Estimation of Circulating Blood Volume from a Tracer-Response Curve

A method is developed for analyzing sudden injection dye (tracer) curves in order to obtain the distribution of first passage times in the mammalian circulation. The moments of the distribution yield useful quantities such as circulating blood volume. The method involves the use of Liouville-Neumann series. The calculation of the first passage time distribution (FPD) also requires a deconvolution through the use of Fourier transforms, but the calculation of moments does not.     

Student perceptions of differential teacher treatment as moderators of teacher expectation effects.

Tested, in 2 studies, a student mediation model of teacher expectation effects that proposes that students acquire information about their abilities by observing the differential teacher treatment accorded high and low achievers. They then revise their own achievement expectations and subsequently perform according to the expectations perceived. Student perceptions of teacher treatment toward hypothetical high and low achievers were used to distinguish high from low-differential-treatment classrooms. In the 1st study, 101 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade students were also asked to report teacher treatment toward themselves. Only in high-differential-treatment classrooms did recipients of high and low teacher expectations perceive teacher treatment toward themselves that was consistent with the patterns of differential teacher treatment reported. In the 2nd study, in which 234 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-graders served as Ss, hierarchical regression analyses showed that teacher expectations contributed more to the prediction of student expectations and achievement in high- than in low-differential-treatment classrooms. Findings support a student mediation model of teacher expectation effects. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of self-efficacy in rehabilitation outcome among chronic low back pain patients.

Examined the role of self-efficacy beliefs in the rehabilitation of 45 low back pain patients participating in a 3-wk rehabilitation program. Increments in self-efficacy beliefs during the rehabilitation program were not associated with improved patient functioning at discharge from the program. However, in support of the theorized role of self-efficacy in behavior change, these increments in self-efficacy significantly predicted better patient functioning and less reported pain at the 6-mo follow-up assessment. Implications of these findings for the rehabilitation of low back pain patients are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detachment of the continent ileostomy poucn from the anterior abdominal wall: report of two unusual cases

The cases of two patients with continent ileostomies are presented. These illustrate the problems encountered with detachment of the pouch from the abdominal wall resulting in angulation of the efferent loop of the pouch in relation to the nipple valve and difficulty intubating the pouch. Both patients required operative correction of the separation. Several suggestions are made in order to prevent or decrease the incidence of the complications. Removal of a peritoneal strip around the efferent loop of the pouch appears to facilitate adequate fixation of the pouch to the anterior abdominal wall.     

Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Long-term follow-up in 2123 patients

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing has become increasingly popular as a method of facial rejuvenation, enabling the surgeon to repair sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, and acne scars precisely. This article presents the results of the authors' histologic studies with all of the current CO2 laser systems as well as the conclusions of her experience with 2123 patients over a 5-year period. Improvements obtained from CO2 laser resurfacing appear to be long lasting, especially when combined with other procedures, and it is likely that laser resurfacing will remain in the armamentarium of facial rejuvenation for some time.     

Diversity as a Measure of Alewife (Alosa Pseudoharengus) Dominance in Southeastern Lake Ontario

Nearshore fish assemblages at Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario, were sampled with gill nets twice a month from April to December in 1974 and 1975. Seasonal fluctuations in diversity (H’) were compared with and without the presence of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), which comprised about 75% of the total number of individuals. Because H’ was highly correlated with the proportional contribution (p_i log p_i) of alewife abundance, fairly large temporal changes in composition of the remainder of the fish community were masked. This effect was explained by certain properties of the H’ index; i.e., once a species has a dominance greater than about 70%, it influences H’, not only through its own contribution, but also by restricting p_i values for all other species below 0.30, the region where the index is most sensitive to change.     

Individual differences in reactions to noise: A longitudinal study in a college dormitory.

Investigated differences among individuals in their initial reactions to noise and in their ability to adapt to noise over a longer period of time. 155 college freshmen completed a self-report measure of noise sensitivity before they arrived on campus. Two subgroups were constructed from students whose noise-sensitivity scores fell within either the top or bottom 30% of this group. Each had nearly equal numbers of males and females. Self-reports of dormitory noise disturbance were obtained from the noise-sensitive and noise-insensitive groups (24 and 31 Ss respectively) early in the school year and again 7 mo later. As predicted, noise-sensitive students were much more bothered by dormitory noise. Noise-sensitive students became increasingly disturbed during the year; noise-insensitive students showed no change. Correlations of the noise-sensitivity scale with academic test data and personality inventories suggested that noise-sensitive students were lower in scholastic ability, felt less secure in social interactions, and had a greater desire for privacy than their less noise-sensitive peers. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)