bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique Contribution of Family Functioning in Caregivers of Patients with Mild to Moderate Dementia
Authors: Tremont Geoffrey , Davis Jennifer Duncan , Bishop Duane S.
Published: January 2006

The relationship between family functioning and dementia caregiving is complex. The present study examined the interrelationships between family functioning, caregiver burden, and patient characteristics. Participants were 72 live-in, family caregivers of patients with mild (n = 47) or moderate dementia (n = 25). Caregivers completed measures of burden, family functioning, depression, and anxiety. Ratings of patients’ memory/behavior problems and patients’ activities of daily living were also collected. Results indicated that higher levels of caregiver burden were significantly associated with increased caregiver depression and anxiety, greater frequency of memory and behavior problems in the dementia patient, worse activities of daily living, and poorer family functioning. Even after controlling for caregiver depression, caregiver anxiety, and frequency of memory/behavior problems in dementia patients, poorer family functioning continued to be associated with higher levels of caregiver burden. Caregivers with high levels of burden reported greater family dysfunction in communication and roles, regardless of their relationship to the patient (i.e., spouse or child). These findings suggest that including a family systems component in caregiver interventions may be beneficial in reducing burden in these very distressed individuals.
Small-Diameter Artificial Arteries Engineered In Vitro
Authors: Isenberg Brett C. , Williams Chrysanthi , Tranquillo Robert T.
Published: January 2006

Although the need for a functional arterial replacement is clear, the lower blood flow velocities of small-diameter arteries like the coronary artery have led to the failure of synthetic materials that are successful for large-diameter grafts. Although autologous vessels remain the standard for small diameter grafts, many patients do not have a vessel suitable for use because of vascular disease, amputation, or previous harvest. As a result, tissue engineering has emerged as a promising approach to address the shortcomings of current therapies. Investigators have explored the use of arterial tissue cells or differentiated stem cells combined with various types of natural and synthetic scaffolds to make tubular constructs and subject them to chemical and/or mechanical stimulation in an attempt to develop a functional small-diameter arterial replacement graft with varying degrees of success. Here, we review the progress in all these major facets of the field.
Control of Cardiac Growth by Histone Acetylation/Deacetylation
Authors: Backs Johannes , Olson Eric N.
Published: January 2006

Histones control gene expression by modulating the structure of chromatin and the accessibility of regulatory DNA sequences to transcriptional activators and repressors. Posttranslational modifications of histones have been proposed to establish a “code” that determines patterns of cellular gene expression. Acetylation of histones by histone acetyltransferases stimulates gene expression by relaxing chromatin structure, allowing access of transcription factors to DNA, whereas deacetylation of histones by histone deacetylases promotes chromatin condensation and transcriptional repression. Recent studies demonstrate histone acetylation/deacetylation to be a nodal point for the control of cardiac growth and gene expression in response to acute and chronic stress stimuli. These findings suggest novel strategies for “transcriptional therapies” to control cardiac gene expression and function. Manipulation of histone modifying enzymes and the signaling pathways that impinge on them in the settings of pathological cardiac growth, remodeling, and heart failure represents an auspicious therapeutic approach.
Eco‐efficiency of Advanced Loop‐closing Systems for Vehicles and Household Appliances in Hyogo Eco‐town
Authors: Morioka Tohru , Tsunemi Kiyotaka , Yamamoto Yugo , Yabar Helmut , Yoshida Noboru
Published: January 2006

The closing of material loops is a critical challenge in industrial ecology. It relies mainly on the utilization of recovered materials/parts/products in the original and principal production system while their original function is retained at the highest level possible. In this study, advanced loop‐closing systems for the recycling of end‐of‐life vehicles and electric household appliances are first designed in “Hyogo Eco‐town.” Second, a methodology for evaluating the eco‐efficiency of these systems is developed. Finally, the eco‐efficiency of the designed advanced loop‐closing strategies for the two products is evaluated, based on the results of materials flow analysis and life‐cycle assessment.

The results show that, compared with conventional recycling systems, when an industrial complex and an advanced loop‐closing system for end‐of‐life vehicles are established, the total economic value increases by 114% and the eco‐efficiency in terms of the amount of direct material input is improved by 57%. This system permits the utilization of the by‐products, wastes, and recovered materials that originate from other industrial sectors as input to production activities. In the case of end‐of‐life electric household appliances, an advanced loop‐closing strategy to lengthen the product life with parts reuse improves the eco‐efficiency in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 4% compared with the conventional replacement of the appliance with a new product along with the material recycling option.
Operational Eco‐efficiency: Comparing Firms' Environmental Investments in Different Domains of Operation
Authors: Scholz Roland W. , Wiek Arnim
Published: January 2006

Eco‐efficiency has been established as a crucial concept for corporate environmental management. Most approaches deal with eco‐efficiency on the level of the company or the product. However, given that companies have special budgets earmarked for environmental operations or investments, the question arises as to which operation within which domain is the most eco‐efficient. This article presents an approach to supporting these decisions by calculating eco‐efficiency on the operational level. The procedure is demonstrated using a case study of the Swiss National Railway Company. Investments and operations in the domains of energy production, landscape and nature conservation, noise protection, and contaminated soil remediation are assessed and compared. Decision‐makers seeking an eco‐efficient corporate investment policy will find, in this concept, a guideline for prioritizing various domains of operation as well as the operations within a domain.
Monetary Valuation of Emissions in Implementing Environmental Policy
Authors: Davidson Marc D. , Boon Bart H. , van Swigchem Jessica
Published: January 2006

At various levels of environmental policy making there is a demand to translate polluting emissions into monetary units. In the so‐called reduction cost approach, based upon policy targets, polluting emissions are expressed in monetary terms by determination of the marginal unit reduction cost at the emission target level. This approach provides shadow prices for emissions by which it can be established whether a certain measure or technology belongs to the most efficient set of measures by which the policy targets can be reached. This article argues that, if clear (generic) government targets such as national emission reduction targets exist for an emission, shadow prices derived by this method are to be preferred to shadow prices derived by other methods for decisions at the project (implementation) level. By application of the reduction cost approach, implementation decisions can be made that are both cost‐effective and consistent with government policy.
Childbirth in Early Imperial China
Authors: Lee Jen-Der
Published: January 2006

By the eighth century, medical texts had come to agree that an expecting mother should take herbal medicine in the last month of pregnancy to ensure a quick and safe delivery. Delivery charts, previously separated for different purposes, were integrated into one chart with twelve sub-charts for each month of the year. Women usually took vertical positions during delivery and were most likely supported under the arms by midwives. Ritual techniques and manual manipulations were applied to solve complications such as breech birth. The former often implied resonant relations between the baby, its mother and her husband, while the latter sometimes elicited criticism from male doctors as unnecessary interventions. The new mother would be restrained from social contact in the first month after delivery, because of both her need to rest and the fear of pollution. Friends and relatives, however, would bring over precious and nutritious food to "nourish her body," said the medical texts, "not just to celebrate the child."
Observations of the Structure of Heavily Precipitating Marine Stratocumulus
Authors: vanZanten M. C. , Stevens Bjorn
Published: January 2006

The second research flight of the Second Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus (DYCOMS-II) field study is analyzed. This case attracted attention because it combined the presence of high drizzle rates with the occurrence of clearings in the cloud cover, which previous work has suggested could be due to a drizzle-induced change in cloud structure. Recent work has named the configuration of these open-cell-like features pocket of open cells (POC). A division of the data, based on the difference of brightness temperature of the 11- and 4-μm channels of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-10 (GOES-10), is used to condition averages over POC and non-POC sections of the data. Based on this division, significant precipitation is observed almost entirely within the POC. Overall, the observed PBL was markedly energetic and well mixed, commensurate with observations of similarly forced nonprecipitating boundary layers. Regions of elevated equivalent potential temperature, Θe, are encountered in association with the POC and are particularly pronounced below cloud in regions of active precipitation. In the same areas, evaporative cooling and moistening of the subcloud layer air and a marked reduction of the vertical velocity variance below cloud is noted. The POC, and in particular the drizzling areas in the POC, have a mean upward velocity, while the non-POC is associated with descending air. In addition to exhibiting more mesoscale variability the POC differs microphysically from the non-POC: in the POC liquid water amount is higher, cloud droplet number concentration lower, and the effective radii larger. Factors maintaining regions of elevated Θe are discussed, and targets for future modeling or observational studies are identified.
Fall Velocities of Hydrometeors in the Atmosphere: Refinements to a Continuous Analytical Power Law
Authors: Khvorostyanov Vitaly I. , Curry Judith A.
Published: January 2006

This paper extends the previous research of the authors on the unified representation of fall velocities for both liquid and crystalline particles as a power law over the entire size range of hydrometeors observed in the atmosphere. The power-law coefficients are determined as continuous analytical functions of the Best or Reynolds number or of the particle size. Here, analytical expressions are formulated for the turbulent corrections to the Reynolds number and to the power-law coefficients that describe the continuous transition from the laminar to the turbulent flow around a falling particle. A simple analytical expression is found for the correction of fall velocities for temperature and pressure. These expressions and the resulting fall velocities are compared with observations and other calculations for a range of ice crystal habits and sizes. This approach provides a continuous analytical power-law description of the terminal velocities of liquid and crystalline hydrometeors with sufficiently high accuracy and can be directly used in bin-resolving models or incorporated into parameterizations for cloud- and large-scale models and remote sensing techniques.
Updraft/Downdraft Constraints for Moist Baroclinic Modes and Their Implications for the Short-Wave Cutoff and Maximum Growth Rate
Authors: Zurita-Gotor Pablo
Published: January 2006

This paper examines the dynamics of moist baroclinic modes, based on the idealized model of moist baroclinic instability devised by Emanuel et al. These authors found that the finite static stability along the downdraft prevents the explosive short-wave cyclogenesis of the zero stratification limit in the moist problem, and allows only moderate (order 2) changes in the growth rate and short-wave cutoff, even when the moist static stability vanishes. To understand the limiting role of the dry static stability, a constraint is derived in this paper that relates the updraft and downdraft structures. This constraint is based on continuity and implies that a bulk wavenumber (defined in the paper) scales as the relevant deformation radius in each region.

Because neutral solutions are separable, the vertical structure can be encapsulated in terms of a single, equivalent wavenumber based on the downdraft width. This allows an interpretation of the results in terms of the equivalent dry mode. As the ratio between moist and dry static stability decreases, the downdraft width takes an increasingly larger fraction of the total wavelength. In the limit of moist neutrality all the wavelength is occupied by the downdraft, so that the short-wave cutoff is halved.

The vertical phase tilt makes unstable solutions nonseparable, and prevents defining an equivalent wavenumber in that case. However, the constraint between the bulk wavenumbers still applies. As the moist stability is reduced, the updraft solution becomes more suboptimal; in the limit of moist neutrality, the updraft wavenumber equals the short-wave cutoff. This provides a bound to the maximum growth rate in the moist problem, which is in agreement with the results of Emanuel et al.
Remote Sensing of Cirrus Cloud Particle Size and Optical Depth Using Polarimetric Sensor Measurements
Authors: Ou S. C. , Liou K. N. , Takano Y. , Slonaker R. L.
Published: January 2006

This paper presents a conceptual approach toward the remote sensing of cirrus cloud particle size and optical depth using the degree of polarization and polarized reflectance associated with the first three Stokes parameters, I, Q, and U, for the 0.865- and 2.25-μm wavelengths. A vector line-by-line equivalent radiative transfer program including the full Stokes parameters based on the adding method was developed. The retrieval algorithm employs the steepest-descent method in the form of a series of numerical iteration procedures to search for the simulated polarization parameters that best match the measured values. Sensitivity studies were performed to investigate the behavior of phase-matrix elements as functions of scattering angles for three ice crystal size–shape combinations. Overall, each phase-matrix element shows some sensitivity toward ice crystal shape, size, and surface roughness due to the various optical effects. Synthetic analysis reveals that the retrieval algorithm is highly accurate, while polarimetric and radiometric error sources cause very small retrieval errors. Finally, an illustrative example of applying the retrieval algorithm to airborne Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances (POLDER) data during the European Cloud and Radiation Experiment (EUCREX) is presented.
Teaching Satisfaction Scale
Authors: Ho Chung-Lim , Au Wing-Tung
Published: January 2006

The present study proposes a teaching satisfaction measure and examines the validity of its scores. The measure is based on the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS). Scores on the five-item Teaching Satisfaction Scale (TSS) were validated on a sample of 202 primary and secondary school teachers and favorable psychometric properties were found. As hypothesized, teaching satisfaction as measured by the TSS correlated positively with self-esteem but negatively with psychological distress and teaching stress. The TSS scores had good incremental validity for psychological distress and teaching stress beyond earlier Job Satisfaction Scales. The TSS offers a simple, direct, reliable, and valid assessment of teaching satisfaction. Future development of the TSS is discussed.
Effect of High‐Dose Aspirin on CYP2E1 Activity in Healthy Subjects Measured Using Chlorzoxazone as a Probe
Authors: Park Ji‐Young , Kim Kyoung‐Ah , Park Pil‐Whan , Ha Jong‐Myung
Published: January 2006

The authors evaluated the effect of high‐dose aspirin at a therapeutic dose, using chlorzoxazone as a probe for CYP2E1 enzyme activity. In a randomized, open‐label, 2‐way crossover study, 10 healthy men were treated 3 times daily for 6 days with 1 g aspirin or placebo. On day 7, 1 dose of 400 mg chlorzoxazone was administered orally. Plasma concentrations of chlorzoxazone and its metabolite, 6‐hydroxychlorzoxazone, were measured. During the aspirin phase, the area under the time‐concentration curve (AUC) and peak plasma concentration of chlorzoxazone were 95% (90% confidence interval [CI], 87%–103%) and 90% (90% CI, 80%–101%) of the values during the placebo phase, respectively. High‐dose aspirin did not affect the oral clearance of chlorzoxazone significantly (90% CI, 98%–120%;P= .24). The AUC ratio and plasma concentration ratios of 6‐hydroxychlorzoxazone/chlorzoxazone were not changed significantly by high‐dose aspirin. High‐dose aspirin at a therapeutic dose does not affect CYP2E1 activity in humans.
The Impact of Suppressing the Renin‐Angiotensin System on Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kalus James S. , Coleman Craig I. , White C. Michael
Published: January 2006

Atrial fibrillation is very common in the United States. After a search of Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL, 4 trials evaluating inhibitors of the renin‐angiotensin system were identified for prevention of new‐onset atrial fibrillation, facilitation of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, and prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion. A meta‐analysis was performed using a random‐effects model. Use of an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin‐receptor blocker (ARB) was associated with a reduction in new‐onset atrial fibrillation (OR [95% CI] = 0.51 [0.36–0.72]), a lower failure rate of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (0.47 [0.24–0.92]), and a lower rate of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion (0.39 [0.20–0.75]). With the exception of the new‐onset atrial fibrillation analysis, these findings were not associated with statistical heterogeneity. These hypothesis‐generating data suggest that inhibitors of the renin‐angiotensin system may provide benefit across the spectrum of atrial fibrillation.
Challenges and Opportunities for Pharmacoepidemiology in Drug‐Therapy Decision Making
Authors: Etminan Mahyar , Gill Sudeep , FitzGerald Mark , Samii Ali
Published: January 2006

Pharmacoepidemiology is a relatively new and evolving science that attempts to quantify mainly adverse drug events and patterns of drug use in a large population. The strength of pharmacoepidemiology over randomized trials is the ability to quantify rare adverse events that may occur over long periods. Recently, discordance in the results of pharmacoepidemiologic studies has made it difficult for clinicians and policy makers to make informed drug‐therapy decisions. This commentary addresses the strength of pharmacoepidemiology and the advances in the methodology of pharmacoepidemiologic studies over the years. We also discuss the potential problem of discordant results and urge pharmacoepidemiologists to develop good practice guidelines for the conduct of pharmacoepidemiologic studies.
Consumer Orientation Toward Sporting Events
Authors: Pons Frank , Mourali Mehdi , Nyeck Simon
Published: January 2006

Sporting events offer a strong emotional value to consumers and therefore occupy a prominent role in their life. In addition, they represent an important market potential for sponsors with an economic value in excess of $200 billion a year. A growing concern shared by researchers and sports marketers is to understand the various motivations that bring individuals to consume sporting events and related goods and services. The present research offers a definition of the concept of orientation toward a sporting event (OSE), develops a reliable instrument that captures its various facets, carefully validates the OSE scale in different contexts, and, finally, illustrates how this instrument may be used as a valuable segmentation tool.
Crisis? What Crisis? Football in Germany
Authors: Frick Bernd , Prinz Joachim
Published: January 2006

The purpose of this article is to describe the financial situation and the development of club finances of the German “Bundesliga”. Using data provided by the football association and data collected from a number of different sources we find that the majority of the teams are economically well established: Revenues have increased steadily, liabilities are under control, and player salaries have considerably declined. The ongoing debate about the liabilities of the German soccer teams is clearly misleading because two largemarket teams are principally responsible for the overall increase of the clubs' liabilities.
English Football
Authors: Buraimo Babatunde , Simmons Rob , Szymanski Stefan
Published: January 2006

Financial distress is not an uncommon occurrence in English football. The number of clubs falling into financial difficulties has escalated, yet this coincides with an era when the revenues accrued to English football have reached unprecedented levels. This article examines the finances of the Premier League and the Football League and assesses the sources of financial distress experienced by many clubs. The authors find that as clubs in the lower divisions engage in the seasonal race for promotion to higher divisions where financial rewards are greater, excessive wage expenditure and the collapse of a major broadcaster have combined to threaten the already fragile existence of many clubs. The authors assess some policy proposals designed to deal with the financial precariousness of English football.
Prospective comparison of autologous stem cell transplantation followed by dose-reduced allograft (IFM99-03 trial) with tandem autologous stem cell transplantation (IFM99-04 trial) in high-risk de novo multiple myeloma
Authors: Garban Frederic , Attal Michel , Michallet Mauricette , Hulin Cyrille , Bourhis Jean H. , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , Lamy Thierry , Marit Gerald , Maloisel Frederic , Berthou Christian , Dib Mamoun , Caillot Denis , dePrijck Bernard , Ketterer Nicolas , Harousseau Jean-Luc , Sotto Jean-Jacques , Moreau Philippe ,   for the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome and the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research
Published: January 2006

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome (IFM) initiated 2 trials in 1999 to study patients with high-risk (β2-microglobulin level greater than 3 mg/L and chromosome 13 deletion at diagnosis) de novo multiple myeloma. In both protocols, the induction regimen consisted of vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) followed by first autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) prepared by melphalan 200 mg/m2. Patients with an HLA-identical sibling donor were subsequently treated with dose-reduced allogeneic stem cell transplantation (IFM99-03 trial), and patients without an HLA-identical sibling donor were randomly assigned to undergo second ASCT prepared by melphalan 220 mg/m2 and 160 mg dexamethasone with or without anti–IL-6 monoclonal antibody (IFM99-04 protocol). Two hundred eighty-four patients—65 in the IFM99-03 trial and 219 in the IFM99-04 trial—were prospectively treated and received at least one course of VAD. On an intent-to-treat basis, overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) did not differ significantly in the studies (medians 35 and 25 months in the IFM99-03 trial vs 41 and 30 months in the IFM99-04 trial, respectively). With a median follow-up time of 24 months, the EFS of the 166 patients randomly assigned in the tandem ASCT protocol was similar to the EFS of the 46 patients who underwent the entire IFM99-03 program (median, 35 vs 31.7 months), with a trend for a better OS in patients treated with tandem ASCT (median, 47.2 vs 35 months; P = .07). In patients with high-risk de novo MM, the combination of ASCT followed by dose-reduced allogeneic transplantation was not superior to tandem dose–intensified, melphalan-based ASCT.
An objective spinal motion imaging assessment (OSMIA): reliability, accuracy and exposure data
Authors: Breen Alan C , Muggleton Jennifer M , Mellor Fiona E
Published: January 2006

Background

Minimally-invasive measurement of continuous inter-vertebral motion in clinical settings is difficult to achieve. This paper describes the reliability, validity and radiation exposure levels in a new Objective Spinal Motion Imaging Assessment system (OSMIA) based on low-dose fluoroscopy and image processing.

Methods

Fluoroscopic sequences in coronal and sagittal planes were obtained from 2 calibration models using dry lumbar vertebrae, plus the lumbar spines of 30 asymptomatic volunteers. Calibration model 1 (mobile) was screened upright, in 7 inter-vertebral positions. The volunteers and calibration model 2 (fixed) were screened on a motorised table comprising 2 horizontal sections, one of which moved through 80 degrees. Model 2 was screened during motion 5 times and the L2-S1 levels of the volunteers twice. Images were digitised at 5fps.

Inter-vertebral motion from model 1 was compared to its pre-settings to investigate accuracy. For volunteers and model 2, the first digitised image in each sequence was marked with templates. Vertebrae were tracked throughout the motion using automated frame-to-frame registration. For each frame, vertebral angles were subtracted giving inter-vertebral motion graphs. Volunteer data were acquired twice on the same day and analysed by two blinded observers. The root-mean-square (RMS) differences between paired data were used as the measure of reliability.

Results

RMS difference between reference and computed inter-vertebral angles in model 1 was 0.32 degrees for side-bending and 0.52 degrees for flexion-extension. For model 2, X-ray positioning contributed more to the variance of range measurement than did automated registration. For volunteer image sequences, RMS inter-observer variation in intervertebral motion range in the coronal plane was 1.86 degreesand intra-subject biological variation was between 2.75 degrees and 2.91 degrees. RMS inter-observer variation in the sagittal plane was 1.94 degrees. Radiation dosages in each view were below the levels recommended for a plain film.

Conclusion

OSMIA can measure inter-vertebral angular motion patterns in routine clinical settings if modern image intensifier systems are used. It requires skilful radiography to achieve optimal positioning and dose limitation. Reliability in individual subjects can be judged from the variance of their averaged inter-vertebral angles and by observing automated image registration.
Infants' Rapid Learning About Self‐Propelled Objects
Authors: Markson Lori , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: January 2006

Six experiments investigated 7‐month‐old infants' capacity to learn about the self‐propelled motion of an object. After observing 1 wind‐up toy animal move on its own and a second wind‐up toy animal move passively by an experimenter's hand, infants looked reliably longer at the former object during a subsequent stationary test, providing evidence that infants learned and remembered the mapping of objects and their motions. In further experiments, infants learned the mapping for different animals and retained it over a 15‐min delay, providing evidence that the learning is robust and infants' expectations about self‐propelled motion are enduring. Further experiments suggested that infants' learning was less reliable when the self‐propelled objects were novel or lacked faces, body parts, and articulated, biological motion. The findings are discussed in relation to infants' developing knowledge of object categories and capacity to learn about objects in the first year of life.
Up Versus Down: The Role of Intersensory Redundancy in the Development of Infants' Sensitivity to the Orientation of Moving Objects
Authors: Bahrick Lorraine E. , Lickliter Robert , Flom Ross
Published: January 2006

According to the intersensory redundancy hypothesis (IRH), during early development, perception of nonredundantly specified properties is facilitated in unimodal stimulation as compared with bimodal stimulation. Later in development, attention becomes more flexible and infants can detect nonredundantly specified properties in both unimodal and bimodal stimulation. This study tested these predictions by assessing the development of infants' sensitivity to the orientation of an object striking a surface, information that is nonredundantly specified in visual and in audiovisual stimulation. Infants of 3, 5, and 8 months were habituated to unimodal visual or bimodal, synchronous, audiovisual films of a hammer tapping a rhythm in 1 of 2 orientations (upward vs. downward). Results demonstrated an Age × Condition interaction, where younger infants (3 and 5 months) detected the orientation change in unimodal but not bimodal stimulation, whereas older infants (8 months) detected the change in both types of stimulation. Further, in a control study, 3‐month‐olds detected the orientation change when bimodal stimulation was asynchronous, demonstrating that temporal synchrony impaired performance in the bimodal condition. These findings converge with those of prior studies and support predictions of the IRH.
Attending to Parapsychology
Authors: Lamal P. A.
Published: January 2006

Although belief in parapsychology seems to be widespread, most introductory psychology textbooks ignore it. The use of relevant literature and exercises in teaching is discussed.
Detection of Cheating on Multiple-Choice Tests by Using Error-Similarity Analysis
Authors: Bellezza Francis S. , Bellezza Suzanne F.
Published: January 2006

Cheating on multiple-choice examinations is a serious problem not easily overcome by using more test forms, more proctors, or larger testing rooms. A statistical procedure compares answers for pairs of students using those items on which both made errors. If the number of identical wrong answers is sufficiently greater than the number expected by chance and if the students were seated close together, then cheating is likely. Using this analysis with 90 examinations has suggested ways to discourage cheating and demonstrated some limitations of the procedure.
Tales in a Textbook: Learning in the Traditional and Narrative Modes
Authors: Fernald L. Dodge
Published: January 2006

Research in cognitive psychology and emerging classroom applications suggest that the narrative approach may be a useful mode of textbook organization. This study compared undergraduates' preference and performance with traditional (T) and narrative (N) text. On a review quiz and final exam, the majority chose to be tested on narrative text. On routine quizzes, a statistically significant difference in performance appeared in one of six in-stances, favoring the narrative. On the final exam, all mean scores were higher for the narrative, yielding a significant correlation between performance and text mode. On a follow-up test, material from narrative chapters was more often recalled; for two chapters, these differences were significant. Questionnaire data showed the narrative as being more enjoyable and more useful in learning.
A Method for Encouraging the Development of Good Mentor-Protégé Relationships
Authors: Cesa Ian L. , Fraser Scott C.
Published: January 2006

This article describes a system for graduate students to evaluate faculty in their roles as advisers and mentors. Some of the benefits of the system and some suggestions for encouraging the development of good mentor–protégé relationships are also mentioned.
Reciprocal Peer Tutoring: A Multimodal Assessment of Effectiveness with College Students
Authors: Fantuzzo John W. , Dimeff Linda A. , Fox Shari L.
Published: January 2006

This study assessed the effect of reciprocal peer tutoring on the academic performance of college students, and measured the impact of this procedure on levels of student distress and course satisfaction. Forty-nine students were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: reciprocal peer tutoring (RPT), questions only (QO), and placebo control (PC). There were no significant group differences in demographic variables or pretest scores. Results indicated that the RPT condition resulted in greater improvement in exam scores, reduction in distress, and greater student satisfaction.
Stereotype Measurement and the “Kernel of Truth” Hypothesis
Authors: Gordon Randall A.
Published: January 2006

A demonstration of stereotype measurement suitable for medium to large classes is described. The demonstration illustrates McCauley and Stitt's (1978) diagnostic ratio measure and examines the validity of the “kernel of truth” hypothesis. The exercise provides a starting point for a discussion of stereotypes and their measurement. The results of the demonstration are reported along with suggestions for discussion of a variety of concepts related to the diagnostic ratio measure and stereotype formation.
Creating a Connected Classroom: Two Projects that Work!
Authors: Stevenson Michael R.
Published: January 2006

Two projects, a reaction journal and a book review, were used to help create a connected classroom. In the connected classroom, the instructor acts as a facilitator rather than an authority and students are encouraged to draw from their own experiences and ideas. Data from open-ended and objective evaluations showed that these pedagogical strategies lead to more student involvement with course material and to higher overall course ratings.
Teaching Attribution Theory with a Videotaped Illustration
Authors: White Michael J. , Lilly Debra L.
Published: January 2006

A videotaped illustration of Kelley's (1973) covariation attribution model is described. The videotape contains sets of sequentially presented behavioral situations that lead students to analyze information using Kelley's model. A description of one set of scenes illustrated on the videotape is provided. The cognitive implications of the use of videotaped illustrations to improve understanding of attributional concepts are noted. Informal observation suggests that the videotape illustration is highly effective. Students are easily able to make appropriate attributions using Kelley's model and to apply them to real-life situations.
Hard-copy versus Computer Presentation of the SuperShrink Interview Simulation
Authors: Sussman Daniel , Lowman Joseph
Published: January 2006

The effects of realism and perceived control on student satisfaction with the SuperShrink interview simulation were investigated via a 2 × 2 comparison of active/passive and computer/hard-copy conditions. Students rated the computer versions as more satisfying and as promoting a greater sense of realism than the printed materials. Students perceived having more control in the active than the passive conditions, but this perception was not accompanied by differences in satisfaction. These data suggest that computers are superior to hard-copy simulations of human interaction, perhaps because they enhance realism rather than control.
Psychology of Women Students' Self-Concepts, Attitudes, and Assertiveness: A Decade of Research
Authors: O'Connell Agnes N.
Published: January 2006

In two studies, I compared students' pretest-posttest scores on self-concept, attitudes, and assertiveness in Psychology of Women and other psychology courses taught by women. In the 1970s, I conducted the study to determine if emphasizing intellectual mastery in Psychology of Women facilitated personal change. I replicated the study to determine if students in the 1980s differed from students in the 1970s on these measures. The data indicated that intellectual mastery in Psychology of Women facilitated personal change in both decades. Students in the 1980s were neither significantly different from students in the 1970s on pretest scores nor in their reports of personal change at posttest. Students' scores on these measures have not changed, and Psychology of Women courses emphasizing intellectual mastery continue to serve a dual purpose.
Faculty Recruitment and Excellent Undergraduate Teaching
Authors: McFadden Susan H. , Perlman Baron
Published: January 2006

The successful recruitment of a faculty member who can provide high-quality undergraduate teaching requires a rigorous self-study by the department and careful observations of the candidate. A conceptual model provides a framework that describes characteristics of excellent undergraduate teachers. This model can shape both the self-study and contacts with job applicants. Examination of the intellectual, emotional, and moral dimensions of three elements of teaching—perceived self-efficacy, interpersonal relationships, and pedagogy—will assist a department in preparing for and conducting a search for a qualified candidate who will teach well.
A “Bag of Tricks” for Teaching about Sampling Distributions
Authors: Zerbolio Dominic J.
Published: January 2006

This classroom technique uses imaginary marbles, chips, and bags to create distributions of sample means, differences between independent sample means, mean difference scores, and raw score populations. With this technique, students more easily grasp the distinctions between raw score populations and sampling distributions, With these distinctions established, the need for different measures of variability for each distribution becomes apparent. Then, solutions for the probabilities of specific observations for each sampling distribution are easily generalized from the raw score model. Once students learn to answer probability questions for each sampling distribution, generalizing to hypothesis testing procedures is facilitated. The technique requires only the instructor's flair for the dramatic and the students' imagination to make it work.
Improving the Writing Skills of Students in Introductory Psychology
Authors: Madigan Robert , Brosamer James
Published: January 2006

This article describes a writing component for an introductory psychology course and reports its effects on students' writing skills. During the semester, each student wrote about 3,000 words in response to questions on weekly essay tests. Test questions were drawn from a larger set handed out in advance, permitting students to organize, write, and revise trial answers before the test. Essays were graded for content and writing skill. Two variations of this format are reported and evaluated for their impact on students' writing skills over the semester. The more successful program restricted essay questions to four rhetorical forms students encounter in freshman composition classes and graded the essays for orderly presentation of ideas.
Journal Writing: Old Fare or Nouvelle Cuisine?
Authors: Hettich Paul
Published: January 2006

Journal writing is a popular teaching/learning technique that enables students to connect specific course concepts to their experiences. Students believe that journal writing stimulates critical thinking, provides feedback about learning, and is a means of self-expression. Teachers agree that journals provide developmental feedback and permit self-expression, but reviewing journals is time-consuming. The adaptability of the journal to diverse learning objectives assures its continuing role as a teaching/learning technique.
An Objective and Functional Matrix for Introducing Concepts of Reinforcement and Punishment
Authors: Flora Stephen R. , Pavlik William B.
Published: January 2006

Although the operant approach to psychology is based on objective empirical observations and is descriptive in nature, much of psychology is filled with subjective, interpretive terminology. Such terminology produces confusion over the definitions of basic operant concepts. We suggest a solution that defines the concepts of positive and negative reinforcements and punishments in an objective fashion. Our 2 × 2 matrix avoids the subjective terminology often used in such matrices.
Field Experiments in Personal Space Invasion for Introductory Psychology
Authors: Ferraro F. Richard
Published: January 2006

This article summarizes the use of field experiments designed to investigate personal space invasion. The experiments were designed and conducted by introductory psychology students and complemented classroom lectures. Student interest and enthusiasm were high throughout the experiments, which provided an understanding of personal space, personal space invasion, and the implications involved.
A Procedure for Learning Students' Names
Authors: Meehan Anita M.
Published: January 2006

A technique for learning students' names is described. The procedure involves jotting down distinguishing characteristics for each student. These notes serve as memory cues. Students are given a writing assignment to work on in class, while the notes are used to study students' names and faces. Most names can be learned by the end of the first class period. The student essays are an added bonus.
Integrative and Goal-Relevant Essay Questions for History and Systems Courses
Authors: Berrenberg Joy L.
Published: January 2006

This article presents a number of integrative and goal-relevant essay questions designed for history and systems of psychology courses. A goal and item analysis of eight popular history of psychology texts showed that the majority of essay items are too narrow in scope to measure the most commonly stated course goals. In order to rectify this apparent shortcoming, some broad, integrative, and goal-relevant essay questions are presented. The procedures described can be applied in courses other than history and systems.
The Cross-Sectional Seminar
Authors: Lippman Louis G.
Published: January 2006

In the typical seminar, each student examines a single specialized topic, writes a paper, and presents an oral report to fellow students who probably have limited familiarity with that topic. An alternative structure is one in which students collaborate on a series of mutually agreeable topics, dividing responsibility for collecting and reporting the information. The advantages of this approach for fostering student interest, motivation, and learning are discussed.
The Psychology of the Stock Market: An Undergraduate Course
Authors: Lovinger Edward
Published: January 2006

This article describes an undergraduate course concerning the psychology of the stock market. The course presents an overview of psychological factors influencing the stock market and affords students an opportunity to assess their psychological reactions to investing or speculating. Topics covered include investment basics, a historical overview, modern writers, eminent personalities, and a review of research and theory. This course could promote a more systematic and scientific investigation of the psychology of the stock market.
Clinical Psychology in the Introductory Course
Authors: Benjamin Ludy T.
Published: January 2006

A monthly newsletter on clinical psychological research is a useful source of information for teachers of the introductory psychology course.
Negative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment
Authors: McConnell James V.
Published: January 2006

The concept of negative reinforcement is notoriously difficult to teach to introductory students. Reasons for this difficulty include: surplus meanings associated with the terms negative and punishment, the fact that Skinner (1938, 1953) described two types of reinforcement but only one type of punishment, the tendency that most students have to view reward and punishment in subjective terms, and Skinner's (1938, 1953) conflicting definitions of reinforcement and punishment. Pointing out to students that there are two types of punishment—positive and negative—as well two types of reinforcement—positive and negative—helps them learn that negative reinforcement is not a synonym for punishment.
A Classical Conditioning Laboratory for the Psychology of Learning Course
Authors: Nallan Gary B. , Bentley D. Mark
Published: January 2006

Laboratory exercises in the psychology of learning course can help students understand the principles of conditioning, learning, and memory. This article describes a classical conditioning lab project that inuolues rats and operant conditioning equipment. The conditioned stimulus (CS) is a light, the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is food, and the conditioned responses (CRs) are rearing (standing on the hind legs) and magazine (standingmotionless in front of the food magazine with nose or head in the magazine). Stdents observe the rats and record these behaviors. The lab exercises described in this article can be accomplished in 4 to 5 weeks. Additional exercises could expand the lab to a full semester
The Dirty Dozen: Classroom Demonstration of Twelve Instigators of Aggression
Authors: Davidson William B.
Published: January 2006

A classroom exercise for demonstrating 12 instigators of aggression is described. Videotapes of scenes from movies that depicted aggression were brought to class by some students. All students in class then judged the scenes for the presence or absence of 12 instigators of aggression. Pedagogical benefits of the activity are discussed.
On Testing for Variance Effects
Authors: Buck Jane L.
Published: January 2006

There are compelling reasons to include a discussion of tests for differences between group variances in statistics textbooks. It is important to test for heterogeneity of variance when conducting the t test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as to test hypotheses about differences between variances as the result of experimental treatment. A survey of 18 introductory statistics textbooks revealed that few cover heterogeneity of variance and that none gives it adequate coverage.
Voice Synthesis Supplement to a Computerized Interviewing Training Program: Retention Effects
Authors: Banyan Calvin D. , Stein David M.
Published: January 2006

We examined the effects of adding microcomputer-generated voice synthesis to a computer-assisted learning exercise involving clinical interviewing. Three modes of presenting case material were studied: (a) video text only, (b) voice only, and (c) synthesized voice-plus-video text. College students prefered either the voice-only or text-only presentation, but they more accurately recalled details of the case material in the voice-plus-video text mode.
Adopting a Viewpoint: Psychology Majors and Psychological Theory
Authors: Vyse Stuart A.
Published: January 2006

Psychology majors were surveyed about their endorsement of a psychological theory. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents reported adopting a theory; the most widely accepted theoretical viewpoints were the eclectic and the behavioral/learning/social learning positions. Senior majors and those who had taken courses in personality and abnormal psychology were most likely to have adopted a theory. Students reported that the most important influence on their adoption of a theory was its ability to help them understand themselves. Psychology majors also reported that their theoretical viewpoints had a moderate influence on their academic planning and their approach to everyday problems.
An Improved Device for Studying Adaptation to Displaced Vision
Authors: Terborg Robert H.
Published: January 2006

For years psychologists studying or demonstrating the effects of adaptation to displaced vision have used thick, bulky prisms mounted on welder's goggles or eyeglass frames to produce displaced vision. A new method is presented here for creating lightweight compact eyeglasses that displace one's vision. These eyeglasses can be constructed to displace vision horizontally, vertically, or both. The necessary materials can be obtained from many optical suppliers for a reasonable price. The eyeglasses are easy to use for classroom demonstrations or for student research projects.