Contributions to the psychology of addiction.

Review of book: Contributions to the Psychology of Addiction, Gerard M. Schippers, Sylvia M. M. Lammers and Cas P. D. R. Schaap, (Eds.), Amsterdam/Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger, 1991, 157 pp., ISBN 90-265-1217-1. Reviewed by Arvid Amundsen. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of best design practices: An analysis of US navy contractors

Rapid and successful introduction of new products is a potentially significant source of competitive advantage for manufacturing firms. Organizations need to identify and manage those critical elements of the product development process (PDP) that have a positive influence on new product success. This research identifies the distinctive product development and design practices, policies and tools currently followed by companies (Navy contractors) that participated in an empirical research study known as the Best Manufacturing Practices Program. A summary of practices reported in the case studies is compiled using content analysis techniques, and the most interesting practices by individual companies are highlighted. We find numerous examples of sophisticated CAD techniques being used to enhance the development process, including expert system design advisers, computer simulation, and design databases. Companies are emphasizing the design policies of concurrent engineering and teamwork, and documenting design process knowledge into design manuals. Company effort still appear focused primarily on the phase of detailed design rather than the concept selection phase.     

Energy resolution of an Omega-type monochromator and imaging properties of the MANDOLINE filter

We report on the energy resolution properties of an Omega-type monochromator. In a TEM/STEM setup with a MANDOLINE filter and extreme stability of the high voltage and the filter current, an energy resolution of 43 meV for 0.1 s exposure time and 87 meV for 100 s exposure time was measured at 200 kV with 40 meV monochromator slit width. The monochromized zero-loss peaks are additionally characterized by their edge steepness. Moreover a drop in the monochromized zero-loss peak by 10³ after 260 meV can be obtained even without deconvolution. For small fields of view, the energy resolution mostly does not depend on the MANDOLINE filter. With the Corrected OMEGA filter an energy resolution of 41 meV was measured for 0.03 s exposure time at 200 kV with 30 meV monochromator slit width and 77 meV for 50 s exposure time at 80 kV with 40 meV monochromator slit width. Furthermore, the MANDOLINE filter’s setup and imaging properties are presented such as isochromaticity (<5 meV) and transmissivity (T_(1 eV)=17,400 nm²), which set a new standard for imaging energy filters and allow EFTEM spectrum imaging with energy windows ≤200 meV and reasonable fields of view.     

High-pressure phase equilibria for the synthesis of ionic liquids in compressed CO2 for 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide with 1-bromohexane and 1-methylimidazole

The use of carbon dioxide in the synthesis of ionic liquids (ILs) has many advantages over conventional solvents. Here, the high-pressure phase equilibria (including CO₂ solubility, volume expansion, and mixture critical points) are measured and modeled for the system involved in the synthesis of a model imidazolium ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([HMIm][Br]) from 1-bromohexane and 1-methylimidazole. The global phase behavior of 1-methylimidazole was investigated and found to be a Type V system (or potentially IV) from the classification of Scott and van Konynenburg with regions of vapor–liquid equilibrium, vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium, liquid–liquid equilibrium, an upper and lower critical endpoint and mixture critical points. The solubility and volume expansion of CO₂ in 1-methylimidazole, 1-bromohexane, a 1:1 mixture of 1-methylimidazole and 1-bromohexane and [HMIm][Br] was determined at 313.15 K and 333.15 K for pressures ranging from 10 to 160 bar. The solubility of CO₂ and the volume expansion increases in the order of [HMIm][Br]  1-methylimidazole < 1:1 mixture of reactants < 1-bromohexane. The Peng–Robinson equation of state with van der Waals 2-parameter mixing rules was used with estimated critical properties to well correlate the vapor–liquid equilibrium. The results have important ramifications on the kinetics and process constraints of an actual IL synthesis with CO₂.     

800kV叠装式瓷绝缘子大雨下的性能评估(英文)

An 800 kV electric power substation can have more than one hundred of porcelain multicone type insulators supporting busbar structures.Two or more sections in series,having middle and end fittings,compose these insulators.Ageing process can cause degradation of the cement used in this type of insulator and this fact can affect its dielectric performance under heavy rain.This paper presents results of an investigation based on power frequency high voltage tests performed on 800 kV porcelain multicone type insulators,removed from service after having operated for more than 20 years,as well a non-used one that had been stored on site for long time.The insulators were tested in different arrangements:each section at a time and the two sections assembled in series,as actually used insulator columns.The tests were carried out under artificial rain ranging from 1 mm/min to 5 mm/min.The results have confirmed a reduction of up to 30% in the insulator power frequency flashover voltage under 5 mm/min rain conditions and gave important information to the utility about radial cracks that were observed in many insulators and about the discharge mechanisms along the insulators under rain.     

In vitro model improves the prediction of soil arsenic bioavailability: worst-case scenario

There is a strong interest in developing an in vitro arsenic (As) model that satisfactorily estimates the variability in in vivo relative oral bioavailability (RBA) measurements. Several in vitro tests have been developed, but none is universally accepted due to their limited success in predicting soil As RBA. A suite of amorphous and crystalline solid As phases were chosen, utilizing a worst-case scenario (WCS) that simulated fasting children's gastric solution chemistry. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the effects of residence time, pH, and solid-to-solution ratio on As bioaccessibility and speciation in the in vitro gastric test; (ii) provide the fundamental basis for an optimized in vitro model constrained by the WCS; and (iii) validate the optimized in vitro test with the in vivo RBA obtained with BALB/c mice. The gastric pH was the only significant (p < 0.05) factor influencing solid As bioaccessibility. Bioaccessible As retained the oxidation state after its release from the solid into the gastric solution. The optimized in vitro model adequately predicted RBA values for a suite of solid As phases typically encountered in soils, with the exception of aluminum-based solids. This study is an excellent starting point for developing an in vitro test applicable to different As-contaminated soils.     

Urothelium-Specific Deletion of Connexin43 in the Mouse Urinary Bladder Alters Distension-Induced ATP Release and Voiding Behavior

Connexin43 (Cx43), the main gap junction and hemichannel forming protein in the urinary bladder, participates in the regulation of bladder motor and sensory functions and has been reported as an important modulator of day–night variations in functional bladder capacity. However, because Cx43 is expressed throughout the bladder, the actual role played by the detrusor and the urothelial Cx43 is still unknown. For this purpose, we generated urothelium-specific Cx43 knockout (uCx43KO) mice using Cre-LoxP system. We evaluated the day–night micturition pattern and the urothelial Cx43 hemichannel function of the uCx43KO mice by measuring luminal ATP release after bladder distention. In wild-type (WT) mice, distention-induced ATP release was elevated, and functional bladder capacity was decreased in the animals’ active phase (nighttime) when Cx43 expression was also high compared to levels measured in the sleep phase (daytime). These day–night differences in urothelial ATP release and functional bladder capacity were attenuated in uCx43KO mice that, in the active phase, displayed lower ATP release and higher functional bladder capacity than WT mice. These findings indicate that urothelial Cx43 mediated ATP signaling and coordination of urothelial activity are essential for proper perception and regulation of responses to bladder distension in the animals’ awake, active phase.     

Genetic Variability and Population Structure of Salvia lachnostachys: Implications for Breeding and Conservation Programs

The genetic diversity and population structure of Salvia lachnostachys Benth were assessed. Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were used to investigate the restricted distribution of S. lachnostachys in Parana State, Brazil. Leaves of 73 individuals representing three populations were collected. DNA was extracted and submitted to PCR-ISSR amplification with nine tested primers. Genetic diversity parameters were evaluated. Our analysis indicated 95.6% polymorphic loci (stress value 0.02) with a 0.79 average Simpson’s index. The Nei-Li distance dendrogram and principal component analysis largely recovered the geographical origin of each sample. Four major clusters were recognized representing each collected population. Nei’s gene diversity and Shannon’s information index were 0.25 and 0.40 respectively. As is typical for outcrossing herbs, the majority of genetic variation occurred at the population level (81.76%). A high gene flow (Nm = 2.48) was observed with a correspondingly low fixation index. These values were generally similar to previous studies on congeneric species. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCA) and of arithmetic average (UPGMA) were consistent and all three populations appear distinct as in STRUCTURE analysis. In addition, this analysis indicated a majority intrapopulation genetic variation. Despite the human pressure on natural populations our study found high levels of genetic diversity for S. lachnostachys. This was the first molecular assessment for this endemic species with medicinal proprieties and the results can guide for subsequent bioprospection, breeding programs or conservation actions.