Monoacylglycerols derived from butter oil by Penicillium roquefortii in suspension cultures

Structural isomers of monoacylglycerols (monoglycerides, MAGs) were identified and compared after degradation of butter oil by two strains of Penicillium roquefortii and a commercial lipase from P roquefortii (EC 3.1.1.3) at pH 7.0 and 10 °C. The conditions were selected as they were comparable with those used in the manufacture of blue mould‐ripened cheese. The commercial lipase was selected to compare with the fungal strains in terms of acyl migration. Results showed that the main isomers formed by lipolysis with the commercial lipase were sn‐2 MAGs (64 mol%), whilst spores and emerging mycelia of P roquefortii produced mainly sn‐1(3) MAGs (83–90 mol%). The work reported here may lead to further assessment of different MAG structural isomers as natural preservatives in foods and dairy products. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Teachers' and deaf students' perceptions of communication ease and engagement.

Collected ratings of communication ease and of engagement for 95 deaf junior and senior high school students (aged 12–21 yrs) in a large, urban, multiethnic school for the deaf. Ratings were made by the students' English teachers and by the students themselves. High teacher ratings for communication ease and engagement were associated with high academic achievement as measured by the Stanford Achievement Test. High student ratings for communication ease were also associated with academic achievement. The 2 best predictors of academic achievement were student-rated communication ease and teacher-rated engagement. Findings suggest that it is important for teachers to be sensitive to the level of communication comfort of their students because students who enjoy easier communication may be more likely to be engaged, or more actively involved, in classroom learning and to demonstrate higher academic achievement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unsubstantiated claims of false memory and essential responsibilities.

Comments on the assertion of K. S. Pope (see record 83-37387) that the confirmation that supposedly validates claims about the false memory syndrome, its antecedents, and its rampant magnitude needs to be made available and carefully examined. The author considers why there has been acceptance of unsubstantiated claims of false memory, and also points to essential responsibilities for psychologists whose clients have abuse memories. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Explanation-based learning as justification of knowledge

Abstract: This paper describes the use of the explanation-based learning (EBL) machine learning technique in the practical domain of knowledge acquisition for expert systems. A knowledge acquisition tool, EBKAT (Explanation-Based Knowledge Acquisition Tool), is described, which may be used in the development of knowledge bases for diagnostic expert systems. The functioning of EBKAT attempts to combine the full potential of a domain expert's skills and the power of explanation-based machine learning techniques. The EBL component is not employed in the acquisition of the knowledge base rules but is used to justify the knowledge entered and to relate it to the knowledge already in the system. It is suggested that the EBKAT tool goes some way towards overcoming the knowledge acquisition bottleneck and results in the acquisition of knowledge which is rich in contextual information.     

The dieting maelstrom: Is it possible and advisable to lose weight?

An impassioned debate over the virtues and dangers of dieting is polarizing the field and diverts attention from key issues. Dieting clearly has costs and, for some, has the potential for benefit. The primary challenges are (1) to identify individuals who will be helped or harmed by dieting, (2) to reduce the frequency and severity of dieting in those for whom the costs exceed the benefits, (3) to better understand the physiological and psychological reasons why some people can lose and others cannot, and (4) to develop safe and effective means for weight loss and its maintenance and to target these methods to individuals who stand to benefit. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of improvement in multidisciplinary treatment of chronic pain.

Although multidisciplinary pain programs have been demonstrated to be effective, the processes of improvement have yet to be clarified. Cognitive-behavioral models posit that improvement is due, in part, to changes in patient pain beliefs and coping strategies. To test the relationships between treatment outcome and changes in beliefs and coping strategies, 94 chronic pain patients (aged 21–64 yrs) completed measures of physical and psychological functioning, health care utilization, pain beliefs, and use of pain coping strategies at admission and 3 to 6 mo after inpatient pain treatment. Improved functioning and decreased health care use were associated with changes in both beliefs and cognitive coping strategies. However, changes in some coping strategies, such as exercise and use of rest, were not associated with improvement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transactional analysis ego state functioning, psychological distress, and client change.

Explored the construct validity of transactional analysis (TA) ego state concepts. Ego states are defined as coherent systems of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 65 university students seeking therapy and 95 university students not receiving therapy completed the Adjective Checklist (ACL) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Ego state scores from the ACL correlated with BSI psychological distress in predicted directions. Four of the 5 TA ego state scores differentiated Ss seeking therapy from Ss not seeking therapy. Furthermore, ego state scores changed over the course of therapy, indicating a reduction of distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Pb-free solder alloys for low-cost electronic assembly: A review

Lead-free solders, including Sn-58Bi, Sn-52In, and Sn-3.5Ag, are potential replacements for Sn-37Pb solder in low-cost electronic assembly. This paper reviews the literature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of these alloys. Because of the processing and testing conditions, many of the data are not predictive for electronic assembly applications. However, eutectic Sn-Bi seems to have properties approaching those of eutectic Sn-Pb under most conditions, while eutectic Sn-In seems far inferior in most respects. Eutectic Sn-Ag has many promising characteristics, but its relatively high melting temperature may preclude its use for this type of application.     

The physician-delivered smoking intervention project: Can short-term interventions produce long-term effects for a general outpatient population?

Patterns of smoking cessation using 6- and 12-mo follow-up data are reported for 1,261 primary care patients randomized to 3 physician-delivered smoking interventions: advice only (AO), counseling (CI), and counseling plus availability of nicotine-containing gum (CI?+?NCG). One-week point-prevalence cessation rates at 12 mo did not differ among the interventions: AO (15.2%), CI (12.9%) and CI?+?NCG (16.7%). However, maintained cessation rates (abstinent at both 6 and 12 mo) increased with intervention intensity: AO (6.0%), CI (7.8%), and CI?+?NCG (10.0%): Test of trend χ–2?=?5.06, p?=?.02. CI?+?NCG was significantly higher than AO (p?=?.02). The findings support the following conclusions: Brief physician delivered intervention with availability of nicotine-containing gum can have a beneficial long-term effect on smoking cessation, and cohort data as well as point-prevalence rates are important when assessing the long-term impact of lifestyle interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)