Influence of small dozes ultra-violet radiation on motion of dislocation in alkali-halide crystals

The purpose of this work was research into influence of ultra-violet radiation on size of run of regional and screw dislocations in beams of dislocation sockets, formed at indentation surface of alkali-halide crystals. In experiments it was used crystals NaCl, with the quantitative maintenance of impurity 10-2 -10-3weight,, the wave length of UV-radiation λ=250 nanometers, the sizes of samples 10mm× 20mm× 2mm,temperature of samples was constant T=290 K.It is established that indentation and the simultaneous irradiation of samples a ultraviolet is increases size of run of head dispositions in dislocation sockets..It is marked, that influence UV-radiation nonequivalence for various times of an exposition. At small times (till 5 minutes) the size of run grows. The length of beams increases on ～ 50 ,. At the further increase in time of influence of a ultraviolet the length of beams is reduced till the sizes corresponding stressing without an irradiation (Figs. 1, 2, 3). The effect is observed on dislocation beams of regional and screw orientations and most expressed at small loadings (in our experiments-10 grams) (Fig. 3).Observable effects are explained from positions dislocation-exciton interactions. At UV-radiation exciton cooperates with the charged step on a disposition, causing movement of a step along a disposition on one internuclear distance. Due to this interaction overcoming by a disposition of a grid of stoppers is facilitated.Big times of endurance cause a relaxation of pressure directly in a print that provides convertible movement of dispositions in area of a print and as consequence, reduction of length of beams of dislocation sockets.     

Quantifying cortical activity during general anesthesia using wavelet analysis

This paper reports on a novel method for quantifying the cortical activity of a patient during general anesthesia as a surrogate measure of the patient's level of consciousness. The proposed technique is based on the analysis of a single-channel (frontal) electroencephalogram (EEG) signal using stationary wavelet transform (SWT). The wavelet coefficients calculated from the EEG are pooled into a statistical representation, which is then compared to two well-defined states: the awake state with normal EEG activity, and the isoelectric state with maximal cortical depression. The resulting index, referred to as the wavelet-based anesthetic value for central nervous system monitoring (WAV(CNS)), quantifies the depth of consciousness between these two extremes. To validate the proposed technique, we present a clinical study which explores the advantages of the WAV(CNS) in comparison with the BIS monitor (Aspect Medical Systems, MA), currently a reference in consciousness monitoring. Results show that the WAV(CNS) and BIS are well correlated (r = 0.969) during periods of steady-state despite fundamental algorithmic differences. However, in terms of dynamic behavior, the WAV(CNS) offers faster tracking of transitory changes at induction and emergence, with an average lead of 15-30 s. Furthermore, and conversely to the BIS, the WAV(CNS) regains its preinduction baseline value when patients are responding to verbal command after emergence from anesthesia. We conclude that the proposed analysis technique is an attractive alternative to BIS monitoring. In addition, we show that the WAV(CNS) dynamics can be modeled as a linear time invariant transfer function. This index is, therefore, well suited for use as a feedback sensor in advisory systems, closed-loop control schemes, and for the identification of the pharmacodynamic models of anesthetic drugs.     

The effect of lignin on the structure and characteristics of composite coatings electrodeposited on titanium

Composite coatings based on lignin, obtained by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on titanium, were investigated. The aim of this work was to produce hydroxyapatite/lignin (HAP/Lig) coatings on titanium and to investigate the effect of the lignin concentration on microstructure, morphology, phase composition, thermal behavior and cytotoxicity of the HAP/Lig coatings. An organosolv lignin was used for the production of the composite coatings studied in this research. The properties of HAP/Lig coatings were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as the MTT test of cytotoxicity. The results showed that higher lignin concentrations protected the HAP lattice during sintering, thereby improving the stability of the HAP/Lig coatings. The cell survival of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after proliferation indicates that the HAP/Lig coating with 1 wt% Lig electrodeposited on titanium was non-toxic with significant promise as a potential bone-repair material.     

Invisible Agency

Jeremy Till and Tatjana Schneider call for a redefinition of the architect away from the professional who is ostensibly involved in adding ‘more stuff to the world’. Looking beyond the business of matter or managing the impact of that matter on the environment, they explore ways that designers can use their intelligence and creativity to shift existing habits of consumption and patterns of behaviour. They highlight the work for four practices who are already operating in this field: 2012Architecten, 00/:, Arif Hasan and Morar de Outras Maneiras (MOM).     

Effect of location in the canopy on the colour development of three apple cultivars during growth

BACKGROUND: Homogeneity in appearance is one of the quality aspects asked for in the supply chain. Decreasing the biological variation in batches of harvested apples (cultivars Braeburn, Fuji and Gala) becomes increasingly important. Skin colour is one of the aspects that determine both optimal harvest and stage of development. Skin colour is affected by location in the canopy. The rules of development of biological variation are now established and will be used on skin colour data. RESULTS: The Minolta colour aspects a*, b* and L* measured before commercial harvest change in a sigmoidal fashion and can be analysed including the biological variation, with a logistic model in indexed nonlinear regression, obtaining explained parts of above 90%. The mechanism of colour change is not affected by state of development or location in the canopy. The location in the canopy affects the intensity of both red and green colouring compounds. The variation in colouration is not affected by the location in the canopy. CONCLUSION: The red‐coloured apple cultivar (Gala) depends more on the location in the canopy than the less‐coloured cultivars (Fuji and Braeburn). The colour development in Fuji apples is considerably slower, with a much larger variation in stage of development. The location in the canopy affects all aspects of biological variation (biological shift factor and asymptotic starting level of colouration) for all three colour aspects L*, a* and b*, but only the mean value, not the standard deviation. The biological shift factors per colour aspects are linearly related. Once induced, variation remains constant during development. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of carbendazim residues in fruit juices by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this paper a rapid optimized method for routine analysis of carbendazim residues in fruit juices is reported. The procedure is based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) with diatomaceous earth and analysis of the extract by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, with electrospray ionization (LC-ESI-MS/MS). In the method optimization, finding of the optimal pH for the extraction of carbendazim from juice was particularly critical. Significant matrix effects were observed, but could be eliminated using matrix-matched standards. High recoveries (82-102%), good repeatability (RSD ≤ 12%) and low limits of detection (0.03 ng ml^-1) and quantification (0.1 ng ml^-1) were achieved with this method.     

Photoluminescence of spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO nanorods

Photoluminescence of highly structured ZnO layers comprising well-shaped hexagonal rods is presented. The ZnO rods (length 500-1,000 nm, diameter 100-300 nm) were grown in air onto a preheated soda-lime glass (SGL) or ITO/SGL substrate by low-cost chemical spray pyrolysis method using zinc chloride precursor solutions and growth temperatures in the range of 450-550°C. We report the effect of the variation in deposition parameters (substrate type, growth temperature, spray rate, solvent type) on the photoluminescence properties of the spray-deposited ZnO nanorods. A dominant near band edge (NBE) emission is observed at 300 K and at 10 K. High-resolution photoluminescence measurements at 10 K reveal fine structure of the NBE band with the dominant peaks related to the bound exciton transitions. It is found that all studied technological parameters affect the excitonic photoluminescence in ZnO nanorods.PACS: 78.55.Et, 81.15.Rs, 61.46.Km.     

Layer‐by‐layer assembled polyelectrolyte blend membranes and their use for ion separation and rejection

Polyelectrolyte blend films and membranes were prepared upon alternating electrostatic adsorption of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and mixtures of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in different ratio on solid supports. Infrared studies indicated that the PSS‐PAA blend composition of the films always differed from the mixture composition in the dipping solution, PSS being preferentially adsorbed. Films deposited on porous supporting membranes (polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene terephthalate) were studied on their ion permeation under diffusion dialysis conditions, and their flux and salt rejection under nanofiltration and reverse osmosis (RO) conditions. Blend membranes prepared at pH 1.7 exhibit a significantly improved anion separation and salt rejection, the ideal separation factor α(NaCl/Na₂SO₄) of a membrane prepared from a PSS:PAA mixture of 1:1 (w/w) being 197 ± 10 (pure PAH/PSS: 45). The NaCl and Na₂SO₄ rejections under RO conditions are 85 and 97% (pure PAH/PSS: 15 and 27%), respectively. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers