LTCC Microfluidic System

A simple and inexpensive low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) microfluidic device with integrated optical fibers is designed, manufactured, and tested with positive results. Fluidic channels, mixer, detector, optical fiber, light source, light detector, heater, and temperature sensor are integrated in one LTCC module. The optical system in the LTCC microsystem permits measurements of light transmittance and fluorescence. The design, technology, and results of the module's evaluation are presented.     

Effect of pore size on bitumen hydrocracking over Al2O3-AlPO4 supported Ni-Mo catalysts

A study of co-precipitated aluminum oxide-aluminum phosphate (AAP) materials as supports of Ni-Mo heavy oil upgrading catalysts has been completed. Results of both short duration (8 h) and longer duration (up to 200 h) experiments at conditions relevant to the commercial H-Oil process are reported and compared with a commercial NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The initial activity of the Ni-Mo/AAP catalysts correlates with the catalyst average pore diameter which is determined by the P content of the AAP support. An optimum pore diameter of about 20 run exists for HDM whereas for HDS a pore diameter < 10 nm is desirable. After 100 h operation the HDM conversion of the best Ni-Mo/AAP catalyst was approximately 10 percentage points greater than for the commercial catalyst. The HDS and CCR conversions were comparable over the two catalysts. The difference in performance between the catalysts is attributed primarily to the smaller pore size of the Al₂O₃ support compared to the AAP support. The amount of coke deposited on the Ni-Mo/AAP catalyst was less than that on the commercial catalyst, presumably due to differences in pitch conversion levels.     

Ion-molecule reactions in mixtures of methane with carbon tetrafluoride

Ion-molecule reactions have been measured for methane-carbon tetrafluoride mixtures of different composition using a quadrupole mass spectrometer with a high-pressure ion source. Concentration of methane in these mixtures ranged from 10% to 90% (at 10% increment). Primary ions , , F⁺, CF⁺ and were produced by electrons with energy of 300 eV. Secondary ions , , , , and were observed as the result of ion-molecule reactions. Relative current intensities for primary and secondary ions are presented as a function of both total mixture pressure and concentration of methane in the mixture. Potential of repeller electrode inside the ion source collision chamber was fixed at 5 V for all measurements. Total mixture pressure was changed from 0.7 to 33.3 Pa. Schemes of ion-molecule reactions were proposed.     

Radiation sterilized bone response to dynamic loading

Allogeneic bone grafts are used on a large scale in surgeries. To avoid the risk of infectious diseases, allografts should be radiation-sterilized. So far, no international consensus has been achieved regarding the optimal radiation dose. Many authors suggest that bone sterilization deteriorates bone mechanical properties. However, no data on the influence of ionizing radiation on bone dynamic mechanical properties are available. Bovine femurs from 2-year old animal were machine cut and irradiated with the doses 10, 15, 25, 35, 45 and 50 kGy. Dynamic mechanical analysis was performed at 1–10 Hz at the temperature range of 0–350 °C in 3-point bending configuration. No statistically significant differences in storage modulus were observed. However, there were significant decreased values of loss modulus between the samples irradiated with doses of 10 (↓14.3%), 15, 45 and 50 kGy (↓33.2%) and controls. It was stated that increased irradiation dose decreases the temperature where collagen denaturation process starts and increases the temperature where the collagen denaturation process finishes. It was shown that activation energy of denaturation process is significantly higher for the samples irradiated with the dose of 50 kGy (615 kJ/mol) in comparison with control samples and irradiation with other doses (100–135 kJ/mol).     

Algorithm for automated analysis of surface vibrations using time-averaged digital speckle pattern interferometry

A fully automated algorithm was developed for the recording and analysis of vibrating objects with the help of digital speckle pattern interferometry utilizing continuous-wave laser light. A series of measurements were performed with increasing force inducing vibration to allow the spatial distribution of vibration amplitude to be reconstructed on the object's surface. The developed algorithm uses Hilbert transformation for an independent, quantitative evaluation of the Bessel function at every point of the investigated surface. The procedure does not require phase modulation, and thus can be implemented within any, even the simplest, DSPI apparatus. The proposed deformation analysis is fast and computationally inexpensive.     

Prediction of the Mechanical Properties of P91 Steel by Means of Magneto-acoustic Emission and Acoustic Birefringence

The paper describes an application of non-destructive volumetric magnetic and ultrasonic techniques for evaluation of the selected mechanical parameter variations of P91 steel having direct influence on its suitability for further use in critical components used in power plants. Two different types of deformation processes were carried out. First, a series of the P91 steel specimens was subjected to creep and second, one to plastic deformation in order to achieve the material with an increasing strain level up to 10%. Subsequently, non-destructive and destructive tests were performed. Magnetic methods based on measurements of magnetoacoustic emission and magnetic hysteresis loop changes as well as the ultrasonic method based on acoustic birefringence measurements, were applied. Finally, the static tensile tests were carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical parameters. It is shown that some relationships between the selected parameters coming from the non-destructive and destructive tests may be formulated.     

Equilibrium between ammonia-hydrogen mixtures and the ε phase of iron

Foils made from pure iron with a porous structure were nitrided in mixtures of pure and entirely decomposed ammonia until constant weight was reached. The relationship between nitriding potential, temperature and concentration was measured in the ε region between 350 and 725°C and at concentrations between and . This relationship can be mathematically represented, if the ε phase is considered to be a subregular solution of nitrogen in hexagonal iron. From the Gibbs free energy of the nitrogen in the gas phase, the numerical relation and the parameters L′ = ? 600 000 + 775.6 T J/mole L″ = 1270000 ? 1423 T J/mole are deduced. The results of a calculation of the (γ + ε)/ε phase boundary using this equations are in accordance with an experimental measurement.     

Human Gut Microbiota in Health and Selected Cancers

The majority of the epithelial surfaces of our body, and the digestive tract, respiratory and urogenital systems, are colonized by a vast number of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoans, and viruses. These microbiota, particularly those of the intestines, play an important, beneficial role in digestion, metabolism, and the synthesis of vitamins. Their metabolites stimulate cytokine production by the human host, which are used against potential pathogens. The composition of the microbiota is influenced by several internal and external factors, including diet, age, disease, and lifestyle. Such changes, called dysbiosis, may be involved in the development of various conditions, such as metabolic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto’s thyroidis and Graves’ disease; they can also play a role in nervous system disturbances, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. An association has also been found between gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer. Our health is closely associated with the state of our microbiota, and their homeostasis. The aim of this review is to describe the associations between human gut microbiota and cancer, and examine the potential role of gut microbiota in anticancer therapy.     

Effects of Brain Size on Adult Neurogenesis in Shrews

Shrews are small animals found in many different habitats. Like other mammals, adult neurogenesis occurs in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampal formation. We asked whether the number of new generated cells in shrews depends on their brain size. We examined Crocidura russula and Neomys fodiens, weighing 10–22 g, and Crocidura olivieri and Suncus murinus that weigh three times more. We found that the density of proliferated cells in the SVZ was approximately at the same level in all species. These cells migrated from the SVZ through the rostral migratory stream to the olfactory bulb (OB). In this pathway, a low level of neurogenesis occurred in C. olivieri compared to three other species of shrews. In the DG, the rate of adult neurogenesis was regulated differently. Specifically, the lowest density of newly generated neurons was observed in C. russula, which had a substantial number of new neurons in the OB compared with C. olivieri. We suggest that the number of newly generated neurons in an adult shrew’s brain is independent of the brain size, and molecular mechanisms of neurogenesis appeared to be different in two neurogenic structures.     

A comparative study of the interaction between the dried ink layer and PLA film used for packaging purposes

This research aims at comparing the interactions between the water-based printing ink and polylactide (PLA) printing base. As a reference base, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film was chosen. The wettability of both films was investigated. The Owens–Wendt method was applied to calculate the surface free energy (SFE). The values of SFE and its polar and dispersive components were compared with the surface tension (ST) of the ink and the polar and dispersive components of ST. The wetting envelopes of the investigated PLA and PET films are presented. Finally, the bonding strength between the dried ink layer and the printing base was analyzed. The PET film exhibited higher values of SFE. However, the bonding strength between the dried ink layer and the printing base was higher for PLA films. Our results reveal that PLA films can be an excellent choice as packaging materials, with comparable or even better print quality than conventional fossil-based plastics.