The drinking partnership and marital satisfaction: The longitudinal influence of discrepant drinking.

The objective was to determine whether discrepancies between husbands' and wives' past-year heavy drinking predicted decreased marital satisfaction over time. Participants (N = 634) were recruited at the time they applied for their marriage licenses. Couples completed questionnaires about their alcohol use and marital satisfaction at the time of marriage and again at their 1st and 2nd anniversaries. Generalized estimating equation models were used to evaluate the association between discrepancies in husbands' and wives' heavy drinking in the year prior to marriage and marital satisfaction at the 1st wedding anniversary and the association between discrepancies in heavy alcohol use in the 1st year of marriage and marital satisfaction at the 2nd wedding anniversary. In these prospective time-lagged analyses, discrepancies in husbands' and wives' heavy drinking predicted decreased marital satisfaction over time while controlling for heavy drinking. Over time, these couples may be at greater risk for decreased marital functioning that may lead to relationship dissolution. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The influence of grain size on the erosion rate of metals

The objective of this work was to understand the influence of grain size on solid impingement erosion behavior characterized by deformation at high strain rates and large strains. Experiments were carried out at a velocity of 40 m/s, impact angle of 90 deg with 300 to 450 μm steel shot as erodent on iron, copper, and titanium with varying grain sizes. The results indicate that the erosion rate is independent of grain size in iron and copper while it is apparently grain size dependent in titanium. The results are rationalized in terms of the negligible contribution of the Hall-Petch component to the flow stress at large strains in the case of copper and iron. The decreasing erosion rate in titanium with increasing grain size was due to the increased interstitial content picked up during thermal treatment and consequent increase in strain hardening and strain rate hardening and not due to increased grain sizeper se. Adiabatic shear bands were observed in coarse-grained iron under actual erosion conditions.     

The influence of grain size on the erosion rate of metals

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The objective of this work was to understand the influence of grain size on solid impingement erosion behavior characterized by deformation at high...     

The influence of grain size on the erosion rate of metals

The objective of this work was to understand the influence of grain size on solid impingement erosion behavior characterized by deformation at high strain rates and large strains. Experiments were carried out at a velocity of 40 m/s, impact angle of 90 deg with 300 to 450 μm steel shot as erodent on iron, copper, and titanium with varying grain sizes. The results indicate that the erosion rate is independent of grain size in iron and copper while it is apparently grain size dependent in titanium. The results are rationalized in terms of the negligible contribution of the Hall-Petch component to the flow stress at large strains in the case of copper and iron. The decreasing erosion rate in titanium with increasing grain size was due to the increased interstitial content picked up during thermal treatment and consequent increase in strain hardening and strain rate hardening and not due to increased grain sizeper se. Adiabatic shear bands were observed in coarse-grained iron under actual erosion conditions.     

Modification of affective consequences of alcohol: A comparison of social and solitary drinking.

Tested 2 predictions based on S. Schachter's 1964 theory of emotion regarding the interaction of alcohol consumed in social and solitary situations. Ss were 60 male and 60 female 18-30 yr old adults. It was predicted that the cognitive circumstances of social drinking would promote an affective response to alcohol, whereas the same objective level of intoxication would be responded to as physical symptoms among solitary drinkers. Additionally, it was predicted that the social manipulation would be effective only to the extent that "plasticity" was induced (i.e., only when alcohol and not placebo was consumed). Both predictions were generally confirmed, using self-report of mood and O ratings of amusement as dependent variables. It is conjectured that the social circumstances of drinking may be important in determining the reinforcing value of the intoxicated state. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Peer and partner drinking and the transition to marriage: A longitudinal examination of selection and influence processes.

This study examined the longitudinal relationships among adult drinking, partner drinking, and peer drinking over the transition to marriage. Newlywed couples were assessed with respect to alcohol involvement, peer drinking, and risk factors and reassessed at their 1st anniversary. Husbands' premarital drinking was predictive of wives' drinking at the 1st anniversary, indicating partner influence. The results did not support a peer-influence hypothesis in that peer drinking at marriage was not predictive of husbands' or wives' drinking at the 1st anniversary. There was evidence, however, for a peer-selection effect, with husbands' premarital drinking predicting peer drinking for both husbands and wives. Wives' premarital drinking was unrelated to the subsequent drinking of their peers or their husbands' peers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cue exposure in moderation drinking: A comparison with cognitive–behavior therapy.

To date, the published controlled trials on exposure to alcohol cues have had an abstinence treatment goal. A modification of cue exposure (CE) for moderation drinking, which incorporated priming doses of alcohol, could train participants to stop drinking after 2 to 3 drinks. This study examined the effects of modified CE within sessions, combined with directed homework practice. Nondependent problem drinkers who requested a moderation drinking goal were randomly allocated to modified CE or standard cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for alcohol abuse. Both interventions were delivered in 6 90-min group sessions. Eighty-one percent of eligible participants completed treatment and follow-up assessment. Over 6 months, CE produced significantly greater reductions than CBT in participants' reports of drinking frequency and consumption on each occasion. No pretreatment variables significantly predicted outcome. The modified CE procedure appears viable for nondependent drinkers who want to adopt a moderate drinking goal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Electromyographic response of the labial muscles during normal liquid swallows using a spoon, a straw, and a cup

PURPOSE: To determine if ethnic and gender differences in smoking (lifetime prevalence and 30-day prevalence) exist among a cohort of Asian, black, Hispanic, and white inner-city adolescents during the 3-year middle school period. METHODS: Students in 22 urban schools completed self-report questionnaires and provided carbon monoxide breath samples at three annual assessments. Chi-square analyses were conducted to test for associations between ethnic group (Asian, black, Hispanic, and white) and smoking and to test for gender differences in smoking within each ethnic group. Additional analyses examined differences in smoking between two Hispanic subgroups (Puerto Rican and Dominican). RESULTS: Ethnicity was associated with lifetime smoking prevalence at all three assessment points but was only associated with 30-day smoking prevalence at the 2-year follow-up. However, there were no differences in smoking between Puerto Rican and Dominican youth. Black girls reported higher lifetime smoking prevalence than black boys at all three assessments. At the 2-year follow-up, Asian boys reported higher lifetime smoking prevalence than Asian girls; Hispanic girls reported higher 30-day prevalence than Hispanic boys. CONCLUSIONS: White and Hispanic adolescents were at higher risk for smoking relative to Asian and black adolescents. With the exception of white youth, gender differences were found within each ethnic group.     

A comparison of models of drinking motives in a university sample.

Previous research has suggested the presence of several alternative factorial models for the assessment of drinking motives. In the present study, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (M. L. Cooper, 1994) in a college sample. The results indicate that a 4-factor model that includes the dimensions of social rewards, affect enhancement, coping, and conformity motives fits the data significantly better than 2- and 3-factor models. Furthermore, the 4-factor model fits equally well for men and women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of the nasal mask and the nasopharyngeal airway in paediatric chair dental anaesthesia

This study compared the quality of anaesthesia and surgical access afforded by two techniques for the administration of anaesthesia during paediatric chair dental procedures. A total of 50 ASA 1 paediatric day case patients were randomly assigned to receive anaesthesia through either the traditional Goldman nasal mask or through a nasopharyngeal airway. Patients in the nasal mask group were judged to have significantly worse airway patency (p = 0.0001) and significantly more episodes of airway obstruction (14 vs. 4; p = 0.0032) than those in the nasopharyngeal airway group. Anaesthetic, surgical and oxygen saturation data did not differ significantly between the two groups. Operating conditions were universally graded as excellent in the nasopharyngeal airway group, while those in the nasal mask group were graded as excellent/good in only 79% of cases (p < 0.0001). These results suggest that better quality anaesthesia and operating conditions can be achieved by using a nasopharyngeal airway rather than the traditional nasal mask for the administration of anaesthesia to paediatric chair dental patients.     

Enhancing motivation for change in problem drinking: A controlled comparison of two therapist styles.

To investigate the impact of counselor style, a 2-session motivational checkup was offered to 42 problem drinkers (18 women and 24 men) who were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) immediate checkup with directive-confrontational counseling, (2) immediate checkup with client-centered counseling, or (3) delayed checkup (waiting-list control). Overall, the intervention resulted in a 57% reduction in drinking within 6 wks, which was maintained at 1 yr. Clients receiving immediate checkup showed significant reduction in drinking relative to controls. The 2 counseling styles were discriminable on therapist behaviors coded from audiotapes. The directive-confrontational style yielded significantly more resistance from clients, which in turn predicted poorer outcomes at 1 yr. Therapist styles did not differ in overall impact on drinking, but a single therapist behavior was predictive (r?=?.65) of 1-yr outcome such that the more the therapist confronted, the more the client drank. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of moderate and high users of Alberta's universal dental plan for the elderly

The characteristics and service utilization of 2,071 high and 2,337 moderate users of Alberta's dental plan from 1978-79 to 1990-91 are reported. High users are those who used the plan for 14 consecutive years; moderate users are those who used the plan in seven of the 14 years. Both groups were over 74 years of age in 1991-92. Compared to high users, moderate users lived in less urbanized regions, visited denturists more often and received far more complete dentures and fewer partial dentures. As a percentage of their total annual plan expenditures, moderate users spent less on diagnostic, preventive, periodontal and restorative services and much more on removable prosthodontic and denturists' services. However, during the study period, the moderate users increased their annual relative expenditures for diagnostic, preventive and, especially, periodontal services, and decreased them for prosthodontic services. With respect to specific preventive and periodontal services, the percentage of total annual expenditures for dental prophylaxis, topical fluoride applications, periodontal scaling, gingival curettage, and combinations of these, was much higher for the high user group. Despite these differences favoring the high user group, during the 14 year period, the moderate user group considerably increased its relative expenditures for dental prophylaxis, topical fluoride and periodontal scaling services. While the observed differences in service expenditures between high and moderate users were anticipated, the shift over time to using more preventive and periodontal services by both groups was an encouraging harbinger of the "new elderly" dental patients.     

A comparison of augmentation and reduction as modes of influence.

A2 X 2 factorial experiment was conducted which attempted to influence the opinion responses of Ss (introductory psychology students) through the use of 1 of 2 methods, augmentation or reduction. Also varied was the plausibility of the standard employed by the influencer to assess the "correctness" of the Ss' opinions. It was found that reduction (giving mild praise for correct answers, but extreme criticism for wrong ones) when coupled with an implausible standard produced the greatest concealment of opinions, the least learning of the influencer's standard, and the least acceptance of it. With the plausible standard, reduction was not noticeably different in its effects from augmentation (giving high praise for correct answers and mild reproof for wrong ones). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of longitudinal phenotypes based on alternate heavy drinking cut scores: A systematic comparison of trajectory approaches III.

The goal of the present study was to empirically determine the effect of employing different cut scores for frequency of heavy episodic drinking (HED; an often-used indicator of problematic alcohol involvement) within a longitudinal framework. Using data from a large prospective (9-wave) college student sample, the authors used latent class growth analyses to characterize developmental trajectories of HED based on alternate cut scores that varied in frequency of HED (defined by 5+ drinks per occasion), as well as to measure very heavy episodic drinking (12+ drinks per occasion). As cut score severity increased and base rates for HED correspondingly decreased, individuals were increasingly categorized into less severe classes. Concordance between trajectories ranged from small to moderate, with concordance using highly discrepant definitions of frequent HED being particularly low. HED trajectories based upon different cut scores were validated against a range of etiological and consequential correlates. No single cut score was superior to others in explaining variance in external validity indicators, suggesting that the choice of cut score should be based upon theoretical and clinical considerations. This study further extends the authors' prior work examining the effects of methodological factors that are critical to characterizing the developmental course of alcohol involvement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The self-fulfilling influence of mother expectations on children's underage drinking.

This research examined whether mothers' expectations about their children's drinking behavior influenced their children's future alcohol use through self-fulfilling prophecies. It also investigated whether children's self-esteem, family social class, or the valence of mother expectations moderated this process. Analyses of longitudinal data from 505 mother-child dyads yielded results consistent with a self-fulfilling prophecy. The inaccurate portion of mother expectations predicted children's future alcohol use after accounting for relevant control variables. Moderation analyses indicated that this effect was stronger among higher self-esteem children and when mother expectations were positively valenced (i.e., when mothers underestimated their children's future alcohol use). The findings are discussed in terms of parent-child relationship quality, peer influences, self theories, and out-group stereotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of the cavitation potential of prosthetic heart valves based on valve closing dynamics

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study compares the cavitation potential of prosthetic heart valves based on valve closing dynamics. METHODS: A laser sweeping technique measured valve closing dynamics (average closing velocity and deceleration) immediately before valve closure. A high-fidelity, piezoelectric pressure transducer was mounted proximal to the mitral valve and measured the high-frequency pressure fluctuations caused by cavitation bubble formation and collapse after valve closure. The band-pass filtered root mean squared (RMS) value of the mitral pressure signal was used as a measure of cavitation intensity. The combination of these two techniques allowed the direct correlation of valve dynamics and cavitation intensity for each valve closure. The effects of three parameters on prosthetic heart valve dynamics and cavitation were examined: valve geometry (Medtronic Hall and Bj?rk-Shiley Monostrut), occluder material (pyrolytic carbon and Delrin), and gap width between the occluder and housing. A dimensional analysis was also performed to investigate the general form of the relationship between valve dynamics and cavitation intensity. RESULTS: For all of the valves investigated in this study, the RMS pressure increased (signifying an increase in cavitation) as the average closing velocity and deceleration increased. In order to compare the cavitation potential of the valves, the RMS pressure was estimated at specific closing velocities using the linear regression of RMS pressure versus average closing velocity for each valve. The effects of valve geometry, occluder material and gap width were then examined at high valve loading conditions (closing velocity of 4.0 m/s). For both pyrolytic carbon and Delrin, the Medtronic Hall valves had significantly higher RMS pressures than did the Bj?rk-Shiley Monostrut valves. For a given valve geometry, the pyrolytic carbon occluder had a significantly higher RMS pressure than the Delrin occluder. The valve gap width did not have a significant effect on RMS pressure. The dimensional analysis revealed the general relationship among average closing velocity, occluder material properties and cavitation intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here contribute to our fundamental understanding of cavitation on mechanical heart valves.     

Peer influence on smoking initiation during early adolescence: A comparison of group members and group outsiders.

Compared group members' and group outsiders' susceptibility to the influence of their friends' smoking. Ss were nonsmokers in Grade 7 who were observed for 1 yr. As hypothesized, group outsiders (Ss who did not have reciprocal friends) were affected more by the smoking of their best friend and by the overall level of smoking among their friends than group members were. Furthermore, this peer influence was strongest for teens who were very concerned about their friends' reactions to their substance use. In addition, consistency in smoking status was related to the formation, but not the breakdown, of reciprocal friendships. Results indicate that teenagers may view smoking as a vehicle for entering a desired friendship group. The authors suggest ways that prevention programs might address this mechanism for adolescent smoking initiation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)