Impact of crystal structure and microstructure on electrical properties of Ho doped lead-free BCST piezoceramics

Conventional solid state sintering method was used to synthesize lead-free (Ba_0.91Ca_0.09Sn_0.07Ti_0.93)O₃-xHo₂O₃ (x?=?0, 1.2,1.4,1.6,1.8 and 2.0?mol%) ceramics. The influence on electrical properties of the system as a result of the structural and microstructural changes introduced by the incorporation of rare earth Ho³⁺ ions has been investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that Ho³⁺ ions completely diffuse into the (Ba_0.91Ca_0.09Sn_0.07Ti_0.93)O₃ lattice to form a homogeneous solid solution with a pure perovskite structure having tetragonal symmetry. Evidence of Ho³⁺ substituting Ti⁴⁺ via the oxygen vacancy compensation mechanism exists in the range of 0–1.6?mol % Ho content, while the self-compensation mode is the preferred mechanism beyond 1.6?mol %. The average grain size exhibits a drastic reduction from 16?μm to 0.7?μm as the Ho content increases from 0 to 1.6?mol%, followed by a slight increase at higher Ho concentration. It suggests that addition of Ho³⁺ inhibits grain growth in the ceramics. In the composition range studied, increasing Ho³⁺ content produces a gradual decrease in the relative density from 93% to 81%, room temperature dielectric constant (ε_rt) from 3997 to 807, electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) from 0.23 to 0.06, and piezoelectric charge constant (d₃₃) from 102 to 38?pC/N. This degradation in the properties is attributed to the crystalline and microstructural changes driven by the increasing presence of Ho content in the ceramics.     

Sputtered tungsten-based ternary and quaternary layers for nanocrystalline diamond deposition

Many of today's demanding applications require thin-film coatings with high hardness, toughness, and thermal stability. In many cases, coating thickness in the range 2-20 microm and low surface roughness are required. Diamond films meet many of the stated requirements, but their crystalline nature leads to a high surface roughness. Nanocrystalline diamond offers a smoother surface, but significant surface modification of the substrate is necessary for successful nanocrystalline diamond deposition and adhesion. A hybrid hard and tough material may be required for either the desired applications, or as a basis for nanocrystalline diamond film growth. One possibility is a composite system based on carbides or nitrides. Many binary carbides and nitrides offer one or more mentioned properties. By combining these binary compounds in a ternary or quaternary nanocrystalline system, we can tailor the material for a desired combination of properties. Here, we describe the results on the structural and mechanical properties of the coating systems composed of tungsten-chromium-carbide and/or nitride. These WC-Cr-(N) coatings are deposited using magnetron sputtering. The growth of adherent nanocrystalline diamond films by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition has been demonstrated on these coatings. The WC-Cr-(N) and WC-Cr-(N)-NCD coatings are characterized with atomic force microscopy and SEM, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nanoindentation.     

Novel FGbSA: Fuzzy-Galaxy-based search algorithm for multi-objective reconfiguration of distribution systems

Reconfiguration according to different criteria is an important problem in distribution systems. This paper presents a new method for optimal multi-objective reconfiguration of distribution system based on the Galaxy-based Search Algorithm (GbSA). To avoid the convergence problem, the input and output data are normalized in the same range using fuzzy sets. The main objectives of the proposed algorithm have been considered as power loss reduction, voltage profile improvement and increase of the system load balancing. The proposed technique has been investigated using the IEEE 33-bus test system and a real distribution network i.e. Tai-Power 11.4-kV distribution system. The obtained results revealed the superiority of the proposed fuzzy-GbSA method in terms of accuracy compared to the GbSA and other intelligent search algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) or Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Furthermore, the proposed algorithm efficiently converged to the optimum solution compared to the other intelligent counterpart algorithms.     

Optimized weighted performance index for objective evaluation of border-detection methods in dermoscopy images

Quantitative evaluation of the existing border-detection methods is commonly performed by using different metrics. This is inherently problematic due to the different characteristics of each metric. This paper presents a novel approach for objective evaluation of border-detection methods in dermoscopy images by introducing a comprehensive evaluation metric: optimized weighted performance index. The index is formed as a nonlinear weighted function of the six commonly used metrics of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, border error, and similarity. Constrained nonlinear multivariable optimization techniques are applied to determine the optimal set of weights that result in the maximum value of the index. This index is used as an effective measure of the value of a given border-detection method and, thus, provides a basis for comparison with other methods. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed index, it is used to evaluate five recent border-detection methods applied on a set of 55 high-resolution dermoscopy images.     

Synthesis and Morphological Study of Nanoparticles Ag/TiO2 Ceramic and Bactericidal Investigation of Polypropylene-Ag/TiO2 Composite

Antibacterial ceramic consisting silver nanoparticles in TiO₂ (rutile phase) particles were prepared via the chemical deposition route. Structure of synthesized ceramic was characterized using different methods of spectroscopies including; X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM, and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The results show that very fine silver particles were loaded on the titania dispersedly and also no crystalline change happened in the TiO₂ structure. In order to preparation of antibacterial composite, ceramic was compounded into polypropylene using a Hakke internal mixer in optimized conditions. Morphology of composite was confirmed by AFM images. Finally, antibacterial activity of composite was studied against Staphylococcus aureus. Results show that the bactericidal effect of this composite is significant and suggesting the composite to be promising candidate for applications in fields.     

Infection,inflammation and intervention: mechanistic modelling of epithelial cells in COVID-19

While the pathological mechanisms in COVID-19 illness are still poorly understood, it is increasingly clear that high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators play a major role in clinical deterioration in patients with severe disease. Current evidence points to a hyperinflammatory state as the driver of respiratory compromise in severe COVID-19 disease, with a clinical trajectory resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome, but how this ‘runaway train’ inflammatory response emerges and is maintained is not known. Here, we present the first mathematical model of lung hyperinflammation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This model is based on a network of purported mechanistic and physiological pathways linking together five distinct biochemical species involved in the inflammatory response. Simulations of our model give rise to distinct qualitative classes of COVID-19 patients: (i) individuals who naturally clear the virus, (ii) asymptomatic carriers and (iii–v) individuals who develop a case of mild, moderate, or severe illness. These findings, supported by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis, point to potential therapeutic interventions to prevent the emergence of hyperinflammation. Specifically, we suggest that early intervention with a locally acting anti-inflammatory agent (such as inhaled corticosteroids) may effectively blockade the pathological hyperinflammatory reaction as it emerges.