An analysis of reading skill development using E-Z Reader

Previously reported simulations using the E-Z Reader model of eye-movement control suggest that the patterns of eye movements observed with children versus adult readers reflect differences in lexical processing proficiency. However, these simulations fail to specify precisely what aspect(s) of lexical processing (e.g., orthographic processing) account for the concurrent changes in eye movements and reading skill. To examine this issue, the E-Z Reader model was first used to simulate the aggregate eye-movement data from 15 adults and 75 children to replicate the finding that gross differences in reading skill can be accounted for by differences in lexical processing proficiency. The model was then used to simulate the eye-movement data of individual children so that the best-fitting lexical processing parameters could be correlated to measures of orthographic knowledge, phonological processing skill, sentence comprehension, and general intelligence. These analyses suggest that orthographic knowledge accounts for variance in the eye-movement measures that is observed with between-individual differences in reading skill. The theoretical implications of this conclusion will be discussed in relation to computational models of reading and our understanding of reading skill development.     

A model for 〈c+a〉 dislocation transmission across nano-spaced parallel basal stacking faults in a HCP alloy

We develop a model for recently observed 〈c + a〉 dislocation transmission across nano-spaced parallel basal stacking faults in hexagonal close-packed (HCP) Mg microcrystalline grains. The model theoretically predicts nanospace-dependent yield strength that is in good agreement with experimental data. Additionally, it theoretically predicts activation volume and strain rate sensitivity.     

Door-in-the-Face Technique and Delay to Fulfill the Final Request: An Evaluation With a Request to Give Blood

We tested the Door-in-the-Face technique (DITF) on blood donation with a delay between the acceptance of the request and the real possibility of complying with it. University students were solicited to give blood during a special one-day drive. After the refusal to participate in a long-term donor program, participants were asked for a one unit blood donation. In the control condition, only the latter request was addressed. The participants were either solicited two or three hours before the blood drive (delay) or during the blood drive (no delay). Results showed the DITF technique to be associated with greater verbal compliance with the request. However, the DITF technique with no delay was associated with greater behavioral compliance than were both of the control conditions and the DITF with a delay condition.     

Helping with all your heart: the effect of cardioid dishes on tipping behavior

Some studies have shown that figurative cues, presented in the immediate environment of an individual, affect his/her later behavior. This effect was studied in a tipping behavior context. In three restaurants, each bill was placed under a dish, which had a cardioid shape, a round shape, or a square shape. Results showed that more tips were left in the bill dish with the cardioid shape. The activation spreading theory is used to explain these results.     

Psychotic manifestations in a patient with mental retardation and a 6.2 megabase deletion at the distal short arm of chromosome 12

Genetic factors are known to contribute to the development of schizophrenia and related psychoses. Cytogenetic abnormalities have been occasionally found in patients with psychotic disorders and, thus, have helped identify candidate gene contributors for these conditions. The individual described here first presented with mental retardation and anxiety disorder in his mid-childhood. In his early 20s, the patient started exhibiting various psychotic manifestations, including delusions and hallucinations. His psychotic symptoms were difficult to control with psychotropic medications. The family history was negative for psychiatric disorders. This patient was found to have a 6.2 megabase deletion of the terminal portion of the short arm of chromosome 12 that was characterized using fluorescence in situ hybridization and microarray comparative genomic hybridization analysis. The maternal chromosomes were normal, but the paternal chromosomes could not be tested. To-date such a chromosomal abnormality has not been described in association with schizophrenia/psychosis. This case suggests that psychosis-associated gene(s) may be located in the terminal region of the short arm of chromosome 12.     

Psychometric properties of the Reynolds Child Depression Scale in community and clinical samples

The factor structure of the Reynolds Child Depression Scale (RCDS; Reynolds, 1989), analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis and the scale's psychometric characteristics in a sample of 315 participants (140 boys and 175 girls) and a clinical sample of 62 participants (37 boys and 25 girls) between 10 and 12 years old, are presented. Two models are tested with confirmatory factor analysis: a one-factor model and a five-factor model. Both models show a good fit, but the one-factor model was chosen because it is the most parsimonious. The reliability coefficient ranged from .87 (at test) to .89 (at retest) in the community sample, and was .90 in the clinical sample (at test). Test-retest reliability was .66 in the community sample. Concurrent validity with other self-reports that measure depressive symptomatology was high, both in the community sample (.76) and the clinical sample (.71). There were no significant sex differences but there were differences due to age (school grade).     

早期儒家"礼"文化内涵的嬗变

"礼"是人类精神文明的产物,是人类在社会生活中相互交往的一种行为规范.儒家所称颂的"礼"是指以宗法制度为核心的政治制度、等级观念、道德行为规范及各种礼节仪式,几乎涵盖了社会政治、经济、军事、法律、教育、文化生活的方方面面.它既可以是个人思想行为的基本准则,又可以是治国安邦的根本纲领;既可以是道德评判与法律制裁的最终依据,又可以是社会机构运作中一切精神的体现.     

互动公正对员工绩效与主管承诺的影响及其机制

采用问卷调查法和结构方程建模技术探讨互动公正对员工绩效与主管承诺的影响及其机制。通过分析215份员工和其直接主管的配对数据,结果发现：(1)互动公正通过主管认知信任的部分中介作用正向影响员工的任务绩效,即一方面直接影响员工的任务绩效,另一方面通过认知信任间接影响员工的任务绩效;(2)互动公正通过主管情感信任的完全中介作用正向影响员工的进谏行为;(3)互动公正通过主管认知信任和情感信任的完全中介作用正向影响员工的主管承诺。     

儿童的工作记忆广度

针对儿童的工作记忆广度问题,介绍了国内外有关研究的方法及成果,并对影响儿童工作记忆广度的几个因素,如加工速度、领域特殊性和存储能力等进行了分析。