Influence of Polydimethylsiloxane on the Oxygen Concentration of Oils at Various Temperatures

The effect of temperature on the oil oxygen concentration, tested in both soybean and olive oils with no added polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), showed that the oxygen concentration increased with temperature to approximately 100 °C. Above 100 °C, the oxygen concentration abruptly decreased. This change was attributed to the balance between the rates of oxygen uptake and consumption by oil oxidation, which favored oxygen consumption over uptake at temperatures above 100 °C. The addition of 100 ppb PDMS to soybean oil, enough to form a continuous layer over the surface of the oil, reduced the oxygen concentration when compared to a soybean oil control containing no added PDMS at temperatures ranging from 93 to 180 °C; thus suggesting an oxygen barrier effect of PDMS. The accumulation of PDMS at the air–oil interface in soybean oil held at 180 °C was determined by comparing the oil’s internal temperature and the apparent surface temperature. A decrease in the apparent surface temperature while the oil was held at a constant internal temperature was attributed to a change in the emissivity of the surface as a consequence of the accumulation of PDMS in the air–oil interface. The presence of PDMS at the air–oil interface was confirmed for 100 ppm of PDMS, a concentration greater than the concentration necessary to form a monolayer of PDMS on the oil surface.     

Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men

Correction to Richard J Bloomer, Kelsey H Fisher-Wellman, Kelley G Hammond, Brian K Schilling, Adrianna A Weber and Bradford J Cole: Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2009, 6: 4     

A Weighted Flow-Distance Measure for Machine Layout Design

For at least forty years, researchers have investigated, expounded and created solutions to the problems associated with layout design. From the formative contributions of Muther, Hillier, Singleton, Noy and Buffa, through the computer-based departmental assignment packages of Lee and Moore, Buffa et al. and Seehof and Evans to the many researchers who have addressed the machine–component incidence matrix (MCIM) problem, there has been a need to generate and employ measures which quantify the information inputs, so that the system under investigation can then be effectively designed. This paper examines some of the measures that have been devised, and suggests a measure which addresses the problem of including in-sequence and bypass process route and component volume data in the input. The output from which can then be used to create solutions to the machine layout design problem.      

Integrated appraisal of a Solar Hot Water system

An ‘integrated appraisal’ of a solar hot water (SHW) system in the UK residential sector was carried out to assess its overall energetic, environmental and economic performance. The energy analysis indicates that when displacing a gas boiler, oil boiler, or electrical immersion heater, the SHW system would provide a net energy benefit for the majority of its estimated 25 year lifetime, thus enhancing energy security by reducing the use of, and dependence upon, conventional energy resources (mainly fossil fuels). A life cycle assessment was carried out to determine a range of environmental implications of installing and using the SHW system. It was shown that the use of aluminium has the greatest impact within the production of the system. During its use, the SHW provides the largest environmental externality benefits when displacing electricity. The economic assessment indicates that the SHW system is currently uncompetitive given the negative net present values of the various scenarios assessed. This outcome included the internalisation of the social costs of carbon. There are, however, future prospects for reduced capital costs that may significantly improve the economic performance of the system.     

The psychometric properties and utility of the Short Sadistic Impulse Scale (SSIS).

Sadistic personality disorder (SPD) has been underresearched and often misunderstood in forensic settings. Furthermore, personality disorders in general are the subject of much controversy in terms of their classification (i.e., whether they should be categorical or dimensional). The Sadistic Attitudes and Behaviors Scale (SABS; Davies & Hand, 2003; O'Meara, Davies, & Barnes-Holmes, 2004) is a recently developed scale for measuring sadistic inclinations. Derived from this is the Short Sadistic Impulse Scale (SSIS), which has proved to be a strong unidimensional measure of sadistic inclination. Through cumulative scaling, it was investigated whether the SSIS could measure sadism on a continuum of interest, thus providing a dimensional view of the construct. Further, the SSIS was administered along with a number of other measures related to sadism in order to assess the validity of the scale. Results showed that the SSIS has strong construct and discriminant validity and may be useful as a screening measure for sadistic impulse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching the principles of electromagnetism: quagmires andstepping-stones

It is acknowledged that electromagnetism is a very difficult subject, but reasons are given why its principles should be taught in all relevant degree and diploma courses. These reasons are based on the unifying influence of the principles and the help they give to professional engineers to change between specialisms during their careers. Maxwell's advice on how to teach the subject is discussed and endorsed, particularly as regards the role of physical analogies which enable new concepts to be explored. Some of the difficulties arising in teaching the subject are discussed in a series of twelve questions and outline answers. The central role of energy distribution is stressed. The conclusion suggests that the principles of electromagnetism should be taught in the manner of a spiral staircase which revisits the same view at repeated higher levels. It is suggested that there should be courses in electromagnetism for professional engineers in mid-career. The importance of applications is mentioned     

Local mass transport effects in the FM01 laboratory electrolyser

A number of patterns of segmented line electrodes have been manufactured using copper printed circuit board technology. These segmented electrodes have been used to investigate local mass transport effects in ICI's FM01-LC parallel plate electrolyser. It is shown that in the absence of a turbulence promoter the current distribution is uneven. Along the direction of electrolyte flow, a tertiary current distribution is observed. In addition, close to the cell entrance, an uneven current distribution occurs perpendicular to the direction of electrolyte flow; this reflects the design of the electrolyte distributor. With a turbulence promoter the current distribution is more even and the entry effects are much reduced. The turbulence promoter can, however, impose its own pattern on the current distribution perpendicular to the flow.     

Enhancing the reliability of modular medium-voltage drives

A method to increase the reliability of modular medium-voltage induction motor drives is discussed, by providing means to bypass a failed module. The impact on reliability is shown. A control, which maximizes the output voltage available after bypass, is described, and experimental results are given.