Demographic faultlines: A meta-analysis of the literature.

We propose and test a theoretical model focusing on antecedents and consequences of demographic faultlines. We also posit contingencies that affect overall team dynamics in the context of demographic faultlines, such as the study setting and performance measurement. Using meta-analysis structural equation modeling with a final data set consisting of 311 data points (i.e., k [predictor–criterion relationships]), from 39 studies that were obtained from 36 papers with a total sample size of 24,388 individuals in 4,366 teams, we found that sex and racial diversity increased demographic faultline strength more than did diversity on the attributes of functional background, educational background, age, and tenure. Demographic faultline strength was found to increase task and relationship conflict as well as decrease team cohesion. Furthermore, although demographic faultline strength decreased both team satisfaction and team performance, there was a stronger decrease in team performance than in team satisfaction. The strength of these relationships increased when the study was conducted in the lab rather than in the field. We describe the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for advancing the study of faultlines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gasification of food waste in supercritical water: An innovative synthesis gas composition prediction model based on Artificial Neural Networks

The present study intends to develop multi-layered feed-forward back-propagation algorithm based artificial neural network (FFBPNN) models to predict the synthesis gas (SG) compositions (H₂, CH₄, CO & CO₂) and yields (mol/kg) for supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of food wastes. Such models are trained with Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) algorithm, minimized using gradient descent approach and tested with real-time experimental datasets obtained from literature. Moreover, to determine an optimal form of the neural network for a typical non-catalytic SCWG process, a trial and error approach involving multiple combinations of transfer functions and neurons in the network layers is performed. The predicted values of SG compositions yield delivered by the FFBPNN models are in line with the experimental datasets converging to a mean squared error (MSE) value below 0.300 range and coefficient of determination (R²) above 98%. Best prediction accuracy is achieved for CO yield prediction characterized by a least MSE of 0.022 and highest train-test R² of 0.9942–0.9939. The performance of the developed FFBPNN models can be arranged on the basis of MSE as (ann7)_CO < (ann6)_CH? < (ann5)_H? < (ann8)_CO? and on the basis of testing R² as (ann7)_CO > (ann6)_CH? > (ann5)_H? > (ann8)_CO?.     

Fabrication and Corrosion Resistance Evaluation of Novel Epoxy/Oxide Layer (MgO) Coating on Mg Alloy

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - A protective novel (MgO) oxide layer (with 91.92% corrosion protection efficiency) was successfully applied on Mg–0.4%Ca alloy using...     

Conformational Domain Wall Switch

Domain walls in ferroelectric materials have tantalizing potential in disruptive memory and reconfigurable nanoelectronics technologies. Here, a ferroelectric domain wall switch with three distinct addressable resistance states is demonstrated. The device operation hinges on fully controllable and reversible conformational changes of the domain wall. As validated by atomistic simulations consistent with the experiments, using electric field, the shape—and hence the charge state—of the domain wall and ultimately its conduction are altered. Sequential nanoscale transitions of the walls are visualized directly using stroboscopic‐piezoresponse force microscopy and Kelvin probe microscopy. Anisotropic head‐to‐head domain wall injection, stabilized by the majority carrier type of the ferroelectric, BiFeO₃, is identified as the key factor that enables conformational control.     

Preparation and characterization of ketorolac tromethamine-loaded ethyl cellulose micro-/nanospheres using different techniques

Sustained-release micro-/nanospheres of the ketorolac tromethamine (KTC) were prepared using four different techniques viz., single emulsion solvent evaporation, high pressure homogenization, spray drying, and using a microreactor. Ethyl cellulose (EC) was used as an encapsulating agent for the preparation of sustained-release micro-/nanospheres of KTC. The Plackett–Burman design was employed for design of the experiments. The resulting micro-/nanospheres were characterized for their size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release performance. Interactions between the KTC and EC were quantified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). Particle morphology characterization was performed using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The micro-/nanospheres showed encapsulation efficiency of 42.34–89.33% by the solvent evaporation technique, 76.36–91.13% by the high-pressure homogenization technique, 70.74–79.68% by spray drying, and 79.00–89.49% by the microreactor technique. The micro-/nanospheres were found to be spherical and oval with smooth surface. The FTIR analysis confirmed no interaction of KTC with EC polymer. The XRPD analysis revealed good dispersion of the drug within the micro-/nanospheres formulation. Sustained KTC release profile over 12?h was achieved successfully by EC polymer. In conclusion, EC sustained-release micro-/nanospheres containing KTC can be prepared successfully using different techniques.     

Nanoconfinement effects on hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 and LiBH4

To find a solution to efficiently exploit renewable energy sources is a key step to achieve complete independence from fossil fuel energy sources. Hydrogen is considered by many as a suitable energy vector for efficiently exploiting intermittent and unevenly distributed renewable energy sources. However, although the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources is technically feasible, the storage of large quantities of hydrogen is challenging. Comparing to conventional compressed and cryogenic hydrogen storage, the solid-state storage of hydrogen shows many advantages in terms of safety and volumetric energy density. Among the materials available to store hydrogen, metal hydrides and complex metal hydrides have been extensively investigated due to their appealing hydrogen storage properties. Among several potentials candidates, magnesium hydride (MgH₂) and lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) have been widely recognized as promising solid-state hydrogen storage materials. However, before considering these hydrides ready for real-scale applications, the issue of their high thermodynamic stability and of their poor hydrogenation/dehydrogenation kinetics must be solved. An approach to modify the hydrogen storage properties of these hydrides is nanoconfinement. This review summarizes and discusses recent findings on the use of porous scaffolds as nanostructured tools for improving the thermodynamics and kinetics of MgH₂ and LiBH₄.     

Band gap and dispersive behavior of Ge alloyed a-SbSe thin films using single transmission spectrum

The transparency of SbSeGe glasses in the IR region makes them attractive candidates for low transmission loss applications. The samples of Sb₁₀Se_90−xGe_x (x = 0, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27) glasses have been prepared by melt quench technique. The thin films of these glasses have been deposited by vacuum evaporation technique. The optical study of thin films has been carried out. The refractive index, oscillator parameters, optical band gap and dielectric parameters have been calculated from optical measurements. The optical study reveals that the variation in the density of localized defect states on Ge addition affects the optical parameters of the system. The variation in concentration of localized defect states has been interpreted in terms of the change in structural network of the system.