Effectual dispersion of carbon nanofibers in polyetherimide composites and their mechanical and tribological properties

The use of proliferation of nanotechnology in commercial applications is driving requirements for minimal chemical processing and simple processes in industry. Carbon nanofiber (CNF) products possess very high purity levels without the need of purification processing before use and are in growing demand for this quality. Polyetherimide (PEI) has excellent mechanical and thermal performance, but its high viscosity makes its nanocomposites processing very challenging. In this study, a facile melt‐mixing method was used to fabricate PEI nanocomposites with as received and physically treated CNFs. The dispersion of CNFs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmitted optical microscopy, and electrometer with large‐area electrodes. The results showed that the facile and powerful melt‐mixing method is effective in homogeneously dispersing CNFs in the PEI matrix. The flexural and tribological characteristics were investigated and the formation of spatial networks of CNFs and weak interfacial bonding were considered as competitive factors to enhanced flexural properties. The composites with 1.0 wt% CNFs showed flexural strength and toughness increased by more than 50 and 550%, respectively, but showed very high wear rate comparable with that of pure PEI. The length of the CNFs also exerted great influences on both mechanical and tribological behaviors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:1914–1922, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in professional geropsychology: Implications for training and building a geropsychology workforce.

Professional geropsychology is a growing area of practice and training. To meet the mental health needs of an aging population, increasing numbers of psychologists need to develop competence to work with older adults, their families, and related care systems. The Pikes Peak model for geropsychology training (Knight, Karel, Hinrichsen, Qualls, & Duffy, 2009) delineates attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for professional geropsychology practice and makes recommendations for training. In this paper, we define and illustrate the Pikes Peak geropsychology practice competencies through a case example. In the case, an older man with complex needs seeks care through a generalist psychologist in an outpatient setting. The attitudes, knowledge, and skills that the psychologist needs to consider, and implications for training, are reviewed. Training recommendations and resources are provided, with a focus on the training needs of psychologists who wish to expand their practices to include older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Identification of the Sugar In Gelatin

A method involving hydrolysis, resin treatment, concentration and paper chromatography is given for the identification of the sugars in gelatin. The main sugar is found to be galactose. Minor amounts of glucose may also occur but mannose and other common sugars are absent. The presence of hexosamine and hexuronic acid in gelatin is also demonstrated. There is a hint of differences between the carbohydrate of hide and bone gelatins.     

Housing Equity Withdrawal in Australia: Prevalence,Patterns and Motivations in Mid-to-late Life

In an era of population ageing, the primary home is increasingly viewed as a personal resource that can perform a pension role in retirement. This article assesses the extent to which Australians aged 45 years and over withdraw housing equity through in situ mortgage equity withdrawal (MEW), downsizing and selling up. We find that the incidence of housing equity withdrawal has increased over the last decade despite a global financial crisis. MEW is the dominant form of equity release among those under pension age, while downsizing or selling up is more frequent among those above pension age. Downsizing and selling up are more likely to be prompted by adverse life events than MEW. Selling up is typically an option of last resort. Our findings offer insights into important debates around homeownership societies and the welfare role performed by owner-occupied housing in mid-to-late life.     

Social influences related to college students’ use of Macintosh computers on an all-PC campus

In the present qualitative research study, 35 Mac users were interviewed in a university campus that exclusively supports PC machines. We particularly explored the Mac-users’ social influences, saving technological and other influences for future reports. Results showed Mac users to possess significant connections with other Mac users on the university campus. The Mac users in our study indicated that positive, past exposure, including Apple’s advertising of Macs, had sharp influences on their decisions to become and remain Mac users.     

安全仪表系统的网络安全考虑：最先还是最后？

对于完整的控制和安全系统，建立强大的防护体系是否是一项可以确保安全仪表系统商业连续性的必要投资？     

无线技术——创所未有

创新推动无线技术的发展,成功的应用充分证明无线技术的经济、可靠、安全和易用性。     

Analytical solution of the tooling/workpiece contact interface shape during a flow forming operation

Flow forming involves complicated tooling/workpiece interactions. Purely analytical models of the tool contact area are difficult to formulate, resulting in numerical approaches that are case-specific. Provided are the details of an analytical model that describes the steady-state tooling/workpiece contact area allowing for easy modification of the dominant geometric variables. The assumptions made in formulating this analytical model are validated with experimental results attained from physical modelling. The analysis procedure can be extended to other rotary forming operations such as metal spinning, shear forming, thread rolling and crankshaft fillet rolling.     

Busway Short Circuit Testing Procedures

Every electrical system component must have recognizable predictable characteristics in order to be usable in today's modern electrical distribution system. The use of busways for power distribution in commercial and industrial buildings has become very popular in recent years due, in part, to the fact that it offers the requisite proven predictable electrical and mechanical characteristics. This allows the distribution system designer to use busway with confidence that it will perform as he intends. Of the many electrical and mechanical characteristics which must be evaluated, the busway short circuit rating has become one of the most important. This increased importance is the result of larger electrical services and lower loss supply equipment creating significant increases in available short circuit current levels. In addition, the present cost of equipment failure is at an all-time high. It is certainly better to spend a little extra (whether time or money) in the design and construction stages to provide maximum system performance under all conditions including possible short circuits.