bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lanthanide(III) Complexes of Phosphorus Acid Analogues of H4DOTA as Model Compounds for the Evaluation of the Second‐Sphere Hydration
Authors: Kotková Zuzana , Pereira Giovannia A. , Djanashvili Kristina , Kotek Jan , Rudovský Jakub , Hermann Petr , Vander Elst Luce , Muller Robert N. , Geraldes Carlos F. G. C. , Lukeš Ivan , Peters Joop A.
Published: November 2008

Five DOTA‐like ligands lacking a water molecule in the first coordination sphere of their GdIII complexes, namely the phosphinates H4DOTPH, H4DOTPhm and H4DOTPEt, and the phosphonate monoesters H4DOTPOEt and H4DOTPOBu, were synthesized with the aim of exploring the influence of the second hydration sphere on the relaxivity of GdIII complexes. The H4DOTPH, H4DOTPhm and H4DOTPOEt ligands and their LnIII complexes were characterized by potentiometry and time‐resolved luminescence; the GdIII complexes are thermodynamically much less stable than that of H4DOTA, and no water is coordinated in the inner sphere. The crystal structures of the free ligand H4DOTPOEt and of the GdIII complexes of H4DOTPH and H4DOTPOEt were determined by X‐ray diffraction. The complexes have the expected octadentate coordination mode with an N4O4 arrangement; no water molecule is bound to the GdIII ion. Information on the structures of the LnIII complexes of all five ligands in aqueous solution were obtained from 1H and 31P NMR spectra. The NMR spectra of the [Ln(DOTPhm)]– and [Ln(DOTPEt)]– complexes show that these compounds have a clear preference for a specific arrangement of phosphorus atoms which gives rise to the symmetrical RRRR (or SSSS) isomer. However, many diastereoisomers were observed for all other complexes. LnIII‐induced 17O NMR shift data reveal that the spatial location of the second‐sphere water molecules for the two groups of complexes differs. The parameters governing the effect of the second hydration sphere on the relaxivity of the GdIII complexes of all ligands were evaluated by EPR, variable‐temperature 17O NMR spectroscopy and 1H NMRD relaxometry. The presence of second‐sphere water molecules is clearly confirmed, depending on the character of the pendant arms. As the relaxivity does not depend significantly on the nature of the phosphorus substituents and/or on the isomerism present in solution, the second‐sphere water molecules should be located close to the phosphorus–oxygen atoms.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
A Click Reaction for Fluorescent Labelling: Application of the 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Langhals Heinz , Obermeier Andreas
Published: November 2008

The copper‐catalysed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azides with terminal alkynes was use to introduce a highly fluorescent and photostable perylene‐tetracarboxdiimide label.Fluorescent labelling of human hormones and applications are discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Analysis of the genetic diversity within Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum from imported and autochtonous cases of human cryptosporidiosis by mutation scanning
Authors: Jex Aaron R. , Gasser Robin B.
Published: November 2008

The present study investigated sequence variation in part of the 60 kilodalton glycoprotein (pgp60) gene among Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolates (n=115) from citizens of the UK inferred to have been infected whilst travelling abroad (to 25 countries) or in the UK. The genomic DNA samples from these isolates were subjected to PCR‐coupled single‐strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by targeted sequencing of pgp60. Individual samples were classified to the genotypic and subgenotypic levels based on phylogenetic analysis (Bayesian inference) of pgp60 data, including published sequences for comparison. Based on this analysis, five C. hominis (Ia–If) and four C. parvum (IIa, IIc–IIe) genotypes were identified, equating to 16 and 10 subgenotypes, respectively. Of these genotypes, C. hominis Ib was predominant (n=82). Interestingly, one subgenotype (C. hominis Ib A10G2R2) accounted for the majority of the samples examined and was identified in travellers to 14 countries; the examination of published records suggested that C. hominis Ib A10G2R2 has a global distribution. Numerous new and seemingly rare subgenotypes (eight for C. hominis and six for C. parvum) were also discovered. In conclusion, the present study revealed substantial genetic variation in pgp60 within both C. hominis and C. parvum and emphasizes the need to undertake investigations of human and animal populations in countries for which there is no information on the genetic make‐up of Cryptosporidium infecting humans.
Common germline variation in mismatch repair genes and survival after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Koessler Thibaud , Azzato Elizabeth M. , Perkins Barbara , Macinnis Robert J. , Greenberg David , Easton Douglas F. , Pharoah Paul D.P.
Published: November 2008

The mismatch repair (MMR) genes are involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Recently, we showed that common variants in these genes are unlikely to contribute significantly to colorectal cancer risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of common variants in the mismatch repair pathway as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer patients. We genotyped 2,060 patients for 68 SNPs in 7 mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MLH3, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, PMS1 and PMS2), using a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) tagging approach. Genotypes at the tag SNPs and multi‐SNP haplotypes were tested for association with overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) using a Cox regression model. Eight SNPs and 10 haplotypes were significant at a nominal p < 0.05 in the univariate analyses. Stepwise analysis showed that haplotype effects were mainly due to associated SNPs carried by these haplotypes. After adjustment for sex, age at diagnosis and stage when using overall survival and stage only when using disease specific survival, prognostic values were unattenuated. The most significant SNP associated with disease specific survival after adjustment was rs863221, located in MSH3 (HR: 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.82, p‐value: 0.001). In conclusion, we find some evidence that common variants in mismatch repair genes may contribute to survival of patients with colorectal cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diesel motor emissions and lung cancer mortality—Results of the second follow‐up of a cohort study in potash miners
Authors: Neumeyer‐Gromen Angela , Razum Oliver , Kersten Norbert , Seidler Andreas , Zeeb Hajo
Published: November 2008

International health authorities have graded diesel motor emissions (DME) as probably cancerogenic in human beings. There are gaps in epidemiological evidence regarding exact exposure quantification, confounder control and the investigation of highly exposed populations. We investigated the association of DME and lung cancer mortality in a historical cohort study of 5,862 German potash miners who were followed from 1970 to 2001. Cumulative exposure (CE) was measured by representative concentrations of total carbon multiplied with exposure years from the mines' medical records. Exposure and smoking behavior were validated by interviews of 3,087 participants. We computed standardized mortality ratios (SMR, external comparison) and performed Cox regression (internal comparison). The relative risk estimates (RR) with 95%‐confidence intervals were adjusted for age and smoking. Vital status and causes of death were confirmed for 98.1% of participants. Sixty‐one lung cancer deaths occurred. SMR‐analysis showed lower than expected lung cancer mortality (healthy‐worker‐effect). Internal comparisons revealed risk elevations from moderate to risk doubling depending on the exposure categories used (dichotomized: up to RR 1.43[0.67–3.03] for a CE of 4.90[mg/m3]*years as compared with less exposure; quintiles: RR 1.13[0.46–2.75], 2.47[1.02–6.02], 1.50[0.56–4.04] and 2.28[0.87–5.97] for a CE up to 2.04, 2.73, 3.90 and >3.90, respectively, as compared with the reference of <1.29[mg/m3]*years). Additional adjustment of length of follow‐up leads to further RR increases and indicates healthy‐worker‐survivor‐phenomena. The analyses of a sub‐cohort (n = 3,335) with particularly accurate exposure measurement revealed a nonsignificant dose‐response‐relationship. Our results support an association of DME and lung cancer mortality. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does the increase of endogenous steroid hormone levels also affect breast cancer risk in Chinese women? A case–control study in Chongqing, China
Authors: Wang Bin , Mi Mantian , Wang Jian , Wei Na , Zhang Qianyong , Zhu Jundong , Yang Shu , Guo Botao , Xu Jing , Yang Xinhua
Published: November 2008

Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that sex steroid hormones are positively associated with the development of breast cancer. However, most of these studies were conducted among Caucasian women and few have been carried out in China. To determine whether the associations of sex steroid hormone levels with breast cancer risk observed by and large in Caucasian populations are also evident in Chinese women, we conducted a case–control study in Chongqing, China. The study included 367 incident breast cancer patients and 367 healthy controls matched on menstrual status, age and periods of blood collection in the menstrual cycle. Plasma concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined by electrochemiluminescene immunoassay (ECLIA). Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to examine their associations with breast cancer risk. From comparisons of upper and lower tertiles, we observed statistically significant positive associations with breast cancer risk for plasma estradiol levels in follicular phase (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 5.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58–18.97), luteal phase (OR = 4.23, CI = 1.65–10.87) and postmenopausal (OR = 2.67, CI = 1.20–5.93); for progesterone levels in luteal phase (OR = 3.11, CI = 1.28–7.56), and for testosterone levels in postmenopausal (OR = 2.83, CI = 1.26–6.35). No significant association was found with DHEAS or SHBG. Our study suggests that high circulating levels of estradiol and testosterone are positively associated with increased breast cancer risk in Chinese women, which are generally consistent with the observations in Caucasian populations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rheological characterization of the nucleus pulposus and dense collagen scaffolds intended for functional replacement
Authors: Bron J.L. , Koenderink G.H. , Everts V. , Smit T.H.
Published: November 2008

Lumbar discectomy is an effective therapy for neurological decompression in patients suffering from sciatica due to a herniated nucleus pulposus (NP). However, high numbers of patients suffering from persisting postoperative low back pain have resulted in many strategies targeting the regeneration of the NP. For successful regeneration, the stiffness of scaffolds is increasingly recognized as a potent mechanical cue for the differentiation and biosynthetic response of (stem) cells. The aim of the current study is to characterize the viscoelastic properties of the NP and to develop dense collagen scaffolds with similar properties. The scaffolds consisted of highly dense (0.5%–12%) type I collagen matrices, prepared by plastic compression. The complex modulus of the NP was 22 kPa (at 10 rad s−1), which should agree with a scaffold with a collagen concentration of 23%. The loss tangent, indicative of energy dissipation, is higher for the NP (0.28) than for the scaffolds (0.12) and was not dependent of the collagen density. Gamma sterilization of the scaffolds increased the shear moduli but also resulted in more brittle behavior and a reduced swelling capacity. In conclusion, by tuning the collagen density, we can approach the stiffness of the NP. Therefore, dense collagen is a promising candidate for tissue engineering of the NP that deserves further study, such as the addition of other proteins. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 620–626, 2009
Low‐level laser irradiation promotes cell proliferation and mRNA expression of type I collagen and decorin in porcine achilles tendon fibroblasts In Vitro
Authors: Chen Chia‐Hsin , Tsai Jin‐Lian , Wang Yan‐Hsiung , Lee Chia‐Ling , Chen June‐Kai , Huang Mao‐Hsiung
Published: November 2008

Achilles tendon problems are commonly encountered in sports medicine and low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is widely used in rehabilitative applications to decrease pain, reduce inflammatory processes, and promote tissue healing. This study examined the effects on the proliferation of porcine Achilles tendon fibroblasts and gene expression, using different doses of low‐level laser irradiation (LLLI). Four groups of identically cultured fibroblasts were exposed to LLLI and harvested after 24 h. The control group (Group 1) was subjected to no LLLI. Other groups received 1 J/cm2 (Group 2), 2 J/cm2 (Group 3), and 3 J/cm2 (Group 4), respectively. Cell proliferation and mRNA expressions of type I collagen and decorin were then measured. When compared to the control group, the cell proliferation of irradiated Achilles tendon fibroblasts in the other three groups increased significantly by 13% ± 0.8% (Group 2), 30% ± 0.4% (Group 3), and 12% ± 0.6% (Group 4) respectively. But progressively higher laser intensity did not achieve a correspondingly higher cell proliferation effect in Achilles tendon fibroblasts. The mRNA expressions of decorin and type I collagen in fibroblasts with LLLI were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Therefore, suitable dosages of LLLI may result in more effective tissue healing by promoting type I collagen and decorin synthesis. However, these positive effects of LLLI on the repair of the Achilles tendon in humans should be further investigated in clinic. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 646–650, 2009
Distribution of TRAP‐positive cells and expression of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and FGF‐2 in the reparative reaction in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Li Weizhe , Sakai Takashi , Nishii Takashi , Nakamura Nobuo , Takao Masaki , Yoshikawa Hideki , Sugano Nobuhiko
Published: November 2008

Osteogenesis and angiogenesis are closely associated with the reparative process in bone. In osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), although the progression of bone resorption by osteoclasts is considered to be followed by femoral head collapse, the reparative reaction remains unknown. In order to investigate the reparative reaction in patients with ONFH, the distribution of TRAP‐ positive cells and expression of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and FGF‐2 were observed in 51 hips in 42 patients. TRAP‐positive cells were detected around the teres insertion and retinaculum in the early radiologic stage, and increased around the new trabecular bone throughout the reparative interface zone in the late collapsed stage. HIF‐1α expression was detected at the fibrosis area and the transitional area, which included the proximal area of the reparative interface zone adjacent to the necrotic zone. VEGF was expressed at the edematous area of the reparative interface zone, while FGF‐2 was detected widely in the reparative interface zone and the normal zone. In the late radiologic stages, HIF‐1α, VEGF, and FGF‐2 were not detected in the necrotic zone, and they acted in angiogenesis in the reparative interface zone, while TRAP‐positive cells increased around the new bone formation in response to remodeling after the collapse. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 694–700, 2009
Preconditioning and a posteriori error estimates using h‐ and p‐hierarchical finite elements with rectangular supports
Authors: Pultarová I.
Published: November 2008

We show some of the properties of the algebraic multilevel iterative methods when the hierarchical bases of finite elements (FEs) with rectangular supports are used for solving the elliptic boundary value problems. In particular, we study two types of hierarchies; the so‐called h‐ and p‐hierarchical FE spaces on a two‐dimensional domain. We compute uniform estimates of the strengthened Cauchy–Bunyakowski–Schwarz inequality constants for these spaces. Moreover, for diagonal blocks of the stiffness matrices corresponding to the fine spaces, the optimal preconditioning matrices can be found, which have tri‐ or five‐diagonal forms for h‐ or p‐refinements, respectively, after a certain reordering of the elements. As another use of the hierarchical bases, the a posteriori error estimates can be computed. We compare them in test examples for h‐ and p‐hierarchical FEs with rectangular supports. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determining the wettability of granular alumina by aluminum–magnesium alloys using the infiltration method
Authors: Kocaefe Duygu , Ergin Guvenc , Kocaefe Yasar
Published: November 2008

Wettability of the granular bed media influences the efficiency of aluminum filtration. This project was undertaken to develop a method for determining the wettability of the granular media in order to evaluate its suitability for filtration.

The wetting characteristics of different granular alumina particles by aluminum–magnesium alloys were studied using the infiltration method. The contact angles for rough as well as smooth surfaces were determined, and alumina particles were classified according to their wetting characteristics. The results were consistent and showed that it is possible to differentiate the wetting characteristics of different alumina samples with the infiltration method.

A capillary model based on the energy balance was developed to analyze the experimental data. The model uses an average capillary pore size. For one type of alumina, this model was extended to carry out the analysis using a capillary pore size distribution. Similar results were found in both cases.

This paper describes the experimental and modeling work, and the results are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of several testing strategies for combination drug efficacy trials based on the closure principle
Authors: Soulakova Julia N.
Published: November 2008

The author discusses three multiple testing procedures for identifying the minimum efficacious doses in a balanced factorial combination drug trial. All of these procedures utilize the closed testing principle, and hence strongly control the overall error rate and satisfy the coherence property, that is, if a hypothesis is retained then any hypothesis implied by it is also retained. While coherence is an essential requirement for any multiple testing procedure, consonance is a highly desirable characteristic. In the considered settings if a testing procedure is consonant then it always provides a set of all minimum efficacious combinations as a result, otherwise, it may lead to ambiguity. Although the coherence property is satisfied for any closed testing procedure and thus, does not depend on the test used for an individual hypothesis, whether the considered procedures satisfy the consonance property depends entirely on the nature of the test statistic. The author identifies the consonant and non‐consonant procedures among the presented procedures and discusses possible drawbacks of non‐consonant procedures with respect to combination drug efficacy trials. Additional properties of these procedures are assessed by simulations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytomegalovirus‐related fetal brain lesions: comparison between targeted ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Benoist G. , Salomon L. J. , Mohlo M. , Suarez B. , Jacquemard F. , Ville Y.
Published: November 2008

Objective

To evaluate the relative contributions to the diagnosis of fetal brain abnormalities of targeted ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of targeted brain ultrasound examination and fetal brain MRI performed in fetuses diagnosed with CMV infection following proven maternal primary infection. The prenatal findings were compared with findings from postnatal transfontanellar ultrasound examination during the first week following delivery or from postmortem when the pregnancy was terminated.

Results

Both targeted prenatal ultrasound and MRI were performed on 49 fetuses. Brain abnormalities were present in 15/49 (30.6%) cases at postnatal/post‐mortem follow‐up. Fetal cerebral abnormalities were observed in 19/49 (38.8%) cases by ultrasound and/or MRI. The most frequent cerebral lesions induced by CMV and seen on ultrasound and MRI, respectively, included ventricular dilatation in nine and five cases, subependymal cysts in two cases each, microcephaly in five and three cases and periventricular calcifications in five cases on ultrasound only. Termination of pregnancy was performed in 10/49 cases. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for the presence of cerebral lesions were 88.9%, 93.3%, 88.9% and 93.3%, respectively, when both prenatal ultrasound and MRI findings were abnormal, 85.7%, 85.3%, 70.6% and 93.5%, respectively, for ultrasound alone, and 42.9%, 91.2%, 66.7% and 79.5%, respectively, for MRI alone. Prenatal ultrasound, MRI and postnatal or postmortem examinations were concordant with the presence of brain abnormalities in six cases; however, their conclusions were exactly concordant in only two (33.3%) of these cases. In cases without cerebral abnormality, the results of prenatal and postnatal/postmortem examinations were concordant in 28/34 cases.

Conclusions

The addition of MRI to ultrasound increases the positive predictive value for the diagnosis of fetal brain abnormalities in fetuses with CMV. The two techniques appear to be complementary and should not be mutually exclusive in high‐risk fetuses. Their high predictive value for the presence or absence of cerebral lesions provides a useful tool for appropriate counseling since current evaluation of the prognosis is based mainly on the presence of fetal brain lesions. The lack of concordance between ultrasound and MRI should stimulate standardization of the interpretation of both ultrasound and MRI prospectively. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early second‐trimester diagnosis of intracranial teratoma
Authors: Saada J. , Enza‐Razavi F. , Delahaye S. , Martinovic J. , MacAleese J. , Benachi A.
Published: November 2008

Congenital brain tumors are rare and, whether diagnosed prenatally or postnatally, the most frequent type is teratoma. Prenatal diagnosis relies on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging, and is usually achieved during the second or third trimester. We report a case of an intracranial tumor diagnosed in the early second trimester. The diagnosis had been suspected at first‐trimester routine sonography, which showed a compressive intracranial mass with mild vascularization. Because of the poor prognosis, termination of pregnancy was discussed with the parents and was carried out at 14 weeks of gestation. Postmortem examination provided a diagnosis of right frontal immature teratoma. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential effects of arboreal and terrestrial avian dispersers on seed dormancy, seed germination and seedling establishment inOrmosia(Papilionoideae) species in Peru
Authors: Foster Mercedes S.
Published: November 2008

The relative effectiveness of arboreal or terrestrial birds at dispersing seeds ofOrmosia macrocalyxandO. bopiensis(Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) were studied in south-eastern Peru. Seeds of both species were either scarified, to represent seed condition after dispersal by terrestrial birds, or left intact, to represent seed condition after dispersal by arboreal birds. Seeds were distributed along forest transects, and germination, seedling development and mortality were monitored to determine the successes of the two groups at producing seedlings. Scarified seeds germinated with the early rains of the dry-to-wet-season transition, when erratic rainfall was interspersed with long dry spells. Intact seeds germinated 30 d later when the rain was more plentiful and regular. Intact seeds ofO. macrocalyxgave rise to significantly more seedlings (41.1% vs. 25.5%) than did scarified seeds, in part, because significantly more seedlings from scarified seeds (n = 20) than from intact seeds (n = 3) died from desiccation when their radicles failed to enter the dry ground present during the dry-to-wet-season transition. Also, seedlings from scarified seeds were neither larger nor more robust than those from intact seeds despite their longer growing period. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that dispersal effectiveness of arboreal birds, at least forO. macrocalyx, is greater than that of terrestrial birds. Screen-house experiments in which seedlings developed under different watering regimes supported this result. Numbers of seedlings developing from intact and scarified seeds ofO. bopiensisdid not differ significantly.
Population dynamics of the ruddy-capped nightingale thrush (Catharus frantzii) in Chiapas, Mexico: influences of density, productivity and survival
Authors: Rangel-Salazar Jose Luis , Martin Kathy , Marshall Peter , Elner Robert W.
Published: November 2008

We used long-term population data for the ruddy-capped nightingale thrush (Catharus frantzii Cabanis), to examine the influence of forest conditions on annual productivity, survival and growth rate (λ) in a montane forest reserve of Chiapas, southern Mexico, from 1995 to 2003. Productivity was higher in primary, mature forest than in secondary, young forest. More adults were captured in primary forest (n = 132) than in secondary forest (n = 64). Adult survival (φ = 0.79) and encounter rate (ρ = 0.36) did not vary across habitats. Males and females had similar survival between primary and secondary forests (φ = 0.80 vs. 0.83, and 0.77 vs. 0.79, respectively). Juvenile survival (φ = 0.67) was only 12% lower than for adults. Overall, the population of C. frantzii appeared to be declining at 3% y−1 (λ = 0.97, SE = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.88–1.03). Productivity and survival correlated positively with λ across years within habitats, although survival was the primary, significant demographic parameter determining λ. Although habitat alteration may have reduced the carrying capacity and productivity in secondary forest, there was no apparent negative effect on population persistence in this habitat. Thus, secondary forests represent habitats that may facilitate the long-term persistence of C. frantzii populations.
Communicative Processes in the Foreign Language Classroom: Preconditions and Strategies
Authors: Krumm Hans-Jürgen
Published: November 2008

Most current foreign language teachers and those about to enter this profession have themselves learned the foreign language by structural methods. The curricula under which they studied are not likely to be exchanged for communicative curricula, as such decisions are not made at the classroom level. Because of these conditions, my paper will concentrate on pragmatic problems of a communicative methodology – problems that arise in attempting to answer the question: does the functional-notional approach, without being either a curriculum or a method, and while operating under the constraints of the present school system, help develop a framework and a set of principles that will help teachers make foreign language learning more communicative than it is at the moment?
Words as Things: Development of Word Concept by Bilingual Children
Authors: Bialystok Ellen
Published: November 2008

The development of the concept of word is discussed in terms of specific metalinguistic advantages that might be available to bilingual children when compared with their monolingual peers. Three studies are reviewed in which bilingual children show more advanced understanding of some aspects of the concept of word than do monolingual children. The specific advantages demonstrated by these three studies are summarized and related to processes in more general cognitive development.
Patterns of Vocabulary Development in Foreign-Language Learners
Authors: Palmberg Rolf
Published: November 2008

After an introductory discussion of the concepts of vocabulary knowledge continua and foreign-language learners' mental lexicons, the paper presents the results of a longitudinal pilot study whose aim was to make preliminary insights into vocabulary development as it takes place in an ordinary foreign-language classroom setting involving elementary-level Swedish-speaking learners of English. The results are discussed in terms of vocabulary growth in general, the learners' accessibility to words under time pressure, the relationship between “old,” well-known words and newly learned words, and finally, the stability of the learners' immediate access to words.
The Acquisition of New Word Formation Processes in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Olshtain Elite
Published: November 2008

This paper focuses on the acquisition of new word formation devices in the target language as an indication of near-native competence at the advanced level of second language acquisition. The study reported here is based on data collected via written questionnaires consisting of three parts: (a) a production task requiring respondents to suggest innovations for nouns that have not been named in the existing lexicon; (b) an evaluation task requiring respondents to select the most appropriate innovation; (c) an interpretation task requiring respondents to interpret innovative blends. The questionnaires were administered to native speakers of Hebrew (the target language) and to two groups of learners, one advanced and the other intermediate. The findings show that the advanced group has reached a level of target language competence that enables them to produce and evaluate innovations in ways that approximate native speakers' responses, whereas the intermediate students deviate considerably from target level competence. The acquisition of word formation devices in the target language is presented as a gradual acquisition process.
Lexical Constraints on Syntactic Acquisition
Authors: Ard Josh , Gass Susan M.
Published: November 2008

This paper investigates what has traditionally been viewed as syntactic acquisition, with the goal of questioning whether what appears to be syntactic acquisition is more appropriately described as lexical or semantic acquisition. Data come from responses to a grammaticality judgment test by learners of English as a second language at two proficiency levels. Four syntactic structures were examined. The sentences tested varied in the verbs used (e.g., John donated/gave Mary a present; John donated/gave a present to Mary). The results suggest that less proficient subjects use syntactic strategies, more proficient learners use more semantic based strategies, and there is more lexical differentiation at the lower levels of proficiency. Thus, as learners gain in proficiency, there is an increased influence of the semantic relatedness of lexical items.
Language Reversion Revisited
Authors: Bot Kees De , Clyne Michael
Published: November 2008

In the 1970s, Clyne conducted linguistic research on German-English and Dutch-English bilinguals in Australia. In the course of the study, he found evidence for second language attrition and first language reversion among his elderly informants (Clyne, 1981). In 1987, some 40 of the 200 Dutch informants tested in 1971 were retested in order to get longitudinal data on language maintenance and loss. The data show surprisingly little loss of proficiency in both Dutch and English over the years. This calls for a revision of the language reversion hypothesis as stated by Clyne in 1981. In the present article the hypothesis is modified to the extent that there seems to be some kind of “critical threshold” (Neisser, 1984) that has to be reached in order to retain the second language. First language reversion seems to be a common phenomenon among those immigrants who did not reach this threshold, but not among immigrants who did.
Linguistic Aspects of Regression in German Case Marking
Authors: Jordens Peter , Bot Kees De , Trapman Henk
Published: November 2008

The tenability of the regression hypothesis as a basic principle for language attrition within languages has not been really questioned until now. In order to find out to what extent attrition might be the reverse of the process of acquisition, phenomena of attrition in the use of the German case system were studied. Two hypotheses were tested: the Linguistic Hypothesis and the Cognitive Hypothesis. the Linguistic Hypothesis is based on the notion of regression. According to this notion, attrition is the reverse of the language acquisition process. The Cognitive Hypothesis is based on the assumption that in natural cases of language acquisition, there is a tendency to establish a one-to-one correspondence between cognitive function and morphological case assignment. The results from experiments on case marking in headline-type constructions showed differences between native (L1) speakers and second language (L2) learners. In L1 speakers the relation between case marking and underlying semantic functioning becomes more prominent, whereas in L2 learners the nominative is used as a default case, indicating that morphological differentiations become reduced. This means that for L1 speakers the Cognitive Hypothesis provides a more adequate explanatory framework, whereas for L2 learners it is the Linguistic Hypothesis that is more appropriate.
Language Distance and the Magnitude of the Language Learning Task
Authors: Corder S. P.
Published: November 2008

A learner brings to the classroom many characteristics which are relevant to predictions about his career as a language learner. These characteristics are the product of his membership of a community; he shares its language and its attitudes to, beliefs about, motivations for and traditions in, language learning in general, and in the learning of specific second languages. And he possesses particular features of personality as formed by his personal history of maturation and experience. I am concerned in this paper with the role of only two of these characteristics, both related to the community he belongs to: the nature of his mother tongue and any other languages known to him, and the beliefs current in his community, which he presumably shares, as to the nature, extent and probable success in the learning task which lies ahead of him.
Language acquisition, pidgins and creoles
Authors: Wode Henning
Published: November 2008

Why are pidgin utterances structured linguistically the way they are? Why, as has often been noted, do the linguistic structures of different pidgins tend to be more similar to each other than to the structure of the original languages involved in the specific pidgin? This has been noted as all the more surprising since these similarities also occur in cases where totally unrelated languages are involved, so that borrowing must be excluded; or where historical explanations cannot apply because there was no contact in the past at all. It will be suggested here that these similarities result from universal linguo-cognitive processing strategies which man employs in learning languages. Some of these strategies are universal in the sense that they apply in all acquisitional types so that pidgins have some properties which recur in all types of acquisition. Other strategies are more restricted in their applicability, for example, to the various types of second language (L2) acquisition.
The Role of Linguistic Knowledge in Second Language Use
Authors: Bialystok Ellen
Published: November 2008

The purpose of the present paper is to examine the hypothesis that there are fundamental differences between using language in different situations or for different purposes, and that these differences may be accounted for in terms of the requirement of the task to be solved on the basis of knowledge represented in a particular way.
The comprehensibility of non-native speech
Authors: Varonis Evangeline Marios , Gass Susan
Published: November 2008

This study presents data collected from both natural settings and controlled experiments in order to describe native speaker responses to non-natives and to discuss what variables of a non-native's speech might elicit these responses. We present the results of three experiments. The first investigates native speaker reactions to requests for information by both native and non-native speakers in a natural setting. Experiment two is a controlled study focussing on two variables of non-native speech—pronunciation and grammar—and the response of native speakers to these variables. Experiment three examines the relationship between these variables and native speaker comprehension. Experiment four focuses on the effect of ordering on comprehensibility. We then discuss the role all of these factors play in the comprehensibility of non-native speech. We suggest that comprehensibility is achieved through a complex interaction of many factors and that it is comprehensibility which largely contributes to the use of foreigner talk by native speakers.
Vocabulary elaboration in teachers' speech to L2 learners
Authors: Chaudron Craig
Published: November 2008

Subject-matter lessons taught to English as a second language learners in several school levels were transcribed and analyzed. Characteristics of the teachers' speech when elaborating vocabulary were isolated and described, with a view to determining which characteristics would be helpful and which harmful to the students' comprehension and acquisition of vocabulary. It is seen that a major problem for the student may lie in the teacher's overelab-oration of vocabulary meanings through increased redundancy; the non-native listener may find it difficult to decode the exact message, because he cannot discern whether the same information has been provided redundantly or whether new information has been supplied.
Linguistic and Conversational Adjustments to Non-Native Speakers
Authors: Long Michael H.
Published: November 2008

At least 40 studies have been conducted of the linguistic and conversational adjustments made by native speakers of a language using it for communication with non-native speakers. The modifications sometimes result in ungrammatical speech. Generally, however, they serve to provide input that is well-formed, a sort of linguistic and conversational cocoon for the neophyte second language acquirer. Most of the findings hold across age groups, social classes and settings, although some differences, both qualitative and quantitative, have been noted in these areas, too.

In making the adjustments described, native speakers appear to be reacting not to one, but to a combination of factors. These include the linguistic characteristics and comprehen-sibility of the non-native's interlanguage, but particularly his or her apparent comprehension of what the native speaker is saying. The adjustments appear to be necessary for second language acquisition, in that beginners seem unable to acquire from unmodified native speaker input. There is some doubt as to their sufficiency in this regard.
Syntactic Markedness and Language Acquisition
Authors: Mazurkewich Irene
Published: November 2008

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the role played by linguistic universals in second language acquisition. Research reported here focuses on the acquisition of dative structures and dative questions in a passive context in English by French and Inuit (Eskimo) students. Data were also elicited from native English-speaking students to serve as the norm. The data are interpreted within the theory of markedness and core grammar, as well as Case theory. The results of the testing, showing that unmarked forms are acquired before marked ones, are consistent with the predictions made by the theory of markedness and the property of adjacency which is crucial for Case assignment.
Variation in Native Speaker Speech Modification to Non-Native Speakers
Authors: Gass Susan M. , Varonis Evangeline Marlos
Published: November 2008

This study builds upon prior research dealing with the nature of discourse involving non-native speakers. In particular, we examine variables influencing native speaker foreigner talk and the form that speech modification takes. The data bases are (1) 80 taped telephone interviews between NNSs at two distinct proficiency levels, (interviewer) and NSs (interviewee), and (2) 20 NS-NS interviews. We consider five variables: 1) negotiation of meaning, 2) quantity of speech, 3) amount of repair (following a specific NNS request for repair), 4) elaborated responses, and 5) transparent responses. We find that the speech of NSs changes as a function of an NNS's ability to understand and be understood. We further suggest a general cognitive principle—transparency—underlying aspects of both foreigner talk and second language acquisition.
Avoidance of Phrasal Verbs—A Case for Contrastive Analysis
Authors: Dagut Menachem , Laufer Batia
Published: November 2008

Schachter (1974) drew attention to the importance, in error analysis, of examining not only the L2 forms actually produced by the learners of a foreign language in their attempts to express themselves in L2, but also the L2 forms they seem consistently to avoid using. She also noted the close interrelation between such avoidance phenomena and the Contrastive Analysis approach to L2 teaching and learning: avoidance is the reverse side of negative transfer, since learners tend to avoid using in L2 those structures that have no parallel in their L1 and therefore provide them with no pattern for transfer. Of course, as Kleinmann (1977) has pointed out, “avoidance” implies that the structure in question is known to (i.e., can be passively recognized by) the learners, but not freely used by them; failure to use a structure or word that is unknown to the learners is an indication merely of ignorance, not of learning difficulty. Now a prime constructive purpose of error analysis is (or should be) to identify the sources of a learner's difficulties, as a necessary preliminary to helping him or her overcome them. Hence the importance of genuine avoidance phenomena that, when properly identified, can throw light on what would otherwise remain hidden recesses of uncertainty in the learner's mind. Levenston (1971) has convincingly argued, with numerous illustrations, that avoidance (“under-representation” in his terminology) of various English “clause (or group) structures” by Hebrew-speaking learners of English can be explained by the lack of Hebrew “translation-equivalents” for the English structures in question and the learners' consequent choice of less appropriate but more L1-equivalent structures. However, since Levenston was concerned not with avoidance phenomena as such, but rather with the evidence they provide of L1 interference with L2 learning and their stylistic effect on the learner's L2, he took the phenomena in question as established facts (on the basis, presumably, of his own teaching experience), without attempting to examine their frequency and extent.
Non-Native Varieties of English: Nativization, Norms, and Implications
Authors: Lowenberg Peter H.
Published: November 2008

Institutionalized “non-native” varieties of English have developed in countries such as Nigeria and India, where English is widely used as a second, often official, language in a broad range of intranational domains. These varieties are characterized by “nativization” (Kachru, 1981a): systematic changes in their formal features at all linguistic levels, which result from the use of English in new sociocultural settings, in contact with other languages, and in the absence of native speakers of English. This paper demonstrates how non-native varieties are distinct from interlanguages or approximative systems of “established” (Platt & Weber, 1980) varieties of English (e.g., British or American). Crucial differences are illustrated in strategies common to both nativization and second language acquisition—generalization of rules in the established varieties of English and transfer of linguistic features from other languages—in terms of linguistic contexts in which they apply and motivations underlying their application. A survey of positive attitudes toward non-native varieties among their users indicates that certain nativized features are becoming new norms for English usage in many countries. These strategies of and attitudes toward nativization are shown to have important implications for the teaching of English as a second language and for linguistic theory.
Production vs. Comprehension: Differences in Underlying Competences
Authors: Flynn Suzanne
Published: November 2008

In this paper empirical data are presented that demonstrate significant differences in the manner in which two commonly used experimental tasks evaluate developing linguistic competence in adult second language (L2) learners. Results indicate that production tests principally evaluate a learner's developing structural competence in the L2. On the other hand, comprehension tests provide a less direct measure of structural competence and are significantly influenced by pragmatic context.

Fifty-one adult Spanish speakers at three levels of ESL ability were tested in both their elicited imitation (production) and act-out (comprehension) of complex sentences that were structurally identical. The stimuli varied in terms of the pre- and post-posing of a subordinate adverbial when clause and in terms of the direction of pronoun anaphora (forward and backward). Results from the production test indicate a significant effect of directionality, i.e., a preference for forward pronouns in post-posed clauses at the intermediate level. Results from the comprehension test did not show a significant directionality constraint at any level. They did, however, demonstrate a significant effect due to the use of a biasing pragmatic lead. Such findings are comparable to those found in early first language acquisition (Lust, Loveland, & Kornet, 1980). Implications of these findings for experimental methodology are discussed.
On the Use of the Recall Task to Measure L2 Reading Comprehension
Authors: Lee James F.
Published: November 2008

The free written recall task is used in much current L2 reading research (Bernhardt, 1983; Carrell, 1983, 1984a, 1984b; Connor, 1984; Lee & Ballman, in press). An examination of the work using this task as a measure of comprehension reveals variation in design and findings: measurement of quantity recalled, method of textual analysis, the language used to recall, the level of the learners, and pre-reading instructions given. The purpose of this paper is: (1) to elaborate the differences between studies using a free written recall task to measure L2 reading comprehension; and (2) to report the results of experimentation that attempts to test the significance of the language of recall (native versus target) and the effect of knowing, prior to reading, that the subjects would be required to recall the passage. Results showed that passage recall is significantly better when done in the subjects' native language than in the target language. Also, a significant interaction was found for prereading instructions and level of the learner. Implications for research design are discussed.