Extending the Similarity‐Attraction Effect: The Effects of When‐Similarity in Computer‐Mediated Communication

The feeling of connectedness experienced in computer‐mediated relationships can be explained by the similarity‐attraction effect (SAE). Though SAE is well established in psychology, the effects of some types of similarity have not yet been explored. In 2 studies, we demonstrate similarity‐attraction based on the timing of activities—“when‐similarity.” We describe a novel experimental paradigm for manifesting when‐similarity while controlling for the activities being performed (what‐similarity). Study 1 (N = 24) shows when‐similarity attraction in the evaluation of connectedness with others. Study 2 (N = 42) identifies an interaction between who‐similarity—similarity in personal backgrounds—and when‐similarity. Both studies show that real‐time computer‐mediated interaction can lead to greater feelings of connectedness between people when there is an opportunity to discover when‐similarity.     

Evaluation of Porous Structure of Cement Pastes Made with Residual Rice Husk Ash

In several countries, the residual RHA （rice husk ash） has been produced in rice processing industries or in thermoelectric plants that use rice husk to generate heat and/or electrical energy, usually without burning process control. This causes a reduction in the amorphous silica content of residual RHA, which distinguishes them from the RHA produced according to controlled burning process, which is totally amorphous and considered a highly reactive pozzolan. In this paper, the hydration products and the porous structure of binders paste were studied by replacing, in weight of 5%, 10% and 20% of Portland cement OPC （ordinary Portland cement）, by residual RHAs named A and B, which have high and low content of amorphous silica, respectively, using microstructure evaluation techniques as XRD （X-ray diffraction）, TG （thermogravimetric） tests and MIP （mercury intrusion porosimetry）. A reducing the size of the pores of the pastes was observed according to the increase of content replacement of RHA A and RHA B.     

On building a medical diagnostic system of acute exanthemas

Abstract

In this paper, we present a multi‐purpose medical diagnostic system named AEA — the Acute Exanthem Advisor, and the methodologies of its implementation. AEA provides an accurate diagnosis of acute exanthemas and a complete environment including a user‐friendly interface, reviewing function, record keeping function and explanation function. Therefore, it may serve as an assistant, a record keeper or an educational tool. A prediction program is also provided which is capable of predicting the number of potential patients who are going to have acute exanthemas in the near future. To illustrate the processes of the consultation and the prediction of the AEA, an example is given. Finally, for the 25 different test cases given to the diagnosticians and the AEA, the answers are almost the same, so we can conclude that the performance of the AEA is satisfactory. Now, we are trying to extend the AEA system to be a medical diagnostic net for acute exanthemas, which will be able to be remote accessed through network communications.     

How Modifying Third‐Party Information Affects Interpersonal Impressions and the Evaluation of Collaborative Online Media

Previous research has drawn upon warranting theory to help explain how viewers evaluate people and entities online. Extending previous research, this study assesses how the ability of a target to modify third‐party information affects perceptions of warranting value, and in turn, interpersonal impressions and the perceived legitimacy of online media that host evaluations. Additionally, this work explores how the perceived objectivity of a third‐party evaluator affects impressions in online settings. The results provide support for warranting theory and help clarify how impressions are formed in online environments when people have the ability to generate and modify content collectively. The theoretical implications this study has for warranting theory and future research directions are discussed.     

Polypropylene composites obtained from self‐reinforced hybrid fiber system

The purpose of the study was to obtain a composite material with the self‐reinforced structure, which processing provide increased mechanical properties. The composites used in presented work were prepared from the two types of fiber mixtures, both were based on polypropylene fibers, the difference was in used cellulose or wood flour filler. Composites were prepared using the hot compaction method. The presented research describes the effect of the composite composition and processing conditions. The results include the static tension measurements, tensile impact tests and thermal analysis, including: DSC and DMTA. The structure has been studies using the SEM observations. Results of presented studies confirm the self‐reinforcing effect in obtained hybrid composites. It provides in the comparison to the standard wood polymer composites to the higher level of material reinforcement with lower amount of natural filler. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43283.     

Conversion of Nuclear Waste to Molten Glass: Cold‐Cap Reactions in Crucible Tests

The feed‐to‐glass conversion, which comprises complex chemical reactions and phase transitions, occurs in the cold cap during nuclear waste vitrification. To investigate the conversion process, we analyzed heat‐treated samples of a simulated high‐level waste feed using X‐ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, leaching tests, and residual anion analysis. Feed dehydration, gas evolution, and borate phase formation occurred at temperatures below 700°C before the emerging glass‐forming melt was completely connected. Above 700°C, intermediate aluminosilicate phases and quartz particles gradually dissolved in the continuous borosilicate melt, which expanded with transient foam. Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of feed‐to‐glass conversion will help us control the conversion path by changing the melter feed makeup to maximize the glass production rate.     

Effect of carbon nanotube dispersion on the complex permittivity and absorption of nanocomposites in 2–18 GHz ranges

The effect of dispersion processes on complex permittivity and microwave absorption in 2?18 GHz ranges is presented for nanocomposites loaded with different amounts of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) ranging from 1 to 5 wt %. The ultrasonic sonication (US) method and the three‐roll mill (TRM) method were performed for the manufacturing of the CNT/epoxy absorbers with different dispersing levels. Microscopic observations revealed that the CNT agglomerates were reduced after the TRM process, and individual CNTs were uniformly dispersed in the epoxy resin. For the same weight content of CNT fillers, the percentage increase of between US and TRM samples varies from 35.5% to 101.7% while the corresponding increment of (dielectric loss) varies from 79.6% to 248.8%. A minimum reflection loss for the US sample with 2 wt % CNTs is only ?7.8 dB at 11.3 GHz while the corresponding TRM sample is greatly improved to reach ?37.4 dB at 7.76 GHz for the same matching thickness of 3 mm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40963.