Distorted cognition related to male sexual offending: the multi-mechanism theory of cognitive distortions (MMT-CD)

Cognitive distortions are considered an important factor to the etiology and maintenance of sexual offending behavior in males. A predominant view within the literature is that cognitive distortions are cognitive products that arise from deeper cognitive structures, although it has also been proposed that goals and situational factors can play a role. In this article, we provide an updated theoretical account of cognitive distortions in males – the Multi-Mechanism Theory of Cognitive Distortions (MMT-CD). Adopting a dual-process perspective, and incorporating the concept of motivated cognition and the effects of visceral factors, we propose that cognitive distortions arise from three mechanisms, which can be identified in terms of their temporal occurrence to an offence. Mechanism I accounts for cognitive distortions that arise long before an offense is committed but serve to influence an individual’s life-course and goals in a way that brings them closer eventually sexually offending. Mechanism II accounts for distortions that arise in the lead up to or immediately before a sexual offence, thus, providing a justification for committing an offense. Mechanism III accounts for distortions that are formed post-offense as a result of the adversarial context of the individual’s social environment. We describe: (1) the nature of the each mechanism; (2) the way they underpin particular distortions; (3) the role they play in the etiology of sex offending; (4) and how they may play out in research and practice

Clinical application of a rapid microbiological test based on capillary zone electrophoresis to assess local skin infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The basic clinical problem associated with infection treatment is the fact that classic, commonly and routinely used isolation and identification methods are based on long-term processes of a phenotypic analysis of microorganisms. Consequently sometimes, especially in small centres, rapid implementation of antibacterial treatment becomes delayed.</p> <p>The work presents the initial results of rapid microbiological identification based on an original method of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The study involved the analysis of 78 biological samples from post-operative wounds and trophic ulcers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The attempt was made to identify individual bacterial species based on characteristic features of electropherograms achieved. Finally, G(+) cocci type bacteria and different G(-) rods were identified with sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 100%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the clinical trials using an electrophoretic technique in the field of microbiological diagnostics of infected exudate from a post-operative wound it can be concluded that it is a rapid and relatively sensitive method for initial identification of infectious pathogens.</p

Supramolecular recognition of estrogens via molecularly imprinted polymers

The isolation and preconcentration of estrogens from new types of biological samples (acellular and protein-free simulated body fluid) by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction has been described. In this technique, supramolecular receptors, namely molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are used as a sorbent material. The recognition sites of MIPs were prepared by non-covalent multiple interactions and formed with the target 17β-estradiol as a template molecule. High-performance liquid chromatography with spectroscopic UV, selective, and a sensitive electrochemical CoulArray detector was used for the determination of 17β-estradiol, estrone, and estriol in simulated body fluid which mimicked human plasma

Single-Molecule Electrochemical Transistor Utilizing a Nickel-Pyridyl Spinterface

Using a scanning tunnelling microscope break-junction technique, we produce 4,4′-bipyridine (44BP) single-molecule junctions with Ni and Au contacts. Electrochemical control is used to prevent Ni oxidation and to modulate the conductance of the devices via nonredox gatingthe first time this has been shown using non-Au contacts. Remarkably the conductance and gain of the resulting Ni-44BP-Ni electrochemical transistors is significantly higher than analogous Au-based devices. Ab-initio calculations reveal that this behavior arises because charge transport is mediated by spin-polarized Ni <i>d</i>-electrons, which hybridize strongly with molecular orbitals to form a “spinterface”. Our results highlight the important role of the contact material for single-molecule devices and show that it can be varied to provide control of charge and spin transport

Comparison of linear prediction control algorithms

Referat zawiera porównanie algorytmów predykcyjnych stosowanych w układach regulacji temperatury systemu ogrzewania budynku. Badania wykonano na modelu fizycznym umieszczonym w komorze klimatycznej. Porównanie dotyczy algorytmu DMC z modelem w postaci odpowiedzi skokowej, algorytmu GPC z modelem transmitancyjnym oraz algorytmu MPCS w dwóch wersjach: z obserwatorem stanu zbudowanym w oparciu o regułę Ackermanna oraz z filtrem Kalmana z zastosowaniem funkcji ortonormalnych.This paper contains a comparison of several prediction algorithms used in temperature controllers within heating systems. Tests were conducted using a scale house model placed in an environmental chamber. The comparison includes a DMC algorithm with a unit step function model, a GPC algorithm with transmittance model and two MPCS algorithm variations: one with state observer based on Ackermann's rule and one using Kalman filter utilizing orthonormal functions

The legal metrology in practice - measurement of the gas quantity

Referat jest próbą udowodnienia tezy, że produkcja przyrządu pomiarowego - z pozoru prostego przelicznika objętości do gazomierza - może zrodzić potrzebę posiadania Laboratorium Akredytowanego o wysokich możliwościach pomiarowych.The paper is an attempt to prove that the production of the measuring instrument seeming to be a simple volume corrector may even demand to establish and maintain an Accredited Laboratory of high measurement capabilities

Modeling and analysis of the stability of mini crane

W artykule przedstawiono parametryczny model bryłowy mini żurawia, zbudowany w środowisku CAD/CAE, umożliwiający badanie jego stateczności dla wybranych konfiguracji i warunków pracy. Jako wyniki badań symulacyjnych przedstawiono dopuszczalną obciążalność mini żurawia dla zadanego wysięgu, zmiany wartości reakcji pionowych podłoża i momentów działających na układ podporowy oraz położenia sumarycznego środka masy względem konturu wywrotu.The article presents parametric solid model of a mini crane, built in CAD/CAE environment, to test its stability for selected configurations and operating conditions. As a result of the simulation tests, the permissible lifting capacity of the mini crane is given for the specified reach, changes in the vertical response values of the substrate and operating moments for the support system and the position of the aggregate center of mass in relation to the contour overtirning