EMG waveform duration: A validation method for the surface electromyogram

The electromyogram (EMG) recorded with surface electrodes was examined using a triggered oscilloscope technique. When all but the high-amplitude waveforms in a given segment of activity were excluded from analysis, it was found that the duration of the remaining waveforms was specific to the muscle that produced them. That is, waveforms of a given duration were recorded whenever conventional indices-observable contraction, joint movement. needle recordings-showed activity in a specific muscle. This led to the suggestion that waveform duration might be used to validate the surface EMG. The suggestion. which is limited by the need to control posture and electrode placement, both of which may influence waveform duration, was illustrated in application to psychological research.     

Contrast and assimilation in lightness judgments

Experiments studied how assimilation and contrast varied as a function of the reflectance of figures above and below the reflectance of a gray background. The results showed that for the experimental conditions investigated: (a) contrast always occurs when the reflectance of lines is above the reflectance of the background, (b) assimilation occurs when the reflectance is below that of the background, (c) circles produce the same degree of assimilation and contrast as lines of equal width, and (d) repeated judgments do not affect contrast but reduce assimilation; as line darkness and line width increase assimilation gives way to contrast following repeated judgments. The results are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that assimilation and contrast arise from opponent processes in the visual system.     

Contrast and assimilation in lightness judgments

Experiments studied how assimilation and contrast varied as a function of the reflectance of figures above and below the reflectance of a gray background. The results showed that for the experimental conditions investigated: (a) contrast always occurs when the reflectance of lines is above the reflectance of the background, (b) assimilation occurs when the reflectance is below that of the background, (c) circles produce the same degree of assimilation and contrast as lines of equal width, and (d) repeated judgments do not affect contrast but reduce assimilation; as line darkness and line width increase assimilation gives way to contrast following repeated judgments. The results are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that assimilation and contrast arise from opponent processes in the visual system,     

CHINESE VALUE SYSTEM AND MANAGERIAL BEHAVIOUR*

This is a paper which reviews and discusses the implications of Chinese value systems for managerial behaviour in Taiwan. With a central assumption that managerial behaviour and styles are largely shaped by the values and normative systems of senior members of corporate management, a study of 43 industrial firms in Taiwan investigating their organisational structure and the managerial assumptions, values and other socio-demographical features of their senior managers was conducted. The results of the research lead to the construction of a typology of four managerial patterns in Taiwan today, viz. the ‘grass-roots’ type, the ‘Mainlander’ type, the ‘specialist’ type and the ‘transitional’ type. While the ‘transitional’ type is more or less by definition ‘transient’, a tendency is postulated by the authors for both the ‘grass-roots’ and ‘Mainlander’ types to move gradually to converge with the ‘specialist’ type which will become increasingly widespread in Taiwan.     

Grading the ‘cultural literacy’ project

The essay examines the argument advanced by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., for instituting ‘cultural literacy’ as a fundamental priority of schools. A number of confusions and equivocations in Hirsch's reasoning are identified, and the propensity of his project to indoctrinate is exposed. Among the features of Hirsch's argument shown to be troubling are his shifting construal of ‘language’, his inconsistency about the requirements of cultural literacy, and his uncritical relation to traditional images of the American past and present. The upshot is to raise the question why Hirsch's project has elicited wide support and praise.     

Referenzsemantik in der Partnermodellierung

How can we explain that an assertion on something perceived can be understood in the same manner by somebody who cannot perceive that scene? This problem bases the interest in computational linguistics in how listener modeling could possibly be harmonized with reference semantics. Mental images substituting real perception appear as a way out. The architecture of the listener model has to be adapted to the creation and use of such pictorial data structures. Furthermore, the relation between the latter and a verbal (i. e., propositional) representation must be understood. The resulting architecture of a listener model with reference semantics can be employed to solve communicational problems from three general classes in a better way, as is demonstrated by an example implementation.     

Circadian factors during sustained performance: Background and methodology

Cornell University Medical College, Westchester Division, The New York Hospital, White Plains, New York It is well established that there is a complex timekeeping mechanism in the human brain. This mechanism is associated with a variety of physiological and psychological rhythms having a period of about a day, and thus referred to as circadian rhythms. The circadian system has recently been modeled in terms of two underlying oscillators, one much more resistant to changes in routine than the other. These oscillators are considered to be endogenous, that is, internal to the organism, and not reliant for their existence upon changes in the person’s environment or general behavior. They thus continue to run even when the sleep/wake cycle is suspended, as in sustained operations. Thus, by their very nature, sustained operations require the individual to override the inputs that are coming from his or her circadian system (especially the indication that sleep is required). The aim of this paper is to provide a background to the area of circadian rhythms research, including a section on the methodology, so that the impact of the circadian system on sustained operations can be better understood.     

Treatment of urinary urgency and excessive frequency: a case study

A 39-year-old male presenting with a 5 year history of excessive urinary frequency and urgency was treated first with scheduling of urination, use of external urinary catheter and progressive muscular relaxation and then with a urinary retention training procedure. After the first set of procedures, urinary frequency decreased, whereas urgency increased slightly. After completion of retention training, both symptoms were alleviated. Overall, urinary frequency decreased from a baseline average of 14 urinations daily to a post-treatment average of 6.5 urinations per day. Urinary urgency decreased from a baseline average of 35 urges per day to a post-treatment average of 9.3 urges per day. Gains were maintained at 3 and 5 month follow-up.