Preparation of high-modulus and high-strength poly(ethylene terephthalate) film by zone-annealing method

The zone-annealing method was attempted to prepare high-modulus and high-strength poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film. The film having Young′s modulus of 14.5 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm² and a tensile strength of 86.9 kg/mm² in the drawing direction was obtained. These values correspond to four times those of a biaxial-stretched PET film available commercially. The dyanmic viscoelastic properties also were measured. The dynamic storage modulus was 15.4 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm² at room temperature, and a high value of 3.6 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm² even at 200°C. The latter value is slightly higher than the room temperature modulus of the commercially available film. From the intensity and temperature position of α-dispersion E″ peak, it was suggested that the amorphous chains in the zone-annealed film was densely packed in a highly oriented state. Furthermore, the crystallinity, orientation, especially double orientation, and molecular chain conformation of the films in the zone-annealing process are discussed in the present paper.     

Pituitary and plasma levels of growth hormone in Booroola sheep that are either homozygous carriers or non-carriers of the FecBB fecundity gene

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the FecBB fecundity gene on plasma concentrations and pituitary content of growth hormone (GH) in sheep. No differences were found between homozygous carriers (BB) and non carriers (++) of the FecBB gene with regard to pituitary GH contents in both ovariectomized and intact ewes. However, ovariectomized ewes had higher levels of pituitary GH than intact ewes (P < 0.01). There were no differences between FecBB genotypes with respect to plasma concentrations of GH in 6-year-old ovariectomized ewes bled every 10 min for 12 h or in ram lambs bled weekly during their first year of life. GH levels in the rams decreased until week 27, increased to a peak at week 31 then decreased before increasing again at week 43. Mean plasma GH concentrations in the ewe lambs bled weekly for a year decreased until week 19 then remained at approximately this level for the remainder of the year. Mean GH plasma concentrations in the ram lambs were higher than in the ewe lambs (P < 0.001). Ewe lambs that were homozygous for the FecBB gene had lower body weights (P < 0.05) and had higher levels of GH (P < 0.01) than non carrier ewe lambs during their first year. Before the average age of first behavioural oestrus (36 weeks) GH levels in the ewe lambs were negatively correlated with body weights (r = -0.69, P < 0.001, n = 22). When body weight was included as a covariate in analysis of variance the genotype difference in ewe lamb plasma GH concentrations was no longer significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cytocompatibility of magnesium and AZ31 alloy with three types of cell lines using a direct in vitro method

Magnesium alloys have been investigated by many researchers as a new absorbable biomaterial owing to their excellent degradability with non-maleficence or low-maleficence in living tissues. In the present work, the in vitro cytocompatibility of an Magnesium alloy was investigated by culturing cells directly on it. Investigations were carried out in terms of the cell viability along with the use of scanning electron microscopy to observe its morphology. The cell lines used were derived from fibroblast, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells. Pure magnesium and AZ31 alloy composed of magnesium (96?%), aluminum (3?%), and zinc (1?%) were adopted as models. The viability of cells on the metal samples and on the margin area of a multi-well plate was investigated. For direct culturing on metal, a depression in the viability and morphologically stressed cells were observed. In addition, the cell viability was also depressed for the margin area. To clarify the factors causing the negative effects, the amount of eluted metal ions and pH changes in the medium because of the erosion of the Magnesium samples were investigated, together with the cytotoxicity of sole metal ions corresponding to the composition of the metals. It was found that Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺ ions were less toxic at the investigated concentrations, and that these factors will not produce negative effects on cells. Consequently, these factors cannot fully explain the results.     

High thermal stability of 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus resulting from low {Delta}{Delta}Cp of unfolding

To characterize the thermal stability of 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase(IPMDH) from an extreme thermophile, Thermus thermophilus, urea-inducedunfolding of the enzyme and of its mesophilic counterpart fromEscherichia coli was investigated at various temperatures. Theunfolding curves were analyzed with a three-state model forE.coli IPMDH and with a two-state model for T.thermophilus IPMDH,to obtain the free energy change     

Optimization of double‐layer absorbers on constrained sound absorption system by using genetic algorithm

As investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1970, noise is highly responsible for the psychological and physiological ills to workers. Therefore, the noise control for an enclosed system with high echo effect becomes essential. Besides, the thickness of adopted sound absorber is occasionally constrained for maintenance, the interest in minimizing the noise under space constraint is then arising. In this paper, the shape optimization of double‐layer absorber together with genetic algorithm (GA) is presented. Before optimization, one example is tested and compared with the experimental data for accuracy check of mathematical model. Thereafter, a simple optimal program in dealing with pure tone noise of 350 Hz has been pre‐run to verify the correctness of genetic algorithm before the design in full band noise being performed. Results show that both the accuracy of mathematical model and the correctness of GA method are acceptable. Consequently, this study may provide a novel scheme with GA in solving the shape optimization of sound absorber on the constrained sound absorption system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shape optimization of one‐chamber perforated plug/non‐plug mufflers by simulated annealing method

To economically and efficiently lower the venting noise, the development of a high‐quality muffler with compact volume has become crucial in the modern industrial field. The research work of shape optimization of straight silencers in conjunction with plug/non‐plug perforated ducts which may noticeably increase the acoustical performance is rarely addressed; therefore, the main purpose of this paper is not only to analyze the sound transmission loss (STL) of a one‐chamber plug/non‐plug perforated muffler but also to optimize the best design shape under a limited space. In this paper, on the basis of plane wave theory, the four‐pole system matrix in evaluating the acoustic performance is derived by using the decoupled numerical method. Moreover, a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm searching for the global optimum by imitating the softening process of metal has been adopted during the muffler's optimization. To assure SA's correctness, the STL's maximization of one‐chamber perforated plug mufflers at a targeted frequency of 500 Hz is exemplified first. Furthermore, a numerical case in dealing with a broadband noise emitted from a fan by using one‐chamber plug/non‐plug mufflers has been introduced and fully discussed. To achieve a better optimization in SA, various SA parameter sets of cooling rate and iteration parameter values were used. Before the SA operation can be carried out, the accuracy check of the mathematical models with respect to plug/non‐plug perforated mufflers has to be supported by experimental data. The optimal result in eliminating broadband noise reveals that the muffler with a plug acoustical mechanism has a better noise reduction than that of a non‐plug muffler. Consequently, the approach used for the optimal design of the noise elimination proposed in this study is certainly easy, economical, and quite effective. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessment of polyester and polyvinylester coatings in a simulated FGD scrubbing liquid with EIS

Abstract

Corrosion behaviours of carbon steel coated with polyester and polyvinylester in a simulated flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) fluid (i.e., a mixture of H₂SO₄ and 0.1 wt% Fe₂(SO₄)₃ at pH=2) have been investigated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The protective nature of the coatings at 25°C has been observed in the following order: polyvinylester primer >> polyvinylester topcoat > polyester topcoat > polyester primer. Coating deterioration occurred and the coating deterioration rate accelerated with increasing temperatures upto 85°C. However, the corrosion resistance sequence has remained the same. Equivalent circuits are suggested for various coatings to discuss their mechanisms in this work.     

Low‐Molecular‐Weight CXCR4 Ligands with Variable Spacers

Low‐molecular‐weight CXCR4 ligands based on known lead compounds including the 14‐mer peptide T140, the cyclic pentapeptide FC131, peptide mimetics, and dipicolylamine‐containing compounds were designed and synthesized. Three types of aromatic spacers, 1,4‐phenylenedimethanamine, naphthalene‐2,6‐diyldimethanamine, and [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐diyldimethanamine, were used to build four pharmacophore groups. As pharmacophore groups, 2‐pyridylmethyl and 1‐naphthylmethyl are present in all of the compounds, and several aromatic groups and a cationic group from 1‐propylguanidine and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐2‐propylguanidine were also used. Several compounds showed significant CXCR4 binding affinity, and zinc(II) complexation of bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amine moieties resulted in a remarkable increase in CXCR4 binding affinity.     

All solid-state lithium polymer secondary batteries using spinel Li4/3Ti5/3O4 as an active material

Present paper describes electrochemical performance of the all solid-state lithium polymer battery (LBP) using spinel-type Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ which has been known as the potential candidate of anode materials.The assembled LPB with Li|solid polymer electrolyte(SPE)|Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ construction showed stable charge-discharge cycles more than 300 times at 1 C condition. On the other hand, strong charge-discharge rate dependence for the specific capacity and initial capacity loss was indicated. Such a poor rate performance stemmed from low diffusivity of Li⁺ ion in the by-products produced by the decomposition of SPE components at the SPE|Li_4/3Ti_5/3O₄ interface.