Serotonin transporter gene associations with psychopathic traits in youth vary as a function of socioeconomic resources.

Although prior research has examined the genetic correlates of antisocial behavior, molecular genetics influences on psychopathic traits remain largely unknown. Consequently, we investigated the influence of polymorphic variation at the serotonin transporter protein gene (SLC6A4) and socioeconomic resources (SES) on psychopathic traits in youth across two distinct samples in two separate studies. In Study 1, a main effect of serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype was associated with the impulsivity dimension of psychopathy. That is, individuals homozygous for the short allele evidenced more impulsivity than did those homozygous for the long allele. In contrast, a gene–environment interaction was associated with the callous-unemotional and narcissistic features of psychopathy. Callous-unemotional and narcissistic traits increased as SES decreased only among youths with the homozygous-long (l/l) genotype, a novel finding replicated and extended in Study 2. These studies provide preliminary results that the l/l genotype confers risk for the emotional deficits and predatory interpersonal traits associated with psychopathy among youths raised in disadvantaged environments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of the Addition of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Flour on the In Vitro Digestibility of Starch and Undigestible Carbohydrates in Spaghetti

Abstract: Spaghetti is considered to be a slowly digestible starch food, a feature ruled by the particular physical properties of the product. Several studies have been reported to increase nutritional value of spaghetti, using legumes. We have studied the addition of common bean flour on the starch in vitro digestibility. Spaghetti was prepared with semolina and different concentrations of common bean flour (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%, w/w). Proximate analysis, optimal cooking time, and cooking loss were estimated in crude spaghetti. Total, available, and resistant starches, indigestible fractions, and in vitro starch hydrolysis kinetics were accomplished in cooked spaghetti. Pasta with 30% and 45% of common bean flour showed higher values of protein. Particularly, the lowest cooking time was observed for composite spaghetti with 45% of common bean flour. There was a significant increase in cooking loss when common bean flour in the composite was added. Composite spaghetti samples with increasing common bean flour showed decreasing values of total starch but an important increase in the resistant starch (RS) level and indigestible insoluble fraction values. Plain pasta made with semolina showed the highest enzymatic hydrolysis rate, which decreased when common bean flour was added to the spaghetti. Spaghetti with a higher level of common bean flour was more slowly available, which may have positive implications for human health.     

Salivary testosterone concentrations in left-handers: An association with cerebral language lateralization.

The level of testosterone exposure in early brain development may influence the direction or degree of cerebral language lateralization. Possible links between individual differences in testosterone levels and patterns of speech representation were investigated in 180 healthy young adults (97 left handed, 83 right handed) using the Fused Dichotic Words Test (T. Halwes, 1991). Among left-handed participants, significantly higher testosterone concentrations were observed in individuals with a left-ear advantage on dichotic listening than in individuals with a right-ear advantage. Among right-handed participants, the pattern of group differences in testosterone tended to be reversed, resulting in a statistically significant interaction. Results extend prior findings by S. D. Moffat and E. Hampson (see record 1996-03260-006) and raise the possibility that higher testosterone is associated with patterns of brain organization in which speech and praxic functions are lateralized to the same hemisphere. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methodologies for assessing local surface texture features that are relevant to cell attachment

In this paper, we describe techniques for extracting features from surface topography data, gathered by a 3D-microscopy system, on a length scale that is relevant for cell attachment. The feature parameters considered include standard surface roughness parameters applied to the complete surface as well as new feature parameters designed to quantify local variations in surface topography potentially influencing cell behaviour. Methodologies have been developed both to determine the degree of homogeneity or isotropy of a surface and to compare the topographies of different samples. The approaches followed include wavelet decomposition and linear and nonlinear filtering techniques. The analysis has been used to investigate the correlation between osteoblast cell attachment and structural features of titanium-coated surfaces representative of orthopaedic implants. The results confirm that there is a discernible correlation between cell orientation and the underlying surface lay.     

Measuring adolescent alcohol outcome expectancies.

The psychometric properties and construct validity of the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol (CEOA) questionnaire were compared with those of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire—Adolescent version (AEQ-A) in relation to adolescent alcohol consumption. Ss were aged 13–17 yrs. Both measures of adolescent alcohol expectancies were found to be internally reliable and temporally stable. Alcohol use was significantly associated with subjective evaluations for Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment and Self-Perception on the CEOA and with expected effects for Cognitive and Motor Impairment and Changes in Social Behavior on the AEQ-A. Compared with the AEQ-A, the CEOA explained more variance in quantity (28%) and a similar variance in frequency (15%) for adolescent alcohol use (AEQ-A quantity = 20%, frequency = 15%). Whereas the general content and psychometric properties of the 2 measures are markedly similar, the Likert response format, shorter length, and assessment of both expected effects and subjective evaluations with the CEOA may offer measurement advantages over the AEQ-A. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High resolution approach for the localization of buried defects in the multi-frequency eddy current imaging of metallic structures

A high resolution approach is proposed to quantitatively estimate the depth of defects buried in planar metallic structures. This approach associates a multiple signal characterization (MUSIC) algorithm with an original eddy current imager. The interactions of the eddy currents and the defects are modelled by a set of virtual magnetic sources propagating in a spherical manner up to the surface of the structure. The defect localization is carried out using the MUSIC algorithm, applied to the multi-frequency observation of the magnetic field distribution at the surface of the structure. Accurate results obtained on simulated and experimental data relative to defects buried down to 5.4 mm in an aluminium layered structure validate the approach.     

Generation of Internally Mixed Insoluble and Soluble Aerosol Particles to Investigate the Impact of Atmospheric Aging and Heterogeneous Processing on the CCN Activity of Mineral Dust Aerosol

Heterogeneous reactions of trace gases with mineral dust aerosol not only impact the chemical balance of the atmosphere but also the physicochemical properties of the dust particle and the ability of the particle to act as a cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Recent field studies have shown that carbonate minerals are preferentially associated with nitrates whereas aluminum silicates (i.e., clay minerals) are preferentially associated with sulfates. To better understand how this association can impact the climate effects of mineral dust particles, we have measured the CCN activity of a number of pure and internal mixtures of aerosols relevant to these recent field studies. The CCN activity of CaCO ₃ -Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ aerosol, simulating the activity of mineral dust aerosol that has been partially processed by nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, is significantly enhanced relative to CaCO₃ aerosol of the same diameter. Similar results are obtained for a clay mineral, kaolinite, internally mixed with (NH ₄ ) ₂ SO ₄ . For example, at 0.3% supersaturation, a 200 nm particle containing a soluble nitrate or sulfate component is 2 to 4 times more active than an unreacted particle. The results presented here show that when determining the contribution of mineral dust aerosol to the overall impact of the aerosol indirect effect on radiative forcing, changes in chemical composition due to atmospheric processing cannot be ignored.     

Retention of Biopolymers by Ultrafiltration Membranes

Separation of biopolymers is one of increasingly important applications of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The efficiency of separation is often evaluated through pilot experiments and seldom predicted. Available predictions focus on correlations between UF pore width and biopolymer hydrodynamic diameter, while overlooking key operational parameters including transmembrane pressure (TMP). The role of TMP in the retention of biopolymers is revealed, i.e., magnification of TMP leads to decreased retention of the particulates. No full retention of the biopolymers without a rigid outer shell has been observed. Pressure‐induced stretching of flexible biopolymers and expansion of membrane pores are the possible reasons of deteriorating selectivity. A division into flexible and rigid biopolymers provides a better prediction of membrane selectivity.