bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marital Adjustment: An Examination of Some Predictive Variables in an Australian Sample
Authors: Sharpley C. F. , Khan J. A.
Published: September 2011

Marital adjustment was measured by the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test (1959) for 101 married couples, at least one spouse of each couple being a student of psychology at an Australian university. Value-systems held by subjects were measured by the Flowers and Hughes Values for Marriage Analysis (1975). Background data on previously significant variables were also collected. A positive relationship between people-oriented values and marital adjustment for individuals was noted, plus a negative relationship between self-oriented values and marital adjustment. There was no significant relationship between marital adjustment and congruency of value-systems between spouses. Background variables were not significantly related to marital adjustment.
Wisc-R Profiles of Adjudicated Delinquents Later Incarcerated or Released on Probation
Authors: Hubble L. M. , Groff Marty
Published: September 2011

WISC-R profiles were compared for 52 subsequently incarcerated and 52 subsequently probational delinquents evaluated after adjudication but before judicial commitment. Each sample exhibited a reliable within-group Performance IQ elevation. The two groups did not differ on Verbal subtest means assessed by Hotelling's two-sample test. However, between-group differences were observed among Performance subtests. It was concluded that effects of incarceration did not account for the elevation of Performance IQ in either sample of adjudicated delinquents. Also, intellectual differences between delinquent subgroups could not be attributed to confounding of incarceration and probation.
Repeated Acquisition of Four-Member Response Sequences in Rats
Authors: Schrot John , Thomas John R. , Banvard Richard A.
Published: September 2011

A procedure for studying the repeated acquisition of four-member response sequences in rats was developed. Early in training incorrect responses constituted approximately 60% of the total responses emitted during a session, and no evidence of within-session acquisition was observed After 100 training sessions incorrect responses constituted approximately 25% of total responses and within-session acquisition was observed, as evidenced by runs of up to 14 errorless sequence completions during the latter portions of training sessions. The behavior generated after extended training was similar to behavior maintained by repeated acquisition baselines for pigeons and monkeys in over-all levels of error and in the pattern of within-session acquisition.
Characteristics of Effective Interviews Reviewing Performance: Do Supervisors and Subordinates Agree?
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Weitzel William , Weir Tamara
Published: September 2011

27 supervisors of nursing personnel and 270 of their subordinates described interviews in which performance was reviewed. 8 process characteristics and 6 outcomes were examined. Most of these measures were previously used in investigations of subordinates' experiences. 4 process characteristics were significantly related to most of the outcome variables. Supervisors and subordinates showed high agreement on the characteristics of effective reviews of performance. Implications for enhancing effects of training programs for developing skills in conducting interviews in which performance is reviewed are proposed.
Attire, Sex-Roles, and Responses to Requests for Directions
Authors: Miller Franklin G. , Rowold Kathleen L.
Published: September 2011

As expected responses of 90 middle-aged men to a request for directions were influenced by the female experimenter's attire.
Undergraduates' Absolute Values for Monetary and Social Outcomes and Correctness
Authors: Layne Christopher , Gross Robert S.
Published: September 2011

Many theories assume that outcomes from the same class possess similar values or aversions. The present experiments test two interpretations of this notion. Both experiments measured undergraduates' ( ns = 146 and 154, respectively) values and aversions on ratio scales. Both experiments found that rewards and punishers in the same class do not share similar absolute impacts. However, both experiments found that rewards and punishers from the same class do share similar interindividual impacts, i.e., if a person values a reward more highly than his peers, then he will value other rewards from the same class more highly than his peers. Finally, the present experiments provide normative data on the absolute values and aversions of outcomes which are frequently used in experiments with humans.
Personality, Marital Satisfaction, and Divorce
Authors: Eysenck H. J.
Published: September 2011

Some 1,500 married or divorced men and women were interviewed and administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Comparisons between the married and the divorced suggested that divorces are more frequent among the psychiatrically abnormal (high Psychoticism, high Neuroticism), particularly among the women. Extraversion was also related to divorce, but only among the men. Within-group correlations largely confirmed these between-group comparisons. Personality appears to be one of many factors involved in marital satisfaction and divorce.
Wishes of Adolescents in Senegal
Authors: Vandewiele Michel
Published: September 2011

By letting 803 secondary school students state three wishes each, classified according to the criteria determined by Jersild, et al. (1932) and Wilson (1938), we noted that avocation was a more frequently quoted category in Senegal than in other Western countries. Altruistic wishes more frequent in Senegal were more often given by boys than girls. Finally, the influence of age on the percentage of wishes expressed by the Senegalese adolescents after Wilson's classification suggests some similarity with the variations observed by Wheeler in 1963 for Australian subjects.
Effects of Aggressive and Prosocial Film Material on Altruistic Behavior of Children
Authors: Teachman Goody , Orme Michael
Published: September 2011

The effects of 3 (aggressive vs neutral vs prosocial) × 2 (real life vs cartoon) television programs on altruistic donating to charity of 120 8- to 10-yr.-olds were examined on both an immediate test and a 1-wk. retest. On the immediate test, exposure to aggressive television programs led to significantly less donating behavior than did exposure to neutral or prosocial programs. A negative relationship was found between the number of hours, averaged across viewing conditions, children reported they watched TV per week and the number of tokens they donated.
Effects of Facilitating and Debilitating Anxiety on Performance and Study Effort in Mastery-Based and Traditional Courses
Authors: Gaeddert William P. , Dolphin Warren D.
Published: September 2011

To explore a possible interaction of testing method with anxiety, Alpert and Haber's Achievement Anxiety Test was administered to 103 male and 94 female undergraduates in biology courses which utilized traditional or mastery-based testing systems. As predicted, students high in debilitating anxiety attained lower grades than students low in debilitating anxiety; highly facilitating anxiety was associated with higher grades than was low facilitating anxiety, especially in the traditionally taught sections. The results support the Alpert-Haber conception of test anxiety and suggest an inverted-U relationship between grades and test anxiety. Further analysis showed that, although test anxiety did not affect effort in study, females studied more in the mastery-based course than in the traditional course. Males' effort was not affected by testing method.
Social Class-Sex Contrasts in Patterns of Cognitive Style: A Cross-Cultural Replication
Authors: Poole M. E.
Published: September 2011

In a cross-cultural replication of an Australian study, multiple discriminant function analysis was used on responses of a sample of 79 Californian adolescents (classified on an SES/Life Style index) to determine whether their pattern of cognitive functioning differed on a battery of cognitive style tests along a social-class/sex dimension. On Function I, middle-class (M) and working-class (W) boys displayed broad estimates of category width, while middle-class girls and working-class girls scored high on originality and conceptual differentiation, but low on category width. On Function II, middle-class girls and boys scored higher on conceptual preference for descriptive-analytic labels, and on category width working-class girls and boys showed a preference for inferential labels. The results indicated close similarity between the Australian and United States sample in terms of the dimensions analysed, although both groups of U.S. girls displayed greater preference for analytic and creative modes, respectively. Results were interpreted within socialization theory, the discrepant results being attributed to different socialization clusters operating within the culture.
Meanings of Sadism and Masochism
Authors: Herron Mary Jane , Herron William G.
Published: September 2011

The evolution of sadism and masochism from their origins in the 19th century until the present are described. Included are the pain-pleasure conception, dominance-submission, and sadistic and masochistic personality types. The need for differentiating types of sadism and masochism is emphasized.
Maximizing versus Matching in People versus Pigeons
Authors: Mawhinney Thomas C.
Published: September 2011

A single subject allocated behavior to several concurrent variable interval/fixed ratio reinforcement schedules and a series of fixed ratio schedules with no other alternative schedule present. The allocation of behavior to the real choices (concurrent schedules) and no choice (fixed ratio only) schedule situations conformed to those predicted by formal equations for maximization of reinforcements in each situation. The results suggest that, while matching may be a fundamental rule of behavioral choice in animals and people, there exist identifiable limitations to its applicability to human choice behavior. Humans with some training in economic income maximization are likely to maximize rather than match in concurrent choice situations.
Preferences for Candidates of College Students and Their Parents in Two Presidential Elections
Authors: Koenig Fredrick
Published: September 2011

Assuming that students who favor Republican presidential candidates will be more conservative and more likely to have authoritarian characteristics than Democratic students, it was hypothesized that they would tend to see their parents as having the same preferences for candidates as themselves. A random sample of 116 students at the time of the 1972 election and 133 students at the time of the 1976 election were asked about their preferences for candidates and those of their parents. In both elections the hypothesis was supported in that more students who favored Republican candidates reported their parents voting similarly than students who favored Democratic candidates.
Pet-Facilitated Psychotherapy: A Theoretical Explanation VIA Attention Shifts
Authors: Brickel Clark M.
Published: September 2011

Pet animals are used as clinical adjuncts in pet-facilitated psychotherapy. It is proposed that the manner in which pets reduce emotional discomfort is theoretically explained through the competing-response theory of extinction via attention shifts. Using this model pets are seen as emotionally-laden distracting stimuli which allow for exposure to, instead of avoidance of, anxiety-generating stimuli. Therapist-directed alternative response patterns are then developed.
Self-Reported and Self-Attributed Scores on Personality, Social Skills, and Attitudinal Measures as Compared between High and Low Nominated Friends and Acquaintances
Authors: Henderson Monika , Furnham Adrian
Published: September 2011

63 females were categorized as high or low in popularity on the basis of peer nominations. Actual and self-predicted scores on five personality scales showed some significant differences between close friends and acquaintances with high and low nominations.
Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale: Normative Data for Graduate Students in Education
Authors: Ginter Earl J. , Scalise Joseph J. , McKnight Richard R. , Miller Francis G.
Published: September 2011

The Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale was administered to both graduate and undergraduate students to reassess earlier findings (Suinn, 1969). The primary purpose of this study was to provide normative data for graduate students ( N = 153). Such information does not appear in Suinn's 1969 article. Means, standard deviations, and percentiles are reported for each sex, as well as for the total graduate sample. Females reported significantly higher test anxiety. Test-retest reliability over a 6-wk. interval was .73. In general, the findings for the graduate students were similar to Suinn's findings for undergraduates.
Fear of Death and the Concept of Extended Self
Authors: Westman Alida S. , Canter Francis M.
Published: September 2011

287 participants, including 50 nuns, 25 schizophrenics and 42 alcoholics, answered a questionnaire with indices on fear of death and self-concept. Three hypotheses were confirmed. First, people indicating less fear were more likely to describe self as extending to include any other person. Second, people indicating fear more frequently described death as final, unnatural, providing no meaning to life, and cold. Third, people reported less fear and a more extended self if committed to religious life. The fourth hypothesis, that people would report more fear and a less extended self if diagnosed as mentally or emotionally troubled, was only partially supported, possibly because the troubled persons more frequently reported being confused about self.
“Playing the Dozens”: Its History and Psychological Significance
Authors: Bruhn John G. , Murray James L.
Published: September 2011

“Playing the dozens” is a verbal game common among young adolescents, especially those from low-income groups and ethnic minorities. Verbal games such as “the dozens” help to establish communication and understanding between ethnic groups when the players know and follow the rules of the game. While “the dozens” may be practiced in different forms within cultural groups, its use across cultures helps to diffuse pressures and stresses among youth.
The Procedures and Justification of a Two-Tailed Directional Test of Significance
Authors: Hand Jack , Carter Robert E. Mc , Hand Michael R.
Published: September 2011

The procedures and justification of a directional two-tailed test of significance are presented along with some suggested advantages of the conception.
How Perceived Carelessness and Time of Attack Affect Nursing Students' Attributions about Rape Victims
Authors: Damrosch Shirley Petchel
Published: September 2011

Senior baccalaureate nursing students ( N = 180) read an account about a rape victim depicted as having driven to a drugstore on a legitimate errand. There were six versions of the rape, in which the victim either locked or failed to lock her car door (carelessness manipulation) and in which the rape occurred at 5:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., or midnight. Subjects reading the Unlocked version (as compared to those getting the Locked version) regarded the victim as more likely to be predisposed to get into situations like rape, liked and identified with the victim significantly less, and viewed her as more careless and responsible for the rape. Time of attack also significantly affected attributions about predisposition to get into situations like rape, carelessness, and responsibility, with the victim rated most negatively in the midnight version.
Hippocampal Lesions and Open-Field Defecation in Rats
Authors: Satinder K. Paul , McGowan Robert A.
Published: September 2011

Effects of dorsal and ventral hippocampal lesions on open-field defecation of rats were investigated. Based on presurgical testing, matched groups from both sexes were either lesioned or sham-operated. Compared to respective presurgical scores the postsurgical defecation score decreased significantly in the sham-operated group but remained the same in the hippocampally lesioned group. Results were discussed in terms of habituation and the inverted-U arousal function.
Responses to Facial Expression of Emotion in Depression
Authors: Mandal M. K. , Palchoudhury S.
Published: September 2011

An estimate of verbosity derived from a 2-min. free response to photographs depicting facial affect was examined in a 2 (depressed-control) × 3 (happy-sad-fear) × 2 (red-blue) factorial design. 30 depressed patients uttered less significant comment than the 30 control subjects. The sad face triggered significantly larger vocabularies than other facial emotions while exposure in red or blue color produced a non-significant effect.
Reliability and Discriminant Validity of the Children's Drug-Use Survey
Authors: Oetting E. R. , Edwards Ruth , Beauvais Fred
Published: September 2011

The Children's Drug Use Survey assesses involvement with alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, and “pills” and includes experimental psycho-social items. It is short, easy to read, and is constructed so that it does not encourage drug use. Data are presented showing that the drug-use items have high reliability and discriminant validity. The scales should be useful for studying drug involvement in both minority and nonminority youth and possess adequate reliability for use as low as the fourth grade.
Relationship of Sex, Social Class and Rural/Urban Locale to Preschoolers' AML Scores
Authors: Handal Paul J. , Hopper Saul
Published: September 2011

Analysis of effects of sex, race, socioeconomic status, and rural/urban locale on AML scores (Aggressive, Moody, Learning Problems) of preschoolers showed that 345 boys evidenced more aggression, learning problems, and adjustment problems than 334 girls. An interaction of race by social status suggested that middle-status blacks showed more aggression, moodiness, and adjustment problems than middle-status whites, low-status blacks, and low-status whites. Discussion focused on the needs for use of separate cut-off scores by sex, and the use of our data and Carberry and Handal's 1980 data as preliminary norms.
Predictors of Job Status among Trained Economically Disadvantaged Persons
Authors: Martin David C. , Bartol Kathryn M.
Published: September 2011

Based on interview data obtained from 50 trained economically disadvantaged persons and their supervisors on the first job after training, this study examined 10 potential predictors of job status (stayers versus leavers) among trained economically disadvantaged individuals. Appraised performance by the supervisor, satisfaction with the supervisor, and perceived ease of movement were significant differentiators among stayers and leavers. Only perceived ease of movement added to the variance accounted for by appraised performance by the supervisor, with stayers perceiving greater ease of movement than leavers. Results add to the growing evidence of the importance of appraised performance by the supervisor in distinguishing stayers from leavers in research on turnover. Over-all, the results suggest that factors related to staying versus leaving among trained economically disadvantaged persons are similar to those found in other populations.
Validity of Conventional and Unbiased Intelligence Test Items for Groups Differing in Age and Education
Authors: Landry Muriel , McKelvie Stuart J.
Published: September 2011

Three groups (students, nonprofessionals, and professionals) of 24 subjects differing in age and education completed a 60-item spiral omnibus test and two criterion measures (Intellectual Efficiency scale and Life Attitude Profile). Half of the omnibus questions (based on general information, social judgement, and numerical ability) had been judged as tapping knowledge unrestricted to students or middle-aged adults not in school, and the other half were drawn from standardized intelligence tests. The three groups performed equally well on the new items but, on the conventional ones, the nonprofessionals obtained lower scores than the students or professionals. However, a multiple regression analysis showed that, although none of the items predicted Life Attitude Profile scores for any group, both types predicted intellectual efficiency scores for professionals and, contrary to expectation, conventional and unbiased ones predicted intellectual efficiency for nonprofessionals and students, respectively.
Predicting Patients' Withdrawal against Medical Advice from an Alcoholism Treatment Center
Authors: Jones John W.
Published: September 2011

34 male street alcoholics completed the Drinking-related Locus of Control Scale before entering a 30-day residential treatment program for alcoholism. Their locus of control scores significantly correlated .36 with the number of days they remained in treatment. Patients reporting more perceived control over both interpersonal and intrapersonal pressures to drink (internal scorers) remained in treatment reliably longer than patients (external) who felt their sobriety was a function of forces outside their control.
Physiological Effects of Petting a Companion Animal
Authors: Jenkins Judy L.
Published: September 2011

This research compared the blood pressures and heart rates of 20 pet owners in their own homes while petting their dogs and while reading aloud. All pet owners showed a positive regard for their animals as demonstrated by high scores on a Pet Attitude Scale. The owners exhibited significantly lower blood pressures while petting than while reading.
Consent Requirements and Anxiety in University Undergraduate Students
Authors: Holliman W. Bruce , Soileau Glenn A. , Hubbard James M. , Stevens Joanne
Published: September 2011

Four intact classes of undergraduate students (N = 276) in beginning psychology and sociology were administered the state anxiety questionnaire of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory under one of the following conditions: (a) following the presentation of a brief consent form, (b) following a longer consent form, (c) prior to the administration of a consent form, or (d) following the reading of an irrelevant passage to control for experimenter contact time. A priori comparisons indicated that groups given the short consent form and the inventory prior to consent were more anxious than other groups. These results suggest that the consent procedure may be useful as a brief anxiety reducing introduction to the experimenter.
Internal Power, Affiliation and Self-Fulfillment
Authors: Gottesfeld Harry , Burke Elizabeth
Published: September 2011

30 undergraduate students were ranked on emphasis on self-fulfillment through responses to an identity test. A measure of affiliation correlated moderately negatively with emphasis on self-fulfillment, while a measure of internal power correlated moderately positively.
Personality Correlates of Reflectivity
Authors: Jennings Pamela S. , Holmstrom Robert W. , Karp Stephen A.
Published: September 2011

This study investigated personality correlates of reflectivity. Spitzer's Twenty Statements Test procedure, developed within a symbolic-interactionist framework, was used to identify reflective subjects. Of primary interest was the relationship between reflectivity and indices of ideal-self discrepancy. Other variables assumed to have relevance to reflectivity were self-awareness, imagery control, socialization, and anxiety. Results confirmed the predictions for ideal-self discrepancy and for anxiety. The implications of these findings for understanding the reflective process are briefly presented.
A cosmological exact solution of generalized Brans-Dicke theory with complex scalar field and its phenomenological implications
Authors: Arık Metin , Çalık Mehmet , Katırcı Nihan
Published: September 2011

When the Brans-Dicke theory is formulated in terms of the Jordan scalar field φ, the amount of dark energy is related to the mass of this field. We investigate a solution which is relevant to the late universe. We show that if φ is taken to be a complex scalar field, then an exact solution to the vacuum equations requires that the Friedmann equation possesses both a constant term and one which is proportional to the inverse sixth power of the scale factor. Possible interpretations and phenomenological implications of this result are discussed.
Preload-induced changes in isometric tension and [Ca2+]i in rat myocardium
Authors: Lookin Oleg , Protsenko Yuri
Published: September 2011

Preload-induced changes of active tension and [Ca2+]i are “dissociated” in mammalian myocardium. This study aimed to describe the distinct effects of preload at low and physiological [Ca2+]o. Rat RV papillary muscles were studied in isometric conditions at 25‡C and 0.33 Hz at 1 mM (hypo-Ca group) and 2.5 mM [Ca2+]o (normal-Ca group). [Ca2+]i was monitored with fura-2/AM. Increase of preload caused a rise of active tension in hypo-Ca and normal-Ca groups whereas peak fluorescence rose significantly only at low [Ca2+]o. End-diastolic tension, end-diastolic level of fluorescence, time-to-peak tension, but not time-to-peak of Ca2+ transient, progressively increased with preload. Mechanical relaxation decelerated with preload while Ca2+ transient decay time decreased in the initial phase and increased in the late phase, resulting in a prominent “bump” configuration. The “bump” was assessed as a ratio of its area to the fluorescence trace area. It was a new finding that the preload-induced rise of this ratio was twice as large in hypo-Ca. Our results indicate that preload-induced changes in active tension and [Ca2+]i are “dissociated” in rat myocardium, with relatively higher expression at low [Ca2+]o. Ca-dependence of Ca-TnC association/dissociation kinetics is thought to be a main contributor to these preload-induced effects.
Search behaviour of two hemipteran species using vibrational communication
Authors: Groot Maarten , Čokl Andrej , Virant-Doberlet Meta
Published: September 2011

The ability of conspecifics to recognize and locate each other in the environment depends on the efficiency of intraspecific communication. We compared the mate searching strategies of southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula (male searches for a continuously calling female) and the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi (partners form a precisely coordinated duet). Males of both species were tested on plants in playback experiments. One leaf was vibrated with unaltered conspecific female signals or with various conspecific signals using modified temporal parameters. The results showed that the onset of searching was faster in A. makarovi than in N. viridula. Changes in temporal parameters of female replies had negative effect on the searching behaviour of A. makarovi. Males located the source of longer female replies faster than the short female call and they failed to locate the source of a female reply with temporal parameters outside the species-specific values. In contrast, in N. viridula, searching males successfully located also the source of a female song with parameters outside the species-specific values. The results are discussed with regard to male behavioural strategies in species with different vibrational communication systems and different male mating investment.
The impact of red and blue light-emitting diode illumination on radish physiological indices
Authors: Samuolienė Giedrė , Sirtautas Ramūnas , Brazaitytė Aušra , Sakalauskaitė Jurga , Sakalauskienė Sandra , Duchovskis Pavelas
Published: September 2011

The objective was to evaluate the effect of different combinations of red (638 nm) and blue (455 nm) light produced by solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on physiological indices (net assimilation rate, hypocotyl-to-leaf ratio, leaf area, leaf dry weight, hypocotyl length and diameter, plant length, developed leaves), variation of photosynthetic pigments and non-structural carbohydrates in radish (Raphanus sativus L., var. ‘Faraon’). Lighting experiments were performed under controlled conditions (total PPFD - 200 μmol m−2 s−1; 16 h photoperiod; 14/18°C night/day temperature). The LED conditions: 638 nm; 638 + 5% 455 nm; 638 + 10% 455 nm; 638 + 10% 455 + 731 nm; 638 + 10% 455 + 731 + 669 nm. Our results showed that radishes grown under red (638 nm) alone were elongated, and the formation of hypocotyl was weak. The net assimilation rate, hypocotyl-to-leaf ratio, and leaf dry weight also were low due to the low accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and non-structural carbohydrates in leaves. The supplemented blue (455 nm) light was necessary for the non-structural carbohydrates distribution between radish storage organs and leaves which resulted in hypocotyl thickening. Red alone (638 nm) or in combination with far-red (731 nm), or red669 for radish generative development was required.
Modeling circadian clocks: From equations to oscillations
Authors: Gonze Didier
Published: September 2011

Circadian rhythms are generated at the cellular level by a small but tightly regulated genetic network. In higher eukaryotes, interlocked transcriptional-translational feedback loops form the core of this network, which ensures the activation of the right genes (proteins) at the right time of the day. Understanding how such a complex molecular network can generate robust, self-sustained oscillations and accurately responds to signals from the environment (such as light and temperature) is greatly helped by mathematical modeling. In the present paper we review some mathematical models for circadian clocks, ranging from abstract, phenomenological models to the most detailed molecular models. We explain how the equations are derived, highlighting the challenges for the modelers, and how the models are analyzed. We show how to compute bifurcation diagrams, entrainment, and phase response curves. In the subsequent paper, we discuss, through a selection of examples, how modeling efforts have contributed to a better understanding of the dynamics of the circadian regulatory network.
Modeling circadian clocks: Roles, advantages, and limitations
Authors: Gonze Didier
Published: September 2011

Circadian rhythms are endogenous oscillations characterized by a period of about 24h. They constitute the biological rhythms with the longest period known to be generated at the molecular level. The abundance of genetic information and the complexity of the molecular circuitry make circadian clocks a system of choice for theoretical studies. Many mathematical models have been proposed to understand the molecular regulatory mechanisms that underly these circadian oscillations and to account for their dynamic properties (temperature compensation, entrainment by light dark cycles, phase shifts by light pulses, rhythm splitting, robustness to molecular noise, intercellular synchronization). The roles and advantages of modeling are discussed and illustrated using a variety of selected examples. This survey will lead to the proposal of an integrated view of the circadian system in which various aspects (interlocked feedback loops, inter-cellular coupling, and stochasticity) should be considered together to understand the design and the dynamics of circadian clocks. Some limitations of these models are commented and challenges for the future identified.
A Descriptive Study of Pressure Pain Threshold at 2 Standardized Sites in People With Acute or Subacute Neck Pain
Authors: Walton David , MacDermid Joy , Nielson Warren , Teasell Robert , Nailer Tamara , Maheu Phillippe
Published: September 2011

Study Design

Cross-sectional convenience sample.

Objectives

To describe the distribution of scores for pressure pain threshold (PPT) at 2 standardized testing sites in people with neck pain of less than 90 days' duration: the angle of the upper trapezius and the belly of the tibialis anterior. A secondary objective was to identify important influences on PPT.

Background

PPT may be a valuable assessment and prognostic indicator for people with neck pain. However, to facilitate interpretation of scores, knowledge of means and variance for the target population, as well as factors that might influence scores, is needed.

Methods

Participants were recruited from community-based physiotherapy clinics and underwent PPT testing using a digital algometer and standardized protocol. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviations, quartiles, skewness, and kurtosis) were calculated for the 2 sites. Simple bivariate tests of association were conducted to explore potential moderators.

Results

A positively skewed distribution was described for the 2 standardized sites. Significant moderators were sex (male higher than female), age (r = 0.22), and self-reported pain intensity (r = −0.24). Neither litigation status nor most symptomatic/least symptomatic side influenced PPT.

Conclusions

This manuscript presents information regarding the expected scores for PPT testing in people with acute or subacute neck pain. Clinicians can compare the results of individual patients against these population values, and researchers can incorporate the significant confounders of age, sex, and self-reported pain intensity into future research designs. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(9):651–657. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3667
Evaluating the Utility of a Bipolar Self-Test Screening Measure
Authors: Parker Gordon , Blanch Bianca , Fletcher Kathryn , Greenfield Leah
Published: September 2011

Objective: To detail the methodology of an online study designed to test the utility of a bipolar self-test screening measure.

Method: We describe the current technical success of an online methodology in recruiting a large sample with minimal cost.

Results: Over some six months, more than 120 000 people accessed the Black Dog Institute Bipolar Self-Test, with screening criteria allowing a cohort to be recruited.

Conclusion: This paper details the overall study strategy that will be reported on after a large finite sample has been derived.
Building Consumers in to Service Evaluation: Development of the MH-CoPES Framework in New South Wales
Authors: Malins Gillian , Oakley Karen , Doyle Rebecca
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim of this paper is to present the Mental Health Consumer Perceptions and Experiences of Services (MH-CoPES) Framework and discuss its development. The Framework was developed to address the need for a consistent approach across New South Wales mental health services for consumer involvement in service evaluation and planning.

Conclusions: A four step Framework has been developed for implementation across adult public mental health services in NSW. The Framework focuses not only on collecting consumers’ views of mental health services but on ensuring that procedures to report on and make changes based on this information are in place.
Improving the Care of Mentally Ill Patients in a Tertiary Emergency Department: Development of a Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit
Authors: Browne Veronique , Knott Jonathan , Dakis Jenny , Fielding John , Lyle Daphne , Daniel Catherine , Bruce Michael , Virtue Elizabeth
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim was to describe the Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit (PAPU), established at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) to improve access to psychiatric care for patients presenting via the Emergency Department (ED).

Method: PAPU was opened in January 2007. Data was recorded from RMH ED databases to compare ED lengths of stay (LOS) prior to and after establishing PAPU. Interventions including requirement for one-to-one nursing (i.e. one nurse dedicated to the care and observation of one patient) and mechanical restraint and unarmed security threats are routinely documented and were compared before and after PAPU opened. Demographic data and inpatient LOS information was collected by clinicians in PAPU.

Results: During the 12 months of initial evaluation we found that PAPU assisted with reducing the number of patients waiting excessive LOS in the RMH ED essentially to zero, due to both expedient transfers from ED and increased direct admissions from the community. We were also able to demonstrate a reduction in mechanical restraint, security codes for unarmed threats and one-to-one nursing in the ED.

Conclusions: The establishment of the PAPU at RMH has resulted in significant improvement in the care of patients with mental illness in the least restrictive environment, based on decreased LOS and need for interventions.
Adolescent Admissions to Adult Psychiatric Units: Patterns and Implications for Service Provision
Authors: Park Chohye , McDermott Brett , Loy Jik , Dean Peter
Published: September 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of child and adolescent admissions to an acute adult psychiatric unit in a rural city. Correlates of admissions were then considered in terms of service reform for this vulnerable, under-resourced group.

Method: The study reviewed consecutive clinical records of children and adolescents who were admitted to an acute general psychiatric inpatient unit over a 6 year period (N = 332).

Results: Patients generally experienced numerous pre-admission psychosocial stressors; there were many abuse histories and/or juvenile justice involvement. The principal diagnosis was varied and comorbidity was common. Maori patients were over-represented. The majority of admissions occurred out of working hours and more than half came from rural areas. There was high usage of the Mental Health Act on admission. Common causes of admission were self-harm and suicidal behaviour. The majority of the admitted adolescents required follow up by child and adolescent mental health services after discharge.

Conclusion: We identified several reform possibilities, including up-skilling emergency and adult mental health staff in child and adolescent mental health, exploration of alternatives to admissions and specialist service coverage.
Volumetric analysis of syringomyelia following hindbrain decompression for Chiari malformation Type I: syringomyelia resolution follows exponential kinetics
Authors: Coumans Jean-Valery , Walcott Brian P. , Butler William E. , Nahed Brian V. , Kahle Kristopher T.
Published: September 2011

Object

Resolution of syringomyelia is common following hindbrain decompression for Chiari malformation, yet little is known about the kinetics governing this process. The authors sought to establish the volumetric rate of syringomyelia resolution.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of patients undergoing hindbrain decompression for a Chiari malformation Type I with preoperative cervical or thoracic syringomyelia was identified. Patients were included in the study if they had at least 3 neuroimaging studies that detailed the entirety of their preoperative syringomyelia over a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. The authors reconstructed the MR images in 3 dimensions and calculated the volume of the syringomyelia. They plotted the syringomyelia volume over time and constructed regression models using the method of least squares. The Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion were used to calculate the relative goodness of fit. The coefficients of determination R2 (unadjusted and adjusted) were calculated to describe the proportion of variability in each individual data set accounted for by the statistical model.

Results

Two patients were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Plots of the least-squares best fit were identified as 4.01459e−0.0180804x and 13.2556e−0.00615859x. Decay of the syringomyelia followed an exponential model in both patients (R2 = 0.989582 and 0.948864).

Conclusions

Three-dimensional analysis of syringomyelia resolution over time enables the kinetics to be estimated. This technique is yet to be validated in a large cohort. Because syringomyelia is the final common pathway for a number of different pathological processes, it is possible that this exponential only applies to syringomyelia related to treatment of Chiari malformation Type I.
Standard and cardiac-gated phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in the clinical course of patients with Chiari malformation Type I
Authors: Mauer Uwe Max , Gottschalk Andreas , Mueller Carolin , Weselek Linda , Kunz Ulrich , Schulz Chris
Published: September 2011

Object

The causal treatment of Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) consists of removing the obstruction of CSF flow at the level of the foramen magnum. Cerebrospinal fluid flow can be visualized using dynamic phase-contrast MR imaging. Because there is only a paucity of studies evaluating CSF dynamics in the region of the spinal canal on the basis of preoperative and postoperative measurements, the authors investigated the clinical usefulness of cardiacgated phase-contrast MR imaging in patients with CM-I.

Methods

Ninety patients with CM-I underwent preoperative MR imaging of CSF pulsation. Syringomyelia was present in 59 patients and absent in 31 patients. Phase-contrast MR imaging of the entire CNS was used to investigate 22 patients with CM-I before surgery and after a mean postoperative period of 12 months (median 12 months, range 3–33 months). In addition to the dynamic studies, absolute flow velocities, the extension of the syrinx, and tonsillar descent were also measured.

Results

The changes in pulsation were highly significant in the region of the (enlarged) cistern (p = 0.0005). Maximum and minimum velocities (the pulsation amplitude) increased considerably in the region where the syrinx was largest in diameter. The changes of pulsation in these patients were significant in the subarachnoid space in all spinal segments but not in the syrinx itself and in the central canal.

Conclusions

The demonstration of CSF flow pulsation can contribute to assessments of surgical outcomes. The results presented here, however, raise doubts about current theories on the pathogenesis of syringomyelia.
X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic Study on the Anodic Passivity of Sputter-deposited W-Nb Alloys in 12 M HCl Solution
Authors: Bhattarai J.
Published: September 2011

The effect of a simultaneous additions of  tungsten and niobium on the anodic passivity of the surface films of the sputter-deposited amorphous/nanocrystalline W-xNb alloys was studied using corrosion tests, electrochemical measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analyses. The formation of spontaneous passive film on the alloys, which is composed of double oxyhydroxides of Wox and Nb5+ ions, is responsible for their higher corrosion resistance than those of the alloy-constituting elements in 12 M HCl solution open to air at 30°C. The quantitative surface analysis by XPS clarifies that the improved anodic passivity of the alloys than those of alloy-constituting elements is based on the formation of new double oxyhydroxide anodic films composed of W6+ and Nb5+ ions. These anodic passive films have higher protectiveness and stability than those of the anodic passive oxyhydroxide films of alloy-constituting elements, that is, oxyhydroxides of hexavalent tungsten and pentavalent niobium after potentiostatic polarization for 1 h in 12 M HCl at 30°C.Keywords: W-Nb alloys; Sputter deposition; Polarization curve; Passivity; Surface analysis.© 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i3.7207               J. Sci. Res. 3 (3), 467-480 (2011)
On a Pair of (σ, τ)-derivations of Semiprime Γ-rings
Authors: Dey K. K. , Paul A. C.
Published: September 2011

Let M be a 2-torsion free G-ring satisfying an assumption and let s,t be centralizing epimorphisms on M. Let f and g be (s, t)-derivations on M such that f(x)αx + xαg(x) = 0 for all xÎM, αÎG. Then we prove that f(u)β[x, y]α = g(u)β[x, y]α = 0 for all x, y, uÎM, α,βÎG and f, g map M into its center.Keywords. Epimorphism; Commuting; Map; Centralizing map; α-derivation; (α, β)-derivation; Prime Gamma-ring; Semiprime Gamma-ring© 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i3.7659               J. Sci. Res. 3 (3), 525-534 (2011)
Safety Issues of Isolated Probiotic Natured Bacteria from Bangladesh Coastal Waters for Controlling Shrimp Diseases
Authors: Rahman S. , Khan S. N. , Naser M. N. , Karim M. M.
Published: September 2011

The use of chemotherapeutic agents has been questioned for disease management in shrimp aquaculture due to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and enduring residual effects in the environments. Instead, microbial interventions in sustainable aquaculture have been proposed, and among them, the use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics has gained considerable attention. Earlier, we short-listed nineteen isolates out of ninety six bacteria, isolated from shrimp ghers of coastal areas of Bangladesh that exhibited antagonistic potential against pathogenic vibrios, and non-hemolytic property, presumably indicating their harmless behavior in mammalian system at least in vitro. This prompted us to study their cytotoxic effect in vivo using brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Six isolates were found having higher lethal values compared with others. Four of them, identified as Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. exhibited the lowest inhibition against Artemia and were considered safe. Further, in a co-culture experiment it was evident that the isolated probiotic bacteria were shown to outcompete the growth of pathogenic Vibrio harveyi due to their antagonistic properties. The probionts can now therefore be tested in culture environment of Bangladesh in order to understand the effectiveness of microbial control of bacterial diseases in shrimp aquaculture. Keywords: Probiotic bacteria; Food safety; Shrimp aquaculture; Vibrios. © 2011 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. doi:10.3329/jsr.v3i3.7750                J. Sci. Res. 3 (3), 659-668 (2011)
Systèmes mixtes d'assurance maladie, équité, gestion du risque et maîtrise des coûts
Authors: Jacobzone Stéphane
Published: September 2011

Systèmes mixtes d'assurance maladie, équité, gestion du risque et maîtrise des coûts

par Stéphane Jacobzone

Cet article étudie le caractère mixte des systèmes d'assurance maladie, en recensant notamment les divers arguments plaidant en faveur de l'intervention publique. Ceci concerne les principes redistributifs et les dysfonctionnement potentiels des mécanismes d'assurance. On montre l'intérêt de modèles de choix collectifs pour comprendre la nature des équilibres réalisés. Ceci permettra d'aborder les difficultés liées à la gestion des incitations dans les systèmes d'assurance maladie. Parmi les facteurs contribuant à l'évolution de la dépense, le rôle des interactions entre assureurs/payeurs et offreurs de soins semble déterminant, en particulier le rythme et le type d'innovation technologique privilégiée par les remboursements. Une réflexion sur les modes d'organisation montre l'intérêt de formes intégrées pour la prise en charge, éventuellement couplées avec un développement de paiements forfaitaires pour les offreurs.
La réglementation hospitalière : tarification par pathologie ou achat de soins ?
Authors: Mougeot Michel , Naegelen Florence
Published: September 2011

La réglementation hospitalière : tarification par pathologie ou achat de soins ? par Michel Mougeot, Florence Naegelen

De nombreux pays ont mis en place des mécanismes incitatifs pour maîtriser des dépenses de santé. La tarification par pathologie repose sur une logique de concurrence par comparaison. Les quasi-marchés dans lesquels un acheteur de soins met en concurrence des offreurs reposent sur une logique d'enchère. Cet article compare les performances de ces deux modes d'organisation dans un contexte d' anti-sélection et de risque moral lorsque la quantité est fixe et la qualité observée. Les conditions de mise en œuvre des deux mécanismes sont analysées lorsqu'elles sont identiques. Il est montré que l'achat de soins par un appel d'offres avec clauses incitatives conduit à une amélioration du bien être collectif et à une baisse du coût des soins.