A New Technique for the Identification of Surface Background: The Surface Sensitive Bolometers

The main problem for experiments using the bolometric technique to search for rare events is the contribution of surface contamination to the background. In this paper a new technique for the identification of the origin of events will be described. The idea is to shield the main bolometer with bolometric shields. Tests on small and large prototypes and the promising results will be reported.      

New ways to understand aroma perception

Orthonasal or retronasal presentation of odorants evokes different responses. To study this phenomenon in depth, a stimulation technique has been developed that allows ortho- or retronasal presentation of chemosensory stimuli, the release of which is precisely controlled. Based on this technique studies have been conducted using psychophysical, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques. In conjunction with clinical data the results clearly suggest that there are differences in the perception of ortho- and retronasal stimuli. The basis for this phenomenon may be found in ideas by Mozell and colleagues with regard to odorant absorption across the mucosa which may determine activation of the olfactory epithelium.     

Power and Area-Efficient Adaptive Equalization at Microwave Frequencies

We present a low power analog adaptive equalization technique suitable for combating inter-symbol-interference at very high data rates. The proposed technique, which we term the lumped parameter equalizer, addresses several of the problems associated with conventional microwave equalizers based on the tapped delay line structure. The theory is given, and simulation results comparing it with the performance of ideal tapped delay line filters are shown. Circuit implementations are discussed, along with the effect of nonidealities on equalizer performance.      

Long-term experience with an automatic process control for nitrogen removal in membrane bioreactors

The alternating processes applied in membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment may be an attractive option to reduce the energy consumptions and optimize carbon and nitrogen removal. However, the knowledge of these systems is often based on empirical results so to discourage the plant operators for its adoption. This paper discusses and compares the empirical evidence coming from two different alternating membrane bioreactors, a demonstration and a full-scale one. The two plants treat two real municipal wastewaters, rather different for both C:N ratio and degree of biodegradability of the influent organics. Nine steady-state runs have been carried out in the demonstration plant, while a one whole year operation has been considered for the full-scale system. Combining the results of the two MBRs, it was found that the alternating process was able to adjust automatically and adequately the aeration of the biological reactor with a nitrogen loading rate in the range 0.05–0.18 kgN m⁻³ d⁻¹ and C:N mass ratios greater than 5–6. As a result, the use of the available carbon source, with concern to the total nitrogen removal, was as low as 0.1 kg of total nitrogen removed per kg of total influent COD. Effluent total nitrogen met the standard for reuse with specific energy consumptions in the range 85–109 gTN_removed per kWh_consumed. Considering the usual loading conditions of the municipal wastewater treatment plants in Italy, membrane bioreactors operating alternating processes may be implemented to increase the nitrogen treatment capacity of existing plants and achieve the standards for reuse.     

Surface and interface properties of functionalized polysulfones: Cell‐material interaction and antimicrobial activity

Quaternized polysulfones with different ionic chlorine content tested for biomedical applications were obtained by quaternization reaction of chloromethylated polysulfones with N,N‐dimethylethanolamine. The relationship between the different physical and chemical characteristics of these polymers and their biocompatible and antimicrobial properties was established for maximizing the selectivity and performance of these materials for biomedical applications. Therefore, topographic reorganization of the polysulfonic films induced by the type of nonsolvent in casting solutions of polymer significantly influences films morphology, depending on the charge density of polyelectrolytes, the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics, as well as on the history of the formed films. Furthermore, the study of the adhesion of red blood cells and cohesion of platelets on the surface of quaternized polysulfone films, as well as analysis of antibacterial activity, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 microorganisms, contribute to extending the possible applications of quaternized polysulfones as semipermeable membranes in biomedical domains. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2184–2194, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Next-Generation Sequencing Workflow for NSCLC Critical Samples Using a Targeted Sequencing Approach by Ion Torrent PGM? Platform

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a cost-effective technology capable of screening several genes simultaneously; however, its application in a clinical context requires an established workflow to acquire reliable sequencing results. Here, we report an optimized NGS workflow analyzing 22 lung cancer-related genes to sequence critical samples such as DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks and circulating free DNA (cfDNA). Snap frozen and matched FFPE gDNA from 12 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, whose gDNA fragmentation status was previously evaluated using a multiplex PCR-based quality control, were successfully sequenced with Ion Torrent PGM™. The robust bioinformatic pipeline allowed us to correctly call both Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) and indels with a detection limit of 5%, achieving 100% specificity and 96% sensitivity. This workflow was also validated in 13 FFPE NSCLC biopsies. Furthermore, a specific protocol for low input gDNA capable of producing good sequencing data with high coverage, high uniformity, and a low error rate was also optimized. In conclusion, we demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining gDNA from FFPE samples suitable for NGS by performing appropriate quality controls. The optimized workflow, capable of screening low input gDNA, highlights NGS as a potential tool in the detection, disease monitoring, and treatment of NSCLC.