Acceptance as a coping reaction: Adaptive or not?

Acceptance as a coping reaction to unchangeable negative events has been discussed controversially. While some studies suggest it is adaptive, others report negative effects on mental health. We propose a distinction between two forms of acceptance reactions: active acceptance, which is associated with positive psychological outcomes, and resigning acceptance, which is associated with negative psychological outcomes. In this study, 534 individuals were surveyed with respect to several hypothetical situations. We tested the proposed acceptance model by confirmatory factor analysis, and examined the convergent and discriminant validity using personality and coping measures (Trier Personality Questionnaire, Bernese Bitterness Questionnaire, COPE). The results support the distinction between the two forms of acceptance reactions, and, in particular, that active acceptance is an adaptive reaction to unchangeable situations.

The behaviour of incompatible elements during hydrous melting of metasomatized peridotite at 4–6 GPa and 1000 °C–1200 °C

Trace element behavior during hydrous melting of a metasomatized garnet–peridotite was examined at pressures of 4–6 GPa and temperatures of 1000 °C–1200 °C, conditions appropriate for fluid penetrating the mantle wedge atop the subducting slab. Experiments were performed in a rocking multi-anvil apparatus using a diamond-trap setup. The compositions of the fluid and melt phases were measured using the cryogenic LA-ICP-MS technique. The water-saturated solidus of the K-lherzolite composition is located between 900 °C and 1000 °C at 4 GPa and between 1000 °C and 1100 °C at 5 and 6 GPa. The partition coefficients between fluid or melt and clinopyroxene reveal an asymmetric MREE trough with a minimum at Dy. The clinopyroxene in equilibrium with aqueous fluids is characterized by DUfluid–cpx > DThfluid–cpx while DUmelt–cpx tends to be similar to DThmelt–cpx. The partition coefficients between fluid or melt and garnet reveal very strong light to heavy REE fractionation, DLa/DLu from 95 (hydrous melt) to 1600 (aqueous fluid). The LILE are highly incompatible with partition coefficients > 50. The behavior of HFSE are decoupled, with DZr,Hf close to 1 while DNb,Ta > 10. Garnet is characterized by DUmelt/fluid–garnet < DThmelt/fluid–garnet. A comparison of our experimental partitioning results for trivalent cations as well as the results from the literature and the calculations carried out using the lattice strain model adapted to the presence of water in the bulk system indicates that H2O in the fluid or melt phase has a prominent effect on trace element partitioning. Garnet in mantle rocks in equilibrium with an aqueous fluid is characterized by significantly higher Do(3 +) for REE in the X site of the garnet compared with the partitioning values of the optimal cation in garnet in equilibrium with hydrous melts. Our data show for the first time that the change in the nature of the mobile phase (fluid vs. melt) does affect the affinities of trace elements into the garnet crystal at conditions below the second critical endpoint of the system. The same also applies for clinopyroxene, although this is less clear. Consequently, our new data allow for refinements in predictive modeling of element transfer from the slab to the mantle wedge and of possible compositions of metasomatized mantle that sources OIB magmatism.

Comparison of Mixed and Kinematic Uniform Boundary Conditions in Homogenized Elasticity of Femoral Trabecular Bone Using Microfinite Element Analyses

Mechanical properties of human trabecular bone play an important role in age-related bone fragility and implant stability. Micro-finite element (microFE) analysis allows computing the apparent elastic properties of trabecular bone biopsies, but the results depend on the type of applied boundary conditions (BCs). In this study, 167 femoral trabecular cubic biopsies with a side length of 5.3 mm were analyzed using microFE analysis to compare their stiffness systematically with kinematic uniform boundary conditions (KUBCs) and periodicity-compatible mixed uniform boundary conditions (PMUBCs). The obtained elastic constants were then used in the volume fraction and fabric-based orthotropic Zysset-Curnier model to identify their respective model parameters. As expected, PMUBCs lead to more compliant apparent elastic properties than KUBCs, especially in shear. The differences in stiffness decreased with bone volume fraction and mean intercept length. Unlike KUBCs, PMUBCs were sensitive to heterogeneity of the biopsies. The Zysset-Curnier model predicted apparent elastic constants successfully in both cases with adjusted coefficients of determination of 0.986 for KUBCs and 0.975 for PMUBCs. The role of these boundary conditions in finite element analyses of whole bones and bone-implant systems will need to be investigated in future work.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in thick malignant melanoma: A 16-year single unit experience.

BACKGROUND The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and its benefits in patients with thick melanoma is still controversial. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the clinical effect of SLNB in patients with thick melanoma. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort review (1996-2012) of thick melanomas. Collected data included the patient and tumour characteristics. Locoregional recurrence, distant metastases, disease free and overall survival were compared between the patients with positive and negative SLNB. RESULTS 126 thick melanomas with a mean age of 64.09 years were included in the study. Positive SLNB were found in 47 (37.3%) patients. Significantly more locoregional recurrence (P = 0.002) and distant metastases (P = 0.030) were detected in the patients with positive SLNB. Furthermore, the patients with negative SLNB showed significantly better disease free survival (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS Positive SLNB might be prognostic factor in thick melanoma and aggravates the outcome of thick melanomas.

PP080. First trimester umbilical artery end-diastolic flow and pulsatility index: Comparison between preeclampsia and control.

INTRODUCTION The appearance of end-diastolic flow velocities (EDF) in the umbilical artery (UA), usually between 10 and 14 weeks of gestation, has been associated with the opening of the spiral arteries and consequently of the intervillous space. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to compare first trimester UA pulsatility index (PI) and EDF between women who developed preeclampsia (cases) and controls. METHODS Our database was searched for cases who had UA Doppler between 10-14 weeks. UA PI and EDF were compared between cases and two gestational age (GA) matched controls. RESULTS 15 cases with severe preeclampsia (PE) were matched to 30 controls. GA with negative EDF was lower than with positive EDF (12.1±0.79 vs. 12.8±0.34; p=0.001). UA PI in cases was higher than in controls, although not significant (cases: 2.18±0.6 vs. CONTROLS 1.92±0.48; p=0.12). However, comparing groups with negative EDF, the difference became significant (PI cases: 2.45±0.57 vs. PI controls: 1.94±0.56; p=0.038), while no difference was found comparing groups with positive EDF. CONCLUSION First trimester UA PI is significantly higher in women which will develop PE than in controls. Interestingly, the timing of screening for PE by UA Doppler seems to play an important issue.

The unruptured intracranial aneurysm treatment score: a multidisciplinary consensus.

OBJECTIVE We endeavored to develop an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) treatment score (UIATS) model that includes and quantifies key factors involved in clinical decision-making in the management of UIAs and to assess agreement for this model among specialists in UIA management and research. METHODS An international multidisciplinary (neurosurgery, neuroradiology, neurology, clinical epidemiology) group of 69 specialists was convened to develop and validate the UIATS model using a Delphi consensus. For internal (39 panel members involved in identification of relevant features) and external validation (30 independent external reviewers), 30 selected UIA cases were used to analyze agreement with UIATS management recommendations based on a 5-point Likert scale (5 indicating strong agreement). Interrater agreement (IRA) was assessed with standardized coefficients of dispersion (vr*) (vr* = 0 indicating excellent agreement and vr* = 1 indicating poor agreement). RESULTS The UIATS accounts for 29 key factors in UIA management. Agreement with UIATS (mean Likert scores) was 4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1-4.3) per reviewer for both reviewer cohorts; agreement per case was 4.3 (95% CI 4.1-4.4) for panel members and 4.5 (95% CI 4.3-4.6) for external reviewers (p = 0.017). Mean Likert scores were 4.2 (95% CI 4.1-4.3) for interventional reviewers (n = 56) and 4.1 (95% CI 3.9-4.4) for noninterventional reviewers (n = 12) (p = 0.290). Overall IRA (vr*) for both cohorts was 0.026 (95% CI 0.019-0.033). CONCLUSIONS This novel UIA decision guidance study captures an excellent consensus among highly informed individuals on UIA management, irrespective of their underlying specialty. Clinicians can use the UIATS as a comprehensive mechanism for indicating how a large group of specialists might manage an individual patient with a UIA.

Detection efficiency of microchannel plates for e(-) and pi(-) in the momentum range from 17.5 to 345 MeV/c

High-energy e(-) and pi(-) were measured by the multichannel plate (MCP) detector at the PiM1 beam line of the High Intensity Proton Accelerator Facilities located at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland. The measurements provide the absolute detection efficiencies for these particles: 5.8% +/- 0.5% for electrons in the beam momenta range 17.5-300 MeV/c and 6.0% +/- 1.3% for pions in the beam momenta range 172-345 MeV/c. The pulse height distribution determined from the measurements is close to an exponential function with negative exponent, indicating that the particles penetrated the MCP material before producing the signal somewhere inside the channel. Low charge extraction and nominal gains of the MCP detector observed in this study are consistent with the proposed mechanism of the signal formation by penetrating radiation. A very similar MCP ion detector will be used in the Neutral Ion Mass (NIM) spectrometer designed for the JUICE mission of European Space Agency (ESA) to the Jupiter system, to perform measurements of the chemical composition of the Galilean moon exospheres. The detection efficiency for penetrating radiation determined in the present studies is important for the optimisation of the radiation shielding of the NIM detector against the high-rate and high-energy electrons trapped in Jupiter's magnetic field. Furthermore, the current studies indicate that MCP detectors can be useful to measure high-energy particle beams at high temporal resolution. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Consumption asymmetry and the stock market: New evidence through a threshold adjustment model

This paper investigates whether stock market wealth affects real consumption asymmetrically through a threshold adjustment model. The empirical findings for the US show that wealth produces an asymmetric effect on real consumption, with negative 'news' affecting consumption less than positive 'news.' Thus, policy makers may want to focus more attention on preventing asset 'bubbles' than on responding to negative asset shocks.

Consumption Asymmetry and the Stock Market: Further Evidence

This paper investigates the presence of asymmetric effects of stock returns on real consumption in the US. After identifying the asymmetric behavior for consumption as well as the wealth effect, the results confirm that stock returns have an asymmetric effect on real consumption, with negative 'news' affecting consumption more than positive 'news'.

Functional analysis of GNA -1, a Galphai superfamily member found in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins, G proteins, are integral components of eukaryotic signaling systems linking extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Through coupling to seven-transmembrane helix receptors, G proteins convey primary signaling events into multi-leveled cascades of intracellular activity by regulating downstream enzymes, collectively called effectors. The effector enzymes regulated by G proteins include adenylyl cyclase, cAMP phosphodiesterase, phospolipase C-β, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and ion channels. ^ Neurospora crassa is a multicellular, filamentous fungus that is capable of both asexual and sexual reproduction by elaboration of specialized, developmentally controlled structures that give rise to either asexual or sexual spores, respectively. N. crassa possesses at least three heterotrimeric Gα proteins (GNA-1–3) and one Gβ subunit (GNB-1). GNA-1 was the first microbial protein that could be classified in the Gαi superfamily based on its amino acid identity and demonstration that it is a substrate for ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin. ^ Experiments were designed to identify the signal transduction pathways and the effector enzymes regulated by GNA-1. Targeted gene-replacement of gna-1 revealed that GNA-1 controls multiple developmental pathways including both asexual and sexual reproduction, maintenance of growth, and resistance to osmotic stress. The Gαi and Gαz members of the Gαi superfamily negatively regulate adenylyl cyclase activity in mammalian cells; therefore, adenylyl cyclase and cAMP levels were measured in Δgna-1 strains and also in strains that were deleted for both gna-1 and gna-2, a second Gα in N. crassa shown to have overlapping functions with GNA-1. Direct measurements of adenylyl cyclase activity revealed that GNA-1, but not GNA-2, was responsible for GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in N. crassa. Furthermore, anti-GNA-1 IgG could specifically inhibit GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in wild-type strain extracts. These studies also provided evidence that N. crassa possesses feedback mechanisms that control steady-state cAMP levels through indirect regulation of cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity; mutations in gna-1 and gna-2 were additive in their effect on lowering cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity under growth conditions where steady-state cAMP levels were normal but GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was reduced 90% in comparison to control strains. ^ Genetic and biochemical epistasis experiments utilizing a Δ gna-1 cr-1 mutant suggest that GNA-1 is essential for female fertility in a cAMP-independent pathway. Furthermore, deletion of gna-1 in a cr-1 background exacerbated many of the defects already observed in the cr-1 strain including more severe growth restriction and developmental defects. However, deletion of gna-1 had no effect on the increased thermotolerance of cr-1, which has been attributed to loss of cAMP. cr-1 possesses GNA-1 protein, and crude membrane fractions from this strain reconstituted GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in Δgna-1 membrane fractions. These studies provide direct evidence for the involvement of Gα proteins in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in eukaryotic microbes. ^

Isotopic signature of specific biomarkers derived from anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME groups) and sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) at different cold seep provinces

Anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbial communities in sediments at cold methane seeps are important factors in controlling methane emission to the ocean and atmosphere. Here, we investigated the distribution and carbon isotopic signature of specific biomarkers derived from anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME groups) and sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) responsible for the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) at different cold seep provinces of Hydrate Ridge, Cascadia margin. The special focus was on their relation to in situ cell abundances and methane turnover. In general, maxima in biomarker abundances and minima in carbon isotope signatures correlated with maxima in AOM and sulphate reduction as well as with consortium biomass. We found ANME-2a/DSS aggregates associated with high abundances of sn-2,3-di-O-isoprenoidal glycerol ethers (archaeol, sn-2-hydroxyarchaeol) and specific bacterial fatty acids (C16:1omega5c, cyC17:0omega5,6) as well as with high methane fluxes (Beggiatoa site). The low to medium flux site (Calyptogena field) was dominated by ANME-2c/DSS aggregates and contained less of both compound classes but more of AOM-related glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). ANME-1 archaea dominated deeper sediment horizons at the Calyptogena field where sn-1,2-di-O-alkyl glycerol ethers (DAGEs), archaeol, methyl-branched fatty acids (ai-C15:0, i-C16:0, ai-C17:0), and diagnostic GDGTs were prevailing. AOM-specific bacterial and archaeal biomarkers in these sediment strata generally revealed very similar d13C-values of around -100 per mill. In ANME-2-dominated sediment sections, archaeal biomarkers were even more 13C-depleted (down to -120 per mill), whereas bacterial biomarkers were found to be likewise 13C-depleted as in ANME-1-dominated sediment layers (d13C: -100 per mill). The zero flux site (Acharax field), containing only a few numbers of ANME-2/DSS aggregates, however, provided no specific biomarker pattern. Deeper sediment sections (below 20 cm sediment depth) from Beggiatoa covered areas which included solid layers of methane gas hydrates contained ANME-2/DSS typical biomarkers showing subsurface peaks combined with negative shifts in carbon isotopic compositions. The maxima were detected just above the hydrate layers, indicating that methane stored in the hydrates may be available for the microbial community. The observed variations in biomarker abundances and 13C-depletions are indicative of multiple environmental and physiological factors selecting for different AOM consortia (ANME-2a/DSS, ANME-2c/DSS, ANME-1) along horizontal and vertical gradients of cold seep settings.

Geochemistry of ODP Leg 135 vitrophyric rhyolite samples

In-situ proton-microprobe analyses are presented for glasses, plagioclases, pyroxenes, olivines, and spinels in eleven samples from Sites 834-836, 839, and 841 (vitrophyric rhyolite), plus a Tongan dacite. Elements analyzed are Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb, and Sn (in spinels only). The data are used to calculate two sets of partition coefficients, one set based on the ratio of element in mineral/element in coexisting glass. The second set of coefficients, thought to be more robust, is corrected by application of the Rayleigh fractionation equations, which requires additional use of modal data. Data are presented for phenocryst core-rim phases and microphenocryst-groundmass phases from a few samples. Comparison with published coefficients reveals an overall consistency with those presented here, but with some notable anomalies. Examples are relatively high Zr values for pyroxenes and abnormally low Mn values in olivines and clinopyroxenes from Site 839 lavas. Some anomalies may reflect kinetic effects, but interpretation of the coefficients is complicated, especially in olivines from Sites 836 and 839, by possible crystal-liquid disequilibrium resulting from mixing processes.

Endocarditis infecciosa : significado de la disfunción renal

Objetivo: Determinar la significación clínica y pronóstica de la disfunción renal en pacientes con Endocarditis Infecciosa (EI) Material y método: Estudio protocolizado, descriptivo, observacional y transversal de pacientes con EI diagnosticados según criterios de Duke. Se realizó un análisis comparativo entre los pacientes con EI sin (Grupo Sin) y con Disfunción Renal (Grupo DR), que se definió en base a uremia > 0.60 g/l y/o creatininemia > 1.5 mg/dl y/o hematuria o proteinuria. Fueron analizados en EPI info 6.04. Resultados: De un total de 110 EI incluidas, 58 (52.7%) presentaron DR principalmente secundaria a glomerulonefritis (n 22), sepsis (n 14), insuficiencia renal crónica (n 5), insuficiencia cardíaca, nefropatía diabética y nefrotoxicidad (n 4 cada una) y embólica (n 1). No hubo diferencias en la permanencia media hospitalaria (32 DS±23.3 vs 26.32 DS±17.28 días), el sexo (masculino: 60.3 vs 71.25%) y la demora diagnóstica (5.5 (DS±7.23) vs. 5.4 (DS±7.64 días)(pNS). La edad media fue mayor en el grupo DR en el LS (49.62 DS±15.71 vs 43.53 DS±17.94 años). El Grupo DR tuvo mas frecuentemente EI Definida (87.9 vs 67.3%) (p=0.0089) y no hubo diferencias en la localización Mitral (48.3 vs 48.1%) y Aórtica (44.8 vs 34.6%). La valvulopatía degenerativa se presentó en el LS en DR (34.5 VS 19.6%)(p=0.07). No hubo diferencias en la presencia de comórbidas (62.1 vs 71.2%) (pNS) pero la enfermedad últimamente fatal ocurrió mas frecuentemente en DR (51.4 vs 21.6%)(p=0.05). Al ingreso sólo la presencia de rales pulmonares (53.4 vs 32.7%) y púrpura cutánea (27.6 vs 13.5%) fueron más frecuentes en DR (p=0.05). La sepsis no controlada (34.5 vs 15.7%), insuficiencia cardíaca (51.7 vs 32.7%), encefalopatía (50 vs 27.5%), shock séptico (24.1 vs 7.8%) y fallo multiorgánico (34.5 vs 3.9%) fueron complicaciones más frecuentes en DR (p<0.05). La fiebre persistente se encontró en el LS en el grupo de DR (48.3 vs 32.7%)(p=0.09). No hubo diferencias en el hallazgo de vegetaciones por ecocardiografía (83.3 vs 75.6%). La anemia (Hb<9 mg/dl) (31.86 DS±53.41 vs 35.21 DS±7.85)(p=0.009), hipergammaglobulinemia (58.5 vs 29.8)(p=0.006) e hiperglucemia (36.1 vs 18.5)(p=0.03) se asociaron a DR. En el grupo con DR fue mas común la EI con cultivos negativos (31.5 vs 0%)(p=0.001) y el predominio de las infecciones por S. aureus Meticilino Resistente (MRSA)(21.6 vs 2.7%) (p=0.02). No hubo diferencias en la indicación de cirugía (31 vs 36.5%). La mortalidad hospitalaria fue significativamente mayor en DR (51.7 vs 25%)(p=0.0041)(OR 3.2, IC95%1.42-7.24). Conclusión: En los pacientes con EI la disfunción renal resultó ser un indicador de desarrollo de complicaciones infecciosas y cardíacas, de infección por MRSA y de mortalidad cruda hospitalaria.-

Eficiencia de la retención hídrica de las cubiertas vegetadas

La inundación repentina en áreas urbanas por sobrecarga de las redes de drenaje es un problema recurrente con impactos negativos de importancia creciente. Las cubiertas vegetadas ("naturadas") retienen parte de la lámina de agua precipitada, reduciendo el escurrimiento superficial y generando hidrogramas de escorrentía directa con caudales pico menores y más retardados. Dichas propiedades hacen que esta tecnología pueda contribuir a reducir la sobrecarga de cauces urbanos. En esta comunicación se presentan los primeros resultados (parciales) de la determinación de la eficiencia de retención hídrica (en forma indirecta a partir de la cantidad de agua percolada), en parcelas de ensayo que simulen "cubiertas naturadas", con dos profundidades de sustrato y con dos situaciones respecto a la cobertura (con y sin vegetación). Los mismos muestran una tendencia positiva de las "cubiertas naturadas" en la contribución a la reducción del escurrimiento, siendo mayor la retención en las parcelas vegetadas y sustrato de mayor espesor.

Una licencia en la posmodernidad científica : notas sobre Paul K. Feyerabend y dos figuras de la filosofía griega

En las obras de Feyerabend destacan dos hechos con connotaciones negativas en el marco de su pensamiento: el racionalismo de las ciencias actuales y sus difusiones críticas por parte de la epistemología. En ambos casos la crítica es la misma: no se han considerado debidamente las diferentes tradiciones científicas que originariamente no guardaban, siglos atrás, diferencia con la expresión “filosofía". La tarea de dicho epistemólogo, guiado por la filosofía griega, consistió esencialmente en esta denuncia. Denuncia que mostró los límites del racionalismo científico y quebró prejuicios metafísicos.