PyEPL: A cross-platform experiment-programming library

PyEPL (the Python Experiment-Programming Library) is a Python library which allows cross-platform and object-oriented coding of behavioral experiments. It provides functions for displaying text and images onscreen, as well as playing and recording sound, and is capable of rendering 3-D virtual environments forspatial-navigation tasks. It is currently tested for Mac OS X and Linux. It interfaces with Activewire USB cards (on Mac OS X) and the parallel port (on Linux) for synchronization of experimental events with physiological recordings. In this article, we first present two sample programs which illustrate core PyEPL features. The examples demonstrate visual stimulus presentation, keyboard input, and simulation and exploration of a simple 3-D environment. We then describe the components and strategies used in implementing PyEPL.     

GazeParser: an open-source and multiplatform library for low-cost eye tracking and analysis

Eye movement analysis is an effective method for research on visual perception and cognition. However, recordings of eye movements present practical difficulties related to the cost of the recording devices and the programming of device controls for use in experiments. GazeParser is an open-source library for low-cost eye tracking and data analysis; it consists of a video-based eyetracker and libraries for data recording and analysis. The libraries are written in Python and can be used in conjunction with PsychoPy and VisionEgg experimental control libraries. Three eye movement experiments are reported on performance tests of GazeParser. These showed that the means and standard deviations for errors in sampling intervals were less than 1 ms. Spatial accuracy ranged from 0.7° to 1.2°, depending on participant. In gap/overlap tasks and antisaccade tasks, the latency and amplitude of the saccades detected by GazeParser agreed with those detected by a commercial eyetracker. These results showed that the GazeParser demonstrates adequate performance for use in psychological experiments.     

A computational model of visual analogies in design

We present an analysis of the work of human participants in addressing design problems by analogy. We describe a computer program, called Galatea, that simulates the visual input and output of four experimental participants. Since Galatea is an operational computer program, it makes specific commitments about the visual representations and reasoning it uses for analogical transfer. In particular, Galatea provides a computational model of how human designers might be generating new designs by incremental transfer of the problem-solving procedure used in previous design cases.     

A real-time satellite system based on UNIX

One solution to the difficulty of running real-time applications under UNIX is to develop the application programs on an available UNIX system and execute them on a dedicated satellite processor. This combines the advantages of a powerful timesharing operating system with the real-time capabilities of a single-process system. PARASITE, a real-time satellite system, provides tools for developing the application program on the host and executing it on a satellite. A host utility serves to invoke the standard UNIX C compiler and link its output with the PARASITE library. The PARASITE library consists of routines that mimic the standard library and routines that read and write the real-time peripherals. PARASITE currently supports digital inputs and outputs, asynchronous serial-line interfaces, program-mable real-time clocks, and analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Another PARA-SITE utility downloads the object code of the user program and PARASITE support code into the satellite, where it runs independently. Once the application routine is executing on the satellite, it controls the satellite processor at all times and is continuously available for servicing hardware-generated interrupts. When a real-time peripheral interrupt routine is invoked by a hardware interrupt, it sends a software signal to the user program, in addition to processing the interrupt. This allows the user program to perform additional tasks that are specific to the application. All data to be permanently stored must be transferred to the host. Since the satellite has no direct access to the resources of the host, a process running on the host receives the data and manages files. PARASITE provides packet driver routines on both the host and the satellite, which together handle the data transmission protocol.     

DMDX: A Windows display program with millisecond accuracy

DMDX is a Windows-based program designed primarily for language-processing experiments. It uses the features of Pentium class CPUs and the library routines provided in DirectX to provide accurate timing and synchronization of visual and audio output. A brief overview of the design of the program is provided, together with the results of tests of the accuracy of timing. The Web site for downloading the software is given, but the source code is not available.     

Tscope: A C library for programming cognitive experiments on the MS Windows platform

Tscope is a C/C11 programming library designed for programming experiments that run on Windows 2000/XP. It is intended for a public of experimental psychologists with moderate programming skills, who are accustomed to writing their own experimental programs for DOS but have not made the step to Windows-based programming yet. It provides molecular functions for graphics, sound, timing, randomization, and response registration. Together with ANSI-C standard library functions and the powerful C syntax, this set of functions gives the experimenter the opportunity to program virtually any experiment one can come up with. Tscope is completely based on free software, is distributed under the GNU General Public License, and is available at expsy.ugent.be/tscope. An integrated development environment for compiling and running Tscope programs is also freely available.     

OK库：为解决SAT问题引入的整体研究平台

OK库是一个开源数据库,被用于支持广义SAT问题领域的研究和发展,该库可从下述网址获得：http：//www．ok—sat—library．org．。本文中我们讨论了这个数据库的发展历史、开发动机和组成架构,并概述了其当前的状况。文章解释了它与现有其它平台的差别：在我们看来,OK库的方法是“整体性”的,也即OK库不仅包含程序代码,也包括用于处理和评价实验（以及实验结果本身）的研究计划和方法。因此可以把OK库理解为IRE,即集成研究环境（但它并非只是构建一个单独的集成块,而是基于Unix／Linux传统的工具箱）。“广义可满足性问题”被理解为SAT问题向CSP的推广,本文中讨论了其中的基本思路。作为结束,本文阐述了解决高级核心SAT的（我们所认为的）十个基本研究问题。     

Deconstructing and reconstructing ACT-R: Exploring the architectural space

Evaluating variations in the structure of computational models of cognition is as important as evaluating variations in the numerical parameters of such models. However, computational models tend not to be organized in such a way as to directly support such research. To address this need, we have taken the well-known cognitive architecture ACT-R, reduced it to its fundamental components, and reconstructed it. Our new system, Python ACT-R, facilitates exploration of the space of possible models and architectures based on the core ACT-R theory. The result has enabled us to examine the possibility of using basic ACT-R components such as the declarative memory system in new ways; for example, as the basis for a new visual attention system. Python ACT-R allows the same model definition syntax to be used to define both ACT-R models and new ACT-R components, as well as making explicit the processes specified by the ACT-R theory.     

Patient inquiry into mental hospitalization: a quantitative analysis.

In this section we have assembled a small collection of data concerned with the issue of whether or not adolescents would profit from reflective inquiry into the closed area of mental health care. We have analyzed, arranged and interpreted the data from our study and conclude it demonstrates that adolescent inpatients did profit substantially from a reflective inquiry into mental health care. The number of subjects involved in this experimental program was small. The subjects of the experimental program were not selected randomly. Moreover, the researcher could not control for a number of intervening variables. For this particular group the intervening variables were many: changes in the subjects' individual treatment program, level of tranquilizing medication, attitude of other staff toward the experimental program, relations with parents or relatives, et cetera. This list covers some of the more important weaknesses of the experimental design. In the account of the experiment we reported the influence of other significant intervening variables as they emerged during the course of the study. Even with these important limitations the total push of the results in the direction of our argument compels us to conclude that it is clearly profitable for adolescent inpatients to reflectively inquire into the closed area of mental health care. Although the data reported here are not of predictive value, we believe they indicate the importance of having adolescent inpatients reflectively examine their social situation.     

如何利用开源工具分析fMRI数据：基于多体素模式的有监督机器学习算法介绍

摘要：目前,多体素模式分析（MVPA）日渐普遍地应用于脑影像研究。近些年,机器学习的模式分类等算法在MVPA方法中被广泛应用,因其具有能够抽取高维数据模式,提高数据利用率的优点。其中一种典型的应用是利用解码的思想来解决神经表征问题,本文主要介绍了利用基于Python语言的工具库中有监督学习算法分析数据的过程。除介绍Nilearn结合Scikit-learn分析数据的步骤外,还比较不同算法的效率,为算法的选择及参数设备提供具体参考。     

Evaluation of an intervention program for the reduction of bullying and victimization in schools

The present study evaluates the effect of an intervention program on the reduction of bullying and victimization in schools with a sample of 239 students aged 10–16 years old in Rome, Italy. The program deals with bullying and violence. It consists of three videos and a booklet that help students to develop the social cognitive competence skills to understand the negative consequences of aggressive behavior. The intervention was evaluated using an experimental design with pre‐test and post‐test analyses. Students were randomly allocated to experimental or control classes. Students completed a self‐report questionnaire in which they were asked to indicate on a 5–point scale how often they were victimized or bullied others. Victimization and bullying were assessed by using questions about specific types of actions, a composite measure of victimization and bullying, and a single question about victimization and bullying in general. Results showed that the program worked best for older students, but not for younger ones who in some cases reported an increased level of victimization after the intervention. For older students there was a decrease in victimization according to the sum of types of behavior for the experimental group, but an increase for the control group. The same result was found for direct victimization, having belongings stolen, and being called nasty names. Therefore, the program seemed to be beneficial for older students but possibly damaging for younger students. It is suggested that the program could have worked better with older students because of the cognitive skills it required. Younger students could have reported higher levels of bullying after the intervention because they became more sensitized to the topic of bullying. Aggr. Behav. 30:1–15, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Impact of a training program in full consciousness (mindfulness) in the measure of growth and personal self-realization

This research focused on the impact of a full awareness (mindfulness) program on the sense of growth and personal self-realization in a sample of secondary school students. A randomized controlled design with an experimental group and waiting-list group was implemented. The Self-concept and Self-actualization Questionnaire (AURE) was used as dependent variable and was administrated before and after running the mindfulness program. The results show a statistically significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores on all factors and subfactors of the AURE. It is concluded that a program of meditation, focused on mindfulness training, may be a valid and appropriate instrument to improve a personal sense of self-realization and growth. It is also suggested that the use of such a program could be complementary with the Instructional-Emotive Program for Personal Growth and Self-realization (PIECAP) psycho-educational program.     

MacProbe: A Macintosh-based experimenter’s workstation for the cognitive sciences

MacProbe is a program that turns an Apple Macintosh with a 68020 processor or greater and a floating point unit into an experimenter’s workstation for implementing a large class of experimental paradigms characteristic of the interdisciplinary fields constituting the cognitive sciences. The core of MacProbe is a structured, interpreted programming language with over 200 high-level commands that provide support for all facets of experimentation from design and presentation of visual and auditory probes, to real-time experiment control, to the analyses and management of experimental data and the presentation of results. The programming language is supplemented by a graphical user interface for such tasks as text and waveform editing and determining the placement of visual probes.     

Description of a restricted randomization program (RRP)

A computer program, which produces restricted randomizations of numbers as an aid in counterbalancing large experimental designs, is described. The input to the program is a series of specifications for sampling a pool of random numbers. For example, it might be specified that each number in the pool be selected at least once and not more than twice in each replication of the experiment. The output would be a restricted randomization meeting these specifications. The program has been used in several memory experiments and could be used in other experimental paradigms in learning and perception.     

3-D graphics animation program for the Apple II

A graphics design program for creating point-light displays of transforming 3-D objects is presented. This program was written for an Apple II microcomputer interfaced to a Texas Instruments TMS 9918A video display processor. In contrast to other 3-D design programs, it uses individual point-lights undergoing circular trajectories as a design primitive. An editor enables the user to enter and edit specific motion parameters for defining the parallel projection of as many as 16 point-lights on the screen. These parameters are then used to calculate and store in an animation list the screen positions of each point-light for each frame. Number of frames to be displayed and display rate are user defined.     

Psycho-Educational Group Intervention Based on Reality Therapy to Cope with Academic Procrastination

This study explored the efficacy of a psycho-educational group intervention based on reality therapy for treating youth with academic procrastination. The participants consisted of undergraduates from a state university located in the Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey. A 10-session training program based on reality therapy was implemented with the experimental group, and a no treatment control group served as the comparison. Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measure for the experimental and control groups were analyzed used in the research. Two-way analysis of variance split plot design. The findings showed that the training program had an effect on decreasing undergraduates’ academic procrastination behavior.     

Effects of a School‐Based Life Skills and HIV‐Prevention Program for Adolescents in Mexican High Schools1

A school‐based life skills and sexuality education HIV/AIDS program for adolescents was evaluated in Toluca, Mexico, through a quasi‐experimental pre–post design with 1,566 cases, divided over a control group and an experimental group. Based on a previously tested path model, 3 levels of variables were included as a guide for the contents of the program: personal variables (self‐knowledge, self‐efficacy regarding condom use, and decision making), intervening variables (subjective norms about, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and attitudes toward condoms), and outcome variables (communication on sexuality and intentions to use condoms). Evaluation was conducted following these categories. Significant increases in all of these variables recognized as precursors of safer sex were found in the experimental group.     

Evaluation of the effects of a childhood depression prevention program

The study aimed to design and evaluate a program for the prevention of childhood depression (“Pozik-Bizi” [in English, “Live-Happily”]), comparing its effects with a socio-emotional intervention program based on cooperative play. The sample comprised 420 students aged 7 to 10?years from the Basque Country, 51.9% were randomly assigned to the experimental condition (“Pozik-Bizi”) program and 48.1% to the control group (“Play program”). Using a pretest-posttest repeated measures experimental design, 7 evaluation instruments were administered. When comparing the two interventions, it was confirmed that those who participated in the “Pozik-Bizi” program significantly decreased their level of clinical maladjustment, school maladjustment, emotional, and behavioral problems, and they increased positive behaviors that inhibit depression. However, the cooperative play program improved self-concept and social skills significantly more than the “Pozik-Bizi” program. The effect size in all the variables was small. The discussion analyzes the effectiveness of specific programs of prevention of childhood depression versus global programs of social-emotional development. This work provides a program to prevent childhood depression that has been shown to be effective in the reduction of clinical variables. In addition, this study confirms the positive potential of programs of cooperative play, to increase self-concept and social skills.     

Doctoral training in behavior analysis: Training generalized problem-solving skills

This essay provides guidelines for designing a doctoral program in behavior analysis. First, we propose a general accomplishment for all behavior analytic doctoral students: that they be able to solve problems concerning individual behavior within a range of environments. Second, in order to achieve this goal, we propose that students be trained in conceptual and experimental analysis of behavior, the application of behavioral principles and the administration of behavioral programs. This training should include class work, but it should emphasize the immersion of students in a variety of environments in which they are required to use behavior analytic strategies. Third, we provide an example of a hypothetical graduate program that involves the proposed training. Finally, an evaluation plan is suggested for determining whether a training program is in fact producing students who are generalized problem-solvers. At each step, we justify our point of view from a perspective that combines principles from behavior analysis and educational systems design.     

Occupational Therapy in a Community-Based Prevention Program

Occupational Therapists have shifted their practice base from a primarily medical model to one involving many different services within the community. Members of this discipline as well as those of the entire health-care field have discovered that preventionj based programs better anticipate and meet consumer needs. The community program described here serves 3, 4, and 5-year -old socio-culturally disadvantaged preschoolers. The program occurs weekly in a local library and includes the librarian's story hour and special activities designed and implemented by the occupational therapists. By observing each child's behavior, occupational therapists can compare normal growth and development with a particular population. The design and delivery of such programs is influenced by many factors including, but not limited to, financing, community values and institutions, and the occupational therapist's understanding of prevention. Increased understanding, as well as the potential application, of occupational therapy's contribution to the prevention of health related problems are further enhanced by the utilization of this program as a field training site for occupational therapy students.