The program in psychology at the United States Air Force Academy.

The attempt has been made to formulate learning outcomes or educational goals for the USAFA courses in psychology in terms of knowledge and understandings, habits and skills, and attitudes and values. 2 courses are outlined: (a) basic psychology which includes consideration of Scientific Method and Measurement, Individual Differences, Growth and Development, Motivation, Emotion, and Perception, Learning and Thinking, and Adjustment and Personality; (b) psychology in the Air Force which includes Engineering Psychology, Personnel Psychology, Leadership, and Problems of Military Adjustment. Conduct of the courses includes the use of "provocative and stimulating examples and illustrative materials" and psychological films are used liberally. "Effort is made to allow all students to have some contact throughout the academic year with each of the seven instructors in the department." Classes are restricted to 12 students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical dilemmas and U.S. Air Force clinical psychologists: A survey.

Although psychologists work in widely varying settings, all encounter ethical dilemmas. Those who are also officers in the U.S. Air Force have the double burden of upholding the ethics code of psychologists while also supporting the mission of the Air Force. Does this create unique ethical dilemmas? To address this issue, the authors sent active-duty Air Force psychologists a questionnaire asking them to describe recent ethical conflicts. These conflicts are discussed as they relate to the "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (American Psychological Association, 1992) and in comparison with civilian practice. Results suggest a broad range of concerns but center on those related to perceived conflicts between the Air Force mission and the ethical demands of psychologists. Recommendations for dealing with ethical conflicts at the organizational level are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of defects on the fatigue crack initiation process in two p/m superalloys: part ii. surface-subsurface transition

The change in fatigue failure initiation sites from a surface to subsurface location for two P/M nickel-based superalloys is analyzed. In particular the influences of defect size, shape, and population on the elevated temperature fatigue processes are assessed. The analysis shows that at high strain ranges, crack initiation occurs rapidly, and crack propagation rates determine the fatigue life and failure site. As a result, defect location (related to population) and size are the more important parameters. At lower strain ranges, however, crack initiation is critical in determining the failure origin, and this is primarily controlled by defect shape. Formerly with Metals and Ceramics Division, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.     

Psychological testing in a military clinic.

Data on psychological testing practices at a psychology clinic at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, indicate that, compared to N. D. Sundberg's (1961) survey, fewer tests per individual were used although more patients were seen per year. The test battery is comparable to those used elsewhere. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The frame of reference of flying instructors.

The failure rates in Air Force and Naval trainees trained side by side are examined. "The method of selection of Air Force trainees was altered at a given point of time, but… [for] the Naval trainees remained unaltered. Although no significant change was noted in the failure rate in the Air Force trainees, the failure rate in Naval trainees rose steeply. It was argued that this change in the failure rate of the Naval trainees could be explained in terms of a change in the frame of reference of flying instructors." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An epidemiological investigation of eperythrozoon infection in human and animals (II)

This is the second of two studies done to determine whether moderate Gz exposure facilitates back disability. Cumulative trauma (repeated moderate to high G) exposures could be a precipitant of back pain in the military population. There is at present no reliable method of predicting who will suffer from back pain. We looked at officer back disability rates at separation from the Air Force (1972-1993). We compared non-rated Air Force officers to pilots and navigators exposed to low G and moderate to high G. We found no significant differences between aircrew and non-aircrew individuals until 1985, when the rates for aircrew fell below those of non-rated officers. Moderate G exposure does not seem to be a predictor of subsequent back disability. We recommend a larger prospective study of all rated and non-rated officers. We recommend that each separating officer undergo a detailed physical examination and answer a detailed back questionnaire.     

Periodic health examination, 1996 update: 2. Screening for chlamydial infections. Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination

OBJECTIVE: To update the 1984 recommendations of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination on the routine screening of asymptomatic patients for infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. OPTIONS: Screening, with the use of culture or nonculture tests, of the general population, of certain high-risk groups or of all pregnant women; or no routine screening. OUTCOMES: Rates of asymptomatic and symptomatic chlamydial infection, perinatal complications, longterm complications of infection (i.e., pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy), coinfection with other sexually transmitted diseases, disease spread, hospital care, complications of therapy and costs of infection and of screening. EVIDENCE: Search of MEDLINE for articles published between Jan. 1, 1983, and Dec. 31, 1995, with the use of the major MeSH heading "chlamydial infections," references from recent review articles and recommendation by other organizations. VALUES: The evidence-based methods of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination were used. Advice from reviewers and experts and recommendations of other organizations were taken into consideration. Prevention of symptomatic disease and decreased overall costs were given high values. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: The greatest potential benefits of screening asymptomatic patients for chlamydial infections are the prevention of complications, especially infertility and perinatal complications, and the prevention of disease spread. There is no evidence that screening of the general population for chlamydial infections leads to a reduction in complications, and screening may increase costs. However, there is evidence that annual screening of selected high-risk groups and of pregnant women during the first trimester is beneficial in preventing symptoms and reducing the overall cost resulting from infection. RECOMMENDATIONS: There is fair evidence to support screening and treatment of pregnant women during the first trimester (grade B recommendation) as well as annual screening and treatment of high-risk groups (sexually active women less than 25 years of age, men or women with new or multiple sexual partners during the preceding year, women who use nonbarrier contraceptive methods and women who have symptoms of chlamydial infection: cervical friability, mucopurulent cervical discharge or intermenstrual bleeding; grade B recommendation). There is fair evidence to exclude routine screening of the general population (grade D recommendation). VALIDATION: These recommendations are similar to those of the US Preventive Services Task Force and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. SPONSOR: These guidelines were developed and endorsed by the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination, which is funded by Health Canada and the National Health Canada and the National Health Research and Development Program. The principal author (H.D.D.) was supported in part by the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society Lilly Fellowship.     

Factors influencing dental utilization by U.S. military recruits

This study identifies factors that influence dental utilization by U.S. military recruits prior to entering military service. Data were collected between February and June 1994 at one recruit in-processing site per service using self-administered questionnaires. A prestratified, systematic, random sample of 2,711 Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine recruits was drawn. Women and minorities were oversampled. Using logistic regression to determine what factors contribute to the likelihood of recruits having seen a dentist over the past year reveals that the likelihood is greater for females, singles, Air Force personnel, Native Americans, and the better educated; the likelihood is less for recruits who are black, above 19 years old, from the Midwest, Southwest, or Pacific regions of the U.S., and who perceive a need for dental care. Education is the strongest predictor of dental utilization prior to entering military service.     

Possible role of an adrenal parasite reservoir in the pathogenesis of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi myocarditis

A non-parametric estimator of the AIDS survival time (after developing AIDS) is computed for the AIDS data set from the US Air Force (USAF). Survival times are unobservable. They are censored by the screening mechanism. The Armstrong Laboratory's Epidemiologic Research Division maintains data on over 954 active duty US Air Force (USAF) individuals who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. Many have been clinically evaluated seven times since 1986. The HIV-positive individual is classified in seven stages of the disease complex as time progresses. Exact times of transition from one stage to the next are unknown. It is known that transition occurred between two consecutive evaluations. The aim of this study is to analyse distributions of the times that individuals spend in each stage of the HIV disease complex. We will discuss methods used to obtain non-parametric estimators of the distribution of times that individuals spend in stage 6. Finally, it is hoped to model the median time spent in each stage of the disease. This, along with incidence and separation data, will allow the prediction of the impact of HIV disease on USAF individuals and medical care systems.     

Fatigue behavior and failure mechanisms of modified 7075 aluminum alloys

The effects of purity level and dispersoid type on the fatigue behavior of 7000 series alloys were investigated. Ten different compositions based on the 7075 alloy were produced with five levels of Fe + Si and either Cr or Zr dispersoids. Notched axial fatigue specimens were tested at room temperature and the fatigue life did not correlate with either purity level or dispersoid type. Specimens failed by three macroscopic modes designated as: slant, vee, or flat fracture. Sectioning analysis showed that the slant, vee, and flat fractures resulted from single, double and multiple initiation, respectively. Both initiation and propagation in all three modes of failures were dominated by slip related fracture on the {111} planes inclined at 35 deg to the tensile axis of the textured material. The same failure mechanisms were observed in smooth fatigue specimens. formerly with the Metals and Ceramics Division, Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433     

Accelerated recovery of glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats with previous partial hepatectomy

Recent primary prevention trials demonstrated that cardiovascular morbidity and mortality benefits are not accompanied by adverse effects on overall mortality and morbidity in cohorts representing plasma cholesterol concentrations observed in the bulk of coronary artery disease. During the past year, further analyses of the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study have indicated that benefit requires a 25% reduction of LDL cholesterol and that such treatment is not very expensive when focussed on selected high-risk individuals. The Air Force/Texas Coronary Artery Prevention Study indicated that benefit is seen in individuals with even lower plasma lipid concentration. Although current treatment with lifestyle and lipid modifying drug management is successful in primary prevention, the unpredictable nature of coronary artery disease and the cost of drugs mitigate against direct application of drug management in persons with relatively low risk, but selective treatment should be undertaken in very high-risk settings. Future studies need to examine more specific at risk cohorts, test better targeted lipoprotein modification, test more risk factors and also examine whether changes in vascular function or markers of inflammation will predict a better outcome.     

Personality differences among men in selected Air Force specialties.

Notes that job placement based on aptitude has provided the human resources necessary to perform the U.S. Air Force mission but has not produced a work force that is satisfied with the duty assignments. A consideration of enlistee personality and interests might refine this job placement system. To determine if personality differences exist among 108 male career officers in selected Air Force specialties, Ss were given the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI). The specialties were compared further by means of the Environmental Assessment Technique (EAT). Significant differences among the specialties of electronics technician, administrative specialist, inflight refueling operator specialist, and security policeman were found on VPI Realistic, Intellectual, Self-Control, and Status scales. In general, the EAT did not differentiate among the specialties. Implications for counselors of prospective and enlisted airmen are drawn. Further research of this type is recommended to provide the data necessary for more refined and effective job placement in the Air Force. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tensile flow and fracture behavior of

The tensile properties, fracture modes, and deformation mechanisms of two DO₃ alloys, Fe-25 and Fe-31 at. pct Al, have been investigated as a function of temperature up to 600 °C. The first alloy was produced by powder metallurgy and hot-extrusion, the second by casting and hot-extrusion. At room temperature extensive plastic deformation occurs in these intermetallics, exhibiting an elongation to fracture of 8 pct and 5.6 pct, respectively. In the Fe-25Al alloy the deformation process consisted of motion and extensive cross-slip of ordinary dislocations and associated formation of antiphase-boundary (APB) bands, while in the Fe-31Al alloy, plasticity occurred by the motion of superlattice dislocations which eventually dissociated to form APB bands. At room temperature both alloys exhibited transgranular cleavage fracture modes. The variation of tensile properties and fracture modes with temperature is presented. Formerly with the Materials Laboratory of the Air Force Wright Formerly with the Materials Laboratory of the Air Force Wright Formerly with the Materials Laboratory of the Air Force Wright     

Action of serotonin on the laryngeal airway in anaesthetized cats

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalography (EEG) screening of pilot candidates has long been established but remains controversial. The EEG records of 0-15% of the test population demonstrate the presence of brief periods of slow waves (theta, 4-7.9 Hz and delta, 0-3.9 Hz). The significance of these EEG findings for pilot selection has not been defined. HYPOTHESIS: We investigated whether the existence of slow waves in the EEG records of cadet pilots was related to differences in their cognitive performance. If so, the EEG could serve as a tool for cognitive assessment in candidate pilot screening. The relationship between spontaneous EEG slowing and cognitive performance has not been investigated although there is evidence of EEG slowing during the performance of short-term memory tasks. METHODS: Some 116 screening EEG records were re-evaluated for the presence of slow wave activity. Cadets with positive records and a control group performed: a) a modified version of Sternberg's visual memory scanning task on a PC computer; and b) the auditory "OddBall" behavioral task for eliciting the P300 evoked response using the Nicolet Spirit Evoked Potential System. RESULTS: Analysis of the behavioral and electrophysiological data was divided in EEG groups: a) Normal; b) Bilateral slowing only during hyperventilation; c) Bilateral slowing; d) Slowing with right dominance; and e) Slowing with left dominance, showed no significant difference among the groups for all parameters measured. CONCLUSIONS: Brief periods of bilateral or focal EEG slow activity in the records of pilot cadets could not predict differences in cognitive function as this was assessed in these experiments. Specific neuropsychological screening procedures might be more valuable for this purpose than the standard EEG screening.     

Psychological research within the armed services.

"The Army, Navy, and Air Force are currently investing approximately twelve to fifteen million dollars a year in psychological research. The bulk of this money is expended upon in-service personnel and facilities with roughly 25 per cent going into contracts with civilian universities and research agencies." Military organizations concerned with psychological research and the areas of research are discussed. Psychology was formerly concerned with personnel selection and classification problems; now is also concerned with training and equipment design. "Psychological research is firmly established in the military services." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Risk for suicidal ideation in the U.S. Air Force: An ecological perspective.

Objective: Suicidal members of the U.S. military often fail to disclose their suicidal urges and behaviors. Military suicide prevention efforts may therefore be enhanced if they also target less stigmatized psychosocial factors that may decrease risk of suicidality. In keeping with Bronfenbrenner's (1977, 1994) model, this study simultaneously examined 4 ecological levels (i.e., individual, family, workplace, and community) of factors variously associated with increased or decreased risk for suicidal ideation. Method: Active-duty U.S. Air Force members (N = 52,780; 79.3% male; 79.2% non-Hispanic White; mean age = 31.78 years, SD = 7.38) completed the 2006 Community Assessment survey (a biennial, anonymous survey conducted at 82 U.S. Air Force bases worldwide), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (2008) 5-item measure of past-year suicidality along with scales assessing an array of potential predictors. Results: The 1-year rate of suicidal ideation, defined as (a) more than rarely thinking about suicide or (b) ever seriously considering suicide, was approximately 4%. In multivariate models, for men and women, individual- (depressive symptoms and alcohol problems), family- (relationship satisfaction and intimate partner victimization), workplace- (hours worked), and community-level (social support) variables were retained in the final model. However, some sex differences in retained predictors were noted (e.g., men: dissatisfaction with the U.S. Air Force way of life; women: workplace relationship satisfaction and financial stressors). Conclusions: Addressing depressive symptoms and alcohol use, facilitating healthy relationship functioning, and increasing job satisfaction and social support may aid military suicide prevention efforts. These findings illustrate the importance of attending to multiple levels of potential influence when designing integrated suicide prevention and intervention programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Viral hepatitis in the US Air Force, 1980-1989

Viral hepatitis and its acute and chronic complications continue to pose significant threats to the readiness of military personnel. Knowledge about the specific viral agents and their routes of transmission are important in developing prevention strategies. A recent analysis of hepatitis in the US Navy for the period 1975-1984 is reviewed. In order to better characterize the risk of viral hepatitis among US Air Force personnel, a comprehensive review of inpatient and quarters data for hepatitis A, B and 'non-A, non-B' were reviewed from Air Force medical treatment facilities worldwide for the period 1980-1989. Following a discussion of the study methodology, preliminary data and hepatitis type-specific demographic risk variables are discussed. Preliminary results from a hepatitis serosurvey (A, B and C antibody with use of a supplemental validating assay) of the subset of the study cohort who are currently on active duty are briefly reviewed.     

Prompted mental practice as a flight simulator.

Conducted a study with 23 U.S. Air Force undergraduate pilots in a T-37 pilot training program. The 13 experimental Ss listened to 4 121/2-min tape recordings that prompted their mental practice of landing the T-37 aircraft. Controls did not receive this practice. All Ss were rated by their instructor pilots on procedures and ability to land the aircraft on the mission that followed the last mental practice session. Experimental Ss' ratings on both procedures and ability to land were significantly higher (p     

Diagnosis of breast cancer by measuring nuclear disorder using planar graphs

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations (LEAs) in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects in Madrid, Spain, and their direct cost. All patients who underwent LEAs between the 1st of January 1994 and the 31st of December 1996, and who had lived in area 7 of the city (569,307 inhabitants) for at least the last 6 months, were identified through operating theatre records cross-checked with Vascular Surgery Department discharge records. In addition, the direct cost of LEAs per year was estimated, taking into account the length of the hospital stay, the period of rehabilitation in the outpatient clinic after discharge, and the use of artificial limbs and their maintenance. The incidence of LEAs was 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.2) per 10(5) non-diabetic subjects and 46.1 (95% CI: 34.5-57.6) per 10(5) diabetic patients. Relative risk was 28. Total direct costs associated with LEAs per year were US$ 56,131 in the diabetic population and US$ 30,765 in the non-diabetic population. Thus, potential cost savings associated with excess amputations in the diabetic population was estimated at US$ 541,353 per year of US$ 94,736 per 10(5) inhabitants. It is concluded that the incidence of LEAs in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations in area 7 is the lowest reported in European countries. The potential cost savings per 10(5) inhabitants and per year is estimated at US$ 94,736.     

Prediction of the kinetics of static globularization of Ti-6Al-4V

The time for the static globularization of alpha lamellae in Ti-6Al-4V was predicted using analytical and finite-difference models based on the diffusion-controlled migration of the edges of remnant pancake-shaped particles. Similar to a previous two-dimensional analysis of the cylinderization of a semi-infinite, platelike second phase, the models quantified the influence of heat-treatment temperature, platelet thickness, and platelet diameter-to-thickness ratio on globularization kinetics. The present approaches were validated by comparison to previous observations of static globularization of Ti-6Al-4V at 955 °C. This work was conducted as part of the in-house research of the Metals Processing Group of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.