Characterization of highly hydrophobic coatings deposited onto pre-oxidized silicon from water dispersible organosilanes

The formation and quality of highly hydrophobic coatings deposited from water dispersible organosilanes onto pre-oxidized single crystal silicon were studied using atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, dynamic contact angle measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Highly hydrophobic films of a commercially available water dispersible silane and two different cationic alkoxysilanes were prepared by dip coating. It was found using atomic force microscopy that, in general, the structure of these highly hydrophobic films is a continuous film with some particulates attributed to bulk polymerization of the precursor molecule in water. Film defects were quantified using EIS by the value of charge transfer resistance at the hydrofluoric acid/silicon interface. Potential applications of this type of coatings include reduction/elimination of stiction in micro-electromechanical systems, contact printing in materials microfabrication, inhibition of corrosion and oxidation, prevention of water wetting, lubrication and protein adsorption.     

Pricing strategies with reference effects in competitive industries

This paper examines the effect of reference prices on companies operating within competitive industries. We confirm that even with competition, firms optimally price high in the short term to generate a high reference price and then decrease this price over time. Competitors' prices converge toward each other over time, emphasizing the short‐term nature of reference prices. We then show that pricing optimally to take advantage of reference prices generates a positive externality for other firms in an industry, such that competitors may generate higher profit. The longer the focus of a given firm, the more profit the firm generates, but less relative to its competitors. This arises because the externalities created through pricing high to increase reference prices outweigh the benefits of the higher reference prices themselves. If pricing managers are compensated relative to their competition, this suggests that short‐termism may be implicitly encouraged to the detriment of profit.     

Comparison of Ba(OH)2, BaO, and Ba as Starting Materials for the Synthesis of Barium Titanate by the Alkoxide Method

A discussion of the relative merits and problems of using Ba(OH)₂, BaO, and Ba as starting materials for the synthesis of barium titanate by the alkoxide method is presented. The Ba(OH)₂ process is promising because it does not involve the synthesis of barium alkoxide, whereas the BaO (93% pure) process suffers from complex chemical reactions; the impurities in BaO cause unknown effects on the composition and properties of the final ceramic. Use of high-purity Ba metal (99.99%) for the synthesis of barium alkoxide is more desirable since it results in high-purity, ultrafine barium titanate powders.     

A kinetic model for the hydrochloric acid leaching of kaolinite clay in the presence of fluoride ions

The dissolution of kaolinite clay in hydrochloric acid solutions has been carried out in the presence of fluoride ions. Leaching in the presence of fluoride ions activates the clay for leaching, making higher extractions possible at lower roasting and leaching temperatures. The activation energy for the leaching of clay calcined at 540°C is decreased from 71 kJ/mol to 23 kJ/mol in the presence of fluoride ions. Dissolution in the presence of fluoride appears to fit a second-order reaction mechanism.     

The recovery of vanadium from dilute acid sulfate solutions by resin ion exchange

A detailed study has been carried out to investigate the possibility of recovering vanadium by resin ion exchange from acid sulfate solutions containing 10 mg/l vanadium. In particular the recovery of vanadium by an anion exchange resin, Dowex 21K, has been investigated. Batch loading tests have been carried out to elucidate the role of E_h and pH on vanadium loading. An E_h-pH diagram has been constructed to determine the most stable vanadium species in solution at different E_h and pH conditions, and this information has been used to explain and predict the loading of vanadium onto the anion exchange resin. Kinetic data have been obtained for the loading of vanadium at different pH values. A film diffusion model has been found to fit the experimental data gathered at pH 4.0, while a particle diffusion model seems to offer a better fit to the experimental data at pH 2.0.     

A system for seismocardiography-based identification of quiescent heart phases: implications for cardiac imaging

Seismocardiography (SCG), a representation of mechanical heart motion, may more accurately determine periods of cardiac quiescence within a cardiac cycle than the electrically derived electrocardiogram (EKG) and, thus, may have implications for gating in cardiac computed tomography. We designed and implemented a system to synchronously acquire echocardiography, EKG, and SCG data. The device was used to study the variability between EKG and SCG and characterize the relationship between the mechanical and electrical activity of the heart. For each cardiac cycle, the feature of the SCG indicating Aortic Valve Closure was identified and its time position with respect to the EKG was observed. This position was found to vary for different heart rates and between two human subjects. A color map showing the magnitude of the SCG acceleration and computed velocity was derived, allowing for direct visualization of quiescent phases of the cardiac cycle with respect to heart rate.     

A Vision for Supporting Autonomous Navigation in Urban Environments

The autonomous navigation systems (ANS), such as autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and unmanned submersible vehicles (USVs), and modern vehicles with actuators, sensors, and computer control perform three basic functions: context gathering using sensors, processing, and action. Most researchers have put all three functions into the ANS or the robot itself to overcome occlusions and handle the environment's dynamics. However, this causes the ANS and robotic systems to be bulky and expensive. It also impedes the introduction of vehicles with ANS in urban environments, where they must coexist with existing cars and highways. The approach presented distributes the context-gathering and processing functions using sensor networks and wireless communications technologies to reduce costs and make ANS widespread. The system uses sensors mounted on moving vehicles and stationary objects such as lampposts, traffic lights, toll plazas, and buildings to gather information at different levels     

Desire for euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide in palliative cancer care.

Objective: To investigate the attitudes of terminally ill individuals toward the legalization of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and to identify those who would personally desire such a death. Design: In the Canadian National Palliative Care Survey, semistructured interviews were administered to 379 patients who were receiving palliative care for cancer. Patients who expressed a desire for physician-hastened death were followed prospectively. Main Outcome Measures: Attitudes toward the legalization of euthanasia or PAS were determined, as was the personal interest in receiving a hastened death. Demographic and clinical characteristics were also recorded, including a 22-item structured interview of symptoms and concerns. Results: There were 238 participants (62.8%) who believed that euthanasia and/or PAS should be legalized, and 151 (39.8%) who would consider making a future request for a physician-hastened death. However, only 22 (5.8%) reported that, if legally permissible, they would initiate such a request right away, in their current situations. This desire for hastened death was associated with lower religiosity (p = .010), reduced functional status (p = .024), a diagnosis of major depression (p     

Formation of ethanol from carbon monoxide via a new microbial catalyst

A recently discovered clostridial bacteria converts components of synthesis gas (CO, CO₂, H₂) into liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and acetic acid. Isolated from an agricultural lagoon, the stability and productivity characteristics of the bacteria were studied in a continuous 4.5 l bubble column bioreactor at 37°C using artificial blends of CO, CO₂, and N₂. Preliminary results on the rates of cell growth, substrate utilization, product formation, and yields of products and cells from CO are discussed. At steady state, apparent yields (mole C in products per mole CO consumed) of ethanol, butanol, and acetic acid were 0.15, 0.075 and 0.025, respectively, and the cell yield was 0.25 g/mol CO. The theoretical yield of ethanol is 0.33 if CO is only utilized for the production of ethanol. The experimental yield of CO₂ from CO was approximately 60% compared to the theoretical yield of 67% with ethanol as the sole product. As a comparison with another ethanol-producing bacteria, the results of a similar fermentation study using batch-grown Clostridium ljungdahlii showed yields of 0.062 for ethanol and 0.094 for acetic acid and a cell yield of 1.378 g/mol.