The augmentation of creativity: Epistemological concerns and the excitement of innovation in family therapy.

Comments that P. R. Falzer (see record 1989-40687-001) too readily dismisses the preoccupation with epistemology in family therapy and does not address the distinctive meaning it has been given within the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An operator-independent approach to mass spectral peak identification and integration

A mathematical algorithm is presented that locates and calculates the area beneath peaks from real data using only reproducible mathematical operations and no user-selected parameters. It makes no assumptions about peak shape and requires no smoothing or preprocessing of the data. In fact, it is shown that for matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectra noise exists at all frequency ranges making the smoothing of data without distortion of peak areas impossible. The algorithm is based on a time-series segmentation routine that reduces the data set to groups of three strategic points where each group defines the beginning, center, and ending of each peak located. The peak areas are found from the strategic points using a commonplace polygonal area calculation routine. Peaks with statistically insignificant height or area are then discarded. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated on a polystyrene mass spectrum with varying degrees of noise added either mathematically or experimentally. An on-line implementation of the method, termed MassSpectator, for public use can be found at www.nist.gov/maldi.     

Automated ultra-thin-layer SDS gel electrophoresis of proteins using noncovalent fluorescent labeling

Ultra-thin-layer SDS gel electrophoresis in conjunction with automated laser-induced fluorescence detection is a novel and powerful method for the analysis of fluorophore-labeled proteins. The technique described in this paper employs instant, noncovalent fluorophore labeling by the addition of a fluorescent staining dye to the sample proteins either during or immediately prior to the sample loading process. Thus, the method does not require time-consuming post- or preseparation staining/labeling. By combining the multilane format of SDS polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and the high separation efficiency of capillary SDS gel electrophoresis, ultra-thin-layer SDS gel electrophoresis features rapid, high-throughput, and high-resolution analysis of proteins in the molecular mass range of 14-116 kDa. The good heat dissipation inherent to the ultrathin format enables the use of agarose and agarose-based composite separation matrixes, which can be easily replaced within the separation platform. Labeling efficiency as a function of the concentration of the staining dye, SDS, and proteins is thoroughly discussed. Detection sensitivity of the method was found to be at the low-femtomole level (1.25 ng/band), determined by analyzing a set of serial dilutions of standard proteins. Practical example of molecular mass determination and characterization of a complex protein mixture are also shown.     

Sample stacking during membrane-mediated loading in automated DNA sequencing.

Microporous membrane-mediated loading is a novel and efficient sample injection technique for ultrathin slab gel electrophoresis-based automated DNA sequence analysis. The sequencing reaction mixture is spotted directly onto the tabs of the membrane loader, which is then inserted to close proximity of the straight edge of the separation gel. The use of a higher viscosity (> 60 cSt), low ionic strength (conductivity < 320 microS) well solution with a pH of more than one unit lower that of the separation and gel buffer system makes possible efficient stacking of the DNA sequencing fragments at the interface of the gel matrix. When the injection/separation process is initiated by the application of the electric field, a high local electric potential drop is formed across the low ionic strength well solution zone. This results in very fast migration of the DNA sequencing fragments toward the interface of the separation gel, where they stack up against the higher conductivity sieving matrix. During this stacking process, primarily the local pH mediates the actual mobility of the buffer co-ions (borate), forming the leading and terminating zones in the well solution and separation gel, respectively.     

Risk-informed inservice inspection program

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has developed draft guidance for power reactor licenses on acceptable methods for using probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) information and insights in support of plant-specific applications to change the current licensing basis (CLB) for inservice inspection (ISI) of piping. This process is also known as risk-informed inservice inspection programs (RI-ISI). The risk-informed inservice inspection process for operating nuclear power plants provides an alternative method for selecting and categorizing piping components that are inspected for the purposes of meeting the requirements of ASME Section XI. A RI-ISI approach will incorporate probabilistic techniques to help define the scope, type and frequency of inservice inspection. The risk-informed process may support a decrease in the number of inspection and inspection intervals but will also identify areas where increased resources should be allocated to enhance safety. The approach discussed in this paper follows the method developed by NRC staff.     

Crystal structures and transformations in indium-thallium solid solutions

X-ray diffraction and metallographic studies of the indium-thallium system have shown the existence of a transformation from face-centered tetragonal to face-centered cubic in the indium-rich solutions. The equilibrium diagram has been revised to conform with these measurements and published thermal data.     

Trial by Pancake: Confessions in Child-Feeding

This reflective essay focuses on the experiences of my foodie family and son, who, from the age of eighteen months, chose to eat a very selective diet. Specifically, the article explores the ways in which the desire to share what we enjoy with our children can conflict the parental responsibility of supporting children nutritionally and emotionally through the minefield of control that is the family table. I review child-feeding manuals as well as the literature on picky eaters and super tasters, and recount my experience with nutritionists and medical doctors. In discussing my personal situation and how what a child eats does and does not matter, I expose family tensions and expectations relating to child-feeding.     

Spying or steering? Views of parents of young novice drivers on the use and ethics of driver-monitoring technologies

In-vehicle technologies that document driving practices have the potential to enhance the driving safety of young drivers, but their installation depends largely on their parents’ willingness and raises ethical dilemmas. This study investigated, using closed and open-ended questions, the views of 906 parents of young drivers in Israel regarding their willingness to install such a technology, and their conceptions of social norms and ethical issues associated with the technology and of factors that would encourage or discourage parents to adopt it. Most believed parents should feel morally obligated to install it. When cost was not a consideration, most said they would, and believed other parents would be willing to install the technology. Fewer (about half) expressed willingness to install it after being told about its estimated cost. Monetary cost was rated as a barrier to install it by about half. Environmental considerations were viewed as an incentive. Parents who supported the installation believed it would serve as a trigger for parent–young driver communication but those who did not thought it would erode trust in the parent–young driver relationship. Most said parents should have access to the monitoring data. Policy implications regarding issues of privacy and resources for parents are discussed.     

Nigral glutathione deficiency is not specific for idiopathic Parkinson's disease

The consistent findings of decreased levels of the major antioxidant glutathione in substantia nigra of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) has provided most of the basis for the oxidative stress hypothesis of the etiology of PD. To establish whether a nigral glutathione deficiency is unique to PD, as is generally assumed, or is present in other Parkinsonian conditions associated with nigral damage, we compared levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in postmortem brain of patients with PD to those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). As compared with the controls, nigral GSH levels were decreased in the PD and PSP patient groups (P < 0.05 for PD [-30%], PSP [-21%]), whereas a similar decrease in the MSA patient group did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.078, MSA [-20%]). GSH levels were normal in all examined normal and degenerating extra-nigral brain areas in PSP and MSA. A trend for decreased levels of uric acid (antioxidant and product of purine catabolism) also was observed in nigra of all patient groups (-19 to -30%). These data suggest that glutathione depletion, possibly consequent to overutilisation in oxidative stress reactions, could play a causal role in nigral degeneration in all nigrostriatal dopamine deficiency disorders, and that antioxidant therapeutic approaches should not be restricted to PD.