Biomedical subjects

J W McCutcheon

Publications and source records attributed to J W McCutcheon.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

An acoustical and perceptual analysis of the vocal behavior of classroom teachers.

This study examined perceptual evaluations of classroom teachers, acoustic measures of their voices ( fundamental frequency [F0], frequency range [F0SD], % jitter, and % shimmer), and behavioral measures (rate, dysfluencies, and episodes of vocal fry). This preliminary study attempted to identify perceptual and acoustic measures that discriminate between effective and less effective classroom teachers. Seven teachers were recorded on audiotape while presenting a 10-12 minute lecture. Voice samples (N > 200) for each teacher were subjected to acoustic analysis. Audiotapes were evaluated by listeners (N = 180), who scale-rated and used an adjective checklist to determine teachers' overall effectiveness. A three-member team evaluated global aspects of voice (e.g., use of pauses, inflections, contours, and phrasing). Results indicated that frequency range, frequency variability, rate, and number of dysfluencies appeared to correlate with perceptual judgments of teaching effectiveness and specific adjective descriptors. F0, % jitter, and % shimmer did not appear to be linked to perceptual judgments. Individual case profiles were established and recommendations were made for future empirical research involving larger samples of teachers.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Reexamination of relations between the Myers-Briggs type indicator and field dependence-independence.

The Group Embedded Figures Test and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator were administered to 210 undergraduate and graduate students. Bivariate relations between the embedded figures test and the Indicator scales of Extraversion-Introversion (EI), Thinking-Feeling (TF), and Judgment-Perception (JP) were nonsignificant while the relation between scores on embedded figures and Sensing-Intuition (SN) was statistically significant. ESFP, ISFJ, and ESFJ types were significantly more field-dependent than the INFP and ENTP types.

Emotions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nitrosamines in bacon: a case study of balancing risks.

Nitrite has been used for centuries to preserve, color, and flavor meat. Today, about 10 billion pounds of cured meat products are produced annually, accounting for some one-tenth of the American food supply. Regulators became concerned about the safety of using nitrite in the early 1960s when studies showed the presence of carcinogenic nitrosamines in cured meat products. In the early 1970s, a study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology implicated nitrite itself as a carcinogen. As studies have raised concern over the safety of nitrite, regulators have had to weigh the potential risk from cancer against nitrite's proven role in protecting consumers from deadly food poisoning bacteria. Today there is little scientific support for the theory that nitrite is a direct carcinogen. To deal with the nitrosamine problem, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) lowered the permissible amount of nitrite in cured meats to that level considered necessary for botulism protection. Regulators, however, found it necessary to take additional steps with bacon because nitrosamines were found consistently in fried bacon samples. In addition to lowering the amount of nitrite that could be added to "pumped bacon" (cured by injecting liquid curing agents in the pork belly), USDA required the addition of nitrosamine inhibitors and began an intensive monitoring program in processing plants to ensure that fried bacon did not contain confirmable nitrosamines. The cooperative effort between Government and industry resulted in the virtual elimination of confirmable nitrosamines in pumped bacon by 1980. USDA is continuing its efforts to reduce nitrite in meats wherever possible. It is involved in active research programs in the Federal Government, academia, and industry.

Animals↗