Growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ Thin-Films–Nucleation, Heteroepitaxy and Interfaces

A major research effort in high-temperature oxide superconductors is the growth of high-quality thin-films. The physical properties of polycrystalline thin-films are controlled by their microstructure which is influenced by the early stages of film growth and the establishment of epitaxy. In this article, the nucleation and heteroepitactic growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin-films is reviewed. Many of the examples illustrating film growth will be taken from studies using transmission electron microscopy. The importance of the substrate surface in controlling film growth will be discussed, in particular the growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ films on vicinal MgO surfaces, enabling the formation of highly-oriented microstructures on a substrate where there is a large lattice mismatch. In this case, film growth is described as a form of graphoepitaxy, and models will be presented to show the mechanism for film growth and also how the lattice misfit can be reduced by small rotations of the YBa2Cu3O7-δ lattice

The Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminars: Pathways to International Partnerships

While the benefits of studying abroad are well documented (e.g., Braskamp et al.; Lewis and Niesenbaum; Ludlum et al.; McCabe; Williams), honors administrators face significant challenges in internationalizing their honors programs and colleges. The U.S. Fulbright Commission, by partnering with commissions in France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and Taiwan to host programs for international education administrators from around the United States each year, is addressing the challenges of internationalizing American higher education. According to the Institute of International Education, the seminar in Germany in 1984–1985 was the first of its kind. Other seminars were added in 1986 (Japan), 1999 (Korea), 2012 (India), 2013 (France), and 2017 (Taiwan) (“The Power”). This chapter provides an overview of the German-American Fulbright Commission’s IEA seminar and outlines the seminar’s benefits and the opportunities it offers honors administrators working to internationalize their programs. The IEA application process requires a project statement, institutional statement, and letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s direct supervisor. Effective applications demonstrate an applicant’s “desire to learn about the host country’s education system as well as establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues” (“IEA Review Criteria”). The applicants’ administrative positions and willingness to share knowledge gained through the seminar are other important selection criteria. All applications are initially reviewed by a panel consisting of U.S. Fulbright IEA alumni. Applications are then forwarded to the specific country commission (in our case the German-American Fulbright Commission), which makes the final selection. All travel, accommodations, and program costs are covered by the Fulbright IEA Program

Cathode Optimization for an Inert-Substrate-Supported Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Inert-substrate-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells with multi-functional layers were fabricated in this work. The tubular single cells consisted of a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia inert-substrate supporting layer, a Ni anode current collecting layer, a Ni-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 anode electrochemical layer, an yttria-stabilized zirconia/Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 bi-layer electrolyte, and a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ cathode. Thickness of the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ cathode layer could be varied from 2.5 to 25.0 μm by controlling the number of dip-coatings in the single cell fabrication process. Electrochemical performance of the tubular single cells was investigated as a function of cathode thickness. Area specific resistance and maximum power density of the single cell were significantly affected by the thickness of the cathode. Increasing the cathode thickness to 15 μm was effective in reducing the sheet resistance of the layer and the area specific resistance of the single cell. Further increasing the cathode thickness induced a higher electrode polarization loss, which originated from insufficient gas diffusion and transport processes. Therefore, the optimum thickness of the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ cathode layer was determined to be 15 μm. At 800°C, the tubular single cell with the optimum cathode thickness displayed the highest observed maximum power density of 559 mWcm−2 under the hydrogen/air operation mode. Additionally, the tubular single cell exhibited good thermal cycling stability between 800 and 25°C for five cycles. These results illustrate the advantages of this system for future applications of the inert-substrate-supported tubular single cells in repeated startup and shut down conditions

Partial Oxidation of Surrogate Jet-A Fuel Over SiO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e Supported MoO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e

A SiO2-supported MoO2 nanoparticle catalyst was synthesized by a sol-gel method and tested as catalytic material for the partial oxidation of n-dodecane. MoO2 nanoparticles supported on SiO2 are °C, which is a typical reforming temperature for n-dodecane. The formation of Mo O Si bonds at the interface between MoO2 nanoparticles and SiO2 support appear to be responsible for the enhanced stability to sintering displayed by the nanoparticles. As a result of this particle size stabilization, SiO2 supported MoO2 nanoparticles show an improved reforming activity in terms of syngas generation compared to micron-size commercial MoO2. Thus, commercial MoO2 exhibits a good initial activity at space velocities up to 15 h−1, but showing only gas-phase reactions at larger values. Conversely, MoO2 nanoparticles supported on SiO2 show a high initial reforming activity (e.g., 69% H2 yield, 82% CO yield and 100% carbon conversion) even at space velocities up to 30 h−1. Supported MoO2 nanoparticles also show good stability for the partial oxidation of n-dodecane at 850 ◦C without any sign of deactivation during the first 24 h on-stream

Making a Difference Matters: Impact Unlocks the Emotional Benefits of Prosocial Spending

When does giving lead to happiness? Here, we present two studies demonstrating that the emotional benefits of spending money on others (prosocial spending) are unleashed when givers are aware of their positive impact. In Study 1, an experiment using real charitable appeals, giving more money to charity led to higher levels of happiness only when participants gave to causes that explained how these funds are used to make a difference in the life of a recipient. In Study 2, participants were asked to reflect upon a time they spent money on themselves or on others in a way that either had a positive impact or had no impact. Participants who recalled a time they spent on others that had a positive impact were happiest. Together, these results suggest that highlighting the impact of prosocial spending can increase the emotional rewards of giving

Systems analysis of bioenergetics and growth of the extreme halophile Halobacterium salinarum

Halobacterium salinarum is a bioenergetically flexible, halophilic microorganism that can generate energy by respiration, photosynthesis, and the fermentation of arginine. In a previous study, using a genome-scale metabolic model, we have shown that the archaeon unexpectedly degrades essential amino acids under aerobic conditions, a behavior that can lead to the termination of growth earlier than necessary. Here, we further integratively investigate energy generation, nutrient utilization, and biomass production using an extended methodology that accounts for dynamically changing transport patterns, including those that arise from interactions among the supplied metabolites. Moreover, we widen the scope of our analysis to include phototrophic conditions to explore the interplay between different bioenergetic modes. Surprisingly, we found that cells also degrade essential amino acids even during phototropy, when energy should already be abundant. We also found that under both conditions considerable amounts of nutrients that were taken up were neither incorporated into the biomass nor used as respiratory substrates, implying the considerable production and accumulation of several metabolites in the medium. Some of these are likely the products of forms of overflow metabolism. In addition, our results also show that arginine fermentation, contrary to what is typically assumed, occurs simultaneously with respiration and photosynthesis and can contribute energy in levels that are comparable to the primary bioenergetic modes, if not more. These findings portray a picture that the organism takes an approach toward growth that favors the here and now, even at the cost of longer-term concerns. We believe that the seemingly "greedy" behavior exhibited actually consists of adaptations by the organism to its natural environments, where nutrients are not only irregularly available but may altogether be absent for extended periods that may span several years. Such a setting probably predisposed the cells to grow as much as possible when the conditions become favorable

Current diagnosis and treatment algorithms for anal incontinence

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75666/1/j.1464-410X.2006.06307.x.pd

New chemical engineering provision: Quality in diversity

Recent growth in chemical engineering student numbers has driven an increase in the number of UK universities offering the subject. The implications of this growth are described, along with the different challenges facing new providers in the UK compared with established departments. The approaches taken by the various new entrants are reviewed, with reference to recruitment strategies, infrastructure, the use of external facilities, and the particular flavours of chemical engineering being offered by the new providers. Information about the differentiating features of the large number of chemical engineering degree courses now available is somewhat indistinct: this should be rectified in the interests both of prospective students and of employers. Dilemmas facing new providers include the need to address the fundamentals of the subject as well as moving into more novel research-led areas; enabling students to develop the competencies to sustain them for a whole career as well as meeting immediate employer needs; and providing sufficient industry understanding when academics may lack substantial industrial experience. The central importance of practical provision and of the design project, and the approaches taken by new providers to deliver these components, are reviewed, together with the role of software tools in chemical engineering education, and measures to facilitate industry input into courses. As long as it is not used prescriptively or to inhibit innovation, the accreditation process provides constructive guidance and leverage for universities developing new chemical engineering programmes

Hybridization in parasites: consequences for adaptive evolution, pathogenesis and public health in a changing world

[No abstract available