Determination of breakdown rates and defect densities in SiO2

Breakdowns in SiO₂ have been classified as defect related, due to wear-out and intrinsic. However, techniques to ascertain defect densities and breakdown rates at defects have not been available, nor has the distinction between wear-out and defect- related or intrinsic breakdowns been clearly demonstrated. A particular problem has been the inability to distinguish defect types, i.e. defects having different breakdown rates. Another source of confusion has been the tacit assumption that breakdown field histograms obtained from ramp breakdown tests are independent of the ramp rate, which cannot be valid for finite breakdown rates. We obtained relationships specifying the statistics of breakdown, including the effect of defects. These actually derive from results describing a Markov death process and depend on the time integrals of breakdown rates in defect-free regions and at defects and on parameters describing the defect distributions. For Poisson distributions of the defect, these parameters are the mean number of defects per device for each defect type. Any breakdown test is described by the same relations since the nature of the test enters only through the time integral of the breakdown rates. If a wear-out mechanism is operative, then the breakdown rates will depend on the time explicitly, i.e. not only via the time dependences of the applied field and temperature. procedures for obtaining defect densities and breakdown rates follow from the derived dependence on these quantities of the expectation value of the fraction of devices broken down. Ramp tests at various ramp rates are advantageous for this purpose. The field dependence of the breakdown rates can be extracted directly from the experimental data and no a priori form for this dependence need be assumed. Experimental results obtained from multiple ramp breakdown tests will be presented. The field dependence of the breakdown rates is found to vary significantly from a simple exponential dependence. Following Klein, the effect of fluctuations on the breakdown rates will be considered qualitatively to rationalize their observed field dependence. No explicit time dependence of the breakdown rates is indicated over the range of field covered by the data, implying the absence of wear-out.     

The effects of divided attention on encoding processes in memory: Mapping the locus of interference.

Despite the detrimental effects of divided attention at encoding on later memory performance, results described in the literature do not unequivocally specify which processes are interrupted during encoding by participants' occupation with a concurrent task. Using a processing analysis framework where the encoding process is viewed as a multiphase mental activity, the current research investigated this issue using a new differential temporal interference paradigm where the study phase of single words was interrupted at different temporal segments. In two experiments, we used performance on both memory and online choice reaction time tasks to assess whether such differential interference would produce different degrees of reduction in participants' later memory performance, as well as changes in the attentional resources required to execute each of the encoding phases. Measures of memory and concurrent task performance in the two experiments converged on similar patterns, showing that all phases of encoding are affected by the concurrent task. However, the initial encoding phase, which is tentatively associated with the initial registration of information, seems especially vulnerable to interference. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response of high performance concrete plates to impact of non-deforming projectiles

The relatively recent technology, which enables the production of high strength concrete (HSC), makes HSC a prospective material for the construction of impact-resisting barriers. However, current penetration formulae are based on test data of normal strength concrete (NSC) and their extrapolation to higher concrete strengths is unsafe. The response of 80×80 cm high performance concrete (HPC) plate specimens to an impact of non-deforming steel projectiles was examined in an experimental study. The tests were planned with an aim to observe the influence of the concrete mix ingredients and amount and type of reinforcement on the performance of HSC under this type of loading. The variants that were examined were the aggregates (different types and maximum size), addition of micro-silica (MS) and steel fibers, and reinforcement details. The main findings show that design of HPC barriers to withstand impact loads involves several aspects. These are aimed at achieving enhanced properties of the structural element, where only one of which is the concrete's compressive strength.     

Adult age differences in memory performance: Tests of an associative deficit hypothesis.

An associative hypothesis to explain and predict older adults' deficient explicit episodic memory performance was outlined and tested. The hypothesis attributes a substantial part of older adults' deficient memory performance to their difficulty in merging unrelated attributes-units of an episode into a cohesive unit. Although each of the components can be memorized to a reasonable degree, the associations that tie the attributes-units to each other grow weaker in old age. Four experiments are reported that provide (a) a converging validity to the hypothesis by demonstrating this associative deficit for both interitem relationships and intraitem relationships and (b) a discriminant validity to the hypothesis by contrasting and testing competing predictions made by the associative hypothesis and by alternative hypotheses. The implications of these results to older adults' episodic memory performance are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nanometer‐Scale Mapping of Elastic Modules in Biogenic Composites: The Nacre of Mollusk Shells

In this study, a newly developed nanoscale modulus mapping is applied in order to visualize the 2D‐distribution of mechanical characteristics in the aragonitic nacre layer of Perna canaliculus (green mussel) shells. Modulus maps provide lateral resolution of about 10 nm. They allow the aragonitic mineral (CaCO₃) tablets and the interfaces between them to be clearly resolved, which are filled by an organic substance (mainly beta‐chitin). The experimental data are compared with finite element simulations that also take into account the tip radius of curvature and the thickness of organic layers, as measured by means of scanning electron microscopy with back‐scattered electrons. Based on this comparison, the Young modulus of beta‐chitin is extracted. The obtained number, E_β = 40 GPa, is higher than previously evaluated. The collected maps reveal that the elastic modules in the nacre layer change gradually across the ceramic/organic interfaces within a spatial range four times wider than the thickness of the organic layers. This is possibly due to inhomogeneous distribution of organic macromolecules within ceramic tablets. According to the data, the concentration of macromolecules gradually increases when approaching the organic/ceramic interfaces. A behavior of this type is unique to biogenic materials and distinguishes them from synthetic composite materials. Finally, three possible mechanisms that attempt to explain why gradual changes of elastic modules significantly enhance the overall resistance to fracture of the nacre layer are briefly discussed. The experimental findings support the idea that individual ceramic tablets, comprising the nacre, are built of the compositionally and functionally graded ceramic material. This sheds additional light on the origin of the superior mechanical properties of biogenic composites.     

Hydrogen effects on the spall strength and fracture characteristics of amorphous Fe-Si-B alloy at very high strain rates

A novel approach is suggested, using laser-induced shock wave measurements to estimate the effects of cathodic hydrogen charging on the mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of materials. This approach is applied to (1) determine the dominant mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in an amorphous Fe₈₀B₁₁Si₉ alloy; and (2) estimate the effects of the high pressures involved in cathodic charging. The dynamic spall strength of an amorphous Fe₈₀B₁₁Si₉ alloy shocked before and after hydrogenation by a high-power laser to very high pressures (tens of giga Pascals) is measured. The dynamic spall strength of crystalline iron is measured as well for comparison. An optically recording velocity interferometer system (ORVIS) is used to measure the profile of the free surface velocity in time. The spall strength and the strain rate are calculated from the measurement of the free surface velocity as a function of time. Fracture characteristics are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main conclusions are (1) the most reasonable mechanism of HE in the amorphous Fe-Si-B alloy is the high-pressure bubble formation; (2) the high pressures involved in cathodic hydrogen charging or laser-induced shock waves measurements may have similar effects on fracture characteristics; and (3) at very high strain rates, the spall strength is determined mainly by the interatomic bonds.     

Sabbatical leave: Who gains and how much?

A rigorous quasi-experiment tested the ameliorative effects of a sabbatical leave, a special case of respite from routine work. We hypothesized that (a) respite increases resource level and well-being and (b) individual differences and respite features moderate respite effects. A sample of 129 faculty members on sabbatical and 129 matched controls completed measures of resource gain, resource loss, and well-being before, during, and after the sabbatical. Among the sabbatees, resource loss declined and resource gain and well-being rose during the sabbatical. The comparison group showed no change. Moderation analysis revealed that those who reported higher respite self-efficacy and greater control, were more detached, had a more positive sabbatical experience, and spent their sabbatical outside their home country enjoyed more enhanced well-being than others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On some questions regarding k -regular and k -context-free sequences

We answer two questions of Allouche and Shallit regarding k-regular sequences and k-context-free sequences. One of these has been solved independently in another way by Bell. We also provide a partial solution to another question of Allouche and Shallit regarding the subword complexity of k-context-free sequences.