Discrimination in the 21st century: Are science and the law aligned?

Although scholars agree that traditional forms of discrimination have generally been supplanted by subtler interpersonal manifestations of discrimination, it is yet unknown whether targets of these behaviors or the American judicial branch recognize such negative behaviors as violations of extant law. Extending research and theory, we propose that denigrating messages toward women and ethnic minorities (i.e., microaggressions) emerge in workplace interactions and are sometimes interpreted as discrimination. Specifically, this research explores the presence, severity, and frequency of microaggressions that appear in a random sample of race and gender discrimination cases in federal court dockets since the year 2000. The results suggest that microinsults, microinvalidations, and microassaults are reported in a variety of discrimination claims. However, only overt and intentional forms of microaggressions (microassaults) increased the likelihood that decisions favored plaintiffs. Thus, there may be a disconnect between forms of discrimination perceived by claimants and how those forms are evaluated by the legal system that protects victims of discrimination. This potential misalignment of science and practice is discussed, as are directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

XYZ-125稀油站系统管径优化可行性分析

采油厂为C5101A/B往复式压缩机提供润滑的XYZ-125型稀油站,按照传统设计方法计算与设计,管道通径选择过大,造成设备体积庞大,生产制造成本过高.针对此情况,对XYZ-125稀油站管道系统进行分析与计算,在传统设计的基础上,采用现代计算机模拟优化的方法,通过建立XYZ-125稀油站管道中压力峰值区域三维模型,导入ANSYS软件进行模拟分析后,得出稀油站工作时液流的流动状态参数,为系统优化可行性分析提供直接数据支持和理论依据.优化后的系统体积减小,降低了整个设备的生产制造成本.     

Copper accumulation in soils from two different‐aged apricot orchards in Central Otago,New Zealand

In recent years there has been a move in New Zealand to convert small, uneconomic orchards to other agricultural uses. Overseas research has demonstrated that copper from fungicide sprays often accumulates in the soils of orchards and can cause certain problems for plant growth and livestock. To date, no assessments appear to have been made of the degree of copper accumulation in such older orchards in New Zealand. This study presents the results of an assessment of two well‐established apricot orchards in the Central Otago region of South Island, New Zealand.

Two aspects of the results are surprising. The first is the relatively low levels of copper in the soil when compared with results from another orchard in the region. That orchard is 18 years old and mean soil copper has already reached 100.0 μg/g, indicating a much faster rate of accumulation than in the two orchards in the current study. The second unexpected result is that the younger orchard has a significantly higher level of copper than the older orchard. Reasons for these findings are discussed in relation to apparent differences in soil properties.     

Tow impregnation during resin transfer molding of bi-directional nonwoven fabrics

A model has been developed for analyzing resin impregnation of fiber tows during resin transfer molding of bi-directional nonwoven fiber performs. The model is based on the existence of two main regions of resin flow: the macropore space formed among fiber tows and the micropore space formed among individual fiber filaments within a tow. The large difference in permeability between these two regions of flow leads to the potential for void formation during resin transfer molding. The model was formulated for both constant flow rate and constant pressure mold filling. For ambient pressure mold filling, the model predicts a difference in the size of the voids and distribution between axial tows (oriented along the flow direction) and transverse tows (oriented in the transverse direction). When vacuum is imposed on the mold, the model predicts the same resin impregnation behavior for both axial and transverse tows. Furthermore, given sufficient time, voids generated under vacuum mold filling will eventually collapse because of the absence of an opposing internal void pressure. In addition to insights on void formation, the model also provides a basis for the study of the relationship between resin transfer molding parameters and the resin impregnation process.     

Crosslinking-property relationships in PMR polyimide composites. Part I

This study examines for the first time how matrix crosslinking affects the composite physical and mechanical properties of a graphite fiber reinforced PMR polyimide composite during long-term isothermal aging. Unidirectional composite specimens of Celion 6000/PMR-P1 were isothermally exposed at 288°C in air for various time periods up to 5000 h. The matrix crosslink densities were estimated from the kinetic theory of rubber elasticity and shifts in the glass transition temperatures (T_gs). The T_g, coefficient of thermal expansion, density, weight loss, moisture absorption, and elevated temperature flexural and interlaminar shear properties were also determined. Several linear relationships were found between the matrix crosslink density and composite physical and mechanical properties. The T_g, initial weight loss and density, and elevated temperature interlaminar shear strength increase with an increase in crosslink density. Conversely, the initial moisture absorption and coefficient of thermal expansion decrease with increasing crosslink density. As expected, the elevated temperature flexural strength and modulus show no direct correlations with crosslink density. Further, after achieving the highest matrix crosslink density, several of the composite properties begin to decrease rapidly. These findings suggest that time-temperature dependent nature of attaining the maximum matrix crosslinking is closely linked to the onset of the composite property degradation. Though much more work is needed, a fundamental understanding of the relationships between matrix crosslinking and composite physical and mechanical property can provide a scientific basis for the prediction of the extent of composite service life not only for PMR polyimides but also for other thermosetting matrix resins, such as epoxies and bismaleimides.