Violent Video Game Playing, Aggression and Wellbeing in Emerging Adulthood

Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between level of violence in video games played problem game playing and engagement in gaming aggression empathy and wellbeing Method This study used an online survey with questionnaire data collection in a sample of 304 emerging adults aged between 18 and 24 years of age 124 males and 180 females Findings The model proposed was supported by the data and suggests that the relationship between violence in games and aggression and empathy is mediated by engagement and addictive tendencies and the impact on wellbeing is largely through aggression and empathy Conclusions We conclude that future research should take cognisance of these mediational factors and consider the developmental stage of participants in order to get a clearer picture of effect

Development of a Novel Humidity Sensor Based on a Polymer Silver Nanoparticle Composite

Humidity sensing is of particular concern for many industrial applications. Humidity sensors have typically been based on a reversible interaction between a polymer and water vapour. There is work published on gas sensors based on polymer gold nanoparticle composites, where the conductivity of the composite decreases on interaction with the gas. This happens because the swelling of the polymer which increases the electron hopping distance between the gold nanoparticles. The device in this work is a poly vinyl alcohol silver nanoparticle composite cast on an interdigital electrode array. On application of a dc bias, a current develops which is proportional to levels of humidity from 10% to 60%. The response is reversible and fast at room temperature. Details are provided of the synthesis, characterisation and use of the composite for humidity sensing. In addition the device forms the basis of a sensor for an array of gases

A Practical Photoelectrochemical Cell Using Nonprecious Metal Electrodes

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) can be used to harvest light from the oxidation of dissolved organic matter. Similar to fuel cells but requiring light to operate, PECs contain a light assisted electrode that oxidises electron rich materials (anode); these electrons then flow to a typically Pt cathode where O2 is normally the electron acceptor. In this work a PEC cell containing inexpensive materials was shown to (a) mineralise typical organic compounds present in waste water and (b) produce electricity from their decomposition. The PEC cell consisted of a TiO2 coated conducting ink anode exposed to a light source, and an air electrode as cathode. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and formic acid were degraded using the PEC cell. It operates most efficiently with a 150 W Xe source but also degrades ascorbic acid using a tungsten light source and catechol using daylight. All compounds were shown to degrade by zero order kinetics, and the PEC cell was shown not to work appreciably in dark conditions. IPA photoelectrodegraded at a rate of 706 mol L-1 s-1, almost 200 times faster than ascorbic acid. Unconnected (photochemical) and blank cells where shown to degrade organic compounds to a much lesser extent than connected ones, showing that photoelectrodegradation was a more thorough mechanism for organic mineralisation than simple photodegradation or photochemical degradation. Using a standard household bulb as light source, a formic acid PEC cell produced 19.1 ± 2 mW m-2 , and when the same cell was placed on a laboratory window sill a power of 31.5 ± 2 mW m-2 was recorded. As the PEC cell prototype presented here utilises inexpensive materials, there is a possibility of scale up for outdoor and commercial use

Short Communication: a Simple Nanoparticle - based TiO2 Memristor Device and the Role of Defect Chemistry In Its Operation

A simple metal-semiconductor-metal device comprising TiO2 cast from a suspension of Degussa P25 and placed between two metal plates (Al/Al lap shears) demonstrated memristive-like resistive switching behaviour. A mechanism is proposed which relies upon the formation of p and n-type regions within the P25 semiconductor material ultimately leading to the formation of a p-n junction. This device also exhibited enhanced steady state currents upon the imposition of potential steps, most notably at higher potential magnitudes (both anodic and cathodic), indicating lack of ionic conduction