bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRAFV600E Mutation is Associated with Tumor Aggressiveness in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kim Su‐jin , Lee Kyu Eun , Myong Jun Pyo , Park Jeong‐hwan , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Min Hye Sook , Park So Yeon , Jung Kyeong Cheon , Koo Do Hoon , Youn Yeo‐Kyu
Published: December 2011

Background

The BRAFV600E mutation is the most common genetic alteration found in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Recent studies show that this mutation occurs more frequently in patients with PTC showing aggressive clinicopathologic features. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of the BRAFV600E mutation in tumor samples and its association with high‐risk clinicopathologic features prospectively.

Patients and methods

From February 2009 to January 2010, 547 PTC patients who underwent surgery in Seoul National University Hospital were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify exon 15 of the BRAF gene from paraffin‐embedded thyroid tumor specimens, followed by direct sequencing to detect the BRAFV600E mutation. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze associations between the BRAFV600E mutation and clinicopathologic features.

Results

The BRAFV600E mutation was found in 381/547 (69.7%) patients with primary PTC. The BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with age (≥45 years), tumor size (>1 cm), extrathyroidal extension, and cervical lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression showed that it was significantly associated with gender (OR = 1.834; 95% CI 1.021–3.463), tumor size (OR = 1.972; 95% CI 1.250–3.103), and extra‐thyroidal extension (OR = 2.428; 95% CI 1.484–3.992), but not with age, multifocality, lymph node metastases, and advanced disease stage. The proportion of BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with the number of high‐risk factors of tumor recurrence (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The BRAFV600E mutation was associated with high‐risk clinicopathologic characteristics in patients with PTC. The BRAFV600E mutation may be a potential prognostic factor in PTC patients.
Advanced Reproductive Age and Fertility
Authors: Liu Kimberly , Case Allison , Cheung Anthony P. , Sierra Sony , AlAsiri Saleh , Carranza‐Mamane Belina , Case Allison , Dwyer Cathie , Graham James , Havelock Jon , Hemmings Robert , Lee Francis , Liu Kimberly , Murdock Ward , Senikas Vyta , Vause Tannys D.R. , Wong Benjamin Chee‐Man
Published: December 2011

Objective

To improve awareness of the natural age‐related decline in female and male fertility with respect to natural fertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and provide recommendations for their management, and to review investigations in the assessment of ovarian aging.

Options

This guideline reviews options for the assessment of ovarian reserve and fertility treatments using ART with women of advanced reproductive age presenting with infertility.

Outcomes

The outcomes measured are the predictive value of ovarian reserve testing and pregnancy rates with natural and assisted fertility.

Evidence

Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed or Medline, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in June 2010, using appropriate key words (ovarian aging, ovarian reserve, advanced maternal age, advanced paternal age, ART). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated into the guideline to December 2010.

Values

The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. Recommendations for practice were ranked according to the method described in that report (Table).

Benefits, harms, and costs

Primary and specialist health care providers and women will be better informed about ovarian aging and the age‐related decline in natural fertility and about options for assisted reproductive technology.
Radiocarbon ages of terrestrial gastropods extend duration of ice-free conditions at the Two Creeks forest bed, Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Rech Jason A. , Nekola Jeffrey C. , Pigati Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2011

Analysis of terrestrial gastropods that underlie the late Pleistocene Two Creeks forest bed (~ 13,800–13,500 cal yr BP) in eastern Wisconsin, USA provides evidence for a mixed tundra-taiga environment prior to formation of the taiga forest bed. Ten new AMS 14C analyses on terrestrial gastropod shells indicate the mixed tundra-taiga environment persisted from ~ 14,500 to 13,900 cal yr BP. The Twocreekan climatic substage, representing ice-free conditions on the shore of Lake Michigan, therefore began near the onset of peak warming conditions during the Bølling–Allerød interstadial and lasted ~ 1000 yr, nearly 600 yr longer than previously thought. These results provide important data for understanding the response of continental ice sheets to global climate forcing and demonstrate the potential of using terrestrial gastropod fossils for both environmental reconstruction and age control in late Quaternary sediments.
Charity and Reciprocity: Structures of Benevolence in Rabbinic Literature
Authors: Novick Tzvi
Published: December 2011

In his recent book, Seth Schwartz explores “[t]he tension between egalitarian solidarity and competitive reciprocity” in the late Second Temple period and in rabbinic Judaism.1 As Schwartz's characterization of reciprocity implies, it stands at odds with egalitarianism because exchange, outside the boundaries of the market, is ordinarily structured by asymmetry, and thus by the hierarchical relationships of patronage and dependence.2 For Schwartz, Judaism's “natural” proclivity, at least as enshrined in the Torah, is toward egalitarian solidarity. To obviate the need for the “dependence-generating gift,” the Torah mandates wealth transfer to the poor through charitable donation (leaving unharvested the corner of one's field, etc.). Charity, unlike the gift, does not generate the obligation to reciprocate: “[t]he pauper, like the priest, is meant to feel no gratitude—at least not toward the donor.”3 Given this innate preference for solidarity, the problem for late antique Judaism in a patronage-dominated Mediterranean society lay specifically in “how to come to terms, Jewishly, with the practical inevitability of social institutions founded on reciprocal exchange.”4
Named Testimonia to the Gospel of Thomas: An Expanded Inventory and Analysis
Authors: Gathercole Simon
Published: December 2011

The question of how much apocryphal Gospels were rebutted, suppressed or even destroyed in antiquity is a question of perennial interest, both popular and scholarly. The present article makes no attempt at any sort of complete answer to this question, but has the rather more modest aim of analyzing the various testimonia—from antiquity into the middle ages—that make explicit reference to a “Gospel of Thomas.” This article will not touch on the numerous allusions to, or quotations of, the contents of this Gospel, but will be confined to treatments of the title (hence “named testimonia”). The impetus for this particular investigation is of course the presence, at the end of the second tractate of Nag Hammadi Codex II, of a colophon reading “The Gospel according to Thomas.”1 Given the controversial contents of this Gospel, and the equally controversial place that it occupies in scholarly reconstructions of Christian origins, Thomas's reception in antiquity has been widely discussed since the discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices (see n. 2 below).
The Literary Genre and Purpose of Justin's Second Apology: A Critical Review with Insights from Ancient Epistolography
Authors: Thorsteinsson Runar M.
Published: December 2011

The Apologies of Justin Martyr are among our most important sources for the state and development of early Christianity in the second century. In the Apologies, Justin, who is often said to have initiated the first serious dialogue between Christianity and Greco-Roman philosophy, attempts to define and explain to the outside world what the Christian teaching and way of life are, and what they are not. Because of this normative tenor of the writings, modern readers sometimes tend to approach their content as more-or-less timeless articulations that are only vaguely connected to the historical circumstances in which they were written. But as with most writings from antiquity, the content of Justin's Apologies, including questions of theology, philosophy, and ethics, is intimately bound to their historical context, as recent scholarship on Justin has shown very well. However, the historical questions of the literary genre, intended audience, occasion, and purpose of the Apologies are still debated among scholars, including the question of the exact relationship between the First and the Second Apology. To critically deal with these questions, all of which are interrelated, is of utmost importance for our understanding of Justin Martyr and his writings, and thus of second-century Christianity in general.
The helminth community of the sand smelt (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810) from Lake Iznik, Turkey
Authors: Özesen Çolak S.
Published: December 2011

Metazoan parasites of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Lake Iznik were studied. A total of 271 specimens of A. boyeri, 208 female and 63 male, mean ( ± SD) total length 8.4 ± 2.2 cm (range 3.1–12.2 cm) and mean total weight 4.7 ± 3.5 g (range 0.1–11.7 g) were examined between June 2008 and May 2009 at monthly intervals. In 33 fish no parasites were found. In the other fish, four parasite species were recorded: Diplostomum sp. (prevalence 39.13%, mean intensity 3.50 ± 3.03); Tylodelphys clavata (prevalence 74.16%, mean intensity 10.41 ± 14.89); Bothriocephalus cf. acheilognathi (prevalence 40.59%, mean intensity 31.83 ± 57.74); and Eustrongylides excisus (prevalence 6.64%, mean intensity 1.16 ± 0.39). The mean abundance of Diplostomum sp., T. clavata and E. excisus was higher during the winter and early spring months. In contrast, the mean abundance of B. cf. acheilognathi was higher in the summer and autumn months. This distribution of the parasites was related to a change in the environment of A. boyeri from the pelagic zone to deeper water at the end of autumn and a change in food supply.
Written composition performance of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: CASAS ANA MIRANDA , FERRER MANUEL SORIANO , FORTEA INMACULADA BAIXAULI
Published: December 2011

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with learning disabilities. The present study examined the written composition of children with ADHD, which depends to a large degree on continuous self-regulation and attentional control skills for organizing information and maintaining the level of effort. Fifty children with ADHD and 50 normally developing children, matched on age and IQ, were assessed using a composition writing task. The results contribute to prior research findings by showing that the children with ADHD performed significantly worse than the comparison groups on the majority of the planning, translation, and revision process measures usually employed to assess the quality of written compositions. Deficiencies in executive functioning or poor linguistic and metalinguistic competence could account for the results found. More research is needed to clarify the underlying causes of the written composition performance profile of children with ADHD.
Clusters of word properties as predictors of elementary school children's performance on two word tasks
Authors: TELLINGS AGNES , COPPENS KARIEN , GELISSEN JOHN , SCHREUDER ROB
Published: December 2011

Often, the classification of words does not go beyond “difficult” (i.e., infrequent, late-learned, nonimageable, etc.) or “easy” (i.e., frequent, early-learned, imageable, etc.) words. In the present study, we used a latent cluster analysis to divide 703 Dutch words with scores for eight word properties into seven clusters of words. Each cluster represents a group of words that share a particular configuration of word properties. This model was empirically validated with three data sets from Grades 2 to 4 children who made either a lexical decision task or a use decision task with a selection of the words. Significant differences were found between the clusters of words within the three data sets. Implications for further study and for practice are discussed.
Associations between maternal employment and time spent in nutrition-related behaviours among German children and mothers
Authors: Möser Anke , Chen Susan E , Jilcott Stephanie B , Nayga Rodolfo M
Published: December 2011

Objective

To examine associations between maternal employment and time spent engaging in nutrition-related behaviours among mothers and children using a nationally representative sample of households in West and East Germany.

Design

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using time-use data for a sample of mother–child dyads. Associations between maternal employment and time spent in nutrition-related activities such as eating at home, eating away from home and food preparation were estimated using a double-hurdle model.

Setting

German Time Budget Survey 2001/02.

Subjects

The overall sample included 1071 households with a child between 10 and 17 years of age. The time-use data were collected for a 3 d period of observation (two weekdays and one weekend day).

Results

Maternal employment was associated with the time children spent on nutrition-related behaviours. In households with employed mothers, children spent more time eating alone at home and less time eating meals with their mothers. Moreover, employed mothers spent less time on meal preparation compared with non-employed mothers. There were regional differences in time spent on nutrition-related behaviours, such that East German children were more likely to eat at home alone than West German children.

Conclusions

Maternal employment was associated with less time spent eating with children and preparing food, which may be related to the increasing childhood obesity rates in Germany. Future national surveys that collect both time-use data and health outcomes could yield further insight into mechanisms by which maternal time use might be associated with health outcomes among children.
EVOLUTION AND THE MODERN DEUS EX MACHINA
Authors: Betz Margaret
Published: December 2011

Evolution, the human soul, and the lower status of animals continue to stir debate not only in philosophy, religion and science, but in politics as well. In 2007 during a debate for the Republican candidate for United States President, three out of the ten candidates raised their hand when asked by the moderator, ‘Is there anyone on the stage who doesn't believe in evolution?’ The possibility of a lineage from animal life to distinctly human life offers the opportunity for a host of objections from some politicians, religious leaders and philosophers alike. Those who express an objection to the theory of evolution take issue with the idea that humanity is merely another link in the chain, albeit the last link. They share a desire to see human life as somehow unique, different, better.
Observations of Complex Molecules in Low-Mass Protostars
Authors: Sakai Nami , Yamamoto Satoshi
Published: December 2011

Low-mass star forming regions are rich inventories of complex organic molecules. Furthermore, they show significant chemical diversity even among sources in a similar physical evolutionary stage (i.e. Class 0 sources). One distinct case is the hot corino chemistry characterized by rich existence of saturated complex organic molecules such as HCOOCH3 and C2H5CN, whereas the other is the warm carbon-chain chemistry (WCCC) characterized by extraordinary richness of unsaturated complex organic molecules such as carbon-chain molecules. We here summarize these observational achievements during the last decade, and present a unified picture of carbon chemistry in low-mass protostellar cores. The chemical diversity most likely originates from the source-to-source difference in chemical compositions of grain mantles. In particular, the gas-phase abundance of CH4 evaporated from grain mantles is thought to be a key factor for appearance of WCCC. The origin of the diversity and its evolution to protopranetary disks are discussed.
Millimetre/Sub-millimetre Observations of Circumstellar Disks
Authors: Dutrey Anne
Published: December 2011

TTauri disks located in nearby star-forming regions (e.g. Taurus-Auriga at 140 pc) are thought to be the site of planet formation, since proto-planetary disks orbiting around active (still accreting) TTauri stars should contain, in many cases, enough gas to form giant gaseous planets. As such, circumstellar disks are ideal laboratories to study planet formation, provided the gas and dust observations have enough sensitivity and resolving power. I will focus in these proceedings, on recent results of molecular observations which unveil the physical conditions of gas disks and reveal the weakness of our current understanding and modeling.
Infrared Observational Studies of Gas Molecules in Disks
Authors: Salyk C.
Published: December 2011

There remain many fundamental unanswered questions about protoplanetary disks, including how (and if?) they form planets, how mass is transferred through the disk and onto the star, and how they ultimately disperse. Also, a major goal of protoplanetary disk studies is to understand the relationship between disk properties and the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems. IR molecular spectroscopy is a particularly powerful tool for probing the conditions and physical process in protoplanetary disks, which are too small and close to their parent stars to be imaged with ease. I will discuss the suite of infrared molecular transitions observed to date, which highlight the following three techniques of IR spectroscopy. Firstly, line shapes and strengths can be used as tracers of disk physics, including volatile condensation/evaporation, photo-processes, grain growth and turbulence. Secondly, observations of multiple molecular abundances provide constraints for disk chemical models, which may ultimately help explain the great diversity of planetary bodies. Finally, resolved line shapes and spectro-astrometry provide a means to study disk structure on extremely small size scales. Because IR observations are typically sensitive to radii of a few AU or smaller, the processes and structures being probed are relevant to the birth and growth of terrestrial and giant planets. Recent results that I will highlight include the discovery of a multitude of molecules in disks around sun-like stars (including H2O, OH, HCN, C2H2 and CO2), with detection rates that depend on stellar mass, constraints on gas mass and location in transitional disks, detection and characterization of ‘snow lines’, measurements of inner disk rims, and detections of inner disk asymmetries. I will also discuss how IR spectroscopy will remain relevant even with the emergence of facilities such as ALMA, as it allows us to connect the conditions in terrestrial-planet-forming regions with those in the cold outer reaches of disks, and to better construct a comprehensive understanding of the nature of protoplanetary disks.
The PAH Hypothesis after 25 Years
Authors: Peeters Els
Published: December 2011

The infrared spectra of many galactic and extragalactic objects are dominated by emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6 and 11.2 μm. The carriers of these features remained a mystery for almost a decade, hence the bands were dubbed the unidentified infrared (UIR) bands. Since the mid-80's, the UIR bands are generally attributed to the IR fluorescence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs) upon absorption of UV photons – the PAH hypothesis. Here we review the progress made over the past 25 years in understanding the UIR bands and their carriers.
Molecular Evolution from AGB Stars to Planetary Nebulae
Authors: Kwok Sun
Published: December 2011

The late stages of stellar evolution from the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) to planetary nebulae represent the most active phase of molecular synthesis in a star's life. Over 60 molecular species, including inorganics, organics, radicals, chains, rings, and molecular ions have been detected in the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars. Most interestingly, complex organic compounds of aromatic and aliphatic structures are synthesized over very short time intervals after the end of the AGB. Also appeared during the post-AGB evolution are the unidentified 21 and 30 μm emission features, which are believed to originate from carbonaceous compounds.

The circumstellar environment is an ideal laboratory for the testing of theories of chemical synthesis. The distinct spectral behavior among AGB stars, proto-planetary nebulae (PPN), and planetary nebulae (PN) and the short evolutionary time scales that separate these stages pose severe constraints on models. In this paper, we will present an observational summary of the chemical synthesis in the late stages of stellar evolution, discuss chemical and physical processes at work, and speculate on the possible effects these chemical products have on the Galaxy and the Solar System.
A Common Origin for Organics in Meteorites and Comets: Was It Interstellar?
Authors: Alexander Conel M. O'D.
Published: December 2011

The insoluble organic material preserved in primitive chondritic meteorites shares many similarities with the refractory organic material in interplanetary dust particles and comets, suggesting that there is a genetic link between the organic matter in objects that formed between ~3 AU and ~30 AU from the Sun. These similarities include large D and15N enrichments in bulk and even more extreme enrichments in isotopic hotspots. The enrichments attest to formation in very cold environments, either in the outer Solar System or the protosolar molecular cloud. There are many properties of this organic material that are consistent with an interstellar origin, but a Solar System origin cannot be ruled out. Similar organic material is presumably an important component of most protoplanetary disks, and heating or sputtering of this material would be a source of PAHs in disks. The soluble organic matter was more heavily effected by processes on the chondritic parent bodies than the insoluble material. Amino acids, for instance, probably formed by reaction of ketones and aldehydes with NH3and HCN. The accretion of the relatively volatile NH3and HCN, presumably in ices, strengthens the chondrite-comet connection. However, unlike most comets the water in chondrites, when it was accreted, had D/H ratios that were similar to or depleted relative to Earth.
Biomarkers of Habitable Worlds - Super-Earths and Earths
Authors: Kaltenegger L.
Published: December 2011

A decade of exoplanet search has led to surprising discoveries, from giant planets close to their star, to planets orbiting two stars, all the way to the first extremely hot, rocky worlds with potentially permanent lava on their surfaces due to the star's proximity. Observation techniques have reached the sensitivity to explore the chemical composition of the atmospheres as well as physical structure of some detected planets. Recent advances in detection techniques find planets of less than 10MEarth(so called Super-Earths), among them some that may potentially be habitable. Two confirmed non-transiting planets and several transiting Kepler planetary candidates orbit in the Habitable Zone of their host star. The detection and characterization of rocky and potentially Earth-like planets is approaching rapidly with future ground- and space-missions, that can explore the planetary environments by analyzing their atmosphere remotely. The results of a first generation space mission will most likely be an amazing scope of diverse planets that will set planet formation, evolution as well as our planet in an overall context.
Absorption Line Surveys at Intermediate Redshift
Authors: Muller Sébastien
Published: December 2011

The z=0.89 spiral galaxy located on the line of sight to the quasar PKS1830-211 is right now the extragalactic object with the largest number of detected molecular species (34, plus isotopic variants). This remarkable molecular inventory was recently built after an unbiased spectral survey of molecular absorption lines with the Australia Telescope Compact Array in the 7 mm band. We present the results of this survey, as a showcase of the various interests of molecular absorption studies at intermediate redshift: chemical inventory and gas properties in distant galaxies, chemical enrichment history of the Universe, measurements of the CMB temperature as a function of z, and constraints on the constancy of fundamental constants.
Anions in Space and in the Laboratory
Authors: Bierbaum Veronica M.
Published: December 2011

The astronomical detection of molecular anions has prompted our study of their chemical reactions with atomic species that are abundant in the interstellar medium. We have recently explored the chemistry of a variety of Cx Ny− anions with hydrogen atoms and determined their reaction rate constants and products using the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube technique. Computational studies allow characterization of the structures of reactants and products, as well as the energetics along the reaction pathway. For anions containing one or two nitrogen atoms, reactions with hydrogen atoms are facile, and proceed primarily by associative detachment. In contrast, anions containing three nitrogen atoms are unreactive with hydrogen atoms due to reaction barriers and unfavorable thermodynamics.
Water Ice Formation and the o/p Ratio
Authors: Dulieu François
Published: December 2011

Water is observed in many astrophysical environments in both gas and solid phase. Water ice, for its specific properties, is probably the most important template that structures the gas-solid interaction. In cold environments, its synthesis is supposed to occur directly in the solid phase and then water acts as a catalytic matrix for subsequent synthesis of various molecules. When the medium begins to warm again, water sublimates and nourishes the gas phase, as occurs for example in comets or in star forming regions. Over the last four years, water formation on cold surfaces has been studied experimentally. Different precursors (O, O2, O3. . .) have been used to understand the complex mechanisms that take place. Although numerous questions remain unanswered, at present, it is clear that water is easily formed by different pathways, and that the ice formed has an amorphous structure. The recent observations of the ortho/para ratio of water with Herschel satellite have similarities with the previous o/p ratio observations of water in comets. Some experimental work have been recently reported in this domain, mostly rare gas matrix studies where nuclear spin conversion is measured even at 4.2 K. H2 molecules adsorbed on amorphous solid water ice also exhibit a nuclear spin conversion in presence of a tiny fraction of O2. Finally, I will discuss if microphysics properties of water desorption can explain the o/p ratio values observed.
Wirkfaktoren der Psychotherapie – eine Übersicht und Standortbestimmung
Authors: Pfammatter Mario , Tschacher Wolfgang
Published: December 2011

Zusammenfassung.Psychotherapie wirkt. Wie, ist weitgehend unklar. Vor dem Hintergrund der Kontroverse über die unterschiedliche Wirksamkeit verschiedener Psychotherapieansätze haben sich zwei gegensätzliche Vorstellungen darüber entwickelt, was Psychotherapie wirksam macht: Vertreter der Sichtweise, dass zwischen verschiedenen Psychotherapierichtungen nur geringe Wirkunterschiede bestehen, führen die Wirksamkeit von Psychotherapie auf allgemeine Wirkfaktoren zurück. Befürworter empirisch fundierter Psychotherapieansätze gehen dagegen von verfahren- oder störungsspezifischen Wirkfaktoren aus. Mit dem Wirkfaktorenbegriff sowie der dichotomen Gegenüberstellung der zwei Arten von Wirkfaktoren sind jedoch eine Reihe terminologischer und konzeptueller Schwierigkeiten verbunden: Es liegt keine klare und einheitliche Definition des Wirkfaktorenbegriffs vor; Wirkfaktoren können außerdem verschiedensten Ebenen des Therapieprozesses zugeordnet werden. Die begrifflichen Unklarheiten, das Ebenenproblem sowie die Befundlage stellen die Dichotomie in Frage. Konzeptuell angemessener erscheint eine Perspektive, die spezifische und allgemeine Wirkfaktoren in ihrer synergistischen Wirkung sowie ihrem Zusammenspiel mit Störungsparametern und individuellen Patientenmerkmalen betrachtet.
Zur Validität reaktionszeitbasierter Messung impliziter Motive im Kontext der Personalauswahl
Authors: Köhler Antje , Erb Hans-Peter , Eichstaedt Jan
Published: December 2011

Das Motive Sensitivity Measure (MSM) ist ein Verfahren zur Messung der impliziten Leistungs-, Macht- und Anschlussmotive. Die Motive werden anhand von Reaktionszeiten auf motivthematische Wörter erfasst. Die vorliegende Studie diente der Konstruktvalidierung des Verfahrens. Aufgrund der großen Bedeutung impliziter Motive für Leistungen und Berufserfolg wurde dabei der Kontext der Personalauswahl als potenzielles Anwendungsgebiet fokussiert. Die konvergente und prädiktive Validität des MSM wurden anhand einer Untersuchung im Rahmen eines Übungs-Assessment-Centers für Studierende überprüft. Theoriekonforme Zusammenhänge mit konstruktnahen eignungsdiagnostischen Leistungs- und Persönlichkeitstests stellen deutliche Hinweise auf die konvergente Validität des MSM dar. Zudem ließen sich mittels MSM-basierter Motive Leistungen im Assessment-Center vorhersagen. Anhand der Ergebnisse konnten zentrale motivtheoretische Annahmen über die Eigenschaften und Verhaltensweisen Leistungs-, Macht- und Anschlussmotivierter bestätigt werden. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für die Eignung des MSM zum Einsatz im Rahmen von Personalauswahl.
The Development and Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Stress Appraisal Measure
Authors: Durak Mithat , Senol-Durak Emre
Published: December 2011

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) across three separate and independent samples. A calibration study was conducted with a sample of university students (n = 461), resulting in a 5-factor model based on a parallel analysis and a principal axis factor analysis with direct oblimin rotation. Factor invariance across males and females, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were tested using a second sample of university students (n = 751) and adults (n = 548). The 5-factor model obtained in the calibration study was replicated employing a confirmatory factor analysis of the data from the validation study. Factor invariance across males and females was confirmed. In addition to satisfactory internal consistencies, the correlation of the SAM scales with a conceptually related measure (state anxiety) and a conceptually unrelated measure (social desirability) support the convergent and discriminant validity of the SAM.
Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Scale to Assess the Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care (D-STAR)
Authors: Loos Sabine , Kilian Reinhold , Becker Thomas , Janssen Birgit , Freyberger Harald , Spiessl Hermann , Grempler Julia , Priebe Stefan , Puschner Bernd
Published: December 2011

Objective: There are presently no instruments available in German language to assess the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric care. This study validates the German version of the Scale to Assess the Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care (D-STAR). Method: 460 persons with severe mental illness and 154 clinicians who had participated in a multicenter RCT testing a discharge planning intervention completed the D-STAR. Psychometric properties were established via item analysis, analyses of missing values, internal consistency, and confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, convergent validity was scrutinized via calculating correlations of the D-STAR scales with two measures of treatment satisfaction. Results: As in the original English version, fit indices of a 3-factor model of the therapeutic relationship were only moderate. However, the feasibility and internal consistency of the D-STAR was good, and correlations with other measures suggested reasonable convergent validity. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the D-STAR are acceptable. Its use can be recommended in German-speaking countries to assess the therapeutic relationship in both routine care and research.
Assessing Stressors Related to Migration in Patients With Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Müller Matthias Johannes , Kamcili-Kubach Suzan , Strassheim Songül , Koch Eckhardt
Published: December 2011

A 10-item instrument for the assessment of probable migration-related stressors was developed based on previous work (MIGSTR10) and interrater reliability was tested in a chart review study. The MIGSTR10 and nine nonspecific stressors of the DSM-IV Axis IV (DSMSTR9) were put into a questionnaire format with categorical and dimensional response options. Charts of 100 inpatients (50 Turkish migrants [MIG], 50 native German patients [CON]) with affective or anxiety disorder were reviewed by three independent raters and MIGSTR10, DSMSTR9, and Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) scores were obtained. Interrater reliability indices (ICC) of items and sum scores were calculated. The prevalence of single migration-related stressors in MIG ranged from 15% to 100% (CON 0–92%). All items of the MIGSTR10 (ICC 0.58–0.92) and the DSMSTR9 (ICC 0.56–0.96) reached high to very high interrater agreement (p < .0005). The item analysis of the MIGSTR10 revealed sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.68/0.69) and only one item (“family conflicts”) without substantial correlation with the remaining scale. Correlation analyses showed a significant overlap of dimensional MIGSTR10 scores (r² = 0.25; p < .01) and DSMSTR9 scores (r² = 9%; p < .05) with GAF scores in MIG indicating functional relevance. MIGSTR10 is considered a feasible, economic, and reliable instrument for the assessment of stressors potentially related to migration.
Development and Validation of the French Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport and Exercise (FAGQSE)
Authors: Riou François , Boiché Julie , Doron Julie , Romain Ahmed-Jérôme , Corrion Karine , Ninot Grégory , d’Arripe-Longueville Fabienne , Gernigon Christophe
Published: December 2011

Recently, Elliot and Murayama (2008 ) pointed out a number of theoretical and methodological shortcomings among the instruments assumed to measure achievement goals. This research aimed to develop and validate a French Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport and Exercise (FAGQSE). In a first study, factor analyses conducted on a 20-item preliminary version supported the existence of four factors corresponding to the four types of goals of Elliot and McGregor’s (2001 ) framework (mastery-approach, performance-approach, mastery-avoidance, and performance-avoidance). A second study examined a more parsimonious 12-item version of the FAGQSE, which was found to be valid among samples of athletes, exercisers, and physical education students. The temporal stability of the questionnaire was evidenced by a satisfactory test-retest over a 1-month period, and its theoretical validity was supported by correlations between achievement goals and entity/incremental theories of sports ability, perceived sports competence, and sports anxiety. The FAGQSE is a valid and reliable French instrument for achievement goal motivation. This instrument can be used for theoretical and applied purposes in various sports and exercise settings.
On the Nature of Gender Categorization
Authors: Tomelleri Silvia , Castelli Luigi
Published: December 2011

In the present paper, relying on event-related brain potentials (ERPs), we investigated the automatic nature of gender categorization focusing on different stages of the ongoing process. In particular, we explored the degree to which gender categorization occurs automatically by manipulating the semantic vs. nonsemantic processing goals requested by the task (Study 1) and the complexity of the task itself (Study 2). Results of Study 1 highlighted the automatic nature of categorization at an early (N170) and on a later processing stage (P300). Findings of Study 2 showed that at an early stage categorization was automatically driven by the ease of extraction of category-based knowledge from faces while, at a later stage, categorization was more influenced by situational constrains.
A statistical study of the cross‐shock electric potential at low Mach number, quasi‐perpendicular bow shock crossings using Cluster data
Authors: Dimmock A. P. , Balikhin M. A. , Krasnoselskikh V. V. , Walker S. N. , Bale S. D. , Hobara Y.
Published: December 2011

The cross‐shock electrostatic potential at the front of collision‐less shocks plays a key role in the distribution of energy at the shock front. Multipoint measurements such as those provided by the Cluster II mission provide an ideal framework for the study of the cross‐shock potential because of their ability to distinguish between temporal and spacial variations at the shock front. We present a statistical study of the cross‐shock potential calculated for around 50 crossings of the terrestrial bow shock. The statistical dependency of the normalized (with resect to upstream ion kinetic energy) cross‐shock potential (ΦK) on the upstream Alfvén Mach number is in good agreement with analytical results that predict decrease of Φk with increasing Mach number.
Coupling of dipolarization front flow bursts to substorm expansion phase phenomena within the magnetosphere and ionosphere
Authors: Lyons L. R. , Nishimura Y. , Xing X. , Runov A. , Angelopoulos V. , Donovan E. , Kikuchi T.
Published: December 2011

Recent THEMIS spacecraft observations have shown longitudinally narrow, earthward moving, plasma sheet flow channels with large, abrupt magnetic field dipolarizations that have been referred to as dipolarization fronts. We undertake a detailed study of the subset of these events that had good quality auroral imaging. We find that many occurred during the substorm expansion phase after onset (determined by auroral intensification) and were related to auroral streamers. Both the fronts' relation to streamers and their plasma sheet changes are similar to what has been previously shown for other plasma sheet flow channels and to other flow channels seen during the expansion phases of the events considered here. Surprisingly, the dipolarization fronts examined made major contributions to substorm onset ground and space magnetic signatures. These include substorm near‐Earth dipolarization, which indicates that the current wedge may develop via a series of well‐defined, narrow, post‐onset wedge‐like structures. These also include the auroral zone ground magnetic field, which showed only modest responses to the onsets but abrupt, large responses to post‐onset dipolarization‐front‐related streamers, and midlatitude positive bays, which started near the time of streamer formation. Our observations suggest that traditional magnetic signatures of substorm onset, such as near‐Earth dipolarization, auroral‐zone negative bays, and midlatitude positive bays, may misidentify the expansion phase onset determined by auroral intensification by up to 10s of minutes for some events. It should be interesting in the future to determine the generality of the above relations between dipolarization front signatures and onset signatures.
Novel sterol metabolic network of Trypanosoma brucei procyclic and bloodstream forms
Authors: Nes Craigen R. , Singha Ujjal K. , Liu Jialin , Ganapathy Kulothungan , Villalta Fernando , Waterman Michael R. , Lepesheva Galina I. , Chaudhuri Minu , Nes W. David
Published: December 2011

Trypanosoma brucei is the protozoan parasite that causes African trypanosomiasis, a neglected disease of people and animals. Co-metabolite analysis, labelling studies using [methyl-2H3]-methionine and substrate/product specificities of the cloned 24-SMT (sterol C24-methyltransferase) and 14-SDM (sterol C14demethylase) from T. brucei afforded an uncommon sterol metabolic network that proceeds from lanosterol and 31-norlanosterol to ETO [ergosta-5,7,25(27)-trien-3β-ol], 24-DTO [dimethyl ergosta-5,7,25(27)-trienol] and ergosterol [ergosta-5,7,22(23)-trienol]. To assess the possible carbon sources of ergosterol biosynthesis, specifically 13C-labelled specimens of lanosterol, acetate, leucine and glucose were administered to T. brucei and the 13C distributions found were in accord with the operation of the acetate–mevalonate pathway, with leucine as an alternative precursor, to ergostenols in either the insect or bloodstream form. In searching for metabolic signatures of procyclic cells, we observed that the 13C-labelling treatments induce fluctuations between the acetyl-CoA (mitochondrial) and sterol (cytosolic) synthetic pathways detected by the progressive increase in 13C-ergosterol production (control<[2-13C]leucine<[2-13C]acetate<[1-13C]glucose) and corresponding depletion of cholesta-5,7,24-trienol. We conclude that anabolic fluxes originating in mitochondrial metabolism constitute a flexible part of sterol synthesis that is further fluctuated in the cytosol, yielding distinct sterol profiles in relation to cell demands on growth.
A resonant two body system for a point absorbing wave energy converter with direct-driven linear generator
Authors: Engström J. , Kurupath V. , Isberg J. , Leijon M.
Published: December 2011

Based on an earlier conceptual model of a two body system point absorbing wave energy converter tuned to resonance in Swedish west coast sea states, an extended coupled hydrodynamic, mechanic, and electromagnetic model has been developed. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the two body system are studied in the frequency and time domain, while its response to real Swedish west coast sea states are studied in the time domain, by using a wave energy converter model with two independently moving bodies connected to a direct driven linear generator with non-linear damping. The two body system wave energy converter gives nearly 80% power capture ratio in irregular waves. The resonant behaviour is shown to be sensitive to the shape of the spectrum, and the distance between the two bodies is shown to have a large effect on the power absorption.
Experimental and theoretical studies on the enhanced photoluminescence activity of zinc sulfide with a capping agent
Authors: de Santana Yuri V. B. , Raubach Cristiane W. , Ferrer Mateus M. , La Porta Felipe , Sambrano Julio R. , Longo Valéria M. , Leite Edson R. , Longo Elson
Published: December 2011

The photoluminescence (PL) emission from zinc sulfide (ZnS) synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method in the presence/absence of a capping agent was examined to understand the key role of its PL activity. In addition, we also investigated the electronic structure using a first-principle calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) applied to periodic models at B·LYP level. Two models were selected to simulate the effects of structural deformation on the electronic structure; the ordered o-ZnS model and the disordered d-ZnS model, dislocating the Zn atom, 0.1 Å, in the z-direction. The PLemission in the visible region showed different peak positions and intensities in capped and uncapped ZnS. The PL emission was linked to distinct distortions in lattices and the emission of two colors, green in the capped and blue in the uncapped, was also examined in the light of favorable structural and electronic conditions. The computational simulations indicate that the electronic behavior can be associated with the new electronic levels above the valence band.
A statistical mechanical approach to protein aggregation
Authors: Schreck John S. , Yuan Jian-Min
Published: December 2011

We develop a theory of aggregation using statistical mechanical methods. An example of a complicated aggregation system with several levels of structures is peptide/protein self-assembly. The problem of protein aggregation is important for the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and also for the development of bio-macromolecules as new materials. We write the effective Hamiltonian in terms of interaction energies between protein monomers, protein and solvent, as well as between protein filaments. The grand partition function can be expressed in terms of a Zimm-Bragg-like transfer matrix, which is calculated exactly and all thermodynamic properties can be obtained. We start with two-state and three-state descriptions of protein monomers using Potts models that can be generalized to include q-states, for which the exactly solvable feature of the model remains. We focus on n × N lattice systems, corresponding to the ordered structures observed in some real fibrils. We have obtained results on nucleation processes and phase diagrams, in which a protein property such as the sheet content of aggregates is expressed as a function of the number of proteins on the lattice and inter-protein or interfacial interaction energies. We have applied our methods to Aβ(1-40) and Curli fibrils and obtained results in good agreement with experiments.
Chemical interdiffusion in binary systems; interface barriers and phase competition
Authors: Danielewski Marek , Wierzba Bartek , Gusak Andriy , Pawełkiewicz M. , Janczak-Rusch J.
Published: December 2011

The problem of simultaneous growth and competition of intermediate phases during reactive diffusion is formulated and solved. In this paper, we compare existing models of steady state reaction diffusion and introduce the new one basing on the bi-velocity method. We extend old problem and propose method based on material (lattice) fixed frame of reference. It allows computing the material velocity in the reacting system in which reactions at several moving interfaces occur. All reactions lead to the lattice shift due to the difference of intrinsic diffusivities and different molar volumes. The following peculiarities are taken into account: (1) the deviation from local equilibrium at all interfaces; (2) the mobilities of the components in the bulk and interphase zone; and (3) the molar volumes of the components. We show the kinetic of the reactions, the non parabolic regime, the multiphase scale growth and present the practical application of the method.
Specific heat anomalies of small quantum systems subjected to finite baths
Authors: Hasegawa Hideo
Published: December 2011

We have studied the specific heat of the (NS + NB) model for an NS-body harmonic oscillator (HO) system which is strongly coupled to an NB-body HO bath without dissipation. The system specific heat of CS(T) becomes NSkB at T → ∞ and vanishes at T = 0 in accordance with the third law of thermodynamics. The calculated CS(T) at low temperatures is not proportional to NS and shows an anomalous temperature dependence, strongly depending on NS, NB, and the system-bath coupling. In particular at very low (but finite) temperatures, it may become negative for a strong system-bath coupling, which is in contrast with non-negative specific heat of a HO system with NS = 1 reported by Ingold, Hänggi, and Talkner [Phys. Rev. E 79, 061105 (2005)]. Our calculation indicates an importance of taking account of finite NS in studying open quantum systems which may include an arbitrary number of particles in general.
Diferrocenyl oligothiophene wires: Raman and quantum chemical study of valence-trapped cations
Authors: González Sandra Rodríguez , Aragó Juan , Viruela Pedro M. , Ortí Enrique , López Navarrete Juan T. , Sato Masa-aki , Casado Juan
Published: December 2011

A combination of Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations is used to describe the structural and spectroscopic properties of the different isomeric cations of diferrocenyl quaterthiophenes. Isomerisation of the thienyl β-positions provides site selective oxidation, which gives rise to species that can interconvert by moving the charge over the bridge. The spectroscopic study allows us to describe a sequence of stationary trapped cationic, either ferrocenyl or thienyl, states which constitutes an energy cascade of accessible sites through which the charge transfer can proceed.