bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
what children know and can do when they start school and how this varies between countries
Authors: Merrell Christine , Tymms Peter
Published: May 2007

This large-scale study describes what children know and can do when they start school in Scotland. The description became possible because a third of Scottish Authorities are involved in a single, broadly based, on-entry baseline assessment of children. The study also looked at variations by home background, sex, age and pre-school experience within Scotland. Comparisons were then made with the cognitive development of children starting school in England, New Zealand and Western Australia, concentrating on children whose first language was English. Surprising differences were found between Scotland and other countries. New Zealand also stood out on some measures. The results are discussed in terms of pre-school provision and what on-entry assessment can and cannot tell us.
teachers' perceptions of their relationships with children who speak English as an additional language in early childhood settings
Authors: Fumoto Hiroko , Hargreaves David J. , Maxwell Shirley
Published: May 2007

The study investigated ten early childhood teachers' perceptions of their relationships with 120 children (mean age = 4 years 3 months), of whom 41 children spoke English as an additional language (EAL: mean age = 4 years 2 months). The Student—Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS) was employed to elicit teachers' perceptions of their relationships in the first and third terms of a school year. The results show that, while children who have the least experience in spoken English were scored significantly lower on the STRS Closeness Scale by their teachers as compared with the rest of the children at the beginning of the school year, these differences were not significant at the end of the school year. The findings add empirical support to the importance of verbal communication, in addition to teachers' sensitivity towards EAL children's non-verbal expressions, as the basis for developing positive teacher—child relationships.
Building on the Strengths of a Cambodian Refugee Community Through Community-Based Outreach
Authors: Grigg-Saito Dorcas , Och Sheila , Liang Sidney , Toof Robin , Silka Linda
Published: May 2007

Literature and practice are limited on strategies to reach elder Southeast Asian refugees by using their strengths and resilience. This article presents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—funded Cambodian Community Health 2010 Program in Lowell, Massachusetts, as a case example and provides refugee history, project background, community survey results about strengths and risks, literature on strengths-based approaches, outreach activities, and evaluation. The focus is elimination of health disparities in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “Community conversations” and a daylong forum with community leaders were used to develop plans for outreach. A Cambodian Elders Council provided information and guidance used to refine the program. Key findings highlight involving elders in organizing events, avoiding reliance on literacy, integrating health promotion with socialization, using ties with Buddhist temples, developing transportation alternatives, and utilizing local Khmer-language media. Implications include applicability to other refugee communities with low literacy, high levels of trauma, limited English, and strong religious involvement.
Formative Evaluation of AARP's Active for Life® Campaign to Improve Walking and Bicycling Environments in Two Cities
Authors: Emery James , Crump Carolyn , Hawkins Margaret
Published: May 2007

AARP conducted a 2.5-year social-marketing campaign to improve physical activity levels among older adults in Richmond, Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin. This article presents formative evaluation findings from the campaign's policy/environmental change component. Evaluation data were abstracted from technical-assistance documentation and telephone interviews. Results include 11 policy and 14 environmental changes attained or in-process by campaign closure. Differences between the cities' results are explained through differences in program implementation (e.g., types of changes planned, formalization of partnerships). Project teams took less time deciding to pursue policy change than environmental change; however, planning the policy activities took longer than planning environmental-change activities. Recommendations for future policy/environmental change interventions focus on the selection of strategies; planning for administrative resources; formalizing partnerships to ensure sustainability of impact; ensuring training and technical assistance; and documenting progress. Similar intervention results may be attainable with a multi-year timeframe, adequate part-time coordination, and committed volunteers.
Using GIS to Facilitate Community-Based Public Health Planning of Diabetes Intervention Efforts
Authors: Kruger Daniel J. , Brady Jan S. , Shirey Lauren A.
Published: May 2007

Data from a community survey were analyzed geographically to help facilitate local diabetes prevention efforts. Data were available from the Speak to Your Health! Community Survey, designed and implemented by The Prevention Research Center of Michigan (PRC/MI), whose central mission is to strengthen community capacity to improve health. This survey was developed collaboratively by the university and community partners that comprise the PRC/MI and focuses on health and social issues at the heart of the community of Genesee County, Michigan. Survey data were used to calculate and geographically map diabetes-risk scores and mapped diabetes-screening rates. These maps indicated that those areas where the estimated risk of diabetes was the highest had only moderate rates of diabetes screening relative to other areas. It is hoped that these results will reach those involved in local diabetes-intervention programs with the intent that the data will be used in planning local prevention and intervention efforts.
Playing It Safe? A Fibonacci Strategy for Soccer Betting
Authors: Archontakis Fragiskos , Osborne Evan
Published: May 2007

Soccer betting in Europe has grown rapidly in the past two decades. It is well known that such sports betting markets can be analyzed similarly to financial markets. The present article differs from others in the literature in two respects. The first is that the outcome of betting interest is the draw. The second is the betting strategy, which relies on the Fibonacci sequence to generate bets. Using this approach on International Federation of Football Association World Cup Finals data, it is possible to earn economic profits through this strategy in expectation, albeit with fairly large risk.
Anti–factor H autoantibodies block C-terminal recognition function of factor H in hemolytic uremic syndrome
Authors: Józsi Mihály , Strobel Stefanie , Dahse Hans-Martin , Liu Wei-shih , Hoyer Peter F. , Oppermann Martin , Skerka Christine , Zipfel Peter F.
Published: May 2007

The atypical form of the kidney disease hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is associated with defective complement regulation. In addition to mutations in complement regulators, factor H (FH)–specific autoantibodies have been reported for aHUS patients. The aim of the present study was to understand the role of these autoantibodies in aHUS. First, the binding sites of FH autoantibodies from 5 unrelated aHUS patients were mapped using recombinant FH fragments and competitor antibodies. For all 5 autoantibodies, the binding site was localized to the FH C-terminus. In a functional assay, isolated patient IgG inhibited FH binding to C3b. In addition, autoantibody-positive patients' plasma caused enhanced hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes, which was reversed by adding FH in excess. These results suggest that aHUS-associated FH autoantibodies mimic the effect of C-terminal FH mutations, as they inhibit the regulatory function of FH at cell surfaces by blocking its C-terminal recognition region.
Quantitative gene expression assessment identifies appropriate cell line models for individual cervical cancer pathways
Authors: Carlson Mark W , Iyer Vishwanath R , Marcotte Edward M
Published: May 2007

Background

Cell lines have been used to study cancer for decades, but truly quantitative assessment of their performance as models is often lacking. We used gene expression profiling to quantitatively assess the gene expression of nine cell line models of cervical cancer.

Results

We find a wide variation in the extent to which different cell culture models mimic late-stage invasive cervical cancer biopsies. The lowest agreement was from monolayer HeLa cells, a common cervical cancer model; the highest agreement was from primary epithelial cells, C4-I, and C4-II cell lines. In addition, HeLa and SiHa cell lines cultured in an organotypic environment increased their correlation to cervical cancer significantly. We also find wide variation in agreement when we considered how well individual biological pathways model cervical cancer. Cell lines with an anti-correlation to cervical cancer were also identified and should be avoided.

Conclusion

Using gene expression profiling and quantitative analysis, we have characterized nine cell lines with respect to how well they serve as models of cervical cancer. Applying this method to individual pathways, we identified the appropriateness of particular cell lines for studying specific pathways in cervical cancer. This study will allow researchers to choose a cell line with the highest correlation to cervical cancer at a pathway level. This method is applicable to other cancers and could be used to identify the appropriate cell line and growth condition to employ when studying other cancers.
Low CD4 count plus coma predicts cryptococcal meningitis in Tanzania
Authors: Kisenge Peter R , Hawkins Alexander T , Maro Venance P , Mchele John PD , Swai Ndealilia S , Mueller Andreas , Houpt Eric R
Published: May 2007

Background

Largely due to the lack of diagnostic reagents, the prevalence and clinical presentation of cryptococcal meningitis in Tanzania is poorly understood. This in turn is limiting the impact of increased fluconazole availability.

Methods

We evaluated a cohort of 149 consecutive HIV-infected adult inpatients presenting with headache or altered mental status for clinical features, CD4 count, cryptococcal infection, and outcome. Cryptococcal meningitis was diagnosed via India ink and latex agglutination assay of CSF (n = 24 and 40 positive, respectively). Associations between cryptococcal meningitis and clinical features were evaluated by t-test. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of such features were determined.

Results

Cryptococcal meningitis was associated with confusion, social withdrawal, seizures, fever, tachycardia, meningismus, oral candidiasis, and low Glasgow coma scales and CD4 count. CD4 count < 100/μl provided the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis (93%), coma (Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8) provided the highest specificity (84%), and the combination provided the highest positive likelihood ratio (3.8). All cryptococcal meningitis patients were initiated on 800 milligrams of fluconazole daily and 50% survived to discharge, however no clinical or laboratory findings correlated with prognosis.

Conclusion

Cryptococcal meningitis is common among Tanzanian HIV inpatients presenting with headache or altered mental status. Purely clinical features are insensitive for establishing the diagnosis or prognosis. We advocate expanding laboratory capacity for cryptococcal antigen testing to maximize survival.
Use of over-the-counter malaria medicines in children and adults in three districts in Kenya: implications for private medicine retailer interventions
Authors: Abuya Timothy O , Mutemi Wilfred , Karisa Baya , Ochola Sam A , Fegan Greg , Marsh Vicki
Published: May 2007

Background

Global malaria control strategies highlight the need to increase early uptake of effective antimalarials for childhood fevers in endemic settings, based on a presumptive diagnosis of malaria in this age group. Many control programmes identify private medicine sellers as important targets to promote effective early treatment, based on reported widespread inadequate childhood fever treatment practices involving the retail sector. Data on adult use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is limited. This study aimed to assess childhood and adult patterns of OTC medicine use to inform national medicine retailer programmes in Kenya and other similar settings.

Methods

Large-scale cluster randomized surveys of treatment seeking practices and malaria parasite prevalence were conducted for recent fevers in children under five years and recent acute illnesses in adults in three districts in Kenya with differing malaria endemicity.

Results

A total of 12, 445 households were visited and data collected on recent illnesses in 11, 505 children and 19, 914 adults. OTC medicines were the most popular first response to fever in children with fever (47.0%; 95% CI 45.5, 48.5) and adults with acute illnesses (56.8%; 95% CI 55.2, 58.3). 36.9% (95% CI 34.7, 39.2) adults and 22.7% (95% CI 20.9, 24.6) children using OTC medicines purchased antimalarials, with similar proportions in low and high endemicity districts. 1.9% (95% CI 0.8, 4.2) adults and 12.1% (95% CI 16.3,34.2) children used multidose antimalarials appropriately. Although the majority of children and adults sought no further treatment, self-referral to a health facility within 72 hours of illness onset was the commonest pattern amongst those seeking further help.

Conclusion

In these surveys, OTC medicines were popular first treatments for fever in children or acute illnesses in adults. The proportions using OTC antimalarials were similar in areas of high and low malaria endemicity. In all districts, adults were more likely to self-treat with OTC antimalarial medicines than febrile children were to receive them, and less likely to use them in recommended ways. Government health centres were the most common second resort for treatment and were often used within 72 hours. In view of these practices, more research is needed to assess the impact on the popularity of private medicine sellers of strengthened public sector policies on access to malaria treatment and insecticide-treated bed nets. Improved targeting of OTC antimalarials to high risk groups, better communication strategies regarding adult as well as children's dosages, and facilitating more rapid referral to trained health workers where needed are important challenges to private medicine seller programmes.
A survey of Chinese herbal ingredients with liver protection activities
Authors: Wang Rubin , Kong John , Wang Dali , Lien Linda Lin-min , Lien Eric Jung-chi
Published: May 2007

A literature survey was conducted on herbs, their preparations and ingredients with reported liver protection activities, in which a total of 274 different species and hundreds of active ingredients have been examined. These ingredients can be roughly classified into two categories according to their activities: (1) the main ingredients, such as silybin, osthole, coumarin, glycyrrhizin, saikosaponin A, schisandrin A, flavonoids; and (2) supporting substances, such as sugars, amino acids, resins, tannins and volatile oil. Among them, some active ingredients have hepatoprotective activities (e.g. anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulating and liver cirrhosis-regulating effects). Calculation of physicochemical parameters indicates that the main ingredients with negative and positive Elumo values possibly display their hepatoprotective effects through different mechanisms, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. As the combination of herbs may achieve some treatment effects synergistically and/or additively, it is common in Chinese medicine to use mixtures of various medicinal herbs with pharmacologically active compounds to have synergistic and/or additive effects, or to reduce harmful effects of some pharmacologically active compounds. In particular, the active compounds with Clog P around 2 are suitable for passive transport across membranes and accessible to the target sites. Thus, Elumo and Clog P values are good indicators among the calculated parameters.

Seven different physicochemical parameters (MW, Clog P, CMR, μ, Ehomo, Elumo and Hf) and four major biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral/antitumor and immunomodulating) are discussed in this review. It is hoped that the discussion may provide some leads in the development of new hepatoprotective drugs.
Identification of conserved gene expression features between murine mammary carcinoma models and human breast tumors
Authors: Herschkowitz Jason I , Simin Karl , Weigman Victor J , Mikaelian Igor , Usary Jerry , Hu Zhiyuan , Rasmussen Karen E , Jones Laundette P , Assefnia Shahin , Chandrasekharan Subhashini , Backlund Michael G , Yin Yuzhi , Khramtsov Andrey I , Bastein Roy , Quackenbush John , Glazer Robert I , Brown Powel H , Green Jeffrey E , Kopelovich Levy , Furth Priscilla A , Palazzo Juan P , Olopade Olufunmilayo I , Bernard Philip S , Churchill Gary A , Van Dyke Terry , Perou Charles M
Published: May 2007

Background

Although numerous mouse models of breast carcinomas have been developed, we do not know the extent to which any faithfully represent clinically significant human phenotypes. To address this need, we characterized mammary tumor gene expression profiles from 13 different murine models using DNA microarrays and compared the resulting data to those from human breast tumors.

Results

Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis showed that six models (TgWAP-Myc, TgMMTV-Neu, TgMMTV-PyMT, TgWAP-Int3, TgWAP-Tag, and TgC3(1)-Tag) yielded tumors with distinctive and homogeneous expression patterns within each strain. However, in each of four other models (TgWAP-T
121
, TgMMTV-Wnt1, Brca1
Co/Co
;TgMMTV-Cre;p53+/- and DMBA-induced), tumors with a variety of histologies and expression profiles developed. In many models, similarities to human breast tumors were recognized, including proliferation and human breast tumor subtype signatures. Significantly, tumors of several models displayed characteristics of human basal-like breast tumors, including two models with induced Brca1 deficiencies. Tumors of other murine models shared features and trended towards significance of gene enrichment with human luminal tumors; however, these murine tumors lacked expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and ER-regulated genes. TgMMTV-Neu tumors did not have a significant gene overlap with the human HER2+/ER- subtype and were more similar to human luminal tumors.

Conclusion

Many of the defining characteristics of human subtypes were conserved among the mouse models. Although no single mouse model recapitulated all the expression features of a given human subtype, these shared expression features provide a common framework for an improved integration of murine mammary tumor models with human breast tumors.
Analytical Estimation of Economic Loss for Buildings in the Area Struck by the 1999 Athens Earthquake and Comparison with Statistical Repair Costs
Authors: Kappos A. , Lekidis V. , Panagopoulos G. , Sous I. , Theodulidis N. , Karakostas Ch , Anastasiadis T. , Salonikios T. , Margaris B.
Published: May 2007

Reliable loss assessment (in monetary terms) for buildings struck by an earthquake is an essential factor in the development of seismic risk scenarios for a given urban area. The evaluation of loss due to building damage in a certain region depends both on seismic hazard and the vulnerability of the building stock in the area. The study presented herein consists of predicting the loss to selected groups of buildings struck by the 1999 Athens earthquake using an analytical methodology and comparison with statistical repair costs collected after the earthquake. Since no near-field strong ground motion recordings from the main shock were available, a pilot methodology was used for its analytical evaluation for different soil conditions. Different suites of motions were derived, based on various theoretical and semi-empirical approaches, and were then used in analytical investigations of the seismic behavior of the buildings in the examined area, aiming at the prediction of economic losses. An in-situ survey of about 10% of the total building stock was performed, and data regarding the structural type, actual earthquake damage, and corresponding repair costs were collected. The statistically derived repair cost for the area was compared with the economic loss estimation obtained using the analytical procedure and various estimates of the seismic action in the area considered, and was found to agree with it reasonably for some of the seismic hazard scenarios.
Structure-Specific Scalar Intensity Measures for Near-Source and Ordinary Earthquake Ground Motions
Authors: Luco Nicolas , Cornell C. Allin
Published: May 2007

Introduced in this paper are several alternative ground-motion intensity measures ( IMs) that are intended for use in assessing the seismic performance of a structure at a site susceptible to near-source and/or ordinary ground motions. A comparison of such IMs is facilitated by defining the “efficiency” and “sufficiency” of an IM, both of which are criteria necessary for ensuring the accuracy of the structural performance assessment. The efficiency and sufficiency of each alternative IM, which are quantified via (i) nonlinear dynamic analyses of the structure under a suite of earthquake records and (ii) linear regression analysis, are demonstrated for the drift response of three different moderate- to long-period buildings subjected to suites of ordinary and of near-source earthquake records. One of the alternative IMs in particular is found to be relatively efficient and sufficient for the range of buildings considered and for both the near-source and ordinary ground motions.
Iterative control in automotive testing
Authors: Hay N. C. , Roberts D. E.
Published: May 2007

Road simulator test rigs investigate both the durability and the squeak and rattle characteristics of vehicle structures. The test specimens are the whole vehicle or a sub-structure taken from the vehicle. In laboratory simulation tests, random time series of strain, displacement, or acceleration, which represent service conditions, are reproduced at specified locations within the structure. These responses are formulated from measurements made on the road or at a specialized proving ground. The premise is that reproducing these responses recreates service strain throughout the structure.

The test rigs are normally driven by hydraulics and form multiple channel non-linear dynamic systems. Time series drive files that reproduce the strain are generated to excite the test rig. These are determined using an iterative procedure that overcomes the deficiencies of the hydraulics, channel interaction, and non-linearity in the system. The current paper outlines a new iterative algorithm with better convergence than the commonly used iterative algorithm which does not always converge. This new iterative algorithm is demonstrated in numerical simulations that represent typical automotive engineering systems.
Application of optimal iterative learning control to the dynamic testing of mechanical structures
Authors: Daley S , Owens D. H. , Hätönen J
Published: May 2007

Dynamic testing of mechanical components is carried out across a variety of industries to assess fatigue life or to facilitate optimal design. Such machines are predominantly hydraulically actuated and systems range from single-channel testing of small components to multichannel testing of motor vehicles and airframes. A typical requirement is that in-service loads or displacements are replicated as closely as possible on the tested structure. Such a control problem cannot normally be solved with standard feedback control and it is common to employ iterative methods whereby the actuator command signals are modified in a series of repetitive trials. The industry standard approach, the so-called inverse algorithm, does not always converge to a suitable solution. In this paper an alternative iterative approach, derived using optimization methods, is presented and shown to have superior robustness properties. This is demonstrated through the use of simulation studies and application to both laboratoryscale and full industrial-scale test rigs. Some key theoretical results are also presented that provide important support for the experimental results. In practice, the robustness properties of the new algorithm can enable the required accuracy to be obtained in a greatly reduced number of iterations in relation to the conventional approach, thereby significantly accelerating the test commissioning process.
Controller development for the E-Defense shaking table
Authors: Tagawa Y , Kajiwara K
Published: May 2007

After the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) constructed a new large-scale shaking table as a facility for three-dimensional earthquake damage testing, called E-Defense. The facility was completed in March 2005. E-Defense has the unique capacity to experiment with life-size buildings and infrastructural systems in real earthquake conditions, and is intended to be the ultimate verification tool. The current paper describes the specification of the facility, features of the control system, and some experimental results of the control performance tests. It also describes major ongoing projects at E-Defense.
The true‐change model with individual method effects: Reliability issues
Authors: Vautier Stéphane , Steyer Rolf , Boomsma Anne
Published: May 2007

The true intra‐individual change model is generalized by defining individual method effects. This allows the analysis of non‐congeneric test–retest variables assumed to measure a common, possibly (temporally) transient, attribute. Temporal change in the attribute between different times of measurement is modelled by the true‐change variable. Individual causal method effects, due to heterogeneity of the measurement methods, account for the imperfect correlation of the true‐score variables at each time of measurement. The reliability of the composite scores, at each time of measurement, and the reliability of the difference composite score may be estimated with appropriate coefficients derived from the model. Measurements of daily life tension in adult females serve to illustrate how the model can be used empirically.
Quantification of Alkylresorcinol Metabolites in Urine by HPLC with Coulometric Electrode Array Detection
Authors: Koskela Anja , Linko-Parvinen Anna-Maria , Hiisivuori Perttu , Samaletdin Adile , Kamal-Eldin Afaf , Tikkanen Matti J , Adlercreutz Herman
Published: May 2007

Background: Whole-grain rye and wheat cereals contain high amounts of alkylresorcinols (ARs), phenolic lipids. ARs can be quantified in plasma. Two recently identified urinary AR metabolites, 3,5-dihydroxyphenylbenzoic acid (DHBA) and 3-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA), may be useful as biomarkers of intake of whole-grain rye and wheat.

Methods: We evaluated 4 pretreatment protocols for quantifying urinary DHBA and DHPPA using HPLC coupled with a coulometric electrode array detector. Syringic acid was used as the internal calibrator.

Results: Measured urinary concentrations of DHBA and DHPPA were 0.8–115 μmol/L. The mean recoveries of all added concentrations were 85%–104% for DHBA and 86%–99% for DHPPA, depending on the degree of the purification. The protocol versions with less purification correlated well with the protocol including highest purification. The correlation coefficients (r2) were 0.9699–0.8153 for DHBA and 0.9854–0.8371 for DHPPA.

Conclusion: Although the protocol with the most purification steps was most specific, all protocols were suitable for measuring DHBA and DHPPA in urine. The rapid protocol with simple hydrolysis could be used in large-scale clinical studies. Additional investigation is needed to clarify whether these metabolites are useful biomarkers of whole-grain intake and helpful in the exploration of its association with human diseases.
Intraindividual Stability of Human Erythrocyte Cholinesterase Activity
Authors: Lefkowitz Lee J , Kupina Joseph M , Hirth Nigel L , Henry Rachel M , Noland Georgia Y , Barbee John Y , Zhou Joey Y , Weese Coleen B
Published: May 2007

Background: Erythrocyte cholinesterase (RBC-ChE) activities serve as useful and sensitive biomarkers to monitor exposure to cholinesterase-inhibiting substances, such as chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides. Although the interindividual variation of RBC-ChE is well characterized, the magnitude of intraindividual variation for RBC-ChE remains controversial. An accurate measure of intraindividual variation is critical for establishing the appropriate frequency of RBC-ChE testing.

Methods: We retrospectively tracked the intraindividual variation of RBC-ChE activities among 46 male nerve agent workers from a single US Army depot that participated in a medical surveillance program requiring periodic RBC-ChE monitoring. All RBC-ChE analysis was performed by the same medical laboratory technician by the delta pH method.

Results: A mean of 38 and a median of 37 RBC-ChE measurements were available for each worker. The mean duration of employment for these workers was 20 years (median, 21 years). The mean CV for RBC-ChE in this set of 46 workers was 3.9%. Linear regression analysis of the data for each worker resulted in a mean slope of 0.0010 delta pH units/h per year.

Conclusions: RBC-ChE activities increased in each person by a mean of 0.01 delta pH units/h every 10 years, which is a negligible rate. These findings highlight the stability of RBC-ChE activities over time in a given individual and may have important policy implications regarding the appropriate frequency of RBC-ChE testing.
A Model for an Uncertainty Budget for Preanalytical Variables in Clinical Chemistry Analyses
Authors: Rynning Marit , Wentzel-Larsen Tore , Bolann Bjørn J
Published: May 2007

Background: We sought a practical method to calculate preanalytical uncertainties. In clinical chemistry measurements, the combined preanalytical uncertainty is a function of the magnitude and probability distribution of the different uncertainty sources and the number of such sources.

Methods: Results from an optimal practice for handling of the blood samples (termed the standard method) were compared with alternative methods that deviate from the standard method but are used in current practice. For categorically distributed uncertainty sources (e.g., use of different kinds of blood tubes), alternative treatments were modeled discretely using a known probability distribution for each alternative. For continuously distributed sources (e.g., clotting time), we assumed a rectangular distribution. We calculated the expectation, variance, and SD of differences between results from current practice and the standard method. We tabulated uncertainty budgets for the differences between current practice and the standard method for each uncertainty source. The expected individual biases and variances were summed to obtain the combined expected bias and variance.

Results: The combined expected bias (SD) for glucose was −0.15 (0.130) mmol/L, with prolonged clotting time giving the greatest contribution. The combined expected bias (SD) for calcium was −0.011 (0.0182) mmol/L, for magnesium 0.006 (0.026) mmol/L, and for creatinine 0.5 (1.81) μmol/L.

Conclusion: By comparing a standard method for preanalytical sample handling to alternative methods used in current practice, and considering the distribution of alternative methods, our modeling approach allows the development of an uncertainty budget for preanalytical variables in clinical chemistry analyses.
Aspekte elektromagnetischer Aquametrie ionisch leitender Materialien (On the Electromagnetic Aquametry of Ionically Conducting Materials)
Authors: Kaatze Udo
Published: May 2007

Dielektrische Messungen des Wassergehaltes von Proben können erheblich durch elektrische Leitfähigkeit erschwert werden. In diesem Beitrag werden Möglichkeiten der Reduzierung unerwünschter Leitfähigkeitseffekte beschrieben, insbesondere die Verwendung der logarithmischen Ableitung des dielektrischen Spektrums. Es wird auf die Notwendigkeit von Kalibrierungsmessungen mit einer Referenz, deren Leitfähigkeit der der Messprobe ähnelt, hingewiesen. Die Parameter der dielektrischen Spektren geeigneter elektrisch leitender Referenzlösungen werden gegeben.
On the Accuracy of Bulk Density and Moisture Content Prediction in Wheat from Near-Field Free-Space Measurements (Über die Genauigkeit von Schüttdichte- und Feuchtegehaltsbestimmungen in Weizen von Nahfeld- und Fernfeldmessungen)
Authors: Trabelsi Samir , Nelson Stuart O.
Published: May 2007

Bulk density and moisture in wheat predicted from near-field, free-space measurement at 5.8GHz with a pair of inexpensive microstrip antennas are compared to those predicted from measurement in the far field with a pair of sophisticated focused-beam, horn/lens antennas. Results of five different calibration algorithms for bulk density and moisture content determination from microwave measurements indicate that predictions from near-field measurements with microstrip antennas compare well with those derived from far-field measurements with horn/lens antennas. Computation of corresponding standard errors of calibration (SEC) indicates that the accuracy with which each entity can be determined remains within an acceptable range.
Planar Electromagnetic Sensors: Characterization, Applications and Experimental Results (Planare elektromagnetische Sensoren: Charakterisierung, Anwendungen und experimentelle Ergebnisse)
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Subhas C.
Published: May 2007

Inspection and evaluation of conducting, magnetic and dielectric properties of materials without destroying them is very useful in industries. This paper has reported planar electromagnetic sensors, (i) meander, (ii) mesh and (iii) interdigital configuration for nondestructive applications. The characterization of three types of planar sensors has been studied and comparative performance has been evaluated based on their areas of applications and results are presented here.
Bestimmung von Feuchte- und Dichteverteilungen mit TDR-Sensoren (Determination of Moisture and Density Distributions using TDR-Sensors)
Authors: Kupfer Klaus , Trinks Eberhard , Schäfer Th. , Wagner Norman , Hübner Christof
Published: May 2007

Die Messung der Feuchteverteilung in Bentonit-Verschlussbauwerken ist für die Erkennung von Lösungszutritten und für Langzeitsicherheitsanalysen erforderlich. Dafür wurde ein TDR-Feuchtemesssystem mit flexiblen Kabelsensoren eingesetzt. Finite-Elemente-EM-Feldsimulationen vom Sensor und vom umgebenden Material dienten zur Vereinfachung von Kalibrierungen. Mit TDR-Messungen war es möglich, die Feuchte- und Dichteverteilung längs der Kabelsensoren zu detektieren. Im Druckversuchsstand konnte das Fortschreiten der Feuchtefront in Bentonit bei Druckerhöhung bestimmt werden.
Optimiertes Sensordesign zur Bestimmung von Feuchteprofilen in verlustbehafteten Böden (Optimized Sensor Design for the Determination of the Spatial Moisture Distribution in Electrical Lossy Soils)
Authors: Scheuermann Alexander , Bieberstein Andreas , Schlaeger Stefan , Becker Rolf
Published: May 2007

Spatial-TDR ermöglicht die Erfassung von Feuchteprofilen entlang von Kabelsensoren. Hierfür sind unabhängige Messungen erforderlich, wofür der Sensor beidseitig anschlossen ist. Bei ausgeprägt verlustbehafteten Böden ist der Übergang vom Sensor zur Zuleitung im TDR-Signal schwierig zu identifizieren. Diese Information ist aber für die Bestimmung von Feuchteprofilen von großer Bedeutung. Zur Verbesserung der Identifizierbarkeit des Sensorendes wurden Sensorschalter entwickelt.
Ortsauflösende Feuchtemessung mit Time-Domain-Reflektometrie (Spatial Water Content Measurement with Time-Domain Reflectometry)
Authors: Hübner Christof , Schlaeger Stefan , Kupfer Klaus
Published: May 2007

Die Time-Domain-Reflektometrie ist eingeführtes Messverfahren zur Materialfeuchtebestimmung. Mit einfachen Auswertemethoden erhält man den mittleren Wassergehalt entlang einem Sensor. Aufwendigere Algorithmen erlauben die Bestimmung von Wassergehaltsprofilen. Ein entsprechendes Rekonstruktionsverfahren wurde entwickelt. Damit können Wassergehaltsverteilungen in verlustlosen und verlustbehafteten Materialien aus TDR-Messungen berechnet werden.
What is a crystal?
Authors: Ben-Abraham Shelomo I.
Published: May 2007

In April 1991 the Commission on Aperiodic Crystals [1] adopted the following definition of a crystal:“[In the following] by ‘crystal’ we mean any solid having an essentially discrete diffraction diagram, [and by ‘aperiodic crystal’ we mean any crystal in which three-dimensional lattice periodicity can be considered to be absent.]”This definition has, in my opinion, two flaws. …
What is a crystal?
Authors: Lifshitz Ron
Published: May 2007

Almost 25 years have passed since Shechtman discovered quasicrystals, and 15 years since the Commission on Aperiodic Crystals of the International Union of Crystallography put forth a provisional definition of the term crystal to mean “any solid having an essentially discrete diffraction diagram.” Have we learned enough about crystallinity in the last 25 years, or do we need more time to explore additional physical systems? There is much confusion and contradiction in the literature in using the term crystal. Are we ready now to propose a permanent definition for crystal to be used by all? I argue that time has come to put a sense of order in all the confusion.
Ventidius' Parthian War: Rome's Forgotten Eastern Triumph
Authors: Strugnell Emma
Published: May 2007

This article considers
the Parthian war of Publius Ventidius in 39/8 BC and its place in the ancient
literary tradition. It is argued that although Ventidius' Parthian campaign
retained its popular emotive force, it was at first considered unsatisfactory
as a model for Eastern triumph; the spoils and standards captured at Carrhae in
53 BC remained in Parthian hands, while the campaign itself was punitive and
limited in objectives. Furthermore, Ventidius' 'Parthian' war could equally be
viewed as the final suppression of elements loyal to Brutus and Cassius. It is
peculiar that allusions to Ventidius' triumph are entirely absent from
literature of the Augustan age. This article argues that it was not until after
the deaths of Gaius and Lucius Caesar, and the renewal of trouble on the
Northern frontier that the Parthian campaign came to be seen as recompense for
the disaster of Carrhae in 53 BC.
Polizianos Kallimachos-Übersetzung
Authors: Ritoók Zsigmond
Published: May 2007

An analysis of a
Poliziano’s translation of Callimachus’fifth hymn with a critical edition of the text.
Expression of thyroid hormone receptors A and B in developing rat tissues; evidence for extensive posttranscriptional regulation
Authors: Keijzer Richard , Blommaart Piet-Jan E , Labruyère Wil T , Vermeulen Jacqueline L M , Doulabi Behrouz Zandieh , Bakker Onno , Tibboel Dick , Lamers Wouter H
Published: May 2007

The perinatal changes in the pattern of expression of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms TRα 1 TRα 2, TRβ 1, and TRβ 2 were investigated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR and western blotting as visualization and quantification techniques respectively. In liver, lung, and kidney, TRα mRNA was expressed in the stromal and TRβ mRNA in the parenchymal component of the tissues. When compared with liver, TRα mRNA concentrations were tenfold higher in lung, kidney, and intestine, and 100-fold higher in brain, with TRα 2 mRNA concentrations exceeding those of TRα 1 5-to 10-fold. Tissue TRβ 1 mRNA concentrations were similar in liver, lung, and brain, and 3- to 5-fold higher in kidney and intestine. None of the TRβ 2 mRNA could be detected outside the pituitary. Tissue TRα 2 and TRβ 1 protein levels reached adult levels at 5 days before birth, whereas TRα 1 protein peaked after birth. Because of the distinct time-course of thyroid hormone-binding receptors TRα 1 and TRβ 1, we speculate that an initiating, TRβ 1-mediated signaling from the parenchyma is followed by a TRα 1-mediated response in the stroma. When compared with organs with a complementary parenchymal–stromal expression pattern, organs with extensive cellular co-expression of TRα and TRβ (brain and intestinal epithelium) were characterized by a very low TRα protein: mRNA ratio, implying a low translational efficiency of TR mRNA or a high turnover of TR protein. The data indicate that the TR-dependent regulatory cascades are controlled differently in organs with a complementary tissue expression pattern and in those with cellular co-expression of the TRα and TRβ genes.
A spatial framework for environmental impact assessment and route optimisation
Authors: Sfakianaki E. , Stovin V. R.
Published: May 2007

This paper describes a geographical information system (GIS)-based prediction and quantification framework for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of road schemes. The key feature of the framework is that it accounts for the spatial variability of environmental components and potential impacts. Spatial impact functions, embedded within a GIS, have been developed for the prediction of road noise, air quality, visual impact and direct loss. A quantitative cumulative impact score is derived for each alternative option through the application of weightings to the predicted impacts, thus enabling alternatives to be compared rapidly and objectively. The framework incorporates a route optimisation tool based on Monte-Carlo simulation. The sensitivity of the apparent ‘best’ option to the allocation of impact weightings has been explored. The application of the framework is illustrated using two case studies—the A50 (A564) Doveridge Bypass and the A69 Haltwhistle Bypass. A discussion on the relevance of the methodology in the context of current UK procedures for road EIA is presented.
Farming and the prevalence of non‐reversible airways obstruction—results from a population‐based study
Authors: Lamprecht B. , Schirnhofer L. , Kaiser B. , Studnicka M. , Buist A.S.
Published: May 2007

Introduction

Occupational exposure to noxious dusts, gases, and fumes most likely contributes to obstructive lung disease. We studied whether self‐reported farming work is associated with non‐reversible airways obstruction.

Methods

Following the burden of obstructive lung disease (BOLD) study protocol, we surveyed a gender‐stratified population‐based sample of 2,200 adults aged 40 years and over. Pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator spirometry, as well as information on smoking, occupation, and reported respiratory disease was recorded. According to GOLD criteria, non‐reversible airways obstruction was defined as a post‐bronchodilator forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 0.70. Occupational and smoking history was based on questionnaire. Farming was defined as ever working in this occupation for 3 months or longer.

Results

For 1,258 participants with complete data (post‐bronchodilator spirometry and questionnaire data), 288 (=22.9%) reported farming. Among the 288 participants reporting farming, the prevalence of non‐reversible airways obstruction was 30.2%. Farming was significantly associated with airways obstruction: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) GOLD stage I or higher (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1–2.0) and COPD GOLD stage II or higher (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.7). The latter estimate was unchanged when adjustment for competing risks gender, age, and smoking was done. In this population the risk for non‐reversible airways obstruction attributable to farming was 7.7%.

Conclusion

Farming should be considered a risk factor for non‐reversible airways obstruction. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:421–426, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Behavioral phenotype of sex chromosome aneuploidies: 48,XXYY, 48,XXXY, and 49,XXXXY
Authors: Visootsak Jeannie , Rosner Beth , Dykens Elisabeth , Tartaglia Nicole , Graham John M.
Published: May 2007

Sex chromosomal aneuploidy is the most common disorder of sex chromosomes in humans, with an incidence of 1 in 400 newborns. The addition of more than one extra X and/or Y chromosome to a normal male karyotype is less frequent and has its own distinctive physical and behavioral profile. This study examines the behavioral similarities and differences in individuals with 48,XXYY compared to 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY. The participants include 11 males with 48,XXYY and 13 males with 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY. Using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior, the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, and the Reiss Personality Profiles, parents are asked to characterize the behavior and personality of their boys with sex chromosome tetrasomy and pentasomy. Males with 48,XXYY have higher overall adaptive scales in daily living skills, socialization, and communication compared to males with 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY. Both groups are at risk for maladaptive behavior, although 48,XXYY males are at a higher risk for internalizing and externalizing symptoms. 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY function at a lower cognitive level and their behavior is often immature for their chronological age. Both groups display interests in helping others, but have a low tolerance for being rejected or teased. Specific recommendations and interventional strategies are provided for individuals with 48,XXYY, 48,XXXY, and 49,XXXXY. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of molecular structure of hybrid precursors on the performances of novel hybrid zwitterionic membranes
Authors: Liu Junsheng , Xu Tongwen , Fan Guangneng , Fu Yanxun
Published: May 2007

Three types of novel hybrid zwitterionic membranes were prepared via a coupling reaction between two silane‐coupling agents in a nonaqueous system and a subsequent reaction with 1,4‐butyrolactone to create ion pairs in the hybrid precursors. FT‐IR spectra corroborated the corresponding reactions. The synthesized membranes were characterized by thermal analyses, ion‐exchange capacities, streaming potentials, and pure water flux. Thermal analyses exhibited that the degradation temperature of the hybrid precursors decreased with an increase in zwitterionic extent because of the introduction of ion pairs. Ion‐exchange capacity measurements revealed that the anion‐exchange capacities and cation‐exchange capacities were in the range of 0.023–0.05 and 0.32–0.58 mmol g−1, respectively. Streaming potentials displayed that when the membranes coated for one or three times, the isoelectric points were in the pH range of 6.6–7.58 and 6.58–7.7, respectively. The pure water flux showed that it could be affected by the coating times and the ingredients of these zwitterionic membranes. This difference in membrane's characteristics can be ascribed to the effect of molecular structure of the hybrid precursors. Both the Coulombic interactions of ion pairs between the polymer chains and the hydrophilicity of these membranes were proposed to clarify the above phenomena. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007