Influence of ionic strength on the tribological properties of pre-adsorbed salivary films

We have studied tribological properties of pre-adsorbed salivary films formed in vitro on compliant hydrophobic surfaces. The adsorbed salivary film significantly decreases boundary friction under physiological ionic strength, which is related to a hydrophilic character of the adsorbed film and its structure. Decrease in the ionic strength below physiological conditions affects film’s structure, but it does not significantly affect boundary lubrication at low loads. Applications of high loads led to a gradual loss of lubrication due to shear-induced wear of the films. The wear became more extensive as the ionic strength of the solvent was lowered below physiological conditions.     

Theory and Practice of Rolling Metal Powders

The theoretical and technological fundamentals are considered for rolling metal powders. The equipment and production schemes for rolling powders is described as well as unit for feeding powder between rolls for the case of manufacturing two-layer strips. The main technological schemes for production copper rollings are presented.     

Carbon Nanotube–CoF2 Multifunctional Cathode for Lithium Ion Batteries: Effect of Electrolyte on Cycle Stability

Transition metal fluorides (MF_x) offer remarkably high theoretical energy density. However, the low cycling stability, low electrical and ionic conductivity of metal fluorides have severely limited their applications as conversion‐type cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Here, a scalable and low‐cost strategy is reported on the fabrication of multifunctional cobalt fluoride/carbon nanotube nonwoven fabric nanocomposite, which demonstrates a combination of high capacity (near‐theoretical, ) and excellent mechanical properties. Its strength and modulus of toughness exceed that of many aluminum alloys, cast iron, and other structural materials, fulfilling the use of MF_x‐based materials in batteries with load‐bearing capabilities. In the course of this study, cathode dissolution in conventional electrolytes has been discovered as the main reason that leads to the rapid growth of the solid electrolyte interphase layer and attributes to rapid cell degradation. And such largely overlooked degradation mechanism is overcome by utilizing electrolyte comprising a fluorinated solvent, which forms a protective ionically conductive layer on the cathode and anode surfaces. With this approach, 93% capacity retention is achieved after 200 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g⁻¹ and over 50% after 10 000 cycles at the current density of 1000 mA g⁻¹.     

Viral quantitative capillary electrophoresis for counting intact viruses

The quantification of a virus plays an important role in vaccine development, clinical diagnostics, and environmental contamination assays. In all these cases, it is essential to calculate the concentration or number of intact virus particles (ivp) and estimate the degree of degradation and contamination of virus samples. In this work, we propose a cost-efficient, robust method for the quantification and characterization of intact viruses based on capillary zone electrophoresis. This separation method is demonstrated on vaccinia virus (VV) with oncolytic properties. After virus sample preparation, the solution contains intact VV as well as broken viruses and residual DNA from the host cell used for preparation. Regulatory requirements limit the amount of the host cell DNA that can be present in vaccines or human therapeutics. We apply capillary electrophoresis to separate intact virus particles and the residual DNA and to measure the level of virus contamination with DNA impurities. Intercalating YOYO-1 dye is used to detect the encapsulated and free DNA by laser-induced fluorescence. After soft lysis of VV with proteinase K, all encapsulated DNA is dissolved to the free DNA. The change in peak areas and a DNA calibration curve help determine the initial concentration of intact viruses. This viral quantitative capillary electrophoresis (Viral qCE) is able to quantify the oncolytic vaccinia virus in the range of 10(6) to 10(12) ivp/mL.     

Enterosorption in ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract with concomitant intestinal dysbacteriosis

Adjuvant use of enterosorbents in combined therapy of gastroduodenal ulcers (158 patients), nonspecific ulcerative colitis with intestinal dysbacteriosis was assessed. Enterosorption in combined therapy of gastrointestinal diseases with dysbacteriosis potentiated positive effect. The highest benefit of enterosorption occurs in intestinal affections (nonspecific ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel-syndrome, chronic enteritis, colitis). In gastroduodenal ulcer lignin sorbent (polyfepan) is preferable. Polyfepan acted positively on intestinal dysbacteriosis through eliminating Escherichia with hemolyzing properties and enterococci, by reducing lack of bifidobacteria.     

Effect of an electric field on the discharge of polydispersions from a slotted vertical plane-parallel channel

Results are shown of an experimental study concerning electrorheological dielectric systems and the hydrodynamic characteristics of their discharge from a slotted plane-parallel channel in the presence of a constant electric field.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 681–685, October, 1972.     

Validity of epidemiological classification: study of asymptomatic properties of a discriminant criterion

Aiming to assess the presence of selected anaerobic microorganisms in root canals of human teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. 25 central and lateral upper incisors presenting with radiographic evidence of chronic apical periodontitis were studied. The pulp chamber was opened under aseptic conditions and samples of the root canal content were collected with sterile absorbent paper points, which were placed and dispersed in test tubes containing reduced transport medium RTT. Aliquots were dried on glass slides and stained by indirect immunofluorescence for detection of Actinomyces viscosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The results showed a positive indirect immunofluorescence reaction in 24 of the 25 samples. Fourteen were positive for the specie Actinomyces viscosus, 12 for Prevotella intermedia, 10 for Fusobacterium nucleatum and 4 for Porphyromonas gingivalis. A semiquantitative assay was easily implemented for assessment of degree of infection by the organisms in individual cases.     

Stochastic geometry of network of randomly distributed moving vehicles on a highway

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have become an extensively studied topic in contemporary research. One of the fundamental problems that has arisen in such research is understanding the network statistical properties, such as the cluster number distribution and the cluster size distribution. In this paper, we analyze these characteristics in the case in which vehicles are located on a straight road. Assuming the Rayleigh fading model and a probabilistic model of intervehicle distance, we derive probabilistic distributions of the aforementioned connectivity characteristics, as well as distributions of the biggest cluster and the number of disconnected vehicles. All of the results are confirmed by simulations carried out for the realistic values of parameters.