Rheology, dispersion, and cure kinetics of epoxy filled with amine‐ and non‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide for composite manufacturing

This study evaluates the effect of plasma surface functionalization of reduced graphene oxide particles on the processing characteristics and homogeneity of dispersion of a bisphenol A‐(epichlorhydrin) epoxy matrix and amine‐based hardener with varying weight fractions from 0.00 to 1.50 wt%. It was observed that amine‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide leads to a more drastic viscosity increase of up to 18‐fold of the uncured suspensions and that its presence influences the conversion rates of the curing reaction. Optical microscopy of thin sections and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that a more homogeneous dispersion of the particles could be achieved especially at higher weight fractions by using an appropriate surface functionalization. This knowledge can be used to define suitable processing conditions for epoxies with amine‐based hardeners depending on the loading and functionalization of graphene‐related particles

Taxonomy of prokaryotic viruses: 2016 update from the ICTV bacterial and archaeal viruses subcommittee

The prokaryotic virus community is represented at the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) by the Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee. Since our last report [8], the committee composition has changed, and a large number of taxonomic proposals (TaxoProps) were submitted to the ICTV Executive Committee (EC) for approval.Peer reviewe

The cross-sectional GRAS sample: A comprehensive phenotypical data collection of schizophrenic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Schizophrenia is the collective term for an exclusively clinically diagnosed, heterogeneous group of mental disorders with still obscure biological roots. Based on the assumption that valuable information about relevant genetic and environmental disease mechanisms can be obtained by association studies on patient cohorts of ≥ 1000 patients, if performed on detailed clinical datasets and quantifiable biological readouts, we generated a new schizophrenia data base, the GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia) data collection. GRAS is the necessary ground to study genetic causes of the schizophrenic phenotype in a 'phenotype-based genetic association study' (PGAS). This approach is different from and complementary to the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on schizophrenia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For this purpose, 1085 patients were recruited between 2005 and 2010 by an invariable team of traveling investigators in a cross-sectional field study that comprised 23 German psychiatric hospitals. Additionally, chart records and discharge letters of all patients were collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The corresponding dataset extracted and presented in form of an overview here, comprises biographic information, disease history, medication including side effects, and results of comprehensive cross-sectional psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurological examinations. With >3000 data points per schizophrenic subject, this data base of living patients, who are also accessible for follow-up studies, provides a wide-ranging and standardized phenotype characterization of as yet unprecedented detail.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The GRAS data base will serve as prerequisite for PGAS, a novel approach to better understanding 'the schizophrenias' through exploring the contribution of genetic variation to the schizophrenic phenotypes.</p

Search for high-energy neutrino emission from hard X-ray AGN with IceCube

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are powerful astronomical objects with very high luminosities. Theoretical arguments suggest that these objects are capable of accelerating particles to energies of 1020 eV. In environments with matter or photon targets, cosmic-ray interactions transpire leading to the production of pionic gamma rays and neutrinos. Since the AGN environment is rich in gas, dust and photons, they are promising candidate sources of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. While the neutrinos manage to escape, the gamma rays may further interact and cascade down to hard X-rays in environments with sufficiently large photon or gas targets. We have used 12 years of IceCube data to perform a stacked search and a point source search for high-energy neutrino emission from hard X-ray AGN sampled from Swift-BAT Spectroscopic Survey (BASS) and present the results of these two analyses

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways

Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Amine-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide via Plasma Treatment

A suitable functionalization of graphene and its derivatives can further enhance the material properties of nanocomposites. In contrast to chemical functionalization methods that have been extensively researched, functionalization by plasma treatment is relatively unexplored. In this work, we compare the mechanical, thermal and electrical characteristics of an epoxy matrix incorporating loadings from 0.00 to 1.50 wt% of non-functionalized (rGO) and amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (frGO) for which the functionalization is realized by plasma processing. No significant difference between the rGO- and frGO-including nanocomposites was observed with respect to the stiffness, strength, specific heat capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion and electrical conductivity. Yet, the composites with 1.50 wt% frGO (rGO) exhibited a thermal conductivity that was 27% (20%) higher than the neat polymer due to the enhanced interface, which enabled a better transfer of heat. In addition, a considerable increase in the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity was established with rising temperatures. This information will facilitate the choice of materials depending on the loading and functionalization of graphene materials for composite applications with an epoxy matrix

Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Amine-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide via Plasma Treatment

A suitable functionalization of graphene and its derivatives can further enhance the material properties of nanocomposites. In contrast to chemical functionalization methods that have been extensively researched, functionalization by plasma treatment is relatively unexplored. In this work, we compare the mechanical, thermal and electrical characteristics of an epoxy matrix incorporating loadings from 0.00 to 1.50 wt% of non-functionalized (rGO) and amine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (frGO) for which the functionalization is realized by plasma processing. No significant difference between the rGO- and frGO-including nanocomposites was observed with respect to the stiffness, strength, specific heat capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion and electrical conductivity. Yet, the composites with 1.50 wt% frGO (rGO) exhibited a thermal conductivity that was 27% (20%) higher than the neat polymer due to the enhanced interface, which enabled a better transfer of heat. In addition, a considerable increase in the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity was established with rising temperatures. This information will facilitate the choice of materials depending on the loading and functionalization of graphene materials for composite applications with an epoxy matrix

Taxonomy of prokaryotic viruses:update from the ICTV bacterial and archaeal viruses subcommittee

The prokaryotic virus community is represented on the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) by the Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee. In 2008, the three caudoviral families Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Siphoviridae included only 18 genera and 36 species. Under the able chairmanship of Rob Lavigne (KU Leuven, Belgium), major advances were made in the classification of prokaryotic viruses and the order Caudovirales was expanded dramatically, to reflect the genome-based relationships between phages. Today, the order includes six subfamilies, 80 genera, and 441 species. This year, additional changes in prokaryotic virus taxonomy have been brought forward under the new subcommittee chair, Andrew M. Kropinski (University of Guelph, Canada). These changes are

Taxonomy of prokaryotic viruses : update from the ICTV bacterial and archaeal viruses subcommittee

The prokaryotic virus community is represented on the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) by the Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee. In 2008, the three caudoviral families Myoviridae, Podoviridae, and Siphoviridae included only 18 genera and 36 species. Under the able chairmanship of Rob Lavigne (KU Leuven, Belgium), major advances were made in the classification of prokaryotic viruses and the order Caudovirales was expanded dramatically, to reflect the genome-based relationships between phages. Today, the order includes six subfamilies, 80 genera, and 441 species. This year, additional changes in prokaryotic virus taxonomy have been brought forward under the new subcommittee chair, Andrew M. Kropinski (University of Guelph, Canada). These changes are