Studies Regarding the Increase in Hydrophilicity of Some Textile Fabrics through Treatment by Cold Plasma and Grafting with Vinyl Monomers

The polyamide and polyester fabrics have been treated by glow discharge plasma and grafted with 2- hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) in order to increase the hydrophilicity and to improve the soil release properties. The plasma treatments were carried out at different exposure times. Grafting was obtained with gaseous HEMA and with alcohol or aqueous solution of HEMA at different concentrations. The physical and chemical surface changes were studied using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, colour measurements. The hydrophilicity was assessed through the absorption time of a water drop and the soil removal through washing by remission values

Light Collimation and Focussing by a Thin Flat Metallic Slab

We present experimental and theoretical work showing that a flat metallic slab can collimate and focus light impinging on the slab from a punctual source. The effect is optimised when the radiation is around the bulk, not at the surface, plasma frequency. And the smaller the imaginary part of the permittivity is, the better the collimation. Experiments for Ag in the visible as well as calculations are presented. We also discuss the interesting case of the Aluminium whose imaginary part of the permittivity is very small at the plasma frequency in UV radiation. Generalization to other materials and radiations are also discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. To be published on Optics Lette

Non-Standard Errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence-generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: Non-standard errors (NSEs). We study NSEs by letting 164 teams test the same hypotheses on the same data. NSEs turn out to be sizable, but smaller for better reproducible or higher rated research. Adding peer-review stages reduces NSEs. We further find that this type of uncertainty is underestimated by participants

Big Data in Supply Chain Management: An Exploratory Study

The objective of this paper is to set a framework for examining the conditions under which the big data can create long-term profitability through developing dynamic operations and digital supply networks in supply chain. We investigate the extent to which big data analytics has the power to change the competitive landscape of industries that could offer operational, strategic and competitive advantages. This paper is based upon a qualitative study of the convergence of predictive analytics and big data in the field of supply chain management. Our findings indicate a need for manufacturers to introduce analytics tools, real-time data, and more flexible production techniques to improve their productivity in line with the new business model. By gathering and analysing vast volumes of data, analytics tools help companies to resource allocation and capital spends more effectively based on risk assessment. Finally, implications and directions for future research are discussed

UV-ABSORPTION MECHANISMS OF Ni 2+ -BINDING BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN

Interactions proteins-metalic ions are a major concern in various emerging fields like bionanotchnology and material sciences.Nickel is known to be an essential element for the living organisms those deficiences cause allergic reactions, dermatitis, asthma, and also can induce carcinogenesis. Although it is known that binds to albumin, his physiological role is not complete established. Certainly, this role must be connected to the intimate physical and electrochemical features of the binding process. We present any new results concerning the binding process of Ni 2+ on BSA, according to the UV absorbance spectrum structure of th