Intensive filial therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence: A comparison with individual and sibling group play therapy.

The rationale for utilizing filial therapy as a treatment intervention with child witnesses of domestic violence while residing with their mothers in a shelter facility is explored and the effectiveness of an intensive 12-session filial therapy parent training group, conducted within 2-3 weeks, is described (n=11; aged 4-10 yrs). Results of analysis of covariance revealed that child witnesses in the experimental group significantly reduced behavior problems prevalent in child witnesses and significantly increased their self-concept as compared to child witnesses in the non-treatment comparison group. In addition, t-test results showed that mothers who facilitated treatment of the experimental group scored significantly higher after training on both their attitudes of acceptance and their empathic behavior. Comparative analysis revealed that intensive filial therapy as facilitated by the children's mothers was as effective in reducing behavior problems as was intensive individual play therapy and intensive sibling group play therapy as facilitated by professionally trained therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of C/Ti ratio on the laser ignited self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction of Al-Ti-C system for fabricating TiC/Al composites

TiC/Al composite was successfully synthesized utilizing laser ignited self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of Al-C-Ti system with the different C/Ti molar ratio. When the molar ratio of C to Ti is below 1:1 in the starting materials, in addition to fine TiC particulates, a large amount of Al₃Ti phase was found in the composites; however, when the molar ratio of C to Ti is 1:1 in the starting materials, the Al₃Ti phase was almost completely eliminated and the distribution of TiC particulates generally appeared to be more homogeneous throughout the products synthesized.     

Power moves: Complementarity in dominant and submissive nonverbal behavior.

Two studies examine complementarity (vs. mimicry) of dominant and submissive nonverbal behaviors. In the first study, participants interacted with a confederate who displayed either dominance (through postural expansion) or submission (through postural constriction). On average, participants exposed to a dominant confederate decreased their postural stance, whereas participants exposed to a submissive confederate increased their stance. Further, participants with complementing responses (dominance in response to submission and submission in response to dominance) liked their partner more and were more comfortable than those who mimicked. In the second study, complementarity and mimicry were manipulated, and complementarity resulted in more liking and comfort than mimicry. The findings speak to the likelihood of hierarchical differentiation (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crystalline Behavior and Magnetic Properties of Nd60Fe30-x Al10Cox（x = 0,5,10） Bulk Amorphous Alloys

Crystalline behavior and magnetic properties of Nd60Fe30-xAl10Cox( x = 0, 5, 10) bulk amorphous alloys were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Neither glass transition nor supercooled liquid region before crystallization was observed for the as-cast Nd60Fe30-xAl10Cox ( x = 0,5,10) bulk amorphous alloys. The glass forming ability can be improved significantly by the addition of Co. The as-cast Nd60Fe30-xAl10Cox (x = 0,5,10) alloys show hard magnetic behavior. With the addition of Co content, intrinsic coercivity (iHc) increases while the saturation magnetization(σs) and remanence (σr) decrease. The Curie temperature for the as-cast Nd60Fe30-xAl10Cox alloys increases from 451 K for x =0 to 468 K for x = 10. Some pre-cipitation of crystalline phases does not affect the hard magnetic properties of Nd60Fe30-xAl10Cox(x = 0,5,10) alloys, while the hard magnetic behavior disappears quickly after the alloys being completely crystallized.     

Book review: Media violence and its effects on aggression: Assessing the scientific evidence.

Review of book: Media violence and its effects on aggression: Assessing the scientific evidence, by Jonathan L. Freedman. Toronto: ON: University of Toronto Press, 2002, 227 pp. Hardcover. ISBN 0-8020-3553-1. Reviewed by Claire Crooks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Profile of Psychologists' Views of Critical Risk Factors for Completed Suicide in Older Adults.

The ability to accurately and reliably predict whether an older adult will commit suicide has eluded clinicians and researchers. A random national sample of psychologists who work with older adults was surveyed regarding their perception of 36 risk factors for completed suicide and indirect self-destructive behavior in older adults. This study produced a profile of psychologists' assessment and treatment practices when working with suicidal older adults. Determining what psychologists consider to be the most salient risk factors for completed suicide is important in identifying a minimum standard that clinicians should follow when assessing older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does anticipation training affect drivers' risk taking?

Skill and risk taking are argued to be independent and to require different remedial programs. However, it is possible to contend that skill-based training could be associated with an increase, a decrease, or no change in risk-taking behavior. In 3 experiments, the authors examined the influence of a skill-based training program (hazard perception) on the risk-taking behavior of car drivers (using video-based driving simulations). Experiment 1 demonstrated a decrease in risk taking for novice drivers. In Experiment 2, the authors examined the possibilities that the skills training might operate through either a nonspecific reduction in risk taking or a specific improvement in hazard perception. Evidence supported the latter. These findings were replicated in a more ecological context in Experiment 3, which compared advanced and nonadvanced police drivers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Low-Temperature Sintering of Zinc Gallate Spinel Fine Particles

Nanosized powders of single-phase zinc gallate (ZnGa₂O₄) spinel were hydrothermally synthesized from solutions in the presence of NaOH over the pH range of 1.9 to 7.0 and from solutions above pH 7.0, i.e., the very basic medium (pH of 13.85), by removing the residual ZnO phase by washing with aqueous H₂SO₄ from the precipitate mixtures of zinc gallate spinel particles and ZnO. A very wide compositional range (Zn/2Ga = 0.705–1.157) of zinc gallate spinel solid solutions could be hydrothermally synthesized in the form of nanosized particles from acid and very basic mediums (pH of 2.4–13.85) in the presence of NaOH. These hydrothermally synthesized spinel powders showed good sinterability and almost full densification at 1100°C for 1 h. Dense sintered bodies consisting of single-phase zinc gallate spinel were fabricated at 1100°C using zinc gallate spinel powders having almost stoichiometric composition formed from the solution at pH 9.95 in the presence of aqueous ammonia.