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Various Solutions (various + solution)
Selected AbstractsCharacterization of Quantum Dot/Conducting Polymer Hybrid Films and Their Application to Light-Emitting DiodesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 48 2009Jeonghun Kwak Quantum dot/conducting polymer hybrid films are used to prepare light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The hybrid films (CdSe@ZnS quantum dots excellently dispersed in a conducting polymer matrix, see figure) are readily prepared by various solution-based processes and are also easily micropatterned. The LEDs exhibit a turn-on voltage of 4,V, an external quantum efficiency greater than 1.5%, and almost pure-green quantum-dot electroluminescence. [source] Real-time navigating crowds: scalable simulation and renderingCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2006Julien Pettré Abstract This paper introduces a framework for real-time simulation and rendering of crowds navigating in a virtual environment. The solution first consists in a specific environment preprocessing technique giving rise to navigation graphs, which are then used by the navigation and simulation tasks. Second, navigation planning interactively provides various solutions to the user queries, allowing to spread a crowd by individualizing trajectories. A scalable simulation model enables the management of large crowds, while saving computation time for rendering tasks. Pedestrian graphical models are divided into three rendering fidelities ranging from billboards to dynamic meshes, allowing close-up views of detailed digital actors with a large variety of locomotion animations. Examples illustrate our method in several environments with crowds of up to 35,000 pedestrians with real-time performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Inorganic sulphate extraction from SO2 -impacted AndosolsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005T. Delfosse Summary Sulphate sorption on to the surface of short-range ordered minerals and precipitation of Al-hydroxy sulphate contribute to the acid neutralizing capacity of soils. The correct measurement of total inorganic sulphate is thus essential in soils that are accumulating SO42, anions. We extracted SO42, by various solutions, namely 0.005 m Ca(NO3)2, 0.016 m KH2PO4, 0.5 m NH4F and 0.2 m acidic NH4 -oxalate (pH 3), from Vitric and Eutric Andosols exposed to prolonged deposition of acid and SO2 from an active volcano (Masaya, Nicaragua). We attributed sulphate extractable by KH2PO4 (20,3030 mg kg,1) to anion-exchangeable SO42,, which was much smaller than NH4F- and oxalate-extractable SO42, (400,9680 and 410,10 480 mg kg,1, respectively). Our results suggest the occurrence of a sparingly soluble Al-hydroxy-mineral phase extractable by both NH4F and oxalate. The formation of Al-hydroxy minerals would result from the combination of enhanced weathering caused by strong acid loading and simultaneous occurrence of large SO42, concentrations in soil solution. Oxalate extracted slightly more inorganic SO42, than did NH4F, this additional amount of SO42, correlating strongly with oxalate-extractable Si and Fe contents. Preferential occlusion of SO42, by short-range ordered minerals, especially ferrihydrite, explains this behaviour. If we exclude the contribution of occluded sulphate then oxalate and NH4F mobilize similar amounts of SO42, and are believed to mobilize all of the inorganic SO42, pool. [source] Understanding postorganic fresh fruit and vegetable consumers at participatory farmers' markets in Ireland: reflexivity, trust and social movementsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 5 2006Oliver Moore Abstract This paper examines how trusting relations between consumers and vendors of organic fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) in a particular type of farmers' market (FM) in Ireland are established and maintained, and what the implications of this are. First, the food system is outlined, and then its attendant problems. These problems have led to various solutions, two of which are organic food and FMs. Then, the growth in these two areas is outlined, as is the accompanying growth in the academic literature on these two areas, some of which overlaps. Various pressures, including in particular the increasing distance food travels and disconnected stallholders and products at the FM, are suggested. In light of this, a need to apply an understanding of the reflexive consumer, trust and social movements is suggested. It is found that the consumers interviewed act reflexively by choosing to go to these FMs. They prioritize the trusting relationships built up through repeated personal contact at these FMs over and above organic certification. Along with and as part of this, they prioritize local, fresh, seasonal ,chemical-free' FFVs over and above imported certified organic produce. Various aspects of collective identity formation, including modes of behaviour, objects and stories, and language, are involved in this process. These elements, to some extent, act as a buffer against the pressures of distance and disconnection. Along with this, the essential meaning of the word organic is, in this particular context, reconstructed to include various socio-environmental values missing from some certified organic produce. The word postorganic is suggested. The main methodologies used are semistructured in-depth interviews and participant observation. [source] Irradiation synthesis of biopolymer-based superabsorbent hydrogel: Optimization using the Taguchi method and investigation of its swelling behaviorADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Ghasem R. Bardajee Abstract In this report, the synthesis of a novel superabsorbent hydrogel via ,-irradiation graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto sodium alginate and kappa-carrageenan hybrid backbones in a homogeneous solution is described. The Taguchi method was used as a powerful experimental design tool for synthesis optimization. A series of superabsorbent hydrogels was synthesized by proposed conditions of Qualitek-4 software. Considering the results of nine trials according to analysis of variance, optimum conditions were proposed. The swelling behavior of optimum superabsorbent hydrogels was studied in various solutions, with pH values ranging from 1 to 13. In addition, swelling kinetics, swelling in various organic solvents, the absorbency under load, and on,off switching behavior were investigated. Also, hydrogel formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface morphology of the synthesized hydrogels was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 28:131,140, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20154 [source] Validating multiple-period density-forecasting modelsJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 4 2007Kevin Dowd Abstract This paper examines the problem of how to validate multiple-period density forecasting models. Such models are more difficult to validate than their single-period equivalents, because consecutive observations are subject to common shocks that undermine i.i.d. The paper examines various solutions to this problem, and proposes a new solution based on the application of standard tests to a resample that is constructed to be i.i.d. It suggests that this solution is superior to alternatives, and presents results indicating that tests based on the i.i.d. resample approach have good power.,,Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Bisphosphonate determination using 1H-NMR spectroscopy for biomedical applicationsJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009J. Chou Abstract Bisphosphonate is known to be a very active drug in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone regeneration. A new method has been developed, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify and measure the amount of bisphosphonate in solution. A standard reference with similar functional group to that of the bisphosphonate was chosen and applied in the experimentation. The results showed that the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) in determining the solvent residues of various pharmaceutical drugs has proved to be effective. Unlike chromatography, it is possible to use a universal reference standard as an internal standard assayed by quantitative NMR. Using the same theory, this method is capable of both identifying and quantifying the bisphosphonate in various solutions. This paper is the first publication showing this unique measurement method, which can be used in a range of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Size and Aggregation of Corticosteroids Used for Epidural InjectionsPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2008Richard Derby MD ABSTRACT Objective., The purpose of this study was to document particulate size in commonly used corticosteroid preparations. Inadvertent injection of particulate corticosteroids into a vertebral or foraminal artery can cause brain and spinal cord embolic infarcts and the size of the particles could be directly related to the chance that a clinically significant infarct would occur. One might assume that corticosteroids with particles significantly smaller than red blood cells might be safer. Design., The following four types of corticosteroid preparations were used in various solutions and evaluated under light microscopy: dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection, triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension, betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate injectable suspension, and methylprednisolone acetate injectable suspension. Results., Dexamethasone sodium phosphate particle size was approximately 10 times smaller than red blood cells and the particles did not appear to aggregate; even mixed with 1% lidocaine HCl solution and with contrast dye, the size of the particles were unchanged. Triamcinolone acetonide and betamethasone sodium phosphate showed variable sizes; some particles were larger than red blood cells, and aggregation of particles was evident. Methylprednisolone acetate showed uniformity in size and the majority were smaller than red blood cells which were not aggregated, but the particles were densely packed. Conclusions., Compared with the particulate steroid solutions, dexamethasone sodium phosphate had particles that were significantly smaller than red blood cells, had the least tendency to aggregation, and had the lowest density. These characteristics should significantly reduce the risk of embolic infarcts or prevent them from occurring after intra-arterial injection. Until shown otherwise in clinical studies, interventionalists might consider using dexamethasone or another corticosteroid preparation with similar high solubility and negligible particle size when performing epidural injections. [source] Cognitively active externalization for situated reflectionCOGNITIVE SCIENCE - A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002Hajime Shirouzu Abstract This paper offers an explanation of how collaboration leads to abstract and flexible problem solving. We asked the individual and paired subjects to indicate 3/4 of 2/3 of the area of a square sheet of paper and found that (1) they primarily folded or partitioned the paper rather than algorithmically calculating the answer, (2) they strongly tendened to backtrack and confirm their proto-plans on externalized traces such as creases on the paper, and (3) only the paired subjects shifted to the mathematical strategy in their second trials. Based on these results, we propose that two factors, individuals' activeness in choosing and confirming the initial strategies and the frequent role exchange between task-doing and monitoring in collaborative situations, interact in collaboration to generate various solutions differing in the degree of abstraction, which are then reflected upon by the participants to lead them to abstraction. [source] | |||||||||||||