bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AssessingEnglishinEast Asia
Authors: Vongpumivitch Viphavee
Published: November 2013

In East Asia, English language ability is widely believed to be essential to success. The assessment of English, therefore, is highly relevant to students at all levels of education. This chapter introduces the English assessment contexts in East Asia by outlining the English tests that an individual may encounter throughout his/her lifetime both in and out of school. From parental pressure to the essential role of cram schools, the different countries or regions within East Asia face many similar challenging issues. It is hoped that the synthesis presented in this chapter will enhance mutual understanding and future collaborations among language testers in these countries or regions.
Field Testing of Test Items and Tasks
Authors: Reed Daniel J.
Published: November 2013

No matter how carefully they are crafted, test items and tasks need to be tried out and evaluated
before
they are used on operational tests (i.e., before they “count”). One reason such trials are necessary is to ensure that items and tasks function as intended (e.g., for items, the difficulty levels are appropriate and there is no apparent bias; for subjectively scored tasks, inter‐rater agreement is acceptably high). However, field testing is also essential for establishing the statistical properties that are used in the selection of items for test assembly (and the generation of multiple forms of the same test) and in the formulas applied for scoring. Furthermore, information obtained through field testing crucially supports multiple aspects of test development and validation, as well as related activities such as norming, standard setting, and linking (e.g., equating and calibration). To do all of this, test developers need good data—data they can “trust.” This means that items and tasks have to be tried out under conditions that resemble “real” testing conditions as closely as possible, ideally with examinees who are strongly representative of the target population and similarly motivated, all of which are matters that pose significant challenges to test developers.

This chapter begins with definitions of field testing and related terms and then provides a general overview of what is learned by trying out items and tasks in the various stages of test development. Next is a section that explains how field‐testing data are used to establish norms (frequencies for score ranges for various subgroups) and cut points (passing scores). That presentation is followed by an examination of special concerns with large‐scale testing programs. The latter section includes a discussion of
standalone
and
embedded
field test designs and an explanation of how the choice of field testing methods is related to both the intended use of the information and the characteristics of the testing program under consideration. The chapter concludes with a summary of the ways in which sound field‐testing practices are crucial for high stakes testing programs and their associated “validity arguments.”
Test Development Literacy
Authors: Grabowski Kirby C. , Dakin Jee Wha
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this chapter is to orient stakeholders (e.g., teachers, administrators, admissions personnel, government officials) to various concepts they may need to consider when developing or using a language assessment. If particular stakeholders (e.g., teachers) are actually the ones designing assessments, training in test development is obviously crucial. If stakeholders (e.g., admissions personnel) are using pre‐existing assessments, not only is training in test development empowering, but also the knowledge gained will allow them to better understand the nature of the assessment, its reliability, and the validity of any inferences and decisions made from it. Training in test development should minimally include an overview of the conventional uses of tests, followed by instruction in construct definition and, ultimately, training in test construction, test administration, scoring considerations, and data analysis, all of which are outlined and discussed in this chapter. Although any of these concepts can be presented singly, given the inter‐relationships among them and the cyclical and iterative nature of test development, they are nearly always best understood and made more meaningful when presented together.
Detecting Plagiarism and Cheating
Authors: Geranpayeh Ardeshir
Published: November 2013

Plagiarism and cheating have become very serious problems in schools and colleges alike. Cheating can be seen as any action that violates the rules for administering a test. Cheating can take a wide variety of forms and may involve any of the stakeholders in the testing process, including candidates, their teachers, and those responsible for administering the test. Cheats may be motivated by material rewards such as access to life chances or by personal needs such as competitiveness or a lack of self‐confidence. Whatever the cause, teachers, examination boards, and their agents clearly have a responsibility to discourage cheating on their tests and to minimise it wherever possible. This chapter argues that cheating directly puts into question the validity of a test. Any single examination score obtained by fraudulent means is not valid; it cannot be interpreted as a fair reflection of a candidate's abilities. Results obtained through cheating have a negative impact on the validity of scores obtained by other candidates. When access to university places or employment opportunities is limited, the candidate who succeeds through fraud denies these opportunities to others. Where cheating is seen to be widespread, even honestly obtained test results may lose credibility and certificates become devalued. The discussion begins by defining the concept of cheating and plagiarism, and examining the context under which they happen and what is at stake. The chapter then looks at the reasons underlying this increasingly widespread phenomenon and explores cultural issues around it, before focusing on psychometric techniques for the detection of cheating in various forms. The chapter ends with a review of the standards for the prevention of cheating, and reports on various measures to control this phenomenon and on the punishment policies put in place as deterrent mechanisms to minimize its impact.
Assessing Integrated Skills
Authors: Cumming Alister
Published: November 2013

A recent trend in language assessment has been to assess examinees’ abilities to integrate source reading or listening material into their writing and speaking performance in ways that simulate the cognitive, communication, and literacy demands of real‐life academic or vocational tasks. This chapter describes the justifications for this innovation in interactionist theories of communication, cognition, and assessment; through appeals to authenticity and relevance; and as a means to counter the effects of testing methods. The chapter explains how and why integrated skills assessment differs from the convention of assessing writing, speaking, reading, and listening as separate skills but also produces unique complications for measurement, test design, and examinee performance. Future directions are proposed to refine the constructs and tasks guiding integrated skills assessment, to increase their value for diagnostic purposes, and to verify their proposed benefits for teaching, learning, and high stakes decision making such as university admissions or employment.
Language Acquisition and Language Assessment
Authors: Shirai Yasuhiro , Vercellotti Mary Lou
Published: November 2013

This chapter gives an overview of methods of assessing language acquisition, both first and second. Since language acquisition, as a mental process, cannot be directly measured, researchers use various methodologies to infer acquisition. This chapter covers assessments used with natural production and elicited language samples although many language samples fall in between these categories. When learners have relatively more freedom (e.g., responding to a prompt), assessments often include measures of accuracy, complexity, and fluency as quantitative scores (e.g., 85% accuracy) or as more qualitative holistic scores (e.g., “high‐intermediate”). Since some linguistic phenomena are rare in natural production data or can be avoided (consciously or unconsciously) by learners, researchers often try to elicit target language samples. When language samples are gained from such structured elicitation methods, assessments can be based on comprehension data, judgment task data, production data, or introspective data. Comprehension measures may be used to test if the learner understands the presented linguistic stimuli, typically by forced choice of an answer. For very young language learners, comprehension measures often take the form of sensitivity or habituation paradigms. The most common judgment‐based measure is when participants (typically second language learners) are asked if a given sentence is grammatical in the target language. Production‐based measures may use a prompt which tries to elicit a specific linguistic target. Researchers can also ask learners about their thinking to include introspective data as evidence of language acquisition. Some of the main challenges of assessing language acquisition, including the arbitrariness of acquisition thresholds, the difficulties of operationalizing constructs, and the theoretical issues of knowledge representation, are also discussed. The chapter ends with suggestions about how language acquisition researchers will continue to address these concerns, such as multiple measures, especially with new methodologies available, such as large corpora, computer modeling, and neuroimaging techniques.
Assessing Health Professionals
Authors: Taylor Lynda , Pill John
Published: November 2013

Language tests are used in the evaluation of migrating health professionals’ readiness to practise safely and effectively. Such assessment is complex, involving policy and practice alongside questions of a moral and ethical nature. The chapter focuses on English language assessment of doctors—referred to as international medical graduates (IMGs)—to exemplify issues arising for all health professionals in any language. The initial section describes differing approaches to language assessment used in various jurisdictions internationally: the UK, Australia, and the USA. The next section links this assessment policy and practice to theoretical insights and research findings. It considers the scope of language proficiency and of what is testable in specific purpose language (LSP) tests, and describes the increased recognition in health‐care contexts of the importance of effective communication for patient safety and positive clinical outcomes. Studies of the development of language tests for health professionals are cited to highlight the importance of collaboration between domain experts and test designers regarding test content, task format, and rating criteria. There is only limited evidence that LSP tests are better predictors than general purpose language tests of test takers’ ability to perform in a particular context; however, it is similarly uncertain whether general purpose tests are sufficient for such sensitive contexts as those in health care. The following section presents challenges and issues for LSP assessment for health professionals from three theoretical perspectives: authenticity, specificity, and inseparability; it also considers practical and policy constraints. The final section indicates further directions for research and wider ethical issues inherent in the global migration of health professionals.
Tests of English for Academic Purposes in University Admissions
Authors: Xi Xiaoming , Bridgeman Brent , Wendler Cathy
Published: November 2013

This chapter charts the history, surveys the current developments, and discusses the future trends in English for academic purposes (EAP) assessments used for admissions to post‐secondary English‐medium institutions. A historical overview of the origin and growth of EAP assessments used for university admissions is provided, focusing on the evolution of test philosophies and on test content for the various assessments. Current trends of EAP testing in admissions are discussed, focusing on test constructs, delivery method, scoring methods and technologies, and score reporting and interpretation. The chapter reports on current research using the argument‐based approach to test validation, and presents exemplary studies addressing validity inferences including domain definition, evaluation, generalization, explanation, extrapolation, and utilization. It concludes with a discussion of future trends and of critical development and research issues to be addressed.
Assessing
French
Authors: Ryan Eve
Published: November 2013

This chapter deals with the assessment of French both as a first language and as a second or foreign language. A brief history and a short description of some salient features of the language are given, followed by a description of teaching trends in French‐speaking countries. Assessment practices are described, in the context of French both as a first language and as a second or foreign language. Various challenges are identified, including the status of the Baccalauréat, the norms that should be followed given the status of French as an international language, and the linguistic heterogeneity of the student population. The chapter concludes by suggesting directions for future scholarship. A research agenda is proposed regarding the Baccalauréat and the tests of French as a foreign language. A call is made to take into account language variation in the context of assessments of French. Finally, a suggestion is made to study the impact of multilingualism on the performance of students in French‐speaking countries.
Fairness and Justice in Language Assessment
Authors: Kunnan Antony John
Published: November 2013

The concept of
fairness
, as related to assessment and assessment practice, has been debated regularly since the late 1980s, but disagreements have regularly surfaced regarding interpretation and scope of the term. Further, researchers have argued that fairness is made up of an incoherent list and practitioners have questioned the need to include fairness as part of the assessment development process. The term
justice
is rarely mentioned in the assessment literature, although the idea of justice has been discussed by philosophers from ancient times.

This chapter attempts to provide principled bases for fairness and justice as applied to the institution of assessment. This is done by applying the idea of fairness as relating to persons—how assessments ought to be fair to test takers—and the idea of justice as relating to institutions—how institutions ought to be just to test takers. Arguments from normative ethics regarding fairness and justice are then discussed in order to provide an appropriate background for the principles of fairness and justice that are proposed and discussed through hypothetical vignettes about pretesting, biased and defective tasks, selecting an assessment, public reasoning, and differential pricing for services. The chapter concludes with how these principles can be used to advance fairness and justice in language assessment.
Standard Setting in Language Testing
Authors: Kenyon Dorry M. , Römhild Anja
Published: November 2013

This chapter introduces standard setting within the framework of Bachman's assessment use argument, outlining its role for establishing links between test performances, interpretations of those performances, and the decisions made as a result. Standard setting is the application of socially moderated technical methodological approaches that address the challenges of establishing such links. It thus plays a critical role in establishing validity evidence for the use of test scores. While the application of standard‐setting methods has its origin in certification testing and educational assessment, it has only recently begun to receive attention in language testing. The chapter provides an overview of current approaches to standard setting by first discussing several key aspects to be considered in the design of a standard‐setting study: the selection and training of suitable participants, the incorporation of consensus‐building processes and feedback, and the collection and documentation of evidence concerning the procedural validity of the study. Three major families of standard‐setting methods are then introduced: the Angoff, the Bookmark, and the Body of Work methods. Essential features and important research findings concerning the merits of each are highlighted. The final sections outline several challenges for language testers as well as future directions. The authors argue that while language testers can provide a unique perspective for advancing research on the development of methodologically sound standard‐setting approaches, they also need to become more fully acquainted with the large and growing body of standard‐setting research undertaken in other fields, especially in educational measurement. Other challenges facing language testers include the planning of resources and the early integration of standard‐setting considerations in the test development process. In the context of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the lack of an official policy body that stands behind the various standard‐setting studies undertaken by individual testing agencies may also present a challenge.
AssessingEnglishinMexicoandCentral America
Authors: Payant Caroline , Javier Francisco , Serrano Barrón
Published: November 2013

The predominance of Spanish across Mexico and Central America, both as an official language of government and education and as a language of business and travel, partly accounts for the relatively slow pace at which this region has moved in raising its English as a foreign language instruction standards, compared to other regions. This chapter offers an overview of the linguistic landscape in this region, followed by a more detailed look at English language teaching (ELT) practices in two key countries, Mexico and Costa Rica. The development of public policies concerning the teaching of English is traced and the associated proficiency assessment practices and outcomes are described. The current situation in Mexico and Costa Rica is that college‐age individuals in these regions continue to obtain low proficiency scores on standardized tests, and allocation of resources is not always informed by research, as evidenced by a dearth of qualified instructors, outdated methodologies, ambiguous curricula, and ill‐defined assessment policies. The chapter thus highlights a gap between the policies implemented by official education authorities and the actual needs experienced in the field of ELT in the region.
Assessing Grammar
Authors: Purpura James E.
Published: November 2013

In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the assessment of grammatical ability. This interest stems from the importance of grammar as a fundamental linguistic resource of communication, and its ability to predict communicative language ability. It also comes from the potential grammar assessment has for characterizing proficiency in different contexts at different proficiency levels, and for providing concrete information to language learners on their grammar performance. Finally, interest in grammar assessment arises from the role it plays in deriving scores in automated scoring protocols of speaking and writing data. This chapter examines how grammatical assessment has been conceptualized, implemented, and researched over the years. More specifically, it describes the role grammatical knowledge has played in several conceptualizations of language knowledge. It then reviews several general principles of grammar task design. After that, it discusses four approaches to grammar assessment: (1) the discrete‐point approach, (2) the performance‐assessment approach, (3) the second language (L2) production features approach, and (4) the developmental approach to grammar assessment. Finally, this chapter discusses some future directions of grammar assessment.
Effects of Image Preprocessing on Face Matching and Recognition in Human Observers
Authors: Liu Chang Hong , Chen Wenfeng , Han Hu , Shan Shiguang
Published: November 2013

In person identification, recognition failure due to variations of illumination is common. In this study, we employed image‐processing techniques to tackle this problem. Participants performed recognition and matching tasks where the face stimuli were either original images or computer‐processed images in which shading was weakened via a number of image‐processing techniques. The results show that whereas recognition accuracy in a memory task was unaffected, some of the techniques significantly improved the identification performance in a face‐matching task. We conclude that relative to long‐term face memory, face matching is more susceptible to discrepancy of shading in different images of a face. Reducing the discrepancy by certain preprocessing techniques can facilitate person identification when original face images contain large illumination differences. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Verifiability Approach: Countermeasures Facilitate its Ability to Discriminate Between Truths and Lies
Authors: Nahari Galit , Vrij Aldert , Fisher Ronald P.
Published: November 2013

According to the verifiability approach, liars tend to provide details that cannot be checked by the investigator and awareness of this increases the investigator's ability to detect lies. In the present experiment, we replicated previous findings in a more realistic paradigm and examined the vulnerability of the verifiability approach to countermeasures. For this purpose, we collected written statements from 44 mock criminals (liars) and 43 innocents (truth tellers), whereas half of them were told before writing the statements that the verifiability of their statements will be checked. Results showed that ‘informing’ encouraged truth tellers but not liars to provide more verifiable details and increased the ability to detect lies. These findings suggest that verifiability approach is less vulnerable to countermeasures than other lie detection tools. On the contrary, in the current experiment, notifying interviewees about the mechanism of the approach benefited lie detection. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scope and Post‐Transformations for the Borane‐Isocyanide Multicomponent Reactions: Concise Access to Structurally Diverse Heterocyclic Compounds
Authors: Kielland Nicola , Vicente‐García Esther , Revés Marc , Isambert Nicolas , Arévalo María José , Lavilla Rodolfo
Published: November 2013

A recently described family of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) involving isocyanides, aldehydes, dipolarophiles and alkylboranes that yield highly substituted aziridines, oxazolidines and pyrrolidines has been studied in detail. In this work the scope of these processes is significantly increased by preparing the borane input through hydroboration of alkenes or organometallic processes, in tandem with the MCR. The aldehyde range is also expanded, and indole‐3‐carbaldehydes yield reactive imines and bis‐indolyloxazolidines, depending on the electron density of the heterocycle. Finally, the obtained adducts constitute an ideal platform to generate structurally diverse compounds using simple post‐condensation modifications. In this way, indole imines undergo stereoselective hydrocyanation and oxazolidines are reductively opened to give amino alcohols. Additionally, palladium‐, ruthenium‐ and gold‐catalyzed processes lead to a variety of complex heterocycles. The methodology is simple, efficient and highly divergent, leading to an array of interesting scaffolds for medicinal chemistry.

magnified image
Modification research on the peel strength of the acrylate emulsion pressure‐sensitive adhesives
Authors: Fang Cheng , Huang Bing , Lin Zhongxiang
Published: November 2013

Pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) were produced with latexes synthesized via starved semibatch emulsion polymerization processes with butyl acrylate, three different kinds of hard monomers [styrene (St), methyl methacrylate, and 2‐phenoxy ethyl methacrylate (SR340)], acrylic acid, and 2‐hydroxy ethyl acrylate. The management of both the copolymer composition and the polymerization process allowed us to control the behavior of the PSAs. For the acrylate latexes, the types of hard monomers and their contents, the concentration of buffer [bicarbonate (NaHCO3)], and three kinds of semibatch processes were manipulated to modify the polymer properties. The performance of the PSA films cast from these latexes was evaluated by the peel strength. The results show that the PSA prepared with St exhibited the highest peel strength among the three hard monomers, and the latex synthesized by SR340 showed the largest gel content compared with the other two hard monomers. With increasing buffer, the latex particle size increased, and the peel strength initially increased to a maximum and then decreased. Nevertheless, the stability of the latexes decreased with increasing buffer concentration. In addition, the effects of the three kinds of semibatch processes on the peel strength of the PSA were also evaluated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40095.
Nanopaper membranes from chitin–protein composite nanofibers—structure and mechanical properties
Authors: Ezekiel Mushi Ngesa , Butchosa Nuria , Zhou Qi , Berglund Lars A
Published: November 2013

Chitin nanofibers may be of interest as a component for nanocomposites. Composite nanofibers are therefore isolated from crab shells in order to characterize structure and analyze property potential. The mechanical properties of the porous nanopaper structures are much superior to regenerated chitin membranes. The nanofiber filtration‐processing route is much more environmentally friendly than for regenerated chitin. Minerals and extractives are removed using HCl and ethanol, respectively, followed by mild NaOH treatment and mechanical homogenization to maintain chitin–protein structure in the nanofibers produced. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) reveal the structure of chitin–protein composite nanofibers. The presence of protein is confirmed by colorimetric method. Porous nanopaper membranes are prepared by simple filtration in such a way that different nanofiber volume fractions are obtained: 43%, 52%, 68%, and 78%. Moisture sorption isotherms, structural properties, and mechanical properties of membranes are measured and analyzed. The current material is environmentally friendly, the techniques employed for both individualization and membrane preparation are simple and green, and the results are of interest for development of nanomaterials and biocomposites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40121.
Using fishers’ ecological knowledge to assess the status and cultural importance of sawfish in Guinea‐Bissau
Authors: Leeney Ruth H. , Poncelet Peggy
Published: November 2013

Sawfishes have declined dramatically in West Africa and may be extinct throughout much of their historical range. Guinea‐Bissau is considered to be one of the last remaining places in West Africa where sawfish persist.

Fishers’ ecological knowledge (FEK) can provide valuable baseline data, which can be used to direct scientific studies, in situations where information is scarce or lacking and can also provide insight into local attitudes towards species of interest. Interview surveys were used to collect FEK data on the past and current range of sawfishes within Guinea‐Bissau waters, perceived causes of the decline amongst fishermen, and the cultural importance of this species to Bissau‐Guineans.

Data were collected from 274 respondents, of whom 85% could identify a sawfish from an image. The majority of respondents reported to have last seen a sawfish in the 1980s, although this varied considerably by region, and 30% of respondents in the south had seen or captured sawfishes in the past decade up to and including 2012.

Overfishing or excessive fishing pressure was most frequently cited as a perceived cause for the decline in sawfish, followed by shark finning and overseas fishermen. The sawfish is primarily of cultural importance in the Bijagos Islands, where it is central to many traditional ceremonies.

This information provides valuable insight into the cultural importance of sawfish to Bissau‐Guineans and their concerns in relation to the sustainability of their local fishery resources. Information on recent catches will be useful for directing future work to locate and protect remaining sawfish in Guinea‐Bissau.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Di‐α‐aminophosphonate Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Uma Maheswara Rao Kunda , Namkoong Sim , Yu Hwan‐Chul , Park Junsoo , Chung Chan‐Moon , Oh Se Young
Published: November 2013

A series of novel di‐α‐aminophosphonate derivatives were synthesized by a one‐pot method in the presence of PEG–H2O under ultrasonic irradiation and were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the human lung cancer cell line H1299 and the human breast cancer cell line MCF7 in vitro by the MTT method. All compounds showed moderate cytotoxic activity on both cell lines, and compounds 4b and 4c showed marked activity.
Hydroformylation in the Realm of Scents
Authors: Gusevskaya Elena V. , Jiménez‐Pinto Jhonny , Börner Armin
Published: November 2013

Metal (Co, Rh, Pt/Sn)‐catalyzed homogeneous hydroformylation reactions produce aldehydes, acetals, and alcohols, respectively, which are important aroma compounds that are used as ingredients in numerous perfumes, flavors, and foodstuffs. Indeed, not only the products, but also several olefins that are used as starting material have a pleasant scent. In this review, different methods for hydroformylation reactions are discusses, together with the typical aroma properties of the educts and products. We will show that hydroformylation is one of the most attractive synthetic methods in this area. Interestingly, its value seems to be rather underestimated and a re‐evaluation may be necessary.
Hydridoborylene Complexes and Di‐, Tri‐, and Tetranuclear Borido Complexes with Hydride Ligands
Authors: Bauer Jürgen , Bertsch Stefanie , Braunschweig Holger , Dewhurst Rian D. , Ferkinghoff Katharina , Hörl Christian , Kraft Katharina , Radacki Krzysztof
Published: November 2013

Mono‐ and dinuclear hydridoborylene complexes were prepared by intermetallic borylene transfer from Group VI borylene or metalloborylene reagents. The hydride and borylene ligands were found to interact with each other significantly, although the boron ligand retains much of its former borylene character. Zero‐valent platinum fragments were successively added to the dinuclear hydridoborylene complexes, resulting in tri‐ and tetranuclear borido complexes, in which the BH interaction has been lost, and the hydride ligands now bridge two metal centers. The complexes were studied spectroscopically, crystallographically, and by DFT methods, and the unusual bonding situation in the MBH triangles of hydridoborylene complexes were evaluated.
Development and Initial Validation of a Brief Symptom Measure
Authors: Blais Mark , Blagys Matthew D. , Rivas‐Vazquez Rafael , Bello Iruma , Sinclair Samuel J.
Published: November 2013

Self‐report measures of psychiatric symptomatology are important components of treatment monitoring and service evaluation programs. However, the currently available measures have numerous limitations including being symptom or disorder specific, suited to a limited range of clinical settings, and having excessive burden. Consequently, there is a need for a brief and psychometrically robust measure of global symptomatology that is applicable across diverse clinical settings, therapeutic modalities and patient populations. This paper presents the development and initial validation of such a scale, the Brief Symptom Measure‐25 (BSM‐25). We report findings from multiple samples examining the reliability, validity, sensitivity to change and factor structure of the new instrument. The results suggest that the BSM‐25 has good reliability, is suitable to multiple levels of care, sensitive to treatment induced change and has promising validity. Exploratory bifactor modelling revealed that all items loaded strongly on a general factor (bifactor) while also forming two minor group factors. Potential limitations of this study along with future research and clinical applications of the BSM‐25 are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

The BSM‐25 is a broad measure of symptom severity that is easy to administer and score, appropriate for divers patient populations, and suitable for monitoring progress in routine clinical practice.
Correlation of Electron Beams and Hard X‐ray Emissions in ISTTOK Tokamak
Authors: Jakubowski L. , Plyusnin V.V. , Malinowski K. , Sadowski M.J. , Zebrowski J. , Rabiński M. , Fernandes H. , Silva C. , Duarte P. , Jakubowski M.J.
Published: November 2013

The paper reports on experimental studies of electron beams in the ISTTOK tokamak, those were performed by means of an improved four‐channel detector. The Cherenkov‐type detector measuring head was equipped with four radiators made of two types of alumina‐nitrate (AlN) poly‐crystals: machinable and translucent ones, both of 10 mm in diameter and 2.5 mm in thickness. The movable support that enabled the whole detectors to be placed inside the tokamak vacuum chamber, at chosen positions along the ISTTOK minor radius. Since the electron energy distribution is one of the most important characteristics of tokamak plasmas, the main aim of the study was to perform estimations of an energy spectrum of the recorded electrons. For this purpose the radiators were coated with molybdenum (Mo) layers of different thickness. The technique based on the use of Cherenkov‐type detectors enabled the detection of fast electrons (of energy above 66 keV) and determination of their spatial and temporal characteristics in the ISTTOK experiment. Measurements of hard X‐rays (HXR), which were emitted during ISTTOK discharges, have also been performed. Particular attention was paid to the correlation measurements of HXR pulses with run‐away electron beams. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mucosal delivery of antigen‐coated nanoparticles to lungs confers protective immunity against tuberculosis infection in mice
Authors: Stylianou Elena , Diogo Gil R. , Pepponi Ilaria , van Dolleweerd Craig , Arias Mauricio A. , Locht Camille , Rider Christopher C. , Sibley Laura , Cutting Simon M. , Loxley Andrew , Ma Julian K.C. , Reljic Rajko
Published: November 2013

Mucosal boosting of BCG‐immunised individuals with a subunit tuberculosis (TB) vaccine would be highly desirable, considering that the lungs are the principal port of entry for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and the site of the primary infection and reactivation. However, the main roadblock for subunit TB vaccine development is the lack of suitable adjuvants that could induce robust local and systemic immune responses. Here, we describe a novel vaccine delivery system that was designed to mimic, in part, the MTB pathogen itself. The surface of yellow carnauba wax nanoparticles was coated with the highly immunogenic Ag85B Ag of MTB and they were directed to the alveolar epithelial surfaces by the incorporation of the heparin‐binding hemagglutinin adhesion (HBHA) protein. Our results showed that the i.n. immunisation of BCG‐primed BALB/c mice with nanoparticles adsorbed with Ag85B‐HBHA (Nano‐AH vaccine) induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses and IFN‐γ production, and multifunctional CD4+ T cells expressing IFN‐γ, IL‐2 and TNF‐α. Mice challenged with H37Rv MTB had a significantly reduced bacterial load in their lungs when compared with controls immunised with BCG alone. We therefore conclude that this immunisation approach is an effective means of boosting the BCG‐induced anti‐TB immunity.
Real‐time distributed hybrid testing: coupling geographically distributed scientific equipment across the Internet to extend seismic testing capabilities
Authors: Ojaghi Mobin , Williams Martin S. , Dietz Matt S. , Blakeborough Anthony , Lamata Martínez Ignacio
Published: November 2013

Large‐scale testing and qualification of structural systems and their components is crucial for the development of earthquake engineering knowledge and practice. However, laboratory capacity is often limited when attempting larger experiments due to the sheer size of the structures involved. To overcome traditional laboratory capacity limitations, we present a new earthquake engineering testing method: real‐time distributed hybrid testing. Extending current approaches, the technique enables geographically distributed scientific equipment including controllers, dynamic actuators and sensors to be coupled across the Internet in real‐time. As a result, hybrid structural emulations consisting of physical and numerical substructures need no longer be limited to a single laboratory. Larger experiments may distribute substructures across laboratories located in different cities whilst maintaining correct dynamic coupling, required to accurately capture physical rate effects. The various aspects of the distributed testing environment have been considered. In particular, to ensure accurate control across an environment not designed for real‐time testing, new higher level control protocols are introduced acting over an optimised communication system. New large time‐step prediction algorithms are used, capable of overcoming both local actuation and distributed system delays. An overview of the architecture and algorithms developed is presented together with results demonstrating a number of current capabilities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanofluid for Thermal Management of High Heat Generating Computer Processor
Authors: Jajja Saad Ayub , Ali Wajahat , Ali Hafiz Muhammad
Published: November 2013

Minichannel heat sink geometries with varying fin spacing were tested with de‐ionized water and MWCNT (1 wt %) nanofluid to evaluate their performance with flow components of a liquid cooling kit. Four heat sinks with fin spacing of 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm were used in this investigation. Heat sink base temperature was analogous to processor operating temperature which was the prime parameter of interest in this investigation. The base temperature decreased by reducing the fin spacing and using multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluid. The lowest value of heat sink base temperature recorded was 49.7 °C at a heater power of 255 W by using a heat sink of 0.2 mm fin spacing and MWCNT nanofluid as a coolant. Moreover, as a result of reduced fin spacing and using MWCNT nanofluid as a coolant the value of overall heat transfer coefficient increased from 1200 W/m2K to 1498 W/m2K, translating to about a 15% increase. The value of thermal resistance also dropped by reducing the fin spacing and using MWCNT nanofluid. The most important aspect of the study is that the heat sinks and MWCNT nanofluid proved to be compatible with the pump and radiator of the commercial CPU liquid cooling kit. The pump was capable to handle the pressure drop which resulted by reducing the heat sink fin spacing and by using MWCNT nanofluid. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 43(7): 653–666, 2014; Published online 11 November 2013 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21107
Physical activity and risk of endometrial adenocarcinoma in the Nurses' Health Study
Authors: Du Mengmeng , Kraft Peter , Eliassen A. Heather , Giovannucci Edward , Hankinson Susan E. , De Vivo Immaculata
Published: November 2013

Studies suggest that greater physical activity may reduce endometrial cancer risk. However, the role of the timing, duration and intensity of activity is unclear. We therefore examined recent and past recreational activities in relation to incident endometrial adenocarcinoma, and compared the importance of total and moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activities as well as walking. We analyzed data from 71,570 women in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort that assessed activity in 1986, with updates every 2–4 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During follow‐up from 1986 to 2008 (1.2 million person‐years), 777 invasive endometrial adenocarcinoma cases were documented. In multivariable models, compared with <3 MET‐hr/week (<1 hr/week walking), women engaged in moderate (9 to <18 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.78) or high (≥27 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.92) amounts of recent total recreational activity were at reduced risk (p‐trend = 0.001). Past total activity was not associated with risk. Greater recent moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activity was associated with reduced risk (≥4 vs. 0 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88, p‐trend = 0.002). Among women who did not perform any vigorous activity, recent walking was associated with reduced risk (≥3 vs. <0.5 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45–0.93, p‐trend = 0.01), and faster walking pace was independently associated with risk reduction. After additional adjustment for body mass index, all associations were statistically non‐significant. Greater recent physical activity, including activity of moderate duration and intensity such as walking, may reduce endometrial adenocarcinoma risk. This relation is largely mediated or confounded by body mass index.
Toxic compounds in honey
Authors: Islam Md. Nazmul , Khalil Md. Ibrahim , Islam Md. Asiful , Gan Siew Hua
Published: November 2013

There is a wealth of information about the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey. However, honey may contain compounds that may lead to toxicity. A compound not naturally present in honey, named 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), may be formed during the heating or preservation processes of honey. HMF has gained much interest, as it is commonly detected in honey samples, especially samples that have been stored for a long time. HMF is a compound that may be mutagenic, carcinogenic and cytotoxic. It has also been reported that honey can be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. Honey produced from the nectar of Rhododendron ponticum contains alkaloids that can be poisonous to humans, while honey collected from Andromeda flowers contains grayanotoxins, which can cause paralysis of limbs in humans and eventually leads to death. In addition, Melicope ternata and Coriaria arborea from New Zealand produce toxic honey that can be fatal. There are reports that honey is not safe to be consumed when it is collected from Datura plants (from Mexico and Hungary), belladonna flowers and Hyoscamus niger plants (from Hungary), Serjania lethalis (from Brazil), Gelsemium sempervirens (from the American Southwest), Kalmia latifolia, Tripetalia paniculata and Ledum palustre. Although the symptoms of poisoning due to honey consumption may differ depending on the source of toxins, most common symptoms generally include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, headache, palpitations or even death. It has been suggested that honey should not be considered a completely safe food. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 2‐Arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones by N‐Aryl Benzamidines with Aromatic Carbonates
Authors: Aikawa Shunichi , Sekiguchi Chiharu , Yamazaki Yuko , Hattori Mika , Isaka Tatsuya , Yoshida Yasuhiko , Ihara Shogo
Published: November 2013

The reaction of N‐aryl benzamidines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n with diphenyl carbonate 2a or ethyl phenyl carbonate 2b synthesized 2‐arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l, 3m, 3n in simple and safe process with good yields (71–90%). It was suggested that different electron‐donating substituent in N‐aryl benzamidines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n afforded similar effect to the yields of 2‐arylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l, 3m, 3n. In these reactions, N‐aryl benzamidines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n built up intermediate compounds by nucleophilic addition to carbonates 2 to give annulation products 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l, 3m, 3n, following to cyclization involving the elimination of ethanol/phenol.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Screening of Some Novel 2‐(5‐(4‐(1H‐Benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenols Incorporated by Triazole Moiety
Authors: Shaikh Mohammad U. , Jadhav Ganesh R. , Kale Rajesh P. , Chate Asha V. , Nagargoje Deepak R. , Gill Charansingh H.
Published: November 2013

A novel series of 2‐(5‐(4‐(1H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenols derivative has been synthesized from (E)‐3‐(4‐(1H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones in ethanol and hydrazine hydrate under reflux condition. The synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria viz Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and Gram‐negative bacteria viz Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, respectively. Some of the tested compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity. IR, 1H NMR, mass spectral data, and elemental analysis elucidated the structures of all the newly synthesized compounds.
Photoresponsive Gels Prepared by Ring‐Opening Metathesis Polymerization
Authors: Gumbley Patricia , Hu Xiaoran , Lawrence John A. , Thomas Samuel W.
Published: November 2013

This communication describes photoresponsive gels, prepared using ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), that dissolve upon irradiation with ultraviolet light. Exposure of mixtures of norbornene‐type ROMP monomers and new photoreactive cross‐linkers comprising two norbornene units bound through a chain containing o‐nitrobenzyl esters (NBEs) to well‐known ruthenium carbene catalysts gave cross‐linked polymer networks that swelled in organic solvents or water depending on the structure of the monomer. These gels became homogeneous upon irradiation with UV light, consistent with breaking of the cross‐links through photolysis of the NBE groups. The irradiation time required for homogenization of the gels depended on the cross‐link density and the structure of the photoresponsive cross‐linker.

image