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Introduction: To understand smoking behaviors among ethnic minority groups, studies have largely focused on societal factors, with little attention to family influences. Yet studies among majority groups have identified parental smoking as an important risk factor. It is unknown whether this applies to ethnic minority groups. We investigated the association between parental smoking and adult offspring's smoking behaviors among ethnic minority groups with an immigrant background.Methods: We used data from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting study from Amsterdam (the Netherlands) from January 2011 to December 2015. The sample consisted of 2184 parent-offspring pairs from South-Asian Surinamese, African Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Ghanaian origin. We collected self-reported smoking data: current status, duration of exposure to parental smoking, number of daily cigarettes, heavy smoking ( > 10 cigarettes/day), and nicotine dependency (using the Fagerström Test). Analyses were stratified by offspring's age, cohabitation with parent, education (parent/offspring), offspring's cultural orientation, and gender concordance within pairs. Logistic regression was used.Results: Overall, parental smoking was associated with offspring's smoking behaviors (eg, current smoking: odds ratio 2.33; 95% confidence interval 1.79-3.03), with little ethnic variation. We found dose-response associations between exposure to parental smoking and offspring's smoking. The associations were similar across different strata but stronger in gender-concordant pairs (3.16; 2.12-4.51 vs. 1.73; 1.15-2.59 in gender-discordant pairs; p-value for interaction .017).Conclusions: Parental smoking is associated with offspring's smoking behaviors in ethnic minority groups across different strata but particularly in gender-concordant pairs. Similar to majority groups, family influences matter to smoking behaviors in ethnic minority groups.Implications: Our findings have deepened our understanding of smoking behaviors among ethnic minority groups. Future studies should simultaneously consider societal factors and parental influences, to comprehensively understand their impact on smoking among ethnic minority groups. Also, smoking patterns among family members should be addressed in individual counselling, irrespective of ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films were deposited on silicon (100) substrate using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures (500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C) while keeping all the other parameters constant. X‐ray diffraction confirmed the crystalline VO2 (B) and VO2 (M) phase formation at different substrate temperatures. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of V4+ and V5+ charge states in all the deposited thin films which confirms that the deposited films mainly consist of VO2 and V2O5. An increase in the VO2/V2O5 ratio has been observed in the films deposited at higher substrate temperatures (700°C and 800°C). Scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed different surface morphologies of the thin films deposited at different substrate temperatures. The electrical properties showed the sharp semiconductor to metal transition behavior with approximately 2 orders of magnitude for the VO2 thin film deposited at 800°C. The transition temperature for heating and cooling cycles as low as 46.2°C and 42°C, respectively, has been observed which is related to the smaller difference in the interplanar spacing between the as‐deposited thin film and the standard rutile VO2 as well as to the lattice strain of approximately −1.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogenated amorphous carbon nitride (a-CNx:H) thin films were synthesized on the SS-304 substrates using a dense plasma focus device. The a-CNx:H thin films were synthesized using CH4/N2 admixture gas and 20 focus deposition shots on substrates placed at different distances from the anode top. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis confirmed different C-N bonding in the a-CNx:H thin films. A decrease in the N/C ratio as well as the sp3/sp2 ratio with an increase in the substrate distance has been observed. The higher amount of C-N formation for the film synthesized at 10 cm is observed which decreases with increasing distance. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman analysis affirmed the C ≡ N presence in all the thin films synthesized at different distances. The morphology of the synthesized a-CNx:H thin films showed nanoparticles and nanoparticle clusters formation at the surface. The hardness results showed comparatively lower hardness of the a-CNx:H thin films due to the presence of C ≡ N. The C-N formation with lower amount of C ≡ N and a higher N/C ratio as well as a higher sp3/sp2 ratio for the films synthesized at 10 cm show reasonably higher hardness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies from the US and UK suggest that neighbourhood ethnic composition is associated with health, positive or negative, depending on the health outcome and ethnic group. We examined the association between neighbourhood ethnic composition and self-reported health in these groups in Amsterdam, and we aimed to explore whether there is spatial variation in this association. Methods: We used micro-scale data to describe the ethnic composition in buffers around the home location of 2701 Turks and 2661 Moroccans. Multilevel regression analysis was used to assess the association between three measures of ethnic composition (% co-ethnics, % other ethnic group, Herfindahl index) and three measures of self-reported health: self-rated health, Physical and Mental Component Score (PCS, MCS). We adjusted for socioeconomic position at individual and area level. We used geographically weighted regression and spatially stratified regression analyses to explore whether associations differed within Amsterdam. Results: Ethnic heterogeneity and own ethnic density were not related to self-rated health for both ethnic groups. Higher density of Turks was associated with better self-rated health among Moroccans at all buffer sizes, with the most significant relations for small buffers. Higher heterogeneity was associated with lower scores on PCS and MCS among Turks (suggesting worse health). We found spatial variation in the association of the density of the other ethnic group with self-rated health of Moroccans and Turks. We found a positive association for both groups, spatially concentrated in the sub-district Geuzenveld. Conclusions: Our study showed that the association of ethnic composition with self-reported health among Turks and Moroccans in Amsterdam differed between the groups and reveals mainly at small spatial scales. Among both groups, an association of higher density of the other group with better self-rated health was found in a particular part of Amsterdam, which might be explained by the presence of a relatively strong sense of community between the two groups in that area. The study suggests that it is important to pay attention to other-group density, to use area measurements at small spatial scales and to examine the spatial variation in these associations. This may help to identify neighbourhood characteristics contributing to these type of area effects on urban minority health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To integrate immigrants into their societies, European countries have adopted different types of policies, which may influence health through both material and psychosocial determinants. Recent studies have suggested poorer health outcomes for immigrants living in countries with poorly rated integration policies. Objective: To analyse mortality differences of immigrants from the same country of origin living in countries with distinct integration policy contexts. Methods: From the mortality dataset collected in the Migrant Ethnic Health Observatory (MEHO) project, we chose the Netherlands (linked data from 1996-2006), France (unlinked; 2005-2007) and Denmark (linked; 1992-2001) as representatives of the inclusive, assimilationist and exclusionist policy models, respectively, based on the Migrant Integration Policy Index. We calculated for each country sex- and age-standardized mortality rates for Turkish-, Moroccan- and local-born populations aged 20-69 years. Poisson regression was used to estimate the mortality rate ratios (MRRs) for cross-country and within-country comparisons. The analyses were further stratified by age group and cause of death. Results: Compared with their peers in the Netherlands, Turkish-born immigrants had higher all-cause mortality in Denmark (MRR men 1.92; 95% CI 1.74-2.13 and women 2.11; 1.80-2.47) but lower in France (men 0.64; 0.59-0.69 and women 0.58; 0.51-0.67). A similar pattern emerged for Moroccan-born immigrants. The relative differences between immigrants and the local-born population were also largest in Denmark and lowest in France (e.g., Turkish-born men MRR 1.52; 95% CI 1.38-1.67 and 0.62; 0.58-0.66, respectively). These patterns were consistent across all age groups, and more marked for cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: Although confounders and data comparability issues (e.g., French cross-sectional data) may affect the findings, this study suggests that different macro-level policy contexts may influence immigrants’ mortality. Comparable mortality registration systems across Europe along with detailed socio-demographic information on immigrants may help to better assess this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Language barriers may lead to poorer healthcare services for patients who do not speak the same language as their care provider. Despite the benefits of professional interpreters, care providers tend to underuse professional interpretation. Evidence suggests that students who received training on language barriers and interpreter use are more likely to utilize interpretation services. Aims: We developed an e-learning module for medical students on using professional interpreters during the medical interview, and evaluated its effects on students' knowledge and self-efficacy. Methods: In the e-learning module, three patient-physician-interpreter video vignettes were presented, with three different types of interpreters: a family member, an untrained bilingual staff member, and a professional interpreter. The students answered two questions about each vignette, followed by feedback which compared their responses with expert information. In total, 281 fourth-year medical students took the e-learning module during the academic year 2012-2013. We assessed their knowledge and self-efficacy in interpreter use pre- and post-test on 1 (lowest) - 10 (highest) scale, and analysed the differences in mean scores using paired t-tests. Results: Upon completing the e-learning module, students reported higher self-efficacy in using professional interpretation. The mean knowledge score on the pre-test was 5.5 (95% confidence interval 5.3-5.8), but on the post-test this increased to 8.4 (95% CI 8.2-8.6). The difference was highly significant ( p < 0.001). For self-efficacy, the mean score on the pre-test was 4.9 (95% CI 4.7-5.1), and on the post-test 7.0 (95% CI 6.8-7.1); p < 0.001. Conclusion: This e-learning module improved students' knowledge and self-efficacy in using professional interpreters during the medical interview. Using such tools in medical curricula might encourage future doctors to use professional interpretation services to overcome language barriers, thereby potentially contributing to equitable healthcare services for a linguistically diverse patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: European research on the association between perceived ethnic discrimination (PED) and health is importantly lacking. It is also unknown how much PED contributes to disease prevalence. In this study, we quantified the contribution of PED to depression in five ethnic groups in a middle-size European city. Methods: We used crosssectional data from the HELIUS study (Healthy Life in an Urban Setting), collected from January 2011 to June 2013 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We included a random sample of 1753 ethnic Dutch, 1143 South-Asian Surinamese, 1794 African Surinamese, 1098 Ghanaians and 850 Turks, aged 18-70 years. PED was assessed using the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used for assessing depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD). We used logistic regression and calculated the contribution of PED to depressive symptoms and MDD using the population attributable fractions. Results: Depressive symptoms and MDD were most common in Turks and South-Asian Surinamese, and lowest in ethnic Dutch. PED had a positive association with depressive symptoms and MDD in only the ethnic minority groups. The contributions of PED to depressive symptoms and MDD were around 25% in both the Surinamese groups, and Turks, and ~15% in Ghanaians. Conclusion: We conclude that PED contributes considerably to depression in ethnic minority groups in a European context. As such, ethnic inequalities in depression could be reduced substantially if ethnic minority groups would not perceive any ethnic discrimination. We encourage more European research on the health impact of PED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current disease burden estimates do not provide evidence across different ethnic groups. This study aims to assess the disease burden as measured by the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for six ethnic groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for 2011 and 2030. Methods: The DALYs were calculated by combining three components: disease-/sex-/age-specific DALYs per person; disease-specific relative risks (RRs) by ethnicity; and sex-/age-specific population sizes by ethnicity in Amsterdam in 2011 and 2030. Disease-specific DALYs were derived from the National Institute of Public Health. The RRs were obtained through a systematic review of studies published in 1997–2008. The population figures were gathered from the Statistics Netherlands and municipality of Amsterdam. Results: The findings suggest that cardiovascular diseases and anxiety and depressive disorders dominate disease burden in all ethnic groups in 2011 and 2030. In most of the non-Western ethnic minorities, diabetes mellitus is the strongest contributor to the disease burden. The total disease burden will increase more strongly in non-Western ethnic minorities than ethnic Dutch. The 2030 disease burden is estimated to be highest among Surinamese and Antilleans. Conclusions: In ethnic minorities, diabetes plays an important role in the disease burden, and the total disease burden will grow stronger than ethnic Dutch, resulting in a higher total disease burden for some ethnic groups in 2030. We encourage researchers to estimate the disease burden by ethnicity so that health priorities can be set in the fields of policy, health care and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Al/a-C nanocomposite thin films are synthesized on Si substrates using a dense plasma focus device with aluminum fitted anode and operating with CH4/Ar admixture. X-ray diffractometer results confirm the formation of metallic crystalline Al phases using different numbers of focus shots. Raman analyses show the formation of D and G peaks for all thin film samples, confirming the presence of a-C in the nanocomposite thin films. The formation of Al/a-C nanocomposite thin films is further confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The scanning electron microscope results show that the deposited thin films consist of nanoparticles and their agglomerates. The sizes of th agglomerates increase with increasing numbers of focus deposition shots. The nanoindentation results show the variations in hardness and elastic modulus values of nanocomposite thin film with increasing the number of focus shots. Maximum values of hardness and elastic modulus of the composite thin film prepared using 20 focus shots are found to be about 10.7 GPa and 189.2 GPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing nations, anaemia is one of the most prevalent medical conditions. It has long been known that parasite infection during pregnancy is one of the main causes of anaemia and an elevated risk of maternal mortality. To ascertain the prevalence and risk factors related to parasite infections and anaemia among pregnant women receiving prenatal care in some selected public health facilities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, an eleven-month cross-sectional study of 180 consenting pregnant women was conducted from February to December 2017. A standardized questionnaire was used to interview the sampled pregnant women. Stool and blood samples of each consented pregnant woman were collected. Formal-ether sedimentation technique, thin and thick blood smears and haematocrit packed cell volume capillary methods were used to screen intestinal helminth parasites, plasmodium species and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) respectively. The result obtained showed parasitic infections prevalence of 102(56.7%) among the study population. Prevalence of Plasmodium species, hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and those with co-infection all occurred at 47.2%, 16.7%, 17.8% and 25.0% respectively. Age, educational level, trimester and parity were all significant predictors of Plasmodium species prevalence (p<0.005). Similarly, parity and educational level were significantly (p<0.005) associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites and co-infection. Anaemia was present in 40.0% of the examined pregnant women. Trimester and educational level were highly significant (p<0.001) predictors of anaemia among the sampled pregnant women. Plasmodium species were the most common parasitic species associated with anaemia as 43.1% of Plasmodium species-infected pregnant women had anaemia compared to those with intestinal helminth infection (30.6%) and co-infection (13.3%). However, statistical analysis revealed a significant association (p<0.05) between the prevalence of anaemia and intestinal helminth infection. Therefore, measures such as improved sanitation and health education are needed to lessen the prevalence of parasitic infections and parasite-related anaemia in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to screen for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Brevibacillus species from soil and investigate their ability to biodegrade low density polyethylene materials. The organisms were isolated using phenotypic characterization and molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR confirmed the presence of two different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and absence of Brevibacillus specie from the soil sample. The bacteria were inoculated in a nutrient broth to which 2% polyethylene was amended for a period of three weeks in a shaker incubator at 180rpm. Effect of temperature, pH and concentration of polyethylene on the biodegradation process was also studied. The initial and final dry weights of the polyethylene were recorded and the % degraded was calculated. It was found that both strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were capable of degrading the polyethylene. Strain C3 produced a maximum degradation of 20% at 37°C and pH 6. Strain B3 achieved a maximum degradation of 15% at 37°C at pH 6 and 7. In addition, it was found that both strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were able to survive up to 6% of polyethylene producing a maximum degradation of 55%. Therefore strains B3 and C3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be effective in biodegradation of polyethylene in dump sites if their potentials are well exploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hemispherical cavity confinement on the laser-generated plasma plume has been studied and revealing a fivefold signal intensity enhancement in the spectra of copper. The plasma temperature ($T$) and electron density ($N_{e}$) with and without cavity confinements have been determined. The plasma parameters ($T$ and $N_{e}$) in the cavity confinement configuration remain the same for the first few microseconds and thereafter decay exponentially. The trend of constant plasma parameters for the first few microseconds is attributed to the competition of two processes; compression of the plasma plume by the reflected shock waves and cooling of the plasma plume by losing its kinetic energy due to the collision of the ambient gases. The signal intensity enhancement can be attributed to the reheating or compression of plasma plume by the reflected shock waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study was planned to determine the relationship between semen quality parameters and the levels of biochemical constituents of seminal plasma of Teddy (Capra hircus) buck semen. For this purpose, semen ejaculates were collected from five mature healthy Teddy bucks. All the experimental bucks were kept under natural environmental conditions. Semen was collected twice in a week for the duration of 6 weeks by Artificial Vagina (AV) in the breeding season (February‐April). Two successive ejaculates of single buck were pooled at time of collection, and a total of 60 semen samples were processed for semen analysis. Sperm per cent motility, sperm concentration, dead sperm percentage, morphological abnormal spermatozoa, plasma membrane integrity were correlated with biochemical constituents of seminal plasma. The mean per cent motility (89.18% ± 0.37%), sperm concentration (1.86 ± 0.04 × 109/ml), dead sperm percentage (8.08% ± 0.29%), morphological abnormal spermatozoa (6.05% ± 0.29%) and plasma membrane integrity (88.22% ± 0.34%) were recorded. The seminal plasma contained Na+ (144.12 ± 1.59 mEq/L), K+ (27.38 ± 0.49 mEq/L), Cl− (65.73 ± 0.45 mEq/L), Ca++ (9.34 ± 0.22 mg/dl), P (19.32 ± 0.97 mg/dl), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 26.48 ± 1.30 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 168.47 ± 5.18 IU/L), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; 215.98 ± 6.06 IU/L), albumin (1.90 ± 0.10 g/dl), globulins (2.08 ± 0.11 g/dl) and total protein (3.98 ± 0.20 g/dl). The collected data were analysed by applying Pearson's correlation coefficients. Dead sperm percentage had negative correlation with sodium (r = −.278, p < .05), albumin (r = −.294, p < .05), globulin (r = −.266, p < .05) and total protein (r = −.295, p < .05). Phosphorus was negatively associated with sperm concentration (r = −.262, p < .05). AST was negatively correlated with plasma membrane integrity (r = −.292, p < .05). It was concluded that most of the semen quality parameters of Teddy bucks were positively correlated with biochemical constituents, but opposite trends were found in case of dead sperm percentage. The seminal biochemical constituents dynamically interact with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the mediating and moderating role of one's sense of mastery in the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and depression.Method: Questionnaire data from participants of the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study were used, containing responses from 9,141 Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Ghanaian immigrant adults, aged 18 to 70, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.Results: Results of path modeling indicated that perceptions of ethnic discrimination were positively related to depression symptomatology, and this relationship was moderated and partially mediated by mastery. Results remained fairly robust across sex, educational level, immigrant generation, and ethnicity.Conclusion: This study indicated that mastery may both serve a moderating and mediating role in the relationship between perceived ethnic discrimination and depression, suggestive of a process in which the impact of perceiving discrimination becomes increasingly more deteriorating over time. Thus, interventions focused on mastery may potentially be beneficial to improve ethnic minority mental health. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to study whether country integration policy models were related to inequalities by immigrant status in depressive symptoms in Europe.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data from 17 countries in the sixth wave of the European Social Survey (2012), comparing subjects born either in the country of residence (non-immigrants, N = 28,333) or in a country not classified as "advanced economy" by the IMF (immigrants, N = 2041). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the eight-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Countries were grouped into three integration policy regimes (inclusive, assimilationist, and exclusionist). Linear regressions were fitted adjusting first by age, sex, and education level, then sequentially by citizenship, perceived discrimination, and socio-economic variables.Results: In all integration regimes, immigrants report significantly more depressive symptoms than non-immigrants. The gap is the largest in exclusionist countries (immigrants score 1.16, 95% CI 0.65-1.68, points higher than non-immigrants in the depression scale), followed by assimilationist countries (0.85 and 0.57-1.13) and inclusive countries (0.60 and 0.36-0.84). Financial strain explains all the associations in inclusive countries, most of it in assimilationist countries, but only a small part in exclusionist countries.Conclusions: Across most European countries, immigrants seem to experience more depressive symptoms than the population born in the country, mostly reflecting their poorer socio-economic situation. Inequalities are larger in countries with more restrictive policies. Despite some limitations, this study adds new evidence to suggest that immigrants' health is shaped by integration policies in their host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Perceived ethnic discrimination (PED) is positively associated with depressive symptoms in ethnic minority groups in Western countries. Psychosocial factors may buffer against the health impact of PED, but evidence is lacking from Europe. We assessed whether ethnic identity, religion, and ethnic social network act as buffers in different ethnic minority groups in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.Methods: Baseline data were used from the HEalthy Living In a Urban Setting study collected from January 2011 to June 2014. The random sample included 2501 South-Asian Surinamese, 2292 African Surinamese, 1877 Ghanaians, 2626 Turks, and 2484 Moroccans aged 18-70 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. PED was measured with the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Ethnic identity was assessed using the Psychological Acculturation Scale. Practicing religion was determined. Ethnic social network was assessed with the number of same-ethnic friends and amount of leisure time spent with same-ethnic people.Results: PED was positively associated with depressive symptoms in all groups. The association was weaker among (a) those with strong ethnic identity in African Surinamese and Ghanaians, (b) those practicing religion among African Surinamese and Moroccans, (c) those with many same-ethnic friends in South-Asian Surinamese, Ghanaians, and Turks, and (d) those who spend leisure time with same-ethnic people among African Surinamese and Turks.Conclusions: Ethnic identity, religion, and ethnic social network weakened the association between PED and depressive symptoms, but the effects differed by ethnic minority group. These findings suggest that ethnic minority groups employ different resources to cope with PED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-crystalline tungsten nitride thin films are synthesized on AISI-304 steel at room temperature using Mather-type plasma focus system. The surface properties of the exposed substrate against different deposition shots are examined for crystal structure, surface morphology and mechanical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope and nano-indenter. The XRD results show the growth of WN and WN2 phases and the development of strain/stress in the deposited films by varying the number of deposition shots. Morphology of deposited films shows the significant change in the surface structure with different ion energy doses (number of deposition shots). Due to the effect of different ion energy doses, the strain/stress developed in the deposited film leads to an improvement of hardness of deposited films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a model that predictsthegas solubility and the sorption and desorption kinetics in polymergranulates over large temperature and pressure intervals. Besidesthe part predicting the solubility and diffusivity, the model involvesthe simultaneous solution of the diffusion equation and the heat equationin three dimensions using a finite element method (FEM). When thetemperature- and pressure-dependent solubility of a specific polymer/gascombination is not known, an improved version of the non-equilibriumlattice fluid model (NELF) is used to predict the solubility. Theimprovement of the NELF model includes the use of Hansen’ssolubility parameters, and it uses pressure–volume–temperature(PVT) data from two new empirical models, which accurately estimatepolymer densities over a wide range of temperatures and pressures.The new solubility model predicted the solubility–pressuredata of N2in poly(ethyl methacrylate) and N2and CH4in polycarbonate (PC) at pressures below 4.5MPa, without using any adjustable interaction parameters. The modelwas used to predict the solubility of N2in poly(ether-ether-ketone)(PEEK) and PC at a very high pressure (67 MPa). Experimental N2solubility data were obtained with a specially built reactoryielding high pressure and temperature. For PEEK, it was possibleto predict the very high pressure solubility using a gas–polymerinteraction parameter obtained from data taken at low pressures. Inaddition, a new free-volume-based diffusivity model requiring no adjustableinteraction parameters was developed, and it successfully predictedthe desorption kinetics of N2from PEEK and PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2.3 kJ Mather type pulsed plasma focus device was used for the synthesis of a TiN/a-Si3N4 thin film at room temperature. The film was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The XRD pattern confirms the growth of polycrystalline TiN thin film. The XPS results indicate that the synthesized film is non-stoichiometric and contains titanium nitride, silicon nitride, and a phase of silicon oxy-nitride. The SEM and AFM results reveal that the surface of the synthesized film is quite smooth with 0.59 nm roughness (root-mean-square). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to improve the detection limits of copper and lead in the soil samples by coupling Laser-Induced Plasma Spectrometry (LIPS) with an external magnetic field. The laser-induced plasma was generated using an Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and the emission spectra were registered using a set of four spectrometers covering the wavelength region from 250 to 870 nm. The application of external magnetic field (0.7 T) perpendicular to the propagation of the plasma plume increases the plasma temperature, electron density, and plasma emission intensity. This enhancement in the plasma parameters is attributed to the plasma confinement. The detection limit of Pb and Cu has been improved from 12 ppm to 4.1 ppm and from 3.9 ppm to 1.4 ppm by applying magnetic field. The plasma temperature and electron number density decays slowly along the plasma expansion axis in the presence of external magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]