Influence of the surface morphology on the melting of polymer crystals. I. Loops of random length and adjacent reentry

A polymer crystal with a noncrystalline surface layer formed by chain loops of different lengths is considered. It is assumed that the length of each loop can be changed by longitudinal diffusion of the molecule through the crystal lattice. From the condition that the free energy of the system is minimum, the loop length distribution and the average loop length as function of temperature are calculated. In contrast to the results for loops of equal length, for the present model, a substantial thickness of the noncrystalline surface layer and a broad melting range is obtained also for the case of adjacent reentry. In order to get this result one has to take into account that even an “ideal fold” consists of at least four rigidly arranged CH2 groups in energetically unfavored conformation.     

How does the ambiguity of the electronic stress tensor influence its ability to serve as bonding indicator

The electronic stress tensor is not uniquely defined. Possible bonding indicators originating from the quantum stress tensor may inherit this ambiguity. Based on a general formula of the stress tensor this ambiguity can be described by an external parameter λ for indicators derived from the scaled trace of the stress tensor (whereby the scaling function is proportional to the Thomas–Fermi kinetic energy density). The influence of λ is analyzed and the consequences for the representation of chemical bonding are discussed in detail. It is found that the scaled trace of the stress tensor may serve as suitable bonding indicator over a wide range of λ values, excluding the value range between ?0.15 and ?0.48. Focusing on the eigenvalues of the stress tensor, it is found that the sign of the eigenvalues heavily depends on the chosen representation of the stress tensor. Therefore, chemical bonding analyses which are based on the interpretation of the eigenvalue sign (e.g., the spindle structure) are strongly dependent on the chosen form of the stress tensor. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Residual stress in polyethylene pipes

This paper deals with residual stress in polyethylene (PE) pipes as an important factor that influences their lifetime. Residual hoop stress distribution in a PE pipe was determined using a methodology previously carried out by the authors on polypropylene pipes. Axial residual stress magnitude was determined by comparison of experimental data and finite element modelling. Based on the obtained results, a new simplified methodology for determining the residual hoop stress is proposed. The method needs only one circular specimen made of pipe, but, unlike older methods, provides a more precise estimation of residual hoop stress distribution taking into account its exponential shape. Some older results from literature are recalculated using this method and residual hoop stress of various PE pipe grades and dimensions are then compared. To provide an idea of residual hoop stress influence on lifetime of a pipe, a lifetime estimation is carried out for the examined pipe.     

A UPLC‐TOF/MS‐based metabolomics study of rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis effects on Alzheimer's disease rats model

A UPLC‐TOF/MS‐based metabolomics method was established to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of rattan stems of S. chinensis (SCS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental AD model was induced by intra‐hippocampal Aβ_1–42 injection in rats. Cognitive function and oxidative stress condition in brain of AD rats were assessed using Morris water maze tests and antioxidant assays [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px)], respectively. UPLC‐TOF/MS combined with multivariate statistical analysis were conducted to study the changes in metabolic networks in serum of rats. The results indicated that the AD model was established successfully and the inducement of Aβ_1–42 caused a decline in spatial learning and memory of rats. The injection of Aβ_1–42 in rat brains significantly elevated the level of MDA, and reduced SOD and GSH‐Px activities. In addition, SCS showed significant anti‐AD effects on model rats. A total of 30 metabolites were finally identified as potential biomarkers of AD and 14 of them had a significant recovery compared with the AD model after SCS administration. Changes in AD metabolite profiling were restored to different levels through the regulation of 13 pathways. This is first report on the use of the UPLC‐TOF/MS‐based serum metabolomics method to investigate therapeutic effects of SCS on AD, and enrich potential biomarkers and metabolic networks of AD.     

1,4-双(二苯基膦)丁烷交联的季膦化聚芳醚酮阴离子交换膜

以1,4-双(二苯基膦)丁烷为交联剂,以具有四甲基联苯结构的聚芳醚酮为基体材料,分别制备了刚性三苯基膦和柔性三丁基膦修饰的阴离子交联膜材料.交联剂在交联结构形成的过程中转变成季膦盐,在提高膜材料机械稳定性的同时保持离子交换功能基团的含量.研究了2种阴离子交换膜的尺寸稳定性、电导率、机械性能及耐碱稳定性等.研究结果表明,当交联度为20%时,三苯基膦与三丁基膦修饰的阴离子交换膜的拉伸强度分别由未交联时的27和18 MPa提高到45和30 MPa;交联的膜材料在60℃的3 mol/L KOH溶液中浸泡120 h后,三苯基膦修饰的阴离子交换膜的电导率保留率为81%,三丁基膦修饰的阴离子交换膜的电导率保留率为69%,膜的耐碱稳定性均较未交联时有明显提高.交联度相同时,三苯基膦修饰的阴离子交换膜表现出更高的拉伸强度和更好的耐碱稳定性.     

Investigation on the stress behavior of cellulose acetate and the development of highly moisture‐resistant optical films for display devices

An optical film with high optical anisotropy was prepared by the stretching of a cellulose acetate film and the consequential orienting of a retardation‐enhancing additive. The change in retardation in response to moisture absorption was explored and it was found that the degree of the retardation variation is strongly related to the stretching temperature. Stress generated by the stretching and its relaxation was systematically investigated to elucidate the effect of stretching temperature on the irreversible change in retardation upon moisture absorption. The results show that the magnitude of releasable stress plays an important role in controlling changes in optical properties. In addition, the difference in the deformation behavior between glassy and rubbery states should be taken into account in the development of a moisture‐resistant optical film. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 1470–1478     

A rigid inclusion in an elastic space under the action of a uniform heat flow in the inclusion plane

A solution is presented for the three dimensional static thermoelastic problem of an absolutely rigid inclusion (anticrack) in the case when a uniform heat flow is directed along the inclusion plane. By using the potential method and the Fourier transform technique, the problem is reduced to a system of coupled two-dimensional singular integral equations for the shear stress jumps across the inclusion. As an illustration, a typical application to the circular anticrack is presented. Explicit expressions for the thermal stresses in the inclusion plane are obtained and discussed from the point of view of material failure.     

半定矩阵秩极小的非凸精确松弛

本文主要研究半定矩阵秩极小问题(P)的非凸精确松弛及其性质.首先,为求解问题(P),我们引入其Schatten p-范数(0＜p＜1)松弛,记为(Sp).其次,通过定义半定限制等距常数和半定限制正交常数,我们给出了问题(P)有唯—解的充分条件.最后,利用半定限制等距性质,我们给出了问题(P)和(Sp)有相同唯一解的充分条件.特别地,对任意0＜p＜1,我们还得到—个一致的精确恢复条件.     

Propagation of a pre-existing turbulent fluid fracture

The propagation of rough and smooth wall pre-existing turbulent fluid fractures is investigated. The laminar fluid fracture is included as a special case for comparison. Lubrication theory is assumed to apply in the fracture and turbulence is introduced through the wall shear stress. The Perkins–Kern–Nordgren approximation is made in which the fluid pressure is proportional to the half-width of the fracture. The fracture half-width satisfies a non-linear diffusion equation. By using a linear combination of the Lie point symmetries of the non-linear diffusion equation a group invariant solution for the fracture length, volume and half-width is derived. The evolution of the length, half-width and mean flow velocity is analysed for a range of working conditions at the fracture entry. It is found that the mean flow velocity increases approximately linearly along the fracture.     

Two stage electrostatic separator for the recycling of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment

The aim of study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new facility for recycling of plastics from granular waste electrical and electronic equipment. The installation consists of two sections, the products of a first tribo-aero-electrostatic separator being subsequently treated in two free-fall electrostatic separators. The tests were performed on a mixture of polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA). Analysis of the purity of the products obtained was performed using a program of image processing in MATLAB. Products of very high purity (roughly 95% for both PC and PA) were obtained at a recovery rate higher than 70%.