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We characterized alkali-activated slag paste containing dredged marine sediment according to Na2O concentration by mass of slag in the mixture. The compressive strengths of 3-d cured AAS–sediment paste specimens were similar to those of 28-d cured AAS–sediment paste specimens. The optimum Na2O concentration by mass of slag was 6–8%. Leaching testing of samples cured for 3 d confirmed that heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, and Pb) were below the detection limits for all these metals. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses revealed that the microstructure, fracture surface, and silicate band of calcium silicate hydrate as the main hydrate of the AAS–sediment paste were similar among the various samples. Despite this, Ca/Si molar ratios and quantitative analysis results differed among samples with different Na2O concentrations by mass of slag.

Recently, interfacial engineering approaches as an efficient strategy for improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) has attracted considerable attention. Among various efficient solutions, solution-processed metal-oxide films prepared from metal oxide sol–gel precursors (or nanoparticles) and polymer surface modifiers are typically used as electron selective interfaces in the inverted cell geometry. To present a more effective strategy for surpassing the limitations of traditional methods, such as an unintended increase in series or contact resistance by incompatibility at the organic/inorganic interface, inherently insulating nature of non-conjugated surface modifiers and oxygen adsorption (or photo-induced doping) of metal-oxide layer, we synthesize chemically surface-modified ZnO@graphene core–shell type quantum dots (ZGQDs) with well-characterization of the chemical, optical and electrical properties, and fabricate iPSCs consisting of ITO/PEIE/ZGQD-OAs/photoactive layer/MoO 3 /Ag. The mono-layered QDs play the multi-functional role as surface modifier, sub-photosensitizer and electron transport layer. Using this effective approach, we achieve the highest conversion efficiency of ~10.3% resulting from improved interfacial properties and efficient charge transfer based on static quenching and charge transfer reaction from ZnO to graphene nanosheets (with drastically reduced τ avg (~ 60 ps)), which is verified by various analysis tools.

The influence of the addition of waste glass, derived from spent fluorescent lamps, on the microstructure and strength of fly ash or fly ash/blast furnace slag-based inorganic polymers was studied through microstructural, spectroscopic, and compressive strength analyses. The results suggest that the degree of polymerization of the activated mixtures decreases as the amount of waste glass added to the synthesis mixtures increases. This finding is most likely due to the considerable increase in the overall SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio. The strength followed the same trend. The addition of slag to the synthesis mixtures appears to be beneficial because the compressive strength was improved compared with other mixtures activated with the same sodium hydroxide solution but with no slag. The negative effect caused by increasing the overall SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio through the addition of waste glass seems to be diminished when a sodium silicate solution is used as an activator.

The tungsten oxide nonvolatile memory devices were fabricated using the photothermal in-situ oxidation method. The photothermal in-situ oxidation method can monitor the oxidation process in real time. Raman spectra revealed that tungsten oxides were formed by thermal oxidation. The ON/OFF ratio of the current bistability for the device was as large as ~ 102 at a 2 V reading voltage, and the cycling endurance of the ON/OFF switching for the devices was stable without noticeable degradation. Memory mechanisms for device are described using fitted the I–V curves.

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has drawn great attention for its versatile applications in electronics and photonics, and precise estimation of its thickness is critical in many situations. We propose a rapid and broad range (10–500 nm) in situ thickness estimation method for transparent hBN and SiO2 layers on the Si substrate using Raman peak intensity ratios at two wavenumbers and optical microscopy image analysis. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate our method for a wide range of hBN layer thicknesses, and the estimated results show excellent agreement with the measured results with a percentile estimation error of 2.5%.

We demonstrate the ZnO@graphene core@shell quantum dot (ZGQDs) fabricated by selectively engineering of oxygenated functional groups on the graphene shells with eco-friendly keratin textile for transparent and flexible UV photodetector devices. The ZGQDs with the octylamine (ZGQDs-OA) and the graphene sheet were employed as an active material and an electron transport channel. The functional groups on the surrounding graphene shell in ZGQDs were passivated by the OA, resulting in a good absorbance in UV light and excellent carrier transport properties. The passivation of the functional groups on the graphene shell by OA drastically enhanced the photocurrent. Optical transmittance of the ZGQDs-OA/graphene sheets/PMMA/keratin nanofiber textile composites structures was approximately 77% at the visible spectrum range. Current–voltage (I-V) and current–time (I-t) measurements on the UV photodetector under illumination state in bending condition exhibited the excellent ON/OFF switching states and stability. The photosensitivity and responsivity of the photodetector with ZGQDs-OA were found to be around 13.10 and 68.64 μAmW−1, respectively, which is much higher than that without the passivation. The improved performance of the photodetector with ZGQDs-OA could be attributed to the efficient electron transport to the electrode by the passivation of the graphene on ZnO QDs.

Laboratory mouse, Mus musculus, is one of the most important animal tools in biomedical research. Functional characterization of the mouse genes, hence, has been a long-standing goal in mammalian and human genetics. Although large-scale knockout phenotyping is under progress by international collaborative efforts, a large portion of mouse genome is still poorly characterized for cellular functions and associations with disease phenotypes. A genome-scale functional network of mouse genes, MouseNet, was previously developed in context of MouseFunc competition, which allowed only limited input data for network inferences. Here, we present an improved mouse co-functional network, MouseNet v2 (available at http://www.inetbio.org/mousenet), which covers 17 714 genes (>88% of coding genome) with 788 080 links, along with a companion web server for network-assisted functional hypothesis generation. The network database has been substantially improved by large expansion of genomics data. For example, MouseNet v2 database contains 183 co-expression networks inferred from 8154 public microarray samples. We demonstrated that MouseNet v2 is predictive for mammalian phenotypes as well as human diseases, which suggests its usefulness in discovery of novel disease genes and dissection of disease pathways. Furthermore, MouseNet v2 database provides functional networks for eight other vertebrate models used in various research fields.

Video display of a model has been widely used as an observational learning tool; yet, the use of patch-light techniques that can highlight key features of motion has been seldom used. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of patch-light display for use in observational learning of the golf swing. Twenty-two novice golf participants were randomly assigned to three groups: video, patchlight, and control. Each participant performed 100 golf pitch shots, and 20 shots 24 hours later (retention). After each 10 shots, participants observed a recorded model perform 10 shots either in traditional video or patch-light format, or waited for a brief time period (control). Participants did not observe the model during retention. The patch-light group was neither more accurate nor more consistent than the video group or control. We believe that the familiarity of the task may have overridden any observational learning effect.

Fine dredged sediment was immobilized using ground granulated blast furnace slag as a new binder for supplementary cementitious materials in a 3.5% NaOH solution to study its solidification/stabilization (S/S) and uses in various industrial applications. The aim of this study is to compare effect of mixing conditions of the saturated-surface-dry of dredged sediment to determine the proper mixing method in the S/S process. Measurements of mechanical strength, heavy metal leachability, and microstructural characterization of the dredged sediment treated with alkali-activated slag (AAS) paste were carried out. The maximum value of the mechanical strength was obtained when the same amount of the NaOH solution as the saturated-surface-dry of the dredged sediment was added. The leaching experiment results showed that heavy metals were immobilized in the AAS paste, and that Cr, Cd, and Pb were not detected. The results of the analysis indicate the relationship between mechanical strength and (Ca + Na)/(S...

Goodale & Milner(1992)의 연구에 따르면 골프 퍼팅과 같이 느린 자조과제(self-paced task)에서도 빠른 공을 가로챌 때 요구되는 것과 동일한 캡슐화 시각운동성 시스템(encapsulated visuomotor systems)이 사용된다. 성공적인골프 퍼팅을 위해서는 정확한 방향과 거리 판단이 선행되어야 하는데 이때 수행자는 착시의 영향을 받는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 퍼팅 수행이 입력된 감각정보를 다르게 변형시키는 피질 경로를 통해 이뤄지는지 알아보는것이었다. 실험 1에서는 퍼팅 과제 수행 시 숙련자와 초급자 모두 Muller-Lyer 착시효과의 영향을 받는 것으로 나타났다. 실험 2에서는 퍼팅 수행 시 시선을 공 대신 홀컵에 고정시키도록 하였다. 초급자 집단은 착시의 영향을 받은 것으로 나타난 반면 숙련자 집단은 익숙하지 않은 시선 고정 위치에도 불구하고 착시의 영향을 받지 않았다. 수행을 하는 데 있어서 시선이 고정되는 위치는 매우 중요하다. 표적(홀컵)이 주변시야에 위치하면 숙련자이더라도 퍼팅 시 착시를 유도하는 환경중심적인 맥락의존 정보(context-dependent information)에 의존하는 점에 대해 논의하였다.

While the two visual system hypothesis tells a fairly compelling story about perception and action in peripersonal space (i.e., within arm’s reach), its validity for extrapersonal space is very limited and highly controversial. Hence, the present purpose was to assess whether perception and action differences in peripersonal space hold in extrapersonal space and are modulated by the same factors. To this end, the effects of an optic illusion in perception and action in both peripersonal and extrapersonal space were compared in three groups that threw balls toward a target at a distance under different target eccentricity (i.e., with the target fixated and in peripheral field), viewing (i.e., binocular and monocular viewing), and delay conditions (i.e., immediate and delayed action). The illusory bias was smaller in action than in perception in peripersonal space, but this difference was significantly reduced in extrapersonal space, primarily because of a weakening bias in perception. No systematic modulation of target eccentricity, viewing, and delay arose. The findings suggest that the two visual system hypothesis is also valid for extra personal space.

The maintenance of steady contractions is required in many daily tasks. However, there is little understanding of how various lower limb configurations influence the ability to maintain force. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the influence of joint angle on various lower-limb constant force contractions. Nineteen adults performed knee extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantarflexion isometric force contractions to 11 target forces, ranging from 2 to 95% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) at 2 angles. Force variability was quantified with mean force, standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation of force output. Non-linearities in force output were quantified with approximate entropy. Curve fitting analyses were performed on each set of data from each individual across contractions to further examine whether joint angle interacts with global functions of lower-limb force variability. Joint angle had significant effects on the model parameters used to describe the force-variability function for each muscle contraction (p 0.05). Regularities in force output were more explained by force level in smaller angle conditions relative to the larger angle conditions (p 0.05). The findings support the notion that limb configuration influences the magnitude and regularities in force production. Biomechanical factors, such as joint angle, along with neurophysiological factors should be considered together in the discussion of the dynamics of constant force production.

Van der Kamp and Masters (2008) reported that goalkeeper postures that mimic the Muller-Lyer (1889) illusion affect the location of handball penalty throws. In four experiments, we aimed to verify that the effects on throwing are consistent with an illusorybias(Experiments 1 and 2), and to examine how these observations can be understood in thecontext of Milner and Goodale's (1995, 2008) two-visual systems model (Experiments 3 and 4).Experiments 1 and 2 confirmed that the goalkeeper Muller-Lyer posture may indeed induce an illusory bias in throwing, implying that allocentric information is used in far-aiming action tasks. Experiment 3 demonstrated that the bias was not related to a participant's throwing skill. Experiment 4 suggested that an absence of visual information to instantaneously specify target location may have induced use of context-dependent allocentric information, causing the throwing bias. The results are discussed in the context of recent debates about the roles of the two-visual systems in perception and action. It is suggestedthat the two systems are first and foremost perceptual systems that serve the pickup of different sources of information. © 2014 American Psychological Association.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute occlusion of the ICA is often associated with poor outcomes and severe neurologic deficits. This study was conducted to evaluate outcome of the occluded ICA and efficacy of recanalization under protective flow arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for acute ICA occlusion were identified from the prospectively collected data base. We assessed NIHSS(o), occlusion type (cardioembolism vs atherosclerosis), occlusion level (supraclinoid-terminal, petrocavernous, or bulb-cervical), recanalization degree (TICI), and efficacy of recanalization (protective flow arrest vs nonprotection) leading to better outcome. RESULTS: Successful recanalization (TICI ≥ 2) was obtained in 90% of patients and good recovery (mRS ≤ 2) in 60% of patients. Good outcome was related to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (P < .001), TICI (P < .007), occlusion type (P = .022), and occlusion level (P = .038). Poor initial patient status, less recanalization, cardioembolism, and supraclinoid-terminal occlusion were associated with poor prognosis. Application of protective flow arrest led to better outcome in the distal ICA segment than in the bulb-cervical segment. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the initial patient status and successful recanalization, the occlusion level or type of the occluded ICA could affect clinical outcome. In this study, treatment benefits of protective flow arrest were accentuated in patients with ICA occlusion above the bulb-cervical segment.

In this study, a series of hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSAs) based on metallocene polyolefin (me-PO) were prepared to investigate their possibility of replacing the HMPSAs based on styrenic block copolymers (SBCs). In addition, to optimize the performance of HMPSAs based on me-PO, several tackifiers having different softening point and molecular weight were evaluated. To achieve the HMPSAs which can satisfy the Dahlquist Criterion, hot melts required over 10% of process oil. To obtain the HMPSAs having low viscosity which can be applied by a spraying type applicator, secondary polymer having relatively low crystallinity was required. And, tackifier having high molecular weight attributed to increasing the cohesive strength of me-PO based HMPSAs.

When standing sideways to the ball, it becomes very difficult to see the veridical line of putt to the target and players often misread the direction. The purpose of the study was to determine if using a line on the ball aids putting. Twenty-four expert and twenty-four novice players each made a total of 40 putts, 10 putts each with and without using a line on the ball at distances of 1 m and 4 m away from the hole. When using a line on the ball, players were asked to stay behind the ball, align the ball line toward the target line, and then make the putt. Using a ball line did not aid in any aspects of putting including bias, accuracy, and consistency. In addition, experts who use ball line neither align nor perform better than those who do not use the ball line.

We discuss subwavelength-scale semiconductor metal-optic resonators placed on the metal substrate with various top metal plate sizes. Albeit with large optical losses, addition of metal layers converts a leaky semiconductor nano-block into a highly-confined optical cavity. Optically pumped lasing action is observed with the extended top metal layer that can significantly suppress the radiation losses. Careful investigation of self-heating effects during the optical carrier injection process shows the importance of temperature-dependent material properties in the laser rate equation model and the overall laser performances.

Optofluidic manipulation mechanisms have been successfully applied to micro/nano-scale assembly and handling applications in biophysics, electronics, and photonics. Here, we extend the laser-based optofluidic microbubble manipulation technique to achieve hybrid integration of compound semiconductor microdisk lasers on the silicon photonic circuit platform. The microscale compound semiconductor block trapped on the microbubble surface can be precisely assembled on a desired position using photothermocapillary convective flows induced by focused laser beam illumination. Strong light absorption within the micro-scale compound semiconductor object allows real-time and on-demand microbubble generation. After the assembly process, we verify that electromagnetic radiation from the optically-pumped InGaAsP microdisk laser can be efficiently coupled to the single-mode silicon waveguide through vertical evanescent coupling. Our simple and accurate microbubble-based manipulation technique may provide a new pathway for realizing high precision fluidic assembly schemes for heterogeneously integrated photonic/electronic platforms as well as microelectromechanical systems.

In this study, the movement of sediment particles around a bridge pier was investigated using the OpenFOAM software. The object is to track the transport of sediment particles and get insight of scour hole forming processes around bridge piers. A three dimensional hydrodynamic model coupling with fluid-particle transport over mobile bed, CFDEM coupling open source, was used in this study. The motion of particles was resolved using a discrete element model (DEM), and the flow field was simulated by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. To verify the simulated results of scour depth, experiments were conducted in an open channel flume by using a high speed camera. Flow velocity was obtained around the piers after processing the images captured by the camera. To verify the simulated results, the experiment data were compared with the simulated results of sediment transport and scour depth. This integrated numerical and experimental study allows the authors to investigate sediment dynamic at the particle scale.

Optical feedback mechanisms are often obtained from well-defined resonator structures fabricated by top-down processes. Here, we demonstrate that two-dimensional networks of metallic nanowires dispersed on the semiconductor slab can provide strong in-plane optical feedback and, thus, form randomly-distributed Fabry-Pérot-type resonators that can achieve multi- or single-mode lasing action in the near infrared wavelengths. Albeit with their subwavelength-scale cross-sections and uncontrolled inter-nanowire distances, a cluster of nearly parallel metal nanowires acts as an effective in-situ reflector for the semiconductor-metal slab waveguide modes for coherent optical feedback in the lateral direction. Fabry-Pérot type resonance can be readily developed by a pair of such clusters coincidentally formed in the solution-processed random nanowire network. Our low-cost and large-area approach for opportunistic random cavity formation would open a new pathway for integrated planar light sources for low-coherence imaging and sensing applications.

Experiments for As(V) removal using synthesized -monosulfate was performed from the water contaminated with arsenate. Monosulfate is known as LDHs (Layered Double Hydroxides) which is one of the anionic clay minerals. Monosulfate was synthesized mixing (tricalcium aluminate), gypsum (calcium sulfate), and water with an intercalation method. The product form the synthesis was characterized by FE-SEM, WDXRF, PXRD, and FT-IR. Experiments with different doses of monosulfate were carried out for kinetic. As a result of experiment, the concentration of As(V) was reduced from 0.67 mM to 0.19 mM (0.67mM of monosulfate) and 0.178 mM (1.34 mM of monosulfate). The concentration of sulfate was increased with As(V) decrease. The result of PXRD showed that the d-spacing of inter layer ( peak) was shifted from 8.927 to 8.095 because the sulfate in the inter layer of monosulfate was exchanged arsenate with water molecules bonded. From the FT-IR results, a new single band (800 cm-1) was observed after the reaction of monosulfate and As(V). The arsenic removal can be regarded as anion exchange mechanism that is one of the characteristics of LDHs from the results of PXRD and FT-IR analysis.

The objective of this study is to remove arsenate from artificially contaminated wastewater using CaAl-ettringite and CaAl-monosulfate which were synthesized in laboratory. The study was carried on the basis of solidification/stabilization of waste using cement. Monosulfate and ettringite are constituents of cement paste. The CaAl-ettringite has a chemical formula of and has a needle like morphology. Whereas CaAl-monosulfate has layered double hydroxide structure (LDH) in which the mainlayer consists of Ca and Al and S as interlayer. Ettringite and monosulfate were synthesized by reaction of tricalcium aluminate and gypsum and hydrating this mixture at elevated temperature. The synthesized mineral were characterized by PXRD and FESEM to ensure purity. It was found that concentrations of As(V) in contaminated water were reduced from initial concentration of 1.335 mmol/L to 0.054 mmol/L and 0.300 mmol/L by CaAl-monosulfate and CaAl-ettringite respectively. The post experimental results of PXRD and FESEM analysis indicate that arsenate removal was by ion exchange.

Organic bistable devices (OBDs) fabricated utilizing CuInS2 (CIS)/ZnS core–shell-type quantum dots (QDs) blended with a poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) layer were fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates by using a spin-coating technique. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the CIS/ZnS QDs were distributed over the surface of the PVK layer. Current–voltage (I–V) curves for the Al/PVK + [CIS/ZnS QDs]/ITO/PET devices at 300 K showed that the maximum ON/OFF ratio of the current bistability for the OBDs was as large as 3.9 × 104. Memory mechanisms for the OBDs fabricated on PET substrates are described on the basis of the I–V results.

Organic bistable devices (OBDs) based on [6,6]-phenyl-C85 butyric acid methyl ester ([84]PCBM) embedded in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) layer were fabricated by using a simple spin-coating technique. Atomic force microscope images showed that the surface roughness of the [84]PCBM:PMMA composite layer was uniform. Current density–voltage curves for the memory device showed a current bistability. The maximum ON/OFF ratio of the current bistability of the OBDs was as large as 10 3 . Write–read–erase–read characteristics showed OBDs with rewriteable nonvolatile memories, and the retention time of the OBDs was about 10 4 s. The ON state and the OFF state for 20 randomly-chosen cells demonstrated the high reproducibility of the fabricated OBDs.

The electrical properties of flexible nonvolatile organic bistable devices (OBDs) fabricated with graphene sandwiched between two insulating poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer layers were investigated. Current-voltage (I-V) measurements on the Al/PMMA/graphene/PMMA/indium-tin-oxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) devices at 300 K showed a current bistability due to the existence of the graphene, indicative of charge storage in the graphene. The maximum ON/OFF ratio of the current bistability for the fabricated OBDs was as large as 1 x 10(7), and the endurance number of ON/OFF switchings was 1.5 x 10(5) cycles, and an ON/OFF ratio of 4.4 x 10(6) was maintained for retention times larger than 1 x 10(5) s. No interference effect was observed for the scaled-down OBDs containing a graphene layer. The memory characteristics of the OBDs maintained similar device efficiencies after bending and were stable during repetitive bendings of the OBDs. The mechanisms for these characteristics of the fabricated OBDs are described on the basis of the I-V results.

The theory of direct perception suggests that observers can accurately judge the mass of a box picked up by a lifter shown in a point-light display. However, accurate perceptual performance may be limited to specific circumstances. The purpose of the present study was to systematically examine the factors that determine perception of mass, including display type, lifting speed, response type, and lifter's strength. In contrast to previous research, a wider range of viewing manipulations of point-light display conditions was investigated. In Experiment 1, we first created a circumstance where observers could accurately judge lifts of five box masses performed by a lifter of average strength. In Experiments 2–5, we manipulated the spatial and temporal aspects of the lift, the judgement type, and lifter's strength, respectively. Results showed that mass judgement gets worse whenever the context deviates from ideal conditions, such as when only the lifted object was shown, when video play speed was changed, or when lifters of different strength performed the same task. In conclusion, observers’ perception of kinetic properties is compromised whenever viewing conditions are not ideal.

This research is concerned with the application of the active linear actuator to the active vibration control of structure. The active linear actuator will be mounted on the sub-frame so that it can cancel the excitation transferred from the engine. Accelerometer mounted on the sub-frame detects the vibration and its signal is fed into the DSP controller where the control algorithm is installed. The output of the DSP controller is connected to the driver which amplifies the DSP output. In general, the pulse width modulation power amplifier is used to drive the voice-coil type actuator. This study shows the dynamic characteristics of the active linear actuator and active vibration control experimental results.

Muscles actuating the shoulder girdle are important for stabilizing the scapula and coordinating phased kinematics of the shoulder complex. If these muscles become weak or imbalanced, joint instability and injury may result. Reliable measurement of shoulder strength is thus important for prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of shoulder problems. To date, studies quantifying the strength of the shoulder girdle are limited. The purpose of this work was to design and evaluate a custom apparatus and corresponding protocol for measuring maximal, voluntary, isometric strength of the shoulder girdle during various forms of shrugging exercise. A custom apparatus was constructed as a rigid frame with a vertical post supporting a seat, seat back, and horizontal beam. The beam extends laterally on either side beyond and around the shoulders of a seated subject. A pair of arm extension members pivots on the beam about an axis aligned with the shoulder flexion-extension axis. These members can be locked in place at any angle. Between them is mounted a force-sensing grip assembly, which can be adjusted proximally or distally to accommodate varying shoulder girdle positions. Subjects grasp the grip assembly handles with extended elbows and push or pull as forcefully as possible. Nine female and ten male subjects participated in a protocol using the apparatus to measure maximum isometric force generated at three positions each for elevation, depression, protraction, and retraction of the shoulder girdle (3positions×4modes=12tests). A video motion capture system was used to measure shoulder girdle angles. The reliability of the approach was evaluated based on the repeatability of measured shoulder elevation angle, protraction angle, and total force over three days of testing. The apparatus performed well during the tests, providing a stable, rigid, yet adjustable platform for measuring shoulder girdle strength. Repeatability of force measurements was interpreted as very good to excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) values ranging from 0.83 to 0.95 for all tests except one (ICC=0.79). Repeatability of angle measurements was interpreted as good to excellent. For tests measuring elevation and depression strength, the ICC of elevation angle ranged from 0.85 to 0.89. For tests measuring protraction and retraction strength, the ICC of protraction angle ranged from 0.68 to 0.88. This type of apparatus could be an effective clinical tool for measuring strength in the shoulder girdle muscles. Use of the video motion capture system is optional.

We present details of a 1×4 angled multimode interferometer (de)multiplexer, integrated with a microdisk laser as a demonstration of the way in which the compound semiconductor lasers can be coupled to silicon devices for a multitude of applications.

We discuss the rapid in situ hydrothermal synthesis of metal oxide materials based on the photothermal superheating of light-absorbing metal layers for simple and facile on-demand placement of semiconductor materials with micrometer-scale lateral resolution. Localized heating from pulsed and focused laser illumination enables ultrafast growth of metal oxide materials with high spatiotemporal precision in aqueous precursor solution. Among many possible electronic and optoelectronic applications, the proposed method can be used for laser-based in situ real-time soldering of separated metal structures and electrodes with functionalized semiconductor materials. Resistive electrical interconnections of metal strip lines as well as sensitive UV detection using photohydrothermally grown metal oxide bumps are experimentally demonstrated.

JOPERD • Volume 77 No. 7 • September 2006 L ike those who hear the catch phrase on Donald Trump’s TV reality show The Apprentice, many coaches are hearing those dreaded words “You’re fi red!” On the reality show, the stakes are high because the eventual winner receives a position overseeing one of Trump’s multimillion-dollar business ventures and a six-fi gure salary. While the stakes for high school coaches may seem small in comparison, their jobs are arguably more signifi cant because of a coach’s ability to affect the lives and futures of the nation’s youths. American coaches’ jobs hinge on the results of competitive activities that are highly spontaneous and unpredictable (Edwards, 1973). “What makes the position of coach even more unique is the fact that these competitive activities are highly visible and the results of the competitions are publicly reported and discussed” (Coakley, 1994, p. 194). Though Coakley was referring to college coaches, we believe the analogy holds true for high school coaches as well. Of course, not all high school coaches face the same degree of pressure. Pressure to win may vary depending on factors such as the sport, school size, level of competition, school tradition, level of administrative support or community support, or the degree of parental involvement. In today’s hyper-competitive environment, parent-coach confrontations are becoming much more prevalent. Apparently parents think it is their right to have regular, sometimes inappropriate, contact with coaches. More often these confrontations go beyond their original intent, at times leading to violence. In Connecticut, the parent of a high school softball player clubbed the coach in the back of the head with an aluminum bat for suspending his daughter for missing a game. A few days before the Connecticut incident, a girls high school rugby coach in California was punched and kicked unconscious by a group of parents when the coach tried to break up a fi ght between a parent and a referee (Pennington, 2005). In Texas, a 45-year-old father, who had been barred from attending the local high school football games for shoving and verbally abusing his son’s coaches, critically wounded the head coach/athletics director at his son’s high school (CNN.com, 2005). It seems that a win-at-all-costs attitude has become common in high school athletics. Based on anecdotal reports, fans and parents often seem to have unrealistic expectations for the coaches of their children. Because the pressure seems to be increasing, it is important to closely examine patterns of nonrenewal and the reasons for it in high school coaching.

Similarities and differences with previous studies show the contemporary face of coaching pressure.

It has been observed that finite elem-ent or finite difference models of order n can approximate with fair accuracy less than one-third of the eigenvalues of the underlying continuous system corresponding to the low spectrum. We present a new spectral conforming discrete model that estimates n the lowest eigenvalues of the continuous system with uniform accuracy. The building block of the model is the fundamental inverse eigenvalue problem of reconstructing the chain of a mass-spring system with a prescribed spectrum. We present applications of the model in vibration control of continuous systems by using small-order spectral conformning models, and spectrum estimation of non-uniform systems.

The aim of this study was to compare the pre- and post-impact three-dimensional kinematics of the ball and racquet during first and second serves performed by elite tennis players. Data were collected from four male and four female right-handed professional players during competition using two high-speed cameras (200 Hz). For each player, one first serve and one second serve from the 'deuce' or right service court that landed within the specified target area were analysed. To test for significant differences between the first and second serves, Wilcoxon tests (Por = 0.05) were performed on selected parameters. The results indicate that the ball travelled forward and to the left during the flight phase of the toss in all but one trial. The average pre-impact ball forward location for the first serve was significantly more in front and had a higher associated forward ball velocity than the corresponding values for the second serve. On average, the decrease in post-impact ball speed from the first to the second serve was 24.1%. No significant differences between the first and second serves were found in the pre-impact racquet head speed and orientation, which was represented as a unit vector perpendicular to the racquet face. The major adjustments made by the players when going from the first to second serve were a decrease in pre-impact ball forward location (Por = 0.01) and an increase in the pre-impact racquet vertical and lateral velocities (both Por = 0.05). This implies that the players tossed the ball closer to the body and imparted topspin and sidespin on the ball by changing the racquet vertical and lateral velocities when going from the first to the second serve.

The formation of five volatile disinfection by-products (DBPs: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, chloral hydrate, dichloroacetonitrile, and 1,1,1-trichloropropanone) by the chlorination of the materials of human origin (MHOs: hair, lotion, saliva, skin, and urine) in a swimming pool model system was examined. Chlorination reactions took place with a sufficient supply of chlorine residuals (0.84 mg Cl2/ltotal chlorine6.0 mg Cl2/l) in 300 ml glass bottles containing either ground water or surface water as a reaction medium at 30 degrees C and pH 7.0, for either 24 or 72 h. A longer reaction period of 72 h or a higher content of organic materials led to the increased formation of DBPs. Of the DBPs formed by the reaction, chloroform was a major compound found in both ground and surface waters. The formation of chloroform and bromodichloromethane per unit total organic carbon (TOC) concentration was suppressed when all types of MHOs were added to the surface water that already contained DBP precursors such as humic substances. However, the formation of dichloroacetonitrile was promoted, probably due to the increased degradation reactions of nitrogen-containing compounds such as urea and proteins of human origin. In conclusion, the materials of swimmers' origin including hair, lotion, saliva, skin, and urine add to the levels of DBPs in swimming pool water, and any mitigation measures such as periodic change of water are needed to protect swimmers from elevated exposures to these compounds.

We demonstrate tungsten oxide semiconductor nanostructures fabricated by photothermal oxidation processes on the suspended metal nano-layer. The electrical conductivities of the nanobeam structures are measured against the temperature to validate their metal/semiconductor material properties.

We report room-temperature lasing from an optically pumped subwavelength-scale cylindrical InGaAsP pillar surrounded by circular Bragg reflectors on a metal substrate with a dielectric spacer layer. By taking advantage of wide in-plane photonic bandgaps and proper vertical antiresonances, three dielectric Bragg pairs produce a sufficient optical feedback capable of low threshold lasing from the fundamental TE011 mode. A large spontaneous emission coupling into the lasing mode is obtained from the cavity-enhanced Purcell effects and effective suppression of nonlasing modes.

We propose a modified nanopatch cavity with a cuboidal semiconductor sandwiched between extended metal planes. Experimental results show the quality factor of ~200 can be achieved with an effective mode volume of ~0.0064 cubic wavelength.

We report a photonic bandedge laser using subwavelength-scale pillars with a metal reflector plane bonded on the silicon substrate. Surface-emitting operation near the gamma point of the photonic band diagram is observed at 77 K.

We demonstrate room-temperature operation of a metallodielectric semiconductor laser with circular Bragg reflectors and a bottom metal plane. Experimental results show that the quality factor of ∼1300 and the effective threshold of 12 µW.

We report on the use of non-imaging reflectors to improve the collection efficiency of fluorescence detection systems. Half-sphere mirrors redirect the isotropic fluorescent emission toward the photodetector, and significantly enhance the fluorescence signal.