Development and relaxation of orientation in sheared concentrated lyotropic solutions of hydroxypropylcellulose in m-cresol

Shear-induced orientation and the relaxation of orientation after the cessation of shear in 45 and 50 wt% solutions of cholesteric hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) in m-cresol have been studied in situ by infrared spectroscopy and polarised microscopy. The shearing experiments were conducted at 30-80 °C at shear rates of 1-300 s⁻¹, which covered the director tumbling, wagging and a small part of the steady-state shear rate regimes. The steady-state order parameter was proportional to the shear rate and the proportionality constant increased with increasing HPC concentration and decreasing temperature. The concentrated solutions studied showed steady-state alignment even in the tumbling regime. Three different shear-rate regions with different behaviours of the solutions after the cessation of shear were found in these concentrated HPC solutions. At low shear rates (1-5 s⁻¹, referring to the 50% HPC solution) the polymer remained isotropic during shear but became gradually more oriented a few minutes after the cessation of shear, an observation that was substantiated by polarized microscopy. The order parameter reached a final plateau value and stayed constant at this level for long periods of time (∼24 h). At intermediate shear rates (from 5 to 50 s⁻¹ for the 50% HPC solution), a detectable order parameter was recorded at steady shear and, after the cessation of shear, the structure returned to an almost isotropic state within a few minutes, after which the orientation gradually started to increase to approach a plateau value after about 150 min. At even higher shear rates (∼100 s⁻¹ for to the 50% HPC solution), the initial steady shear order parameter relaxed to an almost isotropic state and remained constant at this level for time periods extending up to 24 h.     

Pulse reverse plating of Ni-Co alloys: Deposition kinetics of Watts, sulfamate and chloride electrolytes

Fundamental electrochemical properties of electrolyte systems are the prerequisite for the development of a successful pulse deposition process. Three different electrolyte systems for the galvanic deposition of nickel cobalt alloys (chloride, Watts and sulfamate type) were investigated in order to reveal underlying deposition mechanisms and rate determining factors. The electrochemical experiments were supported by X-ray fluorescence analyses of the alloy composition in dependence on the current density and the type of bath. A special focus was set on the investigation of the passive (oxide) layer formation by the anodic pulses.The choice of electrolyte system strongly influences the reaction mechanism and thus the alloy deposition. Also the cobalt content within the deposited layer varied strongly in dependence on the electrolyte system used. While sulfamate and Watts baths show an ability for passive layer formation, the chloride bath exhibits a lower proneness to passivation, accompanied by pit formation     

Spectral changes of co-doped PVA films in relation to their structures

Summary The optical absorption spectra of Co-doped PVA thick films (1 mm) of different concentrations from 0.0 to 30% CoCl₂ are obtained at room temperature in the range 190–900 nm. Cobalt (II) is found to exist only in octahedral coordination for concentrations up to 10% with an asymmetrical absorption band located at 511 nm and shifted to longer weve length with increasing CoCl₂ content. For higher concentration (>10%) the coexistence of both octahedral and tetrahedral coordinations is indicated by the appearance of a new structured broad band centered at 665 nm. Variations in the obtained spectra suggest a tendency to higher degree of ordering in the amorphous regions of the polymer structure by CoCl₂ addition.     

Parallel implementation of the diffusion-drift algorithm for modeling the electrophysiological activity of breast tumors

The diffusion-drift algorithm for calculating the electric signals of growing breast cancerous cells is parallelized based on the Message Passing Interface technique. The parallelized algorithm is analyzed with emphasis on the existing bottlenecks. The model involves the solution of several systems of equations to calculate the biopotentials and ion concentration gradients generated by MCF-7 cells, the most studied breast cancer cell line. The Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation library is investigated for the parallel solution of these systems of equations. The results show that the optimum solver for the biopotential system of equations is the Enhanced Bi-Conjugate Gradient Stabilized (L) solver. Also, it is found that the optimum pre-conditioner is the Additive Schwarz Method coupled with the drop tolerance Incomplete LU factorization. A maximum overall speed up of 15 was achieved using 56 processors with an efficiency of 27%. The electrophysiological activity of a tumor a third of a millimeter in size with just over a thousand cancerous cells is simulated. The numerical values of the biopotential could indicate to breast cancer in very early stages.     

Accelerator of the НГ-12И neutron generator as an implanter of hydrogen ions

The use of an updated accelerator of the -12 neutron generator as a high-current implanter of hydrogen ions (protons and deuterons) with energies of 175–210 MeV into wafers made of crystalline silicon is described. The ion-beam scanning system used ensured nonuniformity in the irradiation of wafers with a diameter of 100 mm of <10%, which allowed the production of silicon-on-insulator wafers by the hydrogen splitting technique. The required particle fluence was 10¹⁷ cm^–2. A slight refinement of the setup allows wafers with diameters of up to 200 mm to be irradiated. The design features of the setup as they apply to different temperature conditions (down to a temperature close to that of liquid nitrogen) of the irradiation of 100-mm-diameter wafers are described.Translated from Pribory i Tekhnika Eksperimenta, No. 1, 2005, pp. 126–129.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Stepovik, Mokichev, Magda, Kiryushkin, Kozikov, Semkov, Kurochkin, Lukin, Khmelnitskii, Popov.     

Formation mechanisms of low-friction tribo-layers on arc-evaporated TiC1−xNx hard coatings

A detailed correlation of the tribological performance of arc-evaporated TiC_1−xN_x coatings with testing temperature, atmosphere as well as variation in load and sliding velocity is presented in this paper. The low-friction behavior in combination with its mechanical integrity are the reasons for the extensive industrial application of TiC_1−xN_x over the last decades. Still the tribo-mechanisms behind this performance are not yet completely understood. The present study adds further understanding, as the low-friction behavior degrades at elevated temperatures and dry or inert environments, which is related to the different constitution of the tribo-layer formed as investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Surprisingly, the wear rate of the coatings does not correlate with the coefficient of friction indicating the presence of different wear regimes.     

Physicochemical and rheological properties of purees based on Mafafa (Xanthosoma robustum) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) with the addition of cryoprotectants

Growing interest in processed frozen products with similar characteristics to natural products has generated the study of new products in the food industry field. The characteristics of each matrix, the process of elaboration, composition, and structure of the additives and the interactions amongst these modify the food's texture, structure, physical and sensory properties and, hence, interfere directly with consumer acceptance. This research studied the effect of adding cryoprotectors during frozen storage on the rheological, physicochemical, structural, and microbiological properties in a Mafafa‐quinoa‐olive oil puree. To carry out the study, the rheological properties were determined through dynamic oscillatory tests and in steady state; likewise, the physicochemical properties (humidity, color, pH, and syneresis) were analyzed. Regarding physicochemical properties, the humidity content in the purees formulated varied between 57 and 74%, without important variation (p > .05) with respect to the formulation, however, in the storage during the freezing/thawing process, this parameter diminished in greater proportion in those purees containing carrageenan as cryoconservant. Both the addition of cryoconservants and the storage time affected significantly (p < .05) the puree's syneresis, with the degree of exudation being lower in the formulation containing xanthan gum at 1% w/w. During the freezing/thawing process, decreased apparent viscosity was noted. Additionally, the analysis of the viscoelastic properties of the purees evidences that already described, given that a significant effect (p < .05) was observed of the formulation of purees in the elastic component G′, in contrast with a notable decrease in the viscous component G″.     

Digestibility of common native starches with reference to starch granule size,shape and surface features towards guidelines for starch-containing food products

Influence of diverse botanical sources (wheat, maize, waxy maize, cassava, potato, rice or waxy rice) on in vitro native starch digestibility has been investigated. Physicochemical properties (chemical composition, particles size and shape, surface features) of starch granules were determined with a view to explaining digestibility differences between samples. Rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) contents were measured according to Englyst method. Potato starch was shown to be composed of large rounded granules having smooth surfaces, which explains its slow enzymatic breakdown. Potato starch displayed the highest RS (86%) content and the lowest RDS content (9.9%). Since RS positively influences health and SDS may result in cell, tissue and/or organ damages, potato starch is an ideal starch nutrient. Conversely, waxy rice starch was rich in amylopectin and displayed small diameters and angular shapes, which are both known to facilitate enzymatic starch hydrolysis. It exhibited a near-zero RS content (0.9%) and a high RDS fraction (60%). According to this study, potato starch exhibited the best nutrient profile, followed up in this order by cassava, waxy maize, wheat, maize and waxy rice starches.     

A methodology to approach immigrants’ land use in metropolitan areas

This paper proposes a methodological approach to regional and urban planning in order to design, settle and manage a public policy for the attraction, location and distribution of different groups of immigrants. It further develops a set of decision-support tools, including a management information system and an integrated and interactive model in order to: (i) characterize the patterns of residential land used by different groups of immigrants according to their professional features, and respective evolution, (ii) anticipate the location of new immigrants or groups of immigrants that arrive into the studied territory (according to their demographic, economic and professional characteristics, keeping or changing the prevailing socio-economic, planning and territorial structure), and respective evolution, and (iii) monitor the evolution of respective social, economic and professional territorial integration. This methodology and set of tools are applied, as a case study, to the Oporto Metropolitan Area (Portugal). They possess display and simulation functionalities that support the test and implementation of local, regional and urban policy strategic decisions. Once workmanship quantitative and qualitative needs are specified – according to regional overall prevailing strategies – it outlines the socio-economic-professional conditions to welcome and to fulfil the needs of different population groups – through provision of proper housing, infrastructures, equipments and jobs, as well as through governance mechanisms – in the scope of socio-economic sustainability and life quality principles.     

Antimicrobial properties of 1‐monoacylglycerols prepared from undecanoic (C11:0) and undecenoic (C11:1) acid

Antimicrobial activity of monoacylglycerols (MAG) with odd number of carbons prepared from undecanoic (MAG C11:0) and undecenoic (MAG C11:1) was investigated. Data showed that both studied substances successfully inhibited Gram‐positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus) and spore‐forming rods (Bacillus cereus). Gram‐negative bacteria were highly resistant against MAG C11:0 and showed considerable tolerance against MAG C11:1. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MAG C11:1 was possible to determine for Escherichia coli only. Complete inhibition of three fungi genera (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Trichothecium) was achieved using MAG C11:1 with a concentration higher than 750 µg/mL. The growth of Aspergillus niger, Mucor racemosus, Phoma, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma was significantly reduced. Generally, MAG C11:1 was more efficient than MAG C11:0 against all tested microorganisms. Due to a rich production of degradation enzymes, some fungi species surprisingly adapted their metabolism during growth and were even able to utilise tested MAG as a source of carbon. Practical applications: MAG composed of fatty acids with odd number of carbons in molecule are a promising group of substances applicable in food industry and cosmetics. They represent materials with broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram‐positive bacteria. More efficient MAG C11:1 with a double bond in molecule can be recommended for reduction of S. aureus that cause food enterotoxicosis.