bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Validity of the Detroit Test of learning Aptitude
Authors: Kaye Daniel B. , Baron Marc B.
Published: March 2007

To examine the validity of the Detroit Test of Learning Aptitude for the evaluation of students with learning disabilities, the records of 163 referred children were reviewed. Each child had been administered the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), and the Verbal Opposites, Motor Speed, Unrelated Words, Memory for Objects, and Memory for Designs subtests of the Detroit Test of Learning Aptitude (Detroit). A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses were computed to determine the relationship among WRAT, WISC-R, and Detroit scores. It was concluded that once a student's age and WISC-R Full Scale IQ ere known, the Detroit subtest scores contributed minimally to an understanding of the student's academic achievement. Additional analyses revealed that the inter correlations between the Detroit subtests and the WISC-R were not strong.
Stability of the Sompa's Health History Inventory
Authors: Wilkinson Cheryl Yelich , Oakland Thomas
Published: March 2007

Interest in and use of the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment's Health History Inventories (HHI) has been intensive despite the unavailability of psychometric data estimating its stability. This article reports the results of a longitudinal study designed to provide data on the stability of the HHI over a 4-year period. The children studied were drawn from middle- and lower-class Anglo, black, and Mexican American families. Variance in scores is observed between the two administrations of HHI; means change somewhat, and test-retest correlations generally are moderate. Although some variance may be attributable to health incidents that occurred between the two administrations, some variance is also attributable to respondent inconsistency as noted on questions that should receive the same answer across administrations. Despite this variation, at-risk and not-at-risk classifications made from each HHI are generally stable.
Unusual Differences between Domain Standard Scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales: Estimated versus Empirical Values
Authors: Silverstein A. B.
Published: March 2007

The accuracy of two formulas for evaluating unusual differences was checked against the actual differences obtained by various percentages of the standardization sample for the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. The results given by the formulas appear sufficiently accurate for most clinical applications, supporting their use when information on unusual differences is unavailable to the examiner.
The Development of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivational Orientation in Normal and Disabled Readers
Authors: Das J. P. , Schokman-Gates K. , Murphy D.
Published: March 2007

As an adjunct to her effectance motivation model, Harter (1978) has developed an intrinsic-extrinsic orientation scale that would appear to have particular relevance for the learning-disabled child. This article reports scale results obtained from a Canadian sample of 368 reading-disabled and normal children in grades 3-7. Developmental data indicated that both groups of children became more intrinsically oriented as rated by the two informational subscales, Judgment and Criteria. Developmental trends for the motivational subscales of Challenge, Curiosity, and Mastery were less clear. The disabled readers did not differ particularly from normals in regard to the informational scales. Thus, until after 4 years of schooling, their disability in reading does not seem to have affected them adversely. The total score rather than the subscale scores for the three motivational subscales and the total for the two informational subscales are recommended for the assessment of extrinsic-intrinsic orientation.
Development and Validation of a Social Skills Assessment Measure: The Tross-C
Authors: Clark Lillee , Gresham Frank M. , Elliott Stephen N.
Published: March 2007

A 52-item teacher rating scale designed to assess children's social skills efficiently was developed and validated. Factor analysis of the scale demonstrated that it appears to measure similar dimensions of social competence as other teacher rating scales. These factors were labeled: (a) academic performance, (b) social initiation, (c) cooperation, and (d) peer reinforcement. These factors showed moderate correlations with reading and mathematics achievement and moderate negative relationships with various dimensions of behavior problems. Ongoing research and development of the scale was described.
Use of The PPVT-R for Intellectual Screening with School-Aged Children: A Caution
Authors: Altepeter Tom , Handal Paul J.
Published: March 2007

The present investigation was undertaken to systematically evaluate the use of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) as a general screening instrument for intellectual functioning with school aged children. The sample included 208 children, aged 6 years to 11 years 11 months, who were referred for evaluation. The PPVT-R correlated positively and significantly with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) Full Scale IQ (. 78), Verbal IQ(.79) and Performance IQ(.68). However, the mean PPVT-R standard score significantly underestimated the three mean WISC-R IQs. A cross-tabulation matrix revealed that 51% of the cases were correctly classified by the PPVT-R. Additionally, mean score comparisons within the discrete classification levels revealed that the PPVT-R underestimated the WISC-R Full Scale and Verbal IQs within the lower ability ranges, and overestimated the IQs within the upper ability ranges. Based upon these findings caution is advised when using the PPVT-R as a general screening instrument for intellectual functioning.
Evidence of Validity for the Diagnostic Achievement Battery
Authors: Arcangelo Karen , Lewandowski Lawrence
Published: March 2007

This study examined the concurrent validity of the relatively new Diagnostic Achievement Battery (DAB) in relation to the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery (WJPB). A second issue was the extent to which the DAB could discriminate between learning-disabled and nondisabled students. Correlation coefficients between pairs of similar subtests were in the moderate range (.34 to .71), which indicates that the DAB assesses much the same content as does the WJPB without a high degree of duplication. The DAB was successful in classifying learning-disabled and nondisabled children; the DAB tended to identify more skill deficits than the WJPB or school diagnoses. That such similar tests can produce somewhat different diagnostic outcomes warrants further study. Despite psychometric adequacy, the practical utility of the DAB, as well as that of the WJPB, seems quite limited for decision making and programming and, therefore, may need to be supplemented with curriculum-based assessment.
Validity of the Draw a Person: A Quantitative Scoring System with the WISC-R
Authors: Wisniewski Jack J. , Naglieri Jack A.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the relationship between the Draw A Person: A Quantitative Scoring System and the WISC-R with a referred school-aged population. The significance of difference between the standard scores that the two tests yield was examined, as well as the convergent and concurrent validity of the Draw A Person. Additionally, the differences between specific pairs of scores (e.g., PIQ vs. DAP) required for significance when interpreting results for an individual subject were computed. Results indicated that the DAP yields mean scores approximately 4 points lower than the WISC-R, as expected due to softening of the Wechsler norms, and the standard scores correlated significantly (DAP Total Test/FISQ r = .51). Implications for the use and interpretation of these measures as part of a test battery are presented.
Subtest and Composite Score Comparisons for the Diagnostic Achievement Battery-Second Edition
Authors: Naglieri Jack A.
Published: March 2007

Interpretation of the variation in an individual student's subtest and composite scores on the Diagnostic Achievement Battery (second edition) requires the comparison of many values. Although values needed for significance when one is making pairwise comparisons are provided in the test manual, this method does not control adequately for experimentwise error rate. That is, if five comparisons are made, and each is tested at the .05 level, the error rate for the combination of five comparisons is much higher than .05. Use of the Bonferroni correction when one is comparing each score to the mean score is one method that controls the overall error rate during interpretation of an individual's test scores. With this method, the differences required for significance when one is comparing an individual's subtest score to the mean of all the subtest scores were computed at the .05 and .01 levels in accordance with the procedure presented by Davis and modified by Silverstein. Additionally, the same values when one is comparing Composite scores for an individual were computed. An example of the use of the technique is provided.
Validation of an “Amazingly” Short Form of the WAIS-R for a Clinically Depressed Sample
Authors: Grossman Ira , Mednitsky Shari , Dennis Brent , Scharff Lisa , Kaufman Alan S.
Published: March 2007

A four-subtest short form of the WAIS-R that was purported to require less than 20 minutes of administration time was validated with a sample of 31 hospitalized clinically depressed patients. The four subtests of the short form (not the complete WAIS-R) were administered to the adult sample to determine the administration and scoring time of the abbreviated battery. The Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT) also was administered, in counterbalanced order, to provide an external criterion of the short form's concurrent validity. The short form was quick to administer and score, and its estimate of WAIS-R Full Scale IQ correlated significantly (p < .001) with KAIT Crystallized, Fluid, and Composite IQs.
Assessment of Childhood Depression: Sampling Multiple Data Sources with One Instrument
Authors: Crowley Susan L. , Worchel Frances F.
Published: March 2007

The low correspondence among reporting sources in the measurement of childhood depression is well documented. However, no effort has been made to quantify the effects of using different measures with different sources. In this research the administration of the Peer Nomination Inventory of Depression (PNID) was modified to obtain three scores: (1) each child's rating of depression as given by his/her peers; (2) each child's self-rating of depression and (3) the number of times children assigned ratings of depression to others. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was administered for comparative purposes. Results suggest that differences in test items and formats can explain some, but not all, of the low correlations among reporting sources. Gender differences in the three modified PNID scores also were investigated.
Memory Abilities of Reading-Disabled Children with VIQ-PIQ Differences
Authors: Silver Cheryl H. , Tipps Kathy L.
Published: March 2007

Associations between VIQ and verbal memory and between PIQ and nonverbal memory have been found in neurologically impaired adults. This study examined the assumption that similar associations will hold for children with reading disabilities (RD) who demonstrate lower VIQ relative to PIQ and the converse. The Verbal and Nonverbal Selective Reminding Tests were administered to children aged 10 to 12 years. Thirteen RD children with VIQ < PIQ 14 RD children with PIQ < VIQ and 14 controls served as subjects. Contrary to predictions, memory functions were not found to parallel intellectual functions. The children with lower PIQ displayed poorer storage and retrieval of verbal information along with poorer retrieval of nonverbal information. These results suggest that children with reading disabilities who obtain relatively lower PIQ might be expected to experience more memory problems than children with lower VIQ regardless of modality of input.
Sensitivity to Criticism: A New Measure of Responses to Everyday Criticisms
Authors: Atlas Gordon D.
Published: March 2007

The construct “sensitivity to criticism” has been utilized in discussions of psychopathology, psychotherapy, education, and industry. Sensitivity to criticism can be conceptualized as involving both a threshold for perception of criticism and an emotional response in the presence of criticism. A new measure of sensitivity to criticism is presented, which is both internally consistent and temporally reliable. High scores on the Sensitivity to Criticism Scale were found to be related to high levels of neuroticism, depression, fear of negative evaluation, pessimistic explanatory style, and low scores on self-esteem and repression. Two subsequent studies are described in which sensitivity to criticism is found to be related to (1) decreases in self-reported motivation and performance levels in college courses and (2) avoidance of opportunities to receive critical feedback. These results suggest that the Sensitivity to Criticism Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for further studies that investigate the origins and consequences of sensitivity to criticism.
Patterns and Predictors of Performance on the Bender-Gestalt and the Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration in a Sample of Behaviorally and Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents
Authors: Shapiro Steven K. , Simpson Robert G.
Published: March 2007

A sample of 78 behaviorally and emotionally disturbed adolescents was used to evaluate the degree of similarity between the Bender-Gestalt and the VMI-3R and to investigate the factors involved in performance on these visual-motor tests, using measures of cognitive ability and a self-report personality measure. Results indicated a signify cant relationship between age and VMI-3R scores, which reflects the sensitivity of this measure to continued visual-motor development beyond age 11. VMI-3R performance was correlated with most cognitive ability subtests, which, in conjunction with age, accounted for 57% of the variance. Bender performance showed less developmental sensitivity and considerably fewer relationships with comparison measures. Findings are discussed in terms of the utility of each measure with adolescents and the implications for prediction of performance.
Profile Comparisons between ADHD and Non-ADHD Children on the Temperament Assessment Battery for Children
Authors: McIntosh David E. , Cole-Love Angela S.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the temperament of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A separate profile analysis was performed on each of the temperament scales of the Temperament Assessment Battery for Children Parent and Teacher Forms (Martin, 1988). The results demonstrated that parents and teachers rate the temperament of children classified as ADHD and normal children differently. In addition, parents and teachers tended to be consistent in their ratings of children classified as ADHD, resulting in similar profile patterns on each form of the TABC. Therefore, children with ADHD appear to display similar patterns of temperament at home and at school. Parents and teachers both reported that children classified as ADHD tended to display temperaments with high activity levels, high distractibility, and low persistence, which is consistent with the ADHD diagnostic criteria.
Concurrent and Construct Validity of the Outcome Questionnaire
Authors: Umphress Val J. , Lambert Michael J. , Smart David W. , Barlow Sally H. , Clouse Glenn
Published: March 2007

The Outcome Questionnaire (OQ) was developed by Lambert and colleagues (1994) as a standardized measure for assessing psychotherapy outcome. Although the instrument is already being widely used in managed health care quality control, further evidence of its psychometric properties is needed. This research evaluated the concurrent and construct validity of the OQ with three patient samples and a sample of community participants. Support was found for the construct and concurrent validity of the OQ with both patients (n = 183) and nonpatients (n = 210). The data show significant differences in scores between patients and community samples, as well as differences between the various clinical samples with varying levels of pathology. Although high correlations between the OQ Total (and subscale) scores and the criterion measures were found, high intercorrelations among subscales suggest considerable shared variance between subscales. The OQ Total score appears promising as a measure of general psychological distress, although further research is needed to justify the interpretation of subscale scores in clinical settings.
Factor Replication of the WISC-III in Three Independent Samples of Children Receiving Special Education
Authors: Konold Timothy R. , Kush Joseph C. , Canivez Gary L.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the first-order factor structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III; Wechsler, 1991) on three samples of children previously diagnosed with a handicapping condition. Five alternative factor models were compared through confirmatory factor analysis. Previous factor analytic studies that focused on the WISC-III's four-factor solution employed all 13 subtests in their analyses, despite the fact that only 12 subtests are combined during clinical evaluations to obtain scores on the four factors. This study investigated the WISC-III factor structure by considering the 12 subtests that actually combine to yield index scores on the dimensions of Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Processing Speed, and Freedom from Distractibility. Results support a four-factor solution for children with disabilities.
Assessing the (In-)Consistency of Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Peer Nominations among Turkish Elementary-School Children
Authors: Chimienti Giovanni
Published: March 2007

Nomination procedures for assessing peer behaviors are in wide use, and mixed-sex peer nominations are often utilized under the assumption that combined same- and opposite-sex nominations yield a representative picture of children's behaviors and relationships to other variables. Analyses of nominations made by 457 Turkish third and fifth graders for 14 peer behaviors and for liked-/disliked-a-lot illustrate the productiveness of separately assessing same-sex and opposite-sex nominations, showing that: (a) a bias toward more nominations for same-sex peers is not consistent over all behaviors; and (b) although same-sex and combined same-/opposite-sex nominations are strongly related, the agreement between same- and opposite-sex nominations is substantially lower. The outcome is that (a) sociometric status classification depends on the nominating population and (b) the relationship between peer-assessed behaviors and peer acceptance/peer sociometric status can differ, depending upon whether the reference group is same- or opposite-sex peers. Findings bring into question the routine use of mixed-sex nominations.
Combustibility of Insulation in Cavity Walls
Authors: Choi K.K. , Taylor W.
Published: March 2007

Increasing amounts of insulation are used in buildings to conserve energy. In buildings of noncombustible construction, insulation is usually placed in the wall cavity with or without an air space. The use of foamed plastic insulation has been restricted due to its combustibility characteristics when tested by methods adopted for regulatory purposes. A series of tests on foamed plastics and con ventional insulation materials show that these methods do not realistically assess the fire performance of foamed plastic insulation when used in cavity walls.
Solid Temperature Prediction in Downward Flame Propagation
Authors: Sultan M.A.
Published: March 2007

A simple model is developed for predicting the two-dimensional temperature distribution ahead of and behind a flame front in vertical downward flame prop agation over a thick combustible solid. In the model, heat conduction in the solid from the burning region to the unburnt fuel ahead of the flame front is con sidered to be the major mode of energy transfer. Predictions are in agreement with experimental results reported in the literature.
Hydrogen Chloride Transport and Decay in a Large Apparatus I. Decomposition of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Wire Insulation in a Plenum by Current Overload
Authors: Beitel J.J. , Bertelo C.A. , Carroll W.F. , Gardner R.O. , Grand A.F. , Hirschler M.M. , Smith G.F.
Published: March 2007

Large-scale combustion product evaluation experiments were carried out in a realistic room-plenum arrangement. A 30 ft. (9.14 m) length of electrical power wire with flexible PVC jacket and insulation was decomposed, in a plenum, by the action of an electrical overload. The combustion gases measured were HCl, CO, CO 2 and unburned hydrocarbons. The maximum con centration of HCl in the plenum was 3000 ppm (which represents roughly one third of the total chlorine in the wire). However, this amount decreased rapidly so that only 200—300 ppm remained at the end of 30 min; none of the other combustion gases measured decayed significantly. Little or no HCl was found in the living space, except in one experiment with forced air recirculation, when a maximum concentration of 200 ppm was measured. Reasonable ac counting is presented for the very large proportion of HCl missing from the at mosphere.
Thermal Stability of Fire Retardants: IV. Decomposition of Aryl Bromo Ethers Under Process Conditions
Authors: Larsen Eric R. , Ecker Ernest L.
Published: March 2007

Thermal decomposition kinetics were determined for several brominated phenyl allyl ethers, for several brominated diphenyl oxides, and for several miscellaneous compounds used in the manufacture of fire retardant thermo plastics. The decompositions were carried out using bibenzyl as a model for the polystyrene system and at agent loadings of 10 wt.%. The diphenyl oxide deriv atives were stable at reaction temperature (234 ° C) having reaction rate con stants of < 5 x 10-6 min-1. The phenyl allyl ethers underwent rapid decomposi tions with rate constants of 3 to 4 x 102 min 1. The reaction of these ethers is primarily free radical in nature and generates radicals via the homolytic cleavage of the ether linkage.
Thermal Behaviours of Ammonium Polyphosphate-Pentaerythritol and Ammonium Pyrophosphate-Pentaerythritol Intumescent Additives in Polypropylene Formulations
Authors: Delobel René , Bras Michel Le , Ouassou Najib , Alistiqsa Fatia
Published: March 2007

The comparative study of the intumescent formulations (poly propylene-ammonium polyphosphate-pentaerythritol) and (polypropylene- ammonium pyrophosphate-pentaerythritol) shows that the highest fire retar dance property of the second system may be related to the existence of a protective carbonaceous coating stable in the temperature range 300-550°C. Comparatively, the stability of the carbonaceous coating on the first system is only observed between 300 and 420°C. A 31P N.M.R. study shows the presence (in the carbon-based layers) of acidic phosphate species (Lewis acids) which result from the thermal degradation of the additive mixtures. In the particular case of (PP-PPA-PER), these species degrade at 420 ° C to give phosphorus oxide. The study reveals that, with (PP-PY-PER), an additional protective char (stable in the temperature range 420-550°C) is formed by a reaction between the Lewis acids and the oxidized products of the thermo-oxidative degradation of the polymer.
How to Measure Smoke Obscuration in a Manner Relevant to Fire Hazard Assessment: Use of Heat Release Calorimetry Test Equipment
Authors: Hirschler Marcelo M.
Published: March 2007

In the first section of this paper smoke obscuration measurement tests are being classified according to the type of equipment used (static or dynamic), the scale and the other properties measured. The conclusion of this section is that the most adequate means to measure smoke obscuration, so as to have results useful for fire hazard assessment, is by determining a combina tion of heat release and smoke release, e.g., with the cone or OSU calorimeter.
Comparison of the Fire Performance of Various Upholstered Furniture Composite Combinations (Fabric/Foam) in Two Rate of Heat Release Calorimeters: Cone and Ohio State University Instruments
Authors: Hirschler Marcelo M. , Shakir Saleem
Published: March 2007

A total of 28 foam/fabric upholstery mock-up combinations (7 foams and 4 fabrics) were tested in a rate of heat release calorimeter (the cone calorimeter) at incident fluxes of 17.5 and 25 kW/m2. The results were analysed with three objectives: (a) understanding the relative contributions of fabric and foam; (b) comparing the relevance of the incident flux used to fire hazard; and (c) comparing the results with those of a round robin carried out on another rate of heat release calorimeter: Ohio State University instrument.
Furniture Flammability Study Part I: Development of Full Scale Fire Testing Facility
Authors: Nurbakhsh Said
Published: March 2007

The California Technical Bulletin 133 is a flammability test method for seating furniture intended for public occupancies. In a joint NIST CBHF study TB133 will be examined in detail with a view to optimize it for a widespread acceptability. In Part I, the full scale fire testing facility at CBHF was modified to allow measurement of heat release rate. In a separate study at NIST a square gas burner was developed as an alternative to the TB133 news paper ignition source. In Part II, a series of chair burns will be conducted at both CBHF and NIST in TB133 burn room, proposed ASTM room and furniture calorimeter to obtain correlations between upper layer temperature and heat release rate. The results obtained in different rooms will be compared. In this paper Part I is presented.
Study of the Combustion and Fire Retardancy of Polyacrylonitrile and Its Copolymers by Using Cone Calorimetry
Authors: Zhang J. , Silcock G.W.H. , Shields T.J.
Published: March 2007

The combustion and fire retardancy behaviour of polyacryloni trile and its fibre-forming copolymers have been studied using the cone calorimetry technique. The heat release rates of the polymers are characterised by two high peaks. The first one occurs at the beginning of flaming combustion while the other occurs close to extinction. However, the initial peak is sig nificantly reduced by the addition of comonomers such as methyl acrylate and vinyl acetate, or flame retardants such as ammonium polyphosphate. The study shows that the high initial peak during combustion is closely related to the intensive exotherm of the polymers during pyrolysis. It is suggested that the intensive exotherm leads to rapid decomposition of the polymer chains and consequently results in the high initial peak of heat release rates. The two selected flame retardants, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and decabromo diphenyl oxide (Deca) show a high efficiency in reducing the heat release rates. The APP mainly reduces the initial peak while Deca diminishes the last peak significantly, demonstrating two completely different retarding mechanisms.
A Review of Phosphorus- Containing Flame Retardants
Authors: Green Joseph
Published: March 2007

Phosphorus-containing flame retardants include red phosphorus, inorganic phosphates, organophosphorus compounds and chlorophosphorus compounds. These are reviewed showing chemical structure and major applica tions. U.S., Western Europe and Japanese producers are given along with their trade names. Intumescent phosphorus systems and compounds are discussed.
Combustion Characteristics of Sitka Spruce Litter by Microcalorimetry
Authors: Jones J.C.
Published: March 2007

A sample of Sitka Spruce litter has been examined in a microcalo rimeter at temperatures up to 58°C, and kinetic parameters deduced from the re sults in a way which is explained step by step. The kinetic parameters were then used to predict the ignition temperature of the material in a field situation. Input to this calculation includes measured heat-release rate at incipient ignition of a different litter, reported independently.
Smolder of Cellulosic Fabrics. I. Development of a Framework
Authors: Dyakonov Alexander J. , Grider David A.
Published: March 2007

An experimental study of cellulosic fabric smolder is discussed. A cellulosic smolder model consistent in part with published literature is developed from the analyses of these experiments. Chemical reactions comprising cellulose fragmentation are suggested. A microkinetic analysis of empirically obtained steady-state smolder characteristics and estimations from the literature identify the rate-determining partial processes critical to this model. The analysis reveals 1. heat transfer between the reaction zone and bulk air is not significant to the de scriptive kinetics, 2. heat transfer within the yarn determines the rate of smolder, 3. oxygen transport between bulk air and the reaction zone must be included in the model, 4. the rate of oxygen diffusion within the yarn is a significant factor. The classes of chemical reactions in the model are revealed by estimations of their activation energies, as provided by experimental DSC/TGA and TPR investiga tions.
CFD Fire Simulations with Four Turbulence Models and Their Combinations
Authors: Chow W.K. , Mok W.K.
Published: March 2007

Four turbulence models and their combinations were tested and compared in simulating compartment fires with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These four models were the algebraic model, the standard k-ε model, the low Reynolds number k-ε model and the modified forms of the k-ε model with sec ond-order corrections. Mixed Turbulence Model System (MTMS) with more than two turbulence models used in different locations was also investigated. Nine nu merical experiments were performed. It was found that results predicted were similar in using different models and their combinations.
On Writing and Tenure
Authors: Forsyth Ann
Published: March 2007

In 1997, I was invited to talk about writing and tenure at a student-sponsored workshop for doctoral students in planning. After that talk, several audience members asked me to publish it in a forum, like JPER, that would be fairly accessible to their doctoral colleagues. I received a similar response when I showed it to other doctoral students. After more deliberation than it probably needed, I decided to go through the process of getting it in wider circulation. While it is not a scholarly research or education article that belongs the main text, this Comment is intended as an accessible starting point for thinking and talking about issues of writing, scholarly communication, and tenure practicalities. At least some doctoral students and new faculty seem to have a great need for such an article. It is in that spirit that I offer it.1
Review : Polymer Drugs and Polymeric Drugs: Part 3-Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Acryloyl and Methacryloyl Type Polymeric Drugs Containing 5-Fluorouracil and Theophylline
Authors: Akashi Mitsuru , Tanaka Yasuo , Miyazaki Tsuyoshi , Miyauchi Noriyuki
Published: March 2007

Acryloyl and methacryloyl derivatives of 5-fluorouracil and theophylline were synthesized by the reaction of trimethylsilylated 5-fluorouracil or theophylline with acryloyl chloride or methacryloyl chloride. Polymerization and copoly merization of derivatives with vinyl monomers gave polymeric drugs contain ing pharmaceutically active 5-fluorouracil or theophylline. Under mild conditions, these acryloyl and methacryloyl type polymeric drugs were found to undergo amide hydrolysis to release the 5-fluorouracil or theophylline.
A Novel Polyurethane Film for Biomedical Use
Authors: Hasirci N. , Burke A.
Published: March 2007

Polyurethane films were prepared from toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and poly(propylene-ethylene)glycol without catalyst. These films had a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in ultimate elongation when the TDI content of the polymers was decreased. The effects of aging and accelerated aging on completion of polymerization and on mechanical properties were examined. In the case of accelerated aging samples, complete polymerization with no change in mechanical properties was observed. Blood compatibility tests were carried out and the examination of the surfaces revealed no clotting, aggregation of blood cells, or fibrin formation.
Amorphous Soluble Cyclodextrins: Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Uses
Authors: Pitha Josef
Published: March 2007

Amorphous water soluble derivatives of cyclodextrins are potent, nontoxic solubilizers of drugs and lipids. Their use as excipients which enable effective oral administration of sex hormones is described. Furthermore, these com pounds were used intravenously as an active drug to assist an organism in unloading a toxic lipophile.
Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/Poly(caprolactone) Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks
Authors: Davis Patricia A. , Nicolais Luigi , Ambrosio Luigi , Huang Samuel J.
Published: March 2007

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN's) composed of cross linked poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), and linear poly(caprolac tone) (PCL), display improved mechanical properties over pure PHEMA in the water swollen state without covalent bonding between the components.
Synthesis of Chitosan-Alginate Microcapsule Membranes
Authors: Mcknight C.A. , Ku A. , Goosen M.F.A. , Sun D. , Penney C.
Published: March 2007

A polysaccharide, chitosan, was chemically modified to form a polyelectrolyte complex membrane with calcium alginate beads. A key factor in membrane for mation was found to be the viscosity average molecular weight (M v) of the chitosan. While unmodified chitosan (Mv = 12.1 x 105) formed thin and weak microcapsule membranes, when the Mv of the chitosan was reduced to 2.4 x 105, the polymer exhibited optimum membrane forming characteristics in terms of capsule strength and flexibility. The degree of deacetylation of chi tosan varied from 94.3% for the unmodified polymer to 93.2% for chitosan of Mv = 1.6 × 105. A substitution reaction sequence was developed in an attempt to modify the pendant amine of the practical grade polysaccharide. Reactive groups were coupled to the chitosan main chain following a two-step process; activation with a bromoacetyl halide and termination with a diamine [(NH2 (CH2)nNH2)] or methyl containing amine compound. Initial studies indicated that thin capsule membranes formed regardless of application of reaction se quence, distance of reactive groups from the main chain, or type of reactive group inserted. The permeability of the chitosan-alginate capsules was assessed, with various diffusing proteins. Membranes formed with chitosan Mv =0.5 × 106 excluded beta amylase, suggesting a membrane molecular weight cut-off of approximately 200,000.
Low Friction Hydrophilic Surface for Medical Devices
Authors: Nagaoka Shoji , Akashi Ryojiro
Published: March 2007

A hydrophilic polymer surface with low friction has been devel oped. A coating can be attached by the reaction of an epoxy containing poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) with the polyamino compound formed on the surface of the substrate. The epoxy containing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) was obtained by the copolymerization of vinyl pyrrolidone, glycidyl acrylate, and vinyl acetate. A molecular weight of 400,000 or more is essential to achieve low surface friction. Polyurethane catheters in rabbit models, both with and without the hydro philic low friction coating, were evaluated for surface friction coefficient and blood compatibility. The coated catheters produced no lesions of the intima of the blood vessels and no thrombus formation on the catheter surface, while the non-coated catheters injured the intima of the blood vessels and severe throm bus formation was found on their surfaces.
The Effects of Long-Term Sustained Delivery of Dihydrotestosterone by Poly(lactic acid) Impregnated and Noncoated Biodegradable Ceramic Devices in Male Rodents
Authors: Benghuzzi Hamed A. , England Barry G. , Bajpai Praphulla K.
Published: March 2007

The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the release of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from nonimpregnated and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) impregnated ALCAP ceramic reservoirs implanted in male rats, and to study the effects of delivered DHT on the reproductive system of male rats. A total of 120 Sprague-Dawley male albino rats were distributed equally into three groups. Two ALCAP capsules, one nonimpregnated and the other impregnated with PLA, were implanted in each rat in groups I and II. Capsules implanted in group I rats were loaded with 40 mg DHT each. Group II rats were implanted with two empty capsules (sham group), and group III animals served as un implanted controls. Eight rats from each group were euthanized at the end of the one, three, six, nine, and twelve months following the implantation of the ceramics. No significant changes in the weights of vital organs of rats were observed among any of the three different groups. Vas deferens and epididymal fluid were devoid of normal spermatozoa within three months of implanting the steroid-containing ceramics. Testes weights decreased significantly in the rats implanted with ALCAP ceramics containing DHT and the seminiferous tubules became oligospermic after one month and azoospermic after three months. The data collected in this study suggest that: (1) ALCAP ceramic cap sules are capable of delivering DHT for one year at a sustained manner; (2) DHT delivered by ALCAP capsules can be used effectively to regulate sperma togenesis in rats.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Heparinized Biocompatible Materials Using Heparin/Surface-Active Compound Complexes
Authors: Kashiwagi Takashi , Ito Yoshihiro , Imanishi Yukio
Published: March 2007

Heparin, an antithrombogenic mucopolysaccharide, forms com plexes with lecithin and other surface-active compounds (SAC). The complexes are soluble in organic solvents. The heparin/SAC complexes have antithrombo genic activity similar to heparin. Heparinized materials, in which the heparin/SAC complexes were used, showed an excellent in vitro nonthrombo genicity. The heparinized materials do not influence in vitro cell growth and showed an excellent biocompatibility.
Targeted Delivery of Drugs Provided by Water-Soluble Polymeric Systems with Low Critical Solution Temperature (LCST
Authors: Valuev Lev I. , Zefirova Olga N. , Obydennova Irina V. , Plate Nikolai A.
Published: March 2007

A new approach to the targeted thermally activated transport of chemical agents and physiologically active compounds is reported. The method involves the immobilization of these compounds on a water-soluble polymer with a low critical solution temperature and heating the delivery site above the critical temperature. The approach was illustrated with trypsin immobilized on N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide- N-acryloylphthalimide ternary copoly mers.
Polyionic Hydrogels Obtained by Complexation between Xanthan and Chitosan: Their Properties as Supports for Enzyme Immobilization
Authors: Dumitriu S. , Magny P. , Montané D. , Vidal P.F. , Chornet E.
Published: March 2007

A method for the preparation of hydrogels from the complexation of chitosan and xanthan is reported. Stable hydrogels capable of retaining be tween 65 and 95% weight water were prepared. The water retention and prop erties of the hydrogels were studied as a function of the degree of acetylation of chitosan and the ratio chitosan/xanthan used in the preparation of the gel. Spectroscopic FTIR was used to confirm complexation between the amine (chi tosan) and carboxylic (xanthan) groups. Electron micrographs (SEM and TEM) show the formation of a fibrillar structure with characteristic pore sizes be tween 100 and 1000 nm and fibril diameters between 50 and 100 nm. The diffu sion coefficient of 4- O-methyl- d-glucurono-D-xylan Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBB-xylan) in the complex chitosan-xanthan was 2.02 × 10-12 m 2s-1 at 30°C. The chitosan-xanthan complex was used to immobilize two enzymes (endo-1,4- β-xylanase and protease) either as single enzymes or as a binary system. Immo bilization varied between 85 and 98%. The immobilized xylanase activity was significantly greater with respect to the free enzyme while the binary enzyme system promoted protease activity.
Sexual Homicide
Authors: BURGESS ANN W. , HARTMAN CAROL R. , RESSLER ROBERT K. , DOUGLAS JOHN E. , McCORMACK ARLENE
Published: March 2007

The findings from this exploratory study are reported in terms of the descriptive background characteristics of 36 sexual murderers, their behaviors and experiences in connection with their developmental stages, and the central role of sadistic fantasy and critical cognitive structures that support the act of sexual murder. A five-phase motivational model is presented: (1) ineffective social environment, (2) formative events, (3) critical personal traits and cognitive mapping process, (4) action toward others and self, and (5) feedback filter.
Self-Reported Violent Offending
Authors: ELLIOTT DELBERT S. , HUIZINGA DAVID , MORSE BARBARA
Published: March 2007

Serious violent offenders are identified on the basis of self-reported involvement in violent FBI Index Offenses from a large representative sample of adolescents in the United States. The study involves a longitudinal prospective design with five annual waves of data on this national youth panel. Estimates of four basic parameters of violent offending are presented: prevalence rates, individual offending rates, career lengths, and crime mix patterns. These estimates are then compared to estimates based upon official arrest data. Self-reported estimates are substantially greater than those based upon arrest data, suggesting that those arrested for serious violent offenses constitute only a fraction of youth actually involved in serious violent behavior. The analysis also indicated that compared to self-reported data, arrest data overstate the magnitude of sex, race, and age differentials in the prevalence of serious violent offending. Further, self-reported individual offending rates were also substantially greater than those based upon arrest history data and there were no significant differences in self-reported individual offending rates by sex, race, class, or age. These findings suggest that prisoners incarcerated for serious violent offenses are not representative of those in the general population who are involved in serious violent offenses. The analysis of career length and crime mix patterns suggested that the period of involvement in violent offending was short (one year), individual offending rates increased with time, and the crime mix pattern became more diversified with time in the career.
Beliefs About Rape and Women's Social Roles
Authors: COSTIN FRANK , SCHWARZ NORBERT
Published: March 2007

Researchers dealing with feminist issues have proposed that sexual assaults on women are supported by social beliefs that encourage male domination and exploitation of women. One of the most influential sources for this position is Susan Brownmiller's (1975) social-historical analysis of rape, in which she argues that “rape myths” help support men's social and economical control of women. If this is true, beliefs in rape myths should be positively correlated with beliefs that restrict women's social roles and rights. This hypothesis was tested in four countries: United States, England, Israel, and West Germany. Two self-report scales were used, one measuring the acceptance of rape myths and the other measuring restrictive beliefs about women's social roles. Translations of the scales provided the instruments for the Israeli and West German subjects. Subjects for Phase 1, carried out in the United States, included female and male university undergraduates and women and men employed in a variety of occupations. Product-moment correlations between scores on the two scales were significant (p<.01) for all four groups, with r's ranging from .72 for employed women to .46 for employed men. Phase 2 was carried out in the United States, England, Israel, and West Germany. In addition to university graduates in all four countries, subjects included secondary school teachers from the United States and England, and women and men from a variety of other occupations in the United States. Acceptance of rape myths was significantly correlated (p<.01) with restrictive beliefs about women's social roles and rights in all but 1 of the 19 groups tested. The r's ranged from .87 for female teachers to .40 for male police in the United States. Social and educational implications of the confirmed hypothesis are discussed.
Child Sexual Abuse and Custody Disputes No Easy Answers
Authors: CORWIN DAVID L. , BERLINER LUCY , GOODMAN GAIL , GOODWIN JEAN , WHITE SUE
Published: March 2007

This article alerts professionals to the emergence of oversimplified approaches to the complex problem of alleged child sexual abuse in the context of custody disputes. We argue that reliance on such methods is likely to result in misdiagnosis and failure to protect children who are both sexually abused and caught in custody battles. We specifically take issue with Green's (1986) recent formulation for distinguishing between true and false accusations of incest in child custody disputes because that formulation is based on an inadequate data base, biased sample, and unsupported conclusions. In addition, we discuss the limits of clinical impression, the difference between unfounded or unsubstantiated and false accusations of abuse, and the high prevalence of actual child sexual abuse in the setting of marital dissolution.
Is Violence Toward Children Increasing?
Authors: GELLES RICHARD J. , STRAUS MURRAY A.
Published: March 2007

This article compares the rate of violence toward children from a 1975 study with the rates from a 1985 replication. Both studies used nationally representative samples (1,146 families in 1975 and 1,428 in 1985), and both found extremely high incidence of severe violence against children. However, 1985 rates, although high, were substantially lower than 1975 rates; the rate of severe violence weas 47% lower in 1985. Possible reasons for the lower rates in 1985 are examined and evaluated, including (a) increased reluctance to report; (b) differences in the method of study; (c) reductions due to ten years of prevention and treatment efforts; and (d) reductions due to changes in American society and family patterns that would have produced lower rates of violence toward children even without ameliorative programs.
A Review of Clinical Practices and Research Data on Anatomical Dolls
Authors: WHITE SUE , SANTILLI GAIL
Published: March 2007

The use of anatomical dolls by investigators of suspected child sexual abuse has become a hotly debated issue among mental health and legal professionals. A review of clinical practices and of research findings is presented, which may be helpful informing opinions about the utility of the dolls in such evaluations.
Judged Effectiveness of Common Rape Prevention and Self-Defense Strategies
Authors: FURBY LITA , FISCHHOFF BARUCH , MORGAN MARCIA
Published: March 2007

All women face the threat of rape, forcing them to (a) decide what to do to reduce their chances of being assaulted (rape prevention) and (b) how to defend themselves if assaulted (self-defense). A principal basis for such decisions should be women's estimates of the effectiveness of possible prevention and self-defense strategies for reducing the risk of rape. This study examined effectiveness judgments, using an explicit quantitative scale for expressing effectiveness. Participants included three diverse groups of women (differing in age, family situation, and socioeconomic status), one group of men, and a group of sexual assault experts. Effectiveness judgments were elicited for 16 prevention strategies and 14 self-defense strategies that were mentioned most frequently in a previous open-ended questionnaire. All five groups judged these prevention strategies to be highly effective, women more so than both men and sexual assault experts. Possible bases for these apparently unrealistically high estimates are discussed. There was much greater variability in judgments for the self-defense strategies, but the respondent groups generally agreed with each other and with available statistical estimates of effectiveness.