Impulsive cognitive tempo in severe and mild learning disabled children

The purpose of the study was to compare the performance of severe and mild learning disabled children to normal children on a problem-solving task. The three types of children were assessed on the Matching Familiar Figures task, which provides a measure of impulsivity during problem-solving tasks. Results indicated that on the MFF, LD children, as a group, were more impulsive than normal children, and severe LD were more impulsive than mild LD children. Impulsivity scores were correlated with reading achievement, indicating a relationship between problem-solving strategy and academic performance. Educational implications are discussed regarding the usefulness of the reflection-impulsivity dimension in the area of learning disabilities and the applicability of the MFF as a diagnostic and evaluative measure.     

Graded hypoxia and blood oxidative stress during exercise recovery

Altitude exposure and exercise elicit oxidative stress in blood; however, exercise recovery at 5000 m attenuates oxidative stress. The purpose was to determine the altitude threshold at which blood oxidative stress is blunted during exercise recovery. Twelve males 18–28 years performed four-cycle ergometry bouts (60 min, 70% VO_2max, at 975 m). In a randomised counterbalanced crossover design, participants recovered 6 h at 0, 1667, 3333 and 5000 m in a normobaric hypoxia chamber (recovery altitudes were simulated by using a computerised system in an environmental chamber by lowering the partial pressure of oxygen to match that of the respective altitude). Oxygen saturation was monitored throughout exercise recovery. Blood samples obtained pre-, post-, 1 h post- and 5 h post-exercise were assayed for ferric-reducing antioxidant plasma, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, uric acid, lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls. Muscle biopsies obtained pre and 6 h were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction to quantify expression of hemeoxgenase 1, superoxide dismutase 2 and nuclear factor (euthyroid-derived 2)-like factor. Pulse oximetry data were similar during exercise, but decreased for the three highest recovery elevations (0 m = 0%, 1667 m = ?3%; 3333 m = ?7%; 5000 m = ?17%). A time-dependent oxidative stress occurred following exercise for all variables, but the two highest recovery altitudes partially attenuated the lipid hydroperoxide response (0 m = +135%, 1667 m = +251%, 3333 m = +99%; 5000 m = +108%). Data may indicate an altitude threshold between 1667 and 3333 m, above which the oxidative stress response is blunted during exercise recovery.     

Community College Students' Conceptual Understanding of Statistical Measures of Spread

This study investigated the conceptual understanding of measures of spread among community college students in an introductory statistics course. The course is centered around deemphasizing computational skills and focused, rather, on development of conceptual understanding. Open-ended questions were developed to explore and assess students' conceptual understanding of measures of spread. A detailed analysis of the students' responses is presented to reveal the range of students' conceptions of the measures of spread. The analysis of a wide variety of responses provides evidence of the students' ability to organize concepts of spread in a way that is meaningful to them individually. Some common student misconceptions revealed by this study should be examined closely and taken into consideration to promote students' development of understanding of spread.     

The Effect of Bicycle Ergometer Exercise at Varying Intensities on the Heart Rate,EMG and Mood State Responses to a Mental Arithmetic Stressor

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bicycle ergometer exercise at varying metabolic intensities upon the heart rate, electromyographic (EMG), and mood state responses to a timed mental arithmetic stressor. Twelve males participated in four experimental conditions: three exercise trials consisting of workloads of 40%, 55%, and 70% of physical work capacity, and an attentional control condition. Daily test protocol involved the following time sequence: habituation, baseline, exercise or control condition (presented in a counterbalanced order), recovery, mental arithmetic, and completion of mood state questionnaire. Results indicated no differential response to the mental arithmetic stressor across the four conditions for the 12 subjects for heart rate, EMG activity, or mood state. Thus, 15 min of exercise at 40%, 55%, and 70% of physical work capacity proved to be no different from an attentional control condition in influencing the physiological and psychological responses to the mental arithmetic stressor.     

Connecting Faculty Researchers to Librarians via Departmental Associates

Librarians have provided reference and research support for faculty to varying degrees for many years, and librarian support is needed more than ever today with the rapidly evolving nature of library resources and online information. Learning about faculty research needs and determining ways to support their research is an ongoing challenge facing librarians. This article describes a library program that uses academic department administrative personnel to connect with faculty researchers and helps clarify the roles that librarians, faculty, and administrative personnel play in the research process.     

Broadcast Journalism

Edwin Diamond's Good News, Bad News (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1978---S12.50)

Laurily Keir Epstein, ed. Women and the News (New York: Hastings House, 1978---$12.50)

Gates, Gary Paul. Air Time: The Inside Story of CBS News (New York: Harper & Row, 1978---$12.95)

Barrett, Marvin. Rich News, Poor News: The Sixth Alfred I. duPont--Columbia University Survey of Broadcast Journalism (New York: Crowell, 1978---$12.95/ 5.95)

General Communications (partial list of contents)