Synthesis of Porous α-Fe2O3 Nanorods as Catalyst Support and A Novel Method to Deposit Small Gold Colloids on Them

Two novel methods, one for preparation of porous α-Fe₂O₃ nanorod catalyst support and another for the deposition of gold (Au) particles on the catalyst support with high efficiency and high dispersion, were reported. In the former, FeO(OH) nanorods were first prepared by a mild hydrothermal synthesis using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) as the structure director. The FeO(OH) product was then converted to porous α-Fe₂O₃ nanorods via calcination at 300 °C. During this calcination, pores with a size distribution in the range of 1–5 nm were generated by removal of TEAOH molecules. By employing our invented Au colloid-based and sonication-assisted method, in which lysine was used as the capping agent and sonication was employed to facilitate the deposition of the Au particles, we were able to deposit very small Au particles (2–5 nm) into these pores. This method is rapid as the reaction/deposition is completed within 1 min. The prepared Au/α-Fe₂O₃-nanorod catalyst exhibited much higher catalytic activity than the Au/commercial α-Fe₂O₃ (Fluka) catalyst.     

Oil–water two‐phase flow in microchannels: Flow patterns and pressure drop measurements

This paper investigates oil–water two‐phase flows in microchannels of 793 and 667 µm hydraulic diameters made of quartz and glass, respectively. By injecting one fluid at a constant flow rate and the second at variable flow rate, different flow patterns were identified and mapped and the corresponding two‐phase pressure drops were measured. Measurements of the pressure drops were interpreted using the homogeneous and Lockhart–Martinelli models developed for two‐phase flows in pipes. The results show similarity to both liquid–liquid flow in pipes and to gas–liquid flow in microchannels. We find a strong dependence of pressure drop on flow rates, microchannel material, and the first fluid injected into the microchannel.     

Older versus younger treatment-seeking smokers: differences in smoking behavior, drug and alcohol use, and psychosocial and physical functioning

Quitting smoking benefits older individuals, yet few recent studies have described older smokers. The goal of this paper was to test a series of hypotheses about differences between smokers aged 50 years or older (50+) and those younger than age 50 (<50) presenting to the same treatment facility during 2002-2004 for participation in two randomized clinical trials: one exclusively for smokers aged 50+, and a second open to smokers aged 18 or older. As predicted, smokers aged 50+ were more tobacco dependent, had better psychological functioning, and had poorer physical functioning than those aged <50. Contrary to predictions, we found no differences in motivation to quit cigarette smoking or in alcohol use. Women aged 50+ were less likely to report marijuana use than women aged <50, and less likely than men to receive a positive diagnosis for alcohol abuse. Despite higher scores on measures of tobacco dependence, older smokers were less likely to be diagnosed as tobacco dependent or as having tobacco withdrawal using DSM-IV criteria. Rates of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence were high in both age groups but were higher for smokers aged <50. We found no striking differences between studies in reasons for exclusion, but in both the proportion of individuals excluded due to current antidepressant use was high. Implications for the assessment and treatment of older adults are discussed.     

How to get residents/owners in housing cooperatives to agree on sustainable renovation

What factors increase the chance that residents/owners in housing cooperatives agree on sustainable energy efficient renovation? Based on 30 qualitative interviews with professional advisors in cooperative housing associations and chairman/board and residents in three chosen case studies, an analysis of opportunities and barriers for making a common decision on renovation is performed. Success criteria and barriers are found on the societal level as well as on the organizational/individual level. The barriers and success criteria identified on the societal level are: knowledge level on energy-efficient renovation among relevant actors, owner structure of the housing cooperative, and existing regulations and incentives. On the organizational and individual level, the following categories influencing renovation processes were identified: the time frame and organization of the process, understanding the residents` needs, economy, the information given, and the existence of available exemplary projects and role models. Based on the results of the study, ten guidelines that contribute to more successful decision making processes and increase the chances of sustainable energy efficient renovation in housing cooperatives are presented.     

Resisting tempting foods and smoking behavior: Implications from a self-control theory perspective.

Objective: Individuals may desire to diet or restrain from eating certain foods while attempting to quit smoking out of concern for weight gain. However, previous research and clinical tobacco treatment guidelines suggest that concurrent dieting may undermine attempts to quit smoking. The current study applied the self-control strength model, which posits that self-regulation relies on a limited strength that is consumed with use, to test whether resisting tempting sweets would lead to a greater likelihood of subsequent smoking. Design: Participants were 101 cigarette smokers randomly assigned to resist eating either from a tempting plate of sweets or from a plate of less tempting vegetables. All participants were then given a 10-min recess. Main Outcome Measures: Whether participants smoked during the break, measured with a breath carbon monoxide sample, served as the primary dependent variable. Results: As predicted, participants who resisted sweets were more likely to smoke during the break (53.2%) than those who resisted vegetables (34.0%), χ2(1, N = 101) = 3.65 p     

Creative mythconceptions: A closer look at the evidence for the "mad genius" hypothesis.

Many people believe that the “mad genius” notion, which has been a favorite cultural fixture for centuries, is based on established scientific fact. Much of the evidence for the connection between great creativity and great pathology, particularly affective disorder, comes from the writings of psychiatrists Nancy Andreasen and Arnold K. Ludwig and psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison. For two decades, their studies and books have been widely referenced in both the popular and professional press without critique or comment and often without much detail, suggesting that few people have spent much time with the originals. This article examines their most influential works, encouraging readers to evaluate this evidence for themselves, because the author believes that many of their claims have had unfortunate implications for the perception of creativity and the credibility of psychological research in general. The author considers the inherent difficulties of generating any scientific findings in this area, and concludes by discussing the signs of a hopeful trend to celebrate, rather than pathologize, people with exceptional gifts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

International psychological research that matters for policy and practice.

After a brief history of the Committee on International Relations of the American Psychological Association, 3 points are made about international psychological research that matters. First, it matters when the definition of the research problem area and the findings can potentially be reflected in policy change, in the practice of educators or psychologists, or in the mindsets of a new generation of researchers. Person-centered analysis of adolescents’ social and political attitudes has this potential and can complement variable-centered analysis. A cluster analysis of the IEA Civic Education Study’s data in 5 Western European and 5 Eastern European countries illustrates this. The following 5 clusters of adolescents were identified: those supportive of social justice but not participative, those active in conventional politics and the community, those indifferent, those disaffected, and a problematic cluster of alienated adolescents. Second, research that matters is situated in a cultural context. It is proposed that publications using data from any single country be required to include information about the cultural context in which the research was conducted. Finally, it matters that attention be given to the dynamics of the collaborative international research process, not only to research results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dynamic control of polymorphic transformation in triglycerides by surfactants: The button syndrome

The kinetics of polymorphic transformations in monoacid saturated triglycerides and the influence caused by the presence of certain solid surfactants were investigated. Selected emulsifiers can be incorporated at the level of 10 wt% within the triglyceride, without changing the crystal lattice; on the other hand, their presence affects the heat capacity of the triglyceride and the NMR relaxation time T₁. Following the polymorphic transformation both during aging and during heating in the DSC, it was observed that both the mechanism and rate of transformation of the triglyceride strongly depend on the kinetic conditions and on its own chemical structure. In conjunction with these results it also was observed that the effect of the emulsifier is strongly dependent on the transformation conditions. The kinetic effect of the additive on the solid-solid transformation has been found to be strictly associated with its hydrophilic moiety structure; a model of molecular incorporation has been proposed which describes the arrangement of the surfactant molecules parallel to the triglyceride chains and formation of vacancies. The selectivity of the additive concerning its effect of dynamic controller of polymorphic transformations has been explained by its capacity to create hydrogen bonds with the neighboring triglycerides, which was called the “Button Syndrome.” The wide range of different additives and triglycerides used supplied a better understanding of the factors which determine the polymorphic and crystallization behavior in triglycerides.     

Where is the child's environment? A group socialization theory of development.

Do parents have any important long-term effects on the development of their child's personality? This article examines the evidence and concludes that the answer is no. A new theory of development is proposed: that socialization is context-specific and that outside-the-home socialization takes place in the peer groups of childhood and adolescence. Intra- and intergroup processes, not dyadic relationships, are responsible for the transmission of culture and for environmental modification of children's personality characteristics. The universality of children's groups explains why development is not derailed by the wide variations in parental behavior found within and between societies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)