Thermoelectric properties of fine grained (75% Sb2Te3-25% Bi2Te3)p-type and (90% Bi2Te3-5% Sb2Te3-5% Sb2Se3)n-type alloys

The thermoelectric properties of fine-grained alloys prepared by either cold pressing and sintering or hot pressing in the range 5–50 m are compared with single-crystal best-direction values. It is shown that for thep-type alloy, almost the entire thermoelectric properties are recovered, i.e. the figure of merit for the finest grain size is almost the same as the best single-crystal value. The same trend is observed in then-type alloy except that 90% of the single-crystal figure of merit is recovered. These results are discussed in terms of a model which suggests that degradation of favourable thermoelectric properties by powdering the alloys is compensated by (1) decrease of thermal conductivity due to scattering of phonons at grain boundaries for grain sizes that are comparable to the mean free path of phonons; and (2) retention of some of the anisotropic properties of the single crystal in the fine-grained compacts.     

Copolymerization of dimethylaminoethylacrylate-methyl chloride and acrylamide in inverse emulsion

The inverse emulsion copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) with dimethylaminoethylacrylate methyl chloride (Q9) using redox initiation with low surfactant concentration in an isoparaffinic solvent has been studied. The kinetics of conversions of inverse-emulsion polymerizations were investigated by HPLC method. It was an interesting way to know rapidly the conversion of each monomer with high reproducibility. In all experiments the monomer concentration was 25% respect the total weight or higher and the experiments were carried out at 50^∘C. The effects of initiator concentration, composition of the monomer mixture and monomer concentration on the polymerization conversion and viscosity of copolymers solutions have been examined. For copolymer characterization, the results of viscosity were compared with commercial copolymer viscosities. The formulations with 3,000 ppm of initiator were the most interesting of all copolymer compositions since they presented very high conversions and their viscosities were higher than those of commercial copolymer solutions. The analysis of monomer concentration was carried out with 3,000 ppm and the conversion and viscosity were higher when the monomer concentration was increased.     

Nano-structured zinc oxide–cotton fibers: synthesis, characterization and applications

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared and subsequently deposited onto the surface of the cotton fiber by ultrasonic irradiation. The optical, structure and morphology of the coated and un-coated cotton were examined by UV, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis. XRD analysis revealed the presence of the crystalline metal oxide of hexagonal phase with an average crystallite size of 12 nm. These nanoparticles are probably physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface. SEM analysis showed a distribution of ZnO nanorod assemblies of various diameters and lengths physically adsorbed onto the cotton fiber surface may take place. The ZnO-cotton fiber nano-composite were tested against Escherichia coli (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive) cultures, and showed a significant antimicrobial activity.     

Monoolein–Water Liquid Crystalline Gels of Gentamicin as Bioresorbable Implants for the Local Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis: In Vitro Characterization

To maximize the efficacy of chronic osteomyelitis antibiotherapy while reducing antibiotic systemic toxicity, as well as time and costs of hospitalizations, it has been thought that monoolein–water gels incorporating gentamicin sulfate could be used as local, bioresorbable, and sustained-release implants. For this purpose, four formulations were examined with regard to their physicochemical and in vitro drug release characteristics. Hot stage microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction showed cubic liquid crystalline and eutectic structures. The more suitable formulation consisting of 80–15–5% wt/wt monoolein–water–gentamicin sulfate progressively released the antibiotic for a period of 3 weeks without burst effect. Moreover, the content and the release profile of gentamicin sulfate were not significantly changed after storage at 2–6°C for a period of 10 months.     

Design optimization of cold-formed steel portal frames taking into account the effect of building topology

Cold-formed steel portal frames are a popular form of construction for low-rise commercial, light industrial and agricultural buildings with spans of up to 20 m. In this article, a real-coded genetic algorithm is described that is used to minimize the cost of the main frame of such buildings. The key decision variables considered in this proposed algorithm consist of both the spacing and pitch of the frame as continuous variables, as well as the discrete section sizes. A routine taking the structural analysis and frame design for cold-formed steel sections is embedded into a genetic algorithm. The results show that the real-coded genetic algorithm handles effectively the mixture of design variables, with high robustness and consistency in achieving the optimum solution. All wind load combinations according to Australian code are considered in this research. Results for frames with knee braces are also included, for which the optimization achieved even larger savings in cost.     

Estimate of Landfill Settlements Due to Mechanical and Decompositional Processes

Approximate closed form solutions are developed for estimating the mechanical and decomposition settlement of landfills. The mechanical settlements are the immediate (primary) settlement and long term creep. The decomposition settlements are generated by mass loss and gas generation. Based on the approximate solution, the decomposition settlement can constitute a significant portion of the total settlement and can be in the same order as the mechanical settlements. Settlement remaining after landfill closure depends on the decomposition environment during filling. For an average decomposition environment, postoperation settlement can still be significant 20?years after completion of filling.     

Web-Based Construction Document Processing via Malleable Frame

Technical integration is regarded as one of the major approaches to improve data interoperability. The Web-based integration approach used in this study is a relatively new approach in this field, but it possesses great potential. Web-based front-end integration is based on XML technology. This study investigates the use of a construction document as a “malleable frame” that can be adjusted according to the user's needs. The study also determined that a malleable frame system is technically feasible and that the key is to have a neutral data format built on a standard “Construction Markup Language.” In addition, a pilot study was conducted to determine whether processing a malleable frame construction document is more efficient than processing a standard document. Overall, it is still inconclusive as to whether using the malleable frame system is more efficient than using the standard system, because other features of the malleable frame need to be studied as well. However, this research presents an alternative to achieve construction data interoperability via the Web and shows that the approach used will improve construction document processing in certain cases.     

Verapamil, a phenylalkylamine Ca2+ channel blocker, inhibits ATP-sensitive K+ channels in insulin-secreting cells from rats

Radioisotopic and electrophysiological techniques were used to assess the effects of verapamil, a phenylalkylamine Ca2+ channel blocker, on K+ permeability of insulin-secreting cells. Verapamil provoked a concentration-dependent inhibition of 86Rb (42K substitute) outflow from prelabelled and perifused rat pancreatic islets. This property appears to be inherent to the phenylalkylamine Ca2+ channel blockers since gallopamil, a methoxyderivative of verapamil, but not nifedipine, a 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blocker, inhibited 86Rb outflow. The experimental data further revealed that verapamil interacted with a Ca2+-independent, glucose- and glibenclamide-sensitive modality of 86Rb extrusion. Moreover, verapamil prevented the increase in 86Rb outflow brought about by BPDZ 44; a potent activator of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel. Single-channel current recordings by the patch clamp technique confirmed that verapamil elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of the ATP-dependent K+ channel. Lastly, under experimental conditions in which verapamil clearly inhibited the ATP-sensitive K+ channels, the drug did not affect 45Ca outflow, the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration or insulin release. It is concluded that the Ca2+ entry blocker verapamil inhibits ATP-sensitive K+ channels in pancreatic beta cells. This effect was not associated with stimulation of insulin release.     

Routine transition zone and seminal vesicle biopsies in all patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies are not indicated

Metaphors to explain the effects of weak, complex magnetic fields upon the neuromatrices of organisms are suggested. The ratio of the amplitude of the time-varying components to steady-state components for complex magnetic field for effective biological responses may display Weber values that are similar to those for the electrical activity of the brain, the detection of changes in sound pressure by the ear and for more classical sensory thresholds. The nonlinear, suprathreshold characteristic of weak magnetic field effects would be similar to the effective narrow windows of concentrations of ligands values for receptor subtypes with different affinities. Signals composed of trains of between 100 and 1000 successive, fast (1 to 3 msec.) transients, which would contain the most biological information, would require low amplitudes to which the substrates could respond and with which the neuromatrix could resonate.