Dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 based multiphased ceramics

A “soft chemistry” method, the coprecipitation, has been used to synthesize the perovskite CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCT). Three main types of materials were obtained for both powders and sintered ceramics: a monophased consisting of the pure CCT phase, a biphased (CCT + CaTiO3), and a three-phased (CCT + CaTiO3 + copper oxide (CuO or Cu2O)). These ceramics, sintered at low temperature, 1050 °C, present original dielectric properties. The relative permittivity determined in the temperature range (−150 < T < 250 °C) is significantly higher than the one reported in the literature. Internal barrier layer capacitor is the probable mechanism to explain the particular behaviour. Moreover, the presence of a copper oxide phase beside the perovksite CCT plays an important role for enhancing the dielectric properties

TM digital image products for applications

Computer compatible tapes (CCTs) of LANDSAT 4 thematic mapper (TM) digital image products are compared and reviewed. The following tape formats are discussed: (1) raw band-sequential data (CCT-BT); (2) calibrated data (CCT-AT); and (3) geometrically resampled data (CCT-PT). Each format represents different steps in the process of producing fully corrected TM data. The CCT-BT images are uncorrected radiometrically or geometrically, CCT-AT data are radiometrically calibrated, and CCT-PT images are both radiometrically and geometrically corrected

TM digital image products for applications

The image characteristics of digital data generated by LANDSAT 4 thematic mapper (TM) are discussed. Digital data from the TM resides in tape files at various stages of image processing. Within each image data file, the image lines are blocked by a factor of either 5 for a computer compatible tape CCT-BT, or 4 for a CCT-AT and CCT-PT; in each format, the image file has a different format. Nominal geometric corrections which provide proper geodetic relationships between different parts of the image are available only for the CCT-PT. It is concluded that detector 3 of band 5 on the TM does not respond; this channel of data needs replacement. The empty bin phenomenon in CCT-AT images results from integer truncations of mixed-mode arithmetric operations

Public sector restructuring and regional development: the impact of compulsory competitive tendering in the UK

This paper contributes to the analysis of contemporary public sector restructuring in the UK through an evaluation of the impact of the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) for the provision of local public services. Public services play an important stabilizing role in regional economic development but the introduction of CCT has undermined that role. Public service workers have suVered deteriorating levels of pay and conditions of service, and the capacity of local authorities to act to support local economic development has been reduced. Thus the introduction of CCT has undermined the contribution of local public services to the maintenance of interregional economic stability and to regional development

Use of GoFundMe® to crowdfund complementary and alternative medicine treatments for cancer.

PurposeComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common amongst cancer patients. However, there is growing concern about its safety and efficacy. Online crowdfunding campaigns represent a unique avenue to understand the cancer patient's perspective for using CAM or declining conventional cancer therapy (CCT).MethodsFive hundred GoFundMe campaigns from 2012 to 2019 detailing financial need for cancer treatment were randomly selected and reviewed for endorsement of CAM use, reasons for using CAM, and reasons for declining CCT. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patient and campaign characteristics between 250 CAM users and 250 non-CAM users.ResultsCompared to non-CAM users, CAM users were more likely to be female (70% vs. 54%, p &lt; 0.01), to report more stage IV cancer (54% vs. 12%, p &lt; 0.01), and to have a history of delayed, missed, or misdiagnosis (10% vs. 4%, p &lt; 0.01). Reasons for using CAM include endorsing curative/therapeutic effects 212 (85%), pain/stress reduction 137 (55%), and dissatisfaction with current or past medical treatment options 105 (42%). 87 (35%) CAM users that declined CCT reported that they wanted to try to fight off cancer using CAM first 57 (61%), that CCT was too "toxic" to the body 39 (42%), and cancer was already too advanced, so that CCT would be futile or too aggressive 25 (27%).ConclusionCancer patients on GoFundMe using CAM highly value quality of life, comfort, and autonomy. Physicians should educate themselves on CAM to set realistic expectations and provide comprehensive counseling of the risks and benefits of CAM usage to patients who choose to use CAM to either augment or completely replace CCT

Significance of Elecsys (R) S100 immunoassay for real-time assessment of traumatic brain damage in multiple trauma patients

Background: The neuroprotein S100 released into the circulation has been suggested as a reliable marker for primary brain damage. However, safe identification of relevant traumatic brain injury (TBI) may possibly be hampered by S100 release from peripheral tissue. The objective of this study was to measure early S100 levels using the Elecsys((R)) S100 immunoassay for real-time assessment of severe TBI in multiple trauma. Methods: Consecutively admitted multiple trauma patients (injury severity score &gt;= 16 points) were stratified according to the results of the initial cerebral computed tomography (CCT) examination. S100 serum levels were determined at admission and at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after trauma. Data were correlated to creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum levels. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the discriminating power of S100 measurement was calculated for the detection of CCT+ findings. Results: Median S100 levels of CCT+ patients (n=9; 37 years) decreased from 3.30 mu g/L at admission to 0.41 mu g/L 72 h after trauma. They revealed no significant differences to CCT- patients (n=18; 44 years), but remained elevated compared to controls. Median CK and LDH levels correlated with the corresponding S100 levels during the first 24 h after trauma. ROC analysis displayed a maximum area under the curve of only 0.653 at 12 h after trauma. No significant difference was calculated for the differentiation between CCT+ and CCT- patients. Conclusions: Measurements of S100 serum levels using the Elecsys((R)) S100 immunoassay are not reliable for the real-time detection of severe TBI in multiple trauma patients. Due to soft tissue trauma or bone fractures, S100 is mainly released from peripheral sources such as adipocytes or skeletal muscle cells

Implementing a Research Strategy at CCT College

This case study explores initiatives undertaken during the academic year 2020/21 to further advance the implementation of the CCT Research Strategy entitled \u27Implementing a Research Strategy at CCT College, 2019-24\u27. Specific initiatives explored in the case study include the expansion of scholarly content on CCT\u27s institutional repository ARC; the establishment of a CCT Research Lunch and Learn series for faculty, and activities undertaken to promote student engagement with the inaugural HECA Student Research Awards

Examination of evidence for collinear cluster tri-partition

In a series of the experiments at different time-of-flight spectrometers of heavy ions we have observed manifestations of a new at least ternary decay channel of low excited heavy nuclei. Due to specific features of the effect, it was called collinear cluster tri-partition (CCT). The experimental results obtained initiated a number of theoretical articles dedicated to different aspects of the CCT. We compare theoretical predictions with our experimental data, only partially published so far. The model of one of the most populated CCT modes that gives rise to the so called "Ni-bump" is discussed. Detection of the 68-72Ni fission fragments with a kinetic energy E<25 MeV at the mass-separator Lohengrin is proposed for an independent experimental verification of the CCT.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figure