Interactions of stimulus attributes, base rates, and feedback in recognition.

Continuous old-new recognition was studied in relation to 3 factors that have been relatively neglected in previous research-stimulus attributes, old-new base rates, and informative feedback following responses. Under all conditions, both hits and false alarms increased over trials and all measures of recognition depended strongly on stimulus properties, notably interitem similarity. In contrast to expectations based on earlier results, both hit and false-alarm levels proved independent of old-new base rate when tests were given without feedback; with feedback added, false-alarm rates tended to approach true old-stimulus base rates with some types of stimuli, though not with words. The findings are compatible, in general, with current composite-memory models and were predicted in detail by an array-similarity model deriving from categorization theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determination of infinite dilution diffusion and activity coefficients of solvents in polystyrene by inverse gas chromatography on a capillary column

Infinite dilution activity and diffusion coefficients of several solvents in polystyrene have been measured by inverse gas chromatographic on a capillary column for temperatures between 110 and 170°C. Chromatographic data have been treated according to Khan's model, evaluating the contribution to the peak broadening due to radial and axial molecular diffusion in the mobile phase, radial diffusion in the stationary phase, and interfacial mass transfer resistance. Four capillary columns have been prepared with coating thickness ranging from 0.5 to 3.3 microns in order to determine the minimum thickness necessary to obtain reliable measurements of the diffusion coefficient of the solvent in the polymer in every possible experimental condition. Our experimental data are in considerable agreement with the data already available in the literature, obtained by static and chromatographic methods. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Management of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal stenosis in children

Nasopharyngeal stenosis and oropharyngeal stenosis are rare and challenging problems in the pediatric population. The most common etiology is currently the surgical trauma associated with adenotonsillectomy. Stenosis can vary from a thin band to a complete obstructing cicatrix. Presenting symptoms range from mild hyponasal speech to severe airway obstruction. We present a series of eight children with varying degrees of stenosis and associated symptoms. Choice of treatment varied with the severity of disease. In our series, successful interventions included triamcinolone acetonide injection, lysis of adhesions, rotational and advancement mucosal flaps, and jejunal free flap. Preoperative evaluation and individualized surgical repair are essential for successful treatment.     

Nursing and the New Deal: we met the challenge

The years of the great depression were marked with unemployment and economic ruin for many people. Americans were left feeling helpless and hopeless. After the 1932 presidential election of Franklin Roosevelt, his administration embarked on a course of government known as the New Deal. Many new and innovative programs were established to create jobs and a sense of hope for the public. This article will examine four programs that were of particular interest to nursing: the Federal Emergency Relief Act, the Civil Works Act, the Works Progress Act, and the Social Security Act. Nurses of the time embraced these programs. They participated in their development and implementation and made a difference in the lives of many desperate Americans.     

A thermochemical concept-based equation to estimate waste combustion enthalpy from elemental composition

Waste combustion is an interesting alternative for waste management and energy recovery. Knowledge of the waste higher heating value (HHV) is important for judging it’s worth as fuel. This work introduces a new equation, based on thermochemical concepts, to calculate HHV from elemental composition. This equation is expressed in terms of mass percentages on a dry basis of carbon (%C), hydrogen (%H), oxygen (%O), nitrogen (%N), and sulfur (%S); the HHV is computed in MJ/kg. The equation is as follows: HHV=(1−(%H₂O/100))(−0.3708(%C)−1.1124(%H)+0.1391(%O)−0.3178(%N)−0.1391(%S)). The thermochemical concept on which this expression is based involves a wide applicability. This equation neglects the inorganic carbon, hence it is not very adequate when there is a significant concentration of it. The predictions from this approach were contrasted against those proceeding from equations currently used in combustion technology, and also against bomb calorimeter data. The new equation is clearly competitive with respect to other formulations, and it can be very helpful for presenting a waste HHV value based on different derivation suppositions.     

Cost-effectiveness of self-help smokeless tobacco cessation programs.

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of two low-intensity programs for quitting smokeless tobacco, based on results of a randomized trial with 1,069 volunteer participants. Cost data were collected for two levels of intervention: manual only (a self-help manual) and assisted self-help (the manual plus a videotape and two supportive phone calls from tobacco cessation counselors). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for assisted self-help vs. quitting on one's own, using the manual-only quit rate and data from another study as alternative proxies for no intervention. A threshold analysis was conducted to determine the spontaneous quit rate at which the manual-only intervention becomes more cost-effective than assisted self-help. The cost to provide and receive the assisted self-help intervention averaged US $56 per participant vs. $20 for the manual-only intervention (societal perspective, Year 2000 dollars). Estimates for incremental cost per quit for the assisted self-help intervention ranged from $922 to $1,758, depending on the proxy used for no intervention. The manual-only intervention was more cost-effective than assisted self-help if quitting among motivated chewers who do not receive treatment does not exceed 3.4%. Support from a wife or partner added little cost to a quit attempt for male chewers ($3-$4). Providing a manual, video, and brief phone counseling to smokeless tobacco users who want to quit is a reasonable use of health care resources. The self-help quitting guide also may be a cost-effective treatment, but it remains to be demonstrated whether it is more effective than quitting on one's own.     

Self-help cessation programs for smokeless tobacco users: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial.

This paper presents long-term outcomes of the largest clinical trial of smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation reported to date. SLT users in five northwestern states were recruited to call a toll-free number, and 1,069 users were randomized to one of two self-help conditions: either a manual-only condition or an assisted self-help condition, which included the manual, a targeted video, and two support phone calls. Significant between-group differences were not found for either the 12- or 18-month point-prevalence measure of abstinence from either SLT only or all tobacco products using outcomes based on either the responder or intention-to-treat outcomes. However, using a repeated point-prevalence measure across all three assessment points, we found that significantly more assisted self-help participants reported abstinence, compared with manual-only participants. Compared with manual-only participants, those in the assisted self-help condition were significantly more likely to use recommended cessation techniques. Results demonstrate that low-cost, minimal interventions delivered by mail and phone can help a sizable proportion of individuals quit using SLT.     

Investigation of perceived environment, perceived outcome, and person variables in relationship to voluntary development activity by employees.

Examined perceived environment, perceived incentive and outcome, and person constructs for relationships with interest and participation in voluntary learning and development activity by nonmanagement employees. All 3 groups of constructs were related to development activity. In relationships with development activity, perceived outcome and environment variables interacted with workers' personal values relevant to aspects of a development setting, illustrating the potentially important role that differences in values may play in a development context. Additionally, small relationships were observed between several demographic variables and values within a development setting. Results provide implications for the design and implementation of successful development programs and highlight the need to carefully consider individual differences in this context when targeting many different types of employees for participation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The case of Gary: In search of post-hoc quixotic flexibility.

Responds to M. F. Hoyt's (see record 1995-22250-001) commentary on T. F. Van Denburg and E. J. Van Denburg's (see record 1994-18427-001) response to Hoyt's (see record 1994-18395-001) commentary on Van Denburg and Van Denburg's (see record 1993-06526-001) article about a case of premature therapy termination. Issues related to limits and flexibility in treatment are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)