Effects of gamma irradiation and accelerated aging on GO/UHMWPE nanocomposites

This article investigates irradiated and accelerated aged graphene oxide (GO)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposites. The prepared GO/UHMWPE nanocomposites are gamma-irradiated at a high irradiation dose in a vacuum and then accelerated aging procedure is performed at 80°C in an air oven for 21 days. Irradiated and aged samples are characterized by Raman spectrum, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle, and gel content. Filling GO reduces the intensity of Raman spectrum of UHMWPE and irradiation or aging cannot affect vibrational modes of UHMWPE and GO/UHMWPE. The result of the FT-IR spectrum shows that UHMWPE and GO/UHMWPE basically have the same oxidation index values, whether with irradiation or accelerated aging. Irradiation or aging can slightly increase the melting temperature. GO, irradiation, or aging can significantly increase the crystallinity and improve wetting properties. In irradiated GO/UHMWPE, GO is able to maintain the efficiency of the cross-linking. However, after aging, the cross-linking density of GO/UHMWPE is reduced significantly. According to the above results, it is proposed that GO shows a very weak scavenging free radicals capacity in GO/UHMWPE composites and cannot display antioxidant capacity.     

Non-destructive assessment of parchment deterioration by optical methods

A non-destructive and non-invasive method for quantitative characterization of parchment deterioration, based on spectral measurements, is proposed. Deterioration due to both natural aging (ancient parchments) and artificial aging (achieved by means of controlled UV irradiation and temperature treatment) was investigated. The effect of aging on parchment native fluorescence was correlated with its deterioration condition. Aging causes fluorescence intensity drop, spectral shift of the main peak, and an overall change in the fluorescence spectral features. Digital color imaging analysis based on visible reflectance from the parchment surface was also applied, and the correspondent color components (RGB) were successively correlated with the state of parchment deterioration/aging. The fluorescence and color imaging data were validated by analysis of historical parchments, aged between 50 and 2000 years and covering a large variety of states of deterioration. The samples were independently assessed by traditional microscopy methods. We conclude that the proposed optical method qualifies well as a non-destructive tool for rapid assessment of the stage of parchment deterioration.     

一种准晶强化钢热处理过程中的组织和性能

超高强马氏体时效钢是集良好的加工性能和超高强使用性能的新材料。热处理对马氏体时效钢性能有着至关重要的影响。本文通过试验研究热处理工艺对典型超高强马氏体时效钢00Cr12Ni9Mo4Cu2组织性能的影响。发现：     

红外光谱探究常见污染气体对丝织品结构的影响

丝织品是由丝蛋白质组成,高温、高湿及污染物等因素会使其结构发生变化。为了科学地评估博物馆中污染气体对丝织品结构的影响,采取人工模拟实验制备二氧化氮、二氧化硫、乙酸和氨气常见博物馆污染气体环境,利用傅里叶红外光谱（FTIR）从丝蛋白质肽链结构、二级结构等方面探讨4种污染气体对丝织品蛋白质结构的影响。实验结果表明,二氧化氮老化30 h后样品的红外光谱在1 382 cm-1波数附近出现甲基对称变角振动吸收峰,而其他气体老化50 d的丝织品仍未产生甲基对称变角振动,说明二氧化氮对丝织品破坏最严重。所有污染气体老化后,样品的红外光谱在975和999 cm-1丝蛋白-Gly-Ala-和-Gly-Gly-肽链（一级）结构特征吸收峰处均有不同程度减弱,但碱性气体氨气较酸性气体减弱更明显。傅里叶红外光谱技术结合酰胺Ⅲ带（1 330～1 200 cm-1）去卷积和高斯拟合法研究表明,50 d氨老化后仅引起丝蛋白质非结晶区的轻微变化,α-螺旋、无规卷曲、β-折叠含量变化幅度较小,丝蛋白二级结构变化较小。相比而言,酸性气体对丝蛋白二级结构影响更加显著,出现β-折叠相对含量大幅降低、无规卷曲相对含量明显增加,其结晶区遭受严重破坏。在4种气体中,二氧化氮对丝织品二级结构影响最显著,老化30 h后β-折叠相对含量由原始值30.36%降低至18.12%,约降低40%。相应的二氧化氮对丝织品强度破坏最严重,在β-折叠含量降低的同时,材料的力学强度出现了显著降低。利用波数在1 700和1 640 cm-1红外光谱吸收峰的比值（A_{1 700/1 640}）和波数在1 620和1 514 cm-1红外光谱吸收峰的比值（A_{1 620/1 514}）判断样品的老化方式,实验结果表明二氧化氮、二氧化硫、氨气老化样品的方式主要为氧化老化,而乙酸老化的样品则发生氧化老化和水解老化两种老化方式。随着老化时间的延长,4种气体中二氧化氮老化样品的A_{1 620/1 514}比值增加最多、氧化最严重。推断与二氧化氮的强氧化性有关,也与二氧化氮使丝织品产生显著的甲基对称变角振动有关。建议博物馆应严格监测和控制二氧化氮气体浓度。该研究为制定合理的丝织品文物存放环境提供科学依据,对丝织品文物的保护具有重要意义。     

White matter hyperintensities and dynamics of postural control

Background

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on MRI have been associated with age, cardiovascular risk factors and falls in the elderly. This study evaluated the relationship between WMHs and dynamics of postural control in older adults without history of falls.

Methods

We studied 76 community-living subjects without history of falls (age 64.5±7.3 years). Brain and WMH volume calculations and clinical rating were done on fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) and MP-RAGE MR images on 3 T. Balance was assessed from the center of pressure displacement using the force platform during 3 min of quiet standing using traditional and dynamic measures (using stabilogram-diffusion analysis). Gait speed was measured from 12-min walk.

Results

Age-adjusted periventricular and focal WMHs were associated with changes in certain dynamic balance measures, including reduced range of postural sway in anteroposterior direction (fronto-temporal WMHs, P=.045; parieto-occipital WMHs, P=.009) and more irregular long-term mediolateral fluctuations (P=.046). Normal walking speed was not affected by WMHs.

Conclusions

Periventricular and focal WMHs affect long-term dynamics of postural control, which requires engagement of feedback mechanisms, and may contribute to mobility decline in the elderly.     

Effect of mixed solvent on solution properties and gelation behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol)

In this work, the static and dynamic light scattering measurements were used to investigate the solution properties and the aging effects on PVA/DMSO/water ternary system in dilute region at 25 °C. It was found that the phase separation and aggregate behavior occurs rapidly and obviously when DMSO mole fraction (X₁) in the solvent mixture is between 0.2 and 0.33, especially at 0.25. In this solvent composition range, a broad peak which indicates phase separation and chain aggregation can be observed from static light scattering measurement. However, when DMSO mole fraction is increased to 0.37, no such peak is present. For this ternary system, the gelation mechanism and the relationship between the phase separation behavior and the gelation of the formed physical gels were also investigated through the gelation kinetic analyses in the dilute and semi-dilute region. It is concluded that the cononsolvency effect in the dilute solution is not the sole origin that affects the phase separation, aggregation, and gelation behavior for the ternary system in a higher polymer concentration range. The hydrodynamic factors such as the higher viscosity and slower polymer chain diffusion that are resulted from higher polymer concentration should be also considered.     

南通市学田社区老年高血压细节干预效果评价

目的:观察细节干预在社区老年高血压治疗中的有效性和实用性。方法:将南通学田社区83例老年高血压患者分为对照组(29名)和细节管理组(56名)。细节管理组:设立社区健康管理专员专岗,增进社区医生与患者的沟通,提高患者服药依从性,对患者进行生活方式指导,并为社区医生定期收集血压等相关信息并反馈;开发和应用社区管理信息平台和患者管理工具。日常管理组:采用常规的管理模式,比较6个月治疗前后的血压控制情况。结果:两组间干预前后的血压均值间差别均有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论:细节干预是进行老年高血压患者二级预防的有效社区干预模式,有利于整个人群高血压的预防和控制。     

Pulse wave velocity with 4D flow MRI: Systematic differences and age-related regional vascular stiffness

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare multiple methods for estimation of PWV from 4D flow MRI velocity data and to investigate if 4D flow MRI-based PWV estimation with piecewise linear regression modeling of travel-distance vs. travel time is sufficient to discern age-related regional differences in PWV.

Methods

4D flow MRI velocity data were acquired in 8 young and 8 older (age: 23 ± 2 vs. 58 ± 2 years old) normal volunteers. Travel-time and travel-distance were measured throughout the aorta and piecewise linear regression was used to measure global PWV in the descending aorta and regional PWV in three equally sized segments between the top of the aortic arch and the renal arteries. Six different methods for extracting travel-time were compared.

Results

Methods for estimation of travel-time that use information about the whole flow waveform systematically overestimate PWV when compared to methods restricted to the upslope-portion of the waveforms (p < 0.05). In terms of regional PWV, a significant interaction was found between age and location (p < 0.05). The age-related differences in regional PWV were greater in the proximal compared to distal descending aorta.

Conclusion

Care must be taken as different classes of methods for the estimation of travel-time produce different results. 4D flow MRI-based PWV estimation with piecewise linear regression modeling of travel-distance vs. travel time can discern age-related differences in regional PWV well in line with previously reported data.     

Effect of the aging on lees and other alternative techniques on the low molecular weight phenols of Tempranillo red wine aged in oak barrels

The effect of different alternative techniques to the traditional aging on lees on the low molecular weight phenolic compounds of red wines was study as well as their evolution during the aging in oak wood barrels for six months. The study was carried out with Tempranillo red grapes from two consecutive vintages. The techniques assayed were the traditional aging on lees with or without the addition of exogenous β-glucanase enzymes, the use of yeast derivative preparations also with or without the addition of exogenous β-glucanase enzymes, the micro-oxygenation applied together with the aging on lees, and the use of non-toasted oak wood chips.     

利用X射线衍射光谱研究丝织品的老化

中国考古出土的丝织品数量大,种类丰富,是中国古代文化遗产的重要组成部分,但由于丝蛋白易于降解老化的材料特性,有许多保护问题需要研究解决。对古代丝织品老化程度、老化特征的分析检测有助于了解丝织品的保存状况,并可为保护方法的选择与改进提供帮助。文章通过X射线衍射分析对丝织品老化特征及结晶度的变化进行了研究。样品为经光老化、热老化和水解老化的白色丝织品和出土于湖北、陕西、内蒙古、青海的古代丝织品。X射线衍射分析结果表明,X射线衍射分析可以揭示丝织品的老化作用过程和老化特征,以及相应结晶度的变化,对于出土古代丝织品保存状况及老化机理的研究来说具有实用价值。同时还可为了解古代染织工艺的发展提供信息。