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Different Behaviour (different + behaviour)
Selected AbstractsSynthesis, Complexation and Spectrofluorometric Studies of a New NS3 Anthracene-Containing Macrocyclic LigandEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2006Abel Tamayo Abstract A new fluorescent device for detecting protons and metal ions, 11-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-1,4,7-trithia-11-azacyclotetradecane (L), has been synthesised. In addition, the photophysical properties of both the free and protonated species have been examined by absorption and fluorescence titrations of dichloromethane solutions of L with methanesulfonic acid. The coordinating properties of L toward PdII, ZnII, NiII and CoII have been studied both in solution and in the solid state. Different behaviours have been observed in the absorption and fluorescence titrations of L with the above-mentioned transition-metal ions. To evaluate whether these differences were due to the existence of equilibria between protonated and complexed species, such titrations have been repeated in the presence of an equivalent amount of acid. The structure of the [Pd(L)](BF4)2 complex has been solved by X-ray crystallography. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Improving realism of a surgery simulator: linear anisotropic elasticity, complex interactions and force extrapolationCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3 2002Guillaume Picinbono Abstract In this article, we describe the latest developments of the minimally invasive hepatic surgery simulator prototype developed at INRIA. The goal of this simulator is to provide a realistic training test bed to perform laparoscopic procedures. Therefore, its main functionality is to simulate the action of virtual laparoscopic surgical instruments for deforming and cutting tridimensional anatomical models. Throughout this paper, we present the general features of this simulator including the implementation of several biomechanical models and the integration of two force-feedback devices in the simulation platform. More precisely, we describe three new important developments that improve the overall realism of our simulator. First, we have developed biomechanical models, based on linear elasticity and finite element theory, that include the notion of anisotropic deformation. Indeed, we have generalized the linear elastic behaviour of anatomical models to ,transversally isotropic' materials, i.e. materials having a different behaviour in a given direction. We have also added to the volumetric model an external elastic membrane representing the ,liver capsule', a rather stiff skin surrounding the liver, which creates a kind of ,surface anisotropy'. Second, we have developed new contact models between surgical instruments and soft tissue models. For instance, after detecting a contact with an instrument, we define specific boundary constraints on deformable models to represent various forms of interactions with a surgical tool, such as sliding, gripping, cutting or burning. In addition, we compute the reaction forces that should be felt by the user manipulating the force-feedback devices. The last improvement is related to the problem of haptic rendering. Currently, we are able to achieve a simulation frequency of 25,Hz (visual real time) with anatomical models of complex geometry and behaviour. But to achieve a good haptic feedback requires a frequency update of applied forces typically above 300,Hz (haptic real time). Thus, we propose a force extrapolation algorithm in order to reach haptic real time. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Formation of diffusion-hindering interlayers in metals in contact by dedicated thermal treatmentCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2005D. C. Meyer Abstract Thermal evolution of the structure of Fe/Al multilayers (MLs) with nominal composition 5*(5 nm Al / 5 nm Fe) prepared by crossed-beam pulsed laser deposition is studied by wide-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray reflectometry after different temperature-time procedures of thermal treatments under high-vacuum conditions. In comparison to direct thermal annealing at temperatures of 250 °C and 275 °C, respectively, which results in nearly complete mixing of the MLs and formation of the FeAl intermetallic compound, quite different behaviour was found after dedicated thermal pretreatment. Annealing at successive growing temperatures before final annealing at temperatures mentioned, resulted in conservation of pronounced multilayer structure. From the results it is generalised, that also in the case of ML systems, the tendency of mixing a dedicated tuning of interface characteristics by thermal treatment allows for formation of diffusion-hindering interlayers. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Structural Trends in Divalent Benzil Bis(thiosemicarbazone) ComplexesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 21 2005David G. Calatayud Abstract Redox-related changes in the biological properties of copper bis(thiosemicarbazones) are induced by the backbone of the ligand. To get information about how these changes depend on the structural parameters, three X-ray structures of complexes with different behaviour of the benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligand have been determined. These include two almost planar copper(II) complexes with different grades of deprotonation in the ligand and a ZnII complex in which the ligand acts as a monoanion and a nitrate group is bonded to the metal ion in a square-based pyramid. The changes in the backbone bond lengths agree with the variation in the ionic radius and with the grade of electronic charge delocalisation in the chelate rings; these have consequences for the coordination sphere, allowing the metal to fit slightly better into the ligand cavity, which in turn may affect the complex stability and the redox potential. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] The Influence of the Parameter "Temperature" on the Abrasiveness of RockGEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 1 2008Stefan Eberl cand.rer.mont. The article deals with the influence of temperature produced in the cutting process on rock abrasiveness and tool wear. Basically it was to clarify which effects take place when quartz or rock with significant quartz content is heated up to a certain temperature. Does the quartz jump from low into high quartz happening at 573 °C cause an increase in abrasiveness of mineral and rock or not? To find out, a certain number of Cerchar abrasiveness index tests were done for a detailed investigation of this topic. Additionally, to get a better understanding what really happens inside rock structure additionally other rock parameters like unconfined compressive strength, Brazilian tensile strength, ultrasonic wave velocity and density were determined on untreated and heated and subsequently cooled down rock samples. The final output of the research work showed that rocks show a very specific and significant reaction to thermal stresses induced into their structure resulting in a different behaviour regarding abrasiveness and fracturing. Einfluss des Parameters "Temperatur" auf die Abrasivität von Fels Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit dem Einfluss der während des Schneidprozesses entstehenden Temperatur auf die Abrasivität von Gestein und auf den Verschleiß des Schneidwerkzeugs. Es sollte geklärt werden, welche Effekte auftreten, wenn Quarz und Gestein mit erheblichem Quarzgehalt bis zu einer bestimmten Temperatur erhitzt werden. Erzeugt der Quarzsprung, der bei 573 °C stattfindet, von Tiefquarz zu Hochquarz einen Anstieg in der Abrasivität von Mineralen und Gesteinen oder nicht? Um dies herauszufinden, sind eine bestimmte Anzahl von Cerchar Abrasivitätstests durchgeführt worden. Um ein besseres Verständnis zu erhalten, was wirklich in der Struktur des Gesteins passiert, sind weitere Parameter wie einachsiale Druckfestigkeit, Spaltzugfestigkeit, Ultraschallwellengeschwindigkeit und Dichte an unbehandelten und aufgeheizten und wieder abgekühlten Gesteinsproben bestimmt worden. Die Forschungsarbeit hat gezeigt, dass Gesteine eine sehr spezifische und signifikante Reaktion auf thermische Beanspruchungen ihres Gefüges zeigen, was letztlich in einem verschiedenartigen Verhalten hinsichtlich Abrasivität und Bruchverhalten zum Ausdruck kommt. [source] Diffraction imaging in depthGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 5 2008T.J. Moser ABSTRACT High resolution imaging is of great value to an interpreter, for instance to enable identification of small scale faults, and to locate formation pinch-out positions. Standard approaches to obtain high-resolution information, such as coherency analysis and structure-oriented filters, derive attributes from stacked, migrated images. Since they are image-driven, these techniques are sensitive to artifacts due to an inadequate migration velocity; in fact the attribute derivation is not based on the physics of wave propagation. Diffracted waves on the other hand have been recognized as physically reliable carriers of high- or even super-resolution structural information. However, high-resolution information, encoded in diffractions, is generally lost during the conventional processing sequence, indeed migration kernels in current migration algorithms are biased against diffractions. We propose here methods for a diffraction-based, data-oriented approach to image resolution. We also demonstrate the different behaviour of diffractions compared to specular reflections and how this can be leveraged to assess characteristics of subsurface features. In this way a rough surface such as a fault plane or unconformity may be distinguishable on a diffraction image and not on a traditional reflection image. We outline some characteristic properties of diffractions and diffraction imaging, and present two novel approaches to diffraction imaging in the depth domain. The first technique is based on reflection focusing in the depth domain and subsequent filtering of reflections from prestack data. The second technique modifies the migration kernel and consists of a reverse application of stationary-phase migration to suppress contributions from specular reflections to the diffraction image. Both techniques are proposed as a complement to conventional full-wave pre-stack depth migration, and both assume the existence of an accurate migration velocity. [source] The North Atlantic Oscillation and European vegetation dynamicsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 14 2008Célia Gouveia Abstract The relationship between vegetation greenness and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is assessed over Europe. The study covers the 21-year period from 1982 to 2002 and is based on monthly composites of the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Brightness Temperature from the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modelling System (GIMMS) as well as on monthly precipitation from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC). A systematic analysis is first performed of point correlation fields over the 21-year period between the winter NAO index and spring and summer NDVI, followed by an assessment of the vegetation response to precipitation and temperature conditions in winter, over two contrasting regions, namely the Iberian Peninsula and Northeastern Europe. Finally, the impact of NAO on vegetation dynamics over the two regions is evaluated by studying the corresponding annual cycles of NDVI and comparing their behaviour for years associated with opposite NAO phases. Over the Iberian Peninsula there is strong evidence that positive (negative) values of winter NAO induce low (high) vegetation activity in the following spring and summer seasons. This feature is mainly associated with the impact of NAO on winter precipitation, together with the strong dependence of spring and summer NDVI on water availability during the previous winter. Northeastern Europe shows a different behaviour, with positive (negative) values of winter NAO inducing high (low) values of NDVI in spring, but low (high) values of NDVI in summer. This behaviour mainly results from the strong impact of NAO on winter temperature, associated with the critical dependence of vegetation growth on the combined effect of warm conditions and water availability during the winter season. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Towards a classification of cultural touristsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Bob McKercher Abstract This paper proposes a model to segment the cultural tourism market according to two dimensions: (i) the importance of cultural motives in the decision to visit a destination and (ii) depth of experience. The model is tested empirically using Hong Kong as a case study. The test identified five discrete cultural tourism market segments that exhibited substantially different behaviour. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Decrease of enteric micro-organisms from rural sewage sludge during their composting in straw mixtureJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A.-M. Pourcher Abstract Aims:, To study the decrease of enteric micro-organisms including viable nematode eggs, enteroviruses, faecal indicators (Escherichia coli and enterococci) and pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens) of a rural sewage sludge when it is composted for 7 months in mixture with straw. Methods and Results:, Numbers of the test organisms and the physico-chemical parameters were measured on a monthly basis on the mixture, on the compost after being turned, and on the pile in three positions representing the part by which air is incoming, the bottom of the pile and the part through which air is outgoing. The lowest temperature in the pile was observed at the bottom, where it did not exceed 50°C against 66°C in the two other areas. There were no significant differences between the three areas in terms of micro-organism survival. Infectious enteroviruses were inactivated rapidly and were not found after the first turning whereas some genomes were detected until after the third turning. Escherichia coli and enterococci presented a similar survival rate and their number decreased by 4 log10 whereas Salmonella decayed at a greater rate than L. monocytogenes. The numbers of C. perfringens decreased gradually to reach a final concentration in the mature compost of about 102 CFU g,1 dry matter (d.m.), which was similar to that of the faecal indicators. Conclusions:, The hygienic effect of sludge composting in mixture with straw results in a significant reduction of enteric micro-organisms, the concentration of the faecal indicators in the final product being <64 most probable number g,1 d.m. The concentrations of Salmonella, enteroviruses and viable nematode eggs in the final product were not detectable which is in accordance with the French legislation. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The results which pointed out the different behaviour of the test micro-organisms reflect the difficulty to propose a relevant indicator of hygienization. Otherwise, they show that composting is an efficient means for hygienization of sludge of rural wastewater treatment, where the straw is available close to their place of production. [source] Efficient synthesis and comparative studies of the arginine and N,,N, -dimethylarginine forms of the human nucleolin glycine/arginine rich domainJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Dr Sotir Zahariev Abstract The Gly- and Arg-rich C -terminal region of human nucleolin is a 61-residue long domain involved in a number of protein,protein and protein,nucleic acid interactions. This domain contains 10 aDma residues in the form of aDma-GG repeats interspersed with Phe residues. The exact role of Arg dimethylation is not known, partly because of the lack of efficient synthetic methods. This work describes an effective synthetic strategy, generally applicable to long RGG peptides, based on side-chain protected aDma and backbone protected dipeptide Fmoc-Gly-(Dmob)Gly-OH. This strategy allowed us to synthesize both the unmodified (N61Arg) and the dimethylated (N61aDma) peptides with high yield (,26%) and purity. As detected by NMR spectroscopy, N61Arg does not possess any stable secondary or tertiary structure in solution and N,,N, -dimethylation of the guanidino group does not alter the overall conformational propensity of this peptide. While both peptides bind single-stranded nucleic acids with similar affinities (Kd = 1.5 × 10,7M), they exhibit a different behaviour in ssDNA affinity chromatography consistent with the difference in pKa values. It has been previously shown that N61Arg inhibits HIV infection at the stage of HIV attachment to cells. This study demonstrates that Arg-dimethylated C -terminal domain lacks any inhibition activity, raising the question of whether nucleolin expressed on the cell-surface is indeed dimethylated. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Nonlinear modelling of periodic threshold autoregressions using TsmarsJOURNAL OF TIME SERIES ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2002PETER A. W. LEWIS We present new methods for modelling nonlinear threshold-type autoregressive behaviour in periodically correlated time series. The methods are illustrated using a series of average monthly flows of the Fraser River in British Columbia. Commonly used nonlinearity tests of the river flow data in each month indicate nonlinear behaviour in certain months. The periodic nonlinear correlation structure is modelled nonparametrically using TSMARS, a time series version of Friedman's extended multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) algorithm, which allows for categorical predictor variables. We discuss two methods of using the computational algorithm in TSMARS for modelling and fitting periodically correlated data. The first method applies the algorithm to data from each period separately. The second method models data from all periods simultaneously by incorporating an additional predictor variable to distinguish different behaviour in different periods, and allows for coalescing of data from periods with similar behaviour. The models obtained using TSMARS provide better short-term forecasts for the Fraser River data than a corresponding linear periodic AR model. [source] Contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport across the USALAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2010J. C. Gonzalez-Hidalgo Abstract This work analyses the contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport on the continental scale. The analysis is based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Suspended Sediment and Ancillary database. Data were obtained from 1314 catchments, comprising more than 2,500,000 daily events. The total number of days in the dataset amounts to 10,000 years. Catchments are of different sizes and belong to distinct climatic environments; they are distributed for the analysis according to USA hydrological divisions (HDs). The main objective of the research is to examine the effect of the n -largest event on the total suspended sediment load over recorded periods, and to discuss different behaviour between HDs. To accomplish this, the daily events at each catchment are ranked by magnitude, and then the percentage represented by the n -largest event (e.g. 3-largest, 5-largest, 10-largest, 15-largest, 20-largest, 25-largest) is calculated from the total accumulated load. Results indicate that suspended sediment transported by the 25-largest events represents on average more than 50,per cent of the total load. The California HD, mostly under Mediterranean climatic conditions, accounts for the highest percentage of sediment transport across conterminous USA, whatever n -largest daily events are selected. There, the 3-largest events contribute, on average, 38,per cent of the total sediment load, the 10-largest events represent 61,per cent and the 25-largest events produce more than 76,per cent of the total sediment transport. Overall, the contribution of largest daily events seems not to depend on the climatic conditions in small catchments (<100,km2) and, in addition, the percentage of suspended sediment increases over all HDs, while, at the same time, the catchment size decreases. Finally, we discuss differences between catchments across the USA, according to climatic and historical (i.e. land use) factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mapping sensitivity to land degradation in Extremadura.LAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2009SW Spain Abstract An assessment of sensitivity to land degradation has been carried out in the Extremadura region, SW Spain, by means of a modelling approach developed by the European Commission funded MEDALUS project (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) which identifies such areas on the basis of an index (Environmentally Sensitive Area index, ESA index) that incorporates data on environmental quality (climate, vegetation, soil) as well as anthropogenic factors (management). Two maps of environmental sensitivity (ES) to degradation with different legend resolution (four and eight classes of sensitivity) have been made and tested by comparing classes of the legends with an extensive number (2690) of true field data gathered from plots distributed all over the study region. Independent variables of validation consisted of nine degradation-related types of data and the method tested the performance of the whole model and the statistical separability among classes of sensitivity, as well as the capability of the variables in delimiting the classes. Results showed a good performance of the whole model to both, the map of four and eighth classes of sensitivity. Separation among classes of sensitivity showed a slightly different behaviour of both maps, identifying transitional classes in the map of eight classes where classification could be improved in terms of the ranges of ESA index values assigned to the different classes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Electrochemical preparation of MoO3 buffer layer deposited onto the anode in organic solar cellsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 8 2010M. Gacitua Abstract In this work the authors have studied the advantages of using electrochemically deposited molybdenum oxide as a buffer layer in an organic bilayer heterojunction solar cell arrangement. Furthermore, it has been probed that electrochemistry provides an alternative low cost, reproducible and less laborious method to prepare thin layered deposits. The precursor solution is composed by a concentrated molybdic acid solution in a sulphuric media in order to ensure the obtainment of low reduced molybdenum species. Therefore, by means of potentiostatic techniques, ITO/molybdenum oxide transparent anodes were tested for the photovoltaic device showing improved surface properties. XDR and AFM techniques were used to characterize the morphology of the deposits. The films with optimum thickness (5,nm) are amorphous. XPS analysis indicates that the best results in solar cell performance are in hand with a heterogeneous composition of the molybdenum oxide film presenting MoV and MoVI as predominant species. The MoO3 films deposited by cyclic voltammetry are not as homogeneous as those deposited by potentiostatic technique and only MoVI species are present. These differences may justify the different behaviour of the solar cells using these different buffer layers. Only buffer layers deposited by potentiostatic technique allow improving the cells performances in the same way than those achieved by evaporation. [source] A comparative investigation of the damage build-up in GaN and Si during rare earth ion implantationPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Florence Gloux Abstract The medium range implantation of rare earth ions at room temperature in GaN layers leads to the formation of point defect clusters, basal and prismatic stacking faults from the lowest fluence. When a threshold fluence of about 3 × 1015 at/cm2 is reached, a highly disordered ,nanocrystalline layer' (NL) is observed to form at the surface. This layer is made of a mixture of misoriented nanocrystallites and voids. Beyond this NL, I1, I2 and E basal stacking faults (BSFs) have been identified, as well as in GaN implanted at lower fluences than the threshold. Prismatic stacking faults (PSFs) with Drum atomic configuration connect the I1 BSFs. A similar investigation of the damage in Eu implanted Si shows a completely different behaviour; in this case, from the relatively low fluence 1 × 1014 at/cm2, amorphization starts in patches at the projected range and extends very rapidly towards the surface and the bulk, to form a uniform amorphous layer already at 2 × 1014 at/cm2. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Study of the magnetic disaccommodation in La doped YIGPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2005C. Torres Abstract The relaxation of the initial magnetic permeability of La doped yttrium iron garnet (YIG) samples with nominal composition Y3,xLaxFe5O12 (0< x <0.6) is analysed in this work. The results show a very different behaviour depending on the sintering atmosphere used for the fabrication of the samples. Concretely, for the samples sintered in air, it just have been detected the usual relaxation peak found in YIG at 130 K. However, a new relaxation peak appears around room temperature for the samples sintered in CO2 atmosphere when the La content is at least of 0.3. These results have been interpreted in terms of the formation of a secondary perovskite phase when the La solubility limit is reached. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Simultaneous determination of parabens, triclosan and triclocarban in water by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometryRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 12 2009Iria González-Mariño A method for the determination of several household biocides in water by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) is presented. It permits the simultaneous determination of triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and seven parabens, including the distinction between branched and linear isomers of propyl (i -PrP and n -PrP) and butyl parabens (i -BuP and n -BuP). Prior to LC/MS/MS, analytes are preconcentrated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB (60,mg) cartridges at natural sample pH and subsequently eluted with 4,mL of methanol. This simple SPE procedure provides extraction recoveries above 85% except for raw wastewater, where it falls to 65% for TCC. The performance of the method was tested with two triple-quadrupole LC/MS instruments from a low/mid and mid/high market range: a Varian 1200L and an API-4000. The latter system provided between 3 and 80 times lower limits of quantification (LOQs) than the first one, in the 0.08,0.44,ng/L range for surface water. Moreover, a comparison of matrix effects on both instruments showed a very different behaviour, particularly in the case of parabens. For these compounds signal suppression was observed in the 1200L instrument and signal enhancement with the 4000 instrument. As a result, different calibration approaches were chosen for them and this pointed to the need of matrix effect re-evaluation in method transfer between different LC/MS systems. The application of the method to real samples showed the ubiquity of methyl paraben (MeP) and n -PrP (at the 1,6,µg/L in raw wastewater) and the coexistence of i -BuP and n -BuP at similar levels (ca. 100,200,ng/L in raw wastewater). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hypomethylation and hypermethylation of the tandem repetitive 5S rRNA genes in ArabidopsisTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008Isabelle Vaillant Summary 5S ribosomal DNA (5S rDNA) is organized in tandem repeats on chromosomes 3, 4 and 5 in Arabidopsis thaliana. One part of the 5S rDNA is located within the heterochromatic chromocenters, and the other fraction forms loops with euchromatic features that emanate from the chromocenters. We investigated whether the A. thaliana heterochromatin, and particularly the 5S rDNA, is modified when changing the culture conditions (cultivation in growth chamber versus greenhouse). Nuclei from challenged tissues displayed larger total, as well as 5S rDNA, heterochromatic fractions, and the DNA methyltransferase mutants met1 and cmt3 had different impacts in Arabidopsis. The enlarged fraction of heterochromatic 5S rDNA was observed, together with the reversal of the silencing of some 5S rRNA genes known as minor genes. We observed hypermethylation at CATG sites, and a concomitant DNA hypomethylation at CG/CXG sites in 5S rDNA. Our results show that the asymmetrical hypermethylation is correlated with the ageing of the plants, whereas hypomethylation results from the growth chamber/culture conditions. In spite of severely reduced DNA methylation, the met1 mutant revealed no increase in minor 5S rRNA transcripts in these conditions. The increasing proportion of cytosines in asymmetrical contexts during transition from the euchromatic to the heterochromatic state in the 5S rDNA array suggests that 5S rDNA units are differently affected by the (hypo and hyper)methylation patterns along the 5S rDNA locus. This might explain the different behaviour of 5S rDNA subpopulations inside a 5S array in terms of chromatin compaction and expression, i.e. some 5S rRNA genes would become derepressed, whereas others would join the heterochromatic fraction. [source] 4,5-Diazafluoren-9-olACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 11 2000Chao Tu The title compound, C11H8N2O, has two crystallographically independent molecules in the crystal. Each molecule is basically planar except for the O atom. The two N atoms in the molecule show different behaviour as hydrogen-bonding acceptors. One of them is involved in intermolecular O,H,N hydrogen bonds which stabilize the crystal packing. [source] CO and NO desorption from N-bounded carbonaceous surface complexes: density functional theory calculationsASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010Shaobin Wang Abstract The reaction of N-bounded carbon with oxygen and subsequent desorption at molecular level was investigated using a density functional theory. The calculations show that the structure of surface N-containing carbon complexes will show different behaviour in CO and NO desorption after chemisorption of O2. For the dissociative adsorption of O2 on N-containing carbon surface, there is no significant difference in armchair and zigzag structure in terms of thermodynamics. However, the desorption of CO and NO from adsorbed complexes shows difference depending on the graphite structure. For zigzag structure, desorption of CO will be more favourable than NO, while for armchair CO and NO desorption will both be favourable. On the basis of the computation results, a reaction mechanism for N-bounded carbon combustion is proposed. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Discussion on ,Personality psychology as a truly behavioural science' by R. Michael FurrEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 5 2009Article first published online: 14 JUL 200 Yes We Can! A Plea for Direct Behavioural Observation in Personality Research MITJA D. BACK and BORIS EGLOFF Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany mback@uni-leipzig.de Furr's target paper (this issue) is thought to enhance the standing of personality psychology as a truly behavioural science. We wholeheartedly agree with this goal. In our comment we argue for more specific and ambitious requirements for behavioural personality research. Specifically, we show why behaviour should be observed directly. Moreover, we illustratively describe potentially interesting approaches in behavioural personality research: lens model analyses, the observation of multiple behaviours in diverse experimentally created situations and the observation of behaviour in real life. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Categories of Behaviour Should be Clearly Defined PETER BORKENAU Department of Psychology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany p.borkenau@psych.uni-halle.de The target paper is helpful by clarifying the terminology as well as the strengths and weaknesses of several approaches to collect behavioural data. Insufficiently considered, however, is the clarity of the categories being used for the coding of behaviour. Evidence is reported showing that interjudge agreement for retrospective and even concurrent codings of behaviour does not execeed interjudge agreement for personality traits if the categories being used for the coding of behaviour are not clearly defined. By contrast, if the behaviour to be registered is unambiguously defined, interjudge agreement may be almost perfect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Behaviour Functions in Personality Psychology PHILIP J. CORR Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK Philip.Corr@btopenworld.com Furr's target paper highlights the importance, yet under-representation, of behaviour in published articles in personality psychology. Whilst agreeing with most of his points, I remain unclear as to how behaviour (as specifically defined by Furr) relates to other forms of psychological data (e.g. cognitive task performance). In addition, it is not clear how the functions of behaviour are to be decided: different behaviours may serve the same function; and identical behaviours may serve different functions. To clarify these points, methodological and theoretical aspects of Furr's proposal would benefit from delineation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. On the Difference Between Experience-Sampling Self-Reports and Other Self-Reports WILLIAM FLEESON Department of Psychology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA fleesonW@wfu.edu Furr's fair but evaluative consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of behavioural assessment methods is a great service to the field. As part of his consideration, Furr makes a subtle and sophisticated distinction between different self-report methods. It is easy to dismiss all self-reports as poor measures, because some are poor. In contrast, Furr points out that the immediacy of the self-reports of behaviour in experience-sampling make experience-sampling one of the three strongest methods for assessing behaviour. This comment supports his conclusion, by arguing that ESM greatly diminishes one the three major problems afflicting self-reports,lack of knowledge,and because direct observations also suffer from the other two major problems afflicting self-reports. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. What and Where is ,Behaviour' in Personality Psychology? LAURA A. KING and JASON TRENT Department of Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA kingla@missouri.edu Furr is to be lauded for presenting a coherent and persuasive case for the lack of behavioural data in personality psychology. While agreeing wholeheartedly that personality psychology could benefit from greater inclusion of behavioural variables, here we question two aspects of Furr's analysis, first his definition of behaviour and second, his evidence that behaviour is under-appreciated in personality psychology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Naturalistic Observation of Daily Behaviour in Personality Psychology MATTHIAS R. MEHL Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA mehl@email.arizona.edu This comment highlights naturalistic observation as a specific method within Furr's (this issue) cluster direct behavioural observation and discusses the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) as a naturalistic observation sampling method that can be used in relatively large, nomothetic studies. Naturalistic observation with a method such as the EAR can inform researchers' understanding of personality in its relationship to daily behaviour in two important ways. It can help calibrate personality effects against act-frequencies of real-world behaviour and provide ecological, behavioural personality criteria that are independent of self-report. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Measuring Behaviour D. S. MOSKOWITZ and JENNIFER J. RUSSELL Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada dsm@psych.mcgill.ca Furr (this issue) provides an illuminating comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of various methods for assessing behaviour. In the selection of a method for assessing behaviour, there should be a careful analysis of the definition of the behaviour and the purpose of assessment. This commentary clarifies and expands upon some points concerning the suitability of experience sampling measures, referred to as Intensive Repeated Measurements in Naturalistic Settings (IRM-NS). IRM-NS measures are particularly useful for constructing measures of differing levels of specificity or generality, for providing individual difference measures which can be associated with multiple layers of contextual variables, and for providing measures capable of reflecting variability and distributional features of behaviour. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Behaviours, Non-Behaviours and Self-Reports SAMPO V. PAUNONEN Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada paunonen@uwo.ca Furr's (this issue) thoughtful analysis of the contemporary body of research in personality psychology has led him to two conclusions: our science does not do enough to study real, observable behaviours; and, when it does, too often it relies on ,weak' methods based on retrospective self-reports of behaviour. In reply, I note that many researchers are interested in going beyond the study of individual behaviours to the behaviour trends embodied in personality traits; and the self-report of behaviour, using well-validated personality questionnaires, is often the best measurement option. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. An Ethological Perspective on How to Define and Study Behaviour LARS PENKE Department of Psychology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK lars.penke@ed.ac.uk While Furr (this issue) makes many important contributions to the study of behaviour, his definition of behaviour is somewhat questionable and also lacks a broader theoretical frame. I provide some historical and theoretical background on the study of behaviour in psychology and biology, from which I conclude that a general definition of behaviour might be out of reach. However, psychological research can gain from adding a functional perspective on behaviour in the tradition of Tinbergens's four questions, which takes long-term outcomes and fitness consequences of behaviours into account. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. What is a Behaviour? MARCO PERUGINI Faculty of Psychology, University of Milan,Bicocca, Milan, Italy marco.perugini@unimib.it The target paper proposes an interesting framework to classify behaviour as well as a convincing plea to use it more often in personality research. However, besides some potential issues in the definition of what is a behaviour, the application of the proposed definition to specific cases is at times inconsistent. I argue that this is because Furr attempts to provide a theory-free definition yet he implicitly uses theoretical considerations when applying the definition to specific cases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Is Personality Really the Study of Behaviour? MICHAEL D. ROBINSON Department of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA Michael.D.Robinson@ndsu.edu Furr (this issue) contends that behavioural studies of personality are particularly important, have been under-appreciated, and should be privileged in the future. The present commentary instead suggests that personality psychology has more value as an integrative science rather than one that narrowly pursues a behavioural agenda. Cognition, emotion, motivation, the self-concept and the structure of personality are important topics regardless of their possible links to behaviour. Indeed, the ultimate goal of personality psychology is to understanding individual difference functioning broadly considered rather than behaviour narrowly considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Linking Personality and Behaviour Based on Theory MANFRED SCHMITT Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany schmittm@uni-landau.de My comments on Furr's (this issue) target paper ,Personality as a Truly Behavioural Science' are meant to complement his behavioural taxonomy and sharpen some of the presumptions and conclusions of his analysis. First, I argue that the relevance of behaviour for our field depends on how we define personality. Second, I propose that every taxonomy of behaviour should be grounded in theory. The quality of behavioural data does not only depend on the validity of the measures we use. It also depends on how well behavioural data reflect theoretical assumptions on the causal factors and mechanisms that shape behaviour. Third, I suggest that the quality of personality theories, personality research and behavioural data will profit from ideas about the psychological processes and mechanisms that link personality and behaviour. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Apparent Objectivity of Behaviour is Illusory RYNE A. SHERMAN, CHRISTOPHER S. NAVE and DAVID C. FUNDER Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA funder@ucr.edu It is often presumed that objective measures of behaviour (e.g. counts of the number of smiles) are more scientific than more subjective measures of behaviour (e.g. ratings of the degree to which a person behaved in a cheerful manner). We contend that the apparent objectivity of any behavioural measure is illusory. First, the reliability of more subjective measures of behaviour is often strikingly similar to the reliabilities of so-called objective measures. Further, a growing body of literature suggests that subjective measures of behaviour provide more valid measures of psychological constructs of interest. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Personality and Behaviour: A Neglected Opportunity? LIAD UZIEL and ROY F. BAUMEISTER Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA Baumeister@psy.fsu.edu Personality psychology has neglected the study of behaviour. Furr's efforts to provide a stricter definition of behaviour will not solve the problem, although they may be helpful in other ways. His articulation of various research strategies for studying behaviour will be more helpful for enabling personality psychology to contribute important insights and principles about behaviour. The neglect of behaviour may have roots in how personality psychologists define the mission of their field, but expanding that mission to encompass behaviour would be a positive step. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Enzymatic and immunochemical evaluation of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in testes and epididymal spermatozoa of rats of different agesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2002Federica Tramer Selenium (Se) and selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidases are necessary for the proper development and fertilizing capacity of sperm cells. Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx, E.C. 1.11.1.12) is a monomeric seleno-enzyme present in different mammalian tissues in soluble and bound form. Its function, like the other glutathione peroxidases, was originally viewed as a protective role against hydroperoxides, but direct and indirect evidence indicates that it has additional regulatory roles. PHGPx is present in testis cells and sperm cells, and its appearance is hormone regulated. We present here biochemical data, which clearly indicate that the enzyme specific activity in rat is age-dependent during the life-span monitored (from 36 to 365 days), with a maximum at 3 months of age in the testis germ cells and at 6 months of age in the isolated epididymal sperm cells. Western blotting and immunocytochemical analysis by means of anti-PHGPx antibodies show the different distribution and the strong binding of PHGPx in the testes and sperm cell subcellular compartments (nucleus, acrosome, mitochondria and residual bodies) of rats of different age. The presence of the protein exhibits in the testis cells a pattern different from that of the catalytic activity, with a maximum at 6 months of age. The subcellular distribution of PHGPx is qualitatively, but not quantitatively, unchanged during ageing. These different behaviours are compared and discussed. [source] Comparison of medication-prescribing patterns for patients in different social groups by a group of doctors in a general practiceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 4 2005Mrs. Jenifer Anne Harding Primary care pharmacist Objective This study was designed to compare medication-prescribing patterns of five general practitioners (GPs) who served patients living in two different communities, one of which is more economically deprived. Method The study focused on cardiovascular and antibiotic prescribing. Practice population data including history of cardiovascular disease and records of medication prescribed were considered with public health and socio-economic statistics for each community. Setting The study practice serves 8300 patients in two clinics, Tipton and Gornal, 4 miles apart. Each has similar numbers of registered patients. Tipton is in one of England's most deprived areas, ranked 16 out of 354 in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2004, compared with Gornal which is situated in an area ranked 109. Key findings For each Tipton patient, mean prescribing costs were 37% higher and mean number of prescription items were 16% higher over the study period compared with Gornal. Although a higher incidence might be expected in Tipton, little difference in identified cardiovascular disease (CVD) was found between Tipton and Gornal, and prescribing rates of aspirin and statins were similar. Tipton patients with CVD were less likely to be prescribed antihypertensives especially calcium channel blockers (P = 0.003) and diuretics (P = 0.02). Tipton patients received on average 3.27 different cardiovascular drugs compared with 3.80 in Gornal (P = 0.004). In those aged 65 years and over, this reduced to 3.08 in Tipton compared with 3.82 in Gornal (P = 0.001). Tipton patients generally, and children specifically, were significantly more likely to receive antibiotic prescriptions (P <0.0001). Conclusion This study suggested that some prescribing patterns differed at the two clinics, which may reflect different behaviours by the GPs when prescribing in the two communities of different population need. [source] Behavioural syndromes differ predictably between 12 populations of three-spined sticklebackJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2007NIELS J. DINGEMANSE Summary 1Animals often differ in suites of correlated behaviours, comparable with how humans differ in personality. Constraints on the architecture of behaviour have been invoked to explain why such ,behavioural syndromes' exist. From an adaptationist viewpoint, however, behavioural syndromes should evolve only in those populations where natural selection has favoured such trait covariance, and they should therefore exist only in particular types of population. 2A comparative approach was used to examine this prediction of the adaptive hypothesis. We measured behavioural correlations in 12 different populations of three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and assessed whether they indeed varied consistently according to the selective environment, where population was unit of analysis. 3For a sample of fry from each population, we measured five different behaviours within the categories of (i) aggression (towards conspecifics); (ii) general activity; and (iii) exploration,avoidance (of novel foods, novel environments and altered environments). 4We show that behavioural syndromes are not always the same in different types of stickleback population: the often-documented syndrome between aggressiveness, activity and exploratory behaviour existed only in large ponds where piscivorous predators were present. In small ponds where predators were absent, these behaviours were not (or only weakly) associated. 5Our findings imply that population variation in behavioural syndromes does not result from stochastic evolutionary processes, but may result instead from adaptive evolution of behaviour favouring what should prove to be optimal trait combinations. [source] Female labour force participation in greater santiago, Chile: 1957,1997.JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2005A synthetic cohort analysis By using a synthetic cohort methodology, this paper contributes to the analysis of the evolution of female labour force participation in Chile over the last forty years. We decompose the participation rate in terms of age, year and cohort effects. The results of the estimations show that the age effect significantly explains the participation rate. Cohort variables are also important, enabling us to identify cohort effects associated with both, the number of children and the level of schooling of the group. In turn, contemporary variables are relevant, in particular the cyclical component. All this indicates that the changes in the participation rate may be due in the first place to increases in the number of women in the age groups where the participation rate is higher. Secondly, the increase in the participation rate is due to effects that are associated with different behaviours in the succeeding cohorts of women; and, finally, contemporary variables seemingly have very small importance. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Variation in Reproductive Behaviour within a Sex:Neural Systems and Endocrine ActivationJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 7 2002T. Rhen Abstract Intrasexual variation in reproductive behaviour, morphology and physiology is taxonomically widespread in vertebrates, and is as biologically and ecologically significant as the differences between the sexes. In this review, we examine the diverse patterns of intrasexual variation in reproductive behaviours within vertebrates. By illustrating the genetic, cellular, hormonal and/or neural mechanisms underlying behavioural variation in a number of species, another level of complexity is added to studies of brain organization and function. Such information increases our understanding of the unique and conserved mechanisms underlying sex and individual differences in behaviour in vertebrates as a whole. Here, we show that intrasexual variation in behaviour may be discrete or continuous in nature. Moreover, this variation may be due to polymorphism at a single genetic locus or many loci, or may even be the result of phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity simply refers to cases where a single genotype (or individual) can produce (or display) different phenotypes. Defined in this way, plasticity subsumes many different types of behavioural variation. For example, some behavioural phenotypes are established by environmental factors during early ontogeny, others are the result of developmental transitions from one phenotype early in life to another later in life, and still other strategies are facultative with different behaviours displayed in different social contexts. [source] Evaluation of different varieties of cauliflower for minimal processingJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2007Susana Sanz Abstract The impact of minimal processing technology on the sensory quality and the growth of micro-organisms in eight varieties of cauliflower packaged in four different films (one PVC and three P-Plus) was measured and quantified during more than 25 days of storage at 4 °C. Other important parameters such as weight loss and gas concentration in the packages were also determined. The composition of the atmosphere in the packages of minimally processed cauliflower depended on both the permeability of the film used for the packaging and the variety of cauliflower. When establishing shelf-life, loss of sensory quality was the deciding factor rather than loss of microbiological quality. The initial microbial load proved more important than the composition of the atmosphere inside the packages. In sensory evaluation the most important aspect was colour. In instrumental evaluation, coordinate b* was the main means of estimating shelf-life. The combination of P-Plus 120 film and varieties of cauliflower of large size and great vigour allowed the atmosphere inside the packages to have an O2 level below 10% and a CO2 level above 10%. That atmosphere composition proved essential for maintaining the sensory quality of minimally processed cauliflower. In these conditions, samples attained a shelf-life of more than 25 days. However, the different behaviours of the cauliflower varieties make it necessary to establish particular packaging conditions. The use of less permeable films than those used in this study, or the use of actively modified atmospheres, could be an alternative for those varieties that require special packaging conditions when processed using this technology. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] ICTs adoption and knowledge management: the case of an e-procurement systemKNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 1 2007Silvia Massa The purpose of the research is to articulate a framework for analysing the effects of e-procurement adoption in terms of knowledge management. Starting from this position, a case study in a leader firm in electronics devices was developed and a consolidated knowledge perspective was adopted. Empirical evidence confirms that it is not information and communication technology itself that can provide positive or negative effects on organizations but how the technology is used in conjunction with complementary human resources. In fact, according to the case study, two different phases emerged in the e-procurement (EP) adoption. Both are characterized by the same technology but different behaviours that determined very different results. While the framework can be applied to read EP development in several contexts, it would be a mistake to generalize the results from this example. While multiple informants from different hierarchical levels, triangulation using different types of data sources and a systematic data analysis serve to attenuate many of the problems with reliability, generalizability remains more of an issue. Finally, it is worth noting that studying adoption of inter-organizational systems-like EP systems are, has proved to be, difficult because such systems span the company boundaries. Consequently, future developments will aim at broadening the research along the entire supply chain. The proposed framework could be a useful tool to check an EP project in progress and to motivate the involved actors by suggesting a means to interpret how the project is impacting on organization, keeping in mind that effects on KM anticipate improvements in traditional procurement performances. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synaptic Control Of Motoneuron Excitability In Rodents: From Months To MillisecondsCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2000Gd Funk SUMMARY 1. Motoneurons (MN) shape motor patterns by transforming inputs into action potential output. This transformation, excitability, is determined by an interaction between synaptic inputs and intrinsic membrane properties. Excitability is not static, but changes over multiple time scales. The purpose of the present paper is to review our recent data on synaptic factors important in the dynamic control of MN excitability over time scales ranging from weeks to milliseconds. 2. Developmental changes in modulation of MN excitability are well established. Noradrenergic potentiation of hypoglossal (XII) MN inspiratory activity in rhythmically active medullary slice preparations from rodents increases during the first two postnatal weeks. This is due to increasing ,1 - and ,-adrenoceptor excitatory mechanisms and to a decreasing inhibitory mechanism mediated by ,2 -adrenoceptors. Over a similar period, ATP potentiation of XII inspiratory activity does not change. 3. Motoneuron excitability may also change on a faster time scale, such as between different behaviours or different phases of a behaviour. Examination of this has been confounded by the fact that excitatory synaptic drives underlying behaviour can obscure smaller concurrent changes in excitability. Using the rhythmically active neonatal rat brain-stem,spinal cord preparation, we blocked excitatory inspiratory drive to phrenic MN (PMN) to reveal a reduction in PMN excitability specific to the inspiratory phase that: (i) arises from an inhibitory GABAergic input; (ii) is not mediated by recurrent pathways; and (iii) is proportional to and synchronous with the excitatory inspiratory input. We propose that the proportionality of the concurrent inhibitory and excitatory drives provides a means for phase- specific modulation of PMN gain. 4. Modulation across such diverse time scales emphasizes the active role that synaptic factors play in controlling MN excitability and shaping behaviour. 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