Surface:plasma interactions in GaAs subjected to capacitively coupled RF plasmas

Surface compositional changes in GaAs due to RF plasmas of different gases have been investigated by XPS and etch rates were measured using AFM. Angular Resolved XPS (ARXPS) was also employed for depth analysis of the composition of the surface layers. An important role in this study was determination of oxide thickness using XPS data. The study of surface - plasma interaction was undertaken by correlating results of surface analysis with plasma diagnosis. Different experiments were designed to accurately measure the BEs associated with the Ga 3d, Ga 2P3/2 and LMM peaks using XPS analysis and propose identification in terms of the oxides of GaAs. Along with GaAs wafers, some reference compounds such as metallic Ga and Ga2O3 powder were used. A separate study aiming the identification of the GaAs surface oxides formed on the GaAs surface during and after plasma processing was undertaken. Surface compositional changes after plasma treatment, prior to surface analysis are considered, with particular reference to the oxides formed in the air on the activated surface. Samples exposed to ambient air for different periods of time and also to pure oxygen were analysed. Models of surface processes were proposed for explanation of the stoichiometry changes observed with the inert and reactive plasmas used. In order to help with the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for surface effects during plasma treatment, computer simulation using SRIM code was also undertaken. Based on simulation and experimental results, models of surface phenomena are proposed. Discussion of the experimental and simulated results is made in accordance with current theories and published results of different authors. The experimental errors introduced by impurities and also by data acquisition and processing are also evaluated.

A study of magnetic non-linearity and finite length effects in solid iron subjected to a travelling MMF wave

This thesis describes an experimental and analytic study of the effects of magnetic non-linearity and finite length on the loss and field distribution in solid iron due to a travelling mmf wave. In the first half of the thesis, a two-dimensional solution is developed which accounts for the effects of both magnetic non-linearity and eddy-current reaction; this solution is extended, in the second half, to a three-dimensional model. In the two-dimensional solution, new equations for loss and flux/pole are given; these equations contain the primary excitation, the machine parameters and factors describing the shape of the normal B-H curve. The solution applies to machines of any air-gap length. The conditions for maximum loss are defined, and generalised torque/frequency curves are obtained. A relationship between the peripheral component of magnetic field on the surface of the iron and the primary excitation is given. The effects of magnetic non-linearity and finite length are combined analytically by introducing an equivalent constant permeability into a linear three-dimensional analysis. The equivalent constant permeability is defined from the non-linear solution for the two-dimensional magnetic field at the axial centre of the machine to avoid iterative solutions. In the linear three-dimensional analysis, the primary excitation in the passive end-regions of the machine is set equal to zero and the secondary end faces are developed onto the air-gap surface. The analyses, and the assumptions on which they are based, were verified on an experimental machine which consists of a three-phase rotor and alternative solid iron stators, one with copper end rings, and one without copper end rings j the main dimensions of the two stators are identical. Measurements of torque, flux /pole, surface current density and radial power flow were obtained for both stators over a range of frequencies and excitations. Comparison of the measurements on the two stators enabled the individual effects of finite length and saturation to be identified, and the definition of constant equivalent permeability to be verified. The penetration of the peripheral flux into the stator with copper end rings was measured and compared with theoretical penetration curves. Agreement between measured and theoretical results was generally good.

CFD modelling of the fast pyrolysis of an in-flight cellulosic particle subjected to convective heat transfer

The pyrolysis of a freely moving cellulosic particle inside a 41.7mgs -1 source continuously fed fluid bed reactor subjected to convective heat transfer is modelled. The Lagrangian approach is adopted for the particle tracking inside the reactor, while the flow of the inert gas is treated with the standard Eulerian method for gases. The model incorporates the thermal degradation of cellulose to char with simultaneous evolution of gases and vapours from discrete cellulosic particles. The reaction kinetics is represented according to the Broido–Shafizadeh scheme. The convective heat transfer to the surface of the particle is solved by two means, namely the Ranz–Marshall correlation and the limit case of infinitely fast external heat transfer rates. The results from both approaches are compared and discussed. The effect of the different heat transfer rates on the discrete phase trajectory is also considered.

Prestressed concrete beams with stirrups subjected to torsion, bending and shear

Reported in this thesis are test results of 37 eccentrically prestressed beams with stirrups. Single variable parameters were investigated including the prestressing force, the prestressing steel area, the concrete strength, the aspect ratio h/b and the stirrups size and spacing. Interaction of bending, torsion and shear was also investigated by testing a series of beams subjected to varying bending/torsional moment ratios. For the torsional strength an empirical expression of linear format is proposed and can be rearranged in a non-dimensional interaction form: T/To+V/Vo+M/Mo+Ps/Po+Fs/Fo=Pc2/Fsp. This formula which is based on an average experimental steel stress lower than the yield point is compared with 243 prestressed beams containing ' stirrups, including the author's test beams, and good agreement is obtained. For the theoretical analysis of the problem of torsion combined with bending and shear in concrete beams with stirrups, the method of torque-friction is proposed and developed using an average steel stress. A general linear interaction equation for combined torsion with bending and/or shear is proposed in the following format: (fi) T/Tu=1 where (fi) is a combined loading factor to modify the pure ultimate strength for differing cases of torsion with bending and/or shear. From the analysis of 282 reinforced and prestressed concrete beams containing stirrups, including the present investigation, good agreement is obtained between the method and the test results. It is concluded that the proposed method provides a rational and simple basis for predicting the ultimate torisional strength and may also be developed for design purposes.

Nanostructured Cu/Nb multilayers subjected to helium ion-irradiation

Helium ion-irradiation experiments have been performed in single layer Cu films, Nb films and Cu/Nb multilayer films with layer thickness varying from 2.5 nm to 100 nm each layer. Peak helium concentration approaches a few atomic percent with 6-9 displacement-per-atom in Cu and Nb. He bubbles were observed in single layer Cu and Nb films, as well as in Cu 100 nm/Nb 100 nm multilayers with helium bubbles aligned along layer interfaces. Helium bubbles are not resolved via transmission electron microscopy in Cu 2.5 nm/Nb 2.5 nm multilayers. These studies indicate that layer interface may play an important role in annihilating ion-irradiation induced defects such as vacancies and interstitials and have implications in improving the radiation tolerance of metallic materials using nanostructured multilayers. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

NOx storage-reduction characteristics of Ba-based lean NOx trap catalysts subjected to simulated road aging

In order to study the effect of washcoat composition on lean NOx trap (LNT) aging characteristics, fully formulated monolithic LNT catalysts containing varying amounts of La-stabilized CeO2 (5 wt% La2O3) or CeO2-ZrO2 (Ce:Zr = 70:30) were subjected to accelerated aging on a bench reactor. Subsequent catalyst evaluation revealed that aging resulted in deterioration of the NOx storage, NOx release and NOx reduction functions, whereas the observation of lean phase NO2 slip for all of the aged catalysts indicated that LNT performance was not limited by the kinetics of NO oxidation. After aging, all of the catalysts showed increased selectivity to NH3 in the temperature range 250–450 °C. TEM, H2 chemisorption, XPS and elemental analysis data revealed two main changes which can explain the degradation in LNT performance. First, residual sulfur in the catalysts, present as BaSO4, decreased catalyst NOx storage capacity. Second, sintering of the precious metals in the washcoat was observed, which can be expected to decrease the rate of NOx reduction. Additionally, sintering is hypothesized to result in segregation of the precious metal and Ba phases, resulting in less efficient NOx spillover from Pt to Ba during NOx adsorption, as well as decreased rates of reductant spillover from Pt to Ba and reverse NOx spillover during catalyst regeneration. Spectacular improvement in LNT durability was observed for catalysts containing CeO2 or CeO2-ZrO2 relative to their non-ceria containing analog. This was attributed to (i) the ability of ceria to participate in NOx storage/reduction as a supplement to the main Ba NOx storage component; (ii) the fact that Pt and CeO2(-ZrO2) are not subject to phase segregation; and (iii) the ability of ceria to trap sulfur, resulting in decreased sulfur accumulation on the Ba component.

Determining the contribution of technical change, efficiency change and scale change to productivity growth in the privatized English and Welsh water and sewerage industry:1985-2000

The water and sewerage industry of England and Wales was privatized in 1989 and subjected to a new regime of environmental, water quality and RPI+K price cap regulation. This paper estimates a quality-adjusted input distance function, with stochastic frontier techniques in order to estimate productivity growth rates for the period 1985-2000. Productivity is decomposed so as to account for the impact of technical change, efficiency change, and scale change. Compared with earlier studies by Saal and Parker [(2000) Managerial Decision Econ 21(6):253-268, (2001) J Regul Econ 20(1): 61-90], these estimates allow a more careful consideration of how and whether privatization and the new regulatory regime affected productivity growth in the industry. Strikingly, they suggest that while technical change improved after privatization, productivity growth did not improve, and this was attributable to efficiency losses as firms appear to have struggled to keep up with technical advances after privatization. Moreover, the results also suggest that the excessive scale of the WaSCs contributed negatively to productivity growth. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Macular pigment optical density is related to blood glutathione levels in healthy individuals

Purpose. To assess the relationship between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and blood markers for antioxidant defense in otherwise healthy volunteers. Methods. Forty-seven healthy volunteers were subjected to blood analysis to detect the level of circulating glutathione in its reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms. The level of MPOD was measured using heterochromatic flicker photometry. Systemic blood pressure (BP) parameters, heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), and plasma levels of total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs) were also determined. Results. A simple correlation model revealed that the level of MPOD correlated significantly and positively with both GSH (P < 0.001) and t-GSH (P < 0.001) levels but not with those of GSSG (P > 0.05). Age, sex, systemic BP parameters, HR, BMI, and plasma levels of cholesterol and TGs did not have any influence on either MPOD or glutathione levels (all P > 0.05). In addition, a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis showed MPOD to have a significantly and independent correlation with GSH levels (ß = 0.63; P < 0.001). Conclusions. In otherwise healthy older individuals, there is a positive correlation between local and systemic antioxidant defense mechanisms.

Making sense of violence: a study of narrative meaning

Dramatized violence has been a feature of entertainment in western civilization throughout history. The function of film violence is explored and compared to violence encountered in real life. The role of narrative in individuals' meaning-making processes is also investigated. Six adults were individually interviewed using a semi-structured schedule and narrative analysis was implemented. The findings revealed that real life violence is experientially distinct from film violence but narrative was found to be central to participants' quest for the meaning of violence in both contexts. The narrative framework of violence and whether it is justifiable were fundamental to participants' understanding. The function of violent film was found to be multifaceted: it can teach viewers about the consequences of violence; it allows them to speculate about their own and others' reactions to violence; and it provides an opportunity to experience something which is ordinarily outside of our experience in order to satisfy our human existential needs.

Electrochemical chloride extraction to halt corrosion of reinforcement

This thesis presents results of experiments designed to study the effect of applying electrochemical chloride extraction (ECE) to a range of different hardened cement pastes. Rectangular prism specimens of hydrated cement paste containing sodium chloride at different concentrations were subjected to electrolysis between the embedded steel cathodes and external anodes of activated titanium mesh. The cathodic current density used was in the range of 1 to 5 A/m2 with treatment periods of 4 to 12 weeks. After treatment, the specimens were cut into sections which were subjected to pore-solution expression and analysis in order to determine changes in the distribution of free and total ionic species. The effect of the ECE treatment on the physical and microstructural properties of the cements was studied by using microhardness and MIP techniques. XRD was employed to look at the possibility of ettringite redistribution as a result of the accumulation of soluble sulphate ions in the cement matrix near the cathode during ECE. Remigration of chloride which remains after the ECE treatment and distribution of other ions were studied by analysing specimens which had been stored for several months, after undergoing ECE treatment. The potentials of the steel cathodes were also monitored over the period to detect any changes in their corrosion state. The main findings of this research were as follows: 1, ECE, as applied in this investigation, was capable of removing both free and bound chloride. The removal process occurred relatively quickly and an equilibrium between free and bound chlorides in the specimens was maintained throughout. At the same time, alkali concentrations in the pore solution near the steel cathode increased. The soluble sulphate ionic concentration near the cathode also increased due to the local increase in the pH of the pore solution. 2, ECE caused some changes in physical and microstructural of the cement matrix. However these changes were minimal and in the case of microhardness, the results were highly scattered. Ettringite in the bulk material well away from the cathode was found not to increase significantly with the increase in charge passed.3, Remigration of chloride and other ionic species occurred slowly after cessation of ECE with a resultant gradual increase in the Cl-/OH- ratio around the steel.4, The removal of chloride from blended cements was slower than that from OPC.

Concrete beams with stirrups subject to torsion, shear and bending

This thesis examines experimentally and theoretically the behaviour and ultimate strength of rectangular reinforced concrete members under combined torsion, shear and bending. The experimental investigation consists of the test results of 38 longitudinally and transversely reinforced concrete beams subjected to combined loads, ten beams of which were tested under pure torsion and self-weight. The behaviour of each test beam from application of the first increment of load until failure is presented. The effects of concrete strength, spacing of the stirrups, the amount of longitudinal steel and the breadth of the section on the ultimate torsional capacity are investigated. Based on the skew-bending mechanism, compatibility, and linear stress-strain relationship for the concrete and the steel, simple rational equations are derived for the three principal modes of failure for the following four types of failure observed in the tests: TYPE I Yielding the reinforcement, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE II Yielding of the web steel only, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE III Yielding of the longitudinal steel only, at failure, before crushing the concrete. TYPE IV Crushing of the concrete, at failure, before yielding of any of the reinforcement.

The deformation behaviour of the collapsing and destructured soils of the Sana'a area and their response to field treatment

Previous work has indicated the presence of collapsing and structured soils in the surface layers underlying Sana's, the capital of Yemen Republic. This study set out initially to define and, ultimately, to alleviate the problem by investigating the deformation behaviour of these soils through both field and laboratory programmes. The field programme was carried out in Sana'a while the laboratory work consisted of two parts, an initial phase at Sana's University carried out in parallel with the field programme on natural and treated soils and the major phase at Aston University carried out on natural, destructured and selected treated soils. The initial phase of the laboratory programme included classification, permeability, and single (collapsing) and double oedometer tests while the major phase, at Aston, was extended to also include extensive single and double oedometer tests, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectrum analysis. The mechanical tests were carried out on natural and destructed samples at both the in situ and soaked moisture conditions. The engineering characteristics of the natural intact, field-treated and laboratory destructured soils are reported, including their collapsing potentials which show them to be weakly bonded with nil to severe collapsing susceptibility. Flooding had no beneficial effect, with limited to moderate improvement being achieved by preloading and roller compaction, while major benefits were achieved from deep compaction. From these results a comparison between the soil response to the different treatments and general field remarks were presented. Laboratory destructuring reduced the stiffness of the soils while their compressibility was increasing. Their collapsing and destructuring mechanisms have been examined by studying the changes in structure accompanying these phenomena. Based on the test results for the intact and the laboratory destructured soils, a simplified framework has been developed to represent the collapsing and deformation behaviour at both the partially saturated and soaked states, and comments are given on its general applicability and limitations. It has been used to evaluate all the locations subjected to field treatment. It provided satisfactory results for the deformation behaviour of the soils destructed by field treatment. Finally attention is drawn to the design considerations together with the recommendations for the selection of potential improvement techniques to be used for foundation construction on the particular soils of the Sana's region.

Population pharmacokinetic model of canrenone after intravenous administration of potassium canrenoate to paediatric patients

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of potassium canrenoate/canrenone in paediatric patients WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • A population pharmacokinetic model has been developed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of canrenone in paediatric patients who received potassium canrenoate as part of their therapy in the intensive care unit. AIMS To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of canrenone following administration of potassium canrenoate to paediatric patients. METHODS Data were collected prospectively from 23 paediatric patients (2 days to 10 years of age; median weight 4 kg, range 2.16–28.0 kg) who received intravenous potassium canrenoate (K-canrenoate) as part of their intensive care therapy for removal of retained fluids, e.g. in pulmonary oedema due to chronic lung disease and for the management of congestive heart failure. Plasma samples were analyzed by HPLC for determination of canrenone (the major metabolite and pharmacologically active moiety) and the data subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis using NONMEM. RESULTS A one compartment model best described the data. The only significant covariate was weight (WT). The final population models for canrenone clearance (CL/F) and volume of distribution (V/F) were CL/F (l h−1) = 11.4 × (WT/70.0)0.75 and V/F (l) = 374.2 × (WT/70) where WT is in kg. The values of CL/F and V/F in a 4 kg child would be 1.33 l h−1 and 21.4 l, respectively, resulting in an elimination half-life of 11.2 h. CONCLUSIONS The range of estimated CL/F in the study population was 0.67–7.38 l h−1. The data suggest that adjustment of K-canrenoate dosage according to body weight is appropriate in paediatric patients.