Processing strategies for high-resolution GPR concrete inspections

A high-resolution multi-sensor and multi-polarization Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) dataset was acquired on a concrete retaining wall. This dataset was characterised as a low pass filter with the help of a moving window spectral analysis. In order to examine the benefits and limits of innovative processing strategies, the dataset was processed with three different methods: classical 2-D processing, full 3-D processing followed by data fusion and inverse scattering followed by data fusion. A comparison of the results for two layers of rebar present in the wall shows that the innovative approaches improve the results for near surface structures when compared to classical 2-D processing. For deeper structures, the benefits of the innovative approaches are limited because of the low pass properties of the concrete.     

Ozonolysis of α-PINENE, β-PINENE,d- and l-Turpentine Oil Studied by Chirooptical Methods; Some Implications on the Atmospheric Chemistry of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds

The main constituents of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) released in the atmosphere from vegetation are terpenes. The most common terpenes are α-pinene and β-pinene. These molecules react with ozone, forming oxidized derivatives which have low vapor pressure and which nucleate into secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Such aerosol-forming reactions have been simulated in the gas phase on laboratory scale with the visualization of the formation of SOA. Electronic absorption spectroscopy shows that the UV peak of pinenes at 205 nm is shifted to 225 nm during and after ozonolysis and is accompanied by a series of spectral features in the near infrared region (between 850 nm and 1100 nm). Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra were recorded on pure β(+)pinene and β(?)pinene. After ozonolysis β-pinene enantiomers are converted into nopinone enantiomers. The ORD spectra of both (?)nopinone and (+)nopinone respectively were recorded. The former showed a peak at 453 nm, an inflection point at 430 nm and a trough at 405 nm. The ORD spectrum of (?)-nopinone appears completely symmetrical to that of (+)nopinone. Thus, ORD spectroscopy can distinguish between BVOC and oxidized BVOC quite easily at least in the case of β-pinene. The ORD spectra of α-pinene enantiomers are different from those of β-pinene enantiomers and although the ORD spectra of ozonized α-pinene are not easily distinguishable from those of the primary compounds, they are completely different from those of ozonized β-pinene enantiomers. A reasonable natural model of BVOC is offered by l- and d-turpentine oil whose composition reflects that of the BVOC from conifer forests. The ORD spectra of ozonized l- and d-turpentine has permitted to distinguish between the levorotatory and dextrorotatory oxidation products and showing the ketone peak at about 367–380 nm, thus permitting in a real model to distinguish between primary BVOC (turpentine) and oxidized BVOC (or SOA) corresponding to ozonized turpentine. It has been proposed that ORD spectra in the gas phase could be used to detect chiral BVOC and oxidized chiral BVOC.     

An ontology-based analysis and semantics for organizational structure modeling in the ARIS method

This paper focuses on the issue of ontological analysis for organizational structure modeling in the ARIS method with the following contributions: (i) an interpretation of the language in terms of real-world entities in the UFO foundational ontology; (ii) the identification of inappropriate elements of the language, using a systematic ontology-based analysis approach; and (iii) recommendations for improvements of the language to resolve the issues identified.     

Nanostructured piezoelectric polymers

Among the wide variety of piezoelectric materials available, polymers offer an interesting solution because of their high mechanical flexibility, easy processing, and conformable features; they maintain good ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. The most prominent examples of these are poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymer, poly(vinylidene difluoride–trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF–TrFE)]. An attractive prospective consists of the preparation of nanostructured polymers. It has been shown that the dimensional confinement of such macromolecules down to the nanoscale can improve their piezoelectric properties because the tailoring of the chemical structure is performed at the molecular level. In this review, we show how nanostructured polymers can be obtained and discuss reports on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of nanostructured PVDF and P(VDF–TrFE) materials. In particular, we show how dimensional confinement leads to piezoelectric nanostructures with relevant performances, with a focus on the macromolecular structural arrangement that enhances their behavior. Experimental results and applications are also reported to compare the performances of different nanostructuration processes and the polymer efficiencies as piezoelectric materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41667.     

On-line surveillance of a dynamic process by a moving system based on pulsed digital holographic interferometry

A method based on pulsed digital holographic interferometry for the measurement of dynamic deformations of a surface by using a moving system is presented. The measuring system may move with a speed of several meters per minute and can measure deformation of the surface with an accuracy of better than 50 nm. The deformation is obtained by comparison of the wavefronts recorded at different times with different laser pulses produced by a Nd:YAG laser. The effect due to the movement of the measuring system is compensated for by digital processing of the different holograms. The system is well suited for on-line surveillance of a dynamic process such as laser welding and friction stir welding. Experimental results are presented, and the advantages of the method are discussed.     

Complete wavefront reconstruction using sequential intensity measurements of a volume speckle field

The recording of the volume speckle field from an object at different planes combined with the wave propagation equation allows the reconstruction of the wavefront phase and amplitude without requiring a reference wave. The main advantage of this single-beam multiple-intensity reconstruction (SBMIR) technique is the simple experimental setup because no reference wave is required as in the case of holography. The phase retrieval technique is applied to the investigation of diffusely transmitting and reflecting objects. The effects of different parameters on the quality of reconstructions are investigated by simulation and experiment. Significant enhancements of the reconstructions are observed when the number of intensity measurements is 15 or more and the sequential measurement distance is 0.5 mm or larger. Performing two iterations during the reconstruction process using the calculated phase also leads to better reconstruction. The results from computer simulations confirm the experiments. Analysis of transverse and longitudinal intensity distributions of a volume speckle field for the SBMIR technique is presented. Enhancing the resolution method by shifting the camera a distance of a half-pixel in the lateral direction improves the sampling of speckle patterns and leads to better quality reconstructions. This allows the possibility of recording wave fields from larger test objects.     

Religiousness, mental health, and quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients

Patients with chronic kidney disease often use religion as a coping strategy to relieve suffering and serve as a source of strength. The aim of this study was to identify religious aspects associated with mental health and quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients. A cross-sectional study was performed involving two dialysis centers in Brazil. Patients were selected consecutively over three typical dialysis treatment days. The questionnaire was self-administered and covered the following aspects: socio-demographic aspects, religiousness (using the Portuguese version of the Private and Social Religious Practice Scale), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life brief Scale Brief Version), depression and anxiety (Beck Inventory), and pain grade. For statistical analysis, the hypothesis that different religious variables are associated (positively or negatively) with depressive/anxiety symptoms and quality of life in these patients was tested using linear regression, controlling for confounding variables. A total of 205 patients were invited to participate and 133 (64.8%) agreed to fill out the questionnaire. On the adjusted model, reading religious literature was found to be inversely associated with depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). In addition, the psychological domain of quality of life was positively associated with an increase in patient religiosity (P = 0.030) and greater religious importance for recovery from their dialysis condition (P = 0.016), whereas the environmental domain was positively associated with greater religious importance for recovery (P = 0.032). No religious aspects were associated with anxiety symptoms. Religiousness is associated with less depressive symptoms and better quality of life in Brazilian dialysis patients. Nephrologists should evaluate the patient's spirituality and religion in order to provide more integrative care.     

Room Temperature Highly Enantioselective Nickel‐Catalyzed Hydrovinylation

At room temperature, nickel catalysts based on the new phosphoramidite (11bR)‐N‐[(S)‐1‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)ethyl]‐N‐[(S)‐1‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)ethyl]dinaphtho[2,1‐d:1′,2′‐f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin‐4‐amine provide excellent selectivities for 3‐arylbut‐1‐enes (93–99%) with high enantioselectivities (90–95% ee) and TOFs (up to 8300 h⁻¹) in the hydrovinylation of electron‐rich and electron‐poor vinylarenes. Within a few minutes, useful chiral building blocks and intermediates can be synthesized using this practical catalytic system.