Recovery of 3-D structure from motion is neither euclidean nor affine.

The relationship between simulated and judged depth separations for pairs of probe dots on planar surface patches was examined in a series of 6 experiments. The simulated slant of the patches was varied without varying the simulated depth separation of the probe dots by varying the depth gradient orthogonal to the direction determined by the probe dots on the image plane. Judged depth separation varied with mean slant for constant simulated depth separations. When observers judged depth separations along a closed path, the integral of the signed depths did not sum to zero, as would be required in Euclidean geometry. These results are inconsistent with the view that the mapping between simulated and perceived 3-D structure is affine and indicate that, in general, the perceived structure cannot be represented in either a Euclidean space or an affine space. Moreover, these results are consistent with a first-order temporal analysis of the optic flow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Basic fibroblast growth factor is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of retinal neovascularization

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is constitutively expressed in the retina and its expression is increased by a number of insults, but its role in the retina is still uncertain. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that altered expression of FGF2 in the retina affects the development of retinal neovascularization. Mice with targeted disruption of the Fgf2 gene had no detectable expression of FGF2 in the retina by Western blot, but retinal vessels were not different in appearance or total area from wild-type mice. When FGF2-deficient mice were compared with wild-type mice in a murine model of oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy, they developed the same amount of retinal neovascularization. Transgenic mice with a rhodopsin promoter/Fgf2 gene fusion expressed high levels of FGF2 in retinal photoreceptors but developed no retinal neovascularization or other abnormalities of retinal vessels; in the ischemic retinopathy model, they showed no significant difference in the amount of retinal neovascularization compared with wild-type mice. These data indicate that FGF2 expression is not necessary nor sufficient for the development of retinal neovascularization. This suggests that agents that specifically antagonize FGF2 are not likely to be useful adjuncts in the treatment of retinal neovascularization and therapies designed to increase FGF2 expression are not likely to be complicated by retinal neovascularization.     

Decreased venous return is neither sufficient nor necessary to elicit ultrasonic vocalisations of infant rat pups.

It has been proposed that all ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in young rats are by-products of a cardiovascular response to decreased venous return, the abdominal compression reaction. To test the hypothesis, venous return was decreased in infant rats while USV and cardiovascular measures were monitored. Neither injection of the vasodilator sodium nitroprusside nor blood withdrawal from the superior vena cava or carotid artery elicited USV from pups in their home cage. Thus, decreased venous return by itself is not sufficient to elicit USV. To test whether venous return is a necessary mechanism for USV production, 5% dextrose in water or blood was infused intravenously into isolated pups that were producing USV. This artificial increase of venous return did not affect the rate of USV. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A simple solution.

Comments on the article by P. R. Sackett, N. Schmitt, J. E. Ellingson, and M. B. Kabin (see record 2001-00625-002) which posed the dilemma of how to use tests to select for performance without excluding minority group members. The current author argues that society should challenge the premise that elite American universities should select students on the basis of promise of academic performance. It is maintained that psychologists should develop valid tests that accurately predict the qualities of creativity, good citizenship, participation in extracurricular activities, athletics, political correctness, and social activism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A calcium influx is neither strictly associated with nor necessary for exocytotic membrane fusion in Paramecium cells

Alveolitis of sarcoidosis is characterized by activated alveolar macrophages (AMs) and T cells. The mediators interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) released by AMs represent essential factors for the progression of the T cells in the cell cycle. The role of IL-1 in pulmonary sarcoidosis has previously been studied; however, the relevance of other mediators (i.e. IL-6) has not yet been evaluated. We measured the spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) by bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BAL) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in 6 control subjects (group A) and in 15 patients with sarcoidosis, 10 with active (group B), 5 with inactive disease (group C). IL-6 as well as TNF alpha were spontaneously released by BAL cells of the active group in significantly greater amounts compared to both other groups; IL-6: A, 165.5 pg/ml/24 hr/10(6) cells (range, 0-604), B, 946 (0-2467), C, 16.6 (0-83); TNF alpha: A, 162 pg/ml/24 hr/10(6) cells (0-523), B, 803 (100-17352), C, 100 (0-379). In all groups autologous PBMNC proved to be quiescent, releasing only baseline levels of the cytokines tested. After stimulation with LPS all these cells released great quantities of IL-6 and TNF alpha. In active disease a positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF alpha release was observed (r = 0.77, p < 0.02). The present study documents that in active sarcoidosis the spontaneous release of IL-6 by BAL cells parallels the spontaneous release of TNF alpha. IL-6 is capable of initiating the proliferation and activation of T cells in the lung.     

Compensatory enlargement in coronary and femoral arteries is related to neither the extent of plaque-free vessel wall nor lesion eccentricity. A postmortem study

Arteries may demonstrate compensatory enlargement in response to plaque accumulation. It has been proposed that enlargement is achieved by the expansion of the nondiseased (plaque-free) vessel wall. In this study, we assessed this hypothesis. Post mortem, 32 atherosclerotic coronary arteries (left anterior descending, n = 10; left circumflex, n = 11; and right coronary, n = 11) and 54 atherosclerotic femoral arteries were pressure fixed. Cross sections (coronary arteries, n = 537; femoral arteries, n = 1602) were obtained for analysis every 2.5 mm for the coronary arteries and every 5.0 mm for the femoral arteries. From these cross sections, we determined the degree of remodeling and an eccentricity index. Finally, we measured the extent of plaque-free vessel wall. The plaque-free vessel wall was defined as (1) no plaque present or (2) plaque thickness < 0.5 mm. A very weak, negative correlation was observed between the degree of remodeling and the extent of the plaque-free vessel wall (coronary arteries: no plaque r2 = .13, P < .01; < 0.5 mm plaque r2 = .15, P < .05; femoral arteries: no plaque r2 = .02, P < .01; < 0.5 mm plaque r2 = 0.04, P < .01). The degree of remodeling did not correlate with the eccentricity index (coronary arteries r2 = .002, P > .05 and femoral arteries r2 = .001, P > .05). Thus, compensatory enlarged segments did not reveal a larger circumference of plaque-free vessel wall compared with segments that failed to enlarge. This study provides no support for the hypothesis that nondiseased vessel-wall expansion is responsible for compensatory enlargement in atherosclerotic arteries.     

Life-long learning for psychologists: Current status and a vision for the future.

As a profession we are committed to maintaining and enhancing our competence as psychologists in order to most effectively serve the public throughout our careers. While this is a widely shared commitment among psychologists, there is considerably less consensus regarding how best to accomplish this goal. This dilemma is examined from the ethical, educational and legal perspectives. The American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code clearly articulates that competence is an ethical duty, although there is little guidance provided in the code as to how to meet this standard. As a profession we have tended to focus on the construct of life-long learning and we have incorporated this principle into our education and training standards. In fact, APA accreditation requires that doctoral programs inculcate this value into our foundational training. The majority of Psychology Licensing Boards have addressed this issue through the endorsement of mandatory continuing education requirements that primarily focus on hours and the content or structure of approved programs. Potential limitations to our ability to effectively self-assess our professional training needs are discussed and several innovative models are presented for integrating effective self-assessment and continuing education. Three invited experts provide commentaries that further explore the challenges and dilemmas posed by the ethical, legal and professional duty to maintain and enhance competence throughout our professional careers. These commentaries broaden the considerations, provide practical suggestions from other professions and provide a vision for the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Employment and career status of women psychologists.

Examined the employment status of doctoral recipients in psychology from 1960-1970. Data collected by the Office of Scientific Personnel of the National Academy of Sciences, provided the information for these analyses. The career status of academic female psychologists as compared to male psychologists is examined and discussed utilizing national data on faculty collected by the Carnegie Commission of Higher Education and the American Council on Education. This investigation of the career status of academic psychologists clearly documents the relatively low status of academic women in psychology in comparison to their male colleagues. Although it could be argued that the female psychologist's lower rank, lower salary, and lack of tenure are a consequence of merit consideration (e.g., degree held, publications), these analyses suggest strongly that such is not the case. Among new PhDs women have always had a somewhat harder time locating employment than have men, and these sex differences have been increasing in the recently tightening job market. Compared to sex differences in academic rank, salary, and tenure, however, the relative difficulty that the new woman PhD finds in securing initial employment appears to be minor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional mobility for psychologists is rapidly becoming a reality.

Professional mobility for psychologists has been a problem since states first passed psychology licensing laws because of relatively small but crucial variations in licensing requirements. Although the profession of psychology and the association of psychology regulatory bodies in the United States and Canada (i.e., the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards [ASPPB]) have recognized this problem for decades, little progress was made in resolving it. Recently, the ASPPB launched two different approaches to facilitating professional mobility: one to forge agreements between regulatory bodies to accept each other's licensees, and another to certify or endorse individual psychologists who meet ASPPB standards for licensure and therefore can be recommended to licensing boards for relicensure. The specific requirements of each of these programs and their success in addressing the professional mobility problem are described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response to "Induced early delivery of a fetus with hypophastic left heart: a moral choice when neither surgery nor abortion is an acceptable option"

We present a rare case of undiagnosed phaeochromocytoma following infrainguinal bypass surgery. The patient, a 59-year-old lady, had a one year history of hypertension following a first femoro-tibial bypass and presented as a cardiorespiratory emergency in the admission room following her contralateral femoro-tibial bypass. The patient recovered after some days in intensive care despite a delayed diagnosis.     

Contracts: A primer for psychologists.

Most psychologists in private practice will at some point consider contracting with a managed care organization (MCO) as a part of joining that MCO's provider panel. Such contracts are structured to advantage the HMO, and there are a number of specific contractual features that psychologists have often found problematic. This article offers a review of issues and contractual features that psychologists may wish to consider when contracting with MCOs and offers recommendations for alternative contractual arrangements that may be helpful for psychologists to negotiate when possible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Organizational productivity: A challenge for psychologists.

Asserts that declining productivity in the US has become widely accepted as a root cause of our national economic woes. As a group, psychologists are affected by the decline due to the reduction and shifting of resources away from the health/human services fields. Reversing this decline requires actions at both national policy and organizational levels. The present article addresses the challenge that efforts to improve organizational productivity offers to psychologists. The challenge involves clarifying what productivity means at the organizational level and recognizing that psychologists must function as part of an interdisciplinary team. The contributions of skilled psychologists who are interested in working with specialists from other fields are discussed in the context of a simple productivity management process model. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Career status and satisfaction of women psychologists in medical schools.

Through a questionnaire survey of 794 medical school psychologists, it was found that (a) there has been an increase in the number of women since 1964, but it is not proportionate to the number of qualified women in the labor force; (b) women generally had lower rank and salaries than men; and (c) there were no significant differences between the sexes in job satisfaction. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hospital privileges for psychologists: A legislative model.

Presents a summary of the information utilized by the District of Columbia Psychological Association in its effort to persuade legislators to pass a bill that would allow hospital privileges for psychologists. Data regarding psychologists' training, the cost-efficiency of utilizing psychologists as independent providers in hospitals, and the discriminatory nature of current legislation are provided. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Providing public testimony: A guide for psychologists.

Psychologists are increasingly asked for their opinions about public policy issues. Effective testimony can influence policies for the benefit of the profession and society. Few resources, however, describe how psychologists can acquire the skills to maximize the impact of this venue for public presentation. This article offers guidelines for the preparation, delivery, and dissemination of testimony to a range of legislative groups (e.g., advisory committees, school boards, congressional committees). Providing formal education and training about public policy will help the next generation of psychologists advise legislators more effectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

My personal reactions to Rogers (1957): The facilitative but neither necessary nor sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change.

In this brief commentary regarding Rogers' (1957) paper (see record 2007-14639-002), I comment on Rogers' statement about personality change, the six conditions, and the resulting hypotheses. I conclude that the construct of therapeutic personality change needs to be reformulated to include interpersonal changes, and that the six conditions can facilitate therapeutic personality change, but are neither necessary nor sufficient for therapeutic personality change. I also suggest that several components from current common factors models (e.g., building expectations of change, encouraging corrective experiences) and a consideration of boundaries need to be included into a reformulation of Rogers' propositions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training psychologists for hospital practice: A proposal.

Hospital practice has become increasingly important for psychologists over the past decade. However, expanded opportunities for practice require training for competency. The authors propose developing a comprehensive, systematic, and flexible program of training for hospital practice in psychology including graduate course work, supervised practicum experience, and opportunities for retraining. Recommendations for certification in hospital practice, credentialing and privileging, and continuing education are included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Job satisfaction among school psychologists: A meta-analysis.

Meta-analytic techniques were used to analyze data from a collection of school psychologist job satisfaction studies that were conducted between 1982 and 1999. Eight studies, all of which used the Modified Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (m-MSQ) to measure job satisfaction among school psychologists, were included in the analysis. Two national studies and six state studies totaling 2,116 participants were analyzed. Results indicated that nearly 85% of school psychologists were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. School psychologists were most satisfied with their relationships with coworkers, the opportunity to stay busy on the job, the opportunity to work independently, and the opportunity to be of service to others. School psychologists were least satisfied with compensation, school policies and practices, and advancement. Findings were generally consistent between state and national studies, and between 1980s and 1990s studies. Results offered some evidence that overall job satisfaction may be related to state school psychology organization membership and to the opportunity to expand and influence the role of the school psychologist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)