Microstructure,Mechanical, and Scratch Resistance Properties of TiAlCrNbN-Graded Composite Coating Deposited on AISI H13 Steel Substrate with Pulsed DC Closed Field Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering Method

Structure and adhesion properties of TiAlCrNbN coatings were investigated. These coatings were deposited onto AISI H13 steel substrate using pulsed dc closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering at different deposition parameters including duty cycle, bias voltage, and working pressure. The coatings have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The TiAlCrNbN-graded composite coatings have a dense and columnar structure. The X-ray diffraction patterns of coatings exhibited predominantly c-TiAlCrN, h-NbN, and h-TiAlN reflections. Scratch resistance test showed that the highest adhesion strength was attained as 68 N at 2.5 μs duty time, 100 V bias voltages, and 3 × 10^?3 Torr deposition parameters. The lowest adhesion strength was obtained as 55 N at 0.5 μs duty time, 50V bias voltage, and 2 × 10^?3 Torr deposition parameters.     

Assessment of DFG-S19 method for the determination of common endocrine disruptor pesticides in wine samples with an estimation of the uncertainty of the analytical results

A gas chromatographic method for the determination of endocrine disruptor pesticides (Chlorpyrifos, Penconazole, Procymidone, Iprodione, Bromopropylate and Lambda-Cyhalothrin) in wine samples is described. A general DFG-S19 method for residual pesticide determination in all kind of food stuff was investigated to simplify and adopt for wine samples in this work. Alternative sample preparation routes were elucidated and compared according to their recovery values. Four different separation techniques were tested and the method employing florosil column after a LLE procedure was applied for wine samples with satisfactory recovery ratios (72–97%). The pesticides were extracted from the sample by cyclohexane–ethyl acetate mixture (1:1 v/v) and cleaned up by florosil column. The regression coefficients were at least 0.99 and relative standard deviations were no higher than 16%. Detection limits were in the range of 0.6–2.9 ng/mL and the relative expanded measurement uncertainties were calculated in the 7–22% range.     

Magnetic and electronic properties of RCoxGe2 (R = Pr, Nd) compounds

Magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, neutron diffraction and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy measurements were performed on polycrystalline samples: PrCo_0.85Ge₂ and NdCo_0.82Ge₂, crystallizing in an orthorhombic structure of the CeNiSi₂-type. The magnetometric data indicate that both compounds are antiferromagnetic at low temperatures, PrCo_0.85Ge₂ below 5 K and NdCo_0.82Ge₂ below 2.1 K. The neutron diffraction data indicate an antiferromagnetic structure in PrCo_0.85Ge₂ at 1.5 K and give no evidence of any magnetic ordering in NdCo_0.82Ge₂. The X-ray photoemission data indicate that the valence bands are formed predominantly by R 4f5d6s and Co 3d bands. The spin-orbit splitting values determined from the Pr and Nd, 3d_5/2 and 3d_3/2 XPS spectra are equal to 20.9 eV for the Pr compound and 23.0 eV for the Nd compound. The analysis of these spectra performed on the basis of the Gunnarsson–Schönhammer model revealed a small hybridization between 4f-electrons of the rare earths with the conduction band which implies rather good stability of the f shell in these compounds.     

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists—Use in Chronic Kidney Disease

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) are drugs with a potentially broad spectrum of action. They have been reported to have healing effects in many diseases, such as chronic heart failure, hypertension, or nephrotic syndrome. Numerous studies suggest that mineralocorticoid receptor activation is pathogenic and a progression factor of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, results of studies on the use of MRA in the treatment of CKD are inconclusive. Current guidelines recommend against the use of MRA in patients with advanced CKD. Although, there is growing interest on their use in this population due to treatment benefits. In this review, we summarize studies which were purposed to evaluate the impact of MRA therapy on CKD patients. Despite many benefits of this treatment e.g., reducing cardiovascular mortality or alleviating proteinuria, steroidal MRA (such as spironolactone or eplerenone) have a low safety profile. They often lead to hyperkalemia complications which are dangerous in patients with CKD, and diabetic nephropathy, especially in hemodialysis patients. Studies on recently developed nonsteroidal MRA showed that they have fewer side effects. In our review, we discuss steroidal and nonsteroidal MRA treatment effects on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, the cardiovascular system, and hyperkalemia in CKD patients. We present new content and recent publications in this field.     

Consumer food safety perceptions and practices in a Turkish community

Research has shown that most reported foodborne outbreaks are caused by food prepared and consumed at home, thus emphasizing the importance of consumer food safety knowledge. In this study, 2,000 randomly selected residents from ?anakkale, Turkey, participated in face-to-face interviews to assess their food safety perceptions and practices. Questions covered the attention given to expiration dates, safety certificates, and food additives during shopping; consumption of high-risk foods; safe food handling; storage knowledge; and their source of food safety knowledge. Statistical analyses were done to clarify the differences according to three main aspects: gender, age, and educational level. Results showed that women and middle-aged respondents were significantly more careful during shopping and more interested in food safety issues than men and younger individuals. A significant relationship was found between gender and consumption of high-risk foods, with men consuming more of these foods than women. Furthermore, high-risk foods were more frequently consumed by young participants than by older participants, with more highly educated consumers shopping more consciously. Although most respondents appeared to know proper food handling and storage practices, almost all participants lacked some information on some issues. In order to remove these deficiencies, a brochure was prepared and distributed to people in various parts of the city. In addition, public seminars were organized. However, to ensure that this information results in positive attitude and behavioral changes, seminars should be repeated at specific intervals, and education procedures and processes should be controlled regularly.     

Simulation of the process of scaling of tube heat exchangers

A semiempirical model of the process of deposit formation on the inner surface of heat exchanger tubes is obtained. By experimental investigation, constants of the scaling process that close this model are obtained for carbonate-type deposits.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 353–357, March, 1994.