Computer-Aided Design of Corn Dryers With Quality Prediction

A new dynamic model of corn drying based on compartmental structure and quality prediction was built up from a thin layer model to industrial scale. From the system analysis to the programming, we focus mainly on numerical resolution of the equations and on the ergonomy of the software.     

Risk factors for osteoporosis in men

Three months after the launch of the MMR programme in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a postal questionnaire was sent to all GP scheme trainees in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The response rate was 81%. All trainees were enthusiastic about promoting MMR immunisation; with 27% favouring compulsory immunisation. 9% had never seen a patient with measles. This did not alter their attitude towards the beneficial effects of MMR immunisation. Of pre-practice year trainees 26% felt their level of knowledge of immunisation was inadequate, 59% claimed to have received no education on immunisation during their vocational training to date. This may reflects deficiencies in their medical curriculum to-date. 95% of third-year trainees indicated that their practice experience had been the source of at least some of their education on immunisation. Only 46% of trainees in the Republic of Ireland were aware of their Department of Health's aims in launching the MMR immunisation campaign.     

MODELING LIGNIN LIQUEFACTION 1. CATALYTIC HYDROPROCESSING OF LIGNIN-RELATED METHOXYPHENOLS AND INTERAROMATIC UNIT LINKAGES

The reactions of two sets of lignin model compounds over a sulfided CoOMoO3/γ-Al2O3 catalyst were studied. The first set mimicked lignin methoxyphenol residues and comprised 4-methyl-guaiacol, 4-methyl catechol, eugenol and vanillin. Deoxygenation and hydrogenation were facile and led to ultimate molar yields of single-ring products as high as 0.70. The selectivity to single-ring products increased with increases in temperature, o-hydroxydiphenylmethane, phenyl ether and o,o'-biphenol constituted the second set that mimicked thermally stable lignin bonds.Fragmentation of o-hydroxydiphenylmethane and phenyl ether occurred readily; o,o'-biphenol reacted to dibenzofuran.

These results suggest that the single-ring products obtained from catalytic liquefaction of lignins should be more desirable than those obtained from pyrolysis because of both higher yields and reduced complexity.     

The Mayo Clinic-Canadian Cooperative trial of sulfasalazine in active multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sulfasalazine is better than placebo in slowing disability progression in MS. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial, 199 patients with active relapsing-remitting (n = 151) or progressive (n = 48) MS were evaluated at 3-month intervals for a minimum of 3 years (94% completed 3 years of follow-up; mean follow-up, 3.7 years). MRI studies were performed at 6-month intervals on a subset of 89 patients. RESULTS: Sulfasalazine failed to slow or prevent disability progression as measured by the primary outcome (confirmed worsening of the Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score by at least 1.0 point on two consecutive 3-month visits). Sulfasalazine influenced favorably a number of secondary outcomes during the first 18 months of the trial (e.g., annualized relapse rate, proportion of relapse-free patients; progressive subgroup only: rate of EDSS progression at 1 and 2 years, median time to EDSS progression) but these positive findings were not sustained into the second half of the trial. CONCLUSIONS: Sulfasalazine does not prevent EDSS score progression in the subset of MS patients studied by this protocol. Treatments may improve relapse-related outcomes in MS, at least temporarily, without providing sustained slowing of EDSS progression. Phase III MS trials should be of sufficient length to determine a meaningful impact on disease course.     

An improved algorithm for finding the median distributively

Given two processes, each having a total-ordered set ofn elements, we present a distributed algorithm for finding median of these 2n elements using no more than logn +O(logn) messages, but if the elements are distinct, only logn +O(1) messages will be required. The communication complexity of our algorithm is better than the previously known result which takes 2 logn messages.     

A novel microneedle array for the treatment of hydrocephalus

We present a microfabricated 10 by 10 array of microneedles for the treatment of a neurological disease called communicating hydrocephalus. Together with the previously reported microvalve array, the current implantable microneedle array completes the microfabricated arachnoid granulations (MAGs) that mimic the function of normal arachnoid granulations. The microneedle array was designed to enable the fixation of the MAGs through dura mater membrane in the brain and thus provide a conduit for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Cone-shaped microneedles with hollow channels were fabricated using a series of microfabrication techniques: SU-8 photolithography for tapered geometry, reactive ion etching for sharpening the microneedles, 248 nm deep UV excimer laser machining for creating through-hole inside the microneedles, and metal sputtering for improved rigidity. Puncture tests were conducted using porcine dura mater and the results showed that the fabricated microneedle array is strong enough to pierce the dura mater. The in vitro biocompatibility test result showed that none of the 100 outlets of the microneedles exposed to the bloodstream were clogged significantly by blood cells. We believe that these test results demonstrate the potential use of the microneedle array as a new treatment of hydrocephalus.     

Coal liquefaction in nitrogen compounds

Model compound studies have shown that 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline is an exceptionally good coal solvent. In the pure compound, subbituminous coal conversion to THF-soluble products approaches 100% under relatively mild reaction conditions. The effectiveness of tetrahydroquinoline for coal conversion appears to be related to its concentration relative to coal. The unique behaviour of tetrahydroquinoline is ascribed to its being a highly active H-donor; the fact that it is regenerable under reaction conditions by the reaction of hydrogen and quinoline; and that its polarity allows penetration of the coal structure and aids in dispersion of the dissolved coal. It has been found that, during reaction with coal, tetrahydroquinoline and other nitrogen compounds undergo extensive condensation reactions which result in an increase in the nitrogen content of the high boiling and non-distillable liquefaction products.     

Ultimate properties of blown films of linear low density polyethylene resins as affected by alpha-olefin comonomers

Blown film samples of linear low density polyethylene resins copolymerized with butene, hexene, and octene were characterized in terms of various mechanical and optical properties which included tensile, impact, tear, puncture, haze, and gloss. The microstructure development aspects were also investigated employing crystallinity and density, infrared dichroic ratio, and birefringence, and focusing on various positions along the circumference of the bubble. The ultimate properties, and the microstructure of the blown film samples, were found to depend strongly on the extent of short chain branching and on the comonomer employed.     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of multilayer coextruded and laminated films

The packaging industry is undergoing a period of rapid expansion in the use of multilayer and coextruded containers. This presents a challenge to the analytical chemist, who must characterize these extremely complex structures. The state of the art for the production of the new generation of containers, including methods, materials and structures, will be briefly reviewed. The applications of such containers and the motivations for the analysis of the structures involved will also be reviewed. The methods for the analysis of these multilayer and coextruded structures will then be considered in detail. The characterization of the surfaces involved will be emphasized. Techniques to identify, quantify, and determine the orientation of the structures will be discussed. The use of infrared spectroscopy (with emphasis on internal reflection spectroscopy) for the identification of the materials in these structures will be discussed. Also, the use of infrared spectroscopy in quantitatively determining the composition and orientation of the structures will be presented. The use of optical microscopy and combined microscopy/infrared spectroscopy for the quantification of the layer structures will be discussed. The use of auxiliary techniques for the completion of the analysis of the complex layer structures will be presented.