bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saccade-Related Potentials During Eye-Hand Coordination: Effects of Hand Movements on Saccade Preparation
Authors: Sailer Uta , Güldenpfennig Florian , Eggert Thomas
Published: August 2015

This study investigated the effect of hand movements on behavioral and electro-physiological parameters of saccade preparation. While event-related potentials were recorded in 17 subjects, they performed saccades to a visual target either together with a hand movement in the same direction, a hand movement in the opposite direction, a hand movement to a third, independent direction, or without any accompanying hand movements. Saccade latencies increased with any kind of accompanying hand movement. Both saccade and manual latencies were largest when both movements aimed at opposite directions. In contrast, saccade-related potentials indicating preparatory activity were mainly affected by hand movements in the same direction. The data suggest that concomitant hand movements interfere with saccade preparation, particularly when the two movements involve motor preparations that access the same visual stimulus. This indicates that saccade preparation is continually informed about hand movement preparation.
HDL-bound sphingosine 1-phosphate acts as a biased agonist for the endothelial cell receptor S1P
1
to limit vascular inflammation
Authors: Galvani Sylvain , Sanson Marie , Blaho Victoria A. , Swendeman Steven L. , Obinata Hideru , Conger Heather , Dahlbäck Björn , Kono Mari , Proia Richard L. , Smith Jonathan D. , Hla Timothy
Published: August 2015

HDL, the good cholesterol, biases the endothelial response to the lipid S1P to protect blood vessels.
The rhodopsin–guanylyl cyclase of the aquatic fungus
Blastocladiella emersonii
enables fast optical control of cGMP signaling
Authors: Scheib Ulrike , Stehfest Katja , Gee Christine E. , Körschen Heinz G. , Fudim Roman , Oertner Thomas G. , Hegemann Peter
Published: August 2015

A light-responsive fungal guanylyl cyclase provides a tool with which to study cGMP signaling in mammalian systems.
A surprising immune twist for RORC
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: August 2015

People with loss-of-function mutations in the transcription factor–encoding gene
RORC
exhibit a surprising susceptibility to
Mycobacterium
.
Silencing neurons using optogenetics
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: August 2015

An anion channel from algae allows optogenetic silencing of neurons.
PPP to the rescue
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: August 2015

Rapid changes in cellular metabolism prevent the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species in skin cells.
Precision medicine: Beyond the inflection point
Authors: Hawgood Sam , Hook-Barnard India G. , O’Brien Theresa C. , Yamamoto Keith R.
Published: August 2015

The convergence of biomedical, engineering, and health sciences has set the stage for a life-altering leap toward individualized health care.
Patients recording clinical encounters: a path to empowerment? Assessment by mixed methods
Authors: Elwyn Glyn , Barr Paul James , Grande Stuart W
Published: August 2015

Objective

To examine the motivations of patients recording clinical encounters, covertly or otherwise, and why some do not wish to record encounters.

Design

Mixed-methods analysis of survey data and nested semistructured interviews.

Setting

Survey to UK audience, using social media and radio broadcast.

Participants

168 survey respondents, of whom 161 were 18 years of age or older (130 completions). Of the 56 participants who agreed to be contacted, we included data from 17 interviews.

Results

19 (15%) respondents indicated having secretly recorded a clinical encounter and 14 (11%) were aware of someone who had secretly recorded a clinical encounter. 45 (35%) said they would consider recording secretly and 44 (34%) said they would record after asking permission. Totally, 69% of respondents indicated theirdesireto record clinical encounters, split equally between wanting to do so covertly or with permission. Thematic analysis of the interviews showed that most patients are motivated by the wish to replay, relisten and share the recording with others. Some are also motivated by the idea of owning a personal record, and its potential use as verification of a poor healthcare experience. The rationale for permission seeking was based on the wish to prioritise a trusting relationship with a health professional. Those who preferred to record covertly described a pre-existing lack of trust, a fear that recording would be denied, and a concern that an affronted clinician would deny them access to future care. There was a general wish that recording should be facilitated.

Conclusions

Patients’ prime motivation for recording is to enhance their experience of care, and to share it with others. Patients know that recording challenges the ‘ceremonial order of the clinic’, and so some decide to act covertly. Patients wanted clearer, more permissive policies to be developed.
Identification of genes bordering breakpoints of the pericentric inversions on 2B, 4B, and 5A in bread wheat (Triticum aestivumL.)
Authors: Ma Jian , Gao Shang , Stiller Jiri , Jiang Qian-Tao , Lan Xiu-Jin , Liu Ya-Xi , Pu Zhi-En , Wang Jirui , Wei Yuming , Zheng You-Liang
Published: August 2015

Chromosome translocation is an important driving force in shaping genomes during evolution. Detailed knowledge of chromosome translocations in a given species and its close relatives should increase the efficiency and precision of chromosome engineering in crop improvement. To identify genes flanking the breakpoints of translocations and inversions as a step toward identifying breakpoints in bread wheat, we systematically analysed genes in the Brachypodium genome against wheat survey sequences and bin-mapped ESTs (expressed sequence tags) derived from the hexaploid wheat genotype ‘Chinese Spring’. In addition to those well-known translocations between group 4, 5, and 7 chromosomes, this analysis identified genes flanking the three pericentric inversions on chromosomes 2B, 4B, and 5A. However, numerous chromosomal rearrangements reported in early studies could not be confirmed. The genes flanking the breakpoints reported in this study are valuable for isolating these breakpoints.
Gambits in charts
Authors: Nagase Teruo , Shima Akiko
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we develop a method to change the label of a ring in a chart by C-moves and a stabilization where a ring is a simple closed curve consisting of edges of the same label which does not contain any white vertices.
Upper Body Tracking and 3D Gesture Reconstruction Using Agent-Based Architecture
Authors: Peng Chao , Fang Bing , Quek Francis , Cao Yong , Park Seung In , Xie Liguang
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we present an upper human body tracking system with agent-based architecture. Our agent-based approach departs from process-centric model where the agents are bound to specific processes, and introduces a novel model by which agents are bound to the objects or sub-objects being recognized or tracked. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our system, we use stereo video streams, which are captured by calibrated stereo cameras, as inputs and synthesize human animations which are represented by 3D skeletal motion data. Different from our previous researches, the new system does not require a restricted capture environment with special lighting condition and projected patterns and subjects can wear daily clothes (we do NOT use any markers). With the success from the previous researches, our pre-designed agents are autonomous, self-aware entities that are capable of communicating with other agents to perform tracking within agent coalitions. Each agent with high-level abstracted knowledge seeks 'evidence' for its existence from both low-level features (e.g. motion vector fields, color blobs) as well as from its peers (other agents representing body-parts with which it is compatible). The power of the agent-based approach is the flexibility by which domain information may be encoded within each agent to produce an overall tracking solution.
Finite groups with given indices of 2-maximal subgroups
Authors: Kniahina Viktoryia , Monakhov Victor
Published: August 2015

We study finite groups with given indices of 2-maximal subgroups. Suppose that every 2-maximal subgroup [Formula: see text] of a group [Formula: see text] has the property: if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] divides the square of a prime. Then [Formula: see text] is solvable.
Rings of Morita contexts which are maximal orders
Authors: Saraç Bülent , Akalan Evrim , Aydoğdu Pınar , Marubayashi Hidetoshi
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring of Morita context which is a prime Goldie ring with its quotient ring [Formula: see text]. We define the notion of an [Formula: see text]-maximal module in [Formula: see text] and that of an [Formula: see text]-maximal module in [Formula: see text] from order theoretical point of view and give some necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text] to be a maximal order in terms of [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text]. In case [Formula: see text] is a maximal order, we explicitly describe the structure of [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-ideals. These results are applied to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text] to be an Asano order or a Dedekind order.
z-Classes in groups
Authors: Kulkarni Ravindra , Kitture Rahul Dattatraya , Jadhav Vikas S.
Published: August 2015

For a group [Formula: see text], we say that [Formula: see text] are in the same [Formula: see text]-class if their centralizers in [Formula: see text] are conjugate. The notion of [Formula: see text]-class has origin in a connection between geometry and groups. However, as the notion is purely group theoretic, in this paper, we focus our attention on the influence of the [Formula: see text]-classes on the structure of the group. The number of [Formula: see text]-classes is invariant for a family of isoclinic groups. We obtain bounds for the number of [Formula: see text]-classes in certain families of groups. A non-abelian finite [Formula: see text]-group contains at least [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]-classes. Moreover, we characterize the non-abelian [Formula: see text]-groups with [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]-classes; these are precisely, up to isoclinism, the [Formula: see text]-groups of maximal class with an abelian subgroup of index [Formula: see text].
Boundary layer problems for the two-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Gong Shengbo , Guo Yan , Wang Ya-Guang
Published: August 2015

We study the well-posedness of the boundary layer problems for compressible Navier–Stokes equations. Under the non-negative assumption on the laminar flow, we investigate the local spatial existence of solution for the steady equations. Meanwhile, we also obtain the solution for the unsteady case with monotonic laminar flow, which exists for either long time small space interval or short time large space interval. Moreover, the limit of these solutions with vanishing Mach number is considered. Our proof is based on the comparison theory for the degenerate parabolic equations obtained by the Crocco transformation or von Mises transformation.
Emergence of bi-cluster flocking for agent-based models with unit speed constraint
Authors: Cho Junghee , Ha Seung-Yeal , Huang Feimin , Jin Chunyin , Ko Dongnam
Published: August 2015

We study the emergence of bi-cluster flocking for a generalized Justh–Krishnaprasad (J–K) model and the Cucker–Smale (C–S) model with the unit speed constraint. We provide a sufficient framework for the emergence of bi-cluster flocking in terms of initial configurations and communication weights between agents. Our analytical results on bi-cluster flocking illustrate that the spatial-decay rate of communication weights is transferred to the temporal decay rate toward the bi-cluster flocking configuration. We also provide several numerical simulations and compare them to our analytical results.
Mathematical entropy and Euler–Cattaneo–Maxwell system
Authors: Kawashima Shuichi , Ueda Yoshihiro
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we introduce a notion of the mathematical entropy for hyperbolic systems of balance laws with (not necessarily symmetric) relaxation. As applications, we deal with the Timoshenko system, the Euler–Maxwell system and the Euler–Cattaneo–Maxwell system. Especially, for the Euler–Cattaneo–Maxwell system, we observe that its dissipative structure is of the regularity-loss type and investigate the corresponding decay property. Furthermore, we prove the global existence and asymptotic stability of solutions to the Euler–Cattaneo–Maxwell system for small initial data.
Modeling and simulation of voluntary employee turnover using catastrophe theory: A case study on a manufacturing enterprise in China
Authors: Zhao Xu , Hu Bin
Published: August 2015

The Lewisian turning-point obviously increase the labor costs of Chinese manufacturing firms, it made the employee turnover to become the key problem that how to keep the enterprise human resource stability. Here, the conceptual catastrophe model of employee turnover is built from the new perspective of empirical study and catastrophe theory. In particular, we developed a parameter estimation method of the Cusp catastrophe model based on qualitative simulation and fuzzy math, and then to demonstrate the rationality and robustness of this method by a practical case on a manufacturing enterprise. In the end, a series of virtual experiments are carried out for the employee turnover in the period of China’s economic transformation. The main results are that, how to measure the warning, critical and mutation area of employee turnover; the real relationship between the complex economic environment and the demission of employees; the control policy from the macroscopic governmental measures and microscopic enterprise ways.
Coating Made fromPseudotsuga menziesiiPhytosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles is Efficient AgainstStaphylococcus aureusBiofilm Formation
Authors: Dwivedi Poushpi , Narvi S. S. , Tewari R. P.
Published: August 2015

In this nano era, biomaterials associated infection is a serious problem in the biomedical arena. The race between microbial adhesion and tissue integration becomes a major cause of concern, during the implantation process. Microbial adhesion further gives rise to biofilm formation which finally leads to implant failure. We have therefore designed a strategy to fight effectively against the encroachment of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, which is chiefly responsible for majority of biomaterials associated infections. Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized for the purpose using foliage needles of the plant Pseudotsuga menziesii, our Christmas tree. Thereafter the nanoparticles were dispersed in chitosan, a biopolymer matrix and a bionanocomposite, self-sterilizing coating biomaterial was developed. The silver nanoparticles produced, the bionanocomposite developed, and the coating over medical implant, have been characterized through various techniques. The efficacy of the silver/chitosan bionanocomposite, against S. aureus biofilm has been studied here, after being coated over medical implant. It was found that coating of medical implants with this material can definitely restrict bacterial adhesion and their subsequent biofilm formation. This biomaterial was found to be blood and biocompatible at specific levels through testing.
One-Pot Synthesis of Cy5-Encapsulated Photostable Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles for Bioimaging
Authors: Lu Yanjiao , He Bicheng , Gao Zhuo , Li Jie , Shen Jie , Yang Wantai , Yin Meizhen
Published: August 2015

A new type of Cy5-encapsulated photostable fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) bearing positive charges have been successfully fabricated by a reverse microemulsion synthesis in one-pot. The Cy5 dye containing four primary amines are embedded into silica via covalent bonds through a silane coupling agent (GPTMS), followed by co-condensation with tetraethylorthosilicate. The uniform-sized, spherical and monodispersed FSNPs have high fluorescence intensity and photostability. The FSNPs exhibit high stability, good biocompatibility as well as low cytotoxicity. These FSNPs can be internalized into live cells and thus fluorescently label the cells. This study provides a simple synthesis approach that can be applied to other water-soluble and amino-modified organic dye molecules for biological targeting and fluorescent cell imaging.
Correlation kernels for sums and products of random matrices
Authors: Claeys Tom , Kuijlaars Arno B. J. , Wang Dong
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a random matrix whose squared singular value density is a polynomial ensemble. We derive double contour integral formulas for the correlation kernels of the squared singular values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a complex Ginibre matrix and [Formula: see text] is a truncated unitary matrix. We also consider the product of [Formula: see text] and several complex Ginibre/truncated unitary matrices. As an application, we derive the precise condition for the squared singular values of the product of several truncated unitary matrices to follow a polynomial ensemble. We also consider the sum [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a GUE matrix and [Formula: see text] is a random matrix whose eigenvalue density is a polynomial ensemble. We show that the eigenvalues of [Formula: see text] follow a polynomial ensemble whose correlation kernel can be expressed as a double contour integral. As an application, we point out a connection to the two-matrix model.
An aqueous two-phase system to pre-purify a heterologously produced siderophore
Authors: Ahmadi Mahmoud Kamal , Fawaz Samar , Pfeifer Blaine A.
Published: August 2015

Natural products span broad activities and applications; however, their access and production are often limited by native cellular sources. As a result, the heterologous production of a siderophore termed yersiniabactin (Ybt) was completed using the surrogate host Escherichia coli. Post-production and purification steps are complicated by the complex nature of most media used for cell growth, prompting the development in this work of an aqueous two-phase pre-purification system capable of rapidly and simply enhancing the concentration of the target Ybt compound.
The Evolving Sino-American Relationship and the Korea Problem
Authors: Shin Gi-Wook , Straub David
Published: August 2015

Distrust between the United States and China continues to grow in Northeast Asia. Among many contributing factors, the North Korea issue is one of the most important, as illustrated by the controversy over the possible deployment of the United States' THAAD missile defense system in South Korea. Thus, resolving or mitigating the Korea problem, a significant goal in its own right to both the United States and China, is also essential to reducing U.S.-PRC strategic distrust. China and the United States share long-term interests vis-à-vis the Korean peninsula. The question is how its resolution might be achieved. U.S. efforts to induce North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs by offering incentives and imposing sanctions have failed, and Chinese attempts to encourage Pyongyang to adopt PRC-style economic reforms have not fared much better. With Washington, Beijing, and Pyongyang unlikely to change their approaches, the hope for any new initiative must rest with Seoul. South Korea's special relationships with the North, the United States, and the PRC, along with its status as a dynamic middle power, give it the potential to play a larger leadership role in dealing with North Korea. In doing so, South Korea should consult with the United States and China on a long-term strategy for inter-Korean reconciliation that would, for now, finesse the nuclear issue. Such a strategy would require U.S. and Chinese support of the South Korean leadership in addressing the Korea problem. The process of working together with Seoul to formulate and implement this strategy would allow both powers to ensure that their long-term interests on the peninsula are respected. Although there is no guarantee that such an effort will succeed, the worsening situation on and around the Korean peninsula and the U.S. and PRC's lack of progress all argue for this new approach, as do the potential benefits to the U.S.-PRC relationship.
Road to a Great Monetary Power
Authors: Li Wei , Su Han
Published: August 2015

Since the beginning of its reform and opening up over three decades ago, China has taken great efforts to integrate into the GATT/WTO-centered international trade system and the U.S. Dollar-centered international monetary system. By using the U.S. Dollar as the principal currency in its international economic engagement while exercising strict capital controls domestically, China has practically adopted a U.S. Dollar-dependent strategy to promote export, attract foreign investment, and maintain financial security, thus it has achieved lasting economic growth. However, with the declining credibility of the U.S. Dollar due to the U.S. financial crisis in 2008, and the increasing strategic competition between China and the United States, more and more Chinese in the policy and academic circles are skeptical of China's highly dependent monetary policy. Since 2009, China has begun to adopt a more proactive international monetary strategy by taking such measures as promoting the internationalization of the RMB, initiating new reforms of the international monetary system, and fostering a new regional monetary order. Such changes imply that China is changing its role: moving from being a dependent to a reformer of the U.S. Dollar system, which reflects a salient dimension of the evolving relationships between China and the broader international system.
Carbon Coated TiO2 Photoanodes for All-vanadium Redox Photoelectrochemical Cells as Efficient Solar Energy Storage Device
Authors: Wei Zi , Liu Dong , Shen Yi , Chia-jen Hsu , Liu Fuqiang
Published: August 2015

An all-vanadium redox photoelectrochemical cell with a carbon coated TiO2 photoelectrode was designed to convert/store solar energy as a promising alternative to photogeneration of hydrogen. In this study, a facile high-temperature sintering approach was employed to tailor the thickness of the carbon coating at TiO2 photoanodes. Considerable enhancement in photocurrent has been observed using the carbon coated TiO2 photoanode in the all vanadium photoelectrochemical system when compared to the carbon-free counterpart. Particularly, the photoanode containing 2.07 wt% of carbon displayed 40% improvement in photocurrent compared to the one with bare TiO2
as the photoanode. It is proposed that the carbonaceous species created by high-temperature pyrolysis acted as a thin adsorption layer on the TiO2 for VO2+ to react with the photogenerated holes. Photocurrent enhancement of the carbon coated photoelectrodes is ascribed to a synergic effect between enhanced charge separation and high conductivity.
Experimental Investigation of Carbon Deposition on a Ni/YSZ Anode of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Hua Dong , Fan Pengfei , Zhang Xiongwen , Li Guojun , Yang Naixing
Published: August 2015

The carbon depositions on a Ni/YSZ anode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with different gas ratios of CH4+H2 and CO+CO2 gas mixtures were experimentally studied. The carbon deposition rates for methane cracking and CO disproportionation were acquired at temperatures from 873K to 1073K. The kinetic models of the methane cracking and CO disproportionation reactions were verified by the experimental data. The results show that both the reactions of methane cracking and CO disproportionation are not solely related with the temperature or the gas mixture ratios. A kinetic model based on the elementary steps suggested by Alstrup fits well to the experimental data of methane cracking at the temperature range of 873-1073K. By assuming C-O bond cleavage as the rate-limiting step, a kinetic model of carbon deposition was derived for the CO disproportionation reaction and it is well fit to the experiments at temperature 973-1073K. The experimental results also show that the carbon deposition in the SOFCs is mainly due to the methane cracking reaction. Comparatively, the carbon deposition from CO disproportionation reaction is negligible.
Conductive Additive for Si/Mesoporous Carbon Anode for Li-Ion Batteries: Commercial Graphite vs Carbon Black C65
Authors: Rezqita Arlavinda , Hamid Raad , Schwarz Sabine , Kronberger Hermann , Trifonova Atanaska
Published: August 2015

Silicon is a promising candidate for anodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) due to its high theoretical capacity. However, Si has low electrical conductivity (theoretical: 6.7 x 10-4 S cm-1). Proper conductive additive is needed in order to improve the electrical conductivity of Si-based anodes. Here we focus on applying two commercial conductive addictives: graphite and carbon black Super C65 for silicon-mesoporous carbon (Si/MC) composite anodes. The structure and morphology of the electrodes were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and focus ion beam/transmission electron microscopy (FIB/TEM). Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of the electrodes was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge tests, and impedance spectroscopy. In principles, our work could be effective for the choice of conductive additives to improve the electrical performance of Si/MC anodes.
Silicon/Carbon Nano-Composite Based Anodes for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Dobrowolny Sascha , Mahlendorf Falko , Heinzel Angelika
Published: August 2015

In this study, the investigation of high capacity and high efficiency graphene coated silicon composite (Si/C composite) based electrodes prepared by using a wet chemical manufacturing process is presented. The active material provides a capacity of >2000 mAh g-1 with a coulombic efficiency >99% for more than 500 cycles. The focus is set to the investigation of the electrode structure during cycling progression by using galvanostatic cycling, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and the measurement of the coating adhesion strength. Results show the applicability of improved Si/C composite electrodes for future lithium-ion batteries, both in half cells as well as in full cells in combination with a commercially available cathode material.
Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Electrochemical Performance of SU-8 Photoresist Derived Carbon Films
Authors: Kakunuri Manohar , Sharma Chandra Shekhar
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we analyze the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the structural and electrochemical properties of SU-8 photoresist derived carbon films fabricated on stainless steel wafer substrate. Pyrolysis was done in two step in the presence of nitrogen at different temperatures from 973 to 1273 K. X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the microstructure of these carbon films. Additionally, carbon and hydrogen content of carbon films were also analyzed using elemental analyzer. Further electrochemical characteristics of as prepared binder free carbon films were investigated using galvanostat charge/discharge experiments, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Results were then correlated with the microstructural changes in the carbon films prepared at different pyrolysis temperature.
Investigation of Electron Transfer Properties of the SEI on Metallic Lithium Electrodes by SECM at Open Circuit
Authors: Bülter Heinz , Peters Fabian , Schwenzel Julian , Wittstock Gunther
Published: August 2015

The electron transfer at metallic lithium was characterized using the feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DBDMB) as redox mediator at open circuit. As a result the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) at Li is not passivating towards DBDMB as redox mediator. In comparison to charged graphite composite electrodes, the electron transfer rate is smaller at Li and the ranges for the electron transfer rates at both electrodes overlap. Both, graphite composite and Li electrodes show a local variation of electron transfer rates and temporal changes within a time span of hours. In addition, significant short term changes of SEI passivity occur at both electrodes. However, the frequency of such events is smaller for metallic Li then on graphite.
Nanocrystalline Iron Oxides Prepared via Co-Precipitation for Lithium Battery Cathode Applications
Authors: Durham Jessica , Takeuchi Esther S , Marschilok Amy C , Takeuchi Kenneth J
Published: August 2015

Aqueous, low-temperature co-precipitation syntheses afford environmentally sustainable, economically viable methods to produce energy storage materials based on iron, an earth-abundant material. Systematically altering the parameters of a co-precipitation reaction yields nanomaterials with distinct chemical compositions and crystallite sizes. Compared to bulk material, nanomaterials posses inimitable ion-transport kinetics and cycling ability. Magnetite (Fe3O4) and silver ferrite (Ag
x
FeO2) are discussed here as examples of nanocrystalline iron oxide materials in which the electrochemical performance (i.e. overall capacity, cycling efficiency, magnitude of polarization) directly correlates with composition and crystallite size.
About Microwave Solvothermal Synthesis of Solid Solutions LiFexMn1-xPO4/C and Their Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Handel Patricia , Stangl Christoph , God Colin , Filzwieser Monika , Uhlig Frank , Schroettner Hartmuth , Koller Stefan
Published: August 2015

Microwave solvothermal synthesis is used to obtain solid solutions of LiFexMn1-xPO4 (with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, …, 1.0). To improve ionic and electronic conductivity, the samples are coated with a conductive layer. To investigate the effect of the formation of a solid solution, LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4, produced by microwave irradiation, is compared to different mechanical preparation methods of equimolar mixtures between LiFePO4 and LiMnPO4. All powders are analyzed regarding to their structural-chemical and electrochemical properties. Slope cuts of prepared electrodes for LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4/C are further characterized by back scattered electron imaging and EDX analysis. The highest capacity of 139mAh g-1 at 0.1C is achieved for the microwave-synthesized LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4/C (sample F). The iron substitution by manganese leads to altered X-ray diffraction patterns and influences the oxidation and reduction potential position of Fe2+/Fe3+ and Mn2+/Mn3+. Further, we found out that the preparation method is crucial in terms of solid solution formation between iron and manganese.
Power Spectral Density Analysis of the Corrosion Potential Fluctuation of Stainless Steel 316L in Early Stages of Exposure to Caribbean Sea Water
Authors: Espinosa Carlos , Veleva Lucien Petrova , Lopez Juan Luis
Published: August 2015

AISI 316L samples were exposed for six months to Caribbean Sea water. The corrosion potential (Ecorr, o.c.p.) in the early stages showed variations to more or less negative values, considered as a consequence of the opposition between the pit nucleation and repassivation of active sites. However at the last four months maintained a tendency to less negatives values. Ecorr fluctuations, considered as electrochemical noise, were analyzed with the potential spectral density (PSD) vs. frequency in logarithmic scale. The negative PSD slope (β) indicated a release of spontaneous energy during the corrosion process. The calculated Hurst coefficient (Ĥ), based on β, suggested that initially the pit formation was controlled by fractional Gaussian noise (fGn) with the contribution of fractional Brownian motion (fBm) and at the later stages was dominated by fGn as a weakly persistent process. The results were correlated with the surface changes provided by SEM-EDX and XRD.
Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of High Strength Carbon Steel in H2S-Containing Alkaline Brines
Authors: Feng Ruishu , Beck Justin , Buyuksagis Aysel , Wolfe Ian , Cianni Rosemary , Ziomek-Moroz Margaret , Lvov Serguei N.
Published: August 2015

The electrochemical corrosion behavior of high strength low alloy carbon steel API S-135 was investigated using in-situ electrochemical measurements, ex situ surface analyses, and software modeling in the alkaline brines at pH of 7.9, 10.7, and 12.4 and at four different P
H2S equal to 0 kPa, 0.83 kPa, 8.3 kPa, and 69 kPa at 85 oC. Linear polarization resistance (R
pol) at steady state increased as pH increased from 7.9 to 12.4 at lower P
H2S whereas R
pol decreased and then increased at higher P
H2S. The fastest corrosion rate (CR) was 0.26 mm yr-1 at pH 10.7 with P
H2S 69 kPa, and the slowest CR was 0.0053 mm yr-1 at pH 12.4 with P
H2S 0.83 kPa. The correlation between the primary species, corrosion products, localized corrosion and R
pol were discussed. The experimental CR and corrosion products were compared with the modeling CR and Pourbaix diagram.
Corrosion Behaviour of AGR SIMFUELS
Authors: Rauff-Nisthar Nadya , Boxall Colin , Hambley David , Hiezl Zoltan , Padovani Cristiano , Wilbraham Richard
Published: August 2015

Pure UO2 pellets and, for the first time, AGR SIMFUEL pellets simulating 25 (pellet interior) and 43 GWd/tU burn-up (rim structure) have been fabricated. Using combined electrochemical and Raman spectroscopic studies, we have investigated the effect of the AGR SIMFUEL dopants on the structure of the UO2 crystal matrix and studied the effect of H2O2 on the SIMFUEL surface as a simulant for the effect of α radiolysis of water within intruding groundwater in the near field. Preliminary results of electrochemical studies of AGR SIMFUEL samples held in direct contact with the AGR fuel cladding material, 20/25/Nb stainless steel, in modified simplified groundwater (10 mmol dm-3 NaCl, 2 mmol dm-3 NaHCO3, pH 6.8) indicate that the open circuit potential of the coupled system is (i) negative of that adopted by the isolated SIMFUEL and (ii) positive of that adopted by the isolated cladding in electrolytes of the same composition. This implies that the SIMFUEL is protected against corrosion at the expense of the steel cladding, an observation that is currently the subject of further work in our laboratories.
A Citrate-Based Coating System for AZ31 Magnesium Alloys
Authors: Chu Yu-Ren , Lin Chao-Sung
Published: August 2015

The effect of sulfate and cupric ion on citrate conversion coating for AZ31 magnesium alloys is investigated in this study. Microstructure characterization shows that the existence of sulfate in aqueous citrate conversion system inhibits the formation of citrate conversion coating, which leads to a deterioration in corrosion property. With the addition of cupric ion, cupric/cuprous oxide is found to precipitates on the citrate conversion coating formed in aqueous solution, which results in a high corrosion current density in potentiodynamic polarization test. A post treatment using poly(hexamethylene succinimide-co-citramide), abbreviated as PSICA, is also proposed in this study. It was found that the total impedance of the AZ31 in EIS increases from around 5,000 to 10,000 Ωcm2 after citrate-based conversion coating, and can be further elevated to near 20,000 Ωcm2 with the PSICA post treatment.
Influence of Temperature on the Oxygen Electroreduction Activity at Nanoporous Carbon Support
Authors: Jäger Rutha , Härk Eneli , Steinberg Vahur , Lust Enn
Published: August 2015

Influence of temperature on the oxygen reduction kinetics of various catalysts has been analyzed in O2 saturated 0.1M KOH solution using rotating disc electrode method. Several important reaction parameters, such as the number of electrons transferred per one oxygen molecule, the slope values of Tafel-like plots at different temperatures, and the apparent activation energies for the oxygen reduction reaction were obtained. The calculated absolute kinetic current density value (62.6 A m-2) at the half-wave potential (-0.05V vs. HgêHgOê0.1M KOH) of platinum nanoparticles modified catalyst was maximum at 60oC. Calculated apparent activation energies were within a range from 19 to 27 kJ mol-1 at Pt nanoparticles modified molybdenum carbide derived carbon catalyst within potential range from 0.05 to -0.07V vs. HgêHgOê0.1M KOH.
Membrane Transport in a CuCl(aq)/HCl(aq) Electrolytic Cell
Authors: Hall Derek M. , Lotfi Roghayyeh , Kim Soohyun , Lvov Serguei N.
Published: August 2015

A phenomenological model describing the transport processes across a cation exchange membrane was developed. Using data obtained from conductivity, permeability and transport number experiments, the model quantified the direct and indirect influences of CuCl(aq) chemical potential and electric potential gradients on the fluxes of H+(aq), CuCl(aq) and charged species across a pressed Nafion 117 membrane in contact with 7 mol L-1 HCl(aq). This system is of particular interest for the CuCl(aq)/HCl(aq) electrolytic cell, a key component in the Cu-Cl hybrid thermochemical cycle. It was found that in highly reduced CuCl(aq) solutions, the flux of protons and charged species were influenced by the presence of copper species.
The Relationships between Morphological Characteristics and Foraging Behavior in Four Selected Species of Shorebirds and Water Birds Utilizing Tropical Mudflats
Authors: Norazlimi Nor Atiqah , Ramli Rosli
Published: August 2015

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the physical morphology of shorebirds and water birds (i.e., Lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Common redshank (Tringa totanus), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), and Little heron (Butorides striata)) and their foraging behavior in the mudflats area of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia, from August 2013 to July 2014 by using direct observation techniques (using binoculars and a video recorder). The actively foraging bird species were watched, and their foraging activities were recorded for at least 30 seconds for up to a maximum of five minutes. A Spearman Rank Correlation highlighted a significant relationship between bill size and foraging time (R = 0.443, p < 0.05), bill size and prey size (R = −0.052, p < 0.05), bill size and probing depth (R = 0.42, p = 0.003), and leg length and water/mud depth (R = 0.706, p < 0.005). A Kruskal‐Wallis Analysis showed a significant difference between average estimates of real probing depth of the birds (mm) and species (H = 15.96, p = 0.0012). Three foraging techniques were recorded: pause‐travel, visual‐feeding, and tactile‐hunting. Thus, morphological characteristics of bird do influence their foraging behavior and strategies used when foraging.
Modeling and Simulation of Polarization in Internet Group Opinions Based on Cellular Automata
Authors: Zhang Yaofeng , Xiao Renbin
Published: August 2015

Hot events on Internet always attract many people who usually form one or several opinion camps through discussion. For the problem of polarization in Internet group opinions, we propose a new model based on Cellular Automata by considering neighbors, opinion leaders, and external influences. Simulation results show the following: (1) It is easy to form the polarization for both continuous opinions and discrete opinions when we only consider neighbors influence, and continuous opinions are more effective in speeding the polarization of group. (2) Coevolution mechanism takes more time to make the system stable, and the global coupling mechanism leads the system to consensus. (3) Opinion leaders play an important role in the development of consensus in Internet group opinions. However, both taking the opinion leaders as zealots and taking some randomly selected individuals as zealots are not conductive to the consensus. (4) Double opinion leaders with consistent opinions will accelerate the formation of group consensus, but the opposite opinions will lead to group polarization. (5) Only small external influences can change the evolutionary direction of Internet group opinions.
Ray Tracing RF Field Prediction: An Unforgiving Validation
Authors: Vitucci E. M. , Degli-Esposti V. , Fuschini F. , Lu J. S. , Barbiroli M. , Wu J. N. , Zoli M. , Zhu J. J. , Bertoni H. L.
Published: August 2015

The prediction of RF coverage in urban environments is now commonly considered a solved problem with tens of models proposed in the literature showing good performance against measurements. Among these, ray tracing is regarded as one of the most accurate ones available. In the present work, however, we show that a great deal of work is still needed to make ray tracing really unleash its potential in practical use. A very extensive validation of a state-of-the-art 3D ray tracing model is carried out through comparison with measurements in one of the most challenging environments: the city of San Francisco. Although the comparison is based on RF cellular coverage at 850 and 1900 MHz, a widely studied territory, very relevant sources of error and inaccuracy are identified in several cases along with possible solutions.
Tyre Volume and Pressure Effects on Impact Attenuation during Mountain Bike Riding
Authors: Macdermid Paul W. , Miller Matthew C. , Macdermid Fiona M. , Fink Philip W.
Published: August 2015

Exposure to impacts and vibrations has been shown to be detrimental to cross country mountain bike performance and health. Therefore, any strategy aimed at attenuating such exposure is useful to participants and/or industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of tyre size and tyre inflation pressure on exposure to impacts. Participants completed nine trials of a technical section (controlled for initial speed and route taken) including nine separate conditions involving three tyre sizes and three tyre inflation pressures normalised per tyre. Performance was determined by time to negotiate the technical section while triaxial accelerometers recorded accelerations (128 Hz) to quantify impact exposure and the subsequent effects on soft tissue response. Increases in tyre size within the range used improved performanceP<0.0001while changes to tyre inflation pressure had no effectP=0.6870on performance. Larger tyre sizes and lower tyre inflation pressures significantlyP<0.0001reduced exposure to impacts which could be augmented or negated due to an interaction between tyre size and inflation pressureP<0.0001. It is recommended that mountain bikers use larger tyres, inflated to the moderate pressures used within this study, in order to increase performance and reduce the risk of overuse injuries.
Pyomyoma as a Rare Source of Postpartum Sepsis
Authors: DeMaio A. , Doyle M.
Published: August 2015

Pyomyoma, also known as suppurative leiomyoma, is a rare clinical complication that occurs when a leiomyoma undergoes infarction and subsequent infection. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis and can be guided by a classic triad of symptoms that includes abdominal pain, sepsis without an obvious source, and a history of leiomyoma. In the vast majority of these cases, total abdominal hysterectomy is required to avoid severe morbidity and potential mortality. We present an unusual case of a postpartum pyomyoma that was successfully treated without the need for hysterectomy. With strong clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and appropriate management, some affected patients may preserve fertility.
Durability and Shrinkage Characteristics of Self-Compacting Concretes Containing Recycled Coarse and/or Fine Aggregates
Authors: Gesoglu Mehmet , Güneyisi Erhan , Öz Hatice Öznur , Yasemin Mehmet Taner , Taha Ihsan
Published: August 2015

This paper addresses durability and shrinkage performance of the self-compacting concretes (SCCs) in which natural coarse aggregate (NCA) and/or natural fine aggregate (NFA) were replaced by recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) and/or recycled fine aggregate (RFA), respectively. A total of 16 SCCs were produced and classified into four series, each of which included four mixes designed with two water to binder (w/b) ratios of 0.3 and 0.43 and two silica fume replacement levels of 0 and 10%. Durability properties of SCCs were tested for rapid chloride penetration, water sorptivity, gas permeability, and water permeability at 56 days. Also, drying shrinkage accompanied by the water loss and restrained shrinkage of SCCs were monitored over 56 days of drying period. Test results revealed that incorporating recycled coarse and/or fine aggregates aggravated the durability properties of SCCs tested in this study. The drying shrinkage and restrained shrinkage cracking of recycled aggregate (RA) concretes had significantly poorer performance than natural aggregate (NA) concretes. The time of cracking greatly prolonged as the RAs were used along with the increase in water/binder ratio.
Evaluation of Etiology and Treatment Methods for Epistaxis: A Review at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central Nepal
Authors: Parajuli Ramesh
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Epistaxis is one of the most common emergencies in Otorhinolaryngology. It is usually managed with simple conservative measures but occasionally it is a life threatening condition. Identification of the cause is important, as it reflects the management plan being followed.Aims and Objectives. To analyze the etiology and treatment methods for patients with epistaxis.Methods. A retrospective study was done in a tertiary care hospital in central Nepal. The study period was from May 2014 to April 2015.Results. A total of 84 patients had epistaxis; 52 were males and 32 were females. The most common cause of epistaxis was idiopathic (38.09%) followed by hypertension (27.38%), trauma (15.47%), and coagulopathy (8.33%). Regarding treatment methods, most (52.38%) of our patients required anterior nasal packing. Chemical cautery was sufficient to stop bleeding in 14.28% of patients while electrocautery and posterior nasal packing were performed in 2.38% and 16.66% patients, respectively. Two (2.38%) patients required endoscopic sphenopalatine arterial ligation.Conclusion. Hypertension, trauma and coagulopathy were the most common etiological factors among the patients in whom etiology was found although in most of the patients etiology could not be found. Anterior nasal packing was the most common treatment method applied to these patients.
The Globular State of the Single-Stranded RNA: Effect of the Secondary Structure Rearrangements
Authors: Grigoryan Zareh A. , Karapetian Armen T.
Published: August 2015

The mutual influence of the slow rearrangements of secondary structure and fast collapse of the long single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) in approximation of coarse-grained model is studied with analytic calculations. It is assumed that the characteristic time of the secondary structure rearrangement is much longer than that for the formation of the tertiary structure. A nonequilibrium phase transition of the 2nd order has been observed.