Electroactive behavior assessment of poly(acrylic acid)‐graphene oxide composite hydrogel in the detection of cadmium

Super absorbent polymers of acrylic acid‐graphene oxide (PAA‐GO) were synthesized with different percentage of chemical neutralization (0, 10, and 20%) of the acrylic acid monomer before its polymerization. The influence of their swelling and adsorption/desorption capacity of cadmium ions in aqueous solutions were studied and revealed that the GO enables greater mechanical stability in the materials. The PAA hydrogels, with the same degrees of neutralization, were also prepared without GO to compare with the composites. Additionally, carbon paste electrodes (CPE) modified with the composites PAA‐GO were used to asses and compare their adsorption properties with cadmium(II). The anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) peak, in the differential pulse voltammetry mode, for cadmium oxidation was found to be influenced by the presence of GO into the polymer, and also by their percentage of neutralization. The accumulation of cadmium(II) on the surface of the modified CPEs was performed under open‐circuit conditions taking an account the preconcentration time of the metal cation. The presence of GO enhances the electrical signal of the electrodes in short times of immersion in cadmium(II) solutions. This property contributed to get linear responses of the CPEs modified with the composites, which were influenced by their degrees of neutralization. The PAA‐GO 10N electrode with 10% of neutralization combined the influence of GO and the degree of neutralization in the same matrix, and also showed good performance in terms of its mechanical stability, it was chosen for preliminary studies on the selectivity of the electrode toward Zn(II) and Cu(II). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40846.     

Polynomial methods for the structured singular value with real parameters

We consider the structured singular value problem with real parametric uncertainty only. Using techniques from algebraic geometry, we propose two algorithms that in principle can yield the precise value of the structured singular value at a fixed frequency. Their ability to do so depends upon their ability to find all common roots to a system of polynomial equations. The first algorithm is applicable to problems with two real parameters each of multiplicity two. The second algorithm is applicable to problems with n distinct real parameters. These algorithms have proved useful in applications to aerospace control law analysis.     

基于J-FET的DC/DC转换器从300mV电源实现起动和运行

J-FET的自偏压特性可被用来设计一个从低至300mV的电压获取电源的DC/DC转换器.太阳能电池、热电堆和单级燃料电池等均具有低于600mV的输出电压,它们是这种转换器的常用电源.     

Single-phase and binary phase nanogranular ferrites for magnetic hyperthermia application

The study demonstrates the performance of heating efficiency in single-phase and binary phase spinel ferrite nanosystems. Ferrimagnetic cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) (CFO) and superparamagnetic copper ferrite/copper oxide (CuFe₂O₄/CuO) (CuF) nanosystems of different particle sizes were synthesized through a microwave-assisted coprecipitation method. The heating behavior was observed in range of both field amplitudes (8-24 kA/m at 516 kHz) and frequencies (325-973 kHz at 12 kA/m). The heating efficiency was analyzed and compared by means of particle size, magnetization, effective anisotropy constant, and Néel relaxation mechanism. Indeed, the heating rate was maximized in larger ferrite particles with low effective anisotropy constant. Moreover, though the magnetization and effective anisotropy constant of single-phase CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were higher, the binary phase CuFe₂O₄/CuO nanosystems of similar crystallite size (28 nm) exhibited superior heating efficiency (4.21°C/s). For a field amplitude and frequency of 24 kA/m and 516 kHz, the heating rate of CuF and CFO ferrites with different crystallite sizes decreased in the order of 4.21 > 2.14 > 0.58 > 0.52°C/s for 29 nm > 25 nm > 12 nm > 15 nm, respectively. The results emphasize that binary phase ferrite nanoparticles are better thermoseeds than the single-phase ferrites for the magnetic hyperthermia application.     

大幅降低功耗的高性能64位处理器

P．A．Semi（Santa Clara,美国加州）公司准备发布一款高性能的64位处理器,据称可以在同样性能的水平下,将功耗降低到目前产品的1／10。PA6T-1682M通过采用新的架构设计、工艺的改进和先进的时钟管理技术来实现低功耗,芯片上的门控时钟多达15000个。     

Molecular Recognition in C-Type Lectins: The Cases of DC-SIGN,Langerin, MGL,and L-Sectin

Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in intercellular communication processes. In particular, glycan antigens are key for sustaining homeostasis, helping leukocytes to distinguish damaged tissues and invading pathogens from healthy tissues. From a structural perspective, this cross-talk is fairly complex, and multiple membrane proteins guide these recognition processes, including lectins and Toll-like receptors. Since the beginning of this century, lectins have become potential targets for therapeutics for controlling and/or avoiding the progression of pathologies derived from an incorrect immune outcome, including infectious processes, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of these receptors is mandatory for the development of specific treatments. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about four key C-type lectins whose importance has been steadily growing in recent years, focusing in particular on how glycan recognition takes place at the molecular level, but also looking at recent progresses in the quest for therapeutics.     

A cathode support structure for use in a magnetron oscillator experiment

A low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material system has been used to develop a protype field emission cathode structure for use in an experimental magnetron oscillator. The structure is designed for used with 30 gated field emission array (GFEA) die electrically connected through silver metal traces and electrical vias. To approximate a cylinder, the cathode structure (48 mm long and 13.7 mm in diameter) is comprised of 10 faceted plates which cover the GFEA dies. Slits in the facet plates allow electron injection. The GFEA die (3 mm × 8 mm) are placed in axial columns of 3 and spaced azimuthally around a cylindrical support structure in a staggered configuration resulting in 10 azimuthal locations. LTCC manufacturing techniques were developed in order to fabricate the newly designed cathode with seven layers wrapped to form the cylinder with electrical traces and vias. Two different cathode wrapping techniques and two different via filling techniques were studied and compared. Two different facet plate manufacturing techniques were studied. Finally, four different support stand configurations for firing the cylindrical structure were also compared with a square post stand having the best circularity and linearity measurements of the fired structure.     

Elevated temperature impact on performance of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic dielectrics

The need for electronics to operate at temperatures of 200°C and above continues to grow. These applications include avionics, aerospace, automotive, downhole drilling, mining, and many others. To satisfy this demand, a significant amount of research and development has been conducted. Despite the efforts, the number of new electronic components designed specifically for high-temperature operation is still relatively limited. In Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) packages, LTCC materials are generally used as the host media for a number of pre-fabricated semiconductor components. As a result, reliability of the entire LTCC package largely depends on the performance of the least robust component. Ferro A6M-E and Ferro L8 are the two well-established and recognized LTCC dielectrics widely used for mid and high frequency LTCC applications, including several high reliability aerospace and defense applications that require demanding Mil-Spec qualifications. This study is our first attempt to characterize and understand basic high-temperature dielectric properties of these two commercial LTCC materials. The secondary objective is to initiate a dialogue in attempt to establish reliability requirements for LTCC packages dedicated for high-temperature operation.     

+UVA treatment increases the degree of unsaturation in microalgal fatty acids and total carotenoid content in Nitzschia closterium (Bacillariophyceae) and Isochrysis zhangjiangensis (Chrysophyceae)

The production of metabolites by microalgae is affected by environmental conditions in which they are living. The metabolic responses of two marine microalgae, Nitzschia closterium and Isochrysis zhangjiangensis, to a 3-day UVA-stress and 3-day UVA-recovery treatment were compared, based on their growth, fatty acid profiles and content of total carotenoids. When cultured under photosynthetically active radiation, coupled with UVA treatment, both microalgae underwent a significant increase in their growth during the UVA-recovery period compared to the control. The proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, as well as total carotenoids, were significantly increased in both microalgae, mainly in the UVA-stress period, but not the UVA-recovery period. The metabolic responses of the two microalgae to UVA treatment were species-dependent and could be utilised to produce microalgal biomass rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids for use as functional food ingredients.     

Diminution of quinolizidine alkaloids,oligosaccharides and phenolic compounds from two species of Lupinus and soybean seeds by the effect of Rhizopus oligosporus

Lupinus, like Glycine max (soybean), is an ancient leguminous plant. It has been used as a food by people living around the Mediterranean Sea and in the Andean Highlands. This legume contains quinolizidine alkaloids (Qas), oligosaccharides (OGS) and phenolic compounds (PC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the growth of Rhizopus oligosporus on the levels of Qas, OGS and PC from L. mutabilis, L. campestris and G. max through tempeh elaboration. The results showed that the soaking and cooking processes of legume seeds diminished the Qas content of L. mutabilis and L. campestris by 50%, and after 48 h of fermentation these compounds decreased by more than 90% in total. OGS diminished by more than 90% in the lupin seeds. The PC content of the three seed species subjected to these processes increased their absorbance value, probably due to the enzymatic action of a fungal tannase. These results suggested that the L. mutabilis, L. campestris and G. max fermentation with R. oligosporus is an efficient method for diminishing antinutritional factors and for obtaining a product with optimal nutritional value. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry