Variations in cognitive behavior modification for test anxiety.

D. Meichenbaum's (see record 1973-20259-001) cognitive behavior modification treatment for test anxiety consists of a cognitive (insight) and a behavioral (modified desensitization) component. In the present experiment with 45 undergraduates, variations on the insight and the behavioral component of the program were examined. Ss were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment or 2 control groups. One group received Meichenbaum's cognitive behavior modification treatment. For a 2nd group, Meichenbaum's desensitization component was retained, but the insight component was altered by substituting specific statements concerning pressure. In the 3rd group, Meichenbaum's insight component was retained and test-taking practice was substituted for the desensitization component. All treatment groups also received study-skills training. Multiple self-report and performance measures of anxiety were obtained. The combination of Meichenbaum's insight component with test-taking practice was most effective in increasing facilitating anxiety and decreasing debilitating anxiety. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Electron transfer ion/ion reactions in a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap: reactions of doubly and triply protonated peptides with SO2*-

Ion-ion reactions between a variety of peptide cations (doubly and triply charged) and SO2 anions have been studied in a 3-D quadrupole ion trap, resulting in proton and electron transfer. Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) gives many c- and z-type fragments, resulting in extensive sequence coverage in the case of triply protonated peptides with SO2*-. For triply charged neurotensin, in which a direct comparison can be made between 3-D and linear ion trap results, abundances of ETD fragments relative to one another appear to be similar. Reactions of doubly protonated peptides with SO2*- give much less structural information from ETD than triply protonated peptides. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of singly charged ions formed in reactions with SO2*- shows a combination of proton and electron transfer products. CID of the singly charged species gives more structural information than ETD of the doubly protonated peptide, but not as much information as ETD of the triply protonated peptide.     

Application of carbon nanomaterial as a microwave absorber

Microwave absorption (8 GHz to 12 GHz) studies have been made with carbon nanomaterials for the first time. Carbon nanomaterials are synthesized by the pyrolysis of camphor. It is observed that film of carbon prepared under certain synthetic condition, can absorb microwave of either some specific wavelengths e.g., 9.5 GHz and 11.5 GHz or full range from 8-12 GHz to the extent of 20 dB depending upon their preparation condition. Carbon nanobeads seems to absorb the microwave in the range of 8-12 GHz.     

Multimodal Interfaces for Cell Phones and Mobile Technology

By modeling users' natural spoken and multimodal communication patterns, more powerful and highly reliable interfaces can be designed that support emerging mobile technology. In this paper, we highlight three different examples of research that is advancing state-of-the-art mobile technology. The first is the development of fusion-based multimodal systems, such as ones that combine speech and pen or touch input, which are substantially improving the robustness and stability of system recognition. The second is modeling of multimodal communication patterns to establish open-microphone engagement techniques that work in challenging multi-person mobile settings. The third is new approaches to adaptive processing, which are able to transparently guide user input to match system processing capabilities. All three research directions are contributing to the design of more reliable, usable, and commercially promising mobile systems of the future.     

Influence of growth phase on bacterial deposition: interaction mechanisms in packed-bed column and radial stagnation point flow systems

The influence of bacterial growth stage on cell deposition kinetics has been examined using a mutant of Escherichia coli K12. Two experimental techniques--a packed-bed column and a radial stagnation point flow (RSPF) system--were employed to determine bacterial deposition rates onto quartz surfaces over a wide range of solution ionic strengths. Stationary-phase cells were found to be more adhesive than mid-exponential phase cells in both experimental systems. The divergence in deposition behavior was notably more pronounced in the RSPF than in the packed-bed system. For instance, in the RSPF system, the deposition rate of the stationary-phase cells at 0.03 M ionic strength was 14 times greater than that of the mid-exponential cells. The divergence in the packed-bed system was most significant at 0.01 M, where the deposition rate for the stationary-phase cells was nearly 4 times greater than for the mid-exponential cells. To explain the observed adhesion behavior, the stationary and mid-exponential bacterial cells were characterized for their size, surface charge density, electrophoretic mobility, viability, and hydrophobicity. On the basis of this analysis, it is suggested that the stationary cells have a more heterogeneous distribution of charged functional groups on the bacterial surface than the mid-exponential cells, which results in higher deposition kinetics. Furthermore, because the RSPF system enumerates only bacterial cells retained in primary minima, whereas the packed column captures mostly cells deposited in secondary minima, the difference in the stationary and mid-exponential cell deposition kinetics is much more pronounced in the RSPF system.     

Group psychotherapy with mastectomy patients.

Compared 20 women who participated in 10 weekly sessions of group psychotherapy with 20 women placed on a waiting list after they had mastectomies. Ss were matched on age (33–65 yrs old), marital status, time since surgery, prognosis, and SES. A structured, scaled interview was used to assess maladjustment, and 2 inventories were used to assess therapy outcome; all Ss were administered all measures before the treatment program began, when it finished 10 wks later, and 4 wks after the end of treatment. Results show that over the course of the therapy period, both groups showed changes in a positive direction; however, Ss in the treatment group showed significantly greater improvement. In the 4-wk follow-up period Ss in the treatment group continued to show significant positive change. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex role identity in female alcoholism.

Compared 28 alcoholic women with 28 matched controls on a variety of masculinity-femininity measures (e.g., Franck Drawing Completion Test). The alcoholics were expected to earn more masculine scores than the controls on measures which tap relatively unconscious levels of sex role identity. On 2 measures of conscious femininity, the alcoholics were typically feminine. On the 3rd, a measure of attitudes toward motherhood, the alcoholics were more feminine than the controls. On a questionnaire measure of sex role style, the alcoholics gave more assertive, masculine responses than the controls, and the scores for alcoholics on a projective measure of unconscious masculinity-femininity were more masculine than those for the controls. The medical histories of the alcoholics contained a higher incidence of obstetrical and gynecological disorders than did the histories of the controls. The relationship between sex role identity disturbance and the psychological function of alcoholic women's excessive drinking is discussed. (22 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the existence of steady supercritical plane thermal detonations

The conditions for existence of strongly supercritical steady detonations, proposed by Board and Hall, are considered. Fragmentation by local boiling is excluded, and only hydrodynamic mechanisms, such as boundary-layer stripping and/or Taylor instability can be operative. Truly steady supercritical detonations are achieved only when the fragmentation zone is terminated by an equilibrium Chapman-Jouguet plane (zero velocity and temperature difference between fuel and coolant). Strong sideways constraints are also necessary.     

Rectangular-ridge vibrational modes

We present a theoretical analysis of the mode spectrum for elastic waves localised at the top of a semi-infinite rectangular ridge. We find their speeds of propagation to be well below the values obtained previously, where the ridge is supported by a substrate.     

Issues of special concern to chronically mentally ill women.

Discusses sex differences with respect to the treatment of chronically mentally ill women and suggests that attention to these areas will aid understanding of their disorders and enhance the quality of their existence. The lives of chronically mentally ill women in relation to marital and family roles, other instrumental roles, social and sexual roles, rape and sexual exploitation, and physical health are described. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)