Synthesis, structure and magnetic characterisation of a new layered ammonium manganese(II) diphosphate hydrate, (NH4)(2)[Mn-3(P2O7)(2)(H2O)(2)]

A new layered ammonium manganese(II) diphosphate, (NH4)(2)[Mn-3(P2O7)(2)(H2O)(2)], has been synthesised under solvothermal conditions at 433 K in ethylene glycol and the structure determined at 293 K using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (M-r = 584.82, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/a, a = 9.4610( 8), b = 8.3565( 7), c = 9.477(1) Angstrom, beta = 99.908(9) degrees, V = 738.07 Angstrom(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0351 and R-w = 0.0411 for 1262 observed data (I > 3(sigma(I))). The structure consists of chains of cis- and trans-edge sharing MnO6 octahedra linked via P2O7 units to form layers of formula [Mn3P4O14(H2O)(2)](2-) in the ab plane. Ammonium ions lie between the manganese-diphosphate layers. A network of interlayer and ammonium-layer based hydrogen bonding holds the structure together. Magnetic measurements indicate Curie - Weiss behaviour above 30 K with mu(eff) = 5.74(1) mu(B) and theta = -23(1) K, consistent with the presence of high-spin Mn2+ ions and antiferromagnetic interactions. However, the magnetic data reveal a spontaneous magnetisation at 5 K, indicating a canting of Mn2+ moments in the antiferromagnetic ground state. On heating (NH4)(2)[Mn-3(P2O7)(2)(H2O)(2)] in water at 433 K under hydrothermal conditions, Mn-5(HPO4)(2)(PO4)(2).4H(2)O, synthetic hureaulite, is formed.

Implicit memory and consumer choice: the mediating role of brand familiarity

Two experiments investigated the influence of implicit memory on consumer choice for brands with varying levels of familiarity. Priming was measured using a consideration-choice task, developed by Coates, Butler and Berry (2004). Experiment 1 employed a coupon-rating task at encoding that required participants to meaningfully process individual brand names, to assess whether priming could affect participants' final (preferred) choices for familiar brands. Experiment 2 used this same method to assess the impact of implicit memory on consideration and choice for unknown and leader brands, presented in conjunction with familiar competitors. Significant priming was obtained in both experiments, and was shown to directly influence final choice in the case of familiar and highly familiar leader brands. Moreover, it was shown that a single prior exposure could lead participants to consider buying an unknown, and indeed fictitious, brand. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exploring social barriers to adaptation: insights from Western Nepal

As the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change become increasingly apparent, the need for facilitating successful adaptation and enhancing adaptive capacity within the context of sustainable development is clear. With adaptation high on the agenda, the notion of limits and barriers to adaptation has recently received much attention within both academic and policymaking spheres. While emerging literature has been quick to depict limits and barriers in terms of natural, financial, or technologic processes, there is a clear shortfall in acknowledging social barriers to adaptation. It is against such a backdrop that this paper sets out to expose and explore some of the underlying features of social barriers to adaptation, drawing on insights from two case studies in the Western Nepal. This paper exposes the significant role of cognitive, normative and institutional factors in both influencing and prescribing adaptation. It explores how restrictive social environments can limit adaptation actions and influence adaptive capacity at the local level, particularly for the marginalised and socially excluded. The findings suggest a need for greater recognition of the diversity and complexity of social barriers, strategic planning and incorporation at national and local levels, as well as an emphasis on tackling the underlying drivers of vulnerability and social exclusion.

Host-gut microbiota metabolic interactions

The composition and activity of the gut microbiota codevelop with the host from birth and is subject to a complex interplay that depends on the host genome, nutrition, and life-style. The gut microbiota is involved in the regulation of multiple host metabolic pathways, giving rise to interactive host-microbiota metabolic, signaling, and immune-inflammatory axes that physiologically connect the gut, liver, muscle, and brain. A deeper understanding of these axes is a prerequisite for optimizing therapeutic strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota to combat disease and improve health.

Simulated and observed fluxes of sensible and latent heat and CO2 at the WLEF-TV tower using SiB2.5

Three years of meteorological data collected at the WLEF-TV tower were used to drive a revised version of the Simple Biosphere (SiB 2.5) Model. Physiological properties and vegetation phenology were specified from satellite imagery. Simulated fluxes of heat, moisture, and carbon were compared to eddy covariance measurements taken onsite as a means of evaluating model performance on diurnal, synoptic, seasonal, and interannual time scales. The model was very successful in simulating variations of latent heat flux when compared to observations, slightly less so in the simulation of sensible heat flux. The model overestimated peak values of sensible heat flux on both monthly and diurnal scales. There was evidence that the differences between observed and simulated fluxes might be linked to wetlands near the WLEF tower, which were not present in the SiB simulation. The model overestimated the magnitude of the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 in both summer and winter. Mid-day maximum assimilation was well represented by the model, but late afternoon simulations showed excessive carbon uptake due to misrepresentation of within-canopy shading in the model. Interannual variability was not well simulated because only a single year of satellite imagery was used to parameterize the model.

Interaction between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations on metabolic and cardiovascular disease outcomes

AIM: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations have been shown to be associated with major clinical outcomes, with a suggestion that individual risk may vary according to common genetic differences in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Hence, we tested for the interactions between two previously studied VDR polymorphisms and 25OHD on metabolic and cardiovascular disease-related outcomes in a large population-based study. METHODS: Interactions between two previously studied VDR polymorphisms (rs7968585 and rs2239179) and 25OHD concentrations on metabolic and cardiovascular disease-related outcomes such as obesity- (body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR)), cardiovascular- (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), lipid- (high- and low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, total cholesterol), inflammatory- (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, insulin growth factor-1, tissue plasminogen activator) and diabetes- (glycated haemoglobin) related markers were examined in the 1958 British Birth cohort (n up to 5160). Interactions between each SNP and 25OHD concentrations were assessed using linear regression and the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, none of the interactions reached statistical significance except for the interaction between the VDR SNP rs2239179 and 25OHD concentrations on waist-hip ratio (WHR) (P=0.03). For every 1nmol/L higher 25OHD concentrations, the association with WHR was stronger among those with two major alleles (-4.0%, P=6.26e-24) compared to those with either one or no major alleles (-2.3%, P≤8.201e-07, for both) of the VDR SNP rs2239179. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence for VDR polymorphisms acting as major modifiers of the association between 25OHD concentrations and cardio-metabolic risk. Interaction between VDR SNP rs2239179 and 25OHD on WHR warrants further confirmation.

Hallucinations as a trauma-based memory: implications for psychological interventions

The relationship between hallucinations and life events is a topic of significant clinical importance. This review discusses the extent to which auditory and visual hallucinations may be directly related to traumatic events. Evidence suggests that intrusive images occur frequently within individuals who also report hallucinatory experiences. However, there has been limited research specifically investigating the extent to which hallucinations are the re-experiencing of a traumatic event. Our current theoretical understanding of these relationships, along with methodological difficulties associated with research in this area, are considered. Recent clinical studies, which adopt interventions aimed at the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, are reviewed. There is a need for the development of evidence-based interventions in this area.

Optimal infinity-quasiconformal immersions

For a Hamiltonian K ∈ C2(RN × n) and a map u:Ω ⊆ Rn − → RN, we consider the supremal functional (1) The “Euler−Lagrange” PDE associated to (1)is the quasilinear system (2) Here KP is the derivative and [ KP ] ⊥ is the projection on its nullspace. (1)and (2)are the fundamental objects of vector-valued Calculus of Variations in L∞ and first arose in recent work of the author [N. Katzourakis, J. Differ. Eqs. 253 (2012) 2123–2139; Commun. Partial Differ. Eqs. 39 (2014) 2091–2124]. Herein we apply our results to Geometric Analysis by choosing as K the dilation function which measures the deviation of u from being conformal. Our main result is that appropriately defined minimisers of (1)solve (2). Hence, PDE methods can be used to study optimised quasiconformal maps. Nonconvexity of K and appearance of interfaces where [ KP ] ⊥ is discontinuous cause extra difficulties. When n = N, this approach has previously been followed by Capogna−Raich ? and relates to Teichmüller’s theory. In particular, we disprove a conjecture appearing therein.