Coordination behavior of pyridylmethylthioether system with cupric chloride and cupric bromide: CS bond cleavage and crystal structures

The coordination behavior of pyridylmethylthioether type of organic moieties having N2S2 donor set [L-1=1,2-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)ethane, L-2 = 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl-thio)propane and L-3 = 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)butane] with copper(II) chloride and copper(II) bromide have been studied in different chemical environments. Copper(II) chloride assisted C-S bond cleavage of the organic moieties leading to the formation of copper(II) picolinate derivatives, whereas, under similar experimental conditions, no C-S bond cleavage was observed in the reaction with copper(II) bromide. The resulted copper(II) complexes isolated from the different mediums have been characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic tools.

Mono-aqua-bridged dinuclear complexes of Cu(II) containing NNO donor Schiff base ligand: Hydrogen-bond-mediated exchange coupling

Two new mono-aqua-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complexes of tridentate NNO Schiff bases, [Cu-2(mu-H2O)L-2(1)(H2O)(2)](BF4)(2)center dot 2H(2)O (1) and [Cu-2(mu-H2O)L-2(2)(H2O)(2)](BF4)(2)center dot 2H(2)O (2) where HL1 = 2-[1-(2-dimethylamino-ethylimino)-ethyl]-phenol and HL2 =2-[(2-dimethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-phenol were synthesized. Both the complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and variable-temperature magnetic measurements. For both the complexes each Cu(II) ion is in a square-pyramidal environment being bonded to three atoms from the tridentate NNO Schiff base and a terminal H2O molecule in the equatorial plane; a second H2O ligand acts as a bridge between the two Cu(II) centres through the axial positions. Hydrogen bonds between the terminal H2O ligand and the Schiff base of the adjacent centre complete the intra-dimer linkages. Variable-temperature (4-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurement shows the presence of significant antiferromagnetic coupling for both the complexes (J = -12.2 and -12.5 cm(-1), respectively, for 1 and 2), mediated mainly through the intra-dimer H-bonds.

Farm forestry in Pakistan: an application of Theory of Planned Behaviour by probing into the measurement issues

A research has been conducted over methodological issues concerning the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) by determining an appropriate measurement (direct and indirect) of constructs and selection of a plausible scaling techniques (unipolar and bipolar) of constructs: attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and intention that are important in explaining farm level tree planting in Pakistan. Unipolar scoring of beliefs showed higher correlation among the constructs of TPB than bipolar scaling technique. Both direct and indirect methods yielded significant results in explaining intention to perform farm forestry except the belief based measure of perceived behavioural control, which were analysed as statistically non-significant. A need to examine more carefully the scoring of perceived behavioural control (PBC) has been expressed

A three-regime model of speculative behaviour: modelling the evolution of the S&P 500 composite index

We examine whether a three-regime model that allows for dormant, explosive and collapsing speculative behaviour can explain the dynamics of the S&P 500. We extend existing models of speculative behaviour by including a third regime that allows a bubble to grow at a steady rate, and propose abnormal volume as an indicator of the probable time of bubble collapse. We also examine the financial usefulness of the three-regime model by studying a trading rule formed using inferences from it, whose use leads to higher Sharpe ratios and end of period wealth than from employing existing models or a buy-and-hold strategy.

Randomized controlled trial of full and brief cognitive-behaviour therapy and wait-list for paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Background: Reviews and practice guidelines for paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) recommend cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) as the psychological treatment of choice, but note that it has not been sufficiently evaluated for children and adolescents and that more randomized controlled trials are needed. The aim of this trial was to evaluate effectiveness and optimal delivery of CBT, emphasizing cognitive interventions. Methods: A total of 96 children and adolescents with OCD were randomly allocated to the three conditions each of approximately 12 weeks duration: full CBT (average therapist contact: 12 sessions) and brief CBT (average contact: 5 sessions, with use of therapist-guided workbooks), and wait-list/delayed treatment. The primary outcome measure was the child version of the semi-structured interviewer-based Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Clinical Trial registration: http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN/; unique identifier: ISRCTN29092580. Results: There was statistically significant symptomatic improvement in both treatment groups compared with the wait-list group, with no significant differences in outcomes between the two treatment groups. Controlled treatment effect sizes in intention-to-treat analyses were 2.2 for full CBT and 1.6 for brief CBT. Improvements were maintained at follow-up an average of 14 weeks later. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the benefits of CBT emphasizing cognitive interventions for children and adolescents with OCD and suggest that relatively lower therapist intensity delivery with use of therapist-guided workbooks is an efficient mode of delivery.