Using the common-sense model to predict risk perception and disease-related worry in individuals at increased risk for venous thrombosis.

Objective: This study applied the Common-Sense Model (CSM) to predict risk perception and disease-related worry in 174 individuals with a genetic predisposition to venous thrombosis (thrombophilia). Design: Participants completed an adapted version of the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R) and measures assessing risk perception and worry. Results: Regression analyses revealed that illness perceptions were predictors of risk perception and thrombosis worry. The hypothesis that illness perceptions mediate the relationship between a person's experience of venous thrombosis and perceived risk and thrombosis worry could not be confirmed. Conclusions: Further research should refine the IPQ-R for populations at risk of a disease and examine the value of the CSM in explaining the relationship between risk perception, worry, and health behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting union attitudes in student part-time workers.

Examined the predictors of general union attitudes in a sample of 84 high school and 42 first year university students (aged 15–21 yrs) who were employed part-time. In addition to two aspects of family socialization towards unions (parents' perceived union attitudes and perceived union activities), Ss' job quality and satisfaction with both co-workers and supervisors were also assessed as predictors of their own general union attitudes. Results show that only Ss' perception of their parents' general union attitudes was significantly associated with their own general union attitudes. Thus, family socialization contributed the greatest amount of variance to general union attitudes. Neither job quality, nor supervisory or co-worker satisfaction were associated with Ss' union attitudes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Carbon fiber/ceramic matrix composites: processing,oxidation and mechanical properties

Ceramic matrix composites (CMC) have been considered in the last two decades to be alternative materials for highly demanding thermo-structural applications. Pre-ceramic polymers offer significant advantages for manufacturing these composites by the polymer impregnation method. In the present work, carbon fiber/silicon oxycarbide (C/SiC _x O _y ) composites were obtained by controlled pyrolysis of carbon fiber/bridge polysilsesquioxane composites (COMPOSITE 1) followed by infiltration/pyrolysis cycles with a polycyclic silicone network. The polysilsesquioxane showed high wettability and adhesion on the carbon fiber surface. An improvement of the thermo-oxidation resistance and a reduction of the porosity as a function of the number of polycyclic silicone infiltration cycles were observed. An extra improvement in the thermo-oxidation protection was found when the C/SiC _x O _y composite was coated with a poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) layer (COMPOSITE 2). Shear properties for the composites showed a dependence on the nature of the matrix. The average in-plane shear strength and the shear modulus were 44.2 ± 1.9 MPa and 2.2 ± 0.5 GPa for the polymeric matrix composite (COMPOSITE 1), respectively. For the ceramic matrix composite (COMPOSITE 2) the values were 14.2 ± 4.1 MPa and 15.0 ± 2.0 GPa, respectively. The properties of the latter composite were also governed by the microstructure of the ceramic matrix.     

Role of an ethnic minority alumni advisory committee in training professional psychologists.

The role and impact of an advisory board composed of ethnic minority alumni of a professional psychology program are described. The advisory board, in conjunction with the faculty and administration, assists in incorporating cultural sensitivity into the training of professional psychology students and provides support systems for ethnic minority students. The model and projects are described, and implementation issues are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selective logging changes forest phenology in the Brazilian Amazon: Evidence from MODIS image time series analysis

We present a large-scale study of the relationships between selective logging and forest phenology in the Brazilian Amazon. Time-series analysis of MODIS satellite data of selectively logged forests in Mato Grosso, Brazil, shows that relatively low levels (5-10%) of canopy damage cause significant and long-lasting (more than 3 years) changes in forest phenology. Partial clearing slows forest green-up in the dry season, progressively dries the canopy, and induces overall seasonal deficits in canopy moisture and greenness. Given large and increasing geographic extent of selective logging throughout Amazonia, this phenological disturbance has a potential to impact carbon and water fluxes, nutrient dynamics, and other functional processes in these forests.     

The psychology of psychiatric genetics: Evidence that positive emotions in females moderate genetic sensitivity to social stress associated with the BDNF Val??Met polymorphism.

Previous work indicated protective effects of positive emotions on genetically influenced stress sensitivity. Given the fact that expression of brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF) is associated with stress-induced behavioral changes, it was hypothesized that the BDNF Val??Met genotype may mediate genetic effects on stress sensitivity, conditional on the level of concurrent positive emotions. Subjects (n = 446) participated in a momentary assessment study, collecting appraisals of stress and affect in the flow of daily life. Multilevel regression analyses examined moderation of daily life stress-induced negative affect (NA) by BDNF genotype, and to what degree this was conditional on concurrent positive emotions. Results showed that heterozygous BDNF "Met" carriers exhibited an increased NA response to social stress compared with "Val/Val" subjects. Positive emotions at the time of the stressor decreased BDNF genetic moderation of the NA response to social stress in a dose-response fashion. This effect was most pronounced in BDNF Met carriers. Thus, the impact of BDNF genotype on stress sensitivity is conditional on the experience of positive emotions. Interdisciplinary research in psychology and psychiatric genetics may lead to the improvement of treatment choices in stress-related disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fluctuations in self-esteem and paranoia in the context of daily life.

Studies investigating the relationship between self-esteem and paranoia have specifically focused on self-esteem level, but have neglected the dynamic aspects of self-esteem. In the present article, the authors investigated the relationship between self-esteem and paranoia in two different ways. First, 154 individuals ranging across the continuum in level of paranoia were studied with the Experience Sampling Method (a structured self-assessment diary technique) to assess the association between trait paranoia and level and fluctuation of self-esteem in daily life. Results showed that trait paranoia was associated with both lower levels and higher instability of self-esteem. Second, the temporal relationship between momentary (state) paranoia and self-esteem was investigated in the daily life of these individuals. Results showed that a decrease in self-esteem was associated with an immediate increase in paranoia. The findings indicate that paranoid individuals are not only characterized by a lower level of self-esteem but also by more fluctuations in their self-esteem and that fluctuations in self-esteem predict the degree of subsequent paranoia. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that paranoia is associated with dysfunctional strategies of self-esteem regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of natural and organically modified montmorillonite clays on the properties of polydimethylsiloxane rubber

The effects of natural (MT) and organically modified (O‐MT) montmorillonite clays on the properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) rubber were evaluated. Rubber composites with different clay contents were prepared by a compounding procedure in an open two‐roll mill, which was followed by a compression‐molding step in which the PDMS matrix was peroxide crosslinked. The clay rubber composites were characterized by swelling measurements in toluene, thermogravimetric analyses, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile tests. The introduction of MT restricted the solvent swelling and increased the crosslinking density of the rubber, which indicated the formation of a covalent filler–matrix interface. The enhanced interaction between MT and PDMS reduced the aggregation size of MT particles in the MT composites and promoted an increase in the separation of the clay layers. When the rubber was filled with O‐MT, a higher solvent amount was incorporated in the material, and this trend increased with the clay content. Moreover, the low interaction between O‐MT and the PDMS chains resulted in larger clay aggregates in the O‐MT composites compared to those with MT. Despite the different interface natures, both clays enhanced thermal stability and acted as reinforcing fillers in relation to Young's modulus and tensile strength. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

A randomized clinical trial of alternative stress management interventions in persons with HIV infection.

Research in psychoneuroimmunology suggests that immunosuppression associated with perceived stress may contribute to disease progression in persons with HIV infection. While stress management interventions may enhance immune function, few alternative approaches have yet been tested. This randomized clinical trial was conducted to test effects of three 10-week stress management approaches--cognitive-behavioral relaxation training (RLXN), focused tai chi training (TCHI), and spiritual growth groups (SPRT)--in comparison to a wait-listed control group (CTRL) among 252 individuals with HIV infection. Using repeated measures mixed modeling, the authors found that in comparison to the CTRL group, (a) both the RLXN and TCHI groups used less emotion-focused coping, and (b) all treatment groups had augmented lymphocyte proliferative function. Despite modest effects of the interventions on psychosocial functioning, robust findings of improved immune function have important clinical implications, particularly for persons with immune-mediated illnesses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Systematic review on the proteomic profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposed to drugs

The authors present an overview about proteomics studies in Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposed to some anti‐tuberculosis drugs and new candidates, using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. To date, that the authors have knowledge, this is the first studies that was performed specifically in M. tuberculosis using systematic review on electronic literature conducted in three databases using the following search terms: tuberculosis OR mycobacterium tuberculosis, proteome OR proteomics, and mass spectrometry electrospray ionization OR matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization OR two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. By electronic search, 622 abstracts of the original articles published from November 2003 to March 2016 were selected. After the selection, four articles fulfill proposed criteria and were included in this study. The studies reported changes in the protein profile of M. tuberculosis after exposure to isoniazid, ethambutol, streptomycin, ofloxacin, moxifloxacin and two new drugs candidates, SQ109 and ATB107. In conclusion, the proteins changes were related to the synthesis of mycolic acids, cellular metabolism pathways, bacterial stress and starvation.