64,385 research outputs found
Interview with Norma Shaver
No full textNorma Shaver left her job at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina Hanes, Inc. plant to join the US Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps (W.A.A.C.s) in 1943. Hanes, Inc. had been classified as a defense industry that was eventually recognized for supplying men's underwear to the Army during WWII. Shaver attended boot camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia then training as a Financial Clerk for the US Army. Shaver was stationed in Long Island, New York, Manila, Philippines, and Brisbane, Australia. While stationed in New Guinea during WWII she served as a clerk within General Douglas McArthur's private home. Her duties included answering letters from civilians about their friends, sons, and other family members. Shaver was discharged from the WAAC at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After the war Shaver used her educational benefit to earn her pilots license
Controlled radical polymerization of vinyl acetate mediated by a vanadium complex
No full textInitiation of the polymerization of vinyl acetate with azobis(isobutyronitrile) in the presence of a vanadium bis(iminopyridine) complex generates vanadium-capped dormant polymer chains with excellent correlation between molecular weight and conversion and good molecular weight distributions.</p
Validation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Power Behavioural System Scale
No full textThe power behavioural system is a neurobehavioral system that motivates a person to acquire and control resources that are important for survival and reproductive success. When activated, its function is to protect or restore the sense of power, influence, or dominance. Repeated experiences of failure in achieving this goal may result in hyperactivation or deactivation of power-oriented behaviours (analogous to the secondary strategies observed with respect to the attachment behavioural system). Gaining a reliable and valid measure of hyperactivation and deactivation of the power system can be important for understanding an individual’s responses to different social contexts and, in clinical settings, can help the therapist identify the client’s difficulties that may undermine the therapeutic process. In the present study, we developed the Italian version of the Power Behavioural System Scale (PBSS), a self-report measure developed by Shaver et al. (2011) to assess individual differences in hyperactivation and deactivation of the power system. Results indicated an adequate fit to the expected two-factor model, and the measure proved to be reliable and had good convergent and structural validity, allowing the quantification of individual differences in power system hyperactivation and deactivation
The contribution of caregiving orientations to volunteering-related motives, costs, and benefits
No full textIn four studies, we adopted a behavioral system approach to understanding prosocial behavior and examined the contribution of caregiving orientations (hyperactivation, deactivation) to various aspects of volunteerism. In Studies 1 and 2, conducted in Italy, we assessed engagement in volunteer activities and motives for volunteering. In Studies 3 and 4, conducted in Israel, we assessed compassion fatigue and changes in life satisfaction and meaning following sustained volunteer service. Caregiving deactivation was associated with less engagement in volunteer activities and more compassion fatigue. Caregiving hyperactivation was also associated with compassion fatigue, but accompanied by heightened engagement and motivation for volunteering, as well as volunteering-related increases in life satisfaction and meaning. The findings were discussed from a behavioral system perspective
Civic and moral disangagement, weak personal beliefs and unhappiness: A survey study of the "famiglia lunga" phenomenon in Italy
No full textIn Italy, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been lengthening. There is disagreement about whether this is a healthy adaptation to current socioeconomic conditions or a sign of excessive dependency and insecure anxious attachment (Flett, Endler, & Besser, 2009; Maione & Franceschini, 1999; Scabini & Cigoli, 1997; Scabini & Marta, 1996). We report a study of 1570 Italian undergraduates at the University of Padova, exploring relations between: living choice; attachment style; religious, spiritual, and personal beliefs; civic and moral disengagement; and perceived happiness. Living on one’s own was associated with avoidant or secure attachment, being more engaged in society, and stronger personal and spiritual beliefs. Living both with parents and in other living conditions was associated with anxious attachment, weaker personal beliefs but stronger religious beliefs, greater civic and moral disengagement, and greater unhappiness. Regardless of living arrangements, anxious attachment was related to civic and moral disengagement, weaker personal beliefs, and greater unhappiness. Insecure avoidant attachment was related to civic and moral disengagement and weaker religious and spiritual beliefs
Phosphorous three ways: polymers, monomers, and catalysts
No full textThe existence of numerous phosphorus containing functional groups gives phosphorus
chemistry its enormous breadth. The range of functional groups stems from
phosphorus’ ability to vary its coordination and valance. Phosphorus containing
compounds have shown applications in agriculture, biological systems and chemical
warfare.
High refractive index polymers are used in lenses, fingerprint recognition and optical
coatings. However, often these devices rely on to the materials available. Phosphorus
rich polymers have shown promise due to the high level of polarisability. A range of
poly(phosphate ester)s and polyphosphonates have been synthesised and their thermal
and optical properties tested. Some of the samples prepared boast the highest refractive
indices for these types of compounds.
Polymers synthesised via a polycondensation mechanism usually possess a high
dispersity, one way to introduce control is via a ring opening polymerisation (ROP).
Novel aromatic phosphonate monomers have been prepared and attempted to
polymerise. Monomer, catalyst and copolymerisation scope for aliphatic phosphonate
ROP has also been explored.
Organocatalysts are becoming increasingly popular in ring opening polymerisation
literature, one of the most popular organocatalysts is triazabicyclodecene (TBD). TBD
is a dual activating catalyst as it activates both the initiator and monomer via a basic
and acidic moiety respectively. Phosphates also have dual activating substituents. A
range of aromatic phosphates have been successfully synthesised with varying electron
withdrawing/ donating groups. These catalysts were then screened against the
polymerisation of β-butyrolactone and their catalytic activity investigated
The Caregiving System Scale: Factor Structure, Gender Invariance, and the Contribution of Attachment Orientations
No full textAccording to attachment theory, the propensity of human beings to care for others is governed by an inborn caregiving behavioral system that aims to promote welfare and reduce the distress of other people through effective provision of care. However, some individuals may develop non-optimal caregiving strategies, such as anxious hyperactivation and avoidant deactivation. These two non-optimal caregiving strategies can be evaluated in adults using the Caregiving System Scale (CSS). Recent findings suggested that the factor structure of the instrument may be more complex than was intended. The present work examines in-depth the factor structure of the CSS to provide a clearer understanding of the underlying dimensions. Gender invariance and the contribution of attachment orientations to CSS scores are also examined. Findings reveal that, whereas the CSS-deactivation subscale is unidimensional, the CSS-hyperactivation subscale is better represented by two distinct yet related constructs—caregiving-related worries/doubts and intrusive/coercive caregiving. Partial strict gender invariance is supported. The contribution of attachment orientations to non-optimal caregiving strategies is consistent with theoretical expectations. Results and future research directions are discussed in the final section
Ring-opening polymerisation of 1,3-Dioxolan-4-ones
No full textPolyesters have been realised as a viable replacement for slow or non-degrading petroleum
derived polymers. A variety of aliphatic polyesters, e.g. poly(lactic acid), have received a lot
of attention because they are produced from renewable feedstocks and have the ability to
biodegrade and bioassimilate. Poly(lactic acid)’s broader family, poly(α-hydroxy acid)s, have
been produced with a wide variety of properties, that has given polyesters the potential for a
more diverse range of applications. However, their synthesis has proven difficult. This thesis
investigates a family of 1,3-dioxolan-4-ones as a monomer source to ease difficulties in current
synthetic routes.
Polymerisation of the parent 1,3-dixoxolan-4-one was tested. The copolymerisation of Llactide
and 1,3-dioxolan-4-one was conducted with various monomer feedstocks. Ringopening
polymerisation of 1,3-dioxolan-4-one led to the formation of paraformaldehyde as a
polymerisation by-product. The copolymerisation was found to be best controlled when using
a coordination-insertion type catalyst. 1,3-dioxolan-4-one was also copolymerised with ε-
caprolactone and β-butyrolactone to produce copolymers with various compositions.
The formation of poly(lactic acid) and poly(mandelic acid) from 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-
4-one and 5-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one was investigated. Poly(lactic acid) and poly(mandelic
acid) were synthesised with either isotactic or atactic tacticities. Molecular weights were found
to be lower than the expected values. A variety of MeAl(salen) catalysts were explored for the
polymerisation of 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one and catalysts ligated with tertiary-butyl
substituted salens were found to have higher rates of polymerisation and reached high
conversions. Altering the diimine bridge in the ligand led to variations in rates of
polymerisation and molecular weights. The cause of the decrease in molecular weight was
found to be caused by a side reaction. The side reaction was bypassed by polymerising 2,2,5-
trimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one and 2,2-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one to form
poly(lactic acid) and poly(mandelic acid), respectively, with the expulsion of acetone.
The scope of 1,3-dioxolan-4-ones capable of being polymerised to form poly(α-hydroxy
acid)s was expanded to include iso-propyl, cyclohexyl, normal-butyl, iso-butyl, propargyl,
chloromethyl and benzyloxymethyl substituents at the five position. The glass transition
temperatures accessible from this synthetic route was expanded (22-105 °C). Kinetic
experiments revealed the impact of the substituents steric bulk on the rate of polymerisation
and points toward a coordination-insertion mechanism. Poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) was
copolymerised with 5-propargyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-one to incorporate alkynyl functionality and
hence Raman spectroscopy showed the polymer had a distinct peak at 2128 cm-1. Following
post-polymerisation modification of poly(lactic acid-co-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanoic acid)
copolymers, acrylate functionalised polymers were produced. The copolymers were shown to
be capable of crosslinking poly(α-hydroxy acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate)
A Retrospective Review of Arthroscopic Shaver Utilization in Adolescent Gynecomastia
No full textBackground:. This study compares the arthroscopic shaver and liposuction with other established methods for treatment of adolescent gynecomastia.
Methods:. Surgical management was via four operative techniques: open excision, open excision/liposuction, arthroscopic shaver/liposuction, or open excision and free nipple graft. Data were collected and compared using independent t tests, linear regression models, and one-way analysis of variance.
Results:. Patients were stratified by Rohrich grades I -II (low) (N = 47) or III -IV (high) (N = 13). The groups were similar in age (P = 0.662) with lower BMI in the low-grade group (x̄ = 25.36 ± 2.1) vs. high-grade group (x̄ = 27.62 ± 4.0; P < 0.001). The low-grade group showed no significant difference in operative time across surgical techniques with decreased mean operative time in the high-grade group using the arthroscopic shaver technique (x̄ = 55.8 ± 7.56) compared with open excision (x̄ = 70.83 ± 11.02, P = 0.04), open excision plus liposuction (x̄ = 89.5 ± 24.93, P = 24.93), and open excision plus free nipple graft (x̄ = 81.67 ± 19.11, P = 0.05). There was no significant difference in complication (P = 0.84) or reoperation (P = 0.68) rates across surgical techniques regardless of grade.
Conclusions:. These findings suggest that the arthroscopic shaver is safe and effective for treatment of both low- and high-grade gynecomastia in adolescents. The results yielded a similar incidence of complications and reoperation across surgical techniques, and the arthroscopic shaver approach demonstrated a shorter operative time compared with other techniques for high-grade gynecomastia
Evolutionary personality psychology
No full textThe field of psychology historically has been split between those who focus on human nature or species-typical characteristics and those who focus on the major ways in which individuals differ. This split is reflected within personality psychology, within evolutionary psychology, and within the broader field of psychology writ large. Evolutionary personality psychology provides a unifying framework within which both important approaches—individual differences and species-typical characteristics—can be integrated successfully. We argue that evolutionary psychology cannot ignore important individual differences because they are omnipresent, somewhat stable over time, show moderate heritability, and have known empirical links to components of functioning that recurrently contribute to reproductive fitness. At the same time, the field of personality psychology cannot afford to ignore evolutionary psychology: It provides the only cogent metatheory for the broader field of psychology and provides a powerful set of conceptual tools, such as life-history theory and evolutionary genetics, for transforming personality psychology into an explanatory rather than merely descriptive science
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