Fire safe,sustainable loose furnishing

The aim of this exploratory study has been to investigate the fire properties and environmental aspects of different upholstery material combinations, mainly for domestic applications. An analysis of the sustainability and circularity of selected textiles, along with lifecycle assessment, is used to qualitatively evaluate materials from an environmental perspective. The cone calorimeter was the primary tool used to screen 20 different material combinations from a fire performance perspective. It was found that textile covers of conventional fibres such as wool, cotton and polyester, can be improved by blending them with fire resistant speciality fibres. A new three‐dimensional web structure has been examined as an alternative padding material, showing preliminary promising fire properties with regard to ignition time, heat release rates and smoke production.     

Les déterminants individuels, interpersonnels et organisationnels de la détresse psychologique en milieu de travail.

Studied determinants of psychological stress in the workplace to test a 2-step model involving 3 organizational stressors (i.e., quantitative work overload, role conflict, and role ambiguity) and 3 types of resources (i.e., individual, interpersonal, and organizational). 636 full-time employees (mean age 37.5 yrs) of 4 organizations completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic factors, organizational stressors, resources (i.e., locus of control, Type A (coronary prone) behavior, social support from supervisors and colleagues, and decisional latitude), and psychological stress. Interactions among these factors were determined via multiple regression analyses. Several French-language instruments were used, including the Questionnaire on Internal–External Locus of Control in the Workplace (N. Pettersen, 1984) and the Psychiatric Symptom Index (F. W. Ilfeld, 1976). (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Pupal Parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae Is Attracted to the Same Yeast Volatiles as Its Adult Host

Journal of Chemical Ecology - There is increasing evidence that microorganisms, particularly fungi and bacteria, emit volatile compounds that mediate the foraging behaviour of insects and therefore...     

Designing a personal informatics system for users without experience in self-tracking: a case study

Thanks to the advancements in ubiquitous and wearable technologies, Personal Informatics (PI) systems can now reach a larger audience of users. However, it is not still clear whether this kind of tool can fit the needs of their daily lives. Our research aims at identifying specific barriers that may prevent the widespread adoption of PI and finding solutions to overcome them. We requested users without competence in self-tracking to use different PI instruments during their daily practices, identifying five user requirements by which to design novel PI tools. On such requirements, we developed a new system that can stimulate the use of these technologies, by enhancing the perceived benefits of collecting personal data. Then, we explored how naïve and experienced users differently explore their personal data in our system through a user trial. Results showed that the system was successful at helping individuals manage and interpret their own data, validated the usefulness of the requirements found and inspired three further design opportunities that could orient the design of future PI systems.     

A study of the dynamics of foam growth: Simplified analysis and experimental results for bulk density in structural foam molding

A cell model describing the diffusion-induced growth of closely spaced single bubbles developed in an earlier publication is now used as the microscopic building block of an analysis of low-pressure structural foam molding. Heat transfer, solidification, and bulk flow of the foam in the mold cavity are included in this macroscopic analysis. An experimental method is described whereby the bulk density of an expanding thermoplastic polymeric foam is measured as a function of time when the expanding foam is prepared by the short shot injection molding process. Instantaneous and final bulk foam density data obtained for various values of the controlling process parameters are compared with the predictions of the model. These predictions are found to be in qualitative agreement with the experimental measurements reported here. However, quantitative differences exist between the two. These differences are explained mainly by the omission of melt elasticity and bubble coalescence in the model.     

The response of men to affirmative action strategies for women: The study of a predictive model.

Evaluated the effect of relative deprivation on behalf of others (RDBO), social identification (IDEN), and intergroup differentiation (DIFF) on attitudes of men and their behavioral intentions concerning affirmative action strategies on behalf of women. The variables were integrated in a predictive model that was tested using path analysis. 122 male university students (aged 17–36 yrs) participated by responding to a questionnaire pertaining to IDEN, DIFF, RDBO, and intentions. Intentions to affirmative action strategies were influenced by social identity and RDBO. RDBO acted as a mediating variable between intergroup differentiation and intentions to implement affirmative action strategies. Results show that affirmative action can be positively received by males. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Isolation of COM1, a new gene required to complete meiotic double-strand break-induced recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have designed a screen to isolate mutants defective during a specific part of meiotic prophase I of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genes required for the repair of meiotic double-strand breaks or for the separation of recombined chromosomes are targets of this mutant hunt. The specificity is achieved by selecting for mutants that produce viable spores when recombination and reductional segregation are prevented by mutations in SPO11 and SPO13 genes, but fail to yield viable spores during a normal Rec+ meiosis. We have identified and characterized a mutation com1-1, which blocks processing of meiotic double-strand breaks and which interferes with synaptonemal complex formation, homologous pairing and, as a consequence, spore viability after induction of meiotic recombination. The COM1/SAE2 gene was cloned by complementation, and the deletion mutant has a phenotype similar to com1-1, com1/sae2 mutants closely resemble the phenotype of rad50S, as assayed by phase-contrast microscopy for spore formation, physical and genetic analysis of recombination, fluorescence in situ hybridization to quantify homologous pairing and immunofluorescence and electron microscopy to determine the capability to synapse axial elements.     

Experimental measurements of effective diffusion coefficient of oxygen–nitrogen mixture in PEM fuel cell diffusion media

PEM fuel cells are increasingly designed to operate at high current densities. At these densities, mass transport limitations become very significant, but they are not well understood, with many modeling studies but few experimental observations. The use of accurate transport coefficients to simulate the mass transport at high current densities is crucial. In this study, experimental measurements have been carried out to determine the effective diffusion coefficient in the carbon paper gas diffusion layer that is commonly used in PEM fuel cells. It was found that almost all the existing theoretical models significantly overpredict the effective diffusion coefficient by as much as 4–5 times; thus, underestimating the transport limitations considerably. Further, the effects of temperature, Teflon treatment for hydrophobicity and porosity on the effective diffusion coefficient were investigated. It was found that temperature does not affect the overall diffusibility of the gas. The diffusibility is decreased with the increase of Teflon treatment and decrease in porosity. Further work on better understanding the diffusion process in the gas diffusion layer is under way.     

A power analysis and data acquisition system for ocean wave energy device testing

In the testing of ocean wave energy devices, the demand for a portable and robust data acquisition and electrical loading system has become apparent. This paper investigates the development of a 30 kW inclusive system combining loading capabilities, real-time power analysis, and data acquisition for the testing of deployed ocean wave energy devices. Hardware results for ocean testing are included.