Low-temperature phase formation in the SrF2–LaF3 system

Phase formation in the SrF₂–LaF₃ system was studied at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 450°C using nitrate flux. The solubility of LaF₃ in SrF₂ decreases with decreasing temperature. The equilibrium width of the solid solution region Sr_1−xLa_xF_2+x at 400°C, it is 44.6 ± 0.4 mol% LaF₃ (x = 0.446), at 350°C — 38.3 ± 0.7 mol% LaF₃ (x = 0.383), and decreases almost to zero at 300°C.     

Environmental support hypothesis in designing multimedia training for older adults: Is less always more?

This study explores younger and older adults learning of MS Publisher functionalities from a multimedia tutorial. Twenty younger and twenty three older adults assigned to a redundant (experimental) or non-redundant (control) condition were taught how to create a greeting card, while the results of their learning were assessed with immediate and delayed performance measures. While younger learners benefited from a non-redundant condition, older learners exhibited an opposite trend. Redundant condition was beneficial for their performance efficiency on a set of a transfer tasks, and their troubleshooting performance during the delayed session. From a cognitive load perspective, using a redundant text along with an audio narration overloads learner’s working memory by placing more strain on the visual pathway and not providing any additional cognitive advantage. From an environmental support standpoint and decreased processing resources view of cognitive aging, providing additional representational support helps reducing the task demands for older adults and results in better learning. The results have cognitive and practical implications for the design of multimedia learning environments for older adults.     

Estimating the domain of phase variables in nonautonomous system using extremal Lyapunov functions

New efficient method is suggested for estimating the domain of phase variables in linear nonautonomous systems; the method is based on involving extremal Lyapunov functions.     

Experience gained with development of the instrumentation and control system for the PGU-410 power unit at the Krasnodar cogeneration station on the basis of the tornado-n distributed control system

The development of the instrumentation and control system for the PGU-410 power unit at the Krasnodar cogeneration station is discussed. Problems encountered in designing the process control system of a complex facility are considered, in particular, the need to integrate local control systems. Special attention is paid to the importance of setting up a united control area at such facilities.     

Transport and solvent sensing characteristics of styrene butadiene rubber nanocomposites containing imidazolium ionic liquid modified carbon nanotubes

Obtaining strong interfacial interaction between filler and polymer matrix is very crucial for the fabrication of polymer nanocomposites with superior performance. Present study is aimed to fabricate high performance styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites with imidazolium type ionic liquid modified multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Ionic liquid facilitates the dispersion of MWCNT in rubber matrix and it is obvious from transmission electron microscopy images. Diffusion of toluene through SBR nanocomposite membranes has been investigated as a function of surface modified MWCNT (f-MWCNT) content to analyze the chain dynamics and filler-polymer interactions. O₂ gas barrier effect of nanocomposites with special reference to the filler loading is explored. The substantial improvement in the barrier effect in presence of filler interpreted on the grounds of a theoretical model describing permeability of heterogeneous systems. Finally solvent sensing characteristics of prepared nanocomposites are also analyzed and it is observed that prepared nanocomposites can be used as a flexible solvent sensor.     

Investigating Biomarkers for USH2A Retinopathy Using Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Pathogenic mutations in USH2A are a leading cause of visual loss secondary to non-syndromic or Usher syndrome-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RP). With an increasing number of RP-targeted clinical trials in progress, we sought to evaluate the photoreceptor topography underlying patterns of loss observed on clinical retinal imaging to guide surrogate endpoint selection in USH2A retinopathy. In this prospective cross-sectional study, twenty-five patients with molecularly confirmed USH2A-RP underwent fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) retinal imaging. Analysis comprised measurement of FAF horizontal inner (IR) and outer (OR) hyperautofluorescent ring diameter; SD-OCT ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) width, normalised EZ reflectance; AOSLO foveal cone density and intact macular photoreceptor mosaic (IMPM) diameter. Thirty-two eyes from 16 patients (mean age ± SD, 36.0 ± 14.2 years) with USH2A-associated Usher syndrome type 2 (n = 14) or non-syndromic RP (n = 2) met the inclusion criteria. Spatial alignment was observed between IR-EZ and OR-ELM diameters/widths (p < 0.001). The IMPM border occurred just lateral to EZ loss (p < 0.001), although sparser intact photoreceptor inner segments were detected until ELM disruption. EZ width and IR diameter displayed a biphasic relationship with cone density whereby slow cone loss occurred until retinal degeneration reached ~1350 μm from the fovea, beyond which greater reduction in cone density followed. Normalised EZ reflectance and cone density were significantly associated (p < 0.001). As the strongest correlate of cone density (p < 0.001) and best-corrected visual acuity (p < 0.001), EZ width is the most sensitive biomarker of structural and functional decline in USH2A retinopathy, rendering it a promising trial endpoint.     

LBMBS： A Load-Balanced Moveable Bubble Scheme for Tori Interconnection Networks

Moveable bubble flow control is an efficient technique to avoid deadlock for torus networks. However, it does not take into consideration the load balance feature. Therefore, this leads to inefficient resources utilization. Moreover, packets may be discarded due to the congestion of a network area. On the other hand, there are other algorithms that consider load balancing such as rHALB （r hop adaptive load-balanced）routing technique. Nonetheless, rHALB detects deadlock using the timeout threshold. This concept of deadlock detection may give incorrect responses in case the traffic is high. Therefore, packets are dropped although there is no deadlock. At the end, this affects the whole performance of the network. This paper proposes a new routing algorithm for tori interconnection networks, namely, the LBMBS （load-balanced moveable bubble scheme）. LBMBS integrates both concepts of moveable bubble and rHALB in order to provide at the end a load-balanced efficient deadlock-free algorithm. The protocol details are given and compared against other routing algorithms in the literature.     

Recommendations for the Modernization and Adjustment of Weaving Machines During the Production of High-Count Fabrics

Fibre Chemistry - The paper investigates factors affecting the production of high-count fabrics using projectile weaving machines, as well as providing recommendations for improving the design of...     

光波导二氧化氮气敏传感元件的研究

本文用离子交换法制备K+交换玻璃光波导元件,并在其表面固定纳米级敏感层酞菁铜(CuPc)薄膜,利用光波导气体检测系统对NO2气体进行测试.结果表明,该传感元件常温下对NO2等气体有快速、可逆的响应,并具有重现性好,灵敏度高等特点.