Biofeedback and electrodermal self-regulation in psychopathy.

Examined the degree to which psychopaths can learn to modify their spontaneous skin resistance responses (SSRRs) using intructions and biofeedback. Ten clinically defined psychopaths and 12 control Ss were tested, using a within-S design. Ss were required to increase and decrease the frequency of SSRRs, first without feedback, then with biofeedback training, and finally without feedback. During prefeedback with instructions alone, control Ss were able to raise SSRRs relative to resting baselines, but psychopaths showed no SSRR control. After 16 min of biofeedback training, both groups were able to raise and lower their SSRRs to a comparable degree. The results for heart rate, measured at the same time, presented the opposite pattern; during prefeedback with instructions alone, both groups produced comparable increases in heart rate, but in postfeedback the controls maintained heart rate whereas the psychopaths did not. Data suggest that psychopaths are as capable of learning to voluntarily regulate electrodermal activity as are controls, but they still differ in autonomic patterning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimization of Fe/Cr/C base structural Steels for improved strength and toughness

Optimization of the composition and the heat treatments to provide a microduplex structure of dislocated-autotempered lath martensite and thin film retained austenite for good combinations of mechanical properties has been attained for Fe/Cr/C base steels. Substituting 0.5 wt pct Mo to reduce Cr from 4 pct to 3 pct did not affect the microstructures nor the properties. It was found that air melting as compared to vacuum melting does not cause deterioration of toughness in Mn containing alloys but does so in Ni containing alloys. Tempered martensite embrittlement was confirmed as being due to the decomposition of retained austenite. Further improvements in the fracture toughness are achieved by double heat treatments which provide grain refinement. These alloys are considered to be very promising for structural applications.     

The fluorescence decay of human serum albumin and its subfractions

Human serum albumin does not decay monoexponentially although it contains a single tryptophan residue per molecule. The molecular population is thus heterogeneous with respect to the tryptophan emission. The separated monomeric and dimeric molecules of this protein, as well as various fractions isolated by the procedures of Foster and his coworkers, exhibit deviations from monoexponential decay which are comparable to those of the unfractionated protein; thus, the heterogeneity in molecular population of human serum albumin persists in the various fractions. By comparing the fluorescence decay data of this protein in the presence of thyroxine with the corresponding quenching data it was found that the fluorescence of the protein does not respond uniformly to the binding for all protein molecules. Qualitatively similar behavior was found for bovine serum albumin. In view of the above, binding studies followed by fluorescence should be viewed as averages over a heterogeneous population of the molecules of the serum albumin.     

A predictive approach to nutrient criteria

Violation of a water quality standard triggers the need for a total maximum daily load (TMDL); this should result in actions that improve water quality, but sometimes at significant cost. If the standard is well-conceived, a designated-use statement characterizes societal values, and a criterion provides a measurable surrogate for designated use. This latter provision means that scientists measure the criterion and view violations of the criterion as equivalent to noncompliance with the designated use. However, if a criterion is not a good indicator of designated use, it is apt to result in misallocation of the limited resources for water quality improvement through the TMDL process. This concern provides the basis for our assessment of the national nutrient criteria strategy recently proposed by the U.S. EPA. We acquired data sets for four case studies (Lake Washington, Neuse River Estuary, San Francisco Bay, and Lake Mendota) and then used expert elicitation to quantify designated-use attainment for each case. Applying structural equation modeling, we identified good water quality criteria as the best predictors of the designated use elicited response variable. Further, we used the model to relate the level (concentration) of each criterion to the probability of compliance with the designated use; this provides decision-makers with an estimate of risk associated with the criterion level, facilitating the selection of appropriate water quality criteria.     

Measurement of the Thickness and Refractive Index of Very Thin Films and the Optical Properties of Surfaces by Ellipsometry

The use of the ellipsometer for the measurement of the thickness and refractive index of very thin films is reviewed. The Poincaré sphere representation of the state of polarization of light is developed and used to describe the reflection process. Details of the operation of the ellipsometer are examined critically. A computational method is presented by which the thickness of a film of known refractive index on a reflecting substrate of known optical constants may be calculated directly from the ellipsometer readings. A method for computing both the refractive index and thickness of an unknown film is also developed. These methods have been applied to the determination of the thickness of an adsorbed water layer on chromium ferrotype plates and on gold surfaces. In the former case the thickness was 23 to 27 Å, and in the latter was 2 to 5 Å. The measurement of the thickness and refractive index of barium fluoride films evaporated on chromium ferrotype surfaces is used as an illustration of the simultaneous determination of these two quantities.     

Parenting style as context: An integrative model.

Despite broad consensus about the effects of parenting practices on child development, many questions about the construct parenting style remain unanswered. Particularly pressing issues are the variability in the effects of parenting style as a function of the child's cultural background, the processes through which parenting style influences the child's development, and the operationalization of parenting style. Drawing on historical review, the authors present a model that integrates 2 traditions in socialization research, the study of specific parenting practices and the study of global parent characteristics. They propose that parenting style is best conceptualized as a context that moderates the influence of specific parenting practices on the child. It is argued that only by maintaining the distinction between parenting style and parenting practice can researchers address questions concerning socialization processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Considerations for Design Criteria for Lunar Structures

The development of design criteria for lunar structures must begin soon in order to establish adequate criteria. Some of the items that need consideration in such criteria are discussed. The categorization of the structures will provide designers with information on the purpose and level of complexity of the structure. Various construction materials and structure types that will be critical for the design of lunar structures, are considered. The environment of the moon and its possible effects on structures are presented and lead to the development of a few load cases that need to be considered in design. A probabilistic format for the criteria and design lifetimes are also discussed.