bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal aspects of sustainable development of seaports in Poland
Authors: Adamowicz Magdalena , Puszkarski Jakub
Published: November 2018

Sea ports are the driving force behind economic development. If ports operate efficiently and in conditions that support growth, the entire national economy gains. However, ports facing barriers and a scarcity of favourable factors have a negative impact on a country’s economy. In terms of sustainable development, it does not suffice to increase the economic potential of ports; it is also necessary to strive for balance between social and environmental interests, so that the sea may provide for everyone, including the future generations. It is important to enable ports to operate in such a way as not to stunt their competitiveness but to allow for development without disrupting the social and economic balance. The aim of this article is to investigate whether the existing legal instruments in the field of sustainable development of ports match the specific profile of ports as entities and whether the assumptions for sustainable development work well in practice. The article contains an analysis and assessment of legal regulations concerning sustainable development of sea ports. Selected legal instruments with direct or indirect impact on the formation of the sustainable development policy for Polish sea ports have been analysed at the global, European and national levels. Reference has been made to regulations related both to hard law and soft law. The article draws special attention to a balance between social, economic and environmental interests as a foundation for sustainable development.
Determinants of consumer purchasing decision in the e-commerce sector in Poland – generation perspective
Authors: Dębicka Olga , Gutowski Tomasz , Borodo Adam
Published: November 2018

Development of the e-commerce sector in Poland over the last decade has been extremely dynamic. Both its value and share in GDP have increased, and the growth rate of on-line retail sales in Poland is currently one of the highest in Europe. The market development is driven either by changes in the behavior of consumers who are increasingly shopping online, as well as by growing number of e-stores. The main objective of this article is to identify the key factors determining purchasing decisions in the e-commerce sector in Poland by assessing the impact of differences in the characteristics of generations on their preferences regarding e-commerce. Each generation is significantly different from each other in terms of work, education, security, success in professional and personal life, as well as in terms of consumption. The characteristics of individual generations and the level of their digital competence have a significant impact on the way in which a given generation makes purchases and what is expected in the purchasing process. In order to establish the key determinants of on-line purchasing decision, a method of on-line survey was used. The quota sample included three generations of Polish Internet users: 260 people at the age between 25-37 (generation Y); 200 people at the ages between 38-50 (Generation X) and 100 people at the age between 51-70 (baby boomers generation). The structure of the article includes a presentation of the problem against the background of relevant literature, theoretical assumptions of the research, its findings, discussion and conclusions.
Influence of Mobility Management on Hotel Offer
Authors: Mrnjavac Edna , Pavia Nadia
Published: November 2018

Traffic is one of the biggest pollutants of the environment, which places special challenges before tourism destinations. To protect the environment and, at the same time, to satisfy transport demand, the concept of mobility management has been created, which links tourism, transport and spatial planning in the manner that the existing transport capacities are used in the best possible way. The concept rests on the ecological forms of transport and is realised at the local level by a set of measures strategies which are directed towards solving of a specific traffic problem and the success of its realisation greatly depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders. This particularly concerns hotels in resorts and towns, which can no longer be reached by car and, bearing in mind tourists’ habits, this can represent a serious problem. Ensuring alternatives by which the arrival of tourists at the hotel will be facilitated is one of the attractive elements of offer. Experience based on authenticity and sustainability, with conveniences tourists are used to, is increasingly in demand. The aim of the research is to define the interdependence between the concept of mobility and hotel offer, in the way that the contribution of the chosen mobility strategy of hotel offer competitiveness is specified. The secondary research will be complemented by the primary researches by which the theoretical statements will be specified.
NATO defense expenditures in 1949-2017
Authors: Wołkonowski Jarosław
Published: November 2018

The article presents the development of the issue of expenditure on the defense of NATO countries. The amount of these expenditures of NATO countries compared to GDP, absolute values and their share in public spending were analyzed. In the years 1949-1992, all NATO countries (except Luxembourg) had defense spending above 2% of GDP. Changes in the international situation at the end of the 20th century in Europe caused a decrease in defense spending below 2% of GDP in the period between 1993 and 2017. Despite the decisions taken in 2006 and 2014, only 5 countries now fulfil this condition. US expenditures in the studied period accounted for 65.5% of the NATO budget.
Analysis of safety factors
Authors: Bralewski Adrian
Published: November 2018

An overview of the existing literature on safety factors proves that a number of variables conditioning the level of safety are extensive and very diverse. Many authors cite various determinants affecting the safety of society showing their relationship with strengthening immunity and reducing vulnerability. Accordingly, wide list of factors that can be used in research on their impact on safety is available. The author's earlier research identifies over 80 factors affecting the level of security. In the existing literature is not any scores which have attempted a comprehensive assessment of the suitability of factors in security. Due to the lack of research in this area, this article presents results of studies designed to assess the safety factors in the context of determining their hierarchy. The article presents the results of data collected in 2017 among The Main Schools of Fire Services students.
Spider webs in monitoring of air pollution
Authors: Rutkowski Radosław , Rybak Justyna , Mach Tomasz , Rogula–Kozłowska Wioletta
Published: November 2018

Biomonitoring is a significant tool of environmental protection strategies. Variety of bioindicators are used worldwide, particularly mosses, lichens and tree leaves. However, they revile many considerable disadvantages, e.g. limitation to vegetative season, moisture demand, exposition to severe weather conditions, limited time of monitoring. Classical impactors, on the other hand, are expensive, cannot be used without supervision and allow only for short-term monitoring. Spider webs, however, reveal features of extraordinary bioindicators. Webs are abundant, easy to collect, costless and can be found all year round, despite vegetative season. Spider silk is a very efficient, non-selective accumulator of contaminants, that allows for long-term monitoring. Thanks to this characteristics, spider webs proved to be immensely useful bioindicators of air pollution. They allow for monitoring of heavy metals, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, so as assessment of mutagenic activity and anthropopression assessment and indication of dominant source of pollutants. Most of the researches concerning application of spider webs as bioindicators have been conducted in Wrocław, Poland. This paper reviews current knowledge on spider webs in monitoring of air pollution.
Air quality and odour evaluation on terrains characterized by a complicated odour emission profiles
Authors: Sówka Izabela
Published: November 2018

The complexity of describing the very phenomenon of odour nuisance is probably the cause of lack of regulations concerning this topic in the Polish law system as well as standardized odour law in EU. However, in European countries there are solutions regarding this matter. Moreover, methods enabling the evaluation of odour air quality are available. The problem of an authoritative assessment of odour nuisance appears especially when few emission sources characterized by changing conditions and emission profiles and, very often, a complex spatial/topographical structures, also showing locally variable meteorological conditions are located in „vulnerable” places (with many „odour complaints” being recorded there). In conditions similar to the aforementioned the odour situation analysis requires simultaneous usage of several studying methods. In this work are presented: field measurement results and sociological poll results, all carried out for area with several domineering odour emission sources. The research conducted made possible showing the concentration of various odour types and their sources for the researched area, which later on enabled to undertake action aiming at reducing odour nuisance.
Environmental impact assessment of municipal biogas plants – case study
Authors: Wiśniewska Marta
Published: November 2018

Biogas plants processing the municipal waste are an important element of both municipal and energy management. Planned projects very often face objection from the public. The reluctance of people to accept this type of investment as a project potentially having a significant impact on the environment is caused by the fear of its nuisance. At the end of 2017, eight municipal biogas plants were operating in Poland. Before opening the biogas plants, residents were afraid of the related odours. The research involved the analysis of the occurrence of residents’ complaints regarding the odour nuisance of municipal biogas plants to the authorities. Moreover, potential sources of anthrax associated with the operation of municipal biogas plants were identified. Based on the example of one of the plants, the applied deodorisation methods were presented, as well as the results of the odorimetric tests performed by an external laboratory. The paper presents positive ecological aspects of municipal biogas plants which apart from being a renewable energy source, are also important for reducing the amount of waste disposal.
Platelet Signaling in Primary Haemostasis and Arterial Thrombus Formation: Part 1
Authors: Scharf Rüdiger
Published: November 2018

Platelets react immediately in response to traumatic vascular injury by adhesion, activation, aggregation and subsequent haemostatic plug formation. While this reaction pattern is essential for haemostasis, platelet responses can also cause occlusive thrombi in diseased arteries, leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. Initially, flowing platelets are captured from the circulation to vascular lesions. This step is mediated by glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V interacting with immobilized von Willebrand factor (VWF) on exposed subendothelial components. Tethered platelets can now bind to collagen through GPVI and integrin α2β1. Outside-in signals from the adhesion receptors act synergistically with inside-out signals from soluble stimuli and induce platelet activation. These mediators operate through G protein–coupled receptors and reinforce adhesion and activation. Typical manifestations of activated platelets include calcium mobilization, procoagulant activity, cytoskeletal reorganization, granule secretion and aggregation. This requires activation of integrin αIIbβ3 with shifting into a high-affinity state and is indispensable to bind soluble fibrinogen, VWF and fibronectin. The multiple interactions and the impact of thrombin result in firm adhesion and recruitment of circulating platelets into growing aggregates. A fibrin meshwork supports stabilization of haemostatic thrombi and prevents detachment by the flowing blood. This two-part review provides an overview of platelet activation and signal transduction mechanisms with a focus on αIIbβ3-mediated outside-in signaling in integrin variants. In the first part, a three-stage model of platelet recruitment and activation in vivo is presented. Along with that, platelet responses upon exposure to thrombogenic surfaces followed by platelet-to-platelet interactions and formation of haemostatic thrombi are discussed. Moreover, several determinants involved in pathological thrombosis will be reviewed.
Black-Colored Ligamentum Flavum Due to Alkaptonuria
Authors: Yucetas Seyho , Ucler Necati
Published: November 2018

Alkaptonuria is a rare metabolic disease caused by deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase and characterized by bluish-black discoloration of cartilages and skin (ochronosis). Defective production of this enzyme results in the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA), a tyrosine degradation product, in the bloodstream. Accumulation of HGA and its metabolites in tissues causes ochronosis. The word ochronosis refers to the dark bluish-black discoloration of connective tissues including the sclera, cornea, auricular cartilage, heart valves, articular cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Neurogenic claudication resulting from focal hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum in the lumbar spine due to ochronotic deposits has only been previously reported once in the literature. In this article, we present a 71-year-old male patient with alkaptonuria-associated degenerative L3–L4–L5 stenosis, diagnosed after lumbar decompressive laminectomy.
Barriers and Facilitators to Recurrent Preterm Birth Prevention among Low-Income Women: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Yee Lynn M. , Leziak Karolina , Jackson Jenise , Miller Emily S.
Published: November 2018

Objective To examine patient perspectives on the experience of preterm birth (PTB) and recommended PTB prevention strategies, focusing on barriers to and facilitators of PTB prevention among low-income women.

Materials and Methods This is an observational study using qualitative methodology to investigate barriers to and facilitators of recurrent PTB prevention among low-income pregnant and postpartum women. Participants were either (1) postpartum from an initial spontaneous PTB, (2) pregnant and receiving 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P), or (3) pregnant or postpartum and declined/discontinued 17P. Participants completed individual interviews, and transcripts were analyzed using modified grounded theory techniques.

Results Of 33 participants, the majority identified as non-Hispanic black (64%) or Hispanic (27%). Four facilitator themes included patient-centered environment, informed choice, social network, and motivation for a healthy family. Barriers included competing demands, resources, skepticism, and normalization. Three considerations, termed subjective influencers, could support women's decisions to use or decline 17P, including personal beliefs about one's body, the role of the fetus, and beliefs on interventionism.

Conclusion The facilitators and barriers identified herein offer insight into the lived experiences of women at a risk of recurrent PTB. Future programs aimed at reducing PTB disparities may benefit from addressing low-income minority women's structural and social determinants of PTB prevention.
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Antibodies against Galactocerebroside in a 9-Year-Old Boy with Encephalitis
Authors: Smolders Joost , Jacobs Bart , Tio-Gillen Anne , Nijhuis Frouke , Verrips Aad
Published: November 2018

We report the case of a 9 year-old boy, presenting with an acute encephalitis with cerebrospinal fluid pleiocytosis. MRI showed T2/FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) hyperintense signals of basal ganglia and cortex, EEG (electro encephalogram) showed diffuse slowing with epileptic discharges. A repetitively elevated IgM/IgG serologic response against Mycoplasma pneumoniae was observed with polymerase chain reaction in serum and cerebrospinal fluid remaining negative. No other pathogen or antigen could be identified. High IgG and IgM levels against the glycolipid galactocerebroside were detected in serum but not in CSF. After treatment with corticosteroids, the patient fully recovered. Brain MRI and EEG investigation returned completely normal. Besides a primary infection of the central nervous system, M. pneumoniae is associated with a parainfectious encephalitis in children which may be mediated by antibodies to galactocerebroside.
Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients of Advanced Age: A Look at Outcomes and Complications
Authors: Passias Peter G. , Bono Olivia J. , Bono James V.
Published: November 2018

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most highly successful orthopaedic procedures performed in North America. It is also one of the most common procedures performed, and its incidence continues to increase. Despite this, it is the opinion of many that patients of advanced age groups are not ideal candidates to undergo such procedures secondary to the concern over higher complication rates and poorer functional outcomes. This review article attempts to analyze the current body of literature concerning TKA outcomes and to evaluate some of the issues that are more specific to this population when they undergo TKA. It is our hypothesis that the literature does not support this popular misconception, and that older patients who do not have significant medical comorbidities are good candidates to undergo primary TKA. However, certain cohorts of this population are not ideal candidates to undergo this procedure. Also, certain joint reconstructive procedures, such as simultaneous and staged bilateral TKA, are higher risk procedures in this patient cohort.
Noninterventional Therapies for the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Dadabo Joseph , Fram Julia , Jayabalan Prakash
Published: November 2018

The goal of the practitioner managing a patient with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is to minimize pain and optimize their function. Several noninterventional (noninjectable) therapies are available for these individuals, each having varying levels of efficacy. An individualized approach to the patient is most beneficial in individuals with knee OA and the treatment plan the practitioner chooses should be based on this principle. The focus of this article is to provide an up-to-date overview of the treatment strategies available, evidence to support them, and in whom these treatments would be most appropriate. These include exercise (aerobic and resistance), weight loss, bracing and orthotics, topical and oral analgesic medications, therapeutic modalities, and oral supplements.
Pediatric Long-Term Endotracheal Intubation and Role for Tracheostomy: Patient and Provider Factors
Authors: Ackerman Kassi , Saley Taylor , Mushtaq Nasir , Carroll Timothy
Published: November 2018

Tracheostomy provides an alternative to long-term intubation in patients with respiratory failure, but there is little guidance for its use in pediatric patients. Our study used provider surveys of pediatric intensive care physicians managing patients intubated longer than 14 days to evaluate accuracy of physician estimates for total intubation time and the impact of medical history and illness category on determining tracheostomy placement. Providers' ability to estimate length of intubation was found to be highly inaccurate. With delayed tracheostomy conferring increased risk and mortality, better recommendations regarding indication and timing of pediatric tracheostomy placement are needed.
Hydrostatic and uniaxial effects in InGaN/GaN quantum wells
Authors: Trzeciakowski Witold , Bercha Artem , Gładysiewicz-Kudrawiec Marta
Published: November 2018

We calculate strains, polarizations, and electric fields in InGaN/GaN quantum wells (lattice matched to GaN) under the influence of hydrostatic and uniaxial (along the c-axis) pressure. We calculate the confinement energies for electrons and holes, and we derive simple expressions for the transition energies and their pressure derivatives. We include the changes of the dielectric constant with pressure. The results seem compatible with the experimental data.
Magnetic origin of phase stability in cubic γ-MoN
Authors: Zheng Xu , Wang Huili , Yu Xiaohui , Feng Junsheng , Shen Xi , Zhang Sijia , Yang Rong , Zhou Xuefeng , Xu Yue , Yu Richeng , Xiang Hongjun , Hu Zhenpeng , Jin Changqing , Zhang Ruifeng , Wei Suhuai , Han Jiantao , Zhao Yusheng , Li Hui , Wang Shanmin
Published: November 2018

Among transition-metal nitrides, the mononitride γ-MoN with a rock-salt structure has drawn particular attention because it has been predicted to possess excellent mechanical and electronic properties, especially the high superconducting temperature around 30 K. However, synthesis of bulk γ-MoNx with the nitrogen concentration, x, more than 0.5 is still challenging, leading to contradictions on its phase stability and properties. In this work, we formulated a high-pressure synthesis reaction for the formation of single-crystal γ-MoNx with a remarkably high nitrogen concentration value of x ≈ 0.67. This nitride possesses a high asymptotic hardness of ∼24 GPa, which is so far the second hardest among metal nitrides. Impressively, the expected superconductivity is absent in the as-synthesized product. We further performed density functional theory calculations to clarify the structural stability and the absence of superconductivity in stoichiometric γ-MoN. We find that the ground state of γ-MoN is theoretically explored to be a Mott insulator with an antiferromagnetic phase, while a paramagnetic configuration is adopted at the ambient conditions. Such magnetic properties would explain the structural stability and the absence of superconductivity in the as-synthesized γ-MoNx with a high nitrogen concentration.
Perturbative variational formulation of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations
Authors: Brizard Alain J.
Published: November 2018

The perturbative variational formulation of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations is presented up to the third order in the perturbation analysis. From the second and third-order Lagrangian densities, the first-order and second-order Vlasov-Maxwell equations are expressed in gauge-invariant and gauge-independent forms, respectively. Upon deriving the reduced second-order Vlasov-Maxwell Lagrangian for the linear nonadiabatic gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell equations, the reduced Lagrangian densities for the linear drift-wave equation and the linear hybrid kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations are derived, with their associated wave-action conservation laws obtained by the Noether method. The exact wave-action conservation law for the linear hybrid kinetic-MHD equations is written explicitly. Finally, a new form of the third-order Vlasov-Maxwell Lagrangian is derived in which ponderomotive effects play a crucial role.
Experimental estimation of the location of liquid-liquid critical point for polyol aqueous solutions
Authors: Suzuki Yoshiharu
Published: November 2018

To solve a mystery of low-temperature liquid water, a liquid-liquid critical point (LLCP) hypothesis that the two kinds of waters, low-density and high-density liquids (LDL and HDL), and a critical point relating to the two waters exist is thought to be the most realistic idea. However, there is no conclusive evidence showing the existence of LLCP. I measured the polyamorphic volume changes of the glassy dilute polyol (ethylene glycol, glycerol, meso-erythritol, xylitol, and D-sorbitol) aqueous solutions during the compression and decompression processes and estimated the location of LLCP for the polyol aqueous solution by a new analysis of the concentration dependence of polyamorphic transition. The LLCP of glycerol aqueous solution around 150 K is estimated to be around 0.045 GPa and around 0.135 molar fraction. This indicates that the solvent water in the glycerol aqueous solution at 1 atm changes continuously from the LDL-like state to the HDL-like state with the increase of solute concentration. The concentration region in which the crossover between LDL-like solvent water and HDL-like solvent water occurs is located near the region that the liquid-liquid transition line is extended to the concentration axis at 1 atm. Moreover, the formation of LDL-like solvent water relates deeply to the homogeneous nucleation of ice Ih in the polyol aqueous solution. This conclusion shows that the LLCP hypothesis of water has an important implication for understanding the dynamics of aqueous solution such as solubility, hydration, segregation, aggregation of solute, nucleation of ice Ih, glass formation, glass transition, and so on.
Dynamic evolution of microstructure during laser shock loading and spall failure of single crystal Al at the atomic scales
Authors: Galitskiy Sergey , Ivanov Dmitry S. , Dongare Avinash M.
Published: November 2018

A hybrid atomistic-continuum method comprising molecular dynamics combined with a two-temperature model (MD-TTM) is used to investigate the ultra-fast laser shock compression and spallation behavior of pure Al films. The laser material interaction, as predicted using MD-TTM models, suggests laser melting followed by the creation of a compressive shock wave that travels through the metal followed by wave reflections and interactions to initiate spallation failure. MD-TTM simulations investigate the influence of laser parameters by varying the laser fluence values from 0.5 to 13 kJ/m2 and a duration of 150 fs for the [001] orientation. The microstructural response during the various stages that lead to dynamic failure of single crystal Al is studied by characterizing the temporal evolution of the solid-liquid interface, shock wave structure, defect evolution (dislocations and stacking faults), as well as void nucleation and spall failure. The hybrid method is also used to investigate the microstructure evolution during compression and spall failure for the [110] and [111] orientations for the same laser loading conditions. The variations in the spall strengths observed for the variations in strain rates and shock pressures generated suggest that the evolution of microstructure plays an important role in determining the spall strength of the metal. The analysis of defect structures generated suggests that the spall strength is determined by the density of stair-rod partials in the microstructure simulations with the highest spall strength corresponding to the lowest number of stair-rod partials in the metal.
Production of relativistic electrons, MeV deuterons and protons by sub-nanosecond terawatt laser
Authors: Krása J. , Klír D. , Řezáč K. , Cikhardt J. , Krůs M. , Velyhan A. , Pfeifer M. , Buryšková S. , Dostál J. , Burian T. , Dudžák R. , Turek K. , Pisarczyk T. , Kalinowska Z. , Chodukowski T. , Kaufman J.
Published: November 2018

By the use of various experimental techniques, it is shown that the relativistic electrons, MeV protons, and deuterons are emitted from a 500-μm thick (CD2)n target exposed to Iλ2 ≈ 5 × 1016 W cm–2 μm2, which is delivered by the iodine photodissociation laser Prague Asterix Laser System. A parameter reflecting the laser-power efficiency of the proton acceleration is used for comparison of the observed maximum proton energy with data from other experiments. The number of protons and deuterons constituting the backward and forward jets is estimated. Values of maximum proton energies and electron temperatures indicate that the laser intensity should reach a relativistic level through the laser beam self-focusing. The occurrence of electron bunches in front of the irradiated target surface was identified by time resolved femtosecond interferometry. Energy distribution functions of electrons emitted in the both backward and forward directions are analysed and compared.
Time-resolved double-resonance spectroscopy: Lifetime measurement of the 6 1Σg+(7,31) electronic state of molecular sodium
Authors: Saaranen Michael , Wagle Dinesh , McLaughlin Emma , Paladino Amelia , Ashman Seth , Burc̣in Bayram S.
Published: November 2018

We report on the lifetime measurement of the 6 1Σg+(7,31) state of Na2 molecules, produced in a heat-pipe oven, using a time-resolved spectroscopic technique. The 6 1Σg+(7,31) level was populated by two-step two-color double resonance excitation via the intermediate A 1Σu+(8,30) state. The excitation scheme was done using two synchronized pulsed dye lasers pumped by a Nd:YAG laser operating at the second harmonics. The fluorescence emitted upon decay to the final state was measured using a time-correlated photon counting technique, as a function of argon pressure. From this, the radiative lifetime was extracted by extrapolating the plot to collision-free zero pressure. We also report the calculated radiative lifetimes of the Na2 6 1Σg+ ro-vibrational levels in the range of v = 0–200 with J = 1 and J = 31 using the LEVEL program for bound-bound and the BCONT program for bound-free transitions. Our calculations reveal the importance of the bound-free transitions on the lifetime calculations and a large difference of about a factor of three between the J = 1 and J = 31 for the v = 40 and v = 100, respectively, due to the wavefunction alternating between having predominantly inner and outer well amplitude.
Magneto-sensitive bistable soft actuators: Experiments, simulations, and applications
Authors: Hou Xue , Liu Yin , Wan Guangchao , Xu Zhe , Wen Chunsheng , Yu Hui , Zhang John X. J. , Li Jianbao , Chen Zi
Published: November 2018

Bistable structures featuring two stable states have been widely applied in designing fast and high-force-output actuators under various types of stimuli, such as mechanical force, swelling, thermal expansion, and so on. In this paper, we designed a magneto-actuated mechanism to realize the reversible shape transition between two curved stable configurations of a buckled beam using magneto actuation. The beam is composed of a silicone elastomer matrix with embedded micro-sized iron particles. The magnetic response of these iron particles endows the composite beam with the ability to snap from one stable shape to the other when the magnitude of the surrounding magnetic field exceeds the threshold value. By separately analyzing the electric-magnetic field and the magnetic-mechanical field, we formulate a simple and efficient computational method to numerically predict the critical current on the onset of snap-through. The computational and experimental critical currents show good agreement for different material and geometrical parameters, including the thickness of the beams, iron particle mixing ratios of the material, and the distances of the beam to the electromagnet. The proof-of-concept design is demonstrated to be efficient in the application of a magneto-responsive soft switch and a catapult for ejecting small objects, providing new insights into designing contactless, low-voltage-actuated bistable structures.
Giant anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect in Sr0.06Bi2Se3
Authors: Huang Hui , Gu Juanjuan , Ji Ping , Wang Qinglong , Hu Xueyou , Qin Yongliang , Wang Jingrong , Zhang Changjin
Published: November 2018

We report the observation of giant negative anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect in superconducting topological insulator Sr0.06Bi2Se3. It is found that giant anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect with non-zero transverse voltage are developed by tilting the in-plane magnetic field away from the direction of the electrical current. Quantitative analyses of the measured data suggest that the observed anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect originate from the chiral anomaly behavior of the material. The large anisotropic magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect demonstrate that this material has potential to be utilized in magnetoresistive devices with low power consumption.
Inverse design of simple pair potentials for the self-assembly of complex structures
Authors: Adorf Carl S. , Antonaglia James , Dshemuchadse Julia , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: November 2018

The synthesis of complex materials through the self-assembly of particles at the nanoscale provides opportunities for the realization of novel material properties. However, the inverse design process to create experimentally feasible interparticle interaction strategies is uniquely challenging. Standard methods for the optimization of isotropic pair potentials tend toward overfitting, resulting in solutions with too many features and length scales that are challenging to map to mechanistic models. Here we introduce a method for the optimization of simple pair potentials that minimizes the relative entropy of the complex target structure while directly considering only those length scales most relevant for self-assembly. Our approach maximizes the relative information of a target pair distribution function with respect to an ansatz distribution function via an iterative update process. During this process, we filter high frequencies from the Fourier spectrum of the pair potential, resulting in interaction potentials that are smoother and simpler in real space and therefore likely easier to make. We show that pair potentials obtained by this method assemble their target structure more robustly with respect to optimization method parameters than potentials optimized without filtering.
A simple, compact and rigid scanning tunneling microscope
Authors: Ge Wei-feng , Wang Ji-hao , Hou Yu-bin , Lu Qing-you
Published: November 2018

We present a homebuilt scanning tunneling microscope (STM) which employs an inner-wall polished sapphire guiding tube as a rail for the scanner to form a short tip-sample mechanical loop. The scanner is mounted on a square rod which is housed in the guiding tube and held by a spring strip. The stiff sapphire guiding tube allows the STM body to be made in a simple, compact and rigid form. Also the material of sapphire improves the thermal stability of the STM for its good thermal conductivity. To demonstrate the performance of the STM, high quality atomic-resolution STM images of high oriented pyrolytic graphite were given.
Extraction of lignin from tobacco stem using ionic liquid
Authors: Fan Ming-hui , Ge Shao-lin , Zhang Zhao , Xie Ying-song , Li Quan-xin
Published: November 2018

Lignin only accounts for about 6% of total mass in tobacco stem, but it influences the harmful substances in the side stream smoke of cigarette in a significant way. Traditional researches focus only on the determination of lignin content. In the present work, we investigate four typical imidazolium-based ionic liquids for efficient extraction of lignin under mild conditions and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate ([Emim][DEP]) shows the best results. The pretreatment of stem using water at 80 °C for 30 min can not only remove most of the sugars but also loose the microfibers. The extractive rate of lignin reaches 85.38% at 150 °C for 4 h and the purity of lignin is 90.21%.
Solvent-triggered self-folding of hydrogel sheets
Authors: Qin Shuai , Hui Li-wei , Yang Li-hua , Ma Ming-ming
Published: November 2018

Intense investigations have been attracted to the development of materials which can reconfigure into 3D structures in response to external stimuli. Herein we report on the design and self-folding behaviors of hydrogels composed of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO2MA). Upon immersion into a variety of solvents at room temperature, the resulting P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA) hydrogel sheets self-fold into 3D morphologies, and the observed transformation in shape is reversible. We further show that composition of the gel, gaseous environment, and preparation procedure play important roles in the self-folding behavior of the resulting hydrogels. This work provides a facile approach for fabricating self-folding hydrogels.
Enhanced oxygen reduction on graphene via Y5Si3 electride substrate: A first-principles study
Authors: Lin Jing-jing , Lv Hai-feng , Wu Xiao-jun
Published: November 2018

Manipulating the chemical reactivity of graphene toward oxygen reduced reduction (ORR) is of particular interest for both fundamental research and practical application in fuel cell. Deposing graphene on selected substrate provides a structure-intact strategy to enhance its chemical reactivity due to substrate-induced charge and interface effect. Here, we report the graphene deposited on one-dimensional electride Y5Si3 as an effective ORR catalyst in acidic media. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that depositing graphene on electride materials can facilitate the protonation of O2, which is the rate-determining step based on the four-electron reaction pathway and thus promote the ORR activity. Further electronic calculations reveal that low work function (3.5 eV), superior electrical conductivity and slight charge transfer from substrate to graphene result in the enhanced ORR performance of graphene. These findings shed light on the rational design of ORR catalysts based on graphitic materials and emphasize the critical role of substrates for energy-related electro-chemical reactions.
Multi-physics modeling assisted design of non-coking anode for planar solid oxide fuel cell fueled by low steam methane
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Wang Bao-xuan , Lin Zi-jing
Published: November 2018

Internal reformation of low steam methane fuel is highly beneficial for improving the energy efficiency and reducing the system complexity and cost of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, anode coking for the Ni-based anode should be prevented before the technology becomes a reality. A multi-physics fully coupled model is employed to simulate the operations of SOFCs fueled by low steam methane. The multi-physics model produces I-V relations that are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The multi-physics model and the experimental non-coking current density deduced kinetic carbon activity criterion are used to examine the effect of operating parameters and the anode diffusion barrier layer on the propensity of carbon deposition. The interplays among the fuel utilization ratio, current generation, thickness of the barrier layer and the cell operating voltage are revealed. It is demonstrated that a barrier layer of 400 µm thickness is an optimal and safe anode design to achieve high power density and non-coking operations. The anode structure design can be very useful for the development of high efficiency and low cost SOFC technology.
Microplastics in soils: assessment, analytics and risks
Authors: Pinto da Costa João , Paço Ana , Santos Patrícia S. M. , Duarte Armando C. , Rocha-Santos Teresa
Published: November 2018

Environmental contextThere is increasing concern from both the general public and the scientific community about microplastic-related pollution. Despite the alarming and well-documented accumulation of plastics in the marine environment, little attention has been paid to the sources, fate and effects of microplastics in terrestrial settings. We overview the prevalence of microplastics in soils, evaluate their impacts, and appraise the current difficulties in their determinations in terms of sampling, isolation and identification.
AbstractThere has been an increasing interest by both the general public and the scientific community in microplastic-related pollution. Owing to their physical and chemical characteristics, these highly ubiquitous contaminants may be ingested by numerous organisms at the base of food-webs. Furthermore, owing to their tendency to adsorb other chemical substances, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), these plastic particles can lead to bioaccumulation and bioamplification phenomena, which significantly increases their potential environmental effects. However, most of the current research available is focussed on the prevalence and effects of these materials in water, and, more precisely, in oceans. Although this is understandable, owing to the alarming accumulation of plastics in this environmental compartment, little attention has been paid to the sources, fate and effects of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial settings. This is further complicated by the current lack of universally accepted methods for the assessment and identification of MPs, not only in liquid, but also in solid matrices. We overview the most current data regarding the presence and prevalence of MPs in soils and evaluate their recognised impacts and potential consequences. We also appraise the current sampling, isolation and identification methodologies and suggest methods that may contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the sampling and characterisation of these pervasive pollutants in complex matrices, such as soils.
The effect of elevated CO2 and virus infection on the primary metabolism of wheat
Authors: Vassiliadis Simone , Plummer Kim M. , Powell Kevin S. , Trębicki Piotr , Luck Jo E. , Rochfort Simone J.
Published: November 2018

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are predicted to double by the end of this century. Although the effects of CO2 fertilisation in crop systems have been well studied, little is known about the specific interactions among plants, pests and pathogens under a changing climate. This growth chamber study focuses on the interactions among Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), its aphid vector (Rhopalosiphum padi) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yitpi) under ambient (aCO2; 400µmolmol–1) or elevated (eCO2; 650µmolmol–1) CO2 concentrations. eCO2 increased the tiller number and biomass of uninoculated plants and advanced the yellowing symptoms of infected plants. Total foliar C content (percentage of the total DW) increased with eCO2 and with sham inoculation (exposed to early herbivory), whereas total N content decreased with eCO2. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approaches were used to quantify the products of primary plant metabolism. eCO2 significantly increased sugars (fructose, mannitol and trehalose), irrespective of disease status, whereas virus infection significantly increased the amino acids essential to aphid diet (histidine, lysine, phenylalanine and tryptophan) irrespective of CO2 concentration. Citric acid was reduced by both eCO2 and virus infection. Both the potential positive and negative biochemical impacts on wheat, aphid and BYDV interactions are discussed.
Nuclear Orientation of 152Eu in Gold
Authors: Blamey PJ , Bingham D , Barclay JA , Cashion JD
Published: November 2018

Nuclear orientation of 152Eu in gold in the temperature range 9 mK-1 K has been used to determine the mixing ratios of a number of gamma transitions and the multipolarities of several beta transitions of the 152Eu decay scheme. The results agree closely with those from y-y and y-p angular correlation measurements where these have been done. Our results on the" hyperfine interaction of 152Eu in gold contradict those previously published.
Elastic and Inelastic Scattering of Gamma Rays from V3Si
Authors: Ti SS , Finlayson TR , Smith TF , Cashion JD , Clark PE
Published: November 2018

The elastic and inelastic components of y-ray scattering from a non-transforming VaSi single crystal have been measured using a 57CO Mossbauer source and resonant absorber. The system places an upper limit of � 4 x 10 - 8 e V on the possible energy transfer which distinguishes inelastic from elastic scattering. The scattering at the (440) Bragg reflection with q = 0 and q - 0�1 A -1 has been measured as a function of temperature for two orthogonal orientations of the crystal. Anomalous changes in the elastic and inelastic intensities have been observed. It is suggested that these changes are associated respectively with central mode and soft mode aspects of the dynamics of the vanadium atoms.
Comment on the Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum in the Light of Results from Atmospheric Cerenkov Studies
Authors: Clay RW , Gregory AG , Gerhardy PR , Thornton GJ
Published: November 2018

New information has recently become available on the development of cosmic ray showers in the atmosphere. This information is used to show that the energy spectrum of cosmic rays must exhibit more pronounced structure than previously thought at energies of about 10'6 eV. Possible interpretations of this structure are discussed
Cir X-1 Revisited: 843 MHz Observations of Cir X-1 and G321·9?0·3
Authors: Haynes RF
Published: November 2018

New high-sensitivity results at 843 MHz are presented for the Circinus X-I (Cir X-I) and SNR G 3 21 �9 - 0 . 3 regions. We summarise current observational data for Cir X-I and discuss appropriate models.
An Atlas of Supernova Remnant Magnetic Fields
Authors: Milne DK
Published: November 2018

Observations of polarised radio emISSIOn from supernova remnants are reviewed and maps presented for the projected magnetic fields deduced from these observations. It is fairly clear that the fields in the young objects are radial and that there is a strong bias towards finding these objects in polarisation surveys. Well-defined tangential fields can be seen only in older remnants which are located well off the galactic plane.
Excitation of Atomic Hydrogen by Proton Impact in the Presence of a Resonant Laser Field Using the First Order Magnus Approximation
Authors: Sharma Bhupat , Mohan Man
Published: November 2018

We consider proton collisions from hydrogen atoms in the presence of a laser beam (taken in the electric dipole approximation) that resonantly (or nearly resonantly) excites the hydrogen atoms from the Is to the 2p state. The laser beam is linearly polarised with polarisation either parallel (longitudinal) or perpendicular (transverse) to the direction of incidence of the proton. A non-perturbative quasi-energy approach is used to describe the laser-atom interaction, while the first-order Magnus approximation is used to describe the collision dynamics in the presence of the nearly resonant laser beam. We have calculated the integrated cross section o-(2s} for the excitation of the 2s state. It is found that 0-(2s} is small for longitudinal polarisation, as compared with transverse polarisation. We have also compared our field-free results obtained by using the first-order Magnus approximation to that obtained by the close-coupling approximation. Although both methods give excellent results, the former method is quite demanding in terms of computer time.
Atomic Arrangement of the Clean Si(110) 5x1 Surface Derived by Low Energy Scattering Spectroscopy
Authors: Shen YG , O’Connor DJ , MacDonald RJ
Published: November 2018

The atomic arrangement of the Si(llO) 5x1 reconstructed surface has been studied by low energy ion scattering. The experimentally measured incident angle scan data were compared with the results of computer simulations for various structural models. Although detailed quantitative interpretation of the full range of ion scattering data is difficult to achieve, there is clear evidence for a major reconstruction of the surface. A reasonable fit for the adatom model between the experimental results and computer simulation suggests that the clean Si(llO) 5x1 surface consists of a mixture of 5x1, 5x4 and 5x5 structures, possibly partially disordered along the [flO] direction. The different adatom and rest atom sites have been determined by fitting the calculation with the experimental data. However, there is no other existing experimental evidence, at this time, to support the adatom or rest atom height.
A Simple Microstrip Phase Shifter
Authors: Amy SW , Large MI
Published: November 2018

A novel, inexpensive, series-connected loaded-line (SCOLL) phase shifter has been developed for the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope. The phase shifter, which operates at 0�843 GHz, consists of a ",3>'/8 length of microstrip with series connected varactors at each end. Although designed as a binary phase shifter, the insertion phase varies almost linearly with varactor reactance, with very little gain variation for phase ranges up to 90�. Thus, driven by a digital-to-analogue (D/ A) converter, a SCOLL becomes a programmable phase shifter of any desired resolution. The same technique would be suitable for narrow-band low power applications in the frequency range 0�1 to 10 GHz. This paper gives the basic theory of SCOLL phase shifters, a design chart, construction details and performance data.