bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of canopy cover on soil termite assemblages in an agrisilvicultural system in southern Cameroon
Authors: Dibog L. , Eggleton P. , Norgrove L. , Bignell D.E. , Hauser S.
Published: November 2007

Termites were sampled using randomized soil pits in 64 cropping plots, each 25 x 25 m, forming an experimental agrisilvicultural system in both a 6- and an 18-year-oldTerminalia ivorensisplantation, in which canopy cover, crop, cropping system and land preparation were the principal treatment variables. The treatments were established in April 1995 and sampling was carried out in November 1995, February 1996 and July 1996. A total of 82 termite species were found, of which 67 were soil-feeders. Overall termite abundance and the abundance of soil-feeders increased between November 1995 and July 1996, reaching a mean of nearly 6000 m-2. Pooling termite data from these sampling dates, in the old plantation, the high canopy cover treatment (192 stems ha-1) had a greater abundance of termites, compared with the low canopy cover treatment (64 stems ha-1) and this effect was independent of crop type (plantain or cocoyam), cropping system (single stands or mixed crops) and land preparation (mulch retained or burned, plantain only). The young tree plantation (same tree densities as in the old plantation) showed no significant difference in termite abundance between high and low canopy (levels of tree foliage) densities, though the high canopy sheltered a greater number of termites. Analysis of covariance showed that crop yield (both plantain and cocoyam) was not directly linked to the abundance of all termite populations, but that the cocoyam yield was positively correlated with the abundance of soil-feeding termites (the majority in the assemblage) in the young plantation. This may be due to the beneficial conditioning of soil resulting from the foraging and construction activities of soil-feeders.
Entomopathogenicity of Vairimorpha sp. (Microsporidia) in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
Authors: Haque Md.A. , Canning E.U. , Wright D.J.
Published: November 2007

The biocontrol potential of a microsporidian pathogen, Vairimorpha sp., obtained from field collected diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella Linnaeus, was assessed in a laboratory colony of this insect. The pathogenicity was quantified using a standard bioassay procedure by infecting second instar larvae per os with variable dose levels of the pathogen. Vairimorpha sp. caused 100% mortality even at a dosage of 1.5 x 103 spores per larva. The median lethal dose (LD50) was 2.2 x 104 spores per larva on day 5 post-inoculation. The time taken to achieve 90–100% mortality was dose dependent and varied from 5 days with 1.5 x 106 spores per larva to 11 days with 1.5 x 103 spores per larva. The pathogen reduced the food consumption of P. xylostella larvae by 75%, 93% and 95% at doses 1.5 x 104, 1.5 x 105 and 1.5 x 106 spores per larva, respectively. Histological observations showed that the pathogen preferentially infected adipose tissue cells but spread to almost all tissues. The pathogen was transmitted transovarially as well as horizontally and had a marked influence on progeny performance. It was concluded that Vairimorpha sp. has sufficient potential to be tested in the field as a biocontrol agent for P. xylostella.
A test of a pattern recognition system for identification of spiders
Authors: Do M.T. , Harp J.M. , Norris K.C.
Published: November 2007

Growing interest in biodiversity and conservation has increased the demand for accurate and consistent identification of arthropods. Unfortunately, professional taxonomists are already overburdened and underfunded and their numbers are not increasing with significant speed to meet the demand. In an effort to bridge the gap between professional taxonomists and non-specialists by making the results of taxonomic research more accessible, we present a partially automated pattern recognition system utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs). Various artificial neural networks were trained to identify spider species using only digital images of female genitalia, from which key shape information had been extracted by wavelet transform. Three different sized networks were evaluated based on their ability to discriminate a test set of six species to either the genus or the species level. The species represented three genera of the wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae). The largest network achieved the highest accuracy, identifying specimens to the correct genus 100% of the time and to the correct species an average of 81% of the time. In addition, the networks were most accurate when identifying specimens in a hierarchical system, first to genus and then to species. This test system was surprisingly accurate considering the small size of our training set.
Listronotus bonariensis(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) flight in Canterbury, New Zealand
Authors: Goldson S.L. , Proffitt J.R. , Baird D.B.
Published: November 2007

Flight byListronotus bonariensis(Kuschel) in Canterbury, New Zealand varied greatly both within and between seasons; no winter flight was detected between mid-May and mid-August. Predisposing conditions for flight were found to be >19degC, rh <81% and windspeed <10.8 km h–1. Three flight phases with different characteristics were identified when approximately equal numbers of weevils were trapped. These were between mid-August and early December (overwintered weevils), between early December and mid-March (first summer generation weevils) and mid-March and mid-May (first and second generation weevils). The proportion of individuals with developed flight musculature wasc. 8% in the first phase and 30% in the last phase; muscle development was delayed in the mid-phase. First phase weevils with flight muscles werec. 20 times more likely to fly than those in the last. A very weak inverse relationship was observed between developed flight musculature and the presence or absence of eggs. Similarly, there was a very weak inverse relationship between weevil ground densities and the proportion with developed flight muscles. Levels of parasitism byMicroctonus hyperodaeLoan amongst trapped weevils were far less than that on the ground, indicating that it inhibits flight and may explain the relatively slow dispersal of the parasitoid. It was concluded that the adaptive implications of flight could be linked to escape responses from desiccating microclimates rather than dispersal from crowded habitats.
Numerical model simulations of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens and white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) migration
Authors: Turner R. , Song Y.-H. , Uhm K.-B.
Published: November 2007

This paper reports on the performance of an atmospheric numerical model called BLAYER which has been adapted to forecast the movement of migrant brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) and white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera (Horvarth) populations from China to Korea. Comparison of model forecasts with trapping data for the 1987 and 1988 migration seasons indicated: (i) that the model is capable of successfully simulating the movement of planthoppers to Korea; (ii) that the model has sufficient detail to simulate insect movement into different regions of Korea; (iii) the source region for early season migrants is most likely to be south-eastern China (i.e. south of 25°N and east of 115°E); (iv) later season migrants may not necessarily always originate from an expanded northward region (south of 30°N); (v) the flight level of migrants may vary from about 500 to 2000 m altitude from one migration episode to another; and (vi) flight times ranging between 24 and 45 h are required to explain the migratory influxes. The results reported here have led to BLAYER forecasts of planthopper migration being produced on an operational basis within Korea.
Effects of open heart surgery on hearing thresholds measured by high frequency audiometry
Authors: Iriz A , Cagli K , Gocer C , Dursun E , Korkmaz H , Eryilmaz A
Published: November 2007

Background:

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between pre- and post-operative hearing thresholds, measured by high frequency audiometry, in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Materials and methods:

Pre- and post-operative audiometric assessments were performed in 20 patients undergoing open heart surgery. Pure tone audiometry testing was performed at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000, 10 000, 12 000 and 14 000 Hz. We also evaluated: patients' clinical parameters (i.e. age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, history of myocardial infarction, and whether undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or valve surgery); various operative details (operative temperatures, cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp time); and post-operative clinical progress and its effect on hearing loss.

Results:

Patients' pre- and post-operative pure tone audiometric results were significantly different at some frequencies (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant impact of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, history of myocardial infarction and cross-clamp time.

Conclusions:

This study shows that open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass can lead to significant post-operative changes in hearing levels at some frequencies. Some additional patient parameters may influence this process. It seems possible that the risk of such hearing loss could be reduced; further studies may be able to define the significance of patients' concomitant disorders.
Vestibular aqueduct in sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Sugiura M , Naganawa S , Ishida I M , Teranishi M , Nakata S , Yoshida T , Nakashima T
Published: November 2007

Objective:

To evaluate the vestibular aqueduct in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods:

We evaluated 19 patients (12 men and seven women; age range, 22−79 years) with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss, using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. All these patients had unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss. We also evaluated 47 control subjects (22 men and 25 women; age range, 22–79 years).

Results:

In sensorineural hearing loss affected ears, the width of the vestibular aqueduct at the midpoint and at the operculum was significantly greater than that in contralateral ears or in control ears. The width of the vestibular aqueduct at the midpoint and the operculum did not correlate with the audiometric threshold or the audiogram configuration. Contrast enhancement of the ipsilateral endolymphatic sac was observed in 17 of 19 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (89 per cent). Eleven of these 17 patients also showed enhancement on the contralateral side, but no patient showed enhancement only on the contralateral side. In sensorineural hearing loss affected ears, the width of the vestibular aqueduct did not differ significantly between those patients with and without enhancement.

Conclusions:

The vestibular aqueducts of sudden sensorineural hearing loss affected ears are wider than those of controls. Precise imaging and evaluation of the inner ear is essential when investigating the pathological conditions responsible for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Olfactory clearance: what time is needed in clinical practice?
Authors: Philpott C M , Wolstenholme C R , Goodenough P C , Clark A , Murty G E
Published: November 2007

Objective:

To determine olfactory adaptation and clearance times for healthy individuals, and to assess the effect of common variables upon these parameters.

Study design and setting:

Fourteen healthy volunteers were recruited for a series of tests. Their initial olfactory threshold levels for phenethyl alcohol were determined. After olfactory exposure to a saturated solution of phenethyl alcohol (i.e. olfactory adaptation), the time taken for subjects to return to their initial olfactory threshold was then recorded (i.e. olfactory clearance). Visual analogue scale scores for subjective variables were also recorded.

Results:

The 14 subjects performed 120 tests in total. Despite consistent linear trends within individuals, olfactory clearance times varied widely within and between individuals. The mean olfactory clearance time for phenethyl alcohol was 170 seconds (range 81–750). Univariate analysis showed a relationship between olfactory clearance times and age (p = 0.031), symptoms (p = 0.029) and mood (p = 0.048).

Conclusions:

When testing a person's sense of smell in a clinical setting, recent exposure to similar smells should be noted, and a period of 15 minutes needs to be allowed before retesting if using phenethyl alcohol. Other variables need not be controlled, but greater clearance time may be needed for older patients.
Controversies, genetics, diagnostic assessment, and outcomes relating to the heterotaxy syndrome
Authors: Cohen Meryl S. , Anderson Robert H. , Cohen Mitchell I. , Atz Andrew M. , Fogel Mark , Gruber Peter J. , Lopez Leo , Rome Jonathan J. , Weinberg Paul M.
Published: November 2007

How best to analyse and describe the features of the situation commonly known as “visceral heterotaxy” remains controversial. Much of the disagreement devolves on how to deal with the concept of isomerism. In the opinion of some, the concept of bilateral right-sidedness and bilateral left-sidedness, while useful in helping to remember which abnormalities are likely to occur in asplenia or polysplenia, should not be granted the status of a specific “situs”, since there are numerous examples of exceptions to these patterns. On the other hand, those who favour the concept of isomerism point out that, when describing only the heart, and taking the structure of the atrial appendages as the starting point for analysis, basing this on the extent of the pectinate muscles relative to the atrioventricular junctions, then the only possible arrangements for the appendages are the usual one, its mirror-image, and the two situations in which appendages of comparable morphology are found on both sides of the heart, these being the arrangements of right or left isomerism. It is certainly the case that the arrangement of the organs is not always in harmony with the arrangement of the atrial appendages, but those circumstances, in which there is disharmony, can readily be described by paying specific attention to each series of organs. On this basis, in this review, we describe the approach to heterotaxy, and isomerism of the atrial appendages, in terms of the genetic background, the diagnosis, and outcomes after cardiac surgery. Attention is given to the various diagnostic modalities, including fetal and postnatal echocardiography, recent tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and the time-honoured approach using angiography.
Activity based financing in England: the need for continual refinement of payment by results
Authors: STREET ANDREW , MAYNARD ALAN
Published: November 2007

The English National Health Service is introducing activity based tariff systems or Payment by Results (PbR) as the basis for hospital funding. The funding arrangements provide incentives for increasing activity, particularly day surgery, and, uniquely, are based on costing data from all hospitals. But prices should not be based on average costs and the potential of PbR to improve the quality of care is yet to be exploited. Without refinement, PbR threatens to undermine expenditure control, to divert resources away from primary care, and to distort needs based funding.
Sozialpädagogische Interventionen in der Arbeit mit depressiven alten Menschen
Authors: Scheib Antonia , Stien Jochen
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Erfolgreiche sozialpädagogische Interventionen zur Aktivierung gerontopsychiatrischer Patienten mit der Diagnose Depression erfordern die Berücksichtigung multipler Faktoren. Neben den individuellen, patientenbezogenen Bedingungen sind das soziale Umfeld und die realen, regionalen Angebote zu berücksichtigen.
Delir-Diagnostik
Authors: Dittrich B. , Gatterer G. , Frühwald T. , Sommeregger U.
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Das Delir (“akuter Verwirrtheitszustand”) bezeichnet eine psychische Störung, die plötzlich auftritt, durch eine rasche Fluktuation von Bewusstseinslage und Aufmerksamkeitsleistung gekennzeichnet ist und eine organische Ursache hat. Dieses Störungsbild nimmt bei Patienten im höheren Lebensalter deutlich an Häufigkeit zu und verursacht durch verlängerte Krankenhausaufenthalte und ungünstige Krankheitsverläufe erhebliche Kosten im Gesundheitssystem. Daher erscheint eine möglichst frühe Erkennung deliranter Zustandsbilder gerade im Rahmen der Geriatrie von großer Bedeutung. Zu diesem Zweck wurde eine deutsche Version der international weit verbreiteten Confusion Assessment Method entwickelt, die für die Bedürfnisse einer Abteilung für Akutgeriatrie modifiziert wurde. Dargestellt werden die Entwicklung und erste Erfahrungen mit diesem Instrument.
Strukturiertes Vorgehen bei der sozialen Aktivierung in der Tagesklinik für Alterspsychiatrie in Schwerin
Authors: Drach Lutz Michael , Terner Brigitte
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Ältere psychisch Kranke haben krankheitsbedingt häufig ihre sozialen Beziehungen stark eingeschränkt und erleben dies oft als schwere Beeinträchtigung. Dabei sind nach erfolgter (Teil-)Remission der Erkrankung bei im Alter erstmals erkrankten Patienten -insbesondere mit Depressionen, Angststörungen und somatoformen Störungen- die sozialen Fähigkeiten in der Regel erhalten und nur nicht mehr geübt. Deshalb wird in der alterspsychiatrischen Tagesklinik in Schwerin ein manualisiertes Programm zur sozialen Aktivierung durchgeführt, bei dem die Patienten ohne Begleitung eines Therapeuten bei individuell angepasster gestufter Belastungssteigerung Veranstaltungen der offenen Altenhilfe besuchen.
Unilateraler Neglect
Authors: Hauer Belinda , Quirbach Anita
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Die vorliegende Untersuchung hat das Ziel, die Effektivität von Prismenadaptation zur Behandlung von unilateralem Neglect zu evaluieren. 18 Neglectpatienten wurden in drei Gruppen eingeteilt. Experimentalgruppe 1 erhielt an 10 Werktagen einmal, Experimentalgruppe 2 zweimal am Tag Prismentherapie. Die Kontrollgruppe blieb unbehandelt. An drei Messzeitpunkten wurde die Symptomatik der Patienten erfasst. Dabei wurde erwartet, dass sich sowohl eine erhöhte Therapiefrequenz als auch eine längere Therapiedauer in einer stärkeren Rückbildung der Symptome niederschlagen. Die varianzanalytische Auswertung ergab jedoch keinen signifikanten Effekt der Therapieintensität. Bei allen drei Gruppen hatte sich die Neglectsymptomatik unabhängig von der Behandlung signifikant reduziert. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse können die Bewertung der Prismenadaptation als effektives und ökonomisches Verfahren zur Behandlung des Neglectsyndroms in der Frühphase nach einem Schlaganfall nicht unterstützen.
Funktionelle Hemisphärenasymmetrie der Selbstkontrolle?
Authors: Knoch Daria
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Durch die Fähigkeit zur Selbstkontrolle gelingt es uns, diejenigen Aktivitäten zu unterdrücken, die einem angestrebten Ziel oder dem aktuellen sozialen Kontext entgegenstehen. Welche neuronalen Prozesse liegen der Selbstkontrolle zugrunde? Ein vertieftes Verständnis der relevanten neuronalen Mechanismen kann insofern von therapeutischer Relevanz sein, als Störungen der Selbstkontrolle ein zentrales Merkmal vieler neurologischer und psychiatrischer Erkrankungen darstellen. Der vorliegende Artikel fasst vorwiegend eigene experimentelle Arbeiten zusammen, deren Resultate die - aufgrund von Beobachtungen an Patienten mit Schädigungen im Frontalhirn formulierte - Annahme einer lateralisierten Organisation der Selbstkontrolle stützen. Basierend auf diesen Berichten formulieren wir die Schlussfolgerung, dass die Fähigkeit zur Selbstkontrolle, die für ein adäquates Entscheidungsverhalten von fundamentaler Bedeutung ist, über rechtsseitige Regelsysteme organisiert ist und durch kortikale Stimulation vorübergehend moduliert werden kann.
Depressivität und Depression bei der Parkinson-Erkrankung
Authors: Paelecke-Habermann Yvonne , Ebersbach Georg , Leplow Bernd
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung: Ein erheblicher Anteil an Patienten mit einer idiopathischen Parkinson-Erkrankung (PD) entwickelt im Verlauf eine sekundäre Depression. Die Prävalenzraten schwanken erheblich, da die Diagnosestellung aufgrund von Symptomüberschneidungen zwischen neurologischer Grunderkrankung und Major Depression (MD) erschwert ist. Dies führt zu Problemen bei der therapeutischen Indikationsstellung sowie zu einer eingeschränkten Interpretierbarkeit neuropsychologischer und neurophysiologischer Studien. Ein weiterer Aspekt bezieht sich auf Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen sekundärer und primärer Depression. Entgegen dem klinischen Eindruck einer PD-spezifischen Depression erbrachten psychometrische Verfahren zur Depressionsdiagnostik diesbezüglich bisher nur unbefriedigende Ergebnisse. Ziele dieses Überblicksartikels: 1. Charakterisierung depressiver Syndrome bei der PD, 2. Überblick über den Forschungsstand zur Neuropathologie und Neuropsychologie, 3. Gegenüberstellung klinisch- und/oder neuropsychologischer Gemeinsamkeiten/Unterschiede zwischen sekundärer und primärer MD und 4. Konsequenzen für Forschung und Differenzialdiagnostik.
Assoziation zwischen der Kompetenz zur Kontingenzerkennung im Alter von drei und sechs Monaten und dem Entwicklungsstand im Alter von ein und zwei Jahren
Authors: Lissmann Ilka , Korntheuer Petra , Lohaus Arnold
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Berichtet wird über eine Längsschnittstudie mit vier Untersuchungszeitpunkten an 87 Kindern im Alter von 3 bis 24 Monaten. Ziel war es, die Assoziationen zwischen Kompetenzen zur nicht-sozialen Kontingenzwahrnehmung mit drei und sechs Monaten und dem späteren Entwicklungsstand mit einem bzw. zwei Jahren sowie der sprachlichen Entwicklung mit zwei Jahren zu analysieren. Die Kompetenz zur Wahrnehmung nicht-sozialer Kontingenzen wurde mittels Mobile Conjugate Reinforcement Paradigma (Mobiletest) sowie Visual Expectation Paradigma (VEP) erhoben. Der Entwicklungsstand wurde mit dem Entwicklungstest 6 Monate - 6 Jahre (ET 6-6) erhoben, die sprachliche Entwicklung mittels des Sprachtests für zweijährige Kinder (SETK-2). Es zeigte sich, dass die Ergebnisse des Mobiletests mit drei Monaten signifikante Bezüge zur Sprachentwicklung mit zwei Jahren aufwiesen. Das VEP mit sechs Monaten stand ebenfalls mit der Sprachentwicklung mit zwei Jahren, zusätzlich aber auch mit der kognitiven und sozialen Entwicklung mit einem Jahr in Verbindung. Diskutiert werden neben der Notwendigkeit zu einer altersspezifischen Differenzierung zwischen den beiden Paradigmen zur Wahrnehmung nicht-sozialer Kontingenzen auch die möglichen Verbindungslinien zwischen nicht-sozialer Kontingenzwahrnehmung und Entwicklung.
Assessment Center-Praxis in deutschen Großunternehmen
Authors: Kanning Uwe Peter , Pöttker Jens , Gelléri Petra
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. In einer Befragung deutscher Großunternehmen wird untersucht, inwieweit wissenschaftliche Qualitätskriterien der Assessment Center (AC)-Methode in der Praxis umgesetzt werden. Die Kriterien beziehen sich sowohl auf die AC-Konstruktion (Anforderungsanalysen, quantitatives Verhältnis zwischen Beobachtern und Kandidaten, Schulung der Beobachter etc.) als auch auf die eingesetzten Übungen sowie die Durchführung der Assessment Center (z. B. Einsatz von verhaltensverankerten Skalen, Beobachterrotation, Evaluation etc.). Im Hinblick auf die meisten Kriterien ergibt sich ein primär positives Bild. Allerdings lassen sich auch deutliche Defizite belegen. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf mögliche Ursachen für die mangelnde Umsetzung wissenschaftlicher Standards in der Praxis diskutiert.
Der Einfluss einer uneindeutigen Informationslage auf eskalierendes Commitment
Authors: Pfeiffer Felix , Schönborn Stefan , Mojzisch Andreas , Schulz-Hardt Stefan
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Die Forschung zu eskalierendem Commitment beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, warum Personen an Handlungen bei fraglichem Handlungserfolg festhalten. Eine wesentliche Moderatorvariable eskalierenden Commitments formulierte Bowen (1987) mit der decision dilemma theory, derzufolge eskalierendes Commitment insbesondere dann stattfindet, wenn Informationen bezüglich des fraglichen Handlungserfolgs uneindeutig sind. Die bisherigen Studien zur decision dilemma theory stehen zum Teil für Alternativerklärungen offen und/oder weisen methodische Mängel auf. Die vorliegende Untersuchung stellt einen direkten Test der Theorie dar. Die Probanden sollten in einer Wirtschaftsfallsimulation eine Entscheidung über Folgeinvestitionen in eine Verluste schreibende Abteilung eines Unternehmens treffen. Zuvor waren die Probanden für eine Förderung dieser Abteilung entweder verantwortlich oder nicht verantwortlich gewesen. Zudem wurde manipuliert, ob sich Expertengutachten, die das Investitionsproblem behandelten, in der Mehrzahl für, gegen oder zu gleichen Anteilen für und gegen eine weitere Investition aussprachen. Wie von der decision dilemma theory vorhergesagt, zeigten die verantwortlichen Probanden insbesondere bei einer ausgeglichenen und somit uneindeutigen Gutachtenlage eskalierendes Commitment.
Altersdiskriminierung - (k)ein Thema der deutschsprachigen Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie?
Authors: Kluge Annette , Krings Franciska
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Wir gehen der Frage nach, inwieweit Diskriminierung älterer Arbeitskräfte in deutschsprachigen Veröffentlichungen aus dem Bereich der Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie thematisiert wird. Nach einer systematischen Literaturrecherche in einschlägigen Fachzeitschriften (Psychologie und Praxis, Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie, Arbeit, Wirtschaftspsychologie, Wirtschaftspsychologie aktuell, Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft; bis 2005) kommen wir zu dem Schluss, dass Diskriminierung älterer Arbeitskräfte in deutschsprachigen Veröffentlichungen praktisch nicht diskutiert wird. Wir beschreiben vier theoretische Ansätze die verdeutlichen, warum Vorurteile und Altersdiskriminierung in Organisationen wichtige zu berücksichtigende Faktoren sind. Die Bedeutung dieser Ansätze wird durch empirische Studien aus dem englischsprachigen Raum gestützt. Anschließend diskutieren wir die Frage der universellen Gültigkeit bzw. der kulturellen Gebundenheit der bisherigen Ergebnisse sowie auch weitere, bisher wenig beachtete Forschungsfragen. Zuletzt stellen wir Ansatzpunkte für den Abbau von altersdiskriminierenden Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen in Organisationen vor.
Die deutsche Übersetzung des Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ)
Authors: Stiller Jeannine , Alfermann Dorothee
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Arbeit liefert erste psychometrische Befunde des Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ; Marsh, Richards, Johnson, Roche, und Tremayne, 1994 ) in der deutschen Übersetzung. Der PSDQ ist ein Verfahren, das nicht nur sportliche Fähigkeiten misst (vgl. Stiller, Würth & Alfermann, 2004 ), sondern auch Dimensionen des Selbstwerts sowie Gesundheit, körperliche Aktivität und Körperfett. Er besteht aus 70 Items und erhebt auf elf Dimensionen das physische Selbstkonzept. Die Überprüfung der psychometrischen Kennwerte und Faktorstruktur wurde in Abhängigkeit von den Faktoren Alter, Geschlecht und Sportaktivität realisiert. Insgesamt wurden N = 1055 Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene mit dem PSDQ schriftlich befragt. In Abhängigkeit von Alter, Geschlecht und Sportaktivität verweisen konfirmatorische Faktoranalysen auf die gleiche Faktorstruktur. Die Ergebnisse für Trennschärfen und interne Konsistenzen zeigen gute bis sehr gute Kennwerte und bestätigen damit Befunde der Originalversion. Die hier gefundenen Ergebnisse sprechen für den Einsatz des PSDQ auch für den deutschen Sprachraum.
Do within-dimension ratings in assessment centers really lead to improved construct validity?
Authors: Melchers Klaus G. , Henggeler Crista , Kleinmann Martin
Published: November 2007

Abstract. In their meta-analysis on the construct validity of assessment centers (ACs), Woehr and Arthur (2003) found that within-dimension ratings of candidates’ performance had better construct validity than within-exercise ratings. However, this finding conflicts with previous experimental studies. In these studies, comparable results were only obtained when the rating approach was confounded with other factors, which are also likely to affect construct validity but which were not taken into account by Woehr and Arthur. In the present investigation, we identified factors that are often associated with a within-dimension rating approach. Most of these factors were also confounded with the rating approach in the studies from Woehr and Arthur’s meta-analysis. Meta-analytic moderator analyses showed that the time at which assessors rated candidates, the exchange of information between assessors, and assessor rotation moderate AC construct validity. The effects of the rating approach can probably be attributed to these confounding factors.
Die Validität von Persönlichkeitsfragebögen
Authors: Inceoglu Ilke , Bartram Dave
Published: November 2007

Zusammenfassung. Persönlichkeitsfragebögen und Fähigkeitstests werden prinzipiell als gute Prädiktoren für zukünftige berufliche Leistung anerkannt (vgl. Schmidt & Hunter, 1998 ) und häufig zur Personalauswahl und -entwicklung verwendet. Während sich in den vergangenen Jahren durch die Akzeptanz der Big Five und einer Vielzahl von validen Instrumenten zur Persönlichkeitsmessung die Prädiktorenseite gut etabliert hat, wurde der Erfassung der Kriterien vergleichsweise wenig Beachtung geschenkt. In der vorliegenden Studie wird mit Hilfe eines berufsbezogenen Persönlichkeitsfragebogens (Occupational Personality Questionnaire; OPQ) und drei Fähigkeitstests die berufliche Leistung, gemessen anhand von Vorgesetztenbeurteilungen, vorhergesagt. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es zu veranschaulichen, wie die Höhe der Validität durch unterschiedliche Operationalisierungen der Arbeitsleistung beeinflusst wird. Der Fokus richtet sich dabei zum einen auf die Erfassung des Konstruktes Arbeitsleistung durch spezifische Kompetenzdimensionen im Vergleich zur einer globalen Leistungsbeurteilung. Zum anderen wird gezielt untersucht, wie sich die Reliabilität unterschiedlicher Kompetenzskalen auf die Validitätskoeffizienten auswirkt. Die praktischen Implikationen der Ergebnisse im Hinblick auf die Durchführung von Validierungsstudien werden diskutiert.
Mass‐independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes by isotope‐selective photodissociation of SO2
Authors: Lyons James R.
Published: November 2007

A quantitative understanding the origin of sulfur isotope mass‐independent fractionation (MIF) is essential to a full interpretation of the Archean sulfur geochemical record. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that a MIF signature is present in elemental sulfur produced during SO2 photolysis, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, I report the results of atmospheric chemistry modeling of isotope‐selective photodissociation of SO2 in the 1B2 − 1A1 bands from 190 to 220 nm. This band system is dominated by a bending mode progression that produces shifts in the absorption spectrum upon sulfur isotope substitution. Self‐shielding in the rotationally‐resolved lines of 32SO2 produces MIF signatures in SO and residual SO2. A self‐shielding origin for sulfur MIF implies that the variations observed in Δ33S in Archean rocks reflect variation in atmospheric SO2 concentration, and demonstrates that MIF in terrestrial rocks can be derived from photochemistry independent of molecular symmetry.
Shallow seismic AVO variations related to partial water saturation during a pumping test
Authors: Sloan Steven D. , Tsoflias Georgios P. , Steeples Don W.
Published: November 2007

High‐resolution shallow seismic reflection experiments were conducted during and after a pumping test of an agricultural irrigation well to image the cone of depression. Although variations in the reflection time from the top of the saturated zone were not observed, amplitude‐versus‐offset (AVO) analysis revealed changes in reflection amplitude responses that correlate temporally and spatially to expected changes to the partially saturated zone induced by the pumping and recovery of the aquifer. The AVO responses exhibit dependence on aquifer drawdown and recovery cycles and the distance from the pumping well. We propose that near‐surface soil heterogeneity and relatively rapid changes in the water table elevation during irrigation cycles caused a thickening of the partially saturated zone above the water table, which resulted in detectable changes in seismic reflection amplitudes. This study offers insights about the response of shallow seismic reflections to changes in subsurface water saturation and the potential application of seismic techniques to hydrogeophysical problems.
Effects of Urbanization on Organic Carbon Loads in the Sacramento River, California
Authors: Sickman J. O. , Zanoli M. J. , Mann H. L.
Published: November 2007

To gain better understanding of the effects of urbanization on organic matter transport in rivers, we quantified total organic carbon loading from point and non‐point urban sources within the metropolitan area of Sacramento and compared these loads to the amount of organic carbon carried in the downstream Sacramento River. Median total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in the Sacramento River, non‐point urban runoff and wastewater treatment plant effluent were 2.1, 8.9, and 23 mg L−1, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in non‐point runoff and the river had similar specific UVA absorbance and disinfection by‐product formation potential, but based on radiocarbon measurements, non‐point DOC was substantially older (age > 2000 a) than DOC in the Sacramento River. This finding suggests that DOC in non‐point runoff is derived primarily from leaching of older soil organic matter. The 10th, 50th, 90th and 99th percentile contributions of urban sources to daily TOC load in the Sacramento River were 10%, 20%, 38% and 80%, respectively. Total urban TOC yield was 150 kg ha−1yr−1 and urban sources contributed ∼17% of the annual load of TOC in the Sacramento River below Sacramento.
THE EFFECT OF SKIN ALLOGRAFT SIZE ON SURVIVAL TIME FOLLOWING TRANSPLANTATION BETWEEN MICE DIFFERING AT THE H‐2 LOCUS
Authors: Gotjamano T
Published: November 2007

Survival times of 428 skin allografts varying in area from 1 to 8 cm.2 and exchanged between 4 inbred mouse strains differing at the H‐2 locus are reported in this paper. As a preliminary to the main investigation, the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of allografts and isografts carried out in parallel were correlated and the macroscopic features indicative of graft non‐ viability adopted as criteria for classifying a graft as rejected. In each of three different donor‐recipient combinations tested, massive (8 cm.2) allografts remained viable for 2 to 3 days longer than small (1 cm.2) allografts. The differences between survival times of massive and small grafts were highly statistically significant. Animals bearing massive allografts experienced the greatest loss in body weight during the post‐operative period. It is suggested that temporary immunodepression following severe surgical trauma may be partly responsible for the prolonged survival of massive allografts.

Previous studies on the relation between skin allograft size and survival time have led to conflicting results and conclusions. These discrepancies probably stem from the widely differing criteria for graft rejection used by different investigators. In order to eliminate inter‐investigator variation in future studies involving skin graft survival, this paper stresses the need for different workers to adopt uniform criteria for assessing graft viability. Some suggestions are offered and special emphasis placed on demonstrating continued mitotic activity of basal epidermal cells before classifying a skin graft as viable and showing prolonged survival.
THE EXCRETION OF VASOPRESSIN BY NORMAL AND DEHYDRATED SHEEP
Authors: Yesberg Nancy E , Henderson Myrna , Budtz‐Olsen OE
Published: November 2007

Urinary vasopressin excretion rates in normal sheep have been shown to range from less than 1 μU/minute to 138 μU/minute. They were inversely related to urine flow rate and directly related to urine osmolality. Dehydration led to an increase in vasopressin excretion up to a rate of 869 μU/minute which was associated with a decrease in urine flow rate and an increase in osmolality. Electrolyte excretion was not significantly related to vasopressin excretion rate in either the normal or dehydrated group, but both sodium and potassium output remained consistently low during dehydration. Evidence is presented that increased vasopressin allows the reabsorption of more solute‐free water for a given osmolar clearance, and that where dehydration results in a reduction of solute‐free water reabsorption it is due to a reduction in osmolar clearance, probably due to a vasopressin enhanced urea reabsorption.
Nicotinic acid: an old drug with a promising future
Authors: Bodor E T , Offermanns S
Published: November 2007

Nicotinic acid has been used for decades to treat dyslipidaemic states. In particular its ability to raise the plasma HDL cholesterol concentration has led to an increased interest in its pharmacological potential. The clinical use of nicotinic acid is somewhat limited due to several harmless but unpleasant side effects, most notably a cutaneous flushing phenomenon. With the recent discovery of a nicotinic acid receptor, it has become possible to better understand the mechanisms underlying the metabolic and vascular effects of nicotinic acid. Based on these new insights into the action of nicotinic acid, novel strategies are currently under development to maximize the pharmacological potential of this drug. The generation of both flush‐reducing co‐medications of nicotinic acid and novel drugs targeting the nicotinic acid receptor will provide future therapeutic options for the treatment of dyslipidaemic disorders.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, S68–S75; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707528; published online 26 November 2007
Nuclear quadrupole moment of La139 from relativistic electronic structure calculations of the electric field gradients in LaF, LaCl, LaBr, and LaI
Authors: Jacob Christoph R. , Visscher Lucas , Thierfelder Christian , Schwerdtfeger Peter
Published: November 2007

Relativistic coupled cluster theory is used to determine accurate electric field gradients in order to provide a theoretical value for the nuclear quadrupole moment of La139. Here we used the diatomic lanthanum monohalides LaF, LaCl, LaBr, and LaI as accurate nuclear quadrupole coupling constants are available from rotational spectroscopy by Rubinoff et al. [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 218, 169 (2003)]. The resulting nuclear quadrupole moment for La139 (0.200±0.006barn) is in excellent agreement with earlier work using atomic hyperfine spectroscopy [0.20(1)barn].
The rotational spectrum of CoF in all three spin-orbit components of the XΦi3 state
Authors: Harrison Jeremy J. , Brown John M. , Flory M. A. , Sheridan P. M. , McLamarrah S. K. , Ziurys L. M.
Published: November 2007

The pure rotational spectrum of cobalt monofluoride in its XΦi3 electronic state has been measured in the frequency range of 256–651GHz using direct absorption techniques. CoF was created by reacting cobalt vapor with F2 in helium at low pressure (25–30mTorr). All three spin components were identified in the spectrum of this species, two of which exhibited lambda doubling. Each spin component showed hyperfine splittings from both nuclei: an octet pattern arising from the Co59 spin of I=7∕2, which is further split into doublets due to the F19 nucleus (I=1∕2). The data were fitted close to experimental precision using an effective Hamiltonian expressed in Hund’s case (a) form, and rotational, fine structure, hyperfine, and lambda-doubling parameters were determined. There is evidence that the rotational levels of the highest spin component Φ23 are perturbed. The r0 bond length of CoF was estimated from the rotational constant to be 1.738014(1)Å. This value is in good agreement with previous studies but much more accurate. The matrix elements necessary for the complete treatment of Λ doubling in a Φ state have been derived and are presented for the first time.
New implementation of a combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical method using modified generalized hybrid orbitals
Authors: Jung Jaewoon , Choi Cheol Ho , Sugita Yuji , Ten-no Seiichiro
Published: November 2007

Two new techniques are introduced in the generalized hybrid orbital (GHO) method [Pu et al., J. Phys. Chem. A 108, 632 (2004)] and tested on small molecules. The first is a way to determine occupation numbers dependent on the molecular mechanical (MM) atoms linked to the boundary. The method takes account of the inhomogeneity in the occupation numbers of the auxiliary orbitals from different types of MM atoms in such a way that the formal charge condition is fulfilled. The second technique is a rigorous orthogonalization procedure of auxiliary orbitals for more than two boundary atoms. It is shown that the new implementation widens the realm of the GHO method with flexible quantum mechanical/MM partitionings.
Advantages of SiSb phase-change material and its applications in phase-change memory
Authors: Zhang Ting , Song Zhitang , Wang Feng , Liu Bo , Feng Songlin , Chen Bomy
Published: November 2007

Te-free environmental friendly SiSb phase-change material is investigated for the applications of phase-change memory. The binary material, which is compatible with the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor manufacturing process, is outstanding in various properties comparing with the most widely adopted ternary Ge2Sb2Te5. Si16Sb84 is with an archive life time 106 times longer than that of Ge2Sb2Te5 at 110°C. The density change of Si16Sb84 upon crystallization is only about 3.8%, which is much smaller than that of Ge2Sb2Te5. Furthermore, the interfacial diffusion in TiN∕Si16Sb84 interface is much slighter than that in TiN∕Ge2Sb2Te5.
Refinement of the probability density function model for preferential concentration of aerosol particles in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Zaichik Leonid I. , Alipchenkov Vladimir M.
Published: November 2007

The purposes of the paper are threefold: (i) to refine the statistical model of preferential particle concentration in isotropic turbulence that was previously proposed by Zaichik and Alipchenkov [Phys. Fluids 15, 1776 (2003)], (ii) to investigate the effect of clustering of low-inertia particles using the refined model, and (iii) to advance a simple model for predicting the collision rate of aerosol particles. The model developed is based on a kinetic equation for the two-point probability density function of the relative velocity distribution of particle pairs. Improvements in predicting the preferential concentration of low-inertia particles are attained due to refining the description of the turbulent velocity field of the carrier fluid by including a difference between the time scales of the of strain and rotation rate correlations. The refined model results in a better agreement with direct numerical simulations for aerosol particles.
Resistive switching properties of high crystallinity and low-resistance Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 thin film with point-contacted Ag electrodes
Authors: Fujimoto Masayuki , Koyama Hiroshi , Nishi Yuji , Suzuki Toshimasa
Published: November 2007

A high-crystallinity, low-resistance Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3(PCMO) thin film deposited by sputtering at 600°C showed no resistive switching with a Pt∕Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3∕Pt structure but a remarkable bipolar resistive switching with a Ag paste/Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3∕Pt structure. Observed retention fatigue of the low-resistance state was almost saturated after 24h. The resistive switching properties were characterized as point contact of Ag grains to PCMO thin film. It was also found that the interface can form interfacial trap states and resistive change active layers. This strongly suggests that the function of the Ag point contact is similar to those of the previously proposed filament path and the nanodomain switch.
Temperature dependence of optical band gap in ferroelectric Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 films determined by ultraviolet transmittance measurements
Authors: Hu Z. G. , Li Y. W. , Yue F. Y. , Zhu Z. Q. , Chu J. H.
Published: November 2007

Optical properties of ferroelectric Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 (BLT) films on quartz have been investigated using ultraviolet-infrared transmittance spectra in the temperature range of 77–500K. The spectra can be divided into three distinctive photon regions between 1.1 and 6.5eV. It is found that the band gap Eg decreases from 3.88to3.77eV with the temperature. The parameters aB and ΘB of the Bose-Einstein model are 30.3meV and 218.7K, respectively. The band narrowing coefficient dEg∕dT is −2.65×10−4eV∕K at room temperature. The present results can be crucial for future application of ferroelectric BLT-based electro-optic and high temperature optoelectronic devices.
Disciplining Microbes in the Implementation of US Federal Organic Standards
Authors: Ingram Mrill
Published: November 2007

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a citizen panel charged with the job of recommending to the US Secretary of Agriculture guidelines for certified organic agriculture, can be analyzed as a ‘boundary organization’. By linking organic farmers' knowledge with peer-reviewed science, the board builds the base of organic agriculture for legitimacy and also develops a new product: federally certified organic agriculture. Examination of organic standards on composting, with a focus on characterizations of composting microbes, reveals the very compromised ability of the NOSB to effect change, however, despite its efforts to build common ground between institutions with very different cultures and historical interests. A focus on discourses of microbes provides insights into the accomplishments of and limits to the influence of the NOSB as well as the larger organic movement. Organizational tactics of the NOSB are best understood within the larger context of institutional commitments to specific forms of agriculture.
“Put on a Jacket, You Wuss”: Cultural Identities, Home Heating, and Air Pollution in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Cupples Julie , Guyatt Victoria , Pearce Jamie
Published: November 2007

Central heating, insulation, and double glazing, such as you might find in many countries with colder climates in the northern hemisphere, are virtually lacking in Christchurch, in New Zealand's South Island. In this city, houses tend to be inadequately heated and rely primarily on a combination of open fires, log burners, and electrical heaters. This form of home heating, combined with local climatic and topographical factors, results in high levels of wintertime air pollution. While much research has been conducted into the air-pollution problem in Christchurch to date, this research has focused on physical contaminants and their effects on health, rather than on the ways in which air pollution is socially and culturally mediated and on the sense-making practices of those who create pollution and suffer its effects. Based on information drawn from focus groups, we argue that reluctance to change behaviour results partly from investments in particular cultural identities which are tied into hegemonic masculinities and understandings of national identity, such as the masculine pioneer heritage established during the colonial period. We also explore the spatial relationships that air pollution plays out within and on the ‘body’ and how it transcends and weakens the bounded body. We believe that analyses which draw on theories of hybridisation, embodiment, identity, and discourse, and which highlight the links between modes of behaviour, identity and sense of place, and the interactions between humans and nonhumans, are able to shed new light on our understandings of public perceptions and responses to air pollution in Christchurch.