Validity generalization and hypothetical reliability distributions: A test of the Schmidt-Hunter procedure.

A Monte Carlo study was conducted to determine how variations in true reliability distributions affect validity generalization estimates that are based on hypothetical reliability distributions proposed by Schmidt and Hunter. Both interactive and noninteractive validity generalization equations were examined. True reliability distributions and sample sizes were systematically varied. Depending on the sample size and nature of the true distributions, artifactual variance was either overestimated or underestimated by both equations. In some cases, extremely large errors were observed. Even when the data were generated with true reliability distributions identical to the hypothetical distributions, both equations systematically overestimated artifactual variance. The severity of estimation errors increased proportionally as sample size per validity coefficient increased. Implications of using assumed distributions and recommendations for validity generalization researchers are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intercrystalline structure distribution in alloy 304 stainless steel

The intercrystalline structure distribution function (ISDF) describes the probability density for the occurrence of grain boundaries in the polycrystalline medium with five specified geometrical parameters: three describing intercrystalline lattice misorientation and two describing the orientation of the grain boundary plane. This paper extends the ISDF analysis to Bunge’s formalism which represents the distribution in terms of a series expansion of symmetric generalized spherical harmonics. An exemplary calculation of the ISDF is illustrated for alloy 304 stainless steel tubing. The results confirm the observation that gS3 and gS9 boundaries, arising from twinning, are prevalent in the structure. The distribution of twinning boundaries and other special boundaries is represented by Euler plots in the five geometrical parameters defining boundary structure. One remarkable feature of this material is a nearly isotropic distribution of boundary misorientation in the two parameters defining the boundary plane orientation. These results are compared with other published experimental data and theoretical calculations for the distribution of special boundaries.     

Instrument development in the measurement of unsupported arm exercise endurance in normal adult subjects

Endotracheal suctioning of intubated infants produces profound changes in cardiovascular and cerebral hemodynamics, but the mechanisms regulating these changes are not fully understood. To determine the role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating these physiologic changes, we investigated the effects of endotracheal suctioning on heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in nine ventilated newborn lambs. In the first part of the study (n = 6), ventilation was interrupted for suctioning. With suctioning (15 s), HR decreased by 39 +/- 6% (p < 0.05), whereas MABP and RSNA increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 36 +/- 5% and 68 +/- 8%, respectively. These changes were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than changes observed during disconnection from the ventilator (15 s) without suctioning. Administration of atropine (0.02 mg/kg) blocked the HR response to suctioning without altering MABP or RSNA changes. After bilateral vagotomy, suctioning produced no changes in any parameter. When a closed tracheal suction system was used and ventilation was maintained, suctioning again resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases in MABP (+10 +/- 3%) and RSNA (+34 +/- 5%) and a decrease in HR (-15 +/- 4%). These data suggest that suctioning stimulates sympathoexcitatory receptors localized in large airways whose afferent fibers course within the vagus, resulting in increased sympathetic activity, which induces peripheral vasoconstriction and elevates MABP. In contrast, the HR response appears to be mediated by increased parasympathetic activity as this is abolished by atropine.     

The use of glucosinolates for cultivar identification in swede,Brassica napus L var napobmssica (L) peterm

A quantitative study of the glucosinolates in the seed, cortex and medulla (peeled root) from nine cultivars (cvs) of swede, Brassica napus L var napobrassica (L) Peterm using high performance liquid chromatography was undertaken to see whether such characteristics could be used as a biochemical index of cultivar identity. All nine cultivars could be distinguished following an analysis of medulla glucosinolates, but the analysis of seed and cortex glucosinolates yielded no such useful information.     

Becoming first among equals: Moral considerations in jury foreman selection.

Contends that regular juries tend to favor as foremen fellow jurors who have had previous jury service. This bias, reported by D. Broeder (1965), was absent in the one relevant student-jury experiment available (S. M. Kassin and R. Juhnke; see record 1984-01346-001) but was present in 160 experimental civil juries using regular jurors studied by the present authors. Although juror seat position (at head of table) and prior experience were persistent biases, they were not related to criteria of superior functioning. The persistent bias that was functionally salient was SES. This finding supports a social organizational inference from Durkheim that collective sanctions proceed more smoothly when ceremonially appropriate group members are in charge. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Focused ion beam-shaped microtools for ultra-precision machining of cylindrical components

Focused ion beam (FIB) sputtering is used to shape a variety of cutting tools with dimensions in the 15–100 μm range and cutting edge radii of curvature of 40 nm. The shape of each microtool is controlled to a pre-specified geometry that includes rake and relief features. We demonstrate tools having rectangular, triangular, and other complex-shaped face designs. A double-triangle tip on one tool is unique and demonstrates the versatility of the fabrication process. The FIB technique allows observation of the tool during fabrication, and, thus, reproducible features are generated with sub-micron precision. Tools are made from tungsten carbide, high-speed tool steel, and single crystal diamond. Application of FIB-shaped tools in ultra-precision microgrooving tests shows that the cross-section of a machined groove is an excellent replication of the microtool face. Microgrooves on 40–150 μm pitch are cut into 3 mm diameter polymer rods, for groove arc lengths greater than 12 cm. The surface finish of machined features is also reported; groove roughness (R_a) is typically less than 0.2 μm. Ultra-precision machining of cylindrical substrates is extended to make bound metal microcoils having feature sizes of 20–40 μm.     

Characteristics of Unknown Linear Systems Deduced from Measured CW Magnitude

A method is presented for predicting the total response, in both frequency and time, of an unknown linear system when only the measured continuous wave (cw) magnitude is available. The approach is based on approximating the square of the measured magnitude by a rational function, from which various system transfer functions in terms of complex frequency are deduced. These transfer functions may or may not be at minimum phase. The corresponding impulse response is then obtained by taking the inverse Laplace transform of the transfer function. The impulse response of the minimum-phase case rises faster initially to its first maximum than the nonminimum-phase counterparts. This result confirms that, for the same cw magnitude response, the accumulative energy contained in the impulse response is the greatest when the transfer function is at minimum phase. Physical meaning of the energy content is also discussed.