Meta-analyses of age–cognition relations in adulthood: Estimates of linear and nonlinear age effects and structural models.

A meta-analysis was conducted on 91 studies to derive a correlation matrix for adult age, speed of processing, primary–working memory, episodic memory, reasoning, and spatial ability. Structural equation modeling with a single latent common cognitive factor showed that all cognitive measures shared substantial portions of age-related variance. A mediational model revealed that speed of processing and primary–working memory appear to be important mediators of age-related differences in the other measures. However, not all of the age-related influences were mediated. An examination of quadratic age effects and correlational patterns for subsamples under and over 50 years of age revealed that (a) negative age–cognition relations were significant for the 18- to 50-year-old sample and (b) the age-related decline accelerated significantly over the adult life span for variables assessing speed, reasoning, and episodic memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

THE EFFECT OF GEOMETRY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREEP SINGULAR FIELDS FOR DEFECTS UNDER STEP-LOAD CONTROLLED LOADING

Abstract— The development of singular fields for defects in steadily loaded creeping structures is examined as a function of geometry and crack size using finite-element analyses and results from the literature. Approximations for estimating the time-development of the amplitude of the fields are examined and it is shown that simple approximations are expected to apply for a wide range of geometries. It is shown both theoretically and numerically that plasticity on initial loading produces crack tip fields closer to the steady state condition than those produced elastically.     

Attentional cues in chronic schizophrenia: Abnormal disengagement of attention.

M. I. Possner's 1980 reaction time (RT) paradigm was used to examine the engagement and disengagement operations of visual selective attention in patients with schizophrenia. In the 1st experiment 14 medicated, chronic schizophrenic Ss (diagnosed by criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-I]), and 15 age-matched normal and control Ss made a speeded response to a target preceded by a valid, and invalid, or no cue. Control Ss showed the expected advantage and disadvantage in RT for valid and invalid cues, which suggests intact engagement and disengagement operations. For schizophrenic Ss, valid cues also enhanced RT, but invalid cues did not slow RT. Similar results were found in the 2nd experiment. The failure of unpredictable, invalid cues to inhibit RT in chronic schizophrenia may be related to an abnormality in the disengagement operation of selective attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of inverse gas chromatography to quantify interactions in amine cured epoxy resins

Flory–Huggins interaction parameters, λ, were determined for a series of probes in an amine cured epoxy resin matrix (433–493 K) and its precursors (324–363 K) by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). Hildebrand–Scatchard theory was combined with Flory–Huggins theory in order to estimate infinte dilution solubility parameters (δ₂) for the matrix and its precursors at 298 K. It was shown that the value of the solubility parameter for the cured resin matrix lies between those of its precursors. Compared to the majority of published work, an unusual aspect of this application of IGC is that solubility parameters have been determined when the stationery phases are (i) small molecules and (ii) a highly crosslinked polymer. Moreover, all possible attempts have been made to ensure equilibrium conditions between probe and stationary phase, and compensation for asymmetry of peak profile has been applied in determining δ₂. The solubility parameters estimated by IGC are in good agreement with those calculated by other methods.     

Political orientation and modern versus aversive racism: Tests of Dovidio and Gaertner's (1998) integrated model.

According to J. F. Dovidio and S. L. Gaertner's (1998) integrated model of racism, politically liberal European Americans tend to express racism differently than conservative European Americans, with liberals demonstrating aversive racism and conservatives, symbolic or modern racism. In support of the model, in Experiment 1 liberals showed bias in favor of a twice-prosecuted African American relative to a European American in their judgment of double jeopardy, whereas conservatives did the reverse. Experiment 2 replicated these effects while eliminating a confound in the design of Experiment 1. Experiment 3 found evidence for the intrapsychic conflict hypothesized to underlie aversive racism. Specifically, only liberals displayed greater physiological arousal to the touch of an African American versus a European American experimenter. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Traffic officers'' attitudes toward blood alcohol law enforcement

Research findings in other countries suggest that drinking driving laws could be much better enforced even without resorting to special patrols or random checks. It has been reported that law enforcement officers apprehend or breath test only a small fraction of the potentially impaired drivers that they normally encounter on patrol. This survey of New Zealand traffic officers was designed to determine the extent to which this was the case here, and what were the major disincentives to breath testing. Traffic officer responses, obtained on an anonymous questionnaire, suggested that there were not so many missed opportunities as had been suggested by others, but that there was a great deal of variability in the number of drinking drivers detected by different officers. This was confirmed by the actual distribution of breath testing activity, which was markedly different in shape (positively skewed) compared to the distribution of traffic enforcement activities in general. Several clues from the disincentives cited on the questionaire suggested that there are major deterrents to a greater degree of alcohol enforcement activity on the part of most officers. These are discussed in terms of potential legislative changes, and in relation to the changes introduced in the 1978 Transport Act Amendment.