bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Getting ready for reading: A follow‐up study of inner city second language learners at the end of Key Stage 1
Authors: Stuart Morag 
Published: April 2004

Background: A previous study (Stuart, 1999) showed that early phoneme awareness and phonics teaching improved reading and spelling ability in inner‐city schoolchildren in Key Stage 1, most of whom were learning English as a second language.Aims: The present study, a follow‐up of these children at the end of Key Stage 1, addresses four main questions: (1) Are these improvements maintained to the end of Key Stage 1? (2) Are different patterns of cognitive process evident in the word recognition skills of phonics trained versus untrained children? (3) Do the phonics trained children now also show a significant advantage in reading comprehension? (4) Are there differences in amount of reading, in self‐concept as readers and in oral vocabulary development between phonics trained and untrained children? Relationships between reading and spelling ages and Key Stage 1 SATs levels are also explored.Sample: Data are reported from 101 seven‐year‐olds (85 of whom were second language learners) remaining from the original 112 children reported on previously.Method: Children were tested on four standardized tests of reading, spelling and vocabulary, and on a further six experimental tests of phoneme segmentation, grapheme‐phoneme correspondence knowledge, regular, exception and nonword reading, author recognition and reading self‐concept.Results: Lasting influences of early phoneme awareness and phonics teaching on phoneme awareness, grapheme‐phoneme correspondence knowledge, word reading and spelling were found. Part of the previously untrained group had now received structured phonics teaching, and were therefore treated as a third (late trained) group. Early and late‐trained groups showed similar levels of attainment and similar cognitive processing patterns, which were different from the untrained group. However, there were no influences of training on reading comprehension, self‐concept or oral vocabulary.Conclusions: Early phoneme awareness and phonics training efficiently accelerates the word recognition and spelling skills of first and second language learners alike. However, this is not sufficient to bootstrap the development of language comprehension in the second language learners. Further research is needed into the kinds of language teaching that will best develop their oral and written language comprehension.
CAP Forum on Enron: What If Andersen Had Shredded in Toronto or Calgary? The Potential Criminal Liability of Canadian Public Accounting Firms*
Authors: GUNZ SALLY P. , SALTERIO STEVEN E. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTBoth Canadians and Americans often assume that the legal system, like many other aspects of society, works the same in both countries. Just as these assumptions often fail to stand up to detailed scrutiny, so too may the assumption that Arthur Andersen LLP could have been charged with and convicted of obstruction of justice in Canada. In this paper, we examine the hypothetical question of what would have happened if a public accounting firm had shredded documents, fearing a provincial securities regulatory investigation in Toronto or Calgary. We examine the key differences between both the law and the institutional environment in Canada and the United States to determine whether such a prosecution could occur in Canada. We find that the letter of the law would probably have resulted in a successful prosecution. However, because of differences in the institutional environments, a criminal prosecution of a Canadian public accounting firm would probably never have occurred. The implications of this conclusion are discussed.
End‐Capping as a Method for Improving Carrier Injection in Electrophosphorescent Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Gong X. , Ma W. , Ostrowski J. C. , Bechgaard K. , Bazan G. C. , Heeger A. J. , Xiao S. , Moses D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe electronic properties, carrier injection, and transport into poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO), PFO end‐capped with hole‐transporting moieties (HTM), PFO–HTM, and PFO end‐capped with electron‐transporting moieties (ETM), PFO–ETM, were investigated. The data demonstrate that charge injection and transport can be tuned by end‐capping with HTM and ETM, without significantly altering the electronic properties of the conjugated backbone. End‐capping with ETM resulted in more closely balanced charge injection and transport. Single‐layer electrophosphorescent light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), fabricated from PFO, PFO–HTM and PFO–ETM as hosts and tris[2,5‐bis‐2′‐(9′,9′‐dihexylfluorene)pyridine‐κ2NC3′]iridium(III), Ir(HFP)3 as the guest, emitted red light with brightnesses of 2040 cd m–2, 1940 cd m–2 and 2490 cd m–2 at 290 mA cm–2 (16 V) and with luminance efficiencies of 1.4 cd A–1, 1.4 cd A–1 and 1.8 cd A–1 at 4.5 mA cm–2 for PFO, PFO–HTM, and PFO–ETM, respectively.
Orientational Switching of Mesogens and Microdomains in Hydrogen‐Bonded Side‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Block Copolymers Using AC Electric Fields
Authors: Chao C.‐Y. , Li X. , Ober C. K. , Osuji C. , Thomas E. L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this report, we show that the microstructures of hydrogen‐bonded side‐chain liquid‐crystalline block copolymers can be rapidly aligned in an alternating current (AC) electric field at temperatures below the order–disorder transition but above the glass transition. The structures and their orientation were measured in real time with synchrotron X‐ray scattering. Incorporation of mesogenic groups with marked dipolar properties is a key element in this process. A mechanism related to the dissociation of hydrogen bonds is proposed to account for the fast orientation switching of the hydrogen‐bonded blends.
Colchicin‐Totalsynthesen im Vergleich: eine Reise durch 50 Jahre Organische Synthesechemie
Authors: Graening Timm , Schmalz Hans‐Günther 
Published: April 2004

AbstractColchicin, das Hauptalkaloid der Herbstzeitlose, ist einer der prominentesten Naturstoffe, der wie andere Tubulin‐bindende Wirkstoffe (z. B. Taxol und Epothilone) über ein großes pharmazeutisches Potenzial verfügt. Die ersten Synthesen von Colchicin in den späten 50er Jahren waren Meilensteine der Naturstoffsynthese. Aber auch heute noch stellt dieses strukturell vermeintlich einfache Molekül eine Herausforderung dar. So ist es erst in den letzten Jahren gelungen, Synthesen zu entwickeln, die effizient auch neue, strukturell modifizierte Colchicin‐Derivate totalsynthetisch zugänglich machen. Die vergleichende Betrachtung aller bekannten Colchicin‐Synthesen in diesem Aufsatz verdeutlicht nicht nur den Fortschritt der Organischen Synthese in den letzten Jahrzehnten. Es wird vielmehr gezeigt, dass die synthetischen Fragestellungen, die dieses Molekül aufwirft, nur mit einem hohen Maß an chemischer Kreativität beantwortet werden können. Nur wenige Zielverbindungen sind auf so facettenreiche Weise synthetisiert worden wie Colchicin.
Numerical analysis of rectangular microstrip patch over ground plane with rectangular aperture
Authors: Fortaki T. , Khedrouche D. , Bouttout F. , Benghalia A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this paper, a rigorous full‐wave analysis of rectangular microstrip patches over ground planes with rectangular apertures in substrates containing isotropic and anisotropic materials is presented. The dyadic Green's functions of the problem are efficiently determined in the vector Fourier transform domain. The integral equations for the unknown patch current and aperture field are solved numerically by applying the Galerkin method of moments. The TM set of modes issued from the magnetic wall cavity model are used to expand the unknown current on the patch. Also, the same basis functions are used for approximating the aperture field in accordance with the concept of complementary electromagnetic structures. The validity of the solution is tested by comparison of the computed results with experimental data. Numerical results show that changes in aperture length can drastically shift the resonant frequency. The aperture width, on the other hand, can be used for a fine adjustment of the operating frequency. Other results also indicate that dielectric anisotropy effect is especially significant when the size of the aperture is similar to that of the patch. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buckling analysis of tapered lattice columns using a generalized finite element
Authors: Li Jin‐Jun , Li Guo‐Qiang 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA generalized finite element for buckling analysis of tapered columns with various cross sections is established by using Chebyshev polynomial approach to the governing differential equation in this paper. The proposed formulation involves the effects of shear deformation and is therefore applicable to lattice columns. The change of the sectional properties along the length direction can be calculated exactly in the FE analysis. Buckling of a tapered lattice column, with respective lace bars and batten plates, is studied in the numerical example. The effects of shear deformation on the buckling loads of tapered lattice columns are specified. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Domain structures and etching morphologies of lithium niobate crystals with different Li contents grown by TSSG and double crucible Czochralski method
Authors: Zheng Y. , Shi E. , Wang S. , Lu Z. , Cui S. , Wang L. , Zhong W. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractStoichiometric lithium niobate single crystals with different Li contents have been grown both by the top‐seeded solution growth (TSSG) method from potassium containing flux and by the double crucible Czochralski (DC Cz) method. Spectroscopic properties (e.g. the UV absorption edge, Raman linewidth) and the Curie temperature measurement have been used for the characterization of the crystal composition. The double crucible Czochralski method is found to be suitable for mass production of stoichiometric LiNbO3 with Li content larger than 49.7 mol% and homogeneity of 0.03 mol%. The domain structures and etching morphologies on negative and positive c‐surface were also investigated by chemical etching method. A new domain structure of three‐fold symmetric sectors were observed in near‐stoichiometric LiNbO3 grown by TSSG method. The straight line arrangement hillocks on negative c‐surface and the net‐like arrangement etch lines were observed and explained by stress etching mechanism. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical properties of Sr3TaGa3Si2O14 single crystal
Authors: Qi Haifeng , Wei Aijian , Wang Zengmei , Yuan Duorong 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe specific rotation ρ of strontium tantalum gallium silicate Sr3TaGa3Si2O14 (STGS) piezoelectric single crystal was determined from 350 to 850 nm by measuring the optical transmission between parallel polarisers in Z direction. It is shown that Sr3TaGa3Si2O14 has quite large a value of ρ which is a little smaller than that of strontium niobium gallium silicate Sr3NbGa3Si2O14 (SNGS). The crystal with ordered structure which is isostructural to calcium gallium germanate Ca3Ga2Ge4O14 (CGG) was grown by Czochraiski technique. And its birefringence was also determined. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of conventional and ultrasound‐assisted extraction of carvone and limonene from caraway seeds
Authors: Chemat Smain , Lagha Ahcène , AitAmar Hamid , Bartels Paul V. , Chemat Farid 
Published: April 2004

AbstractExtraction experiments with hexane were carried out at atmospheric pressure in Soxhlet, conventional and ultrasound extractions of ﬂaked caraway seeds, and detailed results are given for two major plant extract components, carvone and limonene. The results indicate that carvone yield and plant extract quality are better in ultrasound extraction compared to those given by conventional methodology. Extraction rates of carvone and limonene reported that ultrasound‐assisted extraction was 1.3–2 times more rapid, depending on temperature, than a conventional system, according to the rate constant obtained during the initial 10 minutes of extraction. Moreover, the SEM micrographs provided more evidence for the mechanical effects of ultrasound, mainly appearing on cell walls and shown by the destruction of cells, faulitating the release of their contents, in contrast to conventional maceration or extraction, which involve diffusion of plant extracts across glandular walls and causing cell rupture over longer time periods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aromatic plants of tropical central Africa. Part XLIX: chemical composition of essential oils of the leaf and rhizome of Aframomum giganteum K. Schum from Gabon
Authors: Agnaniet Huguette , Menut Chantal , Bessière Jean‐Marie 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves and rhizomes of Aframomum giganteum K. Schum grown in Gabon were investigated by GC–FID and GC–MS. The major compounds in the leaf oil were found to be cis‐pinocamphone (54%) and pinocarvone (10.1%), while the essential oil from the rhizomes is dominated by sesquiterpenes, namely β‐caryophyllene (10.5%) and their oxygenated derivatives (40%). The antioxidant and the antiradical activity of both samples were evaluated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to spot and use the “new” internal auditors
Authors: Pickett K. H. Spencer 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCorporate boards, senior executives, and others are scrambling to respond to demanding Sarbanes‐Oxley requirements. CEOs need to look for new skills from their internal audit staff. But how can you spot these “new” internal auditors, and what's the best way to use them? The author has some answers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of pulsed shock waves on the activity of polyphenol oxidase, alkaline phosphatase and green fluorescent protein
Authors: Zuckerman H , Krasik YaE , Felsteiner J 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPulsed shock waves (PSW), generated using a benchtop system constructed in our laboratory, have potential for the preservation of foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, since they can inactivate micro‐organisms as well as enzymes without heating. This paper presents the effect of PSW on polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which is related to food quality, and on alkaline phosphatase (AP), which is an indicator enzyme for milk pasteurisation. We also show the effect of PSW on green fluorescent protein (GFP). Results indicated that repeated applications of shock waves to enzymes and GFP at 4 °C were capable of reducing enzyme activity and the fluorescence of GFP. We showed that PSW decreased the activity of PPO and AP within a few microseconds at room temperature. The kinetics of enzyme activity reduction was affected by the number of applied shock wave pulses and followed an exponential relationship. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Protein‐related changes during salting of milkfish (Chanos chanos)
Authors: Sannaveerappa Thippeswamy , Ammu Kunhithyil , Joseph Jose 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMilkfish collected from brackish water culture ponds were wet and dry salted for 24 h and the dry‐salted fish were sun dried for 48 h. Biochemical changes, ie changes in α‐amino nitrogen, non‐protein nitrogen, salt‐soluble nitrogen, total free amino acids, essential amino acids and sulfhydryl groups, during salting and sun drying were studied. The reduction in these parameters was slightly higher in wet‐salted fish compared with dry‐salted fish. Further reduction in these parameters was noticed on sun drying of dry‐salted fish. Electrophoretic studies showed a decrease in the number of bands during wet and dry salting at a slow rate up to 9 h, after which high‐molecular‐weight proteins decreased faster than medium‐molecular‐weight proteins in both the 24 h wet‐ and dry‐salted samples. Further reduction in the number of bands and their intensity was observed on sun drying for 48 h. The medium‐molecular‐weight protein seems to be more stable. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Plane of elastic non‐resisting tension material under foundation structures
Authors: Baratta A. , Corbi I. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn the frame of 2D‐static problems one approaches the problem of elastic‐NRT (not‐resisting tension) semi‐plane loaded on its limit line. This problem is intended to model the stress situation induced in the soil by a foundation structure. The solution, in terms of activated stress field, is searched for in the class of stress fields satisfying equilibrium and admissibility conditions, by applying an energy approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free radicals mediated membrane damage by the saponins acaciaside A and acaciaside B
Authors: Nandi Bidyut , Roy Sakuntala , Bhattacharya Shelley , Sinha Babu Santi Prasad 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAcaciaside A and B, two acylated triterpenoid bisglycoside saponins originally isolated from the funicles of Acacia auriculiformis, are known to have antihelmintic activity. In our previous investigation it was suggested that the conjugated unsaturated system of the saponins is involved in producing the damaging effect of saponins, probably by resulting free radicals that induce membrane damage through peroxidation. Here the interaction of saponins and the microsomal membrane was investigated in the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase, catalase and thiourea. Our results showed that superoxide dismutase signiﬁcantly blocked the effect of saponins‐induced membrane damage. Catalase had only a minor effect on saponins‐induced membrane damage and thiourea had no effect. The results suggest that in our model, saponins can generate superoxide anions and initiate lipid peroxidation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of Pycnogenol on fluoride induced rat kidney lysosomal damage in vitro
Authors: Arhima M. H. , Gulati O. P. , Sharma S. C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPycnogenol (PYC) is a procyanidin‐rich extract of the bark of French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) with a potent ability to scavenge free radicals. Lysosome‐rich fractions from rat renal cortices were incubated with varying amounts of PYC and challenged with noxious doses of ﬂuoride. Controls were also included. The release of N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase (NAG) isozymes in the supernatant was estimated by spectrophotometric methods. The protein content of the renal cortex was also determined. Our results show that ﬂuoride in unhealthy doses can cause a concentration dependent release of N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase (NAG) isozymes from the renal lysosomes. This may be related to its known ability to initiate free radical formation or direct damaging effects on the lysosomal membrane. As a blend of bioﬂavonoids pycnogenol has a potent ability to scavenge free radicals. In our study PYC was effective in preventing ﬂuoride induced release of NAG isozymes from the renal lysosomes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidentally Found Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Treatment Rationale for Small Tumors
Authors: Raffel Andreas , Cupisti Kenko , Krausch Markus , Wolf Achim , Schulte Klaus‐Martin , Röher Hans‐Dietrich 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe object of this study was to assess the extent of surgery required for small sporadic medullary thyroid cancers (sMTCs). We retrospectively studied 261 patients with MTCs treated in our institution between 1986 and 2002 and identified 15 patients with small pT1 or pT2 sMTCs. The tumors were diagnosed incidentally, so surgical therapy was less than total thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection was applied to all other patients as standard surgical treatment of care. Patients were systematically followed up by postoperative ultrasonography, calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and pentagastrin stimulation tests. On long‐term follow‐up over a period of 4.6 years, the rate of biochemical cure in these patients who underwent less than total thyroidectomy for a sporadic incidentally diagnosed tumor was 100%. We concluded that completion thyroidectomy and neck dissection are not mandatory in patients in whom a solitary small sMTC is incidentally discovered by histologic diagnosis following operation so long as a genetic background is excluded. Nevertheless, such patients require systematic careful long‐term follow‐up.
Infection studies on human cell lines with porcine circovirus type 1 and porcine circovirus type 2
Authors: Hattermann Kim , Roedner Claudia , Schmitt Cornelia , Finsterbusch Tim , Steinfeldt Tobias , Mankertz Annette 
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  Background:  The lack of human donor organs in allotransplantation has led to a proposal for the use of porcine tissues and organs as alternative therapeutic material for humans. Besides immunological problems like graft rejection, one of the major concerns is the transmission of porcine microorganisms as viruses, bacteria and fungi to a human recipient.Methods:  Human cell lines have been infected with porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) to investigate whether PCV can infect and replicate in human epithelial cells and lymphocytes. Infection of PCV1 was observed with 293, Hela and Chang liver cells, infection with PCV2 only in Rd cells. In addition, religated viral DNA of PCV1 and PCV2 has been used to transfect adherent human cell lines.Results:  PCV1 persisted in most cell lines without causing any visible changes, while PCV2‐transfected cells showed a cytopathogenic effect. Presence of PCV DNA was detected in cells and supernatant by PCR, expression of viral proteins by an indirect immune fluorescence assay. A replication assay showed that the replication of PCV DNA was initiated at the origin of replication. When virus‐free cells were inoculated with the supernatant of PCV‐infected human cells, the infection was not passed.Conclusion:  Although PCV gene expression and replication took place in human cells, the infection is non‐productive. Alteration of protein localization suggests that protein targeting may be disturbed in human cells.
Magnesium‐induced vasodilation in the dorsal hand vein⋆
Authors: Landau Ruth , Scott Jason A. , Smiley Richard M. 
Published: April 2004

Objective  Magnesium affects blood pressure by modulating vascular tone and reactivity. In obstetric patients, magnesium is administered to prevent eclamptic seizures and as a tocolytic to treat preterm labour. Prior to studying vascular sensitivity in women with pre‐eclampsia, we sought to determine the effect of magnesium on venous tone in healthy women of childbearing age.Design  Dose–response study.Setting  Columbia‐Presbyterian Medical Center, New York.Population  Ten healthy non‐pregnant women (age range 21–47 years).Methods  Vascular response to magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) was measured in a dorsal hand vein using the linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) technique. Complete dose–response curves to MgSO4 (0.0000275–0.088 mmol/min) were determined after 50% preconstriction of the vein with phenylephrine.Main outcome measures  The ED50 of MgSO4 (dose resulting in 50% of maximal effect, Emax) was determined. Blood samples from the contralateral upper extremity were obtained to assess total plasma magnesium levels at baseline and at the highest infused dose of magnesium. ED50 results are expressed as geometric mean (95% confidence interval, CI). Emax results and magnesium plasma concentrations are expressed as mean [SD].Results  The ED50 of MgSO4 was 0.000307 mmol/min (95% CI 0.138, 0.666) and Emax was 102% [20%].Conclusion  Magnesium induces dose‐dependent venodilation in healthy women in the absence of systemic haemodynamic effects. The dose resulting in vasodilation using the LVDT/hand vein model is two to three orders of magnitude less than the therapeutic doses of magnesium used for tocolysis or seizure prophylaxis. Studies of the effect of systemically administered therapeutic doses of magnesium on vascular reactivity in pre‐eclampsia will be of interest.