Compositional and structural evolution of sputtered Ti-Al-N

The compositional and structural evolution of Ti-Al-N thin films as a function of the total working gas pressure (p_T), the N₂-to-total pressure ratio (p_N2/p_T), the substrate-to-target distance (ST), the substrate position, the magnetron power current (I_m), the externally applied magnetic field, and the energy and the ion-to-metal flux ratio of the ion bombardment during reactive sputtering of a Ti_0.5Al_0.5 target is investigated in detail. Based on this variation we propose that the different poisoning states of the Ti and Al particles of the powder-metallurgically prepared Ti_0.5Al_0.5 target in addition to scattering and angular losses of the sputter flux cause a significant modification in the Al/Ti ratio of the deposited thin films ranging from ~ 1.05 to 2.15.The compositional variation induces a corresponding structural modification between single-phase cubic, mixed cubic-hexagonal and single-phase hexagonal. However, the maximum Al content for single-phase cubic Ti_1−xAl_xN strongly depends on the deposition conditions and was obtained with x = 0.66, for the coating deposited at 500 °C, p_T = 0.4 Pa, ST = 85 mm, and p_N2/p_T = 17%. Our results show, that in particular, the N₂-to-total pressure ratio in combination with the sputtering power density of the Ti_0.5Al_0.5 compound target has a pronounced effect on the Al/Ti ratio and the structure development of the coatings prepared.     

An analytic framework for performance modeling of software transactional memory

Analytic models based on discrete-time Markov chains (DTMC) are proposed to assess the algorithmic performance of Software Transactional Memory (TM) systems. Base STM variants are compared: optimistic STM with inplace memory updates and write buffering and pessimistic STM. Starting from an absorbing DTMC, closed-form analytic expressions are developed, which are quickly solved iteratively to determine key parameters of the considered STM systems, like the mean number of transaction restarts and the mean transaction length. Since the models reflect complex transactional behavior in terms of read/write locking, data consistency checks and conflict management independent of implementation details, they highlight the algorithmic performance advantages of one system over the other, which – due to their at times small differences – are often blurred by implementation of STM systems and even difficult to discern with statistically significant discrete-event simulations.     

Green hydropower: a new assessment procedure for river management

Hydropower is the most important renewable electricity source worldwide. It shows clear advantages for the global CO₂ balance but creates serious ecological impacts on a local scale. As a consequence, concern for the conservation of natural river ecosystems is growing within society and more people are willing to pay extra for so‐called ‘green electricity’. The definition of ‘green’, however, is not straightforward and customers cannot directly examine the quality of electricity products. Therefore, credible certification of high ecological standards is essential for successful green electricity marketing. In this paper we introduce a new assessment procedure for evaluating environmentally compatible hydropower production. This so‐called ‘Green Hydro’ concept was developed in the context of a multidisciplinary case study on a 400 MW hydropower scheme in the Southern Alps of Switzerland. The concept guarantees both general standards for different schemes operating in different types of watersheds and flexibility for local particularities. We developed an environmental management matrix that considers basic criteria and eco‐investments and covers five environmental areas of concern (i.e. hydrological character, connectivity, morphology, landscape, and biological communities). The ecological perspective is complemented by five management domains (i.e. instream flow regimes, hydropeaking, reservoir and bedload management, and power plant structures). Applying assessment and modelling tools for the Green Hydro procedure showed that dynamic habitat models allowed quantification of the effects of different instream flow regulations at morphologically distinct sites. In this case, morphological restoration could be more beneficial than increasing the minimum flow. The first experience with the Green Hydro certification is encouraging. So far, 13 facilities have successfully passed the certification procedure. They produce a total of 186 GWh green electricity per year, which is sufficient for the supply of almost 40 000 households in Switzerland. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Fcgamma receptor-mediated respiratory burst of rolling neutrophils to cytokine-activated, immune complex-bearing endothelial cells depends on L-selectin but not on E-selectin

Intracellular H2O2 generation, as a measure of the respiratory burst, was determined after stimulation of neutrophils by immune complex (IC)-bearing human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Under static conditions, neutrophils basically responded to the immune deposits on resting endothelial cells. The rotating shear forces of approximately 0.7 dynes/cm2, corresponding to the physiological flow in postcapillary venules, completely abolished this basal H2O2 generation. After activation of the IC-bearing endothelial layers with interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or both, for 4 hours, rolling adhesion of the neutrophils was induced, accompanied by considerable H2O2 production. The neutrophil respiratory burst was prominently inhibited by anti-FcgammaRIII MoAb 3G8 (72.4%), and partially by MoAb 2E1 against FcgammaRII (38.5%). Both MoAbs together inhibited the Fc-mediated H2O2 generation by 93. 4%. The respiratory burst and rolling adhesion were markedly blocked by MoAb LAM1-3 against L-selectin (91.3%), whereas the nonfunctional anti-L-selectin MoAb LAM1-14 was ineffective. F(ab)2' fragments of MoAb 7A9 against E-selectin inhibited neutrophil rolling by 98.6%, but not the respiratory burst. Moreover, rolling adhesion of neutrophils and the related oxidative burst were CD11b/CD18- independent. In summary, L-selectin has a unique auxiliary function in triggering the FcgammaR-mediated respiratory burst of rolling neutrophils to IC-bearing endothelial cells, thereby substituting CD11b/CD18 under conditions of flow.     

Synthesis and conductivities of (μ-cyano)phthalocyaninatometal compounds

A review of the synthesis and characterization of a new type of stacked, bridged macrocyclic metal complexes, the (μ-cyano)phthalocyaninatometal compounds [PcMCN]_n (2) is given. By using the routes described in Fig. 3 the polymers were synthesized with M = Co³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn³⁺ and Cr³⁺ as the central metal ion. The compounds were characterized by IR, far-IR, UV, thermal and elemental analysis, and partly by ¹H NMR and FD (field desorption) mass spectroscopy.[PcCoCN] (2a) and [PcFeCN]_n (2b) exhibit d.c. room temperature conductivities around 10^?2 S/cm without doping, thereby showing conductivities which are in the same range as the iodine-doped phthalocyaninatosiloxanes [PcSiO]_n.     

Polyplexes of polyethylenimine and per-N-methylated polyethylenimine-cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency

For non-viral gene delivery, the carriers for DNA transfer into cells must be vastly improved. The branched cationic polymer polyethylenimine has been described as an efficient gene carrier. However, polyethylenimine was demonstrated to mediate substantial cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating per-N-methylated polyethylenimine, which is thought to have a much lower cytotoxicity due to its lower charge density. Results from a gel retardation assay and laser light scattering indicated that per-N-methylated polyethylenimine condenses DNA into small and compact nanoparticles with a mean diameter <150 nm. Furthermore, polyplexes of polyethylenimine and per-N-methylated polyethylenimine with DNA had a positive zeta potential and the polymers protected DNA from nuclease-mediated digestion. The transfection efficiency of polyethylenimine and per-N-methylated polyethylenimine was tested in CHO-K1 cells. Using green fluorescent protein as reporter gene and flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrated that per-N-methylated polyethylenimine has a lower cytotoxicity, but also a significantly lower transfection efficiency. Using propidium iodide staining, we could additionally distinguish between viable and dead cells. At NP > or = 12, per-N-methylated polyethylenimine showed a much higher cell viability and the ratio of viable and transfected cells to dead and transfected cells was about 1.5 to 1.7 fold higher than for polyethylenimine. The results of cell viability from flow cytometry analysis were confirmed by the MTS assay. Using luciferase reporter gene for transfection experiments, the gene expression of per-N-methylated polyethylenimine was lower at NP 6, 12 and 18 as compared to polyethylenimine, but at NP 24 it yielded similar levels.