Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a mixed-valence molybdenum (IV,VI) arsenate (III): Ni(H2NCH2CH2NH2)(3)[((MoO6)-O-IV)(Mo6O18)-O-VI((As3O3)-O-III)(2)]H2O

A novel mixed-valence molybdenum(IV, VI) arsenate(III), Ni(H2NCH2CH2NH2)(3)[((MoO6)-O-IV)(Mo6O18)-O-VI((As3O3)-O-III)(2)]H2O, hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The polyanion cage derives from the Anderson structure, in which the central octahedron was filled up by molybdenum(IV) and it was capped on both sides by a novel As3O63- cyclo-triarsenate(III). The title compound had a high catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid using H2O2 as oxidant in a liquid-solid biphase system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Study on binary system comprising a non-mesogen and a mesogen

Mixed liquid crystal formation has been studied in a new binary system comprising paranitroazobenzene derivatives, in which one component was a mesogen and the other was a non-mesogen. The mixtures were found to exhibit a monotropic nematic phase which was converted to an enantiotropic phase in specific ranges of temperature and concentration. The latent liquid crystal-isotropic transition temperature (LTP) of the non-mesogen was obtained by using the extrapolation method of the transition temperature-composition curve and the equal-G analysis method. The LTPs of the non-mesogen obtained by the above two methods showed good agreement with each other. The low-temperature transition of the mixtures detected by DSC was attributed to a change of the crystallite size.

An electrochemical study of prussian blue microcrystallines mixed in PEO400 polymer electrolyte by solid-state voltammetry

The electrochemistry of Prussian blue mixed in a polymer medium containing MClO4 (M = Li+, Na+, K+, TBA(+)) as the supporting electrolyte was studied by means of solid-state voltammetry. This approach is new in Prussian blue studies. The behavior of PB in polymer electrolytes is somewhat similar to the well-known behavior for an electrochemically synthesized PB film in aqueous media. Besides, K+, Li+ and Na+ ions can also transport through the crystal of PB because of its zeolitic nature. The transport of TBA(+) ions is possible. Kinetic control lies in the diffusion of cations in and out of the lattice of Prussian blue. Reduction waves of Prussian blue depend on both the size and type of cations. PB is very stable upon electrochemical cycling in polymer electrolytes and air. This system may be used in rechargeable batteries and electrochromic devices.

STUDIES ON SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF LAN+1NINO3N+1 MIXED OXIDES

A series of (AO) (ABO(3))(n)(A = La, B = Ni, n = 1 similar to 4) type mixed oxides were synthesized and characterized by means of XRD, XPS, IR, TPD, TPR. Their structure characteristics and redox properties were studied. The nonstoichiometry (lambda) of oxygen and the valence of transition metal Ni were determined by using chemical analysis method. The catalytic activities of this series of mixed oxides for complete oxidation of CO and CH4 were examined and the relationships among activity, composition and structure were discussed.

ELECTROCATALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF HYDRAZINE COMPOUNDS IN LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY AT A MIXED-VALENT COBALT OXIDE CYANOCOBALTATE FILM ELECTRODE

A glassy carbon electrode coated with an electrodeposited film of mixed-valent cobalt oxide/cyanocobaltate (Co-O/CN-Co) enabled hydrazine compounds to be catalytically oxidized at the greatly reduced overpotential and in a wide operational pH range (pH 2.0-7.0). Electrocatalytic activity at the Co-O/CN-Co modified electrode was evaluated with respect to solution pH, film thickness, supporting electrolyte ions, potential scan rate, operating potential, concentration dependence and other variables. The Co-O/CN-Co film electrode was completely compatible with a conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) system. Practical RP-LC amperometric detection (RP-LCEC) of hydrazines was performed. A dynamic linear response range over three orders of magnitude and a detection limit at the pmol level were readily obtained. The Co-O/CN-CO film electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic stability in the flowing streams.

A new method for the estimation of oceanic mixed-layer depth using shipboard X-band radar images

Shipboard X-band radar images acquired on 24 June 2009 are used to study nonlinear internal wave characteristics in the northeastern South China Sea. The studied images show three nonlinear internal waves in a packet. A method based on the Radon Transform technique is introduced to calculate internal wave parameters such as the direction of propagation and internal wave velocity from backscatter images. Assuming that the ocean is a two-layer finite depth system, we can derive the mixed-layer depth by applying the internal wave velocity to the mixed-layer depth formula. Results show reasonably good agreement with in-situ thermistor chain and conductivity-temperature-depth data sets.

Factors influencing the climatological mixed layer depth in the South China Sea: numerical simulations

The mixed layer depth (MLD) in the upper ocean is an important physical parameter for describing the upper ocean mixed layer. We analyzed several major factors influencing the climatological mixed layer depth (CMLD), and established a numerical simulation in the South China Sea (SCS) using the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) with a high-resolution (1/12A degrees x1/12A degrees) grid nesting method and 50 vertical layers. Several ideal numerical experiments were tested by modifying the existing sea surface boundary conditions. Especially, we analyzed the sensitivity of the results simulated for the CMLD with factors of sea surface wind stress (SSWS), sea surface net heat flux (SSNHF), and the difference between evaporation and precipitation (DEP). The result shows that of the three factors that change the depth of the CMLD, SSWS is in the first place, when ignoring the impact of SSWS, CMLD will change by 26% on average, and its effect is always to deepen the CMLD; the next comes SSNHF (13%) for deepening the CMLD in October to January and shallowing the CMLD in February to September; and the DEP comes in the third (only 2%). Moreover, we analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics of CMLD and compared the simulation result with the ARGO observational data. The results indicate that ROMS is applicable for studying CMLD in the SCS area.

Mixed-layer water oscillations in tropical Pacific for ENSO cycle

The main modes of interannal variabilities of thermocline and sea surface wind stress in the tropical Pacific and their interactions are investigated, which show the following results. (1) The thermocline anomalies in the tropical Pacific have a zonal dipole pattern with 160 W as its axis and a meridional seesaw pattern with 6-8 degrees N as its transverse axis. The meridional oscillation has a phase lag of about 90 to the zonal oscillation, both oscillations get together to form the El Nino/La Nina cycle, which behaves as a mixed layer water oscillates anticlockwise within the tropical Pacific basin between equator and 12 degrees N. (2) There are two main patterns of wind stress anomalies in the tropical Pacific, of which the first component caused by trade wind anomaly is characterized by the zonal wind stress anomalies and its corresponding divergences field in the equatorial Pacific, and the abnormal cross- equatorial flow wind stress and its corresponding divergence field, which has a sign opposite to that of the equatorial region, in the off-equator of the tropical North Pacific, and the second component represents the wind stress anomalies and corresponding divergences caused by the ITCZ anomaly. (3) The trade winds anomaly plays a decisive role in the strength and phase transition of the ENSO cycle, which results in the sea level tilting, provides an initial potential energy to the mixed layer water oscillation, and causes the opposite thermocline displacement between the west side and east side of the equator and also between the equator and 12 degrees N of the North Pacific basin, therefore determines the amplitude and route for ENSO cycle. The ITCZ anomaly has some effects on the phase transition. (4) The thermal anomaly of the tropical western Pacific causes the wind stress anomaly and extends eastward along the equator accompanied with the mixed layer water oscillation in the equatorial Pacific, which causes the trade winds anomaly and produces the anomalous wind stress and the corresponding divergence in favor to conduce the oscillation, which in turn intensifies the oscillation. The coupled system of ocean-atmosphere interactions and the inertia gravity of the mixed layer water oscillation provide together a phase-switching mechanism and interannual memory for the ENSO cycle. In conclusion, the ENSO cycle essentially is an inertial oscillation of the mixed layer water induced by both the trade winds anomaly and the coupled ocean-atmosphere interaction in the tropical Pacific basin between the equator and 12 degrees N. When the force produced by the coupled ocean-atmosphere interaction is larger than or equal to the resistance caused by the mixed layer water oscillation, the oscillation will be stronger or maintain as it is, while when the force is less than the resistance, the oscillation will be weaker, even break.

NO reduction and CO oxidation over Cu/Ce/Mg/Al mixed oxide catalyst in FCC operation

Simultaneous NO reduction and CO oxidation in the presence of O-2,H2O and SO2 over Cu/Mg/AUO (Cu-cat), Ce/Mg/Al/O (Ce-cat) and Cu/Ce/Mg/Al/O (CuCe-cat) were studied. At low temperatures (<340 degreesC), the presence of O-2 or H2O enhanced the activity of CuCe-cat for NO and CO conversions, but significantly suppressed the activity of Cu-cat and Ce-cat, At high temperature (720 degreesC), the presence of O-2 or H2O had no adverse effect on the NO and CO conversions over these catalysts. The addition of SO2 to NO + CO + O-2 + H2O system had no effect on the, reaction of CO + O-2 over Cu-cat, but deactivated this catalyst for NO + CO and CO + H2O reactions; over Ce-cat, all of these reactions of NO + CO, CO + O-2 and CO + H2O were suppressed significantly; over CuCe-cat, NO + CO and CO + O-2 reactions were not affected while the reaction of CO + H2O was slightly inhibited. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Work experience in transition year: a mixed methods study of subject and career choices

Transition Year (TY) has been a feature of the Irish Education landscape for 39 years. Work experience (WE) has become a key component of TY. WE is defined as a module of between five and fifteen days duration where students engage in a work placement in the broader community. It places a major emphasis on building relationships between schools and their external communities and concomitantly between students and their potential future employers. Yet, the idea that participation in a TY work experience programme could facilitate an increased awareness of potential careers has drawn little attention from the research community. This research examines the influence WE has on the subsequent subjects choices made by students along with the effects of that experience on the students’ identities and emerging vocational identities. Socio-cultural Learning Theory and Occupational Choice Theory frame the overall study. A mixed methods approach to data collection was adopted through the administration of 323 quantitative questionnaires and 32 individual semi-structured interviews in three secondary schools. The analysis of the data was conducted using a grounded theory approach. The findings from the research show that WE makes a significant contribution to the students’ sense of agency in their own lives. It facilitates the otherwise complex process of subject choice, motivates students to work harder in their senior cycle, introduces them to the concepts of active, experience-based and self-directed learning, while boosting their self-confidence and nurturing the emergence of their personal and vocational identities. This research is a gateway to further study in this field. It also has wide reaching implications for students, teachers, school authorities, parents and policy makers regarding teaching and learning in our schools and the value of learning beyond the walls of the classroom.

Cost savings from relaxation of operational constraints on a power system with high wind penetration

Wind energy is predominantly a nonsynchronous generation source. Large-scale integration of wind generation with existing electricity systems, therefore, presents challenges in maintaining system frequency stability and local voltage stability. Transmission system operators have implemented system operational constraints (SOCs) in order to maintain stability with high wind generation, but imposition of these constraints results in higher operating costs. A mixed integer programming tool was used to simulate generator dispatch in order to assess the impact of various SOCs on generation costs. Interleaved day-ahead scheduling and real-time dispatch models were developed to allow accurate representation of forced outages and wind forecast errors, and were applied to the proposed Irish power system of 2020 with a wind penetration of 32%. Savings of at least 7.8% in generation costs and reductions in wind curtailment of 50% were identified when the most influential SOCs were relaxed. The results also illustrate the need to relax local SOCs together with the system-wide nonsynchronous penetration limit SOC, as savings from increasing the nonsynchronous limit beyond 70% were restricted without relaxation of local SOCs. The methodology and results allow for quantification of the costs of SOCs, allowing the optimal upgrade path for generation and transmission infrastructure to be determined.

Multiple Response System: Evaluation of Policy Change in North Carolina's Child Welfare System.

Systemic challenges within child welfare have prompted many states to explore new strategies aimed at protecting children while meeting the needs of families, but doing so within the confines of shrinking budgets. Differential Response has emerged as a promising practice for low or moderate risk cases of child maltreatment. This mixed methods evaluation explored various aspects of North Carolina's differential response system, known as the Multiple Response System (MRS), including: child safety, timeliness of response and case decision, frontloading of services, case distribution, implementation of Child and Family Teams, collaboration with community-based service providers and Shared Parenting. Utilizing Child Protective Services (CPS) administrative data, researchers found that compared to matched control counties, MRS: had a positive impact on child safety evidenced by a decline in the rates of substantiations and re-assessments; temporarily disrupted timeliness of response in pilot counties but had no effect on time to case decision; and increased the number of upfront services provided to families during assessment. Qualitative data collected through focus groups with providers and phone interviews with families provided important information on key MRS strategies, highlighting aspects that families and social workers like as well as identifying areas for improvement. This information is useful for continuous quality improvement efforts, particularly related to the development of training and technical assistance programs at the state and local level.

A Tissue-Engineered Microvascular System to Evaluate Vascular Progenitor Cells for Angiogenic Therapies

The ability of tissue engineered constructs to replace diseased or damaged organs is limited without the incorporation of a functional vascular system. To design microvasculature that recapitulates the vascular niche functions for each tissue in the body, we investigated the following hypotheses: (1) cocultures of human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (hCB-EPCs) with mural cells can produce the microenvironmental cues necessary to support physiological microvessel formation in vitro; (2) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel systems can support 3D microvessel formation by hCB-EPCs in coculture with mural cells; (3) mesenchymal cells, derived from either umbilical cord blood (MPCs) or bone marrow (MSCs), can serve as mural cells upon coculture with hCB-EPCs. Coculture ratios between 0.2 (16,000 cells/cm2) and 0.6 (48,000 cells/cm2) of hCB-EPCs plated upon 3.3 µg/ml of fibronectin-coated tissue culture plastic with (80,000 cells/cm2) of human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), results in robust microvessel structures observable for several weeks in vitro. Endothelial basal media (EBM-2, Lonza) with 9% v/v fetal bovine serum (FBS) could support viability of both hCB-EPCs and SMCs. Coculture spatial arrangement of hCB-EPCs and SMCs significantly affected network formation with mixed systems showing greater connectivity and increased solution levels of angiogenic cytokines than lamellar systems. We extended this model into a 3D system by encapsulation of a 1 to 1 ratio of hCB-EPC and SMCs (30,000 cells/µl) within hydrogels of PEG-conjugated RGDS adhesive peptide (3.5 mM) and PEG-conjugated protease sensitive peptide (6 mM). Robust hCB-EPC microvessels formed within the gel with invasion up to 150 µm depths and parameters of total tubule length (12 mm/mm2), branch points (127/mm2), and average tubule thickness (27 µm). 3D hCB-EPC microvessels showed quiescence of hCB-EPCs (<1% proliferating cells), lumen formation, expression of EC proteins connexin 32 and VE-cadherin, eNOS, basement membrane formation by collagen IV and laminin, and perivascular investment of PDGFR-β+/α-SMA+ cells. MPCs present in <15% of isolations displayed >98% expression for mural markers PDGFR-β, α-SMA, NG2 and supported hCB-EPC by day 14 of coculture with total tubule lengths near 12 mm/mm2. hCB-EPCs cocultured with MSCs underwent cell loss by day 10 with a 4-fold reduction in CD31/PECAM+ cells, in comparison to controls of hCB-EPCs in SMC coculture. Changing the coculture media to endothelial growth media (EBM-2 + 2% v/v FBS + EGM-2 supplement containing VEGF, FGF-2, EGF, hydrocortisone, IGF-1, ascorbic acid, and heparin), promoted stable hCB-EPC network formation in MSC cocultures over 2 weeks in vitro, with total segment length per image area of 9 mm/mm2. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a tissue engineered system that can be utilized to evaluate vascular progenitor cells for angiogenic therapies.

Health coaching for glaucoma care: a pilot study using mixed methods.

INTRODUCTION: Adherence to glaucoma medications is essential for successful treatment of the disease but is complex and difficult for many of our patients. Health coaching has been used successfully in the treatment of other chronic diseases. This pilot study explores the use of health coaching for glaucoma care. METHODS: A mixed methods study design was used to assess the health coaching intervention for glaucoma patients. The health coaching intervention consisted of four to six health coaching sessions with a certified health coach via telephone. Quantitative measures included demographic and health information, adherence to glaucoma medications (using the visual analog adherence scale and medication event monitoring system), and an exit survey rating the experience. Qualitative measures included a precoaching health questionnaire, notes made by the coach during the intervention, and an exit interview with the subjects at the end of the study. RESULTS: Four glaucoma patients participated in the study; all derived benefits from the health coaching. Study subjects demonstrated increased glaucoma drop adherence in response to the coaching intervention, in both visual analog scale and medication event monitoring system. Study subjects' qualitative feedback reflected a perceived improvement in both eye and general health self-care. The subjects stated that they would recommend health coaching to friends or family members. CONCLUSION: Health coaching was helpful to the glaucoma patients in this study; it has the potential to improve glaucoma care and overall health.

Mixed-Function Oxygenases And Xenobiotic Detoxication-Toxication Systems In Bivalve Mollusks

Components of a xenobiotic detoxication/toxication system involving mixed function oxygenases are present inMytilus edulis. Our paper critically reviews the recent literature on this topic which reported the apparent absence of such a system in bivalve molluscs and attempts to reconcile this viewpoint with our own findings on NADPH neotetrazolium reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldrin epoxidation and other reports of the presence of mixed function oxygenases. New experimental data are presented which indicate that some elements of the detoxication/toxication system inM. edulis can be induced by aromatic hydrocarbons derived from crude oil. This includes a brief review of the results of long-term experiments in which mussels were exposed to low concentrations of the water accommodated fraction of North Sea crude oil (7.7–68 µg 1−1) in which general stress responses such as reduced physiological scope for growth, cytotoxic damage to lysosomal integrity and cellular damage are considered as characteristics of the general stress syndrome induced by the toxic action of the xenobiotics. In addition, induction in the blood cells of microsomal NADPH neotetrazolium reductase (associated with mixed function oxygenases) and the NADPH generating enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are considered to be specific biological responses to the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons. The consequences of this detoxication/toxication system forMytilus edulis are discussed in terms of the formation of toxic electrophilic intermediate metabolites which are highly reactive and can combine with DNA, RNA and proteins with subsequent damage to these cellular constituents. Implications for neoplasms associated with the blood cells are also discussed. Finally, in view of the increased use of mussel species in pollutant monitoring programmes, the induction phenomenon which is associated with microsomal enzymes in the blood cells is considered as a possible tool for the detection of the biological effects of environmental contamination by low concentrations of certain groups of organic xenobiotics.