Estimating the width of a uniform distribution when data are measured with additive normal errors with known variance

The problem of estimating the width of the symmetric uniform distribution on the line when data are measured with normal additive error is considered. The main purpose is to discuss the efficiency of the maximum likelihood estimator and the moment method estimator. It is shown that the model is regular and that the maximum likelihood estimator is more efficient than the moment method estimator. A sufficient condition is also given for the existence of both estimators.     

Composites made from a soybean oil biopolyurethane and cellulose nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) obtained by acidic hydrolysis from microcrystalline cellulose were dispersed in a biopolyurethane matrix to prepare composite films. The polyurethane was prepared from a hydroxylated soybean oil (SO‐OH) and a polymeric diphenyldiisocyanate (pMDI), using a organotin compound as the catalyst. The composite films contained different concentrations of nanocelullose, without any macroscopic aggregates in all cases. Thermal, tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the films were determined for all the samples. In particular, it was observed that the glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites slightly increased with the concentration of the cellulose nanocrystals. The nanocomposite with 1 wt% of nanocellulose showed the highest tensile strength of the series. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:125–132, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure,composition, and physicomechanical characteristics of tantalum diboride films

The effect of a bias potential applied to the substrate on the structure formation, substructural characteristics, and physicomechanical properties of tantalum diboride nanocrystalline films obtained by the method of nonreactive high-frequency magnetron sputtering has been investigated. It has been shown that the sign and magnitude of the bias potential exert a substantial influence on the structure, composition, and physicomechanical properties of arising coatings. Upon the application of a positive bias potential to the substrate, textured films with a columnar structure, whose greatest hardness was ～45 GPa and the elasticity modulus was only moderate, ～350 GPa, have been obtained. Upon the application of a negative bias potential to the substrate, the amorphous cluster films with a hardness of ～11.5 GPa and an elasticity modulus of ～144 GPa were condensed.     

Characterization of nanocellulose‐ reinforced shape memory polyurethanes

BACKGROUND: Shape memory polymers are capable of fixing a transient shape and of recovering their original dimensions by the application of an external stimulus. Their major drawback is their low stiffness compared to smart materials based on metals and ceramics. To overcome this disadvantage, nanocellulose was utilized as reinforcement. RESULTS: Composites were prepared by casting stable nanocellulose/segmented polyurethane suspensions. The heat of melting of the polyurethane soft segment phase increased on cellulose addition. Composites showed higher tensile modulus and strength than unfilled films (53% modulus increase at 1 wt% nanocellulose), with higher elongation at break. Creep deformation decreased as cellulose concentration increased (36% decrease in 60‐minute creep by addition of 1 wt% nanocellulose). The nanocomposites displayed shape memory properties equivalent to those of the neat polyurethane, with recoveries of the order of 95% (referred to second and further cycles). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to markedly improve the rigidity of shape memory polymers by adding small amounts of well‐dispersed nanocellulose. However, this improvement did not have substantial effects on the material shape fixity or recovery. Shape memory behavior seems to continue to be controlled by the polymer properties. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Upgrading the feeder to a glass-shaping machine

Translated from Steklo i Keramika, No. 11, pp. 14–15, November, 1990.     

Use of biofuel ashes for fertilisation of Betula pendula seedlings on nutrient-poor peat soil

Short-term effects of different doses (0.25; 0.5 and 1.0 kg m^?2) of wood ash (WA), peat ash (PA) and their mixture (MA) applied to peat substrate on the mineral composition and growth of seedlings of Betula pendula were investigated. The experiments were conducted with 1-year-old seedlings planted in vegetation pots. The pH of the substrate was increased by 0.4–0.9 units during the vegetation period compared to the control. The peat substrate was poor in nutrients, except N. The substrate treated with WA had higher concentrations of K, Mg, Mn, Fe, P, Zn, Cr and Pb, but a lower N concentration compared to the control. The substrate treated with PA had higher concentrations of Ca, Mg, N and P. The concentrations in the MA treatment were intermediate between WA and PA. The ashes increased K and lowered the concentration of Ca. A decrease in N in seedlings was found under the influence of WA and MA. An increase in K and P was found in all compartments of seedlings, while the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr in seedlings were affected irregularly depending on types and doses of ashes used. The uptake of Cd, Cr and Pb did not reach phytotoxic levels; however, increased concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in roots. A positive influence of ash application on growth was found. The heights and root collar diameters of all ash-fertilised treatments exceeded those of the control seedlings in most cases.     

Integrating social and cognitive aspects of belief dynamics: towards a unifying framework

Belief change and spread have been studied in many disciplines—from psychology, sociology, economics and philosophy, to biology, computer science and statistical physics—but we still do not have a firm grasp on why some beliefs change more easily and spread faster than others. To fully capture the complex social-cognitive system that gives rise to belief dynamics, we first review insights about structural components and processes of belief dynamics studied within different disciplines. We then outline a unifying quantitative framework that enables theoretical and empirical comparisons of different belief dynamic models. This framework uses a statistical physics formalism, grounded in cognitive and social theory, as well as empirical observations. We show how this framework can be used to integrate extant knowledge and develop a more comprehensive understanding of belief dynamics.     

The Association between the Bisphenols Residues in Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Abnormalities in Polish Pregnant Women—Its Potential Clinical Application

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of bisphenols residues in the amniotic fluid (AF) samples collected during amniocentesis and fetal chromosomal abnormalities in pregnant women. A total of 33 pregnant Polish women aged between 24 and 44 years, and screened to detect high risk for chromosomal defects in the first trimester, were included in this study. Samples were collected from these patients during routine diagnostic and treatment procedures at mid-gestation. The concentrations of various bisphenols residues in the samples were determined by liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS). Residues of eight analytes (BPS, BPF, BPA, BPAF, BADGE, BADGE•2H₂O, BADGE•H₂O•HCl and BADGE•2HCl) were detected in amniotic fluid samples in the range 0.69 ng/mL to 3.38 ng/mL. Fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities showed a slightly higher frequency of occurrence of selected bisphenols residues in the AF samples collected between 15–26 weeks of pregnancies. Finally, the proposed method was applied in the simultaneous determination of several endocrine-disrupting chemicals from bisphenol group in 33 human AF samples. BADGE•H2O•HCl has been identified in the AF samples taken from women older than average in the examined group. The number of detected compounds has been significant for the following analytes: BPS, BPAF, BADGE•H₂O•HCl and BADGE. The proposed method may be an attractive alternative for application in large-scale human biomonitoring studies.     

Proteomic Analysis Identifies Molecular Players and Biological Processes Specific to SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Endothelial Cells

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the severe pandemic of acute respiratory disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), experienced in the 21st century. The clinical manifestations range from mild symptoms to abnormal blood coagulation and severe respiratory failure. In severe cases, COVID-19 manifests as a thromboinflammatory disease. Damage to the vascular compartment caused by SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to thrombosis, triggered by an enhanced immune response. The molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial activation have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to identify the proteins correlated to the molecular response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, which might help to unravel the molecular mechanisms of endothelium activation in COVID-19. In this direction, we exposed HUVECs to SARS-CoV-2 and analyzed the expression of specific cellular receptors, and changes in the proteome of HUVECs at different time points. We identified that HUVECs exhibit non-productive infection without cytopathic effects, in addition to the lack of expression of specific cell receptors known to be essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. We highlighted the enrichment of the protein SUMOylation pathway and the increase in SUMO2, which was confirmed by orthogonal assays. In conclusion, proteomic analysis revealed that the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 induced oxidative stress and changes in protein abundance and pathways enrichment that resembled endothelial dysfunction.