Saccadic overhead: information-processing time with and without saccades

Information-processing time was compared for serial and spatially distributed visual presentations with performance measures that permit the separation of total time into its during-display and post-display components. For all subjects, there was a significant saccadic overhead, that is, less time was required with the serial format, which allowed data access without eye movements. However, the magnitude of the overhead decreased as task complexity increased. All subjects were able to exercise some control over the distribution of total processing time, trading off short during-display times with longer post-display times and vice versa.     

Impedance of a monopole antenna over a ground plane and immersed in a magnetoplasma

A treatment of the input impedance of a monopole antenna over a ground plane covered with a magnetoplasma with any arbitrary direction of the static magnetic field is presented. The analysis is restricted to a cold plasma with uniaxial and quasi-static approximations. It has been found that for parallel and perpendicular directions of the static magnetic field with respect to the ground plane perfect mirror reflections can be obtained. For other directions of the static magnetic field, the reflection is birefringent so that the monopole impedance becomes modified over a dipole impedance. These modifications can be significant under hyperbolic plasma conditions. A short and a long monopole were considered. From laboratory measurements of a long monopole impedance, the resonance cone and the resonances corresponding to the antenna length have been observed.     

A self-aligned process for high-voltage, short-channel vertical DMOSFETs in 4H-SiC

In this paper, we describe a self-aligned process to produce short-channel vertical power DMOSFETs in 4H-SiC. By reducing the channel length to /spl les/0.5 /spl mu/m, the specific on-resistance of the MOSFET channel is proportionally reduced, significantly enhancing performance.     

Selective nanofiber deposition via electrodynamic focusing

In this paper, we demonstrate the effect of electrodynamic focusing through a gold-coated PDMS shadow mask on the selective deposition of electrospun nanofibers. Under a suitable applied voltage, the PDMS mask repels the fibers from its surface while simultaneously forcing them into micron-sized holes and onto a collecting substrate. The presented technique is simple and can be used to produce lithographic-scale nanofiber deposition using a wide range of materials.     

Sonochemical Synthesis of Two New Nano-structured Cadmium(II) Supramolecular Complexes

Nano-particles of two new Cd(II) supramolecular complexes, [Cd(4,4-di-tert-bubipy)Cl₂(DMSO)] (1) and [CdI₂(4,4′-dmbpy)(DMSO)] (2) have been synthesized by sonochemical process and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The structure of compound 1 has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The prepared nano-structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The nano-structures of supramolecular complexes have been synthesized with calcination of complexes at oleic acid as a surfactant at 190 ºC too. The size of the samples prepared by sonochemical method and calcination are about 30–40 and 40–50 nm respectively.     

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of unstiffened slender curved plates under uniform shear

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of curved plates under in-plane shear are investigated. After revisiting classic elastic buckling results, the elastoplastic postbuckling behavior and the effects of curvature parameter and aspect ratio are simulated via geometrical and material nonlinear analyses. Imperfection sensitivity is studied for various imperfection shapes and magnitudes. An increase in curvature parameter raises the elastic buckling load, produces unstable buckling and reduces postbuckling reserves. The buckling load and shear capacity are higher in shorter plates. Small initial imperfections are found to have severe effects on the initial buckling load of plates with large curvature parameter, but little effect on ultimate postbuckling capacity.     

Design of highly tough poly(l‐lactide)‐based ternary blends for automotive applications

Technical renewable poly(l ‐lactide) (PLA)‐based blends represent an elegant way to achieve attractive properties for engineering applications. Recently, the miscibility between PLA and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gave rise to new formulations with enhanced thermo‐mechanical properties but their high brittleness still remains a challenge to be overcome. This work here focuses on rubber‐toughened PLA/PMMA formulations for injection‐molding processes upon the addition of a commercially available ethylene‐acrylate impact modifier (BS). The miscibility between PLA and PMMA is not altered by the presence of BS but the incorporation of BS (17% by weight) into a PLA/PMMA matrix could enhance both ductility and toughness of PLA/PMMA blends for PMMA content up to 50 wt %. An optimum range of particle sizes (d_n ～0.5 µm) of the dispersed domains for high impact toughness is identified. These bio‐based ternary blends appear as promising alternatives to petro‐sourced blends such as ABS‐based blends in engineering injection‐molding parts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43402.     

Preparation,optimization, and characterization of simvastatin nanoparticles by electrospraying: An artificial neural networks study

The purpose of this study was to determine major factors impacting the size of simvastatin (SIM)‐loaded poly(d , l ‐lactic‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) that was prepared using electrospraying. Three variables including concentration of polymer and salt as well as solvent flow rate were used as input variables. Size of NPs was considered as output variable. For the first time, our findings using a systematic and experimental approach, showed the importance of salt concentration as the dominant factor determining the size with a sharp and reverse effect. Optimum formulation (i.e., flow rate 0.08 mL h^?1, polymer concentration 0.7 w/v %, and salt concentration 0.8 mM) was then evaluated for aqueous solubility, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, in vitro drug release pattern and cytotoxicity. A very appreciable encapsulation efficiency (90.3%) as well as sustained release profile, considerable enhancement in aqueous solubility (～5.8 fold) and high IC₅₀ (>600 µM of SIM‐loaded PLGA NPs) indicated PLGA as a promising nanocarrier for SIM. The optimum formulation had particle size, zeta potential value, polydispersity index (PDI) and drug loading of 166 nm, +3 mV, 0.62 and 9%, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43602.