On the cover.

Discusses the cover art for this issue of American Psychologist. Portions of the article are based on an interview with the artist, Melissa Miller, on November 6, 2006. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A quantitative approach to modeling mammalian myelinated nervefibers for electrical prosthesis design

Presents an upgraded cable model of mammalian myelinated nerve fibers in an extracellularly applied field. The kinetics of the nodes is based upon voltage clamp data in rat motor fibers at 37°C (J.R. Schwartz and G. Eikhof, 1987), while the resting membrane potential is computed with the Goldman equation. The resulting spike shape, conduction velocity, strength/duration behavior, and absolute and relative refractory period are in good quantitative agreement with published experimental data in mammals at normal body temperature and at 20°C. Results at intermediate temperatures however, suggest that the widely used concept of a constant Q₁₀ for the rate constants is invalid. In addition, the model generates realistic abortive spikes towards the end of the absolute refractory period and it can describe the consequences of repetitive firing. The results stress the advantages of a multiple nonlinear node model even if only time aspects of nerve behavior are under study. It turned out, that the model presented here describes in vivo neural properties relevant for electrical prosthesis design better than previous models in literature     

When 3-year-olds pass the appearance–reality test.

68 3-yr-olds received a standard appearance–reality task along with either a trick task, in which the appearance question was placed in the context of a deceptive game, or a reduced information processing task, in which a dual object (e.g., a sponge-rock) was presented along with an object that matched the dual object's identity (a sponge) and one that matched the dual object's appearance (a rock). Children were more likely to pass either the trick or reduced information processing task and fail the standard than the reverse. Thus, 3-yr-olds can grasp the distinction between appearance and reality (a) when their goal is to trick someone, which may prime them to think about the other's mental state, and (b) when they do not need to hold conflicting object identities in mind at the same time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Running therapy: Special characteristics and therapeutic issues of concern.

Describes the use of running therapy in the case of a 32 yr old female incest survivor to delineate specific, predictable, and salient characteristics and issues that may inhere to this type of therapy. The need to address client variables and therapist attributes is discussed. Significant interpersonal issues include changes in the therapeutic bound, competition, and body awareness. Characteristics of running therapy include changes in thinking patterns, the use of symbolism and metaphor, and nonverbal communication. The positive effects of aerobic exercise in the context of psychotherapy may lead to a more profound and beneficial experience of psychotherapy. Further understanding of this form of therapy is useful both to those interested in the relationship between exercise and mental health and those studying varieties of psychotherapeutic experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maternal Power Assertion in Discipline and Moral Discourse Contexts: Commonalities, Differences, and Implications for Children's Moral Conduct and Cognition.

Parental power assertion is traditionally studied in the behavioral domain--discipline triggered by the child's immediate misbehavior--but rarely in the cognitive domain--parent-child discussions of the child's past misbehavior. Maternal power assertion was observed in "do" and "don't" discipline contexts from 14 to 45 months and in the context of mother-child discourse about a recent misbehavior at 56 months. Mothers' use of power cohered across the "do," "don't," and discourse contexts, but its implications were domain specific. Power assertion in the "don't" discipline context predicted behavioral outcomes (more moral conduct at 56 and 73 months, less antisocial conduct at 73 months) but not cognitive outcomes (moral cognition at 56 and 73 months). Power assertion in the discourse context predicted less mature moral cognition but not moral or antisocial conduct. Mothers' high Neuroticism predicted more power assertion in all three contexts. Child effects were examined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow

Sheet molding compound (SMC) is a fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite. It is often used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications over other materials because of its high strength to density ratio, resistance to corrosion, and low cost. There is a demand in the SMC industry to be able to characterize SMC processability. This is particularly true for heavy truck body panels, one of the fastest growing applications of SMC. Because of their large size and high strength requirement, the molding forces have a major influence in the molding cycle. Also because of the long flow paths involved, the ability of the paste to carry glass needs to be properly characterized when developing new SMC materials. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of using spiral flow as a processability tester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

An expert system that performs a satellite stationkeeping maneuver

The development and capabilities of a prototype expert system that provides real-time spacecraft system analysis and command generation are described. At present, ESSOC (Expert System for Satellite Orbit Control) is capable of performing the stationkeeping maneuver for a geostationary satellite. ESSOC guides the operator through the stationkeeping operation by recommending appropriate commands that reflect both the changing spacecraft condition and previous procedural action. Information regarding satellite status is stored in a knowledge base internal to the expert system. This knowledge base is continuously updated with processed spacecraft telemetry. Information on the procedural structure is encoded in production rules. The independence of the procedural rules from each other, and from the knowledge base, makes the system easy to maintain and expand. Particular attention is directed to distinctive features of the ESSOC system and its development, namely, the structured methods of knowledge acquisition, and the design and performance-enhancing techniques that enable ESSOC to operate in a real-time environment.     

Putting sport psychology into (your) practice.

The psychologist interested in expanding or diversifying practice will find the relatively new field of applied sport psychology rich in opportunities for learning, collaboration, and development. Exercise can be an important adjunct to psychotherapy, and psychological skills training offers systematic methods for performance improvement. Sport psychology is derived from a blending of sport science and psychology, and practitioner psychologists bring unique skills to this domain. Building on already developed areas of expertise, the psychologist can apply new skills to different populations in diverse settings. At the same time, the practitioner with an interest in sport psychology should obtain sufficient training, consider credentialing, and recognize ethical issues particular to this field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of fine needle capillary sampling in superficial and deep-seated lesions. An analysis of 670 cases

The gene rafY from the plasmid pRSD2, which enables Escherichia coli to grow on raffinose, was transferred into expression plasmid pUSL77. The protein was expressed in the porin-deficient Escherichia coli strain KS26 and was isolated and purified to homogeneity. The pure protein was reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes. It formed an ion-permeable channel with a single-channel conductance of 2.9 nS of the open state in 1 M KCl, which is approximately twice of that of the general diffusion pores OmpF and OmpC of E. coli outer membrane. At lower pH the channel exhibited rapid flickering between three substates of the open channel. The RafY channel appears to be wide and water filled and has a small selectivity for cations over anions. Although RafY is part of an uptake and fermentation system for raffinose it does not contain a binding site for carbohydrates. Our results suggest that RafY is a general diffusion pore with a diameter, larger than that of the general diffusion porins OmpF and OmpC, that allows the diffusion of high-molecular-mass carbohydrates through the outer membrane.