A randomized controlled trial of goal choice interventions for alcohol use disorders among men who have sex with men.

This study tested the efficacy of behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorders (AUD) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and who are at risk for HIV transmission. HIV-negative MSM with current AUD (N = 198) were recruited, offered treatment focused on reducing drinking and HIV risk, and followed during treatment and 12 months posttreatment. Participants (n = 89) accepted treatment and were randomized to either 4 sessions of motivational interviewing (MI) or 12 sessions of combined MI and coping skills training (MI + CBT). Other participants (n = 109) declined treatment but were followed, forming a non-help-seeking group (NHS). MI yielded significantly better drinking outcomes during the 12-week treatment period than MI + CBT, but posttreatment outcomes were equivalent. NHS participants significantly reduced their drinking as well. Service delivery and treatment research implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the temporal stability of ground calibration targets: implications for the reproducibility of remote sensing methodologies

Ground calibration targets (GCT) fulfil an essential role in vicarious calibration and atmospheric correction methodologies. However, assumptions are often made about the temporal stability of GCT reflectance. This letter presents results from a multi‐year study aimed at testing the temporal stability of a typical weathered concrete GCT in southern England. Very accurate measurements of hemispherical‐directional reflectance factors in the 400–1000 nm range were collected using a mobile dual‐beam spectroradiometer. Results demonstrated that the calibration surface was subject to seasonal growth of a biological material, which caused the reflectance factor to vary by a factor of two during the year (range = 16.4% reflectance at 670 nm). The spectral effect of this was most noticeable in field spectra collected in April. As environmental conditions became drier throughout the summer, concrete reflectance factors increased. Over multiple seasons the same patterns in reflectance factors repeated, indicating the predictable nature of the biological signature. The research also suggested that the biological material was affected to a small but measurable extent on a daily basis by changes in relative humidity occurring after onset of a local sea breeze. The research highlights the dynamic nature of weathered GCTs, and has wider implications for those using similar sites for vicarious calibration or atmospheric correction purposes.     

The acquisition of stimulus control over released pecking by hatchling chicks (Gallus gallus).

Analyzed the spatial and dynamic stimulus characteristics of the pecking arrow display that control simple release and/or learned release of pecking by 254 hatchling chicks in 5 experiments. Findings show (1) a pronounced preference by Ss to peck at red rather than green illuminated lamps, (2) significantly greater pecking by Ss to lamps attached to, and on the floor beneath, the pecking arrow during the display, and (3) little evidence that placement of a stimulus on the arrow, on the floor beneath the arrow, or in both locations differentially affected frequency of pecking to matching stimulus colors. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

COMPOSITIONAL OPTIMIZATION FOR A SUPERIOR ASPHALT BINDER

The aging characteristics of naphthene aromatic (NA) and polar aromatic (PA)fractions of an aromatics material were investigated by studying the viscosity and other related properties of aged NA, PA and combined NA and PA fractions of five SHRP core asphalts (AAA-1, AAD-1, AAF-1     

Thin-film profile on a heterogeneous surface

We derive the shape of the interface between vapor and a physisorbed film on a substrate composed of two media. This represents a simple example of adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. The results are explained in terms of competition between the surface energy and potential energy due to the substrate. Applications to superfluid onset and third sound attenuation are considered.     

Methodology for identifying specific psychological deficits: Introduction to the Special Section.

A long-standing problem in psychopathology research is establishing that patterns of differences between groups reflects differences of underlying constructs and not artifacts of research design, measurement, or analysis. This introduction provides a context for 4 articles that consider several controversial issues regarding this problem and presents a précis. Although these articles focus on schizophrenia, it is noted how the issues are of more general relevance to psychopathology researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alarm reaction in acquisition and social transmission of simulated-predator recognition by zebra danio fish (Brachydanio rerio).

Alarm reactions occur in response to alarm substance passively released by injury to skin of zebra danio fish (Brachydanio rerio). Visual observation of alarmed conspecifics yields socially facilitated alarm by observers. Concurrent exposure of fish to alarm substance and a novel odorant (morpholine) later produced learned alarm to morpholine alone. Fish trained with morpholine plus alarm substance were mixed in with naive fish for a test with morpholine alone. The naive fish, separated out from the mixed groups, then demonstrated not only an acquired alarm reaction to morpholine but also an ability to communicate the acquired recognition of a simulated predator to a new group of naive observers. The results suggest the operation of a sophisticated antipredator defensive system in zebra danios that involves unlearned releasing stimuli, social facilitation, visual communication, learned predator recognition, and social communication of predator recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Residues of different gel formulations on dentinal walls: A SEM/EDS analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of residues of sodium hypochlorite gel, chlorhexidine gel, and EDTA gel on dentinal walls after canal preparation through chemical SEM‐ elemental chemical microanalysis (EDS) analysis. Forty‐eight single‐rooted teeth were selected. They had their crowns sectioned and were instrumented with a reciprocating system. The canals were irrigated with 5 mL of saline solution during root canal preparation. After instrumentation, the root canals were irrigated with 3 mL 17% EDTA followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec) to remove the smear layer, and then irrigated with 3 mL of saline solution. The specimens were randomized into three groups (n = 12) according to the chemical substance that filled the root canal for 30 min: GI: 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel; GII: 2% chlorhexidine gel; GIII: 24% EDTA gel; Negative control group: no substance was used. Then, the root canals were irrigated with 6 mL of saline solution followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec). After ultrasonic activation, the canals were irrigated with 2 mL saline. The roots were sectioned, and the percentage of each chemical element present in the samples was analyzed through chemical SEM‐EDS microanalysis. All experimental groups showed a significantly higher percentage of chemical elements (Na and/or Cl) than the control group (P < 0.03). This in vitro study has shown that, regardless of chemical solutions used even after the final irrigation protocol, chemical residues of different substances remained attached to the root canal walls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:495–499, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Technologies and the development of the Automated Metadata Indexing and Analysis (AMIA) system

The Automated Metadata Indexing and Analysis (AMIA) project aims to provide an effective digital asset management (DAM) tool for large digital asset databases. We began with text-based indexing since it is still the most reliable approach as compared with other content-based media features. AMIA not only searches for the text of the file name, but also utilizes embedded information such as the metadata in Maya files. The AMIA system builds a linked map between all dependency files. We present an approach of preserving previously established metadata created by the old DAM tools, such as AlienBrain, and integrating them into the new system. Findings indicate that AMIA has significantly improved search performance comparing to previous DAM tools. Finally, the ongoing and future work in the AMIA project is described.     

Determination of Primary Amine Content in Bonding Agent Used in Composite Solid Propellants

The primary amine content in tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and TEPAN, a bonding agent used in composite solid propellants, was determined by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and the results were compared to those obtained by potentiometry. The band at 4930 cm⁻¹, which showed to be influenced only by primary amine groups, was chosen as the analytical band. The calibration curves based on isopropylamine (IPA) and isopropylamine/dibutylamine (IPA/DBA) mixtures proved to be suitable for determining the NH₂ content of TEPA or of samples containing mixtures of NH and NH₂ groups. It was found that TEPA contains 26.4 % of NH₂ and 25.7 % of NH, and that TEPAN contains 0.5 % of NH₂, confirming the low content of primary amine of this bonding agent. The lowest amine equivalent of TEPA is 31.1±0.3 g/eq, as determined by potentiometry, was found because this technique measures the total hydrogen content, including primary and secondary amines. The literature value of 62.6 g/eq for TEPA ACROS obtained by potentiometry in a non aqueous medium and related to the first inflection of the primary amine, validates the value obtained by NIR in this work for a similar type of amine. The equivalent weight obtained by NIR spectroscopy (62.7 g/eq) allowed to calculate the molar mass of TEPA of 195.6 g mol⁻¹, which is close to the typical value of 200 g mol⁻¹.