Using neutron methods SANS and PGAA to study evolution of structure and composition of alkali-doped polybenzimidazole membranes

Babcock, E.,Szekely, N.,Konovalova, A.,Lin, Y.,Appavou, M.-S.,Mangiapia, G.,Revay, Z.,Stieghorst, C.,Holderer, O.,Henkensmeier, D.,Lehnert, W.,Carmo, M. Elsevier 2019 Journal of membrane science Vol.577 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Potassium hydroxide (KOH) doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes are investigated as compelling candidates for water electrolysis applications, drastically reducing the ohmic losses in contrast to thick ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> based diaphragms. Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) we have found that the structure of the (KOH doped) PBI changes with doping time on a minute time scale, and that the development of the structure is highly dependent on the KOH concentration. This data is correlated with macroscopic measurements of membrane swelling resulting from the doping process which also occurs on a minute time scale. Then, using prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) to follow the changes in time of the chemical composition, we have found that the K concentration of these samples only increases slightly with doping times after a very rapid initial uptake, reaching a saturation value that is relatively independent of KOH concentration for long doping times of up to 24 h. However measurements of similarly doped samples show increases in ion-conductivity of nearly 3 fold, and resistivity reductions of over 2 fold on the same time scales. These measurements prove that PGAA is a sensitive method to follow changes in the chemical compositions during doping, while SANS can give information on the sub-micro structural changes of polymer electrolyte membranes. Since these methods can be correlated with <I>ex-situ</I> measurements of composition, resistance, ion-conductivity and macro-structure, the combined use of PGAA and SANS provides a promising means for <I>in-operando</I> study in order to elucidate changes in membrane performance due to electrochemical cycling, as well as to help characterize and optimize doping parameters though in-situ doping measurements, by enabling real-time study of such membrane systems.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Elucidating the doping of Alkali-doped Polybenzimidazole membranes. </LI> <LI> Complementary structure and composition information from SANS and PGAA to study functional membranes. </LI> <LI> Structure varies over doping time for KOH doped Polybenzimidazole membranes. </LI> <LI> New possibilities for in-situ and in-operando characterization. </LI> </UL> </P>

Changing perspectives on Cambrian chronostratigraphy and progress toward subdivision of the Cambrian System

Loren E. Babcock,Shanchi Peng,Gerd Geyer,John H. Shergold 한국지질과학협의회 2005 Geosciences Journal Vol.9 No.2

Important steps have been made toward global subdivision of the Cambrian System. The consensus of opinion is that the system should be subdivided into four series representing subequal spans of time. The lower two series will correspond approximately to the traditional Lower Cambrian, the third series will correspond approximately to the traditional Middle Cambrian, and the fourth series corresponds approximately to the traditional Upper Cambrian. The fourth series, called the Furongian Series, has been ratified by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Selection of horizons representing evolutionary events that can be correlated on a global scale, and which can be used as stage or series boundaries, is much more difficult for the lower two series intervals of the Cambrian than it is for the upper two series intervals of the Cambrian. The most practical concept for subdividing the system into stages involves the establishment of two stages each for the first and second series, and establishment of three stages each for the third and fourth series. The lowermost stage of the Furongian, called the Paibian Stage, has been ratified by the IUGS, and the International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy (ISCS) is nearing decisions on the levels that will used to mark the bases of the upper two stages of the Furongian. Concerning stage boundaries within the proposed third series of the Cambrian, the ISCS is close to decisions on two levels that will be used to mark boundaries.

A Proposal for Global Situational Theory

Richard D. Babcock 한국경영커뮤니케이션학회 2021 Business Communication Research and Practice Vol.4 No.1

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Business Communication Research and Theory Development in Asia: Past, Present, and Future Prospects

Bertha Du-Babcock 한국경영커뮤니케이션학회 2018 Business Communication Research and Practice Vol.1 No.1

Objectives: Multinational corporations headquartered in Asia have steadily taken a greater market share in the global marketplace. This growth will continue, and Asia will be the leading economic force in the 21st century. This article attempts to provide a critical review of the literature of international business and business communication in Asia over the last two decades. Methods: This paper describes and reviews intercultural communication and business research and theory development in Asian multinational corporations. It traces the development of cultural, linguistic, and international business streams of research and theory development. Existing models and frameworks that can guide research and theory building are presented to lead to a unified theory of Asian business communication. Results: It was shown how distinct management and communication systems developed in Japan, Korea, overseas Chinese countries, and Mainland China. These streams were largely independent and are now going through an initial period of integration. Conclusions: There are hopeful signs for expanded research and theory building on Asian business communication. Scholarship and research is shifting to Asia as a way of following the movement of global business communication. A comprehensive framework, theories, and models are needed in order to guide future research endeavors in this increasingly diverse and complex globalized business communication environment and to provide a more complete and comprehensive explanation of international and Asian business communication.

Impact of Bilingual Language and Their Proficiency on Role Behaviors in Strategic Decision-Making Meetings

Bertha Du-Babcock 한국경영커뮤니케이션학회 2020 Business Communication Research and Practice Vol.3 No.1

Objectives:This paper investigates whether (1) Hong Kong bilinguals exhibit different role behaviors in interconnected Cantonese (L1) and English (L2) strategic decision-making meetings; (2) individuals with higher L2 proficiency exhibit more task-facilitating role behaviors, while individuals with lower L2 proficiency likely exhibit more relational-maintenance role behaviors; and (3) English proficiency affect the role behavior of Hong Kong bilinguals. Methods:The study adopted a schema developed by Benne and Sheats and Barker, Wahlers, Watson, & Kibler. The data consisted of 22 meeting transcripts with a total copra of 65,397 words of English dialogs and 120,998 Chinese characters. The number and frequency of the role behaviors of each participant were codified, counted, and compared to examine the impact of language use and L2 proficiency on role behaviors. Results:The results showed that Hong Kong bilinguals performed more task-facilitating and relational-maintenance role behaviors in Cantonese meetings than in English meetings. Findings also revealed that L2 proficiency influenced task-facilitating role behaviors when making decisions in English and that the individuals who performed more task-facilitating role behaviors in English meetings had a tendency to perform more task-facilitating role behaviors in Cantonese meetings. Conclusion:The study clarifies when and why Hong Kong bilinguals communicate differently in their L1 and L2 meetings. The study provides possible markers for improving the quantity and quality of intercultural communication. When bilinguals with intermediate L2 proficiency participate in an intercultural meeting requiring interactive decision making, the challenge is to create a communication structure where their communication potential can be more fully utilized.

Adapting Western-Based Management and Business Communication Courses to Global Environments: Expatriate Professor Perspectives

Bertha Du-Babcock,Li-Ying Wu 한국경영커뮤니케이션학회 2023 Business Communication Research and Practice Vol.6 No.1

Objectives: The present study examines an under-researched issue – the transferability and adaptations of Western-based (mainly US) business and management communication courses to the global environments. This paper investigates whether and how the Western expatriate professors adapted their US-delivered modes to accommodate the global communication environments regarding language, culture, and contexts. Methods: The present study is exploratory research using qualitative methodology. Ten expert Western professors who taught in Hong Kong, Japan, Mainland China, India, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Singapore were invited to participate in the research. The data were gathered through a triangulation method, including objectifying interviewing and the written responses to open-ended questions. Results: The findings demonstrate that the instructional material and teaching style used in the US or UK could serve as the framework for Asian and Middle Eastern teaching but that adaptations need to be made for language, culture, and context differences in and among Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Notably, the English competency of the students determines the quantity of teaching material that could be presented. Conclusions: Findings suggest that multifaceted adaptations, including language, culture, and context factors, are critical to the success of transforming US-based business and management courses to the global business communication environment. The paper concludes by identifying five emerging themes in an expanding business communication theory and an internationalized business communication classroom genre. Implications and suggestions for future research are also provided.

Can Simulated Data be Comparable to Authentic Data?: A Comparative Analysis of Meeting Chairing Activities

Bertha Du-Babcock,Angela Chi Kuen Chan 한국경영커뮤니케이션학회 2019 Business Communication Research and Practice Vol.2 No.2

Objectives:This paper examines an under-researched issue - the comparability between authentic and simulated data, both of which are commonly used in business and professional communication. By analysing face-to-face business meetings, this paper aims to investigate (1) whether the four meeting chairing activities are accomplished in similar or different ways in authentic and simulated meetings?, and (2) under what settings simulated data would be comparable to authentic data for business and professional communication research. Methods:The study employs a fine-grained discourse-analytic approach to examine and compare four meeting chairing/facilitation activities (i.e., meeting opening, agenda management, turn allocation, meeting closing) in two authentic and two simulated business meetings. Results:Analysis shows that simulated meetings display a considerable degree of similarities to authentic meetings in terms of communicative strategies used to open or close a meeting, to manage the meeting agenda, and to allocate speakership while differences are observed in the actual discourse used to accomplish these chairing activities. The observed differences can be attributed in terms of the participants’ orientations to the meetings’ contextual factors including the setting that a simulated meeting is embedded, the organizational roles that a meeting chair is playing, and the relationship among the meeting participants. Conclusion:Findings suggest that simulated data can be compatible for studying communicative patterns at macro-levels although it may not be suitable for researching business communication at a micro-level of interaction. We also provide implications of using simulated data for conducting research in business communication.

Sulfoxaflor, a Novel Sulfoximine Insecticide

Yi, Jeehwan,J. Babcock,M. Loso,G. Watson,T. Sparks,J. Thomas 한국응용곤충학회 2012 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2012 No.05

Sulfoxaflor, a novel sulfoximine insecticide, discovered by and proprietary to Dow AgroSciences is being developed globally. Sulfoxaflor will be used in all major crop groups, including fruits, vegetables, rice, cereals, soybean, and many other crops. Sulfoxaflor provides excellent efficacy at low use rates through contact and ingestion against important and difficult-to-control sap-feeding insect pests, including certain species of aphids, scales, plant bugs, whiteflies, planthoppers and other sap feeders. Sulfoxaflor’s mode of action is via agonism of the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR), which is the same target site of neo-nicotinoid insecticides. However, relative to most neonicotinoids, sulfoxaflor is a high efficacy agonist of the nAchR with relatively low affinity for the imidacloprid binding site. Furthermore, sulfoxaflor is less susceptible to metabolism by monooxygenase enzymes and displays a broad lack of metabolism-based cross-resistance with neonicotinoids. This difference as well as its novel chemical structure led to sulfoxaflor being designated as the sole member of Group 4, Subgroup C of the IRAC Mode of Action Classification Scheme. Because of broad lack of crossresistance, sulfoxaflor will be a useful rotational partner with other insecticide chemistries, enhancing Insect Resistance Management strategies. In Korea, sulfoxaflor is being developed for use in fruit and leafy and fruiting vegetable by several companies. Results from several laboratory and field trials revealed that sulfoxaflor at use rate of 35 ppm (7% product, X2,000 dilution rate) provided excellent performance against economically important aphids in several crops compared with current sap-feeding pest control agents. Sulfoxaflor was registered in October 2011 as brandname TRANSFORM® (Sulfoxaflor 7% SC which is produced by Dongbu Hannong) will be launched for apple, pear and red-pepper in 2012.

Microprobe EELS Study of Oxygen Non - Stoichiometry in High Tc YBa₂Cu₂₃O7-δ Grain Boundaries

신동혁(D. H. Shin),S. E. Babcock(S. E. Babcock) 한국진공학회(ASCT) 1995 Applied Science and Convergence Technology Vol.4 No.2

2~3 ㎚의 공간분해능을 갖는 전자에너지손실분광법(Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, EELS)을 이용하여, 전기적 특성조사된 YBa₂Cu₂₃O_(7-δ) 고온초전도체 쌍결정의 결정경계(grain boundary)에서 산소의 조성변화를 조사하였다. Misorientation angle이 14˚, 28˚, 30˚인 3개의 쌍결정 중에서 Josephson junction 특성을 보인 28˚ 및 30˚ 결정경계에서의 oxygen 1s absorption edge는 결정내부에서의 oxygen 1s absorption edge와 매우 다름을 알 수 있었다. 이는 결정경계에서의 산소조성이 결정내부에 비해 낮음을 의미하며, 그 영역이 결정경계 부근 20~40 ㎚로, coherence length에 비해 큼을 알 수 있다. 반면에, flux pinning 특성을 보인 14˚ 결정경계에서의 oxygen 1s absorption edge는 결정내부에서와 별 차이를 보이지 않았다. 따라서 일반적으로 관찰되어온, misorientation angle이 큰 결정경계에서의 Josephson junction 특성은 결정경계 부근에서 산소의 조성이 낮아지는데에 기인하며, 그 원인은 결정경계면을 통해 산소가 out-diffusion 되기 때문인 것으로 생각된다. The oxygen concentration at grain boundaries in electromagnetically-characterized, bulk-scale bicrystals of high T_c, YBa₂Cu₂₃O_(7-δ) has been investigated using high-spatial resolution (2~3 ㎚) electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a TEM. Flux-grown bicrystals containing grain boundaries with misorientation relationships of 14°, 28°, and 30° about [001] have been studied. The 14° bicrystal showed flux-pinning (FP) critical current density characteristics, whereas the 28° and 30° bicrystals behaved like Josephson Junctions (JJ). The oxygen 1s absorption edge observed at the grain boundaries of Josephson junction bicrystals by TEM-EELS has a markedly different structure than those of the intragranular regions. The difference indicates a depressed charge carrier density and oxygen concentration in the boundary region. The carrier deficient zone extends from 20 to 40 ㎚ into each crystal, a distance much larger than a coherence length in the direction perpendicular to the boundary. In striking contrast, the oxygen K-edges in spectra taken from the grain boundary with flux-pinning character are nearly identical to the intra granular spectra. The observed oxygen deficiency of the Josephson junction boundaries is consistent with a model in which the high-angle boundaries provide high-diffusivity paths for the oxygen diffusion out of the sample.

Smart city as a social transition towards inclusive development through technology: a tale of four smart cities

Juhyun Lee,Julia Babcock,Thai Son Pham,Thu Hien Bui,Myounggu Kang 서울시립대학교 도시과학연구원 2023 도시과학국제저널 Vol.27 No.-

Smart city initiatives have the potential to address many contemporary urban challenges, utilizing information and technology. Increasingly, smart cities are considered as social innovation processes to achieve sustainable and inclusive urban development, being influenced by broader socio-economic and institutional contexts of cities. This paper explores ‘smart city transitions’ across varied urban contexts, in particular, how smart city transitions are enacted and how they contribute to inclusive urban transformation and public value. Using a multiple case studies approach, the research investigated infrastructure planning practices in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Seoul in Korea, Portland in the U.S. and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in Vietnam, cities that were known for strong efforts to establish integrated platforms to enhance societal benefits. Our analysis showed that each city has addressed its goals around sustainability, equity and affordability by reinforcing the engagement of multiple actors with the support of integrated platforms that facilitate open and multi-directional information flow in a transparent manner. In Amsterdam, innovative solutions for sustainable use of resources have been invented and distributed through multi-level social networks, contributing to the transformation into a circular economy. In Seoul and HCMC, the city's persistent efforts to utilize an open and integrated platform resulted in proactive engagement and collaboration of public and private actors in improving quality, equity and efficiency of transit services. Portland has tackled inequitable access and mistrust issues by setting principles for data governance and facilitating equity in the adoption of innovative technologies. Our research revealed that four cities established different forms of integrated platforms such as a centrally-controlled platform and a community-centred platform in order to address specific socio-economic issues within an institutional setting of each city. We concluded that building an integrated platform is not easy, but it is a critical prerequisite for the process of sustainable transformation to truly achieve smart cities across the globe.