Effect of error variance heterogeneity on the power of tests for regression slope differences.

In moderated regression analysis with both a continuous predictor and nominal-level (group membership) variables, there are conditions in which the hypothesis of equal slopes of the regression of Y onto X across groups is equivalent to the hypothesis of equality of X–Y correlations across groups. This research uses those conditions to investgate the impact of heterogeneity of error variance on the power accuracy of the F test for equality of regression slopes. The results show that even when sample sizes are equal, the test is not robust and, under unequal sample sizes, the pattern of excessively high or excessively low rejection rates can be severe. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dimensionless groups for the sorption of dye and other ions by polymers. II. Hydrochloric acid,C.I. acid blue 25, and polyamides with an excess of basic groups

The equations of a generalized Donnan model have been used in dimensionless form to describe and analyze the sorption of hydrochloric acid and of C.I. Acid Blue 25 by polyamide fibers containing an excess of basic groups. The method is applicable to a wide variety of ionic sorption systems, and removes some of the restrictions of earlier treatments of the problem. Acid–base reactions, ion exchange processes, electrolyte sorption, and both ion binding and zwitterion formation have been considered.     

Second-order conditioning and Pavlovian conditioned inhibition: Operational similarities and differences.

Procedures for establishing 2nd-order excitation (CS1-unconditioned stimulus [UCS] trials followed by CS2-CS1 trials) are highly similar to those for Pavlovian conditioned inhibition (CS1-UCS trials interspersed with CS2-CS1 trials). Conditioned suppression in rats was used to identify the critical operational differences that result in 2nd-order excitation as opposed to Pavlovian inhibition. No, few, or many CS2-CS1 trials were either interspersed with or given after CS1-UCS trials. CS2 proved excitatory only after few CS2-CS1 trials, either interspersed or sequential (Exp 1). In contrast, CS2 proved inhibitory on both summation (Exp 2) and retardation (Exp 3) tests only after many CS2-CS1 trials, and then only when the excitatory status of CS1 was preserved. Apparently, the critical difference for establishing 2nd-order excitation or Pavlovian inhibition is the number of CS2-CS1 pairings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Feasibility studies on in‐situ biological treatment of drilling muds at an abandoned site in Sicily

The ongoing production and bioaccumulation of drilling fluids and muds has resulted in an increased concern for reducing the environmental impact of contaminated sites. The use of bioremediation as a treatment option is an important focus of research. Objectives of this study were: (i) to assess initial toxicity of drilling mud from an agricultural setting in Galliano, Sicily (Italy) and (ii) to develop a low intervention bioremediation approach to ensure that US and international soil/ground water quality standards have been met. Total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the drilling mud was reduced to 617.0 ± 176.0, 446.0 ± 195.0, and 533.0 ± 138.0 mg kg^?1, respectively, from 5000.0 ± 530.0 mg kg^?1 after treatment via conventional ex‐situ soil slurry reactor mixing (84.2–95% reduction). Using an in‐situ approach with bioreactors placed vertically into the zone of contamination, hydrocarbon concentrations went from 217.12 ± 43.38 and 149.68 ± 45.51 mg kg^?1 to 15.16 ± 3.35 and 34.27 ± 15.86 mg kg^?1 for control test beds (85.1 ± 11.2% reduction), and from 89.20 ± 67.42, 141.71 ± 64.80, and 197.87 ± 77.38 mg kg^?1 to 5.24 ± 6.15, 15.02 ± 10.20, and 9.65 ± 9.37 mg kg^?1 for experimental test beds (92.9 ± 3.0% reduction), respectively. Cadmium (Cd) and Selenium (Se) had exceeded Italian and state soil leachability standards (0.005 mg dm^?3 Cd) and (0.010, 0.050 mg dm^?3 Se), at the conclusion of the study. In‐situ treatment of drilling mud provided a framework for monitoring the fate of organic and residual metals toxicity in soils. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Clinical aspects associated with Sertoli-cell-only histology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical features found in infertile men in whom the histological diagnosis of Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) was made on testicular biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of the seminal fluid analysis, testis size and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of 72 men who had bilateral testicular biopsies due to infertility when one (30) or both (42) of bilateral testicular biopsies showed tubules containing only Sertoli cells. In a subgroup of 15 men, the biopsies were re-examined to correlate the morphological features with the plasma FSH level. RESULTS: When both biopsies showed bilateral SCO the patient had azoospermia (86%) or oligozoospermia (14%); the testicular size was normal in 36% and the FSH level was normal (43%), raised (21%) or grossly elevated (more than twice normal, 36%). When one biopsy showed SCO, the opposite testis showed appearances which varied from grossly impaired spermatogenesis to almost normal spermatogenesis. The clinical findings were also very variable. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical features associated with the histological diagnosis of SCO are extremely variable. Biopsy evidence of bilateral SCO cannot be relied upon to indicate a total absence of spermatogenesis in the testes.     

Problems in restorative dentistry: who copes with them?

The views of general dental practitioners, practising in part of the Yorkshire Region, as to how they would cope with a variety of restorative problems were sought using a questionnaire. If advice or advice and treatment were to be requested from a consultant in restorative dentistry, the questionnaire was designed to discover whether the distance from a hospital created a barrier to the preferred course of action. Only one-third of the dentists were happy to treat a troublesome complete denture case, provide a replacement obturator or look after a natural dentition with considerable periodontal problems. Travel constraints were particularly apparent when it came to seeking help for the elderly edentulous patient. The results of the study indicate that in the Yorkshire Region, there is a high level of demand for consultant advice and treatment for a number of common restorative problems.     

Reward and Aversive Stimuli Produce Similar Nonphotic Phase Shifts.

Circadian rhythms in rodents respond to arousing, nonphotic stimuli that contribute to daily patterns of entrainment. To examine whether the motivational significance of a stimulus is important for eliciting nonphotic circadian phase shirts in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), the authors compared responses to a highly rewarding stimulus (lateral hypothalamic brain stimulation reward [BSR]) and a highly aversive stimulus (footshock). Animals were housed on a 14:10-hr light-dark cycle until test day, when they were given a 1-hr BSR session (trained animals) or a 1-mA electric footshock at 1 of 8 circadian times, and were maintained in constant dark thereafter. Both BSR pulses and footshock produced nonphotic phase response curves. These results support the hypothesis that arousal resulting from the motivational significance of a stimulus is a major factor in nonphotic phase shifts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microcavity-enhanced surface-emitted second-harmonic generation forultrafast all-optical signal processing

By incorporating an integrated microcavity into an optical waveguide structure with vertical quasi-phase-matching, we have realized surface-emitted second-harmonic generation devices that significantly enhance the conversion efficiency for optical pulses in the picosecond and sub-picosecond regimes. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that nonlinear interactions involving short optical pulses can be enhanced by a microcavity, even when the resonance width is substantially narrower than the spectral content of the pulse. The resulting enhancement enables practical signal processing functions such as ultrafast optical time-division demultiplexing at 1.55 μm in multilayer AlGaAs structures     

Anteromedial Temporal Lobe Damage Blocks Startle Modulation by Fear and Disgust.

The acoustic startle reflex (ASR) is potentiated during negative emotion, but attenuated during positive emotional experience. The modulation of the ASR by fear depends critically on the amygdala. The authors investigated ASR modulation to fearful, disgusting, pleasant, and neutral stimuli in 12 patients with unilateral damage to the anteromedial temporal lobe including the amygdala (6 left, 6 right), 1 patient with bilateral temporal lobe damage including the amygdala, and 12 comparison participants. Both groups with unilateral damage, as well as the subject with bilateral damage, showed a complete lack of ASR potentiation to both fear and disgust stimuli. The findings suggest that potentiation of the ASR by disgust and fear depends on the integrity of the anteromedial temporal lobe. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

To medicate or not to medicate: Let us be honest about why we should.

Responds to the articles of P. H. DeLeon et al (see record 1991-25292-001) and S. J. Kingsbury (see record 1992-25066-001) on prescribing privileges for psychologists. It is argued that such privileges would help psychologists provide the best, most efficient, and least complicated care for the patients, unencumbered by a 3rd party. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)