A longitudinal study of fallow dynamics in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS)

This paper identifies the causes of and solutions to the problems posed by the fallow assets’ phenomenon in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Using data available in the public domain, including the Fifth Fallow Release, the province's assets were grouped into two broad cross-sections of fallow and non-fallow assets, with further sub-divisions. The dependent variable of interest was the median fallow duration of the assets. Fallow duration was measured in two ways, namely those relating to censored and uncensored data. An empirical panel econometric model was formulated, estimated and simulated to establish the principal causal factors and the effective remedial policy measures. The model estimation results provide evidence that the interactive effects of the key influencing variables are stronger than their individual effects. Thus, the combined effects of reserves and distance from infrastructure have a greater weight on the fallow spell than their individual effects. Several policy simulation runs established that, contrary to some theoretical propositions, (a) stronger rather than weaker government intervention, on occasion, is preferable, and (b) price is not a central determinant of investment timing.     

Rod-like carbon nanostructures produced by the direct pyrolysis of α-cyclodextrin

Carbon nanostructures were produced by the direct pyrolysis of a cyclic glucose oligosaccharide (α-cyclodextrin) without the use of a metal catalyst. The nanorods evolve from surfaces of structureless carbon when the precursor is carbonized at 1000 °C. The conversion of initially-obtained featureless carbon to the nanostructures can be controlled by the pyrolysis time. The nanorods are of diameters 14–40 nm and consist of multiple disordered curved graphite layers with relatively short persistence lengths.     

Laser Machining and Functional Applications of Glass‐Ceramic Materials

In this work a study of glass‐ceramic laser machining and some functional applications are presented. Firstly, both the effect produced by the machining method as well as how the modification of the reference position influence the machining results have been studied. Secondly, blind holes and special shape cross‐section blind holes have been created for functional purposes. A Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser at its fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm with pulse‐widths in the nanosecond range has been used. Morphology, depth, and volume obtained by machining grooves have been studied. The variation in the ablation yield when the position of the surface to be machined is modified has also been studied. The composition and microstructure of the machined areas have been described and discussed and thermal tests have been performed to check if the objectives of the functional applications have been achieved.     

Use of explosives in the reduction of residual stresses in the heated zone of welded joints

In this paper, the effect of explosive charges as a method of reducing the residual stresses in the heated zone of welded joints was studied. A comparative analysis was made of two geometries of the explosive charge applied on welded joints, linear and sinusoidal. The comparative results obtained before and after the explosive treatment demonstrate its effectiveness through the reduction of the residual stresses. Residual stress reduction ranged in the order of 50 and 60%, confirming that explosive treatment offers a viable solution for extending the life of the welded joints.     

Characterization and in vitro-bioactivity of natural hydroxyapatite based bio-glass–ceramics synthesized by thermal plasma processing

Natural bovine hydroxyapatite/SiO₂–CaO–MgO glass–ceramics were produced using the transferred arc plasma (TAP) processing method. Homogeneous mixtures of HA/25 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO and HA/50 wt% SiO₂–CaO–MgO batches obtained by dry mixing the respective compositions in a ball mill were processed in argon plasma using the TAP torch at 5 kW for 1, 2 and 3 min, respectively. The synthesized glass–ceramic samples were studied for phase composition, microstructure and bioactivity. The phase study of the synthesized glass–ceramics revealed the formation of calcium phosphate silicate with traces of calcium silicate. The structural study by SEM revealed that the prepared samples possessed smooth glassy surface morphology. The in vitro-bioactivity of the TAP synthesized glass–ceramics was examined in simulated body fluid (SBF). The SBF test results confirmed the development of crystalline carbonated apatite phase after 12 days of immersion. The cytocompatibility was evaluated through human fibroblast cell proliferation. The fibroblasts culture results showed that the sample was non-toxic and promoted cell growth.     

Scalable Path Computation Flooding Approach for PCE‐Based Multi‐domain Networks

In this letter, we assess the scalability of a path computation flooding (PCF) approach to compute optimal end‐to‐end inter‐domain paths in a path computation element‐based multi‐domain network. PCF yields a drastically reduced network blocking probability compared to a blind per‐domain path computation but introduces significant network control overhead and path computation complexity. In view of this, we introduce and compare an alternative low overhead PCF (LoPCF) solution. From the obtained results, LoPCF leads to similar blocking probabilities to PCF while exhibiting around 50% path computation complexity and network control overhead reduction.     

Nanocomposite coatings of Ti/C:H plasma polymer particles providing a surface with variable nanoroughness

Nanocomposite metal plasma polymer films were prepared by deposition of C:H plasma polymer particles using a Haberland type cluster source and overcoating of these particles by titanium layer by means of planar magnetron. This study is focused mainly on characterization of surface roughness of such films and its influence on other properties, such as surface chemistry and wettability. Selected samples were also subjected to biotests, namely to evaluate adhesion of human osteoblast-like MG63 cells.     

Giant cell leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord: a report

Presentation of the case of one patient with a leiomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord with presence of numerous giant cells, a remarkably unusual finding. Presence of this type of cells, as well as their positivity for histiocytic markers in immunohistochemical staining, raise considerable problems for the differential diagnosis of this neoplasia with malignant fibrous histiocytomas, which probably requires a different, more aggressive therapeutical approach.     

Superconducting Transition Temperature Modulation in NbN via EDL Gating

We perform electric double-layer gating experiments on thin films of niobium nitride. Thanks to a cross-linked polymer electrolyte system of improved efficiency, we induce surface charge densities as high as ≈ 2.8 × 10¹⁵cm?2 in the active channel of the devices. We report a reversible modulation of the superconducting transition temperature (either positive or negative depending on the sign of the gate voltage) whose magnitude and sign are incompatible with the confinement of the perturbed superconducting state to a thin surface layer, as would be expected within a na¨?ve screening model.