Showing papers by "University of Sussex published in 2008"
TL;DR: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing standardized definitions of BCTs included in behavioral interventions and highlight problematic variability in the reporting of intervention content.
Abstract: Objective: Without standardized definitions of the techniques included in behavior change interventions, it is difficult to faithfully replicate effective interventions and challenging to identify techniques contributing to effectiveness across interventions. This research aimed to develop and test a theory-linked taxonomy of generally applicable behavior change techniques (BCTs). Design: Twenty-six BCTs were defined. Two psychologists used a 5-page coding manual to independently judge the presence or absence of each technique in published intervention descriptions and in intervention manuals. Results: Three systematic reviews yielded 195 published descriptions. Across 78 reliability tests (i.e., 26 techniques applied to 3 reviews), the average kappa per technique was 0.79, with 93% of judgments being agreements. Interventions were found to vary widely in the range and type of techniques used, even when targeting the same behavior among similar participants. The average agreement for intervention manuals was 85%, and a comparison of BCTs identified in 13 manuals and 13 published articles describing the same interventions generated a technique correspondence rate of 74%, with most mismatches (73%) arising from identification of a technique in the manual but not in the article. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing standardized definitions of BCTs included in behavioral interventions and highlight problematic variability in the reporting of intervention content.
2,321 citations
TL;DR: Halophytes, plants that survive to reproduce in environments where the salt concentration is around 200 mm NaCl or more, constitute about 1% of the world's flora and research should be concentrated on a number of 'model' species that are representative of the various mechanisms that might be involved in tolerance.
Abstract: Halophytes, plants that survive to reproduce in environments where the salt concentration is around 200 mM NaCl or more, constitute about 1% of the worlds flora. Some halophytes show optimal growth in saline conditions; others grow optimally in the absence of salt. However, the tolerance of all halophytes to salinity relies on controlled uptake and compartmentalization of Na+, K+ and Cl- and the synthesis of organic compatible solutes, even where salt glands are operative. Although there is evidence that different species may utilize different transporters in their accumulation of Na+, in general little is known of the proteins and regulatory networks involved. Consequently, it is not yet possible to assign molecular mechanisms to apparent differences in rates of Na+ and Cl- uptake, in root-to-shoot transport (xylem loading and retrieval), or in net selectivity for K+ over Na+. At the cellular level, H+-ATPases in the plasma membrane and tonoplast, as well as the tonoplast H+-PPiase, provide the transmembrane proton motive force used by various secondary transporters. The widespread occurrence, taxonomically, of halophytes and the general paucity of information on the molecular regulation of tolerance mechanisms persuade us that research should be concentrated on a number of model species that are representative of the various mechanisms that might be involved in tolerance.
2,127 citations
TL;DR: The Sixth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDS) as discussed by the authors contains images and parameters of roughly 287 million objects over 9583 deg(2), including scans over a large range of Galactic latitudes and longitudes.
Abstract: This paper describes the Sixth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. With this data release, the imaging of the northern Galactic cap is now complete. The survey contains images and parameters of roughly 287 million objects over 9583 deg(2), including scans over a large range of Galactic latitudes and longitudes. The survey also includes 1.27 million spectra of stars, galaxies, quasars, and blank sky ( for sky subtraction) selected over 7425 deg2. This release includes much more stellar spectroscopy than was available in previous data releases and also includes detailed estimates of stellar temperatures, gravities, and metallicities. The results of improved photometric calibration are now available, with uncertainties of roughly 1% in g, r, i, and z, and 2% in u, substantially better than the uncertainties in previous data releases. The spectra in this data release have improved wavelength and flux calibration, especially in the extreme blue and extreme red, leading to the qualitatively better determination of stellar types and radial velocities. The spectrophotometric fluxes are now tied to point-spread function magnitudes of stars rather than fiber magnitudes. This gives more robust results in the presence of seeing variations, but also implies a change in the spectrophotometric scale, which is now brighter by roughly 0.35 mag. Systematic errors in the velocity dispersions of galaxies have been fixed, and the results of two independent codes for determining spectral classifications and red-shifts are made available. Additional spectral outputs are made available, including calibrated spectra from individual 15 minute exposures and the sky spectrum subtracted from each exposure. We also quantify a recently recognized underestimation of the brightnesses of galaxies of large angular extent due to poor sky subtraction; the bias can exceed 0.2 mag for galaxies brighter than r = 14 mag.
1,602 citations
TL;DR: The authors identified 5 specific components of in-group identification and offered a hierarchical 2-dimensional model within which these components are organized, and demonstrated the construct validity and predictive and discriminant validity of these components.
Abstract: Recent research shows individuals' identification with in-groups to be psychologically important and socially consequential. However, there is little agreement about how identification should be conceptualized or measured. On the basis of previous work, the authors identified 5 specific components of in-group identification and offered a hierarchical 2-dimensional model within which these components are organized. Studies 1 and 2 used confirmatory factor analysis to validate the proposed model of self-definition (individual self-stereotyping, in-group homogeneity) and self-investment (solidarity, satisfaction, and centrality) dimensions, across 3 different group identities. Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated the construct validity of the 5 components by examining their (concurrent) correlations with established measures of in-group identification. Studies 5-7 demonstrated the predictive and discriminant validity of the 5 components by examining their (prospective) prediction of individuals' orientation to, and emotions about, real intergroup relations. Together, these studies illustrate the conceptual and empirical value of a hierarchical multicomponent model of in-group identification.
1,249 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the role of power in science and technology and identify key commonalities transcending the analysis/participation dichotomy, concluding that greater appreciation is required in both analytic and participatory appraisal to facilitate the opening up (rather than the closing down) of governance commitments on science and technologies.
Abstract: Discursive deference in the governance of science and technology is rebalancing from expert analysis toward participatory deliberation. Linear, scientistic conceptions of innovation are giving ground to more plural, socially situated understandings. Yet, growing recognition of social agency in technology choice is countered by persistently deterministic notions of technological progress. This article addresses this increasingly stark disjuncture. Distinguishing between appraisal and commitment in technology choice, it highlights contrasting implications of normative, instrumental, and substantive imperatives in appraisal. Focusing on the role of power, it identifies key commonalities transcending the analysis/participation dichotomy. Each is equally susceptible to instrumental framing for variously weak and strong forms of justification. To address the disjuncture, it is concluded that greater appreciation is requiredin both analytic and participatory appraisalto facilitating the opening up (rather than the closing down) of governance commitments on science and technology.
1,207 citations
TL;DR: The molecular mechanisms and organization of the DNA-repair pathways that remove single-strand breaks are reviewed and the connection between defects in these pathways and hereditary neurodegenerative disease are discussed.
Abstract: Hereditary defects in the repair of DNA damage are implicated in a variety of diseases, many of which are typified by neurological dysfunction and/or increased genetic instability and cancer. Of the different types of DNA damage that arise in cells, single-strand breaks (SSBs) are the most common, arising at a frequency of tens of thousands per cell per day from direct attack by intracellular metabolites and from spontaneous DNA decay. Here, the molecular mechanisms and organization of the DNA-repair pathways that remove SSBs are reviewed and the connection between defects in these pathways and hereditary neurodegenerative disease are discussed.
923 citations
21 Jan 2008
TL;DR: The authors make a tentative answer to the question "How do people acquire skill at comprehending what they read?" and acknowledge some complexities about the concept of reading comprehension and what it means to develop it.
Abstract: How do people acquire skill at comprehending what they read? That is the simple question to which we shall try to make a tentative answer. To begin, we have to acknowledge some complexities about the concept of reading comprehension and what it means to develop it.
853 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that < or =25% of DSBs require ATM signaling for repair, and this percentage correlates with increased chromatin but not damage complexity, which suggests that the importance of ATM signalling for DSB repair increases as the heterochromatic component of a genome expands.
845 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a rigorous definition of the rebound effect, to clarify key conceptual issues and to highlight the potential consequences of various assumptions for empirical estimates of the effect.
768 citations
TL;DR: It is found that mating with a single male, which maximizes relatedness, is ancestral for all eight independent eusocial lineages that are investigated, and monogamy was critical in the evolution of eussociality, strongly supporting the prediction of inclusive fitness theory.
Abstract: Close relatedness has long been considered crucial to the evolution of eusociality. However, it has recently been suggested that close relatedness may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of eusociality. We tested this idea with a comparative analysis of female mating frequencies in 267 species of eusocial bees, wasps, and ants. We found that mating with a single male, which maximizes relatedness, is ancestral for all eight independent eusocial lineages that we investigated. Mating with multiple males is always derived. Furthermore, we found that high polyandry (>2 effective mates) occurs only in lineages whose workers have lost reproductive totipotency. These results provide the first evidence that monogamy was critical in the evolution of eusociality, strongly supporting the prediction of inclusive fitness theory.
574 citations
TL;DR: Ajzen et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the predictive utility of an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour for people's intentions to engage with the natural environment and found that affective connection was a significant independent predictor of intention to engage in natural environment.
TL;DR: This work discusses cell-cycle control in light of overlapping and essential functions of the different CDKs and cyclin subunits in higher eukaryotes.
Abstract: Cell-cycle transitions in higher eukaryotes are regulated by different cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their activating cyclin subunits. Based on pioneering findings that a dominant-negative mutation of CDK1 blocks the cell cycle at G2-M phase, whereas dominant-negative CDK2 inhibits the transition into S phase, a model of cell-cycle control has emerged in which each transition is regulated by a specific subset of CDKs and cyclins. Recent work with gene-targeted mice has led to a revision of this model. We discuss cell-cycle control in light of overlapping and essential functions of the different CDKs and cyclins.
Fermilab1, University of Chicago2, University of Cape Town3, University of Washington4, Seoul National University5, Wayne State University6, Ohio State University7, University of Tokyo8, University of Notre Dame9, New Mexico State University10, Stanford University11, Space Telescope Science Institute12, University of Portsmouth13, Johns Hopkins University14, Rochester Institute of Technology15, University of Pennsylvania16, Pennsylvania State University17, University of Texas at Austin18, Apache Corporation19, Max Planck Society20, University of Bristol21, Liverpool John Moores University22, Columbia University23, Durham University24, United States Naval Academy25, University of California, Berkeley26, Stockholm University27, Princeton University28, Lowell Observatory29, Harvard University30, Subaru31, University of Göttingen32, San Francisco State University33, University of Copenhagen34, University of Barcelona35, University of California, Santa Cruz36, University of Sussex37
TL;DR: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey-II (SDSS-II) as mentioned in this paper is a multi-year project to identify and measure light curves for intermediate-redshift (0.05 < z < 0.35) Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using repeated five-band imaging over an area of 300 sq. deg.
Abstract: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey-II (SDSS-II) has embarked on a multi-year project to identify and measure light curves for intermediate-redshift (0.05 < z < 0.35) Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using repeated five-band (ugriz) imaging over an area of 300 sq. deg. The survey region is a stripe 2.5° wide centered on the celestial equator in the Southern Galactic Cap that has been imaged numerous times in earlier years, enabling construction of a deep reference image for the discovery of new objects. Supernova imaging observations are being acquired between September 1 and November 30 of 2005-7. During the first two seasons, each region was imaged on average every five nights. Spectroscopic follow-up observations to determine supernova type and redshift are carried out on a large number of telescopes. In its first two three-month seasons, the survey has discovered and measured light curves for 327 spectroscopically confirmed SNe Ia, 30 probable SNe Ia, 14 confirmed SNe Ib/c, 32 confirmed SNe II, plus a large number of photometrically identified SNe Ia, 94 of which have host-galaxy spectra taken so far. This paper provides an overview of the project and briefly describes the observations completed during the first two seasons of operation.
TL;DR: Results from pharmacological and neuroanatomical studies on the role of several neurotransmitter systems and brain areas in context-induced reinstatement in rats with a history of heroin, cocaine, heroin–cocaine combination, alcohol and nicotine self-administration are summarized.
Abstract: In humans, exposure to environmental contexts previously associated with drug intake often provokes relapse to drug use, but the mechanisms mediating this relapse are unknown. Based on early studies by Bouton & Bolles on context-induced ‘renewal’ of learned behaviours, we developed a procedure to study context-induced relapse to drug seeking. In this procedure, rats are first trained to self-administer drug in one context. Next, drug-reinforced lever responding is extinguished in a different (non-drug) context. Subsequently, context-induced reinstatement of drug seeking is assessed by re-exposing rats to the drug-associated context. Using variations of this procedure, we and others reported reliable context-induced reinstatement in rats with a history of heroin, cocaine, heroin–cocaine combination, alcohol and nicotine self-administration. Here, we first discuss potential psychological mechanisms of context-induced reinstatement, including excitatory and inhibitory Pavlovian conditioning, and occasion setting. We then summarize results from pharmacological and neuroanatomical studies on the role of several neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, glutamate, serotonin and opioids) and brain areas (ventral tegmental area, accumbens shell, dorsal striatum, basolateral amygdala, prefrontal cortex, dorsal hippocampus and lateral hypothalamus) in context-induced reinstatement. We conclude by discussing the clinical implications of rat studies on context-induced reinstatement of drug seeking.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the energy transition project carried out by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and present generic dilemmas for transitions approaches in the context of socio-technical multi-level theory that informs transition management.
Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety1, University of Sussex2, Iowa State University3, Monsanto4, Oregon State University5, DuPont6, Calvin College7, Syngenta8, United States Department of Agriculture9, Julius Kühn-Institut10, University of Guelph11, Cornell University12, United States Environmental Protection Agency13
TL;DR: An international initiative is developing a scientifically rigorous approach to evaluate the potential risks to nontarget arthropods posed by insect-resistant, genetically modified (IRGM) crops to provide guidance to regulatory agencies that are currently developing their own NTA risk assessment guidelines for IRGM crops.
Abstract: An international initiative is developing a scientifically rigorous approach to evaluate the potential risks to nontarget arthropods (NTAs) posed by insect-resistant, genetically modified (IRGM) crops. It adapts the tiered approach to risk assessment that is used internationally within regulatory toxicology and environmental sciences. The approach focuses on the formulation and testing of clearly stated risk hypotheses, making maximum use of available data and using formal decision guidelines to progress between testing stages (or tiers). It is intended to provide guidance to regulatory agencies that are currently developing their own NTA risk assessment guidelines for IRGM crops and to help harmonize regulatory requirements between different countries and different regions of the world.
TL;DR: This work will highlight the key scientific findings and discuss how the stability of amyloid fibrils impacts on bionanotechnology.
Abstract: Amyloid refers to the abnormal fibrous, extracellular, proteinaceous deposits found in organs and tissues. Amyloid is insoluble and is structurally dominated by beta-sheet structure. Unlike other fibrous proteins it does not commonly have a structural, supportive or motility role but is associated with the pathology seen in a range of diseases known as the amyloidoses. These diseases include Alzheimer's, the spongiform encephalopathies and type II diabetes, all of which are progressive disorders with associated high morbidity and mortality. Not surprisingly, research into the physicochemical properties of amyloid and its formation is currently intensely pursued. In this chapter we will highlight the key scientific findings and discuss how the stability of amyloid fibrils impacts on bionanotechnology.
University of Zurich1, University of Notre Dame2, CERN3, Brookhaven National Laboratory4, Durham University5, University of Hamburg6, Max Planck Society7, Autonomous University of Madrid8, University of Victoria9, Technische Universität München10, University of Cagliari11, Instituto Superior Técnico12, University of British Columbia13, University of Valencia14, International School for Advanced Studies15, University of Warsaw16, University of Lyon17, Yale University18, University of Manchester19, University of Pisa20, RWTH Aachen University21, University of Wisconsin-Madison22, University of Sussex23, University of Tokyo24, Argonne National Laboratory25, Helsinki Institute of Physics26, University of Oregon27, University of Zagreb28, KEK29, University of Southampton30, Paul Scherrer Institute31, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute32, University of California33, University of Paris34, University of Rome Tor Vergata35, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences36, University of Salento37, Boston University38, University of Würzburg39, International Centre for Theoretical Physics40, University of Murcia41, University of Michigan42, Indian Institute of Science43
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the theoretical, phenomenological and experimental issues related to flavor phenomena in the charged lepton sector and in flavor conserving CP-violating processes.
Abstract: This chapter of the report of the “Flavor in the era of the LHC” Workshop discusses the theoretical, phenomenological and experimental issues related to flavor phenomena in the charged lepton sector and in flavor conserving CP-violating processes. We review the current experimental limits and the main theoretical models for the flavor structure of fundamental particles. We analyze the phenomenological consequences of the available data, setting constraints on explicit models beyond the standard model, presenting benchmarks for the discovery potential of forthcoming measurements both at the LHC and at low energy, and exploring options for possible future experiments.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the tensions that make it difficult for a research-oriented university to achieve commercial outcomes and develop hypotheses linking specific aspects of the organization and the individual researcher to the likelihood of their research projects generating commercial outcomes.
Abstract: We examine the tensions that make it difficult for a research-oriented university to achieve commercial outcomes. Building on the organizational ambidexterity literature, we specify the nature of the tensions (between academic and commercially-oriented activities) at both organizational and individual levels of analysis, and how these can be resolved. We develop hypotheses linking specific aspects of the organization and the individual researcher to the likelihood of their research projects generating commercial outcomes, and we test them using a novel dataset of 207 Research Council-funded projects, combining objective data on project outcomes with the perceptions of principal investigators. We show that the tension between academic and commercial demands is more salient at the level of the individual researcher than at the level of the organization. Universities show evidence that they are able to manage the tensions between academic and commercial demands, through for example their creation of ‘dual structures’. At the individual level, on the other hand, the tensions are more acute, so that the people who deliver commercial outcomes tend to be rather different to those who are accustomed to producing academic outcomes.
TL;DR: In this article, the concept of relational equity is proposed to describe equitable relations in classrooms; relations that include students treating each other with respect and responsibility, and the results of a four-year study of different mathematics teaching approaches, conducted in three Californian high schools.
Abstract: Equity is a concept that is often measured in terms of test scores, with educators looking for equal test scores among students of different cultural groups, social classes or sexes. In this article the term ‘relational equity’ is proposed to describe equitable relations in classrooms; relations that include students treating each other with respect and responsibility. This concept will be illustrated through the results of a four‐year study of different mathematics teaching approaches, conducted in three Californian high schools. In one of the schools—a diverse, urban high school—students achieved at higher levels, learned good behaviour, and learned to respect students from different cultural groups, social classes, ability levels and sexes. In addition, differences in attainment between different cultural groups were eliminated in some cases and reduced in all others. Importantly, the goals of high achievement and equity were achieved in tandem through a mixed‐ability mathematics approach that is not u...
TL;DR: The evolutionary relationship between photoreceptor spectral sensitivities of four groups of land animals,birds, butterflies, primates and hymenopteran insects, the colour signals that are relevant to them, and how understanding is informed by models of spectral coding and colour vision are discussed.
TL;DR: A series of behavioural and brain-based measures are reviewed, assessing their ability to track graded consciousness and clarifying how they relate to each other by showing what theories are presupposed by each.
TL;DR: The data disfavor two alternative explanations for the disappearance of neutrinos in flight: namely, neutrino decays into lighter particles and quantum decoherence of neutRinos, at the 3.7 and 5.7 standard-deviation levels, respectively.
Abstract: This Letter reports new results from the MINOS experiment based on a two-year exposure to muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI beam. Our data are consistent with quantum-mechanical oscillations of neutrino flavor with mass splitting |Δm^2|=(2.43±0.13)×10^-3 eV^2 (68% C.L.) and mixing angle sin^2(2θ)>0.90 (90% C.L.). Our data disfavor two alternative explanations for the disappearance of neutrinos in flight: namely, neutrino decays into lighter particles and quantum decoherence of neutrinos, at the 3.7 and 5.7 standard-deviation levels, respectively.
TL;DR: The study concludes that atmospheric depositions can elevate the levels of heavy metals in vegetables during marketing having potential health hazards to consumers.
TL;DR: The purpose of this review is to provide researchers with an overview of the research literature documenting cognitive involvement in saccadic tasks in healthy controls, and to provide a solid background against which to interpret the deficits on saccade tasks demonstrated in patient populations.
TL;DR: China has a highly mobile population of 140 million rural-to-urban migrants (10% of the total population) a number that is expected to increase in the coming decade and one that is poorly indicated in research about health issues for migrants.
TL;DR: It is found that cells of individuals with Seckel syndrome due to mutations in PCNT (PCNT-Seckel) have defects in ATR-dependent checkpoint signaling, providing the first evidence linking a structural centrosomal protein with DNA damage signaling.
Abstract: Large brain size is one of the defining characteristics of modern humans. Seckel syndrome (MIM 210600), a disorder of markedly reduced brain and body size, is associated with defective ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling. Only a single hypomorphic mutation of ATR has been identified in this genetically heterogeneous condition. We now report that mutations in the gene encoding pericentrin (PCNT)--resulting in the loss of pericentrin from the centrosome, where it has key functions anchoring both structural and regulatory proteins--also cause Seckel syndrome. Furthermore, we find that cells of individuals with Seckel syndrome due to mutations in PCNT (PCNT-Seckel) have defects in ATR-dependent checkpoint signaling, providing the first evidence linking a structural centrosomal protein with DNA damage signaling. These findings also suggest that other known microcephaly genes implicated in either DNA repair responses or centrosomal function may act in common developmental pathways determining human brain and body size.
TL;DR: The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as discussed by the authors suggests a distinction between a pre-intentional motivation process that leads to a behavioral intention and a postintentional volition process that facilitates the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors.
Abstract: Health-compromising behaviors such as cigarette smoking and poor dietary habits are difficult to change. Most social-cognitive theories assume that the intention to change is the best predictor of actual change, but people often do not behave in accordance with their intentions. Unforeseen barriers emerge, or people give in to temptations. Therefore, intentions should be supplemented by more proximal predictors that might facilitate the translation of intentions into action. Some self-regulatory mediators have been identified, such as perceived self-efficacy and strategic planning. They help to bridge the intention-behavior gap. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) suggests a distinction between (1) a preintentional motivation process that leads to a behavioral intention and (2) a postintentional volition process that facilitates the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. In this article, two studies are reported that examine mediators between intentions and two behaviors. One behavior is smok...
TL;DR: In this article, the United Nations Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights approved the 'Norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights' (Norms).
Abstract: The responsibilities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in the area of human rights have been on the international agenda for sometime now and have gain more momentum in the last two decades. In the past, several attempts were made under the auspices of the United Nations to devise a framework for controlling Transnational corporations without much success. In the face of increasing allegation of human rights abuses by TNCs, the United Nations Sub-commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights approved the 'Norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights' (Norms).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the recent rise of migration and development as a major area of policy concern and cautions against essentializing migration and placing too great a responsibility upon migrant agency at the expense of the institutional change necessary to bring about development.
Abstract: This article examines the recent rise of migration and development as a major area of policy concern. The focus up to now has been almost entirely upon international migration, which accounts for the minority of people who move. A consensus has emerged that migration can be managed to promote development and this article critically assesses three of the major areas of concern: remittances, skilled migration and the diaspora. While welcoming the growing acceptance that migration is no longer seen as negative for development, this article cautions against essentializing migration and placing too great a responsibility upon migrant agency at the expense of the institutional change necessary to bring about development. Internal as well as international migrations will need to be integrated into any development framework and it is further argued that these migrations are essentially a consequence of development. Planning for migration as an outcome rather than a cause of development is likely to provide a more balanced policy approach.