Use of automatic frequency analysis in the therapy of patients with acute ischemic insults

A series of EEG reading by automatic frequency analysis by means of Fast-Fourier transformation was taken, with a total of thirteen patients with acute ischemic infarction. Of the parameters under test, the total power-parameters, the relative performances of the delta and alpha wavebands, the delta/alpha index, and the alpha peak frequency variation proved their suitability in assessing clinical progress and in lateral localisation. Automatic frequency analysis adds to the range of tools available for EEG diagnosis, and can play its part in trend analysis during intensive therapy.     

Perinatal positive parenting: Parent support groups

Parent-infant support groups offer first-time parents an opportunity to share their experiences and concerns with each other. This paper discusses the parent groups component of Perinatal Positive Parenting, a program for parents who deliver their first-born children at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. Formation of the support groups follows the program's hospital and in-home components. Group organization, structure, and meeting format are described and the volunteer group leader's role as facilitator is examined.     

Probing three-way interactions in moderated multiple regression: development and application of a slope difference test

Researchers often use 3-way interactions in moderated multiple regression analysis to test the joint effect of 3 independent variables on a dependent variable. However, further probing of significant interaction terms varies considerably and is sometimes error prone. The authors developed a significance test for slope differences in 3-way interactions and illustrate its importance for testing psychological hypotheses. Monte Carlo simulations revealed that sample size, magnitude of the slope difference, and data reliability affected test power. Application of the test to published data yielded detection of some slope differences that were undetected by alternative probing techniques and led to changes of results and conclusions. The authors conclude by discussing the test's applicability for psychological research.     

SWIFT: a dynamical model of saccade generation during reading

Mathematical models have become an important tool for understanding the control of eye movements during reading. Main goals of the development of the SWIFT model (R. Engbert, A. Longtin, & R. Kliegl, 2002) were to investigate the possibility of spatially distributed processing and to implement a general mechanism for all types of eye movements observed in reading experiments. The authors present an advanced version of SWIFT that integrates properties of the oculomotor system and effects of word recognition to explain many of the experimental phenomena faced in reading research. They propose new procedures for the estimation of model parameters and for the test of the model's performance. They also present a mathematical analysis of the dynamics of the SWIFT model. Finally, within this framework, they present an analysis of the transition from parallel to serial processing.     

N-channel tachistoscopes

Two 10-channel tachistoscopes are described. In one the optical system is based upon fiber optic light guides; channel and interchannel time control is provided by Tektronix pulse and waveform generators. In the other the optical system uses 10 8-mm variable power projector lens systems. Timing control is obtained from an Iconix timebase generator and preset counters. Two methods of programming the equipment are described and some experimental applications are considered.     

Effect of pulsating electromagnetic field therapy on cell volume and phagocytosis activity in multiple sclerosis and migraine

PEMF treatment was studied in 10 patients with multiple sclerosis and 10 patients with migraine. In both patients' groups a single treatment induced a significant rise of yeast particle uptake by blood granulocytes. The percentage of phagocytizing cells was increased in migraine patients only. In both patients' groups 20 PEMF treatments caused a reduction of particle uptake, whereas the percentage of phagocytizing cells remained unchanged. In migraine patients the opsonic capacity of serum and the mean cell volume of erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes were initially reduced, but increased during the course of 20 PEMF treatments. The biphasic changes of cell volume and phagocytic activity are interpreted as a result of counter-regulation of the organism in response to the primary PEMF effect.