Operant responding for visual stimuli during sensory deprivation: Effect of meaningfulness.

Employed slide series differing in amount of meaningfulness as reinforcers for conjugately programed operant responding during 2-hr sessions of sensory deprivation and control conditions. Ss were 36 student nurses, 17-22 yr. old. Every S had the opportunity to respond to the slide series under both sets of conditions. Rates of responding under both conditions were higher for the more meaningful slide series, but rates of responding for the least meaningful reinforcers were higher under sensory deprivation conditions than under control conditions. Results are interpreted as indicating a need for nonmeaningful stimulation and for meaningful stimulation during sensory deprivation. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why clinical psychology does not need alternative training models.

Current evidence suggests that the Boulder (scientist-professional) model of training in clinical psychology is eminently successful and widely accepted. The author argues that (a) alternative models of training that deemphasize research or general psychology and those programs not based in a university are unnecessary and undesirable, and (b) regardless of the type of model used, the highest level of quality is essential for the profession and the discipline of psychology. It is contended that ultimate control of the quality of education and training rests with psychology. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of hybrid beams composed of GFRP profiles and polymer concrete

In this paper, a numerical approach for the analysis of a new type of hybrid composite beams is presented. Such beams are composed of composite materials that resist shear and tensile stresses, and polymer concrete acommodating compression stresses.The beams offer an optimized configuration in terms of stiffness and strength, with much potential for mechanical and civil engineering structures.The current numerical model is based on a finite element formulation for layered shell-like structures. The model accounts for a polymer concrete material model, orthotropic material model, and considers the analysis of geometric and material nonlinearities. The first-order shear deformation theory is used in order to describe the shell deformation under a total Lagrangian formulation. The model is validated experimentally and a close agreement with experimental results makes this model an attractive solution method for this type of composite hybrid beams.     

Differential mass spectrometry: a label-free LC-MS method for finding significant differences in complex peptide and protein mixtures

Efficiently identifying and quantifying disease- or treatment-related changes in the abundance of proteins is an important area of research for the pharmaceutical industry. Here we describe an automated, label-free method for finding differences in complex mixtures using complete LC-MS data sets, rather than subsets of extracted peaks or features. The method selectively finds statistically significant differences in the intensity of both high-abundance and low-abundance ions, accounting for the variability of measured intensities and the fact that true differences will persist in time. The method was used to compare two complex peptide mixtures with known peptide differences. This controlled experiment allowed us to assess the validity of each difference found and so to analyze the method's sensitivity and specificity. The method detects both presence versus absence and a 2-fold change in peptide concentration near the limit of detection of the instrument used, where chromatographic peaks may not be sufficiently well defined to be detected in individual samples. The method is more sensitive and gives fewer false positives than subtractive methods that ignore signal variability. Differential mass spectrometry combined with targeted MS/MS analysis of only identified differences may save both computation time and human effort compared to shotgun proteomics approaches.     

Development and optimization of a mid-infrared hollow waveguide gas sensor combined with a supported capillary membrane sampler

A gas sensor for application in water analysis was developed by combination of a mid-infrared (MIR) hollow waveguide with a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer and coupling of the hollow waveguide gas sensor module to a supported capillary membrane sampler (SCMS) for continuous liquid-gas extraction. Different hollow waveguides have been characterized in this study for developing an optimized optical configuration. Analysis of industrially relevant compounds has been performed, investigating chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs), such as dichloromethane and chloroform, representing highly volatile analytes, and 1,4-dioxane as an example of target compounds with low volatility. The suitability of this spectroscopic IR sensing system for industrial applications is demonstrated under simulated real-world conditions with limits of detection in the ppb (v/v) and ppm (v/v) concentration range for CHCs and 1,4-dioxane, respectively.     

Unrealistic optimism in internet events

This study assessed the tendency for individuals to be unrealistically optimistic about internet related activities. Ninety-seven participants estimated their chances of experiencing 31 positive and negative internet events compared to the average student at their school. The data indicated that students believed positive internet events were more likely to happen to them and negative events were less likely to happen to them compared to the average student. Heavy internet users reported more optimistic responses than did light users. Perceptions of event characteristics (controllability, desirability, and personal experience) were also significantly correlated with optimistic bias.     

Stability of nc-Si:H TFTs With Silicon Nitride Gate Dielectric

We report the fabrication and characterization of bottom-gate and top-gate nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with amorphous-silicon nitride (a-SiN_x:H) as the gate dielectric. The devices were fabricated using standard 13.56-MHz plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at 240 degC. Here, the same 80-nm nc-Si:H channel, 300-nm a-SiN_x:H gate dielectric, and 60-nm n⁺ nc-Si:H ohmic contact layers were used in both TFT structures. We analyzed the effects of gate configuration on TFT performance and, in particular, the electrical stability. The stability tests were carried out at a gate bias stress in the range from 20 to 40 V. The nc-Si:H TFTs demonstrated much better threshold-voltage (V_T ) stability compared with the amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H) counterparts, offering great promise for applications in active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays     

Industrial capacity planning in oligopolistic markets

Available productive capacity is determinant of a company’s success once it allows meeting the current and future demand. This article proposes a quantitative model for determining long-term productive capacity in competitive oligopolistic markets, based on the Nash Equilibrium formulated as a Variational Inequality problem. Numerical examples enable an analytical evaluation of the economic equilibrium’s sensitivity to marginal costs, investment costs, hurdle rate, and market saturation. Results show that, in order to achieve a greater market share, it is important to adopt strategies that reduce marginal costs. On the other hand, variations in the hurdle rate may or may not reinforce the position of a competitor in the market and his interest in investing in capacity expansion. Additionally, market saturation may be achieved, beyond which investment becomes unattractive. Each of these is a positive outcome for society, triggering diversified investments and competition in economic sectors where competition is low and profits are high.