Correlations between psychometric schizotypy, scan path length, fixations on the eyes and face recognition.

Psychometric schizotypy in the general population correlates negatively with face recognition accuracy, potentially due to deficits in inhibition, social withdrawal, or eye-movement abnormalities. We report an eye-tracking face recognition study in which participants were required to match one of two faces (target and distractor) to a cue face presented immediately before. All faces could be presented with or without paraphernalia (e.g., hats, glasses, facial hair). Results showed that paraphernalia distracted participants, and that the most distracting condition was when the cue and the distractor face had paraphernalia but the target face did not, while there was no correlation between distractibility and participants' scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ). Schizotypy was negatively correlated with proportion of time fixating on the eyes and positively correlated with not fixating on a feature. It was negatively correlated with scan path length and this variable correlated with face recognition accuracy. These results are interpreted as schizotypal traits being associated with a restricted scan path leading to face recognition deficits

Mixed Climatology, Non-synoptic Phenomena and Downburst Wind Loading of Structures

Modern wind engineering was born in 1961, when Davenport published a paper in which meteorology, micrometeorology, climatology, bluff-body aerodynamics and structural dynamics were embedded within a homogeneous framework of the wind loading of structures called today \u201cDavenport chain\u201d. Idealizing the wind with a synoptic extra-tropical cyclone, this model was so simple and elegant as to become a sort of axiom. Between 1976 and 1977 Gomes and Vickery separated thunderstorm from non-thunderstorm winds, determined their disjoint extreme distributions and derived a mixed model later extended to other Aeolian phenomena; this study, which represents a milestone in mixed climatology, proved the impossibility of labelling a heterogeneous range of events by the generic term \u201cwind\u201d. This paper provides an overview of this matter, with particular regard to the studies conducted at the University of Genova on thunderstorm downbursts

Cognitive Neuropsychology of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

Advances in the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have dramatically improved survival rates over the past 10 years, but HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain highly prevalent and continue to represent a significant public health problem. This review provides an update on the nature, extent, and diagnosis of HAND. Particular emphasis is placed on critically evaluating research within the realm of cognitive neuropsychology that aims to elucidate the component processes of HAND across the domains of executive functions, motor skills, speeded information processing, episodic memory, attention/working memory, language, and visuoperception. In addition to clarifying the cognitive mechanisms of HAND (e.g., impaired cognitive control), the cognitive neuropsychology approach may enhance the ecological validity of neuroAIDS research and inform the development of much needed novel, targeted cognitive and behavioral therapies

Preliminary Validation of the Computerized N-Tri-A Tri-Choice Naming and Response Bias Test

The study describes the validation of a computerized adaptation of the novel Tri-Choice Naming and Response Bias Measure (N-Tri) developed to detect untruthful responding while being less susceptible to coaching than existing measures. We hypothesized that the N-Tri would have comparable sensitivity and specificity to traditional tests but would have improved accuracy for detecting coached simulators. Four-hundred volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: uncoached simulators\u27 group (n = 118), coached simulators\u27 group (n = 136), or control group (n = 146). Both simulator groups were asked to feign concussion symptoms, but the coached group received a test-taking strategy and a description of concussion symptoms. The participants were administered the computerized version of the new measure in conjunction with computerized adaptations of two well-validated response bias tests commonly used to detect cognitive malingering, the Reliable Digit Span (RDS) and Portland Digit Recognition Test (PDRT). Our data show the new measure correlated highly with other established measures. However, the classification accuracy did not significantly increase when compared to the traditional tests. Our findings support that the N-Tri performs at a comparable level to existing forced choice measures of response bias. Nevertheless, the N-Tri could potentially improve the detection of response bias as existing tests become more recognizable by the public

Wind pressures and forces on flat plate photovoltaic solar arrays data supplement: appendix

CER80-81NH-JAP-MP-JEC13a.Prepared for Boeing Engineering and Construction Company.September 1980

Wind pressures and forces on flat plate solar photovoltaic arrays

CER80-81NH-JAP-MP-JEC13.Prepared for Boeing Engineering and Construction Company.Includes bibliographical references (page 17).September 1980

Passive and hybrid cooling developments: natural ventilation: a wind-tunnel study

October 1981.CER81-82JEC-JAP-SSA-MP24.Includes bibliographical references.Proj. no. 5-35663.Prepared for Florida Solar Energy Center under DOE Contract No. DE-AC03-80CS11510