Outdoor sources of indoor air pollution

Conservation measures that seal a building, such as storm window installation, can significantly reduce its energy requirements. These measures also protect its occupants from air pollutants having outdoor sources but amplify any harmful effects of those generated indoors. Which effect is greater?Since it is inadequate to consider pollution levels constant, we assume that they follow daily cycles and can thus be well represented by Fourier series. We conclude that the indoor concentration of any pollutant generated solely outdoors also follows a daily cycle but its maximum lags behind and is lower than the outdoor maximum to an extent depending in an inverse manner on v, the air exchange (ventilation + infiltration) rate. A simple measure of the daily variation of pollutant concentrations and indoor production rates can be derived from their Fourier series and used to test whether these quantities can be assumed constant.Although average daily indoor and outdoor pollutant concentrations of any pollutant are the same if there are no indoor sinks, lowering v will still protect a building's occupant if: (1) the outdoor peak or variation above its average is much greater than its average, and (2) the peak is short-lived.Lowering v probably raises indoor average and peak pollutant concentrations from all indoor sources by at least as much as it lowers only peaks from just one outdoor source, rush hour traffic, thus increasing indoor pollutant levels.     

The complex method applied to optimal truss configuration

The Complex Method of Box is applied to the determination of optimal member sizes and geometric configuration for minimum weight of 3-dimensional truss structures. Design constraints include bounds on member size, joint coordinates, member stresses, Euler buckling and joint displacements. The displacement method of structural analysis is used and the system is assumed to be linearly elastic. Statically indeterminate structures under multiple loading conditions can be optimized and the sizing as well as the geometric design variables may be linked. Limited topological changes are permitted for designs which have small member forces.The design spaces for sizing and geometric variables are separated. Geometry is modified by the Complex Method and member sizes by stress ratio and a scaling procedure for stiffness.The method is applied to two numerical examples from the literature. Results indicate favourable design improvements and rates of convergence. Substantial additional improvement resulting from member deletion is demonstrated.     

Locus of control: Dimensionality and predictability using Likert scales.

There is increasing evidence that the internal–external (I–E) concept is multidimensional. Responses to B. E. Collins's (see record 1974-25219-001) adaptation of Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale were factor analyzed for a sample of 275 US Army reservists. Four of the 5 factors found in this study substantially replicated Collins's 4 factors dealing with the easiness, justness, predictability, and political responsiveness of the world. The 5th factor dealt with the friendliness of the world. The total I–E scale and scales for the factors were shown to be selectively and moderately related to measures of Machiavellianism, intolerance of ambiguity, perceived quality of supervision, group atmosphere, and job satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding personality and predicting consequences of sources of reinforcements in the world. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Macroreticular anion exchange membranes for electrodialysis in the presence of surface water foulants

In this work two new types of anion exchange membranes having pore sizes of macro dimensions are described. Static and dynamic fouling resistance to common large anions found in surface waters is evaluated. Improvements over conventional microporous anion membrane types are discussed with respect to electrodialysis.     

Psychology--Science or What?

In a recent survey (American Journal of Pychology, June, 1956) of the number of articles in different languages recorded in "Psychological Abstracts" over the ten-year period of 1946-1955, the writer was impressed with the number of articles of American origin which had their origin in U. S. Government-sponsored agencies. Hence an actual count was made for the 1955 volume of Psychological Abstracts, carefully counting only those items whose authors were identified as in Government place of origin. Much of this material has great practical application and is valuable for that reason alone. Certainly most of the material has little value in advancing psychology as a science. And if psychology is to hold its place among the sciences, there should be a steady development of fundamental concepts which can be proven experimentally and from which can flow, perhaps even more readily, the important and necessary practical applications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An approach to the validity of the Taylor Anxiety Scale: scores of medical and psychiatric patients.

The Taylor scale is administered individually to a clinic sample of medical and psychiatric outpatients with the result that significant differences in mean scores, distributions, and the point biserial r of .57 indicate that this questionnaire can distinguish a psychiatric population from a normal one with reasonable efficiency. Sampson and Bindra's suggestion that Taylor scores within a limited range (19-33) are more likely to be associated with a clinical diagnosis of "anxious" than scores outside this range, are not borne out. Both findings were confirmed in a cross-validation study utilizing hospitalized VA medical and psychiatric patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Kepone-Hazard evaluation

Kepone is a persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide which is no longer manufactured in the U.S.A., its uses having been cancelled on April 11, 1977; previous food uses included control of the banana root borer, and non-food uses included control of tobacco wireworm, ants, and cockroaches. An adduct of Kepone, Kelevan, is now distributed by Spiess and Sohn, Chemische Fabrik, Germany, with an as yet unknown manufacturer, for control of the Colorado potato beetle in Eastern Europe and Ireland, and for control of the banana root borer in the Cameroons, Caribbean, and South America.Kepone is acutely toxic and induces cumulative and delayed toxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive impairment, in a wide range of species including birds, rodents and humans; it is also carcinogenic in rodents. Extensive environmental dispersion, with major evidence of aquatic toxicity has been demonstrated following its recent manufacture in Hopewell, Virginia, U.S.A.     

Effect of the number of scale points on reliability: A Monte Carlo approach.

Discusses the contradictions and confusion in the literature on determining the optimal number of scale points in a rating scale, and suggests a mathematical model that allows for the simulation of the rating situation. The model involves generating data with different item variance-covariance structures and with different numbers of scale points. Such data were generated and used to calculate 3 reliability measures. The effects of different numbers of scale points and different covariance structures upon these reliability measures are examined, and the results help explain a large number of empirical studies exploring the "optimal number of scale points" problem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Dr. Spitz.

Spitz (see 30: 5830) is commended for providing clinical hunches and hypotheses, including his use of statistical materials, but it is claimed nevertheless that Spitz's conclusions are not warranted by the data reported. Perhaps the uncritical acceptance of Spitz's research is the fault of those who have acclaimed his work, rather than that of Spitz himself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)