Review of Foundations and applications of group psychotherapy: A sphere of influence.

Reviews the book, Foundations and applications of group psychotherapy: A sphere of influence by Mark F. Ettin (see record 1992-97575-000). In a series of original chapters and adaptations of earlier stand-alone journal articles, Ettin reworks classic psychodynamic contributions and more recent object relations theorizing into a nicely organized and synthesized whole that compellingly underscores the necessity for appreciating the group qua group. The reviewer highlights several positive things about this book including the colorful, lyrical language and poignant clinical vignettes. However, there are some drawbacks: the text is "not an easy read." The language seems overly figurative and the material covered too expansive. Despite these drawbacks, this reviewer would recommend the book to novice as well as experienced practitioner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Establishing traceability for a high performance ac/dc transfer standard

Introduction in the past few years of new, high accuracy alternating voltage DMMs and calibrators has presented the electronics test equipment industry with the challenge of supporting their accuracy. A group at Fluke was given the task of developing an ac/dc transfer standard having uncertainties about ± 10 ppm at moderate levels and frequencies, an accuracy that results in a ratio of product specification to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) uncertainty of about 2:1. A major challenge was to develop and communicate a credible calibration system to support this product. Rigorous application of statistical principles to successive intercomparisons of nearly identical artifacts had already been proven capable of maintaining a direct voltage standard within a few parts in 100 million of the 10 volt standard maintained at NIST, a ratio of about 1.2:1. This paper describes the system developed to support traceable calibration of this new ac/dc transfer standard through application of these proven statistical techniques.     

Effect of Temperature and Soluble Solids Content on the Viscosity of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) Juice Concentrate

The study investigates the viscosity of clarified beetroot juice as dependent on temperature and soluble solids content. Rheological research was carried out using a rotational rheometer with a system of coaxial cylinders. Flow curves were obtained in the temperature range from 10 to 60°C and at the soluble solids content of 50° to 67.1°Bx. The concentrate under study showed a Newtonian behaviour. Dynamic viscosity ranged from 5.2 to 320 mPa·s and depended on soluble solids content and temperature of measurement. The effect of temperature was described using an Arrhenius equation. Activation energy values were between 24.68 and 39.96 kJ/mol. The effect of soluble solids content was described employing a power-law function and an exponential function. In addition, two equations were proposed to describe the combined effect of temperature and soluble solids content on the viscosity of beetroot juice concentrate.     

Influence of inulin on physical characteristics and staling rate of gluten-free bread

Inulin preparations with different degree of polymerization (HSI with a DP < 10, GR − DP ? 10 and HPX − DP > 23) were used for the production of gluten-free bread. It was found that an addition of investigated compounds resulted in an increase of loaf volume and reduction of crumb hardness. However, internal structure of the obtained loaves was less uniform and more open than in control bread. Generally, inulin preparations with lower degree of polymerization had stronger effect on all analyzed parameters than that with higher DP. A decrease in staling was observed (measured as the rate of crumb hardening), which was caused by the presence of inulin. The highest content of retrograded amylopectin was found for crumb with HSI, and the lowest for samples with HPX.     

National health insurance, psychotherapy, and the poor.

Debate on psychotherapy coverage under national health insurance has centered around perceived inequitable service to different income groups. It has been argued that national health insurance coverage for psychotherapy would represent a subsidy to the affluent by poorer citizens. Four pertinent hypotheses were examined in a series of studies of 5,967 patients in community mental health centers. It has been maintained that the poor would not seek psychotherapy, would receive fewer sessions, would receive either less prestigious treatments or less trained therapists, and would benefit less than the more affluent. None of these hypotheses were supported. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of psychotherapy coverage under national health insurance and the role of psychologists in a national system of service delivery. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nudging aside Meehl's paradox.

P.E. Meehl (1967) attacked significance tests used to appraise directional theoretical predictions. With perfect statistical power, the probability approaches .5 of significance in the predicted direction, even for meritless theories. Feeble theory corroboration results. This article argues that directional predictions, not significance tests, produce the feeble corroboration. The author reviews previous solutions to Meehl, rejecting all except the multiple corroboration solution by D.T. Lykken (1968) and A. Kukla (see record 1991-31958-001). This solution is defended against Meehl's (see record 1991-31961-001) criticisms and extended. The complexity of a typical research design enables a theory to make multiple directional predictions, each of which can be adequately tested with a significance test. Reasonable theory corroboration results when all or most predictions succeed, and techniques to assess this are discussed here. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Materials science of carbon nanotubes: fabrication,integration, and properties of macroscopic structures of carbon nanotubes

In this Account, we summarize some of our recent studies on the materials properties of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The focus is on single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). We describe experiments on synthesis of SWNTs with controlled molecular structures and assembly of functional macroscopic structures. In addition, we present results on the electron field emission properties of macroscopic CNT cathodes.     

Intergenerational continuity of parental rejection and depressed affect.

Using survey and observational data from a sample of 451 intact families, this study used structural equation modeling to examine the intergenerational continuity of depressed mood and rejecting parenting. The model partially replicated the intergenerational model of G. Elder et al (1986) that indicates a cyclical transmission process by which parents' personality traits affect parent–child interaction, which, in turn, increases the propensity for developmental problems among offspring. The results indicated a pattern of intergenerational transmission of depressed mood through parental rejection of offspring. Multiple reporters and multiple indicators strengthen previous intergenerational findings by reducing some of the method variance biases that have been problematic in prior studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A contribution to the methods of optimizing the spotting of transmission line towers

An exact method for the choice of types, heights and sites of towers along a transmission line route, enabling the determination of the absolute minimum construction cost, is described. On the basis of a simplified method, sources of inaccuracies in the existing approach to the problem are analysed and an original procedure of designing tower spotting, in the neighbourhood of major objects to be crossed by the line, is presented. The task of this procedure is to find the optimum number and parameters of the spans which form the crossing section with an increased degree of security. In the case of both methods the solution is obtained by the use of dynamic programming on a digital computer. Some results of the calculations carried out for a fragment of 220 kV transmission line are given.     

Teacher rating forms: Critique and reformulation of previous validation designs.

Maintains that typical teacher rating form (TRF) validation studies are adequately designed to determine TRF validity only when it is assessed on the empirical, or criterion-related, validity model. The construct validity model, however, is more appropriate for assessing TRF validity, and this model requires different validation designs. The strongest construct validity design requires random assignment of students to a multisection course, which is not typically done. Where random assignment is impossible, repeated measurements correlational designs (panel designs) are recommended. (French abstract) (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)