Categorical shape and color coding by pigeons.

Two studies with 32 pigeons assessed the categorical coding of shapes and the existence of a higher-order color category (all colors). Ss were trained on 2 independent tasks (matching-to-sample and oddity-from-sample). One task involved red and a plus sign, the other a circle and green. On test trials, 1 of the 2 comparison stimuli from one task was replaced by one of the stimuli from the other task. Differential performance based on which of the 2 stimuli from the other task was introduced suggested categorical coding rules. In Exp I, evidence for the categorical coding of sample shapes was found. Categorical color coding was also found; however, it was the comparison stimuli rather than the samples that were categorically coded. Exp II replicated the categorical shape sample effect and ruled out the possibility that the particular colors used were responsible for the categorical coding of comparison stimuli. Results support the view that pigeons can develop categorical rules involving shapes and colors and that the color categories can be hierarchical. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The child care crisis in America.

Argues that for almost 2 decades the American government has recognized the lack of affordable, good quality child care in the US as a serious and pressing problem. Despite this, the US has made very little progress in terms of instituting major reforms in regard to child care. The authors discuss how and why the child care problem in the US has turned to crisis proportions. In addition, they highlight the developmental concerns that surround the issue of child care, and the different child care options currently available for American families to choose from. Finally, they propose a possible solution to this problem; a solution that could carry the US into the 21st century. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sabbatical leave: Who gains and how much?

A rigorous quasi-experiment tested the ameliorative effects of a sabbatical leave, a special case of respite from routine work. We hypothesized that (a) respite increases resource level and well-being and (b) individual differences and respite features moderate respite effects. A sample of 129 faculty members on sabbatical and 129 matched controls completed measures of resource gain, resource loss, and well-being before, during, and after the sabbatical. Among the sabbatees, resource loss declined and resource gain and well-being rose during the sabbatical. The comparison group showed no change. Moderation analysis revealed that those who reported higher respite self-efficacy and greater control, were more detached, had a more positive sabbatical experience, and spent their sabbatical outside their home country enjoyed more enhanced well-being than others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influences of data filtering on human–computer interaction by gaze-contingent display and eye-tracking applications

We describe an interactive gaze-contingent display (GCD) applied to clinical applications; the system uses a simple texture hole to inhibit peripheral vision, to test and stress overt mechanisms of visual searching in normal subjects. The correct use of GCD in vision research is affected by tremor of the hole, due to system noise, nystagmus, eye blinking, calibration and subject reactivity. These issues compromise the execution of task. In order to obtain a stable GCD hole, we implemented a predictive gaze-contingent display (PGCD), fitting through dispersion of fixations and modulating a filter. The paper describes the PGCD and compare it with the common technique, providing evidence that humans fit exploration based on the characteristics of the computer system; in particular we found significant difference applying PGCD or a simple finite impulse response filter. We suggest that a correct human–computer interaction applied to neuropsychological context must be developed taking in consideration both technical point of view and human behavior.     

BEH Amide柱：使碳水化合物的分析更简单、快速、高效

碳水化合物的色谱分析对很多行业的研究来说都是非常重要的工作。例如．食品中单糖与二糖的定性定量，由于复杂糖类．糖醇、人造甜味剂与盐皆可形成复杂基质．使分析变得困难；制药行业通常使用简单或复杂的糖类或糖衍生物基质作为起始药物．通过对药物配方中的这些化合物进行分析，可以为生产提供所需要的信息；     

Microscale Inhomogeneities in Aluminum Solution-Doping of Silica-Based Optical Fibers

The microstructure of aluminum (Al) solution-doped soot layers in modified chemical vapor deposition fabrication of silica-based optical fibers has been studied. It is shown that such Al doping is predominantly determined by deposition temperature. Radial and longitudinal Al doping distributions have been investigated in soot layers, in fully sintered glass layers, and in collapsed preforms. Formation mechanisms are discussed.     

Past, current, and future trends in infant face perception research.

Describes themes prevalent in studies of infant face perception (IFP) before 1979. Evidence from the review indicates that maturational, as well as experiential processes contribute to developmental changes in the infant's ability to recognize faces. A summary of current trends in IFP research focuses on 3 topics: (1) the face as a conveyer of socially-salient information, (2) the neurological basis of IFP, and (3) methodological advances in the study of IFP. Suggestions for future areas of IFP research include the effect of IFP on infants' behavior and the neurological correlates of IFP. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

But what about smart girls? Adolescent self-esteem and sex role perceptions as a function of academic achievement.

Examined adolescent self-esteem and sex-role perceptions as a function of academic achievement with 71 male and 69 female 7th graders divided into 3 groups (below average, average, and above average level of academic competence). Ss responded to a self-esteem inventory under the following 2 sets of instructions: (a) a standard set and (b) a set in which Ss were asked to respond as they thought a member of the same age and grade but of the opposite sex would respond. Results of the standard instruction investigation reveal a significant but moderate difference in self-esteem levels in favor of the boys. Reported levels of self-esteem also rose very significantly and commensurately with higher academic achievement for both sexes. Under opposite-sex instructions, girls attributed significantly but moderately higher levels of self-esteem to boys, and boys attributed significantly lower levels of self-esteem to girls. Girls in the above average group, however, rated boys significantly below themselves. Findings are discussed in terms of attribution theory and the possibility that academically competent girls possess more masculine or androgynous than feminine characteristics. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

évaluation de la validité théorique de l'Inventaire de l'organisation de la personnalité.

Studied the psychometric properties and the theoretical validity of the French translation of the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO; O. F. Kernberg and J. F. Clarkin, 1995). The IPO was administered to 845 males and females from a Quebec university and from the general Quebec population. Separate exploratory and 1st-level confirmatory factor analyses were performed. The results indicate a good level of conformity between IPO items and the tridimensional primary constructs of O. F. Kernberg's theoretical model of personality organization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)