Flexible composite via rapid titania coating by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis

The aim of this work was to prepare a flexible nanocomposite from ultra-fine titanium oxide (\(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\)) growth on carbon fibre via microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (MHS) and to evaluate its photocatalytic properties. The \(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\) nanoparticles were directly grown on the carbon fibre (CF). Thus, a study comparing the conventional titania coating vs. the MHS were performed. The significant layer interaction as a function of the coating method on the visible and dark dye photodegradation performance was observed. Techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM)), Raman spectroscopy, among others were used aiming to characterize the different route samples. This study reports a reproducible and single method to manufacture of nanocomposites through the growth of \(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\) nanoparticle on CF by MHS that allow controlling the thickness layer. Similar procedure of synthesized nanocomposite could be applied in different chemical compositions to advanced applications, based on the electrochemical nanostructure.     

Decreasing paint cost for sheet molding compound (SMC) compression molding

Finishing, in most cases, is the most expensive step for manufacturing plastic parts in automotive and truck industry; being electrostatic painting is the desired approach for improved quality. For plastic parts to be painted electrostatically, a conductive primer needs to be applied first. In the case of SMC compression molded parts, in-mold coating (IMC) is the primer material of choice, as it also serves to fill the surface porosity typical in SMC parts. To make the IMC conductive, the current approach is to add carbon black (CB), which results in a black colored primer. In this research, single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was evaluated, as an alternative to CB, to develop a clearer version of conductive IMC. The effect of SWCNTs on both degree of lightness and electrical conductivity was experimentally evaluated. The results indicate that a clearer and slightly more conductive coating than standard IMC can be obtained by adding 0.15 wt% SWCNTs into the base IMC resin, which results in approximately 12.5% paint saving compared to standard IMC. The processability of the modified coating was shown to be only slightly less favorable than standard coating.     

Trajectories of life satisfaction in the first 5 years following traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: The trajectories of life satisfaction for 609 individuals who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) were studied. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis examined individual level growth trends over the first 5 years following TBI using gender, functional independence, age, and time to estimate life satisfaction trajectories. Measures: Participants completed the Functional Independence Measure and the Life Satisfaction Inventory at years 1, 2, 4, and 5 after sustaining TBI. Results: Participants who reported higher functional independence at year 1 also had higher life satisfaction at year 1. Participants with lower functional independence across the 5-year period had life satisfaction trajectories that decreased at significantly greater rates than the individuals with more functional independence. The life satisfaction trajectory declined for the sample, but participants reporting lower cognitive and motor functional independence had significantly greater declines in life satisfaction trajectories. Age and gender were not significant factors in predicting life satisfaction trajectories following TBI. Implications: Individuals with greater cognitive and motor impairments following TBI are likely to experience significant declines in life satisfaction within 5 years of living with TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family satisfaction predicts life satisfaction trajectories over the first 5 years after traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Examined the influence of functional impairment, stable marital status, and family satisfaction on life satisfaction trajectories for 609 individuals (435 men, 174 women) over the first 5 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Measures: Participants completed the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) at years 1, 2, 4, and 5 after sustaining a TBI. Results: Trajectory modeling revealed that higher family satisfaction was associated with increases in life satisfaction for individuals with less functional impairment. Stable marital status was not significantly associated with life satisfaction trajectories. Implications: Family satisfaction appears to have pronounced beneficial effects on life satisfaction for persons with less functional impairment after TBI regardless of marital status. In contrast, a stable marriage appears to have no apparent benefits to self-reported life satisfaction over the first 5 years post-TBI. Theoretical and clinical implications of these results are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Beam reformatting of one- and two-dimensional arrays of CO2 waveguide lasers

The conversion of a linear to rectangular array beam is demonstrated for multi-element RF excited CO₂ waveguide lasers using the two-mirror beam shaping technique introduced by Clarkson and Hanna. High efficiency conversion of a one-dimensional array into a rectangular array format has been achieved with the reformatting mirrors in the near-field and with no auxiliary optical elements. The brightness of a 2-kW 64-element two dimensional array has been enhanced by a factor of 2 using a modified version of the reformatting technique to improve the fill factor of the array beam     

Pavlovian conditioning of social affirmative behavior in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Gerbils learned to approach a spatial-olfactory stimulus that signaled access to their pairmate. Experiments 1 and 3 used a discrimination procedure in which 1 conditioned stimulus (the CS+) was presented immediately before access to the pairmate and another (the CS–) was presented alone. Both male and female gerbils came to approach the CS+ sooner than the CS– and spent more time near the CS + than the CS–. Discrimination learning was facilitated by making the CS+ and CS– spatially distinct (Experiment 3). Learning also was demonstrated in male gerbils, using a between-subjects design with a single CS. Pairing the CS with the opportunity for social interaction resulted in greater approach to the CS within 10 trials than presenting the CS and social opportunity in an unpaired fashion (Experiment 2). These findings demonstrate social-affiliative learning in the Mongolian gerbil. Similarities and differences between these findings and sexual conditioning effects in other species are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential susceptibilities of Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis to infections with coindigenous Plasmodium vivax variants VK210 and VK247 in southern Mexico

The susceptibilities to coindigenous Plasmodium vivax of colonized Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis from southern Mexico were investigated by simultaneous feeding with infected blood obtained from patients. The genes encoding circumsporozoite protein variant types (VK210 and VK247) in blood samples were determined by PCR and oligonucleotide probe hybridization. A. albimanus was more susceptible to VK210, and A. pseudopunctipennis was more susceptible to VK247.     

Thyroid cancer. Epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic features

This study presents a survey on the demand for out-patient neurological-neuropsychological rehabilitation. Neurologists working in acute care and in in-patient rehabilitation settings as well as neurologists and neuropsychologists with out-patient practice were asked to rate the demand for and the present means to realize out-patient neuropsychological rehabilitation. The results show a great demand for out-patient rehabilitation. The preferred concept and model of out-patient rehabilitation depends on the setting where the participants of the study work with a tendency to favour flexible programs close to patients' habitation.     

Enzymatic characterization of refolded human rhinovirus type 14 2A protease expressed in Escherichia coli

Reported here is the production of recombinant human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) 2A protease from bacterial cells transformed with a heat-inducible plasmid containing the HRV14 2A cDNA sequence. Overexpressed 2A protein partitioned into the inclusion bodies was solubilized in urea and then refolded in the presence of Zn2+ Transition metals were required for the restoration of 2A protease activity as a structural component, but appeared to be inhibitory if added exogenously once the enzyme was refolded. Based on the cleavage specificity studies, a colorimetric assay was developed for the highly purified HRV14 2A protease. A peptide with the sequence RKGDIKSY-p-nitroanilide was found to be cleaved by the 2A protease with a k(cat)/Km ratio of approximately 335 M(-1)s(-1), which allows its activity to be measured continuously with a spectrophotometer or a microplate reader.