Pilot test results comparing the All Stars program with seventh grade D.A.R.E.: program integrity and mediating variable analysis

A pilot test of a new program, All Stars, was completed. Four variables known from prior research to mediate high-risk behaviors were measured: 1) personal commitment to avoid participating in high-risk behaviors, 2) ideals incongruent with high-risk behaviors, 3) bonding with prosocial institutions, and 4) conventional beliefs about social norms regarding high-risk behaviors. Compared to students who received the seventh grade D.A.R.E. program, students' who received the All Stars program had significantly better outcomes on each mediator. All Stars students also gave superior ratings to the program and their involvement in it.     

R.E.A.L. classification of non-Hodgkin lymphoma from the clinico-oncologic viewpoint

In 1994 the International Lymphoma Study Group (ILSG) published the "Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms" (R.E.A.L. Classification). Lymphomas were classified according to their presumed normal counterparts, to the extent possible. Within both T- and B-cell categories differentiation between lymphomas and/or leukemias of "precursor" or "peripheral" neoplasms are defined arising from antigen independend or antigen reactive cell proliferation. Lymphomas undoubtedly characterized by currently available morphologic, immunologic, and genetic technics represent "real" disease entities. Provisional categories include lymphomas that have been described in some detail, but without consensus within the ILSG. Proposed names are based predominantly on established usage. With respect to similar treatment approaches and difficulties of the ILSG members in subclassifying large cell lymphomas, centroblastic, immunoblastic and large cell anaplastic lymphomas of B-cell type were "lumped" together as large B-cell lymphomas. Within a prospective treatment trial overall survival was significantly better in centroblastic as compared to B-cell immunoblastic lymphoma diagnosed by optimal histomorphology according the criteria of the Kiel Classification. Thus the R.E.A.L. Classification fails to identify patients who may require other than standard treatment. Future studies will demonstrate whether subclassifying the proposed "peripheral" T-cell lymphomas, unspecified into T-zone lymphoma, lymphoepitheloid (Lennert's) lymphoma and pleomorphic, small, medium, and large cell lymphomas according the Kiel Classification is of clinicopathologic relevance. On the contrary the subtypes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia of T-cell type form two distinct entities within the R.E.A.L. Classification separating T-CLL/prolymphocytic leukemia from large granular lymphocyte leukemia of T- and NK-cell type. Within the R.E.A.L. Classification the lymphoplasmacytoid immunocytoma of the Kiel Classification will be subsumed together with the prognostically significantly better B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Opposite to the original intention of the ILSG two proposals are developed on clinical grouping of entities. Clinical indolent lymphoid neoplasms usually have "low grade" histologic appearances, with a predominance of small cells subsuming with the exception of the mantle cell lymphoma all of the low grade lymphomas of the Kiel classification. Aggressive lymphomas (intermediate risk) are defined as tumors whose survival if untreated is measured in months, highly or very aggressive lymphomas and/or leukemias will kill untreated patients within weeks. Unlike the Kiel Classification proposed categories subsume lymphomas irrespective of cytomorphology, thus grouping together potentially curable and uncurable diseases. Undoubtedly the R.E.A.L. Classification forms at present the best compilation of existing knowledge upon neoplasms of the immune system, enabling cooperation between clinicians and scientists all over the world. According to the ILSG this proposal should be considered a starting point for future periodic reevaluations.     

The relationship between research productivity and perceptions of doctoral program quality.

Research productivity in the Journal of Applied Psychology (JAP) was assessed for 39 universities offering a doctoral program in industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology. Productivity ratings were subsequently compared with perceptions of I/O program quality obtained by Greenberg et al. in 1978. The results indicate that there is a very strong relation between such subjective opinions of program quality and the number of articles that a university had published in JAP before 1978. The results also reveal some changes in productivity ratings during the past 8 yrs (i.e., 1978–1985), suggesting that concurrent changes in perceptions of I/O program quality might likewise have occurred in recent times. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nurses' perceptions of factors influencing the use of a pain program

Factors that, according to nurse participants, influenced the application of what was learned in a pain program were explored by means of qualitative interviews. Participants indicated that the correspondence between the program and their personal view on pain management, attitudes toward the program and innovations in general, self-efficacy perceptions, and (un)familiarity and taboos with respect to program items influenced what they put into practice. In addition, participants indicated that interactions with colleagues, nursing managers, patients, and physicians affected their application of the program. Furthermore, organizational factors, such as limited time and lack of formal program implementation, were mentioned as influential.     

R.A.P.I.D. Reconstructive alternative for prosthetics in implant dentistry

As stated at the outset, this technique is not for every case. Each case must be selected with great care, consideration and careful planning. In concert with observing the Implant Lighthouses, this technique can produce a successful case. It can be done to save time, without compromising the prescribed techniques and quality.     

A practicum training program.

"It is the purpose of this paper to describe the development of a state hospital practicum program." "The Southeast Louisiana Hospital from its inception was planned as a facility which would offer unique opportunities in training and research for its professional personnel… . The present census of the hospital is about 360 patients." Fellows in clinical psychology have opportunities for training in diagnostic services, in psychotherapy, and in research. The nature of opportunities for experience in each of these areas is briefly outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Berlyne on art: A review of D. E. Berlyne's Aesthetics and psychobiology.

Reviews the book, Aesthetics and Psychobiology by D. E. Berlyne (see record 1973-00821-000). Progress in the aesthetic disciplines has been at a snail's pace. Berlyne charges six factors with having impeded advance: the belief in art as a supernatural phenomenon, the failure to separate factual from normative questions, the conception of art as a unitary phenomenon, the habit of treating art in isolation from nonartistic forms of behavior, the preoccupation with uniqueness in aesthetic taste, and the concentration on verbal judgments in aesthetic work. But the future looks brighter, due primarily to the following developments: (1) the rise of information theory, which provides procedures for rigorously analyzing some of the features of stimulus patterns that most concern aesthetics, (2) recent empirical and theoretical contributions in both psychology and neurophysiology to the understanding of pleasure and arousal, and (3) findings bearing on the nature of exploratory behavior, both in animals and humans, particularly as these teach the motivational importance of such elements as complexity, novelty and uncertainty, so-called "collative" variables, that "seem to be identifiable with the irreducibly essential ingredients of art and of whatever else is aesthetically appealing" (viii). The principal aim of Berlyne's book is to establish the ground gained in these three areas, compare it to the contributions made by earlier workers, and effectuate "a provisional synthesis that will at least bring key problems to the fore" (viii). It is a formidable task. Inevitably, the effort fares better in some assignments than others. Ironically, what discrepancies in quality do exist would probably project less were Berlyne not so knowledgeable about his subject matter. He is, quite obviously, in the tradition of those "cultured gentlemen" with whom he is wont to populate the early history of psychological science. Parenthetically, one suspects that he could supplement the present work with a very creditable companion volume in the philosophy of aesthetics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A program of human-behavioral ecology.

In line with J. F. Wohlwill's (see record 1970-17674-001) call for systematic attention to man–environment relationships, George Peabody College has begun curriculum planning that will provide a program of human-behavioral ecology. An ecological approach will help to integrate separate programs in interpersonal psychology (school, clinical, counseling, and community). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mothers' perceptions of the care-by-parent program prior to hospital discharge of their preterm infants

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to gain an understanding of the care-by-parent experience for mothers of preterm infants. DESIGN: Phenomenologic methodology was used to explore the experiences of six mothers. Each participant slept overnight with her infant in a private hospital room. The mother assumed responsibility for her infant's care, knowing that nursing staff assistance was available if needed. Interviews were conducted on the following day and again after the infant had been home at least four days. SAMPLE: The participants were six mothers of preterm infants. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: Mothers' experiences as they assumed responsibility in caring for their preterm infants away from the intensive care nursery. RESULTS: Findings revealed that the care-by-parent experience gives the mother an opportunity to assume full responsibility for her preterm infant's care, tests the reality of caregiving, helps her learn about caregiving activities and her infant's patterns of behavior, and confirms her readiness for independent parenting and the infant's readiness for discharge home. These findings confirm the benefits of rooming-in prior to discharge of preterm infants and provide guidelines for discharge planning.     

A note on the social perceptions of authoritarians and nonauthoritarians.

104 college students were given a 28-item version of the F scale twice. In the first administration Ss were given the usual instructions, but in the second administration they were asked to give the responses they believed would be given by a typical student at their college. Among the results, it was found that there is a general tendency for Ss to estimate higher F scale scores for the typical student than they themselves possess and that the general tendency of the Ss to estimate F scale scores higher than their own is more marked among the nonauthoritarians than the authoritarians. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In memoriam John R Casely-Smith, D. Sc., M.D. (h.c.)

BACKGROUND: After curvilinear capsulorhexis in cataract surgery often a double-ring shape of the remaining capsular margins can be observed. In order to better understand this phenomenon we performed a histological study of excised capsules after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. METHODS: Ten anterior capsular specimens from cases with double-ring structure of the capsular margins after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (D-group) were examined light microscopically and compared with 10 normal cases (N-group) and 10 cases with pseudoexfoliation (P-group). Three cases from each group were also examined electron microscopically. RESULTS: A characteristic step formation in the capsular edges and in addition horizontal capsular splits in the border zone between the zonular lamella of the anterior capsule and the capsule proper could be demonstrated histologically in the D-group. CONCLUSIONS: There seems to be a weak point of the capsular tissue in the border zone between zonular lamella of the lens and the capsule proper. The superficial splits that we found histologically in this region might be a precursor or forme fruste of true exfoliation. The outward-directed traction force exerted by the zonular fibers seems to lead to further disruption in this weakened layer of the lens capsule during capsulorhexis, producing a double-ring contour of the capsular margins.