Monitoring Strategic Hydraulic Infrastructures by Brillouin Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors

We present a case study of a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) hybrid system based on Brillouin Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors (D-FOS), Vibrating Wire (VW) extensometers and temperature probes for an existing historical water penstock bridge positioned in a mountain valley in Valle d’Aosta Region, Northwestern Italy. We assessed Brillouin D-FOS performances for this kind of infrastructure, characterized by a complex structural layout and located in a harsh environment. A comparison with the more traditional strain monitoring technology offered by VW strain gauges was performed. The D-FOS strain cable has been bonded to the concrete members using a polyurethane-base adhesive, ensuring a rigid strain transfer. The raw data from all sensors are interpolated on a unique general timestamp with hourly resolution. Strain data from D-FOS and VW strain gauges are then corrected from temperature effects and compared. Considering the inherent differences between the two monitoring technologies, results show a good overall matching between strain time series collected by D-FOS and VW sensors. Brillouin D-FOS proves to be a good solution in terms of performance and economic investment for SHM systems on complex infrastructures such as hydropower plants, which involve extensive geometry combined with the need for detailed and continuous strain monitoring.

On the importance of the electric double layer structure in aqueous electrocatalysis

To design electrochemical interfaces for efficient electric-chemical energy interconversion, it is critical to reveal the electric double layer (EDL) structure and relate it with electrochemical activity; nonetheless, this has been a long-standing challenge. Of particular, no molecular-level theories have fully explained the characteristic two peaks arising in the potential-dependence of the EDL capacitance, which is sensitively dependent on the EDL structure. We herein demonstrate that our first-principles-based molecular simulation reproduces the experimental capacitance peaks. The origin of two peaks emerging at anodic and cathodic potentials is unveiled to be an electrosorption of ions and a structural phase transition, respectively. We further find a cation complexation gradually modifies the EDL structure and the field strength, which linearly scales the carbon dioxide reduction activity. This study deciphers the complex structural response of the EDL and highlights its catalytic importance, which bridges the mechanistic gap between the EDL structure and electrocatalysis.

Seeing Structural Mechanisms of Optimized Piezoelectric and Thermoelectric Bulk Materials through Structural Defect Engineering

Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM) has evolved into the most powerful characterization and manufacturing platform for all materials, especially functional materials with complex structural characteristics that respond dynamically to external fields. It has become possible to directly observe and tune all kinds of defects, including those at the crucial atomic scale. In-depth understanding and technically tailoring structural defects will be of great significance for revealing the structure-performance relation of existing high-property materials, as well as for foreseeing paths to the design of high-performance materials. Insights would be gained from piezoelectrics and thermoelectrics, two representative functional materials. A general strategy is highlighted for optimizing these functional materials’ properties, namely defect engineering at the atomic scale.

Psychrophiles

Life on the Earth has evolved in the cold environments. Such cold habitats pose special challenges to the microbes in cold ecosystems, such as minimum metabolic activities, very limited nutrient availability, and often extreme conditions such as pH and salinity apart from temperature. Microbial communities surviving under these extreme conditions must have evolved complex structural and functional adaptations. Prokaryotic adaptations to cold environments are through physiological adaptations by increasing membrane fluidity through large amount of unsaturated fatty acids. These microbes also possess some cold adapted proteins whose steady state levels are maintained. They also produce certain compounds such as polyamines, sugars, polyols, amino acids, and some antifreeze proteins to protect themselves under freezing conditions. They also produce exopolymeric substances that promote adhesion of microbes to moist surfaces to induce biofilm formation which helps getting nutrients and protect the cells from harsh conditions. Antioxidants help destroying toxic reactive oxygen species.

Shakrook Anticline, a Very Complicated Structural Form, North Iraq, Kurdistan Region

The Shakrook anticline has very a complicated structural form, this is attributed to three thrust faults, and the presence of four anticlinal axes with the main anticlinal body. The most northwest existing anticline is called in the current study the Sisawa anticline, the main two anticlines are called the Shakrook East and Shakrook West, whereas the fourth one is called the Biluk anticline it is developed along the southwestern limb of the Shakrook East anticline. The exposed rocks in the Shakrook anticline range from Upper Jurassic to the Paleogene age. The bulk of the main Shakrook anticline is formed by the Bekhme Formation (Upper Cretaceous age), whereas the bulk of the Sisawa anticline is formed of the Shiranish Formation (Upper Cretaceous age) with Paleogene and Neogene aged rocks. Geological maps and high-quality satellite images were used to elucidate the complex structural form of the Shakrook anticline. The updated geological map is quite different from those existing geological maps. A field investigation was carried out to check the interpreted data and to implement photography to the interested structural and geomorphological forms. Different geomorphological forms also were interpreted; they all refer to the lateral growth of the Shakrook anticline.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF A LIBRARIAN OF A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Objective. Development and implementation of the concept of professional competencies of librarians. Methods. In the course of the research, a complex of methods of theoretical analysis (terminological analysis; literature analysis) and synthesis was used; methods of comparison, generalization, systematization of an array of publications. Results. The study of the research on the development and implementation of the professional competence of librarians made it possible to identify the necessary requirements for university library specialists. The resulting practice revealed the potential of librarians during telecommuting. Conclusions. In modern scientific theory, the concept of human competence has a broad interpretation and a complex structural structure. In general, it is about the ability of a person to perform certain activities, perform tasks or work; the availability of an appropriate set of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable them to act effectively in a professional field or activity. Professional competencies of librarians are necessary for the implementation of professional activities, opportunities for self-improvement throughout life.

Music Performance

Music performance involves precise motor control that is coordinated with higher order planning to convey complex structural information. In addition, music performance usually involves motor tasks that are not learned spontaneously (as in the use of the vocal apparatus), the reproduction of preestablished sequences (notated or from memory), and synchronized joint performance with one or more other musicians. Music performance also relies on a rich repertoire of musical knowledge that can be used for purposes of expressive variation and improvisation. As such, the study of music performance provides a way to explore learning, motor control, memory, and interpersonal coordination in the context of a real-world behavior. Music performance skills vary considerably in the population and reflect interactions between genetic predispositions and the effect of intensive practice. At the same time, research suggests that most individuals have the capacity to perform music through singing or learning an instrument, and in this sense music performance taps into a universal human propensity for communication and coordination with conspecifics.