Are you telling the truth? Psychopathy assessment and impression management in a community sample

Objectives: Researchers have suggested that approximately 1% of individuals within the community have psychopathic tendencies (Neumann and Hare, 2008), although confirmatory evidence is scant. Design: The current study aimed to extend previous research beyond university student samples to explore the effect of impression management and self-deception on the identification of psychopathic traits. Methods: A non-incarcerated community sample comprising of 300 adults completed the Self-Reported Psychopathy scale – version 3 (SRP-III; Paulhus, Hemphill & Hare, in press) as well as the Paulhus Deception Scales (PDS; Paulhus, 1998). Results: Results indicated that at least 1% of the current community sample had clear psychopathic tendencies, and that such tendencies were found in younger males who mis-used alcohol. Conclusions: Importantly, individuals with psychopathic traits did not present with an inflated propensity to distort assessment responses, which provides support for future research endeavours that aim to conduct larger-scale psychopathy assessments within the community. This paper further outlines the study implications in regards to the practical assessment of psychopathy.

Packed red blood cells suppress myeloid dendritic cell and monocyte inflammatory responses in a whole blood model of transfusion

Purpose/Objective: The basis for poor outcomes in some patients post transfusion remains largely unknown. Despite leukodepletion, there is still evidence of immunomodulatory effects of transfusion that require further study. In addition, there is evidence that the age of blood components transfused significantly affects patient outcomes. Myeloid dendritic cell (DC) and monocyte immune function were studied utilising an in vitro whole blood model of transfusion. Materials and methods: Freshly collected (‘recipient’) whole blood was cultured with ABO compatible leukodepleted PRBC at 25% blood replacement-volume (6hrs). PRBC were assayed at [Day (D) 2, 14, 28and 42 (date-of expiry)]. In parallel, LPS or Zymosan (Zy) were added to mimic infection. Recipients were maintained for the duration of the time course (2 recipients, 4 PRBC units, n = 8).Recipient DC and monocyte intracellular cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-12,TNF-a, IL-1a, IL-8, IP-10, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1) were measured using flow cytometry. Changes in immune response were calculated by comparison to a parallel no transfusion control (Wilcoxin matched pairs). Influence of storage age was calculated using ANOVA. Results: Significant suppression of DC and monocyte inflammatory responses were evident. DC and monocyte production of IL-1a was reduced following exposure to PRBC regardless of storage age (P < 0.05 at all time points). Storage independent PRBC mediated suppression of DC and monocyte IL-1a was also evident in cultures costimulated with Zy. In cultures co-stimulated with either LPS or Zy, significant suppression of DC and monocyte TNF-a and IL-6 was also evident. PRBC storage attenuated monocyte TNF-a production when co-cultured with LPS (P < 0.01 ANOVA). DC and monocyte production of MIP-1a was significantly reduced following exposure to PRBC (DC: P < 0.05 at D2, 28, 42; Monocyte P < 0.05 all time points). In cultures co-stimulated with LPS and zymosan, a similar suppression of MIP-1a production was also evident, and production of both DC and monocyte MIP-1b and IP-10 were also significantly reduced. Conclusions: The complexity of the transfusion context was reflected in the whole blood approach utilised. Significant suppression of these key DC and monocyte immune responses may contribute to patient outcomes, such as increased risk of infection and longer hospital stay, following blood transfusion.

Translations of industry-based student learning and academic performances

We hypothesized that Industry based learning and teaching, especially through industry assigned student projects or training programs, is an integral part of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. In this paper we show that industry-based student training and experience increases students’ academic performances independent to the organizational parameters and contexts. The literature on industry-based student training focuses on employability and the industry dimension, and neglects in many ways the academic dimension. We observed that the association factors between academic attributes and contributions of industry-based student training are central and vital to the technological learning experiences. We explore international initiatives and statistics collected of student projects in two categories: Industry based learning performances and on campus performances. The data collected were correlated to five (5) universities in different industrialized countries, e.g., Australia N=545, Norway N=279, Germany N=74, France N=107 and Spain N=802 respectively. We analyzed industry-based student training along with company assigned student projects compared with in comparisons to campus performance. The data that suggests a strong correlation between industry-based student training per se and improved performance profiles or increasing motivation shows that industry-based student training increases student academic performance independent of organizational parameters and contexts. The programs we augmented were orthogonal to each other however, the trend of the students’ academic performances are identical. An isolated cohort for the reported countries that opposed our hypothesis warrants further investigation.

Transformation in educational practices through STEM

The need for strong science, technology and innovation linkages between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and industries is a pivotal point for middle-income countries in their endeavor to enhance human capital in socioeconomic development. Currently, the University-Industry partnerships are at an infant stage in Sri Lankan higher education context. Technological maturity and effective communication skills are contributing factors for an efficient graduate profile. Also, expanding internship programs in particular for STEM disciplines provide work experience to students that would strengthen the relevance of higher education programs. This study reports historical overviews and current trends in STEM education in Sri Lanka. Emphasis will be drawn to recent technological and higher education curricular reforms. Data from the last 10 years were extracted from the higher education sector and Ministry of Higher Education Policy portfolios. Associations and trend analysis of the sector growth were compared with STEM existence, merger and predicted augmentations. Results were depicted and summarised based on STEM streams and disciplines. It was observed that the trend of STEM augmentation in the Sri Lankan Higher Education context is growing at a slow but steady pace. Further analysis with other sectors in particular, Industry information, would be useful and a worthwhile exercise.

STEM education for sustainable development : a sociotechnical analysis

It is debated that for sustainable STEM education and knowledge investment, human centered learning design approach is critical and important. Sustainability in this context is enduring maintenance of technological trajectories for productive economical and social interactions by demonstrating life critical scenarios through life critical system development and life experiences. Technology influences way of life and the learning and teaching process. Social software application development is more than learning of how to program a software application and extracting information from the Internet. Hence, our research challenge is, how do we attract learners to STEM social software application development? Our realisation processes begin with comparing Science and Technology education in developed (e.g., Australia) and developing (e.g., Sri Lanka) countries with distinction on final year undergraduates’ industry ready training programmes. Principal components analysis was performed to separate patterns of important factors. To measure behavioural intention of perceived usefulness and attitudes of the training, the measurement model was analysed to test its validity and reliability using partial least square (PLS) analysis of structural equation modelling (SEM). Our observation is that the relationship is more complex than we argue for. Our initial conclusions were that life critical system development and life experience trajectories as determinant factors while technological influences were unavoidable. A further investigation should involve correlations between human centered learning design approach and economical development in the long run.

Does usability engineering matters for STEM education?

Technological maturity and the exponential growth of digital applications are contributing to lifestyle changes worldwide. Consequently, learning and teaching is demanding more effective sociotechnical interactions involving emerging technologies, as opposed to traditional, conventional face-to-face learning and teaching approaches. In this context, usability engineering is making significant contributions for improving computer and distance-based learning, both for learners and instructors, which have often been ignored when designing online learning and teaching applications. Usability testing is a central part of the human centered learning approach for developing sustainable STEM education from the socio-technological perspective. Our experiences with usability engineering and the impact of teaching low-cost rapid usability testing methods on knowledge translation from undergraduate to graduate courses to real-world practice (i.e. getting the methods out there in real use) are diverse and multi-modal. Our sample space has been hundreds of trained students who have learned how to do effective usability engineering in real-world situations at higher levels of realism (i.e. fidelity) and at a much lower cost than using traditional fixed usability labs. Furthermore, this low-cost rapid approach to usability engineering has been adopted by many of our graduates who are now managers, CIOs etc and who are using the methods routinely in their organizations in real world applications and scenarios. This knowledge has been used to improve design and implementation of a wide range of applications, including applications designed for teaching and learning.

Contribution of industry-based student learning performance for the STEM education

We hypothesized that Industry based learning and teaching, especially through company assigned student projects or training programs, is an integral part of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. In this paper we show that industry-based student training and experience increases students’ academic performances independent to the organizational parameters and contexts. The literature on industry-based student training focuses on employability and the industry dimension, and neglects in many ways the academic dimension. We observed that the association factors between academic attributes and contributions of industry-based student training are central and vital to the technological learning experiences. We explore international initiatives and statistics collected of student projects in two categories: Industry based learning performances and on campus performances. The data collected were correlated to five (5) universities in different industrialized countries, e.g., Australia N=545 projects, Norway N=279, Germany N=74, France N=107 and Spain N=802. We analyzed industry-based student training along with company assigned student projects compared with in comparisons to campus performance. The data that suggests a strong correlation between industry-based student training per se and improved performance profiles or increasing motivation shows that industry-based student training increases student academic performance independent of organizational parameters and contexts. The programs we augmented were orthogonal to each other however, the trend of the students’ academic performances are identical. An isolated cohort for the reported countries that opposed our hypothesis warrants further investigation.

Comparative analysis of the Metarhizium anisopliae secretome in response to exposure to the greyback cane grub and grub cuticles

Metarhizium anisopliae is a well-characterized biocontrol agent of a wide range of insects including cane grubs. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis was used to display secreted proteins of M. anisopliae strain FI-1045 growing on the whole greyback cane grubs and their isolated cuticles. Hydrolytic enzymes secreted by M. anisopliae play a key role in insect cuticle-degradation and initiation of the infection process. We have identified all the 101 protein spots displayed by cross-species identification (CSI) from the fungal kingdom. Among the identified proteins were 64-kDa serine carboxypeptidase, 1,3 beta-exoglucanase, Dynamin GTPase, THZ kinase, calcineurin like phosphoesterase, and phosphatidylinositol kinase secreted by M. ansiopliae (FI-1045) in response to exposure to the greyback cane grubs and their isolated cuticles. These proteins have not been previously identified from the culture supernatant of M. anisopliae during infection. To our knowledge, this the first proteomic map established to study the extracellular proteins secreted by M. ansiopliae (FI-1045) during infection of greyback cane grubs and its cuticles.

A proteomic view into infection of greyback canegrubs (Dermolepida albohirtum) by Metarhizium anisopliae

Metarhizium anisopliae is a naturally occurring cosmopolitan fungus infecting greyback canegrubs (Dermolepida albohirtum). The main molecular factors involved in the complex interactions occurring between the greyback canegrubs and M. anisopliae (FI-1045) were investigated by comparing the proteomes of healthy canegrubs, canegrubs infected with Metarhizium and fungus only. Differentially expressed proteins from the infected canegrubs were subjected to mass spectrometry to search for pathogenicity related proteins. Immune-related proteins of canegrubs identified in this study include cytoskeletal proteins (actin), cell communication proteins, proteases and peptidases. Fungal proteins identified include metalloproteins, acyl-CoA, cyclin proteins and chorismate mutase. Comparative proteome analysis provided a view into the cellular reactions triggered in the canegrub in response to the fungal infection at the onset of biological control.

Creativity and design

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Creating New Value covers all of the major aspects of innovation strategy and capabilities, including leadership of innovation, creativity, design led innovation, open innovation, management of the innovation portfolio and new product development processes. Ultimately, innovation is accomplished by people, and this book recognises the critical contribution of leadership and organisational culture to developing and promoting innovation behaviours. For startups and entrepreneurs, the book covers the practical, powerful tests that a new idea should be subjected to, as well as providing an overview of the entrepreneurship process. Another feature of the book is the detailed presentation of the practices common to highly innovative organisations that distinguishes them from low innovating organisations. Underpinned by research, this information is translated into an innovation audit tool that can be used by managers or students alike.

The effect of endophyte on the performance of irrigated perennial ryegrasses in subtropical Australia

The effect of fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) infection on the performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) growing under irrigation in a subtropical environment was investigated. Seed of 4 cultivars, infected with standard (common toxic or wild-type) endophyte or the novel endophyte AR1, or free of endophyte (Nil), was sown in pure swards, which were fertilised with 50 kg N/ha.month. Seasonal and total yield, persistence, and rust susceptibility were assessed over 3 years, along with details of the presence of endophyte and alkaloids in plant shoots. Endophyte occurrence in tillers in both the standard and AR1 treatments was above 95% for Bronsyn and Impact throughout and rose to that level in Samson by the end of the second year. Meridian AR1 only reached 93% while, in the standard treatment, the endophyte had mostly died before sowing. Nil Zendophyte treatments carried an average of ?0.6% infection throughout. Infection of the standard endophyte was associated with increased dry matter (DM) yields in all 3 years compared with no endophyte. AR1 also significantly increased yields in the second and third years. Over the full 3 years, standard and AR1 increased yields by 18% and 11%, respectively. Infection with both endophytes was associated with increased yields in all 4 seasons, the effects increasing in intensity over time. There was 27% better persistence in standard infected plants compared with Nil at the end of the first year, increasing to 198% by the end of the experiment, while for AR1 the improvements were 20 and 134%, respectively. The effect of endophyte on crown rust (Puccinia coronata) infection was inconsistent, with endophyte increasing rust damage on one occasion and reducing it on another. Cultivar differences in rust infection were greater than endophyte effects. Plants infected with the AR1 endophyte had no detectable ergovaline or lolitrem B in leaf, pseudostem, or dead tissue. In standard infected plants, ergovaline and lolitrem B were highest in pseudostem and considerably lower in leaf. Dead tissue had very low or no detectable ergovaline but high lolitrem B concentrations. Peramine concentration was high and at similar levels in leaf and pseudostem, but not detectable in dead material. Concentration was similar in both AR1 and standard infected plants. Endophyte presence appeared to have a similar effect in the subtropics as has been demonstrated in temperate areas, in terms of improving yields and persistence and increasing tolerance of plants to stress factors.

Wedding portrait of Adolf Wolff and Eva Nathan with guests; Berlin, Germany.

Back row against wall, left to right: Josef Molling, Margaret Molling nee Benjamin, Werner Wolff, Miss Hermann (called "Ferna", Peter Molling's governess), " Selma" (partially hidden, Anna Marianne/Berthold Nathan's cook), "Lisbeth" (Anna Marianne/Berthold's maid), Ilse Joachim, Ernst Joachim, Annemarie Nathan (3rd wife of Julius Nathan), Julius Nathan (brother of Berthold Nathan), Ernst Kallmes (son of Ceilchen nee Wolff, Helene's sister). Very tall against the wall: Max Benjamin (son of Helene). Third row, left to right: Mathilde Kaufmann nee Benjamin, Adolf Molling, Paul Nathan (son of Anna Marianne/Berthold), Marianne Rasmussen (daughter of Waldemar), Hildegard Weinberger (friend of bride), Herta Albrecht (friend of bride), Dr. Franz Gruenberg (friend of groom), Leonie Wolff nee Simon (wife of Werner Wolff), Lina Molling nee Marx (wife of Richard), Waldemar Benjamin-Rasmussen (son of Helene/David), Luzi's Husband, Minka Bernard nee Nathan (sister of Berthold Nathan), Richard Molling (brother of Claerchen), Albert Wolff (brothter of Moritz Wolff). Second row, seated, left to right: Helene Benjamin nee Wolff, Berthold Nathan, Anna Marianne Nathan nee Benjamin, bride Eva Wolff nee Nathan, groom Adolf Wolff, Claerchen Wolff nee Molling, Moritz Wolff, standing Luzi Rasmussen nee Gruen (wife of Waldemar). Front row, children on floor, left to right: Peter Molling, Elizabeth Benjamin-Rasmussen mar. Engel, Louis Peter Wolff, Helmut Benjamin Rasmussen (became Henry)

Studio portrait of Gretel Heimann (on right) with her sister Anna Portraits Children

Digital Image

Studio portrait of Nanny Stern (Oberglen) at eighty-four years old; Frankfurt.

Grandmother of Fred Herz; Born 27 September 1845, died 9 May 1929