Mechanistic and pathological study of the genesis, growth, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Postprint (published version

Effects of rapid thermal annealing on device characteristics of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot infrared photodetectors

In this work, rapid thermal annealing was performed on InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) at different temperatures. The photoluminescence showed a blueshifted spectrum in comparison with the as-grown sample when the annealing temperature was higher than 700 °C, as a result of thermal interdiffusion of the quantum dots (QDs). Correspondingly, the spectral response from the annealed QDIP exhibited a redshift. At the higher annealing temperature of 800 °C, in addition to the largely redshifted photoresponse peak of 7.4 µm (compared with the 6.1 µm of the as-grown QDIP), a high energy peak at 5.6 µm (220 meV) was also observed, leading to a broad spectrum linewidth of 40%. This is due to the large interdiffusion effect which could greatly vary the composition of the QDs and thus increase the relative optical absorption intensity at higher energy. The other important detector characteristics such as dark current, peak responsivity, and detectivity were also measured. It was found that the overall device performance was not affected by low annealing temperature, however, for high annealing temperature, some degradation in device detectivity (but not responsivity) was observed. This is a consequence of increased dark current due to defect formation and increased ground state energy. © 2006 American Institute of Physic

Evidence for nodeless superconducting gap in NaFe1−x_{1-x}Cox_xAs from low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements

The thermal conductivity of optimally doped NaFe$_{0.972}$Co$_{0.028}$As ($T_c \sim$ 20 K) and overdoped NaFe$_{0.925}$Co$_{0.075}$As ($T_c \sim$ 11 K) single crystals were measured down to 50 mK. No residual linear term $\kappa_0/T$ is found in zero magnetic field for both compounds, which is an evidence for nodeless superconducting gap. Applying field up to $H$ = 9 T ($\approx H_{c2}/4$) does not noticeably increase $\kappa_0/T$ in NaFe$_{1.972}$Co$_{0.028}$As, which is consistent with multiple isotropic gaps with similar magnitudes. The $\kappa_0/T$ of overdoped NaFe$_{1.925}$Co$_{0.075}$As shows a relatively faster field dependence, indicating the increase of the ratio between the magnitudes of different gaps, or the enhancement of gap anisotropy upon increasing doping.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Shoulder recovery for head and neck cancer patients after unilateral neck dissection: a pilot exploratory study

An established side-effect of neck dissection (ND) for head and neck (HNC) tumour management includes shoulder dysfunction (SD), which can impact quality of life (QOL). Shoulder strength and range of movement (ROM) are key parameters to be monitored in SD. However, such evaluations are not routinely conducted in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate objectively the impact of ND on shoulder functions. Methods: This is a pilot exploratory study in a tertiary cancer centre. Five participants with unilateral ND and advanced HNC, completed the study. Outcome measures consisted of self-reported QOL questionnaires, C2–T1 dermatomes and shoulder ROM and strength testing. Data was collected at baseline, 1.5-months after surgery and 6-months after diagnosis (after adjuvant treatment completion). Results: Most outcome measures on the surgically affected side were negatively impacted post-operatively, with varied recovery seen at follow-up. Sensory loss was noted at C3–4 dermatome levels. Shoulder ROM and strength was reduced on the surficial side for all participants, with some recovery after six months except for two participants. Conclusion: Results of SD after ND are diverse and unique to each patient. Findings from this pilot study indicate that regular rehabilitation/exercise may facilitate recovery of shoulder function post HNC surgery. However, customised rehabilitation may yield better outcomes. Future studies with a larger sample are indicated to validate the findings of this study

Nanofiltration of aerobically-treated palm oil mill effluent: Characterization of the size of colour compounds using synthetic dyes and polyethylene glycols

Membrane-based separation is one of the emerging technologies that have garnered significant interest in recent years for the treatment process of palm oil mill effluent (POME). As documented in the literature, different types of membrane processes such as ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) were used for the POME treatment and the efficiency of separation varied depending on the membrane properties. Unlike the previous works that used membranes to treat POME, the main focus of this current work is to utilize NF membrane to characterize the size of colour compounds in the aerobically-treated POME (AT-POME). Two different markers, i.e., synthetic dyes and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with molecular weight (MW) in the range of 200-1000 g/mol were used to characterize the colour compounds in the AT-POME. Results showed that dyes are more suitable compared to PEGs for the characterization because dyes possessed negative charge similar as the colour compounds in the AT-POME. By using dyes as the markers, it was found that the size of the colour compounds in the AT-POME was at MW of 300-400 g/mol. Precise determination of the size of colour compounds in the AT-POME is of importance as it could provide useful information on the selection of ideal membrane properties (in particular pore size or molecular weight cut-off) to achieve complete solute separation

The application of reliability methods in the design of stiffened FRP composite panels for marine vessels

The use of composite laminate materials has increased rapidly in recent years due to their excellent strength to weight ratio and resistance to corrosion. In the construction of marine vessels, stiffened plates are the most commonly used structural elements, forming the deck, bottom hull, side shells and bulkheads. This paper presents the use of a stochastic approach to the design of stiffened marine composite panels as part of a current research programme into developing stochastic methods for composite ship structures, accounting for variations in material properties, geometric indices and processing techniques, from the component level to the full system level. An analytical model for the solution of a stiffened isotropic plate using a grillage analogy is extended by the use of equivalent elastic properties for composite modelling. This methodology is applied in a reliability analysis of an isotropic (steel) stiffened plate before the final application for a reliability analysis for a FRP composite stiffened plate

Composición química, estabilidad oxidativa y actividad antiproliferativa del extracto de hexano de semilla de Anethum graveolens (eneldo)

This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties, chemical composition, and anti­proliferative activity of the hexane extract of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) seeds using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Two fractions, namely the lipid fraction (74%) and volatile fraction (26%), were detected. The extract content of the seeds was about 9.4% and the extract had a pleasant spicy aroma. Oleic acid (52%), cis-vaccenic acid (6.2%), linoleic acid (5.5%), and palmitic acid (3.3%) were the key fatty acids in the lipid fraction, while apiol (23%) and d-carvone (2.4%) were the major volatile components. Tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols) were also detected in the A. Graveolens extract (155 mg/100 g) and b-tocopherol was identified as the major tocol (71%). Dill extract showed a high oxidative stability (induction time = 45.22 h). Furthermore, dill extract showed antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cell lines.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las propiedades fisicoquí­micas, la composición química y la actividad antiproliferativa del extracto de hexano de semillas de Anethum graveolens L. (eneldo) mediante cromatografía de gases con espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). Se detectaron dos fracciones, la fracción lipídica (74%) y la fracción volátil (26%). El contenido del extracto de las semi­llas fue de aproximadamente 9,4% y el extracto tenía un agradable aroma picante. Los ácidos oleico (52%), cis-vaccénico (6,2%), linoleico (5,5%) y palmítico (3,3%) fueron los ácidos grasos clave en la fracción lipídica, mientras que el apiol (23%) y la d-carvona (2,4%) fueron los principales componentes volátiles. También se detectaron tocoles (tocoferoles y tocotrienoles) en el extracto de A. Graveolens (155 mg/100 g) y se identificó el β-tocoferol como el principal tocol (71%). El extracto de eneldo mostró una alta estabilidad oxidativa (tiempo de inducción = 45,22 h). Además, el extracto de eneldo mostró actividad antiproliferativa contra las líneas celulares de cáncer de mama