Metamemory and attributions as mediators of strategy use and recall.

The process by which metamemory and academic causal attributions relate to recall was examined with hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Several alternative conceptualizations of metamemory were used: general metamemory unrelated to the specific task; task-specific metamemory; memory monitoring; and both general and task-specific attributions. In order to examine the additive benefits of strategy and monitoring instructions, 81 4th graders were assigned to 1 of 4 instructional conditions: Strategy Only, Process Monitoring Only, Strategy Plus Process Monitoring, or Practice-Control group. Regression analyses indicated that the relationships between metamemory and recall depended on how metamemory was assessed and on the timing of the child's engagement with the recall task. Whereas general metamemory was significantly related to recall on the posttest and near-transfer tasks, task-specific metamemory became more relevant for transfer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Carbon dioxide laser serial microtrapdoor flap excision of subglottic stenosis

The recent development of microspot micromanipulators for the carbon dioxide laser with 250-microns spot sizes has greatly facilitated the extension of endolaryngeal procedures to children and neonates. It is possible to accurately develop microtrapdoor flaps within the limited exposures in the pediatric subglottis. We have used serial microtrapdoor flaps in the excision of subglottic scar tissue in eight children. In five children, the stenosis was improved with relief of stridor. In three children, the flaps were used as an adjunct to laryngotracheoplasty. The surgical techniques of this procedure are detailed in this report.     

Longitudinal analysis of behavioral, neurophysiological, viral and immunological effects of SIV infection in rhesus monkeys

A model is proposed in which a neurovirulent, microglial-passaged, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) is used to produce central nervous system (CNS) pathology and behavioral deficits in rhesus monkeys reminiscent of those seen in humans infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The time course of disease progression was characterized by using functional measures of cognition and motor skill, as well as neurophysiologic monitoring. Concomitant assessment of immunological and virological parameters illustrated correspondence between impaired behavioral performance and viral pathogenesis. Convergent results were obtained from neuropathological findings indicative of significant CNS disease. In ongoing studies, this SIV model is being used to explore the behavioral sequelae of immunodeficiency virus infection, the viral and host factors leading to neurologic dysfunction, and to begin testing potential therapeutic agents.     

Integrating the totality of food and nutrition evidence for public health decision making and communication

The interpretation and integration of epidemiological studies detecting weak associations (RR <2) with data from other study designs (e.g., animal models and human intervention trials) is both challenging and vital for making science-based dietary recommendations in the nutrition and food safety communities. The 2008 ILSI North America "Decision-Making for Recommendations and Communication Based on Totality of Food-Related Research" workshop provided an overview of epidemiological methods, and case-study examples of how weak associations have been incorporated into decision making for nutritional recommendations. Based on the workshop presentations and dialogue among the participants, three clear strategies were provided for the use of weak associations in informing nutritional recommendations for optimal health. First, enable more effective integration of data from all sources through the use of genetic and nutritional biomarkers; second, minimize the risk of bias and confounding through the adoption of rigorous quality-control standards, greater emphasis on the replication of study results, and better integration of results from independent studies, perhaps using adaptive study designs and Bayesian meta-analysis methods; and third, emphasize more effective and truthful communication to the public about the evolving understanding of the often complex relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and optimal health.     

Allocation of Test Effort for Minimum Variance of Reliability

This paper is concerned with the problem of determining the optimal allocation of test effort among individual components of a system. Using knowledge of the relationship between component uncertainty and system uncertainty, and component and system test costs, the test allocation is determined so as to minimize the variance of an estimator of overall system reliability. The optimal allocations for a series system and a parallel system are examined as special cases. The sensitivity of the optimal allocation is examined with respect to differences in system configuraition.     

Preparation of high-purity lithium by a gettering technique

Gettering with yttrium or cerium at 1100 K was used to prepare high-purity lithium for subsequent use in the preparation of lithium hydride. Yttrium decreased the average oxygen concentration in lithium to about 15 atomic ppm O; lithium hydride prepared from this lithium contained from 30 to 140 atomic ppm O. Carbon concentration in lithium was not affected by gettering with yttrium or cerium. Carbon and oxygen concentration were determined by photoactivation using gamma rays produced in a high electron energy linear accelerator.     

Leadership style, subordinate personality, and task type as predictors of performance and satisfaction with supervision.

Investigated interactions between leadership style, subordinate personality, and task type, and the effects of different combinations of these variables on group performance and satisfaction with supervision. Three different types of leaders (N = 48) were selected from 500 male undergraduates using Troldahl and Powell's short-form Dogmatism Scale: (a) high in human relations and high in task orientation, (b) low in human relations and high in task orientation, and (c) high in human relations and low in task orientation. Each leader worked with 8 high- and 8 low-dogmatism Ss on 4 tasks that differed in ambiguity and difficulty. As predicted, there were significant interaction effects for Leader * Subordinate * Task combinations. These effects on group performance were strongest for difficult-ambiguous tasks. Subordinates, regardless of their personality, were significantly more satisfied with leadership behavior that was high in human relations orientation. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)