1,899 research outputs found
Effect of doping and oxygen vacancies on the octahedral tilt transitions in the BaCeO3 perovskite
We present a systematic study of the effect of Y doping and hydration level
on the structural transformations of BaCeO3 based on anelastic spectroscopy
experiments. The temperature of the intermediate transformation between
rhombohedral and orthorhombic Imma phases rises with increasing the molar
fraction x of Y roughly as (500 K)x in the hydrated state, and is depressed of
more than twice that amount after complete dehydration. This is explained in
terms of the effect of doping on the average (Ce/Y)-O and Ba-O bond lengths,
and of lattice relaxation from O vacancies. The different behavior of the
transition to the lower temperature Pnma orthorhombic phase is tentatively
explained in terms of progressive flattening of the effective shape of the OH
ion and ordering of the O vacancies during cooling.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
30 Years on : some key insights from the Australian Temperament Project
In 2013, the Australian Temperament Project (ATP) longitudinal study celebrated its 30th anniversary. This article provides a brief overview of the ATP, and highlights some key findings that have emerged over the past three decades. From amongst the many research areas explored in the ATP, topics covered here include temperament, learning problems, mental health, risk-taking, bullying, positive development, and relationships with parents in adulthood. Future plans for the study are also presented, including the new ATP Generation 3 Study which commenced in 2011 - a unique longitudinal study of the children of the ATP participants
Hydrogen tunneling in the perovskite ionic conductor BaCe(1-x)Y(x)O(3-d)
We present low-temperature anelastic and dielectric spectroscopy measurements
on the perovskite ionic conductor BaCe(1-x)Y(x)O(3-x/2) in the protonated,
deuterated and outgassed states. Three main relaxation processes are ascribed
to proton migration, reorientation about an Y dopant and tunneling around a
same O atom. An additional relaxation maximum appears only in the dielectric
spectrum around 60 K, and does not involve H motion, but may be of electronic
origin, e.g. small polaron hopping. The peak at the lowest temperature,
assigned to H tunneling, has been fitted with a relaxation rate presenting
crossovers from one-phonon transitions, nearly independent of temperature, to
two-phonon processes, varying as T^7, to Arrhenius-like. Substituting H with D
lowers the overall rate by 8 times. The corresponding peak in the dielectric
loss has an intensity nearly 40 times smaller than expected from the classical
reorientation of the electric dipole associated with the OH complex. This fact
is discussed in terms of coherent tunneling states of H in a cubic and
orthorhombically distorted lattice, possibly indicating that only H in the
symmetric regions of twin boundaries exhibit tunneling, and in terms of
reduction of the effective dipole due to lattice polarization.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev.
Serum resistin levels in critically ill patients are associated with inflammation, organ dysfunction and metabolism and may predict survival of non-septic patients
The role of weighing-bathing sequence and postmenstrual age in eliciting adaptive/maladaptive responses in very low birth weight preterm infants
Purpose: In the neonatal intensive care unit, preterm infants are exposed to several stressful stimuli. Inappropriate stimulation led to high risk for short- and long-term neurocognitive disabilities. This study aimed to evaluate whether the sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and postmenstrual age (PMA) have any effect on preterm infants' stress responses. Design and Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study on a sample of 21 preterm infants. Responses to the procedures were assessed using an observational sheet based on Als's Synactive Theory of Development. Autonomic and motor responses were scored according to five-point Likert scales. The order of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures and PMA were documented. Effects of weighing/bathing execution sequence and PMA on autonomic and motor response scores were analyzed by linear multiple regression analysis. Results: The sequence of execution had a significant effect on the autonomic score during weighing (p =.035), evidencing more stress when weighing was executed first. A higher level of stress response on the autonomic score during both weighing (p =.015) and bathing (p =.018) procedure was independently associated with a lower infant PMA. Conclusions and Practice Implications: The real-time recognition of adaptive/maladaptive responses allows nurses to personalize their approach to preterm infants, taking into account PMA and adjusting the appropriate sequence of execution of weighing/bathing nursing procedures
Experimental approach for the study of SOFC cathodes
The suitability of impedance measurements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is an important concern, especially in case of measuring separately the behaviour of one of the electrode when an overvoltage is applied. In this case a thin electrolyte-supported cell with the RE (Reference Electrode) coplanar with the WE (Working Electrode) is experimentally convenient, but many authors highlighted that incorrect results can be obtained if an inappropriate geometric configuration is used. In this work LSM cathodes ((La0.8Sr0.2)MnO3-x) were investigated in a Yttria-stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte-supported cell, using an electrolyte 3 mm thick. Two types of cells were prepared: the first (Cell1) according to the geometric requirements suggested in literature: little WE (diameter 3 mm) aligned to the CE (Counter Electrode) and with equal Rpol(polarisation resistance) and time constant; RE co-planar around the WE and placed at a distance greater than three-electrolyte thicknesses from the WE; the second one (Cell2) equal to Cell1 but with a bigger WE (diameter 8 mm). Impedance measurements were carried out both in two- and three- electrode configuration, at OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) and under applied overpotentials. A preliminary comparison between the results extracted from Cell2 at two- and three- electrodes confirms that a thick electrolyte allows extracting suitable three-electrode impedance results in case of OCV and small overpotentials. On the other side, when an overpotential over 0.2 V is applied, a comparison between Cell1 and Cell2 gives quite different results. The investigation here presented considers also an experimental approach useful for the comprehension of the main phenomena governing the kinetic of the process
The role of parental alcohol use, parental discipline and antisocial behaviour on adolescent drinking trajectories
Backgrounds: : Parental drinking, harsh parental discipline and adolescent antisocial behaviour have been independently implicated in adolescent alcohol use. Robust prospective studies are required to examine developmental relationships between these factors and their effect on trajectories of alcohol use across adolescence
Responsive Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Frozen Complex Coacervate Core Micelles
[Image: see text] Frozen complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms) were developed as a class of particle stabilizers for Pickering emulsions. The C3Ms are composed of a core of electrostatically interacting weak polyelectrolytes, poly(acrylic acid) (pAA) and poly(dimethylaminopropylacrylamide) (pDMAPAA), surrounded by a corona of water-soluble and surface active poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNiPAM). Mixing parameters of the two polymer solutions, including pH, mixing method, charge ratio, and salinity of the medium, were carefully controlled, leading to monodisperse, colloidally stable C3Ms. A combination of dynamic light scattering and proton nuclear magnetic resonance experiments showed that the C3Ms gradually disassembled from a dynamically frozen core state in pure water into free polyelectrolyte chains above 0.8 M NaCl. Upon formulation of dodecane-in-water emulsions, the frozen C3Ms adsorb as particles at the droplet interfaces in striking contrast with most of the conventional micelles made of amphiphilic block copolymers which fall apart at the interface. Eventually, increasing the salt concentration of the system triggered disassembly of the C3Ms, which led to emulsion destabilization
PO-0954 Click! Engaging Children In Research About Their Lives: Experiences Of Using Photo-elicitation From England, Australia And New Zealand
Background and aims. Engaging children in research about their lives is an essential component of providing excellent health care services. Utilising participatory, visual/arts-based approaches such as photo-elicitation (PE) can extend opportunities for children to reflect on and talk about their lives. This paper aims to explore the use of, benefits and issues associated with using PE with children.
Methods. PE is a participatory, qualitative method that does not rely on high levels of verbal or written literacy and which creates equitable conditions for children’s engagement in research. Within a broad brief, children are asked to take topic-related photos. Apart from safety/privacy related guidance about where it might not be appropriate to take photographs, the children are free to take any image that has meaning to them. The children then select the images they wish to discuss and the researcher literally has to ‘follow’ the children’s data and adopt a flexible approach to the conversational interview.
Results. Reflecting on our experience with PE we note how the quality of discussion is enhanced and intriguing and unexpected insights into children’s lives are revealed. What children choose to photograph or omit can create interesting tensions; these and other lessons will be shared along with exemplar photographs and stories.
Conclusions. Although PE provides considerable opportunities and benefits, it is challenging research to be part of and requires skilled researchers to ensure children are safe during research engagement and that the data provides a robust depth of insight into their lives
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