bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction spots in the Mesoproterozoic age: implications for life in the early terrestrial record
Authors: Spinks Samuel C. , Parnell John , Bowden Stephen A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractReduction spots are common within continental red beds in the geological record. The method of formation of reduction spots is a subject of debate, but they are thought to be the result of the reducing nature of microbial life present in the sediment during burial, which caused localized reduction in sediment that was otherwise oxidized during diagenesis. Reduction spots often have dark concretionary cores commonly enriched in elements such as vanadium and uranium. This enrichment is also believed to be associated with the microbial reduction of the sediment. Isotopic data from sulphides present in the cores of analogue Triassic reduction spots are consistent with a potential microbial formation mechanism.Here we report the presence of reduction spots with vanadium-rich mica (roscoelite) – enriched cores within a terrestrial red bed sequence of the Mesoproterozoic age. These findings may be a possible indicator of life within the terrestrial geological record during the Mesoproterozoic age, a time when such evidence is otherwise very rare. These findings suggest that life had not only colonized terrestrial environments during the Mesoproterozoic age, but had established a deep biosphere in the sediment.
Dynamical simulations of the HR8799 planetary system
Authors: Marshall J. , Horner J. , Carter A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractHR8799 is a young (20–160 Myr) A-dwarf main sequence star with a debris disc detected by IRAS (InfraRed Astronomical Satellite). In 2008, it was one of two stars around which exoplanets were directly imaged for the first time. The presence of three Jupiter-mass planets around HR8799 provoked much interest in modelling the dynamical stability of the system. Initial simulations indicated that the observed planetary architecture was unstable on timescales much shorter than the lifetime of the star (~105 yr). Subsequent models suggested that the system could be stable if the planets were locked in a 1:2:4 mutual mean motion resonance (MMR). In this work, we have examined the influence of varying orbital eccentricity and the semi-major axis on the stability of the three-planet system, through dynamical simulations using the MERCURY n-body integrator. We find that, in agreement with previous work on this system, the 1:2:4 MMR is the most stable planetary configuration, and that the system stability is dominated by the interaction between the inner pair of planets. In contrast to previous results, we find that with small eccentricities, the three-planet system can be stable for timescales comparable to the system lifetime and, potentially, much longer.
Implications of stellar activity for exoplanetary atmospheres
Authors: Odert P. , Leitzinger M. , Hanslmeier A. , Lammer H. , Khodachenko M.L. , Ribas I. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractStellar X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation is an important driver of the escape of planetary atmospheres. Young stars emit high XUV fluxes that decrease as they age. Since the XUV emission of a young star can be orders of magnitude higher compared to an older one, this evolution has to be taken into account when studying the mass-loss history of a planet. The temporal decrease of activity is closely related to the operating magnetic dynamo, which depends on rotation and convection in Sun-like stars. Using a sample of nearby M dwarfs, we study the relations between age, rotation and activity and discuss the influence on planets orbiting these low-mass stars.
Robust road-to-car communications by means of an active Ku-band RF Self-IDentification (RFSID) system
Authors: Roselli Luca , Palazzari Valeria , Alimenti Federico , Mezzanotte Paolo , Comez Matteo , Porzi Nicola 
Published: August 2010

This paper deals with a robust RFSID (Radio Frequency Self IDentification) system for road-to-car communications. The RFSID-based system operates in Ku-band and consists of a fixed transmitter, located at the road side, and of a receiver unit placed on the moving target, i.e. a car in its first proposed application. A slotted waveguide antenna array is used to illuminate the moving object at the desired position, whereas a four-patch array antenna is adopted at the receiver side. Both the antennas have been designed using numerical simulations based on a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) algorithm. When the moving object crosses the antenna beam a triggering pulse is generated by the receiver; such a pulse can be used to reset or update the electronics aboard the vehicle and to log specific information coming from location-based systems (LBSs), into the car equipments. A digital transmission of gold sequences and a post-processing unit have been exploited so far to increase the robustness and the accuracy of the system. At this stage of the development the system benefit of extensive field tests, being adopted for some years by many top Formula 1 racing teams as a lap trigger system, used to reset the on-board electronics when the car crosses either the finishing line and peculiar path reference points. The temporal accuracy exhibited is better than 1 ms with a coverage of about 90 m.
Measuring Goodness of Story Narratives
Authors: Lê Karen , Coelho Carl , Mozeiko Jennifer , Grafman Jordan 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
The purpose of this article was to evaluate a new measure of story narrative performance: story completeness. It was hypothesized that by combining organizational (story grammar) and completeness measures, story “goodness” could be quantified.

Method
Discourse samples from 46 typically developing adults were compared with those from 24 adults with acquired brain injuries. Story retellings were elicited and analyzed for episode structure (story grammar). Each story was also evaluated for the presence of 5 key components, yielding the story completeness score. Story goodness was quantified by combining the story grammar and completeness measures using a 2-coordinate grid system. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed as well as correlational analyses between the story grammar and story completeness scores.

Results
There were significant group differences on both story grammar and story completeness. Moderate correlations were noted between the 2 measures, suggesting that the indices were not entirely measuring the same abilities. Plotting the 2 sets of scores into quadrants discriminated the comparison group and the group with brain injury into 4 distinct categories of story “goodness.”

Conclusion
The combination of measures provided a more accurate depiction of discourse performance than either measure alone. Results suggest the measure is sensitive, is reliable, and has potential utility for investigating discourse deficits in clinical populations.
Feasibility, Efficacy, and Social Validity of Home-Based Storybook Reading Intervention for Children With Language Impairment
Authors: Justice Laura M. , Skibbe Lori E. , McGinty Anita S. , Piasta Shayne B. , Petrill Stephen 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThis study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy, and social validity of a parent-implemented intervention for promoting print knowledge in preschoolers with language impairment.MethodThis trial involved 62 children and their parents. Each dyad completed a 12-week intervention program. Parents in the treatment group implemented print-focused reading sessions; parents in two comparison groups implemented sessions focused on either storybook pictures (picture-focused condition) or phonological concepts (sound-focused condition).ResultsMany parents completed the program successfully, but attrition was high; 23% of families dropped out of the program. Children who remained in the treatment group demonstrated significantly greater gains on 1 of 2 measures of print knowledge compared with those in the picture-focused condition but not the sound-focused condition. Parents generally reported favorable impressions of the program, although several aspects of the program received higher ratings from parents in the print-focused group.ConclusionStudy results raise questions about the feasibility of home-based intervention for some families; future research that examines the characteristics of families that may affect completion are needed. The causal effects of print-focused reading sessions are promising for addressing children’s print-concept knowledge but not alphabet knowledge. Home-based reading intervention has considerable social validity as a therapeutic approach.
Using Aided AAC Models, Recasts, and Contrastive Targets to Teach Grammatical Morphemes to Children Who Use AAC
Authors: Binger Cathy , Maguire-Marshall Molly , Kent-Walsh Jennifer 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the effects of using aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) modeling and recasting on the expression of grammatical morphemes with children who used AAC.

Method
A single-subject, multiple-probe, across-targets design was used for the study. Three participants were each taught to use 3 grammatical structures. Intervention consisted of aided AAC models and recasts during storybook reading tasks.

Results

All three children readily began using the targeted grammatical morphemes. However, none of the participants maintained use of the first morpheme. Error analyses revealed that the children either omitted the targeted morpheme or replaced it with another morpheme. To address this issue, a second intervention phase was implemented for the targets that were not maintained. During this phase, various grammatical morphemes were contrasted with each other (e.g., past tense
–ed
vs. possessive
's
). Following the second intervention phase, participants maintained all targets.

Conclusions
Aided AAC models and recasts may be used as part of intervention packages designed to help children acquire production of grammatical morphemes; however, it is important to provide contrasts of grammatical forms to ensure acquisition. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
The Main Concept Analysis in Cantonese Aphasic Oral Discourse: External Validation and Monitoring Chronic Aphasia
Authors: Pak-Hin Kong Anthony 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe 1st aim of this study was to further establish the external validity of the main concept (MC) analysis by examining its relationship with the Cantonese Linguistic Communication Measure (CLCM; Kong, 2006; Kong & Law, 2004)—an established quantitative system for narrative production—and the Cantonese version of the Western Aphasia Battery (CAB; Yiu, 1992). The 2nd purpose of the study was to evaluate how well the MC analysis reflects the stability of discourse production among chronic Cantonese speakers with aphasia.MethodSixteen participants with aphasia were evaluated on the MC analysis, CAB, and CLCM in the summer of 2008 and were subsequently reassessed in the summer of 2009. They encompassed a range of aphasia severity (with an Aphasia Quotient ranging between 30.2/100 and 94.8/100 at the time of the 1st evaluation).ResultsSignificant associations were found between the MC measures and the corresponding CLCM indices and CAB performance scores that were relevant to the presence, accuracy, and completeness of content in oral narratives. Moreover, the MC analysis was found to yield comparable scores for chronic speakers on 2 occasions 1 year apart.ConclusionThe present study has further established the external validity of MC analysis in Cantonese. Future investigations involving more speakers with aphasia will allow adequate description of its psychometric properties.
Acoustic Evidence for Positional and Complexity Effects on Children’s Production of Plural
–s
Authors: Theodore Rachel M. , Demuth Katherine , Shattuck-Hufnagel Stefanie 
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Some variability in children’s early productions of grammatical morphemes reflects phonological factors. For example, production of 3rd person singular
–s
is increased in utterance-final versus utterance-medial position and in simple versus cluster codas (e.g.,

see
s

vs.

hi
ts

). Understanding the factors that govern such variability is an important step toward modeling developmental processes. In this study, the authors examined the generality of these effects by determining whether position and coda complexity influence production of plural
–s
, which phonologically manifests the same as 3rd person singular
–s
.

Method
The authors used an elicited imitation task to examine the speech of 16 two-year-olds. Eight plural nouns (half contained simple codas, half contained cluster codas) were elicited utterance-medially and utterance-finally. Acoustic analysis of each noun was used to identify acoustic cues associated with coda production.

Results
Results showed that plural production was more robust in utterance-final versus utterance-medial position but equally robust in simple versus cluster codas.

Conclusions

These findings extend positional effects on morpheme production to plural
–s
. An effect of coda complexity was not observed for plural but was observed for 3rd person singular, which raises the possibility that the morphological representation proper influences the degree to which phonological factors affect morpheme production.
The Role of Pragmatic Language Use in Mediating the Relation Between Hyperactivity and Inattention and Social Skills Problems
Authors: Leonard Melinda A. , Milich Richard , Lorch Elizabeth P. 
Published: August 2010

Purpose
In the present study, the authors explored whether pragmatic language use was associated with, and perhaps accounted for, the social skills problems that children with varying levels of hyperactivity and inattention experience.

Method
A community sample of 54 children aged 9–11 years participated. Pragmatic language use, hyperactivity and inattention, and social skills were examined utilizing data collected from standardized parent-report rating scales.

Results
Pragmatic language use fully mediated the relation between hyperactivity and social skills problems and partially mediated the relation between inattention and social skills problems. Further, pragmatic language use provided a unique contribution in the estimate of children’s social skills of 21.6% above and beyond the contribution of hyperactivity and 17.2% above and beyond the contribution of inattention.

Conclusions
Possible explanations for these mediation results are discussed in terms of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the problems that they experience with social relations.
Evaluation of interpretation during congregational services and public religious retreats in south-west Nigeria
Authors: Salawu Adewuni 
Published: August 2010

In most spiritual gatherings in Southwest Nigeria, as observed today, preaching is in English or in Yoruba and then interpreted in Yoruba or English. English is an official language in Nigeria and Yoruba is the local language in most of the Southwest of the country. Most people are to some extent bilingual.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of the interpretation carried out in those spiritual gatherings. Questionnaires were administered. Data were collated and analyzed. A total of 39 respondents (78%) were satisfied with the output of the interpretation from English to Yoruba while only 48% were satisfied with the interpretation from Yoruba to English. The study concludes that interpretation from English to Yoruba is being handled better and more training be given to those interpreting from Yoruba to English.
Allowing for environmental effects in a management strategy evaluation for Japanese sardine
Authors: Hurtado-Ferro Felipe , Hiramatsu Kazuhiko , Shirakihara Kunio 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Hurtado-Ferro, F., Hiramatsu, K., and Shirakihara, K. 2010. Allowing for environmental effects in a management strategy evaluation for Japanese sardine. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 2012–2017. The Japanese sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) is a valuable, but highly variable, resource. After record catches during the late 1980s, a 4-year recruitment failure, coupled with overfishing, resulted in severe stock depletion. TAC-based management was introduced in 1997, but the trend has not been reversed and the biomass is now 2 orders of magnitude below the value in 1987. Although a strong correlation exists between winter sea surface temperature (SST) in the nursery area and recruitment, uncertainty about future environmental effects is not explicitly considered in the management. We evaluate the robustness of three catch rules to environmental uncertainty, as captured by three stock–recruitment models (one without an environmental factor and two based on correlations between recruitment and SST for two datasets), in terms of the risk of further depletion, average biomass, and average catch: a constant fishing mortality (CF), a strategy that follows the Japanese guidelines (JG), and a more conservative strategy (ENV) that uses a temperature threshold as a proxy for regime shifts to switch between alternative catch rules. ENV and JG performed better than CF, with ENV displaying better performance in the long term, but differences were negligible in the short term.
13C-Tracer and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analyses Reveal Metabolic Flux Distribution in the Oleaginous MicroalgaChlorella protothecoides
Authors: Xiong Wei , Liu Lixia , Wu Chao , Yang Chen , Wu Qingyu 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe green alga Chlorella protothecoides has received considerable attention because it accumulates neutral triacylglycerols, commonly regarded as an ideal feedstock for biodiesel production. In order to gain a better understanding of its metabolism, tracer experiments with [U-13C]/[1-13C]glucose were performed with heterotrophic growth of C. protothecoides for identifying the metabolic network topology and estimating intracellular fluxes. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis tracked the labeling patterns of protein-bound amino acids, revealing a metabolic network consisting of the glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle with inactive glyoxylate shunt. Evidence of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and malic enzyme activity was also obtained. It was demonstrated that the relative activity of the pentose phosphate pathway to glycolysis under nitrogen-limited environment increased, reflecting excess NADPH requirements for lipid biosynthesis. Although the growth rate and cellular oil content were significantly altered in response to nitrogen limitation, global flux distribution of C. protothecoides remained stable, exhibiting the rigidity of central carbon metabolism. In conclusion, quantitative knowledge on the metabolic flux distribution of oleaginous alga obtained in this study may be of value in designing strategies for metabolic engineering of desirable bioproducts.
Transition and agricultural labor
Authors: Swinnen Johan F. M. , Dries Liesbeth , Macours Karen 
Published: August 2010

AbstractReforms have strongly affected agricultural employment in transition countries but in remarkably different ways. We present a theoretical model and an empirical analysis to explain differences in labor adjustment during transition. We show that the differences are due to a combination of variations in initial conditions and differences in reform policies and effects. The removal of price distortions and subsidies caused wage and price adjustments during transition and a reduction in labor demand in agriculture. Surplus labor outflow from agriculture was further stimulated by the privatization of the farm assets as they improve incentives and remove constraints for optimal factor allocation and structural adjustment. The shift to individual farms, which was especially strong in labor‐intensive production systems with low labor productivity in agriculture, has reduced the outflow of labor from agriculture by improving farm governance and labor efficiency, although this effect was mitigated by losses in scale economies due to disruptions and market imperfections in transition. In general, labor outflow was considerably lower on individual farms than on corporate farms, due to a combination of factors related to human capital, access to finance, and physical capital. In the last section of the article we present a general framework for understanding labor adjustments in transition countries. Specifically, we show that there are several patterns of labor transition. In one pattern, followed by, e.g., the Czech Republic and Hungary, there is initially a strong survival of the restructured large‐scale corporate farms that have laid off many workers. In the second phase of transition, gradually the importance of individual farms increases. In other countries, such as Romania, the opposite has happened. In these countries there is an immediate strong shift to individual farms, while labor use increases on average in agriculture. After this initial phase, the shift to individual farms continues, albeit more slowly, and labor use in agriculture starts to decline. Finally, our analysis shows that in countries such as Russia and Ukraine much of the surplus labor is still employed by little‐reformed former collective and state farms. Major adjustments await more progress in agricultural and general reforms.
Roundup Ready soybeans in Argentina: farm level and aggregate welfare effects
Authors: Qaim Matin , Traxler Greg 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAlthough adoption rates of genetically modified crops have been staggering in some countries, there is still comparatively little evidence about biotechnology impacts under diverse agroecological and institutional conditions. These knowledge gaps lead to an overly precautious attitude among policy makers and the public. This article analyzes the effects of Roundup Ready (RR) soybeans in Argentina, the country with the second biggest transgenic area worldwide. Based on recent survey data, it is shown that the technology increases total factor productivity by 10% on average, with cost savings being somewhat more pronounced for smaller than for larger farms. The reduction in use of toxic herbicides and of tillage operations entails positive environmental repercussions. Aggregate welfare effects are computed over the 1996–2001 period with a three‐region, partial equilibrium model, comprising Argentina, the United States, and the rest of the world. In 2001, RR soybeans created more than US$1.2 billion of economic surplus at the global level. The largest share went to consumers (53%), followed by seed and biotechnology firms (34%), and agricultural producers (13%). Due to comparatively weak intellectual property protection, and thus only small technology mark‐ups in seed prices and widespread adoption, Argentine soybean growers receive 90% of the benefits in that country. This demonstrates that farmers in developing countries can gain considerably when they obtain access to suitable foreign innovations through technology spill‐overs.