Science, religiosity, and rational emotive psychology.

Replies to P. W. Sharkey's (see record 1982-26956-001) critique of some of the theories of rational emotive psychology (REP) and their relationship to rational emotive therapy. Responding to Sharkey's objections, it is concluded that (1) REP remains well within the field of science although, like science, it rests on some evaluative assumptions and (2) REP does not attack all religious hypotheses but only those that are absolute and that sabotage human health and happiness. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Miniature equilibrium still

A 40 cm³ recycling vapour liquid equilibrium still is described with direct injection of the vapour into the carrier stream of a chromatography analytical unit. Results for testing the accuracy of the equilibrium still are presented for the miscible systems hexane—heptane, ethanol—benzene and for the partially immiscible condensate systems perfluoromethylcyclohexane-1 heptane and perfluoromethylcyclohexane-n heptane.     

Grip strength, level of endurance, and manual task performance.

Examined the feasibility of applying the static strength and endurance relationships suggested in 1960 by W. Rohmert to a simple manual task. Results indicate that there was a relationship between grip strength expenditure and impairments in task performance similar in respect to the static strength and endurance relationships suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MOCVD of highly conductive CdO thin films

Thin films of cadmium oxide have been deposited onto alumino–silicate glass substrates by atmospheric pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition using DMCd and n-butanol, a novel oxygen source. Studies were conducted to evaluate how different conditions such as temperature and precursor concentration influenced the film growth. Film characterization showed that at an optimum temperature range of 270–290 °C, CdO exhibits low spreading resistance of 17.1 per square, for a 400 nm film, compared with 10 per square for 1.1 m indium tin oxide film, and high transmittance, between 600 and 900 nm, up to 90% with a band gap of 2.4 eV. Within this optimum temperature range, the grain size and surface roughness are shown to be a minimum.     

PBDEs, PBBs, and PCNs in three communities of free-ranging killer whales (Orcinus orca) from the northeastern Pacific Ocean

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were quantified in blubber biopsy samples collected from free-ranging male and female killer whales (Orcinus orca) belonging to three distinct communities (southern residents, northern residents, and transients) from the northeastern Pacific Ocean. High concentrations of sigmaPBDE were observed in male southern residents (942+/-582 ng/g Iw), male and female transients (1015+/-605 and 885+/-706 ng/g Iw, respectively), and male and female northern residents (203+/-116 and 415+/-676 ng/g Iw, respectively). Because of large variation within sample groups, sigmaPBDE levels generally did not differ statistically with the exception of male northern residents, which had lower sigmaPBDE concentrations than male southern residents, male transients, and female transients, perhaps reflecting the consumption of less contaminated prey items. Male transient killer whales, which consume high trophic level prey including other cetaceans and occasionally spend time near populated areas, had sigmaPBDE concentrations approximately equal to southern residents. No significant age-related relationships were observed for sigmaPBDE concentrations. sigmaPBDE concentrations were approximately 1-3 orders of magnitude greater than those of sigmaPBB (3.0-31 ng/g Iw) and sigmaPCN (20-167 ng/g Iw) measured in a subset of samples, suggesting that PBDEs may represent a contaminant class of concern in these marine mammals.     

Comparison of SeaWiFS measurements of the Moon with the U.S. Geological Survey lunar model

The Sea-Viewing Wide-Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) has made monthly observations of the Moon since 1997. Using 66 monthly measurements, the SeaWiFS calibration team has developed a correction for the instrument's on-orbit response changes. Concurrently, a lunar irradiance model has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from extensive Earth-based observations of the Moon. The lunar irradiances measured by SeaWiFS are compared with the USGS model. The comparison shows essentially identical response histories for SeaWiFS, with differences from the model of less than 0.05% per thousand days in the long-term trends. From the SeaWiFS experience we have learned that it is important to view the entire lunar image at a constant phase angle from measurement to measurement and to understand, as best as possible, the size of each lunar image. However, a constant phase angle is not required for using the USGS model. With a long-term satellite lunar data set it is possible to determine instrument changes at a quality level approximating that from the USGS lunar model. However, early in a mission, when the dependence on factors such as phase and libration cannot be adequately determined from satellite measurements alone, the USGS model is critical to an understanding of trends in instruments that use the Moon for calibration. This is the case for SeaWiFS.     

An application of stochastic optimal control theory to the optimal rescheduling of airplanes

A model for the air traffic flow between two airports subject to random constraints on the takeoff and landing capacities is set up. For a simple case a dynamic programming algorithm is used to compute the optimal solutions explicitly.     

Background continental ozone levels in the rural U.S. southwest desert

From 1969 through 1978 an extensive ambient air quality monitoring program, including the measurement of atmospheric concentrations of ozone, has been conducted in a remote section of the desert in the southwestern U.S. Using a Monitor Labs chemiluminescent ozone instrument, these levels were measured atop a small mountain 500 feet above the valley floor of the Colorado River. During the winter months, when the prevailing low level winds are northerly in this river valley, rural continental background levels of ozone are attainable. From this continuous ozone data base, 13 of these representative high pressure periods have been selected for analysis. Results indicate a very distinct diurnal trend with an ozone minimum occurring from 0800–1000 hours Mountain Standard Time (MST) and an ozone maximum from 1600–1900 hours MST. Ozone concentrations range from a low of 19 ppb to a high of 44 ppb with the diurnal pattern exhibiting marked repeatability with respect to time of minima and maxima, seasonal changes and concentration levels.