Psychological education: A skill-oriented approach.

Tested the hypothesis that a 3-wk program based on a microcounseling paradigm would facilitate the acquisition of 3 specific problem-solving skills: (a) problem definition, (b) generation of alternatives, and (c) goal selection. 30 6th graders were randomly assigned either to a training group, to a group exposed to films and discussions related to each problem-solving skill, or to a no-treatment control group. Each group was tested immediately after training and 2 wks later. Results indicate that the microtraining group generated more alternatives than the other groups. Over time, all groups improved their problem-definition skills, while their ability to select appropriate goals decreased. Questions concerning the measures, issues in psychological education, and implications for program development are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Let's reduce statistical drudgery.

Points out the values of high speed computers in psychological statistical work and proposes that the APA acquire such equipment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Growth of the LD Process

A brief survey of world-wide LD facilities illustrates the dramatic growth of this steelmaking process.     

Absence of eicosatrienoic acid in plasma of sheep parenterally infused with a high glucose fat-free solution

Five yearling wether sheep were maintained on total intravenous, fat-free feeding for periods in excess of 4 weeks. Analysis of plasma total lipid, neutral lipid, and phospholipid fatty acid patterns showed a decrease in linoleic acid during the first week, after which levels tended to stabilize. Rate of decrease in linoleic acid content of plasma phospholipids of two sheep was different. Changes in nonessential fatty acids were variable. 5,8,11- and 8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic acids were not detected in any of the sheep. Approved as Journal Article No. 102-76, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691.     

A death certificate analysis of nasal cancer among furniture workers in North Carolina

A case-control study of nasal cancer, based on death certificate statements on occupation in North Carolina counties with furniture-manufacturing industries, revealed a 4-fold excess risk linked to this occupation. Although woodworking exposures have been associated with nasal adenocarcinomas in several areas of the world, this is the first report of such a relationship in the United States.     

Interest in ethnic information: A cross-cultural developmental study.

A total of 159 White, Indian, and Chinese Canadian kindergartners and 1st graders were introduced to 3 picture book characters from each of 5 ethnic groups: Indian, Black, White, Chinese, and Eskimo. These books were then used as stimulus materials for measuring the children's self-identification, information seeking, role taking, and social perception. The information-seeking measures were found to be related in a very minor way to attitude. However, it is proposed that the stage of development of self-identification influenced the child's selection of ethnic information. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unit helium requirements for superconductive energy applications in the USA

Estimates of the helium requirements for superconductive magnetic energy storage, magnetically confined fusion reactors, superconducting power transmission lines, magnetohydrodynamic units, superconducting motors and generators, and particle accelerators are presented. The approach entails surveying estimates from system studies, then developing simple scaling laws to calculate helium inventories. Helium loss rates are discussed and applied to estimate annual helium makeup.     

Flexible Parts Routing in Manufacturing Systems*

We study dynamic parts routing in flexible manufacturing systems. To quantify flexibility, we develop an entropy type of measure that incorporates all the job and machine characteristics that contribute to routing flexibility. Based on this measure and the principle of “least reduction in entropy” (LRE), two operating rules, the part selection rule and the machine selection rule, are established. These rules are then applied to drive some simulated systems and compared with the “shortest processing time” (SPT) rule. It is found that LRE either outperforms or is as good as SPT in terms of makespan and machine utilization.