The high-temperature work function of sintered dilute solution tungsten-lridium alloys

The effect of transition element additives molybdenum, rhenium, iridium, and osmium on the effective work function of tungsten has been the focus of thermionics research for several years.^{[1- 5]} In this study, iridium-added tungsten powder mixtures were cold compacted and sintered to produce a range of tungsteniridium electrodes. An electron emission study was subsequently carried out to evaluate the work function behavior of the consolidated alloys. The work function was obtained from measurements of the current emitted from the electrode surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions in the temperature range of 1800 to 2500 K using a vacuum emission vehicle (VEV). The data show that the magnitude of the work function in these alloys varied with temperature. Microstructural evaluation of the alloys indicated that the tested surfaces displayed accentuated thermal etching of the grain boundaries together with the fact that the final grain sizes in the sintered alloys were three to five times smaller than those found in equivalent are-melted alloys that were studied in earlier work.^[4,5] Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the tested surfaces of the sintered alloys containing the highest iridium levels (~2 wt % ) show a high level of structural distortion, particularly in the vicinity of grain boundaries and corners. The extent of these distortions was found to vary with the iridium content, i.e., the W-IR3M and W-IR2M. The samples with compositions lower than 0.5 wt % Ir were virtually devoid of distortions. It is proposed that, during homogenization carried out prior to testing, a net accumulation of iridium occurs near the surface, particularly in the vicinity of structural heterogeneities. Subsequent cooling leads to the precipitation of iridium-rich second phase sources, which when reheated to the testing temperatures supplies iridium to a surface monolayer. This mechanism is capable of explaining the observed work function trends during high- temperature testing.     

Fats in the diet

Fats are important constituents of the human diet since on the one hand, they contribute to the caloric density of the diet, and on the other, they serve as vehicles of essential nutrients such as linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, as well as fat-soluble vitamins. The existence of human populations subsisting on diets with values as low as 10% or more than 50% of the calories represented by fats, has been documented, demonstrating the great adaptability of man to a wide availability of this type of food. Nevertheless, extensive epidemiological and experimental research in relation to a frequent degenerative diseases of man, arteriosclerosis, have consistently demonstrated that the proportion of saturated fats in the diet has a positive correlation with the frequency of these alterations. Mortality and fat availability in Latin America is consistent with these results. In consequence, and taking into consideration the present level of fat availability in the Region, we propose that no more than 25% of the caloric requirement should be covered by fats. Additionally, this amount of fat should have equal proportions of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cholesterol, which is contained in animal fats, is not a necessary nutrient for humans, so that no minimum consumption needs to be established. Daily ingestion of cholesterol should be restrained to no more than 100 mg/1,000 calories. Introduction of new fatty foods for human consumption should be preceded by a thorough investigation of the metabolic consequences.     

512-Mb PROM with a three-dimensional array of diode/antifuse memory cells

A 512-Mb one-time-programmable memory is described, which uses a transistorless two-terminal memory cell containing an antifuse and a diode. Cells are fabricated in polycrystalline silicon, stacked vertically in eight layers above a 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS substrate. One-time programming is performed by applying a high voltage across the cell terminals, which ruptures the antifuse and permanently encodes a logic 0. Unruptured antifuses encode a logic 1. Cells are arranged in 8-Mb tiles, 1 K rows by 1 K columns by 8 bits high. The die contains 72 such tiles: 64 tiles for data and eight tiles for error-correcting code bits. Wordline and bitline decoders, bias circuits, and sense amplifiers are built in the CMOS substrate directly beneath the memory tiles, improving die efficiency. The device supports a generic standard NAND flash interface and operates from a single 3.3-V supply.     

A breast cancer case-control study in Girona, Spain. Endocrine, familial and lifestyle factors

This study was designed to explore risk factors for breast cancer with emphasis on the detection of clinical markers of the hormonal imbalance during the perimenarche. Three hundred and thirty women diagnosed with breast cancer and 346 population controls were identified and interviewed in Girona, Spain between 1986 and 89. Cases were more likely than controls to have had long menstrual periods in the first 5 years after menarche [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0], to experience menopause at a late age (OR = 1.5) and to report acne during adolescence (OR = 1.6). Family history of breast cancer was associated with an increased risk (OR = 2.3). Cases reported a lower use of drug treatments for anxiety and sleep disorders than controls. Moderate alcohol drinkers and smokers were at lower risk for breast cancer. No statistically significant association with breast cancer was observed for number of children, age at last pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, hormonal treatment after menopause and weight perception during the teenage years. Hormonal changes in the years following menarche may be relevant to breast cancer risk. The roles of menstrual period length and acne during adolescence should be further explored.     

Measurement and simulation of memory effects in predistortionlinearizers

Detrimental effects of memories in linearizers are described, and two efficient techniques are presented to measure them. These techniques allow a real-time adjustment and correction of the linearizer and/or amplifier circuits and an overall improvement of the intermodulation performance over a wide envelope frequency band. This is especially important for broadband applications, where high efficiency and linearity are required, and where memory effects, if not detected and properly corrected, may significantly degrade the system's performance. Experimental results for a 20-W linearized L-band power amplifier are presented to illustrate the effects of memory. The two techniques-a dynamic AM/AM and AM/PM measurement system and a pulse power measurement system-are described. A simulation approach that can be used to predict the influence of memory effects in practical systems is illustrated for nonlinear amplifiers. Adaptive linearization techniques are discussed     

Lung function in bronchiectasis: the influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sputum isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is associated with extensive disease in bronchiectasis. It is not known, however, whether infection with P. aeruginosa is the result or the cause of severe disease. We compared spirometry in patients with bronchiectasis before and after infection with P. aeruginosa, with that of patients infected by other organisms. All patients (n=12) with chronic colonization by P. aeruginosa (PA group) were studied. These were compared with other patients with bronchiectasis with no isolations of P. aeruginosa (n=37, non-PA group). In the PA group, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were lower than in the non-PA group. The PA group, however, also had lower values at the time of initial colonization with P. aeruginosa than the current values for the non-PA group. Change in FEV1 and FVC over time was faster in the PA group than in the non-PA group. Reduction of FEV1 and FVC over time in the PA group prior to P. aeruginosa colonization was intermediate, not being statistically different from either value above. Our results confirm the association of chronic P. aeruginosa colonization with poor lung function, but conclude that patients with bronchiectasis who become colonized by P. aeruginosa have poorer lung function when first colonized than those colonized by other organisms. Decline in lung function is faster in those chronically colonized by P. aeruginosa than in those colonized by other organisms. It is not clear whether chronic P. aeruginosa colonization causes an accelerated decline in lung function or whether it is simply a marker of those whose lung function is already declining rapidly.     

Compact 1.3-um Laser Transmitter for the SL Undersea Lightwave System

The mechanical, optical, and electrical design leading to a reliable, high-performance, robust, and compact transmitter are described. Reliability considerations are of paramount importance in the design of undersea systems. Main features of the laser-fiber-monitor package and the light-feedback control strategy are outlined. The functions of the laser drive circuit, consisting of a low-speed feedback IC and a high-speed modulation IC are discussed. Access to multiple test points through an edge board connector permits automated tuning and reliability testing. The transmitter circuit can provide a 200-mA bias current, about double the expected end of life laser bias requirement, and 60-mA modulation current, double the typical value, with < 0.75-ns rise and fall time. The transmitter operates up to 800 Mbit/s, far beyond the TAT-8 bit rate of 295.6 Mbit/s. Transmitter redundancy is planned to meet the extreme reliability requirements for the transatlantic system. Up to four of the compact transmitters can be mounted per regenerator, thus providing as many as three redundant transmitters for improved system reliability.