Laser surface hardening of thin steel slabs

The transformation hardening of steels by surface heating by a c.w. laser beam has been studied. We examined the surface treatment of thin steel slabs by a suitable mathematical model of the thermal transient induced by laser beam heating. The laser parameters for surface hardening of such samples and the resulting microstructures are discussed. Hardening depths calculated from the mathematical model fit well with experimental results.     

Evidence for sexual differentiation of glia in rat brain

It is well established that gonadal steroids mediate sexual differentiation of the brain via direct effects on neurons during a restricted critical period. In addition, estrogen can influence glial morphology in the adult brain, and in vitro studies suggest estrogen induces glial differentiation. However, there is a lack of in vivo evidence for steroid effects on glia during the critical period. We report here a hormone-mediated sexual differentiation of arcuate glia as early as Postnatal Day 1. Using glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity (GFAP-ir), we compared the responsiveness of astroglia in the rat arcuate nucleus among five hormonally different groups. The results indicate increased GFAP-ir cell surface area 24 hr after hormonal manipulation in castrate males compared to intact males, intact females (ANOVA; P < 0.01), and females injected with testosterone propionate (50 microg; ANOVA; P < 0.05). However, astroglia in intact males extended their processes significantly greater distances from the cell body compared to all other treatment groups (ANOVA; P < 0.01). The GFAP-ir cells were categorized into four distinct classes ranging from a simple bipolar to a fully stellate morphology. The frequency distribution of classes varied between groups with more stellate cells found in intact males. Finally, these sex differences in arcuate glia persisted into adulthood. We hypothesize that during the critical period, testosterone, or its metabolite estrogen, induce sexual differentiation of glia. We further hypothesize that in females glial cells remain partially undifferentiated and this may be important to glial plasticity seen in adult female arcuate.     

Cleansing effect of two micromotor-driven endodontic handpieces.II. Effect of various rinsing solutions on the cleansing effect of the handpieces

The cleansing effectivity of citric acid solution was significantly better than that of Neomagnol both with respect to the removal of the Smear Layer (SL) and to the number of visible dentinal tubular orifices, however a complete elimination of the SL could not be obtained. Neomagnol seemed to be more effective in the removal of superficial debris and tissue-remnants.     

Reforming of olive mill wastewater through a Pd-membrane reactor

This work investigates the exploitation of olive mill wastewater (OMW) for producing hydrogen in a membrane reformer.     

High precision C AMS at CIRCE

The CIRCE AMS system started operation in March 2005. The measurement of isotopic ratios ¹⁴C/¹²C in samples of archaeological and environmental interest has rapidly attained high precision and accuracy levels in routine operation. The results of the intercomparison campaign in the framework of the VIRI program, as well as the outcome of a statistical analysis of the about 200 control measurements performed with standard samples, have shown the capability of the whole system for high precision measurements (δR/R < 0.3%), allowing systematic investigations in both archaeological and environmental sciences. ²⁶Al AMS has been implemented for the measurement of the astrophysically relevant ²⁵Mg(p,γ)²⁶Al reaction cross section, while a beam line is under construction for the measurement of actinides isotopic ratios.     

Cold recovery during regasification of LNG part one: Cold utilization far from the regasification facility

The paper deals with cold recovery during LNG regasification. The applications analyzed pertain to the use in deep freezing agro food industry and in space air conditioning facilities in commercial sector (Supermarkets and Hypermarkets) of cold recovered from the regasification process.