Optimal Control for Irreversible Processes in Thermodynamics and Microeconomics

Publications on optimal control of irreversible thermodynamic processes are reviewed. Analogies between irreversible processes in thermodynamics and microeconomics are stated.     

Influence of Al and Ni concentration on the Martensitic transformation in Cu-Al-Ni shape-memory alloys

The martensitic transformation temperatures and the types of martensitic phases have been determined in a wide concentration range of technological interest for Cu-Al-Ni shape-memory alloys (SMAs) A stability diagram of martensitic phases as a function of alloy concentration has been determined. It is found that when the aluminum content increases, the transformation changes from β ₃ ⇒ β′₃ to β ₃ ⇒ γ′₃, with an intermediate concentration range where both martensites coexist due to a β ₃ ⇒ γ′₃+β′₃ transformation. On the other hand, an increase of nickel content stabilizes the martensite β′₃, changing from a mixed β ₃ ⇒ γ′₃ + β′₃ to a single β ₃ ⇒ β′₃ transformation. Furthermore, linear relationships between M _s and Al and Ni concentrations have been obtained for all types of martensitic phases.     

New telechelic polymers and sequential copolymers by polyfunctional initiator transfer agents (inifers)

Summary The Kennedy-Smith plot routinely used for the characterization of end-reactive (telechelic) polyisobutylenes has been recast to increase its accuracy and thus to increase its diagnostic value for the compositional analysis of telechelic polymers containing chromophores. A detailed error estimation is given. The plotting method and error limits are shown for representative mono-, di-, and tri-ended telechelic polyisobutylenes.     

Multivariate evaluation of Spanish educational research journals

This paper informs about an evaluation of Spanish educational research journals using the modality of reputation inferred from survey data. Univariate and multivariate patterns are offered. Specifically cluster analysis and non-parametric multidimensional scaling reveal themselves as useful methods to inquire the complexity of this scientometric question which is the evaluation of periodical series. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of antioxidants extracted from polypropylene by supercritical fluid extraction.

Maximal potential migration of six antioxidants (AO) from five polypropylene (PP) formulations was determined by two supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) procedures, both of which contained static and dynamic steps. All analytical conditions affecting the extraction were studied and optimized using Irgafos 168 as standard. SFE was more efficient as temperature and fluid density increased. During the static step in which the samples were exposed to the fluid without flux, the introduction of hexane and methanol as fluid modifiers significantly improved the extraction. Hexane appears to facilitate polymer swelling while methanol solvates the antioxidants. In the dynamic step (in which the extraction actually occurs) time is the key parameter. Extraction for 90 min results in an efficiency of around 75%. The introduction of modifiers during this step (by an HPLC-SFE procedure) did not produce any significant improvement. When SFE was carried out on all samples, extraction efficiency was around 75% except for Irganox 1010 and Hostanox O3. The large molecular volume of these antioxidants may be responsible for the considerable reduction of extraction efficiency. Particle size and shape of polymer sample were also important. The greater the surface to volume ratio the greater the extraction efficiency.     

Bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

BACKGROUND: Fever is commonly observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and frequently eludes diagnosis. The role of bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in patients infected with HIV remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients with 137 episodes of fever lasting 10 or more days without diagnosis after 1 week of hospitalization were evaluated by bone marrow biopsy. RESULTS: Overall, a specific diagnosis was achieved in 52 episodes by means of culture and histopathological examination (diagnostic yield, 37.9%). Three types of disease were found: mycobacterial infections (n = 36, 69% of documented episodes), including 18 patients with disseminated tuberculosis and 14 with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex infections; non-Hodgkin lymphomas (n = 12, 23%); and visceral leishmaniasis (n = 4, 8%). Although bone marrow cultures were more sensitive than microscopic examination with special stains for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, the pathological examination of bone marrow led to a more rapid diagnosis of disease. In addition, the histopathological examination of bone marrow alone led to the diagnosis of a specific condition in 43 episodes (31.3% of all episodes). CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow biopsy is a useful procedure for the diagnosis of fever in patients with advanced HIV disease, particularly in areas where tuberculosis and leishmaniasis are prevalent. Involvement of the marrow may be the first indication of the existence of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex infection, blood cultures were more sensitive than bone marrow biopsy.     

Microbiologic depuration of Anadara tuberculosa (Mollusca: Arcidae)

In Costa Rica the mollusk Anadara tuberculosa represents a risk for human health due to the contamination of the growing waters and the fact that its is consumed raw. The families depending on the income obtained through commercialization of these animals have a low education and economic status. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop and evaluate simple methods of depuration that could be easily used by these families to make these mollusks safe for consumption. Bottles containing 11 of saline solution (25g/l) were prepared in duplicates to test the bactericidal effect of acetic acid. The solution in each bottle was adjusted to ph 4.5, 5.0 or 5.5 or held at ph of 7.0 or 8.0 for the controls. The solution in each bottle was then inoculated with approximately 1 X 104 cfu/ml of coliforms. Counts of coliforms were determined for each bottle 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after inoculation. For the depuration studies, specimens with diameters ranging from 4.0 to 4.5 cm were collected from a harvester at the estuary of Puntarenas, Gulf of Nicoya. Fifty specimens each were depurated in separate tanks containing 25 1 of oxygenated saline solution adjusted with acetic acid to an initial ph of 4.5 (treatment) or non adjusted ph of 8.0 (control). Counts of Enterobacteriaceae were determined, in duplicates, every 12 hr for 48 hr. An additional fifty animals were depurated using the defined method and tested to determine if they met international standards of microbiological quality for aerobic plate count, Enterobacteriaceae count, Escherichia coli count and presence of Salmonella. A sensory evaluation using a triangle test was performed to compare a typical dish prepared with depurated or non-depurated animals. A significant coliform reduction was determined in a saline solution (25 g/l) at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. This reduction, during 8 hr, was higher in the acid treatments compared to the controls. During depuration, the elimination of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria was faster when acetic was used (initial ph = 4.5) than when it was not. This elimination was more important the first 24 hr, time defined as adequate for the application of the method. The method has the advantage of transforming the bivalve in a product that is safe for human consumption, since it guarantees that the international standards of microbiological quality, for raw and depurated mollusks, are reached. On the other hand, the sensory qualities of a typical dish prepared with depurated animals are not affected by the method, which can be easily implemented and applied by the people that work in the extraction of this mollusk.     

Adverse drug reactions among hospitalized elderly patients. Prospective study

BACKGROUND: It is not clear if old age is a risk factor for adverse drug reactions. AIM: To study the incidence of adverse drug reactions and the effect of age in patients admitted to an Internal Medicine Service in an university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred one patients, hospitalized at the Clinical Hospital of the Catholic University, were studied. These patients were followed using a prospective pharmacological surveillance method. For statistical purposes, patients aged 65 years old or older were compared with those younger than 65 years old. RESULTS: Patients over 65 years old had a 33% incidence of adverse drug reactions, mainly involving cardiovascular system and provoking metabolic disturbances. Younger subjects had a 24% incidence of adverse drug reactions, mainly involving the gastrointestinal system and the skin. Sixteen percent of adverse drug reactions were classified as severe and there was a direct relationship between its frequency and the number of drugs prescribed, the hospitalization length and the presence of renal failure. Younger patients with adverse drug reactions had lower serum albumin levels than those without adverse reactions. This relationship was not observed in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients, is related to the number of drugs prescribed and the length of hospitalization.