Medial auditory thalamic input to the lateral pontine nuclei is necessary for auditory eyeblink conditioning

Auditory and visual conditioned stimulus (CS) pathways for eyeblink conditioning were investigated with reversible inactivation of the medial (MPN) or lateral (LPN) pontine nuclei. In Experiment 1, Long-Evans rats were given three phases of eyeblink conditioning. Phase 1 consisted of three training sessions with electrical stimulation of the medial auditory thalamic nuclei (MATN) paired with a periorbital shock unconditioned stimulus (US). An additional session was given with a muscimol (0.5 μL, 10 mM) or saline infusion targeting the LPN followed by a recovery session with no infusions. The same training and testing sequence was then repeated with either a tone or light CS in phases 2 and 3 (counterbalanced). Experiment 2 consisted of the same training as Experiment 1 except that muscimol or saline was infused in the MPN during the retention tests. Muscimol infusions targeting the LPN severely impaired retention of eyeblink conditioned responses (CRs) to the MATN stimulation and tone CSs but only partially reduced CR percentage to the light CS. Muscimol infusions that targeted the MPN had a larger effect on CR retention to the light CS relative to MATN stimulation or tone CSs. The results provide evidence that the auditory CS pathway necessary for delay eyeblink conditioning includes the MATN-LPN projection and the visual CS pathway includes the MPN.     

Perception of biological motion in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): by females only

The ability to perceive biological motion (BM) has been demonstrated in a number of species including humans but the few studies of non-human primates have been relatively inconclusive. We investigated whether common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are able to perceive biological motion, using a novel method to test non-human primates. Marmosets (7 male and 7 female) were trained to remove a cover from a container and look inside it, revealing a computer screen. Then they were presented with images on this computer screen consisting of a novel BM pattern (a walking hen) and 4 manipulations of that pattern (a static frame of this pattern and inverted, scrambled, and rotating versions of the pattern). The behavioural responses of the marmosets were recorded and used to assess discrimination between stimuli. BM was attended to by females but not males, as shown by active inspection behaviour, mainly movement of the head towards the stimulus. Females paid significantly less attention to all of the other stimuli. This indicates the females’ ability to attend to biological motion. Females showed slightly more attention to the inverted BM than to the static, scrambled, and rotating patterns. The males were less attentive to all of the stimuli than were the females and, unlike the females, responded to all stimuli in a similar manner. This sex difference could be due to an inability of males to recognise BM altogether or to a lesser amount of curiosity. Considered together with the findings of previous studies on chicks and humans, the results of the present study support the notion of a common mechanism across species for the detection of BM.     

Billing for Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Services: A National Survey

In January 2007 the American Medical Association added a new Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) code, 96040, for “Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling Services.” In order to identify the impact of having this new code and to identify issues with implementation of the code, the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) CPT® Working Group surveyed NSGC members using an internet-based survey tool. The majority of respondents (94%) reported being aware of the new code and over half of the respondents (69%) said they were billing for genetic counseling. Approximately 24% of those billing reported using 96040. Many facilities are not using this code and the reported success of billing using 96040 is highly varied. Continued education may be beneficial to encourage reimbursement for 96040 and follow up is needed to assess the ongoing implementation and impact of the new CPT® code.     

I CAN'T MAKE YOU WORSHIP ME

This paper argues that Divine Command Theory is inconsistent with the view, held by many theists, that we have a moral obligation to worship God.     

Mentorship and the Female College President

Despite the increase in the number of women college presidents, the percentage of female college presidents is disproportionately low. Results of some studies imply that mentorship is one factor that facilitates women’s climb up the administrative ladder to the college presidency. This study was designed to examine mentoring relationships among female college presidents. A sample of 91 female presidents at selected independent colleges was surveyed about mentor and mentee relationships and demographics. Findings demonstrate that a majority of the respondents had primary mentors (56%) and also served as mentors (64.4%) to others. Mentorship and multiple mentoring relationships are invaluable in advancing women through the ranks of higher education administration and for increasing the number of female college presidents.     

The Cultural Negotiations of Korean Immigrant Youth

The authors investigated the process of cultural adjustment among 13 Korean immigrant youths using consensual qualitative research (C. E. Hill, B. J. Thompson, & E. N. Williams, 1997). Results indicate that Korean youth are expected to negotiate and shift their identities to meet differing expectations across various interpersonal contexts. Participants also report struggling to balance “American” and “Korean” cultural values and norms and to use social support networks, such as family and friends, to deal with the stress of acculturation.     

Having Our Say: African American Women,Diversity, and Counseling

African American female counseling professionals contribute greatly to the multicultural growth of the counseling profession by spurring the profession's evolution and defining new paradigms and counseling activities. Despite their contributions, they face serious organizational, intrapersonal, and interpersonal challenges to their success in academia. This article seeks to elucidate the challenges to African American female counseling professionals and offers systemic and personal strategies that will facilitate the profession's evolution to culturally competent, ethical, and intentional helping orientations and worldviews.     

Interdependence as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Competitiveness and Objective Sales Performance

In this study, we investigated the moderating role of interdependence (a personality trait that measures the extent to which individuals desire working in a group‐based, cooperative setting) on the relationship between competitiveness and one‐year objective sales performance. On the basis of data from 133 sales representatives, results indicated that: (a) competitiveness was related to objective sales performance; and (b) interdependence moderated the relationship between competitiveness and objective sales performance such that competitiveness predicted objective sales performance more strongly for those who scored low in interdependence versus those who scored high in interdependence. Implications for sales selection and reward systems and directions for future research are considered.     

Obligation, contracts, and negotiation: Outlining an approach

In this paper I outline an ambitious project to incorporate into a normative language the tools necessary for an account of hierarchical organizations and the changing roles and obligations of agents within them, and an analogous account of contracts and the changing roles and obligations of agents who are parties to contracts. While such an enriched language is likely to be considerably more complex than those most often considered for deontic logic, it promises for that very reason to enlarge considerably the range of normative problems that can be accurately expressed and effectively addressed.     

School‐Based Health Centers: Implications for Counselors

School‐based health centers (SBHCs) have been established to provide comprehensive physical and mental health care and preventive services for students. Growing evidence of outcome effectiveness has spurred the rapid development of these centers. SBHCs have received little coverage in the counseling literature. This article provides a review of the issues and opportunities that SBHCs offer for the counseling profession.