Correlation of Ac-impedance and in situ X-ray spectra of LiCoO2

In-situ X-ray and AC-impedance spectra have been obtained simultaneously during the deintercalation of lithium from LiCoO2 using a specially designed electrochemical cell. The AC-dispersions have been correlated with the cell parameters obtained from the X-ray spectra. The correlation confirms previous hypothesis on the interpretation of the AC-dispersions in terms of an equivalent circuit comprising an element that relates the change of the intrinsic electronic conductivity, occurring at the early stages of deintercalation, to the semiconductor to metal transition caused by the change of the cell parameters

Elastic-plastic finite element analysis-to-test correlation for structures subjected to dynamic loading

A test program was undertaken to demonstrate the ability of elastic-plastic finite element methods to predict dynamic inelastic response for simple structural members. Cantilever and fixed-beam specimens were tested to levels that produced plastic straining in the range of 2.0% and to 3.0% and permanent sets. Acceleration, strain, and displacement data were recorded for use in analytical correlation. Correlation analyses were performed using the ABAQUS finite element code. Results of the correlation show that current elastic-plastic analysis techniques accurately capture dynamic inelastic response (displacement, acceleration) due to rapidly applied dynamic loading. Peak elastic and inelastic surface strains are accurately predicted. To accurately capture inelastic straining near connections, a solid model, including fillet welds, is necessary. The hardening models currently available in the ABAQUS code (isotropic, kinematic) do not accurately capture inelastic strain reversals caused by specimen rebound. Analyses performed consistently underpredicted the peak strain level of the first inelastic reversal and the rebound deflection and overpredicted the permanent set of structures experiencing inelastic rebound. Based on these findings, an improved hardening model is being implemented in the ABAQUS code by the developers. The intent of this model upgrade is to improve the ability of the program to capture inelastic strain reversals and to predict permanent sets

Cyclic Material Properties Test to Determine Hardening/Softening Characteristics of HY-80 Steel

The Cyclic Material Properties Test was structured to obtain and provide experimental data for determining cyclic hardening/softening characteristics of HY-80 steel. The inelastic strain history data generated by this test program and the resulting cyclic stress-strain curve will be used to enhance material models in the finite element codes used to perform nonlinear elastic-plastic analysis

Broadband optical ultrafast reflectivity of Si, Ge and GaAs

Ultrafast optical reflectivity measurements of silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide have been carried out using an advanced set-up providing intense subpicosecond pulses (35 fs FWHM, λ = 400 nm) as a pump and broadband 340–780 nm ultrafast pulses as a white supercontinuum probe. Measurements have been performed for selected pump fluence conditions below the damage thresholds, that were carefully characterized. The obtained fluence damage thresholds are 30, 20.8, 9.6 mJ/cm 2 for Si, Ge and GaAs respectively. Ultrafast reflectivity patterns show clear differences in the Si, Ge, and GaAs trends both for the wavelength and time dependences. Important changes were observed near the wavelength regions corresponding to the E1, E1+ Δ singularities in the joint density of states, so related to the peculiar band structure of the three systems. For Ge, ultrafast reflectivity spectra were also collected at low temperature (down to 80 K) showing a shift of the characteristic doublet peak around 2.23 eV and a reduction of the recovery times

Relevância do padrão de remodelamento ventricular no modelo de infarto do miocárdio em ratos

Background: The relevance of the remodeling pattern in the model of infarcted rats is not known. Objective: To analyze the presence of different patterns of remodeling in this model and its functional implications. Methods: Infarcted rats (n=47) have been divided according to the geometry pattern, analyzed by echocardiogram: normal (normal mass index and normal relative thickness), concentric remodeling (normal mass index and increased relative thickness), concentric hypertrophy (increased mass index and increased relative thickness) and eccentric hypertrophy (increased mass index and normal relative thickness). Data are median and interquartile range. Results: Infarcted rats showed only two of the four geometric patterns: normal pattern (15%) and eccentric hypertrophy - EH (85%). Groups of normal pattern and EH showed no differences in the values of fractional area change (Normal = 32.1-28.8 to 50.7; EH = 31.3-26.5 to 36.7; p = 0.343). Out of the infarcted animals, 34 (74%) had systolic dysfunction, detected by fractional area change. Considering these two geometry patterns, 77% of animals with eccentric hypertrophy and 57% with normal geometry presented systolic dysfunction (p=0.355). The relative wall thickness, the geometric patterns and the body mass index were not predictors of ventricular dysfunction (p>0.05). On the other hand, infarct size was a predictive factor for ventricular dysfunction in univariate analysis (p<0.001) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Rats that underwent coronary occlusion showed two different patterns of remodeling, which do not constitute a predictor of ventricular dysfunction.Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Botucatu, SPFaculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Botucatu, S

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Lipid Peroxidation in Ventricular Remodeling Induced by Tobacco Smoke Exposure after Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the ventricular remodeling that is induced by tobacco smoke exposure after myocardial infarction.METHODS: After induced myocardial infarction, rats were allocated into two groups: C (control, n=25) and ETS (exposed to tobacco smoke, n=24). After 6 months, survivors were submitted to echocardiogram and biochemical analyses.RESULTS: Rats in the ETS group showed higher diastolic (C = 1.52 +/- 0.4 mm(2), ETS = 1.95 +/- 0.4 mm(2); p=0.032) and systolic (C = 1.03 +/- 0.3, ETS = 1.36 +/- 0.4 mm(2)/g; p=0.049) ventricular areas, adjusted for body weight. The fractional area change was smaller in the ETS group (C = 30.3 +/- 10.1 %, ETS = 19.2 +/- 11.1 %; p=0.024) and E/A ratios were higher in ETS animals (C = 2.3 +/- 2.2, ETS = 5.1 +/- 2.5; p=0.037). ETS was also associated with a higher water percentage in the lung (C = 4.8 (4.3-4.8), ETS = 5.5 (5.3-5.6); p=0.013) as well as higher cardiac levels of reduced glutathione (C = 20.7 +/- 7.6 nmol/mg of protein, ETS = 40.7 +/- 12.7 nmol/mg of protein; p=0.037) and oxidized glutathione (C = 0.3 +/- 0.1 nmol/g of protein, ETS = 0.9 +/- 0.3 nmol/g of protein; p=0.008). No differences were observed in lipid hydroperoxide levels (C = 0.4 +/- 0.2 nmol/mg of tissue, ETS = 0.1 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg of tissue; p=0.08).CONCLUSION: In animals exposed to tobacco smoke, oxidative stress is associated with the intensification of ventricular re-remodeling after myocardial infarction

Preditores ecocardiográficos de remodelação ventricular após o infarto agudo do miocárdio em ratos

Background: The prediction of the ventricular remodeling process after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may have important clinical implications. Objetive: To analyze echocardiographic variables predictors of remodeling in the infarction model in rats. Methods: The animals underwent echocardiography in two moments, five days and three months after infarction (AMI group) or sham surgery (control group). Linear regression was used to identify the echocardiographic variables on the fifth day after the infarction, which were predictive of remodeling after three months of coronary occlusion. We considered as a criterion of remodeling in this study, the values of left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) after three months of infarction. Results: The infarction induced increase in the left chambers, associated with changes in systolic and diastolic functions. The variables body weight, left ventricular wall stress index (LVWSI), systolic area (SA), diastolic area (DA), LVDD, left ventricular systolic diameter (LVSD), fractional area change (FAC), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (%Short), posterior wall shortening velocity (PWSV) and infarct size assessed five days after infarction were predictors of LVDD after three months. At the multivariate regression analysis, we included the size of infarction, the LVWSI and PWSV. The LVWSI (coefficient: 4.402, standard error: 2.221, p = 0.05), but not the size of infarction and PWSV, was a predictor of remodeling after three months of infarction. Conclusion: LVPSI was an independent predictor of remodeling three months after the myocardial infarction and could be included in the clinical stratification after the coronary occlusion.Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Botucatu, SPFaculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Botucatu, S

Structural phase stability and homogeneity enhancement of electrochemically synthesized Mn2V2O7 by nanocarbon networks

Structural phase stability and homogeneity of the electrochemically synthesized Mn2V2O7 (MVO) on nanocarbon network structures are investigated. The cup-stacked multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and electrolytic graphene oxide (eGO) are the networks exploited in present work. It is shown that co-electrodeposition of carbonaceous network and V2O5.nH2O followed by electro-insertion of Mn2+ cations results in the formation of intermixed β-Mn2V2O7 nano-structures. The morphology and surface chemistry of the synthesized nano-structures is studied via high-resolution electron transmission and scanning X-ray photo-emission microscopies as well as Raman spectroscopy. The synthesized MVO on carbon fiber surface in the absence of the nanocarbon network shows a non-uniform phase formation and uneven coating distribution. The nanocarbon networks assisted MVO demonstrate uniform phase formation and distribution. The dominant MVO structural phase product present in these samples differs with different type of carbonaceous networks. The possible effect of the catalytic activity of the carbonaceous network as well as their hydrophilicity on the final structural and phase formation is discussed. The present study establishes new possibilities on catalytic assisted metal alloy oxide deposition for advanced applications