Grain growth kinetics in Dy-doped Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics

Dysprosium-doped bismuth sodium titanate ceramics were prepared using the conventional mixed-oxide method. The amount of dysprosium used was varied from 0 to 2 at.%. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 °C and checked for phase purity using X-ray diffraction technique. The calcined powders were then cold-pressed into pellets and sintered at 1050 °C for the time ranging from 2 to 48 h. The ceramics were checked for phases and microstructures using an X-ray diffractometer and a scanning electron microscope, respectively. The analysis showed that undoped BNT ceramics sintered at longer time exhibited a significant grain growth with non-uniform grain size distribution and shape. The Dy-doped BNT however showed a much more limited grain growth behavior, resulting in smaller grain size and more equiaxed grain shape. It was also found that all Dy-doped BNT ceramics sintered at 48 h possessed lower porosity than those sintered for shorter time.     

Ni catalyst promotion of a Cis-selective Pd catalyst for canola oil hydrogenation

A Ni catalyst was added to a cis-selective Pd catalyst in an attempt to further improve the Pd catalyst's cis-selectivity and activity for canola oil hydrogenation. The system was tested under reaction conditions known to be suitable for cis-selective hydrogenation with the Pd catalyst (50 ppm Pd, 70 °C, and 5.2 MPa). Although inactive on its own under these conditions, the addition of 100 ppm Ni increased the hydrogenation activity (from 2.12 to 2.49 10⁻² min⁻¹). Further addition of Ni up to 1000 ppm resulted in no further improvements in activity. The trans isomer contents of the oils hydrogenated with Pd and the Pd/Ni systems were similar. The level of conjugated dienes decreased rapidly during hydrogenation with both Pd alone and with the Pd/Ni combination and no changes in conjugation were detected in the presence of the Ni catalyst alone. The increased activity of the Pd/Ni system over Pd alone was attributed to adsorption of catalyst poisons from the oil by Ni.     

The social consequences of expressive suppression.

At times, people keep their emotions from showing during social interactions. The authors' analysis suggests that such expressive suppression should disrupt communication and increase stress levels. To test this hypothesis, the authors conducted 2 studies in which unacquainted pairs of women discussed an upsetting topic. In Study 1, one member of each pair was randomly assigned to (a) suppress her emotional behavior, (b) respond naturally, or (c) cognitively reappraise in a way that reduced emotional responding. Suppression alone disrupted communication and magnified blood pressure responses in the suppressors' partners. In Study 2, suppression had a negative impact on the regulators' emotional experience and increased blood pressure in both regulators and their partners. Suppression also reduced rapport and inhibited relationship formation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Age and gender differences in cardiac reactivity and subjective emotion responses to emotional autobiographical memories.

This research reports age and gender differences in cardiac reactivity and subjective responses to the induction of autobiographical memories related to anger, fear, sadness, and happiness. Heart rate (HR) and subjective state were assessed at baseline and after the induction of each emotion in 113 individuals (61 men, 52 women; 66% European American, 34% African American) ranging in age from 15 to 88 years (M = 50.0; SD = 20.2). Cardiac reactivity was lower in older individuals; however, for anger and fear, these age effects were significantly more pronounced for the women than the men. There were no gender differences in subjective responses, however, suggesting that the lower cardiac reactivity found among older people is dependent on gender and the specific emotion assessed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived stress management skill mediates the relationship between optimism and positive mood following radical prostatectomy.

This study evaluated relations among optimism, perceived stress management skills (PSMS), and positive mood in 46 men who had surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer. The authors found that optimism, PSMS, and positive mood scores were positively correlated. Positive mood was unrelated to demographic and disease-related control variables. In a hierarchical regression model controlling for PSMS, the relationship between optimism and positive mood became nonsignificant, whereas PSMS remained a correlate of positive mood. Results suggest that the relationship between optimism and positive mood may be mediated by belief in being able to use stress management techniques effectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Retaining maximum antioxidative potency of wheat germ oil refined by molecular distillation

A process of physical refining wheat germ oil using the technique of molecular distillation (MD) is presented in this work. Wheat germ oil was obtained from the germ by solvent extraction using hexane and also by cold pressing. The oil extracted with hexane was degummed and bleached before deacidification in order to modify the parameters of phosphorus and color. The goal in carrying out the stage of physical refining by MD was to preserve the maximum amount of original antioxidative potential obtained from extraction of the crude oil. The effect of evaporation temperature of one‐stage MD on the efficiency of free fatty acid elimination was studied. The antioxidant portion was followed by means of analytic determination of tocopherols by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Tocopherol retention up to 98% was achieved in the oil extracted by pressing, and yields of up to 96% were achieved in the oil extracted with hexane. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Refractories for handling steel outside a furnace

A range of refractories is presented for handling steel outside a furnace, which are produced by the Borovichi Refractories Corporation. The refractory characteristics and working features are given. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 9, pp. 29–35, September, 2008.     

Factors of large graphite crucible life

Production methods used to prepare graphite crucibles with high operating properties are considered: use as a filler of good graphitizing acicular coke, vibration molding of the original coke mix, use of production cycles for impregnation with medium temperature coal-tar pitch — firing, firing of compacted billets in metal containers, graphitization of fired billets in graphite cylinders. The last two production methods make it possible to reduce the temperature drop throughout the volume of a billet during heat treatment, and as a consequence to reduce crack development to a minimum as a result of reducing thermal stresses. All of the production methods recommended may be entirely accomplished in existing electrode plants and may be used to increase markedly the quality crucible graphite. It is possible to achieve a quality for these materials at the best world level. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 8, pp. 28–33, August 2008.     

A light refractory concrete for thermal insulation

Compositions have been developed for nonshrinking vibrocast thermally insulating light refractory concretes with densities of 1.0, 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 g/cm³ for temperatures of use up to 1400°C. The structure and properties have been examined for the concrete of density 1.3 g/cm³. __________ Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 4, pp. 29–32, April, 2008.     

Secondary Aluminum Production Waste — A Raw Material for the Refractory Industry

Secondary aluminum waste products, and processes that occur during heating and mineral formation on introducing fine periclase powder into the composition of waste products are studied. It is demonstrated that secondary aluminum production waste may be used as a raw material for synthesizing aluminomagnesia spinels. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 6, pp. 15–18, June 2008.