Coal as a carbon source for carbon nanotube synthesis

This article reviews the recent advances on the various processes used in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from different types of coal (anthracite, bituminous, etc.) and on the role played by coal as carbon source in the production of CNTs. The molecular solid coal is inexpensive and widely available in comparison to the most widely used solid carbon precursor, graphite (a lattice solid) and high purity hydrocarbon gas sources. An account is given on the different processes involved in the synthesis of various CNTs (single and multi-walled, bamboo-shaped, branched, etc.) from different types of coal (anthracite, bituminous, etc.). Both arc-discharge and thermal plasma jet produce high quality CNTs but fundamental disadvantages limit their use as large-scale synthesis routes. Chemical vapour deposition appears to be promising but further experimental work is necessary in order to develop an understanding of the complex factors governing the formation of different carbon nanomaterials from coal. Successful utilization of CNTs in various applications is strongly dependent on the development of simple, efficient and inexpensive technology for mass production and coal as a carbon source has the potential to meet the needs.     

Characterization of polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions of solvent-refined coal by glass capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Separation and identification of the polynuclear aromatic and aliphatic fractions of solvent-refined coal and its recycle oil were performed using a combination of solvent partition and Chromatographic fractionation procedures with glass-capillary gas chromatography (g.c.)/mass spectrometry (m.s.). Chromatographic profiles were generated for each fraction, and some semiquantitative data were also obtained. In total, 146 polynuclear aromatic components of SRC were tentatively identified by their molecular weights, as indicated by the mass spectra of the g.c. peaks. In addition, whereever possible specific isomers have been indicated, based on comparison of spectral characteristics and retention data.     

Sexuality and the commission of physical violence to partners and non-partners by men and women.

In 2 studies of physical violence and sexuality among college students, more than 75% of men and more than 60% of women reported committing physical violence in the past year, including more women to partners and more men to non-partners. More than 90% of men who committed violence to partners were also violent to non-partners. In Study 1, among 193 men and 203 women, people who committed violence had higher scores on sexual depression and general depression than did people who were not violent. People violent to non-partners had more sexual preoccupation and more alcohol use problems than did other people. In Study 2, among 160 college men and 138 college women, people in 4 violence groups did not differ in total sexual fantasies or sexual functioning. The findings support the importance of differentiating between violence toward partners and toward non-partners among both men and women and suggest a role of depression in partner violence and antisocial features in violence toward non-partners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual fantasies, sexual functioning, and hysteria among women: A test of Freud's (1905) hypothesis.

In Three essays on the theory of sexuality, Freud (1986) wrote of a relationship between hysteria and sexuality and commented that hysteria was precipitated by the onset of a real sexual situation. Here, the scores on a measure of hysteria and sexual fantasies of student women who were (n=93) and were not (n=26) intercourse active were compared. Women who were intercourse active had higher scores on the PDQ4+ Histrionic scale (Hyler, 1994), p     

“Making it real”: exploring the potential of augmented reality for teaching primary school science

The use of augmented reality (AR) in formal education could prove a key component in future learning environments that are richly populated with a blend of hardware and software applications. However, relatively little is known about the potential of this technology to support teaching and learning with groups of young children in the classroom. Analysis of teacher–child dialogue in a comparative study between use of an AR virtual mirror interface and more traditional science teaching methods for 10-year-old children, revealed that the children using AR were less engaged than those using traditional resources. We suggest four design requirements that need to be considered if AR is to be successfully adopted into classroom practice. These requirements are: flexible content that teachers can adapt to the needs of their children, guided exploration so learning opportunities can be maximised, in a limited time, and attention to the needs of institutional and curricular requirements.     

Use of canonical variate analysis in the differentiation of swede cultivars by gas-liquid chromatography of volatile hydrolysis products

Swede cultivars can be differentiated by their volatile hydrolysis products obtained after maceration. Multivariate statistical techniques however, are required to interpret the data because of the interactions between volatiles. Canonical variate analysis allowed a chemical interpretation to be placed on the effects of storage and provided a basis for differentiating between cultivars. The relative chemical configuration of the cultivars is displayed graphically by plotting the cultivar means relative to the first two canonical variates.     

Predictors of 12-month outcome in bulimia nervosa and the influence of attitudes to shape and weight.

75 patients with bulimia nervosa were treated with 1 of 3 short-term psychological treatments and were then entered into a closed 1-yr period of follow-up. Pretreatment predictors of 3 measures of outcome were sought. Only 2 variables were significantly associated with outcome: attitudes toward shape and weight, and self-esteem. The nature of the relation between attitudinal disturbance and outcome was complex and unexpected. The data set was also used to test the major prediction of the cognitive view of bulimia nervosa, namely that among patients who have responded to treatment, the residual level of attitudinal disturbance will predict subsequent outcome. This prediction was confirmed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Loudness scaling and masking in rats.

Two groups of Sprague-Dawley-derived rats (N?=?16) were trained on operant discriminations in which the discriminanda were 2 sound pressure levels of a 4-kHz tone. The discriminanda were chosen so that the loudness difference between stimuli was equivalent for each group when calculated from a power function with an exponent of .35. Half of each group learned the discrimination in quiet, and the other half learned it in a background of white noise. Within the quiet and the noise conditions, the asymptotic discriminability of stimuli separated by equal loudness differences was equivalent, and discriminability was lower in noise. This is consistent with both the human literature on masked loudness and a model of psychophysical scaling (R. Pierrel-Sorrentino and T. G. Raslear; see record 1981-20539-001) in which animals judge perceived differences between stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enhancement of optical contrast on carbon/carbon fibre composites

Journal of Materials Science Letters -