Silicon releasing sol-gel TiO2-SiO230/70 films

TiO₂-SiO₂30/70 mol% sol-gel films were prepared on glass slides by a dip-coating method. The sols were prepared by a two-step hydrolysis process, where either the Si- or Ti-sol was prehydrolyzed before mixing the sols together. The acidity of the prehydrolyzed sol was varied. The surface structure and composition of formed films were characterized by contact angle meter, atomic force microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The silicon dissolution was performed in tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer. The films were able to release silicon and the surface chemistry of films was dependent on the preparation method. The prehydrolysis of Si-sol and aging of mixed sol increased surface silica concentration of the formed films. The surface morphology was dependent on the preparation method so that through Si-sol prehydrolysis it was possible to make rougher nanosurfaces with needle-like particles.     

G.hn: The New ITU-T Home Networking Standard

Several wired in-home networking technologies are currently available to consumers, although most of them were designed to cope with only one type of home wiring and are not interoperable with each other. In 2006 ITU-T started a standardization project called G.hn for a unified next generation networking technology, operating over all types of in-home wiring (phone line, power line, coaxial cable, and Cat-5 cable). ITU-T Recommendation G.9960, consented in December 2008, is the G.hn foundation: it specifies network architecture, most of the PHY, and some aspects of the MAC. The complete Recommendation is expected within 2009. Besides residential premises, G.hn is intended for small/home offices and public places such as multiple dwelling units, hotels, and conference rooms. This article gives an overview of G.hn technology focusing on the main principles used to build a single transmission scheme for multiple types of wires.     

Opportunities of effective integration of EDI for small businesses in the automotive industry

The efficiency gains from electronic data interchange (EDI) for the auto-manufacturers are well documented in current literature, but the subcontractors often being coerced into using EDI have received less attention. Thus, this study tries to better understand the EDI use and its evolution by small partners in a network structure of dyadic relationships where large partners may dominate. The model developed in this study shows that small businesses, often operating as suppliers for larger companies, could benefit in many ways from EDI through more extensive business integration with their own and their partners' value chains or an expanded customer base. Our empirical findings indicate that usually small businesses have used EDI in a way that was originally established by their principal, but they have not used the additional opportunities. We analyzed the reasons for this and developed both, organizational and technological means for small businesses to solve the problems and more fully utilize the possibilities offered by these information technologies.     

Current status of flexible waveguides for IR laser radiationtransmission

Minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is the preferred method for performing medical operations today due to its lower cost, fast healing, and minimal post-operative pain and discomfort to the treated patients. It is rapidly expanding with the development and miniaturization of two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) endoscopic imaging systems. Laser surgery has also proved itself to be a preferred tool of operation over standard tools in a lot of the cases. Development of a reliable flexible fiber or waveguide will enable surgeons to bring the laser beam transcendoscopically within body cavities. It will combine the endoscopy technique with the advantageous laser interaction with tissue to create a powerful surgical tool which will be the ultimate choice of operating procedure. A number of research groups have suggested flexible waveguides for the mid-IR region between 2.5 and 11 μm, which contains very important and useful laser wavelengths and is not covered by silica fibers. The chief goals for the development of such delivery devices are summarized. The different solutions suggested are broadly described and thoroughly analyzed for their performance and potential     

The nature and location of SEBS–MA compatibilizer in polyethylene–wood flour composites

A maleic-anhydride-grafted styrene–ethylene—butylene–styrene (SEBS–MA) triblock copolymer has been used as a compatibilizer in low-density polyethylene–wood flour (LDPE–WF) composite system. The location of compatibilizer was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The unsaturated parts of the copolymer were stained with osmium tetraoxide (OsO₄) to enhance contrast between the different phases. TEM micrographs indicated that part of the compatibilizer was located at the interface between the wood particles and PE matrix and that wood was also stained by the OsO₄. The nature of the interface between the wood surface and the SEBS–MA was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated that MA reacts with wood through esterification and hydrogen bonding and also possibly through interaction between the styrene and wood. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 201–209, 1998     

European Consumers' Perceptions of Time–Temperature Indicators in Food Packaging

Food quality is an essential aspect of the food industry. Time–temperature indicator (TTI) technology has the capability to provide information on temperature fluctuations that temperature‐sensitive food products have undergone. However, the adoption of the TTI technology in the consumer market has yet to materialize despite the many benefits that TTIs bring to food manufacturers, retailers and consumers. One of the reasons for this could be the general lack of knowledge regarding consumers' perceptions of TTIs. The aim of this study is to understand the consumers' knowledge, interest and perceptions of TTIs. To reach this aim, 16 focus group discussions and a quantitative survey were conducted in four European countries (Finland, Greece, France and Germany) during May–October 2012. Consumers' views on both the TTI technology concept and two commercially available TTI applications were studied. The results of the study show that consumers in all countries appreciate and understand TTI technology and associate differing benefits with it, especially so in warmer countries. On the other hand, the studied applications did not meet all consumers' expectations implying the need for further work to enable TTIs to gain a wider acceptance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capturing the User Mindset – Using the Online Research Community Method in Packaging Research

The rapid development of Web 2.0 technology has enabled new types of online research methods. The collective intelligence of online communities or ‘crowds’ can be harnessed to contribute actively to bodies of knowledge, work or value by means of crowdsourcing. This paper presents a case study of using a crowd‐based research method, more specifically, an online research community (ORC) for collecting information, user experiences and ideas from a community of packaging users. We will discuss the benefits, challenges and opportunities that the method offers to packaging research. A total of 137 participants were recruited to a closed online platform, with 86 of them as active participants. The discussion topics and tasks were pre‐determined by the researchers, and new topics were introduced daily over a period of 13 days. The discussions were moderated in order to keep them on topic and to propose additional questions when required. The platform suited well for gathering user information, feedback and insights on various packaging designs and development topics. The case study also demonstrated that the ORC method can provide valuable insights on usability, packaging communication, consumer behaviour and user experiences. The research yielded rich data, even on such a complex issue as the relation of packaging to food loss prevention. The method can be employed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from a crowd. However, answers provided by individual participants may remain less grounded and less rich in detail than those elicited with other qualitative methods, such as interviews or focus groups. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toughening effect of cellulose nanowhiskers on polyvinyl acetate: Fracture toughness and viscoelastic analysis

The toughening effect of cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) on modified polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was analyzed with the help of morphology, relaxation, and creep behavior. The CNWs together with bound moisture at the matrix/whisker interfaces resulted in significant improvement in resistance to crack initiation and propagation. The magnitude of plastic deformation of the nanocomposites was higher than that of the neat PVAc. The relaxation temperature decreased, while the width of the damping peak increased with increasing CNW and moisture contents. The results from creep modeling showed that the instantaneous elastic modulus first increased and then decreased with the addition of CNWs, while the time‐dependent elasticity and viscosity decreased. The results suggested that the reinforcing effect of the CNWs was overwhelmed by the plasticizing effect of the bound moisture. Furthermore, low concentrations of CNWs significantly improved the fracture toughness of PVAc at the minor cost of strength, stiffness, and creep resistance. In this article, we present a novel approach to studying the toughening effect of CNWs on polymers using fracture tests and viscoelastic modeling. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Ultrasound evaluation of mechanical injury of bovine knee articular cartilage under arthroscopic control

A local cartilage injury can trigger development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Surgical methods have been developed for repairing cartilage injuries. Objective and sensitive methods are needed for planning an optimal surgery as well as for monitoring the surgical outcome. In this laboratory study, the feasibility of an arthroscopic ultrasound technique for diagnosing cartilage injuries was investigated. In bovine knees (n = 7) articular cartilage in the central patella and femoral sulcus was mechanically degraded with a steel brush modified for use under arthroscopic control. Subsequently, mechanically degraded and intact adjacent tissue was imaged with a high frequency (40 MHz) intravascular ultrasound device operated under arthroscopic guidance. After opening the knee joint, mechanical indentation measurements were also conducted with an arthroscopic device at each predefined anatomical site. Finally, cylindrical osteochondral samples were extracted from the measurement sites and prepared for histological analysis. Quantitative parameters, i.e., reflection coefficient (R), integrated reflection coefficient (IRC), apparent integrated backscattering (AIB), and ultrasound roughness index (URI) were calculated from the ultrasound signals. The reproducibilities (sCV %) of the measurements of ultrasound parameters were variable (3.7% to 26.1%). Reflection and roughness parameters were significantly different between mechanically degraded and adjacent intact tissue (p < 0.05). Surface fibrillation of mechanically degraded tissue could be visualized in ultrasound images. Furthermore, R and IRC correlated significantly with the indentation stiffness. The present results are encouraging; however, further technical development of the arthroscopic ultrasound technique is needed for evaluation of the integrity of human articular cartilage in vivo.     

Immunologic evaluations during prolonged and chronic hepatitis. Significance for diagnosis and prognosis. 100 cases]

This retrospective study illustrates the valuable contribution of immunological studies carried out during the third month of hepatitis. The persistence of HBs antigen at this stage of the disease considerably increases the risk of chronic hepatitis though not necessarily implying progression to cirrhosis. The latter should be feared if there is a marked increase in gamma globulins and in the presence of a high level of anti-smooth muscle and antinuclear antibodies. Amongst the other immunological features, an increase in IgA and IgM also indicates the possibility of progression from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis. Comparative study in chronic active hepatitis of HBs antigen and various antibodies indicates essentially three types: - CAH with Ag HBs without auto-antibodies - Auto-immune CAH without Ag HBs - CAH without auto-antibodies nor Ag HBs. Progression to cirrhosis appears to be less frequent in the first group than in the second.