In situ X-ray scattering studies of lyotropic liquid crystalline PBO and PBZT monofilament drawing

The results of a series of novel synchrontron-based in situ x-ray scattering experiments of monofilament fiber drawing from lyotropic solutions of poly(cis-benzoxazole) (PBO) and poly(trans-benzothiazole) (PBZT) are reported. The purpose of the study is to determine orientation and microstructure development in the draw zone as a function of shear rate in the capillary die, and spin draw ratio (SDR). The transition of the extrudate from opaque to the transparent is complete at about a SDR = 3 and f of 0.9. The filament orientation parameter (f) was found to depend strongly on spin draw ratio, but not shear rate. The orientation was found to increase down the extrudate toward completion of the draw down as one proceeds further from the die face up to an extrudate length of 3.8 cm. Coherence lengths on the order of 19 nm (axial), and 4.5 nm (lateral) have been observed. These “microdomain” sizes are consistent with the “crystallite” sizes typically observed in coagulated fiber. The occurrence of these microdomains in the draw zone as a precursor to the microfibrillar structure is believed to be the origin of low filament compressive strength. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A concise expression for the all-order Bloch-Siegert shift

We derive a simple formula which is found to describe the Bloch-Siegert shift with good accuracy over almost the whole range of field strengths.     

Defects can increase the melting temperature of DNA-nanoparticle assemblies

DNA-gold nanoparticle assemblies have shown promise as an alternative technology to DNA microarrays for DNA detection and RNA profiling. Understanding the effect of DNA sequences on the melting temperature of the system is central to developing reliable detection technology. We studied the effects of DNA base-pairing defects, such as mismatches and deletions, on the melting temperature of DNA-nanoparticle assemblies. We found that, contrary to the general assumption that defects lower the melting temperature of DNA, some defects increase the melting temperature of DNA-linked nanoparticle assemblies. The effects of mismatches and deletions were found to depend on the specific base pair, the sequence, and the location of the defects. Our results demonstrate that the surface-bound DNA exhibit hybridization behavior different from that of free DNA. Such findings indicate that a detailed understanding of DNA-nanoparticle assembly phase behavior is required for quantitative interpretation of DNA-nanoparticle aggregation.     

CeO2 catalysed conversion of CO, NO2 and NO from first principles energetics

First principles calculations using density functional theory with corrections for on-site Coulomb interactions (DFT + U) are presented in which we compute the energy for the conversion of CO to CO(2), NO(2) to NO and NO to N(2) over ceria surfaces. The surface sensitivity is discussed on the basis of the vacancy formation energies.     

University students’ perspectives on diagnostic testing in mathematics

Many universities issue mathematical diagnostic tests to incoming first-year students, covering a range of the basic concepts with which they should be comfortable from secondary school. As far as many lecturers are concerned, the purpose of this test is to determine the students' mathematical knowledge on entry. It should also provide an early indication of which students are likely to need additional help, and hopefully encourage such students to avail of extra support mechanisms at an early stage. However, it is not clear that students recognize these intentions and there is a fear that students who score poorly in the test will have their confidence further damaged in relation to mathematics and will be reluctant to seek help. To this end, a questionnaire was developed to explore students’ perspectives on diagnostic testing. Analysis of responses received to the questionnaire provided an interesting insight into students’ perspectives including the optimum time to conduct such a test, their views on the aims of diagnostic testing, whether they feel that testing is a good idea, and their attitudes to the support systems put in place to help those who scored poorly in the test.     

Nanoindentation of wet and dry compact bone: Influence of environment and indenter tip geometry on the indentation modulus

The indentation-derived elastic modulus, E, of bovine compact bone was obtained by nanoindentation. The indentation modulus of the dry condition (i.e. under atmospheric conditions) is 40% higher than when measured wet (i.e. immersed in buffer solution). Although this difference is independent of orientation, there is a 20% difference in the indentation modulus within the same tested environment between longitudinal and transversal directions. In addition, the estimated indentation modulus of the same samples when tested wet in buffer solution after deep freezing (?15°C) was not affected. The discrepancy between wet and dry results was attributed to the non-mineralized phase contribution and rationalized by a simple mechanical model [I. Jäger and P. Fratzl, Biophys. J. 79 (2000) p.1737]. Anisotropy effects could be explained in terms of deformation mechanisms with orientation. The effect of frozen storage temperatures may be clarified considering the biomechanics of the helicoidal arrangement of lamellar bone. Viscoelastic effects were also considered and incorporated into analysis of the force–displacement data.