A TEM study on the microstructure of spark plasma sintered ZrB_2-based composite with nano-sized SiC dopant

Sintering behavior of ZrB_2 ceramic with nano-sized SiC dopant was studied. ZrB_2-25 vol% nano-sized SiC was selected as the starting mixture to fabricate the composite. The manufacturing process was accomplished at 1800℃ for 5 min under 25 MPa via spark plasma sintering(SPS). The as-sintered sample reached a relative density of 99%. Besides the initial phases, namely ZrB_2 and SiC, the high-resolution X-ray diffraction(HRXRD) was used to study the formation of an in-situ ZrC phase. The possible chemical interactions during the ZrC phase formation were scrutinized. The microstructure of the composite was studied by the field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Elemental analysis through FESEM evaluations revealed the formation of amorphous phases, rich in Zr, C, Si, B, and O elements, which was in harmony with the thermodynamical assessments. TEM studies endorsed the formation of such phases, containing a glassy bed of Si–B–O with ZrC and C islands dispersed therein.     

The FHIT gene product: tumor suppressor and genome “caretaker”

The FHIT gene at FRA3B is one of the earliest and most frequently altered genes in the majority of human cancers. It was recently discovered that the FHIT gene is not the most fragile locus in epithelial cells, the cell of origin for most Fhit-negative cancers, eroding support for past claims that deletions at this locus are simply passenger events that are carried along in expanding cancer clones, due to extreme vulnerability to DNA damage rather than to loss of FHIT function. Indeed, recent reports have reconfirmed FHIT as a tumor suppressor gene with roles in apoptosis and prevention of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Other recent works have identified a novel role for the FHIT gene product, Fhit, as a genome “caretaker.” Loss of this caretaker function leads to nucleotide imbalance, spontaneous replication stress, and DNA breaks. Because Fhit loss-induced DNA damage is “checkpoint blind,” cells accumulate further DNA damage during subsequent cell cycles, accruing global genome instability that could facilitate oncogenic mutation acquisition and expedite clonal expansion. Loss of Fhit activity therefore induces a mutator phenotype. Evidence for FHIT as a mutator gene is discussed in light of these recent investigations of Fhit loss and subsequent genome instability.     

Developing an Information System for Sustainable Natural Resource Management in Alborz Watershed, Northern Iran

This article explores the potentials of systems analysis and design of information system for sustainable natural resource management. Soft and hard system analyses were performed to better understand the information needs and design of an information system for improving decision making for achieving sustainable natural resource management. In order to analyze the complex and soft systems situations for developing an effective information system, which meets related actors’ changing needs, a conceptual model inspired by soft systems methodology (SSM) was developed. This model is based on information derived from twelve farmers who were purposely selected to represent diverse conditions and 23 agricultural extension experts across the Alborz Watershed in Mazandaran Province, located in northern Iran. Since a conceptual model resulting from SSM is not in itself sufficient as the basis for the implementation of information systems, a hard system methodology was used to structure the data handling by using unified modeling language. This research has shown the promising potentiality of using soft system analysis methodology as a preliminary step to the actual design of an information system in the natural resource management situation in the watershed system level when combined with hard system analysis methods.     

Improvement of corrosion performance of 316L stainless steel via PVTMS/henna thin film

Metallic materials are the most used materials as orthopedic or dental implants due to their excellent mechanical properties. However they are not able to create a natural bonding with the mineralized bone and occasionally suffer localized corrosion. This work describes the electrochemical behavior of a hybrid sol–gel thin film with the addition of green inhibitor. These films enhance the ability of the implant to make a union with the existing bone and improve its resistance to aggressive environment. An ethanol solution of the polymerized vinyltrimethoxysilane (PVTMS) was mixed with an aqueous solution of henna extract (Lawsonia inermis) and refluxed to give homogeneous sols. Nanostructure hybrid PVTMS/henna thin films were deposited on the stainless steel 316L by spin-coating. The morphology, composition and adhesion of hybrid sol–gel coatings have been examined by SEM, EDX and pull-off test, respectively. Addition of high additive concentrations (0.1%) did not disorganize the sol–gel network. Direct pull-off test recorded a mean coating-substrate bonding strength larger than 20.6 MPa for the hybrid sol–gel coating. The effect of henna extract, with various added concentrations from 0.012% to 0.1%, on the anticorrosion properties of sol–gel films have been characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution and has been compared to the bare metal. Henna extract additions (0.05%) have significantly increased the corrosion protection of the sol–gel thin film to higher than 90%. The in vitro bioactivity of prepared films indicates that hydroxyapatite nuclei can form and grow on the surface of the doped sol–gel thin films. The present study shows that due to their excellent anticorrosion properties, bioactivity and bonding strength to substrate, doped sol–gel thin films are practical hybrid films in biomedical applications.     

Biodegradable starch/poly (vinyl alcohol) film reinforced with titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Biodegradable starch/poly (vinyl alcohol)/nano-titanium dioxide (ST/PVA/nano-TiO₂) nanocomposite films were prepared via a solution casting method. Their biodegradability, mechanical properties, and thermal properties were also studied in this paper. A general full factorial experimental approach was used to determine effective parameters on the mechanical properties of the prepared films. ST/PVA/TiO₂ nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results of mechanical analysis show that ST/PVA films with higher contents of PVA have much better mechanical properties. In thermal analysis, it is found that the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles improves the thermal stability of the films. SEM micrographs, taken from the fracture surface of samples, illustrate that the addition of PVA makes the film softer and more flexible. The results of soil burial biodegradation indicate that the biodegradability of ST/PVA/TiO₂ films strongly depends on the starch proportion in the film matrix. The degradation rate is increased by the addition of starch in the films.     

Experimental verification of a conserved intronic microRNA located in the human <Emphasis Type="Italic">TrkC</Emphasis> gene with a cell type-dependent apoptotic function

Tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) is involved in cell survival, apoptosis induction and tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that, similar to p75^NTR receptor, some of the diverse functions of TrkC could be mediated by a microRNA (miRNA) embedded within the gene. Here, we experimentally verified the expression and processing of two bioinformatically predicted miRNAs named TrkC-miR1-5p and TrkC-miR1-3p. Transfecting a DNA fragment corresponding to the TrkC-premir1 sequence in HEK293t cells caused ~300-fold elevation in the level of mature TrkC-miR1 and also a significant downregulation of its predicted target genes. Furthermore, endogenous TrkC-miR1 was detected in several cell lines and brain tumors confirming its endogenous generation. Furthermore, its orthologous miRNA was detected in developing rat brain. Accordingly, TrkC-miR1 expression was increased during the course of neural differentiation of NT2 cell, whereas its suppression attenuated NT2 differentiation. Consistent with opposite functions of TrkC, TrkC-miR1 overexpression promoted survival and apoptosis in U87 and HEK293t cell lines, respectively. In conclusion, our data report the discovery of a new miRNA with overlapping function to TrkC.     

油中水滴静电聚并微观机理研究

利用电场对多相体系进行分离处理广泛应用于石油化工等行业,电场力作用下液滴间的相互运动聚并是聚结的基础和前提条件.本文从液滴间静电力学模型出发,通过动态微观实验对液滴的聚并过程进行了完整的记录和分析,确定不同实验条件下液滴的聚并方式和角度,以及液滴从静止状态到发生相对运动时的临界条件.结果发现当两等大液滴间距与液滴半径之比大于1时,液滴间中心连线与电场力夹角θ<54.7°或θ>125.3°,两液滴间作用力表现为吸引力,当液滴间距较小时,能产生聚结的最大倾角增大为81.3°.液滴间相对距离增大时,移动临界电场强度迅速升高,较大液滴发生相对移动所需的场强低于小颗粒液滴.实验结果验证了相关理论,进一步完善了静电聚结机理.     

基于相位的语音信号处理

在语音信号处理系统的设计中，信号的相位信息总是没有得到设计者足够的重视。本书第一次提出并反复强调信号相位信息在声源定位、语音识别和语音增强中的重要作用，书中很好地讨论并总结了当前基于相位的语音信号处理的最新进展。