Oxide ion conductors based on bismuthsesquioxide

Oxide ion conductive solid electrolytes based on bismuthsesquioxide are reviewed. These electrolytes are characterized by their conductivities more than ten times higher than those of conventional oxide ion conductors such as stabilized zirconias.     

Bitline GND sensing technique for low-voltage operation FeRAM

In this sensing technique, pMOS charge transfer maintains the bitline level near the GND when the plate line goes high. It gives 0.5-V higher readout voltages across the cell capacitors and enables a 0.4-V higher differential amplitude in a 512-cell per bitline structure compared with the conventional high-impedance bitline sensing technique. Using the shifted bias plate line layout, only eight cells and eight sense amplifiers per cell mat are activated, and simulations show 8.06 mW at 3 V and 5 MHz, which is about the same power consumption as the conventional device     

The evaluation of weekly hepatic arterial infusion of high-dose 5-FU for liver metastases from colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: The degree to which patient education in the areas of diet, exercise, and stress management can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) through healthier lifestyle behaviors is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of outpatient education on the short and long term outcomes, and the association between health-promoting behaviors and symptoms. METHODS: Pender's Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework. The study had a prospective longitudinal design. A consecutive sample of 52 adult outpatients with IBS attended a structured class that taught health-promoting modifications of lifestyle. Participants completed the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) and selected items from a Bowel Disease Questionnaire (BDQ) before the class and 1 month and 6 months later. Spearman rank correlations were used to assess the association between HPLP and symptom scores. Wilcoxon rank sum tests compared changes in scores versus their baseline values. RESULTS: Response rates at 1 and 6 months were 75% and 83%, respectively. Results revealed significant 1- and 6 month-improvements in pain and Manning symptoms (p < 0.01) and in some HPLP scores (exercise at 1 month, p < 0.05; stress management at 6 months, p < 0.01). Significant associations were found between some, but not all, HPLP and symptom scores over time. CONCLUSION: A structured IBS educational class for patients with IBS improved symptoms and some health-promoting behaviors. However, relationships among specific behaviors and specific symptoms did not consistently correspond with this improvement.     

The mechanical properties and microstructure of SiC–AlN particulate composite

Silicon carbide (SiC) and aluminium nitride (AlN) were found to form a solid solution at temperatures above 1800°C. Based on this interesting result, the composite was fabricated by mechanical mixing of the SiC and AlN powders, and hot pressed under 40 MPa at 1950°C in an argon atmosphere. The objective was to achieve full density and minimize solid solution formation. During the sintering process, the SiC–AlN system passed through three steps to form the solid solution at the end. First, the AlN particle is vaporized from its surface; next, the evaporated AlN is deposited on the surface of the SiC grains and the AlN particle, accompanied by a reduction in its size, and finally, partial SiC and AlN solid-solution formation on the boundary of the SiC grains. Because of the AlN deposition and solid-solution formation at the boundary of SiC grains, a barrier layer was present on the surface of SiC grains. This leads to the formation of fine grains. The toughening mechanism is thought to be by thermal residual stresses, due to the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the matrix SiC and that of the dispersed AlN particles, and crack deflection around the SiC grains. Therefore, it is that which improves the mechanical properties of the SiC–AlN composite. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Thermodynamic properties and equations of state for fast reactor safety analysis: Part II: Properties of fast reactor materials

In this paper, thermodynamic properties of reactor-core materials are newly evaluated for an analytic equation-of-state (EOS) model with flexible thermodynamic functions. This model has been developed for a multiphase, multicomponent fluid-dynamics code for fast reactor safety analysis. The most up-to-date and reliable sources for uranium dioxide, mixed-oxide fuel, stainless steel, and sodium available at present are first compiled, with particular emphasis on including new thermodynamic data of type 316 stainless steel. This compilation is used to develop the EOS data up to the critical point using basic thermodynamic relationships. The EOS model for use in the accident analysis code is then completed by determining all the EOS parameters in the thermodynamic functions. The thermodynamic consistency and accuracy of the evaluated EOS data are also discussed by comparison with the available sources. The thermodynamic properties of sodium vapor are successively reproduced using a van der Waals type equation extended to include the dimerization process of sodium vapor.     

Combined surgery for mitral regurgitation associated with extensive annular calcification and left main coronary artery disease

Although extensive calcification of the mitral annulus is encountered infrequently, it presents a formidable problem in mitral valve surgery. We describe a case of severely calcified mitral annulus associated with grade IV mitral regurgitation in addition to left main coronary artery disease. The patient was a 66-year-old woman who successfully underwent thorough excision of the calcified bar, annular reconstruction with a autologous pericardial strip, mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis, and double coronary artery bypass grafting using arterial grafts.     

The development of bi-based high-temperature superconductor and coil

Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 superconducting oxide conductors with a critical current density of 66,000 A/cm² at 77 K and coils that have generated magnetic fields of approximately 1.5 Tesla at 4.2 K have been successfully developed. The conductors consist of piled-up bundles of four to six sheets of element tapes with transport currents of approximately 200 Amps. The core size limit (CSL) prevented the production of single conductors that had the capacity to transport a current as high as 200 Amps at 4.2 K. Until now, it was difficult to develop a conductor having both high critical current density and the capability of transporting a large amount of current simultaneously. The role of CSL in large scale applications of high temperature superconducting oxides is discussed.     

Prediction of survival of terminally ill cancer patients--a prospective study

Antibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins (Ox-LDLs) have been proposed to be independent predictors of atherosclerosis development. The main aims of the current study were to (1) compare antibody titers to Ox-LDL in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (n=51) with those in matched controls (n=45) and (2) analyze whether the antibody titers were related to the extent of atherosclerosis, as assessed cross-sectionally and prospectively by ultrasonography in the 2 study groups. Antibody titers were determined with a solid-phase ELISA, and plates were coated with the antigens Ox-LDL or malondialdehyde-treated LDL (MDA-LDL) as well as with the postcoat only (5% dry milk powder). Antibody titers were expressed as absorbance [(value in patient serum minus that in postcoat) divided by (Internal Standard Serum minus postcoat)]. There were no significant differences in antibody titers against Ox-LDL or MDA-LDL between the group of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and the controls. In cross-sectional comparisons, no significant associations were observed between the intima-media thickness of the carotid or femoral arteries and antibody titers against Ox-LDL or between plaque occurrence and these titers. Patients with a history of myocardial infarction had significantly lower IgM titers against Ox-LDL compared with patients without a history of myocardial infarction and with controls. In conclusion, mean values for antibody titers against Ox-LDL were not increased in the patient group compared with a healthy control group, and no positive, significant relationship was observed between antibody titers and the extent of atherosclerosis, as measured by ultrasound, in the carotid or femoral arteries. Taken together, these findings indicate that the relationship between the autoimmune response to Ox-LDL and the extent of atherosclerosis is more complex than previously anticipated.