Finite element simulations of thin-film composite BAW resonators

A finite element method (FEM) formulation is presented for the numerical solution of the electroelastic equations that govern the linear forced vibrations of piezoelectric media. A harmonic time dependence is assumed. Both of the approaches, that of solving the field problem (harmonic analysis) and that of solving the corresponding eigenvalue problem (modal analysis), are described. A FEM software package has been created from scratch. Important aspects central to the efficient implementation of FEM are explained, such as memory management and solving the generalized piezoelectric eigenvalue problem. Algorithms for reducing the required computer memory through optimization of the matrix profile, as well as Lanczos algorithm for the solution of the eigenvalue problem are linked into the software from external numerical libraries. Our FEM software is applied to detailed numerical modeling of thin-film bulk acoustic wave (BAW) composite resonators. Comparison of results from 2D and full 3D simulations of a resonator are presented. In particular, 3D simulations are used to investigate the effect of the top electrode shape on the resonator electrical response. The validity of the modeling technique is demonstrated by comparing the simulated and measured displacement profiles at several frequencies. The results show that useful information on the performance of the thin-film resonators can be obtained even with relatively coarse meshes and, consequently, moderate computational resources     

Devolatilization of wood and wastes in fluidized bed

Experiments were carried out in a laboratory fluidized bed (FB) to characterize the devolatilization behavior of wood and various wastes at temperatures applicable to FB gasification and combustion, i.e. 750-900 °C. The fuels tested were pellets made of wood, meat and bone meal, and compost (from municipal solid wastes), as well as dried granulates of sewage sludge (DSS). Determination of yields of char, condensate and light gas, as well as the composition of the gas and the time of devolatilization during the pyrolysis of single fuel batches was made. A simple model was developed to analyze the mode of conversion of a single wood pellet and DSS granulate, giving insight on the controlling mechanisms during devolatilization. The devolatilization kinetics of DSS was determined by tests using fine granulates. The model was successfully applied to simulate the conversion of large DSS granulates and wood pellets under the whole range of temperatures analyzed.     

Plasma folate levels are associated with the lipoprotein profile: a retrospective database analysis

Background

Several studies demonstrated an association of homocysteine plasma levels and the plasma lipoprotein profile. This cross-sectional pilot study aimed at analyzing whether blood levels of the two important cofactors of homocysteine metabolism, folate and vitamin B12, coincide with the lipoprotein profile.

Methods

In a retrospective single center approach, we analyzed the laboratory database (2003-2006) of the University Hospital Bonn, Germany, including 1743 individuals, in whom vitamin B12, folate and at least one lipoprotein parameter had been determined by linear multilogistic regression.

Results

Higher folate serum levels were associated with lower serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; Beta = -0.164; p < 0.001), higher levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; Beta = 0.094; p = 0.021 for trend) and a lower LDL-C-C/HDL-C-ratio (Beta = -0.210; p < 0.001). Using ANOVA, we additionally compared the individuals of the highest with those of the lowest quartile of folate. Individuals of the highest folate quartile had higher levels of HDL-C (1.42 ± 0.44 mmol/l vs. 1.26 ± 0.47 mmol/l; p = 0.005), lower levels of LDL-C (3.21 ± 1.04 mmol/l vs. 3.67 ± 1.10 mmol/l; p = 0.001) and a lower LDL-C/HDL-C- ratio (2.47 ± 1.18 vs. 3.77 ± 5.29; p = 0.002). Vitamin B12 was not associated with the lipoprotein profile.

Conclusion

In our study sample, high folate levels were associated with a favorable lipoprotein profile. A reconfirmation of these results in a different study population with a well defined status of health, diet and medication is warranted.     

Chlorate Formation in Chlorine Dioxide Delignification—An Analysis via Elementary Kinetic Modeling

Abstract

Elementary kinetic modeling was used to study the mechanism of chlorate formation in chlorine dioxide delignification. Reaction conditions reflecting typical industrial processes (T = 50°C, pH 1.5–4) were examined. Fe mediated Cl(III) decomposition and a reaction between hypochlorous acid and chlorous acid (or their equilibrium counterparts) were found to be the major reaction routes responsible for chlorate formation at pH < 3. The latter route accounts for chlorate formation at pH ≥ 3. The rate of chlorous acid (HClO₂) self-decomposition was too slow either to compete against the other routes (pH < 3) or to yield notable amounts of chlorate within the given time frame (pH ≥ 3). The results suggest that chlorate formation could be suppressed, without adverse effects on chlorine dioxide regeneration, by aiming for end pH 3–3.5, ensuring a moderate chloride ion concentration and by favoring concentrated solutions/suspensions.     

A Model for Chlorine Dioxide Delignification of Chemical Pulp

Abstract

A phenomenon based model for chlorine dioxide delignification of chemical pulp is introduced. The pulp suspension environment is modeled using the concept of two liquid phases, one inside and the other external to the fiber wall. Physico-chemical processes taking place during delignification are implemented with thermodynamic, mass transfer and reaction kinetic models. A broad library of chemical reactions is introduced. Inclusion of each reaction is justified. The model response is tested against experimental laboratory delignification results (o-delignified birch pulp). The experimental data consists of kappa number, hexenuronic acid, inorganic oxy-chlorine compound, and organochlorine (AOX, OX) measurements at several time points during five delignification experiments. The model predictions are mainly in good agreement with the experimental results. The predictions regarding hypochlorous acid driven processes (HexA removal, organochlorine formation, chlorite and chlorate concentration) are somewhat incoherent, indicating that knowledge regarding the intermediately formed hypochlorous acid is presently insufficient.     

Silicate Release from Sand-Manipulated Sediment Cores: Biogenic or Adsorbed Si?

The influence of an addition of either sand and/or spring-bloom algae on the efflux of nutrients from intact sediment cores from the Baltic Sea was studied in a flow-through experiment. The addition of sand significantly increased the efflux of silicon (Si) from sediment, but the algal addition did not. The effects on phosphorus (P) were not as clear, and fluxes of nitrogen (NH₄ and NO_2?+?3) remained relatively unaffected by the additions. The small effect of the algal addition was caused by the short time-period covered by the experiment and possibly by adsorption of released Si by the sediment. A follow-up bottle experiment showed that despite the apparently lower content of easily available Si and biogenic silica, BSi, in the sand, the sand-induced Si efflux was caused by release of Si from the sand itself, rather than by indirectly increasing the dissolution of BSi present in the sediment.     

Specificity grafting of human antibody frameworks selected from a phage display library: generation of a highly stable humanized anti-CD22 single-chain Fv fragment

A prerequisite for the enrichment of antibodies screened fromphage display libraries is their stable expression on a phageduring multiple selection rounds. Thus, if stringent panningprocedures are employed, selection is simultaneously drivenby antigen affinity, stability and solubility. To take advantageof robust pre-selected scaffolds of such molecules, we graftedsingle-chain Fv (scFv) antibodies, previously isolated froma human phage display library after multiple rounds of in vitropanning on tumor cells, with the specificity of the clinicallyestablished murine monoclonal anti-CD22 antibody RFB4. We showthat a panel of grafted scFvs retained the specificity of themurine monoclonal antibody, bound to the target antigen withhigh affinity (6.4–9.6 nM), and exhibited exceptionalbiophysical stability with retention of 89–93% of theinitial binding activity after 6 days of incubation in humanserum at 37°C. Selection of stable human scaffolds withhigh sequence identity to both the human germline and the rodentframeworks required only a small number of murine residues tobe retained within the human frameworks in order to maintainthe structural integrity of the antigen binding site. We expectthis approach may be applicable for the rapid generation ofhighly stable humanized antibodies with low immunogenic potential. Received June 10, 2003; accepted August 27, 2003.     

直接拉伸试验及Superpave规范系统研究蜡对沥青低温性能的影响

用两种不同分子量的石蜡及一种微晶蜡掺和在沥青中,来研究蜡的性能(如分子量分布、平均分子量等)对沥青低温性能的影响.用Superpave沥青胶结料性能规范系统的BBR、DTT、临界龟裂温度(Tcritical)及玻璃转换温度(Tg)来研究掺有3%或6%蜡的沥青低温性能,低分子量及分子量分布窄的石蜡降低了沥青的DTT破坏应力,同时增加了正割模量(Secant Modulus)及BBR的热应力.微晶蜡对沥青的DTT破坏应力的影响比较少,并且不影响正割模量,但增加了BBR的热应力;但当将不同蜡的沥青混合,即将蜡的分子量分布扩大,则DTT破坏应力略为降低,正割模量不变,而BBR的热应力则减少.换言之,如果将含不同蜡的沥青混合,则蜡对沥青低温性能的影响降低,这会改善含蜡沥青的低温性能,原因可能是蜡的凝结受其分子量所影响,较宽的分子量分布会导致蜡在较宽的温度范围内慢慢凝结,缓和了蜡突然结晶对沥青低温性能的有害反应.