Characterizing and improving HIV/AIDS knowledge among cocaine-dependent outpatients.

The present study was an experimental test of efficacy of a brief education intervention for increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge among cocaine-dependent outpatients. Participants were randomly assigned to an HIV/AIDS education intervention (experimental condition) or a sham intervention (control condition). Control participants were subsequently crossed over to the HIV/AIDS education intervention. Experimental participants had higher scores on tests of HIV/AIDS knowledge after receiving the education intervention than did control participants. Further supporting the intervention's efficacy, control participant scores also increased once participants were crossed over and received the education intervention. Scores at follow-up were lower than at postintervention but remained higher than baseline scores. Results support the intervention's efficacy for increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge among cocaine-dependent outpatients. This intervention is brief, inexpensive, and easily implemented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Comparison of Voucher-Delivery Schedules for the Initiation of Cocaine Abstinence.

Studies on the use of shaping procedures to increase rates of cocaine abstinence have produced promising results. This study used a Brief Abstinence Test to examine the impact of reinforcement for initial reductions in cocaine use on a subsequent abstinence reinforcement test. Methadone maintenance patients showing evidence of cocaine use were exposed to two 1-week reinforcement conditions. During the shaping condition, participants could earn $50 vouchers on Wednesday and Friday for meeting quantitative urinalysis criteria and a $100 voucher on the following Monday for meeting the more stringent qualitative criteria. During the terminal condition, only the $100 earning opportunity for meeting the qualitative criteria was provided. Participants were more likely to meet the qualitative reinforcement criteria on Wednesday and Friday in the shaping condition than in the terminal condition. However, contrary to the initial hypothesis, the shaping reinforcement condition did not increase rates of abstinence on the final abstinence test. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High-performance laser-processed polysilicon thin-film transistors

We present electrical results from hydrogenated laser-processed polysilicon thin-film transistors (TFT's) fabricated using a simple four-mask self-aligned aluminum top-gate process. Transistor field-effect mobilities of 280-450 cm²/Vs and on/off current ratios of more than 10⁸ are measured in these devices. Except for the amorphous-silicon deposition step, the highest processing temperature that the substrate was subjected to was 350°C. Such good performance is attributed to an optimized laser-crystallization process combined with hydrogenation     

Clients, roles, and functions of the school psychologist.

The basic credo held by American school psychologists is that of child advocacy. Yet, with most school psychologists being employed by local school systems—where administrators often place institutional needs over individual student needs—the practitioner role is usually conflict-laden. Even though the preferred practitioner role is generally direct service to children through counseling or indirect student help via teacher consultation or parent counseling, at this time the school practitioner's major role in many settings is that of "gate keeping," which involves testing and certifying pupil eligibility for special education. If we look forward to the time when inappropriate gatekeeping—that is, formally labeling the mildly handicapped as eligible for special education—is eliminated, other functions performed must be strengthened and made more desirable to make the role of the school psychologist more viable. In addition to competent counseling skills, the ability to provide effective teacher consultation within schools is essential, not only for dealing with behavior, but instruction as well. The upgrading of school psychologists' skills is essential to ensure that, regardless of possible conflicts engendered, there will be at least one highly skilled child advocate working in the schools. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Literature about school psychology: Who writes what for whom?

Discusses reasons why the field of school psychology has not been successful in shaping its own destiny. Lack of terminal doctoral degrees among school psychologists and the restriction from private practice sometimes enforced by school systems are cited as possible reasons. A 3rd reason suggested is that psychology professors, and not the actual school psychology practitioners, succeed in publishing because there is more incentive (i.e., pressure) for the professors to do so. It is suggested that school psychologists (with or without doctoral degrees) be provided with incentives to write. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychophysiological, somatic, and affective changes across the menstrual cycle in women with panic disorder.

This study explored menstrual symptoms, somatic focus, negative affect, and psychophysiological responding across the menstrual cycle in women with panic disorder and controls. Women with and without panic disorder completed a psychophysiological task and self-report measures of menstrual symptoms, somatic focus, and negative affect on 4 occasions across 2 menstrual cycles (twice during intermenstrual and premenstrual phases). Women in the panic disorder group exhibited greater skin conductance magnitude and more frequent skin conductance responses to anxiety-provoking stimuli during the premenstrual phase than did controls. Compared to controls, women with panic disorder endorsed more severe menstrual symptoms relating to bodily sensations, anxiety sensitivity, state and trait anxiety, fear of body sensations, and illness-related concerns. The applicability of anxiety sensitivity to understanding the relation of menstrual reactivity and panic disorder is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contingent reinforcement of marijuana abstinence among individuals with serious mental illness: A feasibility study.

The feasibility of using monetary incentives to promote abstinence from marijuana use among individuals with serious mental illness was examined by using a within-subjects experimental design. Participants were 18 adults with schizophrenia or other serious mental illness who reported regular marijuana use. During 2 baseline conditions, participants received payment for submitting urine specimens independent of urinalysis results. During 3 incentive conditions, participants received varying amounts of money if urinalysis results were negative for recent marijuana use. The number of marijuana-negative specimens obtained was significantly greater during incentive than baseline conditions. These results provide evidence that marijuana use among at least some mentally ill individuals is sensitive to contingent reinforcement and support the potential feasibility of using contingency management interventions to reduce substance abuse among the mentally ill. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Laser Recrystallization of Polycrystalline Silicon in Recessed Structures

The pulsed-laser recrystallization of polysilicon in recessed structures, consisting of a silicon film deposited on a patterned oxide layer on a heat sink, is investigated for the first time. The different thermal environments created by the recess area, when compared to those outside this area, causes the recessed silicon to cool first. The different cooling rates in the continuous silicon film creates lateral temperature gradients, producing large elongated grains. Additionally, the recessed structure can lead to different film microstructures within the recessed area compared to outside this area. This structure is therefore capable of grain engineering different microstructures for polysilicon.     

Cocaine Abstinence During Methadone Maintenance: Effects of Repeated Brief Exposure to Voucher-Based Reinforcement.

This study determined whether abstinence engendered by intermittent reinforcement might generalize to nonreinforced periods and enhance overall rates of cocaine abstinence among methadone maintenance patients. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups. The quantitative group (n = 14) earned incentives for a 50% decrease in urine benzoylecgonine concentrations; the qualitative group (n = 13) earned incentives for providing urines with concentrations