Novel pyridinium photoinitiators and their applications for the ultraviolet crosslinking of acrylic pressure‐sensitive adhesives

The demand for ultraviolet (UV)‐crosslinkable pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) has rapidly been increasing. A variety of different PSAs containing new photoreactive pyridinium derivatives have been evaluated for their effectiveness in improving adhesion and cohesion in UV‐crosslinkable PSAs. PSAs have been evaluated with respect to the tack, peel adhesion, and shear strength. This article summarizes the breakthrough technology used to achieve better performances in UV‐crosslinkable acrylic PSAs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

EXISTENCE OF A GENERALIZED SOLUTION IN THERMOELASTICITY WITH TWO RELAXATION TIMES,PART II

The existence of a generalized solution to a natural stress-temperature initial-boundary value problem of linear thermoelasticity with two relaxation times is established in a functional space of the Sobolev type.     

The microstructure of liquid immiscible Fe–Cu-based in situ formed amorphous/crystalline composite

In the microstructures of slowly and rapidly cooled liquid of the immiscible alloy Fe₃₀Cu₃₂Ni₁₀Si₁₃Sn₄B₉Y₂ two distinct regions were observed following arc melting and slow cooling, confirming that liquid/liquid phase separation had occurred. Rapid cooling from a temperature within the liquid immiscibility gap, melt spinning, resulted in an amorphous/crystalline composite, formed from the previously melted Fe- and Cu-rich regions, respectively. Transmission electron microscopic studies of this melt-spun ribbon revealed the glassy nature of the Fe-rich matrix, as well as of the Fe-rich spheres formed within the previously existing Cu-rich liquid.     

Spectroscopic EPR and IR studies of monomeric and dimeric species formed upon adsorption of nitric oxide on Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 and their reactivity with dioxygen

The interaction of nitric oxide with Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂ solid solution were investigated by means of EPR and IR spectroscopies. The influence of adsorption parameters such as adsorption temperature and pressure, presence of the O₂ co-reactant on the nature and relative surface abundance of the resultant mono- and dimeric NO species was elucidated. The thermal stability of the surface nitrosyl complexes and their reactivity toward dioxygen were also examined.     

Stress enhanced gold dispersion by solvent induced crystallization in BPA-PC membranes

In this paper the embedding of gold clusters in crystallizing bisphenol-A polycarbonate is treated as diffusion with drift in inhomogeneous and changing in time medium. Initially the gold is deposited on the polymer surface, which is subsequently exposed to acetone vapour. The polymer undergoes significant crystallization, induced by diffusing agent, while gold clusters become embedded in its bulk. The paper presents a model of gold dispersion based on Smoluchowski equation. It identifies the driving force of dispersion with the gradient of stress field generated during crystallization. Numerical results of the model are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data obtained by XPS depth profiling technique.     

Interleukins 6 and 15 Levels Are Higher in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue,but Obesity Is Associated with Their Increased Content in Visceral Fat Depots

Excess adiposity is associated with chronic inflammation, which takes part in the development of obesity-related complications. The aim of this study was to establish whether subcutaneous (SAT) or visceral (VAT) adipose tissue plays a major role in synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins (IL): 1β, 6, 8 and 15 were measured at the protein level by an ELISA-based method and on the mRNA level by real-time PCR in VAT and SAT samples obtained from 49 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m²) and 16 normal-weight (BMI 20–24.9 kg/m²) controls. IL-6 and IL-15 protein concentrations were higher in SAT than in VAT for both obese (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and control individuals (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively), while for IL-1β this was observed only in obese subjects (p = 0.047). What characterized obese individuals was the higher expression of IL-6 and IL-15 at the protein level in VAT compared to normal-weight controls (p = 0.047 and p = 0.016, respectively). Additionally, obese individuals with metabolic syndrome had higher IL-1β levels in VAT than did obese individuals without this syndrome (p = 0.003). In conclusion, concentrations of some pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in SAT than in VAT, but it was the increased pro-inflammatory activity of VAT that was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.     

The thermal degradation of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives based on butyl acrylate and acrylic acid

The thermal degradation of acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives at 250 °C was investigated using pyrolysis-gas chromatography. Knowledge of the types and amounts of pyrolysis products will provide important information on the thermal degradation of acrylic adhesives and the mechanisms involved. Unsaturated monomers including butyl acrylate and butyl methacrylate were formed during thermal degradation of butyl acrylate–acrylic acid copolymers. As a result of side chain reactions in the thermal destruction of the butyl acrylate–acrylic acid-based self-adhesives, a remarkable amount of butyl alcohol was produced. The unsaturated monomers formed as a result of thermal degradation could potentially be used in a new polymerization process.     

Symbiosis between systems engineering and hydrology

The system concepts of importance to hydrological sciences are reviewed. The epochs of the development of systems sciences are discussed and their links with hydrological and water resources research are illustrated. Potentials and limitations of the system approach are discussed and the perspectives of further applications are sketched.