Central Office placement report: 1969.

Examined placement listings at 6 regional conventions, the American Psychological Association (APA) Regional Placement Bulletin, and the monthly APA Employment Bulletin (February through June, 1969). Overall, there were 1,931 unduplicated positions and 1,753 unduplicated applicants. Colleges and universities were the most frequent employment setting. Employers generally were successful in locating applicants with the desired educational requirements. For PhDs, there was a surplus of applicants for clinical/counseling positions, while there was a surplus in industrial psychology for those with less than a PhD. Salaries associated with different settings and educational backgrounds are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Central Office: Summary of Exploratory OCMD Questionnaire.

Presents a summary of results of an exploratory questionnaire completed by 232 APA members on Psychological Abstracts, APA journals, and possible innovations in communication products and services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA report from the Central Office, Washington.

Document highlights American Psychological Association news forwarded through the Central Office. Items include: news on the Community Mental Health Centers programs from the Professional Practice and the Public Interest; the publishing of a casebook by the Committee on Scientific and Professional Ethics and Conduct; news on a recent study that includes projected Changes from the Labor Department and Office of Education; new laws applicable to psychology; The APA Program of Visiting Psychologists in Field (Service) Settings; as well as correspondence forwarded to the Association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA's Central Office: Its organization and functions.

The recent growth of American psychology and of the American Psychological Association Central Office are discussed. Major sections are: Functional Organization of the Central Office (Office of the Executive Secretary, Administrative Services, Education and Training, Membership and Legislative Services, Publications, Public Information, State and Professional Affairs), Personnel Policies and Practices, And in the Future. "Central Office functions are primarily those of administering the detailed affairs of the association and of providing services to its members. The Central Office does not establish policy; rather, it assists in implementing policies approved by the association's legislative body, the Council of Representatives." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Central Office: Scientific Affairs Office: Planning a program for the next several years.

The Scientific Affairs Office of APA is concerned mainly with who in psychology is doing research, what is done, under what conditions, and to what use it is put. Scientific Affairs might be expected to carry out periodic surveys on the relative amounts of psychological research in various areas of psychology. These surveys, in addition to describing the state of the science, should attempt to analyze the reasons for concentration of research in some areas and omissions in others. Suggestions for development of research in specific areas could be a consequence of the surveys. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managing the business of psychology: Administrative officers at the APA Central Office.

Discusses the role of administrative officer in the Central Office of the American Psychological Association based on the present authors' own experiences as Administrative Officer of Professional Affairs. The authors' backgrounds that led to these positions are reviewed along with the major components of the job. The contributions of psychology training to the performance of the role, as well as the gaps in such training, are discussed. Advice about preparing for and securing this type of position is offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2nd revision consensus on blood transfusion. Central Guidance Organization for Peer Review

Since 1982 several consensus conferences regarding the transfusion practice in hospitals have been organized in the Netherlands. Repeated updating of the consensus text such as described in this article is required to keep abreast of new developments and changes in clinical practice. Guidelines concerning compatibility testing (the result of compatibility testing is valid for three days at most), the organization of responsibilities and the clinical use of red cell concentrates, including a protocol for transfusion in patients with massive bleeding, were changed. No consensus was reached concerning the need to use only red cells that are antigen c, E and K compatible in women younger than 45 years of age and in patients with abnormal erythropoiesis. Although the need of systematic reviews to support guidelines was recognized, literature reviews revealed that only few studies were designed well enough to allow definitive conclusions regarding the benefits and risks of red cell transfusion.     

Consensus diagnosis and treatment of arterial intermittent claudication. Central Guidance Organization for Peer Review

Intermittent claudication is an indicator of increased risk of cardiac and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality and as such a reason to look for modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis. A vascular anamnesis and physical examination can reliably exclude presence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease in the lower extremities, but cannot reliably demonstrate its presence. Certainty about presence or absence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease can be obtained by determination of an ankle-brachial blood pressure index. The main method for the diagnosis of severity and localisation of stenoses and occlusions in the arteries to the legs is the echo-Doppler (duplex) examination. With this method the feasibility of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) can also be determined. Consequently, angiography has lost importance as a diagnostic method and is only still indicated as part of an interventional treatment (operation or PTA). Treatment should be aimed at both amelioration of symptoms and reduction of risk factors for atherosclerosis. A key-stone of the treatment is cessation of smoking. The role of pharmacotherapy in reducing symptomatology is only limited. Walking exercise can have a positive effect on walking distance and should always be tried. PTA is the treatment modality of first choice for stenoses in the aortoiliac and femoropopliteal arteries. For segmental occlusions in the iliac pathway, also recanalisation by means of PTA (in combination with stent placement) is a justifiable treatment option. In all other cases operative revascularisations give good functional results. Invasive treatments for patients with intermittent claudication should be performed within a multidisciplinary team.     

Consensus prevention of crib death. CBO (Central Guidance Organization for Peer Review)

The sudden and unforeseen death of a child in the first two years, usually happening during a sleeping period, is known as cot death. As cot death is a very tragic and dramatic experience for the family, it is important to reduce its incidence. In the period between 1972 and 1987, the number of cot deaths initially increased, but during the last decade a substantial reduction could be observed. This fluctuation can be connected with the position in which the baby is put to sleep. From 1970 the prone sleeping position was strongly recommended. Since then, the number of cot death cases increased. From 1987, a causal relationship between the prone sleeping position and cot death was suspected. As a result the prone sleeping position was strongly advised against. A reduction of cot death cases was then observed. By now, the role of many other factors in cot death has been perceived. The risk of cot death is increased if these factors act at the same time. Some of these factors that promote cot death come from the child's environment and can be influenced when kept in mind. Apart from the prone or side sleeping position, heat congestion, unsafe bed material and smoking in the presence of the child substantially increase the risk of cot death. The main recommendations of the committee which drew up the Dutch consensus report on prevention of cot death are therefore aimed at avoiding the above mentioned risk factors. Continuation of research is necessary to further reduce the current number of some 50 cases of cot death which happen yearly in the Netherlands.     

The European Alcohol Action Plan. The Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Unit. Department of Lifestyles and Health, Regional Office for Europe. World Health Organization. Copenhagen, 1993

The translation to the Spanish language of the European Alcohol Action Plan, from the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization, is presented as a support measure and promotion of its application. The European Alcohol Action Plan calls for a European movement to support actions at the local, national and international levels. The Action Plan calls for the participation of many partners in public, private and voluntary sectors. Its successful implementation will make a clearly recognizable contribution to improve Europeans' health and to prevent the harm done by the use of alcohol. Alcohol is a major public health problem throughout the European Region as a whole. In relation to alcohol, Member States hold two shared commitments. The first one is a commitment to the health policy for Europe, as expressed in the Targets for Health for All, and specifically the target 17 which calls for a 25% reduction in alcohol consumption between 1980 and 2000, with particular attention to reduce its harmful use. The second one is a commitment to the European Alcohol Action Plan which was strongly endorsed at the 1992 Regional Committee as a positive set of guidelines to be followed by the European Member States. Member States, nongovernmental organizations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Nordic Council are taking initiatives to reduce the harm produced by the use of alcohol.     

Organization of visual short-term memory.

The authors examined the organization of visual short-term memory (VSTM). Using a change-detection task, they reported that VSTM stores relational information between individual items. This relational processing is mediated by the organization of items into spatial configurations. The spatial configuration of visual objects is important for VSTM of spatial locations, colors, and shapes. When color VSTM is compared with location VSTM, spatial configuration plays an integral role because configuration is important for color VSTM, whereas color is not important for location VSTM. The authors also examined the role of attention and found that the formation of configuration is modulated by both top-down and bottom-up attentional factors. In summary, the authors proposed that VSTM stores the relational information of individual visual items on the basis of global spatial configuration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mutagenicity test schemes and guidelines: U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and Office of Pesticide Programs

New requirements for chemicals subject to mutagenicity testing from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are discussed. Also detailed are two categories in the 1986 Mutagenicity Risk Assessment Guidelines.     

European psychology and the Office of Naval Research.

Proposes an addendum to M. R. Rosenzweig's (see record 1986-10248-001) article on the position of the US in world psychology. The addendum describes the liaison scientist program of the US Office of Naval Research. Under the program, scientists (including psychologists) are able to exchange information with their foreign colleagues through visits, lectures, meetings, and publication of articles and reports. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Central Data Storage.

The author comments upon how the idea that we need central storage of information for the behavioral and biological sciences (SIBBS) came to him after an attempt to use predisorder measures in a study of psychological deficit. The author proposes the systematic collection of behavioral and biological data from individuals involved in mass programs of selection, study, or assessment. The most obvious of these are military and educational programs, but many additional possibilities exist. He also proposes that the APA Board of Scientific Affairs study this matter in detail and make recommendations concerning the proper nature and functions of SIBBS, the best public or private agency to operate it, and the contribution that psychologists can make to its establishment, development, and use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Central office personnel.

Charles S. Gersoni has been appointed Associate Executive Officer and Director of Program Administration. "Gersoni has gained wide recognition as an administrator of psychological research and service programs in the Army." His BS and MS degrees were earned at the University of Virginia and the PhD at New York University; he is a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology. John J. McMillan has been appointed Administrative Officer, State and Professional Affairs in the Office of Program Administration. Joseph B. Margolin resumed his duties with the USPHS in December. Harley O. Preston joined the staff as Staff Officer, Public Affairs in the Executive Office. Lawrence N. Solomon has returned to the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute, La Jolla, California. Robert Hood has been appointed Manager, Publication and Data Processing Services, in the Office of Business Administration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)