Estimation of a response surface from-a general incomplete block design

If an incomplete block design is used to compare v treatments and later it is decided to fit a second order response surface using the fact that the v treatments are v combinations of levels of m different factors, how will one proceed to obtain this? This paper demonstrates how the usual analysis of an incomplete block design with or without recovery of interblock information can be augmented to yield estimates of response surface coefficients.     

An Interview with Terry Reese

In July 2005, Bonnie Parks spoke with Terry Reese, digital production unit head at Oregon State University's Valley Library (Corvallis). In this interview, Reese shares his views on topics ranging from electronic journal management to the impact Google Scholar might have on the way libraries provide access to information.     

Ego strength and achievement motivation in pathological gamblers

This paper argues that there area priori reasons to extract measures of ego strength and achievement motivation from the psychometric data base routinely collected from inpatient pathological gambers in order to clarify the meaning of these constructs and to evaluate their roles in personality organization. A sample of 57 subjects engaged in an inpatient treatment program for pathological gamblers was studied using Barron's Ego Strength Scale (ES) from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and two measures of achievement motivation from the California Personality Inventory, Achievement via Conformance (Ac) and Achievement via Independence (Ai). Compared to the standardization group norms on these instruments, pathological gamblers are significantly deficient in both ego strength and one type of achievement motivation, Ac. Clinical impressions of gamblers in treatment suggest that narcissistic characteristics are a major problem in treatment and that future research should attempt further detailed studies of ego structure in order to refine treatment objectives.     

Network sampling in practice: Some second steps

Network sampling is a potentially invaluable method of studying density of large networks, but its feasibility in practice is largely unknown. Two pretests of a network sampling instrument in a favourable setting (a network with moderate size, high density, and cooperative respondents) with a relatively representative population are reported in this paper. The results indicate that network sampling is indeed viable in such settings. Some suggestions for successful applications are offered.     

A lesbian-feminist journey through queer nation

This article is an auto-ethnographical review of the political experiences and literary career of one of the early lesbian feminist critics and theorists. It poses the question: what does it mean to be shaped by one theoretical and political discourse (Lesbian Feminism) and then thrust by historical change into another (Queer Theory)? With the author's life and work as a frame and exemplar, it illustrates the development of lesbian feminist thought. Ultimately, it argues that the insights and values of Lesbian Feminism should not be suppressed by those of Queer Theory, and calls upon lesbian feminists to re-insert themselves into current scholarly and theoretical debates.     

Cytochrome P450 testing for better psychiatric care

Genotyping for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 variations is emerging as a potentially useful clinical tool to help mental health professionals prescribe psychiatric medications for their patients. Cytochrome P450 testing uses a blood sample to determine an individual's required dosage of identified drugs that are metabolized by the two enzymes. To provide care for patients and families, nurses should be able to demonstrate identified essential nursing competencies related to genetics and genomics, which include an understanding of cytochrome P450 testing. As patient advocates, nurses are expected to understand how to identify patients most likely to benefit from CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 testing, how to ensure informed consent for such testing, and how to educate patients about testing and test results.     

Internet-Based Delivery of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Compared to Monitoring,Feedback and Support for Problem Gambling: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy program (I-CBT) for the treatment of problem gambling, when compared to a waitlist control and an active comparison condition consisting of monitoring, feedback, and support (I-MFS). Participants (N = 174) were randomly allocated to the three conditions. Variables of interest were gambling outcome and related mental health measures. Participants in the active conditions (I-CBT and I-MFS) completed six online modules. Both I-CBT and I-MFS conditions resulted in significant treatment gains on gambling severity. However, I-CBT was also associated with reductions in a range of other gambling-related and mental health outcomes. Compared with I-MFS, I-CBT produced greater effects across seven outcomes measures, relating to gambling urges, cognitions, stress, and life satisfaction. I-CBT participants also rated the program as significantly more satisfactory. Treatment gains observed for both active conditions were found to be stable through to 12 month follow up. The results indicate that the benefits of I-CBT were more than simply the non-specific effects of engaging in online treatment or receiving motivation, feedback, and support. Online treatments for gambling may be a valuable tool in increasing help-seeking and treatment engagement in this population, and be integrated as part of stepped care approaches to treatment.     

Quirky kids: fathers’ stories of embracing diversity and dismantling expectations for normative play with their children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Anchored in critical disability studies, we used a narrative methodology to study fathers’ stories of play interactions with their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Three narratives convey how father–child interactions unfold and how patterns of interaction respond to, redefine and resist societal norms. Narratives of action demonstrate fathers’ responses to societal norms, while narratives of adjustment depict how fathers have redefined expectations of their children in the context of play. Narratives of acceptance demonstrate fathers’ attunement to, and acceptance of, their children’s preferred play interests and a resistance to play norms. We argue that fathers’ stories represent a step towards emancipating play for children with ASD in that fathers’ appreciation of their children’s quirky play accentuates the relational and social capabilities of children, thus countering deficit interpretations of the abilities of children with autism more broadly.