Manganese ferrite-polyaniline hybrid materials: Electrical and magnetic properties

Magnetic MnFe₂O₄ nanopowders were synthesized by an original solvothermal method in the absence and in the presence of tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB) and Tween 80 (TW) as surfactants. Manganese ferrite/polyaniline (PANI) hybrid materials were synthesized by in situ polymerization of aniline on the surface of MnFe₂O₄ using ammonium persulfate as oxidant. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of the two surfactants on the properties of the MnFe₂O₄ powders and of their composites with PANI. The specific surface area, the cumulative surface area of pores and the cumulative volume of pores are influenced by the nature of surfactant in case of MnFe₂O₄ powders and are higher by comparison to those of the MnFe₂O₄/PANI hybrid materials. The values of saturation magnetization in case of MnFe₂O₄ powders are higher than those of the hybrid materials and are not influenced by the surfactant nature. These features revealed that MnFe₂O₄ powders can be efficiently used as adsorbents for the purification of wastewaters. The values of the electrical conductivity of the composites exhibit a significant increase in comparison to the MnFe₂O₄ powders and depend on the surfactant nature. The highest value of electrical conductivity was achieved by the composite obtained using Tween 80 as surfactant (σ_DC = 54.5·10^?5S?m^?1) which was close to that of PANI (σ_DC = 61.2·10^?5 S?m^?1). The fact that the magnetic and electric properties of the synthesized MnFe₂O₄/PANI composites can be changed by design, demonstrate the high potential of these materials to be used in magneto-electric applications.     

Measurement of the working parameters of an air-post vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

We present a complete experimental evaluation of the effective parameters necessary to describe the dynamical behavior of an air-post vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, on the basis of theoretical equations which are also derived in this paper. The experimental investigation is composed of several steps, including power versus current measurement, noise spectrum analysis, linewidth evaluation. The complete set of parameters derived, in particular the linewidth-enhancement factor and the spontaneous emission factor, is particularly important for accurate comparisons of theoretical models on the laser dynamics with experiments.     

Utilization of chopped and long alfalfa by dairy heifers

Two physical forms of alfalfa hay, chopped and long, were fed at maintenance and for ad libitum consumption to dairy heifers to determine effects upon digestibility and energy utilization. Ad libitum intake was associated with lower digestibility of dry matter (56 versus 58%), neutral detergent fiber (45 versus 58%), and acid detergent fiber (45 versus 52%). Energy balance was 1.77 Mcal/day at ad libitum versus .08 Mcal/day at maintenance. Dry matter intake was similar for chopped (5.4 kg/day) versus long alfalfa (5.5 kg/day). Digestibilities of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and cellulose were 7 to 10 percentage units lower when heifers were fed the chopped alfalfa. Metabolizable energy intake generally reflected digestible energy intake, which was about 2 Mcal/day less for heifers consuming chopped alfalfa. Heat production was similar for the two physical forms. Consequently, heifers consuming chopped alfalfa had lower energy balance. Reducing particle size of the alfalfa resulted in lower dry matter and energy digestibility, presumably because of increased rate of passage. Increased intake to compensate for depressed energy utilization of the chopped alfalfa did not occur; effects upon animal gain could not be assessed.     

Eigenschaften von binären mischungen aus polyethylenen hoher dichte mit ultrahoher und normaler molmasse

The study is on two component blends of high density polyethylenes, having normal and ultra-high molecular weight. The polyethylenes were homogenized by two routes: in powder state or by rolling in melt, then pressed at temperatures in the range from 140°C to 220°C. Comparative studies showed that the way of homogenizing of the components does practically not affect the main mechanical properties of the blends when pressed at temperatures ≥ 160°C. Of special interest are the characteristics of those systems where ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is the matrix component.     

Late effects of radiotherapy in children

PURPOSE: To examine benzoporphyrin derivative angiography as a modality for studying photosensitizer biodistribution in experimental choroidal melanomas. METHODS: A liposomal preparation of benzoporphyrin derivative was used in this study. Digital benzoporphyrin derivative angiograms were performed in 10 rabbits (six for experimental choroidal melanomas, two for normal choroids, and two for irides) using a Topcon ImageNet H1024 digital imaging system, a Kodak Megaplus video camera, and a Topcon TRC-50-VT fundus camera. Only one eye from each rabbit was used. Filters specifically designed for benzoporphyrin derivative (peak absorption at 580 nm and peak emission at 695 nm) were used. Benzoporphyrin derivative (1 mg/kg) was injected into an ear vein while images of tumor, normal choroid, or iris were being obtained. Follow-up images were obtained during the first 3 hours and at 24 hours after injection. Fluorescence microscopy was performed in all 10 rabbits using 1 mg/kg of benzoporphyrin derivative. Tumor-bearing eyes were enucleated at the same time points that angiograms were performed, and the two sets of results were compared for maximum dye accumulation. RESULTS: Digital angiography demonstrated that maximal benzoporphyrin derivative fluorescence occurred in tumors 15 to 45 minutes after injection. Fluorescence photometry corroborated these results. CONCLUSION: Photosensitizer angiography is a valid modality for determining the optimum treatment time for photodynamic therapy.     

Is implementation of continuous improvement possible? An evolutionary model of enablers and inhibitors

The purpose of this article is to present an evolutionary model of the enablers and inhibitors affecting the implementation and sustainability of continuous improvement. With this aim, a qualitative study using the grounded theory was carried out. Interviews were conducted with managers responsible for continuous improvement in first‐tier suppliers in the automotive sector. As a result, two existing lines of research in the continuous improvement literature are synthesized: on one hand, the literature concerning the enablers and barriers associated with continuous improvement sustainability; and on the other, the literature concerning the evolutionary model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Photo-Chemically-Deposited and Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst Material Surface Structures During CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol: EXAFS,XANES and XPS Analyses of Phases After Oxidation,Reduction, and Reaction

Catalysis Letters - Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 or novel rate catalysts, prepared with a photochemical deposition method, were studied under functional CH3OH synthesis conditions at the set temperature...     

Platinum particle size effect on the oxidative dehydrogenation of aqueous ethanol

The effect of the platinum particle size was investigated for the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of aqueous ethanol to ethanal at a temperature of 303 K, an ethanol concentration of 260 mol m^–3, a partial oxygen pressure 60 kPa, a pH of 9, and an ethanal and ethanoate concentration of 20 mol m^–3. A particle size effect on the turnover frequency was observed but only for particle sizes smaller than 2 nm. Hence, the reaction shows a limited structure sensitivity.     

Relationship between Viscoelastic and Peeling Properties of Model Adhesives. Part 1. Cohesive Fracture

The viscoelastic and peeling properties of polybutadiene/tackifying resin compatible blends have been studied in detail. Viscoelastic properties have been described through the variations of the complex shear modulus, G*(ω), as a function of frequency, ω and peeling properties through the variations of peeling force (F) as a function of peeling rate (V).

After showing the objective character of the peeling curves obtained, the variations of the peeling force and peeling geometry have been studied as a function of volume fraction of the tackifying resin.

In this first paper, the analysis is focused on the first domain of the peeling curves, i.e. the cohesive fracture region. In this region, the peeling properties have been related to the viscoelastic properties in the terminal region of relaxation. It is shown that the longest relaxation time, τ_o, is a reducing parameter of the peeling curves, so a peeling master curve-which is independent of temperature, resin volume fraction and polymer molecular weight-may be defined. Furthermore, the variations of the test geometry as a function of peeling rate have been investigated: the variations of the radius of curvature of the aluminium foil have been analyzed with respect to the viscoelastic behavior of the adhesive, which in fact governs the test geometry.

A detailed analysis of all these features leads to a model which allows one to calculate the peeling curves in the cohesive domain from the adhesive formulation.