Effects of Bismuth Sesquioxide on the Characteristics of ZnO Varistors

The nonlinearity of ZnO varistors is significantly influenced by the Bi₂O₃ and Sb₂O₃ contents, as well as by the phase composition of the Bi₂O₃. Degradation of the current-voltage characteristics due to the applied voltage is not always lowered by the β—γ transition of the Bi₂O₃ phase. Lattice parameter determinations and stress analyses suggest that the Bi₂O₃-rich phase in multigrain junctions causes mechanical strain at the grain boundary which may play an important role in the current-voltage characteristics of ZnO varistors.     

Effects of Antimony Oxide on the Characteristics of ZnO Varistors

The breakdown voltage, the upturn voltage, and the nonlinearity of the ZnO varistors are significantly influenced by the Sb₂O₃ and SiO₂ contents, as well as by the β→γ transition of the Bi₂O₃ phase. The lattice parameter of spinel is influenced by the coexisting Bi₂O₃ phase. Antimony oxide disperses into the powders of ZnO and other additives in the early stage of sintering, and finally gathers again as particles of spinel which may play an important role in the improvement of the nonlinearity by stressing the interfaces of two ZnO grains.     

Dynamic scheduling system utilizing machine learning as a knowledge acquisition tool

Dynamic selection of scheduling rules during real operations has been recognized as a promising approach to the scheduling of the production line. For this strategy to work effectively, sufficient knowledge is required to enable prediction of which rule is the best to use under the current line status. In this paper, a new learning algorithm for acquiring such knowledge is proposed. In this algorithm, a binary decision tree is automatically generated using empirical data obtained by iterative production line simulations, and it decides in real time which rule to be used at decision points during the actual production operations. The configuration of the developed dynamic scheduling system and the learning algorithm are described in detail. Simulation results on its application to the dispatching problem are discussed with regard to its scheduling performance and learning capability.     

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator in maintenance hemodialysis patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias: A single-center experience

Patients with hemodialysis (HD) are at risk of death due to cardiac arrhythmias, worsening congestive heart failure (CHF), and noncardiac causes. This study reviews our experience with the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in patients with ventricular tachycardia who are under maintenance HD. We retrospectively reviewed 71 consecutive patients who underwent an ICD implantation in our hospital. There were 11 patients under maintenance HD and 60 patients without HD. The group of patients with HD (HD group) was compared with the patients without HD (control group). The mean follow-up period was 30±9 vs. 39±4 months in the HD group vs. the control group, respectively. Among these patients, 6 in the HD group and 26 in the control group received appropriate ICD therapies. There was no difference in appropriate ICD therapy, time to the first therapy, and electrical storm between the 2 groups. In the HD group, 1 patient underwent surgical removal of the ICD system due to infective endocarditis. There were 5 deaths in the HD group (4 from CHF) and 8 deaths in the control group (4 from CHF). There were no sudden cardiac deaths or arrhythmic deaths in both groups of patients during the follow-up period. However, the overall death rate was significantly higher in the HD group (P<0.01). In HD patients, ICD therapy prevented arrhythmic death, but their rate of nonarrhythmic adverse outcomes was high. This risk-benefit association should be considered before implantation of the device.     

利用显微X光CT对围压和孔隙水压条件下岩石试样的细微成像及其分析

 为得到岩石试样在各种围压和孔隙水压条件下的成像并分析其变形,利用显微X光CT系统获得具有5 mm高分辨率的三维图像。为此,设计和制造了一个可以对岩石试样同时加围压和孔隙水压的新型压力容器。用此容器,对高20 mm、直径10 mm的Berea砂岩及Noto硅藻泥岩试样施加静水压并使之变形。在各种围压和孔隙水压条件下,每隔15° 测试其径向尺寸。试样的平均直径随着有效围压的增长而单调减小。在此,有效围压被定义为围压和孔隙水压之差。随着有效围压的增加,其直径的变化根据不同的方向而不同,即其变形的各向异性特征得到了证实。Noto硅藻泥岩试样的各向异性比最大,达8%。实验结果表明,此显微X光CT方法可用来测试在各种围压和孔隙水压条件下一般方法很难测得、小或不规整试样的变形。