Nonuniform Sampling for Detection of Abrupt Changes

In this work, detection of abrupt changes in continuous-time linear stochastic systems and selection of the sampling interval to improve the detection performance are considered. Cost functions are proposed to optimize both uniform and nonuniform sampling intervals for the well-known cumulative sum algorithm. Some iterative techniques are presented to make online optimization computationally feasible. It is shown that considerable improvement in the detection performance can be obtained by using nonuniform sampling intervals.     

Radical polymerization of acrylamide initiated by ceric ammonium nitrate-methionine redox initiator system

The polymerization of acrylamide, initiated by a cerium (IV) [Ce(IV)] ammonium nitrate-methionine redox initiator system, was carried out in an aqueous solution at different reaction conditions. The dependence of molecular weight and polymerization yield on the concentration of Ce(IV), polymerization time, and temperature was determined. The molecular weight distributions (MWD) of the resulting polymers were examined using the HPLC method. Based on the HPLC results, optimum reaction conditions were determined that provided an opportunity to obtain a polymer that had a narrow MWD. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1643–1648, 1997     

Chemical composition of white (Morus alba), red (Morus rubra) and black (Morus nigra) mulberry fruits

In this study, the chemical composition of white (Morus alba L.), red (Morus rubra L.) and black (Morus nigra L.) mulberry fruits grown in the East Anatolia Region of Turkey was investigated. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in black mulberry (1422 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g fresh matter and 276 mg quercetin equivalents/100 g fresh matter). M. alba had the highest total fat content (1.10%), followed by M. nigra (0.95%) and M. rubra (0.85%), respectively. The major fatty acids in mulberry fruits were linoleic acid (54.2%), palmitic acid (19.8%) and oleic acid (8.41%), respectively. The total soluble solids content of mulberry species varied between 15.9% (M. rubra L.) and 20.4% (M. alba L.), acidity between 0.25% (M. alba L.) and 1.40% (M. nigra L.), pH between 3.52 (M. nigra L.) and 5.60 (M. alba L.), ascorbic acid 19.4 mg/100 g (M. rubra L.) and 22.4 mg/100 g (M. alba L.), respectively. Mineral compositions of the mulberry species were 0.83% N, 235 mg/100 g P, 1141 mg/100 g K, 139 mg/100 g Ca, 109 mg/100 g Mg, 60 mg/100 g Na, 4.3 mg/100 g Fe, 0.4 mg/100 g Cu, 4.0 mg/100 g Mn and 3.1 mg/100 g Zn, respectively.     

Polyaminocarboxylic acids–Ce(IV) redox systems as an initiator in acrylamide polymerization

Acrylamide polymerization by Ce(IV)-polyaminocarboxylic acids, i.e., EDTA, DTPA, EGTA, and NTA, which have strong chelating properties, have been studied at different [H⁺], initiator concentration, and reaction time. Initiation of polymerization proceeds through the formation of the free radical after decarboxylation of the carboxyl group of polyaminocarboxylic acid. Results also indicate that the termination of the polymerization reaction is mainly mutual termination. Decrease of the rate of disappearance of the cerium(IV) is in the order of DTPA ≥ EDTA > NTA > EGTA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electrolyte and solvent effects of electrocoated polycarbazole thin films on carbon fiber microelectrodes

Carbazole was electrochemically synthesized on carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) in different electrolyte and solvent media. The characterization of polycarbazole thin films formed on micron sized carbon fiber electrodes was performed by electrochemical methods (i.e., cyclic voltammetric measurements, solid state conductivity measurements (four point probe), spectrophotometric methods (ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), ex situ spectroelectrochemistry, fourier transform infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR)) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The best electrolyte and solvent in regards to yield, conductivity and charge for the electro-grafting was sodium perchlorate in acetonitrile, whose conductivity was 3.60 mS cm⁻¹, had a yield of 89% and had a charge of 5.50C. The effects of scan rate, feed ratio, supporting electrolyte and solvent type on the electropolymerization are discussed.     

The effect of deposition on electrochemical impedance properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/FTO photoanodes

The integration of TiO₂ layers onto a substrate is challenging and limits the application potential of TiO₂. Even though, several studies have been reported to solve this problem by applying various deposition methods, there is still lack of information about how these methods affect the electrochemical and photo-electrochemical properties of resulting electrodes. The TiO₂ layers possessing different morphologies, deposited on the conductive FTO glass by means of various different deposition techniques (dip-coating, electrospinning and electrospraying), were used as photoanode (and working electrode) in the three-compartment electrochemical cell. The TiO₂ electrodes were calcinated at 450 °C and after that all samples revealed the crystallographic form of anatase. Using these three deposition techniques, three different morphologies were obtained. They consisted of a thin TiO₂ nanoparticle layer, TiO₂ nanoparticle/nanofiber layer and TiO₂ nanorod layer, respectively. The crystallinity and surface properties of the calcinated layers were determined by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR-ATR and SEM analyses. The electrochemical impedance (EIS) and photo-induced properties of photoanodes were studied by electrochemical measurements. The effects of surface morphology and crystal size of nanostructured layers on electrochemical impedance and photo-electrochemical properties were investigated. The electrodes prepared by dip-coating technique showed the best electrochemical impedance and photo-electrochemical results compared to other two types of electrodes. Dip-coating TiO₂ layer possesses the biggest crystal size and lowest charge transfer resistance which result the highest photocurrent density.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and morphological analyses of pyrrole, phenylpyrrole and methoxyphenylpyrrole on carbon fiber microelectrodes

In this study, N-pyrrole (Py), N-phenylpyrrole (PhPy), and 1[4-methoxyphenyl]-1H-pyrrole (MPhPy) homopolymers were synthesized electrochemically onto carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs). The influences of the substituent effect on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were studied comparatively. All the monomers were electrodeposited in 0.05 M tetraethyl ammonium perchlorate (TEAP)/dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) solution and characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectrophotometry (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The morphological study reveals that the polymers were deposited as a continuous and well adhered film to surface of the CFME. An equivalent electrical circuit for three different monomers on CFMEs was proposed and experimental data were simulated to obtain the numerical values of circuit components. All results support the high quality film deposition that resulted in desired electronic properties due to the electron donating behaviors of substituent group of phenyl and methoxy.     

A case of thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer

A case of thoracoscopic right lower pulmonary lobectomy is reported. A 79-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after the accidental finding of a right pulmonary growth. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax confirmed the presence of a neoplasm, 2.5 cm in diameter, at the posterior-basal segment of the right lower lobe. Considering the general condition of the patient and the characteristics of the lesion, we decided to perform a assess the possibility of a thoracoscopic lobectomy instead of the traditional posterolateral approach. The pulmonary artery was dissected with the new endoscopic cherry dissector, and ligated with the polyester suture material and Endo Clip then dived with Endo scissors. The lower pulmonary vein was dissected with this endoscopic cherry dissector and divided with Endo GIA 30 clamping the new thoracoscopic De Bakey type vascular clamp. The specimen was extracted through the minimal thoracotomy (15 cm). The postoperative course was uneventful with minimal postoperative pain, and the patient was discharged after complete surgical recovery with excellent functional and cosmetic results.     

Clinical experience for ventricular assist device

We began applying of our VAD system clinically in 1982 and have subsequently obtained good results. The first case treated with the VAD returned to normal life. In a total of 70 cases of clinical applications this system there has been instance of apparatus dysfunction. Confirming the reliability and safety promised by the results of biological experiments. Here, we report the results of clinical application of the system in a total of 61 cases between August, 1985 and March, 1989. The following conclusions were reached: 1) Satisfactory weaning and survival rates were obtained i.e. 18 cases out of 61 cases (30%) survived over one month and 13 cases (21%) are currently surviving, even in elderly patients of 60 years of age or older. 2) The weaning rate and survival rates were good after approximately 1 week of support. Detailed evaluation of the recovery of the heart and functions of other major organs has led to the conclusion that the results can be improved further when the weaning period is carefully determined. 3) With regard to surgical factors, good findings were obtained when the artificial heart-lung bypass time was less than 6 hours. The VAD can be used in the early stages without vainly attempting weaning from the artificial heart-lung bypass. 4) There were no mechanical problems with the hardware of the blood pump drive assembly, etc., or noteworthy side effects.