Paraprofessional skill: Maintenance of empathic sensitivity after training.

Investigated changes in empathic sensitivity in paraprofessionals as a result of training and examined the maintenance of changes 6–24 mo after training. Also explored was the relationship of verbal intelligence to changes. 47 students in an associate degree mental health/human service program participated. Each S completed a 10-wk training course in 1 of 4 groups. Each was given the Recognition Assessment—Empathy (RA—E) on completion of the course and 6–24 mo later. Ss in 2 groups were also pretested on the RA—E. Empathetic sensitivity did increase after the course, confirming previous research, and changes were not only maintained but increased over time to a level comparable with a normative group of experienced clinicians. Course drop-out and selection effects were judged to be minimal. No significant relationship emerged between verbal intelligence and empathic sensitivity either before or after training. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the role of surface functional groups in Pt carbon interaction

The interaction between platinum crystallites and surface functional groups of carbon in a homologously prepared series of Pt/C catalysts for phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) applications has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and potentiometric titration techniques. It has been found that the platinum surface area depends on the amount of oxygenated groups on the carbon support. In addition, relationships between the platinum electroactive surface area and the acid-base nature of support functionalities have been found. The carbon support functional groups have been shown to affect the electronic nature of the platinum states.     

Experimental modal analysis of an aircraft model wing by embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors

A critical issue in practical structural health monitoring is related to the capability of proper sensing systems integrated within the host structures to detect, identify, and localize damage generation. To this aim, many techniques have been proposed involving dynamic measurements such as modal analysis, acoustic emission, and ultrasonics. This paper relies on the use of embedded fiber Bragg grating sensors for performing an experimental modal analysis on a wing of an aircraft model. Time domain response of the embedded fiber-optic sensors induced by hammer impacts were acquired and transformed into the frequency domain. Using a classical technique based on the frequency transfer function, the first displacement and strain mode shapes of the wing have been retrieved in terms of natural frequencies and amplitudes. Experimental results confirm the excellent performances of this class of sensing devices to determine the modal behavior within complex structures compared with conventional accelerometer-based detection systems.     

Helicobacter pylori detection by polymerase chain reaction in gastric juice and its correlation with the histology (Giemsa)]

HP infection is involved in the pathogenesis of several gastroduodenal diseases, as type B chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer, MALT lymphoma and gastric cancer. The recent availability of molecular techniques, specifically the PCR, allow us to detect very low amounts of the bacterium. The aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of HP in gastric juice by PCR technique and to correlate this findings with histology (Giemsa) of gastric mucosa. Gastric juice PCR positive findings were found in 10/31 (32.3%) HP positive patients at histology. We concluded that HP in gastric juice is possible to detect by molecular techniques. In our study 32.3% of the patients showed the presence of HP in gastric juice.     

Establishment and characterization of a megakaryoblast cell line with amplification of MLL

A new cell line with megakaryoblastic features, designated UoC-M1, was established from the malignant cells of a 68-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The patient's leukemic cells reacted with alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase and acid phosphatase and expressed CD7, CD24, CD34, CD38, CD45, HLA-DR and CD61. Cytogenetic analysis of the patient's malignant cells (and of the UoC-M1 cells) showed a human, male hypodiploid karyotype with many chromosome rearrangements and marker chromosomes. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) analysis complemented the G-banded karyotyping and clarified several chromosomal translocations and identified the marker chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and SKY analysis demonstrated that one marker chromosome contained three segments of chromosome 9 interspersed with three segments of chromosome 11, as well as a portion of chromosome 19. FISH analysis with a probe for MLL revealed that the UoC-M1 cells contained four copies of the MLL gene. Southern blot analysis determined that the MLL gene had a germline profile while Northern and Western analyses showed that the MLL mRNAs and protein were of the appropriate sizes. This is the first report of amplification of the MLL gene which may be an additional mechanism of leukemogenesis or disease progression.     

Hb Malm? [beta-97(FG-4)His-->Gln] leading to polycythemia in a Dutch family

We have examined six individuals from a two-generation Dutch family for a suspected hemoglobin (Hb) abnormality. The propositus presented with polycythemia and complained of persistent weakness, headache, and epistaxis. All family members initially showed a normal Hb-electrophoretic pattern, but on isoelectric focusing, three of them displayed a fast-moving band associated with high packed red cell volumes (PCV) and increased red blood cell count. The Hb mutant was analyzed at the DNA level by specific gene fragment amplification (PCR), followed by direct DNA sequencing, and the mutation was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. We found a C-->G transversion (CAC-->CAG) at codon 97 of the beta-chain, which corresponded to the His-->Gln amino acid substitution previously described as Hb Malm?. We report here the clinical history of the patient, the effects of phlebotomy treatment, and the effect of subnormal iron conditions on the erythropoietic recovery after phlebotomy. The mechanism responsible for the induction of the higher oxygen affinity is discussed, as are some aspects concerning the occurrence, pathology treatment, and the genetic risk of Hb variants with high O2 affinity.     

Postoperative treatment of liver injuries in the surgical intensive care unit

Personal experience in the postoperative treatment of patients with liver traumas is reported, and a comparison is made between those treated in ordinary wards and those admitted to intensive care units. The latter had shorter stays (24 days as opposed to 40) and fewer postoperative complications, assuming a comparable picture of preoperative shock and associated lesions. The difference is attributed to the possibility offered by such units of providing closer surveillance and more rational management.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of organic molecules in alkaline solutions—I. Oxidation of 1,3 dioxolane at platinum

The electroadsorption and electrooxidation of 1,3 dioxolane at platinum in 1 M KOH solutions were investigated under a wide range of experimental conditions. The potential of maximum adsorption (E^max_ad) is ca. 0.4 V and the degree of surface coverage depends linearly with the logarithm of organic concentration as predicted by a Temkin type adsorption isotherm. The kinetics of the electroadsorption process follows a Roginskii-Zel'dovich equation. From (eps)_ad, (eps)_ox and analysis of oxidation products a mechanism is postulated which consists of an adsorption with simultaneous dehydrogenation step followed by cycle rupture and electroadsorption and dehydrogenation of further residues.