bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attachment and self‐evaluation in Chinese adolescents: Age and gender differences
Authors: Song Hairong , Thompson Ross A. , Ferrer Emilio 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis study investigated age and gender differences in the quality of attachment to mothers, fathers, and peers, and the association of attachment with measures of self‐evaluation in 584 Chinese adolescents in junior high, high school, and university. Their responses to the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment indexed attachment quality, and self‐evaluation was measured by the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale and the Self‐Liking and Self‐Competence Scale. Consistent with findings with Western samples, our analyses revealed (a) lower parent–child relationship quality in middle (compared to early) adolescence, (b) a significant association of parental and peer attachment with self‐evaluation, and (c) gender differences in attachment to peers, with females reporting stronger attachment than males. Chinese females reported stronger maternal attachment than did males, and for females the quality of maternal attachment was more strongly related to self‐evaluation than any other attachment relationship. During high school, peer attachment quality – rather than parental – was preeminently associated with self‐evaluation. The findings of this study indicate that in a context of considerable consistency of findings with Western studies, parent–child attachment in Chinese adolescents is also influenced by culture‐specific practices that influence parent–youth relationships and their meaning to the child.
Establishing in vitro Zinnia elegans cell suspension culture with high tracheary element differentiation
Authors: Twumasi Peter , Schel Jan H.N. , Van Ieperen Wim , Woltering Ernst , Van Kooten Olaf , Emons Anne Mie C. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Zinnia elegans mesophyll cell culture is a useful system for xylogenesis studies. The system is associated with highly synchronous tracheary element (TE) differentiation, making it more suitable for molecular studies requiring larger amounts of molecular isolates, such as mRNA and proteins and for studying cellulose synthesis. There is, however, the problem of non‐uniformity and significant variations in the yields of TEs (%TE). One possible cause for this variability in the%TE could be the lack of a standardized experimental protocol in various research laboratories for establishing the Zinnia culture. Mesophyll cells isolated from the first true leaves of Z. elegans var Envy seedlings of approximately 14 days old were cultured in vitro and differentiated into TEs. The xylogenic culture medium was supplied with 1 mg/l each of benzylaminopurine (BA) and α‐naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Application of this improved culture method resulted in stable and reproducible amounts of TE as high as 76% in the Zinnia culture. The increase was mainly due to conditioning of the mesophyll cell culture and adjustments of the phytohormonal balance in the cultures. Also, certain biochemical and cytological methods have been shown to reliably monitor progress of TE differentiation. We conclude that, with the adoption of current improvement in the xylogenic Z. elegans culture, higher amounts of tracheary elements can be produced. This successful outcome raises the potential of the Zinnia system as a suitable model for cellulose and xylogenesis research.
Heterorhabditis gerrardi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae): the hidden host of Photorhabdus asymbiotica (Enterobacteriaceae: γ-Proteobacteria)
Authors: Plichta K.L. , Joyce S.A. , Clarke D. , Waterfield N. , Stock S.P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA new entomopathogenic nematode species from Australia, Heterorhabditis gerrardi n. sp. (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) is described. Morphological and molecular studies together with cross-hybridization tests indicated that this nematode represents a new undescribed species, closely related to members in the ‘indica-group’. However, the new species can be distinguished from other species in this genus by a combination of several qualitative and quantitative morphological traits. Key diagnostic features include: body size and excretory pore position of the third-stage infective juveniles; male bursa with a reduction of bursal rays, usually affecting the terminal set of papillae, with symmetrical or asymmetrical loss of one or two pairs; vulva of hermaphrodites more anteriorly located than in other species in the indica-group (V% average: 43), with non-protruding or slightly protruding lips, and longer tail length (average: 106 μm). The new species can be further characterized by molecular traits of sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. Additionally, the bacterial symbiont of this new species, Photorhabdus asymbiotica Kingscliff strain, was phenotypically characterized and compared with other P. asymbiotica strains. The Kingscliff strain revealed many characters not present in other strains of this species. We hypothesize that the newly found traits may contribute to the maintenance of this mutualistic association of the bacterium with its nematode host.
Computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging for pre-operative planning for inverted nasal papilloma: review of evidence
Authors: Karkos P D , Khoo L C , Leong S C , Lewis-Jones H , Swift A C 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground:Inverted nasal papilloma is a benign tumour with variable biological behaviour. It is a unique neoplasm and is often difficult to manage, being characterised by a tendency to recur following excision, an association with malignancy and an ability to destroy bone. Radiological diagnosis has traditionally been based on computed tomography, but it is often impossible to differentiate between polyps with entrapped debris and inverted nasal papilloma. Magnetic resonance imaging, especially T2-weighted images, is perhaps a better tool in differentiating inverted nasal papilloma from other nasal lesions, and has recently been advocated as the imaging modality of choice.Aims:To review the evidence on the ideal imaging modality for pre-operative planning of surgery for patients with histologically proven inverted nasal papilloma.Materials and methods:A systematic review of studies was undertaken, focusing on radiological assessment of inverted nasal papilloma (primary and recurrent). All English language articles were potentially included in the review. However, we excluded single case reports, case series, pictorial essays, ‘teaching’ reviews and reviews of inverted nasal papilloma not focusing on pre-operative imaging.Results:Sixteen studies were identified based on our search strategy. Only 10 fulfilled our criteria. Computed tomography scanning was the standard imaging modality of choice for assessing sinus involvement of inverted papilloma and for planning the extent of surgery. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were able to distinguish tumour (intermediate signal) from inflammatory tissues (bright signal), but not post-operative scarring from recurrent tumour. No studies were found which compared the specificity and sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the accurate pre-operative identification of the extent of inverted papilloma.Conclusions:There is currently not enough evidence to suggest one sole modality as providing optimum imaging for inverted nasal papilloma. Computed tomography remains the imaging modality of first choice for inverted nasal papilloma, despite certain disadvantages. Magnetic resonance imaging is able to distinguish tumour from inflammation and is advocated as a better tool for recurrent tumour, but bone destruction of sinus walls is less easy to recognise, compared with computed tomography. Evaluation of sinus tumours usually involves both imaging modalities, and inverted nasal papilloma should be included within this pathological group. The cohort of patients is usually small, so cost-effectiveness should not generally be an issue when considering whether to use computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or both. A well structured, prospective study is needed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography for pre-operative planning of histologically proven inverted nasal papilloma.
Topical chemoprevention of skin cancer in mice, using combined inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase-2
Authors: Fegn L , Wang Z 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective:Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and often occurs in the head and neck region. This study aimed to investigate whether a combination of inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase, applied via a microemulsion delivery system, would be effective in topically inhibiting skin carcinogenesis.Study design:Randomised animal study.Methods:Twenty-four nude mice were intradermally inoculated with carcinoma cells and then divided into three groups (eight animals each): group one received no treatment; group two received celecoxib alone; and group three received a combination of zileuton and celecoxib. Tumour incidence and growth were measured for 14 days.Results:Both treatments significantly delayed the onset and development of tumours. However, the combined treatment had the best response (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The results clearly showed that topical treatment with either celecoxib alone or celecoxib plus zileuton significantly inhibited skin carcinogenesis, and that a combination of both agents had the best results.
ON THE TIME-DEPENDENT OCCUPANCY DISTRIBUTION OF THE G/G/1 QUEUING SYSTEM
Authors: Limón–Robles Jorge , Wortman Martin A. 
Published: February 2009

This article offers an approach for studying the time-dependent occupancy distribution for a modest generalization of the GI/G/1 queuing system in which interarrival times and service times, although mutually independent, are not necessarily identically distributed. We develop and explore an analytical model leading to a computational approach that gives tight bounds on the occupancy distribution. Although there is no general closed-form characterization of probability law dynamics for occupancy in the GI/G/1 queue, our results offer what might be termed “near-closed-form” in that accurate plots of the transient occupancy distribution can be constructed with an insignificant computational burden. We believe that our results are unique; we are unaware of any alternative analytical approach leading to a numerical characterization of the time-dependent occupancy distribution for the G/G/1 queuing systems considered here.Our analyses employ a marked point process that converges to the occupancy process at any fixed time t; it is shown that this process forms a Markov chain from which the transient occupancy law is available. We verify our analytical approach via comparison with the well-known closed-form expressions for time-dependent occupancy distribution of the M/M/1 queue. Additionally, we suggest the viability of our approach, as a computational means of obtaining the time-dependent occupancy distribution, through straightforward application to a Gamma[x]/Weibull/1 queuing system having batch arrivals and batch job services.
The contrastive hypothesis for the acquisition of word meaning: a reconsideration of the theory
Authors: Gathercole Virginia C. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThe evidence for the Contrastive Hypothesis (Clark 1980, 1983a, b, 1987, Barrett 1978, 1982) is reviewed. An examination of data from the acquisition of object words, relational words and superordinate terms reveals little support for this hypothesis that young children automatically assume that every two words in their lexicons contrast. Further, theoretical problems with the positions that children assign words to semantic fields as they are acquiring them and that innovations are used to fill lexical gaps make these stances untenable.
The acquisition of temporal terms
Authors: Stevenson Rosemary J. , Pollitt Caroline 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTAn experiment is described which investigates preschool children's understanding of temporal terms. Children aged 2;11 to 4;5 were required to act out situations described by sentences containing before and after. One set of sentences used both a simplified task and simplified materials. These sentences were simple commands, and they only required the children to act out the situation described by the main clause in order to demonstrate comprehension. Performance with these sentences was superior to performance with sentences like those of Clark (1971) and Grain (1982). In addition, children only used an order-of-mention strategy with the Clark sentences. With both the Clark and the Grain sentences, there were more omissions of the subordinate clause in before sentences than in after sentences. There was also a tendency, with these two types of sentence, for children to act out only the first clause in before sentences.
The acquisition of agglutinating languages: converging evidence from Tamil
Authors: Raghavendra Parimala , Leonard Laurence B. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThe acquisition of verb inflections in Tamil, an agglutinating language, was investigated in three 2-year-old children. The findings revealed a high percentage use of verb inflections indicating tense, aspect, modality, person, number and gender by all three children. Explanations for this early, almost error-free acquisition are discussed in terms of the facilitating properties of agglutinating languages.
Acquisition of Pig Latin: a case study
Authors: Cowan Nelson 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTA boy's acquisition of Pig Latin was monitored throughout the year preceding first grade. Abilities underlying this game include the identification of words, deletion of the first syllabic onset (i.e. prevocalic consonants) of each word, blending of this onset and the suffix [e1] onto the word's end, and short-term memory for speech units. Performance improved over time as the underlying abilities developed. Meanwhile, various informative errors were made. Throughout most of the study, onsets that were correctly removed from a word's beginning were often added to its end incorrectly; unstressed function words were repeated intact and not transformed; and the first syllabic onset was overlooked when the syllable was unstressed. Because speech games like this one depend upon basic language skills, they can clarify aspects of ordinary language development.
Theoretical implications of complement structure acquisition in Korean
Authors: Kim Young-Joo 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThe Acquisition Of Complement Phrasal Constructions In Korean Is Examined In Spontaneous Speech Data From Two Children, Who Were Observed From One And A Half To Three Years Of Age. In Spite Of Typological Differences Between English And Korean, Both Syntactic And Semantic Characteristics are found to be shared by children acquiring complement constructions in the two languages. however, certain language-specific features of korean complement structures make it possible to address theoretical points concerning the structure of infinitival complements which cannot be resolved with the acquisition data on English. The error pattern in the acquisition of certain ‘subject-equi’ verbs in Korean poses problems both for LEG and GB accounts of the constituent structure of infinitival complements and the acquisition of those constructions. On the basis of the Korean data, I propose that base-generated VP complements are acquired first, with semantically motivated reanalysis of previously acquired infinitival complement structures occurring at a later stage.
The argumentative connectivemêmein French: an experimental study in eight- to ten-year-old children
Authors: Bassano Dominique , Champaud Christian 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis study examines how children understand the argumentative function of the French connectivemême(‘even’). Two completion tasks, related to the argumentative properties of the morpheme, were used: (1) to infer the conclusion of an ‘even’ sentence, and (2) to infer the argument position. Two main factors likely to influence the comprehension were investigated: the semantic context, and the syntactic form – affirmative vs negative. The argumentative function ofmêmewas globally mastered at the age of eight, but comprehension depends on semantic context. Performances were better for negative sentences, which suggests that negation plays a facilitating role; the specific properties of the negative expressionpas même/même pas(‘not even’) in discourse are discussed.
Fine-tuning of utterance length to preverbal infants: effects on later language development
Authors: Murray Ann D. , Johnson Jeanne , Peters Jo 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine (1) whether mothers simplify their speech during the second half of the first year of development when infants begin to comprehend words and use gestures to communicate intentionally, and (2) whether individual differences in mothers' speech adjustments influence their infants' later language acquisition. The subjects for the study were 14 mother-infant pairs from a medically low risk sample who were followed longitudinally. Mothers' mean length of utterance (MLU) was calculated from transcripts of face-to-face interaction when the infants were 0;3, 0;6, and 0;9 in age. Mothers who provided responsive and stimulating environments, as indicated by HOME scores, also reduced their MLU over the age range studied. Moreover, mothers' MLU adjustments during the first year were more predictive than the HOME scale in forecasting receptive language development at 1; 6. In contrast, expressive language abilities at 1; 6 were unrelated to the environmental variables measured but were predicted by child characteristics such as the infant's sex. These results suggest that a mother's ability to ‘fine-tune’ her early linguistic input may be predictive of her child's later receptive language functioning. Precursors of fine-tuning, such as maternal beliefs in reciprocity and infant object orientation, are discussed.
Pointing and interaction initiation: the behaviour of young children with Down's syndrome when looking at books
Authors: Wootton Anthony J. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTData are derived from videotapes made in the homes of six Down's syndrome children with developmental ages varying between 1;1 and 2;1. The analysis concerns those sequences in which parent and child look at a book together, and more specifically those exchanges where the child initiates communication on a new target on the page. The design of these initiations is examined with respect to their various verbal and non-verbal components. The analysis of pointing, and in particular of point duration, reveals a possible developmental progression from a stage at which point and exchange duration are linked together to one in which the organization of pointing becomes more detached from the exchange as a unit of interaction.
Acquisition of passives: the role of patient animacy, salience, and lexical accessibility
Authors: Lempert Henrietta 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTIn full passive sentences such as The cat was kicked by the dog, the patient (cat) is promoted to subject and the agent is demoted to the by-phrase. Children 2;10 to 4;7 years (mean 3;6) who were taught the form with animate patients and animate agents (The baby is being picked up by the girl) were better able to produce and comprehend passives than children taught with inanimate patients and animate agents (The flower is being picked up by the girl). The finding of comparable post-teaching performance in children taught with perceptually salient (coloured) VS. nonsalient patients argues against a salience explanation for the patient animacy effect. Moreover, equal access to word forms for animate and inanimate nouns did not reduce the effect. The animacy effect is consistent with claims that ‘perspective’ is the cognitive counterpart to the formal category of subject; and, conversely, inconsistent with attempts to understand language acquisition in terms of a language system that operates in isolation from other facets of human cognition.
Do children exploit the Maxim of Antecedent in order to interpret ambiguous descriptions?
Authors: Surian Luca 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTTwenty Italian six-year-olds and 20 eight-year-olds were asked to interpret eight ambiguous and eight clear definite descriptions. All ambiguous descriptions could refer to three drawings, one of which had been described by the subjects immediately before the comprehension task. In half of the trials with ambiguous messages the children's interlocutor was present while the children were describing the drawings; in the other half he was absent. In both conditions subjects showed a preference for the referents they had already described, indicating that they applied egocentrically a comprehension strategy based on the Maxim of Antecedent (Jackson & Jacobs, 1982). Children's failures to differentiate their responses in the two conditions are considered to be due to difficulties in taking account of the given-new distinction for relevant information.
The influence of linguistic context on young children's understanding of homophonic words
Authors: Beveridge Michael , Marsh Lesley 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTThis study investigates young children's understanding of homophones in two different linguistic contexts. Research has shown that children interpret homophones according to their ‘primary’ sense even though this is inappropriate to the linguistic context. The present study investigates the influence of different contexts on their interpretations of homophones. A picture test, similar to the British Picture Vocabulary Scale (BPVS), was devised, depicting ten homophones in both their primary and secondary senses. Forty-eight children who were in matched pairs following the BPVS pre-test and whose ages ranged from three to six were asked to select the picture which showed the homophone, first when the homophone was in no linguistic context, and secondly following one of two conditions of the same story which differed according to the richness of context provided. Results showed that those children assigned to story B, the expanded version with full linguistic details and explanations of the words it contained, were more able to identify correctly the secondary meanings of the homophones intended than those children given story A, the unexpanded version. Analyses of variance showed both a significant age trend and a story-type effect. These results are interpreted as showing that the linguistic context is an important factor in young children's understanding of word meaning.
Introducing information in dialogues: forms of introduction chosen by young speakers and the responses elicited from young listeners
Authors: Anderson Anne H. , Clark Aileen , Mullin James 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTYoung speakers in dialogue must establish mutual knowledge. Traditionally, researchers have focused on how children used indefinite and definite articles to signal novel and shared information. In this study of 170 children aged seven to thirteen, the form of introduction chosen, whether question or statement, is more significant than the type of article used. No developmental effects on article use emerge, with statement + indefinite always the least common choice. However, young speakers use question introductions significantly less than older children. There is also a developmental interaction between speakers' and listeners' behaviour. Question introduction elicit effective listener responses at all ages, but only twelve-year-olds respond reliably to statements. Unfortunately, young speakers prefer just those forms of introduction to which young listeners are least likely to provide informative feedback. Thus two separate developmental effects appear to combine to hamper young subjects' chances of achieving successful communication in dialogues.