Preparation and characterisation of PZT films by RF-magnetron sputtering

Stoichiometric films were prepared by rf-magnetron sputtering from a Pb(Zr_0.54Ti_0.46)O₃ ceramic target onto Au-electroded substrates of alumina. During deposition the substrate holder was kept at a temperature of 300 °C. Post-deposition heat treatment in air at 650 °C was carried to promote the full crystallization and to result in pure perovskite PZT phase. SEM-EDX measurements for the films were performed both on surface and on cross-section. The impedance spectroscopy data demonstrates that the films have rather good dielectric properties and low losses. The recorded P-E loops prove their macroscopic ferroelectric characteristics, while piezoresponse force microscopy experiments confirm a nanoscale switching mechanism based on domain nucleation-growth.     

Effect of isocyanate to hydroxyl index on the properties of clear polyurethane films

Clear polyurethane films were made from aqueous polyurethane pre-polymer dispersions and water-dispersible aliphatic isocyanate pre-polymer, varying the amount of isocyanate used to cure the films. Film series were made from one of two polyol dispersions; the control XP-7110 having a higher molecular weight and containing 10 wt.% n-methylpyrrolidone (nmp) was compared to a zero-volatile organic compound (VOC) lower molecular weight alternate polyol XP-2591. Increasing the relative number of isocyanate groups to hydroxyl groups in these films provided an increase in glass transition temperature (T_g), tensile strength, elastic modulus and improved barrier properties to dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) for both polyols in this study. At all indices in this study XP-7110 films achieved slightly higher T_g and slightly better resistance to permeation by DMMP than the XP-2591 films. Water resistance of the films was not improved at higher indices nor was there any difference between the polyols. Yet, the experimental results suggest that it is possible to produce polyurethane binders with acceptable film properties while reducing the VOC content of the formulation by using t-butyl acetate as the isocyanate reducing solvent. The zero-VOC polyol achieved better tensile properties with higher indexing than the current polyol containing 10 wt.% VOC. While the zero-VOC polyol did not perform as well as the baseline polyol in some tests, the differences in performance were small and thus there may be an opportunity to use the zero-VOC polyol as a partial or even a complete replacement of the current material.     

Opportunities for TBCs in the ZrO2-YO1.5-TaO2.5 system

An examination of the ZrO₂-YO_1.5-TaO_2.5 system reveals several promising attributes for use in thermal barrier coating applications. The rather unique presence of a stable, non-transformable tetragonal region in this ternary oxide system allows for phase stability to high temperatures (1500 °C). Selected compositions with high levels of yttria and tantala have also shown superior resistance to vanadate corrosion than the commercially utilized 7YSZ. In addition, Y + Ta stabilized zirconia compositions within the non-transformable tetragonal phase field exhibit toughness values comparable or somewhat higher than those of 7YSZ, which bodes well for their durability as TBCs. These promising attributes are discussed in this paper in the context of recent experimental work.     

A nonlinear inverse problem inspired by three‐dimensional diffuse tomography: Explicit formulas

We use time of flight information to obtain explicit inversion formulas for a simple model of optical tomography. This can be considered as an instance of a more general nonlinear inversion problem for multi‐terminal networks. In this case the network is nonplanar with lots of cycles but the underlying physical model yields a highly structured situation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 198–203, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10031     

Autoclave-Free Formation of α-Hemihydrate Gypsum

Flue gas gypsum may be converted to α-hemihydrate by suspending the starting material in inorganic salt solutions of high concentration or in diluted sulfuric acid and maintaining the suspension at boiling, or near boiling temperature for a period of time. The crystal morphology of the produced α-hemihydrate gypsum and, thus, its quality depend significantly on the composition of the liquid phase. Additions of different carbonic acids may improve the quality of the product distinctly. Under optimal working conditions the quality of the formed α-hemihydrate gypsum is similar to that of a material produced in an autoclave.     

Behavioral effects of methylazoxymethanol-induced micrencephaly.

This study was prompted by reports of functionally normal humans with micrencephaly or cortical hypoplasia. Methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) treatment, which induces micrencephaly in rats, was administered by injection (20 mg/kg) on Gestational Day 14. Prior to weaning and into adulthood, offspring were assessed on many behavioral tests. There were 3 findings. First, MAM rats (forebrain weight less than two-thirds of controls) were not profoundly hyperactive. Increased activity was seen only on prolonged tests or after amphetamine administration. Second, MAM rats were hypoactive in some conditions. These rats were light shy and less likely to explore lighted areas. MAM rats appeared hyperreactive to environmental stimuli, but not hyperactive. Finally, no MAM effect on behavior was as large as that on brain weight. Thus, as with clinical findings, rat micrencephalics are more remarkable for functional sparing than for behavioral abnormalities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of tomato by-products in the diet of Comisana sheep on composition and conjugated linoleic acid content of milk fat

To evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet of Comisana sheep with by-products from industrial tomato manufacture on the fat composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk fat, two groups of 50 ewes each were fed either total mixed ration standard (TMRS) or total mixed ration with added tomato by-products (TMRA). Milk fat composition was determined by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). The milk fat content for the animals fed the TMRA diet increased by 6.41% (P < 0.01) after six weeks, compared with the animals fed the TMRS diet. The CLA content in the milk fat for the group of animals fed the TMRA diet was 19.8% (P < 0.05) higher than for those fed the TMRS diet, and reached 1.33 g 100 g^?1 fat, while the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content increased by a 6.43% (P < 0.05) and reached 7.12 g 100 g^?1 fat. The fatty acid composition showed an increase in the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n ? 3:n ? 6 ratio increased by 13% in the milk from sheep fed with the TMRA diet. These observations were confirmed by triglyceride analysis, which showed a decrease in the amount of short-chain (C₂₈–C₃₂) and medium-chain (C₃₄–C₄₂) triglycerides after six weeks, while the opposite was observed for the long-chain triglycerides (C₄₄–C₅₄).     

Feed-Forward Prediction of Product Qualities in Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysis of Poultry By-products: a Spectroscopic Approach

Enzymatic protein hydrolysis (EPH) is one of the industrial bioprocesses used to recover valuable constituents from food processing by-products. Extensive heterogeneity of by-products from, for example, meat processing is a major challenge in production of protein hydrolysates with stable and desirable quality attributes. Therefore, there is a need for process control tools for production of hydrolysates with defined qualities from such heterogeneous raw materials. In the present study, we are reporting a new feed-forward process control strategy for enzymatic protein hydrolysis of poultry by-products. Four different spectroscopic techniques, i.e., NIR imaging scanner, a miniature NIR (microNIR) instrument, fluorescence and Raman, were evaluated as tools for characterization of the raw material composition. Partial least squares (PLS) models for ash, protein, and fat content were developed based on Raman, fluorescence, and microNIR measurements, respectively. In an effort to establish feed-forward process control tools, we developed statistical models that enabled prediction of end-product characteristics, i.e., protein yield and average molecular weight of peptides (Mw), as a function of raw material quality and hydrolysis time. A multiblock sequential orthogonalised-PLS (SO-PLS) model, where spectra from one or more techniques and hydrolysis time were used as predictor variables, was fitted for the feed-forward prediction of product qualities. The best model was obtained for protein yield based on combined use of microNIR and fluorescence (R²?=?0.88 and RMSE?=?4.8). A Raman-based model gave a relatively moderate prediction model for Mw (R²?=?0.56 and RMSE?=?150). Such statistical models based on spectroscopic measurements of the raw material can be vital process control tools for EPH. To our knowledge, the present work is the first example of a spectroscopic feed-forward process control for an industrially relevant bioprocess.     

Enantioselective Benzylic Hydroxylation with Pseudomonas monteilii TA‐5: A Simple Method for the Syntheses of (R)‐Benzylic Alcohols Containing Reactive Functional Groups

Highly enantioselective benzylic hydroxylations of benzene derivatives ( 1–4 ) containing reactive functional groups were achieved for the first time with Pseudomonas monteilii TA‐5 as biocatalyst, giving the corresponding (R)‐benzylic alcohols 5 – 8 in 93–99% ee as the only products. Preparative biotransformations were demonstrated by the biohydroxylation of 1 and 2 with resting cells of P. monteilii TA‐5 to afford (R)‐ 5 in 94% ee and 66% yield and (R)‐ 6 in 94% ee and 56% yield, respectively. The highly enantioselective biohydroxylations represent a simple access to (R)‐benzylic alcohols containing reactive functional groups that are useful pharmaceutical intermediates and versatile chiral building blocks.     

Feedback to teachers on student engagement as a consultation tool.

Estimated the time 3 academically delayed mainstreamed students (aged 8–9 yrs old) and their peers spent participating in their classroom assignments, using the Planned Activity Check (PLAC) observation and recording system. Teachers used the information to modify instructional strategies as they saw fit. As the feedback phase continued, despite no major increases in teacher attention, the mainstreamed Ss consistently improved their participation to close to 100%. The strategy proved practical as well as effective because teachers could use their own expertise to solve the problems that were revealed by the PLAC data. This method may be broadly used by school psychologists and educators concerned with increasing levels of student participation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)