Keele University

About: Keele University is a education organization based out in Newcastle-under-Lyme, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stars. The organization has 11318 authors who have published 26323 publications receiving 894671 citations. The organization is also known as: Keele University.

Bulk Synthesis of Transparent and Homogeneous Polymeric Hybrid Materials with ZnO Quantum Dots and PMMA

Abstract: In situ sol-gel polymerization is demonstrated for fabricating transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-ZnO quantum dot (QD)- hybrid materials in bulk dimension. The transparent PMMA-ZnO QD hybrid materials exhibit enhanced UV-shielding effects in the entire UV range, even at concentrations as low as 0.02 wt %.

Facing Airport Security: Affect, Biopolitics, and the Preemptive Securitisation of the Mobile Body

Abstract: This paper explores how the mobile body and, specifically, the face have become a site of observation, calculation, prediction, and action in the process of moving across borders. The paper explores how in the circulatory space of the airport/border, the body's circulatory systems, biological rhythms, and affective expressions have become objects of suspicion—mobile surfaces from which inner thoughts and potentially hostile intentions are scrunitized, read, and given threatening meaning by the newest modes of airport security and surveillance. Examined according to the vectoral modes of historicity and virtual possibility, as well as the internal and external play of intention and feeling, the paper uncovers an increased attention to differential axes of mobility—of past and future, surface and interior. The paper situates these techniques within the preemptive biopolitical securitisation of mobility across borders which, it is argued, has found its referent object in the primal realm of affective capacities.

Shell model simulations by adiabatic dynamics

Abstract: A method is introduced by which molecular dynamics simulations of ionic materials can incorporate the shell model of ionic polarizability. The shells are given a small mass and their motion integrated in the same way as that of the cores, by numerical integration of the classical equations of motion. The authors argue that results should be in agreement with the conventional massless shell model providing that the frequency of the spring linking the core and the shell is much higher than the lattice vibrational frequencies. It is always possible to satisfy this condition by making an appropriate choice of the shell mass. The method is tested in simulations of diffusion in molten NaCl and superionic CaF2, and of phonon frequencies in MgO. The method works well, is easy to implement, and is computationally efficient.

Acupuncture as an adjunct to exercise based physiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: randomised controlled trial

Abstract: Objective To investigate the benefit of adding acupuncture to a course of advice and exercise delivered by physiotherapists for pain reduction in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Design Multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Setting 37 physiotherapy centres accepting primary care patients referred from general practitioners in the Midlands, United Kingdom. Participants 352 adults aged 50 or more with a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. Interventions Advice and exercise (n=116), advice and exercise plus true acupuncture (n=117), and advice and exercise plus non-penetrating acupuncture (n=119). Main outcome measures The primary outcome was change in scores on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index pain subscale at six months. Secondary outcomes included function, pain intensity, and unpleasantness of pain at two weeks, six weeks, six months, and 12 months. Results Follow-up rate at six months was 94%. The mean (SD) baseline pain score was 9.2 (3.8). At six months mean reductions in pain were 2.28 (3.8) for advice and exercise, 2.32 (3.6) for advice and exercise plus true acupuncture, and 2.53 (4.2) for advice and exercise plus non-penetrating acupuncture. Mean differences in change scores between advice and exercise alone and each acupuncture group were 0.08 (95% confidence interval -1.0 to 0.9) for advice and exercise plus true acupuncture and 0.25 (-0.8 to 1.3) for advice and exercise plus non-penetrating acupuncture. Similar non-significant differences were seen at other follow-up points. Compared with advice and exercise alone there were small, statistically significant improvements in pain intensity and unpleasantness at two and six weeks for true acupuncture and at all follow-up points for non-penetrating acupuncture. Conclusion The addition of acupuncture to a course of advice and exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee delivered by physiotherapists provided no additional improvement in pain scores. Small benefits in pain intensity and unpleasantness were observed in both acupuncture groups, making it unlikely that this was due to acupuncture needling effects. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN88597683 [controlled-trials.com] .

Flow chemistry: intelligent processing of gas-liquid transformations using a tube-in-tube reactor.

Abstract: ConspectusThe previous decade has witnessed the expeditious uptake of flow chemistry techniques in modern synthesis laboratories, and flow-based chemistry is poised to significantly impact our approach to chemical preparation. The advantages of moving from classical batch synthesis to flow mode, in order to address the limitations of traditional approaches, particularly within the context of organic synthesis are now well established. Flow chemistry methodology has led to measurable improvements in safety and reduced energy consumption and has enabled the expansion of available reaction conditions. Contributions from our own laboratories have focused on the establishment of flow chemistry methods to address challenges associated with the assembly of complex targets through the development of multistep methods employing supported reagents and in-line monitoring of reaction intermediates to ensure the delivery of high quality target compounds.Recently, flow chemistry approaches have addressed the challenges...