Effect of curve fitting parameters on quantitative analysis of Fe0.94O and Fe2O3 using XPS

The XPS peaks of Fe 3p for Fe2+ and Fe3+ in FeO and Fe2O3, respectively, have been measured and the effects of curve fitting parameters on interpretation of the data have been analysed. Firstly, the peak fit parameters, i.e. (1) the number of peaks to be deconvoluted, (2) the range of the peak for back ground subtraction, (3) straight line (Li) or the Shirley (Sh) background subtraction method, (4) GL ratio (the ratio of Gaussian and Lorentzian contribution to the peak shape) and (5) asymmetry factor (AS), are manually selected. Secondly, the standard peak fit parameters were systematically investigated. The peak shape was fitted to a Voigt function by changing the peak position, the peak height and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) to minimize the chi(2). The recommended peak positions and peak parameters for Fe2+ and Fe3+ in iron oxides have been determined. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a quasi-chemical viscosity model for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3-CaO-'FeO'-MgO-SiO2 system. Part 1. Description of the model and its application to the MgO, MgO-SiO2, Al2O3-MgO and CaO-MgO sub-systems

A structurally-based quasi-chemical viscosity model for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3 CaO-'FeO'-MgO-SiO2 system has been developed. The model links the slag viscosities to the internal structures of the melts through the concentrations of various Si0.5O, Me2/nn+O and Me1/nn+Si0.25O viscous flow structural units. The concentrations of these structural units are derived from a quasi-chemical thermodynamic model of the system. The model described in this series of papers enables the viscosities of liquid slags to be predicted within experimental uncertainties over the whole range of temperatures and compositions in the Al2O3 CaOMgO-SiO2 system.

Development of a quasi-chemical viscosity model for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3-CaO-'FeO'-MgO-SiO2 system. Part 2. A review of the experimental data and the model predictions for the Al2O3-CaO-MgO, CaO-MgO-SiO2 and Al2O3-MgO-SiO2 systems

A structurally-based quasi-chemical viscosity model has been developed for the Al2O3 CaO-'FeO'-MgO-SiO2 system. The model links the slag viscosity to the internal structure of melts through the concentrations of various anion/cation Si0.5O, Me2/nn+O and Me1/nn+Si0.25O viscous flow structural units. The concentrations of structural units are derived from the quasi-chemical thermodynamic model. The focus of the work described in the present paper is the analysis of experimental data and the viscosity models for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3-CaO-MgO, Al2O3 MgO-SiO2 and CaO-MgO-SiO2 systems.

Development of a quasi-chemical viscosity model for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3-CaO-'FeO'-MgO-SiO2 system. Part 3. Summary of the model predictions for the Al2O3-CaO-MgO-SiO2 system and its sub-systems

A structurally-based quasi-chemical viscosity model for fully liquid slags in the Al2O3 CaO-'FeO'-MgOSiO2 system has been developed. The focus of the work described in the present paper is the analysis of the experimental data and viscosity models in the quaternary system Al2O3 CaO-MgO-SiO2 and its subsystems. A review of the experimental data, viscometry methods used and viscosity models available in the Al2O3 CaO-MgO-SiO2 and its sub-systems is reported. The quasi-chemical viscosity model is shown to provide good agreement between experimental data and predictions over the whole compositional range.

Long wave generation by the shoaling and breaking of transient wave groups on a beach

This paper presents new laboratory data on the generation of long waves by the shoaling and breaking of transient-focused short-wave groups. Direct offshore radiation of long waves from the breakpoint is shown experimentally for the first time. High spatial resolution enables identification of the relationship between the spatial gradients of the short-wave envelope and the long-wave surface. This relationship is consistent with radiation stress theory even well inside the surf zone and appears as a result of the strong nonlinear forcing associated with the transient group. In shallow water, the change in depth across the group leads to asymmetry in the forcing which generates significant dynamic setup in front of the group during shoaling. Strong amplification of the incident dynamic setup occurs after short-wave breaking. The data show the radiation of a transient long wave dominated by a pulse of positive elevation, preceded and followed by weaker trailing waves with negative elevation. The instantaneous cross-shore structure of the long wave shows the mechanics of the reflection process and the formation of a transient node in the inner surf zone. The wave run-up and relative amplitude of the radiated and incident long waves suggests significant modification of the incident bound wave in the inner surf zone and, the dominance of long waves generated by the breaking process. It is proposed that these conditions occur when the primary short waves and bound wave are not shallow water waves at the breakpoint. A simple criterion is given to determine these conditions, which generally occur for the important case of storm waves.

Structural evolution in a hydrothermal reaction between Nb2O5 and NaOH solution: From Nb2O5 grains to microporous Na2Nb2O6 center dot(2)/3H2O fibers and NaNbO3 cubes

Niobium pentoxide reacts actively with concentrate NaOH solution under hydrothermal conditions at as low as 120 degrees C. The reaction ruptures the corner-sharing of NbO7 decahedra and NbO6 octahedra in the reactant Nb2O5, yielding various niobates, and the structure and composition of the niobates depend on the reaction temperature and time. The morphological evolution of the solid products in the reaction at 180 degrees C is monitored via SEM: the fine Nb2O5 powder aggregates first to irregular bars, and then niobate fibers with an aspect ratio of hundreds form. The fibers are microporous molecular sieve with a monoclinic lattice, Na2Nb2O6 center dot(2)/3H2O. The fibers are a metastable intermediate of this reaction, and they completely convert to the final product NaNbO3 Cubes in the prolonged reaction of 1 h. This study demonstrates that by carefully optimizing the reaction condition, we can selectively fabricate niobate structures of high purity, including the delicate microporous fibers, through a direct reaction between concentrated NaOH solution and Nb2O5. This synthesis route is simple and suitable for the large-scale production of the fibers. The reaction first yields poorly crystallized niobates consisting of edge-sharing NbO6 octahedra, and then the microporous fibers crystallize and grow by assembling NbO6 octahedra or clusters of NbO6 octahedra and NaO6 units. Thus, the selection of the fibril or cubic product is achieved by control of reaction kinetics. Finally, niobates with different structures exhibit remarkable differences in light absorption and photoluminescence properties. Therefore, this study is of importance for developing new functional materials by the wet-chemistry process.

Effect of sample geometry on regression rate of the melting interface for carbon steel burned in oxygen

Promoted-ignition testing on carbon steel rods of varying cross-sectional area and shape was performed in high pressure oxygen to assess the effect of sample geometry on the regression rate of the melting interface. Cylindrical and rectangular geometries and three different cross sections were tested and the regression rates of the cylinders were compared to the regression rates of the rectangular samples at test pressures around 6.9 MPa. Tests were recorded and video analysis used to determine the regression rate of the melting interface by a new method based on a drop cycle which was found to provide a good basis for statistical analysis and provide excellent agreement to the standard averaging methods used. Both geometries tested showed the typical trend of decreasing regression rate of the melting interface with increasing cross-sectional area; however, it was shown that the effect of geometry is more significant as the sample's cross sections become larger. Discussion is provided regarding the use of 3.2-mm square rods rather than 3.2-mm cylindrical rods within the standard ASTM test and any effect this may have on the observed regression rate of the melting interface.

POMPEU DE SOUSA O jornalista que mudou o Jornalismo Brasileiro

A proposta desta pesquisa é resgatar a trajetória do jornalista Pompeu de Sousa que, ao introduzir a técnica do lide no Diário Carioca (1950), revolucionou o texto jornalístico de sua época, sendo o responsável pelo primeiro Manual de Redação Style Book da imprensa brasileira. Trata-se de uma experiência profissional que lhe abriu portas para a vida acadêmica, primeiro na Faculdade Nacional de Filosofia, Ciências e Artes, no Rio de Janeiro, e para estruturar a Faculdade de Comunicação de Massa na Universidade de Brasília. Cassado após o golpe militar de 1964, o jornalista retornou para a redação, desta vez como diretor da Editora Abril, responsável pela sucursal da revista Veja entre 1968 e 1978. Senador Constituinte, no mandato de janeiro de 1987 a janeiro de 1991, autor do parágrafo 1º, do artigo 220, da Constituição Federal que prevê a liberdade de imprensa. O trabalho visa mostrar a importância de Pompeu de Sousa na transformação do Jornalismo Brasileiro, pesquisa histórica, com suporte na história oral.(AU)

OPINIÃO DE CRIANÇAS SOBRE O LAR DE LONGA PERMANÊNCIA PARA IDOSOS: MUDANÇAS POR CONTATO LÚDICO

Esta pesquisa verifica a opinião da criança por meio do desenho sobre o Lar de Longa Permanência para Idosos, antes e depois de contato lúdico com idosos institucionalizados. Para melhor caracterizar a população idosa, traça seu perfil neuropsicológico. Desenvolve-se junto a 21 idosos institucionalizados e 61 crianças com idades entre 7 e 12 anos, do Ensino Fundamental público. Inicia-se por verificar a opinião destas crianças sobre Asilo, por meio de desenho. Em seguida, realiza intervenção lúdica com crianças e idosos, de 10 encontros com brincadeiras simbólicas e jogos de regras. A seguir, reavalia a opinião das crianças e faz avaliação neuropsicológica dos idosos, por meio de Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, da Escala de Depressão Geriátrica, do Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) e do Índice de Katz. Para verificar a opinião das crianças expressa por meio do desenho, utiliza de um título em aberto “Asilo é...”, a ser completado. Eles são analisados com subsídios do teste projetivo House-Tree-Person (HTP). Os resultados demonstram que houve, de uma aplicação para outra, alteração na opinião de 67% das crianças, que manifestaram opinião mais positiva relativa a perceber os idosos mais interativos e o Asilo mais humanizado, por meio de desenhos mais coloridas, de casas com portas e janelas, de pessoas sorrindo e em movimento e de mensagens afetuosas. Como aspectos negativos, encontram-se maior número de grades e de pessoas desenhadas sem face, o que pode representar a percepção da criança da dificuldade de contato do idoso com o mundo externo. Na análise estatística, encontrou-se média geral de 0,34 e desvio padrão de 0,16, no primeiro desenho e, no segundo, média de 0,42 e desvio padrão de 0,19, com médias obtidas numa escala de 0 a 1, em que se considera positivo o valor próximo a 1. Na avaliação neuropsicológica dos idosos, no MEEM, 50% demonstram preservação cognitiva. Os demais instrumentos indicam que a maior parte deles não apresenta sintomas depressivos, emite opinião positiva com relação à própria saúde, participa das atividades lúdicas e é dependente. Este estudo ressalta contudo que as características da instituição pesquisada, juntamente com a realização de atividades lúdicas, podem ter favorecido a opinião das crianças após seu contato com o Asilo. O estudo indica a necessidade de novas pesquisas sobre interação criança-idoso institucionalizado

Point-wise confidence interval estimation by neural networks: A comparative study based on automotive engine calibration.

In developing neural network techniques for real world applications it is still very rare to see estimates of confidence placed on the neural network predictions. This is a major deficiency, especially in safety-critical systems. In this paper we explore three distinct methods of producing point-wise confidence intervals using neural networks. We compare and contrast Bayesian, Gaussian Process and Predictive error bars evaluated on real data. The problem domain is concerned with the calibration of a real automotive engine management system for both air-fuel ratio determination and on-line ignition timing. This problem requires real-time control and is a good candidate for exploring the use of confidence predictions due to its safety-critical nature.

Mach edges: a critical test of the nonlinear 3rd derivative model for edge-detection

Feature detection is a crucial stage of visual processing. In previous feature-marking experiments we found that peaks in the 3rd derivative of the luminance profile can signify edges where there are no 1st derivative peaks nor 2nd derivative zero-crossings (Wallis and George 'Mach edges' (the edges of Mach bands) were nicely predicted by a new nonlinear model based on 3rd derivative filtering. As a critical test of the model, we now use a new class of stimuli, formed by adding a linear luminance ramp to the blurred triangle waves used previously. The ramp has no effect on the second or higher derivatives, but the nonlinear model predicts a shift from seeing two edges to seeing only one edge as the added ramp gradient increases. In experiment 1, subjects judged whether one or two edges were visible on each trial. In experiment 2, subjects used a cursor to mark perceived edges and bars. The position and polarity of the marked edges were close to model predictions. Both experiments produced the predicted shift from two to one Mach edge, but the shift was less complete than predicted. We conclude that the model is a useful predictor of edge perception, but needs some modification.