A decision-theoretic approach to the use of appropriateness measurement for detecting invalid test and scale scores.

In psychological measurement it is important to determine when a particular examinee's test or scale score provides an invalid measure of the trait or attitude being assessed. In this article we present several quantitative indices that have been found to effectively identify some types of inappropriate scores. These measures, termed appropriateness indices, are all derived from item response theory. They are computed directly from the item responses that are combined to form the test or scale of interest; information from other scales or tests is not needed. A decision-theoretic approach to the use of appropriateness indices in selection decisions and theoretical research is introduced. An example is then presented to illustrate how researchers can use appropriateness indices. Finally, we discuss policy options that are available for dealing with individuals who are identified as having inappropriate scores. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using PV and QV curves with the meaning of static contingency screening and planning

This paper investigates the use of the QV and PV curves in the planning scenario, when some system reinforcements and contingency screening are analyzed. The idea is to employ the continuation method to obtain the system load margin and the QV curve to calculate the reactive power reserve associated with each bus. Combining these approaches enables one to identify the system critical area, the actual operating conditions, the most severe contingencies and the most important reinforcements. The methodology proposed may provide important signals to system planners, since the planning is focused under the voltage security point of view. The ideas are tested with the help of some academic systems and two real (a Brazilians and a Paraguayan) systems with all the system limits considered.     

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The Energy Concept Adviser—A tool to improve energy efficiency in educational buildings

Educational buildings such as kindergartens, schools and universities display many similar design, operation and maintenance features in most countries. The two most noteworthy similarities amongst these building types are the high energy consumption and the necessity for retrofitting many buildings within this sector. However, studies have shown that during retrofit, energy saving measures are only rarely applied, because the decision-makers lack knowledge of investments and the efficiency of potential energy saving measures. The main goal of the International Energy Agency ECBCS Annex 36 is to provide the educational building decision-makers with sufficient data, information and tools to improve their learning and teaching environments by improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.     

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Polylactide (PLA)—a new way of production

Poly(lactide) (PLA), a biodegradable aliphatic polyester with excellent properties for different polymer applications, has been used mostly in the biomedical field, mainly because of its high price, resulting from expensive polymerization and purification techniques. Although this polymer can play a major role in future markets for biodegradable polymers, the current high price has to be reduced significantly to at least $4 US/kg. Therefore, this paper aims to partially review the polymerization techniques traditionally used in PLA synthesis and to propose new developments that enable us to produce these polymers by an innovative process for just a portion of the costs traditionally charged, using reactive extrusion techniques in a closely intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder. This paper gives an overview of attainable mechanical properties and future markets.     

Milestones and Highlights in the Design and Use of Pulsed Magnets

The development and use of pulsed magnets is reviewed, tracing it back to the beginning 85 years ago: the original work of P. Kapitsa with his great optimism and cheerful acceptance of coil explosions, and the first use of a capacitor bank by T.F. Wall in the same period. Later milestones were the introduction of a new type of strong “micro-composite” wire by S. Foner in 1986, boosting the field level to 68 T, and subsequently the development of coils with optimised internal reinforcement by fibre composites at K.U. Leuven. Recent highlights are the establishment of very large dedicated pulsed field laboratories, notably at Los Alamos (NHMFL) with a flywheel-generator and at Dresden (HLD) with a 50 MJ capacitor bank, both in pursuit of developing a 100 T user magnet. Finally, destructive techniques beyond 100 T are reviewed.