Intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with oral morphine

Infusion of the GPIIb/IIIa-inhibitor MK383 inhibits thrombin generation in platelet rich plasma by interfering with the production of platelet procoagulant phospholipid exposure. The effect is similar to that of 0.2 U/ml of heparin. Heparin infusion, well known to inhibit thrombin generation by fostering antithrombin activity, inhibits the formation of platelet-derived procoagulant microparticles, probably by decreasing the formation of free thrombin, which, under our circumstances, is the main platelet activator.     

High-resolution proton,carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of wheat proteins at high magnetic fields: Spectral assignments,changes with concentration and heating treatments of flinor gliadins in solution—comparison with gluten spectra

The first high-field and high-resolution proton, carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectra of gliadin solutions are reported. Collective assignments are proposed based on ‘random coil’ chemical shifts and amino acid analysis of gliadins. Additional information from X-ray diffraction, photoacoustic spectroscopy, dielectric relaxation and electrophoretic measurements is considered in the interpretation of the n.m.r. spectra. Marked changes in the n.m.r. spectra of gliadin solution were observed with increasing concentration or temperature. An interpretation of these effects in molecular terms is proposed and the practical implications of n.m.r. measurements for wheat variety identification and correlation with rheological testing indicated. The relevance of the results to studies of glutens is also noted.     

Acetylcholinesterase voltammetric biosensors based on carbon nanostructure-chitosan composite material for organophosphate pesticides

A sensitive biosensor for chloropyrifos (CPF), an organophosphorus pesticide, was developed by immobilizing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) through covalent bonding to an oxidized exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (xGnPs)–chitosan cross-linked composite. Because of the increased surface area and the conductive properties of the nanomaterial, AChE developed a high affinity for acetylthiocholine (ATCI) and formed thiocholine with a fast response. The response of the sensor was a linear function of ATCI concentration in two segments, one from 0.005 to 0.039 mM and the second from 0.064 mM to 0.258 mM. The corresponding equation for the first range was i_p(A) = 2.26 × 10^? 5c + 4.39 × 10^? 7 (R² = 0.992) and the equation for the second was i_p(A) = 6.80 × 10^? 6c + 1.30 × 10^? 6 (R² = 1.000), with a detection limit of 1.58 × 10^? 10 M. The fabrication of the sensor was simple, the response was fast and the stability acceptable. This sensor has many potential applications, the foremost being in organophosphorus pesticides.     

Membrane-assisted revelation of the spatial nanoarchitecture of dislocation networks

We propose a method of direct visualization of the spatial nanoarchitecture of dislocation networks which is based on etching away the regions with low density of structural defects from the bulk of GaN epilayers, keeping intact only the threading dislocations and a thin surface film pre-treated with low-energy Ar⁺ ions. The formation of nanometer-thick suspended membrane to which the dislocations are genetically attached provides conditions for the revelation of the spatial nanoarchitecture of dislocation networks using conventional scanning electron microscopy. Complementary monochromatic and panchromatic micro-cathodoluminescence images are presented.     

Interaction of positronium atoms, with paramagnetic molecules, measured by perturbed angular distribution in 3γ annihilation decay

Positronium in the triplet spin state (S = 1) decays by 3γ annihilation having a life time of about 140 ns in vacuum. Positronium annihilation is affected by magnetic fields which mix the M = 0 state of ortho-positronium with the M = 0 state of para-positronium. The mixing fraction depends on the magnetic field intensity and causes quantum beats in the time distribution of γ annihilation decay. This effect was predicted by Barishevsky et al. [V.G. Barishevsky, O.N. Metelitsa, V.V. Tikhomirov, J. Phys. B Atom. Mol. Opt. Phys. 22 (1989) 2835]. The time differential perturbed angular correlation method (TDPAC), combined with long-lived positron life time spectroscopy (PLTS), has been used to observe these quantum beats. It is found that the characteristics of the annihilation time distribution are not influenced by the presence of diamagnetic species such as Ar, N₂ and H₂ but are affected by the presence of the paramagnetic O₂ molecule. Our results are encouraging in developing a new method for investigating magnetic fields on an atomic scale.     

Spectroscopic and photoelectric investigations of resonance effects in selected sulfonated phthalocyanines

Zinc phthalocyanine dyes, which had been symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted with sulfonate groups were investigated using absorption, fluorescence and photoacoustic spectroscopic methods, supported by light-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy and photoelectric measurements; unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine was employed as reference. Fluorescence quantum yields were determined on the basis of absorption and fluorescence spectra, whereas thermal parameters as well as the yield of triplet state population and the kinetics of thermal relaxation at microsecond intervals were determined using with photoacoustic methods. The effect of the sulfonate groups on photocurrent generation was discussed in terms of the dye's molecular structure and resonance (mesomeric, inductive, steric) effects. Sulfonation of zinc phthalocyanine changed markedly its absorption and fluorescence properties owing to redistribution of the electron density within the molecule as a result of both mesomeric and inductive effects, although other effects cannot be excluded. The enhanced light-generated photocurrent observed for phthalocyanine with two sulfonate groups is explained in terms of mesomeric effects, whereas in phthalocyanine with three and four sulfonate groups, inductive effects are essential and lead to photocurrent decline.     

Spectroscopic Analysis of a Corona Space Charge in a Cylindrical System with Air-Carbon Dioxide Medium

Positive corona glow discharge was studied in a system with cylindrical geometry in air and air-carbon dioxide mixtures at normal temperature and pressure (NTP). A spatially resolved spectroscopy technique was used in an attempt to explain the previously observed anomalous charging of particles traveling through the glow region. The results corroborate the existence of the previously reported anomaly. The apparatus developed for taking the spatially resolved spectra and the methods employed may be of interest in fundamental studies of corona discharge behavior in a practical electrostatic precipitator system.     

Electrostatic Beneficiation Apparatus for Fluidized Iron and Other Ores

The paper presents a new apparatus for electrostatic beneficiation of fluidized ores. The apparatus comprises a fluidized bed, an optional metallic screen electrode located above the bed, and a series of collecting U-or V-shaped troughs. The troughs are moving horizontally below the screen. The vertical electric field traversing the fluid bed was produced by applying high voltage to a porous metallic plate on the floor of the bed and grounding the troughs and screen.     

Expansive sulphate aluminate cements

The possibility to prepare expensive sulphate aluminate masses from certain wastes (phosphogypsum and belitic waste) and usual raw materials (limestone, bauxite) has been investigated. The chemical and minerological composition of these synthetic clinkers as well as the nature of their hydration products has been determined by current methods. The mechanism of cement expansion and the factors affecting the correlation between mechanical strength and expansion have been also studied.