bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure of Cardocyclic Silazaoxanes
Authors: Igonin V. A. , Shklover V. E. , Struchkov YtJ. T. , Zachernyuk A. B. , Isayev V. B.
Published: January 2011

An X‐ray structural study of three new cardocyclic silazaoxanes has been carried out. Central three‐ and tetrasilazane cycles are characterized by stationary values of Si–N bond lengths (1.68–1.72 Å) and Si–NH–Si bond angles (129.5–132.6°); the latter are decreased to 121.2° only in one of the structures. Conformations of the silazane cycles differ significantly even in two independent molecules within one crystal structure. Peripheral trisiloxane cycles are similarly characterized by constancy of Si–O bond lengths (1.62–1.64 Å) and Si–O–Si bond angles (131.4–132.7°), which decrease (down to 1.613 Å) and increase (up to 149.5°) respectively in going to tetrasiloxane cycles.

Struktur von Cardocyclischen Silazaoxanen

Inhaltsübersicht. Eine Röntgenstrukturuntersuchung von drei neuen cardocyclischen Silazaoxanen ist durchgeführt worden. Die zentralen Drei‐ und Tetrasilazan‐Ringe sind durch konstante Werte für die Si–N‐Bindungslängen (1,68–1,72 Å) und Si–NH–Si‐Bindungswinkel (129,5 bis 132,6°) gekennzeichnet; letztere sinken nur in einer Struktur auf 121,2°. Die Konformationen der Silazan‐Ringe unterscheiden sich deutlich, sogar bei zwei unabhängigen Molekülen in einer Kristallstruktur. Die äußeren Trisiloxan‐Ringe sind ebenfalls durch konstante Bindungslängen Si–O (1,62–1,64 Å) und Bindungswinkel Si–O–Si (131,4–132,7°) gekennzeichnet, die bei den Tetrasiloxan‐Ringen auf 1,613 Å sinken bzw. auf 149,5° steigen.
Über Chalkogenolate. 194 [1]: S‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)aminoester von Dithiocarbamidsäuren 3. Kristall‐ und Molekülstruktur vom Methyl‐und i‐Propylderivat [1]
Authors: Schubert G. , Kiel G. , Gattow G.
Published: January 2011

Inhaltsübersicht. Die Titelverbindungen R2N–CS–S–N[Si(CH3)3]2 mit Ii = CH3 bzw. CH(CH3)2 kristallisieren orthorhombisch bzw. monoklin: Gitterkonstanten für

R = CH3 (bei −165°C)

a = 8,397(4) Å,

b = 11,917(4) Å,

c = 31,966 (11) Å,

Pbca (Nr. 61),

Z = 8.

R = CH(CH3)2 (bei −80°C)

a =13,183(3) Å,

b = 10,873(11) Å,

c = 14,865(2) Å,

β = 105,86(2)°

P21/n (Nr. 14),

Z = 4.

Die Kristallstrukturen wurden unter Verwendung von 4227 bzw. 3 433 symmetrieunabhängigen Reflexen (gemessen bei −165 bzw. −80 °C) bestimmt und bis auf Zuverlässigkeitsfaktoren von R = 0,081 bzw. 0,082 verfeinert (Rw = 0,084 bzw. 0,114).

Bei beiden Verbindungen ist der C2N–CS–S–N‐Teil des Moleküls nahezu planar. Zwischen dem Thiocarbonyl‐S‐Atom und dem N‐Atom der silylierten Aminogruppe bestehen Wechselwirkungen.

On Chalcogenolates. 194. S‐Bis (trimethylsilyl) amino Esters of Dithiocarbamic Acids. 3. Crystal and Molecular Structure of the Methyl and i‐Propyl Derivative

The title compounds R2N–CS–S–N[Si(CH3)3]2 with R = CH3 and CH(CH3)2, respectively, crystallize orthorhombic and monoclinic, resp.; cell dimensions and space group see “Inhaltsübersicht”.

The structures of both compounds have been determined from single crystal X‐ray data measured at −165°C and −80°C, resp., and refined to R's of 0.081 and 0.082, resp., (Rw = 0.084 and 0.114, resp.) using 4227 and 3433, resp., independent reflections.

In both compounds the C2N–CS–S–N core of the molecule is nearly plane. Between the thiocarbonyl sulfur atom and the nitrogen atom of the amino group interactions exist.

In Fortführung unserer Untersuchungen [1, 2] über N, N‐Dialkyldithiocarbamidsäure‐S‐bis(trimethylsilyl)aminoester R2N–CS–S–N[Si(CH3)3]2 haben wir die Kristall‐ und Molekülstrukturen der Verbindungen mit R = CH3 und CH(CH3)2 bestimmt. Dabei sollte untersucht werden, welchen Einfluß sterisch anspruchsvollere Alkylgruppen (R = CH3 → CH(CH3)2) auf die Molekülgeo‐metrie haben. Eine strukturchemische Charakterisierung dieser Verbindungs‐klasse ist bis jetzt noch nicht erfolgt; vgl. die Literaturzusammenstellung bei [3].
Darstellung und Kristallstruktur der ersten Vertreter des neuen Verbindungstyps Pb4[SiO4]X4 mit X = Cl, Br
Authors: Riebe H.‐J. , Keller H.‐L.
Published: January 2011

Inhaltsübersicht. Die beiden silicathaltigen Blei(II)‐oxidhalogenide Pb4[SiO4]Cl4 und Pb4[SiO4]Br4 wurden erstmals dargestellt und ihre Kristallstruktur an Einkristallen mit Röntgen‐beugungsmethoden ermittelt. Die Verbindungen kristallisieren in der monoklinen Raumgruppe P21/c (No. 14) mit den Gitterparametern:

Pb4[SiO4]Cl4: A = 8,73(1) Å, b = 15,68(1) Å, c = 8,265(6) Å, β = 92,4(1)°, Z = 4

Pb4[SiO4]Br4: A = 9,00(1) Å, b = 16,217(8) Å, c = 8,404(4) Å, β = 92,4(1)°, Z = 4

Im Gegensatz zu der “nichtstöchiometrischen” Verbindungsgruppe um Pb8O7Br2 · SiO2 konnten hier alle Atomlagen ermittelt werden. Es liegen einzelne SiO4‐Gruppen vor, die über Pb2+ zu leicht gewellten Netzen verbunden sind. Zwischenräume und Löcher der Netze werden von Halogenidionen aufgefüllt.

Preparation and Crystal Structures of the First Two Members of a New Type of Lead (II) Oxyhalides, Pb4[SiO4]X4 (X = Cl, Br)

Both silicate‐bearing lead(II) oxyhalides Pb4[SiO4]Cl4 and Pb4[SiO4]Br4 were prepared and studied for their crystal structure with X‐ray single crystal methods for the first time. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/c (No. 14) with following lattice parameters:

Pb4[SiO4]Cl4: A = 8.73(1) Å, b = 15.68(1) Å, c = 8.205(6) Å, β = 92.4(1)°, Z = 4

Pb4[SiO4]Br4: A = 9.00(1) Å, b = 16.217(8) Å, c = 8.404(4) Å, β = 92.4(1)°, Z = 4.

In contrast with further works about the group of nonstoichiometric lead oxyhalides Pb8O7Br2 · SiO2 in the present work all atomic positions were determined. The crystal structure shows single SiO4 groups linked only by Pb2+ ions to form slightly undulated nets. Holes and interspaces of these nets are stuffed with halide ions.
Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von HgPb2O(OH)Br3
Authors: Riebe H.‐J. , Keller H.‐L.
Published: January 2011

Inhaltsübersicht. Die erstmals dargestellte Verbindung HgPb2O(OH)Br3 kristallisiert orthorhombisch in der Raumgruppe Aba2 (Nr. 41) mit den Gitterkonstanten a = 14,652(3) Å, b = 14,6491(8) Å, c = 7,782(2) Å und Z = 8. Die Bestimmung der Kristallstruktur mit Einkristallmethoden zeigte “isolierte”, verzerrt würfelförmige Baugruppen der Zusammensetzung [Hg2Pb4O2(OH)2]. Diese Einheiten werden von Bromidionen umhüllt. HgPb2O(OH)Br3 stellt damit hinsichtlich des strukturellen Aufbaus ein Bindeglied zwischen den Verbindungen [Pb4(OH)4](ClO4)4 · 2H2O [1] und Pb9O4Br10 [2] dar.

Preparation and Crystal Structure of HgPb2O(OH)Br3

The new compound, HgPb2O(OH)Br3 was prepared and investigated by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Crystals of orthorhombic symmetry show space group Aba2 (No. 41) with lattice parameters a = 14.652(3) Å, b = 14.6491(8) Å, c = 7.782(2) Å, and Z = 8. Remarcable structural units with heterocubane skeleton were found. The [Hg2Pb4O2(OH)2] group forms a new member of the structural class between [Pb4(OH)4] and [Pb8O4] units with the relating compounds [Pb4(OH)4)](ClO4)4 · 2 H2O [1] und Pb9O4Br10 [2].
Herstellung keramischer Pulver. III [1]: Über die Struktur diamagnetischer Titan(III)‐alkoxide
Authors: Schmidt F. , Feltz A. , Colditz R. , Gustav K.
Published: January 2011

Inhaltsübersicht. Es wird über die Darstellung der Verbindung Ti(OCH2CH2OC2H5)3 berichtet. Diamagnetismus und VIS‐NIR‐Absorptionsspektrum weisen auf eine ungewöhnliche Struktur hin. Semiempirische MO‐Berechnungen (EHT) an ausgewählten Koordinationspolyedern ergeben für die Struktur eines flächenverknüpften Doppelwürfels qualitative Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Befunden.

Preparation of Ceramic Powders. III. About the Structure of Diamagnetic Titan (III) Alkoxides

The preparation of the compound Ti(OCH2CH2OC2H5)3 is reported. Diamagnetism and absorption spectrum indicate an unusual structure. The results of semiempirical MO computations (EHT) for selected coordination polyhedra agree qualitatively with the experimental data for a double‐cube structure of the compound.
On the Existence of Two New Mixed‐Alkali Cyclohexaphosphates: Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O and Li3K3P6O18 · H2O
Authors: Averbuch‐Pouchot M. T.
Published: January 2011

Preparation and crystal structures are described for two new hydrated mixed‐alkali cyclohexaphosphates: Li3K3P6O18 · H2O and Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O.

Li3K3P6O18 · H2O is trigonal (rhombohedral), R$3, with aaex = 15.047(8), ehex = 12.779(8) Å (arh = 9.676 Å, αrh = 102.08°), Vhex = 2508(4) Å3, Z = 6, Dx = 2.505. The crystal structure was solved by using 1575 independent reflexions with a final R value of 0.038. The unit cell contains two types of crystallographically independent P6O18 ring anions, both with the $3 symmetry. These ring anions alternate along the $3 axes with rings built up by three Li and three K atoms. The cationic ring Li3K3 is centered by the water molecule.

Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O is trigonal (rhombohedral), R$3c with ahex = 10.474(8), chex = 41.68(5) Å (arh = 15.152 Å, αrh = 40.44°), Vhex = 3960 Å3(1), Z = 6, Dx = 1.962. The crystal structure solved by using 873 independent reflexions is refined to a final R value of 0.020. Planes of P6O18 ring anions, having the $3 symmetry and separated by a distance of c/6 (≈7 Å), alternate along the $3 axis with two dimensional networks of corner‐sharing LiO4 tetrahedra and NaO6 octahedra. Isolated Na(H2O)6 octahedra are located inside hexagonal voids of this network.

Zur Existenz von zwei neuen Alkali‐Cyclohexaphosphaten: Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O und Li3K3P6O18 · H2O

Inhaltsübersicht. Darstellung und Strukturbestimmung von zwei neuen Alkali‐Cyclohexaphosphat‐Hydraten: Li3K3P6O18 · H2O und Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O wird beschrieben. Li3K3P6O18 · H2O ist trigonal (rhomboedrisch), R$3, mit ahex = 15,047(8), chex = 12,779(8) Å (arh = 9,670 Å, αrh = 102,08°), Vhex = 2508(4) Å3, Z = 6, Dx = 2,505. Die Struktur wurde mit Hilfe von 1575 unabhängigen Reflexen gelöst und bis zu einem Endwert von R = 0,038 verfeinert. Die Zelle enthält zwei Arten kristallographisch unabhängiger Ringanionen P6O18, die beide die Symmetrie $3 haben. Die Ringanionen alternieren in der Richtung der $3 Achse mit Ringen, die von je drei Li‐ und drei KAtomen gebildet werden. Das Wassermolekül zentriert den Kationenring Li3K3.

Li3Na3P6O18 · 12 H2O ist trigonal (rhomboedrisch), R$3c, mit ahex = 10,474(8), chex = 41,68(5) Å (arh = 15,152 Å, αrh = 40,44°), Vhex = 3960 Å3, Z = 6, Dx = 1,962. Die Kristallstruktur wurde mit Hilfe von 873 unabhängigen Reflexen gelöst und zu einem Endwert von R = 0,020 verfeinert. Schichten von Ringanionen P6O18 mit der Eigensymmetrie $3, die einen Abstand von c/6 ≈ 7 Å haben, alternieren in Richtung der $3‐Achse mit zweidimensionalen Gerüsten aus LiO4‐Tetraedern und NaO6‐Oktaedern, die gemeinsame Ecken haben. In den hexagonalen Lücken dieses Gerüstes befinden sich isolierte Na(H2O)6‐Oktaeder.
Fresh Start: A Multilevel Community Mobilization Plan to Promote Youth Development and Prevent Violence
Authors: Hernández-Cordero Lourdes J. , Ortiz Angelo , Trinidad Tomas , Link Bruce
Published: January 2011

While much has been written about community mobilization for health, few detailed expositions of the formation of community mobilization, especially focused on youth violence prevention exist. The Columbia Center for Youth Violence Prevention, in collaboration with the UNIDOS Inwood Coalition, developed a Community mobilization plan to guide youth violence prevention in Inwood. The plan was developed within the context of an evidence‐based organizing framework—Communities that Care (CTC) and takes a multi‐level approach to service coordination that includes activities at the Individual, Family, Block, Organizational and Built Environment levels. This article describes how the Community mobilization plan was created, illustrates the use of evidence‐based practices to lead to the development of the plan, outlines the plan's community/organizational activities, and summarizes the principles and processes that can be replicated in other communities seeking to start their own community mobilization efforts to reduce youth violence.
Major dietary patterns and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors among women in West Bengal, India
Authors: Ganguli Debdutta , Das Nilanjan , Saha Indranil , Biswas Piyali , Datta Srinwanti , Mukhopadhyay Basudeb , Chaudhuri Debnath , Ghosh Saurabh , Dey Sanjit
Published: January 2011

Few studies have examined dietary patterns in relation to cardiovascular risk factors in Asian populations, particularly in India. The present study was undertaken to explore dietary patterns in a general urban Bengalee population of women in West Bengal, India, and their association with cardiovascular risk factors. We performed a cross-sectional study of 701 women (aged 35 years and above) selected by cluster sampling from twelve different wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Kolkata, India). The following three major dietary patterns were identified: the ‘vegetable, fruits and pulses’ pattern (characterised by higher intakes of dark-yellow and green leafy vegetables, sweets, fruits, pulses, nuts, poultry and eggs, and lower intake of mustard oil); the ‘hydrogenated and saturated fat and vegetable oil’ pattern (characterised by higher intakes of butter, hydrogenated oil, ghee, vegetable oil, mustard oil, condiments, sweets, fish, high-fat dairy and refined grain); the ‘red meat and high-fat dairy’ pattern (characterised by higher intakes of red meat, high-fat dairy products, whole grain, high-energy drinks and condiments, and lower intakes of fish, refined grain and low-fat dairy products). The vegetable, fruits and pulses pattern was inversely associated with serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations (P < 0·05 for all). The hydrogenated and saturated fat and vegetable oil pattern was positively associated with BMI, waist circumference (WC) and HDL-C concentration (P < 0·05 for all). In this Bengalee population, these three major dietary patterns were observed, and the dietary patterns were independently associated with BMI, WC and serum TC concentrations in women.
Natural evolution of weight status in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a retrospective audit
Authors: Martigne Léonie , Salleron Julia , Mayer Michèle , Cuisset Jean-Marie , Carpentier Alain , Neve Véronique , Tiffreau Vincent , Guimber Dominique , Gottrand Frédéric
Published: January 2011

The life expectancy of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has increased. A cross-sectional study of DMD patients showed that 54 % of 13-year-old patients are obese and that 54 % of 18-year-old patients are underweight. We aimed to describe the natural evolution of weight status in DMD. This retrospective multi-centre audit collected body-weight measurements for seventy DMD patients born before 1992. The body-weight:age ratio (W:A) was used to evaluate weight status in reference to the Griffiths and Edwards chart. At the age of 13 years, 73 % were obese and 4 % were underweight. At maximal follow-up (age 15–26 years, mean 18·3 (sd 2·3) years), 47 % were obese and 34 % were underweight. Obesity at the age of 13 years was associated with later obesity, whereas normal weight status and underweight in 13-year-old patients predicted later underweight. A W:A ≥ 151 % in 13-year-old patients predicted later obesity, and a W:A ≤ 126·5 % predicted later underweight. Our audit provides the first longitudinal information about the spontaneous outcome of weight status in DMD. Patients (13 years old) with a W:A ≥ 151 % were more likely to become obese in late adolescence, but obesity prevented later underweight. These data suggest that mild obesity in 13-year-old DMD patients (W:A between 120 and 150 %) should not be discouraged because it prevents later underweight.
Current guidelines for nut consumption are achievable and sustainable: a hazelnut intervention
Authors: Tey S. L. , Brown R. , Chisholm A. , Gray A. , Williams S. , Delahunty C.
Published: January 2011

Nuts are known for their hypocholesterolaemic properties; however, to achieve optimal health benefits, nuts must be consumed regularly and in sufficient quantity. It is therefore important to assess the acceptability of regular consumption of nuts. The present study examined the long-term effects of hazelnut consumption in three different forms on ‘desire to consume’ and ‘overall liking’. A total of forty-eight participants took part in this randomised cross-over study with three dietary phases of 4 weeks: 30 g/d of whole, sliced and ground hazelnuts. ‘Overall liking’ was measured in a three-stage design: a pre- and post-exposure tasting session and daily evaluation over the exposure period. ‘Desire to consume’ hazelnuts was measured during the exposure period only. Ratings were measured on a 150 mm visual analogue scale. Mean ratings of ‘desire to consume’ were 92 (sd 35) mm for ground, 108 (sd 33) mm for sliced and 116 (sd 30) mm for whole hazelnuts. For ‘overall liking’, the mean ratings were 101 (sd 29) mm for ground, 110 (sd 32) mm for sliced and 118 (sd 30) mm for whole hazelnuts. Ground hazelnuts had significantly lower ratings than both sliced (P ≤ 0·034) and whole hazelnuts (P < 0·001), with no difference in ratings between sliced and whole hazelnuts (P ≥ 0·125). For each form of nut, ratings of ‘overall liking’ and ‘desire to consume’ were stable over the exposure period, indicating that not only did the participants like the nuts, but also they wished to continue eating them. Therefore, the guideline to consume nuts on a regular basis appears to be a sustainable behaviour to reduce CVD.
Acute effects of whey protein isolate on blood pressure, vascular function and inflammatory markers in overweight postmenopausal women
Authors: Pal Sebely , Ellis Vanessa
Published: January 2011

Previous evidence indicates that chronic consumption of dairy whey proteins has beneficial effects on CVD risk factors. The present study investigated the postprandial effects of whey protein isolate on blood pressure, vascular function and inflammatory markers in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. This was a randomised, three-way cross-over design study where twenty overweight and obese postmenopausal women consumed a breakfast meal in conjunction with one of three supplements: 45 g whey protein isolate, 45 g sodium caseinate or 45 g of a glucose control. Fasting and postprandial blood samples, blood pressure and pulse wave analysis readings were taken for up to 6 h. After consumption of the meal, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and augmentation index (AI) decreased initially for all interventions and gradually returned to baseline levels by 6 h. However, there were no significant differences in AI, systolic or diastolic blood pressure within or between the glucose control, casein or whey groups. There were also no significant group effects on plasma inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein). The health effects previously seen with chronic whey protein ingestion were not seen in the acute 6 h postprandial period in relation to blood pressure, vascular function or inflammatory markers when compared with casein and a glucose control. This suggests that such effects are better observed from the long-term consumption of whey proteins.
DNA barcodes for two scale insect families, mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)
Authors: Park D.-S. , Suh S.-J. , Hebert P.D.N. , Oh H.-W. , Hong K.-J.
Published: January 2011

Although DNA barcode coverage has grown rapidly for many insect orders, there are some groups, such as scale insects, where sequence recovery has been difficult. However, using a recently developed primer set, we recovered barcode records from 373 specimens, providing coverage for 75 species from 31 genera in two families. Overall success was >90% for mealybugs and >80% for armored scale species. The G·C content was very low in most species, averaging just 16.3%. Sequence divergences (K2P) between congeneric species averaged 10.7%, while intra-specific divergences averaged 0.97%. However, the latter value was inflated by high intra-specific divergence in nine taxa, cases that may indicate species overlooked by current taxonomic treatments. Our study establishes the feasibility of developing a comprehensive barcode library for scale insects and indicates that its construction will both create an effective system for identifying scale insects and reveal taxonomic situations worthy of deeper analysis.
Trenchward Plio-Quaternary volcanism migration in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt: the case of the Sierra Nevada range
Authors: CADOUX ANITA , MISSENARD YVES , MARTINEZ-SERRANO RAYMUNDO G. , GUILLOU HERVÉ
Published: January 2011

The Miocene–Quaternary Trans-Mexican Volcanic arc is thought to have grown southwards (i.e. trenchward) since the Pliocene. This theory is mainly supported by roughly N–S-directed polygenetic volcanic ranges along which volcanic activity migrates southwards with time. We investigated the eruptive history of one of these ranges, the Sierra Nevada (east boundary of Mexico City basin), by compiling literature ages and providing new K–Ar dates. Our K–Ar ages are the first ones for the northernmost Tláloc and Telapón volcanoes and for the ancestral Popocatépetl (Nexpayantla). The obtained ages reveal that the four stratovolcanoes forming the range worked contemporaneously during most of the Middle to Late Pleistocene. However, taking into account the onset of the volcanic activity, a southward migration is evidenced along the Sierra Nevada: volcanism initiated at its northern tip at least 1.8 Ma ago at Tláloc volcano, extended southwards 1 Ma ago with Iztaccíhuatl and appeared at its southern end 329 ka ago with the Nexpayantla cone. Such a migration would be most probably primarily driven by Cocos slab roll-back and steepening rather than by regional crustal tectonics, which played a secondary role by controlling the apparent alignment of the volcanoes.
Applying granulated and hydrated hydrophilic polymers at sowing to sustain
seedling establishment of spring turnip rape
Authors: KÄNKÄNEN H. , AURA E. , PAHKALA K. , PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , HUUSELA-VEISTOLA E.
Published: January 2011

Optimal temperature and soil moisture conditions for germination of spring turnip rape
(Brassica rapa L. subsp. oleifera DC.) are not often
realized in Finland. New tools for better establishment, such as water-storing polymers,
could ensure a good start for yield formation. Because technologies in field cropping must
be cost effective and easy to carry out, the amounts of polymers applied per hectare
should be small. After recording non-significant effects of granulated polymers under
field conditions and reduced emergence under dry conditions in pots, hydrated
polyacrylamide (PAM) was placed under the seeds during drilling, a technique referred to
as gel-sowing. Slightly acid PAM polymer hydrated with water was used (5–7 g
PAM/kg gel). The gel was pumped directly under the seeds at application rates of
1·0–3·4 kg PAM/ha. The PAM gel did not reduce the need for
careful preparation of the soil bed and accurate timing of sowing, but when these
prerequisites were fulfilled, the gel sustained early establishment and seedling growth.
The gel helped when circumstances after sowing did not favour germination or early
establishment. However, accurate placing of PAM gel under the seeds is challenging and
further improvements in the technique of gel-sowing could enhance its positive
effects.
A survey of the factors affecting the future intentions of Irish dairy farmers
Authors: O'DONNELL S. , HORAN B. , BUTLER A. M. , SHALLOO L.
Published: January 2011

EU milk quota deregulation has forced many farmers to reconsider the factors that will limit milk production into the future. Factors other than milk quota such as land, labour, capital, stock, etc. will become the limiting factor for many in a post-EU milk quota scenario. While it can be postulated what the limits to production will be in a post-quota scenario, how farmers react will determine the future direction of the industry. In order to determine the future attitudes and intentions and to identify the key factors influencing farmers who intend to expand, exit, remain static or contract their businesses in the future, a survey of a large group of Irish commercial dairy farmers was carried out. The telephone survey sample was chosen randomly, based on a proportional representation of suppliers to the largest milk processor in Ireland. The sample (780 suppliers) was broken down by quota size (five quota categories, Q1–Q5), supplier region and system of production. The sample was analysed to determine the effect of key survey variables on the future intentions of dairy farmers. The survey was completed by 659 suppliers (0·82 of the sample). The proportions of farmers intending to expand were 0·28, 0·47, 0·61, 0·61 and 0·56, respectively, for Q1–Q5, while the proportions intending to exit were 0·27, 0·18, 0·08, 0·09 and 0·08, respectively. Farmers who were intent on expanding had larger total farm areas, larger milk tank capacity per litre of milk quota, more modern milking facilities, more available cow housing and more housing that could be converted at a relatively low cost and were more likely to have a successor. Of those expanding, 0·60 wanted milk quotas abolished, while 0·36 of those planning to exit wanted milk quotas abolished. The level of expansion was affected by business scale, dairy stocking rate, the additional labour required with expansion and total and milking platform farm size.
Satiety: have we neglected dietary non-nutrients?
Authors: Welch Robert W.
Published: January 2011

Satiety, which is the inhibition of eating following the end of a meal, is influenced by a number of food characteristics, including compositional and structural factors. An increased understanding of these factors and the mechanisms whereby they exert their effects on satiety may offer a food-based approach to weight management. Water and gas, which are often neglected in nutrition, are major components of many foods and contribute to volume, and to sensory and other characteristics. A review of previous short-term studies that evaluated the effects of water or gas in foods on satiety showed that while satiety was generally increased, effects on subsequent intakes were not always apparent. These studies were diverse in terms of design, timings and food matrices, which precludes definitive conclusions. However, the results indicate that solids may be more effective at increasing satiety than liquids, but gas may be as effective as water. Although increased gastric distension may be the main mechanism underlying these effects, pre-ingestive and ingestive impacts on cognitive, anticipatory and sensory responses also appear to be involved. Furthermore, there is limited evidence that water on its own may be effective at increasing satiety and decreasing intakes when drunk before, but not with, a meal. Longer-term extrapolation suggests that increasing food volumes with water or gas may offer weight-management strategies. However, from a practical viewpoint, the effects of water and gas on satiety may be best exploited by using these non-nutrients to manipulate perceived portion sizes, without increasing energy contents.
The control of meal size in human subjects: a role for expected satiety, expected satiation and premeal planning
Authors: Brunstrom Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2011

Unlike energy expenditure, energy intake occurs during discrete events: snacks and meals. The prevailing view is that meal size is governed by physiological and psychological events that promote satiation towards the end of a meal. This review explores an alternative and perhaps controversial proposition. Specifically that satiation plays a secondary role, and that meal size (kJ) is controlled by decisions about portion size, before a meal begins. Recently, techniques have been developed that enable us to quantify ‘expected satiation’ and ‘expected satiety’ (respectively, the fullness and the respite from hunger that foods are expected to confer). When compared on a kJ-for-kJ basis, these expectations differ markedly across foods. Moreover, in self-selected meals, these measures are remarkably good predictors of the energy content of food that ends up on our plate, even more important than palatability. Expected satiation and expected satiety are influenced by the physical characteristics of a food (e.g. perceived volume). However, they are also learned. Indeed, there is now mounting evidence for ‘expected-satiation drift’, a general tendency for a food to have higher expected satiation as it increases in familiarity. Together, these findings show that important elements of control (discrimination and learning/adaptation) are clearly evident in plans around portion size. Since most meals are eaten in their entirety, understanding the nature of these controls should be given high priority.
Antipsychotic treatment beyond antipsychotics: metacognitive intervention for schizophrenia patients improves delusional symptoms
Authors: Moritz S. , Veckenstedt R. , Randjbar S. , Vitzthum F. , Woodward T. S.
Published: January 2011

Background

Although antipsychotic medication still represents the treatment of choice for schizophrenia, its objective impact on symptoms is only in the medium-effect size range and at least 50% of patients discontinue medication in the course of treatment. Hence, clinical researchers are intensively looking for complementary therapeutic options. Metacognitive training for schizophrenia patients (MCT) is a group intervention that seeks to sharpen the awareness of schizophrenia patients on cognitive biases (e.g. jumping to conclusions) that seem to underlie delusion formation and maintenance. The present trial combined group MCT with an individualized cognitive-behavioural therapy-oriented approach entitled individualized metacognitive therapy for psychosis (MCT+) and compared it against an active control.

Method

A total of 48 patients fulfilling criteria of schizophrenia were randomly allocated to either MCT+ or cognitive remediation (clinical trial NCT01029067). Blind to intervention, both groups were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks later. Psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS). Jumping to conclusions was measured using a variant of the beads task.

Results

PANSS delusion severity declined significantly in the combined MCT treatment compared with the control condition. PSYRATS delusion conviction as well as jumping to conclusions showed significantly greater improvement in the MCT group. In line with prior studies, treatment adherence and subjective efficacy was excellent for the MCT.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the combination of a cognition-oriented and a symptom-oriented approach ameliorate psychotic symptoms and cognitive biases and represents a promising complementary treatment for schizophrenia.
Time spent in bed at night by care-home residents: choice or compromise?
Authors: LUFF REBEKAH , ELLMERS THERESA , EYERS INGRID , YOUNG EMMA , ARBER SARA
Published: January 2011

This paper examines the amount of time that care-home residents spend in bed at night, focusing on how residents' bedtimes and getting-up times are managed. Using a mixed-methods approach, diary data were collected over 14 days from 125 residents in ten care homes in South East England. The findings indicate that residents spent, on average, nearly 11 hours in bed at night, significantly more time than was spent sleeping. There was greater variance in the amount of time residents who needed assistance spent in bed than there was for independent residents. Detailed investigation of six care homes, each with 8 pm to 8 am night shifts, showed that bedtimes and getting-up times for dependent residents were influenced by the staff's shift patterns. Analysis of qualitative interviews with 38 residents highlighted a lack of resident choice about bedtimes and many compromises by the residents to fit in with the care-home shift and staffing patterns. The social norm of early bedtimes in care homes also influenced the independent residents. It is argued that the current system in care homes of approximately 12-hour night shifts, during which staff ratios are far lower than in the daytime, promotes an overly long ‘night-time’ and curbs residents' choices about the times at which they go to bed and get up, particularly for the most dependent residents.
Journeys beyond the West: World Orders and a 7th century Buddhist Monk
Authors: LING L. H. M.
Published: January 2011

Novice Lee (‘Frank’) seeks world peace and thinks he has found it in the Liberal world order. He informs the Learned One, head of the monastery. Through their discussions, Frank discovers that the Liberal world order, despite its promises, offers neither ‘democracy’ nor ‘peace’. Turning to the Confucian world order of ‘all-under-heaven’ (tianxia), they find it similarly top-down and one-way. Finally, Frank and the Learned One, now joined by their brother monks and sister nuns, consider the life of the 7th century monk, Xuanzang. He inspires Frank to imagine a ‘worldly world order’ where humility and learning drive one's engagements with others, rather than what we have today: hegemony and imperialism.
Synaptic release at mammalian bipolar cell terminals
Authors: WAN QUN-FANG , HEIDELBERGER RUTH
Published: January 2011

Bipolar cells play a vital role in the transfer of visual information across the vertebrate retina. The synaptic output of these neurons is regulated by factors that are extrinsic and intrinsic. Relatively little is known about the intrinsic factors that regulate neurotransmitter exocytosis. Much of what we know about intrinsic presynaptic mechanisms that regulate glutamate release has come from the study of the unusually large and accessible synaptic terminal of the goldfish rod-dominant bipolar cell, the Mb1 bipolar cell. However, over the past several years, examination of presynaptic mechanisms governing neurotransmitter release has been extended to the mammalian rod bipolar cell. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of synaptic vesicle dynamics and neurotransmitter release in rodent rod bipolar cells and consider how these properties help to shape the synaptic output of the mammalian retina.
Supplemented zinc does not alter mood in healthy older European adults – a randomised placebo-controlled trial: the Zenith study
Authors: Stewart-Knox Barbara J , Rae Gordon , Simpson Ellen EA , McConville Chris , O’Connor Jacqueline , Polito Angela , Andriollo-Sanchez Maud , Coudray Charles , Strain JJ
Published: January 2011

Objective

Older people are vulnerable to zinc deficiency, which may impact upon their mood. This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention study aimed to investigate the effect of oral zinc gluconate supplementation (15 mg/d; 30 mg/d; and placebo) on subjective mood (affect) in older Europeans.

Subjects

Healthy volunteers (n387) aged 55–87 years were recruited.

Setting

Volunteers in Rome (Italy;n108) and Grenoble (France;n91) were aged 70–87 years and those in Coleraine (Northern Ireland;n93) and Clermont-Ferrand (France;n95) were aged 55–70 years.

Design

Mood was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale on four occasions per day over 4 d at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-intervention.

Results

Mixed ANOVA indicated that neither positive nor negative affect altered in response to zinc (15 mg/d or 30 mg/d) compared to placebo in either the 55–70 years or the ≥70 years age group.

Conclusions

These results suggest that zinc does not benefit mood in healthy older people.
Individual and school environment factors associated with overweight in adolescents of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Cardoso Letícia de Oliveira , de Castro Inês Rugani Ribeiro , Gomes Fabio da Silva , Leite Iuri da Costa
Published: January 2011

Objective

To identify the association of individual and school environment factors with overweight among adolescents.

Design

Cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and behavioural information was collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Indicators on human and physical resources of the schools were based on information collected in interviews with school principals. Overweight was defined based on the BMI Z-score for age and sex recommended by WHO. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Setting

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Subjects

By means of a two-stage (classrooms and students) probabilistic sampling, subjects comprised 1632 students enrolled in the last year of primary education of the municipal public school network, stratified by city region.

Results

The mean prevalence of overweight at schools was 17·2 %, ranging from 0 % to 50 %. Adolescents more likely to be overweight were those who attended schools without knives and forks or ceramic/glass plates for students in the school refectory (prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 1·40; P = 0·04), those whose head of household had completed between 8 and 10 years of schooling (POR = 1·46; P = 0·03), those who did not live with both parents (POR = 1·24; P = 0·06) and those who had not practised physical activity outside school on at least 1 d in the 7 d before the study (POR = 1·56; P = 0·04).

Conclusions

Sociodemographic and behavioural variables of adolescents and school characteristics were associated with overweight, confirming individual and context effects on this health disorder. Studies such as the present one, identifying variables in context, may support actions to prevent overweight among adolescents.
Adaptation and validation of an FFQ for 6–10-year-old children
Authors: Del Pino Daisy Lopes , Friedman Rogério
Published: January 2011

Objective

To adapt and test the relative validity of an instrument measuring the usual food intake of 6–10-year-old children.

Design

An FFQ encompassing the preceding 6 months was adapted and compared with the average of three 24 h dietary recalls.

Setting

Private and public schools in Porto Alegre, capital city of Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, with 1·5 million inhabitants.

Subjects

Children aged 6–10 years attending grades 1–4 in private and public schools in Porto Alegre.

Results

Ninety-one children were studied. The FFQ overestimated all nutrients. Correlations with the values obtained by 24 h dietary recalls were mostly above 0·50. The deattenuated correlations increased for all nutrients. The κ coefficients for the adjusted nutrients varied from 0·12 (weak) to 0·34 (reasonable). Graphically, the FFQ was shown to underestimate some of the parameters and to overestimate others, with a wide CI for all nutrients.

Conclusions

The FFQ does not have the required relative validity to classify the intake levels of schoolchildren, and further investigation is required to understand the sources of error.
The meaning of ‘fruits’ and ‘vegetables’
Authors: Thompson Frances E , Willis Gordon B , Thompson Olivia M , Yaroch Amy L
Published: January 2011

Objective

Fruit and vegetable consumption is a focus of research and nutrition education; yet, there is no universal agreement on the meaning of ‘fruits’ and ‘vegetables’. Our objective was to describe survey respondent perceptions about a set of foods with regard to whether the food is a fruit, vegetable or something else.

Design

Three cross-sectional studies.

Setting

Two small studies involving cognitive interviewing sessions; and one large self-administered population survey.

Subjects

US adults in two small studies (n 55 and 80) and one large survey (n 3312), all with multiple race/ethnicities.

Results

Perceptions varied. In the survey, rice was considered a vegetable by about 20 % of respondents. In one small study, Spanish speakers were more likely to consider rice a vegetable, and Chinese speakers less likely, than were English speakers. Black beans were frequently classified as something other than vegetable or fruit. Among Hispanics, Spanish speakers were less likely than English speakers to consider beans a vegetable. Overall, tomatoes were classified as both fruit and vegetable, and these perceptions varied by race/ethnicity.

Conclusions

Substantial disagreement among the fruit, vegetable and other food domains highlights the importance of clearly defining the desired constructs. Foods that require specific instruction include rice, dried beans, potatoes, tomatoes and fruits and vegetables in mixtures and condiments. For measurement, additional questions or explanations may be needed to clarify which foods are of interest. For communication, the global message to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables should be reinforced with specific guidance.
Changes in lifestyle habits after counselling by nurse practitioners: 1-year results of the Groningen Overweight and Lifestyle study
Authors: ter Bogt Nancy CW , Milder Ivon EJ , Bemelmans Wanda JE , Beltman Frank W , Broer Jan , Smit Andries J , van der Meer Klaas
Published: January 2011

Objectives

The Groningen Overweight and Lifestyle (GOAL) study primarily aims at preventing weight gain by nurse practitioners (NP) guided by a standardized computerized software program. Since favourable changes in physical activity (PA) and diet may improve health independently of weight (loss), insight into effects on lifestyle habits is essential. We examined the 1-year effects of lifestyle counselling by NP on PA and diet, compared with usual care from the general practitioner (GP-UC).

Design

A randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Eleven general practice locations in the Netherlands.

Subjects

A total of 341 GOAL participants with overweight or obesity and either hypertension or dyslipidaemia, or both, who completed an FFQ and Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH) at baseline and after 1 year.

Results

After 1 year, the NP group spent 33 min/week more on walking compared with the GP-UC group who spent −5 min/week on walking (P = 0·05). No significant differences were found between the NP and GP-UC groups on the percentage of persons complying with the PA guidelines. In both groups, nutrient intake changed in a favourable direction and participants complied more often with dietary guidelines, but without overall difference between the NP and GP-UC groups.

Conclusions

With the exception of an increase in walking (based on self-reported data) in the NP group, no intervention effects on PA and diet occurred. Positive changes in nutrient intake were seen in both groups.
Products of weighted logic programs
Authors: COHEN SHAY B. , SIMMONS ROBERT J. , SMITH NOAH A.
Published: January 2011

Weighted logic programming, a generalization of bottom-up logic programming, is a well-suited framework for specifying dynamic programming algorithms. In this setting, proofs correspond to the algorithm's output space, such as a path through a graph or a grammatical derivation, and are given a real-valued score (often interpreted as a probability) that depends on the real weights of the base axioms used in the proof. The desired output is a function over all possible proofs, such as a sum of scores or an optimal score. We describe theproducttransformation, which can merge two weighted logic programs into a new one. The resulting program optimizes a product of proof scores from the original programs, constituting a scoring function known in machine learning as a “product of experts.” Through the addition of intuitive constraining side conditions, we show that several important dynamic programming algorithms can be derived by applyingproductto weighted logic programs corresponding tosimplerweighted logic programs. In addition, we show how the computation of Kullback–Leibler divergence, an information-theoretic measure, can be interpreted usingproduct.
Reasoning support for risk prediction and prevention in independent living
Authors: MILEO A. , MERICO D. , BISIANI R.
Published: January 2011

In recent years there has been a growing interest in solutions for the delivery of clinical care for the elderly because of the large increase in aging population. Monitoring a patient in his home environment is necessary to ensure continuity of care in home settings, but, to be useful, this activity must not be too invasive for patients and a burden for caregivers. We prototyped a system called Secure and INDependent lIving (SINDI), focused on (a) collecting a limited amount of data about the person and the environment through Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and (b) inferring from these data enough information to support caregivers in understanding patients' well-being and in predicting possible evolutions of their health. Our hierarchical logic-based model of health combines data from different sources, sensor data, tests results, common-sense knowledge and patient's clinical profile at the lower level, and correlation rules between health conditions across upper levels. The logical formalization and the reasoning process are based on Answer Set Programming. The expressive power of this logic programming paradigm makes it possible to reason about health evolution even when the available information is incomplete and potentially incoherent, while declarativity simplifies rules specification by caregivers and allows automatic encoding of knowledge. This paper describes how these issues have been targeted in the application scenario of the SINDI system.
Choice of animal feed can alter fetal steroid levels and mask developmental effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Authors: Ruhlen R. L. , Taylor J. A. , Mao J. , Kirkpatrick J. , Welshons W. V. , vom Saal F. S.
Published: January 2011

Exposure of fetuses to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as the estrogenic drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), disrupts development of the reproductive system and affects other aspects of adult phenotype including diseases, consistent with the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis. To determine whether diet could influence the effects of DES, we compared mice fed a commonly used combination of soy-based Purina 5008 (breeding and lactation) and 5001 (post-weaning) with mice fed soy-based Purina 5002 throughout life. We exposed fetal CD-1 mice (F1) in utero on different feeds to a 0 (controls), low (0.1 μg/kg/day) or high (50 μg/kg/day) dose of DES via feeding the dam (F0) on gestation days 11–17. Compared to 5008, 5002 feed significantly increased serum estradiol in control fetuses. On 5008 (but not 5002) feed, DES significantly increased fetal serum estradiol at a low dose and reduced it at a high dose. Diet influenced the effects of in utero DES on F1 female onset of puberty and the uterine response to estradiol (an inverted-U dose–response relationship seen for DES on uterine weight with 5008/5001 feed was not observed with 5002). Both low- and high-dose DES reduced daily sperm production (DSP) in adult F1 males on 5008/5001 feed, whereas males fed 5002 showed no DES-induced reduction in DSP. Thus, we observed a number of low-dose effects of in utero DES exposure on Purina 5008/5001 feed that were not observed using Purina 5002, a feed commonly used in industry-funded toxicological studies conducted for regulatory purposes.