Reviewing class through the performance of choice

Class Strategies and the Education Market: the middle classes and social advantage, Stephen J. Bali, 2003 London: RoutledgeFalmer. 213 pp., ISBN 0 415 27277 7 (paperback), 0415 27276 9 (hardback), £19.99     

Neurobehavioral approach to classification of psychiatric patients using a competency model.

Performed Q-type factor analyses on 25 neuropsychological variables for 3 samples of right-handed adult psychiatric patients to test the hypothesis that degree and type of impairment are substantially independent of psychiatric status. Ss included an initial sample of 218 Ss, a within-laboratory replication sample of 175 Ss, and a cross-laboratory, cross-national replication sample of 102 Ss. Each S was administered a battery of tests, including the WAIS, MMPI, Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery, and Wechsler Memory Scale. Factor analysis classified 71% of Ss into 6 groups with strong within- and across-laboratory replications. Each group had a unique profile of competencies and deficits that was independent of psychiatric status with the exception of a group comprised primarily of young, poorly educated males with histories of learning disability and drug abuse. It is concluded that a classification system with associated treatment interventions based on patient's profile of competencies and deficits would be more useful in treatment planning than a system based on traditional nosology. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Barriers Model: An integrated strategy for intervention with battered women.

Examines the barriers facing victims of domestic violence and offers therapists an integrated model of intervention combining both case management and psychotherapy strategies. Visually represented, the Barriers Model places the battered woman in the center of 4 concentric circles. Each circle represents a layer of barriers in the battered woman's experience that potentially impedes her safety. These layers include (1) barriers in the environment; (2) barriers due to family, socialization, and role expectations; (3) barriers from the psychological consequences of violence; and (4) barriers from childhood abuse/neglect issues. Therapists are provided with an explanation of each layer of barriers, questions to help identify the extent to which these barriers are preventing the woman from becoming safe, and strategies to address these barriers with the battered woman. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of three different electron microscopical grade glutaraldehydes used to fix ovarian tissue

‘EM grade’ glutaraldehydes from three suppliers were tested for the following: (1) pH of stock solution, (2) 235/280 nm UV absorbance ratio, (3) milliosmolarity of 2% and 4% solutions, (4) quality of fixation produced in ovarian tissue by fixatives prepared from each stock solution. Low pH of the stock solution appeared to be the most detrimental factor in fixation. Fixatives with a low 235/280 nm ratio (between 0·18 and 0·67) did not give good fixation regardless of the pH of the stock solution. Fixatives made from stock solutions with a pH above 4 and a 235/280 nm ratio between 1 and 2 resulted in the best preservation of ultra-structure. Variations in milliosmolarity from one batch of stock solution to another were encountered, but appeared to have no correlation with the quality of fixation.; Received 1 October 1973; revision received 20 December 1973     

An evaluation of the effects of antimony and tin stabilizer on the fusion characteristics of PVC dryblends

Although the classification of lubricants can be misleading, the classification of their actions is not only possible but very useful. By considering the basic actions which affect PVC dryblend fusion, a better understading of the characteristics and advantages of additives can be realized. The antimony and tin stabilizers used in this study have been characterized by the affects on PVC dryblend fusion. Production extrusion results confirm the laboratory classifications.     

Thermal properties of tritylated and tosylated cellulose

Triphenylchloromethane and p-toluenesulfonyl chloride were reacted with chopped or powdered cellulose, with and without premercerization, to form trityl–cellulose ethers or tosyl–cellulose esters. Powdered and premercerized cellulose samples were more readily derivatized. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses were performed in nitrogen on these derivatives. DSC and TG thermograms were affected by the particular derivative and the degree of substitution. The decomposition temperatures for both derivatives were lower than for the unmodified cellulose. Trityl cleavage may have been detected by DSC as a broad endothermic area showing no weight loss that preceded the major endothermic decomposition peak. Decomposition temperatures were lowered, but not sufficiently to prevent decomposition products from being combustible. No increase in residue was effected. Thermal decomposition of tosyl–cellulose was substantially different from that of the trityl derivative. As the degree of tosyl substitution increased, decomposition occurred at lower temperatures as an increasing exotherm. Tosyl derivatives all produced high residues. These changes in thermal characteristics were indicative of increased flame resistance. Oxygen index (OI) values relate to flame resistance and show that tritylation was detrimental to the cellulose and that tosylation imparted some degree of flame resistance.     

Thermal analyses of flame-retardant twills containing cotton,polyester and wool

Medium weight twill fabrics constructed from cotton and cotton blended with polyester and/or wool were analyzed under nitrogen by three thermoanalytical techniques. Fabrics were tested both before and after treatment with [tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium] sulfate (THPS), urea, and trimethylolmelamine. The presence of all fibers was distinguishable in differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC) of untreated fabrics; the relative positions of the endothermic, decomposition peak temperatures were only slightly changed. After flame-retardant (FR) treatment, the blended cotton and wool fibers were altered. Both fibers decomposed as exotherms during DSC analysis. These data supported earlier microscopical, X-ray evidence that wool fibers were actually reacting with the FR treatment. The two DSC peaks for polyester polymer melting and decomposing remained unaffected by either blending with other fibers or the presence of the FR finish on the fabric. There was excellent agreement between DSC peak temperatures and the temperature of maximum rate of weight loss obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Blending cotton with either of these fibers increased the residue measured after TGA. The increased residue correlated with increased flame resistance as measured by the 45° angle, edge-ignition burning rate test.     

Timing of self-disclosure, reciprocity of self-disclosure, and reactions to an initial interview.

Interviewed 54 college females individually for 40 min about how they were influenced by friends, family, and persons in authority. The interviewer disclosed experiences, attitudes, and beliefs similar and dissimilar to those revealed by the S 0, 4, or 12 times during the interview. Such disclosures occurred prior to (modeling situation) or immediately after (reinforcement situation) S disclosures. An intermediate number of disclosures resulted in significantly more S disclosures and led to the interviewer's being described as significantly more empathic, warm, and congruent. Timing of interviewer disclosures had no effect. Results suggest that an intermediate level of interviewer self-disclosure may best initiate reciprocity of disclosure, which in turn can lead to more positive reactions to the interviewer. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Infants' intermodal knowledge about gender.

The aim of this study was to seek evidence of intermodal knowledge about gender in infants that would provide direct evidence of the existence of gender categories during the 1st yr of life. In Exp 1, 20 9- and 24 12-mo-olds were presented with pairs of male and female pictures with a female or male voice presented simultaneously. Ss spent significantly more time looking at the pictures matching the voices than at the same pictures paired with mismatching voices, but only in the case of female stimuli. Comparison to chance level performance suggested that the matching effect was more consistent in older Ss. In Exp 2, 20 9-mo-olds were tested with a set of highly stereotypical faces and distinctive male and female voices. Ss showed a preference for the faces matching the voices, but this effect was again restricted to female stimuli. Results of both studies suggest that intermodal knowledge about gender develops during the 2nd half of the 1st yr. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)