Thermal cis-trans isomerization and photofading of some azo dyes in poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrices: A kinetic study

The thermal cis-trans isomerization of azo dyes XC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄N(C₂H₅)₂ (where X is H, OCH₃, CN, and NO₂) in poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrices, below the glass transition temperature, and in dibutylphthalate solutions has been studied kinetically in the temperature range 20–60°C. Kinetic behavior in the polymer is characterized by two or three simultaneous first-order processes with similar activation enthalpies. These processes reflect an unequal distribution of “tie-molecules,” “folds,” and “cilia” in the amorphous region of the polymer. Lightfastness of the dyes in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films has been investigated. Polymer morphology strongly affected the photofading, but no significant influence was observed in the kinetic experiments.     

Adopting telemedicine services in the airline framework

The paper gives a general overview of the telemedicine service on board airplanes, by considering the problems associated with it, the institutions that are already operating in the field, and the main projects (public and private) that are investigating in this direction. It also reports a brief discussion about the potential market and concludes with a number of issues related to such a service. Most of this information comes from the authors' active participation in several European projects that are particularly focused on telemedicine     

Effects of distillery vinasses on vineyard yield and quality in the D.O.C "Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero"--Lombardy, Italy.

In a fifteen year old vineyard of Pinot Noir at a density of 5000 vines per hectares, located in the DOC zone Oltrepò Pavese, the influence of growing doses of distillery vinasses on vegetative growth, leaf mineral levels, grape yield and quality was tested in a four year period. Doses of vinasses were computed to apply 0 (test), 50, 100, 150 kg N ha(-1). Vinasses doses were factorially combined with three levels of urea (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha(-1)). In plots without vinasses supply, ureic nitrogen reduced the number of blind buds and increased the potential and actual bud fertility. The application of vinasses nitrogen had a similar result, even if ureic and vinasses nitrogen had no additive effects. The most profitable grape yield was obtained by application of 50 kg ha(-1) of nitrogen either in urea or in vinasses form. Highest vinasses supply improved the ripening levels of grapes increasing sugars and reducing acidity of juice. Results clearly show the possibility to use vinasses for proper vineyard fertilisation.     

Simulation of the biomechanical behavior of the skin in virtual surgical applications by finite element method

The objective of this study was to develop a software application that is able to support plastic surgeons interested in applying simulations and soft tissue modeling during presurgical planning activities. By using our user-friendly interface and force-displacement graphs, users can analyze scalp skin behaviors when subjected to stress. Users can 1) determine the dynamic of a general point of scalp skin after the application of a specific force, 2) predict the force needed for displacement of a point, and 3) study the deformation of all the points of the entire scalp based on the force applied. Results showed how users are able to manipulate and analyze mechanical behaviors on a mechanical model rather than on a pure geometric qualitative physiological model. The entire application was developed on a Silicon Graphics workstation.     

Characterizing biostructures and cellular events in 2D/3D [usingwide-field and confocal optical sectioning microscopy]

Cellular structures are made up of a very interesting puzzle of components, whose changes in molecular distribution are believed to underlie a wide range of cellular functions. For example, the cell cycle of mammalian cells is characterised by a series of ordered biochemical events. The availability of several specific probes has led to a renewed interest in optical microscopy as a very powerful tool in cell and molecular biology. This has led to the development of methods for studying the relationship between the 3D structure of specific cellular constituents and the cell function. Within this framework, several methods have been developed and applied. In the authors' study, wide-field optical sectioning microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy have been utilised, demonstrating the feasibility of a 3D reconstruction of biostructures imaged by an optical microscope