Use of the Attenuation of Luminol-Perborate Chemiluminescence with Flow Injection Analysis for the Total Antioxidant Activity in Tea Infusions,Wines, and Grape Seeds

This study establishes a simple and fast flow injection analysis methodology for the determination of the antioxidant activity in wines, tea infusions, and grape seeds, based on the inhibition effect of their natural antioxidants on the Co(II)/EDTA-induced luminol-perborate chemiluminescence. At the optimum operational conditions, the antioxidant activity was measured by plotting the inhibition percentage vs logarithm of sample mass to calculate the IC₅₀ (mass of sample needed to reduce in 50% the chemiluminescence in absence of the antioxidant). The method was examined with pure phenolic compounds for the purpose of relating the molecular structure with the response of the method, and then with the composition of tea infusions, wines, and grape seeds on the antioxidant activity. The results revealed that the white and green tea samples and the red wine had a stronger antioxidant activity because these showed smaller IC₅₀. Results showed good agreement with the total biophenolic content determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.     

High voltage photovoltaic mini‐modules

This work describes the design, simulation, fabrication process, and characterization of high voltage photovoltaic mini‐modules using silicon on insulator (SOI) wafers. The mini‐modules are made of a number of small area photovoltaic cells (<1 mm²) monolithically connected in series. Isolation between cells is performed by means of anisotropic etching of the active layer of the SOI wafer. Measurements using standard sunlight (AM1·5 100 mW/cm²) confirm the viability of this technology to fabricate small area arrays showing open circuit voltages, V _oc, between 620 mV and 660 mV and photocurrent densities up to 22·3 mA/cm² for single cells of 0·225 mm² area and 10 µm active film thickness. Series connection scales up V _oc and the maximum power, P _m, from 625 mV and 21·2 µW, respectively, in a single cell to 103 V and 3·2 mW when 169 cells are connected in series in a 0·42 cm² module total area. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Automated Registration of 3D Scans Using Geometric Features and Normalized Color Data

Abstract: Laser range sensors are playing an increased role in construction. These devices are used to collect a large number of points from different locations and then, those points are registered in a common framework. This article describes a new procedure for the registration of point clouds, especially suited to the fields of architecture and cultural heritage. Often, in these fields, the registration of point clouds is subject to errors due to the fact that an important number of points do not lie on particular geometric features. In this article, an accurate and efficient approach for 3D data registration based on Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm is proposed, which takes advantage of the color data acquired along with range data. Points suitable for registration are selected according to their local geometry and/or color properties, thus a significant improvement on performance convergence and processing time is obtained. The algorithm performs an automatic, on‐the‐flight estimation of the overlapping region, taking into account possible color differences produced by lighting changes through the measurement process. The proposed approach has been tested on real scanned data from cultural heritage buildings and compared to other approaches, showing a better performance in terms of automation degree, accuracy, and speed.     

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to rupture of a regenerating nodule as primary manifestation of hepatic cirrhosis

Therapy of thyroid dysfunction needs a close cooperation between endocrinologist and gynecologist. In addition to a number of metabolic changes during pregnancy, the diaplacentar transfer of different substances (thionamides, antibodies) has to be considered. Pregnant women with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated using L-Thyroxine with the bTSH between 1 and 2 mU/l. Many of the women need an increase of the L-Thyroxine dose during pregnancy. Overt hyperthyroidism (mostly due to Graves' disease) has to be treated immediately after diagnosis using thionamides. Because thionamides cross the placenta, the dose should be as low as possible with the fT4 in upper level and bTSH in the lower level of normal range. Most studies show, that both methimazole (MI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) can be used in pregnancy. Although PTU is preferred especially in the USA, an advantage of PTU over MI is not proven. Surgery is necessary in only few cases of hyperthyroidism during pregnancy with the optimal time for surgery during the second trimester. In case of subclinical hyperthyroidism and HCG induced hyperthyroidism several controls of thyroid function should be performed to decide whether treatment is necessary.     

The estimation of the solubility parameter of low volatile compounds from gas chromatography data

By applying the regular solution model to the solution processes that take place in gas chromatography, equations are obtained, which relate the retention volume of solutes with their molar volume and latent heat of vaporization. From these equations, solubility parameters of monomeric stationary phases are obtained and their values compared with those obtained by other methods.     

Cardinality development and counting.

Cardinality means that the last number word used in counting refers to the entire set of items and is thought to be crucial to correct counting. This research focuses on the cardinality acquisition and on the relation between cardinality and counting. Three groups of 24 children (3 years, 5 months to 5 years, 0 months) each received 4 kinds of tasks. First, they counted forward; then were shown sets that were counted for them backward sequentially, jumping forward in the sequence, or forward and backward; and asked to say how many items were in the set. Empirical evidence is gathered regarding the 6 understanding levels of cardinality proposed by V. Bermejo and M. O. Lago (see record 1990-24931-001) . Likewise, these data provide no empirical support for considering counting as a single prerequisite to cardinality. Finally, a new approach to the relation between counting and cardinality is suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dissecting the conditioned pecking response: an integrated system for the analysis of pecking response parameters

The conventional pecking response key, although an excellent transducer of response rate, can provide minimal information on the topography, coordination, or localization of conditioned pecking. We describe the hardware and software components of a system that, in addition to recording response rates, permits simultaneous "on-line" monitoring of head acceleration, jaw movement, terminal peck location, and duration of pecking response. Head movements are monitored with a miniature accelerometer, jaw movements with a magnetosensitive transducer, and peck location with modified touch screen technology. Initial experiments with the system suggest that it will be useful in studies of response differentiation, acquisition and maintenance of complex discriminations, and interaction of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli in the control of pecking response probability and response topography.     

Behr''s syndrome. A report of 2 siblings studied by MR

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an idiosyncratic reaction associated with the use of neuroleptic drugs. We report a case of this rare syndrome in a head injury patient associated with some unusual features: rhabdomyolysis with a high level of creatine kinase, the development of acute renal failure, the early use of continuous venovenous haemofiltration in treatment and rigidity that was refractory to conventional treatment with dantrolene and bromocriptine. The diagnosis in patients with multiple injuries must be based on a high index of suspicion.