bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic and impurity defects in chromium‐doped SrTiO3 nanopowders: EPR and NMR study
Authors: Bykov Igor , Makarova Marina , Trepakov Vladimir , Dejneka Alexandr , Yurchenko Lesya , Yurchenko Lesya , Jäger Aleš , Jastrabik Lubomir
Published: March 2013

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra were studied in solvothermal‐ and citrate sol–gel‐grown (CSGG) SrTiO3:Cr(0.1%) crystalline nanopowders. Various growth conditions and thermal treatments were used to determine defects and to tailor nanoparticles structure and crystallization processes. Solvothermal‐grown nanopowders with 5 nm particle size revealed the dominant presence of the single perovskite‐type phase. Annealing of the CSGG nanoparticles in air up to 800 °C leads to an increase of the particles size and the amount of the titanium dioxide (rutile and/or anatase) phase, which is initially present in small amounts in CSGG powders. It was found that paramagnetic Cr3+, Cr5+, ${\rm Cr}_{{\rm surf}}^{{\rm 3 + }} $, O−, O2− ions are present in solvothermal‐grown nanopowders and in all CSGG powders. In the annealed particles the majority of paramagnetic centers (PC) are located in the particle surface and in the TiO2 phase. The nature of the PC in nanopowders exhibiting different degrees of catalytic activity in nanopowders was studied too. A correlation between O− and O2− content, synthesis conditions and particle size was found. The NMR spectra of 47Ti (I = 5/2) and 49Ti (I = 7/2) reveal a pronounced dependence of the spectral line intensity on synthesis conditions, evidencing coexistence of Ti3+ and Ti4+ ions in SrTiO3:Cr nanoparticles.
Thermal conductivity of thermoelectric Al‐substituted ZnO thin films
Authors: Vogel‐Schäuble Nina , Jaeger Tino , Romanyuk Yaroslav E. , Populoh Sascha , Mix Christian , Jakob Gerhard , Weidenkaff Anke
Published: March 2013

ZnO:Al thin films with a low electrical resistivity were grown by magnetron sputtering on sapphire substrates. The cross‐plane thermal conductivity (κ = 4.5 ± 1.3 W/mK) at room temperature is almost one order of magnitude lower than for bulk materials. The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT at elevated temperatures was estimated from in‐plane power factor and the cross‐plane thermal conductivity at room temperature. It is expected that the thermal conductivity drops with increasing temperature and is lower in‐plane than cross‐plane. Consequently, the thin film ZT is at least three times higher than for bulk samples at intermediate temperatures. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Curcuminoids Modulate Pro‐Oxidant–Antioxidant Balance but not the Immune Response to Heat Shock Protein 27 and Oxidized LDL in Obese Individuals
Authors: Sahebkar Amirhossein , Mohammadi Akram , Atabati Ali , Rahiman Shamim , Tavallaie Shima , Iranshahi Mehrdad , Akhlaghi Saeed , Ferns Gordon AA , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid
Published: March 2013

Curcuminoids have potentially important functional qualities including anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled cross‐over trial, the effects of a curcuminoid supplement on serum pro‐oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) and antibody titres to Hsp27 (anti‐Hsp27) and oxLDL (anti‐oxLDL) were investigated. Thirty obese individuals were randomized to receive either curcuminoids (1 g/day) or placebo for a period of 30 days. After a wash‐out period of 2 weeks, subjects were crossed over to the alternate regimen for another 30 days. Serum PAB along with anti‐Hsp27 and anti‐oxLDL titres was measured at the beginning and at the end of each study period. There was no significant carry‐over effect for any of the assessed parameters. Curcuminoid supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in PAB (p = 0.044). However, no significant change was observed in serum concentrations of anti‐Hsp27 or anti‐oxLDL (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that oral curcuminoids supplementation (1g/day) is effective in reducing oxidative stress burden, though this needs to be validated in larger study populations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis
Authors: Yang Yanqi , Chin Alice , Zhang Linkun , Lu Jiajing , Wong Ricky Wing Kit
Published: March 2013

The article aims to review various Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) with both osteogenic and angiogenic effects, alone and in combination, and to consider whether these TCMs promote osteogenesis via angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Each of the TCMs involving in osteogenesis was searched through PubMed and CBMdisc using its Latin name and English name, and keywords such as ‘osteogenesis’, ‘bone’, ‘osteoblast’, ‘angiogenesis’, ‘VEGF’ were used. A total of 241 articles were screened from PubMed and CBMdisc. The articles were only chosen if they discussed the relationship of the TCMs with bone formation and/or angiogenesis. Twenty‐seven articles were chosen, of which 16 were in English and 11 were in Chinese with English abstract. As a result, the TCMs (Danshen or Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Danggui or Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge or Huangqi, and Ge Gan or Puerarin radix) that have a relationship with both osteogenesis and angiogenesis were screened out. It is found that the aforementioned TCMs enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis. They show a positive effect on bone formation, and the possible mechanisms may be related to their ability to promote angiogenesis via an effect on substances such as VEGF. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raphanus sativus L. var niger as a source of Phytochemicals for the Prevention of Cholesterol Gallstones
Authors: Castro‐Torres Ibrahim Guillermo , De la O‐Arciniega Minarda , Gallegos‐Estudillo Janeth , Naranjo‐Rodríguez Elia Brosla , Domínguez‐Ortíz Miguel Ángel
Published: March 2013

Raphanus sativus L. var niger (black radish) is a plant of the cruciferous family with important ethnobotanical uses for the treatment of gallstones in Mexican traditional medicine. It has been established that the juice of black radish decreases cholesterol levels in plasma and dissolves gallstones in mice. Glucosinolates, the main secondary metabolites of black radish, can hydrolyze into its respective isothiocyanates and have already demonstrated antioxidant properties as well as their ability to diminish hepatic cholesterol levels; such therapeutic effects can prevent the formation of cholesterol gallstones. This disease is considered a current problem of public health. In the present review, we analyze and discuss the therapeutic effects of the main glucosinolates of black radish, as well as the effects that this plant has on cholesterol gallstones disease. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cocreating Value in Teaching and Learning Centers
Authors: Schumann David W. , Peters John , Olsen Taimi
Published: March 2013

In addition to addressing the history of and rationale for the teaching and learning center (TLC) as a means of achieving lasting professional development of the faculty, Schumann, Peters, and Olsen introduce the concept of cocreating value that not only facilitates the success of the TLC but also has the potential to permeate the educational fiber of the entire college or university.
Innovative Ways of Assessing Faculty Development
Authors: Fink L. Dee
Published: March 2013

As with every aspect of the higher education enterprise, professional development of the faculty must be assessed if it is to improve over time. This chapter identifies the key elements and discusses means and methods to achieve improved faculty development.
Virtual Space (E‐Learning) Faculty Development
Authors: Pruett Christian D. , Pollard Terry
Published: March 2013

When pioneering new teaching and learning delivery systems, the Mississippi community and junior colleges confronted many unexpected challenges. In this chapter, the authors discuss what the Mississippi Virtual Community College learned regarding the professional development of the faculty.
The Future of Faculty Development: Where Are We Going?
Authors: Austin Ann E. , Sorcinelli Mary Deane
Published: March 2013

In this concluding chapter, the authors point readers to innovations in faculty development that are appearing on the horizon, in the context of changes and challenges confronting higher education institutions. Additional thoughts are presented about the structures and processes in the practice of faculty development that need attention, including those related to pressing issues in the field as a profession.
Predicting risk for large‐for‐gestational age neonates at term: a population‐based Bayesian theorem study
Authors: Lindell G. , Maršál K. , Källén K.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the prediction of large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) term neonates using the routine third‐trimester ultrasound examination and to investigate whether the prediction could be further improved by adding information on maternal characteristics.

Methods

Information on 56 792 singleton term pregnancies with a routine ultrasound examination at 32–34 weeks' gestation was retrieved from a population‐based perinatal register. Estimated fetal weights (FW) were expressed as gestational age‐specific standard deviation scores (Z‐scores). The prediction of LGA was assessed by receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curves, with LGA defined as birth weight Z‐score > + 2. The data set with complete clinical information (n = 48 809) was divided into a development and a validation set. Using the development set, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify maternal characteristics associated with LGA. The odds ratios obtained were converted into likelihood ratios. These were then applied to the validation set and the probability for LGA for each infant was estimated using the Bayesian theorem.

Results

The FW Z‐score showed a high predictive ability for LGA (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.89 (95% CI, 0.89–0.90)). Prediction was further improved by using the model that included both FW Z‐scores and maternal variables (AUC 0.91 (95% CI, 0.90–0.92)) (P for difference < 10–6). The corresponding AUC for a model including maternal characteristics only was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.73–0.76).

Conclusions

Routine third‐trimester ultrasound FW estimation is effective in the prediction of LGA neonates at term. The prediction of LGA might be further improved by using a model including maternal characteristics. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The birth of the journal: the first anniversary of WIREs MTS
Authors: Nedergaard Maiken , Verkhratsky Alexei
Published: March 2013

WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013, 2:105. doi: 10.1002/wmts.81

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Structure and Polymorphism of M(thd)3 (M = Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ga, and In)
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed A. K. , Fjellvåg Helmer , Kjekshus Arne , Wragg David S.
Published: March 2013

Formation, crystal structure, polymorphism, and transition between polymorphs are reported for M(thd)3, (M = Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ga, and In) [(thd)– = anion of H(thd) = C11H20O2 = 2, 2, 6, 6‐tetramethylheptane‐3, 5‐dione]. Fresh crystal‐structure data are provided for monoclinic polymorphs of Al(thd)3, Ga(thd)3, and In(thd)3. Apart from adjustment of the M–Ok bond length, the structural characteristics of M(thd)3 complexes remain essentially unaffected by change of M. Analysis of the M–Ok, Ok–Ck, and Ck–Ck distances support the notion that the M–Ok–Ck–Ck–Ck–Ok– ring forms a heterocyclic unit with σ and π contributions to the bonds. Tentative assessments according to the bond‐valence or bond‐order scheme suggest that the strengths of the σ bonds are approximately equal for the M–Ok, Ok–Ck, and Ck–Ck bonds, whereas the π component of the M–Ok bonds is small compared with those for the Ok–Ck, and Ck–Ck bonds. The contours of a pattern for the occurrence of M(thd)3 polymorphs suggest that polymorphs with structures of orthorhombic or higher symmetry are favored on crystallization from the vapor phase (viz. sublimation). Monoclinic polymorphs prefer crystallization from solution at temperatures closer to ambient. Each of the M(thd)3 complexes subject to this study exhibits three or more polymorphs (further variants are likely to emerge consequent on systematic exploration of the crystallization conditions). High‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction shows that the monoclinic polymorphs convert irreversibly to the corresponding rotational disordered orthorhombic variant above some 100–150 °C (depending on M). The orthorhombic variant is in turn transformed into polymorphs of tetragonal and cubic symmetry before entering the molten state. These findings are discussed in light of the current conceptions of rotational disorder in molecular crystals.
1,1‐Carboboration of Dialkynyltin Compounds using Tri­organoboranes of Greatly Different Lewis Acid Strength. 1,4‐Stannabora‐cyclohexa‐2,5‐dienes and Characterization of Zwitterionic Intermediates
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Thoma Peter , Marx Simone , Glatz Germund , Kempe Rhett
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Triorganoboranes BR3, Et‐9‐BBN, BPh3, and B(C6F5)3, were compared in their reactivity towards various dialkynyl(diorgano)tin compounds (R12Sn(C≡C–R2)2 with R12 = –(CH2)5–, R2 = H (a), R1 = nBu, R2 = H (b), R1 = Ph, R2 = H (c), R1 = R2 = nBu (d)). 1,1‐Carboboration took place readily in two consecutive steps (inter‐ and intramolecular), leading either to stannoles or to 1,4‐stannabora‐cyclohexa‐2,5‐dienes, or mixtures thereof. The weakest Lewis‐acidic triorganoboranes BEt3 and Et‐9‐BBN afford selectively stannoles with diethynyltin compounds, whereas the strongly electrophilic B(C6F5)3 leads selectively to 1,4‐stannabora‐cyclohexa‐2,5‐dienes for all dialkynyltin compounds studied. In several cases, zwitterionic intermediates could be detected by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, and 119Sn NMR), and the molecular structure of such an intermediate as well as that of the final product, an 1,4‐stannabora‐cyclohexa‐2,5‐diene, could be determined by X‐ray crystallography.
Solvent‐dependent Switch of Magnesium Ions between Different Binding Sites in a Compartmental Schiff Base Ligand
Authors: Coleman Fergal , Dux Dinah , Erxleben Andrea
Published: March 2013

The coordination behavior of two Schiff base ligands, N,N′‐bis(3‐carboxysalicylidene)ethylenediamine (H2L1) and N,N′‐bis(3‐carboxysalicylidene)propylenediamine (H2L2), towards magnesium ions is reported. The ligands show different binding site selectivity for Mg2+ depending on the solvent. In complexes isolated from aqueous or methanolic solutions the metal ion resides in the outer O2O2 compartment. The X‐ray analysis of the complex of H2L1 showed the complex to be dimeric with magnesium being coordinated by two phenolate and two carboxylate oxygens, a bridging phenolate oxygen, and a water ligand. In aprotic solvents like dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) magnesium migrates to the inner N2O2 binding site. In DMSO solution containing small amounts of water, both isomers co‐exist. A similar solvent‐dependent site selectivity is not observed for zinc ions.
A note on “symmetric” vielbeins in bimetric, massive, perturbative and non perturbative gravities
Authors: Deffayet C. , Mourad J. , Zahariade G.
Published: March 2013

Abstract

We consider a manifold endowed with two different vielbeins
${E^A}_{\mu }$
and
${L^A}_{\mu }$
corresponding to two different metrics
${g_{{\mu \nu }}}$
and f

μν
. Such a situation arises generically in bimetric or massive gravity (including the recently discussed version of de Rham, Gabadadze and Tolley), as well as in perturbative quantum gravity where one vielbein parametrizes the background space-time and the other the dynamical degrees of freedom. We determine the conditions under which the relation
${g^{{\mu \nu }}}{E^A}_{\mu }{L^B}_{\nu }={g^{{\mu \nu }}}{E^B}_{\mu }{L^A}_{\nu }$
can be imposed (or the “Deser-van Nieuwenhuizen” gauge chosen). We clarify and correct various statements which have been made about this issue. We show in particular that in D = 4 dimensions, this condition is always equivalent to the existence of a real matrix square root of
${g^{-1 }}$

f.
Top management teams and the performance of entrepreneurial firms
Authors: Eisenhardt Kathleen M.
Published: March 2013

This article examines why some entrepreneurial firms succeed while others do not. The focal explanation is top management teams, including several studies that address when and how top management teams are likely to influence entrepreneurial firm performance. There are several insights. First, large and diverse teams with a history of working together are more likely to succeed. This effect is particularly large when they launch in growth markets. Second, teams are effective in making strategic decisions when they are fast, highly conflictual, and still get along. Third, they are also effective when they rely on “simple rules” heuristics to perform significant activities like new product development and internationalization that nonetheless happens often. A further insight is that these “simple rules” can become the strategy of their firms. Fourth, more effective teams continuously organize the structures of their firms at the “edge of chaos”. Overall, top management teams emerge as central to the success (or lack thereof) of entrepreneurial firms.
Synthesis of Chloro Alkoxy and Alkoxy Derivatives of Methyl Oleate
Authors: Lowery Benjamin A. , Andersh Brad , Isbell Terry A.
Published: March 2013

Vegetable oil based lubricants typically have improved lubricity and biodegradability over their mineral oil based counterparts. However, vegetable oil lubricants often fail to meet the performance standards of mineral based oils with respect to cold temperature and resistance to oxidation. Olefins are an oxidatively weak point for vegetable based compounds. Removal of the olefin in a vegetable based lubricant through functionalization may increase resistance to oxidation. If the added functionality also causes branching of the alkyl chain, cold temperature properties may be improved. Any chemical modifications considered must be scalable and cost‐effective to be useful in a commercial application. In this study, methyl oleate was functionalized into a chloro alkoxy derivative. Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) and calcium hypochlorite were both used to generate hypochlorous acid in situ. Hypochlorous acid and a series of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, and butanol) were reacted with methyl oleate to make chloro alkoxy compounds in 29.8–77.9 % yields. In an effort to make a branched saturated ether we removed the chlorine moiety of the chloro alkoxy compounds. Dehalogenation was achieved under basic conditions over a Pd/C catalyst in 2‐propanol. Reaction times increased substantially as the size of the adjacent alkoxy group increased. The reaction rate could be improved by heating the reactions above 100 °C in a pressure reactor. Increased reaction temperature also resulted in an increase in ketone side products from the competing elimination reactions. Saturated ether yields were 4.1–43.2 %.
Growth and Biomass Characteristics of Picochlorum oklahomensis and Nannochloropsis oculata
Authors: Zhu Yan , Dunford Nurhan Turgut
Published: March 2013

Biofuels derived from microalgae are considered a viable alternative energy resource that eliminates the major drawbacks associated with biofuels produced from land crops. Strain selection is a critical factor for the success of microalgal production systems. This study evaluates Picochlorum oklahomensis (PO) as a potential microalga strain for biofuel and bioproduct applications. Nannochloropsis oculata (NO) was included in the study as a well‐studied reference strain with biomass properties suitable for commercial applications. Growth pattern including specific growth rates, generation time and maximum biomass concentrations in culture media were determined for both PO and NO. Oil and protein contents and fatty acid composition of both strains were analyzed. PO had a higher biomass concentration in the medium and shorter generation time than NO. Both strains were rich in oil, protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study indicates that PO can be a viable strain for bioproduct manufacturing because of its high oil and protein content and biomass productivity.
Variable density and viscosity, miscible displacements in horizontal Hele-Shaw cells. Part 2. Nonlinear simulations
Authors: John M. O. , Oliveira R. M. , Heussler F. H. C. , Meiburg E.
Published: March 2013

Direct numerical simulations of the variable density and viscosity Navier–Stokes equations are employed, in order to explore three-dimensional effects within miscible displacements in horizontal Hele-Shaw cells. These simulations identify a number of mechanisms concerning the interaction of viscous fingering with a spanwise Rayleigh–Taylor instability. The dominant wavelength of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability along the upper, gravitationally unstable side of the interface generally is shorter than that of the fingering instability. This results in the formation of plumes of the more viscous resident fluid not only in between neighbouring viscous fingers, but also along the centre of fingers, thereby destroying their shoulders and splitting them longitudinally. The streamwise vorticity dipoles forming as a result of the spanwise Rayleigh–Taylor instability place viscous resident fluid in between regions of less viscous, injected fluid, thereby resulting in the formation of gapwise vorticity via the traditional, gap-averaged viscous fingering mechanism. This leads to a strong spatial correlation of both vorticity components. For stronger density contrasts, the streamwise vorticity component increases, while the gapwise component is reduced, thus indicating a transition from viscously dominated to gravitationally dominated displacements. Gap-averaged, time-dependent concentration profiles show that variable density displacement fronts propagate more slowly than their constant density counterparts. This indicates that the gravitational mixing results in a more complete expulsion of the resident fluid from the Hele-Shaw cell. This observation may be of interest in the context of enhanced oil recovery or carbon sequestration applications.
Effect of turbulent fluctuations on the drag and lift forces on a towed sphere and its boundary layer
Authors: Homann Holger , Bec Jérémie , Grauer Rainer
Published: March 2013

The impact of turbulent fluctuations on the forces exerted by a fluid on a towed spherical particle is investigated by means of high-resolution direct numerical simulations. The measurements are carried out using a novel scheme to integrate the two-way coupling between the particle and the incompressible surrounding fluid flow maintained in a high-Reynolds-number turbulent regime. The main idea consists of combining a Fourier pseudo-spectral method for the fluid with an immersed-boundary technique to impose the no-slip boundary condition on the surface of the particle. This scheme is shown to converge as the power $3/ 2$ of the spatial resolution. This behaviour is explained by the ${L}_{2} $ convergence of the Fourier representation of a velocity field displaying discontinuities of its derivative. Benchmarking of the code is performed by measuring the drag and lift coefficients and the torque-free rotation rate of a spherical particle in various configurations of an upstream-laminar carrier flow. Such studies show a good agreement with experimental and numerical measurements from other groups. A study of the turbulent wake downstream of the sphere is also reported. The mean velocity deficit is shown to behave as the inverse of the distance from the particle, as predicted from classical similarity analysis. This law is reinterpreted in terms of the principle of ‘permanence of large eddies’ that relates infrared asymptotic self-similarity to the law of decay of energy in homogeneous turbulence. The developed method is then used to attack the problem of an upstream flow that is in a developed turbulent regime. It is shown that the average drag force increases as a function of the turbulent intensity and the particle Reynolds number. This increase is significantly larger than predicted by standard drag correlations based on laminar upstream flows. It is found that the relevant parameter is the ratio of the viscous boundary layer thickness to the dissipation scale of the ambient turbulent flow. The drag enhancement can be motivated by the modification of the mean velocity and pressure profile around the sphere by small-scale turbulent fluctuations. It is demonstrated that the variance of the drag force fluctuations can be modelled by means of standard drag correlations. Temporal correlations of the drag and lift forces are also presented.
Hemispheric Differences for Global and Local Processing: Effect of Stimulus Size and Sparsity
Authors: Blanca María J. , López-Montiel Gema
Published: March 2013

The present experiment was designed to assess the hemispheric differences for global and local processing in healthy participants under different conditions of stimuli visibility, by means of varying the size and sparsity. Three different sizes and three different matrixes of hierarchical stimuli were introduced. Stimuli consisted of incomplete squares with one side missing. Participants were asked to carry out an orientation classification task (left/right), indicating the orientation of the square opening either at global or local levels. The results do not support the hemispheric differences for global and local processing, showing the same efficiency of right and left hemispheres for analyzing global and local information. Nevertheless, other results found are consistent with the hypothesis of right hemisphere superiority under degraded stimulus conditions.
Electroencephalographic Evidence on the Strategies of Adaptation to the Factors of Monotony
Authors: Aslanyan Elena V. , Kiroy Valery N.
Published: March 2013

In a series of studies, in which 19 apparently healthy male volunteers participated, on the basis of a comparative analysis of the bioelectric brain activity and work performance, it is shown that two strategies of adaptation to the factors of monotony are possible. One of them is based on the maintenance of a high quality of activity even at the price of a considerable reduction in the functional state of the brain; the second is based on the maintenance of the functional status of the brain even at the expense of the short-term loss of control over realizable performance. The factor conditioning the long term inability to support continual high quality of performance under the conditions of monotony is a high lability in nervous processes. The resistance to the effects of the factors of monotony is connected, on the other hand, with the low lability of nervous processes with a certain predominance of excitatory processes over inhibiting processes. The electrographic correlates of the development of the state of monotony represent an increase in the EEG of an alert person of the slow spectra (theta and alpha), and also beta-2 waves, as well as a reduction in the intrahemispheric coherence of alpha-waves. These results can be used for the development of control systems for the state of the operators who work in conditions of monotony (pilots, the operators of electric trains, the operators of power plants, including atomic power plants, and others), as well as in the occupational selection of individuals for jobs involving work under such conditions.
Facial Affect Recognition Deficit as a Marker of Genetic Vulnerability to Schizophrenia
Authors: Alfimova Margarita V. , Abramova Lilia I. , Barhatova Aleksandra I. , Yumatova Polina E. , Lyachenko Galina L. , Golimbet Vera E.
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that affect recognition impairments are associated with genetic liability to schizophrenia. In a group of 55 unaffected relatives of schizophrenia patients (parents and siblings) we examined the capacity to detect facially expressed emotions and its relationship to schizotypal personality, neurocognitive functioning, and the subject's actual emotional state. The relatives were compared with 103 schizophrenia patients and 99 healthy subjects without any family history of psychoses. Emotional stimuli were nine black-and-white photos of actors, who portrayed six basic emotions as well as interest, contempt, and shame. The results evidenced the affect recognition deficit in relatives, though milder than that in patients themselves. No correlation between the deficit and schizotypal personality measured with SPQ was detected in the group of relatives. Neither cognitive functioning, including attention, verbal memory and linguistic ability, nor actual emotional states accounted for their affect recognition impairments. The results suggest that the facial affect recognition deficit in schizophrenia may be related to genetic predisposition to the disorder and may serve as an endophenotype in molecular-genetic studies.
Are Women More Empathetic than Men? A Longitudinal Study in Adolescence
Authors: Mestre María Vicenta , Samper Paula , Frías María Dolores , Tur Ana María
Published: March 2013

Since the 1970s there has been a growing interest in analysing sex differences in psychological variables. Empirical studies and meta-analyses have contributed evidence on the differences between male and female individuals. More recently, the gender similarities hypothesis has supported the similarity of men and women in most psychological variables. This study contributes information on women's greater empathic disposition in comparison with men by means of a longitudinal design in an adolescent population. 505 male and female adolescents aged between 13 and 16 years were evaluated at two different moments (grade 2 and grade 3, lower secondary education). They completed the Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents by Bryant and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index by Davis. The results confirm a greater empathic response in females than in males of the same age, differences growing with age. The sizes of the effect estimated in the second evaluation (average age 14 years) are large for emotional empathy and medium for cognitive empathy.
Parental Influences on Students' Self-Concept, Task Value Beliefs, and Achievement in Science
Authors: Senler Burcu , Sungur Semra
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was twofold: firstly, to investigate the grade level (elementary and middle school) and gender effect on students' motivation in science (perceived academic science self-concept and task value) and perceived family involvement, and secondly to examine the relationship among family environment variables (fathers' educational level, mothers' educational level, and perceived family involvement), motivation, gender and science achievement in elementary and middle schools. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) showed that elementary school students have more positive science self-concept and task value beliefs compared to middle school students. Moreover, elementary school students appeared to perceive more family involvement in their schooling. Path analyses also suggested that family involvement was directly linked to elementary school students' task value and achievement. Also, in elementary school level, significant relationships were found among father educational level, science self-concept, task value and science achievement. On the other hand, in middle school level, family involvement, father educational level, and mother educational level were positively related to students' task value which is directly linked to students' science achievement. Moreover, mother educational level contributed to science achievement through its effect on self-concept.
Self-concept, Self-esteem, Personality Traits and Psychopathological Symptoms in Adolescents with and without Visual Impairment
Authors: Garaigordobil Maite , Bernarás Elena
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze self-concept, self-esteem, and other personality traits and psychopathological symptoms in subjects with and without visual impairment. The sample was made up of 90 participants aged 12 to 17: 61 with no impairment and 29 with visual impairment. The ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences in self-concept and self-esteem in the samples, but the visually impaired adolescents scored significantly higher in various psychopathological symptoms as well as in their capacity for kind behavior. The ANOVA revealed no gender differences in any variables in adolescents without visual impairment. However, women with visual impairment scored lower in self-esteem and higher in various psychopathological symptoms. Pearson coefficients revealed negative relations between self-concept/self-esteem and all the psychopathological symptoms, and neuroticism, as well as a positive relation with extraversion. Low psychoticism, high extraversion, and low hostility were identified as predictors of high self-concept.
Depression and Quality of Life for Women in Single-parent and Nuclear Families
Authors: Hernández René Landero , Aranda Benito Estrada , Ramírez Mónica Teresa González
Published: March 2013

This is a cross-sectional study which objectives are 1) to determine the predictors for perceived quality of life and 2) to analyze the differences between women from single-parent families and bi-parent families, about their quality of life, depression and familiar income. We worked with a non-probabilistic sample of 140 women from Monterrey, N.L, Mexico, 107 are from bi-parent families and 33 from single parent families. Some of the results show that women from single-parent families have lower quality of life (Z = −2.224, p = .026), lower income (Z = −2.727, p = .006) and greater depression (Z = −6.143, p = .001) than women from bi-parental families. The perceived quality of life's predictors, using a multiple regression model (n = 140) were depression, income and number of children, those variables explaining 25.4% of variance.
Group Psychotherapy of Psychosomatic Outpatients — Analysis of the Ten First Sessions
Authors: Ávila Lazslo Antonio
Published: March 2013

This work presents a description of a psychotherapeutic group of psychosomatic patients conducted in an out-patient setting. We show the gains of insight in the group's organization and inter-personal communication, as well as the relief of symptoms in seven patients attended by this psychoanalytically oriented group therapy. We discuss the extent and the limits of the group technique for such patients and we conclude with some proposals about the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.
Love and Emotional Well-being in People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Arias Benito , Ovejero Anastasio , Morentin Raquel
Published: March 2013

Love has been a recurrent topic throughout history, and especially, literature. Moreover, there is generalized agreement about its relevance for health emotional well-being, and quality of life. This study was carried out with a sample of 376 persons with ID. The goals of the work were to analyze a theoretical model of love in people with intellectual disabilities by means of the methodology of structural equations, and to analyze their perception of love and of amorous relations with regard to other aspects such as amorous satisfaction, perceived satisfaction, absence of family interference, self-determination, and emotional well-being. The results revealed that (a) the construct under study has three factors: Commitment, stability, and idealization, Passion and physiological excitement, and Intimacy and romanticism; (b) the perception of love in this collective is, in general, idealized and affected by the context; and (c) self-determination and the lack of family interference are relevant variables to explain both love and emotional well-being.
Daily Activity and Life Satisfaction in Older People Living in Rural Contexts
Authors: Triadó Carme , Villar Feliciano , Solé Carme , Celdrán Montserrat , Osuna Maria José
Published: March 2013

This study is aimed at exploring daily and desired activity patterns in a sample of older people living in a rural context, as well as at examining the effect of some influential factors and their relationships with life satisfaction. Our sample was made of 216 retired people and was recruited from 12 villages from Catalonia and Valencia with populations of less than 1000 inhabitants. Data were gathered by means of an interview that included daily and ideal activities and life satisfaction (by applying the Life Satisfaction Index). Our results show that yesterday's pattern of activities is similar to an ideal pattern, although in the ideal day, our sample allocated more time to social activities and less time to passive activities such as watching TV or resting. In both cases, leisure activities and time spent working seem to play an important role in older people's life. Gender has a remarkable influence on patterns of activity, as women devoted more time to instrumental activities and less time to leisure. In general, differences between yesterday's and ideal activities were not related to life satisfaction.
Organizational Leadership: Motives and Behaviors of Leaders in Current Organizations
Authors: Martí Margarita , Gil Francisco , Barrasa Angel
Published: March 2013

Organizational leadership is fundamental for the working and development of current organizations. It helps members of an organization to face transcendental challenges. One of the fundamental aspects of leaders is their personal characteristics and behaviour as perceived by their co-workers. Although research has established a relationship between these components, findings have failed to come up with any congruent evidence and further to this the organizations and contexts used are from several decades ago.

This article, which forms part of the international GLOBE project, analyses the relationship between motives and behaviour as perceived by co-workers in organizations, using quantitative and qualitative methods and including technological innovations. Using samples from 40 corporate directors and 84 of their co-workers, from different companies, it confirms how the main motives of leaders (power, affiliation and achievement) are related to different behavioral patterns (power to authoritarian, non-dependent and non-social-skill behaviours; affiliation to relationship and dependent behaviors, and achievement to proactive behaviors). It discusses the results with relation to traditional research and suggests practical measures and proposals for future investigations in this area.
On-line Assessment of Comprehension Processes
Authors: Martínez Tomás , Vidal-Abarca Eduardo , Gil Laura , Gilabert Ramiro
Published: March 2013

In this paper we describe a new version of a former paper-and-pencil standardized comprehension test called Test of Comprehension Processes (Vidal-Abarca, Gilabert, Martínez, & Sellés, 2007). The new version has been adapted to a computer-based environment based on the moving window technique. It can be used to assess comprehension strategies of students from fifth to tenth grades (11 to 16 years old). Comprehension strategies are registered on-line using reading times and visits to relevant sections of the text during the question-answering process. Data show that the computer-based version draws similar results to those provided by the paper-and-pencil version. In addition, we identify the particular strategies deployed during the question-answering process by high, medium and low comprehenders.
The Aggression Questionnaire for Spanish Preadolescents and Adolescents: AQ-PA
Authors: Santisteban Carmen , Alvarado Jesús Mª
Published: March 2013

We have already published the psychometric properties of our Spanish version of the Buss and Perry's Aggression Questionnaire adapted to young subjects (Personality and Individual Differences, 42, 1453-1465). The four-dimensional structure of the questionnaire was confirmed in each pre-adolescent and adolescent sample, although differences in the inter-correlations among factors between both groups of age were then observed. We publish now new evidences about its factorial validity in the whole group of pre-adolescent and adolescent children. We also report the positive correlations found between measurements obtained with this questionnaire (AQ-PA) and other aggression and anger scales (DIAS, STAXI and EXPAGG) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), which provide more evidences about its convergent validity. The text of the Spanish version of this questionnaire adapted to pre-adolescent and adolescent subjects is also reported.
Psychometric Properties of a Brief Version of the Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social for Children and Adolescents
Authors: Gaspar Tania , Ribeiro José Luis Pais , Matos Margarida Gaspar , Leal Isabel , Ferreira Aristides
Published: March 2013

The main objective of this study was to develop a brief versión of the Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social for children and adolescents (Ribeiro, 1999). A representative sample of 3195 children and adolescents was obtained from 5th and 7th graders throughout all five Portuguese regions. The results showed a good internal consistency for the social support satisfaction factor, α = 0.84; acceptable for the necessity for activities connected to social support factor, α = 0.69. By using ANOVA, gender, age and socioeconomic status related differences were identified. A confirmatory factorial analysis was done and an adjusted model was found by taking off item 5. The concurrent validity was inspected with measures related to social support, such as optimism, self-worth and perceptions of health related quality of life. With this analysis, we verified that women and younger participants (< 12 years) showed a higher social support satisfaction. Medium-high socioeconomic status participants showed a higher negative social support satisfaction. These results suggest the validity of the scale in assesing perceptions of social support.
Development of a Questionnaire to Evaluate Coping Strategies for Skin Problems
Authors: Hernández-Fernaud Estefanía , Hernández Bernardo , Ruiz Cristina , Ruiz Antonia
Published: March 2013

The aim of this work was to develop an instrument (Coping Strategies for Skin Problems Questionnaire) suitable for identifying the coping strategies people use for general skin problems. We analyzed its psychometric properties when applied to a sample of 299 individuals. Factor analysis shows a 6-factor structure referring to the wish to change, problem-solving strategies, the search for information and asking for social support, the ability to distance oneself from the problem and to see the positive aspects of the situation. These factors explain 60.77% of the variance and show an internal consistency higher than 0.67. We analyse the validity of the questionnaire and identify different coping profiles depending on the degree of skin damage as assessed by the participants and their search for health services. According to the psychometric properties obtained, we conclude that our instrument is valid and reliable for use with people presenting skin problems.
Yale University's Institute of Human Relations and the Spanish Civil War: Dollard and Miller's Study of Fear and Courage under Battle Conditions
Authors: Gondra José María , de Miguel Manuel Sánchez
Published: March 2013

In the late 1930s, the Institute of Human Relations of Yale University developed a research program on conflict and anxiety as an outcome of Clark Hull's informal seminar on the integration of Freud's and Pavlov's theories. The program was launched at the 1937 Annual Meeting of the APA in a session chaired by Clark L. Hull, and the experiments continued through 1941, when the United States entered the Second World War. In an effort to apply the findings from animal experiments to the war situation, John Dollard and Neal E. Miller decided to study soldiers' fear reactions in combat. As a first step, they arranged interviews with a few veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Taking these interviews as a point of departure, Dollard devised a questionnaire to which 300 former Lincoln brigaders responded. The present paper analyzes the main outcomes of the questionnaire, together with the war experiences reported in the interview transcripts. Our purpose was to evaluate a project which was initially investigated by the FBI because of the communists among the Lincoln ranks, but eventually supported by the American Army, and which exerted great influence on the military psychology of the time.
Acceptance and Confidence of Central and Peripheral Misinformation
Authors: Luna Karlos , Migueles Malen
Published: March 2013

We examined the memory for central and peripheral information concerning a crime and the acceptance of false information. We also studied eyewitnesses' confidence in their memory. Participants were shown a video depicting a bank robbery and a questionnaire was used to introduce false central and peripheral information. The next day the participants completed a recognition task in which they rated the confidence of their responses. Performance was better for central information and participants registered more false alarms for peripheral contents. The cognitive system's limited attentional capacity and the greater information capacity of central elements may facilitate processing the more important information. The presentation of misinformation seriously impaired eyewitness memory by prompting a more lenient response criterion. Participants were more confident with central than with peripheral information. Eyewitness memory is easily distorted in peripheral aspects but it is more difficult to make mistakes with central information. However, when false information is introduced, errors in central information can be accompanied by high confidence, thus rendering them credible and legally serious.
Enhanced Processing of Emotional Gist in Peripheral Vision
Authors: Gutiérrez Aída , Nummenmaa Lauri , Calvo Manuel G.
Published: March 2013

Emotional (pleasant or unpleasant) and neutral scenes were presented foveally (at fixation) or peripherally (5.2° away from fixation) as primes for 150 ms. The prime was followed by a mask and a centrally presented probe scene for recognition. The probe was either identical in specific content (i.e., same people and objects) to the prime, or it was related to the prime in general content and affective valence. The probe was always different from the prime in color, size, and spatial orientation. Results showed an interaction between prime location and emotional valence for the recognition hit rate, but also for the false alarm rate and correct rejection times. There were no differences as a function of emotional valence in the foveal display condition. In contrast, in the peripheral display condition both hit and false alarm rates were higher and correct rejection times were longer for emotional than for neutral scenes. It is concluded that emotional gist, or a coarse affective impression, is extracted from emotional scenes in peripheral vision, which then leads to confuse them with others of related affective valence. The underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are discussed. An alternative explanation based on the physical characteristics of the scene images was ruled out.