Low Electrolytic Conductivity Standards

Standards of low electrolytic conductivity were developed to satisfy the demands of the U.S. Navy and American industry for the measurement of high quality water. The criteria for the selection of appropriate solvent and solutes, based on the principles of equivalent conductivity and Onsager’s limiting law, are described. Dilute solutions of potassium chloride and benzoic acid in 30 % n-propanol–water have been chosen as standards. The electrolytic conductivity of both sets of these solutions as a function of molality was determined. Solutions of potassium chloride and of benzoic acid are recommended for use as 5 μS/cm, 10 μS/cm, 15 μS/cm, 20 μS/cm, and 25 μS/cm conductivity standards. Solutions prepared from potassium chloride in 30 % n-propanol–water have been certified as Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). SRM 3198 and SRM 3199 are certified nominally at 5 μS/cm and 15 μS/cm, respectively, at 25.000 °C.     

Thermal Conductivity Measurement of an Electron-Beam Physical-Vapor-Deposition Coating

An industrial ceramic thermal-barrier coating designated PWA 266, processed by electron-beam physical-vapor deposition, was measured using a steady-state thermal conductivity technique. The thermal conductivity of the mass fraction 7 % yttria-stabilized zirconia coating was measured from 100 °C to 900 °C. Measurements on three thicknesses of coatings, 170 μm, 350 μm, and 510 μm resulted in thermal conductivity in the range from 1.5 W/(m·K) to 1.7 W/(m·K) with a combined relative standard uncertainty of 20 %. The thermal conductivity is not significantly dependent on temperature.     

Anatomy of a negative feedback loop: the case of IκBα

The magnitude, duration and oscillation of cellular signalling pathway responses are often limited by negative feedback loops, defined as an ‘activator-induced inhibitor’ regulatory motif. Within the NFκB signalling pathway, a key negative feedback regulator is IκBα. We show here that, contrary to current understanding, NFκB-inducible expression is not sufficient for providing effective negative feedback. We then employ computational simulations of NFκB signalling to identify IκBα molecular properties that are critical for proper negative feedback control and test the resulting predictions in biochemical and single-cell live-imaging studies. We identified nuclear import and nuclear export of IκBα and the IκBα–NFκB complex, as well as the free IκBα half-life, as key determinants of post-induction repression of NFκB and the potential for subsequent reactivation. Our work emphasizes that negative feedback is an emergent systems property determined by multiple molecular and biophysical properties in addition to the required ‘activator-induced inhibitor’ relationship.     

Preparation and Calibration of Carrier-Free 209Po Solution Standards

Carrier-free ²⁰⁹Po solution standards have been prepared and calibrated. The standards, which will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as Standard Reference Material SRM 4326, consist of (5.1597 ±0.0024) g of a solution of polonium in nominal 2 mol · L⁻¹ hydrochloric acid (having a solution density of (1.031±0.004) g · mL⁻¹ at 22 °C) that is contained in 5 mL flame-sealed borosilicate glass ampoules, and are certified to contain a ²⁰⁹Po alpha-particle emission rate concentration of (85.42±0.29) s⁻¹ · g⁻¹ (corresponding to a ²⁰⁹Po activity concentration of (85.83 ±0.30) Bq · g⁻¹) as of the reference time of 1200 EST 15 March 1994. The calibration was based on 4πα liquid scintillation (LS) measurements with two different LS counting systems and under wide variations in measurement and sample conditions. Confirmatory measurements by 2πα gas-flow proportional counting were also performed. The only known radionuclidic impurity, based on α- and photon-emission spectrometry, is a trace quantity of ²⁰⁸Po. The ²⁰⁸Po to ²⁰⁹Po impurity ratio as of the reference time was 0.00124 ±0.00020. All of the above cited uncertainty intervals correspond to a combined standard uncertainty multiplied by a coverage factor of k = 2. Although ²⁰⁹Po is nearly a pure α emitter with only a weak electron capture branch to ²⁰⁹Bi, LS measurements of the ²⁰⁹Po a decay are confounded by an a transition to a 2.3 keV (J^π= 1/2⁻) level in ²⁰⁵Pb which was previously unknown to be a delayed isomeric state.     

Electronic conduction in La-based perovskite-type oxides

A systematic study of La-based perovskite-type oxides from the viewpoint of their electronic conduction properties was performed. LaCo_0.5Ni_0.5O_3±δ was found to be a promising candidate as a replacement for standard metals used in oxide electrodes and wiring that are operated at temperatures up to 1173 K in air because of its high electrical conductivity and stability at high temperatures. LaCo_0.5Ni_0.5O_3±δ exhibits a high conductivity of 1.9 × 10³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature (R.T.) because of a high carrier concentration n of 2.2 × 10²² cm⁻³ and a small effective mass m∗ of 0.10 m_e. Notably, LaCo_0.5Ni_0.5O_3±δ exhibits this high electrical conductivity from R.T. to 1173 K, and little change in the oxygen content occurs under these conditions. LaCo_0.5Ni_0.5O_3±δ is the most suitable for the fabrication of oxide electrodes and wiring, though La_1−xSr_xCoO_3±δ and La_1−xSr_xMnO_3±δ also exhibit high electronic conductivity at R.T., with maximum electrical conductivities of 4.4 × 10³ S cm⁻¹ for La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3±δ and 1.5 × 10³ S cm⁻¹ for La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO_3±δ because oxygen release occurs in La_1−xSr_xCoO_3±δ as elevating temperature and the electrical conductivity of La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO_3±δ slightly decreases at temperatures above 400 K.     

Local thermal-mechanical analysis of ultrathin interfacially mixed poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(acrylic acid) layer-by-layer electrolyte assemblies

Ion conductivities of layer-by-layer (LBL) assemblies of solid thin film polyelectrolyte systems involving poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were found to be a strong function of the number of bilayer stacks, n, with conductivities approaching 10^− 7 S/cm for n < 10, compared to 10^− 9 S/cm for n ≥ 10 and 10^− 10 S/cm for bulk PEO. Increased ion conductivity for low LBL stack numbers (n < 10) originated to part from an effective suppression of the PEO crystallization via PEO/PAA blending, which could be inferred from local glass transition temperature measurements involving shear modulation force microscopy. Another phenomenon responsible for high conductivity in thin films was found in the in-plane phase heterogeneity of PEO and PAA. Increased ion conductivity for larger LBL stacks (n ≥ 10) were attributed to low concentration autoblending caused by PEO-PAA hydrogen bonding, and an average layer thickness of noticeably less than 100 nm. The effect of interfacial constraints was evident in the degree of intermixing, addressed by a thin film extended Fox blend analysis, in the glass and melting transitions of PEO and PAA pure film components. While the glass transition value of PAA decreased by 55% to 46 °C for an 8 nm film, the melting transition for PEO decreased by 15% to 64 °C caused by surface tension effects.     

Adam-Gibbs Formulation of Enthalpy Relaxation Near the Glass Transition

The entropically based nonlinear Adam-Gibbs equation is discussed in the context of phenomenologies for nonlinear enthalpy relaxation within the glass transition temperature range. In many materials for which adequate data are available, the nonlinear Adam-Gibbs parameters are physically reasonable and agree with those obtained from linear relaxation data and thermodynamic extrapolations. Observed correlations between the traditional Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan parameters are rationalized in terms of the Adam-Gibbs primary activation energy (Δμ) determining how close the kinetic glass transition temperature can get to the thermodynamic Kauzmann temperature. It is shown that increased nonlinearity in the glass transition temperature range is associated with greater fragility in the liquid/rubber state above T_g.     

Certification of NIST SRM 1962: 3 μm Diameter Polystyrene Spheres

This report describes the certification of SRM 1962, a NIST Standard Reference Material for particle diameter. It consists of an aqueous suspension of monosize 3 (μm polystyrene spheres. Two calibration techniques were used: optical microscopy and electron microscopy. The first one gave a mean diameter of D¯=2.977±0.011 μm and a standard deviation of the size distribution σ_D = 0.020 μm, based on measurement of 4600 spheres. The second technique gave D¯=2.990±0.009 μm, based on measurement of 120 spheres. The reported value covering the two results is D¯=2.983 μm with a maximum uncertainly of 0.016 μm, with σ_D=0.020 μm.     

Inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum by AgNPs biosynthesised using Cinnamomum camphora fruit extract

Cinnamomum camphora fruit extract was used to biosynthesise silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and the optimised synthesis system was ascertained through solution colour change and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra. It contained 20 ml of fruit extract, 4 mM Ag nitrate, and pH 7. AgNPs obtained based on such conditions were spherical and finely dispersed, with an average size of 20.3 nm. As‐synthesised AgNPs exhibited excellent antifungal effect against Fusarium oxysporum. At a dose of 400 μg/ml of AgNPs, the inhibition rate of colony growth reached 61.00% and an IC₅₀ value of 154.39 μg/ml. In addition, the conidia germination was totally inhibited at 100 μg/ml of AgNPs. Results of this study provide a new approach for biological control of plant pathogenic fungi, and it makes that possible for developing a brand new fungistat.Inspec keywords: nanoparticles, microorganisms, agricultural products, nanobiotechnology, silver, antibacterial activity, nanomedicine, pharmaceutical technologyOther keywords: fusarium oxysporum, cinnamomum camphora fruit extract, biosynthesis, silver nanoparticles, antifungal effect, conidia germination, plant pathogenic fungi, Ag     

Proposed New Electrolytic Conductivity Primary Standards for KCl Solutions

An absolute determination of aqueous electrolytic conductivity has been made for 0.01 molal (m) and 0.1 m potassium cliloride solutions, over the temperature range of 0 to 50 °C in 5 degree intervals. A cell with a removable center section of accurately known length and area was used for the measurements. Values were adjusted to be in conformity with the ITS-90 temperature scale. The overall uncertainty over the entire temperature range is estimated to be 0.03%. Values at 25 °C for 0.01 and 0.1 m are 0.00140823 and 0.0128246 S/cm, respectively. It is proposed that these values be adopted as primary standards for aqueous electrolytic conductivity, replacing the demal scale.     

Effect of magnetic fields on cryptochrome-dependent responses in Arabidopsis thaliana

The scientific literature describing the effects of weak magnetic fields on living systems contains a plethora of contradictory reports, few successful independent replication studies and a dearth of plausible biophysical interaction mechanisms. Most such investigations have been unsystematic, devoid of testable theoretical predictions and, ultimately, unconvincing. A recent study, of magnetic responses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, however, stands out; it has a clear hypothesis—that seedling growth is magnetically sensitive as a result of photoinduced radical-pair reactions in cryptochrome photoreceptors—tested by measuring several cryptochrome-dependent responses, all of which proved to be enhanced in a magnetic field of intensity 500 μT. The potential importance of this study in the debate on putative effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on human health prompted us to subject it to the ‘gold standard’ of independent replication. With experimental conditions chosen to match those of the original study, we have measured hypocotyl lengths and anthocyanin accumulation for Arabidopsis seedlings grown in a 500 μT magnetic field, with simultaneous control experiments at 50 μT. Additionally, we have determined hypocotyl lengths of plants grown in 50 μT, 1 mT and approximately 100 mT magnetic fields (with zero-field controls), measured gene (CHS, HY5 and GST) expression levels, investigated blue-light intensity effects and explored the influence of sucrose in the growth medium. In no case were consistent, statistically significant magnetic field responses detected.     

A rapid method to determine the barrier requirements for dehydrated oatmeal product using flexible packaging films

Product was packaged in two types of flexible packaging films, poor moisture-high oxygen barrier and high moisture-poor oxygen barrier, and stored under standard tropical conditions. Physical, chemical and biological changes were investigated regularly to find the shelf-life determining factors. Control samples were packaged in glass bottles and stored at 0°C. OTR and WVTR of packaging films were measured. Packaging film permeability and analytical data, obtained from storage tests, were used to determine the barrier requirements for dehydrated oatmeal product, intended for distribution and storage in a tropical climate for 9 months shelf-life. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phosphorous and boron doping of nc-Si:H thin films deposited on plastic substrates at 150 °C by Hot-Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition

Gas-phase phosphorous and boron doping of hydrogenated nanocrystalline thin films deposited by HWCVD at a substrate temperature of 150 °C on flexible-plastic (polyethylene naphthalate, polyimide) and rigid-glass substrates is reported. The influence of the substrate, hydrogen dilution, dopant concentration and film thickness on the structural and electrical properties of the films was investigated. The dark conductivity of B- and P-doped films (σ_d = 2.8 S/cm and 4.7 S/cm, respectively) deposited on plastic was found to be somewhat higher than that found in similar films deposited on glass. n- and p-type films with thickness below ∼ 50 nm have values of crystalline fraction, activation energy and dark conductivity typical of doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon. This effect is observed both on glass and on plastic substrates.     

X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis of Noble Metal Dental Alloys

The analysis of noble metal dental alloys for the various constituent elements is a difficult and tedious task by chemical or fire assay procedures. X-ray spectroscopy offered the possibility of increased speed, especially if solid metal samples were employed. This technique was investigated particularly with respect to the analysis of dental alloys having the nominal composition in percent, of gold 72, silver 12, copper 10, platinum 2, palladium 2, and zinc 2. Alloys were prepared by melting the component elements in a high frequency furnace and casting the metal into disk form. Compositions of the castings were determined by chemical analysis. Optimum procedures for casting the sample and for X-ray analysis were established, and analytical curves were developed relating concentrations to measured intensities of the X-ray lines Au L_β, Ag K_α, Cu K_α, Pt L_α, Pd K_α, and Zn K_α. The observed typical coefficients of variation for the method were Au 0.34 percent, Ag 0.44 percent, Cu 2.2 percent, Pt 1.6 percent, Pd 1.2 percent, and Zn 0.72 percent. The results indicate that the method is sufficiently accurate and has marked advantages of speed and simplicity compared to chemical analysis.     

Thermal conductivity of aqueous solutions of NaCl and KCI at high pressures

This paper presents new experimental measurements of the thermal conductivity of aqueous solutions of NaCl and KCl at high pressures. The measurements were made with a parallel-plate apparatus. The temperatures covered the range from 293 to 473 K at pressures up to 100 MPa and concentrations from 0.025 to 0.25 mass fraction of NaCl and KCl. The measurements included 6 isobars at pressures from 0.1 to 100 MPa at intervals of 20 MPa, 10 isotherms at temperatures from 293 to 473 K at intervals of 20 K, and 6 isopleths at concentrations from 0.025 to 0.25 mass fraction of NaCl and KCl at intervals of 0.05. The precision of the measurements was ±1.6%. The thermal conductivity obtained for NaCl + H₂O and KCl + H₂O was compared with data of other authors, with satisfactory agreement. The viability of the technique was confirmed and the essential features of a high-precision instrument were established.     

Correlation of Muscovite Sheet Mica on the Basis of Color,Apparent Optic Angle,and Absorption Spectrum

A detailed experimental study of color, apparent optic angle, and absorption spectrum (0.3 to 16μ of λ) indicates that there are basic chemical and structural differences in muscovite micas. Color identification is based upon spectrophotometer measurements. A method for quantitative evaluation of absorption band activity is defined so that single and multiple band intensities within the spectrum of an individual specimen and within spectra of different specimens can be compared. Three basic spectral types exist for the 0.3 to 1μ λ region which are comprised of various weak lines and absorption regions lying along the base of a deep absorption edge near 0.32μ. Of the three spectral types, one is associated with ruby micas, while the other two are associated with dark green and light green micas. The activities of numerous lines and bands are reported. It is shown that apparent optic axial angle is related to the position of the deep band edge except for a certain class of ruby specimens which show anomalous values. A definitive characterization of muscovite sheet is formulated in terms of the absorption coefficients at 0.44, 0.49, and 0.58μ. Direct associations are shown between certain lines in the visible λ range and certain bands in the near infrared, while the activities of a number of bands in the middle infrared are correlated to color.     

Variation of Glass Temperature With Pressure in Polypropylene

By measurement of the specific volume of polypropylene as a function of temperature at various pressures, the variation of glass temperature with pressure, dT_g/dP, was determined. Within experimental error the magnitude of this quantity is the same as the value of Tv¯Δα/ΔCp, where Δα and ΔC_p are the change in coefficient of expansion and specific heat respectively at the glass temperature. This is an indication that thermodynamics can be applied to the glass transition. The value of dT_g/dP is the same as Δβ/Δα, where Δβ is the change in compressibility at T_g calculated from the data, but it is shown that this equality must follow as a consequence of the manner in which the experiments were carried out, quite independently of the application of thermodynamics.     

Certification of NIST SRM 1961: 30 μm Diameter Polystyrene Spheres

This report describes the certification of SRM 1961, an NIST Standard Reference Material for particle diameter. It consists of an aqueous suspension of monosize 30 μm diameter polystyrene spheres. The primary technique used optical microscopy; it gave a mean diameter value D¯=29.62±0.04μm and a standard deviation of the size distribution σ_D = 0.21 μm. Over 2000 spheres were measured. The supporting technique used electron microscopy, which yielded D¯=29.68±0.11μm. Ninety spheres were measured.     

Determination of heavy metals in skin‐whitening cosmetics using microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

In this study, the determination of noxious heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), bismuth (Bi), mercury (Hg), titanium (Ti), lead (Pb) and metalloid arsenic (As) in skin‐whitening cosmetics were examined using microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry method. A complete digestion of cosmetics samples was achieved using a mixture of hydrofluoric acid/hydrogen peroxide/nitric acid. The quantification of the target compounds was done by standard addition method. The excellent quality parameters for instance, detection limits, As (4.6 ppb), Bi (7.9 ppb), Cd (0.45 ppb), Hg (3.3 ppb), Pb (3.8 ppb), Ti (4.3 ppb), linearity (r ²  > 0.999) and run‐to‐run and day‐to‐day precisions with relative standard deviations <3% were obtained. The recovery rates for standard reference materials were found between 90 and 105%. The average concentration of heavy metals in cosmetics samples were in the range of 1.0–12.3 (μg g⁻¹, As), 33–7097 (μg g⁻¹, Bi), 0.20–0.6 (μg g⁻¹, Cd), 0.70–2700 (μg g⁻¹, Hg), 1.20–143 (μg g⁻¹, Pb) and 2.0–1650 (μg g⁻¹, Ti).Inspec keywords: cosmetics, atomic emission spectroscopyOther keywords: skin‐whitening cosmetics, microwave digestion, plasma atomic emission spectrometry, noxious heavy metals, cadmium, bismuth, mercury, titanium, lead, metalloid arsenic, hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, standard addition method, standard reference materials