bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender Bias in Examinations: how equal are the opportunities?
Authors: Stobart Gordon , Elwood Jannette , Quinlan Michael 
Published: June 2007

AbstractRecent analyses of public examination results, particularly in the GCSE, have demonstrated significant gender differences in both entry patterns and outcomes. This generally involves better results for girls in subjects other than mathematics and some sciences. The article discusses whether examination boards should work for equal outcomes given that the assessment techniques used in examinations may differentially affect girls' and boys' performances, as evidenced by objective tests and coursework. We argue that the type of assessment is only one factor and that the different experiences and expectations of both pupils and teachers also play significant parts. Equal outcomes should not therefore be contrived simply by manipulation of assessment techniques. What may be required is more sensitivity to gender related differences in approach and experiences. How much the recent changes to national curriculum assessment will take account of these factors will need further monitoring.
Parents, Pupils and Grant‐maintained Schools
Authors: Power Sally , Halpin David , Fitz John 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe 1988 Education Reform Act allows schools to ‘opt out’ of local education authority (LEA) control and become ‘grant‐maintained’ (GM). Advocates of the policy claim that ‘freeing’ schools from LEAs will enable them to become more responsive to parents and, through diversifying the education ‘market’, expand parental choice. The policy's critics, on the other hand, fear that it will contribute to a divisive system of education and ultimately diminish choice and opportunity. Five years on, it is possible to begin to evaluate some of these claims. Drawing on interview data from parents and pupils who use GM schools, as well as parents and pupils in LEA and independent schools, this paper explores the extent to which GM schools have diversified educational provision and expanded parental choice. The paper argues that there is little evidence to suggest that GM schools offer either a ‘new’ alternative or a ‘new’ educational experience. Neither do they appear to offer parents greater participation in the running of their schools. However, while GM schools may not constitute anything ‘new’, they are beginning to cultivate an image of being somehow ‘different’ from their LEA counterparts. Although it is too early to demonstrate the significance of such ‘differences’, exploration of two ‘micro‐markets’ indicates that opting out preserves and pronounces existing differences between schools.
Making a Difference: feminism, post‐modernism and the methodology of educational research
Authors: Griffiths Morwenna 
Published: June 2007

AbstractDifferent versions of feminism and post‐modernism are surveyed and briefly described. The current debate about the relationship between feminism and post‐modernism is reviewed with particular regard to the challenges each set of theories offers to traditional epistemologies. The paper concludes with a section in which suggestions are made about the influence of feminism and post‐modernism on the methodology of educational research—including action research. The suggestions occur in the context of a reflection on the author's own recent research projects.
Gender, Ethnic and Socio‐economic Differences in Attainment and Progress: a longitudinal analysis of student achievement over 9 years
Authors: Sammons Pamela 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe size and stability of gender, ethnic and socio‐economic differences in students' educational achievement are examined over a 9 year period. Both absolute differences in cognitive attainment and relative differences in progress are considered. The study, which is part of a follow up of an age cohort originally included in the ‘School Matters’ research, utilises multilevel modelling techniques. Attainment in reading and mathematics is reported at primary school (Year 3 and 5), secondary transfer (Year 6) and in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) (Year 11). Whilst differences in achievement related to gender and socio‐economic factors remained consistent and generally increased over time, greater change was found in patterns of ethnic differences. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed, particularly in relation to the debate concerning performance assessment and equity. The importance of adequate control for socio‐economic background in the analysis of ethnic differences is noted.
The Reliability of Marking of General Certificate of Secondary Education Scripts: mathematics and English
Authors: Newton P. E. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis study investigated the consistency with which marks were awarded to scripts during the summer 1994 examinations in mathematics and English. It was demonstrated that the reliability of marking of mathematics scripts was extremely high. The consistency of marking in English was notably lower, although on the whole it appeared to be at least as good, if not better, than in previous studies. As a consequence of inconsistency in marking, the adjustment of Assistant Examiners’ marks is not uncommon for English. An investigation into this process demonstrated its validity. In comparison with mathematics, should we conclude that the examination boards are failing in their assessment of English? An alternative argument was proposed, claiming that any examining body must trade reliability of assessment against considerations of validity and cost‐effectiveness. Although problems of inconsistency arise in English, they are largely inevitable as long as we value the current assessment formats.
Self‐reported and clinically determined oral health status predictors for quality of life in dentate older migrant adults
Authors: Mariño R. , Schofield M. , Wright C. , Calache H. , Minichiello V. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract –  Objective:  This paper reports the impact of oral health on the quality of life (QOL) of Southern European, dentate older adults, living independently in Melbourne, Australia. Participants were recruited through ethnic social clubs and interviewed about oral health, general health, socio‐demographics, and QOL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short‐Form 12 (SF‐12). The SF‐12’s physical and mental health component summary scores (PCS and MCS, respectively) were computed. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐14) assessed the specific impact of oral health on QOL. Participants were also given a clinical oral examination.Results:  A total of 603 eligible older adults volunteered; 308 were from Greek background and 295 were from Italian background. Mean age was 67.7 years (SD 6.2), with 63.7% being female. The PCS score had a mean value of 45.8 (SD 11.8), and MCS had a mean of 47.8 (SD 5.7). PCS was associated with, periodontal status, chronic health condition, self‐perceived oral health needs, self‐assessed oral health status, oral health impact score and the interaction between gender and level of education [F(11 552) = 10.57; P < 0.0001]. These independent variables accounted for 16% of the variance in PCS. The multivariate model predicting MCS had only one significant variable (self‐reported gingival bleeding), explaining 1.5% of the variance. The OHIP‐14 ranged from 0 to 48 with a mean score of 5.6 (SD 9.3). The model predicting OHIP‐14 contained four significant variables: perceived oral health treatment needs, number of missing natural teeth, reports of having to sip liquid to help swallow food, and gender [F(4576) = 33.39; P < 0.0001], and explained 18% of the variance. The results demonstrated a negative association between oral health indicators and both the oral health‐related QOL and the physical component of the SF‐12.Conclusion:  The present findings support a growing recognition of the importance of oral health as a mediator of QOL. However, the self‐selected sample and modest predictive power of the multivariate models suggest that further research is needed to expand this explanatory model.
System Performance in UASB Reactors Receiving Increasing Levels of Sulfate
Authors: Erdirencelebi Dilek , Ozturk Izzet , Ubay Cokgor Emine 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGlucose‐fed high‐rate UASB reactors were tested at three COD/SO4 ratios and hydraulic retention times to promote sulfate reducing activity and observe the effects on reactor performance. Different COD/SO4 ratios (20, 10, and 5) resulted in changes in organic matter removal, methane production, alkalinity, dissolved sulfide and biomass concentrations and profile. The COD removal dropped from 95 to 80–84 % at the lowest COD/SO4 ratio. Sulfate was removed at 79 to 89 % at the highest ratio and dropped to 72 to 74 % with increasing sulfate loading. Alkalinity was produced at higher levels with increasing sulfate loading. Specific methane production dropped with decreasing hydraulic retention times. Sulfate‐reducing activity used a maximum of 11.7 % of organic matter at the highest sulfate loading level, producing a slight shift to sulfate‐reducing activity in the substrate competition between sulfate‐reducing bacteria and methanogens. Increased sulfate loading at COD/SO4 ratios of 10 and 5 caused deterioration of the concentration profile of the sludge, resulting in biomass washout and decreased volatile fraction of biosolids in the reactors.
Charge distribution on narrow MEMS beams of nearly square cross‐section
Authors: Chen Hui , Mukherjee Subrata 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe subject of this paper is the calculation of charge distribution on the surfaces of thin conducting microelectromechanical systems beams, of nearly square cross‐section, in electrostatic problems, by the boundary element method (BEM). A line model of a beam is proposed here. This model overcomes the problem of dealing with nearly singular matrices that occur when the standard BEM is applied to very thin features (objects or gaps). This new approach is also very efficient. Numerical results are presented for selected examples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbonylation of Amines to Ureas
Authors: Díaz Delmy J. , Darko Ampofo K. , McElwee‐White Lisa 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe synthesis of ureas from amines has traditionally been accomplished with stoichiometric reactions of phosgene or its derivatives, which are associated with environmental and waste disposal issues. Because of the prevalence of urea moieties in molecules of interest for several applications, alternative catalytic routes for the oxidative conversion of amines to ureas using CO as the carbonyl source have been developed. This microreview discusses recent developments in transition metal‐catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of amines to ureas as an alternative to phosgene and its derivatives. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Clonal divergence in lung cancer development is associated with allelic loss on chromosome 4
Authors: Banerjee A. K. , Read C. A. , Griffiths M. H. , George P. J. , Rabbitts P. H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPatients who receive curative treatment for lung cancer can develop additional lung tumors that may or may not be related to the original tumor and thus require different clinical management. If a subsequent tumor has a pattern of allele loss, revealed by allelotype analysis, overlapping that of the first tumor, it is believed to be a local recurrence or metastasis. In this case history, we present loss of heterozygosity analyses of the original primary tumor, and two second primary tumors occurring in the ipsilateral and the contra‐lateral lungs. The allelotyping suggests that these tumors are all clonally related but concordance is not complete. Our interpretation is that the original primary tumor and the two new primary tumors have developed to full malignancy independently, but are clonally related, possibly via a clone of motile progenitor cells. Deletion mapping of DNA from biopsies of this patient delineated a region in 4p16 that we had previously shown to be lost in the transition from carcinoma in situ to invasive tumor. We identified a minimally deleted region encompassing six genes including two candidate tumor supprressor genes, CRMP1 a lung cancer metastasis‐suppressing gene and PPP2R2C a gene for a regulatory subunit of the PP2 complex known to suppress tumorigenesis, particularly viral induced transformation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functionalization of poly(L‐lactide) nanofibrous scaffolds with bioactive collagen molecules
Authors: Chiu Jonathan B. , Liu Cheng , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Chu Benjamin , Hadjiargyrou Michael 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe utilization of electrospun biodegradable scaffolds by fine‐tuning their biofunctionalities through a simple mixing method was demonstrated in this study. Poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA)‐based scaffolds containing small amounts of bioactive collagen type I molecules were investigated for enhancements in cellular behavior. Electron microscopy revealed no topological alterations of the fibers in the collagen/PLLA scaffolds when compared with pure PLLA scaffolds. Cell attachment after 24 h was robust on collagen/PLLA scaffolds, with cytoskeletal analysis showing that the attached cells were aligned along the fibers assuming a spindle‐shape appearance. Despite these morphological differences, gene expression analyses revealed no apparent alterations in mRNA levels of four genes involved in cell attachment across the various scaffolds. Although cell proliferation was not adversely affected, there were clear differences in cell penetration; after 1 week, cells migrated through 32 and 85% of PLLA and collagen/PLLA scaffolds, respectively. Mineralization of primary calvaria osteoblasts provided further evidence that collagen‐containing electrospun PLLA scaffolds could sustain cell differentiation. Overall, the inclusion of collagen type I in even miniscule amounts (<1 wt %) within electrospun PLLA scaffolds could effectively modulate certain aspects of cellular behavior. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Review of scenario selection and downscaling methods for the assessment of climate change impacts on hydrology in the United States pacific northwest
Authors: Salathe Eric P. , Mote Philip W. , Wiley Matthew W. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper reviews methods that have been used to evaluate global climate simulations and to downscale global climate scenarios for the assessment of climate impacts on hydrologic systems in the Pacific Northwest, USA. The approach described has been developed to facilitate integrated assessment research in support of regional resource management. Global climate model scenarios are evaluated and selected based on historic 20th century simulations. A statistical downscaling method is then applied to produce a regional data set. To facilitate the use of climate projections in hydrologic assessment, additional statistical mapping may be applied to generate synthetic station time series. Finally, results are presented from a regional climate model that indicate important differences in the regional climate response from what is captured by global models and statistical downscaling. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Hyperglycosylated‐hCG (h‐hCG) and Down syndrome screening in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Palomaki Glenn E. , Neveux Louis M. , Haddow James E. , Wyatt Philip 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo validate Down syndrome screening protocols that include hyperglycosylated‐hCG (h‐hCG) measurements.MethodsMeasuring h‐hCG in 21 641 fresh first‐ and second‐trimester maternal serum samples, but not for clinical interpretation. Nuchal translucency (NT) and pregnancy associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) measurements were available in the first trimester; alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurements in the second trimester.ResultsOf the 23 first‐ and 26 second‐trimester Down syndrome pregnancies identified, 52 and 65% of h‐hCG measurements were above the 95th centile, respectively. At a 3% false positive rate, maternal age, NT, PAPP‐A and h‐hCG detected 78% of cases (95% CI, 56–93%). Other combinations were consistent with previous modeling utilizing stored samples. A literature summary indicates h‐hCG is as strong a marker as free‐β between 10 and 13 weeks' gestation.ConclusionsDown syndrome screening performance of h‐hCG using fresh samples meets published expectations based on stored samples. h‐hCG could replace free β measurements, at gestational ages as early as 10 weeks. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal and spatial variation in quality of hyporheic water in one unregulated and two regulated boreal rivers
Authors: Calles Olle , Nyberg Lars , Greenberg Larry 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis study describes the temporal and spatial variations in hyporheic water quality in three boreal rivers, the River Tobyälven, an unregulated river, the river Mangälven, a regulated river with a minimum discharge requirement and the river Järperudsälven, a regulated river without any minimum discharge requirements. A total of 43 permanent piezometers were used to measure dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, NOand NHin the hyporheic water at 150 mm and 300 mm depth, at monthly intervals from October 2001 to October 2002. Another seven piezometers were installed in brown trout redds and monitored during the incubation period, from December 2001 to April 2002. In the river Tobyälven, temporal patterns in hyporheic water chemistry correlated to variations in surface water chemistry and discharge. In the river Järperudsälven, the hyporheic water chemistry did not correlate to discharge or surface water chemistry. In the river Mangälven, the water chemistry was dominated by releases from a large upstream lake, and there were weak correlations between surface water chemistry and hyporheic water chemistry at some sites. The incubation conditions for brown trout eggs were most favourable in the unregulated river, characterized by high DO levels that remained high throughout the incubation period. In the river Järperudsälven the DO levels were variable during spawning, and then gradually declined to critically low levels during incubation, whereas in the river Mangälven the DO conditions were intermediate and stable. Thus we observed a stronger coupling between surface water conditions and hyporheic conditions, i.e. vertical connectivity, in the unregulated river than in the regulated river with minimum flow requirements, which in turn was stronger than in the river without minimum flow requirements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated scenarios for assessing biodiversity risks
Authors: Spangenberg Joachim H. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe author wishes to correct and complete the ‘acknowledgements’ as follows:The scenarios described in this paper have been developed by the ALARM scenario team, with contributions from Andrea Stocker and Ines Omann (economic modelling), Tim Carter, Stefan Fronzek, Kirsti Jylha (climate data and scenarios); Franz Badeck (N deposition data and scenarios); Isabelle Reginster, Mark Rounsevell (land use data and scenarios), Joachim H. Spangenberg (storylines), Joseph Settele, Ingolf Kühn (overall concept), Volker Hammen (shock scenarios). They benefited from discussions in the ALARM team and with the ALARM Consultative Forum. This work has been supported by the European Commission FP 6 Integrated Project ALARM (Assessing Large‐Scale Environmental Risks for Biodiversity with Tested Methods) under grant number GOCE‐CT‐2003‐506675; see www.alarmproject.netThe ‘acknowledgements’ will be corrected prior to print publication.
Recent developments in meta‐analysis
Authors: Sutton Alexander J. , Higgins Julian P. T. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe art and science of meta‐analysis, the combination of results from multiple independent studies, is now more than a century old. In the last 30 years, however, as the need for medical research and clinical practice to be based on the totality of relevant and sound evidence has been increasingly recognized, the impact of meta‐analysis has grown enormously. In this paper, we review highlights of recent developments in meta‐analysis in medical research. We outline in particular how emphasis has been placed on (i) heterogeneity and random‐effects analyses; (ii) special consideration in different areas of application; (iii) assessing bias within and across studies; and (iv) extension of ideas to complex evidence synthesis. We conclude the paper with some remarks on ongoing challenges and possible directions for the future. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
La2XB3 (X = Cl, Br): A Novel Layered Structure with Planar Boron Nets of B3, B6 and B8 Rings
Authors: Zeng Hui‐Yi , Lukachuk Mar'yana , Okudera Hiroki , Zheng Chong , Mattausch Hansjürgen , Simon Arndt 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTwo new layered rare earth boride halides, La2XB3 (X = Cl, Br) have been synthesized. They crystallize in the space group (No. 174) with a = 7.872(1) Å, c = 8.219(2) Å, V = 441.1(1) Å3 for the chloride, and with a = 7.834(1) Å, c = 8.440(1) Å, V = 448.6(1) Å3 for the bromide compound, respectively. The crystals of La2ClB3 are twinned resulting in an apparent symmetry P6/mmm (No. 191). In the crystal structure of La2XB3, trigonal La6 prisms are condensed into sheets in the a‐b plane, and the halogen atoms X sandwich the La double layers. The connection of B atoms which center the prisms and rectangular prism faces leads to B nets of B3, B6 and B8 rings embedded between the La atom double layers. The chemical bonding is analyzed for the well ordered bromide, and the characteristic disorder in the chloride is discussed.
Synthese, Struktur und Reaktivität von Tris‐, Bis‐ und Mono(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl)‐Komplexen des Neodyms, Lanthans und des Yttriums
Authors: Kunze Michael R. , Steinborn Dirk , Merzweiler Kurt , Wagner Christoph , Sieler Joachim , Taube Rudolf 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe tris(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl) complexes [Ln(η5‐Me2C5H5)3] (Ln = Nd, La, Y) are obtained analytically pure by reaction of the tribromides LnBr3·nTHF with the potassium compound K(Me2C5H5)(thf)n in THF in good yields. The structural characterization is carried out by X‐ray crystal structure analysis and NMR‐spectroscopically. The tris complexes can be transformed into the dimeric bis(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl) complexes [Ln2(η5‐Me2C5H5)4X2] (Ln, X: Nd, Cl, Br, I; La, Br, I; Y, Br) by reaction with the trihalides THF solvates in the molar ratio 2:1 in toluene. Structure and bonding conditions are determined for selected compounds by X‐ray crystal structure analysis and NMR‐spectroscopically in general. The dimer‐monomer equilibrium existing in solution was investigated NMR‐spectroscopically in dependence of the donor strength of the solvent and could be established also by preparation of the corresponding monomer neutral ligand complexes [Ln(η5‐Me2C5H5)2X(L)] (Ln, X, L: Nd, Br, py; La, Cl, thf; Br, py; Y, Br, thf). Finally the possibilities for preparation of mono(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl)lanthanoid(III)‐dibromid complexes are shown and the hexameric structure of the lanthanum complex [La6(η5‐Me2C5H5)6Br12(thf)4] is proved by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.