Serial retrieval processes in the recovery of order information.

The retrieval of temporal order and item information from short-term memory (STM) are examined with the cued-response speed–accuracy trade-off (CR-SAT) procedure and a complementary reaction time (RT) task. The retrieval of order information was examined with a 2-alternative forced-choice (2AFC), relative judgment of recency (JOR) task. Analyses of the pattern of mean RT, RT accuracy, and the overall shape of the RT distribution for correct JORs suggest that order information is retrieved by a serial retrieval mechanism. Analyses of SAT retrieval functions confirm that order information is retrieved by a recency-based, serial retrieval process. These results contrast with previous SAT analyses of STM item recognition (B. McElree and B. A. Dosher, see record 1990-09049-001), which indicate that item information is retrieved by a parallel or direct-access mechanism. The dissociation between item and order information retrieval was further documented in a 2AFC item recognition SAT study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response styles and the duration of episodes of depressed mood.

Examined the relationship between ruminative and distracting styles of responding to depressed mood and the duration of mood. 79 Ss kept accounts of their moods and responses to their moods for 30 consecutive days. The majority of Ss (83%) showed consistent styles of responding to depressed mood. Regression analyses suggested that the more ruminative responses Ss engaged in, the longer their periods of depressed mood, even after taking into account the initial severity of the mood. In addition, women were more likely than men to have a ruminative response style and on some measures to have more severe and long-lasting periods of depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Retrieval dynamics of priming in recognition memory: Bias and discrimination analysis.

We investigated semantic priming effects on item recognition from short (8-word) lists in one reaction-time (RT) and three interruption speed–accuracy trade-off (SAT) experiments. SAT priming conditions included modest (0.35-s) prime durations; prime as a final list member; and long (1.5-s) prime durations with special instructions. Analyses tested for constant increment (bias) priming (an equivalent increase in both hits and false alarms) and enhanced discrimination priming (differential priming for targets and lures). Constant increment (bias) priming was ubiquitous, but some subjects showed enhanced early discrimination in restricted conditions. In constant increment (bias) priming, the semantic relations between prime and test either additively increase familiarity or lower criterion. Only enhanced discrimination must imply an interaction between the prime and the retrieval process, due to either interaction or use of compound cues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neonatal habituation and dishabituation to tactile stimulation during sleep.

Two experiments examined habituation and dishabituation of behavioral responding to repeated presentations of a tactile stimulus (brush stroke) in 48 newborns during the 1st epoch of active-quiet sleep following a feeding. Exp I demonstrated habituation to a repeatedly presented brush stroke to the ear but failed to demonstrate dishabituation (i.e., response recovery) to the original brush stroke following an intense auditory stimulus (86 dB rattle sound). A post hoc control group showed that the intense auditory stimulus had suppressed subsequent responding to the tactile stimulus. Exp II replicated the habituation phase of Exp I and demonstrated response recovery to stimulation at a novel tactile site and to an auditory probe. Results indicate that the habituation paradigm used in infancy research could be successfully extended to the tactile modality. It is also suggested that prior auditory stimulation, but not prior tactile stimulation, might direct attention away from a subsequently presented tactile stimulus. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship of gender and marital status with symptomatology in psychotic patients.

Examined the relationship of gender and marital status with ratings of symptoms in 882 psychiatric patients (521 males and 361 females) diagnosed as schizophrenic on the DSM-II. Analysis of total symptom scores revealed an interactive effect of gender and marital status; married women (mean age 37.02 yrs) had the highest total symptom scores, whereas married men (mean age 34.88 yrs) had the lowest. Factor analysis of the symptom ratings yielded 9 symptom factors: Ideational Symptoms, Anhedonia, Cognitive Disorientation, Suicidal Tendencies, Vegetative Symptoms, Hostility, Anxiety, Narcotic Abuse, and Alcohol Abuse. Factor scores were then computed to investigate possible gender and marital status differences in symptom pattern. Different profiles of symptoms as a function of gender were found. Females scored higher on the factors defined by affective symptoms, namely, Anhedonia, Suicidal Tendencies, and Vegetative Symptoms. They also scored higher on Cognitive Disorientation. The only factor on which males scored higher than females was Alcohol Abuse. Results are discussed in light of selection and protection theories of the relationship between marital status and mental health. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Retrieving for rehearsal: An analysis of active rehearsal in children's memory.

Two experiments with 96 2nd graders and 24 6th graders explored the operation of retrieval processes in Ss' active rehearsal strategies. Both experiments used free-recall tasks, in which Ss were given instructions in active rehearsal as well as supports that might facilitate the retrieval operation and thus enhance both rehearsal and recall performance. In Exp I, 2nd and 6th graders were given visual or auditory access to an 18-item stimulus-word list. Results show that, by providing 2nd graders with an opportunity to view previously presented words, rehearsal activity and recall increased substantially, whereas the performance of the 6th graders was not affected. In Exp II, presentation time and visual access to a similar 18-word list were manipulated for 2nd graders. Results show that the provision of extra time for an item enabled Ss to execute a more active rehearsal strategy. Extra time had only minimal effects on recall, except when it was combined with visual access to the items. Findings suggest that retrieval per se is not necessary for the beneficial effects of active rehearsal, if other procedures can be followed to permit the juxtaposition of several items in rehearsal. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Control of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Seed stored on small farms—II. Germination and cooking time

Treatments which successfully controlled bruchids in on-farm experiments were evaluated to determine effects on seed quality and cooking time. Relative cooling time was determined by cooking beans to the half-cooked point in a modified Mattson cooker. Germination was determined by trials planted in sand, and seedling vigor was estimated by dry weight of 8-day old seedlings. Cooking time, germination, and seedling vigor were not significantly changed by storage treatment with vegetable oil, threshing residues, kitchen ash, Malathion and black pepper. Analysis of bruchid damage on seed quality showed a decline in germination and seedling vigor related to the number of emergence holes.     

Perioperative treatment of the diabetic patient

The diabetic patient is frequently undergoing surgery for the underlying disease and its complications. Before referring the patient to surgery the diabetologist should carefully evaluate the presence of complications, cardiovascular, renal and neurologic disorders in particular. Generally no problems are posed by patients with NIDDM undergoing elective surgery. For more demanding patients and for those with IDDM the most effective and ready treatment is the continuous intravenous infusion of glucose, insulin and potassium. With this regimen, it is possible to perform major surgery in diabetics with a lower risk.