How infants perceive a simple causal event.

Four experiments examined 10-mo-old infants' causal event perception. Exp 1 replicated previous studies except that the specific objects used as agent and recipient varied from trial to trial. Under these conditions infants did not process the causality. Instead they keyed on specific temporal and spatial differences among the events. Exp 2 showed that infants notice a change in the particular agent performing either a causal or noncausal action. Exp 3 showed that infants do not notice a change in the type of action done to a particular recipient. Exp 4 demonstrated that infants do not pay attention to the object used as a recipient. As a whole, the results indicate that 10-mo-old infants perceive the causality of simple events by associating a specific agent with the causal action. These results provide more support for an information-processing view than for the view that infants have a causal module. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new minimum zone method for evaluating flatness errors

A new minimum zone method for flatnes error analyis is proposed in this article. Based on the criteria for the minimum zone solution and strict rules for data exchange, a simple and rapid algorithm, called the control plane rotation scheme, is developed for the flatness analysis of a flat surface. Experimental work was performed, and some examples are given in terms of the minimum zone and least-squares solutions.     

Combustion synthesis of advanced materials: Part I. Reaction parameters

An explanation of combustion (self propagating high temperature) synthesis (SHS) is given together with a historical perspective of the examination of such exothermic reactions. The application of thermochemical functions has been used to predict theoretically the maximum adiabatic temperature, T_ad. This, combined with a knowledge of the ignition temperature, T_ig, and the actual combustion temperature, T_c, has been used to determine the heat loss from the SHS reaction and the amount of heat needed to raise the adjacent, cold, reactant layer to the ignition temperature in order to maintain the self sustaining nature of the propagating mode of the reaction. The pertinent reaction parameters that control self propagating high temperature (combustion) synthesis reactions have been examined. These include: reactant particle size and shape; powder mixing and compaction; green density; reaction stoichiometry; impurities; volatiles and diluents; reaction environment; mode and technique of ignition; heating rate; and the effect of these parameters on the generation of heat, exothermicity and control of the SHS reaction.     

Analysis of the effect of shrinkage on macrosegregation in alloy solidification

Numerical calculations based on a continuum model are used to examine the effects of solidification shrinkage on the redistribution of solute in a Pb-19.2 pct Sn mixture which is convectively cooled at a sidewall. For each of three different cooling rates, separate calculations are performed for shrinkage and buoyancy-induced flows, as well as for the combined influence of shrinkage and buoyancy effects. The calculations reveal that flow and macrosegregation patterns are more strongly influenced by buoyancy effects over a wide range of solidification rates. Although extremely large solidification rates yield small regions near the chilled wall in which shrinkage-induced flows control the redis-tribution of solute, the overall effect on macrosegregation is small relative to that associated with buoyancy. Scaling analysis of the governing equations produces reference shrinkage and buoyancy velocities which can be used to extend the current numerical results to other binary systems.     

Comparisons of taste perceptions and preferences of Japanese and Australian consumers: overview and implications for cross-cultural sensory research

A program of research that compared the taste perceptions and preferences of Japanese and Australian consumer panels is reviewed from the point of view of the general issues that have emerged. These studies revealed few cross-cultural differences in the perceptions of the panels, implicating an important role for dietary experience in differences in preference. There was also little evidence for cross-cultural influences on panellists' assessment behaviour, such as scale usage. Studies of predominantly sweet and salty foods from both Australia and Japan illustrated the importance of familiarity with the overall product as an influence on the assessment of individual sensory characteristics. Subsequent attempts to overcome this influence by comparing cross-cultural responses to the manipulation of tastes within foods common to both cultures revealed no differences in the optimum tastant level within each of the foods. The implications of these studies for future cross-cultural research is addressed, and it is argued that future studies need to develop methods for determining the acceptability of relatively novel foods specifically developed for export markets, and also to address the complexity of food preferences from the point of view of both sensory and non-sensory influences.     

Response spectrum analysis of piping systems with elastic-plastic gap supports

A new seismic support device and its application in piping systems is described. The device, E-BAR (patented), can be cost effectively used for snubber replacement programs, mitigation of hydraulic transients, pipe whip and as a thermal stop. The device has pre-set gaps to allow free thermal movement. During a seismic or other dynamic load event, if the pipe movement exceeds the gap dimension, the device acts as an elastic or elastic-plastic restraint. The device also has a unique design feature for not exceeding the restraint force beyond a specified limit design value. To analyze piping systems with gap supports having elastic-plastic characteristics, modal analysis procedures for both response spectrum and time history methods are developed. The comparison of responses obtained from the procedures with nonlinear time history analysis and test results available in the literature shows excellent correlation. A pilot program conducted for snubber replacement with E-BARs demonstrates that the limit force feature of E-BAR makes them very attractive for snubber replacement. This is because a particular E-BAR with a specified limit design force can be selected, such that, the E-BAR replacing the snubber does not require any modifications be made to the existing support steel and hardware.     

Gestational choriocarcinoma metastatic to the brain treated successfully by stereotactic radiosurgery and chemotherapy

This report analyzes the intracorporal lengths of 236 consecutive organically impotent men who underwent insertion of a penile prosthesis. The average right or left intracorporal length in this series was 20.9 cm, with a standard deviation of 2.2 cm. Intracorporal length ranged from 14-27 cm. This data may be used as reference ranges for penile prosthesis manufacturers, and for Urologists who implant prostheses or perform penile lengthening procedures.     

A reduced basis approach to quantifying damage dependent dynamic response of laminated composite structures

A finite element (FE) based formulation is utilized to represent the damage-dependent response of laminated composite structures. An internal-state-variable (ISV) approach provides a definition of the stiffness reduction caused by intralaminar crack propagation at the ply level. These ISVs are combined with simple stress criteria to accommodate ply property changes caused by fiber fracture, fiber microbuckling and interior delaminations. A set of orthogonal Ritz vectors are chosen as basis vectors to transform the dynamical equations of motion to a reduced coordinate space. The reduced basis form of the equations provides significant numerical efficiencies, especially for large ordered systems. Furthermore, damping and its variation with damage can be generally represented in any number of vibratory modes. The Newmark integration operator is used to solve the dynamic equations of motion, and equilibrium iterations are performed in each incremental time step to assure convergence. Results are given for laminated beam and plate geometries subjected to dynamic loads.     

"Adolescent psychopathology: I. Prevalence and incidence of depression and other DSM-III—R disorders in high school students": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by P. M. Lewinsohn et al ( Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1993[Feb], Vol 102[1], 133–244). On page 140, in the Total Incidence columns in Table 4, the data for the Attention Deficit row should be switched with that for the Conduct row. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1993-25780-001.) Data were collected on the point and lifetime prevalences, 1-yr incidence, and comorbidity of depression with other Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) disorders in a randomly selected sample (n?=?1,710) of high school students at point of entry and at 1-yr follow-up (n?=?1,508). The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children was used to collect diagnostic information; 9.6% met criteria for a current disorder, more than 33% had experienced a disorder over their lifetimes, and 31.7% of the latter had experienced a 2nd disorder. High relapse rates were found for all disorders, especially for unipolar depression (18.4%) and substance use (15.0%). Female Ss had significantly higher rates at all age levels for unipolar depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and adjustment disorders; male Ss had higher rates of disruptive behavior disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)