Comparison of urinary excretion of UV-absorbing constituents in healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis using analytical isotachophoresis

Analytical isotachophoresis has been applied to the separation of urinary constituents in healthy controls and patients with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Various methods of comparing isotachograms have been investigated. Significant differences have been demonstrated between the pattern of UV-absorbing components in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects.     

Analysis and synthesis of an impedance-loaded loop antenna using the singularity expansion method

The singularity expansion method (SEM) is used to represent the current on a loaded loop antenna. The shift in the poles of the loop due to impedance loading can be analyzed using contour plots in the complex frequency plane of the Fourier modal impedance transfer functions. The same plot may also be used to determine a loading function which will yield a specified pole pattern leading to frequency or time domain synthesis. A simple example of time-domain synthesis is presented.     

The design of social science software

A strategy for the design of social science software is outlined concentrating particularly on the nature of packages, languages, data structures and characteristics of procedures.     

Direct and quantitative detection of bacteriophage by "hearing" surface detachment using a quartz crystal microbalance

We show that it is possible to detect specifically adsorbed bacteriophage directly by breaking the interactions between proteins displayed on the phage coat and ligands immobilized on the surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). This is achieved through increasing the amplitude of oscillation of the QCM surface and sensitively detecting the acoustic emission produced when the bacteriophage detaches from the surface. There is no interference from nonspecifically adsorbed phage. The detection is quantitative over at least 5 orders of magnitude and is sensitive enough to detect as few as 20 phage. The method has potential as a sensitive and low-cost method for virus detection.     

A novel wavelet transform technique for on-line partial discharge measurements. 1. WT de-noising algorithm

Medium and high voltage power cables are widely used in the electrical industry with substantial growth over the last 20-30 years ago, particular in the use of XLPE insulated systems. Ageing of the cable insulation is becoming an increasing problem that requires development of reliable methods for on-line condition assessment. For insulation condition assessment of MV and HV cables, partial discharge (PD) monitoring is one of the most effective techniques. However on-site and on-line PD measurements are affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI) that makes sensitive PD detection very difficult, if not impossible. This paper describes implementation of wavelet transform techniques to reject noise from on-line partial discharge measurements on cables. A new wavelet threshold determination method is proposed with the technique. With implementation of this novel de-noising method, PD measurement sensitivity has been greatly improved. In addition, a full AC cycle data recovery can be achieved instead of focusing only on recovering individual PD pulses. Other wavelet threshold de-noising methods are discussed and examined under a noisy environment to compare their performance with the new method proposed here. The method described here has been found to be superior to the other wavelet-based methods     

Biophysical controls on the directional spectral reflectance properties of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) canopies: Results of a field experiment

Bracken presents a serious environmental problem in many regions of the world and remote sensing offers the potential of monitoring the invasion and management of this plant. This study evaluates this potential by reporting the results of an investigation of the relationships between the biophysical properties of a bracken canopy and its spectral reflectance and how such relationships are effected by view angle. An experiment was carried out through the bracken growing season at sites in West Sussex, UK. In the principal plane of the Sun, red reflectance becomes lower and relatively less variable with view angle as the canopy develops, while near-infrared reflectance increases and becomes relatively more variable with view angle. As Leaf Area Index (LAI) increases, the variability of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with view angle decreases, while the simple ratio vegetation index (SR) behaves in almost the opposite manner. Polar plots, illustrating full directional reflectance distributions, reveal that as the canopy develops the hot spot in red reflectance at the retro-solar angle diminishes, to be replaced by enhanced red reflectance at high zenith angles in the forward-scatter direction. Near-infrared reflectance behaves very differently, as a hot spot at the retro-solar angle becomes more pronounced as the canopy grows. The angular distribution of NDVI and SR varies markedly over the growing season, however both indices are well correlated with canopy biophysical properties for most view angles sampled, apart from the extreme off-nadir. Red edge position was largely insensitive to view angle, but had a good correlation with LAI, as did percenage reflectance at the red edge position.     

A custom ink‐jet printing system using a novel pretreatment method

A low‐cost and environmental‐friendly direct dye‐based ink‐jet printing system was developed. A novel ink‐jet pretreatment method was employed, in which the cationic fixing agent, Matexil FC‐ER, was applied as the colourless fixing ink and applied only on image areas of the fabric by ink‐jet printer. It was found that this new pretreatment method could more effectively enhance the colour strength and improve the wash fastness (greyscale ≥ 3) when compared with traditional exhaust application. The cross‐staining of non‐image areas of fabric was also apparently decreased using this new method. The light fastness of ink‐jet pretreated samples was slightly reduced as the presence of Matexil FC‐ER made dyes more sensitive to light.