Mathematical analysis and experimental results of applying enhanced-surface-area packed-bed electrodes in electrogenerative sulfur dioxide oxidation

The results of applying enhanced-surface-area packed-bed (ESAP) electrodes in electrogenerative SO₂/O₂ cells are reported to illustrate their utility and potential applications. Mathematical analysis with parameters pertinent to the experimental conditions shows that all electrocatalyst sites in these electrodes are expected to be uniformly utilized for electrochemical SO₂ oxidation. Experimental results showed that ESAP electrodes (1 mg Pt/cm²) could provide at least 5 times higher SO₂ conversion at given cell voltages than graphite sheet electrodes (1.5 mg Pt/cm²).     

Effects of attachment bereavement and pre-event conditions on subsequent depressive symptoms in older adults.

A sample of 1,411 older adults (age 55+) who had been interviewed both prior to and after bereavement was studied, allowing for pre-event controls. Those who had lost a parent, spouse, or child had the strongest depressive reactions, as predicted by an attachment-bonding hypothesis; however, material losses were also related to depression. Although bereavement/loss events were clearly related to subsequent depression even after pre-event depression, resources, and events were controlled, certain pre-event characteristics were predictive of the bereavement/loss events, including prior undesirable events, age, and urban/rural residency. A further analysis of 1,007 persons with two post-event interviews (at 6-month to 1-year follow-up) revealed an initial depressive reaction to a bereavement/loss event, which then dissipated completely within 1 year's time. Generally, bereavement appeared to have limited etiologic importance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stressful life events and smoking behaviors in Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal analysis.

The associations between stressful life events and smoking have been established among adolescents in the United States. However, whether these relationships are similar in adolescents from other non-Western cultures is unknown. Understanding these relationships in adolescents may help to provide opportunities to reduce the smoking rates in those cultures by providing positive coping methods that do not include smoking. In this longitudinal study, the associations between nine stressful life events scales and smoking behaviors were examined in a sample of Chinese adolescents. Six of these scales, positive school-related, negative school-related, positive family-related, positive peer-related, negative peer-related, and negative health-related had significantly different means among females and males. Among males, positive school-related stress was a protective factor for smoking susceptibility. Among females, positive school-related stress was a protective factor and negative school-related stress was a risk factor for lifetime smoking, and negative family-related stress was a risk factor for smoking susceptibility. Findings indicate that smoking among male adolescents in China may not be the result of stress; however, in females stress may contribute to the decision to smoke. Future directions are discussed.     

Improved GaAs-based quantum cascade laser (/spl lambda//spl sim/11 /spl mu/m) using high-reflectivity metal facet coating

By applying a high-reflectivity metal coating to the rear facet of a GaAs-based quantum cascade laser operating at /spl lambda//spl sim/11.5 /spl mu/m, the threshold current has been reduced by 11% at 260 K and pulsed operation of the epilayer-up mounted device was extended from 283 to 294 K.     

NONDESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION OF EPOXY ADHESIVE-BONDED STRUCTURES EXPOSED TO A HUMID ENVIRONMENT: A COMPARISONOF LOW- AND HIGH-FREQUENCY DIELECTRIC MEASUREMENTS

Broadband dielectric measurements (10 -2 to 3 GHz) are reported on the effects of exposure of thick film adhesive-bonded structures to moisture. Measurement of the dielectric properties over a broad frequency range allows identification of water both in voids and as a molecular dispersion in the matrix. Changes in the low frequency region of the dielectric spectrum can be attributed to a combination of processes associated with plasticisation of the adhesive, interfacial polarisation effects, and hydration of the surface oxide layer. The data obtained are complemented by mechanical testing and failure analysis of the bond structure measured as a function of the time of exposure. This study indicates that for thick film adhesives the ageing characteristics are apparently independent of the surface treatment. In one of the joints studied an additional feature is identified which appears to correlate with the premature aging of the joint structure.     

Integrating research on the microcounseling program: A meta-analysis.

Subjected research on Ivey's (1971) microcounseling program to a comprehensive meta-analytic review. A multistage sampling procedure resulted in the identification of 81 admissible studies. Glass's (1976) effect size (ES) statistic was used to estimate average effects for each study and across all studies, and the relation between ES and the sampling distribution of several important methodological and substantive characteristics was assessed. The most conservative overall ES statistic fell in the large-effect category. ESs were influenced differentially by the populations from which Ss were drawn and by the type of client the Ss interviewed when data for ratings on dependent measures were acquired. There was some evidence that the dependent measures used in microcounseling research are limited, which led to a conclusion that research on the teaching of more complex skills may be delayed. The microcounseling program has made a contribution to counseling training and may have pointed the way to new training models. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prioritizing telecommunications technologies for long-range R&D planning to the year 2006

This paper concerns telecommunications technologies prioritization for long-range R&D planning at the Korea Telecommunication Authority (KTA), which is the primary common carrier in Korea. Criteria weighting and technological importance ranking were determined by means of the Analytic Hierarchy Process as a decision aid, along with hierarchical representation and pairwise comparisons. The opinions derived from three divisions of KTA were analyzed and aggregated. Such aggregated prioritization weighting of technologies allows the corporation management to use it for funding decisions about technological aspects of its long-range planning for R&D projects during the period from 1992 to 2006; especially those concerning baseline budget level selection and the scope of research activities.<>