Visible Component Research Articles

Carbon dots as solid-state electron mediator for BiVO4/CDs/CdS Z-scheme photocatalyst working under visible light

Z-scheme photocatalytic system is an efficient way to achieve high efficiency photocatalytic overall water splitting. However, the acquisition of efficient Z-scheme visible-light photocatalysts is still a huge challenge at present due to the inactive visible light-active component and various low-band-gap for semiconductors. Herein, we constructed the BiVO4/CDs/CdS Z-scheme photocatalyst with carbon dots (CDs) as solid-state electron mediator, which exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity and stability for photocatalytic overall water splitting under visible light. The BCC50 (BiVO4/CDs/CdS with the mass ratio of BiVO4/CdS=50%) as photocatalyst shows the best photocatalytic activity with stoichiometric ratio of H2 evolution rate of 1.24μmol/h and O2 evolution rate of about 0.61μmol/h. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Z-scheme photocatalyst can be attributed to high efficiencies for separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers and extended the lifetime of electrons and holes.

The Status of "Nonmotor" Features of the Malady in an Essay on the Shaking Palsy (1817).

This chapter examines the status James Parkinson accorded "nonmotor" features of the malady set out in his 1817 Essay. In reading the Essay through the lens of this recently developed dichotomy I use "nonmotor" to mean the application of a late 20th-century category to a 200 year old account, whereas nonmotor designates application of the concept to contemporary understanding. While Parkinson granted "motor" components of the malady high definitional visibility, the Essay shows he was also attentive to patients' overall well-being and noticed some "nonmotor" aspects of the malady, in particular, constipation, interrupted speech, and difficulties with saliva and swallowing. He appears to have granted these features more than incidental status, especially in assessing variant pictures of the Shaking Palsy.

Léxico de origen hebreo en el judeoespañol contemporáneo

Hebrew-derived Lexicon in Contemporary Judeo-SpanishThe presence of a visible Hebrew component is one of the defining traits of the so-called “Jewish languages”. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to determine the scope of use of Hebrew-derived lexicon in contemporary Judeo-Spanish in its written variant. Our study will be based on the Sephardic press published mainly in Turkey and Israel.

INVESTIGATING THE MASS SEGREGATION PROCESS IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS WITH BLUE STRAGGLER STARS: THE IMPACT OF DARK REMNANTS

ABSTRACT We present the results of a set of N-body simulations aimed at exploring how the process of mass segregation (as traced by the spatial distribution of blue straggler stars, BSSs) is affected by the presence of a population of heavy dark remnants (as neutron stars and black holes (BHs)). To this end, clusters characterized by different initial concentrations and different fractions of dark remnants have been modeled. We find that an increasing fraction of stellar-mass BHs significantly delay the mass segregation of BSSs and the visible stellar component. In order to trace the evolution of BSS segregation, we introduce a new parameter (A +), which can be easily measured when the cumulative radial distribution of these stars and a reference population are available. Our simulations show that A + might also be used as an approximate indicator of the time remaining to the core collapse of the visible component.

Alternative medicine, worker health, and absenteeism in the United States

Health related absenteeism costs an estimated $153 billion annually in the United States (Witters and Agrawal, 2011).1 Chronic conditions (major contributors to absenteeism) are often successfully managed by Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). As CAM becomes an increasingly visible component of healthcare, firms may wish to consider whether CAM therapies can help reduce illness-related absenteeism. This paper aims to extend the literature on healthcare utilization and absenteeism by exploring whether CAM treatment is associated with fewer workdays missed due to illness. MethodsUsing the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and propensity score matching (PSM), this study estimates the relationship between visits to CAM practitioners, health, and illness-related absenteeism. ResultsIn a sample of 8820 workers, the average annual number of workdays lost due to illness is 3.69. Visiting an acupuncturist correlates with lower absenteeism among men (1.182 fewer workdays missed, p<0.05), whereas visiting a naturopathic doctor correlates with 2.359 and 2.521 fewer workdays missed for women and men, respectively (both p<0.001). Active mind-body practices, massage, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments are all significantly associated with improved health. ConclusionsEstimates suggest that some CAM modalities correlate with lower absenteeism, and many correlate with improved health. Two limitations of this study are worth noting. First, a small proportion of the sample uses CAM, limiting the generalizability of results. Second, if health conscious individuals are more likely to use CAM, then health attitudes may be contributing to lower absenteeism among the treated. Further research is needed to identify a causal relationship between CAM treatment, health, and absenteeism.

Resin modified MIL-53 (Fe) MOF for improvement of photocatalytic performance

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are fascinating materials for diverse applications due to their adjustability of aperture and structure. Herein, a three-dimensional iron-based MOF with BDC linker (BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), commonly known as MIL-53(Fe), has been synthesized and successfully composited with anionic resin (Amberlite IRA 200) and cationic resin (Amberlite IRA 900) resulting solid composite photocatalysts, AMIL-53 (Fe) and DMIL-53(Fe), respectively. In the novel composite photocatalysts, bulky MIL-53(Fe) MOF solids are used as both a support to anchor the finely ground Amberlite IRA resin powders and as a visible light active component for the degradation of organic pollutants in water. In addition to being a traditional support, the resins here were used as a co-catalyst (with loading ration of the resin to MIL-53(Fe) is controlled around 20wt%) to capture and transfer pollutant molecule from bulk solution into the active centers of the composited catalysts. Such an immobilization of the resins significantly alters MIL-53 (Fe) activity and degradation selectivity of dye pollutants; after 120min of visible light illumination (λ≥420nm) removal yield of SRB (24%) by the bare MIL-53 (Fe) was apparently improved to 96% after MIL-53 (Fe) was modified by Amberlite IRA 900, DMIL-53(Fe). The tunable degradation order was demonstrated by employing AMIL-53 (Fe) for the selective degradation of cationic dyes while DMIL-53 (Fe) for the degradation of anionic dyes. Furthermore, the composites activity was optimized by controlling resin to MOF ratio during immobilization. Immobilization also improves ease of separation and recyclability of the original MOF. Especially, AMIL-53 significantly reduces iron ion leaching resulting in an enhanced stability. The photocatalytic mechanism under visible-light irradiation is also discussed.

Staple, Feasting, or Fallback Food? Mussel Harvesting Among Hunter-Gatherers in Interior Central California

Shells are a visible component of archaeological middens in Central California. While coastal and bay shore sites are often dominated by shells, these food items were sometimes hauled many kilometers from their collection points and are found in appreciable numbers in inland sites as well. Using oxygen and carbon stable isotope data from 44 Mytilus sp. (mussel) shells, we reconstruct shellfish seasonality harvesting at one inland site dating to the Middle Period (ca. 2500–1000 cal yrs BP), CA-SOL-364. Data show that shells were collected from nearby Suisun Marsh and were harvested almost exclusively during winter, a pattern that contrasts with coastal and bay shore sites. Such a harvesting signature is unlike that expected for a food staple or a feasting resource. We suggest mussels were harvested as a fallback food, as a source of protein or micronutrient to complement carbohydrate-rich foods that were stored and consumed during winter, or perhaps were only exploited as opportunity costs relaxed during w...

FIRST DERIVATIVE PREDICTION OF RAW BROILER SHEAR FORCE USING VISIBLE SHORT WAVE NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

A non-destructive,fast, reliable and low cost technique which is Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is required to replace conventional destructive texture analyser in shear force measurement. The combination of visible and shortwave near infrared (VIS-SWNIR) spectrometer and principal component regression (PCR) to assess the quality attribute of raw broiler meat texture (shear force value (kg)) was investigated. Wavelength region of visible and shortwave 662-1005 nm was selected for prediction after pre-processing. Absorbance spectra was pre-processed using the optimal Savitzky-Golay smoothing mode with 1st order derivative, 2nd degree polynomial and 31 filter points to remove the baseline shift effect. Potential outliers were identified through externally studentised residual approach. The PCR model were trained with 90 samples in calibration and validated with 44 samples in prediction datasets. From the PCR analysis, correlation coefficient of calibration (RC), the root mean square calibration (RMSEC), correlation coefficient of prediction (RP) and the root mean square prediction (RMSEP) of visible and shortwave (662-1005 nm) with 4 principal components were 0.4645,0.0898, 0.4231 and 0.0945. The predicted results can be improved by applying the 2nd order derivative and the non-linear model.

Adverse Biological Effect of TiO₂ and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Used in Bone Repair and Replacement.

The adverse biological effect of nanoparticles is an unavoidable scientific problem because of their small size and high surface activity. In this review, we focus on nano-hydroxyapatite and TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) to clarify the potential systemic toxicological effect and cytotoxic response of wear nanoparticles because they are attractive materials for bone implants and are widely investigated to promote the repair and reconstruction of bone. The wear nanoparticles would be prone to binding with proteins to form protein-particle complexes, to interacting with visible components in the blood including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets, and to being phagocytosed by macrophages or fibroblasts to deposit in the local tissue, leading to the formation of fibrous local pseudocapsules. These particles would also be translocated to and disseminated into the main organs such as the lung, liver and spleen via blood circulation. The inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and signaling pathway are elaborated to analyze the potential toxicological mechanism. Inhibition of the oxidative stress response and signaling transduction may be a new therapeutic strategy for wear debris–mediated osteolysis. Developing biomimetic materials with better biocompatibility is our goal for orthopedic implants.

A qualitative study exploring visible components of organizational culture: what influences the use of psychotropic medicines in nursing homes?

The influence of organizational culture on how psychotropic medicines are used in nursing homes has not been extensively studied. Schein's theory provides a framework for examining organizational culture which begins with the exploration of visible components of an organization such as behaviors, structures, and processes. This study aimed to identify key visible components related to the use of psychotropic medicines in nursing homes. A qualitative study was conducted in eight nursing homes in Sydney, Australia. Purposive sampling was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 40 participants representing a broad range of health disciplines. Thematic analysis was used to derive concepts. Three visible components were related to psychotropic medicine use. These were drugs and therapeutics committee meetings, pharmacist led medication management reviews and formal and informal meetings with residents and their families. We found that only a few nursing homes utilized drugs and therapeutics committee meetings to address the overuse of psychotropic medicines. Pharmacist led medication management reviews provided a lever to minimize inappropriate psychotropic prescribing for a number of nursing homes; however, in others it was used as a box-ticking exercise. We also found that some nursing homes used meetings with residents and their families to review the use of psychotropic medicines. This study was the first to illustrate that visible components of organizational culture do influence the use of psychotropic medicines and explains in detail what of the culture needs to be addressed to reduce inappropriate psychotropic prescribing.

Color Restoration of RGBN Multispectral Filter Array Sensor Images Based on Spectral Decomposition.

A multispectral filter array (MSFA) image sensor with red, green, blue and near-infrared (NIR) filters is useful for various imaging applications with the advantages that it obtains color information and NIR information simultaneously. Because the MSFA image sensor needs to acquire invisible band information, it is necessary to remove the IR cut-offfilter (IRCF). However, without the IRCF, the color of the image is desaturated by the interference of the additional NIR component of each RGB color channel. To overcome color degradation, a signal processing approach is required to restore natural color by removing the unwanted NIR contribution to the RGB color channels while the additional NIR information remains in the N channel. Thus, in this paper, we propose a color restoration method for an imaging system based on the MSFA image sensor with RGBN filters. To remove the unnecessary NIR component in each RGB color channel, spectral estimation and spectral decomposition are performed based on the spectral characteristics of the MSFA sensor. The proposed color restoration method estimates the spectral intensity in NIR band and recovers hue and color saturation by decomposing the visible band component and the NIR band component in each RGB color channel. The experimental results show that the proposed method effectively restores natural color and minimizes angular errors.

STUDYING INDICATORS RELATED TO FACTOR OF CUSTOMERS' PERCEPTION OF QUALITY FROM BRAND EQUITY AND THEIR RANKING IN THE BANK OF INDUSTRY AND MINE

In today's business world organizations are successful that with the help of management tools and new technologies use created opportunities to their advantage to provide more commitment and repeated utilization of customers and therefore greater economic value for shareholders. For this reason, after carrying out theoretical studies in the field of equity, a default model was used as the base model for identifying and ranking the factors influencing equity in the Bank of Industry and Mine. In the first phase factor analysis questionnaire and in the second phase questionnaire of key factors preference and effective indices on equity - was distributed among samples that results were presented after collecting and final editing of the questionnaires by using specialized analyzing software. The results showed that among the main factors influencing equity, index of quality and the name awareness, index and phantasm index in order of priority are the first to fourth. In the ranking of sub-indices of the main indicators also it has been revealed that among the sub-indices of brand awareness intellectual excellence of and secondary recall (brand recognition), among the sub-indices of perceived quality; tangibility and visibility of the and the reliability of the brand, and among sub-indices of brand loyalty desire to further reference to the and sequentially; and finally among sub-indices of brand phantasm, the quality and diversity of brands services and familiarity respectively have the highest and lowest weight. According to the obtained original weight, the components of brands tangibility and visibility, trusting in brand, the brands responsibility, empathy of and reliability of respectively have the most and least importance in the group.

NMF-Based Spectral Reflectance Estimation From Image Pairs Including Near-Infrared Components

In this paper, a novel spectral reflectance estimation method from image pairs including near-infrared (NIR) components based on nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is presented. The proposed method enables estimation of spectral reflectance from only two kinds of input images: 1) an image including both visible light components and NIR components and 2) an image including only NIR components. These two images can be easily obtained using a general digital camera without an infrared-cut filter and one with a visible light-cut filter, respectively. Since RGB values of these images are obtained according to spectral sensitivity of the image sensor, the spectrum power distribution of the light source and the spectral reflectance, we have to solve the inverse problem for estimating the spectral reflectance. Therefore, our method approximates spectral reflectance by a linear combination of several bases obtained by applying NMF to a known spectral reflectance data set. Then estimation of the optimal solution to the above problem becomes feasible based on this approximation. In the proposed method, NMF is used for obtaining the bases used in this approximation from a characteristic that the spectral reflectance is a nonnegative component. Furthermore, the proposed method realizes simple approximation of the spectrum power distribution of the light source with direct and scattered light components. Therefore, estimation of spectral reflectance becomes feasible using the spectrum power distribution of the light source in our method. In the last part of this paper, we show some simulation results to verify the performance of the proposed method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is also shown using the method for several applications that are closely related to spectral reflectance estimation. Although our method is based on a simple scheme, it is the first method that realizes the estimation of the spectral reflectance and the spectrum power distribution of the light source from the above two kinds of images taken by general digital cameras and provides breakthroughs to several fundamental applications.

Understanding the less visible components for ‘the wise management of our lands’: Interview with David Tongway

A thirst for information about how landscapes work has led David Tongway to accumulate a wealth of cross‐disciplinary knowledge. A focus on the less visible elements of ecosystems, particularly about soils and how water moves across and into them, has allowed him to develop a system of analysing and monitoring soil landscape condition.

Taxonomy and biogeography of the Pleistocene New Zealand sea lionNeophoca palatina(Carnivora: Otariidae)

AbstractThe Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions) are an important and highly visible component of Southern Hemisphere marine mammal faunas. However, fossil material of Southern Hemisphere otariids is comparatively rare and often fragmentary. One exception is the Pleistocene sea lionNeophoca palatinaKing, 1983a, which is known from a nearly complete skull from the North Island of New Zealand. However, the phylogenetic affinities of this taxon are poorly known, and comparisons with other taxa have been limited. We provide an extensive redescription ofNeophoca palatinaand diagnose this taxon using a morphometric approach. Twenty measurements of the skull were collected forN. palatina, as well as for all extant Australasian otariids and several fossilNeophoca cinereaPerón, 1816. Using principal component analysis, we were able to segregate taxa by genus, andN. palatinawas found to cluster withNeophocaaccording to overall size of the skull as well as increased width of the intertemporal constriction and interorbital region.N. palatinacan be distinguished from all other Australasian otariids by its unusually broad basisphenoid. Discriminant function analysis supported referral ofNeophoca palatinatoNeophocawith very high posterior probability. These results confirm the treatment ofNeophoca palatinaas a distinct species ofNeophocaand highlight the former broad distribution and greater tolerance for colder temperatures of this genus. These results also suggest that New Zealand may have played a pivotal role in the diversification of Southern Hemisphere otariid seals.

Beam studies at the SPEAR3 synchrotron using a digital optical mask

The 3GeV SPEAR3 synchrotron light source operates in top-up injection mode with up to 500mA circulating in the storage ring (equivalently 392nC). Each injection pulse contains 40–80pC producing a contrast ratio between total stored charge and injected charge of about 6500:1. In order to study transient injected beam dynamics during user operations, it is desirable to optically image the injected pulse in the presence of the bright stored beam. In the present work this is done by imaging the visible component of the synchrotron radiation onto a digital micro-mirror-array device (DMD), which is then used as an optical mask to block out light from the bright central core of the stored beam. The physical masking, together with an asynchronously-gated, ICCD imaging camera, makes it possible to observe the weak injected beam component on a turn-by-turn basis. The DMD optical masking system works similar to a classical solar coronagraph but has some distinct practical advantages: i.e. rapid adaption to changes in the shape of the stored beam, a high extinction ratio for unwanted light and minimum scattering from the primary beam into the secondary optics. In this paper we describe the DMD masking method, features of the high dynamic range point spread function for the SPEAR3 optical beam line and measurements of the injected beam in the presence of the stored beam.

Visible parts, invisible whole: Swedish technology student teachers’ conceptions about technological systems

Technological systems are included as a component of national technology curricula and standards for primary and secondary education as well as corresponding teacher education around the world. Little is known, however, of how pupils, students, and teachers conceive of technological systems. In this article we report on a study investigating Swedish technology student teachers’ conceptions of technological systems. The following research question is posed: How do Swedish technology student teachers conceive of technological systems? Data was collected through in-depth qualitative surveys with 26 Swedish technology student teachers. The data was analysed using a hermeneutic method, aided by a theoretical synthesis of established system theories (system significants). The main results of the study are that the technology student teachers expressed diverse conceptions of technological systems, but that on average almost half of them provided answers that were considered as undefined. The parts of the systems that the students understood were mostly the visible parts, either components, devices, or products such as buttons, power lines, hydroelectric plants, or the interface with the software inside a mobile phone. However, the ‘invisible’ or abstract aspects of the technological systems, such as flows of information, energy or matter, or control operations were difficult to understand for the majority of the students. The flow of information was particularly challenging in this regard. The students could identify the input and often the output of the systems, that is, what systems or components do, but the processes that take place within the systems were elusive. Comparing between technological systems also proved difficult for many students. The role of humans was considered important but it was mostly humans as users not as actors on a more systemic level, for example, as system owners, innovators, or politicians. This study confirms previous research in that the students had a basic understanding of structure, input and output of a technological system. Thus, the adult students in this study did not seem to have better understanding of technological systems than school pupils and teachers in previous studies, although this is in line with previous investigations on the general system thinking capabilities of children and adults. The most important implication of this study is that students need to be trained in systems thinking, particularly regarding how components work and connect to each other, flows (especially of information), system dependency, and the human role in technological systems.

Navigating interests, navigating knowledge: Towards an inclusive set-back delineation along Cape Town's coastline

A map is not a product, the temporary representation of reality, but rather the most visible component at the surface of an ongoing and often contested mapping process. This significant epistemological recognition directs our attention towards the linkages between ‘mapped space’, ‘everyday space’, and ‘spaces of knowledge building and decision-making’. Applying an organizational ethnography and critical cartography, this paper argues that a shift in the production and circulation of spatial knowledge concerning coastal set-back lines occurred in Cape Town. It describes the shift, interrogates how it came about, and what the implications are.As a governance instrument to promote risk-averse decision-making concerning dynamic coastal ecosystems and coastal infrastructure exposed to storm surges and sea-level rise, the set-back line discursively and materially re-shapes people's realities. But its delineation and the linked multi-actor discussions led by the City of Cape Town's Coastal Management Unit (CMU) also emerge from a specific context. Caught in a constant balancing act between varying interests, sources of knowledge and epistemologies on map-making, the CMU engaged in strategic negotiations and counter-mapping. Effectively acting as ‘champions’, or ‘bureaucratic activists’, local government officials enabled the transition towards a reflexive, iterative and inclusive delineation process, departing from a technical knowledge building model according to which coastal engineers and consultants still dominate the intellectual space regarding coastal risk governance in South Africa.

Infrared spectroscopy with visible light

Spectral measurements in the infrared (IR) optical range provide unique fingerprints of materials which are useful for material analysis, environmental sensing, and health diagnostics. Current IR spectroscopy techniques require the use of optical equipment suited for operation in the IR range, which faces challenges of inferior performance and high cost. Here we develop a spectroscopy technique, which allows spectral measurements in the IR range using visible spectral range components. The technique is based on nonlinear interference of infrared and visible photons, produced via Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC). The intensity interference pattern for a visible photon depends on the phase of an IR photon, which travels through the media. This allows determining properties of the media in the IR range from the measurements of visible photons. The technique can substitute and/or complement conventional IR spectroscopy techniques, as it uses well-developed optical components for the visible range.

Universal model for defect-related visible luminescence in ZnO nanorods

We study the optical properties of ZnO nanorods (NRs) fabricated by chemical bath deposition, hydrothermal, and the vapour–liquid–solid method (VLS). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrates differences in the structural properties for the various samples. The optical emission properties are studied by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy where all samples are characterized by a UV and visible emission band. The visible emission band is due to defects in the nanorods. VLS samples show a blue shift in the visible region of the PL spectra with respect to the other samples, however, all three samples are fitted with the same three visible Gaussian components under varying percent contributions due to the structural differences. The visible defect components are characterized by blue (B), green (G), and orange (O) states with energies at 2.52 eV, 2.23 eV, and 2.03 eV, respectively. The applicability of this universal model for visible B–G–O defects is tested against the literature and successfully fitted regardless of the fabrication method. Differences in the percentage contribution for the visible B–G–O defects is explained by variations in the fabrication method. This model indicates how defects can be controlled based on the fabrication method. Furthermore, the B state, which is associated with the ‘green luminescence band’, results from a transition from the defect level to the valence band, or possibly a shallow-acceptor, according to photoluminescence excitation measurements. The role of the B state in sensing applications is discussed.