Sex Differences in the Etiology of Victimization in Adulthood.

Until relatively recently, the study of victimization has been largely outside the purview of behavioral geneticists and evolutionary psychologists. Recent victimology research, however, has shown that genetic and evolutionary forces are connected to the risk of victimization. The current study expands on these findings by examining whether genetic influences differentially explain victimization in males and females. To do so, we use a sample of sibling pairs drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; N = 4,244). The analyses revealed no significant quantitative sex differences in the etiology of adult victimization. However, the results of this study do highlight the importance of accounting for genetic factors when studying the etiology of specific types of adult victimization. We conclude by discussing the implications of the current study for future research.

Extracellular Poly(hydroxybutyrate) Bioplastic Production Using Surface Display Techniques.

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) is a biocompatible, biodegradable polyester synthesized naturally in a variety of microbial species. A greener alternative to petroleum-based plastics and sought after for biomedical applications, poly(hydroxybutyrate) has failed to break through as a leading material in the plastic industry due to its high cost of production. Specifically, the extraction of this material from within bacterial cells requires lysis of cells, which takes time, uses harsh chemicals, and starts the process again with growing new living cells. Recently, surface display of enzymes on bacterial membranes has become an emerging technique for extracellular biocatalysis. In this work, a fusion protein lpp-ompA-phaC was expressed in Escherichia coli to display the enzyme poly(hydroxyalkanoate) synthase on the cell surface. The resulting poly(hydroxybutyrate) product was chemically characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Finally, the extracellular synthesis of the bioplastic granules was demonstrated qualitatively via microscopy and quantitatively by flow cytometry. The results of this work are the first demonstration of extracellular synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate), showing promise for continuous and scalable synthesis of materials using surface display.

Advanced Electroanalysis for Electrosynthesis.

Electrosynthesis is a popular, environmentally friendly substitute for conventional organic methods. It involves using charge transfer to stimulate chemical reactions through the application of a potential or current between two electrodes. In addition to electrode materials and the type of reactor employed, the strategies for controlling potential and current have an impact on the yields, product distribution, and reaction mechanism. In this Review, recent advances related to electroanalysis applied in electrosynthesis were discussed. The first part of this study acts as a guide that emphasizes the foundations of electrosynthesis. These essentials include instrumentation, electrode selection, cell design, and electrosynthesis methodologies. Then, advances in electroanalytical techniques applied in organic, enzymatic, and microbial electrosynthesis are illustrated with specific cases studied in recent literature. To conclude, a discussion of future possibilities that intend to advance the academic and industrial areas is presented.

Exploring the association between IQ and differential life outcomes: results from a longitudinal sample of monozygotic twins / Explorando a associação entre QI e diferentes desfechos de vida: resultados de uma amostra longitudinal de gêmeos monozigóticos / Explorando la asociación entre CI y diferentes desenlaces de vida: resultados de una muestra longitudinal de gemelos monocigóticos

A large body of research has revealed that measures of IQ are highly predictive of a wide swath of life outcomes. However, most studies examining these associations have employed correlational statistical techniques which tend to confound environmental and genetic influences. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by making use of a monozygotic twin difference scores approach to explore the association between IQ and a variety of outcome measures, including general health, substance use, relationships, sexual behaviors, educational attainment, economic well-being, and criminal justice contacts. Analysis of monozygotic twin pairs from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) revealed that between-twin differences in IQ have little effect on the majority of the examined outcome measures. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.(AU)

Um grande número de pesquisas tem revelado que as medidas de QI são altamente preditivas de uma ampla faixa de desfechos de vida. No entanto, a maioria dos estudos que examinam essas associações tem empregado técnicas estatísticas correlacionais que tendem a confundir influências ambientais e genéticas. O presente estudo aborda esta lacuna na literatura através do uso de uma abordagem de pontos de diferença entre gêmeos monozigóticos para explorar a associação entre QI e uma variedade de resultados medidos, incluindo saúde geral, uso de drogas, relacionamentos, comportamento sexual, nível educacional, bem-estar econômico e ligação com justiça criminal. A análise de gêmeos monozigóticos do National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) revelou que, entre gêmeos, as diferenças de QI têm pouco efeito sobre a maioria dos resultados examinados. As implicações dessas descobertas e sugestões para futuras pesquisas são discutidas.(AU)

Un gran número de investigaciones ha demostrado que las medidas de CI son altamente predictivas de una amplia franja de vidas resultantes. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los estudios que analizan estas asociaciones han empleado técnicas estadísticas de correlación que tienden a confundir las influencias ambientales y genéticas. El presente estudio está direccionado a esta laguna en la literatura haciendo uso de un abordaje de puntos de diferencias de gemelos monocigóticos para explorar la asociación entre coeficiente intelectual y una gran variedad de resultados medidos, incluyendo la salud general, el uso de drogas, relaciones, comportamientos sexuales, el nivel educativo, el bienestar económico, y contactos con la justicia penal. El análisis de parejas de gemelos monocigóticos del National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) reveló que, entre gemelos, las diferencias de CI tienen poco efecto en la mayoría de los resultados examinados. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos y se dan sugerencias para futuras investigaciones.(AU)