A comment from the editorial team.

Introduces this first edition of Training and Education in Professional Psychology, and presents a brief history of its development. In addition, many of the individuals involved in the Journal's development are recognized. The editorial team of TEPP hopes that the journal will provide a professional forum for psychologists to exchange ideas and contribute thoughtful investigations about the challenges, the discussions, and the future direction of education and training in psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The management of sexual feelings in therapy.

This research project examined the incidence, experience, salient features, and management of sexual attraction between psychologists and clients and assessed 386 American Psychological Association member psychologists who work in university counseling centers. Only 12% reported never having been attracted to any client, and 96% never had acted out sexually against a client. Almost half reported that their feelings of attraction benefited the therapy process, and 43% reported negative consequences. 60% sought consultation or supervision to discuss this attraction. The results of this study support the need for increased awareness and education in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coordination chemistry of a para-tert-octylcalix[4]arene fitted with phosphinoyl pendant arms towards 4f-elements: Extraction,synergism, separation

The solvent extraction of trivalent lanthanoids (Ln³⁺) by 5,11,17,23-tetra(para-tert-octyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(dimethylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (S), bearing four phosphine oxide donor groups at the lower rim as synergistic agent in combination with a 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (HP) in CHCl₃ from chloride medium at µ = 0.1 was quantitatively described in the form of LnP₃·S complexes. The role of the synergistic agent on the extraction process was discussed. The values of the separation factors have been evaluated. On the basis of the IR and NMR spectra the stoichiometry and the structure of the solid mixed complex of Eu(III) with HP and S were proposed.     

Label-free electrochemical monitoring of DNA ligase activity

This study presents a simple, label-free electrochemical technique for the monitoring of DNA ligase activity. DNA ligases are enzymes that catalyze joining of breaks in the backbone of DNA and are of significant scientific interest due to their essential nature in DNA metabolism and their importance to a range of molecular biological methodologies. The electrochemical behavior of DNA at mercury and some amalgam electrodes is strongly influenced by its backbone structure, allowing a perfect discrimination between DNA molecules containing or lacking free ends. This variation in electrochemical behavior has been utilized previously for a sensitive detection of DNA damage involving the sugar-phosphate backbone breakage. Here we show that the same principle can be utilized for monitoring of a reverse process, i.e., the repair of strand breaks by action of the DNA ligases. We demonstrate applications of the electrochemical technique for a distinction between ligatable and unligatable breaks in plasmid DNA using T4 DNA ligase, as well as for studies of the DNA backbone-joining activity in recombinant fragments of E. coli DNA ligase.     

Parameter selection methods for axisymmetric flame tomography through Tikhonov regularization

Deconvolution of optically collected axisymmetric flame data is equivalent to solving an ill-posed problem subject to severe error amplification. Tikhonov regularization has recently been shown to be well suited for stabilizing this deconvolution, although the success of this method hinges on choosing a suitable regularization parameter. Incorporating a parameter selection scheme transforms this technique into a reliable automatic algorithm that outperforms unregularized deconvolution of a smoothed data set, which is currently the most popular way to analyze axisymmetric data. We review the discrepancy principle, L-curve curvature, and generalized cross-validation parameter selection schemes and conclude that the L-curve curvature algorithm is best suited to this problem.     

Design of magneto-optical system for imaging of magnetic flux created during a conductor-superconductor phase transition

According to the Kibble-Zurek model, flux lines are spontaneously created during a fast conductor-superconductor phase transition. The model predicts both the spatial density and the correlations of the flux array. We present the design of a magneto-optical system with a projected single-flux-line resolution. Such a system can allow detailed measurements of the distribution of flux created spontaneously during a conductor-superconductor phase transition.     

Addressing professional competence problems in trainees: Some ethical considerations.

Psychologists working as graduate student educators and clinical supervisors often encounter trainees who manifest problems of professional competence. At times, faculty members and supervisors may experience role conflict, ambiguity, and anxiety about how to respond to trainee competence problems. Psychologists engaged in the education, training, and credentialing of trainees are ethically and professionally obligated to balance their developmental and gatekeeping roles with respect to trainees. A discussion of several systemic concerns related to psychology's approach to competence problems is presented along with 3 expert commentaries that further elucidate the core issues from the vantage point of education, training, and licensure. Several recommendations for enhancing cooperation and excellent practice among psychologists who train and credential are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between clients’ conformity to masculine norms and their perceptions of helpful therapist actions.

T. J. G. Tracey et al.’s (2003) common factors model derived from therapists and psychotherapy researchers has provided a parsimonious structure to inform research and practice. Accordingly, the current authors used the 14 common factor categories identified in Tracey et al.’s model as a guide to code clients’ perceptions of helpful therapist actions (e.g., intervention, way of being) in short-term psychotherapy. Next, they conducted a cluster analysis to establish meaningful subgroups of clients based on clients’ perceptions of helpful therapist actions. Finally, they explored if clients in these subgroups differed in their report of conformity to masculine norms. Clients (N = 161) from a university counseling center were recruited for the current study. Results revealed 3 clusters of clients based on their perceptions of helpful therapist actions: Insight (44%), Relationship (30%), and Information (26%). In contrast, Tracey et al. found 3 clusters: Bond (which includes Insight and Relationship), Information, and Structure of therapy (not found in the current study). Clients in the Insight and Relationship clusters reported more conformity to masculine norms as compared with clients in the Information cluster. There were no sex differences across clusters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)