Synthesis and characterization of cellulose triacetate and poly(ethylene imine) membranes containing a polyether macrobicyclic: Their application to the separation of copper(II) and silver(I) ions

A cellulose triacetate (CTA)–poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) membrane containing a polyether macrobicyclic (cryptand) as a carrier and 2‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticizer was prepared. The CTA–PEI–cryptand–NPOE membrane was characterized with chemical techniques as well as Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The permeation of silver and copper ions through the CTA–PEI–cryptand–NPOE membrane was comparable to that through a supported liquid membrane. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1401–1410, 2004     

Analysis of a genomic DNA expression library of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using tuberculosis patient sera: evidence for modulation of host immune response

DNA obtained from a human sputum isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTI-64719, which showed extensive dissemination in the guinea pig model resulting in a high score for virulence was used to construct an expression library in the lambda ZAP vector. The size of DNA inserts in the library ranged from 1 to 3 kb, and recombinants represented 60% of the total plaques obtained. When probed with pooled serum from chronically infected tuberculosis patients, the library yielded 176 recombinants with a range of signal intensities. Among these, 93 recombinants were classified into 12 groups on the basis of DNA hybridization experiments. The polypeptides synthesized by the recombinants were predominantly LacZ fusion proteins. Serum obtained from patients who were clinically diagnosed to be in the early phase of M. tuberculosis infection was used to probe the 176 recombinants obtained. Interestingly, some recombinants that gave very strong signals in the original screen did not react with early-phase serum; conversely, other whose signals were extremely weak in the original screen gave very intense signals with serum from recently infected patients. This indicates the differential nature of either the expression of these antigens or the immune response elicited by them as a function of disease progression.     

Improved method for serological testing in celiac disease--IgA anti-endomysium antibody test: a comparison between monkey oesophagus and human umbilical cord as substrate in indirect immunofluorescence test

To clarify the importance of the duration from the onset of a urinary abnormality until a biopsy is actually performed (UA-Bx time) in making a renal prognosis, we investigated 496 patients with IgA nephropathy (male/female: 222/274, mean age: 33.0 +/- 13.7 yrs, mean follow-up period: 10.8 +/- 4.3 yrs). All patients were found to have a urinary abnormality, including both hematuria and proteinuria, at clinical onset while demonstrating a normal renal function, and showing a serum creatinine level of < or = 1.2 mg/dl or a creatinine clearance level of > or = 80 ml/min. The UA-Bx time was divided into 3 groups: < 1 yrs (S-G), 1 < or = < 3 yrs (M-G), > or = 3 yrs (L-G). The severity of glomerular damage was divided into 5 groups based on the occupational rate of segmental sclerotic glomeruli. Based on a multivariate analysis of independent prognostic factors relating to renal death, the severity of glomerular damage was the most independent factor, while the UA-Bx time showed no risk for renal death. However, based on a multivariate analysis of the UA-Bx time regarding the timing of a renal biopsy, patients in L-G, which had the most glomerular damage, showed twice the hazard ratio as those in S-G or M-G and the difference was significant. These results thus indicate that because the glomerular damage is able to progress for 3 yrs or longer after the clinical onset of renal disease, a renal biopsy should therefore be performed within 3 yrs from the clinical onset in patients demonstrating both hematuria and proteinuria when such patients are also suspected of having IgA nephropathy.     

Investigating the effect of multidimensional network capability and eco-innovation orientation for sustainable performance

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - Small and medium enterprises cannot achieve environmental sustainability goals in isolation. They need to acquire capabilities to perform within...     

The Spray-Pyrolyzed Copper Oxide Properties Based Precursor Concentration

Silicon - In this work, we report the effects of the precursor concentration on some physical properties of the spray pyrolyzed copper oxide films (CSi1-CSi4) on porous silicon substrates. Useful...     

Software‐defined networking approach for enhanced evolved packet core network

The evolved packet core (EPC) network is the mobile network standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and represents the recent evolution of mobile networks providing high‐speed data rates and on‐demand connectivity services. Software‐defined networking (SDN) is recently gaining momentum in network research as a new generation networking technique. An SDN‐based EPC is expected to introduce gains to the EPC control plane architecture in terms of simplified, and perhaps even software‐based, vendor independent infrastructure nodes. In this paper, we propose a novel SDN‐based EPC architecture along with the protocol‐level detailed implementation and provide a mechanism for identifying information fields exchanged between SDN‐EPC entities that maintains correct functionality with minimal impact on the conventional design. Furthermore, we present the first comprehensive network performance evaluation for the SDN‐based EPC versus the conventional EPC and provide a comparative analysis of 2 networks performances identifying potential bottlenecks and performance issues. The evaluation focuses on 2 network control operations, namely, the S1‐handover and registration operations, taking into account several factors, and assessing performance metrics such as end‐to‐end delay (E2ED) for completion of the respective control operation, and EPC nodes utilization figures.     

Na2BaMg（PO4）2： synthesis, crystal structure and europium photoluminescence properties

Na2BaMg(PO4)2 was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), 31P NMR spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements. This compound crystallized in the P3m...     

Titanium carbide by the SHS process ignited with aluminothermic reaction

We explored the ignition of Ti + C → TiC reaction with another highly exothermic thermite reaction, Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → 2Fe + Al₂O₃, used as a match. In order to decrease the combustion temperature and thus to avoid explosion mode, we studied the effect of alumina diluent on the thermite reaction. In order to ensure the stability of front propagation, we also tested the reactions involving enriched and non-enriched iron ores. The evolution of phase composition, grain size, and density of products during SHS reaction was determined by XRD and IR filming.