Influence of Sn and Pb ions substitutions on dielectric properties of barium titanate

The results of the microstructural and dielectric measurements of (Ba1-xPbx)(Ti1-xSnx)O3 (BPTSx) (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.30) polycrystalline samples are presented. The samples were obtained by means of a high temperature synthesis and their expected stoichiometry was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements. The dielectric properties of BPTSx were studied with the use of broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The measurements over a wide range of temperature (from 140 K to 600 K) and frequency (from 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz) were performed. The experimental results indicate an influence of Pb ions in a sublattice A and Sn ions in a sublattice B substitution on paraelectric - ferroelectric phase transition parameters. Diffused phase transitions from a paraelectric to ferroelectric state (for x = 0.10 and x = 0.30) were observed. From the electric modulus measurements in the frequency domain the relaxation times and the activation energy were determined

Flexible growing rods: a pilot study to determine if polymer rod constructs may provide stability to skeletally immature spines

Abstract Background Surgical treatments for early onset scoliosis (EOS), including growing rod constructs, involve many complications. Some are due to biomechanical factors. A construct that is more flexible than current instrumentation systems may reduce complications. The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine spine range of motion (ROM) after implantation of simulated growing rod constructs with a range of clinically relevant structural properties. The hypothesis was that ROM of spines instrumented with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods would be greater than metal rods and lower than noninstrumented controls. Further, adjacent segment motion was expected to be lower with polymer rods compared to conventional systems. Methods Biomechanical tests were conducted on 6 skeletally immature porcine thoracic spines (domestic swine, 35-40 kg). Spines were harvested after death from swine that had been utilized for other studies (IACUC approved) which had not involved the spine. Paired pedicle screws were used as anchors at proximal and distal levels. Specimens were tested under the following conditions: control, then dual rods of PEEK (6.25 mm), titanium (4 mm), and CoCr (5 mm) alloy. Lateral bending (LB) and flexion-extension (FE) moments of ±5 Nm were applied. Vertebral rotations were measured using video. Differences were determined by two-tailed t-tests and Bonferroni correction with four primary comparisons: PEEK vs control and PEEK vs CoCr, in LB and FE (α=0.05/4). Results In LB, ROM of specimens with PEEK rods was lower than control at each instrumented level. ROM was greater for PEEK rods than both Ti and CoCr at every instrumented level. Mean ROM at proximal and distal noninstrumented levels was lower for PEEK than for Ti and CoCr. In FE, mean ROM at proximal and distal noninstrumented levels was lower for PEEK than for metal. Combining treated levels, in LB, ROM for PEEK rods was 35% of control (p<0.0001) and 270% of CoCr rods (p<0.01). In FE, ROM with PEEK was 27% of control (p<0.001) and 180% of CoCr (p<0.01). Conclusions PEEK rods decreased flexibility versus noninstumented controls, and increased flexibility versus metal rods. Smaller increases in ROM at proximal and distal adjacent motion segments occurred with PEEK compared to metal rods, which may help decrease junctional kyphosis. Flexible growing rods may eventually help improve treatment options for young patients with severe deformity.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134537/1/13013_2015_Article_967.pd

Unexpected Hydrolytic Instability of N-Acylated Amino Acid Amides and Peptides

Remote amide bonds in simple N-acyl amino acid amide or peptide derivatives 1 can be surprisingly unstable hydrolytically, affording, in solution, variable amounts of 3 under mild acidic conditions, such as trifluoroacetic acid/water mixtures at room temperature. This observation has important implications for the synthesis of this class of compounds, which includes N-terminal-acylated peptides. We describe the factors contributing to this instability and how to predict and control it. The instability is a function of the remote acyl group, R2CO, four bonds away from the site of hydrolysis. Electron-rich acyl R2 groups accelerate this reaction. In the case of acyl groups derived from substituted aromatic carboxylic acids, the acceleration is predictable from the substituent’s Hammett σ value. N-Acyl dipeptides are also hydrolyzed under typical cleavage conditions. This suggests that unwanted peptide truncation may occur during synthesis or prolonged standing in solution when dipeptides or longer peptides are acylated on the N-terminus with electron-rich aromatic groups. When amide hydrolysis is an undesired secondary reaction, as can be the case in the trifluoroacetic acid-catalyzed cleavage of amino acid amide or peptide derivatives 1 from solid-phase resins, conditions are provided to minimize that hydrolysis

Study of Physical Properties of Ba(Ti 1−2x Fe x Nb x )O 3 Ceramics

Ba(T

A novel miniature in-line load-cell to measure in-situ tensile forces in the tibialis anterior tendon of rats.

Direct measurements of muscular forces usually require a substantial rearrangement of the biomechanical system. To circumvent this problem, various indirect techniques have been used in the past. We introduce a novel direct method, using a lightweight (~0.5 g) miniature (3 x 3 x 7 mm) in-line load-cell to measure tension in the tibialis anterior tendon of rats. A linear motor was used to produce force-profiles to assess linearity, step-response, hysteresis and frequency behavior under controlled conditions. Sensor responses to a series of rectangular force-pulses correlated linearly (R2 = 0.999) within the range of 0-20 N. The maximal relative error at full scale (20 N) was 0.07% of the average measured signal. The standard deviation of the mean response to repeated 20 N force pulses was ± 0.04% of the mean response. The step-response of the load-cell showed the behavior of a PD2T2-element in control-engineering terminology. The maximal hysteretic error was 5.4% of the full-scale signal. Sinusoidal signals were attenuated maximally (-4 dB) at 200 Hz, within a measured range of 0.01-200 Hz. When measuring muscular forces this should be of minor concern as the fusion-frequency of muscles is generally much lower. The newly developed load-cell measured tensile forces of up to 20 N, without inelastic deformation of the sensor. It qualifies for various applications in which it is of interest directly to measure forces within a particular tendon causing only minimal disturbance to the biomechanical system

Influence of Sn and Pb Ions Substitutions on Dielectric Properties of Barium Titanate

The results of the microstructural and dielectric measurements of (Ba1-xPbx)(Ti1-xSnx)O3 (BPTSx) (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.30) polycrystalline samples are presented. The samples were obtained by means of a high temperature synthesis and their expected stoichiometry was confirmed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements. The dielectric properties of BPTSx were studied with the use of broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The measurements over a wide range of temperature (from 140 K to 600 K) and frequency (from 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz) were performed. The experimental results indicate an influence of Pb ions in a sublattice A and Sn ions in a sublattice B substitution on paraelectric - ferroelectric phase transition parameters. Diffused phase transitions from a paraelectric to ferroelectric state (for x = 0.10 and x = 0.30) were observed. From the electric modulus measurements in the frequency domain the relaxation times and the activation energy were determined

Estimating sleep disordered breathing based on heart rate analysis

Heart rate variability and the analysis of the ECG with ECG derived respiration has been used to diagnose sleep disordered breathing. Recently it was possible to distinguish obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. This can be achieved by analyzing both, heart rate variability and the more mechanically induced ECG derived respiration in parallel. In addition the analysis of cardiopulmonary coupling facilitates to predict the personal risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The analysis of heart rate, ECG and respiration goes beyond this analysis. Some studies indicate that it is possible to derive sleep stages from these signals. In order to derive sleep stages a more complex analysis of the signals is applied taking into account non-linear properties by using methods of statistical physics. To extract coupling information supports the distinction between sleep stages. Results are reported in this review. © 2013 IEEE

Affinity viscosimetry sensor for enzyme free detection of glucose in a micro-bioreaction chamber

With the growing demand of miniaturization of cell cultivation a new approach towards measuring and sensing bio-analytes needs to be made due to the problem of small volumes (less than 150μl) containing small amounts of analytes. Most of the available glucose sensors monitor the glucose concentration with the help of enzymes, which become very inaccurate in terms of long time measurement and uses (i.e. consumes) glucose during the measurement becoming not available anymore for the cells. Therefore, we focused on applying an enzyme-free glucose sensor based on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)