Epoxy paint failure in B-52 fuel tanks: Part II. Influence of DIEGME concentration in the fuel on the failure process

A model has been proposed to explain the failure of the original BMS10-39 epoxy paint on upper vertical surfaces in B-52 fuel tanks. The model involves interaction of the paint with DIEGME, a fuel system ice inhibitor (FSII) in jet fuel, that is distilled from the liquid fuel. In this communication, distillation experiments used to support the model are refined to better match the mass transfer of vapor from fuel in a B-52 fuel tank at close to room temperature. The interaction of these lower temperature distillates with the paint affirms the earlier model. On the basis of these experiments it is proposed that paint failure may be controlled or eliminated by reducing the level of DIEGME in the fuel. Proposed changes in military jet fuel composition are detailed.     

Is evidence-based practice diverse enough? Philosophy of science considerations.

In its policy rationale for evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP), the APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice (see record 2006-05893-001) claims to have constituted itself with "scientists and practitioners from a wide range of perspectives and traditions, reflecting the diverse perspectives within the field" (p. 273). We applaud this attention to diversity but contend that an entire perspective of the debate was omitted in the Task Force's newly approved policy and its underlying report. The failure to consider a philosophy of science perspective led the Task Force to make a number of epistemological assumptions that are not based on evidence or rationale and that thus violate the very spirit of evidence-based decision making. In this comment, we reveal a few of these assumptions and discuss their detrimental consequences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Signal detection theory and modularity: On being sensitive to the power of bias models of semantic priming.

G. Rhodes, A. J. Parkin, and T. Tremewan (1993) have shown that semantic priming influences signal detection theory measures of sensitivity in visual word recognition. Following an argument presented by M. Farah (1989), they suggested that this is evidence that semantic information influences perceptual encoding, and that such an influence represents a violation of modularity. This article shows that, contrary to Farah's claim, measures of sensitivity cannot be assumed to reflect the operation of perceptual encoding. Simulations are presented to demonstrate that modular criterion-bias models of priming in which priming has no effect on perceptual encoding predict the same sensitivity effects that Rhodes et al take as evidence against modularity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2-D dopant profiling in VLSI devices using dopant-selectiveetching: an atomic force microscopy study

We report a detailed mapping of a 2-D dopant profile on a fully processed industrial sample with large dynamic range and high spatial resolution by utilizing a dopant-selective etching process and Atomic Force Microscopy. The experimental results show excellent agreement with those obtained from SRP and SIMS as corroborative methods. We also discuss the most critical factors which influence the applicability, reproducibility, and reliability of this method     

Indoor temperature changes in retrofit homes

The behavioral response (e.g. changes in indoor temperatures, attention to window and door openings) to residential technical efficiency improvements (e.g. attic insulation, storm windows) is an important and largely unresolved issue. Although there is considerable discussion concerning the extent to which households take back some of the energy savings due to technical efficiency improvements in increased comfort, there is almost no empirical evidence on the subject.Detailed electricity billing data (from mid-1981 to mid-1983) were analyzed for 79 households that received financial assistance from the Bonneville Power Administration to retrofit their homes in mid-1982. The mean retrofit expenditure in these homes was $1900; the mean reduction in annual electricity use was 4700 kWh, of which 83% was due to reductions in space heating electricity use. Analysis of the electricity billing data suggests that these households increased their indoor temperature settings after retrofit by almost 1 °F on average. This temperature increase led to an estimated average loss of almost 600 kWh of electricity saving. In other words, roughly 10% of the energy saving due to retrofit was taken back in terms of increased comfort. These results concerning changes in indoor temperatures should be viewed cautiously because of limitations in the analytical method and the large variation across households.     

Projection in group counseling: The relationship between members' interpersonal problems and their perception of the group leader.

Explored projection in group counseling by examining the relationship between the group members' interpersonal problems and their perception of the group leader. Before participation, 118 personal-growth group members filled out the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems by L. M. Horowitz et al (see record 1989-10599-001) and after each session they filled out the Trainer Behavior Scale (L. Bolman, 1971). A latent variable analysis revealed that during the 1st 10 group sessions, overly dominant group members perceived the group leaders as more dominant and overly cold group members perceived the group leaders as less affiliative. There was less relationship between group members' interpersonal problems and ratings for group leaders over time. Implications of these results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multifactorial assessment of bulimia nervosa.

Investigated a multifactorial approach to the assessment of bulimia nervosa by means of hierarchical factor analysis. 245 bulimia nervosa patients and 68 patients with either anorexia nervosa or eating disorders not otherwise specified were administered a self-report battery that was organized into 21 dimensions relevant to eating disorder patients. When dimensions from this battery were subjected to hierarchical factor analysis, support for bulimia nervosa as a unique diagnostic category was obtained. However, the emergence of 3 secondary factors and 6 primary factors suggests that bulimia nervosa can also be described more complexly. The emergence of a multifactorial model of bulimia nervosa that incorporates several existing unidimensional models suggests the potential for both divergent and complicated clinical presentation in bulimia nervosa patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)