Discrimination in the 21st century: Are science and the law aligned?

Although scholars agree that traditional forms of discrimination have generally been supplanted by subtler interpersonal manifestations of discrimination, it is yet unknown whether targets of these behaviors or the American judicial branch recognize such negative behaviors as violations of extant law. Extending research and theory, we propose that denigrating messages toward women and ethnic minorities (i.e., microaggressions) emerge in workplace interactions and are sometimes interpreted as discrimination. Specifically, this research explores the presence, severity, and frequency of microaggressions that appear in a random sample of race and gender discrimination cases in federal court dockets since the year 2000. The results suggest that microinsults, microinvalidations, and microassaults are reported in a variety of discrimination claims. However, only overt and intentional forms of microaggressions (microassaults) increased the likelihood that decisions favored plaintiffs. Thus, there may be a disconnect between forms of discrimination perceived by claimants and how those forms are evaluated by the legal system that protects victims of discrimination. This potential misalignment of science and practice is discussed, as are directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integration of millimeter-wave and optical link for duplex transmission of hierarchically modulated signal over a single carrier and fiber for future 5G communication systems

Telecommunication Systems - Integration of optical and millimeter-wave systems provide a promising solution for future giga-bits per second wireless communication systems. We have proposed and...     

Coupling granule properties and granulation rates in high-shear granulation

It is possible to link granulation rates to granule properties. The linkage is by multiple dimension population balance equations that, by means of simplifying assumptions, can be reduced to multiple one-dimensional (1-D) population balance equations (PBEs). Using simple physically based models, this paper demonstrates how multiple one-dimensional population balance equations can describe the results of high-shear granulation experiments of two different materials, calcium carbonate and lactose. Good agreement between experimental and simulated results was achieved enabling the granulation rates to be defined by two model parameters: the critical binder volume fraction and the aggregation rate constant. The modelling framework presented in this paper also provides a basis for the kinetic analysis of granulation experiments so that with further work, it is possible to determine the effect of process conditions and material properties on the model parameters.     

Temperature variation in high slump drilled shaft concrete and its effect on slump loss

Drilled shaft refers to a deep foundation system where a single large diameter pier is used to replace a whole group of piles. High slump self-compacting concrete is used in drilled shafts due to its high fluidity and less proneness to segregation. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) specifications require that such concrete should have a slump between 7 and 9 in. when placed and should maintain a slump of 4 in. or more throughout the concrete placement time. Furthermore, the mix for the slump loss test should be prepared at a temperature consistent with the highest ambient or initial concrete temperature (whichever is greater) expected during actual concrete placement. It is possible that the temperature of concrete inside the drilled shaft is lower than the ambient or initial concrete temperature due to the presence of ground water. If that is the case, slump loss would be less than the loss determined at the highest ambient or the initial concrete temperature, making the FDOT requirement unrealistic. However, it should be experimentally verified. This experimental study was conducted with the objective to establish profiles of concrete temperature in time from placement to hardening along depth as well as across width of the drilled shaft. Based on the gathered data, it was found that no significant temperature differential existed along the depth and across the width of the drilled shaft during the initial setting of concrete. The temperature of concrete inside the drilled shaft was same as initial concrete temperature before placement at all locations. This finding leads to the conclusion that concrete temperature inside drilled shaft is not affected by ambient temperature and/or the underground temperature conditions.     

Non-uniformity of binder distribution in high-shear granulation

Further experimental investigation based on a microscopic, or single granule, scale has been conducted to investigate the uniformity of binder composition within a given size class for high shear melt granulation. This work assesses whether there is significant non-uniformity of binder composition within size classes to warrant considering this level of detail to improving population balance modelling of high shear granulation. It is concluded that at early times in a batch granulation process there is a broad variation in binder content between individual granules and that this variation persists in granules of small size.     

Dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene via radical pathways enhanced by alkali metal based catalyst in oxysteam condition

The dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene in the presence of oxygen and water was conducted using Na₂WO₄/SiO₂ catalyst at high temperatures. At 923 K, the conversion rate without water was proportional to ethane pressure and a half order of oxygen pressure, consistent with a kinetically relevant step where an ethane molecule is activated with dissociated oxygen on the surface. When water was present, the ethane conversion rate was drastically enhanced. An additional term in the rate expression was proportional to a quarter of the oxygen pressure and a half order of the water pressure. This mechanism is consistent with the quasi‐equilibrated OH radical formation with subsequent ethane activation. The attainable yield can be accurately described by taking the water contribution into consideration. At high conversion levels at 1073 K, the C₂H₄ yield exceeded 60% in a single‐pass conversion. The C₂H₄ selectivity was almost insensitive to the C₂H₆ and O₂ pressures. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 105–110, 2017     

Effect of Thermal Aging on the Optical Properties of ABS Plastics

Poly(acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) (ABS) is a two-phase material consisting of elastomer particles in a glassy polymer matric of styrene and acrylonitrile (SAN) [1]. The photooxidation of ABS was the subject of several studies [2, 3]. It was suggested that several processes will take place during photooxidation. These changes include the formation of hydroperoxide [4], chain breakage of the polystyrene, and the oxidation of the polymer as it was monitored by IR spectroscopy [4–6]. Also photooxidation affect the polybutadiene in ABS and oxidizes it, which results in the formation of hydroperoxide. There are no data available on the thermal degradation of ABS. In a previous study the thermal aging of recycled high-impact polystyrene was studied using UV-vis spectroscopy [7]. It was found that this method provided very useful information about the degradation of several industrial polymers [8–12]. In this paper thermal degradation of ABS is investigated by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy.     

Microwave-assisted urea-modified sorghum biomass for Cr (III) elimination from aqueous solutions

The present study concentrated on the use of an agro-waste biodegradable sorghum biomass in its simple and modified forms for the binding of Cr (III) ions. A relatively new method of modification was adopted using urea under microwave irradiation. FTIR analysis showed the presence of oxygen and nitrogen bearing functional groups in unmodified (UMS) and modified (MS) sorghum biomass. The appearance of new bands and shifts in the peaks confirmed the modification. The influence of different process parameters such as the adsorbent dose, solution pH, contact time, agitation speed and initial metal ion concentration was studied thoroughly to evaluate optimum conditions for adsorption. Maximum adsorption for Cr (III) ions occurred at pH 5.0–6.0 using UMS and MS. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models in a non-linear fashion were used to explain the phenomenon. Maximum adsorption capacity was 7.03 and 16.36 mg of Cr (III) per gram of UMS and MS, respectively. Adsorption mechanism was explored by pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and it was found that the process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic study indicated the process favorability. The study concluded that urea modification under microwave irradiation produces a non-toxic and more effective adsorbent for Cr (III) remediation by inducing new nitrogen bearing functional groups to sorghum biomass.     

A solar still augmented with a flat-plate collector

A single-stage, basin-type solar still and a conventional flat-plate collector were connected together in order to studythe effect of augmentation on the still under local conditions. The still inlet was connected to a locally made, fin-tube collector such that its outlet was fed to the still basin instead of the common storage tank. Measurements of various temperatures, solar intensities and distilled water productions were taken for several days at various operating conditions. Several modes of operation were studied: still connected to collector for a 24-h period; still connected only during sunlight hours from 8 am to 5 pm, and still operating alone for a 24-h period. These tests were performed using tap water and saline water as a feed. It was found that the mass of distilled water production using augmentation was increased by 231% in the case of tap water as a feed and by 52% in the case of salt water as a feed.