Experimental evaluation of mental health programs.

The purpose of this paper was twofold: to illustrate the application of classical research methodology to an examination of problems in a social environment, specifically the mental health field; and, to point to some of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. A quasi-experimental design and its application to the study of effects resulting from an introduction of a comprehensive psychiatric center into a region of Saskatchewan not previously so served was presented. The definition of relevant criterion variables and appropriate controls in this context was discussed. Preliminary results of the study were considered, with attention given to such parameters as change in incidence of psychiatric case-load and changes in admission rate. Positive features of this type of design in terms of its utility for specifying variables in specific problem areas, and limitations in terms of the need for some additional more broadly based research strategy, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applying psychology: Some real world possibilities for scientists and practitioners.

Proposes that the long-term welfare of psychology as a discipline lies in having a significant portion of both scientists and practitioners intentionally choosing to become engaged in and collaborate on issues that have a direct effect on the well-being of humanity. While departing from traditionally limited spheres of enquiry and/or practice may result in errors such as a confusion of values and beliefs with facts, psychological knowledge and skills can be applied to effectively address such issues. Three reasons for psychologists to become actively involved are offered: new scientific insights would be gained, a common purpose would link this diversely talented discipline, and the discipline would gain a sense of integrity both within itself and in the eyes of society. An action plan based on successful experiences in large scale change is proposed to mobilize psychologists as a discipline. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client cognitive levels and counseling approaches.

81 undergraduates and adolescent and adult community residents were divided into 3 equal groups of high-, medium-, and low-level thinkers. Ss from each level were randomly assigned as clients in simulated counseling sessions to 1 of the 2 counseling treatments, which corresponded to behavioral counseling and insight counseling, or to a control interview. Results indicate that level of cognitive functioning does not influence a client's reaction to counseling, although there was some support for an interactional hypothesis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are food insecure smallholder households making changes in their farming practices? Evidence from East Africa

We explore the relationship between farming practice changes made by households coping with the huge demographic, economic, and ecological changes they have seen in the last 10?years and household food security. We examine whether households that have been introducing new practices, such as improved management of crops, soil, land, water, and livestock (e.g. cover crops, micro-catchments, ridges, rotations, improved pastures, and trees) and new technologies (e.g. improved seeds, shorter-cycle and drought-tolerant varieties) are more likely to be food secure than less innovative farming households. Using data from a baseline household survey carried out in five sites and 700 households in four countries of East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia) across a range of agricultural systems and environments, this study contributes to the evidence base of what smallholders are doing to adapt to changing circumstances, including a changing climate. Lessons from both similarities and differences across sites are drawn. This unique baseline study provides a wide range of indicators of activities and behaviors that will be monitored over time. We found that many households are already adapting to changing circumstances, and their changes tend to be marginal rather than transformational in nature, with relatively little uptake of existing improved soil, water and land management practices. There is a strong negative relationship between the number of food deficit months and innovation, i.e. the least food secure households are making few farming practice changes. This has very different policy and investment implications depending on assumptions made as to the direction of causality.     

Review of A quarter century of normalization and social role valorization: Evolution and impact.

Reviews the book, A quarter century of normalization and social role valorization: Evolution and impact edited by Robert J. Flynn and Raymond A. Lemay (see record 2001-00115-000). The appearance of this new book by Flynn and Lemay presents a timely opportunity to reassess the status and value of the concepts of normalization and social valorization as they pertain to people with developmental, psychiatric, and intellectual impairments. The book consists of an introduction and 29 chapters organized into seven parts: historical evolution of the concepts (4 chapters), critical perspectives (4 chapters), links with social science theory and research (5 chapters), dissemination through training and education (3 chapters), international impact (9 chapters), personal impact (3 chapters), and the future (1 chapter). This organization holds together reasonably well. As might be expected, the chapters vary in both precision of writing and robustness of content. This book has value at many levels. Most immediately, it provides a useful historical overview and summary of concepts that have had an impact on human services in the latter half of the past century. At an intermediate level, it stimulates thinking about conceptual research issues that have immense relevance to psychology generally and to the enhancement of life opportunities for marginalized citizens. At a deeper level, the debates and discussions prompt serious thought about the fundamental forces driving social policy and about the ways in which humans relate to each other. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Combining Transition Metal Catalysis with Radical Chemistry: Dramatic Acceleration of Palladium‐Catalyzed C?H Arylation with Diaryliodonium Salts

This paper describes a photoredox palladium/iridium‐catalyzed C H arylation with diaryliodonium reagents. Details of the reaction optimization, substrate scope, and mechanism are presented along with a comparison to a related method in which aryldiazonium salts are used in place of diaryliodonium reagents. The unprecedentedly mild reaction conditions (25 °C in methanol), the requirement for light and a photocatalyst, the inhibitory effect of radical scavengers, and the observed chemoselectivity trends are all consistent with a radical‐mediated mechanism for this transformation. This stands in contrast to the analogous thermal reaction with diaryliodonium reagents that is believed to proceed via an ‘ionic’ 2e⁻ pathway and requires a much higher reaction temperature (100 °C).     

Controlling site selectivity in palladium-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization

Effective methodology to functionalize C-H bonds requires overcoming the key challenge of differentiating among the multitude of C-H bonds that are present in complex organic molecules. This Account focuses on our work over the past decade toward the development of site-selective Pd-catalyzed C-H functionalization reactions using the following approaches: substrate-based control over selectivity through the use of directing groups (approach 1), substrate control through the use of electronically activated substrates (approach 2), or catalyst-based control (approach 3). In our extensive exploration of the first approach, a number of selectivity trends have emerged for both sp(2) and sp(3) C-H functionalization reactions that hold true for a variety of transformations involving diverse directing groups. Functionalizations tend to occur at the less-hindered sp(2) C-H bond ortho to a directing group, at primary sp(3) C-H bonds that are β to a directing group, and, when multiple directing groups are present, at C-H sites proximal to the most basic directing group. Using approach 2, which exploits electronic biases within a substrate, our group has achieved C-2-selective arylation of indoles and pyrroles using diaryliodonium oxidants. The selectivity of these transformations is altered when the C-2 site of the heterocycle is blocked, leading to C-C bond formation at the C-3 position. While approach 3 (catalyst-based control) is still in its early stages of exploration, we have obtained exciting results demonstrating that site selectivity can be tuned by modifying the structure of the supporting ligands on the Pd catalyst. For example, by modulating the structure of N-N bidentate ligands, we have achieved exquisite levels of selectivity for arylation at the α site of naphthalene. Similarly, we have demonstrated that both the rate and site selectivity of arene acetoxylation depend on the ratio of pyridine (ligand) to Pd. Lastly, by switching the ligand on Pd from an acetate to a carbonate, we have reversed the site selectivity of a 1,3-dimethoxybenzene/benzo[h]quinoline coupling. In combination with a growing number of reports in the literature, these studies highlight a frontier of catalyst-based control of site-selectivity in the development of new C-H bond functionalization methodology.     

Supervision: Its contributions to treatment efficacy.

The efficacy of supervision in training of psychotherapists is discussed in relation to (a) trainees' attitudes, beliefs, and skills, (b) trainee's performance in the therapist role, (c) interactional process events in supervision and psychotherapy, and, (d) client change. Although investigations to date suggest the potential of supervision for teaching advanced skills of psychotherapy, few studies exist that examine directly the relation of therapist performance and client change to supervision. There are virtually no studies that compare the efficacy of supervision to other training methods. If supervision is to remain an integral part of training, then standardized training manuals, analogous to those in psychotherapy, need to be developed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)