Strategic synthesis of SBA-15 nanorods.

A simple synthesis of homogeneously sized, ordered mesoporous silica nanorods (SBA-15), spanning about 10 porous channels in width and ranging from 300 to 600 nm in length is reported.

Synthesis of tin-encapsulated spherical hollow carbon for anode material in lithium secondary batteries.

The tributylphenyltin (TBPT)-encapsulated resorcinol (R)-formaldehyde (F) sol was prepared inside the micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). This core-shell-type sol was polymerized and further carbonized to obtain nanosized Sn-encapsulated spherical hollow carbon. The size of spherical hollow carbon and Sn metal particles was controllable by changing the R/CTAB or TBPT/CTAB mole ratio, respectively. It is likely that, when tested as the anode in Li secondary batteries, the spherical hollow carbon acts as a barrier to prevent the aggregation of nanosized Sn particles and provides a void space for Sn metal particles to experience a volume change without a collapse of carbon shell, giving rise to a better cycle performance than that of pure Sn metal.

Isolation of the Herpes Simplex Virus by Shell Vial Culture / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Cell culture is the golden standard method for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolation. However, some specimens require many days to develop any cytopathic effect (CPE). We developeda rapid sensitive culture technique for HSV isolations. METHODS: This study included a total of 133 patients with suspected HSV infection. Specimens were centrifuged onto a Vero cell monolayer in a shell vial. The CPE was observed daily during the5-day incubation by inverted-phase microscope. The direct immunofluorescence (DIF) stain with aHSV specific antibody was performed 2 days after sample inoculation. The negative samples in theDIF stain were reinoculated in the new shell vials after extraction of the monolayer. Polymerase chainreaction for HSV detection was performed using the original samples. RESULTS: The CPE was observed 30 (64%), 39 (83%), 43 (92%), 44 (94%), and 46 (98%) cases at1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days incubation, respectively. The DIF stain detected 46 cases (98%) at 2 days incubation. The CPE was observed in another 7 cases at 1-day incubation after the reinoculation of negative samples. The PCR detected 47 (100%) of 133 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The reinoculation of negative sample in a shell vial culture is a rapid sensitive methodfor HSV isolation.

Theoretical simulation of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal films via pattern photopolymerization-induced phase separation.

A theoretical simulation has been performed to elucidate the emergence of nematic domains during pattern photopolymerization-induced phase separation in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals. We consider a reference system consisting of a single-component nematic, namely, 4-n-heptyl-4(')-cyanobiphenyl (T(NI)=42 degrees C), and a polymer network made from multifunctional monomers. To mimic pattern photopolymerization, the reaction rate was varied periodically in space through wave mixing. In the theoretical development, the photopolymerization kinetics was coupled with the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model C equations by incorporating the local free energy densities pertaining to isotropic liquid-liquid mixing, nematic ordering, and network elasticity. The simulated morphological patterns in the concentration and orientation order parameter fields show discrete layers of liquid-crystal droplets alternating periodically with polymer-network-rich layers. The Fourier transforms of these patterns show sharp diffraction spots arising from the periodic layers. As the layer thickness is reduced, the liquid-crystal molecules are confined in the narrow stripes. The liquid-crystal domains appear uniform along the stripes, which in turn gives rise to sharper diffraction spots in Fourier space. Of particular interest is that our simulated stratified patterns are in qualitative agreement with reported experimental observations.

Spatiotemporal growth of faceted and curved single crystals

The spatiotemporal growth of single crystals in a crystalline polymer has been investigated theoretically based on a nonconserved time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation (known as TDGL model A). In the description of the total free energy, a double-well local free energy density signifying metastability of crystal ordering is combined with a nonlocal free energy term representing an interface gradient. The resulting nonlinear reaction diffusion equation after renormalization possesses a solitary wave property. Two-dimensional numerical calculations were performed to elucidate the faceted single crystal growth including square, rectangular, diamond-shaped, and curved single crystals. A three-dimensional simulation was also undertaken for the emergence of diamond-shaped single crystals in polyethylene. Of particular importance is that the model field parameters can be linked directly to the material parameters of polyethylene single crystals. Simulation with various elements of the interface gradient coefficient tensor captures various topologies of polymer single crystals.

Development of a recording system for saliva pH with and complete denture by telemetry.

A new system for measuring saliva pH by radio telemetry was developed. The system was built into a lower complete denture and could operate for about 19 h. The maximum error in the range pH 5-8 was 0.15 pH, and the correlation when values were compared with those from a glass-electrode pH meter was 0.99. That this system operates successfully was confirmed in a clinical experiment.