Integrated ambient ozone evaluation by passive samplers and clover biomonitoring mini-stations

An ozone monitoring network was set up using passive samplers and biological mini-stations of two clones of white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Regal), NC-R (O(3)-resistant) and NC-S (O(3)-sensitive). This paper reports on a pilot study performed in the period June-October 1999 in the Rome municipal area by using five biomonitoring mini-stations and ozone passive samplers with a new nitrite based design. This combined methodology can be used to obtain information on the biological implications of the injury due to tropospheric ozone. The two techniques can integrate data for the short-medium period and can be placed in different urban and rural sites, proving to be a very useful tool for ozone concentration mapping.     

A new removable resist for high aspect ratio applications

A variety of different photo resists are used for fabrication of MEMS. Presently good results were reported for SU-8, a chemically amplified negative tone photoresist. But SU-8 has a disadvantage for some applications in LIGA technique, especially in the X-ray mask fabrication. After processing the finished resist pattern are hardly soluble from the substrate. This paper will briefly describe the current status of the development of the new negative tone photoresist CAR 44 whose big advantage is the easy removableness of the cross linked pattern. This work widely uses the contents of the presentation “A New Removable Resist for High Aspect Ratio Applications” to the High Aspect Ratio Micro Structure Technology workshop HARMST 2005 held in Gyeongyu (Republic of Korea), June 10–13, 2005.     

Assessment of the cost and accuracy of the generalized FEM

In this paper, we address the cost versus accuracy capabilities for the generalized FEM (GFEM) which was developed in (Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 2003; 192 :3109–3161, Int. J. Numer. Meth. Engng 2004; 60 :1639–1672, Ph.D. Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, August 2003 (Advisor: T. Strouboulis)), and also the construction of two‐sided a posteriori error estimates, which can be used to assess the achieved accuracy at all levels of the method. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microwave dewaxing applied to the investment casting process

Autoclave processing is commonly used nowadays for dewaxing in the investment casting process. However, since the use of microwave is steadily growing in industrial processes and the wax interacts with the electromagnetic energy of the microwaves, the present work studies the possibility of carrying out dewaxing via microwave. The wax (mineral wax, vegetable resin, low molecular-weight polymer and anti-oxidant) used in this work was prepared by melting in an oven equipped with a mineral oil bath. The chemical and structural stability of the wax were monitored throughout 12 simulated dewaxing cycles, via various analyses, namely, volumetric expansion, hardness, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry and viscosity. The results showed that microwave dewaxing is viable, significantly decreasing the incorporation of dirt and water, which is inevitable in the autoclave dewaxing process.     

The dissolution of activated titanium slag in dilute sulfuric acid

Finely ground titanium slag (–400 mesh) dissolves slowly in dilute H₂SO₄ (2–10 mol/L) in the temperature range 70–110°C, but attrition ground slag dissolves much faster under similar conditions. The process is strongly dependent on the speed of agitation in the region 345–1035 rpm, and has an activation energy of 28 kJ/mole TiO₂, thus suggesting that the dissolution is controlled by diffusion through the boundary layer.     

Bistable hybrids in sol–gel technology for switching devices

Development of memories based on organic soft materials is a current industrial niche aimed at the upper contacts flash memories. The electrical bistability of such materials makes them ideal candidates for cost-effective, fast-programming switching devices. Hybrid thin films of SiO₂ with Rose Bengal (bis-triethylammonium) dopant are here reported for the first time, together with their characterisations. Technology-wise the main advantage of the films is the possibility to cast photolithographically, which is also cost-effective. The physical and chemical stability of the films yields reproducible devices, from both the microtechnological and electrical point of view.     

Determination of compounding formulation of cured rubber by reverse engineering

The present work deals with reverse engineering on four rubber formulations. Information about the material composition of the compounding formulations was obtained by using techniques such as acetone extract, thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence studies, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode. The reverse engineered formulations were compared on a qualitative and quantitative basis with the initial formulations. The aim was to ascertain the validity of the methodology, which may be used as reverse engineering of rubber compounds to quantitatively analyze unknown ground tire rubber in future. The state of the art was based on a fractional mass transfer from acetone extract to the rubbers detected in TGA. Through this new approach, the formulations calculated were very consistent with the formulations employed, thus establishing the validity of the methodology used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1450–1458, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

An adsorptive transfer technique coupled with brdicka reaction to reveal the importance of metallothionein in chemotherapy with platinum based cytostatics

The drugs based on platinum metals represent one of the oldest, but also one of the most effective groups of chemotherapeutic agents. Thanks to many clinical studies it is known that resistance of tumor cells to drugs is a frequent cause of chemotherapy failure. With regard to platinum based drugs, multidrug resistance can also be connected with increased expression of low-molecular weight protein metallothionein (MT). This study aimed at investigating the interactions of MT with cisplatin or carboplatin, using the adsorptive transfer technique coupled with differential pulse voltammetry Brdicka reaction (AdTS DPV Brdicka reaction), and a comparison of in vitro results with results obtained in vivo. The results obtained from the in vitro study show a strong affinity between platinum based drugs and MT. Further, we analyzed extracts of neuroblastoma cell lines treated with cisplatin or carboplatin. It is clear that neuroblastoma UKF-NB-4 cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive cell lines unlikely respond to the presence of the platinum-based cytostatics cisplatin and carboplatin. Finally, we determined the level of MT in samples from rabbits treated with carboplatin and patients with retinoblastoma treated with the same drug.     

Adsorption onto fluidized powdered activated carbon flocs-pACF

This work presents a new adsorption technique where the adsorbent (powdered activated carbon-PAC) is in the form of suspended flocs formed with water-soluble polymer flocculants. Thus, the adsorption of a typical dye, methylene blue (MB), was studied onto polyacrylamide flocs of PAC (PACF) in a fluidized bed reactor. The technique is based on the fact that the adsorption capacity of PAC does not decrease after flocculation because the adsorbed polymer occupies only a few surface sites, in the form of trains, loops, and tails. Moreover, the adsorption was found to proceed through a rapid mass transfer of MB to the adsorbing PAC flocs, in the same extent as onto PAC. Because of the rapid settling characteristics of the aggregates formed, the two phase separations, loaded PAC and solution, become easier. Thus, the technique offers the advantages of conducting simultaneously both adsorption and solid/liquid separation all in one single stage. Results obtained showed that high MB removal values can be attained in a fluidized bed reactor (>90%) and that PACF presents a much higher adsorption capacity (breakthrough points) than granulated activated carbon (GAC) in the same adsorbing bed. It is believed that this technique highly broadens the potential of the use of powdered activated carbon or other similar ultrafine adsorbents.