Generalization of visual matching and delayed matching by a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Only a limited number of species have been found capable of generalized matching-to-sample (MTS) after exposure to relatively few training exemplars. We trained a juvenile, experimentally naive California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) in MTS, using a pair of three-dimensional objects as samples. Successful matching to a criterion of 90% correct or better over 2 successive sessions was attained in 12 sessions (269 trials and 70 errors). Two subsequent “partial” transfer tests, in which each of the two training objects was paired with a novel test object, and four additional transfer tests, all with novel objects, were presented following training. An 80% performance criterion over 2 successive sessions was reached, or closely approximated, in from 2 to 4 transfer sessions for all transfer tests; errors to criterion tended to be reduced across the successive novel transfer tests and were as few as five during the final two tests; and performance on the first 48 trials of the last two novel transfers was not significantly different from a near-ceiling level baseline performance measure. Neophobic responses of the sea lion to new objects precluded an unbiased evaluation of immediate (Trial 1) transfer. The sea lion’s short-term memory for sample objects was also measured. Matching performance was maintained at a level of 78% correct responses or better for delays through to 45 sec after removal of the sample object. At a 58-sec delay, the longest tested, performance declined to 69% correct responses. These retention levels are only somewhat below levels reported for dolphins and nonhuman primates tested on visual delayed MTS, but they are above levels typically reported for pigeon subjects.     

A Systematic Evaluation and Comparison Between Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling and Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling

In this study, we contrast two competing approaches, not previously compared, that balance the rigor of CFA/SEM with the flexibility to fit realistically complex data. Exploratory SEM (ESEM) is claimed to provide an optimal compromise between EFA and CFA/SEM. Alternatively, a family of three Bayesian SEMs (BSEMs) replace fixed-zero estimates with informative, small-variance priors for different subsets of parameters: cross-loadings (CL), residual covariances (RC), or CLs and RCs (CLRC). In Study 1, using three simulation studies, results showed that (1) BSEM-CL performed more closely to ESEM; (2) BSEM-CLRC did not provide more accurate model estimation compared with BSEM-CL; (3) BSEM-RC provided unstable estimation; and (4) different specifications of targeted values in ESEM and informative priors in BSEM have significant impacts on model estimation. The real data analysis (Study 2) showed that the differences in estimation between different models were largely consistent with those in Study1 but somewhat smaller.     

Equity Traps Redux: Inequitable Access to Foreign Language Courses for African American High School Students

Although much of the current educational research literature on achievement gaps has focused on core curricular areas in public schools, few have focused on racially identifiable gaps in non-core areas such as high school foreign languages. These achievement, and thus advancement, gaps often result in the under-representation of students of color in higher level foreign language classes. This can have long-range negative consequences for students, such as lacking the foreign language credits needed for admission into major universities. Thus, in this qualitative study, we researched the perceptions of teachers, counselors, and school leaders at a racially diverse urban high school in central Texas concerning the enrollment, achievement, and advancement of African American students in high school foreign language courses. The results indicate that equity traps—deficit views, racial erasure, and paralogical beliefs and behaviors—advanced over a decade ago (McKenzie &; Scheurich, 2004 McKenzie, K. B., &; Scheurich, J. J. (2004). Equity traps: A useful construct for preparing principals to lead schools that are successful with racially diverse students. Educational Administration Quarterly, 40(5), 601–632.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) are continuing and even thriving among teachers, counselors, and school leaders in public schools. These equity traps contribute to the foreign language achievement gap, resulting in diminished educational opportunities for African American students. Moreover, we propose that an additional equity trap is at play—organizational constraints—which are the structural obstacles that serve to abet and perpetuate the negative beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and assumptions exposed in the original equity traps. We conclude this article with recommendations for policy makers and practitioners and offer direction for future research.     

A physical study of the Welsbach Mantle

The investigation here described, in so far as it deals with the radiating characteristics of the incandescent mantle, constitutes chiefly an extension of the work of Rubens on the thoria-ceria mixtures, to a large family of such combinations. It exhibits the Welsbach mantle of commerce simply as one of a group of possible combinations of radiating materials, behaving according to the same general laws, but remarkable among them for the degree to which the characteristics of selective radiation are exhibited.A more detailed study has been made than any heretofore on the behavior under various conditions of the absorption bands to which the enhanced visible radiation of the more efficient mantles are due. While no explanation has been found for the occurrence of the visible absorption bands of ceria and other materials—a question to be solved only by an intimate knowledge of the structure of matter—the information learned as to the conditions under which they appear and disappear has made possible a rather complete explanation of some long-standing enigmas, notably that of the different behavior of the mantle in flame and cathode-discharge heating.Another line of investigation has here been taken up apparently for the first time in any detail; namely, that of the energy relations holding with flame heating of radiating materials. As a result of the study it has been possible to fix with some definiteness the possible attainable efficiencies of gas-light production by present methods. These, while low, are still many times any now reached.     

Sherry: Renaissance rhetorician

This essay examines the renaissance rhetorician Richard Sherry and his work A Treatise of Schemes and Tropes. The tripartite discussion is divided into locating the work in the stream of rhetorical history, failure of the work in comparison with contemporaries, and value of the work in light of its pioneering achievements.     

A modern everyman

In modern tragedy, there is often a similarity between the form of the play and the typical form of the English morality drama. This similarity is typified in Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN which bears a distinct resemblance to the major English Morality drama, EVERYMAN.     

Psychopathology and Parenting Practices of Parents of Preschool Children with Behavior Problems

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations among different types of parental psychopathology and several specific parenting practices. DESIGN: Mothers (n = 182) and fathers (n = 126) of preschool-aged children with behavior problems completed questionnaires assessing parental psychopathology and parenting practices, and participated in observed parent-child interactions. RESULTS: Maternal depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and several different personality disorder traits were related to maternal negativity, laxness, and lack of warmth. Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, and borderline personality disorder symptoms predicted mothers' parenting practices, even when statistically controlling for other types of psychopathology. For fathers, those same symptoms, dependent and avoidant symptoms, and substance abuse symptoms were associated with self-reported lax parenting. Evidence emerged that psychopathology in one parent was associated with less overreactivity in the other parent. CONCLUSIONS: Many aspects of parents' psychological functioning play a role in determining specific parenting practices, including personality disorder symptoms.     

根箱法解析大豆苗期根际养分分布及吸收特征

植物影响根际微生态系统特征。应用根箱法对2个大豆基因型的苗期养分（N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Zn和Cu）吸收及其在根际分布特征进行了研究。结果表明，高产基因型北丰11 对N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Mn、Zn和Cu的吸收量均显著高于低产基因型海9731，其单位根长、根表面积吸收N、P、Ca和Mg的量亦较高，其根系吸收活力较强。土壤有效养分在根际的分布趋势不同，有效N和Mn在0–4 mm范围内的含量高于非根际区（>10 mm），而P、K、Mg和Cu在根面区表现一定程度的亏缺。2个基因型间根际养分差含量异较大，除K和Fe外，其它营养元素在北丰11根面和近根面区的含量均不同程度地高于海9731。北丰11根际0–6 mm的范围内pH较低。     

Transitional Rhetoric of Chinese Communist Party Leaders in the Post-Mao Reform Period: Dilemmas and Strategies

Since 1978 China's ruling Communist Party has moved China's economy increasingly toward capitalism and its foreign policy toward strategic partnership with its old enemies in the West. These changes have required Party leaders to reconcile the reforms rhetorically with continued homage to their predecessors, to Chinese traditions, and to Marxist/Maoist orthodoxies. This analysis focuses on key slogans and catchwords used in top-down rhetoric by each post-Mao regime to facilitate economic/political reforms while legitimizing continued one-party rule.