Anger, preoccupied attachment and domain disorganisation in borderline personality disorder

Emotional dysregulation and attachment insecurity have been reported in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Domain disorganization, evidenced in poor regulation of emotions and behaviors in relation to the demands of different social domains, may be a distinguishing feature of BPD. Understanding the interplay between these factors may be critical for identifying interacting processes in BPD and potential subtypes of BPD. Therefore, we examined the joint and interactive effects of anger, preoccupied attachment, and domain disorganization on BPD traits in a clinical sample of 128 psychiatric patients. The results suggest that these factors contribute to BPD both independently and in interaction, even when controlling for other personality disorder traits and Axis I symptoms. In regression analyses, the interaction between anger and domain disorganization predicted BPD traits. In recursive partitioning analyses, two possible paths to BPD were identified: high anger combined with high domain disorganization and low anger combined with preoccupied attachment. These results may suggest possible subtypes of BPD or possible mechanisms by which BPD traits are established and maintained.

Exploring brand attachment, its determinants and outcomes

Brand attachment has been regarded as a powerful and salient construct in marketing, argued to predict favourable consumer behaviours. Nevertheless, research trying to understand what are the determinants and outcomes of it is still limited. Using semi-structured interviews and projective techniques, this work identifies that self-congruity, experience, responsiveness, quality, reputation and trust are found to be the determinants of strong brand attachment. The outcomes of brand attachment are intention to recommend, purchase, revisit, resilience to negative information and act of defending the brand. This research sheds light for marketers in understanding the conceptualisation of attachment from the consumers' perspectives, so adopting an important perspective largely under-researched. In addition, this study guides marketers in the important factors regarding how to build stronger attachment and benefit from its outcomes.

The dark side of brand attachment: a conceptual framework of brand attachment's detrimental outcomes

Brand attachment recently has received great attention among practitioners and academics alike. Scholars consider brand attachment a key requisite in consumer-brand relationships that create favourable consumer behaviours such as positive brand attitudes and brand loyalty. Few studies, however, examine the detrimental outcomes of brand attachment. In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework that explores how brand attachment may explain detrimental consumer behaviours, such as oppositional brand loyalty and antibrand actions. We investigate consumers' trash-talking and schadenfreude in brand communities and their subsequent outcomes. Our framework reveals that the link between brand attachment and oppositional brand loyalty is driven by consumers' social identity and sense of rivalry. Furthermore, we put forward that brand attachment leads to anti-brand actions when relationships deteriorate. We identify two factors behind the deterioration: (1) companies' opportunism activities, and (2) incongruity between consumers' values and the brand's values. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed arising from our emerging 'dark side' brand attachment framework.

Controlling ivy attachment to wall surfaces by applying paints, metal meshes and sheets

Growing ivy around buildings has benefits. However, ivy potentially damages buildings which limit its use. Options for preventing ivy attachment were investigated to provide ivy management alternatives. Indoor and outdoor experiments were conducted, where metals (Cu, Zn) and anti-graffiti paints were applied to model wall panels. Metal treatments, in both indoor and outdoor experiments, fully prevented ivy attachment. For Hedera helix, silane-based anti-graffiti paint prevented attachment in the laboratory and required under half the peak detachment force necessary to detach the control in the outdoor experiment. In conclusion, metals and silane-based paint are management possibilities for ivy attachment around buildings.

Basic oxygen furnace slag as a treatment material for pathogens: Contribution of inactivation and attachment in virus attenuation

Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag media were studied as a potential treatment material in on-site sanitation systems. Batch and column studies were conducted to evaluate attenuation of the bacteriophage PR772 and 0.190 mu m diameter microspheres by BOF media, and to delineate the relative contributions of two principle processes of virus attenuation: inactivation and attachment. In the batch studies, conducted at 4 degrees C, substantial inactivation of PR772 did not occur in the pH 7.6 and 9.5 suspensions. At pH 11.4, bimodal inactivation of PR772 was observed, at an initial rate of 2.1 log C/C(0) day(-1) for the first two days, followed by a much slower rate of 0.124 log C/C(0) day(-1) over the following 10 days. Two column studies were conducted at 4 degrees C at a flow rate of 1 pore volume day(-1) using two slag sources (Stelco, Ontario; Tubarao, Brazil) combined with sand and pea gravel. In both column experiments, the effluent microsphere concentration approached input concentrations over time (reductions of 0.1-0.2 log C/C(0)), suggesting attachment processes for microspheres were negligible. Removal of PR772 virus was more pronounced both during the early stages of the experiments, but also after longer transport times (0.5-1.0 log C/C(0)). PR772 reduction appeared to be primarily as a result of virus inactivation in response to the elevated pH conditions generated by the BOF mixture (10.6-11.4). On-site sanitation systems using BOF media should be designed to maintain sufficient contact time between the BOF media and the wastewater to allow sufficient residence time of pathogens at elevated pH conditions. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Covalent attachment of 3,4,9,10-perylenediimides onto the walls of mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 and SBA-15

This work describes the covalent grafting of 3,4,9,10-perylenediimides (PDI), which are fluorescent dyes with very interesting optical properties, onto the walls of mesoporous molecular sieves MCM-41 and SBA-15. The mesoporous materials were first treated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) in anhydrous toluene, generating amine-containing surfaces. The amine-containing materials were then reacted with 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCA), generating surface-grafted PDI. Infrared spectra of the materials showed that the reaction with amino groups took place at both anhydride ends of the PTCA molecule, resulting in surface attached diimides. No sign of unreacted anhydride groups were found. The new materials, designated as MCMN2PDI and SBAN(2)PDI, presented absorption and emission spectra corresponding to weakly coupled PDI chromophores, in contrast to the strongly coupled rings usually found in solid PDI samples. The materials showed a red fluorescence, which could be observed by the naked eye under UV irradiation or with a fluorescence microscope. The PDI-modified mesoporous materials showed electrical conductivity when pressed into a pellet. The results presented here show that the new materials are potentially useful in the design of nanowires. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Towards a Protocol for the Attachment of Semantic Descriptions to Grid Services

Service discovery in large scale, open distributed systems is difficult because of the need to filter out services suitable to the task at hand from a potentially huge pool of possibilities. Semantic descriptions have been advocated as the key to expressive service discovery, but the most commonly used service descriptions and registry protocols do not support such descriptions in a general manner. In this paper, we present a protocol, its implementation and an API for registering semantic service descriptions and other task/user-specific metadata, and for discovering services according to these. Our approach is based on a mechanism for attaching structured and unstructured metadata, which we show to be applicable to multiple registry technologies. The result is an extremely flexible service registry that can be the basis of a sophisticated semantically-enhanced service discovery engine, an essential component of a Semantic Grid.

Towards a Protocol for the Attachment of Metadata to Service Descriptions and its Use in Semantic Discovery

Service discovery in large scale, open distributed systems is difficult because of the need to filter out services suitable to the task at hand from a potentially huge pool of possibilities. Semantic descriptions have been advocated as the key to expressive service discovery, but the most commonly used service descriptions and registry protocols do not support such descriptions in a general manner. In this paper, we present a protocol, its implementation and an API for registering semantic service descriptions and other task/user-specific metadata, and for discovering services according to these. Our approach is based on a mechanism for attaching structured and unstructured metadata, which we show to be applicable to multiple registry technologies. The result is an extremely flexible service registry that can be the basis of a sophisticated semantically-enhanced service discovery engine, an essential component of a Semantic Grid.

Attachment of 2,2-bipyridine onto a silica gel for application as a sequestering agent for copper, cadmium and lead ions from an aqueous medium

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Implant-retained thumb prosthesis with anti-rotational attachment for a geriatric patient

This report presents the use of a dental implant with an anti-rotational attachment for the retention of a thumb prosthesis. A retention system was manufactured with an attachment (UCLA) screwed into the implant with a two-bar system that was cast in metallic silver palladium. A substructure made from heat-cured acrylic resin was joined to the retention system by clips to join the thumb to the finger (bar clip) in the cast with implant rejoinder. The silicone material, Silastic-MDX 44210, was used to achieve function and aesthetics. Following osseointegration, no skin problems were observed. Whilst the implant-retained digital prosthesis presented some motor limitations, it allowed the patient to return to entertainment and achieve social conviviality.

Finite Element Analysis to Compare Complete Denture and Implant-Retained Overdentures With Different Attachment Systems

This finite element analysis compared stress distribution on complete dentures and implant-retained overdentures with different attachment systems. Four models of edentulous mandible were constructed: group A (control), complete denture; group B, overdenture retained by 2 splinted implants with bar-clip system; group C, overdenture retained by 2 unsplinted implants with o'ring system; and group D, overdenture retained by 2 splinted implants with bar-clip and 2 distally placed o'ring system. Evaluation was performed on Ansys software, with 100-N vertical load applied on central incisive teeth. The lowest maximum general stress value (in megapascal) was observed in group A (64.305) followed by groups C (119.006), D (258.650), and B (349.873). The same trend occurred it) supporting tissues with the highest stress value for cortical bone. Unsplinted implants associated with the o'ring attachment system showed the lowest maximum stress values among all overdenture groups. Furthermore, o'ring system also improved stress distribution when associated with bar-clip system.

Photoelastic Stress Analysis of Different Attachment Systems on Implant-Retained and Conventional Palatal Obturator Prostheses

Background: Considering that an increasing number of patients are victims of mutilator surgical resections, these studies are important for treatment success of rehabilitation of patients presenting oronasal communication.Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the stress distribution through photoelasticity in palatal obturator prostheses with different attachment systems for implants.Methods: Two photoelastic models were obtained from an experimental maxillary model presenting an oronasal communication. One model was fabricated without implant, and the other with 2 implants 10 mm in length inserted in the left crest. Four colorless palatal obturator prostheses were fabricated. One prosthesis presented no attachment system, whereas the remaining prostheses were adapted to 3 attachment systems. The assembly was positioned in a circular polariscope for application of axial load.Results: The results were based on photographic records of stress in the photoelastic model submitted to loading. The records revealed higher stress concentration on the bar-clip system followed by the O'ring/bar-clip and O'ring systems, respectively. A homogeneous stress distribution was observed on the photoelastic model with the mucous-supported prosthesis.Conclusions: The attachment systems generated different characteristics of stress distribution that was concentrated surrounding the implants. The bar-clip system exhibited the highest stress concentration on the alveolar crest.

Photoelastic Analysis of Implant-Retained and Conventional Obturator Prostheses With Different Attachment Systems and Soft Relining

Complete and partial loss of maxillary bone may jeopardize oral physiology and generate complications as oral-sinus-nasal communication. Palatal obturator prostheses are a treatment alternative for rehabilitation of these patients. The aim of this study was to assess stress distribution, through photoelasticity, on palatal obturator prostheses associated with different attachment systems (o'ring, bar clip, and o'ring/bar clip) of implants and submitted to relining. Two photoelastic models were fabricated according to an experimental maxillary model with oral-sinus-nasal communication. One model did not present implants, whereas the other included 2 implants with 13.0 mm in length in the left ridge. Four colorless maxillary obturator prostheses were fabricated and relined with soft silicone. One of these prostheses presented no attachment system, whereas the remaining prostheses included attachment systems adapted to the implants. The assembly (model/attachment system/prosthesis) was positioned in a circular polariscope during loading with 100 N at 10 mm/s. The results were based on observation during the experiment and photographic records of stress on the photoelastic model. The bar clip system exhibited the highest stress concentration followed by o'ring/bar clip and o'ring systems. The attachment systems presented different stress distribution with greater concentration surrounding the implants and homogenous stress distribution on the photoelastic model without implants. The highest concentration of fringes occurred, in ascending order, with o'ring, o'ring/bar clip, and bar clip systems.