Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: Negative affectivity and the utility of self-reports.

Self-reported depression and anxiety were examined in 233 inpatient children (aged 6–17 yrs) diagnosed with either an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder. Depressed children reported more problems related to a loss of interest and low motivation, and they had a more negative view of themselves. Anxious children reported more worry about the future, their well-being, and the reactions of others. The groups did not differ in the degree of depressed affect reported in terms of being sad, lethargic, bothered by things, or feeling alone and isolated. Findings suggest that a general negative affectivity component is common to both anxiety and depression disorders and measures. Results demonstrate that anxiety and depression in children have distinguishing features that can be measured by common self-report instruments, and the findings indicate that one factor that may distinguish between anxiety and depression in children is positive affectivity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of the inertia tensor in haptically perceiving where an object is grasped.

When an object is held and wielded, a time-invariant quantity of the wielding dynamics is the inertia tensor Iij. Examination of Iij as a function of different locations at which a cylindrical object is grasped revealed that the off-diagonal components of Iij, the products of inertia, related most systematically to grip position. In 3 experiments, Ss wielded an occluded rod held at an intermediate point along its length and reproduced, with the other hand, the felt grip position on a visible rod. In Exp 1, the wielded rods were homogeneous; in Exps 2 and 3, weights were added on either side of the grasp, with different manners of grasp contrasted in Exp 3. In all 3 experiments, perceived hand position was predicted by Iij. Discussion is focused on the role of Iij's eigenvalues in perceiving the magnitudes of objects and Iij's eigenvectors in perceiving hand–object relations (e.g., position of grasp). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

B. F. Skinner: Au-delá de la controverse.

Discusses controversies surrounding the work of B. F. Skinner's influence on various theories of human and animal behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comments on “Fully magnetic attitude control for spacecraft subject to gravity gradient”

The Lyapunov argument used in Wi niewski and Blanke, (Automatica 35 (1999) 1201) to establish asymptotic stability of a magnetic control law for an earth-orbiting spacecraft is incorrect. It is shown here that a small change to the assumed form of the control law can remedy the situation.     

Why psychologists don't think like philosophers.

H. H. Kendler (see record 1994-09190-001), in his article on psychology and the ethics of social policy, argues in part that ethical imperatives cannot be inferred from empirical data. This argument is cited in opposition to what is purported to be the position of the American Psychological Association on the abortion issue. It is suggested that PhD candidates in psychology be well versed in the philosophical issues and debates that are the foundation for the formation of ethical principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive treatments for eating disorders.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is applicable to all eating disorders but has been most intensively studied in the treatment of bulimia nervosa (BN). CBT is designed to alter abnormal attitudes about body shape and weight, replace dysfunctional dieting with normal eating habits, and develop coping skills for resisting binge eating and purging. CBT is effective in reducing all core features of BN and shows good maintenance of therapeutic improvement. Although superior to therapy with antidepressant drugs, CBT has not been shown to be consistently superior to alternative psychological treatments. Different hypotheses about CBT's mechanisms of action are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managing patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a continuing increase in the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Although in the past most of these infections were caused by Candida albicans, an increasing percentage are caused by non-albicans Candida species that are less sensitive to the most frequently used antifungal agents. An accurate diagnosis of these infections and the subsequent choice of the most appropriate therapy can only be made after a thorough evaluation of the patient. Successful treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis is dependent on compliance with therapy; thus, the treatment regimen chosen should fit the patient's daily lifestyle. Newer single-dose regimens offer the option of completing therapy with a single treatment for most patients with uncomplicated vaginal candidiasis. Use of topical agents avoids the potential systemic adverse effects and drug interactions that have been noted with oral antifungals. Patient education and support can also enhance satisfaction with the treatment plan and promote compliance.     

The civilian battlefield [transportation network security]

In this paper, the authors describe how the tragic events of 11 September 2001 have resulted in an urgent requirement for improved and enhanced security measures at airports, larger facilities and transportation networks.