The influence of Ag and Si additions on the electrochemical behavior in extruded Mg-Zn alloys

Development of new wrought magnesium alloys for the automotive industry has increased in recent years, due to their high potential as structural materials for low density and high strength/weight ratio demands. However, the poor mechanical properties and low corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloys have led to a search for new kinds of magnesium alloys, for better strength, ductility, and high corrosion resistance. The main objective of this research is to investigate the corrosion behavior of new magnesium alloys: Mg-Zn-Ag (ZQ) and Mg-Zn-Si (ZS). The ZQ6X and ZS6X alloys were prepared using the hot extrusion method. AC and DC polarization tests were carried out on the extruded rods, which contain different amounts of silver or silicon. The microstructure was examined using optical and electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the silver addition decreased corrosion resistance. The addition of silicon also affected corrosion behavior. These results can be explained by the effects of alloying elements on the microstructure of Mg-Zn alloys, such as grain size and precipitates caused by the change in precipitation, and by recrystallization behavior.     

Analysis of the energy intensity evolution in the Brazilian industrial sector—1995 to 2005

This study developed a method to evaluate the evolution of energy intensity in the Brazilian industrial sector from 1995 to 2004. In order to do so, it was necessary to obtain six different measures (indicators) of the sector energy intensity. Considering the concept of energy intensity as the ratio between energy consumption and the level of economic activity, two measures were used for the energy consumption: a thermal (physical) and an economic one. For the level of economic activity, three measures were used: value of production, value of delivered goods and added value. In the Brazilian industrial sector, most of these indicators have behaved in a similar way. In a disaggregated way, energy intensity indicators show a unified direction of its evolution. However, a more elaborate study on the consumption profile of the Brazilian industrial sector and its economical activities indicates the presence of important deviations concerning the annual rate of change in energy intensity. Besides, there is no evident relation between these deviations and the composition of the different indicators of energy intensity.     

Mediated and direct effects of general control beliefs on obsessive compulsive symptoms.

Although control-related cognitions have often been implicated in discussions of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), empirical investigations of the relationship between control constructs and OCD symptoms have been relatively limited. This article investigated the hypothesis that OCD symptoms may be linked with a higher desire for control (DC), but a lower sense of control (SC) over the self and environment, leading to motivation for compulsive symptoms. It also investigated whether this effect was direct, or mediated through other OCD-related cognitions. This hypothesis was investigated in a nonclinical population, using path analyses controlling for depression. It was found that higher levels of DC and lower levels of SC were associated with higher levels of OCD-related beliefs, and with symptoms via higher OCD-related beliefs. SC was also directly linked with higher OCD symptoms. Control beliefs regarding both the internal (emotions) and external (threat) environment were related to OCD symptoms. Implications for therapy and research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychosocial predictors of delay of first sexual intercourse by adolescents.

This investigation predicted adolescents' delay of intercourse onset from attitudes, social norms, and self-efficacy about refraining from sexual intercourse. Age, gender, ethnicity, and parental education were also examined as predictors and moderators of the relationships among the 3 psychosocial determinants and onset. The participants (N?=?827), part of a cohort initially surveyed in the 9th grade, reported at baseline that they had never engaged in intercourse. The multivariable proportional hazards regression model suggested that adolescents with more positive attitudinal and normative beliefs, as well as those with a parent who graduated from college, were less likely to engage in intercourse in the follow-up period (up to approximately 2 years). Interventions that include an objective to delay onset may benefit from addressing psychosocial determinants, especially attitudes and norms about sexual intercourse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of temperature on the elimination of benzocaine and acetylated benzocaine residues from the edible fillet of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of temperature (7 degrees C and 16 degrees C) on the extent of accumulation and the elimination of benzocaine (BNZ) and its metabolite, acetylated benzocaine (AcBNZ), in the fillet tissue of rainbow trout was investigated. Residues were measured after bath exposure to an anesthetizing concentration of benzocaine (30 mg/l for 5 min) followed by a maintenance concentration (15 mg/l for 30 min). Immediately after exposure, the BNZ concentration in fillet tissue was approximately 27 micrograms/g at both temperatures; AcBNZ was 0.3 microgram/g at 7 degrees C and 0.6 microgram/g at 16 degrees C. The rates for elimination (alpha and beta) of BNZ and AcBNZ were not significantly different between the two temperatures. Terminal half-lives of elimination for BNZ were 1.62 h at 7 degrees C and 1.63 h at 16 degrees C; half-lives for AcBNZ were 2.36 h at 7 degrees C and 2.77 h at 16 degrees C.     

William Lee Hayes (1926–1995): Obituary.

Obituary of W. L. Hays who lived from January 20, 1926–December 3, 1995. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tobacco harm reduction strategies: the case for physical activity.

Since the effects of tobacco smoke are so detrimental to health, growing consideration has been given to the development of harm reduction strategies for those smokers who are unable or unwilling to stop using tobacco. The term harm reduction refers to a policy, strategy, or particular intervention that assumes continued use of an undesired behavior and aspires to lower the risk of adverse consequences associated with the continuation of this addictive behavior. Up to this point, tobacco harm reduction interventions have focused on reducing tobacco-related harm through the utilization of innovative tobacco products, reduced tobacco consumption, and pharmaceutical medications. With the possible exception of medicinal nicotine products, these strategies remain unproven and thus far no scientific or medical literature exists to suggest these harm reduction strategies reduce tobacco-related exposure, morbidity, or mortality. Consequently, a need exists for broadening the range of potentially effective harm reduction strategies. This preliminary review suggests that physical activity has the potential to become one such strategy. Of the eight principles that characterize a harm reduction strategy, all are at least partially satisfied by physical activity. Further, emerging evidence indicates that physical activity may delay the occurrence of disease and premature death initiated by tobacco consumption. Significant concerns remain regarding the practicality of physical activity as a harm reduction strategy and the extent to which participation in physical activity may be used to justify continued smoking.     

Interdependence of form and function in cognitive systems explains perception of printed words.

Perception is described within a complex systems framework that includes several constructs: resonance, attractors, subsymbols, and design principles. This framework was anticipated in J. J. Gibson's ecological approach (M. T. Turvey & C. Carello, 1981), but it is extended to cognitive phenomena by assuming experiential realism instead of ecological realism. The framework is applied in this article to explain phonologic mediation in reading and a complex array of published naming and lexical decision data. The full account requires only two design principles: covariant learning and self-consistency. Nonetheless, it organizes and explains a vast empirical literature on printed word perception. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)