Structure and Properties NbN and Nb-Si-N Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering

NbN and Nb-Si-N films were deposited by magnetron sputtering the Nb and Si targets on silicon wafers at various bias voltage, Us. The films were investigated by an atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nanoindentation. The deposited films were annealed to establish their thermal stability. The NbN films were nanostructured, and the Nb-Si-N films had a nanocomposite structure, and represented an aggregation of δ-NbNx nanocrystallites embedded into the amorphous Si3N4 tissue (nc-δ-NbNx/a-Si3N4)

Power abilities: the structure of development in girls of 12-14 years old

The aim of the study. To determine the structure of the development of power abilities in girls aged 12-14 years. Materials and methods. Girls aged 12 years (n = 20) participated in the study; 13 years (n = 27), 14 years old (n = 30). Factorial analysis performed. Results. It is determined that the most informative in girls of 12-14 years old are the following tests: which characterize the development of dynamic and static strength of muscles of the feet and hands (girls of 12 years old); which characterize the development of static, high-speed strength of leg muscles, static and dynamic strength of the muscles of the abdomen and hands (girls of 13 years old); which characterize the development of the static and dynamic strength of leg muscles, the dynamic strength of the muscle of the hands (girls of 14 years old). Conclusions. Factor analysis allowed to determine informative indicators for controlling the development of power abilities in girls of 12-14 years old. The greatest weight in power preparedness has the relative and static strength of the leg muscles. In the second place, girls of 12-13 years old have the development of muscle strength shoulder girdle. 14 years old girls in second place, have the development of dynamic and static strength of the abdominal muscles and the dynamic strength of muscles of the shoulder girdle. Girls of 12 years old in third place have the development of coordination of movements, the static strength of the shoulder girdle and the dynamic strength of the back muscles. Girls of 13 years in the third place have development of the development of muscle strength of the abdomen. Girls of 14 years in third place have development of high-speed force and coordination of movements

Power abilities: recognition of the level of development in girls aged 12-14 years

The purpose of the study is to determine the possibility of recognizing the state of power abilities development in girls aged 12-14 years based on the methodology of multidimensional statistics. Materials. The study involved girls: 12 (n =21), 13 (n = 20), 14 (n = 19) years old. The study used the following methods: analysis and collation of scientific and methodological literature, general scientific methods of theoretical level, such as analogy, analysis, synthesis, abstraction, induction, as well as general scientific methods of empirical level: observation, testing, experiment. The testing program included well-known tests. Results. In the recognition of the state of power abilities development in girls aged 12-14 years the most important are the results in tests: Pull-Up / Chin Up Test (Rope Climbing), quantity of times (0.877); Squats Test (two legs), quantity of times (0.723); Single Leg Squat (SLS) Test - left leg, quantity of times (-0.567); Pull-Up / Chin Up Test (low crossbar), quantity of times (-0.467). These tests describe the level of muscle strength development of the shoulder girdle and legs. In the recognition of the state of power abilities development in girls aged 13-14 years the most important are the results in tests: Single Leg Squat (SLS) Test - left leg, quantity of times (-0.825); Single Leg Squat (SLS) Test - right leg, quantity of times (0.735); Single Leg Squat (Pistol) - left leg (0.672); Hand tapping test, sec. (0.682). These tests describe the level of development of relative and static strength of the legs. Conclusions. Discriminant analysis allowed to determine informative indicators for cross-control of the development of power abilities in girls aged 12-14 years; answer the question of how significantly the state of development of power abilities in girls of 12, 13 and 14 years is different; which motor tests most significantly affect the differentiation of classes; which class the object belongs to (based on the values of discriminant variables). In order to recognize the level of development of power abilities in girls aged 12-14 years, it is necessary to be guided by the indicators of relative and static strength and strength endurance; at girls of 13 and 14 years – strength endurance

The effect of Al target current on the structure and properties of (Nb2Al)N films with an amorphous AlN phase

Nanocomposite films based on (Nb2Al)N intermetallic nitride have been obtained by the method of magnetron sputtering. Xray diffraction analysis revealed two stable states of the crystalline structure: (i) NbN with low amount (within 5 at %) of dissolved Al in a composition close to (Nb2Al)N and (ii) an amor phous component related to aluminum nitride formed by reactive magnetron sputtering. The substructural characteristics (grain size and microdeformation level) are sensitive to the current via Al target and exhibit correlation with nanohardness and Knoop hardness of the film, which vary within 29–33.5 and 46–48 GPa, respectively

The effect of Al target current on the structure and properties of (Nb2Al)N films with an amorphous AlN phase

Nanocomposite films based on (Nb2Al)N intermetallic nitride have been obtained by the method of magnetron sputtering. Xray diffraction analysis revealed two stable states of the crystalline structure: (i) NbN with low amount (within 5 at %) of dissolved Al in a composition close to (Nb2Al)N and (ii) an amor phous component related to aluminum nitride formed by reactive magnetron sputtering. The substructural characteristics (grain size and microdeformation level) are sensitive to the current via Al target and exhibit correlation with nanohardness and Knoop hardness of the film, which vary within 29–33.5 and 46–48 GPa, respectively

Structure and properties of nanocomposite Nb-Al-N films

Nanocomposite Nb–Al–N films prepared by magnetron sputtering have been studied. It has been found that, in the films, there are two stable crystalline structural states, namely, NbNz and B1–Nb1 ⎯ xAlxNyO1 – y, and an amorphouslike component related to aluminum oxynitride upon reactive magnetron sputtering. It has been established that the substructure characteristics are sensitive to the current supplied to an Al target and are related to the Knoop nanohardness and hardness, which change in the ranges of 29–33.5 and 46–48 GPa, respectively. Ab initio calculations for the NbNz and Nb2AlN phases and NbN/AlN heterostructures have been performed to interpret the obtained results for the first time.

Clinical implementation of in-house developed MR-based patient-specific 3D models of liver anatomy

Knowledge of patient-specific liver anatomy is key to patient safety during major hepatobiliary surgery. Three-dimensional (3D) models of patient-specific liver anatomy based on diagnostic MRI images can provide essential vascular and biliary anatomical insight during surgery. However, a method for generating these is not yet publicly available. This paper describes how these 3D models of the liver can be generated using open source software, and then subsequently integrated into a sterile surgical environment. The most common image quality aspects that degrade the quality of the 3D models as well possible ways of eliminating these are also discussed. Per patient, a single diagnostic multiphase MRI scan with hepatospecific contrast agent was used for automated segmentation of liver contour, arterial, portal, and venous anatomy, and the biliary tree. Subsequently, lesions were delineated manually. The resulting interactive 3D model could be accessed during surgery on a sterile covered tablet. Up to now, such models have been used in 335 surgical procedures. Their use simplified the surgical treatment of patients with a high number of liver metastases and contributed to the localization of vanished lesions in cases of a radiological complete response to neoadjuvant treatment. They facilitated perioperative verification of the relationship of tumors and the surrounding vascular and biliary anatomy, and eased decision-making before and during surgery.Radiolog

Nb–Al–N thin films: Structural transition from nanocrystalline solid solution nc-(Nb,Al)N into nanocomposite nc-(Nb, Al)N/a–AlN

Structures and mechanical properties of thin films of the Nb–Al–N system produced by magnetron sputtering of targets from niobium and aluminum in the Ar–N2 atmosphere have been studied. It has been shown that as the aluminum concentration increases, the structure of a thin film transforms from the nanocrystalline into the nanocomposite one, which consists of nanocrystallites of solid solutions in a matrix of amorphous aluminum nitride. Hardness, elastic modulus, and yield strength of Nb–Al–N thin films have been studied by nanoindentation in the mode of continuous control of the contact stiffness. It has been found that the transition of the structures of Nb–Al–N thin films from the nanocrystalline to the nanocomposite structures results in an increase of hardness and decrease of elastic modulus due to the for mation of a thin amorphous interlayer between grains of nanocrystallites. A high hardness to elastic modulus ratio of Nb–Al–N nanocomposite thin films indicates that the films are a promising material for wear resistant coatings.