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Mass Ratio (mass + ratio)
Kinds of Mass Ratio Selected AbstractsAnalysis of poly(amidoamine)-succinamic acid dendrimers by slab-gel electrophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 15 2005Xiangyang Shi Abstract Ethylenediamine (EDA)-core poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) succinamic acid dendrimers (Ex.SAH, where x refers to the generation) were synthesized and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), potentiometric acid-base titration, and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Various generations (E1.SAH,E7.SAH) PAMAMs and a succinamic acid terminated core-shell tecto(dendrimer) (E5(E3.SAH)n) were first analyzed by PAGE. PAGE results show that the relative mobilities of generation,2 to generation,7 dendrimers decreased with the increasing number of generations. The molecular mass of a generation,5 core generation,3 shell tecto(dendrimer) (denoted as E5(E3.SAH)n) was determined to be between the Mw of E6.SAH and E7.SAH. CZE analysis allowed the evaluation of electrophoretic properties of given-generation dendrimers. The electrophoretic mobilities of individual generations PAMAM polyanions are similar, indicating that the separation mainly depends on their approximately identical charge/mass ratio. The E5(E3.SAH)n tectodendrimer had a lower electrophoretic mobility, which was consistent with its lower charge/mass ratio. The combination of PAGE and CZE analysis provides an alternative and effective way to characterize this group of PAMAM-succinamic acid dendrimers. [source] Dimensional analysis of the earthquake-induced pounding between adjacent structuresEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 7 2009Elias Dimitrakopoulos Abstract In this paper the dynamic response of two and three pounding oscillators subjected to pulse-type excitations is revisited with dimensional analysis. Using Buckingham's ,-theorem the number of variables that govern the response of the system is reduced by three. When the response is presented in the dimensionless ,-terms remarkable order emerges. It is shown that regardless of the acceleration level and duration of the pulse all response spectra become self-similar and follow a single master curve. This is true despite the realization of finite duration contacts with increasing durations as the excitation level increases. All physically realizable contacts (impacts, continuous contacts, and detachments) are captured via a linear complementarity approach. The study confirms the existence of three spectral regions. The response of the most flexible among the two oscillators amplifies in the low range of the frequency spectrum (flexible structures); whereas, the response of the most stiff among the two oscillators amplifies at the upper range of the frequency spectrum (stiff structures). Most importantly, the study shows that pounding structures such as colliding buildings or interacting bridge segments may be most vulnerable for excitations with frequencies very different from their natural eigenfrequencies. Finally, by applying the concept of intermediate asymptotics, the study unveils that the dimensionless response of two pounding oscillators follows a scaling law with respect to the mass ratio, or in mathematical terms, that the response exhibits an incomplete self-similarity or self-similarity of the second kind with respect to the mass ratio. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Particle swarm optimization of TMD by non-stationary base excitation during earthquakeEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 9 2008A. Y. T. Leung Abstract There are many traditional methods to find the optimum parameters of a tuned mass damper (TMD) subject to stationary base excitations. It is very difficult to obtain the optimum parameters of a TMD subject to non-stationary base excitations using these traditional optimization techniques. In this paper, by applying particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm as a novel evolutionary algorithm, the optimum parameters including the optimum mass ratio, damper damping and tuning frequency of the TMD system attached to a viscously damped single-degree-of-freedom main system subject to non-stationary excitation can be obtained when taking either the displacement or the acceleration mean square response, as well as their combination, as the cost function. For simplicity of presentation, the non-stationary excitation is modeled by an evolutionary stationary process in the paper. By means of three numerical examples for different types of non-stationary ground acceleration models, the results indicate that PSO can be used to find the optimum mass ratio, damper damping and tuning frequency of the non-stationary TMD system, and it is quite easy to be programmed for practical engineering applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Optimum multiple tuned mass dampers for structures under the ground acceleration based on the uniform distribution of system parametersEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 5 2003Chunxiang Li Abstract The five MTMD models, with natural frequencies being uniformly distributed around their mean frequency, have been recently presented by the first author. They are shown to have the near-zero optimum average damping ratio (more precisely, for a given mass ratio there is an upper limit on the total number, beyond which the near-zero optimum average damping ratio occurs). In this paper, the eight new MTMD models (i.e. the UM-MTMD1,UM-MTMD3, US-MTMD1,US-MTMD3, UD-MTMD1 and UD-MTMD2), with the system parameters (mass, stiffness and damping coefficient) being, respectively, uniformly distributed around their average values, have been, for the first time here, proposed to seek for the MTMD models without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio. The structure is represented by the mode-generalized system corresponding to the specific vibration mode that needs to be controlled. Through minimization of the minimum values of the maximum dynamic magnification factors (DMF) of the structure with the eight MTMD models (i.e. through the implementation of Min.Min.Max.DMF), the optimum parameters and values of Min.Min.Max.DMF for these eight MTMD models are investigated to evaluate and compare their control performance. The optimum parameters include the optimum mass spacing, stiffness spacing, damping coefficient spacing, frequency spacing, average damping ratio and tuning frequency ratio. The six MTMD models without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio (i.e. the UM-MTMD1,UM-MTMD3, US-MTMD1, US-MTMD2 and UD-MTMD2) are found through extensive numerical analyses. Likewise, the optimum UM-MTMD3 offers the higher effectiveness and robustness and requires the smaller damping with respect to the rest of the MTMD models in reducing the responses of structures subjected to earthquakes. Additionally, it is interesting to note, by comparing the optimum UM-MTMD3 with the optimum MTMD-1 recently investigated by the first author, that the effectiveness and robustness for the optimum UM-MTMD3 is almost identical to that for the optimum MTMD-1 (without inclusion of the optimum MTMD-1 with the near-zero optimum average damping ratio). Recognizing these performance benefits, it is preferable to employ the optimum UM-MTMD3 or the optimum MTMD-1 without the near-zero optimum average damping ratio, when installing the MTMD for the suppression of undesirable oscillations of structures under earthquakes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trade-offs in low-light CO2 exchange: a component of variation in shade tolerance among cold temperate tree seedlingsFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2000M. B. Walters Abstract 1.,Does enhanced whole-plant CO2 exchange in moderately low to high light occur at the cost of greater CO2 loss rates at very-low light levels? We examined this question for first-year seedlings of intolerant Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera, intermediate Betula alleghaniensis, and tolerant Ostrya virginiana and Acer saccharum grown in moderately low (7·3% of open-sky) and low (2·8%) light. We predicted that, compared with shade-tolerant species, intolerant species would have characteristics leading to greater whole-plant CO2 exchange rates in moderately low to high light levels, and to higher CO2 loss rates at very-low light levels. 2.,Compared with shade-tolerant A. saccharum, less-tolerant species grown in both light treatments had greater mass-based photosynthetic rates, leaf, stem and root respiration rates, leaf mass:plant mass ratios and leaf area:leaf mass ratios, and similar whole-plant light compensation points and leaf-based quantum yields. 3.,Whole-plant CO2 exchange responses to light (0·3,600 µmol quanta m,2 s,1) indicated that intolerant species had more positive CO2 exchange rates at all but very-low light (< 15 µmol quanta m,2 s,1). In contrast, although tolerant A. saccharum had a net CO2 exchange disadvantage at light > 15 µmol quanta m,2 s,1, its lower respiration resulted in lower CO2 losses than other species at light < 15 µmol quanta m,2 s,1. 4.,Growth scaled closely with whole-plant CO2 exchange characteristics and especially with integrated whole-plant photosynthesis (i.e. leaf mass ratio × in situ leaf photosynthesis). In contrast, growth scaled poorly with leaf-level quantum yield, light compensation point, and light-saturated photosynthetic rate. 5.,Collectively these patterns indicated that: (a) no species was able to both minimize CO2 loss at very-low light (i.e. < 15 µmol quanta m,2 s,1) and maximize CO2 gain at higher light (i.e. > 15 µmol quanta m,2 s,1), because whole-plant respiration rates were positively associated with whole-plant photosynthesis at higher light; (b) shade-intolerant species possess traits that maximize whole-plant CO2 exchange (and thus growth) in moderately low to high light levels, but these traits may lead to long-term growth and survival disadvantages in very-low light (< 2·8%) owing, in part, to high respiration. In contrast, shade-tolerant species may minimize CO2 losses in very-low light at the expense of maximizing CO2 gain potential at higher light levels, but to the possible benefit of long-term survival in low light. [source] Structural biomass partitioning in regrowth and undisturbed mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa): implications for bioenergy usesGCB BIOENERGY, Issue 1 2010R. JAMES ANSLEY Abstract Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) which grows on grasslands and rangelands in southwestern USA may have potential as a bioenergy feedstock because of existing standing biomass and regrowth potential. However, regrowth mesquite physiognomy is highly different from undisturbed mesquite physiognomy and little is known regarding growth rates and structural biomass allocation in regrowth mesquite. We compared canopy architecture, aboveground biomass and relative allocation of biomass components in regrowth (RG) trees of different known ages with undisturbed (UD) trees of similar canopy height to each RG age class. RG trees in most age classes (2,12 years old) had greater canopy area, leaf area, basal stem number, twig (<0.5 cm diameter) mass and small stem (0.5,3 cm diameter) mass than UD trees of the same height. Large stem (>3 cm diameter) mass was similar between RG and UD trees in all height classes. Ages of UD trees were determined after harvest and further comparisons were made between age, canopy structure and biomass in RG and UD trees. Relationships between age and total mass, age and height, and age and canopy area indicated a faster growth rate in RG than in UD trees. Large stem mass as a percentage of total tree mass accumulated more rapidly with age in RG than UD trees. Leaf area index and leaf : twig mass ratio were maintained near 1 in all RG and UD trees. Regrowth potential may be one of the most important features of mesquite in consideration as a bioenergy feedstock. [source] Pulse Pressure Determinants in Chronic Hemodialysis PatientsHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003V Kovacic Introduction: Hypertension contributes to the cardiovascular morbidity in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis therapy (PCHD). Pulse pressure (PP) was recognized as a correlate of mortality in PCHD. In order to demonstrate determinants of predialysis and postdialysis PP values in a group of PCHD, we conducted this study. Subjects and methods: Study subjects were 23 PCHD. Study time was 15 months. One hundred thirty six single hemodialysis (HD) treatments were processed. PP was computed as systolic-diastolic blood pressure (mmHg). Statistical methods used were Student's t test for independent data, multivariate analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, and forward stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: Postdialysis and predialysis PPs differed significantly (65.51 ± 19.00 vs. 60.55 ± 19.35, p = 0.002). We did not find gender differences in PP before and after HD. PP before HD was in negative correlation with phosphorus concentration (r = , 0.244, p = 0.002), parathyroid hormone (PTH)(r = , 0.177, p = 0.020), hemoglobin (r = , 0.301, p < 0.001), single HD duration (r = , 0.162, p = 0.030), ultrafiltration rate per HD (r = , 0.290, p = 0.001), years on the chronic hemodialysis treatment (r = , 0.261, p = 0.001) and ultrafiltration volume/dry body mass ratio (UF/W)(r = , 0.222, p = 0.005) and in positive concentration with weekly erythropoietin (r = 0.391, p < 001) and age (r = 0.285, p < 0.001). PP after HD was in significant negative correlation with phosphorus concentration (r = , 0.205, p = 0.009), PTH (r = , 0.187, p = 0.015), hemoglobin (r = , 0.238, p = 0.005), ultrafiltration per HD (r = , 0.370, p < 0.001), dry body mass index (r = , 0.225, p = 0.003), years of the chronic hemodialysis treatment (r = 0.330, p < 0.001), UF/W (r = , 0.340, p < 0.001) and in positive concentration with weekly erythropoietin (r = 0.361, p < 0.001) and age (r = 0.227, p = 0.004). Multiple regression analyses unveiled the strongest and negative correlations between PP after HD and UF/W ratio (, = , 0.41, p < 0.001). The strongest, but positive correlation was found between PP before HD and erythropoietin per week (, = 0.51, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Determinants of the pre/post PP values are similar. Ultrafiltration is a strong predictor of postdialysis PP value. [source] Vertical dynamic response of a rigid foundation embedded in a poroelastic soil layerINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 11 2009Y. Q. Cai Abstract A simplified analytical method is presented for the vertical dynamic analysis of a rigid, massive, cylindrical foundation embedded in a poroelastic soil layer. The foundation is subjected to a time-harmonic vertical loading and is perfectly bonded to the surrounding soil in the vertical direction. The soil underlying the foundation base is represented by a single-layered poroelastic soil based on rigid bedrock while the soil at the side of the foundation is modeled as an independent poroelastic layer composed of a series of infinitesimally thin layers. The behavior of the soil is governed by Biot's poroelastodynamic theory and its governing equations are solved by the use of Hankel integral transform. The contact surface between the foundation base and the soil is smooth and fully permeable. The dynamic interaction problem is solved following standard numerical procedures. The accuracy of the present solution is verified by comparisons with the well-known solutions obtained from other approaches for both the elastodynamic interaction problem and poroelastodynamic interaction problem. Numerical results for the vertical dynamic impedance and response factor of the foundation are presented to demonstrate the influence of nondimensional frequency of excitation, soil layer thickness, poroelastic material parameters, depth ratio and mass ratio on the dynamic response of a rigid foundation embedded in a poroelastic soil layer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Thermodynamic study of wet cooling tower performanceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2006V. D. Papaefthimiou Abstract An analytical model was developed to describe thermodynamically the water evaporation process inside a counter-flow wet cooling tower, where the air stream is in direct contact with the falling water, based on the implementation of the energy and mass balance between air and water stream describing thus, the rate of change of air temperature, humidity ratio, water temperature and evaporated water mass along tower height. The reliability of model predictions was ensured by comparisons made with pertinent experimental data, which were obtained from the literature. The paper elaborated the effect of atmospheric conditions, water mass flow rate and water inlet temperature on the variation of the thermodynamic properties of moist air inside the cooling tower and on its thermal performance characteristics. The analysis of the theoretical results revealed that the thermal performance of the cooling tower is sensitive to the degree of saturation of inlet air. Hence, the cooling capacity of the cooling tower increases with decreasing inlet air wet bulb temperature whereas the overall water temperature fall is curtailed with increasing water to air mass ratio. The change of inlet water temperature does not affect seriously the thermal behaviour of the cooling tower. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Preparation of quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan and its capacity to flocculate COD from printing wastewaterJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Zhao-Sheng Cai Abstract A bioflocculant, quaternized carboxymethyl chitosan (QCMC), was developed by the quaternization of N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (N,O-CMC) and characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, GPC, and potentiometry. The efficiency of the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in printing wastewater by this flocculant was further reported. Results indicated that the capacity of QCMC to remove the COD from tested wastewater was the best one among the investigated flocculants. The pH had great influence on this capacity and the suitable pH for QCMC to treat the tested wastewater was about 5.0. The utilization of aid-flocculant, especially bentonite, could improve this capacity obviously, and the increase of mass ratio of bentonite to QCMC resulted in the increase of the capacities of complex flocculant to remove the COD from the tested wastewater. When the mass ratio of bentonite to QCMC was 40, pH of wastewater was 5.0 and amount of complex flocculant in the wastewater was from 2500 to 3142 mg L,1, the removal ratio of COD was more than 80%. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Effect of morphology on the electric conductivity of binary polymer blends filled with carbon blackJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Zhongbin Xu Abstract Several carbon black (CB)-filled binary polymer blends were prepared in Haake rheometer. Distribution states of CB and effect of morphology on the electric conductivity of different ternary composites were investigated. Under our experimental condition CB particles located preferentially at the interface between polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polypropylene (PP) in PMMA/PP/CB composites, in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) phase in PP/HDPE/CB composites, and in Nylon6 (PA6) phase in polystyrene (PS)/PA6/CB, PP/PA6/CB, PMMA/PA6/CB, and polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/PA6/CB composites; the ternary composites in which CB particles locate at the interface of two polymer components have the highest electric conductivity when the mass ratio of the two polymers is near to 1 : 1. The ternary composites in which CB particles located preferentially in one polymer have the highest electric conductivity usually when the amount of the polymer component having CB particles is comparatively less than the amount of the polymer component not having CB particles; if the formulations of PS/PA6/CB, PP/PA6/CB, and PMMA/PA6/CB composites equaled and PA6/CB in them is in dispersed phase, PS/PA6/CB composites have the highest electric conductivity and PP/PA6/CB composites have the lowest electric conductivity; suitable amount of PS or PAN in PA6/CB composites increase the electric conductivity due in the formation of a parallel electrocircuit for electrons to transmit. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007 [source] Synthesis and properties of carboxymethyl cellulose- graft -poly(acrylic acid- co -acrylamide) as a novel cellulose-based superabsorbentJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Aili Suo Abstract A new cellulose-based superabsorbent polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose- graft -poly(acrylic acid- co -acrylamide), was prepared by the free-radical grafting solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomers onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in the presence of N,N,-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker with a redox couple of potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite as an initiator. The influences of reaction variables such as the initiator content, crosslinker content, bath temperature, molar ratio of AA to AM, and weight ratio of the monomers to CMC on the water absorbency of the carboxymethylcellulose- graft -poly(acrylic acid- co -acrylamide) copolymer were investigated. The copolymer's structures were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimum reaction conditions were obtained as follows: the bath temperature was 50°C; the molar ratio of AA to AM was 3 : 1; the mass ratio of the monomers to CMC was 4 : 1; and the weight percentages of the crosslinker and initiator with respect to the monomers were 0.75 and 1%, respectively. The maximum water absorbency of the optimized product was 920 g/g for distilled water and 85 g/g for a 0.9 wt % aqueous NaCl solution. In addition, the superabsorbent possessed good water retention and salt resistance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1382,1388, 2007 [source] Beneficial effect of enalapril in spontaneously hypertensive rats cardiac remodeling with nitric oxide synthesis blockadeJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 4 2002R. L. de Andrade Zorzi Abstract Aims. To study the efficiency of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on the blood pressure (BP) and the myocardium remodeling when spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) are submitted to nitric oxide synthesis (NOs) blockade (with L-NAME) and simultaneously treated. Methods. Young adult male SHRs were separated in four groups (n = 5) and treated for 20 days: Control, L-NAME, L-NAME+Enalapril, and Enalapril. The alterations of the BP, heart mass/body mass ratio and stereological parameters for myocytes, connective tissue and intramyocardial vessels were studied among the groups. Results. The SHRs with NOs blockade showed a great modification of the myocardium with extensive areas of reparative and interstitial fibrosis and accentuated hypertrophy of the cardiac myocytes (cross sectional area 60% higher in animals taking L-NAME than in Control SHRs). Comparing the SHRs with NO deficiency (L-NAME group), the Control SHRs and the Enalapril treated SHRs significant differences were found in the BP and in all stereological parameters. The NO deficiency caused an important BP increment in SHRs that was partially attenuated by Enalapril. This Enalapril effect was more pronounced in Control SHRs. A significant increment of the intramyocardial vessels was observed in NO deficient SHRs and Control SHRs treated with Enalapril demonstrated by the stereology (greater microvascular densities in treated SHRs). Conclusion. Enalapril administration showed a beneficial effect on vascular remodeling and myocardial hypertrophy in SHRs. In SHRs with NO blockade, however, the beneficial effect of Enalapril occurred only in vascular remodeling. [source] Magnetic Fingerprint Powder from a Mineral Indigenous to ThailandJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 5 2010Thatsanee Thonglon B.Sc. Abstract:, A study was conducted to investigate whether natural magnetite (Fe3O4), which is an abundant mineral in Thailand, could be used as a magnetic powder in the detection of latent fingerprints. Because of the presence of impurities, powdered magnetite is only weakly attracted by a magnet and cannot be used as a magnetic fingerprint powder by itself. Mixing a small amount of magnetite powder with nickel powder greatly enhances the magnetic attraction. A mixture of magnetite powder and nickel powder in a mass ratio of approximately 1:100 was found to be suitable for use as a magnetic fingerprint powder. Fingerprints developed using the magnetite/nickel mixture on nonporous surfaces were found to exhibit good adherence and clarity. Using an automated fingerprint identification system, the number of minutiae detected in fingerprints developed by using the prepared powder on nonporous surfaces was found to be comparable to those detected in fingerprints developed by using a commercial black magnetic powder. The cost is lowered by more than 60%. [source] Electrostatic-induced interfacial assembly of enzymes with nanosheets: Controlled orientation and optimized activityAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 10 2010Zhe An Abstract In this work, an electrostatic-induced interfacial assembly of porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) with the nanosheets of layered double hydroxide (LDHNSs) is designed to rationally control the orientation of bound PPL. The PPL orientation in the bidimensional confinement spacing alters relying on the PPL loading, with the majority of active sites facing the LDH layer at low PPL loading and facing the adjacent protein molecule at high PPL loading. The biocatalytic activity of the bound PPL significantly depends on its orientation. Remarkable enhancement of the bio-activity has been observed when the PPL/LDHNSs mass ratio is less than 9, and a maximum activity is met with at PPL/LDHNSs = 0.5. In addition, the thermal stability of PPL-LDHNSs bioactivity has been obviously improved in comparison with soluble PPL. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] A combined loop-SPE method for the automated preparation of [11C]doxepinJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 4 2002R. Iwata Abstract A simple and versatile loop-solid phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the automated preparation of [11C]doxepin, a histamine H1 receptor antagonist, from [11C]methyl triflate ([11C]MeOTf). This labeling agent was passed through a Teflon or Tefzel loop coated internally with a film of the precursor solution. The reaction products were then flushed from the loop to a short SPE column, where they were concentrated and then injected onto a semi-preparative HPLC column simply by switching an injection valve. By applying this combined loop-SPE technique the whole procedure turned out to be easily automated. The formation of [11C]methylated doxepin ([11C]methyldoxepin) was observed and the ratio of doxepin to methyldoxepin was found to be clearly correlated with the mass ratio of nordoxepin to MeOTf. This observation highlights the importance of [11C]MeOTf specific activity in the [11C]methylation of secondary amines. Using this method, [11C]Doxepin was prepared in over 40% radiochemical yield from high specific activity [11C]MeOTf. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ZrW2O8,ZrO2 Continuous Functionally Graded Materials Fabricated by In Situ Reaction of ZrO2 and WO3JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2010Li Sun ZrO2 powder and ZrO2+WO3 powder mixture were stacked, cocompacted, and cosintered in a cylindrical die, the processing steps commonly used to fabricate multilayer materials. The soak duration and the mass ratio among layers in the processing have been varied to yield a wide range of final sintered samples. At appropriate soak durations, the sintered samples resulted in continuous functionally graded materials (FGMs) made of ZrW2O8 and ZrO2. In other words, instead of the expected discrete, multiple-layered materials, the resulting samples are characterized by the axially, continuously varying physical properties. The continuous FGM structure is formed by several mechanisms: the balance between the reaction of ZrO2 and WO3 and the decomposition of ZrW2O8, as well as the sublimation and diffusion of WO3. The continuous FGMs can be utilized to reduce the thermal stress induced from a thermal gradient loading within a material system. This study shows that the processing steps typically used for multilayer FGMs can also be used to create continuous FGMs for some special material combinations. [source] Superhydrophobic Mats of Polymer-Derived Ceramic FibersJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2008Sourangsu Sarkar Solid preceramic polyaluminasilazane was synthesized through the reaction between liquid cyclosilazane and aluminum tri-sec-butoxide at 160°C. Electrospinning of polyaluminasilazane/polyethyleneoxide (1/0.0001 mass ratio) in chloroform solutions generated smooth fibers while the electrospun fibers from the chloroform/N,N -dimethylformamide solutions had submicrometer structures on the fiber surfaces. Smooth and rough SiCNO ceramic fibers were obtained by the pyrolysis of the green fibers with an 80% yield. Superhydrophobic mats of ceramic fibers were fabricated via a chemical vapor deposition of perfluorosilane onto the rough fibers. These superhydrophobic mats possess good chemical and thermal stability. [source] Phase behaviour of microemulsions with lubricant base oil as the oil phaseLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009Ya Lu Abstract Appropriate surfactants and co-surfactants were chosen to prepare a microemulsion system with lubricant base oil as the oil phase. The phase behaviour of the microemulsion at different temperatures and at different oil/water mass ratios was assessed on the basis of conductivity measurements. Microemulsions and a bi-continuous microstructure were obtained when the oil/water mass ratio was below 0.33. An analysis of the conductivity behaviour of the microemulsions revealed that different conductive mechanisms are operative at different water contents. Activation energies (,E) were determined. The results showed that ,E increases with increasing water content. The data and the derived relationship provided a basis for preparing metalworking microemulsions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Blending Chitosan with Polycaprolactone: Porous Scaffolds and ToxicityMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 9-10 2007Aparna R. Sarasam Abstract The preparation and characterization of porous scaffolds from chitosan-PCL blends by freeze extraction, freeze gelation and freeze drying is reported. Using freeze extraction, stable structures were obtained only from PCL, but these were not porous. No stable scaffolds were obtained using the freeze gelation process. Stable scaffolds of chitosan/PCL mixtures could not be obtained using 77% acetic acid by any of these techniques. With 25% aqueous acetic acid, stable scaffolds of chitosan/PCL mixtures were obtained by the freeze drying technique. The stability and pore morphology of freeze dried scaffolds were dependent on the relative mass ratio of chitosan and PCL. A chorioallantoic membrane assay showed that formed 3D chitosan/PCL mixtures were not toxic to vasculature. [source] One-Pot Fabrication of Supramolecular Polymer Particles via Situ Polymerization Stringed Assembly of a Two-Monomer MicroemulsionMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 4 2006Yongxin Wang Abstract Summary: A novel method, situ polymerization stringed assembly (SPSA), is proposed to prepare stable solid or hollow supramolecular polymer particles, which are assembled by numerous nanoparticles. By this method, the fabrication of primary nanoparticles (poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA), the linkers (polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP, chains) between the nanoparticles, and the final assembled solid or hollow particles could be achieved in just one-pot by methyl methacrylate (MMA)/N -vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) microemulsion polymerization under UV irradiation. The structures of the supramolecular particles can be changed from solid to hollow by tuning the mass ratio of MMA/NVP in the microemulsion. AFM, TEM, and SEM experiments are performed to identify the results. AFM image of the PMMA/PVP solid particles obtained from the photopolymerization of the microemulsion containing 20 wt.-% MMA, 10 wt.-% NVP, and 5,×,10,2 wt.-% BP. [source] Heat shock protein 101 effects in A. thaliana: genetic variation, fitness and pleiotropy in controlled temperature conditionsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2008S. J. TONSOR Abstract The Hsp100/ClpB heat shock protein family is ancient and required for high temperature survival, but natural variation in expression and its phenotypic effects is unexplored in plants. In controlled environment experiments, we examined the effects of variation in the Arabidopsis cytosolic AtHsp101 (hereafter Hsp101). Ten wild-collected ecotypes differed in Hsp101 expression responses across a 22 to 40 °C gradient. Genotypes from low latitudes expressed the least Hsp101. We tested fitness and pleiotropic consequences of varying Hsp101 expression in ,control' vs. mild thermal stress treatments (15/25 °C D/N vs. 15/25° D/N plus 3 h at 35 °C 3 days/week). Comparing wild type and null mutants, wt Columbia (Col) produced ~33% more fruits compared to its Hsp101 homozygous null mutant. There was no difference between Landsberg erecta null mutant NIL (Ler) and wt Ler; wt Ler showed very low Hsp101 expression. In an assay of six genotypes, fecundity was a saturating function of Hsp101 content, in both experimental treatments. Thus, in addition to its essential role in acquired thermal tolerance, Hsp101 provides a substantial fitness benefit under normal growth conditions. Knocking out Hsp101 decreased fruit production, days to germination and days to bolting, total dry mass, and number of inflorescences; it increased transpiration rate and allocation to root mass. Root : total mass ratio decayed exponentially with Hsp101 content. This study shows that Hsp101 expression is evolvable in natural populations. Our results further suggest that Hsp101 is primarily an emergency high-temperature tolerance mechanism, since expression levels are lower in low-latitude populations from warmer climates. Hsp101 expression appears to carry an important trade-off in reduced root growth. This trade-off may select for suppressed expression under chronically high temperatures. [source] Life in the last lane: star formation and chemical evolution in an extremely gas rich dwarfMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008Ayesha Begum ABSTRACT We present an analysis of H i, H, and oxygen abundance data for NGC 3741. This galaxy has a very extended gas disc (,8.8 times the Holmberg radius), and a dark-to-luminous (i.e. stellar) mass ratio of ,149, which makes it one of the ,darkest' dwarf irregular galaxies known. However, its ratio of baryon (i.e. gas + stellar) mass to dark mass is typical of that in galaxies. Our new high-resolution H i images of the galaxy show evidence for a large-scale (purely gaseous) spiral arm and central bar. From our H i data, a rotation curve can be derived out to ,37,44 disc scalelengths in the J and B bands, respectively. This is just slightly short of the radius at which one would expect a Navarro,Frenk,White type rotation curve to start falling. The galaxy has an integrated star formation rate (SFR) of ,0.0034 M, yr,1, while the average SFR within the optical disc is ,0.0049 M, yr,1 kpc,2. Despite the gaseous spiral feature and the ongoing star formation, we find that the global gas density in NGC 3741 is significantly lower than the Toomre instability criterion. This is consistent with the behaviour seen in other dwarf galaxies. We also find that the SFR is consistent with that expected from the observed correlations between H i mass and SFR and the global Kennicutt,Schmidt law, respectively. We measure the oxygen abundance to be 12 + log(O/H) = 7.66 ± 0.10, which is consistent with that expected from the metallicity,luminosity relation, despite its extreme gas mass ratio. We also examine the issue of chemical evolution of NGC 3741 in the context of the closed-box model of chemical evolution. The effective oxygen yield of NGC 3741 is consistent with recent model estimates of closed-box yields, provided one assumes that the gas has been efficiently mixed all the way to the edge of the H i disc (i.e. greater than eight times the optical radius). This seems a priori unlikely. On the other hand, using a sample of galaxies with both interferometric H i maps and chemical abundance measurements, we find that the effective yield is anticorrelated with the total dynamical mass, as expected in leaky box models. [source] Stellar haloes and elliptical galaxy formation: origin of dynamical properties of the planetary nebula systemsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Kenji Bekki ABSTRACT Recent spectroscopic observations of planetary nebulae (PNe) in several elliptical galaxies have revealed structural and kinematical properties of the outer stellar halo regions. In order to elucidate the origin of the properties of these planetary nebula systems (PNSs), we consider the merger scenario in which an elliptical galaxy is formed by merging of spiral galaxies. Using numerical simulations, we particularly investigate radial profiles of projected PN number densities, rotational velocities and velocity dispersions of PNSs extending to the outer halo regions of elliptical galaxies formed from major and unequal-mass merging. We find that the radial profiles of the project number densities can be fitted to the power law and the mean number density in the outer haloes of the ellipticals can be more than an order of magnitude higher than that of the original spiral's halo. The PNSs are found to show a significant amount of rotation (V/, > 0.5) in the outer halo regions (R > 5Re) of the ellipticals. Two-dimensional velocity fields of PNSs are derived from the simulations and their dependences on model parameters of galaxy merging are discussed in detail. We compare the simulated kinematics of PNSs with that of the PNS observed in NGC 5128 and thereby discuss advantages and disadvantages of the merger model in explaining the observed kinematics of the PNS. We also find that the kinematics of PNSs in elliptical galaxies are quite diverse depending on the orbital configurations of galaxy merging, the mass ratio of merger progenitor spirals and the viewing angle of the galaxies. This variation translates directly into possible biases by a factor of 2 in observational mass estimation. However, the biases in the total mass estimates can be even larger. The best case systems viewed edge-on can appear to have masses lower than their true mass by a factor of 5, which suggests that current observational studies on PN kinematics of elliptical galaxies can significantly underestimate their real masses. [source] An improved model for contraction of dark matter haloes in response to condensation of baryonsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Marios Kampakoglou ABSTRACT The cooling of gas in the centres of dark matter haloes is expected to lead to a more concentrated dark matter distribution. The response of dark matter to the condensation of baryons is usually calculated using the model of adiabatic contraction, which assumes spherical symmetry and circular orbits. Following Gnedin et al., we improve this model by modifying the assumed invariant from M(r)r to , where r and are the current and orbit-averaged particle positions. We explore the effect of the bulge in the inner regions of the halo for different values of the bulge-to-disc mass ratio. We find that the bulge makes the velocity curve rise faster in the inner regions of the halo. We present an analytical fitting curve that describes the velocity curve of the halo after dissipation. The results should be useful for dark matter detection studies. [source] A non-main-sequence secondary in SY CancriMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2005Robert Connon Smith ABSTRACT Simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of the Z Cam type dwarf nova SY Cancri were used to obtain absolute flux calibrations. A comparison of the photometric calibration with a wide-slit spectrophotometric calibration showed that either method is equally satisfactory. A radial velocity study of the secondary star, made using the far-red Na i doublet, yielded a semi-amplitude of K2= 127 ± 23 km s,1. Taking the published value of 86 ± 9 km s,1 for K1 gives a mass ratio of q=M2/M1= 0.68 ± 0.14; this is very different from the value of 1.13 ± 0.35 quoted in the literature. Using the new lower mass ratio, and constraining the mass of the white dwarf to be within reasonable limits, then leads to a mass for the secondary star that is substantially less than would be expected for its orbital period if it satisfied a main-sequence mass,radius relationship. We find a spectral type of M0 that is consistent with that expected for a main-sequence star of the low mass we have found. However, in order to fill its Roche lobe, the secondary must be significantly larger than a main-sequence star of that mass and spectral type. The secondary is definitely not a normal main-sequence star. [source] On the properties of young multiple starsMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2004E. J. Delgado-Donate ABSTRACT We present numerical results on the properties of young binary and multiple stellar systems. Our analysis is based on a series of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) +N -body simulations of the fragmentation of small molecular clouds, which fully resolve the opacity limit for fragmentation. These simulations demonstrate that multiple star formation is a major channel for star formation in turbulent flows. We have produced a statistically significant number of stable multiple systems, with component separations in the range ,1,103 au. At the end of the hydrodynamic stage (0.5 Myr), we find that ,60 per cent of stars and brown dwarfs are members of multiples systems, with about a third of these being low-mass, weakly bound outliers in wide eccentric orbits. Our results imply that in the stellar regime most stars are in multiples (,80 per cent) and that this fraction is an increasing function of primary mass. After N -body integration to 10.5 Myr, the percentage of bound objects has dropped to about 40 per cent, this decrease arising mostly from very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs that have been released into the field. Brown dwarfs are never found to be very close companions to stars (the brown dwarf desert at very small separations), but one case exists of a brown dwarf companion at intermediate separations (10 au). Our simulations can accommodate the existence of brown dwarf companions at large separations, but only if the primaries of these systems are themselves multiples. We have compared the outcome of our simulations with the properties of real stellar systems as deduced from the infrared colour,magnitude diagram of the Praesepe cluster and from spectroscopic and high-resolution imaging surveys of young clusters and the field. We find that the spread of the observed main sequence of Praesepe in the 0.4,1 M, range appears to require that stars are indeed commonly assembled into high-order multiple systems. Similarly, observational results from Taurus and , Ophiuchus, or moving groups such as TW Hydrae and MBM 12, suggest that companion frequencies in young systems can indeed be as high as we predict. The comparison with observational data also illustrates two problems with the simulation results. First, low mass ratio (q < 0.2) binaries are not produced by our models, in conflict with both the Praesepe colour,magnitude diagram and independent evidence from field binary surveys. Secondly, very low-mass stars and brown dwarf binaries appear to be considerably underproduced by our simulations. [source] Substellar companions and isolated planetary-mass objects from protostellar disc fragmentationMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2003W. K. M. Rice ABSTRACT Self-gravitating protostellar discs are unstable to fragmentation if the gas can cool on a time-scale that is short compared with the orbital period. We use a combination of hydrodynamic simulations and N -body orbit integrations to study the long-term evolution of a fragmenting disc with an initial mass ratio to the star of Mdisc/M*= 0.1. For a disc that is initially unstable across a range of radii, a combination of collapse and subsequent accretion yields substellar objects with a spectrum of masses extending (for a Solar-mass star) up to ,0.01 M,. Subsequent gravitational evolution ejects most of the lower mass objects within a few million years, leaving a small number of very massive planets or brown dwarfs in eccentric orbits at moderately small radii. Based on these results, systems such as HD 168443 , in which the companions are close to or beyond the deuterium burning limit , appear to be the best candidates to have formed via gravitational instability. If massive substellar companions originate from disc fragmentation, while lower-mass planetary companions originate from core accretion, the metallicity distribution of stars which host massive substellar companions at radii of ,1 au should differ from that of stars with lower mass planetary companions. [source] Superhumps, magnetic fields and the mass ratio in AM Canum VenaticorumMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2003K. J. Pearson ABSTRACT We show that the observed K velocities and periodicities of AM CVn can be reconciled given a mass ratio q, 0.22 and a secondary star with a modest magnetic field of surface strength B, 1 T. We see that the new mass ratio implies that the secondary is most likely semidegenerate. The effect of the field on the accretion disc structure is examined. The theory of precessing discs and resonant orbits is generalized to encompass higher order resonances than 3 : 2 and shown to retain consistency with the new mass ratio. [source] On the evolution of the nova-like variable AE AquariiMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002P. J. Meintjes Abstract A possible evolution for the enigmatic cataclysmic variable AE Aquarii is considered that may put into context the long orbital period and short white dwarf rotation period compared with other DQ Her systems. It has been shown that mass transfer could have been initiated when the secondary KIV,V star was already somewhat evolved when it established Roche lobe contact. In this initial phase the orbital period of the system was probably Porb,i, 8.5 h, and the white dwarf rotation period P*,i > 1 h. Mass transfer in the form of diamagnetic gas blobs will result in an initial discless accretion process, resulting in an efficient drain of the binary orbital angular momentum. Since the initial mass ratio of the binary was probably qi, 0.8, a high mass transfer rate and a slow expansion of the Roche lobe of the secondary star followed, accompanied by a fast expanding secondary following the mass loss. This could have resulted in the KIV,V secondary flooding its Roche surface, causing a run-away mass transfer of that lasted for approximately , during which time the binary expanded to an orbital period of approximately Porb, 11 h. During this phase the mass accretion rate on to the surface of the white dwarf most probably exceeded the critical value for stable nuclear burning , which could have resulted in AE Aqr turning into an ultrasoft X-ray source. The high mass transfer terminated when a critical mass ratio of qcrit= 0.73 was reached. Disc torques spun-up the white dwarf to a period close to 33 s within the time-scale before the high mass transfer shut down when qcrit was reached. The decrease in the mass loss of the secondary allowed it to re-establish hydrostatic equilibrium on the dynamical time-scale (fraction of a day). From this point when qcrit is reached the mass transfer and binary evolution proceed at a slower rate since mass transfer from the secondary star is driven by magnetic braking of the secondary on a time-scale , which is the same as the thermal time-scale tth, 6.3 × 107 yr, i.e. the time-scale on which the secondary shrinks to restore its perturbed thermal equilibrium after the high mass loss. The significantly lower mass transfer in this phase will result in mass ejection from the system. This propeller,ejector action erodes the rotational kinetic energy of the white dwarf, channelling it into mass ejection and non-thermal activity, which explains the non-thermal outbursts that are observed at radio wavelengths and occasionally also at TeV energies. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||