Phase Structure of Acrylic Fibers Processed with Ionic Liquid as Solvent

The acrylic fibers were prepared by dry-jet wet spinning technology from polyacrylinitrile (PAN) /1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) solution for the investigation of phase structure changing with drawing in boiling water. The DMA, WAXD and stress-strain measurements were conducted. It is shown that only a single Tg was observed from DMA and the paracrystalline structure was shown from WAXD. Although the the crystallinity and orientation increased with increasing draw ratio, the high crystallinity of the pre-drawn fiber indicates that the ordered structure was formed in the pre-drawn fiber by the high pre-drawn ratio (3.5) during the dry-jet wet spinning from high-viscosity PAN/[BMIM]Cl solution. It is also found that the initial modulus, ultimate elongation and tenacity increased with the increase of draw ratio.

Analysis of crystallization behavior of Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 bulk metallic glass by synchrotron radiation

The amorphous-to-crystalline transformation behavior of Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 bulk metallic glasses was first investigated by high-temperature differential scanning calorimetry. Three events were detected with onset temperatures at 922, 975, and 1036 K, respectively. In situ synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction patterns were collected during continuous heating and analyzed with the Rietveld approach. To describe simultaneously the amorphous fraction and crystallization products as a function of temperature, a paracrystalline structure-factor model was developed. It was included for quantitative evaluation of the amorphous phase, together with the structure factor of Cr23C6- and Fe3Mo3C-type phases observed during crystallization. Volume fractions of phases as well as lattice parameters, average lattice disorder, and crystallite size of the crystallized phases have been followed as a function of temperature. In this way, the structure evolution and thermal events have been closely inspected and accounted for by a crystallization mechanism.

Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis in the free-living marine nematode Pontonema vulgare (Enoplida, Oncholaimidae)

Spermatogenesis in testes of the free-living marine nematode Pontonema vulgare was studied with electron microscopy. The nucleus of spermatocytes has a large nucleolus; the cytoplasm is filled with numerous ribosomes, mitochondria, cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), Golgi bodies, and flattened osmiophilic cisternae, which are interpreted as the modified membranous organelles (MO) of the spermatozoa of other nematodes studied. After completion of the second meiotic telophase, the nucleus is surrounded by a newly formed nuclear envelope. Further nucleus transformation includes condensation of the chromatin and shrinkage of the nuclear envelope. The deep infoldings of the nuclear envelope give a starlike shape to the nuclei. The cytoplasm of the early spermatids contains the same organelles as in the late spermatocytes, including MO. Many of the latter assume a cuplike or pocketlike shape. During spermatogenesis the peripheral cytoplasm containing the ribosomes, RER, Golgi bodies, and transparent vesicles moves to one pole of the cell forming the residual body. The main cell body of the late spermatid includes the nucleus, mitochondria, and MO embedded in a dense filamentous matrix. The fibrous bodies (FB) of a paracrystalline structure occur in spermatids throughout their developmental transformations. The central part of the spermatozoa contains a starlike nucleus with a nuclear envelope. The filamentous cytoplasm of the spermatozoa includes mitochondria and MO. The spermatozoa extracted from the testes form numerous long filopodia. The dense filamentous cytoplasm of the spermatozoa is continuous with the content of the filipodia. The reconstitution of the nuclear envelope and separate development of MO and FB described in P. vulgare spermatogenesis are the special characters of enoplid nematodes. The reduced character of FB development and simplified structure of MO differentiate P. vulgare from other nematodes studied.

A Damage Model for Disordered Structures in Ion Irradiated Silicon

Medium-range order has been observed in ion-implanted amorphous silicon, suggesting a paracrystalline structure for this material. The origin of a paracrystalline structure may be due to an energy spike phenomenon. To evaluate the influence of energy spikes on a particular process, we have attempted to calculate the characteristic energy in a spike. However, the observed depth dependence of amorphous structures in as-implanted silicon is puzzling. To explain this, we simulated the depth distribution of cascade events in a particular energy range. We found a great increase of point defect concentration and cascade events as the depth increases. This result could explain the experimental depth dependence.

A Damage Model for Disordered Structures in Ion Irradiated Silicon

ABSTRACTMedium-range order has been observed in ion-implanted amorphous silicon, suggesting a paracrystalline structure for this material. The origin of a paracrystalline structure may be due to an energy spike phenomenon. To evaluate the influence of energy spikes on a particular process, we have attempted to calculate the characteristic energy in a spike. However, the observed depth dependence of amorphous structures in as-implanted silicon is puzzling. To explain this, we simulated the depth distribution of cascade events in a particular energy range. We found a great increase of point defect concentration and cascade events as the depth increases. This result could explain the experimental depth dependence.

Role of Repetitive Antigen Patterns for Induction of Antibodies Against Antibodies

Antibody responses against antibodies, such as rheumatoid factors, are found in several immunopathological diseases and may play a role in disease pathogenesis. Experience shows that they are usually difficult to induce experimentally. Antibodies specific for immunoglobulin constant regions (anti-allotypic) or for variable regions (anti-idiotypic) have been investigated in animal models; the latter have even been postulated to regulate antibody and T cell responses via network-like interactions. Why and how such anti-antibodies are induced during autoimmune diseases, has remained largely unclear. Because repetitively arranged epitopes in a paracrystalline structure of a viral envelope cross-link B cell receptors efficiently to induce a prompt T-independent IgM response, this study used immune complexes containing viruses or bacteria to evaluate the role of antigen pattern for induction of anti-antibody responses. We present evidence that antibodies bound to strictly ordered, but not to irregularly arranged, antigens dramatically enhance induction of anti-antibodies, already after a single immunization and without using adjuvants. The results indicate a novel link between anti-antibody responses and infectious agents, and suggest a similar role for repetitive self-antigens such as DNA or collagen involved in chronic immunopathological diseases.