Dispositional resistance to change: Measurement equivalence and the link to personal values across 17 nations.

The concept of dispositional resistance to change has been introduced in a series of exploratory and confirmatory analyses through which the validity of the Resistance to Change (RTC) Scale has been established (S. Oreg, 2003). However, the vast majority of participants with whom the scale was validated were from the United States. The purpose of the present work was to examine the meaningfulness of the construct and the validity of the scale across nations. Measurement equivalence analyses of data from 17 countries, representing 13 languages and 4 continents, confirmed the cross-national validity of the scale. Equivalent patterns of relationships between personal values and RTC across samples extend the nomological net of the construct and provide further evidence that dispositional resistance to change holds equivalent meanings across nations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Emery, Hale, and Myerson (2008).

Reports an error in "Age differences in proactive interference, working memory, and abstract reasoning" by Lisa Emery, Sandra Hale and Joel Myerson (Psychology and Aging, 2008[Sep], Vol 23[3], 634-645). The original article contained an incorrect DOI. The correct DOI is as follows: 10.1037/a0012577. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-13050-014.) It has been hypothesized that older adults are especially susceptible to proactive interference (PI) and that this may contribute to age differences in working memory performance. In young adults, individual differences in PI affect both working memory and reasoning ability, but the relations between PI, working memory, and reasoning in older adults have not been examined. In the current study, young, old, and very old adults performed a modified operation span task that induced several cycles of PI buildup and release as well as two tests of abstract reasoning ability. Age differences in working memory scores increased as PI built up, consistent with the hypothesis that older adults are more susceptible to PI, but both young and older adults showed complete release from PI. Young adults' reasoning ability was best predicted by working memory performance under high PI conditions, replicating M. Bunting (2006). In contrast, older adults' reasoning ability was best predicted by their working memory performance under low PI conditions, thereby raising questions regarding the general role of susceptibility to PI in differences in higher cognitive function among older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of Linseed Mucilage Incorporated into an Alginate-Base Edible Coating Containing Probiotic Bacteria on Shelf-Life of Fresh-Cut Yacon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Smallanthus sonchifolius</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of edible coatings based on linseed mucilage, alginate, and fructooligosaccharide containing Lactobacillus casei LC-01 on the shelf-life of fresh-cut yacon cubes. The cell viability and survival under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions analysis were performed to evaluate the stability of the microorganism. To evaluate the influence of edible coatings on fresh-cut yacon, physicochemical parameters pH, acidity, soluble solids, color, and weight loss were analyzed. Edible coatings were efficient probiotic cells carrier, preserving the number of viable cells at about 8 log CFU g^?1. Under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the reduction in the number of viable cells of the microorganism was on average 2.96 log CFU g^?1, indicating the yacon as viable matrix to carrier probiotic bacteria. The edible coatings helped to preserve the physicochemical parameters of the vegetable, reducing the weight loss and darkening, important factors for the commercialization of the product.     

A model for the prediction of the air composition in pressure saturators

The paper deals with the air composition in pressure saturators used for dissolved air flotation. Two mathematical models are developed: a kinetic model for describing the change in saturator air composition with time from start-up to eventual equilibrium, and an abbreviated model for only predicting the saturator air composition once equilibrium is reached. Both derivations are based on mole balances for the two major components of atmospheric air, nitrogen and oxygen, and the equilibrium between saturator air and outflowing water as predicted by Henry's law. The models take factors into account which had hitherto been ignored, such as saturator efficiency, saturator pressure and the oxygen saturation level in the incoming water. The kinetic model gives a clear demonstration of the changes in air composition after saturator start-up and how different operating parameters affect the rate of change. It is demonstrated that laboratory saturators, operated at low hydraulic loading, could take many hours to attain equilibrium, which could explain anomalous measurements reported in the literature. Both mathematical models were tested with data collected from a laboratory saturator operated under conditions similar to those encountered at full-scale. The experimentally determined values agree well with the predicted results, with the exception that the actual saturator air composition converges towards an equilibrium concentration which is slightly less enriched in nitrogen than predicted by the theoretical models.     

Spatial extent, magnitude, and patterns of persistent organochlorine pollutants in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) populations in the Puget Sound (USA) and Strait of Georgia (Canada)

We examined the geographic distribution and magnitude of three persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Pacific herring, representing three populations from Puget Sound, Washington State, USA and three from the Strait of Georgia (British Columbia, Canada and Washington State). We measured PCBs, DDTs and DDT isomers, and hexachlorobenzene in whole herring using high performance liquid chromatography, which provided a relatively inexpensive estimation of total PCBs, including the most commonly encountered congeners, and DDT isomers. Puget Sound herring were 3 to 9 times more contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) compared to Strait of Georgia herring and 1.5 to 2.5 times more contaminated with DDTs. Hexachlorobenzene levels were low in all samples, relative to PCBs and DDTs, and one Strait of Georgia population (Cherry Point) had significantly lower HCB levels than the rest. A multidimensional scaling map of the pattern or "fingerprint" of POPs in the six herring populations suggests strong environmental segregation of Puget Sound herring from the Strait of Georgia populations, and isolation of all Strait of Georgia populations from each other. This segregation likely resulted from differential exposure to contaminants, related to where these populations reside and feed, rather than differences in their age, size, trophic level, or lipid content.     

Biocompatibility of highly macroporous ceramic scaffolds: cell adhesion and morphology studies

Hydroxyapatite porous scaffolds can be used for tissue engineering applications since they can serve as templates for cell adhesion, proliferation and ultimately for tissue repair. One way to address this issue is to evaluate the cell adhesion using several characterization techniques namely, cytotoxicity assays and cell visualization. On the other hand, when using highly macroporous scaffolds some techniques may not be adequate for evaluation, such as MTT. In this work, cytotoxicity assay (MTS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used to evaluate cell adhesion in highly macroporous hydroxyapatite scaffolds. It was possible to observe that some techniques were not suitable to evaluate cell adhesion. In addition, it was shown that for this kind of scaffolds, confocal laser scanning microscopy is a powerful tool for cell adhesion and proliferation evaluation.     

Staying Ahead of the Digital Tsunami: The Contributions of an Organizational Communication Approach to Journalism in the Information Age

This essay addresses the challenges facing journalism in the information age by advocating for the study of journalism from an organizational communication perspective. The communication field has maintained an illogical divide between journalism and organizational communication scholarship. First, I present an overview of subdisciplinary identities. Second, I argue for an organizational communication approach to the study of journalism and refer to an empirical study as an exemplar of this approach. Finally, I present ideas for future research regarding the study of journalism and these subdisciplines. This approach is applicable to settings like newspapers, television news, and other media organizations. Analyzing journalism from an organizational communication perspective can connect academic subdisciplines and aid practitioners in understanding a rapidly evolving media landscape.     

EAG-Active Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles Modify Behavioral Responses and Host Attack by An Egg Parasitoid

Volatiles emitted by plants in response to feeding by Lygus species were tested in neurophysiological, behavioral, and parasitism trials with Anaphes iole, an egg parasitoid of Lygus. Electroantennogram analyses indicated that A. iole antennae responded to most herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) tested and that females were usually more responsive than males. Antennal responses to (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and methyl salicylate were among the strongest. Behavioral assays in a four-arm olfactometer demonstrated that response of female wasps to (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate varied greatly depending on preconditioning regime. Preconditioning wasps to complex host-plant odors led to stronger preference than did a single preconditioning stimulus, i.e., (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. In a horizontal wind tunnel, female wasps were attracted by methyl salicylate and alpha-farnesene. Parasitism of Lygus lineolaris eggs by A. iole in a cotton field was greater when the eggs were associated with (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate or alpha-farnesene than with controls. Overall, the results of this study show that A. iole can perceive a variety of plant volatiles released after its host damages plants, that the degree of associative learning in A. iole can be manipulated based on preconditioning regime, and that single synthetic HIPVs are attractive to A. iole and can be used to increase attack rates on host eggs. Therefore, it appears that HIPVs have potential for use in suppression of Lygus population densities.     

Environmental consequences of water pumped from greater New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina: chemical, toxicological, and infaunal analysis

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, conducted a study to determine the extent to which Hurricane Katrina floodwaters in the New Orleans, Louisiana area may have had impacts on wildlife habitat and other biological resources in surrounding areas. These studies were conducted as part of the Interagency Performance Evaluation Taskforce, an investigation of environmental impacts originating from the failure of the hurricane protection system during Hurricane Katrina. This paper presents data regarding the effects of pumped floodwaters on sediment chemistry, toxicity, and benthic invertebrate assemblages near pumping stations that discharged floodwaters into marshes near Chalmette and Violet, Louisiana. Chemical contamination of sediments was observed and varied among sample locations (e.g., outfall locations, wastewater treatment plant, canals, and wetlands); however, trends in the chemistry data were not always consistent with bioassay results. A comparison of the sediment chemistry data from this study with three other studies reporting concentrations of chemicals in sediments within the city of New Orleans suggested that sediments and associated contaminants present within the levees were not pumped into the marsh in appreciable quantities.     

Why Does Industry Not Use Immobilized Transition Metal Complexes as Catalysts?

Much effort has gone into the immobilization of homogeneous catalysts based on the idea that in this way the catalysts could be not only separated more easily from the product but also reused several times, thus reducing the cost of the catalyst use. So far none of these immobilized catalysts have been used by industry. In this article we critically review the use of immobilized homogeneous catalysts from the point of view of process development for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry. The first and foremost question that needs to be answered is: will immobilizing a homogeneous catalyst really lead to lower costs? The answer is thus far always no. This is caused mostly by the fact that homogeneous catalysts are not stable and thus there is little point in immobilizing them. The second reason is the extra added cost that is incurred in immobilizing the catalysts. Other problems are lower rates, sometimes lower selectivities and metal leaching. Three different areas are discussed. The research on immobilized metathesis catalysts is analyzed in detail; in general the immobilized catalysts do not achieve sufficient turnovers to be interesting for industrial use. Very many publications have appeared on immobilized palladium catalysts that were used for C C bond‐forming reactions, such as Suzuki, Heck or Sonogashira reactions. These catalysts are invariably converted to nanoparticles after the first run. Although these catalysts can be reused, there is no reason to use an expensive support based on immobilized ligands. This also does not protect the product from palladium contamination. Even more effort has gone into the immobilization of homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts. Most of these catalysts suffer from the same problems as the other immobilized catalysts: catalyst deactivation, low turnover numbers, and leaching of the metal. In addition, the heterogenization adds complexity to the system, increasing risk and prolonging process development.