Identification of Phase Inversion on Sieve Trays

The fundamental differences in hydrodynamics of the froth and spray regime account for the ongoing interest in search for the point of phase inversion. This short communication presents a new approach for identification of phase inversion on sieve trays in terms of an image-based measurement technique. Image analysis of entrained droplets reveals a distinct increase in Sauter mean diameter and droplet frequency during phase inversion. Further measurement methods like pressure drop, gravimetric analysis of entrained liquid, froth height assessment and photographic observation of the flow regime serve as a reference value and complement the discussion. A flow map based on the experimental data comprises each regime and shows a good agreement with phase inversion correlations from literature.     

Models for the Numerical Simulation of Bubble Columns: A Review

This work reviews the state‐of‐the‐art models for the simulation of bubble columns and focuses on methods coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) where the potential and deficits of the models are evaluated. Particular attention is paid to different approaches in multiphase fluid dynamics including the population balance to determine bubble size distributions and the modeling of turbulence where the authors refer to numerous published examples. Additional models for reactive systems are presented as well as a special chapter regarding the extension of the models for the simulation of bubble columns with a present solid particle phase, i.e., slurry bubble columns.     

Hybrid Polyamide/Silica Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Mechanical Testing

A hybrid inorganic‐polymer composite was formed through nanosize silica filler particles (< 30 nm) that were incorporated inside a nylon‐6 matrix. The composite was microtomed and examined with TEM which revealed that the silica particles were well dispersed and non‐aggregated. Optimization of the synthesis conditions relied on appropriate choice of organic solvent and pH control. Crystallinity of the composite was examined with XRD and showed the silica phase remains amorphous while the polyamide phase was semi‐crystalline. Compared to pure nylon‐6, mechanical tests on the hybrid composite showed an increase in impact toughness, an increase in E‐modulus as a function of filler percentage, and a strain‐at‐break of > 0.5.     

Mission statement rationales and organizational alignment in the not-for-profit health care sector

This article presents the findings from a research study conducted on the use of mission statements in not-for-profit health care organizations. In particular, the study sought to determine if a relationship exists between the initial "rationales" that led to the creation of a mission statement and hospital performance. The findings suggest that some of the rationales for developing mission statements are indeed more important than others and that organizational alignment with the mission statement is of key importance to both the mission's and the hospital's success.     

Ambroxol effect on transepithelial electrical potential difference of isolated tracheal wall

We report a laser microprobe mass analysis of aluminum and iron content in the hippocampus and in the inferior temporal cortex in 2 cases of dementia pugilistica (DP), 4 cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 3 controls. There was a predominant accumulation of Al and Fe within neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in both DP and AD cases. High levels of Al and Fe were also detected in the nuclei of NFT-free and NFT-containing neurons, as well as in neuropil probe sites in these cases. In both regions, NFT contained substantially higher levels of Al and Fe in DP compared to AD cases. These findings suggest the existence of an association between the deposition of Al and Fe and NFT formation, and support the possibility of a global dysregulation of Al and Fe transport in DP and AD.     

The up–right/down–left advantage for vertically oriented stimuli and horizontally oriented responses: A dual-strategy hypothesis.

C. Umiltà's (1991) proposal that the up–right/down–left advantage for up and down stimuli mapped to left and right responses is due to verbal coding was evaluated. Two approaches were used in separating spatial from verbal codes. The 1st approach used a reaction time distribution bin analysis to examine the effect of response speed on the up–right/down–left advantage. The 2nd approach attempted to create task conditions that would promote either a verbal or visual strategy. Results show that the up–right/down–left advantage increased as response speed slowed down. This finding was interpreted in terms of the dual-strategy hypothesis, which asserts that participants may use the visual or the verbal stimulus code and that, depending on the task constraints, a visual or verbal strategy may prevail. With a visual strategy, no compatibility effect arises. With a verbal strategy, the up–right/down–left advantage emerges. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mitogenic effects of urokinase on melanoma cells are independent of high affinity binding to the urokinase receptor

The structural and functional properties of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) that are involved in the mitogenic effect of this proteolytic enzyme on human melanoma cells M14 and IF6 and the role of the u-PA receptor (u-PAR) in transducing this signal were analyzed. Native u-PA purified from urine induced a mitogenic response in quiescent IF6 and M14 cells that ranged from 25 to 40% of the mitogenic response obtained by fetal calf serum. The half-maximum response in M14 and IF6 cells was reached at u-PA concentrations of approximately 35 and 60 nM, respectively. Blocking the proteolytic activity of u-PA resulted in a 30% decrease of the mitogenic effect, whereas inhibition of plasmin activity did not alter the mitogenic effect. No mitogenic response was elicited by low molecular weight u-PA, lacking the growth factor domain and the kringle domain. The ATF domain of u-PA induced a mitogenic response that was similar to complete u-PA. Defucosylated ATF and recombinant u-PA purified from Escherichia coli lacking all post-translational modifications did not induce a mitogenic response. Blocking the interaction of u-PA with u-PAR, using a specific monoclonal antibody, did not alter the mitogenic effect induced by u-PA. The binding of radiolabeled u-PA to M14 and IF6 cells was characterized by high affinity binding mediated by u-PAR and low affinity binding to an unknown binding site. These results demonstrate that proteolytically inactive u-PA is able to induce a mitogenic response in quiescent melanoma cells in vitro by a mechanism that involves the ATF domain but is independent of high affinity binding to u-PAR. Furthermore, it suggests that u-PA is able to bind with low affinity to a hitherto unidentified membrane associated protein that could be involved in u-PA-induced signal transduction.     

Managing Drivers of Innovation in Construction Networks

Various drivers of construction innovation are distinguished and classified in four distinctive categories: environmental pressure, technological capability, knowledge exchange, and boundary spanning. Innovation drivers in these categories are active at the transfirm, intrafirm, and interfirm level in the network of organizations in the construction industry. Empirical research in the Dutch construction industry illustrates that the innovation drivers are used by managers of the authorities, clients, architects, consultants, and contractors to stimulate and facilitate innovation processes. It also exemplifies that driving innovation on the transfirm, intrafirm, and interfirm level in the network of organizations is an opportunity for managers of both public and private organizations to develop, improve, and renew their organizations’ positions in the market, the quality of their organizations’ projects, and the cooperative structure of the industry as a whole.