Joining of Carbon-Carbon Composites for Thermonuclear Fusion Applications

Carbon-fiber-reinforced carbon (CfC) composites have been joined by using different joining agents: metals (silicon, aluminum, and titanium), an intermetallic compound (magnesium silicide, Mg₂Si), and glasses (borosilicates and zinc borates). These joining agents have been chosen by considering their possible use in a thermonuclear fusion reactor, as suggested by their low-activation properties, reasonably high working temperature, industrial feasibility, and potential scale-up of the joined carboncarbon structures using pressureless-processing techniques. Each joined structure (CfC composite–joining material-CfC composite) has been first morphologically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. Then, single-lap shear tests have been performed on the most-promising joined structures, i.e., silicon- and aluminum-joined CfC-composite samples, which have shown an average shear strength of 22 and 10 MPa, respectively.     

A simple method to obtain en face sections of flat tissue culture cells

A method is described for embedment of multiple confluent sheets of flat tissue culture cells that permits sectioning for thin or semithin sections in precise planes. The technique is especially useful for obtaining en face sections.     

White Paper: promoting Design for All and e-Accessibility in Europe

This White Paper results from the collaboration of Design for All (DfA) and e-Accessibility expert bodies representing the European Union member states [ref: the coordination centres of the national European Design for All e-Accessibility network (EDeAN) in 23 European Union Member States, in this document referred to as NCCs]. The objectives of this White Paper are threefold: (1) to present the current state of affairs of EDeAN, active since 2002 as part of the European Commission’s action line supporting the development of the European Information Society; (2) to outline a roadmap for future initiatives, actively reflecting views of the EDeAN network in specific domains related to DfA, e-Accessibility and e-Inclusion; and (3) to bring forward a set of suggestions and recommendations regarding the activities of the network, aiming to support the creation of a fully inclusive European Information Society. The paper is organised as follows: Section 1 provides a short introduction to DfA and Accessibility in Information Society (IS) and Information Society Technology (IST) developments in Europe. Section 2 provides an overview of policy as well as R&D activities related to DfA and accessibility in IST in Europe. Section 3 briefly describes the role of EDeAN and the new challenges that emerge as a result of the changing European policy environment. Section 4 presents current challenges that emerge in five domains directly related to DfA and accessibility, such as policy and legislation, industry, monitoring and evaluation—benchmarking, standardisation, R&D, and education and training. Finally, Sect. 5 puts forward a number of recommendations with regard to future activities for EDeAN. The contents of this paper reflect results from the open discussion forums supported in the EDeAN website (ref: EDeAN Special Interest Groups, SIGs). The draft paper was written by the EDeAN Secretariat for 2005, FORTH-ICS (Greece), and completed with the support of all NCCs. Support was also provided by the European Commission DG Information Society and Media and by the D4ALLnet project (ref: an EC funded project with the code IST-2001-38833).Editors   The White Paper has been edited by I. Klironomos, M. Antona, I. Basdekis, and C. Stephanidis.Contributors   Soren Aalykke, Danish Centre for Assistive Technology, NCC for DenmarkRay Adams, CIRCUA––Middlesex University, NCC for the UKBob Allen, CRC, NCC for IrelandHaakon Aspelund, the Delta Centre, NCC for NorwayToril Bergerud Buene, the Delta Centre, NCC for NorwayMieke Broeders, VZW-T, NCC for BelgiumChristian Buhler, FTB, NCC for Germany, Benchmarking SIG moderatorPier Luigi Emiliani, CNR, NCC for Italy, Proactive Assessment SIG moderatorJan Engelen, KUL, Belgium, Standardisation SIG moderatorHenrike Gappa, FhG-FIT, NCC for GermanyErkki Kempainen, STAKES, Finland, Policy and Legislation SIG moderatorHarry Knops, iRv, NCC for the Netherlandsülle Lepp, Estonian Foundation for the Visually Impaired, NCC for EstoniaLenka Lhotska, Czech Technical University in Prague, NCC for the Czech RepublicErik Loide, EFVI, NCC for EstoniaNiels-Erik Mathiassen, Danish Centre for Assistive Technology, NCC for DenmarkKlaus Miesenberger, Integrated Study—University of Linz, NCC for AustriaHugh O’Neill, CRC, NCC for IrelandLaurynas Pacenka, State Institute of Information Technologies, NCC for LithuaniaCarlos Pereira, SNRIPD, NCC for PortugalMateus Pustisek, Faculty of Electrical Engineering UL, NCC for SloveniaBrian Restall, Projects in Motion Ltd., NCC for MaltaCristina Rodriguez-Porrero, CEAPAT, NCC for SpainSaulius Sidaras, State Institute of Information Technologies, NCC for LithuaniaCecília Sik Lányi, Colour and Multimedia Laboratory, VEIN, NCC for HungaryDušan Šimšík, Access Centre—TUKE, NCC for SlovakiaThijs Soede, iRv, NCC for the NetherlandsYngve Sundblad, CID-KTH, Sweden, Curricula on DfA SIG moderatorPaivi Tahkokallio, STAKES, NCC for FinlandClaes Tjader, the Swedish Handicap Institute, NCC for SwedenGill Whitney, CIRCUA—Middlesex University, NCC for the UKRonald Wiman, STAKES, NCC for FinlandFredrik Winberg, CID-KTH, Sweden, Curricula on DfA SIG moderatorCarlos Velasco, FhG-FIT, NCC for GermanyNadine Vigoroux, IRIT, NCC for France

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New updates of incomplete LU factorizations and applications to large nonlinear systems

In this paper, we address the problem of preconditioning sequences of large sparse indefinite systems of linear equations and present two new strategies to construct approximate updates of factorized preconditioners. Both updates are based on the availability of an incomplete factorization for one matrix of the sequence and differ in the approximation of the so-called ideal update. For a general treatment, an incomplete LU (ILU) factorization is considered, but the proposed approaches apply to incomplete factorizations of symmetric matrices as well. The first strategy is an approximate diagonal update of the ILU factorization; the second strategy relies on banded approximations of the factors in the ideal update. The efficiency and reliability of the proposed preconditioners are shown in the solution of nonlinear systems of equations by preconditioned Newton–Krylov methods. Nearly matrix-free implementations of the updating strategy are provided, and numerical experiments are carried out on application problems.     

Monolithic Organic/Colloidal Quantum Dot Hybrid Tandem Solar Cells via Buffer Engineering

Monolithically integrated hybrid tandem solar cells (TSCs) that combine solution-processed colloidal quantum dot (CQD) and organic molecules are a promising device architecture, able to complement the absorption across the visible to the infrared. However, the performance of organic/CQD hybrid TSCs has not yet surpassed that of single-junction CQD solar cells. Here, a strategic optical structure is devised to overcome the prior performance limit of hybrid TSCs by employing a multibuffer layer and a dual near-infrared (NIR) absorber. In particular, a multibuffer layer is introduced to solve the problem of the CQD solvent penetrating the underlying organic layer. In addition, the matching current of monolithic TSCs is significantly improved to 15.2 mA cm⁻² by using a dual NIR organic absorber that complements the absorption of CQD. The hybrid TSCs reach a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.7%, higher than that of the corresponding individual single-junction cells, representing the highest efficiency reported to date for CQD-based hybrid TSCs.     

A Tuned Alternating D–A Copolymer Hole-Transport Layer Enables Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells with Superior Fill Factor and Efficiency

The need for optoelectronic and chemical compatibility between the layers in colloidal quantum dot (CQD) photovoltaic devices remains a bottleneck in further increasing performance. Conjugated polymers are promising candidates as new hole-transport layer (HTL) materials in CQD solar cells (CQD-SCs) owing to the highly tunable optoelectronic properties and compatible chemistries. A diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer with benzothiadiazole derivatives (PD2FCT-29DPP) as an HTL in these devices is reported. The energy level, molecular orientation, and hole mobility of this HTL are manipulated through molecular engineering. By levering the polymer's optical absorption spectrum complementary to that of the CQD active layer, EQE across the visible and near-infrared regions is maximized. As a result, a PD2FCT-29DPP-based device exhibits a fill factor of 70% and approximately 35% efficiency enhancement compared to a PTB7-based device.     

Evaluation of microbiological accumulation capability of the commercial sponge Spongia officinalis var. adriatica (Schmidt) (Porifera, Demospongiae)

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbiological accumulation capability of the demosponge Spongia officinalis var. adriatica. Six microbiological parameters were researched in two sampling periods in the water and in reared sponge samples coming from sites with different degrees of microbial contamination: an off-shore fish farm displaced off the Apulian coast (Southern Adriatic Sea) and a no-impacted area displaced into the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo (Apulian coast-Ionian Sea). We detected the density of culturable heterotrophic bacteria by spread plate on marine agar, total culturable bacteria at 37 degrees C on Plate Count Agar and vibrios on thiosulphate-citrate-bile-sucrose-salt (TCBS) agar. Total and fecal coliforms as well as fecal streptococci concentrations were detected by the MPN method. Bacterial densities were always higher in the sponge homogenates compared with the corresponding seawater in the sampling points and in both sampling periods. As regard vibrios, total culturable bacteria at 37 degrees C and fecal streptococci concentrations, the highest values were observed in the sponge samples coming from the off-shore fish farm during the summer period. The ability of Spongia officinalis var. adriatica to accumulate the microbial pollution indicators suggests that this species can be employed as a bioindicator for monitoring water quality.     

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in a population exposed to the emissions of a municipal waste incinerator

Some contaminants emitted by municipal waste incinerators are believed to adversely affect reproductive health in the exposed populations; yet only limited and conflicting epidemiologic evidence on this issue has been provided so far. In this study we analyzed rates of spontaneous abortion and prevalence at birth of congenital anomalies in women residing or working near the municipal solid waste incinerator of Modena, northern Italy, during the 2003--2006 period and who experienced higher levels of exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, compared to the remaining municipal population. In women residing in two areas close to the incinerator plant with increasing exposure to dioxins, we did not detect an excess risk of miscarriage (relative risk [RR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-1.48) and of birth defects (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.20-1.55), nor did any indication of dose-response relation emerge. Among female workers employed in the factories located in the exposed areas, we did not observe a higher risk of spontaneous abortion (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.38-2.30); however, an increase in prevalence of birth defects was noted (RR 2.26), although this risk estimate was statistically very unstable (95% CI 0.57-6.14). Overall, the study results provide little evidence of an excess risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to emissions from a modern municipal solid waste incinerator.     

Effect of fruit blanching on phenolics and radical scavenging activity of highbush blueberry juice

Frozen highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were processed into juice, and the influence was studied of a steam blanching step, applied to fruit before milling, on the recovery of anthocyanin pigments and total cinnamates, in relation to the radical-scavenging properties of blueberry juices. Inactivation of PPO induced a significant recovery increase of anthocyanin and cinnamate contents. Furthermore juice from blanched fruits was more blue and less red than that obtained in the traditional way, due to the positive effect of the thermal treatment on the extraction of the most soluble anthocyanin pigments, which are also the most intense blue. Blanching of fruit greatly increased the radical-scavenging activity of the juice, in relation to the higher recovery of anthocyanin pigments and total cinnamates.     

Oxidative Stress,Mutations and Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by In Vitro and In Vivo Exposure to Furan

Furan is a volatile compound that is formed in foods during thermal processing. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen by international authorities based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. Although a vast number of studies both in vitro and in vivo have been performed to investigate furan genotoxicity, the results are inconsistent, and its carcinogenic mode of action remains to be clarified. Here, we address the mutagenic and clastogenic activity of furan and its prime reactive metabolite cis-2 butene-1,4-dial (BDA) in mammalian cells in culture and in mouse animal models in a search for DNA lesions responsible of these effects. To this aim, Fanconi anemia-derived human cell lines defective in the repair of DNA inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs) and Ogg1^−/− mice defective in the removal of 8-hydroxyguanine from DNA, were used. We show that both furan and BDA present a weak (if any) mutagenic activity but are clear inducers of clastogenic damage. ICLs are strongly indicated as key lesions for chromosomal damage whereas oxidized base lesions are unlikely to play a critical role.