Examination of Interpenetrating Polymer Networks of Polyurea in Silicone Molds Arising during Vacuum Casting Processes

We present an in-depth investigation of the aging effects in silicone molds for vacuum casting processes. Their lifetime is limited to a few production cycles due to contamination with the diisocyanate component of polyurethane casting materials. Using thermogravimetric analysis measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and helium-ion-microscopy the chemical and physical mechanisms of the aging process have been identified. It has been shown that a diffusion process of diisocyanate into the cavity surface leads to the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurea derivatives in silicone rubber. This has been proven by extracting and analyzing polyurea of low molecular weights from the silicone.     

基于语议网格的政府长期档案管理系统的开发

长期保存（LTP）是一个极具吸引力的新研究领域,其目标是使档案的持续性能保持一段可预见的足够时间。然而这项研究一开始就遭遇了诸多挑战,比如归档时框架、正规方法和工作流模型的缺失,进一步的亏损无法保持档案间的互操作性,以及无信息衰减迹象的信息丢失等。本研究旨在探究各类文件的LTP如何不受时间演变、技术、数字环境变化的影响。基本需求源于存储管理与信息管理的整合,以及数据、元数据、索引等的安全保存。 本文介绍了政府档案管理和知识管理LTP流程有关上述需求的演变发展。资源的有效搜索、数据的有效存储/访问、一致的用户界面、共置备份的恢复图、以及认证和安全管理的动态调整构成随后的任务。接着,论文详细阐述了示范语义数据网格及其注解和服务配套机制,这当中本体起到关键作用。最后,论文总结了习得经验,以及有关LTP语义网格的未来工作。     

Challenges and Progress in High‐Throughput Screening of Polymer Mechanical Properties by Indentation

Depth‐sensing or instrumented indentation is an experimental characterization approach well‐suited for high‐throughput investigation of mechanical properties of polymeric materials. This is due to both the precision of force and displacement, and to the small material volumes required for quantitative analysis. Recently, considerable progress in the throughput (number of distinct material samples analyzed per unit time) of indentation experiments has been achieved, particularly for studies of elastic properties. Future challenges include improving the agreement between various macroscopic properties (elastic modulus, creep compliance, loss tangent, onset of nonlinear elasticity, energy dissipation, etc.) and their counterpart properties obtained by indentation. Sample preparation constitutes a major factor for both the accuracy of the results and the speed and efficiency of experimental throughput. It is important to appreciate how this processing step may influence the mechanical properties, in particular the onset of nonlinear elastic or plastic deformation, and how the processing may affect the agreement between the indentation results and their macroscopic analogues.     

Nicotine dependence subtypes among adolescent smokers: Examining the occurrence, development and validity of distinct symptom profiles.

To increase understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of nicotine dependence among adolescent smokers, the present study examined the occurrence and development of distinct nicotine dependence symptom profiles in a sample of adolescent smokers. A total of 25 secondary schools throughout the Netherlands participated in a 1-year longitudinal study. Multiple dimensions of nicotine dependence were assessed, at two time points, among 641 adolescents (aged 14–17 years) who were classified as smokers. Results showed 4 distinct, yet stable, nicotine dependence subtypes that could be characterized by quantitative as well as qualitative differences. The symptom profiles were similar for males and females but differentially associated with previously identified correlates of nicotine dependence, namely parental smoking, peer smoking, and depressive mood. Finally, differential links of the 4 subtypes were found with regard to smoking uptake and cessation. The finding of qualitative different subgroups of adolescent smokers may have important implications for intervention efforts regarding nicotine dependence and smoking cessation. Such efforts may need to be tailored to the specific subgroups’ needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Iron impregnation on the amorphous shell of vapor grown carbon fibers and the catalytic growth of secondary nanofibers

Vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) with diameters of several microns were synthesized and investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the shell of the VGCFs consisted of densely-packed domains embedded in loosely-packed matrix, and both were highly amorphous. Regular edge planes as observed on the surface of fishbone nanofibers do not exist on VGCFs. Hence, surface treatment is more important for the deposition of catalysts. Ammonium ferric citrate (AFC) was employed for the impregnation of iron, where the high viscosity of the aqueous solution of AFC is beneficial. Calcination was found to be a key step to improve the dispersion of the iron particles, which can be attributed to enhanced interactions between iron and carbon due to the gasification of carbon occurring at the iron–carbon interface. Quantitative analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the calcination of the supported AFC led to a higher atomic concentration of iron on the surface, indicating smaller particle size and a higher dispersion. Secondary carbon nanofibers were grown subsequently on the VGCFs from cyclohexane. The specific surface area was enhanced considerably, from less than 1 m² g^? 1 to 106 m² g^? 1 after the growth of the secondary nanofibers. The obtained composites are promising materials as structured support in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Persistence of antifouling agents in the marine biosphere

Risk indicators provide an interesting way to compare chemical substances with respect to the risks of their large-scaled release. The present study implies that, for antifouling agents used in commercial shipping, residence times in the marine biosphere are especially suitable to represent their inherent potential to cause exposure of organisms. A simple box model is described providing the possibility to estimate residence times in the marine biosphere from water-particle equilibrium partitioning constants and half-lives in water and sediment. Resulting residence times in the marine biosphere range from about 5 d (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) up to about 40,000 yr (copper). For an evaluation of the validity of the model, calculated values are compared with measured environmental concentrations. Remaining uncertainties are also discussed. The main purpose of the presented residence times is to serve as a basis for decisions in antifouling paint development or environmentally conscious purchasing of antifouling paints.