Surface-barrier structures based on solid solutions (In 2 S 3 ) х •(AgIn 5 S 8 ) 1–х

Single crystals of solid solutions (In2S3)x⋅ (AgIn5S8)1–x were grown by the method of directional crystallization of the melt (Bridgman method). Studies of the elemental composition and crystal structure of these single crystals have been carried out. On the basis of solid solutions (In2S3)x⋅ (AgIn5S8)1–x, photosensitive structures have been created for the first time and the photoelectric properties of these structures have been determined. The possibility of using the created structures as broadband photoconverters of optical radiation is shown.

Analysis of the Association between Galectin-3 Concentration in Tears and the Severity of Dry Eye Disease: A Case-Control Study

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity of dry eye disease (DED) and galectin-3 concentration (gal-3) and its cleavage (gal-3C) in tear fluid. Twenty-eight DED patients and 14 controls were recruited at Keio University Hospital. The lissamine green conjunctival staining (LG) score, fluorescein corneal staining (FL) score, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s test, and ocular symptoms questionnaire score (dry eye questionnaire score, DEQS) were evaluated. Furthermore, the correlation between these parameters and the concentrations of gal-3 in tears (ng/µg) and the detection rate of gal-3C (%) were analyzed. Gal-3 concentration in tears was positively correlated with the LG score (R = 0.60, p < 0.01), FL score (R = 0.49, p < 0.01), and DEQS (R = 0.45, p < 0.01), and negatively correlated with the TBUT score (R = −0.40, p < 0.01) and Schirmer’s I value (R = −0.36, p < 0.01). The detection rate of gal-3C in tears was significantly associated with the severity of DED, especially with the LG (p < 0.01) and FL (p < 0.01) scores. Therefore, the concentration of gal-3 and the detection rate of gal-3C in tears had a significant relationship with the severity of ocular surface barrier disruption.

Model Test on Mechanical and Deformation Property of a Geomembrane Surface Barrier for a High Rockfill Dam

The cushion of a geomembrane surface barrier of a high rockfill dam built on deep overburden is prone to crack and fail because of excessive flexural deformation. This study proposes a geomembrane surface barrier for a high rockfill dam on deep overburden. The proposed geomembrane surface barrier uses polyurethane bonded aggregates as the cushion material. The loading and deformation performance of the barrier system under uniform water pressure was investigated using a self-developed structure model test device. The mechanical and deformation property of each layer of the barrier, and the interaction mode between adjacent layers, were obtained through external videos and internal sensor monitoring. The results demonstrated that the polyurethane bonded aggregate cushion exhibited good adaptability to flexural deformation during the entire loading process and maintained good contact and coordinate deformation with the upper protective and the lower transition layers. The geomembrane surface barrier created using polyurethane bonded aggregates as the cushion material can adapt to the flexural deformation of a high rockfill dam surface on deep overburden.

Changes in Surface Characteristics of BOPP Foil after Treatment by Ambient Air Plasma Generated by Coplanar and Volume Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is a highly transparent polymer defined by excellent mechanical and barrier properties applicable in the food packaging industry. However, its low surface free energy restricts its use in many industrial processes and needs to be improved. The presented study modifies a BOPP surface using two different atmospheric-pressure plasma sources operating in ambient air and capable of inline processing. The volume dielectric barrier discharge (VDBD) and diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) were applied to improve the wettability and adhesion of the 1–10 s treated surface. The changes in morphology and surface chemistry were analyzed by SEM, AFM, WCA/SFE, and XPS, and adhesion was evaluated by a peel force test. Comparing both plasma sources revealed their similar effect on surface wettability and incorporation of polar functional groups. Additionally, higher surface roughness in the case of VDBD treatment contributed to slightly more efficient adhesion in comparison to DCSBD. Although we achieved comparable results for both plasma sources in the term of enhanced surface wettability, degree of oxidation, and stability of induced changes, DCSBD had less effect on the surface deterioration than VDBD, where surface structuring caused an undesirable haze.

Grain Boundary Propagation and Epitaxy on (111) Surfaces of FCC Substrates: A Kinetic Monte Carlo Study with Lennard-Jones and Iridium Potentials

<p>A Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method was developed to model homoepitaxy and grain boundary propagation on a (111) surface. Barrier energies were calculated using the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) technique. A recently reported inertial relaxation technique named FIRE (the Fast Inertial Relaxation Engine) was used to relax the NEB images. Both the Lennard-Jones potential and a Sutton-Chen Iridium potential were used and compared. A doubly-refined lattice mesh was developed to incorporate atoms in Face-Centred-Cubic (FCC) and Hexagonal-Close-Packed (HCP) sites as well as atoms in decorated row sites (i.e. supported by 4 atoms). A look-up table was developed to identify hops in the KMC algorithm. The KMC results show that a small difference in energy barriers between FCC and HCP sites on the substrate can cause a substantial bias in the direction of grain boundary propagation. We also investigated the effect of the geometry of the grain boundary on its propagation, as well as the atomistic processes involved in grain boundary propagation and the merger of grain boundaries. Our deposition simulations produced islands with loosely triangular envelopes, where FCC islands are rotated 180° with respect to HCP islands. The results are similar to scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of Iridium deposition, although lack of computing power forced us to use a high deposition rate and this caused some differences.</p>

Grain Boundary Propagation and Epitaxy on (111) Surfaces of FCC Substrates: A Kinetic Monte Carlo Study with Lennard-Jones and Iridium Potentials

<p>A Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method was developed to model homoepitaxy and grain boundary propagation on a (111) surface. Barrier energies were calculated using the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) technique. A recently reported inertial relaxation technique named FIRE (the Fast Inertial Relaxation Engine) was used to relax the NEB images. Both the Lennard-Jones potential and a Sutton-Chen Iridium potential were used and compared. A doubly-refined lattice mesh was developed to incorporate atoms in Face-Centred-Cubic (FCC) and Hexagonal-Close-Packed (HCP) sites as well as atoms in decorated row sites (i.e. supported by 4 atoms). A look-up table was developed to identify hops in the KMC algorithm. The KMC results show that a small difference in energy barriers between FCC and HCP sites on the substrate can cause a substantial bias in the direction of grain boundary propagation. We also investigated the effect of the geometry of the grain boundary on its propagation, as well as the atomistic processes involved in grain boundary propagation and the merger of grain boundaries. Our deposition simulations produced islands with loosely triangular envelopes, where FCC islands are rotated 180° with respect to HCP islands. The results are similar to scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of Iridium deposition, although lack of computing power forced us to use a high deposition rate and this caused some differences.</p>

Neutron Cross Section Measurement Using the Associated Particle Technique

<p>The associated particle technique is applied to the D(d.n) He3 reaction, in order to produce a tagged neutron beam of accurately known energy, flux, and direction. The incident deuteron beam is obtained from a 400 Kv positive ion Van de Graaff accelerator. A description is given of the design of a uniform field sector magnet and other equipment associated with the stabilization and calibration of the energy of the incident deuteron beam. A versatile n-He3 coincidence system is described. The use of a silicon surface barrier detector with a thin nickel foil window enables complete resolution of the He3 peak with consequent improved neutron flux determination. The tagged neutron beam is used to measure the absolute neutron cross sections of the K39 (n,p) A39 and K39 (n, alpha) Cl36 reactions at a neutron energy of 2.46 Mev. The results obtained, (95 plus-minus 4) mb and (6.2 plus-minus 1) mb respectively, are compared with values obtained by other workers, and with theoretical predictions.</p>

Neutron Cross Section Measurement Using the Associated Particle Technique

<p>The associated particle technique is applied to the D(d.n) He3 reaction, in order to produce a tagged neutron beam of accurately known energy, flux, and direction. The incident deuteron beam is obtained from a 400 Kv positive ion Van de Graaff accelerator. A description is given of the design of a uniform field sector magnet and other equipment associated with the stabilization and calibration of the energy of the incident deuteron beam. A versatile n-He3 coincidence system is described. The use of a silicon surface barrier detector with a thin nickel foil window enables complete resolution of the He3 peak with consequent improved neutron flux determination. The tagged neutron beam is used to measure the absolute neutron cross sections of the K39 (n,p) A39 and K39 (n, alpha) Cl36 reactions at a neutron energy of 2.46 Mev. The results obtained, (95 plus-minus 4) mb and (6.2 plus-minus 1) mb respectively, are compared with values obtained by other workers, and with theoretical predictions.</p>