Formation and internal microstructure of granules from wetting and non-wetting efavirenz/iron oxide blends

An examination of granulation of non-wetting/wetting powder mixtures is presented. Non-wetting micron-size pharmaceutical active powder was blended with a sub-micron wetting excipient in three different ratios to produce wetting, non-wetting, and marginally-wetting powder blends. Model nuclei were prepared from these blends using binder droplets with viscosity of ca 10, 100 and 1000 mPa·s and further granulated in tumbling drum and high shear granulator. The effects of blend wettability, binder viscosity, granulation time, and shear forces on granule size and microstructure were investigated. Hollow granules were produced at higher binder viscosity of 100 and 1000 mPa·s regardless of blend wettability. Solid granules with a complex internal microstructure were produced at low binder viscosity of 10 mPa·s regardless of blend wettability. Contribution of capillary, viscous and impact forces are considered to explain differences in granule microstructure. Modified Reynolds and Weber numbers are proposed to rationalize formation and stability of shell microstructures

Valuing happiness in youth: Associations with depressive symptoms and well-being

In Western society, happiness is often viewed as an important or even preeminent life goal. Yet, research with adults suggests that excessively valuing happiness (e.g., equating happiness to constant feelings of happiness, worrying about happiness even when happy) is linked to more depressive symptoms and lower subjective well-being. We extended this work by investigating valuing happiness in youth within three samples: 7–12 year-old children (Study 1; N = 76); 14–18 year-old adolescents (Study 2; N = 142); and 12–18 year-old adolescents (Study 3; N = 152). Paralleling research with adults, valuing happiness was related to higher depressive symptoms in all three studies. These associations were moderated by perceived stress in Study 2 and age in Study 3. Valuing happiness showed inconsistent associations with well-being. This research suggests that youth who value happiness too much are more depressed. We highlight the need for prospective designs and implications for understanding depression risk

Movement-In-Depth, Cognitive Impairment, And Crash Risk

The driving task is highly complex and places considerable perceptual, physical and cognitive demands on the driver. As driving is fundamentally an information processing activity, distracted or impaired drivers have diminished safety margins compared with non- distracted drivers (Hancock and Parasuraman, 1992; TRB 1998 a & b). This competition for sensory and decision making capacities can lead to failures that cost lives. Some groups, teens and elderly drivers for example, have patterns of systematically poor perceptual, physical and cognitive performance while driving. Although there are technologies developed to aid these different drivers, these systems are often misused and underutilized. The DriveID project aims to design and develop a passive, automated face identification system capable of robustly identifying the driver of the vehicle, retrieve a stored profile, and intelligently prescribing specific accident prevention systems and driving environment customizations. © 2012 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

A Comparison Of Broad Versus Deep Auditory Menu Structures

Objective: The primary purpose of this experiment was to gain a greater understanding of the utilization of working memory when interacting with a speech-enabled interactive voice response (IVR) system. Background: A widely promoted guideline advises limiting IVR menus to five or fewer items because of constraints of the human memory system, commonly citing Miller\u27s (1956) paper. The authors argue that Miller\u27s paper does not, in fact, support this guideline. Furthermore, applying modern theories of working memory leads to the opposite conclusion - that reducing menu length by creating a deeper structure is actually more demanding of users\u27 working memories and leads to poorer performance and satisfaction. Method: Participants took a working memory capacity test and then attempted to complete a series of e-mail tasks using one of two IVR designs (functionally equivalent, but one with a broad menu structure and the other with a deep structure). Results: Users of the broad-structure IVR performed better and were more satisfied than users of the deep-structure IVR. Furthermore, this effect was more pronounced for those with low working memory capacity. Conclusion: Results indicate that creating a deeper structure is more demanding of working memory resource than the alternative of longer, shallower menus. Application: This experiment has important practical implications for all systems with auditory menus (particularly IVRs) because it provides empirical evidence refuting a widely promoted design practice. Copyright © 2008, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society