Coherent Relationship Research Articles

A Study on the Perception of the Pharmacy Profession in Higher Secondary Students of Taiping, Malaysia

The pharmacy profession is undoubtedly one of the healthcare professions with high responsibilities, particularly in ensuring the effective, safe, and reasonable use of medicines. The evolution of the pharmacist’s role in the healthcare system has been significant over the past few years as pharmacists play a critical role in connecting healthcare providers and forming coherent relationships between patients as well as the healthcare team. To date, no studies have been done involving higher secondary school students and their awareness or perception of the pharmacy profession and its relevance in the healthcare system, especially in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the difference between higher secondary school students’ perception of the pharmacy profession, which involves higher secondary school students from several secondary schools located in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia. Quantitative research was performed using a questionnaire survey to study perceptions towards the pharmacy profession in higher secondary school students. One-way ANOVA was performed to study the difference between higher secondary school students’ perception of the pharmacy profession according to their current forms. The result of the analysis shows that there is no statistical difference between the perception of the pharmacy profession of each form, and this also shows that the higher secondary school students have similar levels of knowledge on the pharmacy profession. Further research may be required as this study was focused on one state, Perak; therefore, the data or results do not represent the perception of all higher secondary school students in Malaysia.

Identifying multichannel coherent couplings and causal relationships in gravitational wave detectors

The gravitational-wave detector is a complex and sensitive collection of advanced instruments that are impacted not only by mechanical/electronics systems but also by the surrounding environment. Hence, it is of great importance to classify and mitigate noises to detect gravitational-wave signals by using information from many auxiliary channels related to such devices and surroundings. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces false alarms from coincident loud events. For this reason, it is essential for identifying coherent relationships between complex channels. This study presents a way of identifying (non-) linear couplings between associated channels by using the method of correlation coefficients. And we show that the method can be applied to practical problems in the gravitational-wave detector, such as noises by lightning strokes, air compressors vibrations, and noises caused by wind effects.

Identification of a coherent twin relationship in functional perovskites from high-resolution reciprocal-space maps

Identification of a coherent twin relationship in functional perovskites from high-resolution reciprocal-space maps

Morphometric Measurement of Pterygium with Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography and Relationship with Astigmatism

Purpose: We used anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to measure the pterygial subepithelial invasion length and thickness before and after surgery, and to evaluate the corneal epithelium and the extent of astigmatism.Methods: This was a retrospective study. Ten eyes that underwent pterygial excision surgery were analyzed. We used corneal topographic data to assess astigmatism before surgery and employed AS-OCT to measure corneal epithelial thickness and the length of subepithelial invasion. We measured the relative pterygial length, width, and area on anterior segment photographs. Corneal topographic assessment and AS-OCT were repeated 1 month after surgery. Multiple regression and Pearson correlation analyses were used to analyze the relationships between normalization of astigmatism and the size and thickness of the excised pterygium.Results: The mean With-the-Rule proportion of preoperative astigmatism was 2.9 ± 2.3 D and the mean corneal epithelial thickness 269.60 ± 84.17 µm. The mean thickness of the excised pterygia was 210.73 ± 80.36 µm. Pterygial thickness was significantly associated with the extent of preoperative With-the-Rule astigmatism and the normalized With-the-Rule astigmatism after pterygial excision. These correlations were stronger than those of the relative pterygial length, width, and area. The mean subepithelial invasion length was 595.00 ± 310.32 µm.Conclusions: An increase in pterygial epithelial thickness influenced the extent of With-the-Rule astigmatism to a much greater extent than did the relative pterygial length, width, and area. AS-OCT measurement of the subepithelial invasion length identifies the required excisional area prior to surgery.

융합적 사고의 재개념화

Objectives This study reconceptualizes Convergent Thinking based on insight to further concretize Convergent Thinking, which remains in abstract meaning in the 2015 revised curriculum.
 Methods After confirming that the psychological perception of insight appeared in opposing forms through literature study, through a critical review, it was pointed out that the existing cognitive aspects are closely related to each other and that each issue is only a peripheral element of insight. Accordingly, theoretical implications that can be applied to the detailed process of Convergent Thinking were secured by reinterpreting the cognitive process of insight generation focusing on more core elements. Afterwards, based on the secured implication, the detailed process and meaning of Convergent Thinking were specified and applied to actual classes to analyze the step-by-step execution process of Convergent Thinking.
 Results First, reinterpreted insight is a reflective selective perceptual ability that includes selective attention and its conversion and restructuring as key functions, and provides a rationale for the detailed process of Convergent Thinking that seeks to produce meaningful results through knowledge convergence. Second, based on the reinterpreted insight, Convergent Thinking is ‘Facing the problem - 1st frame of recognition - 1st problem recognition and solution derivation - 2nd frame of recognition (selective attention shift) - 2nd frame of recognition (restructuring)) - Secondary problem recognition and solution derivation’ was embodied in six repetitive and repetitive steps. Third, this detailed process of Convergent Thinking led to more appropriate problem recognition and solution through coherent processing of knowledge and perception in actual class.
 Conclusions Convergent thinking is a consideration of the formation of a coherent relationship between knowledge and perception, and is a reflective selective perception ability that constructs an appropriate cognitive framework and seeks to understand and solve the best problem by exploring appropriate knowledge among various knowledge existing in the learner's inner and environment. This Convergent Thinking includes selective attention and its conversion and restructuring functions as major processes.

The Emissions Fractions Approach to Assessing the Long-Range Transport Potential of Organic Chemicals.

The assessment of long-range transport potential (LRTP) is enshrined in several frameworks for chemical regulation such as the Stockholm Convention. Screening for LRTP is commonly done with the OECD Pov and LRTP Screening Tool employing two metrics, characteristic travel distance (CTD) and transfer efficiency (TE). Here we introduce a set of three alternative metrics and implement them in the Tool’s model. Each metric is expressed as a fraction of the emissions in a source region. The three metrics quantify the extent to which the chemical (i) reaches a remote region (dispersion, ϕ1), (ii) is transferred to surface media in the remote region (transfer, ϕ2), and (iii) accumulates in these surface media (accumulation, ϕ3). In contrast to CTD and TE, the emissions fractions metrics can integrate transport via water and air, enabling comprehensive LRTP assessment. Furthermore, since there is a coherent relationship between the three metrics, the new approach provides quantitative mechanistic insight into different phenomena determining LRTP. Finally, the accumulation metric, ϕ3, allows assessment of LRTP in the context of the Stockholm Convention, where the ability of a chemical to elicit adverse effects in surface media is decisive. We conclude that the emission fractions approach has the potential to reduce the risk of false positives/negatives in LRTP assessments.

Satellite‐Observed Vegetation Responses to Intraseasonal Precipitation Variability

AbstractThere is limited understanding of how vegetation responds to intraseasonal modes of rainfall variability despite their importance in many tropical regions. We use observations of precipitation and X‐band Vegetation Optical Depth (VOD) from 2000 to 2018 to assess the relationships between rainfall and vegetation water content on 25–60‐day timescales. Cross‐spectral analysis identifies coherent intraseasonal relationships between precipitation and VOD, mostly in arid or semi‐arid regions where vegetation is water‐limited. Changes in VOD tend to lag anomalous rainfall, usually within 7 days. The fastest vegetation response is observed in sparsely vegetated areas (median 3 days). Following strong intraseasonal wet events, anomalously high VOD can persist for 2 months after the rainfall peak. This vegetation response can feed back onto the atmosphere, so improved representation of vegetation responses in models has the potential to improve subseasonal‐to‐seasonal forecasts.

Fracture behaviors of Ti(C, N)-based cermets with different contents of metal binder

Ti(C0.7,N0.3)-Mo2C–Ni cermets are fabricated by powder metallurgy methods. We systematically investigate the microstructure, fracture morphology, crack propagation mechanism, and interface characteristics of Ti(C, N)-based cermets with different Ni binder contents.The increased dissolution of carbides and carbonitrides leads to a large amount of (Mo,Ti)(C,N) solid solution precipitates, which then spontaneously nucleate, resulting in a significant increase in the content of white core-gray rim grains in the cermets with a high binder content. The increased Ni binder largely improves the flexural strength and fracture toughness of the Ti(C,N)-based cermets because of the ductile dispersion toughening. The rim-core interfaces have a superior atomic coherent relationship in all Ti(C,N)-based cermets owing to the small lattice mismatch. The lattice mismatch of the interface between the rim phase and metal binder is remarkably decreased with the increase in the binder content to construct an atomic coherent relationship. Thus, the increased Ni binder promotes atomic ordering at the interface between the ceramic grains and binder and strengthens the grain boundary. The characteristic (111) peak of nickel shifts to a larger angle due to the reduction in the Ni-based solid solution lattice distortion. Therefore, the effect of solid solution strengthening is diminished with the increase in binder content, which results in a decreased binder strength. In the Ti(C,N)-based cermets with low metal binder contents, the fracture of the grain boundary between the ceramic grains and binder is the predominant failure mechanism. The intergranular crack accompanied by crack branching is the main characteristic of crack propagation. A hybrid fracture mode of intergranular and transgranular cracks is observed in the Ti(C,N)-based cermets with a moderate binder content. As the binder content further increases, the plastic yield deformation and subsequent tearing of the metal binder are the main fracture characteristics because of grain boundary strengthening and decreased strength of the binder.

Development of the γ′ phase strengthened high-temperature high-entropy alloys with excellent mechanical properties

In this work, a series of novel γ' phase strengthened Ti6Al6-based HEAs with six kinds of alloying elements (including Nb, Hf, Ta, W, Mo, and V) were carefully examined combined with TEM, SEM, XRD, and DSC technologies. The impurities Fe2X (X = Nb, Hf, and Ta) Laves were detected in the Nb-, Hf- and Ta-doping alloys while the other three present a perfect (γ + γ') dual-phase microstructures. And the W-, Mo- and V-doping HEAs possess a much better strength-plasticity combination than the Ti6Al6 alloy at room- and high-temperature. The 1.5 W HEA has a tensile strength of ∼ 1300 MPa and good plasticity (>30 %) at room temperature. In the meantime, it also performs much good at 800 °C (∼11 % elongation and the tensile strength of ∼ 750 MPa). The addition of W, Mo, and V elements causes the main peak of the HEAs to shift to the left to varying degrees, among which the biggest shift is 1.5 V HEA, followed by 1.5Mo HEA, the smaller is the 1.5 W HEA. At the same time, the γ' precipitates phase of the alloy has a highly coherent relationship with the FCC matrix phase, which ensures that the strength of the alloy is increased without sacrificing its plasticity.

Excellent strength-ductility in Ti-alloyed Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 high-entropy alloy

The effect of titanium-alloying on microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 high-entropy alloy (HEA) was studied. The microstructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties were examined by tensile and hardness tests. After the homogenization treatment at 1000 °C for 12 h, a great amount of thick/thin η flakes are observed to form at the grain boundaries, regularly intersect-arraying with specific directions that form η-locks. It is found that both the thick and thin η-Ni3Ti flakes are well coherent with face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix. Ti-alloying makes the homogenized Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 HEA possess high yield strength (331 MPa) and excellent ductility (47.2% in elongation), exhibiting a better strength-ductility. The remarkable rise in yield strength is from fine grain strengthening, dislocation hardening and second phase strengthening that are induced by Ti alloying. The refinement of grains induced by Ti alloying, the formation of a number of clear dislocation cells in FCC matrix and many stacking faults in FCC matrix and inside η flakes during the tensile deformation, and especially the coordinated deformation between η flakes and matrix, are thought to be responsible for the excellent ductility. The excellent strength-ductility in homogenized (Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10)95.3Ti4.7 HEA is, more importantly, due to the formation of regular intersect-arraying of η flakes (η-locks) with specific directions. The thick/thin η flakes are all along keeping the coherent relationship with FCC matrix during the total tensile deformation and hence can coordinately deform with the matrix.

Hierarchical Fe6W6C enabling ultra-strong porous tungsten

Porous tungsten is a promising candidate in the nuclear industry. Decreasing the relative density of tungsten could optimize its performance and workability but also strongly weaken its mechanical properties. In this work, Fe6W6C is employed by an in situ reaction and forms a hierarchical microstructure that includes both amorphous and crystalline states. The crystal Fe6W6C distributed around W grains maintains a coherent relationship with W, while the amorphous state Fe6W6C fills the gap and sintering neck at a low-temperature heat treatment, resulting in a dense ligament structure. The hierarchical Fe6W6C achieves the enhancement of the interfacial strength and the crack suppression at the same time, including changing the crack initiation mode as well as the propagation path. As a result, the porous tungsten exhibits a remarkable enhancement and presents stretch-dominated behaviour with a high structural efficiency. The in situ Fe6W6C strengthened ligament attains a maximum strength of 780 MPa, demonstrating the considerable structural advantages in ligaments.

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al–9Si–0.4Mg–0.1Cu Alloy

Herein, effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a newly developed Al–9Si–0.4Mg–0.1Cu alloy treated by Al–6Sr–7La is investigated, and optimal T6 heat treatment process parameters are determined through optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, and quantitative statistics. The results show that the distribution of α‐Al is more uniform after T6 heat treatment (solution treated at 540 °C for 5 h and aged at 170 °C for 6 h) with eutectic silicon possessing fine grain and high roundness. Meanwhile, Al–6Sr–7La increases peak aging hardness and reduces peak aging time. During the under‐aging process, a large amount of Guinier Preston zone and a small amount of Mg5Si6 phase precipitate, which have strengthening effect on the alloy. At peak aging state, the coherent precipitated Mg5Si6 phase in α‐Al leads to the highest microhardness. Continuing to prolong aging time, the coherent relationship between metastable phase Mg5Si6 and the matrix is weakened, resulting in the decrease in microhardness. In addition, after T6 heat treatment, both tensile strength and elongation of the alloy are significantly improved and the reasons are discussed.

Effect of carbon alloying on microstructure and mechanical behaviors of Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 multi-component alloy

The effect of carbon-alloying on the microstructure and mechanical behaviors of Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 multi-component alloy (MCA) was studied by microstructure characterization and tensile test. In as-cast (Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10)98.5C1.5 MCA, M23C6-type carbide (M = Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn; more Cr contained) formed at the grain boundaries has a coherent relationship with the FCC matrix. After a homogenization treatment at 1000 °C for 12 h, the carbide phase formed during the solidification course becomes coarsened and rounded by partially re-dissolving, and, at the same time, a great number of blocky M23C6-type particles (about 50–200 nm) are coherently precipitated in a large area around the grain boundaries. In as-homogenized state, carbon-alloying induced fine-grain strengthening, solution strengthening and coherent precipitation hardening of nano carbide particles greatly increase the yield strength from 198 MPa to 480 MPa. The carbon-alloying induced grain refinement and coherent precipitation of nano carbide particles and the formation of dislocation cells and deformation twins during the tensile deformation are thought to be responsible for the high plasticity of (Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10)98.5C1.5 MCA (28.3% in elongation). Microstructure evolution at different strain stages and the working hardening rate curves demonstrate that addition of carbon in Fe35Ni35Cr20Mn10 MCA system increases the critical stress for the formation of deformation twinning and thus increases the stacking fault energy.

A strategy for bonding immiscible Mg/steel by laser-TIG butt fusion welding and lattice distortion on the Fe/Mg interface matching

Since Mg/steel fusion welding methods fail in Fe melting point higher than the Mg boiling point, it is difficult to bond immiscible Mg/steel based on butt fusion welding. Here we use four different types of Mg/steel laser-TIG butt fusion welding methods to identify the forming mechanism. One of the key points to control the forming of Mg/steel butt fusion welding is to compensate the burning loss of Mg alloy, and the other is to promote the interfacial reaction. The interface mismatch degree for the higher strength joint has analyzed, and the molecular dynamics simulation results are consistent with the fracture analysis results. The Fe/AlNi interface exhibits a fully coherent relationship. The mismatch degree of the AlNi/Mg interface before the lattice distortion of AlNi and Mg shows the following relationship: (0 1 1¯)AlNi//(2¯ 1 1 0)Mg＜(2 1 1)AlNi//(0 0 0 2)Mg＜(1 1 0)AlNi//(0 0 0 2)Mg＜(2 0 0)AlNi// (0 0 0 2)Mg＜(1 1 0)AlNi//(0 1 1¯1¯)Mg. A most likely orientation relationship for AlNi/Mg is (0 1 1¯)AlNi//(2¯ 1 1 0)Mg and [1 0 0]AlNi//[0 1 1¯ 0]Mg before lattice distortion. The mismatch degree AlNi/Mg interface decreases after lattice distortion. Lattice distortion occurred on the Mg alloy side by HRTEM, and the (1 0 1¯ 2)Mg and (0 1 1)AlNi planes are fully coherent. The Mg/AlNi interface has the following orientation relations: [1 0 1 0]Mg//[1 1 1¯]AlNi, (1 0 1¯ 2)Mg//(0 1 1)AlNi.

Nucleation and growth of nanoscale precipitates and the effect on properties during secondary isothermal aging in thin-band of Cu–0.8Cr–0.1Zr alloy

The precipitation behavior during secondary isothermal aging of Cu–0.8Cr–0.1Zr alloy, especially the nucleation and growth of nanoscale body-centered cubic (bcc) Cr and orthogonal Cu4Zr precipitates, were clarified through high-resolution crystal structure and atomic-scale composition analysis. Results demonstrated that the crystal-nucleus of face-centered cubic (fcc) Cr and fcc Zr would be preferentially precipitated in a coherent orientation relationship (OR) with fcc Cu-based matrix. As they grew up, fcc Cr gradually developed into stable bcc structure, and the OR with matrix changed from N-W to incoherent. While fcc Zr would change lattice constant by atomic diffusion and segregation to evolve into stable Cu4Zr with orthogonal structure, during which they were precipitated on the Cu–Cr–Zr solid solution through a process of discharging surrounding Cr atoms. Abundant dispersed nanoscale precipitates that induced by the secondary aging contributed to produce well-matched comprehensive properties (σb=669 MPa, I = 84.3 %IACS).

Tidal variations associated with sea level changes in the Northern Bay of Bengal

Changing tides due to non-astronomical factors have been reported globally, with particular emphasis on estuaries and tidal rivers. Changes in tidal amplitude and range, coupled with altered mean sea level (MSL) has the potential to raise high water levels and aggravate the impacts of coastal flooding events. The current study used water level observations to analyze tidal changes over three decades and report its relationship to sea level variations along estuarine zones in the northern Bay of Bengal. The study highlights on the seasonal, inter-annual and long-term variations in tides, with special emphasis on the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta. The long-term trend analysis of M2 amplitude showed unusual shifts in magnitude and change in pattern after 1993, associated with similar changes in the MSL. This accelerated M2 amplitude (0.27 mm/y2) implied an association to accelerated RWL (Relative Water Level) changes in the Ganges floodplain, due to delta subsidence. These tidal changes were found to be inconsistent with astronomical forcing and the analysis of coherence between M2 and MSL showed 50–70% correlation, which was primarily due to a covarying seasonal signal. The coherence between sea level and tides varied regionally and is influenced by different processes at different timescales. The positive annual coherence between M2 and MSL directly stems from river forcing. The co-occurrence of strong El Niño and strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole events caused perturbations in both the water level and M2, but in a negatively coherent relationship. The study establishes a delayed response of M2 to inter-annual climate variability indices. The differential behavior of tidal constituents along the Chittagong coastal plain and the opposite nature of coherence between M2 and MSL there, relative to that at the GBM delta, imply the prevalence of spatially non-uniform response of tides to sea level fluctuations. The study emphasizes on the need to understand changing tides, for prediction of extreme sea levels and coastal flooding.

Network cooperation and economic performance of SMEs: Direct and mediating impacts of innovation and internationalisation

Small firms’ performance has been recognised as an important topic for researchers dealing with the topics of internationalisation and innovation. Literature has examined the individual influence of network cooperation, innovation and internationalisation on firm performance. However, there is an absence of research to explore the coherent relationship between network linkages, innovation performance, internationalisation performance and its cumulative influence on economic performance. That is, this research examines the mediating roles of innovation and internationalisation between network cooperation and firm performance. Based on the sample of 117 exporting Indian SMEs and using structural equation modelling, the results note that indirect effects produced by customers and Research and Development (R&D) organisations via innovation performance explain a higher proportion of their total effect on the economic performance of SMEs. Conversely, the relationship between three network stakeholders, viz. customers, government agencies and R&D organisations, and economic performance are mediated by the internationalisation performance of SMEs.

Identification of a coherent twin relationship from high-resolution reciprocal-space maps.

Twinning is a common crystallographic phenomenon which is related to the formation and coexistence of several orientation variants of the same crystal structure. It may occur during symmetry-lowering phase transitions or during the crystal growth itself. Once formed, twin domains play an important role in defining physical properties: for example, they underpin the giant piezoelectric effect in ferroelectrics, superelasticity in ferroelastics and the shape-memory effect in martensitic alloys. Regrettably, there is still a lack of experimental methods for the characterization of twin domain patterns. Here, a theoretical framework and algorithm are presented for the recognition of ferroelastic domains, as well as the identification of the coherent twin relationship using high-resolution reciprocal-space mapping of X-ray diffraction intensity around split Bragg peaks. Specifically, the geometrical theory of twinned ferroelastic crystals [Fousek & Janovec (1969). J. Appl. Phys. 40, 135-142] is adapted for the analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The necessary equations are derived and an algorithm is outlined for the calculation of the separation between the Bragg peaks, diffracted from possible coherent twin domains, connected to one another via a mismatch-free interface. It is demonstrated that such separation is always perpendicular to the planar interface between mechanically matched domains. For illustration purposes, the analysis is presented of the separation between the peaks diffracted from tetragonal and rhombohedral domains in the high-resolution reciprocal-space maps of BaTiO3 and PbZr1-xTixO3 crystals. The demonstrated method can be used to analyse the response of multi-domain patterns to external perturbations such as electric field, change of temperature or pressure.

Influence of Zn on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Zr alloy

Here, the microstructure and mechanical properties are investigated for the designed Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-xZn (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt%) alloys with special emphasis on the effect of Zn. The results show that the designed Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-xZn alloys exhibit the exceptional ductility. Among them, the Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-1.0Zn and Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-1.5Zn alloys show the elongation to fracture as high as 35.2% and 32.5%. Furthermore, a good strength-ductility balance is achieved in the alloys, which is basically ascribed to the grain refinement, texture softening and the precipitation of Zn-containing second phases. As Zn content increases from 0 to 1.5 wt%, the grain sizes of the extruded Mg-Gd-Zr-Zn alloys decrease from 6.02 to 3.05 μm, while the maximum texture intensity decreases from 11.13 to 5.24 m.r.d. Moreover, the Zn2Zr3 and Mg3Zn3Gd2 precipitates, which exhibit the completely coherent and semi-coherent orientation relationship with Mg matrix, are induced by the addition of Zn. These coherent and semi-coherent precipitates lead to noticeable strengthening effect and are not easy to become the source of crack, contributing to the high ductility in Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-1.0Zn and Mg-4Gd-0.5Zr-1.5Zn.

Ecological assessment of coherent relationships of the trophic system “plants-rodents-pravator” in the conditions of the aral region

The article involves the long-term joint dynamics in the conditions of the Southern Aral Sea region of the population size of the most typical for this region system “predator-rodents-plants”. It is shown that the specifics of the dynamics of natural processes in a crisis (in this case, the Aral crisis) require the development of special simulation models taking into account the control parameters and order parameters of the destabilized ecosystem. The classical models of the Lotka-Volter “predator-prey” type, built for a normally, steadily functioning ecosystem, turn out to be inadequate for crisis conditions.