HTc superconducting films of bismuth-strontium cuprate prepared by modified chemical deposition techniques

Abstract

The homogeneous solutions of meta-acrylates of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca, Cu were synthesized, and by spray-pyrolysis of the solutions and following annealing the high temperature superconducting Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x+Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x films were prepared on LaAlO₃ substrates. The connection was observed between annealing temperature, film thickness and type, quantity, and forms of impurity phases, such as strontium and calcium cuprates, calcium oxides, strontium oxides. The properties of these films (T_s ? 81 K, ΔT_s ? 1 K) were shown to take place in case if their microstructure consisted of scale-like plates forming [001] texture. Also, it was concluded that under optimum conditions the T_scould be raised to > 100 K in Bi–containing films     

Fractal dimensions for fatigue fracture surfaces performed on micro- and meso-scale levels

A methodology was developed to use digital photograph fracture for calculating the integral fractal dimension and spectrum fractal dimensions for two perpendicular directions. The fractal dimension value, which was discovered by the variation of the pixel size up until the fractal dimension became unchangeable, i.e., where d _\min,d _\max are the borders of the scale level used. The effectiveness of the methodology performed showed the basis of the fracture surface analyses for Al-based alloys BS L65 and 2024 T351 (analogous to Al alloy D16T), specimens of which were tested by pull-push with imitation fretting corrosion damage of the sur- face and with four-point bending after the laser peening, respectively.     

Micellar Hyaluronidase and Spiperone as a Potential Treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the lungs increases in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). HA is involved in the organization of fibrin, fibronectin, and collagen. HA has been proposed to be a biomarker of fibrosis and a potential target for antifibrotic therapy. Hyaluronidase (HD) breaks down HA into fragments, but is a subject of rapid hydrolysis. A conjugate of poloxamer hyaluronidase (pHD) was prepared using protein immobilization with ionizing radiation. In a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, pHD decreased the level of tissue IL-1β and TGF-β, prevented the infiltration of the lung parenchyma by CD16⁺ cells, and reduced perivascular and peribronchial inflammation. Simultaneously, a decrease in the concentrations of HA, hydroxyproline, collagen 1, total soluble collagen, and the area of connective tissue in the lungs was observed. The effects of pHD were significantly stronger compared to native HD which can be attributed to the higher stability of pHD. Additional spiperone administration increased the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of pHD and accelerated the regeneration of the damaged lung. The potentiating effects of spiperone can be explained by the disruption of the dopamine-induced mobilization and migration of fibroblast progenitor cells into the lungs and differentiation of lung mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into cells of stromal lines. Thus, a combination of pHD and spiperone may represent a promising approach for the treatment of IPF and lung regeneration.     

A liquid argon calorimeter prototype for forward region at the LHC

We report on the design and on beam test results of a liquid argon calorimeter prototype. This technology was proposed as an option for the forward region of an experiment at the future Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The measurements were performed using electrons from the ITEP PS with an energy range of 1 to 5 GeV.     

Cutting Inserts with a Discrete Cutting Edge for Rough Turning

Russian Engineering Research - Polyhedral cutting inserts with a discrete cutting edge are described. Such insert designs are considered for rough turning. Their performance is verified in...     

Radiation Monitoring as a Measure to Improve the Safety of Coal Mining

Instruments and Experimental Techniques - The need for radiation monitoring at coal-mining facilities with the aim of detecting high ionization of gas?dust mixture in the air of mines is...