Alternative configuration for an optical ring resonator angular rate sensor by using a standard laser diode

In this work, we present an alternative approach to angular velocity optical sensing based on two-ring resonators. This configuration admits the use of a standard laser diode source (0.1 nm, 10,000 MHz, FWHM) reaching higher sensitivities when narrow spectral laser sources (1 MHz, FWHM) are used. We compare this configuration with the standard single-ring resonator angular rate sensor (SRARS), which must use a narrow laser at input. Finally, we conclude that the sensitivity of this new approach can also be enhanced by coupling high-power broadband laser sources in a large range (from 1°/h to 10,000°/h), reaching performance similar to that of a standard SRARS configuration.     

A contribution to the study of the electrochemical oxidation of p-aminophenol on a mercury electrode

The reversibility of the oxidation process of p-aminophenol on a mercury electrode in buffered aqueous solutions is studied. Differential capacity curves are recorded and the number of electrons is determined by chronoamperometry. Kinetic parameters are determined at the foot of the wave.The results obtained are in agreement with the hypothesis that quinoneimine hydrolysis is slower than its diffusion, therefore the former takes place in a homogeneous medium and not in the interphase.     

Influence of proton-donors on the reduction mechanism of diacetyl on dme

The effect of the phosphoric and acetic acids concentration on the reduction mechanism of diacetyl on a mercury electrode is studied. Reaction orders with respect to these proton donors at potentials corresponding to the foot of the polarographic wave indicate that the acid species are liable to protonate the free radical resulting from the first electron transfer.     

A critical review of the approach to birth order research.

The birth order literature was reviewed in order to demonstrate that the present emphasis on birth order differences with a de-emphasis on theory has resulted in confusion. Birth order research topics reviewed were: child-rearing practices, affiliation, dependence, and conformity, intelligence and achievement, and alcoholism. Following the review, two suggestions were made concerning the direction of future birth order research. The first concerned the importance of undertaking theoretically-derived research as opposed to research focused on differences. Developmental theories, particularly those considering the family and child-rearing practices were suggested. The second concerned the value of a moderator variable (Ghiselli, 1963) in birth order research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison between the use of unifoil double balloon and bifoil balloon in successful mitral valvuloplasty by balloon catheter

PURPOSE: To compare immediate and long term results balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) using double balloon or bifoil balloon. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen consecutive cases of BMV used aleatory double balloon (group DB--55 cases) or bifoil balloon (group BF--16 cases). Patients were similar regarding to age, sex, valvopaty etiology, functional class and echocardiographic score. Seventy one (63%) patients achieved 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: In group DB there were 2 (4%) insuccess, 2 (4%) cardiac tamponade and 2 (4%) deaths, 91% patients had immediate criteria of success. Mitral valve area (MVA) increased from 0.8 to 1.69cm2 and mitral gradient (G) by echodopplercardiographic (ECHO) decreased from 17.9 to 4.8mmHg. Three (5%) patients developed severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and needed surgical intervention. At follow-up 2 (4%) developed mitral restenosis. MVA estimated by ECHO study after one year follow-up was inferior to 1.15cm2 in 15 (32%) cases, between 1.5 and 2.0cm2 in 17 (37%) and superior to 2.0cm2 in 14 (31%). In group BF there were 2 (12.5%) insuccess, 4 (25%) developed severe MR occurring 1 death immediate post-operative mitral valve replacement. Among 14 (87%) success cases, MVA increased from 0.8 to 1.89cm2 and G decreased from 18 to 6.4mmHg. Lately 2 (12.5%) needed surgical intervention because significative MR. At 12th month follow-up the ECHO study showed that in one (10%) case MVA was < 1.5cm2, and in 3 (27%) cases was between 1.5 and 2.0cm2. CONCLUSION: There were similar good results in both groups, however group DB had more restenosis, cardiac tamponade and vascular complications and group BF had more severe MR.     

Density and electrical conductivity of molten NaCl-KCl-AlCl3 mixtures

The density and specific electrical conductivity were investigated for molten ternary NaCl-KCl-AlCl₃ mixtures of interest to new industrial processes for electrolytic aluminium deposition. A method for the calculation of density and electrical conductivity of molten ternary mixtures on the basis of experimentally determined values for the binary systems NaCl-AlCl₃, NaCl-KCl and KCl-AlCl₃ has been proposed. The difference between the experimental and calculated density and electrical conductivity values of the ternary system was less than ± 1.5% for the density and ± 5% for the electrical conductivity, respectively.     

Binding of an arm repeat protein to the kinase domain of the S-locus receptor kinase

Screening of a yeast two-hybrid library for proteins that interact with the kinase domain of an S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) resulted in the isolation of a plant protein called ARC1 (Arm Repeat Containing). This interaction was mediated by the C-terminal region of ARC1 in which five arm repeat units were identified. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro binding assays, ARC1 was found to interact specifically with the kinase domains from SRK-910 and SRK-A14 but failed to interact with kinase domains from two different Arabidopsis receptor-like kinases. In addition, treatment with a protein phosphatase or the use of a kinase-inactive mutant reduced or abolished the binding of ARC1 to the SRK-910 kinase domain, indicating that the interaction was phosphorylation dependent. Lastly, RNA blot analysis revealed that the expression of ARC1 is restricted to the stigma, the site of the self-incompatibility response.     

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites: a surface-associated cysteine protease

The purpose of this work was to define cell surface proteases on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites. Molecular sizes of 2-mercaptoethanol-activated proteases were determined in several ameba cell fractions. Inhibited proteases were resolved in SDS-polyacrylamide gels and then defined by their ability to digest bovine albumin during electrophoretic migration of ameba bands through a stacking gel containing albumin. This second gel revealed nine gaps of digestion along the horizontal albumin line corresponding to proteases with molecular weights of 195, 175, 150, 124, 102, 70, 45, 36, and 28 kDa. The 70-kDa protease proved to be the most active in plasma membrane, in whole membrane fractions, and in total extracts of ameba. This protease appears to be an integral membrane component as it was reconstituted in an artificial membrane system in its active form, as well as because it was present on the surface of glutaraldehyde-fixed amebas. These results demonstrate that amebic trophozoites contain on their surface a very active protease, which may play a role in the digestion of host components.     

Hybrid photocatalysts for the degradation of trichloroethylene in air

Hybrid photocatalysts based on an adsorbent SiMgOx and a photocatalyst TiO₂ were developed in a plate shape. The ceramic surface was coated with TiO₂ by the slip-casting technique. The effect of the support in the photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) was analyzed by modifying TiO₂ loading and the layer thickness. Photocatalysts were characterised by N₂ adsorption–desorption, mercury intrusion porosimetry, SEM, UV–vis spectroscopy and XRD. A direct relationship between the TiO₂ content and the photocatalytic activity was observed up to three layers of TiO₂ (0.66 wt.%). Our results indicate that intermediate species generated on the TiO₂ layer can migrate through relatively long distances to react with the OH⁻ surface groups of the support. By increasing the TiO₂ loading of the photocatalyst two effects were observed: trichloroethylene conversion is enhanced, while the efficiency of the oxidation process is decreased at expenses of increasing the selectivity to COCl₂ and dichloroacetylchloride (DCAC). The results are discussed in terms of the layer thickness, TiO₂ amount, TCE conversion and CO₂, and COCl₂ selectivity.     

Track structure approach to the calculation of peak 5a to peak 5 (TLD-100) relative intensities following heavy charged particle irradiation

A track structure approach to the calculation of the relative strength of localised and delocalised recombination mechanisms leading to composite glow peak 5 in LiF:Mg,Ti following heavy charged particle irradiation is described.