Preparation of oriented gold plate/cellulose nanofiber composite films by using TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber as a reducing agent

Microsystem Technologies - TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN) has been drawing much attention as a useful material for preparation of transparent and stiff films or substrates. In this work,...     

Fundamental Optical Absorption Edge of Sputter-Deposited Zirconia and Yttria

Zirconia and yttria films were sputter deposited onto unheated fused silica substrates using a metal target and rare gas-oxygen discharges. Double-beam spectrophotometry was used to measure the transmission and reflection as a function of incident photon energy, E , from which the absorption coefficient, α( E ), was calculated. An indirect interband transition at E _i= 4.70 eV and two direct interband transitions at E _g1= 5.17 eV and E _g2= 5.93 eV occur in monoclinic zirconia. Two direct interband transitions at E _g1= 5.07 eV and E _g2= 5.73 eV occur in cubic yttria. The absorption edge structure is modified when unusual phases, such as tetragonal zirconia, and zirconia and yttria with no longrange crystallographic order, are present.     

38. R&D on hydrogen production by high-temperature electrolysis of steam

One of the objectives of the high-temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR) is to demonstrate the effectiveness of high-temperature nuclear heat utilization, which aims to extend the application of nuclear heat to non-electric fields, especially to hydrogen production. As part of the development of the hydrogen production processes, laboratory-scale experiments of a high-temperature electrolysis of steam (HTES) had been carried out with a practical electrolysis tube with 12 solid-oxide cells connected in series. Using this electrolysis tube, hydrogen was produced at the maximum density of 44 N cm³/cm² h at a electrolysis temperature of 950 °C. Thereafter, to improve hydrogen production performance, a self-supporting planar electrolysis cell with a practical size (80 mm × 80 mm of electrolysis area) was fabricated. In the preliminary electrolysis experiment carried out at 850 °C, the planar cell produced hydrogen at the maximum density of 38 N cm³/cm² h, and the energy efficiency was almost as high as that obtained with the electrolysis tube at 950 °C. However, both electrolysis tubes and planar cells did not keep their integrity in one thermal cycle. Durability of the solid-oxide cell against the thermal cycle is one of the key issues of HTES.     

Identification of naturally isolated Southern Louisiana's algal strains and the effect of higher CO2 content on fatty acid profiles for biodiesel production

BACKGROUND: Microalgae, with both high biomass productivity and oil content, are regarded as attractive candidates for the production of alternative biodiesel as well as for CO₂ biofixation. In the present study, four microalgal strains native to southeastern Louisiana's waters were isolated and identified to evaluate their potential for the production of biodiesel. Selected strains were identified through genomic DNA in sequencing of either 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA genes followed by lipid and fatty acid content characterization and quantification. RESULTS: High correlation was found with known nucleotide sequence identities at 98% with Sellaphora pupula, and 99% with Synechococcus sp., Chlorella sorokiniana, Scenedesmus abundans, and Chlorella vulgaris (control). The fatty acid profiles of these organisms changed when using 5% CO₂ aeration. Total fatty acids (TFA) decreased from 20.63 to 17.62, 54.83 to 24.4, and 29.82 to 23.99 g kg^?1 in Synechococcus sp., Sellaphora pupula and Chlorella sorokiniana, respectively. TFA increased from 14.14 to 31.49 and 15.14 to 47.52 g kg^?1 dry biomass in Scenedesmus abundans and Chlorella vulgaris (control), respectively. CONCLUSION: Chlorella sorokiniana, with a lower C18:3 and the highest biomass yield at 5% CO₂ aeration, was found to be the best candidate for biodiesel production. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The load applied to the foot in a patellar ligament-bearing cast

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a patellar ligament-bearing cast reduces the load applied to a foot in a cast. In a study of ten people who had no history of gait abnormalities, disease involving the motor system, or deformities of the lower extremities, we compared the load applied to the plantar aspect of a foot in a cast (as detected with F-Scan computer-monitored pedobarographic sensors) with the total load that an extremity in a cast receives relative to the ground (as detected with force-plates). Six trials were completed three times by each person. The trials consisted of walking (1) while wearing regular shoes; (2) with a patellar ligament-bearing cast on one leg; (3) with a patellar ligament-bearing cast and an overlying soft knee brace, locked in full extension, on the leg; (4) with only a below-the-knee cast on the leg; (5) with a below-the-knee cast and an overlying knee brace, locked in full extension, on the leg; and (6) with only a knee brace, locked in full extension, on the leg. The loads at peak heel-strike for all three trials were averaged and normalized to body weight. The load on the plantar aspect of the foot, as compared with the total load, was reduced a mean of 11 percent when the patellar ligament-bearing cast was worn alone, and it was reduced a mean of 26 percent when the patellar ligament-bearing cast was used with an overlying knee brace locked in full extension. This difference was significant (p = 0.007). With the numbers available, we could not detect a significant difference between the reduction in load when a patellar ligament-bearing cast was worn alone compared with that when a below-the-knee cast was worn alone or between the reduction when a below-the-knee cast was worn alone compared with that when a below-the-knee cast was used with a knee brace (p = 0.3). In conclusion, we could not demonstrate a significant reduction in the load on the foot when a patellar ligament-bearing cast was used in a traditional fashion; however, a significant (p = 0.007) reduction in load was found when a knee brace locked in full extension was worn in addition to the patellar ligament-bearing cast.     

Photoconductivity of n-type semiconductor nanoparticle-doped poly(N-vinylcarbazole) films

TiO₂, CdS and ZnS nanoparticles that disperse stably in organic solvents are synthesized. Poly(N-vinylcarbazole) films doped with the n-type semiconductor nanoparticles are prepared with a cast method. The films exhibit a transient photocurrent when irradiated by a light pulse and act such as a diode when AC voltage is applied under continuous illumination. The transient photocurrent response and diode-like properties are significantly different depending on the kind of the nanoparticles and their amounts. The films doped with TiO₂ and CdS nanoparticles increase the transient photocurrent at lower doped amounts, which is remarkable for TiO₂-doped films. Time of flight analysis of the transient photocurrent shows that mobility of hole in PVK increases with increase in the amount of CdS and TiO₂. From the studies on the diode-like properties, the current increase at lower dopant concentration is concluded to be due to increase in the amount of holes by an electron transfer from PVK to the photo-excited nanoparticles. At higher doping with CdS nanoparticles, main charge carrier of the films is found to change from holes to electrons.     

Memory codes and episodes in models of word identification: A reply to Johnston, van Santen, and Hale.

Proposes that the activation model of identification benefits for repeated words and pseudowords proposed by J. C. Johnston et al (see record 1986-11005-001) is a variant of the present authors' (see record 1986-03032-001) code/episode model, which was used to explain the temporary and long-lasting effects of repetitions. The X and Y factors of Johnston et al may reflect the operation of episodic memory traces and codification, respectively. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)