Supercapacitive properties of electrodeposited polypyrrole on acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber as a flexible current collector

Flexible sheets consisting of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) and vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) are newly prepared varying the composition (VGCF 10–30 wt%) for use as a current collector of supercapacitor electrodes. The electrical conductivity of as-prepared VGCF/NBR current collector can be enhanced as the content of VGCF increases. The VGCF/NBR current collector is then electrodeposited with pyrrole using a potentiodynamic cyclic voltammetry to yield a polypyrrole (PPy)/VGCF/NBR composite electrode. Cyclic voltammetry result for the PPy/VGCF/NBR composites shows that the sample with 30 wt% VGCF achieves a maximum specific capacitance (125.8 F g^?1) at 5?mV?s^?1 and reaches a lower specific capacitance at higher scan rates. In addition, the flexibility of supercapacitor electrode of PPy can also be established with a comparable capacitance value by using the NBR-based current collector.     

Antimicrobial activities of polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride-based disinfectant against fungi isolated from cocoa beans and reference strains of bacteria

This study was conducted to assess the antibacterial and the antifungal activity of a polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMGH)-based disinfectant and to determine if it could be used as a disinfectant for the treatment of cocoa beans. The activity of PHMGH was tested in vitro for efficacy against five reference strains of pathogenic bacteria and six strains of fungi isolated from cocoa beans. All the strains tested were sensitive to the disinfectant. The MICs reported were between 0.01 and 1.9 mg/ml and equal to the MBC or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) regardless of the strains of those microorganisms. The bacteria were more sensitive to PHMGH than were the fungi. Enterobacter cloacae was the most sensitive bacterium with a MIC and MBC of 0.01 mg/ml, whereas the genus Aspergillus was the least susceptible of the microorganisms tested, with a MIC and MFC from 1.0 to 1.9 mg/ml. The time required for the activity of PHMGH varies from 2 min for Enterobacter cloacae to 12 min for Aspergillus tamarii and generally increases with the MBC or the MFC. Through this in vitro study, the PHMGH has been proved to be bactericidal and fungicidal on the strains studied. Hence, it could probably serve as a fungicidal disinfectant for the treatment of cocoa beans after harvesting.     

Charge injection limits of activated iridium oxide electrodes with 0.2 ms pulses in bicarbonate buffered saline (neurological stimulation application)

The maximum charge injection without electrode solution decomposition for activated iridium wire electrodes in bicarbonate buffered saline was 2.1 and 1.0 mC/cm/sup 2/ geometric for anodic-first and cathodic-first, respectively, 0.2-ms balanced-charge biphasic current pulses. Electrodes biased at +0.8 V vs. SCE (saturated calomel electrode) accepted charge up to 3.5 mC/cm/sup 2/ geometric with monophasic cathodal pulses.<>     

Die Anwendung der Risikoanalyse in der chemischen Industrie

Application of risk analysis to the chemical industry. It is surprising that such a well-established method of investment analysis as risk analysis should find so little use in the chemical industry. A positive feature of risk analysis lies in its ability to influence decision-making processes prior to their conclusion. Furthermore, it also directs attention to uncertainty factors of a project, which in turn can lead to the development of alternative proposals for risk reduction. The reason for the rather sparse use of this method in the chemical industry probably lies in the facts that former analyses were inadequately executed and that managerial staff regarded risk analysis as a method of locating uncertainties rather than a method for improving decision making. Provision of relevant aids for a comprehensive analytical method and a clear recognition of the inherent advantages should pave the way for wider acceptance of this procedure.     

Professional transition: Psychology internships in rehabilitation settings.

The professional literature is limited in its coverage of the challenges of clinical and counseling internship training in rehabilitation settings. The characteristics of the patient population, the goals of rehabilitation, and the team approach require the development of professional role behaviors appropriate to these facilities. The present article explores relevant issues and presents suggestions for augmenting training programs to make them congruent with the distinctive aspects of rehabilitation. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Automatic processing of fundamental information: The case of frequency of occurrence.

Reviews the evidence that suggests that information about frequency of occurrence is stored in memory by an implicit or automatic encoding process. This evidence shows that frequency information is stored for a wide variety of naturally occurring events. Laboratory research shows that usually powerful task variables (e.g., instructions, practice) and S variables (e.g., age, ability) do not influence the encoding process. Evidence is also reviewed that either directly or indirectly implicates the use of frequency information across issues in psychology ranging from the acquisition and representation of knowledge domains to decision making to sex-role development. (120 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teacher accuracy in assessing cognitive visual feedback from students.

The relative value of verbal and nonverbal cues in teacher accuracy in making judgments of student comprehension was tested. 67 new interns (not yet teachers), 59 inexperienced teachers, and 46 experienced teachers were each shown 20 short sound-film recordings of 10 students being taught. They rated student comprehension. 57 Ss heard both picture and sound, 60 heard sound only, and 55 saw only the picture. When sound is absent, all groups of teachers are inaccurate in judging student comprehension (about ? correct with ? the chance base). When sound is present, whether or not the picture is seen, all groups exceed chance (about ? correct), but do not differ significantly from each other. The need for research on teacher training in the observation and interpretation of nonverbal feedback from students is indicated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What are the ratings rating?

6 objective variables in the public domain were found to predict A. Cartter's ratings of psychology departments: (a) number of areas of specialization (b) number of faculty, (c) number of PhD's graduated between 1960-1964, (d) number of full-time students, (e) number of part-time students, and (f) ratio of part to full-time students. It is suggested that ratings obtained by Cartter may have been contaminated by halo effect related to size rather than based on criteria recommended by him to the raters. Implications for the quality of graduate and undergraduate instruction in psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improving existing motor protection for medium voltage motors

Motor failures and associated present-day costs are analyzed, and potential troubles generated within the plant and form the utility distribution system are documented. These troubles, their effects, and resultant motor failure modes are illustrated to determine the maximum protection desired for prolonged motor life. Limitations of older forms of motor protection utilizing induction-type overcurrent relays are presented in contrast with the desired protection. The features of several different types of current microprocessor-based relays are reviewed as eligible candidates for motor protection upgrading. An example of work performed as part of a comprehensive field retrofit is presented along with economic considerations