Mary Dinsmore Saltworthy Ainsworth (1913–1999): Obituary.

Memorializes Mary D. S. Ainsworth, one of the preeminent developmental psychologists of the 20th century. Her conceptual and empirical contributions to attachment theory have led to groundbreaking changes in how psychologists think about the connection between an infant and its caregivers and, by extension, about close human relationships at all ages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How reasonable are oil production scenarios from public agencies?

According to the long-term scenarios of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), conventional oil production is expected to grow until at least 2030. EIA has published results from a resource-constrained production model which ostensibly supports such a scenario. The model is here described and analyzed in detail. However, it is shown that the model, although sound in principle, has been misapplied due to a confusion of resource categories. A correction of this methodological error reveals that EIA's scenario requires rather extreme and implausible assumptions regarding future global decline rates. This result puts into question the basis for the conclusion that global “peak oil” would not occur before 2030.     

Improving the effectiveness of root cause analysis in post mortem analysis: A controlled experiment

Retrospective analysis is a way to share knowledge following the completion of a project or major milestone. However, in the busy workday of a software project, there is rarely time for such reviews and there is a need for effective methods that will yield good results quickly without the need for external consultants or experts. Building on an existing method for retrospective analysis and theories of group involvement, we propose improvements to the root cause analysis phase of a lightweight retrospective analysis method known as post mortem analysis (PMA). In particular, to facilitate brainstorming during the root cause analysis phase of the PMA, we propose certain processual changes to facilitate more active individual participation and the use of less rigidly structured diagrams. We conducted a controlled experiment to compare this new variation of the method with the existing one, and conclude that in our setting of small software teams with no access to an experienced facilitator, the new variation is more effective when it comes to identifying possible root causes of problems and successes. The modified method also produced more specific starting points for improving the software development process.     

Simultaneous measurement of ethane diffusivity and skin resistance of ‘Jonica’ apples by efflux experiment

An experiment was carried out to simultaneously measure the diffusivity and skin resistance of ethane in ‘Jonica’ apples by equilibrating them in an ethane–air mixture, transferring them to an ethane-free jar and monitoring the concentration of the air in the jar as the ethane is released. The concentration curve is then curve fitted by a finite element model using a realistic axisymmetric geometry to determine the diffusivity and mass transfer coefficient (inverse of skin resistance). The solubility (Henry’s law constant) of ethane in apple tissue was determined at equilibrium and was the same as that of ethane in water. The diffusivity of ethane in apple tissue was 19.4 × 10⁻⁸ m² s⁻¹, the skin resistance 1.26 × 10⁶ s m⁻¹ and the mass transfer Biot number (ratio of internal to external resistance) 0.61. The values of these parameters for O₂, CO₂ and neon were calculated from those for ethane using a two phase co-diffusion model. They disagree with results from previous efflux experiments but are consistent with direct measurement on cut tissue samples using the diffusion cell method. This can be explained by the hypothesis that the diffusivity determined by curve fitting is that of the inner cortex, while the resistance of the outer cortex is treated as part of skin resistance. Taken in combination with previous tests, the present results give an indication of the diffusivity profile across the apples.     

High temperature corrosion of cobalt in SO2

The reaction of cobalt in SO₂ has been studied in the temperature range 800–1000°C and at SO₂ pressures from 10 to 760 torr. Reaction kinetics have been studied by thermogravimetry, while the reacted specimens have been characterized by means of optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. The reaction involves formation of cobalt oxide (CoO), cobalt sulphides, and probably cobalt sulphate. The latter compound is formed at the lower temperature due to the presence of oxygen impurities in the SO₂. The relative importance of formation of the different reaction products is a function of temperature and the partial pressure of SO₂ (and O₂). At sufficiently high temperatures and reduced SO₂ pressure, CoO is the only reaction product. Reaction kinetics vary with reaction conditions. The amount of reaction goes through a maximum at about 920°C at 1 atm.SO₂. The reaction mechanism is interpreted in terms of the stability diagram of the Co-O-system.     

Tealeaves may release or absorb fluoride, depending on the fluoride content of water

As the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is known to accumulate fluoride from the soil, the tealeaves may contain high concentrations of fluoride, which is easily released during infusion. In this study, we have tested the possible effect of original fluoride concentration in the water on the fluoride release from tea. Moreover, we wanted to test the possible capacity of tealeaves (commercially available tea) to absorb fluoride from high-fluoride water. In low-fluoride water, fluoride is easily released from tealeaves. Depending upon the fluoride content of the water, dried tealeaves are able also to absorb fluoride. Thus, if a cup of tea is made from high-fluoride water, the fluoride concentration of the infusion may actually be lower than the original fluoride concentration of the water.     

Strategic automation of emotion regulation.

As implementation intentions are a powerful self-regulation tool for thought and action (meta-analysis by P. M. Gollwitzer & P. Sheeran, 2006), the present studies were conducted to address their effectiveness in regulating emotional reactivity. Disgust- (Study 1) and fear- (Study 2) eliciting stimuli were viewed under 3 different self-regulation instructions: the goal intention to not get disgusted or frightened, respectively, this goal intention furnished with an implementation intention (i.e., an if-then plan), and a no-self-regulation control group. Only implementation-intention participants succeeded in reducing their disgust and fear reactions as compared to goal-intention and control participants. In Study 3, electrocortical correlates (using dense-array electroencephalography) revealed differential early visual activity in response to spider slides in ignore implementation-intention participants, as reflected in a smaller P1. Theoretical and applied implications of the present findings for emotion regulation via implementation intentions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Health consequences of reduced daily cigarette consumption

Objective

To determine the risk of dying from specified smoking‐related diseases and from any cause in heavy smoking men and women (⩾15 cigarettes/day), who reduced their daily cigarette consumption by >50%.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

Three counties in Norway.

Participants

24 959 men and 26 251 women, aged 20–49 years, screened for risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the mid‐1970s, screened again after 3–13 years, and followed up throughout 2003.

Outcomes

Absolute mortality and relative risks adjusted for confounding variables, of dying from all causes, cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, all smoking‐related cancer and lung cancer.

Results

With sustained heavy smokers as reference, the smokers of both sexes who reduced their daily consumption (reducers) had the following adjusted relative risks (95% confidence interval (CI)): of dying from any cause, 1.02 (0.84 to 1.22); cardiovascular disease, 1.02 (0.75 to 1.39); ischaemic heart disease, 0.96 (0.65 to 1.41); smoking‐related cancer, 0.86 (0.57 to 1.29); and lung cancer, 0.66 (0.36 to 1.21). The difference in cigarette consumption between two examinations was not a significant predictor of death from any of the causes. A follow‐up from a third screening of the subgroup who were reducers at both second and third examinations (sustained reducers) did not have a lower risk than those who were heavy smokers at all three examinations.

Conclusions

Long‐term follow‐up provides no evidence that heavy smokers who cut down their daily cigarette consumption by >50% reduce their risk of premature death significantly. In health education and patient counselling, it may give people false expectations to advise that reduction in consumption is associated with reduction in harm.Does reduced daily cigarette consumption lead to lower mortality from the serious health consequences of cigarette smoking? In other words, does a reduction in consumption bring about reduction in harm?Numerous population studies have given ample evidence that quitting smoking entirely results in a marked reduction in the ill effects of smoking. Up to now, however, only one large prospective study has explored the long‐term effects of unassisted reduced smoking. Godtfredsen et al^1,2,3,4 have pioneered in this field by following up a population of nearly 20 000 men and women living in Copenhagen, Denmark (the Copenhagen Centre for Prospective Population Studies). After mean observation periods ranging from 13.8 to 18 years, they published their results in a series of articles.The aim of this paper is to determine the risk in heavy smokers who reduced their cigarette consumption by at least 50%, named “reducers”, compared with those who continued as heavy smokers. We report on a Norwegian population of 51 210 men and women, aged 20–49 years, who were examined in the mid‐1970s for cardiovascular disease risk factors and were examined again during the next 3–13 years at least once. These people were followed up throughout 2003 for deaths from serious smoking‐related diseases and from all causes. The mean observation period is 21.2 years, maximum 27 years. A subgroup attended three screenings. This gave us the possibility to compare those who were reducers at the two last screenings (sustained reducers) with those who were heavy smokers at all three screenings (sustained heavy smokers).     

Dimethyl sulfide removal from synthetic waste gas using a flat poly(dimethylsiloxane)-coated composite membrane bioreactor

The reduction of volatile organic sulfur emissions should be completely as they cause odor nuisance, even when they are emitted in very small amounts. In general, biofilters are applied for odor reduction, but their operational control is limited. A new biotechnique for the treatment of complex emissions is the use of membranes integrated within bioreactors (MBRs). In this study, the reactor performance of MBRs for removal of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) as a model compound is presented. Composite membranes with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-coating layer were used. The MBRs were inoculated with the sulfur-degrading culture Hyphomicrobium VS or a suspension of Hyphomicrobium VS, ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) to colonize the PDMS-coating layer. Although inoculation with AOB and NOB might give rise to competition for space on the membrane, their presence in the MBRs appeared to be positive as they co-oxidize DMS. Dimethyl sulfide elimination depended on the inoculum type, DMS inlet concentration, gas residence time, and membrane polymer. For equal loading rates, the elimination capacity (EC) increased at larger gas residence times and inlet concentrations. The maximum EC obtained with the MBRs was 4.8 kg of DMS x m(-3) x d(-1). This value is higher than any reported figure for biofilters and biotrickling filters.