Book Review

Colloidal silver iodide prepared in several different ways has been examined by electron microscopy. It was found that the particles exhibited well-defined shapes and varied in size from 10-5,000 A according to the method of preparation. Electron microscope observations were supported by the examination of single particles using the microdiffraction technique; this revealed that such particles were normally single crystals. Under the electron optical conditions of the Siemens Elmiskop, two types of phenomenon were observed, namely, highly mobile changes of contrast within the particle and the formation of filaments. The filaments also showed changes of contrast during growth and after formation often exhibited a banded structure. The preparation of thin flat particles of silver iodide enabled some preliminary electron microscope observation of internal structure to be carried out directly. Possible mechanisms for the phenonema observed are discussed.     

Response efficacy: The key to minimizing rejection and maximizing acceptance of emotion-based anti-speeding messages

This study sought to improve understanding of the persuasive process of emotion-based appeals not only in relation to negative, fear-based appeals but also for appeals based upon positive emotions. In particular, the study investigated whether response efficacy, as a cognitive construct, mediated outcome measures of message effectiveness in terms of both acceptance and rejection of negative and positive emotion-based messages. Licensed drivers (N = 406) participated via the completion of an on-line survey. Within the survey, participants received either a negative (fear-based) appeal or one of the two possible positive appeals (pride or humor-based). Overall, the study's findings confirmed the importance of emotional and cognitive components of persuasive health messages and identified response efficacy as a key cognitive construct influencing the effectiveness of not only fear-based messages but also positive emotion-based messages. Interestingly, however, the results suggested that response efficacy's influence on message effectiveness may differ for positive and negative emotion-based appeals such that significant indirect (and mediational) effects were found with both acceptance and rejection of the positive appeals yet only with rejection of the fear-based appeal. As such, the study's findings provide an important extension to extant literature and may inform future advertising message design.     

Influence of organic liquids on the nanostructure of precipitated cellulose

Organic liquids have been used in pretreatments to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass, ultimately reducing the amount of enzyme required to digest the material to its constituent sugars. To understand the influence of these solvents on cellulose nanostructure, phosphoric acid was used to solubilize cellulose (PAS cellulose) followed by washing of the PAS cellulose with organic liquids previously demonstrated to aid pretreatment. PAS cellulose washed using methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol had gel‐like properties with disrupted nanostructures. PAS cellulose washed with acetone, 2‐propanol, and water yielded an opaque white precipitate. Small‐angle neutron scattering indicated the formation of loosely bundled rods of cellulose in the gel‐like material. Fourier transform infrared resonance of solvent‐washed, flash‐dried PAS cellulose suggested an increase in interchain hydrogen bonds in the gel‐like precipitates relative to the more obvious precipitates formed in other solvents. The optimal wash liquid was determined to be 40% by volume ethanol in water to induce a highly digestible, gel‐like material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Couple relationship education at home: Does skill training enhance relationship assessment and feedback?

To evaluate the effective components of couple relationship education, 59 newlywed couples were randomly assigned to one of two couple relationship programs (CRE): (1) RELATE, which involved receiving feedback on their relationship based on the on-line RELATE assessment; or (2) RELATE + Couple CARE, which was RELATE plus completing the 6 unit Couple CARE relationship skill training program. Relative to RELATE, RELATE + Couple CARE produced more improvement in couple communication, and high relationship satisfaction across the next 12 months in women. Men sustained high and similar relationship satisfaction in either condition. Skill training CRE has additional benefits for couples beyond assessment and feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Never talk to your client about architecture

This paper examines nineteenth century technology related to settler housing in New Zealand, and asks in particular what use British settlers had for cast iron prefabrication. Early accounts in diaries and letters focus upon the necessary adaptability of both settlers and their accommodation when different cultures met, and on the influence of fashions in materials and construction methods on form. Through various combinations - European and Maori construction, local materials, familiar form and ingenious additions - a New Zealand domestic vernacular began.     

The irrelevant sound effect: Does speech play a special role?

Memory for order is markedly impaired by the presence of irrelevant sound, even though participants are instructed to ignore the sound. Although a great deal of research has disclosed some features of the task and of the sound that augment or reduce the degree of interference, one important issue of the irrelevant sound effect not yet resolved is whether speech has a special status. This study revealed, within a design of adequate power, that the same physical stimulus (sine wave speech), whether perceived as speech or as nonspeech sound, produces similar degrees of disruption and is less disruptive of serial recall than natural speech. This outcome suggests that the acoustic constituents of sound rather than its source are most influential in determining the impact of irrelevant material. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acid-activated organoclays: preparation, characterisation and catalytic activity of polycation-treated bentonites

Samples of SWy-2 and SAz-1 loaded with increasing amounts of the polycation magnafloc 206, [(Me₂NCH₂CHOHCH₂)_n]ⁿ⁺Cl_n, were acid-treated using 6 M HCl at 95°C for 30, 90 and 180 min. The activity of these acid-activated polycation-exchanged clays for the conversion of α-pinene to camphene and limonene was determined and compared with that from clay samples (without polycation) acid-treated in the same manner. Acid treatment of polycation-exchanged bentonites produced hybrid catalysts which enhanced the activity of the clays for the isomerisation of α-pinene to camphene and limonene. The presence of the polycation had a more marked influence on the activity of samples derived from SAz-1 increasing the yield from 25% for acid-activated SAz-1 with no added polycation to 50% camphene for acid-activated polycation-exchanged SAz-1. The increase in yield for corresponding samples derived from SWy-2 was only from 42 to 52%. This enhancement in yield for samples derived from SAz-1 was attributed to the increased hydrophobicity of the polycation loaded clay whilst the comparable yields for SWy-2 in the absence and presence of polycation may suggest that SWy-2 disperses well in the non-polar α-pinene. The total yields (based on α-pinene) for the most active catalysts was between 80 and 90%. These yields are directly comparable with those obtained by others using zeolites and pillared clays although the acid-activated polycation-treated clays were marginally less selective towards camphene.