455 research outputs found
Role of Rare-Earth Oxide Additives on Mechanical Properties and Oxidation Behavior of Si 3 N 4 /BN Fibrous Monolith Ceramics
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65415/1/j.1551-2916.2006.00911.x.pd
Investigation of pulsed laser induced dewetting in nanoscopic metal films
Hydrodynamic pattern formation (PF) and dewetting resulting from pulsed laser
induced melting of nanoscopic metal films have been used to create spatially
ordered metal nanoparticle arrays with monomodal size distribution on
SiO_{\text{2}}/Si substrates. PF was investigated for film thickness h\leq7 nm
< laser absorption depth \sim11 nm and different sets of laser parameters,
including energy density E and the irradiation time, as measured by the number
of pulses n. PF was only observed to occur for E\geq E_{m}, where E_{m} denotes
the h-dependent threshold energy required to melt the film. Even at such small
length scales, theoretical predictions for E_{m} obtained from a
continuum-level lumped parameter heat transfer model for the film temperature,
coupled with the 1-D transient heat equation for the substrate phase, were
consistent with experimental observations provided that the thickness
dependence of the reflectivity of the metal-substrate bilayer was incorporated
into the analysis. The spacing between the nanoparticles and the particle
diameter were found to increase as h^{2} and h^{5/3} respectively, which is
consistent with the predictions of the thin film hydrodynamic (TFH) dewetting
theory. These results suggest that fast thermal processing can lead to novel
pattern formation, including quenching of a wide range of length scales and
morphologies.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures, 1 tabl
Understanding Video Game Developers as an Occupational Community
The video game industry has rapidly expanded over the last four decades; yet there is limited research about the workers who make video games. In examining these workers, this article responds to calls for renewed attention to the role of the occupation in understanding project-based workers in boundaryless careers. Specifically, this article uses secondary analysis of online sources to demonstrate that video game developers can be understood as a unique social group called an occupational community (OC). Once this classification has been made, the concept of OC can be used in future research to understand video game workers in terms of identity formation, competency development, career advancement and support, collective action, as well as adherence to and deviance from organizational and industry norms
Naturally propped fractures caused by quartz cementation preserve oil reservoirs in basement rocks
MB is in receipt of a postgraduate studentship from PTDF (Nigeria). Skilled technical support was provided by M. Baron and J. Still. Two reviewers made valuable criticisms that improved the paper.Peer reviewedPostprin
Older patients' attitudes towards and experiences of patient-physician end-of-life communication: a secondary analysis of interviews from British, Dutch and Belgian patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Older patients often experience sub-standard communication in the palliative phase of illness. Due to the importance of good communication in patient-centred end-of-life care, it is essential to understand the factors which influence older patientsâ communication with physicians. This study examines older patientsâ attitudes towards, and experiences of, patient-physician end-of-life (EoL) communication in three European countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A secondary analysis of interviews from British, Dutch and Belgian patients over the age of 60 with a progressive terminal illness was conducted. Cross-cutting themes were identified using a thematic approach.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Themes from 30 interviews (Male nâ=â20, Median age 78.5) included: confidence and trust; disclosure and awareness; and participation in decision-making. Confidence and trust were reinforced by physiciansâ availability, time and genuine attention and hindered by misdiagnoses and poor communication style. Most participants preferred full disclosure, though some remained deliberately ill-informed to avoid distress. Patients expressed a variety of preferences for and experiences of involvement in medical EoL decision-making and a few complained that information was only provided about the physician's preferred treatment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A variety of experiences and attitudes regarding disclosure and participation in decision-making were reported from each country, suggesting that communication preferences are highly individual. It is important that physicians are sensitive to this diversity and avoid stereotyping. In regard to communication style, physicians are advised to provide clear explanations, avoid jargon, and continually check understanding. Both the âinformedâ and the âsharedâ patient-physician decision-making models assume patients make rational choices based on a clear understanding of treatment options. This idealized situation was often not reflected in patientsâ experiences.</p
Diversity in collaborative research communities: a multicultural, multidisciplinary thesis writing group in public health
Writing groups for doctoral students are generally agreed to provide valuable learning spaces for Ph.D. candidates. Here an academic developer and the eight members of a writing group formed in a Discipline of Public Health provide an account of their experiences of collaborating in a multicultural, multidisciplinary thesis writing group. We consider the benefits of belonging to such a group for Ph.D. students who are operating in a research climate in which disciplinary boundaries are blurring and where an increasing number of doctoral projects are interdisciplinary in nature; in which both academic staff and students come from enormously diverse cultural and language backgrounds; and in which teamwork, networking and collaboration are prized but not always proactively facilitated. We argue that doctoral writing groups comprising students from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds can be of significant value for postgraduates who wish to collaborate on their own academic development to improve their research writing and communication skills; at the same time, such collaborative work effectively builds an inclusive, dynamic research community.Cally Guerin, Vicki Xafis, Diana V. Doda, Marianne H. Gillam, Allison J. Larg, Helene Luckner, Nasreen Jahan, Aris Widayati and Chuangzhou X
Low doses of caffeine reduce heart rate during submaximal cycle ergometry
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to examine the cardiovascular effects of two low-levels of caffeine ingestion in non habitual caffeine users at various submaximal and maximal exercise intensities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine male subjects (19â25 yr; 83.3 ± 3.1 kg; 184 ± 2 cm), underwent three testing sessions administered in a randomized and double-blind fashion. During each session, subjects were provided 4 oz of water and a gelatin capsule containing a placebo, 1.5 mg/kg caffeine, or 3.0 mg/kg caffeine. After thirty minutes of rest, a warm-up (30 Watts for 2 min) the pedal rate of 60 rpm was maintained at a steady-state output of 60 watts for five minutes; increased to 120 watts for five minutes and to 180 watts for five minutes. After a 2 min rest the workload was 180 watts for one minute and increased by 30 watts every minute until exhaustion. Heart rate (HR) was measured during the last 15-seconds of each minute of submaximal exercise. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured at rest and during each of the three sub-maximal steady state power outputs. Minute ventilation (V<sub>E</sub>), Tidal volume (V<sub>T</sub>), Breathing frequency (Bf), Rating of perceived exertion (RPE), Respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and Oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2</sub>) were measured at rest and during each minute of exercise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Caffeine at 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg body weight significantly lowered (p < 0.05) HR during all three submaximal exercise intensities compared to placebo (range â 4 to 7 bpm lower) but not at rest or maximal exercise. BP was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at rest and after the 3 mg/kg caffeine vs placebo (116 ± 13 vs 123 ± 10 mm Hg). Neither dose of caffeine had any effect on BP during submaximal exercise. Caffeine had no effect on V<sub>E</sub>, V<sub>T</sub>, VO<sub>2</sub>, RPE, maximal power output or time to exhaustion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In non habitual caffeine users it appears that consuming a caffeine pill (1.5 & 3.0 mg/kg) at a dose comparable to 1â3 cups of coffee lowers heart rate during submaximal exercise but not at near maximal and maximal exercise. In addition, this caffeine dose also only appears to affect systolic blood pressure at rest but not during cycling exercise.</p
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