Phase transformation and microstructural evolution after heat treatment of a terbium-doped lithium–aluminum phosphate glass

The crystallization kinetics and phase transformation of a transparent Tb³⁺-doped lithium–aluminum phosphate glass, prepared by melt quenching, were investigated. The energy associated to the glass transition and the crystallization parameters (activation energy for crystallization and Avrami exponent) were evaluated by different methods using the experimental data obtained by differential thermal analysis performed at different heating rates. Using an isoconversional method to determine the change of the activation energy for crystallization with the fraction of crystallization, it was verified that with the increase in the fraction of crystallization from 0.1 to 0.9, the value of the activation energy decreased slightly from ~370 to ~310 kJ mol^?1 and that the Avrami exponent varied from 0.8 to 1, suggesting a surface crystal growth mechanism. Observation of the microstructural evolution of heat-treated glass samples confirmed a surface crystallization process revealing spherulitic crystals constituted mainly by aluminum metaphosphate.     

Intentional and unintentional contributions of nonspecific preparation during reaction time foreperiods.

The nonspecific preparation that follows a warning stimulus (WS) to speed responding to an impending imperative stimulus (IS) is generally viewed as a strategic, intentional process. An alternative view holds that WS acts as a conditioned stimulus that unintentionally elicits a tendency to respond at the moment of IS presentation as a result of a process of trace conditioning. These views were contrasted as explanatory frameworks for classical effects on reaction time of the duration and intertrial variability of the foreperiod, the interval between WS and IS. It is shown that the conditioning view accounts for the available data at least as well as the strategic view. In addition, the results of 3 experiments provide support for the conditioning view by showing that unintentional contributions to nonspecific preparation can be dissociated from intentional contributions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modulation of magnetic and structural properties of cobalt thin films by means of electrodeposition

Cobalt electrodeposits were prepared from an electrolytic bath containing cobalt perchlorate. The effect of different species, organic (thiourea and sodium gluconate) and inorganic (boric acid), on the crystallographic structure, morphology, magnetic properties and electrochemical behaviour of cobalt electrodeposits was investigated. Amorphous cobalt, hcp cobalt and a non-usual primitive cubic cobalt phase were observed depending on the bath composition. Depending on the structure, different morphologies and magnetic properties were found. Coercivity values of the cobalt coatings ranged from around 15 Oe for amorphous, nodular deposits to 380 Oe for cobalt coatings showing acicular morphology and hcp structure with a (002) preferred orientation. Knowledge of the influence of the species on the properties of cobalt makes it possible to obtain tailored cobalt films.     

Effect of the forging pressure on the microstructure and residual stress development in Ti–6Al–4V linear friction welds

A detailed investigation for the influence of the forging pressure on the microstructural, microhardness, and residual stress development in linear friction welded Ti–6Al–4V has been performed. Energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction scans were performed in the three principle directions across the welds to characterise the residual stress development. Since the welding process results in dramatic microstructural changes, it was necessary to identify any variations of the strain-free lattice parameter across the weld regions for accurate stress calculations. This was achieved by undertaking biaxial sin²ψ laboratory X-ray diffraction measurements on cross-weld slices cut from the centre of the welds. The cross-weld crystallographic texture was assessed using electron-backscattered diffraction. The experimental data identified a strong relationship between forging pressure and residual stresses and weld microstructure, whereby the residual stresses, the width of the weld region, and the α-Ti texture strength in the weld region generally decreased with the increase in forging pressure.     

Design Recommendations for a FRP Bridge Deck Supported on Steel Superstructure

No appropriate provisions from either AASHTO Standard (2002) or AASHTO LRFD (2004) bridge design specifications are available for the design of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges. In this research, a parametric study using the finite-element method (FEM) is conducted to examine two design issues concerning the design of FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges, namely deck relative deflection and load distribution factor (LDF). Results show that the strip method specified in AASHTO LRFD specification as an approximate method of analysis, can also be applied to FRP decks as a practical method. However, different strip width equations have to be determined by either FEM or experimental methods for different types of FRP decks. In this study, one such equation has been derived for the Strongwell deck. In addition, both FEM results and experimental measurements show that the AASHTO LDF equations for glued laminated timber decks on steel stringers provide good estimations of LDF for FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges. Finally, it is found that the lever rule can be used as an appropriately conservative design method to predict the LDF of FRP-deck-on-steel-superstructure bridges.     

Antioxidant activity and phenolic contents of Olea europaea L. leaves sprayed with different copper formulations

Olive trees (Olea europaea L. Cv. Cobrançosa) from the northeast of Portugal were sprayed with three different copper formulations [bordeaux mixture (copper sulphate + calcium hydroxide − 20% Cu), copper hydroxide (40% Cu) and copper oxychloride (50% Cu)] to control olive fungal diseases. The residues of copper in olive leaves, harvested at different times, were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. At all the collection times, treated olive leaves had significantly higher copper contents, compared to the control. The different copper amounts in pesticide formulations lowered the leaves contents in total phenols and hence their antioxidant properties. Olive leaves sprayed with copper oxychloride possessed the highest copper levels and the lowest content in phenols, which influenced its antioxidant activity (higher EC₅₀ values for reducing power, scavenging effect on DPPH radicals and inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis). Leaves without copper residues proved to be a good natural source of antioxidants, giving values comparable to the reference compounds.     

Citrus flavonoids: Molecular structure,biological activity and nutritional properties: A review

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between dietary flavonoid intakes and cardiovascular diseases. Citrus fruits are the main winter fruits consumed in the Mediterranean diet, so they are the main source of dietary flavonoids. The possible beneficial effects are due, not only to the high amounts of vitamins and minerals, but also to the antioxidant properties of their flavonoids. Dietary flavonoids may help to supplement the body antioxidant defences against free radicals. These compounds’ possible beneficial effects are due to their antioxidant activity, which is related to the development of atherosclerosis and cancer, and to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. The present review summarizes the existing bibliography on biological and pharmacological studies of Citrus flavonoids, both in vitro and in vivo.     

A paradigm of experimentally induced mild hyperthyroidism: effects on nitrogen balance, body composition, and energy expenditure in healthy young men

OBJECTIVE: To conceptualize, with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), the early cellular events occurring in and around fresh autogenous and allogenic bone grafts during the first 40 postimplantation days. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-eight cases of bone grafts were studied by FNAC at serial intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 40 postimplantation days. Twenty patients were recipients of autogenous grafts, 16 received 0.6N HCI partially decalcified allogenic bone implants, and 4 received combined autogenous and allogenic bone grafts (included in the allograft group). There were eight control cases of closed fracture shaft femur, which were managed conservatively. RESULTS: The initial cellular responses in autogenous grafts, allografts and controls appear to be a part of the nonspecific reparative process followed by a more specific phase, with a steady increase in relative lymphocyte count from the 20th day onwards. Osteogenesis, as judged by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, was also comparable. CONCLUSION: Partially decalcified allografts appear to be a good substitute for autogenous bone grafts in clinical practice when adequate autogenous material is not available. FNAC is a good technique for studying bone graft responses without interfering with graft uptake. It is helpful in the early detection of subclinical infection or any other pathology at the graft site.