Zeta potential of soils with surfactants and its relevance to electrokinetic remediation

There are numerous studies on the application of electrokinetic decontamination technique to remediate heavy metal contaminated fine-grained soils. In recent studies, surfactants have been used to increase the efficiency of contaminant removal. However, there is limited data available on how physicochemical parameters such as zeta potential (ζ) of soils changes in the presence of surfactants. Understanding the ζ potential variations of soils with surfactant addition is important because it controls the direction and magnitude of electro-osmotic permeability, which plays important role on the efficiency of electrokinetic remediation. In this study, ζ potentials of kaolinite, montmorillonite and quartz powder with Li⁺, Ca⁺², Cu⁺², Pb⁺² and Al⁺³ in the presence of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants were determined. The results indicate that anionic surfactants produce negative ζ potentials. The other surfactants produce both positive and negative ζ potentials depending on soil type and ion present in the system. The results also indicate that the ζ potential of kaolinite and quartz powder with surfactants showed similar trends; however, the absolute magnitude of the ζ potential of quartz powder is higher than that of kaolinite. The ζ potential of montmorillonite commonly shows a different trend from those of kaolinite and quartz powder. Based on the test results, it is recommended that ζ potential of soils be determined before the electrokinetic decontamination in order to maximize the efficiency of the technique.     

A new technique for determining the capacitive couplingcoefficients in flash EPROMs

A method for determining the capacitive coupling coefficients of flash erasable programmable read only memories (EPROMs) is introduced. This technique relies on the Fowler-Nordheim erase measurements and source/drain junction leakage characteristics of the device to extract the control gate, source, and drain coupling coefficients. An advantage offered by this method is its use of an actual flash EPROM cell without requiring additional test structures     

Lactational failure--study of risk factors in Turkish mothers

Feeding 2-weeks old broiler chicks on gibberellic acid (GA3)-containing diets (0, 1, 5, 25 and 125 ppm) for 3-weeks led, generally, to nonsignificant increase of body weight, decreased feed consumption and better feed conversion (on 25-125 ppm). Yet, the percentages of the carcass and the other organs (liver, gizzard, heart) and glands (adrenal, thyroid and pituitary) weights were lower comparing with the control (0 level). Blood protein and magnesium concentrations raised significantly. Blood glucose increased but not significantly. There was remarkable decrease (P < or = 0.01) in transaminases activity. The muscular protein decreased, whereas the fat percentage significantly increased. The bone reflected lower density and mineral (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) contents. GA3 led to numerous histological lesions in different organs. Two-weeks withdrawal period did not ameliorate the negative effects of GA3-inclusion whether on the dressing percentages, blood picture, or on the muscles and bone constituents.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of new tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives

A series of 3,5-disubstituted tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thiones was synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity. All of the tested compounds were found active against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The compounds were also active against yeast-like fungi and molds where the anticandidal activity of 3a against Candida albicans was superior to the standards miconazole and clotrimazole.     

In situ observation of cyclic fatigue crack propagation of SiC-fiber/SiC composite at room temperature

In situ observation of cyclic fatigue crack propagation of SiC-fiber reinforced SiC composite at room temperature has been carried out by laser microscopy. Both smooth (unnotched) and notched specimens are used for tension-tension cyclic fatigue tests. Cracks initiate at the comers of large pores during loading in smooth specimens. In notched specimens cracks are formed at the interfaces between fibers and matrix that are connected to the notch. The balance between the fiber bridging in the wake of propagating crack tip and the breakage of bridged fibers by the degradation of interfaces maintains a steady cyclic crack propagation. Crack propagation rate gradually decreases with time after the maximum load being applied.     

Test of goodness of fit of impulse response model

A method for testing goodness of fit of an impulse response model of a dynamical system has been proposed. This method is also applicable after a slight modification to testing the hypothesis that the system is linear and autonomous. Hotelling's ,T²-test and the sign test are useful tools for these problems. Properties of the method are discussed with results of computer simulation runs.     

Investigation of a Compensated Rectangular Microstrip Antenna With Negative Capacitor and Negative Inductor for Bandwidth Enhancement

New broadband impedance matching circuits used to increase the impedance bandwidth of the microstrip antennas for transmit applications are proposed and analyzed. A microstrip patch operating at 10.5 GHz having 12.2% bandwidth has been utilized as a reference antenna. The impedance bandwidth of the antenna has been enhanced by using negative capacitance and inductance compensation networks from 12.22% to 16.96% and 24.50%, respectively. In addition, it has been shown that the active compensation significantly improves the radiation pattern     

Mechanical and thermal behavior of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced layered clay/epoxy nanocomposites

Mechanical and thermal properties of non-crimp glass fiber reinforced clay/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. Clay/epoxy nanocomposite systems were prepared to use as the matrix material for composite laminates. X-ray diffraction results obtained from natural and modified clays indicated that intergallery spacing of the layered clay increases with surface treatment. Tensile tests indicated that clay loading has minor effect on the tensile properties. Flexural properties of laminates were improved by clay addition due to the improved interface between glass fibers and epoxy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified clay particles affected the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the nanocomposites. Incorporation of surface treated clay particles increased the dynamic mechanical properties of nanocomposite laminates. It was found that the flame resistance of composites was improved significantly by clay addition into the epoxy matrix.