Daily energy metabolism in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The availability of markers for the 17p11.2 region has enabled the diagnosis of Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). SMS is typically associated with a discernible deletion of band 17p11.2 upon cytogenetic analysis at a resolution of 400-550 bands. We present a case that illustrates the importance of using FISH to confirm a cytogenetic diagnosis of del(17)(p11.2). Four independent cytogenetic analyses were performed with different conclusions. Results of low resolution analyses of amniocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes were apparently normal, while high resolution analyses of peripheral blood samples in two laboratories indicated mosaicism for del(17)(p11.2). FISH clearly demonstrated a 17p deletion on one chromosome of all peripheral blood cells analyzed and ruled out mosaicism unambiguously. The deletion was undetectable by flow cytometric quantitation of chromosomal DNA content, suggesting that it is less than 2 Mb. We conclude that FISH should be used to detect the SMS deletion when routine chromosome analysis fails to detect it and to verify mosaicism.     

Geographical classification of sicilian olive oils in terms of sterols and fatty acids content

The sterols and fatty acids contents of 22 extravirgin olive oil samples produced in the Etna area and in other areas of Sicily were determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) of these data provided a ‘scores’ plot where samples produced in the Etna area were clearly grouped and unknown samples could be classified according to their geographical origin. This classification was confirmed by the residual standard deviation values of all samples fitted into a disjoint principal components model derived from Etna oils only. The above results suggest that the DOC (denominazlone di origine controllata) origin mark for Etna extravirgin olive oils can be attributed on the basis of their sterols and fatty acids contents by means of PCA.     

AMOLED pixel driver circuits based on poly-Si TFTs: A comparison

In this paper, four different driver circuits for an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) pixel based on thin film transistor (TFT) technology are analyzed and compared. In particular, the comparison analyzed accuracy, driving speed, power consumption and area occupied. Moreover, in order to allow array simulations, the RC equivalent models of the pixel were also derived. The results were achieved considering a QVGA display (320×240), a line frequency of 60 Hz, and were verified by simulations with AIM-SPICE.     

Polymer blends of steam-explosion lignin and poly(ε-caprolactone) by high-energy ball milling

Lignin powder, obtained from an abundant and low-cost source, straw, through a low-environmental-impact process, steam explosion, was used for the preparation of blends with a biodegradable polyester, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), with an innovative technique, high-energy ball milling. Lignin strongly stabilized PCL against UV radiation. The modulus of the blends increased with the addition of lignin; nevertheless, the elongation at breaking decreased. Through thermal characterization (differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis), lignin and PCL were found to be immiscible. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Packaging technology for improving shelf‐life of fruits based on a nanoporous–crystalline polymer

The ability of films with an active layer of nanoporous–crystalline syndiotactic polystyrene (s‐PS) to prolong shelf‐life, not only of climacteric but also of non‐climacteric fruits, is discussed. Studies on oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the environment of packaged fruits as well as in s‐PS active layers have been combined. Reported results indicate that prolonged shelf‐life can be associated with large increases and decreases of carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations inside the package, respectively. These data are consistent with a higher barrier offered to both gases by nanoporous–crystalline s‐PS layers. This barrier phenomenon is due to reduction of gas diffusivity typical of nanoporous–crystalline polymer films, which is further enhanced by orientation, parallel to the film plane, of crystalline planes of closely packed s‐PS helices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46256.     

Guest Editors' Introduction: Building a Sensor-Rich World

Sensor networks have historically been relegated to special applications and research projects. Technological advances are making it possible to move from this domain to one in which sensors are pervasive in our world and new applications abound. This article provides an introduction to this special issue on Building a Sensor-Rich World.     

Crystallization kinetics of iPP. Model and experiments

Summary The model proposed by Ziabicki [1] [2] for non-isothermal crystallization kinetics was adopted in this work, to describe the crystallization kinetics of a commercial iPP under a very wide range of conditions (i.e. isothermal, slow-cooling rate and high-cooling rate (up to 200 °C/s) from the melt). A modification of the model was required in order to achieve a good agreement between model predictions and the whole set of experimental data. Received: 22 December 2000/Accepted: 30 January 2001     

Flow‐induced crystallization during isotactic polypropylene film casting

In this work, a previously proposed model for flow‐induced crystallization of polymers was slightly modified and successfully applied in describing film casting experiments performed working with isotactic polypropylene. In this process, the melt experiences flowing conditions, during the cooling. The effect of flow on crystallization kinetics was accounted for by the entropic increase of melting point because of the orientation effect of the flow. The orientation of the macromolecules was described by means of a nonlinear dumbbell model, and the entropic shift was calculated on the basis of the rubber elasticity theory. The flow‐induced crystallization model, using reasonable values for relaxation time, was proved able to quantitatively predict the enhancement effect of the flow as an increase of spherulite nuclei density and growth rate, in presence of low‐level flows (Deborah number <1–10). The morphology changes due to higher level of flow (fine grained, fibrils, shish‐kebab) were not predicted by this approach. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Orientation and Crystallinity Measurements in Film Casting Products

Summary Film casting experiments were carried out with iPP under processing conditions causing the crystallization process to occur under orienting flow. Draw ratio and cooling rates were changed by varying mass flow rates and die thickness. The effect of processing conditions on film crystallinity was investigated by combining WAXS and FT-IR transmission methods, while orientation of both phases was measured by IR dichroism (according to Fraser's method) and successfully compared to birefringence measurements on final films. Crystallinity appears to be almost insensitive to draw ratio and cooling rate. Moreover the crystallinity profile turned out to be also constant along the transverse film direction. Phases orientation were found relatively low and no dependence on draw ratio was detected.