Synthesis of imidazole-based NHC–Au(I) complexes and their application in non-enzymatic glucose sensing

In this study, imidazole-based NHC–Au(I) complexes were prepared. Geometrically optimized structures and molecular orbital energy diagrams were computed using density functional theory. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric methods were used to evaluate the catalytic activity of the NHC–Au(I)-modified electrodes toward glucose oxidation. The mechanism of electrocatalytic oxidation at NHC–Au(I)-modified electrodes is explained on the basis of the oxidation and reduction potentials in the presence of glucose. Applicability of NHC–Au(I)-modified electrode was extended to determine the glucose level in the blood serum and the precision of the method was found to be satisfactory. The non-enzymatic sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility, repeatability, antifouling, and anti-interference characteristics.     

On-line quality control procedures for a random walk model with measurement error

An economical on-line quality control procedure is given for cases where measurement error u present.The unobservable quality characteristic procw is assumed to follow a normal random walk.model independent of the measurement error which is white noise. The off-target loss function used is proportional to the squared deviation from the target value.The procw is inspected at regular intervals of m time units and adjusted at the end of a cycle when the process goes out of the control limit d.The limning long-run average cost rate is evaluated.The optimum value of the control parameters,the inspection interval m,and the control limit d are obtained by minimlzlng the long-run average cost rate.When m is small and d is large, explicit expressions for the control parameters are given.     

Adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetric determination of venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine employing Nafion–carbon nanotube composite glassy carbon electrode

A Nafion-carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode (NAF-CNT-GCE) was developed for the determination of venlafaxine (VF) and desvenlafaxine (DVF). The electrochemical behavior of both these molecules was investigated employing cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry (CC), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammetry (AdSDPV). The surface morphology of the electrodes has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These studies revealed that the oxidation of VF and DVF is facilitated at NAF-CNT-GCE. After optimization of analytical conditions employing this electrode at pH 7.0 in Britton–Robinson buffer (0.05 M) for VF and pH 5.0 in acetate buffer (0.1 M) for DVF, the peak currents for both the molecules were found to vary linearly with their concentrations in the range of 3.81 × 10⁻⁸–6.22 × 10⁻⁵ M for VF and 5.33 × 10⁻⁸–3.58 × 10⁻⁵ M for DVF. The detection limits (S/N = 3) of 1.24 × 10⁻⁸ and 2.11 × 10⁻⁸ M were obtained for VF and DVF, respectively, using AdSDPV. The prepared modified electrode showed several advantages, such as simple preparation method, high sensitivity, very low detection limits and excellent reproducibility. The proposed method was employed for the determination of VF and DVF in pharmaceutical formulations, urine and blood serum samples.     

Discussion of Partitioning of synchronous machine windings forinternal fault analysis [Comments and authors' reply]

M.T. Holmberg et al. comment on the original paper by P.P. Reichmeider et al. (see ibid., vol.15, no.4, p.372-9, 2000). They point out that the authors do not appear to have mentioned as to how leakage inductance for part of the winding would be determined once the winding is partitioned. The original authors reply to the comments     

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function one week after a short burst of steroid therapy

"Steroid burst therapy" is commonly used for various acute medical conditions, but its suppressive effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) function and the time period for recovery of HPA function is not fully known. We therefore evaluated the HPA function in 10 normal adults before and after a short burst of Prednisone (40 mg/three times daily for 3 days, then tapered over the next 4 days). HPA function was evaluated by iv administration of 100 micrograms of ovine CRH (oCRH) and blood samples for ACTH and cortisol assay were obtained at -30,0,10,15,30,60,90, and 120 min. On another day, 250 micrograms synthetic ACTH (Cosyntropin) were given iv and blood samples for cortisol were obtained at 0,30,60, and 90 min. Basal and peak levels of ACTH and cortisol before and 1,2, and 3 weeks after discontinuation of prednisone in response to oCRH iv are shown below (see Table 1). All values are mean (SEM). Peak levels of cortisol after iv administration of Cosyntropin at week 0 were 922(56.8), week 1 899(63.7), week 2 861(70.9), and week 3 855(53.0). There was no significant difference noted in the levels of ACTH and cortisol in response to oCRH before and after prednisone treatment. Pre- and posttreatment responses of cortisol to Cosyntropin administration were also similar. In addition, cumulative responses (area under the curve) and the change from baseline (delta) before and after administration of prednisone were similar for ACTH and cortisol. We conclude that HPA function is normal 1 week after discontinuation of a short burst of prednisone. These findings suggest that administration of additional steroids may not be required during periods of "stress" for those patients who have previously received similar steroid burst therapy, if at least 1 week has elapsed after such treatment was given.     

Looking into the Danish energy system: Lesson to be learned by other communities

Industrialization, development and social transformation has brought together issues of over exploitation of limited energy resource base (e.g. fossil fuel), accelerated threats of energy insecurity, and liberation of greenhouse gas emissions across the continents. The global challenge for the 21st century and way ahead is to find other means of satisfying energy needs, diversifying the energy supply, up-scaling the make-up of renewable energy to a greater extent, optimization of energy consumption and supply system. Denmark has been continuously moving towards optimization of energy production, usage and its overall management, during and even after the first global oil crisis. The country has been delivering its priority in the development of renewable energy and standing the country an energy self sufficient from last three decades. Country's overall consumption of energy has decreased than that of the decades of 1980 and 1990s, with wider range of energy mix and saving options. The Danish government has strategized to make the country fossil fuel free by 2050, where special attention and interventions is required to boost up its development of renewable energy in the country. The past efforts of the Danish government in the energy development has helped not only making the country ‘energy self sufficient’, but also lowering the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Danish energy policy and strategies have been found more conducive and reflective of the joint EU priorities on the matter of dealing with climate change and energy security. All the past progress and its allied policies seem to be quite supportive in fulfilling its strategies for greener future. This review paper will discuss on the past efforts of Danish government in energy management and highlights on some political initiatives, which have been realised to support the country moving towards clean and green energy future.     

Friction,Wear and Mechanical Properties of Al-Si LM6 Cast Alloy Processed in Semi-solid Stage

Silicon - Dry sliding wear characteristics, mechanical properties and microstructural behavior of powder-chip based reinforcement silicon rich LM6 aluminum alloy, fabricated by semi-solid casting...     

Persistent Heat Signature for Pose‐oblivious Matching of Incomplete Models

Although understanding of shape features in the context of shape matching and retrieval has made considerable progress in recent years, the case for partial and incomplete models in presence of pose variations still begs a robust and efficient solution. A signature that encodes features at multi‐scales in a pose invariant manner is more appropriate for this case. The Heat Kernel Signature function from spectral theory exhibits this multi‐scale property. We show how this concept can be merged with the persistent homology to design a novel efficient pose‐oblivious matching algorithm for all models, be they partial, incomplete, or complete. We make the algorithm scalable so that it can handle large data sets. Several test results show the robustness of our approach.