Eyewitness Identification Accuracy and Response Latency: The Unruly 10-12-Second Rule.

Data are reported from 3,213 research eyewitnesses confirming that accurate eyewitness identifications from lineups are made faster than are inaccurate identifications. However, consistent with predictions from the recognition and search literatures, the authors did not find support for the "10-12-s rule" in which lineup identifications faster than 10-12 s maximally discriminate between accurate and inaccurate identifications (D. Dunning & S. Perretta, 2002). Instead, the time frame that proved most discriminating was highly variable across experiments, ranging from 5 s to 29 s, and the maximally discriminating time was often unimpressive in its ability to sort accurate from inaccurate identifications. The authors suggest several factors that are likely to moderate the 10-12-s rule. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Testosterone has potent, selective effects on the morphology of pelvic autonomic neurons which control the bladder, lower bowel and internal reproductive organs of the male rat

Although gonadal steroids are important determinants of the development and activity of various neuronal circuits in the brain and spinal cord, their function has been relatively poorly studied in the peripheral nervous system. In the present work, the effects of pre- and postpubertal castration were examined on the morphology of autonomic neurons that supply pelvic visceral organs in male rats. These neurons were identified by peripheral injection of fluorescent retrograde tracers and, in the major pelvic ganglion, were further classified as sympathetic or parasympathetic by means of immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase. Sizes of ganglion cell somata were indicated by areas of nucleated profiles in cryosections. The results show that, irrespective of whether castration was carried out at two or seven weeks-of-age, noradrenergic pelvic neurons that supply the vas deferens, prostate gland, urinary bladder or colon achieved only approximately 60% of the size of those in unoperated controls. In contrast, cholinergic pelvic neurons were unaffected by castration unless they supplied reproductive targets. Pre- and paravertebral sympathetic neurons that supplied the pelvic viscera were only slightly smaller following castration or were unchanged, depending on their target. All effects of castration were prevented by testosterone replacement following surgery. Androgen receptor-immunoreactivity was particularly prevalent in the nuclei of some pelvic ganglion neurons. The studies suggest that circulating androgens are essential for the maturation and maintenance of the structure of select groups of autonomic neurons that supply the viscera. The presence of androgen receptor immunoreactivity in many of these neurons indicates that direct neuronal effects of androgens are possible. However this does not exclude other less direct mechanisms of steroid action on neurons, such as by an effect on target organs, neurotrophic factor release or peripheral vascular supply. These studies point to the androgenic steroids as potentially important determinants of autonomic reflex function.     

Sugar reduction without compromising sensory perception. An impossible dream?

ABSTRACT

Sugar reduction is a major technical challenge for the food industry to address in response to public health concerns regarding the amount of added sugars in foods. This paper reviews sweet taste perception, sensory methods to evaluate sugar reduction and the merits of different techniques available to reduce sugar content. The use of sugar substitutes (non-nutritive sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and fibres) can achieve the greatest magnitude of sugar and energy reduction, however bitter side tastes and varying temporal sweet profiles are common issues. The use of multisensory integration principles (particularly aroma) can be an effective approach to reduce sugar content, however the magnitude of sugar reduction is small. Innovation in food structure (modifying the sucrose distribution, serum release and fracture mechanics) offers a new way to reduce sugar without significant changes in food composition, however may be difficult to implement in food produced on a large scale. Gradual sugar reduction presents difficulties for food companies from a sales perspective if acceptability is compromised. Ultimately, a holistic approach where food manufacturers integrate a range of these techniques is likely to provide the best progress. However, substantial reduction of sugar in processed foods without compromising sensory properties may be an impossible dream.     

Transforming salmonid aquaculture from a consumer to a producer of long chain omega-3 fatty acids

Recommendations to endorse the sustainability of wild fish stock utilisation, supporting the health of marine ecosystems, are clashing with those to increase omega-3 fatty acids (n−3 LC-PUFA) consumption and promoting human health.     

High-speed Schottky-barrier pMOSFET with f/sub T/=280 GHz

High-speed results on sub-30-nm gate length pMOSFETs with platinum silicide Schottky-barrier source and drain are reported. With inherently low series resistance and high drive current, these deeply scaled transistors are promising for high-speed analog applications. The fabrication process simplicity is compelling with no implants required. A sub-30-nm gate length pMOSFET exhibited a cutoff frequency of 280 GHz, which is the highest reported to date for a silicon MOS transistor. Off-state leakage current can be easily controlled by augmenting the Schottky barrier height with an optional blanket As implant. Using this approach, good digital performance was also demonstrated.     

Rubber-toughening of plastics

The effects of stress-and strain-history upon the mechanical properties of HIPS (highimpact polystyrene) and of blends containing HIPS and PPO^R resin have been studied in a number of different tests, including repeated creep testing of individual specimens and repeated tensile tests at constant strain-rate upon individual specimens. The results show that craze formation increases volume and lowers Young's modulus in specimens subjected to tensile strain, and that strained specimens recover only slowly towards the properties of the unstrained material. Recovery is accelerated by heating, or by immersion in alcohols. A given initial strain produces a greater reduction in modulus in HIPS, which deforms almost entirely by crazing, than in HIPS/PPO blends, which deform by a combination of crazing and shear band formation. The properties of strained specimens are dominated by the distinctive non-linear mechanical behaviour of crazes, and the problems of constructing models to represent this behaviour are discussed.     

Rubber-toughening of plastics

The effects of matrix ductility upon mechanisms of rubber toughening have been studied in a set of materials having identical rubber contents, but differing in matrix composition. The materials were made by solution blending 50% of HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) with polystyrene and PPO^® poly-(2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenylene oxide) in varying proportions. Crazing was studied quantitatively by measuring volume changes during creep. Analysis showed that in blends of HIPS with polystyrene, crazing is the only significant mechanism of tensile creep, whereas in blends containing polyphenylene oxide, shearing mechanisms are also important, and the contribution of crazing to creep deformation can be as low as 30%, depending upon matrix composition. Scanning electron microscopy showed that both crazes and shear bands were present in strained HIPS/PPO blends. Shear band formation appears to be responsible for the increased fracture resistance of blends containing a high proportion of polyphenylene oxide. A theory of toughening is proposed for these blends.