Anomalies of Physical Properties inα-Bi2O3 — a Phase Transition Governed by the Electronic Mechanism?

A number of physical properties of -Bi₂O₃ was studied: the thermal expansion, thermally stimulated conductivity, electrical resistivity, and dielectric permeability. X-ray diffraction, DTA, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were also carried out. Several anomalies were observed: a small maximum and drastic rise of the single crystal dielectric permeability, a sharp drop of the electric resistivity, a jump and change in sign of the thermally stimulated current, and an exothermal maximum in differential heat capacity. At the same time, the monoclinic lattice symmetry of -Bi₂O₃ was retained over the temperature range where these anomalies were found.     

Exploring the impact of software requirements on system-wide goals: a method using satisfaction arguments and i* goal modelling

This paper describes the application of requirements engineering concepts to support the analysis of the impact of new software systems on system-wide goals. Requirements on a new or revised software component of a socio-technical system not only have implications on the goals of the subsystem itself, but they also impact upon the goals of the existing integrated system. In industries such as air traffic management and healthcare, impacts need to be identified and demonstrated in order to assess concerns such as risk, safety, and accuracy. A method called PiLGRIM was developed which integrates means-end relationships within goal modelling with knowledge associated with the application domain. The relationship between domain knowledge and requirements, as described in a satisfaction argument, adds traceability rationale to help determine the impacts of new requirements across a network of heterogeneous actors. We report procedures that human analysts follow to use the concepts of satisfaction arguments in a software tool for i* goal modelling. Results were demonstrated using models and arguments developed in two case studies, each featuring a distinct socio-technical system??a new controlled airspace infringement detection tool for NATS (the UK??s air navigation service provider), and a new version of the UK??s HIV/AIDS patient reporting system. Results provided evidence towards our claims that the conceptual integration of i* and satisfaction arguments is usable and useful to human analysts, and that the PiLGRIM impact analysis procedures and tool support are effective and scalable to model and analyse large and complex socio-technical systems.     

The kinking behaviour of a bimaterial interface crack under indentation loading

The aims of this paper are twofold. The first is to evaluate the applicability of the formula for the crack kink angle—based on the maximum principle stress criterion—for predicting the interface kink angle in a bimaterial sample undergoing indentation loading. This formula was developed for cracks in homogenous materials but in this paper, it is used to predict the kink angle using the mode mixity at the tip of a crack lying on a bimaterial interface. The second aim is to examine the behaviour of the system, in terms of the crack kink angle and contact radius, for various coating thickness', crack lengths and combinations of properties of the coating and substrate. The system that is analysed consists of a planar bimaterial sample undergoing indentation with a tungsten-carbide spherical indenter. Two-dimensional, axisymmetric models are created to represent the system, with subdomains used for modelling the cracks. In order to determine the applicability of the kink angle formula, the angle predicted is compared to the angle that is directly calculated using boundary element method models that establish the angle of the kink which yields the maximum mechanical energy release rate. The second aim of the paper is achieved by varying the material property combinations and coating thickness of the bimaterial sample and observing the effect on the kink angle of the interface crack and the contact radius. The methodologies employed are initially verified on homogenous samples with known solutions.     

Clotrimazole-loaded Eudragit® RS100 nanocapsules: Preparation,characterization and in vitro evaluation of antifungal activity against Candida species

Clotrimazole is a common choice for the treatment of vulvovaginal infections, but its low solubility and some side effects pose a challenge to its application. This work evaluated the feasibility to formulate clotrimazole-loaded cationic nanocapsules using Eudragit® RS100 and medium chain triglycerides as polymer and oily core, respectively, by the method of interfacial deposition of a preformed polymer. The physicochemical characteristics of nanocapsule formulations were evaluated at 0 day and 60 days after preparation. Particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH and drug content were stable during this period. In addition, nanocapsules were able to protect clotrimazole from photodegradation under UV radiation. By the dialysis bag diffusion technique, the nanosized formulations showed prolonged release of clotrimazole by anomalous transport and first order kinetics. A microbiological study was carried out by the microdilution method and showed that nanocapsules (mean size: 144 nm; zeta potential: + 12 mV) maintained the antifungal activity of clotrimazole against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains susceptible and resistant to fluconazole.     

Interaction of β‐casein with (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate assayed by fluorescence quenching: effect of thermal processing temperature

The interactions between the flavan‐3‐ol (?)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and bovine β‐casein in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) of pH 6.5 subjected to thermal processing at various temperatures (25–100 °C) were investigated using fluorescence quenching. The results indicated that different temperatures had different effects on the structural changes and EGCG‐binding ability of β‐casein. At temperatures below 60 °C, the β‐casein–EGCG interaction changed little (P > 0.05) with increasing temperature. At temperatures above 80 °C, native assemblies of β‐casein in solution dissociated into individual β‐casein molecules and unfolded, as demonstrated by a red shift of the maximum fluorescence emission wavelength (λ_max) of up to 8.8 nm. The highest quenching constant (K_q) and the number of binding sites (n) were 0.92 (±0.01) × 10¹³ m ^?1 s^?1 and 0.73 (±0.02) (100 °C), respectively. These results provide insight into the potential of interactions between β‐casein–EGCG that may modulate bioactivity or bioavailability to be altered during thermal process.     

Surface ionization properties of alkali metal oxide bronze

The process of selective ionization of a nitro compound (trinitrotoluene) on the surface of poly- and single-crystalline samples of sodium-vanadium oxide bronze has been studied in air at atmospheric pressure.     

The oxidative stability of omega-3 oil-in-water nanoemulsion systems suitable for functional food enrichment: A systematic review of the literature

There is growing demand for functional food products enriched with long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCω3PUFA). Nanoemulsions, systems with extremely small droplet sizes have been shown to increase LCω3PUFA bioavailability. However, nanoemulsion creation and processing methods may impact on the oxidative stability of these systems. The present systematic review collates information from studies that evaluated the oxidative stability of LCω3PUFA nanoemulsions suitable for use in functional foods. The systematic search identified seventeen articles published during the last 10 years. Researchers used a range of surfactants and antioxidants to create systems which were evaluated from 7 to 100 days of storage.

Nanoemulsions were created using synthetic and natural emulsifiers, with natural sources offering equivalent or increased oxidative stability compared to synthetic sources, which is useful as consumers are demanding natural, cleaner label food products. Equivalent vegetarian sources of LCω3PUFA found in fish oils such as algal oils are promising as they provide direct sources without the need for conversion in the human metabolic pathway. Quillaja saponin is a promising natural emulsifier that can produce nanoemulsion systems with equivalent/increased oxidative stability in comparison to other emulsifiers. Further studies to evaluate the oxidative stability of quillaja saponin nanoemulsions combined with algal sources of LCω3PUFA are warranted.     

Dietary Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Are Protective Against Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Over 50 years of research has sought to define the role dietary fat plays in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Although optimal dietary fat quantity has been keenly pursued over past decades, attention has recently centered on the value of dietary fat quality. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical assessment of the current body of evidence surrounding efficacy of dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) for reduction of traditional risk factors defining metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD. Due to existing and emerging research on health attributes of MUFA rich diets, and to the low prevalence of chronic disease in populations consuming MUFA rich Mediterranean diets, national dietary guidelines are increasingly recommending dietary MUFA, primarily at the expense of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Consumption of dietary MUFA promotes healthy blood lipid profiles, mediates blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity and regulates glucose levels. Moreover, provocative newer data suggest a role for preferential oxidation and metabolism of dietary MUFA, influencing body composition and ameliorating the risk of obesity. Mounting epidemiological and human clinical trial data continue to demonstrate the cardioprotective activity of the MUFA content of dietary fat. As the debate on the optimal fatty acid composition of the diet continues, the benefit of increasing MUFA intakes, particularly as a substitute for dietary SFA, deserves considerable attention.     

Developments in the continuous galvanizing of steel

The performance history of galvanized steels, particularly in the automotive industry, has heightened demand for both hot-dip galvanized and electrogalvanized products. Such marketability has led to the commissioning of several new galvanizing lines in recent years. Still, for this timehonored coating process to remain competitive, researchers are investigating methods to improve surface appearance, coating uniformity, corrosion resistance and cost effectiveness.     

英国公司QuantaSol打破太阳能电池记录

帝国理工学院(Imperial Collage)剥离出来的QuantaSol声称,他们已经打破了单结太阳能电池的世界记录。当曝露在500倍聚光的条件下,应力平衡的量子阱太阳能电池的转换效率记录为28.3%。