bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A convenient and practical method for the synthesis of N‐thiophosphoryl aldimines and ketimines
Authors: Xu Xinyuan , Wang Chungui , Zhou Zhenghong , Zeng Zebing , Ma Xinpeng , Zhao Guofeng , Tang Chuchi
Published: April 2008

A convenient and practical method for the preparation of N‐thiophosphoryl imines was developed through the thermal condensation of acetals with different thiophosphoramides at 120–160°C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:238–244, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20412
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2‐oxido‐[1,3,2]‐dioxaphos‐phorinane‐2‐yl‐amino carboxylates
Authors: Babu B. Hari , Prasad G. Syam , Reddy C. Suresh , Raju C. Naga
Published: April 2008

Synthesis of several 5,5‐dimethyl‐2‐oxido‐[1,3,2]‐dioxaphosphorinane‐2‐yl‐amino carboxylates (4a–j) was accomplished through a two‐step process. This involves prior preparation of the intermediate monochloride (2), 2‐chloro‐5,5‐dimethyl [1,3,2]dioxaphosphorinane‐2‐oxide and its subsequent reaction with various amino acid esters (3a–j) in dry tetrahydrofuran in the presence of triethyl amine at room temperature. They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C, 31P NMR, and mass spectral data. Their antifungal and antibacterial activity is also evaluated. Majority of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity in the assay. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:256–260, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20426
Reduced expression of IL‐18 is a marker of ultraviolet radiation‐induced melanomas
Authors: Hacker Elke , Muller Konrad , Whiteman David C. , Pavey Sandra , Hayward Nicholas , Walker Graeme
Published: April 2008

We previously showed that mice carrying an activated Cdk4 mutation together with melanocyte‐specific mutant Hras (Cdk4R24C/R24C/TPras) develop melanoma spontaneously, but penetrance is increased and age of onset reduced after neonatal ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. UVR‐treated mice were more likely to develop multiple primary lesions, and these melanomas more often expressed Trp53, and less often expressed c‐Myc, than melanomas from nonirradiated mice (Hacker et al., Cancer Res 2006;66:2946–52). These data suggest differences in mechanisms of tumorigenesis between melanomas developing spontaneously, or as a result of UVR exposure. To further delineate these differences, we compared global gene expression between spontaneous and UVR‐induced melanomas from these mice using microarrays. We found 264 genes differentially expressed between these groups (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Selected candidate genes were validated using qRT‐PCR, which confirmed upregulation of Gpr155 and Bmp7, and downregulation of Plagl1, Akap12 and Il18 in UVR‐induced mouse melanomas. In humans, epidemiological studies suggest that there may be 2 predominant pathways to melanoma development. One characterized by chronic UVR exposure and which leads mainly to melanomas on sun‐exposed sites; the other associated with low UVR exposure and leading predominantly to melanomas on less‐exposed body sites. We found by immunohistochemical analysis that, comparing a series of human melanomas from the head (a chronically sun‐exposed site; N = 82) with a set from the trunk (an intermittently exposed site; N = 65), the prevalence of IL‐18 expression was significantly lower in melanomas on the head (16%) than on truncal melanomas (34%, p = 0.011). We conclude that loss of IL‐18 is a marker of UVR‐induced melanoma, both in animal models and humans. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FGF‐8 is involved in bone metastasis of prostate cancer
Authors: Valta Maija P. , Tuomela Johanna , Bjartell Anders , Valve Eeva , Väänänen H. Kalervo , Härkönen Pirkko
Published: April 2008

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy of men in Western countries. Patients with advanced prostate cancer suffer from incurable bone metastases. Recent data indicate that interactions between prostate cancer cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and the bone matrix are essential in the formation of bone metastases. FGF‐8 is widely overexpressed in prostate cancer. Recently, FGF‐8 has been found to affect both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine the role of FGF‐8 in bone metastasis of prostate cancer. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyse FGF‐8 expression in clinical samples of prostate cancer bone metastases. The functional significance of FGF‐8 in growth of bone metastasis and formation of bone lesions was verified by using intratibial inoculations of FGF‐8 or mock transfected PC‐3 prostate cancer cells in nude mice. Intratibial tumors and bone lesions were analysed with X‐ray, micro‐CT and detailed histomorphometry using image analysis software and with immunostaining for osteocalcin and cathepsin K. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue microarray of bone metastases of human prostate cancer showed that 76% of human bone metastasis samples (n = 25 from 11 patients) were positive for FGF‐8. FGF‐8 increased the growth of intratibial tumors and local formation of lytic and sclerotic lesions of bone. These results demonstrate that FGF‐8 is expressed at a high frequency in bone metastases of human prostate cancer and that expression of FGF‐8 in PC‐3 prostate cancer cells increases their growth as intratibial tumors and modulates formation of bone lesions in an in vivo model of prostate cancer bone metastasis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of Fasl and GM‐CSF confers synergistic antitumor immunity in an in vivo model of the murine Lewis lung carcinoma
Authors: Ho Ming‐Yi , Sun Guang‐Huan , Leu Shr‐Jeng Jim , Ka Shuk‐Man , Tang Shye‐Jye , Sun Kuang‐Hui
Published: April 2008

Gene transfer of Fas ligand (FasL) to tumor cells has been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth in vivo, and neutrophils are primarily responsible for this immunoprotection. The granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) secreted by tumor vaccine can recruit dendritic cells (DCs) for efficient antigen presentation to T cells that generate the tumor‐specific response. To investigate whether the combination of FasL and GM‐CSF can efficiently suppress tumor growth, we have established Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC‐1) cells that are transduced with GM‐CSF (LLC/GM‐CSF), FasL (LLC/FasL) or both genes (LLC/FasL/GM‐CSF) to test their tumorigenic potential in vivo. Mice inoculated with LLC/GM‐CSF display high survival rates along with reduction of tumor growth. In contrast, none of the mice injected with LLC/FasL or LLC/FasL/GM‐CSF develop tumors. Specific memory immune response and delayed LLC‐1 tumor growth are found in mice immunized with LLC‐1/FasL or LLC‐1/FasL/GM‐CSF. Furthermore, therapeutic effects are observed only when LLC‐1/FasL/GM‐CSF tumor vaccine is employed to retard growth of preexisting LLC‐1 tumors. Tumor growth is also completely suppressed in mice injected with a mixture of LLC‐1 and LLC‐1/FasL/GM‐CSF. In addition, IL‐12 production, cytotoxic T‐cell activity and IgG against LLC‐1 are manifested in mice injected with LLC/FasL/GM‐CSF. Our data show that FasL‐induced pathway triggers expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‐1β, IL‐6, MIP‐2 and MCP‐1, while GM‐CSF‐dependent pathway promotes functional maturation and activation of DCs. Taken together, the results indicate that dual gene‐based delivery with FasL and GM‐CSF may serve as a more effective tumor vaccine to suppress lung cancer cell growth in vivo. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Streamline pattern and salt leaching through progressive flooding between subsurface drains
Authors: Mirjat Muhammad Saffar , Rose Derek A.
Published: April 2008

This paper examines an efficient method of removing salts through progressive flooding of surface strips between subsurface drains. The method has been tested in the laboratory using a sand tank model experiment. The work extends earlier theoretical investigations by Youngs and Leeds‐Harrison (2000) which suggest that more uniform leaching with less water can be obtained by constraining the infiltrating area with the use of bunds, initially flooding only the region midway between the drains and then progressively increasing the flooded area towards the drains until the whole area between the drains is flooded.

Streamlines were traced to determine flow pattern and solute movement under complete and partial flooding. The tracing results suggest that partial flooding is more effective than complete flooding as the streamlines move faster and require less time to carry the salt towards the drain. The results have been further supported by the pore volumes of solute and salt loads leached under partial and complete flooding. The quarter flooding situation was extremely efficient followed by half and three‐quarter situations where solute leaching towards drains was higher than complete flooding. Results show that 59% superfluous good quality water is required to desalinise the area midway between drains with complete flooding, as compared to quarter area of flooding. Similarly, half and three‐quarter flooding situations require 21 and 37% additional good quality water, respectively, to leach the same amount of salts from the area midway between drains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrity of the stem‐cement interface in THA: Effects of stem surface finish and cement porosity
Authors: Iesaka Kazuho , Jaffe William L. , Kummer Frederick J.
Published: April 2008

No consensus exists for the optimal surface finish on cemented total hip prosthesis stems. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of stem finish and interfacial cement porosity on the integrity of the stem–cement interface. Simulated stems made of Co‐Cr, having polished or matte surfaces, at room temperature or heated to 37°C, were cemented into Sawbones simulated femurs. Push out testing of the stem–cement interface was performed immediately after cement polymerization and after two aging periods in 37°C saline or 37°C air, and the extent of interfacial porosity at the stem–cement interface was determined. Polished stems exhibited an average 60% greater interfacial strength than that of matte stems initially and up to 240% after aging treatments. Cement porosity at the stem–cement interface and incomplete cement interdigitation into surface asperities on matte stems likely allowed saline penetration into the stem–cement interface during wet aging, resulting in a rapid decrease of shear strength. Stem preheating to 37°C virtually eliminated interfacial pores and resulted in greater shear strengths regardless of surface finish. Polished stem surfaces with stem preheating provided the best interfacial shear strength and sealing ability against saline penetration into the stem–cement interface and could result in increased longevity of stem fixation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Page kidney after renal allograft biopsy: Sonographic findings
Authors: Heffernan Eric , Zwirewich Charles , Harris Alison , Nguan Christopher
Published: April 2008

The development of renal failure and hypertension due to extrinsic renal compression by hematoma in the subcapsular space is well‐described and most commonly seen after blunt trauma. It may also occur as a complication of percutaneous renal biopsy, both in native kidneys and renal allografts, and is a rare cause of reversible allograft failure. We describe a case of Page kidney in renal transplantation after percutaneous biopsy causing allograft dysfunction. Early recognition with sonography is important if irreversible damage to the allograft is to be prevented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Photonic metamaterials
Authors: Litchinitser N M , Shalaev V M
Published: April 2008

The invention of metamaterials prompts reconsideration of a number of fundamental physical phenomena and enables a variety of unique properties and functionalities. These include negative refractive index, magnetism at optical frequencies, sub-wavelength resolution, ``backward'' phase matching conditions for nonlinear optical processes, and even rendering objects invisible – cloaking. In this brief review, recent progress in basic theory, design, fabrication, characterization, and potential applications of optical metamaterials is discussed.
Macromol. Biosci. 4/2008
Authors: Sangwan Parveen , Wu Dong Yang
Published: April 2008

Cover: The cover describes the direct detection of microbial groups from composted PLA using novel molecular techniques and the subsequent application of conventional cultivation for isolating new biodegrading microorganisms. Such an integrated approach may also be used to gain new insight into biodegradation of other biodegradable polymers and for the future development of efficient biological treatment or recycling processes of these materials. Further details can be found in the article by P. Sangwan and D. Y. Wu* on page 304.
A Comparison of Y‐, H‐, and π‐shaped Diblock Copolymers via Dissipative Particle Dynamics
Authors: Huang Ching‐I , Yang Li‐Fan , Lin Chih‐Hao , Yu Hsu‐Tung
Published: April 2008

The phase behaviors, molecular conformations, and structural length scales of Y‐ (AB2), H‐ (B2AB2), and π‐shaped [B(A)B(A)B] copolymers are compared using dissipative particle dynamics. Though their phase diagrams are similar, the stability of microstructures is enhanced with increasing complexity of molecular architecture (linear → Y → H or π). In addition, the greater entropy loss associated with the disorder‐to‐order transition for H and π architectures makes it more difficult for them to undergo a microphase separation. When the H and π molecules pack to form an ordered structure, due to the significant presence of the chains in a bridge conformation, the structural length scales are strongly restricted.

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Synthesis, complete 1H and 13C NMR assignment and crystal structure of novel epoxide derivatives of cytochalasin B
Authors: Steyn Pieter S. , Breytenbach Jaco C. , Botha Jeanne H. , Fernandes Manuel A. , Wessels Philippus L.
Published: April 2008

Five novel epoxide derivatives of cytochalasin B were synthesized. Reaction of cytochalasin B with t‐BHP and BuLi led to selective epoxidation of the C‐21/22 double bond to give a single monoepoxide, while reaction with m‐CPBA yielded two diepoxides. Reaction of the monoepoxide with m‐CPBA yielded two triepoxides. The relative configurations of the epoxides were elucidated by analogy with the natural product by means of spectroscopic methods; full assignment of NMR signals was achieved, and the absolute configuration was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo MRS markers of response to CHOP chemotherapy in the WSU‐DLCL2 human diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma xenograft
Authors: Lee Seung‐Cheol , Huang Ming Q. , Nelson David S. , Pickup Stephen , Wehrli Suzanne , Adegbola Onikepe , Poptani Harish , Delikatny Edward J. , Glickson Jerry D.
Published: April 2008

To identify 1H‐MRS molecular biomarkers of early clinical therapeutic response in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, an in vivo longitudinal study was performed on human non‐Hodgkin's diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma xenografts (WSU‐DLCL2) grown in the flanks of female SCID mice. 31P‐MRS measurements, which have been demonstrated to be prognostic clinical indices of response (Arias‐Mendoza et al. Acad. Radiol. 2004; 11: 368–376) but which provide lower spatial resolution, were included for comparison. The animals received CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydoxorubicin, oncovin and prednisone) chemotherapy for three 1‐week cycles, resulting in stable disease based on tumor volume. Localization of total choline and phosphorus metabolites in vivo was achieved with stimulated echo acquisition mode and image selected in vivo spectroscopy sequences, respectively. Significant decreases in lactate were detected by the selective multiple quantum coherence spectral editing technique after the first cycle of CHOP, whereas total choline and the phosphomonoester/nucleoside triphosphate ratio did not change until the third cycle. Ex vivo extract MRS of tumors corroborated the in vivo results. Histological staining with antibodies to Ki67 revealed a decrease in proliferation rate in CHOP‐treated tumors that coincided with the decrease in lactate. This study demonstrates the utility of lactate as an early proliferation‐sensitive indicator of therapeutic response in a mouse model of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and serves as a basis for future clinical implementation of these methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The nature and nurture of intelligence and motivation in the origins of sex differences in elementary school achievement
Authors: Spinath Frank M. , Spinath Birgit , Plomin Robert
Published: April 2008

This study investigates the roles of intelligence and school‐related motivation in sex differences in school achievement and whether there are sex differences in the genetic and environmental influences on these variables. In a sample of 4464 9‐year‐old twins, intelligence, ablility self‐perceptions, intrinsic values and achievement scores were assessed. Girls outperformed boys in English and had better corresponding ability self‐perceptions, whereas in Math boys showed better attainment and ability self‐perceptions. For both sexes and all three domains, intelligence was the strongest predictor of achievement and ability self‐perceptions added incrementally to the prediction. Evidence of genetic influences was found for all measures but shared environmental influences were not important. These findings challenge some widely held assumptions about the development of children's motivation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of reading engagement in mediating effects of reading comprehension instruction on reading outcomes
Authors: Wigfield Allan , Guthrie John T. , Perencevich Kathleen C. , Taboada Ana , Klauda Susan Lutz , McRae Angela , Barbosa Pedro
Published: April 2008

The engagement model of reading development suggests that instruction improves students' reading comprehension to the extent that it increases students' engagement processes in reading. We compared how Concept‐Oriented Reading Instruction (CORI) (support for cognitive and motivational processes in reading), strategy instruction (support for cognitive strategies in reading), and traditional instruction in fourth‐grade classrooms differentially influenced students' reading comprehension, strategy use, and engagement in reading. Students experiencing CORI were significantly higher than both comparison groups on reading comprehension, reading strategies, and reading engagement. When students' level of reading engagement was statistically controlled, the differences between the treatment groups were not significant. We infer that the level of students' reading engagement during classroom work mediated the instructional effects on reading outcomes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Competing Inactivation Agents for Bacterial Spores in Radio‐Frequency Oxygen Plasmas
Authors: Vicoveanu Dragos , Popescu Sebastian , Ohtsu Yasunori , Fujita Hiroharu
Published: April 2008

The inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores in a low pressure RF oxygen plasma was studied. The experiments were especially designed to discriminate the relative importance of the competing spore inactivation agents. The decimal reduction values, characteristic for the action on the spores of heat, optical radiation and plasma particles, respectively, were estimated for different injected RF powers. These results indicated that during the initial stage of sample treatment, the most important inactivation agent is the optical radiation, whereas during the second stage of treatment, the leading role is assumed by the plasma particles. The dependence of spore inactivation kinetics on the injected RF power was also studied, by using the Z‐value.

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ScriptSwitch: more than switching from brand to cheaper generic
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: April 2008

ScriptSwitch is a computer program that operates at the point of prescribing to promote cost‐saving drug switching and rational prescribing. Steve Chaplin discusses how significant savings can be made from switching between drugs beyond brand‐to‐generic switches. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Consequences of dichotomization
Authors: Fedorov Valerii , Mannino Frank , Zhang Rongmei
Published: April 2008

Dichotomization is the transformation of a continuous outcome (response) to a binary outcome. This approach, while somewhat common, is harmful from the viewpoint of statistical estimation and hypothesis testing. We show that this leads to loss of information, which can be large. For normally distributed data, this loss in terms of Fisher's information is at least 1 − 2/π (or 36%). In other words, 100 continuous observations are statistically equivalent to 158 dichotomized observations. The amount of information lost depends greatly on the prior choice of cut points, with the optimal cut point depending upon the unknown parameters. The loss of information leads to loss of power or conversely a sample size increase to maintain power. Only in certain cases, for instance, in estimating a value of the cumulative distribution function and when the assumed model is very different from the true model, can the use of dichotomized outcomes be considered a reasonable approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacological and immunological effects of individual herbs in the Food Allergy Herbal Formula‐2 (FAHF‐2) on peanut allergy
Authors: Kattan Jacob D. , Srivastava Kamal D. , Zou Zhong Mei , Goldfarb Joseph , Sampson Hugh A. , Li Xiu‐Min
Published: April 2008

It was previously shown that a Chinese herbal formula, Food Allergy Herbal Formula 2 (FAHF‐2) composed of nine herbs, blocked peanut‐induced anaphylaxis in a murine model. The current study was designed to investigate the pharmacological actions of individual herbs comprising FAHF‐2 on peanut‐induced anaphylactic reactions in a murine model of peanut allergy and to determine if all nine herbs are necessary to prevent an anaphylactic reaction, or if a simplified formula containing fewer herbs would be equally effective. Some individual herbs reduced peanut‐induced anaphylactic symptoms but no single herb offered full protection from anaphylactic symptoms equivalent to FAHF‐2. The herbs had highly variable effects on histamine release, as well as peanut‐specific serum IgE and IgG2a levels. The herbs also had variable effects on IL‐4, IL‐5 and IFN‐γ levels. A simplified formula comprising the most efficacious tested individual herbs showed only partial efficacy and was not able to reproduce comparably the effects of FAHF‐2, suggesting that component herbs of FAHF‐2 may work synergistically to produce the curative therapeutic effects produced by the whole formula, which appears to be the best option for future clinical trials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Starch Retrogradation in Cassava Flour From Cooked Parenchyma
Authors: Rodríguez‐Sandoval Eduardo , Fernández‐Quintero Alejandro , Cuvelier Gerard , Relkin Perla , Bello‐Pérez Luis Arturo
Published: April 2008

Starch changes in cassava flours made from parenchyma (peeled root) cooked either in steam or in boiling water and stored at 5ºC or −20ºC for 24 h were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and iodine binding capacity. The storage temperature of cooked parenchyma did not have a significant effect on starch retrogradation. For storage at 5ºC, flour from steam‐cooked parenchyma presented a slightly higher melting enthalpy of retrograded starch and crystallinity compared to that of parenchyma cooked in boiling water. When stored at −20ºC, the cooking procedure had no significant effect on the melting enthalpy of retrograded starch, crystallinity and blue value index (BVI). The water content in cooked parenchyma stored at 5ºC influenced the extent of retrogradation. The cooking method and the storage temperature are important parameters that might influence the physicochemical and functional properties of cassava flours.
Preparation and Physical Properties of Starch Mixed Esters
Authors: Yang Byung Y. , Montgomery Rex
Published: April 2008

The use of trifluoroacetic anhydride as a promoter for the preparation of mixed esters of granular starch is reported. Efficient esterification results in complete dissolution of the starch granules, which is attained without the use of an external heat source when trifluoroacetic anhydride was added incrementally to a starch slurry in the mixed carboxylic acids. Starch mixed esters are co‐acetate/butyrate, co‐acetate/hexanoate, co‐acetate/octanoate, co‐acetate/palmitate and co‐acetate/butyrate/hexanoate/octanoate/palmitate, each from a solution of the corresponding mixed acids. The products comprise a total degree of substitution > 2.5, as analyzed by gas‐liquid or high‐pressure liquid chromatographies. In each product the extent of acid substitution is the same as or close to the composition of the corresponding acid distribution in the reaction mixture. Films cast of the resulting mixed esters, together with the corresponding single acid esters, are analyzed for glass transition and tensile properties, as measured by a dynamic mechanical analyzer. Glass transition temperature and tensile modulus increase proportionally with the increased mole fraction of acetate within the starch mixed acids. Film elongation increases with increases of acyl chain length in all of the starch esters. The dependency of those properties on the relative distribution of acyl group is discussed.
Increased Postprandial Triglyceride‐Rich Lipoprotein Levels in Elderly Survivors of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Lekhal Samira , Børvik Trond , Nordøy Arne , Hansen John‐Bjarne
Published: April 2008

Postprandial triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins (TRL) levels are a predictor for coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to compare fasting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and postprandial TRL between elderly survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) and healthy controls. A case‐control study was performed in 44 elderly patients 65–85 years of age with a previous history of MI and 43 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Each participant underwent physical examination and was given a standard oral fat load with subsequent blood sampling over the next 8 h. Total and chylomicron triglycerides were assessed by area under the curve (AUC), incremental are under the curve (AUCi) and triglyceride response (TGR). Elderly MI patients had significantly lower postheparin LPL activity (87.4 ± 36.9 mU/ml) (mean ± 1 SD) than healthy controls (106.0 ± 29.0 mU/ml) (P = 0.014). Decreased postheparin LPL activity was accompanied by significant increased and delayed clearance of postprandial TRL. Fasting HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in elderly MI patients than controls (1.45 ± 0.32 and 1.66 ± 0.47 mmol/l, respectively, P = 0.048). Multiple regression analysis revealed postheparin LPL activity as an independent predictor for postprandial TRL and fasting HDL cholesterol. Logistic regressions analysis revealed HDL cholesterol, triglycerides measured 2 h after the oral fat load, and postheparin LPL activity as independent predictors for MI. Our findings indicate that decreased fasting HDL cholesterol is associated with increased postprandial triglyceridemia which could be a target for life‐style and therapeutic interventions in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Research on foreign-language teaching and learning in the Netherlands (2002–2006)
Authors: Verspoor Marjolijn , Cremer Marjolein
Published: April 2008

This overview of applied linguistics research in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2006 is the fifth in a cyclical series of country-specific reviews of published research on foreign-language teaching and learning. About 75 papers have been selected from about twenty journals, conference proceedings, books and reports edited during the period 2002–2006 reporting on experimental or quasi-experimental research that has considerable value for those working in the field of language teaching. The review reveals the issues that currently concern applied linguists and second-language researchers in the Dutch language community: redefining multilingualism, trying to find ways to help minority children achieve at school, keeping a critical eye on current teaching practices, and finding specific ways to improve second- and foreign-language teaching.
Genre awareness for the novice academic student: An ongoing quest
Authors: Johns Ann M.
Published: April 2008

Genre, the most social constructivist of literacy concepts, has been theorized and variously applied to pedagogies by three major ‘schools’: the New Rhetoric, English for Specific Purposes, and Systemic Functional Linguistics. In this paper, I will discuss my long, and ongoing, search for a pedagogy drawn from genre theories for novice academic students. With others, I am trying to find or develop an approach that is coherent and accessible to students while still promoting rhetorical flexibility and genre awareness. I will first define and problematize the term genre. Then, I will briefly discuss what each of the three genre ‘schools’ can offer to novice students – as well as their pedagogical shortcomings. Finally, I will suggest two promising approaches to teaching genre awareness: learning communities and ‘macro-genres’.
Adaptive actuator failure compensation for redundant manipulators
Authors: Kececi E. Faruk , Tang Xidong , Tao Gang
Published: April 2008

This paper presents an adaptive actuator failure compensation method, which compensates for uncertainties due to unknown actuator failures for redundant manipulator systems. The method is first developed for manipulators whose joints are concurrently actuated. While physical realization of concurrently actuated manipulators and the advantages of their use have been understood before, in this paper failure modeling, controller structure, and adaptive update rules for handling uncertainties from the actuator failures are studied. The adaptive actuator failure compensation method is then expanded for a cooperating multiple manipulator system with uncertain actuator failures. Dynamic equations of such a multiple manipulator system in the task space are derived and the adaptive actuator failure compensation problem is formulated in the task space, for which a compensation controller structure is proposed with stable adaptive parameter update laws. The adaptive control scheme is able to compensate for the uncertainties of system parameters and actuator failures in a more general sense. For both cases, closed-loop system stability and asymptotic tracking are proved, despite uncertain system failures.
Ereigniskorrelierte Potenziale in der neuropsychologischen Individualdiagnostik
Authors: Rüsseler Jascha , Heldmann Marcus , Gerth Ivonne
Published: April 2008

Es wird ein selektiver Überblick über Einsatzmöglichkeiten von ereigniskorrelierten Hirnpotenzialen (EKPs) in der neuropsychologischen Einzelfalldiagnostik gegeben. Dabei wird zunächst auf die neurophysiologischen Grundlagen und einzelne wichtige Komponenten des EKPs eingegangen. Anschließend werden Ansätze der Adaptation neuropsychologischer Tests dargestellt, die es ermöglichen, während der Testdurchführung EKPs abzuleiten. Derartige Testverfahren wurden bislang für die Funktionsbereiche Gedächtnis und Sprache entwickelt. Es wird auf Untersuchungen von Aufmerksamkeitsdefiziten mit EKPs eingegangen, die eine hohe Relevanz für die klinische Anwendung aufweisen. Abschließend wird kurz auf die Anwendung von evozierten Potenzialen (EPs) und EKPs bei der Erstellung von Prognosen bei komatösen Patienten eingegangen. Für viele diagnostische Fragestellungen, die mit bestehenden Testverfahren aufgrund der funktionalen Einschränkungen des Patienten nicht beantwortbar sind, haben sich EKPs als hilfreiche, zusätzliche Informationen liefernde Verfahren erwiesen. Der routinemäßige Einsatz von EKPs in der neuropsychologischen Individualdiagnostik ist allerdings aufgrund des Fehlens standardisierter Testprotokolle und entsprechender Vergleichswerte noch nicht möglich. Daher werden sie bislang eher im Sinne von «Einzelfallexperimenten» eingesetzt.
Increasing the Validity of Cross-Cultural Assessments: Use of Improved Methods for Test Adaptations 1Laboratory of Psychometric and Evaluative Research Report No.275. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts, School of Education. Paper presented at the 23rd International Congress of Applied Psychology, Madrid, 1994.
Authors: Hambleton Ronald K. , Kanjee Anil
Published: April 2008

Translating or adapting psychological and educational tests from one language and culture to other languages and cultures has been a common practice for almost a hundred years, beginning with Binet's test of intelligence. Despite the long history and the many good reasons for adapting tests, proper methods for conducting test adaptations and establishing score equivalence are not well known by psychologists. The purpose of this paper is to focus attention on judgmental and statistical methods and procedures for adapting tests with special focus on procedures for identifying poorly adapted items. When these methods are correctly applied, the validity of any cross-cultural uses of the adapted test should be increased.
Construction and Validation of a Short Adjectives Checklist to Measure Big Five (SACBIF)
Authors: Perugini Marco , Leone Luigi
Published: April 2008

The aim of this contribution is to present a new short adjective-based measure of the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality, the Short Adjectives Checklist of BIg Five (SACBIF). We present the various steps of the construction and the validation of this instrument. First, 50 adjectives were selected with a selection procedure, the “Lining Up Technique” (LUT), specifically used to identify the best factorial markers of the FFM. Then, the factorial structure and the psychometric properties of the SACBIF were investigated. Finally, the SACBIF factorial structure was correlated with some main measures of the FFM to establish its construct validity and with some other personality dimensions to investigate how well these dimensions could be represented in the SACBIF factorial space.
Hidden Real-Time Patterns in Intra- and Inter-Individual Behavior: Description and Detection
Authors: Magnusson Magnus S.
Published: April 2008

It is widely believed that human interaction is much more regular than has yet been detected. What kinds of hidden regularities exist is, however, unsettled. In this paper a structural hypothesis is proposed where each continuous human interaction is seen as the performance of a set of a particular type of temporal patterns. Some of these repeated intra- and inter-individual real-time behavior patterns may be mutually exclusive in time while others may overlap in various ways. Perceptual limitations making such patterns hidden to the naked eye are illustrated. A computerized detection method and illustrative empirical findings from various types of face-to-face interactions in children and adults are presented. The specially developed pattern detection and analysis software, THEME, is also shortly described.
Learning Potential in Ethnic Minority Children
Authors: Hamers Johan H.M. , Hessels Marco G.P. , Pennings Albèr H.
Published: April 2008

This article has three sections. The first section describes the usual practice of assessing ethnic minority children, the problem of test bias and some current approaches to improving assessment of ethnic minorities. In section two a selected theoretical and methodological background of learning potential assessment is introduced. The third section explores the construction of a learning potential test for ethnic minorities. Information is presented concerning psychometric issues such as reliability, validity and test and item bias.
Some Issues in Rorschach Research
Authors: Exner John E. , Sendín Concepción
Published: April 2008

The few pages that make up this brief article can hardly provide much instruction concerning Rorschach research. They are offered to draw attention to some of the issues and problems that face the Rorschach researcher, in part with the hope that some reminders of past problems will help future researchers to avoid making the same mistakes. The Rorschach itself continues to pose many questions, and there is no end in sight to the continuing research needs. We seem to have solved some of those questions and have continued to move forward in the research endeavor; but we look forward to seeing the younger researchers of the present and future continuing to address these issues as faithfully as possible.
Consensual Validity of the EPQ: Self-Reports and Spouse-Reports
Authors: Gomà-i-Freixanet Montserrat
Published: April 2008

One important question in trait theory is the concept of validity, that is, whether a given test actually measures what it is intended to measure. This is easy to establish when we have a criterion against which the test can be evaluated. Unfortunately, the criterion is not always available. One way of overcoming this problem could be to validate questionnaire responses by correlating them with ratings made by external assessors who know the ratee well: This is what is known as consensual validity. This study assesses the consensual validity of the EPQ by means of self-reports and spouse-reports. Self-reports of 198 men and women with a mean age of 35 years were correlated with their spouses' reports. Correlations ranged from .43 to .70 for the three dimensions. A multitrait-multimethod analysis showed evidence of convergent and discriminant validity in the entire sample as well as in both men and women. Two factors probably contributed to the relatively higher correlations: the psychometrical adequacy of the instrument used and the choice of well-qualified raters. The results obtained favour the use of self-reports as valid and useful methods of personality measurement.
Appraisal of Responsibility: A New Questionnaire and its Relation to Depression, Rigid Thoughts, and Norms
Authors: Aardema Alfred J. , Luteijn Frans , Sanderman Robbert
Published: April 2008

In this study a questionnaire (Responsibility Questionnaire) was developed for measuring a negative evaluation of one's own thinking focussed on beliefs concerning responsibility for harm to self or others. In a sample of 276 subjects, the 15-item Responsibility Questionnaire had a satisfactory internal consistency. As expected, higher scores on the Responsibility Questionnaire were associated with depressive mood and rigid thoughts and norms.
Recent and dramatic changes in Pacific storm trajectories recorded in δ18O from Bristlecone Pine tree ring cellulose
Authors: Berkelhammer Max B. , Stott Lowell D.
Published: April 2008

A 300‐year stratigraphy of annual cellulosic δ18OVSMOW is presented for the long‐lived Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) from the White Mountains of California. The δ18OVSMOW stratigraphy exhibits two distinctive characteristics: a bidecadal oscillation during the 20th century with peak excursions of 4‰ and a dramatic 9‰ shift in mean δ18O values in the mid‐19th century. The bidecadal δ18O variability during the 20th century does not correlate well with the bidecadal pattern of drought recurrence as reflected in the Palmer Drought Severity Index. Geochemical modeling of the cellulose δ18OVSMOW indicates local climate conditions, particularly humidity and rainfall amount, should have been important influences on the cellulose δ18O variability, but these influences cannot explain the larger bidecadal excursions or the shift in values during the mid‐19th century. The large isotope variations must reflect sustained shifts in the frequency of subtropical versus polar storms that affect the isotopic composition of rainfall at the site. The mid‐19th century isotopic shift correlates with the major climate shift across the northern hemisphere as documented in a wide range of proxy records. We hypothesize that the large isotopic shift in the 19th century represents the hydrologic response to a regime shift in mean wintertime atmospheric circulation that changed storm trajectories brought about by a more southerly position of the midlatitude jet, increased trade wind strength, and a change in the frequency of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. The extent to which the hydrologic changes influenced the growth behavior of the high‐altitude Bristlecone Pine in the White Mountains remains an important unanswered question.
Source and transport controls on the movement of nitrate to public supply wells in selected principal aquifers of the United States
Authors: McMahon P. B. , Böhlke J. K. , Kauffman L. J. , Kipp K. L. , Landon M. K. , Crandall C. A. , Burow K. R. , Brown C. J.
Published: April 2008

In 2003–2005, systematic studies in four contrasting hydrogeologic settings were undertaken to improve understanding of source and transport controls on nitrate movement to public supply wells (PSW) in principal aquifers of the United States. Chemical, isotopic, and age tracer data show that agricultural fertilizers and urban septic leachate were the primary sources of large nitrate concentrations in PSW capture zones at Modesto, California (Central Valley aquifer system) and York, Nebraska (High Plains aquifer). Urban septic leachate and fertilizer (possibly nonfarm) were the primary sources of large nitrate concentrations in PSW capture zones at Woodbury, Connecticut (glacial aquifer system), and Tampa, Florida (Floridan aquifer system), respectively. Nitrate fluxes to the water table were larger in agricultural settings than urban settings, indicating that it would be beneficial to reduce PSW capture zone areas in agricultural regions. Mixing calculations indicate that about 50 to 85% of the nitrate in water from the PSW could be from those modern anthropogenic sources, with the remainder coming from sources in old (>50 years) recharge or sources in young recharge in undisturbed settings such as forests. Excess N2 concentrations and age tracers showed that denitrification at Modesto occurred gradually (first‐order rate constant of 0.02/a) in a thick reaction zone following a ∼30‐year lag time after recharge. Denitrification generally was not an important nitrate sink at Woodbury. At York and Tampa, denitrification occurred rapidly (0.5 to 6/a) in thin reaction zones in fine‐grained sediments that separated the anoxic PSW producing zones from overlying oxic, high‐nitrate ground water. Particle tracking showed that a major pathway by which anthropogenic nitrate reached the York and Tampa PSW was by movement through long well screens crossing multiple hydrogeologic units (York) and by movement through karst features (Tampa), processes which reduced ground water residence times in the denitrifying zones. These results illustrate how PSW vulnerability to nitrate contamination depends on complex variations and interactions between contaminant sources, reaction rates, transit times, mixing, and perturbation of ground water flow in contrasting hydrogeologic settings.
Eating Meals Irregularly: A Novel Environmental Risk Factor for the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Sierra‐Johnson Justo , Undén Anna‐Lena , Linestrand Madeleine , Rosell Magdalena , Sjogren Per , Kolak Maria , De Faire Ulf , Fisher Rachel M. , Hellénius Mai‐Lis
Published: April 2008

Background: Skipping meals is a common practice in our current society; however, it is not clear whether eating meals regularly is associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the association of eating meals regularly with parameters of the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in a representative population‐based cohort of 60‐year‐old men and women.

Methods and Procedures: A population‐based cross‐sectional study of 3,607 individuals (1,686 men and 1,921 women), aged 60 years, was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. Medical history, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle data were collected by a questionnaire and a medical examination, which included laboratory tests.

Results: Of the subjects who were regular eaters, 20% fulfilled the criteria for the metabolic syndrome vs. 27% of subjects who were irregular eaters (P < 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for having the greatest number of components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects who were regular eaters was 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.13–0.54) using subjects who did not fulfill any criteria for the metabolic syndrome as a reference group. Eating meals regularly was also inversely related to insulin resistance (OR, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.48–0.97)) and to γ‐glutamyl transferase (OR, 0.52 (95% CI, 0.33–83)) after full adjustment.

Discussion: Eating meals regularly is inversely associated to the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and (high) serum concentrations of γ‐glutamyl transferase. These findings suggest that eating meals irregularly may be part of several potential environmental risk factors that are associated with the metabolic syndrome and may have future implications in giving dietary advice to prevent and/or treat the syndrome.
Depot‐specific Regulation of the Conversion of Cortisone to Cortisol in Human Adipose Tissue
Authors: Lee Mi‐Jeong , Fried Susan K. , Mundt Steven S. , Wang Yanxin , Sullivan Sean , Stefanni Alice , Daugherty Bruce L. , Hermanowski‐Vosatka Anne
Published: April 2008

Objective: Our main objective was to compare the regulation of cortisol production within omental (Om) and abdominal subcutaneous (Abd sc) human adipose tissue.

Methods and Procedures: Om and Abd sc adipose tissue were obtained at surgery from subjects with a wide range of BMI. Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activity (3H‐cortisone and 3H‐cortisol interconversion) and expression were measured before and after organ culture with insulin and/or dexamethasone.

Results: Type 1 HSD (HSD1) mRNA and reductase activity were mainly expressed within adipocytes and tightly correlated with adipocyte size within both depots. There was no depot difference in HSD1 expression or reductase activity, while cortisol inactivation and HSD2 mRNA expression (expressed in stromal cells) were higher in Om suggesting higher cortisol turnover in this depot. Culture with insulin decreased HSD reductase activity in both depots. Culture with dexamethasone plus insulin compared to insulin alone increased HSD reductase activity only in the Om depot. This depot‐specific increase in reductase activity could not be explained by an alteration in HSD1 mRNA or protein, which was paradoxically decreased. However, in Om only, hexose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) mRNA levels were increased by culture with dexamethasone plus insulin compared to insulin alone, suggesting that higher nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐oxidase (NADPH) production within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contributed to the higher HSD reductase activity.

Discussion: We conclude that in the presence of insulin, glucocorticoids cause a depot‐specific increase in the activation of cortisone within Om adipose tissue, and that this mechanism may contribute to adipocyte hypertrophy and visceral obesity.