Projecting student trajectories in a computer-assisted instruction curriculum.

Proposes 10 models for predicting a student's final grade placement in a computer-assisted instruction curriculum from the time the student spends taking lessons. Using data from approximately 2,000 elementary students, the models are tested both for ability to predict final grade placement and for ability to describe all points observed throughout the year. Two of the simplest models, using only the most recent point and parameters estimated for the whole group, are best at prediction. The power function model with all parameters estimated individually for each student, while relatively poor at prediction, is best for describing all observed points. Several methods for predicting the amount of time a student will spend taking lessons during a year are also tested. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Head Start for the 21st century.

Social and economic conditions since the creation of Head Start in 1965 have worsened. The stresses of economic restructuring in the US and the pervasiveness of violence have severely eroded the capacity of many families to provide safe and caring homes in strong communities. The necessary adaptation of Head Start to these new conditions involves the essential linkage of early childhood and family support approaches with community economic development. This strategy must include a reappraisal of mental health paradigms that will enable children, youth, and families to be healthy and productive members of their neighborhoods and country. Although public support for Head Start remains strong, considerable rethinking about a Head Start for the 21st century is now occurring; results will affect the quality of life for the entire society. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of perceived group success-failure on motivational beliefs and attitudes: A causal model.

Two models describing the theoretical relationship among the constructs of perceived group success–failure, individual and collective levels of job-specific efficacy and outcome expectancy, satisfaction, and organizational commitment were developed. Model 1 proposed that the causal relationship between group success–failure and subsequent attitudinal variables (satisfaction and organizational commitment) is completely mediated by efficacy and outcome expectancy variables. Model 2 proposed a direct causal link from perceived group success–failure to the attitudinal variables and omitted questionable causal paths from personal efficacy and collective outcome expectancy to the attitudinal variables. The competing models were subjected to structural equation path model analysis. The 2nd model produced an adequate fit between theory and data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the meaning and measurement of goal commitment.

Recent research by Tubbs and Dahl (1991) and Tubbs (1993) has proposed that discrepancy measures of goal commitment are superior to self-report measures. We explore the theoretical, practical, and empirical problems with discrepancy measures of goal commitment. We reanalyzed some of the relationships discussed by these authors using their data and demonstrate that the failure to control for ability leads to incorrect conclusions regarding the relative usefulness of discrepancy versus self-report measures. In addition, we conducted a separate study to further compare the usefulness of these different measures. Finally, we discuss the meaning of goal commitment and the role of goals in the motivational process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counseling psychology in Veterans Affairs medical centers: Perceptions of chiefs of psychology.

Counseling psychology (CP) has attempted to define itself in ways that accurately reflect the specialty, that do not limit its practitioners from working in their domains of competence, and that set it apart from clinical psychology. S. Cleveland (1980) considered the success of this self-definition in a survey on the perception of counseling psychologists by chiefs of psychology services in the Veterans Administration medical centers (VAMCs). He suggested that counseling psychologists were "defecting" to clinical positions in the VAMCs and that some negative bias existed toward CP by some VAMC chiefs. This survey attempts to determine whether the chiefs' attitudes have shifted as CP redefines itself. Results were similar to those found by Cleveland: Negative bias exists but has decreased. In addition, counseling psychologists in the VAMCs have found a variety of positions, expanding their role beyond previous narrow definitions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapists' psychological adaptation to client suicide.

Explores psychotherapists' complex reactions to client suicide, focusing on therapists' psychological adaptation (i.e., emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses) and therapists' life experiences. Based on a literature review and research findings, implications are identified for therapists, supervisors, and researchers. Suggestions to therapists include using personal and professional supports and participating in a postsuicide review in response to a client suicide. The primary task for supervisors is to create experiences that will positively impact therapists' beliefs about their professional role. Researchers are encouraged to increase the quality of their research designs, attend to findings in related fields, and investigate neglected areas identified by the author. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Complexity theory of parallel time and hardware

The parallel resources time and hardware and the complexity classes defined by them are studied using the aggregate model. The equivalence of complexity classes defined by sequential space and uniform aggregate hardware is established. Aggregate time is related to (bounded fanin) circuit depth and, similarly, aggregate hardware is related to circuit width. Interelationships between aggregate time and hardware follow as corollaries. Aggregate time is related to the sequential resource reversal. Simultaneous relationships from aggregate hardware and time to sequential space and reversal are shown (and conversely), and these are used as evidence for an “extended parallel computation thesis.” These simultaneous relationships provide new characterizations for the simultaneous parallel complexity class NC and for the complementary class SC. The evaluation of monotone planar circuits is shown to be in NC, in fact in LOGCFL.     

Improvement of gastroprotective and anti-ulcer effect of kenaf seed oil-in-water nanoemulsions in rats

Food Science and Biotechnology - Kenaf seed oil-in-water nanoemulsions (KSON) and kenaf seed oil-in-water macroemulsions were produced to access their gastroprotective effect against indomethacin-...     

Correlation between friction and flow of lubricating greases in a new tribometer device

A tribometer requires speed and normal force control, as well as a torque measurement, to acquire tribological data. An air bearing‐supported rotational rheometer allows the measurement of the same variables, but in a broader range and with better accuracy. This and the intension to measure Stribeck curves, as well as the static friction with one single instrument, led to the idea to design an accessory turning a rheometer into a high‐resolution tribometer based on a ball on pyramid principle. Speed ramp and static friction measurements of oil‐lubricated systems illustrate the performance of the rheo‐tribometer. The flow behaviour of greases is more complex, and extensive rheological and tribological testing was performed on three greases of the American National Lubrication Grease Institute classes 0, 1 and 2 at the temperatures of 25 and −40°C. The influence of temperature could be monitored, and a correlation between rheology and tribology was found. To link the model system with real applications for greases, a ball bearing fixture for the tribological accessory has been designed for which first results are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.