Flocculation,Retention and Drainage in Papermaking: A Comparative Study of Polymeric Additives

Fibre and filler flocculation, filler retention and drainage, induced by several polymeric retention aids, were compared in laboratory experiments on mixtures of kraft fibres and two calcium carbonate fillers. Some experiments were also performed on thermomechanical pulp and de‐inked pulp fibres. Flocculation was measured by a focused beam reflectance measurement probe. It was found that flocs induced by polyethylene‐oxide (PEO) and cofactor broke up with time and shear and could not be reformed subsequently. Floc strength was the highest for PEO and the weakest for polyethylenimine and polyaluminium chloride. When comparing filler retention under optimal flocculation conditions, we found similar filler retention for all retention aids. Salt did not affect drainage for cationic retention aids, but reduced the drainage rate for PEO. Drainage with PEO was considerably slower than for other retention aids.     

Gender differences in counselors' attitudes toward and attributions about incest.

Examined the extent to which offender's and victim's gender as well as counselor gender were related to 111 (67 female and 44 male) counselors' attributions about and attitudes toward cases of incest. Participants read case notes from an intake session, answered treatment questions, and completed the Jackson Incest Blame Scale, the Incest Attitudes Survey, and the Sex-Role Ideology Scale. Results indicated no significant differences as a function of either victim or offender gender. Female counselors, however, had broader definitions of incest than did male counselors and were less likely to view incest claims as fantasy. Overall, counselors avoided victim blaming; however, their gender-role attitudes/ideology were significantly correlated with victim blaming and other attitudes about incest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conferencing and collaborative computing

As integrated services have become available to the desktop, users have embraced new modes of interaction, such as multimedia conferencing and collaborative computing. In this paper, we provide a survey of past and present research that has influenced this application area, and describe research directions for the future.     

Cholinergic influences on feature binding.

The binding problem refers to the fundamental challenge of the central nervous system to integrate sensory information registered by multiple brain regions to form a unified neural representation of a stimulus. Human behavioral, neuropsychological, and functional neuroimaging evidence suggests a fundamental role for attention in feature binding; however, its neurochemical basis is currently unknown. This study examined whether acetylcholine (ACh), a neuromodulator that has been implicated in attentional processes, plays a critical role in feature binding. Using a within-subjects pharmacological design and the cholinergic muscarinic antagonist scopolamine, the present experiments demonstrate, in a rat model, a critical role for the cortical muscarinic cholinergic system in feature binding. Specifically, ACh and the attentional resources that it supports are essential for the initial feature binding process but are not required to maintain neural representations of bound stimuli. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ability of three DNA-based assays to identify presumptive Escherichia coli colonies isolated from water by the culture-based mFC agar method

We tested the ability of three PCR assays, targeting uidA and tuf genes to correctly identify Escherichia coli colonies isolated from water and we compared them to two β-glucuronidase-based culture methods (Colilert^® and Readycult^®), in terms of specificity and sensitivity. E. coli isolates recovered on mFC agar were first tested for the presence of the uidA positive colonies were presumed to be E. coli. For further characterization, uidA-negative colonies were subsequently identified using the Vitek 2 automated system. Colilert^® and Readycult^® detected 436 and 442 of 468 colonies identified as E. coli on mFC corresponding to sensitivities of 93.2 and 94.4%, respectively. None of the 59 non-E. coli isolates was detected by both methods for a specificity of 100%. Two (2) uidA and 1 tuf PCR assays were also tested. The uidA PCR assays yielded positive signals for 447 (95.5%) and 434 (92.7%) of 468 E. coli isolates tested respectively, whereas the tuf PCR assay showed a sensitivity of 100%. None of the 59 non-E. coli isolates was detected by both uidA PCR assays (100% specificity), whereas tuf PCR false-positive signals were obtained with Escherichia fergusonii and Escherichia albertii. However, since these 2 species are principally found in the feces of mammals and birds, their detection indicates a fecal contamination. Consequently, using a 1-h tuf rtPCR assay to confirm the identity of E. coli colonies on mFC agar is as specific, more sensitive, and potentially more cost-efficient than culture methods based on β-glucuronidase detection.     

Effects on driving performance of interacting with an in-vehicle music player: A comparison of three interface layout concepts for information presentation

Interface design is an important factor in assessing the potential effects on safety of interacting with an in-vehicle information system while driving. In the current study, the layout of information on a visual display was manipulated to explore its effect on driving performance in the context of music selection. The comparative effects of an auditory–verbal (cognitive) task were also explored. The driving performance of 30 participants was assessed under both baseline and dual task conditions using the Lane Change Test. Concurrent completion of the music selection task with driving resulted in significant impairment to lateral driving performance (mean lane deviation and percentage of correct lane changes) relative to the baseline, and significantly greater mean lane deviation relative to the combined driving and the cognitive task condition. The magnitude of these effects on driving performance was independent of layout concept, although significant differences in subjective workload estimates and performance on the music selection task across layout concepts highlights that potential uncertainty regarding design use as conveyed through layout concept could be disadvantageous. The implications of these results for interface design and safety are discussed.     

Computing Dynamic User Equilibria on Large-Scale Networks with Software Implementation

Networks and Spatial Economics - Dynamic user equilibrium (DUE) is the most widely studied form of dynamic traffic assignment (DTA), in which road travelers engage in a non-cooperative Nash-like...     

Case studies on the usability,acceptability and functionality of autonomous mobile delivery robots in real-world healthcare settings

Intelligent Service Robotics - Autonomous mobile delivery robots are used as a way to improve efficiency in hospitals and reduce staff workload amongst a growing workforce shortage in healthcare....     

Low‐Temperature Blanching as a Tool to Modulate the Structure of Pectin in Blueberry Purees

Blueberry composition was characterized for 6 cultivars. It contains a good amount of dietary fiber (10% to 20%) and pectin (4% to 7%) whose degree of methylation (DM) is sensitive to food processing. A low temperature blanching (LTB: 60 °C/1 h) was applied on blueberry purees to decrease pectin DM, in order to modulate puree properties and functionalities (that is, viscosity and stability), and to enhance pectin affinity toward other components within food matrices. Fiber content, viscosity, pectin solubility, DM, and monosaccharide composition were determined for both pasteurized, and LTB+pasteurized blueberry purees. The results showed that neither the amount of fiber, nor the viscosity were affected by LTB, indicating that this treatment did not result in any significant pectin depolymerization and degradation. LTB caused a decrease both in pectin DM from 58–67% to 45–47% and in the amount of water‐soluble pectin fraction, the latter remaining the major fraction of total pectin at 52% to 57%. A LTB is a simple and mild process to produce blueberry purees with mostly soluble and low‐methylated pectin in order to extend functionality and opportunities for interactions with other food ingredients.     

Counseling psychology perspectives on the predoctoral internship supply-demand imbalance: Strategies for problem definition and resolution.

The authors discuss the internship supply demand situation from the perspectives of counseling psychology (CP) training programs by incorporating the viewpoints of CP training directors (TDs), garnered through an online survey. Survey results indicated relatively lower match rates for the preceding year (2007), increased stress among students, and TD concerns about decreased emphases on science training. The authors offer strategies regarding the resolution of this difficult situation, including increased mentoring and individualized practicum planning (program level), the development of captive internship sites and slots, particularly in underserved areas (subspecialty level), and data collection and sharing techniques (field level). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)