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This paper provides an overview of the validation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operational retrievals of atmospheric carbon trace gas profiles, specifically carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), from the NOAA-Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS), a NOAA enterprise algorithm that retrieves atmospheric profile environmental data records (EDRs) under global non-precipitating (clear to partly cloudy) conditions. Vertical information about atmospheric trace gases is obtained from the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), an infrared Fourier transform spectrometer that measures high resolution Earth radiance spectra from NOAA operational low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, including the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) and follow-on Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series beginning with NOAA-20. The NUCAPS CO, CH4, and CO2 profile EDRs are rigorously validated in this paper using well-established independent truth datasets, namely total column data from ground-based Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) sites, and in situ vertical profile data obtained from aircraft and balloon platforms via the NASA Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) mission and NOAA AirCore sampler, respectively...

In this jointly authored book, Kirchhoff and Kiverstein defend the controversial thesis that phenomenal consciousness is realised by more than just the brain. They argue that the mechanisms and processes that realise phenomenal consciousness can at times extend across brain, body, and the social, material, and cultural world. Kirchhoff and Kiverstein offer a state-of-the-art tour of current arguments for and against extended consciousness. They aim to persuade you that it is possible to develop and defend the thesis of extended consciousness through the increasingly influential predictive processing theory developed in cognitive neuroscience. They show how predictive processing can be given a new reading as part of a third-wave account of the extended mind. The third-wave claims that the boundaries of mind are not fixed and stable but fragile and hard-won, and always open to negotiation. It calls into question any separation of the biological from the social and cultural when thinking about the boundaries of the mind. Kirchhoff and Kiverstein show how this account of the mind finds support in predictive processing, leading them to a view of phenomenal consciousness as partially realised by patterns of cultural practice.

Standardised educational assessments are now widespread, yet their development has given comparatively more consideration to what to assess than how to optimally assess students' competencies. Existing evidence from behavioural studies with children and neuroscience studies with adults suggest that the method of assessment may affect neural processing and performance, but current evidence remains limited. To investigate the impact of assessment methods on neural processing and performance in young children, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify and quantify the neural correlates during performance across a range of current approaches to standardised spelling assessment. Results indicated that children's test performance declined as the cognitive load of assessment method increased. Activation of neural nodes associated with working memory further suggests that this performance decline may be a consequence of a higher cognitive load, rather than the complexity of the content. These findings provide insights into principles of assessment (re)design, to ensure assessment results are an accurate reflection of students' true levels of competency.

Although many researchers agree that faces are processed holistically, we know relatively little about what information holistic processing captures from a face. Most studies that assess the nature of holistic processing do so with changes to the face affecting many different aspects of face information (e.g., different identities). Does holistic processing affect every aspect of a face? We used the composite task, a common means of examining the strength of holistic processing, with participants making same-different judgments about configuration changes or component changes to 1 portion of a face. Configuration changes involved changes in spatial position of the eyes, whereas component changes involved lightening or darkening the eyebrows. Composites were either aligned or misaligned, and were presented either upright or inverted. Both configuration judgments and component judgments showed evidence of holistic processing, and in both cases it was strongest for upright face composites. These results suggest that holistic processing captures a broad range of information about the face, including both configuration-based and component-based information.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive atrophy to the striatum, a critical node in frontostriatal circuitry. Maintenance of motor function is dependent on functional connectivity of these premotor, motor, and dorsolateral frontostriatal circuits, and structural integrity of the striatum itself. We aimed to investigate whether size and shape of the striatum as a measure of frontostriatal circuit structural integrity was correlated with functional frontostriatal electrophysiological neural premotor processing (contingent negative variation, CNV), to better understand motoric structure-function relationships in early HD. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and electrophysiological (EEG) measures of premotor processing were obtained from a combined HD group (12 presymptomatic, 7 symptomatic). Manual segmentation of caudate and putamen was conducted with subsequent shape analysis. Separate correlational analyses (volume and shape) included covariates of age, gender, intracranial volume, and time between EEG and MRI. Results: Right caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over frontocentral regions and late CNV frontally, whereas right caudate shape correlated with early CNV latency centrally. Left caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over centroparietal regions and late CNV frontally. Right and left putamen volumes correlated with early CNV latency frontally, and right and left putamen shape/volume correlated with parietal CNV slope. Conclusions: Timing (latency) and pattern (slope) of frontostriatal circuit-mediated premotor functional activation across scalp regions were correlated with abnormalities in structural integrity of the key frontostriatal circuit component, the striatum (size and shape). This was accompanied by normal reaction times, suggesting it may be undetected in regular tasks due to preserved motor "performance." Such differences in functional activation may reflect atrophy-based frontostriatal circuitr

This work systematically investigated the structure and property of the near-surface and bulk regions of Pb0.99(Nb0.02Zr0.73Sn0.21Ti0.04)O3 ceramics using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, and conventional ferroelectric/piezoelectric characterization. It is found that mechanical force can induce an antiferroelectric/ferroelectric phase transition within micrometers of the surface. Such a phase transition is strongly dependent on the processing scenario, leading to differences from the bulk region. This work provides crucial insights into the sensitivity of this class of AFE materials. Clearly, surface processing conditions must be taken into account for both accurate structural determination and practical applications.

Samples with one through three passes with 100% overlap were created using friction stir processing (FSP) in order to locally modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cold-rolled Al-5083 alloy. A constant traverse speed and two different rotational speeds were used for processing. The results indicated that single-pass FSP caused dynamic recrystallization in the stir zone, leading to equiaxed grains with high angle grain boundaries. The grain size increased with increasing the rotational speed. The product of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation of the stir zone was significantly enhanced compared with that of the base metal. During the annealing heat treatment, abnormal grain growth (AGG) occurred throughout the stir zone when a low rotational speed was adopted. The stir zone produced with a high rotational speed was found to be more resistant to AGG. The application of multiple process passes did not change the grain size and mechanical properties of the stir zone significantly. The expanding of AGG in the stir zone was inhibited as the number of passes was increased.

Samples with one through three passes with 100% overlap were created using friction stir processing (FSP) in order to locally modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cold-rolled Al-5083 alloy. A constant traverse speed and two different rotational speeds were used for processing. The results indicated that single-pass FSP caused dynamic recrystallization in the stir zone, leading to equiaxed grains with high angle grain boundaries. The grain size increased with increasing the rotational speed. The product of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation of the stir zone was significantly enhanced compared with that of the base metal. During the annealing heat treatment, abnormal grain growth (AGG) occurred throughout the stir zone when a low rotational speed was adopted. The stir zone produced with a high rotational speed was found to be more resistant to AGG. The application of multiple process passes did not change the grain size and mechanical properties of the stir zone significantly. The expanding of AGG in the stir zone was inhibited as the number of passes was increased.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive atrophy to the striatum, a critical node in frontostriatal circuitry. Maintenance of motor function is dependent on functional connectivity of these premotor, motor, and dorsolateral frontostriatal circuits, and structural integrity of the striatum itself. We aimed to investigate whether size and shape of the striatum as a measure of frontostriatal circuit structural integrity was correlated with functional frontostriatal electrophysiological neural premotor processing (contingent negative variation, CNV), to better understand motoric structure-function relationships in early HD. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and electrophysiological (EEG) measures of premotor processing were obtained from a combined HD group (12 presymptomatic, 7 symptomatic). Manual segmentation of caudate and putamen was conducted with subsequent shape analysis. Separate correlational analyses (volume and shape) included covariates of age, gender, intracranial volume, and time between EEG and MRI. Results: Right caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over frontocentral regions and late CNV frontally, whereas right caudate shape correlated with early CNV latency centrally. Left caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over centroparietal regions and late CNV frontally. Right and left putamen volumes correlated with early CNV latency frontally, and right and left putamen shape/volume correlated with parietal CNV slope. Conclusions: Timing (latency) and pattern (slope) of frontostriatal circuit-mediated premotor functional activation across scalp regions were correlated with abnormalities in structural integrity of the key frontostriatal circuit component, the striatum (size and shape). This was accompanied by normal reaction times, suggesting it may be undetected in regular tasks due to preserved motor "performance." Such differences in functional activation may reflect atrophy-based frontostriatal circuitr

This work systematically investigated the structure and property of the near-surface and bulk regions of Pb0.99(Nb0.02Zr0.73Sn0.21Ti0.04)O3 ceramics using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, and conventional ferroelectric/piezoelectric characterization. It is found that mechanical force can induce an antiferroelectric/ferroelectric phase transition within micrometers of the surface. Such a phase transition is strongly dependent on the processing scenario, leading to differences from the bulk region. This work provides crucial insights into the sensitivity of this class of AFE materials. Clearly, surface processing conditions must be taken into account for both accurate structural determination and practical applications.

Samples with one through three passes with 100% overlap were created using friction stir processing (FSP) in order to locally modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cold-rolled Al-5083 alloy. A constant traverse speed and two different rotational speeds were used for processing. The results indicated that single-pass FSP caused dynamic recrystallization in the stir zone, leading to equiaxed grains with high angle grain boundaries. The grain size increased with increasing the rotational speed. The product of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation of the stir zone was significantly enhanced compared with that of the base metal. During the annealing heat treatment, abnormal grain growth (AGG) occurred throughout the stir zone when a low rotational speed was adopted. The stir zone produced with a high rotational speed was found to be more resistant to AGG. The application of multiple process passes did not change the grain size and mechanical properties of the stir zone significantly. The expanding of AGG in the stir zone was inhibited as the number of passes was increased.

Samples with one through three passes with 100% overlap were created using friction stir processing (FSP) in order to locally modify the microstructure and mechanical properties of a cold-rolled Al-5083 alloy. A constant traverse speed and two different rotational speeds were used for processing. The results indicated that single-pass FSP caused dynamic recrystallization in the stir zone, leading to equiaxed grains with high angle grain boundaries. The grain size increased with increasing the rotational speed. The product of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation of the stir zone was significantly enhanced compared with that of the base metal. During the annealing heat treatment, abnormal grain growth (AGG) occurred throughout the stir zone when a low rotational speed was adopted. The stir zone produced with a high rotational speed was found to be more resistant to AGG. The application of multiple process passes did not change the grain size and mechanical properties of the stir zone significantly. The expanding of AGG in the stir zone was inhibited as the number of passes was increased.

The typical algorithms for optimization of query processing in database systems do not take under the consideration the availability of different types and sizes of persistent and transient storage resource that can be used to speed up the internal query processing. It is well known that appropriate allocation of storage resources for the internal query processing may significantly improve performance. This paper describes the new algorithms for automatic management of multilevel transient and persistent storage resources in order to optimize the performance of query processing in a database system. The algorithms presented in the paper process the concurrently submitted queries and discover the common query processing plans. The algorithms estimate the query processing costs and choose the best allocation of multilevel storage resources to optimise the overall internal query processing costs. The paper presents the outcomes of experiments that confirm the improvements in performance through appropriate allocation of multilevel storage for the internal query processing.

Although many researchers agree that faces are processed holistically, we know relatively little about what information holistic processing captures from a face. Most studies that assess the nature of holistic processing do so with changes to the face affecting many different aspects of face information (e.g., different identities). Does holistic processing affect every aspect of a face? We used the composite task, a common means of examining the strength of holistic processing, with participants making same-different judgments about configuration changes or component changes to 1 portion of a face. Configuration changes involved changes in spatial position of the eyes, whereas component changes involved lightening or darkening the eyebrows. Composites were either aligned or misaligned, and were presented either upright or inverted. Both configuration judgments and component judgments showed evidence of holistic processing, and in both cases it was strongest for upright face composites. These results suggest that holistic processing captures a broad range of information about the face, including both configuration-based and component-based information.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive atrophy to the striatum, a critical node in frontostriatal circuitry. Maintenance of motor function is dependent on functional connectivity of these premotor, motor, and dorsolateral frontostriatal circuits, and structural integrity of the striatum itself. We aimed to investigate whether size and shape of the striatum as a measure of frontostriatal circuit structural integrity was correlated with functional frontostriatal electrophysiological neural premotor processing (contingent negative variation, CNV), to better understand motoric structure-function relationships in early HD. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and electrophysiological (EEG) measures of premotor processing were obtained from a combined HD group (12 presymptomatic, 7 symptomatic). Manual segmentation of caudate and putamen was conducted with subsequent shape analysis. Separate correlational analyses (volume and shape) included covariates of age, gender, intracranial volume, and time between EEG and MRI. Results: Right caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over frontocentral regions and late CNV frontally, whereas right caudate shape correlated with early CNV latency centrally. Left caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over centroparietal regions and late CNV frontally. Right and left putamen volumes correlated with early CNV latency frontally, and right and left putamen shape/volume correlated with parietal CNV slope. Conclusions: Timing (latency) and pattern (slope) of frontostriatal circuit-mediated premotor functional activation across scalp regions were correlated with abnormalities in structural integrity of the key frontostriatal circuit component, the striatum (size and shape). This was accompanied by normal reaction times, suggesting it may be undetected in regular tasks due to preserved motor "performance." Such differences in functional activation may reflect atrophy-based frontostriatal circuitr

Metals smelting and processing has been associated with exposure to airborne inorganic arsenic and an increased risk of health effects. Biological monitoring on a metals processing site identified urinary arsenic concentrations exceeding corporate and ACGIH guidelines at levels associated with increased risks of health effects. Plant operators considered the inhalation of arsenic trioxide powder (As2O3), used in the process, as the source of their exposure. This study's initial objective was to determine operator exposures to airborne inorganic arsenic. Two groups of plant operators participated in full shift personal air monitoring and biological monitoring over their working weeks. In parallel, wipe samples were taken from control rooms and grab sampling for arsine was carried out to capture a wider range of potential exposure routes. Air monitoring results did not approach exposure standards, with many below the limit of detection. In contrast, biological monitoring results exceeded corporate and the ACGIH guidelines indicating exposure via routes other than inhalation. This demonstrates that relying on air monitoring alone for exposure assessment is inadequate. The findings informed management and workers of practical measures required to adequately control process emissions, secondary exposure due to contaminated surfaces, and poor personal hygiene, prior to the closure of the plant and cessation of all associated processes in early 2015. Assessment of occupational exposure to substances with multiple exposure routes should not rely on air monitoring alone; but integrate other evaluative techniques such as biological monitoring (where available) to ensure exposure risk via all routes is adequately evaluated.

This work systematically investigated the structure and property of the near-surface and bulk regions of Pb0.99(Nb0.02Zr0.73Sn0.21Ti0.04)O3 ceramics using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, and conventional ferroelectric/piezoelectric characterization. It is found that mechanical force can induce an antiferroelectric/ferroelectric phase transition within micrometers of the surface. Such a phase transition is strongly dependent on the processing scenario, leading to differences from the bulk region. This work provides crucial insights into the sensitivity of this class of AFE materials. Clearly, surface processing conditions must be taken into account for both accurate structural determination and practical applications.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) causes progressive atrophy to the striatum, a critical node in frontostriatal circuitry. Maintenance of motor function is dependent on functional connectivity of these premotor, motor, and dorsolateral frontostriatal circuits, and structural integrity of the striatum itself. We aimed to investigate whether size and shape of the striatum as a measure of frontostriatal circuit structural integrity was correlated with functional frontostriatal electrophysiological neural premotor processing (contingent negative variation, CNV), to better understand motoric structure-function relationships in early HD. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and electrophysiological (EEG) measures of premotor processing were obtained from a combined HD group (12 presymptomatic, 7 symptomatic). Manual segmentation of caudate and putamen was conducted with subsequent shape analysis. Separate correlational analyses (volume and shape) included covariates of age, gender, intracranial volume, and time between EEG and MRI. Results: Right caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over frontocentral regions and late CNV frontally, whereas right caudate shape correlated with early CNV latency centrally. Left caudate volume correlated with early CNV latency over centroparietal regions and late CNV frontally. Right and left putamen volumes correlated with early CNV latency frontally, and right and left putamen shape/volume correlated with parietal CNV slope. Conclusions: Timing (latency) and pattern (slope) of frontostriatal circuit-mediated premotor functional activation across scalp regions were correlated with abnormalities in structural integrity of the key frontostriatal circuit component, the striatum (size and shape). This was accompanied by normal reaction times, suggesting it may be undetected in regular tasks due to preserved motor "performance." Such differences in functional activation may reflect atrophy-based frontostriatal circuitr

This work systematically investigated the structure and property of the near-surface and bulk regions of Pb0.99(Nb0.02Zr0.73Sn0.21Ti0.04)O3 ceramics using a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, and conventional ferroelectric/piezoelectric characterization. It is found that mechanical force can induce an antiferroelectric/ferroelectric phase transition within micrometers of the surface. Such a phase transition is strongly dependent on the processing scenario, leading to differences from the bulk region. This work provides crucial insights into the sensitivity of this class of AFE materials. Clearly, surface processing conditions must be taken into account for both accurate structural determination and practical applications.

Objective: We recently proposed a sequential processing schema for the equiprobable auditory Go/NoGo task, based on a principal components analysis (PCA) of event-related potentials (ERPs) from a university student sample. Here we sought to replicate the schema, and use it to explore processing in well-functioning older adults. Methods: We compared behavioural responding and ERPs of 20 independent-living older adults (Mage = 68.2 years) to data from a sex- and handedness-matched group of university students (Mage = 20.4 years). ERPs had substantial latency differences between the groups, and hence were subjected to separate group temporal PCAs. Results: Component latencies were systematically increased in the older group by some 26%, with no significant increase in RT or error rates. Despite some differences in their identified components, each group displayed differential component responsivity to Go versus NoGo; this was reduced in the older participants. Conclusion: The results support our processing schema, and provide insight into the processing stages in well-functioning older adults. Significance: Understanding the perceptual and cognitive processing stages in normal ageing is a pre-requisite for research on mild cognitive impairment and dementia. This study may also provide a simple paradigm and schema suitable for further exploration of functionality in ageing.

In oddball tasks, increasing the time between stimuli within a particular condition (target-to-target interval, TTI; nontarget-to-nontarget interval, NNI) systematically enhances N1, P2, and P300 event-related potential (ERP) component amplitudes. This study examined the mechanism underpinning these effects in ERP components recorded from 28 adults who completed a conventional three-tone oddball task. Bivariate correlations, partial correlations and multiple regression explored component changes due to preceding ERP component amplitudes and intervals found within the stimulus series, rather than constraining the task with experimentally constructed intervals, which has been adequately explored in prior studies. Multiple regression showed that for targets, N1 and TTI predicted N2, TTI predicted P3a and P3b, and Processing Negativity (PN), P3b, and TTI predicted reaction time. For rare nontargets, P1 predicted N1, NNI predicted N2, and N1 predicted Slow Wave (SW). Findings show that the mechanism is operating on separate stages of stimulus-processing, suggestive of either increased activation within a number of stimulus-specific pathways, or very long component generator recovery cycles. These results demonstrate the extent to which matching-stimulus intervals influence ERP component amplitudes and behavior in a three-tone oddball task, and should be taken into account when designing similar studies.

The effect of altering the acceptor and exchanging a key atom in the polymer structure on the extent of non Langevin (suppressed) recombination has been examined using the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic blend PDTSiTTz:PC60BM. Time of flight data show that changing the acceptor from PC60BM to PC70BM maintains the non Langevin recombination. In contrast, altering the donor polymer by exchanging the silicon bridging atom for a carbon considerably reduces the non Langevin behavior. Importantly, the addition of a processing additive, diiodooctane (DIO), allows a partial recovery of this non Langevin recombination. The addition of DIO also decreases the ionization potential of the polymer, which not only explains the drop in open circuit voltage but may also contribute to the partial recovery of non Langevin behavior observed. It is proposed that localized, more crystalline areas of lower ionization potential (or higher electron affinity) within a mixed/amorphous phase may act as energy sinks for the holes (electrons), thus potentially inhibiting bimolecular recombination. Such a phenomenon could contribute to non Langevin behavior in organic photovoltaic blends.

The effect of altering the acceptor and exchanging a key atom in the polymer structure on the extent of non Langevin (suppressed) recombination has been examined using the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic blend PDTSiTTz:PC60BM. Time of flight data show that changing the acceptor from PC60BM to PC70BM maintains the non Langevin recombination. In contrast, altering the donor polymer by exchanging the silicon bridging atom for a carbon considerably reduces the non Langevin behavior. Importantly, the addition of a processing additive, diiodooctane (DIO), allows a partial recovery of this non Langevin recombination. The addition of DIO also decreases the ionization potential of the polymer, which not only explains the drop in open circuit voltage but may also contribute to the partial recovery of non Langevin behavior observed. It is proposed that localized, more crystalline areas of lower ionization potential (or higher electron affinity) within a mixed/amorphous phase may act as energy sinks for the holes (electrons), thus potentially inhibiting bimolecular recombination. Such a phenomenon could contribute to non Langevin behavior in organic photovoltaic blends.

To determine and demonstrate the weldability of high-Nb high-temperature processed (HTP) steels and provide extremely valuable information for future line pipe steel design and general steel manufacture, in the current study the toughness in simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of an X80 grade steel manufactured using HTP was evaluated. The simulated CGHAZs subjected to thermal cycles with various heat inputs (HIs) (0.8 to 5.0 kJ/mm) were produced using a Gleeble 3500 simulator. The microstructures and corresponding mechanical properties were investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, hardness testing, and Charpy V-notch (CVN) testing. The microstructural examination shows that the simulated CGHAZs consisted of a bainite-dominant microstructure and relatively low amount (<2 >pct) of martensite-austenite (M-A) constituent. The prior austenite grain size was controlled to be 45 to 55 µm at HIs of 0.8 to 3.5 kJ/mm, and remarkably increased to 85 µm at an HI of 5 kJ/mm. The results of CVN testing suggest that superior toughness can be achieved in the studied range of HIs (0.8 to 5 kJ/mm). This is thought to be associated with the combined effects of bainitic microstructure and low M-A fraction as well as comparatively fine austenite grain size in the studied CGHAZs.

The effect of altering the acceptor and exchanging a key atom in the polymer structure on the extent of non Langevin (suppressed) recombination has been examined using the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic blend PDTSiTTz:PC60BM. Time of flight data show that changing the acceptor from PC60BM to PC70BM maintains the non Langevin recombination. In contrast, altering the donor polymer by exchanging the silicon bridging atom for a carbon considerably reduces the non Langevin behavior. Importantly, the addition of a processing additive, diiodooctane (DIO), allows a partial recovery of this non Langevin recombination. The addition of DIO also decreases the ionization potential of the polymer, which not only explains the drop in open circuit voltage but may also contribute to the partial recovery of non Langevin behavior observed. It is proposed that localized, more crystalline areas of lower ionization potential (or higher electron affinity) within a mixed/amorphous phase may act as energy sinks for the holes (electrons), thus potentially inhibiting bimolecular recombination. Such a phenomenon could contribute to non Langevin behavior in organic photovoltaic blends.

Graphene, a nanocarbon with exceptional physical and electronic properties, has the potential to be utilized in a myriad of applications and devices. However, this will only be achieved if scalable, processable forms of graphene are developed along with ways to fabricate these forms into material structures and devices. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the chemistries suitable for the development of aqueous and organic solvent graphene dispersions and their use for the preparation of a variety of polymer composites, materials useful for the fabrication of graphene-containing structures and devices. Fabrication of the processable graphene dispersions or composites by printing (inkjet and extrusion) or spinning methods (wet) is reviewed. The preparation and fabrication of liquid crystalline graphene oxide dispersions whose unique rheologies allow the creation of graphene-containing structures by a wide range of industrially scalable fabrication techniques such as spinning (wet and dry), printing (ink-jet and extrusion) and coating (spray and electrospray) is also reviewed.

The effect of altering the acceptor and exchanging a key atom in the polymer structure on the extent of non Langevin (suppressed) recombination has been examined using the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic blend PDTSiTTz:PC60BM. Time of flight data show that changing the acceptor from PC60BM to PC70BM maintains the non Langevin recombination. In contrast, altering the donor polymer by exchanging the silicon bridging atom for a carbon considerably reduces the non Langevin behavior. Importantly, the addition of a processing additive, diiodooctane (DIO), allows a partial recovery of this non Langevin recombination. The addition of DIO also decreases the ionization potential of the polymer, which not only explains the drop in open circuit voltage but may also contribute to the partial recovery of non Langevin behavior observed. It is proposed that localized, more crystalline areas of lower ionization potential (or higher electron affinity) within a mixed/amorphous phase may act as energy sinks for the holes (electrons), thus potentially inhibiting bimolecular recombination. Such a phenomenon could contribute to non Langevin behavior in organic photovoltaic blends.

Graphene, a nanocarbon with exceptional physical and electronic properties, has the potential to be utilized in a myriad of applications and devices. However, this will only be achieved if scalable, processable forms of graphene are developed along with ways to fabricate these forms into material structures and devices. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the chemistries suitable for the development of aqueous and organic solvent graphene dispersions and their use for the preparation of a variety of polymer composites, materials useful for the fabrication of graphene-containing structures and devices. Fabrication of the processable graphene dispersions or composites by printing (inkjet and extrusion) or spinning methods (wet) is reviewed. The preparation and fabrication of liquid crystalline graphene oxide dispersions whose unique rheologies allow the creation of graphene-containing structures by a wide range of industrially scalable fabrication techniques such as spinning (wet and dry), printing (ink-jet and extrusion) and coating (spray and electrospray) is also reviewed.

Graphene, a nanocarbon with exceptional physical and electronic properties, has the potential to be utilized in a myriad of applications and devices. However, this will only be achieved if scalable, processable forms of graphene are developed along with ways to fabricate these forms into material structures and devices. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the chemistries suitable for the development of aqueous and organic solvent graphene dispersions and their use for the preparation of a variety of polymer composites, materials useful for the fabrication of graphene-containing structures and devices. Fabrication of the processable graphene dispersions or composites by printing (inkjet and extrusion) or spinning methods (wet) is reviewed. The preparation and fabrication of liquid crystalline graphene oxide dispersions whose unique rheologies allow the creation of graphene-containing structures by a wide range of industrially scalable fabrication techniques such as spinning (wet and dry), printing (ink-jet and extrusion) and coating (spray and electrospray) is also reviewed.

The effect of altering the acceptor and exchanging a key atom in the polymer structure on the extent of non Langevin (suppressed) recombination has been examined using the polymer/fullerene photovoltaic blend PDTSiTTz:PC60BM. Time of flight data show that changing the acceptor from PC60BM to PC70BM maintains the non Langevin recombination. In contrast, altering the donor polymer by exchanging the silicon bridging atom for a carbon considerably reduces the non Langevin behavior. Importantly, the addition of a processing additive, diiodooctane (DIO), allows a partial recovery of this non Langevin recombination. The addition of DIO also decreases the ionization potential of the polymer, which not only explains the drop in open circuit voltage but may also contribute to the partial recovery of non Langevin behavior observed. It is proposed that localized, more crystalline areas of lower ionization potential (or higher electron affinity) within a mixed/amorphous phase may act as energy sinks for the holes (electrons), thus potentially inhibiting bimolecular recombination. Such a phenomenon could contribute to non Langevin behavior in organic photovoltaic blends.

A recent series of studies of the auditory equiprobable Go/NoGo task, using fixed interstimulus intervals (ISIs), proposed a processing schema relating observed event-related potential (ERP) components to sequential processing stages. However, it has been demonstrated that attention and ERP components can be affected by the predictable rhythmic timing of fixed ISIs. Hence the aim of the current study was to test the robustness of that processing schema with an unpredictable arrhythmic variable ISI. EEG was recorded from 30 university students at 30 scalp sites in an unwarned auditory equiprobable Go/NoGo task using a variable ISI. Following our previous studies, Go and NoGo ERP components were derived using temporal principal components analysis (PCA). Of the unrestricted Varimax-rotated factors, seven were identifiable as components based on their topography, polarity, and latency: two subcomponents of the N1 (N1-1, and processing negativity, PN), P2/N2b, N2c/P3a, P3b, and two subcomponents of the slow wave (SW-1 and SW-2). These components showed Go/NoGo effects comparable to those previously noted with fixed ISI, supporting the proposed processing schema. The Late Positivity (LP) component, previously speculated to mark cortical deactivation after processing the NoGo stimulus, was not present in the sequence of components. In its absence, activity underlying the observed sustained P300/late positive complex may be involved in processing temporally-uncertain stimuli.

Paper presented at the Australasian Experimental Psychology Conference 2015, 8-11 April 2015, Sydney, Australia.

The role of charge transfer (CT) states in organic photovoltaic systems has been debated in the recent literature. In this paper the device performances of two structurally analogous polymers PDTSiTTz (also known as KP115) and PCPDTTTz blended with PCBM are investigated, focusing on the effect the processing additive diiodooctane (DIO) has on morphology, charge photogeneration, and, in particular, the CT state characteristics. While DIO has a considerable beneficial effect for PCPDTTTz:PCBM photovoltaic devices, negligible effects are observed for PDTSiTTz:PCBM devices. An emissive CT state able to be quenched by DIO was observed for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, despite relatively small morphological changes. This is only the second instance of CT state quenching by a processing additive to be reported. Formation of an emissive CT state is therefore a loss pathway for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, which can be alleviated through the use of DIO to increase the proportion of CT states that dissociate into free charges. Conversely, the CT state of PDTSiTTZ:PCBM is weak and short-lived, with the DIO having little effect. The CT state dissociates more efficiently for this higher crystallinity system, leading to less evidence of emissive CT state recombination, and high charge photogeneration yields and device efficiencies.

A number of potential biases have been identified that may contribute a spurious component to the observed correlation between variables. One such potential bias is the manner in which items are worded. This paper presents a technique and a program of research to estimate the magnitude of method bias arising from item wording. We hypothesize that the greater the level of text similarity between items employed to capture predictor and criterion variables, the greater the magnitude of the observed effect size between them. Two samples will be employed; one investigating the perceived usefulness-use correlations reported in the TAM literature and the other investigating the attitude behavior (physical activity) correlation reported literature drawing upon Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An NLP-based technique is developed to rate predictor-criterion pairs on similarity. The hypothesis will be tested by meta-regressing the predictor-criterion correlations against their respective similarity scores. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The unavoidable phase transformation upon cooling makes a direct observation of austenite microstructure impossible. One of the methods to investigate the high temperature condition of austenite is to use a model alloy, which would not transform to martensite on quenching. In the present work the recrystallisation and grain growth of austenite during thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) were studied for three Ni-30Fe-Nb-C alloys containing 0.33, 0.85 and 1.42 wt% Nb. The austenite microstructures were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The austenite recrystallisation kinetics was investigated with respect to the precipitate distribution variations. A relative strength of the grain boundary pinning effect from solute Nb and precipitated particles is discussed.

The relationships between microstructure, texture, grain boundary and tensile strength, Charpy impact toughness of (Nb+Ti+V) stabilised Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plates were investigated by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, tensile and Charpy impact testing. The results show that for Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plate, the addition of warm rolling procedure leads to refinement of grain size, modification of texture, and then optimisation of grain boundary, including grain boundary character distribution and grain boundary connectivity. Meanwhile, the mechanical testing results indicate that optimal transformation that warm rolling procedure brings to Fe-17Cr ferritic steel thick plate is beneficial to its mechanical properties.

We are pleased to present in this issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B selected papers from the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT2012) held in Wollongong, Australia, 23 to 26 September 2012. This year, the conference program covered over 450 papers in 72 technical sessions and 100 poster presentations with a broad range of topics such as materials, deformation processing, materials removal process, processing of new and advanced materials, welding and joining, surface engineering and other related processes. The conference has been a highlight in the 2012 Calendar on Materials and Processing Technologies.

The role of charge transfer (CT) states in organic photovoltaic systems has been debated in the recent literature. In this paper the device performances of two structurally analogous polymers PDTSiTTz (also known as KP115) and PCPDTTTz blended with PCBM are investigated, focusing on the effect the processing additive diiodooctane (DIO) has on morphology, charge photogeneration, and, in particular, the CT state characteristics. While DIO has a considerable beneficial effect for PCPDTTTz:PCBM photovoltaic devices, negligible effects are observed for PDTSiTTz:PCBM devices. An emissive CT state able to be quenched by DIO was observed for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, despite relatively small morphological changes. This is only the second instance of CT state quenching by a processing additive to be reported. Formation of an emissive CT state is therefore a loss pathway for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, which can be alleviated through the use of DIO to increase the proportion of CT states that dissociate into free charges. Conversely, the CT state of PDTSiTTZ:PCBM is weak and short-lived, with the DIO having little effect. The CT state dissociates more efficiently for this higher crystallinity system, leading to less evidence of emissive CT state recombination, and high charge photogeneration yields and device efficiencies.

A number of potential biases have been identified that may contribute a spurious component to the observed correlation between variables. One such potential bias is the manner in which items are worded. This paper presents a technique and a program of research to estimate the magnitude of method bias arising from item wording. We hypothesize that the greater the level of text similarity between items employed to capture predictor and criterion variables, the greater the magnitude of the observed effect size between them. Two samples will be employed; one investigating the perceived usefulness-use correlations reported in the TAM literature and the other investigating the attitude behavior (physical activity) correlation reported literature drawing upon Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An NLP-based technique is developed to rate predictor-criterion pairs on similarity. The hypothesis will be tested by meta-regressing the predictor-criterion correlations against their respective similarity scores. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The unavoidable phase transformation upon cooling makes a direct observation of austenite microstructure impossible. One of the methods to investigate the high temperature condition of austenite is to use a model alloy, which would not transform to martensite on quenching. In the present work the recrystallisation and grain growth of austenite during thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) were studied for three Ni-30Fe-Nb-C alloys containing 0.33, 0.85 and 1.42 wt% Nb. The austenite microstructures were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The austenite recrystallisation kinetics was investigated with respect to the precipitate distribution variations. A relative strength of the grain boundary pinning effect from solute Nb and precipitated particles is discussed.

The relationships between microstructure, texture, grain boundary and tensile strength, Charpy impact toughness of (Nb+Ti+V) stabilised Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plates were investigated by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, tensile and Charpy impact testing. The results show that for Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plate, the addition of warm rolling procedure leads to refinement of grain size, modification of texture, and then optimisation of grain boundary, including grain boundary character distribution and grain boundary connectivity. Meanwhile, the mechanical testing results indicate that optimal transformation that warm rolling procedure brings to Fe-17Cr ferritic steel thick plate is beneficial to its mechanical properties.

We are pleased to present in this issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B selected papers from the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT2012) held in Wollongong, Australia, 23 to 26 September 2012. This year, the conference program covered over 450 papers in 72 technical sessions and 100 poster presentations with a broad range of topics such as materials, deformation processing, materials removal process, processing of new and advanced materials, welding and joining, surface engineering and other related processes. The conference has been a highlight in the 2012 Calendar on Materials and Processing Technologies.

A number of potential biases have been identified that may contribute a spurious component to the observed correlation between variables. One such potential bias is the manner in which items are worded. This paper presents a technique and a program of research to estimate the magnitude of method bias arising from item wording. We hypothesize that the greater the level of text similarity between items employed to capture predictor and criterion variables, the greater the magnitude of the observed effect size between them. Two samples will be employed; one investigating the perceived usefulness-use correlations reported in the TAM literature and the other investigating the attitude behavior (physical activity) correlation reported literature drawing upon Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An NLP-based technique is developed to rate predictor-criterion pairs on similarity. The hypothesis will be tested by meta-regressing the predictor-criterion correlations against their respective similarity scores. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The role of charge transfer (CT) states in organic photovoltaic systems has been debated in the recent literature. In this paper the device performances of two structurally analogous polymers PDTSiTTz (also known as KP115) and PCPDTTTz blended with PCBM are investigated, focusing on the effect the processing additive diiodooctane (DIO) has on morphology, charge photogeneration, and, in particular, the CT state characteristics. While DIO has a considerable beneficial effect for PCPDTTTz:PCBM photovoltaic devices, negligible effects are observed for PDTSiTTz:PCBM devices. An emissive CT state able to be quenched by DIO was observed for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, despite relatively small morphological changes. This is only the second instance of CT state quenching by a processing additive to be reported. Formation of an emissive CT state is therefore a loss pathway for PCPDTTTz:PCBM, which can be alleviated through the use of DIO to increase the proportion of CT states that dissociate into free charges. Conversely, the CT state of PDTSiTTZ:PCBM is weak and short-lived, with the DIO having little effect. The CT state dissociates more efficiently for this higher crystallinity system, leading to less evidence of emissive CT state recombination, and high charge photogeneration yields and device efficiencies.

The relationships between microstructure, texture, grain boundary and tensile strength, Charpy impact toughness of (Nb+Ti+V) stabilised Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plates were investigated by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, tensile and Charpy impact testing. The results show that for Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plate, the addition of warm rolling procedure leads to refinement of grain size, modification of texture, and then optimisation of grain boundary, including grain boundary character distribution and grain boundary connectivity. Meanwhile, the mechanical testing results indicate that optimal transformation that warm rolling procedure brings to Fe-17Cr ferritic steel thick plate is beneficial to its mechanical properties.

The unavoidable phase transformation upon cooling makes a direct observation of austenite microstructure impossible. One of the methods to investigate the high temperature condition of austenite is to use a model alloy, which would not transform to martensite on quenching. In the present work the recrystallisation and grain growth of austenite during thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) were studied for three Ni-30Fe-Nb-C alloys containing 0.33, 0.85 and 1.42 wt% Nb. The austenite microstructures were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The austenite recrystallisation kinetics was investigated with respect to the precipitate distribution variations. A relative strength of the grain boundary pinning effect from solute Nb and precipitated particles is discussed.

We are pleased to present in this issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B selected papers from the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT2012) held in Wollongong, Australia, 23 to 26 September 2012. This year, the conference program covered over 450 papers in 72 technical sessions and 100 poster presentations with a broad range of topics such as materials, deformation processing, materials removal process, processing of new and advanced materials, welding and joining, surface engineering and other related processes. The conference has been a highlight in the 2012 Calendar on Materials and Processing Technologies.

A number of potential biases have been identified that may contribute a spurious component to the observed correlation between variables. One such potential bias is the manner in which items are worded. This paper presents a technique and a program of research to estimate the magnitude of method bias arising from item wording. We hypothesize that the greater the level of text similarity between items employed to capture predictor and criterion variables, the greater the magnitude of the observed effect size between them. Two samples will be employed; one investigating the perceived usefulness-use correlations reported in the TAM literature and the other investigating the attitude behavior (physical activity) correlation reported literature drawing upon Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). An NLP-based technique is developed to rate predictor-criterion pairs on similarity. The hypothesis will be tested by meta-regressing the predictor-criterion correlations against their respective similarity scores. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The unavoidable phase transformation upon cooling makes a direct observation of austenite microstructure impossible. One of the methods to investigate the high temperature condition of austenite is to use a model alloy, which would not transform to martensite on quenching. In the present work the recrystallisation and grain growth of austenite during thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) were studied for three Ni-30Fe-Nb-C alloys containing 0.33, 0.85 and 1.42 wt% Nb. The austenite microstructures were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The austenite recrystallisation kinetics was investigated with respect to the precipitate distribution variations. A relative strength of the grain boundary pinning effect from solute Nb and precipitated particles is discussed.

The relationships between microstructure, texture, grain boundary and tensile strength, Charpy impact toughness of (Nb+Ti+V) stabilised Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plates were investigated by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, tensile and Charpy impact testing. The results show that for Fe-17Cr ferritic stainless steel thick plate, the addition of warm rolling procedure leads to refinement of grain size, modification of texture, and then optimisation of grain boundary, including grain boundary character distribution and grain boundary connectivity. Meanwhile, the mechanical testing results indicate that optimal transformation that warm rolling procedure brings to Fe-17Cr ferritic steel thick plate is beneficial to its mechanical properties.