Optimization of anodic oxidation and Cu–Cr oxide catalyst preparation on structured aluminum plates processed by electro discharge machining

This paper describes the optimization of three processes applied in fabrication of a microstructured reactor for complete oxidation of volatile organic compounds. The first process involves the optimization of the electro discharge machining (EDM) method to produce a set of microchannels with a high length to diameter ratio of 100, with a standard deviation from the average diameter below 0.2%, and with a surface roughness not higher than 2.0 μm. To satisfy these criteria, fabrication of microchannels must be carried out with two machining passes in the Al51st alloy. Then, the effect of several parameters on the anodization current efficiency with respect to oxide formation was studied. The best process conditions to get a 30 μm porous alumina layer in a 0.4 M oxalic acid electrolyte, were found to be a temperature of 1 °C, an anodic current density of 5 mA/cm², and 23 h oxidation time. At last, the resulting coatings were impregnated with an aqueous solution of copper dichromate followed by drying and calcination at 450 °C to produce active catalysts. The effect of a copper dichromate concentration, number of impregnation cycles (1 or 2), and different after-treatments on catalytic activity and stability in complete oxidation of n-butane were studied. The catalytic activity of the obtained coatings is superior to that of alumina supported pelletized catalysts even at much lower loadings of active metals.     

Influence of fission products on ruthenium oxidation and transport in air ingress nuclear accidents

In separate effect tests at 1000–1200 °C Ru oxidation rate and content of Ru in escaping air flow have been studied with special emphasis on effects of other fission product elements on the Ru oxidation and transport. The results showed that in the decreasing temperature section (1100–600 °C) most of the RuO₃ and RuO₄ (≈95%) decomposed and formed RuO₂ crystals; while the partial pressure of RuO₄ in the escaping air was in the range of 10^?6 bar. The re-evaporation of deposited RuO₂ resulted in about 10^?6 bar partial pressure in the outlet gas as well. Measurements demonstrated the importance of surface quality in the decreasing temperature area on the heterogeneous phase decomposition of ruthenium oxides to RuO₂. On the other hand water or molybdenum oxide vapour in air appears to decrease the surface catalyzed decomposition of RuO_x to RuO₂ and increases RuO₄ concentration in the escaping air. High temperature reaction with caesium changed the form of the released ruthenium and caused a time delay in appearance of maximum concentration of ruthenium oxides in the ambient temperature escaping gas, while reaction with barium and rare earth oxides extended Ru escape from the high temperature area.     

Microtubule-associated protein 2 and the organization of cellular microtubules

Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are prominent components of the neuronal cytoskeleton that can promote microtubule formation and whose expression is under strong developmental regulation. They are thought to be involved in organizing the structure of microtubule fascicles in axons and dendrites, although whether they form active cross-links between microtubules or serve as strut-like spacer elements has yet to be resolved. In the experiments reported here we explored their influence on microtubules by expressing them in non-neuronal cells using DNA transfection techniques. We confirm earlier reports that microtubule-associated proteins of the MAP2/tau class can induce bundling of microtubules. In addition we find that MAP2 causes the rearrangement of microtubules in the cytoplasm in a manner that is dependent on the length of the microtubule bundles. Short bundles are straight and run across the cytoplasm whereas long bundles form a marginal band-like array at the periphery. We suggest that the latter arrangement is produced when microtubule bundles that are too long to fit inside the diameter of the cell bend under the restraining influence of the cortical cytoskeleton. In confirmation of this, we show that when the cortical actin network is depolymerized by cytochalasin B the MAP2-containing microtubule bundles push out cylindrical extensions from the cell surface. These results suggest that the induction of stiff microtubules bundles by MAP2, coupled with a breach in the cortical actin network, can confer two of the properties characteristic of neuronal processes; their cylindrical form and the presence of fasciculated microtubules.     

Dopamine axon varicosities in the prelimbic division of the rat prefrontal cortex exhibit sparse immunoreactivity for the dopamine transporter

The dopamine transporter (DAT) critically regulates the duration of the cellular actions of dopamine and the extent to which dopamine diffuses in the extracellular space. We sought to determine whether the reportedly greater diffusion of dopamine in the rat prefrontal cortex (PFC) as compared with the striatum is associated with a more restricted axonal distribution of the cortical DAT protein. By light microscopy, avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunostaining for DAT was visualized in fibers that were densely distributed within the dorsolateral striatum and the superficial layers of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. In contrast, DAT-labeled axons were distributed only sparsely to the deep layers of the prelimbic cortex. By electron microscopy, DAT-immunoreactive profiles in the striatum and cingulate cortex included both varicose and intervaricose segments of axons. However, DAT-labeled processes in the prelimbic cortex were almost exclusively intervaricose axon segments. Immunolabeling for tyrosine hydroxylase in adjacent sections of the prelimbic cortex was localized to both varicosities and intervaricose segments of axons. These qualitative observations were supported by a quantitative assessment in which the diameter of immunoreactive profiles was used as a relative measure of whether varicose or intervaricose axon segments were labeled. These results suggest that considerable extracellular diffusion of dopamine in the prelimbic PFC may result, at least in part, from a paucity of DAT content in mesocortical dopamine axons, as well as a distribution of the DAT protein at a distance from synaptic release sites. The results further suggest that different populations of dopamine neurons selectively target the DAT to different subcellular locations.     

Evaluation of electrochemical properties of antibacterial ZnO layers deposited to 316LVM steel using atomic layer deposition

The presence of a biofilm can lead to the disappearance of the surrounding bone tissue and, as a result, disturb the osseointegration process. Unfortunately, both in the case of instability of the implant and long-term bacterial infections, there is often a need for reoperation as well as replacement of the implant, which in turn is associated with huge costs, but most of all discomfort for the patient associated with long-term hospitalization. In order to limit this unfavorable process, the physicochemical properties of the surface layer of implants are indicated. Therefore, the paper proposes applying a layer with antibacterial effect on the surface of 316LVM steel used in bone surgery. As part of the work, the ZnO layer was applied using the atomic layer deposition method with different parameters of the application process (different number of cycles at constant temperature). In the first stage, pitting corrosion resistance tests were carried out using the potentiodynamic method and studies using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface morphology tests using a scanning electron microscope were also complemented. Obtained results may form the basis for the development of more detailed criteria for the assessment of the final quality of medical devices used in the skeletal system.     

Evaluation of Power Heat Losses in Multidomain Iron Particles Under the Influence of AC Magnetic Field in RF Range

The magnetic properties and hyperthermia effect were studied in a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) containing iron particles of $1 \upmu \mathrm{m}\, \text{ to}\, 5 \,\upmu \mathrm{m}$ in diameter. The measurements showed that the magnetization in the saturation state reaches a value of 171 $\text{ A}\cdot \text{ m}^{2}\cdot \mathrm{kg}^{-1}$ with very small values of coercivity and remanence. They also showed the ferromagnetic behavior in the system together with a value of the magnetic susceptibility of 1.7. Theoretical and experimental results of the calorimetric effect investigation under a changeable magnetic field of high frequency ( $f = 504$ kHz) in an MRF will be presented in the article. The sample was subjected to an alternating magnetic field of different strengths ( $H = 0$ to 4 $\text{ kA}\cdot \text{ m}^{-1})$ . It results from a theoretical analysis that the heat power density (released in the MRF sample) referenced to the eddy current is proportional to the square of frequency, the magnetic field amplitude, and the iron grain diameter. Experimental results indicate that there are some reasons for the released heat energy such as: energy losses from magnetic hysteresis and eddy currents induced in the iron grains. If the magnetic field intensity amplitude grows, the participation of losses connected with magnetic hysteresis is increased. From the calorimetric measurements, the conclusion is as follows: for a magnetic field $H<1946\,\text{ A}\cdot \mathrm{m}^{-1}$ , the eddy current processes dominate in the heat generation mechanism, whereas hysteresis processes for the total release of thermal energy dominate for higher magnetic fields. Both mechanisms take equal parts in heating the tested sample at a magnetic field intensity amplitude $H= 1946\,\text{ A}\cdot \mathrm{m}^{-1}$ . The specific absorption rate referenced to the mass unit of the MRF sample at the amplitude of the magnetic field strength 4 $\text{ kA}\cdot \mathrm{m}^{-1}$ equals 24.94 $\text{ W} \cdot \mathrm{kg}^{-1}$ at a frequency $f$ = 504 kHz.