Numerical simulation of pharyngeal bolus flow influenced by bolus viscosity and apparent slip

Pharyngeal bolus flow was simulated numerically using a finite element method. The bolus liquids were X-ray medium, glucose, and thickener solutions. For a low-viscosity bolus, the simulation showed a reasonable agreement of bolus velocity with X-ray measurements. The influence of bolus density on swallowing velocity was investigated numerically. Although a higher density resulted in a higher bolus velocity, the increase in velocity was modest. When the bolus viscosity was high, it was necessary to apply the slip boundary condition to obtain an agreement for bolus velocity between the simulation and X-ray measurements. The simulations also showed that the method of characteristic shear rate proposed by Zhu et al., Journal of Texture Studies, 2014, 45, 430–439 is effective for predicting the bolus velocity for shear-thinning fluids. In order to discuss the effect of saliva lubrication and the physical meaning of the characteristic shear rate, an immiscible two-layer flow of the core and wall layer was analyzed theoretically by analogy with mesopharyngeal bolus flow. The characteristic shear rate enabled us to correlate the macroscopic flow behavior and the viscosity of the core layer fluid. Lubrication due to the wall layer caused the apparent slip and enhanced the transfer of viscous core fluid. For viscous fluid that presented a large apparent slip in the two-layer model, the slip boundary condition was needed in the swallowing simulation. The numerical simulation and model flow analysis revealed the usefulness of characteristic shear rate and the importance of saliva-layer lubrication in swallowing.     

Strength of spline joints assembled by forming

In this paper, a new assembling method of spline joints that enables tight fitting in a simple manner by allowing slight plastic deformation at the spline teeth was introduced. Experiments were carried out for the spline joints of medium carbon steel varying the overlap zone between the male and the female spline teeth. Axial joining strength was increased with increase in the overlap length due to the residual compressive stress by forming. The joint by the proposed method also showed higher torsional strength than the conventional joint. Improvement in the torsional strength was explained based on the deformation and hardness distribution around the spline teeth. With respect to the shape of overlap zone, better results were obtained when using the specimen having a uniform overlap length along the axial direction.     

Hydrogenation and structural properties of Gd2Ni7 with superlattice structure

The crystal structure and hydrogenation properties of Ce₂Ni₇-type Gd₂Ni₇ were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the hydrogen pressure–composition (P–C) isotherm. Ce₂Ni₇-type Gd₂Ni₇ was obtained by annealing at 1523 K for 12 h and quenching in ice water. Two superlattice reflections (002 and 004) of the Ce₂Ni₇-type were clearly observed at 2θ = 7.3° and 14.6° in the XRD profile. The refined lattice parameters were a = 0.49662(9) nm and c = 2.4255(3) nm, respectively. Two plateaus were clearly observed during the absorption–desorption process in the P–C isotherm. The first and second plateaus were at 0.015 and 0.13 MPa, respectively, in the first desorption. The maximum hydrogen capacity reached was 1.13 H/M. The enthalpy and entropy were calculated as −20 kJ/mol H₂ and −80 J/mol H₂ K, respectively, from the van’t Hoff plot. After the P–C isotherm, the GdNi₅ cell expanded by 2.15%, but the Gd₂Ni₄ cell shrank by 2.83%.     

Effect of thermal crosslinking on the properties of sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone)s as proton conductive membranes

The synthesis and characterization of crosslinked aromatic polymer membranes with high ion exchange capacity (IEC) values are reported. Through aromatic nucleophilic substitution polycondensation and the subsequent sulfonation reaction, the highly sulfonated polymers SPPSU‐2S and SPPSU‐4S with high molecular weight (M_n = 138–145 kDa, M_w = 200–279 kDa) and well‐defined structures were synthesized. By solution casting and thermal annealing treatment, flexible crosslinked membranes with high solvent insolubility were obtained. The membranes exhibited mechanical and chemical stability as confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and conductivity measurement. The crosslinked SPPSU‐4S membrane with IEC = 3.20 meq/g showed the highest proton conductivity of 0.163 S/cm at 120 °C, 90% RH, and improved thermal stability compared with its precursor (uncrosslinked) membrane. The results show that simple annealing method could improve significantly membranes properties of highly sulfonated aromatic polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44218.     

Influence of Cu metal on the domain structure and carrier mobility in single-layer graphene

We demonstrate that domain structure of single-layer graphene grown by ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition is strongly dependent on the crystallinity of the Cu catalyst. Low energy electron microscopy analysis reveals that graphene grown using a Cu foil gives small and mis-oriented graphene domains with a number of domain boundaries. On the other hand, no apparent domain boundaries are observed in graphene grown over a heteroepitaxial Cu(111) film deposited on sapphire due to unified orientation of graphene hexagons. The difference in the domain structures is correlated with the difference in the crystal plane and grain structure of the Cu metal. The graphene film grown on the heteroepitaxial Cu film exhibits much higher carrier mobility than that grown on the Cu foil.     

Texture,sensory and swallowing characteristics of high-pressure-heat-treated pork meat gel as a dysphagia diet

To develop a soft meat product for a dysphagia diet, high-pressure technology was applied. Pressure-heat-treated ground pork meat (PH) was prepared from ground pork mixed with water (ground meat: water, 1:0.5 or 1:1) and salt (1.5%). PH-gels were made from these meat homogenates by treatment at 400 MPa for 20 min, followed by heat treatment. Heat-treated pork meat homogenates (H) were also prepared. The hardness and adhesiveness of the 1:1PH-gel was lower than those of the 1:1H-gel. The PH-gel scored higher in sensory evaluations of elasticity, smoothness and ease of swallowing. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that the superior textural property of the 1:1PH-gel was caused by a network of myosin filaments. Videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing revealed that the 1:1PH-gel was easy to swallow and left little residue in the oropharynx. These results proved the utility of pressurization in creating a dysphagia meat diet.     

Thickness estimation of interface films formed on Li1−xCoO2 electrodes by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) films formed on Li_1−xCoO₂ electrodes were observed with hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HX-PES). This paper particularly focuses on film thickness estimation using HX-PES with theoretical calculation. The validity of the calculation was proven by experiments using model SEI films. The native film formed on a LiCoO₂ composite electrode was estimated to be LiF with its thickness of 5 nm. Formation of Co (II) species on top of LiCoO₂ was also indicated. Storage of the electrode at 60 °C brought about considerable film growth (30-40 nm) with carbonate compounds formation. SEI film changes during charging of the LiCoO₂ electrode were also examined. The main component in the film was deduced to be LiF or a kind of fluorite, with its thickness decreased during charging. The SEI formation mechanisms are also elucidated.