JEP : General in the 21st century.

This article discusses some of the ambitious goals that the new editor has for the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General in the 21st century. Some goals discussed are: increased breadth of representation across experimental psychology; enhanced communication and accountability; increased internationalism and diversity; decreased editorial and publication lag; and publication criteria. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Apparatus for investigating boiling phenomena in a fibrous porous medium

Recent advances in paper drying research have identified a phase-change process that offers significant improvements in drying rates and sheet solids contents. A fundamental study focusing on the hypothesized boiling process within the sheet required the development of an apparatus to perform boiling experiments in a bed of ceramic fibers. The apparatus is composed of a boiling cell, a heat supply system, a digital data acquisition system, and associated process control systems for control of heater surface temperature and cell pressure. Boiling curves measured with this system indicate that heat transfer is governed largely by the physical characteristics of the fiber bed. This paper presents a detailed explanation of the boiling apparatus.     

Benzofuran-terminated infrared dyes and their electro-optic properties in guest-host polymers

Molecular first hyperpolarizabilities and dipole moments of new benzo-fused dyes were calculated using quantum-mechanical density functional theory (DFT). Two new infrared dyes were synthesized: each one was terminated with 6-diethylaminobenzo[b]furan on one end, and with CF₃-tricyanodihydrofuran on the other end. The midsection of the π-electron framework for one dye contained a morpholino-substituted cyclohexenylene unit, and the other dye contained an ethoxysiloxane-substituted cyclohexenylene unit. Guest-host films were deposited on ITO-glass and contact poled. Electro-optic coefficients (r₃₃) were measured at a wavelength of 1550 nm by the attenuated total reflection method and by a modified simple Teng-Man reflection method. The measured values of r₃₃ were compared with values estimated from a well-known model that employs the molecular properties of the dyes and the film poling parameters. Thermal stability and electronic absorption spectra of the dyes were measured.     

Anodic titania films as anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Titania thin films were prepared through the anodisation of titanium metal in a 1.0 M sulphuric acid solution at 80 °C utilising a series of pulsed dc constant currents of increasing magnitude. Films were then tested as a potential anode material for lithium batteries using a variety of techniques. Electrochemical testing revealed that the films (3.8 cm²) offered good rate capabilities affording a constant capacity of 48 μAh for a constant current of 10 μA which decreased to 25 μAh on increasing the current to 1250 μA. Cyclic voltammetry was conducted over a range of scan rates from which capacitive currents were examined and rate constants, transfer coefficients and diffusion coefficients calculated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was conducted over six potentials in the range 0.1-2.7 V with the experimental data successfully modelled using an equivalent circuit with the notation R(Q(RW))C. TEM observation of focussed ion beam milled cross-sections showed significant structural differences between the as-anodised film and those cycled in a lithium battery. Raman spectroscopy showed that the films had an anatase character that transformed into an unidentified lithium-containing, titanate phase on cycling. Based on a film thickness of 100 nm, and assuming density of 4 g cm⁻³ such films offered a stable capacity of 316 mAh g⁻¹.     

Axonal damage revealed by accumulation of beta-APP in HIV-positive individuals without AIDS

The presence of neuropsychological disturbances in HIV-positive, pre-symptomatic individuals is a controversial issue. Neuroimaging studies have not shown brain atrophy or hyperintensity in the white matter, whereas proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy has revealed some abnormality of cerebral biochemistry. Using an antibody to beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP), we previously demonstrated frequent and widespread axonal changes in the brains of AIDS patients. In this study, we extended the use of beta-APP to asymptomatic patients in order to establish a possible morphological correlation with neuropsychological disorders. Brain samples from 29 patients were examined. Results showed bundles of beta-APP-positive axons in 8/29 cases (27%). The changes, seen in both superficial and deep white matter, were either focal or diffuse, could not be visualized by silver or ubiquitin stains, and did not coexist with any change in distribution or morphology of astrocytes and microglial cells. We conclude that in HIV-positive asymptomatic individuals, axonal changes: (a) may be related to the state of immune activation with consequent presence of toxic substances, including cytokines, observed in these patients; (b) may represent mild changes that could undergo repair, unless other pathological events, such as the supervening of the AIDS stage and the specific encephalitis, make them permanent.     

The intoxicated witness: Effects of alcohol on identification accuracy from showups.

The effect of alcohol on identification accuracy is potentially an important topic. This study examined the effects of alcohol consumption on identification accuracy from showups, the identification procedure most likely to be used by police with intoxicated witnesses. The blood alcohol level of people exposed to a target was measured. In the target-present showup condition, blood alcohol level was not significantly related to correct identification rate. In the target-absent showup condition, the higher the blood alcohol level, the more people were likely to make a false identification. Implications for law enforcement and future research directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Burst pressure prediction of metallic/fibre reinforced rocket motor cases using an elasto-plastic instability analysis

A numerical elasto-plastic instability analysis is developed for predicting the axial burst pressure of metallic rocket motor cases circumferentially reinforced with a pre-tensioned fibre overwind. Numerically derived burst pressure values are compared with experimental results and good agreement observed. Based on numerical and experimental observations an analytical burst pressure analysis is also derived. The numerical analysis is also applied for predicting the burst pressure of an unwound motor and overwound motors exhibiting hoop bursts through fibre failure. Contrary to initial expectations these burst pressure values were found to be in good agreement with experimentally derived burst pressure results.