Recognition memory for novel stimuli: The structural regularity hypothesis.

Early studies of human memory suggest that adherence to a known structural regularity (e.g., orthographic regularity) benefits memory for an otherwise novel stimulus (e.g., G. A. Miller, 1958). However, a more recent study suggests that structural regularity can lead to an increase in false-positive responses on recognition memory tests (B. W. A. Whittlesea & L. D. Williams, 1998). In the present study the authors attempted to identify the circumstances under which structural regularity benefits old-new discrimination and those under which it leads to an increase in false-positive responses. The highly generalizable tendency shown here is for structural regularity to benefit old-new discrimination. The increase in false-positive responses for structurally regular novel items may be limited to situations in which regularity is confounded with similarity to studied items. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Permanent circulatory support systems at the Pennsylvania StateUniversity

Permanent circulatory support systems are required for patients in whom myocardial damage is irreversible and cardiac transplantation is not possible. Two systems are described which provide long term circulatory support: the left ventricular assist system and the total artificial heart. These systems are based on the design of a pusher plate actuated blood pump, driven by a small brushless dc electric motor and rollerscrew driver. An implantable motor controller maintains suitable physiologic flow rates for both systems and controls left-right balance in the total artificial heart. Other parts of the system include an intra-thoracic compliance chamber, transcutaneous energy and data transmission system, and internal and external batteries.     

Coping dimensions, life stress, and adolescent substance use: A latent growth analysis.

The relation of seven coping dimensions to substance (tobacco, alcohol, marijuana) use was tested with a sample of 1,668 participants assessed at mean age 12.5 years and two yearly follow-ups. An associative latent-growth model showed one index of engagement (behavioral coping) to be inversely related to initial level of adolescent use and growth over time in peer use. Three indices of disengagement (anger coping, helpless coping, and hangout coping) were positively related to initial levels of peer use and adolescent use and to growth in adolescent use. Moderation tests indicated that effects of coping were significantly greater at higher level of stress; behavioral coping buffered the effects of disengagement. Effects of life stress were greater for girls than boys. Results are discussed with reference to mechanisms of coping-substance use relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A simplified surgical approach to the incomplete form of testicular feminization

A simplified surgical approach to the intersex child with the incomplete form of testicular feminization is presented. The procedure is particularly useful in patients where the gonadal tissue is located in the scrotolabial folds and eliminates the necessity for exploratory laparotomy. Representative drawings of the procedure are shown.     

Separation performance of double deck banana screens – Part 1: Flow and separation for different accelerations

Banana screens are often used for high capacity separation of iron ore, coal and aggregates into different size fractions. They consist of one or more curved decks that are fitted with screen panels with arrays of square or rectangular holes. The screen structure is vibrated at high frequency to generate peak accelerations of around 4–6g which separates particles flowing over each screen according to their size. Screens are often used to close comminution circuits and return specific size fractions of rock to different destinations such as pebble mills, crushers and back into the mills. All multi-deck screens are difficult to sample for intermediate products which makes measurement and optimization very difficult. Banana screens are even more difficult because the screen cut size varies with the varying slope of the decks. In this paper, the discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate a full industrial scale double deck banana screen for a range of accelerations. The nature of the particle flow through this complex machine is explored for a range of peak accelerations. Critical aspects of the flow are linked to the separation performance.     

Separation performance of double deck banana screens – Part 2: Quantitative predictions

Banana screens are often used for high capacity separation of iron ore, coal and aggregates into different size fractions. They consist of one or more curved decks that are fitted with screen panels with arrays of square or rectangular holes. The screen structure is vibrated while a dense stream of particles flows over it and is separated according to size. The material discharging from the top of the deck is the oversize and may become a coarse product or be crushed and recycled to the screen feed. The material falling through the deck can be further separated by additional decks below. Each lower deck returns a product stream and the material passing out through the bottom deck is the undersize. In this paper, Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to explore the separation performance of a full industrial scale double deck banana screen for a peak acceleration of 5g. The separation efficiency of each deck is analysed and the individual contributions of each screen panel are assessed using outputs from the model. Residence time distributions for particles on each deck provide insight into both the transport characteristics along the deck and the separation performance through each deck. The top and bottom decks have very different flow behaviour with very different bed structure and motion. The stresses applied by the flowing particles to the screen cloths and the impact and abrasive wear on the screen surfaces are evaluated. Finally, the energy absorbed by particles provides insight into the extent of particle degradation produced by transiting the screen.     

An Autonomous Microfluidic Sensor for Phosphate: On-Site Analysis of Treated Wastewater

A microfluidic sensor for long-term monitoring of phosphate levels has been developed that incorporates sampling, reagent and waste storage, detection, and wireless communication into a compact and portable device. The sensor is based on the yellow method for phosphate determination, a simple colorimetric technique involving the formation of vanadomolybdophosphoric acid when a phosphate-containing sample is mixed with an acidic reagent containing ammonium molybdate and ammonium meta-vanadate. This paper describes the application of the phosphate sensor to the on-site analysis of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant. The data was validated by comparison with the plant's existing online monitor, and a good correlation between the two sets of data was achieved, showing that the phosphate sensor is capable of operating satisfactorily at low mg L^-1 levels over extended periods of time.