The use of freelisting to elicit stakeholder understanding of the benefits sought from healthcare buildings

The process of elicitation and synthesis of the collective understanding of a cultural domain held by a group of stakeholders is challenging. This problem typifies the pre-project activity from which a coherent understanding of the benefits sought from infrastructure investment must emerge to inform the business case rationale. The anthropological freelisting method is evaluated as a solution by determining its ability to be operationalized in a practical form for project application. Using data from the stakeholders of a large NHS Scotland building project, the use of multidimensional scaling for data analysis is compared with participatory pilesorting to determine which freelisting protocol balances insight with practicality. Neither approach is found to offer an ideal method of characterizing sought benefits. The social construction of pilesorting promotes reliability while the analytical rigour of multidimensional scaling remains attractive to auditors. Their distinct insights suggest that both approaches should be combined in future and used alongside further post-elicitation devices from anthropology such as cultural consensus modelling or structured conceptualization.     

Real-time performance models for photovoltaic water pumping systems

This purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a model to accurately predict the cell temperature of a photovoltaic (PV) module that adapts to various mounting configurations, mounting locations, and climates while only requiring readily available data from the module manufacturer. Results from this model are also compared with results from published cell temperature models. The models were used to predict real-time performance from a PV water pumping systems in the desert of Medenine, south of Tunisia using 60-min intervals of measured performance data during one complete year. Statistical analysis of the predicted results and measured data highlights possible sources of errors and the limitations and/or adequacy of existing models, to describe the temperature and efficiency of PV-cells and consequently, the accuracy of performance of PV water pumping systems’ prediction models.     

Formulation and characterization of hybrid polymeric/ZnO nanocomposite coatings with remarkable anti-corrosion and hydrophobic characteristics

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles ranging from 1 to 8% (w/w) were introduced into a hybrid acrylic-silicone polymeric matrix to achieve nanocomposite coating systems with remarkable anti-corrosion and hydrophobic characteristics. The chemical structure of the developed hybrid polymeric matrix was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, whereas the morphology and wettability of the developed surfaces were determined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements (CA), respectively. Furthermore, the anti-corrosion performance and the barrier properties over 60 days of exposure to a 3.5% NaCl solution were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All the obtained results revealed that the presence of ZnO nanoparticles significantly influences the performance of the acrylic-silicone polymeric matrix. A coating system with 3% wt ZnO nanoparticles demonstrated the most pronounced anti-corrosion properties and also achieved the highest CA, with a value of 95.6°.     

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

The induced damage in the hepatopancreas of Orchestia species after exposure to a mixture of Cu/Zn—An ultrastructural study

The hepatopancreas of crustaceans species has been recognized as an essential target organ to assess trace elements' effects. Due to its dynamic and capability of detoxifying trace metal, this organ often indicates distinct pathological disturbances. In the present work, we intend to evaluate the bioaccumulation of trace metal in three Orchestia species (Orchestia montagui, Orchestia gammarellus, and Orchestia mediterranea) living in symmetry in the banks of Bizerte lagoon (37°13′8″N 09°55′1″E) after their exposure during 14 days to a mixture of copper and zinc, and to highlight the effect of these metals on their hepatopancreas ultrastructure using transmission electron microscopy. At the end of the experiment, results showed that the mortality and the body mass varied according to the used nominal concentrations. Significant alterations were noted in all the treatment groups. The degree of these alterations depends on the used concentration, and they are represented especially by the cells remoteness and the border lyses, the reduction of the nuclear volume, the increase in the cytoplasm density with the presence of trace metal in the nucleus as well as in the vacuole, the disorganization and the destruction of microvilli, the condensation of the majority of cellular organelles and mitochondria swelling. Through this study, Orchestia genus could be an attractive candidate for the biochemical study of trace metal toxicity in Tunisian wetlands.     

A low-dispersion 3-D second-order in time fourth-order in space FDTD scheme (M3d/sub 24/)

A second-order in time fourth-order in space modified finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) scheme for three dimensional electromagnetic problems "M3d/sub 24/" is presented. The algorithm enables the numerical phase error to be minimized, so that it leads to high accuracy with low resolution grids. The advantage of this method is demonstrated by considering the long distance propagation of the wave radiated from a time harmonic elementary dipole using a low resolution grid, and comparing the results with other FDTD schemes.     

CFD and artificial neural network modeling of two-phase flow pressure drop

A large number of experiments in a 2 cm diameter and 6 m length tube were carried out in order to study the two-phase flow regimes and pressure drops in it. The two-phase flow in the experimental tube was modeled using commercial CFD code, Fluent 6.2. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with three inputs including gas and liquid velocities and tube slope was designed and trained to predict average pressure drop across the tube. The comparison between CFD and ANN predictions of pressure drops with experimental measurements shows that the CFD results are more accurate than the ANN evaluations for new conditions.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye by NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles under visible irradiation: effect of varying the synthesis temperature

Nanoparticles of nickel ferrites (NiFe₂O₄) were synthesized at different temperature of synthesis (25, 50 and 80 °C) through the chemical co-precipitation method. The synthesized powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction for crystallite size and lattice parameter calculation. It reveals the presence of cubic spinel structure of ferrites with crystallite size between 29 and 41 nm. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed uniform distribution of ferrite particles with some agglomeration. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed absorption bonds, which were assigned to the vibration of tetrahedral and octahedral complexes. Raman spectroscopy is used to verify that we have synthesized ferrite spinels and determines their phonon modes. The thermal decomposition of the NiFe₂O₄ was investigated by TGA/DTA. The optical study UV–visible is used to calculate the band gap energy. Magnetic measurements of the samples were carried out by means of vibrating sample magnetometer and these studies reveal that the formed nickel ferrite exhibits ferromagnetic behavior. Photoluminescence showed three bands of luminescence located at 420, 440 and 535 nm. The photocatalytic properties of nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles were evaluated by studying the photodecomposition of methyl orange as organic pollutant models and showed a good photocatalytic activity.     

Influence of Aging Parameters on the Tensile Properties and Quality Index of Al-9?Pct Si-1.8?Pct Cu-0.5?Pct Mg 354-Type Casting Alloys

The current study was carried out with a view to investigating the influence of age-hardening parameters, aging temperature and time, on the tensile properties and quality indices of a high-strength Al-9 pct Si casting alloy, namely, 354-Al-9 pct Si-1.8 pct Cu-0.5 pct Mg. Quality charts were used as an evaluation tool for selecting the optimum conditions to be applied, in practice, in order to develop high strength and optimum quality in 354 casting alloy. Aging at a low temperature of 428 K (155 °C) was observed to produce the greatest strength and optimum quality in the 354-type castings compared to aging at higher temperatures. The peak strength observed for 354 alloy may be attained after shorter aging times on the condition that the aging temperature is increased. The aging times required for reaching peak strength in 354 alloys are 72 hours, 40 hours, 8 hours, 1 hour, and 15 minutes at aging temperatures of 428 K, 443 K, 468 K, 493 K, and 518 K (155 °C, 170 °C, 195 °C, 220 °C, and 245 °C), respectively. Aging treatment at higher temperatures is accompanied by a reduction in the tensile properties and quality index values of the castings; however, it also introduces the possibility of a significant economical strategy for minimizing the time and the cost of this same treatment. Aging treatment at a lower temperature of 428 K (155 °C) produces fine and dense precipitates displaying smaller interparticle spacing, while at higher aging temperatures, such as 518 K (245 °C), the precipitates are coarser in size, less dense, and more widely dispersed. The quality charts developed in the course of the current research facilitate the interpretation and evaluation of the tensile properties of the 354 alloy. Such charts provide a logical evaluation tool, from the metallurgical point of view, for an accurate prediction of the influence of aging parameters studied on the properties of the alloys. Depending on the required level of tensile properties and based on the quality charts developed, it is possible to make a rigorous selection as to the most suitable aging parameters to be applied to the 354 alloy so as to obtain the best possible cost-effective compromise between alloy strength and quality.     

Uniform Stabilization of an Axially Moving Kirchhoff String by a Boundary Control of Memory Type

In this paper, we study the stabilization of solutions of an axially moving string of kirchhoff type by a viscoelastic boundary control. We prove that the dissipation produced by the viscoelastic term is sufficient to suppress the transversal vibrations that occur during the axial motion of the string, and we also show that the string displacement decays in an arbitrary rate. When comparing with immobile strings, we conclude that the movement of the string itself produces enough extra damping ensuring the stabilization.