Perception of the color red enhances the force and velocity of motor output.

The present research examined whether perception of the color red influences basic motor functioning. Prior research on color and motor functioning has been guided by ill-defined theoretical statements, and has been plagued by methodological problems. Drawing on theoretical and empirical work on the threat-behavior link in human and nonhuman animals, we proposed and tested the prediction that perceiving red enhances the force and velocity of motor output. Experiment 1 demonstrated that red, relative to gray (matched to red on lightness), facilitates pinchgrip force. Experiment 2 demonstrated that red, relative to gray (matched to red on lightness) and blue (matched to red on lightness and chroma) facilitates handgrip force and the velocity of that force. These findings clearly establish a link between red and basic motor action, illustrate the importance of rigorous experimental methods when testing color effects, and highlight the need to attend to the functional, as well as aesthetic, value of color. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Composite bonded systems for renovations of orthotropic steel bridge decks

The renovation solution for orthotropic steel bridge decks studied consists of bonding a second steel plate to the existing steel deck in order to reduce the stresses and increase the lifespan of the orthotropic bridge deck. A parametric study was carried out on the flexural behaviour of beams representing the renovation solution using experimental and analytical studies. The influence of different thicknesses, temperatures and spans was tested. The results obtained for the stress reduction factor show that it is independent of temperature. More efficient solutions can be achieved when minimizing the second steel plate thickness and maximizing the adhesive layer thickness reducing the weight and increasing the stiffness of the composite structure. Both elastic behaviour and yield load of the composite beams are dominated by the steel plate properties and therefore not affected significantly by temperature. However, the ultimate failure of the beams occurs by shear of the adhesive layer, the properties of which are affected by temperature.     

水混合有机介质中木薯淀粉的羧甲基化研究

研究了水和水溶性有机物的混合物为反应介质时木薯淀粉的羧甲基化过程,探讨了影响木薯淀粉羧甲基化过程的各种因素.木薯淀粉羧甲基化反应的最佳条件为:水/异丙醇混合溶液为反应介质,水分质量分数为10%,反应温度50~55℃,淀粉质量分数为4%~8%.在这些条件下,如理论取代度DSt为2.5,木薯淀粉羧甲基化产物的取代度DS可达1.4.     

Performance gaps in energy consumption: household groups and building characteristics

ABSTRACT

The difference between actual and calculated energy is called the ‘energy-performance gap’. Possible explanations for this gap are construction mistakes, improper adjusting of equipment, excessive simplification in simulation models and occupant behaviour. Many researchers and governmental institutions think the occupant is the main cause of this gap. However, only limited evidence exists for this. Therefore, an analysis is presented of actual and theoretical energy consumption based on specific household types and building characteristics. Using a large dataset (1.4 million social housing households), the average actual and theoretical energy consumptions (gas and electricity) of different household types and characteristics (income level, type of income, number of occupants and their age) were compared for each energy label. Additionally, the 10% highest and lowest energy-consuming groups were analysed. The use of combinations of occupant characteristics instead of individual occupant characteristics provides new insights into the influence of the occupant on energy demand. For example, in contrast to previous studies, low-income households consume more gas per m² (space heating and hot water) than households with a high income for all types of housing. Furthermore, the performance gap is caused not only by the occupant but also by the assumed building characteristics.     

Thermal tolerance of the invasive oyster Crassostrea gigas: feasibility of heat treatment as an antifouling option

Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas are traditionally considered shellfish of great fishery and aquaculture value. For these reasons they are introduced worldwide. Recently there has been increasing reports about the prevalence of C. gigas as biofouling organism in cooling water systems. In the absence of relevant data on the susceptibility of oysters to commonly employed antifouling techniques such as heat treatment, it was presumed that oysters would be controlled by treatment programmes directed against other major fouling organisms. The present study was carried out to test the above hypothesis, and results showed that C. gigas has an upper temperature tolerance that is much higher than other major marine fouling animals including blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Apparently, temperature regimes presently used in heat treatment of cooling water systems fouled by mussels need to be increased, if C. gigas are to be controlled effectively. Our results also indicate that previous exposure of C. gigas to sublethal high temperatures could make them more resistant to subsequent thermal treatment, an aspect that should be taken into account when heat treatment is used as a fouling control option against oyster fouling.     

承前启后发展荷兰整体性长期规划——专访荷兰住房、空间规划与环境部国土规划司司长汉克·欧文科

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正交异性钢桥面板改造的组合粘结系统

<正>交异性钢桥面板改造的问题在于既有钢板与第二个钢板的粘结,以降低应力和增加正交异性钢板的使用寿命。通过试验和分析,对梁的弯曲性能进行参数研究。试验考虑不同厚度、温度和跨度的影响。从试验结果可见,应力降低与温度无关。最小化第二块钢板的厚度及最大化粘结层厚度,可降低重量,增加组合结构的刚度,这是最有效的解决方法。组合梁的弹性性能和屈服荷载取决于钢板的性能,温度的影响不显著。然而,粘结层的受剪最终导致梁的破坏,而粘结层的性能受温度的影响较大。