High-performance La-doped BCZT thin film capacitors on LaNiO3/Pt composite bottom electrodes with ultra-high efficiency and high thermal stability

Dielectric capacitors possessing large energy storage density, high efficiency and high thermal stability simultaneously are very attractive in modern electronic devices to be operated in harsh environment. Here, it is demonstrated that large energy storage density (W?～?15.5?J/cm³), ultra-high efficiency (η ～93.7%) and high thermal stability (the variation of both W from 20?°C to 260?°C and η from 20?°C to 140?°C is less than 5%) have been simultaneously achieved in the La-doped (Ba_0.904Ca_0.096)_0.9775+xLa_0.015(Zr_0.136Ti_0.864)O₃ (x?=?0.0075) lead-free relaxor ferroelectric thin film capacitors deposited on LaNiO₃/Pt composite bottom electrodes by using a sol-gel method. The good energy storage property of the thin film capacitors at x?=?0.0075 is mainly ascribed to the diversity of the structure of the nano-clusters around the three-phases coexisting component point (Ba_0.904Ca_0.096)(Zr_0.136Ti_0.864)O₃ where cubic, tetragonal and rhombohedral phases coexisted, as well as the ultra-high quality of thin film due to the utilization of the LaNiO₃/Pt composite bottom electrode, making it a promising candidate for dielectric capacitors working in harsh environments.     

Cardiology education using hypermedia and digital imagery.

A computer-based educational system for the study of cardiovascular imaging is described. This system, based on HyperCard * and a standard Macintosh II, integrates hypertext retrieval, computer graphics, sound, and medical images into a single interactive environment stored on a standard hard disk. This 'hypermedia' approach allows arbitrary complexity coupled with direct, immediate, easy traversal of the images and related text, which provides the opportunity for students to move at their own pace, choose their own direction through the material and repeat as often as desired. Storage on magnetic medium allows for easy updating with new studies and material in order to keep pace with advances in medical imaging technology. The system could be mastered onto CD-ROM for ease of distribution if so desired. The system includes a tutorial on the basics of digital image representation and example studies from cineangiography, nuclear medicine, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. Quantitative techniques for evaluation of left ventricular function are explained using computer graphics overlays on the original medical images. Color encoded functional images are also included as an aid to visualization of ventricular performance data. The system has proven useful as a primer for digital imaging in cardiology prior to specific case study in a traditional mentor relationship.     

The morphology and pathology of Besnoitia sp. in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

In this prospective study the authors analysed the prognostic value of monitoring patency of the feedings vessels of the fibular graft, implanted into the femoral head to treat aseptic necrosis. In 26 patients (29 hips) we applied a three phase 99Tc-MDP Bone Scanning in the seventh postoperative day. One week later; 18 patients had a digital subtraction angiography of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and its branches. The patients were followed for average time of 22 months. The average Harris Hip Score of the affected hips improved clinically from 69.5 to 93.5. The vessels were patent prior to the wound closure. Phase I of the bone scan served as "radionuclide angiogram" and demonstrated patent vessels in all about three hips. The digital arteriograms demonstrated patent anastomotic sites in 15 out of 18 hips. Only in four of the fifteen arteriograms the vessels were visualized throughout the length of the graft. Two of the three hips with negative arteriograms have also had negative bone scans, both in patients with haemoglobinopathies. None of the patients required further surgery because of failure of the procedure. This study demonstrated that the phase I of the bone scan at the end of the first week postoperatively is very sensitive means for monitoring the viability of the graft. Digital arteriograms although more specific, were less sensitive. Early postoperative monitoring of the graft viability maintained high predictive value for the outcome of the treatment in the medium-term.     

Neural network solutions to the tool condition monitoring problem in metal cutting—A critical review of methods

A wide range of cutting tool monitoring techniques have been proposed and developed in the last decade, but only a few have found industrial applications, and a truly universally applicable system has still to be developed. In this paper a review of tool condition monitoring (TCM) systems, developed or implemented through application of neural networks, is provided. The review seeks to illustrate the extent of application of neural networks and the need for multiple source sensor signals in TCM systems. A critical analysis of methods is included and the trend in obtained results outlined.     

Nylon 66, Nylon 46, and Pet Phase-Transfer-Catalyzed Alkaline Depolymerization at Atmospheric Pressure

The depolymerization of PET, nylon 66, and nylon 46 at high temperatures in an autoclave is well known in the patent literature. We sought to invent processes for the depolymerization of PET, nylon 66, and nylon 46 in alkaline solutions at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. A method was developed for the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which involved the use of quarternary ammonium salt phase-transfer catalysts in saponification processes at atmospheric pressure and temperatures as low as room temperature. Phenyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, trioctylmethylammonium chloride, and trioctylmethylammonium bromide were found to be effective catalysts for the depolymerization of PET in 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions at temperatures as high as 80°C and atmospheric pressure to form terephthalic acid in yields as high as 93%. The catalyst could be recycled. The alkaline phase-transfer-catalysis approach was then successfully applied for the depolymerizations of nylon 66 and nylon 46. Benzyltrimethylammonium bromide was discovered to be an effective phase-transfer catalyst in 50 wt.% sodium hydroxide solution for the conversion of nylon 46 to oligomers. The collected nylon 46 oligomers were repolymerized using solid-state polymerization techniques to form high-molecular-weight nylon 46. Nylon 66 fibers were depolymerized in the presence of benzyltrimethylammonium bromide in 50% sodium hydroxide to form oligomers and a monomer. Adipic acid was isolated.     

SCTP: What, Why, and How

Similar to TCP and UDP, the stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) is a transport protocol providing end-to-end communication. SCTP was originally designed within the IETF Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN) working group to address TCP's shortcomings relating to telephony signaling over IP networks. SCTP has since evolved into a general-purpose IETF transport protocol with kernel implementations on various platforms. Similar to TCP, SCTP provides a connection-oriented, reliable, full- duplex, congestion and flow-controlled layer 4 channel. Unlike both TCP and UDP, however, SCTP offers new delivery options that better match diverse applications' needs. Here, we introduce SCTP, discuss its innovative services, and outline ongoing SCTP-related research and standardization activities.