Showing papers by "University of North Carolina at Charlotte published in 1980"

Materials Science Comparative Evaluation of Ceramic-metal Bond Tests Using Finite Element Stress Analysis

Abstract: Eleven porcelain-fused-to-metal bond tests were analyzed for interfacial shear stress distribution using finite-element stress analysis. Stress concentration effects are significant in ten of the 11 tests. A high probability of tensile failure within porcelain or the interfacial region was found in eight of the 11 tests analyzed.

Cyclic changes in pain perception: An ROC analysis

Abstract: The rating scale responses of three groups of men and women to thermal and painful radiant heat stimuli were studied over a 4-weekperiod. Receiver operating characteristic curve parameters were computed for each of the phases of the menstrual cycle. Women with normal menstrual periods experienced a heightened sensitivity to pain during ovulation. This effect was absent in women using oral contraceptive pills and in men. The findings demonstrate that past reports of pain threshold changes in association with menstrual phase were basically sensory effects and not just a result of shifts in the observer's criteria for reporting pain. In addition, sex differences in pain perception were found only when men were compared with women who were ovulating. The present project reanalyzes the phenomenon of biological rhythms in pain research using the modern psychophysical procedures of the relative operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Evidence for cyclic changes in pain thresholds has been presented in the several studies. Herren (1933) repeatedly measured the 2-point threshold for pain and touch during three phases of the menstrual cycle in women. Premenstrual thresholds were consistently lower than postmenstrual thresholds, and there were no differences found be­ tween intermenstrual and postmenstrual phases. Procacci, Zoppi, Maresca, and Romano (1974) report data from a series of investigations with both men and women using the radiant heat method to measure pain thresholds. In women, the pain threshold was found to vary cyclically, reaching a peak at menstruation and a low point at ovulation. For women taking oral contraceptives, the rhythm disappeared. However, a rhythm was reported in menopausal women and to some degree in young men. More recently, Tedford, Warren, and Flynn (1977) reported cyclic changes in the pain threshold in association with the menstrual phases. They did not use a traditional pain detection measure. Instead, a shock aversion threshold was measured in women who had a normal menstrual period, women taking oral contraceptives, and men. The data indicated that only the women in the first group showed significant differences in threshold values among the four phases of the menstrual cycle. Taken together, these studies, employing a variety of techniques, demonstrate a fluctuation of the pain threshold in association with the phases of the men­ strual cycle in young women. However, although the

An Analytic Review of Research in Community Psychology

Abstract: A content analysis was conducted on all 478 empirical articles published from 1973 through 1978 in the American Journal of Community Psychology and the Journal of Community Psychology. Results indicate a substantial emphasis on policy analysis/research and program evaluation. The delivery of mental health services was extensively researched; however, a wide diversity of other topics such as work, substance abuse, and attitudes toward mental illness were also represented. There was a relatively high degree of participation by authors with nonuniversity affiliations. Also, in 65% of the studies subjects were not identified as having a psychological problem; in one-third of the studies children served as subjects; and in 71% of the studies both males and females served as subjects. A number of problems with the typical research design are noted, including: unrepresentative sampling of subjects, nonequivalent comparison groups, and small sample and cell sizes.

Paleobiogeographic Perspectives on the Origin of the Platyrrhini

Abstract: This chapter will explore the various hypotheses and scenarios that have been advanced concerning the paleobiogeographic source of origin of the Platyrrhini. The specific questions to be addressed include: (1) From what geographical region or regions were the immediate ancestors of the New World monkeys derived? (2) When and by what means did these first platyrrhines reach the island continent of South America? (3) What influence did continental drift have on the geographic source of origin and mode of dispersal of the Platyrrhini? Nearly all of the preceding chapters in this volume have attempted to specifically answer one or more of these questions. It is our purpose herein to provide a background for the discussion of all these paleobiogeographic proposals and then to present a consensus-oriented maximum-parsimony model of platyrrhine origins and dispersal.

Non-linear macromolecular evolution and the molecular clock.

Abstract: ROBERT S. CORRUCCINI,' MARIETTA BABA,2 MORRIS GOODMAN,3 RUSSELL L. CIOCHON,4 AND JOHN E. CRONIN' 'Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 2Department of Anthropology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202 3Department of Anatomy, Wayne State University Medical School, Detroit, Michigan 48201 4Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223 and 5Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Processing of visually presented clock times.

Abstract: The encoding and representation of visually presented clock times was investigated in three experiments utilizing a comparative judgment task Experiment 1 explored the effects of comparing times presented in different formats (clock face, digit, or word), and Experiment 2 examined angular distance effects created by varying positions of the hands on clock faces In Experiment 3, encoding and processing differences between clock faces and digitally presented times were directly measured Same/different reactions to digitally presented times were faster than to times presented on a clock face, and this format effect was found to be a result of differences in processing that occurred after encoding Angular separation also had a limited effect on processing The findings are interpreted within the framework of theories that refer to the importance of representational codes The applicability to the data of Bank's semantic-coding theory, Paivio's dual-coding theory, and the levels-of-processing view of memory are discussed

Semantic Encoding in Older Adults As Evidenced by Release From Proactive Inhibition

Abstract: Wickens' Release from Proactive Inhibition paradigm was used to investigate semantic encoding in healthy older persons, nursing home residents, and college students. Significant PI Release effects, which did not interact with age, were obtained for taxonomic category and semantic differential dimensions. However, older persons, especially nursing home residents, displayed lower percentages of recall than college students, indicating that their semantic processing was less efficient. It was suggested that older and younger adults may differ not so much as their levels (or depth) of encoding as in their degree of elaboration within particular levels.

Diagnostic labels and perceptions of children's behavior

Abstract: The use of diagnostic labels with children has been widely criticized in recent years on grounds that these have damaging side effects. However, a review of labeling studies reveals that many are flawed and inconclusive. Furthermore, other studies have demonstrated beneficial consequences of labeling, including greater tolerance for deviant behavior. The hypothesis that labels help people feel they better understand a child's behavior problems and that in turn, they become more accepting of the child was examined in a laboratory and a field study. Both studies provided evidence in support of the hypothesis. Theoretical explanations for the finding that labels provide closure and acceptance are considered and implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Effects of Class Size and College Major on Student Ratings of Psychology Courses

Abstract: Further empirical evidence is presented to show that student ratings reflect variables other than teacher ability.

Sex-stereotyped attitudes of male and female child care workers: Support for androgynous child care

Abstract: The present study assessed the sex-stereotyped attitudes of 20 male and 20 female child-care workers Data were collected from the Sex Stereotyped Attitude Checklist, drawn from a study by Williams and Bennett (1975) Results indicated that men and women held androgynous attitudes towards girls but preferred that boys behave in masculine ways The implications of narrowly prescribed sex roles for boys are discussed, and a position is taken in support of androgynous child care

Families of Incest: a Collation of Clinical Impressions

Abstract: The present paper provides a collation of the impressions of clinical workers regarding families in which father-daughter incest has incurred. Responses of the workers indicate that the incestuous relationship is typically not limited to one or two sexual encounters, but the relationship can become a stable part of family life. The sexual interactions appear to parallel sexual practices in non-incestuous relationships. Daughters involved in incest are viewed as submissive, passive, fearful, whereas the fathers are viewed as dominating, impulsive, and using violence or threats to obtain the daughters sexual co-operation. Mothers are viewed as weak and as failing to provide help for their daughters. The picture of the family in which father-daughter incest occurs is one in which unhappy people are unable to establish satisfying human relationships.

Cross-validation of the wright-tedeschi factors of the interpersonal trust scale

Abstract: Summary.-Separate factor analyses of high school student (106 males and 108 females) and adult (295 males and 334 females) samples of respondents to Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale demonstrated cross-validation of the three Wright-Tedeschi factors derived from samples of college studenrs. Clearest support was found for the factor, Trust of Strangers. Similarities and differences among various factor structures of the Interpersonal Trust Scale are discussed. The Interpersonal Trust Scale (Rotter, 1967, 1971), a Likert-type scale of 25 trust items and 15 filler items, is an additive scale that samples a wide range of situations and potential groups that one might trust. The construct validity network of research on trust indicates that in numerous situations and contexts the Interpersonal Trust Scale predicts individual differences in trust, trustworthiness, and adjustment, but is not related to gullibility; see reviews by Rotter (1980) and Stack (1978). Roberts ( 197 1 ) proposed two subscales within the Interpersonal Trust Scale-Political Trust (Items 4, 9, 13, 16, 18, 21, 29, and 40) and Peer Trust (Items 3, 8, 11, 14, 24, and 26). Roberts used face-validity ratings by studentjudges and an inter-item consistency analysis to construct these subscales, and did not indicate the proportion of trust scale variance which they accounted for. Kaplan (1973) used a principal-components factor analysis to generate factors of the Interpersonal Trust Scale which he labeled Institutional Trust, Sincerity, and Caution. Kaplan's results must be questioned because there are several methodological flaws, including small sample size, failure to control for sex, the use of an Interpersonal Trust Scale which included additional items, failure to report the proportion of common variance accounted for by the factors, and inclusion of more than one item on a factor. Chun and Campbell (1974) factor analyzed a form of the Interpersonal Trust Scale which had the 15 filler items deleted and other questions, including Wrightsman's (1964) Philosophies of Human Nature scale added instead. Using three different procedures with a single sample, they found four factors which they labeled Interpersonal Exploitation (Items 3, 14, and 26), Societal

Vibrational spectra and bonding in nitrocyclopropane

Abstract: Raman spectra of nitrocyclopropane were recorded from 4000 to 30 cm−1 for the liquid and solid states. Infrared spectra were recorded from 4000 to 180 cm−1 for vapor phase and matrix isolated states. The low frequency torsional mode is located at 101 cm−1 in the liquid state (102 cm−1 in the solid state) and correlates well with the 84 cm−1 value for the vapor phase which is predicted on the basis of a torsional combination band in the infrared vapor phase spectrum. The calculated barrier to internal rotation for the vapor phase is 1645±50 cm−1, 4.70±0.15 kcal mol−1. A vibrational assignment is proposed for the first time and it supports structural arguments that there is significant pseudo-conjugation between the cyclopropane ring orbitals and the substituent NO2 group. Finally, a detailed temperature study reveals no appreciable spectral change; hence, nitrocyclopropane appears to exist as a single Cs conformer over the range −173 to 100°C.

Arousal and short-term memory: Effects of caffeine and trial spacing on delayed-alternation performance

Abstract: Two experiments tested the prediction of Kesner’s (1973) parallel memory-stores theory that arousal reduces retention in short-term memory. Using rats as subjects, the effect of caffeine on delayed-alternation performance in a spatial discrimination was investigated. Trial spacing was also manipulated, both alone and in combination with the drug variable. The results showed that, with massed trials, caffeine facilitated alternation at the short delay and inhibited it at the longer delays tested. Using spaced trials, caffeine decreased alternation at all delays. Spaced trials produced overall superior performance as compared with massed trials. This pattern of results is consistent with the view that caffeine reduces short-term retention but, paradoxically, can also increase performance under massed trials by decreasing proactive interference (i.e., retention) from earlier trials.

Equating the social desirability of Bem Sex-Role Inventory masculinity and femininity subscales.

Abstract: Two experiments investigated the social desirability of Bern Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) items. Mean social desirability of the masculinity subscale was significantly higher than that of the femininity subscale in both experiments. A revision of the BSRI femininity subscale was suggested which replaced three items of questionable social value with three more socially desirable items and virtually eliminated the social desirability difference between masculinity and femininity subscales.

Reactions to the rape victim as a function of victim age

Abstract: The present study investigated the effects of the age of a victim on social reactions to a rape incident. The findings indicated limited but reliable effects of age on the way respondents reacted to the rape episode. There was a greater tendency for the characteristics and the behavior of the victim to be viewed as factors in causing the rape when the victim was in the middle age ranges than when she was in the extreme age range (six-years-old or 76-years-old). Respondents also favored more severe punishment for the assailant when the victim was at the extremes of the age distribution.

Design for a microcomputer-based rural development information system.

Abstract: A new type of rural development information system is described. It is based on two recently introduced low-cost technologies; microcomputers and the informant survey. When the informant data from the universe of subdistricts in a region are analyzed with modern multivariate techniques, it is possible to derive comprehensive measures of institutional structure as well as five measures of rural progress. The latter are: a level of living scale based on housing characteristics, a measure ofinequality derived from the difference between the housing of irrigated and dryland farmers, an estimate of agricultural productivity, a score of ecological problems, and a measure of status group restrictions, specifically restrictions on females. These and similar measures of social structure constitute the ‘macrosocial accounting’ file. In addition this information system includes project monitoring and administrative accounting files. The uses of this system are familiar — comparative description, monitoring and evaluation — but in this integrated and upgraded form, the potential problem solving capacity of rural development agencies should be significantly enhanced.

Three levels of communication apprehension: A value profile

Abstract: A human values profile was constructed for communication apprehensives on three different levels: high, medium, and low. The instrumental values of Milton Rokeach were used to discriminate among the three levels. Multiple Discriminant Analysis and Multiple Regression were used to analyze the communication apprehension data in terms of a value profile. Six instrumental values were isolated that were significant discriminators among the three levels. Implications for value analyses and behavioral packages in communication apprehension training are discussed.