Effects of sintering temperature and Bi2O3, Y2O3 and MgO co-doping on the dielectric properties of X8R BaTiO3-based ceramics

Bi₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and MgO co-doped BaTiO₃ (BT)-based X8R ceramics were synthesized successfully for the first time. The effects of the sintering temperature and Bi₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and MgO dopants on the dielectric properties were investigated systematically. Bi₂O₃ doping can increase the Curie temperature (T_c), but reduces the overall dielectric permittivity. On the other hand, Y₂O₃ doping is beneficial to the formation of core-shell microstructure and the increase of T_c, whereas MgO can prevent excessive Y₂O₃ from diffusing into grain core, and thereby further contributes to the generation of the core–shell microstructure. The generation of the typical core-shell microstructure was confirmed and investigated in detail by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is argued that the synergistic effects of Bi₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and MgO co-doping in terms of the formation of the core-shell structure and the increase of T_c, can help improve the temperature stability of the dielectric permittivity effectively. Increasing the sintering temperature leads to an increase in the grain size, which in turn leads to an increase in the overall dielectric permittivity due to the grain size effect.     

Role of Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic Acid-Induced Maternal Immune Activation and Subsequent Immune Challenge in the Behaviour and Microglial Cell Trajectory in Adult Offspring: A Study of the Neurodevelopmental Model of Schizophrenia

Multiple lines of evidence support the pathogenic role of maternal immune activation (MIA) in the occurrence of the schizophrenia-like disturbances in offspring. While in the brain the homeostatic role of neuron-microglia protein systems is well documented, the participation of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 and CD200-CD200R dyads in the adverse impact of MIA often goes under-recognized. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effect of MIA induced by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 and CD200-CD200R axes, microglial trajectory (MhcII, Cd40, iNos, Il-1β, Tnf-α, Il-6, Arg1, Igf-1, Tgf-β and Il-4), and schizophrenia-like behaviour in adult male offspring of Sprague-Dawley rats. Additionally, according to the “two-hit” hypothesis of schizophrenia, we evaluated the influence of acute challenge with Poly I:C in adult prenatally MIA-exposed animals on the above parameters. In the present study, MIA evoked by Poly I:C injection in the late period of gestation led to the appearance of schizophrenia-like disturbances in adult offspring. Our results revealed the deficits manifested as a diminished number of aggressive interactions, presence of depressive-like episodes, and increase of exploratory activity, as well as a dichotomy in the sensorimotor gating in the prepulse inhibition (PPI) test expressed as two behavioural phenotypes (MIA_PPI-low and MIA_PPI-high). Furthermore, in the offspring rats subjected to a prenatal challenge (i.e., MIA) we noticed the lack of modulation of behavioural changes after the additional acute immune stimulus (Poly I:C) in adulthood. The important finding reported in this article is that MIA affects the expression and levels of the neuron-microglia proteins in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of adult offspring. We found that the changes in the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis could affect microglial trajectory, including decreased hippocampal mRNA level of MhcII and elevated cortical expression of Igf-1 in the MIA_PPI-high animals and/or could cause the up-regulation of an inflammatory response (Il-6, Tnf-α, iNos) after the “second hit” in both examined brain regions and, at least in part, might differentiate behavioural disturbances in adult offspring. Consequently, the future effort to identify the biological background of these interactions in the Poly I:C-induced MIA model in Sprague-Dawley rats is desirable to unequivocally clarify this issue.     

PI3K/AKT/GSK3β信号通路参与腺苷A1R介导异丙酚对缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的脑保护作用

目的：探讨PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β信号通路参与异丙酚对缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的脑保护作用及机制。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠72只，所有大鼠参照Zea Longa法建立局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的模型。随机分成6组（n=12），A-假手术组，B-模型组（MCAO），C-异丙酚组，D-异丙酚+腺苷A1R拮抗剂组（DPCPX），E-异丙酚组+PI3K特异性抑制剂（LY294002），F-异丙酚+GSK-3β抑制剂组（SB216763），观察大鼠术后24 h神经功能评分情况；LDF监测插栓前后脑血流变化；采用TTC染色法检测各组大鼠的脑梗死体积；用HE染色方法观察大鼠脑组织形态学改变；免疫组织化学法检测Bcl-2阳性细胞表达；采用TUNEL检测各组大脑脑皮质缺血周围神经元凋亡细胞的百分率。结果：与A组比较，B、C、D、E及F组大鼠行为学、脑梗死体积、细胞凋亡率、Bcl-2蛋白表达量均增加（P<0.05）；与C组比较，B、D、E组大鼠行为学评分，脑梗死体积及细胞凋亡率均明显增加，Bcl-2蛋白表达量均明显减少（P<0.01），F组Bcl-2蛋白表达量却增加，细胞凋亡率降低（P<0.05），行为学评分减少、梗死体积减少（P<0.05）。 结论：腺苷A1R介导的异丙酚对缺血再灌注损伤大鼠的神经保护作用可能与PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β信号转导通路有关。     

Social impact assessment of investment activities in the China–Pakistan economic corridor

In order to analyze potential social risks, and achieve smooth implementation of investment activities in the China–Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), we attempt to establish social impact and risk indicators. Both the impacts on the projects and the impacts of the projects are used to develop risk indicators in accordance with the literature review, reality and international standard principles. Using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and average value to analyze questionnaires of both Chinese and Pakistani respondents, we identify the importance of various risk indicators. The primary social risks of the western high mountain region include tribal obstacles and religious extremism. The social risks to the southeast coastal plains include preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the area and international protection of national parks. The social risks in north Kashmir include disputes, extremist threats, religious and cultural differences, and the protection of natural reserves. The social risks of the Xinjiang region primarily involve social issues faced by ethnic minorities and environmental pressures.     

Dissemination strategies and the adoption of improved agricultural technologies: The case of improved cassava varieties in Ghana

Cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) is an important tropical root crop for food security and national economies in Africa. In Ghana, it is the most important staple food also used in breweries, bakery and confectionery industries. Several high-yielding and disease resistant improved cassava varieties (ICVs) have been released and are being promoted through diverse dissemination channels. Past studies investigate the role of information in the adoption of agricultural technologies without accounting for the diversity in the dissemination strategies. The paper explores the diversity of dissemination strategies in examining the adoption of improved cassava varieties using a sequential mixed-method approach which combines exploratory interviews and focus group discussions with a questionnaire-based quantitative survey and the Cragg's two-part model. The paper uses data collected from 608 farmers randomly selected from major cassava producing communities in the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions in Ghana, West Africa. The results show statistically significant and identical impact of information through demonstrations, distribution of planting materials, farmer-to-farmer and media on the probability of ICV adoption. Other drivers of adoption are the membership of farmers based organizations (FBO), planting of two or more varieties and having large livestock size. However, ICV adoption and intensity was hampered by household size, distances to the nearest tarred road and market, and grey-skin color. These attributes need to be integral of dissemination campaigns for cassava variety adoption.     

Compiler compatible 5.66 Mb/mm2 8T 1R1W register file in 14 nm FinFET technology

1-read/1-write (1R1W) register file (RF) is a popular memory configuration in modern feature rich SoCs requiring significant amount of embedded memory. A memory compiler is constructed using the 8T RF bitcell spanning a range of instances from 32 b to 72 Kb. An 8T low-leakage bitcell of 0.106 μm² is used in a 14 nm FinFET technology with a 70 nm contacted gate pitch for high-density (HD) two-port (TP) RF memory compiler which achieves 5.66 Mb/mm² array density for a 72 Kb array which is the highest reported density in 14 nm FinFET technology. The density improvement is achieved by using techniques such as leaf-cell optimization (eliminating transistors), better architectural planning, top level connectivity through leaf-cell abutment and minimizing the number of unique leaf-cells. These techniques are fully compatible with memory compiler usage over the required span. Leakage power is minimized by using power-switches without degrading the density mentioned above. Self-induced supply voltage collapse technique is applied for write and a four stack static keeper is used for read Vmin improvement. Fabricated test chips using 14 nm process have demonstrated 2.33 GHz performance at 1.1 V/25 °C operation. Overall V_min of 550 mV is achieved with this design at 25 °C. The inbuilt power-switch improves leakage power by 12x in simulation. Approximately 8% die area of a leading 14 nm SoC in commercialization is occupied by these compiled RF instances.     

Atomistic insight into the hydration and proton conducting mechanisms of the cobalt doped Ruddlesden-Popper structure Sr3Fe2O7-δ

Sr₃Fe₂O_7-δ (SFO) with two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (R–P) structure has recently been proved to be a promising material for the single phase cathode in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (P–SOFCs). To investigate the hydration reactions and proton conducting mechanisms of SFO and cobalt doped SFO (SFCO), both bulk and surface properties were calculated. We conclude that R–P structures have advantages in P–SOFCs. The unique Sr–O–M layer can facilitate the hydration process. Although in Sr–O–F and Sr–O–N layers, it is difficult for the formation and migration of oxygen vacancies, protons are most stable. Furthermore, cobalt doping can not only improve the electronic conductivity but also enhance surface properties of SFCO. The easily exposed Co–Fe–O surface can also facilitate the hydration reactions on the surface. Our work could give an informative insight into the relationships among the doped elements, the R–P structures, the hydration process and the proton conducting properties.     

Design and analysis of a class of redundant collaborative manipulators with 2D large rotational angles

The parallel spindle heads with high rotational capability are demanded in the area of multi-axis machine tools and 3D printers. This paper focuses on designing a class of 2R1T (R: Rotation; T: Translation) parallel spindle heads and the corresponding collaborative 5-axis manipulators with 2-dimension (2D) large rotational angles. In order to construct 2D rotational degrees of freedom (DOFs), a platform with 2D revolute joints is proposed first. Based on the constraint screw theory, the feasible limbs that can be connected in the platform are synthesized. In order to provide constant rotational axis for the platform, a class of redundant limbs are designed. A class of redundant 2R1T parallel spindle heads is obtained by connecting the redundant limbs with the platform and the redundant characteristics are verified by the modified Grübler-Kutzbach criterion. The corresponding 5-axis collaborative manipulators are presented by constructing a 2-DOF series translational bottom moving platform. The inverse kinematics and the orientation workspace as well as the decoupling characteristics of this type of 2R1T parallel spindle heads are analyzed. The results show that these manipulators have large 2D rotational angles than the traditional A3/Z3 heads and can be potentially used in the application of multi-axis machine tools and the 3D printers.     

Development and validation of a micro-fin tubes evaporator model using R134a and R1234yf as working fluids

This paper presents a model of shell and tube evaporator with micro-fin tubes using R1234yf and R134a. The model developed for this evaporator uses the ε-NTU method to predict the evaporating pressure, the refrigerant outlet enthalpy and the outlet temperature of the secondary fluid. The model accuracy is evaluated using different two-phase flow boiling correlations for micro-fin tubes and comparing predicted and experimental data. The experimental tests were carried out for a wide range of operating conditions using R134a and R1234yf as working fluids. The predicted parameter with maximum deviations, between the predicted and experimental data, is the evaporating pressure. The correlation of Akhavan– Behabadi et al. was used to predict flow boiling heat transfer, with an error on cooling capacity prediction below 5%. Simulations, carried out with this validated model, show that the overall heat transfer coefficient of R1234yf has a maximum decrease of 10% compared with R134a.     

Performance analysis of a supersonic ejector cycle working with R245fa

A supersonic ejector chiller for industrial use is currently being developed and tested as part of a project cooperation between Frigel s.p.a and DIEF (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence). The refrigerator was built following a “ready to market” setup criterion and is intended for applications on the industrial refrigeration market or in air conditioning. The plant has a nominal cooling power of 40 kW and is powered by low temperature heat (from 90 up to 100 °C). The ejector is equipped with a movable primary nozzle and 9 static pressure probes along the mixing chamber/diffuser duct. The working fluid is R245fa. An extensive numerical campaign was performed to analyze the internal dynamics of the ejector. All the simulations were carried out by accounting for the real gas properties of the refrigerant. Comparison with experimental data resulted in close agreement both in terms of global and local parameters. Analyses showed that in order to achieve an accurate matching with the experimental data, it is necessary to correctly account for the surface roughness of the ejector. This is especially true for off-design operating conditions.