Commensurate-incommensurate phase transition in muthmannite,AuAgTe2: first evidence of a modulated structure at low temperature

To study the temperature-dependent structural changes and to analyze the crystal chemical behavior of silver as a function of temperature, a crystal of muthmannite, AuAgTe₂, has been investigated by X-ray single-crystal diffraction methods at 300 K and 110 K. At room temperature, muthmannite was confirmed as belonging to the space group P2/m, while at low temperature (110 K) it undergoes a reversible commensurate–incommensurate phase transition with a modulation wave vector q = 0.215(1)a* + 0.379(2)c*. Muthmannite reconverts to the commensurate type upon returning to room temperature, thus indicating that the phase transition is completely reversible in character. The average structure of the low-temperature muthmannite remains monoclinic, space group P2/m, and shows only normal thermal compression over the entire temperature range investigated. Crystal-chemical characteristics are compared with published data on the other members of the system Au–Ag–Te. Speculations on the possible origin of the modulated structure at low temperature are also given.     

Determination of atomic structure of phason planes in the ξ′-Al–Pd–Mn phase

The atomic structures of specific types of linear defects (phason lines) and planar defects (phason planes) in the complex metallic alloy phase ξ′-Al–Pd–Mn have been determined by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and theoretical HREM simulation. The results show that a representational atomic structural model for phason planes can be constructed by introducing a shift between two parts of the perfect crystalline structure using a translation vector of r ?=?(1/2) a ?+?(1/2τ) c . This typical phason plane is normally parallel to the (001) plane of the ξ′-Al–Pd–Mn phase and consists of phason lines, which are arranged side-by-side with their linear direction parallel to the [010] axis. HREM simulations, based on the structural model for both edge-on and inclined types of phason lines, agree well with the experimental results. Taking into account the fact that the structural difference between various curved phason planes arises from the variation in the arrangement of individual phason lines, the atomic structures of the edge-on and inclined phason lines can be used to explain the various curved phason planes frequently observed in the ξ′-Al–Pd–Mn phase.     

Planning bridges the intention–behaviour gap: Age makes a difference and strategy use explains why

Objective: This study examines age-differential association patterns between intentions, planning and physical activity in young and middle-aged individuals. The effectiveness of planning to bridge the intention–behaviour gap is assumed to increase with advancing age. We explore the use of behaviour change strategies that include selection, optimisation and compensation (SOC) as underlying mechanisms for age differences. Methods: In N = 265 employees of a national railway company (aged 19–64 years), intentions, planning, SOC strategy use and physical activity were assessed at baseline (Time 1) and again 1 month later (Time 2). Hypotheses were tested in two different path models. Results: Age moderates the extent to which planning mediates the intention–behaviour relation due to an increasing strength of the planning–behaviour link. As a possible psychological mechanism for these age differences, we identified SOC strategy use as a mediator of the age by planning interaction effect on physical activity. Conclusion: These findings suggest differential mechanisms in behaviour regulation in young and middle-aged individuals.     

Structural phase transitions in epitaxial SrRuO3 thin films

The microstructural evolution of epitaxial SrRuO₃ thin films from ambient temperature (about 293K) to about 900K has been studied by in-situ transmission electron microscopy. Upon heating from the ambient temperature, the intensities of h, k, 2n+1 and h, -h+2n+1, 0 reflections in selected-area electron diffraction patterns decrease with increasing temperature. Two structural phase transitions were observed at about 673and about 783K, revealed by the vanishing of the h, k, 2n+1 and h,-h+2n+1, 0 reflections respectively. The examination of electron diffraction patterns along several different zone axes, taking into account the possible tilting configurations of RuO₆ octahedra, indicates that, upon heating, the orthorhombic structure of SrRuO₃ transforms into a tetragonal structure at about 673K, and further transforms into a cubic structure at about 783K. Possible structural models for the high-temperature phases are considered.     

Stress relaxation in cobalt between 15 and 300 K

Abstract

The slope of the logarithmic stress–relaxation curve for a well-annealed cobalt polycrystal of 99·999% purity has been measured as a function of the initial stress level from which relaxation at constant strain was allowed to start at a given temperature between 15 and 300 K. A pronounced undulation was observed in the plot of the relation between the inverse of the stress sensitivity of the relaxation rate and temperature, with a maximum and a minimum at about 75 and 50 K, respectively. The ‘classically unexpected’ behaviour below about 80 K seems to arise from the progressive inhibition of dynamic recovery process as T→0 K, which necessitates the use of stresses higher than that applied in the basic equations describing the mode of deformation.     

Pretabular varieties of modal algebras

We study modal logics in the setting of varieties of modal algebras. Any variety of modal algebras generated by a finite algebra — such, a variety is called tabular — has only finitely many subvarieties, i.e. is of finite height. The converse does not hold in general. It is shown that the converse does hold in the lattice of varieties of K4-algebras. Hence the lower part of this lattice consists of tabular varieties only. We proceed to show that there is a continuum of pretabular varieties of K4-algebras — those are the non-tabular varieties all of whose proper subvarieties are tabular — in contrast with Maksimova's result that there are only five pretabular varieties of S4-algebras.     

The effect of perceived stress and specialization on the relationship between perfectionism and burnout in collegiate athletes

Background: Athletic burnout is common when demands of the sport exceed the rewards. Individuals with certain personality dispositions, such as perfectionism, are at increased risk of experiencing perceived stress and subsequent burnout (Fender, L. K. (1989). Athlete burnout: Potential for research and intervention strategies. The Sport Psychologist, 3, 63–71. doi:10.1123/tsp.3.1.63; Gould, D., Tuffey, S., Udry, E., &; Loehr, J. (1996). Burnout in competitive junior tennis players: I. A quantitative psychological assessment. The Sport Psychologist, 10, 322–340. doi:10.1123/tsp.10.4.322; Stoeber, J. (2011). The dual nature of perfectionism in sports: Relationships with emotion, motivation, and performance. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4, 128–145. doi:10.1080/1750984x.2011.604789). Perfectionism has both adaptive and maladaptive dimensions, with the more maladaptive qualities leading to greater perceived stress (Hamachek, D. E. (1978). Psychodynamics of normal and neurotic perfectionism. Psychology, 15, 27–33.; Rice, K. G., &; Van Arsdale, A. C. (2010). Perfectionism, perceived stress, drinking to cope, and alcohol-related problems among college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57, 439–450. doi:10.1037/a0020221).

Objectives: This study examined the influence of perfectionistic strivings and concerns on burnout, and perceived stress as a mediator of this relationship in Division II and III specialized and multiple-sport athletes (N?=?351).

Design: Cross-Sectional.

Methods: Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and online measures of perfectionism, stress, and burnout during the latter part of the competitive season.

Results: Results showed a positive, direct effect of perfectionistic concerns on burnout. Stress partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, perfectionistic strivings had a negative direct effect on burnout for specialized athletes.

Conclusion: The relationship between perfectionistic concerns and burnout is partially explained by stress. Multiple sport athletes showed lower levels of stress compared to specialized ones. Finally, perfectionistic strivings are associated with lower levels of burnout for specialized athletes.     

Closing the intention–behaviour gap for sunscreen use and sun protection behaviours

Objective

Two studies were conducted with the aim of closing the intention–behaviour gap for sunscreen use and sun protection behaviours by examining the influence of self-regulatory capacity on the prediction of sunscreen use (Study 1) and self-regulatory capacity and habit on sun protection behaviours (Study 2).

Design

Studies were conducted online. Participants completed questionnaires and cognitive measures and then reported behaviour one week later.

Main Outcome Measures

Questionnaires measuring intention and cognitive tasks measuring self-regulatory capacity were administered to 209 university students. One week later, participants reported behaviour. In Study 2, questionnaires measuring intentions, and habit and cognitive tasks measuring self-regulatory capacity were administered to 178 university students who reported behaviour one week later.

Results

Intention accounted for 7.1% of variance in sunscreen use, no measures of self-regulation accounted for variance in behaviour or moderated the intention–behaviour gap (Study 1). Intention, self-regulatory capacity and habit accounted for 56.1% of variance in sun protection behaviours (Study 2). Intention, self-regulatory ability and habit predicted behaviour, while habit moderated the intention–behaviour gap.

Conclusion

Interventions aimed at increasing sun protection behaviours should take into account level of intention, self-regulatory capacity and habit. Individuals may benefit from habit formation strategies and self-regulation training.     

Initial responses to the first dose of nicotine in novel smokers: The role of exposure to environmental smoking and genetic predisposition

Background: Sensitivity to initial smoking constitutes an early predictor of the risk of dependence. We investigated the role of exposure to smoking (by parents, siblings, and peers) and reward-related candidate gene polymorphisms (OPRM1 A118G, DRD2 TaqlA and DRD4?bp VNTR) in adolescents’ responses to initial smoking.

Methods: We used cross-sectional survey data and saliva samples from 171 Dutch students who had never inhaled on a cigarette (mean age: 13.9?years). The outcome measure was adolescents’ self-reported responses to initial smoking.

Results: Exposure to peer smoking was associated with increased liking (OR?=?1.74, CI?=?1.13–2.70) and more pleasant sensations (β?=?.21, p?=?.01). Exposure to maternal smoking was associated with less unpleasant sensations (β?=??.20, p?=?.01). Adolescents carrying the G-variant of the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism were more likely to report liking (OR?=?2.50, CI?=?1.09–5.73) and adolescents homozygous for the C-variant of the DRD2 TaqlA polymorphism reported less unpleasant sensations (β?=?.18, p?=?.04).

Conclusion: Although preliminary, these findings suggest that exposure to environmental smoking and polymorphisms in the OPRM1 and DRD2 gene may affect initial sensitivity to nicotine, an early phenotype of the risk of dependence. In the future, collaborative efforts to combine data from multiple studies in meta-analyses are needed to improve accuracy of estimated effects in genetic studies.     

Reinstatement of odour context cues veridical memories but not false memories

ABSTRACT

The sense of smell has made a recent return to the forefront of research on episodic memory. Odour context cues can reactivate recently encoded memories during sleep-dependent memory consolidation [e.g., Rasch, B., Buchel, C., Gais, S., & Born, J. (2007). Odor cues during slow-wave sleep prompt declarative memory consolidation. Science, 315, 1426–1429], and reinstating the odour experienced during encoding at test results in superior recall and recognition [e.g., Isarida, T., Sakai, T., Kubota, T., Koga, M., Katayama, Y., & Isarida, T. K. (2014). Odor-context effects in free recall after a short retention interval: A new methodology for controlling adaptation. Memory & Cognition, 42, 421–433]. However, whether the impact of odour cues is restricted to the specific memories studied in the presence of the odour, or whether reinstating the odour also cues unstudied memories that are semantically related to the studied memories (i.e., false memories) is unknown. We used the Deese-Roediger-McDermott false memory paradigm to quantify the impact of odour cues on both veridical memory and false memory. Reinstating the odour presented during the study of the DRM word lists at the test phase resulted in better free recall of the studied words, but had no statistically significant impact on the number of false memories produced. We argue that odour cues influence recall of the memories they co-occurred with during study but potentially not semantically related memories.     

General canonical models for graded normal logics (graded modalities IV)

We prove the canonical models introduced in [D] do not exist for some graded normal logics with symmetric models, namelyKB°, KBD°, KBT°, so that we define a new kind of canonical models, the general ones, and show they exist and work well in every case.     

Validation française de l’Inventaire d’Attitudes Environnementales

IntroductionClimate change has made it necessary to develop valid tools for studying pro-environmental behaviors.ObjectivesThe present study assessed the validity of the French translation of the brief version of Milfont and Duckitt's (2010) Environmental Attitudes Inventory. We chose this scale for its psychometric properties, its ability to predict behaviors, its theoretical foundations, and its use in many countries. In addition to the translation, we tested a shortened, 12-item version of the scale.MethodThree samples were used to study the structure of the IAE, its nomological network, its test–retest fidelity, and its predictive validity.ResultsIAE-24 has similar psychometric properties to the original version, for both one-factor and two-factor models (preservation and utilization dimensions). IAE-12 has satisfactory internal consistency if the one-factor model is used. The nomological network of IAE-24 is not totally identical to the original version. Differences can be ascribed to inconsistencies in the literature and the use of different scales. Both IAE-24 and IAE-12 have very satisfactory predictive validity and test–retest reliability.ConclusionThe French version of the IAE has satisfactory psychometric properties.     

Atomic and electronic structure of a carbon nitride compound prepared by magnetron sputtering

The atomic structure, chemical composition and chemical bonding state of a carbon nitride compound, synthesized by rf magnetron sputtering, have been studied by high-resolution electron microscopy, nanobeam diffraction and electron energy loss spectroscopy. It is revealed that the grain sizes of a crystalline compound in an amorphous matrix lie in the range 5-10 nm, and that the compound has a hexagonal structure with a = 0.324 nm and c = 0.404 nm. The C and N K edges are observed in the high-energy region of the electron-energy-loss spectrum. Only features corresponding to C sigma* bonds are found in the C K edge spectrum, which provides evidence for sp³ hybridization of C orbitals in the compound. Quantifying the electron-energy-loss spectra suggests that the compound is C₇N₁₀.     

Parallel processing of whole words and morphemes in visual word recognition

Models of morphological processing make different predictions about whether morphologically complex written words are initially decomposed and recognized on the basis of their morphemic subunits or whether they can directly be accessed as whole words and at what point semantics begin to influence morphological processing. In this study, we used unprimed and masked primed lexical decision to compare truly suffixed (darkest) and pseudosuffixed words (glossary) with within-boundary (d ra kest/g ol ssary) to across-boundary (dar ek st/glos as ry) letter transpositions. Significant transposed-letter similarity effects were found independently of the morphological position of the letter transposition, demonstrating that, in English, morphologically complex whole-word representations can be directly accessed at initial word processing stages. In a third masked primed lexical decision experiment, the same materials were used in the context of stem target priming, and it was found that truly suffixed primes facilitate the recognition of their stem-target (darkest–DARK) to the same extent as pseudosuffixed primes (glossary–GLOSS), which is consistent with theories of early morpho-orthographic decomposition. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for both whole-word access and morphological decomposition at initial stages of visual word recognition and are discussed in the context of a hybrid account.     

Developmental trajectories of multisite musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms: The effects of job demands and resources and individual factors

Objective: To investigate developmental paths in multisite musculoskeletal pain (MPS) and depressive symptoms (DPS) and the effects of job demands (JD), job resources (JR), optimism and health-related lifestyle on these paths. We expected to find four trajectories – Low Symptoms, High Pain, High Depression and High Symptoms – and hypothesised that high JDs, low JRs, low optimism and adverse lifestyle predict belonging to trajectories with high symptom levels.

Design: Data on Finnish firefighters (N = 360) were collected in 1996, 1999 and 2009. The effects of JDs (mental and physical workload), JRs (supervisory relations, interpersonal relations, task resources), optimism and lifestyle (alcohol consumption, smoking, physical exercise, sleeping) on MPS and DPS were assessed. Latent class growth modelling and multinomial logistic regression were applied.

Results: Three trajectories emerged: Low Symptoms; High Pain; and High Depression. In a multivariable model, high mental workload (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5–5.5), poor interpersonal relations (2.6, 1.4–5.0), sleeping problems (2.7, 1.4–5.2) and low optimism (2.0, 1.0–3.7) predicted belonging to High Depression. Alcohol consumption (2.4, 1.4–4.1) and sleeping problems (2.1, 1.3–3.6) were related to High Pain.

Conclusions: Different developmental paths in MPS and DPS are possible. Partly different factors predict the development of pain and depressive symptoms.     

Structure factorielle et qualités psychométriques du questionnaire d’auto-évaluation pour adolescents (Youth Self-Report) d’Achenbach et Rescorla

IntroductionRecent research on the prognostic significance of subthreshold comorbid disorders highlighted the need for instruments allowing for the comprehensive exploration of symptomatology of adolescents.ObjectiveTo verify the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Achenbach and Rescorla's Youth Self-Report French translation, which allows this investigation.MethodWe had 1450 adolescents 11–17- year old (747 girls) complete the YSR in secondary schools in the Paris metropolitan area.ResultsConfirmatory Factor Analyses and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling supported the 8-syndrome structure. However, since ESEM allows cross-loadings, the number of indicators for each factor in the ESEM models is much higher than in the CFA models. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were satisfactory, and multigroup analyses confirmed the metric and scalar invariance across age and gender of most of the items examined (70 out of 89). We can therefore affirm that girls score lower on Social problems than boys, 15–17-year-old adolescent score higher on Thought problems, Attention problems, and Rule-Breaking Behavior than the younger, and these differences are substantive and independent of differential item functioning.ConclusionThese results are likely to encourage the use of YSR in research and clinical practice with French-speaking adolescents.     

Executive Dysfunctions Across Adulthood: Measurement Properties and Correlates of the DEX Self-Report Questionnaire

ABSTRACT

Difficulties in executive processes can disturb daily life functioning. Using data obtained from two independent community-dwelling samples (n ₁?=?468, n ₂?=?669, 18–97 years), we examined the factor structure of the Dysexecutive Functioning Questionnaire (DEX) and explored the frequencies and potential correlates of self-reported executive difficulties. Our results revealed that executive problems are parsimoniously described with one underlying factor. Everyday executive dysfunctions were moderately frequent throughout adulthood. Reports of executive problems were associated with individual difference characteristics including age, subjective health, personality, affect, and cognition. We also found that, although executive functions are known to decline with advancing adult age, younger age groups reported more problems than older groups, an effect that was partially mediated by a negative affect factor. We discuss implications for the validity of the instrument as well as directions for future research on executive functioning difficulties in everyday life.     

Development and validation of the trait and state versions of the Post-Event Processing Inventory

Background: Post-event processing (PEP) refers to negative and prolonged rumination following anxiety-provoking social situations. Although there are scales to assess PEP, they are situation-specific, some targeting only public-speaking situations. Furthermore, there are no trait measures to assess the tendency to engage in PEP. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to create a new measure of PEP, the Post-Event Processing Inventory (PEPI), which can be employed following all types of social situations and includes both trait and state forms. Design and method: Over two studies (study 1, N?=?220; study 2, N?=?199), we explored and confirmed the factor structure of the scale with student samples. Results: For each form of the scale, we found and confirmed that a higher-order, general PEP factor could be inferred from three sub-domains (intensity, frequency, and self-judgment). We also found preliminary evidence for the convergent, concurrent, discriminant/divergent, incremental, and predictive validity for each version of the scale. Both forms of the scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency and the trait form had excellent two-week test–retest reliability. Conclusion: Given the utility and versatility of the scale, the PEPI may provide a useful alternative to existing measures of PEP and rumination.     

Recent books

Abstract

Wyer, R.S., Jr., & Srull, T.K. (Eds.) (1993). Perspectives on anger and emotion: Advances in social cognition (Vol. VI). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. ISBN 0–8058–1326–8 (hbk), 0–8058–1327–6 (pbk), 206 pp. £29.95 (hbk), £13.50 (pbk)

Mathes, E.W. (1993). Jealousy: The psychological data. New York: University Press of America. ISBN 0–8191–8521–3, 204 pp. £32.50

Solomon, R.C. (1994). Above love: Reinventing romance for our times. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0–8226–3027–3, 352 pp. £14.95.