Characterization of Silver Nanowire Layers in the Terahertz Frequency Range

Thin layers of silver nanowires are commonly studied for transparent electronics. However, reports of their terahertz (THz) properties are scarce. Here, we present the electrical and optical properties of thin silver nanowire layers with increasing densities at THz frequencies. We demonstrate that the absorbance, transmittance and reflectance of the metal nanowire layers in the frequency range of 0.2 THz to 1.3 THz is non-monotonic and depends on the nanowire dimensions and filling factor. We also present and validate a theoretical approach describing well the experimental results and allowing the fitting of the THz response of the nanowire layers by a Drude–Smith model of conductivity. Our results pave the way toward the application of silver nanowires as a prospective material for transparent and conductive coatings, and printable antennas operating in the terahertz range—significant for future wireless communication devices.

Theoretical Issues and Conceptual Framework for Physical Facilities Design in Hospital Buildings

This study reviewed the theoretical issues relating to morphological and psychological design issues in building hospital design evaluation. The study of morphological configurations design issues in this study, concentrates on the elements of building, shape/form, the structure of the environment, the structural efficiency and the architectural appearance of the hospital building forms. The psychological design issues focused on the essential issues relating to Proximity, Privacy and Wayfindings. Through the literature review of previous models such as Haron, Khan (2012) Operational Efficiency Model, Hamid and Talib Usability Framework, (2012), Zhao, Mourshed & Wright (2009) Model, Alalouch, Aspinall & Smith Model (2016) and Hill & Kitchen (2009). A conceptual framework for physical facilities design evaluation and satisfaction in hospital buildings was developed. The study, however, provides useful information in the development of a design framework that can inform policy on hospital buildings.

Biobased Hyperbranched Poly(ester)s of Precise Structure for the Release of Therapeutics

Hyperbrached poly(ester)s derived from naturally-occurring biomonomers may serve as excellent platforms for the sustained-release of therapeutics. Those generated from glycerol are particularly attractive. Traditionally, the difference in reactivity of the hydroxyl groups of glycerol has precluded the formation of well-defined polymers at high monomer conversion without gelation. Using the Martin-Smith model to select appropriate monomer ratios (ratios of functional groups), polymerization may be carried out to high conversion while avoiding gelation and with the assurance of a single type of endgroup. Various agents may be attached via esterification, amide formation or other process. Sustained release of the active agent may be readily achieved by enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis.

Effect of Chemical Composition on Grain Refinement of AlxCoCrFeNi High Entropy Alloys with NiAl Grain Boundary Precipitates

In AlxCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys (x = 0.3–0.5), the NiAl phase with the B2 structure is precipitated rapidly along the fcc grain boundaries. During recrystallization after conventional cold rolling, the NiAl precipitates effectively suppress the grain growth, which results in the ultrafine-grained microstructure. It should be noted that no severe plastic deformation is necessary to obtain the microstructure. The volume fraction of the NiAl precipitates increases with increasing x. As a result, the average grain size of the fcc matrix (dm) after the recrystallization decreases with increasing x, and therefore, a minimum dm of 0.5 μm can be obtained at x = 0.5. The grain refinement by the NiAl precipitates is consistent with the Zener-Smith model. At x = 0.5, the alloy with dm = 0.5 μm exhibits a yield stress of 1163 MPa and an elongation of 24% at room temperature.

Exploration of Superspreading Events in 2015 MERS-CoV Outbreak in Korea by Branching Process Models

South Korea has learned a valuable lesson from the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus outbreak in 2015. The 2015 MERS-CoV outbreak in Korea was the largest outbreak outside the Middle Eastern countries and was characterized as a nosocomial infection and a superspreading event. To assess the characteristics of a super spreading event, we specifically analyze the behaviors and epidemiological features of superspreaders. Furthermore, we employ a branching process model to understand a significantly high level of heterogeneity in generating secondary cases. The existing model of the branching process (Lloyd-Smith model) is used to incorporate individual heterogeneity into the model, and the key epidemiological components (the reproduction number and the dispersive parameter) are estimated through the empirical transmission tree of the MERS-CoV data. We also investigate the impact of control intervention strategies on the MERS-CoV dynamics of the Lloyd-Smith model. Our results highlight the roles of superspreaders in a high level of heterogeneity. This indicates that the conditions within hospitals as well as multiple hospital visits were the crucial factors for superspreading events of the 2015 MERS-CoV outbreak.

TIME-VARYING MARKET PRICE OF RISK AND AUTOREGRESSIVE ERROR STRUCTURE OF OIL PRICES

In this paper we investigate the inclusion of a time-varying market price of risk in oil price factor models. Additionally an autoregressive error structure is adopted to filter this property of financial series. We use the Schwartz and Smith model, which is well established in the literature on commodity prices. The analysis is easily extended to different types of factor models. The empirical application considered the future oil contracts traded on the NYMEX. We find that considering a time-varying market price of risk and the autoregressive structure improves the fit of the empirical data.

The Balance Condition in Search‐and‐Matching Models

Most of the literature that studies frictional search‐and‐matching models with heterogeneous agents and random search investigates steady state equilibria. Steady state equilibrium requires, in particular, that the flows of agents into and out of the population of unmatched agents balance. We investigate the structure of this balance condition, taking agents' matching behavior as given. Building on the “fundamental matching lemma” for quadratic search technologies in Shimer and Smith (2000), we establish existence, uniqueness, and comparative statics properties of the solution to the balance condition for any search technology satisfying minimal regularity conditions. Implications for the existence and structure of steady state equilibria in the Shimer–Smith model and extensions thereof are noted. These reinforce the point that much of the structure of search‐and‐matching models with quadratic search technologies carries over to more general search technologies.

Description of the carbon mineralization of swine manure and oat straw in the soil through nonlinear models

Agricultural management is a viable way for recycling animal residues in feedlots. Thesubstances that make up organic residues change the dynamics of the organic matter decompositionin the soil. Information on carbon mineralization curves allows seeking improvements in soil qualityand, consequently, in crop productivity. The Stanford & Smith Nonlinear Model is the most usedto describe C mineralization of organic residues in the soil. This model considers organic residuesare composed of substances that are mineralized exponentially. The Cabrera Model considers twofractions, one composed of substances that are mineralized exponentially and other composed ofmore resistant substances with constant mineralization. The objective of this work was to comparenonlinear models that describe carbon mineralization, considering residues on surface or incorporatedinto the soil. The data evaluated were from an experiment with oat straw, liquid swine manure, andswine litter bedding. The Stanford & Smith and Cabrera Models were used considering structure offirst order autoregressive errors - AR(1), when necessary. The fittings were compared using the AkaikeInformation Criterion (AIC). The Cabrera Model was more adequate to describe C mineralization infour treatments (soil + incorporated liquid swine manure; soil + oat straw on surface + liquid swinemanure on surface; soil + incorporated straw; and soil + straw on surface). The Stanford & SmithModel was better in three treatments (soil + incorporated straw + incorporated liquid swine manure;swine litter bedding on surface; and incorporated swine litter bedding). None of the models describedthe treatment soil + liquid swine manure on surface.Keywords: Decomposition. Half-life. Stanford & Smith Model. Cabrera Model.