bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and Psychometric Characteristics of the “Tendency to Extreme Views” Test
Authors: Pukhareva T.S.
Published: July 2024

The need to provide preventive strategies for maintaining the stability of modern society actualizes the issue of psychodiagnostics of a person’s tendency to extreme views. At the same time, there is a shortage of questionnaires in Russian psychological science that allow obtaining information about social risk groups that differ in extreme beliefs and attitudes. To measure the propensity of a person to extreme views of a national, political and religious nature, the author’s test was designed and tested. The study involved 335 respondents aged 18 to 22 years, including 197 boys and 138 girls. Correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s coefficient α were used. t-criterion. The results of the approbation and psychometric analysis of the questionnaire are satisfactory, its verification using mathematical and statistical procedures shows compliance with the theoretical construct, indicators of internal consistency, substantive validity and retest reliability indicate the possibility of its use to measure the propensity to extreme views. The developed questionnaire can be useful in academic research and in preventing the spread of extreme views and ideas in modern society.
Attitude to a Socially Dangerous Act as a Structural Element of the Legal Consciousness of Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Penyavskaya A.V. , Stoyanova I.Ya.
Published: July 2024

The work is aimed at the study of clinical and psychological factors that determine the legal consciousness of schizophrenia patients who have committed SDA. The materials of an empirical study obtained on a sample of schizophrenia patients undergoing compulsory treatment in a psychiatric hospital are presented. The study involved male 62 patients aged 18 to 35 years. Methods of pathopsychological research: Dembo—Rubinstein’s “Self-assessment”, MMPI, “The level of subjective control” by Rotter, “Ways of coping behavior” by Lazarus, pathopsychological functional tests — “Exclusion of objects”, “Pictogram”. The pathopsychological features reflecting significant differences in the patients’ legal consciousness have been established. New psychological information confirms the need to personalize psychological support during compulsory treatment. The key aspects of psychological work aimed at the prevention of socially dangerous behavior are the consideration of the attitude of patients to the disease and to the committed offense, as well as their individual psychological characteristics in order to reduce maladaptive and criminogenic behavioral stereotypes and the transformation of defects of legal consciousness.
Factors Influencing the Formation of Optimal Emotional States of Employees of the Internal Affairs Bodies of the Russian Federation
Authors: Maryin M.I. , Teregulova O.A.
Published: July 2024

The article describes the psychological features of the professional activity of employees of internal affairs bodies, determines the degree of influence of types of behavioral activity on the effectiveness of official duties, as well as levels of self-regulation based on research conducted among employees of internal affairs bodies. An empirical study has been conducted, the object of which is the heads of territorial internal affairs bodies at the district level and ordinary employees whose work experience is no more than one year. Having divided the respondents by levels of individual self-regulation and types of professional behavioral activity, an attempt was made to identify a correlation between these psychological characteristics and formulate forms of interaction with the professional activities of law enforcement officers. A correlation has been revealed between such psychological characteristics of the personality of employees of internal affairs bodies as the level of individual self-regulation and the type of professional behavioral activity, which act as determinants of the formation of their emotional states.
Predictors of child custody mediators' style
Authors:   , Butts Lori Jane
Published: July 2024

The present study investigated the effects of mental health professionals' and lawyers' styles of mediation in their approach to various child custody mediation scenarios. Child custody mediators were sampled from the membership of the Academy of Family Mediators (N = 400) and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (N = 1,360). Two hundred fifty-one individuals comprised the final sample (153 women and 96 men, mean age = 49.99). Respondents rated how closely their style of mediation was to the facilitative or evaluative styles. The questionnaires also contained eight vignettes that depicted child custody mediation scenarios. The vignettes involved the presentation of 3 factors in a 2 x 2 x 2 within-subjects design where they were counterbalanced for order. The three variables each with two levels that were manipulated in the vignettes were as follows: parental amicability (amicable or not amicable), parental problem solving skills (good or poor), and mediator style (facilitative or evaluative). For each vignette respondents rated the appropriateness of the mediation technique, the likelihood of settlement, and the appropriateness of the technique if the dispute was concerning finances. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance yielded a significant main effect for each of the variables: amicability, problem solving skills, and mediation style. Additionally, eight Multivariate Analyses of Variance were conducted. Results indicated that facilitative mediators believed that evaluative mediation is a less appropriate technique in both a child custody or financial dispute than evaluative or mixed mediators regardless of the disputant characteristics (p < .001). Further, compared to facilitative evaluators, evaluative mediators believed that there is less likelihood of settlement when the disputants are not amicable, when they have poor problem solving skills, and when a facilitative style is used ( p < .01). Results also found that, compared to mental health professionals, lawyers believed that a facilitative approach is more appropriate in a financial dispute when the parties are amicable and have good problem solving skills, are amicable and have poor problem solving skills, and are not amicable and have good problem solving skills (p < .05). These results serve as a preliminary examination of the disparate styles of mediation and should provide direction for the development of more effective mediation training and of consumer education strategies.
Circadian regulation of sleep-wake
Authors:   , Chen Sheng , Aston-Jones Gary
Published: July 2024

It has been proposed that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) assures sleep-wake circadian rhythms by actively promoting wakefulness. The locus coeruleus (LC) has been widely implicated in mechanisms regulating arousal and alertness. We hypothesize that SCN's arousal promoting effect may be mediated, at least in part, via the LC-noradrenergic system. Although the SCN does not directly innervate the LC, we investigated possible indirect projections using transsynaptic tracing with pseudorabies virus (PRV). First, a methodological characterization of transsynaptic tracing with central application of PRV was conducted. Our data indicate that (i) centrally injected PRV diffuses very little and produces focal injection sites; (ii) PRV is taken up and transported by fibers of passage, although less prominently than found for cholera toxin subunit B; (iii) PRV produces specific and easily identifiable ependymal cell as well as neutonal labeling following ventricular injection. Second, a temporal analysis of PRV labeling in the SCN following LC injection was conducted. The possible relay between the SCN and the LC was also investigated. In addition, double immunostaining was conducted to examine whether SCN neurons that indirectly project to the LC contain vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or vasopressin (VP), two major neuropeptides found in the SCN. Data from this set of experiments indicate that (i) The circuitry from the SCN to the LC is a two-neuron pathway; (ii) neurons in the medial preoptic area are likely relays between the SCN and LC; and (iii) the SCN neurons that regulate the LC are separate from those containing neuropeptide VEP or VP. In summary, the present study provides the first anatomical evidence of a neural pathway from the SCN to the LC, and supports the idea that SCN's effect on the sleepwake cycle may be mediated via the LC-noradrenergic system. In addition, the present study also provides new and important information about using pseudorabies virus to trace central multisynaptic circuitry.
An analysis and examination of management through the transactional analysis model of personality and communication
Authors:   , Jasnoff Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2024

Using art based on designs for the film, The Blue Bird, the author recounts his version of two children's search for the bluebird of happiness.
A psychohistorical view of a modern painter
Authors:   , Martin Stephen Alan
Published: July 2024

A ... psychological examination of the first forty years of the life and work of ... Paul Klee (1879-1940).
Attention deficit disorder, residual type
Authors:   , McCollaum William A.
Published: July 2024

Attention Deficit Disorder (A. D. D.) is one of the most thoroughly researched areas in child and educational psychology. Despite the interest in this area very little is understood of the long term sequelae of the syndrome. The results of prospective studies, initially undertaken in the 1960's and 1970's, have provided data suggesting that Attention Deficit Disordered individuals continue to manifest symptoms of the disorder well into adulthood and that there are common symptoms associated with this clinical diagnosis. Through a thorough review of the literature on Attention Deficit Disorder a symptoms constellation has been identified which includes impulsivity, inattention, distractibility, social disinhibition, perseveration, and poor fine motor coordination. These factors suggest that Attention Deficit Disorder, Residual Type (A. D. D.-R. T.) is not simply a residual manifestation of a childhood disorder. The neurological substrate of the disorder has been more clearly identified, through the use of CT scan, and has demonstrated deficits in the striatum and in particular the head of the caudate. This area of injury has particular importance in the diagnosis and understanding of the A. D. D.-R. T., as this area of the brain has extensive frontal lobe connections. Within this context it appears reasonable to view Attention Deficit Disorder, Residual Type as a frontal lobe syndrome in which the frontal lobe is at least partially disconnected from the rest of the cortex. As a frontal lobe syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, Residual Type would be best diagnosed through a combination of psychological and neuropsychological evaluations sensitive to frontal lobe functioning. In addition to the diagnostic criteria for A. D. D.-R. T., a psychoanalytic model of intervention has been suggested which combines an ego-psychological and self-psychological perspective.
Body image and self-esteem in women seeking breast augmentation
Authors:   , Nordmann Jodi E. , Herbert James D
Published: July 2024

Women have attempted to alter and enhance their breasts for centuries through a variety of methods. Breast augmentation surgery constitutes one method of enhancement which continues to increase in popularity, despite the many risks and complications associated with it. To investigate the reasons motivating women to obtain augmentation surgery, recent research has focused upon the impact of sociocultural influences. Such elements are thought to exert a great deal of pressure on women to conform to societal ideals and standards of beauty, and also have been demonstrated to have a strong role in the development and maintenance of body image and self-esteem. As these constructs embody appearance concerns and evaluation of the self, they may be the most relevant psychological constructs by which to understand breast augmentation patients. As no empirically sound assessment of body image and self-esteem has yet been conducted with this population, further research in this area is clearly warranted. Furthermore, the existing body of research has failed to compare the body and self-image of augmentation candidates with other women of similar breast size who do not seek augmentation. Presumably, these women would have been subjected to similar sociocultural influences relating to their breast size. A comparison of body image and self-esteem in these two groups of like-sized women might help determine why it is that only some of these women are driven to seek surgical change. The present study was designed to explore the levels of disturbance in body image and self-esteem in breast augmentation candidates in comparison to a control group of like-sized women. Body image and self-esteem were assessed using four self-report measures. Based upon the extant literature, it was predicted that women seeking augmentation would display significantly poorer body image and self-esteem than would the control group of like-sized women. Results of the present study indicated that augmentation candidates displayed higher degrees of body image dissatisfaction relegated specifically to their breasts. Augmentation candidates endorsed more symptoms of breast dissatisfaction, greater distress over and avoidance of bodily exposure/contact, and greater feelings of distress in social situations due to concerns about their breasts. Surgical candidates did not differ from control participants on global self-esteem; however, in the surgical group alone, greater body-image dissatisfaction was related to lower self-esteem. Surgical candidates also reported a greater discrepancy between their actual and ideal conceptions of breast size, and endorsed the idea that large breasts are preferred by both men and women. These findings underscore the importance of exploring interventions to challenge sociocultural influences and to mitigate body image dissatisfaction in this population.
Examination of the applicability of the states of mind model to individuals with chronic pain
Authors:   , Fleming Megan Phyllis , Graham Julie Landel
Published: July 2024

The States of Mind (SOM) Model (Schwartz & Garamoni, 1986) provided a framework for assessing the balance between self-reported positive and negative affects in a sample of 70 individuals with chronic pain (50% men and 50% women, mean age = 41.8, SD = 10.7). In support of the initial hypothesis it was found that the mean SOM of these patients (M =.55) is significantly different in a negative direction from the "optimal" state of the Positive Dialogue. This study also examined the relationship of SOM (affect balance) to various measures which assess adjustment to the pain experience. Six outcome measures of pain adjustment were analyzed: pain experience, four subscales from the Multidimensional Pain Inventory, (Turk & Rudy, 1987; PS Scale, Pain Severity and Suffering; I Scale, perceptions of how pain interferes with life; LC Scale, perceived life control; and GA Scale, summary scale of general activity), average pain intensity (11-point numerical scale), and medical service utilization (total sum of pain-related physician and other professional visits in the past six months). Patients in the "mildly dysfunctional", Internal Dialogue of Conflict group, had significantly better pain adjustment than patients in the "moderately dysfunctional", Negative Dialogue group, F = (6,24) =.587, p <.05. Additionally, in the entire sample, for two of the six pain measures (perceived life control and pain interference) SOMs accounted for variance above and beyond pain duration, Beck Depression scores (Beck, et al., 1979), and self-reported ratings of medical service utilization. This study found support for the applicability of the SOM model to individuals with chronic pain. Most pain research has focused on the negative emotional consequences associated with chronic pain, and in particular, depression. This study and recent research (Smith and Christensen, 1996) found that depression scores are associated, independently, with both positive and negative affect. Thus, to rely solely on the routine use of depression measures in chronic pain research can lead to a loss of more specific information, especially as it relates to positive emotionality. Perhaps the most important implication this study provides for pain research is evidence for the utility of a multidimensional measure of affectivity in the examination of the experience of chronic pain.
Mechanisms of high density lipoprotein-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux
Authors:   , Gillotte Kristin Lydia , Lund-Katz Sissel , Phillips Michael C.
Published: July 2024

High density lipoprotein (HDL) and its major protein component, apolipoportein (apo) A-I, have been shown to be critical for the transport of excess unesterified (free) cholesterol (FC) from peripheral cells to the liver in the process of reverse cholesterol transport. HDL is a structurally and functionally heterogeneous class of particles which includes subspecies exhibiting an enhanced ability to remove cholesterol from cells; the structural basis for this effect is not known. This dissertation project examines the influence of HDL lipid and protein modification on the ability of the particles to promote FC efflux from cells growing in culture. Aim 1 questions the influence of dietary modification of HDL PL fatty acyl chain composition on the ability of HDL particles to participate in FC efflux. Aim 2 of this project focuses on the role of apolipoprotein structure and conformation in the efflux process. Finally, Aims 3 and 4 investigate how lipid-poor HDL, or essentially lipid-free apo A-I, accesses cellular FC. Results of Aim 1 indicates that FC efflux to fully lipidated HDL species is not tightly governed by dietary fatty acyl chain modification of PL; this suggests that the influence of fatty acid-enriched diets affects steps in cholesterol transport and metabolism other than the initial efflux of cellular FC to HDL. Furthermore, as defined in experiments addressing Aim 2, this process is not affected by the deletion of specific domains of the apo A-I molecule. This work highlights the importance of the ability of this protein to stabilize HDL particles through the lipid-binding properties of its amphipathic [alpha]-helical segments. Results of Aim 3 demonstrate that lipid-free (poor) apo A-I molecule (pre-[beta]-HDL) obtain cholesterol by a membrane microsolubilization mechanism, different from the aqueous diffusion mechanism involved in FC efflux to lipidated species such as those addressed in Aims 1 and 2. The remainder of the experiments elucidate specific cellular conditions which enhance this apo A-I-mediated FC efflux and show that the lipid binding affinity of the protein is an important determinant in the efficacy of this process.
Attempts to localise the gene for Friedreich's ataxia
Authors:   , D'Costa Allison Raechelle , Sylvester James E.
Published: July 2024

Friedreich's ataxia is an autosomal recessive disease that is manifested by progressive degeneration of the central and peripheral nervous system. Cardiomyopathy is a common finding in Friedreich's patients. The Friedreich's ataxia gene locus (FRDA) has been mapped to the proximal long arm of chromosome 9 (Chamberlain et al.,1988). Five markers assigned to region 9q13-21 form a very tight genetic and physical linkage group with the FRDA locus. The order of the markers in the linkage group is tel-GS4-MCT112 (D9S15)-GS2-26P (D9S5)-FD1-cen (Fujita et al., 1991; Sirugo et al., 1992; Duclos et al., 1993). We have collected blood from 34 families throughout the United States, in order to perform linkage analysis with these markers using standard Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and Microsatellite Typing by PCR. Our results demonstrate that these markers are linked to the disease in the American population. During our analysis we detected a recombination event in a family that has the phenotypic criteria for Friedreich's ataxia, except for cardiomyopathy. The recombination occurred such that an affected male inherited a defective maternal chromosome, and only the GS4 and MCT112 markers from the defective paternal chromosome and GS2, 26P and FD1 from the normal paternal chromosome. The recombination suggests that FRDA is excluded from the D9S5 (26P) locus of the linkage group. We now have to identify a distal flanking marker for the critical FRDA region. Two new markers GATA7D12 and UT6023 have been identified 1 and 2-3cM distal to GS4, respectively (Genome Data Base). We typed our families with the marker GATA7D12, and found it to be linked to FRDA in our families. At present linkage analysis is being done with UT6023, with the hope that a recombination event between the disease and marker would help define a distal flanking marker.
Mechanisms of desensitization of alpha-adrenergic responses in rat-tail artery after prolonged stimulation of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor
Authors:   , Iyer Vijay S. , Friedman Eitan
Published: July 2024

Prolonged stimulation of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor results in decreased norepinephrine stimulated contractility and inositol phosphate accumulation in rat-tail artery. The decreased responses are accompanied with changes in membrane bound G[alpha]q and G[alpha]i levels. Inhibiting the nitric oxide producing enzyme, nitric oxide synthase, using L-NAME, prevents the decrease in contractility and inositol phosphate accumulation. The nitric oxide donor GSNO decreases receptor-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation. Receptor-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation and contractility were decreased by exposure to 8-Bromo-cyclic-GMP. Inhibiting cyclic GMP dependent protein kinase with Rp-8-Bromo-cyclic GMP prevents decrease in [alpha]-1 adrenergic receptor-stimulated contractility and inositol phosphate accumulation. The decreases in contraction and inositol phosphate accumulation seen in response to 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP stimulation are not accompanied by changes in the levels of G[alpha] proteins or [alpha]-1 adrenoceptor levels. Phenylephrine-stimulated [alpha]-1 adrenergic receptor coupling to G[alpha]a proteins is decreased in membranes from tail arteries exposed to 8-Bromo-cGMP. Inhibiting the calcium-dependent neutral protease, calpain can prevent the decrease in G[alpha] protein levels in response to prolonged [alpha]-1 adrenergic receptor stimulation. Inhibition of calpain, however, did not prevent the development of decreased responses of contractility or inositol phosphate accumulation. The data suggest that prolonged stimulation of [alpha]-1 adrenergic receptors in tail arteries with phenylephrine increases the levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels. The activation of protein kinase G that would be expected from increased NO production as a result of NOS upregulation uncouples the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor from G proteins thereby resulting in desensitization.
Development of a glucose-sensitive drug delivery device
Authors:   , Kanokpanont Sorada , Wheatley Margaret A.
Published: July 2024

The current study is the development a self-regulated, glucose responsive drug delivery system, using dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) liposomes, a pH sensitive polymer, poly (2-ethylacrylic acid)(PEAA), and the feed back reaction of glucose with glucose oxidase enzyme (GO). The thesis investigates the use of PEAR and liposomes to work inside a microcapsule in response to the glucose level of the environment, by following the release of fluorescence probes, 8-aminonapthalene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid, disodium salt/p-xylene-bis-pyridimuim bromide (ANTS/DPX) and a model protein, myoglobin. The continuing studies of PEAR and liposome interaction indicated an evidence of the previous hypothesis of two-mode release at different pHs. Differential scanning calorimetric studies of DOPC and PEAA complexes revealed the possibility of polymer adsorption to the liposomes in the pH range 5.5-7.0 and insertion in the liposome bilayer at pH < 5.2. The rate and extent of ANTS/DPX release from un-encapsulated liposomes were found to be affected by pH, PEAR concentration, presence of cholesterol in the liposomes, Ca 2+, and the concentration of sodium alginate. We have also shown possibilities of anchoring PEAR on to liposome by covalent conjugation although this led to inactivation of the polymer. It is also possible to entrap small molecular weight PEAA in liposomes. The evidence of the pH-induced protein release by the interaction of PEAA and liposomes was first demonstrated in this thesis. Kinetic parameters of GO were estimated to use as a basis for determination optimal concentration in the capsules. The pH reduction inside the capsule due to GO reaction showed positive results for the use of GO in a non-buffered system. The procedure of liquid-core alginate capsules was modified to facilitate the pH-responsive release of ANTS/DPX and myoglobin. The capsules responded to high blood glucose concentration by releasing myoglobin within 30 minutes. Although more studies are required to improve the response of the system to the normal blood glucose and to control the total protein release from negative controls, the results of in vitro release experiments confirmed the hypothesis that an idealized feedback control insulin delivery system is feasible.
Regulation of sialyltransferase and lipooligosaccharide expression
Authors:   , McGee David James , Rest Richard F
Published: July 2024

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci (GC)) are Gram negative bacteria that cause sexually-transmitted infections and reside ertracellularly and intracellularly. Extracellularly, GC are found at mucosal surfaces along with serum components such as complement, antibodies, pyruvate, lactate, glucose, and cytidine 5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NANA). It is in this milieu that GC are resistant to normal human serum (NHS); serum resistance is lost when most GC strains are grown in vitro, unless they are co-cultured with CMP-NANA. NANA is transferred primarily to a gonococcal 4.5-kDa lipooligosaccharide (LOS) structure by a GC sialyltransferase (Stase). We investigated LOS and Stase expression and serum resistance in strain F62 grown in different carbon sources, attempting to mimic environmental conditions that GC encounter in vivo. Pyruvate-grown GC, compared with glucose-grown GC: (i) expressed significantly more Stase activity; (ii) expressed significantly more of the sialylateable 4.5-kDa LOS species; (iii) incorporated up to threefold more radiolabelled CMP-NANA onto the 4.5-kDa LOS; and (iv) were significantly more serum resistant at limiting CMP-NANA concentrations. These results suggest that expression of Stase activity and LOS are coregulated by environmental factors that exist in vivo. In different niches, gonococcal LOS sialylation, Stase, serum resistance, and interactions with host cells may be highly regulated. Since GC also reside intracellularly within human epithelial cells and neutrophils, we also questioned whether Stase itself modulates the interactions of GC with these cells. To that end, we isolated 5 mutants deficient in Stase activity (Stase null). Stase null mutants: (i) could not sialylate their LOS when grown with CMP-NANA; (ii) remained serum sensitive when grown with CMP-NANA; (iii) were rescuable to Stase by transformation with chromosomal DNA from WT F62; (iv) adhered to and invaded the human cervical epithelial cell line ME-180 at levels similar to those of WT F62; and (v) stimulated the oxidative burst in, adhered to, and were phagocytically killed by human neutrophils at levels similar to those of WT F62. These results indicate that expression of Stase activity is not required for interaction of GC with human cells.
The relationship between substance abuse treatment and social support in heroin abusers
Authors:   , Weinberg Elizabeth G. Ravitch
Published: July 2024

This project addressed the need for further knowledge in the relationship among substance abuse, social support, and treatment outcome in individuals receiving methadone maintenance treatment for an addiction to opiates. The 100 subjects were recruited from two sites, a Veterans Administration Hospital in a large northeastern city and a university affiliated methadone maintenance program in a suburb of the city. This research was conducted by means of self-report questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and urinalysis testing. The questionnaires measured social support and distress symptomatology including anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. The semi-structured interviews measured social interactions and provided information about sociodemographic variables. During the course of this project, opiate addicts who voluntarily entered methadone maintenance treatment were interviewed and measures assessing the nature of subjects' social support and social networks at treatment intake were administered. One month later, the subjects were interviewed again and the same questionnaires were administered to assess changes in their networks and support systems while actively participating in treatment. The results indicated that, as predicted, distress symptomatology decreased and perceived social support increased over the course of treatment. Multiple regression analyses were significant for depressive and hopelessness symptomatology, however only perceived self-esteem social support was found to significantly add to the regression equation. The need for those receiving methadone maintenance treatment to incorporate an aspect of positive social support into their treatment was supported by the data. Also, the need for more longitudinal studies which examine addicts' changes in social support and distress over time in relation to the chronicity and severity of their use was discussed.
Self-competence, self-efficacy, and locus of control
Authors:   , Costigan Tracy Elisabeth , McGuffin Patrick W.
Published: July 2024

The problematic social behavior of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) appears to be primarily a deficit of social skills performance, rather than one of social skills knowledge. In general, children with ADHD are able to explain, select, and demonstrate appropriate behaviors in hypothetical situations (Hoza & Pelham, 1995), yet they do not engage in the same behavior in actual social interactions with peers. Such behaviors likely contribute to the interpersonal difficulties and peer rejection experienced by children with ADHD. It is possible that for children with ADHD, the construct of perceived control (Weisz, 1986) may mediate the relationship between adequate social knowledge and detrimental social performance. This construct of perceived control, based on Bandura's (1977) social learning theory, includes: (1) perceived contingency (i.e. locus of control); and (2) perceived competency (i.e. self-efficacy and self-competence). Variables of perceived control are considered to be cognitive-motivational factors within the larger construct of social cognition (See Figure 1). The present study explored the hypothesis that children with ADHD have biased perceptions of control which are inversely related to parent and teacher rated behavioral difficulties (i.e. inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and aggression), and social competence. It was hypothesized that higher levels of perceived control would be associated with lower levels of behavioral difficulties and higher levels of social competence. Contrary to hypotheses, perceived control and behavioral difficulties were not strongly related in the present sample (n = 152). Also, no statistically significant relationships between perceived control and social competence were identified in univariate or multivariate analyses. The integration of newer theoretical perspectives of ADHD into the proposed model may explain the lack of current support for hypothesized relationships. Specifically, according to Barkley's (1997a) behavioral disinhibition theory, perceptions of control may not be relevant to social performance deficits in children with ADHD, as these children may be delayed in developing the ability to engage in long-term cognitive-mediational processes. Future research will require the recognition of the complexity of social skills difficulties in children with attentional/behavioral difficulties. It will be important to consider cognitive motivational processes in the context of such theoretical models to enhance our understanding of the effects of such factors on the social functioning of children with ADHD.
Biped locomotion on irregular terrain
Authors:   , McCown-McClintick Barbara Ellen , Moskowitz Gordon D
Published: July 2024

Biped locomotion on irregular terrain was studied with computer simulations of two and three dimensional bipeds with hip and knee joints. The dynamic models included all of the nonlinear terms in the equations of motion. The three dimensional motion consisted of body torsional motion about the biped vertical axis. A walking gait, named the "Quad" gait, was defined with a combination of linear and quadratic constraint equations that defined the biped joint motion. Locomotion was studied on a variety of rigid surfaces, including sloped, sinusoidal, surfaces with randomized irregularities, and a ground surface defined by a chaotic form of the Duffing's equation. Variations in the gait and body torsional motion, as well as biped system perturbations, were used to study gait stability. It was found that the Quad gait had the potential to be used as a basic gait for locomotion over a wide variety of surfaces. There were certain gait features, such as the phasing of the knee constraint and the body torsional motion, that could be utilized to enhance the biped system's stability and efficiency. The biped model and the ground surface must both be considered to be a part of the dynamical system, as the biped response mirrors the characteristics of the environment that it traverses. Thus it is of great importance to define the ground surface carefully in studies of biped locomotion, in order to fully understand and appreciate the behavior of the biped system.
IGF-1 induced IRS-1 degradation in human prostate epithelial cells
Authors:   , Zhang Hong , Sell Christian
Published: July 2024

IRS-1 is a major early signal mediator of IGF-I and is engaged in various IGF-I stimulated cellular events, including cell proliferation, differentiation and transformation. Considerable evidence suggests that IGF-I plays an important role in tumor cell growth and IRS-1 has been shown to be involved in this process. In our studies, we found that IGF-I stimulation promoted IRS-1 down regulation in human prostate primary cancer epithelial cells. This down regulation occurs primarily through increasing the degradation of IRS-1 proteins, not repressing IRS-1 protein synthesis. We examined potential mechanisms and identified two independent pathways that contributed to this degradation. Using proteasome specific inhibitors-lactocystin and MG132, we found that IRS-1 could be degraded through the 26S proteasome pathway. This result was further confirmed by detectable ubiquitination of IRS-1 proteins in the presence of IGF-I. Furthermore, our studies demonstrated a calcium-dependent calpain digestion of IRS-1 that also occurred during thapsigargin mediated cell apoptosis. Co-precipitation of IRS-1 and calpain proteins was found in the presence or absence of IGF-I. In summary, we identified two important mechanisms for the regulation of IRS-1: targeting to the 26 S proteasome and calpain mediated digestion.
Nonlinear modeling and analysis of vehicle dynamics
Authors:   , Wang Shiu-Ping , Kwatny Harry G
Published: July 2024

Most of the vehicle directional dynamics analysis has been carried out based on a linearized model and the assumption of constant forward speed. However, the nonlinearities found in the vehicle dynamical system can give rise to a variety of phenomena such as instabilities and bifurcation that escape detection during standard linear analysis. These phenomena significantly affect the system performance. The nonlinear phenomena can only be predicted by analyzing the nonlinear system dynamics. In this proposal, we will develop a nonlinear vehicle model based on the concept of Lagrange equations of motion. The assumption of constant forward speed is considered as a constraint to define the driving force, which in turn is used to reduce the differential equations. Thus, the analysis of constant speed behavior is reduced to a study of nonlinear zero dynamics. The equilibrium surface (manifold) is constructed and used to identify bifurcation points of the nonlinear vehicle model in terms of two parameters: speed and steering angle. The bifurcations involve interesting subtleties because of the in the system. As illustrated in a numerical example, this strategy has been symmetry successfully used to analyze the nonlinear behavior of vehicle planar motion. These two tools, nonlinear modeling and equilibrium surface analysis, comprise a powerful and effective method to identify and classify the critical conditions of the nonlinear dynamic behavior.
Essays on currency options and volatility
Authors:   , Wang Tse-Shih , Chiang Thomas Chi-Nan
Published: July 2024

The implied volatility is defined as the volatility obtained by inverting the option pricing model given the price of the option observed in the market. We can use the implied volatility to represent the volatility of the underlying assets if option pricing models are correct and options markets are efficient. Unfortunately, empirical findings are contradictory to this statement. First, implied volatilities seem to be a biased estimator for future volatility. Second, implied volatilities show term structure effects: the implied volatilities of options with the same underlying assets but different maturities are different. Finally, implied volatilities exhibit U-shaped "smile" in moneyness. As a result, it is necessary to investigate the characteristics of the implied volatilities implicit in option prices further to yield important clues for the improvement of existing option pricing models or for the justification of efficient market hypothesis. This dissertation is composed of several parts. First, we test if the information set contained in the historical data provides additional information for future volatilities given the implied volatilities. To yield more robust results, we use the vector autoregressive models to test the Granger causality relationship. The results show that neither implied volatilities nor the historical data contain the complete information for future volatilities. Second, it is well documented that exchange rates follow ARCH/GARCH processes, which is inconsistent with the assumption of the traditional option pricing models. To test the common information set contained in the currency options and underlying currencies, we test if there exists common autoregressive features between implied volatilities and the volatilities of the underlying exchange rates. The results of common ARCH feature tests are mixed for different currencies. Third, we find that implied volatilities do have such ARCH/GARCH effects. However, the sizes of the mean-reverting coefficients are biased downward and are not constant over maturities. Finally, we find that the implied binomial tree approach, which incorporates the smile effect and the term structure effect, yields unsatisfactory results in predicting future volatilities.
Development of splice modulating oligomers targeting AMPA receptor alternative splicing as therapeutics for neurological diseases
Authors:   , Lykens Nicole M. , Lutz Gordon J , Tallent Melanie
Published: July 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neonatal epilepsies are particular patient populations for which sufficient drug therapies are currently unavailable. Neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity through enhanced AMPA receptor (AMPA-R) function is linked to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, including epilepsy and ALS. As the major excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS, AMPA-Rs are obvious drug targets that have not been sufficiently exploited. AMPA-R subunits (GluAs1-4) have high and low gain alternative splice isoforms, termed flip and flop, respectively. When GluA-flip levels are elevated, calcium influx is high, and neurons are hyperexcitable and susceptible to excitotoxicity. This dissertation describes the development and characterization of novel AMPA-R targeted splice modulating oligonuclotides (SMOs) as drug candidates for the treatment of ALS and intractable seizures. By developing novel in silico molecular engineering methods, we predicted SMOs that would specifically and potently decrease flip isoform levels of individual and groups of GluA isoforms and validated their efficiency using a rapid in vivo screening process. The SMOs of highest clinical interest, termed GR1 and GR3, specifically and robustly reduced expression of GluA1-flip (by 99%) and GIuA3-flip (by 97%), respectively. GR1 was evaluated in a murine model of neonatal seizures and through electrophysiological characterization of SMO effects in hippocampal slices. When delivered by Intracerebroventricular (ICV) bolus directly into the CNS, GR1 reduced seizure activity, and reversed post-seizure AMPA-R potentiation that precedes epileptogenesis, without negative effects on cognition. Additionally, a single ICV injection of GR1 robustly suppressed GluA1-flip levels for at least 60 days, demonstrating long lasting effects. GR3 SMO was evaluated in dual (G93A) ALS mouse models to confirm efficacy and compare SMO delivery methods. GR3 treatment produced a significant increase in longevity for both models using continuous ICV infusion or periodic lumbar bolus injection. GR1 also significantly increased lifespan after lumbar bolus injections. Lumbar injections appeared to improve compound delivery, such that GR3- and GR1-treated ALS mice showed significant improvements on several functional motor measures. This work demonstrates a novel drug design method, and validates the efficacy of the GR1 and GR3 SMOs as possible therapeutics for the treatment of seizures and ALS.
Identificatiuon and characterization of a novel bacterial virulence factor in Haemophilus influenzae
Authors:   , Kress Bennett Jennifer M. , Ehrlich Garth D
Published: July 2024

Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) is part of the normal nasopharyngeal flora and is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing serious human disease. The emergence of virulent, antibiotic-resistant nontypeable Hi (NTHi) emphasizes the importance of developing new vaccine targets. We searched the NTHi supragenome for distributed gene families encoding surface-exposed proteins with characteristics associated with immune evasion and virulence. This search identified an unannotated heterogeneous family containing Sel1-like repeats (SLRs) we named the vHiSLR. Clustering algorithms identified multiple vHiSLR families, each containing various numbers of SLRs per gene. Individual strains carry different numbers of genes that may belong to one or more families. An association study using a library of ~200 clinical strains demonstrated a significant link between SLR gene possession and virulence. vHiSLR virulence mechanisms were determined by: 1) creating vHiSLR knockouts (KO); 2) comparing the ability of the KO and wild type (WT) bacteria to infect and survive in macrophages in vitro; 3) utilizing the chinchilla otitis media invasive disease (OMID) model to, i) compare virulence between the WT and KO strains, and ii) determine their competitiveness during co-infection; and 4) utilizing an NTHi microarray for comparative transcriptome analyses. The KO strain showed a highly significant decrease in its ability to invade and survive in the human macrophages which could be complemented by insertion of a single vHiSLR gene. Using the chinchilla OMID model the mutant displayed a highly significant decrease in fitness in the presence of the WT, and in solo infections completely lost its ability to invade the brain. The singly complemented strain showed only a partial ability to compete with the WT in vivo suggesting that gene dosage is important. The transcriptional profile of the KO showed a highly significant change in the expression of multiple operons involved in anaerobiosis and virulence. The vHiSLRs are derepressed in KO's of the Al-2 operon suggesting that this repression is controlled by the Al-2 repressor. These findings demonstrate the vHiSLRs are important virulence factors in host cell invasion, persistence, and trafficking to nonmucosal sites, and are crucial for the ability of NTHi to respond to local oxygen levels.
A study of the scintigraphic and microautoradiographic localization of thallium-201 in gliomas
Authors:   , Krishna Lalitha
Published: July 2024

The role of thallium-201 as a proliferation marker in the management of gliomas was investigated both in an animal model and in a clinical setting. Microautoradiographic localization of thallium-201 was performed in a C6 glioma model in 6 Sprague Dawley rats. Simultaneously, immunohistochemical localization of two proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 was also performed. In all 6 animals, the localization index of thallium-201, PCNA and Ki-67 was significantly higher in the glioma versus normal brain (p < 0.05). This indicates that thallium-201 localization can be used to detect the proliferation potential of a glioma. A clinical study was then performed on 100 patients with gliomas. Forty two scans were performed on patients with gliomas on initial presentation. In this group, in predicting the presence of an actively proliferating/viable glioma, thallium-201 scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 0.97, specificity of 0.90, accuracy of 0.95, positive predictive value of 0.97 and negative predictive value of 0.90. One hundred and twelve scans were performed on patients with suspected recurrence of gliomas. In this group, in predicting the presence of an actively proliferating/viable glioma, thallium-201 scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 0.97, specificity of 0.84, accuracy of 0.94, positive predictive value of 0.95 and a negative predictive value of 0.88. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the above mentioned parameters in gliomas seen prior to and after therapy (p < 0.05). PCNA and Ki-67 localization was performed on 28 cases seen on initial presentation and 27 cases seen on suspected recurrence of a glioma. In both groups, while the mean labelling index (LI) was discrete for well differentiated vs malignant astrocytomas, the range of LI obtained was wide. Hence, in this study it was not possible to grade the gliomas based solely on the LI of PCNA and/or Ki-67. Based on the results obtained in both the animal and human studies, we conclude that thallium scintigraphy is a practical tool available to study the proliferative status of gliomas-both on initial presentation and on suspected recurrence. The advantages of this readily accessible technique are that it is non-invasive, evaluates the entire glioma which is a heterogeneous tumor and is relatively inexpensive.