Low temperature sintering of barium titanate ceramics assisted by addition of lithium fluoride-containing sintering additives

By addition of LiF-containing sintering additives to commercial BaTiO₃ powder, more than 98% of the theoretical density was reached at a sintering temperature of 900 °C both on powder compacts and laminates. Dielectric measurements were performed on ceramic samples in the temperature and frequency ranges from −20 °C to 125 °C and from 10³ to 10⁶ Hz, respectively. High relative permittivity (_r  3160) and low dielectric loss (tan δ  0.014) were measured for tapes of the favoured material. The breakdown strength for tapes with a thickness of about 80 μm is 30 kV/mm. The microprobe analysis showed, that no interfacial reaction between the dielectric layer and the Ag-electrode had occurred.The newly developed barium titanate ceramics completely densifying at 900 °C turned out to be promising for integration of buried capacitors in LTCC multilayers.     

THERMALLY INDUCED VIBRATIONS OF COMPOSITE BEAMS WITH INTERLAYER SLIP

Thermally excited vibrations of composite viscoelastic two-layer beams with interfacial slip are analyzed. Geometrically linearized conditions are considered, and the Bernoulli-Euler hypothesis is applied to each layer. At the interface a linear viscoelastic slip law is assigned. The resulting sixth-order initial boundary value problem of the deflection is solved in the time domain by separating the dynamic response in a quasistatic and a complementary dynamic portions. The quasistatic solution is determined in closed form, and the remaining complementary dynamic part is approximated by a truncated modal series that exhibits accelerated convergence. Numerical results are obtained for single-span composite beams with interlayer slip by means of a time-stepping procedure based on the linear interpolation of the driving terms within the time intervals.     

Design of LTCC with High Thermal Expansion

New applications of low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), such as pressure sensors or integrated functional layers, require materials that possess higher coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE). To fabricate LTCC with elevated CTE, two methods of material design are examined: firstly, glass ceramic composites (GCC), which consist of >50 vol% glass in the starting powder, and, secondly, glass-bonded ceramics (GBC), where glass is added as a sintering aid only. The CTE of GBC is mainly determined by the crystalline component. For GCC, the CTE can be well predicted, if CTE and elastic data of each phase in the microstructure are known. A nonlinear characteristic of the CTE versus phase composition was found with increasing E _crystals/ E _glass ratio and absolute CTE difference between the components. The glass composition and glass amount can be used to compensate the fixed properties of a crystalline material in a desired way. However, because the CTE and permittivity of a glass cannot be chosen independently, an optimum glass composition has to be found. For a given LTCC, it is possible to control the devitrification by shifting the glass composition. In this way, the resulting CTE values can be predicted more exactly and tailoring becomes possible. Different LTCC materials, based on the crystalline compounds Ba(La,Nd)₂Ti₄O₁₂, ZrO₂ (Y-TZP), SiO₂ (quartz), and specially developed glasses, possessing an elevated CTE of around 10 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ while showing permittivity ɛ_r between 6 and 63, are introduced.     

A rigorous small area modelling-study for the helicobacter pylori epidemiology

This paper presents an investigation into spatial risk differences over small distances for the Helicobacter pylori infection in the city of Leipzig, Germany and two rural districts. A model, using Bayesian inference, was developed that adjusts the risk for individual-specific factors, and for spatial or individual over-dispersion, respectively. Additionally, the model takes into account conditional spatial autocorrelation. We found a significant positive association to the H. pylori infection risk for: “more than three children live in the household” (OR = 2.4, p = 0.001), “more persons live per sq.m than average” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.03), “home situated at main road” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.04) and “using well water” (OR = 2.3, p = 0.05). A protective effect was identified for “travelled to low prevalence region” (OR = 0.4, p < 0.0001) and “born in Germany” (OR = 0.2, p < 0.0001). Three administrative areas with significantly increased spatial risk were identified: one in the rural district and two in the city of Leipzig. The model explained 24.9% of the total deviance. Contrary to expectations, the largest part of deviance of the data was not explained by the identified significant risk factors, but by individual-specific heterogeneities. We conclude that further - so far not discussed - factors influence the risk and the spatial variation of the H.pylori infection. Furthermore, from the results we speculate about a possible impact of long-time air pollution and surface water.     

Feeding stimulatory and inhibitory chemicals from an acceptable nonhost plant forManduca sexta: Improved detection by larvae deprived of selected chemosensory organs

The chemical basis of feeding responses to the acceptable nonhost plantVigna sinensis (cowpea) by larvae ofManduca sexta was investigated using chemical isolation techniques directed by a novel chemosensory-based bioassay. The presence of feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds in leaves or leaf extracts was determined in a two-choice preference test using leaf disks or glass fiber filter paper disks laced with leaf extract as test substrate and filter paper disks laced with water as control. Larvae strongly prefer the control disks over leaf disks, indicating the presence of feeding inhibitory compounds in the leaf. An ethanol extract of both fresh and dried leaves neither stimulated nor inhibited feeding. The cause of this inactivity was examined by using larvae that respond strongly to either feeding stimulatory or inhibitory compounds due to selective chemosensory deprivation. Larvae having chemosensory organs remaining only on the maxillary palps are stimulated to feed by whole leaf disks and by the ethanol extracts. In contrast, larvae having only the medial and lateral maxillary sensilla styloconica and the epipharyngeal sensilla remaining are strongly inhibited by whole leaf disks and the ethanol extract of fresh leaves. Thus, the ethanol extract contains both feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds, which elicit opposite behavioral effects in unoperated larvae, therefore nullifying any stimulatory and inhibitory activity. These compounds can only be demonstrated by using discrimination-enhanced larvae in the choice tests. Further isolation of the feeding stimulatory principle inV. sinensis yielded two separate fractions of neutral compounds, suggesting at least two different chemicals belonging to two different classes: nonpolar and polar lipids. Feeding inhibitory chemicals have apparently polar properties because strong activity was found in the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of dried leaves. The role of feeding stimulatory and inhibitory compounds in food selection ofM. sexta larvae is discussed.     

pH- and salt-dependent molecular combing of DNA: experiments and phenomenological model

λ-DNA as well as plasmids can be successfully deposited by molecular combing on hydrophobic surfaces, for pH values ranging from 4 to 10. On polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates, the deposited DNA molecules are overstretched by about 60-100%. There is a significant influence of sodium ions (NaCl) on the surface density of the deposited DNA, with a maximum near to 100 mM NaCl for a DNA solution (28 ng μl(-1)) at pH 8. The combing process can be described by a micromechanical model including: (i) the adsorption of free moving coiled DNA at the substrate; (ii) the stretching of the coiled DNA by the preceding meniscus; (iii) the relaxation of the deposited DNA to the final length. The sticky ends of λ-DNA cause an adhesion force in the range of about 400 pN which allows a stable overstretching of the DNA by the preceding meniscus. The exposing of hidden hydrophobic bonds of the overstretched DNA leads to a stable deposition on the hydrophobic substrate. The pH-dependent density of deposited DNA as well as the observed influence of sodium ions can be explained by their screening of the negatively charged DNA backbone and sticky ends, respectively. The final DNA length can be derived from a balance of the stored elastic energy of the overstretched molecules and the energy of adhesion.     

Sensorische Beurteilung des Bittergeschmacks von Amarogentin und Austauschm?glichkeiten gegen Chinin in Erfrischungsgetr?nken

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde mit Hilfe sensorischer Beurteilung der Einfluß von Saccharose, Anhydrocitronensäure und Limettearoma auf die Bitternote von Amarogentin, einem natürlichen Bitterstoff der Enzianwurzel, im Hinblick auf Austauschmöglichkeiten gegen Chinin in Erfrischungsgetränken, untersucht. Um die Austauschmöglichkeiten von Chinin durch Amarogentin beurteilen zu können, wurden die unterschiedlichen Bitterverläufe von Amarogentin und Chinin sensorisch beurteilt. Die Versuche ergaben, daß identische Bitternoten für Amarogentin und Chinin nicht zu erreichen waren. Darüber hinaus erwies sich Amarogentin gegenüber Konzentrationsänderungen von Citronensäure und Saccharose im Vergleich zu Chinin als wesentlich empfindlicher. Änderungen der Amarogentin-Konzentration hingegen hatten kaum Auswirkungen auf die Bitternote. Für Chinin ergaben sich ausschließlich Änderungen in der Intensität, nicht in der Bitternote. Amarogentin zeichnete sich durch eine abgerundete und reine Bitternote ohne störenden Nachgeschmack aus.

---

Sensory evaluation of the bitter taste of amarogentin and the feasibility of its exchange for quinine in soft drinks1. Influence of sucrose and anhydrous citric acid

Summary The influence of sucrose, anhydrous citric acid and lemon flavour on the bitter taste of amarogentin, a natural bitter-tasting component of gentian root, has been investigated. The investigation, based on sensory evaluation, is aimed at evaluating the possibility of exchanging amarogentin for quinine in soft drinks. To do this the different states of bitter taste of quinine and amarogentin had to be noted in a particular way. The tests showed the possibility of obtaining identical bitter tastes from quinine and amarogentin. Additionally, amarogentin proved to be much more sensitive to changes in concentration of anhydrous citric acid and sucrose than quinine. In contrast, different amarogentin concentrations did not produce remarkable effects on the bitter taste. With quinine, the sensory tests showed a change in intensity of the bitter taste with concentration. Amarogentin produced a well-rounded and pure bitter taste without any after-taste which could impair the quality.

     

A relation between Newton and Gauss-Newton steps for singular nonlinear equations

The Gauss-Newton step belonging to an appropriately chosen bordered nonlinear system is analyzed. It is proved that the Gauss-Newton step calculated after a sequence of Newton steps is equal to the doubled Newton step within the accuracy ofO(‖x?x ^*‖²). The theoretical insight given by the proof can be exploited to derive a Gauss-Newton-like algorithm for the solution of singular equations.     

Towards sensible toxicity testing for nanomaterials: proposal for the specification of test design

During the last decade, nanomaterials (NM) were extensively tested for potential harmful effects towards humans and environmental organisms. However, a sound hazard assessment was so far hampered by uncertainties and a low comparability of test results. The reason for the low comparability is a high variation in the (1) type of NM tested with regard to raw material, size and shape and (2) procedures before and during the toxicity testing. This calls for tailored, nanomaterial-specific protocols. Here, a structured approach is proposed, intended to lead to test protocols not only tailored to specific types of nanomaterials, but also to respective test system for toxicity testing. There are existing standards on single procedures involving nanomaterials, however, not all relevant procedures are covered by standards. Hence, our approach offers a detailed way of weighting several plausible alternatives for e.g. sample preparation, in order to decide on the procedure most meaningful for a specific nanomaterial and toxicity test. A framework of several decision trees (DT) and flow charts to support testing of NM is proposed as a basis for further refinement and in-depth elaboration. DT and flow charts were drafted for (1) general procedure—physicochemical characterisation, (2) choice of test media, (3) decision on test scenario and application of NM to liquid media, (4) application of NM to the gas phase, (5) application of NM to soil and sediments, (6) dose metrics, (S1) definition of a nanomaterial, and (S2) dissolution. The applicability of the proposed approach was surveyed by using experimental data retrieved from studies on nanoscale CuO. This survey demonstrated the DT and flow charts to be a convenient tool to systematically decide upon test procedures and processes, and hence pose an important step towards harmonisation of NM testing.     

Electrothermal Tristability Causes Sudden Burn-In Phenomena in Organic LEDs

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been established as a mature display pixel technology. While introducing the same technology in a large-area form factor to general lighting and signage applications, some key questions remain unanswered. Under high-brightness conditions, OLED panels were reported to exhibit nonlinear electrothermal behavior causing lateral brightness inhomogeneities and even regions of switched-back luminance. Also, the physical understanding of sudden device failure and burn-ins is still rudimentary. A safe and stable operation of lighting tiles, therefore, requires an in-depth understanding of these physical phenomena. Here, it is shown that the electrothermal treatment of thin-film devices allows grasping the underlying physics. Configurations of OLEDs with different lateral dimensions are studied as a role model and it is reported that devices exceeding a certain panel size develop three stable, self heating-induced operating branches. Switching between them causes the sudden formation of dark spots in devices without any preexisting inhomogeneities. A current-stabilized operation mode is commonly used in the lighting industry, as it ensures degradation-induced voltage adjustments. Here, it is demonstrated that a tristable operation always leads to destructive switching, independent of applying constant currents or voltages. With this new understanding of the effects at high operation brightness, it will be possible to adjust driving schemes accordingly, design more resilient system integrations, and develop additional failure mitigation strategies.