Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis of polyethylene modified with crude palm oil.

This paper is focuses on the study of the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of polyethylene (PE) modified with crude palm oil (CPO). PE of grades LLDPE and HDPE were used in this study. Various compositions of CPO and PE compounds were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. Films of 0.2 mm thickness were produced by using blown film technique. LLDPE and HDPE with CPO samples show only one melting temperature peak in DSC results, indicating the existence of one type of crystal species on all PE matrices. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) shows the decrease of storage modulus was effect of plasticing of CPO. The shifting of b transition peak was observed on both polymers with the addition of CPO indicating the CPO has a lubricating effect on both polymers. � 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in The Cancer Genome Atlas

Genetic alterations in signaling pathways that control cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell growth are common hallmarks of cancer, but the extent, mechanisms, and co-occurrence of alterations in these pathways differ between individual tumors and tumor types. Using mutations, copy-number changes, mRNA expression, gene fusions and DNA methylation in 9,125 tumors profiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we analyzed the mechanisms and patterns of somatic alterations in ten canonical pathways: cell cycle, Hippo, Myc, Notch, Nrf2, PI-3-Kinase/Akt, RTK-RAS, TGFb signaling, p53 and beta-catenin/Wnt. We charted the detailed landscape of pathway alterations in 33 cancer types, stratified into 64 subtypes, and identified patterns of co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity. Eighty-nine percent of tumors had at least one driver alteration in these one alteration potentially targetable by currently available drugs. Thirty percent of tumors had multiple targetable alterations, indicating opportunities for combination therapy

Modelling of Catalytic Converter in CNGV Cold-start Engine

Modelling of cold-start engine behaviour at catalytic converter is a difficult task as it involves complicated convection-diffusion-reactions flow.This work presents a CFD calculation to predict the transient thermal and conversion characteristics of catalytic converter during the light-off operation for a different position of catalytic converter from engine. The effect of exhaust length on conversion of NOx to N2 and CO to CO2 are numerically evaluated via CFD. It shows that the light-off condition will take a longer time as the position of catalytic converter from engine is lengthened and it is proposed that the ideal position of catalytic converter from engine should no longer than 0.5 m

Influence of cellulose II polymorph nanowhiskers on bio-based nanocomposite film from Jatropha oil polyurethane

Green polyurethane from plant oil-based such as Jatropha oil has recently received attention due to its environmental friendliness and sustainability. With incorporation of nanocellulose even though at low loadings in polymer matrices has shown a significant improvement. However, limited research has been done on different cellulose nanowhisker (CNW) polymorphs and their impact on composites. A number of studies have shown that the handling of cellulose polymorph also improves the properties of composite products as the cellulose II is more chemically reactive and thermodynamically stable than cellulose I. The aim this study is to investigate the effect ofCNWwith cellulose II polymorph in Jatropha oil-based polyurethane (JOPU). Different weight percent ofCNWII (0.1-1.5 wt%) were incorporated into JOPU films using vacuum rotavap and film casting. The total weight of 6 g was used as a fixed ratio (1:3) matrix of 4.4'-diphenyl-methane diisocyanate (MDI) and Jatropha-oil polyol (JO). The acid hydrolysis process was subjected to mercerised microcrystalline cellulose (MMCC) for the production of CNW-II. X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out to confirm cellulose II lattice of CNW-II. The CNW-II morphology was analysed using the transmission electron microscope. It was found that CNW-II had a granule-like shape with an average size of 74.04 nmin length and 21.36 nmin width. The translucency and colour of the film have also been tested by optical light microscopes. The clarity of the film and colour found affected by the highest CNW-II film loading. Based on the FTIR analysis, the spectra of all films show a typical polyurethane pattern that JOPU spectra found dominant due to very low volume NCW-II content in film. The same trend is observed for thermal degradation tested using a thermogravimetric analyser. Tensile strength and water uptake have been shown to increase in proportion to the CNW-II content

Characterization and use of in natura and calcined rice husks for biosorption of heavy metals ions from aqueous effluents

Heavy metal removal by adsorption using rice husks as a bioadsorbent was evaluated as an alternative for wastewater treatment. Batch equilibrium experiments and kinetic sorption studies were performed using monocomponent solutions of Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) in surface samples of in natura(RH) and calcined rice husks (RHA). RHA showed higher potential for removing lead and copper. Experimental data for adsorption isotherms of lead and copper were adjusted by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevick (D-R) models, being better represented by the Langmuir model. The calcination of RH increased its surface area, improving its adsorption properties. From a morphological analysis obtained by SEM and diffraction patterns (XRD), a longitudinal fibrous and amorphous structure was observed for RH. TGA resultsindicated a total mass loss of around 60% for RH and 24.5% for RHA