The effect of anticipatory strategies on the first day of smoking cessation.

The authors tested a model hypothesizing the predictors and the effects of anticipatory strategy use on the 1st day of smoking cessation using data from 63 participants in an ecological momentary assessment study of smoking cessation. Remaining abstinent on the 1st day of cessation was not associated with mean level of urges to smoke during tempting situations but was associated with anticipatory strategy use, which accounted for 18% of the variance. Getting rid of cigarettes contributed the most to this effect (β?=?-.397). Getting rid of cigarettes was itself predicted by 2 variables, lower nicotine dependence (β?=?-.264) and attending a formal smoking cessation class (β?=?.305), which accounted for 15% of its variance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reactivity to ecological momentary assessment: An example using undergraduate problem drinkers.

A. A. Stone and S. Shiffman (1994) defined ecological momentary assessment (EMA) as monitoring or sampling strategies that assess phenomena at the moment they occur in natural settings, thus maximi7ing ecological validity while avoiding retrospective recall. To address the extent to which EMA affects the behavior and cognitions under observation, the authors examined behavioral and motivational reactivity to EMA among male and female undergraduate problem drinkers (n = 33). Participants completed a 2-week monitoring protocol using palmtop computers as well as pre- and postmonitoring measures of their drinking behavior and motivation for change. The findings suggest that the magnitude of reactivity to EMA is small. Suggestions for future research Are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of boride-dispersed precipitation-hardening stainless steels produced by RST

Two commercial precipitation-hardening (PH) stainless steels were modified with 2.64 to 2.86 wt% Ti and 1.2 to 1.3 wt% B via rapid solidification technology (RST) and powder metallurgy (PM). The resulting alloys exhibited improved tensile and yield strengths over their commercial PH stainless steel counterparts at room and elevated temperatures. Ductility improvements at elevated temperatures were also observed. The improved mechanical properties were due to extremely fine microstructures stabilized by a fine dispersion of boride phases.     

Relapse following smoking cessation: A situational analysis.

Data on the antecedents of relapse crises (actual or near lapses in abstinence) were collected from 183 former smokers who called a relapse-counseling hotline. Most relapse crises were associated with anxiety, anger, and depression. One-third of relapse crises were associated with positive feeling states and were frequently precipitated by other smokers, eating, and alcohol consumption. Withdrawal symptoms played a part in only half of the episodes. Ss' coping responses rather than situational antecedents distinguished relapse crises resulting in smoking from those in which abstinence was maintained. A combination of cognitive and behavioral responses was most successful. Behavioral coping was subject to situational influences; Ss who had been drinking alcohol were less likely to engage in behavioral coping, and depression diminished its effectiveness. Cognitive coping responses, which were less affected by these variables, may be critical components of former smokers' coping repertoires. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the "general acceptance" of eyewitness testimony research: A new survey of the experts.

In light of recent advances, this study updated a prior survey of eyewitness experts (S. M. Kassin, P. C. Ellsworth, & V. L. Smith, 1989). Sixty-four psychologists were asked about their courtroom experiences and opinions on 30 eyewitness phenomena. By an agreement rate of at least 80%, there was a strong consensus that the following phenomena are sufficiently reliable to present in court: the wording of questions, lineup instructions, confidence malleability, mug-shot-induced bias, postevent information, child witness suggestibility, attitudes and expectations, hypnotic suggestibility, alcoholic intoxication, the cross-race bias, weapon focus, the accuracy–confidence correlation, the forgetting curve, exposure time, presentation format, and unconscious transference. Results also indicate that these experts set high standards before agreeing to testify. Despite limitations, these results should help to shape expert testimony so that it more accurately represents opinions in the scientific community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive–behavioral therapy to reduce weight concerns improves smoking cessation outcome in weight-concerned women.

Women smokers concerned about weight gain (N?=?219) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 adjunct treatments accompanying group smoking cessation counseling: (a) behavioral weight control to prevent weight gain (weight control); (b) cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) to directly reduce weight concern, in which dieting was discouraged; and (c) standard counseling alone (standard), in which weight gain was not explicitly addressed. Ten sessions were conducted over 7 weeks, and no medication was provided. Continuous abstinence was significantly higher at posttreatment and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up for CBT (56%, 28%, and 21%, respectively), but not for weight control (44%, 18%, and 13%, respectively), relative to standard (31%, 12%, and 9%, respectively). However, weight control, and to a lesser extent CBT, was associated with attenuation of negative mood after quitting. Prequit body mass index, but not change in weight or in weight concerns postquit, predicted cessation outcome at 1 year. In sum, CBT to reduce weight concerns, but not behavioral weight control counseling to prevent weight gain, improves smoking cessation outcome in weight-concerned women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Minimal variation in the Pfs28 ookinete antigen from Philippine field isolates of Plasmodium falciparum

The study examined therapists' accuracy in predicting the length of individual outpatient psychotherapy for 109 clients and attempted to identify variables associated with predicted and actual treatment lengths. The mean predicted treatment length (9.7 months) was significantly longer than the mean length of actual treatment (6.6 months). Therapists correctly predicted treatment length to the nearest month in 26 percent of the cases. Predictions were more accurate for older clients. Treatment tended to be shorter for clients with less than a high school education. Therapists more often predicted shorter treatments for clients with an adjustment disorder and those with less education. Predicting treatment length appears to be difficult.