Interfacial strength and fracture energy of individual carbon nanofibers in epoxy matrix as a function of surface conditions

The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and fracture energy of individual carbon nanofibers embedded in epoxy were obtained for different surface conditions and treatments by novel, MEMS-based, nanoscale fiber pull-out experiments. As-grown vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) with turbostratic surface and 5 nm peak-to-valley surface roughness exhibited high IFSS and interfacial fracture energy, averaging 106 ± 29 MPa and 1.9 ± 0.9 J/m², respectively. Subsequent high temperature heat treatment and graphitization resulted in drastically reduced IFSS of 66 ± 10 MPa and interfacial fracture energy of 0.65 ± 0.14 J/m². The smaller IFSS values and the reduced standard deviation were due to significant reduction of the fiber surface roughness to 1–2 nm, as well as a decrease in surface defect density during conversion of turbostratic and amorphous carbon to highly ordered graphitic carbon. For both grades of VGCNFs failure was adhesive with clear nanofiber surfaces after debonding. Oxidative functionalization of high temperature heat-treated VGCNFs resulted in much higher IFSS of 189 ± 15 MPa and interfacial fracture energy of 3.3 ± 1.0 J/m². The debond surfaces of functionalized nanofibers had signs of matrix residue and/or shearing of the outer graphitic layer of the VGCNFs, namely the failure mode was a combination of cohesive matrix and/or cohesive fiber failure which contributed to the high IFSS. For all three grades of VGCNFs the IFSS was independent of fiber length and diameter. The findings of this experimental study emphasized the critical role of nanofiber surface morphology and chemistry in determining the shear strength and fracture energy of nanofiber interfaces, and shed light to prior composite-level strength and fracture toughness measurements.     

Utilization of MR angiography in perfusion imaging for identifying arterial input function

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - This research utilizes magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to identify arterial locations during the parametric evaluation of...     

Sequential multiple-laser-assisted polishing of free-standing CVD diamond substrates

Diamond, the best thermal conductor known, is the ultimate choice as a substrate material for the fabrication of denser, smaller and faster electronic packages. Consequently, in recent years, worldwide efforts have focused on the design of manufacturing transparent technologies for post-synthesis processing (polishing, planarization, metallization, die attach,, etc.) of diamond substrates In this study, a manufacturing-transparent, cost-effective, non-vacuum, laser-assisted coarse polishing technique for thick free-standing CVD diamond substrates was investigated [2]. The thickness of the substrates varied from 700 to 1000 μm, with the average grain size ranging from 150 to 200 μm. The average surface roughness (R_a) of the substrates, measured using contact surface profilometry, was between 20 and 30 μm. The substrates were initially irradiated with a Nd-YAG laser (λ = 532 nm) for coarse material removal, followed by an ArF excimer laser (λ = 193 nm) for finer surface finishing. Under optimized conditions, the average surface roughness (R_rma) was reduced from 25 to 5 μm with the Nd-YAG laser, and further to less than or equal to 1 μm with the excimer laser. The technique, which is the fastest processing technique known to the authors, is capable of polishing a 1 cm × 1 cm × 0.07 cm substrate in 50 s.     

Novel Synthesis Techniques for Preparation of Co/CeO2 as Ethanol Steam Reforming Catalysts

Novel synthesis methods such as solvothermal decomposition, colloidal crystal templating, and reverse microemulsion have been used to prepare CeO₂-supported Co catalysts. These catalysts have shown much better catalytic performance than the catalysts prepared using conventional incipient wetness impregnation for Ethanol Steam Reforming. The improvement can be attributed to a better cobalt dispersion and a better Co–CeO₂ interaction for the catalysts prepared using these novel methods.     

Conversion disorder and its subtypes: a need for a reclassification

Four subtypes of conversion disorder were described in DSM-IV. There are few publications concerning studies aimed at separating the subtypes of the conversion disorder. Usually, pseudoseizures are in focus and attempts are made to differentiate these seizures from other disorders. The aim of the present study has been to investigate differences between the four subtypes of the conversion disorder and to discuss the possibilities for a reclassification. Ninety-five patients were seen by two researchers and diagnosed as conversion disorders. The subtypes were determined according to DSM-IV criteria. All completed the Patients Information Form, developed by the researchers, and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). Twenty-four (25.2%) of the patients had motor symptoms or deficits (Type 1), 5 (5.2%) sensory symptoms or deficits (Type 2), 23 (24.2%) seizures or convulsions (Type 3) and 43 (47.3%) had mixed presentations (Type 4). There were statistically significant differences between the subtypes as concerns occupation, family history of psychiatric disorders, hospitalizations and place of settlement. Furthermore, the DES scores were statistically different between the groups of patients with different subtypes of conversion disorder.     

A patient with extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma and review of the literature

Paragangliomas can arise from virtually any site in the body containing embryonic neural crest tissue. We present a female patient with an extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma, and a review of the literature.     

Electrochemical determination of HIV drug Abacavir based on its reduction

Abacavir (I), a drug used in the treatment of HIV, is electrochemically reduced at the dropping mercury electrode in a four-electron process, similar to structurally related adenine (III) and adenosine triphosphate (IV). To undergo the reduction, the species is protonated in the vicinity of the electrode. The protonations take place on the 6-amino group and on one of the pyrimidine ring nitrogens. The role of covalent hydration of the pyrymidine ring has been interpreted. Best suited as supporting electrolytes for analytical purposes are solutions of 0.1-1.0 M sulfuric, perchloric, or hydrochloric acids. Procedures of analyses of tablets containing I were established and validated, based on peak currents obtained by linear sweep, differential pulse, or square-wave voltammetry with a hanging mercury drop electrode as indicator electrode. The procedure proved to be more sensitive and more reliable than that based on oxidation on a glassy carbon electrode, proposed previously.     

Enzyme-linked amperometric electrochemical genosensor assay for the detection of PCR amplicons on a streptavidin-treated screen-printed carbon electrode

A general purpose enzyme-based amperometric electrochemical genosensor assay was developed wherein polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons labeled with both biotin and fluorescein were detected with peroxidase-conjugated antifluorescein antibody on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). As a proof of principle, the response selectivity of the genosensor was evaluated using PCR amplicons derived from lolB gene of Vibrio cholerae. Factors affecting immobilization, hybridization, and nonspecific binding were optimized to maximize sensitivity and reduce assay time. On the basis of the background amperometry signals obtained from nonspecific organisms and positive signals obtained from known V. cholerae, a threshold point of 4.20 microA signal was determined as positive. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of the assay was 10 CFU/mL of V. cholerae. The overall precision of this assay was good, with the coefficient of variation (CV) being 3.7% using SPCE and intermittent pulse amperometry (IPA) as an electrochemical technique. The assay is sensitive, safe, and cost-effective when compared to conventional agarose gel electrophoresis, real-time PCR, and other enzyme-linked assays for the detection of PCR amplicons. Furthermore, the use of a hand-held portable reader makes it suitable for use in the field.     

Transient Head Development due to Flood Induced Seepage under Levees

The purpose of this study was to predict the uplift force during floods on confining layers that overlay extensive horizontal confined aquifers that intersect a large river in response to the water level changes that occur with time in a flooding river. Transient flow of water through the confined aquifer was described by a diffusion type of equation with a boundary condition at the river in which the river head varied with time. The transient head distribution developed from the unsteady flow model applied to the aquifer was compared with the hydraulic head distributions obtained from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers steady-state flow model and a finite-element seepage model. This study concluded that the transient flow model has the potential to analyze time lag in head development, and to predict the seepage condition and heaving potential at various times and distances landside of a levee during a flood cycle, but additional case histories are needed to justify widespread use of the model.     

Olivine catalysts for methane- and tar-steam reforming

The removal of tar and lower hydrocarbons is a vital technological barrier hindering the development of biomass gasification. The present work evaluates four olivine catalysts (three untreated of different origin and one calcined) for lowering the amount of these compounds in biomass derived syngas by reforming model compounds (naphthalene, toluene, and methane). Treatments prior to reaction were shown to largely impact the catalytic activity and physiochemical properties of the olivine catalysts depending on its origin. The formation of free Fe phases following decomposition of a Fe-bearing serpentine phase ((Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄) near the surface of untreated olivine catalysts proved most important for facilitating higher activity compared to olivine catalysts with little or no serpentine phase initially. The most active catalyst was efficient at naphthalene removal (90% conversion at 800 °C), but more active catalysts are needed for applications where methane removal is required. Additionally, carbon deposition during naphthalene-steam reforming as well as Fe clustering during naphthalene-steam reforming and exposure to reducing conditions suggested stability may be a liability.