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This study assesses the effectiveness of our short Personal Recovery Training Program (PRTP) for mental health professionals. Fifty-two healthcare professionals from Italian mental health services and forty students in psychiatric rehabilitation completed the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) pre- and post-training, divided into two groups: the PRTP (N = 45) and the Family Psychoeducational Training Program (FPTP; N = 47). Participants' understanding of personal recovery improved more significantly for those in the PRTP than for those in the FPTP group in two domains, "Roles and responsibilities" and "Non-linearity of the recovery process"; the FPTP group showed a significant improvement in the "Role of self-definition and peers in recovery" domain. Two consumers were involved in the PRTP and represented a resource to help participants understand the personal recovery process. Our findings indicate that a brief PRTP supported by consumers can improve staff and students' recovery orientation. The translation of the training into clinical practice remains unevaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate attitudes toward personal recovery in a sample of 436 healthcare professionals and students of psychiatric rehabilitation techniques through the Italian version of the recovery knowledge inventory (RKI). The sample in our study showed a good global orientation toward recovery. Statistically significant differences were found among mental health professionals based on gender difference, professional role, and level of experience. Women seemed more inclined to accept users' decision-making processes, including therapeutic risk-taking. Nurses seemed more cautious in considering the users able to "live beyond their illness". Professionals with fewer than 15 years of experience had more favorable attitudes and expectations than the more experienced respondents. Students had more optimistic expectations regarding recovery than nurses and social workers. Academic curriculum development for students and training courses for mental health professionals could further improve the homogeneity in attitudes and skills in the support of users' "unique" recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery is a widely discussed concept in the field of research, treatment, and public policy regarding serious mental illness, and mainly schizophrenia. Aim of our study was to assess the relationship between personal recovery and prediction variables, as psychopathology, neurocognition, clinical and cognitive insight, and social functioning in inpatients affected by schizophrenia, with a special interest on cognitive insight. We assessed 76 inpatients affected by schizophrenia at their hospital discharge. Instruments included the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, the Insight Scale and the Recovery Assessment Scale to assess the cognitive and clinical insight, and personal recovery. The neurocognitive assessment was represented by a single factor score produced by a principal components analysis of a neurocognitive test battery. Social functioning was measured also. Low self-reflectiveness of cognitive insight represented the best predictors of personal recovery. The relationship between cognitive insight and recovery found in this study may contribute to develop tailored interventions, taking into account the personal sense of recovery, despite the psychopathological evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The “default mode”, or baseline of brain function is a topic of great interest in schizophrenia research. Recent neuroimaging studies report that the symptoms of chronic schizophrenia subjects are associated with temporal frequency alterations as well as with the disruption of local spatial patterns in the default mode network (DMN). Previous studies both on chronic and medicated subjects with psychosis suffered from limitations; on this basis, it was hypothesized that the default mode network showed abnormal activation and connectivity in young and neuroleptic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis. This study investigated emotional responses to pleasant and unpleasant/disgusting visual stimuli by a resting-state analysis of fMRI-data from 12 untreated first-episode psychosis patients with prevalently negative symptomatology versus 12 healthy subjects. We chose this experimental task to explore the functional link between default mode network and hedonic processing which has been proposed as a marker of cerebral dysfunction in psychotic disorder and implicated in its pathophysiology. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) was used to identify the default mode component. Both healthy and first-episode subjects showed significant spatial differences in the default mode network. In first-episode subjects, medial frontal hypoactivity and cerebellar hyperactivity were correlated with the severity of negative symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'Emotional Numbing' (EN) constitutes one of the core symptoms in PTSD although its exact nature remains elusive. This disorder shows an abnormal response of cortical and limbic regions which are normally involved in understanding emotions since the very earliest stages of the development of processing ability. The aim of our study, which included ten physically healthy subjects with PTSD, diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR, who survived L'Aquila earthquake of April 6, 2009, and 10 healthy controls matching for age, sex and education, was to examine automatic perceptual sensitivity to facial affect in PTSD, through an affective priming task that was administered during functional magnetic resonance (fMRI). Behavioural data revealed in the PTSD group a higher sensitivity to negative facial affect on an automatic processing level. FMRI data analysis revealed that PTSD subjects showed a significantly higher activation in right insula and left amygdala that we did not observe in healthy subjects; on the contrary, healthy controls showed a greater activation of left lingual gyrus. Our data support the hypothesis that PTSD appears to be sensitive to negative affect on an automatic processing level and correlates with the activation of specific areas involved in processing emotions. An elevated activation of these areas may underlie the emotion dysregulation in PTSD and could explain the Emotional Numbing symptom associated with this disorder. The present study suffers of a number of limitations, for instance, the relatively small sample size did not allow the application of alternative statistical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to develop and preliminarily validate a self-completed questionnaire that could help in the assessment of families before and during psycho-educational interventions. The questionnaire was developed according to the cognitive-behavioural psycho-educational model. From an initial 38-item version of the questionnaire, a final shorter 24-item version was derived. The validation study of the final version was conducted on relatives of schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients: 31 for the test-retest reliability study and 92 for the confirmation of the subscales and convergent validity study vs. SF-36 and the questionnaire on Family Problems, PF. The final questionnnire showed good psychometric properties. The three-core dimensions of Problem-Solving, Communication Skills, and Personal Goals were clearly outlined in the items correlation analysis. The association with family burden and health-related quality of life was as expected. The FF provides a promising assessment of the family functioning pattern that is the object of psychoeducational family interventions. Further studies are needed to confirm the validity of the instrument, that could be helpful both in planning and in monitoring psychoeducational interventions and in mental health promotion projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction enthalpy and entropy for the one-electron reduction of the ferric heme in horse heart and sperm whale aquometmyoglobins (Mb) have been determined exploiting a spectroelectrochemical approach. Also investigated were the T67R, T67K, T67R/S92D and T67R/S92D Mb-H variants (the latter containing a protoheme- l-histidine methyl ester) of sperm whale Mb, which feature peroxidase-like activity. The reduction potential ( E°′) in all species consists of an enthalpic term which disfavors Fe3+ reduction and a larger entropic contribution which instead selectively stabilizes the reduced form. This behavior differs from that of the heme redox enzymes and electron transport proteins investigated so far. The reduction thermodynamics in the series of sperm whale Mb variants show an almost perfect enthalpy–entropy compensation, indicating that the mutation-induced changes in $$ \Delta H^{{{^\circ }\ifmmode{'}\else$'$\fi }}_{{{\text{rc}}}} \;{\text{and }}\Delta S^{{{^\circ }\ifmmode{'}\else$'$\fi }}_{{{\text{rc}}}} {\text{ }} $$ are dominated by reduction-induced solvent reorganization effects. The modest changes in E°′ originate from the enthalpic effects of the electrostatic interactions of the heme with the engineered charged residues. The small influence that the mutations exert on the reduction potential of myoglobin suggests that the increased peroxidase activity of the variants is not related to changes in the redox reactivity of the heme iron, but are likely related to a more favored substrate orientation within the distal heme cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the role of materials selection in the production of musical instruments. Some Austrian researchers found that different metals have little effect on the sound of flutes. Acoustics scientist Richard Smith suggested the use of lighter weight materials such as magnesium or titanium in designing trumpet valves. Materials scientist Elizabeth Holm found that carbon fiber bows can make sturdier, lighter-weight bows for violins that are not prone to warping like wooden bows.

Background A 59-year-old man who had undergone a left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma was found to have metastatic disease during a restaging examination. The patient was started on treatment with interferon a2b plus bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody. After 9 months of this therapy, the patient developed proteinuria, which gradually increased to over 6 g/day. investigations Physical examination, urine and blood analysis, biopsy of the right kidney, and histologic evaluation of the non-neoplastic portion of the left nephrectomy specimen. Diagnosis Thrombotic microangiopathy and IgA immune-complex deposition in the glomerular capillary walls and mesangium. Management Discontinuation of interferon ct2b and bevacizumab, control of blood pressure with an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and an angiotensin-receptor blocker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of humans to predict and explain other people’s behaviour by attributing independent mental states such as desires and beliefs to them, is considered to be due to our ability to construct a “Theory of Mind”. Recently, several neuroimaging studies have implicated the medial frontal lobes as playing a critical role in a dedicated “mentalizing” or “Theory of Mind” network in the human brain. In this study we compare the performance of patients with right and left medial prefrontal lobe lesions in theory of mind and in social cognition tasks, with the performance of people with schizophrenia. We report a similar social cognitive profile between patients with prefrontal lobe lesions and schizophrenic subjects in terms of understanding of false beliefs, in understanding social situations and in using tactical strategies. These findings are relevant for the functional anatomy of “Theory of Mind”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on Web sites designed for materials science education for children. Features of the site developed by professor Thomas G. Stoebe; Description of the Strange Matter web site; Advantages of the site, Nanotechnology: Small Science, Big Deal.

Interviews some directors of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories on their perspectives on some of the U.S. science and engineering community's most pressing issues regarding research and development, globalization, national security, and budget constraints. Difficulties involved in hiring technical staff; Impact of budget constraints on research and development in the physical science; Challenges that their national laboratories encountered; Technology initiatives that their national laboratories continue to pursue.

The structural and functional consequences of engineering a positively charged Lys residue and replacing the natural heme with a heme-L-His derivative in the active site of sperm whale myoglobin (Mb) have been investigated. The main structural change caused by the distal T67K mutation appears to be mobilization of the propionate-7 group. Reconstitution of wild-type and T67K Mb with heme-L-His relaxes the protein fragment around the heme because it involves the loss of the interaction of one of the propionate groups which stabilize heme binding to the protein. This modification increases the accessibility of exogenous ligands or substrates to the active site. The catalytic activity of the reconstituted proteins in peroxidase-type reactions is thus significantly increased, particularly with T67K Mb. The T67K mutation slightly reduces the thermodynamic stability and the chemical stability of Mb during catalysis, but somewhat more marked effects are observed by cofactor reconstitution. Hydrogen peroxide, in fact, induces pseudo-peroxidase activity but also promotes oxidative damage of the protein. The mechanism of protein degradation involves two pathways, which depend on the evolution of radical species generated on protein residues by the Mb active species and on the reactivity of phenoxy radicals produced during turnover. Both protein oligomers and heme-protein cross-links have been detected upon inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the science of fireworks production. Chemicals used for color production in fireworks; Application of fine fuel particles to produce sparkling effects in fireworks; Computer applications in fireworks display. INSET: SAFETY FIRST: A LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURING OF FIREWORKS.

The difficulty in interpreting other people’s mental states found in children with autism and in people affected by schizophrenia may be explained in terms of a unique mental process called Theory of Mind. The paper discusses the main operational issues of such a peculiar aspect of social cognition, the Theory of Mind, and its implication in schizophrenia, including a review of its related neural structures. Theory of Mind abilities may be a relevant aspect of social interaction involving people affected by schizophrenia, and they need to be further investigated in clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite differences in presentations, these web sites, books, television shows, and educational outreach programs share one common goal: to capture the interest of future scientists and engineers and promote in them a lifelong love of science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate in a heterogeneous. Italian sample (n = 340) the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Family Assessment Device (FAD), a 60-item questionnaire assessing family functioning. The questionnaire was administered to psychiatric (n = 116), medical (n = 114) and non-clinical samples (n = 110). In a sample of 30 non-clinical subjects the temporal stability of the FAD was investigated. The results showed a good temporal stability for Problem Solving, General Functioning. Communication, and Affective Responsiveness scales, and a good internal reliability of the scale. Factor analysis of the Italian version provided discrepancies with the hypothesized structure of the instrument, leading to the identification of seven slightly different dimensions. The proposed seven-factor model of the instrument did not provide a good fit to our data. The results of our study suggest the need for a major improvement in the adaptation of the FAD in the Italian setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the report "A Path to the Next-Generation of U.S. Banknotes: Keeping Them Real," released by the National Materials Advisory Board (NMAB). The paper outlines possible technologies for security features that can help deter counterfeiting in future iterations of the bill. It cites the features of the technologies developed by the Committee on Technologies to Deter Currency Counterfeiting of the NMAB.

The article focuses on the atomic-themed toys and games from the 1950s. The Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Health Physics Historical Instrument Museum in Tennessee features items that tell the history of radioactivity. Paul Frame, instructor in health physics at ORAU, says that the atomic toy section of the museum shows that during the 1950s, atomic energy is a positive influence in society. Health physicists Joel O. Lubenau and Jack W. Hornor collects atomic-themed toy trains.

This article interviews James Foley, chair of the Program Coordinating Committee (PCC), Philip Bretz, ASM International representative, Dennis Dimiduk, TMS representative, Luis Ruiz-Aparicio, representative of the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and S. K. Sundaram, the American Ceramic Society representative, about their Materials Science and Technology 2006 program. They discussed the benefits of the program.

The article focuses on the "Engineers' Salaries: Special Industry Report 2005," published by the Engineering Workforce Commission of the American Association of Engineering Societies. The median annual salaries for engineers based on experience and employer are presented. The salaries offered by research and development organizations to engineers are described.

Provides information on the 2005 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. Activities held in the orientation for the meeting; Benefits of the career form in the meeting to college student; Reaction of first-time attendees to TMS Annual meeting.

To gain an overview of the state of the titanium industry, JOM spoke with representatives from several companies involved in the production and use of titanium. The journal posed several parallel questions to titanium producers and titanium end users to see how their answers compared. Titanium producer ATI Allvac submitted a corporate response to the questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the Future Warrior and the Objective Force Warrior (OFW) programs which investigated the use of nanomaterials and nanotechnology in designing uniforms for U.S. soldiers. Information on nanomuscles; Details of the chameleonic camouflage concept being worked on by the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Discussion of the voice-recognition software being integrated in the OFW uniforms; Information on the use of e-textiles by the OFW program. INSET: MIT INSTITUTE FOR SOLDIER NANOTECHNOLOGIES.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a study regarding the increased substance use of young people who survived the L'Aquila earthquake in Abruzzi, Italy on April 6, 2009.

The article reports on a study released by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) entitled "Changing the Conversation: Messages for Improving Public Understanding of Engineering." The study found that the message stating that engineers make a world of difference was the most appealing, believable and relevant to African American and Hispanic students who are usually underrepresented in engineering. It is said that the study also includes a positioning statement that can guide engineering promotion in the future.

The article offers information on the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, a web site that provides career options in the science, mathematics, technology, engineering and medical fields. The site allows high school students to compare salaries in various fields, learn job descriptions and be aware of the educational levels required for every field. Its operations director Joanne Van Voorhis said that the site does not promote any field but to give students realistic view of their prospective fields. It also offers information resources in various formats.

The article presents information on the 14 key areas known as the 21st Century's Grand Engineering Challenges, identified by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE), where science and technology can benefit humanity. It says that the general public is invited to vote for the area they think is the most important. For Diran Apelian, 2008 president of TMS, the challenge on clean water is the most critical one.

The article focuses on projects launched by the National Coalition of Girls' School (NCGS) to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the U.S. The NCGS has collaborated with the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) to distribute packets of STEM educational materials to 125 schools in the coalition's network in December 2007. A $50,000 Innovation Generation Grant was received by the organizations from the Motorola Foundation. The coalition introduced a STEM web site for educators in 2008.

The article discusses the highlights of an exploratory Engineering and the Media workshop held in October 2007. Participants discussed the possibilities of developing both a prime-time drama series for network television and an interactive game dedicated to engineering. Participants brainstormed for possible formats for a television show. Participant Randy Hinrichs proposed to start with a game and develop plotlines based on user inputs from the virtual world.

This section offers news briefs on various nanotechnology initiatives as of December 2007. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology awarded $1.25 million to Martin Bionics and four other companies to conduct research on nanotechnology applications. U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) policy analyst Geoffrey M. Holdridge discussed the main goals of the NNI. Representatives from various countries described the nanotechnology research and commercialization process in their countries at the International Forum.

The article focuses on the web site called USInnovation.org., developed by the Alliance for Science and Technology Research in America (ASTRA). It notes that the site's home page features a series of innovation resources that can be utilized to impart funding discussions and a 2008 presidential campaign section. It says that the site is the result of the alliance's mission to promote funding for the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering. It emphasizes that the site aims to present innovation as a non-partisan issue.

The article discusses the 50th anniversary of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) as a member society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME). The TMS retains a close relationship with AIME as one of its four member societies. The AIME affiliation of TMS benefits its members through funding for member society projects. TMS members also have access to prestigious awards and scholarships through AIME.

The article offers information on "Standing Up for Science: A Guide to the Media for Early Career Scientists," that offers advice to young scientists for effectively communicating with the media, developed by British-based charity Sense About Science. Key contributors to the project are press officers. Claire Bithell, senior press officer at the Science Media Centre, suggests tips on making interaction easier for both parties. An interactive version of the guide is available free on-line in portable document format.

The article offers information on the Brimacombe Prize, named after educator and engineer J. Keith Brimacombe, that was established to recognize excellence in the process engineering of materials in 2000. The Brimacombe prize comprises of the Brimacombe award and a cash prize of 25,000 Canadian dollars. One selection criteria for the award is that a person's work has demonstrated evidence of important scientific or industrial impact. The next prize will be given in 2008.

The article focuses on the reality television program "Design Squad" to be aired on PBS in the U.S. starting February 2007. The TV program involves a group of teenagers tasked to design and construct products for range of clients such as fashion designers to museums. "Design Squad" aims to make middle school students realize the connection between engineering and real-life applications. The creators of the show intend to establish the notion that engineering is an interesting career choice.