bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carrier dynamics in wide‐band‐gap AlGaN/AlGaN quantum wells
Authors: Tamulaitis G. , Mickevičius J. , Kuokštis E. , Liu K. , Shur M. S. , Zhang J. P. , Gaska R.
Published: March 2008

Carrier dynamics in a set of AlGaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) has been investigated. High‐Al‐content MQWs with well widths varying from 1.65 to 5.0 nm and fixed barrier width were grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition. Time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) and light‐induced transient grating technique were used to study transient processes in the samples. An observed increase in carrier lifetime with decreasing well width was explained by stronger carrier localization due to the well thickness fluctuations, which prevent the migration of carriers to nonradiative recombination centers. The initial PL decay was shown to be influenced by the screening of the built‐in electric field, which spatially separates electrons and holes. The influence of screening on the PL decay becomes stronger in broader quantum wells and with increasing excitation power density up to the saturation caused by the complete screening of the built‐in electric field. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Coupling of ion‐molecule reactions with liquid chromatography on a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer
Authors: Pyatkivskyy Yuriy , Ryzhov Victor
Published: March 2008

We report for the first time a coupling of gas‐phase ion‐molecule reactions with chromatographic separations on a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The interface was accomplished by using a pulsed valve for the introduction of a volatile neutral into the ion trap. The pulsed valve controller is synchronized with the mass spectrometer software. The setup requires some minor modifications to the vacuum system of the commercial quadrupole ion trap but most of the modifications are external to the mass spectrometer. Two applications of this interface are described: differentiation between two phosphoglucose positional isomers and detection of a phosphopeptide in a peptide mixture. Both applications are using the reactivity of trimethoxyborate towards a phosphate moiety in the negative ion mode. The detection of phosphopeptides hinges on our findings that non‐phosphorylated peptide anions do not react with trimethoxyborate. This LC/MS detection can be easily visualized in terms of selected reaction monitoring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mindfulness groups in palliative care: a pilot qualitative study
Authors: Chadwick Paul , Newell Tracey , Skinner Chas
Published: March 2008

Mindfulness‐based interventions have been shown to have benefits across a diverse range of physical and mental health problems. The present qualitative study explores the experience of individuals diagnosed with a terminal cancer who attended either of two six‐week mindfulness groups. Five people participated. There was a rich diversity in participants' responses. Participants reported finding mindfulness practice beneficial in a range of ways, as well as valuing the social context of the group and the wider hospice setting. Participants also described forming a meta‐understanding of mindfulness practice, which was informed by the experience of others in the group as well as their own, and this understanding illuminated the degree to which people found mindfulness beneficial. In conclusion, the study raises some themes and issues around mindfulness in palliative care which might enrich future practice and research. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lost in translation: Learning professional roles through the situated curriculum
Authors: Janke Emily M. , Colbeck Carol L.
Published: March 2008

Informed by theories of the academic plan, concurrent curricula, and situated curriculum, this chapter discusses how the content, sequence, and context of teaching assistant preparation programs may unintentionally interfere with research‐teaching integration.
Synthese, Struktur und EPR‐Untersuchungen von binuklearen Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato))‐Komplexen des CuII, NiII, ZnII, CdII und PdII
Authors: Rodenstein Axel , Griebel Jan , Richter Rainer , Kirmse Reinhard
Published: March 2008

Synthesis, Structure and EPR Investigations of binuclear Bis(N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thioureato)) Complexes of CuII, NiII, ZnII, CdII and PdII

The synthesis of binuclear CuII‐, NiII‐, ZnII‐, CdII‐ and PdII‐complexes of the quadridentate ligand N,N,N‴,N‴‐tetraisobutyl‐N′,N″‐isophthaloylbis(thiourea) and the crystal structures of the CuII‐ and NiII‐complexes are reported. The CuII‐complex crystallizes in two polymorphic modifications: triclinic, $P{\bar 1}$ (Z = 1) and monoclinic, P21/c (Z = 2). The NiII‐complex was found to be isostructural with the triclinic modification of the copper complex. The also prepared PdII‐, ZnII‐ and CdII‐complexes could not be characterized by X‐ray analysis. However, EPR studies of diamagnetically diluted CuII/PdII‐ and CuII/ZnII‐powders show axially‐symmetric g and ACu tensors suggesting a nearly planar co‐ordination within the binuclear host complexes. Diamagnetically diluted CuII/CdII powder samples could not be prepared. In the EPR spectra of the pure binuclear CuII‐complex exchange‐coupled CuII‐CuII pairs were observed. According to the large CuII‐CuII distance of about 7,50Å a small fine structure parameter D = 26·10−4 cm−1 is observed; T‐dependent EPR measurements down to 5 K reveal small antiferromagnetic interactions for the CuII‐CuII dimer. Besides of the dimer in the EPR spectra the signals of a mononuclear CuII species are observed whose concentration is T‐dependent. This observation can be explained assuming an equilibrium between the binuclear CuII‐complex (CuII‐CuII pairs) and oligomeric complexes with “isolated” CuII ions.
Darstellung und Kristallstruktur der Phasen Li26Na58Ba38Ex (E = N, H; x = 0 – 1)
Authors: Smetana Volodymyr , Babizhetskyy Volodymyr , Vajenine Grigori V. , Simon Arndt
Published: March 2008

Preparation and Crystal Structures of Li26Na58Ba38Ex Phases (E = N, H; x = 0 – 1)

Li26Na58Ba38Ex (E = N, H; x = 0–1) were prepared as a majority phase by the reactions of the metals with Ba(N3)2 or BaH2 at 250 °C for five days. According to single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction investigation, all compounds are cubic, space group $F{\bar 4}{\rm 3}m$ with the unit cell parameter a ranging from 27.335(2) (x = 0) to 27.554(3) (x = 1, E = N, H) Å and Z = 4. This compound series can be described as a filled variant of Li13Na29Ba19, in which nitrogen or hydrogen atoms are found in the centre of Li26 clusters in tetrahedral environment. Li26Na58Ba38Ex represents a new group of metal‐rich compounds extending the growing family of subnitrides.
Structural Investigations and Thermal Behavior of (NH4)[Cr(C2O4)2]·2H2O
Authors: Kahlenberg V. , Wertl W. , Kremenovic A. , Schuster P. , Schottenberger H.
Published: March 2008

Single crystals of ammonium chromium(III) dioxalate dihydrate (or ammonium diaquo bis(μ‐oxalato)chromate(III)) have been obtained from aqueous solution of oxalic acid and ammonium dichromate. A pale violet crystal of good optical quality was used for the structure determination at −100(2) and 25(2) °C, respectively. The basic crystallographic data for the low temperature data set are as follows: monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 6.597(2) Å, b = 7.301(2) Å, c = 9.983(3) Å, β = 92.32(2)°, V = 480.5(2) Å3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined (using anisotropic displacement parameters for all non‐hydrogen atoms) to a final residual of R1 = 0.032 for 503 independent observed reflections (I>2σ(I)). The compound is isotypic with the corresponding rubidium salt. The structure is built up from alternating layers parallel to (001) containing (NH4)+ ions or Cr(C2O4)2(H2O)2 octahedra, respectively. The corners of the octahedra consist of four O atoms from two oxalate groups and two additional water molecules. The ammonium cations (occupying Wyckoff‐site 2a) are disordered among two possible orientations. They provide linkage between different octahedral layers by hydrogen bridging. The water molecules in turn form hydrogen bridges with adjacent octahedra within the same layer. Further structural characterization included infrared spectroscopy. According to DTA/TG experiments the present compound shows several thermal processes in the range between room temperature and 900 °C.
Crystal Structure and Disorder Phenomena of the Adduct of Neutral C60 and the Ionic Gold Complex (Ptol3)2AuNO3
Authors: Schulz‐Dobrick Martin , Jansen Martin
Published: March 2008

The adduct C60·(Ptol3)2AuNO3 has been crystallized from toluene solutions of C60 and (Ptol3)2AuNO3 as violet, trigonal plate‐shaped crystals. The compound was studied by single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction ($P{\bar 3}{\rm 1}c$, a = 1278.17(3), c = 2282.92(6) pm). The gold complex is dissociated into [(Ptol3)2Au]+ cations, which encapsulate the neutral C60 molecules, and nitrate anions. The intermolecular interactions between the fullerene molecules and the gold complex cations and the resulting disorder is investigated. The crystal structure of C60·(Ptol3)2AuNO3 is providing an instructive example, demonstrating that symmetry‐matching is not always sufficient for avoiding disorder.
Synthesis and X‐ray Structures of the Polycyclic Dimers {[PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)H]LiI}2 and [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)Li]2
Authors: Konu Jari , Chivers Tristram
Published: March 2008

The metathesis of [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2]AsCl and tBuN(H)Li in 1:1 molar ratio in diethyl ether produced the amido derivative [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)H] (1) in good yield. The lithiation of 1 with one equivalent of nBuLi afforded the lithium salt [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)Li] (2a). Both 1 and 2a were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 2a is comprised of a U‐shaped, centrosymmetric dimer in which the monomeric [PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)]−Li+ units are linked by Li‐N interactions to give a six‐rung ladder. Oxidation of 2a with one‐half equivalent of I2 in diethyl ether resulted in hydrogen abstraction from the solvent to give the dimeric lithium iodide adduct {[PhB(μ‐NtBu)2AsN(tBu)H]LiI}2 (1·LiI) with a central Li2I2 ring.
The First Homoleptic Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide Complex of Yttrium: [bmim][Y(Tf2N)4]
Authors: Babai Arash , Mudring Anja‐Verena
Published: March 2008

1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrakis‐(bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide)yttrium(III), [bmim][Y(Tf2N)4], was obtained from the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazoliumbis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, [bmim][Tf2N] and yttrium(III)bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, Y(Tf2N)3. The crystal structure [monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 2096.(1), b = 1451.5(1), c = 1608.55(9) pm, β = 109.669(6)°, V = 4608.1(5)·106 pm3, Z = 4, R1 for 3874 symmetry independent reflections with I0>2σ(I0): 0.0438] contains YIII coordinated by four Tf2N‐ligands which all adopt a transoid‐conformation with respect to their –CF3 groups. The oxygen coordination polyhedron around YIII can be best described as a trigonal dodecahedron.One 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation compensates for the charge of the complex [Y(Tf2N)4]− anion.
Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Dinuclear Palladium and Mononuclear Nickel Complexes of Macrocyclic N8S4 Ligands
Authors: Lozan Vasile , Kersting Berthold
Published: March 2008

The N8S4 donor ligand L1 has been investigated regarding its capability to support the formation of coordinatively unsaturated Pd2 complexes and its use as a starting material for functionalized N8S4 systems. L1 represents a macrotricyclic ligand comprising four 4‐tert‐butyl‐2,6‐bis(aminomethyl)thiophenolate units, whose N and S atoms are linked by ethylene units. Treatment of L1 with [Pd(NCMe)2Cl2] produced the dinuclear complex [Pd2Cl2(H2L1)]4+, which was isolated as its pale‐yellow perchlorate salt [Pd2Cl2(H2L1)](ClO4)4 (H21) and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR and MS spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The structure shows two planar PdN2SCl units which are located in the central 24‐membered ring of L1. Reaction of L1 with CH2O/HCO2H under Eschweiler‐Clarke conditions followed by deprotection with sodium in liquid ammonia furnished the permethylated octaamine‐tetrathiophenol H4L4. The identity of H4L4 was ascertained by an X‐ray crystal structure determination of one of its metal complexes.
Complexes of N‐Thiophosphorylthiourea tBuNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 with Zinc(II), Cadmium(II), Nickel(II), and Cobalt(II) Cations
Authors: Safin Damir A. , Sokolov Felix D. , Gimadiev Timur R. , Brusko Vasiliy V. , Babashkina Maria G. , Chubukaeva Dinara R. , Krivolapov Dmitriy B. , Litvinov Igor A.
Published: March 2008

Reaction of the potassium salt of N‐thiophosphorylthiourea tBuNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 (HL) with ZnII, CdII, NiII and CoII in aqueous EtOH leads to complexes of common formula M(L‐S,S′)2 (ML2). Complexes were investigated by IR, UV‐Vis, 1H and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis The structure of complex NiL2 was investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The nickel(II) ion has a squre‐planar environment, S4, with two anionic ligands involving 1,5‐S,S′‐coordination mode. The ligands are bound in a trans configuration.
Chelate Complexes of the Pyrid‐2‐yl Analogue of Tetracyclone
Authors: Siemeling Ulrich , Klemann Thorsten , Bruhn Clemens , Neumüller Bernhard , Dehnicke Kurt
Published: March 2008

The tetradentate ligand 2,3,4,5‐tetra(pyrid‐2‐yl)cyclopent‐2,4‐dien‐1‐one (3) was prepared and used for the synthesis of the dinuclear chelates [μ‐(3)(MX2)2] (MX2 = BeCl2, ZnCl2, ZnBr2, HgCl2, HgBr2); the closely related BeCl2 chelate of the bidentate ligand 2,5‐diphenyl‐3,4‐di(pyrid‐2‐yl)cyclopent‐2,4‐dien‐1‐one (1) was also prepared. The structures of these compounds were determined by X‐ray crystallography and compared to those of the corresponding unchelated analogues [(py)2MX2] (py = pyridine). Aggregation to polymeric chains by chloro‐bridging was observed for [μ‐(3)(HgCl2)2] in the crystal.
Supramolecular Assembly of Double‐Stranded Chains, Helical Chains and Catenane‐like Layers with Flexible Ligands
Authors: Sun Chang‐Yan , Li Xin‐Xin , Wang Shui‐Feng , Li Wen‐Jun , Zheng Xiang‐Jun
Published: March 2008

Four new transition metal coordination polymers, [Co(bpndc)(phen)(H2O)]n (1), [Co3(bpndc)3(2,2′‐bpy)2]n·0.5n(i‐C3H7OH) (2), and [M(bpndc)(2,2′‐bpy)2]n (M = Zn, 3; Cu, 4; H2bpndc = benzophenone ‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2,2′‐bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and IR spectrum. Because of the introduction of different terminal auxiliary ligands, bpndc ligands in complexes 1 and 2 adopt different coordination modes. In complex 1, bpndc ligands act as tridentate ligand and bridge CoII ions into 1D double‐stranded chains; while complex 2 possesses 2D (4,4) grids, where bpndc ligands adopt tetradente and pentadentate modes. Two such grids interpenetrate to form a novel catenane‐like layer. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural. Bpndc ligands adopt tetradentate mode and bridge metal ions forming 1D helical chains.
Routes to obesity: phenotypes, food choices and activity
Authors: Blundell John E. , Cooling John
Published: March 2008

Gain in body weight over a number of years could be achieved through cumulative positive energy balances. These positive balances could come about through adjustments in the various components of energy expenditure or fuel utilization, together with shifts in food selection or eating patterns leading to adjustments in macronutrient intake. This means that many combinations of intake and expenditure could lead to a positive energy balance; these combinations can be called routes to body weight gain. However, these routes are difficult to trace by studying random samples of individuals. Previous investigations have found a clear association between high fat consumption and the occurrence of obesity, and although a high fat intake is a strong behavioural risk factor for weight gain, the relationship does not constitute a biological inevitability. Some normal-weight and lean individuals appear to eat a high-fat diet. To investigate reasons for this we have studied individuals initially defined by particular clusters of dietary characteristics related to fat and carbohydrate consumption. Habitual high-fat (HF) and low-fat (LF) consumers have been termed phenotypes. Various aspects of energy expenditure (physiological and behavioural) and energy intake were measured in these individuals with contrasting profiles. HF phenotypes had high intakes of fatty foods and an overall higher energy intake than LF. However, these groups of young adult males had similar BMIs and percentage body fat. The HF had a significantly higher resting metabolic rate (RMR) and a lower RQ, together with high plasma fasting leptin levels, and a higher sleeping heart rate. In HF individuals the physical activity level was somewhat lower and they had significantly more periods of sedentary behaviour than LF subjects. Although HF individuals appear to be more vulnerable to developing obesity, both phenotypes carry particular risk factors and protective factors for weight gain. The use of phenotypes has allowed the identification of different potential routes to weight gain. Different strategies are required to prevent age-related increase in body weight in these quite different individuals.
The metabolic syndrome — a neuroendocrine disorder?
Authors: Björntorp Per , Rosmond Roland
Published: March 2008

Central obesity is a powerful predictor for disease. By utilizing salivary cortisol measurements throughout the day, it has now been possible to show on a population basis that perceived stress-related cortisol secretion frequently is elevated in this condition. This is followed by insulin resistance, central accumulation of body fat, dyslipidaemia and hypertension (the metabolic syndrome). Socio-economic and psychosocial handicaps are probably central inducers of hyperactivity of the hypothalamic–pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Alcohol, smoking and traits of psychiatric disease are also involved. In a minor part of the population a dysregulated, depressed function of the HPA axis is present, associated with low secretion of sex steroid and growth hormones, and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This condition is followed by consistent abnormalities indicating the metabolic syndrome. Such ‘burned-out’ function of the HPA axis has previously been seen in subjects exposed to environmental stress of long duration. The feedback control of the HPA axis by central glucocorticoid receptors (GR) seems inefficient, associated with a polymorphism in the 5′ end of the GR gene locus. Homozygotes constitute about 14 % of Swedish men (women to be examined). Such men have a poorly controlled cortisol secretion, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension. Furthermore, polymorphisms have been identified in the regulatory domain of the GR gene that are associated with elevated cortisol secretion; polymorphisms in dopamine and leptin receptor genes are associated with sympathetic nervous system activity, with elevated and low blood pressure, respectively. These results suggest a complex neuroendocrine background to the metabolic syndrome, where the kinetics of the regulation of the HPA axis play a central role.
Visceral fat and insulin resistance — causative or correlative?
Authors: Frayn Keith N.
Published: March 2008

The association between abdominal fat accumulation and risk of chronic diseases, including type II diabetes and coronary heart disease, has long been recognized. Insulin resistance may be a key factor in this link. Many studies have pointed to an association between insulin resistance and intra-abdominal fat accumulation (visceral obesity). However there is no clear proof of a causal link between visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance. In assessing the probability of a causal link, it is useful to consider potential mechanisms. One such potential causal link is the release of non-esterified fatty acids from visceral fat into the portal vein, so that they have direct effects on hepatic metabolism. Visceral fat has been shown in many studies to exhibit a high rate of lipolysis compared with subcutaneous fat depots. However, if the idea that visceral fat releases fatty acids into the portal vein at a high rate is examined critically, a number of difficulties appear. Not least of these is the fact that continued high rates of lipolysis should lead to the disappearance of the visceral fat depot, unless these high rates of fat mobilization are matched by high rates of fat deposition. There is far less evidence for high rates of fat deposition in visceral adipose tissue, and some contrary evidence. Evidence for high rates of visceral lipolysisin vivofrom studies involving catheterization of the portal vein is not strong. If this potential link is discounted, then other reasons for the relationship between visceral fat and insulin resistance must be considered. One is that there is no direct causal link, but both co-correlate with some other variable. A possibility is that this other variable is subcutaneous abdominal fat, which usually outweighs intra-abdominal fat several-fold. Subcutaneous fat probably plays the major role in determining systemic plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, which are relevant in determining insulin resistance. In conclusion, there is at present no proof of a causal link between visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance, or the associated metabolic syndrome. The possibility of co-correlation with some other factor, such as subcutaneous abdominal fat accumulation, must not be forgotten.
Dietary carbohydrates and insulin action in humans
Authors: Wolever Thomas M. S.
Published: March 2008

The metabolic syndrome represents a vicious cycle whereby insulin resistance leads to compensatory hyperinsulinaemia, which maintains normal plasma glucose but may exacerbate insulin resistance. Excess insulin secretion may eventually reduce β-cell function due to amyloid deposition, leading to raised blood glucose and further deterioration of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity via glucose toxicity. Reducing postprandial glucose and insulin responses may be a way to interrupt this process, but there is disagreement about the dietary approach to achieve this. Glucose and insulin responses are determined primarily by the amount of carbohydrate consumed and its rate of absorption. Slowly absorbed, low glycaemic-index (GI) foods are associated with increased HDL cholesterol and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. There is some evidence that low-GI foods improve insulin sensitivity in humans, although studies using established techniques (glucose clamp or frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test) have not been done. Low carbohydrate diets have been suggested to be beneficial in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome because of reduced postprandial insulin. However, they may increase fasting glucose and impair oral glucose tolerance — effects which define carbohydrate intolerance. The effects of low carbohydrate diets on insulin sensitivity depend on what is used to replace the dietary carbohydrate, and the nature of the subjects studied. Dietary carbohydrates may affect insulin action, at least in part, via alterations in plasma free fatty acids. In normal subjects a high-carbohydrate/low-GI breakfast meal reduced free fatty acids by reducing the undershoot of plasma glucose, whereas low-carbohydrate breakfasts increased postprandial free fatty acids. It is unknown if these effects occur in insulin-resistant or diabetic subjects. Thus further work needs to be done before a firm conclusion can be drawn as to the optimal amount and type of dietary carbohydrate for the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
Genetic determinants of plasma lipid response to dietary intervention: the role of theAPOA1/C3/A4gene cluster and theAPOEgene
Authors: Ordovas Jose M. , Schaefer Ernst J.
Published: March 2008

Polymorphisms at theAPOA1/C3/A4gene cluster and theAPOEgene have been extensively studied in order to examine their potential association with plasma lipid levels, coronary heart disease risk and more recently with inter-individual variability in response to dietary therapies. Although the results have not been uniform across studies, the current research supports the concept that variation at these genes explains a significant, but still rather small, proportion of the variability in fasting and postprandial plasma lipid responses to dietary interventions. This information constitutes the initial frame to develop panels of genetic markers that could be used to predict individual responsiveness to dietary therapy for the prevention of coronary heart disease. Future progress in this complex area will come from experiments carried out using animal models, and from carefully controlled dietary protocols in humans that should include the assessment of several other candidate gene loci coding for products that play a relevant role in lipoprotein metabolism (i.e. APOB, CETP, LPL, FABP2, SRBI, ABC1 and CYP7).
How to implement dietary changes to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Anderson Annie S.
Published: March 2008

Changing dietary intake is a major challenge to individuals, households and the general public. Promoting the consumption of diets that are low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables and starchy carbohydrate, and managing overweight and central obesity, are important dietary strategies for the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Educational, behavioural and motivational tactics are required to help people achieve overall dietary change. These strategies might usefully be based on intervention models which incorporate behavioural theories and goals through personal, multiple contact with individuals or in small groups, using active involvement and specific behaviour-change strategies. Two particular aspects, namely the impact of computer-generated, personalized nutrition education and social support networks (e.g. family, health centre and community) provide useful adjuncts to traditional dietary counselling and might usefully be incorporated into diet- and lifestyle-change programmes for community-based and individualized approaches for disease prevention. The use of moderate energy-deficit diets, modest targets for weight loss (and maintenance) which can be sustained over the long term, and increased physical activity probably offers the most feasible approach for intervention aimed at reducing overall body weight.
What can industry do to facilitate dietary and behavioural changes?
Authors: Dwyer Johanna T. , Ouyang Chung Mei
Published: March 2008

The food industry has five important roles in facilitating needed dietary and behavioural changes. Two of these roles are direct ones. Industry can increase the availability of a wide variety of basic commodities and new foods that help consumers meet dietary recommendations. It is also responsible for developing and formulating appealing, healthy and effective food products that decrease risks of chronic degenerative disease. Industry also plays an indirect role in facilitating dietary change by motivating consumers to select and prepare foods that will result in healthy dietary patterns. It can also participate in coalitions to facilitate other behaviours that decrease risks. Finally, it can collaborate actively in applied and fundamental research to further our understanding of the associations between food and health.
Juju Oaths in Customary Law Arbitration and Their Legal Validity in Nigerian Courts
Authors: Oba Abdulmumini A
Published: March 2008

Traditional oaths play decisive roles in customary law arbitration and are recognized and accorded due respect by the courts. This position is now threatened by four emerging factors. First, all customary law arbitrations (including those based on juju oaths) are now subjected to stringent conditions before the courts will enforce them. Secondly, there are discordant voices in the Supreme Court on the legal relevance and juristic value of traditional oaths. Thirdly, in August 2005, the gruesome activities of some shrines where juju oaths are administered in some Igbo communities were exposed in the mass media. This exposure has given traditional oaths a bad image. Lastly, the onslaught of Islam and Christianity is taking its toil on traditional oaths. There is the need to protect traditional oaths from these threats.
The “Double Exposure” of History in Evan S. Connell's Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge
Authors: GILMORE SHAWN
Published: March 2008

Evan S. Connell's Bridge novels, Mrs. Bridge (1959) and Mr. Bridge (1969), are products of a post-World War II culture set in a prewar Kansas City of the 1920s and 1930s. In this paper, I argue that these novels pointedly articulate their historically disjunct construction – remaining firmly planted in a carefully articulated history and geography of pre-World War II Kansas City and representing the alienation and dissipation of postwar suburban life – in both the presentation of the racial and social geography of Kansas City between the wars and in the gap between the novels' two generations of the Bridge family.
Arthur Miller and the Rhetoric of Ethnic Self-Expression
Authors: PAGAN NICHOLAS O.
Published: March 2008

This paper uses some key scholarship on ethnicity, including work by Glazer, Moynihan, Sollors, and Hollinger, as a backdrop for re-examining specific plays by Arthur Miller, especially The Crucible and After the Fall. While looking closely at distinctive expressions of ethnicity related to Miller's Jewish-American status, the paper argues that the playwright should not be thought of as a “pluralist” or “cosmopolitanist” but rather as a “universalist.” Miller deserves distinctive credit for his ability to invoke situations where rhetoric transcends the particularities of ethnicity and sheds light not just on American, or Jewish, or Jewish-American history, but also, for example, on the current situation in the Middle East. The playwright also demonstrates how rigid identification with one side of a conflict can blind us to the omnipresence of evil.
‘Over-under’ myringoplasty with umbus-anchored graft
Authors: Fiorino F , Barbieri F
Published: March 2008

Introduction:

‘Over-under’ myringoplasty is a versatile and effective surgical technique for tympanic membrane repair. The main drawbacks are possible trauma to the inner ear, due to manipulation of the malleus, and graft detachment from the apical portion of the malleus during the healing process, with consequent reduction of sound transfer function. To obviate these disadvantages, we have modified the over-under myringoplasty by maintaining anchorage of the tympanic membrane to the umbus.

Material and methods:

A total of 78 umbus-anchored over-under myringoplasties were performed from 2004 to 2006 in 63 patients. After elevation of the tympanomeatal flap, the malleus was freed from the tympanic membrane in a superior to inferior direction, up to the region immediately superior to the umbus. A large graft with a radial slit was distended under the tympanic remnants and annulus, and the two tongues were positioned to surround the umbus area and overlapped under a non-perforated portion of the tympanic membrane.

Results:

Graft take was obtained in 71 ears (91 per cent). The auditory results showed an average residual air–bone gap of 6.7 dB, which was significantly better (p = 0.04) in comparison to that obtained in ears undergoing traditional over-under myringoplasty (11.9 dB).

Conclusion:

Modification of the over-under myringoplasty by anchoring the graft to the umbus preserves both lever and catenary effects of the tympano-ossicular system, reduces traumatising manoeuvres during dissection of the tympanic membrane from the malleus, and yields excellent results in terms of graft take and auditory outcome.
You can't give permission to be a bastard: Empathy and self-signaling as uncontrollable independent variables in bargaining games
Authors: Ainslie George
Published: March 2008

Canonical utility theory may have adopted its selfishness postulate because it lacked theoretical rationales for two major kinds of incentive: empathic utility and self-signaling. Empathy – using vicarious experiences to occasion your emotions – gives these experiences market value as a means of avoiding the staleness of self-generated emotion. Self-signaling is inevitable in anyone trying to overcome a perceived character flaw. Hyperbolic discounting of future reward supplies incentive mechanisms for both empathic utility and self-signaling. Neither can be effectively suppressed for an experimental game.
Refinements and confinements in a two-stage model of memory consolidation
Authors: Wagner Ullrich , Gais Steffen , Born Jan
Published: March 2008

Matthew Walker's model overcomes the unrefined classical concept of consolidation as a unitary process. Presently still confined in its scope to selective data mainly referring to procedural motor learning, the model nonetheless provides a valuable starting point for further refinements, which would be required for a more comprehensive account of different types and aspects of human memory consolidation.
A cross-species perspective on the selfishness axiom
Authors: Brosnan Sarah F. , de Waal Frans B. M.
Published: March 2008

Henrich et al. describe an innovative research program investigating cross-cultural differences in the selfishness axiom (in economic games) in humans, yet humans are not the only species to show such variation. Chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys show signs of deviating from the standard self-interest paradigm in experimental settings by refusing to take foods that are less valuable than those earned by conspecifics, indicating that they, too, may pay attention to relative gains. However, it is less clear whether these species also show the other-regarding preferences seen in humans.
Neural correlates of visual hallucinatory phenomena: The role of attention
Authors: Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: March 2008

The Perception and Attention Deficit (PAD) model of visual hallucinations is as limited in generality as other models. It does, however, raise an interesting hypothesis on the role of attentional biases among proto-objects. The prediction that neither impaired attention nor impaired sensory activation alone will produce hallucinations should be addressed in future studies by analysing partial correlations between putative causes and hallucinatory effects.
Psychology and groups at the junction of genes and culture
Authors: Caporael Linnda R.
Published: March 2008

Replacements for the self-interest axiom may posit weak to strong theories of sociality. Strong sociality may be useful for positing social cognitive mechanisms and their evolution, but weak sociality may work better for identifying interesting group-level outcomes by focusing on deviations from self-interested psychological assumptions. Such theoretical differences are likely to be based on disciplinary expertise, and the challenge for Darwinian integration is to keep the conversation flowing.
Perception is far from perfection: The role of the brain and mind in constructing realities
Authors: Dror Itiel E.
Published: March 2008

Dichotomizing perceptions, by those that have an objective reality and those that do not, is rejected. Perceptions are suggested to fall along a multidimensional continuum in which neither end is totally “pure.” At the extreme ends, perceptions neither have an objective reality without some subjectivity, nor, at the other end, even as hallucinations, are they totally dissociated from reality.
Two visual hallucinatory syndromes
Authors: ffytche Dominic H.
Published: March 2008

When viewed from a distance, visual hallucinations fall into one of two symptom patterns, a dichotomy which poses a problem for theoretical models treating them as a single entity. Such models should be broadened to allow for two distinct but overlapping syndromes – one likely to relate to visual de-afferentation, the other to Perception and Attention Deficit (PAD) cholinergic pathology.
Waking hallucinations could correspond to a mild form of dreaming sleep stage hallucinatory activity
Authors: Gottesmann Claude
Published: March 2008

There are strong resemblances between the neurobiological characteristics of hallucinations occurring in the particular case of schizophrenia and the hallucinatory activity observed during the rapid-eye-movement (dreaming) sleep stage: the same prefrontal dorsolateral deactivation; forebrain disconnectivity and disinhibition; sensory deprivation; and acetylcholine, monoamine, and glutamate modifications.
Is the Ultimatum Game a three-body affair?
Authors: Gigerenzer Gerd , Gigerenzer Thalia
Published: March 2008

The Ultimatum Game is commonly interpreted as a two-person bargaining game. The third person who donates and may withdraw the money is not included in the theoretical equations, but treated like a neutral measurement instrument. Yet in a cross-cultural analysis it seems necessary to consider the possibility that the thoughts of a player – strategic, altruistic, selfish, or concerned about reputation – are influenced by both an anonymous second player and the non-anonymous experimenter.
Two kinds of “memory images”: Experimental models for hallucinations?
Authors: Ingle David
Published: March 2008

Collerton et al. postulate that in a variety of different clinical conditions, hallucinations are derived from object schema lodged in long-term memory. I review two new experiments in which memory images can be easily triggered in neurologically intact subjects. These examples of making visible items in memory may provide experimental models for genesis of hallucinations.
How do cultural variations emerge from universal mechanisms?
Authors: Kenrick Douglas T. , Sundie Jill M.
Published: March 2008

Diverse cultural norms governing economic behavior might emerge from a dynamic interaction of universal but flexible predispositions that get calibrated to biologically meaningful features of the local social and physical ecology. This impressive cross-cultural effort could better elucidate such gene-culture interactions by incorporating theory-driven experimental manipulations (e.g., comparing kin and non-kin exchanges), as well as analyses of mediating cognitive processes.
Moral realism and cross-cultural normative diversity
Authors: Machery Edouard , Kelly Daniel , Stich Stephen P.
Published: March 2008

We discuss the implications of the findings reported in the target article for moral theory, and argue that they represent a clear and genuine case of fundamental moral disagreement. As such, the findings support a moderate form of moral anti-realism – the position that, for some moral issues, there is no fact of the matter about what is right and wrong.
Methods do matter: Variation in experimental methodologies and results
Authors: Sosis Richard
Published: March 2008

Henrich et al.'s findings are generally consistent with the findings of other experimental field studies. However, the methodological variations deployed across field sites produced several systematic biases in their results. Hence, although the project is destined to become a watershed study, their results should be interpreted prudently.
Preferences, beliefs, and heuristics
Authors: Yamagishi Toshio
Published: March 2008

Alternative interpretations are proposed for the finding that market integration is positively related to fair behavior in experimental games. Market activities may produce market relevant concepts and stories that interpret experimental games as incidences of social exchange, and thus may enhance the relevance of (1) market-related preferences or (2) a decision heuristic designed for social exchange.
Force/position control self-tuned to unknown surface slopes using motion variables
Authors: Doulgeri Zoe , Karayiannidis Yiannis
Published: March 2008

This work considers the problem of force/position regulation for a robotic finger in compliant contact with an unknown curved surface resulting in uncertain force and position control subspaces. The proposed controller is an adaptive control scheme of a simple structure that achieves the desired target by the on-line tuning of the position and force control actions to their corresponding actual subspaces at the desired point using motion state feedback. The local asymptotic stability of the system equilibrium point is proved and an estimate of the region of attraction is given. The controller performance is illustrated by a simulation example.
The effects of distraction on prospective remembering following
traumatic brain injury assessed in a simulated naturalistic
environment
Authors: KNIGHT ROBERT G. , TITOV NICKOLAI , CRAWFORD MARIA
Published: March 2008

The aim of this investigation was to assess deficits in prospective
remembering following chronic traumatic brain injuries (TBI), under
conditions of high and low distraction. We constructed a virtual shopping
precinct from photographs, sounds, and video segments linked together. The
street was divided into halves, a low distraction zone and a high
distraction zone (with increased visual and auditory noise). Twenty
persons with TBI (7 severe, 7 very severe, 6 extremely severe) and 20
matched controls completed ongoing and prospective memory tasks while
“walking” along the street. In the ongoing task, participants
were given ten errands to complete with a checklist accessible at any
time. The prospective component required responding to three targets that
appeared repeatedly. As predicted, the TBI group performed both the
ongoing and the prospective components of the street task poorly compared
with the controls and was more affected by distractions. The results
suggest that the real-life deficits in memory skills reported by persons
with TBI may become more apparent when remembering engages executive
processes and that computer simulations can be used to construct sensitive
measures of practical memory abilities. (JINS, 2006, 12,
8–16.)
Reading ability mediates the relationship between education and
executive function tasks
Authors: JOHNSON AMANDA SCHAFER , FLICKER LISA J. , LICHTENBERG PETER A.
Published: March 2008

Neuropsychological test results are affected by multiple factors, but
usually age and education are the only variables by which norms are
stratified. Some authors have questioned whether these variables alone are
sufficient (e.g., Marcopulos et al., 1997; Manly et al., 2002), since such norms have lead to
problems, such as poor specificity for African Americans on dementia
screening devices (Fillenbaum et al., 1990).
Recent research has shown that reading ability, a measure of educational
quality, attenuated racial differences in test performance (Manly et al., 2002). We specifically examined whether
reading ability would account for a greater amount of variance than
education in executive function tests in a population traditionally
subject to poor educational quality. Results determined that reading
ability accounted for a significantly greater amount of variance than
years of education for Letter-Number Sequencing, Similarities, COWA, Trail
Making Test, and Coloured Progressive Matrices. Reading ability was found
to significantly mediate the relationship between each of these tests and
education. Animal naming appears to be least affected by educational
quality or quantity. These findings hold implications for the
interpretation of neuropsychological test results, especially in those
exposed to substandard educational quality, and for the way that test
norms are constructed. (JINS, 2006, 12,
64–71.)
Normative data for the Animal, Profession and Letter M
Naming verbal fluency tests for Dutch speaking participants and the
effects of age, education, and sex
Authors: VAN DER ELST WIM , VAN BOXTEL MARTIN P.J. , VAN BREUKELEN GERARD J.P. , JOLLES JELLE
Published: March 2008

Previous research has indicated that performance on verbal fluency
tests (VFTs) is influenced by language and/or culture. Consequently,
normative VFT data for English-speaking people cannot be used for people
for whom English is not their first language. The aim of the present study
was to provide normative data for the Animal Naming, Profession Naming,
and Letter M Naming (four-letter words beginning with the letter
M) VFTs for Dutch-speaking populations, based on a large sample
(N = 1856) of healthy men and women aged 24–81 years of
different educational levels. The results showed that age affected the
performance of all VFTs profoundly, but the age effect was not uniform: in
the Profession and Letter M Naming VFTs, performance was stable
in young adulthood but declined strongly after age 50. In contrast, in the
Animal Naming VFT, performance appeared to decline linearly, starting
early in life. Furthermore, males had higher scores than females on the
Profession Naming VFT, and higher educated participants outperformed their
lower educated counterparts on all three VFTs. Regression-based normative
data were prepared for the 3 VFTs, and the advantages of using a
regression-based normative approach instead of a traditional normative
approach are discussed. (JINS, 2006, 12,
80–89.)
Altered adaptive but not veridical decision-making in substance
dependent individuals
Authors: VERDEJO-GARCÍA ANTONIO , VILAR-LÓPEZ RAQUEL , PÉREZ-GARCÍA MIGUEL , PODELL KENNETH , GOLDBERG ELKHONON
Published: March 2008

Drug addiction is associated with impaired judgment in unstructured
situations in which success depends on self-regulation of behavior
according to internal goals (adaptive decision-making). However most
executive measures are aimed at assessing decision-making in structured
scenarios, in which success is determined by external criteria inherent to
the situation (veridical decision-making). The aim of this study was to
examine the performance of Substance Abusers (SA, n = 97) and
Healthy Comparison participants (HC, n = 81) in two behavioral
tasks that mimic the uncertainty inherent in real-life decision-making:
the Cognitive Bias Task (CB) and the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT)
(administered only to SA). A related goal was to study the interdependence
between performances on both tasks. We conducted univariate analyses of
variance (ANOVAs) to contrast the decision-making performance of both
groups; and used correlation analyses to study the relationship between
both tasks. SA showed a marked context-independent decision-making
strategy on the CB's adaptive condition, but no differences were
found on the veridical conditions in a subsample of SA (n = 34)
and HC (n = 22). A high percentage of SA (75%) also showed
impaired performance on the IGT. Both tasks were only correlated when no
impaired participants were selected. Results indicate that SA show
abnormal decision-making performance in unstructured situations, but not
in veridical situations. (JINS, 2006, 12,
90–99.)
Neural substrates of syntactic mapping treatment: An fMRI study of
two cases
Authors: WIERENGA CHRISTINA E. , MAHER LYNN M. , MOORE ANNA BACON , WHITE KEITH D. , MCGREGOR KEITH , SOLTYSIK DAVID A. , PECK KYUNG K. , GOPINATH KAUNDINYA S. , SINGLETARY FLORIS , GONZALEZ-ROTHI LESLIE J. , BRIGGS RICHARD W. , CROSSON BRUCE
Published: March 2008

Two patients (G01, J02) with chronic nonfluent aphasia and sentence
production deficits received syntactic mapping treatment to improve
sentence production. The patients had dramatically different outcomes in
that improved syntax production generalized to nontreatment tasks for G01,
but not for JO2. To learn how treatment influenced the neural substrates
for syntax production, both patients underwent pre- and posttreatment
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of sentence generation. G01
showed more robust activity posttreatment than pretreatment in
Broca's area; ventral temporal activity decreased slightly from pre-
to posttreatment. Comparison of J02's pretreatment and posttreatment
images revealed little change, although activity was more diffuse pre-
than posttreatment. Findings suggest that for G01, rehabilitation led to
engagement of an area (Broca's area) used minimally during the
pretreatment scan, whereas for J02, rehabilitation may have led to more
efficient use of areas already involved in sentence generation during the
pretreatment scan. fMRI findings are discussed in the context of
sentence-production outcome and generalization. (JINS, 2006,
12, 132–146.)