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The effect of test taking on acceptance of bogus personality statements.

Ss received either positively or negatively toned feedback after taking a projective test. Other Ss merely received the feedback statements without taking the test. All Ss rated the feedback statements individually and as a unit as to how well they described their personality and the personality of people in general. Feedback as a unit was more acceptable when (a) the test was taken, and (b) when positively toned feedback was received. Collapsing across feedback conditions, personal acceptability was higher for those who took the test than for those who did not take the test. The method allowed for analysis of individual items and thereby provided an additional measure of acceptability than simply using the overall acceptability score.

Adolescent↗

Mouse lymphoma thymidine kinase gene mutation assay: follow-up meeting of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing--Aberdeen, Scotland, 2003--Assay acceptance criteria, positive controls, and data evaluation.

The Mouse Lymphoma Assay (MLA) Workgroup of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT), comprised of experts from Japan, Europe, and the United States, met on August 29, 2003, in Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. This meeting of the MLA Workgroup was devoted to reaching a consensus on the appropriate approach to data evaluation and on acceptance criteria for both the positive and negative/vehicle controls. The Workgroup reached consensus on the acceptance criteria for both the agar and microwell versions of the MLA. Recommendations include acceptable ranges for mutant frequency, cloning efficiency, and suspension growth of the negative/vehicle controls and on criteria to define an acceptable positive control response. The recommendation for the determination of a positive/negative test chemical response includes both the requirement that the response exceeds a defined value [the global evaluation factor (GEF)] and that there also be a positive dose-response (evaluated by an appropriate statistical method).

Animals↗

The Needs Assessment for Advanced Cancer Patients (NA-ACP): a measure of the perceived needs of patients with advanced, incurable cancer. a study of validity, reliability and acceptability.

AIMS: To describe the psychometric evaluation of a measure designed to assess the perceived needs of patients with advanced, incurable cancer. METHOD: A questionnaire known as the Needs Assessment for Advanced Cancer Patients (NA-ACP) was developed based on a review of available literature and professional opinion. A sample of 246 patients (consent rate = 59%) completed the NA-ACP, 28 patients completed the acceptability questions, while 41 completed a retest copy of the NA-ACP. The construct validity of the questionnaire was examined via principal components analysis, while reliability was evaluated in terms of the internal consistency of domains and test-retest scores. RESULTS: The principal components analysis revealed seven domains assessing patients' psychological/emotional, medical information/communication, social, symptom, daily living, spiritual and financial needs. The test-retest reliability estimates were within accepted levels, as were all but one of the internal consistency scores. The NA-ACP was highly acceptable for this patient group. CONCLUSION: The NA-ACP is one of the first multi-dimensional instruments specifically designed to assess the needs of patients with advanced, incurable cancer. The present study provides evidence of the NA-ACP's validity, reliability, and acceptability. The NA-ACP has potential applications both as a research tool and within clinical settings.

Adolescent↗

Site-directed mutations altering methyl-accepting residues of a sensory transducer protein.

The Trg protein is one of a family of transducer proteins that mediate chemotactic response in Escherichia coli. Transducers are methyl-accepting proteins that gain or lose methyl esters on specific glutamyl residues during sensory adaptation. In this study, the significance of multiple sites of methylation on transducer proteins was addressed by using oligonucleotide-directed, site-specific mutagenesis to substitute an alanyl residue at each of the five methyl-accepting sites in Trg. The resulting collection of five mutations, each inactivating a single site, was analyzed for effects on covalent modification at the remaining sites on Trg and for the ability of the altered proteins to mediate sensory adaptation. Most of the alanyl substitutions had substantial biochemical effects, enhancing or reducing methyl-accepting activity of other sites, including one case of activation of a site not methylated in wild-type protein. Analysis of the altered proteins provided explanations for many features of the complex pattern of electrophoretic forms exhibited by Trg. The mutant proteins were less efficient than normal Trg in mediating adaptation. Correlation of biochemical and behavioral data indicated that reduction in the number of methyl-accepting sites on the transducer lengthened the time required to reach an adapted state.

Alanine↗

A General Formulation for Unidimensional Unfolding and Pairwise Preference Models: Making Explicit the Latitude of Acceptance.

Probabilistic unfolding models for direct responses of persons to statements are characterised by single peaked response functions. The range in which a positive response is most likely is termed the latitude of acceptance, a well known but little researched concept in the modelling of attitude measurement. This paper derives a general form for probabilistic unfolding models in which a natural parameter characterises the latitude of acceptance. It is shown that a number of already known models for unfolding can be reexpressed in this general form with different operational functions and that, in doing so, the implied latitude of acceptance for these models is identified. It is also shown that other unfolding models can be generated readily by specifying the operational function of the general form. A general form for pairwise preference models is also presented. A discussion on the latitude of acceptance parameter as a scale parameter is also provided. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

Yeast breads containing oils varied in fatty acid composition: effects on sensory panel acceptability.

Choice of the shortening ingredient in bread products has functionality effects and health implications. Little information is available on effects of various shortening ingredients on palatability and acceptability. The objective of the current study was to compare the acceptability of yeast-leavened wheat breads containing shortenings containing predominantly saturated fatty acids (coconut oil), monounsaturated fatty acids (canola oil) or unsaturated fatty acids (unhydrogenated soybean oil). Breads were prepared using a standardized formula and method. These were evaluated by a 16-member, semi-trained panel for color, flavor, texture, tenderness and overall acceptability using a seven-point hedonic scale. No significant differences in color and texture were defined; however, canola oil bread was judged significantly superior to soybean oil bread in flavor, and both of these breads were found to be significantly superior to coconut oil bread in flavor, tenderness, and overall acceptability.

Bread↗

Acceptability of wheat-sorghum composite flour products: an assessment.

The acceptability of sorghum as human food has been a problem in Tanzania even in regions showing promising potential for its production and utilization. Reasons given for low acceptability of sorghum products as human foods include unpleasant colour, aroma, mouthfeel, taste, unpleasant aftertaste and stomachfeel. An acceptability test of selected sorghum products was, therefore, conducted in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. The objective of the test was to determine consumers' preference for the following wheat-sorghum composite flour products: bread and buns or 'maandazi'. The products were prepared using sorghum flour composited with wheat flour in the following proportions: 100% brown sorghum flour (standard products); and 80:20%; 60:40%; 40:60% and 20:80% for wheat/sorghum (white and brown) composite flours. Results indicated that in the case of composite flour bread, preference for the product improved as the amount of sorghum flour decreased. In the case of buns or 'maandazi' the 100% sorghum flour products of both white and brown were equally preferred. Buns prepared from 100% sorghum flour of white and brown varieties showed promising potential in the improvement of the acceptability of sorghum products. Taking advantage of such products, especially in villages, could enhance sorghum utilization in rural communities.

Bread↗

Acceptance, attrition, and outcome in an outpatient treatment programme for alcoholics. A comparison between a randomized and a non-randomized process-outcome study.

Acceptance, attrition and outcome of the same outpatient treatment programme for alcoholics was studied first in a non-randomized and later in a randomized study. There was a lower (15%) rate of acceptance and a higher (19%) rate of attrition in the randomized study. Among treatment completers drinking outcome during the third year after commencement of treatment did not differ between the non-randomized and the randomized study. It is concluded that the characteristics of subjects accepting a randomly assigned study should always be clearly presented. The absence of a patient-therapist matching in a randomized design could negatively effect attrition and probably also acceptance of treatment, while it seems to be less influential on outcome in those completing therapy.

Adult↗

Evaluation of immunocontraception as a publicly acceptable form of vertebrate pest species control: the introduced grey squirrel in Britain as an example.

We sent out a targeted questionnaire to organizations and private individuals across the UK that have expressed an interest in squirrel management and conservation. Respondents were asked to evaluate shooting, trapping, poisoning and immunocontraception (IMC), according to their perceived efficacy, cost efficiency, and whether they were considered to be humane. The majority of both professionals and enthusiasts indicated support for grey squirrel control to help conserve red squirrels and to reduce economic damage to timber crops. Respondents\' comparative evaluations of current forms of control showed that trapping is the most acceptable method. When IMC is compared with the other methods, it was considered to be more humane and acceptable. In contrast, poisoning was seen as humane or acceptable by the fewest respondents. Furthermore, poisoning elicited the greatest difference in opinion between the professional and enthusiast groups. This difference (34\%) may be interpreted partly as concern over the type of death that results from poisoning and partly as due to the possibility of poisoning nontarget species. Our findings indicate a need for more public information regarding secondary poisoning hazards to other species and their predators. Interest and concern about squirrel control correlated with the overlap between contemporary areas of distribution of the two species. It is these areas where consultation and education programs about control methods should be targeted. This research indicates that there would be support for grey squirrel control using IMC from both lay and professional interest groups. It demonstrates the existence of a sound basis for constructive dialog that can lead to the design and implementation of acceptable and efficient control strategies.

Animals↗

3-D Conformal radiotherapy of localized prostate cancer within an Austrian-German multicenter trial: a prospective study of patients' acceptance of the rectal balloon during treatment.

PURPOSE: Patients with localized prostate cancer are treated with 3D radiotherapy using a rectal balloon catheter for internal immobilization of the prostate, thereby reducing the radiation dose to the dorsal rectal wall. The purpose of the study was to investigate clinical feasibility and the influence of acute rectal side effects and pre-existing hemorrhoids on patients' acceptance of the rectal balloon catheter. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 442 patients who underwent primary radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer were included in this prospective Austrian-German multicenter trial. The total radiation dose was either 70 Gy or 74 Gy. Acute rectal side effects were documented using the EORTC/RTOG grading score (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Radiation Therapy 225 Oncology Group) at weeks 2, 4 and 7 of radiation treatment. Within the same time intervals patients were interviewed about their tolerance of the rectal balloon catheter, evaluating five categories of acceptance (1 = no major complaints, 2 = pain at/during application, 3 = signs of blood at the balloon catheter after application but without any pain, 4 = signs of blood at the balloon catheter after application and pain, 5 = balloon application had to be stopped). Voluntary rectoscopy prior to radiotherapy was performed in 310 patients. RESULTS: 429/442 patients (97 %) were treated with the balloon catheter. No major complaints were reported in 79 % of the patients and no acute rectal side effects were seen in 52 % of the patients. Grade 1 side effects were seen in 31 % patients, Grade 2 in 17 % and Grade 3 in 0.5 %. Balloon use had to be stopped in only 4 % of the patients. There was significant correlation between balloon discomfort and rectal side effects (p < 0.01). The presence of hemorrhoids in 36 % patients prior to irradiation had no influence on balloon tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: The rectal balloon can be used in 3D radiotherapy of localized prostate cancer with a high degree of acceptance by the patients. Use of the balloon is safe within daily clinical treatment. Patients reporting acute rectal side effects experienced significantly more balloon discomfort, but the presence of hemorrhoids was not found to influence acceptance of the balloon.

Aged↗

Understanding the influence of emotions and reflection upon multi-source feedback acceptance and use.

INTRODUCTION: Receiving negative performance feedback can elicit negative emotional reactions which can interfere with feedback acceptance and use. This study investigated emotional responses of family physicians' participating in a multi-source feedback (MSF) program, sources of these emotions, and their influence upon feedback acceptance and use. METHODS: The authors interviewed 28 volunteer family physician participants in a pilot study of MSF, purposefully recruited to represent the range of scores. The study was conducted in 2003-2004 at Dalhousie University. RESULTS: Participants' emotional reactions to feedback appeared to be elicited in response to an internal comparison of their feedback with self-perceptions of performance. Those agreeing with their feedback; i.e., perceiving it as generally consistent with or higher than self-perceptions responded positively, while those disagreeing with their feedback; i.e., seeing it as generally inconsistent with or lower than self-perceptions, generally responded with distress. For the latter group, these feelings were often strong and long-lasting. Some eventually accepted their feedback and used it for change following a long period of reflection. Others did not and described an equally long reflective period but one which focused on and questioned MSF procedures rather than addressed feedback use. Participants suggested providing facilitated reflection on feedback to enhance assimilation of troubling emotions and interpretation and use of feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Negative feedback can evoke negative feelings and interfere with its acceptance. To overcome this, helpful interventions may include raising awareness of the influence of emotions, assisting recipients to focus their feedback on performance tasks, and providing facilitated reflection on feedback.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

Predicting human cloning acceptability: a national Greek survey on the beliefs of the public.

BACKGROUND: In the era of human genome research, there is a large theoretical debate among scientists and authorities on the ethical dimension based on the moral liberty of the individuals and the scientific and economic dimension based on the freedom and the independence of the scientific and technological activities. Meanwhile, the understanding of beliefs on human cloning (HC) and its acceptability are important for the development of evidence-based policy making. However, previous research in the field of public beliefs towards human genetics is limited. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the role of public beliefs as predictors of the acceptability of the respondents to use HC. METHODS: Personal interviews were conducted with 1020 men and women of urban areas in Greece. Stratified random sampling was performed to select participants. Several scientists, experts in HC, evaluated the content of the instrument initially developed. The final questionnaire was the result of a pilot study. RESULTS: The acceptability of HC for the cure of incurable diseases and transplantation need is very high (70.7 and 58.6%, respectively). Public's intention to have recourse to HC because of "bringing" back to life a loved person or because of reproductive disorders was reported by 35 and 32.5%, respectively. With respect to the role of beliefs: increasing scores of reasons of social benefits, moral/religious reasons and legislative reasons increased the public's intention to have recourse to HC; inversely, decreasing scores of reasons of human commodification/exploitation increased public's intention to have recourse to HC. Additionally, low rates of church attendance appeared to be correlated with high reported acceptability of HC. CONCLUSION: There is great public concern regarding the application of HC, which probably reflects the existing ambivalence over the relationship between technology and society. Scientists and policymakers should take into account these indicators of public disquiet and should manage the public involvement in policy decisions, from which they have so far been excluded.

Adolescent↗

Acceptance of chronic pain.

The experience of chronic pain can be associated with significant distress and disability; however, this is not always the case. Although attempts to control or reduce pain can be helpful for many pain sufferers, on some occasions this is not an effective option and a different response is required. This different response can include a flexible mix of control and acceptance. The acceptance part of this mix entails a willingness to have pain, or other uncomfortable private experiences, without taking action to control or eliminate them. At least 15 laboratory and clinical studies make the growing case for the role of acceptance in the functioning of people with chronic pain, and evidence from treatment outcome studies is promising. It appears that acceptance-related processes will at least expand our range of psychologic treatment methods for chronic pain sufferers and, at best, significantly improve them.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Maximum acceptable lifting loads during seated and standing work positions.

The psychophysical method was used to determine the maximal acceptable load that eight males (age 22-30 years) would lift in each of four different positions: (1) seated, two-handed, symmetrical lift from a table, to a position 38 cm forward of the edge, (2) a seated lift from a position at the subject's side, on to a table in front of the subject involving a 90 degree twist of the torso, (3) standing, two-handed, symmetrical lift from the table, to a position 38 cm forward of the edge, and (4) standing, vertical lift from 86 above the floor. Subsequent to a training period, subjects lifted a tray with slotted handles at the rate of 1 or 4 lifts/min. Each subject chose the weight of the tray which was acceptable to him by adding or removing flat pieces of lead over a 45 min period. The weight of the tray, heart rate, and the perceived exertion were measured at 15, 30 and 45 min. Oxygen consumption was measured during the last 5 min of the 45 min experiment. Statistical analysis revealed a significant frequency and position effect. An increase in frequency from 1 to 4 lifts/min resulted in a decrease of 1.6 to 2.1 kg in the maximum acceptable weight for the various tasks. On average, the maximum acceptable weight of lift for standing positions was 16% greater than for sitting positions. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were significantly higher for 4 lifts/min than for 1 lift/min; however, the rating of perceived exertion did not differ for any factor.

Journal Article↗

The early detection of cancer in the primary-care setting: factors associated with the acceptance and completion of recommended procedures.

Effective cancer control efforts in the primary-care setting require that patients accept and are able to complete recommended early detection procedures. We thus assessed the extent to which procedure nonacceptance or noncompletion limited accomplishment of detection procedures offered as components of routine health care. We also examined the relationship of provider and patient factors to successful procedure accomplishment. Of 221 patients offered procedures by their primary-care provider, 58 (27%) initially declined at least one recommendation, with acceptance rates ranging from 98% for breast exam to 59% for sigmoidoscopy. Furthermore, only 50% of patients offered stool occult blood testing or sigmoidoscopy, 61% offered mammography, and 69% offered Pap smear were able to complete the procedures. Pap smear and mammography were more likely to be initially accepted by those patients with more years of formal education and were less likely to be completed by those with private insurance coverage. Among a subgroup of 76 patients completing a telephone interview, personal health beliefs were not consistently associated with procedure acceptance or completion. These results suggest that both the initial nonacceptance of procedures and the subsequent barriers to their completion limit the efficacy of cancer screening efforts in the primary-care setting. Future research will be required to develop an explanatory model or to propose a targeted intervention.

Female↗

Influence of dimensional stability of impression materials on the probability of acceptance of a prosthetic restoration.

The accuracy of rubber impression materials was evaluated by taking impressions of a steel model, pouring it with stone and comparing certain measurements between steel and stone models. It is assumed that acceptance is achieved when the difference in measurements is within permissible limits, defined by clinical criteria. A mathematical formulation of these criteria will lead to the concept of probability of acceptance. The probability is affected when the limits are changed. The particular case of satisfying two acceptance criteria that contain variables which are not statistically independent is considered, leading to the application of the bivariate normal distribution in the evaluation of acceptance probability.

Dental Implants↗

Prosecution of child sexual abuse: which cases are accepted?

This study examined the relationship of case characteristics, maternal support, and child psychopathology to acceptance of child sexual abuse cases for prosecution. Cases referred to prosecutors' offices over a 1-year period in four urban jurisdictions (N = 431) were examined, and a smaller sample of mothers and children (N = 289) were interviewed as well. Background characteristics of the perpetrator and victim, severity of abuse, and nature of available evidence were all significantly related to acceptance for prosecution. Specific independent predictors of acceptance were victim age, presence of oral-genital abuse, use or threat of force, duration of abuse, and presence of physical or eyewitness evidence. With other variables controlled, maternal support was higher and child internalizing psychopathology lower in accepted cases. The results are interpreted in terms of prosecutors' concern for serving justice and protecting children and their perceptions of their ability to prosecute cases successfully.

Adolescent↗

Models of perceived cycling risk and route acceptability.

Perceived cycling risk and route acceptability to potential users are obstacles to policy support for cycling and a better understanding of these issues will assist planners and decision makers. Two models of perceived risk, based on non-linear least squares, and a model of acceptability, based on the logit model, have been estimated for whole journeys based on responses from a sample of 144 commuters to video clips of routes and junctions. The risk models quantify the effect of motor traffic volumes, demonstrate that roundabouts add more to perceived risk than traffic signal controlled junctions and show that right turn manoeuvres increase perceived risk. Facilities for bicycle traffic along motor trafficked routes and at junctions are shown to have little effect on perceived risk and this brings into question the value of such facilities in promoting bicycle use. These models would assist in specifying infrastructure improvements, the recommending of least risk advisory routes and assessing accessibility for bicycle traffic. The acceptability model confirms the effect of reduced perceived risk in traffic free conditions and the effects of signal controlled junctions and right turns. The acceptability models, which may be used at an area wide level, would assist in assessing the potential demand for cycling and in target setting.

Accidents, Traffic↗