Using behavior-analytic implicit tests to assess sexual interests among normal and sex-offender populations

The development of implicit tests for measuring biases and behavioral predispositions is a recent development within psychology. While such tests are usually researched within a social-cognitive paradigm, behavioral researchers have also begun to view these tests as potential tests of conditioning histories, including in the sexual domain. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the utility of a behavioral approach to implicit testing and means by which implicit tests can be built to the standards of behavioral psychologists. Research findings illustrating the short history of implicit testing within the experimental analysis of behavior are reviewed. Relevant parallel and overlapping research findings from the field of social cognition and on the Implicit Association Test are also outlined. New preliminary data obtained with both normal and sex offender populations are described in order to illustrate how behavior-analytically conceived implicit tests may have potential as investigative tools for assessing histories of sexual arousal conditioning and derived stimulus associations. It is concluded that popular implicit tests are likely sensitive to conditioned and derived stimulus associations in the history of the test-taker rather than 'unconscious cognitions', per se

Measurement of the W+W- Production Cross Section in ppbar Collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV using Dilepton Events

We present a measurement of the W+W- production cross section using 184/pb of ppbar collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. Using the dilepton decay channel W+W- -> l+l-vvbar, where the charged leptons can be either electrons or muons, we find 17 candidate events compared to an expected background of 5.0+2.2-0.8 events. The resulting W+W- production cross section measurement of sigma(ppbar -> W+W-) = 14.6 +5.8 -5.1 (stat) +1.8 -3.0 (syst) +-0.9 (lum) pb agrees well with the Standard Model expectation.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. To be submitted to Physical Review Letter

State energy price system. Volume I: overview and technical documentation

This study utilizes existing data sources and previous analyses of state-level energy prices to develop consistent state-level energy prices series by fuel type and by end-use sector. The fuels are electricity, natural gas, coal, distillate fuel oil, motor gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, residual fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas. The end-use sectors are residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, and electric utility. Based upon an evaluation of existing data sources, recommendations were formulated on the feasible approaches for developing a consistent state energy price series. The data series were compiled based upon the approaches approved after a formal EIA review. Detailed documentation was provided, including annual updating procedures. Recommendations were formulated for future improvements in the collection of data or in data processing. Generally, the geographical coverage includes the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Information on state-level energy use was generally taken from the State Energy Data System (SEDS). Corresponding average US prices are also developed using volumes reported in SEDS. To the extent possible, the prices developed are quantity weighted average retail prices. Both a Btu price series and a physical unit price series are developed for each fuel. The period covered by the data series is 1970 through 1980 for most fuels, though prices for electricity and natural gas extend back to 1960. (PSB

Effect of pregnancy on plasma lipid concentration in Trinidadian women. Result of a pilot study

In Trinidad and Tobago, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes mellitus are important causes of morbidity and mortality, and birth weight is significantly less than reference standards. Lower birth weight is associated with increased risk of these diseases. Variation in birth weight is due, in part, to deposition of adipose tissue in the foetus during the last trimester at the same time that maternal plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) increases. We conducted a pilot cross-sectional analysis of maternal plasma lipid status and birth weight in healthy, non-pregnant, primigravida Trinidadian women. Non-pregnant and pregnant women, in their second and third trimesters, and at term, were recruited at random from an antenatal clinic. Adult and umbilical cord plasma TAG, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) concentrations were determined from gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids. Maternal height, weight, skinfold thickness and infant birth weight were measured. The infants born to Afro-Trinidadian and Indo-Trinidadian women were of low to normal birth weight (medians 3.07 and 3.22 kg, respectively). At term, plasma TAG concentration was approximately two fold (p < 0.05) greater than for non-pregnant women. The increment between 30-34 weeks was 1.5 to 1.9 fold lower than reported in other populations. There was a strong relationship (r = 0.8771, p = 0.019) between maternal and cord plasma TAG and NEFA, but not PC concentrations. There was no significant relationship between maternal TAG concentration at term and birth weight. The result suggests an impaired ability to increase plasma TAG concentrations during late gestation

Numerical investigation of a micro-valve pulsed-jet actuator

A micro-valve pulsed-jet vortex-generator driven by piezoelectric actuation was successfully modelled numerically to determine the feasibility and response characteristics of such a design. This includes: modelling the dynamic motion of a unimorph cantilever and the fluid-structure interaction occuring between the unimorph and the fluid flowing over such a structure; the unsteady developing channel flow that would occur through the outlet orifice was also modelled. The response time of the actuator was found to be governed by the micro-valve opening rather than the time taken to establish the jet. However, the resistance of the pulsed-jet actuator was shown to be governed by the outlet orifice