Pyrene-adamantane-β-cyclodextrin: An efficient host–guest system for the biofunctionalization of SWCNT electrodes

The design of nanostructured biological architectures based on host–guest interactions between β-cyclodextrin and adamantane was investigated on SWCNT coatings using glucose oxidase (GOX) as biomolecule model. β-Cyclodextrin tagged GOX was immobilized on adamantane functionalized carbon nanotubes, deposited on platinum electrodes. Different functionalization techniques to attach “pyrene adamantane” on nanotubes were studied and compared in terms of the performances of the subsequently constructed glucose biosensors. The best results were obtained by dipping the nanotube deposit into a pyrene-adamantane solution followed by electropolymerization of the adsorbed pyrene monolayer. The constructed biosensor exhibited a good linear response toward glucose concentrations between 2 × 10⁻⁷ M and 1.6 × 10⁻³ M. The maximum current density and glucose sensitivity were 154.9 μA cm⁻² and 14.4 mA M⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively.     

Considerations for the development of radiation resistant devices and VLSI circuits

The impact of radiation on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) silicon technology is discussed with a focus on Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). Effects of total dose, transient radiation, single event phenomena, and neutron fluence on devices and circuits are presented. General approaches to mitigating radiation effects are put forth. With proper considerations, VLSI CMOS can be enhanced to achieve several orders-of-magnitude increase in radiation tolerance.     

Intraoperative arthrography and the Ilizarov technique. Role in the correction of paediatric deformity and leg lengthening

We performed intraoperative arthrography of the knee in 12 children with congenital short femur, Blount's disease or Ollier's disease in whom the Ilizarov technique was used for correction of deformity, leg lengthening or both. In each case, arthrography revealed a joint surface considerably different from that assumed from plain radiographs, and resulted in a change in the placement of our reference wires before application of the frame. This gave significant improvement in the mechanical axis obtained at the time of removal of the frame. The technique is safe, cheap and easy to perform. It is a useful adjunct to the application of the Ilizarov frame when used for complex lengthening and correction of deformity in the leg.     

Adaptive control for non‐negative and compartmental dynamical systems with applications to general anesthesia

Non‐negative and compartmental dynamical system models are composed of homogeneous interconnected subsystems or compartments which exchange variable non‐negative quantities of material with conservation laws describing transfer, accumulation, and elimination between the compartments and the environment. These models are widespread in biological and physiological sciences and play a key role in understanding these processes. In this paper, we develop a direct adaptive control framework for linear uncertain non‐negative and compartmental systems. The proposed framework is Lyapunov‐based and guarantees partial asymptotic set‐point regulation; that is, asymptotic set‐point stability with respect to part of the closed‐loop system states associated with the plant. In addition, the adaptive controller guarantees that the physical system states remain in the non‐negative orthant of the state space. Finally, a numerical example involving the infusion of the anesthetic drug propofol for maintaining a desired constant level of depth of anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery is provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of processing on the quality of edible argan oil

Sensory quality of edible oil is essential to get the consumer acceptance. Modifications during processing can alter edible oil sensory quality. The storage stability and sensory quality of argan oil prepared from (1) mechanically pressed unroasted kernels, (2) mechanically pressed roasted kernels, (3) hand-pressed roasted kernels, and (4) hand-pressed roasted kernels coming from goat-digested fruits was studied at room temperature and under accelerated conditions (60 °C). The roasting process had a positive effect on storage stability of the resulting oils, while argan oil prepared from mechanically pressed roasted kernels provides the optimum storage stability. Oil from hand-pressed roasted kernels originating from goat-digested fruits was not suitable for human consumption because of the unpleasant taste and odoûr. Only oil from mechanically pressed roasted kernels did not produce negative sensory attributes like fusty or Roquefort cheese.     

The measurement of minimotors and micromotors torque-characteristic using miniaturized cable brake

 A miniaturized torque sensor based on cable brake principle for the measurement of torque-characteristic of minimotors and micromotors has been developed. The first generation torque sensor enables the measurement of torque of minimotors in the range of μNm. Design principles and the production process are described. Experimental results show fair conformity with technical data for minimotors. Received: 30 October 1996 / Accepted: 14 November 1996     

Book reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Information Economy and American Cities. Matthew P. Drennan.
Transportation Networks and the Optimal Location of Human Activities: A Numerical Geography Approach. (Transport Economics, Management and Policy Series.)
Travel Behaviour: Spatial Patterns, Congestion and Modelling. E. Stern, I. Salomon, P.H.I. Bovy (eds).
Input-Output Analysis: Frontiers and Extensions. Michael L. Lahr and Erik Dietzenbacher (eds).     

Honey-Bees Mating Optimization (HBMO) Algorithm: A New Heuristic Approach for Water Resources Optimization

Over the last decade, evolutionary and meta-heuristic algorithms have been extensively used as search and optimization tools in various problem domains, including science, commerce, and engineering. Their broad applicability, ease of use, and global perspective may be considered as the primary reason for their success. The honey-bees mating process may also be considered as a typical swarm-based approach to optimization, in which the search algorithm is inspired by the process of real honey-bees mating. In this paper, the honey-bees mating optimization algorithm (HBMO) is presented and tested with few benchmark examples consisting of highly non-linear constrained and/or unconstrained real-valued mathematical models. The performance of the algorithm is quite comparable with the results of the well-developed genetic algorithm. The HBMO algorithm is also applied to the operation of a single reservoir with 60 periods with the objective of minimizing the total square deviation from target demands. Results obtained are promising and compare well with the results of other well-known heuristic approaches.     

Destructive polyarthritis in Behcet's disease. Apropos of a case and review of the literature]

The authors report a case of a 37 years old man with Beh?et's disease since 7 years who develops a destructive chronic polyarthritis involving wrists, hands and one knee. The parallel evolution between recurrent orogenital ulceration and arthritis added to the absence of other associated destructive rheumatism permit to link this polyarthritis to Beh?et disease. In spite of the few reports, the occurrence of destructive arthritis can't exclude absolutely the diagnosis of this affection.