Edward E. Jones (1926–1993): Obituary.

Memorializes E. E. Jones, whose early development of attribution theory, the actor–observer effect, and the correspondence bias as well as later work on self-handicapping, social stigma, and strategic self-presentation are central to modern social psychology. He built graduate programs at Duke and Princeton, trained many influential social psychologists, and received virtually every award in his field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of castration and chronic steroid treatments on hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone content and pituitary gonadotropins in male wild-type and estrogen receptor-alpha knockout mice

Testicular androgens are integral components of the hormonal feedback loops that regulate circulating levels of LHbeta and FSH. The sites of feedback include hypothalamic areas regulating GnRH neurons and pituitary gonadotropes. To better define the roles of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha), and estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in mediating feedback effects of sex steroids on reproductive neuroendocrine function, we have determined the effects of castration and steroid replacement therapy on hypothalamic GnRH content, pituitary LHbeta and FSHbeta messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, and serum gonadotropins in male wild-type (WT) and estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERKO) mice. Hypothalami from intact WT and ERKO males contained similar amounts of GnRH, whereas castration significantly reduced GnRH contents in both genotypes. Replacement therapy with estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) restored hypothalamic GnRH content in castrated (CAST) WT mice; only the androgens were effective in CAST ERKOs. Analyses of pituitary function revealed that LHbeta mRNA and serum LHbeta levels in intact ERKOs were 2-fold higher than those in intact WT males. Castration increased levels of LHbeta mRNA (1.5- to 2-fold) and serum LHbeta (4- to 5-fold) in both genotypes. Both E2 and T treatments significantly suppressed LHbeta mRNA and serum LH levels in CAST WT males. However, E2 was completely ineffective, and T was only partially effective in suppressing these two indexes in the CAST ERKO males. DHT treatments stimulated a 50% increase in LHbeta mRNA and serum LH levels in WT males, whereas serum LH was significantly suppressed in DHT-treated ERKO males. Although the pituitaries from intact ERKO males contained similar amounts of FSHbeta mRNA, serum FSH levels were 20% higher than those in the intact WT males. Castration increased FSHbeta mRNA levels only in WT males, but significantly increased serum FSH levels in both genotypes. Both E2 and T treatments significantly suppressed serum FSH in CAST WT males, whereas only E2 suppressed FSHbeta mRNA. DHT treatments of CAST WT mice stimulated a small increase in serum FSH, but failed to alter FSHbeta mRNA levels. None of the steroid treatments exerted any significant effect on FSHbeta mRNA or serum FSH levels in CAST ERKOs. These data suggest that hypothalamic GnRH contents can be maintained solely through AR signaling pathways. However, normal regulation of gonadotrope function requires aromatization of T and activation of ERalpha signaling pathways in the gonadotrope. In addition, serum FSH levels in male ERKOs appear to be regulated largely by nonsteroidal testicular factors such as inhibin. Finally, these data suggest that hypothalamic ERbeta may not be involved in mediating the negative feedback effects of T on serum LH and FSH in male mice.     

Calvin Springer Hall (1909–1985).

On April 4, 1985, Calvin Springer Hall died in his home on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz. One of psychology's most versatile and influential theorists, investigators, and writers, he made major contributions to behavioral genetics, dream theory and research, the study of animal temperament, and the systematic exposition of personality theory. Few psychologists have had such pervasive impact on so many major areas within their discipline. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ARTEMIS under‐ice AUV docking system

The ARTEMIS docking system demonstrates autonomous docking capability applicable to robotic exploration of sub‐ice oceans and sub‐glacial lakes on planetary bodies, as well as here on Earth. In these applications, melted or drilled vertical access shafts restrict vehicle geometry as well as the in‐water infrastructure that may be deployed. The ability of the vehicle to return reliably and precisely to the access point is critical for data return, battery charging, and/or vehicle recovery. This paper presents the mechanical, sensor, and software components that make up the ARTEMIS docking system, as well as results from field deployment of the system to McMurdo Sound, Antarctica in the austral spring of 2015. The mechanical design of the system allows the vehicle to approach the dock from any direction and to pitch up after docking for recovery through a vertical access shaft. It uses only a small volume of in‐water equipment and may be deployed through a narrow vertical access shaft. The software of the system reduces position estimation error with a hierarchical combination of dead reckoning, acoustic aiding, and machine vision. The system provides critical operational robustness, enabling the vehicle to return autonomously and precisely to the access shaft and latch to the dock with no operator input.     

Infantile trauma, genetic factors, and adult temperament.

"This investigation was concerned with the effects of infantile trauma upon adult temperament, the influence of genetic factors upon temperament, and the possibility of an interaction between early experience and gene structure in their influence upon adult behavior." With mice as the Ss, evidence was obtained which indicated that: genetic factors influence emotionality, timidity, and motility in mice; infantile trauma influences emotionality; and there is an interaction effect of genetic and traumatic factors on timidity. The results are related to Freudian theory. (20 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physiological coupling of growth factor and steroid receptor signaling pathways: estrogen receptor knockout mice lack estrogen-like response to epidermal growth factor

Past studies have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is able to mimic the uterotropic effects of estrogen in the rodent. These studies have suggested a "cross-talk" model in which EGF receptor (EGF-R) signaling results in activation of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) and its target genes in an estrogen-independent manner. Furthermore, in vitro studies have indicated the requirement for ER in this mechanism. To verify the requirement for ER in an in vivo system, EGF effects were studied in the uteri of ER knockout (ERKO) mice, which lack functional ER. The EGF-R levels, autophosphorylation, and c-fos induction were observed at equivalent levels in both genotypes indicating that removal of ER did not disrupt the EGF responses. Induction of DNA synthesis and the progesterone receptor gene in the uterus were measured after EGF treatment of both ERKO and wild-type animals. Wild-type mice showed increases of 4.3-fold in DNA synthesis, as well as an increase in PR mRNA after EGF treatment. However, these responses were absent in ERKO mice, confirming that the estrogen-like effects of EGF in the mouse uterus do indeed require the ER. These data conclusively demonstrate the coupling of EGF and ER signaling pathways in the rodent reproductive tract.     

Confusion, conviction, and control groups.

A reply to a criticism by Levine (1961) on work done by the authors (Lindzey et al., 1960). From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4EC21L. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the classification of projective techniques.

Projective tests may be classified in 6 different ways: attributes of the test material itself; techniques employed in constructing the test (rational vs. empirical); manner of interpreting the test (i.e., formal analysis vs. content analysis); purpose of the test; differences in the administration of the test (i.e., group vs. individual); type of response they elicit (i.e., story construction vs. association). Though all the classification schemas have merit it is argued that the "type of response" approach is most likely to be closely related to the actual psychological process involved in the test since this points to what the S is actually doing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thematic Apperception Test: An empirical examination of some indices of homosexuality.

2studies were done to explore the effectiveness of some TAT signs of homosexual tendencies. "Although these indices of homosexuality have functioned more effectively than equivalent indices for other variables, there still seems ground for serious doubt concerning their utility. Not only does the general clinical rating appear to function more effectively, but also the nature of the indices implies that they could easily be subjected to voluntary distortion or inhibition, thus minimizing their usefulness in many diagnostic settings." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thematic Apperception Test: Some evidence bearing on the "hero assumption."

2 experiments are presented which test the assumption that there is customarily a single figure in TAT stories which is particularly revealing of the Ss own attributes. In a group of 30 female Ss it was demonstrated that hero figures were more often identified as similar to self or else denied as similar. Following a frustration experience aggressive acts carried out by heroes against others and against the self and also aggressive acts carried out by others against the hero all increased. These findings were regarded as evidence for the hero assumption. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)