Preparation of cellulose triacetate aerogel via non-solvent impacted thermally induced phase separation for oil absorption

The oil spill has caused significant attention on a global scale due to its damage to the environment and the economy. The development of economically and ecologically friendly oil sorbent materials has important meaning for the oil spill concern. In this work, we explored the non-solvent impacted thermally induced phase separation (NITIPS) method to prepare the cellulose triacetate aerogel (CA) with low density (6.4–40.5 mg/cm³), high porosity (96.9–99.5%), large water contact angle (>129°) and high specific surface area (193–573 m²/g) as the oil sorbent material. The oil absorption capacity of CA with vegetable oil and vacuum pump oil reached 80.8 g/g and 38.9 g/g, respectively, consistent with Fick's law of diffusion. Moreover, the NITIPS method provided simpler process and controlled the shape of CA compared with the traditional thermally induced phase separation method. This study proved that the CA prepared by NITIPS methods played an important role as a potential oil absorption solids in the field of oil spill and organic chemical leakage.     

基于形状记忆合金的转子系统振动控制

利用反共振控制原理 ,提出了基于形状记忆合金 (Shape Memory Alloy— SMA)的转子系统振动的反共振控制策略 ,其主要思路是将 SMA弹簧并联形成转子轴承的支撑部分 ,并通过 SMA弹簧刚度变化改变转子轴承刚度 ,从而使转子处于反共振状态 ,达到振动控制的目的。最后通过数值仿真初步验证了方法的有效性     

YHp as a highly stable,hyper-copy,hyper-expression plasmid constructed using a full 2-μm circle sequence in cir0 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast episomal plasmid (YEp), containing a partial sequence from a natural 2-μm plasmid, has been frequently used to induce high levels of gene expression. In this study, we used Japanese sake yeast natural cir⁰ strain as a host for constructing an entire 2-μm plasmid with an expression construct using the three-fragment gap-repair method without Escherichia coli manipulation. The 2-μm plasmid contains two long inverted repeats, which is problematic for the amplification by polymerase chain reaction. Therefore, we amplified it by dividing into two fragments, each containing a single repeat together with an overlapping sequence for homologous recombination. TDH3 promoter-driven yEmRFP (TDH3p-yEmRFP) and the URA3 were used as a reporter gene and a selection marker, respectively, and inserted at the 3′ end of the RAF1 gene on the 2-μm plasmid. The three fragments were combined and used for the transformation of sake yeast cir⁰ ura3^- strain. The resulting transformant colonies showed a red or purple coloration, which was significantly stronger than that of the cells transformed with YEp-TDH3p-yEmRFP. The 2-μm transformants were cultured in YPD medium and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Almost all cells showed strong fluorescence, suggesting that the plasmid was preserved during nonselective culture conditions. The constructed plasmid maintained a high copy state similar to that of the natural 2-μm plasmid, and the red fluorescent protein expression was 54 fold compared with the chromosomal integrant. This vector is named YHp, the Yeast Hyper expression plasmid.     

Enhanced effects of nonisotopic hafnium chloride in methanol as a substitute for uranyl acetate in TEM contrast of ultrastructure of fungal and plant cells

This ultrastructural study showed that nonisotopic methanolic hafnium chloride and aqueous lead solution was an excellent new electron stain for enhancing TEM contrasts of fungal and plant cell structures. The ultrastructural definition provided by the new stain was often superior to that provided by conventional staining with uranyl acetate and lead. Definition of fine ultrastructure was also supported by quantitative data on TEM contrast ratios of organelles and components in fungal and plant cells. In particular, polysaccharides, which were localized in cell walls, glycogen particles, starch grains, and plant Golgi vesicle components, were much more reactive to the new stain than to the conventional one. The new nonisotopic stain is useful for enhancing the contrast of ultrastructure in biological tissues and is a safer alternative to uranyl acetate. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Influence of fibre length and filler particle size on pore structure and mechanical strength of filler‐containing paper

Test sheets were prepared by incorporating softwood pulp with silica filler, PW‐5 (diameter 4.5 μm) or PW‐20 (15 μm). Length‐weighted averages of fibre were 2.5 (uncut fibre) and 1.25 mm (short‐cut fibre). Pore sizes less than 150 urn were measured by mercury porosimeter. Sheets of short‐cut fibres and mixed with uncut fibres at ratio of 3:1 or 1:3 had larger pore volumes than others tested. When filler content increased, the total pore volume increased for PW‐20 sheets, but it did not for PW‐5 sheets with short‐cut fibres. Tensile index and folding endurance were very much affected by fibre length. Contact number on a fibre was calculated by computer simulation, and it had a linear relation with tensile index of sheet.     

Measurement of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol emitted from flooring materials and adhesives

It has been reported that 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2E1H) was emitted through hydrolysis between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate used as plasticizer in flooring material and moisture generated from a strongly alkaline material such as concrete slab. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between diffusion of 2E1H in flooring material and 2E1H emission rate from floor surface. In this study, we measured 2E1H emitted from floor paper, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) tile, cushion floor and carpet for 200,?days and effective diffusion coefficients for 2E1H in various flooring materials were measured. Effective diffusion coefficients of 2E1H for cushion floor and PVC tile were 115?×?10^?9 and 7.8?×?10^?9 m²/s, respectively. Emission rate of 2E1H emitted from flooring material significantly depends on the kind and shape of flooring materials and was influenced by the effective diffusion coefficient for 2E1H of flooring material. Emission rates of 2E1H from floor surface varied with the amount of 2E1H and resin present in the adhesive. When carpet was attached to the flooring material with high water content using adhesive, emission of 2E1H significantly increased. The results show that primary and secondary emissions of 2E1H from the adhesive influence the emission rate of 2E1H for flooring material.     

Synthesis of chloromethylstyrene‐tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate copolymer beads having various phenolic derivatives immobilized via amide bond and their antioxidation activity

Resins having phenolic derivatives were prepared by treating a resin (RAS‐4G), having benzylamino groups, with benzoic acids containing phenolic hydroxyl groups. The RAS‐4G was prepared by treating macroreticular chloromethylstyrene‐tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (4G) copolymer beads with potassium phthalimide in N,N‐dimethylformamide, followed by reflux in an ethanol/hydrazine monohydrate mixture. 4‐Hydroxy benzoic acid, (2,4‐, 3,4‐, and 3,5‐)dihydroxy benzoic acids, 3,4,5‐trihydroxy benzoic acid, etc., were used as benzoic acids with phenolic hydroxyl groups. The antioxidation ability of the resins having phenolic derivatives was investigated against the generation of 1,4‐dioxane hydroperoxide. The resins showed high inhibition ability against the generation of hydroperoxide. In particular, the resin (RAS‐4G‐3,4‐DHBA) having two phenolic hydroxyl groups had the highest inhibition ability. The resins were found to act as radical scavengers during the generation of 1,4‐dioxane hydroperoxide by UV irradiation in the presence of oxygen. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2097–2104, 2005     

Wireless,Flexible, Ionic,Perspiration-Rate Sensor System with Long-Time and High Sweat Volume Functions Toward Early-Stage,Real-Time Detection of Dehydration

Flexible sensors that can be attached to the body to collect vital data wirelessly enable real-time, early-stage diagnosis for human health management. Wearable sweat sensors have received considerable attention for real-time physiological monitoring. Unlike conventional methods that require blood-drawing in a clinic, sweat analyses may enable noninvasive tracking of health conditions for early-stage diagnosis. Even though a variety of studies to monitor metabolites and other substances have been conducted, automatic, continuous, long-term, simultaneous monitoring of perspiration rate and electrolytes, which are important parameters in dehydration, has yet to be achieved because of challenges related to sensor design. Here a wireless, wearable, integrated, microfluidic sensor system that can continuously measure these parameters in real-time for prolonged periods are presented. The proposed sensors are systematically characterized, and machine learning is used to predict device tilt angle to calibrate sensor output signals. Using the sensor design to form a water droplet in a fluidic channel, high-volume perspiration rate is continuously monitored for more than 7000 s (total sweat volume >170 µL). By testing 10 subjects, physiological responses to ingestion of a sports drink are confirmed by measuring perspiration rhythm changes extracted from real-time, continuous sweat impedance and rate.     

The dirty dozen: Twelve failures of the Hurricane Katrina response and how psychology can help.

This comprehensive analysis addresses the United States' alarming lack of preparedness to respond effectively to a massive disaster as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina. First, a timeline of problematic response events during and after Hurricane Katrina orients readers to some of the specific problems encountered at different levels of government. Second, a list of the "Dirty Dozen"--12 major failures that have occurred in prior disasters, which also contributed to inadequate response during and after Hurricane Katrina--is presented. Third, this article encourages expanding psychology's role beyond the treatment of trauma to encompass disaster planning and mitigation efforts from a broader public health perspective. Finally, areas for important interdisciplinary research in human behavior that will influence our nation's overall preparedness for future catastrophes are identified, and ways psychologists can become personally involved beyond treating casualties are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in raw seafood products in Japanese retail stores

The incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in raw fish, shellfish, and fish roe was investigated in seafood products collected from randomly selected retail stores in and around Tokyo, Japan. Of the 10 samples of 208 examined found positive for L. monocytogenes by mini-VIDAS LMO, seven were fish roe (cod, salmon) and three were minced tuna. Three serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 3b) were detected among the isolated strains; serotype 1/2a was predominant (8 of 10).