Approach to the Controlled Synthesis of Nucleopeptides I. Nε-(6-Purinoyl-L-Lysine and β-(5-Uracilyl)-Dl-Alanine

N^ε-(6-purinoyl)-L-lysine has been prepared by acylation of L-lysine copper complex or N^α-carbobenzoxy-L-lysine with 6-trichloromethylpurine followed by the removal of the protecting group. β-(5-uracilyl)-DL-alanine has been prepared by condensation of 5-chloro-methyluracil with diethyl acetamidomalonate, followed by acid hydrolysis.     

Effects of control beliefs and attributions on memory self-assessments and performance.

Individual differences in memory performance among elderly adults may be due, in part, to variability in personality and metamemory variables. We examined whether control beliefs, attributions, and depression were related to memory self-assessments, performance, and change in these variables across two trials. Participants were 47 elderly adults (M age?=?69.72 years). Results of multiple regression analyses were consistent with predictions. Those individuals with stronger internal control beliefs made higher self-assessments at the first trial. Those who made higher assessments and those younger in age had higher performance at the first trial. Those with higher performance at the first trial and those who attributed this performance to internal, stable, and global causes were less likely to show decrements in self-assessments and performance across trials. Implications of the findings for enhancing memory performance are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Primary and secondary control strategies for managing health and financial stress across adulthood.

The study examined the relation among three types of control strategies (persistence, positive reappraisals, lowering aspirations) and subjective well-being across adulthood (N?=?3,490). Specifically, the authors investigated whether age-adapted endorsement of control strategies is conducive to subjective well-being if individuals experience health or financial stress. The results reveal an overall enhanced reliance on control strategies in older as compared with younger adults. In addition, persistence showed a stronger positive relation to subjective well-being in young adulthood as compared with old age. In midlife and old age, positive reappraisals had a stronger positive relation to subjective well-being than persistence. Lowering aspirations was negatively related to subjective well-being, independent of age. Age differences in the relation of control strategies to subjective well-being were particularly salient in individuals who faced either health or financial stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of minority honey components: Possible use for the evaluation of honey quality

The minerals (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn) of 24 authentic Czech nectar and honeydew honey samples (2003 and 2004 harvests) were determined, to find the relationship between their content and the origin or type of honey. The concentrations of analytes in the digests, obtained via optimised dry decomposition of honey samples, were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS), as well as optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). With regard to its speed of analysis and cost, ICP-OES was the more favourable method. By combining the analytical data and electrolytic conductivities of samples, the honey samples could be divided into two groups – honeydew honeys and nectar honeys. Like Slovak and Polish honeys, samples of Czech honeys had higher nickel levels than honeys originating from other parts of the world.     

The association between computer use and cognition across adulthood: Use it so you won't lose it?

Understanding the association between computer use and adult cognition has been limited until now by self-selected samples with restricted ranges of age and education. Here we studied effects of computer use in a large national sample (N = 2,671) of adults aged 32–84, assessing cognition with the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (Tun & Lachman, 2005) and executive function with the Stop and Go Switch Task (Tun & Lachman, 2008). Frequency of computer activity was associated with cognitive performance after controlling for age, sex, education, and health status: That is, individuals who used the computer frequently scored significantly higher than those who seldom used the computer. Greater computer use was also associated with better executive function on a task-switching test, even after controlling for basic cognitive ability as well as demographic variables. These findings suggest that frequent computer activity is associated with good cognitive function, particularly executive control, across adulthood into old age, especially for those with lower intellectual ability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of single-phase excitation and magnetizing reactance ontransformer leakage reactance measurement

Low voltage and single-phase excitation are often used to measure leakage reactance or short-circuit impedance of transformers. Winding distortion may be detected by comparing field results with factory nameplate values measured at 25-100% of the rated current using three-phase excitation. The results of single- and three-phase excitation will not always correlate. If the voltage applied in the field is not properly selected then the data may be influenced by the magnetizing reactance. The resulting difference between the nameplate value and the field data might then lead to erroneous analysis of test results and could be interpreted as an indication of winding distortion. The intent of this paper is to analyze the physics of the process and gain insight on test circuit selection and analysis of the results. Methods for avoiding erroneous test results are suggested     

The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being.

The authors examined social class differences in 2 aspects of the sense of control (mastery and perceived constraints) in 3 national probability samples of men and women ages 25–75 years (N??=?1,014; N??=?1,195; N??=?3,485). Participants with lower income had lower perceived mastery and higher perceived constraints, as well as poorer health. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that for all income groups, higher perceived mastery and lower perceived constraints were related to better health, greater life satisfaction, and lower depressive symptoms. However, control beliefs played a moderating role; participants in the lowest income group with a high sense of control showed levels of health and well-being comparable with the higher income groups. The results provided some evidence that psychosocial variables such as sense of control may be useful in understanding social class differences in health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Heterogeneity in the campomelic syndromes. Long-and short-bone varieties

Analysis of 9 cases of bilateral bent limbs (campomelia) and dwarfism, as well as a review of the literature, indicate that campomelic syndrome appears to be a well-defined distinct disorder which the authors call long-limbed campomelic syndrome. Other neonates with congenital bent-limbed dwarfism can be classified as having short-limbed campomelic syndrome, and among these at least two distinct forms have been delineated--the craniosynostotic and the normocephalic form. Congenital bent bones also occur in a variety of generalized disorders of ossification that must be distinguished from these well-defined types of campomelic dwarfism.