Drift in the resistance of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) printed films during thermal cycling

We report on the investigation of the suitability of printed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) films for temperature sensing devices. Gravure printing with the advantage of low cost production was used to prepare thin films of PEDOT:PSS on a flexible foil substrate. The electrical resistance was studied during thermal cycling and exposure to elevated constant temperatures. A drift of the resistance which depends on time, temperature and sample makes the usage as simple temperature sensors not possible. However, a closer look on the drift of relative resistances reveals that integrated temperature-time-profiles can be measured, which might be interesting in connection with monitoring of conditions of storing and transport of sensitive goods.     

Disability glare in soft multifocal contact lenses

Purpose

The study investigated the effect of the design of multifocal contact lenses on the sensitivity to contrast and disability glare.

Analysis and design of a DPSK optical heterodyne receiver in the presence of laser phase noise and frequency detuning

This paper is concerned with the analysis and design of an improved differential heterodyne optical receiver for differentially-encoded binary PSK (briefly, DPSK) signals in a coherent lightwave communication system. In the first part of the paper, we discuss the relevant design criteria to be employed when dealing with asynchronous heterodyne receivers for ASK, FSK or DPSK optical signals. In particular, we introduce a convenient definition of the signal-to-noise ratio at the data detector input to be assumed as the system performance measure when the non-negligible linewidth of the transmit/receive laser sources are to be taken into account. Following this design approach, we show that by properly modifying the traditional delay-and-multiply DPSK receiver, i. e. by allowing the delay to be a fraction of the symbol interval, we can considerably reduce the performance degradation caused by laser phase noise. We show thus that the superior power-efficiency of DPSK can be traded in favour of a decreased sensitivity to phase noise through a proper choice of the differential detector delay. In this respect, our results reveal that DPSK may still be competitive with other modulation formats even with non-negligible linewidth sources. In the last part of the paper, the behaviour of the optimized DPSK, ASK and large-deviation FSK data demodulators in the presence of a quasistationary frequency detuning of the local laser is also discussed under the same set of conditions as in the previous analysis. The results can be employed to derive accurate design requirements for the AFC loop of the receiver.     

Novel Nanosized Aluminium Carboxylates: Synthesis,Characterization and Use as Nanofillers for Protective Polymeric Coatings

A mixture of novel aluminium carboxylate nanoparticles and aluminium hydroxide ultrafine powder was prepared via precipitation reaction between Al(2‐PrO)₃ and maleic acid. In this mixture both free primary particles occur (mean geometrical size around 40 nm) together with a secondary agglomerated particle fraction of sizes in the low micrometer region. However, centrifugation processes allowed for the removal of the latter and resulted in the formation of size stable nanopowders. Up to 30 wt.‐% of these particles were incorporated into acrylate matrices resulting in low‐viscosity formulations with [η] < 1 000 mPa · s, which allowed for roller application and even spray coating of these nanocomposites at room temperature. Radiation curing of such coatings was accomplished via UV irradiation. In comparison to the corresponding SiO₂‐based nanocomposites and carboxylate alumoxane fillers, the cured coatings revealed significantly improved surface mechanical properties.

     

Spontaneous Platelet Aggregation in Blood Is Mediated by FcγRIIA Stimulation of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase

High platelet reactivity leading to spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases; however, the mechanism underlying SPA remains obscure. Platelet aggregation in stirred hirudin-anticoagulated blood was measured by multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) for 10 min. SPA started after a delay of 2–3 min. In our cohort of healthy blood donors (n = 118), nine donors (8%) with high SPA (>250 AU*min) were detected. Pre-incubation of blood with two different antibodies against the platelet Fc-receptor (anti-FcγRIIA, CD32a) significantly reduced high SPA by 86%. High but not normal SPA was dose-dependently and significantly reduced by blocking Fc of human IgG with a specific antibody. SPA was completely abrogated by blood pre-incubation with the reversible Btk-inhibitor (BTKi) fenebrutinib (50 nM), and 3 h after intake of the irreversible BTKi ibrutinib (280 mg) by healthy volunteers. Increased SPA was associated with higher platelet GPVI reactivity. Anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/polyanion IgG complexes were excluded as activators of the platelet Fc-receptor. Our results indicate that high SPA in blood is due to platelet FcγRIIA stimulation by unidentified IgG complexes and mediated by Btk activation. The relevance of our findings for SPA as possible risk factor of cardiovascular diseases and pathogenic factor contributing to certain autoimmune diseases is discussed.     

Fast crystallization of liquid crystalline copolyesters based on poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Crystallization of a series of liquid crystalline copolyesters prepared from p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), hydroquinone (HQ), terephthalic acid (TA), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that these copolyesters are more crystalline than copolyesters prepared from PET and HBA. Insertion of HQ–TA disrupts longer rigid‐rod sequences formed by HBA and thus enhances molecular motion and increases the crystallization rate. The effects of additives on the crystallization of the copolyesters were also studied. Sodium benzoate (SB) and sodium acetate (SA) increase the crystallization rate of the copolyesters at low temperature, but not at high temperature. It is most likely that liquid crystalline copolyesters do not need nucleating agents, and small aggregates of local‐oriented rodlike segments in nematic phase could act as primary nuclei. Chain scission of the copolyesters caused by the reaction with the nucleating agents was proved by the determination of intrinsic viscosity and by the IR spectra. Diphenylketone (DPK) was shown to effectively promote molecular motion of chains, leading to an increase in the crystallization rate at low temperature, but it decreased the crystallization rate at high temperature. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 497–503, 2001     

Dihydroxyaluminum Carboxylate Nanoparticles With Narrow Size Distribution: Synthesis,Characterization and Use for High Optical Transparency Protective Polymeric Coatings

Nano‐sized bis(dihydroxyaluminum)maleate particles (ALMAL) were prepared via a high‐temperature precipitation reaction from different Al‐alkoxides and maleic acid in different solvents. Variations in the reactants were carried out to identify the optimum reaction conditions that lead to particles <30 nm in diameter with narrow particle size distributions and without formation of a secondary amorphous phase. A disc centrifuge was used to characterize the particles in terms of particle size distribution. ALMAL‐containing, epoxy‐based nanocomposites were prepared with ALMAL‐loadings up to 30 wt.‐% and thermally cured. The cured coatings possessed excellent scratch and abrasion resistance, surface hardness and were highly transparent (T>95%). In order to study the effect of the nature of nanoparticles on the final properties of the coatings, aluminum malate (ALMALAT), and aluminum terephthalate (ALTEREPHTHAL) nanoparticles as well as the corresponding composite coatings were prepared and characterized. For comparison, surface‐modified silica nanoparticles were used to evaluate the mechanical and optical behavior of the produced nanocomposite coatings.

     

Antioxidative activity of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in minced,cooked pork meat

The sensory intensity measured as theabsolute threshold value of spice andrecognition of spice was evaluated for summer savory and rosemary in meat balls. The values forabsolute threshold value of spice were found to be significantly lower for rosemary than for summer savory. The antioxidative activity of the spices was analysed in two accelerated model systems and in a storage experiment. In one of the model systems, oxidation was accelerated by heat and by an elevated pressure of oxygen. Both spices significantly improved the oxidative stability of the meat balls in this model system. In the second model system metal catalyst oxidation in a meat slurry was used and a reduction in the oxidative processes in samples containing the spices was again shown. In both model systems a slightly higher antioxidative activity was seen for rosemary compared to summer savory. In the storage experiment, the spices were added at a sensorially acceptable level and the heat-treated meat balls were stored at 5°C. A significant reduction in the development of warmed-over flavour (WOF) caused by the addition of spices was measured by a reduction in 2-thiobarbituricacid-reactivesubstances (TBARS) and in hexanal. A reduction in TBARS of approximately 30% in meat balls containing added spices was seen independently of packaging in 1% oxygen or in atmospheric air and the reduction (30%) was constant throughout the storage period.