Effects of alcohol versus expectancy for alcohol on the incidence of graffiti following an experimental task.

Experimentally manipulated the conditions of beverage content and expectancy for alcohol in 29 heavy social-drinking (as determined by the Drinking Practices Questionnaire) male undergraduates. After completing a pencil-and-paper task, Ss found themselves in a situation where graffiti could apparently be written in and around the immediate surroundings with impunity. Regardless of expectations, Ss who actually drank alcohol were significantly more likely to write graffiti in this situation than were Ss who did not drink alcohol. This finding supports the importance of alcohol rather than expectancy as a causal influence on this form of disinhibited behavior. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extracellular recordings from patterned neuronal networks using planar microelectrode arrays

Neuronal cell networks have been reconstructed on planar microelectrode arrays (MEAs) from dissociated hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Microcontact printing (microCP) and a photoresist-liftoff method were used to selectively localize poly-L-lysine (PLL) on the surface of MEAs. Haptotaxis led to the organization of the neurons into networks localized adjacent to microelectrodes. Various grids of PLL with 2-25-microm-wide lines spaced by 50-200 microm with 15-25-microm nodes at intersection points were used to guide cell body attachment and neurite outgrowth. Bursting activity with spike amplitude attenuation was observed, and multichannel recordings detected instances of coincident firing activity. Finally, we present here an extracellular recording from a approximately 2 microm bundle of guided neurites.     

Short-term exposures to chronically toxic copper concentrations induce HSP70 proteins in midge larvae (Chironomus tentans)

In the present study, we investigated the induction of HSP70 proteins in Chironomus tentans in response to copper exposure. Larvae were exposed for 24 h to 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mgl(-1) copper, concentrations that were previously shown to cause growth reduction or mortality in 10 d bioassays. The induction of HSP70 was evaluated by Western blotting, and we observed a significant increase in HSP70 proteins over controls at all tested concentrations. The results suggest that short-term laboratory exposures to chronically toxic but acutely sublethal copper concentrations induce HSP70 proteins in C. tentans larvae.     

Action planning in the presence of distracting stimuli: An investigation into the time course of distractor effects.

Humans have a remarkable capability to respond efficiently to a stimulus of interest despite other stimuli competing for neural resources. The current study investigated how the human system copes with distracting stimuli. During each trial, participants viewed 2 sequential stimuli that were each associated with a specific action based on an arbitrary mapping. The 1st stimulus served as a distractor, and the 2nd stimulus required a response (target). When the distractor preceded the target by more than a few hundred milliseconds, response latencies were slower when the 2 stimuli were associated with the same response. The authors propose that this negative compatibility effect stemmed from an inhibitory mechanism that the human system utilizes to prevent the distractor from eliciting an unwanted response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Polarization and Partisan Selective Exposure

Today, people can easily select media outlets sharing their political predispositions, a behavior known as partisan selective exposure. Additional research is needed, however, to better understand the causes and consequences of partisan selective exposure. This study investigates the relationship between partisan selective exposure and political polarization using data from the National Annenberg Election Survey. Cross‐sectional results show strong evidence that partisan selective exposure is related to polarization. Over‐time analyses document that partisan selective exposure leads to polarization. Some evidence supports the reverse causal direction, namely that polarization leads to partisan selective exposure. Implications for the study of media effects and normative implications—both positive and negative—are discussed.     

Application of PSCF and CPF to PMF-Modeled Sources of PM2.5 in Pittsburgh

Ambient PM _2.5 composition data in Pittsburgh, PA have been used with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to determine the major sources of PM _2.5 sampled. This paper describes the use of the potential source contribution function (PSCF) with the PMF-modeled source contributions to locate the sources in a grid of 0.1° × 0.1° cells. The domain extends from the Pittsburgh Supersite at 40.44°N, 79.94°W over the range 35°–50° north latitude and 75°–90° west longitude. Six-hour back trajectories have been obtained from HYSPLIT four times each day for the 13 months of the study for use with PSCF. Using the results, higher probability locations are compared with known locations of specific source types, based on information from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and the EPA AIRS Database. PSCF results for several sources are compared to the conditional probability function (CPF) analysis, which uses 15-minute wind direction data to determine the most probable direction of a source. Using PSCF and CPF together aids in interpretation of potential source regions. The selenium and sulfate factor source locations are regional, while the lead, cadmium, and specialty steel factor source locations are local. The gallium-rich and Fe, Mn, and Zn factor source locations are potentially both local and regional. The nitrate, vehicle emissions and road dust, wood combustion, vegetative detritus and cooking, and crustal material factor CPF and PSCF results were inconclusive as sources of these factors exist in all directions from the site and therefore one would not expect a clear probability field in any one direction.     

Organic Semiconductor Growth and Morphology Considerations for Organic Thin‐Film Transistors

Analogous to conventional inorganic semiconductors, the performance of organic semiconductors is directly related to their molecular packing, crystallinity, growth mode, and purity. In order to achieve the best possible performance, it is critical to understand how organic semiconductors nucleate and grow. Clever use of surface and dielectric modification chemistry can allow one to control the growth and morphology, which greatly influence the electrical properties of the organic transistor. In this Review, the nucleation and growth of organic semiconductors on dielectric surfaces is addressed. The first part of the Review concentrates on small‐molecule organic semiconductors. The role of deposition conditions on film formation is described. The modification of the dielectric interface using polymers or self‐assembled mono­layers and their effect on organic‐semiconductor growth and performance is also discussed. The goal of this Review is primarily to discuss the thin‐film formation of organic semiconducting species. The patterning of single crystals is discussed, while their nucleation and growth has been described elsewhere (see the Review by Liu et. al). 1 The second part of the Review focuses on polymeric semiconductors. The dependence of physico‐chemical properties, such as chain length (i.e., molecular weight) of the constituting macromolecule, and the influence of small molecular species on, e.g., melting temperature, as well as routes to induce order in such macromolecules, are described.     

On satisfying due-dates in large job shops: idle time insertion

We consider the problem of minimizing maximum lateness in a job shop. A conceptually simple simulation based procedure described in a recent paper by Hodgson et al [1] is modified to provide improved schedules. Computational experimentation is provided to identify the conditions under which the approach is most viable, and to report the procedure's performance on known test problems.     

Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder with comorbid panic attacks: Combining cognitive processing therapy with panic control treatment techniques.

A large proportion of patients who present for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience comorbid panic attacks, yet currently available PTSD treatment programs do not address this problem. This report provides an initial evaluation of a newly developed treatment, multiple channel exposure therapy (M-CET), for comorbid PTSD and panic attacks. The treatment uses elements of cognitive processing therapy treatment for PTSD and elements of panic control treatment to target physiological, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Results suggest that M-CET may be a promising treatment program for a subset of PTSD patients who experience panic attacks. Preliminary guidelines for conducting M-CET in a group format with participants exposed to diverse traumatic events are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Technologies nouvelles et aspects psychologiques.

Reviews the book, Technologies nouvelles et aspects psychologiques edited by Larocque, Boulard, Fabi, Larouche, and et Rondeau (1987). The following review is from a book including a few English chapters, but mostly written in French. The intention in publishing this English review by Natalie Kishchuk is to make French publications better known to readers of both languages. The book seems mistitled--only four chapters out of twelve touch more than very tangentially on new technologies (those by Larouche, Fischer, David-MacNeil, and Laville). Given that the book contains proceedings of the fourth annual conference of the Association de psychologie du travail de langue francaise, which had the theme "Les conflits générés par les environnements en évolution: aspects culturels et dynamiques," it is not surprising that most of the chapters in fact focus on organizational change processes. In sum, this book is probably best viewed as a collection of discrete readings loosely organized around some general organizational themes, rather than as a summary of the state of knowledge about the psychological implications of technological change. Although there are interesting and novel ideas contained in many of the chapters, the book as a whole, being such a mélange of styles and approaches, is less successful than one would have hoped. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)