Ionic conductivity of polymer gels deriving from alkali metal ionic liquids and negatively charged polyelectrolytes

We have prepared polymer gel electrolytes with alkali metal ionic liquids (AMILs) that inherently contain alkali metal ions. The AMIL consisted of sulfate anion, imidazolium cation, and alkali metal cation. AMILs were mixed directly with poly(3-sulfopropyl acrylate) lithium salt or poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) lithium salt to form polymer gels. The ionic conductivity of these gels decreased with increasing polymer fraction, as in general ionic liquid/polymer mixed systems. At low polymer concentrations, these gels displayed excellent ionic conductivity of 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. Gelation was found to cause little change in the ⁷Li diffusion coefficient of the ionic liquid, as measured by pulse-field-gradient NMR. These data strongly suggest that the lithium cation migrates in successive pathways provided by the ionic liquids.

Blood plasma concentrations of metabolic hormones and glucose during extended lactation in grazing cows or cows fed a total mixed ration

An experiment was conducted to measure the effect of diet on circulating concentrations of metabolic hormones and metabolites in cows undergoing extended lactations. Two groups of 6 Holstein-Friesian cows managed for lactations of 670 d were used in the experiment. One group was fully fed on a total mixed ration (TMR), whereas the other group grazed fresh pasture supplemented with grain (P+G). On 7 occasions between 332 and 612 d in milk, concentrations of metabolic hormones and glucose were measured in the blood plasma of each cow. Cows fed TMR gained more weight and body condition than P+G cows, but did not produce more milk during the study period. Only 3 of the TMR cows continued to lactate until 612 d in milk compared with all 6 of the P+G cows. Blood plasma from cows fed TMR had higher concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon, insulin-like growth factor 1, and leptin, but lower concentrations of growth hormone, than that from P+G cows. These changes were consistent with the preferential deposition of energy into adipose tissue at the expense of milk production and presumably were induced by a diet that provided precursors for gluconeogenesis that were in excess of the requirements for maintenance and prevailing milk production. The mechanism responsible for some TMR cows putting on excess weight and reducing or ceasing milk production is uncertain, but this observation has important implications for the nutritional management of cows in extended lactation programs.

Effect of nano-Al2O3 addition on the densification of YSZ electrolytes

This work investigates the effect of nanosized Al2O3 addition on the sinterability of YSZ electrolyte. (1-x)YSZ + Al2O3 ceramics with compositions x = 0 to 0.01 were prepared by the conventional mixed oxide route from a commercial powder suspension (particle size <50 nm), and sintered at 1200 to 1500 degrees C for 2 hours in air. Densification, phase evolution, and microstructure were characterized by SEM/EDS and XRD. An improvement in sintered density was observed for the samples with 0.2 to 0.5 mol% Al2O3, though depending on the sintering temperature. Only cubic zirconia was detected as crystalline phase, although XRD features suggested chemical interactions depending upon the amount of Al2O3. The grain size of YSZ was homogeneous and no second phase segregation was detected in the tested range of incorporated nano-Al2O3 and sintering temperatures.

Structure effect on the oxygen permeation properties of barium bismuth iron oxide membranes

In this work, we investigated the oxygen permeation properties of barium bismuth iron oxide within the family of [Ba_2−3xBi_3x−1][Fe_2xBi_1−2x]O_2+3x/2 for x = 0.17–0.60. The structure changed progressively from cubic to tetragonal and then to hexagonal as function of x in accordance with the different relative amounts of bismuth on A-site and B-site of ABO_3−δ perovskite lattices. We found that the oxygen flux and electrical conductivity correlated strongly, and it was prevalent for the cubic structure (x = 0.33–0.40) which conferred the highest oxygen flux of 0.59 ml min⁻¹ cm⁻² at 950 °C for a disk membrane x = 0.33 with a thickness of 1.2 mm. By reducing the thickness of the disk membrane to 0.8 mm, the oxygen flux increased to 0.77 ml min⁻¹ cm⁻², suggesting both surface kinetics and ion diffusion controlled oxygen flux, though the former was more prominent at higher temperatures. For disk membranes x = 0.45–0.60, the perovskite structure changed to tetragonal and hexagonal, and the oxygen flux was insignificant below 900 °C, clearly indicating electron conduction properties only. However, for two compositions with relatively high bismuth content, e.g. x = 0.55 and 0.60, there was a sudden and significant rise of oxygen permeability above 900 °C, by more than one order of magnitude. These materials changed conduction behavior from metallic to semiconductor at around 900 °C. These results suggest the advent of mixed ionic electronic conducting properties caused by the structure transition as bismuth ions changed their valence states to compensate for the oxygen vacancies formed within the perovskite lattices.

Announcement effect on the credit spreads of US dollar Malaysian bonds

The main purpose of this paper is to extend the empirical research on the behavior of credit spreads on the USD denominated Malaysian bonds. We find that international political events have more influence on the changes of bond yield spreads from Malaysian USD issues than domestic events. Significant results are consistent across different issues. However, the resignation by the former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, created a mixed response from the market. Using an error correction model, this study also found that the monetary policy by the US Federal Reserve has a long-term and significant impact on the behavior of the Malaysian USD issues. This study also provides further evidence that the current theoretical framework is sufficient to explain changes in the credit spread of bonds issued by the emerging market.

The effect of humidity and temperature on Wool Comfort Meter assessment of single jersey wool fabrics

The Wool ComfortMeter provides an objective measurement of the fabric-evoked prickle discomfort rating provided by wearers. This work aimed to quantify the sensitivity of the Wool ComfortMeter over a range of different temperature and humidity conditions to determine the recommended test conditions for its operation. The design was: three temperatures (notionally 20, 25 and 30°C) at three relative humidities (RHs, notionally 50, 65 and 80%) each with two replicates, using six different wool single jersey knits (mean fibre diameter 19.5–27.0 µm). As it was difficult to achieve exactly some of the extreme combinations of temperature and RH, some combinations were repeated, providing a total of 23 different assessment conditions. Data were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood mixed model analysis. The best fixed model included RH, RH2, temperature and the interaction of temperature and RH, accounting for 95% of the variation in Wool ComfortMeter readings. Wool ComfortMeter values were almost constant at 55–60% RH. Generally, the Wool ComfortMeter value reduced with increasing RH > 60% at temperatures of 25°C and 28.5°C as the regain of the fabric increased. However, at 20°C little change was detected as RH was increased from 50 to 80% as there were only small changes in fabric regain. The observed effects were in a good agreement with existing knowledge on the effect of regain on the mechanical properties of wool fibre. Wool ComfortMeter is best operated under standard conditions for textile testing of 65% RH and 20°C.

The significant effect of the phase composition on the oxygen reduction reaction activity of a layered oxide cathode

Layered oxides of Sr4Fe4Co2O13 (SFC2) which contains alternating perovskite oxide octahedral and polyhedral oxide double layers are attractive for their mixed ionic and electronic conducting and oxygen reduction reaction properties. In this work, we used the EDTA–citrate synthesis technique to prepare SFC2 and vary the calcination temperature between 900 and 1100 _C to obtain SFC2, containing different phase content of perovskite (denoted as SFC-P) and (Fe,Co) layered oxide phases (SFC-L). Rietveld refinements show that the SFC-P phase content increased from _39 wt% to _50 wt% and _61 wt% as the calcination temperature increased from 900 _C (SFC2-900) to 1000 _C (SFC2-1000) and 1050 _C (SFC2-1050). At 1100 _C (SFC2-1100), SFC-P became the dominant phase. The oxygen transport properties (e.g. oxygen chemical diffusion coefficient and oxygen permeability), electrical conductivity and oxygen reduction reaction activity is enhanced in the order of SFC2-1000, SFC2-1100 and SFC2-1050. The trend established here therefore negates the hypothesis that the perovskite phase content correlates with the oxygen transport property enhancement. The results suggest instead that there is an optimum composition value (e.g. 61 wt% of SFC-L for SFC2-1050 in this work) on which synergistic effects take place between the SFC-P and SFC-L phase.

Juvenile social experience affects pairing success at adulthood: Congruence with the loser effect?

Social interactions with adults are often critical for the development of mating behaviours. However, the potential role of other primary social partners such as juvenile counterparts is rarely considered. Most interestingly, it is not known whether interactions with juvenile females improve males’ courtship and whether, similar to the winner and loser effects in a fighting context—outcome of these interactions shapes males’ behaviour in future encounters. We investigated the combined effects of male quality and juvenile social experience on pairing success at adulthood in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We manipulated brood size to alter male quality and then placed males in either same- or mixed-sex juvenile dyads until adulthood. We found that males from reduced broods obtained more copulations and males from mixed-sex dyads had more complete courtships. Furthermore, independent of their quality, males that failed to pair with juvenile females, but not juvenile males, had a lower pairing success at adulthood. Our study shows that negative social experience with peers during adolescence may be a potent determinant of pairing success that can override the effects of early environmental conditions on male attractiveness and thereby supports the occurrence of an analogous process to the loser effect in a mating context.

The effect of known cardiovascular risk factors on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in school-aged children: a population based twin study

Childhood cardiovascular risk factors affect vascular function long before overt cardiovascular disease. Twin studies provide a unique opportunity to examine the influence of shared genetic and environmental influences on childhood cardiovascular function. We examined the relationship between birth parameters, markers of adiposity, insulin resistance, lipid profile and blood pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a validated non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness in a healthy cohort of school-aged twin children. PWV was performed on a population-based birth cohort of 147 twin pairs aged 7-11 years. Fasting blood samples, blood pressure and adiposity measures were collected concurrently. Mixed linear regression models were used to account for twin clustering, within- and between-twin pair associations. There were positive associations between both markers of higher adiposity, insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides and PWV, which remained significant after accounting for twin birth-set clustering. There was a positive association between both diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure and PWV in within-pair analysis in dizygotic, but not monozygotic twins, indicating genetic differences evident in dizygotic not monozygotic twins may affect these associations. Increased blood pressure, triglycerides and other metabolic markers are associated with increased PWV in school-aged twins. These results support both the genetic and environmental contribution to higher PWV, as a marker of arterial stiffness, and reiterate the importance of preventing metabolic syndrome from childhood.

Mixed signals among tests for panel cointegration

In this paper, we study the effect that different serial correlation adjustment methods can have on panel cointegration testing. As an example, we consider the very popular tests developed by Pedroni [Pedroni, P. (1999). Critical values for cointegration tests in heterogeneous panels with multiple regressors. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 61, 653670., Pedroni, P. (2004). Panel cointegration: asymptotic and finite sample properties of pooled time series tests with an application to the PPP hypothesis. Econometric Theory 20, 597-625.]. Results based on both simulated and real data suggest that different adjustment methods can lead to significant variations in test outcome, and thus also in the conclusions. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of fly ash and silica fume on disintegration of alkali-activated slag at temperature exposure of 50°C

The compressive strength of alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste can be adversely affected by temperature. AAS paste loses its strength when exposed to 50°C for 24 hours. The objective of the current investigation is to evaluate two different mineral admixtures, i.e. fly ash and silica fume, in preventing AAS paste from strength loss. The effect of the above admixtures at various dosages on strength loss was assessed by measuring the retention of compressive strength of samples after exposed to 50°C. Results indicate that the admixtures reduced strength loss. Compared with the fly ash, the silica fume performs better at preventing AAS paste from strength loss. After exposure to 50°C, the use of silica fume to replace 15% of slag reduces the strength loss by 70%. The possible reason for this is discussed based on x-ray diffraction results.

Effect of adjunctive raloxifene therapy on severity of refractory schizophrenia in women: a randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE: A substantial proportion of women with schizophrenia experience debilitating treatment-refractory symptoms. The efficacy of estrogen in modulating brain function in schizophrenia has to be balanced against excess exposure of peripheral tissue. Raloxifene hydrochloride is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist) with potential psychoprotective effects and fewer estrogenic adverse effects. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adjunctive raloxifene therapy reduces illness severity in women with refractory schizophrenia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with fortnightly assessments was performed at an urban tertiary referral center and a regional center from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2014. Participants included 56 women with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and marked symptom severity despite substantial and stable antipsychotic doses. Data were analyzed using intention to treat as the basis. INTERVENTIONS: Adjunctive raloxifene hydrochloride, 120 mg/d, or placebo for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. Clinical response (defined as a ≥20% decrease in PANSS total score from baseline) and change in PANSS subscale scores, mood, cognition, reproductive hormone levels, and adverse events were also assessed. RESULTS: Of the 56 participants (mean [SD] age, 53 [7.7] years; age range, 40-70 years; mean [SD] duration of psychotic illness, 24 [11] years), 26 were randomized to raloxifene and 30 were randomized to placebo. Raloxifene produced a greater reduction in the PANSS total score relative to placebo (β = -6.37; 95% CI, -11.64 to -1.10; P = .02) and resulted in an increased probability of a clinical response (hazard ratio, 5.79; 95% CI, 1.46 to 22.97; P = .01). A significant reduction was found in the PANSS general symptom scores for the raloxifene compared with the placebo (β = -3.72; 95% CI, -6.83 to -0.61; P = .02) groups. For patients who completed the full 12-week trial, there was not a statistically significant treatment effect on PANSS positive symptom scores (β for change in raloxifene vs placebo, -1.92; 95% CI, -3.83 to 0.00; P = .05). Change in mood, cognition, and reproductive hormone levels and the rate of adverse events did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Raloxifene hydrochloride, 120 mg/d, reduces illness severity and increases the probability of a clinical response in women with refractory schizophrenia. This large trial of raloxifene in this patient population offers a promising, well-tolerated agent that has potential application in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00361543.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy has no effect on disease activity but improves quality of life in subgroups of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated usefulness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in managing distress in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, few have focused on IBD course. The present trial aimed to investigate whether adding CBT to standard treatment prolongs remission in IBD in comparison to standard therapy alone. METHODS: A 2-arm parallel pragmatic randomised controlled trial (+CBT - standard care plus either face-to-face (F2F) or online CBT over 10 weeks versus standard care alone (SC)) was conducted with adult patients in remission. IBD remission at 12 months since baseline was the primary outcome measure while the secondary outcome measures were mental health status and quality of life (QoL). Linear mixed-effect models were used to compare groups on outcome variables while controlling for baseline. RESULTS: Participants were 174 patients with IBD (90 +CBT, 84 SC). There was no difference in remission rates between groups, with similar numbers flaring at 12 months. Groups did not differ in anxiety, depression or coping at 6 or 12 months (p >0.05). When only participants classified as 'in need' (young, high baseline IBD activity, recently diagnosed; poor mental health) were examined in the post-hoc analysis (n = 74, 34 CBT and 40 controls), CBT significantly improved mental QoL (p = .034, d = .56) at 6 months. Online CBT group had a higher score on Precontemplation than the F2F group, which is consistent with less developed coping with IBD in the cCBT group (p = .045). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should direct psychological interventions to patients 'in need' and attempt to recruit larger samples to compensate for significant attrition when using online CBT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol was registered on 21/10/2009 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ID: ACTRN12609000913279).