Hybrids of cellulose acetate and sol–gel silica: Morphology,thermomechanical properties,water permeability,and biodegradation evaluation

Hybrids based on cellulose acetate (CA) and SiO₂ were prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). More rigid films were obtained with an inorganic phase incorporation. The thermal stability of the hybrids was similar to pure CA. Composite membranes were prepared by casting of CA/TEOS mixtures onto a poly(vinylidene fluoride) support. The water permeation decreased with the incorporation of the inorganic phase. Hybrid membranes were able to retain solutes with a molar mass of ?9000 g/mol (?98% retention). Hybrids were submitted to biodegradation tests. The presence of the inorganic phase did not inhibit the growth of Thricoderma harzianum fungi. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2196–2205, 2002     

Advanced Monte Carlo simulations of the adsorption of chiral alcohols in a homochiral metal‐organic framework

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations with configurational biasing were used to study the enantioselective adsorption of four alkanols in a homochiral metal‐organic framework, known as hybrid organic‐inorganic zeolite analogue HOIZA‐1. Conventional GCMC simulations are not able to converge satisfactorily for this system due to the tight fit of the chiral alcohols in the narrow pores. However, parallel tempering and parallel mole‐fraction GCMC simulations overcome this problem. The simulations show that the enantioselective adsorption of the different (R,S)‐alkanols is due to the specific geometry of the chiral molecules relative to the pore size and shape. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2324–2334, 2014     

Comparison of vacuum impregnation and soaking techniques for addition of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus to minimally processed melon

This study aimed to evaluate the vacuum impregnation (VI) and soaking methods in the addition of Lactobacillus acidophilusLA‐3 to minimally processed melon (MPM). The melons were washed, sanitised in chlorine solution (200 mg L^?1), peeled and cutted into cubes. Lactobacillus acidophilusLA‐3 (1.4 × 10¹⁰ CFU g^?1) were added to the MPM through both techniques. The L. acidophilusLA‐3 count in MPM was similar to those commonly found in dairy products having probiotic claim, but VI was more efficient than soaking in maintaining the viability (8.61 and 7.98 Log CFU g^?1, respectively). The pH, acidity and soluble solids were not affected by probiotic culture and the incorporation technique; however, the VI affected the firmness of fruit. The MPM was within Brazilian standards for their microbiological characteristics. MPM may be used as a carrier of probiotic bacteria, being one more alternative for individuals who consume probiotic products.     

Analytical kinematics models and special geometries of a class of 4-DOF parallel mechanisms

The paper discusses forward and inverse kinematics of a class of four-degree-of-freedom (DOF), four-legged parallel mechanisms providing three rotational and one translational DOFs. A fully parametric analytical form solution to the inverse-position problem is provided. All working modes of the mechanism are shown and discussed. The equations of the forward-position problem are obtained under different leg arrangements, and a numerical example is provided. New special geometries in the class are proposed, including one suitable for keyhole surgery.     

Multicentre evaluation of the Monarch (IL) clinical chemistry analyser

A multicentre evaluation of the Monarch centrifugal analyser is reported. Precision, linearity and accuracy were assessed by comparison with routine methods. Calibration stability, photometric and dispensing accuracy, and carry-over related to samples and reagents were also evaluated. The overall performance of the instrument was good, showing an excellent photometric and dispensing accuracy, absence of sample-dependent carry-over, and almost negligible reagent carry-over. Good precision, linearity and correlation with routine methods were found for the parameters tested. The instrument is reliable and is now used as the routine clinical chemistry analyser in two of the three laboratories taking part in the evaluation.     

Cycle stability of birnessite manganese dioxide for electrochemical capacitors

A combination of step potential electrochemical spectroscopy (SPECS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to examine the electrochemical cycling behaviour of a well-characterized birnessite-phase manganese dioxide sample for use in electrochemical capacitors. The resistance and interfacial properties of the macroscopic electrode were found to be irreversible with cycling. However, the corresponding properties for the individual particles were more reversible, although they did show substantial hysteresis in their behaviour during cycling. This behaviour was discussed in terms of the structural, conductivity and morphological characteristics of the birnessite at different depths of discharge.     

A CDMA wireless packet network for voice-data transmissions

This letter investigates the possibility of integrating voice and data communications in a CDMA wireless packet network to provide access to a base station over a common short-range radio uplink channel for many spatially dispersed voice and data user terminals. Speech activity detection is assumed for voice communications to temporarily devote codes unused by voice user terminals during silence periods to data transmissions. The network proposed exhibits a good performance both in terms of quality of voice communications which is independent of data transmissions and maximum data traffic load supported with bounded delay     

Structure and purity of single walled carbon nanotube samples

Pulsed neutron diffraction has been used to characterize the microscopic structure and purity of single walled carbon nanotubes samples produced by arc discharge. We employed a time of flight diffractometer whose performance in measuring the microscopic structural properties of light-mass materials is well known and recognized. The extended Q-range of the instrument allows for a direct inversion of the data to determine the radial distribution function of the carbon atoms. This is compared with the corresponding function produced by computer simulation. In addition, the absolute calibration of the neutron diffraction data evidences anomalies in the diffraction spectra of the carbon nanotubes, especially at the level of the total scattering section, that could not be observed in previous neutron scattering experiments. These are attributed to the presence of a substantial amount of spurious carbonaceous material that was not quantitatively detected with more conventional diagnostic techniques.