Microemulsion-mediated solvothermal synthesis and photoluminescent property of 3D flowerlike MnWO4 micro/nanocomposite structure

Novel three-dimensional (3D) flowerlike MnWO4 micro/nanocomposite structure has been successfully synthesized for the first time. The synthesized products were systematically studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. It is found that both reaction time and temperature have significant effects on the morphology of the products.

Morphology control and luminescence properties of YAG : Eu phosphors prepared by spray pyrolysis

Starting from nitrate aqueous solutions with citric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as additives, Y3Al5O12:Eu (YAG:Eu) phosphors were prepared by a two-step spray pyrolysis (SP) method. The obtained YAG:Eu phosphor particles have spherical shape, submicron size and smooth surface. The effects of process conditions of the spray pyrolysis on the crystallinity, morphology and luminescence properties of phosphor particles were investigated. The emission intensity of the phosphors increased with increasing of sintering temperature and solution concentration due to the increase of the crystallinity and particles size, respectively. Adequate amount of PEG was necessary for obtaining spherical particles, and the optimum emission intensity could be obtained when the concentration of PEG was 0.10 g/ml in the precursor solution. Compared with the YAG:Eu phosphor prepared by citrate-gel (CG) method with non-spherical morphology, spherical YAG:Eu phosphor particles showed a higher emission intensity.

Preparation and characterization of ethylene-propylene copolymer grafted with acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonic acid

Grafting of acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonic acid (ATBS) onto ethylene-polypropylene copolymer (EPM) was carried out by using a reactive processing method. The grafting copolymer was characterized by means of WAXD, FT-IR, ESCA, and DSC. Improved thermal stability was observed for graft copolymer. Effects of the monomer and the initiator concentrations, reactive temperature, and time on grafting degree were investigated. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Effects of forage composition and growing season on methane emission from sheep in the Inner Mongolia steppe of China

Understanding the effects of dietary composition on methane (CH4) production of sheep can help us to understand grassland degradation resulting in an increase of CH4 emission from ruminant livestock and its resulting significance affecting CH4 source/sink in the grazing ecosystem. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of forage composition in the diet of sheep in July and August on CH4 production by sheep in the Inner Mongolia steppe. The four diet treatments were: (1) Leymus chinensis and Cleistogenes squarrosa (LC), (2) Leymus chinensis, Cleistogenes squarrosa and concentrate supplementation (LCC), (3) Artemisia frigida and Cleistogenes squarrosa (AC), and (4) Artemisia frigida, Cleistogenes squarrosa and concentrate supplementation (ACC). CH4 production was significantly lower in July than in August (31.4 and 36.2 g per sheep-unit per day, respectively). The daily average CH4 production per unit of digestive dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased by 10.9, 11.2 and 42.1% for the AC diet compared with the LC diet, respectively. Although concentrate supplementation in both the AC and LC diets increased total CH4 production per sheep per day, it improved sheep productivity and decreased CH4 production by 14.8, 12.5 and 14.8% per unit of DM, OM and NDF digested by the sheep, respectively. Our results suggested that in degraded grassland CH4 emission from sheep was increased and concentrate supplementation increased diet use efficiency. Sheep-grazing ecosystem seems to be a source of CH4 when the stocking rate is over 0.5 sheep-units ha(-1) during the growing season in the Inner Mongolia steppe.

多加工单元并行调度仿真系统

由于计划调度问题本身的复杂性，很难寻求到最优解。从简化问题和满足加工系统实时性的要求，近年来提出各种解法，但由于这些方法的背景和目标不同。使其在性能上很难作出比较，这也正是仿真技术在此方面得到普遍应用的主要原因。该文就此介绍了一个基于多单元的并行仿真系统。

控制热力学条件下的矿物、岩石电学性质研究

电导率是重要的地球物理参数。模拟地球内部条件下的矿物、岩石电导率测量是了解地球内部物质组成及物理化学性质的有效手段，同时，还可以为野外大地电磁测量结果的解释提供依据。在YJ-紧装式六面顶压机上，对原有的矿物、岩石电性测量系统进行了进一步的改进；建立了一套以Solartron 1260阻抗／增益一相位分析仪为测试仪器，使用Mo电极和Mo盾来控制样品氧逸度的测量系统，该系统的氧逸度环境为Mo-MoO2，接近Iw缓冲对。石英（人造水晶）、橄榄石、纯橄榄岩、辉石岩、二辉橄榄岩、巨晶辉石的电导率测量是在新的测量系统下获得的，而辉长岩的电导率测量是基于LCR仪为测量仪器的测试系统下获得的。在压力为1-3GPa、温度为675K-160OK、频率为106-0.1Hz、氧逸度为Mo-MoO2的条件下，对不同方向石英（人造水晶）的电学性质进行了研究。复阻抗平面上出现了反映样品本身性质的阻抗弧和反映样品与电极之间扩散的直线。石英的电导率随温度增加而增加，随压力的变化比较微弱。石英的导电机制主要为离子导电，载流子可能为碱金属离子和氢离子，这些碱金属离子和氢离子主要在平行于光轴的通道中运动。在相同的温度和压力条件下，a石英的电导率和c轴的夹角有关，石英的电导率随着夹角的增大而减小，表现出了强烈的各向异性。对“各个方向石英在发生了相变前后的电导率进行了研究，发现Q石英转变为p石英后，电导率并没有突变，仍然随着温度的增加而增加。在压力为1-2GP。、温度为563-1173K、频率为12-105Hz的条件下研究了辉长岩的阻抗。结果发现辉长岩复阻抗的实部随频率的增加而减小，而虚部随频率增加先增大后减小；相角随频率增加而减小。在复阻抗平面上出现了反映颗粒内部的阻抗弧，该阻抗弧出现在高频段。实验室获得辉长岩在地壳的压力和温度（1.0GP。和893K）条件下的电导率值为1.77×-4S／m，而高导层的电导率值为0-01-0-15S／m，二者相差了2-3个数量级，推断辉长岩不能在下地壳形成高导层。在压力为3.0GPa、温度为1299-1600K、频率为106-0.1Hz、氧逸度为Mo-MoO2条件下，对不同颗粒粒度的橄榄石电导率进行了测量。在复阻抗平面上均出现了反映颗粒内部电响应的阻抗弧，这些阻抗弧随着温度的增加而减小。而反映颗粒边界导电机制的阻抗弧并不明显，两种阻抗弧出现在不同的频率范围内，反映颗粒内部导电机制的阻抗弧出现在频率较高的范围内，而反映颗粒边界导电机制的阻抗弧出现在频率相对低的范围内。不同粒度橄榄石在3.0GPa条件下的电导率随着温度的增加而增加，它们的激化烩介于1.03-2.11ev之间。在压力为1-3GPa、温度为1282-1544K、频率为0.1-106Hz、氧逸度为MO-MoO2的条件下，对纯橄榄岩的电导率进行了测量。在复阻抗平面上出现了反映颗粒内部电响应和颗粒边界电响应的阻抗弧。反映颗粒内部导电的阻抗弧出现在较高的频率段，随着温度的增加，这些阻抗弧逐渐收缩。颗粒边界的阻抗弧出现在相对低的频率段。纯橄榄岩的电导率随着温度增加而增加，随压力变化比较微弱。对颗粒边界的电导率研究表明，颗粒边界的电导率高于颗粒内部的电导率，总电导率则小于颗粒内部和颗粒边界的电导率，颗粒边界并没有增强总电导率。纯橄榄岩的激化能为1，62eV，而激化体积为0.67cm3／mol，指前因子为5125加。利用实验所获得的拟合参数，建立了地球内部200-40Okm处的电导率模型，并同地球物理模型进行了对比，在温度和氧逸度的合理波动范围内，实验室电导率模型和地球物理模型吻合的很好。在压力为1-2GPa、温度为1228-1584K、频率为0.1-106Hz、氧逸度为MO-MoO2条件下，测量了天然和热压辉石岩、热压巨晶辉石、二辉橄榄岩的电导率。结果发现，在复阻抗平面上出现了反映颗粒内部电响应和颗粒边界电响应的阻抗弧，反映颗粒内部导电的阻抗弧出现在较高的频率段，随着温度的增加，这些阻抗弧逐渐收缩。颗粒边界的阻抗弧出现在相对低的频率段。辉石岩、二辉橄榄岩、巨晶辉石电导率随着温度增加而增加，随压力变化比较微弱。天然辉石岩和热压辉石岩颗粒边界的电导率高于它们各自颗粒内部的电导率，而总电导率则小于颗粒内部和颗粒边界的电导率，颗粒边界并没有增强总电导率。辉石岩一二辉橄榄岩一纯橄榄岩的电导率依次减小，这可能是与它们的铁含量有关。天然辉石岩的电导率与热压辉石岩的电导率的差异可能与样品中的水（氢）含量的不同有关。

Sistema de Telefonemas Interurbanos - STI: manual do usuário.

O Sistema de Telefonemas Interurbanos - STI foi idealizado para agilizar o controle sobre os telefonemas interurbanos, automatizando tarefas rotineiras e permitindo que se obtenha, de uma forma rápida e eficiente, informações armazenadas em seu banco de dados através de consultas diretas e relatórios informativos.

Identifying vibrations that destabilize crystals and characterize the glassy state

Greaves, George; Meneau, F.; Majerus, O.; Jones, D.G., (2005) 'Identifying vibrations that destabilize crystals and characterize the glassy state', Science 308(5726) pp.1299-1302 RAE2008

Treatment of HIV/AIDS at South Africa's Largest Employers: Myth and Reality

Background: In the past three years, many large employers in South Africa have announced publicly their intention of making antiretroviral treatment (ART) available to employees. Reports of the scope and success of these programs have been mostly anecdotal. This study surveyed the largest private sector employers in South Africa to determine the proportion of employees with access to ART through employer-sponsored HIV/AIDS treatment programs. Methods: All 64 private sector and parastatal employers in South Africa with more than 6,000 employees were identified and contacted. Those that agreed to participate were interviewed by telephone using a structured questionnaire. Results: 52 companies agreed to participate. Among these companies, 63% of employees had access to employer-sponsored care and treatment for HIV/AIDS. Access varied widely by sector, however. Approximately 27% of suspected HIV-positive employees were enrolled in HIV/AIDS disease management programs, or 4.4% of the workforce overall. Fewer than 4,000 employees in the entire sample were receiving antiretroviral therapy. In-house (employer) disease management programs and independent disease management programs achieved higher uptake of services than did medical aid schemes. Conclusions: Publicity by large employers about their treatment programs should be interpreted cautiously. While there is a high level of access to treatment, uptake of services is low and only a small fraction of employees medically eligible for antiretroviral therapy are receiving it.

Vascular calcification and mineral bone disorder in chronic kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), osteoporosis and mild hyponatremia are all prevalent chronic conditions that may coexist and are often under-recognized. Mineral-Bone Disorder begins early in the natural history of CKD and results in complex abnormalities of bone which ultimately confers a well-established increased risk of fragility fractures in End Stage Kidney Disease. Hyponatremia is a novel, usually renal mediated metabolic perturbation, that most commonly occurs independently of the stage of renal dysfunction but which may also predispose to increased fracture risk. The extent -if any- to which either early stages of renal dysfunction or the presence of hyponatremia contribute to fracture occurrence in the general population, independently of osteoporosis, is unclear. Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for ESKD and although it restores endogenous renal function it typically fails to normalize either the long term cardiovascular or fracture risk. One potential mechanism contributing to these elevated long-term risks and to diminished Health Related Quality of Life is persistent, post-transplant hyperparathyroidism. In this study we retrospectively examine the association of renal function and serum sodium with Bone Mineral Density and fracture occurrence in a retrospective cohort of 1930 female members of the general population who underwent routine DXA scan. We then prospectively recruited a cohort of 90 renal transplant recipients in order to examine the association of post transplant parathyroid hormone (PTH) level with measures of CKD Mineral Bone Disorder, including, DXA Bone Mineral Density, Vascular Calcification (assessed using both abdominal radiography and CT techniques, as well as indirectly by carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity) and Quality of Life (using the Short Form-12 and a PTH specific symptom score). In the retrospective DXA cohort, moderate CKD (eGFR 30-59ml/min/1.73m2) and hyponatremia (<135mmol/L) were associated with fracture occurrence, independently of BMD, with an adjusted Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval), of 1.37 (1.0, 1.89) and 2.25 (1.24, 4.09) respectively. In the renal transplant study, PTH was independently associated with the presence of osteoporosis, adjusted Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval), 1.15 (per 10ng/ml increment), (1.04, 1.26). The presence of osteoporosis but not PTH was independently associated with measures of vascular calcification, adjusted ß (95% Confidence Interval), 12.45, (1.16, 23.75). Of the eight quality-of-life domains examined, post-transplant PTH (per 10ng/ml increment), was only significantly and independently associated with reduced Physical Functioning, (95% Confidence Interval), 1.12 (1.01, 1.23). CKD and hyponatremia are both common health problems that may contribute to fracture occurrence in the general population, a major on-going public health concern. PTH and decreased Bone Mineral Density may signal sub-optimal long-term outcomes post renal transplantation, influencing bone and vascular health and to a limited extent long term Health Related Quality of Life

Nanotopography-induced changes in focal adhesions, cytoskeletal organization, and mechanical properties of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The growth of stem cells can be modulated by physical factors such as extracellular matrix nanotopography. We hypothesize that nanotopography modulates cell behavior by changing the integrin clustering and focal adhesion (FA) assembly, leading to changes in cytoskeletal organization and cell mechanical properties. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured on 350 nm gratings of tissue-culture polystyrene (TCPS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) showed decreased expression of integrin subunits alpha2, alpha , alpha V, beta2, beta 3 and beta 4 compared to the unpatterned controls. On gratings, the elongated hMSCs exhibited an aligned actin cytoskeleton, while on unpatterned controls, spreading cells showed a random but denser actin cytoskeleton network. Expression of cytoskeleton and FA components was also altered by the nanotopography as reflected in the mechanical properties measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation. On the rigid TCPS, hMSCs on gratings exhibited lower instantaneous and equilibrium Young's moduli and apparent viscosity. On the softer PDMS, the effects of nanotopography were not significant. However, hMSCs cultured on PDMS showed lower cell mechanical properties than those on TCPS, regardless of topography. These suggest that both nanotopography and substrate stiffness could be important in determining mechanical properties, while nanotopography may be more dominant in determining the organization of the cytoskeleton and FAs.

En las ciudades invisibles Ira

Entre 1298 y 1299 un mercader veneciano preso en Génova dictó sus memorias a un compañero de cárcel. Lo que había visto y vivido en el imperio de Kublai Jan eran maravillas difíciles de creer para el mundo occidental al que pertenecía. Se dice que algunas de ellas fueron inventadas, pero la mayoría han sido corroboradas a lo largo del tiempo. Esa obra se llamó Libro de las maravillas y fue publicada por primera vez en 1477. Su autor, Marco Polo.

Thermoelectric effects on alloy solidification microstructure

Thermoelectric currents in the presence of a magnetic field generate Lorentz forces which can drive fluid flow. In the case of dendritic growth a naturally occurring thermoelectric current exists and in the presence of a high magnetic field micro convections are generated. Experimental evidence has attributed changes in microstructure to this effect. A numerical model has been developed to study the flow field around an unconstricted equiaxed dendrite growing under these conditions. The growth is modeled in 2D and 3D by an enthalpy based method and a complex flow structure has been predicted. Using a pseudo-3D approximation for economy, realistic 2D simulations are obtained where a fully coupled transient scheme reveals significant changes to the dendrite morphology reflecting experimental evidence. There is a rotation of the preferred direction of growth and increased secondary branching.

Low temperature X-ray structures of two crystalline forms (I) and (II) of the pyrimidine derivative and sodium channel blocker BW1003C87: 5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidine

The X-ray crystal structures of two crystalline forms of 5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidine, C10H7Cl3N4 (code name BW1003C87) (I) and (II), have been carried out at liquid nitrogen temperature. A detailed comparison of the two structures is given. Both are centrosymmetric, with structure (I) in the triclinic space group P (1) over bar unit cell a = 6.4870(10), b = 9.216(2), c = 12.016(2) angstrom, alpha = 75.78(3)degrees, beta = 89.95(3)degrees, gamma = 83.45(3)degrees, V = 691.5(2) angstrom(3), Z = 2 and density (calculated) = 1.544 Mg/m(3); and (II) in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, unit cell a = 12.000(2), b = 7.518(2), c = 13.450(3) angstrom, beta = 97.87(3)degrees, V = 1202.0(5) angstrom(3), Z = 4, Density (calculated) = 1.600 Mg/m(3). Structure (I) includes a solvated CH3OH in the lattice. Final R indices [I > 2sigma(I)] are R1 = 0.0427, wR2 = 0.1075 for (I) and R1 = 0.0487, wR2 = 0.1222 for (II). R indices (all data) are R1 = 0.0470, wR2 = 0.1118 for (I) and R1 = 0.0623, wR2 = 0.1299 for (II). 5-Phenyl-2,4 diaminopyrimidine and 6-phenyl-1,2,4 triazine derivatives, which include lamotrigine (3,5-diamino-6-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine), have been investigated for some time for their effects on the central nervous system. Both lamotrigine and 5-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidine (code name BW1003C87), the subject of the present study, are anticonvulsant as well as neuroprotective in models of brain ischaemia and in a model of white matter ischaemia. BW1003C87 is a sodium channel blocker which also reduces the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate. The three dimensional structures reported here form part of a newly developed data base for the detailed investigation of members of this drug family and their biological activities.