Gas-Phase Photodegradation of Decane and Methanol on TiO_2: Dynamic Surface Chemistry Characterized by Diffuse Reflectance FTIR

Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to study illuminated TiO2 surfaces under both vacuum conditions, and in the presence of organic molecules (decane and methanol). In the presence of hole scavengers, electrons are trapped at Ti(III)–OH sites, and free electrons are generated. These free electrons are seen to decay by exposure either to oxygen or to heat; in the case of heating, reinjection of holes into the lattice by loss of sorbed hole scavenger leads to a decrease in Ti(III)–OH centers. Decane adsorption experiments lend support to the theory that removal of surficial hydrocarbon contaminants is responsible for superhydrophilic TiO2 surfaces. Oxidation of decane led to a mixture of surface-bound organics, while oxidation of methanol leads to the formation of surface-bound formic acid

Low-Degree Spanning Trees of Small Weight

The degree-d spanning tree problem asks for a minimum-weight spanning tree in which the degree of each vertex is at most d. When d=2 the problem is TSP, and in this case, the well-known Christofides algorithm provides a 1.5-approximation algorithm (assuming the edge weights satisfy the triangle inequality). In 1984, Christos Papadimitriou and Umesh Vazirani posed the challenge of finding an algorithm with performance guarantee less than 2 for Euclidean graphs (points in R^n) and d > 2. This paper gives the first answer to that challenge, presenting an algorithm to compute a degree-3 spanning tree of cost at most 5/3 times the MST. For points in the plane, the ratio improves to 3/2 and the algorithm can also find a degree-4 spanning tree of cost at most 5/4 times the MST.Comment: conference version in Symposium on Theory of Computing (1994

Towards a Principled Representation of Discourse Plans

We argue that discourse plans must capture the intended causal and decompositional relations between communicative actions. We present a planning algorithm, DPOCL, that builds plan structures that properly capture these relations, and show how these structures are used to solve the problems that plagued previous discourse planners, and allow a system to participate effectively and flexibly in an ongoing dialogue.Comment: requires cogsci94.sty, psfig.st

CB-POCL: A Choice-Based Algorithm for Character Personality in Planning-based Narrative Generation

The quality and believability of a story can be significantly enhanced by the presence of compelling characters. Characters can be made more compelling by the portrayal of a distinguishable personality. This paper presents an algorithm that formalizes an approach previously described for the incorporation of character personality in narrative that is automatically generated. The approach is based on a computational model that operationalizes personality as behavior that results from the choices made by characters in the course of a story. This operationalization is based on the Big Five personality structure and results from behavioral psychology studies that link behavior to personality traits

A creep cavity growth model for creep-fatigue life prediction of a unidirectional W/Cu composite

A microstructural model was developed to predict creep-fatigue life in a (0)(sub 4), 9 volume percent tungsten fiber-reinforced copper matrix composite at the temperature of 833 K. The mechanism of failure of the composite is assumed to be governed by the growth of quasi-equilibrium cavities in the copper matrix of the composite, based on the microscopically observed failure mechanisms. The methodology uses a cavity growth model developed for prediction of creep fracture. Instantaneous values of strain rate and stress in the copper matrix during fatigue cycles were calculated and incorporated in the model to predict cyclic life. The stress in the copper matrix was determined by use of a simple two-bar model for the fiber and matrix during cyclic loading. The model successfully predicted the composite creep-fatigue life under tension-tension cyclic loading through the use of this instantaneous matrix stress level. Inclusion of additional mechanisms such as cavity nucleation, grain boundary sliding, and the effect of fibers on matrix-stress level would result in more generalized predictions of creep-fatigue life

High fidelity sorting of remarkably similar components via metal-mediated assembly.

Subtle differences in ligand coordination angle and rigidity lead to high fidelity sorting between individual components displaying identical coordination motifs upon metal-mediated self-assembly. Narcissistic self-sorting can be achieved between highly similar ligands that vary minimally in rigidity and internal coordination angle upon combination with Fe(ii) ions and 2-formylpyridine. Selective, sequential cage formation can be precisely controlled in a single flask from a mix of three different core ligands (and 33 total components) differing only in the hybridization of one group that is uninvolved in the metal coordination process

Laboratory simulations of fluid/gas induced micro-earthquakes:application to volcano seismology

Understanding different seismic signals recorded in active volcanic regions allows geoscientists to derive insight into the processes that generate them. A key type is known as Low Frequency or Long Period (LP) event, generally understood to be generated by different fluid types resonating in cracks and faults. The physical mechanisms of these signals have been linked to either resonance/turbulence within fluids, or as a result of fluids ‘sloshing’ due to a mixture of gas and fluid being present in the system. Less well understood, however, is the effect of the fluid type (phase) on the measured signal. To explore this, we designed an experiment in which we generated a precisely controlled liquid to gas transition in a closed system by inducing rapid decompression of fluid-filled fault zones in a sample of basalt from Mt. Etna Volcano, Italy. We find that fluid phase transition is accompanied by a marked frequency shift in the accompanying microseismic dataset that can be compared to volcano seismic data. Moreover, our induced seismic activity occurs at pressure conditions equivalent to hydrostatic depths of 200 to 750 meters. This is consistent with recently measured dominant frequencies of LP events and with numerous models

Mixed-Metal Semiconductor Anodes for Electrochemical Water Splitting and Reactive Chlorine Species Generation: Implications for Electrochemical Wastewater Treatment

A procedure for the preparation of semiconductor anodes using mixed-metal oxides bound together and protected with a TiO_2 nanoglue has been developed and tested in terms of the relative efficiencies of the oxygen evolution (OER), the reactive chlorine species evolution (RCS), and the hydrogen evolution (HER) reactions. The composition of the first anode is a Ti metal substrate coated with IrTaO_x and overcoated with TiO_2 (P_(25)) that was mixed with TiO_2 nanogel, while the second anode consists of a Ti metal substrate coated with IrTaO_x and an over-coating layer of La-doped sodium tantalate, NaTaO_3:La. The experimental efficiencies for water splitting ranged from 62.4% to 67.5% for H_2 evolution and 40.6% to 60.0% for O_2 evolution. The corresponding over-potentials for the Ti/IrTa-TiO_2 and Ti/IrTa-NaTaO_3:La anodes coupled with stainless steel cathodes of the same dimensions were determined to be 437 mV and 367 mV for the OER, respectively, and 239 mV and 205 mV for RCS, respectively. The preparation procedure described herein should allow for easier production of large-surface area anodes at lower costs than standard methods