bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Solid and EC Chlorpyrifos Formulations for the Control of Chironomid Larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Establishing Rice Crops
Authors: STEVENS M. M. , KORTH W. , WARREN G. N.
Published: April 2007

Two solid chlorpyrifos formulations, a 15% w/w clay‐based granule (Lorsban® 15G) and a starch‐based 12% w/w pellet (Crop Care formulation G01S23), were evaluated for control of chironomid larvae in establishing rice crops. Both formulations were evaluated at 144 and 228 g a.i./ha, and compared to a standard 75 g a.i./ha emulsifiable concentrate (EC) chlorpyrifos treatment. Neither of the solid formulations provided substantially better control than the EC treatment at the rates examined. The EC formulation reduced Chironominae by 26% and other chironomids (predominantly Tanypodinae) by 94% over the 34‐d trial period. Lorsban® 15G reduced Chironominae by between 24 and 30%. and other chironomids by 94 to 99%, whilst the starch‐based formulation led to an increase of between 13 and 25% in Chironominae and a reduction of between 60 and 78% in other chironomids. GC/MS analysis of water samples showed that chlorpyrifos levels resulting from the EC formulation dropped rapidly after application, but remained above detection limits (0.05 μg/L) for at least 18 d. Water chlorpyrifos levels resulting from the starch‐based formulation fell below detection limits 7‐10 d after application at both rates, whilst levels from the clay‐based treatment remained above 0.1 μg/L for at least 18 d post‐treatment. Detection of high levels of chlorpyrifos in the water column shortly after application of the EC formulation supported results of water sample bioassays against Chironomus tepperi larvae, however bioassays tended to underestimate total chlorpyrifos concentrations when correlated to a laboratory‐derived LG90 value.
Book Review
Authors: TAYLOR GARY
Published: April 2007

Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 27.3A Hemiptera: Heteroptera (Coleorrhyncha to Cimicomorpha). Cassis, G. and Gross, G. F.
Book Review
Authors: DYCE ALAN L.
Published: April 2007

Entomology in New South Wales 1770‐1990. C. E. Chadwick
Occurrence of Eurema alitha (C. and R. Felder) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in Australia and its Distinction from E. hecabe (Linnaeus)
Authors: BRABY M. F.
Published: April 2007

Eurema alitha (C. and R. Felder 1862) is confirmed as occurring in Australia. It is closely allied to E. hecabe (Linnaeus 1758) and has previously been confused in Australia with that species. Adults of both species are illustrated and the male genitalia figured and compared. the label data of all examined specimens (total of 130) are given and suggest that E. alitha is confined to the tropical areas of northern and northeastern Australia with adults occurring during most months of the year. the Australian population is tentatively assigned to the New Guinea subspecies E. a. novaguineensis Shirǒzu and Yata, 1982.
Effect of Delayed Mating on Oviposition Pattern, Fecundity and Fertility in Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: VICKERS R. A.
Published: April 2007

Female codling moth (Cydia pomonella) were mated either on the day of emergence or 2 or 4 d after emergence. Oviposition was checked daily and fertility (% egg hatch) of eggs laid 1–4 d and 5 + d after mating was determined from a sub‐sample of females in each treatment. From these data, net reproduction rate (R0) was calculated. the effect of delayed mating of males was also determined. Mean fecundity, fertility and net reproduction rate of females mated 4 d after emergence were significantly lower than for females mated either on the day of emergence (day 0) or 2 d after emergence. There were no significant differences between the three treatments in terms of the proportion of females that mated or female longevity, although there was a trend towards increased longevity with increasing delays in mating. Mean longevity of unmated females was significantly greater than that of mated females. Oviposition pattern was similar in females regardless of when they were mated and in all cases maximum oviposition took place 2 d after mating. There was no effect on the fecundity of 2 d old females or on the fertility of their eggs when they were paired with either 2 or 6 d old males. the significance of these findings in relation to control of codling moth by mating disruption is discussed.
A Provisional List of Common Names for Australian Butterflies
Authors: BRABY M. F. , ATKINS A. F. , DUNN K. L. , WOODGER T. A. , QUICK W. N. B.
Published: April 2007

A provisional list of common names for the known species of Australian butterflies is presented, and the advantages of producing such a set of standard common names discussed. the criteria and methodology on which the names are based are detailed and instances in which terms should be avoided itemised. All previously used names are reviewed and current or traditional names considered; where possible, traditional names were given highest priority. Group names have been standardised at the higher taxonomic levels (i.e. genus, tribe, subfamily etc.). Problems faced in compiling the list are discussed and comments on the suitability of the proposed names invited.
Phenotypic Variation in Sexual and Somatic Morphology in the Trapdoor Spider Misgolas hubbardi Wishart in Relation to its Genotypic Variation (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae)
Authors: WISHART GRAHAM , ROWELL DAVID M.
Published: April 2007

Spiders from 13 widely separated populations of Misgolas hubbardi Wishart are shown to exhibit distinct phenotypic and genotypic differences in the first such study on ground dwelling spiders in Australia. Electrophoretic analysis also supports the conclusion that the syntopic and morphologically constituted M. hubbardi Wishart, M. dereki Wishart and M. robertsi (Main and Mascord) are valid species. While M. hubbardi can be reliably determined from male palpal characters, the shape of the embolic apophysis and the ventum pigmentation pattern are variable and valid diagnostic characters only for particular populations and where the locality is known. the morphological differences in M. hubbardi populations are summarised and its distribution compared to the geology of the region.
Natural Enemies of Pink Wax Scale, Ceroplastes rubens Maskell (Hemiptera: Coccidae), on Umbrella Trees in Southeastern Queensland
Authors: LOCH A. D.
Published: April 2007

The natural enemy complex of pink wax scale, Ceroplastes rubens, on umbrella trees, Schefflera actinophylla, in southeastern Queensland was investigated. an introduced encyrtid, Anicetus beneficus, was the major primary parasitoid, although high rates of hyperparasitisation by the native encyrtid Coccidoctonus dubius were recorded. Predators and other parasitoids were minor components of the natural enemy complex of C. rubens. Implications of this study's findings on the biological control of C. rubens in citrus by A. beneficus are discussed.
A Key to Larval Thrips (Thysanoptera) from Granite Belt Stonefruit Trees and a First Description of Pseudanaphothrips achaetus (Bagnall) Larvae
Authors: MILNE J. R. , MILNE M. , WALTER G. H.
Published: April 2007

A key to larvae of five thrips species, four of which are commonly found on stonefruit trees of the Granite Belt, southeast Queensland, is presented. Brief descriptions of three previously described species, Thrips imaginis Bagnall, T. australis (Bagnall) and T. tabaci Lindeman, are given. the larvae of a fourth species, Pseudanaphothrips achaetus> (Bagnall), are described for the first time. the fifth species included in the key, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is present in stonefruit flowers in other parts of the world and has recently been found in Australia but, thus far, not reported from Australian stonefruit trees. the larvae of F. occidentalis are briefly described.
Rearing of Non‐Descendant Offspring in an Allodapine Bee,Exoneura bicolorSmith (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae): A Preferred Strategy or Queen Coercion?
Authors: BULL NICHOLAS J. , SCHWARZ MICHAEL P.
Published: April 2007

In heathland populations of the Australian allodapine beeExoneura bicolor, the presence of overlapping broods in some colonies creates opportunities for eusocial‐like sib rearing. By artificially orphaning colonies in observation nests, we investigated whether sib‐rearing by some older daughters occurs in the absence of any potential for coercion by parental females. We found strong evidence for sib‐rearing in the absence of parental females in 40% of our nests and weaker evidence in another 40%. of those colonies with strong evidence of sib‐rearing, 65% of such rearing occurred in nests where there was also no opportunity for coercion by adult siblings. These results indicate that sib‐rearing inE. bicolordoes not require coercion by adult nestmates. A variety of factors that may make sib‐rearing a preferred strategy in the absence of coercion are discussed.
Oothecal structure and male genitalia of the Geoscapheinae and some Australian Panaesthia Serville (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
Authors: Walker JA , Rose HA
Published: April 2007

Oothecal structure and male genitalia of Geoscapheinae and some species of Australian Panaesthia are examined and discussed. Within Geoscapheinae two forms of oviposition behaviour exist. the first is similar to that of Panaesthia where a double row of eggs is partially enclosed in a thin membrane. the second form consists of a loosely appressed mass of eggs without a membrane. In both forms eggs are stored in an internal brood sac. Male genitalia within Panaesthia is relatively conservative, showing little interspecific variation; however, not all species possess the L2d phallomere. Among Geoscapheinae, male genitalia vary greatly from almost a full complement to nearly a complete absence of blaberid phallomeres. Some Geoscapheinae exhibit intraspecific variation of the L1 and R2 phallomeres.
Thermophilia in a tropical Australian ant of the Melophorus aeneovirens (Lowne) species‐group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Hoffmann Benjamin D
Published: April 2007

Observations were made on the activity of three colonies of a Melophorus species of the aeneovirens species‐group in woodland at Black Jungle, near Darwin in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory. Melophorus aeneovirens displays thermophilic behaviour typical of the genus. Colony activity rates and duration varied between colonies in relation to the microclimatic conditions of the nests. the lowest nest mound temperature at which activity was initiated was 35.2°C; the highest was 45.3°C. Foraging (leaving the nest) did not occur below a threshold of 38°C. Activity levels peaked at around midday. Cessation of activity in the afternoon corresponded with temperatures between 38.3°C and 42.8°C. Activity levels differed between minor and major workers, with the latter most active prior to 10.00 h and the minors most active during the remaining hours of the day. the activity of a single colony of M. aeneovirens was strongly negatively correlated to the activity of the behaviourally dominant ant Iridomyrmex sanguineus. the average foraging time of M. aeneovirens workers was 11 min, the mean furthest displacement from the colony was 9 m and the furthest, 25 m. Melophorus aeneovirens differed from arid and semi‐arid congeners in having year‐round activity, lower initial activity levels, less random and slower foraging, and in not exploiting thermal refugia.
Detecting parasitised eggs with polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence of Trichogramma australicum Girault (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Amornsak W , Gordh G , Graham G
Published: April 2007

The nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma australicum Girault, cotton bollworm Helicoverpaarmigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpapunctigera (Wallengren) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to yield 408, 588 and 644 b.p. fragments, respectively. DNA sequence information was used to design unique primers for specific amplification of T. australicum DNA from individual parasitised eggs. Helicoverpa australicum‐specific PCR products were first visible 12 h after eggs were parasitised. This PCR assay can be used to monitor wasp populations under field conditions.
Life cycle and development rates of the leaf beetle Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Eucalyptus nitens at two temperature regimens
Authors: Ramsden N , Elek J
Published: April 2007

Development times, body size and oviposition rates of Chrysophtharta agricola (Chapuis) were assessed at day/night temperature regimens of 17.3/12.5°C and 24.2/17.2°C. Development times of egg, larval, prepupal and pupal stages were 8.4, 20.0, 7.1 and 12.1 days, respectively, at the higher regimen and 7.0, 14.2, 4.0 and 8.2 days, respectively, at the lower regimen. Significantly larger adults were produced at the lower temperature regimen. Field adults were significantly larger than adults reared in the laboratory at both temperatures but were closer in size to those reared at the lower temperature. The total number of eggs laid by females during their lifetime (13–69 days) in the laboratory ranged from 139 to 915 eggs (mean=477), averaging 12 eggs per female per day. Chrysophtharta agricola had a similar life‐history and development rates to the congeneric pest Chrysophtharta bimaculata Olivier and could become a serious pest of Eucalyptus nitens.
Voracity of larvae, rate of development in eggs, larvae and pupae, and flight seasons of adults of the hoverflies Melangyna viridiceps Macquart and Symosyrphus grandicornis Macquart (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Authors: Soleyman‐Nezhadiyan E , Laughlin Roger
Published: April 2007

The voracity of larvae of Melangyna viridiceps and Symosyrphus grandicornis fed on the rose aphid, Macrosiphum rosae (L.), was measured at 10, 15 and 20°C. Over the three larval instars, a lifetime total of about 300 aphids (third‐instar equivalents) was consumed for a weight gain of 20 mg. Lifetime consumption was greater at lower temperatures. At 20°C, the third‐instar larva ate about 80% of the total, although this instar accounted for only 50% of larval development time. Melangyna viridiceps consumed more aphids than Symosyrphus grandicornis at 10 and 15°C. Development of eggs, larvae and pupae of both species was studied at constant temperatures of 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Although eggs hatched at 4°C, first‐instar larvae died at this temperature. A computer program (PMDS) was used to fit temperature/development functions for all stages. Linear, LoganTb, Stinner and exponential functions were fitted to the data. A day‐degree program, using the parameters given by PMDS and records of daily maximum‐minimum temperatures and data obtained from the field, suggested that the hoverflies might go through 10–13 generations per year in the field.
The African rhinoceros beetle Temnorhynchus retusus (Fabricius) established in eastern Australia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae)
Authors: Krell Frank‐Thorsten , Hangay George
Published: April 2007

The Afrotropical rhinoceros beetle Temnorhynchus retusus has been found from 1984 in New South Wales and is considered to be established in eastern Australia. Its establishment was likely supported by the exotic vegetation in the urban environment.
Associations between ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) andAdrianaGaudich. (Euphorbiaceae) in East Gippsland
Authors: Mackay DA , Whalen MA
Published: April 2007

The consequences of ant attendance on plants with extranoral nectaries (EFN) belonging to the endemic Australian genusAdriana(Euphorbiaceae) were examined at two study sites in Gippsland, Victoria. Ants in seven genera were observed visiting nectaries across both sites and ants in four of these genera were also previously observed on the foliage ofAdrianaplants in Queensland and Western Australia. Following ant exclusions, numbers of insect herbivores (primarily flea beetles) exhibited a significant increase, although this was not reflected in an increase in foliar herbivory on experimental branches. Numbers of coccinellid beetles also increased on branches from which ants were excluded. the lack of a treatment effect on herbivory may reflect low herbivore densities on plants.
Host plants and their role in the ecology of the fruitspotting bugs Amblypelta nitida Stål and Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (Distant) (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
Authors: Waite GK , Huwer RK
Published: April 2007

An expanded host list is given for Amblypelta nitida (fruitspotting bug) and Amblypelta lutescens lutescens (banana‐spotting bug) in Australia. These are compared with those extracted from the literature for Amblypelta cocophaga China, Amblypelta theobromae Brown, Amblypelta lutescens papuensis Brown, and Amblypelta brevicornis Brown. Despite many new additions to the list of known hosts for A. nitida and A. I. lutescens, Australian native plant species are relatively poorly represented. Rainforest species are thought to be important refugia and breeding hosts for the bugs since orchards located adjacent to such vegetation are often severely damaged. the broad host range of several Amblypelta spp. is discussed with respect to the bugs' pest status and the role of alternative hosts as breeding sites for fruitspotting bugs which migrate into commercial orchards.
An improved coattractant for pheromone trapping of Carpophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
Authors: James David G , Moore Christopher J , Faulder Richard J , Beverley Vogele
Published: April 2007

Fermenting apple juice (FAJ) contained within polyacrylamide granules was an effective pheromone coattractant for Carpophilus davidsoni in trapping experiments conducted in stone fruit orchards in southern New South Wales. Fermenting apple juice‐baited traps captured as many beetles as traps baited with the `standard' coattractant fermenting bread dough (FBD), either alone or in combination with aggregation pheromone. Increasing the interval of FAJ replacement to 2 weeks instead of 1 week, as is necessary for FBD, did not reduce trapping efficiency. Replacement of FAJ every three weeks did not affect captures of C. davidsoni in one experiment but did reduce captures of Carpophilus mutilatus. In a second experiment, captures of C. davidsoni were also reduced. Fermenting apple juice contained within polyacrylamide granules replaced at fortnightly intervals is an effective, convenient and practical pheromone coattractant for Carpophilus spp.
HIGH TEMPERATURE CYCLIC DEFORMATION OF DS‐NICKEL
Authors: BHAT SHRIKANT P. , LAIRD CAMPBELL
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The cyclic deformation behavior of a commercial grade dispersion strengthened (DS) nickel is reported for four different temperatures in the range from room temperature up to 0·67TM of nickel. This cyclic behavior is compared with the monotonic behavior of the DS‐nickel and also with that of nickel‐200 reported in the preceding article. It is shown that the thoria particles combined with substructure introduced by prior thermomechanical processing contribute substantially to the cyclic flow stress of the material, most strongly at room temperature. Although the DS‐nickel is cyclically stable at all temperatures tested, short circuit diffusion makes it highly susceptible to high temperature recovery and therefore the cyclic flow stress decreases rather rapidly with increasing temperature. However, this decrease soon levels off and at approximately 0·67TM the cyclic flow stress of the DS‐nickel is shown to be higher than that of nickel.
THE THRESHOLD STRESS INTENSITY RANGE IN FATIGUE
Authors: DAVENPORT R. T. , BROOK R.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The parameters are considered that control the threshold stress intensity in fatigue and relationships existing between these parameters are examined. A new relation is derived which is shown to be consistent with experimental data for a 0·15%C, 1·5%Mn steel.
FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN LUGS
Authors: SCHIJVE J. , HOEYMAKERS A. H. W.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Crack growth in aluminium alloy lugs was recorded during constant‐amplitude loading (R= 1/3). Observations were made both for artificial cracks started by a small saw cut and natural cracks started by fretting corrosion between hole and pin. Scatter was low for artificial cracks, whereas considerable scatter applied to the natural cracks as a result of multiple crack initiation at different times and locations. The fastest crack growth was observed for artificial cracks, which appear to be a worst case as compared to natural cracks. K‐values derived from crack growth results were in good agreement with K‐values proposed in the literature.
HIGH TEMPERATURE LOW CYCLE BIAXIAL FATIGUE OF TWO STEELS
Authors: BROWN M. W. , MILLER K. J.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Biaxial low cycle fatigue tests at various temperatures and strain rates were performed on 1% Cr‐Mo‐V steel and AISI 316 stainless steel under combined torsional and axial loads. A correlation for fatigue strength has been derived, and it is also shown that if the Gough ellipse quadrant criterion is rephrased in terms of strain amplitudes, it may be used as a safe design rule for ductile metals in both the low and high cycle fatigue regimes.
SUBSURFACE CRACK INITIATION DURING FATIGUE AS A RESULT OF RESIDUAL STRESSES
Authors: STARKER P. , WOHLFAHRT H. , MACHERAUCH E.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The influence of shot peening on the bending fatigue strength of hardened specimens of a carbon steel is reported. Effects of residual compressive stresses after shot peening, as a function of distance from the surface, are discussed along with the evidence of scanning electron micrographs from fractured specimens. Subsurface crack initiation is reported at all stress amplitudes below a threshold value of 1100 N/mm2. Assuming that the fatigue strength is enhanced locally due to compressive residual stresses the experimental results can be explained with the aid of the Goodman relationship.
TOWARDS PRACTICAL NON‐DESTRUCTIVE FATIGUE DAMAGE INDICATORS
Authors: WEISS V. , OSHIDA Y. , WU A.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— The applicability of measurements of residual stress, X‐ray diffraction line broadening, ultrasonic absorption, and phase changes, for the purpose of fatigue damage detection was explored on SAE 1008 plain carbon steel and type 304 and type 316 stainless steels. The most promising indicators of progressive damage appear to be residual stress and phase change measurements. While diffraction line broadening is not very useful as an indicator of progressive damage, it can serve as an indicator of the stress or strain range to which a critical part has been subjected, and may therefore prove useful for monitoring and diagnostic purposes. From the limited data on ultrasonic absorption measurements little can be said about their applicability to fatigue damage assessment.
HOLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF FATIGUE DEFORMATION AND CRACK GROWTH IN METALS
Authors: HAWORTH W. L.
Published: April 2007

Abstract— Changes in optical correlation intensity (Ic) are observed during fatigue cycling of 2024‐T3 aluminum alloy. Topographic changes such as slip band development, microcracking, and crack propagation, observed in situ during fatigue cycling cause corresponding changes in correlation intensity. A three‐stage curve of log (Ic) vs number of fatigue cycles is observed. Metallographic observations show that region A corresponds to progressive roughening of the specimen surface caused by slip together with a rapid increase in the number of microcracks up to about 10 μm in length. Few metallographic changes are observed during region B where the correlation intensity remains relatively constant. The metallographic observations show that the accelerating loss of correlation intensity during region C is caused by propagation of cracks more than about 10 μm in length. The loss in correlation intensity during region C arises from the elastic and plastic displacements which occur as the crack length increases. At the present sensitivity of the experiments, crack growth to a length of a few hundred microns causes correlation intensity losses as great as four orders of magnitude or more. The correlation intensity readings during region C are sensitive to factors such as crack branching and crack‐tip plasticity as well as to the overall increase in crack length. The total loss in correlation intensity from the beginning of a test to a crack length of about 800 μm can be more than eight orders of magnitude. The optical correlation technique is an extremely sensitive method of detecting remotely, in air, both deformation and fatigue crack growth.
CUMULATIVE DAMAGE UNDER TWO LEVEL CYCLING: SOME THEORETICAL PREDICTIONS AND TEST DATA
Authors: HASHIN ZVI , LAIRD CAMPBELL
Published: April 2007

Abstract—Predictions of a new cumulative damage theory established by Hashin and Rotem (HR) are compared with an extensive series of test data for two‐level shear strain cycling and a double linear exponential damage rule, all given by Miller and Zachariah (MZ), demonstrating good agreement. While MZ requires determination of two parameters to assess crack development by fit to the two level test data the only testing parameter needed for HR is the fatigue lifetimeNebeyond which the fatigue limit occurs. This parameter has here been estimated on the basis of recent advances in understanding cyclic deformation.
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF FATIGUE CRACK CLOSURE IN VACUUM
Authors: LAFARIE‐FRENOT M. C. , PETIT J. , GASC C.
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Fatigue crack closure in air and vacuum was studied under constant amplitude loading in tension, on compact tension specimens of the aluminium alloy 7175. The experimental techniques used were: (1) the compliance method in air, and (2) the compliance method and the potential drop technique in vacuum.

From the test results in vacuum a correspondence was established between the results obtained using the two different techniques which led us to propose a closure model.

As R increases, crack closure decreases to attain a minimum value for R > Rc. The value of Rc depends on the specimen thickness and is greater in vacuum.

Crack closure is more pronounced in vacuum than in air which can be partly associated with a larger plastic zone of greater work hardness.
FATIGUE CRACK TIP PLASTICITY RESULTING FROM LOAD INTERACTIONS IN AN ALUMINUM ALLOY
Authors: DAVIDSON D. L. , LANKFORD J.
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Displacements in the region very near to a fatigue crack tip have been observed using a stereoimaging technique. The results of changing the minimum/maximum stress ratio, for a single overload and a single underload are given for a powder metallurgy aluminum alloy. Material motions near the crack tip are complex and depend on the loading characteristic. Compressive strain fields near the crack tip in the unloaded state were found to be highly dependent on load characteristic due to variation in reversed plasticity.
THE EFFECT OF STRESS RATIO AND FREQUENCY ON FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH
Authors: MUSUVA J. K. , RADON J. C.
Published: April 2007

Abstract
The influence of stress ratio and the loading frequency on fatigue crack growth rates in BS 4360–50C steel was investigated in laboratory air.

Fatigue crack growth tests were performed on compact tension specimens (CTS) made in two thicknesses 12 and 24 mm. Tests were conducted at two frequencies of 0·25 and 30 Hz, applying a stress ratio R varying from – 0·7 to 0·7. The results were analysed using the linear elastic fracture mechanics approach. They showed that the increase in both positive and negative R caused increased fatigue crack growth rates. Also an empirical effective stress intensity factor range, ΔKeff, was found more appropriate to correlate the fatigue crack growth data than the ΔK factor frequently used in crack growth studies.

The loading frequency had only a little influence on crack growth rates at low R. However, at high R, growth rates were significantly higher at lower frequencies. It is suggested that this frequency influence may be associated with environmental effects, due to the embrittlement caused by hydrogen from the moist air, while the crack was fully open.
A SUB‐SURFACE STRENGTHENING MODEL FOR A NON‐PROPAGATING FATIGUE CRACK IN MARTENSITIC–FERRITIC STEEL
Authors: YANG C. Y. , LIU H. W.
Published: April 2007

AbstractMicrocrack growth in a ferrite grain in a two phase martensitic–ferritic steel was studied. A local deformation parameter, the unzipping crack increment, can be used to characterize crack tip deformation and crack growth rate. The microcrack growth behavior is interpreted in terms of the calculated unzipping crack increment.
Widespread capacity to metabolize polychlorinated biphenyls by diverse microbial communities in soils with no significant exposure to PCB contamination
Authors: Macedo Alexandre J. , Timmis Kenneth N. , Abraham Wolf‐Rainer
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this work was to determine the extent of microbial metabolic potential for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils that have had no previous exposure to this class of xenobiotic pollutants. Soil and sediment samples of distinct characteristics from six sites in Germany were used to inoculate PCB oil (Aroclor 1242) microdroplets. All samples yielded multispecies biofilms, as revealed by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and sequence analysis of the main amplicons. Microbes representing 20 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified in the biofilms, but only a few were common to all biofilms, namely those closely related to Aquabacterium sp., Caulobacter sp., Imtechium assamiensis, Nevskia ramosa, Parvibaculum lavamentivorans and Burkholderia sp. The PCB biofilm communities were always distinct from control biofilms developing from the same samples in the absence of PCB. All PCB droplet‐grown biofilms degraded multiple PCB congeners but differed in the congener spectra they degraded. These findings reveal that microbial potential to degrade PCBs is widespread in soils that have not been subjected to PCB contamination, and that this potential is characteristic of consortia of very diverse phylogenetic composition.
Interactive effect of retinopathy and macroalbuminuria on all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular and renal end points in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tong P. C. Y. , Kong A. P. , So W Y. , Yang X. , Ng M C. Y. , Ho C S. , Ma R C. W. , Ozaki R. , Ng V. , Chow C C. , Lam C W. K. , Chan J C. N. , Cockram C S.
Published: April 2007

Aims  To examine the effect of albuminuria and retinopathy on the risk of cardiovascular and renal events, and all‐cause mortality in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods  A post‐hoc analysis of 4416 Chinese patients without macrovascular complications at baseline (age 57.6 ± 13.3 years). Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated by the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study Group Formula, further adjusted for Chinese ethnicity. Clinical end points were all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular events (heart failure or angina, myocardial infarction, lower limb amputation, re‐vascularization procedures and stroke) and renal end points (reduction in eGFR by more than 50% or eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 or death as a result of renal causes or need for dialysis).

Results  Compared with individuals without complications, subjects with retinopathy and macroalbuminuria had higher rates of cardiovascular events (14.1 vs. 2.4%), renal events (40.0 vs. 0.8%) and death (9.3 vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001). For composite event of death, cardiovascular and renal events, the presence of retinopathy, microalbuminuria alone, macroalbuminuria alone, retinopathy with microalbuminuria or retinopathy with macroalbuminuria increased the risk [hazard ratio (95% CI)] by 1.61 (1.05 to 2.47; P = 0.04), 1.93 (1.38 to 2.69; P < 0.001), 4.34 (3.02 to 6.22; P < 0.001), 2.59 [1.76 to 3.81; P < 0.001) and 6.83 (4.89 to 9.55; P < 0.001) fold, respectively. The relative excess risk as a result of interaction between retinopathy and macroalbuminuria was 15.31, implying biological interaction in the development of renal events.

Conclusions  In Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes, retinopathy interacts with macroalbuminuria to increase the risk of composite cardio‐renal events.
The relationship of heart rate and heart rate variability to non‐diabetic fasting glucose levels and the metabolic syndrome: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Stein P. K. , Barzilay J. I. , Domitrovich P. P. , Chaves P. M. , Gottdiener J. S. , Heckbert S. R. , Kronmal R. A.
Published: April 2007

Background  Increased heart rate (HR) and diminished heart rate variability (HRV) are signs of early cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. We tested the hypotheses that increased HR and diminished HRV are present in people: (i) with increased fasting glucose (FG) levels not in the range of diabetes mellitus (DM), and (ii) in people with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) independent of elevated FG levels.

Methods  HR and HRV were determined in 1267 adults (mean age 72 years) who had Holter monitoring and FG measures: 536 had normal FG levels (NORM, FG 4.5–5.5 mmol/l), 363 had mildly impaired FG (IFG‐1, FG 5.6–6.0 mmol/l), 182 had significantly impaired FG (IFG‐2, FG 6.1–6.9 mmol/l) and 178 had DM (FG > 6.9 mmol/l or use of glucose‐lowering agents/insulin). HR and HRV in NORM/IFG‐1 was further compared by the number of components of the MetS and compared by the presence or absence of MetS in IFG‐2/DM.

Results  HRV indices were more impaired in IFG‐2 and DM than in NORM or IFG‐1. There were few differences in HRV indices between NORM and IFG‐1 or between IFG‐2 and DM. In NORM/IFG‐1 participants, having ≥ 2 components of the MetS was associated with a greater decrease in HRV compared with having no or one components. In IFG‐2/DM participants, MetS was associated with decreased HRV compared with no MetS.

Conclusions  Increased HR and diminished HRV occur in the non‐diabetic FG range. Diminished HRV is associated with the MetS, independent of FG levels. Both these results suggest that factors associated with increasing non‐diabetic FG levels and the MetS play a role in the onset of cardiac autonomic impairment.
Glucose tolerance status and cognitive impairment in early middle‐aged women
Authors: Fuh J‐L. , Wang S‐J. , Hwu C‐M. , Lu S‐R.
Published: April 2007

Aims  To examine the effect of glucose tolerance status on cognitive performance in early middle‐aged women.

Methods  We conducted a matched, case–control study from a population‐based cohort in Kinmen, Taiwan. Women aged 40–54 years were recruited. Participants were classified into one of three groups: normal, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or diabetes mellitus. Cognitive measures used were the Rey Auditory‐Verbal Learning Test, visual memory, verbal fluency, Trail Making Test, and digit spans.

Results  Seven hundred and twenty eligible women underwent both the cognitive and oral glucose tolerance tests. The 72 women (10%) who had diabetes mellitus were compared with 68 women with IGT and 144 with normal glucose tolerance. All groups were matched for age and education level. Mean scores on cognitive testing did not differ between the three groups, except for the forward digit spans test. After adjustment for menopausal status, psychological stress scores and other cardiovascular variables, glucose tolerance status was no longer a significant predictor for forward digit span scores.

Conclusions  Glucose tolerance status was not associated with cognitive performance in middle‐aged women.
Visual category‐selectivity for faces, places and objects emerges along different developmental trajectories
Authors: Scherf K. Suzanne , Behrmann Marlene , Humphreys Kate , Luna Beatriz
Published: April 2007

The organization of category‐selective regions in ventral visual cortex is well characterized in human adults. We investigated a crucial, previously unaddressed, question about how this organization emerges developmentally. We contrasted the developmental trajectories for face‐, object‐, and place‐selective activation in the ventral visual cortex in children, adolescents, and adults. Although children demonstrated adult‐like organization in object‐ and place‐related cortex, as a group they failed to show consistent face‐selective activation in classical face regions. The lack of a consistent neural signature for faces was attributable to (1) reduced face‐selectivity and extent of activation within the regions that will become the FFA, OFA, and STS in adults, and (2) smaller volumes and considerable variability in the locus of face‐selective activation in individual children. In contrast, adolescents showed an adult‐like pattern of face‐selective activation, although it was more right‐lateralized. These findings reveal critical age‐related differences in the emergence of category‐specific functional organization in the visual cortex and support a model of brain development in which specialization emerges from interactions between experience‐dependent learning and the maturing brain.
WORKERS'CO‐OPERATION
Authors: Fletcher Richard
Published: April 2007

I. Abstract

The first draft of this paper was put forward for consideration within the Labour Movement in April 1975 and was amended as a result of subsequent discussion. The paper examines the present movement for workers' co‐operation in the light of the historical development of producers' co‐operation in Britain.

It concludes that the relative failure of producers' co‐operation in the past has been due to the unfavourable economic environment in which it has tried to function – and that as a result it has been unable to compete with aggressive entrepreneurial capitalism in the accumulation of capital.

Producers' co‐operation has already demonstrated undoubted advantages. It is potentially more efficient in the use of labour and less socially divisive; it provides a model for the future transformation of industry in which workers can play a full part as equal partners rather than hired hands; it may also assist in maintaining existing, and creating new employment.

In the present changed circumstances in which the free market economy is breaking down under accelerating inflation and major firms are turning to the government to solve their liquidity problems, it is suggested that workers' co‐operation has an important part to play in the regeneration of British industry and that it should be encouraged as a matter of public policy.

There are two major requirements for the growth of the producers' co‐operative sector:

1. There must be a demand for, and ideological commitment to workers' co‐operation on the shop floor. While this can be helped by government action it must develop primarily by the self‐education of workers through their trade unions.

2. The state must create a climate favourable to workers' co‐operation in the economy by the provision of capital, advice and specialist educational and technical assistance.
PARTICIPATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES: Experience from Greek utilities
Authors: PAPOULIAS Demetrios B. , LIOUKAS Spyros
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: This paper attempts to evaluate employee and social‐group participation in the management of public sector enterprises, using evidence from a scheme introduced in seven public utilities in Greece, 1983‐8. It describes the institutional background and the formal directives through which this participation scheme was implemented and assesses its effects. Difficulties arising from the wider political and administrative environment are discussed. Reasons for the observed disfunctioning of the scheme are given. These refer to the structure of the scheme itself, negligence of existing experience and tradition within the enterprises, and failure to associate participation with modernization. Suggestions are provided for the implementation of more effective participative management in future.
ITALIAN STATE‐OWNED HOLDINGS, PRIVATIZATION AND THE SINGLE MARKET*
Authors: CAFFERATA Roberto
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT**: Italy's state industry is in a strategic transition, the result of which was not foreseen in the reforms approved by Parliament in the 1990s. Privatization pressures and opposite trends aimed at rejuvenating the state‐owned holdings (the major ones being Iri and Eni) coexist in the Italian mixed economy. However, in the absence of a clear strategic intent, the functions of Iri and Eni are destined to whither away, in spite of the success achieved by them in both national and international markets. New pressures are menacing public enterprises. The attitudes of the European Commission, the trends of the European Union's industrial policy, and the drive towards the construction of a single market challenge the competitive skills of Iri and Eni, which in 1992 became joint stock companies.
THE GERMAN POSTAL REFORM OF 1994*
Authors: BÜCHNER Lutz Michael
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT**: In 1994 the Deutsche Bundespost, Deutsche Bundespost Telekom, Postdienst and Postbank were transformed into three stock companies. This so‐called Postal Reform II required an amendment to German Basic Law as well as new laws, which have been condensed in the‘Post and Telecommunications Reorganization Act’of 14 September 1994. This paper reviews the regulations concerning –‐ among others —the amendments to the Basic Law, the presentation of the stock companies, the minister Post and Telecommunications, the agency, the regulation structure and the personnel.
SOLVING THE UNDERINVESTMENT AND DEGENERATION PROBLEMS OF WORKERS' COOPERATIVES
Authors: MAJOR Guy
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT**: The workers' cooperative sector has been hampered by underinvestment and degeneration. To solve both problems, ‘NOVARRS’ are proposed, which are a new kind of tradable share. They: are NOn‐voting; receive a specified fraction of Value‐Added Residual (=sales – all non‐labour costs); are Renewable after a specified period – the cooperative must buy back at face value if a new fraction (VARF) cannot be agreed; and carry a right to a Share of net assets on liquidation, and to information and ‘voice’ at general meetings. The renewal feature allows markets to reset the VARF. Reinvestment is by part‐paying workers with adjustable face value NOVARRS. ‘VOWVARRS’ (NOVARRS with VOtes whose Weights are agreed at issue and renewal) are proposed as a transitional mechanism and to fund capital intensive firms with highly specialized physical capital.
THE NATURE OF COOPERATIVE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
Authors: NILSSON Jerker
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: Members' transaction costs decrease as a consequence of cooperative principles and cooperative values. The members' cooperative values reduce their uncertainty in relation to each other and in their relationship to the business environment. Thus, there are two categories of values: social values and sovereignty values. The cooperative principles are characteristics of the cooperative organization that aim to reduce transaction costs in the members' relationships with the cooperative. Thus we find two types of principles: business principles and society principles. Business principles state how relationships between the cooperative enterprise and the members should be designed. Society principles reduce transaction costs for members in their interactions.
SOCIAL COOPERATIVES AND WORK INTEGRATION IN ITALY
Authors: BORZAGA Carlo
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*: The paper presents and analyses the birth and evolution of social cooperatives for work integration in Italy. Born spontaneously in response to the failure of policies for the employment of disadvantaged workers, this particular entrepreneurial form was recognized and regulated in 1991 by enactment of a special law. The paper sets out the main results of recent research studies, results which enable quantification of the phenomenon and illustration of its principal features, as well as providing preliminary information on the effectiveness of this type of cooperative in the integration of disadvantaged workers into the internal or open labour market and on the variables that influence their results. The paper therefore highlights both the advantages and the drawbacks of these initiatives. Overcoming these drawbacks seems to be conditional on recognition of social cooperatives for work integration as instruments of employment policy.
COOPERATIVES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN SWEDISH SOCIAL WELFARE
Authors: STRYJAN Yohanan , WIJKSTRÖM Filip
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT*

The Swedish welfare system was developed in an incremental fashion in an interaction between the state and a range of voluntary organizations. Consequently, Swedish voluntary organizations do not quite fit accepted typologies, with regard to underlying normative principles, fields of activity and organizational forms. The absolute size of the Swedish nonprofit sector is comparable with that of other European countries. However, the bulk of its activity is within policy formulation, rather than service provision; concepts of membership and popular movement are central, and charitable organizations are marginal. The spread of existing organizational forms is reviewed, with particular reference to the role of cooperatives. New cooperative users' and producers' organizations play an important role in the current expansion of third‐sector organizations providing welfare services. Three case descriptions of new cooperative forms are appended.
Expression of syntactic and semantic features in logic‐based grammars
Authors: Saint‐Dizier Patrick
Published: April 2007

In this paper, we introduce and initiate a formalism to represent syntactic and semantic features in logic‐based grammars. We also introduce technical devices to express feature‐checking and feature‐inheritance mechanisms. This leads us to propose some extensions to the basic unification mechanism of PROLOG. Finally, we consider the problem of long‐distance dependency relations between constituents in gapping grammars rules from the point of view of morphosyntactic features that may change depending on the position occupied by the moved constituents. What we propose is not a new linguistic theory about features, but rather a formalism and a set of tools that we think will be useful to grammar writers to describe features and their relations in grammar rules.
Formative evaluation in the development and validation of expert systems in education
Authors: Hofmeister Alan M.
Published: April 2007

Researchers developing and validating educational products often expect the same field‐test activities to provide information on product improvement and product effectiveness. For effective and economical use of resources, these two goals, product improvement and product validation, must be stressed at different times and with different tools and strategies. This article identifies the difference in procedures and outcome between formative and summative evaluation practices and relates these practices to the development and validation of expert systems in education.
A programming language for learning environments
Authors: Glasgow J. I. , Jenkins M. A. , Hendren L. J.
Published: April 2007

Most of the recent research on programming languages for education has been centered around the language Logo. In this paper we introduce another candidate language for learning environments, Nial, the nested interactive array language.

Nial is a general‐purpose programming language based on a formal theory of mathematics called array theory. This paper introduces Nial as a language for learning programming and developing and using computer‐aided instruction tools. A comparison with Logo is provided to evaluate these two languages in terms of their strengths and weaknesses as programming environments for novice programmers. We also demonstrate that a programming environment can be both simple to leam at the novice level and extendible to a powerful and sophisticated language.