African Americans' mental health and perceptions of racist discrimination: The moderating effects of racial socialization experiences and self-esteem.

This research responded to researchers' calls for investigation of potential moderators of the link between perceptions of racist discrimination and mental health. In a sample of 119 African American young adults, the authors investigated the extent to which 4 theoretically relevant variables moderated the perceived racism–mental health relation. Consistent with predictions, results revealed that greater experience with racial socialization messages attenuated the link between reports of racist events and poorer mental health. Self-esteem also moderated the relation, but in a direction opposite that predicted. Neither racial socialization beliefs nor African American social networks moderated the relation. Overall, results indicated that individual differences shape the extent to which African Americans' mental health is related to perceptions of racist discriminations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Continuous monitoring of yoghurt fermentation using a noble metal electrode array

An electrochemical probe containing gold, platinum and rhodium working electrodes was used to monitor yoghurt production in a pilot facility. Three commercial starting cultures at 40, 42 and 44 °C transformed milk having 1.5% fat content to mild yoghurt products. The electrochemical changes in the broth during fermentation were recorded as current responses from pulse voltammetry over the electrodes. Principal component analysis of the responses generated two-dimensional score plots describing the qualitative fermentation progressions. Two distinct fermentation pathways were observed leading to similar final products. The pH was recorded during the fermentations and the data was used as reference values for creating a partial least squares model for prediction of pH as an example of a quantitative application for the sensor. The relative mean squared error for validation of the model using four probes interchangeably was about 2%. The probe was constructed of materials approved for use in the food industry and did not require a standard glass reference electrode.     

我国研制成功10GHz8bit超高速DDS芯片

美国莱斯大学(Rice University)和北卡罗莱纳州立大学的一个研究小组日前公布了一种新工艺:把分子贴到半导体硅表面。研究小组声称,这种方法有助于电子制造商超越当前摩尔定律的极限,从而可以制造出体积更小、性能     

Progress in high-power nickel–metal hydride batteries

High demands to power performance, high cycle and calendar life as well can be met by NiMH batteries, making this battery system very suitable for HEV applications. The hydrogen storage alloy plays an important role with respect to power performance and life duration. Power performance and cycle life behaviour are related to each other by the electrochemical and mechanical properties of the alloy, via a more or less reciprocal relationship. In terms of power performance at medium-discharge rates, the charge transfer reaction at the hydrogen storage alloy interface was found to be crucial for the temperature-dependent behaviour of the cell, whereas at discharge rates above about 15C diffusion limitation was found especially at the negative electrode. The alloy corrosion is taking place in alkaline media, leading to the formation of surface films and a change of the chemical composition, especially in near surface regions of the alloy particles. Consecutive electrochemical cycles lead to mechanical stress and finally cracking of the alloy particles. Stability against corrosion and pulverisation on one hand and good electrochemical performance on the other hand both depend on the chemical composition of the alloy, its morphological properties and the cycling regime used.     

Modification of the preparation procedure for increasing the hydrodesulfurisation activity of the CoMo/γ-alumina catalysts

In this work we have examined whether the re-impregnation of CoMo/γ-alumina catalysts or the replacement of the conventional non-dry impregnation step by “equilibrium deposition filtration” (EDF) may be used for improving their surface characteristics and thus their catalytic activity.

Two samples were prepared. In the first sample (EDF) the molybdenum species were mounted by “equilibrium deposition filtration” whereas in the second sample these species were mounted by non-dry impregnation (NDI). In both cases the Co was deposited on the calcined Mo/γ-Al₂O₃ precursor solid by simple dry impregnation. An aliquot of each sample was impregnated again with an amount of pure water equal to its pore volume and then it underwent drying and calcination.

The catalysts prepared were characterized using N₂ adsorption measurements (BET), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) and NO chemisorption. The hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activities over the catalysts studied were determined using a continuous-flow tubular fixed-bed microreactor operating in a differential mode at atmospheric pressure.

It was confirmed that the replacement of the conventional impregnation by equilibrium deposition filtration results to catalysts with relatively high active surface and high portion of the well-dispersed octahedral cobalt and thus, to catalysts with 30% higher HDS activity. The re-impregnation resulted to partial dissolution and re-dispersion of the Mo and Co supported oxidic phases. Concerning the NDI catalyst re-impregnation resulted to an increase of the active surface and of the portion of the well-dispersed octahedral cobalt and thus to 25% higher catalytic activity. The opposite effects were observed for the EDF catalyst which exhibited almost 7% lower activity after re-impregnation.     

Intelligent system for identification and replacement of faulty sensor measurements in Thermal Power Plants (IPPAMAS: Part 1)

This paper describes a procedure of identifying sensor faults and reconstructing the erroneous measurements. Knowledge discovery in databases is successfully applied for deriving models that estimate the value of one variable based on correlated others. The estimated values can then be used instead of the recorded ones of a measuring instrument with false reading. The aim is to reassure the correctness of data entered to an optimization software application that was developed for the Thermal Power Plants of Western Macedonia, Greece. The architecture of the application follows the Multi-Agent System approach in order to cope with its complexity and distributed nature. The application was tested on a case study and proved to be efficient.     

新工艺超越摩尔定律限制

美国莱斯大学(Rice University)和北卡罗莱纳州立大学的一个研究小组日前公布了一种新工艺:把分子贴到半导体硅表面.研究小组声称,这种方法有助于电子制造商超越当前摩尔定律的极限,从而可以制造出体积更小、性能更强的微处理器.     

The expression of affect in African elephant (Loxodonta africana) rumble vocalizations.

Affective states are thought to be expressed in the mammalian voice, but such investigations are most common in primates. Source and filter features of rumbles were analyzed from 6 adult female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Rumbles produced during periods of minimal social interaction (“low affect”) were compared to those produced during dominance interactions (“high affect”). Low-ranking females produced rumbles with increased and more variable fundamental frequencies, and increased durations and amplitudes during dominance interactions with superiors, compared to the low affect context. This acoustic response is consistent with the expression of affect in mammals and may signal submission to superiors. The 2 highest ranking females were codominant and competed for alpha status. They produced rumbles with decreased and less variable fundamental frequencies, increased durations and amplitudes, and a decrease in formant dispersion during dominance interactions with each other, compared to the low affect context. This response is not generally consistent with the expression of affect, but may signal large body size to competitors. These results suggest that affect can be expressed in the voiced sounds of elephants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the accuracy and consistency of the Swedish Environmental Classification and Information System for pharmaceuticals

The Swedish environmental and classification system for pharmaceuticals is a voluntary, industry-owned system with the purpose to provide environmental information about active pharmaceutical ingredients in the Swedish market. In this paper we report the results from a detailed evaluation of the accuracy and consistency of the risk assessments conducted within this system. The evaluation focused on the following three aspects: 1) comparison of the companies' risk assessments with the classification system's own guidance document, 2) how the risk assessments are affected if additional effect data is used, and 3) the consistency of different risk assessments for the same pharmaceutical substance. The analyses show that the system's guidance gives no criteria for when to consider a study “long-term” or “short-term”, and that this confusion affected the outcome of the risk assessments in some cases. Furthermore, when the system's guidance document is followed and the risk assessment was supplemented with effect data from the open scientific literature, then the risk classification for a substantial number of the evaluated substances was altered. Our analyses also revealed that in some cases risk assessors disagree on the outcome of the assessment for the same active pharmaceutical ingredient. Finally we list some recommendations to improve the classification system. The recommendations include clarifying concepts and instructions in the guidance document, introduction of a standardized way of reporting data to the website, and promotion of use of non-standard test data when considered the most relevant.     

The Problem and Politics of Temporary Housing

There has been wide acknowledgement of the relationship between inadequate housing and poor health; however, temporary housing has largely escaped attention. This paper takes a socio-spatial perspective of camping ground residence, reflecting on competing narratives of the meaning of these places. The temporary nature of this housing leaves residents vulnerable to eviction and inadequate housing standards, and particularly at-risk of further homelessness. Legislation, regulation and public discourse undermine camping ground residence as a legitimate housing option. This paper examines camping grounds as sites of politics of place, where many camping ground residents live in a politically and socially unsecured space. The conception of camping grounds as housing is a complex and contested issue, regardless of any economic and social functions that camping grounds fulfil. This research is an example of the consequences of social exclusion in housing, and findings reinforce the need to take into account socio-spatial structuring of housing within policy settings.