Experiencing flow with instant messaging and its facilitating role on creative behaviors

The goal of this study is to explore how experiencing flow with IM, an Internet-based communication technology, can facilitate an individual’s perception on creativity. We argue that certain capabilities in IM, telepresence and perceived control, provide users a means to experience flow. We further investigate whether flow and its outcomes, positive affect and exploratory behavior have any influence on the perception of creativity of the users. Using an online survey with 207 observations we found that user’s perceived control over the technology and its ability to transport the user to a virtual environment were shown to facilitate the experience of flow. We found that flow in itself does not influence perceived expected creativity in its users but does indirectly influence perceived expected creativity through exploratory behavior and positive affect. From these initial findings we believe that our study provides implications for both users and designers on IT. Furthermore, managers can apply the findings during implementation and use of interactive information technologies for communications in the workplace.     

Low temperature synthesis of SrS:Ce phosphor by carbothermal reduction method: Influence of sulfur and charge compensator on the luminescent properties

We report here on an ecologically friendly carbothermal reduction method to realize SrS:Ce phosphor. The method effectively reduces the preparation temperature by 100 °C. The effect of sulfur and charge compensator were studied separately and in combination, on the luminescent properties of SrS:Ce phosphor prepared from SrSO₄:Ce(SO₄)₂·4H₂O using this method without inert gas or hazardous gas (H₂S) environment. To analyze the role of charge compensator on the luminescent emission property of SrS:Ce, various fluxes, viz., NH₄Cl, NaCl were used. The synthesized products were characterized by XRD, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectroscopy (PLE). SrS:Ce showed a bright blue-green emission at 480 and 540 nm corresponding to energy bands originating from ²T_2g (5d) to ²F_7/2, ²F_5/2 (4f) of Ce³⁺ transitions. The characterization results showed the formation of SrS calcined at 900 °C for 5 h with an increase in blue-green luminescence intensity after the addition of sulfur and charge compensator, separately. When the sulfur and NH₄Cl were jointly added, the intensity of blue emission was enhanced, whereas, that of green emission was suppressed. The excitation spectrum showed a fundamental absorption of SrS host crystal lattice at 283 nm and Ce³⁺ absorption at 430 nm respectively. The CIE (Commission International de’Eclairge) chromaticity coordinates of the phosphor are also reported.     

Effect of calcite/activated carbon-based post-combustion CO2 capture system in a biodiesel-fueled CI engine—An experimental study

The present study aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission from a CI engine using calcite/activated carbon-based post-combustion CO₂ capture system fueled with Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel (B100). The tests were conducted in a two-cylinder CI engine used in tractors at different load conditions. The performance and emission parameters of diesel and B100 with and without calcite and activated carbon-based CO₂ capture system were studied. The results show that compared to diesel, CO₂ emission increased by 19% for B100 due to high fuel-bound oxygen and carbon. Higher NO emission with a slightly reduced smoke opacity is observed with B100 combustion. CO₂ emission is reduced with the CO₂ capture system for both diesel and B100. CO₂ emission is reduced by 11.5% and 7.3% for diesel with calcite and activated carbon, respectively, and reduced by 15.8% and 10.5% for B100 with calcite and activated carbon. Due to the adsorption capacity of both calcite and activated carbon, NO and smoke opacity are reduced considerably. The results display that calcite is better in reducing CO₂ compared to activated carbon-based CO₂ capture system. It is perceived that the combination of biofuel and calcite-based CO₂ capture system can both reduce engine-out emissions and cause a net negative CO₂ emission as it is renewable aiding in mitigation of global warming effects.     

Analysis and classification of malignancy in pancreatic magnetic resonance images using neural network techniques

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) is a computerized way of detecting tumors in MR images. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been generally used in the diagnosis and detection of pancreatic tumors. In a medical imaging system, soft tissue contrast and noninvasiveness are clear preferences of MRI. Inaccurate detection of tumor and long time consumption are the disadvantages of MRI. Computerized classifiers can greatly renew the diagnosis activity, in terms of both accuracy and time necessity by normal and abnormal images, automatically. This article presents an intelligent, automatic, accurate, and robust method to classify human pancreas MRI images as normal or abnormal in terms of pancreatic tumor. It represents the response of artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) techniques for pancreatic tumor classification. For this, we extract features from MR images of pancreas using the GLCM method and select the best features using JAFER algorithm. These features are analyzed by five classification techniques: ANN BP, ANN RBF, SVM Linear, SVM Poly, and SVM RBF. We compare the results with benchmark data set of MR brain images. The analytical outcome presents that the two best features used to classify the MR images using ANN BP technique have 98% classification accuracy.     

A novel method of unburned hydrocarbons and NOx gases capture from vehicular exhaust using natural biosorbent

Automobile emissions are composed of NO_x and unburned hydrocarbon that contribute significantly to major environmental and health issues. In this study, encapsulated Moringa oleifera beads (EMBs) were synthesized using Moringa oleifera pod powder that was cross-linked with calcium alginate and used as a biosorbent for reducing the emission gas concentrations from the single-cylinder diesel engine. The breakthrough curve was attained from single and double stage of fixed bed column by the influence of temperature ranging from (80°C–120°C) ± 5°C with a feed flow rate varying from 8 to 10 kg hr^–1 and bed height varying from 15 to 30 cm. Based on the experimental results, the maximum biosorption capacity (q_o) was found to be 14.45 and 123.51 mg g^–1 for HC and NO_x, respectively, and was obtained at 80°C–90°C with double stage of BH–30cm under flow rate of 8 kg hr^–1. Further, breakthrough curves were investigated, and the experimental data were fitted using well-established models like Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Wang models. In addition, mass transfer models like Weber–Morris and Boyd were investigated to identify the rate-limiting step of the overall biosorption process.     

Stereochemical and compositional assignments of trans‐4‐methacryloyloxyazobenzene–methyl methacrylate copolymers by one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy

The microstructure of trans‐4‐methacryloyloxyazobenzene–methyl methacrylate copolymers prepared by solution polymerization process using AIBN as initiator is analyzed by one‐and two‐dimensional spectroscopy. Sequence distribution was calculated from the ¹³C(¹H)‐NMR spectra of the copolymers. Comonomer reactivity ratios were determined using the Kelen–Tudos and the nonlinear error‐in‐variables methods are r_A = 1.14 ± 0.08 and r_M = 0.51 ± 0.03; r_A = 1.13 ± 0.1 and r_M = 0.50 ± 0.04, respectively. The sequence distribution of A‐ and M‐centered triads determined from ¹³C(¹H)‐NMR spectra of copolymer is in good agreement with triad concentration calculated from a statistical model. The 2‐D heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation and correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY) was used to analyze the complex ¹H‐NMR spectrum. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3016–3025, 1999     

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured NiCrFeSiB HVOF Coating

The nickel based as-atomized thermal spray feedstock powder (NiCrFeSiB) was ball milled to produce the nanostructured powder. The feedstock powder was mechanically milled using two station planetary ball-mill. The milled and unmilled feedstock powders were coated using High-velocity oxygen fuel system to produce nanostructured and conventional coatings respectively on the carbon steel substrate (SA210 Grade C). The metallurgical characterization of feedstock powders and coatings were performed using scanning electron microscope, High resolution- transmission electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The developed coatings were mechanically characterized by microhardness test and bond strength measurement techniques. The porosity of the coating was measured by analyzing the optical microscope image using the image-J software. In this study, nanostructured coatings exhibited higher hardness, less porous and better bond strength compared to conventional coating.     

Sans Study of Reverse Micelles Formed upon the Extraction of Inorganic Acids by TBP in n‐Octane

Small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) data for n‐octane solutions of TBP loaded with progressively larger amounts of HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO_4, and H₃PO₄ up to and beyond the LOC (limiting organic concentration of acid) condition, were interpreted using the Baxter model for hard spheres with surface adhesion. The coherent picture of the behavior of the TBP solutions derived from the SANS investigation discussed in this paper confirmed our recently developed model for third phase formation. This model analyses the features of the scattering data in the low Q region as arising from van der Waals interactions between the polar cores of reverse micelles. Our SANS data indicated that the TBP micelles swell when acid and water are extracted into their polar core. The swollen micelles have critical diameters ranging from 15 to 22 Å, and polar core diameters between 10 and 15 Å, depending on the specific system. At the respective LOC conditions, the TBP weight‐average aggregation numbers are ～4 for HClO₄, ～6 for H₂SO₄, ～7 for HCl, and ～10 for H₃PO₄. The comparison between the behavior of HNO₃, a non‐third phase forming acid, and the other acids provided an explanation of the effect of the water molecules present in the polar core of the micelles on third phase formation. The thickness of the lipophilic shell of the micelles indicated that the butyl groups of TBP lie at an angle of ～25 degrees relative to a plane tangent to the micellar core. The critical energy of intermicellar attraction, U(r), was about ?2 k_BT for all the acids investigated. This value is the same as that reported in our previous publications on the extraction of metal nitrates by TBP, confirming that the same mechanism and energetics are operative in the formation of a third phase, independent of whether the chemical species extracted are metal nitrate salts or inorganic acids.