Recent Results in the Interpretation of Interference and Lorentz Images of Vortices in Superconductors

The main ideas and approximations underlying the model developed to interpret the principal features of holographic and Fresnel images of superconducting vortices, or fluxons, are briefly reviewed and applied to the exploitation of new experimental setups, like the standard and coherent Foucault techniques. It is also shown how the model can be implemented to interpret effects due to misalignment and/or distortion of the fluxon cores. Finally, the effect of the finite specimen thickness is also taken into account by resorting to the solution of the Ginzburg-Landau equations found by Clem, and by showing that through it a better agreement can be obtained between theoretical and experimental results.     

Sulfonated polysulfone as promising membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

A new, milder sulfonation process was used to produce ion‐exchange polymers from a commercial polysulfone (PSU). Membranes obtained from the sulfonated polysulfone are potential substitutes for perfluorosulfonic acid membranes used now in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Sulfonation levels from 20 to 50% were easily achieved by varying the content of the sulfonating agent and the reaction time. Ion‐exchange capacities from 0.5 to 1.2 mmol SO₃H/g polymer were found via elemental analysis and titration. Proton conductivities between 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ were measured at room temperature. An increase in intrinsic viscosity with increasing sulfonation degree confirms that the sulfonation process helps to preserve the polymer chain from degradation. Thermal analysis of the sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) samples reveals higher glass transition temperatures and lower decomposition temperatures with respect to the unsulfonated sample (PSU). Amorphous structures for both PSU and SPSU membranes were detected by X‐ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Preliminary tests in fuel cells have shown encouraging results in terms of cell performance. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 1250–1257, 2000     

Downtime variability: the impact of duration–frequency on the performance of serial production systems

It is intuitively appealing to measure downtime in terms of total time lost (i.e. frequency times duration). However, the same total downtime can be produced by an infinite number of frequency/duration combinations. This study reports the findings of a computer simulation study on the impact of varying combinations of downtime frequency/duration pairs on performance of serial production systems. The research reported here clearly shows that different downtime frequency/duration combinations affect serial production lines differently even when the total downtime remains equal. Analysis suggests that long duration, infrequently occurring variation has a much more negative impact on system performance than short duration, frequently occurring variation.     

Energy saving in existing buildings by an intelligent use of interoperable ICTs

In this paper, we report a methodology, developed in the context of Smart Energy Efficient Middleware for Public Spaces European Project, aimed at exploiting ICT monitoring and control services to reduce energy usage and CO₂ footprint in existing buildings. The approach does not require significant construction work as it is based on commercial-off-the-shelf devices and, where present, it exploits and integrates existing building management systems with new sensors and actuator networks. To make this possible, the proposed approach leverages upon the following main contributions: (a) to develop an integrated building automation and control system, (b) to implement a middleware for the energy-efficient buildings domain, (c) to provide a multi-dimensional building information modelling-based visualisation, and (d) to raise people’s awareness about energy efficiency. The research approach adopted in the project started with the selection, as case studies, of representative test and reference rooms in modern and historical buildings chosen for having different requirements and constraints in term of sensing and control technologies. Then, according to the features of the selected rooms, the strategies to reduce the energy consumptions were defined, taking into account the potential savings related to lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and other device loads (PC, printers, etc.). The strategies include both the control of building services and devices and the monitoring of environmental conditions and energy consumption. In the paper, the energy savings estimated through simulation, for both HVAC and lighting, are presented to highlight the potential of the designed system. After the implementation of the system in the demonstrator, results will be compared with the monitored data.     

Is the dissociability of working memory systems for name identity, visual-object identity, and spatial location maintained in old age?

The dissociability of working memory for name identity (verbal information), visual objects, and spatial location was explored in 3 experiments. Consistent with previous results, the 3 working memory systems were dissociable in younger adults. Both younger and older adults showed involvement of name identity in an object identity task, and older adults showed this involvement in a spatial memory task. Results were interpreted as showing that the systems are generally separable but that involvement of 1 with another is possible and more likely in older adults. A 4th, correlational study showed that there is generalized decline in working memory systems in old age, with the age differences in memory mediated to a moderate extent by age-related differences in speed of processing. It was speculated that the specific, possibly strategic changes are independent of and take place against a backdrop of generalized loss of nervous system integrity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Green approach towards hydrolysing wheat gluten using waste ingredients from pineapple processing industries

In this work, wheat gluten was hydrolysed with pineapple crude extract, obtained from pineapple core which is a waste from the pineapple processing industry. The efficacy of crude pineapple extract was at par with the commercial bromelain in terms of hydrolysing wheat gluten. The hydrolysis proceeded at a rapid rate during the first 60 min, then slowed down till 120 min, followed by a further steep rise until 180 min and a very slow reaction up to the 24-h incubation period. The resulting hydrolysates had a fair solubility (>40%) over a pH range of 2–10. The molecular masses of the identified mixture of peptides ranged between 500 and 5000 Da, with 16% and 79% of the identified peptides in the range 0.5–1.0 and 1.0–2.0 kDa, respectively. The functional properties of the hydrolysates were remarkably better than the original gluten.     

Preparation,characterization, and antimicrobial activity of ferrocene-containing polymeric materials

Ferrocenyl(benzyl) imidazole (FcIm) and two related methyl-imidazolium salts (FcMIm⁺I^– and FcMIm⁺PF₆^–) were synthesized for their incorporation into plasticized PVC by solvent casting technique. The obtained materials were investigated for their thermal stability and, compared to pure polymer, films containing ionic ferrocene derivatives in 0.5% w/w loading were found slightly more stable. The pure ferrocene compounds showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermis, but not against Escherichia coli, with a maximum for FcMIm⁺PF₆^– salt. After incorporation into PVC polymer, antibacterial activity against S. epidermis was observed (by disk diffusion test) only for PVC/FcMIm⁺PF₆^– (5% w/w) film, from which a release of 14.6% of the ferrocenilimidazolium cation in aqueous medium was measured after 24 hr.     

Diphtheria antitoxin levels in the 14-30-year age group in Italy

Two patients with diabetes mellitus sustained spontaneous calcaneus fracture after deep heel burns. Both cases had avulsion type fracture of the os calcis. The authors discuss the incidence and possible etiology with literature review.     

Influence of TV on daydreaming and creative imagination: A review of research.

The research literature is reviewed on the influence of TV on daydreaming and creative imagination. The hypotheses proposed to explain why TV might influence children's and adults' daydreaming and creative imagination positively (stimulation hypothesis) or negatively (reduction hypothesis) are discussed. The hypotheses that propose that existing daydreaming patterns result in changes in viewing behavior are also discussed. The weight of the available evidence favors the hypotheses that TV viewing stimulates daydreaming and reduces creative imagination, although decisive evidence of a causal relationship is lacking. The assumptions that underlie the hypotheses about TV's relationship to daydreaming and creative imagination are analyzed, and whether these assumptions have been supported by research is established. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)