Optimizing size and distribution of voids in phenolic resins through the choice of catalyst types

Phenolics are widely used for over a century in different industries due to their chemical resistance and thermomechanical properties. However, the presence of voids in phenolic resins has negative effects on the mechanical properties and a conventional approach is to avoid these by utilizing very long cure cycles. Our alternative approach investigates the tailoring of void size and distribution to achieve a better balance between processing time and mechanical properties. Therefore, we produced phenolic resin with a void-free microstructure by a long cure cycle as a reference. To alter the void size and distributions, we utilized different catalysts and a short cure cycle to obtain phenolic resins and test their flexural properties with respect to the reference. We investigated the fracture surfaces of all materials by SEM, FTIR and compared results to finite element modeling that confirmed the effects of different void size and distributions on the mechanical properties. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Applied Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48249.     

How and for whom are decision aids effective? Long-term psychological outcome of a randomized controlled trial in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

Objective: The current study evaluates the long-term psychological impact of a decision aid intervention for surgical and systemic treatment in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer from a previous reported randomized, controlled trial (Vodermaier et al., 2009). Methods: Patients (n = 111) were randomized into usual care, or a 20-min decision aid intervention plus an information brochure prior to consultation planning with the senior physician. The retention rate at 1 year was 88%. Results: Linear mixed model analyses demonstrated that the intervention group experienced less decisional conflict (p = .047; d = .19), which was driven by perceptions of a more effective choice (p = .029; d = .20) over time. Subgroup analyses revealed that patients in the intervention group who participated in chemotherapy decision making showed better long-term body image outcomes (p = .009; d = .44), which were mediated by reduced depressive coping (p = .049). No effects emerged for anxiety and depressive symptoms, or for quality of life. Internal health locus of control moderated group effects on 'uncertainty with the decision' (p = .003). Conclusions: The study results provide novel evidence on the role of individual differences and the mechanisms behind decision aid effectiveness, and demonstrate the long-term impact of decision aid interventions on some indices of well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mixing in tangentially crossing microchannels

In this study, we have demonstrated that effective mixing can be achieved in simple and regular crossing channels. The dynamical processes combining split‐and‐recombine and chaotic mixing elements of stretching and folding were discussed. In channels with simple turns (up/down/right/left), flow could be stretched; on the other hand, tangential crossings could yield folding. Theoretically, repeating stretching and folding then result in the increase of interfacial area and decrease of striation thickness which facilitate the eventual mixing by diffusion. Practically, the structural sequence of turning and/or crossing affects the performance of the mixing. Three types of micromixers were studied, and the simulated performance was favorably compared with the published data. Experiments were carried out to qualitatively demonstrate the typical performance in the mixers. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Generalised capacity curves for stability and plasticity: Application and limitations

In recent decades, the resistance of a structure has been thought of as well defined by the outcome of a geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis with explicitly modelled imperfections (GMNIA). But when this is the only analysis that is performed on a complex structural system, it is sometimes difficult to interpret the result. The outcome must be seen in the context of those from simpler analyses, which can define appropriate reference quantities.     

Social competence of adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with severe deprivation history: I. An individual approach": Correction to Kalcher-Sommersguter et al. (2011).

Reports an error in "Social competence of adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with severe deprivation history: I. An individual approach" by Elfriede Kalcher-Sommersguter, Signe Preuschoft, Karl Crailsheim and Cornelia Franz (Developmental Psychology, 2011[Jan], Vol 47[1], 77-90). Table 4 (p. 86) contained an error. The development of stationary vicinity for LD (late deprived) chimpanzees is misstated as ns. However, the difference is highly significant as p = .008. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-00627-005.) Early social deprivation in highly social mammals interferes with their varying needs for security and stimulation. Toleration of social stimulation was studied in 18 adult ex-laboratory chimpanzees, who had been deprived for 16 to 27 years, during their 1st year after resocialization into 1 of 3 social groups. For this, a model of social competence was developed with 5 grades of social stimulation. The chimpanzees were classified as either early deprived (EDs; M = 1.2 years) or late deprived (LDs; M = 3.6 years) according to their age at entering the laboratory. EDs did not differ significantly from LD chimpanzees in the first 3 grades of social stimulation (i.e., the toleration of stationary vicinity, initiation of brief sociopositive contacts and gentle social play). LDs, however, clearly exceeded EDs in the 4th and 5th grade of social stimulation (i.e., their engagement in allogrooming and their toleration of passive close proximity). Furthermore, LDs showed greater social initiative in changing a social situation and had more expanded grooming networks compared with EDs. Moreover, in LDs and ED females, but not in ED males, toleration of stationary vicinity increased from the 1st to the 2nd year of group living. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

BiFeO3-synthesis,characterization and its photocatalytic activity towards doxorubicin degradation from water

Pure bismuth ferrite was successfully obtained through the thermolysis of new bismuth ferrioxalate coordination compound, namely BiFe(C₂O₄)₃·3H₂O. The synthesized precursor was characterized by chemical analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The bismuth ferrite obtained after a heating treatment of the precursor for at 450–800?°C/1?h was investigated by X-ray diffraction, FE-SEM, TEM and HRTEM. The obtained pure bismuth ferrite nanoparticles (480?°C) was tested as photocatalyst towards the degradation of doxorubicin (DOX), a well-known anti-cancer drug commonly used for the treatment of various cancer types, which has been detected in hospital effluent water. The comparative results of DOX degradation through photolysis and photocatalysis under UV irradiation showed a great photocatalytic activity of bismuth ferrite towards DOX degradation and mineralization from water. The kinetics aspects were discussed based on the first-order kinetics model that fitted the best the experimental photocatalysis results.     

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in pork and beef using the VIDAS® LMO2 automated enzyme linked immunoassay method

Listeria (L.) monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen, is known to be a possible contaminant of foods during production and processing. Samples (n=985) of raw meat and by-products obtained from beef and pork were first screened by the VIDAS system for the presence of Listeria spp., followed by testing for the presence of L. monocytogenes. Positive L. monocytogenes results were confirmed by plating on selective agars: 14% of the samples were positive for Listeria and 4% tested positive for L. monocytogenes, of which 3% were confirmed on selective agars. In by-products (17%) the contamination with listeriae was higher than in meat cuts (10%). Only samples strongly positive for Listeria spp. by VIDAS were positive for L. monocytogenes. Overall, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in beef and pork samples was rather low in comparison to most previous studies. The VIDAS system was shown to be a suitable method for screening out Listeria-negative samples; the main advantage being a markedly reduced assay time.