Viscosity of glass-forming melt at the bottom of high-level waste melter-feed cold caps: Effects of temperature and incorporation of solid components

During the final stages of conversion of melter feed (glass batch) to molten glass, the glass-forming melt becomes a continuous liquid phase that encapsulates dissolving solid particles and gas bubbles that produce primary foam at the bottom of the cold cap (the reacting melter feed in an electric glass-melting furnace). The glass-forming melt viscosity plays a dominant role in primary foam formation, stability, and eventual collapse, thus affecting the rate of melting (the glass production rate per cold-cap area). We have traced the glass-forming melt viscosity during the final stages of feed-to-glass conversion as it changes in response to changing temperature and composition (resulting from dissolving solid particles). For this study, we used high-level waste melter feeds—taking advantage of the large amount of data available to us—and a variety of experimental techniques (feed expansion test, evolved gas analysis, thermogravimetric analyzer-differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and viscometer). Starting with a relatively low value at the moment when the melt connects, melt viscosity reached maximum within the primary foam layer and then decreased to its final melter operating temperature value. At the cold-cap bottom—the boundary between the primary foam layer and the thermal boundary layer—where physicochemical reactions of a melter feed influence the driving force of the heat transfer from the melt to the cold cap, the melt viscosity affects the rate of melting predominantly through its effect on the temperature at which primary foam is collapsing.     

Finite element modeling of resistive surface layers by micro-contact impedance spectroscopy

Micro-contact impedance spectroscopy (MCIS) is potentially a powerful tool for the exploration of resistive surface layers on top of a conductive bulk or substrate material. MCIS employs micro-contacts in contrast to conventional IS where macroscopic electrodes are used. To extract the conductivity of each region accurately using MCIS requires the data to be corrected for geometry. Using finite element modeling on a system where the resistivity of the surface layer is at least a factor of ten greater than the bulk/substrate, we show how current flows through the two layers using two typical micro-contact configurations. This allows us to establish if and what is the most accurate and reliable method for extracting conductivity values for both regions. For a top circular micro-contact and a full bottom counter electrode, the surface layer conductivity (σ_s) can be accurately extracted using a spreading resistance equation if the thickness is ~10 times the micro-contact radius; however, bulk conductivity (σ_b) values can not be accurately determined. If the contact radius is 10 times the thickness of the resistive surface, a geometrical factor using the micro-contact area provides accurate σ_s values. In this case, a spreading resistance equation also provides a good approximation for σ_b. For two top circular micro-contacts on thin resistive surface layers, the MCIS response from the surface layer is independent of the contact separation; however, the bulk response is dependent on the contact separation and at small separations contact interference occurs. As a consequence, there is not a single ideal experimental setup that works; to obtain accurate σ_s and σ_b values the micro-contact radius, surface layer thickness and the contact separation must all be considered together. Here we provide scenarios where accurate σ_s and σ_b values can be obtained that highlight the importance of experimental design and where appropriate equations can be employed for thin and thick resistive surface layers.     

Optimizing PSMA Radioligand Therapy for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of the review was to evaluate patient and treatment characteristics for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with PSMA radioligand therapy (PRLT) associated with above-average outcome. The systematic review and meta-analysis followed recommendations by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We searched for publications in PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to 31 September 2020. Thirty-six publications and four duplicates reported 2346 patients. Nearly two-thirds of the patients had bone metastases. Median overall survival (OS) was 16 months. Asymptomatic patients and patients with only lymph node metastases lived longer than symptomatic patients and patients with more extensive metastases. Patients treated with an intensified schedule of ¹⁷⁷Lu PRLT lived longer than those treated with a conventional schedule. Half of the patients obtained a PSA decline ≥ 50% and these patients lived longer than those with less PSA decline. Approximately 10% of the patients developed hematologic toxicity with anemia grade 3 as the most severe adverse effect. Characteristics for patients, cancer, restaging, and PRLT predict above average overall survival following treatment with PRLT.     

Direct writing of textured ceramics using anisotropic nozzles

Direct writing is a unique means to align anisotropic particles for the fabrication of textured ceramics by templated grain growth (TGG). We show that alignment of tabular barium titanate (BT) template particles (20–40 μm width and 0.5–2 μm thickness) in a PIN-PMN-PT matrix powder (d₅₀ = 280 nm) is significantly improved during direct writing using anisotropic nozzles at high printing rates. The particle orientation distribution in as-printed filaments, and the texture orientation distribution in sintered ceramic filaments are shown to directly correlate with COMSOL Multiphysics-predicted torque distributions for direct writing with aspect ratio 2, 3 and 5 oval nozzles. Electromechanical strain properties of the textured piezoelectric ceramics significantly improved relative to random ceramics when printed with anisotropic nozzles. Simulations of aspect ratio 20 nozzles and nozzles with interior baffles demonstrate significantly increased torque and near elimination of constant shear stress cores (i.e. plug flow).     

Rhus coriaria L. (Sumac) Demonstrates Oncostatic Activity in the Therapeutic and Preventive Model of Breast Carcinoma

Comprehensive scientific data provide evidence that isolated phytochemicals or whole plant foods may beneficially modify carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncostatic activities of Rhus coriaria L. (sumac) using animal models (rat and mouse), and cell lines of breast carcinoma. R. coriaria (as a powder) was administered through the diet at two concentrations (low dose: 0.1% (w/w) and high dose: 1 % (w/w)) for the duration of the experiment in a syngeneic 4T1 mouse and chemically-induced rat mammary carcinoma models. After autopsy, histopathological and molecular analyses of tumor samples in rodents were performed. Moreover, in vitro analyses using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were conducted. The dominant metabolites present in tested R. coriaria methanolic extract were glycosides of gallic acid (possible gallotannins). In the mouse model, R. coriaria at a higher dose (1%) significantly decreased tumor volume by 27% when compared to controls. In addition, treated tumors showed significant dose-dependent decrease in mitotic activity index by 36.5% and 51% in comparison with the control group. In the chemoprevention study using rats, R. coriaria at a higher dose significantly reduced the tumor incidence by 20% and in lower dose non-significantly reduced tumor frequency by 29% when compared to controls. Evaluations of the mechanism of oncostatic action using valid clinical markers demonstrated several positive alterations in rat tumor cells after the treatment with R. coriaria. In this regard, histopathological analysis of treated tumor specimens showed robust dose-dependent decrease in the ratio of high-/low-grade carcinomas by 66% and 73% compared to controls. In treated rat carcinomas, we found significant caspase-3, Bax, and Bax/Bcl-2 expression increases; on the other side, a significant down-regulation of Bcl-2, Ki67, CD24, ALDH1, and EpCam expressions and MDA levels. When compared to control specimens, evaluation of epigenetic alterations in rat tumor cells in vivo showed significant dose-dependent decrease in lysine methylation status of H3K4m3 and H3K9m3 and dose-dependent increase in lysine acetylation in H4K16ac levels (H4K20m3 was not changed) in treated groups. However, only in lower dose of sumac were significant decreases in the expression of oncogenic miR210 and increase of tumor-suppressive miR145 (miR21, miR22, and miR155 were not changed) observed. Finally, only in lower sumac dose, significant decreases in methylation status of three out of five gene promoters–ATM, PTEN, and TIMP3 (PITX2 and RASSF1 promoters were not changed). In vitro evaluations using methanolic extract of R. coriaria showed significant anticancer efficacy in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (using Resazurin, cell cycle, annexin V/PI, caspase-3/7, Bcl-2, PARP, and mitochondrial membrane potential analyses). In conclusion, sumac demonstrated significant oncostatic activities in rodent models of breast carcinoma that were validated by mechanistic studies in vivo and in vitro.     

First Identification of a Putative Sex Pheromone in a Praying Mantid

Praying mantids are models for a wide variety of behavioral, physiological, and ecological studies, and sex pheromones have been assumed to be important components of their biology. However, no mantid pheromone has ever been identified. We collected volatiles emitted by females of the mantid, Sphodromantis lineola, via solid phase microextraction (SPME). Mass spectral analysis revealed the collected volatiles to be a mixture of pentadecanal and tetradecanal. We prepared a synthetic mixture of these compounds, and found that males were both attracted to this mixture and stimulated to exhibit typical precopulatory behavior. We then examined male antennae with scanning electron microscopy, and confirmed the presence of porous antennal sensilla typical of insect pheromone receptors, i.e., that male mantids are equipped with the appropriate morphological apparatus to receive volatile chemical signals. Pheromones, in conjunction with visual and tactile cues, are thus an important feature of the reproductive biology of this, and undoubtedly other species of mantids. In addition to adding a crucial aspect of behavioral biology to our knowledge of this group, identification and synthesis of mantid pheromones may be a first step in attracting and aggregating these generalist predators for use in pest control.     

Pullout behavior of polypropylene fibers from cementitious matrix

A comprehensive experimental investigation was performed to understand the pullout behavior of polypropylene fibers from a cementitious matrix. The effect of embedded length on the pullout characteristics, the development of the interfacial bond with age of curing of matrix and the effect of exposure to degrading environments, like seawater and salt water, on the interfacial bond between the fibers and cementitious matrix were studied. The aim of these experiments was to understand the properties of fiber/matrix interface, which are of primary significance in predicting the overall behavior of fiber-reinforced cement-based composites. Polypropylene fibers have a weak bond with cementitious matrix because of smooth surface of fibers, which does not allow for sufficient friction to develop between the two. In this study a new method to improve the frictional bond by means of mechanical indentations of fibers was also proposed. The bonding performance was characterized by means of pullout tests of the plain and modified fibers from a cementitious matrix. An optimum level of fiber modification for maximization of bond efficiency was determined experimentally.     

Design criteria for ideal foam nucleating agents

Design criteria for ideal foam nucleating agents, also called nucleants, are identified. Nucleants conforming to the criteria are expected to produce desirable foams with a large number density and narrow size distribution of bubbles. The criteria are based on an analysis of the thermodynamics and kinetics of coupled nucleation and growth. Based on this work, ideal nucleants have four characteristics. Nucleation on ideal nucleants is energetically and kinetically favorable relative to homogeneous nucleation. Ideal nucleants also have uniform geometry and surface properties, they are easily dispersed, and they are plentiful enough to overwhelm the contributions of homogeneous and unintentional heterogeneous nucleation.     

Self-reorganization of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene brushes on planar silica substrates in response to combined selective solvent treatments and thermal annealing

This article reports reversible changes in surface morphology and surface wettability of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes with PS M_n slightly lower than that of PMMA in response to combined selective solvent treatments and thermal annealing. The mixed brushes were synthesized from asymmetric difunctional initiator-terminated monolayers by controlled radical polymerizations. Two sets of experiments were performed. The first set involved treating the samples with glacial acetic acid (AA), a selective solvent for PMMA, followed by treatment with cyclohexane, a selective solvent for PS, or thermal annealing. The surfaces were rough and composed of relatively ordered nanodomains after AA treatment. Subsequent cyclohexane treatment or thermal annealing made the surfaces flattened and surface analysis indicated that the outermost layers were occupied by PS. The second set of experiments involved treating the samples with cyclohexane or thermal annealing, followed by AA treatment. The surfaces were smooth after cyclohexane treatment or thermal annealing and became very rough in the subsequent AA treatment. The nanodomains formed in AA treatment were speculated to be micelles with PS forming the core shielded by PMMA chains.     

Viscoelastic properties and morphology of sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene) block copolymers (sBCP), and sBCP/[silicate] nanostructured materials

Self-assembled organic/inorganic hybrid materials were created via domain targeted sol-gel reactions of tetraethylorthosilicate in solution with sulfonated poly(styrene-b-[ethylene-co-butylene]-b-styrene) (sSEBS) copolymers. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) of these hybrid materials suggest that the silicate component preferentially incorporates within the sulfonated polystyrene (PS) domains. An irreversible order-order transition (OOT) for unmodified SEBS, sSEBS, and the organic/inorganic hybrids was identified using DMA in shear mode. The OOT temperature increases with sulfonation as well as by adding a silicate phase by the sol-gel process. The DMA results imply a morphological shift with sulfonation, and reflect modified interactions within and between phases. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated a shift from hexagonally packed cylinders in unmodified SEBS to a lamellar morphology in the sulfonated materials, but silicate incorporation did not affect the morphology or domain dimensions. The latter result is evidence for sol-gel polymerization templating in a self-assembly process. The phase-separated morphology is stable up to the degradation temperature of the polymer and thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the degradation temperature is unaffected by silicate incorporation. Small angle X-ray scattering data are in harmony with the structures revealed by AFM in terms of degree of order and scale of features. These results are largely rationalized in terms of chain mobility restrictions due to hydrogen-bonding interactions between different sulfonated PS blocks, an increase in the PS-ethylene/butylene block mixing parameter, increased interfacial surface tension and chain restrictions posed by inserted silicate nanostructures in the case of the hybrid materials.