Magnetovolume effects in manganese nitrides with antiperovskite structure

Magnetostructural correlations in antiperovskite manganese nitrides were investigated systematically for stoichiometric and solid solution Mn₃Cu_1?xA_xN (A = Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn or Sb). This class of nitrides is attracting great attention because of their giant negative thermal expansion, which is achieved by doping Ge or Sn into the A site as a relaxant of the sharp volume contraction on heating (spontaneous volume magnetostriction ω_s) because of the magnetovolume effects. The physical background of large ω_s and mechanism of how the volume contraction becomes gradual with temperature are central concerns for the physics and applications of these nitrides. An entire dataset of thermal expansion, crystal structure and magnetization demonstrates that the cubic triangular antiferromagnetic state is crucial for large ω_s. The intimate relationship between ω_s and the magnetic structure is discussed in terms of geometrical frustration related to the Mn₆N octahedron and magnetic stress concept. The results presented herein also show that ω_s depends on the number of d electrons in the A atom, suggesting the important role of the d orbitals of the A atom. Not all the dopants in the A site, but the elements that disturb the cubic triangular antiferromagnetic state, are effective in broadening the volume change. This fact suggests that instability neighboring the phase boundary is related to the broadening. The relation between the gradual volume change and the local structure anomaly is suggested by recent microprobe studies.     

Effect of friction stir processing on microstructure of laser clad cobalt-based alloy

(The microstructural refinement of cobalt-based alloy (Stellite No. 6) by laser cladding and friction stir processing (FSP) was studied. A nanometer-sized microstructure consisting of fine carbide (particle size: 100–200 nm) and a grain (grain size: 150–250 nm) was successfully fabricated by the FSP on the laser clad cobalt-based alloy. The nanostructured cobalt-based alloy (Stellite No. 6) had an extremely high hardness of about 750 HV.     

Metal powder bed fusion in high gravity

Many studies have focused on the stabilization of additive manufacturing (AM) in microgravity for its use in various space projects. Nevertheless, this paper presents a vital clue for innovating metal AM technologies from the perspective of high gravity. High-gravitational powder bed fusion has an excellent potential to address various challenges in AM, such as density enhancement, spatter suppression, and precise fabrication. This study summarizes an analogy among phenomena in different gravitational fields and establishes a combined machine for centrifuge and powder bed fusion. The results confirm the spatter suppression and fine-powder availability in high gravity, both theoretically and experimentally.     

Quantitative analysis of α-mangostin in hydrophilic ointment using near-infrared spectroscopy

The objective of this research was to quantify the α-mangostin content in mangosteen pericarp (MP) ointment as a colloidal dispersion using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Various concentrations of MP (IP and EP) ointments containing both internal and external pericarps were prepared and the NIR spectra of these ointments were measured. The NIR spectrum of each ointment was correlated with α-mangostin concentration by partial least square (PLS) regression. Validation of the models was performed and their predictive ability was also investigated. The equation and R² value for the prediction of α-mangostin concentration in IP ointment were y?=?0.9843x?+?0.4441 and 0.9730 and those in EP ointment were y?=?0.9569x?+?0.1142 and 0.9136, respectively. The biases of the IP and EP ointment models were 0.23 and 0.00, respectively. The results showed that NIR could be a useful tool for the quality control of herbal medicine in hydrophilic ointment without any sample preparation. It could predict α-mangostin content in hydrophilic ointment at very low concentration with sufficient accuracy.     

Characterization of alternative plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) sheets for blood containers

This study aimed to optimize the ratio of dioctyl 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DOTH) and di‐isononyl‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DINCH^®) for use as plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets. We also evaluated the biological safety of DOTH for its potential to be part of a safe PVC‐based blood container. The suppression of hemolysis in mannitol‐adenine‐phosphate / red cell concentrates (MAP/RCC) with DOTH/(DINCH^®‐PVC) sheets and the elution of plasticizers from the sheets increased with higher DOTH compositions. The properties of the PVC sheet containing DOTH and DINCH^® in the ratio of 25:33 parts against PVC 100 parts as a weight were almost identical to the PVC sheet made of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate. From a subchronic toxicity test, DOTH did not show any adverse effects on all organs, including the testes, epididymis, liver, and kidneys. The no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level was 300 mg/kg body weight/day in a rat. These results suggest that DOTH/DINCH^® (25:33) is a promising candidate for the replacement of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in blood containers. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:520–528, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Advantage of Sodium Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Ether Carboxylate as a Mild Cleansing Agent

Five anionic surfactants widely used in commercial skin cleansers were studied: sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether carboxylate (EC), sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate (ES), sodium dodecyl sulfate, potassium laurate, and N-cocoyl-l-glutamic acid monosodium salt. The amount of surfactant from aqueous solution adsorbed into the stratum corneum (SC), the degree of SC swelling, the change of the secondary structure of SC proteins (denaturation). The surface tension of surfactant–zein mixed solutions, and the solubilization behavior of zein were measured. Results showed that EC had the lowest adsorption into SC, the lowest SC swelling, and lowest denaturation of SC proteins. Low interactions between surfactants and SC proteins were also observed for EC/ES mixture solutions as well as. Mixing EC with ES good foaming performance. The EC/ES mixture, at about 1:1 ratio, is an excellent surfactant system for skin cleanser applications having cleansing characteristics and mildness to the skin.     

A New Laser Induced Incandescence–Mass Spectrometric Analyzer (LII-MS) for Online Measurement of Aerosol Composition Classified by Black Carbon Mixing State

We developed a laser induced incandescence–mass spectrometric analyzer (LII-MS) for online measurements quantifying the aerosol chemical compositions with respect to the mixing state of black carbon (BC). The LII-MS is developed as a tandem series comprising an LII chamber to detect and vaporize BC-containing particles and a particle trap laser desorption mass spectrometer (PT-LDMS: Takegawa et al. 2012). The PT-LDMS collects aerosol particles transferred from the LII chamber and quantifies the chemical compositions. A newly designed collection probe, coupled with the sheath-air inlet nozzle of the LII chamber, enables a high throughput of aerosol particles without significant dilution. Total aerosol particles can be analyzed in the PT-LDMS by turning off the laser (MS mode), and the aerosol particles externally mixed with BC can be analyzed by turning on the laser (LII-MS mode). The difference in the PT-LDMS signals between the MS and LII-MS modes yields the chemical composition of materials internally mixed with BC. Performance of the developed instrument was evaluated in the laboratory by generating BC particles internally-mixed with oleic acid (OL) and BC particles externally mixed with ammonium sulfate particles. Preliminary results from ambient measurements are also presented and discussed.

Copyright 2014 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Platelet-Released Growth Factors Influence Wound Healing-Associated Genes in Human Keratinocytes and Ex Vivo Skin Explants

Platelet-released growth factors (PRGFs) or other thrombocyte concentrate products, e.g., Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), have become efficient tools of regenerative medicine in many medical disciplines. In the context of wound healing, it has been demonstrated that treatment of chronic or complicated wounds with PRGF or PRF improves wound healing in the majority of treated patients. Nevertheless, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanism are still poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to analyze if PRGF-treatment of human keratinocytes caused the induction of genes encoding paracrine factors associated with successful wound healing. The investigated genes were Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A), Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPLT4), Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2), Interleukin-32 (IL-32), the CC-chemokine-ligand 20 (CCL20), the matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), the chemokine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) and the subunit B of the Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGFB). We observed a significant gene induction of SEMA7A, ANGPLT4, FGF-2, IL-32, MMP-2 and PDGFB in human keratinocytes after PRGF treatment. The CCL20- and CXCL10 gene expressions were significantly inhibited by PRGF therapy. Signal transduction analyses revealed that the PRGF-mediated gene induction of SEMA7A, ANGPLT4, IL-32 and MMP-2 in human keratinocytes was transduced via the IL-6 receptor pathway. In contrast, EGF receptor signaling was not involved in the PRGF-mediated gene expression of analyzed genes in human keratinocytes. Additionally, treatment of ex vivo skin explants with PRGF confirmed a significant gene induction of SEMA7A, ANGPLT4, MMP-2 and PDGFB. Taken together, these results describe a new mechanism that could be responsible for the beneficial wound healing properties of PRGF or related thrombocytes concentrate products such as PRF.     

Selectivity and mechanism for skeletal isomerization of alkanes over typical solid acids and their Pt-promoted catalysts

Selectivities for skeletal isomerizations of n-butane and n-pentane catalyzed by typical solid acids such as Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ (Cs2.5), SO₄²⁻/ZrO₂, WO₃/ZrO₂, and H-ZSM-5 and their Pt-promoted catalysts were compared. High selectivities for n-butane and low selectivity for n-pentane were observed over Cs2.5 and SO₄²⁻/ZrO₂, while H-ZSM-5 was much less selective, and WO₃/ZrO₂ was highly selective for both reactions. The Pt-promoted solid acids were usually selective for these reactions in the presence of H₂ except for Pt-H-ZSM-5 for n-butane isomerization. Both the acid strength and pore structure would be factors influencing the selectivity. Mechanism of skeletal isomerization of n-butane was investigated by using 1,4-¹³C₂-n-butane over Cs2.5 and Pt–Cs2.5. It was concluded that n-butane isomerization proceeded mainly via monomolecular pathway with intramolecular rearrangement on Pt–Cs2.5, while it occurred through bimolecular pathway with intermolecular rearrangement on Cs2.5. The higher selectivity on Pt–Cs2.5 would be brought about by the monomolecular mechanism. In the skeletal isomerization of cyclohexane, Pt–Cs2.5/SiO₂ was highly active and selective, while Pt–Cs2.5 was less selective. Control in the acid strength of Cs2.5 by the supporting would be responsible for the high selectivity.