Particle atomic layer deposition of alumina for sintering yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia

The addition of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) as a sintering aid to yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) reduces the required densification temperature. Sintering aids are incorporated using a number of processes which can lead to ambiguity when determining the effect of the sintering aid on the densification mechanism. In this study, a novel method for sintering aid addition, Particle Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), was used to deposit an amorphous Al₂O₃ thin film on YSZ particles. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the deposition of conformal Al₂O₃ thin films on the surface of the YSZ particles. The addition of Al₂O₃ to YSZ reduced the temperature at which densification began by ~75°C, and 2.2 wt% Al₂O₃ addition resulted in a minimum activation energy for the intermediate stage of densification. This concentration is well in excess of the solubility limit of Al₂O₃ in YSZ, showing that Al₂O₃ does not enhance the densification of YSZ solely by dissolving into the YSZ lattice and activating volume diffusion. The addition of 0.7 wt% Al₂O₃ with one Particle ALD cycle enhanced the ionic conductivity of YSZ by 23% after sintering at 1350°C for 2 hours, demonstrating that dense parts with high oxygen ion conductivities can be produced after sintering at reduced temperatures. One Particle ALD cycle is a fast, easily scaled-up process that eliminates the use of solvents and has substantial cost/performance advantages over conventional processing.     

Volumetric three-dimensional display systems: their past, presentand future

Volumetric three-dimensional displays are those in which images are generated within a display volume, rather than upon a stationary surface. Since the images are physically three-dimensional, most visual depth cues are automatically satisfied, without the need for observers to wear special glasses or headgear. Moreover, an all-round view of the images is usually possible. Many ideas for volumetric displays have been proposed over the past 60 years or so, and some of these are discussed in this article. Potential applications for such displays are widespread and include fields from scientific and medical research is to engineering design and education     

"Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treament affect the clinician?": Correction to Voss Horrell et al. (2011).

Reports an error in "Treating traumatized OEF/OIF veterans: How does trauma treatment affect the clinician" by Sarah C. Voss Horrell, Dana R. Holohan, Lea M. Didion and G. Todd Vance (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2011[Feb], Vol 42[1], 79-86). The word “While” was erroneously inserted in the first sentence of the “Clinician Factors” section. The corrected sentence is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-04544-011.) The authors of this article describe the rewards and challenges for clinicians treating veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Issues of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout are defined and reviewed, as are compassion satisfaction and posttraumatic growth. Patient, clinician, and organizational characteristics that are likely to affect clinicians working with this clinical population are discussed. Patient factors that may increase strain on clinicians are discussed such as age, likelihood of redeployment, comorbid conditions, attendance issues, and elevated risk for suicide and aggression. Clinician factors, such as theoretical orientation, training, supervision, military affiliation, personal trauma history, spirituality, social support, and self-care, are also discussed as possible risk and protective factors for vicarious trauma and burnout. Organizational influences, such as caseload size and diversity, clinician control and autonomy, use of evidence-based practices, availability of resources, rural isolation, and the philosophy of the clinic, are further discussed. Recommendations for ameliorating risks are discussed relative to each area and include allowing clinicians to plan their own appointments so as to balance their caseload of OEF/OIF veterans, attending to self-care practices, and having a supportive team with thorough training in evidence-based practices. Future empirical research is needed on risk and resiliency factors for clinicians working with traumatized OEF/OIF veterans given that this population is likely to grow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mobile manipulators for assisted living in residential settings

We describe a methodology for creating new technologies for assisted living in residential environments. The number of eldercare clients is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade as the baby boom generation approaches 65 years of age. The UMass/Smith ASSIST framework aims to alleviate the strain on centralized medical providers and community services as their clientele grow, reduce the delays in service, support independent living, and therefore, improve the quality of life for the up-coming elder population. We propose a closed loop methodology wherein innovative technical systems are field tested in assisted care facilities and analyzed by social scientists to create and refine residential systems for independent living. Our goal is to create technology that is embraced by clients, supports efficient delivery of support services, and facilitates social interactions with family and friends. We introduce a series of technologies that are currently under evaluation based on a distributed sensor network and a unique mobile manipulator (MM) concept. The mobile manipulator provides client services and serves as an embodied interface for remote service providers. As a result, a wide range of cost-effective eldercare applications can be devised, several of which are introduced in this paper. We illustrate tools for social interfaces, interfaces for community service and medical providers, and the capacity for autonomous assistance in the activities of daily living. These projects and others are being considered for field testing in the next cycle of ASSIST technology development.

Application of Ion-Scattering Spectroscopy to Catalyst Characterization

The study of surfaces has evolved in the last decade from a virtually dormant field to one that is vibrant with new ideas and technologies. In the past, the only useful information to be gained from surface techniques was physical in nature, i.e., surface area determination, pore size distributions, film thickness, and surface roughness. No chemical information could be obtained. Today, with the advent of spectroscopic methods, it is possible to gather a variety of information regarding the chemical nature of the surface. Examples of such information include oxidation state determinations, structural effects, and elemental and atomic analysis.     

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with adult ethnic minority clients: A review.

Practicing psychologists may question the relevance of cognitive- behavioral treatments for their ethnic minority clients. Many cognitive- behavioral treatments are listed as empirically supported treatments by the Task Force on the Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures (D. L. Chambless et al., 1998). However, the samples in these effectiveness studies are composed primarily of White European American individuals. There is a paucity of research examining the effectiveness of cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT) for ethnic minority clients. The author reviews the current literature on the use of CBT with ethnic minority clients living in the United States, specifically those of African, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino descent. Twelve studies are reviewed that examined the effectiveness of CBT for ethnic minority participants with a variety of psychological disorders. Recommendations for conducting and evaluating clinical outcome research that includes ethnic minority participants are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)