Geological controls to the indoor radon distribution in southern Belgium

Soils and rocks are the predominant source of indoor radon (Rn) in southern Belgium. We have studied the correlations between geological features and indoor Rn concentrations using an indoor Rn data set of approx. 1700 short-term measurements. The sediments in the study region are divided into 11 geological series or 43 stages and 16 rock types. The results show a striking relation between indoor Rn concentration and the geological factors.     

Amplitude noise and linewidth reduction of an Ar+ laser

Frequency modulation spectroscopy is used to frequency stabilize an Ar⁺ laser at 515 nm with respect to a commercial passive cavity. Two transducers, a slow and a fast one, are used. The fast transducer is also used to perform amplitude stabilization of a laser beam. Measured amplitude and frequency spectral noise densities are reported. A simplified scheme of the circuitry used to reduce amplitude noise is shown. Noise characteristics of the realized system are adequate to perform spectroscopy of hyperfine-structure transitions of molecular iodine     

Selective partial oxidation of light paraffins with hydrogen peroxide on thin-layer supported Nafion-H catalysts

Thin-layer carbon supported Nafion-H catalysts were found to be active and highly selective (S>98%) for the partial oxidation of C₁-C₃ alkanes, in a three phase catalytic membrane reactor (3PCMR), under mild conditions and in the presence of H₂O₂. The influences of the catalyst teflon loading and H₂O₂ concentration on the reaction rate have been evaluated. A reaction pathway, based on the electrophilic hydroxylation of the C-H bond of alkanes with protonated hydrogen peroxide (H₃O ₂ ⁺ ), is discussed.     

下一代化学纤维

人们在谈论世界正变得越来越小。通常他们是指技术的进步提高了全球通讯和交通的速度。不过 ,世界的确正在变小 ,至少人类的居住地是如此。本文主要论述这一现象与人口膨胀及未来纺织工业的关系。在日本京都和最近召开的荷兰海牙国际会议上 ,世界各国政府对全球性变暖等气候变化的现象都相当重视。1　关注焦点　　各国领导人关注使用石油的直接后果——CO2 的排放问题。人们都提倡为了保护赖以生存和工作的环境 ,应该减少 CO2 的排放。但实际上并没有多少人愿意放弃石油带来的便利的现代生活方式。2　后　果　　上述潜在的问题和全球人口…     

Attentional cues in chronic schizophrenia: Abnormal disengagement of attention.

M. I. Possner's 1980 reaction time (RT) paradigm was used to examine the engagement and disengagement operations of visual selective attention in patients with schizophrenia. In the 1st experiment 14 medicated, chronic schizophrenic Ss (diagnosed by criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-I]), and 15 age-matched normal and control Ss made a speeded response to a target preceded by a valid, and invalid, or no cue. Control Ss showed the expected advantage and disadvantage in RT for valid and invalid cues, which suggests intact engagement and disengagement operations. For schizophrenic Ss, valid cues also enhanced RT, but invalid cues did not slow RT. Similar results were found in the 2nd experiment. The failure of unpredictable, invalid cues to inhibit RT in chronic schizophrenia may be related to an abnormality in the disengagement operation of selective attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)