To see or not to see: Importance of color perception to color therapy

Color therapy, healing through color, supposedly works through the physical exposure to color. In two studies, we assessed stress and anxiety reduction after color exposure using a commercially available relaxation-through-color routine. Participants either completed the routine by looking at the accompanying color disks or at a white patch. In study 1 (longitudinal), 60 participants completed the routine three times, each testing session separated by a week. In study 2 (cross-sectional), 63 participants completed half of the trials once. In both studies, we recorded a decrease in stress and anxiety levels comparing before-after scores. In study 1, we recorded incremental decreases with each week. Crucially, decreases were the same whether participants (a) physically saw colors or not, and (b) completed the full or shortened version. We conclude that other factors but physical exposure to color explain changes in affective states associated with this and probably other color therapy routines.     

特定型聚合物的合成与应用

针对印染废水质特点,对聚合物的单体浓度、引发剂用量、合成温度、反应时间等因素进行系统实验、确定出适用于处理印染废水中聚合物的最佳合成条件。利用该聚合物处理印染废水,具有较好的效果。     

An improved block osmometer used to determine the molecular weight distribution of commercial poly(vinyl chloride)

Commercial PVC was fractionated into five fractions by the incremental addition of a nonsolvent to the polymer solution. The number-average molecular weights of the original sample and fractions were determined by osmometry. The weight-average molecular weights of the sample and fractions were also determined by means of viscosity measurements and by the application of a Mark-Houwink type of equation. From a knowledge of the polydispersity of each fraction and the assumption that the number distribution of molecular weights was Gaussian, the molecular weight distribution for the composite sample was determined. The block osmometer used incorporated most of the features found useful in earlier work to facilitate rapid and reliable osmotic pressure measurements. In addition, microvolume-regulating valves were utilized in the capillary tube lines to permit an independent precise positioning of the interface level in either capillary.     

值得采用或开发的氯碱生产技术与装置

介绍了国内外新开发的值得采用的氯碱生产技术与装置。     

A correlation between the results of different instruments used to determine the particle size distribution in AC fine test dust

A specific lot of fine-grade test dust manufactured by the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors, Flint, Michigan, was examined for particle size distribution by different investigators, using different instruments.When a particle volume measuring Coulter Counter? and a particle shadow measuring HIAC?, or Royco?, are calibrated for particle diameter with standard spherical beads, the test particle diameters perceived by the latter instruments are 1.30 times that of the former.A πMC? image analyzer, programmed to read particle diameter as the longest end-to-end distance, sees test dust diameters 1.33 times that seen by the HIAC or Royco and 1.74 times that of the Coulter Counter.These particle—diameter correlations are valid within the πMC diameter range of 8 – 70 μm.The πMC sees more of the smaller particles, 1 – 8 μm, than do the HIAC and Royco, but does not see as many as the Coulter Counter.The results of a SediGraph? X-ray sedimentation apparatus agree with the results of a Coulter Counter over the Stokes diameter range of 0.3 – 80 μm, and over the Coulter diameter range of 0.4 – 70 μm.     

The effects of four hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup on weight loss and related parameters

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The replacement of sucrose with HFCS in food products has been suggested as playing a role in the development of obesity as a public health issue. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of four equally hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). METHODS: This was a randomized, prospective, double blind trial, with overweight/obese participants measured for body composition and blood chemistry before and after the completion of 12 weeks following a hypocaloric diet. The average caloric deficit achieved on the hypocaloric diets was 309 kcal. RESULTS: Reductions were observed in all measures of adiposity including body mass, BMI, % body fat, waist circumference and fat mass for all four hypocaloric groups, as well as reductions in exercise only group for body mass, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: Similar decreases in weight and indices of adiposity are observed when overweight or obese individuals are fed hypocaloric diets containing levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup typically consumed by adults in the United States.     

Effects of roughness parameters on slip resistance for different methods used to determine the coefficient of friction for ceramic floor tiles

This work attempts to evaluate the correlation between the roughness parameters and different standardized methodologies for determining the coefficient of friction of ceramic floor tiles. Eight different types of ceramic tiles were evaluated, and each one was characterized for their coefficient of friction/slip resistance in accordance with the standards NBR 13818, ANSI A137.1, and AS 4586. The surfaces were also characterized in relation to surface roughness by means of contact profilometry. The measured friction and roughness parameters were correlated by means of analysis of variance. The results showed a correlation tendency according to a third-degree equation for tests performed in wet conditions. The study results showed that the roughness parameters influence the coefficient of friction with a confidence level of 95%. Considering the safe values indicated for the respective standards for the evaluated methods, a Rz value of 25 μm ensures that a tested surface can be considered safe in a wet-condition test, regardless of the method used to determine the coefficient of friction.     

Some features of the oxidation of polycaproamide which is to be used for the synthesis of graft copolymers

Conclusions The mechanism of oxidation of PCA by atmospheric oxygen has been studied on a model low-molecular-weight compound — ethyl -acetylaminocaproate.It has been found that the oxidation of the low-molecular-weight compound takes place via the stage of formation of hydroperoxy groups at the methylene groups present in the -position to the NH group of the amide bond.The studies performed have made it possible to establish the chemical structure of the PCA graft polymers obtained. Activation and growth of the grafted chain is effected at the carbon atom present in the -position to the NH group of the amide bond in the PCA.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 4, pp. 20–22, July–August, 1986.     

重锤水平拉钢丝法测量平行度的钢丝挠度值修正

1 概述 工业设备安装过程常常遇到长度较大且水平放置的构件,作业过程中需对其进行调整和检测,如:各种起重机的轨道、设备相互连接生产线的基础底板等的找正和桥式起重机主梁上拱值的测量,除了水准仪测量法,重锤拉钢丝法是采用较为普遍的一种测量方法。     

To fix or not to fix: the role of 2-phenoxyethanol in rabbit,Oryctolagus cuniculus,chin gland secretion

The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) uses the secretion of the chin gland to maintain dominance hierarchies in the wild. Recent work has investigated changes in the secretion when social status is manipulated in the rabbit. When a rabbit becomes dominant, a new compound appears in his secretion, 2-phenoxyethanol. This compound is used as a fixative in the perfume industry. This study investigates whether the compound performs a similar function in the secretion of the rabbit. 2-Phenoxyethanol is not detected olfactorially by rabbits, and slows the release rate of some of the compounds that occur naturally in rabbit chin gland secretion. We suggest that when a rabbit becomes dominant, he adds a fixative to his secretion so that his scent will persist in the environment and not dissipate. He will thus come to dominate the olfactory environment, in much the same way as he does the physical environment.     

Efficacy of different strategies to treat anemia in children: a randomized clinical trial

Background  

Anemia continues to be a major public health problem among children in many regions of the world, and it is still not clear which strategy to treat it is most effective.     

Bond strengths of toluenes, anilines, and phenols: to hammett or not

The Hammett equation correlates the effects of Y on many different chemical properties of YC(6)H(4)ZX families of compounds. One of the most surprising is that the Z-X bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), a homolytic property, can be correlated for some 4-YC(6)H(4)ZX families with electrophilic substituent constants, sigma(p)(+)(Y), which were largely derived from the rates of the heterolytic S(N)1 solvolyses of para-substituted cumyl chlorides. Although there is no Hammett correlation of the C-X BDEs in 4-YC(6)H(4)CH(2)X (X = H, halide, OPh) families, there are good correlations of N-X BDEs with sigma(p)(+)(Y) in 4-YC(6)H(4)NHX (X = H, CH(3), OH, F) and excellent correlations of O-X BDEs with sigma(p)(+)(Y) in 4-YC(6)H(4)OX (X = H, CH(3), CH(2)Ph) families. The reasons for this varied behavior are discussed.     

A comparison of thermoplastic polyurethane incorporated with graphene oxide and thermally reduced graphene oxide: Reduction is not always necessary

Despite wide applications of reduced graphene-oxide (GO)-reinforced polymer-based composites, the necessity of the reduction procedure toward GO is still controversial. In this article, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites incorporated with GO and thermally reduced graphene oxide (TGO) were fabricated. GO and TGO exhibited different effects on crystallization behaviors, and mechanical and thermal properties of the TPU matrix. With 2.0 wt % filler loading, TPU composite reinforced by GO (TPU-GO-2 wt %) exhibited better thermal stability than that reinforced by TGO (TPU-TGO-2 wt %). The interfacial interaction between the nanofillers and the TPU matrix as well as their influence on the mobility of TPU chains were investigated, which proved that GO is superior to TGO in improving interface adhesion and maintaining crystallization of the TPU matrix. Compared with TPU-TGO-2 wt %, improved mechanical properties of TPU-GO-2 wt % were also evidenced owing to more oxygen-containing groups. This work demonstrates that the reduction of GO is not always necessary in fabricating polymer composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47745.     

Efficacy of a meal replacement diet plan compared to a food-based diet plan after a period of weight loss and weight maintenance: a randomized controlled trial

Background  

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is implicated in the development of a variety of chronic disease states and is associated with increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of Medifast's meal replacement program (MD) on body weight, body composition, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among obese individuals following a period of weight loss and weight maintenance compared to a an isocaloric, food-based diet (FB).     

Hydrogenation to convert CO2 to C1 chemicals: Technical comparison of different alternatives by process simulation

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion by catalytic reaction with hydrogen to produce different C1 chemicals is a promising strategy in view of the development of a sustainable chemical industry. In this work, two CO₂ hydrogenation routes are investigated in detail, respectively syngas and formic acid syntheses. Starting from published experimental reaction data, simulation models based on a kinetic analysis were developed and implemented in Aspen Plus process simulator. The two processes are analyzed according to a number of selected technological indicators, comprising CO₂ conversion, specific H₂ consumption, product yield, energy duties, and carbon emissions. To extend our study, three additional CO₂ conversion pathways are considered, respectively methanol, methane, and urea syntheses, whose technological performances were retrieved from similar studies available in the scientific literature. Under the assumption that H₂ is available from renewable sources, our results highlight that CO₂ conversion routes towards fuel compounds (ie, syngas and methane) look particularly appealing from the energy balance point of view. If non-renewable energy is used to produce H₂, the actual environmental benefits (in terms of net CO₂ emissions) strongly depend on the country-specific carbon intensity for electricity generation.     

Factors related to birth weight: a comparison of related factors between newborns of Spanish and Colombian immigrant women in Spain

The objective of this study is to establish differentials in birth weight (BW) and related factors, in term newborns (NB) of Spanish (SP) and Colombian (CO) immigrant mothers living in Spain, between 2001-2005. Data on the NB population of SP and CO mothers was retrieved from the National Statistical Bulletin of Birth in Spain. We analysed the association with BW (Low birth weight -LBW- insufficient weight -IW- macrosomia), by the nationality of the mother; taking into account variables such as the intergenesic interval, maternal age, number of live children, maternal occupation and sex of NB. The analysis was based on frequencies and the estimation of simple and adjusted odds ratios (OR) by means of logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A higher prevalence of LBW was found in SP mothers (3.4%) than in their CO counterparts (2.1%). In SP mothers a higher risk of LBW (aOR 1.89, 950% CI 1.65- 2.16) and IW (aOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.51- 1.57) was observed. In CO mothers a higher percentage of macrosomia was found (8.0%). Also, a higher percentage of LBW was observed in female new borns (SP4.1%; CO 2.7%) as well as IW (PI (SP 25.6%; CO 19.6%) (p < 0.001). Mothers aged > 40 years and having 4 or more children were associated with LBW in both nationalities. As a conclusion, NB of Colombian mothers presented a lower prevalence of LBW and IW, which could be explained by the healthy migrant effect.     

To Be or Not to Be: The Divergent Action and Metabolism of Sphingosine-1 Phosphate in Pancreatic Beta-Cells in Response to Cytokines and Fatty Acids

Sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid with multiple functions conveyed by the activation of cell surface receptors and/or intracellular mediators. A growing body of evidence indicates its important role in pancreatic insulin-secreting beta-cells that are necessary for maintenance of glucose homeostasis. The dysfunction and/or death of beta-cells lead to diabetes development. Diabetes is a serious public health burden with incidence growing rapidly in recent decades. The two major types of diabetes are the autoimmune-mediated type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and the metabolic stress-related type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Despite many differences in the development, both types of diabetes are characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and inflammation. The inflammatory component of diabetes remains under-characterized. Recent years have brought new insights into the possible mechanism involved in the increased inflammatory response, suggesting that environmental factors such as a westernized diet may participate in this process. Dietary lipids, particularly palmitate, are substrates for the biosynthesis of bioactive sphingolipids. Disturbed serum sphingolipid profiles were observed in both T1DM and T2DM patients. Many polymorphisms were identified in genes encoding enzymes of the sphingolipid pathway, including sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2), the S1P generating enzyme which is highly expressed in beta-cells. Proinflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids have been shown to modulate the expression and activity of S1P-generating and S1P-catabolizing enzymes. In this review, the similarities and differences in the action of extracellular and intracellular S1P in beta-cells exposed to cytokines or free fatty acids will be identified and the outlook for future research will be discussed.