Biofeedback and electrodermal self-regulation in psychopathy.

Examined the degree to which psychopaths can learn to modify their spontaneous skin resistance responses (SSRRs) using intructions and biofeedback. Ten clinically defined psychopaths and 12 control Ss were tested, using a within-S design. Ss were required to increase and decrease the frequency of SSRRs, first without feedback, then with biofeedback training, and finally without feedback. During prefeedback with instructions alone, control Ss were able to raise SSRRs relative to resting baselines, but psychopaths showed no SSRR control. After 16 min of biofeedback training, both groups were able to raise and lower their SSRRs to a comparable degree. The results for heart rate, measured at the same time, presented the opposite pattern; during prefeedback with instructions alone, both groups produced comparable increases in heart rate, but in postfeedback the controls maintained heart rate whereas the psychopaths did not. Data suggest that psychopaths are as capable of learning to voluntarily regulate electrodermal activity as are controls, but they still differ in autonomic patterning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An emulsion method for the sensory evaluation of edible oils

The flavor intensity of soybean oils was evaluated in emulsions stabilized with gum acacia. A 10-point scale was used with a blank to establish the bland end of the scale and a standard diacetyl solution to establish a point near midscale. Tasting oils in emulsion gave significantly different scores than tasting oil directly. Evaluation in emulsion decreased panel error for poor quality oils but not for very bland oils. At least six samples could be tasted in emulsion without casusing panel fatigue or reducing accuracy. The concentration of oil in the emulsion could be adjusted to increase sensitivity to weak flavors or improve the evaluation of intensely flavored oils. Soybean oils containing various amounts of linolenic acid were evaluated by the emulsion method, and those with lesser amounts of linolenic acid were shown to be more stable. A gas Chromatographic total volatile method was shown to correlate fairly well with sensory evaluation of oils tasted in emulsions under conditions where both flavors scores and total volatiles changed significantly with time. Journal Paper no. J-10442 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames. Project no. 2143.     

Studies of cyclic and linear poly(dimethyl siloxanes): 12. Observation of diffusion behaviour by quasielastic neutron scattering

High resolution neutron scattering experiments have been used to observe the diffusive motion of low molecular weight linear and cyclic poly(dimethyl siloxane) molecules in dilute solution in deuterated benzene. Diffusion coefficients (D) and hydrodynamic radii (R_H) have been compared with values obtained by light scattering for higher molecular weight samples and with radii of gyration (R_g) obtained by small-angle neutron scattering. While the ratio $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>ring</mtext>}}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>chain</mtext>}}$ is close to the predicted value of 0.85, the ratio $\text{R}{}_{\mathrm{g}}\text{R}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}$ falls below the theoretical value for both ring and chain molecules. The scattering curves show effects arising from both centre of mass diffusion and internal molecular motion, and the observed inverse correlation times are compared with calculated behaviour as a function of scattering vector, Q.     

Emotional reactions to surgery.

Evaluated the stress effects of major surgery on 26 white male patients. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Kincannon's Mini-Mult version of the MMPI were given 18-24 hr. before surgery and 3-9 days postsurgery after the S was informed he was recovering without complications. Mean STAI A-State scores were much higher prior to surgery than after; STAI A-Trait scores were essentially the same. Patients with high- and low-A-Trait scores showed similar presurgery-postsurgery changes in A-State. Scores on the Mini-Mult were essentially unchanged by the stresses associated with surgery. Results indicate that the threat of imminent surgery produced elevations in anxiety as an emotional state, but did not affect anxiety proneness (A-Trait). (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of Polydimethylsiloxane on the Oxygen Concentration of Oils at Various Temperatures

The effect of temperature on the oil oxygen concentration, tested in both soybean and olive oils with no added polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), showed that the oxygen concentration increased with temperature to approximately 100 °C. Above 100 °C, the oxygen concentration abruptly decreased. This change was attributed to the balance between the rates of oxygen uptake and consumption by oil oxidation, which favored oxygen consumption over uptake at temperatures above 100 °C. The addition of 100 ppb PDMS to soybean oil, enough to form a continuous layer over the surface of the oil, reduced the oxygen concentration when compared to a soybean oil control containing no added PDMS at temperatures ranging from 93 to 180 °C; thus suggesting an oxygen barrier effect of PDMS. The accumulation of PDMS at the air–oil interface in soybean oil held at 180 °C was determined by comparing the oil’s internal temperature and the apparent surface temperature. A decrease in the apparent surface temperature while the oil was held at a constant internal temperature was attributed to a change in the emissivity of the surface as a consequence of the accumulation of PDMS in the air–oil interface. The presence of PDMS at the air–oil interface was confirmed for 100 ppm of PDMS, a concentration greater than the concentration necessary to form a monolayer of PDMS on the oil surface.     

Distribution System Protection with Decentralized Generation Introduced into the System

Cogeneration from renewable energy sources has been universally proposed as a partial alternative to the solution of our nation's energy problems. New technical, safety, and operational problems are introduced when this generation is placed into a distribution grid. Addressed is the problem of distribution system protection with the introduction of cogeneration sources and the changes and modifications which may be required in the application of present-day protection devices. A sample system is considered, and system protection and coordination with and without cogeneration has been calculated through a digital fault and system protection coordination program. The results indicate through the study of several systems that additional coordination and protection considerations will be required when sizable cogeneration sources are introduced to maintain a high degree of reliability and service continuity.     

Abilities of some antioxidants to stabilize soybean oil in industrial use conditions

Antioxidants, chelators, and alcohols were screened at 0.01 and 1.28% by weight for their ability to delay viscosity increase in soybean oil in the presence of metallic colloidal copper and iron at 105°C with air flowing through the sample. Most substances did not significantly enhance the effect of the natural tocopherols in the soybean oil at 0.01%. A few substances were mildly prooxidant, and a few delayed the increase in viscosity significantly. TBHQ at 0.01% was the best antioxidant of those tested. At 1.28% ascorbyl palmitate, BHT, hydroquinone, and TBHQ increased the stability significantly. Again, TBHQ was the most effective. As measured by viscosity increase to 150 CP, TBHQ increased stability about five times over that of soybean oil controls.     

Toluenesulfonate-acyl esters of ethylene glycol and other 1,2-diols as industrial antioxidants with cupric ion

Ethylene glycol esters of soybean oil FA increased in viscosity much more slowly than methyl or glycerol esters when oxidized at 105°C in the presence of flowing air and colloidal copper. This increased stability was caused by a minor constituent of the ethylene glycol esters, which was shown by MS to be a mixed ethanediol fatty acylate p-toluenesulfonate (EFAT). The p-toluenesulfonate group came from the catalyst used in the formation of the ethylene glycol esters. EFAT was quantified by UV spectrometry, HPLC, or GC of the acyl group that it contains. EFAT could be synthesized in good yield by reacting ethylene glycol, a FA, and p-toluenesulfonic acid (TSA) in a 1∶1∶1 molar ratio using a benzene azeotrope to remove water of esterification. EFAT increased the time required for the polymerization of soybean oil by about 27 times but required concentrations of 2–5% by weight. EFAT made with a variety of FA were active in delaying viscosity increase. Ethyl and decyl p-toluenesulfonate were inactive. Replacing ethylene glycol by glycerol and 1,2-propylene glycol but not by 1,3-propylene glycol resulted in active EFAT. TSA itself delayed the polymerization of soybean oil, especially in the presence of free ethylene glycol and FA, but this probably was caused by formation of EFAT during the oxidation test. Colloidal copper could be replaced by cupric ion. EFAT-copper appeared to act as an antioxidant by destroying hydroperoxides without initiation of free radical chains.     

Neutral and polar lipid phase transition of soybeans with various saturated fatty acid contents

Soybeans with modified saturated fatty acid compositions sometimes have lower seed germination rate or other undesirable agronomic traits. To determine if seed germination could be related to the melting transitions of their lipids, triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL) from soybeans with a wide range of saturated fatty acid compositions were examined by differential scanning calorimetry. The melting transition temperatures of both TAG and PL increased with increasing palmitate and stearate percentages. The mean melting points of the various lipids calculated on the basis of the melting points of their fatty acids correlated with the observed transition temperatures. Increased lipid saturation and elevated phase transition temperatures may have contributed to the reduced germination and seedling growth rates of these modified seeds.