Excimer formation in uniaxially stretched polymer films

The steady-state fluorescence properties of naphthalene-labeled polymers dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cast films were studied under tensile loadings at 80 degreesC. The labeled polymers were composed of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 1-naphthylmethyl methacrylate (NMMA). Three of the copolymers were used in this work, and the contents of NMMA were 0.59 mol % (CP1), 22.0 mol % (CP2), and 56.7 mol % (CP3), respectively. The fluorescence spectra of the films containing CP1 and CP2were unchanged during elongation. For the film containing CP3, the excited monomer emission of naphthyl groups at around 337 nm decreased with increasing applied tensile strain. The strain enhanced the emission ascribed to the excimer of the naphthyl groups in the region of 390-420 nm. The ratio of fluorescence intensities at 400 nm and 337 mn, I-400/I-337, increased with the applied strain, which indicates that CP3 is a sensitive probe for detecting the structural changes of polymer matrices. The obtained results mean that the excimer-forming sites in the PMMA films during elongation depend both on the applied strain and the concentration of naphthyl groups in the dispersed polymer probes. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Spectrometric investigation on the thermooxidative degradation of ethylene oxide and tetra-hydrofuran co-polyether

The thermooxidative degradtion of ethylene oxide and tetra-hydrofuran (EO-THF) co-polyether has been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The initial degradation site was found to be at the a-carbon of the ether bond. Two free radicals which derived from dehydrogenation and oxygen addition were successfully detected by spin-trapping technique which used alpha -phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone(PBN) as spin trap. Both FT-IR and NMR have been used to follow structural changes of the copolyether during degradation. Nearly 20 product fragments including formate, carbonate, methyl, alcohol, methylene-dioxy, hydroperoxide and semiformal have been characterized by D-1 and D-2 NMR. The thermooxidtion of co-polyether preferred to occur on the THF units especially at the alternating linkage of EO and THF. Antioxidant (BHT) not only retarded the thermooxidation but also modified the degradation products with less ester and methylene-dioxy groups hut more hydroxyl and methyl groups.

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of KNbO3

Linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of KNbO3 in various phases are calculated from their crystal structures. Nonlinear optical tensor coefficients are found to be very sensitive to the atomic geometry, changing as much as 85% between the ferroelectric tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. The predicted principal refractive indices are also found to be sensitive to their structural changes. In the tetragonal phase KNbO3 has the largest NLO responses, in the orthorhombic phase KNbO3 has the relative larger NLO coefficients, and in the rhombohedral structure KNbO3 has the large and homogeneous NLO properties. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

WAXD and SAXS study on gamma-radiation damage to polyamide-1010 crystal structure

In the present work we attempt to settle the controversy on the district wherein the radiation induced reaction preferentially occurs through examining the structural changes of the irradiated polyamide-1010 specimens on both the crystallographic and the supermolecular level by using WAXD and SAXS techniques. Experimental results indicated that the chain crosslinking and scission of the irradiated specimens occur mainly in the amorphous region and on the crystal surface (or interphase), and extend into the inner portion of the crystal with increasing radiation dose.

ESTIMATION OF THE RADIATION-INDUCED DAMAGE IN PTFE BY DEPRESSION OF THE MELTING AND CRYSTALLIZATION TEMPERATURES

The radiation induced depression of the melting and crystallization temperatures of PTFE irradiated at various temperatures followed by heat treatment at 380-degrees-C, and their relationship to structural changes, were investigated. The G(-units) values obtained in this work are different from those of samples which have not undergone heat treatment and seem to be more closely associated with radiation induced branched structures.

XPS STUDY OF RADIATION CROSS-LINKED COPOLYMER OF TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE WITH HEXAFLUOROPROPYLENE

In this work the radiation-induced structural changes in F-46 were studied by XPS. In carbon-1s spectra of a highly crosslinked F-46 sheet, the slight increase observed in relative area under the peak due to CF3 was explained by the radiation-induced scission of polymer chains. The peak at 287.6 eV appearing in the spectra caused by ionizing radiation was attributed to carbon structures without primary fluorine substituents, in both branching and unsaturated structures, while that at 289.3 eV was assigned to = CF groups in mid-chain double bonds.

海洛因成瘾脑灰质密度和结构网络研究

Behavioral and functional imaging studies consistently show that heroin abuse leads to various cognitive impairments, while brain structural changes associated with heroin use remain poorly understood. In the current study, we used voxel-based morphology (VBM), a method sensitive to structural changes of the brain, to investigate the gray concentration in MRI structure images of heroin addicts. Results show that the concentration of the temporal cortex and frontal cortex of heroin users significantly decreased as compared to age/education matched normal controls. Further analysis revealed that this brain structure change was detectable only in the users who had used heroin more than 5 year, but not in the remaining users. These results converge to the abnormality of the brain structure in heroin users and this abnormality is clearly associated with duration of drug use. We then analyzed the large-scale brain structure network in the heroin addicts. As compared to the normal controls, there was significant difference in interregional correlation between the temporal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and frontal cortex. Importantly, two major indices of the small-world properties, Clustering coefficient(Cp) and shortest path length (Lp), which are thought to reflect the local specialty and global integrity, were marginal-significantly larger than the normal controls, especially for Lp. These results suggest that chronic use of heroin results in the reorganization of the brain system. Taken together, this thesis has provided compelling evidence for brain structure impairments in chronic heroin users and further characterized the large-scale brain structure network in the same population.

Automated cross-modal mapping in robotic eye/hand systems using plastic radial basis function networks

Q. Meng and M. H Lee, Automated cross-modal mapping in robotic eye/hand systems using plastic radial basis function networks, Connection Science, 19(1), pp 25-52, 2007.

Biologically inspired automatic construction of cross-modal mapping in robotic eye/hand systems

Q. Meng and M.H. Lee, 'Biologically inspired automatic construction of cross-modal mapping in robotic eye/hand systems', IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2006,) ,4742-49, Beijing, 2006.

Small angle scattering characterisation of micellar systems and templated architectures

The work described in this thesis reports the structural changes induced on micelles under a variety of conditions. The micelles of a liquid crystal film and dilute solutions of micelles were subjected to high pressure CO2 and selected hydrocarbon environments. Using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques the spacing between liquid crystal micelles was measured in-situ. The liquid crystals studied were templated from different surfactants with varying structural characteristics. Micelles of a dilute surfactant solution were also subjected to elevated pressures of varying gas atmospheres. Detailed modelling of the in-situ SANS experiments revealed information of the size and shape of the micelles at a number of different pressures. Also reported in this thesis is the characterisation of mesoporous materials in the confined channels of larger porous materials. Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) were synthesised within the channels of anodic alumina membranes (AAM) under different conditions, including drying rates and precursor concentrations. In-situ small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine the pore morphology of the PMO within the AAM channels. PMO materials were also used as templates in the deposition of gold nanoparticles and subsequently used in the synthesis of germanium nanostructures. Polymer thin films were also employed as templates for the directed deposition of gold nanoparticles which were again used as seeds for the production of germanium nanostructures. A supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) technique was successfully used during the production of the germanium nanostructures.

Cereal products for specific dietary requirements. Evaluation and improvement of technological and nutritional properties of gluten free raw materials and end products

Coeliac disease is one of the most common food intolerances worldwide and at present the gluten free diet remains the only suitable treatment. A market overview conducted as part of this thesis on nutritional and sensory quality of commercially available gluten free breads and pasta showed that improvements are necessary. Many products show strong off-flavors, poor mouthfeel and reduced shelf-life. Since the life-long avoidance of the cereal protein gluten means a major change to the diet, it is important to also consider the nutritional value of products intending to replace staple foods such as bread or pasta. This thesis addresses this issue by characterising available gluten free cereal and pseudocereal flours to facilitate a better raw material choice. It was observed that especially quinoa, buckwheat and teff are high in essential nutrients, such as protein, minerals and folate. In addition the potential of functional ingredients such as inulin, β-glucan, HPMC and xanthan to improve loaf quality were evaluated. Results show that these ingredients can increase loaf volume and reduce crumb hardness as well as rate of staling but that the effect diverges strongly depending on the bread formulation used. Furthermore, fresh egg pasta formulations based on teff and oat flour were developed. The resulting products were characterised regarding sensory and textural properties as well as in vitro digestibility. Scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used throughout the thesis to visualise structural changes occurring during baking and pasta making

Investigation of lactic acid bacteria mediated bioprotection with applications in cereal industry. Case-study: malting process

Antifungal compounds produced by Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolites can be natural and reliable alternative for reducing fungal infections pre- and post-harvest with a multitude of additional advantages for cereal-base products. Toxigenic and spoilage fungi are responsible for numerous diseases and economic losses. This thesis includes an overview of the impact fungi have on aspects of the cereal food chain. The applicability of LAB in plant protection and cereal industry is discussed in detail. Specific case studies include Fusarium head blight, and the impact of fungi in the malting and baking industry. The impact of Fusarium culmorum infected raw barley on the final malt quality was part of the investigation. In vitro infected barley grains were fully characterized. The study showed that the germinative energy of infected barley grains decreased by 45% and grains accumulated 199 μg.kg-1 of deoxynivalenol (DON). Barley grains were subsequently malted and fully characterized. Fungal biomass increased during all stages of malting. Infected malt accumulated 8-times its DON concentration during malting. Infected malt grains revealed extreme structural changes due to proteolytic, (hemi)-cellulolytic and starch degrading activity of the fungi, this led to increased friability and fragmentation. Infected grains also had higher protease and β-glucanase activities, lower amylase activity, a greater proportion of free amino and soluble nitrogen, and a lower β-glucan content. Malt loss was over 27% higher in infected malt when compared to the control. The protein compositional changes and respective enzymatic activity of infected barley and respective malt were characterized using a wide range of methods. F. culmorum infected barley grains showed an increase in proteolytic activity and protein extractability. Several metabolic proteins decreased and increased at different rates during infection and malting, showing a complex F. culmorum infection interdependence. In vitro F. culmorum infected malt was used to produce lager beer to investigate changes caused by the fungi during the brewing processes and their effect on beer quality attributes. It was found, that the wort containing infected malt had a lower pH, a higher FAN, higher β-glucan and a 45% increase in the purging rate, and led to premature yeast flocculation. The beer produced with infected malt (IB) had also a significantly different amino acid profile. IB flavour characterization revealed a higher concentration of esters, fusel alcohols, fatty acids, ketones, and dimethylsulfide, and in particular, acetaldehyde, when compared to the control. IB had a greater proportion of Strecker aldehydes and Maillard products contributing to an increased beer staling character. IB resulted in a 67% darker colour with a trend to better foam stability. It was also found that 78% of the accumulated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in the malt was transferred into beer. A LAB cell-freesupernatant (cfs), produced in wort-base substrate, was investigated for its ability to inhibit Fusarium growth during malting. Wort was a suitable substrate for LAB exhibiting antifungal activity. Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM19280 inhibited 104 spores.mL-1 for 7 days, after 120 h of fermentation, while Lactobacillus reuteri R29 inhibited 105 spores.mL-1 for 7 days, after 48 h of fermentation. Both LAB cfs had significant different organic acid profiles. Acid-base antifungal compounds were identified and, phenyllactic, hydroxy-phenyllactic, and benzoic acids were present in higher concentrations when compared to the control. A 3 °P wort substrate inoculated With L. reuteri R29 (cfs) was applied in malting and successfully inhibited Fusarium growth by 23%, and mycotoxin DON by 80%. Malt attributes resulted in highly modified grains, lower pH, higher colouration, and higher extract yield. The implementation of selected LAB producing antifungal compounds can be used successfully in the malting process to reduce mould growth and mycotoxin production.

The Entrepreneurial Facets as Precursor to Vietnam’s Economic Renovation in 1986

In this research, we aim to develop a conceptual framework to assess the entrepreneurial properties of the Vietnamese reform, known as Doi Moi, even before the kickoff of Doi Moi policy itself. We argued that unlike many other scholars’ assertion, economic crisis and harsh realities were neither necessary nor sufficient conditions for the reform to take place, but the entrepreurial elements and undertaking were, at least for case of Vietnam’s reform. Entrepreneurial process on the one hand sought for structural changes, kicked off innovation, and on the other its induced outcome further invited changes and associated opportunities. The paper also concludes that an assessment of possibility for the next stage of Doi Moi in should take into account the entrepreneurial factors of the economy, and by predicting the emergence of new entrepreneurial facets in the next phase of economic development.

Deformation of stem cell nuclei by nanotopographical cues.

Cells sense cues in their surrounding microenvironment. These cues are converted into intracellular signals and transduced to the nucleus in order for the cell to respond and adapt its function. Within the nucleus, structural changes occur that ultimately lead to changes in the gene expression. In this study, we explore the structural changes of the nucleus of human mesenchymal stem cells as an effect of topographical cues. We use a controlled nanotopography to drive shape changes to the cell nucleus, and measure the changes with both fluorescence microscopy and a novel light scattering technique. The nucleus changes shape dramatically in response to the nanotopography, and in a manner dependent on the mechanical properties of the substrate. The kinetics of the nuclear deformation follows an unexpected trajectory. As opposed to a gradual shape change in response to the topography, once the cytoskeleton attains an aligned and elongation morphology on the time scale of several hours, the nucleus changes shape rapidly and intensely.

Hippocampus shape analysis and late-life depression.

Major depression in the elderly is associated with brain structural changes and vascular lesions. Changes in the subcortical regions of the limbic system have also been noted. Studies examining hippocampus volumetric differences in depression have shown variable results, possibly due to any volume differences being secondary to local shape changes rather than differences in the overall volume. Shape analysis offers the potential to detect such changes. The present study applied spherical harmonic (SPHARM) shape analysis to the left and right hippocampi of 61 elderly subjects with major depression and 43 non-depressed elderly subjects. Statistical models controlling for age, sex, and total cerebral volume showed a significant reduction in depressed compared with control subjects in the left hippocampus (F(1,103) = 5.26; p = 0.0240) but not right hippocampus volume (F(1,103) = 0.41; p = 0.5213). Shape analysis showed significant differences in the mid-body of the left (but not the right) hippocampus between depressed and controls. When the depressed group was dichotomized into those whose depression was remitted at time of imaging and those who were unremitted, the shape comparison showed remitted subjects to be indistinguishable from controls (both sides) while the unremitted subjects differed in the midbody and the lateral side near the head. Hippocampal volume showed no difference between controls and remitted subjects but nonremitted subjects had significantly smaller left hippocampal volumes with no significant group differences in the right hippocampus. These findings may provide support to other reports of neurogenic effects of antidepressants and their relation to successful treatment for depressive symptoms.