My partner wasn\u27t so disgusting when we first started dating, what happened? : an exploration of change processes in close relationships and their causes.

We are more likely to hurt the one\u27s we love than we are complete strangers (cf. R. Miller, 1991, 1997). Early in dating relationships, partners appear to me more likely to manage their impressions to present themselves as better than they really are (romantic inflation), and later in relationships, partners may behave in a manner that is worse than their typical behavior (post romanticism). The social allergy and social enrichment constructs are relevant to these phenomena, as these typologies focus on partner behaviors that are rather minor in their impact on an individual\u27s affect to behaviors that have a major impact on an individual\u27s affect. Negative non-intentional negative behaviors are presumed to be related to negative sex-role stereotypes, with men engaging in more and increasing their frequency of bad habits and women engaging in more and increasing their frequency of inconsiderate behaviors. Changes in these behaviors are also presumed to be related to changes in relationship outcomes according to the investment model. Two preliminary studies were conducted to examine stereotypes about changes over the first year of dating relationships using a sample of 161 undergraduates (study 1) and to examine the relationship between partner behaviors and individual satisfaction using a cross-sectional sample of 124 couples dating an average of 5.25 months (study 2). Study three examined investment model predictions, as well as examining possible explanations for why partners may increase their frequency of negative behaviors and decrease their frequency of positive behaviors. A longitudinal sample of 70 couples dating an average of 13.53 months was followed for two months to examine these questions. The present series of studies suggest that it is largely negative relationship behaviors that increase in frequency over the course of time in dating relationships. Consistent evidence was found for gender differences in behavior corresponding to negative sex-role stereotypes, with men being seen as engaging in more bad habit behaviors and women being seen as engaging in more inconsiderate behaviors. Evidence from study three suggests that among early dating couples, men may increase their bad habit behaviors over time and women may increase their inconsiderate behaviors over time. Interestingly, women who were seen as increasing these behaviors had partners who became less satisfied with their relationships; however, these results were not found for perceptions of men\u27s behavior. Romantic inflation was primarily responsible for explaining changes over time in negative behaviors, and post romanticism was primarily responsible for explaining changes over time in positive behaviors. These findings suggest that individuals presented themselves as more positive than they really were in the beginning of relationships, and became less motivated to refrain from negativity later in relationships. Romantic inflation was related to individuals presenting themselves as better than they really are on the most consequential positive behaviors (emotionally supportive and sexually affectionate behaviors), and only men were more likely to exhibit post romanticism for the most consequential negative behaviors (intrusions and norm violations). Nevertheless, changes in the frequency of both negative and positive partner behaviors appear to be consequential, as partner intrusive, norm-violating, emotional support, and sexually affectionate behaviors were related to the individual\u27s relationship outcomes, such as satisfaction and dissolution. Support was also found in the data for the predictions of the investment model

Providing Web Surfers With Useful Information About Plants via PlantSage

The World Wide Web has opened substantial avenues for research into accessing and disseminating vast amounts of information to millions of users all over the world. As a result, it is now very common for people at all levels of computer literacy to “surf the net” in search of information. However, finding useful information can be a laborious and tedious task, especially for those unfamiliar with the Web. Our goal is to improve both the usefulness and the ease of web-based information gathering. In particular, we place a special emphasis on horticulture-based information. In the PlantSage project, we provide access to three different sources of information: a local database, a search on selected “partner” sites, and a search on the entire web that not only returns names and URLs of relevant sites but also collates and uniformly formats potentially useful information. This paper will describe each of these processes and our plans for enhancing them

Synthesis of a Small Molecule Nitrosocysteine Inhibitor to Reduce the Activity of Caspase-1

Caspase-1 is an enzyme that is overactive in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases cleaving pro-interleukin-1β to the cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which leads to inflammatory symptoms. The inhibition of caspase-1 will cause a decrease in the concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), resulting in the reduction of inflammatory symptoms. Recent research has revealed that the appending of a nitric oxide (NO) or nitroxyl (HNO) donating group to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced, or avoided, the side effects caused by currently available treatments. A small molecule based on a known caspase-1 inhibitor with a nitrosocysteine appended on was synthesized to look at the effect of NO donation on caspase-1

Materials for Advanced Turbine Engines

An attempt was made to improve methods for producing powder metallurgy aircraft gas turbine engine parts from the nickel base superalloy known as Rene 95. The parts produced were the high pressure turbine aft shaft for the CF6-50 engine and the stages 5 through 9 compressor disk forgings for the CFM56/F101 engines. A 50% cost reduction was achieved as compared to conventional cast and wrought processing practices. An integrated effort involving several powder producers and a major forging source were included

Improving the oral health of residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities: An oral health strategy and pilot study

AbstractThis article presents an oral health (OH) strategy and pilot study focusing on individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) living in group homes. The strategy consists of four components: (1) planned action in the form of the behavioral contract and caregiver OH action planning; (2) capacity building through didactic and observation learning training; (3) environmental adaptations consisting of additional oral heath devices and strategies to create a calm atmosphere; and (4) reinforcement by post-training coaching. A pilot study was conducted consisting of pre- and post-assessment data collected 1 week before and 1 week after implementing a 1-month OH strategy. The study sample comprised 11 group homes with 21 caregivers and 25 residents with IDD from one service organization in a Midwestern city. A process evaluation found high-quality implementation of the OH strategy as measured by dosage, fidelity, and caregiver reactions to implementing the strategy. Using repeated cross-sectional and repeated measures analyses, we found statistically significant positive changes in OH status and oral hygiene practices of residents. Caregiver self-efficacy as a mechanism of change was not adequately evaluated; however, positive change was found in some but not all types of caregiver OH support that were assessed. Lessons learned from implementing the pilot study intervention and evaluation are discussed, as are the next steps in conducting an efficacy study of the OH strategy

Examining human rights and mental health among women in drug abuse treatment centers in Afghanistan

Denial of human rights, gender disparities, and living in a war zone can be associated with severe depression and poor social functioning, especially for female drug abusers. This study of Afghan women in drug abuse treatment (DAT) centers assesses (a) the extent to which these women have experienced human rights violations and mental health problems prior to entering the DAT centers, and (b) whether there are specific risk factors for human rights violations among this population. A total of 176 in-person interviews were conducted with female patients admitted to three drug abuse treatment centers in Afghanistan in 2010. Nearly all women (91%) reported limitations with social functioning. Further, 41% of the women indicated they had suicide ideation and 27% of the women had attempted suicide at least once 30 days prior to entering the DAT centers due to feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Half of the women (50%) experienced at least one human rights violation in the past year prior to entering the DAT centers. Risk factors for human rights violations among this population include marital status, ethnicity, literacy, employment status, entering treatment based on one’s own desire, limited social functioning, and suicide attempts. Conclusions stemming from the results are discussed

Does Industry-Driven Alcohol Marketing Influence Adolescent Drinking Behaviour? A Systematic Review.

AIM: To systematically review evidence on the influence of specific marketing components (Price, Promotion, Product attributes and Place of sale/availability) on key drinking outcomes (initiation, continuation, frequency and intensity) in young people aged 9–17. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsychINFO, CINAHL and ProQuest were searched from inception to July 2015, supplemented with searches of Google Scholar, hand searches of key journals and backward and forward citation searches of reference lists of identified papers. RESULTS: Forty-eight papers covering 35 unique studies met inclusion criteria. Authors tended to report that greater exposure to alcohol marketing impacted on drinking initiation, continuation, frequency and intensity during adolescence. Nevertheless, 23 (66%) studies reported null results or negative associations, often in combination with positive associations, resulting in mixed findings within and across studies. Heterogeneity in study design, content and outcomes prevented estimation of effect sizes or exploration of variation between countries or age subgroups. The strength of the evidence base differed according to type of marketing exposure and drinking outcome studied, with support for an association between alcohol promotion (mainly advertising) and drinking outcomes in adolescence, whilst only two studies examined the relationship between alcohol price and the drinking behaviour of those under the age of 18. CONCLUSION: Despite the volume of work, evidence is inconclusive in all four areas of marketing but strongest for promotional activity. Future research with standardized measures is needed to build on this work and better inform interventions and policy responses

The interactive effects of perceived peer drinking and personality profiles on adolescent drinking: a prospective cohort study

Aims: (1) To classify Australian adolescents according to their alcohol consumption trajectories; and (2) to assess the direct and interactive effects of perceived peer drinking (PPD) and personality on adolescent drinking. Design: Prospective cohort study comprising secondary analysis of six waves of prospective data (collected between 2014 and 2016) from the control arm of the Climate Schools Combined Study. Setting: Nineteen schools across three Australian states. Participants: A total of 1492 socio-demographically diverse students (mean age at baseline: 13.47; 68% female; 82% born in Australia). Measurements: Alcohol consumption trajectories were assessed using self-reported sipping of alcohol, full standard drink consumption, binge drinking and quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. One item assessed PPD and personality was assessed using the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale. Findings: Eight hundred and sixty-four (58%) adolescents consumed alcohol across the study period. Four drinking trajectories were identified: abstaining (n = 513; reference group); onset (n = 361; initiated after baseline); persistent (n = 531; initiated prior to baseline); and decreasing (n = 50; consumed alcohol at baseline but ceased or decreased thereafter). A significant PPD × anxiety sensitivity (AS) interaction affected probability of belonging to the onset (P < 0.001) and persistent (P = 0.003) trajectories. The effect of PPD on probability of belonging to the onset trajectory was only significant when adolescents reported low [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.464–2.646, P < 0.001], but not high AS. The effect of PPD on probability of belonging to the persistent drinking trajectory was stronger at low (95% CI = 2.144–3.283, P < 0.001), compared with high (95% CI = 1.440–2.308, P < 0.001) AS. Conclusions: In Australian adolescents, self-reported drinking onset and persistent drinking appear to be more strongly associated with perceived peer drinking in those with low anxiety sensitivity than those with high anxiety sensitivity

High temperature oxidation and embrittlement at 500–600 °C of Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated by Laser and Electron Beam Melting

The oxidation kinetics of Ti-6Al-4V alloys fabricated by LBM and EBM, HIP-treated or not, are similar to that of a rolled annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy, as regards oxide layer and oxygen diffusion layer thickness. Kinetics of oxygen ingress in the metal is independent of the alloy microstructure. At room temperature, the thickness of the brittle layer after a tensile test corresponds to the oxygen diffusion layer, with an oxygen concentration above a critical value that is clearly below 1 at %