Frontal brain activation in repressors and nonrepressors.

Assessed whether resting anterior asymmetry would discriminate individual differences in repressive-defensive coping styles. In 2 sessions, resting electroencephalogram was recorded from female adults during 8 60-sec baselines. Ss were classified as repressors or nonrepressors on the basis of scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). In midfrontal and lateral frontal sites, repressors demonstrated relative left hemisphere activation when compared with other groups. The MC, but not the STAI or the BDI, contributed unique variance to frontal asymmetry. Relative left frontal activation may be linked to a self-enhancing regulatory style that promotes lowered risk for psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Purification and characterization of the alpha-agarase from Alteromonas agarlyticus (Cataldi) comb. nov., strain GJ1B

The phenotypic features of strain GJ1B, an unidentified marine bacterium that degrades agar [Young, K. S. Bhattacharjee, S. S. & Yaphe, W. (1978) Carbohydr. Res. 66, 207-212], were investigated and its agarolytic system was characterized using 13C-NMR spectroscopy to analyse the agarose degradation products. The bacterium was assigned to the genus Alteromonas and the new combination A. agarlyticus (Cataldi) is proposed. An alpha-agarase, i.e. specific for the alpha(1-->3) linkages present in agarose, was purified to homogeneity from the culture supernatant by affinity chromatography on cross-linked agarose (Sepharose CL-6B) and by anion-exchange chromatography (Mono Q column). The major end product of agarose hydrolysis using the purified enzyme was agarotetraose. Using SDS/PAGE, the purified alpha-agarase was detected as a single band with a molecular mass of 180 kDa. After the affinity-chromatography step, however, the native molecular mass was approximately 360 kDa, suggesting that the native enzyme is a dimer which is dissociated to active subunits by anion-exchange chromatography. The isolectric point was estimated to be 5.3. Enzyme activity was observed using agar as the substrate over the pH range 6.0-9.0 with a maximum value at pH 7.2 in Mops or Tris buffer. The enzyme was inactivated by prolonged treatment at a pH below 6.5, or by temperatures over 45 degrees C or by removing calcium. In addition, a beta-galactosidase specific for the end products of the alpha-agarase was present in the alpha-agarase affinity-chromatography fraction, probably as part of a complex with this enzyme. The degradation of agarose by this agarase complex yielded a mixture of oligosaccharides in the agarotetraose series and the agarotriose series, the latter consisting of oligosaccharides with an odd number of galactose residues.     

B. F. Skinner: Au-delá de la controverse.

Discusses controversies surrounding the work of B. F. Skinner's influence on various theories of human and animal behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new airmass independent formulation for the Linke turbidity coefficient

We propose a new formulation for the Linke turbidity coefficient with the objective of removing its dependence upon solar geometry. In the process, we also develop two new simple clear sky models for global and direct normal irradiance.     

Influence of Al content x on hot electron noise in AlxGa1-xAs n+nn+ devices: comparison withGaAs

Hot electron noise measurements are performed in Si doped Al_x Ga_1-xAs n⁺nn⁺ devices, for three different Al concentrations: x=0.15, 0.2, 0.25. Noise temperatures are obtained using a pulsed measurement technique as functions of electric field and frequency. Longitudinal diffusion coefficients D(E) are deduced at 4 GHz. Results are analyzed through the scattering mechanisms which greatly affect the electron velocity properties of Al_xGa_1-xAs materials. Comparisons with n⁺ nn⁺ GaAs devices are made     

Gender differences in Scholastic Aptitude Test: Mathematics problem solving among high-ability students.

Examined whether male and female students of high mathematical ability use different solution strategies on math problems that had previously yielded gender differences in correct responding. Structured interviews were conducted with high school students who had scored at least 670 on the math portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M). Eight types of solution strategies could be further dichotomized as conventional or unconventional in approach. Female students were more likely than male students to use conventional strategies. SAT-M scores were correlated with positive attitudes (confidence and persistence) toward math: use of conventional strategies was correlated with negative attitudes (dislike, nonrelevance) toward math. Findings may help to explain patterns of gender differences on SAT-M problems among high-ability students in which female students outperform male students on conventional problems and male students outperform female students on unconventional problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improving graduate student performance in cognitive assessment: The saga continues.

Investigators have concluded that excessive numbers of errors in test administration and scoring are routinely committed by both graduate students and practicing psychologists. Developing new methods for teaching assessment is viewed as a major means of improving competency. Unlike previous studies, this investigation examined the impact of both lecture and laboratory interventions designed to improve graduate student performance in assessment. Interventions consisted of weekly lecture quizzes and a variety of laboratory interventions. The results suggest that the interventions used can significantly improve students' lecture and laboratory performance when compared with controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral preferences in response to social injustice: The effects of group permeability and social identity salience.

Examined features of an intergroup context that can affect people's preferred responses to a situation of social injustice. 90 undergraduates were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions of group permeability (open, token, or closed) and 1 of 2 conditions of social identity salience (not salient or salient). It was predicted on the basis of social identity theory that individualistic responses would be preferred to a collective response when group boundaries were more open but not when they were closed. It was also expected that under conditions of group impermeability, collective behavior would be preferred to a greater extent by individuals for whom social identity was salient than by individuals for whom it was not salient. The results, which generally supported these hypotheses, are discussed in terms of social psychological theories of intergroup relations and also with regard to their potential practical implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Majority and minority influence: Source-position imbalance as a determinant of message scrutiny.

Two experiments addressed the issue of whether endorsement of a position by a numerical majority or a minority leads to greater scrutiny of the information presented in a persuasive message. In Exp 1, a counterattitudinal position was endorsed by a majority or a minority and was supported by strong or weak arguments. Argument quality had a larger impact on attitudes with majority than with minority endorsement. In Exp 2, a proattitudinal or a counterattitudinal message was endorsed by a majority or a minority and was supported by strong or weak arguments. When the source and message position were unexpected (i.e., majority-counter and minority-pro messages), argument quality had a larger impact on attitudes than when the source and message position were expected (i.e., majority-pro and minority-counter messages). Thus, either majority or minority endorsement can enhance message scrutiny if the source-position pairing is surprising. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family burden following traumatic brain injury.

Investigated burden experienced by 60 spouses and 71 parents who served as primary caregivers to individuals with traumatic brain injury (BI). Burden levels, as assessed by the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS-SF), were compared for spouses and parents. Both parents and spouses exhibited high levels of burden. Relative to spouses, parents reported significantly greater burden related to lifespan care. Spouses reported significantly less personal reward than did parents. The presence of social aggression and cognitive disability in the individual with BI was found to have a greater association with subjective burden of caregivers than was the presence of physical disability or injury severity. Results of previous studies with QRS-SF scores show that the responsibility assumed by spouses and parents of persons with BI was as great as that experienced by families of people with severe chronic physical disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)