Hierarchical structures of anodised cold gas sprayed titanium coatings

Cold gas spray (CGS) titanium coatings have been produced to obtain porous and rough coatings with enhanced mechanical performance. The coatings from optimal spraying conditions reached tensile strength values up to 40?MPa, shear strength up to 39?MPa and a loss mass of 37?mg/100 cycles in abrasive testing, values in accordance with the ASTM standards to be applied for orthopaedic joint prostheses. An innovative hierarchical structure (micro-nano) consisted of a TiO₂ nanotubes top layer obtained by anodisation onto a CGS Ti coating. The present paper focuses on the characterisation of both surfaces, as-sprayed CGS Ti layer and double Ti-TiO₂ layer, in terms of mechanical properties, surface topography and wettability (contact angle). There were not significant changes in micro-roughness, Ra～40?µm and Ra～30?µm, but a significant decrease in contact angle, from ≈26° up to 0°, was observed between these two structures. This behaviour indicates that the combination of the CGS?+?anodising results in promising high roughness superhydrophilic surfaces, ideal for biomedical applications.     

Milk protein synthesis as a function of amino acid supply

Most prediction schemes of milk protein secretion overestimate milk protein yield from dairy cows at high protein intakes, thereby overestimating milk protein yield response to protein supplementation. This study was conducted to determine factors contributing to such an overestimation. Using published studies, a database was constructed that was limited to amino acid (AA) infusion studies, as then only the digestible amino acid of dietary origin needed to be estimated, whereas the amount infused was known exactly, thereby reducing the dependence on estimated values. Although milk protein yield was positively related with total energy supply, and both digestible duodenal supply and infused AA, in this database there was no relationship between milk protein yield response above control treatments and the nutrient status of the cows (energy or protein). Total milk protein yield was defined as a function of individual AA supply, using a segmented-linear and a logistic model to obtain estimates of the efficiency of conversion of AA into milk protein. Except for Lys and Met supply, the segmented-linear model yielded lower root mean square error and better correlation, but both models were similar in their reliability. For both models, the estimated efficiency of conversion of AA to milk differed among AA. Estimations of the ideal profile of AA for lactating dairy cows were similar between models, with requirements for Lys and Met in line with 2001 National Research Council recommendations. The major difference is that the segmented-linear model yields a constant efficiency of conversion of an AA until requirements are met, with zero efficiency beyond this point. The logistic model allows for an estimation of the decreasing marginal efficiency of conversion of AA as the supply approaches the requirements. The use of variable efficiency factors should improve our ability to predict protein yield in response to supplemental protein.     

Seasonal variability of recurrent phytoplankton pigment patterns in the Canary Islands area

Seasonal variability of recurrent phytoplankton pigment patterns in the Canary Islands area has been determined using historical data from Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner data. The main patterns associated with the islands are cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies downstream of the islands, apparently caused by their effect as a topographic obstacle to the flow of the Canary Current. These eddies are present during all seasons, suggesting that the speed of the Canary Current is always strong enough to develop eddies. The pattern associated with the influence of the coastal upwelling system off north-west Africa consists of upwelling filaments stretching from the African coast to the islands. They are fundamentally present during summer and early fall when strong Trade Winds blow over the area. Both patterns may contribute to the mesoscale activity south of the islands.     

QUANTIFICATION OF BINARY MIXTURES OF COCAINE AND ADULTERANTS USING DISPERSIVE RAMAN AND FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY AND PRINCIPAL COMPONENT REGRESSION

Current forensic methods for detecting and identifying cocaine and its adulterants are destructive, so evidence cannot be re-analyzed. Vibrational techniques [Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy] allow rapid, economical, nondestructive analysis. This work compares these techniques as methods for quantifying mixtures of cocaine (in the crack presentation) and adulterants. The aim is to provide a method to determine the amount of cocaine in crack rocks and to identify and quantify possible adulterants. A sample of crack was adulterated with benzocaine, caffeine, sodium carbonate, and lidocaine to create binary mixtures of concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%; pure samples of each adulterant and of crack were also examined. All samples were observed using dispersive Raman and attenuated total reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy. Quantitative analysis was performed based on principal component regression (PCR) applied to simulated and real spectra. The PCR model revealed that the Raman spectra yielded only minor measurement errors and the highest correlations using the PC2 spectral vector, which presented spectral features of cocaine. Among the mixtures, the best and worst results were obtained for caffeine and sodium carbonate, respectively. Dispersive Raman spectroscopy outperformed FT-IR in the quantitative determination of binary mixtures of cocaine and adulterants.     

An 8-Bit Digitally Controlled Programmable Phase Shifter Circuit for Sinusoidal Signals with 252∘ Phase Control Range

In this paper, the synthesis, design, and implementation of a programmable phase shifter circuit for sinusoidal signals is presented. The proposed circuit, built-up herein with operational amplifiers (OPAMPs), high precision resistors and low voltage switches, consists of a digitally controlled amplitude attenuator in combination with a single-tone orthogonalizer. Experimental results agree with theoretical background: the attained phase range was 252^° in 256 steps with a median step of 0.9^°. The inaccuracy of the circuit was determined to be of 0.03 %. Contrary to other OPAMP approaches for sinusoidal signals reported in the literature and based on a first-order all-pass filter structure, the approximation suggested in this work is based on a different concept. The achieved results demonstrate the functionality of the system for the case of a sinusoidal signal with frequency of 1 kHz. Notwithstanding, the proposed architecture can be extended to operate at higher frequencies by using different building blocks with larger bandwidth. Furthermore, it can be extended as well to work out with other periodic input waveforms, like triangular shapes or square waves, with the use of an appropriate orthogonalizer.