Bandpass filters using periodically loaded combline resonators

A novel combline filter is proposed for cellular‐radio base stations. The Q‐factor is significantly improved. The eigenvalue equation is expressed with the single‐team approximation in the gap region of the combline resonator. A two‐pole combline filter is designed. The calculation, simulation, and experiment results are presented and are in good agreement. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2006.     

Performance of natural‐fiber–plastic composites under stress for outdoor applications: Effect of moisture,temperature, and ultraviolet light exposure

The effects of moisture, temperature, and ultraviolet (UV) light on performance of natural‐fiber–plastic composites (NFPC) were assessed. We conducted short‐term tests in the laboratory and long‐term tests under natural exposure and measured changes in mechanical properties and color in samples of the composite. Chemical changes of the composite's materials were measured by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy to elucidate the mechanisms of chemical transformations on the material surface. Relative humidity highly affected the modulus of rupture (MOR) and the modulus of elasticity (MOE), and had a greater effect than temperature and UV exposure on performance of the composite. The lightness of the composite was increased by the UV effect in the short‐ and the long‐term tests. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis suggested that the composite was protected by the UV absorber. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 2570–2577, 2006     

Compact equivalent circuit model of two‐layer spiral inductors

A compact lumped‐element equivalent circuit model of two‐layer integrated spiral inductors on silicon substrates is developed in this article. Based on this proposed model, excellent agreements are achieved between the measured and simulated S‐parameters for different inductors. Also, both self‐ and mutual inductances of two‐layer inductors are accurately extracted, and their overall performances are understood clearly. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 13: 148–153, 2003.     

Sicherer und wirtschaftlicher Betrieb von Kraftwerken – Ergebnis der Forschung im Bereich Werkstoffe,Auslegung und Instandhaltung

Safe and Economic Operation of Power Plants – Research Results in the Field of Materials, Design and Maintenance Components of power plants which undergo high temperatures are subjected to complex loading situations. The requirements on the used materials result from the special operation conditions of the plants and have to be adjusted to the steadily growing requirements on higher efficiency of the complete power plant as well as to those of safe and economic operation. The expenses for control and downtimes are directly connected with economic efficiency and availability. However, in case of new procedures or components it is not possible to revert to the existing know‐how. Different failure mechanisms than known before can occur. The same goes for the load situation. Therefore the knowledge base has to be extended to in‐advance or even parallely running scientific examinations that life assessment and maintenance strategies can be applied which guarantee the operational reliability and the efficiency of the plant. The main emphasis of these F&E works has to be put on condition monitoring based on actual operational data, the standard materials’ and component’s behaviour (deformation, damage and failure behaviour) in connection with design of components and the related material laws. In the framework of applied AVIF projects, following problems are handled:. – qualification of materials by determinating parameters related to practise. – optimal design of components by making available material laws and numerical tools. – economic manufacturing of components by qualifying processing methods such as welding. – The results can be transferred to concepts for safe and economic operation of power plants, especially for newly introduced materials for which there is no operational experience available.     

Synthesis of polyurethane resins and its improvement on dimensional stability and finishing performances of medium‐ and small‐diameter softwoods

This study analyzed the effects of polyurethane (PU) resin treatments on surface homogeneity, dimensional stability, and finishing performances of medium‐ and small‐diameter softwoods produced in Taiwan. Two‐pack PU resins were prepared by combing short castor oil‐modified alkyd resin serving as a polyol with polymeric 4,4′‐diphenymethane diisocyanate (PMDI) serving as a hardener, by the molar ratio of NCO/OH+COOH of 1.2. Four types of short oil‐modified alkyd resins with different polyhydric alcohols (glycerin and pentaerythritol) and polybasic acids (phthalic anhydride and isophthalic acid) were synthesized. Three kinds of medium‐ and small‐diameter softwoods, including China fir, Taiwanina, and Japanese fir with a diameter of 10–15 cm were obtained from Hui‐Sun Forest Station, Taiwan. The wood coating of nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer including sanding sealer and top clear was used. Results show that the surface hardness, homogeneity, moisture excluding efficiency, and antiswelling efficiency of woods were enhanced by PU resin treatments. Among all the PU resins, the isophthalic acid and pentaerythritol‐containing PU resin (IPA‐P‐MDI) achieved the best improved efficiency on dimensional stability of woods. Results of two types of finishing procedure, i.e. NC lacquer sanding sealer plus top clear and top clear only, applied onto the PU‐treated woods revealed that the hardness, adhesion, and durability of NC lacquer films on the PU‐treated wood were superior to those of untreated one, especially for top clear finishing alone. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Einsatz moderner Informationstechnik im militärischen Bereich: Für den Verteidiger notwendig und verantwortbar

Zusammenfassung Nach Pädagogen, Ärzten etc. haben sich nun auch Informatiker für den Frieden organisiert. So sehr sich der Verfasser mit den Zielen von Friedensinitiativen identifizieren kann, so sieht er doch die Gefahr, daß diese Bemühungen insgesamt eher destabilisierend und damit kontraproduktiv wirken. Bevor im folgenden Beitrag dieser Gedankengang weiter ausgeführt wird, soll zunächst versucht werden, die Bereiche darzustellen, in denen bislang und in absehbarer Zukunft Rechensysteme in modern ausgerüsteten Streitkräften eingesetzt werden, wobei besonders auf die Situation in Mitteleuropa und speziell auf die Bundeswehr eingegangen wird. Es wird aufgezeigt, daß gerade der Verteidiger auf moderne Führungs- und Aufklärungssysteme angewiesen ist, insbesondere in der kritischen Anfangsphase eines Konflikts, und daß die Vertreter alternativer Verteidigungsstrukturen, die den Schwerpunkt auf defensiv ausgerüstete Verbände mit struktureller Nichtangriffsfähigkeit legen, wie auch offizielle Programme der NATO zur Verbesserung der konventionellen Verteidigungsfähigkeit auf moderne Technologie setzen. In diesem Zusammenhang wird ein Forschungsprojekt vorgestellt, das zum Ziel hat, die Wirksamkeit derartiger reaktiver, rüstungskontrollfreundlicher Verteidigungs- und Bewaffnungsstrukturen sowie moderner Technologie im Gefecht der verbundenen Waffen zu untersuchen. Entsprechend der Themenstellung dieses Sonderheftes soll schließlich auch auf moralisch-ethische Aspekte des Einsatzes moderner Informationstechnik für die Verteidigungsplanung eingegangen werden. Dies geschieht in der Form von Thesen, um die Aussagen als persönliche Meinung des Verfassers besonders zu kennzeichnen.     

Synthesis,characterization, and optoelectronic properties of two new polyfluorenes/poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)s copolymers

Two novel copolymers of polyfluorenes/poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)s copolymers with p‐tert‐butyl‐phenylenemethylene groups in the C‐9 position of alternating fluorene unit, poly[1,4‐(2,5‐dibutyloxyl)‐phenyleneviny lene‐alt‐9‐(p‐tert‐butyl‐phenylenemethylene)fluorene] and poly[1,4‐(2,5‐dioctyloxyl)‐phenylenevinylene‐alt‐9‐(p‐tert‐butyl‐phenylenemethylene)fluorine], have been synthesized via the Heck polycondensation reaction. The synthesized polymers were characterized by FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, UV–vis, and PL spectra. The polymers showed high glass transition temperatures and good thermal stability. A polymer light‐emitting diode with the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P2/Ca/Al has been fabricated. The device emitted a yellow light with a peak wavelength of 578 nm similar to the PL spectra of the copolymer film. A maximal luminance of 534 cd/m² was obtained at a driving voltage of 24.5 V. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3955–3962, 2006     

Can twice weekly hemodialysis expand patient access under resource constraints?

The convention of prescribing hemodialysis on a thrice weekly schedule began empirically when it seemed that this frequency was convenient and likely to treat symptoms for a majority of patients. Later, when urea was identified as the main target and marker of clearance, studies supported the prevailing notion that thrice weekly dialysis provided appropriate clearance of urea. Today, national guidelines on hemodialysis from most countries recommend patients receive at least thrice weekly therapy. However, resource constraints in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) have resulted in a substantial proportion of patients using less frequent hemodialysis in these settings. Observational studies of patients on twice weekly dialysis show that twice weekly therapy has noninferior survival rates compared with thrice weekly therapy. In fact, models of urea clearance also show that twice weekly therapy can meet urea clearance “targets” if patients have significant residual function or if they follow a protein‐restricted diet, as may be common in LMIC. Greater reliance on twice weekly therapy, at least at the start of hemodialysis, therefore has potential to reduce health care costs and increase access to renal replacement therapy in low‐resource settings; however, randomized control trials are needed to better understand long‐term outcomes of twice versus thrice weekly therapy.