Alternative Factor Models and Heritability of the Short Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Children's Version

An alternative models framework was used to test three confirmatory factor analytic models for the Short Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Children's Version (Short LOI-CV) in a general population sample of 517 young adolescent twins (11-16 years). A one-factor model as implicit in current classification systems of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a two-factor obsessions and compulsions model, and a multidimensional model corresponding to the three proposed subscales of the Short LOI-CV (labelled Obsessions/Incompleteness, Numbers/Luck and Cleanliness) were considered. The three-factor model was the only model to provide an adequate explanation of the data. Twin analyses suggested significant quantitative sex differences in heritability for both the Obsessions/Incompleteness and Numbers/Luck dimensions with these being significantly heritable in males only (heritability of 60% and 65% respectively). The correlation between the additive genetic effects for these two dimensions in males was 0.95 suggesting they largely share the same genetic risk factors.

Alternative method to evaluate discharge coefficients. Part 2: case study

The purpose of this article is to apply an alternative method whereby discharge coefficients can be estimated for the flow through a poppet valve at various lifts. Presented is the development of an operational quasi-steady flow rig. An engine cylinder head poppet valve was used as the case study. The requirement to directly measure mass flowrates using a standard conventional steady flow apparatus has been eliminated. Transient mass flowrates, pressures and temperatures of air during an inflow test for a poppet valve at various lifts were measured. Mass flowrates were also calculated from measured cylinder gas pressures and corrected for heat transfer. Using both methods to determine the mass flowrates, isentropic discharge coefficients were calculated and shown to compare within +/- 4.0 per cent of steady flow data. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation of the quasi-steady flow rig is also presented.

Psychology Statistics for Dummies

The quick, easy way to master all the statistics you'll ever need The bad news first: if you want a psychology degree you'll need to know statistics. Now for the good news: Psychology Statistics For Dummies. Featuring jargon-free explanations, step-by-step instructions and dozens of real-life examples, Psychology Statistics For Dummies makes the knotty world of statistics a lot less baffling. Rather than padding the text with concepts and procedures irrelevant to the task, the authors focus only on the statistics psychology students need to know. As an alternative to typical, lead-heavy statistics texts or supplements to assigned course reading, this is one book psychology students won't want to be without. Ease into statistics – start out with an introduction to how statistics are used by psychologists, including the types of variables they use and how they measure them Get your feet wet – quickly learn the basics of descriptive statistics, such as central tendency and measures of dispersion, along with common ways of graphically depicting information Meet your new best friend – learn the ins and outs of SPSS, the most popular statistics software package among psychology students, including how to input, manipulate and analyse data Analyse this – get up to speed on statistical analysis core concepts, such as probability and inference, hypothesis testing, distributions, Z-scores and effect sizes Correlate that – get the lowdown on common procedures for defining relationships between variables, including linear regressions, associations between categorical data and more Analyse by inference – master key methods in inferential statistics, including techniques for analysing independent groups designs and repeated-measures research designs Open the book and find: Ways to describe statistical data How to use SPSS statistical software Probability theory and statistical inference Descriptive statistics basics How to test hypotheses Correlations and other relationships between variables Core concepts in statistical analysis for psychology Analysing research designs Learn to: Use SPSS to analyse data Master statistical methods and procedures using psychology-based explanations and examples Create better reports Identify key concepts and pass your course

Integrated care: utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine within a conventional cancer treatment centre

Objectives: To estimate the proportion of cancer outpatients who visit a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) unit that is located within a conventional cancer treatment centre; to compare the characteristics of CAM unit visitors with those of all outpatients; to monitor the demand for 20 CAM therapies delivered by professionals, and the use of the CAM unit for waiting, gathering information and informal support from volunteer staff.

Design: Prospective, observational, over a six month period.

Setting: CAM unit within a NHS cancer treatment centre.

Main outcome measures: Utilisation of the CAM unit for 20 complementary therapies, and for waiting, gathering information, informal support; characteristics of CAM users compared with those of all cancer outpatients attending the cancer centre; predictors of CAM therapy use and frequent use.

Results: 761 (95% of those approached) people were recruited, 498 (65.4%) cancer patients, 202 (26.5%) relatives, 37 (4.8%) friends/carers, 24 (3.2%) staff. Women predominated (n = 560, 73.6%). Of all outpatients attending the cancer centre, 498 (15.8%) visited the CAM unit, 290 (9.2%) accessed therapies. Compared to all outpatients, those visiting the CAM unit were: younger (mean 63.7 vs. 58.4 years), more likely to be female (57.9% vs. 78.7%), have breast (14.8% vs. 51.9%), gynaecological (5.0% vs. 9.1%) cancer, live in local postal district (57.3% vs. 61.6%). Significant predictors of therapy use and frequent visits were being a patient, female, higher education, living closer to the cancer centre.

Conclusions: Despite easy access to CAM therapies, a relatively small number of people regularly used them, whilst a larger number selectively tried a few. The integrated CAM unit meets a demand for information and informal support. The findings inform emerging policy on integrating CAM and conventional cancer treatment to address psychosocial needs of people with cancer. More research is needed on why people do not use integrated CAM services and how charges affect demand. © 2008.

The Implications of Bach's Introduction of New Fugal Techniques and Procedures in the Well-Tempered Clavier Book Two

Among the fugues of the WTC II, there are some fugal techniques and procedures that were not explored in the first book. Here, the ‘fugal techniques’ include parallel entries (as used in the fugues in D-sharp minor, G minor and B-flat minor) and double counterpoint at the tenth or twelfth as well as fifteenth (as used in the fugues in G minor and B major). The ‘fugal procedures’, on the other hand, refer to meticulously planned multi-exposition architecture (as seen in the fugues in F-sharp minor exploiting two subsidiary subjects, and B-flat minor exploiting inversion and stretto) and a form in which the appearance of the subsidiary subject is gradually predicted in the fugal discourse (viz. C-sharp minor, G-sharp minor and B major). All these new ideas helped Bach to write more dramatic, more profound fugues for WTC II. The paper will consider how Bach came to acquire the new techniques and to use them in such ways, and what motivated him to adopt these new compositional approaches. Do they offer any clues for our better understanding of why Bach compiled the WTC II?

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO DEUTERATION IN DARK CLOUDS

We investigate new approaches to the deuteration of C3H2, HC3N and HC5N in dark clouds, following the suggestion that protonated HC3N might form different isomers, a linear structure (HC3NH+) being the most stable. We consider the effect of linear HC3NH+ and HC5NH+ on the formation of HC3N and HC5N, and find that deuteration ratios at approximately 10 K are reduced, in the case of HC3N to values significantly below those observed, such that a deuteration mechanism other than direct deuteron transfer is probably required for cold clouds.

A Critical Review of Screening Methods for the Detection of Chloramphenicol, Thiamphenicol, and Florfenicol Residues in Foodstuffs

This article gives an extensive overview of the wide range of analytical procedures developed for the detection of amphenicol antibiotic residues (chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, and florfenicol) in many different types of foodstuffs (milk, meat, eggs, honey, seafood). Screening methods such as microbial inhibition methods, antibody-based immunoassays using conventional and biosensor-based detection systems, and some methods based on alternative recognition systems are described. The relative advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed and compared. The current status and future trends and developments in the need for accurate and rapid detection of this group of antimicrobials are also discussed.