Regularity of nanopores in anodic alumina formed on orientated aluminium single-crystals

On aluminium single crystals with (1 1 1), (1 1 0) and (1 0 0) orientation, nanoporous alumina layers were formed in a two-step anodization process within sulphuric acid. The pore ordering within the hexagonal arrangement of the nanopores was documented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), described on the basis of defect thermology and analyzed quantitatively by image evaluation. The best ordering was obtained in nanoporous alumina on (1 0 0) aluminium. We supposed that this is caused by the interface energy term within the driving force for the formation of the nanoporous alumina, since – in contrast to (1 1 1) and (1 1 0) aluminium as substrate – in the case of (1 0 0) aluminium the interface energy is minimised in the waved interface between aluminium and hexagonally arranged nanoporous alumina.     

Water quality and taste sensitivity for basic tastes and metallic sensation

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of water quality on taste sensitivity for basic tastes and metallic sensation. To familiarize subjects with sensory analysis, they were asked to recognize tastes, distinguish between different concentrations of basic tastes, and realize their own taste sensitivity. The International Standard ISO 3972 describes a set of tests to measure taste sensitivity. A “neutral, tasteless, still and odourless water, preferably of known hardness” is recommended for preparing the dilutions and for rinsing the mouth. The standard also recommends a series of dilutions for acid (citric acid), bitter (caffeine), salty (sodium chloride), sweet (sucrose), umami (monosodium glutamate) and metallic (iron(II)sulfate). The question arises if water quality affects taste sensitivity.MethodsTwenty-three female subjects (mean age: 22), who were recruited at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Faculty of Life Sciences, were tested. Deionized water, spring water and tap water were used for taste dilutions. In each experiment, subjects were initially familiarized with the basic tastes.ResultsIn comparison to taste thresholds in spring water, the recognition thresholds are higher using tap water, and lower using deionized water. When using deionized water, sour was detected by all subjects at the lowest concentrations. Iron(II)sulfate could best be matched to metallic sensation in deionized water. Results indicate that taste sensitivity is influenced by water quality.     

Die faktische Kraft des Normativen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Thermally Activated Martensitic Transformations in Mg-PSZ

The thermally activated, stress-assisted martensitic tetragonal → monoclinic ( t → m ) and tetragonal → orthorhombic ( t → o ) transformations in a high-toughness Mg-PSZ were investigated by monitoring the phase assemblage with Raman spectroscopy after a variety of heat treatments and loading conditions. After a short anneal at 1000°C, which transforms m - and o -ZrO₂ to the t polymorph, isothermal t → m and t → o transformations occur at room temperature during the months following the anneal. The transformation rates in the annealed samples are greatly enhanced under external stress. Alternatively, samples containing regions of significant residual stress, introduced by indentation for example, and then annealed at relatively low temperatures, underwent additional thermally activated transformation in the stressed regions. The thermodynamics and kinetics of this complex transformation "plasticity," and its effect on mechanical properties, are discussed.     

Microstructural Characterization of Cofired Tungsten-Metallized High-Alumina Electronic Substrates

Microstructural characterization of a high-Al₂O₃ substrate containing cofired thick-film tungsten metallization, with particular emphasis on the metal/ceramic interface, was conducted. The substrate contained tabular Al₂O₃ grains surrounded by a continuous calcium magnesium aluminum silicate glass containing particles of monoclinic ZrO₂ and reduced rutile (TiO_{2- x} ). The metal/ceramic adhesion was caused by mechanical interlocking between the W and Al₂O₃ grains by the glass phase which penetrated the porous W layers during sintering; there was no interfacial reaction or diffusion zone. The mechanical properties of the W metallization did not limit interfacial strength. Heat treatments of the substrate at 1400 K in air and under vacuum resulted in the devitrification of the intergranular glass. The most abundant devitrification product was anorthite (CaAl₂Si₂O₈), accompanied by magnesium aluminate titanate, magnesium aluminate spinel, α-cristobalite (SiO₂), and α-cordierite (Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈). In addition, small rutile particles precipitated within the Al₂O₃ grains.     

Aging of anhydride‐hardened epoxies in lubricants at elevated temperatures

In automotive under‐the‐hood applications, electronics respectively their packaging materials come in contact with automotive fluids. The effect of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) on an anhydride‐cured epoxy was investigated at temperatures up to 180 °C for up to 1000 h. This study has shown that ATF retards the oxidative aging of the epoxy, presumably due to oxygen consumption. Whereas in air the material underwent a thermo‐oxidative aging with a mass loss of up to 4% and a strong broadening of T_g to higher temperatures, in ATF a temperature dependent distinctive drop of T_g from 142 to 126 °C after 1000 h aging at 180 °C, and a mass loss of maximum 1% was observed which might be a thermal decomposition of the epoxy material. A slight broadening of the damping factors might indicate an intrusion of ATF components. A color change of the samples could be observed after aging in air and ATF, with the discoloration in air being more intense. An explanation for the color change might be either a minor amount of oxygen causing an oxidative discoloration reaction or the intrusion of colored ATF degradation products. While the oxidation‐kinetics in air exhibited Arrhenius temperature‐dependence the mechanism in ATF changed above 165 °C. An acceleration of aging tests at temperatures beyond 150 °C is, therefore, not possible. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44877.     

Reasons for and developments in international scientific collaboration: does an Asia–Pacific research area exist from a bibliometric point of view?

This paper describes the different forms of and tries to give reasons for international scientific collaboration in general. It focuses on eleven countries in the Asia–Pacific region by evaluating their national research output with the help of bibliometric indicators in particular. Over two million journal articles published by these countries between 1998 and 2007 in ISI-listed periodicals are analyzed. Discipline-specific publication and citation profiles reveal national strengths and weaknesses in the different research domains. The exponential increase in publication output by China over the last few years is astonishing, but in terms of visibility, i.e. citation rates, China cannot keep up with leading science nations, remaining below the world average. A discipline-specific analysis shows that Chinese authors took an active part in more than a quarter of all articles and reviews published in the field of materials science in 2007, while their contribution to medical research is very low. Co-publication networks among the eleven countries are generated to observe the development of cooperation bonds in the region. Applying Salton’s measure of international collaboration strength, an above-average strengthening of scientific collaboration in the Asia–Pacific region can be observed.     

Medizin als gesellschaftliche Praxis, sozialwissenschaftliche Empirie und ethische Reflexion: ein Vorschlag für eine soziologisch aufgeklärte Medizinethik

Definition of the problem The central focus of Empirical Ethics is the study of the social and cultural aspects inherent in medical practice. Arguments This approach distinguishes between the scientific-cognitive aspects and the cultural-normative aspects of medicine, which would conventionally be investigated separately by the social sciences. When however medicine is conceived of as social practice, the sharp distinction between scientific medicine, culturally normative aspects and ethical reflection becomes less distinct. Conclusion We suggest combining ethical reflection and empirical research in multiple stages. In this case, social scientific analyses would provide an initial framework for understanding medical practices and a foundation for further ethical investigations, which would then allow for a sociological critique.     

The Anti-TNF-α Antibody Infliximab Inhibits the Expression of Fat-Transporter-Protein FAT/CD36 in a Selective Hepatic-Radiation Mouse Model

Previously, we reported a radiation-induced inflammation triggering fat-accumulation through fatty-acid-translocase/cluster of differentiation protein 36 (FAT/CD36) in rat liver. Furthermore, inhibition of radiation-induced FAT/CD36-expression by anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) (infliximab) was shown in vitro. The current study investigates fat-accumulation in a mouse-model of single-dose liver-irradiation (25-Gray) and the effect of anti-TNF-α-therapy on FAT/CD36 gene-expression. Mice livers were selectively irradiated in vivo in presence or absence of infliximab. Serum- and hepatic-triglycerides, mRNA, and protein were analyzed by colorimetric assays, RT-PCR, Immunofluorescence and Western-Blot, respectively. Sudan-staining was used demonstrating fat-accumulation in tissue. In mice livers, early (1–3 h) induction of TNF-α-expression, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, was observed. It was followed by elevated hepatic-triglyceride level (6–12 h), compared to sham-irradiated controls. In contrast, serum-triglyceride level was decreased at these time points. Similar to triglyceride level in mice livers, Sudan staining of liver cryosections showed a quick (6–12 h) increase of fat-droplets after irradiation. Furthermore, expression of fat-transporter-protein FAT/CD36 was increased at protein level caused by radiation or TNF-α. TNF-α-blockage by anti-TNF-α showed an early inhibition of radiation-induced FAT/CD36 expression in mice livers. Immunohistochemistry showed basolateral and cytoplasmic expression of FAT/CD36 in hepatocytes. Moreover, co-localization of FAT/CD36 was detected with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA⁺) cells and F4/80⁺ macrophages. In summary, hepatic-radiation triggers fat-accumulation in mice livers, involving acute-phase-processes. Accordingly, anti-TNF-α-therapy prevented early radiation-induced expression of FAT/CD36 in vivo.     

A Shift Towards Landscape-Scale Approaches in Compensation - Suitable Mechanisms and Open Questions

ABSTRACT

Landscape-scale mitigation approaches reflect a shift from a project-by-project approach to more strategic planning by applying the mitigation hierarchy – avoidance, minimization, compensation – for impacts on natural resources on a larger scale. This paper discusses requirements for the implementation of landscape-scale mitigation approaches in general. It continues with a criteria-based analysis of compensation mechanism under the Endangered Species Act – conservation banks, in-lieu fees, and permittee-responsible mitigation – to determine which mechanism best meets these requirements. Findings show that, in theory, conservation banks are best-suited to implement landscape-scale compensation. However, evidence for claimed benefits of third-party mitigation and large-scale mitigation approaches is lacking. The article concludes by identifying a number of open questions in the field.