MA‐NOTMP: A Triazacyclononane Trimethylphosphinate Based Bifunctional Chelator for Gallium Radiolabelling of Biomolecules

In the past few years, gallium‐68 has demonstrated significant potential as a radioisotope for positron emission tomography (PET), and the optimization of chelators for gallium coordination is a major goal in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Methylaminotriazacyclononane trimethylphosphinate (MA‐NOTMP), a new C‐functionalized triazacyclononane derivative with phosphinate pendant arms, presents excellent coordination properties for ⁶⁸Ga (low ligand concentration, labelling at low pH even at room temperature). A “ready‐to‐be‐grafted” bifunctional chelating agent (p‐NCS‐Bz‐MA‐NOTMP) was prepared to allow ⁶⁸Ga labelling of sensitive biological vectors. Conjugation to a bombesin_(7–14) derivative was performed, and preliminary in vitro experiments demonstrated the potential of MA‐NOTMP in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. This new chelator is therefore of major interest for labelling sensitive biomolecules, and further in vivo experiments will soon be performed.     

The adsorption of an epoxy acrylate resin on aluminium alloy conversion coatings

A thermodynamic study of the adsorption of an epoxy acrylate resin used for UV-cured coatings on two different anticorrosion pretreatments on aluminium alloys relevant to aerospace industry has been undertaken. Aluminium alloy Al2219 specimens, treated with an inorganic chromate based conversion coating (Alodine 1200S) and an organic titanium based conversion coating (Nabutan STI/310), were immersed in solutions of different concentrations of the resin and adsorption isotherms were determined by assessing the uptake of the adsorbate, as a function of solution concentration, by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The results show different behaviour for the two substrates, which can be attributed to the organic component of the titanium based coating. In the case of the inorganic conversion coating a clear plateau is achieved at relatively low concentrations and at a lower level of adsorption than for the hybrid coating. The data for both the coatings conform well to the Langmuir model, the organic coating, as well as showing a higher level of adsorption of the resin, also presents oscillatory behaviour at low concentration, which is shown to be complementary to the behaviour of the reactive diluent included with the epoxy acrylate to aid processing. A discussion of this competitive adsorption of the epoxy resin and the diluent on the different substrates is presented, based on considerations of the chemistry of the systems under investigation.     

Examining the alliance using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set.

The alliance between therapist and patient was investigated using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set (PQS), an instrument that quantitatively describes therapy sessions in a manner that captures the complexity of the therapy process. More specifically, the PQS was used to examine the treatment processes being assessed by observer ratings on the California Psychotherapy Alliance Scales (CALPAS). Using data from 30 brief psychodynamic psychotherapy treatments (patients aged 20–81 yrs), three PQS factors were found to be associated with alliance: Patient–Therapist Interaction, Patient Capacity/Commitment, and Therapist Countertransference. In multiple regression analyses with scales constructed from these three factors, Patient–Therapist Interaction was found to predict alliance ratings, while the other two aspects of the treatment process did not account for any significant additional variance in the alliance ratings. Results suggest that Patient–Therapist Interaction plays a defining role in the alliance construct, as assessed by the observer version of the CALPAS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Team productivity and contradiction of management policy commitments.

What is the relationship between management consistency of policy and team productivity? "A simulated small industrial plant was the setting for an experiment in which a team of Ss worked together on a manufacturing problem. Their assigned task was to produce different kinds of toys at a profit… . Twenty four-man teams were divided into ten consecutive team pairs, each member of a pair being subjected either to (a) a condition under which the team's expectations of management were contradicted by subsequent events or (b) a condition under which the team's expectations were confirmed. The hypothesis that team productivity would be greater under the confirmation condition was supported by the data. Some theoretical implications of the experiment were suggested." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Challenges and solutions for recruiting pregnant smokers into a nicotine replacement therapy trial.

Improvements in smoking cessation interventions for pregnant smokers are needed. One major step is to examine the potential effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The potential benefits of providing pregnant women with NRT to help them quit smoking are still unknown; early interventions to test the effectiveness and efficacy are vital to advancing the field. This paper describes recruitment efforts for a multiclinic trial to test the effectiveness of NRT use in addition to behavioral therapy in promoting cessation during pregnancy. The biggest challenge is recruiting sufficient numbers of pregnant women. This paper discusses specific obstacles for recruitment and solutions. Knowing the potential pitfalls to recruiting pregnant women into these trials can lead to better studies and thus improved outcomes.     

The impact of orthokeratology lens wear on binocular vision and accommodation: A short-term prospective study

Purpose

To investigate the effects of short-term orthokeratology (OK) on accommodation and binocular visual function in young adults.