Absorption and reflection of infrared radiation by polymers in fire‐like environments

In large‐scale fires, the input of energy to burning materials occurs predominantly by radiative transfer. The in‐depth (rather than just surface) absorption of radiant energy by a polymer influences its ignition time and burning rate. The present investigation examines two methods for obtaining the absorption coefficient of polymers for infrared radiation from high‐temperature sources: a broadband method and a spectral method. Data on the total average broadband transmittance for 11 thermoplastics are presented (as are reflectance data), and the absorption coefficient is found to vary with thickness. Implications for modeling of mass loss experiments are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

[2.2]Paracyclophane as a Target of the Organic Solid State: Emergent Properties via Supramolecular Construction

In this account, we review the synthesis of [2.2]paracyclophanes in the organic solid state. Reactions in crystalline solids provide a means to obtain molecules with high degrees of stereocontrol that can also be unattainable in solution. We show that [2.2]paracyclophanes form in the solid state stereospecifically and in quantitative yield via intermolecular [2+2] double photodimerization reactions. The double cycloaddition that affords a paracyclophane in the solid state does not readily occur in solution. Small molecules in the form of hydrogen-bond-donor templates can provide access to [2.2]paracyclophanes in a solid by design. A [2.2]paracyclophane obtained using a hydrogen-bond template is shown to exhibit attractive optical properties and has been employed as a building block of a metal-organic framework (MOF).     

Mitotic Diversity in Homeostatic Human Interfollicular Epidermis

Despite decades of skin research, regulation of proliferation and homeostasis in human epidermis is still insufficiently understood. To address the role of mitoses in tissue regulation, we utilized human long-term skin equivalents and systematically assessed mitoses during early epidermal development and long-term epidermal regeneration. We now demonstrate four different orientations: (1) horizontal, i.e., parallel to the basement membrane (BM) and suggestive of symmetric divisions; (2) oblique with an angle of 45°–70°; or (3) perpendicular, suggestive of asymmetric division. In addition, we demonstrate a fourth substantial fraction of suprabasal mitoses, many of which are committed to differentiation (Keratin K10-positive). As verified also for normal human skin, this spatial mitotic organization is part of the regulatory program of human epidermal tissue homeostasis. As a potential marker for asymmetric division, we investigated for Numb and found that it was evenly spread in almost all undifferentiated keratinocytes, but indeed asymmetrically distributed in some mitoses and particularly frequent under differentiation-repressing low-calcium conditions. Numb deletion (stable knockdown by CRISPR/Cas9), however, did not affect proliferation, neither in a three-day follow up study by life cell imaging nor during a 14-day culture period, suggesting that Numb is not essential for the general control of keratinocyte division.     

Moisture content in timber decking exposed to bushfire weather conditions

Ignition of the external combustible elements of a building is one of the key factors leading to house loss in bushfires. Timber elements contain moisture that migrates into and out from the timber surface, depending on the surrounding ambient conditions. In extreme hot and dry conditions, such as those associated with severe bushfire weather, the moisture contents (MCs) in building timbers can drop well below the normal levels. In this paper, we not only qualify a methodology to assess the likely MCs of timbers under typical bushfire conditions, but also quantify the low levels of moisture that can be expected for the climatic conditions experienced in Melbourne—one of Australia's bushfire‐prone regions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring manufacturing system availability

The monitoring of production line availability on a day-to-day basis and for continuous improvement is approached from a control charting point of view. Control limits are developed along with the length of time between monitoring periods to control accuracy. This provides a convenient way to monitor the availability measure at any desired level of accuracy.     

Magnetic Polishing of Titanium-Nickel Alloy Stents: Surface Characterization and Catheter Deployment Test

We report here for the first time the use of magnetic polishing to improve the surface finish of titanium-nickel (TiNi) stents for better performance. We investigated the effects of polishing time and rotational speed on the average surface roughness, surface chemical contents, and push-out load of stents. The magnetically polished stents show a decrease of 2.3 to 17.9?pct in surface roughness and a lower push-out load for stent deployment from the catheter.     

A large-scale investigation of lateralization in cortical anatomy and word reading: Are there sex differences?

The authors report findings of a large-scale, multitask investigation of sex differences in both structural asymmetries and lateralization of word reading. Two hundred participants were tested in eight divided visual field lexical tasks, and each received a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan. The authors examined whether there was evidence for sex differences in overall measures of neuroanatomical and behavioral lateralization, in specific language tasks and brain regions, and in variation in asymmetry within and across tasks and brain regions. There was very little evidence for sex differences on any behavioral measure. The few indications of sex differences in the current report accounted for 2% or less of the individual variation in asymmetry and could not be replicated in independent subsamples. No sex differences were observed in the asymmetry of structures in Broca's and Wernicke's areas such as pars triangularis, pars opercularis, the planum temporale, planum parietale, or Heschl's gyrus. There were also no sex differences in the variability of neuroanatomical asymmetries within or between brain regions. However, a significant relationship between planum temporale and behavioral asymmetry was restricted to men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)