Aging and memory for words and action events: Effects of item repetition and list length.

We were concerned with the effects of item repetition, list length, and class of item on free recall in elderly as compared with young adults. In Experiment 1, samples of young and elderly adults recalled a list of 27 words and a list of 27 action events (minitasks performed by the subjects). Some items were presented once and some twice. Although the younger subjects showed better recall on both types of lists, the older sample benefited from item repetition as much as did the younger sample. This finding was replicated in Experiment 2. A second finding in Experiment 2 was a significant aging effect in the recall of long but not of short lists of both words and action events. The absence of an Age?×?Repetition Effect interaction was ascribed to the strength nature of the repetition manipulation. The age effects in the recall of the long lists were attributed to possible deficits in retrieval proficiency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Where is the infant in infant intervention? A review of the literature on changing troubled mother-infant relationships.

Four intervention models that aim to reduce problematic caregiver–infant relationships are reviewed within the context of attachment theory. These models include support, guidance, psychotherapy, and infant-led psychotherapy. All of the models are consistent with attachment theory in that they aim to enhance maternal sensitivity and responsiveness. Only infant-led psychotherapy focuses primarily on the mother–infant relationship and directly includes the infant in treatment instead of focusing and working primarily with the more verbal partner, the caregiver. Thus, of the 4 interventions, infant-led psychotherapy is most consistent with the current empirical and theoretical understanding of infants as active contributors to their relationships and development. However, there is little empirical research on this intervention; the bulk of studies evaluate support and guidance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Resonant couplers acting as add-drop filters made withsilica-on-silicon waveguide technology

Add-drop filters are demonstrated using silica-on-silicon optical waveguide technology. This device consists of a full directional coupler subdivided by Mach-Zehnder sections. Tapering of the coupling coefficients is experimentally shown to dramatically reduce the filters' sidelobes. Only one photolithographic step is required using the silica planar waveguide technology, yielding accurate wavelength control of the filters. Excellent agreement between measurement and design was achieved     

High spatial order finite element method to solve Maxwell's equations in time domain

This paper presents a finite element method with high spatial order for solving the Maxwell equations in the time domain. In the first part, we provide the mathematical background of the method. Then, we discuss the advantages of the new scheme compared to a classical finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Several examples show the advantages of using the new method for different kinds of problems. Comparisons in terms of accuracy and CPU time between this method, the FDTD and the finite-volume time-domain methods are given as well.     

A Silicon–Silica Nanocomposite Material

The synthesis and characterization of a novel silicon–silica nanocomposite material are reported. A self‐assembly method allows the encapsulation of silicon nanoclusters within the channels of a periodic mesoporous silica thin film. The result is the formation of a silicon–silica nanocomposite film with bright, room‐temperature photoluminescence in the visible range, and a nanosecond luminescence lifetime. The properties of the nanocomposite material have been studied by several analytical techniques, which collectively show the existence within the channels of non‐diamondoid‐structure‐type silicon nanoclusters with various hydrogenated silicon sites. It is estimated that the silicon nanoclusters in the silica mesoporous films occupy up to 39 % of the accessible pore volume. The nanocomposite film shows improved resistance to air oxidation compared to crystalline silicon. The high loading and chemical stability to oxidation under ambient conditions are important advantages in terms of the development of silicon‐based light‐emitting diodes from this class of materials.     

Towards an optimum language data model

Maximizing the satisfaction of a value in an engineering design is usually limited by tradeoffs in which other values become unacceptably sacrificed. In a few cases, however, the maximization is limited by a boundary between what is mathematically possible and what is not. Round wheels, vertical pillars, and binary memory elements are examples of optimum engineering structures which result from such mathematical limits. It is proposed that optimum characteristics of a language data model result similarly by minimizing the variety of primitive data objects, the complexity of those objects, and the number of objects needed to represent data states. Reducing these measures is needed to combine both rich data structure and powerful operations in one language. The minimizations lead to a narrow range of designs for language semantics in which the potential advantages of specialization is small compared with the advantages of commonality. Universal language for support of technical literacy appears to be an appropriate scope of generality in language design.     

Life stress and adjustment: Effects of life events experienced by young adolescents and their parents.

A longitudinal design was used to test the effects of life events experienced by young adolescents and their parents. The criteria were the adolescents' depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. The longitudinal analysis revealed a significant effect for the adolescents' controllable, but not uncontrollable, negative events. However, causal analyses revealed that this effect was the result of the significant relation between initial adjustment and the subsequent occurrence of controllable life stress (e.g., school suspension). The longitudinal analysis also revealed the stress-protective role of positive events, but only with respect to girls' self-esteem. There was no longitudinal support for the role of the parents' negative life events. These findings do not support the etiological importance of an accumulation of relatively discrete negative events experienced by early adolescents and their parents, but they do suggest the need (a) to conceptualize (controllable) life stress as a dependent variable in future research on developmental psychopathology; (b) to examine gender differences in early adolescent life stress; and (c) to develop more sophisticated measures of family life stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quality, Environmental, and Health and Safety Management Systems for Construction Engineering

The philosophy behind quality, environmental, and safety (QES) management systems is a concept that has been accepted by various contractors. Furthermore, a process has been developed insuring that the output produced conforms to customer satisfaction without violating any environmental, health, and safety rules and regulations. An effective QES program not only assures a quality product but also reduces costs, and enhances productivity. It is a top down process, i.e., top management together with line management and other employees develop the program and motivate all personnel to accept the process. Important functions to take under consideration are (1) explain and clarify the quality, environmental, and safety performance expected; (2) involve employees in decision-making and problem solving; (3) describe the consequences of poor quality and unsafe/unhealthy work conditions; (4) establish QES goals and provide feedback on performance; (5) provide a self-monitoring system; and (6) recognize and reinforce good performance and develop a reward system. This paper presents a discussion of the development of a portion of a QES management system which has been employed by a medium to large size construction company. In particular, Items 1–4, listed above, are described in detail.     

Male honor and female fidelity: Implicit cultural scripts that perpetuate domestic violence.

Two studies explored how domestic violence may be implicitly or explicitly sanctioned and reinforced in cultures where honor is a salient organizing theme. Three general predictions were supported: (a) female infidelity damages a man's reputation, particularly in honor cultures; (b) this reputation can be partially restored through the use of violence; and (c) women in honor cultures are expected to remain loyal in the face of jealousy-related violence. Study 1 involved participants from Brazil (an honor culture) and the United States responding to written vignettes involving infidelity and violence in response to infidelity. Study 2 involved southern Anglo, Latino, and northern Anglo participants witnessing a "live" incident of aggression against a woman (actually a confederate) and subsequently interacting with her. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)