Reliability of adult retrospective recall of lifetime tobacco use.

Retrospective assessment of tobacco use underlies much of the data collected in epidemiological and genetic epidemiological research. Although individuals are asked to report lifetime tobacco use for periods spanning months to decades, the test-retest reliability intervals of the instruments often span only a few weeks to several months. The present analyses examined the test-retest reliability of retrospective tobacco use measures, including details of first use, circumstances of first use, and initial subjective reactions. The questions were part of the Lifetime Tobacco Use Questionnaire (LTUQ), a Web-based questionnaire designed to assess use of most forms of tobacco or nicotine retrospectively across the lifespan. A convenience sample of 236 men and women with history of tobacco use (Time 1 mean age, 44.9 years; 74.2% females; 75.1% regular monthly tobacco use) responded verifiably to invitations to self-administer the LTUQ two times, 2 years apart. Test-retest reliability analyses reflected high reliability for salient tobacco-use questions. Acceptable levels of reliability were observed for initial subjective reactions to smoking, if the scaled response options were dichotomized. Few differences in the reliability of recall were apparent between sexes and between age groups. These results indicate that recall of important tobacco use information can form a reliable basis for research.     

Learners' questions and comprehension in a tutoring setting.

Three experiments, presented within the framework of Activity Theory, deal with the relationship between adult learners' questions and subsequent comprehension in a tutorial learning setting. Students were first given verbal instructions (acquisition) to a novel card game and then asked to play one hand with the teacher (implementation). In Experiment 1, there was no correlation between number of questions asked during acquisition and comprehension, but questions during implementation were negatively correlated with comprehension. In Experiment 2, learners whose questions were answered during acquisition scored higher than those whose questions were not answered. In Experiment 3, learners whose questions were answered during implementation showed greater gains in comprehension than those whose questions were answered during acquisition. Individual differences in question-asking during implementation but not acquisition were significantly related to comprehension. The results confirm the view that questions answered during knowledge implementation more effectively aid comprehension than those answered during acquisition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dissociation of an experience: The hidden observer observed.

Addressed methodological weaknesses in previous studies of the hidden observer phenomenon presented by E. R. Hilgard (1977) using a modified procedure with 11 undergraduates highly susceptible to hypnosis. The critical modifications were that no prior practice in dissociation was given before the hidden observer was assessed, the notion of hidden information was introduced only after the stimulus was no longer present, and independently verifiable stimuli were employed. Despite this more rigorous procedure, a hidden observer response was still observed in more than 90% of Ss. This finding makes much less tenable interpretations that attribute the hidden observer effect solely to social expectancies and situational demands. It is concluded that it is possible for some hypnotized individuals to monitor the actual state of events while experiencing a variety of perceptual distortions. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Can humans think? The Ergonomics Society Lecture 1991.

For many years, computer scientists have been concerned with whether computers can think. Considerable thought, therefore, goes into designing 'thinking' computer systems and into wondering whether they really can think, or just pretend to. On the other hand, it is 'obvious' that humans can think, and therefore little thought has gone into the related question, 'Can humans think?' This paper explores the ergonomic implications of the affirmative answer. Computers get better treatment than humans, yet humans are more than machines. However, not only do designers seem to forget this, but they do not even treat users with the same respect as they would a machine.     

Using sentinels in insert sort

The inner loop of insert sort can be simplified by using a sentinel value. We suggest a way of avoiding the extra storage normally required for the sentinel, and a way of avoiding the prior, and possibly restrictive, choice of its value. Algorithms are given in Pascal.     

The role of theory in guiding family assessment.

Argues that family assessment in both research and clinical practice is most useful when it is explicitly guided by theory. The current state of theorizing about the family is considered, including psychological, sociological, and systemic perspectives. Links between theory and assessment are also discussed. The field of family psychology, which has a role to play in providing conceptual ground for researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplines interested in the family, is used as an example of how theory and assessment can be bridged. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Collection and Characterization of Soot from an Optical Fiber Preform Torch

To follow the development of particle morphology, silica soot is extracted from four axial positions in the flame of a torch used to manufacture optical fiber preforms by the vaporphase axial deposition method. The soot, collected by three extraction techniques, is analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and gas adsorption to identify which characteristics of the soot morphology are dependent on the sampling technique and which upon the position in the flame. Comparison is also made to other work in which silica soot was extracted from a nondiffusion flame.     

Ausbau des Stichkanals nach Salzgitter von SKS‐km 3,550 bis 14,918

Expansion of the branch channel to Salzgitter from SKS‐km 3,550 to 14,918 The branch channel to Salzgitter will be extended to the waterway category Vb in the next years. This will enable inland waterway vessels with a width of 11,45 m and a loaded draft of 2,80 m to run it without limitations. The reaches Wedtlenstedt and Üfingen will be extended in most areas to a trapezoidal cross section with a width at water level of 36,90 m and a water depth of 4,00 m. The exit basins of the locks will be extended on one side. Overall about 1 000 000 m² of soil will be moved. About 300 000 m² of clay sealing and 460 000 m² of rip‐rap will be installed. Three culverts have to be replaced by new constructions to adapt to the new cross section of the channel. In addition two bridges will be modified to allow for a clearance of 5,25 m. At present the plan approval procedure is carried out. It is expected to achieve the plan approval order in 2017. The construction is planned to start in 2018. Completion is scheduled for 2024.