New Polylactic Acid Composites for Packaging Applications: Mechanical Properties,Thermal Behavior,and Antimicrobial Activity

The interest in antimicrobial packaging materials based on polylactic acid (PLA) polymers has increased due to the need to improve food safety and environment quality and also to find alternatives to synthetic polymers made from petrochemicals. PLA films by addition of different fillers (grape wastes and celery fibers) were obtained. The mechanical, thermal, surface, and antimicrobial properties of the films were evaluated. The incorporation of inexpensive fillers into the PLA matrix could reduce costs and the studied formulations offer approaches to realize composites with high performances and antimicrobial response, suitable for film food-active packaging materials, especially by use of grape wastes.     

Multifractality through Non-Markovian Stochastic Processes in the Scale Relativity Theory. Acute Arterial Occlusions as Scale Transitions

By assimilating biological systems, both structural and functional, into multifractal objects, their behavior can be described in the framework of the scale relativity theory, in any of its forms (standard form in Nottale’s sense and/or the form of the multifractal theory of motion). By operating in the context of the multifractal theory of motion, based on multifractalization through non-Markovian stochastic processes, the main results of Nottale’s theory can be generalized (specific momentum conservation laws, both at differentiable and non-differentiable resolution scales, specific momentum conservation law associated with the differentiable–non-differentiable scale transition, etc.). In such a context, all results are explicated through analyzing biological processes, such as acute arterial occlusions as scale transitions. Thus, we show through a biophysical multifractal model that the blocking of the lumen of a healthy artery can happen as a result of the “stopping effect” associated with the differentiable-non-differentiable scale transition. We consider that blood entities move on continuous but non-differentiable (multifractal) curves. We determine the biophysical parameters that characterize the blood flow as a Bingham-type rheological fluid through a normal arterial structure assimilated with a horizontal “pipe” with circular symmetry. Our model has been validated based on experimental clinical data.     

Surface morphology and amide concentration depth profile of aminolyzed poly(ethylene terephthalate) films

Surface of biaxially oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate) films was chemically modified by exposure to ethylenediamine (EDA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) for different treatment times. Variable angle attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy was used in conjunction with weight loss measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy to establish the surface modification and to draw the depth profile of the newly created species, with emphasis on amide group. A clear differentiation was found between the effects of the three amines studied: EDA produces the highest amidation degree but, because of its deep penetration into the film, leads to delamination of rather thick layers, TETA reacts at and near surface and develops surface cracks without delamination, and TEPA is the mildest reactant, generating amide groups on the surface without visible deterioration of the sample. It was proved that the amide II absorption band became weaker with increasing analyzed depth, with a pronounced heterogeneity near the surface. SEM micrographs showed the development of cracks onto the surface at longer aminolysis time, which allowed a better understanding of ATR‐FTIR observations. Assuming an exponential decay for the depth profile spectrally obtained, the surface concentration of amide groups and the decay constant were determined for the amines and reaction times used. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

A flexible radical approach to 5-substituted 4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrido[4,3-b]azepin-2-ones. Some mechanistic observations on the radical cyclisation-aromatisation process

Variously substituted novel dihydropyridoazepinones have been prepared by an intermolecular radical addition followed by a radical cyclisation on a pyridine ring. The latter process involved the use of a combination of two different peroxides, an experimental contrivance resulting from a careful product analysis and a better understanding of the cyclisation step.     

pH-sensitive nanostructured architectures based on synthetic and/or natural weak polyelectrolytes

This study aims to evidence the influence of polyelectrolytes structure and the number of double layers on the properties of some new nanostructured architectures formed by layer-by-layer self-assembly of complementary weak polyelectrolytes on planar surfaces. For this purpose, we used chitosan and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) as polycations, and poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid–co-acrylic acid) as polyanions. To get a direct image on the polyelectrolyte multilayers formation and properties, gravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy have been used. The capacity of the polyions to overcompensate the complementary polyions charges, and thus to influence the swelling degree in water of thin films, was strongly influenced by the chain structure and flexibility. A special attention was paid to the responsiveness of the new composite materials to the pH of the swelling environment.     

Method for the evaluation of elastomeric seals by compression stress relaxation

A method is described whereby elastomer O-ring performance can be evaluated by compression stress relaxation in a simulated gas turbine lubrication system. The O-ring retained sealing force is measured in real-time during high temperature ageing and during transients to lower temperatures, thus simulating the temperature regimes experienced in an operational gas turbine. In addition to this, the O-rings are exposed to a flow of realistically aged turbine lubricant, producing a realistic level of chemical degradation during testing. The results from this work have demonstrated significant differences between elastomer behaviour due to O-ring material and also due to the temperature regimes subjected to during compression stress relaxation. Taken as a whole, this work represents a considerable improvement on current elastomer O-ring test methods as applied to gas turbine lubricant system seals.     

The application of the boundary element method to the magnetohydrodynamic duct flow

A boundary element method is developed in order to investigate the flow of viscous, incompressible, electrically conducting fluids in cylindrical ducts having arbitrary cross-sections. The numerical results obtained for the circular duct with insulating wall are very close to the results obtained by means of analytical formulas.     

An improved method for analysis of In-EDTA,I− and Br− used as activable tracers in hydrological studies

Neutron activation analysis combined with chemical preconcentration of the elements in water samples can give a high sensitivity in the determination of concentrations for In-EDTA, I^– and Br^– used as activable tracers in hydrological studies. The authors have developed an improved method of analysis which is sensitive, selective and applicable to a wide range of underground and surface water samples including those having a high concentration of manganese ions.     

Multielemental determination in some water samples by neutron activation method

A method was developed for the determination of element concentrations in structured water samples (water with high oligoelements content). Sixteen elements (As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Fe, K, La, Lu, Na, Sb, Sc, Sm, Zn) were determined in 4 structured water samples and one taken from the water tap. The samples were preconcentrated evaporating 1 1 at atmospheric pressure and obtaining 100–500 mg of dry residue. Measurement accuracy by -spectroscopy was 3–30% and it can be improved by increasing the measurement time. The method allows simultaneous multielement analysis of various water sources and may successfully be used in environmental pollution control.     

Hexachlorantimonate(V) mit Nitroverbindungen als Liganden, 1. Mitt.: Komplexverbindungen mit einwertigen Metallen

Hexachloroantimonates with nitroderivatives as ligands on the cations are formed in a double complexation reaction of a mono-valent metal chloride (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CuCl) with SbCl₅, and a nitroderivativeL (nitromethane, nitrobenzene, α-nitronaphthalene). Solid complexes of the typeML(SbCl₆) andML ₂(SbCl₆) were isolated. Synthesis, analytical results andi.r. spectra are discussed.