Wanting to Get More or Protecting One's Assets: Age-Differential Effects of Gain Versus Loss Perceptions on the Willingness to Engage in Collective Action

OBJECTIVES: The present research examined motivational differences across adulthood that might contribute to age-related differences in the willingness to engage in collective action. Two experiments addressed the role of gain and loss orientation for age-related differences in the willingness to engage in collective action across adulthood. METHOD: In Experiment 1, N = 169 adults (20-85 years) were confronted with a hypothetical scenario that involved either an impending increase or decrease of health insurance costs for their respective age group. In Experiment 2, N = 231 adults (18-83 years) were asked to list an advantage or disadvantage they perceived in being a member of their age group. Subsequently, participants indicated their willingness to engage in collective action on behalf of their age group. RESULTS: Both experiments suggest that, with increasing age, people are more willing to engage in collective action when they are confronted with the prospect of loss or a disadvantage. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the role of motivational processes for involvement in collective action across adulthood. With increasing age, (anticipated) loss or perceived disadvantages become more important for the willingness to participate in collective action.

Chiral Templating Activity of Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) Cation in the Design of Three-Dimensional (3D) Optically Active Oxalate-Bridged {[Ru(bpy) 3 ][Cu 2 x Ni 2(1 - x ) (C 2 O 4 ) 3 ]} n (0 ≤ x ≤ 1; bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine): Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Studies

Three-dimensional oxalate-based {[Ru(bpy)3][Cu2xNi2(1-x)(ox)3]}n (0≤ x ≤ 1, ox = C2O42-, bpy = 2,2‘bipyridine) were synthesized. The structure was determined for x = 1 by X-ray diffraction on single crystal. The compound crystallizes in the cubic space group P4132. It shows a three-dimensional 10-gon 3-connected (10,3) anionic network where copper(II) has an unusual tris(bischelated) environment. X-ray powder diffraction patterns and their Rietveld refinement show that all the compounds along the series are isostructural and single-phased. According to X-ray absorption spectroscopy, copper(II) and nickel(II) have an octahedral environment, respectively elongated and trigonally distorted. As shown by natural circular dichroism, the optically active forms of {[Ru(bpy)3][CuxNi2(1-x)(ox)3]}n are obtained starting from resolved Δ- or Λ-[Ru(bpy)3]2+. The Curie−Weiss temperatures range between −55 (x = 1) and −150 K (x = 0). The antiferromagnetic exchange interaction thus decreases when the copper contents increases in agreement with the crystallographic structure of the compounds and the electronic structure of the metal ions. At low temperature, the compounds exhibit complex long-range ordered magnetic behavior.

Otsar shire yeshurun

Texte in hebr. und dt., teilw. zusätzlich in poln. oder russ. Sprache

Thematic thinking and individual performance in research and development

Individuals differ in their preference for processing information on the basis of taxonomic, feature-based similarity, or thematic, relation-based similarity. These differences, which have been investigated in a recently emerging research stream in cognitive psychology, affect innovative behavior and thus constitute an important antecedent of individual performance in research and development (R&D) that has been overlooked so far in the literature on innovation management. To fill this research gap, survey and test data from the employees of a multinational information technology services firm are used to examine the relationship between thematic thinking and R&D professionals' individual performance. A moderated mediation model is applied to investigate the proposed relationships of thematic thinking and individual-level performance indicators. Results show a positive relationship between thematic thinking and innovativeness, as well as individual job performance. While the results do not support the postulated moderation of the innovativeness–job performance relationship by employees' political skill, they show that the relationship between thematic thinking and job performance is fully mediated by R&D professionals' innovativeness. The present study is thus the first to reveal a positive relationship between thematic thinking and innovative performance.

Modified natural cycle in vitro fertilization an alternative in vitro fertilization treatment with lower costs per achieved pregnancy but longer treatment time

OBJECTIVE To analyze the cost and time requirement per achieved pregnancy in optimized modified natural cycle in vitro fertilization (mNC-IVF) based on a treatment protocol with very few consultations and to compare those with conventional gonadotropin-stimulated aVF (clVF) cycles. STUDY DESIGN Mono centric prospective trial. Eighty infertile patients each received 1 modified mNC-IVF cycle using low doses of the clomiphene citrate. Based on the number of consultations and the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle, the total costs and required time to achieve a pregnancy were analyzed and compared with cIVF. Calculations for cIVF were based on standard therapy protocols and outcomes of European registries. RESULTS Patients (21-42 years old, 35.4 +/- 4.7 years) undergoing mNC-IVF required on average 1.2 consultations before follicle aspiration. Pregnancy rate per transfer and per initiated cycle were 25% and 13.6%, respectively. Multiple pregnancies did not occur. According to the calculations, total costs per pregnancy rate were around 15% lower with mNC-IVF as compared to cIVF. In contrast, time to achieve an equal pregnancy rate was calculated to take around 30% longer with mNC-IVF as compared to cIVF. CONCLUSION mNC-IVF using very low dosages of clomiphene citrate avoids multiple pregnancies and is less expensive but more time consuming per achieved pregnancy when compared to clVF.

Genome-wide association study of survival from sepsis due to pneumonia: an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND Sepsis continues to be a major cause of death, disability, and health-care expenditure worldwide. Despite evidence suggesting that host genetics can influence sepsis outcomes, no specific loci have yet been convincingly replicated. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants that influence sepsis survival. METHODS We did a genome-wide association study in three independent cohorts of white adult patients admitted to intensive care units with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock (as defined by the International Consensus Criteria) due to pneumonia or intra-abdominal infection (cohorts 1-3, n=2534 patients). The primary outcome was 28 day survival. Results for the cohort of patients with sepsis due to pneumonia were combined in a meta-analysis of 1553 patients from all three cohorts, of whom 359 died within 28 days of admission to the intensive-care unit. The most significantly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in a further 538 white patients with sepsis due to pneumonia (cohort 4), of whom 106 died. FINDINGS In the genome-wide meta-analysis of three independent pneumonia cohorts (cohorts 1-3), common variants in the FER gene were strongly associated with survival (p=9·7 × 10(-8)). Further genotyping of the top associated SNP (rs4957796) in the additional cohort (cohort 4) resulted in a combined p value of 5·6 × 10(-8) (odds ratio 0·56, 95% CI 0·45-0·69). In a time-to-event analysis, each allele reduced the mortality over 28 days by 44% (hazard ratio for death 0·56, 95% CI 0·45-0·69; likelihood ratio test p=3·4 × 10(-9), after adjustment for age and stratification by cohort). Mortality was 9·5% in patients carrying the CC genotype, 15·2% in those carrying the TC genotype, and 25·3% in those carrying the TT genotype. No significant genetic associations were identified when patients with sepsis due to pneumonia and intra-abdominal infection were combined. INTERPRETATION We have identified common variants in the FER gene that associate with a reduced risk of death from sepsis due to pneumonia. The FER gene and associated molecular pathways are potential novel targets for therapy or prevention and candidates for the development of biomarkers for risk stratification. FUNDING European Commission and the Wellcome Trust.

Musikalische Synagogen-Bibliothek : eingerichtet für Pianoforte, Harmonium & Orgel zum Gebrauche in Tempel und Familie

componirt, ges. und hrsg. von Jacob L. Weiss

Interpersonale Konsequenzen von offenen Selbstgesprächen in Dyaden im Sport

In der sportpsychologischen Forschung werden sowohl offene als auch verdeckte Selbstgespräche mehrheitlich als rein intrapersonale Phänomene betrachtet und sowohl deren Antezedenzien als auch Konsequenzen nur auf die mit sich selbst sprechende Person bezogen untersucht. Erste laborexperimentelle Studien, die die Effekte von offenen Selbstgesprächen auf die Eindrucksbildung (Graf, Lier & Seiler, 2012; Van Raalte, Brewer, Cornelius & Petitpas, 2006) und die individuelle Leistung (Gould & Weiss, 1981) eines Beobachters nachweisen konnten und Aussagen verschiedener Tennisspieler (Rimmer, Greenlees, Graydon, Thelwell & Buscombe, 2008), dass sie die offene Selbstgespräche der Gegner bei der Bildung eines ersten Eindrucks verwenden würden, deuten jedoch auf die Bedeutsamkeit von interpersonalen Konsequenzen von offenen Selbstgesprächen hin. Um das Verständnis für die interpersonalen Konsequenzen von offenen Selbstgesprächen im Sport zu vertiefen, wurden zwei Studien mit unterschiedlicher Methodik durchgeführt. In einer qualitativen Feldstudie wurden mit 13 Badmintonspielern im Anschluss an ihr Badminton Herren-Doppel Selbstkonfrontationsinterviews durchgeführt, um die Wahrnehmungsergebnisse nach offenen, während eines realen Wettkampfes geäusserten Selbstgesprächen zu untersuchen. Die wahrgenommenen positiven, negativen und motivierenden Selbstgespräche führten zu Zuschreibungen von mentalen Zuständen und Kognitionen und vereinzelt zur Einschätzung des episodischen Leistungsvermögens. Weiter lösten die Selbstgespräche verschiedene affektive Reaktionen und Erwartungsreaktionen aus, deren mögliche Konsequenzen für den weiteren Spielverlauf diskutiert werden. Um einzelne Resultate aus dieser ersten Studie eingehender zu analysieren (zugeschriebene Kompetenz und stellvertretende Valenzeinschätzung; Birrer & Seiler, 2008), und zur Untersuchung der Effekte der offenen Selbstgespräche auf die individuelle Leistung eines Teampartners wurde eine zweite, laborexperimentelle Studie durchgeführt. Zur Herstellung der drei experimentellen Bedingungen kam ein gleichgeschlechtlicher Konfident zum Einsatz, der als vermeintlicher Teampartner fungierte und der während der Golf-Putt-Aufgabe als Reaktion auf die eigenen Putts positive, negative oder keine Selbstgespräche führte. Bezogen auf die zugeschriebene Kompetenz zeigte sich kein allgemeiner, sondern ein von der Valenz der Probanden bedingter Effekt der negativen Selbstgespräche: War den Probanden die Aufgabe wichtig, führten negative Selbstgespräche zur Zuschreibung einer tiefen Kompetenz. Weiter lösten sowohl positive als auch negative Selbstgespräche die Einschätzung aus, dass dem Partner die Aufgabe wichtig ist. Keine Effekte hatten die Selbstgespräche auf die individuelle Leistung der Probanden. Explorativ durchgeführte Nachanalysen deuten jedoch darauf hin, dass sich die Selbstgespräche des Partners womöglich nach einer gewissen Zeit auf die individuelle Leistung der wahrnehmenden Person auswirken könnten, weshalb methodische Anpassungen diskutiert werden, mit Hilfe derer der Effekt der Selbstgespräche auf die Leistung gesteigert werden könnte. Neben den hypothesenprüfenden Tests ermittelten verschiedene Post-Hoc-Analysen aufschlussreiche Resulate (z.B. zu affektiven Reaktionen). Die Ergebnisse der beiden Studien bringen klar zum Ausdruck, dass die interpersonale Perspektive bei der Erforschung der Effekte von offenen Selbstgesprächen bedeutsame Erkenntnisse für Theorie und Praxis liefern kann.

Die Judenfrage, ein christliches und ein deutsches Problem : vier Vorträge, gehalten an der Deutschen Hochschule für Politik

von Paul Tillich

Do Instructional Videos on Sputum Submission Result in Increased Tuberculosis Case Detection? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE We examined the effect of an instructional video about the production of diagnostic sputum on case detection of tuberculosis (TB), and evaluated the acceptance of the video. TRIAL DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. METHODS We prepared a culturally adapted instructional video for sputum submission. We analyzed 200 presumptive TB cases coughing for more than two weeks who attended the outpatient department of the governmental Municipal Hospital in Mwananyamala (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania). They were randomly assigned to either receive instructions on sputum submission using the video before submission (intervention group, n = 100) or standard of care (control group, n = 100). Sputum samples were examined for volume, quality and presence of acid-fast bacilli by experienced laboratory technicians blinded to study groups. RESULTS Median age was 39.1 years (interquartile range 37.0-50.0); 94 (47%) were females, 106 (53%) were males, and 49 (24.5%) were HIV-infected. We found that the instructional video intervention was associated with detection of a higher proportion of microscopically confirmed cases (56%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 45.7-65.9%, sputum smear positive patients in the intervention group versus 23%, 95% CI 15.2-32.5%, in the control group, p <0.0001), an increase in volume of specimen defined as a volume ≥3ml (78%, 95% CI 68.6-85.7%, versus 45%, 95% CI 35.0-55.3%, p <0.0001), and specimens less likely to be salivary (14%, 95% CI 7.9-22.4%, versus 39%, 95% CI 29.4-49.3%, p = 0.0001). Older age, but not the HIV status or sex, modified the effectiveness of the intervention by improving it positively. When asked how well the video instructions were understood, the majority of patients in the intervention group reported to have understood the video instructions well (97%). Most of the patients thought the video would be useful in the cultural setting of Tanzania (92%). CONCLUSIONS Sputum submission instructional videos increased the yield of tuberculosis cases through better quality of sputum samples. If confirmed in larger studies, instructional videos may have a substantial effect on the case yield using sputum microscopy and also molecular tests. This low-cost strategy should be considered as part of the efforts to control TB in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201504001098231.

Die sportliche Landschaftsnutzung – Outdooraktivitäten in der Welterbe-Region

Einheimische und Touristen schätzen die besondere Landschaft in der Welterbe-Region, um sich sportlich zu betätigen. Wie, wann und wo weiss allerdings niemand genau – zu vielfältig und individuell sind viele Aktivitätsformen. Die sportliche Landschaftsnutzung beeinträchtigt teilweise Flora und Fauna, gleichzeitig können Naturerlebnisse aber das Bewusstsein über den Wert der Natur auch erhöhen.

Zwölf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung

von ... W. von Rothschild [[Elektronische Ressource]]

Accumulation rates and predominant atmospheric sources of natural and anthropogenic Hg and Pb on the Faroe Islands

A monolith representing 5420 14C yr of peat accumulation was collected from a blanket bog at Myrarnar, Faroe Islands. The maximum Hg concentration (498 ng/g at a depth of 4.5 cm) coincides with the maximum concentration of anthropogenic Pb (111 μg/g). Age dating of recent peat accumulation using 210Pb (CRS model) shows that the maxima in Hg and Pb concentrations occur at AD 1954 ± 2. These results, combined with the isotopic composition of Pb in that sample (206Pb/207Pb = 1.1720 ± 0.0017), suggest that coal burning was the dominant source of both elements. From the onset of peat accumulation (ca. 4286 BC) until AD 1385, the ratios Hg/Br and Hg/Se were constant (2.2 ± 0.5 × 10-4 and 8.5 ± 1.8 × 10-3, respectively). Since then, Hg/Br and Hg/Se values have increased, also reaching their maxima in AD 1954. The age date of the maximum concentrations of anthropogenic Hg and Pb in the Faroe Islands is consistent with a previous study of peat cores from Greenland and Denmark (dated using the atmospheric bomb pulse curve of 14C), which showed maximum concentrations in AD 1953. The average rate of atmospheric Hg accumulation from 1520 BC to AD 1385 was 1.27 ± 0.38 μg/m2/yr. The Br and Se concentrations and the background Hg/Br and Hg/Se ratios were used to calculate the average rate of natural Hg accumulation for the same period, 1.32 ± 0.36 μg/m2/yr and 1.34 ± 0.29 μg/m2/yr, respectively. These fluxes are similar to the preanthropogenic rates obtained using peat cores from Switzerland, southern Greenland, southern Ontario, Canada, and the northeastern United States. Episodic volcanic emissions and the continual supply of marine aerosols to the Faroe Islands, therefore, have not contributed significantly to the Hg inventory or the Hg accumulation rates, relative to these other areas. The maximum rate of Hg accumulation was 34 μg/m2/yr. The greatest fluxes of anthropogenic Hg accumulation calculated using Br and Se, respectively, were 26 and 31 μg/m2/yr. The rate of atmospheric Hg accumulation in 1998 (16 μg/m2/yr) is comparable to the values recently obtained by atmospheric transport modeling for Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.