bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum cyclosporine level and orange juice in pediatric renal‐transplanted patients
Authors: Sorkhi Hadi , Moghadamnia Ali Akbar , Oaliaee Farshid , PourAmir Mehdi , Firoozjahi Ali Reza , Pasha Abazar Akbarzadeh , Goodarzi Mohammad Rad
Published: June 2008

Abstract: Organ transplant survival has been improved with CsA, but the PK of CsA may be affected by many drugs and foods. This study was performed to investigate the impact of orange juice on PK of CsA in children who had received a renal transplant. This cross‐over placebo‐controlled study was performed on 10 pediatric kidney‐transplanted patients. All children received orange juice (Thomson novel) or water. After morning dose of CsA, patients were given 250 mL orange juice or water and investigation of the PK was performed in 12 h. Co‐administration of orange juice with CsA compared with water did not significantly increase the area under the curve from 0–12 h (AUC0–12) of CsA (orange juice 2833 ± 553, water 3053 ± 1532, p > 0.05). Also, there were not significant effects on peak concentration (Cmax) or time toCmax(tmax). Orange juice can be used with CsA and there was no interaction between the juice and CsA in pediatric renal transplants.
Are there interactive effects of mate availability and predation risk on life history and defence in a simultaneous hermaphrodite?
Authors: AULD J. R. , RELYEA R. A.
Published: June 2008

Encountering mates and avoiding predators are ubiquitous challenges faced by many organisms and they can affect the expression of many traits including growth, timing of maturity and resource allocation to reproduction. However, these two factors are commonly considered in isolation rather than simultaneously. We examined whether predation risk and mate availability interact to affect morphology and life‐history traits (including lifetime fecundity) of a hermaphroditic snail (Physa acuta). We found that mate availability reduced juvenile growth rate and final size. Predator cues from crayfish induced delayed reproduction, but there were no reduced fecundity costs associated with predator induction. Although there were interactive effects on longevity, lifetime fecundity was determined by the number of reproductive days. Therefore, our results indicate a resource‐allocation trade‐off among growth, longevity and reproduction. Future consideration of this interaction will be important for understanding how resource‐allocation plasticity affects the integration of defensive, life‐history and mating‐system traits.
Should food‐deceptive species flower before or after rewarding species? An experimental test of pollinator visitation behaviour under contrasting phenologies
Authors: INTERNICOLA A. I. , BERNASCONI G. , GIGORD L. D. B.
Published: June 2008

Many plant species reward their pollinators, whereas some species, particularly among orchids, do not. Similarity of floral cues between co‐flowering species influences how rapidly pollinators learn to avoid deceptive plants. This learning process, which affects the reproductive success of deceptive plants, may additionally depend on relative timing of flowering of sympatric rewarding and deceptive species. We tested the combined effects of corolla colour similarity and flowering order of rewarding and deceptive artificial inflorescences on visitation by naïve bumblebees. When deceptive inflorescences were offered after rewarding inflorescences, bumblebees visited them four times more often if both species were similar compared with when they were dissimilar. Pollinator visitation rate to deceptive inflorescences offered before rewarding inflorescences was intermediate and independent of similarity. Thus, early‐flowering deceptive species avoid the costs of dissimilarity with rewarding species. This mechanism may favour adaptive evolution of flowering phenology in deceptive species and explain why temperate deceptive orchids usually flower earlier than rewarding ones.
A change in climate causes rapid evolution of multiple life‐history traits and their interactions in an annual plant
Authors: FRANKS S. J. , WEIS A. E.
Published: June 2008

Climate change is likely to spur rapid evolution, potentially altering integrated suites of life‐history traits. We examined evolutionary change in multiple life‐history traits of the annual plantBrassica rapacollected before and after a recent 5‐year drought in southern California. We used a direct approach to examining evolutionary change by comparing ancestors and descendants. Collections were made from two populations varying in average soil moisture levels, and lines propagated from the collected seeds were grown in a greenhouse and experimentally subjected to conditions simulating either drought (short growing season) or high precipitation (long growing season) years. Comparing ancestors and descendants, we found that the drought caused many changes in life‐history traits, including a shift to earlier flowering, longer duration of flowering, reduced peak flowering and greater skew of the flowering schedule. Descendants had thinner stems and fewer leaf nodes at the time of flowering than ancestors, indicating that the drought selected for plants that flowered at a smaller size and earlier ontogenetic stage rather than selecting for plants to develop more rapidly. Thus, there was not evidence for absolute developmental constraints to flowering time evolution. Common principal component analyses showed substantial differences in the matrix of trait covariances both between short and long growing season treatments and between populations. Although the covariances matrices were generally similar between ancestors and descendants, there was evidence for complex evolutionary changes in the relationships among the traits, and these changes depended on the population and treatment. These results show that a full appreciation of the impacts of global change on phenotypic evolution will entail an understanding of how changes in climatic conditions affect trait values and the structure of relationships among traits.
Efficient replacing of fetal bovine serum with human platelet releasate during propagation and differentiation of human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells to functional hepatocytes‐like cells
Authors: Kazemnejad S. , Allameh A. , Gharehbaghian A. , Soleimani M. , Amirizadeh N. , Jazayeri M.
Published: June 2008

Objectives  The aim of this study was to find out substitution effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) with human platelet releasate (HPR) as a major growth factor source during expansion and differentiation of human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC) into hepatocytes.

Methods  Propagation and differentiation potential of hBMSCs into hepatocyte‐like cells in a medium fortified with HPR instead of FBS were investigated with morphological, cytochemical and molecular experiments.

Results  Multiplex analysis showed that HPR was more efficient than FBS in supporting hBMSC outgrowth. The proliferation rate of MSC in presence of HPR (derived from 109 platelets/ml) was about threefold greater than that of FBS (P < 0·001). Despite the differences in MTT value, hBMSCs‐driven HPR or FBS did not differ in terms of gross morphology, immunophenotype and osteogenic differentiation potential. Hepatic differentiation of hBMSCs was successfully performed in the media enriched with HPR. Immunoreactivity of cells with monoclonal antibodies against for albumin and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) was even more positive in hepatocytes differentiated in presence of HPR as compared to that of FBS. The gene expression of albumin, AFP and cytokeratin‐18 at mRNA levels in differentiated cells attest to supporting role of HPR in hepatic differentiation media. These findings were further confirmed with greater urea production (approximately twofold) in the culture media of cells differentiated under HPR compared to that in FBS (P < 0·001).

Conclusion  Human platelet releasate is an efficient and safe substitute for FBS in culture media used for expansion and differentiation of hBMSCs to hepatocyte.
5‐Azacytidine‐treated human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells derived from umbilical cord, cord blood and bone marrow do not generate cardiomyocytes in vitro at high frequencies
Authors: Martin‐Rendon E. , Sweeney D. , Lu F. , Girdlestone J. , Navarrete C. , Watt S. M.
Published: June 2008

Background and Objectives  Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors that differentiate into such lineages as bone, fat, cartilage and stromal cells that support haemopoiesis. Bone marrow MSCs can also contribute to cardiac repair, although the mechanism for this is unclear. Here, we examine the potential of MSCs from different sources to generate cardiomyocytes in vitro, as a means for predicting their therapeutic potential after myocardial infarction.

Materials and Methods  Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells were isolated from the perivascular tissue and Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord and from cord blood. Their immunophenotype and differentiation potential to generate osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes and cardiomyoxcytes in vitro was compared with those of bone marrow MSCs.

Results  Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells isolated from umbilical cord and cord blood were phenotypically similar to bone marrow MSCs, the exception being in the expression of CD106, which was absent on umbilical cord MSCs, and CD146 that was highly expressed in cord blood MSCs. They have variable abilities to give rise to osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes, with bone marrow MSCs being the most robust. While a small proportion (~0·07%) of bone marrow MSCs could generate cardiomyocyte‐like cells in vitro, those from umbilical cord and cord blood did not express cardiac markers either spontaneously or after treatment with 5‐azacytidine.

Conclusion  Although MSCs may be useful for such clinical applications as bone or cartilage repair, the results presented here indicate that such cells do not generate cardiomyocytes frequently enough for cardiac repair. Their efficacy in heart repair is likely to be due to paracrine mechanisms.
ADAMTS‐13 activity and von Willebrand factor levels in methylene blue photo‐inactivated plasma processed by either the Springe method or an ‘in house’ system
Authors: Del Río‐Garma J. , Pereira A. , Arroyo J. L. , Mateo J. , Alvarez‐Larrán A. , Martínez C. , Muncunill J. , Barbolla L. ,   on behalf of the Spanish Group of Apheresis (Grupo Español de Aféresis GEA)
Published: June 2008

Background and Objectives Methylene blue photo‐inactivated plasma (MBPIP) has been reported to be less effective than fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which suggests a reduced content of the von Willebrand factor metalloprotease ADAMTS‐13 in MBPIP.

Materials and Methods ADAMTS‐13 activity and von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) levels were measured in plasma before and after photo‐oxidation by either the Springe method or a commercial ‘in house’ system as well as in cryoprecipitate‐poor plasma (CPP) and FFP (20 units each).

Results Levels of ADAMTS‐13 activity in MBPIP processed by the Springe method or the commercial ‘in house’ system were comparable to one another and did not significantly differ from levels found in FFP [median (range): 114% (57–139%), 99% (74–123%), and 106% (70–130%), respectively]. ADAMTS‐13 activity was significantly reduced in CPP [median (range): 87% (70–107%) as compared with FFP (P < 0·05). Levels of vWF:Ag decreased after photo‐oxidation by both methods.

Conclusion In vitroADAMTS‐13 activity was conserved in MBPIP processed by the two photo‐oxidation methods analysed and did not significantly differ from levels found in FFP.
A quinclorac sensitive lethality rice mutant: its discovery, genetics and potential application
Authors: Peng H. , Zhang J. , Xie Q.
Published: June 2008

In this study, we reported a quinclorac‐sensitive rice natural mutant M4017, derived from an indica restorer line 4017 of three‐line hybrid. The mutant could be killed at three‐leaf stage by quinclorac at 175 mg/l or higher, a dosage that is recommended for monocot herbs control. The mutant at flowering stages can also be effectively killed by quinclorac at 1.25–1.50 g/l or higher, which is safe for its F1 hybrids and all other normal varieties. Genetic analysis, using the F1, F2 and BC1 populations derived from this mutant and other often‐used varieties, revealed that quinclorac sensitivity/lethality was controlled by a single recessive gene, which was named quin1. This mutant has a potential application in false hybrid seed removal or mechanized production of hybrid seeds.
Multi‐environment evaluation of level and stability of FHB resistance among parental lines and selected offspring derived from several European winter wheat mapping populations
Authors: Buerstmayr H. , Lemmens M. , Schmolke M. , Zimmermann G. , Hartl L. , Mascher F. , Trottet M. , Gosman N. E. , Nicholson P.
Published: June 2008

During 2 years and at five locations in Europe, 56 winter wheat genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB). The genotypes were both parents and selected recombinants taken from the following populations previously tested for FHB resistance: ‘Arina’/‘Forno’, ‘Arina’/‘Riband’, ‘Dream’/‘Lynx’, G16‐92/‘Hussar’, ‘Renan’/‘Récital’, SVP‐72017 × ‘Capo’ and ‘Capo’/‘Sumai‐3’. In addition, a few control lines were included. FHB resistance was evaluated in replicated experiments under artificial inoculation, disease severity was assessed by repeated visual scorings. The highest level of FHB resistance was found in lines selected from crosses of FHB‐resistant winter wheat × ‘Sumai‐3’. The best lines selected from crosses of moderately resistant winter wheat with susceptible winter wheat were similar in their resistance response to the resistant parent. The level of FHB resistance was correlated with stability of resistance. Susceptible wheat lines tended to exhibit severe symptoms under high disease pressure. The symptoms on resistant lines remained comparatively low even under high disease pressure.
Diversity and geographical distribution of seed lipoxygenase‐1 thermostability types in barley
Authors: Hirota N. , Kaneko T. , Ito K. , Takeda K.
Published: June 2008

To understand the diversity in the thermostability of the seed lipoxygenase‐1 (LOX‐1), 1040 cultivars of worldwide barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare) genetic resources were investigated. The relative thermostability of LOX‐1 (LOX‐RTS) in these lines showed a bimodal frequency distribution and these lines were categorized into the high and low thermostability types (H‐type and L‐type, respectively). The H‐type lines predominated in the wild progenitor, ssp. spontaneum. The geographical distribution of these types in the cultivars was surveyed. The frequencies of the H‐ and L‐types were almost equal to one another in southwestern Asia. The occurrence of the H‐type predominated in eastern Asia and Africa, whereas in Europe and Turkey, the L‐type did. The predominance of the L‐type in Europe and Turkey can be understood through the hypothesis that the Fertile Crescent domestication contributed the majority of diversity in Europe. The uneven geographical distribution of the LOX‐1 thermostability types in the cultivars may reflect a polyphyletic origin of barley.
Outcrossing rate of barley genotypes with different floral characteristics in drought‐stressed environments in Jordan
Authors: Parzies H. K. , Nke C. Fosung , Abdel‐Ghani A. H. , Geiger H. H.
Published: June 2008

The flowering characteristics of a highly inbreeding species such as barley might influence the extent of outcrossing that can be expected. Increased outcrossing is a prerequisite to exploit heterosis in inbreeding species, which can lead to considerable yield increase as has been demonstrated for barley grown under marginal conditions. Anther extrusion (AE) in barley has been demonstrated to be a genetically controlled, quantitative trait with intermediate to high heritability. Some authors consider AE and open flowering in barley as identical. The present study was conducted to investigate whether barley genotypes with increased AE exhibit increased outcrossing rates under field conditions in comparison with genotypes showing no AE. Field experiments were conducted in three contrasting environments in Jordan in the 2001/02 growing season using six adapted barley genotypes, three with high AE and three with no AE. Outcrossing rates were investigated employing codominant DNA markers (microsatellites). No significant difference in outcrossing rates was detected between anther‐extruding and non‐extruding barley genotypes. Results indicate that high AE is not a sufficient condition to cause increased outcrossing rates and thus cannot be termed open flowering.
Effect of upper limb botulinum toxin‐A therapy on health‐related quality of life in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Redman Toni A , Finn Judith C , Bremner Alexandra P , Valentine Jane
Published: June 2008

Aim: Currently, the use of upper limb botulinum toxin‐A (UL BTX‐A) is based on evidence of functional efficacy without supporting evidence of positive change in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). While function may improve, this cannot be directly correlated with an improvement in HRQOL. Most paediatric studies use caregiver/parent proxy reports. The inclusion of child self‐reports is increasing as poor correlation with proxy reports is being demonstrated. This paper aims to study the effect of UL BTX‐A therapy on HRQOL in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Design: Pilot prospective randomised trial. Participants: 22 children with hemiplegic CP aged 7 years 0 month−13 years 11 months (12 treatment, 10 control). Treatment: One series BTX‐A injections into UL. HRQOL assessed at baseline, and 1, 3 and 6 months post‐injection by completion of Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scales and PedsQL 3.0 CP Module. Outcome: 1. Change in PedsQL scores. 2. Concordance between child self‐report and parent proxy‐report scores.

Results: No statistically significant difference between treatment and control groups was observed for any domain of HRQOL. Intraclass concordance was good for the PedsQL CP Module Daily Activities, and Speech and Communication scores (P = 0.0005).

Conclusion: This pilot work adds to the emerging evidence that UL BTX‐A therapy has no statistically significant effect on the HRQOL of children with hemiplegic CP. With the increasing use of this therapy in children with CP, further research across the broader CP population is needed to identify whether this therapy is indicated in other target populations. Both child and parent proxy reports should be collected when assessing HRQOL in this population.
Clinical presentation and prognosis of childhood Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Lee Jung Hwan , Sung In Young , Rew Il Sun
Published: June 2008

Aim:  Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy commonly characterised by rapidly progressive, symmetric weakness and areflexia. This study is to assess the clinical characteristics of paediatric GBS, as well as its long‐term functional prognosis.

Methods:  We retrospectively assessed the clinical manifestations, results of electrodiagnostic tests, functional status and prognosis of 56 children diagnosed with GBS. Based on clinical and electrophysiological findings, the patients were classified as having acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy ([AIDP]n = 34), acute motor axonal neuropathy ([AMAN]n = 14), acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (n = 1) and Miller Fisher syndrome ([MFS]n = 7).

Results:  Upper respiratory infection was the most frequent preceding event, and limb weakness was the most frequent symptom at GBS onset. There was no significant difference in the mean time from the onset of illness to nadir between any of these groups. Both the AIDP and AMAN groups showed significantly poorer functional status, measured by the Hughes scale, than the MFS group. Two years after nadir, however, the three groups did not differ significantly. Functional status at nadir, as estimated by the Hughes scale, is a more important factor than electrophysiological types in predicting long‐term outcome.

Conclusion:  The most common symptom at onset in paediatric GBS was limb weakness. Functional status at nadir in AMAN was not significantly different from that of AIDP, and both types achieved good functional outcome for ambulation after 2 years. Functional status at nadir was more important than the electrophysiological type in predicting long‐term outcomes.
How useful is knemometry in measuring neonatal growth?
Authors: Dixon Bronwyn , Darlow Brian , Prickett Timothy
Published: June 2008

Background:  Knemometry has been used to accurately measure linear growth in both neonates and children over the last 20 years. It has been used principally as a research tool.

Aim:  To investigate whether serial measurement of lower leg length (LLL) by knemometry is a useful addition to other measures of growth in the neonatal unit.

Methods:  A 1‐year prospective hospital‐based cohort study from 2004 to 2005. Knemometry was performed every 3–4 days from the time of consent to time of discharge. Infants were grouped by gestation at birth for analysis (<28 weeks, 28–31 weeks, 32–36 weeks and >36 weeks gestation). The main outcome assessed was longitudinal growth. Subgroup analyses were performed on infants <10th percentile for weight, surgical infants and infants who had received antenatal steroids.

Results:  LLL measured by knemometry correlated well with postmenstrual age (r = 0.93) and weight (r = 0.93). The mean (SD) increase in LLL was 0.45 (0.7) mm/day.

Conclusion:  Change in LLL correlates well with change in weight and postmenstrual age in the neonatal period but adds little extra information to routine practice in the neonatal unit.
Activity and identity of fermenting microorganisms in full‐scale biological nutrient removing wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Kong Yunhong , Xia Yun , Nielsen Per Halkjær
Published: June 2008

Hydrolysis and fermentation are of key importance in biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment plants as they provide polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms and denitrifying bacteria with carbon and energy sources (e.g. short chain fatty acids). Little information, however, exists about the microbiology of the microorganisms involved in hydrolysis and fermentation. In this study, fermentation of monosaccharides was found to be a universal process taking place in all full‐scale BNR plants investigated, where glucose and other monosaccharides were consumed and fermented during anaerobic conditions. The removal rates of glucose were in the range of 0.05–0.32 mmol gVSS−1 h−1 and only slightly lower than glucose removal under aerobic conditions. The main fermentation products detected were (in descending order) propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and formic acid. The fermentation was diverse, consisting of at least three fermentation metabolisms, including lactic acid (homolactic), mixed acid and propionic acid fermentations. Possible existence of alcohol and/or butyric acid fermentations could not be excluded. Fermentation organisms in Aalborg East treatment plant were identified by using microautoradiography combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization. All microorganisms involved in monosaccharide fermentation belonged to either Gram‐positive Firmicutes or Actinobacteria. Most of them were related either to Streptococcus, hybridizing to the oligonucleotide probe Str, or to uncultured Actinobacteria with a phenotype of polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms. The fermenting bacteria were widespread in the nine full‐scale BNR plants investigated and constituted 3–21% of the total bacterial biovolume.
Winter‐to‐summer changes in the composition and single‐cell activity of near‐surface Arctic prokaryotes
Authors: Alonso‐Sáez Laura , Sánchez Olga , Gasol Josep M. , Balagué Vanessa , Pedrós‐Alio Carlos
Published: June 2008

We collected surface samples in Franklin Bay (Western Arctic) from ice‐covered to ice‐free conditions, to determine seasonal changes in the identity and in situ activity of the prokaryotic assemblages. Catalysed reported fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to quantify the abundance of different groups, and combined with microautoradiography to determine the fraction of active cells taking up three substrates: glucose, amino acids and ATP. In surface waters, Archaea accounted for 16% of the total cell count in winter, but decreased to almost undetectable levels in summer, when Bacteria made up 97% of the total cell count. Alphaproteobacteria were the most abundant group followed by Bacteroidetes (average of 34% and 14% of total cell counts respectively). Some bacterial groups appearing in low abundances (< 10% of total cell counts), such as Betaproteobacteria, Roseobacter and Gammaproteobacteria, showed a high percentage of active cells. By contrast, more abundant groups, such as SAR11 or Bacteroidetes, had a lower percentage of active cells in the uptake of the substrates tested. Archaea showed low heterotrophic activity throughout the year. In comparison with temperate oceans, the percentage of active Bacteria in the uptake of the substrates was relatively high, even during the winter season.
Fingerprinting the genetic diversity of the biotin carboxylase gene (accC) in aquatic ecosystems as a potential marker for studies of carbon dioxide assimilation in the dark
Authors: Auguet Jean‐Christophe , Borrego Carles M. , Bañeras Lluís , Casamayor Emilio O.
Published: June 2008

We designed and tested a set of specific primers for specific PCR amplification of the biotin carboxylase subunit gene (accC) of the Acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACCase) enzyme. The primer set yielded a PCR product of c. 460 bp that was suitable for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting followed by direct sequencing of excised DGGE bands and sequence analysis. Optimization of PCR conditions for selective amplification was carried out with pure cultures of different bacteria and archaea, and laboratory enrichments. Next, fingerprinting comparisons were done in several aerobic and anaerobic freshwater planktonic samples. The DGGE fingerprints showed between 2 and 19 bands in the different samples, and the primer set provided specific amplification in both pure cultures and natural samples. Most of the samples had sequences grouped with bacterial accC, hypothetically related to the anaplerotic fixation of inorganic carbon. Some other samples, however, yielded accC gene sequences that clustered with Crenarchaeota and were related to the 3‐hydroxypropionate/4‐hydroxybutyrate cycle of autotrophic crenarchaeota. Such samples came from oligotrophic high mountain lakes and the hypolimnia of a sulfide‐rich lake, where crenarchaeotal populations had been previously reported by 16S rRNA surveys. This study provided a fast tool to look for presence of accC genes in natural environments as potential marker for studies of carbon dioxide assimilation in the dark. After further refinement for better specificity against archaea, the new and novel primers could be very helpful to establish a target for crenarchaeota with implications for our understanding of archaeal carbon biogeochemistry.
How Lay Third Parties Weigh Legitimacy and Sanctions in a Side‐Taking Dilemma: A Study among Chinese and Dutch Employees
Authors: Yang Huadong , Van de Vliert Evert , Shi Kan
Published: June 2008

Lay third parties sometimes react to an interpersonal dispute by taking sides. In this paper, we investigate the interaction effects of lay third parties’ moral and expedient orientations on the relationship between perceived legitimacy (or expected negative sanctions) and their intention of side‐taking with a legitimacy party (or a sanction party). Seventy‐nine Chinese and 77 Dutch employees were presented with a scenario describing a conflict dilemma between one party who has more legitimacy claims but less negative sanctions and the other party who has less legitimacy claims but more negative sanctions. The results showed that moral orientation by itself has a reinforcing effect on the positive link between perceived legitimacy and siding with a legitimacy party. In addition, in both countries, the relationship between expected negative sanctions and side‐taking with a sanction party was moderated by a joint effect of the moral and the expedient orientations. That is, for lay third parties with a weakly moral orientation and a strongly expedient orientation, an increase in negative sanctions led to more side‐taking with a sanction party. For those lay third parties who were weakly moral and weakly expedient oriented, strongly moral and strongly expedient oriented, or strongly moral and weakly expedient oriented, the above‐mentioned link was not positive any more.

Confrontés à un conflit interpersonnel, les tiers non concernés réagissent parfois en prenant parti. Dans cet article, nous étudions les effets d’interaction des orientations morales et opportunistes de tiers non impliqués sur la relation entre la légitimé perçue ou les sanctions négatives attendues et leur intention de se ranger aux côtés d’un groupe légitime ou d’un groupe puissant. On a présentéà 79 salariés chinois et 77 salariés néerlandais un scénario décrivant un dilemme conflictuel entre un groupe qui disposait de plus de légitimité, mais de sanctions négatives moindres et un autre groupe qui disposait de moins de légitimité, mais de sanctions négatives plus fortes. Les résultats montrent que l’orientation morale exerce par elle‐même un renforcement sur la liaison positive entre la légitimité perçue et le fait de se ranger aux côtés d’un groupe bénéficiant de la légitimité. De plus, dans les deux pays, la relation entre les sanctions négatives attendues et le fait de choisir le groupe puissant était régulé par un effet conjugué des orientations morales et opportunistes. Ce qui signifie que pour des tiers pourvus d’une orientation morale déficiente et d’un grand opportunisme, une augmentation des sanctions négatives incite à prendre plutôt parti pour le groupe puissant. La relation ci‐dessus mentionnée n’est nullement positive pour les tiers à la morale et à l’opportunisme faibles, à la morale et à l’opportunisme forts, ou à la morale forte et à l’opportunisme faible.
The Moderating Effect of Trainee Implicit Beliefs on the Relationship between Cognitive Modeling Orientation and Training Outcomes
Authors: Sue‐Chan Christina , Wood Robert E.
Published: June 2008

Two studies investigated the interactive effects of trainees’ dispositional implicit theory of ability (entity versus incremental) and the use of a promotion versus prevention orientation during the cognitive modeling component of training in the use of a problem‐solving technique. The dependent variables were trainees’ self‐reported behavioral intentions (Study 1) and performance (Study 2), which was assessed by two independent judges following the training program and in a 1‐month follow‐up in the use of the problem‐solving technique. As predicted, entity theorists were more responsive to the social cues contained in the promotion and prevention orientations during the cognitive modeling of the problem‐solving technique. As a result, a promotion orientation produced stronger behavioral intentions (Study 1) and performance (Study 2) than a prevention orientation for entity theorists but not for incremental theorists. The results point to the need to understand the implicit theories of trainees, particularly those who have an entity theory of ability, and for trainers to adopt a strong promotion orientation in their presentation of materials. Trainers who stress the avoidance of errors and overemphasise the importance of performance may unwittingly undermine the intentions and performance of those who have doubts about the efficacy of the training.

Deux recherches ont porté sur l’interaction chez des sujets en formation des conséquences de la théorie implicite des capacités dont chacun dispose (stables ou amendables) et de l’orientation vers la prudence ou le progrès lors de la modélisation cognitive dans l’utilisation d’une technique de résolution de problèmes. Les variables dépendantes étaient les intentions comportementales rapportées par les stagiaires (Recherche n˚ 1) et la performance (Recherche n° 2) évaluée par deux juges indépendants à la fin du programme de formation et un mois plus tard. Comme prévu, les partisans des capacités stables étaient plus sensibles aux signes sociaux présents dans les orientations prudence ou progrès lors de l’élaboration cognitive de la technique de résolution de problèmes. Une orientation vers le progrès était à l’origine d’intentions comportementales plus affirmées (Recherche n˚ 1) et d’une meilleure performance (Recherche n˚ 2) pour les tenants de la stabilité des capacités, mais pas pour ceux qui pensaient que les capacités pouvaient être améliorées. Ces résultats montrent qu’il est indispensable de prendre en considération les théories implicites des stagiaires, et plus particulièrement de ceux qui pensent que les capacités sont figées. Quant aux formateurs, il leur faut adopter une orientation fortement axée sur le progrès dans leur présentation des contenus. Les formateurs qui insistent sur l’évitement des erreurs et exagèrent l’importance de la performance peuvent involontairement nuire aux intentions et aux résultats de ceux qui doutent de l’efficacité de la formation.
Measurement Equivalence of Paper‐and‐Pencil and Internet Organisational Surveys: A Large Scale Examination in 16 Countries
Authors: De Beuckelaer Alain , Lievens Filip
Published: June 2008

In multinational surveys, mixed‐mode administration modes (e.g. combining Internet and paper‐and‐pencil administration) are increasingly used. To date, no studies have investigated whether measurement equivalence exists between Internet data collection and data collection using the conventional paper‐and‐pencil method in organisational surveys which include a large number of countries. This paper examined the measurement equivalence of a truly global organisational survey across Internet and paper‐and‐pencil survey administrations. Data from an organisational survey in 16 countries (N = 52,461) across the globe were used to assess the measurement equivalence of an organisational climate measure within each country in which the survey was administered. The empirical data provided strong indications which support the measurement equivalence of the multi‐item survey instrument across Internet and paper‐and‐pencil surveys in virtually all countries in which the survey was conducted. These findings suggest that merging data obtained through Internet and paper‐and‐pencil data administration in a particular country is legitimate as no evidence was found for differential effects across both modes of data collection.

Dans les enquêtes internationales, les modalités d’administration mixtes, c’est‐à‐dire combinant les solution Internet et papier‐crayon, sont de plus en plus utilisées. Jusqu’à présent, on ignore si le recueil de données par Internet est méthodologiquement équivalent au recueil traditionnel sur papier dans les enquêtes organisationnelles qui couvrent un grand nombre de pays. Dans cet article, on analyse l’analogie des mesures d’une enquête organisationnelle véritablement universelle utilisant à la fois une administration Internet et papier‐crayon. Des données provenant de seize pays (N = 52,461) répartis sur l’ensemble de la planète ont été exploitées pour évaluer l’équivalence méthodologique d’une mesure du climat organisationnel dans chacun de ces pays. Les résultats empiriques sont en faveur de l’équivalence méthodologique de l’ensemble des items pour les recueils Internet et papier‐crayon dans pratiquement tous les pays retenus pour l’enquête. Ces résultats montrent qu’il est légitime de traiter ensemble les données obtenues par Internet et par papier‐crayon dans un même pays puisque rien ne nous permet d’affirmer l’existence d’un effet différentiel dû aux deux modes d’administration.
Benefits of Accounts of Well‐Being— For Societies and for Psychological Science
Authors: Diener Ed , Kesebir Pelin , Lucas Richard
Published: June 2008

The decisions of business leaders and government officials are currently guided by economic and social indicators. It is proposed that accounts of well‐being be collected on an ongoing basis to complement the existing indicators. Accounts of subjective well‐being would track the societal groups where happiness, life satisfaction, engagement, and positive feelings are high versus low, would indicate the activities that people find enjoyable versus unpleasant, and would monitor changing levels of well‐being over time. The accounts would serve decision‐makers by making important information on well‐being and ill‐being available to them. They would also greatly help applied psychology by drawing more attention and interest to important outcomes that are likely to result from psychological interventions.

Les décisions des chefs d’entreprise et des responsables gouvernementaux se fondent actuellement sur des indicateurs sociaux et économiques. On propose de recueillir des données relatives au bien‐être de façon continue en complément des indicateurs existants. Les mesures du bien‐être subjectif détecteraient les groupes sociaux où le bonheur, la satisfaction de vivre, le sens des responsabilités et les sentiments positifs sont élevés ou bas, indiqueraient les activités que les gens trouvent agréables ou non et suivraient avec le temps les changements dans le niveau du bien‐être. Ces mesures seraient utiles aux décisionnaires en mettant à leur disposition des informations importantes sur le bien‐être et son contraire. Elles seraient aussi d’un grand secours pour la psychologie appliquée en accordant davantage d’attention et d’intérêt aux conséquences importantes susceptibles de résulter des interventions psychologiques.
Balancing Work and Relationship: Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET) in the Workplace
Authors: Schaer Marcel , Bodenmann Guy , Klink Thomas
Published: June 2008

The current study is among the first to address the question of efficacy of a couple‐oriented prevention program in the context of the workplace. As many spillover and cross‐over effects between the workplace and couples’ private lives are known, such a focus seems promising. One hundred and fifty‐seven couples participating in the study were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: a couple‐oriented intervention (Couples Coping Enhancement Training; CCET), an individual‐oriented coping intervention (ICT), and a waiting‐list control group. Self‐report data were collected at pre‐test, post‐test (2 weeks after the intervention), and at follow‐up (5 months after the training). Results are promising for the couple‐oriented intervention that significantly outperformed both the ICT and the waiting‐list control group. CCET participants scored not only higher in relationship variables (such as communication and dyadic coping) after the training but also in individual variables (e.g. burnout). These findings support the notion that companies should invest more in the well‐being of the relationships of their employees.

Cette étude compte parmi les premières à aborder la question de l’efficacité d’un programme de prévention centré sur le couple dans l’environnement professionnel. Cette approche semble prometteuse puisque l’on a mis en évidence de nombreux processus de compensation et de transfert entre la vie de travail et la vie privée des couples. 157 couples relevant de la recherche ont été aléatoirement distribués dans trois conditions: une intervention centrée sur le couple (Formation des couples au renforcement du « faire‐face »—CCET), une intervention sur le « faire‐face » centré sur l’individu (ICT), et une liste d’attente faisant office de groupe contrôle. Des données fournies par les sujets ont été recueillies en pré‐test, en post‐test (deux semaines après l’intervention) et en suivi (cinq mois après l’intervention). Les résultats sont prometteurs pour l’intervention centrée sur le couple qui se révèle significativement plus performante que l’ICT et le groupe témoin. Les participants CCET ont de meilleurs résultats non seulement pour les variables relationnelles (telles que la communication et le faire‐face à deux) à l’issue de la formation, mais aussi pour les variables individuelles (par exemple le burnout). Ces constatations renforcent l’idée que les entreprises devraient investir davantage dans le bien‐être relationnel de leurs salariés.
From Homeostatic to Hedonic Theories of Eating: Self‐Regulatory Failure in Food‐Rich Environments
Authors: Stroebe Wolfgang , Papies Esther K. , Aarts Henk
Published: June 2008

Psychological theories of weight regulation are based on homeostatic feedback assumptions. They mostly attribute the cause of overweight and obesity to lowered sensitivity to internal hunger and satiety cues. Based on the assumption that human food consumption in food‐rich environments is increasingly driven by pleasure rather than need for calories, a goal conflict theory of hedonic eating is presented. This theory is not only supported by the outcome of our own research programme but can also account for findings of the research conducted in the context of other psychological theories. Some implications for weight loss strategies are discussed.

Les théories psychologiques sur la régulation du poids sont basées sur des hypothèses d’une rétroaction homéostasique. Elles attribuent généralement la cause de la surcharge pondérale et de l’obésitéà une sensibilité interne amoindrie à la faim et aux indicateurs de satiété. Reposant sur l’hypothèse que la consommation alimentaire humaine dans des environnements riches en nourriture est de plus en plus guidée par le plaisir plutôt que par le besoin de calories, une théorie “goal conflict theory of hedonic eating” est présentée. Cette théorie qui ne s’appuie pas seulement sur les résultats de notre propre programme de recherches, peut aussi expliquer les résultats d’études réalisées dans le cadre d’autres théories psychologiques. Des implications concernant des stratégies de perte de poids sont discutées.
Dietary Planning as a Mediator of the Intention–Behavior Relation: An Experimental‐Causal‐Chain Design
Authors: Reuter Tabea , Ziegelmann Jochen P. , Wiedemann Amelie U. , Lippke Sonia
Published: June 2008

Health behavior change is seen as a self‐regulatory process that consists of a motivation phase of goal setting and a volition phase of goal pursuit. Previous studies suggest that the intention–behavior association is mediated by planning. However, evidence is based on observational studies rather than on experimental designs. To validate the causal assumptions, an experimental‐causal‐chain design was employed. Study 1 (n= 145) examined whether changing dietary intentions by a motivational intervention engenders changes in planning activities 1 month later. Study 2 (n= 115) examined, in a different sample, whether a volitional planning intervention engenders changes in dietary behavior 1 month later. In both studies, repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant Time × Condition interaction. Changes in intention mediated the effects of the motivational intervention on planning activities (Study 1). Changes in planning mediated the effect of a planning intervention on dietary behavior (Study 2). Previous observational findings on planning as a mediator in the intention–behavior association were supported by the two experiments. The findings might help to identify points of intervention in the process underlying health behavior change.

Le changement de comportement au plan de la santé est considéré comme un processus d’auto‐régulation qui se compose d’une phase de motivation (fixation des buts) et d’une phase de volition (poursuite des buts). Des études précédentes suggèrent que le passage de l’intention au comportement est médiatisé par la planification. Ces résultats sont obtenus par voie d’observations plutôt que par expérimentations. Pour valider les hypothèses de causalité, un modèle de chaîne‐causale‐expérimentale a été employé. L’étude 1 examine si, en changeant les intentions alimentaires par une intervention motivationnelle, on obtient des changements dans la planification des activités un mois après (n= 145). L’étude 2 examine, sur un échantillon différent, si la planification d’une intervention engendre des changements du comportement alimentaire un mois plus tard (n= 115). Pour ces deux études, des ANOVA à mesures répétées révèlent une interaction significative entre le temps et la condition étudiée. Les changements de l’intention influencent les effets de l’intervention motivationnelle sur la planification des activités (étude 1). Les changements de la planification influencent les effets de l’intervention de la volition sur le comportement alimentaire (Etude 2). Les résultats obtenus par observation sur la planification comme lien entre l’intention et le comportement sont confirmés par les expérimentations. Les résultats peuvent permettre d’identifier les modalités d’interventions relatives au processus sous‐tendant le changement du comportement de santé.
The development of articulatory signatures in children
Authors: Singh Latika , Singh Nandini C.
Published: June 2008

The ability to perceive and produce sounds at multiple time scales is a skill necessary for the acquisition of language. Unlike speech perception, which develops early in life, the production of speech sounds starts at a few months and continues into late childhood with the development of speech‐motor skills. Though there is detailed information available on early phonological development, there is very little information on when various articulatory features achieve adult‐like maturity. We use modern spectral analysis to investigate the development of three language features associated with three different timescales in vocal utterances from typically developing children between 4 and 8 years. We make comparisons with adult speech and find age dependence in the appearance of these features. Results suggest that as children get older they exhibit increasingly more power in features associated with shorter time scales, thereby indicating the maturation of fine motor control in speech. Such data from typically developing children could provide milestones of speech production at different timescales. Since impairments in spoken language often provide the first warning signs of a language disorder we suggest that speech production could also be used to probe language disorders.
Vision for perception and vision for action: normal and unusual development
Authors: Dilks Daniel D. , Hoffman James E. , Landau Barbara
Published: June 2008

Evidence suggests that visual processing is divided into the dorsal (‘how’) and ventral (‘what’) streams. We examined the normal development of these streams and their breakdown under neurological deficit by comparing performance of normally developing children and Williams syndrome individuals on two tasks: a visually guided action (‘how’) task, in which participants posted a card into an oriented slot, and a perception (‘what’) task, in which they matched a card to the slot's orientation. Results showed that all groups performed worse on the action task than the perception task, but the disparity was more pronounced in WS individuals and in normal 3–4‐year‐olds than in older children. These findings suggest that the ‘how’ system may be relatively slow to develop and more vulnerable to breakdown than the ‘what’ system.