Validation of the Memory Attention Concentration Evaluation

Psychological professionals recommend following a number of steps to examine a client\u27s claim of malingering, including the use of standardized measures (Binder, 2002). Psychometric testing is available to assist with the evaluation for malingering. The Portland Digit Recognition Test (PORT; Binder & Willis, 1991) has been found to be a valid measure of a client\u27s motivation to perform inadequately on memory evaluations and thus, detects clients attempting to memory malinger. The PORT takes approximately 45 minutes to administer. A shortened computer version of the PORT is the Memory Attention Concentration Evaluation (MACE) which was created to cut down on administration time (Smiley, 2000). Another memory malingering test is the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM; Tombaugh, 1996). This measure is designed specifically to catch those who are attempting to memory malinger. The Minnesota Mulitphasic Personality Inventory-2 is a widely used test with validity scales designed to monitor the motivation and truthfulness of a test taker (Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham , Tellegen & Kaemmer, 1989). The present study focuses on further validating the MACE, by both correlating and comparing the hit rates of the MACE to the specific validity measures of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 and the TOMM. The results revealed a strong correlation between the MACE and the TOMM, and a moderate negative correlation between the MACE and the MMPI-2 validity scales. A multiple regression with all variables entered, the F-K and K scales were the only strong predictors of the F scale; however, when just the two TOMM Trials and the MACE were entered only the MACE best predicted the F scale. Chi square analysis revealed varying degrees of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and hit rates. The various results are discussed

Phage Antibiotic Antagonism of Escherichia coli B and T4 Phage

Antibiotic resistance has resulted in researchers finding new methods for treating diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Antibiotic resistance forms due to the presence of plasmids and mutations in the bacterial genome. Phage Antibiotic synergy has been reported when exposing bacteria to phages in previous studies. Bacterial immune mechanisms, specifically those that aid against bacteriophages, have been exploited by researchers as a potential treatment for infection and diseases. These mechanism includes Superinfection (Sie), Abortive infection, surface modification, etc. Escherichia coli B is a bacteria that contains an outer membrane with receptors, porins, lipopolysaccharides, and other surface molecules that aid in defense and metabolism. Escherichia coli B is also a motile bacteria, (flagella) a mesophile, and facultative anaerobe

Strategies for connecting whole-building LCA to the low-carbon design process

Decarbonization is essential to meeting urgent climate goals. With the building sector in the United States accounting for 35% of total U.S. carbon emissions, reducing environmental impacts within the built environment is critical. Whole-building life cycle analysis (WBLCA) quantifies the impacts of a building throughout its life cycle. Despite being a powerful tool, WBLCA is not standard practice in the integrated design process. When WBLCA is used, it is typically either speculative and based on early design information or conducted only after design completion as an accounting measure, with virtually no opportunity to impact the actual design. This work proposes a workflow for fully incorporating WBLCA into the building design process in an iterative, recursive manner, where design decisions impact the WBLCA, which in turn informs future design decisions. We use the example of a negative-operational carbon modular building seeking negative upfront embodied carbon using bio-based materials for carbon sequestration as a case study for demonstrating the utility of the framework. Key contributions of this work include a framework of computational processes for conducting iterative WBLCA, using a combination of an existing building WBLCA tool (Tally) within the building information modeling superstructure (Revit) and a custom script (in R) for materials, life cycle stages, and workflows not available in the WBLCA tool. Additionally, we provide strategies for harmonizing the environmental impacts of novel materials or processes from various life cycle inventory sources with materials or processes in existing building WBLCA tool repositories. These strategies are useful for those involved in building design with an interest in reducing their environmental impact. For example, this framework would be useful for researchers who are conducting WBLCAs on projects that include new or unusual materials and for design teams who want to integrate WBLCA more fully into their design process in order to ensure the building materials are consciously chosen to advance climate goals, while still ensuring best performance by traditional measures