Use of MMPI subtypes in predicting completion of a residential alcoholism treatment program.

To obtain data on patient characteristics relevant to treatment outcome, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was administered to 86 men 3–5 days following their admission to a 30-day residential alcoholism treatment program. Cluster analyses yielded three subtypes whose mean MMPI code types were as follows: Type I comprised a 4-2-8 code type, with marked additional pathology; Type II comprised a 4-9/9-4 code type; and Type III comprised a 2-4/4-2 code type. The subtypes differed significantly in their rates of treatment completion, with Type II yielding a greater proportion of program dropouts. To investigate the effect of time of MMPI administration on subtype results, 68 subjects who remained in treatment were readministered the MMPI 14–26 days following admission. A comparison of Time 1 and Time 2 typologies highlights the importance of test administration time and provides some explanation for previous discrepant findings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Remote sensing data of SP Mountain and SP Lava flow in North-Central Arizona

Multifrequency airborne radar image data of SP Mountain [Official name of feature (U.S. Geological Survey, 1970)] and SP flow (and vicinity) in north-central Arizona were obtained in diverse viewing directions and direct and cross-polarization, then compared with surface and aerial photography, LANDSAT multispectral scanner data, airborne thermal infrared imagery, surface geology, and surface roughness statistics. The extremely blocky, basaltic andesite of SP flow is significantly brighter on direct-polarization $\text{K-}\text{band}$ (0.9-cm wavelength) images than on cross-polarized images taken simultaneously. Conversely, for the longer wavelength (25 cm) $\text{L-}\text{band}$ radar images, the cross-polarization image returns from SP flow are brighter than the direct-polarized image. This effect is explained by multiple scattering and the strong wavelength dependence of polarization effects caused by the rectilinear basaltic andesite scatters. Two distinct types of surface relief on SP flow, one extremely blocky, the other subdued, are found to be clearly discriminated on the visible and thermal wavelength images but are separable only on the longer wavelength $\text{L-}\text{band}$ radar image data. The inability of the $\text{K-}\text{and}\text{X- (3-}\text{cm wavelength}\text{)}$ band radars to portray the differences in roughness between the two SP flow surface units is attributed to the radar frequency dependence of the surface-relief scale, which, described as the Rayleigh criterion, represents the transition between quasispecular and primarily diffuse backscatter.     

Monitoring the information-processing demands of attention switching.

Examined demands on information-processing capacity in 3 experiments with 48 Ss by combining auditory digit-tasks involving attention switching with the secondary task of pursuit tracking. Secondary task scores in 2 experiments were lower for tracking segments involving signalled switches between digit-tasks and between input channels, respectively. These results could not be accounted for by a trade-off between digit-task and tracking performance. When the attended channel was defined by voice quality in a 3rd experiment, tracking performance was not affected by switches between input channels. A comparison of the present results and those of related studies indicates that switching attention per se between input channels does not constitute the primary demand for central processing capacity in dichotic tasks. The increased demand appears to be related instead to the concomitant changes required in the input processing and to the processing of signals to switch the focus of attention. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microstructural Developments and Dielectric Properties of Rapid Thermally Processed PZT Thin Films Derived by Metallo-organic Decomposition

Microstructural developments and dielectric properties of lead zirconate titanate thin films (0.22 4mUm) with the composition Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ were studied. The films were prepared by metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) and rapid thermal processing (RTP) in the temperature range 475–825°C for 2 min in an oxygen gas flow with and without post-annealing. An amorphous–pyrochlore–perovskite phase transformation is indicated at or below 525°C RTF temperatures while a direct amorphous-to-perovskite phase transformation is indicated at higher RTP temperatures. A decrease in grain size with increasing temperature is correlated with an increase in and dominance of nucleation of perovskite sites. The best dielectric and fatigue properties were exhibited by films processed in the temperature range 725–775°C. Hysteresis loops tended toward squareness and polarization charges increased with increased temperature. Furthermore, 45% of the initial charge remained after 10⁹switching reversals. A degradation, however, was observed in both properties at higher temperatures.     

Computer aided process planning with CMPP

This paper describes current work on an extensive CAPP system that consists of over 50,000 lines of FORTRAN code in 14 main programs and 7 datafiles. It in addition to process plans, CMPP generates shop drawings and tolerancing information. The authors current research with this system includes building an intelligent interface with CAD systems, an intelligent process plan generator and a tolerance chart generator.     

Power from salinity gradients

A large source of energy exists at the interface between water bodies of different salinities. Two techniques, pressure-retarded osmosis and reverse electrodialysis, appear to be promising entrees into this energy source. Although the present cost of membranes suitable to these methods is too high, a research and development effort should make this salinity gradient energy competitive with other energy sources.     

IPS pini: The basis for interpopulational differences in pheromone biology

Ips pini from Idaho (ID) produce (–)-ipsdienol and respond to it in the laboratory.I. pini from New York (NY) produce (+) and (–)-ipsdienol in a 6535 ratio and respond much more strongly to the (+) than to the (–) enantiomer. Response byI. pini-ID to (–)-ipsdienol in the laboratory was inhibited by (+)-ipsdienol, while the field response byI. pini-NY was optimal to a 50:50 mixture of (+) and (–)-ipsdienol. This differential production and response to enantiomers of ipsdienol is sufficient to account for populational specificity observed in earlier experiments and confirmed by our current work. Reciprocal hybrids of the NY and IDI. pini populations did not differ in their patterns of attraction and response; those of both types of F₁ were similar to NY beetles. Thus, it appears that (+)-ipsdienol is produced by the hybrids and is necessary for their maximum response, but this supposition was not tested. The genes controlling the pheromone biology ofI. pini are not sex linked. Since previous whole-antenna and single-cell electrophysiological data show that the receptor systems of the two populations are virtually identical, response behavior seems to be governed by the central nervous system rather than by the characteristics of the olfactory receptors.Coleoptera: Scolytidae.Supported by grants from the Rockefeller Institute, the National Science Foundation, and the Research Foundation of Providence, Rhode Island.     

Classical and operant factors in the treatment of a school phobia.

To the best of our knowledge, this report is the 1st to recognize the advantages of employing both classical and operant conditioning procedures in the treatment of a neurotic case. A model which appeared to have heuristic value was developed: When avoidance behavior is motivated by high levels of anxiety, classical counterconditioning techniques are called for; when anxiety is minimal, and avoidance behavior is seemingly maintained by various secondary reinforcers, operant strategies should be applied. Furthermore, this paper indicates that the practice of interchanging therapists not only failed to disrupt or impede therapeutic progress but had certain distinct advantages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of distance on verbal productivity.

Conducted an analog study with 30 female undergraduates to determine whether physical distance between female interviewees and a female interviewer affected verbal productivity when interviewees discussed academic, social, and personal topics. Based on E. T. Hall's categories for interpersonal distance and social interaction, interviews were conducted at 2 (.6 m), 5 (1.5 m), and 9 ft (2.7 m) (close, intermediate, and far, respectively). Results indicate a Topic * Distance interaction; that is, Ss talked longer about personal topics at an intermediate distance than they did when seated close to or far away from the interviewer. Discussion includes possible theoretical explanations and limitations of the study with implications for the initial interview. Attention is given to Hall's model of proxemic behavior and social interaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)