Ferrocene-Decorated Hyperbranched Poly(aroxycarbonylphenylene)s: Synthesis, Light Refraction, Photopatterning and Precursor to Magnetic Ceramics

Ferrocene-decorated hyperbranched poly[1,3,5-tri(aroycarbonyl)phenylene]s (hb-PTACPs) are prepared in moderate yields with high molecular weights by one-pot polycyclotrimerization of 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenyl bipropiolate with 4-(ferrocenylmethyl)phenyl propiolate in reflux dimethylformamide. All the polymers are soluble and film-forming. They enjoy high thermal stability and lost little of their weight when heated to 300 °C under nitrogen. Thin solid films of the organometallic polymers shows high refractive indices (RI = 1.7038–1.6295) in the wavelength region of 400–1,700 nm. Ceramization of the organometallic hb-PTACPs at high temperature under inert atmosphere gives iron nanoparticles with high magnetizabilities. The organometallic polymers are readily crosslinked under UV irradiation and pyrolysis of the patterned polymer films produces magnetic ceramic patterns with good shape retention.     

Chemical characterization and origin of dyes used in the manufacture of Beninese cultural heritage objects

Six objects of Beninese cultural heritage provided by African and Confluences museums of Lyon (France) were the focus of this study. The characterization of colored compounds was achieved using: microchemical tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detector. The main results reflect the presence of organic compounds like indigotin, 2‐hydroxynaphthoquinone, and mineral ions such as Al³⁺, S^2?, Na⁺, and Fe³⁺. Dyes were identified from Philenoptera cyanescens (Yoruba indigo) and Lawsonia inermis L. (henna); pigments were identified as laundry blue, Prussian blue, and iron oxides. All of these data therefore make possible the conservation and the restoration of these objects while maintaining their visual and functional integrity.     

Mixed logit model-based driver injury severity investigations in single- and multi-vehicle crashes on rural two-lane highways

Crashes occurring on rural two-lane highways are more likely to result in severe driver incapacitating injuries and fatalities. In this study, mixed logit models are developed to analyze driver injury severities in single-vehicle (SV) and multi-vehicle (MV) crashes on rural two-lane highways in New Mexico from 2010 to 2011. A series of significant contributing factors in terms of driver behavior, weather conditions, environmental characteristics, roadway geometric features and traffic compositions, are identified and their impacts on injury severities are quantified for these two types of crashes, respectively. Elasticity analyses and transferability tests were conducted to better understand the models’ specification and generality. The research findings indicate that there are significant differences in causal attributes determining driver injury severities between SV and MV crashes. For example, more severe driver injuries and fatalities can be observed in MV crashes when motorcycles or trucks are involved. Dark lighting conditions and dusty weather conditions are found to significantly increase MV crash injury severities. However, SV crashes demonstrate different characteristics influencing driver injury severities. For example, the probability of having severe injury outcomes is higher when vans are identified in SV crashes. Drivers’ overtaking actions will significantly increase SV crash injury severities. Although some common attributes, such as alcohol impaired driving, are significant in both SV and MV crash severity models, their effects on different injury outcomes vary substantially. This study provides a better understanding of similarities and differences in significant contributing factors and their impacts on driver injury severities between SV and MV crashes on rural two-lane highways. It is also helpful to develop cost-effective solutions or appropriate injury prevention strategies for rural SV and MV crashes.     

Anomalous information triggers questions when adults solve quantitative problems and comprehend stories.

Tested whether anomalous information causes an increase in questions generated by college students while they solve quantitative problems (i.e., algebra word problems, statistics problems, analytical puzzles) or while they comprehend stories. Ss were presented different versions of each problem or story: (1) complete original, (2) deletion of critical information, (3) addition of contradictory information, and (4) addition of salient or subtle irrelevancies. Some types of anomalies elicited more questions than did the original versions, and a subset of the questions directly addressed as anomalies. The deletion versions triggered more questions than did the other transformed versions. The results are discussed in the context of an anomaly hypothesis, an obstacle hypothesis, and a model of question-asking that has 3 interactive components: anomaly detection, question articulation, and social editing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The structure of patient satisfaction with outpatient medical care.

Patient satisfaction data for 2,226 patients (average age 55.8 yrs) in the Medical Outcomes Study were used to determine the dimensions of satisfaction with medical care, the relation between direct and indirect methods of assessing global satisfaction with care, and the extent to which visit-specific and global satisfaction with one's medical care covary. Results supported the multidimensionality of satisfaction ratings but showed substantial covariation among some dimensions. Direct and indirect methods of assessing global satisfaction with care also covaried markedly. Global satisfaction was significantly, albeit modestly, correlated with visit-specific satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Agreement between prospective interactive voice response telephone reporting and structured recall reports of risk behaviors in rural substance users living with HIV/AIDS.

Sound measurement of risk behaviors is essential to guide tailored risk reduction strategies as HIV infection patterns shift toward rural minorities, particularly in the southeastern United States where HIV disease remains highly stigmatized. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems appear to enhance reports of sensitive behaviors and can support telehealth applications to extend the reach of care in rural, underserved areas. This study evaluated the feasibility and data quality of an IVR telephone reporting system with rural substance users living with HIV/AIDS. Community-dwelling patients were recruited from a nonprofit HIV medical clinic in rural Alabama (N = 35 men, 19 women). Participants engaged in daily IVR reporting of substance use and sexual practices for up to 10 weeks. IVR reports were compared with retrospective Timeline Followback (TLFB) interview reports for the same period. IVR and TLFB reports showed good to excellent agreement for summary measures of alcohol consumption and sexual activity. Agreements for illicit drug use reports were less satisfactory. Reports of monetary spending on alcohol and drugs were significantly higher on the IVR. Most individuals showed good agreements for reports of day-to-day alcohol and drug use and sexual practices. The study established the utility of IVR assessment with rural, disadvantaged adults living with HIV/AIDS who are priority targets for risk reduction interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nanocrystal shape and the mechanism of exciton spin relaxation

The rate of exciton spin relaxation (flips) between the bright exciton states (F = +/-1) of CdSe nanocrystals is reported as a function of shape, for dots and nanorods. The spin relaxation is measured using an ultrafast transient grating method with a crossed linearly polarization sequence. It is found that the spin relaxation rate depends on the radius, not length, of the nanocrystals. That observation is explained by deriving an expression for the electronic coupling matrix element that mixes the bright exciton states.     

Review of Evolutionary and neurocognitive approaches to aesthetics, creativity and the arts.

Reviews the book, Evolutionary and neurocognitive approaches to aesthetics, creativity and the arts, edited by Colin Martindate, Paul Locher, and Vladimir M. Petrov (see record 2007-00414-000). This book follows in the line of Jungian, Humanistic, and Existential theories in proclaiming that the arts are essentially connected to human nature in a meaningful way. Like May, many of the chapter authors agree that the arts have a purpose beyond mere amusement, entertainment, or stress relief. With Freud, they also agree that the arts emerged through the evolutionary process, but they disagree that this was merely a useful by-product of natural selection. Rather, the arts are innately connected to human survival and development. The approach in this book is very distinct from the methods of Freud, Jung, and May. The chapter authors use quantitative research, genetic research, and electroencephalographic (EEG) studies to examine the purpose of the arts, aesthetics, and creativity. Although their results often feel much blander than the mythical interpretations of Jung and May, they continue to provide important empirical support for the utility and need for the arts using more contemporary methods. Many of the chapters in this book provide important insights into the creativity process. Some chapters provide more understanding than utility, which is a major weakness of the book. It would have been helpful to have some of the chapters make more direct connections to the practical utility and meaning of the research presented or reviewed. However, in the end, this book provides a wealth of information from many different perspectives and, as a whole, provides a significant contribution to the psychological and scientific literature on creativity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dependency and self-criticism: Psychological dimensions of depression.

Two independent types of experiences of depression have been identified among normals—dependency and self-criticism. Using the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, this study investigates their utility in differentiating depression in patients. 197 patients (mean age 34 yrs) and 262 normal controls (mean age 26.7 yrs) also completed the MMPI, Beck Depression Inventory, and Self Rating Depression Scale. There were consistent differences among patients as a function of whether their experiences of depression focused primarily on issues of dependency and/or self-criticism or an absence of these issues. The subjective experiences around which an individual's depression focuses seem to provide a valid basis for differentiating among types of depression. Judges using case records were able to differentiate patients who were high on dependency or self-criticism, on both, or on neither of these dimensions. The distinction between these 2 different foci of depression may provide valuable differentiations for clinical research, and have important implications for the therapeutic process with different types of depressed patients. (55 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)