Coupled Electron- and Proton-Transfer Processes in the Reduction of α-[P(2)W(18)O(62)](6)(-) and α-[H(2)W(12)O(40)](6)(-) As Revealed by Simulation of Cyclic Voltammograms

Quantitative analysis of the complex problem of coupled electron- and proton-transfer steps during reduction of the polyoxo anions α-[P(2)W(18)O(62)](6)(-) and α-[H(2)W(12)O(40)](6)(-) in aqueous NaCl (0.5 M) has been achieved by simulation of cyclic voltammograms (Rudolph, M.; Reddy, D. P.; Feldberg, S. W. Anal. Chem. 1994, 66, 589A) over wide ranges of anion concentration, pH, and scan rate. Since there are too many unknown parameters to attempt a one-step global form of simulation, a systematic, stepwise approach has been adopted by progressively accessing regimes of increasing voltammetric complexity. This protocol allows experimental behavior in each system over 5 orders of magnitude in proton concentration to be simulated by estimation of three protonation constants combined with experimentally determined reversible half-wave potentials for the two one-electron processes involved. Fast electron transfer and protonation kinetics are assumed. The importance of the values chosen for the diffusion coefficients of the proton and polyoxo anion species is considered. The simulations account for the fact that pairs of one-electron processes coalesce to give an apparent two-electron process in the pH range 1-6 for reduction of both anions.     

Simple broadband cylindrical antenna with quasidistributed capacitive loading

A cylindrical antenna with easily adjustable quasidistributed capacitive loading is described, which is convenient for experimental investigation of such structures. Some experimental results for admittances are presented, showing excellent broadband properties of the antenna and a satisfactory agreement with theoretical values.     

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC-UTILITY COMPANIES BY INNOVATIVENESS BASED ON DIALECTICAL SYSTEMS THINKING

Bertalanffian systemic thinking attacks over-specialization and tries to teach humans how to attain holism for humankind to survive. Indirect ways may support this crucial intention better, including business excellence, which enjoys the support of, for example, the European Quality Award (EFQM/EQA). But in some industries, such as public utilities working on waste problems, market and EFQM/EQA do not support systemic thinking well enough. The new model presented herein has been evolving for over ten years and has proven successful in practice in the public utility companies.     

Sensor control for multi-object state-space estimation using random finite sets

The problem addressed in this paper is information theoretic sensor control for recursive Bayesian multi-object state-space estimation using random finite sets. The proposed algorithm is formulated in the framework of partially observed Markov decision processes where the reward function associated with different sensor actions is computed via the Rényi or alpha divergence between the multi-object prior and the multi-object posterior densities. The proposed algorithm in implemented via the sequential Monte Carlo method. The paper then presents a case study where the problem is to localise an unknown number of sources using a controllable moving sensor which provides range-only detections. Four sensor control reward functions are compared in the study and the proposed scheme is found to perform the best.     

DNA damage by PAH and repair in a marine sponge

The sponge Tethya lyncurium from the Northern Adriatic has been used as an experimental species.A method is outlined for preparation of DNA which yields a highly purified DNA with a double-strand (ds) molecular weight of 25 M-dalton between single-strand (ss) breaks, which when properly damaged can be cut opposite to ss-breaks with nuclease s₁. The molecular weights of the resulting ds-DNA pieces and their distribution has been evaluated by electron microscope photographs.Sponges exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in the dark only incorporate BaP-derivatives (BaPD) in small amounts, if any. However, in the presence of light, derivatization to BaP derivatives enables effective coupling to occur, as shown previously (R. K. Zahn et al., 1981). Sponges were exposed to radiolabeled BaP in the presence of light. Coupling of BaPD to the DNA as well as the induction of ss-breaks were measured.Light-mediated coupling is concentration dependent from 0.01 – 20 ppb BaP with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.84.Under conditions of possible repair, ss-breaks completely disappear from sponge DNA in the course of three weeks while a substantial fraction of the BaP derivatives persists.Double label experiments show that substantial DNA synthesis occurs during this time. Pollution causes a decrease of the molecular weight of unnicked DNA, re-incubation in clean water an increase. A DNA species of 24 M-dalton seems to play a critical role. If its percentage in the DNA population drops below a critical level, recovery is not longer possible. DNA damage by PAH and repair in sponges seems to differ from that of most eucaryotes.     

Effect of membrane-electrode-assembly configuration on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance

Four different membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) with single and dual-layer gas diffusion layers (GDLs) at the anode and the cathode were prepared to examine polarization characteristics that rely on MEA configuration. Porous structure of single and dual-layer GDLs was investigated using a mercury porosimeter. An MEA with dual-layer GDLs at each electrode demonstrated higher performance with an air feed. To comprehend the improvement, the impedance behavior at various current densities and polarization behavior under back pressure were analyzed in terms of oxygen diffusion processes that control catalyst utilization in the gas diffusion electrode.     

In-situ immobilization of Sr radioactive isotope using nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite was used as the inert matrix for in-situ immobilization of strontium (Sr) radioactive isotopes at room temperature. A nano-emulsification method was applied to synthesize Sr-substituted calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca_1?xSr_x)₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂. The concentration of incorporated Sr was in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Immobilization of Sr was evaluated using a stable isotope instead of radioactive isotope. The effect of strontium concentration on the crystal structure was studied and the results have showed that in the whole concentration range, Sr forms solid solutions with the host hydroxyapatite crystal structure. Powders comprised of nanometre sized particles were obtained and their properties, such as crystallite and particle size, changes in lattice parameters as function of dopant content and thermal stability, were further examined. It was found that the crystal structure of obtained powders is thermally stable at high temperatures. No secondary phases were formed in as-prepared powders or during calcination. The results in this study showed that nano-emulsion strategy provides a simple pathway for synthesis of a single-phase Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite, which can be used for immobilization of Sr radioactive isotopes.     

含α—磺基脂肪酸甲酯的高性能液体餐具洗涤剂（英）

详细地介绍了α－磺基脂肪酸甲酯（ＳＭＥ）优良的发泡力、去污力及水溶性。ＳＭＥ的诸多特性使它成为普通及超浓缩餐具洗涤剂的理想原料。介绍了ＳＥＭ的制备工艺以及基于ＳＭＥ的配方特性。