Microstructural evolution of a silicon carbide-carbon coated nanostructured ferritic alloy composite during in-situ Kr ion irradiation at 300℃ 450℃

This work focuses on irradiation behaviors of a novel silicon carbide and carbon coated nanostructured ferritic alloy (SiC-C@NFA) composite for potential applications as a cladding and structural material for next generation nuclear reactors.The SiC-C@NFA samples were irradiated with 1 MeV Kr ions up to 10 dpa at 300 and 450 ℃.Microstructures and defect evolution were studied in-situ at the IVEM-Tandem facility at Argonne National Laboratory.The effects of ion irradiation on various phases such as α-ferrite matrix,(Fe,Cr)7C3,and (Ti,W)C precipitates were evaluated.The α-ferrite matrix showed a continuous increase in dislocation density along with spatial ordering of dislocation loops (or loop strings) at ＞5 dpa.The size of the dislocation loops at 450 ℃ was larger than that at 300 ℃.The nucleation and growth of new (Ti,W)C precipitates in α-ferrite grains were enhanced with the ion dose at 450 ℃.This study provides new insight into the irradiation resistance of the SiC-C@NFA system.     

Age differences and patterns of sex-role conflict among alcoholics.

Examined sex-role conflict in 17 hospitalized alcoholic males and 17 hospitalized alcoholic females. The 14 younger Ss were 18–30 yrs old, and the 20 older Ss were 35–61 yrs old; Ss were administered the Personal Attributes Questionnaire. Results indicate that all Ss wanted to be higher on masculinity and that older females saw themselves as significantly lower than average on masculinity. Older Ss tended to be higher on femininity than younger Ss. Findings are discussed in terms of the changing aspects of sex-role socialization. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanical properties of human saphenous veins from normotensive and hypertensive patients

The three-dimensional structure of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the putative transmembrane segment M3 (amino acid residues 277-301) of the alpha subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica has been studied by means of two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy in a chloroform/methanol (1:1) mixture containing 0.1 M LiClO4. Complete resonance assignment has been performed using double-quantum-filtered COSY (DQF-COSY), TOCSY and NOESY spectra. The spatial structure has been calculated using the Diana program on the basis of integrated intensities of NOESY spectra. HN-C(alpha)H and HC(alpha)-C(beta)H spin-spin coupling constants. Residues 279-297 of M3 form a right-handed helix (root mean square deviation is 0.032 nm for backbone atoms and 0.088 nm for all heavy atoms). The conformations of the 17 side chains have been unambiguously determined. The obtained structure is in accord with the photolabeling pattern of the membrane nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) which suggests alpha-helical structure of M3 in the labeled portion [Blanton, M. P. & Cohen, J. B. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 2859-2872].     

Testicular tumors: clinically relevant histological findings

Testicular germ cell neoplasms affect young men in the prime of life. Although the overwhelming majority are malignant, they are curable. In addition to the stage of the disease and the presence of serum markers, there are important pathological changes that have clinical significance. These include (1) the cell type, (2) the amount of the component, and (3) the presence or absence of vascular invasion. Pure embryonal carcinoma or embryonal carcinoma in excess of 80% in a mixed tumor and vascular/lymphatic invasion are high-risk factors as they are predictors of relapse. These factors should be recognized by the pathologist and should be taken into account by the oncologist when selecting the management of a patient with a germ cell tumor of the testis.     

Microgenetic analysis of first steps in children's acquisition of expertise on shorebirds.

A microgenetic analysis of the earliest steps in acquiring beginning levels of expertise on shorebirds was conducted. In Exp 1, 16 5-yr-old girls were given information about the names and attributes of 14 shorebirds during 4 sessions. Knowledge of names and attributes increased over time, and production of attributes surpassed production of names. Discrepancies between results from direct and indirect tests of attribute knowledge suggested a transitional period in the early development of expertise. Exp 2 involved a case analysis of a 4-yr-old boy who was an expert on other kinds of birds. Both experiments revealed the importance of individual characteristics to rate of expertise acquisition: children with higher levels of general intelligence and greater levels of domain-related knowledge acquire expertise faster. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Care and feeding of the usability laboratory at Symantec Corporation: a survival guide

This paper discusses the process of planning, building, and managing the usability laboratory at Symantec Corporation. It describes how an effective lab can be built for about $55,000 in equipment and furniture costs, and discusses issues and trade-offs surrounding the key components: room layout, environmental considerations, cabling, one-way mirrors, furniture, video and audio equipment, and data loggers. In addition, one working solution to the subsequent management of a lab with limited staffing and tight product schedules is described.     

Effects of interactive imagery on learning: Application to advertising.

Studied the effect of type of picture accompanying word paired associates on recall. 48 brand and product pairs with their accompanying pictures were drawn from the Yellow Pages of a local telephone directory. 72 undergraduates were placed into a 4-group design consisting of 2 control and 2 experimental groups. The 2 experimental groups were shown either interactive or noninteractive pictures with each word pair. The 2 control groups were shown only the word pairs. The group receiving the interactive imagery remembered more brand names than the noninteractive imagery group (p?     

The effects of irradiation on quality of injected fresh pork loins

A comparison of irradiation effects on injected and uninjected fresh pork loin quality was conducted. Sixty pork loins from pigs of similar genetics were obtained from a pork harvesting facility immediately prior to processing. Thirty loins were injected with a brine composed of 2.17% salt/3.04% phosphate/20.8% lactate brine while thirty were not injected. Injected loins were pumped to 13% added weight. Ten loins of each group of thirty were not irradiated while an additional 10 loins were irradiated at 2.2 kGy and the final ten loins were irradiated at 4.4 kGy. Lipid oxidation, color, purge, volatiles, and tenderness were measured on sections of the treated loins after 0, 7, 21, and 35 days of refrigerated storage. Lipid oxidation was minimal for the 0 and the 2.2 kGy-treated loins, but was significantly greater (P<0.05) at day 35 for the loins treated with 4.4 kGy. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force measurements were significantly lower (P<0.05) for the injected loins, but irradiation did not have an effect on shear force. Purge was significantly lower for the uninjected loins irradiated at 2.2 kGy than for those irradiated at 0 and 4.4 kGy. The injection treatment did not alter the effects of irradiation on the quality characteristics measured.     

Evaluation and optimisation of five different extraction methods for soy DNA in chocolate and biscuits. Extraction of DNA as a first step in GMO analysis

A method is described to discriminate between genetically modified (GM) and non‐modified foodstuffs by detecting the presence of newly introduced genes at the protein or DNA level. Currently available methods operate almost exclusively at the DNA level and are based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The first and most crucial step in this process is the isolation of DNA. In this study, five different methods for the isolation of DNA from chocolate and biscuits were evaluated, using four commercially available extraction kits and a non‐commercial method for amplification of the soybean‐specific lectin gene. The latter method involves the use of hot‐start Taq polymerase, to prevent the formation of non‐specific amplification products, and an increase in the number of cycles from 35 to 41. The performance of the non‐commercial cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)‐based method was the best, taking into consideration the adaptations of the extraction procedure, although this method was more time‐consuming than the others. Chocolate (white, milk and dark) and several biscuits generated positive amplification results using this PCR approach. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Co-existence and traceability of GM and non-GM products in the feed chain

According to the European Regulations (EC) 1829/2003 and 1830/2003, products which are, consist of or contain GMOs should be labelled and traceable in each stage of production, processing and distribution. Only in cases where the GMO level is below 0.9% and this presence is due to accidental contamination or is technically unavoidable, no labelling is required. As it is very unclear how feed manufacturers have implemented these new regulations, a Belgian survey was held to evaluate the current situation at importer and feed production level. Several bottlenecks were encountered, at the level of acquisition of raw materials and at production level, such as carry over of GM with non-GM soy in the production lines. Next to this, some weaknesses in the analysis of GMOs were also revealed.