Optimization of the property profile of poly‐L‐lactide by synthesis of PLLA‐polystyrene–block copolymers

Diblock and triblock copolymers of poly‐L ‐lactide (PLLA) and polystyrene (PS) were synthesized and the mechanical properties of these copolymers studied. Free radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of 2‐mercaptoethanol as functional chain transfer agent produced mono‐functionalized PS‐blocks which were used as macroinitiators in the subsequent ring opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide to produce the diblock copolymers. Furthermore a α‐ω‐bishydroxyl functionalized PS‐block was synthesized by RAFT, which was then engaged as bifunctional initiator for the ROP of L ‐lactide to provide the triblock copolymers PLLA‐PS‐PLLA. Through the copolymerisation and high molar masses, it was possible to achieve an improved mechanical property profile, compared with pure PLLA, or the analogous blends of PLLA and PS. A weight fraction of PS of 10–30% was found to be the optimal range for improving the heat deflection temperature (HDT), as well as mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength or elongation at break. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Membranes as pretreatment to desalination in wastewater reuse

This article looks at the benefits of wastewater reuse for industrial and municipal applications. It demonstrates how continuous microfiltration pretreatment to reverse osmosis can reduce capital and operating costs of reverse osmosis systems, improve their efficiency and enable reliable operation on a wider variety of water sources. This information is supported by operational data from a number of continuous microfiltration/reverse osmosis installations worldwide on difficult-to-treat feed waters.     

Symptom validity testing and symptom retraining: Procedures for the assessment and treatment of functional sensory deficits.

L. Pankratz et al (1975) recommended the 2-alternative forced-choice technique as a general strategy for the assessment of functional sensory disorders. Two cases are presented of male patients in whom the lost sensory deficits spontaneously returned during the assessment procedure. A treatment paradigm is described that uses the assessment procedure as an arena for change while allowing the patient to maintain his or her personal concept of the disorder. A 3rd case study is presented that illustrates the removal of a functional sensory and motor dysfunction. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experimental investigation of the rising behavior of CO2 droplets in seawater under hydrate-forming conditions

In a laboratory-based test series, seven experiments along a simulated Pacific hydrotherm at 152 degrees W, 40 degrees N were carried out to measure the rise velocities of liquefied CO2 droplets under (clathrate) hydrate forming conditions. The impact of a hydrate skin on the rising behavior was investigated by comparing the results with those from outside the field of hydrate stability at matching buoyancy. A thermostatted high-pressure tank was used to establish conditions along the natural oceanic hydrotherm. Under P-/T-conditions allowing hydrate formation, the majority of the droplets quickly developed a skin of CO2 hydrate upon contact with seawater. Rise rates of these droplets support the parametrization by Chen et al. (Tellus 2003, 55B, 723-730), which is based on empirical equations developed to match momentum of hydrate covered, deformed droplets. Our data do not support other parametrizations recently suggested in the literature. In the experiments from 5.7 MPa, 4.8 oC to 11.9 MPa, 2.8 degrees C positive and negative deviations from predicted rise rates occurred, which we propose were caused by lacking hydrate formation and reflect intact droplet surface mobility and droplet shape oscillations, respectively. This interpretation is supported by rise rates measured at P-/T-conditions outside the hydrate stability field atthe same liquid CO2-seawater density difference (delta rho) matching the rise rates of the deviating data within the stability field. The results also show that droplets without a hydrate skin ascend up to 50% faster than equally buoyant droplets with a hydrate skin. This feature has a significant impact on the vertical pattern of dissolution of liquid CO2 released into the ocean. The experiments and data presented considerably reduce the uncertainty of the parametrization of CO2 droplet rise velocity, which in the past emerged partly from their scarcity and contradictions in constraints of earlier experiments.     

Survey of integrated‐circuit‐oscillator phase‐noise analysis

This tutorial distills the salient phase‐noise analysis concepts and key equations developed over the last 75 years relevant to integrated circuit oscillators. Oscillator phase and amplitude fluctuations have been studied since at least 1938 when Berstein solved the Fokker–Planck equations for the phase/amplitude distributions of a resonant oscillator. The principal contribution of this work is the organized, unified presentation of eclectic phase‐noise analysis techniques, facilitating their application to integrated circuit oscillator design. Furthermore, we demonstrate that all these methods boil down to obtaining three things: (1) noise modulation function; (2) noise transfer function; and (3) current‐controlled oscillator gain. For each method, this paper provides a short background explanation of the technique, a step‐by‐step procedure of how to apply the method to hand calculation/computer simulation, and a worked example to demonstrate how to analyze a practical oscillator circuit with that method. This survey article chiefly deals with phase‐noise analysis methods, so to restrict its scope, we limit our discussion to the following: (1) analyzing integrated circuit metal–oxide–semiconductor/bipolar junction transistor‐based LC, delay, and ring oscillator topologies; (2) considering a few oscillator harmonics in our analysis; (3) analyzing thermal/flicker intrinsic device‐noise sources rather than environmental/parametric noise/wander; (4) providing mainly qualitative amplitude‐noise discussions; and (5) omitting measurement methods/phase‐noise reduction techniques. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In-line laser holography and video analysis of eroded floc from engineered and estuarine sediments

Microphytobenthic polymers mediate intertidal sediment erosion processes, through biostabilization and modifying the nature of eroded floc material. The latter is of key importance with respect to sediment transport dynamics, including floc aggregation and particle deposition. In this study, eroded floc material was analyzed by video imaging, alongside novel application of in-line laser holography (ILH). The erosion of engineered sediment was compared to that of natural estuarine sediments. Both video and holography showed an increase in floc size eroded from engineered cohesive clay sediment as a function of sediment dewatering and sediment polymer content. Estuarine sediment showed a curvilinear increase in floc size as a function of both microphytobenthic biomass and sediment colloidal polymer content when measured by video analysis. Holography did not show these functions for floc size due to temporal limitations of the current ILH methodology. An interaction of sediment polymer binding and sediment desiccation was observed for engineered sediments and, most notably, for estuarine cohesive sediments. In conclusion, engineered sediments were not accurate analogues for natural intertidal sediments, failing to reproduce eroded floc material similar to that from estuarine cohesive sediment. The size of eroded floc from estuarine sediments is a function of the complex interaction between biological and physicochemical processes, primarily algal colloidal polymer and desiccation. Holography demonstrated an excellent potential for the high-resolution imaging of eroded material but is limited by temporal constraints; the solution to this would be the development of real-time holographic video.     

A 1-V +31 dBm IIP3, Reconfigurable, Continuously Tunable, Power-Adjustable Active-RC LPF

This paper proposes a biquad design methodology and presents a baseband low-pass filter for wireless and wireline applications with reconfigurable frequency response (Chebyshev/Inverse Chebyshev), selectable order (1st/3rd/5th), continuously tunable cutoff frequency (1-20 MHz), and adjustable power consumption (3-7.5 mW). A discrete capacitor array coarsely tunes the low-pass filter, and a novel continuous impedance multiplier (CIM) then finely tunes the filter. Resistive/capacitive networks select between the Chebyshev and inverse Chebyshev approximation types. Also, a new stability metric for biquads, minimum acceptable phase margin (MAPM), is presented and discussed in the context of filter compensation and passband ripple considerations. Experimental results yield an IIP3 of 31.3 dBm, a THD of -40 dB at 447 mV_{pk, diff} input signal amplitude, and a DR of 71.4 dB. The filter's tunable range covers frequencies from 1 MHz to 20 MHz. In Inverse Chebyshev mode, the filter achieves a passband group delay variation less than plusmn2.5%. The design is fabricated in 0.13 mum CMOS, occupies 1.53 mm² , and operates from a 1-V supply.     

The ecological value of constructed wetlands for treating urban runoff.

The Sweetwater Authority's urban runoff diversion system (URDS) comprises constructed wetlands on a hillside between the town of Spring Valley and the Sweetwater Reservoir, California, USA. The URDS were designed to divert dry-weather and first-flush urban runoff flows from the Sweetwater reservoir. However, these constructed wetlands have developed into ecologically valuable habitat. This paper evaluates the following ecological questions related to the URDS: (1) the natural development of the species present and their growth pattern; (2) the biodiversity and pollutant stress on the plants and invertebrates; and (3) the question of habitat provided for endangered species. The URDS wetlands are comprised primarily of rush (Scirpus spp.) and cattails (Typha spp.). This vegetative cover ranged from 39-78% of the area of the individual wetland ponds. Current analyses of plant tissues and wetland sediment indicates the importance of sediment sorption for metals and plant uptake of nutrients. Analyses of URDS water following runoff events show the URDS wetlands do reduce the amount of nutrients and metals in the water column. Invertebrate surveys of the wetland ponds revealed lower habitat quality and environmental stress compared to unpolluted natural habitat. The value of the wetlands as wildlife habitat is constrained by low plant biodiversity and pollution stress from the runoff. Since the primary Sweetwater Authority goal is to maintain good water quality for drinking, any secondary utilization of URDS habitat by species (endangered or otherwise) is deemed an added benefit.     

Nachweis von ω-Aminocarbonsäuren und Carbonylverbindungen in thermooxidativ abgebautem Polycaprolactam

After oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis homologous series of alkyl amines and ω-amino carboxylic acids were proved to be further degradation products of polycaprolactam. The formation of these substances cannot be explained by an attack on the N-vicinal methylene group which is the most reactive site of this polymer. Considering the low and nearly equal amount of nitrogen containing degradation products a statistical attack on the remaining methylene groups takes place besides the preferred N-vicinal reaction. The CO-vicinal site is not particularly activated. The formation of likewise isolated substances with carbonyl groups cannot be explained by a uniform mechanism.     

Effect of distance upon risk perception.

148 Ss were asked to rate the hazard they perceived to be associated with living near 7 different types of public facilities (i.e., nuclear reactor, oil refinery, airport, gas works, prison, district heating facility, and mental hospital). Two respondent groups lived .5 km and 1.4 km from a nuclear research reactor, 2 groups lived at similar distances from a district heating facility, and the control group lived about 10 km from both facilities. Statistically significant differences were found with respect to the item "nuclear reactor," with the group living 1.4 km from the reactor perceiving it to be riskier than the nearer group and the controls, suggesting that frequent contact with potentially threatening objects reduces the perceived hazard. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)