New PP/PLA/cellulose composites: effect of cellulose functionalization on accelerated weathering behavior (accelerated weathering behavior of new PP/PLA/cellulose composites)

Polylactic acid (PLA) was used as partial replacement for conventional thermoplastic matrix, new composites comprising cellulose, polypropylene (PP), and PLA being realized. In order to obtain a compatible interface between cellulosic pulp and polymeric matrix, two chemical modifications of cellulose with stearoyl chloride and toluene di‐isocyanate (TDI) were performed, structural changes being evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The composite materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry, impact, tensile and melt rheological tests, surface tension, and dynamic vapor sorption. Because promising results for impact strength and Young modulus were recorded when replacing 15% of PP with PLA in blends of PP with the same cellulosic pulp load, the aim of our study was to assess the behavior to accelerate weathering of composites comprising PP, cellulosic pulp, and PLA. Although the slight decrease in the mechanical properties was recorded after accelerated weathering, the use of functionalized cellulose successfully prevented the deterioration of surface materials, especially for composite comprising stearoyl chloride treated cellulose pulp. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dependency of dynamic interlaminar shear strength of composites on test technique used

Studies are presented on dependency of dynamic interlaminar shear (ILS) strength on the experimental technique used for a typical plain weave E-glass/epoxy composite. Dynamic ILS strength was determined based on two experimental techniques, namely torsional split Hopkinson bar (TSHB) apparatus using thin walled tubular specimens and compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus using single lap specimens. The results obtained from these techniques are compared. In general, it is observed that dynamic ILS strength for composites obtained by TSHB testing using thin walled tubular specimens is lower than the dynamic ILS strength obtained using single lap specimens in compressive SHPB. The issues involved in TSHB testing of thin walled tubular specimens made of composites are discussed and the reasons for reduced dynamic ILS strength using thin walled tubular specimens are highlighted. Finite element analysis (FEA) of thin walled tubular specimens made of composite and resin subjected to quasi-static torsional loading is presented. Using FEA results, the reasons for lower ILS strength of composite thin walled tubular specimens are substantiated.     

Infrared thermographic evaluation of large composite grid parts subjected to axial loading

Many composite parts, such as laminated panels and grid-like shells, operate under high mechanical loading. Evaluation of their structural integrity is crucial to ensure the long-lasting operation of critical components. Since testing a structure under full or “proof” load might be dangerous for personnel, it would be preferable to use a remote, rapid inspection technique. This paper describes a practical application of IR thermography to the inspection of large composite parts used in the aerospace industry. This work has used just one cycle of increasing load from zero load to failure, and this was done for both for tensile and compressive loads. It is shown that, during the formation of micro-defects in polymeric composites, about 40 % of the total dissipated energy is expended for material heating, while about 60 % is related to material damage accompanied by an increase in the defect concentration. Non-uniform composite deformation causes temperature anomalies, whose amplitude may reach 1.5–2.5 °C at a load of about 50–60 % of the limit load.     

Micromechanical properties of one-step and sequentially crosslinked UHMWPEs for total joint replacements

Microindentation hardness testing was applied to five types of highly-crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) for total joint replacements. UHMWPE's were crosslinked using the same total radiation dose (75 kGy; γ-radiation) either by the standard, single-step irradiation (one-step crosslinking) or by the newer, several-step irradiation (sequential crosslinking). Each irradiation step was followed by thermal treatment (annealing at 110 °C or remelting at 150 °C) in an inert atmosphere. We showed that: (i) the micromechanical properties were determined by the last thermal treatment step, while the number of irradiation cycles was insignificant and (ii) the values of microhardness, microcreep and microplasticity from the microindentation experiments were in excellent agreement with the changes of UHMWPE structure, characterized by IR and DSC. Statistical evaluation of the results, the agreement with theoretical predictions and the comparison with previous studies on similar systems demonstrated that microindentation was a reliable and sensitive method of UHMWPE characterization.     

Direct drug analysis from oral fluid using medical swab touch spray mass spectrometry

Fourteen common drugs of abuse were identified in spiked oral fluid (ng mL⁻¹ levels), analyzed directly from medical swabs using touch spray mass spectrometry (TS-MS), exemplifying a rapid test for drug detection. Multiple stages of mass analysis (MS² and MS³) provided identification and detection limits sought by international forensic and toxicological societies, Δ⁹-THC and buprenorphine excluded. The measurements were made using a medical swab as both the sampling probe and means of ionization. The adaptation of medical swabs for TS-MS analysis allows non-invasive and direct sampling of neat oral fluid. Data acquisition was rapid, seconds per drug, and MS³ ensured reliable identification of illicit drugs. The reported data were acquired to investigate (i) ionization of common drugs from commercial swabs, (ii) ion intensity over spray duration, and (iii) dynamic range, all as initial steps in development of a quantitative method. The approach outlined is intended for point-of-care drug testing using oral fluid in clinical applications as well as in situ settings, viz. in forensic applications. The proof-of-concept results presented will require extension to other controlled substances and refinement in analytical procedures to meet clinical/legal requirements.     

Metabolism of human insulin after subcutaneous administration: A possible means to uncover insulin misuse

The misuse of insulin for performance enhancement in sport or as toxic agent has frequently been reported in the past. In contrast to synthetic insulin analogues, the administration of recombinant human insulin is hardly recognized by mass spectrometry. The present study was designed to uncover the misuse of recombinant human insulin for doping control purposes as well as for forensic applications. It is hypothesized that an altered metabolite profile of circulating insulin prevails after subcutaneous administration due to exposure of insulin to epidermal proteases.     

Fluorescence Polarization Based Nucleic Acid Testing for Rapid and Cost‐Effective Diagnosis of Infectious Disease

A new nucleic acid detection method was developed for a rapid and cost‐effective diagnosis of infectious disease. This approach relies on the three unique elements: 1) detection probes that regulate DNA polymerase activity in response to the complementary target DNA; 2) universal reporters conjugated with a single fluorophore; and 3) fluorescence polarization (FP) detection. As a proof‐of‐concept, the assay was used to detect and sub‐type Salmonella bacteria with sensitivities down to a single bacterium in less than three hours.     

土壤中重金属元素检测的质量认证

探讨了土壤中重金属检测能力验证的质量控制措施,为确保能力验证结果的准确性及不断提高实验室的检测技术水平提供参考.     

具有遗传性疾病和性状的遗传位点分析

随着信息技术的进步和发展,现代生物学越来越多地将这些技术用于大规模生物数据的收集、分析、挖掘等过程.大量计算机技术,特别是统计方法被用来进行复杂疾病的分析.大量研究表明,人体的许多表型性状差异以及对药物和疾病的易感性等都可能与某些位点相关联,或和包含有多个位点的基因相关联.因此,定位与性状或疾病相关联的位点在染色体或基因中的位置,能帮助研究人员了解性状和一些疾病的遗传机理,也能使人们对致病位点加以干预,防止一些遗传病的发生.利用随机森林方法、Bootstrap重抽样、logistic回归等大数据分析方法,意在解决优化生物学位点关联性分析中单一致病位点识别、多位点相互作用和多性状位点关联性分析等子问题.     

用计算全息法检测卡塞格林系统主镜

为实现对卡塞格林光学系统中的非球面主镜表面面形的高精度检测,设计了一种二元位相型计算全息图(CGH)。介绍了工作原理,对CGH的相位模型参数的优化设计、衍射次级分离以及台阶位置与深度计算等关键问题进行了讨论。通过引入虚拟玻璃的概念快速建立非球面检测模型,针对卡塞格林系统主镜中心开孔的特点,通过加入同轴载波实现了衍射次级的完全分离,相比目前常用的倾斜载波方法简化了相位量化复杂度,数值仿真计算出了最优的台阶深度,降低了加工难度。给出了相应的设计方法及实例,研制投产了CGH。测试得到主镜面形的均方根误差为0.018λ,并与传统补偿器结果(RMS=0.019λ)进行对比,两者测试结果吻合,验证了该设计与检测方法的正确性,该设计方法简单快捷,适用于卡塞格林光学系统主镜面形检测。