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Women with Alcohol use disorder (AUD) are more likely than men to have co-occurring depression, drink to cope with negative affect (NA), and cite negative affect as a contributor to relapse. Among AUD treatment seekers, low behavioral activation, NA, and reduced self-efficacy in abstaining from alcohol (e.g., in tempting situations) are relapse risk factors. This study investigated the association between behavioral activation, affective states, and self-efficacy among treatment-seeking women. Participants were 70 women (M = 40.50, SD = 11.59 years of age) with elevated depressive symptoms seeking AUD treatment. The Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) was used to assess environmental engagement. The Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy (AASE) scale was used to assess temptation to drink in contexts of positive and negative affect, and general positive and negative affect were assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Results indicated that behavioral activation was directly correlated with positive affect (PA; r = .62, p < .001) and inversely correlated with depression (r = -.35, p = .004), negative affect (r = -.39, p = .001), and temptation to drink in the context of negative affect (r = -.33, p = .006). After controlling for depressive symptoms, behavioral activation continued to be associated with greater general positive affect (β = .595, p < .001) and lower temptation to drink in the context of negative affect (β = -.348 p = .008). Our results suggest a nuanced association between behavioral activation, negative affect, and temptations to drink that is not accounted by depressive symptoms. Self-efficacy to abstain from drinking in a negative affect context should be considered when designing AUD interventions for women. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high among sexual minority men (SMM). A large body of research has explored determinants of HIV/STI risk behavior, but few studies have explored emotional consequences of these events. Understanding the valence, timing, and strength of emotional reactions to sexual risk could inform use of specific behavior change techniques in interventions (such as anticipated regret) and identify new opportunities for intervention, including just-in-time interventions. We analyzed data from an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study of 100 HIV-negative/unknown-status SMM to understand patterns of positive affect, negative affect, shame, and stress in the 24 hours after sex. Mixed-effects models showed that the probability of negative affect was higher in the hours following condomless anal sex (CAS) with high-risk partners during which SMM reported being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (A/D involved CAS), versus all other types of sex events (

Early recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) is commonly associated with high levels of negative affect, stress, and emotional vulnerability, which confer significant relapse risk. Emotion differentiation-the ability to distinguish between discrete emotions-has been shown to predict relapse after treatment for a drug use disorder, but this relationship has not been explored in individuals recovering from AUD.The current study used thrice daily random and up to thrice daily self-initiated ecological momentary assessment surveys (N = 42, observations = 915) to examine whether 1) moments of high affective arousal are characterized by momentary differences in emotion differentiation among individuals in the first year of a current AUD recovery attempt, and 2) individuals' average emotion differentiation would predict subsequent alcohol use measured by the timeline follow-back over a 3-month follow-up period.Multilevel models showed that moments (Level 1) of higher-than-average negative affect (p 0.001) and/or stress (p = 0.033) were characterized by less negative emotion differentiation, while moments of higher-than-average positive affect were characterized by greater positive emotion differentiation (p 0.001). At the between-person level (Level 2), participants with higher stress overall had lower negative emotion differentiation (p = 0.009). Linear regression showed that average negative, but not positive, emotion differentiation was inversely associated with percent drinking days over the subsequent 3-month follow-up period (p = 0.042). Neither form of average emotion differentiation was associated with drinking quantity.We found that for individuals in early AUD recovery, affective states are associated with acute shifts in the capacity for emotion differentiation. Further, we found that average negative emotion differentiation prospectively predicts subsequent alcohol use.

This study builds upon research indicating that focusing narrowly on model fit when evaluating factor analytic models can lead to problematic inferences regarding the nature of item sets, as well as how models should be applied to inform measure development and validation. To advance research in this area, we present concrete examples relevant to researchers in clinical, personality, and related subfields highlighting two specific scenarios when an overreliance on model fit may be problematic. Specifically, we present data analytic examples showing that focusing narrowly on model fit may lead to (a) incorrect conclusions that heterogeneous item sets reflect narrower homogeneous constructs and (b) the retention of potentially problematic items when developing assessment measures. We use both interview data from adult outpatients (

OBJECTIVE: Although stress is a well-known predictor of alcohol use lapses among individuals seeking recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), most research has relied on retrospective self-report using conventional questionnaires that explore stress effects at the level of the mean. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) overcomes many of the shortcomings of questionnaire-based, retrospective self-report by using real-time, in-the-environment evaluations for the acquisition of ecologically valid data that can also capture stress variability. The present investigation used EMA to disentangle stress effects on alcohol lapses among individuals in the first year of an AUD recovery attempt by exploring associations between mean-level stress, stress variability, and subsequent alcohol use. METHOD: Participants (N = 42) completed 6 days of EMA monitoring and were then followed up 90 days later to assess alcohol use. Putative associations were explored using hierarchical regression controlling for demographic factors and pre-baseline alcohol use, with percentage days abstinent from alcohol at follow-up as the outcome variable. RESULTS: An interaction effect was observed such that the combination of high mean stress level and high stress variability was associated with the lowest percentage of days abstinent. For those with high mean stress levels, this relationship was attenuated as stress variability decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support previous research linking stress to alcohol use lapses; however, these results indicate that the stress/alcohol use relationship is more nuanced than previously described. Our findings suggest that stress variability should also be considered in clinical contexts when assessing risk conferred by mean-level stress.

Difficulty regulating substance use is a core feature of addiction that can manifest as unplanned use. This study sought to identify internal and situational influences on unplanned marijuana use among youth ages 15 to 24 years (N = 85; 48% female; 27% age

Research suggests that virtual reality (VR) experiences can be helpful as adjunctive tools in psychotherapy for some mental health conditions. VR is a computer-generated experience that produces a feeling of being immersed in a different environment. VR experiences could be useful in the treatment of substance use disorders, and several are currently being tested. However, few psychotherapists report using VR experiences in their practices, even when doing so is well-supported. Understanding key barriers and concerns about using VR among drug/alcohol counselors is important to ultimately encouraging adoption.Licensed counselors (Most clinicians (82%) believed they would be likely to use a VR experience in drug/alcohol counseling, and 81% believed it would be appropriate for most of their clients. A minority (19%) noted important concerns, including that their clients may be skeptical of it (15%), cost (14%), and space (10%). Those who had cost and space concerns were less likely to report high use intentions (Findings suggest that addictions counselors are eager to use VR, but key barriers should be addressed. VR developers should incorporate features to encourage trust among users, design experiences for small spaces, and explore ways of supporting the purchase of VR systems for counselors.

International audience; The kinetics of the electrochemical lithium intercalation in the nitridonickelate Li x Ni 0.67 N (1.67 ≤ x ≤ 2.17) is investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy during a full reduction-oxidation cycle in a two-electrode cell. The layered structure of this anode material delivers a reversible and stable specific capacity of 200 mAh g-1 over 100 cycles at C/10 near 0.5 V vs Li + /Li. The equivalent electric circuit simulation allows a full assignment of the impedance spectra, with different contributions including the SEI layers on each electrode, charge transfer and Li diffusion. The calculated lithium diffusion coefficient value of approximately 5×10 −9 cm 2 s −1 almost does not vary with the lithium content in Li x Ni 0.67 N (1.67 ≤ x ≤ 2.17). Conversely, the charge transfer resistance (R ct) is found to strongly depend on the depth of reduction to be maximum for the fully reduced electrode, with a totally reversible behavior during oxidation. The overall impedance of the cell remains stable upon long cycling, which indicates a good chemical stability of the SEI on Li x Ni 0.67 N as well as 2 remarkable structural and chemical stability of the nitridonickelate upon cycles. The present kinetic findings shed light on the remarkable "zero-strain" behavior of this negative electrode material presenting numerous Li vacancies.

Highlights • More than 80% of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) report shoulder instability that affects daily life. • Despite this, only 44.4% engaged with exercises that target the upper body. • There is a lack of evidence to inform upper limb FSHD rehabilitation exercises. • Patients with FSHD support the need for further research in upper limb exercises., Objective To identify (1) what exercise modalities people living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) are undertaking in the community as a part of their ongoing rehabilitation and (2) what future research projects would gain the support of people with FSHD. Design An online questionnaire composed of open and closed questions. Conventional content analysis was used for open questions, and quantitative analysis was used for closed questions. Setting Online questionnaire distributed to a United Kingdom FSHD registry. Participants A total of 232 patients on the United Kingdom FSHD registry (N=232). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures None. Results A response rate of 43.6% was achieved with 232 of 532 patients completing the survey. Despite 85.8% (n=199) of patients experiencing shoulder instability that affects daily living, only 44.4% (n=103) engaged with exercises targeting the upper body. The themes from the data were understanding of disease mechanism shaping exercise choice, lack of understanding about the condition and the benefit of exercise, support from professionals, barriers to exercise, and thoughts about future research. Participants (92.2%, n=214) agreed additional research into upper limb exercises is needed and felt a 3-month arm cycling intervention with monthly clinical visits and magnetic resonance imaging would be appropriate. Conclusions Exercise selection was variable among patients with FSHD, and lack of information, pain, fatigue, availability and access to facilities, cost, and time were identified as barriers to exercise. This may account for the limited engagement with upper limb rehabilitation despite the high percentage of shoulder instability in patients with FSHD. Further research is needed to develop evidence-based exercise interventions, and guidance for upper limb exercise prescription in FSHD, and patients are supportive of this.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol craving is common among adolescents, stronger among those with more alcohol-related problems, and predicts drinking levels in their daily lives. Yet, the conditions that predict momentary changes in craving in real time among adolescents remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study examined interactive effects of momentary risk-taking propensity and affect on adolescents’ alcohol craving by leveraging ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods. METHODS: Participants were 29 adolescents ages 15-19 years (55% female; 69% White; 10% Black; 17% Hispanic); 45% met criteria for alcohol dependence. Following a laboratory session that captured self-report and behavioral assessments, including the well-established Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART: Lejuez et al., 2002), participants completed multiple daily assessments of alcohol craving, positive and negative affect, and risk propensity for approximately one week. Momentary risk propensity was captured in real-world settings via an EMA behavioral task (“Balloon Game”). RESULTS: Mixed-effects models with EMA reports (Level 1) nested within participants (Level 2) revealed the majority (74%) of variability in “Balloon Game” performance was due to within-person, momentary, fluctuations. Greater momentary positive affect predicted increased alcohol craving, but only when participants exhibited heightened risk-taking propensity. Negative affect did not influence the relation between momentary risk-taking and craving. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: Momentary fluctuations in positive affect predicted acute increases in craving but only in moments when adolescents demonstrated higher levels of risk-taking propensity, as captured with an EMA-delivered behavioral task. Momentary risk-taking assessments offer new avenues to substantiate dominant theories on the driving mechanisms of craving and alcohol use among adolescents.

Theories of addiction posit that stimuli associated with drug use, including both exteroceptive (e.g., paraphernalia) and interoceptive (e.g., feeling tense or stressed), evoke craving and contribute to the pathogenesis of substance misuse. Control over drug cue response and stress is essential for moderating use. Building from laboratory data supporting associations between cue exposure, stress, and craving, this study tested whether these associations generalize to real-world settings and examined whether a well-vetted neurocognitive control capacity (i.e., working memory, or WM) moderated associations. Youths ( N = 85; 15–24 years old) completed baseline and ecological momentary assessments. Cue exposure and participants’ average stress predicted higher craving. Youths with weaker WM experienced stronger craving at higher-stress moments but not when faced with cues. Interactions were present for both previous-moment and same-moment stress. Craving among adolescents with stronger WM was not swayed by momentary stress. Findings suggest that stronger WM protects against craving at more stressful moments.

Attentional bias (AB) is an individual difference risk factor that represents the extent to which cigarette cues capture one's attention. AB is typically indexed by mean bias score (MBS), theoretically assuming that AB is static. However, poor reliability of MBS has threatened valid interpretation of the results on AB. Based on observed trial-by-trial temporal fluctuation and variability of attentional allocation, trial-level bias score (TLBS) has been introduced as an alternative index with evidence of better psychometric properties in various populations, as compared to MBS. However, such evidence is limited among daily smokers. The current study aimed to replicate and extend extant findings in a sample of daily smokers by hypothesizing that TLBS, as compared to MBS, would demonstrate superior reliability and external validity.Forty-eight daily smokers completed self-reports, ad-libitum smoking, and a dot-probe task three times, which was comprised of 36 pairs of pictorial stimuli of cigarette and neutral cues, yielding 144 total trials.The TLBS demonstrated superior internal (range intra class correlation [ICC] = 0.79-0.95) and test-retest reliability (range ICC = 0.64-0.88) compared to MBS (range ICC = 0.31-0.40 and 0.06-0.16, respectively). However, few significant relations between either the MBS or TLBS and measures of biobehavioral and self-report indices of smoking reinforcement were observed.The current findings demonstrate that TLBS, as compared to MBS, is a more reliable measure of AB among daily smokers, while evidence of its external validity is limited.

Despite being multifaceted in nature, positive emotional (PE) experiences often are studied using only global PE ratings, and measures assessing more specific PE facets do not converge in their assessment approaches. To address these issues, we examined hierarchical factor structures of ratings of positive emotionality, which reflect propensities toward experiencing PE, in both online community adult (N = 375) and undergraduate (N = 447) samples. Preregistered analyses indicated (a) a broad distinction between tendencies to experience social affection and other PE types, and that (b) PE ratings can be differentiated by as many as four replicable factors of Joviality, Social Affection, Serenity, and Attentiveness. These PE dimensions were associated with distinct personality and psychopathology profiles. Examples of these distinctive associations included Joviality displaying robust positive associations with grandiosity and exhibitionism; conversely, although Social Affection and Joviality were strongly correlated, Social Affection showed associations in the opposite direction with grandiosity and exhibitionism. Other notable results include Serenity (e.g., feeling relaxed) showing negative associations with negative emotionality at a magnitude indicating that Serenity may reflect low levels of negative emotionality to a considerable degree. Collectively, these results highlight the need to consider distinct PE facets in addition to global PE ratings when assessing PE, as important nuance may be lost otherwise. Furthermore, our results indicate the need for additional research clarifying PE structure at different levels of abstraction to inform future measure development efforts and assessment approaches. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

This study builds upon research indicating that focusing narrowly on model fit when evaluating factor analytic models can lead to problematic inferences regarding the nature of item sets, as well as how models should be applied to inform measure development and validation. To advance research in this area, we present concrete examples relevant to researchers in clinical, personality, and related subfields highlighting two specific scenarios when an overreliance on model fit may be problematic. Specifically, we present data analytic examples showing that focusing narrowly on model fit may lead to (a) incorrect conclusions that heterogeneous item sets reflect narrower homogeneous constructs and (b) the retention of potentially problematic items when developing assessment measures. We use both interview data from adult outpatients (N = 2,149) and self-report data from adults recruited online (N = 547) to demonstrate the importance of these issues across sample types and assessment methods. Following demonstrations with these data, we make recommendations focusing on how other model characteristics (e.g., factor loading patterns; carefully considering the content and nature of factor indicators) should be considered in addition to information provided by model fit indices when evaluating factor analytic models.

The goals of individuals seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are typically quantified as abstinent or nonabstinent (e.g., moderate drinking) goals. However, treatment goals can vary over time and be influenced by life circumstances. This study aims to identify predictors of treatment goal change and direction of change from baseline to six-month follow-up among individuals seeking treatment for AUD.This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Relapse Replication and Extension Project. The study included participants who completed assessments at baseline and six-month follow-up in the analysis (n = 441). We used decision trees to examine 111 potential predictors of treatment goal change. The study cross-validated results using random forests. The team examined changes in goal between baseline and follow-up (Decision Tree 1) and quantified them as being toward or away from a complete abstinence goal (Decision Tree 2).Nearly 50 % of the sample changed their treatment goal from baseline to 6 months, and 68.7 % changed from a nonabstinence goal toward a complete abstinence goal. The study identified seven unique predictors of goal change. The most common predictors of changing a treatment goal were number of recent treatment sessions prior to enrolling in the study, other substance use, negative affect, anxiety, social support, and baseline drinks per drinking day. Participants with a greater number of recent treatment sessions and who sought social support were most likely to change their goal. Additionally, individuals with more substance use tended to change away from complete abstinence goals. Cross-validation supported baseline drinks per drinking day, social support, baseline maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC), lifetime tobacco use, baseline average BAC, lifetime cocaine use, Inventory of Drinking Situations total score, and Situational Confidence Questionnaire average score as important predictors.This study identified seven unique predictors of treatment goal change while in AUD treatment. Prior treatment, drinking to cope, and social support were most associated with goal changes. This information can inform providers who seek to understand factors associated with treatment goal selection and changes in goals during treatment.

Despite being multifaceted in nature, positive emotional (PE) experiences often are studied using only global PE ratings, and measures assessing more specific PE facets do not converge in their assessment approaches. To address these issues, we examined hierarchical factor structures of ratings of positive emotionality, which reflect propensities toward experiencing PE, in both online community adult (N = 375) and undergraduate (N = 447) samples. Preregistered analyses indicated (a) a broad distinction between tendencies to experience social affection and other PE types, and that (b) PE ratings can be differentiated by as many as four replicable factors of Joviality, Social Affection, Serenity, and Attentiveness. These PE dimensions were associated with distinct personality and psychopathology profiles. Examples of these distinctive associations included Joviality displaying robust positive associations with grandiosity and exhibitionism; conversely, although Social Affection and Joviality were strongly correlated, Social Affection showed associations in the opposite direction with grandiosity and exhibitionism. Other notable results include Serenity (e.g., feeling relaxed) showing negative associations with negative emotionality at a magnitude indicating that Serenity may reflect low levels of negative emotionality to a considerable degree. Collectively, these results highlight the need to consider distinct PE facets in addition to global PE ratings when assessing PE, as important nuance may be lost otherwise. Furthermore, our results indicate the need for additional research clarifying PE structure at different levels of abstraction to inform future measure development efforts and assessment approaches.

Purpose: The study aims to identify exercise programmes used by Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) patients in the community, along with barriers and perceptions. Methods: A web based survey, distributed to patients on the UK FSHD registry, and focus groups were conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted on answers to survey questions supported by focus group notes, from seven FSHD patients. Results: A response rate of 43.6% was achieved with 232 out of 532 patients completing the survey. Only 44.4% engaged with exercises targeting the upper body. The themes from the data were: 1) Understanding of disease mechanism shaping exercise choice 2) Lack of understanding about the condition and how exercise interacts with it 3) Support from professionals 4) Barriers to exercise and 5) Thoughts about future research. Conclusion: Exercise selection was variable amongst FSHD patients. Lack of information, pain, fatigue, availability and access to facilities, cost and time were identified as barriers to exercise. Participants (92.2%) agreed additional research into upper limb exercises is needed and felt a 3-month arm cycling intervention with monthly clinical visits and MRI imaging would be appropriate. Further research is needed to develop evidence based exercise interventions and guidance for upper limb exercise prescription in FSHD.

Flour beetles of the genus Palorus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are important secondary storage pests. Correct identification of these insects is urgently required for integrated pest management. However, traditional morphological classification methods cannot identify insect fragments or immature stages and require skilled taxonomists with training and experience. In this study, three Palorus species were distinguished with two molecular techniques; DNA barcoding and species-specific PCR based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Forty-nine individuals of Palorus subdepressus (Wollaston), Palorus ratzeburgi (Wissman) and Palorus cerylonoides (Pascoe) were collected from 19 different locations across rice processing factory, feed factory, flour mill and bulk storages China. The COI sequences were analyzed by K2P distances and neighbor-joining (NJ) tree for DNA barcoding. The results show that these three Palorus species can be successfully identified by DNA barcoding. For the species-specific PCR study, we designed specificity primer pairs for the three Palorus species and evaluated their sensitivity. The results showed that the three Palorus species can be identified by the species-specific PCR method. Our results indicated that the two techniques can be independently used to identify the Palorus species in China for integrated pest management and quarantine. This is the first time Palorus species have been identified using two molecular techniques and the P. ratzeburgi and P. cerylonoides data have filled a gap in BOLD and GenBank.

RATIONALE: Coping with negative affect is central to several prominent etiological models of alcohol use. These models posit that alcohol use becomes negatively reinforced due to its ability to alleviate negative affect. However, there have been mixed findings when testing this association at the event-level. OBJECTIVES: The current experience sampling study sought to clarify this by testing if 1) within-person changes in the perceived difficulty of managing emotional distress is a significant predictor of alcohol consumption, over and above levels negative and positive affect and 2) whether acute changes in affective experiences give rise to increased attentional bias toward alcohol-related cues in the environment and if attentional bias mediates the association between difficulty managing emotions and alcohol consumption. Participants were 92 college students aged 18–25, who drink alcohol at least moderately. METHODS: Participants completed 28-days of experiencing sampling measures on their mood, difficulty managing emotions, alcohol-related attentional biases, and drinking. RESULTS: Findings showed that neither negative affect nor difficult managing emotions had significant effects on alcohol use. However, positive affect exhibited the expected associations with both attentional biases and drinking. State positive affect predicted acute increases in attentional biases and drinking, whereas trait positive affect was inversely associated with trait attentional biases and alcohol use. Alcohol-related attentional biases exhibited significant within-person variance; however, its relationship with drinking was only significant when the constructs were assessed concurrently at night and did not mediate the relationship between affect and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of positive affect in this population.

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a screening measure for bipolar disorder, previously found to comprise separate Positive and Negative Activation subscales. We sought to replicate these factors and examine their associations with a range of psychopathology. To further explicate the nature of Negative Activation, we examined associations with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, a measure of emotion dysregulation. The sample consisted of 1,787 participants from an outpatient treatment facility. Confirmatory factor analysis replicated the existence of Positive and Negative Activation subscales. Logistic regressions, as hypothesized, found that Positive Activation was positively associated only with bipolar disorder, while Negative Activation was associated with almost all disorders. The Impulse and Goals subscales of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale were uniquely associated with Negative Activation, suggesting it may specifically assess impulsive behavior in emotional situations. The findings suggest that it may be important to attend to both Mood Disorder Questionnaire subscales.

Data on incidence of resistance to phosphine over the last 20 years and factors associated with insect sample collection are stored in the Australian Grain Insect Resistance Database. The database was analysed using descriptive statistics, linear trend analysis and Bayesian hurdle modelling to gain insights into factors contributing to the development of strong resistance in Rhyzopertha dominica. Descriptive statistics indicated that strong resistance was significantly more common in central storages, particularly bunker storages, than on farms. Strong resistance in R. dominica was also associated with wheat, barley and sorghum but there was no significant link to any grain protectant or storage treatment chemical, other than phosphine. Highest frequency of strong resistance was found in northern New South Wales and no detections were made in Western Australia. In eastern Australia, trend analysis indicated that strong resistance detections increased steadily from the first detection in 1997 to about 8% of samples containing resistant insects in 2014. Weak resistance was detected in about 10% of samples in eastern Australia in the early 1990s but this increased rapidly to 40–50% by 1990, at the same time that industry use of phosphine greatly increased, and then to about 80% in 1995. Strong resistance was first detected in this species when weak resistance was diagnosed in close to 80% of population samples. The Bayesian hurdle model identified bunkers, silos and unsealed storages as being associated with development of strong resistance and sheds with a lower frequency. This model also identified an accelerated increase in resistance frequency of strong resistance from 2011 to present. The information gained from this analysis is being used to inform current and future management of resistance to phosphine.

Fungal derived phytohormones play a key role in regulating plant-pathogen interactions however deciphering the separate contribution of the pathogen from the plant during infection has been difficult. Here the Ustilago maydis-Zea mays pathosystem was used to investigate this chemical exchange. U. maydis, the causative agent of corn smut, produces cytokinins (CK) which are a group of phytohormones responsible for directing plant development. The characteristic symptom of smut disease is the formation of tumours composed of plant and fungal tissue. Isopentenyltransferase (IPT) catalyzes the rate limiting step in CK biosynthesis and U. maydis strains in which the sole tRNA-ipt gene was deleted no longer produced CKs. These deletion strains elicit fewer, smaller tumours than SG200. High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI MS/MS) was used to detect and quantify phytohormone levels in infected tissue. This revealed that key hormone changes in SG200 infections were not present in deletion strains; suggesting that CK production by U. maydis is required for the altered phytohormone profile in infected tissue relative to uninfected tissue. Separate analyses indicated that U. maydis tRNA-ipt mutants may be altered in their ability to metabolize CKs taken up from the environment. Mining the U. maydis genome identified genes coding putative CK signaling and biosynthesis proteins. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In Australia, along with many other parts of the world, fumigation with phosphine is a vital component in controlling stored grain insect pests. However, resistance is a factor that may limit the continued efficacy of this fumigant. While strong resistance to phosphine has been identified and characterised, very little information is available on the causes of its development and spread. Data obtained from a unique national resistance monitoring and management program were analysed, using Bayesian hurdle modelling, to determine which factors may be responsible. Fumigation in unsealed storages, combined with a high frequency of weak resistance, were found to be the main criteria that led to the development of strong resistance in Sitophilus oryzae. Independent development, rather than gene flow via migration, appears to be primarily responsible for the geographic incidence of strong resistance to phosphine in S. oryzae. This information can now be utilised to direct resources and education into those areas at high risk and to refine phosphine resistance management strategies.

This study modelled associations between gender, ruminative cognitive style, alcohol use, and the time course of negative affect over the course of 43,111 random assessments in the natural environment. Participants (N = 263) completed 49 days of experience sampling over 1.3 years. The data indicated that rumination at baseline was positively associated with alcohol dependence symptoms at baseline as well as higher negative affect over the course of the study. Consistent with negative reinforcement models, drinking served to decrease the persistence of negative affect from moment to moment. However, this ameliorative effect of drinking was evident only among women, suggesting an increased risk for negative reinforcement driven drinking behaviour. In addition, rumination appeared to counteract the desired effects of alcohol on mood among women. This suggests that women who ruminate more may be motivated to consume larger amounts of alcohol to achieve the desired effects. Overall, the results indicate that ruminative cognitive style and the persistence of negative affect from moment to moment may reflect an individual vulnerability for the development of alcohol use disorder especially among women.

Effective pest management relies on accurate delimitation of species and, beyond this, on accurate species identification. Mitochondrial COI sequences are useful for providing initial indications in delimiting species but, despite acknowledged limitations in the method, many studies involving COI sequences and species problems remain unresolved. Here we illustrate how such impasses can be resolved with microsatellite and nuclear sequence data, to assess more directly the amount of gene flow between divergent lineages. We use a population genetics approach to test for random mating between two 8 ± 2% divergent COI lineages of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens). This species has become strongly resistant to phosphine, a fumigant used worldwide for disinfesting grain. The possibility of cryptic species would have significant consequences for resistance management, especially if resistance was confined to one mitochondrial lineage. We find no evidence of restricted gene flow or nonrandom mating across the two COI lineages of these beetles, rather we hypothesize that historic population structure associated with early Pleistocene climate changes likely contributed to divergent lineages within this species.

Fabrum Solutions and Callaghan Innovation have been developing large pulse tube cryocoolers based on Callaghan Innovation's diaphragm pressure wave generators (DPWGs). The pulse tube's lack of moving parts in combination with the DPWG's metal diaphragms produces a cost-effective, long-life, and robust cryocooler. The DPWG has had ten years of development, resulting in a series of DPWGs ranging in input powers from 0.5 to 30 kW that have been coupled to a variety of inline and coaxial pulse tubes. Two DPWGs have each had in excess of 7000 h running to date. A 330-cc DPWG was designed and manufactured to run with an inline pulse tube with a target refrigeration power of 330 W at 77 K. Absolut System carried out the pulse tube design, and manufacture was done by Fabrum Solutions, with integration and testing by Callaghan Innovation. Over 450 W of cooling power at 77 K was achieved from the cryocooler. A sealed condensation chamber was added to the cold head and connected to a Dewar via vacuum insulated lines for nitrogen liquefaction. Three such pulse tubes were combined on a single 1000-cc DPWG to produce over 1000 W at 77 K. This paper details the development of the PTC330 and PTC1000 cryocoolers from initial laboratory prototypes to commercial products, integrated into liquefiers and ready for use in applications such as liquid nitrogen production, reliquefaction of storage tank boiloff, or cooling of high-temperature superconductor applications.

Nitridocobaltates Li3-2xCoxN, with Li3N-type layered structure, are promising compounds as negative electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. In the present paper, we report the first detailed broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) study on lithiated transition metal nitrides. The ionic and electronic conductivities of Li3-2xCox□xN compounds (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.44) are investigated as a function of the concentration x of cobalt ions, cationic vacancies (□) and lithium ions. Dielectric and conductivity spectra were recorded within the frequency range of 60-1010 Hz from 200 to 300 K. Experimental results exhibit two types of electric conduction: the first one is due to lithium ion diffusion (for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) and the second one due to electronic transfers (for x ≥ 0.3). Furthermore, two percolation transitions are evidenced and associated with 3D ionic transfers (threshold at x ≈ 0.11) on the one hand and 2D electronic transfers (threshold at x ≈ 0.30) on the other hand. Upon increasing the frequency, dielectric relaxations appear from larger to smaller sample scales. These successive polarizations appear with increasing frequency in the following order: (a) sample/silver paint interface; (b) particles (aggregates of grains); (c) grains (crystallites); (d) local ionic and electronic motions within the grains. Evolutions of dielectric relaxation parameters (dielectric strength and relaxation frequency) with Co content confirm the two percolation transitions. Surprisingly, the grain conductivity has a large discontinuity immediately below the electronic percolation threshold where any local- and long-range ionic movement disappears without electronic transfer. This discontinuity would be due to a narrow transition from ionic to electronic conduction when x increases.

RATIONALE: Alcohol consumption in adolescents and emerging adults is a significant issue. However, our understanding of the topography of alcohol use within drinking episodes in this population is at a nascent stage. OBJECTIVES: This study characterized rate of alcohol consumption in the daily lives of problem drinkers ages 16–24 years (N = 75). We examined whether AUD symptoms and the presence of peers, factors relevant to alcohol consumption in youth, were associated with rate of consumption. METHODS: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was used (N(observations) = 799). Rate of consumption was defined as change in estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) relative to the start of the drinking episode. Piecewise multi-level modeling was used to test hypotheses. As a comparison, we examined whether indicators of quantity and frequency (Q-F) were associated with AUD symptoms and presence of peers. RESULTS: For all participants, eBAC increased sharply early in the episode, then plateaued. Participants with more AUD symptoms or who were in the presence of peers had significantly steeper increases in eBAC over the early part of the episode. Participants with more AUD symptoms were also more likely to engage in binge-like behavior. For Q-F, only peak eBAC and peak number of standard drinks were associated with AUD symptoms, and not presence of peers. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the value of rate of consumption as an indicator of use in youth, one sensitive to the influence of relevant person-level and situational factors. Intervention efforts may benefit from targeting the speed at which youth drink.

Background: First-year college students appear to be at particular risk for experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences. This risk has fostered a need to identify malleable factors associated with first-year student alcohol consumption. Studies have shown significant positive associations between perceived parental approval of drinking and alcohol use and associated consequences. However, researchers have not yet identified the exact mechanism responsible for this relationship.Objectives: This study examined a potential vehicle by which parents may communicate approval of drinking to their college aged children. Specifically, we tested if less parent communication about alcohol use would be perceived as tacit approval on the part of first-year college students.Methods: Two hundred seventy-nine first-year undergraduate students age 18–20 answered online surveys of perceived parental approval of drinking, negative alcohol-related consequences, perceived parental knowledge, and parent–student ...

Research on alcohol use depends heavily on the validity of self-reported drinking. The present paper presents data from 647 days of self-monitoring with a transdermal alcohol sensor by 60 young adults. We utilized a biochemical measure, transdermal alcohol assessment with the WrisTAS, to examine the convergent validity of three approaches to collecting daily self-report drinking data: experience sampling, daily morning reports of the previous night, and 1-week timeline follow-back (TLFB) assessments. We tested associations between three pharmacokinetic indices (peak concentration, area under the curve (AUC), and time to reach peak concentration) derived from the transdermal alcohol signal and within- and between- person variation in alcohol dependence symptoms. The WrisTAS data corroborated 85.74% of self-reported drinking days based on the experience sampling data. The TLFB assessment and combined experience sampling and morning reports agreed on 87.27% of drinking days. Drinks per drinking day did not vary as a function of wearing or not wearing the sensor; this indicates that participants provided consistent reports of their drinking regardless of biochemical verification. In respect to self-reported alcohol dependence symptoms, the AUC of the WrisTAS alcohol signal was associated with dependence symptoms at both the within- and between- person level. Furthermore, alcohol dependence symptoms at baseline predicted drinking episodes characterized in biochemical data by both higher peak alcohol concentration and faster time to reach peak concentration. The results support the validity of self-report alcohol data, provide empirical data useful for optimal design of daily process sampling, and provide an initial demonstration of the use of transdermal alcohol assessment to characterize drinking dynamics associated with risk for alcohol dependence.

A large data set of XAS (X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy) Manganese K-edge spectra has been collected operando and studied upon the electrochemical oxidation of the promising Li-ion battery anode material Li

This study tested a model linking sensitivity to punishment (SP) and reward (SR) to marijuana use and problems via affect lability and poor control. A 6-month prospective design was used in a sample of 2,270 young-adults (64% female). The hypothesized SP × SR interaction did not predict affect lability or poor control, but did predict use likelihood at baseline. At low levels of SR, SP was associated with an increased likelihood of abstaining, which was attenuated as SR increased. SP and SR displayed positive main effects on both affect lability and poor control. Affect lability and poor control, in turn, mediated effects on the marijuana outcomes. Poor control predicted both increased marijuana use and, controlling for use level, greater intensity of problems. Affect lability predicted greater intensity of problems, but was not associated with use level. There were few prospective effects. SR consistently predicted greater marijuana use and problems. SP however, exhibited both risk and protective pathways. Results indicate that SP is associated with a decreased likelihood of marijuana use. However, once use is initiated SP is associated with increased risk of problems, in part, due to its effects on both affect and behavioral dysregulation. (PsycINFO Database Record

We explored the utility of analyzing within- and between-balloon response patterns on a balloon analogue task (BAT) in relation to overall risk scores, and to a choice between a small guaranteed cash reward and an uncertain reward of the same expected value. Young adults (n = 61) played a BAT, and then were offered a choice between $5 in cash and betting to win $0 to $15. Between groups, pumping was differentially influenced by explosions and by the number of successive unexploded balloons, with risk takers responding increasingly on successive balloons after an explosion. Within-balloons, risk takers showed a characteristic pattern of constant high rate, while non-risk takers showed a characteristic variable lower rate. Overall, results show that the higher number of pumps and explosions that characterize risk takers at a molar level, result from particular forms of adaptation to the positive and negative outcomes of choices seen at a molecular level.

High-quality mats of single- and double-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT, DWNT) have been grown by the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy revealed densely packed mats made by SWNTs, a small fraction of DWNTs, and bundles of both. Tube diameters range from 0.72 to 6 nm. Remarkably, Raman measurements show a very high ratio between the G-band and the D-band peak intensities, a clear indication that structural defects and amorphous carbon are largely absent, without any post-growth treatment.

Alcohol misuse among young adult college students remains a major public health problem in USA. Although much effort has been made to identify factors associated with problem drinking among college students, there is a lack of research investigating the role parents may have on college student drinking. Recent evidence indicates that parents matter when it comes to adolescent drinking, both before and after their children go to college. In this study, the authors examined mutual reciprocity as a moderator variable between perceived parental approval of drinking and negative consequences of alcohol use. Contrary to the hypothesized results, our findings indicate that mutual reciprocity does not moderate the relationship between perceived parental approval and negative alcohol-related consequences.

BACKGROUND Control of pests in stored grain and the evolution of resistance to pesticides are serious problems worldwide. A stochastic individual-based two-locus model was used to investigate the impact of two important issues, the consistency of pesticide dosage through the storage facility and the immigration rate of the adult pest, on overall population control and avoidance of evolution of resistance to the fumigant phosphine in an important pest of stored grain, the lesser grain borer. RESULTS A very consistent dosage maintained good control for all immigration rates, while an inconsistent dosage failed to maintain control in all cases. At intermediate dosage consistency, immigration rate became a critical factor in whether control was maintained or resistance emerged. CONCLUSION Achieving a consistent fumigant dosage is a key factor in avoiding evolution of resistance to phosphine and maintaining control of populations of stored-grain pests; when the dosage achieved is very inconsistent, there is likely to be a problem regardless of immigration rate. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

BACKGROUND: The recent development of very high resistance to phosphine in rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), seriously threatens stored-grain biosecurity. The aim was to characterise this resistance, to develop a rapid bioassay for its diagnosis to support pest management and to document the distribution of resistance in Australia in 20072011. RESULTS: Bioassays of purified laboratory reference strains and field-collected samples revealed three phenotypes: susceptible, weakly resistant and strongly resistant. With resistance factors of > 1000 x , resistance to phosphine expressed by the strong resistance phenotype was higher than reported for any stored-product insect species. The new time-to-knockdown assay rapidly and accurately diagnosed each resistance phenotype within 6 h. Although less frequent in western Australia, weak resistance was detected throughout all grain production regions. Strong resistance occurred predominantly in central storages in eastern Australia. CONCLUSION: Resistance to phosphine in the rusty grain beetle is expressed through two identifiable phenotypes: weak and strong. Strong resistance requires urgent changes to current fumigation dosages. The development of a rapid assay for diagnosis of resistance enables the provision of same-day advice to expedite resistance management decisions. (c) 2012 Commonwealth of Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Glucose isomerase ex Lactobacillus brevis was successfully immobilised on microcrystalline cellulose, using the transition metal-link method. Immobilisation could be performed over a pH range of 5 to 9, and usually resulted in an apparent specific activity increase. The immobilised glucose isomerase generally displayed properties similar to those of the soluble enzyme, with the exception of the following differences: (i) a pH optimum at pH = 6, an acid shift of 0.5 units on immobilisation; (ii) an optimum reaction temperature at 50 °C, lower than that for the soluble enzyme; (iii) on incubation at 4 °C, a retention of 53% of the initial specific activity, when stored in 0.02 M, pH = 7, Tris buffer, after 8 weeks, compared with an apparent activation of the soluble enzyme after 10 and 19 weeks' storage. Storage properties of the immobilised enzyme at 4 °C in Tris were apparently improved by the presence of Mn++ and Co++, although associated with some protein release. Storage at 4 °C in water alone, as opposed to Tris, resulted in a more rapid activity loss.

A large number of compounds including lignin, phospholipids, pectin, DNA, mRNA, and proteins require methyl groups for their functionality. A detailed study of the expression and activities of two enzymes, adenosine kinase (ADK) and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), which are both required for the maintenance and recycling of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methylation in plants, was carried out. The abundance and tissue localization of ADK and SAHH transcripts and protein were monitored along with their enzyme activities in leaves, stems, buds, siliques, and roots of Arabidopsis. In all but roots and seed coats, the transcript abundance of ADK and SAHH fluctuated co-ordinately, matching changes in their protein and enzyme activities. To evaluate whether this expression pattern was associated with methyl recycling, the protein content and distribution of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase and phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase, a key methyltransferase involved in phospholipid synthesis, were investigated. These were found to accumulate in a pattern similar to ADK and SAHH. ADK and SAHH protein and transcript amounts were shown to fluctuate similarly in tissues accumulating lignin. Additionally, the amounts of ADK and SAHH mRNAs were also found at high levels in inflorescence meristems likely to support their higher rates of cell division. Thus, the results point to a co-ordinated and probably transcriptional regulation of these genes in most organs of Arabidopsis; SAHH abundance is distinctly higher in seeds and roots which suggests it may have a non-methyl-related role in these organs.

This study tested within-person associations between intoxication, negative affect, and self-control demands and two forms of self-control failure, interpersonal conflict, and neglecting responsibilities. Effortful control was hypothesised to act as a buffer, reducing individual susceptibility to these within-person effects. In contrast, reactivity was hypothesised to potentiate the within-person associations. 274 young adults aged 18-27 (56% women, 93% white) completed experience sampling assessments for up to 49 days over the course of 1.3 years. Results indicated independent within-person effects of intoxication, negative affect, and self-control demands on the outcomes. Hypothesised moderating effects of reactivity were not supported. Effortful control did not moderate the effects of self-control demands as expected. However, effortful control exhibited a protective effect when individuals were intoxicated or upset to reduce the likelihood of maladaptive behavioural outcomes.

Although it is well accepted that cytokinins (CKs) regulate processes such as leaf senescence and stomatal conductance, data on CKs in the canopy of mature trees are lacking in the literature. Here we report the first in situ sampling for determination of CKs in mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum) canopy layers. The upper canopy showed a distinct seasonal pattern in total CK content, while the lower canopy remained relatively unchanged.

Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction - Vol. 34 - N° 2 - p. 128-136