Antinucleating action of polystyrene on the isothermal cold crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The effect of polystyrene (PS) on the kinetics of the cold crystallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was thoroughly investigated. The PET/PS blends were essentially immiscible, as observed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, which showed two distinct glass‐transition temperatures, and by scanning electron microscopy. The neat PET and its blends were isothermally cold‐crystallized at various temperatures, and the kinetic parameters were determined with the Avrami approach. PET and its blends presented values of the Avrami exponent close to 2, and the kinetic constant increased with the crystallization temperature increasing. For all the crystallization temperatures studied, the presence of only 1 wt % PS significantly reduced the rate of cold crystallization of PET. A further increase in the PS concentration did not show any significant influence. The blends presented higher values of the activation energy for cold crystallization, which was estimated from Arrhenius plots. The equilibrium melting temperature of neat PET was determined on the basis of the linear Hoffman–Weeks extrapolative method to be ～ 255°C. This value decreased in the presence of PS, and this suggested limited solubility between PET and PS. From the spherulitic growth equation proposed by Hoffman and Lauritzen, the nucleation parameter was obtained, and it was shown to be higher for the neat PET than for the blends. Moreover, a transition of regimes (I → II) was observed in both PET and its blends. From the investigations conducted here, it is clear that PS in small amounts causes a reduction in the rate of PET crystallization, acting as an antinucleating agent. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Degradation kinetics of epoxidized soybean oil composites filled with sisal fiber

Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) composites were cured with methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (DEH 35) as a catalyst, sisal fibers were added at 10% and 30% of percent per weight. Composites curing was monitored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, whereas the thermal stability and the degradation kinetics were investigated using thermogravimetry (TG). ESO/MTHPA/DEH35/S10 and ESO/MTHPA/DEH35/S30 composites displayed curing temperatures approximately 100°C lower related to ESO/MTHPA/DEH35, as well as higher degree of conversion. Sisal addition improved the thermal stability, shifting the weight loss shifting the weight loss onset to higher temperature (from 82 to 120°C). Thermal degradation energy $$ was determined using Friedman, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall models. Sisal significantly increased $$, especially in the intermediate phase (α = 0.2 and 0.8). The degradation kinetics was investigated by TG, and the degradation mechanisms modeled using Kamal-Sourour, Sestack-Berggren, and 1st order (F1), showed excellent fit, with R² > 0.99. Acquired results demonstrate that sisal fiber addition benefited the curing process and increased the thermal stability of ESO composites.     

Adaptively Rational Learning

Research on adaptive rationality has focused principally on inference, judgment, and decision-making that lead to behaviors and actions. These processes typically require cognitive representations as input, and these representations must presumably be acquired via learning. Nonetheless, there has been little work on the nature of, and justification for, adaptively rational learning processes. In this paper, we argue that there are strong reasons to believe that some learning is adaptively rational in the same way as judgment and decision-making. Indeed, overall adaptive rationality can only properly be assessed for pairs of learning and decision processes. We thus present a formal framework for modeling such pairs of cognitive processes, and thereby assessing their adaptive rationality relative to the environment and the agent’s goals. We then use this high-level formal framework on specific cases by (a) demonstrating how natural formal constraints on decision-making can lead to substantive predictions about adaptively rational learning and representation; and (b) characterizing adaptively rational learning for fast-and-frugal one-reason decision-making.     

Predicting the response of Hamilton Harbour to the nutrient loading reductions: A modeling analysis of the “ecological unknowns”

We examine the likelihood of delisting the Hamilton Harbour as an Area of Concern, if the nutrient loading reductions proposed by the Remedial Action Plan are actually implemented. Our analysis suggests that the chl a criterion of 10 μg L^{− 1} is achievable, but the water quality setting process should explicitly accommodate the natural variability by allowing for a realistic percentage of violations, e.g., exceedences of less than 10–15% of the weekly samples during the stratified period should still be considered as compliance of the system. The current epilimnetic total phosphorus criterion of 17 μg L^{− 1} is probably stringent and therefore a somewhat higher value (e.g., 20 μg L^{− 1}) may provide a more realistic goal. Phosphorus dynamics in the sediment–water column interface need to be revisited, as the internal nutrient loading can conceivably be a regulatory factor of the duration of the transient phase and the recovery resilience of the Harbour. We also pinpoint two critical aspects of the system dynamics that invite further investigation and will likely determine our predictive capacity to assess compliance with the chlorophyll a criterion of 10 μg L^{− 1}, i.e., the nutrient recycling mediated by the microbial food web and the structural shifts towards a zooplankton community dominated by large-sized and fast-growing herbivores. The latter prospect highlights the notion that the bottom-up (i.e., nutrient loading reduction) approach historically followed in the Harbour was sufficient to bring the system in its present state, but any further improvements should be viewed in the context of a combined bottom-up and top-down (i.e., alleviation of the zooplanktivorous pressure) control.     

Flexibly Reconfigurable Fiber-Wireless Network using Wavelength Routing Techniques: The ACTS Project AC349 PRISMA

A dynamically reconfigurable fiber-wireless network using flexible wavelength routing techniques is proposed by the PRISMA project, which offers a forecast-tolerant solution for handling a wide variety of wireless services and capacity demands as may emerge in the fast evolving market of mobile communications. This approach can considerably increase the operation efficiency of wireless networks for broadband nomadic services (wireless LANs). It also supports the evolution from GSM and GPRS towards UMTS, and the entry of new operators and/or services into the liberalized mobile communications market. The system has been implemented in a field trial and has been operated successfully with real users and broadband nomadic services. The system concept is ready for further development into products.     

In vivo comparison of atherosclerotic plaque progression with vessel wall strain and blood flow velocity in apoE−/− mice with MR microscopy at 17.6 T

Object  At present, in vivo plaque characterization in mice by MRI is typically limited to the visualization of vascular lesions with no accompanying analysis of vessel wall function. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of atherosclerotic plaque development on the morphological and mechanical characteristics of the aortic vessel wall in a pre-clinical murine model of atherosclerosis. Materials and methods  Groups of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE^−/−) and C57BL/6J control mice fed a high-fat diet were monitored over a 12-week time period by high-field MRI. Multi-Slice-Multi-Spin-Echo and Phase-Contrast MRI sequences were employed to track changes to aortic vessel wall area, blood flow velocity and distensibility. Results  After 6- and 12-weeks, significant changes in vessel wall area and circumferential strain were detected in the apoE^−/− mice relative to the control animals. Blood flow velocity and intravascular lumen remained unchanged in both groups, findings that are in agreement with the theory of positive remodeling of the ascending aorta during plaque progression. Conclusion  This study has demonstrated the application of high-field MRI for characterizing the temporal progression of morphological and mechanical changes to murine aortic vasculature associated with atherosclerotic lesion development.     

End-to-end QoS resource management for an IP-based DWDM access network

The ever-increasing use of broad-band Internet and complex multimedia applications is pushing fiber closer and closer to the homes. Within the European project IST HARMONICS (Hybrid Access Reconfigurable Multi-wavelength Optical Networks for IP-based Communication Services), an optical access feeder network and resource management framework were developed that tackle this demand for bandwidth and the desire to stimulate the convergence of last-mile access technologies. To cope with the lack of bandwidth in the access and last-mile networks and the different needs of applications and users, the developed management system provides end-to-end quality of service (QoS) while integrating multiple technologies. In this paper, a detailed overview of the end-to-end QoS management framework and novel time slot/wavelength MAC protocol for the optical feeder network is given. End-to-end QoS is based on Differentiated services (DiffServ) at layer 3, various QoS supporting technologies at layer 2, and QoS mappings between both layers. The paper will also focus on the field trial results of the HARMONICS project and give some guidelines for possible problems and solutions in this area.     

Reactive processing of PA6/EPDM-MA blends as modifier for application and development of high-performance polypropylene

In this work, PA6/EPDM-MA was added as an impact modifier for high-performance polypropylene (PP) production. PA6/EPDM-MA compounds were processed in an internal mixer, aiming at chemical reaction between maleic anhydride of EPDM-MA and the amine terminal groups of PA6. Afterward, PP/(PA6/EPDM-MA) blends were processed by extrusion and injection molding. Rheological properties were evaluated using torque rheometry; additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Molau test, impact and tensile strengths, Shore D hardness, thermal deflection temperature, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, water absorption, contact angle, and scanning electron microscopy tests were performed in injected specimens. PP/(PA6/EPDM-MA) with 70/(15/15)% displayed quite high increase in impact and elongation at break, with gains of 850% and 265%, compared to neat PP. There were no drastic losses in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and Shore D hardness, due to PA6 addition. A significant increase was seen in the thermal stability of PP/(PA6/EPDM-MA), corroborating the increase in structural stability seen in HDT. SEM images showed high interfacial adhesion between PP and PA6/EPDM-MA corroborating higher mechanical properties. Summing up, PA6/EPDM-MA premix acted as an efficient impact modifier for PP. Acquired data show that P6/EPDM-MA system was effective in developing high-performance PP with potential for application in the automotive and electronics industries.     

Effect of styrene-co-acrylonitrile on cold crystallization and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with small amounts of styrene-co-acrylonitrile (SAN) were prepared by melt blending, and cold crystallization of these mixtures was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. The results suggest that SAN interacts with the amorphous phase of PET, as observed by variations in the glass transition temperature and in the morphology of the blends, analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The addition of 1% SAN promoted a significant reduction in the crystallization rate of PET, in a manner similar to that of an antinucleating agent. However, the crystallinity of the PET/SAN blends was comparable with that of neat PET; hence, mechanical properties were only slightly affected. Kinetic parameters were determined using Avrami theory; Avrami plots presented a nonlinear behavior at the end of crystallization, indicating that cold crystallization proceeds in two stages. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Use of crosslinking agent to produce high-performance PLA/EVA blends via reactive processing

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most currently investigated polymers due to its production from renewable sources and biodegradability. Being a brittle polymer, PLA has low toughness, limiting its use for commercial applications. Therefore, the present work aims to produce PLA blends, using the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), dynamically vulcanized with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a crosslinking agent. A 70/30 mixture of PLA/EVA was produced with 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 phr DCP. The produced blends were characterized by torque rheometry, melt flow index (MFI), gel content, thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Tensile properties, impact strength, heat deflection temperature (HDT), and blends morphologies (SEM) were also studied. The presence of increased dynamically vulcanized systems with added DCP was verified through torque rheometry, MFI, and gel content. Substantial increases in the impact strength and elongation at break were observed in PLA/EVA/DCP, providing super-tough materials at 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 phr of DCP, with impact strengths of 829.5, 860.3, and 890.2 J/m and elongation at break of 138.5, 146.8, and 120.4%, respectively. These results are promising when compared with engineering polymers and blends. This is probably due to in situ compatibilizer PLA-g-EVA, which resulted in a homogeneous morphology as evidenced by SEM images.