An examination of the relations among career subscales.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 37(2) of Journal of Counseling Psychology (see record 2009-22584-001). It was incorrectly reported that a principal-components analysis with varimax rotation was performed. In fact, principal-axis factoring with varimax rotation was performed, and it is the results of this analysis that are reported in Table 2 of the article. In principal-axis factoring communalities are used on the main diagonal of the correlation matrix. Initially, these communalities are equal to the squared multiple correlation of the variable with the other variables in the set. An iteration procedure is used to improve these initial estimates of communalities. Another point of clarification is that in the principal-axis factoring reported in Table 2, we used listwise deletion of missing data, whereas we calculated the correlations reported in Table 1 by using pairwise deletion of missing data. The effect of these different procedures is that the factor analysis (N = 98) was based on a slightly different correlation matrix that the one reported in Table 1, and consequently, Table 2 cannot be exactly reproduced by factoring the correlations reported in Table 1. Also, the sign of the correlation of the Career Decision Profile Choice-Work Importance (row 13) and Decidedness (column 7) subscales (.37) is given as positive in Table 1, whereas it was in fact negative.] We examined 13 career subscales contained in 4 measures of career indecision to determine how different measures relate to one another and how many dimensions may exist across these different instruments. Ss completed career instruments and measures of state and trait anxiety, which were included to aid in the interpretation of factors. Correlations provide some evidence of the convergent validity of the subscales. A factor analysis yielded a three-factor solution accounting for 55.9% of the variance. The first and most general factor was interpreted as a component that represented information about occupations and self. The second factor was interpreted as a more indecisive component and was positively correlated with anxiety. The third factor seemed to be an affective comfort component but failed to relate to anxiety as was expected. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Particularistic and universalistic evaluation in the social comparison process.

In this article we argue that people are motivated to evaluate both the universalistic and particularistic standing of their abilities. One's universalistic standing is assessed by comparing with others who are similar to oneself on attributes related to the ability being assessed. One's particularistic standing is assessed by comparing with reference others, those with whom one shares an identity or bond. In five studies we attempted to distinguish between these two types of evaluation. We manipulated reference closeness by varying the distinctiveness of a shared attribute. In Studies 1 and 2 we gave subjects the choice of comparing a test score with that of either a distinctively similar (reference) other or a nondistinctively similar (nonreference) other. Although the two choices provided equivalent universalistic information, subjects overwhelmingly preferred to compare with the distinctively similar other. Studies 3–5 provided evidence that subjects actually did identify more closely with distinctively similar others than with nondistinctively similar others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Magnetic field reduction using high phase order lines

Ground level electric, and more recently magnetic, fields from overhead power transmission lines are increasingly important considerations in right-of-way specification, with states setting or planning to set edge-of-right-of-way limits. Research has been conducted on high-phase-order power transmission wherein six or twelve phases are used to transmit power in less physical space and with reduced electrical environmental effects compared with conventional designs. The first magnetic field testing verifies predictive methods for determination of magnetic fields from high-phase-order lines. Based on these analytical methods, field profiles are determined for lines of different phase order but comparable power capacity. Potential advantages of high phase order as a means of field mitigation are discussed     

Effects of effort attributional feedback on children's perceived self-efficacy and achievement.

40 children (aged 7–10 yrs) who lacked subtraction skills received didactic training in subtraction operations with effort attributional feedback concerning past or future achievement or no feedback. Attributional feedback for past achievement led to more rapid progress in mastering subtraction operations, greater skill development, and higher percepts of self-efficacy. Results of a multiple regression analysis show that percepts of efficacy and training process each accounted for a significant increment in the explained portion of variability in posttest skill. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inorganic elements in the tracheas of fire fatalities

Concentrations of elements were determined in tracheal specimeans of fatal fire casualties and of non-fire fatalities. Elevated concentrations of antimony, bromine, zinc, chromium, cobalt, iron, lead, cadmium and gold found in the group exposed to the fire environment were associated with deposition of soot. The presence of raised concentrations of antimony in fatalities was found to occur in association with increased content of carboxyhaemoglobin in blood and was greatest in fires involving major destruction of property. A relationship between the increased concentration of this element and the use of antimony containing fire-retardants in construction materials could not be demonstrated.     

Synthesis of Metal Phosphates Using SiP2O7

A new, alternative, route to the synthesis of metal phosphates, using SiP₂O₇ as a reagent, was studied. The reaction of SiP₂O₇ with metal oxides yields a solid mixture of silica and metal phosphates; its reaction with metal fluorides yields solid metal phosphates and gaseous mixtures of SiF₄ and POF₃ .     

Bedroom ventilation: Attitudes and policies

A behavioural study by Brundrett in 1977 indicated that in the U.K. a substantial number of persons slept with their bedroom windows open. Such a habit, if it prevailed during cold weather, could lead to considerable energy losses. However Brundrett's sample was small and the data, which were gathered in the summer, might reflect behaviour which varied with the seasons and so were biased. The present investigation questioned a larger sample during the winter. The questionnaire also invited respondents to cite the ill-effects from which they might suffer if their bedroom window were closed all night. The results generally confirmed Brundrett's indications regarding the prevalence of window opening. The reasons for it appear to be related to beliefs regarding ventilation and health. These could have their origins in the writings of Florence Nightingale.     

RAPID METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYPEPTIDE COMPONENTS OF BEER

Size exclusion chromatography and a coomassie blue dye-binding assay were used to investigate the high molecular weight polypeptide fractions of beer. Size exclusion chromatography using small colums of Sephadex G25, G50 (10 ml) and G75 (20 ml) together with an automated FPLC system enabled the rapid isolation of high molecular weight polypeptide fractions of beer. Size exclusion chromatography using small columns of Sephadex was investigated as a method for the determination of the total high molecular weight polypeptides in beer. The results from the analysis of a series of pilot brewery beers produced under standardised brewing conditions showed that the head retention value of a beer correlated with the content of high molecular weight polypeptide material regardless of the molecular weight fraction assayed. Both methods may be used to monitor the high molecular weight polypeptide content, predict the head retention value of a beer and are sufficiently rapid for routine use in the quality control laboratory.     

Pulse unfocusing within laser-fusion reactors

Most serious laser-fusion reactor studies involve an atmosphere of lithium vapor within the pulse cavity. The laser pulse ionizes the vapor, generating an ‘unfocusing’ refractive medium. Proper account of this effect may necessitate a lower vapor density than previously reported.     

MODEL REFERENCE ADAPTIVE CONTROL BASED ON LIAPUNOV'S DIRECT METHOD Part I: Theory and Control System Design†

The Liapunov design approach for model reference adaptive control (MRAC) is extended to include adaptive integral and setpoint control modes. The feasibility of the Liapunov approach is illustrated by designing a multi-variable MRAC system based on a fifth-order state space model of a pilot scale, double-effect evaporator. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate that the MRAC approach gives satisfactory control for a wide range of adaptive loop gains and despite very poor initial control policies.