Modeling of Thermal Behavior of Ancient Metallurgical Ceramics

The finite element method is used to examine the thermal properties of functional ceramics, which were used in metallurgical processes during antiquity. Based on the ceramics' microstructure a model is developed considering the impact of porosity and inclusions and the heat transfer from ceramics to environment. An example of a Bronze Age copper smelting furnace from Cyprus is presented. Particularly the influence of pore shape and pore orientation on the thermal conductivity is investigated. Temperature development in the entire furnace is simulated and compared with estimations of the firing temperature in particular areas of the furnace.     

3D reinforcement of stiffener-to-skin T-joints by Z-pinning and tufting

Carbon fibre/epoxy T-stiffener-to-skin joint was reinforced through the thickness, either by insertion of Z-Fiber^® before autoclave cure of prepreg or by tufting of dry preform with a glass thread before resin injection and cure. The joints pull-off resistance increased significantly for both types of T-joints under both quasi-static and fatigue loading conditions. In the case of the tufted joints, the delamination between the skin and the stiffener stopped completely and the samples failed in bending. It is shown that a finite element model is successful in reproducing qualitatively the cracking progression in the unreinforced and 3D reinforced T-joint provided that the action of the through-the-thickness reinforcement is modelled by discrete nodal forced placed so as to replicate the physical reality.     

Preparation,morphology, and physical properties of transparent PSt hybrid materials containing silicone macromonomer

The aim of this study was to prepare transparent polystyrene (PSt) hybrid materials containing silicone macromonomer. Silicone urethane methacrylate (SiUMA) was synthesized by the reaction between the hydroxyl end groups of a silicone macromonomer and the isocyanate group of 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate (MOI), and copolymers with different weight proportions were prepared by copolymerization of styrene (St), SiUMA and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Though the prepared P(St‐co‐SiUMA) copolymers which had not introduced EGDMA were opaque, the prepared P(St‐co‐SiUMA‐co‐EGDMA) copolymers were transparent, similarly to pure PSt. DSC and ¹H‐NMR measurements were carried out to investigate the factors in this transparency in detail. From these measurement results, it was confirmed that the reactivity of the copolymerization had a significant influence on the transparency of the product. In addition, the contact angle of P(St‐co‐SiUMA‐co‐EGDMA) with 10 wt % SiUMA was greater than 90°, which was a 10° improvement compared to pure PSt. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

PACS and the reporting system. Present status of PACS in the University of Tsukuba.

In the University of Tsukuba, PACS research is being carried out with a special emphasis on the reporting system. The radiological diagnostic system in Japan is not sufficiently developed and the number of diagnostic radiologists in Japan is not as large as in many European countries (M. Akisada, Present status of PACS activities in Japan. Med. Inform. 13 (1988) 289-293). With recognition of this fact, PACS research in Japan should also focus on the reporting system. Recently, the first PACS workstation was installed in the Department of Radiology of the University Hospital, but it has not yet been put to clinical use. Reports can be made on this workstation while viewing the properly provided digital images of MR and CT. As to the concepts of the reporting system, there are three important points. The first one is the double check system to maintain the standard quality of diagnostic performance. This system is expected to provide proper training and education to students and young doctors (S.E. Selzer, S.J. Hessel, P.G. Herman et al., Resident film interpretations and staff review. Am. J. Radiol. 137 (1981) 129-133). The second one is to develop a transcriber workstation, through which reports are easily handled as routine work. The last point is to provide a well-organized diagnostic coding system. For this purpose, a modified IRD (Index for Radiological Diagnosis, by the American College of Radiology) is assumed to be one of the best choices.     

HELLP syndrome in the 21st week of pregnancy in mosaic trisomy 9

We report for the first time the case of postabortional HELLP-syndrome in the 21st week of gestation. In this case mosaic trisomy 9 was confirmed by amniocentesis prior to induction. Pertinent history, clinical course and pathoanatomical morphology are described. We emphasize the early onset of the HELLP-syndrome in association with trisomy 9 after abortion. The possibility of interconnections between trisomy 9 and the occurrence of HELLP-syndrome (sparse blood, vessels in the villi, circulatory deficit on the fetal side of the placenta, increased production of e.g. vasopressive substances) is discussed.     

Inflammatory and cytotoxic responses of an alveolar-capillary coculture model to silica nanoparticles: Comparison with conventional monocultures

Background

Large production volumes of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) might be anticipated to pose risks, of accidental inhalation in occupational and even in consumer settings. Herein, we further investigated the pathological changes induced by ZnONP and their possible mechanism of action.

Methods

Two doses of ZnONP (50 and 150 cm²/rat) were intratracheally instilled into the lungs of rats with assessments made at 24 h, 1 wk, and 4 wks after instillation to evaluate dose- and time-course responses. Assessments included bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis, histological analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and IgE and IgA measurement in the serum and BAL fluid. To evaluate the mechanism, alternative ZnONP, ZnONP-free bronchoalveolar lavage exudate, and dissolved Zn²⁺ (92.5 μg/rat) were also instilled to rats. Acridine orange staining was utilized in macrophages in culture to evaluate the lysosomal membrane destabilization by NP.

Results

ZnONP induced eosinophilia, proliferation of airway epithelial cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, and pulmonary fibrosis. Bronchocentric interstitial pulmonary fibrosis at the chronic phase was associated with increased myofibroblast accumulation and transforming growth factor-β positivity. Serum IgE levels were up-regulated by ZnONP along with the eosinophilia whilst serum IgA levels were down-regulated by ZnONP. ZnONP are rapidly dissolved under acidic conditions (pH 4.5) whilst they remained intact around neutrality (pH 7.4). The instillation of dissolved Zn²⁺ into rat lungs showed similar pathologies (eg., eosinophilia, bronchocentric interstitial fibrosis) as were elicited by ZnONP. Lysosomal stability was decreased and cell death resulted following treatment of macrophages with ZnONP in vitro.

Conclusions

We hypothesise that rapid, pH-dependent dissolution of ZnONP inside of phagosomes is the main cause of ZnONP-induced diverse progressive severe lung injuries.     

Fuel loads in U.S. Cities

Sources of burnable material within U.S. cities are analyzed. Based on a detailed evaluation of construction practices, storage of burnable contents, building function and layout, and density of buildings in city districts, we derive urban fuel load densities in terms of land use type and geographic location. Residential building fuel loads vary regionally from 123 to 150 kg m^–2; non-residential building classes have loads from 39 to 273 kg m^–2. The results indicate that average U.S. urban area fuel loads range from 14 to 21 kg m^–2.     

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Pyrolysis – Recycling Germany's Sorted Mixed Plastic Waste

Pyrolysis is seen as promising to recycle sorted mixed plastic waste and reduce the global warming impact of the linear plastic economy. However, in Germany, the benefits of pyrolysis are questioned due to a lack of transparent data and regional life cycle assessments. Here, we provide a life cycle assessment of pyrolysis with caustic soda or lime compared to waste incineration with energy recovery. The life cycle assessment evaluates the treatment of 1 kg of Germany's sorted mixed plastic waste while providing full data transparency of the processes. Our results show a reduction in global warming impacts of 60 % to 94 %, considering today's and the future German energy system.