Modelling platelet�Cblood flow interaction using the subcellular element Langevin method

In this paper, a new three-dimensional modelling approach is described for studying fluid–viscoelastic cell interaction, the subcellular element Langevin (SCEL) method, with cells modelled by subcellular elements (SCEs) and SCE cells coupled with fluid flow and substrate models by using the Langevin equation. It is demonstrated that: (i) the new method is computationally efficient, scaling as 𝒪(N) for N SCEs; (ii) cell geometry, stiffness and adhesivity can be modelled by directly relating parameters to experimentally measured values; (iii) modelling the fluid–platelet interface as a surface leads to a very good correlation with experimentally observed platelet flow interactions. Using this method, the three-dimensional motion of a viscoelastic platelet in a shear blood flow was simulated and compared with experiments on tracking platelets in a blood chamber. It is shown that the complex platelet-flipping dynamics under linear shear flows can be accurately recovered with the SCEL model when compared with the experiments. All experimental details and electronic supplementary material are archived at http://biomath.math.nd.edu/scelsupplementaryinformation/.     

Crystal structure of elastase-substrate complex at -- 55 degrees C

The structure of a specific acyl-enzyme intermediate in the elastase-catalysed hydrolysis of N-carbobenzoxy-L-alanyl-p-nitrophenol ester has been determined by X-ray diffraction at 3.5 A resolution. The acyl-enzyme was stabilised by cooling the crystal to --55 degrees C during substrate addition and data collection.     

Relation between therapeutic orientation and personality in psychotherapists.

Administered the Personality Orientation Inventory to 90 male and 90 female psychotherapists to investigate the relation between theoretical orientation and personality. Ss were self-designated as and equally distributed among behavioral (BEH), psychodynamic (PSY), and humanistic (HUM) groups. Results suggest the existence of a core therapist personality, with separate personality patterns for each orientation. However, the patterns were more overlapping than they were unique. HUMs had the most unique positive personality traits. They differed from BEHs on flexibility, acceptance of personal aggression, sensitivity to their own feelings, and development of intimate relationships. They differed from both BEHs and PSYs in being more inner-directed, affirming of self-actualizing values, and expressing feelings in action. BEHs were most like PSYs, who, in turn, shared more with HUMs. The unique BEH behavioral constellation was relatively limited flexibility, acceptance of their own feelings, and development of relationships. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Semi-artificial Fluorescent Molecular Machine for DNA Damage Detection

The design of artificial molecular machines is complicated because the mechanics used in macromachines is not readily adaptable for nano environments. We constructed a semi-artificial molecular device, which contains a naturally occurring molecular machine-a vaccinia virus encoded protein-linked with an artificial part. The self-assembled construct makes two fluorescently labeled detector units. It is the first sensor capable of selectively detecting different types of DNA breaks, exemplifying a practical approach to the design of molecular devices.     

Gas chromatography-multiplex coherent Raman spectroscopy

A new detector for gas chromatography has been developed that is based upon nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. The resulting hyphenated instrument uses a simple windowless cell as the interface between the chromatograph and the spectroscopic detector. The eluents are detected using a unique spectrometer equipped with a broadband OPO. This spectrometer is capable of generating high-resolution coherent Raman signals that are suitable for rapid multichannel detection.     

Relationships among age, conditioned stimulus–unconditioned stimulus interval, and neuropsychological test performance.

To evaluate the effect of age at various conditioned stimulus (CS)–unconditioned stimulus (US) intervals, 144 young, middle-aged, and older adults were tested on eyeblink classical conditioning at CS–US intervals of 500, 1,000, or 1,500 ms. Reaction time, response timing, motor learning, declarative memory, and attention were assessed to identify correlates of conditioning at various CS–US intervals. Previously reported middle-aged and older adults were impaired at a 400-ms CS–US interval, but the addition of 100 ms to the CS–US interval in this study enabled equal conditioning in middle-aged and young adults. At a 1,000-ms CS–US interval, older adults remained significantly impaired. It was only at the 1,500-ms CS–US interval that conditioning was equal for the 3 age groups. Measures of reaction time, timing, and motor learning were not correlated systematically with conditioning. Whereas the results of age differences at various CS–US intervals were clear and striking, patterns of relationships among neuropsychological and conditioning variables were not consistent in indicating sources of age differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

PM2.5 measurements in wildfire smoke plumes from fire seasons 2005–2008 in the Northwestern United States

PM_2.5 surface concentrations were measured in smoke emitted by four wildfire events during fire seasons 2005–2008. These measurements fill a gap in the existing scientific PM_2.5 observation database by providing a targeted wildfire-specific observation dataset. Four deployments occurred during various fire types including a managed-for-fuel-treatment wildfire complex, a wildfire complex, and two regional fire events. The maximum 24-h averaged values for each case were: 94.5 μg/m³ (2005), 425 μg/m³ (2006), 118 μg/m³ (2007), and 247 μg/m³ (2008). While these values are high, the diurnal concentration median and first quartile values remain below 35 and 10 μg/m³, respectively. For all cases, the hourly diurnal patterns exhibit peak concentrations in the mid-morning and low concentrations in the mid-afternoon. Correlations between daily area actively burning and observed PM_2.5 concentrations were significant for all cases and concentration patterns were found to be similar by geographic location rather than by type of fire (single vs. region-wide). Multiple co-located monitor types, the Environmental Proof Beta Attenuation Monitor, which measures PM_2.5 concentrations using a beta-beam aimed at particulates collected on filter tape, and the E-SAMPLER and DataRAM, which both use nephelometry to measure PM_2.5 concentrations, showed statistically good agreement.     

Geropsychology training in Canada: A survey of doctoral and internship programs.

The Canadian Psychological Association emphasises the importance of diversity training for doctoral and internship programs, and age is an important aspect of diversity. Yet, little is known about training capacity in clinical geropsychology in Canada. To address this issue, the authors surveyed directors of clinical training in all accredited clinical and counselling psychology doctoral and internship programs in Canada. Responses from 92% (n = 43) of these programs indicated that there are no doctoral programs in Canada with a formal concentration in geropsychology; however, 40% of internships offer a major rotation in geropsychology and a further 48% offer a minor rotation. Training activities are largely focused on the diagnosis and assessment of mental health problems, with relatively less attention to therapeutic interventions. Data are presented on the availability of geropsychology resources (e.g., faculty/clinical supervisors, courses, practicum, research opportunities) and the perceived need for geropsychology training. Recommendations for enhancing geropsychology training capacity in Canada are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)