An Interactional Analysis of Adult Cognitive Assessment

Psychological tests often include a standardized protocol, which gives specific instructions to clinicians on how the tests are to be administered. This protocol is intended to minimize variation across test administrations, allowing the test to yield reliable and valid measurements. Clinicians are advised to adhere to the test protocol as closely as possible, though departures from protocol are often necessary, as many assessments require clinicians to clarify instructions, modulate client anxiety, and intervene to maintain the client\u27s motivation. Protocols provide little guidance on how clinicians are to make these departures. The clinical literature on assessment contains some advice on when and how to depart from protocol, but this advice is based on casual, unsystematic observation, not empirical research. In my dissertation, I used two qualitative research methods – Conversation Analysis (CA) and Discourse Analysis (DA) – to study empirically how clinicians administered cognitive tests, focusing particular attention on when and how clinicians made departures from the standardized test protocol. Three cognitive assessments were recorded and transcribed in their entirety. I then analyzed those transcripts closely, focusing particular attention on times when clinicians made utterances that were not dictated by the protocol. I found that these utterances were relatively common, though most were not major violations of protocol. In most instances, these departures functioned as a way of addressing an area of interactional difficulty and keeping the client on task. However, departures also functioned as ways of positioning the clinician as a neutral observer of the testing process, managing the power asymmetry between clinician and client, addressing the awkwardness occasioned by the test administration, permitting the client to save face for incorrect answers, and allowing the clinician to make public their professional commitment to administering the tests in a standardized fashion. Based on these findings, I concluded that adherence to standardized protocol should be thought of as a spectrum, with different degrees of adherence being appropriate at different times. I also used my findings to discuss how clinicians can administer tests in a way that is sensitive to the client and the context of the test administration without violating the standardized protocol

Age-related Liquefaction Resistance of Pleistocene Coastal Plain Sands in South Carolina

Soils of Pleistocene age in the South Carolina Coastal Plain have experienced liquefaction due to historic and pre-historic earthquakes. Numerous field and laboratory studies have shown that aged soil deposits maintain a greater resistance to liquefaction than younger soil deposits. The currently available methods for assessing liquefaction potential are based on cases in which soils are of Holocene age or younger (\u3c 10,000 yrs). The Pleistocene age soils that were tested and characterized varied in age from about 200,000 years old to 1,400,000 years old. Several sites were investigated using field methods that included the seismic cone penetration test, cone penetration test, standard penetration test, and flat plate dilatometer. Piezometers were installed at the sites. Undisturbed soil samples were retrieved from the subsurface and frozen ex situ to minimize sample disturbance during transportation and laboratory handling. The undisturbed samples were used for cyclic triaxial testing in the laboratory and were tested for shear wave velocity and compression wave velocity using in-cell transducers. Laboratory tests were performed to determine the specific gravity, grain size distribution, moisture content, unit weight, Atterberg limits, Unified Soil Classification, and visual-manual description. Optical petrography and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the mineral content of the soils, to view grain characteristics, and to view microscopic features that were part of the soil aging process. Laboratory index tests showed that Pleistocene soils consisted predominately of poorly-graded fine sands, silty sands, and clayey sands. Shear wave velocities from the cyclic triaxial test specimens were comparable to the in situ shear wave velocities measured using the seismic cone penetration test. Compression wave velocities from the cyclic triaxial specimens were indicative of a saturated state in the soil prior to cyclic triaxial testing. The optical petrography showed that the dominant mineral in the sands consisted of quartz, which was accompanied by minor amounts of mica, feldspar, and opaque minerals. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the presence of kaolin, showed alteration features on quartz sand surfaces, and also showed the presence of soil fabric in the form of preferred grain orientation. Field testing using the standard penetration test and the cone penetration test indicated that the Pleistocene soils maintain a higher cyclic resistance ratio than the Holocene soils used in the current methods of analysis, however, the soils remain susceptible to liquefaction given expected peak ground accelerations where the cyclic stress ratio exceeds the cyclic resistance ratio. Based on the known ages of the soils, the two methods of analysis using the cone penetration test (Idriss and Boulanger, 2008 and Youd et al., 2001) showed out-of-sequence age versus cyclic resistance ratio for the Idriss and Boulanger method and a properly sequenced age versus cyclic resistance ratio for the Youd et al. method. The standard penetration test showed out-of-sequence age versus cyclic resistance ratio for all methods and the difference between the Holocene liquefaction curve and the Pleistocene liquefaction curve was less than the difference for the cone penetration tests. Field cyclic resistance ratios derived from the laboratory cyclic triaxial tests, which were adjusted for bi-directional motion and in situ stress, resided at or below the cyclic resistance ratios determined for the Pleistocene soils from the field tests and in some cases below the Holocene liquefaction curve

Role of the registered nurse as perceived by nurses, physicians, and health care administrators

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators regarding the present and desired future role of the registered nurse. Perceptions of Iowa registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators regarding the present and desired future role of the registered nurse were compared as well as the relationship of those perceptions to type of training, level of education, employment setting, experience, and age. A stratified sampling plan was used to select 2,765 registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators in Iowa. Data were collected through the use of a two section questionnaire. The first section utilized 22 competency statements, selected from Primm\u27s Model, regarding perceptions of the present and desired future role of the registered nurse, and used a Likert Scale to record responses. The competency statements were divided into three major categories: Direct Care, Communication, and Management Competencies. Section Two included demographic and descriptive information regarding the respondents. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with significance set at the.01 level of confidence. Analysis also involved the mean competency category indices, Pearson correlations, and post hoc t tests. Study results indicated significant differences in perceptions by Iowa registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators regarding Direct Care and Management Competencies in the present and desired future role and Communication Competencies in the desired future role of the registered nurse. No significant perception differences existed between groups regarding Communication Competencies in the present role of the registered nurse. Perceptions of the total group regarding present and desired future roles of the registered nurse exhibited significant differences and a positive trend. Significant interaction with perceptions of the present and future role of the registered nurse was exhibited relative to type of training, level of education, and employment setting. Differences in perceptions of registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators regarding the role of the registered nurse indicate a need to provide a method of making these expectations known to each group through communication, discussion, and education. Registered nurses, physicians, and health care administrators should cooperate in identification of registered nurse competencies necessary for the efficient functioning of an institution

Contenido bioquímico del ovario y hepatopáncreas de Uca longisignalis y Uca nr. minax

P align=justify>Biochemical composition of ovary and hepatopancreas tissues in wild populations of Uca longisignalis and Uca nr. minax were monitored during the reproductive season. Total lipid (concentration and content), C (carbon), N (nitrogen), and C:N ratios of the ovary and hepatopancreas were quantified over the course of ovarian maturation. Ovary lipid and C concentration varied significantly over the course of ovarian maturation for both species, but there was no relationship between lipid concentration or hepatopancreas content and the stage of ovarian development in females. Hepatopancreatic lipid and C concentration did not differ between sexes of U. nr. minax. Lipid demands of ovarian maturation thus appear to be met in large part by increased dietary intake and not purely by translocating lipid stores from the hepatopancreas. In both Uca longisignalis and U. nr. minax, the color of the hepatopancreas may be used as an indicator of the lipid and C levels of the hepatopancreas. Cadmium-yellow and lemon-yellow hepatopancreas tissues had the highest lipid concentrations. No evidence could be found to demonstrate depletion of lipid or C concentrations in the hepatopancreas concomitant with ovarian maturation. Se analizó la composición bioquímica de tejidos del ovario y hepatopáncreas de poblaciones naturales de Uca longisignalis and Uca nr. minax durante la época reproductiva. Se cuantificaron lípidos totales (concentración y contenido), C (carbono), N (nitrógeno), y los cocientes C:N del ovario y hepatopáncreas durante el proceso de maduración del ovario. Los lípidos y la concentración de C variaron significativamente durante el curso de maduración del ovario en ambas especies, pero no se encontró ninguna relación entre la concentración o contenido de lípidos del hepatopáncreas con el estadío de desarrollo del ovario en hembras. Tampoco se encontró ninguna diferencia en los lípidos del hepatopáncreas y la concentración de C entre sexos de la especie Uca nr. minax. La demanda de lípidos durante la maduración del ovario, parece ser aportada en gran parte por un incremento en la dieta diaria y no solamente por la translocación de reservas de lípidos desde el hepatopáncreas. En ambas especies, Uca longisignalis y U. nr. minax, el color del hepatopáncreas puede ser usado como un indicador de los niveles de lípidos y C en el hepatopáncreas. Los tejidos del hepatopáncreas con color amarillo-cadmio y amarillo-limón tuvieron las más altas concentraciones de lípidos. No se encontró ningúna evidencia para demostrar que la disminución en la concentración de lípidos y C en el hepatopáncreas es concomitante con la maduración del óvulo.

Stoichiometry and Change of the mRNA Closed-Loop Factors as Translating Ribosomes Transit from Initiation to Elongation

Protein synthesis is a highly efficient process and is under exacting control. Yet, the actual abundance of translation factors present in translating complexes and how these abundances change during the transit of a ribosome across an mRNA remains unknown. Using analytical ultracentrifugation with fluorescent detection we have determined the stoichiometry of the closed-loop translation factors for translating ribosomes. A variety of pools of translating polysomes and monosomes were identified, each containing different abundances of the closed-loop factors eIF4E, eIF4G, and PAB1 and that of the translational repressor, SBP1. We establish that closed-loop factors eIF4E/eIF4G dissociated both as ribosomes transited polyadenylated mRNA from initiation to elongation and as translation changed from the polysomal to monosomal state prior to cessation of translation. eIF4G was found to particularly dissociate from polyadenylated mRNA as polysomes moved to the monosomal state, suggesting an active role for translational repressors in this process. Consistent with this suggestion, translating complexes generally did not simultaneously contain eIF4E/eIF4G and SBP1, implying mutual exclusivity in such complexes. For substantially deadenylated mRNA, however, a second type of closed-loop structure was identified that contained just eIF4E and eIF4G. More than one eIF4G molecule per polysome appeared to be present in these complexes, supporting the importance of eIF4G interactions with the mRNA independent of PAB1. These latter closed-loop structures, which were particularly stable in polysomes, may be playing specific roles in both normal and disease states for specific mRNA that are deadenylated and/or lacking PAB1. These analyses establish a dynamic snapshot of molecular abundance changes during ribosomal transit across an mRNA in what are likely to be critical targets of regulation

Characterization of cholesterol targeting antimicrobial peptides and assessment of their antiviral activity in vitro

In recent decades, efforts have been made to rationally design antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for use as alternative therapeutics. The de novo designed AMP WLBU2 is a 24 residue long cationic, α-helical peptide. Antimicrobial activity of WLBU2 is predicted to be based on peptide interaction with lipid membranes leading to bilayer disruption. Antibacterial activity of WLBU2 has been displayed against a wide-range of antibiotic resistant Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria based on charge interactions between the cationic peptide and the anionic bacterial membrane lipids. Preliminary experiments indicated WLBU2 has antiviral activity against various enveloped viruses suggesting the potential for development of a broad spectrum antiviral treatment. While viral envelopes do not have the same negative surface charge presumed to be the basis for antibacterial activity of WLBU2, most mammalian virus membranes are enriched for cholesterol relative to host cells. We hypothesized that specifically targeting WLBU2 to cholesterol rich membranes would increase antiviral activity against a broad range of enveloped mammalian viruses. Addition of the cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif is predicted to direct WLBU2 to cholesterol rich viral envelopes, thereby disrupting the membrane and leading to virus inactivation. When tested against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A, and dengue virus (DENV), computationally designed CRAC motif containing peptides and unmodified WLBU2 activity varied across the panel of viruses tested. Antiviral activity was observed against influenza A and DENV, and CRAC motif containing peptides were about 10-fold more effective against DENV than unmodified WLBU2. Therapeutic indices of CRAC motif containing peptides were similar to that observed for unmodified WLBU2. These findings suggest that AMPs can be designed to enhance antiviral activity, representing a novel therapeutic design with the potential for significant public health impact against global diseases such as influenza and DENV

Relación del énfasis de la educación media elegido, el perfil de intereses profesionales y la elección de la carrera de los estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, año 2018

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo principal; relacionar el énfasis de laeducación media, el perfil de intereses profesionales y la elección de la carrera de losestudiantes de la Universidad Nacional de Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, año 2018. Elpresente estudio reporta los resultados obtenidos de la investigación que se ha llevado acabo en ocho facultades y una escuela que ofrecen carreras de grado en la UniversidadNacional de Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, con estudiantes del primer curso, la poblaciónparticipante fueron de 503 estudiantes del primer curso. Adquiere un enfoque Cuantitativo.Corresponde a un diseño no experimental, con alcance de tipo descriptivo- Correlacionalporque se midió el grado de relación entre; el perfil profesional, carrera elegida y énfasis dela educación media. En esta investigación se utilizó el método deductivo. Entre losprincipales resultados dentro del perfil de intereses profesionales se evidencia que losestudiantes en su mayoria se identifican con el código (SAE) social, artístico eemprendedor, además el 41% de los estudiantes se identifican con el tipo de personalidadSocial. En un 41% las primeras letras en cada código son las mismas, por ende el perfil deintereses profesionales se relacionan entre sí. En la carrera de Ciencias de la educación el71% de los estudiantes culminaron el énfasis de Ciencias sociales en la educación media,dicho énfasis se relaciona con la carrera elegida, la misma responde a ocupaciones sociales.En síntesis los estudiantes tienen una inclinación hacia lo social donde las aptitudesinterpersonales, destrezas para enseñar, tratar o sanar a otros son sus principales prioridadesdentro de las ocupaciones

Measurement of Electromagnetic Activity of Yeast Cells at 42 GHz

This paper discusses the possibility of using a device composed of a resonant cavity, preamplifiers, and a spectrum analyzer to detect electromagnetic emission of yeast cells at a frequency of about 42 GHz. Measurement in this frequency range is based on the Frohlich\'s postulate of coherent polar oscillations as a fundamental biophysical property of biological systems and on the experiments of Grundler and Keilmann who disclosed effects of exposure to the electromagnetic field at 42 GHz on the growth rate of yeast cells. This article includes a detailed description of the laboratory equipment and the methods used to evaluate the obtained results