Anatomical and FTIR analyses of phloem and xylem of Tetracentron sinense

The fast growth of Tetracentron sinense is a potential valuable timber resource, but whether its anatomy and chemical components are suitable for timber is unknown. We used light microscopy and SEM to examine the anatomical structure and FITR to measure the chemical components of the phloem and xylem of this tree. Radial variations in growth ring width and tracheid dimensions were also evaluated. The sieve tube, phloem parenchyma cell and sclereids clusters were the main cells in phloem, and the tracheid was the fundamental cell in xylem. An unusual tracheid type, fiber-tracheids or vessel-liked elements was visible. Wood rays nonstoried, uniseriate and multiseriate, including heterogeneous II, occasionally I, and usually 3-6 cells wide. The mean growth-ring width was 2.53 +/- 0.46 mm, and the percentage of late wood was over 60%. For radial variation, growth-ring width increased at an early growth stage, and reached the largest increment during years 11-15, then decreased. The maximum growth-ring width was 5.313 mm. During late growth (60-85 years), trees also maintained a high radial growth increment. Radial variation in the percentage of late wood was uniform, about 50-70%, throughout the growth years. Growth patterns in the length and width of early and late wood were similar as the trees aged. From the FTIR results, the chemical components differed significantly between xylem and phloem, hemicellulose in particular was higher in the xylem than in the phloem, where it was apparently absent. All of these suggest that the composition of phloem in T. sinense is very similar to that of hardwood, and it has higher growth ratio and uniform wood properties.

A feasibility study of using biodegradable magnesium alloy in glaucoma drainage device

Technological advances in glaucoma have challenged the traditional treatment paradigm. Historically incisional surgery has been used in cases of advanced disease and/or uncontrolled intraocular pressures resistant to medical or laser interventions. More recently, perhaps due to advancements in imaging, surgery has been suggested to be beneficial earlier in the treatment paradigm. Despite these trends, surgical manipulation of the tissues and unpredictability of wound healing continue to result in surgical failure. Magnesium is an essential element for human body and plays a critically important role in maintaining the functional and structural integrity of several tissues, including the eye. Due to several of its advantageous properties such as non-toxicity, biodegradability, and high biological compatibility, magnesium alloy has attracted great attention as a novel biomaterial. Biodegradable cardiovascular stents made of magnesium alloy have already been introduced into clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to determine if bioabsorbable magnesium alloys can be utilized as a promising candidate for the development of a new generation of glaucoma surgical assistive devices.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Polyamide 6/Polycarbonate

Blends of polyamide 6 and polycarbonate were prepared by a Brabender mixer （ PLV- 151） at 240 ℃ with 30 rpm for time 15, 8 and 6 minutes respectively. The thermal properties of blends with constituent ratio of 100/0, 60/40 and 20/80 are examined by Differential scanning calorimetry. DSC measures the temperatures and heat flow associated with transitions in materials as a function of time and temperature. The melting point temperature （Tm）, crystalline temperature （Tc）, and glass transition temperature （Tg） are observed.

Compatibility between Polyamide 6 and Polycarbonate Detected by SEM

Polyamide （PA6） and polycarbonate （PC） were prepared by a Brabender mixer （ PLV- 151） at 240℃ with 30 rpm for duration of 8 and 6 minutes respectively. The epoxy resin （E） addition can lead to substantial microstructural changes in the PA6/PC blends. Scanning electron microscope （SEM） was used to observe the mixtures characterized by the domains of clearly segregated homophases and voids between the two polymers. PA6/PC of polyamide 6 and polycarbonate with epoxy resin addition under the composition ratio of 20/80, 20/80/1, 40/60/1 and 40/60, were tested to verify the key role of epoxy in promoting the compatibility of PA6 with PC during blending.