Determination of Binder Decomposition Kinetics for Specifying Heating Parameters in Binder Burnout Cycles

The decomposition kinetics of poly(vinyl butyral) binder from barium titanate multilayer ceramic capacitors with platinum metal electrodes were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis as a function of the heating rate. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the decomposition kinetics were determined from two types of integral equations, from the Redhead method, and from the variation in heating rate method. The accuracy of the kinetic parameters determined from these methods was then evaluated for describing the observed rate of binder decomposition. Although the individual models yielded very different kinetic parameters, all were capable of describing the experimental data within ±15% accuracy. The kinetic parameters were then used in a coupled transport and kinetic model for describing the buildup of pressure within the ceramic green body as a function of the heating cycle. A methodology based on calculus of variations was also developed to predict the minimum duration for the binder burnout cycle.     

Games to induce specified equilibria

Media access protocols in wireless networks require each contending node to wait for a backoff time, chosen randomly from a fixed range, before attempting to transmit on a shared channel. However, nodes acting in their own selfish interest may not follow the protocol. In this paper, a static version of the problem is modeled as a strategic game played by non-cooperating, rational players (the nodes). The objective is to design a game which exhibits a unique, a priori mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium. In the context of the media access problem, the equilibrium of the game would correspond to nodes choosing backoff times randomly from a given range of values, according to the given distribution. We consider natural variations of the problems concerning the number of actions available to the players and show that it is possible to design such a game when there are at least two players that each have the largest number of possible actions among all players. In contrast, we show that if there are exactly two players with different number of actions available to them, then it becomes impossible to design a strategic game with a unique such Nash equilibrium.     

Biogenic copper nanoparticles promote the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Environmental pollution and toxicity have been increasing due to the overuse of chemical fertilisers, which has encouraged nanotechnologists to develop eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers. The authors demonstrated the effect of biogenic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). The UV–visible analysis showed absorbance at 615 nm. Nanoparticle tracking and analysis revealed particle concentration of 2.18 × 10⁸ particles/ml, with an average size of 33 nm. Zeta potential was found to be −16.7 mV, which showed stability. X‐ray diffraction pattern depicted the face centred cubic structure of CuNPs; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the capping due to acidic groups, and transmission electron micrograph showed nanoparticles with size 20–30 nm. The effect of CuNPs (20 ppm) on plant growth was studied, for the absorption of CuNPs by plants on photosynthesis, which was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence using Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser. CuNPs treatment showed a remarkable increase in height, root length, fresh and dry weights and performance index of seedlings. The overall growth of plants treated with CuNPs after 4 weeks was recorded. The results revealed that inoculation of CuNPs contribute growth and development of pigeon pea due to growth promoting activity of CuNPs.Inspec keywords: pollution, toxicology, nanotechnology, cropsOther keywords: biogenic copper nanoparticles, pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan L, environmental pollution, toxicity, chemical fertilisers, nanotechnologists, eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers, cash crop, UV‐visible analysis, nanoparticle tracking, zeta potential, X‐ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, acidic groups, transmission electron micrograph, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, fluorescence, Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser, performance index     

Learning-theoretic perspectives of acceptable numberings

A class of recursive functionsC islimiting standardizable, in a programming system , iff there is an effective procedure which, given any -program (in the -system), synthesizes in the limit acanonical -program which is equivalent to the former. It can arguably be expected that notions similar to the above one would be relevant toGold-style function learning, which features, among other things, the effective limiting synthesis of programs for input recursive functions. Many learning classes have been characterized in terms of variants of the above notion. In this paper, we focus on the limiting standardizability of the entire class of recursive functions inEffective programming systems. To start with, we prove the independence of this notionvis-à-vis finitary recursion theorems. Secondly, we show that this motion does not entail acceptability, in the spirit of the results of Case, Riccardi and Royer on characterizations of the samevis-à-vis programming language control structures.     

Distributed algorithms for barrier coverage using relocatable sensors

We study the barrier coverage problem using relocatable sensor nodes. We assume each sensor can sense an intruder or event inside its sensing range. Sensors are initially located at arbitrary positions on the barrier and can move along the barrier. The goal is to find final positions for sensors so that the entire barrier is covered. In recent years, the problem has been studied extensively in the centralized setting. In this paper, we study a barrier coverage problem in the distributed and discrete setting. We assume that we have n identical sensors located at grid positions on the barrier, and that each sensor repeatedly executes a Look-Compute-Move cycle: based on what it sees in its vicinity, it makes a decision on where to move, and moves to its next position. We make two strong but realistic restrictions on the capabilities of sensors: they have a constant visibility range and can move only a constant distance in every cycle. In this model, we give the first two distributed algorithms that achieve barrier coverage for a line segment barrier when there are enough nodes in the network to cover the entire barrier. Our algorithms are synchronous, and local in the sense that sensors make their decisions independently based only on what they see within their constant visibility range. One of our algorithms is oblivious whereas the other uses two bits of memory at each sensor to store the type of move made in the previous step. We show that our oblivious algorithm terminates within \(\varTheta (n^2)\) steps with the barrier fully covered, while the constant-memory algorithm is shown to take \(\varTheta (n)\) steps to terminate in the worst case. Since any algorithm in which a sensor can only move a constant distance in one step requires \(\varOmega (n)\) steps on some inputs, our second algorithm is asymptotically optimal.     

跨国建设投资项目协同管理的多元策略

随着上海经济的迅猛发展,建设工程项目市场全球化的趋势愈演愈烈,在沪投资的国际工程项目越来越多。这些外资投资项目在为我国建设企业引入新的管理理念和技术的同时,也与我国传统的建设项目管理模式发生着碰撞。为此,亟待根据我国建设企业项目管理现状,构建适应跨国投资项目良性运作的协同管理体系。     

Synthesis of 16-Epiestriol and its Radiolabeling Procedure

To explore novel synthetic routes of 16-epiestriol (Estra-1, 3, 5(10)-triene-3, 16β, 17β-triol), we used the estrone as the starting material. After some simple synthetic steps, 16-epiestriol was yielded. Identification and purity of intermediates in the synthetic routes were characterized by melting point and ¹H NMR spectrum analysis, respectively. In addition, the structure of 16-epiestriol was modified and radiolabeled with¹⁸F-fluoride to yield¹⁸F-FES. The corresponding quality control analysis of the injection were performed. The yield of two synthetic routes of 16-epiestriol were about 20% starting from estrone. Radiosynthesis of¹⁸F-FES was finished in 60 minutes with a radiochemical yield of (30±4)% and radiochemical purity greater than 99%. The¹⁸F-FES injection was colorless and clear and the pH value was 6.5-7.5. The specific activity of the injection saline was (1.75±0.25) Ci/μmol. In this study, 16-Epiestriol was yielded with a relatively high yield in two novel routes.¹⁸F-FES was finally yielded after structure modification of 16-epiestriol and the corresponding radiolabeling procudure. The quality control results of the¹⁸F-FES injection could meet the need in clinical examination.     

Reactive extraction of itaconic acid using tri‐n‐butyl phosphate and aliquat 336 in sunflower oil as a non‐toxic diluent

Itaconic acid finds a place in various industrial applications. It can be produced by biocultivation in a clean and environment friendly route but recovery of the acid from the dilute stream of the bioreactor is an economic problem. Reactive extraction is a promising method to recover carboxylic acid but suffers from toxicity problems of the diluent and extractant employed. So there is need for a non‐toxic extractant and diluent or a combination of less toxic extractants in a non‐toxic diluent that can recover acid efficiently. Effect of different extractants: tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP) (an organophosporous compound) and Aliquat 336 (a quaternary amine) in sunflower oil was studied to find the best extractant–sunflower oil combination. Equilibrium complexation constant, K_E, values of 1.789 and 2.385 m³ kmol^?1, respectively, were obtained for itaconic acid extraction using TBP and Aliquat 336 in sunflower oil. The problem of toxicity in reactive extraction can be reduced by using a natural non‐toxic diluent (sunflower oil) with the extractant. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Strontium Zirconate and Strontium Titanate Ceramics for High-Voltage Applications: Synthesis, Processing, and Dielectric Properties

The synthesis, processing, and electrical properties of SrZrO₃ and SrTiO₃ materials have been examined. Phase-pure powders of SrZrO₃ and SrTiO₃ materials were synthesized using the Pechini method. Powder processing routes that used water and 2-propanol as carrier fluids were developed to achieve high green densities, which resulted in sintered densities of >99% of the theoretical density. The relative permittivity and average breakdown strength for carefully processed SrZrO₃ were 60 and 40 V/μm; the corresponding values for SrTiO₃ were 400 and 35 V/μm. The higher breakdown strengths suggest that these materials can be used in high-voltage capacitor applications.     

60MW空内冷汽轮发电机的试制

重点介绍了工厂现有设备条件和技术力量比较薄弱的情况下。通过消化吸收从瑞士ＡＢＢ公司引进的技术、进行认真的技术准备和开展技术攻关，完成首台６０ＭＷ空内冷汽轮发电机考核样机试制的主要经验。