"Inversed" surface micelle array fabrication of an amphiphilic block copolymer on water surface

A mixed film of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) with 6-{4-[(4-hexylphenyl)azo]phenoxy}hexanoic acid (6Az5COOH) were prepared on water by co-spreading method. The resulting films were transferred onto mica at various surface pressures. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and pi-A isotherm measurements revealed that both PS and p4VP blocks in PS-b-P4VP forms spread monolayer on water with the assist of 6Az5COOH at low surface pressures. Upon compression on water, we observed that the P4VP/6Az5COOH parts in the hybrid film are collapsed selectively at an early stage and form dot array morphology. In addition, gold cluster dots were deposited selectively on the dots in the dot array film by metallization based on deposition of HAuCl4 to the P4VP chain and reduction with dimethylamino borane. These results strongly support the fact that the "inversed" surface micelles are formed on water via hybridization of PS-b-P4VP with 6Az5COOH.     

Thermodynamic database on microsolders and copper-based alloy systems

Recent progress on the thermodynamic databases of calculated phase diagrams in microsolders and Cu-based alloys is presented. A thermodynamic tool, Alloy Database for Microsolders (ADAMIS), is based on comprehensive experimental and thermodynamic data accumulated with the calculation of phase diagrams (CALPHAD) method and contains eight elements, namely, Ag, Bi, Cu, In, Sb, Sn, Zn, and Pb. It can handle all combinations of these elements and all composition ranges. The elements of Al and Au have also been added to ADAMIS within a limited range of compositions. Furthermore, a database of Cu-based alloys, including binary (Cu-X), ternary (Cu-Fe-X, Cu-Ni-X, and Cu-Cr-X), and multicomponent (Cu-Ni-Cr-Sn-Zn-Fe-Si) systems, has also been developed. Typical examples of the calculation and application of these data-bases are presented. These databases are expected to be a powerful tool for the development of Pb-free solders and Cu substrate materials as well as for promoting the understanding of the interfacial phenomena between them in electronic packaging technology.     

Comparison of low-melting lead-free solders in tensile properties with Sn–Pb eutectic solder

The tensile properties of Sn–8 mass % Zn–3 mass % Bi and Sn–58 mass % Bi low-melting lead-free solders were investigated and compared with those of a Sn–Pb eutectic solder. The tensile strength decreases with decreasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The tensile strength of each solder is approximately double that of the Sn–Pb solder at room temperature (RT). The ductility of each solder is inferior to that of the Sn–Pb solder. From the results of strain-rate-change tests, the stress exponents and the activation energies for creep of Sn–58Bi and Sn–8Zn–3Bi were also examined.     

Who may not benefit from continuous renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury?

This study aimed to identify factors that may predict early kidney recovery (less than 48 hours) or early death (within 48 hours) after initiating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients. This is a multicenter retrospective observational study of 14 Japanese Intensive care units (ICUs) in 12 tertiary hospitals. Consecutive adult patients with severe AKI requiring CRRT admitted to the participating ICUs in 2010 (n = 343) were included. Patient characteristics, variables at CRRT initiation, settings, and outcomes were collected. Patients were grouped into early kidney recovery group (CRRT discontinuation within 48 hours after initiation, n = 52), early death group (death within 48 hours after CRRT initiation, n = 52), and the rest as the control group (n = 239). The mean duration of CRRT in the early kidney recovery group and early death group was 1.3 and 0.9 days, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, in comparison with the control group, urine output (mL/h) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03), duration between ICU admission to CRRT initiation (days) (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.87), and the sepsis‐related organ failure assessment score (OR: 0.87, 95% CI; 0.78–0.96) were related to early kidney recovery. Serum lactate (mmol/L) (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.11–1.28), albumin (g/dL) (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28–0.92), vasopressor use (OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.37–12.16), and neurological disease (OR: 9.64, 96% CI: 1.22–92.95) were related to early death. Identifying AKI patients who do not benefit from CRRT and differentiating such patients from the study cohort may allow previous and future studies to effectively evaluate the indication and role of CRRT.     

Hot water resistance of glass‐fiber and glass‐bead reinforced thermoplastics

The hot water resistance of three kinds of short glass fiber or glass bead‐reinforced plastics [polyphenyleneether (PPE), polyphenylenesulfide (PPS), and polyoxymethylene (POM)] was studied by hot water immersion testing, tensile testing and water‐hammer fatigue testing. It was found that the degradation of the strength was observed only for the reinforced plastics under hot water immersion and that the change of the tensile strength was most drastic in glass fiber‐reinforced PPS (GFPPS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of the tensile fracture surface revealed that the change in tensile strength was attributable to the deterioration of the interface between the glass fiber and the matrix resin. The results of acoustic emission analysis also supported the conclusion that the change in strength was due to the deterioration of the interface. Although the change in the tensile strength of glass fiber‐reinforced PPE (GFPPE) was small compared with that of GFPPS, debonding between the glass fiber and the matrix resin and surface cracks was observed on the surface of the GFPPE specimens.