Evaluating the effects of frame of reference on spatial collaboration using desktop collaborative virtual environments

Spatial collaboration is an everyday activity in which people work together to solve a spatial problem. For example, a group of people will often arrange furniture together or exchange directions with one another. Collaborative virtual environments using desktop PCs are particularly useful for spatial activities when the participants are distributed. This work investigates ways to enhance distributed, collaborative spatial activities. This paper explores how different frames of reference affect spatial collaboration. Specifically, it reports on an experiment that examines different combinations of exocentric and egocentric frames of reference with two users. Tasks involve manipulating an object, where one participant knows the objective (director) and the other performs the interactions (actor). It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the different combinations for a spatial collaboration task. Findings from this study demonstrate that frames of reference affect collaboration in a variety of ways and simple exocentric-egocentric combinations do not always provide the most usable solution.     

Age Differences in Everyday Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Effectiveness: A Meta-Analytic Review.

The authors report a meta-analysis of age differences in everyday problem-solving/decision-making effectiveness (EPSE). Effect sizes were calculated to reflect 3 age group comparisons: old versus young, young versus middle-aged, and middle-aged versus old. Findings from the meta-analysis of 28 separate studies with an aggregate of 4,482 participants do not support theories of preserved EPSE in late adulthood. Although significant age differences of moderate magnitude persisted across methodological and theoretical domains, rating criteria (experimenter vs. participant) emerged as a significant moderator of the effect magnitude and direction. In addition, EPSE in older adults was bolstered when problem content was interpersonal and when samples were highly educated. Finally, the current results support the conceptual integration of findings from the everyday problem-solving and everyday decision-making literatures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological impact of colorectal cancer screening.

This article examines the psychological impact of participating in sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer prevention. The 1st study examined psychological well-being at 3 months, in relation to screening outcome, in 4,153 individuals. The 2nd study used longitudinal data to examine changes in psychological functioning from before to after screening in relation both to screening outcome and baseline indicators of vulnerability. There were few psychological differences between those who had received negative results or had polyps detected. These findings were confirmed in the longitudinal study, which also found no evidence for vulnerability to adverse effects among those who were initially most anxious or who perceived their risk of cancer to be higher. The longitudinal data suggested that screening might produce transient positive effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of a lectin-like protein isolated from Lachesis muta snake venom

A lectin-like protein was isolated from L. muta venom by gel filtration on BIO Gel P-100 followed by column Chromatography on DEAE-sephades A-50. The protein eluted at 0.4 M Nacl in 0.01 Tris pH 7.3 and exhibited agglutinin activity toward 0+ human erythrocytes. The protein is a dimer with Mr 28 kDa. Amino acid analysis revealed high content of tryptophan and acid recidues and low content of cysteine and methionine residues. No neutral carbohydrates and sialic acid were detected. Circular dichroic spectrum shows 78% of B structure and 1% of alpha structure. In vitro experiments with erythrocytes from rat, rabbit and dog revealed strong agglutination while red blood cells from mice, sheep and goat were not agglutinated. In vivo experiments using anesthetized rats, a sharp and prolonged fall in the blood pressure was observed at protein dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Double dose of protein caused the death of the animal.     

Adhesive Contact of a Membrane with a Hemispherical Indenter: Theoretical Analysis and Model Liquid System

The axisymmetric Laplace equation is solved numerically to extract contact-angle data for a flat liquid/vapor interface contacting a submerged hemispherical solid. The liquid/vapor interface is treated as a membrane, with a membrane tension equal to the surface energy of the liquid. By measuring the vertical displacement of the membrane and the projected contact area the membrane makes with the hemisphere, the contact angle and correspondingly the driving force for motion of the contact line can be measured. We show that characteristic receding and advancing contact angles can be obtained by measuring the contact radii formed upon initial contact between the interface and hemisphere and final contact just prior to detachment of the interface, respectively. Use of the technique is illustrated with a model experiment involving the contact of an air/water interface with a poly(methyl methacrylate) surface.     

Dyadic perfectionism as a predictor of relationship continuity and distress among college students.

This study examined the nature and impact of dyadic perfectionism over a 3-month interval within a sample of 116 college students who were currently involved in an intimate heterosexual relationship. Dyadic perfectionism scores were stable and correlated as expected with scores on concurrent measures of adult attachment orientations and relationship satisfaction. Logistic regression analyses revealed that, controlling for initial commitment status and adult attachment orientations, Time 1 dyadic perfectionism scores significantly and uniquely predicted relationship continuity 3 months later. Lastly, controlling for social desirability, relationship commitment status, and Time 1 adult attachment orientation scores, Time 1 dyadic perfectionism scores also uniquely predicted Time 2 relationship distress. Findings provide additional evidence that dyadic perfectionism is a risk factor for relationship dysfunction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). II -- Fibronectin and perinatal morbidity

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine fibronectin levels in umbilical cord blood of infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) and evaluate a possible correlation with perinatal pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 58 IDM (33 males and 25 females) and 58 control newborns (NB) (33 males and 25 females) was carried out. RESULTS: There were no differences in fibronectin levels between the two groups nor between the sexes. Perinatal morbidity was higher in the IDM group, but there was no correlation between fibronectin levels and the presence of perinatal pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Fibronectin levels are not useful in the perinatal evaluation of infants of diabetic mothers.     

Individuality of understanding and assessment of sensory attributes of foods, in particular, tenderness of meat

This study examines the extent to which variations in consumers' sensory assessments of food arise from the inability to report accurately sensory perceptions, from confusion regarding the criteria by which to assess samples, or from differences in their oral breakdown of the products.

Twenty consumers assessed the tenderness of a range of 8 hot, freshly roasted meat samples using Time Intensity (TI). Overall a significant correlation was found between the maximum recorded intensity (Imax) of their TI curves and single sensory scores given by a trained panel. Correlation was significant for only 42% of the consumers individually. Significant correlations were found between the amount of masticatory muscle activity undertaken during chewing (measured using electromyography) and Imax for all but 2 of the consumers. Thus subjects' perceptions were accurately described by their chewing work, suggesting between subject differences in perception arose from differences in the way chewing work was applied to break down the samples. The sensory input from the masticatory muscles may represent the major determinant of perceived tenderness of meat.     

Is simplicity the key to engagement for children on the autism spectrum?

This article presents a conceptualisation of technologies as simple, ambient forms. By avoiding the tendency to solve problems and by being open to interaction that emerges through repetition and flow, we argue that technology can offer more for people than functionality. When the user is given freedom to discover control without burdensome cognitive demands and the fear of failure, even everyday technologies can arouse curiosity and thus reveal untapped ability. What is unique about our work is its therapeutic application as a medium for engaging the most hard to reach children on the autism spectrum. Our theoretical foundations are drawn from the human–computer interaction paradigm of tangible interaction. This is of interest to us as a framework for the study of the physical and sensory manipulation of information. For children with cognitive and developmental delays, discovering a close match between physical control and digital response has proved both rewarding and motivating. The significance of this is illustrated through a range of studies undertaken with children with autism spectrum disorders. These include a mixed group attending a holiday club, a study that introduced keyboard activities to children with poor receptive communication and a case study using an ordinary microphone. The research captures emergent, exploratory interaction with a software application called ReacTickles. The case study uses a specifically customised video coding technique to analyse idiosyncratic interactions that demonstrate the impact of simple, playful interaction on self-esteem and creativity.