Reduction of optical chaos by a quantum correction in second-harmonic generation of light

Fourth-degree hand burns are rare but devastating injuries. They cannot be grafted readily but often require flaps and amputation, and impairment is significant. We report our 10-year experience (1981 to 1990) with deep hand burns to characterize our treatment and outcome. A total of 25 patients (35 hands) were treated. Eight local flaps, nine distant flaps, and two free-tissue transfers were performed. Eleven hands were treated with K-wire immobilization and grafting. Thirty-three amputations were done. Postburn function was evaluated in 25 salvaged hands. Eleven hands had good outcomes, whereas seven had moderate sequelae and seven were severely affected. Patients who were treated with flap coverage of exposed tendons and joints had better functional outcomes than those treated with delayed closure with immobilization and grafting. The excellent outcomes in the flap coverage group justifies the added commitment of technical and therapeutic resources that this treatment requires.     

A slightly compressible transient finite element model of the packing phase in injection molding

A 2-D finite element model of the packing phase using an Augmented Lagrangian approach is described. The model is tested for various geometrical configurations. The influence of the cavity thickness, length, and shape on the packing time and flow patterns is investigated, showing a good agreement with published data.     

Innovative polyelectrolytes/poly(ionic liquid)s for energy and the environment

This paper presents the work carried out within the European project RENAISSANCE‐ITN, which was dedicated to the development of innovative polyelectrolytes for energy and environmental applications. Within the project different types of innovative polyelectrolytes were synthesized such as poly(ionic liquid)s coming from renewable or natural ions, thiazolium cations, catechol functionalities or from a new generation of cheap deep eutectic monomers. Further, macromolecular architectures such as new poly(ionic liquid) block copolymers and new (semi)conducting polymer/polyelectrolyte complexes were also developed. As the final goal, the application of these innovative polymers in energy and the environment was investigated. Important advances in energy storage technologies included the development of new carbonaceous materials, new lignin/conducting polymer biopolymer electrodes, new iongels and single‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes for supercapacitors and batteries and new poly(ionic liquid) binders for batteries. On the other hand, the use of innovative polyelectrolytes in sustainable environmental technologies led to the development of new liquid and dry water, new materials for water cleaning technologies such as flocculants, oil absorbers, new recyclable organocatalyst platforms and new multifunctional polymer coatings with antifouling and antimicrobial properties. All in all this paper demonstrates the potential of poly(ionic liquid)s for high‐value applications in energy and enviromental areas. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hyperchaos in second-harmonic generation of light pumped by pulsating external field

Characteristic features of a dynamical system are well represented by a Lyapunov exponents map in parametric space. We used this tool to investigate the system governing second-harmonic generation of light with a pulsating external field (square wave). The influence of the pulse parameters on dynamics of the generation process is numerically investigated. Chaotic and hyperchaotic behaviour in the system with a weak damping is found. Bifurcation diagrams as well as some phase portraits are also studied. The interesting case of the short-pulse dynamics and the quasiperiodic behaviour of the system is considered.     

Zur Automatisierung der Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie – Manganbestimmung in Gefügebestandteilen des Stahles

Forderungen an die Analytik bei der Ermittlung der Manganverteilung zwischen Ferrit und Carbid. Rationalisierung der atomabsorptionsspektrometrischen Verfahren durch Computer-Verbund. Meßlösungen für die Manganbestimmung und Erzielen stabiler Gerätebedingungen. Aufbau der Meßreihen und automatische Auswertung. Ergebnisse mit Bilanz einer elektrolytischen Isolierung. Sonstige Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der Methode.     

Online in situ x-ray diffraction setup for structural modification studies during swift heavy ion irradiation

The high energy density of electronic excitations due to the impact of swift heavy ions can induce structural modifications in materials. We present an x-ray diffractometer called ALIX ("Analyse en Ligne sur IRRSUD par diffraction de rayons X"), which has been set up at the low-energy beamline (IRRadiation SUD - IRRSUD) of the Grand Acce?le?rateur National d'Ions Lourds facility, to allow the study of structural modification kinetics as a function of the ion fluence. The x-ray setup has been modified and optimized to enable irradiation by swift heavy ions simultaneously to x-ray pattern recording. We present the capability of ALIX to perform simultaneous irradiation-diffraction by using energy discrimination between x-rays from diffraction and from ion-target interaction. To illustrate its potential, results of sequential or simultaneous irradiation-diffraction are presented in this article to show radiation effects on the structural properties of ceramics. Phase transition kinetics have been studied during xenon ion irradiation of polycrystalline MgO and SrTiO(3). We have observed that MgO oxide is radiation-resistant to high electronic excitations, contrary to the high sensitivity of SrTiO(3), which exhibits transition from the crystalline to the amorphous state during irradiation. By interpreting the amorphization kinetics of SrTiO(3), defect overlapping models are discussed as well as latent track characteristics. Together with a transmission electron microscopy study, we conclude that a single impact model describes the phase transition mechanism.     

Structural stability of Nd2Zr2O7 pyrochlore ion-irradiated in a broad energy range

The phase transformations induced by electronic excitation (S_e) and ballistic processes (S_n) in Nd₂Zr₂O₇ pyrochlores irradiated with heavy ions in three domains of energy (～1 GeV, ～100 MeV and a few MeV) were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the S_e regime at high energy, results show that: (i) ion tracks are formed above a S_e threshold of 12.5 keV nm^?1; (ii) both pyrochlore → anion-deficient fluorite phase transition and amorphization occur; (iii) total amorphization is always observed at the highest fluences; (iv) the internal structure (amount of amorphous phase vs. its anion-deficient fluorite counterpart) and the diameter of tracks depend on many parameters such as S_e, the deposited energy density and the recrystallization rate. For irradiations performed with low-energy ions in the S_n regime, only the anion-deficient fluorite phase is formed up to a dose of 40 dpa. Thus Nd₂Zr₂O₇ exhibits an unusual behaviour since this compound is amorphizable by S_e and non-amorphizable by S_n. Annealing of totally amorphized Nd₂Zr₂O₇ samples reveals strong differences in the recovery processes with other pyrochlore materials that are related to their different chemical compositions.     

Sample Dilution Influences the Determination of Antioxidant Capacity in Food: How to Minimize It?

The influence of sample dilution on the measurement of antioxidant capacity was analyzed. To ensure the reproducibility of results, it is necessary to realize such scarce investigations. This study focuses on different antioxidant capacity assays commonly used for the analysis of pure substances and food extracts. For all compounds and foods tested in most of the four assays (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity), effects of sample dilution on the measured (and recalculated) antioxidant capacity were observed, with differences up to 28 % between dilutions. An extrapolation method was proposed to obtain a “real value” thus to minimize the effects of the sample dilution. This extrapolation method is relatively simple, based on a linear regression of 4 or 5 appropriate dilutions of the sample and applicable to the various assays. The use of such a method will improve the consistency of interlaboratory antioxidant capacity data and thus permit better comparisons. In contrast, there was no dilution problem with ferric reducing antioxidant power assays.