Development of a Psychometric Instrument for the Measurement of Communication Styles

In an investigation involving 30 subjects. a dichotomous communication-style construct was examined along three dimensions. with the intent to develop a psychometric instrument to measure the placement of individuals on a communication styles continuum . The hypothesized styles of communication were inferential and direct. The construct craws together the verbal. nonverbal. and paralinguistic components of communication into one configuration with some predictability. A single-group research design was used to i:x-oduce a condition in which reception of messages was observable and measurable along a scale. which ranged from extremely inferential to extremely direct. Three converging measurement methods were derived from the observations of the researcher: a behavioral test. a self-reported score. and a psychometric instrument designed to measure traits and/or characteristics which would characterize the direct end of this continuum. Hypnotic suggestibility was originally considered to be the main component of the ability to receive messages inferentially. but had failed to hold up in previous research (See Hoerchler & Holler, 1987). The previous results indicated that the Direct-Inferential dichotomy does exist. The study also indicated that suggestibility is not the primary component of communication style. This study continued the research process through the development of a 130-item psychometric instrument intended to replace the previously successful. but cumbersome behavioral instrument. After item analysis. 44 of the original items were retained. The final version of the psychometric instrument correlated significantly with the behavioral instrument. while the third measure. the self-report. failed to correlate significantly with the other measures

ZINC PHOSPHIDE RODENTICIDE REDUCES COTTON RAT POPULATIONS IN FLORIDA SUGARCANE

Rodents cause extensive damage to sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) in southern Florida (Samol 1972). Losses have been estimated as high as $235/ha (Lefebvre et al. 1978). Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and roof rats (Rattus rattus) are responsible for most of the damage (Holler et al. 1981). In-field treatment is required for effective reduction of rat populations because of the distribution and restricted movement patterns of rats within fields (Lefebvre et al. 1985a). Zinc phosphide (2%) baits are the only rodenticide baits registered for in-field use in Florida sugarcane. A preliminary test of in-crop aerial application of ZP Rodent Bait AG3 (Bell Laboratories, Inc., Madison, Wis.) in Florida showed poor results in reducing roof rat populations; only 7 of 40 (18%) radio-collared rats in 2 treated fields died whereas none of 38 radio-collared rats in 2 control fields died (Lefebvre et al. 1985b). Furthermore, no significant difference in pre- and post-treatment trapping success between treatment and control fields was observed. Donovan (1986) reported that numbers of cotton rats trapped in fields treated with this bait differed from those trapped in untreated fields; however, degree of efficacy was not discussed. Our study was conducted to obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of ZP Rodent Bait AG in reducing cotton rat populations in Florida sugarcane. The study also provided information on the rate of disappearance of the bait following application

ZINC PHOSPHIDE RODENTICIDE REDUCES COTTON RAT POPULATIONS IN FLORIDA SUGARCANE

Rodents cause extensive damage to sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) in southern Florida (Samol 1972). Losses have been estimated as high as $235/ha (Lefebvre et al. 1978). Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and roof rats (Rattus rattus) are responsible for most of the damage (Holler et al. 1981). In-field treatment is required for effective reduction of rat populations because of the distribution and restricted movement patterns of rats within fields (Lefebvre et al. 1985a). Zinc phosphide (2%) baits are the only rodenticide baits registered for in-field use in Florida sugarcane. A preliminary test of in-crop aerial application of ZP Rodent Bait AG3 (Bell Laboratories, Inc., Madison, Wis.) in Florida showed poor results in reducing roof rat populations; only 7 of 40 (18%) radio-collared rats in 2 treated fields died whereas none of 38 radio-collared rats in 2 control fields died (Lefebvre et al. 1985b). Furthermore, no significant difference in pre- and post-treatment trapping success between treatment and control fields was observed. Donovan (1986) reported that numbers of cotton rats trapped in fields treated with this bait differed from those trapped in untreated fields; however, degree of efficacy was not discussed. Our study was conducted to obtain preliminary data on the effectiveness of ZP Rodent Bait AG in reducing cotton rat populations in Florida sugarcane. The study also provided information on the rate of disappearance of the bait following application

Design and throughput simulations of a hard x-ray split and delay line for the MID station at the European XFEL

This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. This article appeared in AIP Conference Proceedings 1741, 030010 (2016) and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4952833.A hard X-ray Split and Delay Line (SDL) under development for the Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) station at the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL.EU) is presented. This device will provide pairs of X-ray pulses with a variable time delay ranging from −10 ps to 800 ps in a photon energy range from 5 to 10 keV. Throughput simulations in the SASE case indicate a total transmission of 1.1% or 3.5% depending on the operation mode. In the self-seeded case of XFEL.EU operation simulations indicate that the transmission can be improved to more than 11%.BMBF, 05K13KT4, Verbundprojekt FSP 302 - Freie-Elektronen-Laser: Nanoskopische Systeme. Teilprojekt 1: Split-and-Delay Instrument für die European XFEL Beamline Materials Imaging and Dynamic

The H.E.S.S. II GRB Program

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are some of the most energetic and exotic events in the Universe, however their behaviour at the highest energies (>10 GeV) is largely unknown. Although the Fermi-LAT space telescope has detected several GRBs in this energy range, it is limited by the relatively small collection area of the instrument. The H.E.S.S. experiment has now entered its second phase by adding a fifth telescope of 600 m$^{2}$ mirror area to the centre of the array. This new telescope increases the energy range of the array, allowing it to probe the sub-100 GeV range while maintaining the large collection area of ground based gamma-ray observatories, essential to probing short-term variability at these energies. We will present a description of the GRB observation scheme used by the H.E.S.S. experiment, summarising the behaviour and performance of the rapid GRB repointing system, the conditions under which potential GRB repointings are made and the data analysis scheme used for these observations.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherland

The Role of Bacteria and Pattern Recognition Receptors in GvHD

Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) is the most serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and results from an activation of donor lymphocytes by recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs). For a long time, it has been postulated that the intestinal microflora and endotoxin exert a crucial step in this APC activation, as there is early and severe gastrointestinal damage induced by pretransplant conditioning. With the detailed description of pathogen-associated molecular patterns and pathogen recognition receptors single nucleotide polymorphisms of TLRs and especially NOD2 have been identified as potential risk factors of GvHD and transplant related complications thus further supporting the crucial role of innate immunity in SCT, related complications. Gastrointestinal decontamination and neutralization of endotoxin have been used to interfere with this early axis of activation with some success but more specific approaches of modulation of innate immunity are needed for further improvement of clinical outcome

The Role of Hypothyroidism in the Etiology and Progression of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers

Background: Hypothyroidism and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are both common diseases in Doberman Pinschers. A possible influence of hypothyroidism on the etiology and progression of DCM is controversial. Objectives: Evaluation of the role of hypothyroidism in etiology and progression of DCM. Animals: A total of 175 Doberman Pinschers. Methods: In this longitudinal prospective study, echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings were performed in all dogs as screening tests for DCM. Total thyroxine (TT4) and thyroid ultrasonography served as initial screening tests for hypothyroidism and low TT4 values were followed up by a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test or free total thyroxine (fT4)/cTSH measurements. Additionally, a follow-up study of dogs affected by both DCM and hypothyroidism under optimal treatment for hypothyroidism was conducted. Results: A total of 107 dogs were healthy, 45 dogs had DCM, 11 hypothyroidism, and 12 dogs had both DCM and hypothyroidism. TT4 values as well as the thyroid volumes were equivalent in the healthy dogs and in those with DCM. Neither ventricular premature complexes nor echocardiographic parameters differed between healthy and hypothyroid dogs. Dogs with DCM had a 2.26-fold (CI0.95 = 1.1–4.8) higher risk of also being affected by hypothyroidism. Despite optimal thyroid treatment of dogs with hypothyroidism and DCM, there was a progression of the heart disease. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study did not confirm a role of hypothyroidism in the etiology or progression of DCM. Treatment of hypothyroidism did not improve the clinical outcome

The Role of Hypothyroidism in the Etiology and Progression of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers

Background: Hypothyroidism and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are both common diseases in Doberman Pinschers. A possible influence of hypothyroidism on the etiology and progression of DCM is controversial. Objectives: Evaluation of the role of hypothyroidism in etiology and progression of DCM. Animals: A total of 175 Doberman Pinschers. Methods: In this longitudinal prospective study, echocardiography and 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings were performed in all dogs as screening tests for DCM. Total thyroxine (TT4) and thyroid ultrasonography served as initial screening tests for hypothyroidism and low TT4 values were followed up by a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test or free total thyroxine (fT4)/cTSH measurements. Additionally, a follow-up study of dogs affected by both DCM and hypothyroidism under optimal treatment for hypothyroidism was conducted. Results: A total of 107 dogs were healthy, 45 dogs had DCM, 11 hypothyroidism, and 12 dogs had both DCM and hypothyroidism. TT4 values as well as the thyroid volumes were equivalent in the healthy dogs and in those with DCM. Neither ventricular premature complexes nor echocardiographic parameters differed between healthy and hypothyroid dogs. Dogs with DCM had a 2.26-fold (CI0.95 = 1.1–4.8) higher risk of also being affected by hypothyroidism. Despite optimal thyroid treatment of dogs with hypothyroidism and DCM, there was a progression of the heart disease. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study did not confirm a role of hypothyroidism in the etiology or progression of DCM. Treatment of hypothyroidism did not improve the clinical outcome