Proton nuclear magnetic resonance rapid and structure-specific determination ofω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish lipids

Based on proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy, a rapid and structure-specific method for the determination of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in fish lipids is presented. The different chemical shift observed for the methyl resonance of ω-3 PUFAs (δ=0.95 ppm) with respect to the methyl resonance of all other fatty acids (δ=0.86 ppm) has provided the possibility of proposing a new and rapid method for the determination of ω-3 PUFA content. Twenty-four fish lipid samples (raw, cooked and canned albacore tuna) produced results that showed good agreement between¹H-NMR analysis and gas chromatographic determination. Raw and cooked samples showed significantly higher levels of ω-3 PUFA than canned tuna.     

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Cryo-worked Cu

For manufacturing the magnets of fusion machines pure copper of both high mechanical resistance and electrical conductivity is required. Though high purity copper guarantees high electrical conductivity, its mechanical properties may be not suitable for the applications in tokamaks. In this view, a new procedure developed for obtaining high purity copper with excellent mechanical strength is described in this work. Samples of oxygen free copper (OFC) have been worked by pressing in liquid nitrogen (77 K). It has been verified that the mechanical properties of the worked metal are strongly dependent on the strain rate. Very low strain rates permitted to attain values of tensile yield strength (550 MPa) significantly higher than those obtained by traditional cold-working at room temperature (450 MPa). The electrical conductivity of the cryo-worked Cu decreases with the tensile yield strength even though the hardest samples of tensile yield strength of 550 MPa exhibit still acceptable values of conductivity (about 94 % IACS at room temperature).     

微光像增强器的MTF测试技术研究

微光像增强器是微光成像系统的核心部分,其成像质量决定了对微弱光学信号的探测能力.像增强器的调制传递函数(modulation transfer function,MTF)反映了系统对图像不同频率成分的传递能力,是像质评定的一种客观指标.本文基于狭缝法测试MTF的原理,进行系统校准和采用分段加权最小二乘拟合实现曲线的平滑去噪,构建了微光像增强器的MTF测试系统.具体是采用十字狭缝靶标进行测试得到线扩散函数(line spread function,LSF)曲线,然后对其进行去噪处理和离散傅里叶变换得到MTF曲线,测试结果与德国OEG-2MTF测试仪比较,误差率低于5％,为研制高成像质量微光像增强器提供了一种有效评价手段.     

FinFET for high sensitivity ion and biological sensing applications

A double-gate (DG) fin field effect transistor (FinFET) is discussed as new label-free ion and biological sensor. Simulations as function of channel doping, geometrical dimensions, operation point and materials investigated the device response to an external potential difference which provides a body threshold voltage modulation. The simulation results presented in this work clearly state the key features for an ultrasensitive FET based sensor: an enhancement low doped and partially gated transistor operating in weak-moderate inversion regime. The optimized sensitivity, obtained when the width of the fin is equal to the gate height (w_NW ∼ h_g), reaches a value of 85% for an extraction current, I_d, of 0.1 μA. These results pave the way for the fabrication process of an innovative CMOS compatible sensing system.     

Carbon nanotube ropes proposed as particle pipes

Classical molecular dynamics studies of carbon ion-irradiation on ropes made of (10, 10) carbon nanotubes have been made. The carbon ions were fired into the rope on the outside of the nanotubes in a direction almost parallel to the longitudinal axis. Channeling takes place when the incidence angle is smaller than a critical angle. The dependence of the critical angle on the energy follows an inverse square root function. Our calculations show that the dependence of the critical angle on the energy is very similar for intra- and inter-tube channeling. Wave creation during the collision process is discussed.     

The immobilisation of enzymes on titanium-activated inorganic supports

Methods are described for the immobilisation of enzymes on inorganic supports activated by the surface deposition of an imperfectly crystallised film of TiO₂. The stability of the preparations is shown to be strongly dependent on the integrity of the support-TiO₂ link which is in turn dependent on the pretreatment of the solid support. The enzyme may be linked to the activated support using 5-aminosalicylic acid (with or without diazotisation), tannic acid or stannous chloride, or by direct contact. These preparations are shown to have activities and operational stabilities superior to those of a preparation made using the silane-glutaraldehyde method on the same glass support.     

Wholesale Competition in the International Telecommunications System

In the last ten years, the international telecommunications industry has undergone important changes from both the legislative (regulatory reforms) and the technological points of view. The liberalization of the telecommunications market has, consequently, affected the dynamics of the bilateral agreements between international carriers. In this paper, the international wholesale market in which carriers compete over the tariffs in order to increase their market share is analyzed. In particular, this paper examines the interactions between fixed telephony TLC carriers belonging to various countries and analyzes the possible strategic choices of the market leader induced by changes in competitor behavior.     

Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Diseases: Nutraceutical Interventions Related to Caloric Restriction

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely associated and represent a key public health problem worldwide. An excess of adipose tissue, NAFLD, and gut dysbiosis establish a vicious circle that leads to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Caloric restriction (CR) is the most promising nutritional approach capable of improving cardiometabolic health. However, adherence to CR represents a barrier to patients and is the primary cause of therapeutic failure. To overcome this problem, many different nutraceutical strategies have been designed. Based on several data that have shown that CR action is mediated by AMPK/SIRT1 activation, several nutraceutical compounds capable of activating AMPK/SIRT1 signaling have been identified. In this review, we summarize recent data on the possible role of berberine, resveratrol, quercetin, and L-carnitine as CR-related nutrients. Additionally, we discuss the limitations related to the use of these nutrients in the management of T2DM and CVD.