bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Portraying language diversity through a monolingual lens
Authors: Petrucci Peter R
Published: May 2009

This article discusses ways in which languages other than English are represented in recent American film. Referring to ten movies wherein realistic characterisations would call for some or all of the storyline to take place in Spanish, it is observed that background Spanish and accented English are used with greater frequency than actual lines of dialogue in Spanish. The article argues that these techniques result in language diversity being portrayed through a ‘monolingual lens’ which prioritises English and sidelines or ignores other languages. The unbalanced representation of languages can be interpreted in two ways: (i) as the filmmaker’s artistic licence to choose one language as opposed to another as the vehicle by which to tell a cinematic story or (ii) as a representation of a well-established monolingual mindset promoted by the American motion picture industry, which implies that movies worthy of production should be in English. The article then goes on to explore these two interpretations.
Linguistic epistemology and the notion of monolingualism
Authors: Rothman Jason
Published: May 2009

This article sets out to understand why monolingualism is taken to be the ‘norm’ in linguistic inquiry, from sociolinguistics to formal linguistic theory. I will take the position that comparing instances of multilingualism to so-called monolingualism is an unfair and inevitably inaccurate comparison since, among other variables, the social environments and access to input of multilinguals compared to monolinguals is most often different (Cruz-Ferreira 2006; Edwards 2004). I will also attempt to demonstrate that even so-called monolinguals have access to a variety of grammars related to different registers of speech and, therefore, are not truly monolingual in the sense that they possess one monolithic grammatical competence. Taken together, the present discussion questions both the default status of monolingualism as well as the functional adequacy of the term ‘monolingualism’.
Teaching English as an international language: Identity, resistance and negotiation. Phan Le Ha (2008)
Authors: Le Pichon-Vorstman Emmanuelle
Published: May 2009

Teaching English as an international language: Identity, resistance and negotiation. Phan Le Ha (2008) Bristol: Multilingual Matters 204 pp. ISBN 978 1 84769 048 7
Notas para uma História da Sociedade Brasileira de Física
Authors: Salinas Silvio R. A.
Published: May 2009

Este artigo é uma versão do meu discurso por ocasião da inauguração do edifício próprio da Sociedade Brasileira de Física (SBF) em 1998. A partir da análise dos Boletins e Atas de reuniões, procuro discutir aspectos relevantes da atuação da SBF nos últimos trinta anos. Espero que este trabalho preliminar consiga encorajar historiadores a escrever uma história completa da SBF.
Uma medida de calor específico sem calorímetro
Authors: Mattos Cristiano , Gaspar Alberto
Published: May 2009

Várias técnicas têm sido desenvolvidas para se obter o calor específico de sólidos e líquidos, incluindo a construção de experimentos de baixo custo para o ensino médio. Neste trabalho propomos uma maneira simples de se obter o calor específico de sólidos e líquidos. Por meio de curvas de calibração de resfriamento podemos estimar graficamente a perda de calor do sistema para sua vizinhança, e medir o calor específico do alumínio. Esta aproximação permite introduzir uma discussão sobre o processo dinâmico da troca de calor entre dos corpos.
The shadows cast by buildings and towers in cities and by montains in the countryside
Authors: Moreira João Luiz Kohl
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT Often astronomers of the Observatório Nacional are asked about how the shadow cast from a building or a tower to be built will impact crowded areas; in which way they would interfere with the wellfare by depriving population from sunlight. The same problem arises when agronomers plan areas for cultures when topographical accidents may cast shadows in a geographic region. My colleages usually answer these questions by delivering spherical trigonometry formulae and the sun equations of movement, and therefore they transfer the responsability of the conclusions back to the engineers and agronomers. What we didn’t realize is the possible and even probable difficulties that these professionals could be facing, since fundamental astronomy and astronomical object positioning knowledge is needed to figure out how the sun moves in the celestial sphere. Shadow projection and its mapping on a ground plan also requires specific knowledge. This paper intends to introduce solutions that will offer professionals, teachers and students conditions of better understanding this problem and, possibly, at least in some cases, bypass the need for quering astronomers.
El aprendizaje del concepto de campo en física: una investigación exploratoria a luz de la teoría de Vergnaud
Authors: Llancaqueo Alfonso , Caballero Mª Concesa , Moreira Marco Antonio
Published: May 2009

Se presentan resultados de una investigación del concepto de campo, con alumnos de Bachillerato y primer año de Universidad, en el marco de la teoría de campos conceptuales de Vergnaud, adoptada como referencial teórico para comprender y explicar el proceso de aprendizaje de este concepto fundamental de la física. El propósito fue explorar vínculos entre la estructura cognitiva de los estudiantes y la estructura del concepto de campo construido por la física, y describir niveles de conceptualización del concepto. Los resultados confirman potencialidades de la teoría para abordar estos vínculos, que se manifiestan en el uso de representaciones simbólicas y una explicitación parcial de significados, que dan forma a invariantes operatorios que usan para enfrentar situaciones y problemas que demandan una conceptualización científica aceptable. Se observa una ausencia notoria de invariantes para enfrentar situaciones y problemas propuestos. El 92,7 % de los estudiantes se ubica en los niveles más bajos de conceptualización del concepto de campo (niveles 1, 2 y 3 definidos en este estudio), donde el nivel 3 corresponde a un reconocimiento y explicación parcial de significados del concepto. Este bajo nivel es concordante con bajos desempeños en las categorías de análisis, de operación (17,6 %), expresión escrita (17,3 %), representación (13,6 %) y resolución (5,5 %), en acuerdo con la teoría de Vergnaud, que afirma que un bajo nivel de conceptualización se caracteriza por bajos niveles de explicitación de invariantes y sus representaciones, con predominio de aspectos procedimentales de las operaciones sobre el uso de predicados de mayor riqueza conceptual.
Usando motores DC em experimentos de Física
Authors: Bender André L. , Sbardelotto Diomar R. , Magno Wictor C.
Published: May 2009

Apresentamos neste trabalho a aplicação de motores elétricos, funcionando como geradores de eletricidade, em experimentos didáticos de Física. Duas diferentes aplicações destes dispositivos são discutidas, um anemômetro caseiro e um contador de frequência, os quais foram construídos com motores elétricos de baixo custo. A aquisição de dados foi feita com a ajuda de um microcomputador e uma placa de som, a qual funciona como um osciloscópio, um analisador de espectro e um conversor analógico/digital.
Invariante adiabático gerado por lenta variação de coordenada generalizada
Authors: Ferreira G.F. Leal
Published: May 2009

Apresentamos estudo de sistema mecânico em que uma coordenada generalizada está sujeita a lenta variação, realizado através de tratamento hamiltoniano no qual se permite a ação de força generalizada ao longo daquela coordenada, gerando o invariante adiabático.
Relendo Einstein sobre radiação
Authors: Kleppner Daniel
Published: May 2009

Os conceitos de emissão espontânea e emissão estimulada são bem conhecidos do artigo de Einstein de 1917 sobre radiação. No entanto, sua teoria da radiação contém muitos outros conceitos. O artigo é um tesouro da física.
Certezas e incertezas sobre as relações de Heisenberg
Authors: Chibeni Silvio Seno
Published: May 2009

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar e discutir as famosas relações de Heisenberg, usualmente denominadas de "princípio da incerteza". A abordagem adotada é primordialmente conceitual, embora referências históricas sejam feitas para auxiliar a exposição. Distinguem-se três interpretações principais das relações, cada uma derivando de bases inteiramente distintas e conduzindo a conseqüências físicas e filosóficas igualmente diferentes.
O potencial efetivo para uma teoria com quebra espontânea de simetria
Authors: Possa Denimar , Pereira Flávio , Nogueira José Alexandre
Published: May 2009

Neste trabalho nós mostramos como determinar o potencial efetivo para uma teoria com quebra espontânea de simetria.
Uma interpretação para dificuldades enfrentadas pelos estudantes em um laboratório didático de física
Authors: Marineli Fábio , Pacca Jesuína Lopes de Almeida
Published: May 2009

Utilizando uma abordagem da sociologia, apresentamos neste trabalho uma interpretação para dificuldades e erros apresentados por estudantes em atividades programadas num laboratório didático. O entendimento de conceitos típicos de uma aula de laboratório, como medida, incerteza, flutuação etc., é analisado a partir de material escrito por estudantes, seus exercícios e relatórios. Consideramos que os erros e as dificuldades apresentados pelos estudantes no trabalho no laboratório devem-se a uma concepção de senso comum relativa à Física e à realidade que ela representa e descreve. A Ciência é definida dentro de uma esfera de realidade diferente daquela considerada cotidianamente e, dentro da esfera científica, os conceitos de medida precisam respeitar critérios adequados e concebidos cientificamente.
O tratamento clássico do interferômetro de Mach-Zehnder: uma releitura mais moderna do experimento da fenda dupla na introdução da física quântica
Authors: Ricci Trieste Freire , Ostermann Fernanda , Prado Sandra Denise
Published: May 2009

Neste trabalho, analisamos detalhadamente o fenômeno ondulatório da luz em um interferômetro de Mach-Zehnder (IMZ) operando em regime clássico. Um dos principais objetivos do trabalho é dar suporte a futuras transposições para o IMZ em regime quântico. O IMZ é um arranjo experimental que apresenta uma releitura, mais moderna em termos tecnológicos, do experimento das duas fendas de Young [1] e tem sido extensivamente explorado em artigos da área de computação quântica e criptografia quântica [2] - áreas que se alicerçam nos fenômenos de superposição e de interferência quânticas - e em artigos de ensino de física para disciplinas introdutórias de física quântica (FQ) - área que propõe naturalmente uma reflexão sobre o problema conceitual da escolha dos caminhos pelo fóton [3-10]. Os resultados analíticos aqui apresentados foram utilizados na elaboração de um software educacional que simula a interferência nos regimes clássico e quântico e que está em plena utilização em cursos introdutórios de FQ no IF-UFRGS.
A descoberta das correntes neutras das interações fracas
Authors: Fortes E.C.F.S. , Tijero M.C. , Pleitez V.
Published: May 2009

Neste artigo fazemos uma crônica sobre a descoberta das correntes neutras fracas por dois grupos experimentais independentes. Consideramos também um pouco da história das correntes neutras para contextualizar melhor essa descoberta que foi decisiva para a posterior confirmação do modelo padrão eletrofraco. Esta descoberta deixa clara a dificuldade de considerar os resultados experimentais como sendo completamente independentes da teoria.
Física moderna no ensino médio: o que dizem os professores
Authors: Oliveira Fabio Ferreira de , Vianna Deise Miranda , Gerbassi Reuber Scofano
Published: May 2009

O ensino de física no nível médio não tem acompanhado os avanços tecnológicos ocorridos nas duas últimas décadas e tem se mostrado cada vez mais distante da realidade dos alunos. O currículo obsoleto, desatualizado e descontextualizado representa um problema tanto para os professores quanto para os estudantes e torna a prática pedagógica, que normalmente se resume ao quadro de giz, monótona e desinteressante para os atores envolvidos nesse processo. Nesse sentido, pesquisas estão sendo realizadas a fim de desenvolver estratégias que possam promover a motivação e o diálogo nas aulas de ciências , especificamente nas de física. Uma das vertentes que tem se destacado é a introdução de tópicos de física moderna (FM) na grade curricular do ensino médio (EM). Esse trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar o resultado de uma pesquisa realizada com professores de física que atuam no ensino público e privado sobre a introdução de tópicos de FM no EM. Com base nos resultados da pesquisa elaboramos uma proposta metodológica para ensinar raios-X com ênfase em Ciência-Tecnologia-Sociedade (CTS) e submetemos o texto à validação dos pares, obtendo um resultado bastante satisfatório em termos de aceitação e disponibilidade para utilização desse material.
A física e os novos rumos da engenharia na Amazônia
Authors: Nassar Antonio Boulhosa , Almeida José Felipe , Bassalo José Maria Filardo
Published: May 2009

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta alternativa para o ensino de física aplicada aos problemas amazônicos. Baseia-se inicialmente na necessidade de pessoal qualificado para atuar nas diversificadas áreas que compõem atualmente a engenharia nessa região. A proposta leva em conta os aspectos fundamentais da formação de um profissional que possua as características de um engenheiro especialista com uma formação científica básica. A organização de elementos da física, agrupados em conceitos e aplicações, é discutida sem esquecer a relevância social e predominantemente ambiental através do exercício da cidadania com tecnologia adequada. Este artigo objetiva provocar uma discussão sobre uma área recente da engenharia chamada engenharia física.
Chemotherapy with Targeted Agents for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Köhne Claus-Henning , Lenz Heinz-Josef
Published: May 2009

The introduction of novel agents targeted to specific molecular features of cancer cells promises more options and marked improvements in efficacy for treatment of colon cancer. This overview of clinical studies describes the effects of administering the targeted agents bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab, also known as monoclonal antibodies, to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. All three targeted agents have been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Bevacizumab has been shown to extend survival when used in combination with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy, and the addition of cetuximab to irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy overcomes irinotecan resistance. Cetuximab and panitumumab are both efficacious among refractory mCRC patients with wild-type KRAS tumors. Other targeted agents, for example, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors erlotinib, gefitinib, sunitinib, and vatalanib (PTK787/ZK 222584), are currently in various stages of clinical development.
Beyond Monoclonal Antibodies: New Therapeutic Agents in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas
Authors: Delmonte Angelo , Ghielmini Michele , Sessa Cristiana
Published: May 2009

Learning Objectives

Utilize new therapeutic agents with proven efficacy in the chemotherapy- and monoclonal antibody-refractory NHL setting. Analyze the study of these new agents in lymphoma subtypes and in relation to genetic aberrations of the lymphoma. Differentiate the toxicity of these new agents from that of chemotherapy.

This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com.
Telomeres and telomerase in adrenocortical tissue maintenance, carcinogenesis, and aging
Authors: Else Tobias
Published: May 2009

Telomere dysfunction and telomere maintenance mechanisms contribute to major steps of carcinogenesis. Dysfunctional telomeres lead to the generation of genomic aberrations, such as amplifications and deletions. Telomere maintenance mechanisms, such as telomerase activity and alternative telomere lengthening, provide the basis of malignant cell expansion independent of telomere shortening-induced apoptosis or senescence, ensuring tumor survival. Recent advances highlight the importance of these mechanisms in adrenocortical carcinogenesis. In this review, we will summarize the main models of telomere physiology and their impact on adrenocortical tissue maintenance, aging, and carcinogenesis.
Streamflow estimation for six UK catchments under future climate scenarios
Authors: Chun K. P. , Wheater H. S. , Onof C. J.
Published: May 2009

Possible changes in streamflow in response to climate variation are crucial for anthropological and ecological systems. However, estimates of precipitation under future climate scenarios are notoriously uncertain. In this article, rainfall time series are generated by the generalized linear model (GLM) approach in which stochastic time series are generated using alternative climate model output variables and potential evaporation series estimated by a temperature method. These have been input to a conceptual rainfall–runoff model (pd4-2par) to simulate the daily streamflows for six UK catchments for a set of climate scenarios using seven global circulation models (GCMs) and regional circulation models (RCMs). The performance of the combined methodology in reproducing observed streamflows is generally good. Results of future climate scenarios show significant variability between different catchments, and very large variability between different climate models. It is concluded that the GLM methodology is promising, and can readily be extended to support distributed hydrological modelling.
Modeling dissolved organic carbon mass balances for lakes of the Muskoka River Watershed
Authors: O'Connor E. M. , Dillon P. J. , Molot L. A. , Creed I. F.
Published: May 2009

Changes in the flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into and out of lakes are important to the biogeochemistry of aquatic environments. The ability to estimate or model DOC fluxes and concentrations in lakes and other surface waters is of great benefit for investigations of aquatic systems. Spatial attributes of catchments were derived using GIS techniques and combined with published DOC mass balance models from 20 small study catchments and seven lakes to estimate DOC concentrations for hydrologically connected lakes (i.e. connected by surface or ground waters) of the Muskoka River Watershed, a large tertiary watershed (904 lakes) in southern Ontario. Predicted DOC concentrations were very dependent on the method used to estimate wetland area. When a Rapid Assessment Technique (RAT) was used to estimate wetland area, predicted and observed DOC concentrations were linearly related. Most of the DOC residuals were < 1 mg L−1. Inclusion of riparian wetlands or small lakes in the contributing catchments resulted in a slight improvement of model predictions, but not beyond the variability of the model. Model predictions of DOC were reasonable (according to model fit and residuals), especially considering it was a regional-scale study, but substantial variability was still unaccounted for. Applying the model to other regions with similar landscapes (i.e. other watersheds on the Precambrian Shield in North America and Nordic countries) is feasible.
Hospital Competition and Charity Care
Authors: Garmon Chris
Published: May 2009

This paper explores the relationship between competition and hospital charity care by analyzing changes in charity care associated with changes in a hospital's competitive environment (due to mergers and divestitures), using hospital financial and discharge data from Florida and Texas. Despite the pervasive belief that competition impedes a hospital's ability to offer services to the uninsured and under-insured, I find no statistically significant evidence that increased competition leads to reductions in charity care. In fact, I find some evidence that reduced competition leads to higher prices for uninsured patients.
The Impact of Children's Public Health Insurance Expansions on Educational Outcomes
Authors: Levine Phillip B , Schanzenbach Diane
Published: May 2009

This paper examines the impact of public health insurance expansions through both Medicaid and SCHIP on children's educational outcomes, measured by 4th and 8th grade reading and math test scores, available from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). We use a triple difference estimation strategy, taking advantage of the cross-state variation over time and across ages in children's health insurance eligibility. Using this approach, we find that test scores in reading, but not math, increased for those children affected at birth by increased health insurance eligibility. A 50 percentage point increase in eligibility is found to increase reading test scores by 0.09 standard deviations. We also examine whether the improvements in educational outcomes can be at least partially attributed to improvements in health status itself. First, we provide further evidence that increases in eligibility are linked to improvements in health status at birth. Second, we show that better health status at birth (measured by rates of low birth-weight and infant mortality), is linked to improved educational outcomes. Although the methods used to support this last finding do not completely eliminate potentially confounding factors, we believe it is strongly suggestive that improving children's health will improve their classroom performance.
Biofilter Response to Upsets in Process Conditions
Authors: Shareefdeen Zarook M
Published: May 2009

Full scale biofilter systems are often subjected to variations in operational and environmental conditions. Occasional fluctuations in the flow rate, temperature, concentrations of process emissions, and pH drops are commonly encountered. In this work, a general transient biofilter model which incorporates axial dispersion effects, interactive kinetics, multi-component adsorption effects and oxygen limitations aspects have been used to study the dynamic behavior of biofilters to process upsets. Biofilter performance under sinusoidal and triangular perturbations of concentrations, flow rate, and media pH are presented. The results of this study will be useful in the designing and process control of biofilter systems that are exposed to varying operational conditions.
Earnings Quality and Ownership Structure: The Role of Private Equity Sponsors
Authors: Katz Sharon P.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: This study explores how firms' ownership structures affect their earnings quality and long-term performance. Focusing on a unique sample of private firms for which there is financial data available in the years before and after their initial public offering (IPO), I differentiate between those that have private equity sponsorship (PE-backed firms) and those that do not (non-PE-backed firms). The findings indicate that PE-backed firms generally have higher earnings quality than those that do not have PE sponsorship, engage less in earnings management, and report more conservatively both before and after the IPO. Further, PE-backed firms that are majority-owned by PE sponsors exhibit superior long-term stock price performance after they go public. These results stem from the professional ownership, tighter monitoring, and reputational considerations exhibited by PE sponsors.
Appropriate Audit Support System Use: The Influence of Auditor, Audit Team, and Firm Factors
Authors: Dowling Carlin
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: I use Adaptive Structuration Theory (DeSanctis and Poole 1994) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen 1991) to model the factors influencing whether auditors use audit support systems appropriately. Understanding the factors that influence appropriate use is important for audit firms to achieve efficient and effective audits from deploying audit support systems. Using a unique data set obtained from 569 auditors, I provide evidence that intention to use the system appropriately and external control increase appropriate use. I find that audit support system restrictiveness and the effectiveness of the audit review process are antecedents of external control. Team and firm consensus on appropriation are antecedents of perceived normative pressure, which, along with an auditor's attitude and self-efficacy, influence an auditor's intention to use the system appropriately. The model is relatively stable across different audit support system designs, but differences are evident across the audit team hierarchy.
Do Strategic Reasoning and Brainstorming Help Auditors Change Their Standard Audit Procedures in Response to Fraud Risk?
Authors: Hoffman Vicky B. , Zimbelman Mark F.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently reported that its inspections show that auditors fail to effectively modify their standard audit procedures in response to fraud risk. Prior academic research is consistent with this finding. Our study examines the effects of two interventions on auditors' planning decisions in a high-fraud-risk setting: strategic reasoning and brainstorming in groups. Both interventions are predicted to lead auditors to more effectively modify their planned audit procedures. We use a panel of fraud experts to identify effective modifications to the audit plan of a specific fraud case. The experts' recommendations are then used to evaluate the effectiveness of practicing auditors' audit plans with and without the two interventions. We predict and find that each intervention leads to more effective modifications to the standard audit procedures and that the combination of the interventions is not significantly more effective than either intervention used alone.
An Examination of Corporate Tax Shelter Participants
Authors: Wilson Ryan J.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: Recent evidence suggests that corporate tax shelters have become important corporate instruments for reducing tax burden. Based on a sample of identified tax shelter participants, I develop a profile of the type of firm that likely engages in tax sheltering. The model detects tax shelter participants through the use of variables predicted to be either affected by or associated with tax sheltering. I find that firms actively engaged in tax sheltering exhibit larger ex post book-tax differences and more aggressive financial reporting practices. Using this model of tax shelter firm characteristics, I identify a broad sample of predicted tax shelter firms from the population of firms. I then examine whether tax sheltering is associated with wealth creation for shareholders or with managerial opportunism. I find that active tax shelter firms with strong corporate governance exhibit positive abnormal returns. This finding is consistent with tax sheltering being a tool for wealth creation in well-governed firms.
Serum Uric Acid as a Predictor for Development of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Hovind Peter , Rossing Peter , Tarnow Lise , Johnson Richard J. , Parving Hans-Henrik
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

Experimental and clinical studies have suggested that uric acid may contribute to the development of hypertension and kidney disease. Whether uric acid has a causal role in the development of diabetic nephropathy is not known. The objective of the present study is to evaluate uric acid as a predictor of persistent micro- and macroalbuminuria.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This prospective observational follow-up study consisted of an inception cohort of 277 patients followed from onset of type 1 diabetes. Of these, 270 patients had blood samples taken at baseline. In seven cases, uric acid could not be determined; therefore, 263 patients (156 men) were available for analysis. Uric acid was measured 3 years after onset of diabetes and before any patient developed microalbuminuria.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 18.1 years (range 1.0–21.8), 23 of 263 patients developed persistent macroalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate >300 mg/24 h in at least two of three consecutive samples). In patients with uric acid levels in the highest quartile (>249 μmol/l), the cumulative incidence of persistent macroalbumnuria was 22.3% (95% CI 10.3–34.3) compared with 9.5% (3.8–15.2) in patients with uric acid in the three lower quartiles (log-rank test, P = 0.006). In a Cox proportional hazards model with sex and age as fixed covariates, uric acid was associated with subsequent development of persistent macroalbuminuria (hazard ratio 2.37 [95% CI 1.04–5.37] per 100 μmol/l increase in uric acid level; P = 0.04). Adjustment for confounders did not change the estimate significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Uric acid level soon after onset of type 1 diabetes is independently associated with risk for later development of diabetic nephropathy.
Identification of a Novel β-Cell Glucokinase (GCK) Promoter Mutation (−71G>C) That ModulatesGCKGene Expression Through Loss of Allele-Specific Sp1 Binding Causing Mild Fasting Hyperglycemia in Humans
Authors: Gašperíková Daniela , Tribble Nicolas D. , Staník Juraj , Hučková Miroslava , Mišovicová Nadežda , van de Bunt Martijn , Valentínová Lucia , Barrow Beryl A. , Barák L'ubomir , Dobránsky Radoslav , Bereczková Eva , Michálek Jozef , Wicks Kate , Colclough Kevin , Knight Julian C. , Ellard Sian , Klimeš Iwar , Gloyn Anna L.
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVE

Inactivating mutations in glucokinase (GCK) cause mild fasting hyperglycemia. Identification of a GCK mutation has implications for treatment and prognosis; therefore, it is important to identify these individuals. A significant number of patients have a phenotype suggesting a defect in glucokinase but no abnormality of GCK. We hypothesized that the GCK β-cell promoter region, which currently is not routinely screened, could contain pathogenic mutations; therefore, we sequenced this region in 60 such probands.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The β-cell GCK promoter was sequenced in patient DNA. The effect of the identified novel mutation on GCK promoter activity was assessed using a luciferase reporter gene expression system. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were used to determine the impact of the mutation on Sp1 binding.

RESULTS

A novel −71G>C mutation was identified in a nonconserved region of the human promoter sequence in six apparently unrelated probands. Family testing established cosegregation with fasting hyperglycemia (≥5.5 mmol/l) in 39 affected individuals. Haplotype analysis in the U.K. family and four of the Slovakian families demonstrated that the mutation had arisen independently. The mutation maps to a potential transcriptional activator binding site for Sp1. Reporter assays demonstrated that the mutation reduces promoter activity by up to fourfold. EMSAs demonstrated a dramatic reduction in Sp1 binding to the promoter sequence corresponding to the mutant allele.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel β-cell GCK promoter mutation was identified that significantly reduces gene expression in vitro through loss of regulation by Sp1. To ensure correct diagnosis of potential GCK-MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young) cases, analysis of the β-cell GCK promoter should be included.
A Comparison of Human Raters and an Intra-oral Spectrophotometer
Authors: Browning W. D. , Chan D. C. , Blalock J. S. , Brackett M. G.
Published: May 2009

Clinical Relevance

Using the Vita 3D-Master shade guide, the accuracy of three experienced clinicians was compared to shade choices using an intraoral spectrophotometer. Compared to the clinicians, the shades chosen by the Easyshade guide were more frequently an exact match. This study indicates shade matching may be improved by using an electronic device.
Dental Erosion
Authors: Lussi A. , Hellwig E. , Ganss C. , Jaeggi T.
Published: May 2009

There is some evidence that dental erosion is steadily spreading. To diagnose erosion, dental professionals have to rely on clinical appearance, as there is no device available to detect it. Adequate preventive measures can only be initiated if the different risk factors and potential interactions between them are known. When substance loss, caused by erosive tooth wear, reaches a certain degree, oral rehabilitation becomes necessary. Prior to the most recent decade, the severely eroded dentition could only be rehabilitated by the provision of extensive crown and bridgework or removable dentures. As a result of the improvements in composite restorative materials and in adhesive techniques, it has become possible to rehabilitate eroded dentitions in a less invasive manner.
What Works in College Outreach: Assessing Targeted and Schoolwide Interventions for Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Domina Thurston
Published: May 2009

By offering information, counseling, and tutoring, college outreach programs attempt to smooth the path between high school and higher education for at-risk students. But do these program work? This paper uses longitudinal data from the Education Longitudinal Study to construct two quasi-experiments to assess the effectiveness of college outreach. The first compares outreach program participants with a propensity score matched sample of program non-participants to measure the effects of targeted college outreach programs. The second assesses the effects of school-wide college outreach programs by comparing students in school-wide outreach high schools with students in a matched sample of high schools that offer no formal outreach. The results suggest that targeted outreach programs do little to change the educational experiences of participating students. However, there is limited evidence to suggest that school-wide outreach programs may have modest “spill-over” effects, improving the educational outcomes of relatively unengaged students at participating schools.
Breeding for CLEARFIELD Herbicide Tolerance: Registration of ‘ND901CL’ Spring Wheat
Authors: Mergoum Mohamed , Frohberg Richard C. , Rasmussen Jack W. , Friesen Timothy L. , Hareland Gary , Simsek Senay
Published: May 2009

‘ND901CL’ (Reg. No. CV‐1029, PI 655233) hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES). ND901CL was released in 2008 primarily for its tolerance to imadazolinone herbicides. It has superior adaptation to rainfed wheat production in western regions of North Dakota and counties in adjacent states. It is a CLEARFIELD‐tolerant wheat intended to be used with Beyond herbicide (active ingredient imazamox, 2‐[4,5‐dihydro‐4‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)‐5‐oxo‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl]‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid; BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC). The tolerance to CLEARFIELD herbicide in ND901CL is controlled by two genes. The als1 locus for acetolactate synthase, is located on the D genome and was transferred from ‘FS4’ wheat. The als2 locus is located on the B genome and originated from ‘Teal 11A’ wheat. ND901CL was derived from the Teal 11A/3/‘Grandin’ (PI 531005)/FS4//*3 ‘Kulm’ cross made at NDSU in 2002. Grandin and Kulm are two HRSW cultivars released by NDAES in 1989 and 1994, respectively. Both FS4 and Teal 11A were provided by the BASF Corporation to our breeding program. ND901CL was produced from a bulk of one purified F4:5 plot selected in 2004 at Christchurch, New Zealand. ND901CL was released because it combines high yield with good end‐use quality and tolerance to BEYOND herbicide.
Registration of ‘Bedazzled’ Kentucky Bluegrass
Authors: Bonos Stacy A. , Tubbs Steven , Hignight Kenneth , Rush Debra , Bara Ron , Meyer William A.
Published: May 2009

Apomictic reproduction makes breeding Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) challenging. It is often difficult to identify a cultivar with the right combination of traits that will be successful in the marketplace. ‘Bedazzled’ Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) (Reg. No. CV‐94, PI 631168) is a turf‐type cultivar released by Turf Merchants Inc., Tangent, OR, in 2002. It was selected as an open‐pollinated progeny of ‘Unique’ Kentucky bluegrass. Bedazzled is comparable to ‘Midnight’ Kentucky bluegrass (the top industry standard) in many characteristics, including turf quality and disease resistance; however, Bedazzled has significantly better spring green‐up compared to Midnight. This combination of traits makes Bedazzled a unique, widely adapted, functional cultivar that should perform well on home lawns, athletic fields, parks, and golf courses in the Northeast, North Central and Intermountain West regions of the United States.
Registration of ‘Endeavor’ Winter Barley
Authors: Obert D. E. , Evans C. P. , Windes J. M. , Wesenberg D. M. , Ulrich S. E. , Budde A. , Chen X. , Jackson E. W.
Published: May 2009

‘Endeavor’ (Reg. No. CV‐341, PI 654824), a two‐rowed winter malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), was developed and submitted for release in 2007 by the USDA–ARS, Aberdeen, ID, in cooperation with the University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Endeavor is a selection from the cross ORWM8406/‘Harrington’. ORWM8406 has the pedigree ‘Carstens’/‘Riso’ mutant 1508 (F1)//‘Cossack’. Riso mutant 1508 is an ethyleneimine‐induced mutant of ‘Bomi’. Progenitors of ORWM8406 are all European barleys. Harrington is a two‐rowed spring malting barley released by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, and is the current western two‐rowed malting industry standard. Endeavor was released because of its higher diastatic power compared with ‘Charles’, the most‐advanced two‐rowed winter malting barley adapted to Idaho.
White Mold–Resistant Interspecific Common Bean Germplasm Lines VCW 54 and VCW 55
Authors: Singh Shree P. , Terán Henry , Schwartz Howard F. , Otto Kristen , Lema Margarita
Published: May 2009

Interspecific breeding lines (IBL) VCW 54 (Reg. No. GP‐276, PI 655531) and VCW 55 (Reg. No. GP‐277, PI 655532) of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) resistant to white mold [WM; caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary] were jointly developed at the University of Idaho‐Kimberly Research and Extension Center and Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. The Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho and Colorado released VCW 54 and VCW 55 on 10 Dec. 2008. Both IBL were derived from congruity backcrossing between small‐seeded tropical black bean cultivar ICA Pijao and P. coccineus L. accession G 35172. ICA Pijao has an indeterminate upright growth habit Type II and resistance to bean common mosaic virus and some races of rust pathogen, and tolerance to bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV). G 35172 has large purple‐mottled seeds, an indeterminate climbing growth habit Type IV, and resistance to BGMV. G 35172 also is variable for WM reaction. VCW 54 has scarlet flowers, purplish black seed, and the highest WM resistance. VCW 55 has white with pink‐striped flower, black seed, and an intermediate level of WM resistance. Both IBL also have growth habit Type II, small seeds, and are late maturing, requiring ≥100 d from planting to maturity in southern Idaho. White mold resistance from VCW 54 and VCW 55 should be pyramided with WM resistance from across Phaseolus species and introgressed into common bean cultivars using appropriate crosses, population sizes, and disease screening and selection methods.
Registration of NFLT12, a Tissue Culture–Responsive Lolium temulentum (Darnel Ryegrass) Line
Authors: Wang Z.-Y. , Ge Y. , Hopkins A. A.
Published: May 2009

Lolium temulentum L. (Darnel ryegrass) is closely related to major forage and turf species, is self‐pollinated, diploid, and has a short life cycle. These traits make it suitable to serve as a model species for testing gene functions in grasses. A new L. temulentum line, NFLT12 (Reg. No. GS‐7, PI 655941), was developed using anther culture on an F2 population derived from a cross of two parental L. temulentum lines. Haploid and doubled haploid plants were obtained and their tissue culture responsiveness and amiability to genetic transformation were tested. NFLT12 is highly responsive to tissue culture, is readily transformable and is expected to provide a resource for those using L. temulentum as a model species for functional genomics studies.
Mineralogical study of Sediment samples of Kachua, Chandpur district for investigation of arsenic bearing minerals
Authors: Ahmed Nasir , Mikail Mohammad , Saha DK
Published: May 2009

Sixteen sediment samples of different depth (up to 122 m) were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The samples were collected from a test borehole, which was drilled by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) at Kachua, Chandpur district. All the samples were characterized and different minerals have been identified in the samples. Quartz is the major mineral and was found to be in the range of 54.97 - 97.88 %. Two arsenic bearing minerals namely, iron arsenate, Fe2As(AsO4)3 and arsenic selenide telluride, AsSe0.5Te2 were found in the samples of depth 55.20 m and 100.60 m, respectively. Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted the groundwater sampling campaign for shallow and deep tubewells in Kachua upazila. From the hydro-chemical results, the concentrations of arsenic in shallow tubewells were found above the maximum permissible limit (50 ppb). Concomitantly, the mineralogical study of sediment samples in the same area reflects that the shallow aquifers of Kachua upazila are contaminated by arsenic due to the presence of arsenic bearing minerals. doi: 10.3329/jbas.v32i1.2436 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1-12, 2008
Dielectric Properties, Resistivity and Curie temperature Of Co doped CdNi perminvar ferrite
Authors: Saha DK , Hakim MA
Published: May 2009

CdNi perminvar ferrites doped with Co were prepared through the solid-state reaction using conventional ceramic technique. The compositions of the ferrite were Co0.02Cd0.20Ni0.58Fe2.2O4 and Co0.02Cd0.28Cd0.28Ni0.50Fe2.2O4. X-ray diffraction study of the samples indicates the single phase of perminvar ferrites. Lattice parameter of the samples was found to be 8.3676 and 8.4249 Ã for sample no. (a) of Co0.02Cd0.20Ni0.58Fe2.2O4 and sample no. (b) of Co0.02Cd0.28Ni0.50Fe2.2O4, respectively. The porosity of the samples was found to be 10.03 and 9.53%. The values of Curie temperature for the two samples were found to be 472 Â± 1 and 405 Â± 1Â°C, respectively. Resistivity of the samples was measured from room temperature up to 600Â°C. At 30Â°C resistivity was found to be 334 and 456 ohm-cm, respectively. Frequency dependent dielectric constant for the two samples has been determined from the experimental capacitance values. The value of dielectric constant at frequency, f = 1 kHz and sintering temperature Ts = 1250Â°C was found to be 16.6 Ã 106 and 56.1 Ã 106, for sample no. (a) and (b), respectively. Dielectric constant was observed 3.5 times higher in the Cd rich sample of Co0.02Cd0.28Ni0.50Fe2.2O4 and Co0.02Cd0.20Ni0.58Fe2.2O4. Temperature dependent dielectric constant has been measured for the samples in the temperature range of 30 - 250Â°C. The value of dielectric constant initially increases slowly with increasing temperature and then rises sharply until reaching a certain temperature, then it begins to decrease with further increase of temperature. Anomalies in the resistivity curves have good consistency with the temperature dependent dielectric constant and Curie temperature values. doi: 10.3329/jbas.v32i1.2438 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 1, 23-32, 2008
Concentration Profile Surfaces and Contour studies of GaP by liquid phase epitaxy
Authors: Begum Shahan Ara , Hossain Mostak
Published: May 2009

The concentration profile surfaces of Phosphorus (P) atoms in Ga-melt in front of the growing GaP crystal under normal conditions of liquid phase epitaxy has been constructed three-dimensionally using the two-dimensional numerical simulation technique. The concentration contours of P atoms inside the solution at different experimental conditions have been constructed along the distance perpendicular to the substrate. The growth rate and the thickness of the grown layer of GaP have been estimated along the distance perpendicular to the substrate for different cooling rates, time and temperatures of growth using the concentration gradient existing at the interface. The temperature contours in the melt have also been constructed by solving an appropriate two-dimensional heat equation for different cooling rates and growth temperatures. Our simulated values have been compared with the experimentally reported values. doi: 10.3329/jbas.v32i1.2446 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 1, 87-95, 2008
Optical and Electrical Characteristics of CdO thin films deposited by Spray Pyrolysis Method
Authors: Islam MM , Islam MR , Podder J
Published: May 2009

Cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films have been deposited by a locally developed spray pyrolysis method onto glass substrate at 473K. The optical and electrical properties of the as-deposited and annealed films are studied in details. The surface morphology of the samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrograph of as-deposited film shows uniform deposition over the substrate well. The optical absorption coefficient (Î±) of the CdO films was determined from transmittance spectra in the range of wavelength 450 - 650nm. For different thicknesses (130nm ~ 380nm) of as-deposited films, the direct band gap is found in the range of 2.40 ~2.51 eV and indirect band gap in the range of 1.97 ~ 2.20 eV. Resistivity (Ï) of CdO thin film was measured in the temperature range of 303 to 553K. The resistivity of the films of different thickness initially increases with increase in temperature and reaches a maximum at 430K and then decreases with further increase of temperature. The resistivity of the film exhibits metallic behaviour up to 430 K and above that the film behaves like a semiconductor. Activation energy (ÎE) in the semiconductor region is found in the range from 0.049 to 0.075 eV for films of thickness ranging from 160 - 285 nm. Keywords: Spray pyrolysis, CdO, Resistivity, Optical band gap, Activation energy doi: 10.3329/jbas.v32i1.2447 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 1, 97-105, 2008
Construction and Operation of a dispersive Laser Raman Spectrograph using interference filter
Authors: Abedin KM , Farhad SFU , Islam MR , Talukder Aminul I , Haider AFMY
Published: May 2009

A dispersive laser Raman system was designed and constructed using a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser as an excitation source, and an interference filter in the reflection mode for Raleigh filtering instead of the more common holographic notch filter. A commercially available spectrograph equipped with a cooled CCD camera was used to acquire the Raman spectra. The constructed laser Raman spectrograph was found to have excellent performance and sensitivity. Stokes Raman spectra of some common chemicals were acquired by the system, and the wavelengths of spectral lines agreed well with the literature values, within experimental error. The useful spectral range of the system is about 200-4000 cm-1. It was also possible to acquire anti-Stokes Raman spectra of one chemical (CCl4) without much difficulty. We hope to use the system for chemical identification of molecules as well as quantitative chemical analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first laser Raman system constructed in Bangladesh. doi: 10.3329/jbas.v32i1.2451 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 32, No. 1, 121-129, 2008