Basic Oxygen Furnace: Assessment of Recent Physicochemical Models

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - Modeling of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) process, both for online monitoring and fundamental research, has gained importance in steelmaking industry...     

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memory in Cluster C personality disorders and the role of depression, worry, and experiential avoidance.

The study objective was to investigate whether, compared with nonclinical controls, participants with an avoidant, dependent, or obsessive–compulsive Cluster C personality disorder (PD) manifested reduced levels of memory specificity and whether the association of Cluster C PDs with memory specificity is mediated by repetitive negative thoughts and experiential avoidance. The Autobiographical Memory Test (R. J. McNally, N. B. Lasko, M. L. Macklin, & R. K. Pitman, 1995) was administered along with self-report measures (translated into Dutch) for repetitive, uncontrollable, and negative thinking in the form of worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire; T. J. Meyer, M. L. Miller, R. L. Metzger, & T. D. Borkovec, 1990) and experiential avoidance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire; S. C. Hayes et al., 2004) to 294 clinical participants diagnosed with Axis I disorders (assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–IV Axis I Disorders [SCID-I]; M. B. First, R. L. Spitzer, M. Gibbon, & J. B. W. Williams, 1994) and Axis II disorders (assessed with the SCID-II; M. B. First, R. L. Spitzer, M. Gibbon, & J. B. W. Williams, 1997)—202 with avoidant, 49 with dependent, and 120 with obsessive–compulsive PD—and to 108 matched nonclinical controls. Participants with a Cluster C PD showed lower levels of memory specificity than did nonclinical controls. Depression and worry mediated the effect of Cluster C PDs on memory specificity. Besides depression severity, repetitive, uncontrollable, and negative thinking may constitute a general mechanism mediating the association of various Axis I and II disorders with memory specificity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clearing the mind: A working memory model of distraction from negative mood.

The present research examined whether and how loading working memory can attenuate negative mood. In three experiments, participants were exposed to neutral, weakly negative, or strongly negative pictures followed by a task and a mood scale. Working memory demands were varied by manipulating task presence (Study 1), complexity (Study 2), and predictability (Study 3). Participants in all three experiments reported less negative moods in negative trials with high compared to low working memory demand. Working memory demands did not affect mood in the neutral trials. When working memory demands were high, participants no longer reported more negative moods in response to strongly negative pictures than to weakly negative pictures. These findings suggest that loading working memory prevents mood-congruent processing, and thereby promotes distraction from negative moods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of photo-oxidation of major milk proteins on protein structure and hydrolysis by chymosin

Changes in the protein structure of different major milk proteins in response to photo-oxidation and its effect on hydrolysis by chymosin were studied by determination of free amino-terminal groups and by peptide mapping using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Changes were seen in the formation of peptides by chymosin after photo-oxidation of all substrates studied, but the extent of changes varied between the different substrates. Oxidative changes involving tryptophan residues and formation of dityrosines were high in the casein, and conformational changes of both α_S- and β-casein were indicated by changes in the micro-environment of the tryptophan residues after oxidation. A decreased accessibility of chymosin to oxidized caseins was reflected in a lower overall level of free amino-terminal groups, and changed peptide maps. Although β-lactoglobulin and lactoferrin showed marginal conformational changes, a higher level of free amino-terminal groups was observed, and a range of peptides were found to increase for these two proteins.     

Quantifying the potential of automated dynamic solar shading in office buildings through integrated simulations of energy and daylight

The façade design is and should be considered a central issue in the design of energy-efficient buildings. That is why dynamic façade components are increasingly used to adapt to both internal and external impacts, and to cope with a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in occupant comfort. To gain a complete picture of any façade’s performance and subsequently carry out a reasonable benchmarking of various façade alternatives, the total energy consumption and indoor environment need to be considered simultaneously. We quantified the potential of dynamic solar shading façade components by using integrated simulations that took energy demand, the indoor air quality, the amount of daylight available, and visual comfort into consideration. Three types of façades were investigated (without solar shading, with fixed solar shading, and with dynamic solar shading), and we simulated them with various window heights and orientations. Their performance was evaluated on the basis of the building’s total energy demand, its energy demand for heating, cooling and lighting, and also its daylight factors. Simulation results comparing the three façade alternatives show potential for significant energy reduction, but greater differences and conflicting tendencies were revealed when the energy needed for heating, cooling and artificial lighting were considered separately. Moreover, the use of dynamic solar shading dramatically improved the amount of daylight available compared to fixed solar shading, which emphasises the need for dynamic and integrated simulations early in the design process to facilitate informed design decisions about the façade.     

Antioxidative activity of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in minced, cooked pork meat

The sensory intensity measured as theabsolute threshold value of spice andrecognition of spice was evaluated for summer savory and rosemary in meat balls. The values forabsolute threshold value of spice were found to be significantly lower for rosemary than for summer savory. The antioxidative activity of the spices was analysed in two accelerated model systems and in a storage experiment. In one of the model systems, oxidation was accelerated by heat and by an elevated pressure of oxygen. Both spices significantly improved the oxidative stability of the meat balls in this model system. In the second model system metal catalyst oxidation in a meat slurry was used and a reduction in the oxidative processes in samples containing the spices was again shown. In both model systems a slightly higher antioxidative activity was seen for rosemary compared to summer savory. In the storage experiment, the spices were added at a sensorially acceptable level and the heat-treated meat balls were stored at 5°C. A significant reduction in the development of warmed-over flavour (WOF) caused by the addition of spices was measured by a reduction in 2-thiobarbituricacid-reactivesubstances (TBARS) and in hexanal. A reduction in TBARS of approximately 30% in meat balls containing added spices was seen independently of packaging in 1% oxygen or in atmospheric air and the reduction (30%) was constant throughout the storage period.     

Combining remote sensing and anthropology to trace historical land-use changes and facilitate better landscape management in a sub-watershed in North Thailand

A research project intended to extract the history of land-use in a sub-watershed in Thailand by combining remote sensing and anthropology ended up providing local villagers with a useful tool for developing a more sustainable landscape management. In three villages people were interviewed in-depth about historical land-use changes and they helped to make land-use maps approximately covering the years 1973, 1980, 1989, and 1999. These maps were digitized and compared to satellite images from the same years. Trends and discrepancies between the two sets of maps were then analysed and discussed with the villagers in order to establish the local land-use history. The involvement of local groups in the mapping process was instrumental in overcoming long-standing inter-village conflicts, mainly by creating a common knowledge platform on which co-management could be based. The research helped set in motion a process of inter-village forest management cooperation, which was subsequently enhanced by the involvement of CARE Thailand and the local sub-district administration.     

Field emission SEM comparison of four postfixation drying techniques for human dentin

Critical-point drying (CPD) is generally considered essential for the preparation of biologic specimens for electron microscopy. Several attempts have been made to introduce alternative techniques. More recently, this problem has arisen in dentistry, because of the new developments in dentin bonding. The present study focuses on three alternative techniques to CPD: hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) drying, Peldri II drying, and air drying. Twenty-four dentin disks were obtained from noncarious extracted human molars by microtome sectioning parallel to the occlusal surface. The dentin surfaces were etched with polymer-thickened, silica-free, 10% phosphoric acid semigel, fixed, dehydrated, and dried with one of the four techniques. The specimens were observed in two perpendicular planes, showing dentinal tubules in longitudinal view and cross-section, using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The intertubular demineralized dentin zone was composed of three different successive layers, which did not substantially differ between CPD and Peldri II drying, but were more evident in HMDS-dried specimens: first, an upper layer of denatured collagen and residual smear layer particles, with sectioned collagen fibrils and few open intertubular pores; second, an intermediate layer of closely packed cross-sectioned collagen fibers; and third, a deeper layer with unfilled spaces, scattered hydroxyapatite crystals, and few collagen fibers. HMDS drying seemed to preserve better the collagen network and the microporosity of the demineralized dentin surface. Moreover, HMDS drying is easy to perform. The air-drying method caused some artefacts, such as surface collapsing and thickening of the denatured collagen layer.     

Die Butterstruktur auf Grund von Beobachtungen an Mikrotomschnitten

Zusammenfassung An Mikrotomschnitten von Sauerrahmbutter, deren Herstellung genau beschrieben wird, sind folgende Einzelheiten zu beobachtenDie Ausmaße der mitLuft gefüllten Hohlrme, die z. T. makroskopisch als Löcher in den Schnitten zu erkennen sind, übertreffen die der Fettkügelchen und Feuchtigkeitströpfchen erheblich. Man gewinnt den Eindruck, daß die Hohlräume nicht zum eigentlichen Emulsionsgefüge gehören und eher mit den Bruchlöchern im Käse zu vergleichen sind.DieFeuchtigkeitströpfchen sind nicht von konstanter Größe, sondern wachsen oder werden kleiner, je nachdem, ob der Schnitt in Wasser quillt oder an der Luft austrocknet. Sie können nicht nur durch Verdunstung, sondern auch durch osmotisch wirksame Lösungen den Schnitten ganz entzogen werden. Diese Beobachtungen sprechen für eine Bindung des Wassers an hygroskopische Substanzen und für ein System wasserleitender Bahnen. Die mehr oder weniger große Beweglichkeit des Wassers im Gefüge scheint ein Kennzeichen der einzelnen Butterproduktionen zu sein. Neben den feinsten Tröpfchen finden sich in unzureichend gekneteter oder bröckeliger, harter Butter auch noch wasserführende Gänge und Risse im Gefüge.DieFettkügelchen sind in entwässerten Schnittpräparaten mit der Phasenkontrastoptik gut zu erkennen, sie bilden ein lockeres Gerüst, das instrukturfreiem Fett eingebettet liegt. Nur in stark überarbeiteter Butter findet man größere Fettseen. Die Größe der Kügelchen variiert erheblich, in einigen Proben auch die Form (Halbkugeln).Kristallbildungen, die immer von der Peripherie der Kügelchen oder der besonders großen Öltropfen ausgehen, sind deutlich sichtbar und mit den Kristallnadeln in geschmolzenem Fett nicht zu verwechseln. Das Gefügebild der Butterproben ist sehr verschieden und für die einzelnen Molkereien charakteristisch.Zur Beobachtung von Mikroorganismen entfettete und gefärbte Schnitte lassenRestsubstanzen — vermutlich Eiweiß in Verbindung mit Phosphatiden — erkennen. Der kontinuierliche Film dieser Restsubstanzen zeigt eine Flockung, die mit zunehmender Säuerung des Rahmes immer gröber wird. Im Phasenkontrastbild entwässerter Schnitte sind die mehr oder weniger feinenGerinnselkörnehen ebenfalls zu erkennen.