We contrast 2 theories within whose context problems are conceptualized and data interpreted. By traditional linear theory, a dependent variable is the sum of main-effect and interaction terms. By dimensional theory, independent variables yield values on internal dimensions that in turn determine performance. We frame our arguments within an investigation of the face-inversion effect-the greater processing disadvantage of inverting faces compared with non-faces. We report data from 3 simulations and 3 experiments wherein faces or non-faces are studied upright or inverted in a recognition procedure. The simulations demonstrate that (a) critical conclusions depend on which theory is used to interpret data and (b) dimensional theory is the more flexible and consistent in identifying underlying psychological structures, because dimensional theory subsumes linear theory as a special case. The experiments demonstrate that by dimensional theory, there is no face-inversion effect for unfamiliar faces but a clear face-inversion effect for celebrity faces.Understanding the implications of any experimental outcome requires a fundamental quantitative theory, within whose context the numbers constituting the data may be transformed into conclusions about the underlying processes that generated the data. This article is about the general consequences for eventual conclusions of deciding to use one such theory or another and about the specific consequences for understanding a well-known phenomenon in the domain of face processing.The article is divided into five sections. In the first section ("The Face-Inversion Effect"), we describe an extant psychological problem that serves as a vehicle for illustrating the points that we make regarding theories. In the second section ("Theories to Analyze Data"), we describe two quantitative theories: The first, traditional linear theory, is used almost universally within many disciplines, including psychology, whereas the second, dimensional theory, is considerably less known and less used. In the third section ("Simulations"), we describe three simulations, whose purpose is to illustrate some costs and benefits of interpreting data using linear and dimensional theory. In the fourth section ("Experiments"), we describe three experiments that, given the foundation we have established, allow us to make some tentative conclusions about the face-inversion effect in particular and about face processing in general. Finally, in the fifth section, our General Discussion, we compare the two theories that we have been considering: We show formal mathematical relations between them, we comment on the advantages and disadvantages of using one versus the other as a tool for inferring the underlying processes that generated a data set, and we articulate the resulting implied conclusions about face processing.These five sections are designed in pursuit of three interrelated goals. The first goal is to demonstrate (yet again) that traditional linear theory has severe limitations as a basis for conceptua...
Presence of cytopathogenic effect (CPE) that could be inhibited by an antitoxin to Clostridium sordelli, known to cross-react with Clostridium difficile toxin, was sought in faecal specimens from 101 infants. Of the children, 45 were healthy, while 56 had been hospitalized because of diarrhoea. CPE was found in 12 of the healthy infants and in 5 of those hospitalized. Faecal specimens of these 5 gave a CPE at titres of 10(3-4), whereas in the 12 healthy infants the titres were 10(1-2). Studies on consecutive samples showed that the CPE could persist for between 7-11 weeks up to 9 months and more. Of the 45 healthy infants, 11 harboured C. difficile compared with 6 of the 56 with diarrhoea. In both groups, 3 CPE-positive infants were culture-negative for C. difficile. Four of those hospitalized had recently been given antibiotics; all were negative in both culture and CPE tests. The present study demonstrates that care should be exercised when interpreting the results of cultures for C. difficile and tests for CPE made on faecal specimens in order to establish a diagnosis of antibiotic-associated enterocolitis in infants and children.
Patients' satisfaction is an important outcome measure in reconstructive surgery and quality assurance is today central in the clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients' satisfaction with the process and final result after reconstruction for congenital microtia. A questionnaire was designed and sent to 78 patients who had undergone unilateral ear reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage during the period 2000-2010. For a multidimensional view the patients answered 42 questions about aesthetic, functional, psychosocial, and clinic-related outcomes. The response rate was 76% (59/78 patients). The patients were generally satisfied with the aesthetic result of the ear and had function gain in being able to wear glasses; however, some patients did report new different functional problems after the operation. Still, almost all patients felt that the ear was a part of them and would have chosen the same operative procedure if they could do it again. The patients were overall highly satisfied with the care process. This surgery-specific questionnaire is an important tool for quality assurance in this clinical practice. These findings can help to improve the preoperative information to meet the patients' notions, expectations, and fears.
The aim of this study was to evaluate thermo-thresholds in autologous reconstructed microtic ears. Nineteen patients with unilateral microtia were investigated no less than two years after the last operation (3.6+/-1.7 years). Their normal corresponding ear acted as controls. Eight healthy children were also investigated to illustrate technical differences between measuring the two sides. Thermal sensitivity was tested quantitatively using a SENSELab MSA Thermotest. The skin temperature was also tested. Three different areas of the ear were examined: the lobe, the antihelix, and the helix. The reconstructed ear had a significantly higher skin temperature for all investigated areas compared with the normal ear (reconstructed ear 30.2+/-1.2 degrees C, normal ear 28.6+/-0.9 degrees C). For the controls there were no significant differences in any area. For the patients there were small differences in perception of cold between the reconstructed and the normal ear. There were significant differences in the antihelix region and the helix in heat perception in the reconstructed ear compared with the normal one (helix reconstructed ear 43.9+/-3.8 degrees C, helix normal ear 38.3+/-3.0 degrees C, antihelix reconstructed ear 39.9+/-3.0 degrees C, antihelix normal ear 36.4+/-1.7 degrees C). The reconstructed ear had a changed thermosensitivity, but there did not seem to be any clinical disadvantages.
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