Theory of the universal and nonuniversal quantities of fluids at the critical point

We show that the hierarchical reference theory is an accurate global theory of fluids at least above the critical temperatureT _c. The hierarchy is truncated at the first equation, the one connecting the free energy to the pair correlation function, with an Ornstein-Zernike ansatz. In this approximation the theory can be considered as a sophisticated generalization of the optimized random phase approximation which has genuine nonclassical critical exponents and for which scaling is satisfied. We study the system of hard spheres plus the Lennard-Jones attractive well and find a good agreement with measuredPVT, specific heat, correlation length, and structure factor in rare gases. The accuracy of the theory remains very good up to freezing density.Paper presented at the Tenth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 20–23, 1988, Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.     

Engineered organic/inorganic hybrids for superhydrophobic coatings by wet and vapour procedures

Siloxane/oxide hybrids have attracted growing attention thanks to their ability to modulate the surface energy, wettability, or self-lubricity of a material. Here, we compare two functionalisation procedures (chemical vapour deposition and wet impregnation) on substrate films composed by preformed oxide particles. Three kinds of particles, characterised by different natures (SiO₂ and TiO₂) and average particle size, were studied to highlight possible effects related to the chemical and morphological state of the substrate surface. Morphological characterisations were carried out using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, while the structure of the hydrophobing layer was studied by combining Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. The degree of functionalisation and the features of the siloxane layer vary significantly among the adopted oxides and functionalisation methods. The wettability features of the different hybrids closely mirror the results of the spectroscopic characterisations, giving rise to either Lotus leaf or patch-wise hydrophobic systems depending on the adopted conditions.     

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) provirus in circulating cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage in patients dually infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and HTLV-2 and having predominantly sensory polyneuropathy

We investigated the presence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) DNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets obtained from 18 patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and HTLV-2, 6 of whom also had predominantly sensory polyneuropathy (PSP). HTLV-2 DNA and RNA were found in CD8- and CD19-positive cells, and, for patients with PSP, in CD14-positive cells as well. Furthermore, the patients with PSP had higher proviral loads than those without PSP.     

Estimation of leaf and canopy water content in poplar plantations by means of hyperspectral indices and inverse modeling

This study investigates the applicability of empirical and radiative transfer models to estimate water content at leaf and landscape level. The main goal is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of these two approaches for estimating leaf water content by means of laboratory reflectance/transmittance measurements and for mapping leaf and canopy water content by using airborne Multispectral Infrared and Visible Imaging Spectrometer (MIVIS) data acquired over intensive poplar plantations (Ticino, Italy).At leaf level, we tested the performance of different spectral indices to estimate leaf equivalent water thickness (EWT) and leaf gravimetric water content (GWC) by using inverse ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and reduced major axis (RMA) regression. The analysis showed that leaf reflectance is related to changes in EWT rather than GWC, with best results obtained by using RMA regression by exploiting the spectral index related to the continuum removed area of the 1200 nm water absorption feature with an explained variance of 61% and prediction error of 6.6%. Moreover, we inverted the PROSPECT leaf radiative transfer model to estimate leaf EWT and GWC and compared the results with those obtained by means of empirical models. The inversion of this model showed that leaf EWT can be successfully estimated with no prior information with mean relative errors of 14% and determination coefficient of 0.65. Inversion of the PROSPECT model showed some difficulties in the simultaneous estimation of leaf EWT and dry matter content, which led to large errors in GWC estimation.At landscape level with MIVIS data, we tested the performance of different spectral indices to estimate canopy water per unit ground area (EWT_canopy). We found a relative error of 20% using a continuum removed spectral index around 1200 nm. Furthermore, we used a model simulation to evaluate the possibility of applying empirical models based on appositely developed MIVIS double ratios to estimate mean leaf EWT at landscape level (). It is shown that combined indices (double ratios) yielded significant results in estimating leaf EWT at landscape level by using MIVIS data (with errors around 2.6%), indicating their potential in reducing the effects of LAI on the recorded signal. The accuracy of the empirical estimation of EWT_canopy and was finally compared with that obtained from inversion of the PROSPECT + SAILH canopy reflectance model to evaluate the potential of both methods for practical applications. A relative error of 27% was found for EWT_canopy and an overestimation of leaf with relative errors around 19%.Results arising from this remote sensing application support the robustness of hyperspectral regression indices for estimating water content at both leaf and landscape level, with lower relative errors compared to those obtained from inversion of leaf and 1D canopy radiative transfer models.     

Fusidic acid and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality from long-standing complications. The autoimmune nature of IDDM has encouraged use of immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory strategies to better preserve residual pancreatic beta-cell function at the time of diagnosis. Fusidic acid and its sodium salt, fusidin, is a relatively atoxic antibiotic used mainly in the treatment of staphylococcal infections. Recently, fusidin has been demonstrated to possess immunosuppressive functions in vitro and in vivo, and the drug has shown promise in preventing the disease in animal models of IDDM and in a preliminary trial in IDDM patients.     

Guidelines for redesigning jobs with repetitive tasks

Preventive measures aimed at minimising the occurrence of work-related musculo-skeletal disorders of the upper limbs (WMSDs) associated with repetitive tasks can be divided into 3 categories: structural, organisational and educational. Whenever specific risk and injury assessments have shown the need for preventive action, this is most often implemented within the framework of a range of assorted measures. In particular, structural measures pertain to optimising the layout of the work area and furnishings, and the "ergonomic" properties of work tools and equipment. Such measures serve to alleviate the problems caused by the use of excessive force and improper postures. The authors refer to the principles guiding such structural measures, in the light of the extensive literature that has been published on the subject. Organisational (or re-organisational) measures essentially relate to job design (i.e. distribution of tasks, speeds and pauses). They serve to alleviate problems connected with highly repetitive and frequent actions, excessively lengthy tasks and inadequate recovery periods. Very few relevant findings are available: the authors therefore illustrate in some detail a practical trial conducted in a major engineering firm. The objective was to lower to acceptable limits the frequency of certain repetitive tasks performed by workers using their upper limbs. The trial made it possible to identify a suitable plan and schedule of measures taking into due consideration the impact of the plan on production levels (and costs). The fundamental principles guiding the adoption of specific educational and training programmes for the workers and their supervisors are presented and discussed.     

Chlorophyll concentration mapping with MIVIS data to assess crown discoloration in the Ticino Park oak forest

Airborne hyperspectral remote observations, characterized by high spatial and spectral resolution, allow the estimation of quantitative vegetation variables useful in forest condition assessment. In this research, total chlorophyll (a?+ b) concentration (C _ab), a biochemical variable describing crown discoloration rate, was mapped to assess oak (Quercus robur L.) condition in the Ticino Regional Park. A simulation experiment was conducted to evaluate the error in C _ab estimation due to ecological variables (i.e. canopy leaf area index and understorey characteristics) and to sun-sensor configurations when optical indices are used. Canopy reflectance was simulated by means of the PROSPECT leaf radiative transfer model (Jacquemoud and Baret 1990 Jacquemoud, S. and Baret, F. 1990. PROSPECT: a model of leaf optical-properties spectra. Remote Sensing of Environment, 34: 75–91. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) coupled with the SAILH canopy radiative transfer model, a variation of the SAIL (Scattering by Arbitrarily Inclined Leaves) model modified to include the hot spot effect (Verhoef 1984 Verhoef, W. 1984. Light scattering by leaf layers with application to canopy reflectance modeling: The SAIL model. Remote Sensing of Environment, 16: 125–141. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], Kuusk 1991 Kuusk, A. 1991. “The hot-spot effect in plant canopy reflectance”. In Photon–Vegetation Interactions: Application in Optical Remote Sensing and Plant Ecology, Edited by: Mynemi, R. and Ross, J. 139–159. New York: Springer Verlag. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]). The vegetation was modelled as a two layer medium with oak canopy as the top layer and the understorey as the bottom layer. Simulations were performed for varying leaf C _ab and canopy Leaf Area Index (LAI) of the top layer, θ_l (mean leaf inclination angle) and LAI of the bottom layer (LAI_u) and sun-sensor geometry. Optical indices were calculated and used in C _ab retrieval. Simulations demonstrated that errors in C _ab estimation were negligible when MTCI (MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index) was used, thus indicating that MTCI was the most reliable index in mapping C _ab in this forest environment. Empirical models based on optical indices were developed to map C _ab from Multispectral Infrared and Visible Imaging Spectrometer (MIVIS) images acquired by an airborne survey on the Park forested area. A regression analysis between C _ab concentration measured in leaves sampled in field and optical indices computed from hyperspectral MIVIS data was conducted. The MTCI index showed the highest performances and was therefore used to map C _ab concentration of the Ticino Park oak forest. The C _ab map was then used to assess crown discoloration level.