Tracking the Aquatic Impacts of a Historical Metal Mine Using Lacustrine Protists and Diatom Algae

Two lake sediment cores collected near a closed Cu–Au mine were analyzed for testate amoebas, diatoms, and geochemistry to compare their utility for assessment and monitoring of aquatic impacts of metal mines. Geochemical profiles displayed the mine history as increases in mineral matter-related elements during the mining period, and as post-mining metal peaks. Biotic assemblages co-varied with geochemical shifts, and the most notable ecological changes coincided with the peaks in metal concentrations. Additionally, nutrient enrichment caused a major shift in biotic assemblages. According to the results, the mine affected the lake environment over a relatively large area but the changes were transient. Major ecological effects occurred only after the actual mining period as the tailings weathered, which delayed the metal release. This suggests that mine impacts can be significantly reduced by careful design and after-care of the waste facilities.     

Strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons and Sulforhodamine 101 dye

We demonstrate a strong coupling between surface plasmon polaritons and Sulforhodamine 101 dye molecules. Dispersion curves for surface plasmon polaritons on samples with a thin layer of silver covered with Sulforhodamine 101 molecules embedded in SU-8 polymer are obtained experimentally by reflectometry measurements and compared to the dispersion of samples without molecules. Clear Rabi splittings, with energies up to 360 and 190 meV, are observed at the positions of the dye absorption maxima. The split energies are dependent on the number of Sulforhodamine 101 molecules involved in the coupling process. Transfer matrix and coupled oscillator methods are used to model the studied multilayer structures with a great agreement with the experiments. Detection of the scattered radiation after the propagation provides another way to obtain the dispersion relation of the surface plasmon polaritons and, thus, provides insight into dynamics of the surface plasmon polariton/dye interaction, beyond the refrectometry measurements.PACS: 42.50.Hz, 33.80.-b, 78.67.-n     

Functionalization of polypropylene with oxazoline and reactive blending of PP with PBT in a corotating twin-screw extruder

The aim of this study was to prepare a compatibilized PP/PBT blend in a twin-screw extruder, using oxazoline-functionalized PP. First we prepared the functionalized PP (PP-g-OXA), and then we used it as a compatibilizer in the subsequent reactive blending stage. Polypropylene was successfully functionalized by ricinoloxazoline maleinate in a corotating twin-screw extruder using a melt free radical grafting technique. Grafting yields up to 2.1 phr were achieved. This functionalized PP used as a compatibilizer markedly improved the mechanical properties of the uncompatibilized PP/PBT (PBT content 30 wt %) blend. Significant improvements were observed, especially in impact strength (Charpy) and elongation at break of the compatibilized blends. The increased interactions between the phases were characterized by SEM analysis, DMTA, and DSC experiments. The properties of the blend greatly depended on the degradation of the PP during grafting. An optimal content of compatibilizer exists, which is dependent on the degradation of PP, grafting yield of oxazoline monomer, and on the amount of free, ungrafted monomer present in the compatibilizer. These factors can be adjusted by properly choosing the processing conditions and chemical parameters. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 883–894, 1997     

Variability in oil content and fatty acid composition in wild northern currants

Seed oils of wild berries of alpine currant (AC) and northern redcurrant (NRC) were investigated. Oil contents of AC and NRC varied between 4.9 % and 9.7% and between 12.8% and 38.5%, respectively. The proportions of α-linolenic, γ-linolenic and stearidonic acids were higher in NRC (means of 21.7, 12.3 and 5.4%, respectively) than in AC (16.8, 8.6 and 3.0%). The growth areas of NRC can be divided into two distinct groups according to the proportions of different polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oil content of NRC correlated negatively to the proportion of linoleic acid and positively to that of stearidonic acid. There were significant correlations between all polyunsaturated fatty acids in NRC but correlations were less obvious in AC. Interestingly, the correlation between linoleic and γ-linolenic acids was positive in NRC but negative in AC. α-Linolenic and stearidonic acids showed positive correlations in both species. In NRC the synthesis of triunsaturated fatty acids is directed either towards α-linolenic or γ-linolenic acids. Results showed great potential in NRC and AC for plant breeding due to the natural variation in the content and composition of the seed oils for functional nutrients. Received: 20 August 1999 / Revised version: 29 October 1999     

Deconstructing the monolith: Differences in attitudes about mammography among low-income African American women.

The purpose of this study was to explore how health beliefs may vary within a minority group. In this mixed-method study, 63 low-income African American women engaged in six focus groups discussing beliefs that inhibited or facilitated mammography. Differences in cognitive complexity, self-efficacy, and attributions of causality occurred across neighborhoods despite the geographic proximity and demographic similarity. The attitude change that occurred during the discussion suggested ways to construct effective health interventions. The data suggest (a) that women were similarly knowledgeable about mammography and cancer, (b) knowledge did not correspond with attitudes, (c) attitudes must be addressed before knowledge can be utilized, (d) attitudes are developed and maintained within neighborhood social networks and that stories maintain these attitudes, (e) increasing the discussion among peers should lead to greater attitude change and discussion leads to increased thought, and (f) motivation and follow through are connected to women’s roles within their communities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stability of amorphous Fe-W alloys in multilayer metallizations on silicon

Co-sputtered amorphous Fe_0.37 W_0.63 alloys were investigated for applications as diffusion barriers in multilayer metallizations on silicon. Interface reactions and recrystallization during thermal annealing at 400–800°C were studied by back-scattering spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. On SiO₂ substrates the recrystallization of these films occurs at approximately 700°C. On silicon the recrystallization is accompanied by the formation of a silicide layer containing FeSi₂ and WSi₂ phases. No detectable reaction is observed when the alloy film is amorphous. In contact with an overlay metal such as aluminum, copper, nickel or platinum the amorphous Fe_0.37 W_0.63 layer prevents direct interaction between the silicon substrate and an overlay metal film 1000 Å thick during thermal annealing for 30 min at 650°C. The lifetime of the barrier is limited by dissolution and compound formation at the interface and at grain boundaries of the overlay metal.     

Bonded thick film SOI with pre-etched cavities

We have studied direct bonding and thinning of pre-etched silicon wafers. Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates with pre-etched cavities provide freedom to MEMS design and enable manufacturing of advanced sensor structures (sensor structures that would be difficult or impossible with conventional substrates). Cavities with different shapes and sizes were etched on to the handle wafers. The etched handle wafers were bonded to unpatterned cap wafers in air or in vacuum. The bonding quality was evaluated with scanning acoustic microscopy and with HF-etching test. After bonding, the cap wafers were thinned down with grinding and polishing. The thickness variation of silicon diaphragm over the cavities was evaluated with cross-sectional SEM. The deflection of the Si film was measured with surface profilometry. To decrease the deflection and the thickness variation of the film, different support structures were placed inside the cavities.The bonding experiments carried out with patterned wafers showed that vacuum bonding results in slightly higher bonding energy than bonding in air. With large cavity fraction (80% of total wafer area), the air bonded samples had large void on the bonded interface. With smaller cavity fractions or with vacuum bonded samples, no such voids were found. Thinning studies showed that the thickness variation of the silicon diaphragm increases with increasing cavity dimensions and with decreasing SOI layer thickness. Thickness variation can be reduced with support structures under the Si membrane.     

Hexaferrite/polyethylene composite coatings prepared with flame spraying

Composite coatings from different volume ratios of hexaferrite (BaFe₁₂O₁₉ or SrFe₁₂O₁₉) and polyethylene were prepared, for the first time, with flame spraying. The hexaferrite phase retained its crystal structure and microstructure during the process, while the polyethylene melted and resolidified. The coatings showed magnetic hysteresis loops with high coercivities. The measured electromagnetic behaviour proved that the studied composite coatings would be suitable for electromagnetic wave absorbers in the U-band.     

Highly Selective SAM–Nanowire Hybrid NO2 Sensor: Insight into Charge Transfer Dynamics and Alignment of Frontier Molecular Orbitals

Organic–inorganic hybrid gas sensors can offer outstanding performance in terms of selectivity and sensitivity towards single gas species. The enormous variety of organic functionalities enables novel flexibility of active sensor surfaces compared to commonly used pure inorganic materials, but goes along with an increase of system complexity that usually hinders a predictable sensor design. In this work, an ultra‐selective NO₂ sensor is realized based on self‐assembled monolayer (SAM)‐modified semiconductor nanowires (NWs). The crucial chemical and electronic parameters for an effective interaction between the sensor and different gas species are identified using density functional theory simulations. The theoretical findings are consistent with the experimentally observed extraordinary selectivity and sensitivity of the amine‐terminated SnO₂ NW towards NO₂. The energetic position of the SAM–gas frontier orbitals with respect to the NW Fermi level is the key to ensure or impede an efficient charge transfer between the NW and the gas. As this condition strongly depends on the gas species and the sensor system, these insights into the charge transfer mechanisms can have a substantial impact on the development of highly selective hybrid gas sensors.