Comparative performance of carbon nanotube and nanoclay on thermal properties and flammability behavior of amorphous polyamide/SEBS blend

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) or montmorillonite clay (MMT-30B) were added to a poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide-co-terephthalamine) (an amorphous polyamide - aPA) and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene graphitized with maleic anhydride (SEBS) blend, in different concentrations, in order to investigate the morphology, thermal properties and flammability behavior. Different nanoparticle localizations in the phase blend were observed through transmission electronic microscopy. CNT nanoparticles are localized in SEBS phase, and MMT-30B nanoparticles in aPA phase. No significant changes were observed on transition temperatures and thermal stability with both nanoparticle additions. However, a slight increase on storage modulus for clay nanocomposites and a slight reduction for carbon nanotube nanocomposites were observed, due to their different phase localizations. Regarding flammability, CNT nanocomposites showed better performance as a flame retardant when compared to samples with MMT-30B. Although the MMT-30B nanocomposites could not be classified according to the UL-94 criteria, no dripped flaming particles were observed, due to the a char barrier formation on the polymer surface. The CNT nanocomposites were classified according to the UL-94 criteria as V-2. The CNT's selective localization on the SEBS phase decreases its heat-release rate, but no interconnected network structure was formed in the matrix to suppress the dripping flaming particles.     

Thermal stability of polymers based on acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid in different temperature and salinity conditions

Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) is the most widely used polymer in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. However, under conditions of high temperature and salinity, the PHPA molecules become hydrolyzed, causing a drastic reduction of the viscosity of the polymer solution due to the presence of negative charges, making the molecules more susceptible to interactions with cations. In this sense, in order to increase the stability of these polymers, an anionic monomer more resistant to cations such as 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) has been incorporated into the HPAM molecules. This work evaluated the thermal stability of a copolymer (acrylamide and AMPS - AN125) and a terpolymer (acrylamide, acrylate, and AMPS-FP5115) in the time course of 360 days. The tests were carried out in typical conditions of Brazilian offshore reservoirs, such as absence of oxygen, high temperature, and high salt concentration. The test method involved measurements of intrinsic viscosity in function of time and determination of the hydrolysis degree of the polymers by elemental analysis. The copolymer AN125 was more stable under the test conditions than the terpolymer FP 5115 due to the presence of a higher concentration of AMPS in the copolymer. The AMPS group was hydrolyzed to AA at a temperature of 100 °C, however, the increase in salt concentration delayed the onset of this degradation. The tests indicated that the presence of a higher AMPS content in the copolymer does not prevent the polymer from undergoing hydrolysis, but delays the polymer precipitation step in the solution.     

定向凝固Cu-10.25%Mg过共晶合金中初生Laves相Cu2Mg枝晶三维形貌

采用连续切片技术重构了定向凝固Cu-10.25%Mg过共晶合金中初生Laves相Cu₂Mg的三维枝晶形貌.结果表明,Cu₂Mg二次枝晶的三维生长形态在不同凝固环境中呈现"八面体"、"棱面"或"板条"状,侧枝生长形态不对称,二维截面组织中沿生长方向不连续的枝晶实质上是枝晶二次侧枝的横断面组织,部分沿生长方向分叉的枝晶仅是某个初生枝晶一次轴的局部,而非二维截面组织推断出的初生桉晶分叉现象.20μm/s抽拉速率下合金的一次和二次枝晶间距分别为112.53和40.78μm,该值与凝固分数f_s=0.6时侧枝呈现"板条"枝晶的一次和二次枝晶间距测量值123.30和44.82μm相近,比f_s=0.8时侧枝呈现"八面体"枝晶的值198.00和47.66μm要小.三维初生Cu₂Mg枝晶"八面体"、"棱面"和"板条"侧枝的生长速率数值分别为1.40.1.94和2.66μm/s,比一次技晶主干生长速率要小近一个数量级.     

Palynological and physicochemical data characterisation of honeys produced in the Entre‐Douro e Minho region of Portugal

Honey legislation has been addressed to establish the minimum marketing level of the product and the need for consumer protection through correct denominations. Research oriented toward assessment of floral origin and physicochemical properties may increase the commercial value of these products. The characteristics of thirty‐one honeys produced in the Entre‐Douro e Minho region in Portugal were studied. Pollen features and some physicochemical parameters (moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural contain, apparent sucrose, reducing sugars and diastase activity) were determined. The samples were found to meet international honey specifications. The present study found a linear regression between the ash content of honeys and their specific conductivity. Five samples are listed as Eucalyptus honey, one sample as Citrus honey, and twenty‐five samples as multifloral honeys. Of the total, 87.1% exceeded the quality parameters and should be labelled as ‘virgin’ honey.     

电除尘器低压控制系统实时仿真软件的开发

以电除尘器低压控制系统为研究对象，建立了电除尘器低压控制系统的阴阳极振打、料位检测与卸灰控制和保温箱加热控制等一系列仿真模型；并按照实时仿真的要求，编制出了电除尘器低压控制系统的实时仿真软件。该软件采用Ｃ语言模块化结构设计，具有通用性强、实时性好和仿真精度高等特点，可实现启动、运行、停机、手动控制、自动控制、状态显示、参数显示、参数修改，故障设置和报警等多种仿真功能，仿真结果符合实际。     

Carbamazepine/betaCD/HPMC solid dispersions. I. Influence of the spray-drying process and betaCD/HPMC on the drug dissolution profile

The aim of this study was to compare carbamazepine (CBZ) solid dispersions prepared by spray-drying of aqueous dispersions with the corresponding physical mixtures. The influence of the association of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the CBZ dissolution profile of the preparations was investigated. Results demonstrated that CBZ release from solid dispersions is dependent on the ratio of βCD and HPMC. The spray-drying process confers better homogeneity to CBZ polymeric dispersions than the physical mixture process. In summary, we demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining a homogeneous polymeric solid dispersion of CBZ from an aqueous media by spray-drying and a clear influence of the βCD:HPMC ratio on the release profile of CBZ.     

Occupational posture exposure among construction electricians

The aim of this study is to record, objectively describe and compare working postures of Brazilian and Norwegian construction electricians. Postures of the upper arms, head, and neck during work and breaks were quantified by means of inclinometry for a representative sample of 12 Brazilian and 12 Norwegian electricians in the construction industry during a full work-shift. Despite that differences were found between specific work-related factors, Brazilian and Norwegian workers revealed a high and very similar level and pattern of postures for all evaluated body regions, suggesting that results could be extrapolated to other electricians. Upper arm elevation was high and similar for both groups and head flexion and extension was pronounced compared to other occupations. Thus, extreme postures were identified for construction electricians in both countries, with similar exposure pattern also for defined tasks (planning, support and wiredraw), suggesting that this job is risky regardless organizational differences.     

Gluten contamination in food services and industry: A systematic review

Abstract

Gluten-related disorders (GRD) affects approximately 10% of the general population. The only treatment for GRD is still so far is the lifelong complete exclusion of gluten from the daily diet. The correct information about the presence/absence of gluten in food is very important to this group. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gluten contamination in gluten-free industrial and non-industrial products. In this systematic review, 24 cross-sectional studies were analyzed. The authors developed specific search strategies for Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. The authors evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies using criteria from Meta-analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (MASTARI). We performed the statistical meta-analysis by metafor package of R program. 95.83% (n?=?23) of the studies presented positive results for contamination (over 20?ppm). In industrial food products, studies showed a contamination prevalence of 13.2% (95% CI: 10.8%–15.7%). In non-industrial food products, studies showed a contamination prevalence of 41.5% (95% CI: 16.6%–66.4%). Despite the non-industrial products presented higher contamination prevalence than the industrial products, the difference was not significant (p?=?0.072). The findings indicate cross-contamination in industrialized and non-industrialized products. As expected, industrial products labeled as gluten-free showed a lower percentage of gluten-contamination than non-industrialized. Despite that, any contaminated sample found in this group present greater relevance than non-labeled foods. It indicates that foods labeled as “gluten-free” should not be considered safe for patients with GRD since information on the label regarding the presence/absence of gluten is unreliable. Therefore, any gluten-contamination in products labeled as gluten-free is a serious problem to whom present GRD. Further studies are needed to estimate gluten cross-contamination in food service meals and industry better.     

柴达木盆地油砂山油田下油砂山组砂岩成岩作用和孔隙结构

对青海柴达木盆地油砂山油田下油砂山组砂、泥岩样品的分析测试表明，下油砂山组湖相三角洲砂岩的成分成熟度和结构成熟度均较低，成岩作用已达到中成岩阶段的成熟Ａ期或Ｂ期；早成岩阶段的主要成岩作用是碳酸盐胶结作用以及压实作用引起的颗粒重排；中成岩阶段未成熟期则以机械实作用为主，半成熟期以方解石和方沸石胶结作用为主，成熟Ａ期或Ｂ期的主要成岩事件是烃类大量成熟引起的晚期溶蚀。该三角洲体系中河道砂体、河口坝砂体和