bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room-temperature hydrogen-induced resistivity response of Pd/Mg–Ni films
Authors: Tang Yu Ming , Ong Chung Wo
Published: May 2009

The structure and the response of the effective electrical resistivity 〈ρ〉 in hydrogenation–dehydrogenation processes of palladium-coated/magnesium-nickel (Pd/Mg–Ni) films were investigated as functions of Mg-to-Ni ratio, substrate temperature, and thickness of Pd overcoat. Films of noncrystalline structures with various Mg-to-Ni ratios showed prominent hydrogen-(H-)induced switching effect of 〈ρ〉. A film is supposed to contain segregated noncrystalline regions of different Mg-to-Ni ratios. The regions of an Mg-to-Ni ratio close to 2 are responsible for the switching processes. At room temperature, a dehydrogenation process is much slower than a hydrogenation process. Crystallization hindered the H-induced switching effect of 〈ρ〉. The use of a thicker Pd overcoat accelerated the change of 〈ρ〉 in the initial hydrogenating process but diminished the contrast. Results led to some discussions on the mechanisms governing the switching effects.
A computational study of SrTiO3 thin film deposition: Morphology and growth modes
Authors: Wohlwend Jennifer L. , Boswell Cosima N. , Phillpot Simon R. , Sinnott Susan B.
Published: May 2009

The growth of SrTiO3 (STO) thin films is examined using classical molecular dynamics simulations. First, a beam of alternating SrO and TiO2 molecules is deposited on the (001) surface of STO with incident kinetic energies of 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 eV/atom. Second, deposition of alternating SrO and TiO2 monolayers, where both have incident energies of 1.0 eV/atom, is examined. The resulting thin film morphologies predicted by the simulations are compared to available experimental data. The simulations indicate the way in which the incident energy, surface termination, and beam composition influence the morphology of the thin films. On the whole, some layer-by-layer growth is predicted to occur on both SrO- and TiO2-terminated STO for both types of deposition processes, with the alternating monolayer approach yielding thin films with compositions that are much closer to that of bulk STO.
Stress analysis of microwedge indentation-induced delamination
Authors: Zhao MingHao , Yao LiPan , Zhang Tong-Yi
Published: May 2009

The indentation stress is the key and fundamental parameter in indentation delamination tests, which are widely used in characterization of the interfacial fracture toughness (or adhesion) between a thin film and its substrate. The indentation stress was analyzed in the present work by using the finite element method for microwedge indenters of different wedge angles and with various other geometrical and mechanical parameters including the penetration depth, film thickness, delamination size, Young's modulus, and yield strength of the indented film. The analysis exhibited the stress field under an indentation load and the stress field after unloading caused by plastic deformation, which resulted in the loading indentation stress and the unloading indentation stress, respectively, expressed by empirical formula in terms of the indenter geometry, the indentation depth, and the film thickness and mechanical properties. The energy release rate was also calculated for the indentation-induced interfacial crack.
Sputtering pressure dependence of hydrogen-sensing effect of palladium films
Authors: Ong Chung Wo , Tang Yu Ming
Published: May 2009

The electrical resistivity ρ of palladium (Pd) films prepared by using magnetron sputtering at different pressures φ ranging from 2 to 15 mTorr showed very different hydrogen (H)-induced response. This reaction is because the mean free path of the particles in vacuum changes substantially with φ, such that the structure of the deposits is altered accordingly. A film prepared at a moderate φ value of 6 mTorr has a moderate strength. After a few hydrogenation-dehydrogenation cycles, some cracks are generated because of the great difference in the specific volumes of the metal and hydride phases. Breathing of the cracks in subsequent switching cycles occurred, which led to the response gain of ρ, defined as the resistivity ratio of the dehydrogenated-to-hydrogenated states during a cycle, to increase to 17. This result demonstrates the attractiveness of using the Pd films in H2 detection application. The H-induced resistive response of the films prepared at other φ values was found to be much smaller.
Role of Fe incorporation in the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction in an Al–Ti–B4C system
Authors: Shen Ping , Li Wenya , Zhou Binglin , Jiang Qichuan
Published: May 2009

Effects of Fe incorporation into Al–Ti–B4C reactants on the combustion behaviors, reaction mechanism, synthesized products, and possible natural convection of fluids were investigated. The incorporation of Fe significantly promotes the self-propagating reaction and decreases the reaction dependence on the B4C particle size. The prior reaction of Fe with B4C leads to the decomposition of B4C and formation of Fe2B and free carbon. On the other hand, the reaction of Fe with Ti and Al gives rise to the emergence of Fe–Ti and Fe–Ti–Al eutectic liquids. As a result, the diffusivity and reactivity of the dissociated carbon and boron atoms are greatly facilitated and the reaction is substantially promoted, yielding a desirable product of TiC, TiB2, and FeAl phases. Moreover, the incorporation of Fe may enhance free convection of the molten phase in the reaction zone and thus contribute to the combustion synthesis process.
Correlation of reactant particle size on residual stresses of nanostructured NiAl generated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis
Authors: Rivero Iris V. , Pantoya Michelle L. , Rajamani Karthik , Hsiang Simon M.
Published: May 2009

This investigation analyzed the effect of reactant particle size on the stress development characteristics of NiAl synthesized through self-propagating high temperature synthesis. Four sample combinations of NiAl were synthesized based on initial particle diameters of the reactants: (i) 10 μm Al and 10 μm Ni (S1), (ii) 10 μm Al and 100 nm Ni (S2), (iii) 50 nm Al and 10 μm Ni (S3), and (iv) 50 nm Al and 100 nm Ni (S4). Characterization of NiAl was performed by parallel comparison of the distribution of residual stresses of the samples prior to and after the reaction. Residual stresses were quantified using x-ray diffraction. Upon characterization it was found that combinations S1, S2, and S3 exhibited tensile residual stresses, while combination S4 exhibited compressive residual stresses. Statistical analysis confirmed that self-propagating high temperature synthesis products derived from nanoparticle reactant sizes exhibited compressive residual stresses offering improved fatigue resistance in composite production.
Synthesis of calcium phosphate crystals in a silica hydrogel containing phosphate ions
Authors: Yokoi Taishi , Kawashita Masakazu , Kawachi Giichiro , Kikuta Koichi , Ohtsuki Chikara
Published: May 2009

Calcium phosphate crystals were synthesized by diffusing calcium ions into silica hydrogels containing phosphate ions. Hydroxyapatite [HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] and octacalcium phosphate [OCP, Ca8(HPO4)2(PO4)4.5H2O] with different types of crystal morphology were formed in the gel. The HAp had an irregular or rod shape, a few micrometers in length, while the OCP had an irregular, spherulite, rod- or ribbonlike shape, ranging in size from a few micrometers to several tens of micrometers, depending on the amount of phosphoric acid added and the reaction temperature. The morphology of the OCP changed from an irregular shape to a ribbonlike or rod shape, via a spherulite shape, depending on the amount of phosphoric acid added and the reaction temperature. The degree of supersaturation of the reaction environment and the rate-determining step in the HAp and OCP crystal growth mechanism have been ascribed to the changes in crystal morphology of the HAp and OCP.
Phenomenological analysis of densification mechanism during spark plasma sintering of MgAl2O4
Authors: Bernard-Granger Guillaume , Benameur Nassira , Addad Ahmed , Nygren Mats , Guizard Christian , Deville Sylvain
Published: May 2009

Spark plasma sintering (SPS) of MgAl2O4 powder was investigated at temperatures between 1200 and 1300 °C. A significant grain growth was observed during densification. The densification rate always exhibits at least one strong minimum, and resumes after an incubation period. Transmission electron microscopy investigations performed on sintered samples never revealed extensive dislocation activity in the elemental grains. The densification mechanism involved during SPS was determined by anisothermal (investigation of the heating stage of a SPS run) and isothermal methods (investigation at given soak temperatures). Grain-boundary sliding, accommodated by an in-series {interface-reaction/lattice diffusion of the O2− anions} mechanism controlled by the interface-reaction step, governs densification. The zero-densification-rate period, detected for all soak temperatures, arise from the difficulty of annealing vacancies, necessary for the densification to proceed. The detection of atomic ledges at grain boundaries and the modification of the stoichiometry of spinel during SPS could be related to the difficulty to anneal vacancies at temperature soaks.
Effect of Li3N additive on the hydrogen storage properties of Li-Mg-N-H system
Authors: Ma Lai-Peng , Fang Zhan-Zhao , Dai Hong-Bin , Kang Xiang-Dong , Liang Yan , Wang Pei-Jun , Wang Ping , Cheng Hui-Ming
Published: May 2009

The effect of Li3N additive on the Li-Mg-N-H system was examined with respect to the reversible dehydrogenation performance. Screening study with varying Li3N additions (5, 10, 20, and 30 mol%) demonstrates that all are effective for improving the hydrogen desorption capacity. Optimally, incorporation of 10 mol% Li3N improves the practical capacity from 3.9 wt% to approximately 4.7 wt% hydrogen at 200 °C, which drives the dehydrogenation reaction toward completion. Moreover, the capacity enhancement persists well over 10 de-/rehydrogenation cycles. Systematic x-ray diffraction examinations indicate that Li3N additive transforms into LiNH2 and LiH phases and remains during hydrogen cycling. Combined structure/property investigations suggest that the LiNH2 “seeding” should be responsible for the capacity enhancement, which reduces the kinetic barrier associated with the nucleation of intermediate LiNH2. In addition, the concurrent incorporation of LiH is effective for mitigating the ammonia release.
Brittle-to-ductile transition in ultrathin Ta/Cu film systems
Authors: Gruber Patric A. , Arzt Eduard , Spolenak Ralph
Published: May 2009

Current semiconductor technology demands the use of compliant substrates for flexible integrated circuits. However, the maximum total strain of such devices is often limited by the extensibility of the metallic components. Although cracking in thin films is extensively studied theoretically, little experimental work has been carried out thus far. Here, we present a systematic study of the cracking behavior of 34- to 506-nm-thick Cu films on polyamide with 3.5-to 19-nm-thick Ta interlayers. The film systems have been investigated by a synchrotron-based tensile testing technique and in situ tensile tests in a scanning electron microscope. By relating the energy release during cracking obtained from the stress-strain curves to the crack area, the fracture toughness of the Cu films can be obtained. It increases with Cu film thickness and decreases with increasing Ta film thickness. Films thinner than 70 nm exhibit brittle fracture, indicating an increasing inherent brittleness of the Cu films.
Revisit of the two-dimensional indentation deformation of an elastic half-space
Authors: Yang Fuqian , Cheng Yang-Tse
Published: May 2009

Recently, there is a growing interest in two-dimensional (2D) plane indentation as an imprinting method for creating nanostructures. There is also a strong interest in using 2D flat-ended, wedge, and cylindrical indenters for characterizing mechanical properties of materials. In either case the knowledge of load versus displacement of the indenter is important. However, there has been some confusion about the load–displacement relationships for 2D indentation in the literature. Concerning this confusion on the relationship between the indentation load and the indentation depth for 2D elastic indentations, the symmetric indentation of an elastic half-space is studied. Parameters are introduced in determining the semianalytical relation between the indentation load and the indentation depth for flat-ended indenters and in determining the dependence of the indentation depth on the contact size for non-flat-ended indenters. The indentation load is proportional to the indentation depth for the indentation by flat-ended indenters and is a parabolic function of the indentation depth to the first order of approximation for non-flat-ended indenters including the wedge and cylindrical indenters.
Coercive First Intercourse and Unintended First Births
Authors: Williams Corrine M. , Brett Kate M. , Abma Joyce C.
Published: May 2009

Since research has shown that victims of violence are more likely to be involved in subsequent risky sexual behaviors, we hypothesized that coercive first intercourse would be associated with unintended first births. Using nationally representative data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, we analyzed female respondents aged 18–44 years who reported a live birth (n = 4,136). Coercion was classified as none/minimal, mild, or significant based on self-report. In 2002, 13.7% of U.S. women aged 18–44 who had at least one live birth experienced mild coercion and 9.8% experienced significant coercion at first intercourse. Compared with women who experienced no coercion, the odds of reporting an unintended first birth was greater for women who experienced mild (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4–2.6) or significant coercion (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.6–3.4).
Obtaining an NIH Certificate of Confidentiality to Protect the Identities of Research Participants
Authors: Rovi Sue , Olson Erica
Published: May 2009

Certificates of Confidentiality (CoC) can be obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect researchers from forced disclosure of their participants’ personally identifiable information. We recently applied for an NIH CoC and it was approved. In this article, we describe an NIH CoC and why you might want one. Then we share our experiences in getting one, including one unexpected snag, and what we learned about CoCs that surprised us.
Social Marketing Principles Enhance Enrollment in the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation
Authors: Simon-Rusinowitz Lori , Mahoney Kevin J. , Marks Lori N. , Simone Kristin , Zacharias Lee B.
Published: May 2009

Purpose of the study: Using focus group data, this article discusses the use of social marketing principles to enhance enrollment in the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE). Design and methods: Focus groups were conducted in person and by conference call in two CCDE states, Arkansas and Florida. In Florida, Department of Elder Affairs and Developmental Services Program (DS) staff participated in seven focus groups. In Arkansas, four focus groups were conducted with professionals likely to come into contact with Medicaid consumers who are eligible for Arkansas’ cash option program. Focus group transcripts were coded according to the project research questions. Results: Several important lessons emerged including the importance of (a) conducting process evaluation activities, such as the social marketing focus groups, early during program implementation; (b) using multiple approaches and contacts to inform potential consumers and their families about a new, complex program; (c) carefully selecting and training personnel to conduct outreach and enrollment activities; and (d) developing specific messages to include in marketing the cash option. Implications: Using social marketing principles to examine CCDE enrollment has provided important information to enhance this program.
Differences in phytotoxicity and dissipation between ionized and nonionized oil sands naphthenic acids in wetland plants
Authors: Armstrong Sarah A. , Headley John V. , Peru Kerry M. , Germida James J.
Published: May 2009

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are composed of alkyl-subst ituted acyclic and cycloaliphatic carboxylic acids and, because they are acutely toxic to fish, are of toxicological concern. During the caustic hot-water extraction of oil from the bitumen in oil sands deposits, NAs become concentrated in the resulting tailings pond water. The present study investigated if dissipation of NAs occurs in the presence of hydroponically grown emergent macrophytes (Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, and Scirpus acutus) to determine the potential for phytoremediation of these compounds. Plants were grown with oil sands NAs (pKa ∼ 5-6) in medium at pH 7.8 (predominantly ionized NAs) and pH 5.0 (predominantly nonionized NAs) to determine if, by altering their chemical form, NAs may be more accessible to plants and, thus, undergo increased dissipation. Whereas the oil sands NA mixture in its nonionized form was more toxic to wetland plants than its ionized form, neither form appeared to be sequestered by wetland plants. The present study demonstrated that plants may selectively enhance the dissipation of individual nonionized NA compounds, which contributes to toxicity reduction but does not translate into detectable total NA dissipation within experimental error and natural variation. Plants were able to reduce the toxicity of a NA system over 30 d, increasing the median lethal concentration (LC50; % of hydroponic solution) of the medium for Daphnia magna by 23.3% ± 8.1% (mean ± standard error; nonionized NAs) and 37.0% ± 2.7% (ionized NAs) as determined by acute toxicity bioassays. This reduction in toxicity was 7.3% ± 2.6% (nonionized NAs) and 45.0% ± 6.8% (ionized NAs) greater than that in unplanted systems.
ANDROLOGY LAB CORNER*: Method‐Related Estimates of Sperm Vitality
Authors: Cooper Trevor G. , Hellenkemper Barbara
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: Comparison of methods that estimate viability of human spermatozoa by monitoring head membrane permeability revealed that wet preparations (whether using positive or negative phase‐contrast microscopy) generated significantly higher percentages of nonviable cells than did air‐dried eosin‐nigrosin smears. Only with the latter method did the sum of motile (presumed live) and stained (presumed dead) preparations never exceed 100%, making this the method of choice for sperm viability estimates.
Differential Gene Expression in the Testes of Different Murine Strains Under Normal and Hyperthermic Conditions
Authors: Li Ying , Zhou Qing , Hively Randy , Yang Lizhong , Small Christopher , Griswold Michael D.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT: Cryptorchidism and scrotal heating result in abnormal spermatogenesis, but the mechanism(s) prescribing this temperature sensitivity are unknown. It was previously reported that the AKR/N or MRL/MpJ‐+/+ mouse testis is more heat‐resistant than the testis from the C57BL/6 strain. We have attempted to probe into the mechanism(s) involved in heat sensitivity by examining global gene expression profiles of normal and heat‐treated testes from C57BL/6, AKR/N, and MRL/MpJ‐+/+ mice by microarray analysis. In the normal C57BL/6 testis, 415 and 416 transcripts were differentially expressed (at least 2‐fold higher or lower) when compared with the normal AKR/N and MRL/MpJ‐+/+ testis, respectively. The AKR/N and MRL/MpJ‐+/+ strains revealed 268 differentially expressed transcripts between them. There were 231 transcripts differentially expressed between C57BL/6 and 2 purported heat‐resistant strains, AKR/N and MRL/MpJ‐+/+. Next, the testes of C57BL/6 and AKR/N mice were exposed to 43°C for 15 minutes and harvested at different time points for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) studies and microarrays. An increase of TUNEL‐positive germ cell numbers was significant 8 hours after heat exposure in the C57BL/6 mouse. However, this increase was not observed in the AKR/N mouse until 10 hours after heat exposure. All tubules showed germ cell loss and disruption in C57BL/6 testis 24 hours after heat shock. In contrast, although a number of seminiferous tubules showed an abnormal morphology 24 hours post—heat shock in the AKR/N mouse, many tubules still retained a normal structure. Numerous transcripts exhibited differential regulation between the 2 strains within 24 hours after heat exposure. The differentially expressed transcripts in the testes 8 hours after heat exposure were targeted to identify the genes involved in the initial response rather than those attributable to germ cell loss. Twenty transcripts were significantly down‐regulated and 19 genes were up‐regulated by hyperthermia in C57BL/6 and did not show a parallel change in the AKR/N testis. Conversely, heat shock resulted in 30 up‐regulated transcripts and 31 down‐regulated transcripts in AKR/N that were not similarly regulated in C57BL/6. A number of genes shared similar differential expression patterns and differential regulation by hyperthermia in both strains of mice. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that the diverse genetic backgrounds in the 3 strains lead to major differences in normal testis gene expression profiles, whereas the differences in heat shock responses involve a significantly smaller number of genes. The data generated may provide insights regarding gene networks and pathways involved in heat stress and their relationship to spermatogenesis.
Are Tests of Sperm DNA Damage Clinically Useful? Pros and Cons
Authors: Zini Armand , Sigman Mark
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:The advent of assisted reproductive technologies, particularly intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has revolutionized the treatment of male‐factor infertility. However, there are many unanswered questions regarding the safety of these techniques. These safety concerns are relevant because 1) these technologies often bypass the barriers to natural selection; 2) infertile men, particularly those with severe male‐factor infertility, possess substantially more sperm DNA damage than do fertile men; and 3) experimentally, sperm DNA damage has been shown to adversely affect the developing embryo. This review discusses the etiology of sperm DNA damage, describes the individual tests of sperm DNA damage, and explores the relationship between sperm DNA damage and pregnancy outcomes. Based on a systematic review of the literature, sperm DNA damage is associated with lower natural, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy rates, but not with ICSI pregnancy rates. The literature also suggests that that sperm DNA damage is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss in those couples undergoing IVF or ICSI. Nonetheless, the true clinical utility of sperm DNA damage tests remains to be established, because the available studies are small and few in number and the study characteristics are heterogeneous. Although current data suggest that impaired sperm DNA integrity may have the greatest effect on IUI pregnancy rates and pregnancy loss by IVF and ICSI, further prospective studies are needed before testing should become a routine part of patient management.
Die messianische Idee im neuzeitlichen Judaismus
Authors: Kindjic Zoran
Published: May 2009

(nemacki) Die messianische Idee im neuzeitlichen Judaismus er?rternd, fokussiert sich der Autor auf die Sabbataier-Bewegung. Er untersucht die gesellschaftlich-geschictlichen und psychologischen Gr?nde, welche die massenhafte Akzeptanz Sabbatai Zewis als Messias erm?glicht haben, wie auch das Verharren in dieser ?berzeugung nachdem er gro?e Erwartungen entt?uscht hatte, indem er unerwartet zum Islam ?bertrat. Der junge Rabbiner Nathan aus Gaza hat, sich auf Lurias Kabbale verlassend, nicht nur das j?dische Volk ?berzeugt, dass Sabbatai Zewi der langerwartete Messias ist, sondern auch eine theoretische Rechtfertigung seines angeblich nur scheinbaren Verrats gegeben. Die Rechtfertigung des anst??igen Verhaltens Sabbatai Zewis, welcher eine manisch-depressive Person war, f?hrte unter extremen Sabbataiern zur ?berzeugung von der Heiligkeit der S?nde, wodurch die messianische Idee im neuzeitlichen Judaismus bis zur ?u?ersten Groteskheit verzerrt wurde.
Das wesens der technik und möglichkeit der kunst als das rettende
Authors: Radovanovic Sasa
Published: May 2009

(nemacki) Autor legt in dieser Arbeit Heideggers Fassung des Wesens der Technik als Gefahr und M?glichkeit der Kunst als das Rettende aus. In disem Sinne meint Autor, dass Haidegger das Wesen der Technik als auch der Kunst besinnt, wobei er die ge?schichtliche Konstellation der Wahrheit des Seins oder das Entbergungsgeschick als Ausgangspunkt nimmt. Diese geschichtliche Besinnung ist durch Heideggers etimo-logische Analyse der Begriffe poiesis und techne unterst?tzt.
Eric Hobsbawm: A historian in search of the future
Authors: Subotic Milan
Published: May 2009

In this paper the author interpreted the historiographic span of work of Eric Hobsbawm, one of the most famous and most influential contemporary historians. Bearing in mind the extensiveness and complexity of this span of work, the author limited his analysis to two theoretical problems - Hobsbawm's view of the concept of 'social history' and the exploration of the function of 'historical materialism' in the emergence and realisation of this concept. In the author's opinion, Marxism served Hobsbawm as a productive theoretical standpoint in the thematisation of the history of the 'long 19th century', but it prevented him from understanding more fully the 'short 20th century' (The Age of Extremes). The basic reason for this lies in the fact that the 'Soviet experiment' which in essence defined the 20th century cannot be explained from the 'historical-materialistic' perspective. It is precisely in the theoretical deficits of the Marxist theoretical paradigm, and not in Hobsbawm's political bias, that the author identifies the basic cause for the weakness of his interpretation of the epoch of Communism. For this reason, in the final part of the paper the author formulated the thesis on the necessity of formulating a new theoretical framework and conceptual apparatus which would provide us not only with a better understanding of the past, but of the present and the future as well.
Rationality, mental causation and social sciences
Authors: Mladenovic Ivan
Published: May 2009

The aim of this paper is to investigate the role of mental causation in the context of rational choice theory. The author defends psychological aspect of rational explanation against the challenge of contemporary reductive materialism.
Superfluousness of the faulty: Economy of the 'disabled' body symbolism
Authors: Ljubenovic Misa
Published: May 2009

In the modern culture, the phenomenon of the 'disabled' body is a intersection place of its ableist ideology, power relations and pseudoscientific explanations, and they are urged by the neo-eugenic project of the perfect world creating. As the prisoner of the biomedical discourse, such a body, deprived of any agensy, loaded with the culture-historicaly constituated non-power, is a particularly suitable field of the mainstream culture for spreading almost archetypically powerful apocaliptic visions of confronting with the enemy's otherness. For that reason, the underlying supposition of the article is that the 'disabled' body, by means of the uniqueness of its morphology and anatomical-physiological structure, says nothing about itself, the basis of that it which would qualify to be a cult victim of the discriminatory gaze, but it is a reflection the culture frustrated by its own failure to produce an apsolutelly controlable order of things. Our ideas of demonic figure of the 'disabled' body conceal the century-old (absurd and idle) negentropic struggle of the Western civilization, conceptualy supplied with the criteria, norms and standards of health, normalcy, beauty and the truth, instrumentally supplied with the preventive and rehabilitative provisions of medicine, cosmetology and fashion and institutionally supplied with asylums, to provide itself with kingdom of peace and serenity through pouring out any otherness, first of all the (sub)cultural one, intentionally reduced to the pure biological.
Towards a spectral theory of graphs based on the signless Laplacian, I
Authors: Cvetkovic Dragos , Simic Slobodan
Published: May 2009

A spectral graph theory is a theory in which graphs are studied by means of eigenvalues of a matrix M which is in a prescribed way defined for any graph. This theory is called M-theory. We outline a spectral theory of graphs based on the signless Laplacians Q and compare it with other spectral theories, in particular with those based on the adjacency matrix A and the Laplacian L. The Q-theory can be composed using various connections to other theories: equivalency with A-theory and L-theory for regular graphs, or with L-theory for bipartite graphs, general analogies with A-theory and analogies with A-theory via line graphs and subdivision graphs. We present results on graph operations, inequalities for eigenvalues and reconstruction problems.
On three conjectures involving the signless Laplacian spectral radius of graphs
Authors: Feng Lihua , Yu Guihai
Published: May 2009

We study the signless Laplacian spectral radius of graphs and prove three conjectures of Cvetkovic, Rowlinson, and Simic [Eigenvalue bounds for the signless Laplacian, Publ. Inst. Math., Nouv. S?r. 81(95) (2007), 11-27].
On a new converse of Jensen's inequality
Authors: Simic Slavko
Published: May 2009

We give another global upper bound for Jensen's discrete inequality which is better than already existing ones. For instance, we determine a new converses for generalized A-G and G-H inequalities.
Oscillator with strong quadratic damping force
Authors: Cveticanin Livija
Published: May 2009

Oscillations of a system with strong quadratic damping are considered. For the exact analytical form of the energy-displacement function the explicit form of the maximal amplitudes of vibration are obtained by introducing the Lambert W function. Comparing the neighbor maximal amplitudes and the corresponding energies the conclusions about the energy dissipation is given. The approximate solution for a strong nonlinear differential equation which describes the motion of the oscillator with quadratic damping is calculated applying the elliptic-harmonic-balance method. The accuracy of the solution is affirmed by comparing the maximal displacements obtained using the approximate method with the exact one obtained by energy method.
Thermodynamics of the nanoparticle consolidation
Authors: Lisovsky A.F.
Published: May 2009

Thermodynamic functions have been derived that describe the processes of nanoparticle consolidation in solid-mobile phase two- and three-phase dispersed systems. An expression for the shrinkage pressure in a two-phase dispersed system has been deduced, which allows one to calculate stresses generating in the bulk of heterophase composite materials in the course of the nanoparticle consolidation. On the strength of these thermodynamic functions criteria have been suggested that allow one to predict the structure of a nanocomposite material.
Mechanochemical activation assisted synthesis of bismuth Layered-Perovskite Bi4Ti4O12
Authors: Lazarevic Zorica , Stojanovic B.D. , Romcevic M.J. , Romcevic N.Z.
Published: May 2009

A powder mixture of Bi2O3 and TiO2, both monoclinic, was mechanochemically treated in a planetary ball mill in air atmosphere for different time, using zirconium balls as the milling medium. Mechanochemical reaction leads to the gradual formation of an amorphous phase. After 1 h of milling the starting oxides were transformed fully a nanocrystalline Bi4Ti4O12 phase. With increasing the milling time from 3 to 12h, the particle size of formed Bi4Ti3O12 did not reduced significantly. That was confirmed by IR and TEM analysis. The electron diffraction pattern indicates that Bi4Ti3O12 crystalline powder is embedded in an amorphous phase of bismuth titanate. Phase composition and atom ratio in BIT ceramics were determined by X-ray diffraction and EDS analysis. After milling for various times the powders were compacted by pressing and isothermal sintering. The dielectric permittivity of the sintered samples significantly depends on the milling time. Sample milled for 12 h and subsequently sintered at 1000?C for 24 h exhibit a hysteresis loop, confirming that the synthesized material possesses ferroelectric properties.
Raman and IR spectra of pure and doped forsterite single crystals
Authors: Golubovic A. , Gajic R. , Scepanovic M.
Published: May 2009

Forsterite single crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique in air. The lattice parameters were determined by X-ray power diffraction. The IR and Raman spectra of pure and doped (V3+, V5+, and Ni4+) Mg2SiO4 single crystals were measured at room temperature. We studied the phonon properties and discussed the influence of dopants.
Grain size trends and correlation analysis in highly ordered grain line structure of bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12) micro-crystals
Authors: Zhang Z.G. , Wang X.F. , Tian Q.Q. , Yu C.L.
Published: May 2009

Highly ordered bismuth silicate micro-crystals have been grown by sintering method at 800?C for the first time. The samples were characterized for structural and surface morphological properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The result shows that a pure cubic phase (Bi4Si3O12) was obtained. The Bi4Si3O12 grains always distribute in pairs on both sides and arrange grain lines. There are two types of grain size trend along with the growth direction of the grain line. One trend is gradually increased or decreased and the other trend is basically unchanged. In most cases the grain size trends on both sides of one line are approximately consistent and there is a highly positive correlation between the grain growth rates on both sides of one line. The highly positive correlation analysis indicates a relationship between grain growth rates on both sides, such as when the value for one grain growth rate increases, the value for the other grain growth rate in pairs also increases. If the grain size trends on both sides are thoroughly inconsistent and there is a nonlinear relationship between grain growth rates on both sides in one line, these two trends may belong to two types respectively.
Effects of Hall current on unsteady MHD flows of a second grade fluid
Authors: Ahmad Masud , Zaman Haider , Rehman Naila
Published: May 2009

The aim of this present paper is to construct exact solutions corresponding to the motion of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid in the presence of Hall current, due to cosine and sine oscillations of a rigid plate as well as those induced by an oscillating pressure gradient. A uniform magnetic field is applied transversely to the flow. By using Fourier sine transform steady state and transient solutions are presented. These solutions satisfy the governing equations and all associated initial and boundary conditions. The results for a hydrodynamic second grade fluid can be obtained as a limiting case when B
0 → 0 and for a Newtonian fluid when α
1 → 0.
Application of 31P NMR for added polyphosphate determination in pork meat
Authors: Jastrzębska Aneta , Szłyk Edward
Published: May 2009

Application of 31P NMR for qualitative and quantitative determination of added phosphorus compounds in meat samples is described. Furthermore, usefulness of the proposed method for monitoring of poly- and pyrophosphates hydrolysis in meat is discussed. Calibration curves based on the 31P resonance line areas were elaborated for Na3P3O9, Na5P3O10, Na2H2P2O7, and K4P2O7 resulting in linearity (R 2 = 0.9976, 0.9953, 0.9974, and 0.9524, respectively), detection limits (DL from 0.0018 mol L−1 for Na3P3O9 to 0.0070 mol L−1 for K4P2O7), and quantification limits (QL from 0.0060 mol L−1 for Na3P3O9 to 0.0234 mol L−1 for K4P2O7). The developed procedure was applied for laboratory prepared meat samples and compared with the standard UV-VIS method. The minimal sample pretreatment, obtained within-day precision (CV ≤ 2.0 %) and accuracy (as recovery ≥ 95 %) suggest 31P NMR as an alternative method of phosphorus determination in food analysis.
The Dynamics of Social Inequality in the Kali Gandaki ‘A’ Dam Project in Nepal: The Politics of Patronage
Authors: Rai Kavita
Published: May 2009

This research article utilizes concepts from the ‘Anthropology of Clientelism’ to explain the dynamics of social inequality after the construction of the Kali Gandaki ‘A’ hydroelectric dam project. As Nepal’s rural societies are largely agrarian, Scott’s (1976) moral economy theory, positioned against Popkin’s (1979) political economy approach acts as the basis of argumentation of how patronage politics links the different social strata at the local level. The access to the KG ‘A’ project resources (financial in terms of compensation and project employment and natural in regard to access to land and water) and the acquired outcomes explains the strategies that local actors took to gain from the project intervention eventually changing the dynamics of social interaction and levels of inequalities internal and external to their own social groups.

Key words: Dam, clientelism, compensation, Kali Gandaki ‘A’, patronage, resettlement, social inequalities, Nepal

Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. I, Issue No. 1 (2007) pp. 22-28
Investment in Hydropower Sector: Opportunities and Risks
Authors: Shrestha Ratna Sansar
Published: May 2009

Not available
Environmental Impact from River Damming for Hydroelectric Power Generation and Means of Mitigation
Authors: Rai Ash Kumar Kumar
Published: May 2009

Nepal is rich with inland water resources and has great potential for electricity power generation. Hydropower is one of the most sustainable national income sources to increase the nation’s GNP. Relatively few water resources are under utilization, however, although some lakes in Pokhara valley and the Kulekhani storage type hydropower reservoir are successful in supporting multipurpose usage, combining electric power generation, irrigation and aquaculture. The Kaligandaki hydropower system is run of river, thus not feasible for cage fisheries; instead, it produces fingerlings of indigenous riverine fish for release into the river.

The impoundments after damming the rivers adversely impact both fish biodiversity and local fishing communities. Ecosystem change destroys feeding as well as breeding grounds, with a resultant loss of fish species. Where the movement of migratory fish up and down river is affected by hydropower development, fish hatcheries near the dam sites or fish ladders for fish movement should be considered as mitigation options. Local user groups and other stakeholders should be involved in decision-making, to keep good relations concerning peoples’ livelihoods and the sustainability of aquatic resources. River systems should be thoroughly studied jointly with concerned agencies (e.g., electricity, irrigation and fisheries authorities; and local authorities) during formulation and application stages of hydroelectric power development projects.

Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 1, No. 2(2008) pp. 22-25
Pioneering the Hydropower Development
Authors: Karmacharya Janak Lal
Published: May 2009

The Clean Energy Development Bank (CEDB) has done a pioneering work to provide the loan for hydro projects without collateral under the “project financing” concept. However, a rigorous project processing regime is required to protect from any risk along with strong and continuous monitoring by the Bank. This paper highlights the requirement of technical due diligence of candidate hydro projects looking for financing. CEDB has developed and adopted a systematic hydropower project processing process Operational Policy and Guidelines. Cost-over run or time overrun due to any reason is the two major concerns for Financier as well as Developer. Rigorous screening is needed to ensure virtual risk proof lending.

Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 1, No. 2(2008) pp. 29-30
Electricity: Domestic Consumption Versus Export
Authors: Pradhan Gyanendra Lal
Published: May 2009

Due to its unique geography, Nepal is gifted with very high hydropower potential, far greater than generally accepted figure of 83,000 MW and 43000 MW of theoretical and techno-financial viability. Our neighbors India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are suffering from huge power shortages. There is no point in debating whether Nepal’s hydropower should be for domestic consumption or for export because the potential of generating hydropower in Nepal is far greater than its domestic consumption, even in 2050. Due to the lack of appropriate policies, however, Nepal suffers from long hours of load shedding. The government policy to subsidize petroleum products was a big mistake for, like Bhutan, electricity should have been the cheapest source of energy. Politicians are focusing mostly in export oriented projects; whereas, higher importance should have been given to projects for domestic consumption. We should aim at producing twice the needed internal demand. Nepal is poised to reap huge benefits from hydropower.Key words: Hydropower; domestic consumption; load shedding; export; Nepaldoi: 10.3126/hn.v3i0.1913Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and EnvironmentIssue No. 3, July 2008. Page: 16-18
Ecological Health Risk of Buriganga River, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Mohd. Yousuf , Amin Md. Nurul , Alam Khairul
Published: May 2009

The efforts of modern civilization to create an environment to meet human aspirations have successfully resulted in constant improvements of our lifestyle, but it has increased risks to human and ecological health. This situation has motivated many scientists throughout the world to analyze the environmental factors that can affect our health or ecology and to calculate the levels of risk. In Bangladesh development activities and utilization of the river pose a great threat to the health of the existing natural environmental system, particularly for the important river Buriganga of the capital city, Dhaka, due to the pollution of the river water. A study was carried out to observe the ecological health hazards of the Buriganga river and their risk to human health. Several random samples of water were collected from different spots on the river from September to December 2006. The samples were analyzed to determine water quality and associated environmental health risks. The study revealed that the water is high in biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate (PO4 -3), ammonia, organic matters and nutrients, etc. It also revealed huge environmental health risks and possible ecological disruption of this river. Finally, the research recommends a sustainable policy framework on how the pollution could significantly be reduced by using different appropriate measures. Key words: Environmental health risk, ecological disruption, sustainable policy, water quality, Buriganga river, Bangladesh  doi: 10.3126/hn.v3i0.1915 Hydro Nepal:Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue No. 3, July 2008. Page: 25-28
Sikkim’s Initiatives in Hydropower
Authors: Dahal Milan
Published: May 2009

Sikkim is rich in hydropower potential in spite of its small area. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) and other private developers are entering in hydropower sector of Sikkim. Though some of local people are in the protest of dams, the Government of Sikkim is hopeful and determines to achieve benefit largely from hydropower Keywords: Sikkim, Himalayas, hydropower, environment  doi: 10.3126/hn.v3i0.1919 Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue No. 3, July 2008. Page: 38-41
Application of GIS and Remote Sensing for Hydropower Development in Nepal
Authors: Pathak Mahesh
Published: May 2009

Nepal is endowed with abundant water resources from the availability point of view. Hydropower is considered as a viable means of economic growth for the country's overall development. The river and physiographic characteristics of Nepal offer immense possibilities for the development of hydropower schemes of different scales, and various national and international agencies have expressed keen interest. On the other hand, Nepal's biodiversity resources, a fragile landscape, scattered settlement patterns and natural resource based rural livelihoods are directly affected by hydropower development. Use of recent information about place, people and scientific analysis is crucial for addressing the environmental and socio-economic impacts of development activities. Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technology have the capabilities to create, update and manage recent information about the earth's surface and its integration with socio- economic information; but these technologies have not been used properly for the hydropower development sector in Nepal. This paper is about the application of GIS and Remote sensing technology to make the hydropower development environment friendly and to create less impact upon the rural livelihood. Key words: GIS, Remote Sensing, hydropower, watershed management, Nepal  doi: 10.3126/hn.v3i0.1920 Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue No. 3, July 2008. Page: 42-45
The Case for Subsidizing Hydroelectricity Development in Nepal
Authors: Manandhar Amir
Published: May 2009

We should stop using imported energy and have our own source of energy. When we have our own clean form of energy, the government or the developers should not hesitate to promote it. It’s not only our nation’s economy that we will be helping, but also the world environment that we will be protecting. We should find ways to reduce the import of petroleum products and to promote hydropower. Although the new government has shown keen interest in bailing Nepal out of the energy crisis, it needs to act now to bring acts and laws to promote hydropower. No law should be able to stop hydropower being developed. The government should spend on hydropower even if it has to tax petroleum products. It should provide incentives to hydropower developers.Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue No. 4, January, 2009 Page 40-41
Arun-III Project: Nepal’s Electricity Crisis and its Role in Current Load Shedding and Potential Role 10 Years Hence
Authors: Shrestha Ratna Sansar
Published: May 2009

It has become fashionable to blame ‘cancellation’ of the Arun-III hydroelectric project by the World Bank in 1995 in reference to Nepal’s current electricity crisis, inferring that had it been implemented consumers in Nepal would not be facing the current load shedding problem. Now is the time for a dispassionate and detached analysis of the two scenarios, with and without Arun-II I. The analysis of alternative scenarios demonstrates that implementation of the Arun-III 201 MW project in 1995 would not have eliminated load shedding from 2000 onwards; in fact, the power deficit may have been of a higher magnitude. Now, Arun-III planning is for a new incarnation with a capacity of 402 MW, expected to be completed within 10 years. But as the output of this project has been slated for export, it, too, will not alleviate the load shedding problem of Nepal.Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue No. 4, January, 2009 Page 30-35