Self-linking and self-competence as dimensions of global self-esteem: initial validation of a measure

Three studies were conducted to validate the conceptualization of global self-esteem as consisting of two dimensions: a sense of social worth, or self-liking, and a sense of personal efficacy, or self-competence. In Study 1, confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the a priori structure of the Self-Liking/Self-Competence Scale, a self-report instrument designed to measure the two dimensions. In Study 2, a second structural analysis showed the dimensionality of Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale to parallel the proposed dichotomy. In Study 3, self-liking and self-competence were related to several theoretically linked constructs--depression, self-perceived abilities, and perceived parental approval--with the resulting pattern of correlations supporting their conceptualization as substantively distinct dimensions. The implications of these findings for understanding global self-esteem are discussed.     

Hydroxylation of salicylate by the in vitro diaphragm: evidence for hydroxyl radical production during fatigue

There is increasing evidence that oxygen-derived free radicals produced during strenuous work by the diaphragm may contribute to diaphragm fatigue and/or injury. However, the precise identity of these oxygen radicals remains unknown, inasmuch as oxygen free radicals are extremely short lived and their detection in biologic systems is quite difficult. There is recent evidence that the salicylate-trapping method may be a useful means of monitoring tissue production of hydroxyl radical (.OH). This method is predicated on the fact that salicylate's phenolic ring can be attacked by .OH at the 3 or 5 position to yield 2,3- or 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). These metabolites are stable and can be identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrochemical or ultraviolet detection. To test the hypothesis that hydroxylated salicylates are produced during diaphragm fatigue, we exposed in vitro rat diaphragm strips to a physiological saline solution containing 2.0 mM sodium salicylate for approximately 15 min. The solution was then removed, and the strips were fatigued (20 Hz, 200-ms train duration, 1 train/s) via phrenic nerve stimulation for 30 s-10 min. The diaphragm strips were subsequently homogenized, and the homogenate was analyzed by HPLC coupled with ultraviolet detection. Levels of 2,3-DHB were significantly higher in fatigued than in control nonfatigued strips. There was also a significant correlation between the amount of 2,3-DHB in the fatigued muscle and the accumulated tension-time product developed during fatigue. 2,5-DHB was not consistently identified in control or experimental strips.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Organ specificity of angiotensin II and Des-aspartyl angiotensin II in the conscious rat

Des-Asp angiotensin II (des-Asp AII) is a naturally occurring heptapeptide metabolite of angiotensin II (AII) which is formed by the enzymatic action of aminopeptidase A. Angiotensin II and des-Asp AII were infused into unanesthetized rats while direct mean arterial pressure, serum aldosterone and serum corticosterone were measured. Both AII and des-Asp AII caused a dose-related increase in serum aldosterone with a significant increase occurring with a dose as low as 1 ng/min. This effect was blocked by pretreatment with 1-Sar-8-Ala-angiotensin II, a competitive inhibitor of AII; however, the inhibitor was more effective in blocking the effects of AII (101%) than of des-Asp AII (82%). Both angiotensins induced a dose-related increase in serum corticosterone and mean arterial pressure. Des-Asp AII was however only 1/10 as potent as AII in elevating mean arterial pressure. 1-Sar-8-Ala-AII was also effective in inhibiting the pressor effects of AII and des-Asp AII. These data illustrate a high degree of organ specificity or selectivity for des-Asp AII and a low specificity for AII. Aminopeptidase A and leucine aminopeptidase were identified in the adrenal cortex and medulla in large amounts. Des-Asp AII may thus be formed from AII locally in the adrenal gland prior to exerting its action at that site.     

Short-period segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells on flattened tube supports

Segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells (SIS-SOFCs) were prepared on flattened-tube partially stabilized zirconia supports. The distinguishing characteristic of these cells was the short repeat period, 2.4 mm, and small active cell length, 1.3 mm, compared to ≈10 mm in previous SIS-SOFCs. The support tubes, formed by gelcasting, were bisque fired and then screen printing was used to sequentially deposit Ni-YSZ anodes, YSZ electrolytes, and Pt-YSZ composite interconnects. After high-temperature co-firing, LSM–YSZ and LSM cathode layers were screen printed and fired. Each flattened tube side had 12–16 individual cells. For testing, the open tube ends were sealed and humidified hydrogen flowed inside of the tubes; air was flowed over the outside of the tubes. Maximum total power at 800 °C was ≈8 W and maximum power density was ≈0.7 W cm⁻², calculated using cell active area. Good stability was observed during a ≈650 h steady-state test. Excellent stability was also observed over ≈20 redox cycles.     

Drink and Be Merry? Gender, Life Satisfaction, and Alcohol Consumption Among College Students.

This study examined the impact of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems on several domains of life satisfaction (LS) in a sample of 353 college students. Alcohol use was associated with lower general satisfaction and anticipated future satisfaction among women. Female abstainers reported higher general and anticipated future satisfaction than did female heavy drinkers. Female students' alcohol use was unrelated to their academic, family, dating, or social satisfaction. Drinking among men showed a positive, curvilinear relation to social satisfaction but was unrelated to other domains of LS. Alcohol-related problems were associated with decreased LS among both men and women. These findings suggest that alcohol use by young adults is associated with both positive and negative outcomes that may be gender specific. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aerosolized staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced pulmonary lesions in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

The pathology of aerosolized staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) was studied in the nonhuman primate. Six juvenile rhesus monkeys that received multiple lethal inhaled doses of SEB developed diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hr followed by depression, dyspnea, and shock. Three of 6 animals died by 52 hr. The most striking gross lesion in all 6 monkeys was diffuse severe pulmonary edema. Histologically, edema fluid was present within the peribronchiolar, peribronchial, and perivascular interstitium, alveolar septa, and alveoli. The adventitia of pulmonary vessels was infiltrated by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fewer neutrophils. Numerous large lymphocytes with occasional mitotic figures were within pulmonary vessels, often occluding alveolar capillaries. These cells were strongly immunoreactive with monoclonal antibodies against CD3, establishing them as T cells. Ultrastructurally, endothelial cell junctions were intact, and endothelial cells and type I pneumocytes contained numerous pinocytotic vesicles. Alveolar septal interstitial spaces were expanded by edema. The mechanism of these SEB-induced pulmonary lesions was not determined. We hypothesize that cytokine production by activated T cells may have caused vascular permeability changes leading to widespread pulmonary edema and shock.