Testosterone has rewarding affective properties in male rats: Implications for the biological basis of sexual motivation.

Evidence from mammalian species, including humans, suggests that testosterone (TST) enhances motivational aspects of sexual behavior, although the mechanism by which TST exerts this effect is unknown. The hypothesis that increases in plasma TST have rewarding affective properties was examined. Acute elevations of plasma TST were induced in intact male rats by systemic administration of a recently developed testosterone-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex that mimics pulsatile release of the hormone. In a conditioned-place-preference paradigm, rats displayed a preference for an environment previously paired with TST administration (800 μg/kg and 1,200 μg/kg) as opposed to an environment paired with saline administration, indicating that TST has rewarding affective properties. The findings suggest that TST may enhance motivational aspects of mammalian sexual behavior by facilitating acquisition or expression of learned associations between environmental stimuli and sexual activity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Verbesserung des Vakuums in Isoliergefäßen aus Glas

Improving the vacuum would increase the insulation capacity of commercially available glass containers by a factor of about two. To do this, pressures of 10^?4 mbar must be attained. Different approaches were taken to meet this objective. As an alternative to today's commonly practiced sealing method, three possibilities are introduced which eliminate the necessity of pump stub narrowing which causes reduced conductance. Furthermore, depending on the sealing process used, the gases occuring during sealing are either avoided completly or they can at least be reduced by having the chance of exact temperature control resp. by a lower separation temperature. A completly different approach was taken by using Getters, of which a metal hydride on a TiVMn base proved especially suitable. It is activated by heat and can be integrated into the normal production process without any problem. Aside from a shorter pump period, the added advantage here is the containment of the gasses occuring during sealing as well as that of the longterm gasses.     

IT/Business alignment

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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IT/Business alignment

     

Application of attachment theory to the study of sexual abuse.

Research on sexual abuse frequently fails to address the influence of the family as a risk factor for the onset of all kinds of sexual abuse and as a mediator of its long-term effects. Attachment theory provides a useful conceptual framework for understanding the familial antecedents and long-term consequences of sexual abuse. Themes associated with insecure parent–child attachment (rejection, role reversal/parentification, and fear/unresolved trauma) are frequently found in the dynamics of families characterized by sexual abuse, and specific categories of sequelae are related to probable attachment experiences. Implications for intervention and research on sexual abuse are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characteristics of a NaOH-Activated Blast Furnace Slag Blended with a Fine Particle Silica Waste

Mortars of blast furnace slag blended with a geothermal silica waste at various replacement levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were cured for up to 90 days. The binder was activated by 6 wt% Na₂O equivalent of sodium hydroxide. Lime was added as an activating agent and also to promote pozzolanic reaction with the silica. It was found that the presence of the silica waste increased the reactivity of the cementitious materials, as measured by means of nonevaporable water. The compressive strength was increased in the presence of the silica, except at the highest replacement level of 20%, the optimum silica replacement was that of 5%–10%. The microstructures of blended slag showed less porosity than those of neat slag mortars. The lime was completely consumed after 90 days of hydration.     

Integrative Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A Preliminary Investigation.

This study is a preliminary investigation of an integrative treatment aimed at improving the efficacy of cognitive therapy (CT) for depression. The development of the treatment protocol was based on process findings, which suggested that strategies used in CT to resolve alliance ruptures may actually exacerbate problems in the therapeutic relationship. The protocol integrates, within the traditional CT treatment manual, procedures to repair alliance ruptures that are derived from or consistent with humanistic and interpersonal therapies. Although conducted by inexperienced therapists, the integrative treatment led to greater improvement than a waiting-list condition. The results also compare favorably to previous findings for CT. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexualities, technologies, and the teaching of writing: A critical overview

In this introduction to a special issue of Computers and Composition, the authors critically review current literature on computer-assisted writing pedagogies that grapple with issues of sexuality. Although this body of work is small, it points to provocative ways to develop our students’ critical and rhetorical sensibilities about the constructions of sexuality in our culture. Further, such work innovatively addresses the place of networked communication technologies in the interrogation of such constructions. The authors conclude with both an introduction of the work in this special issue that addresses the intersection of sexuality studies and computer-assisted writing studies and with a call for additional work in this field.