Toward improved mechanical, tribological, corrosion and in-vitro bioactivity properties of mixed oxide nanotubes on Ti-6Al-7Nb implant using multi-objective PSO.

Recently, the robust optimization and prediction models have been highly noticed in district of surface engineering and coating techniques to obtain the highest possible output values through least trial and error experiments. Besides, due to necessity of finding the optimum value of dependent variables, the multi-objective metaheuristic models have been proposed to optimize various processes. Herein, oriented mixed oxide nanotubular arrays were grown on Ti-6Al-7Nb (Ti67) implant using physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering (PVDMS) designed by Taguchi and following electrochemical anodization. The obtained adhesion strength and hardness of Ti67/Nb were modeled by particle swarm optimization (PSO) to predict the outputs performance. According to developed models, multi-objective PSO (MOPSO) run aimed at finding PVDMS inputs to maximize current outputs simultaneously. The provided sputtering parameters were applied as validation experiment and resulted in higher adhesion strength and hardness of interfaced layer with Ti67. The as-deposited Nb layer before and after optimization were anodized in fluoride-base electrolyte for 300min. To crystallize the coatings, the anodically grown mixed oxide TiO2-Nb2O5-Al2O3 nanotubes were annealed at 440°C for 30min. From the FESEM observations, the optimized adhesive Nb interlayer led to further homogeneity of mixed nanotube arrays. As a result of this surface modification, the anodized sample after annealing showed the highest mechanical, tribological, corrosion resistant and in-vitro bioactivity properties, where a thick bone-like apatite layer was formed on the mixed oxide nanotubes surface within 10 days immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) after applied MOPSO. The novel results of this study can be effective in optimizing a variety of the surface properties of the nanostructured implants.

Total parenteral nutrition-associated intrahepatic cholestasis in infants: 25 years' experience.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There are few long-term chronological reviews examining the incidence of total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-associated intrahepatic cholestasis (TPNAC) in infants. The authors therefore reviewed TPNAC in their 25-year series, and also looked at the current problems associated with TPN in infants. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-three surgical neonates who received TPN for more than 2 weeks were divided into 3 groups chronologically: group A (1971 through 1982, n = 77), group B (1983 through 1987, n = 72), and group C (1992 through 1996, n = 124). TPNAC was defined as serum direct bilirubin (DB) level greater than 2.0 mg/dL during the neonatal period. RESULTS: The incidence of TPNAC in groups A, B and C was 57%, 31%, and 25% (P< .01), respectively, and the mortality rate from TPN-associated complications was 13%, 3%, and 3% (P< .05), respectively. Over the last 5 years, severe TPNAC developed in 20 patients (16%). Four of 20 died of TPN-associated sepsis with hepatic failure; 2 had hypoganglionosis with intractable stagnant enteritis and subsequent sepsis, and 2 had fatal respiratory or cardiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TPNAC in surgical neonates and TPN-associated mortality rates have decreased significantly. The mortality rate, however, still remains at 3%. Two of 4 fatal cases had hypoganglionosis, which were totally dependent on TPN. In patients who require long-term TPN, TPN still has unsolved problems, and small bowel transplantation may be indicated.

Sputtering preparation of ferroelectric PLZT thin films and their optical applications.

Preparation of epitaxial PLZT thin films on sapphire has been investigated, and excellent ferroelectric properties such as piezoelectricity and electrooptic effect with high transparency were obtained in thin films. Moreover, a preparation process was developed involving the multitarget sputtering method, and strict control of film composition and epitaxial growth with the buffer layer of graded composition were performed. Using these PLZT thin films, some optical applications, including an acoustooptic deflector and an electrooptic guided-light switch, are shown.

Rectangular-apertured micro-Fresnel lens arrays fabricated by electron-beam lithography.

Rectangular-apertured micro-Fresnel lens arrays are proposed. These lens arrays have been fabricated by an electron-beam writing system specially developed for the fabrication of microoptical devices. It is experimentally demonstrated that the lens arrays showed uniform focusing characteristics, and that each lens exhibited a diffraction-limited focusing characteristic with efficiency of 74%.

Highly reliable temperature sensor using rf-sputtered SiC thin film.

A SiC thin-film thermistor for high-temperature use has been developed by using rf-sputtered SiC thin films. This thermistor can be used for industrial and consumer use within an operating temperature range of -100 to 450 degrees C. By using SiC thin films, the thermistor maintains high electrical stability. The resistance change is less than 3% after exposure to heat at 400 degrees C for 2000 h. In addition, the film growth technique made possible the production of a high-accuracy thermistor, i.e., thermistor coefficient < +/-0.5%, thermistor resistance < +/-1.5%.