Inorganic–organic hybrid materials with zirconium oxoclusters as protective coatings on aluminium alloys

Inorganic–organic hybrid materials are attracting a strong scientific interest mainly for their outstanding inherent mechanical and thermal properties, which can be traced back to the intimate coupling of both inorganic and organic components. By carefully choosing the experimental parameters used for their synthesis, chemically and thermally stable acrylate-based hybrid material embedding the zirconium oxocluster Zr₄O₄(OMc)₁₂, where OMcCH₂C(CH₃)C(O)O, can be deposited as UV-cured films on aluminium alloys.

In particular, the molar ratios between the oxocluster and the monomer, the polymerisation time, the amount of photo-initiator and the deposition conditions, by using an home-made spray-coating equipment, were optimised in order to obtain the best performing layers in terms of transparency and hardness to coat aluminium alloy (AA1050, AA6060 and AA2024) sheets. Furthermore, it was also evaluated whether the hybrid coatings behave as barrier to corrosion.

Several coated samples were prepared and characterised. Environmental scanning electronic microscopy (ESEM) and scratch test were used to investigate the morphology of the films and to evaluate their scratch resistance, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed in order to evaluate if the coatings actually protect the metallic substrate from corrosion.

In order to measure shear storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the materials used for coatings, bulk samples were also obtained by UV-curing of the precursors solution. Dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed in shear mode on cured disks of both the hybrid materials and pristine polymer for comparison. The values of T_g were read off as the temperatures of peak of loss modulus. The length and mass of all the samples were measured before and after the DMTA analysis, so that the shrinkage of the materials in that temperature range was exactly evaluated.     

Effect of Bonder at Skin/Core Interface on the Mechanical Performances of Sandwich Structures Used in Marine Industry

The present work is aimed to extend the knowledge of mechanical properties of sandwich structures used for marine applications focusing on the possibility to increase the performances of such structures by adding a bonder at the skin/core interface. Therefore, three sandwich structures that are utilised in different structural components of a yacht were realised by manual lay-up. The mechanical characterisation was performed by flatwise compressive, edgewise compressive and three point flexural tests. The tests execution has allowed both to determine the mechanical performances and to understand the fracture mechanisms that take place when the bonder is added in the stacking sequence of the samples.     

固定化微生物脱除工业酸性废气中H_2S的研究

以H 2软性填料作为氧化亚铁硫杆菌的固定化载体 ,构成了固定床生物反应器。在一定操作条件下 ,考察了固定床生物反应器对Fe2 +的氧化速率 ,最大可达 7.6 7g/ (L·h)。并对固定床生物反应器运行中在载体表面形成的络合物进行了研究 ,X射线衍射证明此络合物为黄钾铁矾 [KFe3(SO4 ) 2 (OH) 6]。     

Cr对低碳Si-Mn系TRIP钢组织与力学性能的影响

主要研究了Cr对低碳Si-Mn系TRIP钢组织与力学性能的影响。首先利用Formastor-F型膨胀仪测定了含Cr和不含Cr两种低碳钢的连续冷却转变(CCT)曲线,分析指出了Cr对连续退火工艺的潜在影响;然后采用Gleeble-3800热/力模拟试验机对两种钢的薄板试样进行了连续退火模拟实验,并通过拉伸试验测定了力学性能;最后采用金相、扫描电镜、X-射线衍射分析等技术考察分析了两种钢的显微组织。结果表明:含Cr的TRIP钢的组织比较细小,铁素体晶粒近似等轴分布;两种TRIP钢的残余奥氏体含量相近,但含Cr钢的残余奥氏体中的含碳量较高。分析认为这是由于含Cr钢在热轧阶段较易生成细小的组织,而在热处理阶段则抑制贝氏体的生成,最终获得稳定的残余奥氏体。     

Dopamine D2 receptor signaling via the arachidonic acid cascade: modulation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and prostaglandin E2

Recent studies have shown that, in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with D2-receptor cDNA, CHO(D2) cells, D2 agonists are potent in enhancing the release of [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) induced by stimulation of constitutive purinergic receptors or by application of Ca2+ ionophores. This facilitatory action is further amplified by the concomitant activation of D1 receptors, which per se have no effect on evoked [3H]AA release. Here, we review a series of experiments aimed at examining the molecular mechanism of this synergistic interaction. The results show that, in CHO(D2) cells: (a) application of 8-Br-cAMP or stimulation of constitutive prostaglandin (PG)E2 receptors augment the AA response produced by D2 agonists; (b) in CHO(D2) cells transfected with human beta 2-receptor cDNA, the beta-agonist, isoproterenol, produces a similar effect; (c) the potentiation of [3H]AA release produced by PGE2 and 8-Br-cAMP is prevented by overexpressing either a protein inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or a mutated form of pKA regulatory subunit incapable of binding cAMP; (d) mock-synergism is obtained in CHO(D2) cells overexpressing the catalytic subunit of PKA; (e) PGE2 is a major AA metabolite in stimulated CHO(D2) cells and its formation may contribute to the effect of D2 agonists on AA release. The results indicate that cAMP-induced activation of PKA represents a likely molecular basis for D1/D2 receptor synergism on AA release. They also suggest that additional membrane receptors, colocalized with D2 and positively linked to adenylyl cyclase, may exert a similar action. Furthermore, stimulation of PGE2 receptors by endogenously produced prostaglandin may participate in AA signaling at the D2 receptor, by providing a paracrine positive feedback loop.     

Novel diterpenoid diacylglycerols from marine molluscs: potent morphogens and protein kinase C activators

Five novel 1,2-sn-diacylglycerols with diterpenoid acyl moieties in the sn-1 position were isolated and characterized, together with the corresponding 1,3-sn-diacylglycerols, from three species of dorid nudibranchs molluscs. Their potent activity as morphogens in vivo in the Hydra tentacle regeneration assay and their parallel activity as activators of rat brain protein kinase C (PKC) in vitro are reported here. Our findings promote the use of these compounds as useful molecular probes for both in vivo and in vitro studies on the participation of PKC in cell development.     

Giuseppe Gradenigo and his contributions to audiology

Giuseppe Gradenigo (1859-1926) was an important figure in the development of Otology. Within this paper the authors consider his background and his particular contributions to the development of various aspects of audiology.     

Multiexponential T2 relaxation in Fricke agarose gels: implications for NMR dosimetry

NMR relaxation times T1 and T2 of agarose and Fricke agarose gels have been measured in the range 17-51 MHz. The analysis of the spin echo curves indicates a multiexponential behaviour, characterized by three components, at all the examined frequencies. The relative T2 values, ranging from a few to a hundred milliseconds, can be attributed to different species of water molecules present in the gel. Two of these components are characterized by relaxation rates R2a and R2b, more sensitive than R1 to gamma irradiation, the sensitivity S being S(R1) = 0.066 s-1 Gy-1, S(R2a) = 0.088 s-1 Gy-1, S(R2b) = 0.17 s-1 Gy-1. The three T2 values decrease as a function of frequency, but no gain in dose sensitivity is obtained by changing the working frequency in the examined range. The relaxivity of agarose gels containing ferrous or ferric ions has also been measured and found to be different from those of the corresponding solutions in the absence of agarose. Thus it was possible to estimate the irradiation yield from three independent parameters, R1, R2a and R2b. No effect of the dose rate or of the source energy has been observed for any of these parameters.