Characterization of ovarian nuclei with the parameter of power ratio

The nucleoli and chromatin clumps of ovarian cells contain important features in discriminating malignant cells from normal ones. In geometric properties, the ovarian nucleoli and chromatin clumps appear as irregularly shaped dark spots in the nuclear images from specimens immunohistochemically stained with antibody to Mib-1. Malignant cells often have more active and larger nucleoli and chromatin clumps. However, estimating the size of the nucleoli or chromatin clumps is a difficult task since it is not easy to recognize and accurately separate the regions of nucleoli and chromatin clumps from the rest of the nuclei that are highly irregular and variant in contents and intensities. In this paper, we develop a method to derive a parameter called power ratio that is proportionally related to the size of nucleoli and chromatin clumps based on an ideal nuclear model without the region segmentation of nucleoli or chromatin clumps. Results of characterization of the parameter and comparison between malignant and normal cells are provided.     

Tail-flick test: II. The role of supraspinal systems and avoidance learning.

It is held that the tail-flick test of pain depends on a spinal reflex because a similar response is observed in spinally transected rats. But when subjects were manually held and a cool heat setting was used, supraspinal systems facilitated the response (Experiment 1). This effect did not depend on the rate at which the tail was heated (Experiment 2) but rather on the co-occurrence of visual, auditory, and tactile cues that predict impending pain (Experiments 3 and 4). Subjects rapidly learned to exhibit a tail movement during these co-occurring cues, and this avoidance response was instrumental in nature (Experiment 5). Optimal learning was observed when the visual signal was presented 8–12 s before a heat-elicited response is normally observed (Experiment 6), and a low dose of morphine inhibited the performance of the instrumental response (Experiment 7). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of organic P forms and P present in inorganic colloids on the determination of dissolved P in environmental samples by the diffusive gradient in thin films technique, ion chromatography, and colorimetry

The speciation of P in environmental samples is operationally defined, since it depends on the analytical method used. In this study, we compared four methods to measure P in solution: ion chromatography (IC), the malachite green colorimetric method (CM), the diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) and, for total dissolved P, optical inductively coupled plasma (ICP). These methods were compared on three sets of solutions (filtered over <0.45 μm): solutions with model organic P compounds, suspensions of synthesized inorganic Fe and Al colloids loaded with P, and environmental samples. The environmentally relevant organic P compounds were only marginally detected by CM and IC. Substantial fractions of certain organic P compounds contributed to the DGT measurement. Colorimetric analysis of DGT eluates detected in general less P than ICP analysis, indicating that these organic P compounds sorbed on the zero sink layer. Phosphorus associated with inorganic colloids was completely recovered by CM, but not by IC and least by DGT. Measurements on a wide set of 271 environmental samples (soil pore waters, groundwaters, and surface waters) suggest that surface water P is largely present as orthophosphate and phosphate sorbed onto inorganic colloids, whereas organic P contributes more in groundwaters.     

Instructional manipulations and age differences in memory: Now you see them, now you don't.

The instructions for most explicit memory tests use language that emphasizes the memorial component of the task. This language may put older adults at a disadvantage relative to younger adults because older adults believe that their memories have deteriorated. Consequently, typical explicit memory tests may overestimate age-related decline in cognitive performance. In 2 experiments, age differences were obtained when the instructions emphasized the memory component of the task (memory emphasis) but not when the instructions did not emphasize memory (memory neutral). These findings suggest that aspects of the testing situation, such as experimental instructions, may exaggerate age differences in memory performance and need to be considered when designing studies investigating age differences in memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On misattributing good remembering to a happy past: An investigation into the cognitive roots of nostalgia.

Reflections on the past are often accompanied by an experience of nostalgia, or positive sentiments about some prior stage of one's life. In the current study, we provide evidence suggesting that nostalgic experiences may occur because of positive feelings that accompany the act of successful recall, rather than reflecting the true nature of the past. In a series of experiments, we employed an encoding manipulation to cause some words to support more detailed recollections than others. In turn, we measured the effect of these manipulations on judgments of both pleasantness and the emotional valence of a prior stimulus encounter. We demonstrate that recollections rich in meaning are unique in biasing people to judge having previously seen a stimulus in an emotionally positive context. In contrast, pleasantness judgments appear to be guided primarily by perceptual fluency. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that the subjective experience of nostalgia represents a misattribution of successful remembering to a pleasant past. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meta-analyses of ALDH2 and ADH1B with alcohol dependence in Asians.

Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the magnitude of relationships between polymorphisms in 2 genes, ALDH2 and ADH1B, with alcohol dependence in Asians. For each gene, possession of 1 variant *2 allele was protective against alcohol dependence, and possession of a 2nd *2 allele did not offer significant additional protection. The protective effects of these 2 gene polymorphisms were independent. Diagnostic criteria, recruitment strategy, and Japanese ethnicity moderated the effect of ALDH2*2. Recruitment strategy and gender moderated the effect of ADH1B*2. These findings highlight the importance of methodological issues and potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that must be considered when examining relationships between genetic polymorphisms and phenotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why security and privacy research lies at the centre of the information systems (IS) artefact: proposing a bold research agenda

In this essay, we outline some important concerns in the hope of improving the effectiveness of security and privacy research. We discuss the need to re-examine our understanding of information technology and information system (IS) artefacts and to expand the range of the latter to include those artificial phenomena that are crucial to information security and privacy research. We then briefly discuss some prevalent limitations in theory, methodology, and contributions that generally weaken security/privacy studies and jeopardise their chances of publication in a top IS journal. More importantly, we suggest remedies for these weaknesses, identifying specific improvements that can be made and offering a couple of illustrations of such improvements. In particular, we address the notion of loose re-contextualisation, using deterrence theory research as an example. We also provide an illustration of how the focus on intentions may have resulted in an underuse of powerful theories in security and privacy research, because such theories explain more than just intentions. We then outline three promising opportunities for IS research that should be particularly compelling to security and privacy researchers: online platforms, the Internet of things, and big data. All of these carry innate information security and privacy risks and vulnerabilities that can be addressed only by researching each link of the systems chain, that is, technologies–policies–processes–people–society–economy–legislature. We conclude by suggesting several specific opportunities for new research in these areas.     

Distractibility, circadian arousal, and aging: A boundary condition?

Two studies assessed the presence of a synchrony effect between peak circadian arousal and time of testing for both older and younger adults. Participants performed a reading aloud task that included distracting words that were either present or absent and, if present, were either thematically related or unrelated to the target text. As well, the distracting material was presented in either spatially predictable or unpredictable locations. In each experiment, older and younger adults were tested at optimal versus nonoptimal times. Both experiments showed age differences in susceptibility to distraction, replicating earlier findings (e.g., M. C. Carlson, et al; see record 1996-00890-001). Neither showed differences due to time of testing, suggesting a boundary condition for cognitive disruptions associated with circadian arousal patterns. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)