A sensitive genetic-based detection capability for Didymosphenia geminata

It is now well recognized that the increase in global transportation over the last two decades has brought with it an increased potential for the introduction of unwanted microorganisms (aquatic or terrestrial) that may have drastic effects on human and ecosystem health and agriculture. We have developed and validated a unique genetic fingerprinting tool for D. geminata. In concert, we developed field collection and preservation techniques specific for D. geminata along with genetic-based procedures that can now reliably detect D. geminate from a complex environmental community with a high degree of sensitivity. Recent work (Phase 2) has shown that the described methods will provide detection levels from <1 – 10,000 cells ml-1. We contend that the genetic based detection approaches used in this study offer great promise to meet the increasing demands to monitor the global threat from invasive micro-organisms

Distress in couples coping with cancer: A meta-analysis and critical review of role and gender effects

Research concerning distress in couples coping with cancer was integrated using meta-analysis and narrative critical appraisal. Individual levels of distress were determined more by gender than by the role of being the person with cancer versus that person's partner. That is, women reported consistently more distress than men regardless of their role (standardized mean difference = 0.31). The association between patient and partner distress within couples was only moderate (r = .29) but is sufficient to warrant further consideration of the notion that these couples react as an emotional system rather than as individuals. It is noteworthy that this association is not moderated by gender. With a general lack of comparison groups, the question of how much distress can be ascribed to the cancer experience cannot be answered decisively; elevations in distress are probably modest. We critically discuss these results, identify important unanswered questions, and indicate directions for future research. Attention needs to be directed toward factors other than cancer as direct influences of distress in these couples and to mediators and moderators of the cancer experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

Making Rasch decisions: The use of Rasch analysis in the construction of preference based health related quality of life instruments

Objective: To set out the methodological process for using Rasch analysis alongside traditional psychometric methods in the development of a health state classification that is amenable to valuation. Methods: The overactive bladder questionnaire is used to illustrate a four step process for deriving a reduced health state classification from an existing nonpreference based health related quality of life instrument. Step I excludes items that do not meet the initial validation process and step II uses criteria based on Rasch analysis and psychometric testing to select the final items for the health state classification. In step III, item levels are examined and Rasch analysis is used to explore the possibility of reducing the number of item levels. Step IV repeats steps I to III on alternative data sets in order to validate the selection of items for the health state classification. Conclusions: The techniques described enable the construction of a health state classification amenable for valuation exercises that will allow the derivation of preference weights. Thus, the health related quality of life of patients with conditions, like overactive bladder, can be valued and quality adjustment weights such as quality adjusted life years derived

“Sign or Get Out”: Academic Freedom at the University of California and Cal Poly in the McCarthy Era

The administering of loyalty oaths in America attained a certain controversy in late 1949 and into 1950 when the state of California and the University of California Board of Regents implemented loyalty oaths that explicitly demanded that all employees declare that they were not a member of the Communist Party. A crisis ensued, as many academics, faculty, and state employees were given the choice between the constitutional right to free speech and job security. Many of these individuals chose integrity in the face of losing their job, their reputation, and their livelihood. This paper will examine the consequences of implementing such an oath in California and the reactions to the loyalty oaths of 1949 and 1950 by students, faculty, and those who initiated loyalty oath policies and legislation, specifically the University of California Board of Regents. I will focus on California Polytechnic State University and compare its campus reactions to the loyalty oath crisis with that of several universities within the UC System

Recent spectroscopic findings concerning clay/water interactions at low humidity: Possible applications to models of Martian surface reactivity

A feasibility study assessing the utility of the adaptation of near infrared correlation spectroscopy to quantifying iron and adsorbed water in some clay-based Mars soil analog materials (MarSAM's). The work was intended to constitute Phase 1 of an approach to identifying optical analytical wavelength regions, not only for important mineral classes, but for chemically active centers within them. Many of these centers are common to unrelated mineral classes and of disproportionate influence relative to the mineral structure as a whole in determining the surface reactivity of mineral surfaces. We previously reported linearity between reflectance and total iron and total moisture over a large range of both key variables. We also discovered interesting relationships between the intensity of iron bands and the relative humidity of the systems. These relationships were confirmed. We also show that, in the low humidity range, reflectance is linearly dependent on a different kind of water from that best representing the full humidity range (the kind of water associated, in clays, with surface acidity). These relationships and the sensitivity and capability of quantitation of near infrared data indicate high promise with the production of reactive surface intermediates of products of surface reactions

Alien Registration- Coyne, Marie J. (Portland, Cumberland County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/25115/thumbnail.jp

Factors impacting on the design, development and use of an effective pre-employment integrity test

The aim of this thesis was to examine various factors that impact on the design, development and use of effective paper and pencil pre-employment integrity tests and to take these factors into account in the development of a personality-based test. Findings indicated that current definitions of the concept purported to be examined by integrity tests were inadequate. In particular, it was argued that honesty is not the concept under investigation, rather the focus should be on a concept of Employee Compliance. Compliance takes into account the requirement that dishonest behaviours go against formal organisational rules as well as the strong link between not acting in a counterproductive manner and trait conscientiousness.A survey of 279 UK-based personnel managers indicated that base-rates of dishonest behaviour in the UK ranged from around 60% to 80% if the behaviour is considered infrequent and/or not serious. For the more serious behaviours (such as alcohol abuse and sabotage) rates were between 23% to 44%. Honesty/integrity was viewed by personnel managers as the most important attribute within employees and this was consistent across industry sector. For example, honesty/integrity was considered more important than interest in the work, general ability, general personality and work experience. A large proportion of participants reported using references (78%) and/or interviews (66%) to assess for honesty and integrity, with few using honesty and integrity tests (2.5%).Further, integrity tests in general were shown to compare favourably against 6 psychometric quality issues and in most cases better than other methods that are used to examine honesty/integrity. In particular, integrity tests were shown to be valid, reliable, fair and practical methods of assessment. The scope of integrity tests depends upon the type of tests used. They can measure both narrow (theft) and broad criteria (employee deviance). Some issues were raised in respect to training, labelling and false positiveissues within such tests.Personality was shown to play a key role in whether an individual is likely to act in a dishonest manner. Results from two studies, using a Five-Factor Model framework showed that intended and reported dishonest behaviour related negatively to conscientiousness, stability and social desirability and positively to extraversion. An individual likely to engage in dishonest workplace behaviour will tend to have casual attitude to rules, view the world as hostile and become alienated, seek excitement and be impulsive, and be socially insensitive. The Five-Factor framework was then utilised in the development of a personality-based test that examined the construct of Employee Compliance. This new Compliance scale was shown to be valid, reliable, fair, acceptable and practical in relation to integrity tests in general and other methods of assessing honesty/integrity. The issue of whether a 'honest' individual is a theoretical ideal rather than a practical requirement was discussed and whether such individuals would be appropriate for all types of jobs.A laboratory study indicated that cheating behaviour was not only a function of personality (Compliance) but also the interaction between Compliance and group norms supporting cheating. A significant interaction emerged between Compliance and group norms on cheating behaviour. Specifically, the highest amount of cheating occurred for those individuals low in Compliance (hence likely to cheat) in the situation where group norms promoted cheating. Such findings have implications for integrity testing as not only does the dispositional aspect of dishonest behaviour need to be examined, organisations also need to consider the impact that the work environment may have of promoting or reducing dishonest behaviour