Enthalpy of formation of ye’elimite and ternesite

Calcium sulfoaluminate clinkers containing ye’elimite (Ca4Al6O12(SO4)) and ternesite (Ca5(SiO4)2SO4) are being widely investigated as components of calcium sulfoaluminate cement clinkers. These may become low energy replacements for Portland cement. Conditional thermodynamic data for ye’elimite and ternesite (enthalpy of formation) have been determined experimentally using a combination of techniques: isothermal conduction calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The enthalpies of formation of ye’elimite and ternesite at 25 °C were determined to be − 8523 and − 5993 kJ mol−1, respectively

Genetic contributions to variation in general cognitive function:a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in the CHARGE consortium (<i>N</i>=53 949)

General cognitive function is substantially heritable across the human life course from adolescence to old age. We investigated the genetic contribution to variation in this important, health- and well-being-related trait in middle-aged and older adults. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of 31 cohorts (N=53 949) in which the participants had undertaken multiple, diverse cognitive tests. A general cognitive function phenotype was tested for, and created in each cohort by principal component analysis. We report 13 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations in three genomic regions, 6q16.1, 14q12 and 19q13.32 (best SNP and closest gene, respectively: rs10457441, P=3.93 × 10−9, MIR2113; rs17522122, P=2.55 × 10−8, AKAP6; rs10119, P=5.67 × 10−9, APOE/TOMM40). We report one gene-based significant association with the HMGN1 gene located on chromosome 21 (P=1 × 10−6). These genes have previously been associated with neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Meta-analysis results are consistent with a polygenic model of inheritance. To estimate SNP-based heritability, the genome-wide complex trait analysis procedure was applied to two large cohorts, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (N=6617) and the Health and Retirement Study (N=5976). The proportion of phenotypic variation accounted for by all genotyped common SNPs was 29% (s.e.=5%) and 28% (s.e.=7%), respectively. Using polygenic prediction analysis, ~1.2% of the variance in general cognitive function was predicted in the Generation Scotland cohort (N=5487; P=1.5 × 10−17). In hypothesis-driven tests, there was significant association between general cognitive function and four genes previously associated with Alzheimer’s disease: TOMM40, APOE, ABCG1 and MEF2C

Plasma treated graphene oxide films: structural and electrical studies

The exfoliation of oxygenated functional groups from 60 W hydrogen plasma treated graphene oxide films was investigated using X-ray diffractometric (XRD), Raman spectroscopic and atomic force microscopic techniques. The interlayer spacing of the graphene oxide sheets was found from the XRD pattern to decrease from 0.88 to 0.35 nm after plasma treatment. The reduced intensity ratio of the D and G peaks of the Raman spectra indicates a decrease in the crystallite size of the sp2 domains due to plasma treatment. Atomic force microscope showed the continuous morphology of the plasma treated film. The electrical properties of plasma treated samples spin-coated on silicon were studied using Van Der Pauw and non contacting microwave techniques. The sheet resistivity determined from Van der Pauw measurements was $$1.62\,{\text{M}}\Omega /{\text{sq}}$$1.62MΩ/sq, yielding the value of $$3.1\,{\text{S}}\,{\text{m}}^{ - 1}$$3.1Sm-1 for the bulk conductivity. The charge mobility of $$3.8\,{\text{m}}^{2} \,{\text{V}}^{ - 1} \,{\text{s}}^{ - 1}$$3.8m2V-1s-1 has been determined from Hall measurement technique.Dr. Indrani Banerjee is grateful to Commonwealth Association, UK for funding the present research work under the fellowship placement scheme (Grant reference INCF-2014-66)