UCO (Ultra Clean Oil) module, an innovative adaption of existing used rolling oil treatment in the Aluminum industry, is being studied for its potential market in China. In this article, conventional used rolling oil treatment process in China has been evaluated and compared with the UCO module in technical and economic aspects. This article also discusses the effect of these two processes on the environment. The UCO module presented in this article, has the potential to significantly reduce the impurities in the used rolling oil and also save the cost for the raw materials, manpower, maintenance and operation for more than 1,600,000 Kr a year. With the new ― state of art‖ equipment, the UCO module has less negative effect on the environment. The UCO module appears to be more efficient but profitability was found to be lower than the conventional process in China.

This thesis focuses on the introduction with the problems of high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in orthopedics in the first part. It discusses the history, properties and processes that lead to the failure of UHMWPE joint replacement components. The experimental part validates the hypotheses expressed. It acquaints readers with the experimental verification of the effect of different types of sterilization on the oxidative stability of laboratory prepared samples and explanted UHMWPE joint replacement components using methods of infrared microscopy, electron spin resonance, mechanical tests and tests of microhardness. Other experimental measurements on a large set of explanted components of hip and knee total joint replacements validates the hypothesis that the amount of oxidative damage affects the lifespan of joint replacements. The third part of the experimental study maps the degree of oxidative damage in different places of the hip and knee joint replacements. In the final part we experimentally demonstrate the fact that the rate of oxidative damage has an effect on supramolecular structure of the UHMWPE. From the above experiments are concluded clearly defined recommendations for clinical practice, which should lead to extend the lifespan of total joints replacements in orthopaedics....

Infrared Spectroscopy of Multiferroics Author: Veronica Goian Institute: Department of Dielectrics, Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 2, 182 21 Prague 8 Abstract: We have investigated numerous multiferroic and magnetoelectric materials mainly using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the studies were frequently combined with radio-frequency, microwave, THz, Raman and structural measurements provided by our colleagues, as well as by magnetic and elastic investigations, where we participated. Our main aim was the complex study of quantum-paraelectric antiferromagnet EuTiO3 in the form of crystals, ceramics and thin films. Near 300 K we have discovered an antiferrodistorive phase transition from cubic mPm3 to tetragonal I4/mcm structure in bulk EuTiO3 and explained its low-frequency dielectric properties by anomalous polar phonon behavior. Large and anisotropic magnetodielectric effect, which we found in EuTiO3, was successfully explained and experimentally confirmed by observation of tuning of phonon frequency with magnetic field. Our IR studies of tensile strained EuTiO3 thin films revealed a displacive ferroelectric phase transition near 250 K. Our American colleagues revealed the ferromagnetic order below 4.2 K in the same strained EuTiO3 thin film. In such way we have...

Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, behavioral symptoms, and cognitive deficits. Roughly, 70%-80% of schizophrenia patients experience auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), with 25%-30% demonstrating resistance to conventional antipsychotic medications. Studies suggest a promising role for add-on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of medication-refractory AVHs. The mechanisms through which tDCS could be therapeutic in such cases are unclear, but possibly involve neuroplastic effects. In recent years, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been used successfully to study tDCS-induced neuroplastic changes. In a double-blind, sham-controlled design, we applied fNIRS to measure task-dependent cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes as a surrogate outcome of single session tDCS-induced effects on neuroplasticity in a schizophrenia patient with persistent auditory hallucinations. The observations are discussed in this case report.

The IR spectra of twenty-one transition metal complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline over the range 700 - 50 cm⁻¹ are discussed in relation to their known or inferred structures. The complexes are of three types: (a) the bis(aquo) complexes of the first row transition metal(II) ions, [M(ox)₂(H₂O)₂] (M =Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn); (b) the corresponding anhydrous complexes, [M(ox)₂]n (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) and (c) the complexes of the metal(III) ions, [M(ox)₃] (M = Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ga, Rh and In). Deuterated 8-hydroxyquinoline was. synthesized by the Skraup synthesis and has been used to assist in the assignment of the metal-ligand modes. The assignment of these bands was further based on ⁶⁴,⁶⁸Zn labellihg of the bis(aquo) zinc chelate and on the effects of metal ion substitution in relation to structural considerations based on crystal field theory. An investigation of the IR spectra of a series of -tris, bis and mono(8-aminoquinoline) complexes of the first transition row metal(II) perchlorates and halides is reported.

A suitable microtome sampling technique was used to sample cheese for analysis using FTIR spectroscopy. Well-separated fat- and protein-related bands were obtained in the spectra of Cheddar and Mozzarella cheese samples using this method. The absorbance intensity of the spectra was proportional to the thickness of the sample. The intensity of absorbance and fat- and protein-related bands increased with an increase in the fat and protein content in the sample. Strong and well-separated bands at 1744, 1450, 1240, 1170, and 1115 cm-1 arising mainly from fat content were observed using this method. Bands observed at 1650 and 1540 cm-1 were attributed to the protein present in the cheese. Bands at 1615-1639, 1640-1648, 1650-1658, and 1660-1688 cm-1 corresponding to β-sheet, random coil, helix, and the turns/sheet portion of the secondary structure were observed int he range of the amide I band. Characteristics of spectra for full-fat (FFCC) and reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (RFCC) during ripening were investigated. The absorbance of bands at 1116-1240 from C-C, C-O, C-N stretch, 1461 cm-1 from C-N bend (scissoring), 1744 cm-1 from ester carbonyl groups (fat A), 2850-2930 cm-1 from C-H stretch (fat B), 1650 and 1540 cm-1 from protein amide I and II varied druing cheese aging. Bands at 1116 and1240 cm-1 arising from C-O, C-N, and C-C stretch changed slightly during cheese aging. A correlation coefficient of 0.97 for bands between 1744 and 1167 cm-1 arising from fat, and that of 0.93 at 1650 and 1540 cm-1 arising from protein, respectively, showed that one of these fat or protein groups was highly related to the other. A correlation coefficient of greater than 0.80 among the bands of fat and protein groups indicated a strong interaction in those bands. Correlation of ripening time and absorbance at bands corresponding to each function group was analyzed. A ripening index model was obtained by correlating ripening time with predominant reactive group absorbance peaks. An R2 of 0.83 and 0.59 was obtained for full-fat and reduced fat Cheddar cheese, respectively. Texture development and its correlation with FTIR spectra data for FFCC and RFCC during aging were also studied. RFCC had a higher value of hardness, gumminess, and chewiness than its full-fat counterpart. The values decreased during the early stages of ripening and then increased with time. The change in hardness, adhesiveness, and springiness was expressed as a function of the change in absorbance of the FTIR spectra using multiple regression analysis. An R2 value of 0.67, 0.54, and 0.75 was obtained for full-fat Cheddar cheese, and a value of 0.51, 0.59, and 0.54 was obtained for reduced-fat Cheddar cheese for the respective texture parameters.

Amyloids are self-assembled protein materials containing beta-sheets.  While most studies focus on amyloids as the pathogen in neurodegenerative disease, there are instances of "functional" amyloids used to preserve life.  Functional amyloids serve as an inspiration in materials design.  In this study, it is shown that wheat gluten (WG) and gliadin:myoglobin (Gd:My) amyloid morphology can be varied from predominantly fibrillar at low polypeptide concentration to predominantly globular at high polypeptide concentration as measured at the nanometer scale using atomic force microscopy (AFM).  The ability to control the morphology of a material allows control of its properties.  Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy shows that at low concentration, fibrils require interdigitation of methyl groups on alanine (A), isoleucine (I), leucine (L), and valine (V).  At higher concentration, globules do not have the same interdigitation of methyl groups but more random hydrophobic interactions.  The concentration dependence of the morphology is shown as a kinetic effect where many polypeptides aggregate very quickly through hydrophobic interactions to produce globules while smaller populations of polypeptides aggregate slowly through well-defined hydrophobic interactions to form fibrils. Functional amyloids also provide a means of creating a low energy process for composites. Poor fiber/matrix bonding and processing degradation have been observed in previous WG based composites.  This study aims to improve upon these flaws by implementing a self-assembly process to fabricate self-reinforced wheat gluten composites. These composites are processed in aqueous solution at neutral pH by allowing the fibers to form in a matrix of unassembled peptides.  The fiber and the matrix are formed from the same solution, thus the two components create a compatible system with ideal interfacial interaction for a composite.  The fibers in the composite are about 10 microns in diameter and can be several millimeters long.  It has been observed that the number of fibers present along the fracture surface influences the modulus of the composite. In this study, self-assembled wheat gluten composites are formed and then characterized with 3-point bend (3PB) mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. / Master of Science

Developing a fundamental understanding of the interactions of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) with surfaces is essential for the rational design of new sorbents, sensors, and decontamination strategies. The interactions of chemical warfare agent simulants, molecules which retain many of the same chemical or physical properties of the agent without the toxic effects, with amorphous silica were conducted to investigate how small changes in chemical structure affect the overall chemistry. Experiments investigating the surface chemistry of two classes of CWAs, nerve and blister agents, were performed in ultrahigh vacuum to provide a well-characterized system in the absence of background gases. Transmission infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption techniques were used to learn about the adsorption mechanism and to measure the activation energy for desorption for each of the simulant studied. In the organophosphate series, the simulants diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP), dimethyl chlorophosphate (DMCP), and methyl dichlorophosphate (MDCP) were all observed to interact with the silica surface through the formation of a hydrogen bond between the phosphoryl oxygen of the simulant and an isolated hydroxyl group on the surface. In the limit of zero coverage, and after defect effects were excluded, the activation energies for desorption were measured to be 57.9 ± 1, 54.5 ± 0.3, 52.4 ± 0.6, 48.4 ± 1, and 43.0 ± 0.8 kJ/mol for DIMP. DMMP, TMP, DMCP, and MDCP respectively. The adsorption strength was linearly correlated to the magnitude of the frequency shift of the ν(SiO-H) mode upon simulant adsorption. The interaction strength was also linearly correlated to the calculated negative charge on the phosphoryl oxygen, which is affected by the combined inductive effects of the simulants' different substituents. From the structure-function relationship provided by the simulant studies, the CWA, Sarin is predicted to adsorb to isolated hydroxyl groups of the silica surface via the phosphoryl oxygen with a strength of 53 kJ/mol. The interactions of two common mustard simulants, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) and methyl salicylate (MeS), with amorphous silica were also studied. 2-CEES was observed to adsorb to form two different types of hydrogen bonds with isolated hydroxyl groups, one via the S moiety and another via the Cl moiety. The desorption energy depends strongly on the simulant coverage, suggesting that each 2-CEES adsorbate forms two hydrogen bonds. MeS interacts with the surface via a single hydrogen bond through either its hydroxyl or carbonyl functionality. While the simulant work has allowed us to make predictions agent-surface interactions, actual experiments with the live agents need to be conducted to fully understand this chemistry. To this end, a new surface science instrument specifically designed for agent-surface experiments has been developed, constructed, and tested. The instrument, located at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, now makes it possible to make direct comparisons between simulants and agents that will aid in choosing which simulants best model live agent chemistry for a given system. These fundamental studies will also contribute to the development of new agent detection and decontamination strategies. / Ph. D.

The purposes of this research are (1) to bridge this gap of deficiency by developing a simple, precise and reproducible routine analytical technique by using attenuated total reflectance, and (2) to serve as an atlas for identification of renal calculi.

The purpose of this dissertation series was to examine oxygen uptake kinetics in skeletal muscle by evaluating responses of local muscle deoxygenation during incremental exercise in healthy individuals using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Metabolic activity in skeletal muscle, as part of the integrative responses of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neuromuscular systems, are major determinants of an individual’s physical capacity and function. The workings of these systems, called whole-body metabolism, affect the capability of an individual to engage in activities of daily living, to exercise, and participate in athletic performance. Thus, they have a strong impact on health as engagement in physical activity is well known to be effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing the risks of chronic disease. At this time, the in vivo relationships between whole-body metabolism and local muscle metabolic activity are not well understood, but with the availability of NIRS technology this is possible. NIRS is a noninvasive optical technique used to continuously measure changes in muscle tissue oxygen saturation locally, allowing interrogation of the functional integration between muscle metabolism and the cardiovascular system in intact human beings, which is what the series of studies in this dissertation evaluate. Healthy adults and adolescents were enrolled as healthy control participants into an observational study evaluating changes in local muscle oxygen uptake in neuromuscular disease during exercise. Participants performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a recumbent cycle ergometer. Changes in muscle deoxygenation (HHb), reflecting local oxygen uptake, were measured using NIRS and whole-body metabolism was assessed synchronously via expired gas analysis. After an initial increase in HHb at exercise onset, a consistent pattern of plateau in HHb was observed in the healthy participants near the end of peak exercise. Despite increasing workload and oxygen uptake (VO2) in the final minutes of the test, it was unclear what mechanisms were contributing to this HHb response. It was hypothesized that the HHb-Workload relationship evaluated at the time of VO2peak would be non-linear, such that a greater maximum workload achieved at VO2peak would not be linearly matched by greater ΔHHb (i.e., greater total change from rest to VO2peak). First, a critical evaluation of the literature was conducted to explore this hypothesis. Chapter 2 provides the results of a scoping review that was performed in order to better understand the scientific evidence using NIRS that describes the relationships between indices of muscle oxygen saturation and workload during incremental exercise. This formed the basis to pursue the hypothesis-driven research presented in the subsequent chapters, interrogating the overarching question of this dissertation related to the HHb-Workload relationship. The review revealed there are three methodological approaches to examining changes in muscle oxygen saturation and workload, the least common of which was examination of HHb and workload at the VO2peak time point. Changes in muscle oxygen saturation and work have also been studied as the change in muscle oxygenation over the duration of exercise and at a certain time point or intensity during incremental exercise. Based on the literature, it was clear that there was a dearth of research examining the HHb plateau response in relation to work at VO2peak. Accordingly, chapter 3 provides the results of a pilot study that evaluated the relationship between change in HHb (ΔHHb) and the maximum workload (MW) achieved at VO2peak, where it was hypothesized that the relationship at this time point would be non-linear. A polynomial regression model was used to describe the relationship. The results of this study showed that at lower maximum workloads there were initial increases in ΔHHb with increasing maximum workload but at the highest maximum workloads, ΔHHb attenuated. A polynomial model including ΔHHb and MW, with VO2peak (an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness) as a covariate, best characterized the relationship. Age was not significantly related to ΔHHb or MW, and VO2peak appeared to play a partial role as its inclusion as a covariate helped explain approximately a quarter of the variance, suggesting other factors may be contributing to the attenuated HHb response. From this pilot work it was hypothesized that the attenuation in ΔHHb at higher maximum workloads, and the HHb plateau observed during CPET, could be explained by muscle efficiency. If so, a longer duration and lesser slope of the HHb plateau in the minutes leading up to VO2peak occurs in muscles with higher metabolic efficiency. As muscle efficiency is defined as a ratio of external work accomplished to internal energy expended, the hypothesis, if true, would support a better matching of the internal work (VO2) to the external work (workload on the ergometer). Chapter 4 provides the results of a secondary analysis that sought to determine whether the observed plateau in HHb reflected muscular efficiency by comparing the slope of the HHb plateau (HHb[s]) to a commonly used method of assessing muscle efficiency, delta efficiency (DE). It was hypothesized that HHb[s] and DE would be inversely and significantly correlated, providing a potential mechanism for the attenuated HHb response and a noninvasive method for assessing muscle efficiency. In contrast to the hypothesis, HHb[s] and DE were not associated, suggesting that a mechanism other than muscle efficiency is contributing to the HHb plateau. Collectively, this series of studies demonstrate that there is a need to better understand the relationship between HHb and workload in healthy individuals, because of a paucity of evidence exploring the HHb-MW relationship at VO2peak, the finding that ΔHHb attenuates at higher maximum workloads, and that results suggest the HHb plateau phenomenon cannot be explained by muscle efficiency. Future work should seek to elucidate the mechanism that allows healthy individuals to achieve higher workloads (i.e., continue exercising at high intensity) without further increasing muscle oxygen uptake, in a larger more heterogeneous sample.