A general model for the mechanics of saturated-unsaturated porous materials

A general predictive model for the mechanical analysis of isothermal and non-isothermal saturated-unsaturated porous materials is presented. The model is developed along the lines of Biot's theory and applies both for high water content and for low to medium water content in the pore space. Due to the similarity of the matrices in both situations, even if the transfer mechanisms are different, a single computer program can handle all of them. Examples belonging to both domains in the isothermal case as well as to heat and mass transfer in deforming porous media are shown.     

Effects of experience on interocular transfer of pattern discriminations in split-chiasm and split-brain cats.

In a study with 8 cats, interocular transfer (IOT) of monocularly learned pattern discriminations was found to be imperfect in split-chiasm cats but to improve as a result of specific practice with IOT tasks. Section of the forebrain commissures subsequently performed in these Ss abolished immediate IOT of pattern discriminations. However, there were some savings in reattaining the learning criterion with the 2nd eye. Other cats that learned the same discriminations monocularly but had sustained a combined section of optic chiasm and forebrain commissures before learning showed no indication of IOT. Data suggest that the commissural systems involved in IOT and interhemispheric transfer of pattern discriminations may be modified by practice and learning. Further, it is possible that the intervening transfer experience between the section of the optic chiasm and that of the forebrain commissures results in the persistence of some capacity for IOT of pattern discriminations after commissurotomy. However, this residual capacity may be negligible when compared with the capacity for IOT of split-chiasm cats with intact forebrain commissures. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Women's self-disclosure of HIV infection: Rates, reasons, and reactions.

A survey of 65 ethnically diverse women at 2 outpatient HIV clinics revealed relatively low rates of disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus to extended family members, somewhat higher rates for immediate family members, and highest rates for lovers and friends. Spanish-speaking Latinas were less likely to disclose their serostatus or to discuss HIV-related worries with others than English speaking Latinas, African Americans, and Anglo Americans. Reasons for disclosure and nondisclosure varied by target. In general, targets reacted positively to disclosure. Implications for clinicians treating women with HIV infection are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lesbian and gay male group identity attitudes and self-esteem: Implications for counseling.

96 lesbians and gay men (aged 18–46 yrs) completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a modified version of J. E. Helms and T. A. Parham's (1985) Racial Identity Attitude Scale (RIAS). Based on W. E. Cross's (1971, 1978) model of African-American identity development, the RIAS assesses 4 distinct psychological stages (preencounter, encounter, immersion-emersion, and internalization), which are thought to correspond to a parallel process in the development of gay male and lesbian group identity attitudes. Consistent with findings among other minority groups, the results indicated a moderate inverse relationship between preencounter attitudes and self-esteem and a positive relationship between internalization attitudes and self-esteem. Encounter and immersion-emersion attitudes were (nonsignificantly) negatively correlated with self-esteem. Implications for counseling gay men and lesbians are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Portable device based on chemiluminescence lensless imaging for personalized diagnostics through multiplex bioanalysis

A simple and versatile analytical device designed to perform, even simultaneously, different types of bioassays has been developed and optimized. A transparent microfluidics-based reaction chip, where analytes were quantitatively detected by means of biospecific reactions and chemiluminescence detection, was placed in contact with a thermoelectrically cooled CCD sensor through a fiber optic taper. Such a lensless contact imaging configuration combined adequate spatial resolution and high light collection efficiency within a small size portable device. The miniaturization of the reaction chamber ensured short analysis times (in the minutes range), while the use of chemiluminescence detection provided wide signal dynamic range and high detectability, down to attomole levels of protein and femtomole levels of nucleic acid analytes. A model hybrid panel test was realized by combining an enzyme assay for alkaline phosphatase activity, a nucleic acid hybridization assay for Parvovirus B19 DNA, and an immunoassay for horseradish peroxidase as a model antigen. The successful simultaneous quantification of the three targets demonstrated that a range of analytes, from enzymes to antigens, antibodies, and nucleic acids, can be measured in a single run, thus enabling the realization of a complete, personalized diagnostic panel test for early diagnosis of a given disease and patient follow-up.     

Biodiesel production by ethanolysis of mixed castor and soybean oils

Biodiesel was produced by ethanolysis of pure castor and soybean oils, and mixtures thereof, using potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The yields and selectivities of these reactions were evaluated. The results revealed that there was no appreciable substrate preference when the vegetable oils were transesterified in admixture. However, higher reaction yields and increased efficiencies of the purification process were directly correlated with the proportion of soybean oil present in the reaction mixture.     

Fabrication of high sensitivity thin-film indium antimonide magnetoresistors

A method is described for fabricating high-sensitivity thin film of InSb. The fabrication procedure consists of the sequential deposition of chromium, antimony and indium. The films are then heat treated to thermo-chemically produce polycrystalline InSb films. The free-electron mobility of these films is found to be 5.4 × 10⁴ cm²/V. sec, and the free carrier density to be 10¹⁶ cm^?3.Magnetoresistors were fabricated from these films with addition of indium, Hall-voltage shorting strips. The magnetoresistance sensitivity of these resistors was found to be 45 per cent K G, which compares very favourably with that obtained from single crystal InSb resistors.