Language use as social strategy: A review and an analytic framework for the social sciences.

Language use as a social strategy is reviewed and a new interdisciplinary taxonomy developed. Four categories are suggested for using language: to get people to do things, to get people to say things, to keep people's attention, and to maintain social relationships. Within these categories, all of the discourse and conversational analysis literatures are reviewed, allowing a common framework within which to make more systematic analyses. Reinterpretations of psychological theories are suggested, and fresh avenues for interdisciplinary research are created. A major imperative from the review is that some form of ethnographic data collection is needed for all analyses of conversations and texts to incorporate more of the social, economic, historical, and cultural contexts into both our observations and theorizing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Capillary electrophoresis: pioneering new approaches for biomolecular analysis

There is little doubt that electrophoretic techniques have made an immeasurable contribution to our understanding of biochemical systems. Capillary electrophoresis (CE), the subject of this article, is not yet as widely utilized as 'slab' gel electrophoresis for the separation of biological molecules, but may confer several advantages over more conventional techniques. For example, it offers fast separation, needs only minute quantities of sample, gives high quantitative reproducibility and can be automated. These qualities make it a highly attractive method, which will ultimately lead to new horizons for biomolecular analyses.     

Experimental comparisons of face-to-face and mediated communication: A review.

Reviews approximately 30 recent research studies that have investigated how human communication is affected by the use of telecommunications media. These studies used various types of media and both cooperative and conflictful communication situations. Several media effects were described in these studies, and consistencies among these results have begun to emerge. Accordingly, it is now possible to test theories of mediated communication and to advance our understanding of nonverbal communication. In addition, it is possible to come to some practical conclusions regarding the suitability of telecommunications media for small-group interaction. (51 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tactile communication of speech: A review and an analysis.

Reviews research attempts to present the acoustic speech signal to the skin by means of various electromechanical devices. 2 explanations for the relative failure of these speech-to-tactile transformations are critically examined: a current theory that speech is a special code necessarily incomprehensible to the skin; and evidence that tactile masking effects preclude analysis of a signal as complex as speech by the skin. Both of these explanations are rejected. It is suggested that the displays reviewed failed to provide the stimulus structure necessary for effective tactile perception. The stimulus requirements for perceptual organization by the skin of various levels of linguistic structure are discussed. Suggestions are made for the future development of tactile displays of speech that may be comprehended at rapid rates. (93 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Man-into-space: A tool and program for research in the social sciences.

The announcement of plans to launch the first earth satellites provides the opportunity to begin an unparalleled series of studies concerning processes as they occur in our culture and in less complex cultures; the opportunity to undertake a systematic series of studies in depth and over time, tracing out the evolution of differential impacts of a radical invention on many aspects of the human complex. Such studies could make significant contributions to our understanding of the dynamics of acculturation. Areas of study might involve; "Knowledge and understanding of technical concepts associated with MIS" (man into space), "The broad values and beliefs people have concerning MIS" and "The present and future perceptions that people have of the role of MIS in their own lives." The subject of MIS forms an ideal tool for studying the processes of social change, acculturation, and perceptual reorganization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The search for nickel-selective polymers — A review

The adsorption of nickel by a variety of ion exchangers is reviewed: general purpose cation exchangers tend to adsorb nickel in a non-selective manner, while anion exchangers reject nickel under almost any conditions.Many attempts were made to design chelating cation exchangers by incorporating well-known analytical ligands into macromolecular matrices. No breakthrough has yet been made. The difficulty lies in the fact that with most known ligands, including dimethylglyoxime, nickel forms less stable complexes than do some other transition metals, most notably copper.     

The new history of psychology: A review and critique.

In the past 30 years, the "new history of psychology" and its adherents have advocated a critical approach to scholarship, increased use of primary sources, a focus on sociopolitical forces, and the active inclusion of psychologists from underrepresented groups. This article argues that many scholars exaggerate the differences between old and new history of psychology, and that where the differences are indeed large, those discrepancies reveal certain limitations unique to the new history approach. These limitations, presented in the form of 5 questions posed to new historians, lead to a discussion of professional issues in the history of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Proteasome inhibitors: valuable new tools for cell biologists

Proteasomes are major sites for protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. The recent identification of selective proteasome inhibitors has allowed a definition of the roles of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in various cellular processes, such as antigen presentation and the degradation of regulatory or membrane proteins. This review describes the actions of these inhibitors, how they can be used to investigate cellular responses, the functions of the proteasome demonstrated by such studies and their potential applications in the future.     

Pediatric psychopharmacology: A review of new developments and recent research.

Advances in psychopharmacology have revolutionalized the management of emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Recent developments in pediatric psychopharmacology and the prevalence of pharmacotherapy for various psychological disorders in children are examined, and clinical updates for classes of psychotropics are provided. Issues including monitoring and assessing drug effects, acceptability and satisfaction, and the social, political, and cultural issues surrounding the use of psychotropics in children are discussed. The authors conclude that the current clinical use of psychotropics in children exceeds extant efficacy and safety data. The involvement of practicing psychologists in pediatric psychopharmacology and the need for a firm empirical foundation for pediatric psychopharmacology are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health and behavioral sciences: One federal agency's role in the behavioral sciences.

Presents a historical overview of the role of the National Institute of Mental Health in developing and using the behavioral sciences as the substantive base of its various programs of research, training and services. Major themes of research programs are illustrated with special reference to schizophrenia, brain-behavior relations, small-group interaction, collective behavior, and adaptation in stress. Training program development in the various mental health specialties is also described. Innovative models of interdisciplinary research training, involving the biological, psychological and social sciences are recommended to respond to complex research challenges in the mental health field. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rules as tools: Effective generalization of verbal self-regulative communication training by first-grade speakers.

Tested whether referential communication training of young speakers can be generalized to novel tasks. 19 1st graders were taught to use 2 general communication rules through a verbal self-regulation procedure. Three groups were tested: a practice control and 2 training groups. In the 1st training group, Ss were trained on 2 tasks. In the 2nd group, Ss received the same training but in only 1 context. Results show that both training groups performed better than the controls on both direct training posttests and novel generalization tasks, immediately as well as 2 wks later. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 training groups. It is concluded that verbal self-regulation training appears to be a promising means of obtaining generalizaion of speaking skills in young children, in support of findings by D. Meichenbaum and J. Goodman (see record 1971-23785-001). (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A performance comparison of communication links between rural hospitals and a digital health sciences library

CO2 laser pulses selectively excite A-delta and C mechano-thermal nociceptors in the superficial layers of the skin. To study the jaw-opening reflex elicited by a purely nociceptive input, we delivered laser pulses to the perioral region in 15 subjects. Sensory threshold was very low (9 mJ/mm2). High-intensity noxious laser pulses (more than 4 x sensory threshold) evoked a single phase of electromyogram suppression (laser silent period, LSP) at an onset latency of 70 ms in the contracted masseter and temporal muscles, bilaterally. Even maximum-intensity laser pulses failed to activate the suprahyoid muscles. The recovery curves to paired laser stimuli showed that at short interstimulus intervals the test LSP was strongly suppressed. At about 380 ms it recovered to 50%, i.e. its recovery curve resembled that of the masseter late silent period after electrical mental nerve stimulation (SP2). In experiments studying the interaction with heterotopic stimuli and non-nociceptive responses, chin-taps or electrical shocks delivered to the supraorbital, infraorbital or mental nerves before laser stimulation strongly suppressed the LSP. A preceding perioral laser pulse strongly suppressed the masseter SP evoked by supraorbital stimulation and the SP2 evoked by mental stimulation, but left SPI unaffected. We conclude that the perioral A-delta fibre input elicits a jaw-opening reflex simply by inhibiting the jaw-closers. The LSP response is mediated by a multisynaptic chain of brainstem interneurons and shares with the masseter SP2 part of the central circuit in the ponto-medullary region. We also propose that a common centre processes the various inputs for jaw opening.     

A congressional office of science and technology: Role of the behavioral sciences.

"I want to speak primarily to the limited and specific aspect which is included in Section 6 of H.R. 6866… . This section contains statuatory enactments limiting the scientific disciplines available for science advisory staff appointments. It is limited to biology, physics, and chemistry." Psychologists are associated with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Bureau of Standards, the Department of Defense, and the Human Resources Research Office. "The behavioral sciences give a broadened perspective on science and public policy that is not otherwise available. We sometimes base legislation… on incorrect assumptions regarding the human and the social factors." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial: A new beginning for the journal.

Announces that the International Journal of Stress Management has a new publisher--The Educational Publishing Foundation of the American Psychological Association. The editor discusses what this means for the readership and focus of the journal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Economic productivity and the behavioral sciences: An introduction.

Proposes that a nation whose rates of productivity decline in relation to those of other nations will become less competitive internationally, and maintains that this has happened to the US economy since the days of the Kennedy administration. Articles that support this proposition are discussed, including those by D. Quayle (see record 1984-01644-001), and E. A. Alluisi and D. K. Meigs (see record 1984-02630-001). (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Survey of the behavioral and social sciences: Psychology.

Attempted to provide a basis for estimating the support for psychological education and science during the next 10 yrs. Results suggest that there are equal numbers of psychologists in 3 areas: those who work with individuals, those who work with institutions, and those concerned with social development and social psychology. The field of psychology continues to attract graduate students. There are 2 approaches to psychology: one is to solve the problems of social issues, and the other is to perform laboratory research on behavioral problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological communication: A radical proposal.

Proposes the formation of an information exchange group that is as large as all of psychology, but whose published material acts as "working paper" and not as part of the archives of psychology. Advantages of the working paper include (1) the revival of the scholarly review article, (2) the elimination of the problem of perceived bias in the review editor, (3) the discouragement of the "numbers game" as regards publications and the encouragement of the use of "citation indices," and (4) the reduction of "splinter tendency" within the American Psychological Association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)