bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and Optical Properties of Ho3+ Doped ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3 Glasses
Authors: Chimalawong Parnuwat , Kirdsiri Keerati , Kaewkhao Jakrapong , Limsuwan Pichet
Published: June 2014

Ho3+ doped zinc bismuth borate glasses of the composition 10ZnO : 30Bi2O3 : (60-x)B2O3 : xHo2O3 (where x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mol%) were fabricated by conventional melt quenching technique. In order to understand the role of Ho2O3 in these glasses, the density, molar volume and optical spectra were investigated. The molar volume decreases with an increase in Ho2O3 content, which is attributed to the structure becomes more compacted. The absorption spectra of Ho3+ doped in zinc bismuth borate glass correspond to several bands, which are assigned from the ground state, 5I8 to 5G5 (420 nm), 5G6 + 5F1 (451 nm), 5F2 + 5F4 (538 nm), 5F5 (643 nm) and 5I5 (1152 nm). Moreover, the optical basicities were also theoretically determined.
Nanostructuring of Ni by Various Modes of Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Popov Vladimir V. , Popova E.N. , Kuznetsov D.D. , Stolbovsky A.V. , Shorohov E.V. , Reglitz Gerrit , Divinski Sergiy V. , Wilde Gerhard
Published: June 2014

Various modes of severe plastic deformation (SPD), such as high-pressure torsion (HPT) at cryogenic temperature, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and dynamic channel-angular pressing (DCAP), have been applied for nanostructuring of Ni, and the thermal stability of the structure obtained has been studied. The nanocrystalline structure with average grain sizes of 80 nm and the microhardness of 6200 MPa is produced by HPT in liquid nitrogen. DCAP and ECAP result in the submicrocrystalline structure of a mixed type, with ultra-fine grains separated by high-angle boundaries along with deformation bands and coarse cells with low-angle dislocation boundaries. The thermal stability of the structures obtained by ECAP and DCAP is approximately the same, and it is higher than after the HPT at cryogenic temperature.
Diffusion in an Ensemble of Intersecting Grain Boundaries
Authors: Aleshin A.N. , Straumal P.B.
Published: June 2014

Grain boundary (GB) diffusion in an ensemble of three grain boundaries intersecting in the point of GB triple junction is described on the basis of quasi-steady Fisher’s model. Two versions of the configuration of the ensemble are considered, namely, with different number of GBs adjacent to the surface covered with a diffuser source and with different angle between GB and surface. Analytical expressions for the distribution of diffuser concentration along each GB of an ensemble are derived supposing that the GB diffusion fluxes are equal in the GB triple junction. The expressions for the diffuser concentration distribution along GBs in both ensembles include not only diffusion constants (like GB and bulk diffusion coefficients) but also structural characteristics of the ensemble of grain boundaries (i.e. the depth of the triple junction point under the surface and the angle between GBs in the triple junction point). The specific features of diffusion kinetics in the ensembles of different configuration with an angle of 120o(the equilibrium angle in a polycrystal) were revealed by comparing the diffuser concentration distributions in the ensembles and in the single GB.
Isotope Exchange between 18O2 Gas and Mechanoactivated Oxides of the Family Rare Earth – Manganese – Oxygen
Authors: Fishman Anatoly Yakovlevich , Kozhina G.A. , Kurennykh Tatiana Eugenievna , Vykhodets E.V. , Vykhodets Vladimir Borisovich
Published: June 2014

The results of measurements of the bulk diffusion of tracer oxygen atoms in the oxides LnMnO3+δ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm) in the temperature range 400 – 750°С are presented. The measurements were carried out on micro-and nanopowders. Nanoscale powders were prepared by mechanical activation. A method based on the study of the kinetics of oxygen isotope exchange between the powder and gaseous oxygen enriched with 18O isotope was used to obtain data on the diffusion coefficients. The average concentration of 18O isotope in the powders was measured using NRA technique. The obtained diffusion coefficients lay in the range of 10-21 - 10-24 m2/s, the diffusion activation energy for all the oxides have been close to 1 eV. These results suggest that the migration of tracer oxygen in oxides LаMnO3+δ, NdMnO3+δ and SmMnO3+δ at low temperatures is realized via structural defects. As for the oxide LaMnO3+δ, its oxygen diffusion coefficients at low temperatures have been lower than the values extrapolated from high temperatures. Such behavior of diffusion properties has not been previously observed in other metal oxides. In this regard, the vacancy formation energy in the rare earth manganites has been supposed to increase with decreasing temperature.
Specific Features of Interfaces in Cu-Nb Nanocomposites
Authors: Popova Elena N. , Deryagina I.L. , Valova-Zaharevskaya E.G. , Stolbovsky A.V. , Khlebova N.E. , Pantsyrny V.I.
Published: June 2014

The structure and properties of multi-rod Cu-Nb composites with the true strain of 10.2 and 12.5 have been studied by TEM, SEM and microhardness measurements. The non-uniform distribution of Nb ribbons throughout the composite cross sections was revealed, at higher strain their structure being more dispersed. In both wires the Cu/Nb interfaces are partly coherent, and the Nb lattice is more distorted at interfaces than in the bulk. The behavior at heating was studied in the temperature range of 300-800оС. In the range of 600-800oC complete coagulation of Nb filaments accompanied with drastic microhardness drop is observed. The thermal stability of Cu-Nb nanocomposites is higher than that of Nb and Cu nanostructured by SPD.
On a Finite Element Approach to Predict the Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials
Authors: Makvandi Resam , Öchsner Andreas
Published: June 2014

New applications for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging every day. CNTs are mostly used as the reinforcing phase in polymer composites. Recently, their application in improving the conductivity of these composites has attracted a lot of researchers. Considering helping to have a more realistic view of their reinforcing ability, this paper investigates the effect of nanotubes arbitrary orientations on the reinforced composite thermal conductivity. Two cases, i.e. the case when all the fibers are aligned and the case when the fibers are distributed with arbitrary orientations have been studied. Also, the effect of volume fraction value on the reinforcing capability of the inclusions is investigated. It is shown that the fibers orientation has an unfavorable effect on the composites conductivity and decreases it in comparison with the case when all the fibers are aligned and parallel to the heat flux. Furthermore, increasing the volume fraction also increases the thermal conductivity.
A Thermo-Mechanical Model for a Counterflow Biomass Gasifier
Authors: de Lemos Marcelo J.S.
Published: June 2014

This article presents a thermo-mechanical approach to investigate heat transfer between solid and fluid phases in a model gasifier. A two-temperature equation approach is applied in addition to a macroscopic model for laminar flow through a porous moving bed. Transport equations are discretized using the control-volume method and the system of algebraic equations is relaxed via the SIMPLE algorithm. The effects on inter-phase heat transfer due to variation of medium permeability, thermal conductivity and thermal capacity are analyzed. Results indicate that for smaller medium permeabilities, as well as for higher solid-to-fluid thermal capacity and thermal conductivity ratios, enhancement of heat transfer between phases is observed.
Estimating the Permeability of Ferrite-Polymer Composite via a Numerical Optimization Method
Authors: Al-Habashi Ramadan , Abbas Zulkifly , Gasia Abdsalam
Published: June 2014

Estimating the relative complex permeability of each component of samarium-substituted yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles in poly-vinylidene-fluride (Sm-YIG-PVDF) composite samples via a numerical optimization method is performed using a MATLAB program. The optimization is taken as the optimized parameters that yield a minimum sum for the absolute differences between the calculated impedance obtained by using the permeability calculated from Maxwell-Garnett (MG) formula and the measured equivalent one over the entire frequency range named the objective function (M). The guessed (estimated) ranges of the complex permeability are based on the measured values of each component of Sm-YIG-PVDF composite samples. The optimized (optimum) impedance values are in very good agreement with the measured ones for each composite and within the estimated ranges. More details on the optimization procedure and the permeability of different composition of the Sm-YIG-PVDF composite materials are illustrated.
The Relation between Drift, Entropy Distribution and Kirkendall Plane Position during Diffusion
Authors: Wierzba Bartek , Skibiński Wojciech , Danielewski Marek
Published: June 2014

The Kirkendall effect appears due to the unbalanced diffusion fluxes causing the vacancy flux. There are several numerical methods that allow to predict the position of Kirkendall plane after the diffusion couple annealing. In this work for the first time the entropy density distribution is used to estimate the trajectory of the Kirkendall plane. The entropy density distribution is calculated with use of the bi-velocity method, which combines: (1) the volume continuity, (2) the conservation of mass, (3) momentum and (4) entropy-density. The method is applied to simulate the diffusion in Ni-Pd diffusion couple.
Dissolution Rate of Flat Plate Limestone in Agitated Sulfuric Acid Solution
Authors: Tanaka Daiki , Ito Takashi , Taniguchi Shoji , Mizoguchi Tadaaki
Published: June 2014

In this study, a flat plate limestone of which surface area was accurately defined was dissolved into acid in an agitated vessel. Dissolution rates of limestone were measured under various agitation speeds, temperatures and acid concentrations. As a result, it was found that the rates were controlled by the diffusion of particular chemical species depending on acid concentration.
Effect of Multiple Parallel Grooves on the Photocatalytic Activity of Rutile TiO2 Surfaces
Authors: Ikuma Yasuro , Ogoe Seiya , Nakamura Sayaka , Niwa Koichi , Anandan Srinivasan , Tajiri Hiroo , Sakata Osami
Published: June 2014

The effect of the surface conditions of (001) and (100) rutile TiO2 surfaces on the photocatalytic decomposition of linoleic acid was investigated. The rate of decomposition was observed by measuring the weight of the remaining linoleic acid. The as-received (polished) (001) surface showed a higher photocatalytic activity than the (100) surface, but the activity was greatly reduced when the surface was treated by HF solution and heated to 400°C. Condition of the surface strongly affects the photocatalytic activity. The heated (001) surface partially regained its activity after multiple parallel grooves were introduced along the [110] direction. However, the surface did not regain its activity if these grooves were instead introduced along the [1-10] or [100] directions.
Removal of Selenium from Aqueous Sample Using Calcium Alumino-Zincate
Authors: Hirano Masaya , Murakami Masahiko , Ohya Junichi , Sango Hiroyuki
Published: June 2014

Aiming to apply in removal of selenium from contaminated waste water, we have studied the immobilization of Se (IV) and Se (VI) into the hydrate of calcium alumino-zincate (14CaO.5Al2O3.6ZnO, shown as C14A5Z6). By adding 2 g of C14A5Z6 to 1 L of 5 mg/L Se (VI) solution, the concentration of Se (VI) was decreased to less than 0.01 mg/L within 60 minutes. In the case of using 1 g of calcium hydroxide with 2 g of C14A5Z6, the Se (VI) concentration reached to 0.01 mg/L within 30 minutes. On the other hand, the concentration of Se (IV) was decreased from 5 mg/L to 0.16 mg/L in 60 minutes whilst it reached to 0.041 mg/L by adding calcium hydroxide in the same reaction period. The immobilization capacity of selenium were 222 and 127 mg/g for Se (IV) and Se (VI), respectively. By adding calcium hydroxide, the immobilization capacity of C14A5Z6 was increased to 240 and 200 mg/g for Se (IV) and Se (VI), respectively.
Effect of Aggregate Type on the Concrete Matrix/Aggregates Interface and its Influence on the Overall Mechanical Behavior. A Numerical Study.
Authors: Kamali-Bernard Siham , Keinde Dame , Bernard Fabrice
Published: June 2014

This paper investigates the effect of siliceous, limestone and plastic aggregates on the compressive behavior of concrete. Firstly, the matrix/aggregates interface is characterized using a scanning electronic microscope. Compressive test is then simulated on a 3D numerical concrete using finite element method. The influence of the matrix/aggregates interface quality is quantified. The results give a new insight and help on the understanding of the contribution of the nature of the aggregate on the overall mechanical behavior of concretes.
Improving Blue Phosphor BAM:Eu for Fluorescent and LED Lighting
Authors: Wallez Gilles , Lacanilao Arnold , Buissette Valérie , Le Mercier Thierry , Mazerolles Léo , Pavageau Bertrand , Servant Laurent
Published: June 2014

The effects of various fluoride fluxes on the crystallization of blue phosphor BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ were characterized using a wide panel of experimental methods. LiF appeared as the most efficient, with a significant increase of the photoluminescence yield under excitation at 280 nm. Besides, the recrystallization resulted in a redistribution of the dopant among the three crystallographic sites, leading to a strong increase of the excitation in the near-UV domain. This allowed the emission to increase by 40 % under a 400 nm irradiation, typically of interest for possible LED-blue phosphor systems. At last, the shaping into hexagonal single crystals allowed both a reduction of the thermal degradation under air, and the discovery of a novel regeneration process at moderate temperature.
Thermal Stability of MAX Phases
Authors: Low It Meng , Pang Wei Kong
Published: June 2014

The susceptibility of MAX phases to thermal dissociation at 1300-1550 °C in high vacuum has been studied using in-situ neutron diffraction. Above 1400 °C, MAX phases decomposed to binary carbide (e.g. TiCx) or binary nitride (e.g. TiNx), primarily through the sublimation of A-elements such as Al or Si, which results in a porous surface layer of MXx being formed. Positive activation energies were determined for decomposed MAX phases with coarse pores but a negative activation energy when the pore size was less than 1.0 μm. The insights for tailor-design of MAX phases with controlled thermal stability and intercalated MXenes for energy storage are addressed.
Control of Shell Thickness of Hollow Silica-Alumina Composite Spheres and their Activity for Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane
Authors: Toyama Naoki , Umegaki Tetsuo , Xu Qiang , Kojima Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2014

Herein, we investigated the influence of the shell thickness of hollow silica-alumina composite spheres on their activity for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (NH3BH3). Silica-alumina composite shells were fabricated by coating on polystyrene (PS) template particles and then completely removing the PS by calcination. Based on the transmission electron microscopy images, the shell thicknesses of the hollow spheres prepared using 5, 10, and 15 g of PS suspensions and coating times of 24.0, 7.0, and 1.5 h were 20, 13, and 5 nm, respectively. The results indicated that the shell thickness of homogeneous hollow spheres was controlled by adjusting the amount of PS suspension and the coating time. In the presence of the hollow spheres with shell thicknesses of 5, 13, and 20 nm, 10.0, 9.5, and 9.0 mL of hydrogen was evolved from aqueous NH3BH3solutions for 13, 12, and 13 min, respectively. The molar ratios of the hydrolytically generated hydrogen to the initial NH3BH3in the presence of the hollow spheres with shell thicknesses of 5, 13, and 20 nm were 2.6, 2.5, and 2.3, respectively. From these results, it can be inferred that the activity for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of NH3BH3increase with decrease of the shell thickness of the hollow spheres. The result of the temperature-programmed desorption profile of ammonia showed that in the number of amount of acid sites of the hollow spheres increase with decrease of the shell thickness of the hollow spheres. The results indicate the activity depends on the number of acid sites of the hollow spheres.
Magnetic and Fluorescent Hybrid Silica Nanoparticles Based on the Co-Encapsulation of γ-Fe2O3 Nanocristals and [Mo6Br14]2- Luminescent Nanosized Clusters by Water-in-Oil Microemulsion
Authors: Neaime Chrystelle , Nerambourg Nicolas , Aubert Tangi , Grasset Fabien , Cordier Stephane , Gredin Patrick , Mortier Michel
Published: June 2014

The design, synthesis and characterization of magnetic-luminescent nanoparticles is now more and more studied since the last decade. However, optimizing the design of such materials requires a deep understanding of their physico-chemical properties. In this paper are reported extended investigations on luminescent and magnetic @SiO2 Nps prepared by a water-in-oil microemulsion technique. The Cs2[Mo6Br14] cluster compound is used as red-NIR phosphor and is prepared by solid state chemistry. We bring here new insights into the structure of such Nps and its interplay with their optical or magnetic properties.
Multi-Functional Silica Nanoparticles Based on Metal Atom Clusters: From Design to Toxicological Studies
Authors: Aubert Tangi , Nerambourg Nicolas , Neaime Chrystelle , Cabello-Hurtado Francisco , Esnault Marie Andrée , Lebret-Chauvel Dominique , Jeanne Sylvie , Pellen Pascal , Saito Noriko , Kimoto Koji , Haneda Hajime , Ohashi Naoki , Cordier Stephane , Grasset Fabien
Published: June 2014

We report on the interest of luminescent and nanosized metal atom clusters for the development of functional silica nanoparticles. Furthermore, multi-functional hybrid nanoparticles have been achieved by associating these luminescent clusters with magnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals and plasmonic gold nanocrystals. In addition, as part of the risk evaluation before potential applications, the toxicity of the nanoparticles was evaluated both on plants and on human cells.
Evaluation of Iodine-Adsorption on Magnesium Compounds Toward Fixing of Radioactive Iodine
Authors: Yoshida Naoya , Kadokura Ryo , Watanabe Kunio , Awata Keiji , Ishida Akio , Okura Toshinori
Published: June 2014

We studied an adsorption method as a technique of collection, and a vitrification method of iodine toward safekeeping. In this study, iodine-adsorptions on magnesium compounds were evaluated, and fixation of iodine into glass was tried. As a result, it was revealed that 1 g of magnesium oxide with high surface area successfully adsorbed 2.23 g of iodine. Iodine-adsorbed magnesium compound was tried to be vitrified with MgO-P2O5 glass.
Reactivity of Carbonates in Superheated Steam under Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Asano Kohei , Yamaguchi Yuki , Fujimoto Kenjiro , Ito Shigeru
Published: June 2014

The effect of superheated steam on the decomposition of CaCO3 and MnCO3 and on the solid state reactions of ZnCO3-FeOOH and MnCO3-CaCO3 was investigated. A newly developed apparatus for the experiments under 1 atm of pure water vapor was used. CaCO3 decomposed at 800 oC in the superheated steam to form the single phase of CaO. On the other hand, the decomposition was uncompleted in air. CaCO3 transformed into CaO via Ca (OH)2 in superheated steam. During the transformation of carbonate into hydroxide, the crystal lattice is temporarily disordered to make it active, leading lower decomposition temperature of CaCO3. MnCO3 decomposed to form γ-Mn2O3 at above 1000 oC in air, whereas γ-Mn2O3 was obtained at 800 oC in the superheated steam. The solid state reaction in the steam was suppressed for the mixture of ZnCO3 and FeOOH. This seemed to be due to the large difference in decomposition temperature between ZnCO3 and FeOOH. MnCO3 reacted with CaCO3 to form CaMn2O4 at 800 oC in the superheated steam. However, a higher temperature of 1000 oC was required to cause the reaction in air. The low-temperature transformation of MnCO3 and CaCO3 in the superheated steam would affect the reaction. It was concluded that the reactivity of carbonate in super heated steam was promoted by the Hedvall effect, which was caused by the formation of intermediate phase such as hydroxide.
Thermoelectric Analysis for a Three-Dimensional Power Generator in Helical
Authors: Meng Xiang Ning , Fujisaka Takeyuki , Suzuki Ryosuke O.
Published: June 2014

Thermoelectric (TE) phenomenon of a helical generator is numerically analyzed by using the finite-volume method in combination with a three-dimensional finite-element (FE) model. The distributions of temperature and current density are significantly influenced by the generator dimension. The output power of helical generator is also affected by the geometric parameter, such as the helical pitch. The output power and conversion efficiency of helical generator are better than those of straight generator where all the TE elements aligned in a straight line. The helical geometry has a satisfactory potential to be a good TE generator.
Formation of M5Si3 Type Si-Ti-Zr System Intermetallic Compounds by Pulse Electric Current Sintering with Self-Propagating High Temperature Synthesis
Authors: Ikarashi Yukinori , Nanko Makoto , Ishizaki Kozo
Published: June 2014

Pulse electric current sintering (PECS) is applied to synthesis M5Si3 type Si-Ti-Zr system intermetallic compounds, Si3TixZr(5-x) x=0-5, directly from raw powders of silicon, titanium and zirconium. Almost full conversion to Si3TixZr(5-x) are achieved by PECS method with self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction. The adiabatic temperatures are susceptible to sintering behaviors such as vacuum pressure in chamber and displacement of pressure axis on the PECS process. The large quantities of gases are released in Zr-rich samples. The bulk shapes with almost dense samples are obtained at Ti-rich samples.
SPS Using SiC Die
Authors: Kakegawa Kazuyuki , Wen Chun Ming , Uekawa Naofumi , Kojima Takashi
Published: June 2014

Possibility of a use of SiC as SPS die was examined. Although SiC has good strength even at high temperature, electrical conductivity is too low as the SPS die. Maximum output voltage of typical SPS machine is 10 V. Joule heat of SiC by application of 10 V is too small to increase its temperature. One idea to solve this problem in this study is to apply higher voltage to the SiC die. Using prototype high voltage SPS equipment, the temperature of SiC die was successfully elevated. Another idea is to heat the SiC die in advance. SiC has a semiconducting behavior, so that the electrical conductivity at high temperature becomes sufficient for the ordinary SPS equipment. Using SPS machine which has hot-wall, heaters surrounding the die, the temperature of the SiC die was successfully increased by application of low voltage. This SPS had similar sintering effects as the ordinary ones. Partly transparent alumina was successfully prepared. Initial compositional fluctuation of Pb (Zr,Ti)O3was maintained after it was densified by this SiC-SPS.
Redox Behaviour of Potential SOFC Cathode Materials La1.6Sr0.4Ni1-xCoxO4+δ (x = 0.6 and 0.8) Determined from In Situ Neutron Powder Diffraction under Flowing O2 and 5%H2
Authors: Hanlon James M. , Tonus Florent , Broux Thibault , Prestipino Carmelo , Bahout Mona
Published: June 2014

The n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) oxides La1.6Sr0.4Ni1-xCoxO4+δ (x = 0.6 and 0.8) have been prepared by the citrate-gel method and studied using thermal analysis and in situ neutron powder diffraction (NPD) under oxygen (x = 0.6) and subsequent 5%H2 flow. On heating under O2, the x = 0.6 sample loses oxygen from the interstitial site until it is emptied at 475 °C. Subsequent heating in 5%H2 results in reduction which proceeds within two-steps; the first one occurs between ~170 and 300 °C and involves removal of the interstitial oxygen (Oint), the second step starting at ~ 400 °C and going on up to 600 °C (the highest temperature reached) involves oxygen deintercalation from the equatorial position (Oeq). After 20 min of isothermal heating at 600 °C, unless a thermodynamic equilibrium state was not reached there was no sign of impurity related to the decomposition of the sample and the composition refined to La1.6Sr0.4Ni0.4Co0.6O3.85(3). The x = 0.8 sample exhibits similar behavior under hydrogenwith slight shifts in temperature and the composition reached after the reducing cycle refined to La1.6Sr0.4Ni0.2Co0.8O3.85(1). This study demonstrates that the Co-rich La1.6Sr0.4Ni1-xCoxO4+δ oxides can withstand hydrogen reducing conditions with topotactic deintercalation of Oint and Oeq but are not stable enough at 600 °C in comparison to La1.5Sr0.5Ni0.5Co0.5O4+δ owing toincreased Sr/La ratio in the latter.
SEM-TES Application to Chemical State Analysis on Cation of Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Capacitors Based on the Sensitivity Correction of X-Ray Intensity Data
Authors: Ohgaki Masataka , Tanaka Keiichi , Suzuki Hidekazu , Hasuda Masakatsu , Matsumura Syo , Yano Masato , Miyayama Masaru
Published: June 2014

The microcalorimeter detects the energy of incidentX-ray photon by the slight temperature rise of a device at a very low temperature, and the detector of a superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter has been developed for the measurement of energy dispersive X-ray photons of the energy of 10 to 20 keV with the energy resolution better than 100 eV of FWHM value by having the counting rate over 100 counts per second. A FE-SEM with a detector of TES microcalorimeter (SEM-TES) has already been developed for the extra-high resolution energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry system to apply in electron-microprobe chemical analyses. Recently, we developed the sensitive correct function on the observed X-ray intensity data measured in the system. Then, the high energy resolution of revised SEM-TES system is precisely able to determine the element contents on the sample. In addition, the chemical bonding states can be clarified by the fluorescent X-ray intensities in the lower energy region derived with a low accelerating voltage of SEM-TES system. We applied the revised SEM-TES system to analyze chemical state on the electrode of nanosheets-derived Hx(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 for newly developing electrochemical capacitors. We investigated the chemicalstate of cations by not the M-lines but the L-beta and L-alpha lines as the lower energy lines having relative large contribution on chemical bonding. As a result, we revealed a specific chemical state of the Mn different from that of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 electrode in LiB, that was supported by the result of TEM-EELS analysis. These results show that the SEM-TES system can be a useful analytical tool for the chemical bonding state and electronic structure determinations in a wide range of materials.
Seedling age and quality upon transplanting affect seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Ren Yun , Zhu Jianfang , Hussain Nazim , Ma Shanlin , Ye Genru , Zhang Dongqing , Hua Shuijin
Published: June 2014

Ren, Y., Zhu, J., Hussain, N., Ma, S., Ye, G., Zhang, D. and Hua, S. 2014. Seedling age and quality upon transplanting affect seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1461–1469. Seedling quality is an essential indicator for seed yield in canola, which is affected by many factors, including seedling age. Two field experiments were conducted to compare canola seedling quality and seed yield on 30-, 35-, 40-, 45-, 50-, 55-, and 60-d-old seedlings in 2011 and 2012. The relationship between seedling quality traits and seed yield of different seedling ages was also analyzed. Results revealed that the highest seed yield obtained from 40-d-old seedlings was attributed to more branches and siliques per plant. The negative effect of young seedlings (30-d-old) on seed yield was greater than that of old seedlings (60-d-old). The reduction rates in seed yield on the 30- and 60-d-old seedlings were 25.7 and 18.2%, respectively, compared with the 40-d-old seedlings. Increased root neck diameter, green leaf number, shoot, and root dry matter was the case on 40-d-old seedling transplanted plants compared with other ages. However, the increase was larger in the old seedlings than in the young seedlings. On average, the shoot and root dry weights of the 30-d-old seedlings were 1.9 and 1.7% of those in the 60-d-old seedlings. However, correlation analysis revealed that the seedlings with the highest shoot and root dry matter did not necessarily obtain the highest seed yield. Factor analysis suggested that the effects of root neck diameter and green leaf number on seed yield were more pronounced than those of shoot and root dry matter. Therefore, high seed yield in canola could be defined in terms of optimum green leaf numbers and branches per plant.
Effect of microwave radiation on dry bean seed infected withColletotrichum lindemuthianumwith and without the use of chemical seed treatment
Authors: Friesen A. P. , Conner R. L. , Robinson D. E. , Barton W. R. , Gillard C. L.
Published: June 2014

Friesen, A. P., Conner, R. L., Robinson, D. E., Barton, W. R. and Gillard, C. L. 2014. Effect of microwave radiation on dry bean seed infected with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum with and without the use of chemical seed treatment. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1373–1384. Seed-borne anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is a serious disease that affects dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed quality and yield. A 2-yr study was conducted to examine the effect of microwave radiation on two bean cultivars, Navigator (navy bean) and AC Ole (pinto bean). In the laboratory, a maximum exposure time between 40–50 s caused <10% decrease in seed germination and 0.14 and 0.10% s−1decrease in pathogen viability for the Navigator and AC Ole cultivars, respectively. Field studies were conducted at Ridgetown and Exeter, ON, to evaluate the effect of microwave radiation and two chemical seed treatments (thiamethoxam+fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M+azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin+fluxapyroxad+metalaxyl), on emergence, percentage of infection, seed pick, yield and return on investment. Microwave treatment decreased emergence by <10% in both cultivars and decreased disease symptoms by 17–23% for leaf and stem infection in cv. AC Ole when combined with chemical seed treatment. Microwave treatment did not affect pod infection, seed pick, yield, or return on investment, yet chemical treatment increased yield between 9 and 25% in cv. Navigator.
Molecular and phenotypic characterization of variation related to pea enation mosaic virus resistance in lentil (Lens culinarisMedik.)
Authors: Jain Shalu , Porter Lyndon D. , Kumar Ajay , Mir Reyazul R. , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , McPhee Kevin E.
Published: June 2014

Jain, S., Porter, L. D., Kumar, A., Mir, R. R., Eigenbrode, S. D. and McPhee, K. E. 2014. Molecular and phenotypic characterization of variation related to pea enation mosaic virus resistance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1333–1344. Identification of genetically diverse lentil germplasm with resistance to pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) through the combined approach of molecular marker analysis and phenotyping could prove useful in breeding programs. A total of 44 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) accessions, were screened for resistance to PEMV. Two accessions (PI 431663 and PI 432028) were identified with resistance to PEMV in field tests while several accessions were found resistant in greenhouse screenings. Thirty-six polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers which produced 43 loci with 2 to 12 alleles per locus were used for genetic diversity analysis. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values for these markers ranged from 0.22–0.85 with a mean of 0.55 per marker. Using allelic data of 36 SSR primer pairs, dissimilarity ranging from 0.12 to 0.74 was calculated. Cluster analysis performed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) determined that most of PEMV-resistant accessions were grouped in one cluster along with other accessions from Iran, Chile, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Lebanon. All the adapted cultivars originating from North and South America were grouped in another cluster along with some European accessions. The 44 accessions were classified into 4 subpopulations using Structure 2.2 software complimenting the results of UPGMA analysis and indicated the effect of geographical origin on the grouping of accessions. The results of this study can be used to select genetically diverse PEMV-resistant accessions for lentil improvement programs.
An evaluation of biochar pre-conditioned with urea ammonium nitrate on maize (Zea maysL.) production and soil biochemical characteristics
Authors: Dil Matthew , Oelbermann Maren , Xue Wei
Published: June 2014

Dil, M., Oelbermann, M. and Xue, W. 2014. An evaluation of biochar pre-conditioned with urea ammonium nitrate on maize (Zea mays L.) production and soil biochemical characteristics. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 551–562. Biochar can enhance soil fertility, plant nutrient uptake and crop production. Using a potted study, we quantified the effects of adding biochar at 1 t ha−1(Char), biochar pre-conditioned with urea ammonium nitrate [UAN (Char+)], or UAN only to a control (Contr) with no amendments on maize (Zea mays L.) biomass production, tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, N uptake (NU), N utilization efficiency (NUtE), and soil chemistry and biology in coarse-, medium- and fine-textured soils over 6 wk. Soil pH decreased (P<0.05) in Char+and UAN treatments for all soil textures. Soil organic carbon (SOC) increased (P<0.05) in the coarse and medium textured soil in Char and Char+treatments. Soil ammonium and soil nitrate were different (P<0.05) among treatments; increasing or decreasing depending upon soil texture. Soil microbial biomass C was lowest (P<0.05) in the UAN treatment for all soil textures. Soil potential microbial activity was significantly greater in the coarse-textured soil in only the Char and Char+treatments. Maize biomass, tissue N concentration, and NU increased (P<0.05) in soils amended with Char+or UAN only. NUtE was lower (P<0.05) in Char+and UAN treatments in the coarse- and medium-textured soils, but this was reversed for the fine-textured soil.
Improving water storage of reclamation soil covers by fractionation of coarse-textured soil
Authors: Dobrovolskaya Yekaterina V. , Chau Henry Wai , Si Bing Chen
Published: June 2014

Dobrovolskaya, Y. V., Chau, H. W. and Si, B. C. 2014. Improving water storage of reclamation soil covers by fractionation of coarse-textured soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 489–501. Mining operations cause considerable land disturbance as well as the accumulation of large amounts of waste rock. Capping waste rock with a soil cover has proven to be a reliable, long-term reclamation technique. This study examines the question of whether it is possible to attain a considerable increase in water storage capacity (WSC) by separating coarse-textured soil into particle size fractions and layering them into a soil cover. Additionally, this study investigated whether preferential flow can be mitigated by increasing the number of layers and extending the interlayer transitions in fine-over-coarse-textured soil systems. Intermittent and constant infiltration experiments were conducted on homogeneous covers composed of natural sand, two-layered covers with abrupt and gradual interlayer transitions as well as on a four-layered cover under initially air-dry and field capacity (FC) conditions. Water storage capacities were determined from a sampling of soil covers’ water content at FC. Infiltration experiments showed that all tested covers under all initial and boundary conditions had limited susceptibility to preferential flow. Increasing the number of layers and extending the interlayer transitions had a stabilizing effect on the wetting front. Water storage capacities and residence time increased with the increased number of layers. Overall, it has been shown that it is possible to improve the WSC of coarse-textured soil by fractionation and layering of it into a relatively fine-over-coarse soil system.
Venezuela, en la prensa internacional: una cobertura sesgada
Authors: Casado Gutiérrez Fernando , Sapiezynska Ewa , Sánchez Rebeca
Published: June 2014

Introducción. Se investigó la cobertura de Venezuela en 28 grandes diarios de América Latina, Europa y EEUU a lo largo de un año. El objetivo del trabajo fue dilucidar si existía un sesgo sistemático. Metodología. Se compaginó el análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de contenido. Se condensaron varias categorías en dos variables –tendencia e impacto– con una simple escala de medición adscrita. Resultados. Se demostró un sistemático sesgo negativo en la cobertura de Venezuela en los grandes diarios: el 82% de los artículos publicados tienen un impacto negativo. A la vez, el 95% de los temas está relacionado con el gobierno venezolano. Discusión y conclusiones. La comprobación de un sesgo negativo sistemático significa que el derecho de información de los ciudadanos-lectores no se está cumpliendo.
State Funding for Health Information Technology and Selected Ambulatory Healthcare Quality Measures
Authors: Silver M. , Kaushal R. , Kern L. M. ,   with the HITEC Investigators
Published: June 2014

Background: Previous studies on the effects of health information technology (health IT) on ambulatory quality have had mixed results. New York State has invested heavily in health IT throughout the State, creating a unique opportunity to assess effects on health care quality across multiple communities.

Objective: To determine any association between primary care providers’ receipt of funding from New York State’s Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers Program (HEAL NY) and ambulatory quality of care

Methods: A statewide, longitudinal cohort study of primary care physicians in New York State was conducted. Data regarding which primary care physicians received funding through the HEAL NY program (Phase 5 or Phase 10) in 2008 or 2009 were obtained from the New York State Department of Health. Health care quality in 2010 was measured using claims data that had been aggregated across 7 commercial health plans across the state. Physicians were divided into 2 groups, based on receipt of HEAL funding (yes/no). Any association was measured between study group and each of 7 quality measures, all of which appear in the Stage 1 federal Meaningful Use program. Negative binomial regression was used, adjusting for provider gender and specialty.

Results: The study included 3,988 primary care providers, of whom 863 (22%) had received HEAL NY funding. The HEAL-funded physicians provided higher quality of care on 5 of the 7 measures: breast cancer screening, eye exams in patients with diabetes, nephropathy screening in patients with diabetes, influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination (p<0.0001 for all adjusted comparisons). The HEAL-funded group provided higher quality of care by an absolute 2 to 6 percentage points per measure for those 5 measures.

Conclusion: Primary care physicians who received state funding for health IT provided higher quality of care than those who did not receive such funding.

Citation: Kern LM, Silver M, Kaushal R; with the HITEC Investigators. State funding for health information technology and selected ambulatory healthcare quality measures. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 594–602 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-12-RA-0108
Heterogeneous chemistry: a mechanism missing in current models to explain secondary inorganic aerosol formation during the January 2013 haze episode in North China
Authors: Zheng B. , Zhang Q. , Zhang Y. , He K. B. , Wang K. , Zheng G. J. , Duan F. K. , Ma Y. L. , Kimoto T.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Severe regional haze pollution events occurred in eastern and central China in January 2013, which had adverse effects on the environment and public health. Extremely high levels of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) with dominant components of sulfate and nitrate are responsible for the haze pollution. Although heterogeneous chemistry is thought to play an important role in the production of sulfate and nitrate during haze episodes, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the effect of heterogeneous chemistry on haze formation in China by using the 3-D models due to of a lack of treatments for heterogeneous reactions in most climate and chemical transport models. In this work, the offline-coupled WRF-CMAQ model with newly added heterogeneous reactions is applied to East Asia to evaluate the impacts of heterogeneous chemistry and the meteorological anomaly during January 2013 on regional haze formation. The revised CMAQ with heterogeneous chemistry not only captures the magnitude and temporal variation of sulfate and nitrate, but also reproduces the enhancement of relative contribution of sulfate and nitrate to PM2.5 mass from clean days to polluted haze days. These results indicate the significant role of heterogeneous chemistry in regional haze formation and improve the understanding of the haze formation mechanisms during the January 2013 episode.
Dependence of Eemian Greenland temperature reconstructions on the ice sheet topography
Authors: Merz N. , Born A. , Raible C. C. , Fischer H. , Stocker T. F.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The influence of a reduced Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) on Greenland's surface climate during the Eemian interglacial is studied using a set of simulations with different GrIS realizations performed with a comprehensive climate model. We find a distinct impact of changes in the GrIS topography on Greenland's surface air temperatures (SAT) even when correcting for changes in surface elevation, which influences SAT through the lapse rate effect. The resulting lapse-rate-corrected SAT anomalies are thermodynamically driven by changes in the local surface energy balance rather than dynamically caused through anomalous advection of warm/cold air masses. The large-scale circulation is indeed very stable among all sensitivity experiments and the Northern Hemisphere (NH) flow pattern does not depend on Greenland's topography in the Eemian. In contrast, Greenland's surface energy balance is clearly influenced by changes in the GrIS topography and this impact is seasonally diverse. In winter, the variable reacting strongest to changes in the topography is the sensible heat flux (SHF). The reason is its dependence on surface winds, which themselves are controlled to a large extent by the shape of the GrIS. Hence, regions where a receding GrIS causes higher surface wind velocities also experience anomalous warming through SHF. Vice-versa, regions that become flat and ice-free are characterized by low wind speeds, low SHF, and anomalous low winter temperatures. In summer, we find surface warming induced by a decrease in surface albedo in deglaciated areas and regions which experience surface melting. The Eemian temperature records derived from Greenland proxies, thus, likely include a temperature signal arising from changes in the GrIS topography. For the Eemian ice found in the NEEM core, our model suggests that up to 3.1 °C of the annual mean Eemian warming can be attributed to these topography-related processes and hence is not necessarily linked to large-scale climate variations.
Inter-hemispheric asymmetry in the sea-ice response to volcanic forcing simulated by MPI-ESM (COSMOS-Mill)
Authors: Zanchettin D. , Bothe O. , Timmreck C. , Bader J. , Beitsch A. , Graf H.-F. , Notz D. , Jungclaus J. H.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The decadal evolution of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice following strong volcanic eruptions is investigated in four climate simulation ensembles performed with the COSMOS-Mill version of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model. The ensembles differ in the magnitude of the imposed volcanic perturbations, with sizes representative of historical tropical eruptions (1991 Pinatubo and 1815 Tambora) and of tropical and extra-tropical "supervolcano" eruptions. A post-eruption Arctic sea-ice expansion is robustly detected in all ensembles, while Antarctic sea ice responds only to supervolcano eruptions, undergoing an initial short-lived expansion and a subsequent prolonged contraction phase. Strong volcanic forcing therefore emerges as a potential source of inter-hemispheric interannual-to-decadal climate variability, although the inter-hemispheric signature is weak in the case of eruptions comparable to historical eruptions. The post-eruption inter-hemispheric decadal asymmetry in sea ice is interpreted as a consequence mainly of the different exposure of Arctic and Antarctic regional climates to induced meridional heat transport changes and of dominating local feedbacks that set in within the Antarctic region. Supervolcano experiments help to clarify differences in simulated hemispheric internal dynamics related to imposed negative net radiative imbalances, including the relative importance of the thermal and dynamical components of the sea-ice response. Supervolcano experiments could therefore serve the assessment of climate models' behavior under strong external forcing conditions and, consequently, favor advancements in our understanding of simulated sea-ice dynamics.
Estimating soil organic carbon stocks of Swiss forest soils by robust external-drift kriging
Authors: Nussbaum M. , Papritz A. , Baltensweiler A. , Walthert L.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Accurate estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks are required to quantify carbon sources and sinks caused by land use change at national scale. This study presents a novel robust kriging method to precisely estimate regional and national mean SOC stocks, along with truthful standard errors. We used this new approach to estimate mean forest SOC stock for Switzerland and for its five main ecoregions. Using data of 1033 forest soil profiles, we modelled stocks of two compartments (0–30, 0–100 cm depth) of mineral soils. Log-normal regression models that accounted for correlation between SOC stocks and environmental covariates and residual (spatial) auto-correlation were fitted by a newly developed robust restricted maximum likelihood method, which is insensitive to outliers in the data. Precipitation, near-infrared reflectance, topographic and aggregated information of a soil and a geotechnical map were retained in the models. Both models showed weak but significant residual autocorrelation. The predictive power of the fitted models, evaluated by comparing predictions with independent data of 175 soil profiles, was moderate (robust R2 = 0.34 for SOC stock in 0–30 cm and R2 = 0.40 in 0–100 cm). Prediction standard errors (SE), validated by comparing point prediction intervals with data, proved to be conservative. Using the fitted models, we mapped forest SOC stock by robust external-drift point kriging at high resolution across Switzerland. Predicted mean stocks in 0–30 and 0–100 cm depth were equal to 7.99 kg m−2 (SE 0.15 kg m−2) and 12.58 kg m−2 (SE 0.24 kg m−2), respectively. Hence, topsoils store about 64% of SOC stocks down to 100 cm depth. Previous studies underestimated SOC stocks of topsoil slightly and those of subsoils strongly. The comparison further revealed that our estimates have substantially smaller SE than previous estimates.