Structural elastic and thermal properties of Sr x Cd1−x O mixed compounds — a theoretical approach

In the present paper, the structural and mechanical properties of alkaline earth oxides mixed compound Sr _x Cd_1?x O (0 ? x ? 1) under high pressure have been reported. An extended interaction potential (EIP) model, including the zero point vibrational energy effect, has been developed for this study. Phase transition pressures are associated with a sudden collapse in volume. Phase transition pressure and associated volume collapses [ΔV (Pt)/V(0)] calculated from this approach are in good agreement with the experimental values for the parent compounds (x = 0 and x = 1). The results for the mixed crystal counterparts are also in fair agreement with experimental data generated from the application of Vegard’s law to the data for the parent compounds.     

Fabrication of dense Ce0.9Mg0.1P2O7-PmOn composites by microwave heating for application as electrolyte in intermediate-temperature fuel cells

In the present work, we report a method of fabrication of dense 10 mol% Mg²⁺-doped cerium pyrophosphate-phosphate (Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇-P_mO_n; CMP-P) composites by microwave heat-treatment of the preformed Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇ substrates in the presence of phosphoric acid. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The microwave heating at 375 °C for 5 min resulted in the formation of dense CMP-P composites which retained most of the pyrophosphate phase. The electrical conductivity was extracted from the EIS data and for the CMP-P composite prepared by H₃PO₄ loading for 10 h and microwave heat-treatment for 5 min it was found to be >10^?2 S m^?1 in 100–250 °C range with a maximum of 0.062 S cm^?1 at 190 °C, which was significant for its application as electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells.     

Structural, elastic and thermophysical properties of divalent metal oxides with NaCl structure

In the present paper, we have investigated the high-pressure structural phase transition of divalent metal oxides using the three-body potential modified by incorporating the covalency effects. Phase transition pressures are associated with a sudden collapse in volume. The phase transition pressures and associated volume collapses obtained from present potential model show a generally better agreement with available experimental data than others. The elastic constants and their pressure derivatives are also reported. It is found that the present model has a promise to predict the phase transition pressure and, the elastic constants and their pressure derivatives of other chalcogenides as well. Moreover the thermophysical properties have also been obtained successfully.     

Amperometric determination of tyramine in sauce and beer by epoxy resin biocomposite membrane bound tyramine oxidase

A method is described for construction of an amperometric biosensor for specific determination of tyramine, using black gram tyramine oxidase immobilized covalently on an epoxy resin membrane. The biosensor had optimum response within 10 s at pH 8.5 and 35 °C. A linear relationship was observed between tyramine concentrations and current (mA) in the range of 0.24 to 3.47 mg/dL. The biosensor was employed for determination of tyramine in beer and sauce. The detection limit of sensor was 0.24 mg/dL. The mean analytical recovery of added tyramine (0.5 and 1.0 mg/dL) was 97.3 ± 2.3 and 95.9 ± 3.4%. Within and between batch coefficient of variation were 5.1 and 5.34%, respectively. Enzyme electrode showed 35% loss in its initial activity after its regular use over a period of 2 months. The biosensor has the advantage that it does not suffer from leaching of enzyme and measures tyramine specifically.     

Modification of nylon 66 by electron beam irradiation for improved properties and superior performances

Nylon 66 has been transformed into a material with significantly improved properties like hardness, tensile strength, and flexural modulus by processing it under the optimized dose rate of electron beam in the presence of suitable crosslinkers. Furthermore, percent water absorption of nylon 66 was reduced substantially on irradiation. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that thermal stability of nylon 66 improved with increasing dose of radiation. Improvement of mechanical and thermal properties and reduction of water absorption of nylon 66 were due to the crosslinking of polyamide molecules made possible by the high energy radiation. Increase of crosslinking with increasing radiation dose was verified by the increase of gel content at higher doses. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that both melting and crystallization temperatures along with percent crystallinity of nylon 66 were decreased with the increasing dose of radiation leading to the development of more amorphous character in this semicrystalline polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

A study on dynamic rheological characterisation of electron beam crosslinked high vinyl styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer

Crosslinking of elastomers using electron beam radiation has several advantages over conventional method. It is accomplished much faster, in a more environmental friendly approach and in a much simpler manner. When fast moving electrons that are generated from electron accelerators are targeted on a polymer matrix, they primarily crosslink the polymer. However, in the process, some chain scission may also occur. In this work, a high vinyl (~50%) styrene–butadiene–styrene (S–B–S) block copolymer was used as the base polymer. Radiation doses were varied from 25 to 300 kGy. A detailed investigation was made to understand the effect of electron beam radiation on the rheological properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus, storage viscosity and complex viscosity of the block copolymer under strain and frequency sweeps performed in a Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA). Recyclability of the crosslinked S–B–S polymer was also explored by RPA and mechanical studies.     

Constructivist Management of Knowledge,Communication and Enterprise Innovation: Lessons from Indian Experience

Prime movers of enterprise innovation are inside the organisation. The enterprise NIIT, studied in this paper, tells us how elicitation and recognition of knowledge and its contents set an enterprise on the move. Recognised knowledge is actionable. Each act of recognition is an addition to knowledge content, and such additions took place in NIIT through acts of communications and self-searching. These contents form a large collage that cannot be strewn into a single novelistic episode. Perspectives and context, motives and suggestions render to each member of the enterprise different disjoint appearances of knowledge. There are thus many knowledge systems and multiple narrations, each with small episode-like finality. Enterprise innovation is achieved not through any grand episodic integration of all knowledge contents, but by constructively eliciting further new contents of knowledge, and encouraging acts of communications and discourses on this new knowledge. Constructive management of knowledge and communication towards enterprise innovation has thus been defined. Through such constructive management, NIIT enabled itself innovationally and empowered its members in eliciting knowledge and acting communicatively. A critical feature of knowledge work is that it requires multidisciplinary expertise and mutual learning in order to achieve a complex synthesis of highly specialised state-of-the-art technologies and knowledge domains. A convivial work culture and a culture of communicative acts enable sharing of the non-informatised yet recognised contents of knowledge.     

Risk factors for multiple intracranial aneurysms

OBJECTIVE: Risk factors that predispose to the formation of multiple intracranial aneurysms, which are present in up to 34% of patients with intracranial aneurysms, are not well defined. In this study, we examined the association between known risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and presence of multiple intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and results of conventional angiography in all patients with a diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms admitted to the Johns Hopkins University hospital between January 1990 and June 1997. We determined the independent association between various cerebrovascular risk factors and the presence of multiple aneurysms using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 419 patients admitted with intracranial aneurysms (298 ruptured and 121 unruptured), 127 (30%) had multiple intracranial aneurysms. In univariate analysis, female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.3) and cigarette smoking at any time (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0) were significantly associated with presence of multiple aneurysms. In the multivariate analysis, cigarette smoking at any time (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.8) and female gender (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.5) remained significantly associated with multiple aneurysms. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol and illicit drug use were not significantly associated with presence of multiple aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking and female gender seem to increase the risk for multiple aneurysms in patients predisposed to intracranial aneurysm formation. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanism underlying the association between cigarette smoking and intracranial aneurysm formation.     

Use of hypertonic (3%) saline/acetate infusion in the treatment of cerebral edema: Effect on intracranial pressure and lateral displacement of the brain

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of continuous hypertonic (3%) saline/acetate infusion on intracranial pressure (ICP) and lateral displacement of the brain in patients with cerebral edema. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTINGS: Neurocritical care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with cerebral edema (30 episodes), including patients with head trauma (n = 8), postoperative edema (n = 5), nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (n = 8), and cerebral infarction (n = 6). INTERVENTION: Intravenous infusion of 3% saline/acetate to increase serum sodium concentrations to 145 to 155 mmol/L. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A reduction in mean ICP within the first 12 hrs correlating with an increase in the serum sodium concentration was observed in patients with head trauma (r2 = .91, p = .03), and postoperative edema (r2 = .82, p = .06), but not in patients with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. In patients with head trauma, the beneficial effect of hypertonic saline on ICP was short-lasting, and after 72 hrs of infusion, four patients required intravenous pentobarbital due to poor ICP control. Among the 21 patients who had a repeat computed tomographic scan within 72 hrs of initiating hypertonic saline, lateral displacement of the brain was reduced in patients with head trauma (2.8 +/- 1.4 to 1.1 +/- 0.9 [SEM]) and in patients with postoperative edema (3.1 +/- 1.6 to 1.1 +/- 0.7). This effect was not observed in patients with nontraumatic intracranial bleeding or cerebral infarction. The treatment was terminated in three patients due to the development of pulmonary edema, and was terminated in another three patients due to development of diabetes insipidus. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline administration as a 3% infusion appears to be a promising therapy for cerebral edema in patients with head trauma or postoperative edema. Further studies are required to determine the optimal duration of benefit and the specific patient population that is most likely to benefit from this treatment.