Effects of Al:Si and (Al + Na):Si ratios on the properties of the international simple glass,part II: Structure

High-alumina containing high-level waste (HLW) will be vitrified at the Waste Treatment Plant at the Hanford Site. The resulting glasses, high in alumina, will have distinct composition-structure-property (C-S-P) relationships compared to previously studied HLW glasses. These C-S-P relationships determine the processability and product durability of glasses and therefore must be understood. The main purpose of this study is to understand the detailed structural changes caused by Al:Si and (Al + Na):Si substitutions in a simplified nuclear waste model glass (ISG, international simple glass) by combining experimental structural characterizations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The structures of these two series of glasses were characterized by neutron total scattering and ²⁷Al, ²³Na, ²⁹Si, and ¹¹B solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, MD simulations were used to generate atomistic structural models of the borosilicate glasses and simulation results were validated by the experimental structural data. Short-range (eg, bond distance, coordination number, etc) and medium-range (eg, oxygen speciation, network connectivity, polyhedral linkages) structural features of the borosilicate glasses were systematically investigated as a function of the degree of substitution. The results show that bond distance and coordination number of the cation-oxygen pairs are relatively insensitive to Al:Si and (Al + Na):Si substitutions with the exception of the B-O pair. Additionally, the Al:Si substitution results in an increase in tri-bridging oxygen species, whereas (Al + Na):Si substitution creates nonbridging oxygen species. Charge compensator preferences were found for Si-[NBO] (Na⁺), ^[3]B-[NBO] (Na⁺), ^[4]B (mostly Ca²⁺), ^[4]Al (nearly equally split Na⁺ and Ca²⁺), and ^[6]Zr (mostly Ca²⁺). The network former-BO-network former linkages preferences were also tabulated; Si-O-Al and Al-O-Al were preferred at the expense of lower Si-O-^[3]B and ^[3]B-O-^[3]B linkages. These results provide insights on the structural origins of property changes such as glass-transition temperature caused by the substitutions, providing a basis for future improvements of theoretical and computer simulation models.     

Ascorbic Acid-Assisted Eco-friendly Synthesis of NiCo<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Nanoparticles as an Anode Material for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

We have synthesized NiCo₂O₄ nanoparticles (NCO NPs) using an ascorbic acid-assisted co-precipitation method for the first time. When NCO NPs are used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the cell exhibits superior lithium storage properties, such as high capacity (700 mA h g^?1 after 300 cycles at 200 mA g^?1), excellent rate capabilities (applied current density range 100–1200 mA g^?1), and impressive cycling stability (at 1200 mA g^?1 up to 650 cycles). The enhanced electrochemical properties of NCO NPs are due to the nanometer dimensions which not only offers a smooth charge-transport pathway and short diffusion paths of the lithium ions but also adequate spaces for volume expansion during Li storage. Hence, this eco-friendly synthesis approach will provide a new strategy for the synthesis of various nanostructured metal oxide compounds, for energy conversion and storage systems applications.     

CSBD Healing in Rats after Application of Bovine Xenogeneic Biomaterial Enriched with Magnesium Alloy

Xenogeneic biomaterials Cerbone^® and OsteoBiol^® are widely used in oral implantology. In dental practice, xenogeneic biomaterial is usually combined with autologous bone to provide bone volume stability needed for long-term dental implants. Magnesium alloy implants dissolve and form mineral corrosion layer that is directly in contact with bone tissue, allowing deposition of the newly formed bone. CSBD heals by intramembranous ossification and therefore is a convenient model for analyses of ostoconductive and osteoinductive properties of different type of biomaterials. Magnesium alloy-enriched biomaterials have not yet been applied in oral implantology. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate biological properties of potentially new bovine xenogeneic biomaterial enriched with magnesium alloy in a 5 mm CSBD model. Osteoconductive properties of Cerabone^®, Cerabone^® + Al. bone, and OsteoBiol^® were also analyzed. Dynamics of bone healing was followed up on the days 3, 7, 15, 21, and 30. Calvary bone samples were analyzed by micro-CT, and values of the bone morphometric parameters were assessed. Bone samples were further processed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Histological observation revealed CSBD closure at day 30 of the given xenogeneic biomaterial groups, with the exception of the control group. TNF-α showed high intensity of expression at the sites of MSC clusters that underwent ossification. Osx was expressed in pre-osteoblasts, which were differentiated into mature osteoblasts and osteocytes. Results of the micro-CT analyses showed linear increase in bone volume of all xenogeneic biomaterial groups and also in the control. The highest average values of bone volume were found for the Cerabone^® + Mg group. In addition, less residual biomaterial was estimated in the Cerabone^® + Mg group than in the Cerabone^® group, indicating its better biodegradation during CSBD healing. Overall, the magnesium alloy xenogeneic biomaterial demonstrated key properties of osteoinduction and biodegradidibility during CSBD healing, which is the reason why it should be recommended for application in clinical practice of oral implantology.     

Telomere Length in Metaphase Chromosomes of Human Triploid Zygotes

The human lifespan is strongly influenced by telomere length (TL) which is defined in a zygote—when two highly specialised haploid cells form a new diploid organism. Although TL is a variable parameter, it fluctuates in a limited range. We aimed to establish the determining factors of TL in chromosomes of maternal and paternal origin in human triploid zygotes. Using Q-FISH, we examined TL in the metaphase chromosomes of 28 human triploid zygotes obtained from 22 couples. The chromosomes’ parental origin was identified immunocytochemically through weak DNA methylation and strong hydroxymethylation in the sperm-derived (paternal) chromosomes versus strong DNA methylation and weak hydroxymethylation in the oocyte-derived (maternal) ones. In 24 zygotes, one maternal and two paternal chromosome sets were identified, while the four remaining zygotes contained one paternal and two maternal sets. For each zygote, we compared mean relative TLs between parental chromosomes, identifying a significant difference in favour of the paternal chromosomes, which attests to a certain “imprinting” of these regions. Mean relative TLs in paternal or maternal chromosomes did not correlate with the respective parent’s age. Similarly, no correlation was observed between the mean relative TL and sperm quality parameters: concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology. Based on the comparison of TLs in chromosomes inherited from a single individual’s gametes with those in chromosomes inherited from different individuals’ gametes, we compared intraindividual (intercellular) and interindividual variability, obtaining significance in favour of the latter and thus validating the role of heredity in determining TL in zygotes. A comparison of the interchromatid TL differences across the chromosomes from sets of different parental origin with those from PHA-stimulated lymphocytes showed an absence of a significant difference between the maternal and paternal sets but a significant excess over the lymphocytes. Therefore, interchromatid TL differences are more pronounced in zygotes than in lymphocytes. To summarise, TL in human zygotes is determined both by heredity and parental origin; the input of other factors is possible within the individual’s reaction norm.     

Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu,Zr, Ni,Co, Mn) ceria-based solid solutions for low temperature CO oxidation

Ceria based solid solutions doped by Gd, Bi, and the third dopant were synthesized by the co-precipitation method with ultrasonic treatment, followed by calcination at the temperature of 500°С. Characterization of the synthesized nanosystems by XRD, TEM, TG, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS was carried out. It is shown that all obtained powders of solid solutions crystallized into a cubic structure of the fluorite type, with an average particle size of 5–15 nm. The samples had a mesoporous structure of the pore diameter of 2–5 nm. The catalytic activity of Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu, Zr, Ni, Co, Mn) solid solutions was carried out. The catalyst Gd_0.05Bi_0.15Mn_0.20Ce_0.60O₂ has the lowest oxidation temperature.     

Role of Crystallographic Textures on Failure Behavior in HSLA Grade-420 Steel During Cold Rolling

The microstructural and textural evolution was analyzed during rolling at room temperature to obtain detailed information about the failure behavior in HSLA grade-420 steel. Electron backscatter diffraction measurements were carried out in both non-cracked and cracked areas after cold rolling to find a correlation between microstructural parameters (i.e., grain orientation, grain boundary characteristics and Taylor factor) and crack propagation. The results showed that the crack tended to propagate along grains oriented with {001} planes parallel to the normal direction with high Taylor factor value. The special boundaries associated with the {111}, {110} and {221} planes were indicated as crack resistance, while ∑ 5, 13a and 17a, which related to the {001} planes, were crack-susceptible. Transgranular cracking was subjected within grains with high Taylor factor, while mismatch in Taylor factor between neighboring grains could provide an easy path for intergranular crack propagation.     

Association between cigarette smoking and C-reactive protein in a representative, population-based sample of adolescents.

Although related to inflammatory markers in adults, little is known about the association between cigarette smoking and C-reactive protein (CRP) in adolescent smokers. We examined the association between high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) concentrations and smoking in youth. We used data from a cross-sectional, province-wide survey of a representative sample of youth conducted in Quebec, Canada, in 1999. Data were collected in self-report questionnaires completed by participants and their parents. Participants provided a fasting blood sample, and anthropometric measures were undertaken by trained technicians. The present analysis pertains to 1,501 adolescents aged 13 and 16 years who completed questionnaires and for whom blood samples were available. The independent association between a six-category indicator of smoking status and elevated hs-CRP, defined as a value at least in the 90th percentile of the age- and sex-specific CRP distribution, was assessed in multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for potential confounders. Relative to never-smokers, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for puffers (i.e., never smoked a whole cigarette), those who smoked but not in the past month, light past-month smokers, moderate past-month smokers, and heavy past-month smokers were 1.04 (0.55-1.98), 1.76 (1.06-2.94), 1.39 (0.70-2.76), 2.07 (0.96-4.42), and 2.40 (1.18-4.88), respectively. Our data suggest a positive association between smoking status and elevated CRP in adolescents, and in particular among heavier past-month smokers. Damage related to cigarette smoking may begin soon after tobacco use initiation, reinforcing the preventive message that no level of smoking is safe in youth.     

Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow over a Single Disk in a Fluid Rotating as a Rigid Body

Laminar heat transfer problem is analyzed for a disk rotating with the angular speed ωin a co-rotating fluid (with the angular speed Ω). The fluid is swirled in accordance with a forced-vortex law, it rotates as a solid body at β= Ω/ω= const. Radial variation of the disk's surface temperature follows a power law. An exact numerical solution of the problem is obtained basing on the self-similar profiles of the local temperature of fluid, its static pressure and velocity components. Numerical computations were done at the Prandtl numbers Pr = 1(?)0.71. It is shown that with increasing βboth radial and tangential components of shear stresses decrease, and to zero value at β= 1. Nusselt number is practically constant at β= 0(?) 0.3 (and even has a point of a maximum in this region); Nu decrease noticeably for larger βvalues.