Processes of moral development: Cognitive or social disequilibrium?

Studied the processes of development in 2 moral systems—L. Kohlberg's (1981) and an interactional formulation by N. Haan (1983)—by comparing the effects of 2 curricular experiences. The 2 curricular experiences involved (1) a discussion of hypothetical dilemmas, which was designed to promote cognitive disequilibrium and the playing of moral games, (2) which in turn was designed to promote social disequilibrium. Ss were 119 university students who were members of 15 naturally existing friendship groups of 8 members each. 10 friendship groups played moral games during 5 3-hr sessions; 5 groups discussed hypothetical dilemmas for the same length of time. Individual interviews, held before, immediately after, and 3 mo after these group sessions, provided the bases for constructing developmental indices. Eight moral scores for each moral system—3 interview and 5 session-based—were thereby secured. Other data collected before the session began included measures of characteristic ego functioning and friends' sociometric evaluations, and during the sessions, measures of students' situational ego functioning and the behavior of friendship groups. Development in both moral systems was generally and strongly predicted by positive interactions between individual S's characteristic ego coping and their friendship group's social disequilibrium. Cognitive disequilibrium only occasionally and weakly facilitated moral development in both systems. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Replies to Leary, Houts and Krasner, Waterman, and Einhorn.

The author replies to 4 previous articles in the present journal (see cases PA, Vol 71:16610, 16604, 16639, and 16594) that criticized her (see record 1983-22367-001) argument that research about morality can be scientific. It is suggested that the assumption that diversity reigns and that there is no moral umbrella for humanity has the effect of relieving social scientists of all responsibility for investigating morality. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Antibody response to Engerix-B and Recombivax-HB hepatitis B vaccination in end-stage renal disease

Recombivax-HB (REC) and Engerix-B (ENG) are FDA-approved vaccines for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study compares antibody response rates between them in routine clinical practice. Patients completing the recommended 40 mug dose of REC (3 doses) or ENG (4 doses) between January 1, 2000 to April 30, 2003 were eligible. Patients with prior positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) or antibody (HBsAb) test results were excluded. The conversion rate and persistence of protective titer (HBsAb titer>or=10 IU/mL) were tracked for 1 year. A supplemental analysis of a one-to-one matched patient sample was also performed. REC patients (N=885) were older, had longer dialysis vintage, and had a larger proportion of whites than ENG patients (N=13,661). Cumulative conversion response was greater in ENG (58%) than REC (40%) at 1 year (p<0.0001). The odds ratio for response to ENG compared with REC was 1.96 (95% limits: 1.56, 2.45; p<0.0001) adjusted for age, gender, race, diabetes, vintage, BSA, hemoglobin, and eKt/V. Persistent protective HBsAb after 1 year was 77% (ENG) vs. 53% (REC). HBsAg was positive in 208 ENG patients (1.5%) with all but 1 because of transient, vaccine-related antigenemia. The difference in conversion response favoring ENG persisted in a one-to-one sample matched for age, gender, race, modality, and dialysis vintage. The study found higher seroconversion response to ENG compared with REC at several time points up to 1 year. Protective HBsAb disappeared in 23-47% of patients 1 year later, validating CDC recommendations to re-test HBsAb yearly. The observed difference in response rates may be related to the extra ENG dose given at the second month (0, 1, 2, 6 regimen). The study raises a hypothesis that requires confirmation in a prospective clinical trial.     

Study of nanoreinforced shape memory polymers processed by casting and extrusion

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) reinforced shape memory polyurethane (PU) composite fibers and films have been fabricated via extrusion and casting methods. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained through acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose. This treatment aided in achieving stable suspensions of cellulose crystals in dimethylformamide (DMF), for subsequent incorporation into the shape memory matrix. CNTs were covalent functionalized with carboxyl groups (CNT‐COOH) and 4,4′‐methylenebis (phenylisocyanate) (MDI) (CNT‐MDI) to improve the dispersion efficiency between the CNT and the polyurethane. Significant improvement in tensile modulus and strength were achieved by incorporating both fillers up to 1 wt% without sacrificing the elongation at break. Electron microscopy was used to investigate the degree of dispersion and fracture surfaces of the composite fibers and films. The effects of the filler (type and concentration) on the degree of crystallinity and thermal properties of the hard and soft segments that form the PU sample were studied by calorimetry. Overall, results indicated that the homogeneous dispersion of nanotubes and cellulose throughout the PU matrix and the strong interfacial adhesion between nanotubes and/or cellulose and the matrix are responsible for the enhancement of mechanical and shape memory properties of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Behavior and enterotoxin production by coagulase negative Staphylococcus in cooked ham, reconstituted skimmed milk, and confectionery cream

Abstract: In this study, the behavior and enterotoxin production by 10 different coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) strains inoculated in cooked ham, reconstituted skimmed milk, and confectionery cream in the presence or absence of background microbiota have been investigated. After inoculation (10³ CFU/g), foods were incubated at 25, 30, and 37 °C and aerobic mesophilic and CNS counts were carried out at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) detection was performed by SET-RPLA (Oxoid, Basingstoke, U.K.) and mini-Vidas® (bioMérieux, La Balme les Grottes, France). CNS counts increased during incubation and approached 10⁶ to 10⁷ CFU/g after 12 h at 37 °C in the 3 foods studied. At 25 °C, counts reached 10⁶ to 10⁷ CFU/g only after 24 to 48 h. The interference of background microbiota on CNS behavior was only observed when they grew in sliced cooked ham, which presented a high initial total count (10⁵ CFU/g). Significantly higher counts of CNS isolated from raw cow's milk in comparison with food handlers isolates were found in reconstituted milk and confectionery cream. Although CNS strains were able to produce SEA, SEB, and SED in culture media, in foods, in the presence or absence of background microbiota S. chromogenes LE0598 was the only strain able to produce SEs. Despite the scarcity of reports on CNS involvement with foodborne disease outbreaks, the results found here support the CNS growth and SE production in foods even in the presence of background microbiota and may affect food safety.     

Synthesis of an organic semiconductor by polimerization of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole

We performed the polymerization of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATA), an insulator material, in acidic aqueous solution with ammonium persulfate, as oxidant agent. The new material, conveniently doped, turned out to be a semiconductor tetramer. The characterization was carried out using physical and spectroscopic techniques (elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectra). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that this oligomer enhances thermal stability of starting material. The room temperature electrical conductivity of the synthesized oligomer (OATA) was 3.1 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹.The kinetic polymerization was analyzed by UV–vis spectroscopy, taking into account the pH dependence, monomer–oxidant ratio and monomer concentration. A possible polymerization mechanism was proposed.     

Eugenol,citral, and hexanal,alone or in combination with heat,affect viability,biofilm formation,and swarming on Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli

Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains are pathogenic for humans and cause mild to severe illnesses. In this study, the antimicrobial effect of citral, eugenol, and hexanal in combination with heat shock (HS) was evaluated in terms of the growth, biofilm formation, swarming, and expression of virulence genes of STEC serotypes (O157:H7, O103, O111, and O26). Eugenol was the most effective compound against the growth of E. coli strains (MBC = 0.58 to 0.73 mg/mL), followed by citral (MBC = 0.86 to 1.26 mg/mL) and hexanal (MBC = 2.24 to 2.52 mg/mL). Biofilm formation and swarming motility have great variability between STEC strains. Natural compounds—alone or combined with HS—inhibited biofilm formation; however, swarming motility was induced by most treatments. The expression of the studied genes during biofilm formation and swarming under natural antimicrobials was affected but not in a uniform pattern. These treatments could be used to control contamination of STEC and inhibit biofilm formation.     

Lamin-Related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Alters Mechanical Signaling and Skeletal Muscle Growth

Laminopathies are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders caused by mutations in the LMNA gene, which encodes the nuclear envelope proteins lamins A and C. The most frequent diseases associated with LMNA mutations are characterized by skeletal and cardiac involvement, and include autosomal dominant Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B, and LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LMNA-CMD). Although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for LMNA-CMD are not yet understood, severe contracture and muscle atrophy suggest that mutations may impair skeletal muscle growth. Using human muscle stem cells (MuSCs) carrying LMNA-CMD mutations, we observe impaired myogenic fusion with disorganized cadherin/β catenin adhesion complexes. We show that skeletal muscle from Lmna-CMD mice is unable to hypertrophy in response to functional overload, due to defective fusion of activated MuSCs, defective protein synthesis and defective remodeling of the neuromuscular junction. Moreover, stretched myotubes and overloaded muscle fibers with LMNA-CMD mutations display aberrant mechanical regulation of the yes-associated protein (YAP). We also observe defects in MuSC activation and YAP signaling in muscle biopsies from LMNA-CMD patients. These phenotypes are not recapitulated in closely related but less severe EDMD models. In conclusion, combining studies in vitro, in vivo, and patient samples, we find that LMNA-CMD mutations interfere with mechanosignaling pathways in skeletal muscle, implicating A-type lamins in the regulation of skeletal muscle growth.     

Nutritional and functional characterisation of hydrolysates from quinoa flour (Chenopodium quinoa) using two proteases

The objective was to study the nutritional and functional properties of hydrolysates from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of defatted quinoa flour (DQF). The commercial enzymes alcalase and flavourzyme were used to obtain the hydrolysates defatted quinoa flour hydrolysate with alcalase (DQFA) and defatted quinoa flour hydrolysate with flavourzyme (DQFF), respectively, after 3 h of digestion at 50°C and pH 8. The degree of hydrolysis (47.32%), yield (31.05%) and protein recovery (88.80%) values were higher in DQFA; however, its protein content (48.34%) was lower compared to that of DQFF (55.06%). Also, DQFA had a solubility greater than 57% over a wide pH range (2–10) and good foam stability (70–90%). On the other hand, DQFF presented adequate emulsifying activity (61.30 m²/g), emulsifying stability (158.62 min) and foaming capacity (131%). Due to the high content of macro- and micronutrients and adequate emulsifying and foaming properties, DQFA and DQFF could be used as ingredients in various processed food products and protein supplements.     

Kinetic expression for the isothermal crystallization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)–11%poly(3‐hydroxyvalerate)

The use of polyhydroxyalkanoates as a biodegradable semicrystalline polymer is currently increasing. The prediction of crystallinity profiles produced in part with this polymer requires the knowledge of the kinetic expression. In the present article, a kinetic expression of the isothermal melt crystallization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)–11%poly(3‐hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB‐co‐11%HV)] was studied in two temperature ranges, close to the melting point and close to the glass transition. Melting behavior and molecular mobility of the amorphous phase were analyzed as a function of crystallization temperatures by performing calorimetric experiments. The Avrami equation was used and the activation energy of the crystal nucleation and growth were obtained. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1657–1661, 2004