Articulatory loop explanations of memory span and pronunciation rate correspondences: a cautionary note

In recent years, a number of memory span findings have been attributed to the operation of an articulatory loop (Baddeley & Hitch, 1974). These attributions have been made on the basis of finding a correspondence between span differences and pronunciation rate differences. This experiment explored articulatory loop explanations for two material effects in memory span: the word-frequency effect (span for high-frequency words is larger than span for low-frequency words) and the word-class effect (span for function words is smaller than span for either nouns or adjectives). The results indicate that it is possible to obtain span differences without finding corresponding pronunciation rate differences. Moreover, span differences were as pronounced under articulatory suppression conditions as they were under rehearsal conditions. Both of these results limit the generality of articulatory loop explanations of memory span

An item/order tradeoff explanation of word length and generation effects

[Abstract]: The item-order hypothesis suggests that under certain conditions increased item processing can lead to deficits in order processing, and that this produces a dissociation in performance between item and order tasks. The generation effect is one such example. The word length effect is seen as another instance where this tradeoff might be observed. The following experiments compare word length and generation effects under serial recall and single item recognition conditions. Short words are better recalled than long words on the serial recall task but long words were better recognised than short words. The results are consistent with the item-order approach and support a novel explanation for the word length effect

Building pathways to academic success: a practice report

Students attending university for the first time come with a range of expectations, experiences and skills. For many these prior experiences are less than optimal for achieving academic success. This paper evaluates the academic outcomes across three cohorts of a five day enabling program offered to commencing students in the week prior to their formal university orientation program. The demographics of this sample (n=965) are such that over 50% come from low socio-economic backgrounds, about 50% are first in family to attend university, 50% are mature age students and over 50% have university entrance scores in the lower ranges of academic ability. Those who entered university with an OP1 score of 15 or less and completed the program were less likely to fail and achieved higher GPAs at the end of their first semester of studies than those who did not complete the enabling program

Review of Narrative Structures In Burmese Folk Tales. By Soe Marlar Lwin, Amherst, NY: Cambria Press, 2010. Xvi + 178

This is a review of a book containing a Narrative Analysis of the plots of 27 Burmese folk tales in English translation. As applied here, Narrative Analysis is an insightful set of research methodologies to discover regular features of plot structures; however, it does not include the aspects of Textual Analysis that dig deeply into the structures and features of the original language. In this book, no actual features of the Burmese language are discussed. Both Narrative Analysis and Textual Analysis fall into the same broad set of methodologies and inquiries that are covered by the term Discourse Analysis. This book is valuable in understanding and guiding analysis of narratives following in the tradition of Vladimir Propp and his study of the morphology of Russian fairy tales. The book proposes a clear, imitable method that allows comparison of folk tale structure using form, function and field. It also suggests ways that Narrative Analysts and Folklorists can examine cultural influences reflected in the folktales

Survey of ultrasound practice amongst podiatrists in the UK

Background: Ultrasound in podiatry practice encompasses musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging, vascular hand-held Doppler ultrasound and therapeutic ultrasound. Sonography practice is not regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), with no requirement to hold a formal qualification. The College of Podiatry does not currently define ultrasound training and competencies. This study aimed to determine the current use of ultrasound, training received and mentorship received and/or provided by podiatrists using ultrasound. Methods: A quantitative study utilising a cross-sectional, on-line, single-event survey was undertaken within the UK. Results: Completed surveys were received from 284 podiatrists; 173 (70%) use ultrasound as part of their general practice, 139 (49%) for musculoskeletal problems, 131 (46%) for vascular assessment and 39 (14%) to support their surgical practice. Almost a quarter (n=62) worked for more than one organisation; 202 (71%) were employed by the NHS and/or private sector (n=118, 41%). Nearly all (93%) respondents report using a hand-held vascular Doppler in their daily practice; 216 (82%) to support decisions regarding treatment options, 102 (39%) to provide diagnostic reports for other health professionals, and 34 (13%) to guide nerve blocks. Ultrasound imaging was used by 104 (37%) respondents primarily to aid clinical decision making (n=81) and guide interventions (steroid injections n=67; nerve blocks n=39). Ninety-three percent stated they use ultrasound imaging to treat their own patients, while others scan at the request of other podiatrists (n=28) or health professionals (n=18). Few use ultrasound imaging for research (n=7) or education (n=2). Only 32 (11%) respondents (n=20 private sector) use therapeutic ultrasound to treat patients presenting with musculoskeletal complaints, namely tendon pathologies. Few respondents (18%) had completed formal post-graduate CASE (Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education) accredited ultrasound courses. Forty (14%) respondents receive ultrasound mentorship; the majority from fellow podiatrists (n=17) or medical colleagues (n=15). Over half (n=127) who do not have ultrasound mentorship indicated they would like a mentor predominantly for ultrasound imaging. Fifty-five (19%) report they currently provide ultrasound mentorship for others. Conclusions: Understanding the scope of ultrasound practice, the training undertaken and the requirements for mentorship will underpin the development of competencies and recommendations defined by the College of Podiatry to support professional development and ensure safe practice.</p

Translating the News: A Grounded Theory of Care Initiation byIndividuals Living with HIV

The purpose of this research study was to develop a theoretical framework to explain the psychosocial process of care initiation in individuals living with HIV, and to identify the critical junctures that influence individuals living with HIV in their decision to initiate HIV care. Grounded theory method was used to identify the psychosocial process of care initiation by individuals living with HIV. Thirty individuals living with HIV (28 men, 2 women) shared their stories about initiating HIV care. Participants described a process in which they progressed through five distinct stages following diagnosis: a) receiving the news, b) interpreting the news, c) incorporating the news, d) acting on the news, and e) moving beyond the news. Each stage was moderated by influential factors including perceived susceptibility to HIV infection, symptoms, HIV information, and feedback from others. The participants were able to translate the news, from something bad into something good, as demonstrated in the constructed framework: “Translating the News: A Grounded Theory of HIV Care Initiation” A key to successful care initiation is helping individuals with HIV to realize that while the diagnosis may seem like bad news, there is also good news: HIV is not a death sentenc

Backward recall and benchmark effects of working memory

Working memory was designed to explain four benchmark memory effects: the word length effect, the irrelevant speech effect, the acoustic confusion effect, and the concurrent articulation effect. However, almost all research thus far has used tests that emphasize forward recall. In four experiments, we examine whether each effect is observable when the items are recalled in reverse order. Subjects did not know which recall direction would be required until the time of test, ensuring that encoding processes would be identical for both recall directions. Contrary to predictions of both the primacy model and the feature model, the benchmark memory effect was either absent or greatly attenuated with backward recall, despite being present with forward recall. Direction of recall had no effect on the more difficult conditions (e.g., long words, similar-sounding items, items presented with irrelevant speech, and items studied with concurrent articulation). Several factors not considered by the primacy and feature models are noted, and a possible explanation within the framework of the SIMPLE model is briefly presented

Use of a Systematic Consultation Process to Facilitate Nursing Research Projects: An Exemplar

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to describe the use of a well-established, 5-stage consultation process, to advise a research team on planning strategies to engage domestic violence shelters (DVSs) as community partners in their study. The research team is testing a health promotion intervention for teens living in shelters with their parent and needed to enlist shelters as sites to recruit teens and conduct the intervention. Consultation aims were to (a) identify highly promising strategies described in peer-reviewed literature for identifying, recruiting, and collaborating with community organizations in research and (b) identify DVSs that would potentially serve as effective community partners for the study. METHODS: A clinical nurse specialist and a public health master's degree student led the consultation. The consultation process included (a) a systematic review of 29 peer-reviewed articles about research or program evaluation studies that engaged community partners and (b) a comprehensive online search of information about DVSs. OUTCOMES: Consultants identified 104 strategies used in studies to engage community partners and 10 specific DVSs most likely to effectively engage in the study. CONCLUSION: Clinical nurse specialists are well situated to provide consultation to research teams and should follow well-established consultation processes and systematic data collection procedures

Cognitive recovery in acute stroke: Measurement and facilitation of change

Strokes can affect any part of the brain and therefore have a wide range of potential outcomes including an array of cognitive deficits such as memory problems, neglect, problem solving difficulties and decision making errors. From a biological perspective, recovery from stroke can be categorized into two time phases, acute (up until 3 months) and chronic (3+ months), with most changes occurring in the actue phase. In the motor and speech areas, it is recognised that early intervention during the acute phase leads to the best long-term outcomes. The research into recovery of cognitive function is less well developed than in the motor and speech areas, however, there is a literature that explores the prevalence of cognitive impairments and recovery in the chronic phase. Such research is based upon patients with stroke’ performance on batteries of standardised neuropsychological tests. This literature consistently demonstrates only small improvements over time. Training programs aimed at directly facilitating the recovery process, as opposed to developing compensatory behaviours to circumvent the effects of the impairment, have been implemented during the chronic phase. Many of these programs are based upon cognitive theories and employ commonly used cognitive psychology paradigms. These training programs have resulted in substantial improvements in the impaired functions. However, there are no studies that attempt to track changes in behaviour during the acute phase of stroke despite this being consistently demonstrated as a crucial period of recovery. The intent of the current research is to address this gap in the literature by exploring behaviour change in patients with stroke who are in hospital in the early stages of recovery from their first stroke