Patterns and sources of leaf tannin variation in yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

Leaves from forest-grown sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis Britt.) trees were analyzed for four tannin measures (hydrolyzable and condensed tannins, total phenolics, and protein binding) at three times during the growing season. Fifteen-year-old half-sib sugar maples from four provenances, representing the geographical extremes of the sugar maple range and growing in a common garden, were examined for the same traits. We found no significant geographic or seed source component to variation in three of the four tannin measures. We found significant seasonal changes in both birch and maple leaf tannins. Withincanopy leaf tannin variation tended to obscure differences between trees in maple, but in birches between-tree differences in leaf tannin content were more readily found. We also found a significant negative correlation between leaf protein binding capacity and leaf wet weight.     

Effect of Nb Doping on the Microstructure of Sol—Gel-Derived PZT Thin Films

Aliovalent Nb doping (<10 at.%) of sol—gel-derived lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films was investigated with the intention of improving the ferroelectric properties. Nb addition was found to significantly alter the perovskite crystallization by stabilizing the transient pyrochlore phase, resulting in the retention of pyrochlore second phases and an increase in the perovskite lateral grain size and columnarity. The occurrence and composition of Zr-rich (surface) pyrochlore phases were found to depend on Nb concentration, annealing temperature, and Pb content. The observed changes in ferroelectric and dielectric properties as a function of Nb dopant addition were found to be strongly influenced by microstructural effects and the occurrence of pyrochlore, and hence the intrinsic effects of Nb incorporation in the perovskite lattice could not be directly ascertained.     

A comparison of methods currently used in inclusive design

Inclusive design has unique challenges because it aims to improve usability for a wide range of users. This typically includes people with lower levels of ability, as well as mainstream users. This paper examines the effectiveness of two methods that are used in inclusive design: user trials and exclusion calculations (an inclusive design inspection method). A study examined three autoinjectors using both methods (n = 30 for the user trials). The usability issues identified by each method are compared and the effectiveness of the methods is discussed. The study found that each method identified different kinds of issues, all of which are important for inclusive design. We therefore conclude that a combination of methods should be used in inclusive design rather than relying on a single method. Recommendations are also given for how the individual methods can be used more effectively in this context.     

Influence of processing method on the exfoliation process for organically modified clay systems. I. Polyurethanes

The influence of different processing methods on the nature of the dispersion achieved in the creation of a polyurethane nanocomposite is presented. The nanocomposites were produced using two different types of organically modified montmorillonite clays and a sample of fine particles of silicon nitride as a reference material. Rheological data were used to assess the nature of the dispersion achieved using the different processing methods. The nature of the dispersion produced was characterized using wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements of the finally cured products. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was used to investigate the effect of the incorporation of clay platelets into the matrix of the polymer. The high‐temperature modulus provides evidence of the interaction between the polymer and the clay platelets; however, surprisingly, the glass transition temperatures of the filled and unfilled materials were almost identical. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 1335–1343, 2004     

Integration of polystyrene microlenses with both convex and concave profiles in a polymer-based microfluidic system

This paper reports a new technique of fabricating polystyrene microlenses with both convex and concave profiles that are integrated in polymer-based microfluidic system. The polystyrene microlenses, or microlens array, are fabricated using the free-surface thermal compression molding method. The laser fabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheet is used as the mold for the thermal compression molding process. With different surface treatment methods of the PMMA mold, microlenses with either convex or concave profiles could be achieved during the thermal molding process. By integrating the microlenses in the microfluidic systems, observing the flow inside the microchannels is easier. This new technique is rapid, low cost, and it does not require cleanroom facilities. Microlenses with both convex and concave profiles can be easily fabricated and integrated in microfluidic system with this technique.     

Study of the factors influencing the exfoliation of an organically modified montmorillonite in methyl methacrylate/poly(methyl methacrylate) mixtures

The factors that affect the dispersion of exfoliated organically modified montmorillonite in a solution of poly(methyl methacrylate) in methyl methacrylate are explored. Exfoliation of montmorillonite in the solution is achieved with the assistance of ultrasound, and rheological measurements indicate a very significant increase in the viscosity, a dramatic shear thinning behavior, and a finite yield stress, all of which are direct consequences of the exfoliated state of the clay platelets. A number of factors, including the sonication power, clay loading, use of a swelling agent, and moisture content of the modified montmorillonite, are found to influence the exfoliation process. The effect of addition of a range of titanate coupling agents (LICA‐01, 12, 38, 44, and 97) on the viscosity of the nanoclay dispersions was investigated. It was found that LICA‐44 had the effect of reducing the viscosity of the exfoliated montmorillonite dispersion without apparently influencing the extent of the exfoliation. Molecular modeling, UV–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry were used to investigate the possible reasons for efficacy of this LICA. The LICA appears to act through a combination of steric effects and the presence of certain charges on the organic molecule. The magnitude of the negative charges on elements of the LICA appears to influence its ability to bind to the clay and also its ability to reduce the viscosity of the nanoclay. This article indicates how the apparently conflicting requirements of achieving a highly exfoliated state and also maintaining a viscosity low enough for processing can be effectively addressed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

A Framework for Succinct Labeled Ordinal Trees over Large Alphabets

We consider succinct representations of labeled ordinal trees that support a rich set of operations. Our new representations support a much broader collection of operations than previous work. In our approach, labels of nodes are stored in a preorder label sequence, which can be compressed using any succinct representation of strings that supports \(\mathtt{{access}}\) , \({\mathtt{{rank}}}\) and \(\mathtt{{select}}\) operations. Thus, we present a framework for succinct representations of labeled ordinal trees that is able to handle large alphabets. This answers an open problem presented by Geary et al., which asks for representations of labeled ordinal trees that remain space-efficient for large alphabets. We further extend our work and present the first succinct representations for dynamic labeled ordinal trees that support several label-based operations including finding the level ancestor with a given label.     

Study of cryostructuration of polymer systems. XXI. Cryotropic gel formation of the water–maltodextrin systems

The freeze–thaw behavior of water solutions containing dissolved maltodextrin (MD; enzymatically converted potato starch derivative with MW of 8000 Da) over a wide range of MD concentration (0.1–15 g/dL) and freezing temperatures from ?24 to ?6°C was studied. Cryogenic treatment of these systems resulted in the formation of precipitates or gels, whose yield and thermal characteristics (fusion temperature and enthalpy) depended on the initial polymer concentration and conditions of freezing, frozen storage, and thawing. There appeared to be at least two stages to this process: (i) a rapid stage, when partial insolubilization occurred while the system was freezing, and (ii) a slower stage, the rate of which was dependent mainly on the thawing regimes used or the duration of storage at subzero temperatures. In this respect, the cryostructuration of MD was very similar to the freeze–thaw behavior of amylopectin/amylose and locust bean gum water solutions studied earlier. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1658–1667, 2002