Simulation of light propagation by local spherical interface approximation

A new local elementary interface approximation is introduced for the modeling of wave propagation through interfaces between homogeneous media. The incident wave and the surface profile are approximated locally by a spherical wave and a spherical surface, respectively. The wave field travels through the modulated structure according to the laws of geometrical optics, being refracted by the surface and propagating to the output plane locally as a geometric spherical wave. Diffraction theory is applied to propagate the field from the output plane onwards. We provide comparisons of the method with the thin-element approximation, the local plane-wave and interface approach, and rigorous diffraction theory using a sinusoidal surface-relief grating as an example. We illustrate the power of the new method by applying it to the analysis of a diffractive beam splitter.     

Effect of eggshell powder as nucleating agent on the structure,morphology and functional properties of normal corn starch foams

Corn starch and eggshell powder (with particle sizes of 4–5µm and 8–10µm) composite foams were prepared by extrusion. Effects of eggshell on the structure, morphology, physical properties (unit density and expansion ratio), mechanical properties (spring index and compressibility) and thermal behaviour (thermal transition and stability) of the foams were investigated. Foam cell size decreased and cell population increased with addition of eggshell into starch matrix. The foam unit density, expansion ratio and compressibility decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while the spring index increased significantly (p < 0.05) as the eggshell content increased from 0 to 6wt%. Further increasing eggshell content to 10wt% increased the unit density and compressibility and decreased the expansion ratio and spring index. The thermal transition and stability increased with the addition of eggshell. The optimum eggshell content was 6wt% and the smaller‐sized eggshell powder had a favourable effect on the functional properties of the foams. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Provenance studies of archaeological ceramics from Mar-Takla(Ain-Minin,Syria)using radioisotope X-ray fluorescence method

The radioisotope X-ray fluorescence method was applied to studies of the provenance of the ceramics fragments originated from the Mar-Takla site in Syria.The samples were irradiated 1000s by a ^109Cd radioisotope source and 13 elements (Ca,Ti,Mn,Fe,Zn,Ga,As,Rb,Sr,Y,Zr,Nb,and Pb)were determined in 35 samples.The data were subjected to two multivariate statistical methods,cluster and principal components analysis(PCA).It was shown from the combination of the statistical techniques and the determination of elemental composition of the samples that 94% of the ceramic samples analyzed can be considered to be manufactured using two sources of raw materials.     

Failure Analysis of Three Slow-Speed Induction Motors for Reciprocating Load Application

The North Atlantic Refinery has three 5400-hp slow-speed induction motors driving reciprocating compressors for a Hydrogen plant. All motors were rewound on-site over the period of 1998-2002, using magnetic wedges as per the original design, and the motor protection was upgraded to microprocessor-type relays. In summer 2003, during routine maintenance, it was noted that these motors suffered substantial loss of slot magnetic wedges and had to be scheduled for rewedging over 2004-2006. This paper presents failure analysis, field measurements covering heat-run test results, and motor-performance and vibration analysis before and after motor rewedging work. This paper reviews the key factors for using magnetic versus nonmagnetic wedges in these applications and techniques available to predict loss of wedges. The use of a microprocessor relay for slow-speed induction motor protection is discussed, particularly, the thermal protection feature to address the cyclic-load pattern caused by the reciprocating compressor     

Bioglass as a carrier for reindeer bone protein extract in the healing of rat femur defect

Bioactive glasses have been developed as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering but combination with reindeer bone protein extract has not been evaluated. We investigated the effects of bone protein extract implants (5–40 mg dosages) with bioglass (BG) carrier on the healing of rat femur defects. Bioglass implants and untreated defects served as controls. All doses of extract increased bone formation compared with the control groups, and bone union was enhanced with doses of 10 mg or more. In comparison with untreated defect, mean cross-sectional bone area at the defect site was greater when implants with BG + 15 mg of extract or bioglass alone were used, bone density at the defect site was higher in all bioglass groups with and without bone extract, and the BG + 15 mg extract dosage marginally increased bone torsional stiffness in mechanical testing. Bioglass performed well as a carrier candidate for reindeer bone protein extract.     

A phase I study of recombinant human soluble interleukin-1 receptor (rhu IL-1R) in patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia

PURPOSE: The recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor (rhu IL-1R) is a soluble truncated form of the type 1 full-length membrane-bound receptor that binds IL-1 with identical affinity to that of the membrane form. As such, it may have clinical potential by sequestering IL-1, thereby preventing it from binding to its membrane-bound receptor and eliciting a biological effect. As IL-1 has been shown to regulate leukemic cell proliferation in an autocrine fashion, a phase I trial of rhu IL-1R was conducted in patients with relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: The study group comprised 11 patients who were sequentially treated on one of three dose levels, receiving a single intravenous (i.v.) bolus dose on day 1 followed by 13 days of daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections with the option of an additional 14 days of treatment if a response of stable disease or better was achieved. Dose level 1 i.v. bolus 500 microg/m2, s.c. dose 250 microg/m2 per day (five patients); dose level 2 i.v. bolus 1000 microg/m2, s.c. dose 500 microg/m2 per day (three patients); dose level 3 i.v. bolus 2000 microg/m2, s.c. dose 1000 microg/m2 per day (three patients). Owing to limited drug availability, the study was designed to only examine these three dose levels. RESULTS: rhu IL-IR was well tolerated. There was no grade 3 or 4 non-hematological toxicity related to the study drug and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. No IL-1R-blocking antibodies developed during the course of the study. Serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF were undetectable before, during and after rhu IL-IR administration. The terminal half-life after i.v. dosing was at least 7-12 h, and after s.c. dosing 2-4 days. Serum levels of rhu IL-1R up to 360- and 25-fold those of pretreatment levels were achieved after i.v. and s.c. dosing respectively. No patient had a complete, partial or minor response to treatment; four had stable disease and seven had progressive disease. CONCLUSIONS: rhu IL-1R therapy was safe but did not have any apparent antileukemic effect at the doses administered.     

Guidelines for Warranty Contracting for Highway Construction

This paper presents guidelines for implementing the construction warranty contracting method in the highway construction industry. A logical, step-by-step method for effectively applying the warranty contracting program for use in the highway construction industry is developed. Relevant issues that may present obstacles to the implementation are addressed, while the best practices, compiled from an evaluation of the current industry’s state-of-the-art practices, will assist an interested state highway agency in creating a warranty specification. In performing this research, the current use of warranty specifications among state highway agencies was examined, and an in-depth case study of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s warranty program was conducted.