Molecular Diffusion, Adsorption, and Reaction on High Area Oxide Surfaces as Studied by FT-IR

Molecular diffusion, adsorption, and reaction on high surface area Al2O3 were studied by using transmission infrared spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption techniques. It was demonstrated that triethylenediamine (TEDA) binds to Al-OH Br©ªnsted acid sites via hydrogen bonding as well as to Al3+ Lewis acid sites on a partially dehydroxylated ¥ã-Al2O3 powder at 300 K. The adsorption of a series of CWAs (Chemical Warfare Agents) such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and cyanogen chloride on the TEDA-functionalized Al2O3 surface was studied to determine the role of TEDA on the enhancement of the adsorption properties of ¥ã-Al2O3 adsorbent by a combination of FTIR and density functional theory studies. No direct binding of the gases to the exposed amine group of a TEDA molecule pre-adsorbed on ¥ã-Al2O3 is found. Instead the TEDA molecule effectively competes with the gases for binding sites on the ¥ã-Al2O3 surface and only site blocking effects by TEDA are observed. A new method was developed to study the diffusion properties of molecules into compressed powdered samples using transmission IR spectroscopy. The diffusion of 2-CEES (2-chloroethylethyl sulfide) molecules from a condensed film which formed at lower temperature into the interior of two different particle size Al2O3 powders was monitored and compared by using the isolated Al-OH species as spectroscopic sensors of the arrival of diffusing 2-CEES molecules. The diffusion of the 2-CEES molecule into the subnano-Al2O3 powder particles is more rapid than in the multinano-Al2O3 particles. A surface diffusion mechanism was used to model the diffusion process giving good agreement with the experimental results.The infrared spectroscopic technique for surface diffusion studies was applied to monitor the transport of CO to the Pt cores of Pt@CoO yolk-shell nanoparticles by probing the development of characteristic IR modes of the adsorbed CO species on the Pt yolk. It was found that the transport of CO occurs by an activated surface diffusion process through the ~ 5 nm thick shell of CoO, surrounding ~ 2 nm diameter Pt cores. In addition the infrared spectrum of the CO molecule diffusing through the CoO shells is detected by high sensitivity measurements

Dealing with Sparse Rater Scoring of Constructed Responses within a Framework of a Latent Class Signal Detection Model

In many assessment situations that use a constructed-response (CR) item, an examinee's response is evaluated by only one rater, which is called a single rater design. For example, in a classroom assessment practice, only one teacher grades each student's performance. While single rater designs are the most cost-effective method among all rater designs, the lack of a second rater causes difficulties with respect to how the scores should be used and evaluated. For example, one cannot assess rater reliability or rater effects when there is only one rater. The present study explores possible solutions for the issues that arise in sparse rater designs within the context of a latent class version of signal detection theory (LC-SDT) that has been previously used for rater scoring. This approach provides a model for rater cognition in CR scoring (DeCarlo, 2005; 2008; 2010) and offers measures of rater reliability and various rater effects. The following potential solutions to rater sparseness were examined: 1) the use of parameter restrictions to yield an identified model, 2) the use of informative priors in a Bayesian approach, and 3) the use of back readings (e.g., partially available 2nd rater observations), which are available in some large scale assessments. Simulations and analyses of real-world data are conducted to examine the performance of these approaches. Simulation results showed that using parameter constraints allows one to detect various rater effects that are of concern in practice. The Bayesian approach also gave useful results, although estimation of some of the parameters was poor and the standard deviations of the parameter posteriors were large, except when the sample size was large. Using back-reading scores gave an identified model and simulations showed that the results were generally acceptable, in terms of parameter estimation, except for small sample sizes. The paper also examines the utility of the approaches as applicable to the PIRLS USA reliability data. The results show some similarities and differences between parameter estimates obtained with posterior mode estimation and with Bayesian estimation. Sensitivity analyses revealed that rater parameter estimates are sensitive to the specification of the priors, as also found in the simulation results with smaller sample sizes

The concepts of sacred space in the Hebrew Bible: meanings, significance, and functions

The objective of this dissertation is to explore the meanings, significance, and functions of sacred space developed in the Hebrew Bible. A wide range of categories, models, and geographical forms of biblical sacred space will be presented: the cosmos, Mt. Zion, the Land of Israel, Jerusalem, the Temple, the Tabernacle, sanctuaries and sacred sites, the high places, and the micro-scales of cultic installations, such as the Ark, altars, sacred poles, and sacred pillars. From a biblical point of view, the two realms of the sacred and the profane co-exist. The sanctity of a place can be restricted and intensified to a certain zone of space or micro-scales of cultic installations. It can also be extended to a wider scope of space, such as the entire sanctuary, the entire city, the entire land, or the cosmos. These models of sacred space used in the biblical texts reflect the manifestation of the specific worldview that is governed by the concept of holiness and the particular concepts of God associated with the notions of divine dwelling presence, divine glory, and divine rest. The Israelite model of sacred space emphasized in a particular biblical text can also represent related transformations of the functions, meanings, and significance of the concepts of sacred space. For instance, the establishment of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem signifies the transformation of the legitimate place of worship in ancient Israelite religion, from a dynamic model to a permanent, static one. Its meanings, significance, and functions are now contingent upon the fixed location in Jerusalem. This dissertation provides evidence of the plurality of meanings, significance, and functions of the concepts of sacred space in the Hebrew Bible. This exploration of the biblical concepts of sacred space includes a discussion of various issues: defining forms, sources of sanctity, rules of access and boundaries, and contexts and uses of biblical sacred space. The exploration also includes consideration of the distinctive intentions of various biblical writers and their perspectives on geographical and spatial realities

From Father to Son: 1.5- and Second-Generation Korean Argentines and Ethnic Entrepreneurship in the Argentine Garment Industry

Unlike second-generation Koreans in the USA or other developed countries, who generally rejected the small-business preferences of their parents, pursued professional careers and achieved mainstream-oriented mobility, succeeding generations of Korean Argentines have continued to choose work within the garment industry. Based on ethnographic research conducted in Argentina in 2014, this study discusses why young Korean Argentines opt for these career paths and how such a choice reflects the particular migration experiences and settlement history of Koreans in Argentina. While the economic and practical merits of inheriting family-owned businesses have been major drivers in the career decisions of younger Korean Argentines, their settlement and lives are also structurally shaped, as they are embedded in and subject to shifting socioeconomic variables stemming from the wider social, economic, and political conditions of the host society

Fire resistance performance of welded built-up square CFT columns with reduced intumescent paint

Welded built-up square CFT columns are widely employed in construction field thanks to their structural efficiencies by avoiding stress concentration area and improving workability in fabrication and maximizing the composite effect enabled by bent ribs. Although welded built-up square CFT columns have structural advantages over other members and are widely used, they are classified as non-fireproof in Korea because the steel tubes are directly exposed to a fire. Thus, fire coating required for the columns by the law results in inefficient design. This study suggests welded built-up square CFT columns with reduced coating to enable improved fire-resistance performance for 2 ~ 3 hours. The purpose of the study is to analyse their fire-resistance performance using the variable of axial ratio which is the major factor in the performance and suggest efficient functional design with reduced coating

SPECT Imaging of Epilepsy: An Overview and Comparison with F-18 FDG PET

Epilepsy surgery is highly effective in treating refractory epilepsy, but requires accurate presurgical localization of the epileptogenic focus. Briefly, localization of the region of seizure onset traditionally dependents on seizure semiology, scalp EEG recordings and correlation with anatomical imaging modalities such as MRI. The introduction of noninvasive functional neuroimaging methods, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) has dramatically changed the method for presurgical epilepsy evaluation. These imaging modalities have become powerful tools for the investigation of brain function and are an essential part of the evaluation of epileptic patients. Of these methods, SPECT has the practical capacity to image blood flow functional changes that occur during seizures in the routine clinical setting. In this review we present the basic principles of epilepsy SPECT and PET imaging. We discuss the properties of the SPECT tracers to be used for this purpose and imaging acquisition protocols as well as the diagnostic performance of SPECT in addition to SPECT image analysis methods. This is followed by a discussion and comparison to F-18 FDG PET acquisition and imaging analysis methods

Simulating Risk Neutral Stochastic Processes with a View to pricing Exotic Options

Absence of arbitrage requires all claims to be priced as the expected value of cash flows under a risk neutral measure on the path space and every claim must be priced under the same measure. This motivates why we want to use the same measure to price vanilla options and path dependent products, and hence why we want to match marginal distributions. There are many ways of matching marginal distributions. We present simulation methods for three stochastic processes that match prespecified marginal distributions at any continuous time: the Az\'{e}ma and Yor solution to the Skorohod embedding problem, inhomogeneous Markov martingale processes with independent increments using subordinated Brownian motion, and a continuous martingale using Dupire's local volatility method. Then the question is which way is a good way of matching marginal distributions. To make a judgement, we look at the properties of the processes. Since all vanilla options are already matched, we want to use exotic options to investigate properties of the processes. One of the properties that we investigate is whether forward return distributions are close to spot return distributions as market structural features. We price swaps associated with the first passage time to barrier levels on these processes and see which model gives the highest value of swaps, in other words, the shortest passage time to levels. Moreover, we price monthly reset arithmetic cliquets with local floors and global caps and with local caps and global floors. Then we check the model risks of these models and find how model risks change when caps or floors change. Finally, we price options on the realized quadratic variations to see how option prices move as maturity increases

DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASES IN THE SKIN TISSUE OF P-PHENYLENEDIAMINE-TREATED MICE

Objective: p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a possible contact sensitizer in skin tissues; however, data are lacking regarding its specific effects on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression during the sensitization phase. The purpose of this study was to investigate nNOS and iNOS expression in the skin tissue of PPD-treated mice.Methods: BALB/c mice were dermally exposed to PPD, at a dose of 10 or 50 mg/kg, on three occasions. The ear and dorsal skin tissues were then isolated from PPD-treated mice and vehicle-treated controls. Western blot analyses were performed on samples derived from the skin tissues.Results: The dorsal skin tissues of PPD-treated BALB/c mice showed significantly increased levels of iNOS. However, nNOS expression in dorsal skin, and nNOS and iNOS expression in the ear, was not significantly altered in PPD-treated skin tissues compared to controls.Conclusion: Because enhanced expression of iNOS may contribute to inflammation in allergic contact dermatitis, our data suggest that increased levels of iNOS may be involved in early immunological responses to PPD-induced pathogenesis in dorsal skin.Â

Emotion and Performance Processes: From a Korean Buddhist Perspective

The intention of this thesis is to reconsider and redefine how emotion in acting is understood and practiced. This thesis addresses the problematic notion of the separation of emotion and action in performance practice. It begins by pointing out how inherent in this separation are the dualistic and hierarchical understanding of body and mind and subjectivity and objectivity, from which stems the unnecessary issue in and around ‘acting emotion’. From the perspectives of the Buddhist understanding of Mind and Heidegger’s ontology of Being, the complex nature of thought, action, emotion and self is examined and reconsidered. Through the three practical projects I examine, from the perspectives of the director and/or the actor, my process of utilising ‘simple’ task-based actions as a means of creating appropriate condition(s) that may allow the actors to directly enter into an ‘emotional’ state of being doing. The first project –ing; playing (no)self focuses on playing emotion in the context of a devised performance; the second project, (Playing) The Maids focuses on playing emotion in the context of ‘character acting’; and the third project Mother Project; playing a ‘foreign’ emotion focuses on a particular Korean emotion, han. This thesis is accompanied by three DVDs, which contain clips of selected scenes of the performances as well as full-length recordings of the performances