1,259 research outputs found
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Polyamide Nanocomposites for Selective Laser Sintering
Current polyamide 11 and 12 are lacking in fire retardancy and high strength/high
heat resistance characteristics for a plethora of finished parts that are desired and required
for performance driven applications. It is anticipated that nanomodification of polyamide
11 and 12 will result in enhanced polymer performance, i.e., fire retardancy, high strength
and high heat resistance for polyamide 11 and 12. It is expected that these findings will
expand the market opportunities for polyamide 11 and 12 resin manufacturers.
The objective of this research is to develop improved polyamide 11 and 12 polymers
with enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser
sintering (SLS) rapid manufacturing (RM). A nanophase was introduced into the
polyamide 11 and 12 via twin screw extrusion to provide improved material properties of
the polymer blends. Arkema RILSAN® polyamide 11 molding polymer pellets and
Degussa VESTAMID® L1670 polyamide 12 were examined with three types of
nanoparticles: chemically modified montmorillonite (MMT) organoclays, surface
modified nanosilica, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to create polyamide 11 and 12
nanocomposites.
Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
were used to determine the degree of dispersion. Injection molded test specimens were
fabricated for physical, thermal, mechanical properties, and flammability tests. Thermal
stability of these polyamide 11 and 12 nanocomposites was examined by TGA.
Mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and elongation at break were measured.
Flammability properties were also obtained using the Cone Calorimeter at an external
heat flux of 50 kW/m2. TEM micrographs, physical, mechanical, and flammability
properties are included in the paper. Polyamide 11 and 12 nanocomposites properties are
compared with polyamide 11 and 12 baseline polymers. Based on flammability and
mechanical material performance, selective polymers including polyamide 11
nanocomposites and control polyamide 11 were cryogenically ground into fine powders
and fabricated into SLS parts.Mechanical Engineerin
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Innovative Selective Laser Sintering Rapid Manufacturing using Nanotechnology
The objective of this research is to develop an improved nylon 11 (polyamide 11) polymer
with enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser sintering
(SLS) rapid manufacturing (RM). A nanophase was introduced into nylon 11 via twin screw
extrusion to provide improved material properties of the polymer blends. Atofina (now known
as Arkema) RILSAN® nylon 11 injection molding polymer pellets was used with three types of
nanoparticles: chemically modified montmorillonite (MMT) organoclays, nanosilica, and carbon
nanofibers (CNF) to create nylon 11 nanocomposites. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD)
and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the degree of dispersion.
Fifteen nylon 11 nanocomposites and control nylon 11 were fabricated by injection molding.
Flammability properties (using a cone calorimeter with a radiant flux of 50 kW/m2
) and
mechanical properties such as tensile strength and modulus, flexural modulus, elongation at
break were determined for the nylon 11 nanocomposites and compared with the baseline nylon
11. Based on flammability and mechanical material performance, five polymers including four
nylon 11 nanocomposites and a control nylon 11 were cryogenically ground into fine powders
for SLS RM. SLS specimens were fabricated for flammability, mechanical, and thermal
properties characterization. Nylon 11-CNF nanocomposites exhibited the best overall properties
for this study.Mechanical Engineerin
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Polyamide 11-Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites: Preliminary Investigation
The objective of this research is to develop an improved polyamide 11 (PA11) polymer with
enhanced flame retardancy, thermal, and mechanical properties for selective laser sintering
(SLS) rapid manufacturing. In the present study, a nanophase was introduced into polyamide 11
via twin screw extrusion. Arkema Rilsan® polyamide 11 molding polymer pellets were used
with 1, 3, 5, and 7 wt% loadings of Arkema’s GraphistrengthTM multi-wall carbon nanotubes
(MWNTs) to create a family of PA11-MWNT nanocomposites.
Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine
the degree and uniformity of dispersion. Injection molded test specimens were fabricated for
physical, thermal, mechanical properties, and flammability measurements. Thermal stability of
these polyamide 11-MWNT nanocomposites was examined by TGA. Mechanical properties such
as ultimate tensile strength, rupture tensile strength, and elongation at rupture were measured.
Flammability properties were also obtained using the UL 94 test method. All these different
methods and subsequent polymer characteristics are discussed in this paper.Mechanical Engineerin
The inhomogeneous mechanical behaviour of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurism (ATAA)
Surgical management of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (aTAAs) relies on maximum diameter,
growth rate, and presence of connective tissue disorders. The surgical decision however is often
not considering that dissection and rupture do occur in patients who do not meet criteria for surgical
repair [1,2]. In this study the authors aim to investigate the mechanical properties of aTAAs to be
implemented in computational biomechanics models for a preclinical risk evaluation. Additionally,
in some recent studies, some data about the biomechanical properties of the aTAAs have been reported
[3], but without any relation to bicuspidal or tricuspidal aTAA. The aim of this study was to
investigate aTAA mechanical properties using a biaxial system to compare the circumferential and
axial stress-strain relations for bicuspidal and tricuspidal aTAAs
ETANOL E ACIDENTES DE TRÂNSITO EM CURITIBA NO PERÍODO DE 01/2000 - 11/2002
O etanol é uma substância psicoativa consumida socialmente. Segundo a Lei 9.503/97, que institui
o atual Código de Trânsito Brasileiro, dirigir sob efeito de álcool ou substância de efeito análogo é
falta gravíssima, gerando desde suspensão do direito de dirigir até detenção de seis meses a três
anos. O limite de concentração alcoólica sangüínea, nesse caso, é de 6dg/L. No presente trabalho,
avaliou-se 16.353 registros de dosagem toxicológica de álcool etílico do Instituto Médico Legal de
Curitiba PR, realizados em indivíduos envolvidos em acidentes de trânsito no período de 01 de
janeiro de 2000 a 30 de novembro de 2002. Dentre o total de registros, obteve-se 23,25% de
resultados positivos. Observou-se que, do total de exames realizados, 86,84% foram em homens e
13,16% em mulheres. Apenas 9,99% dos laudos positivos encontrava-se abaixo da faixa de
concentração permitida. O levantamento apresentado demonstra clara necessidade de maior
conscientização por parte da população quanto ao consumo de álcool à condução de veículos.
ETHANOL AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN CURITIBA IN THE PERIOD
01/2000 - 11/2002
Abstract
Alcohol (in this paper the term alcohol means ethanol) is a psychoactive substance largely socially
consumed. According to the law # 9503/97, which established the present Brazilian Traffic Code,
driving either under the influence of alcohol or other substances that produce similar effect, is a
grave offence. The limit concentration of alcohol in the blood, by that same law, is 6 decigram/litter.
In this survey, it was appraised 16,353 cases of officially registered traffic accidents occurred in
Curitiba from January 1, 2000 through November 30, 2002; 23,25% of the samples were positive for
alcohol. From that figure it was observed that 86,84% of the offenders were men and 13,16% were
women. Only just 9,99% of the samples presented alcohol concentration below the range of 6dg/L.
This survey clearly shows the necessity of a major program to make the public in general and drivers
in particular conscious of their responsibilities where alcohol consumption and driving is concerned
Identification of a novel plasmid lineage associated with the dissemination of metallo-β-lactamase genes among pseudomonads
Acquisition of metallo-\u3b2-lactamases (MBLs) represents one of most relevant resistance mechanisms to all \u3b2-lactams, including carbapenems, ceftolozane and available \u3b2-lactamase inhibitors, in Pseudomonas spp. VIM-type enzymes are the most common acquired MBLs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and, to a lesser extent, in other Pseudomonas species. Little is known about the acquisition dynamics of these determinants, that are usually carried on integrons embedded into chromosomal mobile genetic elements. To date, few MBL-encoding plasmids have been described in Pseudomonas spp., and their diversity and role in the dissemination of these MBLs remains largely unknown. Here we report on the genetic features of the VIM-1encoding plasmid pMOS94 from P. mosselii AM/94, the earliest known VIM-1-producing strain, and of related elements involved in dissemination of MBL. Results of plasmid DNA sequencing showed that pMOS94 had a modular organization, consisting of backbone modules associated with replication, transfer and antibiotic resistance. Plasmid pMOS94, although not typable according to the PBRT scheme, was classifiable either in MOBF11 or MPFT plasmid families. The resistance region included the class I integron In70, carrying blaVIM-1, in turn embedded in a defective Tn402-like transposon. Comparison with pMOS94-like elements led to the identification of a defined plasmid lineage circulating in different Pseudomonas spp. of clinical and environmental origin and spreading different MBL-encoding genes, including blaIMP-63, blaBIM, and blaVIM-type determinants. Genetic analysis revealed that this plasmid lineage likely shared a common ancestor and had evolved through the acquisition and recombination of different mobile elements, including the MBL-encoding transposons. Our findings provide new insights about the genetic diversity of MBL-encoding plasmids circulating among Pseudomonas spp., potentially useful for molecular epidemiology purposes, and revealed the existence and persistence of a successful plasmid lineage over a wide spatio-temporal interval, spanning over five different countries among two continents and over 20-years
A preliminary investigation of the use of inertial sensing technology for the measurement of hip rotation asymmetry in horse riders
This study investigated the use of inertial sensing technology as an indicator of asymmetry in horse riders, evidenced by discrepancies in the angle of external rotation of the hip joint. Twelve horse and rider combinations were assessed with the rider wearing the XsensTM MVN inertial motion capture suit. Asymmetry (left vs right) was revealed in mean hip external rotation of all riders, with values ranging from 1° to 27°, and 83% showed greater external rotation of the right hip. This study represents novel use of inertial sensing equipment in its application to the measurement of rider motion patterns. The technique is non-invasive, is capable of recording rider hip rotation asymmetry whilst performing a range of movements unhindered and was found to be efficient and practical, with potential to further advance the analysis of horse and rider interactions
Activity of N-Acetylcysteine Alone and in Combination with Colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms and Transcriptomic Response to N-Acetylcysteine Exposure
Chronic colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is critical in cystic fibrosis (CF) and other chronic lung diseases, contributing to disease progression. Biofilm growth and a propensity to evolve multidrug resistance phenotypes drastically limit the available therapeutic options. In this perspective, there has been growing interest in evaluating combination therapies, especially for drugs that can be administered by nebulization, which allows high drug concentrations to be reached at the site of infections while limiting systemic toxicity. Here, we investigated the potential antibiofilm activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone and in combination with colistin against a panel of P. aeruginosa strains (most of which are from CF patients) and the transcriptomic response of a P. aeruginosa CF strain to NAC exposure. NAC alone (8,000 mg/L) showed a limited and strain-dependent antibiofilm activity. Nonetheless, a relevant antibiofilm synergism of NAC-colistin combinations (NAC at 8,000 mg/L plus colistin at 2 to 32 mg/L) was observed with all strains. Synergism was also confirmed with the artificial sputum medium model. RNA sequencing of NAC-exposed planktonic cultures revealed that NAC (8,000 mg/L) mainly induced (i) a Zn21 starvation response (known to induce attenuation of P. aeruginosa virulence), (ii) downregulation of genes of the denitrification apparatus, and (iii) downregulation of flagellar biosynthesis pathway. NAC-mediated inhibition of P. aeruginosa denitrification pathway and flagellum-mediated motility were confirmed experimentally. These findings suggested that NAC-colistin combinations might contribute to the management of biofilm-associated P. aeruginosa lung infections. NAC might also have a role in reducing P. aeruginosa virulence, which could be relevant in the very early stages of lung colonization. © 2022 Valzano et al
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