Effect of communication media on developmental relationships: Self-reported and observed behaviors

This study examined the effect of four communication modes (computer-based video teleconferencing, computer-based electronic chat, telephone, and face-to-face) on developmental interactions between dyads; specifically on the transmission of psychosocial versus instrumental information. The dyads consisted of undergraduates at a southeastern university. One member of the dyad was an incoming first year student; the second member was an upper division student who served as a developmental coach. The study was experimental in design, which controlled the amount of interaction, the frequency of interaction, and prior acquaintanceship of the dyadic pair. The small amount of variance attributable to communication mode suggests that people matter more than the machines. Specifically, in terms of implementing non-face-to-face developmental programs, it might be more useful to focus on reducing the variability in the coaches’ behaviors through selection or training, than to focus on communication mode. Additionally, independent observers watched and rated the dyadic interactions to provide a third point of view. There was very little overlap between coach and trainee perceptions, although there was considerable agreement between the raters’ and coaches’ ratings.     

Immune cell populations residing in mesenteric adipose depots and mesenteric lymph nodes of lean dairy cows

Inconsistent evidence of inflammatory immune cell infiltrates in adipose tissues with extensive triglyceride mobilization raises the possibility that regulatory or anti-inflammatory immune cell populations reside within the mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). These resident immune cell populations may be involved in attenuating the inflammatory response. We explored the immune cell population of MAT and MLN collected from lean, lactating Holstein cows without apparent disease in an abattoir (n = 42). Lean cows had a body condition score of 2.6 ± 0.1 (mean ± SD) with a greater frequency of adipocyte area occurring in small rather than large adipocytes. Cells were labeled with monoclonal antibodies specific to bovine leukocyte antigens for enumeration by flow cytometry. Within both lymph node and adipose tissues, relatively large subpopulations of cells expressed the β2 integrins CD11b and CD11c, class II major histocompatibility antigens (MHCII), and the SIIRP-1α receptor (CD172a) typical of dendritic cells and macrophages. Macrophage/dendritic cell heterogeneity was marked by β2 integrin expression alone or in conjunction with CD172a or MHCII across subpopulations from both tissues; CD209, the DC-SIGN c-type lectin receptor of dendritic cells, was not detected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting in either tissue. Lymphocytes comprised 74.1 ± 3.7% and 13.7 ± 3.7% of the MLN and MAT cell populations, respectively, and CD3⁺CD4⁺ lymphocytes accounted for 49.8 ± 9.9% of the MLN and 6.13 ± 1.23% of the MAT cells. Fox P3⁺ regulatory lymphocytes comprised 15.3 ± 1.1% and 6.73 ± 0.52% of the MLN and MAT cells, whereas γδ⁺ lymphocytes accounted for 6.65 ± 0.74% and 3.91 ± 0.43% of the MLN and MAT cells, respectively. Subpopulations of CD3⁺CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells and CD3⁺CD11c⁺ innate lymphocytes were present in MLN but not MAT. These results show that subpopulations of resident tissue macrophages, dendritic cells, T helper lymphocytes, regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs), and γδ lymphocytes reside in mesenteric lymph nodes and adipose tissues. Balance in the innate and adaptive immune functions embedded in these tissues could support metabolic health.     

Construct validity of in-basket scores.

This article reports a study of the construct validity of in-baskets designed to measure managerial abilities. Data were collected using randomized pretest–posttest experimental design with two alternate in-basket forms. Results indicated that (1) there was little convergent validity and evidence of method bias both within and between alternate in-basket forms and (2) brief training improved in-basket performance on the perceptiveness and delegation dimensions and on overall performance. Both lines of evidence call into question the validity of inferring individual differences in managerial ability from in-basket scores. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The time course of binding to striatal dopamine D2 receptors by the neuroleptic ziprasidone (CP-88,059-01) determined by positron emission tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) and 11C-raclopride were used to assess the time course of binding to central dopamine D2 receptors by the novel neuroleptic ziprasidone. In a third party blind study, six healthy male control subjects received a predose of 40 mg ziprasidone and were scanned at an interval of between 4 and 36 h post-dose. One additional subject was assigned to placebo predose and was scanned at 4 h post-dose. Binding potential (BP) was compared with that seen in the subject predosed with placebo and with that seen in nine unmedicated normal volunteers. Subjects studied up to 12 h post-dose had BPs that were greater than 2 SD less than the mean BP, indicative of extensive D2 receptor binding by ziprasidone. With increasing time between dosing and PET scanning there was a curvilinear increase in BP, so that all studies performed at or after 18 h post-dose gave BPs in the normal range (mean +/- 2 SD). Elevated prolactin levels returned to within the normal range by 18 h post-dose. PET measures of binding potential correlated significantly with serum levels of ziprasidone at the time of scanning and less significantly with absolute prolactin levels at the same time.     

Hydrodynamic simulation of surface traps in the AlGaN/GaN HEMT

Computer simulation of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT is carried out using commercially available software DESSIS. Traps located at the top of the AlGaN layer have been identified as being the primary source of electrons in the AlGaN/GaN HEMT. Recent experiments have focused on their role in HEMT performance with regard to the virtual gate effect and current collapse. In this work, analysis is carried out on these devices through the development of two different models designed to describe the 2DEG formation. Simulation of these models using the hydrodynamic model, which takes into account heating of the electrons, has been carried out to provide a more detailed understanding of the role of surface traps.     

To transfer or not to transfer? Investigating the combined effects of trainee characteristics, team leader support, and team climate.

Eighty pilots participated in a study of variables influencing the transfer process. Posttraining performance was assessed in a flight simulation under 1 of 2 conditions. Those in the maximum performance condition were made aware of the skill to be assessed and the fact that their teammates were confederates, whereas those in the typical performance condition were not. The results indicated that (a) simulator ratings correlated with a measure of transfer to the cockpit for those in the typical condition only; (b) team leader support, manipulated in a pretask brief, moderated the disparity between maximum and typical performance; (c) team climate mediated the impact of support on performance in the typical condition; (d) those with a stronger predisposition toward the trained skill viewed their climate as more supportive; and (e) perceptions of team climate were better predictors of performance for those with a more external locus of control. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implications of empirical Bayes meta-analysis for test validation.

Empirical Bayes meta-analysis provides a useful framework for examining test validation. The fixed-effects case in which ρ has a single value corresponds to the inference that the situational specificity hypothesis can be rejected in a validity generalization study. A Bayesian analysis of such a case provides a simple and powerful test of ρ?=?0; such a test has practical implications for significance testing in test validation. The random-effects case in which ?2 ρ ?>?0 provides an explicit method with which to assess the relative importance of local validity studies and previous meta-analyses. Simulated data are used to illustrate both cases. Results of published meta-analyses are used to show that local validation becomes increasingly important as ?2 ρ increases. The meaning of the term validity generalization is explored, and the problem of what can be inferred about test transportability in the random-effects case is described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of two random-effects methods of meta-analysis.

Two studies compared the Schmidt-Hunter method of meta-analysis (J. E. Hunter & F. L. Schmidt, 1990) with the method described by L. V. Hedges and J. L. Vevea (1998). Study 1 evaluated estimates of ρ?, ?ρ, and resulting credibility intervals for both models through Monte Carlo methods. Results showed slight differences between the 2 methods. In Study 2, a reanalysis of published meta-analyses using both methods with several artifact distributions showed that although both choice of technique and type of correction could matter, the technique of meta-analysis used is less influential on the study outcome than is the choice of artifact correction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The measurement of team process

The construct validity of measures of team process was evaluated using predictive, known groups and multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) validation strategies. Military air crews (N = 51) flew two simulated missions. Independent judges provided evaluations of the same six team process variables in both scenarios. An MTMM analysis of judges' ratings treating judges as a method variable showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Judges' mean ratings of the six process variables were correlated with mission effectiveness. Some process measures discriminated between student and instructor teams, thus showing discrimination between known groups. Conversely, an MTMM analysis of ratings treating scenarios as a method showed poor convergent validity. We concluded that important team process behaviors have been identified and can be rated validly but that multiple observations are necessary to assess characteristics of individual teams with any accuracy. The discussion includes implications for practice and future research.