Thermal stability of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> multilayer thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Multilayers of CeO₂/ZrO₂ thin films were deposited on Si (100) substrates using pulsed laser deposition at an optimized oxygen partial pressure of 3×10⁻² mbar and at room temperature. The CeO₂ layer thickness was 10 nm, while the ZrO₂ layer thickness was varied as 10, 20 and 30 nm. CeO₂ and ZrO₂ layers were deposited alternately to obtain 25 bilayers. High temperature x-ray diffraction (HTXRD) results showed that the multilayer films had cubic ceria and tetragonal ZrO₂. Thermal expansion coefficients were calculated for CeO₂ and t-ZrO₂ and found to increase with the decrease of ZrO₂ layer thickness. The cross sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) of CeO₂/ZrO₂ multilayer also indicated that ceria was found to be in cubic phase while zirconia contained predominantly tetragonal phase along with cubic phase in thermally annealed specimen.     

Analysis of MTHFR and MTRR Gene Polymorphisms in Iranian Ventricular Septal Defect Subjects

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is one of the most common types of congenital heart defects (CHD). There are vivid multifactorial causes for VSD in which both genetic and environmental risk factors are consequential in the development of CHD. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are two of the key regulatory enzymes involved in the metabolic pathway of homocysteine. Genes involved in homocysteine/folate metabolism may play an important role in CHDs. In this study; we determined the association of A66G and C524T polymorphisms of the MTRR gene and C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene in Iranian VSD subjects. A total of 123 children with VSDs and 125 healthy children were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buccal cells of all the subjects. The restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) method was carried out to amplify the A66G and C524T polymorphism of MTRR and C677T polymorphism of MTHFR genes digested with Hinf1, Xho1 and Nde1 enzymes, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CC, CT and TT of MTRR gene among the studied cases were 43.1%, 40.7% and 16.3%, respectively, compared to 52.8%, 43.2% and 4.0%, respectively among the controls. For the MTRR A66G gene polymorphism, the genotypes frequencies of AA, AG and GG among the cases were 33.3%, 43.9% and 22.8%, respectively, while the frequencies were 49.6%, 42.4% and 8.0%, respectively, among control subjects. The frequencies for CC and CT genotypes of the MTHFR gene were 51.2% and 48.8%, respectively, in VSD patients compared to 56.8% and 43.2% respectively, in control subjects. Apart from MTHFR C677T polymorphism, significant differences were noticed (p < 0.05) in C524T and A66G polymorphisms of the MTRR gene between cases and control subjects.     

The iterative contribution and relevance of modelling to UK energy policy

This paper discusses the iterative provision of modelling insights on long-term decarbonisation scenarios for UK energy policy makers. A multi-year model construction process of the UK MARKAL-Macro-hybrid energy-economic model, and four subsequent major policy analyses illustrates the scope of this interaction. The initial set of modelling runs focused on the technical feasibility of long-term 60% carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction scenarios, the role of key technologies, and the underlying uncertainties. Furthermore subsequent modelling studies were aimed to generate insights on more stringent targets, and on issues and uncertainties that may make targets harder to achieve. Hence, this paper analyses the large number of long-term UK CO₂ reduction scenarios through a clustering approach on target stringency and barriers to implementation. Robust findings and key uncertainties are highlighted, including the critical role of the power sector, trade-offs between resources, sectors, key energy technologies and behavioural responses, and the increasing level and spread of CO₂ marginal prices and GDP impacts. The relevance and use of modelling insights to the UK energy policy process is shown in the continuation of the energy modelling–policy interface. This constitutes both ongoing model development, and nuanced scenario analysis designed to further explore key uncertainties in evolving policy issues.     

Modularization of a Large-Scale Business Application: A Case Study

Large software systems, developed over several years, are the backbone of industries such as banking, retail, transportation, and telecommunications. With multiple bug fixes and feature enhancements, these systems gradually deviate from the intended architecture and deteriorate into unmanageable monoliths. This article presents a case study of a banking application besot with such problems and the modularization approach that the company adopted as a solution. It also highlights benefits unearthed as a result of this reengineering exercise.     

Lattice dynamics of colloidal crystals during photopolymerization of acrylic monomer matrix

The photoinitiated bulk polymerization process, which has been used recently in the manufacture of solid optical diffraction filters, is examined to understand the dynamics of both the crystalline colloidal arrays (CCA) and the host monomer species. Our analysis indicates that volume shrinkage of the monomer, changes in the dielectric properties of the monomer, and inhomogeneities of polymerization reaction rate across the dispersion during the polymerization process, are the major contributors for observed lattice compression and lattice disorder of the CCA of silica spheres in polymerized acrylic/methacrylic ester films. The effect of orientation of photocell with respect to the radiation source on Bragg diffraction of CCA indicated the presence of convective stirring in the thin fluid system during the photopolymerization that deleteriously affects the periodic array structures. To devise reproducible and more efficient optical filters, experimental methods to minimize or eliminate convective instabilities in monomeric dispersions during polymerization are suggested. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Continuous purification of porcine lipase by rotating annular size-exclusion chromatography

Non-accidental head injury, be it shaking, impact(s) or a combination of the two, is characterised by subdural and/or subarachnoid haemorrhages with retinal haemorrhages, but minimal or absent external cranio-facial trauma. The classical assault scenario depicts the infant being gripped around the head, face, chest and abdomen and shaken or being gripped by a limb and swung. This gripping might be expected to leave physical evidence in the form of bruising. A study was undertaken to establish the prevalence, distribution and pathological association of external bruising in 24 cases of fatal non-accidental head injury in children. At autopsy, 17 cases had new external bruises, 15 old external bruises and 13, a combination of both. However, seven (29%) cases showed no fresh external bruising and five (21%) showed no external bruising at all. Thus, external bruising may be absent in children with fatal intracranial injury. The face was shown to be the commonest site of bruising followed by the forehead and buttocks. Limb, chest and abdominal bruising were found to be uncommon. Retinal haemorrhages were confirmed in 23 (96%) cases. It is hypothesised that bruising, when present, may be a result of abuse in the form of punches and slaps rather than due to gripping during the assault. We discuss why gripping does not necessarily result in external bruising.     

Deposition of poly(diphenylamine‐co‐o‐chloroaniline) by pulse potentiostatic method: Growth equation and characterization

Electrochemical copolymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) with o‐chloroaniline (OCA) was performed in aqueous 4M sulfuric acid using the pulse potentiostatic method (PPSM). By employing the tunable parameters in PPSM, polymeric films were deposited under different conditions. Cyclic voltammetry was used for evaluating the characteristics of the deposited polymeric films. A suitable growth equation for the deposition of polymer, relating the charge associated for the film deposition and the pulse parameters in PPSM, was deduced. Various surface parameters are evaluated. The formation of copolymer during PPSM deposition was revealed through critical analysis of the results. The characteristic differences between the individual homopolymers, poly(diphenylamine) and poly(o‐chloroaniline) and the copolymer, poly(diphenylamine‐co‐o‐chloroaniline), were brought out. The copolymer was also synthesized through a chemical method and characterized through infrared and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopic analysis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 389–397, 2003