Not so black and white: Memory for ambiguous group members.

Exponential increases in multiracial identities, expected over the next century, create a conundrum for perceivers accustomed to classifying people as their own- or other-race. The current research examines how perceivers resolve this dilemma with regard to the own-race bias. The authors hypothesized that perceivers are not motivated to include ambiguous-race individuals in the in-group and therefore have some difficulty remembering these individuals. Both racially ambiguous and other-race faces were misremembered more often than own-race faces (Study 1), though memory for ambiguous faces was improved among perceivers motivated to include biracial individuals in the in-group (Study 2). Racial labels assigned to racially ambiguous faces determined memory for these faces, suggesting that uncertainty provides the motivational context for discounting ambiguous faces in memory (Study 3). Finally, an inclusion motivation fostered cognitive associations between racially ambiguous faces and the in-group. Moreover, the extent to which perceivers associated racially ambiguous faces with the in-group predicted memory for ambiguous faces and accounted for the impact of motivation on memory (Study 4). Thus, memory for biracial individuals seems to involve a flexible person construal process shaped by motivational factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

New generation of loxP‐mutated deletion cassettes for the genetic manipulation of yeast natural isolates

In this work, we developed molecular tools used in standard laboratory yeast strains, such as the cre–loxP system, so that they can be used with natural and industrial prototrophic yeast species. We constructed a new generation of dominant cassettes, with mutated loxP sites (loxLE and lox2272) and selectable drug markers, to create heterothallic strains and auxotrophic mutants without incurring in the risk of generating chromosomal rearrangements. We have shown that our newly developed loxLE–hphNT1–loxRE and lox2272–natNT2–lox2272 gene‐disruption cassettes can be present in the yeast genome together with the widely used loxP–marker gene–loxP cassettes without any recombination between the lox sequences. Moreover, we also developed a new phleomycin‐resistant Cre‐expressing vector (to excise multiple markers simultaneously) and two new standard loxP deletion cassettes containing hygromicin B and cloNAT as selecatable markers. To validate these cassettes, we created heterothallic auxotrophic S. cerevisiae strains, without the risk of incurring gross chromosomal rearrangements, and we showed an example of a fitness study of intraspecific hybrids deriving from parents with different adaptations to carbon‐limited resources. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mass transfer in vertical liquid-solids flow of coarse particles

Wall-to-bed mass transfer in the hydraulic transport of spherical glass particles was studied. The experiments were performed by transporting spherical glass particles 1.20, 1.94 and 2.98 mm in diameter with water in a 25.4 mm I.D. tube. The mass transfer coefficients were determined by following rate of dissolution of a segment of the transport tube prepared from benzoic acid.In the runs in hydraulic transport, the Reynolds number of the tube varied between 1826 and 27597. The loading ratio (G_p/G_f) was between 0.026 and 0.474, and the fluid superficial velocity was between 0.267 · U_t and 4.904 · U_t, where U_t represents the single particle terminal velocity. For these ratios, the voidage ranged from 0.7123 to 0.9228.Also, wall-to-bed mass transfer in the single phase flow regime was studied. In the runs without particles, the Reynolds number of the tube varied between 122 and 39132. The data for the mass transfer factor (j_D) in single phase flow are correlated for turbulent flow regime, using the Chilton-Colburn's type equations, j_D = f(Re). Those investigations were conducted in aim to compare with results for wall-to-bed mass transfer in hydraulic transport.The data for wall-to-bed mass transfer (j_D) in hydraulic transport of spherical particles were correlated by treating the flowing fluid-particle suspension as a pseudofluid, by introducing a modified suspension-wall friction coefficient (f_w) and a modified Reynolds number (Re_m). The data for wall-to-bed mass transfer in the hydraulic transport of particles show that an analogy between mass and momentum transfer exists.     

Development and performance of a fluence rate distribution model for a cylindrical excimer lamp

Ultraviolet disinfection systems employing excimer lamp technology represent a suitable choice in situations where lamp mercury content is restricted, or otherwise undesirable. The XeBr* excimer lamp emits nearly monochromatic radiation at 282 nm, and dose-response experiments with Bacillus subtilis spores have shown that it is germicidally effective. A numerical model was developed to describe the fluence rate (E') distribution emanating from a cylindrical XeBr* excimer lamp, based on liquid water or air as the surrounding medium. The E' distribution model is based on physical phenomena that are known to govern excimer lamps; the model also accounts for refraction, reflection, and absorbance effects of the quartz lamp envelope and the media surrounding the lamp. Measurements of the E' distribution by local actinometry supported the validity of the numerical model. This model can be used as a component (submodel) of a more general model to simulate the behavior of photochemical reactors that employ excimer lamps as their source of electromagnetic radiation.     

Transmittance Measurements in Non-alternating Magnetic Field as Reliable Method for Determining of Heating Properties of Phosphate and Phosphonate Coated Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles

Different phosphates and phosphonates have shown excellent coating ability toward magnetic nanoparticles, improving their stability and biocompatibility which enables their biomedical application. The magnetic hyperthermia efficiency of phosphates (IDP and IHP) and phosphonates (MDP and HEDP) coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were evaluated in an alternating magnetic field. For a deeper understanding of hyperthermia, the behavior of investigated MNPs in the non-alternating magnetic field was monitored by measuring the transparency of the sample. To investigate their theranostic potential coated Fe₃O₄-MNPs were radiolabeled with radionuclide ¹⁷⁷Lu. Phosphate coated MNPs were radiolabeled in high radiolabeling yield (>?99%) while phosphonate coated MNPs reached maximum radiolabeling yield of 78%. Regardless lower radiolabeling yield both radiolabeled phosphonate MNPs may be further purified reaching radiochemical purity of more than 95%. In vitro stabile radiolabeled nanoparticles in saline and HSA were obtained. The high heating ability of phosphates and phosphonates coated MNPs as sine qua non for efficient in vivo hyperthermia treatment and satisfactory radiolabeling yield justifies their further research in order to develop new theranostic agents.

     

Gender and support for creativity at work

Although innovation is vital for the success of organizations, many may not be capitalizing on the creativity of all workers. Gender bias in attributions of creativity may lead to an imbalance in the extent to which organizations support the creativity of men and women. Because organizational support for creativity is positively associated with creative outcomes, this may undermine the creativity of women in the workplace. To determine if gender influences creative workplace behavior through support for creativity, conditional process models were used to analyze the survey responses and external employment data of workers (N = 14,590) across industries in the US. Our analyses demonstrate that men report greater support for creativity in the workplace than women, and greater support for workplace creativity leads to more frequent creative workplace behaviors. The proportion of women employed in an industry influences this relationship, such that differences between men and women become smaller as the proportion of women in an industry increases. However, the level of creativity required in an occupation does not influence the relationship between gender and creativity. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.     

Heat transfer and flow pattern in vertical liquid-solids flow

Wall-to-bed heat transfer in hydraulic transport of spherical glass particles of diameter 1.20, 1.94 and 2.98 mm and in single-phase flow regime was studied. Experiments were performed by transporting the spherical glass particles with water in a 25.4 mm I.D. copper tube equipped with a steam jacket.In the runs without particles, the tube Reynolds number varied between 2280 and 21,300, while in hydraulic transport runs, the tube Reynolds number varied between 3300 and 20,150. The loading ratio (G_p/G_f) was between 0.07 and 0.328, and the fluid superficial velocity was between 0.29·U_t and 2.86·U_t, where U_t represents the single particle terminal velocity. For these ratios, the voidage ranged from 0.715 to 0.895.The data for the heat transfer factor (j_H) in single-phase flow are correlated using a general form j_H=f(Re). The data for wall-to-bed heat transfer in the hydraulic transport of particles show that an analogy between heat and momentum transfer exists. The data were correlated by treating the flowing fluid-particle suspension as a pseudofluid, by introducing a modified suspension-wall friction coefficient (f_w) and a modified Reynolds number (Re_m).     

Advanced controlling of anaerobic digestion by means of hierarchical neural networks

In this work several feed-forward back propagation neural networks (FFBP) were trained in order to model, and subsequently control, methane production in anaerobic digesters. To produce data for the training of the neural nets, four anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactors were operated in steady-state conditions at organic loading rates (Br) of about 2 kg m(-3) d(-1) chemical oxygen demand, and disturbed by pulse-like increase of the organic loading rate. For the pulses additional carbon sources like flour, sucrose, 1,2-diethylen glycol or vegetable oil were added to the basic feed, which consisted of surplus and primary sludge of a local waste-water treatment plant, to increase the chemical oxygen demand. Measured parameters were: gas composition, methane production rate, volatile fatty acid concentration, pH, redox potential, volatile suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand of feed and effluent. A hierarchical system of nets was developed and embedded in a decision support system to find out which is the best feeding profile for the next time steps in advance. A 3-3-1 FFBP simulated the pH with a regression coefficient of 0.82. A 9-3-3 FFBP simulated the volatile fatty acid concentration in the sludge with a regression coefficient of 0.86. And a 9-3-2 FFBP simulated the gas production and gas composition with a regression coefficient of 0.90 and 0.80, respectively. A lab-scale anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactor controlled by this tool was able to maintain a methane concentration of about 60% at a rather high gas production rate of between 5 and 5.6 m3 m(-3) d(-1).     

Influence of heat treatment of goat milk on casein micelle size,rheological and textural properties of acid gels and set type yoghurts

Acid gels and yoghurts were made from goat milk that was heated at 72°C/30 s, 85°C/5 min, and 95°C/5 min, followed by acidification with starter culture at 43C until pH 4.6. The rheological and textural properties of acid gels and yoghurts were analyzed using dynamic low amplitude oscillatory rheology and back extrusion texture analysis, respectively. The effect of goat milk heat treatment on the mean casein micelle diameter and protein profile was also determined by dynamic light scattering and SDS PAGE electrophoresis, respectively. The shortest gelation and fermentation time was recorded for yoghurt prepared from milk heated at 85°C/5 min. Also, the pH of gelation, the storage moduli (G′) and yield stress were higher for this yoghurt, compared with the other two. Textural properties of goat milk yoghurts such as firmness and consistency were strongly affected by milk heat treatment, and the highest values were recorded for yoghurt produced from milk preheated at 85°C/5 min, as well. The largest casein micelles were measured after 85°C/5 min treatment and their size decreased at higher temperature, despite higher denaturation of whey proteins at the most intense heat regime, indicating the structure changes that influence on the acid gelation.     

Synthesis,calcination and characterization of Nanosized ceria powders by self-propagating room temperature method

Nanometric ceria powders with fluorite-type structure were obtained by applying self-propagating room temperature method. The obtained powders were subsequently thermally treated (calcined) at different temperatures for different times. Powder properties such as specific surface area, crystallite size, particle size and lattice parameter have been studied. Roentgen diffraction analysis (XRD), BET and Raman scattering measurements were used to characterize the as-obtained (uncalcined) powder as well as powders calcined at different temperatures.It was found that the average diameter of the as-obtained crystallites is in the range of 3–5 nm whereas the specific surface area is about 70 m²/g. The subsequent, 15 min long, calcination of as-obtained powder at different temperatures gradually increased crystallite size up to ～60 nm and reduced specific surface down to 6 m²/g. Raman spectra of synthesized CeO_2?y depicts a strong red shift of active triply degenerate F_2 g mode as well as additional peak at 600 cm^?1. The frequency of F_2 g mode increased while its line width decreased with an increase in calcination temperature. Such a behavior is considered to be the result of particle size increase and agglomeration during the calcination. After the heat treatment at 800 °C crystallite size reached value larger than 50 nm. Second order Raman mode, which originates from intrinsic oxygen vacancies, disappeared after calcination.