Speciation of Co(II) and Ni(II) in anaerobic bioreactors measured by competitive ligand exchange-adsorptive stripping voltammetry

Competitive ligand exchange-adsorptive stripping voltammetry is applied to speciation analysis of dissolved Ni(II) and Co(II) in an anaerobic bioreactor and similar batch media. Co and Ni speciation in these media can be measured down to concentration levels of ca. 1 nM. Sulfide interference is avoided via removal as H2S. In methanogenic bioreactors, up to 95% of the dissolved Co and Ni is present in strongly bound forms, with complex stabilities > or =10(8)-10(9) and 10(7)-10(8) mol(-1) L, respectively. In effluent from sulfate-reducing bioreactors, Co is also found to be present in a strongly bound form, and up to micromolar levels of strongly complexing excess ligand was detected. The predominant presence of Co and Ni in strong complexes, with concomitant low free dissolved concentrations, is significant for limitation by these elements in anaerobic bioreactors.     

Effect of Nuclear Field on Magnetotransport Quantum Oscillations in InSb1

In combining magneto-transport investigations with NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) we measured the effect of the nuclear hyperfine field B_HF on quantum oscillations in the transverse magneto-resistivity _xx and in the Hall resistivity _xy of metallically doped n-InSb. Quantitative analysis of the B_HF-induced change in _xx demonstrates that this experiment allows to separate spin splitting phenomena in magneto-transport from effects due to the external magnetic field B. This is used to show that an oscillatory structure in R_H=_xy/B is directly related to a redistribution in the occupation of the two spin states in the lowest Landau level.     

Invited Paper: Surface‐emitting‐diode lasers and laser arrays for displays

Abstract— High‐power red, green, and blue laser light sources made from vertically emitting arrays of intracavity doubled IR lasers is reported. The emitted infrared light from a monolithic array of large‐aperture vertical cavity lasers is converted into visible light using a PPLN doubling crystal in an external cavity. A volume Bragg grating provides simultaneous feedback for all emitters in the array and sets the laser wavelength. Increased diffraction losses for higher‐order modes result in quasi‐Gaussian beams with excellent conversion efficiency. Green 532‐nm lasers with more than 5.8‐W visible power have been demonstrated at a base temperature of 40°C. Blue 465‐nm lasers with 4.4‐W power at 40°C are unmatched in performance and wavelength when compared to competing GaN‐based edge emitters. Typical wall‐plug efficiencies are higher than 8%. We have measured single‐emitter operating lifetimes to be more than 28,000 hours. Red lasers based on highly strained InGaAs achieve record laser powers of 2.0W at 618 nm in the same form factor as the green and blue lasers. Red single‐emitter lifetimes of more than 10,000 hours have been attained. The technology described in this paper delivers on a full suite of cost efficient and reliable red, green, and blue lasers that meet the demands of the display markets.     

Infected atrial myxoma

A patient with an infected atrial myxoma presented with clinical findings simulating bacterial endocarditis. The diagnosis was made with echocardiography, thus demonstrating the value of this rapid, noninvasive screening test. A ruptured mycotic aneurysm in the brain precluded early surgical excision of the tumor. The rapid evolution of this case to a fatal outcome underscores the need for prompt diagnosis.     

A percutaneous device to study glucose kinetics in subcutaneous tissue fluid

In the current study subcutaneous glucose kinetics were investigated in tissue fluid collected with a percutaneous device (PD). PDs containing a subcutaneous tissue chamber were implanted subcutaneously in New Zealand white rabbits. Sintered titanium fiber mesh sheets were used for subcutaneous anchorage of the PD. The bottom of the subcutaneous tissue chamber was either covered with a titanium fiber mesh sheet, a cellulose acetate membrane, or left uncovered. Subcutaneous glucose kinetics were determined after injection of octreotide and glucagon. The tissue reaction to the implants was evaluated histologically. No dynamic relationship was observed between glycaemia and subcutaneous tissue fluid glucose for all membrane covered devices. Histological evaluation showed that the presence of a seroma cavity in combination with obstruction of the membrane prevented adjustment of the subcutaneous glucose concentration in response to changes in glycaemia. In the uncovered devices, on the other hand, changes in glycaemia were reflected in subcutaneous tissue fluid. Our results prove that it is possible to measure changes in the glucose concentration in subcutaneous tissue fluid collected with a percutaneous device. Therefore, we conclude that a percutaneous device has an application as model to study the in vivo performance of implantable glucose sensors. The use of porous membranes in such devices has to be avoided.     

Aroma profiles of vegetable oils varying in fatty acid composition vs. concentrations of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products

The aroma compositions of oxidised sunflower oil, linseed oil and a blend thereof (85/15) were compared with frequently used indicators for primary and secondary lipid oxidation. Primary lipid oxidation was followed by the formation of conjugated dienes, secondary lipid oxidation by proponal and hexanal formation. Highest concentrations of conjugated dienes and propanal were measured in the linseed oil, followed by the blend and sunflower oil, respectively. Highest concentrations of hexanal were determined in the blend. At similar primary oxidation levels, volatile compounds of the oils were isolated in a model mouth system and subsequently analysed by gas chromatography/sniffing port analysis. Propanal, pentanal, 1-penten-3-one, hexanal, 1-pentanol, octanal, 1-octen-3-one, 1-octen-3-ol and (E,Z)-2,4-heptadienal possessed detectable odours. Comparing the three oils, most aroma compounds and greatest intensities were determined in the blend. Conjugated diene concentrations did not predict the formation of aroma compounds adequately. Although propanal and hexanal concentrations were reasonable indicators for aroma development in linseed and sunflower oil, respectively, neither of the indicators predicted aroma development in all three oils sufficiently.     

A stochastic model for infectious salmon anemia (ISA) in Atlantic salmon farming.

Infectious salmon anemia (ISA) is one of the main infectious diseases in Atlantic salmon farming with major economical implications. Despite the strong regulatory interventions, the ISA epidemic is not under control, worldwide. We study the data covering salmon farming in Norway from 2002 to 2005 and propose a stochastic space-time model for the transmission of the virus. We model seaway transmission between farm sites, transmission through shared management and infrastructure, biomass effects and other potential pathways within the farming industry. We find that biomass has an effect on infectiousness, the local contact network and seaway distance of 5 km represent similar risks, but a large component of risk originates from other sources, among which are possibly infected salmon smolt and boat traffic.     

Influence of thermal annealing on photoluminescence and structural properties of N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(1-naphthylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD) organic thin films

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra and intensities of thin N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(1-naphthylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD) films have been measured at room temperature, during sample heating with various rates and annealing times at constant temperatures, and after annealing. It was found that the temperature of T = 80 °C being considerably lower than the glass transition temperature of α-NPD is sufficient to cause substantial irreversible changes in PL and PL excitation characteristics. A PL efficiency increase up to 10 times, an emission spectrum short-wavelength shift up to 130 meV and a spectral narrowing from 69 to 39 nm are reached using annealing. The surface roughness of the films annealed at the moderate temperature of 80 °C does not undergo observable changes contrary to films annealed at higher temperatures.     

Characterization of moisture properties of polymers for IC packaging

In this paper we determined the water uptake of a die attach and a molding compound. The two types of polymer which were selected are a die attach filled with silver particles and an epoxy molding compound filled with silica particles. The water absorption is carried out in an adjustable thermal and humidity chamber, SGA-100, at different temperatures and humidity levels. Moisture absorption equilibrium of test data were obtained by experiment. The moisture absorption equilibrium prediction equation was modeled by using the extrapolated experimental data. Diffusion coefficients at different temperature were obtained from the moisture absorption experiments.