Halogenation of SiC for band-gap engineering and excitonic functionalization

The optical excitation spectra and excitonic resonances are investigated in systematically functionalized SiC with Fluorine and/or Chlorine utilizing density functional theory in combination with many-body perturbation theory. The latter is required for a realistic description of the energy band-gaps as well as for the theoretical realization of excitons. Structural, electronic and optical properties are scrutinized and show the high stability of the predicted two-dimensional materials. Their realization in laboratory is thus possible. Huge band-gaps of the order of 4 eV are found in the so-called GW approximation, with the occurrence of bright excitons, optically active in the four investigated materials. Their binding energies vary from 0.9 eV to 1.75 eV depending on the decoration choice and in one case, a dark exciton is foreseen to exist in the fully chlorinated SiC. The wide variety of opto-electronic properties suggest halogenated SiC as interesting materials with potential not only for solar cell applications, anti-reflection coatings or high-reflective systems but also for a possible realization of excitonic Bose-Einstein condensation

Creating a Welcoming Clinical Environment for LGBT Patients

The aim of this project was to develop a welcoming clinical environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) patients at Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) and to serve as a model for community health centers across the nation that want to provide their LGBT communities with patient centered care that is affordable, compassionate and accessible. This was achieved by revising non-discrimination policies and new patient forms to be more inclusive of sexual orientations and gender identities, incorporating LGBT health learning modules into yearly provider and staff mandatories, and adding LGBT inclusive material into all waiting and exam rooms. The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated using the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) scoring criteria developed by the Human Rights Campaign. Future interventions include registering competent and sensitivity trained providers to the GLMA (Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality) provider directory, including data fields for sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the electronic health record (EHR) for all patients, conducting a community needs assessment with local LGBT groups such as Outright Vermont and NEK LGBTQ Advocacy Committee, developing a partnership with the DHMC Transgender Clinic for additional training in the management of hormone therapies, and measuring LGBT patient satisfaction through phone interviews.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1197/thumbnail.jp

Parametric Study of Vertical Ground Loop Heat Exchangers for Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

We report on a numerical study conducted to investigate the effect of various parameters on the heat exchange inside a vertical ground loop heat exchanger (VGLHE) for a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system. The simulations were conducted for three piping configurations of the ground loop which were U-Tube, Concentric pipes and Spiral. The results show a linear temperature rise along the pipe length for the U-Tube configuration. The Concentric pipes configuration shows two distinct linear trends for the temperature rise; a slow temperature rise during the downward flow through the inner pipe and a higher temperature rise during the upflow through the annulus. The Spiral configuration shows a steeper slope for the temperature rise in the spiral section and almost a flat slope for the temperature rise in the straight vertical section of the pipe. The research also examines a simulation case of integrating a VGLHE inside of a micro-pile foundation system

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND TIME OF CASE HARDENING ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF LOW CARBON STEEL (AISI 1020)

The main objective of this paper is experimental study of pack carburizing of carbon steels (AISI 1020) by using two parameters (holding time and carburizing temperature). This study was conducted by using electrical furnace. This process is carried out at temperatures of 950°C for durations time 90 minutes. From the experiment, the surface hardness and thickness of carbon layer was different according to the parameters used. The quenching medium that uses in this experiment is water, oil, sea water and air. For carburizing temperature at 950°C, the highest of surface hardness value for air is 128 HV that carburized for 90 minutes, the highest of surface hardness value for water is 224 HV that carburized for 90 minutes. For carburizing temperature of 950°C, the highest of surface hardness value for sea water is 166.9 HV that carburized for 90 minutes and for carburizing temperature at 950°C which is the highest of surface hardness value for oil is 126 HV. The thickness of carbon layer was between 40μm to 120μm. The result indicates the carburizing process accelerates the diffusion of carbon atoms into the surface, thus increasing the thickness of carburized layer as well as the surface hardness

Optimization of hot press forging parameters in direct recycling of aluminium chip (AA 6061)

This study introduces a new approach of direct recycling using the hot press forging process that eliminates the two intermediate processes of cold-compact and pre-heating. This method leads to low energy consumption without intervening the metallurgical processes. In this study, the optimum of machined chips from high speed milling is recycled by hot press forging. The mechanical properties and surface integrity of the different chips were investigated. The performance of recycled aluminium AA 6061 chips in the mechanical and physical properties were compared with the original aluminium billet. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop mathematical model of the effects on pre-compaction cycle, holding time and suitable pressure significant to the process. It is hoped that, utilization of primary metal could be fully utilized by direct recycling technique (hot press forging) introduced in this study and at the same time developing a sustainable manufacturing process technology for future needs

PELAKSANAAN GERAKAN LITERASI SEKOLAH DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN MINAT BACA SISWA KELAS IV A SD NEGERI 160 PEKANBARU

Rendahnya kemampuan literasi menyebabkan rendahnya minat baca dikalangan siswa sekolah. Salah satu langkah dalam meningkatkan kemampuan minat baca siswa adalah dengan program gerakan Literasi sekolah (GLS). Namun kendala yang berada di sekolah ini yaitu pelaksanaan gerakan literasi sekolah dalam mengembangkan minat baca di kelas IVA ini masih belum terlaksanakan dengan optimal dimana dalam sarana dan prasarana sekolah ini masih kurang seperti buku bacaan yang masih kurang, perpustakaan yang masih belum dilengkapi buku cerita dan bahan bacaan yang lengkap. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan GLS dalam mengembangkan minat baca siswa di kelas IV A.  penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif dengan subjek wakil kepala sekolah, guru dan siswa. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik observasi dan wawancara. Hasil penelitian yang didapat pada pelaksaanan GLS dalam mengembangkan minat baca siswa kelas IVA ini dimana melaksanakan kegiatan GLS yaitu tahap pembiasaan, pengembangan, dan pembelajaran yang dimana kegiatan tersebut masih belum optimal dilakukan dan juga kegiatan GLS tidak rutin dilaksanakan disekolah ini, sarana prasarana pendukung GLS juga masih belum optimal yang dimana kurangnya buku bacaan untuk kegiatan membaca   Kata Kunci: Pelaksanaan, Gerakan Lterasi Sekolah, Minat Bac

PELAKSANAAN GERAKAN LITERASI SEKOLAH DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN MINAT BACA SISWA KELAS IV A SD NEGERI 160 PEKANBARU

Rendahnya kemampuan literasi menyebabkan rendahnya minat baca dikalangan siswa sekolah. Salah satu langkah dalam meningkatkan kemampuan minat baca siswa adalah dengan program gerakan Literasi sekolah (GLS). Namun kendala yang berada di sekolah ini yaitu pelaksanaan gerakan literasi sekolah dalam mengembangkan minat baca di kelas IVA ini masih belum terlaksanakan dengan optimal dimana dalam sarana dan prasarana sekolah ini masih kurang seperti buku bacaan yang masih kurang, perpustakaan yang masih belum dilengkapi buku cerita dan bahan bacaan yang lengkap. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan GLS dalam mengembangkan minat baca siswa di kelas IV A.  penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif dengan subjek wakil kepala sekolah, guru dan siswa. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik observasi dan wawancara. Hasil penelitian yang didapat pada pelaksaanan GLS dalam mengembangkan minat baca siswa kelas IVA ini dimana melaksanakan kegiatan GLS yaitu tahap pembiasaan, pengembangan, dan pembelajaran yang dimana kegiatan tersebut masih belum optimal dilakukan dan juga kegiatan GLS tidak rutin dilaksanakan disekolah ini, sarana prasarana pendukung GLS juga masih belum optimal yang dimana kurangnya buku bacaan untuk kegiatan membaca   Kata Kunci: Pelaksanaan, Gerakan Lterasi Sekolah, Minat Bac

Optimal Trajectories for Propellant-Free Rendezvous Missions

The paper provides a new approach to utilizing space environmental forces in time- and energy-optimal, propellant-less spacecraft rendezvous missions. Considering the nonlinear form of the relative dynamic equations, rendezvous missions are posed as optimal control problems subject to input saturation. We conduct a direct optimal control approach to obtain optimal trajectories and control inputs. Initially, we consider the differential drag only and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the effect of altitude on the required control input and achieved cost function. Lorentz forces are then utilized with the differential drag, reducing the time required for time-optimal missions. For energy-optimal missions with combined differential drag and Lorentz forces, a weighting matrix in the cost function is introduced to adjust the relative contributions of these forces

Transferable skills of undergraduates of sciences and arts at Taibah University, El-Ula Branch, Saudi Arabia

Transferable skills constitute a principle element in the curriculum of all educational programmes. Some human skills are transferred with birth in genetic factors, but these skills need to be discovered and developed: university teaching programmes are the main source to teach and develop these skills. This study is designed to explore the skills abilities of undergraduates as they see themselves and their abilities. Students showed great variation in skills abilities in the seven studied skills; they showed high ability for teamwork, communication, personal and development skills. Second-year students seemed more skilful than those of the first year. Women were highly skilled relative to men, the difference mostly being how wide the gap is between women and men in the seven categories of skills. When we compared Arts and Science students in these skills, there were significant differences between them, mainly in that science students were more skilful in information technology and numerical skills. These data reflect the impact of social traditions on skill development rather than as a part of the teaching process, which means that effort should be put into creating courses which will develop the skills of students.Keywords: Education, skill classification, gender, grade, curriculu