Morphology, composition and structure of the fibers of a Chimu culture textile

In this work we studied the microfibers of a textile (T-shirt) of the Chimú culture. This culture developed on the northern coast of Peru. To determine the raw material and structural quality of the microfibers, the results of the Chimú textile were compared with the corresponding results for the microfibers of cotton from the northern coast of Peru (native cotton). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the Chimú textile yarns are composed of a set of interwoven microfibers. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and pulsed laser-induced plasma spectroscopy techniques allowed the identification of characteristic cellulose atoms in the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton. Only for the Chimú textile, these spectroscopic techniques allowed the identification of atoms corresponding to natural dyes and powder residues. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified the same molecular bonds for the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton. For the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton, the X-ray diffractograms showed peaks characteristic of the cellulose Iβ polymorphism of of monoclinic P21 structure. The raw material of the Chimú textile is cotton and the microfibers of this material show significant structural stability.

Quality of Educational Programs for Elementary School-Age Students With Autism

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of educational programs for school-aged children with autism in the United States. Investigators completed the Autism Program Environment Quality Rating Systems-Preschool/Elementary (APERS-PE) in 60 elementary schools enrolling children with autism. The mean total rating scores were near the midpoint rating, indicating schools were providing educational program environments classified as adequate but not of high quality. Domains of the APERS-PE reflecting structural quality tended to be significantly above average and domains reflecting process quality tended to be significantly below average. With a few exceptions, inclusive and special education program did not differ significantly in total program quality ratings and reflected the same pattern of domain quality ratings.

Исследование этапов превращения кремния в карбид кремния в процессе атомного замещения методами полного внешнего отражения рентгеновских лучей и рентгеновской дифрактомерии

X-ray diffraction and total external reflection of X-rays (X-ray reflectometry) methods were used to study the successive stages of synthesis of epitaxial SiC films on Si (100) X-ray diffraction and total external X-ray reflection (XRD) methods were used to study successive stages of synthesis of epitaxial SiC films on Si (100) surfaces, (110) and (111) surfaces by the atom substitution method. The data on the transformation evolution of (100) surfaces were studied, (110) and (111) Si, into SiC surfaces. A comparative analysis of the X-ray structural quality of the SiC layers grown on Si by the atom substitution method with the quality of SiC layers grown by Advanced Epi by the standard CVD method. A modified technique for the total outer X-ray reflection method, based on measurements of the intensity of the reflected X-rays using a special parabolic mirror. It is shown that the method of total external reflection method makes it possible to obtain important information about the degree of surface roughness of SiC layers, the evolution of their crystal structure and plasmon energy in the process of Si to SiC conversion.

Влияние морфологии буферного слоя AlN на структурное качество полуполярного слоя GaN, выращенного на подложке Si(001), по данным просвечивающей электронной микроскопии

Structural features of the interface between semipolar gallium nitride layer and buffer layer of aluminum nitride grown on a SiC/Si(001) template misoriented by an angle of 7° were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effect of interface morphology on the structural quality of the gallium nitride layer is revealed: faceted structure the surface of the buffer layer reduces the threading dislocations density.

Functional Trimeric SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein Expressed in Stable CHO Cells

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a β-coronavirus, is the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the three membrane-bound envelope proteins is the spike protein (S), the one responsible for docking to the cellular surface protein ACE2 enabling infection with SARS-CoV-2. Although the structure of the S-protein has distinct similarities to other viral envelope proteins, robust and straightforward protocols for recombinant expression and purification are not described in the literature. Therefore, most studies are done with truncated versions of the protein, like the receptor-binding domain. To learn more about the interaction of the virus with the ACE2 and other cell surface proteins, it is mandatory to provide recombinant spike protein in high structural quality and adequate quantity. Additional mutant variants will give new insights on virus assembly, infection mechanism, and therapeutic drug development. Here, we describe the development of a recombinant CHO cell line stably expressing the extracellular domain of a trimeric variant of the SARS CoV-2 spike protein and discuss significant parameters to be considered during the expression and purification process.

Enchainment of the Coefficient of Structural Quality of Elements in Compression and Bending by Combined Reinforcement of Concrete with Polymer Composite Bars and Dispersed Fiber

Polymer composite reinforcement (PCR) and its use to produce high-quality concrete with the right design and technological and formulation solutions can demonstrate the results obtained with the steel rebars. This article discusses the synergistic effect from the combined reinforcement of concrete with traditional polymer rods and dispersed fiber, which, as a result, lead to an increase in strength and deformation characteristics and an improvement in the performance of compressed and bent structural elements. The synergistic effect of the joint work of polymer rods and dispersed reinforcement is considered in the context of relative indicators (structural quality factor CSQ), showing the relationship between strength characteristics and concrete density. The behavior of glass fiber in a cement matrix and the nature of its deformation during fracture were studied by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that the use of PCR and dispersed reinforcement makes it possible to increase the strength characteristics of concrete in bending. In quantitative terms, the achieved results demonstrated that the CSQ values of a beam reinforced with a PCR frame with the addition of glass fiber were 3.4 times higher compared to the CSQ of a beam reinforced with steel reinforcement frames. In addition, for a beam reinforced with a PCR frame with no fiber addition, the CSQ values were three times higher.

Non-Destructive Assessment of the Elastic Properties of Low-Grade CLT Panels

The use of cross-laminated timber panels (CLT) made of low-grade structural timber has steadily increased in developing countries. These panels usually present several natural defects, which can cause a high local variation of their orthotropic elastic properties, generating future structural serviceability problems. Our work aims to estimate the local variability of the elastic properties in low-grade CLT panels by combining nondestructive transverse vibration testing, numerical simulations, and regional sensitivity analysis (RSA). Four three-layer Radiata pine CLT panels were subjected to transverse vibration tests with supports at four points. Besides, a series of numerical simulations of the panels, considering the local variability of the elastic properties of the panels in eight zones, were carried out using the finite element method. Then, RSA analysis was performed to study in which ranges of values the panels’ elastic properties generated lower differences between the measured versus simulated dynamic properties. Finally, a structural quality control indicator was proposed for the CLT panels based on keeping low the probability that the elastic properties in the central zones do not exceed minimum acceptable values. The results obtained suggest that the proposed methodology is suitable for segregating CLT panels with high concentrations of defects such as pith presence.

Optical and structural properties of the GaAs heterostructures grown using AlGaAs superlattice buffer layer on compliant Si(100) substrates with the preformed porous-Si (por-Si) layer.

360 nm and 700 nm thick GaAs layers were grown by MO MOCVD growth technique directly on compliant Si (100) substrate and on supper-lattice (SL) AlGaAs buffer layer. The XRD study revealed better structural quality for the sample grown on SL / por-Si buffer. AFM study revealed a smoother sample surface with blocks of more regular rectangular shape and larger size as well. Photoluminescence spectra of the samples revealed an energy shift of PL maximum intensity for both samples. Sample grown on SL buffer also showed higher PL intensity corresponding to better crystalline perfection.