Impairment of consciously controlled use of memory in schizophrenia.

Recent studies of memory in schizophrenia have shown that explicit but not implicit memory performance is impaired. The hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with a failure of consciously but not unconsciously (automatic) controlled influence of memory on performance was tested using a procedure providing uncontaminated estimates of consciously controlled and automatic memory processes (i.e., the process-dissociation procedure in a stem completion task). Performance of 35 patients with schizophrenia was compared with that of 35 normal participants. Consciously controlled use but not automatic influences of memory was significantly lower in patients with schizophrenia than in controls. Consciously controlled use of memory was negatively and significantly correlated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia differentially affects 2 types of memory processes: It impairs consciously controlled use of memory but spares automatic influences. Positive symptoms could reflect the lack of control from higher level conscious processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prediction of laser beam welding-induced distortions and residual stresses by numerical simulation for aeronautic application

This paper focuses on the prediction of laser beam welding-induced distortions and residual stresses through numerical simulation. Fabrication of fuselage panels of latest generation civil aircraft involves welding of stringers on thin sheets of 6056T4 aluminium alloy. The efforts are made to exercise better control over the excessive out-of-plane distortions. A series of experiments have so far been performed using small specimens. One of the test cases that include single-pass fusion welding on a 6056T4 thin sheet with the industrially used thermal and mechanical boundary and loading conditions is being studied in this work. Laser beam welding in the keyhole regime is employed. The test plate is maintained in position with the help of an air suction table made of aluminium. Although a pressure of 1 bar is used experimentally, yet the possibility of leakage cannot be overruled. Various magnitudes of pressures are, therefore, introduced during numerical simulation to study the effect of each. The effect of contact between test plate and support over thermal and mechanical results is also integrated. A 3D symmetric model of test plate and support is incorporated and the comparison between simulation and experimental results is developed. Finally, a good correlation is found between experimental and simulation results, on the basis of which residual stress state in the test plate is predicted.     

Possibilities and Limits of Application of Electrical Resistance Tomography in Hydrodynamics of Bubble Columns

Knowing the hydrodynamic regime in which is working a bubble column is of great importance because the regime affects strongly the mass transfer between the phases. To this end, we examine the potentialities of an Electrical Resistance Tomography (ERT) device. We analyse cross correlation of electrode pair measurements, of neighbouring pixels and power spectra of averaged pixels within a single plane as well as cross correlations of averaged pixels between two planes, without finding a clear signature of the churn turbulent flow. Variable gas flow rate inputs are used to determine the time resolution of the ERT.     

Characterization of interphases appearing on LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2 using Li MAS NMR

⁷Li MAS NMR, usually a bulk characterization technique, is used here to analyze the positive electrode/electrolyte interphase. The sharpening of the NMR spectra line shape as the amount of surface species increases shows that the observed signal is clearly the sum of signals due to the distribution of lithium ions in the interphase in terms of distance from the bulk of electrode active material. This technique is then used to compare characteristics of the interphase coming from the contact with LiPF₆-based electrolyte in the case of storage or electrochemical cycling. A clear influence of the change of potential on the interphase configuration and in particular on its intimacy with the bulk of active material is deduced from the change in NMR spectra lineshape. This information is hardly obtained by other characterization technique, making NMR a powerful tool for the study of interphases and passivation layers in lithium batteries materials.     

Preparation from bovine colostrum of a fraction rich in latent transforming growth factor-β2 and cleared of most allergenic proteins by one-step Cibacron Blue chromatography

A strategy was developed for the preparation of a latent transforming growth factor-β2 (latent TGF-β2) rich fraction from bovine colostrum. Different conventional chromatography techniques were tested to investigate some physicochemical properties of latent TGF-β2 complexes to optimize their recovery. Three latent TGF-β2 forms were detected by gel filtration (600, 150–250 and 65–150 kDa). Cation exchange chromatography showed that the pI of latent TGF-β2 was above pH 7; hydrophobic interaction chromatography showed that the hydrophobicity of latent TGF-β2 was much higher than that of other whey proteins. Affinity chromatography on Cibacron Blue 3G was used to separate latent TGF-β2 and immunoglobulin G from the most immunogenic proteins, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and albumin. Optimum conditions were determined: preparation of a fraction 26 times richer in TGF-β2 than in serocolostrum was obtained with a good yield (up to 70%) of TGF-β2, 80% of which was in the latent form.     

Processing of reaction-bonded B4C–SiC composites in a single-mode microwave cavity

In this study, the reaction sintering of boron carbide, which consists in doing reactive infiltration of molten silicon throughout a porous sample made of B₄C and carbon graphite was investigated. Thus, it has been shown that a single-mode microwave cavity can be successfully used to produce reaction-bonded B₄C–SiC composite. A specific package, consisting of a SiC based susceptor and a boron nitride based insulating container, was used to heat up the B₄C–Si system using a single-mode microwaves cavity under an Ar–H₂ atmosphere. Pore-free B₄C–SiC composite successfully produced consists of a mixture of B₄C and polygonal shaped β-SiC within a residual silicon matrix. The indentation technique permits to determine mechanical properties of the samples which are compared to those obtained conventionally. It appears that the average hardness (H≈22 GPa) value is quite constant all along the sample thickness which highlights good homogeneity of the samples obtained. Some aspects of the microstructure are also discussed and compared to those of samples conventionally obtained.     

Silicon-On-Diamond layer integration by wafer bonding technology

In this study, Silicon-On-Diamond (SOD) micro-structures have been fabricated using either Smart Cut? or bonded and Etched-Back Silicon On Insulator (BESOI) technology. Thanks to the development of an innovative smoothening process, polycrystalline diamond layers (C*) can be integrated as a buried oxide layer offering new opportunities in terms of thermal management.We describe different technological process flow investigations leading to SOD by bonding C* layer in the stack. As starting material we used poly-crystalline thin diamond films in the 200 nm to 7000 nm range of thickness. The C* is deposited by Chemical Vapour Deposition assisted by Microwave Plasma (MPCVD) onto various 50 mm wafers such as Si, SOI and polycrystalline silicon carbide (pSiC). As the roughness of the diamond layer is not directly compatible with a wafer bonding integration, an innovative smoothening process in 3 steps has been developed and named “DPE” for Deposition, Planarization and Etching. Using the DPE process, the roughness of 5 µm thick diamond layer could be reduced from 50 to 3 nm RMS and down to 1.5 nm RMS for a thin 200 nm layer.In order to demonstrate the feasibility of a GaN on SOD micro-structure design for HEMT applications, layer transfers have been carried out by a bonding and thinning process from C*/Si bulk using oxide bonding layers. From thermal spreading efficiency consideration, new processes of fabrication of SOD/poly-SiC substrate are in progress involving BESOI or Si Smart Cut? technologies and poly-Si bonding layer starting from C*/poly-SiC.Pure SOD substrate were also fabricated by using C*/SOI and poly-Si bonding layer in a BESOI technology. A thin active silicon layer (70 nm) of 50 mm diameter onto a 140 nm thick diamond BOX layer has been transferred on 200 mm diameter Si substrate for future MOSFET's devices demonstrations. Significant progress has been done in diamond layer integration by wafer bonding.     

Cultural and generational influences on privacy concerns: a qualitative study in seven European countries

This research examines how European citizens decide to disclose and protect their personal data and thereby reveals cultural and generational divides. Focus group discussions featured either young people, aged 15 to 24 years, or adults, between 25 and 70 years of age, and were conducted in seven EU member states. The results of a computer-aided text analysis with two complementary software packages suggest similarities and differences in participants’ views and privacy concerns (PC). Responsibility is relevant to personal data management, which represents a hotly contested issue. A geographical north–south divide appears for the importance of responsibility as opposed to trust. Moreover, people regard disclosure differently in the south (as a choice) and east (as forced) of Europe. Younger people express more positive attitudes toward data management, feel more responsible, and are more confident in their ability to prevent possible data misuse. Their lower PC and greater protective behaviours (i.e., a potential reversed privacy paradox) may help explain contradictory results in prior literature. These results offer significant and useful theoretical, managerial, and policy implications.     

Hydrate phase equilibria for hydrogen+water and hydrogen+tetrahydrofuran+water systems: Predictions of dissociation conditions using an artificial neural network algorithm

In this communication, a mathematical model based on feed-forward artificial neural network algorithm is presented, which can estimate hydrate dissociation conditions for the hydrogen+water and hydrogen+tetrahydrofuran+water systems. To develop this algorithm, the experimental data for the hydrate dissociation conditions of the latter two systems with different concentrations of tetrahydrofuran in aqueous phase below its stoichiometric concentration (i.e., ?0.059) have been used. Independent experimental data (not used in training and developing this algorithm) have been employed to examine the reliability of this method. It is shown the agreement between the predictions and the experimental data is acceptable demonstrating the reliability of this algorithm as a predictive tool.