Ligand exchange based paraoxon imprınted QCM sensor

In the present work, a paraoxon imprinted QCM sensor has been developed for the determination of paraoxon based on the modification of paraoxon imprinted film onto a quartz crystal combining the advantages of high selectivity of the piezoelectric microgravimetry using MIP film technique and high sensitivity of QCM detection. The paraoxon selective memories have formed on QCM electrode surface by using a new metal–chelate interaction based on pre-organized monomer and the paraoxon recognition activity of these molecular memories was investigated. Molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) film for the detection of paraoxon was developed and the analytical performance of paraoxon imprinted sensor was studied. The molecular imprinted polymer were characterized by FTIR measurements. Paraoxon imprinted sensor was characterized with AFM and ellipsometer. The study also includes the measurement of binding interaction of paraoxon imprinted quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor, selectivity experiments and analytical performance of QCM electrode. The detection limit and the affinity constant (K_affinity) were found to be 0.06 μM and 2.25 × 10⁴ M^? 1 for paraoxon [MAAP–Cu(II)–paraoxon] based thin film, respectively. Also, it has been observed that the selectivity of the prepared paraoxon imprinted sensor is high compared to a similar chemical structure which is parathion.     

Development of Resource-Saving Technology of Linseed Harvesting

ABSTRACT

The traditional technology of linseed harvesting involves the cutting of the stems with subsequent threshing. During cutting part of the stem remains on the field, which causes significant losses of fibrous raw materials. Threshing of stems by traditional technology also causes significant damage to the linseed straw. Developed resource-saving technology of linseed harvesting provides first linseed thrashing on the plants with subsequent pulling of stems. With this sequence of technological operations, all linseed stems and seeds are preserved without damage. For the implementation of resource-saving technology proposed design of flax thresher and flax puller. The results of experimental studies of the properties of linseed fibre obtained from the linseed showed that such fibre is suitable for the production of non-woven materials, technical textiles and paper. The introduction of resource-saving technology of linseed harvesting will save the harvest of seeds and straw with minimal losses and damage. Resource-saving technology will increase the profitability of linseed cultivation.     

Highly selective ion-imprinted particles for solid-phase extraction of Pb ions

The Pb²⁺-imprinted (PHEMAC-Pb²⁺) particles were prepared by bulk polymerization as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent. N-methacryloyl-(l)-cysteine (MAC) was used as functional monomer to have a well-shaped molecular geometry between MAC monomer and Pb²⁺ ions that provide molecular recognition based on well fitted cavities for Pb²⁺ ions after removal of template ions. The PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles were characterized and the applicability of these particles was investigated for the solid-phase extraction of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions and environmental samples. The PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles with a size range of 50–200 µm have a rough surface and macropores in bulk structure. The adsorption capacity of the PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles is relatively low (2.01 mg/g). However, the high selectivity towards competitive ions (Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺) promises the PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles an alternative SPE adsorbent in literature. The relative selectivity coefficients of PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles for Pb²⁺/Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺/Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺/Cu²⁺ were almost 71, 117 and 192 times greater than that of non-imprinted (PHEMAC) particles, respectively. Moreover, the reusability of the PHEMAC-Pb²⁺ particles was tested for several times and no significant loss in adsorption capacity was observed. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was also verified by the determination of Pb²⁺ ions in the certified reference material, LGC 6137 Estuarine sediment.     

Analysis of human error and organizational deficiency in events considering risk significance

In this study, we analyzed human and organizational deficiencies in the trip events of Korean nuclear power plants. K-HPES items were used in human error analysis, and the organizational factors by Jacobs and Haber were used for organizational deficiency analysis.

We proposed the use of CCDP as a risk measure to consider risk information in prioritizing K-HPES items and organizational factors. Until now, the risk significance of events has not been considered in human error and organizational deficiency analysis. Considering the risk significance of events in the process of analysis is necessary for effective enhancement of nuclear power plant safety by focusing on causes of human error and organizational deficiencies that are associated with significant risk.     

The metabolic changes associated with trauma and sepsis

BACKGROUND: Intractable epistaxis has been treated with surgical intervention for many years, including ligation of the internal maxillary artery. As an alternative approach, endovascular therapy has gained increased acceptance. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment of untractable epistaxis. METHODS: Embolotherapy was performed in 26 patients. The indication for embolization was persistent epistaxis even after anterior and posterior nasal packing. In all but two patients, who required general anesthesia, the procedure was performed in local anesthesia. Endovascular embolization of the internal maxillary artery was performed by using microcatheters, which were introduced intraarterially. Particulate embolic agents were used in all but one patient, who was treated by means of minicoils. RESULTS: The embolization of the territory of the internal maxillary artery was possible in all cases, the technical success rate was 96%, the clinical success rate was 100%. No complications were encountered. Because of an acute recurrent bleeding in one case, a second embolization was performed. No delayed hemorrhages were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular embolotherapy seems to be an excellent, safe, and less invasive alternative to surgery in patients with intractable epistaxis.     

Clinical expression of myotonic dystrophy: the predictive role of DNA diagnosis

The two-compartment open model is currently used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with multiple blood samples. Numerous limited sampling models have been developed to reduce the number of blood samples. In the present study, the three-compartment closed model was used to assess GFR after a single intravenous injection. The three-compartment closed model includes blood, peripheral and urine compartments, thus the samples in urine can be used to estimate parts of pharmacokinetic parameters, thus to reduce the number of blood samples. Theoretically, the three-compartment closed model can assess GFR with one blood sample at any sampling time and three urine samples at any three sampling times.     

Usability of activated carbon with well-developed mesoporous structure for the decontamination of malachite green from aquatic environments: kinetic,equilibrium and regeneration studies

This study examines the potential use of activated carbon (TAC) produced under optimized conditions from tomato processing waste (TW) as an adsorbent for the removal of malachite Green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. Batch experiments tested the effects of TAC dosage, initial concentration, contact time, ionic strength and temperature on adsorption property of TAC at the natural pH of TAC-MG in the aqueous medium. The adsorption kinetics could be expressed well by the pseudo-second order model. Intra-particle diffusion model process shows that it is governed by several mechanisms. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was found as 526.32 mg/g at pH 4.0 and 328 K. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the process was endothermic and spontaneous.     

Agility in responding to disruptive digital innovation: Case study of an SME

Disruptive digital innovation (DDI) often creates hypercompetitive market environment that forces firms to be agile to survive and remain competitive. Whereas most studies have focused on larger firms' effort to be agile, few have looked at how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) respond to DDI. The study attempts to answer the research question of how SMEs achieve agility to respond to DDI. Drawing on a case study of an innovative SME, our study develops a framework on agility based on the processes of mitigating organizational rigidity, developing innovative capabilities, and balancing the tension of organizational ambidexterity. Specifically, our findings show that for SMEs, mitigating organizational rigidity is enabled by the mechanism of achieving boundary openness while developing innovative capability is enabled by the mechanism of achieving organizational adaptability. At the same time, given the inherent challenges of resource constraints, SMEs also need to balance the tension of organizational ambidexterity.     

Automated droplet measurement (ADM): an enhanced video processing software for rapid droplet measurements

This paper identifies and addresses the bottlenecks that hamper the currently available software to perform in situ measurement on droplet-based microfluidic. The new and more universal object-based background extraction operation and automated binary threshold value selection make the processing step of our video processing software (ADM) fully automated. The ADM software, which is based on OpenCV image processing library, is made to perform measurements with high processing speed using efficient code. As the processing speed is higher than the data transfer speed from the video camera to permanent storage of computer, we integrate the camera software development kit (SDK) with ADM. The integration allows simultaneous operations of the video transfer/streaming and the video processing. As a result, the total time for droplet measurement using the new process flow with the integrated program is shortened significantly. ADM is also validated by comparing with both manual analysis and DMV software. ADM will be publicly released as a free tool. The software can also be used on a video file or files without the integration with the camera SDK.