The importance of benthos in weight of evidence sediment assessments--a case study

Sediment quality in a Texas reservoir subject to point and non-point sources of contaminants was assessed using the Sediment Quality Triad weight of evidence approach. Fifteen stations were sampled plus a reference station which, unfortunately, comprised a different habitat type than the other 15 stations. Accordingly, standard comparisons between reference and exposed stations were inappropriate. Interpretation of potential relationships between benthic community structure and sediment-associated contaminants was also confounded by differences in habitat-related characteristics (e.g., water depth and total organic carbon) within the reservoir. Multivariate analyses of the benthic community identified two station groupings separated primarily by habitat-related differences rather than contaminant-related toxicity. Laboratory toxicity tests and chemical analyses, including measures of bioavailability, did not differ consistently between the two community-based station groupings, indicating that toxicity resulting from chemical contamination was not the primary factor in observed community structure in the reservoir, although alterations to the benthos due to chemical contamination could not be ruled out in the absence of an appropriate reference comparison. Appropriately giving highest weight to resident benthic community structure, followed by the results of laboratory toxicity tests, then chemical analyses, provided the best possible assessment of chemical pollution in the absence of a suitable reference comparison. The alternative approach of relying on only sediment toxicity and chemistry data, without considering the full weight of evidence, would have provided misleading information.     

A psychosocial model of young adult passengers’ intervening in unsafe driving of their friends

Young adults are over-represented in motor vehicle crashes and the carrying of same passengers puts them at greater risk of crashing. The current study examined characteristics of the passengers who might play a positive role in reducing friends’ crashes by actively engaging in strategies to protect such friends. A psychosocial theoretical model of prosocial behaviour including self-process and contextual cues explained intervening behaviour among primarily novice driver college students (n = 242) with the exception of the self-process, perspective taking. The results of this study provide support for countermeasure development that accounts for the positive role of peers to increase road safety, and reduce the incidence of crashes, among young adults.     

Towards freight transport system unification: reviewing and combining the advancements in the physical internet and synchromodal transport research

To achieve socio-economic and environmental sustainability, utilization of existing capacities and assets has become a key challenge for the transportation sector. This challenge has been recognised by many scholars, policy makers and practitioners leading to a substantial body of new concepts and models. The rather parallel evolution of the Physical Internet (PI) and synchromodal transport presents an opportunity to improve the current unsustainable freight transportation, by inducing a positive modal shift from roads to rails and inland waterways, and improving service levels by better connecting production research with freight movement. This paper thus examines the synchromodal and PI state-of-the-art models together with their designs, methodologies and findings proposed in the scientific literature. The main objective is to assess and explore the correlations between these two concepts in order to understand how they can reinforce each other. Despite the integrated vision of the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, the findings of this paper yield no well-established interconnections in the scientific literature between PI and synchromodality as they both merely coexist in parallel and address different dimensions, scales and levels of abstraction. This paper thus identifies potential synergies, future research directions and critical questions to be considered by modellers, developers and policy makers.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ferrocene-Containing Hyperbranched Poly(aroylarylene)s

Ferrocene-containing hyperbranched poly(aroylarylene)s are prepared in satisfactory yields by one-pot copolycyclotrimerization of bis(aroylacetylene)s with a ferrocene-containing monoyne. The ferrocene content of the polymers can be varied by changing the monomer feed ratio, and copolymers with up to 41 mol% of ferrocene moiety can be readily prepared. All the polymers are thermally stable, losing little of their weights when heated to 340 °C. This article is dedicated to Professor Didier Astruc.     

The impact of negative moods on self-enhancing cognitions: The role of reflective versus ruminative mood orientations.

This research program examined how self-focused attention to feelings affects the relation between mood negativity and self-enhancing thought. The primary hypothesis was that the particular manner in which people focus on their moods (reflective vs. ruminative) determines whether they reveal positive (i.e., mood-incongruent) or negative (i.e., mood-congruent) self-relevant thoughts in response to negative moods. Studies 1-4 revealed that social comparisons, temporal comparisons, and other self-enhancing cognitions (i.e., attributions, disidentification, relationship evaluations) are more likely to be mood incongruent when people adopt a reflective orientation to their negative feelings and more likely to be mood congruent when they adopt a ruminative orientation. Additionally, moods and mood orientations affected self-enhancing thoughts through the mediating influence of mood regulation goals and intentions (Studies 5 and 6). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comprehensive school-based treatment program for depressed children.

Describes a school-based treatment program for depressed youths that is based on 3 yrs of treatment outcome research in public schools. Discussion focuses on the rationale for choosing each treatment component, a selective review of the relevant research base for each component, and the procedures involved in implementing the program. Five primary treatment components are described, including cognitive procedures, self-control procedures, behavioral procedures, family training and therapy techniques, and consultation with school personnel. The specific steps taken to produce a developmentally sensitive program are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social behavior of infants and toddlers in a day-care environment.

27 infants and toddlers were observed in a day-care setting, each for a maximum of 50 min, to investigate the relation of the children's social experiences to changes in social behavior as a function of age. Standardized tests of developmental status (e.g., Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale) were administered at intervals. Results show that with age the frequency of teacher–child interaction decreased and peer interaction increased. The increase in peer interaction appeared to be related to the toddlers' greater capacity for reciprocating social behaviors and increased use of vocal behavior in interactions. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How Property Title Impacts Urban Consolidation: A Life Cycle Examination of Multi-title Developments

Continuing urbanisation is triggering an increase in multi-titled housing internationally. This trend has given rise to a substantial research interest in the social consequences of higher density living. Fewer enquiries have been directed to examining how property title subdivisions generate social issues in multi-titled housing. This is a significant gap in the literature, as the tensions inherent in multi-title developments have significant implications for individuals, developments and entire metropolitan areas. This article employs a life cycle framework to examine the profound operational and governance challenges that are associated with the fusion of private lot ownership with common property ownership. The article calls for a more explicit recognition of these challenges by academics, policymakers, practitioners and the broader community.