Resting frontal EEG asymmetry as an endophenotype for depression risk: Sex-specific patterns of frontal brain asymmetry.

Resting frontal electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry has been hypothesized as a marker of risk for major depressive disorder (MDD), but the extant literature is based predominately on female samples. Resting frontal asymmetry was assessed on 4 occasions within a 2-week period in 306 individuals aged 18–34 (31% male) with (n = 143) and without (n = 163) lifetime MDD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Lifetime MDD was linked to relatively less left frontal activity for both sexes using a current source density (CSD) reference, findings that were not accounted for solely by current MDD status or current depression severity, suggesting that CSD-referenced EEG asymmetry is a possible endophenotype for depression. In contrast, results for average and linked mastoid references were less consistent but demonstrated a link between less left frontal activity and current depression severity in women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preparation and properties of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber–graphene nanocomposites

The graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by sonication‐induced exfoliation from graphite oxide, which was produced by oxidation from graphite flakes with a modified Hummer's method. The GO was then treated by hydrazine to obtain reduced graphene oxide (rGO). On the basis of the characterization results, the GO was successfully reduced to rGO. Acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR)–GO and NBR–rGO composites were prepared via a solution‐mixing method, and their various physical properties were investigated. The NBR–rGO nanocomposite demonstrated a higher curing efficiency and a change in torque compared to the gum and NBR–GO compounds. This agreed well with the crosslinking density measured by swelling. The results manifested in the high hardness (Shore A) and high tensile modulus of the NBR–rGO compounds. For instance, the tensile modulus at a 0.1‐phr rGO loading greatly increased above 83, 114, and 116% at strain levels of 50, 100, and 200%, respectively, compared to the 0.1‐phr GO loaded sample. The observed enhancement was highly attributed to a homogeneous dispersion of rGO within the NBR matrix; this was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis. However, in view of the high ultimate tensile strength, the NBR–GO compounds exhibited an advantage; this was presumably due to strong hydrogen bonding or polar–polar interactions between the NBR and GO sheets. This interfacial interaction between GO and NBR was supported by the marginal increase in the glass‐transition temperatures of the NBR compounds containing fillers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42457.     

Characteristics of pigments,modification, and their functionalities

Novel treatments of pigments with inorganic materials have tremendous industrial and commercial prospects. Specific treatment of pigment has a marked effect on its behavior during application. The treatment allows a broad modification of the surface characteristics of pigment particles which leads to improved functionalities. Surface modification of pigments is achieved via coating, polymerization with modifying reagent, treatment with derivatives or polymers, which alter either the optical, conductivity or dispersibility during processing and application. These and many other distinguishing factors that affect the characteristics of pigments such as the class, crystal structure, particle morphology, particle size, hiding power, pigment volume concentration, surface character, and surface treatment have been reviewed. Various organic pigments such as those from fungus and bacteria, and the various families of pigment types such as metallic pigment, light interference, and diffractive pigments which presents decorative quality such as leafing, nonleafing, pearlscent, and Fabry‐Perot effects on substrates have also been reviewed in addition to those from inorganic sources with emphasis on the structure and physiochemical modifications using metal and nonmetal Ions.     

Effect of amphiphilic phosphate/octenylsuccinate starch on enhancing adhesion to hydrophobic polyester fibers in sizing

Amphiphilic starch at different degree of substitution (DS) was prepared by phosphorylation and octenylsuccinylation of acid-thinned starch with sodium tripolyphosphate and 2-octenylsuccinic anhydride, respectively for improving the adhesion of starch to polyester fibers. Various assessment of starch such as ¹H NMR and FTIR analysis, apparent viscosity, starch clarity, adhesion to polyester fiber, desizing efficiency and biodegradability were conducted. The ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that octenylsuccinate and phosphate substituents have been attached to the molecular chain of starch. Also, the apparent viscosity, paste clarity, desizing efficiency and biodegradability of the amphiphilic starch increased as the DS of phosphate increased. It was observed that the amphiphilic starch was an effective method for stronger adhesion unto polyester fibers but reduced at the highest DS of phosphate due to excessive hydrophilicity. As compared to acid-thinned starch, the stronger adhesion of the amphiphilic starch was attributed to the steric hindrance caused by the two substituents on starch and the good dispersibility impacted by the phosphate substituents on starch. Conclusively, the strongest adhesion on polyester fibers, good paste clarity, good desizing efficiency and enhanced biodegradability of starch were attained at phosphate and octenylsuccinate DS ratio of 0.031/0.014.     

Effects of thermal aging on degradation mechanism of flame retardant‐filled ethylene–propylene–diene termonomer compounds

Ethylene–propylene–diene termonomer (EPDM) compounds filled with halogenated (Br and Cl) flame retardants (FRs) and Sb₂O₃ were prepared via melt mixing, and their thermal stability, weight loss, and elemental composition were investigated as a function of aging conditions (temperature: 120–380°C, period: ～100 h, and atmosphere: nitrogen and air). The thermal aging was done with thermogravimetic analysis under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions and a convection oven. Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the surface morphology and elemental composition of the thermally aged FRs‐filled EPDM compounds. For a better precision of compositional analysis, a laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was employed in this study. The thermal degradation behavior of EPDM compounds containing halogenated FRs was strongly dependent on the aging atmosphere (N₂ or air) and type of FRs. The weight loss of the EPDM compounds during thermal aging was found to be quite small in the temperature ranges below 190°C, while it was noticeable above the temperature. The LIBS technique can be an effective and promising analysis tools for analyzing the elemental components in a bulk rubber compound. Two possible mechanisms were proposed for the thermal degradation of the EPDM compounds containing brominated FR and Sb₂O₃. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41324.     

A study of graphene oxide‐reinforced rubber nanocomposite

Graphene oxide‐reinforced acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber nanocomposites were prepared via solution mixing. The morphology of the graphene oxide was studied, and its successful dispersion within the rubber matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction studies. The strong rubber‐to‐filler interaction was confirmed by swelling and mechanical reinforcing behaviors and thermal stability. Dielectric spectroscopy test indicated a marked improvement of about five times in the real part of permittivity. The electrical conductivity level was close to that of nonconductive materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40640.     

2DOF discrete dead-time compensators for stable and integrative processes with dead-time

This paper presents an analysis of 2DOF discrete dead-time compensators for stable and integrative processes. The proposed structure can be tuned taking into account the performance and robustness of the closed-loop. Also a novel procedure to choose the sampling period is presented considering the robustness and the disturbance rejection response of the closed-loop system. In order to illustrate the results, some simulation examples and experimental results are shown.     

Numerical simulation of flow field and residence time of nanoparticles in a 1000-ton industrial multi-jet combustion reactor

In this work, by establishing a three-dimensional physical model of a 1000-ton industrial multi-jet combustion reactor, a hexahedral structured grid was used to discretize the model. Combined with realizable k–ε model, eddy-dissipation-concept, discrete-ordinate radiation model, hydrogen 19-step detailed reaction mechanism, air age user-defined-function, velocity field, temperature field, concentration field and gas arrival time in the reactor were numerically simulated. The Euler–Lagrange metho...