The Texaco coal gasification process for manufacture of medium BTU gas

The development of the Texaco coal gasification process is discussed with particular emphasis on its close relationship to the fully commercialized Texaco synthesis gas generation process for residual oil gasification. The end uses of the product gas are covered, with special attention to electric power generation via combined cycle technology. Control of SO2, NOx, and particulate emissions in the power generating mode is also covered. The application of this technology in a proposed Texaco-Southern California Edison demonstration project is mentioned. Investment information released for a 1000-megawatt advanced combined cycle gasification facility, is also reviewed

Petrologic and geophysical study of the source of long wavelength crustal magnetic anomalies

The magnetic mineralogy and magnetic signature of banded ion formations, diagenetic (unmetamorphosed) and low grade banded iron formations, high-grade mineralogy, and phase equilibria of magnetite inorogenic magmers are discussed

Petrologic and geophysical sources of long-wavelength crustal magnetic anomalies

The magnetic mineralogy and magnetic properties of the deep crust are studied as they pertain to the interpretation of long wavelength, or regional, crustal magnetic anomalies in satellite magnetic data and near surface magnetic data. The conclusions have relevance to the understanding of regional magnetic anomalies in magnetic field measuring satellite missions data. There are two separable studies: (1) a synthesis of available information of regional magnetic anomalies and the magnetization of metamorphic and igneous rocks, and (2) a detailed field, analytical, and experimental study of in situ and laboratory specimens from a terrain that offers exposures of high grade granlite facies rocks that have associated regional magnetic and gravity anomalies

Acculturation and Identity Development of Deaf Ethnic Minorities

This study examined whether experiences in the family and the education systems could influence Deaf ethnic identity development. Data were collected via administration of the Deaf Acculturation Scale (DAS). Participants’ responses were assessed as outlined by the developers of the DAS (Maxwell-McCaw & Zea, 2011). Results suggested that parents’ attitude towards their child’s deafness may affect the deaf individual’s identity development. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with four deaf ethnic minority participants: One Venezuelan American and three African American. Two hearing parents (both mothers) also participated in the interview: one Venezuelan American and one African American. Thematic analysis was used to code and identify patterns among the participants’ responses. Some themes discussed were: the role of spirituality and how it shaped deaf ethnic minority parents’ attitudes toward their child’s deafness; the impact of educational experiences and Deaf identity development, and what factors determined whether an individual identified with their ethnicity or Deafness first. The study suggests that familial/parental attitude toward deafness and experiences in the education system strongly influence Deaf identity development. Limitations and suggestions to further research are also discussed

Trauma Education In Social Work Curricula: An Innovative Approach To The Teaching Of Trauma-Informed Care

Many professionals, especially social workers, work with individuals who have a history of or are experiencing trauma. If students understand the trauma their clients have experienced, they are better suited to meet the individual where they are and help them work towards their goals. Social work professors must prepare their students by instructing them about different types of traumatic experiences, the impacts, assessment tools, and various intervention strategies. I used a qualitative research approach and document analysis to understand how social work programs incorporate education related to trauma and trauma-informed practice into their curricula. This method allowed me to gain a deep and nuanced understanding of how social work programs educate their students about trauma. This dissertation discusses the need for trauma education in social work curricula based on the research findings. The practical application of the research lends itself to developing a course to be offered to students at the University of North Dakota (UND). This course, Understanding Trauma in Social Work Practice, will be offered as an elective in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program and will provide basic, foundational knowledge and awareness of trauma. Exploration of factors known to promote resilience and self-care are examined and emphasized throughout the course

Estradiol Synthesis and Action at the Synapse: Evidence for “Synaptocrine” Signaling

Classically, the modulation of brain function and behavior by steroid hormones was linked exclusively to secretion by peripheral endocrine glands. Subsequently, steroid actions within the brain were shown dependent upon either synthesis and secretion by peripheral organs or by production within the CNS itself using peripheral sources of precursors. Discovery of the estrogen-synthetic enzyme aromatase in brain further bolstered the latter view and served as a catalyst for expanding concepts of neurosteroidogenesis. In parallel research, several steroids, including estradiol, were found to have rapid effects on neuronal excitability, partially explained by novel actions at neuronal membranes. Recent findings from multiple levels of analysis and labs necessitate an updated view on how steroids are delivered to neural circuits. There is now considerable evidence for expression of the aromatase enzyme within synaptic boutons in the vertebrate CNS. Furthermore, additional work now directly couples rapid regulation of neuroestrogen synthesis with neurophysiological and behavioral outcomes. In this review we summarize evidence for targeted and acute synaptic estrogen synthesis and perisynaptic estrogen actions in the CNS of songbirds. We evaluate these findings in the context of criteria associated with classic neuromodulatory signaling. We term this novel form of signaling “synaptocrine,” and discuss its implications

Western scrub-jays do not appear to attend to functionality in Aesop's Fable experiments.

Western scrub-jays are known for their highly discriminatory and flexible behaviors in a caching (food storing) context. However, it is unknown whether their cognitive abilities are restricted to a caching context. To explore this question, we tested scrub-jays in a non-caching context using the Aesop's Fable paradigm, where a partially filled tube of water contains a floating food reward and objects must be inserted to displace the water and bring the food within reach. We tested four birds, but only two learned to drop stones proficiently. Of these, one bird participated in 4/5 experiments and one in 2/5 experiments. Both birds passed one experiment, but without attending to the functional differences of the objects, and failed the other experiments. Scrub-jays were not motivated to participate in these experiments, suggesting that either this paradigm was ecologically irrelevant or perhaps their flexibility is restricted to a caching context.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from PeerJ via http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.170

Mission: impossible! Gewerkschaften und Arbeitsfrieden in China

Streiks sind in China an der Tagesordnung. Die Rolle der Gewerkschaften dabei ist widersprüchlich. Sie sind zwar die mitgliederstärksten Gewerkschaften der Welt, aber die meisten Beschäftigten halten sie für nutzlos. Obwohl sich das chinesische Wirtschaftssystem mit der Reform der Staatsunternehmen und der Ausweitung des Privatsektors grundlegend gewandelt hat, haben die Gewerkschaften auch weiterhin den staatlichen Auftrag, die Interessen der Beschäftigten mit denen der Unternehmen und der Nation zu versöhnen. Da sich die Beschäftigten von ihnen jedoch nicht vertreten fühlen, nimmt die Zahl unorganisierter Arbeitskonflikte kontinuierlich zu. Der gewerkschaftliche Auftrag der Stabilitätssicherung ist somit undurchführbar. Ob die Gewerkschaften ihre Rolle zugunsten der Beschäftigten auslegen, ist vor allem vom Druck, den die Beschäftigten durch ihre Aktionen entwickeln, abhängig. Ihr Dilemma, als Massenorganisation unter Führung der KP von oben für harmonische Arbeitsbeziehungen zu sorgen und zugleich von den Arbeitern als legitimer Interessenvertreter anerkannt werden zu wollen, wird sich aber ohne politische Reformen nicht lösen lassen. Der hohe Organisationsgrad ist kein Maßstab für die Aktionsbereitschaft der Gewerkschaften. Betriebliche Gewerkschaftsorganisationen werden in der Regel "von oben" gegründet und stehen vielfach unter dem direkten Einfluss des Unternehmensmanagements. Übergeordnete regionale Gewerkschaften sind vom Partei-Staat abhängig. Ihre Leitungen sind Beamte ohne direkten Bezug zur Arbeiterschaft. Das Arbeitsrecht beruht auf dem Prinzip individueller Arbeitsverträge. "Kollektivverträge" oder "kollektive Verhandlungen" dienen vor allem dazu, tariflichen Auseinandersetzungen auf bürokratischem Wege vorzubauen. Streiks wird ad hoc begegnet, ohne dass generelle Lösungen für die Probleme gesucht werden

Combined Liquid and Solid-Phase Extraction Improves Quantification of Brain Estrogen Content

Accuracy in quantifying brain-derived steroid hormones (“neurosteroids”) has become increasingly important for understanding the modulation of neuronal activity, development, and physiology. Relative to other neuroactive compounds and classical neurotransmitters, steroids pose particular challenges with regard to isolation and analysis, owing to their lipid solubility. Consequently, anatomical studies of the distribution of neurosteroids have relied primarily on the expression of neurosteroid synthesis enzymes. To evaluate the distribution of synthesis enzymes vis-à-vis the actual steroids themselves, traditional steroid quantification assays, including radioimmunoassays, have successfully employed liquid extraction methods (e.g., ether, dichloromethane, or methanol) to isolate steroids from microdissected brain tissue. Due to their sensitivity, safety, and reliability, the use of commercial enzyme-immunoassays (EIA) for laboratory quantification of steroids in plasma and brain has become increasingly widespread. However, EIAs rely on enzymatic reactions in vitro, making them sensitive to interfering substances in brain tissue and thus producing unreliable results. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol for combined, two-stage liquid/solid-phase extraction (SPE) as compared to conventional liquid extraction alone for the isolation of estradiol (E2) from brain tissue. We employ the songbird model system, in which brain steroid production is pronounced and linked to neural mechanisms of learning and plasticity. This study outlines a combined liquid–SPE protocol that improves the performance of a commercial EIA for the quantification of brain E2 content. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our optimized method for evaluating the region specificity of brain E2 content, compare these results to established anatomy of the estrogen synthesis enzyme and estrogen receptor, and discuss the nature of potential EIA interfering substances