Dielectrical performance of high-k yttrium copper titanate thin films for electronic applications

The increasing constraints in the miniaturization of modern electronic devices is driving the search for new high-k dielectric materials. Rare-earth transition metal oxides are very interesting because of the large values of dielectric constant observed in bulk samples. Here, we report on a comparison among the dielectric properties of yttrium copper titanate (YCTO) thin films and those of commonly used dielectrics such as SiO₂ and MgO, grown in similar device structures. The YCTO permittivity was found to depend strongly on the oxygen pressure during deposition and can reach values even higher than those reported in bulk YCTO with good performances in terms of losses.     

On first integrals of second-order ordinary differential equations

Here we discuss first integrals of a particular representation associated with second-order ordinary differential equations. The linearization problem is a particular case of the equivalence problem together with a number of related problems such as defining a class of transformations, finding invariants of these transformations, obtaining the equivalence criteria, and constructing the transformation. The relationship between the integral form, the associated equations, equivalence transformations, and some examples are considered as part of the discussion illustrating some important aspects and properties.     

Zinc oxide nanoparticle induced genotoxicity in primary human epidermal keratinocytes

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens. Human epidermal keratinocytes may serve as the first portal of entry for these nanoparticles either directly through topically applied cosmetics or indirectly through any breaches in the skin integrity. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles in primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) as they are the most abundant cell type in the human epidermis. Cellular uptake of nanoparticles was investigated by scanning electron microscopy using back scattered electrons imaging as well as transmission electron microscopy. The electron microscopy revealed the internalization of ZnO nanoparticles in primary HEK after 6 h exposure at 14 microg/ml concentration. ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a time (6-24 h) as well as concentration (8-20 microg/ml) dependent inhibition of mitochondrial activity as evident by the MTT assay. A significant (p < 0.05) induction in DNA damage was observed in cells exposed to ZnO nanoparticles for 6 h at 8 and 14 microg/ml concentrations compared to control as evident in the Comet assay. This is the first study providing information on biological interactions of ZnO nanoparticles with primary human epidermal keratinocytes. Our findings demonstrate that ZnO nanoparticles are internalized by the human epidermal keratinocytes and elicit a cytotoxic and genotoxic response. Therefore, caution should be taken while using consumer products containing nanoparticles as any perturbation in the skin barrier could expose the underlying cells to nanoparticles.     

Tribological investigation of diamond-like carbon coated micro-dimpled surface under bovine serum and osteoarthritis oriented synovial fluid

Osteoarthritis-oriented synovial fluid (OASF), i.e., that typical of a patient with osteoarthritis, has different physical and biological characteristics than bovine serum (BS), a lubricant widely used in biotribological investigations. Micro-dimpled and diamond-like carbon- (DLC) coated surfaces are key emerging interfaces for orthopedic implants. In this study, tribological performances of dimpled surfaces, with and without DLC coating, have been investigated under both BS and OASF. The friction tests were performed utilizing a pin on a disk tribometer, whereas contact pressure, speed, and temperature were simulated to a ‘medium walking gait’ of hip joint conditions. The mechanical properties of the specimen and the physical properties of the lubricant were characterized before the friction test. Raman analysis was conducted to identify the coating condition both before and after the test. The DLC-coated dimpled surface showed maximum hardness and residual stress. A DLC-coated dimpled surface under an OASF lubricated condition yielded a lower friction coefficient and wear compared to those of plain and dimpled specimens. The higher graphitization of coated materials with increasing load was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.     

High impedance discrete delay-line readout circuit for silicon strip detector

A prototype 16-tap high impedance discrete delay-line readout circuit has been designed and fabricated for Si-strip detectors suitable for nuclear physics experiments involving moderate count rate applications. The delay-line offers a delay of 30 ns per tap with very good linearity. The energy resolution for -particles from ²⁴¹Am²³⁹Pu source is found to be satisfactory, when 16 strips are connected through the above readout circuit of a 32-strip Si-strip detector having a dead layer of 5 μm. This readout system is very useful where a large number of detectors are integrated in a compact space and accommodating their readout electronics is a cumbersome task.     

Priority Access Schemes Using CSMA-CD

Some CSMA-CD schemes for multiple priority message classes are suggested. For all the schemes, an approximate analytic technique for calculating the mean packet delay (for each priority) at the stable operating point of the system has been developed. The analytic results are tested against computer simulation. A Poisson packet arrival process and a general packet length distribution are considered. The mean packet retransmission delay is a general function of priority and the number of unsuccessful attempts. There is a variation in delay differences among priorities for the different schemes. This allows one to single out the particular scheme that is optimal for a given system delay requirement. Some of the priority schemes possess the desirable property of having less average delay compared to a corresponding nonpriority system.     

Structural,optical and magnetic characterisation of bifunctional core shell nanostructure of Fe3O4/CdS synthesised using a room temperature aqueous route

An aqueous route for the synthesis of bifunctional iron oxide hybrid core shell using CdS as the shell materials has been described. The as-grown particles have been characterised using X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), superconducting quantum interference device, optical absorbance and photoluminescence spectroscopy. HRTEM images demonstrated successful formation of the core–shell structure. The as-grown core shell structures have been shown to be strongly photoluminescent while retaining the room temperature superparamagnetic behaviour of the ferric oxide core.     

Dynamic active earth pressure on retaining structures

Earth-retaining structures constitute an important topic of research in civil engineering, more so under earthquake conditions. For the analysis and design of retaining walls in earthquake-prone zones, accurate estimation of dynamic earth pressures is very important. Conventional methods either use pseudo-static approaches of analysis even for dynamic cases or a simple single-degree of freedom model for the retaining wall-soil system. In this paper, a simplified two-degree of freedom mass-spring-dashpot (2-DOF) dynamic model has been proposed to estimate the active earth pressure at the back of the retaining walls for translation modes of wall movement under seismic conditions. The horizontal zone of influence on dynamic earth force on the wall is estimated. Results in terms of displacement, velocity and acceleration-time history are presented for some typical cases, which show the final movement of the wall in terms of wall height, which is required for the design. The non-dimensional design chart proposed in the present study can be used to compute the total dynamic earth force on the wall under different input ground motion and backfill conditions. Finally, the results obtained have been compared with those of the available Scott model and the merits of the present results have been discussed.     

Thrombin regulates PDGF expression in bovine glomerular endothelial cells

BACKGROUND: Hispanic populations have been shown to be at high risk for smoking. The complex psychological process of adaptation to a different culture (acculturation) has been linked to smoking among Hispanic adults and adolescents. Although a positive association between acculturation and smoking appears to depend on gender among adults, research with Hispanic adolescents has ignored the moderating effect of gender. METHODS: Students in 22 New York City schools completed self-report questionnaires and provided carbon monoxide breath samples at two annual assessments. Sixth and seventh graders who identified themselves as Hispanics participated in the study (N = 1,295 at baseline; N = 1,034 at 1-year follow-up). The questionnaire included items related to smoking, acculturation, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Analyses were conducted to determine the effects of linguistic acculturation and gender on smoking. Girls smoked more frequently than boys at both time points. Being more acculturated was also associated with more smoking at the two survey assessments. As predicted, adolescent smoking depended on both gender and linguistic acculturation. For girls, but not boys, the highly acculturated adolescents smoked more frequently than either the bilingual or the less acculturated. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, smoking prevention programs designed for Hispanic youth may benefit from an emphasis on Hispanic culture.