bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biocomputational prediction of non-coding RNAs in model cyanobacteria
Authors: Voß Björn , Georg Jens , Schön Verena , Ude Susanne , Hess Wolfgang R
Published: March 2009

Background

In bacteria, non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) are crucial regulators of gene expression, controlling various stress responses, virulence, and motility. Previous work revealed a relatively high number of ncRNAs in some marine cyanobacteria. However, for efficient genetic and biochemical analysis it would be desirable to identify a set of ncRNA candidate genes in model cyanobacteria that are easy to manipulate and for which extended mutant, transcriptomic and proteomic data sets are available.

Results

Here we have used comparative genome analysis for the biocomputational prediction of ncRNA genes and other sequence/structure-conserved elements in intergenic regions of the three unicellular model cyanobacteria Synechocystis PCC6803, Synechococcus elongatus PCC6301 and Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP1 plus the toxic Microcystis aeruginosa NIES843. The unfiltered numbers of predicted elements in these strains is 383, 168, 168, and 809, respectively, combined into 443 sequence clusters, whereas the numbers of individual elements with high support are 94, 56, 64, and 406, respectively. Removing also transposon-associated repeats, finally 78, 53, 42 and 168 sequences, respectively, are left belonging to 109 different clusters in the data set. Experimental analysis of selected ncRNA candidates in Synechocystis PCC6803 validated new ncRNAs originating from the fabF-hoxH and apcC-prmA intergenic spacers and three highly expressed ncRNAs belonging to the Yfr2 family of ncRNAs. Yfr2a promoter-luxAB fusions confirmed a very strong activity of this promoter and indicated a stimulation of expression if the cultures were exposed to elevated light intensities.

Conclusion

Comparison to entries in Rfam and experimental testing of selected ncRNA candidates in Synechocystis PCC6803 indicate a high reliability of the current prediction, despite some contamination by the high number of repetitive sequences in some of these species. In particular, we identified in the four species altogether 8 new ncRNA homologs belonging to the Yfr2 family of ncRNAs. Modelling of RNA secondary structures indicated two conserved single-stranded sequence motifs that might be involved in RNA-protein interactions or in the recognition of target RNAs. Since our analysis has been restricted to find ncRNA candidates with a reasonable high degree of conservation among these four cyanobacteria, there might be many more, requiring direct experimental approaches for their identification.
Comparative genomics of lactic acid bacteria reveals a niche-specific gene set
Authors: O'Sullivan Orla , O'Callaghan John , Sangrador-Vegas Amaia , McAuliffe Olivia , Slattery Lydia , Kaleta Pawel , Callanan Michael , Fitzgerald Gerald F , Ross R Paul , Beresford Tom
Published: March 2009

Background

The recently sequenced genome of Lactobacillus helveticus DPC4571 [1] revealed a dairy organism with significant homology (75% of genes are homologous) to a probiotic bacteria Lb. acidophilus NCFM [2]. This led us to hypothesise that a group of genes could be determined which could define an organism's niche.

Results

Taking 11 fully sequenced lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as our target, (3 dairy LAB, 5 gut LAB and 3 multi-niche LAB), we demonstrated that the presence or absence of certain genes involved in sugar metabolism, the proteolytic system, and restriction modification enzymes were pivotal in suggesting the niche of a strain. We identified 9 niche specific genes, of which 6 are dairy specific and 3 are gut specific. The dairy specific genes identified in Lactobacillus helveticus DPC4571 were lhv_1161 and lhv_1171, encoding components of the proteolytic system, lhv_1031 lhv_1152, lhv_1978 and lhv_0028 encoding restriction endonuclease genes, while bile salt hydrolase genes lba_0892 and lba_1078, and the sugar metabolism gene lba_1689 from Lb. acidophilus NCFM were identified as gut specific genes.

Conclusion

Comparative analysis revealed that if an organism had homologs to the dairy specific geneset, it probably came from a dairy environment, whilst if it had homologs to gut specific genes, it was highly likely to be of intestinal origin.

We propose that this "barcode" of 9 genes will be a useful initial guide to researchers in the LAB field to indicate an organism's ability to occupy a specific niche.
Nitric oxide synthase 2A (NOS2A) polymorphisms are not associated with invasive pneumococcal disease
Authors: Payton Antony , Payne Debbie , Mankhambo Limangeni A , Banda Daniel L , Hart C Anthony , Ollier William ER , Carrol Enitan D
Published: March 2009

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is responsible for over one million deaths per year, with young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals being most at risk. Approximately half of East African children have been reported to be asymptomatic carriers of pneumococcus with invasive infection occurring after the disruption of the respiratory membrane which is believed to be caused by the host immune response. Racial incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is higher in certain populations even after adjusting for environmental factors suggesting a genetic component to disease susceptibility. The nitric oxide synthase 2A (NOS2A) gene is responsible for the production of nitric oxide under pathological conditions including host defence against bacterial infection. Nitric oxide is a modulator of apoptotic and inflammatory cascades and endothelial permeability. We hypothesised that genetic variants within this gene may predispose to disease risk and survival.

Methods

A cohort of 299 children with IPD (221 meningitis, 41 pneumonia and 37 with bacteraemia) and 931 age matched controls from Malawi were used in this study. We investigated nine haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms within the NOS2A gene and compared the presence or absence of the minor alleles in cases and controls and survivors and non-survivors within the cases.

Results

We observed no significant associations between cases and controls or with survival in either all IPD cases or in the separate analysis of meningitis cases. A near significant association was obtained for the comparison of rs8078340 in cases and controls (p-value, 0.078). However, results were unadjusted for multiple testing.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that polymorphic variation within the NOS2A gene does not influence invasive pneumococcal disease susceptibility or survival.
Solution structure of the parvulin-type PPIase domain of Staphylococcus aureus PrsA – Implications for the catalytic mechanism of parvulins
Authors: Heikkinen Outi , Seppala Raili , Tossavainen Helena , Heikkinen Sami , Koskela Harri , Permi Perttu , Kilpeläinen Ilkka
Published: March 2009

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium causing many kinds of infections from mild respiratory tract infections to life-threatening states as sepsis. Recent emergence of S. aureus strains resistant to numerous antibiotics has created a need for new antimicrobial agents and novel drug targets. S. aureus PrsA is a membrane associated extra-cytoplasmic lipoprotein which contains a parvulin-type peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase domain. PrsA is known to act as an essential folding factor for secreted proteins in Gram-positive bacteria and thus it is a potential target for antimicrobial drugs against S. aureus.

Results

We have solved a high-resolution solution structure of the parvulin-type peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase domain of S. aureus PrsA (PrsA-PPIase). The results of substrate peptide titrations pinpoint the active site and demonstrate the substrate preference of the enzyme. With detailed NMR spectroscopic investigation of the orientation and tautomeric state of the active site histidines we are able to give further insight into the structure of the catalytic site. NMR relaxation analysis gives information on the dynamic behaviour of PrsA-PPIase.

Conclusion

Detailed structural description of the S. aureus PrsA-PPIase lays the foundation for structure-based design of enzyme inhibitors. The structure resembles hPin1-type parvulins both structurally and regarding substrate preference. Even though a wealth of structural data is available on parvulins, the catalytic mechanism has yet to be resolved. The structure of S. aureus PrsA-PPIase and our findings on the role of the conserved active site histidines help in designing further experiments to solve the detailed catalytic mechanism.
Mammaglobin as a potential molecular target for breast cancer drug delivery
Authors: Zuo Lian , Li Ly , Wang Qian , Fleming Timothy P , You Shaojin
Published: March 2009

Background

Mammaglobin (MAM) has been used as a specific molecular marker for breast cancer diagnosis. Recently, several groups of researchers proposed a number of therapeutic strategies targeting this molecule. Some of the strategies are based upon an essential but not demonstrated hypothesis – mammaglobin is associated with the surface of breast cancer cells, which strongly disputes the therapeutic strategies.

Results

We conducted a computer-based predictive analysis and identified a small fragment at the N-end of MAM as a potential transmembrane domain. We provided several evidences to demonstrate the presence of the membrane-associated MAM. We isolated the membrane protein components from known MAM positive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB361 and MDA-MB415). We showed that about 22–64% of MAM proteins, depending upon the types of the cancer cells, directly attached on the membrane of breast cancer cells, by Western blotting assays. To directly visualize the presence of the membrane-bound MAM protein, we incubated the MAM positive cancer cells with FITC labeled anti-MAM antibody, and observed clear fluorescent signals on the surface of the cells. In studying the MAM protein distribution in human breast cancer tissues, we first identified two immunostain patterns that are associated with the membrane-bound MAM: the membrane stain pattern and luminary surface stain pattern. To test whether the membrane-associated MAM can serve as a molecular target for drug delivery, we conjugated anti-MAM antibody to human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and loaded doxorubicin (Dox) in the core of LDL. Specific binding and cytotoxicity of the MAM targeted and Dox loaded LDL was tested in the MAM positive breast cancer cells in vitro.

Conclusion

We first showed that some of MAM protein directly associated with the surface of breast cancer cells. The membrane-associated MAM protein may be utilized as a useful molecular marker for breast cancer targeted drug delivery.
Taurolidine reduces the tumor stimulating cytokine interleukin-1beta in patients with resectable gastrointestinal cancer: a multicentre prospective randomized trial
Authors: Braumann Chris , Gutt Carsten N , Scheele Johannes , Menenakos Charalambos , Willems Wilhelm , Mueller Joachim M , Jacobi Christoph A
Published: March 2009

Background

The effect of additional treatment strategies with antineoplastic agents on intraperitoneal tumor stimulating interleukin levels are unclear. Taurolidine and Povidone-iodine have been mainly used for abdominal lavage in Germany and Europe.

Methods

In the settings of a multicentre (three University Hospitals) prospective randomized controlled trial 120 patients were randomly allocated to receive either 0.5% taurolidine/2,500 IU heparin (TRD) or 0.25% povidone-iodine (control) intraperitoneally for resectable colorectal, gastric or pancreatic cancers. Due to the fact that IL-1beta (produced by macrophages) is preoperatively indifferent in various gastrointestinal cancer types our major outcome criterion was the perioperative (overall) level of IL-1beta in peritoneal fluid.

Results

Cytokine values were significantly lower after TRD lavage for IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10. Perioperative complications did not differ. The median follow-up was 50.0 months. The overall mortality rate (28 vs. 25, p = 0.36), the cancer-related death rate (17 vs. 19, p = .2), the local recurrence rate (7 vs. 12, p = .16), the distant metastasis rate (13 vs. 18, p = 0.2) as well as the time to relapse were not statistically significant different.

Conclusion

Reduced cytokine levels might explain a short term antitumorigenic intraperitoneal effect of TRD. But, this study analyzed different types of cancer. Therefore, we set up a multicentre randomized trial in patients undergoing curative colorectal cancer resection.

Trial registration

ISRCTN66478538
Comparison of intraoperative frozen section analysis for sentinel lymph node biopsy during breast cancer surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma
Authors: Horvath James W , Barnett Gary E , Jimenez Rafael E , Young Donn C , Povoski Stephen P
Published: March 2009

Background

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard of care for the surgical assessment of the axilla during breast cancer surgery. However, the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section analysis for confirming metastatic involvement of SLNs in cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) versus that of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) has generated controversy secondary to a frequently low-grade cytologic appearance and an often discohesive pattern displayed by metastatic lymph nodes in ILC. In the current report, we present a comparison of intraoperative frozen section analysis for confirming the presence of metastatic disease within SLNs during breast cancer surgery for ILC and IDC.

Methods

We evaluated the results of 131 consecutive cases of ILC from 1997 to 2008 and 133 cases of IDC (selected by a random sequence generator program) from amongst 1163 consecutive cases of IDC from the same time period. All cases had at least one SLN that had both intraoperative frozen section analysis and confirmatory permanent section analysis performed.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found in the sensitivity (67% vs. 75%, P = 0.385), specificity (100% vs. 100%), accuracy (86% vs. 92%, P = 0.172), false negative rate (33% vs. 25%, P = 0.385), negative predictive value (81% vs. 89%, P = 0.158), and positive predictive value (100% vs. 100%) for frozen section analysis for confirming the presence of metastatic disease within SLNs during breast cancer surgery for ILC and IDC.

Conclusion

Since there was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, false negative rate, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value between frozen section analysis of SLNs for patients with ILC and IDC, the clinical accuracy of confirming metastatic involvement of SLNs on frozen section analysis for ILC should not be considered inferior to the clinical accuracy for IDC. Therefore, frozen section analysis of all SLNs during breast cancer surgery in patients with ILC should remain the standard of care in order to reduce the risk of the need of a later, separate axillary lymph node dissection.
MicroRNA and gene expression patterns in the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Ren Jiaqiang , Jin Ping , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco M , Stroncek David F
Published: March 2009

Background

The unique features of human embryonic stem (hES) cells make them the best candidate resource for both cell replacement therapy and development research. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the simultaneous maintenance of their self-renewal properties and undifferentiated state remain unclear. Non-coding microRNAs (miRNA) which regulate mRNA cleavage and inhibit encoded protein translation exhibit temporal or tissue-specific expression patterns and they play an important role in development timing.

Results

In this study, we analyzed miRNA and gene expression profiles among samples from 3 hES cell lines (H9, I6 and BG01v), differentiated embryoid bodies (EB) derived from H9 cells at different time points, and 5 adult cell types including Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMVEC), Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC), Umbilical Artery Smooth Muscle Cells (UASMC), Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA), and Lung Fibroblasts (LFB). This analysis rendered 104 miRNAs and 776 genes differentially expressed among the three cell types. Selected differentially expressed miRNAs and genes were further validated and confirmed by quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Especially, members of the miR-302 cluster on chromosome 4 and miR-520 cluster on chromosome 19 were highly expressed in undifferentiated hES cells. MiRNAs in these two clusters displayed similar expression levels. The members of these two clusters share a consensus 7-mer seed sequence and their targeted genes had overlapping functions. Among the targeted genes, genes with chromatin structure modification function are enriched suggesting a role in the maintenance of chromatin structure. We also found that the expression level of members of the two clusters, miR-520b and miR-302c, were negatively correlated with their targeted genes based on gene expression analysis

Conclusion

We identified the expression patterns of miRNAs and gene transcripts in the undifferentiation of human embryonic stem cells; among the miRNAs that are highly expressed in undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, the miR-520 cluster may be closely involved in hES cell function and its relevance to chromatin structure warrants further study.
Size-partitioning of an urban aerosol to identify particle determinants involved in the proinflammatory response induced in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Ramgolam Kiran , Favez Olivier , Cachier Hélène , Gaudichet Annie , Marano Francelyne , Martinon Laurent , Baeza-Squiban Armelle
Published: March 2009

Background

The contribution of air particles in human cardio-respiratory diseases has been enlightened by several epidemiological studies. However the respective involvement of coarse, fine and ultrafine particles in health effects is still unclear. The aim of the present study is to determine which size fraction from a chemically characterized background aerosol has the most important short term biological effect and to decipher the determinants of such a behaviour.

Results

Ambient aerosols were collected at an urban background site in Paris using four 13-stage low pressure cascade impactors running in parallel (winter and summer 2005) in order to separate four size-classes (PM0.03–0.17 (defined here as ultrafine particles), PM0.17–1 (fine), PM1–2.5(intermediate) and PM2.5–10 (coarse)). Accordingly, their chemical composition and their pro-inflammatory potential on human airway epithelial cells were investigated. Considering isomass exposures (same particle concentrations for each size fractions) the pro-inflammatory response characterized by Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) release was found to decrease with aerosol size with no seasonal dependency. When cells were exposed to isovolume of particle suspensions in order to respect the particle proportions observed in ambient air, the GM-CSF release was maximal with the fine fraction. In presence of a recombinant endotoxin neutralizing protein, the GM-CSF release induced by particles is reduced for all size-fractions, with exception of the ultra-fine fraction which response is not modified. The different aerosol size-fractions were found to display important chemical differences related to the various contributing primary and secondary sources and aerosol age. The GM-CSF release was correlated to the organic component of the aerosols and especially its water soluble fraction. Finally, Cytochrome P450 1A1 activity that reflects PAH bioavailability varied as a function of the season: it was maximal for the fine fraction in winter and for the ultrafine fraction in summer.

Conclusion

In the frame of future regulations, a particular attention should thus be paid to the ultrafine/fine (here referred to as PM1) fraction due to their overwhelming anthropogenic origin and predominance in the urban aerosol and their pro-inflammatory potential.
Overcoming Resistance to Conventional Drugs in Ewing Sarcoma and Identification of Molecular Predictors of Outcome
Authors: Scotlandi Katia , Remondini Daniel , Castellani Gastone , Manara Maria Cristina , Nardi Filippo , Cantiani Lara , Francesconi Mirko , Mercuri Mario , Caccuri Anna Maria , Serra Massimo , Knuutila Sakari , Picci Piero
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The improvement of Ewing sarcoma (EWS) therapy is currently linked to the discovery of strategies to select patients with poor and good prognosis and of modified treatment regimens. In this study, we analyzed the molecular factors governing EWS response to chemotherapy to identify genetic signatures to be used for risk-adapted therapy.

Patients and Methods

Microarray technology was used for profiling 30 primary tumors and seven metastases of patients who were classified according to event-free survival. For selected genes, real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied in 42 EWS primary tumors as validation assay. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test was used to evaluate in vitro drug sensitivity.

Results

We identified molecular signatures that reflect tumor resistance to chemotherapy. Annotation analysis was applied to reveal the biologic functions that critically influenced clinical outcome. The prognostic relevance of glutathione metabolism pathway was validated. The expression of MGST1, the microsomal glutathione S-transferase (GST), was found to clearly predict EWS prognosis. MGST1 expression was associated with doxorubicin chemosensitivity. This prompted us to assess the in vitro effectiveness of 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol (NBDHEX), a new anticancer agent that efficiently inhibits GST enzymes. Six cell lines were found to be sensitive to this new drug.

Conclusion

Classification of EWS patients into high- and low-risk groups is feasible with restricted molecular signatures that may have practical value at diagnosis for selecting patients with EWS who are unresponsive to current treatments. Glutathione metabolism pathway emerged as one of the most significantly altered prognosis-associated pathway. NBDHEX is proposed as a new potential therapeutic possibility.
Chemoradiotherapy in the Management of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Huguet Florence , Girard Nicolas , Guerche Clotilde Séblain-El , Hennequin Christophe , Mornex Françoise , Azria David
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. At time of diagnosis, 30% of patients present with a locally advanced unresectable but nonmetastatic pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC). The French program Standards, Options, and Recommendations was promoted to conduct a qualitative systematic review to evaluate the role of radiotherapy in patients with LAPC.

Methods

A search to identify eligible studies was undertaken using the MEDLINE database. All phase III randomized trials and systematic reviews evaluating the role of radiotherapy in LAPC were included, together with some noncontrolled studies if no phase III trials were retrieved. The quality and clinical relevance of the studies were evaluated using validated checklists, which allowed associating each result with a level of evidence.

Results

Twenty-one studies were included, as follows: two meta-analyses, 13 randomized trials, and six nonrandomized trials. Chemoradiotherapy increases overall survival when compared with best supportive care (level of evidence C) or with exclusive radiotherapy (level B1), but is more toxic (level B1). Chemoradiotherapy is not superior to chemotherapy in terms of survival (level B1) and increases toxicity (level A). Recent data favor limited irradiation to the tumor volume (level C). Fluorouracil is still the reference chemotherapy in association with radiotherapy (level B1). Induction chemotherapy before chemoradiotherapy improves survival (level C).

Conclusion

No standard treatment exists, but there are two options for treatment of LAPC; these are gemcitabine-based chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. Induction chemotherapy followed by a chemoradiotherapy is a promising strategy for selection of patients without early metastatic/progressing disease.
Computational and analytical framework for small RNA profiling by high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Fahlgren Noah , Sullivan Christopher M. , Kasschau Kristin D. , Chapman Elisabeth J. , Cumbie Jason S. , Montgomery Taiowa A. , Gilbert Sunny D. , Dasenko Mark , Backman Tyler W.H. , Givan Scott A. , Carrington James C.
Published: March 2009

The advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) methods has enabled direct approaches to quantitatively profile small RNA populations. However, these methods have been limited by several factors, including representational artifacts and lack of established statistical methods of analysis. Furthermore, massive HTS data sets present new problems related to data processing and mapping to a reference genome. Here, we show that cluster-based sequencing-by-synthesis technology is highly reproducible as a quantitative profiling tool for several classes of small RNA from Arabidopsis thaliana. We introduce the use of synthetic RNA oligoribonucleotide standards to facilitate objective normalization between HTS data sets, and adapt microarray-type methods for statistical analysis of multiple samples. These methods were tested successfully using mutants with small RNA biogenesis (miRNA-defective dcl1 mutant and siRNA-defective dcl2 dcl3 dcl4 triple mutant) or effector protein (ago1 mutant) deficiencies. Computational methods were also developed to rapidly and accurately parse, quantify, and map small RNA data.
When Is Price Discrimination Profitable?
Authors: Anderson Eric T. , Dana James D.
Published: March 2009

We consider a general model of monopoly price discrimination and characterize the conditions under which price discrimination is and is not profitable. We show that an important condition for profitable price discrimination is that the percentage change in surplus (i.e., consumers' total willingness to pay, less the firm's costs) associated with a product upgrade is increasing in consumers' willingness to pay. We refer to this as an increasing percentage differences condition and relate it to many known results in the marketing, economics, and operations management literatures.
Inhibitory processes in memory are impaired in schizophrenia: Evidence from retrieval induced forgetting
Authors: Soriano Maria F. , Jiménez Juan F. , Román Patricia , Bajo M. Teresa
Published: March 2009

Schizophrenic patients are known to exhibit inhibitory impairments in response suppression and selective attention. However, the impairment of inhibitory control in memory retrieval has not clearly been documented. In two experiments, we investigate inhibition in memory retrieval by using the retrieval practice procedure. In Expt 1, a cued recall final test was used. Consistent with previous research, we found similar retrieval‐induced forgetting (RIF) effects in schizophrenic patients and in controls. However, these effects could be the result of interference/blocking or the results of inhibition. In order to reduce the influence of blocking in Expt 2, we used a recognition test. We found that RIF was reduced in patients, compared to healthy controls. The elimination of RIF effect in patients, when the influence of blocking is reduced, indicates that inhibitory processes in memory are altered in schizophrenia. Result suggest that schizophrenic patients suffer from critical impairments in inhibitory processes involved in memory retrieval, similar to the inhibitory deficits found in other cognitive domains.
Children's patterns of reasoning about reading and addition concepts
Authors: Farrington‐Flint Lee , Canobi Katherine H. , Wood Clare , Faulkner Dorothy
Published: March 2009

Children's reasoning was examined within two educational contexts (word reading and addition) so as to understand the factors that contribute to relational reasoning in the two domains. Sixty‐seven 5‐ to 7‐year‐olds were given a series of related words to read or single‐digit addition items to solve (interspersed with unrelated items). The frequency, accuracy, and response times of children's self‐reports on the conceptually related items provided a measure of relational reasoning, while performance on the unrelated addition and reading items provided a measure of procedural skill. The results indicated that the children's ability to use conceptual relations to solve both reading and addition problems enhanced speed and accuracy levels, increased with age, and was related to procedural skill. However, regression analyses revealed that domain‐specific competencies can best explain the use of conceptual relations in both reading and addition. Moreover, a cluster analysis revealed that children differ according to the academic domain in which they first apply conceptual relations and these differences are related to individual variation in their procedural skills within these particular domains. These results highlight the developmental significance of relational reasoning in the context of reading and addition and underscore the importance of concept‐procedure links in explaining children's literacy and arithmetical development.
The role of gaze direction and mutual exclusivity in guiding 24‐month‐olds' word mappings
Authors: Graham Susan A. , Nilsen Elizabeth S. , Collins Sarah , Olineck Kara
Published: March 2009

In these studies, we examined how a default assumption about word meaning, the mutual exclusivity assumption and an intentional cue, gaze direction, interacted to guide 24‐month‐olds' object‐word mappings. In Expt 1, when the experimenter's gaze was consistent with the mutual exclusivity assumption, novel word mappings were facilitated. When the experimenter's eye‐gaze was in conflict with the mutual exclusivity cue, children demonstrated a tendency to rely on the mutual exclusivity assumption rather than follow the experimenter's gaze to map the label to the object. In Expt 2, children relied on the experimenter's gaze direction to successfully map both a first label to a novel object and a second label to a familiar object. Moreover, infants mapped second labels to familiar objects to the same degree that they mapped first labels to novel objects. These findings are discussed with regard to children's use of convergent and divergent cues in indirect word mapping contexts.
Offenders' Perceptions of the Sentencing Process: A Study of Deterrence and Stigmatisation in the New South Wales Children's Court
Authors: McGrath Andrew
Published: March 2009

The criminal court system remains society's pre-eminent response to criminal activity, despite recent innovations such as youth justice conferences. Little is known, however, about the impact of an appearance before court and, in particular, whether subjective reactions to the court process have any impact on recidivism. The current article reports the results of a longitudinal study conducted in the New South Wales (NSW) Children's Court. Two hundred and six young offenders were interviewed immediately after the conclusion of their sentencing hearing using a questionnaire designed to measure the extent to which they perceived the court hearing to be a deterrent, and the extent to which they felt either stigmatised or reintegrated by the experience of being sentenced. Other factors measured included the developmental background of the young person, their academic record, peer influence, and licit and illicit drug use. Participants with previous convictions and who felt stigmatised by the hearing were more likely to reoffend, while participants rating their likelihood of arrest in the event of future offending as high, and who reported that the sentence they received would prevent future offending, were less likely to reoffend. Some evidence was obtained, therefore, to support both deterrence and labelling theory.
Convective Mass Transfer Coefficients for Gypsum and Wood Paneling
Authors: Iskra Conrad R. , James Chris , Talukdar Prabal , Simonson Carey J.
Published: March 2009

This paper presents the measured convective mass transfer coefficients for humid air flowing above an initially dry gypsum and wood panel (equilibrium with 30 % RH air) in the transient moisture transfer (TMT) facility at the University of Saskatchewan. The convective coefficients are measured during laminar flow at three different Reynolds numbers (Re=800, 1500, and 2100) and with three different humidities in the air stream (50, 70, and 90 % RH). The results show that the measured mass transfer coefficients are lower than the values measured above an open water surface by Iskra and Simonson in a previous work. For gypsum, the convective mass transfer coefficient varies from 0.0016 to 0.0033 m/s (1.2×10−8 to 2.4×10−8 s/m) with 95 % confidence uncertainty bounds ranging from ±20 to ±57 %. For wood, the convective mass transfer coefficient varies from 0.0001 to 0.0008 m/s (9.4×10−10 to 5.7×10−9 s/m) with 95 % confidence uncertainty bounds ranging from ±50 to±300 %. The experimental data are analyzed with a 1-D heat and mass transfer numerical model to check the discrepancy with the experimental data. The uncertainty associated with an indirect determination of mass transfer coefficient is discussed.
Natural Attenuation of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in On-Site Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems
Authors: Gill Laurence , Misstear Bruce , Johnston Paul , O’Luanaigh Niall
Published: March 2009

Groundwater is an important resource in Ireland which is under increasing risk from the burgeoning numbers of decentralized houses and their respective on-site treatment systems which discharge effluent to ground via a number of parallel percolation trenches. The three-dimensional performance of separate percolation areas have been intensively monitored to ascertain the attenuation of selected Endocrine Disruption Compounds (EDCs) from freely draining unsaturated subsoils receiving septic tank effluent and secondary treated effluent. The performance of secondary treatment and tertiary treatment horizontal subsurface flow reed beds was also studied with respect to EDC removal. The study showed that the development of a biomat across the percolation areas receiving secondary treated effluent was muted compared to the site receiving septic tank effluent on which the percolating effluent spread naturally by gravity over a much larger area. In general, the results showed the oestrogens (oestrone, oestrdiaol, ethynyloestradiol, and oestriol) percolating though the unsaturated subsoil were significantly degraded with depth down to very low values (<1 ng/L), with the exception of oestriol in the secondary treated effluent plume which seemed to be more persistent. There appeared to be little or no degradation of oestrogens under the saturated anaerobic conditions in the reed beds. The organic oxygen compound, bisphenol A, was not significantly reduced in the aerobic secondary treatment processes although some degradation was evident with depth through the subsoil in all trenches. Bisphenol A also showed no significant degradation in the reed bed environment. Finally, the study investigated the fate of caffeine (as a potential indicator of on-site effluent) which showed considerable removal in the aerobic subsoil conditions beneath all the trenches compared to little degradation of caffeine in the saturated anaerobic environment of the reed beds.
Design and Tests of Building Structures: Symposiums on Seismic and Shock Loading Glued Laminated and Other Constructions
Authors: Committee D-7  , Committee E-6
Published: March 2009

Description

This book contains two symposiums containing 10 papers. The first relates to the proper design and testing of construction resistant to earthquakes; the second to glued laminated structural members.
Symposium on Full-Scale Tests on House Structures
Authors: Committee D-7
Published: March 2009

Description

Features of full scale testing and suggested future research
Road and Paving Materials
Authors: ASTM Committee D-4
Published: March 2009

Description

This symposium emphasizes bituminous paving materials. Five papers
Symposium on Particle Size Measurement
Authors: ASTM Committee E-1
Published: March 2009

Description

A comprehensive volume containing 18 papers as well as a list of pertinent ASTM standards. Various methods including sedimentation, electronic size analysis, sieving, and light scattering are extensively covered
Symposium on Basic Mechanisms of Fatigue
Authors: ASTM Committee E-9
Published: March 2009

Description

Six Papers Cover: Cycle Dependent Stress Relaxation; Internal Friction, plastic Strain, and Fatigue in Metal and Semiconductors; plus 4 others
Symposium on Bulk Quantity Measurement
Authors: Committee D-2
Published: March 2009

Description

Six papers include: Application, installation and maintenance of Automatic Gage; Automatic Gage performance and others
Symposium on Instrumentation in Atmospheric Analysis
Authors: Committee D-22
Published: March 2009

Description

Four papers discuss, fluoride recorder, gas chromatography, colorimetry, spectrometry, light scattering for particle size, filtration for aerosol contaminants.
Testing of Synthetic Fiber Papers
Authors: Koontz FH , Owens JK
Published: March 2009

The utilization of synthetic fibers in papermaking has necessitated the modification of several existing ASTM and Technical Assn. Paper and Pulp Industry (TAPPI) test methods and the incorporation of new methods to fully characterize these paperlike products.
A New Cotton Fiber Paper Furnish
Authors: Harpham JA
Published: March 2009

Cotton fibers possess properties which make them desirable as a papermaking furnish. One type of cotton fiber (that is, linters) has the shortcoming of developing low paper strength and high paper bulk. Chemical modification of the linters fiber eliminates these disadvantages. Paper made from hydroxyethylated linters, in particular, has improved strength, uniform formation, excellent permanency, improved surface characteristics, and new combinations of porosity and absorbency with strength.

Bond, ledger, social, printing, thin, and porous papers are all likely to contain hydroxyethylated cotton linters. For identification of this new fiber, Herzberg iodine stain is inadequate. The microscopical study of morphological characteristics constitutes a preferred basis for fiber characterization. Hydroxyethylated linters may be distinguished from regular linters by determining solubility in alkali. Pulp crystallinity and degree of substitution data provide information, if desired, as to the stage of processing at which the fiber was modified and the extent of modification.
Relative Humidity Measurements in Package Materials Testing
Authors: Schrier BH , Wolper PK
Published: March 2009

This paper describes the development of a dew-point apparatus and a technique for its use in determining the relative humidity inside water vapor transmission test cabinets. Results reported define the cyclic nature of the temperature and humidity conditions existing in the test atmospheres. The apparatus and method yield results that are accurate to a high degree.
Exhaust Valve Materials for Internal-Combustion Engines
Authors: Heron SD , Harder OE , Nestor MR
Published: March 2009

Exhaust valve performance and exhaust valve materials in gasoline engines have been recognized as a serious limitation to engine development since about 1910. There is good reason to believe that exhaust valve behavior was limiting engine performance even prior to 1910. With the best of current exhaust valve materials and designs, exhaust valve behavior is today only a minor limitation to engine performance and development. However, in some cases cost precludes the use of such materials or designs. Exhaust valves operate at elevated temperatures, usually in the range of about 1200 to 1400 F., but parts of the valve may in some cases reach 1600 F. and more. It is obvious that an exhaust valve material should possess, at operating temperature, a maximum of strength, of resistance to stretching, and of chemical inertness to oxygen and other constituents of the combustible charge prior to and after burning. Hardness of the material at operating temperature has recently been recognized as an additional desirable property, in order to avoid pounding, pitting, etc., of the portion of the valve which makes contact with the seat in the cylinder. A number of additional properties are now recognized as desirable or necessary attributes of an outstanding exhaust valve material, as will be pointed out later.
Preparation, Use and Abuse of Specifications for Paint Materials
Authors: Walker PH
Published: March 2009

A specification for the purchase of any material should be as simple as possible, but should be explicit in defining the desired properties of the material. It should not prescribe methods of manufacture, nor should it contain requirements which may be necessary for factory control but which give the purchaser no information as to the properties important for its use. The value of a purchase specification can only be learned by using it. The best specification for any specific material would be prepared by an individual with knowledge of the properties desired, uses, and sources of supply of the desired material, and so situated that he is free to consult with other experts. Such a specification should be subject to prompt revision when observations on tests of deliveries and performance in service indicate that changes are advisable. Such efficient keeping of a specification up to date for maximum usefulness is not possible with national organizations that must work with committees that are generally large. On the other hand, the specifications prepared by committees of national organizations are more likely to be acceptable to many users than a specification prepared by any individual. Since the most widely used specifications for paint materials are the Federal Specifications, it seems worth while to give a brief account of their history.
Selection and Application of Automotive Steels
Authors: Boegehold AL , Graves WH , Upham EW
Published: March 2009

Present-day trends in use of steel for automobile parts have been influenced by a number of factors including: (a) Advance in heat treating equipment and methods of treating. (b) Development of experimental testing in engineering departments to prove materials and treatments, thus facilitating the selection of steel. (c) Improved quality and uniformity of steel resulting from grain size and hardenability testing. (d) Increased knowledge of how fatitigue failures occur. (e) An open mind on past customs and practices.
Trends in the Properties of Volatile Liquid Fuels
Authors: Barnard DP , Fox AH
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this paper is to summarize certain trends in the important properties of the principal volatile liquid fuels manufactured from petroleum and to discuss the reasons for the most probable changes which will occur, particularly during the next decade, and which will necessitate the development or revision of standardized tests and specifications.
Developments in Lubrication
Authors: Stewart JP , Moran RC , Reiff OM
Published: March 2009

If we were to delve into man's discovery and first use of lubricants, we might find we were antedating the invention of the wheel. The details of this discovery are lost in antiquity, but if our imagination is sufficiently vivid, we might picture a man of the stone age noticing how much easier his crude sled moved after it had been dragged accidentally through fat drippings around the cooking fire. Some spark of intelligence led him to associate fat and ease of haulage, and the first chapter of the age-old story of lubrication was written. For many more centuries little additional progress was made, and that was confined to the production of oils from animal fats, and the introduction of fatty oils of vegetable origin.
Structural Test of a House under Simulated Wind and Snow Loads
Authors: Dorey DB , Schriever WR
Published: March 2009

House structures, in contrast to industrial buildings and other larger structures, do not generally lend themselves to the normal methods of structural design. For this reason the design of wood frame houses in Canada, as well as in other countries with similar climatic conditions, has developed largely through experience or tradition.
Three is a Vital Number: Address—Industrial Water Luncheon, September 20, 1956.
Authors: Rice CK
Published: March 2009

Today, I am addressing you who have a primary concern with water in one form or another. Your dealings with water fall into many fields of work. I shall discuss with you only one of these fields—that of water pollution.
Centrifuge Sedimentation Size Analysis of Samples of Airborne Dusts Collected in Membrane Filters
Authors: Whitby KT , Algren AB , Annis JC
Published: March 2009

The application of the rapid general purpose centrifuge sedimentation method developed at the University of Minnesota to the size analysis of fine powders has been described in a previous publication (2).

Through the development of special fine-bore capillary centrifuge tubes, this method has been extended to the size analysis of fractional milligram quantities of airborne dusts collected on 47-mm membrane filters. Evaluation of this method against light and electron microscope data and its extensive use in an airborne dust survey have shown that it is a practical and convenient tool for the size analysis of airborne dusts. Application of this method to the size analysis of airborne dusts and of very fine, dilute suspensions of particles in a liquid is also described.
The Stanford Research Institute Particle Bank
Authors: Cadle RD , Thuman W
Published: March 2009

Research workers in the fine particle field often spend weeks or months preparing samples of particulate material for their research. The material may have special characteristics with respect to particle size, size distribution, density, and other properties. A large part of the sample preparation involves determining the properties of the sample. When a particular investigation is concluded, the samples may be of no further use to the man who prepared them but may be of considerable use to others working in the fine particle field. Early in 1956 the Institute established a particle bank to serve as a depository for such samples and to make them available to any investigator who might need them.

This paper describes the response to the original questionnaires that were sent out prior to the establishment of the bank, types of samples which have been submitted, and numbers and types of requests for samples that have been received. A number of the samples for the particle bank have been analyzed for particle size or particle size distribution by different methods, and the comparative data are supplied.

Judging from the activity of the bank, it is filling a real need in the fine particle field and it is expected that its usefulness will increase as it becomes better known and as a larger supply of samples is accumulated through future years.
Fatigue Crack Formation in Silver Chloride
Authors: Forsyth PJE
Published: March 2009

Silver chloride specimens have been stressed to fatigue failure by reverse plane bending to observe the formation of defects and the propagation of cracks. The photolytic effect—the chemical decomposition by the action of light—in silver chloride has been utilized to reveal dislocations associated with the fatigue deformation. This paper describes observations made on the slip band extrusion and intrusion and discusses applications and limitations of a metallurgical model of the phenomena under consideration.