SEM

Carex vulpina and C. otrubae are difficult species to distinguish using floral characters. As an alternative, SEM of the nutlet surface, stomatal morphology and isozymes have been used as taxonomic tools to distinguish between the two taxa. The three methods show differentiation along species lines and are suitable to identify hybridisation. Stomatal morphology and isozymes reveal evidence of possible introgression between the two species.

Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) is a widely applied elemental microanalysis method capable of identifying and quantifying all elements in the periodic table except H, He, and Li. By following the "k-ratio" (unknown/standard) measurement protocol development for electron-excited wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS), SEM/EDS can achieve accuracy and precision equivalent to WDS and at substantially lower electron dose, even when severe X-ray peak overlaps occur, provided sufficient counts are recorded. Achieving this level of performance is now much more practical with the advent of the highthroughput silicon drift detector energy dispersive Xray spectrometer (SDD-EDS). However, three measurement issues continue to diminish the impact of SEM/EDS: (1) In the qualitative analysis (i.e., element identification) that must precede quantitative analysis, at least some current and many legacy software systems are vulnerable to occasional misidentification of major constituent peaks, with the frequency of misidentifications rising significantly for minor and trace constituents. (2) The use of standardless analysis, which is subject to much broader systematic errors, leads to quantitative results that, while useful, do not have sufficient accuracy to solve critical problems, e.g. determining the formula of a compound. (3) EDS spectrometers have such a large volume of acceptance that apparently credible spectra can be obtained from specimens with complex topography that introduce uncontrolled geometric factors that modify X-ray generation and propagation, resulting †This article is a U.S. government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

In the present study, blue corn flour films were developed. The cereal grain's total composition (excluding the pericarp) is used to obtain the films. The plasticizing effects of two different polyols such as glycerol and sorbitol on the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of flour films were researched. The results showed that films plasticized with sorbitol had better mechanical properties and less affinity for water than those plasticized with glycerol. The sorbitol-plasticized films were more rigid and did not lose their integrity when immersed in water. The ATR-FTIR spectra of blue corn flour plasticizer with sorbitol showed the presence of the additional band at 1745 cm À1 characteristic of the vibrational carbonyl peak, which confirms the chemical linkages between sorbitol and a polymeric matrix. The effect of the plasticizer on the glass transition temperature (T g) was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). T g decreased as the plasticizer content increased. Plasticized glycerol films showed lower T g values than those with sorbitol. SEM observations showed that it was necessary to add plasticizer to maintain film integrity. The sorbitol-plasticized flour films revealed better adhesion between phases, and these films showed a compact structure.

Boron doped and undoped Poly(vinyl) alcohol/Zirconium-yttrium acetate (PVA/Zr-Y) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning using PVA as a precursor. The effect of boron doping was investigated in terms of solution properties, morphological changes and thermal properties. The effect of boron doping on calcined yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) fibers were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. XRD
analysis revealed varying amounts of monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia present in the undoped fibers calcined at 800oC. The average crystallite sizes of the undoped YSZ were increased from 9.28 to 22.79 nm with calcining temperature increasing from 250 to 800 °C. The crystallite size was enhanced with boron doping. The systematic evolution of morphological features in the spun and the processed fibers were employed by scanning electron microscopy.

Effective IT governance will ensure alignment between IT and business goals. Organizations with ineffective IT governance will suffer due to poor performance of IT resources such as inaccurate information quality, inefficient operating costs, runaway IT project and even the demise of its IT department. This study seeks to examine empirically the individual IT governance mechanisms that influence the overall effectiveness of IT governance. Furthermore, this study examines the relationship of effective IT governance, the extent of IT outsourcing decisions within the organizations, and the level of IT Intensity in the organizations. We used structural equation modeling analysis to examine 110 responses from members of ISACA (Information Systems and Audit Control Association) Australia in which their organizations have outsourced their IT functions. Results suggest significant positive relationships between the overall level of effective IT governance and the following mechanisms: the i...

Transparent conducting ZnO:F was deposited as thin films on soda lime glass substrates by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) deposition at substrate temperatures of 480–500 °C. The precursors diethylzinc, tetramethylethylenediamine and benzoyl fluoride were dissolved in xylene. The solution was nebulized ultrasonically and then flash vaporized by a carrier gas of nitrogen preheated to 150 °C. Ethanol was vaporized separately, and these vapors were then mixed to form a homogeneous vapor mixture. Good reproducibility was achieved using this new CVD method. Uniform thicknesses were obtained by moving the heated glass substrates through the deposition zone. The best electrical and optical properties were obtained when the precursor solution was aged for more than a week before use. The films were polycrystalline and highly oriented with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. The electrical resistivity of the films was as low as 5 × 10−4 Ωcm. The mobility was about ...

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that may be related to iron misregulation at the level of the central nervous system. Evidence that iron is involved in RLS comes from magnetic resonance imaging data, autopsy studies, analyses of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and correlations of symptoms with serum ferritin. To further examine the possibility that brain iron status is insufficient in RLS, we determined ferritin levels in the CSF. Specifically, we differentiated between the H-and L-subunits of ferritin, because these peptides are expressed from different chromosomes and have different functions. We measured H-and L-ferritin subunit levels in control and RLS human CSF using immunoblot analysis and found that both H-and L-ferritin are significantly decreased in early but not late-onset RLS. Additionally, we quantified total protein in each CSF sample to establish that the decrease in ferritin subunits in RLS did not reflect a decrease in total protein in CSF. Furthermore, we used equal amounts of total CSF protein in the immunoblot analyses, in contrast to previously published studies that provided only volumetric data, to determine which approach was more accurate for quantifying the amount of ferritin relative to other proteins in CSF. Our results establish a protein standard in RLS, provide a comparative analysis of protein-controlled versus volumetric immunoblot techniques, and argue for a profound loss of iron storage capacity in the brain in RLS, specifically in the early onset RLS phenotype. These data suggest that CSF ferritin levels may provide a biomarker for assisting in the diagnosis of RLS. (J Lab Clin Med 2006;147:67-73)

Progesterone rapidly dissolves in an aqueous solution containing hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) at 1:2 molar ratio, forming a soluble inclusion complex. After filtration and freeze-drying of the final solution, the final powder was examined by SEM, DSC, TGA, XRD, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. Experimental results confirm that an inclusion complex exists in the solid state and possible structure of the complex is briefly discussed. ß

The research presented in this paper is focused on the effect of silicon carbide (SiC) on friction-wear properties of semi-metallic friction composites (FC). Semi-metallic FC with increasing content of silicon carbide (SiC: 0, 3.4, 5.6, 9 and 14.6 vol.%) were prepared and slid against cast iron disc and their friction-wear properties were evaluated. The friction coefficient ( ) was observed to increase with SiC content, nonetheless the highest content (14.6 vol.% of SiC) did not significantly increase its value. The volume wear rate (V) of tested friction composites slightly increases with SiC content and temperature. The character of friction layer was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) and the topography of friction surface was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two types of films assigned as film I and film II appearing on the friction surfaces of samples after friction test were observed. Film I originate on the friction surface of sample without SiC and is composed of debris of iron, iron oxide, stibnite and carbon. Film II is formed on the friction surface of composites containing SiC and in contrast to film I contain additional debris of SiC.

This paper reports the results of the first dynamic labeling experiment with regenerating spines of sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus using the stable isotope 26Mg and NanoSIMS high-resolution isotopic imaging, which provide a direct information about the growth process. Growing spines were labeled twice (for 72 and 24 h, respectively) by increasing the abundance of 26Mg in seawater. The incorporation of 26Mg into the growing spines was subsequently imaged with the NanoSIMS ion microprobe. Stereom trabeculae initially grow as conical micro-spines, which form within less than 1 day. These micro-spines fuse together by lateral outgrowths and form a thin, open meshwork (inner stereom), which is subsequently reinforced by addition of layered thickening deposits (outer stereom). The (longitudinal) growth rate of the inner stereom is ca. 125 μm/day. A single (ca. 1 μm) thickening layer in the stereom trabeculae is deposited during 24 h. The thickening process is contemporaneous with the formation micro-spines and involves both longitudinal trabeculae and transverse bridges to a similar degree. Furthermore, the skeleton-forming cells remain active in the previously formed open stereom for at least 10 days, and do not migrate upwards until the end of the thickening process. The experimental capability presented here provides a new way to obtain detailed information about the skeleton formation of a multitude of marine, calcite producing organisms.

We report about the manufacturing of sensor devices for detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. The sensor comprises three fully inkjet-printed layers of (i) silver interdigitated electrodes (SIDE), (ii) multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and (iii) poly (styrene-co-maleic acid) partial isobutyl/methyl mixed ester (PSE). We have found that inkjet printing of MWCNT layers and a PSE layer on top yields an interfacial layer leading to the formation of a MWCNTs/PSE composite-like structure. The printed layers act as chemiresistive vapor sensors due to the change of electrical resistance in presence of selected VOCs. The sensor responses to various VOCs were studied by varying the concentration of the chemicals in the air between 50 and 500 ppm. The sensing mechanism can be understood as a fractional volume change of the inkjet-printed polymer that occurs during exposure to VOCs, resulting in a structural alteration of the MWCNT-polymer network. We have found that the sensor response can be defined as a function of the VOC's concentration. To investigate the morphologies of the inkjet-printed thin films, profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed.

The dynamic capabilities perspective posits that a firm can leverage the performance impact of existing resources through resource configuration, complementarity, and integration, but little empirical research addresses these issues. We investigate the effects on performance of marketing capabilities, technological capabilities, and their complementarity (interaction), and whether these effects are moderated by low vs. high technological turbulence. Results from SEM twogroup analyses (with controls) show that both main effects positively impact performance in both environmental contexts. However, (1) their interaction effect is significant only in the highturbulence environment; (2) the marketing-related main effect is lower in the high-turbulence environment; and (3) the main effects of technology-related capabilities are the same in both environments. Our research suggests that the synergistic performance impact of complementary capabilities can be substantive in particular environmental contexts: while synergistic rents cannot always be obtained, it is possible to leverage existing resources through complementarity.

Multi-proxy approach was used to reconstruct the environmental conditions of remote lakes in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) over the past few centuries (approximately 500-1000 years). Short sediment cores (*30 cm) taken from three morphologically similar glacial lakes distributed along altitudinal gradient (subalpine to alpine conditions) were analysed for organic matter content (LOI), diatoms and chironomids. Both descriptive and correlative approaches were used for analysing stratigraphical data. Predictive canonical correspondence analysis and co-correspondence analysis were applied to directly relate physical and biological proxies to each other. The relationship between LOI and biotic proxies was inconsistent across groups and lakes. Concordant patterns in diatom and chironomid composition were found in two non-acidified lakes. Common trends in those assemblages indicated major past environmental events such as the Little Ice Age, air pollution and lake acidification. In contrast, no relationship between the composition of diatom and chironomid assemblages was found in the formerly acidified lake, suggesting different responses of assemblages to acidification. While chironomids showed shifts that are attributable to recovery, diatoms assemblage remained relatively stable throughout the uppermost layers of the sediment record. On the other hand, climatic-driven changes in assemblages detected in the deeper layers were more pronounced in diatoms than in chironomids.

PTFE-g-polystyrene sulfonic acid membranes prepared by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films followed by sulfonation reactions were investigated with respect to their morphology and surface chemical properties. The chemical composition of the membranes surfaces was monitored at various degrees of grafting using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Considerable differences in the concentration of the chemical components of the surfaces were observed despite the predominance of all membranes surfaces by a hydrocarbon fraction originated from the incorporated sulfonated polystyrene grafts. The distribution of the sulfonated polystyrene grafts in membranes having various degrees of grafting was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The membranes achieved a homogenous distribution at degrees of grafting of 24% and above. The results of this work suggest that the membranes have a chemically sensitive surfaces and this is most likely to have an impact on their interfacial properties and chemical stability. #

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is a synthetic Ferrimagnetic material. YIG is cubic in structure; having space group Ia3d. In YIG, out of 5 Fe 3+ ions, 3 Fe ions occupy tetrahedral site and 2 Fe ions occupy octahedral site. Difference in the spin orientation of the Fe 3+ ions present in tetrahedral and octahedral sites results in the origin of the magnetic properties of YIG. Yttrium iron garnet with the empirical formula Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 has been synthesized by regular ceramic route and sintering at 1200˚C for 30 minutes using microwave furnace. The structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized YIG are performed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction pattern revealed pure YIG phase as reported by Musa et al [1]. The crystallite size from the Scherrer equation is found to be 2.82Å. A saturation magnetization of 16.88emu/g is achieved by VSM.

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the failure of steel tubes in a super heater boiler used at one of Kuwait Electrical and Power plant. The material of the tubes has suffered localized overheating, probably as a result of local heat flux impingement phenomenon, caused by gas or oil burners. This phenomenon gave rise to a rapid steam formation causing steam blanketing. It also prevented the accessibility of the water to the tube materials and consequently local, prolong, overheating took place, in which the temperature rose up to 700°C in a frequent manner for long time. The investigation has indicated that the failure attributed to the formation of thick scale of magnetite at the inner surface of the tube wall.The increase of the temperature is clearly shown in the microstructure of the tube at the stress rupture site, where ferrite matrix with spheroidized carbide particles were presented rather than only ferrite matrix with pearlites structure. Consequently, the properties of the materials of the tube have changed from its original values with respect to the design values of the tube due to the effect of the localized prolong overheating. Therefore, the original design values are no longer valid and the materials of the tube failed in a premature manner, at less than 250,000 hours.

ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a vacation stress model that shows the influence exerted by internal and external stressors on the overall stress appraisal of US residents. Design/methodology/approach – The paper undertakes a review of the relevant literature and develops a SEM model for vacation stress, which is tested with data from a national panel of 110 US residents who report on taking a recent vacation. Findings – The model shows that vacation stress is a multi-dimensional concept. Vacation stress can be operationalized by pre-trip stressors, travel stressors and destination stressors, which again can be internally or externally caused and correlate with one another. Destination stressors are the strongest dimension determining overall vacation stress. Vacation stress has more impact on the willingness to revisit than on the willingness to recommend the same destination to friends and relatives. Practical implications – The study presents some practical implications for tourism marketers revealing that stress is multi-dimensional and influenced by several types of stressors. Originality/value – The notion that leisure activities such as taking a vacation may act as a means of coping with stress, is a common belief. However, research framed under transactional theory suggests that taking a vacation trip may actually cause stress. The paper attempts to provide a model to determine which factors cause overall vacation stress.

This work presents the combined effect of two inhibitors, potassium sorbate (2,4-hexadienoic acid potassium salt) and 1,2,3-benzotriazole, on the corrosion behavior of copper in sulfate based solutions. Individual and combined characteristics of copper corrosion inhibition in sulfate solution in the presence of potassium sorbate (K-sorbate) and benzotriazole (BTAH) were studied with the use of electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic methods. Whereas, BTAH alone protects copper from corrosion attack in sulfate solutions only in a limited potential range below 0.4 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), the presence of K-sorbate combined with BTAH in such solutions enables the protection of the copper surface at potentials above 0.4 V SCE . The mixture of both inhibitors provides supplementary and robust corrosion protection of Cu over a wide potential range.

Biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly (vinylpyrrolidone) iodine/poly(ethylene glycol) fibers containing (hydroxypropyl)methyl cellulose (HPMC) and aloe vera were successfully prepared by electrospinning their aqueous solution. Aloe vera which is known to be effective in the treatment of various wounds was added to the polymer solution. HPMC was added to the system as the water retention agent. The hybrid fiber mats were subjected to detailed analysis using a differential scanning calorimeter, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Images obtained from the SEM showed that the polymer fibers were linear, homogenous, and contained no beading. The fiber diameters ranged between 100 and 900 nm. It was seen that the electrospun mats obtained could potentially be used as a material for dressing wounds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Computer security is a balance between protecting information and enabling authorized access. Tightening security by making systems more inaccessible can hinder employees and make them less productive. It can also result in lower security as workers struggle to find ways around the security conditions to enable them to do their jobs. This study analyzes an information systems user survey to evaluate the tradeoffs between protection and accessibility. Over one-third of the respondents report problems with interference from security provisions. A structural equation model explores the impact of these effects on eventual security levels.

During an examination of long-legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus) and common buzzards (Buteo buteo) in Konya, several samples of C. platystomus were found. Only 5 Abstract: The aim of this investigation was the morphological study of Craspedorrhynchus platystomus (Burmeister, 1838) by light microscope as well as by scanning electron microscope. The lice specimens were collected from long-legged buzzards, Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar) (Accipitridae), in Turkey.

Morphology, etching patterns, surface modification, and characterization of 2 different fiber posts: Gfp, Glass fiber post; and Cfp, carbon fiber were investigated by SEM analysis, after different surface treatments. Thirty fiber posts, being 15 Gfp and 15 Cfp were divided into a 5 surface treatments (n 5 3): C-alcohol 70% (control); HF 4%-immersion in 4% hydrofluoric acid for 1 min; H 3 PO 4 37%-immersion in 37% phosphoric acid for 30s; H 2 O 2 10%-immersion in 10% hydrogen peroxide for 20 min; H 2 O 2 24%-immersion in 24% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min. Morphology, etching patterns, surface modification and surface characterization were acessed by SEM analysis. SEM evaluation revealed that the post surface morphology was modified following all treatment when compared with a control group, for both type of reinforced posts. HF seems to penetrate around the fibers of Gfp and promoted surface alterations. The Cfp surface seems to be inert to treatment with HF 4%. Dissolution of epoxy resin and exposure of the superficial fiber was observed in both post groups, regardless the type of reinforcing fiber, H 2 O 2 in both concentrations. Relative smooth surface area was produced by H 3 PO 4 37% treatment, but with similar features to untreated group. Surface treatment of fiber post is a determinant factor on micromechanical entanglement to resin composite core. Post treatment with hydrogen peroxide resulted strength of carbon and glass/ epoxy resin fiber posts to resin composite core.

The removal rate of carbon from amorphous graphite-tungsten composite during cleaning in oxygen plasma was studied. The composite was prepared by sputter deposition from C and WC-targets in Ar atmosphere. A total thickness of deposited layer was about 1 μm. The samples were treated in a weakly ionized highly dissociated oxygen plasma created in a microwave discharge at a power of 1 kW. The gas flow was 13 slh and the pressure was 200 Pa. The temperature of the samples during treatment was about 580°C. After plasma treatment the samples were analyzed by AES (Auger electron spectroscopy) depth profiling, XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and AFM (Atomic force microscopy). It was found that during the plasma treatment selective etching of the composite occurred. Carbon was preferentially removed from the composite. XPS results have shown that during the plasma treatment a layer of WO 3 was growing on the surface. After about 15 min, carbon was completely removed from the deposited composite layer.

The modern-day paper industry is highly capital-intensive industries in the core sector. Though there are several uses of paper for currency, packaging, education, information, communication, trade and hygiene, the flip side of this industry is the impact on the forest resources and other ecosystems which leads to increasing pollution in water and air, influencing several local communities. In the present paper, the authors have tried to explore potential and alternate source of industrial pulp through ruminant animal dung, which is widely available as a rural resource in India. Three types of undigested animal dung fibers from Indigenous cow (IDF), Jersey cow (JDF), and Buffalo (BDF) were taken. Wheat straw (WS) was the main diet of all animals. The cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content for all animal dung samples were found in a range of (29–31.50%), (21–23.50%), and (11–13%), respectively. The abundant holocellulose and low lignin contents are suitable for handmade pulp and...

The unparalleled rate in population explosion and advancements in technology has created alarming impacts on the society. This has urged the need for vigilant and efficient data mining of these phenomena. Petroleum being an indispensible part of life has escorted to several detrimental results. Air and water are the major elements which fall prey to this. The present study involves rigorous scrutinizing with statistical analysis of test data carried out on water samples collected from petrol pumps and automobile service stations for the determination of nature of configuration. The samples were collected at regular time intervals and at the fixed place irrespective of the weather and climatic conditions that prevailed. The haphazardness or fuzziness of the amount of contamination present in water recipients due to petroleum products is being evaluated using regression analysis and the runs test. It is found that organic and inorganic chemicals are more in the collected sample that l...

The kinetic test of the considered reaction was thermowas studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction was found to stated to {0.05ЊC in a Haake F3 ultrathermostat. The reacfollow a first-order rate law in [ascorbic acid] and an almost first tion flask, containing ascorbic acid in buffered aqueous meorder rate equation in [Se(IV)]. A mechanism was suggested dium, was kept in the thermostat together with a stock soluwhere the rate-determining step is that of the break-up of an tion of selenium dioxide. As the two solutions attained the intermediate complex formed via the ascorbic acid and Se(IV). thermostat temperature, the required volumes of oxidant and The activation parameters have been calculated and discussed. Furthermore, a kinetic test of the reaction was examined by elec-substrate were syringed out and poured into the reaction tron microscope and explained. ᭧ 1996 Academic Press, Inc.

The spatial resolution of electron diffraction within the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has progressed from channelling methods capable of measuring crystallographic characteristics from 10 μm regions to electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) methods capable of measuring 120 nm particles. Here, we report a new form of low-energy transmission Kikuchi diffraction, performed in the SEM. Transmission-EBSD (t-EBSD) makes use of an EBSD detector and software to capture and analyse the angular intensity variation in large-angle forward scattering of electrons in transmission, without postspecimen coils. We collected t-EBSD patterns from Fe-Co nanoparticles of diameter 10 nm and from 40 nm-thick Ni films with in-plane grain size 15 nm. The patterns exhibited contrast similar to that seen in EBSD, but are formed in transmission. Monte Carlo scattering simulations showed that in addition to the order of magnitude improvement in spatial resolution from isolated particles, the energy width of the scattered electrons in t-EBSD is nearly two orders of magnitude narrower than that of conventional EBSD. This new low-energy transmission diffraction approach builds upon recent progress in achieving unprecedented levels of imaging resolution for materials characterization in the SEM by adding high-spatial-resolution analytical capabilities. C 2011. This article is in the public domain.

Aims:  The antifungal effects of essential oils of oregano (Origanum syriacum var. bevanii) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) were evaluated against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Effects of the essential oils on morphological structures of hyphae and sclerotia were studied under light and scanning electron microscopes (SEM).Methods and Results:  Inhibitory effects of volatile and contact phases of the essential oils used were determined on hyphae and sclerotia. Both essential oils have a marked antifungal effect against S. sclerotiorum. Soil amendment with essential oils has significant effect on reducing sclerotial viability. Both essential oils significantly inhibited the fungal growth in soil, thereby increasing the number of surviving tomato seedling by 69·8% and 53·3%, respectively. Light and SEM observations on pathogen hyphae and sclerotia revealed considerable morphological alterations in hyphae and sclerotia.Conclusions:  The significant reduction in the mycelial growth and germination of sclerotia would greatly reduce the pathogen inoculum source. This may influence the rate of disease development in soil.Significance and Impact of the Study:  Considering the reduction in the number of diseased plants in infested soil amended with essential oils, we concluded that oregano and fennel essential oils could be used as possible bio fungicides alternative to synthetic fungicides against phytopathogenic fungi.

Rice flour is a starchy material with low-cost, because it can be produced from rice that is broken during processing. The aim of this study was to develop biodegradable films based on rice starch and rice flour, and to characterize their physicochemical, microscopic and mechanical properties. Films from rice starch and rice flour were prepared by casting, with glycerol or sorbitol as plasticizer. SEM analysis of starch and flour films revealed compact structures. Rice flour films prepared in the present work have similar mechanical properties to those of starch based films. However, their water vapor permeabilities are two times higher than those of starch based films. Films with sorbitol were less permeable to water and more rigid, while films with glycerol are more plasticized and have poorer water vapor barrier properties. Therefore, preparing edible films from rice flour is a new alternative for using this raw material, which is sometimes much cheaper than commercial starches.

For the past 30 yr, some dentists have avoided the use of full coverage retainers for fixed partial dentures (FPDs) in order to conserve sound tooth substance. Before adhesive techniques were introduced to restorative dentistry, conventionally cemented partial crowns or inlays, made of cast gold, were used instead of full coverage crowns to retain a pontic (1). A common problem was the loss of retention of a retainer, with subsequent secondary caries development (1, 2). In the 1980s, adhesive techniques allowed the luting of metallic frameworks to dental enamel by using metal retainer wings made of cast gold or non-precious metal (3, 4). After initially frequent losses of retention, more defined and retentive preparations, along with improved adhesives, led to acceptable retention rates, especially in anterior teeth (5). The aesthetic limitations caused by the metallic framework remained a problematic issue. The dark framework on the oral surfaces of abutment teeth eliminated translucency and gave the teeth a greyish appearance (4). There has been limited use and no published clinical data of all-ceramic posterior FPDs retained either by wings or inlays, mostly because of the low strength, the strength scatter, and the time-dependent strength decrease of ceramics owing to slow crack growth (6). Therefore, the idea arose of using glass fibre-reinforced composites for inlay-fixed partial dentures (IFPDs) in posterior teeth (7). Glass fibre-reinforced composites (FRC) were introduced to dentistry in the late 1990s and were advertised as a universal aesthetic material for nearly every dental indication. Several in vitro studies confirmed good material properties and good marginal adaptation (8-10).

Ga 2 O 3 , Se metal, SnO, Sb 2 O 3 , HgO and PbCO 3 are formed upon the reaction of acetamide aqueous solutions with Ga(NO 3 ) 3 , SeO 2 , SnCl 2 , SbCl 3 , HgCl 2 and Pb(NO 3 ) 2 , respectively, at 90°C. Different amorphous or crystalline phases can be obtained depending upon the experimental conditions (molar ratios, metal salts and temperature). The chemical mechanisms for the formations of this metal, oxides or carbonate are discussed and the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) are described. The type of metal ions plays an important role in the decomposition of acetamide, leading to the formation of solid stable (metal, oxides or carbonate), soluble and gases species. These new precursors are more stable preventing the rapid precipitation of metal, oxides or carbonate. Furthermore, this route allows the formation of pure compounds in solutions.

In this paper, we have investigated the capability of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) JEOL JSM6460LV with Raith-ELPHY Quantum, EBL-system for the fabrication of micro-scale Fresnel rings on silicon Si, substrate for optoelectronics devices application. The design of Fresnel rings was achieved by hierarchical structures in extended Graphic Database System GDSII Editor which is sub-software built in the Raith-ELPHY Quantum software. The Fresnel rings were fabricated by exposing electron beam on PMMA photoresist in the Fresnel zones’ region on Silicon substrate. A Fresnel rings is made up of eleven concentric rings having the maximum diameter of the external rings as 52μm, and the minimum diameter of the internal ring as 5μm was fabricated by this method.

Social media has an influence on tourism industry. This conceptual model research wants to investigate the impact of Social Media (SM) on user's travel purchase intention and attitude. Data will be gathered from Social Media users to be gauge the relationships between the factors of SM and the user attitude in travel purchase intention through structural equation modeling (SEM). Main purpose of the research is to be found if there is a positive relationship among the following factors: source credibility in SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention, information reliability in SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention, user enjoyment while searching for travel information, perceived value in travel services information from SM and user attitude in travel purchase intention. This study presents a theoretical conceptual model based on the theory of credibility, information, enjoyment, and perceived value in SM and the potential relations of those factors with the customer attitude and purchase intention in travel services.

Acid-mediated cyclizations of SEM-protected heterocyclic anilines and adjacent hydroxyls or enol ethers during SEM deprotection are reported. Strategies to suppress these side reactions and their potential synthetic utilities are also described.

The densification behavior and the attendant microstructural features of iron powder processed by direct laser sintering were investigated. The effects of processing parameters such as laser power, scan rate, scan line spacing, thickness of layer, scanning geometry and sintering atmosphere were studied. A specific energy input (c ) was defined using the ''energy conservation'' rule to explore the effects of the processing condition on the density and the attendant microstructure of laser sintered iron. It was found that the sintered density increased sharply with increasing the specific energy input until a critical energy input had been reached (c Â/0.2 kJ mm (3 ). The microstructure consists of large pores (!/0.5 mm) and elongated ferrite grains parallel to the building direction. The increase in the sintered density was followed with further increasing the specific energy, but at slower rate. Intensifying the energy input over 0.8 kJ mm (3 leads to the formation of horizontally elongated pores while the sintered density remains almost constant. The inter-agglomerates are fully dense and consist of elongated ferrite grains which are oriented parallel to the building direction. The iron powder was used as a model material so the outcomes are generic and can be applied to other material systems with congruent melting point or systems which melting/solidification approach is the mechanism feasible for the rapid bonding of metal powders in direct laser sintering. #

Intrinsically conducting PPy/ZnO composites were synthesized with varying amounts of zinc oxide (0-20 wt.%) via a facile chemical oxidation polymerization approach. These composites were characterized for their structure, thermal stability, surface morphology and DC electrical conductivity by XRD, FT-IR, TGA, DSC, SEM and four-probe method respectively. FT-IR results show broadening and shifts of peaks towards lower wave numbers in all composites suggesting better conjugation and some chemical interactions between PPy and ZnO particles. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the amorphous nature of PPy and its composites as well with no indication of crystalline peaks. The percolation threshold for conductivity of PPy/ZnO composites was 15 wt.% of the volume fraction of PPy. SEM and TGA data suggest that PPy/ZnO composites have high thermal stability due to better conformation, compactness and reduction of grain boundary volume with zinc oxide particle loading that in parallel enhanced their DC conductivity.