SEM

Carex vulpina and C. otrubae are difficult species to distinguish using floral characters. As an alternative, SEM of the nutlet surface, stomatal morphology and isozymes have been used as taxonomic tools to distinguish between the two taxa. The three methods show differentiation along species lines and are suitable to identify hybridisation. Stomatal morphology and isozymes reveal evidence of possible introgression between the two species.

Boron doped and undoped Poly(vinyl) alcohol/Zirconium-yttrium acetate (PVA/Zr-Y) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning using PVA as a precursor. The effect of boron doping was investigated in terms of solution properties, morphological changes and thermal properties. The effect of boron doping on calcined yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fibers were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. XRD
analysis revealed varying amounts of monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia present in the undoped fibers calcined at 800oC. The average crystallite sizes of the undoped YSZ were increased from 9.28 to 22.79 nm with calcining temperature increasing from 250 to 800 °C. The crystallite size was enhanced with boron doping. The systematic evolution of morphological features in the spun and the processed fibers were employed by scanning electron microscopy.

Effective IT governance will ensure alignment between IT and business goals. Organizations with ineffective IT governance will suffer due to poor performance of IT resources such as inaccurate information quality, inefficient operating costs, runaway IT project and even the demise of its IT department. This study seeks to examine empirically the individual IT governance mechanisms that influence the overall effectiveness of IT governance. Furthermore, this study examines the relationship of effective IT governance, the extent of IT outsourcing decisions within the organizations, and the level of IT Intensity in the organizations. We used structural equation modeling analysis to examine 110 responses from members of ISACA (Information Systems and Audit Control Association) Australia in which their organizations have outsourced their IT functions. Results suggest significant positive relationships between the overall level of effective IT governance and the following mechanisms: the i...

Transparent conducting ZnO:F was deposited as thin films on soda lime glass substrates by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) deposition at substrate temperatures of 480–500 °C. The precursors diethylzinc, tetramethylethylenediamine and benzoyl fluoride were dissolved in xylene. The solution was nebulized ultrasonically and then flash vaporized by a carrier gas of nitrogen preheated to 150 °C. Ethanol was vaporized separately, and these vapors were then mixed to form a homogeneous vapor mixture. Good reproducibility was achieved using this new CVD method. Uniform thicknesses were obtained by moving the heated glass substrates through the deposition zone. The best electrical and optical properties were obtained when the precursor solution was aged for more than a week before use. The films were polycrystalline and highly oriented with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. The electrical resistivity of the films was as low as 5 × 10−4 Ωcm. The mobility was about ...

This paper reports the results of the first dynamic labeling experiment with regenerating spines of sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus using the stable isotope 26Mg and NanoSIMS high-resolution isotopic imaging, which provide a direct information about the growth process. Growing spines were labeled twice (for 72 and 24 h, respectively) by increasing the abundance of 26Mg in seawater. The incorporation of 26Mg into the growing spines was subsequently imaged with the NanoSIMS ion microprobe. Stereom trabeculae initially grow as conical micro-spines, which form within less than 1 day. These micro-spines fuse together by lateral outgrowths and form a thin, open meshwork (inner stereom), which is subsequently reinforced by addition of layered thickening deposits (outer stereom). The (longitudinal) growth rate of the inner stereom is ca. 125 μm/day. A single (ca. 1 μm) thickening layer in the stereom trabeculae is deposited during 24 h. The thickening process is contemporaneous with the formation micro-spines and involves both longitudinal trabeculae and transverse bridges to a similar degree. Furthermore, the skeleton-forming cells remain active in the previously formed open stereom for at least 10 days, and do not migrate upwards until the end of the thickening process. The experimental capability presented here provides a new way to obtain detailed information about the skeleton formation of a multitude of marine, calcite producing organisms.

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is a synthetic Ferrimagnetic material. YIG is cubic in structure; having space group Ia3d. In YIG, out of 5 Fe 3+ ions, 3 Fe ions occupy tetrahedral site and 2 Fe ions occupy octahedral site. Difference in the spin orientation of the Fe 3+ ions present in tetrahedral and octahedral sites results in the origin of the magnetic properties of YIG. Yttrium iron garnet with the empirical formula Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 has been synthesized by regular ceramic route and sintering at 1200˚C for 30 minutes using microwave furnace. The structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized YIG are performed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction pattern revealed pure YIG phase as reported by Musa et al [1]. The crystallite size from the Scherrer equation is found to be 2.82Å. A saturation magnetization of 16.88emu/g is achieved by VSM.

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the failure of steel tubes in a super heater boiler used at one of Kuwait Electrical and Power plant. The material of the tubes has suffered localized overheating, probably as a result of local heat flux impingement phenomenon, caused by gas or oil burners. This phenomenon gave rise to a rapid steam formation causing steam blanketing. It also prevented the accessibility of the water to the tube materials and consequently local, prolong, overheating took place, in which the temperature rose up to 700°C in a frequent manner for long time. The investigation has indicated that the failure attributed to the formation of thick scale of magnetite at the inner surface of the tube wall.The increase of the temperature is clearly shown in the microstructure of the tube at the stress rupture site, where ferrite matrix with spheroidized carbide particles were presented rather than only ferrite matrix with pearlites structure. Consequently, the properties of the materials of the tube have changed from its original values with respect to the design values of the tube due to the effect of the localized prolong overheating. Therefore, the original design values are no longer valid and the materials of the tube failed in a premature manner, at less than 250,000 hours.

ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a vacation stress model that shows the influence exerted by internal and external stressors on the overall stress appraisal of US residents. Design/methodology/approach – The paper undertakes a review of the relevant literature and develops a SEM model for vacation stress, which is tested with data from a national panel of 110 US residents who report on taking a recent vacation. Findings – The model shows that vacation stress is a multi-dimensional concept. Vacation stress can be operationalized by pre-trip stressors, travel stressors and destination stressors, which again can be internally or externally caused and correlate with one another. Destination stressors are the strongest dimension determining overall vacation stress. Vacation stress has more impact on the willingness to revisit than on the willingness to recommend the same destination to friends and relatives. Practical implications – The study presents some practical implications for tourism marketers revealing that stress is multi-dimensional and influenced by several types of stressors. Originality/value – The notion that leisure activities such as taking a vacation may act as a means of coping with stress, is a common belief. However, research framed under transactional theory suggests that taking a vacation trip may actually cause stress. The paper attempts to provide a model to determine which factors cause overall vacation stress.

Biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly (vinylpyrrolidone) iodine/poly(ethylene glycol) fibers containing (hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) and aloe vera were successfully prepared by electrospinning their aqueous solution. Aloe vera which is known to be effective in the treatment of various wounds was added to the polymer solution. HPMC was added to the system as the water retention agent. The hybrid fiber mats were subjected to detailed analysis using a differential scanning calorimeter, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Images obtained from the SEM showed that the polymer fibers were linear, homogenous, and contained no beading. The fiber diameters ranged between 100 and 900 nm. It was seen that the electrospun mats obtained could potentially be used as a material for dressing wounds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

The modern-day paper industry is highly capital-intensive industries in the core sector. Though there are several uses of paper for currency, packaging, education, information, communication, trade and hygiene, the flip side of this industry is the impact on the forest resources and other ecosystems which leads to increasing pollution in water and air, influencing several local communities. In the present paper, the authors have tried to explore potential and alternate source of industrial pulp through ruminant animal dung, which is widely available as a rural resource in India. Three types of undigested animal dung fibers from Indigenous cow (IDF), Jersey cow (JDF), and Buffalo (BDF) were taken. Wheat straw (WS) was the main diet of all animals. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content for all animal dung samples were found in a range of (29–31.50%), (21–23.50%), and (11–13%), respectively. The abundant holocellulose and low lignin contents are suitable for handmade pulp and...

The unparalleled rate in population explosion and advancements in technology has created alarming impacts on the society. This has urged the need for vigilant and efficient data mining of these phenomena. Petroleum being an indispensible part of life has escorted to several detrimental results. Air and water are the major elements which fall prey to this. The present study involves rigorous scrutinizing with statistical analysis of test data carried out on water samples collected from petrol pumps and automobile service stations for the determination of nature of configuration. The samples were collected at regular time intervals and at the fixed place irrespective of the weather and climatic conditions that prevailed. The haphazardness or fuzziness of the amount of contamination present in water recipients due to petroleum products is being evaluated using regression analysis and the runs test. It is found that organic and inorganic chemicals are more in the collected sample that l...

Aims:  The antifungal effects of essential oils of oregano (Origanum syriacum var. bevanii) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) were evaluated against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Effects of the essential oils on morphological structures of hyphae and sclerotia were studied under light and scanning electron microscopes (SEM).Methods and Results:  Inhibitory effects of volatile and contact phases of the essential oils used were determined on hyphae and sclerotia. Both essential oils have a marked antifungal effect against S. sclerotiorum. Soil amendment with essential oils has significant effect on reducing sclerotial viability. Both essential oils significantly inhibited the fungal growth in soil, thereby increasing the number of surviving tomato seedling by 69·8% and 53·3%, respectively. Light and SEM observations on pathogen hyphae and sclerotia revealed considerable morphological alterations in hyphae and sclerotia.Conclusions:  The significant reduction in the mycelial growth and germination of sclerotia would greatly reduce the pathogen inoculum source. This may influence the rate of disease development in soil.Significance and Impact of the Study:  Considering the reduction in the number of diseased plants in infested soil amended with essential oils, we concluded that oregano and fennel essential oils could be used as possible bio fungicides alternative to synthetic fungicides against phytopathogenic fungi.

In this paper, we have investigated the capability of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) JEOL JSM6460LV with Raith-ELPHY Quantum, EBL-system for the fabrication of micro-scale Fresnel rings on silicon Si, substrate for optoelectronics devices application. The design of Fresnel rings was achieved by hierarchical structures in extended Graphic Database System GDSII Editor which is sub-software built in the Raith-ELPHY Quantum software. The Fresnel rings were fabricated by exposing electron beam on PMMA photoresist in the Fresnel zones’ region on Silicon substrate. A Fresnel rings is made up of eleven concentric rings having the maximum diameter of the external rings as 52μm, and the minimum diameter of the internal ring as 5μm was fabricated by this method.

Social media has an influence on tourism industry. This conceptual model research wants to investigate the impact of Social Media (SM) on user's travel purchase intention and attitude. Data will be gathered from Social Media users to be gauge the relationships between the factors of SM and the user attitude in travel purchase intention through structural equation modeling (SEM). Main purpose of the research is to be found if there is a positive relationship among the following factors: source credibility in SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention, information reliability in SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention, user enjoyment while searching for travel information, perceived value in travel services information from SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention. This study presents a theoretical conceptual model based on the theory of credibility, information, enjoyment, and perceived value in SM and the potential relations of those factors with the customer attitude and purchase intention in travel services.