Effect of processing condition and composition on the microhardness of Cu-(2.5-10)vol.%Al₂O₃ nanocomposite powder particles produced by high energy mechanical milling

Nanostructured Cu-(2.5-10vol.%)Al₂O₃ nanocomposites were produced using high energy mechanical milling. For the as-milled Cu- Al₂O₃ composite powder particles having Al₂O₃ volume fractions of 2.5% and 5%, the increase in average microhardness is significant with the increase of milling time from 12 hours to 24 hours. With the increase of the content of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles the microhardness increases and in the range of 255HV-270HV. The milled nanocomposite powders were heat treated at 150, 300, 400 and 500°C for 1 hour, respectively, to determine the thermal stability of the powder particles as a function of annealing temperature. The average microhardness increased/decreased for the Cu- Al₂O₃ composites after annealing at 150°C due to the dislocation density, while increasing the annealing temperature to 300°C and 400°C the average microhardness almost remained mostly unchanged. Further increasing the annealing temperature to 500°C causes significant decrease in average microhardness due to reduction in dislocation density and coarsening of Cu grains of the Cu- Al₂O₃ composite powders produced after 24 hours of milling. This paper is to report and discuss the changes of the microhardness of the material, caused by the compositions and processing conditions, used to fabricate the Cu-(2.5-10)vol.% Al₂O₃ nanocomposite powders

To Duckweeds (\u3cem\u3eLandoltia punctata\u3c/em\u3e), Nanoparticulate Copper Oxide is More Inhibitory than the Soluble Copper in the Bulk Solution

CuO nanoparticles (CuO-NP) were synthesized in a hydrogen diffusion flame. Particle size and morphology were characterized using scanning mobility particle sizing, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The solubility of CuO-NP varied with both pH and presence of other ions. CuO-NP and comparable doses of soluble Cu were applied to duckweeds, Landoltia punctata. Growth was inhibited 50% by either 0.6 mg L−1 soluble copper or by 1.0 mg L−1 CuO-NP that released only 0.16 mg L−1 soluble Cu into growth medium. A significant decrease of chlorophyll was observed in plants stressed by 1.0 mg L−1 CuO-NP, but not in the comparable 0.2 mg L−1 soluble Cu treatment. The Cu content of fronds exposed to CuO-NP is four times higher than in fronds exposed to an equivalent dose of soluble copper, and this is enough to explain the inhibitory effects on growth and chlorophyll content

Transport Through an Electrostatically Defined Quantum Dot Lattice in a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

Quantum dot lattices (QDLs) have the potential to allow for the tailoring of optical, magnetic and electronic properties of a user-defined artificial solid. We use a dual gated device structure to controllably tune the potential landscape in a GaAs/AlGaAs two-dimensional electron gas, thereby enabling the formation of a periodic QDL. The current-voltage characteristics, I(V), follow a power law, as expected for a QDL. In addition, a systematic study of the scaling behavior of I(V) allows us to probe the effects of background disorder on transport through the QDL. Our results are particularly important for semiconductor-based QDL architectures which aim to probe collective phenomena.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Protection and preservation of traditional cultural expressions & traditional knowledge in handicraft trade: advocating the need for a global cultural policy framework

To protect cultural heritage, advance sustainable lives and economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions in the handicraft sector must be protected. Additionally, it encourages cross-cultural dialogue and mutual respect, highlighting the importance of each community's distinctive contributions to the world's cultural environment. The preservation of cultural legacy and sustainable lifestyles for indigenous populations become more important as the cross-border interchange of commodities and ideas grows. The study highlights the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' (UNDRIP) initiatives related to protecting traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions along with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) understanding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The study focuses on the limits of the present intellectual property systems in addressing the particular difficulties encountered by indigenous communities and craftspeople, especially due to exploitation done by commercial entities. It promotes the need for a thorough global framework for a cultural policy that acknowledges these groups' collective rights to their traditional cultural manifestations and knowledge. The paper also explores the function of domestic, regional, and global legal frameworks in safeguarding TCE and TK, highlighting instances of effective sui generis systems and their potential advantages. The article concludes by advocating for a comprehensive and inclusive global framework for cultural policy in order to successfully protect traditional cultural expressions and expertise in the handicraft industry

Role of Contact Center for Smart Cities

Smart city is a strategic entity that comprises of modern urban production factors in a common framework and highlights the growing importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Telecommunications service providers have strengths and assets that can be utilized to bring the dream of a smart city environment into reality. This leads to a strong move that serves the needs of society by ensuring E-Governance rather than conventional setup of Governance. Establishing a customer contact centre is just the first part of the process of optimal digitalization of municipal operations and interactions with citizens. This research highlights how a contact center helps to achieve few goals of a by providing significant facilities to citizens

The effect of Ocimum sanctum and Ledum palustre on serum uric acid level in patients suffering from gouty arthritis and hyperuricaemia

The effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on uric acid levels in 200 humans was observed in this study. Three times oral administration of Ocimum sanctum Linn (test medicine) to the 100 patients (60 males and 40 females), and Ledum palustre Linn (reference remedy) to 100 patients was given. For analysis of uric acid in blood samples the enzymatic method was selected due to its accuracy and reproducibility. The value of reduction in serum uric acid by Ocimum sanctum Linn (OSL) in males was 2.6 ± 0.3 and reduction in serum uric acid (SUA) by Ledum palustre Linn (LPL) in males was 4.3 ± 0.3. On the other hand, the value of reduction in SUA by OSL in females was 2.5 ± 0.3 and reduction in serum uric acid by LPL in females was 4.6 ± 0.4. It can be concluded that LPL has better results in the reducing SUA levels than OSL in both males and females. KEY WORDS: Ledum palustre, Ocimum sanctum, Serum uric acid levels Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2013, 27(3), 469-473.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v27i3.1

Contours of Inclusion: Frameworks and Tools for Evaluating Arts in Education

This collection of essays explores various arts education-specific evaluation tools, as well as considers Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the design of evaluation instruments and strategies. Prominent evaluators Donna M. Mertens, Robert Horowitz, Dennie Palmer Wolf, and Gail Burnaford are contributors to this volume. The appendix includes the AEA Standards for Evaluation. (Contains 10 tables, 2 figures, 30 footnotes, and resources for additional reading.) This is a proceedings document from the 2007 VSA arts Research Symposium that preceded the American Evaluation Association's (AEA) annual meeting in Baltimore, MD

Association of HbA1c and total cholesterol levels in child bearing age using injectable contraceptives.

Introduction: Injectables contraceptives are convenient and highly effective methods for fertility regulation, being simple to administer and long acting, but affect lipids by increasing total cholesterol and triglycerides1 , the major health risk of injectables contraceptives are cardiovascular diseases (CVS), particularly heart attacks (myocardial infarction), stroke and venous thromboembolism2 Hormonal contraceptives have traditionally being thought to adversely affect carbohydrate metabolism by increasing insulin resistance and decreasing glucose tolerance.3 Objective: To determine and compare the values of HbA1c and total cholesterol levels in child bearing age using Depot Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (DMPA). Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 2016 to December 2016. Total 200 fertile females in their child bearing age were selected. They were divided into two groups, Group 1 (controls) and Group 2 (DMPA users).  Total cholesterol levels were measured before starting therapy, in the middle and the end of the therapy by using standard procedures on semi- automatic clinical chemistry analyser (Microlab 400). HbA1c levels were measured by using semiautomatic clinical chemistry HbA1c analyser (Microlab 300). Results were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. Results:  DMPA causes significant increase (p < 0.05) in total cholesterol, but insignificant changes (p > 0.05) in HbA1c levels. Conclusion: It is suggested that total cholesterol and HbS1c levels should be measured before starting and during the course of injectable contraceptives to the subjects. As deranged cholesterol levels can increase the risk of cardio- vascular disease outcomes.4 Also injectable contraceptives may cause pre- diabetes (increased in levels of HbA1c 5.7-6.4)5. Key Words:  Depot medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Total Cholesterol, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)