Plasma Sprayed Dense MgO-Y2O3 Nanocomposite Coatings Using Sol-Gel Combustion Synthesized Powder

MgO-Y₂O₃ nanostructured composite powder (volume ratio of 50:50) was synthesized by a sol-gel combustion process which generated crystal sizes in the 10-20 nm range. The MgO-Y₂O₃ nanopowder was plasma sprayed using a conventional, DC arc plasma spray system. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the as-sprayed MgO-Y₂O₃ coating is composed of cubic MgO and Y₂O₃ phases and has ~95% density. Microstructure characterization by SEM reveals that the as-sprayed coating has fine grain sizes of 100-300 nm as a result of rapid solidification. The hardness of the coating, 7.5 ± 0.6 GPa, is higher than that of coarse-grained, dense MgO, and Y₂O₃ ceramics. This approach demonstrates the potential of plasma spray processes for making thick, dense MgO-Y₂O₃ nanocomposite performs for applications as durable, infrared windows.     

Binocular fixation disparity in single word displays.

It has been claimed that the recognition of words displayed in isolation is affected by the precise location at which they are fixated. However, this putative role for fixation location has yet to be reconciled with the finding from reading research that binocular fixations are often misaligned and, therefore, more than 1 location in a word is often fixated simultaneously. The accuracy and alignment of binocular fixations during single word processing have not been assessed previously. To investigate this issue, words were presented for lexical decision at locations around a central fixation point. Eye-tracking data revealed that participants often fixated inaccurately and that fixations were frequently misaligned, but that this did not affect word recognition. The findings show that binocular fixation disparity is pervasive even in single word displays and a potential source of confound for research into effects of fixation location on word recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social influences related to college students’ use of Macintosh computers on an all-PC campus

In the present qualitative research study, 35 Mac users were interviewed in a university campus that exclusively supports PC machines. We particularly explored the Mac-users’ social influences, saving technological and other influences for future reports. Results showed Mac users to possess significant connections with other Mac users on the university campus. The Mac users in our study indicated that positive, past exposure, including Apple’s advertising of Macs, had sharp influences on their decisions to become and remain Mac users.     

Calculating fragment impact velocity from penetration data

Depth of penetration experiments were conducted with fragment simulating projectiles launched into Celotex^® in order to develop an equation for the strike velocity as a function of the FSP mass and the depth of penetration into Celotex^® recovery media. A powder gun launched FSPs, designed in accordance with STANAG-2920 [NATO STANAG-2920 Ballistic Test Method for Personal Armour Materials and Combat Clothing, 2nd ed., 1999.] weighing between 0.13 g and 53.78 g at striking velocities between 198 m/s and 1524 m/s. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine an empirical relationship for the strike velocity to the impact parameters of depth of penetration, fragment mass, and mean presented area. Sabot launched natural fragments weighing between 2.8 g and 15.8 g at striking velocities between 532 m/s and 1084 m/s were used to validate the equation.     

High temperature superconductivity applied to electric motors

The application of high temperature superconductors to electric motors is discussed. Both the advantages and limitations of using superconductors in motors are reviewed. A synchronous motor with a high-temperature superconductor field winding for pump and fan drive applications is described and some of its unique features are identified. A 10000-hp superconducting motor design and its advantages in terms of improved efficiency and reduced size are described. The performance requirements for the superconducting wire necessary for motor applications are considered, and the progress being made toward realizing these requirements is assessed     

Raised cerebrovascular resistance in idiopathic orthostatic intolerance: evidence for sympathetic vasoconstriction

We examined the gelatinolytic activity in human oral squamous-cell carcinoma tissues in order to evaluate the capability of intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells. By a microdissection-zymography, we demonstrated separately the gelatinolytic activities in cancer cell nests and stroma adjacent to the cancer cells. The gelatinolytic activities, such as pro-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9 and active-MMP2 in most of cancer cell nests were much higher than those of normal gingival epithelium. Moreover, the activities of active-MMP2 in cancer cell nests of metastatic cancers were significantly higher than those of non-metastatic cancers (p<0.05). These results suggest that active-MMP2 in cancer cells can be a predictive marker for metastasis formation in oral squamous-cell carcinoma patients.     

Gender, motivation, and coping in the evaluation of leadership effectiveness.

Examined the effects of gender, coping, and motivational orientation in evaluating individual leadership. Ss were 17 female and 31 male graduate students in an intensive leadership development program at a leading business school. The Shanan Sentence Completion Technique, Jackson's Personality Research Form, and Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices were used to predict peer ratings of leadership at the end of the 9-mo program. The data reveal significant gender differences on the measures of motivation, with men showing higher levels of agentic instrumental tendencies and women exhibiting higher levels of communal-social qualities. These qualities, in turn were differentially correlated with evaluations of leadership. Women exhibiting strong agentic characteristics were negatively perceived as leaders. There was no relationship between agentic or communal qualities and evaluations of leadership received by male leaders. Finally, individuals with active coping tendencies were evaluated as more effective leaders for both genders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)