bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delay of Gratification as a Moderator of the Procedural Justice Distributive Justice Relationship
Authors: Joy Vernon L. , Witt L. Alan
Published: March 2007

The present study examined the hypothesis that procedural justice and distributive justice are positively related. In other words, when individuals perceive fairness in how decisions are made, they are likely to perceive the outcomes as fair. Similarly, when individuals perceive a fair outcome, they are likely to believe that fair procedures led to that outcome. In line with the Tyler group-value model of procedural justice, it was hypothesized that this would hold true primarily when the individual has a long-term view of organization membership, a view influenced by the individual's disposition to delay gratification or reward. Hierarchical-moderated multiple regression analyses on data collected from workers in a small American tooling plant supported this hypothesis. These results have implications for attempts to enhance perceptions of justice.
Exploratory Field Study of Training Motivation
Authors: Clark Catherine S. , Dobbins Gregory H. , Ladd Robert T.
Published: March 2007

The focus of this study was exploring the effects of several contextual factors on training motivation. Participants (N = 245) from 12 organizational training groups were given surveys designed to measure pretraining motivation, expected job and career utility of training, peer and supervisor training transfer climate, involvement in decision to be trained, and decision-maker credibility. Structural equations modeling indicated that (a) perceived job utility of training significantly predicted training motivation, (b) decision involvement resulted in higher perceptions of job and career utility, (c) decision-maker credibility affected job and career utiflity, and (d) supervisor training transfer climate affected anticipated job utility. Implications of the findings for increasing the effectiveness of training are discussed.
Organization Development Impacts Interrupted
Authors: Miners Ian A. , Moore Michael L. , Champoux Joseph E. , Martocchio Joseph J.
Published: March 2007

Time-serial statistics show the daily impact of organization development (OD) on five systemically interdependent employee time use variables across the first 2 years of an absence control intervention. Tume worked, time scheduled off, short-term excused absence, long-term excused absence, and short-term nonexcused absence all showed interdependent daily changes in annual time use as OD techniques were aggressively and widely introduced, later overtaken by events and severely restricted, and eventually replaced with a mechanistic policy-based absence control system. OD induced strong and constructive increases in work and decreases in excused forms of nonwork while it continued to operate, but those changes eroded quickly under competing pressures once investment in OD was curtailed. After the OD impetus toward self-control was replaced with a mechanistic management model, unexcused absence began to drop, but time use began shifting into excused nonwork activities. This trend eventually caused significant erosion of the gains in time worked.
The Fairness of Assigning Group Members to Tasks
Authors: Miles Jeffrey A. , Klein Howard J.
Published: March 2007

This work introduces and examines the concept of assignment-the process of determining which individuals will perform as members of a team on a given task. In a laboratory study, four assignment procedures (random, ability, personal influence, and personal influence with justification) were used to formally excuse approximately 30% of 137 undergraduates from participating in a second, longer research study. The random assignment procedure was perceived as most procedurally fair and resulted in the highest level of performance on the task used for the second study (a simple, number-finding task). Unassigned subjects (those excused from task performance) always perceived the assignment procedure to be as fair or fairer than the assigned subjects did in all four assignment conditions. Also, subjects felt it was fair to give an equal reward (extra-credit points) to both assigned and unassigned subjects even though assigned individuals were excused from performing additional tasks in the second research study. The implications of these findings for the group performance and organizational justice literatures, as well as for managers in general, are discussed.
Learning and Unlearning Mechanisms in Animats and Animals
Authors: Savage Tony , Ziemke Tom
Published: March 2007

This paper addresses the assumption, implicit in many robot and animat models of learning, that learning and unlearning are a pair of symmetrical processes. Unlearning mechanisms supposedly erase or remove existing learning because it is no longer relevant. Whether learning and unlearning result from the operation of symmetrical and antagonistic processes is an issue which has had a long but uneven history in animal and human psychology. This history is briefly recapitulated here. In particular, there is a contrast in the significance of the antagonistic processes model in the area of motivation compared to associative learning which has theoretical significance. For example, animat modelers frequently adopt a generic strengthening and weakening mechanism for all forms of learning and motivation representations without any consideration for its biological and psychological validity. In order to evaluate and question this, we examine the unlearning concept in a number of artefactual models drawn from a range of robotic and artificial life perspectives, and discuss their validity in terms of contemporary models of animal learning and motivation. Finally, we outline an alternative view of learning/unlearning, based on a recent contingency model of causality learning in humans, which does not rely on antagonistic processes and may have applications for artefacts.
Kinematic Model of a Stick Insect as an Example of a Six-Legged Walking System
Authors: Müller- Wilm Uwe , Cruse Holk , Eltze Jürgen , Dean Jeffrey , Weidemann Hans-Jürgen , Pfeiffer Friederich
Published: March 2007

The model proposed here describes the control of the leg movement of a six-legged walking system. It is based on biological data obtained from the stick insect. The model represents a combined treatment of realistic kinematics and of biologically motivated, adaptive gait generation. ln contrast to previous biologically motivated models, it includes realistic legs with three joints and natural geometry and, with some simplifying assumptions, describes the movement of the joints and the tarsi.

The results show that the information obtained from biological experiments can be incorporated into a model for a six-legged system that is able to walk at different speeds over irregular surfaces. The model shows a stable gait even when the movement of the legs is disturbed. The system can start walking beginning from arbitrary starting positions of the legs. Thus, the control system described here can be used to control a real walking machine.
Minds and Cultures: Particle Swarm Implications For Beings in Sociocognitive Space
Authors: Kennedy James
Published: March 2007

Particle swarm theory suggests that both minds and cultures are effects of local social interaction. This paper proposes a social-psychological view of intelligence as immerging from culture, which emerges from social interaction. A framework for the depiction of mental states is presented, and the optimizing effect of social interaction is demonstrated. Simulated beings called eleMentals are shown to be able to find optimal regions in their NK-landscape minds through an algorithm com prising two terms: a "Law of Effect" term that represents reinforcement learning, or learning from experience, and a social influence term. The model is consistent with social-psychological data and theory, and the results support a hypothesis that human sociality may be in part responsible for human intelligence.
A Shared Multi-Media Design Environment for Concurrent Engineering over the Internet
Authors: Tay Francis E. H. , Chen Ming
Published: March 2007

The Internet is currently an important resource for businesses to conduct activities ranging from basic communication to data exchange. In addition, the Internet is fast becoming an important portal for concurrent engineering applications.

The Virtual Design Studio (VDS) presented in this paper is to construct a virtual design environment over the Internet in order to over come geographical constraints, and satisfy the major issues of concurrent engineering. Traditional design activities have been studied and implemented in the VDS to enable effective and efficient collaborative design. In addition, the proposed virtual design environment also supports both the product design and distributed communication tools used by designers. The aim of VDS is to integrate the exist ing information technologies (such as remote file transfer, multimedia and virtual reality among others) into the design process and to ex plore the possibility of extending collaborative design system over the Internet. This infrastructure will enable the establishment of distrib uted design offices in a global environment by means of the Internet. As such, collaborative design resources can be made readily available to industries, research institutions and educational institutions.

CyberCAD is the application developed to support the realization of VDS. Remote file transfer and platform independence have been implemented in CyberCAD to enable the sharing of resources. CyberCAD provides a powerful collaborative CAD system running on a PC based platform.

A multimedia communication enabled CAD conference module has been integrated into CyberCAD. Video and audio communications provide the collaborative multimedia environment, which overcome the geographical limitation in traditional "face to face" collaboration and enhances interaction between designers. Drag and drop method has been adopted in the proposed CAD conference module for re mote design information sharing.
Automated Fixture Design for Concurrent Manufacturing Planning
Authors: Chou Yon-Chun
Published: March 2007

This paper describes an approach to automated fixture design that will enable fixture design to take place concurrently with process planning. Data needs, reasoning models, and functional requirements of automated fixture design systems are first analyzed. A system architecture of three fixture design stages—conceptual, layout, and detail design—is then proposed and its implications on process planning tasks discussed. The focus of this paper is in fixturing of complex parts. Design problems that do not arise in fixturing of simple parts but must be addressed in that of complex parts are described and their solution methodologies outlined. Finally, preliminary results of a software implementation are presented.
Active Rescheduling and Collaboration in Dynamic Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Interrante Leslie D. , Rochowiak Daniel M.
Published: March 2007

Scheduhng is an essential mode of communication in modern manufacturing. The construction, communication, and appraisal of such schedules must be commensurate with the organizational structure and the dynamism of the workplace. Active rescheduling is a form of selective attention applied to scheduling problems that cross the boundaries of the typical manufacturing organization. In this paper we use active rescheduling in the development of a multi-agent architecture for scheduling that promotes collaboration in a dynamic manufacturing environment. When combined with a concurrent engineering focus in design, an organizational-level scheme results which is able to accomplish collaboration in manufacturing design, operations, and control.
Development of CIM Applications from PDES/STEP Information Models
Authors: Czerwinski A.S. , Sivayoganathan K.
Published: March 2007

This paper defines the problems associated with Information storage, and transfer, in the creation of applications within the computer-aided engineering sphere. The PDES/STEP information modelling environment is proposed as a possible means to solve the lack of consistent product information that abounds in this area. The paper also supports the creation of a manufacturing model using the EXPRESS language that will allow manufacturing decisions to be based on current resource availability. This support is shown by the development of a simple manufacturing model to define a machine resource. The need for, and types of, other resources within this model are also explained. The application under investigation is computer-aided process planning. A description of the possible environment of a CAPP application is provided, along with the inclusion of form features as a means of simplifying the planning process. The paper also proposes to use the information structures so created in the development of a generic query language, utilizing C++, an X-window-based toolkit, and the use of EXPRESS-G type structures, that will allow non-stop PDES/STEP users to access and query data files, and so create computer- integrated manufacturing applications more easily than currently possible.
Collaborative Engineering Based on Knowledge Sharing Agreements
Authors: Olsen Gregory R. , Cutkosky Mark , Tenenbaum Jay M. , Gruber Thomas R.
Published: March 2007

The design of products by multi-disciplinary groups is a knowledge intensive activity Collaborators must be able to exchange informa tion and share some common understanding of the informaton's content The hope, however, that an integrated workbench of application tools will span the needs of engineering collaborators is misplaced We argue that an integrated workbench of application tools cannot meet the long- term needs of engineering collaborators Moreover, standards cannot satisfy the information sharing needs of collaborators, because these needs are dynamic
Organization Structures, Concurrent Engineering, and Computerized Enterprise Integration
Authors: Jian Dong
Published: March 2007

Great competition in the contemporary manufacturing industry has resulted in companies taking a close look at their production prac tices. Increasing needs for higher productivity and better product quality is forcing manufacturers to reevaluate their production philosophy, and improve their product and manufacturing processes.

Quick and correct decision making during product and manufacturing process development is the key for a company's success. In this paper, following the discussion of organizational structures and Concurrent Engineering (CE) requirements, an object-oriented window-based (OOWB) information framework is introduced for enhancing concurrent engineering decision making and organization integration. This framework at tempts to seamlessly and transparently connect product design, acquisition, manufacturing process development, and other various life-cycle support activities. In the framework, each activity is considered as an object and represented by a window. The OOWB information system forms an integrated virtual manufacturing environment in a company.
Virtual Prototyping of Die Design Part One: Theory and Formulation
Authors: Wuerger David , Gadh Rajit
Published: March 2007

The current research uses a computer-based approach to automatically determine the set of possible die-open directions for a given part. We have ascertained that certain features on a part, called concavity features, restrict the directions in which a die may be opened. Therefore, the current research uses concavity features to determine the set of all possible die-open directions for a given part.
An Intelligent Tool for Analysis of Imprecise Software Quality Requirements from Different Perspectives
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing Frank , Ruoqian Jia  , Viswanathan Ravi
Published: March 2007

The "voice of the customers," identified and translated into design targets, is usually vague and conflicting, especially from multi ple perspectives. In our previous research [2-4,6,7], a fuzzy logic based methodology for imprecise requirements specification and analysis has been developed. However, it is time-consuming and error-prone to analyze imprecise requirements manually based on it It is also hard to maintain requirement consistency manually, especially in a large software project. This paper describes the design and implementation of an intelligent tool for the acquisition, specification and analysis of imprecise software quality requirements and their relationships based on our methodology. Users from different perspectives can specify individual requirements and analyze their inter-perspective and intra- perspective relationships, including conflicts using the Quantitative House of Quality. Based on a fuzzy logic inference engine, the tool can help identify implicit and inconsistent relationships between requirements. Therefore, it facilitates the detection of conflicts as early as possi ble, and provides a solid foundation for trade-off analysis between conflicting requirements.
Achieving Enterprise Integration through the Formulation of Design Decisions: An Example from the Product Design Domain
Authors: Peplinski Jesse , Mistree Farrokh
Published: March 2007

In manufacturing organizations there are at least three distinct design areas: product design, manufacturing process design, and design of the organization itself Historically these activities have been carried out in relative isolation, by separate people on different time- lines What If they could all be brought together into a domain-independent design process? We capture the heady nature of this prospect with the term enterprise design In this paper a method for achieving enterprise design is introduced, founded in the notion of formulating and solving Decision Support Problems (DSPs). This method for enterprise design grows from the foundation of the Robust Concept Explo ration Method (RCEM) and is illustrated through an example of the concurrent design of a Forward-Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) system, integrating robust models of product performance, manufacturing cost, and design process duration into a multiobjective formulation.
The Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children: Implications for Family Counseling
Authors: Fornia Gwen L. , Frame Marsha Wiggins
Published: March 2007

The authors examine the psychosocial dilemmas faced by gifted children and their families and provide family counseling strategies. Definitions and characteristics of giftedness are summarized. Life span and social constructionist frameworks are used for working with gifted clients.
Families in Demographic Perspective: Implications for Family Counseling
Authors: Bray James H.
Published: March 2007

This column presents issues that affect families undergoing separation, divorce, and remariage, including single parenting and stepfamilies.
Social Constructionist Couple Therapy
Authors: Atwood Joan D.
Published: March 2007

The author presents the underlying assumptions and theoretical concepts of social constructionism, combines it with couple therapy, and presents a model of social constructionist couple therapy.
Kenneth J. Gergen: Social Construction, Families, and Therapy
Authors: Bubenzer Donald L. , West John D.
Published: March 2007

Kenneth J. Gergen is a leading force in the social constructionist movement. This interview focused on his early involvement in the constructionist perspective, ideas about Romanticism, Modernism, and Postmodernism, and thoughts about families and therapy.
Supervision Methods for Addressing Triangulation Issues with Counselors-in-Training
Authors: Lawson David M.
Published: March 2007

This article addresses trainee triangulation issues and methods counselor educators can use to foster trainee detriangulation. Specific educational, experiential, and supervision activities are presented for dealing with triangulation issues of counselors-in-training.
William Hudson O'Hanlon: On Seeking Possibilities and Solutions in Therapy
Authors: Bubenzer Donald L. , West John D.
Published: March 2007

William Hudson O'Hanlon is a leadingfigure in the solution-oriented approach to therapy. In this interview he discusses experiences that influenced his movement to a solution orientation, factors and techniques involved in the change process, methods of sustaining change, and the future he envisions for therapy.
Circumplex Model: Curvilinearity Using Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) and FACES III
Authors: Thomas Volker , Olson David H.
Published: March 2007

The Clinical Rating Scale (CRS) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES III) were used to test the hypothesis suggesting a curvilinear relationship between the Circumplex Model dimensions cohesion and adaptability and other variables of family functioning. The specific hypothesis was that clinical families will have more extreme than balanced system types. Frequency analysis and polynomial regression analysis were applied to test the hypothesis. The observational measure (CRS) strongly supported the hypothesis and the curvilinearity, but the self-report measure (FACES III) did not support the hypothesis. The discrepancy between the CRS and FACES III was interpreted as a methodological limitation of the FACES, which operated as a linear scale. The CRS, however, provided clear support of the theoretical idea of the curvilinearity of the Circumplex Model. The relevance and utility of the CRS and FACES III for mamage and family practitioners are discussed.
Force-Field Analysis as an Aid in Decision Making by Couples
Authors: Eckstein Daniel
Published: March 2007

This column presents issues that affect families undergoing separation, divorce, and remarriage, including single parent, and stepfamilies. If you have specific ideas or questions that you would like discussed in this column, please write to Daniel Eckstein, 7711 E. Vernon, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.
A Different Final Exam: Using Students' Own Family Genograms
Authors: Emerson Shirley
Published: March 2007

The focus of the brief articles to follow for this issue of the journal were selected to provide the reader with some short and to-the-point examples of how supervisors are integrating thefamily approach within the classroom and the therapeutic setting. The first article addresses a rather unique approach 0f assessing students within an introductory caurse in family dynamics. The second article addresses how one might implement a therapeutic intervention within the family counseling session.
Facilitating the Transition from Individual Sessions to Systemic Family Sessions: Issues of Supervision and Training
Authors: Softas-Nall Basilia C. , Baldo Tracy D. , Jackson Susan M.
Published: March 2007

This article addresses issues of supervision for counselors-in-training who are moving from individual practica to systemic family sessions. Transition issues are identified and addressed. Recommendations for training in such areas as cotherapy, team approach, and basic skills applications in systemic models are offered.
Interventions Requiring Purchase of Materials: Cautions and Considerations
Authors: Magnuson Sandy , Norem Ken
Published: March 2007

Family counselors and counseling supervisors often encounter questions about professional ethics that are not directly addressed in codes or guidelines. This article features International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors Ethics Committee members’ response to a counselor’s question related to the design of clinical interventions that require clients to purchase materials with personal or family funds.
Relationships as a “Three-Legged Sack Race”
Authors: Eckstein Daniel , Leventhal Marilyn , Bentley Sherry , Kelley Sharon A.
Published: March 2007

The authors introduce the “three-legged sack race” as a metaphor for three contrasting ways of describing a couple’s relationship. The interdependent model has the inside two legs of the couple attached and the outside two legs independent. Enmeshed, or overly dependent couples have all four legs in the sack (no individuation). Conversely, independent couples have all four legs out of the sack (detached). After having an individual self-assess his or her behaviors characterizing each of these styles, the authors present some sample responses based on interviews with 55 adults. Attachment theory is then discussed. The article concludes with implications and applications to one’s own relationship and identifying a “next-steps action plan.”
Interests, Aspirations, Self-Estimates, and the Self-Directed Search
Authors: Gottfredson Gary D.
Published: March 2007

This article discusses the meaning of vocational aspirations, competency self-estimates, and ability self-ratings assessed by the Self-Directed Search (SDS). It describes views on the role of learning in the development of vocational interests expressed by E. L. Thorndike and E. K. Strong and the more recent views on interest development expressed by J. L. Holland. The article suggests that self-estimates and self-ratings may be interpreted as type-specific self-efficacy expectations as described by A. Bandura and that vocational aspirations may often resemble goals. Evidence of the predictive value of classified aspirations and of self-estimates is discussed. It is concluded that Holland’s theory of vocational personalities provides an organizing typology that is compatible with ideas derived from social-cognitive theory and goal theory, and the SDS provides a tool for assessing constructs drawn from the latter theories.
Psychodynamic Career Assessment: An Adlerian Perspective
Authors: Watkins C. Edward
Published: March 2007

What exactly is Adlerian career assessment anyway? In this paper, I give some attention to that question. Specifically, I (a) examine some of the theory underlying Adlerian career assessment, (b) briefly review Adlerian career assessment research, and (c) consider two ways of implementing Adlerian career assessment in practice.
The Working Lives of Women From Lower Socioeconomic Backgrounds: Assessing Prospects, Enabling Success
Authors: Meara Naomi M. , Davis Kathleen L. , Robinson Barbara S.
Published: March 2007

In this article, the authors attempt to provide a context and suggestions for assisting with the occupational concerns of women from low socioeconomic backgrounds who have erratic, if not nonexistent, work histories. Other purposes of the article include raising professionals' consciousness with respect to this population and focusing on counseling and assessment strategies that are meaningful to these women and realistic with respect to their current and potential opportunities. Using data from actual case studies as exemplars, this article provides suggestions for working with these clients, including building on traditional assessment and counseling strategies, developing and maintaining strong working alliances, and encouraging clients to think about their futures from a possible selves perspective.
Career Choice Readiness Moderates the Effects of Interest Inventory Interpretation
Authors: Toman Sarah M. , Savickas Mark L.
Published: March 2007

Career development theory postulates that a client's career choice readiness influences the experience of an interest inventory. This study examined career choice readiness as it related to satisfaction with, retention of, and use of a videotaped interpretation of the Strong Interest Inventory (SII; Hansen & Campbell, 1985). Students (N = 186) from two urban midwestern universities participated in this study. Results indicated that two attitudinal factors of career choice readiness, namely attitudes toward career planning and attitudes toward career exploration, predicted how much and how well clients used their interest inventories. Career choice readiness did not predict immediate satisfaction with the inventory interpretation nor cognitive retention of the inventory results. The discussion of these findings emphasizes differential use of interest inventory results based on the client's degree of career choice readiness.
Career Commitment, Competencies, and Citizenship
Authors: Carson Kerry David , Carson Paula Phillips
Published: March 2007

Carson and Bedeian's (1994) Career Commitment Measure was used to examine the relationships of career commitment with emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behavior, which were then examined for relationships with organizational commitment. As predicted, emotional intelligence was positively related to career commitment, but not related to organizational commitment. Both types of commitments were positively related to organizational citizenship behavior and its underlying factor of civic virtue. However, career commitment was related to the sportsmanship and altruism factors, whereas organizational commitment was related to the involvement factor of organizational citizenship behavior. Further insight into these relationships was gained by exploring the three dimensions of the Career Commitment Measure. A respecified model examining emotional intelligence as an antecedent to career commitment with organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior factors as outcomes displayed a good fit to the data.
Assessing Barriers to Women's Career Adjustment
Authors: McWhirter Ellen Hawley , Torres Danielle , Rasheed Saba
Published: March 2007

In this article, we overview the literature on women's career barriers and identify potential external, environmental barriers and individual, socialized barriers to women's career adjustment. We describe a variety of assessment strategies and instruments that may be utilized to assess barriers to women's career adjustment. A case example is provided to illustrate the assessment process.
Use of a Kohonen Self-Organizing Map to Classify Career Clients on the Basis of Aptitudes
Authors: Carson Andrew D.
Published: March 2007

A Kohonen self-organizing map—a type of artificial neural network similar to κ-means cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling— was used to classify clients into eight categories on the basis of objectively measured aptitudes. The resulting categories bear strong resemblances to major vocational typologies of persons and jobs, especially models proposed by Holland, Gottfredson, Ackerman, and Prediger. Applications of self-organizing neural networks are suggested for psychological assessment in general and career assessment in particular.
The Potential for Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions with Modern Energy Technology: An Illustrative Scenario for the Power Sector in China
Authors: Williams Robert H.
Published: March 2007

As development and environmental goals become increasingly inte grated in international discourse, practical efforts to generate economic and environmental benefits simultaneously deserve increased attention. The electricity scenario for China presented here suggests thatan expansion of the power sector in China consistent with achieving a high living standard could be brought about over the next half century in ways that offer major environmental benefits, including no increase in CO, emissions from the power sector, at competitive costs. Accomplishing this goal requires that the following six elements be integrated: efficient electricity end-use, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, efficient gas turbine technologies fired with naturalgas, use ofcoal-derived hydrogen in fuel cells,and biomass-integrated gasifier/gas turbine technologies. While modern technology is emphasized, the scenario involves only systems that could be commercialized in the 1990s-no long-term technological possibilities are taken into account.
Socialism and the Tragedy of the Commons: Reflections on Environmental Practice in the Soviet Union and Russia
Authors: Mirovitskaya Natalia , Soroos Marvin S.
Published: March 2007

Socialism can be looked upon as a fourth potential strategy for avoiding Garrett Hardin's "tragedy of the commons." The other three are social pressure, regulations, and division of the resource into private sections. In theory, having a common resource used exclusively by a community, rather than by private parties, eliminates the personal profit motive, thereby opening up possibilities for more rational resource management. Exposés on the severe environmental degradation in the former Soviet Union have caused many to conclude that socialism is basically a flawed system in regard to environmental management. We question here whether this is an appropriate conclusion to drawfrom the Soviet experience. The paperfirst reviews some of the writings of Marx and Engels on the relationship between man and the environment and how their dictates were implemented and distorted in the Soviet State by Lenin, Stalin, and later leaders. An assessment of the condition of the environment in the former Soviet Union is offered, with comparisons being drawn to the United States,followed by a look at how the environmentfared even worse as political and market reforms were introduced in thefirst years of the new Russian Federation. The conclusion is drawn that the former Soviet Union does not offer a true test of the potential of socialist systems for environmental stewardship, but that these systems can be diverted toward other ends which take a heavy toll on the environment.
Science, Politics and Institutional Design: Some Initial Notes on the Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Regime
Authors: Wettestad Jørgen
Published: March 2007

The Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Regime is a good example of the complex relationship between institutional design and the weight given to scientific evidence. Although the institutional machinery has been functioning quite well on its own premises, the acceptance and weight given to scientific evidence has been variable. While institutional design inevitably affects the extent to which such evidence is accepted, the weight given to scientific evidence is better explained by background factors like political malignancy, or the asymmetries in the degree to which different states are affected by environmental problems and associated regulatory policies; and public awareness, or saliency. Possibly the most important challenge facing this system is the increasing scientific involvement in the decisionmaking process, linked to the rise of the "critical loads" approach. Whether such extensive involvement by scientific experts in the political process can be accomplished without seriously threatening thefundamental scientific legitimacy of the system, remains to be seen.
The Environmental Impact of Leaded Gasoline in Venezuela
Authors: Romero Aldemaro
Published: March 2007

The continued sale of only leaded gasoline in Venezuela by the state-owned petroleum company (PDVSA) has caused significant adverse health effects for a large segment of society. Despite producing and exporting unleaded gasoline, PDVSA imports lead additives. Although the Venezuelangovernment has pledged to offer unleaded gasoline for its internal market, this will not occur in the foreseeable future and both the economic and health costs are likely to be large.
Dimensions and Categories: The "Big Five" Factors and the DSM Personality Disorders
Authors: Morey Leslie C. , Gunderson John , Quigley Brian D. , Lyons Michael
Published: March 2007

The five-factor model of personality, which has been widely studied in personality psychology, has been hypothesized to have specific relevance for DSM-defined personality disorders. To evaluate hypothesized relationships of the five-factor model of personality to personality disorders, 144 patients with personality disorders (diagnosed via a structured interview) completed an inventory to assess the five-factor model. Results indicated that the majority of the personality disorders can be differentiated in theoretically predictable ways using the five-factor model of personality. However, while the personality disorders as a whole appear to be differentiable from normal personality functioning on the five factors, the patterns are quite similar across the disorders, a finding that may provide some insight into the general nature of personality pathology but may also suggest problems with discriminant validity. Third, it does not appear that considering disorders as special combinations of features (as might be expected in some categorical models) is more informative than considering them as the sum of certain features (as might be expected in a dimensional model).
A New MMPI-Derived Indicator of Liability to Develop Schizophrenia: Evidence from the New York High-Risk Project
Authors: Bolinskey P. Kevin , Gottesman Irving I. , Nichols David S. , Shapiro Barbara M. , Roberts Simone A. , Adamo Ulla H. , Erlenmeyer-Kimling L.
Published: March 2007

A large body of research indicates that the liability to develop schizophrenia is largely genetically mediated, although phenotypic expression requires environmental triggers/insults and/or epigenetic and/or stochastic factors. In an effort to identify the precise environmental factors that precipitate a predisposition to schizophrenia, researchers have implemented a high-risk model-the prospective study of offspring born to schizophrenic parents. As it is difficult to ascertain exactly which of the "high-risk" participants will actually develop the disorder, we examined the validity of an experimental MMPI scale, Schizophrenia Proneness (SzP), and the Moldin-Gottesman psychometric index to identify such individuals. Results suggest that the SzP scale can be an effective predictor of schizophrenia-related psychoses. A revised psychometric index is offered for further study.
Age at Earliest Reported Memory: Associations with Personality Traits, Behavioral Health, and Repression
Authors: Spirrison Charles L. , McCarley Nancy G.
Published: March 2007

The present study examined relationships between the age at earliest memory and the personality traits and behavioral health of 107 undergraduates. Participants answered questions on their earliest memory and completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and a medical history form. Analyses indicated that continuous scores on two MBTI scales (Sensing-Intuition and Judging-Perceiving) were inversely related to age at earliest memory as were participant's self-reported drug and alcohol problems, emotional and psychological symptoms, accident rates, physical symptoms, and satisfaction with health. Respondents who reported first memories at or after 7 years of age (i.e., approximately 1 SD above the mean age at recalled memory) were classified as repressors. Repressors scored in the Sensing and Judging directions on the MBTI and reported significantly fewer emotional symptoms, accidents, psychological symptoms, and less health satisfaction than nonrepressors. Results are consistent with the age at earliest memory and repression literature and support the use of earliest memory age as an index of repression.
Analysis of an Oral Paradigm for the Trail Making Test
Authors: Ricker Joseph H. , Axelrod Bradley N.
Published: March 2007

Performance on the Trail Making Test is dependent upon multiple factors (e.g., motor speed, visual search, symbolic set shifting, capacity to sustain effort), many of which are difficult to assess differentially using the test's traditional administration, or with certain clinical populations (e.g., blind or grossly motor-impaired individuals). The present study investigated a motor-free, vision-free, oral version of the Trail Making Test in two groups of younger adults and one group of elderly adults. The results demonstrated that although there were age-associated differences in raw performance times, the comparability of oral and written performances, as assessed by oral-to-written ratios, was consistent across age groups. These results suggest that the oral version of the Trail Making Test yields results consistent with an individual's written performance in normal subjects, regardless of age. Findings are discussed with regard to the potential clinical application of this measure as an alternative for specific populations, and as a useful way of interpreting written Trail Making performances.
Base Rates of WAIS-R Qualitative Information for Persons 75 Years and Older
Authors: Paolo Anthony M. , Ryan Joseph J.
Published: March 2007

Base rates of WAIS-R qualitative errors for normal persons 75 years and older were provided for Picture Arrangement, Block Design, and Digit Symbol subtests. A second sample of cognitively impaired elderly was used for comparison. Most errors were rare and occurred in less than 5% of the normal subjects. In contrast, some errors such as placing the Picture Arrangement cards vertically and skipping numbers on Digit Symbol were manifested relatively frequently. Although persons with cognitive dysfunction tended to commit more qualitative errors, only four errors occurred significantly more frequently for persons with brain dysfunction. Interpretation of qualitative errors for elderly persons must be done cautiously and they should not be considered pathognomonic of chronic, diffuse brain impairment.
Assessment of Adolescents with the Rorschach: A Critical Review
Authors: Ornberg Beverly , Zalewski Christine
Published: March 2007

This paper critically reviews 48 studies which examine the use of the Rorschach in adolescent populations. Several methodological concerns present in this literature are addressed, including (a) small sample sizes, (b) wide age ranges within the samples,(c) limited generalizability due to narrowly defined constructs and examination of highly specific groups, (d) frequent reliance on recorded diagnosis to determine group membership, and (e) limited comparability across studies due to the use of highly variable scoring and interpretation systems. In spite of these difficulties, there is some evidence that the Rorschach does provide useful and valid measures of reality testing, cognitive complexity, and disordered/psychotic thinking; general psychological distress; disturbance in object relations; and depression in specific adolescent groups. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Boston Naming Test Discontinuation Rule: Rigorous versus Lenient Interpretations
Authors: Ferman Tanis J. , Ivnik Robert J. , Lucas John A.
Published: March 2007

Two interpretations of the Boston Naming Test (BNT) discontinuation rule of "six consecutive failures" were uncovered in an informal survey. The rigorous interpretation includes correct responses to phonemic cues in the count of failures, whereas the lenient interpretation does not. Using both methods to score the same protocols, BNT final scores were changed in 3% of 655 normal elderly persons and in 31% of 140 patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Among normals, discrepant scores were most often found in persons age 80 years and older, and scores differed by up to 16 points. Among AD patients, discrepant scores did not preferentially occur in any age group, but scores differed by up to 10 points. The clinical impact of BNT scoring differences occasionally can be substantial and warrants attention.
Specificity of the WAIS-R Subtests with Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Boone Daniel E.
Published: March 2007

Subtest specificities were determined for each of the 11 WAIS-R subtests for a sample of 200 psychiatric inpatients. The subtest's shared variance (defined as the multiple squared correlation between a subtest and all remaining subtests) was subtracted from reliable variance (defined as the subtest's reliability) to yield a measure of subtest specificity. The Information, Arithmetic, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Similarities, Picture Arrangement, and Digit Symbol subtests were judged to have adequate to ample specificity for ipsative interpretation. The Object Assembly, Digit Span, Picture Completion, and Block Design subtests were judged to have inadequate specificity for ipsative interpretation. Implications for the interpretation of WAIS-R results with psychiatric inpatients are discussed.
Affect Traits in Differential Diagnosis of Anxiety, Depressive, and Schizophrenic Disorders using the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised
Authors: Lubin Bernard , Van Whitlock Rodney , Zuckerman Marvin
Published: March 2007

A study of 185 psychiatric patients with anxiety, mood, and schizophrenic disorders and 185 matched nonpatient controls investigated the effectiveness of the affect trait scales of the revised Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL-R) in differentiating the three disorders. Univariate and multivariate analyses supported the usefulness of the affect in global and specific diagnostic classifications. The strongest discriminant function described a general dysphoria dimension (Depression plus Anxiety minus Positive Affect) which differentiated the anxiety and mood disorder groups from schizophrenic patients and nonpatient controls. A second discriminant function best differentiated the anxiety from mood disorder groups and was defined by relatively higher anxiety and normal sensation seeking scores among anxiety disorders and relatively higher depression and lower sensation seeking among mood disorders. Schizophrenic disorders could not be reliably distinguished from the other groups by negative affect scales, although they scored lower on positive affect than normals. It was concluded that the MAACL-R was valid in making both global and specific diagnostic classifications.
Development and Validation of a Multifactorial Treatment Outcome Measure for Eating Disorders
Authors: Anderson Drew A. , Williamson Donald A. , Duchmann Erich G. , Gleaves David H. , Barbin Jane M.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a brief self-report inventory which could be used to evaluate treatment outcome for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The Multifactorial Assessment of Eating Disorders Symptoms (MAEDS) was constructed to measure six symptom clusters which have been found to be central to the eating disorders: depression, binge eating, purgative behavior, fear of fatness, restrictive eating, and avoidance of forbidden foods. The factor structure of the MAEDS was found to be stable and it was found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. Normative data were collected so that raw scores could be converted to standardized scores. While still in the experimental stages, the MAEDS shows promise as a valid and economical measure of treatment interventions for anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
■ REVIEW : Postsynaptic Anchoring of Receptors: A Cellular Approach to Neuronal and Muscular Sensitivity
Authors: Kirsch Joachim , Kröger Stephan
Published: March 2007

Significant progress has been made toward the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and stabilization of postsynaptic membrane specializations at the neuromuscular junction of vertebrate skeletal muscle. The emerging picture reveals a continuous molecular link from the extracellular matrix within the synaptic cleft via integral and peripheral membrane proteins to the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton. The formation and maintenance of synaptic contacts between neurons in the CNS might follow similar architectural principles but involve different molecules. The biogenesis of glycinergic postsynaptic membrane specializations depends on the widely expressed peripheral membrane protein gephyrin, which anchors the neurotransmitter receptor to underlying cytoskeletal elements in a dynamic manner. This anchoring mechanism could also contribute to the plasticity of glycinergic synapses. Other types of neurotransmitter receptors, like GABAA- and glutamate receptors, may have evolved different molecular mechanisms to ensure their localization in postsynaptic membrane specializations. The Neuroscientist 2:100-108, 1996