89,049 research outputs found
Phase Coexistence of Complex Fluids in Shear Flow
We present some results of recent calculations of rigid rod-like particles in
shear flow, based on the Doi model. This is an ideal model system for
exhibiting the generic behavior of shear-thinning fluids (polymer solutions,
wormlike micelles, surfactant solutions, liquid crystals) in shear flow. We
present calculations of phase coexistence under shear among weakly-aligned
(paranematic) and strongly-aligned phases, including alignment in the shear
plane and in the vorticity direction (log-rolling). Phase coexistence is
possible, in principle, under conditions of both common shear stress and common
strain rate, corresponding to different orientations of the interface between
phases. We discuss arguments for resolving this degeneracy. Calculation of
phase coexistence relies on the presence of inhomogeneous terms in the
dynamical equations of motion, which select the appropriate pair of coexisting
states. We cast this condition in terms of an equivalent dynamical system, and
explore some aspects of how this differs from equilibrium phase coexistence.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Faraday Discussion
Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Five Facet of Mindfulness Questionnaire.
ObjectiveThe Five Facet of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is widely used to assess mindfulness. The present study provides a psychometric evaluation of the FFMQ that includes item response theory (IRT) analyses and evaluation of item characteristic curves.MethodWe administered the FFMQ, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Ruminative Response Scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire to a heterogenous sample of 240 community-based adults. We estimated internal consistency reliability, item-scale correlations, categorical confirmatory factor analysis, and IRT graded response models for the FFMQ. We also estimated correlations among the FFMQ scales and correlations with the other measures included in the study.ResultsInternal consistency reliabilities for the five FFMQ scales were 0.82 or higher. A five-factor categorical model fit the data well. IRT-estimated item characteristic curves indicated that the five response options were monotonically ordered for most of the items. Product-moment correlations between simple-summated scoring and IRT scoring of the scales were 0.97 or higher.ConclusionsThe FFMQ accurately identifies varying levels of trait mindfulness. IRT-derived estimates will inform future adaptations to the FFMQ (e.g., briefer versions) and the development of future mindfulness instruments
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Laser-assisted photothermal imprinting of nanocomposite
We report on a laser-assisted photothermal imprinting method for directly patterning carbon
nanofiber-reinforced polyethylene nanocomposite. A single laser pulse from a solid state
Nd:YAG laser (10 ns pulse, 532 nm and 355 nm wavelengths) is used to melt/soften a thin skin
layer of the polymer nanocomposite. Meanwhile, a fused quartz mold with micro-sized surface
relief structures is pressed against the surface of the composite. Successful pattern transfer is
realized upon releasing the quartz mold. Although polyethylene is transparent to the laser beam,
the carbon nanofibers in the high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix absorb the laser energy
and convert it into heat. Numerical heat conduction simulation shows the HDPE matrix is
partially melted or softened, allowing for easier imprinting of the relief pattern of the quartz
mold.Mechanical Engineerin
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