Yas Al-Hadeethi

An evolutionary inspection game with labour unions on small-world networks

We study an evolutionary inspection game where agents can chose between working and shirking. The evolutionary process is staged on a small-world network, through which agents compare their incomes and, based on the outcome, decide which strategy to adopt. Moreover, we introduce union members that have certain privileges, of which the extent depends on the bargaining power of the union. We determine how the union affects the overall performance of the firm that employs the agents, and what are its influences on the employees. We find that, depending on its bargaining power, the union has significant leverage to deteriorate the productivity of a firm, and consequently also to lower the long-run benefits of the employees.

The durability of a hydroxyapatite paste used in decreasing the permeability of hypersensitive dentin.

Objectives Various agents are currently available for treatment of hypersensitive dentine, however, their resistance to erosion intraorally by various erosive drinks is still questionable. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of a hydroxyapatite paste to decrease dentine permeability and resist an erosion challenge. Methods Hydroxyapatite powder was mixed with 25% phosphoric acid to form a paste which was applied on dentine having patent dentinal tubules orifices (treated with EDTA, 2 min) and the resulting layer formed on top of dentine was irradiated by Nd:YAG laser. The treated dentin surfaces were exposed to erosion challenge (6% citric acid, 1 min). Dentine permeability was measured before/after the application of the hydroxyapatite paste before/after the erosion challenge before/after the application of Nd:YAG laser using a split chamber device. The top and the fractured dentine surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, the chemical nature of the compounds formed on top of dentine surface was examined using the SEM equipped with energy- dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) and FTIR/ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared) techniques. The Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05) was used to compare the effects of using the hydroxyapatite paste on dentine permeability and calcium/phosphate ratio of the treated dentine surfaces. Results The application of the hydroxyapatite paste to dentine significantly decreased dentine permeability (p < 0.05). Hydroxyapatite paste was able to occlude patent dentinal tubule orifices with a layer of calcium-phosphate compounds and the application of Nd:YAG laser on the aforementioned layer improved its erosion resistance. Conclusion Hydroxyapatite paste applied with the technique adopted in the current study has a high potential to be a useful aid in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity. However, cost and knowledge for using Nd:YAG laser are important factors should be taken into consideration before using the aforementioned technique.

Formation of Transition Metal Cluster Adducts on the Surface of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes: HRTEM Studies

We report the formation of chromium clusters on the outer walls of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The clusters were obtained by reacting purified SWNTs with chromium hexacarbonyl in dibutyl ether at 100°C. The functionalized SWNTs were characterized by thermogravimetic analysis, XPS, and high-resolution TEM. The curvature of the SWNTs and the high mobility of the chromium moieties on graphitic surfaces allow the growth of the metal clusters and we propose a mechanism for their formation.

Calculating the ambient dose equivalent of fast neutrons using elemental composition of human body

The sphere of International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) consists of 4-elemental compositions of 76.2% oxygen (O), 11.1% carbon (C), 10.1% hydrogen (H), and 2.6% nitrogen (N) whereas there are 26 elemental compositions in the human body. In this work, human body elemental composition has been used to calculate the ambient dose equivalent rate of fast neutrons. 241Am-Be of 185?GBq (5?Ci) was utilized as neutron source. In addition, the conversion coefficients in International Commission on Radiological Protection publication 116 (ICRP 116) was used to verify from the results of using elemental compositions in the human body. The calculated results have been compared to those measured by a neutron monitor. The mean values of discrepancies from the measured values were within ~8%. Moreover, systematic comparisons have been carried out with values published in literature. This work concluded that the elemental compositions in the human body could be used to design a phantom that has the same elemental composition of human body.

Fabrication and Characterizations of Ethanol Sensor Based on CuO Nanoparticles

In this paper, we report the synthesis, characterization and ethanol sensing applications of CuO nanoparticles. The CuO nanoparticles were prepared by a facile, low-temperature hydrothermal method and characterized in detail in terms of their structural, morphological, compositional and crystalline properties, through different characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) attached with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The detailed studies revealed that the synthesized CuO nanoparticles were well-crystalline and possessed monoclinic crystal structure. The synthesized CuO nanoparticles were utilized for the fabrication of highly sensitive ethanol gas sensor. At an optimized temperature of 320 °C, high sensitivity (Ra/Rg) of 39.29 was observed for 200 ppm of ethanol gas. Additionally, very low response (τres = 14 s) and recovery (τrec = 30 s) times were observed for 100 ppm of ethanol.

Mobility controlled linear magnetoresistance with 3D anisotropy in a layered graphene pallet

A bulk sample of pressed graphene sheets was prepared under hydraulic pressure (~150 MPa). The cross-section of the sample demonstrates a layered structure, which leads to 3D electrical transport properties with anisotropic mobility. The electrical transport properties of the sample were measured over a wide temperature (2–400 K) and magnetic field () range. The magnetoresistance measured at a fixed temperature can be described by with , where is the mobility anisotropy constant and θ is the angle between the normal of the sample plane and the magnetic field. The large linear magnetoresistance (up to 36.9% at 400 K and 140 kOe) observed at high fields is ascribed to a classical magnetoresistance caused by mobility fluctuation (). The magnetoresistance value at 140 kOe was related to the average mobility because of the condition . The carrier concentration remained constant and the temperature-dependent resistivity was proportional to the average mobility, as verified by Kohlers rule. Anisotropic dephasing length was deduced from weak localization observed at low temperatures.

Corrigendum: An evolutionary inspection game with labour unions on small-world networks.

We study an evolutionary inspection game where agents can chose between working and shirking. The evolutionary process is staged on a small-world network, through which agents compare their incomes and, based on the outcome, decide which strategy to adopt. Moreover, we introduce union members that have certain privileges, of which the extent depends on the bargaining power of the union. We determine how the union affects the overall performance of the firm that employs the agents, and what are its influences on the employees. We find that, depending on its bargaining power, the union has significant leverage to deteriorate the productivity of a firm, and consequently also to lower the long-run benefits of the employees.