum wheat cultivars was completely inhibited at or above 450 and 375 mmol/L NaCl, respectively. No
Ae. biuncialis
seeds germinated at 600 mmol/L NaCl, while seeds of
Ae. triuncialis
germinated at this concentration (38.9%) only at 20/30°C in darkness. The inhibitory effect of light on germination in all genotypes was determined in some salinity levels at 15/25°C. The optimal germination treatment for all genotypes was 15/25°C temperature regime and darkness. The inhibitory effect of high salinity on germination was greater at 25/35°C than at 15/25°C or 20/30°C. In salinity and temperature interactions, the seeds of wild wheat species were found to be more tolerant than those of wheat cultivars.
Soil changes after forty years of succession in an abandoned coppice in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hédl R. , Rejšek K.
Published: December 2007

Soil processes over forty years of woodland succession were studied in the abandoned coppices of the Děvín Nature Reserve, in the south-east of the Czech Republic. A total of 113 horizon samples from 34 profiles were taken in the 1960s and 2000s, following identical field and laboratory approaches, to characterize soil texture, contents of carbonates and organic matter, and soil reaction (pH/H2O, pH/KCl). Changes in the soil properties were discussed in relation to the gradual development of the mature woodland that replaced the former intensively managed ancient coppice. Four soil types (Luvisols, Regosols, Leptosols and Chernozems) and their horizons were statistically treated to identify distributions/shifts in the measured values from the past to the present. The following results were obtained: (1) The horizontal transport and sedimentation of sandy calcareous particles into the Leptosols topsoil led to increased acidity. (2) In Luvisols, the same was detected for fine clayey particles. This can be explained by the topographical occurrence of the two types — on the upper parts of slopes and under limestone cliffs for the former, and in the flat foothills for the latter soil type. (3) No acidification appeared except for Luvisols, whose luvic horizons E and Bt are, in contrast to the others, poor in calcium carbonate and relatively acidic. A decrease in acidity was recorded in KCl solution, but not in H2O. This is interpreted as the consequence of the buffering ability of the soil sorption complex. (4) Slightly improved humification was only detected in the surface horizons of Luvisols and Leptosols. (5) Contrary to expectations no illimerization, i.e. the migration of clay particles from topsoil to subsoil, was revealed.As forty years is apparently too short a time for significant vertical clay migration, it was concluded that i) horizontal migration and the accumulation of substrate particles was of at least the same importance asin situpedogenetic processes, and ii) soil property dynamics that could be linked with the changed woodland management were proved to act relatively slowly.
Role of S-methylmethionine in the plant metabolism
Authors: Szegő D. , Kósa E. , Horváth E.
Published: December 2007

S-methylmethionine (SMM), a naturally occurring, biologically active compound, is a free amino acid derivative, which is increasingly recognised as playing an important part in the plant metabolism. SMM, which is synthesised from methionine, is involved in crucial processes in the S metabolism, such as the regulation of methionine and S-adenosyl methionine levels, the methylation processes taking place in cells, and the transport and storage of sulphur in certain phases of development. It is of great importance in the development of resistance to abiotic and biotic stress factors, as it is a direct precursor in the biosynthesis of the osmoprotectants and other S-containing compounds involved in defence mechanisms, while also influencing the biosynthesis of major plant hormones such as polyamines and ethylene. The present paper discusses our increasing understanding of the role played by SMM in the plant metabolism and its possible role in the improvement of traits that enable plants to overcome stress.
The stress cycling of hydraulic lime mortars
Authors: Ball R. J. , El-Turki A. , Allen W. J. , Allen G. C.
Published: December 2007

The effect of thermal expansion and contraction in masonry has been simulated using repeated stress cycles. Cylindrical specimens cast from 1:2 NHL3.5 lime mortar were exposed to air at 208° and 65% relative humidity with a CO2 concentration of 400 ppm for 28 and 84 days respectively prior to stress cycling 40 times. Cycling did not influence the peak stress recorded from subsequent destructive compressive testing, however the un-cycled specimens absorbed more energy up to the peak stress, compared with the cycled specimens. Ion-induced electron images of the mortar structure revealed the presence of micro-cracks in the cycled mortars, suggesting the energy absorbing mechanism.
Predicting product parameters of fly ash–cement–sand bricks
Authors: Chakraverty S. , Saini H. , Panigrahi S. K.
Published: December 2007

This paper discusses models with ternary systems of fly ash, cement and sand by using simplex lattice and simplex centroid designs for building bricks. A statistical design with upper and lower bounds of three component mixtures was adopted to select the mixture proportions of experimental points required for prediction of the product parameters, namely compressive strength, bulk density and water absorption of cement fly ash bricks. The experimental points include the process parameters such as percentages of fly ash, cement and sand and the corresponding product parameters at different curing periods. Regression models of various orders for the above design methods are developed. Various tables and graphs are incorporated to give the results and comparisons among experimental and theoretical models. The developed model may be useful for direct prediction of product parameters using a smaller and fixed number of design points.
Modelling corrosion initiation of steel in concrete
Authors: Atkins C. P. , Buckley L. J. , Foster A. R. , Lambert P.
Published: December 2007

The main cause of corrosion initiation in steel reinforcement within concrete is the presence of chlorides above a threshold value. The primary source of chlorides is from the external environment, either from marine structures or de-icing salts. The most commonly used method of predicting or modelling chloride ingress is to use Fick's second law. Inevitably, there are significant variations involved in the positioning of the steel, the exposure conditions surrounding the concrete and the concrete itself. Due to the variability in chloride penetration and cover it is commonly found that the data will suggest that somewhere on the structure, chlorides have reached the depth of the steel. A single reinforcement bar with very low cover is, however, simple to address. It is more relevant to know when a significant proportion of the reinforcement is likely to become exposed to higher chloride concentrations. As structures are required to last for longer periods, and existing structures are reused for new purposes, the prediction of the likelihood of corrosion becomes more and more important. This paper presents two methodologies that may be applied to obtain a statistical assessment of chloride penetration from site data.
Briefing: Structural insulated panels in modern construction
Authors: Hairstans R. , Kermani A.
Published: December 2007

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are typically formed from a thick layer of polystyrene foam sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board. They have improved insulation qualities due to reduced cold bridging effects and satisfy all other building regulations. They are also durable if a stringent manufacturing procedure is used. SIPs are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional timber-frame construction.
Life-cycle assessment and embodied energy: a review
Authors: Menzies G. F. , Turan S. , Banfill P. F. G.
Published: December 2007

In this paper life-cycle assessment (LCA) is studied and a brief review and classification of databases and inventories is given. The factors affecting the dissimilar results in various databases are examined and discussed. The main obstacles to LCA and life-cycle energy studies, and their sources, are discussed, together with the role of data in inventory analysis. Embodied energy results are reviewed and compared, and the causes of dissimilarities and variations in these studies are presented. This paper focuses on methodologies developed and adopted for data processing, and inventory analysis for building materials. The data–LCA relationship is investigated, and the importance and role of data in LCA is reviewed. A case study of steel as a building material is introduced and a number of life cycle energy assessment studies are evaluated. The paper concludes by outlining a number of issues which need to be handled with care when performing a life-cycle study, and which warrant further qualitative and quantitative analysis.
VIP and their applications in buildings: a review
Authors: Wang X. , Walliman N. , Ogden R. , Kendrick C.
Published: December 2007

The properties of insulation materials used in the building envelope have a strong influence on thermal performance of buildings, in particular the U-value of their walls/roofs. This paper summarises current research and developments of vacuum insulation panels (VIP), which provide a quantum leap forward in thermal insulation, offering exciting opportunities for both new and retrofitted buildings. Use of VIP not only provides excellent thermal performance to meet the requirements of building regulations, as well as offering a great potential to reduce energy consumption in buildings, but also increases the available internal area of buildings. However, a real indication of overall thermal performance in use must take into account the thermal bridging that occurs around the edges of the panel caused by the construction details. The performance is also dependent on the maintenance of a vacuum against the influences of envelope permeability, outgassing, moisture and physical damage. More research and development is needed in the practical application of VIP in building solutions.
Making reinforced concrete immune from chloride corrosion
Authors: Glass G. K. , Reddy B. , Clark L. A.
Published: December 2007

Chloride-induced corrosion is a major factor affecting the durability of reinforced-concrete structures. However, a high tolerance to chloride contamination has often been achieved under laboratory conditions. A significant factor affecting the chloride threshold level for corrosion initiation in concrete is the presence of defects, such as air voids, in the cement paste at the steel–concrete interface. To explain this observation it is noted that corrosion initiation and propagation involve the local production of acid at sites where the steel passive film breaks down in the otherwise highly alkaline concrete environment. Thus, solids with pH-dependent dissolution behaviour affect the corrosion process. Solid phase corrosion inhibitors would release hydroxyl ions to prevent this local reduction in pH. By reducing the entrapped air-void content at the steel to values below 0·2% it was possible to increase the chloride threshold level from 0·2% to above 2% chloride by weight of cement as the voids no longer dilute the inhibitive solid phases. A high tolerance to chloride contamination may also be achieved by reducing the electrolyte content of voids and by using electrochemical treatments to generate a reservoir of hydroxide-containing salts at the steel–concrete interface. Chloride contamination at levels above 2% chloride by weight of cement at a reasonable steel cover depth may not be possible in concrete exposed to many environments when the concentrating effects of evaporation are minimised. Thus, a chloride threshold level of 2% may effectively render steel immune to chloride-induced corrosion.
WITHIN‐TRIAL CONTRAST: WHEN IS A FAILURE TO REPLICATE NOT A TYPE I ERROR?
Authors: Zentall Thomas R. , Singer Rebecca A.
Published: December 2007

Vasconcelos, Urcuioli, and Lionello‐DeNolf (2007) report the results of five experiments that fail to replicate the results of our within‐trial contrast study (Clement, Feltus, Kaiser, & Zentall, 2000) and suggest that our results may represent a Type I Error. We believe that this conclusion is not warranted because (a) there is considerable evidence in support of the effect and (b) the amount of training that they gave to their pigeons prior to test may not have been sufficient to observe the effect reliably. We suggest that when sufficient training is provided, reliable contrast can be found.
THE ROLE OF MULTIPLE‐EXEMPLAR TRAINING AND NAMING IN ESTABLISHING DERIVED EQUIVALENCE IN AN INFANT
Authors: Luciano Carmen , Becerra Inmaculada Gómez , Valverde Miguel Rodríguez
Published: December 2007

The conditions under which symmetry and equivalence relations develop are still controversial. This paper reports three experiments that attempt to analyze the impact of multiple‐exemplar training (MET) in receptive symmetry on the emergence of visual‐visual equivalence relations with a very young child, Gloria. At the age of 15 months 24 days (15m24d), Gloria was tested for receptive symmetry and naming and showed no evidence of either repertoire. In the first experiment, MET in immediate and delayed receptive symmetrical responding or listener behavior (from object‐sound to immediate and delayed sound‐object selection) proceeded for one month with 10 different objects. This was followed, at 16m25d, by a second test conducted with six new objects. Gloria showed generalized receptive symmetry with a 3‐hr delay; however no evidence of naming with new objects was found. Experiment 2 began at 17m with the aim of establishing derived visual‐visual equivalence relations using a matching‐to‐sample format with two comparisons. Visual‐visual equivalence responding emerged at 19m, although Gloria still had not shown evidence of naming. Experiment 3 (22m to 23m25d) used a three‐comparison matching‐to‐sample procedure to establish visual‐visual equivalence. Equivalence responding emerged as in Experiment 2, and naming emerged by the end of Experiment 3. Results are discussed in terms of the history of training in bidirectional relations responsible for the emergence of visual‐visual equivalence relations and of their implications for current theories of stimulus equivalence.
WHEN IS A FAILURE TO REPLICATE NOT A TYPE II ERROR?
Authors: Vasconcelos Marco , Urcuioli Peter J. , Lionello‐DeNolf Karen M.
Published: December 2007

Zentall and Singer (2007) challenge our conclusion that the work‐ethic effect reported by Clement, Feltus, Kaiser, and Zentall (2000) may have been a Type I error by arguing that (a) the effect has been extensively replicated and (b) the amount of overtraining our pigeons received may not have been sufficient to produce it. We believe that our conclusion is warranted because (a) the original effect has not been replicated despite multiple attempts to do so and (b) the statement that more extended overtraining may be needed itself suggests that the original effect is not reliable.
DO ADJUSTING‐AMOUNT AND ADJUSTING‐DELAY PROCEDURES PRODUCE EQUIVALENT ESTIMATES OF SUBJECTIVE VALUE IN PIGEONS?
Authors: Green Leonard , Myerson Joel , Shah Anuj K. , Estle Sara J. , Holt Daniel D.
Published: December 2007

The current experiment examined whether adjusting‐amount and adjusting‐delay procedures provide equivalent measures of discounting. Pigeons' discounting on the two procedures was compared using a within‐subject yoking technique in which the indifference point (number of pellets or time until reinforcement) obtained with one procedure determined the value of the corresponding variable in the yoked condition with the other procedure. Behavior on each procedure was well described by a hyperbolic discounting function. Results revealed no systematic differences in the degree of discounting as measured by the discounting rate parameter of the hyperbola in Experiment 1, which used 20‐mg pellets. These results were replicated in Experiment 2 using smaller, 14‐mg pellets, which potentially yield more precise measurement of indifference points on the adjusting‐amount procedure. The finding that estimates of the k parameter in the hyperbolic discounting function obtained with one procedure did not differ systematically from estimates obtained from the same subjects with the other procedure represents strong support for the hypothesis that the same process underlies the discounting of delayed rewards on both adjusting‐amount and adjusting‐delay procedures.
DISCRIMINATIVE CONTROL OF PUNISHED STEREOTYPED BEHAVIOR IN HUMANS
Authors: Doughty Shannon S. , Anderson Cynthia M. , Doughty Adam H. , Williams Dean C. , Saunders Kathryn J.
Published: December 2007

The purpose of this experiment was to establish discriminative control of responding by an antecedent stimulus using differential punishment because the results of past studies on this topic have been mixed. Three adults with mental retardation who exhibited stereotypy not maintained by social consequences (i.e., automatic reinforcement) participated. For each subject, stereotypy occurred frequently in the presence of a stimulus correlated with nonpunishment of stereotypy and rarely, if ever, in the presence of a stimulus correlated with punishment of stereotypy. Latency measures showed that the antecedent stimulus correlated with punishment served as the discriminative stimulus for the suppression of stereotypy. These results are important insofar as they show that discriminative control by an antecedent stimulus develops with punishment, and because it sometimes may be desirable to establish such control of socially inappropriate behavior.
Complicating the Image of Model Minority Success: A Review of Southeast Asian American Education
Authors: Ngo Bic , Lee Stacey J.
Published: December 2007

Similar to other Asian American students, Southeast Asian American students are often stereotyped by the popular press as hardworking and high-achieving model minorities. On the other hand, Southeast Asian American youth are also depicted as low-achieving high school dropouts involved in gangs. The realities of academic performance and persistence among Southeast Asian American students are far more complex than either image suggests. This article explores the various explanations for the struggles, successes, and educational experiences of Southeast Asian students. To highlight differences across ethnic groups, we review the literature on each Southeast Asian ethnic group separately and examine the successes and continuing struggles facing first- and second-generation Vietnamese American, Cambodian American, Hmong American, and Lao American students in the United States.
Understanding Tutor Learning: Knowledge-Building and Knowledge-Telling in Peer Tutors’ Explanations and Questions
Authors: Roscoe Rod D. , Chi Michelene T. H.
Published: December 2007

Prior research has established that peer tutors can benefit academically from their tutoring experiences. However, although tutor learning has been observed across diverse settings, the magnitude of these gains is often underwhelming. In this review, the authors consider how analyses of tutors’ actual behaviors may help to account for variation in learning outcomes and how typical tutoring behaviors may create or undermine opportunities for learning. The authors examine two tutoring activities that are commonly hypothesized to support tutor learning: explaining and questioning. These activities are hypothesized to support peer tutors’ learning via reflective knowledge-building, which includes self-monitoring of comprehension, integration of new and prior knowledge, and elaboration and construction of knowledge. The review supports these hypotheses but also finds that peer tutors tend to exhibit a pervasive knowledge-telling bias. Peer tutors, even when trained, focus more on delivering knowledge rather than developing it. As a result, the true potential for tutor learning may rarely be achieved. The review concludes by offering recommendations for how future research can utilize tutoring process data to understand how tutors learn and perhaps develop new training methods.
Teaching Effectiveness Research in the Past Decade: The Role of Theory and Research Design in Disentangling Meta-Analysis Results
Authors: Seidel Tina , Shavelson Richard J.
Published: December 2007

This meta-analysis summarizes teaching effectiveness studies of the past decade and investigates the role of theory and research design in disentangling results. Compared to past analyses based on the process–product model, a framework based on cognitive models of teaching and learning proved useful in analyzing studies and accounting for variations in effect sizes. Although the effects of teaching on student learning were diverse and complex, they were fairly systematic. The authors found the largest effects for domain-specific components of teaching—teaching most proximal to executive processes of learning. By taking into account research design, the authors further disentangled meta-analytic findings. For example, domain-specific teaching components were mainly studied with quasi-experimental or experimental designs. Finally, correlational survey studies dominated teaching effectiveness studies in the past decade but proved to be more distal from the teaching–learning process.
Use of Ferrets in Toxicity Testing
Authors: Hoar R. M.
Published: December 2007

A selective review of the literature is presented in order to introduce the reader to the extensive studies conducted in the ferret ( Mustela putorius furo) in such diverse fields as virology, gastroenterology, and teratology. Husbandry, anatomical variations, and the modeling of specific human disorders are discussed to indicate the increasing recognition of this species as a valuable asset in toxicity testing.