  Recent experimental results have confirmed a possible reduction in the GT$_+$
strengths of pf-shell nuclei. These proton-rich nuclei are of relevance in the
deflagration and explosive burning phases of Type Ia supernovae. While prior GT
strengths result in nucleosynthesis predictions with a lower-than-expected
electron fraction, a reduction in the GT$_+$ strength can result in an slightly
increased electron fraction compared to previous shell model predictions,
though the enhancement is not as large as previous enhancements in going from
rates computed by Fuller, Fowler, and Newman based on an independent particle
model. A shell model parametrization has been developed which more closely
matches experimental GT strengths. The resultant electron-capture rates are
used in nucleosynthesis calculations for carbon deflagration and explosion
phases of Type Ia supernovae, and the final mass fractions are compared to
those obtained using more commonly-used rates.
