Light transmission model for determination of the refractive index of solid particles in suspensions: an immersion study

We report on a model to determine the light transmission of solid particles in immersion liquids. Using the model, optical and physical properties of suspensions such as the refractive index of the particles can be retrieved. The model can also be used in the case of colored suspensions, where the detection of only the maximum transmission would give an inaccurate refractive index for a particle. The validity of the method was tested with CaF(2) particles. Potential applications include scientific studies of the optical properties of micro- and nanoparticles or microorganisms in a liquid matrix. The model is also useful in industry where monitoring of suspensions and colloids is an issue.     

Comparison between infrared and Raman spectroscopic analysis of maturing rabbit cortical bone

The molecular composition of the organic and inorganic matrices of bone undergoes alterations during maturation. The aim of this study was to compare Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and near-infrared (NIR) Raman microspectroscopy techniques for characterization of the composition of growing and developing bone from young to skeletally mature rabbits. Moreover, the specificity and differences of the techniques for determining bone composition were clarified. The humeri of female New Zealand White rabbits, with age range from young to skeletally mature animals (four age groups, n = 7 per group), were studied. Spectral peak areas, intensities, and ratios related to organic and inorganic matrices of bone were analyzed and compared between the age groups and between FT-IR and Raman microspectroscopic techniques. Specifically, the degree of mineralization, type-B carbonate substitution, crystallinity of hydroxyapatite (HA), mineral content, and collagen maturity were examined. Significant changes during maturation were observed in various compositional parameters with one or both techniques. Overall, the compositional parameters calculated from the Raman spectra correlated with analogous parameters calculated from the IR spectra. Collagen cross-linking (XLR), as determined through peak fitting and directly from the IR spectra, were highly correlated. The mineral/matrix ratio in the Raman spectra was evaluated with multiple different peaks representing the organic matrix. The results showed high correlation with each other. After comparison with the bone mineral density (BMD) values from micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging measurements and crystal size from XRD measurements, it is suggested that Raman microspectroscopy is more sensitive than FT-IR microspectroscopy for the inorganic matrix of the bone. In the literature, similar spectroscopic parameters obtained with FT-IR and NIR Raman microspectroscopic techniques are often compared. According to the present results, however, caution is required when performing this kind of comparison.     

Ion-implanted capacitively coupled silicon strip detectors with integrated polysilicon bias resistors processed on a 100 mm wafer

Double-sided silicon strip detectors with integrated coupling capacitors and polysilicon resistors have been processed on a 100 mm wafer. A detector with an active area of 19 × 19 mm² was connected to LSI readout electronics and tested. The strip pitch of the detector is 25 μm on the p-side and 50 μm on the n-side. The readout pitch is 50 μm on both sides. The number of readout strips is 774 and the total number of strips is 1161. On the p-side a signal-to-noise of 35 has been measured using a ⁹⁰Sr β-source. The n-side has been studied using a laser.     

Studies on compatibilization of blends of polypropylene and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers, LCPs, are frequently blended with thermoplastics to achieve an in situ composite structure. Significant mechanical reinforcement is obtained for the matrix polymer in the direction of the LCP fibers, but the transversal properties are often inferior because of the incompatibility of the components. Blends of LCP with polypropylene, and with three related matrix polymers, and PP/LCP blends with added potential compatibilizers were prepared and studied for their mechanical properties and morphology. A notable improvement in impact strength was achieved when a small amount of ethylene-based terpolymer was added as compatibilizer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of viscosity ratio and processing conditions on the morphology of blends of liquid crystalline polymer and polypropylene

The effect of viscosity ratio and processing conditions on LCP/PP blend morphology was studied. The viscosity ratio (η_LCP/η_PP) was varied from 0.1 to 3.6 by using five different polypropylene grades as the matrix and two LCPs as the dispersed phase (20 wt %). The most spontaneous fiber formation was achieved when the viscosity ratio was between 0.5 and 1. In addition to shear forces, elongational forces are important in achieving a highly fibrillar structure and significant mechanical reinforcement. The lubricating effect induced by the low viscosity of LCP was most pronounced for the blends exhibiting a fibrillar morphology. The morphologies of blends produced by different mixing equipment differed only slightly. The greatest variation in the mixing efficiency was found for blends whose components had totally dissimilar melt viscosities. The slight differences in morphology due to melt blending in dissimilar equipment were decreased after injection molding, whereas the differences in morphology due to dissimilar viscosity ratios were still evident in the injection molded blends. Thus, the viscosity ratio at processing in the actual processing conditions is of great importance. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Long-term tests of reinforced concrete beams loaded by temperature gradient or settlement of a support

The creep of concrete has a considerable influence on the relaxation of the restraint effects and restraint stresses; particularly if the temperature of the concrete is higher than normal. The risk of cracking, for example, caused by the settlement of supports, is also diminished owing to creep; particularly if the rate of restrained displacement (settlement of a support) is slower than the rate of creep. It is difficult to consider the effect of relaxation from a calculational point of view, because the time dependences of several factors cannot be reliably modelled.In this research the relaxation of the restraint effects, due to both sudden and slow settlement of a support, was examined as a function of time; the relaxation of the restraint effect due to a thermal gradient was also investigated. In particular, was observed that the relaxation was fairly rapid in a heated beam. The relaxation of restraint effects caused by the settlement of supports was also considerable.     

Open systems interconnection — the teletex-based session protocol: Part 1

Two draft proposals for an international standard for the teletex-based session protocol have now been considered by the ISO. The ECMA 75 protocol has been found to be relatively complex as a result of ECMA having to sort out some weak points within the protocol. S.62, proposed by the CCITT, is quite suitable for the kernel of the session service, but not for the entire service. The paper suggests possible developments towards an international standard, and discusses the specification of the BAS subset. It then examines the services available, and how they operate. A proposal for a standard for service conventions is presented, along with a summary of the parameters of the service elements.     

Lossless handover for wireless ATM

Handover is one of the key research topics for the emerging wireless ATM networks. This paper describes a handover mechanism for intra-switch handovers for wireless ATM. The handover procedure is simple enough to be implementable as a limited enhancement to ATM switch platforms for fixed network, yet provides low delay and lossless handover when used together with a suitable radio interface. The paper also reports on initial simulation result.     

Reading long words embedded in sentences: Informativeness of word halves affects eye movements.

The possibility was explored that the informativeness of a specific region within a word can influence eye movements during reading. In Experiment 1, words containing identifying information either toward the beginning or toward the end were displayed asymmetrically around the point of fixation so that the reader was initially presented with either the informative or noninformative zone. Words were read with shorter summed initial fixation time when the reading was started from the informative zone. In Experiments 2 and 3, the target words were presented in sentences that were to be comprehended. More attention was given to the informative endings of words than to redundant endings. The latter were also skipped more often. The duration of the first fixation was not affected by information distribution within the word, whereas the second fixation duration was. The results of these experiments lend good support to the hypothesis of immediate lexical control over fixation behavior and to the notion of a convenient viewing position. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)