Probabilistic functionalism: A conception of research method.

Describes the accepted psychological research paradigm and discusses its inherent limitations. The author outlines an alternative paradigm that is adequate to the task of understanding organism–environment relationships. This alternative paradigm is formulated in terms of E. Brunswik's (1952) lens model. The author then develops some theoretical implications of the lens model. These include the importance of situational sampling, the nature and focus of analytic statistical procedures, and the characteristics of a molar functional approach as contrasted with those of a molecular reductionistic one. The author discusses the essentials of representative design and suggests the conception of construct validity as developed in psychometric theory as a general scheme adequate to guide theory construction. (62 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis of a waveguide phased array element

A synthesis of a simple matching structure for a waveguide phased array element is presented. The matching is in the form of a double-tuned response. Short dielectric discs in combination with a below cutoff section of waveguide approximately realizes the lumped circuit parameters of the ideal double-tuned circuit. The departure from the ideal realization is explained in terms of the dispersive character of the structure and the interdependence of the resonator circuits. Design examples of linearly polarized and wide-scan (75degcone) polarization diverse arrays are carried out for bandwidths greater than 10 percent. The completed designs are evaluated considering the multimode nature of the aperture discontinuity.     

The role of endogenous prostaglandin E in angiotensin-II-induced drinking in rats.

In 3 experiments with 42 male Sprague-Dawley or Long-Evans rats, oral administration of indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses endogenous prostaglandin E? (PGE?) levels in plasma, resulted in an augmentation of total water intake and a shortening of the latency to drink in response to an iv infusion of angiotensin II (AII). This same treatment had no effect on water intake stimulated by the intracranial injection of the dipsogen. Plasma PGE? may act as both a tonic inhibitor of drinking and a satiety indicator in situations in which water intake is stimulated by increases in blood levels of AII. While peripheral PGE? levels do not appear to be involved in the control of drinking to increased brain levels of AII, the role of endogenous central PGE in this phenomenon remains unknown. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Young children's knowledge about visual perception: Further evidence for the Level 1–Level 2 distinction.

Conducted 3 studies with 51 3-yr-olds to test the hypothesis that there is a development in early childhood from a less advanced (Level 1) to a more advanced (Level 2) form of knowledge and thinking about people's visual experiences. Study 1 replicated and further validated a finding by Z. S. Masangkay et al (see record 1977-02937-001) that 3-yr-olds perform very well on tasks that call for Level 1 knowledge but very poorly on those that require Level 2 knowledge. Study 2 showed that Ss did not perform better when critical aspects of Level 2 tasks were designed to be familiar to them and similar to what they might encounter in everyday life. Study 3 showed that most of the Ss who performed poorly on Level 2 tasks in Study 2 continued to perform poorly on a retest given 2–19 wks later. In addition, a brief training period following the retest proved largely unsuccessful in inducing Level 2 knowledge and thinking in these children. Results of the studies appear to provide strong support for the Level 1–Level 2 developmental hypothesis. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counsel on Counseling.

American Psychological Association members will probably be interested in knowing that the popular press is publicizing the idea that the ability to administer a shot of antibiotics is not a necessary prerequisite for working with people who have some emotional problems. A paragraph from the February 1965 Good Housekeeping is provided to prove this point. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Kairomones and their use for management of entomophagous insects: III. Stimulation ofTrichogramma achaeae,T. pretiosum,andMicroplitis croceipes with host-seeking stimuli at time of release to improve their efficiency

Frass from larvae of the corn earworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie) and scales fromH. zea moths (that are known to contain the host-seeking stimulus, tricosane) stimulate and orient host-seeking activity in femaleMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson), a larval parasite ofH. zea, andTrichogramma spp., egg parasites ofH. zea. When larval frass, moth scales, and tricosane were used as sign stimuli (releasers) forM. croceipes, T. pretiosum (Riley), andT. achaeae Nagaraji and Nagarkatti, respectively, at time of their release from laboratory containers, parasite performance improved, resulting in significantly increased rates of parasitization over that of unstimulated parasites. Stimulation ofM. croceipes with larval frass had an overriding effect on this parasite's innate tendency to disperse upon release, thereby increasing the numbers remaining and prolonging their retention in the target area. Supplying the appropriate host-seeking stimuli to these 3 hymenopterous parasites ofH. zea at time of their release to improve their efficiency greatly increases the probability of their effective utilization in pest management systems.     

Agitation scale-up effects during VCM suspension polymerization

Experimental data are presented showing the effect of reactor agitation intensity and reactor size on final resin properties during VCM suspension polymerization. Experiments were carried out in three stirred batch polymerization reactors covering a broad range of vessel sizes (bench scale, pilot plant, and commercial production units). Reactors' shapes were geometrically similar. The same charge recipe and operating procedure was also used for all three reactors. The effects of major agitation parameters such as impeller diameter, width, and speed are correlated against resin properties using the Weber number. The same characteristic U-shaped curve is found for all three reactors when mean particle diameter is plotted versus Weber number. However, the curves do not lie on top of one another but are spread apart, the larger reactors having a higher Weber number. Another interesting feature is that the coefficient of variation (particle size standard deviation divided by mean diameter) decreases dramatically as reactor size is increased. Other resin properties also show improvement upon scale-up. In summary, resin properties continue to improve as reactor size is increased over the range studied (bench-to-commercial large reactor scale), but a correct application of the complex scale-up technology must be employed to take advantage of this observation.