The effect of riddle structure on children's comprehension of riddles.

A classification of children's riddles was constructed, and 2 studies were conducted to test an implied developmental sequence of comprehension. In Exp I, riddles and jokes were collected and classified from 575 children of Grades 1–8 and Grade 10. As predicted, riddles based on conceptual tricks were most popular for the youngest Ss; riddles based on language ambiguity, for intermediate ages; and riddles based on absurdity, for the oldest groups. In Exp II, 208 Ss of Grades 1, 3, 6, 10, and college freshmen were presented with selected riddles from the 3 riddle categories to test for the predicted sequence of comprehension. Comprehension was measured by assessing the S's explanations of riddle answers and performance on a multiple-choice task. S's guesses to riddle questions and memory of the riddle answers were also recorded. Results show that explanations of the riddles were mostly justifications, in which the S demonstrated how the answer of the riddle was plausible. Ss were less likely to explain how the riddle was tricky. Guesses to the riddle questions were mostly realistic, particularly for the younger Ss. Memory of riddle answers was good for all grades, virtually perfect by Grade 6. Results show a general confirmation of the predictions for the classification. Conceptual-trick riddles were comprehended first, language ambiguity riddles at an intermediate age, and absurd riddles were comprehended only by the oldest Ss. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychoanalytic approaches to alcoholism and addiction: Treatment and research.

Discusses modified psychoanalysis as a treatment for addiction and reviews the outcome research for such therapy. Modifications to traditional psychoanalysis that may be made for addicts or alcoholics include an initial phase of treatment that is supportive and didactic, followed by more psychoanalytically oriented treatment; a therapist who is active rather than passive; the forestalling of transference; and the recommendation for participation in Alcoholics Anonymous. Two of 3 studies in which modified psychoanalysis was used with addicts or alcoholics found that those Ss derived significant benefit from the therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Design of multiscalar metallic multilayer composites for high strength,high toughness,and low CTE mismatch

We propose a new class of multilayer composites that consists of alternating tough and strong layers. Both the tough and the strong layers are metallic, effectively reducing the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch problem that often plagues metal-ceramic composites. The high-strength layers are themselves very fine-scale metallic multilayer composites. The high strengths result from Orowan strengthening of these very fine-scale layers. We present detailed analyses of the flow stress, toughness, and thermal stability of these multiscalar metallic multi-layer composites (M³C) as a guide for microstructural optimization. The dominant term in the flow stress is proportional to the volume fraction of the strong layers and scales inversely with thickness of the very fine-scale layers that make up the strong layer. The toughness is dominated by the plastic flow of the tough layers and is proportional to the volume fraction and flow stress of the tough layers, as modified by plastic constraint. The thermal stability of M³Cs is discussed in the context of solubility, length scales, and interdiffusivity of the two metals. Preliminary results suggest that M³Cs do exhibit an unusual combination of high toughness and strength.     

Report of the chair of the task force on division affiliation.

This is a report by the Chair of the Task Force on Division Affiliation of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors regarding the Society's efforts in obtaining Divisional status. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Detection of a marker layer in a 7YSZ thermal barrier coating by femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

A new technique for detection of thickness loss in thermal barrier coatings caused by erosion or foreign/domestic object damage has been demonstrated for a 7YSZ thermal barrier coating. The thickness loss was assessed via femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs-LIBS) inspection for a marker layer of gadolinium zirconate, embedded at a critical depth within the 7YSZ coating. Spectroscopic detection of the marker layer was possible at fluence levels as low as 18 J cm^− 2, which is about 11 times the ablation threshold fluence for 7YSZ. The surface damage caused by the laser pulses was minimal and consisted of extremely small individual circular craters with approximate diameter of 30 μm. Further, the laser action also did not cause any cracking in the 7YSZ layer. The minimal collateral damage associated with fs-laser pulses is one of the major advantages of fs-LIBS for spectroscopic characterization of thermal barrier coatings.     

Femtosecond laser machining of single-crystal superalloys through thermal barrier coatings

Femtosecond laser machining of single-crystal superalloys coated with thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) has been investigated. The investigations were carried out in air using a titanium:sapphire laser system (λ = 780 nm) operating at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and delivering individual pulses of 150 fs in duration. The ablation threshold of 7 wt.% yttria stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) has been measured to be 1.52 ± 0.21 J/cm². Microstructural investigations indicated a complete absence of conventional processing defects such as recast layers and microcracking in the vicinity of the machining area. The absence of machining-induced melting or delamination along interfaces of the TBC system demonstrates a significant advantage in comparison with conventional laser machining.