Attachment security and temperament in infancy and early childhood: Some conceptual clarifications.

Relations between attachment security and temperament were studied in 6 samples. Ages at temperament assessments ranged from 5 to 42 mo and attachment security was assessed between 12 and 45 mo. Attachment security was assessed using the Waters and Deane Attachment Behavior Q-set. Principal component analyses were used with the temperament data, and scores for the 1st component (Emotional Reactivity) served as correlates of attachment security. Analyses revealed significant associations between temperament and attachment at all ages when mothers completed both instruments, and when Q-sorts were independent from maternal temperament perceptions, temperament and attachment security correlations reached significance for older children. These results may help clarify relations between the domains of attachment and temperament, rather than affirm distinctions between them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technology literacy: A model for identifying abilities in telecommunications

To function well in the Information Age, one needs to understand the importance of being literate in telecommunications technology. Although academic programs concerned with telecommunications must address this need, rapid technical developments and applications make it difficult to identify abilities associated with technology literacy. This study created and tested a model with potential for generating an index of knowledge, skills, and attitudes perceived as important to the understanding of telecommunications technologies. The model's use is demonstrated in a survey of industry professionals, educators, and students. The results provide a potential basis for curriculum planning and reveal a pattern of relationships among the three profiles (industry, educator, student).     

Reducing the impact of source brightness fluctuations on spectra obtained by Fourier-transform spectrometry

We present a method to reduce the impact of source brightness fluctuations (SBFs) on spectra recorded by Fourier-transform spectrometry (FTS). Interferograms are recorded without AC coupling of the detector signal (DC mode). The SBF are determined by low-pass filtering of the DC interferograms, which are then reweighted by the low-pass, smoothed signal. Atmospheric solar absorption interferograms recorded in DC mode have been processed with and without this technique, and we demonstrate its efficacy in producing more consistent retrievals of atmospheric composition. We show that the reweighting algorithm improves retrievals from interferograms subject to both gray and nongray intensity fluctuations, making the algorithm applicable to atmospheric data contaminated by significant amounts of aerosol or cloud cover.     

Creation and implementation of a customized patent information training program for chemists in a global company

To address a broad company wide education initiative to train non-patent associates on intellectual property related issues, a customized patent information training program targeting discovery chemists was created and implemented.An electronic survey was designed to identify training needs for specific skills pertaining to patents and the patenting process, searching and retrieving patent information, and interpreting search results. From the results of the survey, a training program consisting of several modules was developed and marketed globally through the corporate intranet and by using targeted emails. The modules were a series of classroom based training classes that covered the topics of most interest: a) understanding patent families and legal status, b) differences between different types of patent searches, and c) strengths and attributes of different patent databases. The success of the program was clearly evident based on the high response rate, the positive feedback received and by it stimulating communication and collaboration between patent analysts and discovery chemists.Key determining factors in ensuring the success of the program were the support of the training effort by management, face-to-face communication and making the attendees feel that they were contributing to the long term success of the training program.     

Sugars, organic acid and phenolic compounds of Ziziphus mauritiana Fruit

This study was conducted to identify soluble sugars, non-volatile acids and phenolic compounds in Ziziphus mauritiana fruit. Soluble sugars in Ziziphus mauritiana fruit were qualitatively determined by TLC. The sugars identified to be present in Ziziphus mauritiana were galactose, fructose and glucose. TLC was also used for qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds; five spots of phenolic compounds were observed. Only two of the observed spots were identified using the R_f values of the standards that were available. The two phenolic compounds identified by TLC were caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid. Phenolic compounds were also quantified using HPLC. Twelve peaks of phenolic compounds were detected. Among these, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were the most abundant with concentrations of 365.94, 30.76, 19.64 and 19.28 mg/kg dry mass respectively, whereas vanillic acid was the least abundant with a concentration of 2.52 mg/kg. The organic acids were qualitatively analysed by PC and citric acid, malonic acid and malic acid were identified in the Ziziphus mauritiana fruit.     

A randomized clinical trial to dismantle components of cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in female victims of interpersonal violence.

The purpose of this experiment was to conduct a dismantling study of cognitive processing therapy in which the full protocol was compared with its constituent components--cognitive therapy only (CPT-C) and written accounts (WA)--for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid symptoms. The intent-to-treat (ITT) sample included 150 adult women with PTSD who were randomized into 1 of the 3 conditions. Each condition consisted of 2 hr of therapy per week for 6 weeks; blind assessments were conducted before treatment, 2 weeks following the last session, and 6 months following treatment. Measures of PTSD and depression were collected weekly to examine the course of recovery during treatment as well as before and after treatment. Secondary measures assessed anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, and dysfunctional cognitions. Independent ratings of adherence and competence were also conducted. Analyses with the ITT sample and with study completers indicate that patients in all 3 treatments improved substantially on PTSD and depression, the primary measures, and improved on other indices of adjustment. However, there were significant group differences in symptom reduction during the course of treatment whereby the CPT-C condition reported greater improvement in PTSD than the WA condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Survey of organic wastewater contaminants in biosolids destined for land application

In this study, the presence, composition, and concentrations of organic wastewater contaminants (OWCs) were determined in solid materials produced during wastewater treatment. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of these solids, collectively referred to as biosolids, as a source of OWCs to soil and water in contact with soil. Nine different biosolid products, produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants in seven different states, were analyzed for 87 different OWCs. Fifty-five of the OWCs were detected in at least one biosolid product. The 87 different OWCs represent a diverse cross section of emerging organic contaminants that enter wastewater treatment plants and may be discharged without being completely metabolized or degraded. A minimum of 30 and a maximum of 45 OWCs were detected in any one biosolid. The biosolids used in this study are produced by several production methods, and the plants they originate from have differing population demographics, yet the percent composition of total OWC content, and of the most common OWCs, typically did not vary greatly between the biosolids tested. The summed OWC content ranged from 64 to 1811 mg/kg dry weight. Six biosolids were collected twice, 3-18 months apart, and the total OWC content of each biosolid varied by less than a factor of 2. These results indicate that the biosolids investigated in this study have OWC compositions and concentrations that are more similar than different and that biosolids are highly enriched in OWCs (as mass-normalized concentrations) when compared to effluents or effluent-impacted water. These results demonstrate the need to better describe the composition and fate of OWCs in biosolids since about 50% of biosolids are land applied and thus become a potentially ubiquitous nonpoint source of OWCs into the environment.     

Non‐Covalent Immobilization of Rare Earth Heterobimetallic Frameworks and their Reactivity in an Asymmetric Michael Addition

Heterobimetallic Lewis acid catalysts are broadly useful and methods to recycle them have immediate applications. However, their immobilization through covalent binding can be challenging. Non‐covalent immobilization of supported asymmetric catalysts is attractive due to ease of preparation and potential for reversible binding. We report a novel non‐covalent binding strategy for Shibasaki’s REMB framework {RE=rare earth metal; M=Li, Na, K; B=BINOL; RE:M:B=1:3:3, [M₃(sol)_n][(BINOLate)₃RE] } and explore the reactivity of the supported catalyst.