Not yet human: Implicit knowledge, historical dehumanization, and contemporary consequences.

Historical representations explicitly depicting Blacks as apelike have largely disappeared in the United States, yet a mental association between Blacks and apes remains. Here, the authors demonstrate that U.S. citizens implicitly associate Blacks and apes. In a series of laboratory studies, the authors reveal how this association influences study participants' basic cognitive processes and significantly alters their judgments in criminal justice contexts. Specifically, this Black-ape association alters visual perception and attention, and it increases endorsement of violence against Black suspects. In an archival study of actual criminal cases, the authors show that news articles written about Blacks who are convicted of capital crimes are more likely to contain ape-relevant language than news articles written about White convicts. Moreover, those who are implicitly portrayed as more apelike in these articles are more likely to be executed by the state than those who are not. The authors argue that examining the subtle persistence of specific historical representations such as these may not only enhance contemporary research on dehumanization, stereotyping, and implicit processes but also highlight common forms of discrimination that previously have gone unrecognized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Statistical methods for reservoir fluid composition distribution analysis

This paper presents statistical methods for analyzing the molar distribution of components in petroleum fluids. Reservoir fluid characterization is very significant in Equation of State modeling and in some flow assurance- related problems. Heptanes plus components (C₇₊) are usually lumped together as a pseudo-component, hence, characterizing it improves modeling. Three statistical methods were assumed for analyzing the distribution of components using two reservoir fluid data. The statistical methods selected were validated for best fit of the molar distribution data using methods including the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The goodness of fit for each test is presented. A new model showing the relationship while using data of Kolmogorov–Smirnov test is presented with high r².     

Synthesis and studies of two proton–receptor fluorescent probes based on 1,8-naphthalimide

Two isomeric proton–receptor fluorescent probes 1 and 2 were designed and synthesised by employing the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) principle of a ‘fluorophore–spacer–receptor’ module. Their photophysical characteristics were investigated in organic solvents and Britton–Robinson buffer/EtOH (1:1, v/v) solution. Probe 1 was sensitive in the stronger acidic region of 2.21–4.56, while probe 2 displayed a good response towards protons within the pH scope of 4.10–6.09. The specificity of the probes toward protons in commonly used buffer solutions and in the presence of metal cations, Na(i ), K(i ), Ca(ii ), Mg(ii ), Al(iii ), Pb(ii ), Fe(iii ), Ni(ii ), Zn(ii ), Cu(ii ), Hg(ii ), Ag(i ), Co(ii ), Cr(iii ), Mn(ii ), and Cd(ii ) ions, was studied by monitoring the changes in their fluorescence intensity. The tested metal ions exerted no noticeable influence. The results obtained show that the synthesised proton–receptor fluorescent probes have the capability to act as pH-sensitive probes for monitoring pH variations in the range 2.21–6.09.     

The space between us: Stereotype threat and distance in interracial contexts.

Four studies investigate the role that stereotype threat plays in producing racial distancing behavior in an anticipated conversation paradigm. It was hypothesized that the threat of appearing racist may have the ironic effect of causing Whites to distance themselves from Black conversation partners. In Study 1, participants distanced themselves more from Black partners under conditions of threat, and this distance correlated with the activation of a "White racist" stereotype. In Study 2, it was demonstrated that Whites' interracial distancing behavior was not predicted by explicit or implicit prejudice. Study 3 provides evidence that conceiving of interracial interactions as opportunities to learn may attenuate the negative consequences of threat for Whites. Study 4 found that Whites have conscious access to their experience of stereotype threat and that this awareness may mediate the relationship between threat and distance. These results are discussed within a broader discourse of racial distancing and the possibility that certain identity threats may be as important as prejudice in determining the outcomes of interracial interactions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Compositional,Mass-Volume-Area Related and Mechanical Properties of Sponge Gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca) Seeds

Some physical, mechanical and compositional properties of sponge gourd seeds were determined according to standard methods. The length, width, thickness and equivalent diameter were 9.6, 6.17, 1.59 and 4.53 mm for whole seeds and 6.99, 4.31, 0.79 and 2.84 mm for the dehulled seeds respectively. Sphericity, surface area, seed mass, bulk density, apparent density and porosity were 0.47, 0.57 cm², 0.079 g, 0.43, 0.50 g/cm³ and 0.14 for whole seeds and 0.41, 0.33 cm², 0.044 g, 0.57, 0.93 g/cm³ and 0.39 for dehulled seeds, respectively. Coefficient of friction against wood, aluminum, galvanized steel and mild steel surfaces were 0.50, 0.59, 0.64 and 0.70 for the whole seeds and 0.55, 0.66, 0.67, and 0.76 for the dehulled seeds, respectively. Sponge gourd seeds contain 33.38 and 39.11 g of protein and fat per 100 g of sample, respectively, the fat being largely made up of 50.1% linoleic and 31.03 % stearic acids.