Intrastrain variation of lipopolysaccharide of Pasteurella multocida in turkeys

The nuclear enzyme DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) is the target of important antitumor agents such as etoposide. Recent work has classified topo II targeting drugs into either topo II poisons that act by stabilizing enzyme-DNA cleavable complexes leading to DNA breaks, or topo II catalytic inhibitors that act at stages in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme where both DNA strands are intact and, therefore, do not cause DNA breaks. Accordingly, catalytic inhibitors are known to abrogate DNA damage and cytotoxicity caused by topo II poisons. In this commentary, we have focused on the possibilities of enabling high-dose therapy with the topo II poison etoposide by protection of normal tissue with catalytic inhibitors, analogous to folinic acid rescue in high-dose methotrexate treatment. Thus, we have demonstrated recently that (+)-1,2-bis(3,5-dioxopiperazinyl-1-yl)propane (ICRF-187) enabled a 3- to 4-fold dose escalation of etoposide in mice. Two high-dose etoposide models are described, namely use of the weak base chloroquine in tumors with acidic extracellular pH and targeting of CNS tumors with protection of normal tissue by the bisdioxopiperazine ICRF-187. In conclusion, high supralethal doses of topo II poisons in combination with catalytic inhibitor protection form a new strategy to improve the antitumor selectivity of etoposide and other topo II poisons. Such an approach may be used to overcome problems with drug resistance and drug penetration.     

Crack-induced anisotropy and scattering in stressed rocks: Effective elastic moduli and attenuation

A modelling of the effective anisotropic elasticity tensor is presented for elastic rocks permeated by a rather dilute concentration of stress-induced dry and saturated flat cracks. An exact analytical expression of the three wave velocities and attenuations in any oblique direction is obtained for the various crack distributions considered. A comparison is made with spherical cavities. This study is linked to the mechanical behaviour of cracked rocks under varying stress and has also relevance in a seismological context to the detection of cracked zones and may be useful in the investigation of earthquake dilatancy.     

Influence du niveau initial de sensibilité au conflit sur l'apprentissage de la conservation des quantités par une méthode de conflit cognitif.

In order to elucidate the problem raised by the usually observed differential efficacy of the induced learning of logical structures by children, the hypothesis was made that the progress observed in preoperational subjects (aged from 4;6 to 6;6), submitted to a training of the conservation of liquids with a technique based upon cognitive conflict, was a function of the subject's initial level of sensitivity to conflict. Subjects were first administered three predictive tests of sensitivity to conflict and then were trained on the conservation task by a method of cognitive conflict based on compensation and addition-subtraction. As predicted, it was found that the experimental group, when compared to the control group, performed better on two successive post-tests and that the progress observed was strongly related to the initial level of sensitivity to cognitive conflict as measured by the predictive test, without any significant correlation with chronological age. These findings seem to indicate that the three main aspects measured by the predictive tests (consistency in the use of concepts, presence of well-articulated functional schemata, ability to accept empirical facts) are important determinants in a child's capacity to profit by a training technique based on cognitive conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A propos des experiences de Geneve sur l'apprentissage: Note sur la replique de Pascual-Leone.

Reviews the book, Les mouvements de liberation mythique et autres essais sur l'histoire de la psychiatrie by Henri F. Ellenberger (1978). A recent analysis of the programs of baccalaureate in psychology of the universities of Quebec (Brings, et al., 1978) reveals the disparity existing in the importance accordance has the teaching of the history of this discipline. These books discuss training in the university. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Le comportement des témoins d'un vol à l'étalage: des apparences trompeuses.

Investigated the reactions of bystanders to contrived shoplifting events as a function of the sex, age, and SES of the thief using a 2?×?2?×?2 factorial design. 38 of the 192 customers (134 women and 58 men, aged 20–60 yrs) of a supermarket who had observed the theft reported it to a clerk. Significantly more reports of the working-class thief-confederate occurred. Of the bystanders who had not intervened, 89 indicated that they would report such an incident if they saw one. A 3-way ANOVA performed on the scores of the willingness-to-report scale showed that age of the thief exerted a major independent effect. Findings suggest that campaigns meant to educate the public about shoplifting may result in a higher incidence of reporting of suspects of lower SES. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Les Mouvements de Libération Mythique et Autres Essais sur L'histoire de la Psychiatrie.

Reviews the book, Les mouvements de libération mythique et autres essais sur l'histoire de la psychiatrie by Henri F. Ellenberger (1978). This book presents ways to make it possible to train experts capable of evaluating the relevance and the availability of their interventions and researchers anxious to replace their object of studies in the cumulative realm of their discipline. These reflections aim to show the necessity to include the history of psychology in the curriculum vitae academic of all students registered in this specialty. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enhanced performance of the AA2050-T8 aluminium alloy following excimer laser surface melting and anodising processes

The potential of laser surface melting (LSM) as a pre-treatment prior to conventional anodising has been evaluated on an AA2050-T8 (Al-Cu-Li) aerospace alloy. A KrF excimer laser was utilized, of wavelength of 248 nm, with variation of the number of pulses received per unit area. After LSM, the specimens were anodised at a constant voltage of 12 V in 0.46 M sulphuric acid for 240 s. Material characterization, in terms of surface morphology, microstructure and phase transformation, was performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, interferometry and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM). The corrosion behaviour was evaluated based on the standard ASTM G34-01 EXCO test, revealing the distinct improvement in performance of the combined laser and anodising treatments.     

A survey of the practices and activities of Canadian clinical psychologists.

To document the nature of clinical psychology in Canada, a national survey was conducted to collect data on clinical psychologists' demographic characteristics, professional affiliations, professional identities, therapeutic orientations and activities, and publications. 88 members of the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology returned questionnaires. 73% of the Ss regarded themselves primarily as clinical practitioners; over 70% had made at least one presentation at a professional meeting. Findings reveal that most Ss (1) are engaged in private practice to some extent, (2) conduct psychotherapy, and (3) can be characterized as eclectic in orientation. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of an optimised helmet fit on neck load and neck pain during military helicopter flights

The main purpose of this study was to improve the helmet fit of military helicopter aircrew members and evaluate its effect on the experienced helmet stability (helmet gliding), neck load, neck pain, hot spots (pressure points), irritation/distraction, and overall helmet comfort during night flights. A within-subject design was used over a three-month period that consisted of two consecutive interventions of optimising the fit of the aircrew's helmets: 1) a new helmet fit using a renewed protocol and 2) replacement of a thermoplastic inner liner with a viscoelastic foam inner liner. A total of 18 pilots and loadmasters rated the outcome measures using the Visual Analogue Scales immediately after their night flights, for three night flights in total per measurement period. The optimised helmet fit resulted in a significant decrease in the experienced helmet gliding, neck load and pressure points, a decrease trend in the experienced neck pain and irritation/distraction, and a significant increase in the experienced overall helmet comfort during flight. These results demonstrate the importance of achieving an optimised helmet fit for military helicopter aircrew and that an optimised helmet fit might have implications for both health and safety concerns.