The effects of parent training on parenting stress and sense of competence.

Examined the effects of behavioral parent training groups on parenting stress and sense of competence. Ss, parents of 91 clinically diagnosed hyperactive preschoolers (aged 3–6 yrs), were randomly assigned to an immediate treatment group (experimental) or a delayed treatment group (control). Results indicate that group parent training yielded benefits beyond changes in parent and child behavior. Compared with controls, experimental Ss reported less parenting stress and increased sense of competence following treatment and 3 mo later. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Surveillance for geographic and secular trends in congenital syphilis--United States, 1983-1991

PROBLEM/CONDITION: CDC monitors trends in the occurrence of congenital syphilis (CS) in the United States by using surveillance data sent from state and local health departments. Comparisons of data from this surveillance system with data from the Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases/HIV Prevention and the Birth Defects Monitoring Program (BDMP) can be used to assess the potential effects of changes in case finding and reporting practices on these trends. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: This report covers CS surveillance in the United States for the years 1983-1991. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: Cases of CS among infants < 1 year of age and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis among women are reported quarterly to CDC. The BDMP is a CDC national surveillance system that samples hospital discharge data on U.S. births. RESULTS: During the period 1983-1991, 12,151 CS cases were reported. Before 1988, regional CS incidence increased 35%-131% annually. Larger increases occurred in the Northeast (578%) in 1989 and in the South (178%), Midwest (244%), and West (777%) in 1990. Within regions, these larger increases were temporally related to increases in P&S syphilis in women and changes to a more sensitive CS case definition. INTERPRETATION: CS incidence has increased since 1983 in all regions of the United States. Increases since 1988 reflect both changes in surveillance reporting practices--the surveillance case definition for CS was changed in 1988 and further revised in 1989--and a true increase in incidence. ACTIONS TAKEN: These data indicate where CS prevention efforts need to be targeted. To facilitate reporting of CS cases, CDC has developed a) a shorter form for reporting cases of CS after 1991 and b) a software package for use by state and local health departments to enter and analyze CS data.     

A proposed standard for evaluating the thermal performance of pediatric dispersive electrodes

The authors have collected and analyzed 1,418 data points of current and duration of all electrosurgical unit activations from 23 surgical procedures on infants and children. The maximum radiofrequency current used was 550 mA and the duration was 4 sec. The maximum heating factor of 3.04 A2--sec was recorded at 225 mA for 60 sec. However, most data points lay between currents of 50-200 mA and durations of 1-5 sec. Using a three-dimensional computer model for a child thigh, the authors solved numerically first for the current density distribution, and then second the temperature elevation around pediatric dispersive electrodes. Derived curves showed that the maximum temperature under the electrode is proportional to the applied power and inversely proportional to the conducting area of the electrode. Analyzing results from pediatric current-duration experiments as well as computer simulation studies should assist in the design of new and improved pediatric dispersive electrodes. Finally, the authors propose a new standard for evaluating the thermal performance of pediatric dispersive electrodes.     

A miniature electrooptical force transducer

A 5 mm×6 mm×3 mm electrooptical force-sensing transducer has been developed from a metal U-shaped spring. Force compresses the open end of the spring so that it decreases light passing from a light-emitting diode to a light-sensing photodiode. The operating range is from 0 to 50 N, but can be changed by changing the spring metal and dimensions. Nonlinearity is less than ±7%. Hysteresis is less than 3%. Random error is about 6% peak-to-peak. Temperature-related zero drift is less than 1%/°C uncompensated and much lower compensated. When embedded in a rubber insole, this thin transducer has measured force on the sole of the foot during normal human gait     

"Counselor deliberate postural lean and communication of facilitative conditions": Correction.

Reports an error in "Counselor deliberate postural lean and communication of facilitative conditions" by Gary L. Hermansson, Alan C. Webster and Ken McFarland (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1988[Apr], Vol 35[2], 149-153). The date of receipt indicated for the revision of this article was incorrect. The correct date of receipt is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1988-36435-001.) This experimental study examined the relation between counselor deliberate postural lean and the communication of intensity, empathic understanding, respect, and genuineness. Results, from 12 male counselors acting as their own controls under three postural lean conditions (forward, backward, and choice) in counseling interaction with female clients, suggested compensatory processes in operation. Making a required lean forward was associated with decreased facilitative levels and backward with increased levels. The latter effects were more marked, with significant differences in intensity and respect. The effects were also more marked with those counselors who, as revealed in their choice session, preferred to move forward rather than backward, with these counselors also being the most effective as assessed by communicated empathy levels. It was concluded that for effective counselors in particular, deliberate postural lean results in a subtle maintenance of an equilibrium of verbal–nonverbal communication behaviors judged as most appropriate to the moment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determination of InP HEMT noise parameters and S-parameters to 60GHz

A millimeterwave experimental technique is described for directly determining the noise parameters and scattering parameters of V-band InP HEMT's. The parameters are suitable for the design of monolithic millimeterwave integrated circuits since they represent the InP HEMT as it would appear in the monolithic environment. The method relies on careful characterization of the measurement system and the InP HEMT packages or test fixtures. Results are provided for an InP HEMT with 1.37 dB minimum noise figure and a maximum stable gain of 12.74 dB at 57 GHz. In addition, it is shown that noise parameters measured between 2 GHz and 26 GHz can be extrapolated to 60 GHz, and that consistent S-parameters can be obtained for InP HEMT's in precision packages and test fixtures     

Microinjections of anisomycin into the intermediate cerebellum during learning affect the acquisition of classically conditioned responses in the rabbit

Galactosylhydroxylysine (GHL) is released during bone resorption and has been shown to be elevated in subjects with metabolic bone loss. GHL is relatively specific for bone, it is not recycled or significantly metabolized during collagen turnover, and the levels are not influenced by diet. Previous measurements of GHL levels in urine have been performed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography following pre-column derivatization. We produced polyclonal antibodies to GHL using GHL purified from sea sponges and developed an immunoassay that can recognize GHL in urine. The antibodies have minimal cross-reactivity with a physiological mixture of amino acids (< 1%), galactose (< 0.2%), lactose (< 0.3%), and glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine (< 1%). This competitive immunoassay requires no dilution or pretreatment of the samples and provides a rapid and easy method for the evaluation of GHL in urine. Analysis of clinical samples from normal individuals, post-menopausal women, osteoporotic patients and individuals with Paget's disease show that the assay can discriminate between groups with differing levels of bone resorption as well as deoxypyridinoline (Dpd).     

Behavioral control of exercise in sedentary adults: Studies 1 through 6.

Conducted 6 experiments with 143 healthy sedentary adults who had been unsuccessful in starting or maintaining an exercise regimen to identify behavioral and cognitive procedures that would enhance Ss' adherence to a 3 day/wk exercise (walking/jogging) program. Procedures evaluated included feedback and praise during exercise, various goal-setting strategies, lottery reinforcement, cognitive strategies during the exercise, and relapse-prevention training. Class attendance, exercise program adherence, and fitness data were collected, and self-reported 3-mo follow-up data were also obtained. Results suggest the importance of social support, feedback, and praise during exercise; flexibility in exercise-goal setting; and distraction-based cognitive strategies. Findings are integrated and discussed in terms of the importance and difficulties of shaping and maintaining exercise behaviors. (58 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)