Adult attachment orientations, self–other boundary regulation, and splitting tendencies in a college sample.

In a sample of 247 college students, the contributions of adult attachment orientations and several other boundary regulation variables to measures of self-splitting (i.e., the tendency to report diffuse and chaotic self-experiences) and other-splitting (i.e., the tendency to acknowledge unstable perceptions of and feelings toward one's friends) were explored. Adult attachment orientations and self-other boundary regulation variables, respectively, explained unique variance in each criterion measure. High levels of attachment anxiety and self-concealment and low levels of self-other differentiation contributed most prominently to self-splitting, whereas high attachment anxiety, low emotional reactivity, and high needs for social approval best predicted other-splitting. Implications of these findings for advancing a more delineated understanding of splitting tendencies are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The discovery of hidden facial images in the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin by using computer graphics enhancement techniques

For nine short weeks in 1888, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin lived and worked together in the city of Arles. Using computer graphics enhancement analyses, some of the paintings they did during this period revealed hidden facial images. One full hidden figure in a painting by Van Gogh and five camouflaged facial images in the works of Paul Gauguin were uncovered using computer graphics techniques. With the exception of one painting by Gauguin, these concealed images have not been previously reported.     

Evaluation of susceptibility of hydrogen-induced cracking in micro-alloyed armour steel welds using a geometry-modified implant test

Susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) was evaluated in steel welds for quenched and tempered armouring steel of 4.5 mm thickness. The welds were produced using the shielded metal arc welding process with low heat support and AWS E11018M 2.4 mm consumable. The susceptibility to HIC was evaluated by means of an implant test with modified geometry in welded joints with and without preheating being applied, using consumables in ideal stock conditions and exposed to the atmosphere. It was found that the consumable stock conditions were more relevant than preheating in regard to susceptibility to HIC.     

Internal auditory artery infarction: clinicopathologic correlation

Immunocytochemical examination for mitochondrial protein and cytochrome oxidase was performed to demonstrate oncocytes in normal adenohypophysis obtained from 28 patients of various age. A small number of solitary large epithelial cells showed intense cytoplasmic granular immunoreactivities for mitochondrial protein and cytochrome oxidase. The proportions of the cells positive for the former and the latter ranged from 0% to 5.9% (mean+/-SD; 1.5+/-1.7%) and from 0% to 4.9% (1.4+/-1.6%), respectively. These cells were either absent or extremely rare in young patients (under 10 years) but tended to increase in number with age (P < 0.0001). On the other hand, the mirror section technique showed that most of these cells were negative for adenohypophysial hormones, but a few of them were faintly positive for: alpha-subunit (8.0%), beta-subunits of follicle-stimulating hormone (4.8%), luteinizing hormone (2.5%), thyroid-stimulating hormone (1.0%), and growth hormone (0.5%), and were negative for prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone. We considered that these cells represent oncocytes that exist in varying numbers in normal adenohypophysis. It was suggested that oncocytes in normal adenohypophysis share various common features with tumorous oncocytes of pituitary oncocytomas.     

Ethnicity and psychopathology: A meta-analytic review of 31 years of comparative MMPI/MMPI-2 research.

Meta-analyses were performed on 25 comparative Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and MMPI-2 studies of 1,428 male African Americans versus 2,837 male European Americans, 12 studies of 1,053 female African Americans versus 1,470 female European Americans, and 13 studies of 500 male Latino Americans and 1,345 male European Americans. Aggregate effect sizes suggest higher scores for ethnic minority groups than for European Americans on some MMPI/MMPI-2 scales and lower scores on others. However, none of the aggregate effect sizes suggest substantive differences from either a statistical or clinical perspective. The MMPI and MMPI-2 apparently do not unfairly portray African Americans and Latinos as pathological. Effect sizes across studies generally did not vary as a function of sociodemographic variables, research setting, or use of the MMPI versus MMPI-2. It is recommended that additional between- and within-ethnic groups psychopathology research continue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis and experimental results of a single-stagehigh-power-factor electronic ballast based on flyback converter

A new single-stage high-power-factor electronic ballast based on a flyback converter is presented in this paper. The ballast is able to supply a fluorescent lamp assuring a high-input power factor for the utility line. Other features are lamp power regulation against line voltage variations and low lamp current crest factor, both assuring long lamp life. The ballast is analyzed at steady-state operation, and design equations and characteristics are obtained. Also, a procedure for the ballast design is presented. Finally, simulation and experimental results from a laboratory prototype are shown     

Dynamic processes underlying adult attachment organization: Toward an attachment theoretical perspective on the healthy and effective self.

Contemporary attachment theory is inspiring a burgeoning literature on adult attachment. This literature offers counseling psychology a compelling framework for understanding the healthy and effective self. In this article, the authors review studies probing the cognitive processes, affect self-regulatory dynamics, and relationship behaviors associated with secure (primary) and insecure (secondary) adult attachment strategies. They then offer a portrait of the healthy, effective personality that is consistent with theory and research on adult attachment. Finally, in an effort to understand key characteristics of successful movement toward the healthy and effective self, the authors review empirical extensions of attachment theory to the therapeutic context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Efficacy of two behavioral treatment programs for comorbid geriatric insomnia.

Older adults with comorbid insomnia and medical illness have been excluded from behavioral treatment research, but recent evidence suggested that such treatments would be effective with this population. In this study, 38 older adults with comorbid insomnia were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: classroom cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), home-based audio relaxation treatment (HART), or delayed-treatment control. Compared to the control group, the CBT group had significant changes in 5 of 7 self-report measures of sleep at the 4-month follow-up. The HART group obtained significant outcomes on 3 of 7 measures. Wrist actigraphy measures and secondary-outcome measures did not yield significant findings for either treatment. Clinically significant changes at follow-up were obtained for 54% of patients in CBT, 35% in HART, and 6% in the control group when treatment dropouts were included. Although not as effective as in-person CBT, home interventions may have utility as a first-line, low-cost treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)