One-step coating of fluoro-containing silica nanoparticles for universal generation of surface superhydrophobicity

Stable superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles over 170 degrees and sliding angles below 7 degrees were produced by simply coating a particulate silica sol solution of co-hydrolysed TEOS/fluorinated alkyl silane with NH₃^.H₂O on various substrates, including textile fabrics (e.g. polyester, wool and cotton), electrospun nanofibre mats, filter papers, glass slides, and silicon wafers.

The effects of a simplified tai-chi exercise program (STEP) on the physical health of older adults living in long-term care facilities : a single group design with multiple time points

Background
Studies support the positive effects that Tai Chi has on the physical health of older adults. However, many older adults residing in long-term care facilities feel too weak to practice traditional Tai Chi, and a more simplified style is preferred.
Objective
To test the effects of a newly-developed, Simplified Tai-Chi Exercise Program (STEP) on the physical health of older adults who resided in long-term care facilities.
Design
A single group design with multiple time points: three pre-tests, one month apart; four post-tests at one month, two months, three months, and six months after intervention started.
Settings
Two 300–400 bed veteran homes in Taiwan.
Participants
The 51 male older adults were recruited through convenience sampling, and 41 of them completed six-month study. Inclusion criteria included: (1) aged 65 and over; (2) no previous training in Tai Chi; (3) cognitively alert and had a score of at least eight on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire; (4) able to walk without assistance; and (5) had a Barthel Index score of 61 or higher. Participants who had dementia, were wheel-chair bound, or had severe or acute cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or pulmonary illnesses were excluded.
Methods
The STEP was implemented three times a week, 50 min per session for six months. The outcome measures included cardio-respiratory function, blood pressure, balance, hand-grip strength, lower body flexibility, and physical health actualization.
Results
A drop in systolic blood pressure (p=.017) and diastolic blood pressure (p<.001) was detected six months after intervention started. Increase in hand-grip strength from pre to post intervention was found (left hand: p<.001; right hand: p=.035). Participants also had better lower body flexibility after practicing STEP (p=.038).
Conclusions
Findings suggest that the STEP be incorporated as a floor activity in long-term care facilities to promote physical health of older adults.

A step toward a common measure of organizational fairness

The paper examines dimensions of organizational justice construct in a public sector context, utilizing an organizational justice measure developed and validated by Colquitt (2001). The present study substantiates the existing claims about the independence of interactional justice and the division of interactional justice into interpersonal and informational justice. The present investigation also contributes to the justice literature by providing evidence of a new factor, which is called procedural voice justice to reflect the possible association with the concept of voice effect. Although voice has been examined extensively in the justice research as an antecedent of procedural justice, little is known about if and how voice might integrate into procedural justice construct. The study proposes that future justice research further investigate dimensionality of organisational justice and aspire to developing a common measure of the justice construct.

Variable step-size LMS algorithm with a quotient form

An improved robust variable step-size least mean square (LMS) algorithm is developed in this paper. Unlike many existing approaches, we adjust the variable step-size using a quotient form of filtered versions of the quadratic error. The filtered estimates of the error are based on exponential windows, applying different decaying factors for the estimations in the numerator and denominator. The new algorithm, called more robust variable step-size (MRVSS), is able to reduce the sensitivity to the power of the measurement noise, and improve the steady-state performance for comparable transient behavior, with negligible increase in the computational cost. The mean convergence, the steady-state performance and the mean step-size behavior of the MRVSS algorithm are studied under a slow time-varying system model, which can be served as guidelines for the design of MRVSS algorithm in practical applications. Simulation results are demonstrated to corroborate the analytic results, and to compare MRVSS with the existing representative approaches. Superior properties of the MRVSS algorithm are indicated.

A class of modified variable step-size NLMS algorithms for system identification

This paper proposes a class of modified variable step-size normalized least mean square (VS NLMS) algorithms. The class of schemes are obtained from estimating the optimum step-size of NLMS that minimizes the mean square deviation (MSD). During the estimation, we consider the properties of the additive noise and the input excitation together. The developed class of VS NLMS algorithms have simple forms and give improved tradeoff of fast convergence rate and low misadjustment in system identification.

Joint European masters awards in construction management and construction economics : a positive step for surveying education?

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 5th European Conference in November 2004 focussed on enhancing collaboration at master's level in real estate education across Europe. In a context of increased global economic activity and increasing ties within the EU, there are benefits to business and to students in offering this type of educational provision. But is this paradigm true for construction economics (CE) and construction management (CM)? This paper examined the potential for collaboration and joint European awards in CM and CE. There is a political will for collaboration in HE based on economic drivers for the growth of the EU and changes are being implemented to enhance transparency and mobility for students. Professional bodies are expanding their European presence. Globalisation has resulted in greater opportunities for international real estate, and construction and there is growth in these sectors for practitioners. The difficulties with joint European collaboration are short course duration and the need to cover extensive subject matter. Other barriers are university structures, quality assurance procedures, costs and finances issues as well as IT, student services and support issues. The survey revealed that there are no RICS accredited CM / CE courses outside of the UK which inhibits collaboration. The sample was split in perceived demand for collaboration and the European focus within the courses is limited, as are field trips outside the UK. Student exchange on courses is rare. Generally there is a lag between the political will to greater student mobility and collaboration and the market, which is showing growth in multinational organisations and demand for pan European construction services and a professional body keen to deliver and support this growth. Within academia the barriers and current economic climate in HE preclude the widespread adoption of greater collaboration and development of joint awards, however this position may change.

Encouraging governments to enhance the happiness of their nation : Step 1: understand subjective wellbeing

This article considers the issue of facilitating policies that enhance population happiness. An impediment to such action is the failure of most policy makers to understand that subjective wellbeing can be measured and understood within the framework of science. Additionally, they fail to realize that enhancing the subjective wellbeing of populations enhances not only the functioning of individuals but that of the population as a whole. A framework for understanding calls on the Theory of Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis and data from the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index. This Index has been used to monitor the subjective wellbeing of the Australian population over the 6-year period 2001–2006. The article begins by a description of the subjective wellbeing construct and the theory that it is homeostatically managed. The operation of homeostasis makes very determined predictions as to the kinds of relationships that should be found in association with various environmental challenges and resources. These predictions will be examined in the light of the data from our surveys and the benefits of population happiness will be discussed. Finally, consideration will be given as to and how such understanding may be conveyed to politicians, in order to assist the development of policies aimed at enhancing the level of happiness in society.

One-step purification and immobilization of his-tagged rhamnosidase for naringin hydrolysis

α-l-Rhamnosidase (EC 3.2.1.40) is an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of terminal rhamnoside groups from naringin to prunin and rhamnose. In this study, a His-tag was genetically attached to the rhamnosidase gene ramA from Clostridium stercorarium to facilitate its purification from Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells containing the pET-21d/ramA plasmid. Immobilized metal-chelate affinity chromatography (IMAC) resulted in one-step purification of N-terminally His-tagged recombinant rhamnosidase (N-His-CsRamA) which was immobilized in Ca²⁺ alginate (3%) beads. The optimum pH levels of the free and immobilized recombinant rhamnosidase were found to be 6.0 and 7.5, and the optimum temperature 55 and 60 °C respectively. At 50 °C, the free enzyme was relatively stable and exhibited a less than 50% reduction in residual activity after 180 min of incubation. The free and immobilized enzymes achieved 76% and 67% hydrolysis of the naringin in Kinnow juice respectively. Immobilization of recombinant rhamnosidase enabled its reutilization up to 9 hydrolysis batches without an appreciable loss in activity. This result indicated that the His-tagged thermostable rhamnosidase could be prepared as described and may serve to illustrate an economical and commercially viable process for industrial application.

Child-related information processing in step-parents : investigating the Cinderella effect

This thesis examined the over-representation of step-parents as perpetrators of child physical abuse. Results suggested a number of differences between step- and biological parents in attachment, information-processing, and disciplinary practices. Results were used to formulate a model of step-parental abuse, which has potential implications for the prevention of child physical abuse. The professional portfolio presents four cases from forensic practice in which predictions about further criminal behaviour are made. These cases are then used to discuss several practical questions that may be posed by psychologists who are considering which approach (clinical or actuarial) to use.

One-step synthesis of conducting polymer–noble metal nanoparticle composites using an ionic liquid

Conducting polymers containing incorporated gold or silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using ionic liquid solutions of gold chloride or silver nitrate. Use of the metal salts as the oxidant for monomers such as pyrrole and terthiophene allows the composites to be formed in one simple step, without the need for templates or capping agents. The incorporated metal nanoparticles are clearly visible by TEM, and the composites have been further analyzed by TGA, CV, UV-Vis, Raman, XPS and scanning TEM coupled with EDS analysis. Utilization of an ionic liquid allows the full oxidizing power of the gold chloride to be accessed, resulting in incorporation of metallic gold into the polymers.

Civil society, social capital and the Twelve Step group

This article examines the nature of community and family by using the concept of civil society through a Twelve Step group called Al-Anon. Al-Anon is related to Alcoholics Anonymous and is a support group for families of alcoholics. The concept of civil society is addressed by looking at its development in political philosophy and sociology. The work of Putnam, in particular, is used to understand how civil society and the associations which make it up develop social capital [Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy, Princeton University Press (1993); Journal of Democracy, 6(1), 65-78 (1995); The Responsive Community, 5(2), 18-33 (1995)]. Social capital is understood to be norms and values such as trust and reciprocity that enable sociability or social connectedness. Community, then, embodies these norms of trust and reciprocity through their development in Al-Anon. Al-Anon is studied as an example of an association in civil society. The data come from an ethnographic study in Australia and five European countries as well as in-depth interviews with women members in Australia. The article reviews the similarities and differences between the various countries as well as the form that social capital takes for individual members.