Showing papers by "University of Akron published in 2014"
TL;DR: The authors conducted an extensive qualitative review of leadership theory across 10 top-tier academic publishing outlets that included The Leadership Quarterly, Administrative Science Quarterly, American Psychologist, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Journal, academy of management review, journal of Applied Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, and Personnel Psychology.
Abstract: Scholarly research on the topic of leadership has witnessed a dramatic increase over the last decade, resulting in the development of diverse leadership theories. To take stock of established and developing theories since the beginning of the new millennium, we conducted an extensive qualitative review of leadership theory across 10 top-tier academic publishing outlets that included The Leadership Quarterly, Administrative Science Quarterly, American Psychologist, Journal of Management, Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Applied Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Organizational Science, and Personnel Psychology. We then combined two existing frameworks (Gardner, Lowe, Moss, Mahoney, & Cogliser, 2010; Lord & Dinh, 2012) to provide a process-oriented framework that emphasizes both forms of emergence and levels of analysis as a means to integrate diverse leadership theories. We then describe the implications of the findings for future leadership research and theory.
1,054 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the role of nonlinearities in the transduction of energy harvesters under different types of excitations and investigate the conditions, in terms of excitation nature and potential shape, under which such non-linearities can be beneficial for energy harvesting.
Abstract: The last two decades have witnessed several advances in microfabrication technologies and electronics, leading to the development of small, low-power devices for wireless sensing, data transmission, actuation, and medical implants. Unfortunately, the actual implementation of such devices in their respective environment has been hindered by the lack of scalable energy sources that are necessary to power and maintain them. Batteries, which remain the most commonly used power sources, have not kept pace with the demands of these devices, especially in terms of energy density. In light of this challenge, the concept of vibratory energy harvesting has flourished in recent years as a possible alternative to provide a continuous power supply. While linear vibratory energy harvesters have received the majority of the literature’s attention, a significant body of the current research activity is focused on the concept of purposeful inclusion of nonlinearities for broadband transduction. When compared to their linear resonant counterparts, nonlinear energy harvesters have a wider steady-state frequency bandwidth, leading to a common belief that they can be utilized to improve performance in ambient environments. Through a review of the open literature, this paper highlights the role of nonlinearities in the transduction of energy harvesters under different types of excitations and investigates the conditions, in terms of excitation nature and potential shape, under which such nonlinearities can be beneficial for energy harvesting. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4026278]
682 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors synthesized the results of nine meta-analyses that examined the impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement and identified generalizable findings across these studies.
Abstract: The impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement has been recognized by teachers, administrators, and policy-makers who consider parental involvement to be one of the integral parts of new educational reforms and initiatives. This study synthesized the results of nine meta-analyses that examined this impact and it identified generalizable findings across these studies. The results indicated that the relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement was positive, regardless of a definition of parental involvement or measure of achievement. Furthermore, the findings revealed that this relationship was strongest if parental involvement was defined as parental expectations for academic achievement of their children. However, the impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement was weakest if parental involvement was defined as homework assistance. Finally, the relationship between parental involvement and academic achievement was found to be consistent across d...
623 citations
TL;DR: The chaos theory is introduced into the KH optimization process with the aim of accelerating its global convergence speed and shows that the performance of CKH, with an appropriate chaotic map, is better than or comparable with the KH and other robust optimization approaches.
473 citations
TL;DR: Chaos is introduced into Bat algorithm so as to increase its global search mobility for robust global optimization and results show that some variants of chaotic BAs can clearly outperform the standard BA for these benchmarks.
445 citations
TL;DR: The proposed interior search algorithm (ISA) is inspired by interior design and decoration and it only has one parameter to tune and can outperform the other well-known algorithms.
Abstract: This paper presents the interior search algorithm (ISA) as a novel method for solving optimization tasks. The proposed ISA is inspired by interior design and decoration. The algorithm is different from other metaheuristic algorithms and provides new insight for global optimization. The proposed method is verified using some benchmark mathematical and engineering problems commonly used in the area of optimization. ISA results are further compared with well-known optimization algorithms. The results show that the ISA is efficiently capable of solving optimization problems. The proposed algorithm can outperform the other well-known algorithms. Further, the proposed algorithm is very simple and it only has one parameter to tune.
358 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a silica force field is introduced that resolves numerous shortcomings of prior silica forces over the last 30 years and reduces uncertainties in computed interfacial properties relative to experiment from several 100% to less than 5%.
Abstract: Silica nanostructures find applications in drug delivery, catalysis, and composites, however, understanding of the surface chemistry, aqueous interfaces, and biomolecule recognition remain difficult using current imaging techniques and spectroscopy. A silica force field is introduced that resolves numerous shortcomings of prior silica force fields over the last 30 years and reduces uncertainties in computed interfacial properties relative to experiment from several 100% to less than 5%. In addition, a silica surface model database is introduced for the full range of variable surface chemistry and pH (Q2, Q3, Q4 environments with adjustable degree of ionization) that have shown to determine selective molecular recognition. The force field enables accurate computational predictions of aqueous interfacial properties of all types of silica, which is substantiated by extensive comparisons to experimental measurements. The parameters are integrated into multiple force fields for broad applicability to biomolecu...
337 citations
TL;DR: Path analyses showed that the Big Five personality factors, self-esteem, social cohesion, and motives contribute to self-disclosure dimensions, however, demographic variables did not impact disclosiveness.
311 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a unique approach to the design and synthesis of giant molecules based on "nanoatoms" for engineering structures across multiple length scales and controlling their macroscopic properties is presented.
Abstract: In this Perspective, we present a unique approach to the design and synthesis of giant molecules based on “nanoatoms” for engineering structures across multiple length scales and controlling their macroscopic properties. Herein, “nanoatoms” refer to shape-persistent molecular nanoparticles (MNPs) with precisely defined chemical structures and surface functionalities that can serve as elemental building blocks for the precision synthesis of giant molecules by methods such as sequential “click” approach. Typical “nanoatoms” include those MNPs based on fullerenes, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, polyoxometalates, and folded globular proteins. The resulting giant molecules are precisely defined macromolecules. They include, but are not limited to, giant surfactants, giant shape amphiphiles, and giant polyhedra. Giant surfactants are polymer tail-tethered “nanoatoms” where the two components have drastic chemical differences to impart amphiphilicity. Giant shape amphiphiles not only are built up by cova...
292 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive understanding of "click" reactions aims to provide insight on how one might choose suitable " click" reactions to constitute peptide-functionalized molecules/surfaces/matrices for the development of advanced biomaterials.
Abstract: Peptides that comprise the functional subunits of proteins have been conjugated to versatile materials (biomolecules, polymers, surfaces and nanoparticles) in an effort to modulate cell responses, specific binding affinity and/or self-assembly behavior. However, the efficient and convenient synthesis of peptide-conjugates, especially the constructs with multiple types of peptide functionality remains challenging. In this critical review, we focus on “click” reactions that have been used to synthesis peptide-functionalized conjugates, introducing their reaction conditions, specifically elucidating parameters that influence reaction kinetics and total conversion, and highlighting examples that have been completed recently. Moreover, orthogonal “click” reactions that synthesize multi-functional biomaterials in a one-pot or sequential manner are noted. Through this review, a comprehensive understanding of “click” reactions aims to provide insight on how one might choose suitable “click” reactions to constitute peptide-functionalized molecules/surfaces/matrices for the development of advanced biomaterials.
282 citations
TL;DR: The data from the largest endovascular trial to date suggest that collaterals are an important consideration in future trial design, and more robust collateral grade was associated with better recanalization, reperfusion, and subsequent better clinical outcomes.
Abstract: Background and Purpose—Endovascular strategies provide unique opportunity to correlate angiographic measures of collateral circulation at the time of endovascular therapy. We conducted systematic analyses of collaterals at conventional angiography on recanalization, reperfusion, and clinical outcomes in the endovascular treatment arm of the Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) III trial. Methods—Prospective evaluation of angiographic collaterals was conducted via central review of subjects treated with endovascular therapy in IMS III (n=331). Collateral grade before endovascular therapy was assessed with the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology scale, blinded to all other data. Statistical analyses investigated the association between collaterals with baseline clinical variables, angiographic measures of recanalization, reperfusion and clinical outcomes. Results—Adequate views of collateral circulation to the ischemic territory were ava...
TL;DR: There was a reduction in microbial richness and diversity after fracturing, with the lowest diversity at 49 days, and Thirty-one taxa dominated injected, flowback, and produced water communities, which took on distinct signatures as injected carbon and electron acceptors were attenuated within the shale.
Abstract: Microorganisms play several important roles in unconventional gas recovery, from biodegradation of hydrocarbons to souring of wells and corrosion of equipment. During and after the hydraulic fracturing process, microorganisms are subjected to harsh physicochemical conditions within the kilometer-deep hydrocarbon-bearing shale, including high pressures, elevated temperatures, exposure to chemical additives and biocides, and brine-level salinities. A portion of the injected fluid returns to the surface and may be reused in other fracturing operations, a process that can enrich for certain taxa. This study tracked microbial community dynamics using pyrotag sequencing of 16S rRNA genes in water samples from three hydraulically fractured Marcellus shale wells in Pennsylvania, USA over a 328-day period. There was a reduction in microbial richness and diversity after fracturing, with the lowest diversity at 49 days. Thirty-one taxa dominated injected, flowback, and produced water communities, which took on disti...
TL;DR: Findings reveal a clear and pervasive pattern wherein African American/Black consumers show a rate of on average three to four higher than Euro-American/White consumers, and a trend among international studies suggests that immigrant racial minority consumers receiving mental health services may be assigned a psychotic disorder diagnosis more frequently.
Abstract: Psychotic disorder diagnoses are common in the United States and internationally. However, racial disparities in rates of psychotic disorder diagnoses have been reported across time and mental health professions. This literature review provides an updated and comprehensive summary of empirical research on race and diagnosis of psychotic disorders spanning a 24-year period. Findings reveal a clear and pervasive pattern wherein African American/Black consumers show a rate of on average three to four higher than Euro-American/White consumers. Latino American/Hispanic consumers were also disproportionately diagnosed with psychotic disorders on average approximately three times higher compared to Euro-American/White consumers. In addition, a trend among international studies suggests that immigrant racial minority consumers receiving mental health services may be assigned a psychotic disorder diagnosis more frequently than native consumers sharing a majority racial background. Potential explanations for this phenomenon are discussed, including possible clinical bias and sociological causes such as differential access to healthcare and willingness to participate in mental health services. Directions for future research should include the exploration of disproportionate diagnoses according to race through qualitative interviewing as well as empirical investigation.
08 Sep 2014-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of ultrasonic nano-crystal surface modification (UNSM) on residual stresses, microstructure changes and mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel 304 were investigated.
Abstract: In this study, the effects of Ultrasonic Nano-crystal Surface Modification (UNSM) on residual stresses, microstructure changes and mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel 304 were investigated. The dynamic impacts induced by UNSM leads to surface nanocrystallization, martensite formation, and the generation of high magnitude of surface compressive residual stresses (−1400 MPa) and hardening. Highly dense deformation twins were generated in material subsurface to a depth of 100 µm. These deformation twins significantly improve material work-hardening capacity by acting both as dislocation blockers and dislocation emission sources. Furthermore, the gradually changing martensite volume fraction ensures strong interfacial strength between the ductile interior and the two nanocrystalline surface layers and thus prevents early necking. The microstructure with two strong surface layers and a compliant interior embedded with dense nanoscale deformation twins and dislocations leads to both high strength and high ductility. The work-hardened surface layers (3.5 times the original hardness) and high magnitude of compressive residual stresses lead to significant improvement in fatigue performance; the fatigue endurance limit was increased by 100 MPa. The results have demonstrated that UNSM is a powerful surface engineering technique that can improve component mechanical properties and performance.
TL;DR: In patients with small- to moderate-sized deep primary supratentorial ICH, administration of oral fingolimod within 72 hours of disease onset was safe, reduced PHE, attenuated neurologic deficits, and promoted recovery, warranting further investigation in late-phase trials.
Abstract: Importance Pronounced inflammatory reactions occurring shortly after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) contribute to the formation and progression of perihematomal edema (PHE) and secondary brain injury. We hypothesized that modulation of brain inflammation reduces edema, thus improving clinical outcomes in patients with ICH. Objective To investigate whether oral administration of fingolimod, a Food and Drug Administration–approved sphingosine 1–phosphate receptor modulator for multiple sclerosis, is safe and effective in alleviating PHE and neurologic deficits in patients with ICH. Design, Setting, and Participants In this 2-arm, evaluator-blinded study, we included 23 patients with primary supratentorial ICH with hematomal volume of 5 to 30 mL. Clinical and neuroimaging feature–matched patients were treated with standard care with or without oral fingolimod. The study was conducted in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China. Interventions All patients received standard management alone (control participants) or combined with fingolimod (FTY720, Gilenya), 0.5 mg, orally for 3 consecutive days. Treatment was initiated within 1 hour after the baseline computed tomographic scan and no later than 72 hours after the onset of symptoms. Main Outcomes and Measures Neurologic status and hematomal and PHE volumes (Ev) and relative PHE, defined as Ev divided by hematomal volume, were monitored by clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, for 3 months. Results Patients treated with fingolimod exhibited a reduction of neurologic impairment compared with control individuals, regained a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 by day 7 (100% vs 50%, P = .01), and had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score reduction of 7.5 vs 0.5 ( P P = .001; modified Rankin Scale score range, 0-1; 63% vs 0%; P = .001), and fewer reported ICH-related lung infections. Perihematomal edema volume and rPHE were significantly smaller in fingolimod-treated patients than in control individuals (Ev at day 7, 47 mL vs 108 mL, P = .04; Ev at day 14, 55 mL vs 124 mL, P = .07; rPHE at day 7, 2.5 vs 6.4, P P = .003, respectively). We recorded no differences between groups in the occurrence of adverse events. Conclusions and Relevance In patients with small- to moderate-sized deep primary supratentorial ICH, administration of oral fingolimod within 72 hours of disease onset was safe, reduced PHE, attenuated neurologic deficits, and promoted recovery. The efficacy of fingolimod in preventing secondary brain injury in patients with ICH warrants further investigation in late-phase trials. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT02002390
TL;DR: A biogeography-based krill herd (BBKH) algorithm is presented for solving complex optimization tasks, and it is shown that this novel BBKH approach performs better than the basic KH and other optimization algorithms.
University of Bergen1, University of Oxford2, University College London3, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research4, University of Sheffield5, University of Maryland, College Park6, Swansea University7, Brown University8, University of Cape Town9, University of Calgary10, Newcastle University11, Loughborough University12, University of Helsinki13, National Museum of Natural History14, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign15, University of Southampton16, York University17, Museum für Naturkunde18, Hull York Medical School19, Liverpool John Moores University20, Scottish Association for Marine Science21, University of St Andrews22, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology23, Queen's University Belfast24, Natural History Museum25, Bangor University26, UPRRP College of Natural Sciences27, University of Gloucestershire28, Natural England29, American Museum of Natural History30, Romanian Academy31, Federation University Australia32, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University33, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg34, University of York35, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań36, Brunel University London37, University of Oslo38, University of Nottingham39, University of Cincinnati40, Open University41, Natural Environment Research Council42, University of Akron43, University of Cambridge44, Lancaster University45, University of Stirling46, University of Regina47, University of Tartu48, University of Plymouth49, University of Wisconsin-Madison50, University of Szczecin51
TL;DR: Using a set of criteria designed to identify realistic and achievable research goals, questions were selected from a pool submitted by the international palaeoecology research community and relevant policy practitioners to highlight its potential for addressing both pure and applied issues related to ecological science and global change.
Abstract: Sediment coring on Lake Baikal, Russia. Palaeoecological information (i.e. the biological and geochemical remains preserved in lake sediments) provide insights into ecological processes and environmental change occurring over decades to millions of years. Our exercise targeted future research areas for palaeoecology by identifying 50 priority questions.
TL;DR: By combining the advantages of both solid-state chemistry and wet synthetic chemistry, this work has developed one scalable, surfactant-free, and cost-effective method for producing octahedral Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles on carbon support.
Abstract: Although octahedral Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles possess an excelling property in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and are of great potential as an electrocatalyst for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), mass production of the materials at low cost remains a big challenge. By combining the advantages of both solid-state chemistry and wet synthetic chemistry, we developed one scalable, surfactant-free, and cost-effective method for producing octahedral Pt-Ni alloy nanoparticles on carbon support. The octahedral Pt-Ni samples were prepared with different compositions and studied for the ORR property. They exhibit a much improved reaction activity compared to the commercial catalyst. The experiments demonstrate an innovative strategy for preparing shaped metal nanoparticles and make significant progress in the ORR catalyst research.
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework that grounds consumer attention within a larger progression of behavioral responses to electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and social media is constructed.
Abstract: Word-of-mouth (WOM) is widely regarded as one of the most influential factors impacting consumer behavior, yet traditional models were constructed oblivious to the potential of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and social media. In particular, very little is known about the dynamics affecting consumer attention within two-way many-to-many mediated environments even though attention constitutes a critical step. Thus, we construct a conceptual framework that grounds consumer attention within a larger progression of behavioral responses to eWOM. We then conduct an experiment (n = 28) that isolates contextual antecedents of attention to positive, negative, and neutral WOM for both luxury and non-luxury brands within a social media platform. Using behavioral eye-tracking, we find that WOM message valence interacts with brand type to affect attention differently. Implications of these findings for facilitating eWOM are discussed with future research directions suggested.
TL;DR: This paper shows that FD linear relaying systems with a suitable precoder can attain the same diversity function as their half-duplex (HD) counterparts, and shows that HD orthogonal AF using a superposition constellation is asymptotically optimal in terms of maximum coding gain.
Abstract: This paper investigates the error and diversity performances of full-duplex (FD) amplify-and-forward (AF) singlerelay systems under the effect of residual self-interference. The variance of this interference is assumed to be proportional to the λ-th power of the transmitted power (0 ≤ λ ≤ 1). The study considers the cooperative linear relaying protocol with direct source-destination link and the dual-hop scheme without direct link, both under uncoded and coded frameworks. At first, closed-form pairwise error probability expressions are derived for the uncoded systems, which are then used to obtain tight bounds to the bit error rate (BER) of the coded systems. To shed an insight on the diversity behavior, asymptotic expressions at high transmission powers are also presented. Different from previous works that treat the direct link as interference, this paper shows that FD linear relaying systems with a suitable precoder can attain the same diversity function as their half-duplex (HD) counterparts. However, further analysis shows that HD orthogonal AF using a superposition constellation is asymptotically optimal in terms of maximum coding gain. In addition, it is shown that the diversity of FD dual-hop systems is a decreasing function of λ and is equal to zero when λ = 1. Although HD relaying is asymptotically optimal under the considered protocols and interference model, illustrative results show that FD relaying is advantageous at practical BER levels when λ is sufficiently small.
TL;DR: Experimental results indicate an instructive addition to the portfolio of swarm intelligence techniques and the influence of the different crossover types on convergence and performance is carefully studied.
TL;DR: The cellular imaging experiment indicated the MHF possessed excellent selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and desirable cell permeability for biological applications.
Abstract: We have designed and synthesized a novel ratiometric fluorescent chemodosimeter MHF-based ESIPT process for specific detection of cysteine among the biological thiols. The probe MHF shows very weak blue fluorescence under UV excitation. Upon addition of cysteine (Cys), the reaction of Cys with MHF induces acrylate hydrolysis, thereby enabling the ESIPT process to shift the weak blue emission to a strong green emission with about 20-fold enhancement. We utilized 1H NMR spectra to elucidate the fluorescence sensing mechanism. Moreover, the cellular imaging experiment indicated the MHF possessed excellent selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and desirable cell permeability for biological applications.
TL;DR: From the results, the proposed methods are able to find more accurate solution than the KH and other methods and the robustness of the DEKH algorithm and the influence of the initial population size on convergence and performance are investigated.
Abstract: In order to overcome the poor exploitation of the krill herd (KH) algorithm, a hybrid differential evolution KH (DEKH) method has been developed for function optimization. The improvement involves adding a new hybrid differential evolution (HDE) operator into the krill, updating process for the purpose of dealing with optimization problems more efficiently. The introduced HDE operator inspires the intensification and lets the krill perform local search within the defined region. DEKH is validated by 26 functions. From the results, the proposed methods are able to find more accurate solution than the KH and other methods. In addition, the robustness of the DEKH algorithm and the influence of the initial population size on convergence and performance are investigated by a series of experiments.
TL;DR: The new fluorescent chromophore BOPHY can be readily synthesized in two steps from commercially available reagents via the coupling of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde with hydrazine followed by reaction with BF3.
Abstract: The new fluorescent chromophore BOPHY can be readily synthesized in two steps from commercially available reagents via the coupling of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde with hydrazine followed by reaction with BF3. The resultant symmetric and dimeric tetracycle is composed of two BF2 units in six-membered chelate rings appended with pyrrole units on the periphery. The quantum yields of fluorescence for the unmodified compound and the tetramethyl variant are near unity, with values of 95 and 92%, respectively, in CH2Cl2. We have probed the electronic structure of this compound via cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory analysis.
TL;DR: In this article, a random parameters bivariate ordered probit model is estimated to examine factors affecting the degree of injury sustained by drivers involved in angle collisions, and the results demonstrate that injury severity outcomes are correlated for those involved in the same crash.
TL;DR: The problem of secure transmission in two-hop amplify-and-forward untrusted relay networks and the ergodic secrecy capacity (ESC) is considered and compact expressions for the ESC in the high signal-to-noise ratio regime are presented.
Abstract: We consider the problem of secure transmission in two-hop amplify-and-forward untrusted relay networks. We analyze the ergodic secrecy capacity (ESC) and present compact expressions for the ESC in the high signal-to-noise ratio regime. We also examine the impact of large scale antenna arrays at either the source or the destination. For large antenna arrays at the source, we confirm that the ESC is solely determined by the channel between the relay and the destination. For very large antenna arrays at the destination, we confirm that the ESC is solely determined by the channel between the source and the relay.
TL;DR: Ionomers are polymers with bonded ionic species that are used under conditions where the salt groups are in a condensed state as mentioned in this paper, and are used for shape memory and self-healing materials and supramolecular polymer systems.
Abstract: Ionomers are polymers with bonded ionic species that are used under conditions where the salt groups are in a condensed state. This Feature Article discusses the state of our understanding of ionomers and the historical applications of these nanostructured polymers. It also discusses modern methods for synthesizing new ionomers and describes a number of relatively new applications for ionomers and the potential use of these materials in contemporary technologies, including, shape memory and self-healing materials and supramolecular polymer systems.
TL;DR: The pSBMA-grafted glass fiber filters demonstrated exceptional results at separating oil from water without even allowing miniscule amounts of visible oil to permeate through.
Abstract: Oil–water separation is a major problem in industries such as oil production and wastewater treatment, where millions of gallons of oil-contaminated water are produced. Zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (pSBMA) is a superhydrophilic polymer due to its strong interaction with water via electrostatic interactions. By coating surfaces of filter media with such a superhydrophilic polymer, it is expected that one can effectively separate oil and water. In this work, pSBMA was grafted onto glass fiber surfaces using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The in-air water contact angle of the pSBMA-treated glass was 8–15°, as compared to 31° for the control untreated glass, whereas the underwater-oil contact angle of the pSBMA-grafted glass was 162–169°, as compared to 142° for the control pristine glass, suggesting that the pSBMA-grafted glass slides are superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic. Such superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity were realized...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarized the state-of-the art for self-centering seismic lateral force resisting systems and outlines current research challenges for these systems and summarized the current state of the art.
Abstract: Structures designed in accordance with even the most modern buildings codes are expected to sustain damage during a severe earthquake; however; these structures are expected to protect the lives of the occupants. Damage to the structure can require expensive repairs; significant business downtime; and in some cases building demolition. If damage occurs to many structures within a city or region; the regional and national economy may be severely disrupted. To address these shortcomings with current seismic lateral force resisting systems and to work towards more resilient; sustainable cities; a new class of seismic lateral force resisting systems that sustains little or no damage under severe earthquakes has been developed. These new seismic lateral force resisting systems reduce or prevent structural damage to nonreplaceable structural elements by softening the structural response elastically through gap opening mechanisms. To dissipate seismic energy; friction elements or replaceable yielding energy dissipation elements are also included. Post-tensioning is often used as a part of these systems to return the structure to a plumb; upright position (self-center) after the earthquake has passed. This paper summarizes the state-of-the art for self-centering seismic lateral force resisting systems and outlines current research challenges for these systems.
TL;DR: This work provides new evidence to demonstrate the existence of interactions between PEG and proteins in aqueous solution, which is important not only for better understanding of the structure-activity relationship of PEG both in solution and on surfaces, but also for the rational design of new PEG-based materials for specific applications.
Abstract: Polymer–protein interactions are crucial for determining the activity of both polymer and protein for many bio-related applications. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a well-known antifouling material is often coated on surfaces to form highly solvated brushes, which exhibit excellent protein-repellent properties. However, unlike surface-induced antifouling effects, little is known about the intrinsic PEG–protein interactions in aqueous solution, which is an important yet neglected problem. Here, we investigate the interactions between PEG and proteins in aqueous solution using fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two important characteristics, molecular weight of PEG and mass ratio of PEG:protein, are examined to determine the effect of each on PEG–protein interactions as well as binding characteristics between PEG and proteins. In contrast to too long and too short PEG chains, collective results have shown that PEG with optimal molecular weight (MW) is more capable of interacting with proteins, which induces the conformational change of proteins through more stable binding sites and stronger interactions with long chain PEG. Enhanced PEG–protein interactions are likely due to the change of hydrophilicity to amphiphilicity of PEG with increasing MWPEG. In contrast to almost none or weak interactions of PEG surfaces with proteins, this work provides new evidence to demonstrate the existence of interactions between PEG and proteins in aqueous solution, which is important not only for better understanding of the structure–activity relationship of PEG both in solution and on surfaces, but also for the rational design of new PEG-based materials for specific applications.