Microstructure and coupling mechanisms in MnBi-FeSiB nanocomposites obtained by spark plasma sintering.

Fabrication and extensive characterization of hard-soft nanocomposites composed of hard magnetic low-temperature phase LTP-MnBi and amorphous Fe70Si10B20 soft magnetic phase for bulk magnets are reported. Samples with compositions Mn55Bi45 + x⋅(Fe70Si10B20) (x = 0, 3, 5, 10, 20 wt.%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering of powder mixtures. Characterization has been performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, magnetometry and 57Fe MÓ§ssbauer spectroscopy. It was shown that samples contain crystallized and nanometric LTP-MnBi phases with various elemental compositions depending on the degree of Bi clustering. Complex correlations between starting compositions, processes during fabrication, and functional magnetic characteristics were observed. Unexpected special situations of the relation between microstructure and magnetic coupling mechanisms are discovered. Exchange spring effects of different strengths occur, being very sensitive to morpho-structural and compositional features, which in turn are controlled by processing conditions. An in-depth analysis of related microscopic characteristics is provided. Results of this work suggest that fabrication by powder metallurgy routes, such as spark plasma sintering of hard and soft magnetic powder mixtures, of MnBi-based composites with exchange spring phenomena have a high potential in designing and optimization of suitable materials with tunable magnetic properties towards rare-earth-free permanent magnet applications.

Mud and burnt Roman bricks from Romula.

Sesquipedalian mud and burnt bricks (second to third century AD) were excavated from the Roman city of Romula located in the Lower Danube Region (Olt county, Romania). Along with local soils, bricks are investigated by petrographic analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), X-ray microtomography (XRT), thermal analysis (DTA-TG), MÓ§ssbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, colorimetry, and mechanical properties assessment. The results correlate well with each other, being useful for conservation/restoration purposes and as reference data for other ceramic materials. Remarkably, our analysis and comparison with literature data indicate possible control and wise optimization by the ancient brickmakers through the recipe, design (size, shape, and micro/macrostructure), and technology of the desired physical-chemical-mechanical properties. We discuss the Roman bricks as materials that can adapt to external factors, similar, to some extent, to modern "smart" or "intelligent" materials. These features can explain their outstanding durability to changes of weather/climate and mechanical load.

Optical, Structural, and Dielectric Properties of Composites Based on Thermoplastic Polymers of the Polyolefin and Polyurethane Type and BaTiO3 Nanoparticles.

In this work, new films containing composite materials based on blends of thermoplastic polymers of the polyurethane (TPU) and polyolefin (TPO) type, in the absence and presence of BaTiO3 nanoparticles (NPs) with the size smaller 100 nm, were prepared. The vibrational properties of the free films depending on the weight ratio of the two thermoplastic polymers were studied. Our results demonstrate that these films are optically active, with strong, broad, and adjustable photoluminescence by varying the amount of TPU. The crystalline structure of BaTiO3 and the influence of thermoplastic polymers on the crystallization process of these inorganic NPs were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The vibrational changes induced in the thermoplastic polymer's matrix of the BaTiO3 NPs were showcased by Raman scattering and FTIR spectroscopy. The incorporation of BaTiO3 NPs in the matrix of thermoplastic elastomers revealed the shift dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) band depending on the BaTiO3 NP concentration, which was capable of covering a wide visible spectral range. The dependencies of the dielectric relaxation phenomena with the weight of BaTiO3 NPs in thermoplastic polymers blends were also demonstrated.

Gender may have an influence on the relationship between Functional Movement Screen scores and gait parameters in elite junior athletes - A pilot study.

Aims The aim of this study was to examine the effects of gender on the relationship between Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and treadmill-based gait parameters. Methods Twenty elite junior athletes (10 women and 10 men) performed the FMS tests and gait analysis at a fixed speed. Between-gender differences were calculated for the relationship between FMS test scores and gait parameters, such as foot rotation, step length, and length of gait line. Results Gender did not affect the relationship between FMS and treadmill-based gait parameters. The nature of correlations between FMS test scores and gait parameters was different in women and men. Furthermore, different FMS test scores predicted different gait parameters in female and male athletes. FMS asymmetry and movement asymmetries measured by treadmill-based gait parameters did not correlate in either gender. Conclusion There were no interactions between FMS, gait parameters, and gender; however, correlation analyses support the idea that strength and conditioning coaches need to pay attention not only to how to score but also how to correctly use FMS.

Home based exercise therapy for older patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This 8 week randomized, double blind clinical trial compared the effect of a combined home based progressive exercise program and treatment with the nonsteroidal medication oxaprozin to treatment with oxaprozin alone on pain and physical functioning in older community dwelling patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Efficacy variables measured before and after 8 weeks included (1) pain using the Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) pain, physical disability, and stiffness subscales and a 10 point visual analog scale (VAS) before and after self-paced walking (SPW) and stepping (SPS) functional tasks; (2) physical function using the time to complete a self-paced 40 m walk (SPW) and 20 cycles of 2 steps (SPS): (3) physical activity level using the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE); (4) clinical measures of knee functioning (range of motion). One hundred seventy-nine men and women (mean age 74 +/- 6 yrs) with radiographic evidence of mild/moderate medial compartment OA were randomized to either a progressive home based knee exercise program (n = 88) or a control program (n = 89). All patients were given oxaprozin 1,200 mg per os daily. RESULTS: We observed significant reduction from baseline in activity related pain (VAS); and improvement in SPW and SPS test time, passive range of motion, and PASE after 8 weeks in both groups. These changes were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the exercise versus sham group. CONCLUSION: Addition of a progressive exercise program to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory therapy in patients with knee OA can improve measures of activity and activity related pain more than medication alone.

[Empty follicle syndrome as cause of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization]. / "Ures" tüszö szindróma, mint a sikertelen in vitro fertilizáció egyik oka.

The authors report a case, where ultrasound guided transvaginal follicle aspiration was carried out for oocyte retrieval during the source of in vitro fertilization. Despite the favourable situation described by ultrasound and prognosed by serum hormone levels aspiration of oocytes proved unsuccessful even after lavage of follicules. The authors give an overview of the literature of "empty" follicle syndrome, its possible aetiology and methods of treatment.

Effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha on the isolated common bile duct of the dog and the rabbit.

In an isolated spiral muscle preparation from the common bile duct of the dog and rabbit contraction was elicited by PGF2 alpha, in a concentration dependent manner. The contraction was long-lasting and reversible. As opposed to PGF2 alpha, morphine, noradrenaline and barium chloride did not induce a contractile response.

Pharmacological responses by different portions of guinea pig vas deferens circular muscle preparation.

The different segments of the guinea pig vas deferens circular muscle exhibit differential response patterns upon pharmacological stimulation. Namely, apart from barium chloride, the affinity and intrinsic activity of certain agonists and the strength of maximum contractions they induce appear to decrease along the path from the epididymis toward the prostate. If one subdivides the vas deferens into 3 parts of equal length such as epididymal, medial and prostatic portions, then adrenaline, acetylcholine, acetyl-beta-methylcholine, dopamine, histamine and bradykinin induce contractions on each of the 3 parts; whereas tyramine, ephedrine elicit responses in the epididymal and medial portions; amphetamine, DMPP, serotonin and PGF2 alpha in turn provoking contractions exclusively on the epididymal portion. The effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline are blocked by phentolamine and tolazoline; the responses to acetylcholine, acetyl-beta-methylcholine and carbamyl-beta-methylcholine are antagonized by atropine over a specific concentration range. The effects of tyramine, ephedrine and amphetamine are inhibited by phentolamine in an remarkably low dose range (pA2 = 13.51 +/- 0.09; 14.54 +/- 0.31; 14.35 +/- 0.12). The situation was the same when tyramine-dibenamine and tyramine-phenoxybenzamine combinations were tested (pD'2 = 14.03 +/- 0.37; 13.26 +/- 0.03). Based on these findings the presence of a peculiar alpha adrenergic receptor is suggested on the sympathetic postganglionic fibres. In addition to the already identified alpha adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic and histamine H1 receptors, we could show the presence of dopaminergic receptors too in the vas deferens circular muscle.

Pharmacological reactions of the circular muscle of the guinea pig vas deferens.

Pharmacological responses of spiral strips prepared from the guinea pig vas deferens to various adrenergic and cholinergic agonists and autacoids were studied. On the circular muscle alpha adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic and histaminergic receptors were identified. The responses evoked on the circular and longitudinal muscles were of the same type.

Analysis of the effect of adrenergic agonists on longitudinal and circular smooth muscle of the terminal ileum of the guinea pig.

On the isolated longitudinal smooth muscle of the guinea pig's terminal ileum, in the presence of naphazoline, synephrine, pholedrine and ephedrine showing no adrenergic agonist activity, the dose-response curves of adrenaline and noradrenaline was found to be shifted to the right. Metanephrine, normetanephrine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylamine exhibited no alpha adrenergic agonist activity. On the circular smooth muscle of the terminal ileum the alpha adrenergic agonists studied elicited the same responses as on the longitudinal smooth muscle.