Intrinsic electromagnetic radiation shielding/absorbing characteristics of polyaniline-coated transparent thin films

The present study aims to investigate the electromagnetic wave transmission, reflection, and absorption characteristics of polyaniline (PANI)-coated transparent thin films. To investigate the intrinsic electromagnetic radiation shielding/absorbing characteristics of PANI-coated transparent thin films, the optical transmittance, sheet resistance, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (SE) of the films were systematically investigated. In addition, the applicability of an SE formula is checked by comparing the present experimentally measured SE values with calculated SE values. The results show the potential use of PANI-coated transparent thin films as an EMI shielding/absorbing material that satisfies both optical transmission and EMI SE requirements for transparent bodies such as windows or doorways of buildings.     

Reassembling of Ni and Pt catalyst in the vapor–liquid–solid growth of GaN nanowires

The growth of GaN nanowires on sapphire substrates coated with Ni or Pt catalyst was investigated to address their behavior in a vapor–liquid–solid mechanism. Our observations revealed that both the two catalysts, which led to the growth of nanowires, behave rather complex, including diffusion and re-agglomeration from the coated films to the surface of the micro crystals that is formed in an early stage of growth by vapor–solid mechanism. GaN nanowires have a diameter and length of ~100 nm and several tens of micrometers, respectively, and tend to align epitaxially on the facets of the micro crystals.     

Attitudes toward stress and coping among primary caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis: A Q‐methodology study

Introduction Hemodialysis (HD) causes many life changes, not only for patients undergoing it but also for their families by allowing them to rely on this lifesaving equipment unless they receive a kidney transplant. The stress of the primary caregivers, who spends the most time in the family taking care of the patient undergoing HD, is quite high. This study was to identify attitudes about stress and coping among primary caregivers of HD patients. Methods Q‐methodology was undertaken because it integrates quantitative and qualitative research methods. A convenience sample of 33 primary caregivers of HD patients participated. Forty selected Q‐samples were obtained from each participant and were classified into a forced normal distribution using a nine‐point grid. Data was analyzed using a pc‐QUANL program. Findings Three discrete factors emerged as follows: Factor I (they reduced their stress by participating in religious activities; religious sublimation), Factor II (they always worried about the caregiving situations and about the patients' conditions; nervousness), and Factor III (they thought it better to accept their stressful situations; leading handler). Three factors accounted for 44.5% of all the variance, including Factor I (26.0%), Factor II (10.1%), and Factor III (8.4%). The eigenvalues were 8.58, 3.34, and 2.79, respectively. Discussion The subjectivities of the three factors that were identified can be applied during the planning stages of effective interventions for stress and coping. Healthcare workers in clinical practices should consider assesses primary caregivers' attitudes about stress and coping and approaches their situation to cope with it and to adapt to lifestyle changes.     

An Integral Framework of Task Assignment and Path Planning for Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Dynamic Environments

In this paper, a hierarchical framework for task assignment and path planning of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a dynamic environment is presented. For multi-agent scenarios in dynamic environments, a candidate algorithm should be able to replan for a new path to perform the updated tasks without any collision with obstacles or other agents during the mission. In this paper, we propose an intersection-based algorithm for path generation and a negotiation-based algorithm for task assignment since these algorithms are able to generate admissible paths at a smaller computing cost. The path planning algorithm is also augmented with a potential field-based trajectory replanner, which solves for a detouring trajectory around other agents or pop-up obstacles. For validation, test scenarios for multiple UAVs to perform cooperative missions in dynamic environments are considered. The proposed algorithms are implemented on a fixed-wing UAVs testbed in outdoor environment and showed satisfactory performance to accomplish the mission in the presence of static and pop-up obstacles and other agents.     

Cellular uptake of anthocyanins extracted from black soybean,grape, and purple sweet potato using INT-407 cells

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study combined in vitro digestion and INT-407 cells to evaluate the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins in the small intestinal epithelial cells. Black soybean,...     

Development of Selective Electroless-Deposited Electrode in Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-Layer Solar Cell

In this paper, we describe selective deposition of a major electrode and a protection electrode in a heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) type solar cell. Sn and Ni were used for the protection electrode to prevent the oxidation of Cu, which was used for the main electrode. SEM and TEM were used to analyze the microstructural evolution and changes in the interface as a result of each electroless deposition. Finally, the performance of our solar cell created via electroless deposition was evaluated. We determined the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) to be 16.4 %, the fill factor (FF) to be 72.2 %, the open circuit voltage (Voc) to be 681 mV, and the short circuit current (Jsc) to be 33.0 mA/cm². These output values match the performance of an Ag screen-printed solar cell and demonstrate the possibility of commercializing an inexpensive HIT solar cell with high efficiency.     

Preparation of well‐controlled porous carbon nanofiber materials by varying the compatibility of polymer blends

The relationships between the compatibility in binary polymer blends and the pore sizes of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) prepared from the blends were investigated. Compatibility was determined by the difference between the solubility parameters of each polymer in the polymer blends. Porous CNFs were prepared by an electrospinning and carbonization process using binary polymer blends, consisting of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the carbonizing polymer and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene (PS) as the pyrolyzing polymer. The pore size of the CNFs increased with increasing difference in solubility parameter. The CNFs prepared using the PAN/PAA blend, which had the smallest solubility parameter difference, exhibited a pore size of 1.66 nm compared to 18.24 nm for the CNFs prepared using the PAN/PS blend. The prepared CNF webs with controlled meso‐sized pores showed a stable cycle performance in cyclic voltammetry measurements and improved impedance characteristics. This method focusing on the compatibility in polymer blends was simple to apply and effective for controlling the pore sizes and surface area of CNFs for application as electrode materials in energy storage systems. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improvement of physicochemical properties of cereal based ready-to-eat Sunsik using fermentation with Bionuruk and Bifidobacterium longum

Fermentation of sunsik using bionuruk and Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) was investigated to enhance product dispersibility in water. Compared with unfermented sunsik, fermented sunsik had a higher soluble solid content, a smaller particle size, and a larger surface area per volume, resulting in a decreased sedimentation rate. Microbial enzymes hydrolyzed insoluble compounds into smaller molecular weight compounds. Fermented sunsik exhibited a much lower viscosity than unfermented sunsik, demonstrating that fermentation decreased the number of large particles that are affected by gravitational separation and/or increased solvation of components. In addition, fermented sunsik had a higher amount of free amino acids and an enhanced oxidative stability under ironascorbate-induced lipid oxidation. Fermentation improved the physicochemical properties of sunsik to allow for production of hydrosol sunsik.