Influence of process parameters on part quality and mechanical properties for DMLS and SLM with iron-based materials

Rapid manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing technology based on layer-by-layer manufacturing to produce a part. This paper presents experimental work carried out to investigate the effects of scan speed, layer thickness, and building direction on the following part features: dimensional error, surface roughness, and mechanical properties for DMLS with DS H20 powder and SLM with CL 20 powder (1.4404/AISI 316L). Findings were evaluated using ANOVA analysis. According to the experimental results, build direction has a significant effect on part quality, in terms of dimensional error and surface roughness. For the SLM process, the build direction has no influence on mechanical properties. Results of this research support industry estimating part quality and mechanical properties before the production of parts with additive manufacturing, using iron-based powders

Evaluation of drug-induced neurotoxicity based on metabolomics, proteomics and electrical activity measurements in complementary CNS in vitro models.

The present study was performed in an attempt to develop an in vitro integrated testing strategy (ITS) to evaluate drug-induced neurotoxicity. A number of endpoints were analyzed using two complementary brain cell culture models and an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model after single and repeated exposure treatments with selected drugs that covered the major biological, pharmacological and neuro-toxicological responses. Furthermore, four drugs (diazepam, cyclosporine A, chlorpromazine and amiodarone) were tested more in depth as representatives of different classes of neurotoxicants, inducing toxicity through different pathways of toxicity. The developed in vitro BBB model allowed detection of toxic effects at the level of BBB and evaluation of drug transport through the barrier for predicting free brain concentrations of the studied drugs. The measurement of neuronal electrical activity was found to be a sensitive tool to predict the neuroactivity and neurotoxicity of drugs after acute exposure. The histotypic 3D re-aggregating brain cell cultures, containing all brain cell types, were found to be well suited for OMICs analyses after both acute and long term treatment. The obtained data suggest that an in vitro ITS based on the information obtained from BBB studies and combined with metabolomics, proteomics and neuronal electrical activity measurements performed in stable in vitro neuronal cell culture systems, has high potential to improve current in vitro drug-induced neurotoxicity evaluation.

Nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of structure and dynamics of some electrolyte solutions

Electrolyte solutions are of importance in a wide range of scientific contexts and as such have attracted considerable theoretical and experimental effort over many years. Nuclear Magnetic resonance provides a precise and versatile tool for investigation of electrolyte solutions, both in water and in organic solvents. Many structural and dynamic properties can be obtained through NMR experiments. The solution of aluminum chloride in water was studied. Different concentrations were taken for investigation. Independence of maximum line shift from concentration and acidity was shown. Six-coordinated structure of solvation shell was confirmed by experiments on 'H and 27A1 nuclei. Diffusion coefficients were studied. The solution of nickel chloride in methanol was studied. Lines, corresponding to coordinated and bulk methanol were found. Four-, five- and six-coordinated structures were found in different temperatures. The line for coordinated -OD group of deuterated methanol was observed on 2H spectrum for the first time. Partial deuteration of CH3 group was detected. Inability to observe coordinated -OH group was explained.

Characterization of clinical and electrocardiographic findings in a youth population

Resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) has been employed in the evaluation of young asymptomatic subjects to detect pre-existing heart diseases. Although the incorporation of routine ECG remains controversial, there is increasing evidence that cardiomyopathies and ion channelopathies show ECG changes as the initial manifestation. The causes of sudden cardiac death in young people show a significant geographical variation. We aim to determine the prevalence and spectrum of ECG findings in a youth population. Methodology: From May 2010 to April 2013, a total of 976 young secondary school students (mean age, 14 years; range, 13-15) underwent voluntary medical screening that included a resting 12-lead ECG and structured clinical survey. Subjects with abnormal ECG findings were classified into two groups: major ECG findings group, which fulfilled a pre-specified checklist to screen for principal structural and electrical cardiopathies, and minor ECG findings group showing other ECG changes. The major ECG findings group was referred for secondary diagnostic tests at a tertiary institution. Results: Of the 976 subjects screened, 252 (25.82%; CI95%, 23.17-28.66) had ECG findings. Of note, 17 (1.74%) had major findings and 235 (24.08%) had minor findings on ECG. The prevalence of cardiovascular pathology within the major ECG findings group was 35.29%. The prevalence of ECG abnormalities was significantly higher in males than in females (29% vs 20.9%, P<0.01). Conclusions: The prevalence of ECG findings in a youth population was 25.82%. There were significant gender differences. The inclusion of universal ECG screening, in addition to medical history, may increase the sensitivity of a cardiovascular screening program. Knowledge of the spectrum and prevalence of ECG findings and disease conditions would be pivotal in designing customized screening programs

Antioxidant and antiviral properties of Pseudopiptadenia contorta (Leguminosae) and of quebracho (Schinopsis sp.) extracts

Proanthocyanidins from P. contorta leaves and from a commercial quebracho extract were isolated and characterized. Flavonoids, catechins and gallic acid were also identified in the extracts of P. contorta. Compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and for their antiviral activity against an acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 strain. The low molecular weight phenolic derivatives and the proanthocyanidins from P. contorta showed the highest antioxidant activity. Purified proanthocyanidins from both P. contorta and quebracho showed the same maximum non toxic concentrations (25 µg/mL), with 82.2% and 100% of virus inhibition, respectively.

Morphological and Magnetic Properties of Superparamagnetic Carbon-Coated Fe Nanoparticles Produced by Arc Discharge.

Spherical carbon coated iron particles of nanometric diameter in the 5-10 nm range have been produced by arc discharge at near-atmospheric pressure conditions (using 5-8·10 4 Pa of He). The particles exhibit a crystalline dense iron core with an average diameter 7.4 ± 2.0 nm surrounded by a sealed carbon shell, shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area diffrac- tion (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (STEM-EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The SAED, EDX and EELS results indicate a lack of traces of core oxidized phases showing an efficient protection role of the carbon shell. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles have been investigated in the 5-300 K temperature range using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results reveal a superparamagnetic behaviour with an average monodomain diameter of 7.6 nm of the nanoparticles. The zero field cooled and field cooled (ZFC-FC)magnetization curves show a blocking temperature (TB)at room temperature very suitable for biomedical applications (drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging-MRI-, hyperthermia).

Preparation, spectroscopic and acidity properties of two hydrazones: an organic lab experiment

An undergraduate organic lab experiment is described based on the preparation of two readily accessible hydrazones. The UV-visible spectra of these N-H acids and of their conjugate bases are employed to illustrate the importance of through-conjugation in determining their acid strength and their internal charge-transfer-band transitions.

Optical and microstructural properties of MgF2 UV coatings grown by ion beam sputtering process

The optical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of MgF2 single layers grown by ion beam sputtering have been investigated by spectrophotometric measurements, film stress characterization, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The deposition conditions, using fluorine reactive gas or not, have been found to greatly influence the optical absorption and the stress of the films as well as their microstructure. The layers grown with fluorine compensation exhibit a regular columnar microstructure and an UV-optical absorption which can be very low, either as deposited or after thermal annealings at very low temperatures. On the contrary, layers grown without fluorine compensation exhibit a less regular microstructure and a high ultraviolet absorption which is particularly hard to cure. On the basis of calculations, it is shown that F centers are responsible for this absorption, whereas all the films were found to be stoichiometric, in the limit of the XPS sensitivity. On the basis of external data taken from literature, our experimental curves are analyzed, so we propose possible diffusion mechanisms which could explain the behaviors of the coatings.

Magnetic and transport properties of II-V diluted magnetic semiconductors doped with manganese and nickel

This thesis is devoted to investigations of three typical representatives of the II-V diluted magnetic semiconductors, Zn1-xMnxAs2, (Zn1-xMnx)3As2 and p-CdSb:Ni. When this work started the family of the II-V semiconductors was presented by only the compounds belonging to the subgroup II3-V2, as (Zn1-xMnx)3As2, whereas the rest of the materials mentioned above were not investigated at all. Pronounced low-field magnetic irreversibility, accompanied with a ferromagnetic transition, are observed in Zn1-xMnxAs2 and (Zn1-xMnx)3As2 near 300 K. These features give evidence for presence of MnAs nanosize magnetic clusters, responsible for frustrated ground magnetic state. In addition, (Zn1-xMnx)3As2 demonstrates large paramagnetic response due to considerable amount of single Mn ions and small antiferromagnetic clusters. Similar paramagnetic system existing in Zn1-xMnxAs2 is much weaker. Distinct low-field magnetic irreversibility, accompanied with a rapid saturation of the magnetization with increasing magnetic field, is observed near the room temperature in p- CdSb:Ni, as well. Such behavior is connected to the frustrated magnetic state, determined by Ni-rich magnetic Ni1-xSbx nanoclusters. Their large non-sphericity and preferable orientations are responsible for strong anisotropy of the coercivity and saturation magnetization of p- CdSb:Ni. Parameters of the Ni1-xSbx nanoclusters are estimated. Low-temperature resistivity of p-CdSb:Ni is governed by a hopping mechanism of charge transfer. The variable-range hopping conductivity, observed in zero magnetic field, demonstrates a tendency of transformation into the nearest-neighbor hopping conductivity in non-zero magnetic filed. The Hall effect in p-CdSb:Ni exhibits presence of a positive normal and a negative anomalous contributions to the Hall resistivity. The normal Hall coefficient is governed mainly by holes activated into the valence band, whereas the anomalous Hall effect, attributable to the Ni1-xSbx nanoclusters with ferromagnetically ordered internal spins, exhibits a low-temperature power-law resistivity scaling.

Concentrated Winding Multiphase Permanent Magnet Machine Design and Electromagnetic Properties – Case Axial Flux Machine

Concentrated winding permanent magnet machines and their electromagnetic properties are studied in this doctoral thesis. The thesis includes a number of main tasks related to the application of permanent magnets in concentrated winding open slot machines. Suitable analytical methods are required for the first design calculations of a new machine. Concentrated winding machines differ from conventional integral slot winding machines in such a way that adapted analytical calculation methods are needed. A simple analytical model for calculating the concentrated winding axial flux machines is provided. The next three main design tasks are discussed in more detail in the thesis. The magnetic length of the rotor surface magnet machines is studied, and it is shown that the traditional methods have to be modified also in this respect. An important topic in this study has been to evaluate and minimize the rotor permanent magnet Joule losses by using segmented magnets in the calculations and experiments. Determination of the magnetizing and leakage inductances for a concentrated winding machine and the torque production capability of concentrated winding machines with different pole pair numbers are studied, and the results are compared with the corresponding properties of integral slot winding machines. The thesis introduces a new practical permanent magnet motor type for industrial use. The special features of the machine are based on the option of using concentrated winding open slot constructions of permanent magnet synchronous machines in the normal speed ranges of industrial motors, for instance up to 3000 min-1, without excessive rotor losses. By applying the analytical equations and methods introduced in the thesis, a 37 kW 2400 min-1 12-slot 10-pole axial flux machine with rotor-surfacemounted magnets is designed. The performance of the designed motor is determined by experimental measurements and finite element calculations.

Synthesis, structure and physicochemical properties of zinc and copper complexes based on sulfonamides containing 8-aminoquinoline ligands

Sulfonamides obtained by reaction of 8-aminoquinoline with 4-nitrobenzenesulfonylchloride and 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride were used to synthesize coordination compounds with CuII and ZnII with a ML2 composition. Determination of the crystal structures of the resulting zinc and copper complexes by X-ray diffraction show a distorted tetrahedral environment for the [Cu(qnbsa)2], [Cu(qibsa)2] and [Zn(qibsa)2] complexes in which the sulfonamide group acts as a bidentate ligand through the nitrogen atoms from the sulfonamidate and quinoline groups. The complex [Zn(qnbsa)2] crystallizes with a water molecule from the solvent and the Zn is five-coordinated and shows a bipyramidal-trigonal geometry. The electrochemical and electronic spectroscopy properties of the copper complexes are also discussed.

In vitro study of antioxidant and scavenger properties of phenolic compounds from Lychnophora species

This paper describes the antioxidant effects of thirteen phenolic compounds isolated from plants of the genus Lychnophora. Two assays were performed to evaluate these effects: a cellular test that measured the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence produced by neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan and a cell-free test involving horseradish peroxidase-H2O2-luminol. In both assays, the antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds was dependent on their concentration and chemical structure. Our results suggest that the ability of phenolic compounds from Lychnophora species to scavenge and inhibit the generation of ROS may be a mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Lychnophora spp.

Structural and reactivity analyses of 2-benzylamino-1,4-naphthoquinone by X-ray characterization, electrochemical measurements, and dft single-molecule calculations

This study represents an integrated approach towards understanding the electronic and structural aspects of 2-benzylamino-1,4-naphthalenedione, a representative 2-amino-napfthoquinone. To this end, theoretical calculations performed at the B3PW91/6-31+G(d) level of density functional theory, electrochemical and X-ray structural investigation were employed. Two intramolecular H-bonds and other two intermolecular H-bonds were observed, including non-classical interactions. Cyclic voltammogram (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) show two pairs of peaks, being each one a monoelectronic process.