Cognitive processes, anxiety, and performance on doctoral dissertation oral examinations.

In an effort to explore evaluation anxiety in a naturalistic setting, this study examined the relationships among anxiety, thoughts, self-efficacy, and performance of 37 students defending their doctoral dissertations. After the orals, faculty examiners rated each student's performance and level of anxiety. Analyses showed that the state-of-mind ratio (ratio of positive thoughts to positive-plus-negative thoughts) appeared to be a more important contributor to anxiety than did self-inefficacy to control thoughts. Although faculty ratings of anxiety were significantly related to their ratings of performance, S's own reports of anxiety and their thoughts during orals were not predictive of performance. The strongest predictors of orals performance were graduate grade point average (GPA) and committee ratings of the quality of the dissertation and of the student's work in the doctoral program before the dissertation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pilot-scale demonstration of phytofiltration for treatment of arsenic in New Mexico drinking water

Arsenic contamination of drinking water poses serious health risks to millions of people worldwide. To reduce such risks, the United States Environmental Protection Agency recently lowered the Maximum Contaminant Level for arsenic in drinking water from 50 to 10 microgL(-1). The majority of water systems requiring compliance are small systems that serve less than 10,000 people. Current technologies used to clean arsenic-contaminated water have significant drawbacks, particularly for small treatment systems. In this pilot-scale demonstration, we investigated the use of arsenic-hyperaccumulating ferns to remove arsenic from drinking water using a continuous flow phytofiltration system. Over the course of a 3-month demonstration period, the system consistently produced water having an arsenic concentration less than the detection limit of 2 microgL(-1), at flow rates as high as 1900 L day(-1) for a total treated water volume of approximately 60,000 L. Our results demonstrate that phytofiltration provides the basis for a solar-powered hydroponic technique to enable small-scale cleanup of arsenic-contaminated drinking water.     

Chemorheological changes in crosslinked epoxy resins subjected to large strains

Chemorheological changes in epoxy resins subjected to large strains while heated were observed earlier, but the subject was not treated quantitatively. This paper describes the investigation of an epoxy resin—Epon 826, of known chemical, structure, crosslinked with two different amines. By means of a simple calibrated apparatus, the epoxide samples were subjected to large strains in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and in air. They were heated to different temperatures for various times; the results were compared with data obtained from unstrained samples kept in otherwise the same conditions. The results show a linear-logarithmic relation between the torsion modulus, G₍₁₀₎ and the time of applied strain at a certain temperature and also a linear relation between G₍₁₀₎, and 1/T°K, both above T₍₁₀₎. The results obtained in swelling experiments support the data from 10 sec torsional modulus vs temperature measurements. An increase in the amount of solubles and in M_c is observed on extending the time of heating. A clear difference in properties between the strained and unstrained samples, kept in otherwise the sane conditions, is observed and the contribution of the applied strain to chemorheology has been shown. Both systems of crosslinked Epon 826 showed the same general behavior, although the specific data were different.     

Indeterminacy & Contingency: The Seroussi Pavilion and Bloom by Alisa Andrasek

The lightly programmed spaces of flexible, temporary structures enable open-ended interactions. Here, architect and curator Alisa Andrasek , who is Reader in Architecture and Computation at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL), describes how she has embraced adaptability and social engagement by adopting a strategy of ‘indeterminacy’ and ‘contingency’ in her two installations: the Seroussi Pavilion (2007) and Bloom (2012).     

Past COVID-19: The Impact on IVF Outcomes Based on Follicular Fluid Lipid Profile

Follicular fluid is an important component of follicle growth and development. Negative effects of COVID-19 on follicular function are still open. The aim of this work was to study the features of the lipid profile of follicular fluid and evaluate the results of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program in women after COVID-19 to identify biomarkers with prognostic potential. The study involved samples of follicular fluid collected from 237 women. Changes in the lipid composition of the follicular fluid of patients who underwent COVID-19 in mild and severe forms before entering the IVF program and women who did not have COVID-19 were studied by mass spectrometry. Several lipids were identified that significantly changed their level. On the basis of these findings, models were developed for predicting the threat of miscarriage in patients who had a severe course of COVID-19 and models for predicting the success of the IVF procedure, depending on the severity of COVID-19. Of practical interest is the possibility of using the developed predictive models in working with patients who have undergone COVID-19 before entering the IVF program. The results of the study suggest that the onset of pregnancy and its outcome after severe COVID-19 may be associated with changes in lipid metabolism in the follicular fluid.     

Change in cognitive functioning associated with ApoE genotype in a community sample of older adults.

The influence of a genetic risk factor, apolipoprotein E (apoE) ε4 variant, was assessed in older adults aged 70 to 94 on 3 occasions over 7 years. The results of latent growth curve analyses are reported for individuals genotyped for apoE at the 2nd measurement occasion (n = 601) and for a subsample of individuals without probable or definite dementia during the 1st or 2nd occasion (n = 434). ApoE-ε4 status was a significant predictor of level and change in memory performance and change in speed performance in the full sample, and of initial level and change in memory performance in the nondemented subsample. These results support previous findings that apoE-ε4 is associated with accelerated memory deterioration in individuals without clinical dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis and Preliminary Cancer Cell Line Results for the Product of Organotin Dihalides and Alpha-Cyano-4-Hydroxycinnamic Acid

High polymer poly(ester ethers) are rapidly synthesized in good yield employing the interfacial polycondensation reaction system. Infrared spectroscopy shows the formation of new bands derived from the Sn–O and Sn–O(CO) linkages. It also shows that the products exist as alternating Sn–O and Sn–O(CO) linkages. MALDI MS shows formation of ion fragment clusters several units in length. The products show reasonable inhibition of a variety of cancer cell lines including two pancreatic cancer cell lines.     

Influence of enrofloxacin on the coagulation time and the quality parameters of goat's milk yoghurt

Three batches of yoghurts were made from goat's milk with different enrofloxacin concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 μg/kg). Quality parameters were analysed at 1, 7, 14 and 28 days at 5 °C. Drug residues were also quantified by HPLC. Coagulation time and most yoghurt properties remained unaffected by the presence of enrofloxacin in goat's milk. However, quality parameters were affected by the storage period. 74.9–99.2% of enrofloxacin initially added to goat's milk remained in the yoghurt throughout its entire shelf life, potentially posing a risk to consumer health. Therefore, an enrofloxacin maximum residue limit in yoghurt should be established.     

Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.