Alternatives to optimization in expectancy theory.

Three behavioral-choice principles were proposed and tested in the context of expectancy theory. The 1st principle, "satiation-fatigue," postulated that force (and thus effort level) was a joint function of reward value, fatigue, and boredom, and thus that force would decrease as a function of satiation and time spent on the task. Task performance of high-pay piece-rate Ss was therefore predicted to decrease over time relative to the performance of low-pay Ss. The 2nd principle, "satisficing," postulated that workers strive only to reach satisfactory outcome levels and therefore predicted that low-pay piece-rate Ss would continually outperform highly paid Ss over the course of an experimental task. The 3rd principle, "minimum necessary reward," predicted that high effort would be exerted only if Ss felt they could earn at least a minimally satisfactory outcome. Data most strongly support the minimum-necessary-reward principle, while providing no support for either the simplest version of the expectancy model or the other 2 alternatives. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The value of repetition and reinforcement in improving oral hygiene performance

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of including repetition and reinforcement in a dental health education program for school children. Sixty-one pupils, 11 to 13 years of age, were divided into three groups according to room assignments. Group I (control) received no oral hygiene lectures or instructions until the conclusion of the experiment. Group 2 (nonreinforced) received one lecture and a toothbrushing lesson, but no repetition or reinforcement. Group 3 (reinforced) received the same program as Group 2 on the initial visit and also received two additional visits for repetition and reinforcement of the lectures and instructions, plus a final summary lecture. Six visits were conducted at intervals of 0, 1, 5, 3, 8, 20 and 52 weeks, following a double-blind experimental format. PHP scores were obtained on all subjects on each of the six visits. It was concluded that the repetition and reinforcement components of this dental health education program were of significant value in improving the oral hygiene performance of the school children over a period of 1 year. The findings provide evidence of the desirability of incorporating these concepts in plaque-control program.     

Bell's palsy (prevention and treatment)

The effectiveness of a variety of the most popular methods used for treatment Bell's paralysis is analyzed on a great number (1168 patients) of cases. It has been found that the results of the treatment are predetermined primarily by the gravity of the facial nerve affection. No convincing dependence of the treatment effect on the disease etiology was noted, except cases of Bell's paralysis of vascular etiology, the outcome of which was worse. A less favourable outcome was also observed in patients over 60 years of age and in cases of paralysis relapses. Of the methods of treating Bell's paralysis tested by the authors it was early use of perineural injections of hydrocortisone and novocaine in combination with the traditional methods (etiotropic, resorptive, and restorative means, electrotherapy, exercises) that proved to be the most efficacious. On the basis of the follow-up study of 676 patients recommendations on the treatment of residual phenomena of Bell's paralysis and on preventing the latter's relapses are given.     

Hemodynamic function of the Hancock standard orifice aortic valve bioprosthesis

Reports that the hemodynamic performance of the standard orifice aortic bioprosthesis in less than optimal have prompted recommendations that mechanical prosthesis or anulus-enlarging procedures be used in adult patients with a small aortic root. The hemodynamic function of the Hancock bioprosthesis was evaluated in 77 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization of rest and with isoproterenol infusion (15 patients) an average of 6 months after operation. The average peak systolic gradient (basal conditions) was 7 mm Hg (range 0 to 37 mm Hg); 35 patients had no resting gradient. Fifteen patients received 21 mm diameter valves and had an average systolic valve gradient of 10 mm Hg (range 0 to 30 mm Hg); the average effective valve orifice area was 1.27 +/- 0.17 cm2 for 21 mm, 1.46 +/- 0.11 cm2 for 23 mm, 1.72 +/- k0.20 cm2 for 25 mm, and 1.97 +/- 0.06 for 27 mm bioprostheses. Isoproterenol infusion, elevating cardiac output 66%, increased the peak systolic gradient from an average of 11 mm Hg (range 0 to 37 mm Hg) to 44 mm Hg (range 10 to 85 mm Hg). It is concluded that small-diameter (21 and 23 mm) Hancock bioprostheses can be used with acceptable clinical and hemodynamic function in patients with a small body surface area.     

Complexes in serum between alkaline phosphatase and immunoglobulin G: immunological and clinical aspects

A retrospective study was performed on 31 patients in whose sera an immune complex between alkaline phosphatase and immunoglobulin G had been detected. The average age of these patients was 64 years and the sexes were equally represented. Twenty-three patients (74%) had a disease with either an autoimmune aetiology or associated with circulating immune complexes or autoantibodies. Sera from 16 patients were tested for the presence of circulating immune complexes in addition to the alkaline phosphatase immune complex, and these complexes were detected in 14 cases (88%). Sera from 17 patients were tested for the presence of specific autoantibodies and these were detected in 9 cases (53%). Twelve patients were followed up for a mean period of 11.6 months (range 0.5 to 39 month). At the end of the follow-up period, 10 patients (83%) showed persistence of the immunoglobulin-G-alkaline phosphatase complex.     

Application of a computer temperature program to the vinyl chloride batch suspension polymerization at constant rate

The vinyl chloride batch suspension polymerization at constant polymerization rate governed by means of a temperature program, is presented. The method of establishing this temperature program by means of a digital computer, using the kinetic model proposed by Hamielec et al. for mass and suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride, is described.