[The choice of antibiotic in microbiological analysis of phlegm.]

The efficiency of application of the test-system "Vy`borAntibiotika" (AntibioticChoice) in incubation of a maximal possible number of bacteria from pathologic material in case of pneumonia was studied. The results of meta-genome analysis permitted to establish that test-system support incubation of practically all bacteria detected in phlegm, including those attributed to so far non-incubated ones. The comparison of the results was carried out concerning a standard detection of sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics and choice of efficient medicinal according the results of application of test-system "Vy`borAntibiotika". The obtained data demonstrates that test-system permits to choose antibiotic during 6-20 hours without isolation of pure strain.

[The choice of antibiotic in microbiological study of pyoinflammatory processes.]

The efficiency of application of test-system "Antibiotic Choice" was examined concerning evaluation of sensitivity to medications of maximal possible number of bacteria from pathological samples at burn trauma without isolation of pure culture. The results of metagenome analysis demonstrated that test-system permits supporting factually all bacteria discovered in wound discharge, including ones related to not cultivated yet. The comparison was carried out concerning results of standard identification of sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics and efficient medication according the results of application of test-system "Antibiotic Choice". The obtained results demonstrate that test-system permits choosing antibiotic during 6-20 hours without separation of pure culture.

[CHOOSING ANTIBIOTIC IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF INFECTIONS OF URINARY EXCRETION SYSTEM].

The effectiveness of application of test-system "Choice of antibiotic" was evaluated as a tool for incubation of maximal amount of bacteria from pathological material under acute cystitis. The results of meta-genome analysis established that test-system permits supporting growth of practically all bacteria detected in urine, including ones relating to "uncultivated for the present". The comparison of results of standard detection of sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics and identification of effective pharmaceutical according the results of application of test-system "Choice of antibiotic" as well was implemented It is demonstrated that test- system permits choosing antibiotic during 6-20 hours wiihout isolation of pure strain.

[Nuclear-medical equipment in the Research Institute for Medical Instrument-making]. / Iaderno-meditsinskaia apparatura v NII Meditsinskogo priborostroeniia.

The activity of the department for emission introscopy of the Research Institute for Medical Instrument-Making ("ZAO VNIIMP-VITA") is described in the article. A list of developed and commissioned devices and instruments for the field of nuclear medicine is presented. Methods of elaboration of some sophisticated instruments and units designed for radio-biochemical and radio-immunologic examinations as well as methods of elaboration of scintillation gamma cameras, tomograph GKS-301T, medical dosimeters and of other devices are also described.

Two- and three-factor solutions of the WAIS-III.

The third edition of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale manual reports four-factor solutions for the WAIS-III, and subsequent research has validated four-factor solutions for a variety of samples. These four factors consistently correspond to the four Factor Indexes that are yielded by the WAIS-III. However, the WAIS-III still provides Verbal and Performance IQs, in addition to the Indexes, making it desirable to examine two-factor solutions as well. In addition, because the Wechsler literature includes much interpretation of three-factor solutions, these solutions were likewise examined. Principal factor analysis followed by Varimax and Oblimin rotations of two and three factors were performed on data for the total WAIS-III sample ages 16 to 89 years (N=2,450). The two-factor solutions were viewed as a construct validation of Wechsler's two separate IQs, although the Working Memory subtests tended to load higher on the Performance scale than on their intended scale (Verbal); three-factor solutions were interpreted within the context of Horn's expanded fluid-crystallized theory and research on working memory. Both the two- and three-factor Varimax-rotated solutions were related to similar factor analyses conducted previously for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III. Coefficients of congruence between like-named factors consistently exceeded .90, and usually .98, across different Wechsler batteries.

Do low levels of lead produce IQ loss in children? A careful examination of the literature.

Three meta-analyses on the relationship of low levels of lead to loss of IQ points in children, which included a total of 26 well-controlled studies, provided the raw materials for the analysis presented here. Despite some key limitations, results of lead-IQ studies have been instrumental in setting public policy. In this paper, five shortcomings in these studies are addressed, which, when taken together, suggest greater caution in the interpretation of the lead-IQ data. In addition, some other issues are addressed concerning the IQ loss attributed to low levels of lead.

How dangerous are low (not moderate or high) doses of lead for children's intellectual development?

This paper addresses the points raised by five groups of scientists who were invited to respond to my article on the relationship of low blood lead to IQ loss. I dealt with these comments as a scientist who believes that the case is not closed on this topic, as some respondents believe, but that debate is healthy and can move the field to the next level. The criticisms about the measurement of parents' IQ, multiple comparisons, the linearity of the lead-IQ relationship, and the societal consequences of a few points of IQ loss appear weak in the face of an array of evidence that bears on these topics. However, criticisms about my emphasis on the need to control for a wide variety of potential confounders has validity. Ultimately, however, the case for the relationship of low blood lead to IQ loss seems to rest tenuously on data obtained from samples that included numerous subjects with moderate to severe levels of blood lead.

Emotional intelligence as an aspect of general intelligence: what would David Wechsler say?

R. D. Roberts, M. Zeidner, and G. Matthews (2001) have carefully examined the controversial issue of whether emotional intelligence (EI) should be classified as an intelligence and whether EI's constructs meet the same psychometric standards as general intelligence's constructs. This article casts their efforts into the framework of both historical and modern IQ-testing theory and research. It details David Wechsler's attempts to integrate EI into his tests and how his conception of a good clinician would be that of an emotionally intelligent clinician. Current theories and research on IQ also have a role in EI beyond what Roberts et al. described, including J. L. Horn's (1989) expanded model and A. R. Luria's (1966) neuropsychological research, and better criteria than the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery should be used in future EI studies. The authors look forward to more research being conducted on EI, particularly in future performance-based assessments.

K-ABC simultaneous processing, DAS nonverbal reasoning, and Horn's expanded fluid-crystallized theory.

Horn's distinction between--fluid intelligence (Gf) and visualization (Gv) was investigated with two Nonverbal Reasoning subtests from the Differential Ability Scales and three Simultaneous Processing subtests from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. The sample comprised a predominantly Euro-American groups of 57 normal boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Principal factor analysis yielded clear-cut Gf and Gv dimensions. The Gf factor was composed both of Differential Ability Scales and Kaufman-ABC subtests, suggesting that the construct of simultaneous processing is not merely a measure of Gv, as researchers have hypothesized, but also measures Horn's Gf fluid intelligence to a considerable extent.

An investigation into the relationship between interests and intelligence.

This article relates the six General Occupational Themes (GOTs) and the 23 Basic Interest Scales (BISs) yielded by the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) to age, gender, and performance on the KAIT. The sample included 936 males and females aged 16 to 65 years. MANOVAs and MANCOVAs (covarying education) were conducted, followed by univariate ANOVAs and ANCOVAs. IQ level on KAIT was significantly related to the Investigative and Realistic themes and to numerous interest scales, most notably Writing, Nature, Teaching, Mathematics, and Art. The discrepancy between fluid and crystallized intelligence on the KAIT related significantly to a few variables, but relationships were generally small in magnitude. Significant relationships with age were few; gender related significantly to most variables, consistent with previous research. These findings were interpreted in the context of previous research on the Strong, and on the integration of interests and intellect.

Black-white differences on the Strong Interest Inventory General Occupational Themes and Basic Interest Scales at ages 16 to 65.

Black-white differences on the Strong Interest Inventory were examined for a heterogeneous sample of 756 Whites and 85 Blacks aged 16 to 65 years. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance and covariance were conducted. Race, gender, and IQ were independent variables; the six Holland General Occupational Themes and the 23 Basic Interest Scales were dependent variables; and educational attainment was the covariate. All interactions were nonsignificant, but race was consistently a significant main effect. In general, Whites scored higher than Blacks on Realistic and Investigative themes and scales, and Blacks scored higher in the Social, Enterprising, and Conventional areas. These findings were viewed in the context of counselors' and psychologists' roles in interpreting interest pattern of Black individuals.

Interrater reliability of the written expression subtest of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised: an adolescent and adult sample.

This study examined the interrater reliability of the measure of written expression in the Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised. A sample more diverse in years of education and age than the normed population was used in this study. Fifty subjects from California, comprised of 72% females and 74% Caucasians, and ranging in age from 13 to 46, comprised the sample. Subjects were administered the "box" prompt from the PIAT-R Written Expression subtest (Level II). Interrater reliability for these scores was within the same range as the values provided in the manual once restriction of range was corrected.

Profiles of Hispanic adolescents and adults on the Holland Themes and Basic Interest Scales of the Strong Interest Inventory.

The Strong Interest Inventory and its predecessors have been the subject of decades of research. Many studies have used Holland's Six General Occupational Themes, and some have explored the 23 Basic Interest Scales. The literature addresses IQ in vocational counseling and includes studies relating Holland's themes and the 23 interest scales. The subjects included a nationwide sample of 894 13- to 65-yr.-olds tested during the standardization of the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test. Multivariate analyses of variance were conducted with age, gender, and IQ on the intelligence test as independent variables, and the six Holland themes and 23 interest scales as dependent variables. IQ was related to Investigative and Artistic themes. Individuals with high IQs scored nearly one standard deviation higher than individuals with low IQs on each of these scales. A number of Basic Interest Scales correlated significantly with IQs, most of which were associated with either the Investigative or Artistic themes. Correlations of IQ with Holland Themes and scores on Basic Interest Scales were observed for both genders. The information gained from an individually administered intelligence test can enhance interpretation of the Holland themes and interest scales for vocational counseling.

Correlations between two short cognitive tests and a WISC-III short form using a sample of adolescent inpatients.

A new short form of the WISC-III was examined with a clinical adolescent sample (N = 30) and the short form estimate of WISC-III Full Scale IQ also served as the criterion for validating two brief cognitive measures, the Kaufman Functional Academic Skills Test (K-FAST) and the K-SNAP. Data supported the brevity of the WISC-III short form and the criterion-related validity of both the K-FAST and and Kaufman Short Neuropsychological Assessment Procedure (K-SNAP).

Age changes on tests of fluid and crystallized ability for women and men on the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT) at ages 17-94 years.

Within a norm sample of 1,500 men and women, 17-94 years of age (13 age groupings), using Multivariate Analysis of Variance and Covariance, it was found that four measures designed to indicate fluid reasoning (Gf) and the composite measure of Gf declined steadily over the entire adulthood period, the decline accelerating during the period beginning at about age 55 years. Also, four measures of crystallized knowledge (Gc) and the composite measure of Gc increased through the 20s, neither increased nor decreased through mid-adulthood until about age 60 years, and declined thereafter. For the composite measures of Gf and Gc, there were no main effects or interaction effects associated with Gender. When educational attainment was covaried, small but statistically significant Gender main effects were found for four of the subtest measures of Gf and Gc; significant Gender x Age interaction effects were found for two subtests. Interpreted within Gf-Gc theory, the results replicate and extend evidence of the adulthood development of cognitive capabilities.

The fluid and crystallized abilities of white, black, and Hispanic adolescents and adults, both with and without an education covariate.

Data from the standardization sample of the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT) were used to examine race/ethnic differences on the Horn-Cattell fluid and crystallized constructs. Samples included 768 individuals aged 11 to 24 years (575 White, 117 Black, 76 Hispanic) and 1,160 individuals aged 25 to 94 years (972 White, 124 Black, 64 Hispanic). Multivariate and univariate analyses were conducted, with and without an educational attainment covariate. Race/ethnic group was related significantly to performance on fluid and crystallized variables. Whites generally outscored Blacks and Hispanic on the diverse measures, namely, on tasks dependent on school learning (crystallized), and on those that reflect novel problem solving (fluid). These results maintained even with educational attainment covaried. Hispanics tended to perform better on fluid than on crystallized tests.

Examining the interaction of age x race pertaining to black-white differences at ages 15 to 93 on six Horn abilities assessed by K-FAST, K-SNAP, and KAIT subtests.

This study examined differences between black and white subjects on 6 abilities from Horn's Gf-Gc theory for 5 age groups between 15-19 and 55-93 years (total ns = 956 white and 128 black subjects). White respondents scored significantly higher on all 6 abilities, but differences on fluid reasoning and short-term apprehension and retrieval were less than .5 SD. Interactions of age x race were nonsignificant, indicating that the discrepancies between scores of black and white subjects did not vary as a function of age.

White-black and white-Hispanic differences on fluid and crystallized abilities by age across the 11- to 94-year range.

Standardization data for the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT) were used to examine white-black and white-Hispanic differences on the Horn-Cattell crystallized and fluid constructs at several age groups across the broad 11- to 94-year span. Samples included 1,547 white, 241 black, and 140 Hispanic persons. Multivariate analyses with educational attainment covaried yielded only one significant finding: the white-black difference on the Crystallized Famous Faces subtest became smaller with increasing age.