The use of computer-mediated interaction in exploring affective influences on strategic interpersonal behaviours

What role can computers play in the study of strategic interpersonal behaviours, and research on affective influences on social behaviour in particular? Despite intense recent interest in affective phenomena, the role of affect in social interaction has rarely been studied. This paper reviews past work on affective influences on interpersonal behaviour, with special emphasis on Michael Argyle’s pioneering studies in this field. We then discuss historical and contemporary theories of affective influences on social behaviour. A series of experiments using computer-mediated interaction tasks are described, investigating affective influences on interpersonal behaviours such as self-disclosure strategies and the production of persuasive arguments. It is suggested that computer-mediated interaction offers a reliable and valid technique for studying the cognitive, information processing variables that facilitate or inhibit affective influences on interpersonal behaviour. These studies show that mild affective states produce significant differences in the way people perform in interpersonal situations, and can accentuate or attenuate (through affective priming) self-disclosure intimacy or persuasive argument quality. The implications of these studies for recent theories and affect-cognition models, and for our understanding of people’s everyday interpersonal strategies are discussed.     

Near-infrared resonant nanoshells for combined optical imaging and photothermal cancer therapy

Metal nanoshells are core/shell nanoparticles that can be designed to either strongly absorb or scatter within the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength region ( approximately 650-950 nm). Nanoshells were designed that possess both absorption and scattering properties in the NIR to provide optical contrast for improved diagnostic imaging and, at higher light intensity, rapid heating for photothermal therapy. Using these in a mouse model, we have demonstrated dramatic contrast enhancement for optical coherence tomography (OCT) and effective photothermal ablation of tumors.     

Analysis of governing factors for photovoltaic loss mechanism of n‐CdS/p‐CdTe heterojunction via multi‐way data decomposition

An analytical framework for identifying key factors of the degradation of photovoltaic efficiency over time is presented. We demonstrate that, in many photovoltaic experimental settings, reliability data sets are easily cast in a multi‐ or N‐way format. We adopt a statistical technique, N‐way partial least squares, that generates a multi‐linear model using all of the data simultaneously. With this approach, we are able to model variables of interest such as cell efficiency while representing the data in a lower‐dimensional space in which salient features are more easily identified. We illustrate our approach with reliability data for CdS/CdTe heterojunction solar cell devices. Even with the inclusion of a noisy parameter such as the net acceptor density, and with a relatively small number of devices, we automatically identify key factors that are highly related to performance degradation. In particular, the conductance at the back contact is related to short stress‐time degradation (0–300 h), whereas the net acceptor density near the junction (at +0.08 V DC bias) is correlated with more gradual, long stress‐time degradation (300–1000 h). These notable degradation modes are explained with respect to our processing conditions and Cu‐diffusion in the cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maternal, Family, and Work Correlates of Role Strain in Low-Income Mothers.

Welfare reform brought large numbers of low-income mothers into the labor force, yet little research has examined how low-income mothers manage the multiple demands of parenthood and employment. Using Hobfoll's conservation of resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 1989, 2001) to guide hypotheses, the authors examined correlates of role strain in a racially diverse sample of low-income mothers (N = 276) combining work/school with family responsibilities. Results from regression analyses indicate that characteristics that deplete resources, particularly family factors (e.g., more young children, having a child with a disability) and work characteristics (e.g., long work hours, work transitions), related to higher maternal role strain, whereas greater work flexibility predicted lower role strain. Findings suggest that interventions directed toward increasing women's resources may help reduce role strain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of (−) and (+)-Spiroleucettadine and Analogues

A second-generation enantiospecific synthesis of spiroleucettadine is described. The original reported antibacterial activity was not observed when the experiment was repeated on the synthetic samples; however, significant anti-proliferative activity was uncovered for both enantiomers of spiroleucettadine. Comparison of the optical rotational data and ORD-CD spectra of both enantiomers and the reported spectrum from the natural source have not provided a definitive answer regarding the absolute stereochemistry of naturally occurring spiroleucettadine. Efforts then focussed on alteration at the C-4 and C-5 positions of the slightly more active (−)-spiroleucettadine. Ten analogues were synthesised, with three analogues found to possess similar anti-proliferative profiles to spiroleucettadine against the H522 lung cancer cell line.