Influence of thin coatings deposited by a dynamic ion mixing technique on the fatigue life of TITANIUM ALLOYS

The technique of dynamic ion mixing involving a physical vapour deposition method and a simultaneous ion implantation has been used in order to improve the fatigue resistance of two titanium alloys. This process allows the deposition of adherent NiTi and SiC amorphous coatings of the order of 1 m thick. Both treated substrates have been tested at room temperature in the low cycle fatigue range, revealing significant fatigue life improvement. NiTi and SiC films modify the surface deformation mechanisms of fatigued materials and largely suppress or delay crack initiation. These effects depend, however, on the nature of the film, the microstructure of the substrate and the stress amplitude applied during the fatigue tests. To explain the fatigue results, the mechanical properties of these thin films have been characterized by different techniques: scratch-tests, micro-Vickers indentations, Young's modulus measurements by a resonant frequency method and fracture stress determination by in situ tensile tests. The results have shown that their mechanical properties are very different to those of the corresponding classically deposited solid materials and are influenced by the film thickness. The results are discussed according to the mechanical properties of the coatings and the substrate deformation and damage modes associated with their microstructure.     

A recurrent missense mutation in the KAL gene in patients with X-linked Kallmann's syndrome

Kallmann's syndrome (KS) is defined by the association of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia or hyposmia. Segregation analysis in familial cases has demonstrated diverse inheritance patterns, suggesting the existence of several genes regulating GnRH secretion. Genetic defects have been demonstrated in the KAL gene, located on the Xp22.3 region, explaining the X-linked form of the disease. We report molecular findings regarding the KAL gene in 12 unrelated males with X-linked KS. PCR of the 14 exons of the KAL gene was performed on genomic DNA. PCR products of all exons were purified and sequenced. Genetic defects in the KAL gene were found in 7 patients. One exhibits a deletion from exon 3 to exon 5. Six individuals present a previously unidentified missense mutation in exon 11, consisting of a G to A substitution at codon 514 (GAA to AAA). In the remaining 5 individuals, no mutations were observed. We also found three different polymorphic changes. The first one, in exon 2, had not been reported previously. The other two were located at exons 11 and 12. The deletion described, comprises only part (exon 5) of the coding region of the first fibronectin type III-like repeat of the KAL protein. The rest of the deletion comprises part of the conserved cysteine-rich N-terminal region that corresponds to the whey acidic protein motif. The same missense mutation was found in 6 of the 12 patients, indicating the possibility that it derived from a common ancestor or suggesting the presence of a hot spot in this region of the gene.     

Pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: report of two cases and review of the literature

Melanoma is the most common malignant tumor in which melanin synthesis occurs, although other nonmelanocytic tumors synthesize melanin or contain nonneoplastic melanocytes. We present two cases of infiltrating pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and review the clinical, morphologic, and ultrastructural features. Melanin was found in epithelial tumor cells as well as in macrophages and dendritic melanocytes. Interestingly, one of the neoplasms was associated with an adjacent melanocytic nevus and pigmented solar keratosis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that neoplastic cells stained for keratin and melanin-filled dendritic cells were found to be S-100 protein and HMB45 positive. A careless examination of the immunohistochemical stains for S-100 protein and HMB45 could cause the misdiagnosis of melanoma, a neoplasm that has a more ominous outlook.     

Monte-Carlo calculation of the calibration factors for the interfacial area concentration and the velocity of the bubbles for double sensor conductivity probe

This paper presents a study of the estimation of the correction factors for the interfacial area concentration and the bubble velocity in two phase flow measurements using the double sensor conductivity probe. Monte-Carlo calculations of these correction factors have been performed for different values of the relative distance (ΔS/D) between the tips of the conductivity probe and different values of the relative bubble velocity fluctuation parameter. Also this paper presents the Monte-Carlo calculation of the expected value of the calibration factors for bubbly flow assuming a log-normal distribution of the bubble sizes. We have computed the variation of the expected values of the calibration factors with the relative distance (ΔS/D) between the tips and the velocity fluctuation parameter. Finally, we have performed a sensitivity study of the variation of the average values of the calibration factors for bubbly flow with the geometrical standard deviation of the log-normal distribution of bubble sizes. The results of these calculations show that the total interfacial area correction factor is very close to 2, and depends very weakly on the velocity fluctuation, and the relative distance between tips. For the velocity calibration factor, the Monte-Carlo results show that for moderate values of the relative bubble velocity fluctuation parameter (H_max ≤ 0.3) and values of the relative distance between tips not too small (ΔS/D ≥ 0.2), the correction velocity factor for the bubble sensor conductivity probe is close to unity, ranging from 0.96 to 1.     

Photocurable shape-memory polyether-polythioether/graphene nanocomposites and the study of their thermal conductivity

Herein a method is described to prepare photocurable thermally-conductive shape memory epoxy/ graphene composites. By photopolymerizing the epoxy resin diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with an allyl-functionalized ditertiary amine as the curing agent, jointly with a multifunctional thiol, a crosslinked polyether-polythioether co-network was obtained. The presence of a soft domain like the flexible polythioethers enable the co-network to display shape memory properties. By varying the polyether to polythioether ratio it was possible to modulate the shape memory characteristics of the composite. The effect of the concentration of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) in the composite was also investigated. Shape memory performances revealed excellent values of shape recovery and shape fixity with maximums of 98 and 99% respectively. The temporary- shaped composites with higher concentration of polythioethers and GNP regained their permanent shapes in 2–3 s when heated above the programming temperature. The thermal conductivity in the composites reached 0.39 W/m°K for the composite with 15% w/w of GNP. The presence of the polythioethers in the co-network enhanced the toughness of the composite as revealed by the impact resistance analysis.     

Surface modification of carbon nanofibers via deposition of an ultrathin coating of plasma‐polymerized poly(acrylic acid) and its effect on the properties of polyamide 6/CNF nanocomposites

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were coated with an ultrathin layer of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) via plasma polymerization. The effect of the plasma reactor parameters on the extent of the CNF modification was studied. SEM micrographs showed that surface roughness increased with the plasma treatment. The thickness of the ultrathin PAA layer deposited on the CNF was determined by STEM to be ca. 8 nm. Untreated and treated CNF were melt‐mixed with polyamide 6 (PA6) in a Brabender mixing chamber to obtain PA6/CNF nanocomposites. The effect of the plasma treatment on the dispersion and compatibility was examined and found to improve markedly. Fractured tensile specimens showed that the CNF seemed to be completely embedded in the polymer matrix, indicating high compatibility between the PA6 and the PAA‐coated CNF. Tensile stress and tensile modulus of PA6 nanocomposites with treated CNF were found to increase by 30 and 48%, respectively, when compared with those with untreated CNF. However, the increase in tensile stress and modulus with respect to pure PA6 was 52 and 88%, respectively. Finally, XRD showed that the CNF induce the formation of the α (alpha)‐crystalline phase in PA6. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Contribution of agro‐waste material main components (hemicelluloses,cellulose, and lignin) to the removal of chromium (III) from aqueous solution

BACKGROUND: Agro‐waste materials can be used as biosorbents of heavy metals in aqueous solution. However, it is necessary to further study the contribution of agro‐waste materials components (i.e. hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin) to the heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solution to better understand the biosorption mechanism, and also based on the biosorbents main components, to predict their potential to remove heavy metals. RESULTS: Cellulose is contained in major proportion (greater than 46%) in the agro‐waste materials reported herein compared with hemicelluloses (from 12% to 26%), lignin (varying from 3% to 10%), and other compounds (22% to 30%) that were removed after the neutral detergent fiber procedure. The identified functional groups in agro‐waste materials and their fractions included hydroxyl, carboxyl, and nitrogen‐containing compounds. Lignin contributed in higher proportion than hemicelluloses to Cr (III) adsorption capacity in both sorghum straw and oats straw. On the other hand lignin was the main fraction responsible for Cr (III) adsorption in agave bagasse. CONCLUSION: Hemicelluloses and lignin were the main contributors to Cr (III) removal from aqueous solution, and cellulose contained in the agro‐waste adsorbents studied did not seem to participate. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sustainable sludge management in developing countries.

Worldwide, unsanitary conditions are responsible for more than three million deaths annually. One of the reasons is the low level of sanitation in developing countries. Particularly, sludge from these regions has a high parasite concentration and low heavy metal content even though the available information is limited. Different issues needed to achieve a sustainable sludge management in developing nations are analysed. Based on this analysis some conclusions arise: sludge management plays an important role in sanitation programs by helping reduce health problems and associated risks; investments in sanitation should consider sludge management within the overall projects; the main restriction for reusing sludge is the high microbial concentration, which requires a science-based decision on the treatment process, while heavy metals are generally low; adequate sludge management needs the commitment of those sectors involved in the development and enforcement of the regulations as well as those that are directly related to its generation, treatment, reuse or disposal; current regulations have followed different approaches, based mainly on local conditions, but they favour sludge reuse to fight problems like soil degradation, reduced crop production, and the increased use of inorganic fertilizers. This paper summarises an overview of these issues.