Environmental effects on ductile-phase toughening in Nb5Si3-Nb composites

A variety of materials have been toughened via the addition of a ductile phase. Brittle silicide intermetallics such as Nb₅Si₃ have been significantly toughened by niobium particles incorporated during in-situ processing techniques. In the work described here, toughness tests conducted on Nb₅Si₃ were monitored in a scanning electron microscope to view the process of toughening provided by the niobium particles. In particular, the behavior of the ductile phase was monitored and related to the toughness obtained. In an attempt to vary the behavior of the ductile phase, the composite materials were exposed to a variety of gaseous environments and subsequently tested in air. The resulting toughness, resistance-curve behavior, and in-situ results highlight the importance of the behavior of the ductile phase on subsequent properties.     

Electrical conductivity in iodine-doped ethyl cellulose

The electrical conductivity of solution-grown ethyl cellulose (EC) films, 5–30 μm thick, has been studied in the sandwich configuration (metal–EC–metal) as a function of iodine concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 wt% ratio. The studies were conducted in the temperature range 333–383 K, while the field was varied over the range (3.0–5.5) × 10⁴V/cm. Aluminium was used as the lower electrode, while the upper electrode was of Al, Ag, Cu, Au or Sn. Certain transient effects such as a large burst of current immediately after the application of field were observed. An attempt was made to identify the nature of the current by comparing the observed dependence on electric field, electrode material and temperature with the respective characteristic features of the existing theories of electrical conduction. The results show that the electrical conduction follows Ohm's law at lower fields, while at higher fields, space-charge limited current (SCLC) was observed. It was also found that Richardson–Schottky emission was responsible, to some extent, for the transport of charge carriers in the polymer. The conductivity of the films increased on doping with iodine. The dopant molecules are considered to act as additional trapping centes and provide links between the polymer molecules in the amorphous region, thus resulting in the formation of charge transfer complexes.     

Adaptive significance of female physical attractiveness: Role of waist-to-hip ratio.

Evidence is presented showing that body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is correlated with youthfulness, reproductive endocrinologic status, and long-term health risk in women. Three studies show that men judge women with low WHR as attractive. Study 1 documents that minor changes in WHRs of Miss America winners and Playboy playmates have occurred over the past 30–60 yrs. Study 2 shows that college-age men find female figures with low WHR more attractive, healthier, and of greater reproductive value than figures with a higher WHR. In Study 3, 25- to 85-yr-old men were found to prefer female figures with lower WHR and assign them higher ratings of attractiveness and reproductive potential. It is suggested that WHR represents an important bodily feature associated with physical attractiveness as well as with health and reproductive potential. A hypothesis is proposed to explain how WHR influences female attractiveness and its role in mate selection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

One-step oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid

Liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane with Co(III) catalyst and gaseous oxygen was found to be influenced by reaction temperature, catalyst concentration and the duration. Maximum adipic acid product selectivity (77%) with about 85% cyclohexane conversion was attained at 100°C using catalyst: cyclohexane molar ratio 0·08. Under these conditions more than 80% cyclohexane was converted in the first hour, although selectivity to adipic acid continued to increase for the next 5 h. Cyclohexyl acetate and cyclohexyl monoadipate were identified as important intermediates. This study supports the mechanism proposed by Schultz, J. G. D. and Opchenko, A., J. Org. Chem., 38 (21) (1973) 3729.     

Electrosynthesis and impedance studies on zinc selenide

Electrochemical impedance measurements have been used to characterize zinc selenide films prepared by electrochemical co-deposition at a platinum rotating disk electrode. Estimations of capacitance and polarization resistance of variously prepared electrodeposits have been carried out to determine charge carrier density and corrosion rates.     

Effect of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and TweenR80 on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Glibenclamide Tablet Formulations in Terms of BSL Lowering in Rabbits and Diabetic Human Volunteers

Glibenclamide has limited gastrointestinal absorption. Therefore, different concentrations of sodium lauryl sulphate and tween^R80 were included into the tablet formulations to increase the absorption of the drug and hence, to enhance the BSL lowering in rabbits and human volunteers suffering from maturity onset diabetes mellitus. It was found that the surfactants had enhanced both the rate and extent of BSL lowering in rabbits as well as in diabetic patients in higher concentrations present in the tablet formulations.     

Effect of Calcium Lactate, 4-Hexyl Resorcinol and Vacuum Packing on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of Minimally Processed Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning which adversely affects consumer acceptability even though the aril portion remains in excellent condition. Litchi arils (litchis) were treated with a solution containing 0–2% (w/v) calcium lactate (CL), 0–0.02% (w/v) 4‐hexyl resorcinol (4‐HR) and 1% potassium sorbate. The pH of solution was adjusted to 4.0 with citric acid. Treated litchis were packed in polystyrene trays, over‐wrapped with polypropylene film, vacuum‐packed (0, 47409.3, 94831.9 Pa) and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Drip losses, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), sensory attributes and microbiological quality of stored samples were estimated. A four‐factor, three‐level experimental design (D₆ Hokes design) with 19 experiments was chosen. Mathematical models were developed to analyse and predict the effect of CL, 4‐HR, in‐package vacuum and storage time on the responses. TSS, pH and sensory scores decreased significantly (P 0.01), whereas drip losses and microbial count increased significantly (P 0.01) with time. Drip loss was significantly (P 0.1) reduced by addition of CL. 4‐HR prevented browning and changes in colour score during storage were significantly less. Vacuum in packages exerted significant (P 0.01) effect over pH, TSS, sensory and microbiological qualities of minimally processed litchis.     

Thermogravimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction study on the structure of irradiated and thermally treated kodar film

The degradation behaviour of Kodar [poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethyl-eneterephthalate)] was investigated in air using thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis and wide angle X-ray diffraction studies. The rates of crystallization and degradation were influenced by thermal exposure and polychromatic irradiation (Λ > 290 nm) for different time intervals. The crystallinity changes (X_c%) and activation energies (ΔE) for the systems have been determined.     

A method to estimate the initial length of equine tendons

A procedure is described by which the length of a tendon at the onset of loading is determined objectively. The procedure includes the fitting of third-order polynomial functions on the load-elongation data. The onset of loading is detected by an increasing fit of the polynomial by selective data reduction of the initial part of the load-elongation curve. The procedure results in an objective and reproducible definition of the zero strain level of a tendon.