Radial slit maps of bounded multiply connected regions

In this paper we present a boundary integral equation method for the numerical conformal mapping of a bounded multiply connected region onto a radial slit region. The method is based on some uniquely solvable boundary integral equations with adjoint classical, adjoint generalized and modified Neumann kernels. These boundary integral equations are constructed from a boundary relationship satisfied by a function analytic on a multiply connected region. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the presented method

Effects of the atmosphere and substrate on the crystallization of PLZT thin films

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate [PLZT (9/65/35)] thin films were prepared by dip-coating on Si (100) or Si/Ti/Pt (100) substrates using a polymeric precursor solution and annealed at 650 °C for 3 h. Perovskite phase formation of the PLZT thin films and microstructure were analysed using XRD and SEM. Effects of Si (100), Si/Ti/Pt (100) substrates and atmosphere on crystallization of PLZT thin films were studied. Films deposited on platinum coated silicon (100) show a heterogeneous surface with presence of bubbles. Otherwise, the PLZT (9/65/35) thin films deposited on silicon (100) substrate shows a more uniform surface after annealing in oxygen atmosphere

Electrochemical Oxidation of Organic Pollutants Powered by a Silicon-Based Solar Cell

Currently available (photo-)electrochemical technologies for water treatment establish a trade-off between low-pollutant concentration and costs. This paper aims at decoupling these two variables by designing a photo-oxidation device using earth abundant materials and an electronic-free approach. The proposed device combines a graphite/graphite electrochemical system with a silicon-based solar cell that provides the necessary electrical power. First, the optimum operational voltage for the graphite/graphite electrochemical system was found to be around 1.6 V. That corresponded closely to the voltage produced by an a-Si:H/a-Si:H tandem solar cell of approximately 1.35 V. This configuration was shown to provide the best pollutant degradation in relation to the device area, removing 70% of the initial concentration of phenol and 90% of the methylene blue after 4 h of treatment. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of these two contaminants after 4 h of treatment was also promising, 55 and 30%, respectively. Moreover, connecting several solar cells in series led to higher pollutant degradation but lower COD removal, suggesting that the degradation of the intermediate components is a limiting factor. This is expected to be due to the higher currents achieved by the series-connected configuration, which would favor other reactions such as polymerization over the degradation of intermediate species.Photovoltaic Materials and DevicesSanitary EngineeringElectrical Sustainable Energ

Plasmonic nanoparticle films for solar cell applications fabricated by size-selective aerosol deposition

A soft deposition method for incorporating surface plasmon resonant metal nanoparticles within photovoltaic devices was studied. This self-assembly method provides excellent control over both nanoparticle size and surface coverage. Films of spherical Ag nanoparticles with diameter of ?100 nm were fabricated by depositing size-selected aerosols on various substrates using electrophoresis. This novel deposition method opens the route to embed plasmonic nanoparticles in the intermediate reflector of a micromorph silicon tandem PV cell. We have for the first time fabricated working tandem cells of this type. Compared to a flat reference device the Ag particles enhanced the short-circuit current density due to improved light trapping. The enhancement is, however, limited by the sulfidation on the surface of Ag nanoparticles and a further optimization of the cell fabrication method is required to prevent a reduction of open-circuit voltage and fill factor.ChemE/Chemical EngineeringApplied Science

Analysis of the Association of PTGER4 Gene Variants with Radiological Joint Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatic disease

Numerical conformal mapping via the Bergman kernel

A new method to compute the Riemann mapping function via the Bergman kernel is presented. The method expresses the Bergman kernel as the solution of a second-kind integral equation involving the Neumann kernel. For symmetric regions, the integral equation can be transformed into a new one that uses only a small part of the original boundary. Numerical implementations on some test regions are also presente

Effects of visual occlusion and fatigue on motor performance in water

Importance de la perception visuelle, mise en évidence par des tests réalisés 'en aveugle', et effets de la fatigue sur la performance en natation synchronisée lors d'exercices de maintien (avec mesure de la durée et de stabilité) d'une position verticale (jambes tendues perpendiculairement à la surface de l'eau) chez des nageuses juniors de haut niveau