Profiles of Multi-cultural Identity Integration in a Conflictual Context

This study addressed the phenomenon of multiple social identities in a conflictual context. It examined the case of Palestinian-Christians living in Israel, a nation imbued with ethno-religious conflict, a complex combination of three distinct collective identities: national (Palestinian-Arab), ethno-religious (Christian), and civic (Israeli). The current study proposed a conceptual and methodological expansion of the “Bicultural Identity Integration” (BII) model (Benet-Martinez & Haritatos, 2005) as a way to assess different levels of integration between three types of identities (national, ethno-religious, and civic) in a sample of 383 Palestinian Christians with Israeli citizenship. Results revealed that the three integrations of BII (Arab-Christian, Arab-Israeli, Christian-Israeli) are positively predicted by favorable intergroup contact with Jews and Muslims and negatively by discrimination by these groups. Further, Latent Profile Analyses revealed four distinct identity profiles: two (“Pro-Arab” and “Pro-Israel”) were highly conflictual and characterized by both discrimination and negative intergroup contact, and two (“Ambivalent” and “Peaceful”) were characterized by less conflict across pairs of identities. These findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical contribution to the study of multiple social and collective identities in contexts of conflict, and their practical implications for the groups under study.     

PVC型材模具的优化设计与制造分析

模具设计与制造是决定PVC塑料型材质量的关键因素,本文就模具设计的参数调整及结构的优化与制造进行了初步分析。     

Energetic demand and physical conditioning of table tennis players. A study review

Table tennis is a racket sport characterised by an intermittent movement profile, including short rallies interspersed with short breaks. In contrast to other racket sports, information is lacking regarding the: (i) physiological responses during table tennis matches and training; and (ii) practical recommendations for enhancing aerobic and anaerobic performance in table tennis by improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry and nutritional strategies. Therefore, this review article attempts to narratively provide an overview of the physiology of table tennis by describing the metabolic mechanisms underlying match play and outlining a framework for practical recommendations for improving cardio-metabolic and neuro-muscular fitness, anthropometry as well as nutritional strategies. A second aim was to stimulate future research on table tennis and to point out study limitations in this context. In general, the most important finding is that the rally duration is short at around 3.5s, with a longer rest time of around 8–20s, resulting in an effort-rest ratio ranging from 0.15 to 0.22 in official matches and energetic demands during match relatively low. Future studies should focus on the relationship between energetic demand and table tennis performance with a view to predicting performance in table tennis using physiological parameters.     

蚌埠地区设施土壤盐分累积特征研究

对蚌埠市怀远和固镇两地不同年限设施土壤的盐分累积特征进行了研究,测定了土壤剖面各层次中的盐分总量和Na+、K+、NH4+、Ca2+、Mg2+、NO3-、H2PO4-、Cl-、SO42-、HCO3-等10种离子的含量,根据这10种离子之和与盐分总量的比值计算"盐分回收率".结果表明,大棚内土壤表层的盐分总量是露地土壤相同层次的2.4～5.7倍,盐分主要聚积在0～15cm土层中,尤其是0～5cm层次中;随着大棚使用年限的延长,盐分总量有增加趋势;除Na+和HCO3-外,NH4+、Ca2+、Mg2+、NO3-、H2PO4-、SO42-在大棚表层土壤中都有明显的累积,尤以Ca2+和NO3-累积严重,怀远大棚表层土壤的Ca2+和NO3-占盐分离子总量的63.8%,固镇大棚表层土壤的K+、Ca2+和NO3-占盐分离子总量的73.3%;根据"盐分回收率"推断,除了本文测定的10种离子外,还有相当数量(约占总盐的15%～23%)的其他重金属离子和非金属离子存在于大棚土壤中.     

Interference of anti-T3 autoantibodies in the measurement of total and free T3 in serum

A case of anti-trilodothyronine autoantibodies is presented in this report. The thyroid hormone profile of a hypertensive patient, with multinodular goiter and history of exogenous thyroid hormone therapy, was found to be highly ambiguous. The total as well as free T3 levels were consistently high (out of range) whereas the T4 (total and free) values were always within normal limits. The thyrotropin was found to be partially suppressed. Very low T3-Uptake indicated some kind of interference in the immunoassays. We incubated the sera with the radio-iodine labelled T3 and observed that the patient's serum bound about ten times more radioactivity than a control run in parallel. On further resolving the serum proteins on cellulose acetate electrophoresis, the radioactivity was detected in the γ-globulin band. Therefore it was established that the patient's serum carried the antibodies reactive with T3 which were interfering in the immunoassays. Elevated anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies were also present in the patient's serum. The anti-T3 antibodies were highly specific for T3 and did not show any cross reactivity with the T4 or its analogues used in the estimation of free T4.     

Effect of Turmeric and its Active Principle Curcumin on T<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Induced Oxidative Stress and Hyperplasia in Rat Kidney: A Comparison

The present study was designed to compare the potential of turmeric and its active principle curcumin on T₃-induced oxidative stress and hyperplasia. Adult male Wistar strain rats were rendered hyperthyroid by T₃ treatment (10 μg · 100 g⁻¹ · day⁻¹ intraperitoneal for 15 days in 0.1 mM NaOH) to induce renal hyperplasia. Another two groups were treated similarly with T₃ along with either turmeric or curcumin (30 mg kg⁻¹ body weight day⁻¹ orally for 15 days). The results indicate that T₃ induces both hypertrophy and hyperplasia in rat kidney as evidenced by increase in cell number per unit area, increased protein content, tubular dilation and interstitial edema. These changes were accompanied by increased mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity without any change in catalase activity and glutathione content suggesting an oxidative predominance. Both turmeric and curcumin were able to restore the level of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity in the present dose schedule. T₃-induced histo-pathological changes were restored with turmeric treatment whereas curcumin administration caused hypoplasia. This may be due to lower concentration of curcumin in the whole turmeric. Thus it is hypothesized that regulation of cell cycle in rat kidney by T₃ is via reactive oxygen species and curcumin reveres the changes by scavenging them. Although the response trends are comparable for both turmeric and curcumin, the magnitude of alteration is more in the later. Turmeric in the current dose schedule is a safer bet than curcumin in normalizing the T₃-induced hyperplasia may be due to the lower concentration of the active principle in the whole spice.     

Separation and identification of thyroid autoantibodies in patients with thyroid disorders by hydrophobic column

A method has been developed to separate and identify thyroglobulin autoantibody (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb) in serum obtained from normal and autoimmune thyroid diseases using phenyl Sepharose CL-4B hydrophobic column. The protein peaks obtained from hydrophobic column were identified as TgAb and TPOAb by comparing the elution profile of commercially purified standard thyroid autoantibodies. The similarity of the inhibitory effects of eluted proteins and of standard thyroid autoantibodies on lectin concanavalin A-RBC interaction confirmed the separation of TPO-Ab and TgAb by the hydrophobic, column. The eluted fractions from the hydrophobic column were estimated by the radio immunoassay (RIA) to confirm the presence of both auto-antibodies. This hydrophobic column method offers an advantage of visual inspection of this autoantibodies by graphic representation of peak height along with their estimation in autoimmune thyroid disorders.     

Children's physical activity and physical self-perceptions

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions and physical activity in Canadian school children aged 10–14 years. The sample consisted of 220 boys and 246 girls in grades 5–8. Physical activity was assessed by 7-day recall using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Selfperceptions of physical conditioning, sports competence, strength, body appearance and general physical selfworth were measured by the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP). We found that boys were more physically active than girls and had higher perceptions of sport competence and strength. All PSPP scales were significantly correlated with physical activity in both boys and girls. Structural equation modelling procedures found the hierarchical PSPP model provided a good fit to the observed data, with little evidence of diff erences between the sexes. Analysis of five alternative structural models of the relationship between the PSPP and physical activity found the most parsimonious model to have significant pathways from both physical conditioning and sport skills to physical activity. Models for the sample as a whole, for boys and for girls were similar, accounting for an R 2 of 0.27–0.29 for physical activity. Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions, especially physical conditioning and sport skills, are significant correlates of activity in this population.     

Thyroid Disorders in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The study was planned to assess the prevalence of thyroid disorders in type 2 diabetes in North Indian population and to correlate the serum insulin and glycosylated haemoglobin levels with thyroid hormones. It is a case control study. One hundred and twenty patients of type 2 diabetes were included in the study along with 117 adults of the same age group and normal glucose levels as controls. All blood samples were taken from subjects who fasted for at least 12 h before the blood collection. Glycosylated hemoglobin was determined by ion exchange chromatography and serum insulin and thyroid hormones were assessed through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in diabetics showing a poor glucose control. Serum tri-iodothyronine values were significantly lower in diabetics. There was a significant correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin and thyroid hormones. There was no correlation between serum insulin and thyroid hormones.     

Utilising the Boxall Profile within the Scallywags service for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties

In this article, Moira Broadhead, Roy Chilton and Victoria Stephens offer an in‐depth analysis of a targeted intervention, Scallywags, aimed at children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Scallywags, based in Cornwall, offers an early intervention package for children and their families based upon an initial Boxall Profile analysis. Moira Broadhead is a senior educational psychologist for the Scallywags service and both Roy Chilton and Victoria Stephens held split posts as assistant psychologists and support workers within the intervention service. Moira, Roy and Victoria offer practitioners new to the Boxall Profile a compelling account of how it can be used to inform practice for learners with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and conclude with a series of insightful questions about the use of the Boxall Profile and the role of interventions of this nature.