Evaluating competency in the diagnostic interview among graduate psychology students: Development of generic scales.

Both graduate students and their trainers are concerned with reliable and valid evaluations of trainee skills. This article reports development of a unique system to evaluate objectively the diagnostic interview competency among professional psychology graduate students. Two training outcomes, skills used in the diagnostic interview and global interview quality, and one training process, student group supervision behaviors in diagnostic seminars, were measured. Development of generic scales is described, initial results reported, and system benefits and weaknesses are noted. Recommendations for evaluating students' competency at conducting diagnostic interviews are offered to trainers and educators, and potential clinical applications are highlighted for practitioners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A polyamide from bisacid A2 and p-phenylenediamine: Synthesis,properties, and fiber formation

The synthesis, characterization, and processing of a new polyamide which is formed from bisacid A2 and p-phenylenediamine are reported. The polymer is synthesized using low-temperature solution polycondensation methods. The conditions for producing high molecular weight polymer are described. The polymer produced is amorphous, but lower molecular weight varieties may be crystallized with a formic acid treatment. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates a transition in the range of 180–190°C. Mechanical properties of films are measured. Fibers have been produced by both melt and wet spinning.     

Enhanced specificity of truncated transmembrane protein for serologic confirmation of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 infections by western blot (immunoblot) assay containing recombinant envelope glycoproteins

Immunoassays based on the highly immunogenic transmembrane protein of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) (protein 21c) are capable of detecting antibodies in all individuals infected with HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. However, because of antigenic mimicry with other cellular and viral proteins, such assays also have a large proportion of false-positive reactions. We have recently identified an immunodominant epitope, designated GD21-I located within amino acids 361 to 404 of the transmembrane protein, that appears to eliminate such false positivity. This recombinant GD21-I protein was used in conjunction with additional recombinant HTLV type-specific proteins and a whole virus lysate to develop a modified Western blot (immunoblot) assay (HTLV WB 2.4). The sensitivity and specificity of this assay were evaluated with 352 specimens whose infection status was determined by PCR assay for the presence or absence of HTLV-1/2 proviral sequences. All HTLV-1-positive (n = 102) and HTLV-2-positive (n = 107) specimens reacted with GD21-1 in the HTLV WB 2.4 assay, yielding a test sensitivity of 100%. Furthermore, all specimens derived from individuals infected with different viral subtypes of HTLV-1 (Cosmopolitan, Japanese, and Melanesian) and HTLV-2 (IIa0, a3, a4, IIb1, b4, and b5) reacted with GD21-I in the HTLV WB 2.4 assay. More importantly, HTLV WB 2.4 analysis of 81 PCR-negative specimens, all of which reacted to recombinant protein 21e in the presence or absence of p24 and p19 reactivity in the standard WB assay, showed that only two specimens retained reactivity to GD21-I, yielding an improved test specificity for the transmembrane protein of 97.5%. None of 41 specimens with gag reactivity only or 21 HTLV-negative specimens demonstrated reactivity to GD21-I. In an analysis of additional specimens (n = 169) from different geographic areas for which PCR results were not available, a substantial increase in the specificity of GD21-I detection was demonstrated, with no effect on the sensitivity of GD21-I detection among specimens from seropositive donors. Thus, the highly sensitive, GD21-I-based HTLV WB 2.4 assay eliminates the majority of false-positive transmembrane results, thereby increasing the specificity for serologic confirmation of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections.     

Dimensional Change Behavior of Caribbean Pine Using an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

Moisture transport and dimensional change during wood drying or wetting processes were analyzed based on pictures from an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). This provides quantitative relationships between dimensional changes of total area, cell wall, and lumen, and moisture content for earlywood and latewood. Earlywood and latewood behave similarly but show some quantitative differences. The overall outcome for sections containing both kinds of wood seems to be dominated by the latewood behavior. The observed strain behavior of wood during drying is anisotropic in ways that are inconsistent with explanations solely related to microfibril orientation or earlywood/latewood interactions and more likely may be influenced by ray tracheids.     

The use of tooth thickness in predicting intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancies

Intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancies can be assessed using a diagnostic setup or predicted using a mathematical formula, such as the Bolton analysis. However, variations in tooth thickness may produce inaccuracies in the Bolton analysis ratio. To date, no method for incorporating tooth thickness into discrepancy prediction has been proposed. The purpose of this study was to design and test a new method of predicting anterior tooth-size discrepancy that takes into account tooth thickness and width. Forty-four positioner setup models were set to ideal overbite (2.5 mm) and occlusion (Class I canine relationship). Interproximal gaps between the maxillary or mandibular central incisors were allowed in order to optimize tip and torque. The mesiodistal width of all anterior teeth and the labiolingual thickness of the maxillary incisors were measured on these idealized setups to the nearest 0.1 mm. Actual intermaxillary anterior ratios were then calculated. A new method of prediction was developed by assuming a linear relationship between tooth thickness and ideal intermaxillary ratio. Errors in Bolton's method were compared with the new method. The results showed wide variations in mesiodistal tooth widths, tooth thicknesses, and intermaxillary anterior ratios in orthodontically treated patients. The correlation coefficient between the intermaxillary ratio and tooth thickness was r = 0.68 when tooth thickness was < 2.75 mm, and r = 0.28 when tooth thickness was > or = 2.75 mm. The mean absolute errors in predicting the actual intermaxillary ideal ratio was 1.29 +/- 0.81 for Bolton's ratio and 0.84 +/- 0.46 for the new prediction formula. These new formulas were better than Bolton's ratio in predicting tooth-size discrepancies (p = 0.003). Tooth thickness combined with mesiodistal width may be useful in predicting intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancies.     

Übergang von Packstoffbestandteilen in fettende Lebensmittel

Migration of Components of Packaging Materials into Fat-Releasing Foodstuffs A practicable legislation dealing with foodstuffs in contact with packaging material should be constructed in that way that responsibility for the observance of laws can be divided among the user of packaging material, the manufacturer of packaging material and the producer of polymers. In order to be able to formulate the corresponding legal texts, profound knowledge as to the interaction between packaging material and the foodstuff, particularly the fat-releasing foodstuff is required. The possibilities for a characterization of fatty foodstuffs as being fat-releasing are discussed as well as the influence of the foodstuff on the mechanical properties of the packaging and the migration of components of the packaging material into or onto fat-releasing foodstuffs. According to the diffusion rate of the components in the packaging material and the interaction between foodstuff and packaging material, three types of this system are discussed.     

Polycaprolactone as a permanent plasticizer for poly(vinyl chloride)

Polycaprolactone at moderate usage levels has been determined to provide desirable modifications of both rigid and plasticized poly(vinyl chloride). In rigid PVC it effected significant improvement in melt processing as well as good modulus, tensile strength, and kerosene resistance. Impact strength was not measurably altered, but heat-distortion temperature was appreciably lowered. In flexible PVC, polycaprolactone contributed increased tensile strength and ultimate elongation, reduced volatility, and kerosene extraction. Lowering of modulus and flex temperatures were similar to conventional liquid polymeric plasticizers, but melt processability was not as good as lower-molecular-weight plasticizers.     

Toughness and brittleness of plastics: A summary of an ACS/SPE symposium

A recent and joint ACS/SPE symposium featured 40 papers on the fundamental mechanism of brittle fracture, low-speed crazing and fracture, high-speed impact mechanisms, fatigue failure, multi-phase polymer systems, and reinforcing fibers. A survey of these papers indicates the present state of our knowledge in this field, and the rapid progress it is making toward the development of high-performance plastic materials.