Materials analogue of zero-stiffness structures

Anglepoise lamps and certain tensegrities are examples of zero-stiffness structures. These structures are in a state of neutral equilibrium with respect to changes in configuration of the system. Using Eshelby's example of an edge dislocation in a thin plate that can bend, we report the discovery of a non-trivial new class of material structures as an analogue to zero-stiffness structures. For extended positions of the edge dislocation in these structures, the dislocation experiences a zero image force. Salient features of these material structures along with the key differences from conventional zero-stiffness structures are pointed out.     

Neuro-cognitive aspects of “OM” sound/syllable perception: A functional neuroimaging study

The sound “OM” is believed to bring mental peace and calm. The cortical activation associated with listening to sound “OM” in contrast to similar non-meaningful sound (TOM) and listening to a meaningful Hindi word (AAM) has been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The behaviour interleaved gradient technique was employed in order to avoid interference of scanner noise. The results reveal that listening to “OM” sound in contrast to the meaningful Hindi word condition activates areas of bilateral cerebellum, left middle frontal gyrus (dorsolateral middle frontal/BA 9), right precuneus (BA 5) and right supramarginal gyrus (SMG). Listening to “OM” sound in contrast to “non-meaningful” sound condition leads to cortical activation in bilateral middle frontal (BA9), right middle temporal (BA37), right angular gyrus (BA 40), right SMG and right superior middle frontal gyrus (BA 8). The conjunction analysis reveals that the common neural regions activated in listening to “OM” sound during both conditions are middle frontal (left dorsolateral middle frontal cortex) and right SMG. The results correspond to the fact that listening to “OM” sound recruits neural systems implicated in emotional empathy.     

In a bid to restate the culture-psyche problematic: revisiting The Essential Writings of Suhir Kakar

This book assembles a broad sweep of its author's writings in one volume. Sudhir Kakar is an erudite psychoanalyst who has written nearly fifteen previous books on various aspects of Indian psyche and culture. Most are concerned with alternative healing practices and traditions, aspects of Indian childhood, and the place of sexuality in Indian culture. Informed by psychohistory and influenced by Erikson's theory of identity and its psychosocial development within the life cycle of an individual in a given society, Kakar accurately articulates issues of identity and separation-individuation dynamics that operate within Indian psyche and culture. In discussing the subject book, the author of this essay applies a psychoanalytically focused approach, emphasizing the teachings of French psychoanalysis and the British object relations school in particular.     

Evidence for the construct validities of the Beck Youth Inventories with child psychiatric outpatients

To provide further information about the construct validities of the Beck Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment, these inventories were administered to 35 female and 65 male outpatients whose ages ranged from 7 to 12 years and who were diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders. The Children's Depression Inventory was also administered, and the children were rated by a parent with the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form. The scores on the former inventory were more positively correlated with the scores on the Beck Youth Depression Inventory (r =.81, p<.001) than with scores on the four other Beck Youth Inventories, and those on the Conners Oppositional scale were comparably correlated with the scores on the Beck Youth Disruptive Behavior (r=.49, p<.001) and Anger (r=.41, p<.001) Inventories. These latter correlations were higher than those for scores on the Oppositional scale with the scores on the three other Beck scales.     

Extent of Hostility in Educated Indian Unemployed Youth: A Micro Analysis

This study was designed to ascertain the level of hostility in educated unemployed youth (N = 150) as against employed youth (N = 150) at micro level by employing an Indian adaptation of the Buss-Durkee Hostility Scale. Results of statistical comparison revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of hostility and its various dimensions barring indirect aggression, negativism, and verbal aggression. However, both the groups tended to have a moderate amount of hostility and its dimensions. The results further showed the relative standing of the two groups on the dimensions of hostility, positing the job-seekers as possessing a high sense of guilt and low indirect aggression, and the employed youth, being high on irritability, and, like their counterparts, low on indirect aggression. Also, the study indicated a correlation among the dimensions of hostility with one another and with the total scale scores.     

Processes that mediate the relationship between a group goal and improved group performance

The relationships between the level of a group performance goal for quantity, group process, and group performance were assessed. Forty groups of 3 people performed 3 trials of a production task. One half of the groups were assigned a low goal for Sessions 2 and 3, and one half were assigned a high goal. To measure group process, videotapes of each group were analyzed and self-reports of behavior were collected. A significant difference in performance across the high and low goal conditions was found for Session 3, and measures of group process showed that effort, group planning, changes in individual and group performance plans, and reduced concern for quality mediated the group goal effect. These results are discussed in relation to Weldon and Weingart's (1988) model of group goals and group performance.     

Effects of fear on exploratory behaviour in rats

It has been suggested that mild fear may evoke rather than inhibit exploratory responses in rats. The relationship between conditioned fear and exploratory behaviour was analysed in three experiments and there was no evidence that mild fear increased exploration. Conditioned fear was found to be under relatively precise stimulus control and its magnitude was related to the intensities and durations of the unconditioned stimulus, inescapable electric shock.     

How teachers use the group I.Q. test scores

Ninety elementary school teachers, grades 2–6, in two school districts in Ohio were interviewed to obtain information on how they used the results of group IQ tests. Twenty-seven of 90 teachers (30%) reported making “little or no use” of the test scores. Most of these teachers presumably had more faith in their own tools and observations than in the IQ test scores. However, 76 of 90 teachers (84%, including the ones who made little use of the test scores) stated that they used the test scores for one or more purposes. The four most frequently mentioned uses were: (a) “for discussion in parent conferences” (51%); (b) “to know a student's potential and/or determine ability-motivation discrepancy” (42%); (c) “to plan instruction” (39.5%) and (d) “for referral purposes” (29%). The instructional strategies mentioned by the teachers varied and were categorized into 21 categories.