Absence Of External Pressure Research Articles

Janus stainless steel mesh-based membrane with asymmetric wettability for highly efficient gravity-driven oil-water emulsion separation

With the asymmetric wettability of the membrane due to its unique transmission features and functions, the application of oil-water separation achieved rapid development. Nevertheless, their practical application is severely restricted due to poor mechanical durability and low flux in the absence of external pressure. Herein, the Janus ZIF-8/stainless steel mesh/polydopamine (DZIF-8/SSM/PDA) membrane was successfully prepared using electrodeposition, in-situ growth, and shell ligand exchange reaction methods. The Janus membrane surface was created through the combination of 5, 6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMBIM) modified superhydrophobic nanoparticles ZIF-8 (DZIF), and PDA, exhibiting underwater superoleophobicity (UWOCA 156°), superhydrophobicity (WCA 154°), and excellent anti-oil (light and heavy oil) pollutants ability. By manipulating the molecular repulsion forces on the Janus membrane surface, a stable interfacial hydration layer is created in conjunction with the micro-nano structure. This combination enables the achievement of interfacial demulsification and gravity-driven separation of emulsified oil, according to the Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation process. The water-in-oil emulsion achieved an oil flux of 601 L m−2 h−1 with a separation efficiency of 99.1 %, while the oil-in-water emulsion demonstrated a water flux of 62 L m−2 h−1 with a separation efficiency of 99.7 %. The Janus DZIF-8/SSM/PDA demonstrated acid and alkali resistance, mechanical stability and reusability, and resistance to E. coli bacteria. Overall, this research anticipates advancing the production of durable asymmetric Janus membranes with superior separation efficiency under gravity, providing a novel solution for oil-water separation.

External Pressure in Polymer-Based Lithium Metal Batteries: An Often-Neglected Criterion When Evaluating Cycling Performance?

Solid-state batteries based on lithium metal anodes, solid electrolytes, and composite cathodes constitute a promising battery concept for achieving high energy density. Charge carrier transport within the cells is governed by solid-solid contacts, emphasizing the importance of well-designed interfaces. A key parameter for enhancing the interfacial contacts among electrode active materials and electrolytes comprises externally applied pressure onto the cell stack, particularly in the case of ceramic electrolytes. Reports exploring the impact of external pressure on polymer-based cells are, however, scarce due to overall better wetting behavior. In this work, the consequences of externally applied pressure in view of key performance indicators, including cell longevity, rate capability, and limiting current density in single-layer pouch-type NMC622||Li cells, are evaluated employing cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide), xPEO, and cross-linked cyclodextrin grafted poly(caprolactone), xGCD-PCL. Notably, externally applied pressure substantially changes the cell's electrochemical cycling performance, strongly depending on the mechanical properties of the considered polymers. Higher external pressure potentially enhances electrode-electrolyte interfaces, thereby boosting the rate capability of pouch-type cells, despite the fact that the cell longevity may be reduced upon plastic deformation of the polymer electrolytes when passing beyond intrinsic thresholds of compressive stress. For the softer xGCD-PCL membrane, cycling of cells is only feasible in the absence of external pressure, whereas in the case of xPEO, a trade-off between enhanced rate capability and minimal membrane deformation is achieved at cell pressures of ≤0.43 MPa, which is considerably lower and more practical compared to cells employing ceramic electrolytes with ≥5 MPa external pressure.

Interface‐Targeting Carrier‐Catalytic Integrated Design Contributing to Lithium Dihalide‐Rich SEI toward High Interface Stability for Long‐Life Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries

AbstractThe generation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) largely determines the comprehensive performance of all‐solid‐state batteries. Herein, a novel “carrier‐catalytic” integrated design is strategically exploited to in situ construct a stable LiF‐LiBr rich SEI by improving the electron transfer kinetics to accelerate the bond‐breaking dynamics. Specifically, the high electron transport capacity of Br‐TPOM skeleton increases the polarity of C−Br, thus promoting the generation of LiBr. Then, the enhancement of electron transfer kinetics further promotes the fracture of C−F from TFSI− to form LiF. Finally, the stable and homogeneous artificial‐SEI with enriched lithium dihalide is constructed through the in situ co‐growth mechanism of LiF and LiBr, which facilitatse the Li‐ion transport kinetics and regulates the lithium deposition behavior. Impressively, the PEO‐Br‐TPOM paired with LiFePO4 delivers ultra‐long cycling stability over 1000 cycles with 81 % capacity retention at 1 C while the pouch cells possess 88 % superior capacity retention after 550 cycles with initial discharge capacity of 145 mAh g−1at 0.2 C in the absence of external pressure. Even under stringent conditions, the practical pouch cells possess the practical capacity with stable electric quantities plateau in 30 cycles demonstrates its application potential in energy storage field.

Freedom as Prevention: Mechanisms of Autonomy Support for Promoting HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use and Condom Use among Black MSM in 3 US Cities-HPTN 073.

Healthcare providers who use controlling or coercive strategies may compel short-term enactment of HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention behaviors but may inadvertently undermine their client's motivation to maintain those behaviors in the absence of external pressure. Autonomous motivation refers to the self-emanating and self-determined drive for engaging in health behaviors. It is associated with long-term maintenance of health behaviors. We used structural equation modeling to investigate whether autonomy support was associated with increased odds of therapeutic serum levels of pre-exposure prophylaxis, through a pathway that satisfies basicpsychological needs for autonomous self-regulation and competence regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis use. We also investigated whether autonomy support was associated with decreased odds of condomless anal intercourse via the same psychological needs-satisfaction pathway of autonomous self-regulation and competenceregarding condom use. We tested these two theorized pathways using secondary data from a longitudinal sample of Black men who have sex with men from across three cities in the US (N = 226). Data from the sample fit the theorized models regarding the pathways by which autonomy support leads to the presence of therapeutic PrEP levels in serum (χ2 = 0.56; RMSEA = 0.04; CFI = .99, TLI = 0.98) and how it also leads to decreased odds of condomless anal intercourse (χ2 = 0.58; RMSEA = 0.03; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98). These findings provide scientific evidence for the utility of self-determination theory as a model to guide intervention approaches to optimize the implementation and impact of PrEP for Black men who have sex with men.

Fostering Deliberation for Sustainable Organising: The Role of Brokers in MSIs

Within multi-stakeholder initiatives (short: MSIs), companies aim to set regulations for themselves that they want to collectively and voluntarily follow to improve social and environmental issues in the absence of globally binding rules. This paper explores how a shift from strategic to communicative action is possible within MSIs to allow for sustainable organising. To understand the role that brokers play in this process, we draw on two complementary MSIs—the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (short: TP) and the Fossil Free Sweden Initiative (short: FFS). An analysis of these cases reveals that a commitment to substantive collaboration in the absence of external pressure is only possible if deliberation is reached between different stakeholder groups. Furthermore, it shows us that this shift from strategic action (commitment due to external pressure) to communicative action (commitment due to deliberation) is tied to individuals within the process. Our study provides in-depth insights into the literature on brokerage processes within MSIs, as well as to the Habermasian stream of literature on MSIs within organisation theory.

A comparative analysis of multiple fractional solutions of generalized Couette flow of couple stress fluid in a channel

AbstractThis study provides the exact solutions of couple stress fluid (CSF) in a channel. The CSF is bounded by two plates in which the lower plate is moving with constant velocity Uo and the upper plate is fixed. The influence of the external pressure gradient is considered on the CSF fluid. To transform the classical CSF model, we have introduced three approaches to fractional derivatives, (a) Caputo (b) Caputo–Fabrizio (CF), and (c) Atangana–Baleanu (AB) fractional definitions. Exact solutions have been obtained using the Laplace and finite Fourier sine transforms jointly. Furthermore, the effect of different fractional derivatives is compared, and the results are shown in graphs. Moreover, parameters that affect the CSF motion are discussed in the graphs using the computational software MATHCAD. The most important outcome of the given study is the comparison of Caputo, CF, and AB fractional models with the classical CSF model. From the comparison, it can be noticed that AB fractional model discusses the dynamics of the CSF with a good memory effect as compared to Caputo and CF fractional operators. The CSF model can be reduced to Newtonian fluid as a limiting case and also investigated solutions in the absence of external pressure. Finally, Skin friction is evaluated for lower and upper plates, and the obtained results presented in tabular form.

Accelerated sintering of high-performance oxide dispersion strengthened alloy at low temperature

Powder metallurgy generally is a preferred method to consolidate and prepare some refractory metals considering their high melting temperatures. However, sintering such materials to high density while maintaining fine grain structure is challenging, and generally require ultrahigh temperature or need to be assisted by external pressure. Especially, the preparation of nanostructured oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) refractory metals at low temperature is more difficult because grain coarsening and densification are simultaneously hindered by the common oxide addition. Thus, it is of great sense to explore a kind of oxide that can be used as both strengthening phase and sintering accelerator. In this work, after extensive theoretical calculation and experimental observation, it is found that the accelerated sintering at low temperature can be achieved in W-HfO2 system. In the absence of external pressure or activator, this system can be rapidly densified without undesirable grain coarsening at a relative low temperature of only 1480 ˚C. Through kinetic analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculation, it was confirmed that the intergranular HfO2 particles provide a rapid diffusion transport pathway for W atoms in support of densification at temperature of interest. As a result, this alloy exhibits a homogeneous microstructure with ∼97% relative density and ∼200 nm grain size, which renders our alloy with an ultrahigh compressive strength of ∼3 GPa, much higher than the reported values. We believe that the accelerated sintering mechanism found in our W-HfO2 system can be applicable to other refractory metals to prepare high-density nanocrystalline alloys with excellent properties.

Sustainability and Firm Performance: A Review and Analysis Using Algorithmic Pathways in the Throughput Model

This paper reviews the prior research on the relationship between sustainability and a firm’s performance and proposes algorithmic pathways in the throughput model that could be used to improve the research findings for such research. Results of our literature search were mixed. Some studies reported a positive relationship between a firm’s sustainability efforts and profitability while others found a negative to no relationship. Studies found reasons for implementing sustainability even though it is a loss-bearing activity; other studies found reasons for not practising sustainability. Reasons for not practising sustainability ranged from absence of external pressure; not viewing the sustainability report as a business obligation; deeming it too expensive for small firms; to a lack of resources. Our evaluation of the prior research also found that the prior studies excluded an important class of assets—non-financial intangible assets—in their evaluation of the relationship between sustainability efforts and profitability. The contribution of this study is that the throughput model along with its six dominant algorithms depicts the significance of triple bottom line concepts of economic, social, and environmental variables influencing performance.

The Properties of Planck Galactic Cold Clumps in the L1495 Dark Cloud

Abstract Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (PGCCs) possibly represent the early stages of star formation. To understand better the properties of PGCCs, we studied 16 PGCCs in the L1495 cloud with molecular lines and continuum data from Herschel, JCMT/SCUBA-2, and the PMO 13.7 m telescope. Thirty dense cores were identified in 16 PGCCs from 2D Gaussian fitting. The dense cores have dust temperatures of T d = 11–14 K, and H2 column densities of N H 2 = (0.36–2.5) × 1022 cm−2. We found that not all PGCCs contain prestellar objects. In general, the dense cores in PGCCs are usually at their earliest evolutionary stages. All the dense cores have non-thermal velocity dispersions larger than the thermal velocity dispersions from molecular line data, suggesting that the dense cores may be turbulence-dominated. We have calculated the virial parameter α and found that 14 of the dense cores have α <2, while 16 of the dense cores have α >2. This suggests that some of the dense cores are not bound in the absence of external pressure and magnetic fields. The column density profiles of dense cores were fitted. The sizes of the flat regions and core radii decrease with the evolution of dense cores. CO depletion was found to occur in all the dense cores, but is more significant in prestellar core candidates than in protostellar or starless cores. The protostellar cores inside the PGCCs are still at a very early evolutionary stage, sharing similar physical and chemical properties with the prestellar core candidates.

Novel concept of washing for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices based on capillary force of paper substrates.

A novel washing technique for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) that is based on the spontaneous capillary action of paper and eliminates unbound antigen and antibody in a sandwich immunoassay is reported. Liquids can flow through a porous medium (such as paper) in the absence of external pressure as a result of capillary action. Uniform results were achieved when washing a paper substrate in a PDMS holder which was integrated with a cartridge absorber acting as a porous medium. Our study demonstrated that applying this washing technique would allow μPADs to become the least expensive microfluidic device platform with high reproducibility and sensitivity. In a model μPAD assay that utilized this novel washing technique, C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5μgmL-1. Graphical Abstract A novel washing technique for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) that is based on the spontaneous capillary action of paper and eliminates unbound antigen and antibody in a sandwich immunoassay is reported.

Does State Ownership Promote or Deter Corporate Fraud Commission? Evidence from China

This study investigates the relationship between state ownership and corporate fraud commission. We find that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are less likely to commit corporate fraud than privately-owned firms in China. We propose two mechanisms that give rise to a lower probability of fraud commission among SOEs. The external pressure mechanism suggests that SOEs are shielded from external competitive pressure. In the absence of external pressure, SOEs may not need to commit corporate fraud to satisfy external expectations. The state deterrence mechanism proposes that the expected costs of fraud are higher for CEOs of SOEs than those of private firms in that the former face a higher likelihood of dismissal upon fraud detection. This study offers new insights into state ownership research by highlighting the potential “bright” side of state ownership.

Multi-chamber electroosmosis using textile reinforced agar membranes – A promising concept for the future of hemodialysis

Renal replacement therapy options are limited to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (70% of US patients) or renal transplantation. Diffusion processes are the main physico-chemical principle behind hemodialysis. An alternative way to achieve liquid flow through membranes bases on the electroosmotic flow which is observed as electrokinetic phenomenon in porous membranes which bear surface charges. Agar consists of the non-ionic agarose and the negatively charged agaropectine thus an electroosmotic flux is observed in analytical electrophoresis. In this study the potential electroosmosis on textile reinforced agar membranes as separation method was investigated. Using a five-chamber electrolysis cell and an agar membrane/cellulose fabric composite an intensive electroosmotic flow of 1–2mlcm2h−1 at 100mA cell current could be observed. The movement of cations in the negatively charged agar structure led to an intensive electroosmotic flux, which also transported uncharged molecules such as urea, glucose through the membrane. Separation of uncharged low molecular weight molecules is determined by the membrane characteristic. The transport of ions (K+, PO43−, creatinine) and uncharged molecules (urea, glucose) in electroosmotic separation experiments was monitored using a pH 5.5 phosphate electrolyte with the aim to assess the overall transport processes in the electrochemical cell. The results demonstrate the potential of the method for filtration of biological fluids in the absence of external pressure or high shear rates.

Effect of Asymmetry on Bilayer Membrane Systems

Many biological processes, such as membrane fusion and the action of microbial proteins, involve asymmetric uptake of proteins. In addition, it has been demonstrated that large mechaosensitive channels open by the asymmetric inclusion of lyso-lipids in the bilayer in the absence of external pressure. These phenomena can be interpreted in terms of the asymmetric local pressure profile in the bilayer, which lacks the quantitative understanding. By noting that such asymmetric pressure profile can be induced in bilayer membranes with asymmetric number of lipids between leaflets, to provide quantitative understanding, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayer membranes for a set of systems with different level of asymmetry with and without gramicidin A (gA) or WALP23. We observed that even highly asymmetric lipid bilayers with and without gA or WALP23 were stable during the whole simulation time, which is consistent with the previous study of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 15194 (2009)]. As the number of lipids in the lower leaflet becomes smaller, the lipids are more tightly packed in the top leaflet and less ordered in the bottom leaflet, which are quantified in terms the lateral pressure profile, the order parameter, the area per lipid, etc. However, the hydrophobic thickness for pure lipid bilayers does not show meaningful dependence on the asymmetry, which results from the stretched and less ordered lipids in the upper and lower leaflets, respectively. We will also discuss the influence of the asymmetry on the properties of protein-lipid interactions, such as the distance dependence of the lipid properties and the interaction patterns around gA or WALP23.

Diamond: Electronic Ground State of Carbon at Temperatures Approaching 0 K

AbstractThe relative stability of graphite and diamond is revisited with hybrid density functional theory calculations. The electronic energy of diamond is computed to be more negative by 1.1 kJ mol−1 than that of graphite at T=0 K and in the absence of external pressure. Graphite gains thermodynamic stability over diamond at 298 K only because of the differences in the zero‐point energy, specific heat, and entropy terms for both polymorphs.

Diamond: Electronic Ground State of Carbon at Temperatures Approaching 0 K

The relative stability of graphite and diamond is revisited with hybrid density functional theory calculations. The electronic energy of diamond is computed to be more negative by 1.1 kJ mol(-1) than that of graphite at T=0 K and in the absence of external pressure. Graphite gains thermodynamic stability over diamond at 298 K only because of the differences in the zero-point energy, specific heat, and entropy terms for both polymorphs.

Universal "freedom" in the light of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church

The classic interpretation of the phenomenon of freedom is the achievement of Western European culture, which recognized freedom as one of its highest values. Among contemporary philosophers, there is an understanding of freedom as a universality of the subjective culture, which reflects the possibilities of activities and actions of a person in the absence of external pressure. In this context, its meaningful characteristics are revealed by various authors contradictory, which leads to sharp discussions and misunderstandings.

The Failure of Cohabitation

Built on concurrent claims of legitimacy, the semi-presidential constitutional framework is prone to conflicts between the office holders. Cohabitation is a particular instance in which the president’s party is not represented in government and he has to share executive power with a prime minister. Instead of producing a flexible dual-authority structure within the executive, cohabitation has always tended to generate institutional crises in Romania, ending with the impeachment of the president (2007 and 2012). This article identifies a combination of four factors leading to this outcome: legislative ambiguity, the composition of the legislature, the absence of external pressures, and the leaders’ personality.

The OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Testing the limits of ownership

This article explores the debate on local ownership in Bosnia and Herzegovina by examining the limits of international community support for reform in a divided political environment in which decision-makers and politicians have little to no interest in reform themselves. After a short review of the key issues and arguments regarding ownership in BiH, the example of education reform is presented to demonstrate the role of the OSCE as an external actor in this reform sector, and the lack of any reform progress in this field in the absence of external pressure. The article closes with reflections on whether or not external organizations can make any systemic-level impact in such a hostile reform environment, and whether the OSCE can still play a constructive role in Bosnia.

'A Conservative Welchman': Simon Yorke III and the Erddig Estate

At one time, 19th century Wales was viewed as a battleground between landlord and tenant. This view, inherited from the struggle at the time between Nonconformist Liberals and Anglican Tories, has become modified as particular estates are studied in more detail. In particular, studies located in areas beyond the most intense conflict can widen our perspective. In this article, the case study of Simon Yorke, a landlord in the north-east of the country, is used to show how landlord and tenants could divide along the fault lines of religion and politics but still live for the most part without open disagreement. Examples of tenancies are used to show how the relationship between the two parties was managed. The location and the economy of this particular estate may have contributed to a relative absence of external pressures, but the comparative harmony of Simon Yorke and his tenants may also in the long run turn out to be as typical as the better-known cases of conflict and mistrust.

Guided self-organization.

Typically, self-organization is defined as the evolution of a system into an organized form in the absence of external pressures. A broad definition of self-organization is given by Haken (2006).