Efficient algorithms for selection of recovery points in tree taskmodels

Efficient solutions to the problem of optimally selecting recovery points are developed. The solutions are intended for models of computation in which task precedence has a tree structure and a task may fail due to the presence of faults. An algorithm to minimize the expected computation time of the task system under a uniprocessor environment has been developed for the binary tree model. The algorithm has time complexity of O(N₂), where N is the number of tasks, while previously reported procedures have exponential time requirements. The results are generalized for an arbitrary tree model     

High-breakdown-voltage AlInAs/GaInAs junction-modulated HEMT's(JHEMT's) with regrown ohmic contacts by MOCVD

A technology for increasing both the two-terminal gate-drain breakdown and subsequently the three-terminal-off-state breakdown of AlInAs/GaInAs high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) to record values without substantial impact on other parameters is presented. The breakdown in these structures is dependent on the multiplication of electrons injected from the source (channel current) and the gate (gate leakage) into the channel. In addition, holes are generated by high fields at the drain and are injected back into the gate and source electrodes. These phenomena can be suppressed by increasing the gate barrier height and alleviating the fields at the drain. Both have been achieved by incorporating a p⁺-2DEG junction as the gate that modulates the 2DEG gas and by utilizing selective regrowth of the source and drain regions by MOCVD. The 1-μm-gate-length devices fabricated have two-terminal gate-drain and three-terminal-off-state breakdown voltages of 31 V and 28 V, respectively     

Loss of precious metal from Pt-Rh alloy under refractory oxide environments

Loss of precious metals from a Pt-10 wt% Rh alloy was studied at 1300° C in refractory oxides and fused quartz environments. After 60 and 150 h annealings, samples exposed to gaseous environments showed significant weight loss. The surface was attacked and characterized by micron-sized pits, as well as river-like striations. The pits were found to be enriched with silicon and/or aluminium depending upon the heating environment. Laser Raman microprobe identified that the major compound formed in the pits is -cristobalite.Direct solid state contact of Pt-Rh with Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ showed interactions between materials. The interaction was more extensive between Pt-Rh with SiO₂ than with Al₂O₃. On the other hand, no evidence of interaction except pitting and striation was observed on Pt-Rh when exposed to a vapour environment.The presence of pits and striation patterns indicated that refractory oxides attacked Pt-Rh under atmospheric conditions, and gave rise to the weight loss. Calculation of weight loss by an oxidation mechanism shows one to two orders of magnitude lower value than the actual weight loss. A new loss mechanism is proposed and discussed in this article.     

Chemical composition and bond structure of carbon-nitride films deposited by CH4/N2 dielectric barrier discharge

Carbon nitride films have been deposited by dielectric barrier discharge with a CH₄/N₂ gas mixture at different conditions. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ellipsometry were used to systematically study chemical composition, bond structure and surface morphology of deposited films. Various bonds between carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and also oxygen were observed.     

A study of the cu clusters using gray-coded genetic algorithms and differential evolution

Energy minimization studies were carried out for a number of Cu clusters using binary and Gray-coded genetic algorithms along with real coded differential evolution, and their optimized ground state geometries are presented. The potential energy function is constructed using a two-body interaction methodology, involving both attractive and repulsive pair-potential terms. The results obtained through the evolutionary algorithms are compared against those obtained earlier using a Monte Carlo technique.     

Preparation and characterization of rubber‐toughened poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposite

Rubber‐toughened poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)–organoclay nanocomposite (RTPTTCN) was prepared by a melt mixing technique. The rubber‐toughened PTT (RTPTT) was made by blending it with ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) and with a small amount of maleated EPDM as a compatibilizer. XRD and TEM analysis indicated that the RTPTTCN forms a partially exfoliated nanocomposite. It was observed from SEM analysis that the clay nanoparticles induced a reduction of rubber particle size in the PTT matrix. Tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the clay nanoparticles enhance the stiffness of the RTPTT without adversely affecting its toughness. Melt rheological studies revealed that the nanocomposites exhibited strong shear thinning behavior, and a percolated network of the clay particles was formed. It was also observed from DSC that the clay nanoparticles caused an increase in the nonisothermal crystallization temperature of the PTT. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:863–870, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

2,2′-oxo-1,1′-azobenzene: microbial transformation of rye (Secale cereale L.) allelochemical in field soils byAcinetobacter calcoaceticus: III

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, a gram-negative bacterium isolated from field soil, was found to be responsible for the biotransformation of 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) to 2,2-oxo-1,1-azobenzene (AZOB). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the transformation of BOA to AZOB by this microbe in sterile and nonsterile soil. Transformation studies with soils inoculated withA. calcoaceticus indicated that the production of AZOB increased linearly with the concentration of BOA in sterile soil and showed a quadratic trend in nonsterile soils. This also indicated that all soil types studied for the transformation experiments might containA. calcoaceticus capable of the conversion of benzoxazolinones.     

Living carbocationic polymerization

Summary The living synthesis of ,-di-tert.-chloropolyisobutylene ( ^t -Cl-telechelic PIB) has been accomplished by the use of the sterically hindered bifunctional initiator 1,3-di-(2-methoxy-2-propyl)-5-tert.-butylbenzene (tBu-m-DiCuOMe) in conjunction with BC1₃ coinitiator in CH₃Cl or CH₂Cl₂ diluents at –30°C and –10°C. The living nature of the polymerizations was demonstrated by linear ¯M_n versus W_PIB (g of PIB formed) plots starting at the origin and horizontal N (number of PIB moles) versus W_PIB plots. The molecular weight distributions are narrow (¯M_W/¯M_n < 2.0) and tend to decrease with increasing molecular weights. Number average end functionalities have been quantitated and found to be ¯F_n = 2.0±0.1.     

Phase characterization and mechanical and flame‐retarding properties of nano‐CaSO4/polypropylene and nano‐Ca3(PO4)2/polypropylene composites

An in situ deposition approach was used for the synthesis of nano‐CaSO₄ and nano‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂. The nanosize particles were confirmed with an X‐ray diffraction technique. Composites of polypropylene (PP) with 0.1–0.5 wt % nano‐ or commercial CaSO₄ or nano‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂ were prepared. The transition from the α phase to the β phase was observed for 0.1–0.3 wt % nano‐CaSO₄/PP and nano‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂/PP composites. This was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared. A differential scanning calorimetry analysis was carried out to determine the thermal behavior of the nanocomposites with increasing amounts of the nano‐CaSO₄ and nano‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂ fillers. Increases in the tensile strength and Young's modulus were observed up to certain loading and were followed by a decrease in the tensile strength. A continuous decrease in the elongation at break (%) was also observed for commercial CaSO₄ and larger nano‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂. A decrease in the mechanical properties after a certain loading might have been due to the agglomeration and phase transition of PP in the composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 670–680, 2007     

Electron Microscopy of Annealed (Ni,Zn,Co)Fe2O4

( Ni,Zn)Fe₂O₄ samples containing small amounts of Co were characterized in a transmission electron microscope to ascertain the micro structural changes accompanying low-temperature oxidation of the samples. Although no new features resulting from oxidation were observed, prominent surjace reduction occurred in the thin foil specimens. Formation and growth of Ni particles on the ferrite surface are explained using the heats of formation of the oxides.²