Choice Internal report I-3: EU member state cooperation with China in ICT R&D&I

In this report EU member states bilateral programmes of cooperation with China in ICT R&D are reviewed. Conclusions are presented followed by recommendations targeted at organisations in EU member states interested in exploring the potential for bilateral collaborative ICT R&D with Chinese organisations

Recent Advances in Ultralow-Pt-Loading Electrocatalysts for the Efficient Hydrogen Evolution.

Hydrogen production from water electrolysis provides a green and sustainable route. Platinum (Pt)-based materials have been regarded as efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the large-scale commercialization of Pt-based catalysts suffers from the high cost. Therefore, ultralow-Pt-loading electrocatalysts, which can reach the balance of low cost and high HER performance, have attracted much attention. In this review, representative promising synthetic strategies, including wet chemistry, annealing, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and atomic layer deposition are summarized. Further, the interaction between different electrocatalyst components (transition metals and their derivatives) and Pt is discussed. Notably, this interaction can effectively accelerate the kinetics of the HER, enhancing the catalytic activity. At last, current challenges and future perspectives are briefly discussed

What Determines the Shape of an EQ-5D Index Distribution?

Background. EQ-5D-3L index scores in patient and general populations typically have a nonnormal distribution, divided into 2 distinct groups. It is important to understand to what extent this is determined by the way that the EQ-5D-3L index is constructed rather than by the true distribution of ill health. Objective. This paper examines the determinants of the ‘‘2 groups’’ distribution pattern and the extent to which this pattern is attributable either to the EQ-5D-3L classification system used to create health state profiles or to the weights applied to profiles. Methods. Data from the English NHS PROMs program (hip and knee replacements and varicose vein and hernia repairs) and from a study of 2 chronic conditions (asthma and angina) were used to compare the distributions of EQ5D-3L index scores with distributions from which weights have been stripped; profile data decomposed into their constituent dimensions and levels; a condition-specific index; and using weights from different countries, based on both time tradeoff and visual analogue scale. Results. The EQ-5D-3L classification system generates differences between patients with the same condition in respect of dimensions that are mainly observed at level 2 or 3. The weights commonly used to calculate the index exacerbate this grouping by placing a larger weight on level 3 observations, generating a noticeable gap in index scores between the groups. Conclusions. Analyzing EQ-5D profile data enables a better understanding of the resulting distribution of EQ-5D scores. The distinctive shape observed for these distributions is the result of both the classification system and the weights applied to it

Theoretical Simulation of Experimental Observations of Surface Wave Propagation on a Fluid-Saturated Porous Material

Wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous materials presents very particular features like the appearance of a second compressional wave, the so-called slow compressional wave, in addition to the conventional P (or fast compressional) and the shear wave [1,2]. First experimental observation of the slow compressional wave was carried out by Plona in 1980 in water-saturated porous ceramics at ultrasonic frequencies [3]. In 1983 Feng and Johnson predicted the existence of a new surface mode along a fluid/fluid-saturated porous solid interface, in addition to the well-known leaky-Rayleigh and true Stoneley modes [4,5]. Feng and Johnson introduced the so-called surface stiffness, T, as a parameter which describes the boundary conditions at the interface. For a value of T=0 the pores at the surface are considered open, whereas for a value of T=∞ they are considered to be closed. However, according to the theory this new surface mode appears only when closed pores boundary conditions prevail at the interface. This last restriction renders the observation of the new mode problematic, because the extreme difficult in closing the surface pores without clogging all the pores close to the surface (e.g. by painting). In 1992 Nagy observed experimental evidence of the slow surface wave [6]. Nagy demonstrated that capillary forces can extend an ideally thin membrane over the surface pores at the interface between a porous solid saturated with a wetting fluid (e.g. water or alcohol) and a non-wetting fluid (e.g. air). Under this conditions, experimental evidence of a simple form of the new surface wave mode predicted by Feng and Johnson during alcohol saturation of a sintered glass beads specimen was obtained. However, due to problems inherent to the excitation of surface waves in fluid-saturated porous solids (e.g. extremely high attenuation, small propagation lengths, etc.) the results were not conclusive. In this work we will show that the experimental evidence of slow surface wave can be predicted by the analytical method of Feng and Johnson [5], if slight modifications are introduced into the calculation technique in order to account for some of the particular characteristics of the experiment

Surface Wave Inspection of Porous Ceramics and Rocks

The most interesting feature of acoustic wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous media is the appearance of a second compressional wave, the so-called slow compressional wave, in addition to the conventional P (or fast) wave and the shear wave [1,2]. The slow compressional wave is essentially the motion of the fluid along the tortuous paths in the porous frame. This motion is strongly affected by viscous coupling between the fluid and the solid. Therefore, both the velocity and the attenuation of the slow wave greatly depend on the dynamic permeability of the porous frame. It was not until 1980, that Plona first experimentally observed the slow compressional wave in water-saturated porous ceramics at ultrasonic frequencies [3]. Only three years later, Feng and Johnson predicted the existence of a new slow surface mode on a fluid/fluid-saturated solid interface in addition to the well-known leaky-Rayleigh and true Stoneley modes [4,5]. The slow surface mode is basically the interface wave equivalent of the slow bulk mode, but there is a catch: the surface pores of the solid have to be closed so that this new mode can be observed. Otherwise, a surface vibration can propagate along the fluid/fluid-saturated porous solid interface without really moving the fluid since it can flow through the open pores without producing any significant reaction force. All previous efforts directed at the experimental observation of this new surface mode failed because of the extreme difficulty of closing the surface pores without closing all the pores close to the surface (e. g., by painting). On the other hand, it has been recently shown that surface tension itself could be sufficient to produce essentially closed-pore boundary conditions at the interface between a porous solid saturated with a wetting fluid, such as water or alcohol, and a non-wetting superstrate fluid, like air [6]

Social, environmental and psychological factors associated with objective physical activity levels in the over 65s

Objective: To assess physical activity levels objectively using accelerometers in community dwelling over 65 s and to examine associations with health, social, environmental and psychological factors. Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: 17 general practices in Scotland, United Kingdom. Participants: Random sampling of over 65 s registered with the practices in four strata young-old (65–80 years), old-old (over 80 years), more affluent and less affluent groups. Main Outcome Measures: Accelerometry counts of activity per day. Associations between activity and Theory of Planned Behaviour variables, the physical environment, health, wellbeing and demographic variables were examined with multiple regression analysis and multilevel modelling. Results: 547 older people (mean (SD) age 79(8) years, 54% female) were analysed representing 94% of those surveyed. Accelerometry counts were highest in the affluent younger group, followed by the deprived younger group, with lowest levels in the deprived over 80 s group. Multiple regression analysis showed that lower age, higher perceived behavioural control, the physical function subscale of SF-36, and having someone nearby to turn to were all independently associated with higher physical activity levels (R2 = 0.32). In addition, hours of sunshine were independently significantly associated with greater physical activity in a multilevel model. Conclusions: Other than age and hours of sunlight, the variables identified are modifiable, and provide a strong basis for the future development of novel multidimensional interventions aimed at increasing activity participation in later life.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

In situ interface engineering for probing the limit of quantum dot photovoltaic devices.

Quantum dot (QD) photovoltaic devices are attractive for their low-cost synthesis, tunable band gap and potentially high power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the experimentally achieved efficiency to date remains far from ideal. Here, we report an in-situ fabrication and investigation of single TiO2-nanowire/CdSe-QD heterojunction solar cell (QDHSC) using a custom-designed photoelectric transmission electron microscope (TEM) holder. A mobile counter electrode is used to precisely tune the interface area for in situ photoelectrical measurements, which reveals a strong interface area dependent PCE. Theoretical simulations show that the simplified single nanowire solar cell structure can minimize the interface area and associated charge scattering to enable an efficient charge collection. Additionally, the optical antenna effect of nanowire-based QDHSCs can further enhance the absorption and boost the PCE. This study establishes a robust 'nanolab' platform in a TEM for in situ photoelectrical studies and provides valuable insight into the interfacial effects in nanoscale solar cells

Prediction of posttraumatic stress disorder among adults in flood district

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Flood is one of the most common and severe forms of natural disasters. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common disorder among victims of various disasters including flood. Early prediction for PTSD could benefit the prevention and treatment of PTSD. This study aimed to establish a prediction model for the occurrence of PTSD among adults in flood districts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2000 among individuals who were affected by the 1998 floods in Hunan, China. Multi-stage sampling was used to select subjects from the flood-affected areas. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. PTSD was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. Study subjects were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 was used to establish the prediction model and group 2 was used to validate the model. We first used the logistic regression analysis to select predictive variables and then established a risk score predictive model. The validity of model was evaluated by using the model in group 2 and in all subjects. The area under the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 2336 (9.2%) subjects were diagnosed as probable PTSD-positive individuals among a total of 25,478 study subjects. Seven independent predictive factors (age, gender, education, type of flood, severity of flood, flood experience, and the mental status before flood) were identified as key variables in a risk score model. The area under the ROC curve for the model was 0.853 in the validation data. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of this risk score model were 84.0%, 72.2%, 23.4%, and 97.8%, respectively, at a cut-off value of 67.5 in the validation data.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A simple risk score model can be used to predict PTSD among victims of flood.</p

Corals record long-term Leeuwin current variability including Ningaloo Niño/Niña since 1795

Variability of the Leeuwin current (LC) off Western Australia is a footprint of interannual and decadal climate variations in the tropical Indo-Pacific. La Niña events often result in a strengthened LC, high coastal sea levels and unusually warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs), termed Ningaloo Niño. The rarity of such extreme events and the response of the southeastern Indian Ocean to regional and remote climate forcing are poorly understood owing to the lack of long-term records. Here we use well-replicated coral SST records from within the path of the LC, together with a reconstruction of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation to hindcast historical SST and LC strength from 1795 to 2010. We show that interannual and decadal variations in SST and LC strength characterized the past 215 years and that the most extreme sea level and SST anomalies occurred post 1980. These recent events were unprecedented in severity and are likely aided by accelerated global ocean warming and sea-level rise. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited