Skills training as treatment for juvenile delinquents.

Viewing skills deficits as parameters of juvenile offender dysfunctioning, and considering skills training as a treatment modality represent relatively new strategies for rehabilitation. Data from a police diversion project (the Dallas Police Department's Youth Services Program) are presented, indicating that levels of certain physical, emotional, and intellectual skills are related to rearrest recidivism for juvenile offenders. The results of providing skills training as a treatment program for both the juvenile offenders and their parents are presented, and implications for rehabilitation strategies are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ferrous iron formation following the co-aggregation of ferric iron and the Alzheimer's disease peptide β-amyloid (1–42)

For decades, a link between increased levels of iron and areas of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) pathology has been recognized, including AD lesions comprised of the peptide β-amyloid (Aβ). Despite many observations of this association, the relationship between Aβ and iron is poorly understood. Using X-ray microspectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy and spectrophotometric iron(II) quantification techniques, we examine the interaction between Aβ(1–42) and synthetic iron(III), reminiscent of ferric iron stores in the brain. We report Aβ to be capable of accumulating iron(III) within amyloid aggregates, with this process resulting in Aβ-mediated reduction of iron(III) to a redox-active iron(II) phase. Additionally, we show that the presence of aluminium increases the reductive capacity of Aβ, enabling the redox cycling of the iron. These results demonstrate the ability of Aβ to accumulate iron, offering an explanation for previously observed local increases in iron concentration associated with AD lesions. Furthermore, the ability of iron to form redox-active iron phases from ferric precursors provides an origin both for the redox-active iron previously witnessed in AD tissue, and the increased levels of oxidative stress characteristic of AD. These interactions between Aβ and iron deliver valuable insights into the process of AD progression, which may ultimately provide targets for disease therapies.     

Effects of three types of university lecture notes on student achievement.

Conducted a study in which 57 undergraduates received 1 of 3 different kinds of lecture notes during a series of 3 electronics lectures. The notes were (a) duplicates of the lecturer's detailed notes; (b) copies of the headings, key points, diagram outlines, tables, and references from the lecturer's notes with spaces for the Ss to add additional notes as appropriate; and (c) the Ss' own notes taken during the lectures. An ANOVA indicated that there were significant differences between the notes as measured by a delayed achievement test, the order being, from high to low, (a), (b), and (c). The Ss' preferences for the 3 types of notes were obtained before and after the experimental lectures. A significant interaction between initial preference and treatment was found. However, preference changed in favor of (a) following exposure to the 3 types of notes during the experimental lectures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin II stimulation of ciliary activity in human fallopian tube

Using an antibody (6313/G2) directed against a specific sequence in the extracellular domain of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1), we demonstrated the presence of angiotensin II (AII) receptors in human fallopian tube. Immunoperoxidase staining for AT1 receptor showed positive staining in the epithelium of the tubal mucosa. The intensity of staining varied depending upon the hormonal status at the time of salpingectomy, being strongest in the proliferative phase of the ovarian cycle and weakest after menopause. Ligand binding assay confirmed that the AII receptor concentration was highest in the mucosa of fallopian tubes from premenopausal women. Mucosa from the ampullary segment had higher concentrations of AII receptor than the fimbrial and isthmic segments in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Displacement studies using specific AII receptor subtype antagonists showed that approximately 60% of the total activity could be displaced by CGP42112B (type 2 specific) and 40% by losartan (AT1 specific). Immunoblotting confirmed that the antibody detected a protein of approximately 60 kDa. Functional studies showed that AII had a stimulatory action on tubal ciliary beat frequency, but had no significant effect on myosalpingseal activity. This effect was achieved at nanomolar concentrations of AII; further increases in the AII concentration were without additional effect. The stimulatory effect of AII was inhibited by the specific AT1 antagonist losartan, whereas the type 2 antagonist, CGP42112B, had no effect. The data demonstrate that AII may play an important role in ovum transport and fertility.     

Autonomous trucks: an affront to masculinity?

Autonomous (or self-driving) vehicle technology has become a commercial reality in a number of cars being driven on public roads around the globe. However, this technology is not only confined to cars. It is equally applicable to trucks and there is speculation that it will be autonomous trucks that will hit the roads first because they operate in ‘a less complicated traffic environment’ and are therefore ideal starting points for the coming automated vehicle market.¹1 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/06/nevada-self-driving-trucks-public-roads-daimler-inspiration, last accessed 15 December 2016. For example, in May 2015, authorities granted a license to Daimler to test its self-driving trucks on public roads in the US State of Nevada.²2 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/06/nevada-self-driving-trucks-public-roads-daimler-inspiration, last accessed 15 December 2016. These use a series of different technologies, including video cameras and radar, which, when applied in an incremental way, allow drivers to take breaks, although there must always be a qualified driver at the wheel.³3 M Taylor and P Maynard, “Self-driving cars” (2015) 21(5), CTLR 133, 134. It is clear to see the benefits of self-driving trucks to trucking companies, who could use them to transport goods across much longer distances and without all of the scheduled breaks than is presently possible with human truck drivers. But what about the impact on the image of the retained drivers themselves? Traditionally, truck drivers have been men and this representation is well-entrenched in a variety of media. Does the introduction of self-driving truck technology represent an attack on the masculinist truck driving culture as portrayed in TV shows such as ‘Ice Road Truckers’ or ‘Outback Truckers’. If so, is such a change to be encouraged or is the historical image (though objectionable to some) worthy of protection? Given that self-driving trucks could be available for purchase from the middle of the coming decade, the socio-legal aspects of self-driving truck technology will be reflected on and the degree to which this issue can be contemplated at law addressed.     

Multiple Protective Roles of Nanoliposome-Incorporated Baicalein against Alpha-Synuclein Aggregates

Nanoparticles are useful for increasing drug stability, solubility, and availability. The small molecule baicalein inhibits fibrillation, and detoxifies aggregates of α-synuclein (αSN) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), but it suffers from instability, low solubility and consequent low availability. Here it is demonstrated that incorporation of baicalein into zwitterionic nanoliposomes (NLP-Ba) addresses these problems. NLP-Ba inhibits αSN fibril initiation, elongation, secondary nucleation, and also depolymerizes mature fibrils more effectively than free baicalein and prevents soluble αSN aggregates from seeding new fibrils. Importantly, NLP-Ba perturbs oligomers’ capacity to permeabilize the membrane. The interaction between NLP-Ba and αSN is confirmed by different biophysical techniques. This nanosystem crosses the blood-brain barrier in vitro and is effective against rotenone neurotoxicity in vivo. The effect of NLP-Ba on αSN fibrillation/cytotoxicity is attributed to a combination of free baicalein and empty NLPs. The results indicate a neuroprotective role for NLP-Ba in decreasing αSN pathogenicity in PD and highlight the use of nanoliposomes to mobilize poorly soluble hydrophobic drugs.