A new approach to on-line,run-time program logic and error debugging using hardware implementation

What is believed to be a somewhat different approach to rapid program debugging has been devised in which: (1) execution of the programmer’s logical thinking is automatically debugged by the computer at run time and (2) status errors of any type may be fed back into the computer, which subsequently outputs the immediate steps leading to that error. Debugging is carried out by the computer on an instruction-by-instruction basis, on-line, with all or selected interrupts serviced. A hardware-software implementation package for the PDP-8 is described, which could be adapted to other computers as well.     

A real-time multiuser foreground,single-user background system for the PDP-9 computer

We have developed a software system for a PDP-9, with fixed head disk, to allow up to 16 remote laboratories to use the central PDP-9 facility for their experimental data acquisition and control needs. Timesharing is performed on a “demand” basis, using the hardware automatic priority-interrupt option. The real-time acquisition and control aspects are separated from the data reduction in the foreground by using a batch process foreground mainstream. The background is used primarily as a systems device for program updates and communications with a CDC terminal connected to a CDC 6600 computer. The philosophy, both software and hardware, developed for this heterogeneous user environment will be discussed.     

Simple software for impedance cardiography

Simple software techniques for the digital analysis of impedance cardiography data are described. The software digitizes simultaneous impedance and ECG signals, averages these signals over time on a beat-by-beat basis, processes the averaged signals to locate relevant features, and computes heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output for the averaged period. The source and executable code, written in Pascal for a PDP-11 with standard peripheral addressing and a VT125 graphics terminal, is available from the authors.     

The use of computer networks in data gathering and data analysis

In our research, the data are gathered in the laboratory on a DEC PDP-11/24 minicomputer. Once the data are gathered, they are analog-to-digital (A/D) converted and sent by the PDP to an IBM 370-3031. The data are submitted to a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the IBM computer. Once the FFT is completed, the data are accessed by an IBM PC-XT that is equipped with an IRMA system. The PC is used in its emulation mode to access the data in the mainframe. In the mainframe, SPSS or SAS is used to do the initial statistical analyses. When necessary, subsets of the data are transferred to the PC, where other computer programs are used to analyze the data. In many instances, they are returned to the mainframe from the PC, where they are submitted to multivariate statistical analysis. Finally, all of the data are stored on floppy disks, which are prepared on the PC.     

128 Halftone patterns for printing gray-level images on a laser printer

This paper presents a set of 128 halftone patterns on an 8 × 8 block size. The patterns have been designed to produce an acceptable gray-scale rendition when the halftone is seen from a distance and, at the same time, to allow comparisons to be made among the intensity values of individual pixels at a closer look. A Pascal program is also presented that produces halftones on an HP Laserjet+ laser printer, and sample halftones are shown. Finally, a method is proposed that prevents images digitized with a 4:3 aspect ratio from being distorted when halftones are printed at the usual 1:1 aspect ratio.     

Electrooculographic indices of changes in simulated flying performance

Recent investigations have revealed statistically reliable relationships between signal detection by human subjects performing vigilance tasks and changes in the electrophysiologically recorded waveform of the eyeblink. Thus, this relatively simple and easy-to-obtain measure may have potential use as a predictor of impaired performance. This report describes a study in which eyeblink data were recorded on analog tape while subjects (instrument-rated pilots) “flew” a computer-generated flight plan in a General Aviation Trainer (GAT-1). Eyeblink data were reduced and scored with an adaptation of software from the Washington University Behavioral Research Laboratory. Subjects’ “flying” performance was evaluated with the Pilot Performance Evaluating System (PPES) implemented on a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), PDP-11/34 computer. The PPES samples each of four primary flight instruments once per second. It scores performance by generating a combined error score for each maneuver it assigns on the flight-plan display in the cockpit. The PPES/GAT-1 linkup has proved to be a valuable research tool with which to realistically evaluate stress effects and physiological correlates of flying performance in a laboratory setting. This study examined the relationships between eyeblink and flying performance scores collected during a pilot-fatigue study. Analysis of the data supports the use of computers cored eye movement measures as predictors of flying performance decrements.     

Reduction in clinical assessment time using computer algorithms

A new mathematical procedure (BIDALGO) is suggested for application to the psychological testing field. BIDALGO, similar to past adaptive testing methods, is compared both with MMPI short-form efforts and applications in the educational testing literature. A comparison is also made between linear regression models used in past efforts and the Bayesian decision models used in BIDALGO. The requirements for an MMPI application are delineated, emphasizing branching procedures for specific scales and difficulties expected in achieving code-type congruence. Work in progress of applying BIDALGO to the depression scale and the full MMPI is also described.     

Commentary on Wolford,Taylor, and Beck: The conjunction fallacy?

AlthoughP(A&B|X) can never exceedP(A|X) (the conjunction rule), it is possible forP(X|A&B) to exceedP(X|A). Hence, people who rankA&B as more probable thanA are not necessarily violating any normative rule if the ranking is done in terms of the probability of these events to yield an eventX. Wolford, Taylor, and Beck (1990) have argued that this indeed is what happens in some problems (e.g. Tversky& Kahneman’s [1983] Linda problem). The claim made here is that the Linda problem is hard to reconcile with this interpretation; that there is little if any evidence that subjects utilize this interpretation; and that in any case, representativeness can account for all Linda problem results.     

Waiting for feedback helps if you want to know the answer: the role of curiosity in the delay-of-feedback benefit

When participants answer a test question and then receive feedback of the correct answer, studies have shown that the feedback is more effective when it is delayed by several seconds rather than provided immediately (e.g., Brackbill & Kappy, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 55, 14–18, 1962; Schroth, Contemporary Educational Psychology, 17, 78–82, 1992). Despite several demonstrations of this delay-of-feedback benefit, a theoretical explanation for this finding has not yet been developed. The present study tested the hypothesis that brief delays of feedback are beneficial because they encourage anticipation of the upcoming feedback. In Experiment 1, participants answered obscure trivia questions, and before receiving the answer, they rated their curiosity to know the answer. The answer was then provided either immediately or after a 4-s delay. A later final test over the same questions revealed a significant delay-of-feedback benefit, but only for items that had been rated high in curiosity. Experiment 2 replicated this same effect and showed that the delay-of-feedback benefit only occurs when feedback is provided after a variable, unpredictable time duration (either 2, 4, or 8 s) rather than after a constant duration (always 4 s). These findings demonstrate that the delay-of-feedback effect appears to be greatest under conditions in which participants are curious to know the answer and when the answer is provided after an unpredictable time interval.     

A brief scoring method for voice stress analysis

The Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE) detects inaudible frequency changes in the human voice, and it is claimed that the pattern of these changes can provide a measure of psychophysiological arousal. A few studies have given some support to this hypothesis, but further clarifica tion is needed. One major technical problem in this research is that the traditional scoring esyStem is unreliable unless considerable numbers of scores are taken and averaged , The paper presents a conveniently brief scoring system which has fair reliahility, and which correlates significantly with a measure of Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold.     

Against Hypothetical Syllogism

The debate over Hypothetical Syllogism is locked in stalemate. Although putative natural language counterexamples to Hypothetical Syllogism abound, many philosophers defend Hypothetical Syllogism, arguing that the alleged counterexamples involve an illicit shift in context. The proper lesson to draw from the putative counterexamples, they argue, is that natural language conditionals are context-sensitive conditionals which obey Hypothetical Syllogism. In order to make progress on the issue, I consider and improve upon Morreau’s proof of the invalidity of Hypothetical Syllogism. The improved proof relies upon the semantic claim that conditionals with antecedents irrelevant to the obtaining of an already true consequent are themselves true. Moreover, this semantic insight allows us to provide compelling counterexamples to Hypothetical Syllogism that are resistant to the usual contextualist response.     

The Pavlovian basis of reciprocal inhibition therapy

While there is a slight disagreement between Wolpe’s views and Pavlov’s statements concerning the application of experimental psychology to the study of psychiatry, Wolpe indicates that he owes much to Pavlov. A Pavlovian analysis of therapy by reciprocal inhibition, which includes the physiological constructs as well as Pavlovian methodology, will increase our understanding of Reciprocal Inhibition therapy. The major techniques of Reciprocal Inhibition therapy are discussed in the terms of Pavlovian method and theory. Desensitization based on systematic relaxation appears to be effective because the excitatory stimulus is presented when the subject’s cortex is predominantly in an inhibitory state while relaxed. Assertive training relies mainly on building up the excitatory process by use of the second signal system. Thought-stopping is analogous to the external inhibition procedure with the use of the second signaling system as the “extra” stimulus. Deductions from Pavlov’s typology predict that an excitable subject will be difficult to desensitize and somewhat easier to train in assertive behavior and thought-stopping. Some implications of relating Pavlovian method and theory to Reciprocal Inhibition therapy are discussed.     

Synergy between Positive Psychology and Indian Psychology? Reflections on Barriers and Pathways

There are points of convergences between Positive Psychology and Indian Psychology. But we do have to cross many barriers and travel some distance on converging pathways for the potential synergies between these fields to manifest. There are indicators in the global literature that Positive Psychology is maturing as an approach but this is yet to become very evident in the Indian research on Positive Psychology. Systematic efforts at discovering convergences between Indian Psychology and Positive Psychology can go a long way in enriching our understanding of well being.     

Emotional Impulsivity in Children with ADHD Associated with Comorbid—Not ADHD—Symptomatology

Children with ADHD often demonstrate sudden and intense shifts in both positive and negative affect. This study examined the role of diagnostic status on emotional impulsivity in children utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Parents of 64 8–12 year old children (15 ADHD-only; 27 ADHD-comorbid; 22 control) completed a diagnostic structured interview and then an EMA protocol, rating the child’s affect thrice daily for 28 days. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) suggested that children with ADHD and a comorbid disorder demonstrated significantly more EMA-derived emotional impulsivity than children with ADHD only and control children. No difference was found between children with ADHD only and control children. This study suggested that children with ADHD demonstrate significantly higher levels of emotional impulsivity than control children only in the presence of a comorbid disorder.     

A hierarchical LSI-11 system for real-time control,interevent time storage,and data analysis

A general-purpose laboratory computer system using two Digital Equipment Corporation LSI-11 s in a master-slave relationship is described. The implementation includes hardware to install an LSI-11 as a slave parallel processor, to provide special-purpose functions such as a real-time clock and a 4K FIFO interprocessor buffer, and to establish a bus that permits the use of inexpensive interfaces to experimental equipment. The slave processor generates a complete log of each input or output event. Data in the form of the time of each event are continuously passed through the FIFO to a foreground task in the main LSI-11, which in turn stores the raw data on a hard disk. A macro library allows the easy development of experimentcontrol programs. A library of FORTRAN routines provides a pointer-based conditional and iterative search facility that can sift out any specifiable event or set of events from the data records for subsequent analysis. This computer system provides the user with an inexpensive facility to run up to 32 simultaneous experiments with complete data logging in foreground while program development, analysis, and word processing are concurrently being done in background.     

Behavioral assessment of eating patterns and blood glucose in diabetes using the Self-Monitoring Analysis System

The Self-Monitoring Analysis System is a set of microcomputer programs that were developed to remove clinical judgment from the task of behavioral assessment using self-monitoring diaries. The program is written in Turbo Pascal and runs on MS-DOS (16-bit) or CP/M (8-bit) microcomputer systems. The program allows the user to custom design data bases with hundreds of binary, categorical, integral, and real variables. Full-screen data-entry forms can be custom designed, and random access files allow for flexible data entry and editing. The program makes extensive utilization of Pascal’s very flexible data structure capabilities. Dynamic allocation of memory allows the program to maximize its use of available RAM. Data from a patient with diabetes is presented as a case study illustrating the system’s utility.     

Epidemics in perspective

Irrational responses to patient with AIDS, particularly in regards to the transmissibility of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are examined from an historical and psychosocial perspective. Although these responses are similar to those reported from past epidemics such as plague and leprosy, they are in direct conflict with our current level of understanding regarding the transmission of this virus. Their genesis may relate to the human penchant to react to illness metaphorically. In order to allay effectively public concern about the transmissibility of AIDS, it is essential to recognize the metaphor associated with venereal disease in general and AIDS in particular.     

Poor communication in psycholinguistics: Review of four new textbooks

Four new textbooks on psycholinguistics are reviewed:Psycholinguistics: A Cognitive View of Language by H. S. Cairns and C. E. Cairns;Experimental Psycholinguistics by S. Glucksberg and J. H. Danks;Psycholinguistics: Introductory Perspectives by J. F. Kess, andIntroduction to Psycholinguistics by I. Taylor. Three general issues about psycholinguistics are considered in detail: (1) Psycholinguists should attempt to provide psychological tests of competing linguistic theories. (2) More attention should be given by psycholinguists to the work done in the field of human information processing. (3) There is evidence for the Whorfian hypothesis, even in its strong version, at the phonetic level of language. It is concluded that improvement is needed in the communication between psycholinguistics and related disciplines and among the subdivisions of psycholinguistics.     

Children with AIDS in the public schools: The ethical issues

The question of whether to allow children with AIDS to attend public school generates explosive emotions and has wide-reaching consequences. This paper focuses on the perspective of parents of well children who may be asked to attend school with children who have AIDS. These parents are poised at the heart of the dilemma: they are the ethical “bottom line,” and an argument that fails to satisfy them ought not to satisfy anyone. The conflicting commitments these parents face are first to the parentchild covenant which requires them to act in their child's best interests, and second, to the principles of beneficence and justice, which require them not to further burden a sick child with ostracism and isolation. Almost exact parallels exist between this issue and that of proxy consent by parents for children's participation in low-risk, non-therapeutic research. The lengthy and important debate between Paul Ramsey and Richard McCormick on this question is analyzed, concluding that McCormick's position in favor of thoughtful proxy consent is the more compelling. Returning to the question of allowing children with AIDS to attend school, the essay shows why the parallels are persuasive. On the ethical level, the apparent conflict of obligations is almost exactly the same; on the pragmatic level, the essay shows why sharing a classroom with a child who has AIDS is comparable to the “low-risk” category that the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects found acceptable in its 1978 guidelines. The essay concludes that parents of healthy childrenmay and ought to accept the presence of children with AIDS in the public school.