The role of stimulus comparison in human perceptual learning: Effects of distractor placement.

Within-subjects procedures were used to assess the influence of stimulus comparison on perceptual learning in humans. In Experiment 1, participants received intermixed (A, A′, A, A′,…) or blocked (B, B,…, B′, B′,…) exposure to pairs of similar female faces. In a subsequent same/different discrimination task, participants were more accurate when the test involved A and A′ than when it involved B and B′ (or novel faces: C and C′). This perceptual learning effect was reduced by placing a visual distractor (*: either another face or a checkerboard) between successive presentations of the faces during the exposure stage (e.g., A – * – A′). The attenuation of the intermixed versus blocked difference was particularly marked when faces were used as the distractor. In Experiment 2, this reduction in perceptual learning was more marked when * was positioned between the pairs of intermixed faces (i.e., A – * – A′) than when it preceded and succeeded those faces (i.e., * – A – A′ – *). These results provide the first direct evidence that the opportunity to compare stimuli plays a causal role in supporting perceptual learning. They also support the specific view that perceptual learning reflects an interaction between a short-term habituation process, that ordinarily biases processing away from the frequently presented common elements and toward their less frequently presented unique elements, and a long-term representational process that reflects this bias. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

An extended graphical targeting technique for direct reuse/recycle in concentration and property-based resource conservation networks

Minimum flowrate targeting methods for resource conservation networks (RCNs) have been developed over the last decades. The existing methodologies still have certain drawbacks. Their design insights could be deepened and some steps should be more convenient for the users. A targeting tool called the material surplus composite curve (MSCC), which is an improvement of the surplus diagram for water and hydrogen networks is introduced. The approach is illustrated on several cases selected from the literature. Using this technique, it is possible to determine rigorous flowrate targets for different variants of the RCN problem.     

Plasmonic propagations distances for interferometric surface plasmon resonance biosensing

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) scheme is proposed in which the local phase modulations of the coupled plasmons can interfere and yield phase-sensitive intensity modulations in the measured signal. The result is an increased traceability of the SPR shifts for biosensing applications. The main system limitation is the propagation distance of the coupled plasmon modes. This aspect is therefore studied for thin film microstructures operating in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions. The surface roughness of the substrate layer is examined for different dielectrics and deposition methods. The Au layer, on which the plasmonic modes are propagating and the biosensing occurs, is also examined. The surface roughness and dielectric values for various deposition rates of very thin Au films are measured. We also investigate an interferometric SPR setup where, due to the power flux transfer between plasmon modes, the specific choice of grating coupler can either decrease or increase the plasmon propagation length.     

The effects of concentration-dependent morphology of self-assembling RADA16 nanoscaffolds on mixed retinal cultures

RADA16 self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds (SAPNSs) have been shown to have positive effects on neural regeneration following injury to the central nervous system in vivo, but mechanisms are unclear. Here we show that RADA16 SAPNSs form scaffolds of increasing fiber density with increasing peptide concentration which in turn has a concentration-dependent effect on neurons and astrocytes in mixed retinal cultures. Importantly, we report that the final nanoscale fiber architecture is an important factor to consider in designing scaffolds to promote regeneration in the central nervous system.     

Planning of carbon capture and storage with pinch analysis techniques

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a means for reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in power generation and industrial processes. It involves the capture of CO₂ for subsequent storage in various geological formations. The selection and matching of the power plants and storage sites are often an issue of optimisation due to various constraints, i.e., time of availability, injection rate, and storage capacity limits. In this work, a novel graphical targeting tool based on pinch analysis is proposed to address the planning problem of the storage of captured CO₂ from power generating plants into corresponding reservoirs. The main consideration for the problem is the time of availability of the latter, since reservoirs need to be developed prior to CO₂ storage. The time limitation is addressed by the graphical technique where time is taken as the governing element in solving the problem. Hypothetical examples are used to elucidate the proposed approach.     

REFORMING OF N-OCTANE ON A Pt/Al2O3 CATALYST. II. KINETIC ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN DEPENDENCE.

ABSTRACT

The conversion of n-octane on Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst was found to pass through pronounced maxima with the variation of the partial pressure of hydrogen at temperatures between 420°C-460°C, P_N = 7·63 × 10^-3 atm and W/F = 0·11lg min cm_-3. The products of reaction were hydrocracked products, octane, ethylbenzene, o-.p-,m,-xylene and toluene. The order of appearance of the optimum PH for the various reactions were: Isooctane>Dehydrocyclized products>Hydrocracked products.

A sequence of elementary steps earlier postulated was found to predict the maximum in the n-octane P_H profiles for the three temperatures investigated. The rate determining steps for the two rate equations that were found suitable were conversion of adsorbed isooctane to adsorbed o-xylene and ethylbenzene.     

Effect of processing variables and bulk composition on the surface composition of spray dried powders of a model food system

The surface compositions of food powders created from spray drying solutions containing various ratios of sodium caseinate, maltodextrin and soya oil have been analysed by Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis. The results show significant enrichment of oil at the surface of particles compared to the bulk phase and, when the non-oil components only are considered, a significant surface enrichment of sodium caseinate also. The degree of surface enrichment of both oil and sodium caseinate was found to increase with decreasing bulk levels of the respective components. Surface enrichment of oil was also affected by processing conditions (emulsion drop size and drying temperature), but surface enrichment of sodium caseinate was relatively insensitive to these. The presence of “pock marks” on the particle surfaces strongly suggests that the surface oil was caused by rupturing of emulsion droplets at the surface as the surrounding matrix contracts and hardens.     

Agreeableness and alcohol-related aggression: The mediating effect of trait aggressivity.

This study investigated the mediating effect of trait aggressivity on the relation between agreeableness and alcohol-related aggression in a laboratory setting. Participants were 116 healthy male social drinkers between 21 and 30 years of age. Agreeableness and trait aggressivity were measured using the Big Five Inventory and the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, respectively. Following the consumption of an alcohol or no-alcohol control beverage, participants completed a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm, in which electric shocks were received from and administered to a fictitious opponent during a competitive task. Aggression was operationalized as the proportion of the most extreme shocks delivered to the fictitious opponent under conditions of low and high provocation. Results indicated that lower levels of agreeableness were associated with higher levels of trait aggressivity. In turn, higher levels of trait aggressivity predicted extreme aggression in intoxicated, but not sober, participants under low, but not high, provocation. Findings highlight the importance of examining determinants of intoxicated aggression within a broader theoretical framework of personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fabrication of Long Lengths of Epitaxial Buffer Layers on Biaxially Textured Nickel Substrates Using a Continuous Reel-to-Reel Dip-Coating Unit

A low-cost, nonvacuum, solution precursor route has been developed to produce epitaxial oxide buffer layers of Eu₂O₃ or La₂Zr₂O₇ on biaxially textured Ni (100) tapes. A reel-to-reel continuous dip-coating unit consisting of a constant-tension tape transport system attached to a controlled atmosphere furnace was fabricated. Nickel tapes were pulled through a 2-methoxyethanol solution of europium methoxyethoxide/acetate or lanthanum zirconium methoxyethoxide. The double-sided dip-coated tapes were then annealed in a preheated furnace at 1000°–1100°C with a high flow rate of Ar/H₂ (4%) gas. The dip-coated buffers were dense, continuous, crack-free, and epitaxial with a single cube texture. A critical current ( J _c) of >1 MA/cm² at 77 K and self-field was obtained for YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) films with a layer sequence of YBCO ( ex situ BaF₂ process)/CeO₂ (sputtered)/YSZ (sputtered)/Eu₂O₃ (dip-coated)/nickel. We have produced 1–2 m lengths of epitaxial buffer layers on textured nickel substrates using a nonvacuum process for the first time.     

Sarcasm in Written Communication: Emoticons are Efficient Markers of Intention

We present 2 studies that investigate the use of emoticons in clarifying message intent. We examine sarcasm in particular, which can be especially hard to interpret correctly in written communication. In both studies, participants were required to make the intentions of their messages clear. In the first, they clarified the meaning of existing sentences without altering the wording; in the second, they produced their own sentences. Results provided clear evidence that tongue and wink emoticons are the principal indicators of sarcastic intent, and that ellipsis is associated more with criticism, rather than with sarcasm. These findings highlight the significant role emoticons play in clarifying message intention, compensating for the absence of nonverbal cues in written communication.