bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individuality, Belonging, and Children's Self Concepts: A Motivational Spiral Model of Self‐Evaluation, Performance, and Participation in Physical Activities
Authors: Bornholt L.J. , Piccolo A.
Published: September 2005

Problématique. Ce projet avait pour objectif d’étudier les fondements sociaux et personnels des images de soi des enfants en rapport avec les activités physiques selon le modèle de la motivation de l’apprentissage en spirale. Ce modèle rapproche l’image de soi des enfants, leurs sentiments, leurs choix, leurs stratégies de résolution de problèmes et leurs performances, tout ce qui peut stimuler et contraindre les motivations des enfants à participer à des activités physiques dans les années à venir.

Méthode. La première étude a porté sur de jeunes enfants (N= 40. Age: m = 6,3; σ= 1,1), mais aussi sur des moins jeunes (N= 36. Age : m = 10,2; σ= 1,2). La seconde concernait des enfants de 4 à 11 ans (N= 56. Age : m = 8; σ= 2,1).

Résultats. Dans la première étude, les bases personnelles et sociales des images de soi variaient selon l’âge et les images des soi n’étaient pas nécessairement en rapport avec les performances observées. Dans la deuxième étude, les images de soi et les sentiments relatifs aux activités incitaient à une participation ultérieure fournissant aux enfants des occasions de développer leurs capacités et leur stratégies cognitives.

Conclusion. Les résultats confirment les fondements hypothétiques personnels et sociaux des images de soi, ce qui est essentiel dans le modèle de l’apprentissage en spirale des motivations des enfants. Il en ressort qu’il existe des pistes communes et diversifiées qui conduisent les enfants à s’adonner à des activités physiques, ce qui a des retombées importantes sur les programmes cliniques et éducatifs concernant la santé et le bien‐être des enfants.

This project examined the personal and social bases of children's self concepts about movement within the Motivational Spiral Model. The model relates children's self concepts, feelings, choices, task strategies, and performance that feed forward to support and constrain children's motivations to participate in physical movement in subsequent years. Study 1 was with younger (N= 40, age 6.3, SD 1.1 years) and older children (N= 36, age 10.2, SD 1.2 years). Study 2 was with 4‐ to 11‐year‐old children (N= 56, age 8.0, SD 2.1). In Study 1, personal and social bases of self concepts varied for younger and older children, and their self concepts were not necessarily associated with actual performance. In Study 2, children's self concepts and feelings about movement feed forward to subsequent participation providing children with opportunities to develop their task strategies and skills. Results support the proposed personal and social bases to self concepts that are central to the Motivational Spiral Model. The findings suggest common and diverse pathways to children's participation in physical activities, that have important applications in educational and clinical programmes for children's health and well‐being.
The Role of Risk in Making Decisions under Escalation Situations
Authors: Wong Kin Fai Ellick
Published: September 2005

Cet article décrit deux recherches portant sur la relation entre l’intensification de l’implication et trois variables liées au risque: la propension au risque, la perception du risque et l’attente du résultat. L’analyse des données montra (a) que l’intensification de l’implication était en relation négative avec la perception du risque et en relation positive avec la propension au risque et l’attente du résultat; (b) que la perception du risque médiatisait partiellement les effets de la propension au risque et que l’attente du résultat médiatisait les effets de la perception du risque. Ces observations sont dans l’ensemble cohérentes avec schéma théorique proposé par Sitkin et Pablo (1992). On discute des conséquences de cette recherche pour le comportement de prise de risque, l’intensification de l’implication et la pratique.

This paper reports on two studies examining the relationship between escalation of commitment and three risk‐related variables—risk propensity, risk perception, and outcome expectancy. Results showed that (a) risk propensity and outcome expectancy were positively related to escalation of commitment, whereas risk perception was negatively related to escalation of commitment; (b) risk perception partially mediated the effects of risk propensity, and outcome expectancy mediated the effects of risk perception. These findings are generally consistent with the conceptual framework proposed by Sitkin and Pablo (1992). Implications for risk‐taking behavior, escalation of commitment, and practice are discussed.
Indonesian Local Government Spending, Taxing and Saving: An Explanation of Pre‐ and Post‐decentralization Fiscal Outcomes*
Authors: Lewis Blane D.
Published: September 2005

As a result of Indonesia's decentralization program, local governments have gained significantly more responsibility for service delivery, considerably larger fiscal resources, and much greater authority over the use of those resources than before. The present paper develops a simple budget model to describe and explain the substantial differences in pre‐ and post‐decentralization local government fiscal behavior related to spending, taxing and saving. During the post‐decentralization period special attention is paid to the fiscal behavior of natural resource rich regions. Among other things, the evidence suggests that: post‐decentralization local government spending is partly responsive to increasing needs and partly the subject of elite capture; local government taxation has become more aggressive under decentralization and appears to be mostly driven by local bureaucratic expectations related to routine overhead budgets; and the increased savings of local governments during the post‐decentralization period is determined to a large degree by delayed central government transfer payments.
Treatment of chronic stress in employees: Subjective, cognitive and neural correlates
Authors: BERGDAHL JAN , LARSSON ANNE , NILSSON LARS‐GÖRAN , ÅHLSTRÖM KATRINE RIKLUND , NYBERG LARS
Published: September 2005

This study reports the effect of an affect‐focused intervention program, the Affect School, on stress, psychological symptoms, cognitive functioning and neural activity. Fifty employees in social service and education, with high levels of chronic stress, were randomly divided into a treatment (N= 27) and control (N= 23) group. Complete sets of data were available in 20 participants in the treatment group and 17 in the control group. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire assessed stress and the Symptom Check List‐90 psychological symptoms before and after treatment. Episodic‐memory functioning under focused and divided attention conditions was also assessed. Prior and after the Affect School, seven participants in the treatment group were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during episodic memory processing. After the Affect School there was a reduction in stress and psychological symptoms for the treatment group but not in the control group. The controls showed a reduction in episodic memory functioning whereas the performance of the treatment group remained intact. The fMRI scanning indicated a qualitative change in the neural network subserving episodic memory. These preliminary results suggest that the Affect School is effective on individuals with high stress.
Prescription of oral corticosteroids in near‐fatal asthma patients: Relationship with panic‐fear, anxiety and depression
Authors: ROMERO‐FRAIS ESTHER , VÁZQUEZ MARÍA ISABEL , SÁNDEZ EVA , BLANCO‐APARICIO MARINA , OTERO ISABEL , VEREA HÉCTOR
Published: September 2005

Oral corticosteroids are the most effective drugs for illness management, especially in near‐fatal asthma (NFA) patients. Prescription of oral corticosteroids in other groups of asthmatic patients has been shown to be related not only to clinical features of the illness, but also to psychological variables, what suggests the need to investigate this relationship specifically in NFA patients. Forty‐two NFA patients aged 18–83 were interviewed to collect data on sociodemographics, clinical features and psychological variables, specifically panic‐fear, anxiety and depression; 45.2% had been prescribed oral corticosteroids and 54.8% had not been prescribed this type of medication. Only frequency and severity of symptoms (odds ratio = 3.14; 95% confidence interval = 1.27–7.79; p= 0.013) and state‐anxiety (odds ratio = 1.03; 95% confidence interval = 1.03–1.29; p= 0.015) emerged as significant risk indicators for the prescription of oral corticosteroids. These preliminary results in NFA patients confirm previous reports about the relationship between prescription of oral corticosteroids and psychological variables in asthmatic patients. State‐anxiety could increase the magnitude of breathing difficulties, and thus imply the need for more effective medications for its management, but further research is necessary to reject other possible explanations.
Test–retest reliability of the Chinese version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children‐Version 4 (DISC‐IV)
Authors: Ho Ting‐pong , Leung Patrick Wing‐leung , Lee Chi‐chiu , Tang Chun‐pan , Hung Se‐fong , Kwong Shi‐leung , Lucas Christopher P. , Lieh‐Mak Felice , Shaffer David
Published: September 2005

Background:  Despite the huge youth population, there is a lack of psychiatric diagnostic instruments with reported psychometric properties in Chinese. This study reports the development of the Chinese version of DISC‐IV and examines its test–retest reliability.

Method:  Seventy‐eight parents and 79 youths (mean age 13.1 years) attending child psychiatric clinics were interviewed twice using the Chinese DISC‐IV (Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children‐IV) about 22 days apart.

Results:  The kappa coefficients were good to excellent for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (both youth (Y) and parent (P) versions), major depressive disorder (MDD) (P), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (P); fair for anxiety disorder (P), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) (P, Y), MDD (Y); but poor for anxiety disorder (Y) and ADHD (Y). Parent informants had better test–retest reliability than youth informants.

Conclusions:  The Chinese DISC‐IV had comparable test–retest reliability with the original English version.
Investigating the structure of the restricted, repetitive behaviours and interests domain of autism
Authors: Szatmari Peter , Georgiades Stelios , Bryson Susan , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Roberts Wendy , Mahoney William , Goldberg Jeremy , Tuff Lawrence
Published: September 2005

Background:  The Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours and Interests (RRBIs) are represented in the DSM‐IV and measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised (ADI‐R) as one of the three homogeneous symptom categories of Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Although this conceptualisation is well accepted in the field, the grouping of symptoms is based primarily on clinical judgment rather than on empirical evidence.

Methods:  The objective of this study was to examine the factor structure of the RRBI domain of autism. Eleven items from this domain of the ADI‐R were used in a Principal Components Analysis (PCA). Our sample consisted of 339 individuals with a Best Estimate diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).

Results:  Findings indicate that the RRBI domain is composed of two distinct factors or dimensions: Insistence on Sameness (IS) and Repetitive Sensory and Motor Behaviours (RSMB). RSMB is negatively correlated with adaptive skills; that is, lower functioning individuals tend to have higher levels of repetitive sensory and motor behaviours. On the other hand, IS is positively correlated with autistic symptoms in the communication and language domain. Further analyses suggest moderate familial aggregation among affected sibling pairs within the IS but not the RSMB factor.

Conclusions:  These results provide evidence for the heterogeneity of the RRBI domain of the ADI‐R in terms of both clinical presentation and other correlates. In addition, the IS factor seems to be under familial (presumably genetic) control, while RSMB appears to simply reflect variation in developmental level.
Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health
Authors: Fergusson David M. , John Horwood L. , Ridder Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2005

Background:  The extent to which abortion has harmful consequences for mental health remains controversial. We aimed to examine the linkages between having an abortion and mental health outcomes over the interval from age 15–25 years.

Methods:  Data were gathered as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25‐year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand children. Information was obtained on: a) the history of pregnancy/abortion for female participants over the interval from 15–25 years; b) measures of DSM‐IV mental disorders and suicidal behaviour over the intervals 15–18, 18–21 and 21–25 years; and c) childhood, family and related confounding factors.

Results:  Forty‐one percent of women had become pregnant on at least one occasion prior to age 25, with 14.6% having an abortion. Those having an abortion had elevated rates of subsequent mental health problems including depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviours and substance use disorders. This association persisted after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions:  The findings suggest that abortion in young women may be associated with increased risks of mental health problems.
Epstein–Barr virus infection during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Eskild Anne , Bruu Anne‐Lise , Stray‐Pedersen Babill , Jenum Pål
Published: September 2005

Objectives  To study the association between Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antibody status in early pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes including fetal death, length of gestation and fetal weight and length at birth.

Design  Nested control study.

Setting  Population based health registers.

Population  The source population comprised 35,940 pregnant women. Cases were all (280) women with fetal death and a random sample of 940 women with a live born child.

Method  Information on pregnancy outcome was obtained from the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry. Serum samples from the first trimester were tested for EBV antibodies. In women seronegative for EBV, further serum from late pregnancy was analysed to detect seroconversion.

Main outcome measures  Vital status, length of gestation, weight and length at birth.

Results  There was no association between EBV antibody status and fetal death. Women with significant EBV reactivation had a significantly shorter duration of pregnancy, and associated lighter babies, compared with women without significant reactivation (stillborn: 176 vs 197 days, P= 0.16, and live born: 271 vs 279 days, P= 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion  Significant reactivation of EBV infection during pregnancy may influence pregnancy duration.
Prognostic value of the labour admission test and its effectiveness compared with auscultation only: a systematic review
Authors: Blix Ellen , Reinar Liv M. , Klovning Atle , Øian Pål
Published: September 2005

Objective  To assess the effectiveness of the labour admission test in preventing adverse outcomes, compared with auscultation only, and to assess the test's prognostic value in predicting adverse outcomes.

Design  Systematic review.

Setting  Labour wards in hospitals.

Population  Pregnant women in labour. Three randomised controlled trials including 11,259 women and 11 observational studies including 5831 women.

Methods  Literature searches in Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, SweMed, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, reference lists from identified studies and contact with experts.

Main outcome measures  Obstetric interventions (augmentation of labour, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, epidural analgesia, fetal blood sampling and operative deliveries) and neonatal outcomes (perinatal mortality, Apgar score, seizures, resuscitation and admission to neonatal unit).

Results  Meta‐analyses of the controlled trials found that women randomised to the labour admission test were more likely to have minor obstetric interventions like epidural analgesia [relative risk (RR) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1–1.4], continuous electronic fetal monitoring (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–1.5) and fetal blood sampling (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.5) compared with women randomised to auscultation on admission. There were no significant differences in any of the other outcomes. From the observational studies, prognostic value for various outcomes was found to be generally poor. Likelihood ratio (LR) for a positive test was above 10 in 2 of 28 single outcomes and between 5 and 10 in six outcomes.

Conclusions  There is no evidence supporting that the labour admission test is beneficial in low risk women.
United Kingdom Amniotic Fluid Embolism Register
Authors: Tuffnell D.J.
Published: September 2005

Objective  The United Kingdom Amniotic Fluid Embolism Register was established to identify the incidence of the condition and examine any differences or common factors between survivors and fatalities.

Design  An anonymous voluntary register.

Setting  The United Kingdom from 1997 to 2004.

Population  Any woman with a clinical diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism. The entry criteria were as follows: acute hypotension or cardiac arrest, acute hypoxia and coagulopathy with onset during labour, caesarean section or within 30 minutes of delivery with no other clinical condition or potential explanation for the symptoms and signs.

Methods  A data collection form was completed after reporting.

Main outcome measures  Mortality and morbidity rates in women and their babies.

Results  Of 66 cases, 44 had sufficient information to be included. Thirteen (29.5%; 95% CI 17–45%) women died. If the five extra deaths in the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death were included, the mortality would be 37% (95% CI 23–52%). Of the 31 survivors, 12 women had a cardiac arrest, 7 had a hysterectomy, 2 had further laparotomies, 1 had subglottic stenosis and 2 had persisting neurological impairment. Twenty‐four of the 31 survivors were admitted to intensive care units. Of the 13 women who died, 7 of their babies survived. Four were acidotic at birth, of whom two developed hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and one of these is known to have developed cerebral palsy. In 18 cases, the woman survived and the baby was alive and in utero at the time of the maternal collapse. Four of these died, four had HIE with one known to have developed cerebral palsy and one other was acidotic at birth.

Conclusion  The mortality of amniotic fluid embolism is high but the majority of women will survive. There is significant maternal and neonatal morbidity even when the woman survives. Continuing assessment of cases of amniotic fluid embolism is important to identify ways of improving outcome.
From Industrial Relations to Workplace Relations in the Australian Taxation Office: An Incomplete but Strategic Transition
Authors: Anderson Eve , Teicher Julian , Griffin Gerard
Published: September 2005

The impact of New Public Management reforms on industrial relations at the agency level of the Australian Public Service is a neglected area of research. To redress this deficiency, we examine the evolution of industrial relations in the second largest public service agency, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), an organisation that is in transition from a bureaucratised administration to a responsive provider of services. The employment relationship in the ATO has become more flexible and workplace focused, yet many characteristics of a collective form of regulation remain, suggesting an increasingly strategic response to complex demands. Although human resource management strategies of controlling work through values, behaviours and performance are on the ascendancy, their effective implementation faces significant barriers. In view of the size of the ATO, its policies and practices are likely to provide a reliable indicator of the evolution of industrial relations in the Australian Public Service at large.
Virtual workforces and the Shifting Frontier of Control
Authors: Brown Kerry , Royer Susanne , Waterhouse Jennifer , Ridge Stacy
Published: September 2005

It is argued that adopting a networked organisational model improves organisational performance and provides opportunities for innovation and creativity. The model is premised on introducing a range of information and communication technology (ICT) into the work environment. ICTs establish a fundamentally different interface between workers and their tasks and also connect managers and workers in new ways that require re-conceptualising of labour management relations. This process necessitates adapting existing organisational structures and systems to account for changes in the way work is scheduled and organised and the way workers are managed. It is argued that organisations implementing such new organisational forms create non-traditional organisational boundaries and fewer bureaucratic structures through forming networks. These network arrangements may present an opportunity for shifting the labour management control nexus.
Non-Standard Employment: When Even the Elite are Precarious
Authors: Mckeown Tui
Published: September 2005

Themes of marginalisation and disadvantage dominate much of the literature on non-standard employment and the studies which underlie these themes are generally restricted to the temporary, casual and part time workforce. This paper presents results from a survey of 240 professional workers in Australia who have moved into contract employment arrangements. A key focus of the paper is the establishment of the Push/Pull Matrix, a tool which analyses individuals’ movement into non-standard employment by explicitly recognising the relationship between both personal and situational factors. The survey results suggest that the themes of marginalisation and disadvantage are just as relevant to the professional contractor as they are to other forms of non-standard employment.
Secondary anti‐D immunization by Del red blood cells
Authors: Yasuda Hiroyasu , Ohto Hitoshi , Sakuma Shizue , Ishikawa Yoshihide
Published: September 2005

BACKGROUND:  Recent molecular studies of the RHD gene have revealed that Del individuals retain a grossly intact RHD gene or have a portion of RHD in their genomes. No Del phenotype has yet been shown to induce a primary or secondary alloanti‐D immunization, however.

CASE REPORT:  A 67‐year‐old D– Japanese woman with a history of allosensitization from transfusion of D+ red blood cells (RBCs) was negative for anti‐D at admission. After she received RBCs from 19 apparently D– donors, she developed anti‐D with an 8‐fold titer. The titer of anti‐D increased further to 128‐fold after transfusions of cross‐match–compatible D− negative RBCs from 40 donors over the next 2 years. Two of 59 donors were found to be RHD gene–positive and antigen D– with a Del phenotype, that is, RHD(K409K).

CONCLUSION:  This is the first case in which RBCs having the Del phenotype induced a secondary alloanti‐D immunization. A D– donor with the RHD(K409K) allele was associated with the development of anti‐D. Adverse episodes or evidence of hemolysis was not observed after the transfusion of RHD(K409K) RBCs. Further clinical evidence is needed to reveal whether the Del phenotype has a clinically relevant potential for anti‐D immunization.
A Framework for Assessing Incentives in Results‐Based Management
Authors: Swiss James E.
Published: September 2005

Many governmental results‐based management systems have not produced the expected positive effects. This article analyzes the reasons for this common disappointment by looking at three components of results‐based management—results‐specific information, capacities, and incentives—and concludes that incentives are often the least developed. It then synthesizes a simple framework for evaluating the efficacy of results‐oriented incentives. To be successful, results‐specific incentives must be tailored to fit four program characteristics: timeliness, political environment, clarity of the cause‐and‐effect chain, and tightness of focus. This framework suggests that some systems put too exclusive an emphasis on budgetary incentives and could be strengthened by emphasizing personnel‐system rewards, especially those that look beyond business models.
Policy Development and New Immigrant Communities: A Case Study of Citizen Input in Defining Transit Problems
Authors: Schachter Hindy Lauer , (Rachel) Liu Rongfang
Published: September 2005

This case study explores an attempt to get input from people with limited English proficiency in a state department of transportation project to improve their transit access. Adding community voices to expert discourse can increase an agency's ability to respond effectively in a technical field. The article yields insights into the benefits of using deliberative groups rather than questionnaires as a technique for involving citizens in problem definition.
Photoactive and Adsorptive Niobium‐Doped Anatase (TiO2) Nanoparticles: Influence of Hydrothermal Conditions on their Morphology, Structure, and Properties
Authors: Hirano Masanori , Matsushima Kazumasa
Published: September 2005

Anatase‐type TiO2 nanoparticles with adsorptivity and improved photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) in its aqueous solution, which contained up to 10 mol% niobium by forming solid solutions with niobium oxide, were directly synthesized from precursor solutions of TiOSO4 and NbCl5 under three hydrothermal conditions in the absence and presence of urea and aqueous ammonia at 180°C for 5 h. The influence of the hydrothermal conditions on the crystallite growth, morphology, specific surface area, adsorptivity, and photocatalytic activity of niobium‐doped TiO2 was investigated. The crystallite growth of anatase was enhanced by the presence of the niobium component. The 10 mol% niobium‐doped TiO2 that was prepared under the hydrothermal condition in the presence of urea had fine crystallites (11 nm) and high specific surface areas (135 m2/g), which showed the most enhanced photocatalytic activity and the highest adsorptivity. The hydrothermal treatment under weak basic conditions and formation of solid solutions with niobium oxide brought about a considerable increase in the adsorption of MB for the anatase‐type TiO2.
Modeling of Thermal Stresses in Joining Two Layers with Multi‐ and Graded Interlayers
Authors: Hsueh C. H. , De Jonghe L. C. , Lee C. S.
Published: September 2005

The technique of introducing interlayers has been used extensively to mitigate residual thermal stresses in joining dissimilar materials. Finite‐element analyses have often been used to quantify thermal stresses in these layered structures in case‐by‐case studies. Recently, simple analytical models containing only three unknowns have been developed to derive closed‐form solutions for elastic thermal stresses in both multilayer systems and two layers joined by a graded junction. The analytical solutions are exact for locations away from the free edges of the system. Application of these solutions is shown here to provide a systematic study of thermal stresses in Si3N4 and Al2O3 layers joined by various sialon polytypoid‐based multi‐ and graded interlayers. The effects of the thickness, stiffness, and coefficient of thermal expansion of the interlayer on thermal stresses in the system are examined. The differences in thermal stresses resulting from multi‐ and graded interlayers are shown.
Dielectric Properties of the “Twinned” 8H‐Hexagonal Perovskite Ba8Nb4Ti3O24
Authors: Rawal Ritesh , Feteira Antonio , Flores Alberto Arenas , Hyatt Neil C. , West Anthony R. , Sinclair Derek C. , Sarma Kumaravinothan , Alford Neil McN.
Published: September 2005

The dielectric properties of dense ceramics of the “twinned” 8H‐hexagonal perovskite Ba8Nb4Ti3O24 are reported. Single‐phase powders were obtained from the mixed‐oxide route at 1325°C and ceramics (>92% of the theoretical X‐ray density) by sintering in air or flowing O2 at 1400°–1450°C. The ceramics are dc insulators with a band gap >3.4 eV that resonate at microwave frequencies with relative permittivity, ɛr∼44–48, quality factor, Q × fr∼21 000–23 500 GHz (at fr∼5.5 GHz) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, TCf,∼+115 ppm/K.
Obtaining Ni Nanoparticles on 3Y‐TZP Powder from Nickel Salts
Authors: Esteban‐Betegón Fátima , Lopez‐Esteban Sonia , Requena Joaquín , Pecharromán Carlos , Moya José S. , Conesa José C.
Published: September 2005

Non‐agglomerated and homogeneously dispersed nickel nanoparticles were obtained on the surface of zirconia particles from the solution of three different nickel salts (nitrate, chloride, and acetate) in ethanol. After a drying process, the powders were calcined and reduced. Transmission electron microscopy studies only showed a uniform distribution of Ni nanoparticles on the zirconia grain surfaces in the case of nickel obtained from nitrate salt. The analysis of the magnetic hysteresis loop of these particles has revealed the absence of Ni particles larger than 50 nm. Mechanisms to justify the different Ni particle sizes obtained from several salts have been proposed based on X‐ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy. As a result, only in the case of a good zirconia/nickel nanostructure in the green samples and using nitrate salt dense (98% th.) nanocrystalline ceramic composites were obtained as a precursor.
Characterization of First‐Stage Silicon Nitride Components After Exposure to an Industrial Gas Turbine
Authors: Lin H.‐T. , Ferber M. K. , Becher P. F. , Price J. R. , Van Roode M. , Kimmel J. B. , Jimenez O. D.
Published: September 2005

This paper provides a summary of recent efforts undertaken to examine the mechanical properties and microstructural stability of first‐stage silicon nitride blades and nozzles after field testing in an industrial gas turbine. Two commercially available silicon nitrides, i.e., Kyocera SN282 vanes and SN281 blades, were successfully evaluated in the 100 h final phase engine test at Solar Turbines Incorporated. The turbine rotor inlet temperature was increased from 1010° to 1121°C at 100% speed during the engine test with efficiency increasing from 28.8% to 30.1%. Results of scanning electron microscopy showed that apparent materials recession still occurred during the 100 h engine test, especially in the leading and trailing edge regions where the gas pressure or velocity was the highest. The apparent material recession of the airfoils resulted from the volatilization of the normally protective silica layer, evidenced by the increased surface roughness and porous Lu2Si2O7 surface layer features. On the other hand, mechanical results generated using a ball‐on‐ring test technique showed that little strength degradation was measured after the 100 h engine test.
Novel Deposition of Columnar Y3Al5O12Coatings by Electrostatic Spray‐Assisted Vapor Deposition
Authors: Wu Yiquan , Du Jing , Choy Kwang‐Leong
Published: September 2005

A novel and cost‐effective electrostatic spray‐assisted vapor deposition (ESAVD) was used to deposit Y3Al5O12(YAG) coatings. Polycrystalline single‐phase Y3Al5O12coatings were synthesized using the ESAVD method in an open atmosphere at 650°C, and then annealed at 700°–900°C for 1 h. The ESAVD process involves the decomposition and chemical reactions of charged aerosol in vapor phase. The low‐temperature coating deposition characteristics of the ESAVD process using a suitable sol precursor decreases the reaction and crystallization temperatures for forming Y3Al5O12coatings. The microstructure of the Y3Al5O12coating prepared using the ESAVD method is columnar and such strain‐resistance microstructure could be useful for thermal barrier coating applications.
Injuries during physical activity in school children
Authors: Sundblad Gunilla , Saartok Tönu , Engström Lars‐Magnus , Renström Per
Published: September 2005

During the spring of 2001, 1975 children, from grades 3, 6 and 9 participated in a nationwide, multidisciplinary collaboration study. The students came from randomly selected classes throughout Sweden, representing different geographical and socio‐economic areas. The aim of this study was to collect and evaluate self‐reported injuries and associated factors during various physical activities as recalled retrospectively for 3 months by the students.

Every sixth student (n=299 or 16%) reported 306 injuries. Twice as many girls than boys were injured during physical education class. Ninth‐grade students reported relatively more injuries during organized sports than during physical education class and leisure activities. There were no age or gender differences in incidence rate during leisure activities.

Most injuries were minor, as 70% were back in physical activity within a week. Half of the students (50%) reported that they previously had injured the same body part.

Primary care of the injured student was, with the exception of a family member, most often carried out by the physical education teacher or coach, which accentuates the importance of continuous sports medicine first aid education for this group.
Low physical activity among adolescents in practical education
Authors: Westerståhl M. , Barnekow‐Bergkvist M. , Jansson E.
Published: September 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate physical activity levels and factors related to physical activity among 16‐year‐old girls and boys in secondary school practical and theoretical programs. An additional aim was to identify factors contributing to differences in physical activity patterns between the educational programs. Sixteen‐year‐old students in the first year of secondary school in Sweden (n=585) were systematically selected and 93% agreed to complete a questionnaire. Compared with students in theoretical programs, those in practical programs spent less time and energy per day in physical activity. Girls in practical programs were the least physically active, and boys in theoretical programs the most physically active students. Statistical analysis showed that, among students in practical programs, the influence of educational program on physical activity level was explained by lower socio‐economic level, less parental support, lower perceived health level, and negative attitudes toward outdoor physical activities. These data suggest that promotion of physical activity should focus on students, especially girls, in practical programs. Because the difference in physical activity levels between educational programs was partly an effect of less positive parental influence, school‐based programs may be especially influential in increasing physical activity levels among secondary school students.
Effects of leptin on the release of luteinizing hormone, growth hormone and prolactin from cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells
Authors: NONAKA Sumie , HASHIZUME Tsutomu , KASUYA Etsuko
Published: September 2005

The effects of leptin on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) were studied in cultured bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells in vitro. The AP cells were obtained from fully‐fed Japanese Black steers and were incubated for 3 h with 10−13 to 10−7 mol/L of leptin after incubating in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium for 3 days. Leptin significantly increased the concentration of LH in the culture medium by 45 and 44% at doses of 10−8 and 10−7 mol/L, respectively, compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Leptin significantly increased the concentration of GH in the culture medium by 14 and 12% at doses of 10−8 and 10−7 mol/L, respectively (P < 0.05). Leptin also significantly increased the concentration of PRL in the culture medium by 26% compared with the controls at a dose of 10−7 mol/L (P < 0.05). These results show that leptin stimulates the release of LH, GH and PRL by acting directly on bovine AP cells from fully‐fed steers.
Effect of dietary energy levels on the urinary excretion of purine derivatives in sheep
Authors: FUJIHARA Tsutomu , SHEM Martin N. , NAKAMURA Kazutaka
Published: September 2005

The effect of dietary energy levels on the urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was investigated in sheep fed hay and concentrate diets. In addition, the possibility of using PD concentrations in spot samples of urine as a useful tool for determining daily PD excretion was also examined. Three female lambs (mean bodyweight (BW) ± standard error, 31.4 ± 1.0 kg) were fed three diets consisting of timothy hay (20 g dry matter/kg BW per day) and rolled barley at three different energy levels (low‐energy (LE), medium‐energy (ME) and high‐energy (HE) at 1.0‐, 1.2‐ and 1.5‐fold greater than the maintenance level of energy (450 KJ/BW0.75/day), respectively) in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The dietary protein level was almost constant (380 mg nitrogen/BW0.75/day as digestible crude protein base) and was adjusted using soybean protein. Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) increased (P < 0.05) with an increase in the dietary energy level and there was a difference (P < 0.05) in the organic matter digestibility between the LE and HE diets. For urinary PD excretion, the differences between the LE and ME diets and the HE diet were significant (P < 0.05), although there was no clear difference between the LE and ME diets. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.47, P < 0.05) between urinary PD excretion and DOMI. There was also a correlation (r = 0.59, P < 0.05) between the urinary PD level at 7–8 h after the morning feed and the daily total PD excretion, suggesting that the PD level in spot urine samples could be useful for estimating microbial protein synthesized in the rumen and/or digested in the lower gut.
Comparison of digestibility, passage rate and rumen fermentation between sika deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle fed alfalfa hay cubes
Authors: ASANO Sanae , IKEDA Shoshichi , KUROKAWA Yuzo , KANDA Shuhei , ITABASHI Hisao
Published: September 2005

Five female sika deer and three male Holstein cattle were offered alfalfa hay cubes at 2% (deer) and 2.5% (cattle) of bodyweight, respectively. The passage rate through the digestive tract, digestibility and rumen fermentation of the animals were determined. The rate of ruminal passage was higher and the total mean retention time in the digestive tract was shorter in deer than in cattle. In addition, the rate of post‐ruminal passage in deer was lower. The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and fiber in deer were significantly lower than in cattle (P < 0.05). The concentration of total volatile fatty acids in the rumen was significantly higher in deer than in cattle. The molar percentage of acetic acid was lower and that of valeric acid was higher in deer (P < 0.05). The number of protozoa was somewhat higher in deer. These results suggested that the lower digestibility in deer might be a result of the shorter retention time in the digestive tract.
Effects of pre‐feeding of a corn silage‐based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows
Authors: MITANI Tomohiro , TAKAHASHI Makoto , UEDA Koichiro , NAKATSUJI Hiroki , KONDO Seiji
Published: September 2005

Four Holstein cows were used to determine the effect of timing of the feeding of a corn silage (CS)‐based supplement on the feed intake, milk production and nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows. The cows were fed the supplement 2 h before grazing (pre‐grazing) or immediately after grazing (post‐grazing). Cows were grazed for 5 h per day under a rotational grazing system. There was no difference in the herbage and total feed intake between treatments. The milk protein yield for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing, whereas the milk yield did not differ between treatments. The total nitrogen intake for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing (P = 0.06). There was no difference in the urinary nitrogen output between treatments, whereas the proportion of urinary nitrogen output : total nitrogen intake for pre‐grazing tended to be lower than that for post‐grazing (P = 0.06). The milk nitrogen output and nitrogen retention for pre‐grazing tended to be higher than that for post‐grazing (milk nitrogen, P = 0.06; nitrogen retention, P = 0.05). Nitrogen utilization of grazing dairy cows was improved by feeding a CS‐based supplement before grazing.
Nutritive value of selected grasses in North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: EVITAYANI  , WARLY Lili , FARIANI Armina , ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi , ABDULRAZAK Shaukat A. , HAYASHIDA Maki , FUJIHARA Tsutomu
Published: September 2005

The nutritive values of seven native grass species collected in North Sumatra, Indonesia, during dry and rainy seasons were evaluated. The chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), in vitro crude protein digestibility (IVCPD), macro mineral concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, in vitro gas production profile and metabolizable energy (ME) content of the grasses varied greatly among species and seasons. The crude protein content ranged from 6.6 (Andropogon gayanus) to 16.2% dry matter (Cynodon plectostachyus) in the rainy season, with a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the dry season. Data on the fiber fraction showed that the grasses contained more neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the dry season and it significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the rainy season, except for Panicum maximum and Pennisetum purpureum for NDF content and C. plectostachyus, P. maximum and Brachiaria decumbens for ADF content. Data on the mineral concentration showed that C. plectostachyus in the dry and rainy seasons had a higher calcium content than those of other species. The overall means of the seven grasses for IVDMD, IVOMD and IVCPD were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the rainy season than in the dry season. The in vitro gas production and ME concentration were numerically higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. In conclusion, the nutritive value of the observed grasses in North Sumatra was relatively higher during the rainy season compared with the dry season. Among the species of grass, P. purpureum and C. plectostachyus had a higher nutritive value in both the dry and rainy seasons.
Effects of excess calcium as a different form on mineral metabolism in rats
Authors: TAKASUGI Satoshi , MATSUI Tohru , YANO Hideo
Published: September 2005

Excess calcium is known to affect the metabolism of other minerals. Calcium carbonate is the main source of calcium used in previous experiments that investigated excess calcium. Thus, it remains to be clarified whether other forms of calcium also have the same adverse effects. The effects of a high‐calcium carbonate diet or a high‐calcium citrate diet on mineral concentration in several tissues of rats were examined. Male rats aged 5 weeks were fed one of the experimental diets for 4 weeks. The control diet contained calcium as calcium carbonate at the requirement level. High‐calcium diets contained calcium carbonate or calcium citrate at a level of fivefold greater than the requirement level. In rats fed the high‐calcium diets, a similar decrease in phosphorus (in the plasma) and iron (in the testis, liver and femur) was observed. Hepatic copper increased in rats fed the high‐calcium diets, whereas renal copper decreased. Therefore, excess calcium affects these mineral metabolisms regardless of its form. In contrast, the high‐calcium carbonate diet increased femoral zinc and decreased femoral magnesium, but the high‐calcium citrate diet did not affect these minerals in the femur, which suggests that the effect of excess calcium on minerals partly depends on its form.
Isolation of genes showing increased expression during bovine adipocyte differentiation
Authors: YAMASAKI Tadashi , INOUE‐MURAYAMA Miho , TAHARA Koji , TAKANO Shoichi , SUGIYAMA Akinori , ITOH Tomohito , TAKASUGA Akiko , SUGIMOTO Yoshikazu , ROZE Michael T. , ASO Hisashi , ITO Shin’ichi
Published: September 2005

The adipocyte is important not only for the storage of excess energy as fat, but also for the secretion of homeostatic factors. Gene expression profiles during adipocyte differentiation have been reported previously for mouse 3T3‐L1 cells. However, the profiles of adipogenic gene expression in mice and cattle may be different because several metabolic pathways of the ruminant adipose tissue are different from those of non‐ruminants. The gene expression profile in a clonal bovine intramuscular preadipocyte cell line during adipogenesis was examined using the polymerase chain reaction‐subtraction method. Six hundred and twenty‐one clones, which were expressed at an early stage of differentiation, from the preadipocyte to adipocyte, were isolated and characterized. Further detailed studies were carried out for 86 selected genes using northern blotting. Ten genes were found to be highly expressed after differentiation of bovine intramuscular preadipocyte cells. In particular, the expression profiles of genes for stearoyl CoA desaturase and FK506 binding protein were quite different from the time course of differentiation of that seen in the 3T3‐L1 cells reported previously. In addition, these genes were assigned to bovine chromosomes using a bovine/hamster somatic cell hybrid panel and public database.
Cloning and gene expression of hexokinase I and II in the chicken skeletal muscle
Authors: SEKI Yoshinori , SATO Kan , KONO Tatsuyoshi , AKIBA Yukio
Published: September 2005

To elucidate the distinctive regulatory mechanisms of glucose homeostasis in the skeletal muscles of broiler chickens, hexokinase (HK)I and HKII gene expressions were characterized by northern blot analysis. Chicken HKI and HKII full‐length cDNA sequences were identified and the deduced amino acid sequences were 87.4 and 85.9% identical to that of human HKI and HKII, respectively. Using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analysis, chicken HKI mRNA was detected in the skeletal muscle, brain, heart, kidney and testis. Chicken HKII mRNA was highly expressed in the skeletal muscle and heart, whereas a lower expression was observed in the liver, brain and kidney. Fasting for 48 h or refeeding for 24 h in chickens significantly increased the skeletal muscle HKI and HKII mRNA levels in contrast to unchanged or decreased expressions in mammals. The present findings suggest that HKI and HKII have a unique role in the glucose homeostasis regulatory mechanism of chicken skeletal muscles and their role in chickens is not similar to that in mammals.
Identification of cDNA for the HSPA2, HSPA5 and HSPA8 orthologs of the heat shock protein 70 family from guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)
Authors: IWAMOTO Shigehisa , KOIKE Yohei , HOSOMICHI Kazuyoshi , HARA Hiromi , YOSHIDA Yutaka , OGAWA Hiroshi , HANZAWA Kei
Published: September 2005

In order to identify the complete cDNA sequences of three members of the heat shock protein (HSP) 70 family –NmHSPA2, NmHSPA5 and NmHSPA8– from guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), the mRNA of white blood cells were analyzed using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and the rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. The nucleotide sequences for these three cDNA exhibited more than 96% similarity to chicken HSP70 (GgHSP70), chicken glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GgGRP78) and chicken heat‐shock cognate protein 70 (GgHSC70). The translated amino acid sequences of these guinea fowl HSP70 family homologs contained essential motifs for the HSP70 family, and showed a higher sequence identity to the HSPA2, HSPA5 and HSPA8 orthologs from several vertebrates than other members of the HSP70 family. The NmHSPA2, NmHSPA5 and NmHSPA8 contained the HSPA2 specific insertion, the HSPA5 specific motif (endoplasmic reticulum‐targets) and the HSPA8 specific insertion, respectively. As mentioned above, we concluded that NmHSPA2, NmHSPA5 and NmHSPA8 were orthologs of HSPA2, HSPA5 and HSPA8, respectively.