Density functional studies of diatomic LaO to LuO

Bond distances, vibrational frequencies, electron affinities, ionization potentials, dissociation energies and dipole moments of the title molecules in neutral, positively and negatively charged ions were studied by use of density functional method. Ground electronic state was assigned for each molecule. The bonding patterns were analyzed and compared with both the available data and across the series. It was found that besides ionic component, covalent bonds are formed between the metal s, d and f orbitals and oxygen p orbitals. Contrary to the well known lanthanide contraction, the bond distance is not regular from LaO to LuO for both neutral and charged molecules. An obvious population at 5d orbital was observed through the lanthanide series. 4f electrons also participate the chemical bonding for CeO to NdO and TbO to TmO. For EuO, GdO, YbO and LuO, 4f electrons tend to be localized. The spin multiplicity is regular for neutral and charged molecules. The spin multiplicity of the charged molecules can be obtained by -1 (or +1 for TbO+, DyO+, YbO- and YbO+) compared with the corresponding neutral molecules.

W-183 NMR characterization of rare earth heteropolymetalates in aqueous solution

W-183 NMR spectra were obtained for [La(AsW11O39)(2)](11-), [La(As2W17O61)(2)](17-), [La(SiW9Mo2O39)(2)](13-), [LaSb9W21O86](16-), [LaAs4W40O140](25-) and alpha-, beta-[(CeO)(3) . (SiW9O34)(2)](14-) complexes, Tungsten NMR studies showed that the C-s symmetry of the square antiprism for [La(ASW(11)O(39))(2)](11-) and [La(As2W17O61)(2)](17-) anions keep constant in aqueous solution; the lanthanide accupied the central S-1 site in [LnSb(9)W(21)O(86)](16-) and [LnAs(4)W(40)O(140)](25-) complexes, respectively, and lanthanide metal cations gave [(CeO)(3) . (SiW9O34)(3)](14-) type of complexes with SiW9O3410-.

Photovoltaic Properties and Quantum Size Effect in Nanocrystalline CeO2

Different size. nanocrystallines CeO2 were synthesized and their diffuse reflectance absorption spectra have heen measured. The absorption band in the region from 300 to 450 nm was assigned to the O2p-Ce2 4f transition. It was found that a strongly red-shifted broad continuum of the absorption band occured as the decrease of the partical size. We have also measured the surface photovoltage as function of wavelength by SPS technique. And the absorption band was resolved to two peaks with different photovoltaic properties. Photovoltaic quantum size effect was observed by FMSPS measurement.

(η~5-C_5H_5)_3Ln·OC_4H_8(Ln=Ce,Er)的合成及晶体结构

用无水硝酸铈铵[(NH_4)_2Ce(NO_3)_6]与环戊二烯钠(C_5H_5Na)在四氢呋喃中按1:6摩尔比反应,得到(η~5-C_6H_5)_3Ce·OC_4H_8;用ErCl_3·nTHF与环辛二烯钾(C_8H_(11)K)按等摩尔比于-78℃反应,升至室温,再按1:2摩尔比加入C_5H_5Na,得到了(η~5-C_5H_5)_3Er·OC_4H_8.两配合物晶体结构测定结果表明都属单斜晶系P2_(1/n)空间群.Ce配合物与已测定过的(η~5-C_5H_5)_3Ln·OC_4H_8(Ln=La,PrNd,Gd,Dy,Y,Lu)的晶体结构不是同构物:而Er配合物则是同构物.Ce配合物中的Ce—O、Ce—Cent(环戊二烯环中心)和平均Ce—C(η~5)键长不符合镧系收缩规律,而Er配合物的键长符合.这说明在(η~5-C_5H_5)_3Ln·OC_4H_8同构系列中在Ce和Dy有两个断点,但不存在所谓的“钆断现象”,因为Y,Er,Lu配合物的Ln—O和Ln—C(η~5)和Ln—Centroid距离不大于Gd的相应值.

服务机器人路径规划技术研究

随着技术的发展和数字产品的价格下降，家用机器人必将成为未来数字家庭的主导。正如家用机器人生产厂商iRobot的CEO科林·安格尔所说：“我认为，完全有理由想像，10年之后每个家庭都将拥有一台机器人。”路径规划技术是移动机器人导航系统中不可缺少的重要组成部分，不仅是移动机器人完成任务的安全保障，同时也是移动机器人智能化程度的重要标志。 本论文以新松公司“家用服务机器人的研究开发”项目为背景，对服务机器人的路径规划系统中的重点和难点问题进行了深入的研究，主要工作如下： 在嵌入式微处理器ARM7上实现了服务机器人的路径规划系统，完成了超声波传感器和红外传感器的采集和标定，并通过仿真研究和实验研究两方面对机器人的路径规划系统进行分析和设计。 在MATLAB GUI的仿真平台上，采用改进斥力势场函数解决了障碍物附近目标点不可达问题，通过引入引导点解决机器人在‘U’型区域内的震荡问题。在实验中，首先采用改进势场函数实现了机器人的折线规划方法，基于此算法，实现了机器人在固定范围内漫游的功能；通过改进折线规划方法，提出了弧形规划算法；通过引入人工协调场，解决了机器人、障碍物与目标点在一条直线上时与长形障碍物的碰撞问题；最后再加上各种安全措施，保证机器人在躲避障碍物的同时，能以一种比较平滑、优美的曲线到达目标点。 本论文首先在仿真中实现基本的规划算法，以服务机器人为平台，通过实验，不断发现新问题，提出新的改进算法，最后再在实验中进行验证。实验结果表明本文设计的路径规划算法能够实现机器人以平滑优美的曲线在复杂环境中的路径规划功能。

Comparative study by infrared spectroscopy and microcalorimetry of the CO adsorption over supported palladium catalysts

The adsorption of CO on Al(2)O(3), ZrO(2), ZrO(2)-SiO(2), and ZrO(2)-La(2)O(3) supported Pd catalysts was studied by adsorption microcalorimetry and infrared (TR) spectroscopy. Some interesting and new correlations between the results of microcalorimetry and IR spectroscopy have been found. The CO is adsorbed on palladium catalysts in three different modes: multibonded (3-fold), bridged (2-fold), both on Pd(lll) and (100) planes, and linear (1-fold) adsorbed species. The corresponding differential adsorption heats lie in the field of high (210-170 kJ/mol), medium (140-120 kJ/mol), and low (95-60 kJ/mol) values, respectively. The nature of the support, the reduction temperature, and the pretreatment conditions affect the surface structure of the Pd catalysts, resulting in variations in the site energy distribution, i.e., changes in the fraction of sites adsorbing CO with specific heats of adsorption. Moreover, the CeO(2); promoter addition weakens the adsorption strength of CO on palladium. Based on the exposed results, a correctness factor, which considers the percentages of various CO adsorption states, must be introduced when one calculates the Pd dispersion using CO adsorption data.

上市公司经营管理者绩效－报酬与激励机制初探

This research aims at the CEO's (chief executive officer) incentive-reward system and investigates 456 companies that have come into the market. The structure and level of agent reward are analyzed. And the problem in the incentive-reward mechanism is brought forward. The agent's payments are poor comparing to their contributions. And stock is not a primary incentive. Bonus compensation is still the dominant incentive means. By questionnaire and interview, it was fond that matriel need was rank first among these CEOs'needs. These foundinds indicate that the agents' payment is too poor to work as an effective incentive. The corporation's agent incentive is not enough in fact. The two reasons about this problem lie in our institutions and traditional opinions about commerce. To solve this matter, we must establish a scientific and reasonable evaluation system and incentive-reward system. At the same time, the market system and corporation management mechanism are absolutely need.

ENVIRON 2011: 21st Irish Environmental Researchers Colloquium

The theme of this year’s colloquium is “Towards 2020: Environmental challenges and opportunities for the next decade” which reflects the many environmental targets that have been set for the year 2020 in areas of climate change, renewable energy, water protection and biodiversity. In relation to the latter, we are delighted to have Professor Michael Depledge (Former Chairman of UK Science Advisory Committee on the Environment & Climate Change) at ENVIRON 2011 to deliver the colloquium keynote address on “Health and the Value of Nature”. The colloquium plenary session has a number of high profile speakers who will address the colloquium theme of environmental challenges and opportunities for the next decade including Professor John Sweeney (NUI Maynooth), Ms Laura Burke (Director of EPA’s Office of Climate, Licensing Research and Resource Use) and Mr John Mullins (CEO of Bord Gais). The research programme has 95 oral presentations and 60 poster presentations in the themes of water quality, energy and climate change, marine and coastal research, environmental management, environmental technologies, environment and health, and biodiversity and ecosystems. In addition, for the first year, poster presenters have the opportunity to make a 1 minute oral presentation on their poster during the oral sessions in the relevant theme. The 2011 colloquium also sees an increase the number of workshops and seminars accompanying the programme with an emphasis on training and development for postgraduates in the environmental area. We are particularly pleased to have a link with the Environment Graduate Programme in the “Ocean Studies Workshop” which illustrates how the ENVIRON colloquium can support and benefit from the various graduate programmes currently being developed within Universities. Finally ENVIRON 2011 and the UCC 2011 Law and the Environment symposium have been deliberately scheduled together at the same time and location to allow delegates from both conferences to benefit from each other’s programmes.

Can Cooling Technology Save Many-Core Parallel Programming from Its Programming Woes?

An abstract of this work will be presented at the Compiler, Architecture and Tools Conference (CATC), Intel Development Center, Haifa, Israel November 23, 2015.

Controlling the agenda at WWF - the multinationals' network

This paper by CEO, PSIRU and PSI details the continuing influence of water multinationals on the World Water Forum and its agenda.

Novel system for distant assessment of cataract surgical quality in rural China

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the quality of various steps of manual small incision cataract surgery and predictors of quality, using video recordings.
DESIGN: This paper applies a retrospective study.
PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two trainees participated in a hands-on small incision cataract surgery training programme at rural Chinese hospitals.
METHODS: Trainees provided one video each recorded by a tripod-mounted digital recorder after completing a one-week theoretical course and hands-on training monitored by expert trainers. Videos were graded by two different experts, using a 4-point scale developed by the International Council of Ophthalmology for each of 12 surgical steps and six global factors. Grades ranged from 2 (worst) to 5 (best), with a score of 0 if the step was performed by trainers.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean score for the performance of each cataract surgical step rated by trainers.
RESULTS: Videos and data were available for 49/52 trainees (94.2%, median age 38 years, 16.3% women and 77.5% completing > 50 training cases). The majority (53.1%, 26/49) had performed ≤ 50 cataract surgeries prior to training. Kappa was 0.57∼0.98 for the steps (mean 0.85). Poorest-rated steps were draping the surgical field (mean ± standard deviation = 3.27 ± 0.78), hydro-dissection (3.88 ± 1.22) and wound closure (3.92 ± 1.03), and top-rated steps were insertion of viscoelastic (4.96 ± 0.20) and anterior chamber entry (4.69 ± 0.74). In linear regression models, higher total score was associated with younger age (P = 0.015) and having performed >50 independent manual small incision cases (P = 0.039).
CONCLUSIONS: More training should be given to preoperative draping, which is poorly performed and crucial in preventing infection. Surgical experience improves ratings.© 2015 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Perceived difficulty of various steps of manual small incision cataract surgery among trainees in rural China

Background: The perceived difficulty of steps of manual small incision cataract surgery among trainees in rural China was assessed. Design: Cohort study. Participants: Fifty-two trainees at the end of a manual small incision cataract surgery training programme. Methods: Participants rated the difficulty of 14 surgical steps using a 5-point scale, 1 (very easy) to 5 (very difficult). Demographic and professional information was recorded for trainees. Main Outcome Measure: Mean ratings for surgical steps. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 49 trainees (94.2%, median age 38 years, 8 [16.3%] women). Twenty six (53.1%) had performed ≤50 independent cataract surgeries prior to training. Trainees rated cortical aspiration (mean score±standard deviation=3.10±1.14) the most difficult step, followed by wound construction (2.76±1.08), nuclear prolapse into the anterior chamber (2.74±1.23) and lens delivery (2.51±1.08). Draping the surgical field (1.06±0.242), anaesthetic block administration (1.14±0.354) and thermal coagulation (1.18±0.441) were rated easiest. In regression models, the score for cortical aspiration was significantly inversely associated with performing >50 independent manual small incision cataract surgery surgeries during training (P=0.01), but not with age, gender, years of experience in an eye department or total number of cataract surgeries performed prior to training. Conclusions: Cortical aspiration, wound construction and nuclear prolapse pose the greatest challenge for trainees learning manual small incision cataract surgery, and should receive emphasis during training. Number of cases performed is the strongest predictor of perceived difficulty of key steps. © 2013 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Visual outcomes of cataract surgery performed by supervised novice surgeons during training in rural China

To assess the outcomes of cataract surgery performed by novice surgeons during training in a rural programme. Design: Retrospective study. Participants: Three hundred thirty-four patients operated by two trainees under supervision at rural Chinese county hospitals. Methods: Two trainees performed surgeries under supervision. Visual acuity, refraction and examinations were carried out 3 months postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, causes of visual impairment (postoperative uncorrected visual acuity<6/18) Results: Among 518 operated patients, 426 (82.2%) could be contacted and 334 (64.4% of operated patients) completed the examinations. The mean age was 74.1±8.8 years and 62.9% were women. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was available in 372 eyes. Among them, uncorrected visual acuity was ≥6/18 in 278 eyes (74.7%) and <6/60 in 60 eyes (16.1%), and 323 eyes (86.8%) had pinhole visual acuity≥6/18 and 38 eyes (10.2%) had pinhole visual acuity<6/60. Main causes of visual impairment were uncorrected refractive error (63.9%) and comorbid eye disease (24.5%). Comorbid eye diseases associated with pinhole visual acuity<6/60 (n=23, 6.2%) included glaucoma, other optic nerve atrophy, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that hands-on training remains safe and effective even when not implemented in centralized training centres. Further refinement of the training protocol, providing postoperative refractive services and more accurate preoperative intraocular lens calculations, can help optimize outcomes. © 2012 The Authors Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2012 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

Bitte recht freundlich!

Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die Wirkung von Spitzenführungspersonal-Fotos. Sie liefert Antworten auf die Frage, welche Mimik und welche Gestik auf solchen Fotos bei den betrachtenden Personen die positivste Wirkung erzeugt und welche Wirkungsunterschiede existieren, in Abhängigkeit davon, wer das Foto betrachtet und in Abhängigkeit davon, ob auf dem Foto eine weibliche oder männliche Person zu sehen ist. Beim Betrachten von Portraitfotos entstehen bei Menschen automatisch und unbewusst Vorstellungen über die Eigenschaften der abgebildeten Person, so genannte implizite Persönlichkeitstheorien. Die Untersuchung wurde als Online-Befragung in Form einer Bildbewertungsstudie durchgeführt. Als Stimulusmaterial wurden jeweils 16 Fotos einer weiblichen und einer männlichen Spitzenführungskraft produziert, welche unterschiedliche Kombinationen aus Gestiken und Mimiken zeigten, die nach den Attributen Glaubwürdigkeit, Sympathie, Attraktivität, Kompetenz und Entschlossenheit bewertet wurden. Weibliche Spitzenführungskräfte wirken am positivsten, wenn sie eine zugewandte Gestik zeigen. Besonders glaubwürdig wirken sie, wenn sie dazu ein Zahnlächeln zeigen. Kompetenz und Entschlossenheit wird bei weiblichen Spitzenführungskräften am stärksten durch eine Kombination aus einem Schmunzeln und einer zugewandten Gestik vermittelt – Attraktivität und Sympathie durch eine Kombination aus Lachen und einer zugewandten Gestik. Kompetenz und Entschlossenheit werden bei männlichen Spitzenführungskräften ebenfalls durch eine Kombination aus Schmunzeln und einer zugewandten Gestik am stärksten vermittelt. Glaubwürdigkeit wird durch eine Kombination aus Schmunzeln und einer vorgebeugten Gestik am stärksten vermittelt – Attraktivität und Sympathie durch eine Kombination aus Lachen und einer vorgebeugten Gestik.

Board attributes that increase firm risk - evidence from the UK

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to identify the board attributes that significantly increase firm risk. The study aims to find if board size, percentage of non-executive directors, women on the board, a powerful CEO, equity ownership amongst executive board directors and institutional investor ownership, are associated with firm risk. This is the first study that examines which board attributes increase firm risk using a UK based sample. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical study collected secondary data from Bloomberg and Morningstar databases. The data sample is an unbalanced panel of 260 companies’ secondary data on FTSE 350 index in the UK, from 2005 to 2010. The data was statistically analysed using STATA. Findings – The study establishes the board attributes that were significantly related to firm risk. The results show that a board which can increase firm risk is one that is small in size,has high equity ownership amongst executive board directors and has high institutional investor ownership. Research limitations/implications – The governance culture and regulatory system in the UK is different from other countries. Since the data is a UK based sample, the results can lack generalisability. Practical implications – The results are useful for investors who invest in large firms, to have the knowledge about the board attributes that can increase firm risk. Regulators can also use the results to strengthen regulatory guidelines. Originality/value – This study fills the gap in knowledge in UK governance literature on the board attributes that can increase firm risk.