How the Emotional Climate (Field) Impacts Performance

Independently of the creativity movement, others have demonstrated the benefits of creating positive fields. I have reviewed a number of cases involving field below and added some from my own creativity experiences. I then explore the psychological explanation of why such fields are effective and go on to the findings of recent brain research, which not only reinforce the benefits of positive fields but also throw light on the difficulty of creating them. Finally, I offer some suggestions from my own experience of what can be done to create positive fields. I believe that this should now be the focus of our efforts: to the extent that we are successful, we should get the creativity and innovation we need as a by‐product.     

Association of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with preharvest leaf lettuce upon exposure to contaminated irrigation water.

Recent foodborne outbreaks have linked infection by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 to the consumption of contaminated lettuce. Contamination via food handler error and on-the-farm contamination are thought to be responsible for several outbreaks. Though recent studies have examined the application of EHEC to store-bought lettuce, little is known about the attachment of EHEC to growing plants. We investigated the association of lettuce seedlings with EHEC O157:H7 strains implicated in lettuce or fruit outbreaks using hydroponic and soil model systems. EHEC strains that express the green fluorescent protein were observed by stereomicroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine adherence patterns on growing lettuce seedlings. Bacteria adhered preferentially to plant roots in both model systems and to seed coats in the hydroponic system. Two of five nonpathogenic E. coli strains showed decreased adherence to seedling roots in the hydroponic system. EHEC was associated with plants in as few as 3 days in soil, and contamination levels were dose-dependent. EHEC levels associated with young plants inoculated with a low dose suggested that the bacteria had multiplied. These data suggest that preharvest crop contamination via contaminated irrigation water can occur through plant roots.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTROLLED SIZES: POLYSTYRENE LATEXES

Several parameters and their limitations to prepare monodisperse polystyrene particles were discussed. Polystyrene latexes B, C and D of diameter 129.8, 142.8 and 264.5 nm, respectively, were synthesized by emulsion polymerization method. The latex D is almost monodisperse with very low polydispersity of 0.005 while B and C are having polydispersity of 0.1837 and 0.1601. The particle size and particle size distribution of the latexes were determined by a TEM and Brookhaven particle size analyzer. It was observed that the particle size of the latexes decreased with increasing initiator (ammonium persulfate) or surfactant (SDS) concentrations. The surface area of the latexes were calculated by using BET equation on the basis of the amount of nitrogen gas adsorbed at the surface of the particles to form a monolayer. It was observed that the surface area of latex D is less than B and C because of the bigger size of the particles. The average molecular weights, zeta potentials and densities of the latexes were also presented.     

A novel mutation of presenilin 1 in familial Alzheimer's disease in Israel detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

Germline mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene apparently account for the majority of early-onset, familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using a mutation-screening strategy (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; DGGE), we analyzed a large family with early onset AD and seizures. The patients in this family showed a novel missense mutation in exon 5 of the PS1 gene (A to T change in codon 120, altering glutamine to aspartic acid). This novel mutation is located within the second hydrophilic domain of the molecule, a region not particularly involved in previously described germline mutations, and is of unknown biological significance. These results also demonstrate that DGGE can be used effectively to screen for mutations within this gene.     

Stress and stability analysis of toroidal shells

A finite element formulation applicable to the general shell of revolution is presented for the stress and stability analysis of toroidal pressure vessels under hydrostatic pressure. Considering the follower force effect of the external pressure, linear bifurcation buckling loads and corresponding mode shapes have been obtained in both axially and equatorially symmetric as well as antisymmetric buckling modes. Calculated critical values are compared with results of other investigations.     

Induction of early atherosclerosis in LDL-receptor-deficient mice immunized with beta2-glycoprotein I

BACKGROUND: Immunization with beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI), the probable target of autoimmune anticardiolipin antibodies, results in experimental antiphospholipid syndrome in different mouse strains. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of beta2GPI immunization on the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the first experiment, 3 groups of LDL receptor-deficient (LDL-RD) mice (n=15 per group) were immunized with either beta2GPI or ovalbumin or were not immunized and were fed a chow diet for 12 weeks. In a second experiment, 3 groups of LDL-RD mice (n=10 per group) were immunized similarly and fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. All beta2GPI-immunized mice developed high titers of anti-beta2GPI antibodies as well as a specific lymph node proliferation to beta2GPI. The average cholesterol levels did not differ between the mice fed similar diets, regardless of the immunization protocol. Atherosclerosis was enhanced in the beta2GPI-immunized mice (mean aortic lesion, 26 000+/-5700 microm2) in comparison with their ovalbumin-immunized (mean, 3000+/-1099 microm2; P<0.01) and nonimmunized (mean, 2250+/-700 microm2; P<0.01) littermates. The average lesion size in the beta2GPI-immunized mice fed an atherogenic diet (mean, 98 000+/-8305 microm2) was larger than the ovalbumin-immunized mice (mean, 81 250+/-12 933 microm2; P=NS) or the nonimmunized controls (mean, 75 625+/-7281 microm2; P=NS). The atherosclerotic plaques in the beta2GPI-immunized mice appeared to be more mature, and denser infiltration of CD4 lymphocytes was present in the subendothelium of the aortic sinuses from this group of mice. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide the first direct evidence for the proatherogenic effect of ss2GPI immunization and establish a new model for immune-mediated atherosclerosis.     

Investigation of the sedimentation of FeNi fine grains entrained in ERF slag

Nickel losses in the slag generated at Larco electric reduction furnaces (ERF) during smelting of Greek laterites account for about 20% of the total nickel of the feed. The recovery of the nickel contained in the slag as well as in its magnetic concentrate was studied under different methods. The experimental results have shown that a nickel recovery in the range of 75-90% is possible by allowing the slag to settle. Washing by low carbon steel can be performed during the final stages of the settling process as it improves the finally attained nickel recovery up to 94.4%. The simultaneous carbon reduction and settling process do not favour the Ni- recovery as the produced carbon monoxide and dioxide cause boiling of the bath which promotes the flotation of the metallic grains. In all cases a reoxidation of nickel was observed after 20min approximately. Settling of the ferronickel grains was described by a mathematical model. The model's results are in good agreement to the experimental ones for the initial 20min of the process. A modified model was elaborated combining the settling of the metallic grains with the nickel reoxidation reaction. This model describes with adequate accuracy the whole Ni- recovery process. The developed model can be proven helpful in the design of a slag cleaning step for metal recovery utilizing a slag settling furnace operating on line to the ERF.     

Acknowledgement of Reviewers 2020

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