bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The parasitic nematodes Hysterothylacium sp. type MB larvae as bioindicators of lead and cadmium: a comparative study of parasite and host tissues
Authors: KHALEGHZADEH-AHANGAR H. , MALEK M. , McKENZIE K. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYCadmium and lead concentrations were compared in tissues of cutlassfish, Trichiurus lepturus L., its intestinal nematode Hysterothylacium sp. type MB larvae, and in water from the same location in the Sea of Oman. Metal accumulation in hosts, parasites and sea water was measured by ICP-OES. Hysterothylacium larvae from the intestinal lumen and visceral cavity showed much higher metal concentrations than in host tissues or sea water. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in metal accumulation between infected and uninfected hosts. Cadmium concentration in the host muscle was lower than in intestine, liver and gonad tissues. The mean concentrations of lead and cadmium in nematodes were 289·03 and 81·5 times higher than in host intestine, 188·4 and 225 times higher than in host muscle, 108·6 and 65·3 times higher than in host gonads, 70·5 and 19·5 times higher than in host liver and 3351 and 148 times higher than in sea water. The results show the value of this and possibly related nematodes as bioindicators of heavy metals and their potential use in environmental studies.
Conserved peptide sequences bind to actin and enolase on the surface ofPlasmodium bergheiookinetes
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ-ROMANO J. , RODRÍGUEZ M. H. , PANDO V. , TORRES-MONZÓN J. A. , ALVARADO-DELGADO A. , LECONA VALERA A. N. , RAMOS R. ARGOTTE , MARTÍNEZ-BARNETCHE J. , RODRÍGUEZ M. C. 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThe description ofPlasmodiumookinete surface proteins and their participation in the complex process of mosquito midgut invasion is still incomplete. In this study, using phage display, a consensus peptide sequence (PWWP) was identified in phages that bound to thePlasmodium bergheiookinete surface and, in selected phages, bound to actin and enolase in overlay assays with ookinete protein extracts. Actin was localized on the surface of fresh live ookinetes by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy using specific antibodies. The overall results indicated that enolase and actin can be located on the surface of ookinetes, and suggest that they could participate inPlasmodiuminvasion of the mosquito midgut.
Scepticism about the argument from divine hiddenness
Authors: MCBRAYER JUSTIN P. , SWENSON PHILIP 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSome philosophers have argued that the paucity of evidence for theism – along with basic assumptions about God's nature – isipso factoevidence for atheism. The resulting argument has come to be known as the argument from divine hiddenness. Theists have challenged both the major and minor premises of the argument by offering defences. However, all of the major, contemporary defences are failures. What unites these failures is instructive: each isimplausiblegiven other commitments shared by everyone in the debate or by theists in particular. Only challenges which are plausible given both common sense and other theistic commitments will undermine the argument from divine hiddenness. Given that such defences universally fail, the best hope for a successful challenge to the argument comes from more general sceptical responses. This sort of response is briefly sketched and defended against four independent objections.
English as a foreign language spelling development: A longitudinal study
Authors: KAHN-HORWITZ JANINA , SPARKS RICHARD L. , GOLDSTEIN ZAHAVA 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTEnglish as a foreign language (EFL) spelling was examined longitudinally three times (4th, 9th, 12th grades) during 9 years of EFL study among Hebrew first language (L1) students. The study examined the impact of L1 literacy variables including phonemic awareness, word attack, and spelling on EFL spelling and the relationship between EFL literacy variables and EFL spelling. Results showed that English spelling measured at earlier points strongly predicted later English spelling. L1 literacy skills measured in fourth grade were more significant than English word recognition in explaining end of ninth grade EFL spelling. Beginning of first year EFL letter knowledge in fourth grade predicted end of first-year EFL spelling. These results show qualitatively different L1 and EFL literacy abilities impacting EFL spelling at 4th, 9th, and 12th grades.
Acquisition of initial mental graphemic representations by children at risk for literacy development
Authors: APEL KENN , THOMAS-TATE SHURITA , WILSON-FOWLER ELIZABETH B. , BRIMO DANIELLE 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTWe examined the acquisition of initial mental graphemic representations (MGRs) by 46 kindergarten children (mean age = 5 years, 9 months) at risk for literacy development because of low socioeconomic status. Using a storybook context, we exposed children to novel nonwords that varied in their phonotactic and orthotactic probabilities and then assessed the children's development of initial MGRs through spelling and reading recognition tasks. The children developed some initial MGRs but less than past reports of children from middle socioeconomic status backgrounds. Children with more advanced word recognition abilities developed more initial MGRs than their peers with less advanced word recognition skills. Like previous reports, the words' linguistic properties affected initial MGR acquisition and MGR acquisition ability predicted reading and spelling achievement above other known predictors. The results speak to the importance of increasing the print and orthographic knowledge of children at-risk for adequate literacy development.
Deeper than shallow: Evidence for structure-based parsing biases in second-language sentence processing
Authors: WITZEL JEFFREY , WITZEL NAOKO , NICOL JANET 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThis study examines the reading patterns of native speakers (NSs) and high-level (Chinese) nonnative speakers (NNSs) on three English sentence types involving temporarily ambiguous structural configurations. The reading patterns on each sentence type indicate that both NSs and NNSs were biased toward specific structural interpretations. These results are interpreted as evidence that both first-language and second-language (L2) sentence comprehension is guided (at least in part) by structure-based parsing strategies and, thus as counterevidence to the claim that NNSs are largely limited to rudimentary (or “shallow”) syntactic computation during online L2 sentence processing.
Comparison of native versus nonnative perception of vowel length contrasts in Arabic and Japanese
Authors: TSUKADA KIMIKO 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the prediction that individuals are able to use the knowledge from their first language (L1) in processing the comparable sound contrasts in an unknown language. Two languages, Arabic and Japanese, which utilize vowel duration contrastively, were examined. Native Arabic (NA) and native Japanese (NJ) listeners' discrimination accuracy for native (known) and nonnative (unknown) vowel length contrasts was assessed in an AXB discrimination test. A group of Australian English (OZ) speakers who do not know either Arabic or Japanese participated as a control group. Despite the expectation that native listeners positively transfer and generalize the L1 knowledge to process unknown languages with equivalent phonetic characteristics, both the NA and NJ groups were clearly less accurate in discriminating vowel length contrasts in unknown languages. Further, they showed no advantage over the OZ listeners who have limited experience with vowel length contrasts in their L1. These results suggest that, not only for stop place contrasts examined previously, but also for vowel length contrasts, experience with specific phonetic contrasts may not be sufficient for attaining truly nativelike discrimination accuracy.
Cross-linguistic differences in the immediate serial recall of consonants versus vowels
Authors: KISSLING ELIZABETH M. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe current study investigated native English and native Arabic speakers’ phonological short-term memory for sequences of consonants and vowels. Phonological short-term memory was assessed in immediate serial recall tasks conducted in Arabic and English for both groups. Participants (n= 39) heard series of six consonant–vowel syllables and wrote down what they recalled. Native speakers of English recalled the vowel series better than consonant series in English and in Arabic, which was not true of native Arabic speakers. An analysis of variance showed that there was an interaction between first language and phoneme type. The results are discussed in light of current research on consonant and vowel processing.
Baby-boomers and the ‘denaturalisation’ of care-giving in Quebec
Authors: GUBERMAN NANCY , LAVOIE JEAN-PIERRE , OLAZABAL IGNACE 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe North American post-war generation, known as the baby-boomers, has challenged traditional family relations and the sexual division of labour. How do these challenges play out in the face of frail, ill or disabled family members? A study undertaken in Montreal, Quebec, with baby-boomer care-givers aimed to raise understanding of the realities of this group. We met with 40 care-givers for a one and a half-hour qualitative interview to discuss their identification with their social generation, their relationship to care-giving, their values regarding care-giving, and the reality of the care-giving they offer. The findings indicate that women, in particular, no longer identify themselves mainly in terms of family. For most, care-giving is not their only or even their dominant identity. They are actively trying to maintain multiple identities: worker, wife, mother, friend and social activist, alongside that of care-giver. They are also participating in the very North American process of individualisation, leading to what we call the ‘denaturalisation’ of care-giving. Notably, the women we met with call themselves ‘care-givers’ and not simply wives, daughters or mothers, denoting that the work of care-giving no longer falls within the realm of ‘normal’ family responsibilities. These care-givers thus set limits to their caring commitments and have high expectations as to services and public support, while still adhering to norms of family responsibility for care-giving.
Turkey: Successor or Continuing State of the Ottoman Empire?
Authors: ÖKTEM EMRE 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis article explores whether Turkey is the continuing or a successor state of the Ottoman Empire. This is a question that attracts particular attention in the context of the contemporary political debate on ‘neo-Ottomanism’. After the analysis of past debates on succession and continuity, the Ottoman Empire's legacy is considered in light of the international case law, especially the 1925 Ottoman Public Debt Arbitration. Arguments of the international doctrine in favour of and against the Ottoman continuity thesis are also explored and tested by reference to comparable cases. The peculiarity of the transitional period from the Empire to the Republic, where two governments and two constitutions coexisted, is crucial to understanding the transmission process of the legal personality. Despite the undeniable ambiguity of the issue, the conclusion tilts towards the continuity argument. Potential positive and negative, as well as legal and political, implications of continuity, including those related to delictual responsibility, are discussed at the end.
The Subject Matters: The ICJ and Human Rights, Rights of Shareholders, and the Diallo Case
Authors: VERMEER-KÜNZLI ANNEMARIEKE 
Published: August 2011

AbstractOn 30 November 2010, the International Court of Justice issued its decision in the merits phase of the Ahmadou Sadio Diallo case. This decision turned on the questions of whether the DRC had violated Mr Diallo's human rights and his rights as a shareholder and manager in two corporations he owned in the DRC. This paper analyses the decision of the Court in the light of the choices it made and the methodology it applied, and demonstrates that both issues raise fundamental questions. The Court's decision on Mr Diallo's human rights is often ambitious to the detriment of clarity, whereas the part of the judgment dealing with corporate rights does not seem to move beyond its 1970 predecessor in Barcelona Traction. While understandable, this is also regrettable and the consequences for individuals doing business and/or residing in foreign countries may be substantial.
Tracking the constraints on a grammaticalizing perfect(ive)
Authors: Copple Mary T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPerfect grammaticalization has been much researched across languages (Bybee, Perkins, & Pagliuca, 1994; Harris, 1982, among others), however, debate continues about the role of continuative and experiential perfects (e.g., Stage II of the proposed path) and how extension to perfective contexts occurs (Schwenter, 1994a, 1994b; Schwenter & Torres Cacoullos, 2008; Squartini & Bertinetto, 1995, 2000). This study examines data from three centuries of Peninsular Spanish dramatic texts in order to track the linguistic factors constraining Present Perfect (PP)-Preterit variation. In the 15th century, the PP was employed in very recent temporal reference contexts, where it had developed a “hot news” function. Use in nonspecified (irrelevant and indeterminate) temporal reference was concentrated in semantic classes associated with resultative use. With time, the PP extended to all semantic classes in irrelevant temporal reference while simultaneously strengthening in perfective, but temporally indeterminate contexts, and finally, hodiernal contexts. Nonspecified temporal reference is believed to play a special role in the PP's grammaticalization: the irrelevant temporal PP function helps to solidify the event focus introduced by the hot news perfect, whereas its use in indeterminate contexts strengthens associations with perfectivity.
A statistical method for the identification and aggregation of regional linguistic variation
Authors: Grieve Jack , Speelman Dirk , Geeraerts Dirk 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis paper introduces a method for the analysis of regional linguistic variation. The method identifies individual and common patterns of spatial clustering in a set of linguistic variables measured over a set of locations based on a combination of three statistical techniques: spatial autocorrelation, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. To demonstrate how to apply this method, it is used to analyze regional variation in the values of 40 continuously measured, high-frequency lexical alternation variables in a 26-million-word corpus of letters to the editor representing 206 cities from across the United States.
Independence claims in linguistics
Authors: Paolillo John C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractEmpirical work in linguistics often puts forward claims about the independence of two phenomena as substantive hypotheses. But, independence is always an assumption in the framework of empirical hypothesis testing, meaning independence claims are not empirically verifiable. Hence, they need to be regarded differently from truly empirical hypotheses within the substantive theories of which they are part. In this paper, a number of independence claims are illustrated, alongside their problematic consequences for empirically guided theorizing. Recommendations are made regarding the use of independence that should facilitate the empirical testing of substantive linguistic hypotheses.
Seed persistence in the soil on eroded slopes in the hilly-gullied Loess Plateau region, China
Authors: Wang Ning , Jiao Ju-Ying , Jia Yan-Feng , Wang Dong-Li 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe soil seed-bank is an important component of vegetation dynamics. Its presence affects both ecosystem resistance and resilience. A persistent seed-bank is especially important in disturbed habitats and harsh environments. In the hilly-gullied Loess Plateau region, serious soil erosion causes decreases in soil water capacity and constrains vegetation recolonization. A stable and long-term persistent soil seed-bank is necessary for natural vegetation recolonization. We used an integrated measure of the depth distribution of seeds in the soil and the seasonal dynamics of soil seed-banks to analyse the persistence of seeds in soil and to investigate the correlation of seed longevity with seed size/shape and the species' life history. The results showed a significant tendency for small seeds and seeds of annuals/biennials to persist longer in soil than large seeds and seeds of perennials. However, seed shape was not related to persistence. The main dominant speciesArtemisia scoparia, Lespedeza davurica, Heteropappus altaicus, Stipa bungeana, Artemisia gmelinii, and Bothriochloa ischaemun in the different successional stages in this region can form a persistent and stable soil seed-bank. The pioneer species A. scoparia is especially significant because it can form a large, long-term, persistent seed-bank. These species can play a role in the recolonization of the eroded abandoned slope lands by vegetation.
Encouraging reflection: Do professional development workshops increase the skill level and use of reflection in practice?
Authors: Tan Kieng , Cashell Angela , Bolderston Amanda 
Published: August 2011

AbstractReflection is a way of evaluating best practice and challenging existing norms, while at the same time, considering one’s personal values and assumptions in our personal and professional lives. However, many health practitioners may lack the skills to do this effectively. Through participation in a series of three workshops, practitioners in the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Hospital have learned and acquired new skills to encourage reflection and reflective practice in themselves, their colleagues as well as with their students. A pre- and post-course survey was used to ascertain their level of knowledge of reflection and reflective practice. An additional survey at 3 months assessed the frequency of use and ongoing comfort level with reflective practice. Results of the evaluation indicate that the participants’ knowledge of reflective practice has improved their understanding of reflection in clincal practice. They recognize the importance of reflection and anticipate increasing their use of reflection in/on practice. As well, participants have been able to sustain the positive momentum 3 months after the course was delivered.
Changes in Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Oxidative Damage in Four Argania spinosa Ecotypes Under Water Stress Conditions
Authors: Chakhchar Abdelghani , Ferradous Abderrahim , Lamaoui Mouna , Wahbi Said , El Modafar Cherkaoui 
Published: August 2011

AbstractArgania spinosa L. Skell, a tree endemic of Morocco, grows in semiarid and arid areas. Biochemical response to drought in four ecotypes of the A. spinosa was compared. Choice of ecotypes was based on evident differences in geographical features in south-west Morocco: two coastal ecotypes (Essaouira and Agadir) and two paralittorale ecotypes (Aoulouz and Lakhssas). Lipid peroxidation (malonyldialdehyde (MDA)), content of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and antioxidant enzyme system (Catalase (CAT), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Total peroxidase (POD) and Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) were measured in control (100% relative humidity (RH) at field capacity (FC)) and water-stressed plants (50 and 25% RH at FC). For all ecotypes, drought stress significantly increased the contents of MDA and H2O2 and an ecotype effect was noted. According Two-way ANOVA analysis, the ecotype x watering regime interaction was highly significant. We found an increase in the activities of the four ROS-scavenging enzymes and an ecotype effect was noted. Ecotype x watering regime interaction shows that only the CAT and APX activities were significant. Highest values of POD and PPO activities were found in both paralittorale ecotypes. Increase in antioxidant enzyme activities appears to be an adaptive response to restore the reactive oxygen species in their homeostasis. The four study ecotypes were separated by two discriminant functions obtained by canonical discriminant analysis. Coastal ecotypes are separated from the paralittorale ecotypes mainly by POD and PPO activities and MDA content.
NMR and Electron Microscopy Studies of Soybean Seeds, Soybean Proteins, and Oil for Improved Utilization in Foods and Feeds
Authors: Costescu Doina , Baianu I. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractNMR, NIR and EM techniques are suitable methods of measuring protein and oil content in soybeans. After completion of a measurement with NMR or NIR, a soybean sample could be either replanted or consummated. NMR techniques involved in the present work are based on the response of nuclei, as nuclear spin flips, when set in a 7.05T magnetic field and excited with rf pulses of 300 MHz. NIR spectroscopy is based on outer electron molecular vibrations, when excited with radiation of frequency 1012 -4 × 1014Hz, and =2.5Om-750 nm.TEM and ESEM techniques are bulk and surface analysis techniques, respectively, working with electron beams of 15KV, and image resolution in the range of nm’s. ESEM is based on the possibility of imaging with secondary emitted electrons from the samples, and TEM on the possibility to have image contrast based on the difference in electron transmission through elements of different atomic weight. Novel results are presented by NMR, FT-NIR spectroscopy and Electron Microscopy for intact, selected soybean seeds accessions, soybean oil and soybean proteins.
Fluorescent Transgenic Zebra Danio More Vulnerable to Predators than Wild‐Type Fish
Authors: Hill Jeffrey E. , Kapuscinski Anne R. , Pavlowich Tyler 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThere is a knowledge gap in the ecological risk assessment of transgenic fish as to whether novel traits change their vulnerability to predation and thus their ability to establish themselves in nature. The U.S. commercialization of ornamental transgenic zebra danios Danio rerio and the approaching commercialization of other transgenic fish heighten the need for ecologically realistic models with which to address this question. Transgenic zebra danios with fluorescent body colors represent a good model system because marketed lines are likely to be released by hobby aquarists and it is relatively easy to study their interspecific interactions under nearly natural conditions. In experiments including habitat complexity, transgenic red‐fluorescent‐protein zebra danios were approximately twice as vulnerable as the wild type to predation by largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, two native predators that potentially resist invasion by introduced fish. Increased predation vulnerability should decrease the risk of transgenics’ becoming established if other fitness‐related traits are equivalent in nature. The zebra danio model is ideal for further testing the generality of this result under more complex ecological conditions.
Formative evaluation of the transition to postgraduate study for counselling and psychotherapy training: Students' perceptions of assignments and academic writing
Authors: West Angela 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground: Transition to postgraduate study has received little attention and it is often assumed that little adjustment is needed. Focus: This article focuses on the academic writing aspect of the transition to postgraduate study for counselling and psychotherapy students on a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)‐accredited course. Method: A two‐year formative evaluation was used to elicit students' views on how they experienced the transition to postgraduate study, and to identify what was most and least helpful to students in managing this transition. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant transition, which 63% of students found difficult. Timetabled and integrated, subject specific, academic support is recommended to assist students with their learning needs.