Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species from Thailand

Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species were isolated from soil samples from ten different regions within Thailand. Aspergillus flavus was present in all of the soil samples. Unlike previous studies, we found no A. parasiticus or A. flavus capable of both B- and G-type aflatoxin production in any of the samples. A. pseudotamarii, which had not been previously reported from Thailand, was found in four soil samples. In two of the samples A. nomius was determined to be the most abundant aflatoxin-producing species. Based on sequence alignments for three DNA regions (Taka-amylase A (taa), the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and the intergenic region for the aflatoxin biosynthesis genes aflJ and aflR) the A. nomius isolates separated into three well-supported clades. Isolates from one of the A. nomius clades had morphological properties similar to those found for S-type isolates capable of B and G aflatoxin production and could easily be mistaken for these isolates. Our results suggest that such unusual A. nomius isolates could be a previously unrecognized agent for aflatoxin contamination in Thailand.     

Empathy and the collective good: Caring for one of the others in a social dilemma.

We predicted that feeling empathy for another member of the collective in a social dilemma would create an altruistic desire to allocate resources to that person as an individual, reducing collective good. To test this prediction, 2 studies were run. In each, participants faced a dilemma in which they could choose to benefit themselves, the group, or other group members as individuals. In Study 1, empathy for another group member was manipulated; in Study 2, naturally occurring empathic response was determined by self-report. In both studies, participants who experienced high empathy allocated more resources to the target of empathy, reducing the overall collective good. These results suggest the importance of considering self-interest, collective interest, and other-interest (altruism) as three distinct motives, each of which may operate in social dilemmas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fate of [14C]xanthotoxin (8-methoxypsoralen) in laying hens and a lactating goat

The metabolism of xanthotoxin, a naturally occurring furanocoumarin photosensitizer, was studied in laying hens and a lactating goat treated with single oral doses equivalent to 10 mg xanthotoxin/kg of body weight. Within 48 h, essentially all of the administered radiocarbon was eliminated in the excreta of the laying hens, while in the goat 92% and 3% were excreted in the urine and feces, respectively. Radiocarbon residues in the milk, egg white, and egg yolk were low. Xanthotoxin, 8-hydroxypsoralen (xanthotoxol), 6-(7-hydroxy-8-methoxycoumaryl)-acetic acid (HCA) and 6-(7-hydroxy-8-methoxycoumaryl)-hydroxyacetic acid (HCHA) were identified in the excreta of laying hens. In the goat, xanthotoxin was metabolized to HCA, HCHA, xanthotoxol, 5,8-dihydroxypsoralen, psoralenquinone, 5-hydroxy-8-methoxy-psoralen and 3[5-(6-hydroxy-7-methoxybenzofuryl)]-propanoic acid. Thus, identified metabolites in one or both of these species arose throughO-demethylation, oxidative cleavage of the furan ring, hydroxylation, reduction, oxidation, and hydrolysis of the lactone ring.     

Design for Stamping: Identifying Pedagogically Effective Components in Multimedia Tutors and the Classroom

Multimedia tutors have been developed for a number of different areas in manufacturing—including forging, die casting, and injection molding. Typically, students using these tutors perform better than students receiving traditional classroom instruction. However, the strengths and weaknesses of the tutors have not been isolated in any of the reports to date. This paper presents the results of experiments designed to isolate the most effective components used to teach design for stamping. The experiments compared classroom instruction with software tutorials. The results of these experiments indicate that the use of software tutorials when combined with feedback on graded homework assignments is as effective as traditional lectures that also make use of graded homework assignments     

Role of gender, sex role identity, and Type A behavior in anger expression and mental health functioning.

This study, including 407 female and 222 male college students, investigated the relationship of gender, sex role identity, and Type A behavior to multiple dimensions of anger expression and mental health functioning. Significant multivariate effects were found for sex role and behavior pattern type for anger expression. Significant gender differences were not observed. Univariate analyses revealed consistent relationships between sex role identity and anger proneness, suppression, and control and the tendency to express anger outwardly. Consistent relationships were found between behavior pattern type and both anger proneness and suppression. Significant multivariate effects were found for gender, sex role, and behavior pattern type for mental health functioning. Gender differences were not observed in depression. Women obtained higher scores on indirect hostility, irritability, and dependency, and men obtained higher scores on assault and aggressiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A packed-column bioreactor for phenol degradation: Model and experimental verification

Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17484) has been grown in a pure culture, slime layer inside a continuous packed-column bioreactor. The bioreactor has been characterized in terms of liquid holdup, dispersion, air stripping, fixed biomass concentration, and degradation rate capabilities. The experimental data has been used to develop a predictive model using mechanistic equations for the operation of packed columns and the biokinetics of pure culture phenol degradation. The liquid holdup, dispersion and liquid-to-air mass transfer coefficients were found to be correlated by power law equations commonly used for packed column absorption and stripping equipment. The microorganisms developed a uniform slime layer over the 3-mm diameter glass spheres, measured to be 200 μm thick. Phenol inlet concentrations of 500 ppm were degraded 100% and at rates up to 1.2 × 10^?3 kg m^?3 s^?1. These results compare favorably with the best biodegradation results reported elsewhere in the literature for other bioreactor designs. The packed-column bioreactor has the advantages of no moving parts and the need for minimum aeration (air fluxes less than 0.001 ms^?1), thereby reducing volatile stripping losses. A computer model of the bioreactor was found to predict accurately the experimental trend in biodegradation capacities and rates with liquid flux. It is shown to be a useful model for studying design parameter changes or for determining scale-up characteristics due to its simplicity and mechanistic basis.     

An assessment of long-term reaction to rape.

Examined reactions to rape by interviewing 27 female rape victims at least 1 yr after the assault and assessing their current functioning through such measures as the Beck Depression Inventory and Profile of Mood States. Victims were significantly more depressed and reported less pleasure in daily activities than 26 matched nonvictim controls. Ss who had been victims of sudden violent attacks by complete strangers showed the most severe reactions, being even more depressed, fatigued, and fearful and getting less satisfaction from activities than victims of other types of assaults. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role enactment versus typology: Another test of the triangle hypothesis.

H. H. Kelley and A. J. Stahelski's (see record 1971-02325-001) triangle hypothesis asserts that there are 2 stable types of people—cooperators and competitors—who develop characteristic views of the nature of others according to these 2 types. Previous tests of the thesis leave the question of its validity in some doubt. The authors tested the hypothesis by manipulating S rather than game variables and did so by asking whether competitors who agree to play the role of a cooperator in a game will in due course shift to the latter's characteristic view of others. 784 undergraduates served as Ss. Results are contrary to the triangle hypothesis, which asserts that the competitor's perception of others is type determined and delimited by type-congruent experiences. Findings are best explained by a role hypothesis that asserts that the individual's view of others is determined not by his/her personality type but by the momentary choice of role. Unexpected behavior of a subclass of cooperators is explained by assuming that persons view cooperation as rationally and ethically superior to competition. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With Physically Abusive Parents: Efficacy for Reducing Future Abuse Reports.

A randomized trial was conducted to test the efficacy and sufficiency of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) in preventing re-reports of physical abuse among abusive parents. Physically abusive parents (N=110) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions: (a) PCIT, (b) PCIT plus individualized enhanced services, or (c) a standard community-based parenting group. Participants had multiple past child welfare reports, severe parent-to-child violence, low household income, and significant levels of depression, substance abuse, and antisocial behavior. At a median follow-up of 850 days, 19% of parents assigned to PCIT had a re-report for physical abuse compared with 49% of parents assigned to the standard community group. Additional enhanced services did not improve the efficacy of PCIT. The relative superiority of PCIT was mediated by greater reduction in negative parent-child interactions, consistent with the PCIT change model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)