Mode of crosslinking of degradable poly(vinylpyridine N-oxide) gels

The degradation mechanism of gels from poly(vinylpyridine N-oxide) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, C, H, N analysis, infra-red spectroscopy and degradability tests. It was found that poly(2-vinyl pyridine N-oxide) gels, regardless of the persulphate initiator used, were weaker than poly(4-vinyl pyridine N-oxide) gels. C, H, N analysis and infra-red spectroscopy indicated that the initiator becomes an integral part of the gels. A mechanism for the formation of the gels is proposed.     

Poly(ether sulfonamide)s with glycidyl pendant units

SUMMARY High molecular weight poly (ether sulfonamide) has been prepared by condensation of 4,4'-dichlorosulfonyldiphenylether with ethylenediamine. The reaction of potassium salt of poly (ether sulfonamide) with epichlorohydrin gives the corresponding N-glycidiyl derivative in yield as high as 98%. The resulting polymer offers many functionalization possibilities through ring opening of the oxirane units. Also the glycidiyl bearing polymer may act as multifunctional post-crosslinking agent for polymers carrying hydroxy, amino or carboxyl groups. Received: 16 February 1998/Revised version: 4 May 1998/Accepted: 7 May 1998     

Review of free software tools for image analysis of fluorescence cell micrographs

An increasing number of free software tools have been made available for the evaluation of fluorescence cell micrographs. The main users are biologists and related life scientists with no or little knowledge of image processing. In this review, we give an overview of available tools and guidelines about which tools the users should use to segment fluorescence micrographs. We selected 15 free tools and divided them into stand‐alone, Matlab‐based, ImageJ‐based, free demo versions of commercial tools and data sharing tools. The review consists of two parts: First, we developed a criteria catalogue and rated the tools regarding structural requirements, functionality (flexibility, segmentation and image processing filters) and usability (documentation, data management, usability and visualization). Second, we performed an image processing case study with four representative fluorescence micrograph segmentation tasks with figure‐ground and cell separation. The tools display a wide range of functionality and usability. In the image processing case study, we were able to perform figure‐ground separation in all micrographs using mainly thresholding. Cell separation was not possible with most of the tools, because cell separation methods are provided only by a subset of the tools and are difficult to parametrize and to use. Most important is that the usability matches the functionality of a tool. To be usable, specialized tools with less functionality need to fulfill less usability criteria, whereas multipurpose tools need a well‐structured menu and intuitive graphical user interface.     

Polypropylene/silica micro‐ and nanocomposites modified with poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)

The effects of different silica loadings and elastomeric content on interfacial properties, morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/silica 96/4 composites modified with 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol % of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) SEBS added to total composite volume were investigated. Four silica fillers differing in size (nano‐ vs. micro‐) and in surface properties (untreated vs. treated) were chosen as fillers. Elastomer SEBS was added as impact modifier and compatibilizer at the same time. The morphology of ternary polymer composites revealed by light and scanning electron microscopies was compared with morphology predicted models based on interfacial properties. The results indicated that general morphology of composite systems was determined primarily by interfacial properties, whereas the spherulitic morphology of polypropylene matrix was a result of two competitive effects: nucleation effect of filler and solidification effect of elastomer. Tensile and impact strength properties were mainly influenced by combined competetive effects of stiff filler and tough SEBS elastomer. Spherulitic morphology of polypropylene matrix might affect some mechanical properties additionally. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41486.     

Coherence and fragmentation of landscape patterns as characterized by correlograms: A case study of Estonia

The homogenization and fragmentation of landscapes caused by intensive management is an increasing problem worldwide. Therefore, there is need for development of methods that help to improve sustainable management and maintain the identity of landscapes. We proposed that landscape coherence is the similarity between soil pattern (potential landscape) and land use intensity (actual landscape), which may be investigated by means of correlograms. We studied the spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) of raster format soil maps and land use maps (1:10,000; 10 m pixel size) in 35 study areas representing all landscape regions in Estonia. Various soil characteristics were taken into consideration in compiling the scale of contrast of 17 soil groups, whereas 19 land use types were ordered according to the intensity of human influence. We use a simple characteristic based on correlograms: a half-value distance lag, h_I = 0.5, a distance where Moran's I equals 0.5. According to the value of h_I = 0.5, in till-covered areas, the landscape structure is more fragmented in uplands than in lowlands. We found two study areas where the soil pattern was coherent with land use intensity, and detected a tendency that human influence makes the landscape pattern in uplands more homogeneous and in lowlands more heterogeneous, whereas the similarity between landscape patterns in lowlands and uplands is increasing due to human influence. This concept of coherence helps planners and decision makers to determine the optimal land use in landscapes by either reducing or increasing the fragmentation of the landscape pattern.     

Statistical thermal stability of PVC

Experimental design was used to optimize the processing parameters for the decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride). Factorial design and face centered composite design (FCC) were applied to determine the optimum conditions. A total of 10 g PVC powder was mixed with different amounts of zinc stearate (ZnSt₂) and natural zeolite and tested for thermal stability. Factorial fitted model was explained by first order pattern due to the significant main effect regression constants, and FCC model was described by second order model owing to higher order polynomial coefficients. FCC design was superior to factorial design as FCC considers not only its pure quadratic effects contribution but also its higher overall desirability for thermal stability of PVC. For factorial design the optimum conditions were determined as 163.06 mg for ZnSt₂, 399.99 mg for zeolite, and 140°C for temperature with desirability of 0.933. However, 400 mg for ZnSt₂, 333.24 mg for zeolite, and 140°C for temperature with desirability of 0.956 were obtained as the optimum conditions by FCC design. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of Nitric Acid “Washing” Procedure on Electrochemical Behavior of Carbon Nanotubes and Glassy Carbon μ-Particles

The electroanalytic performances of glassy carbon paste electrode (GCPE), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-GCPE and double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT)-GCPE, which include HNO₃ washed/unwashed materials, were compared by monitoring cyclic voltammograms of potassium ferricyanide and catechol. Electrodes were prepared by introducing proper amount of DWCNT and MWCNT into GCPE. First untreated materials (DWCNT, MWCNT, GC μ-particles) were used in the electrodes and then HNO₃-treated materials were utilized for comparing difference in electrochemical performances. The effect of treatment procedure was also examined by applying Raman spectroscopy to treated and untreated materials. Moreover, TEM images were obtained for further investigation of MWCNT and DWCNT.     

改性羰基铁粉制备及其在蓝光固化磁控超疏水薄膜中的应用

针对超疏水涂层膜在固化过程中功能性颗粒的不受控运动以及传统的热固化能耗高、耗时长的缺点,通过对羰基铁粉进行改性,并将磁控技术和蓝光固化技术相结合构筑超疏水薄膜。分析改性剂质量比、用量、pH值以及温度对羰基铁粉改性效果的影响,确定最佳改性工艺;研究了磁场强度对光固化薄膜表面接触角以及形貌的影响规律。结果表明:当改性剂3-(甲基丙烯酰氧)丙基三甲氧基硅烷与1H,1H,2H,2H-全氟葵基三甲氧基硅烷质量比为1:3,质量分数为20%,pH值为6,温度为75 ℃,时间为1.5 h时,羰基铁粉表面改性效果最佳,其活化度达到96%,Zeta电位绝对值由22 mV提高至43 mV;随着磁感应强度的增加,薄膜表面接触角不断增加,当磁感应强度为75 mT时,超疏水薄膜的表面接触角达到157.6°,滚动角为6°,符合超疏水标准。     

蓝莓-蓝靛果复合冻干粉贮藏期品质及加工特性

研究蓝莓-蓝靛果复合果粉在不同贮藏温度（4、25、37 ℃）及相对湿度（relative humidity,Hr）（43%、75%、95%）下贮藏12 周内玻璃化转变温度（Tg）、亮度、抗氧化能力及抗氧化物质含量的变化规律,并对其贮藏过程中的粉体行为进行表征。结果表明：相比于其他贮藏条件,25 ℃、Hr 43%（Tg降低4.62 ℃）和4 ℃、Hr 75%（水分质量分数上升4.2%）条件下复合果粉贮藏12 周后在基本理化指标方面表现较佳;在对抗氧化物质含量和抗氧化能力影响方面,随贮藏时间延长,不同条件处理组总酚和总黄酮含量以及抗氧化能力下降;在对花色苷含量影响方面,与贮藏前相比,25 ℃、Hr 43%条件下贮藏12 周后6 种花色苷及总花色苷降解量最低（总花色苷含量（72.56 mg/g）降低了23.92%）,4 ℃、Hr 75 %条件下贮藏12 周后总花色苷含量保留率较高;在加工特性方面,25 ℃、Hr 43%及4 ℃、Hr 75 %条件下贮藏12 周后样品的流动性保持较好。综上表明4 ℃、Hr 75%和25 ℃、Hr 43%的环境利于复合果粉贮藏。     

Backscattered electron SEM imaging of cells and determination of the information depth

Backscattered electron imaging of HT29 colon carcinoma cells in a scanning electron microscope was studied. Thin cell sections were placed on indium‐tin‐oxide‐coated glass slides, which is a promising substrate material for correlative light and electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of HT29 colon carcinoma cells was imaged without poststaining by exploiting the high chemical sensitivity of backscattered electrons. Optimum primary electron energies for backscattered electron imaging were determined which depend on the section thickness. Charging effects in the vicinity of the SiO₂ nanoparticles contained in cell sections could be clarified by placing cell sections on different substrates. Moreover, a method is presented for information depth determination of backscattered electrons which is based on the imaging of subsurface nanoparticles embedded by the cells.