Accelerated aging of extruded dielectric power cables. I. Controland monitoring methodology

An improved accelerated cable life test is described. Through the use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), very precise and consistent control of the accelerated aging process has been achieved. A computer has been utilized to make continuous real-time acquisition and storage of key operating parameters possible. This precise control and monitoring methodology has permitted the study of the synergistic effects of voltage and temperature on the accelerated aging of full-sized cables in the laboratory     

Scaling effects on flow hydrodynamics of confined microdroplets induced by Rayleigh surface acoustic wave

This paper reports an experimental and numerical investigation on the scaling effects in the flow hydrodynamics for confined microdroplets induced by a surface acoustic wave (SAW). The characteristic parameters of the flow hydrodynamics were studied as a function of the separation height, H, between the LiNbO₃ substrate and a top glass plate, for various droplets volumes and radio-frequency powers. The ratio of the gap height to attenuation length of the SAW, H/l _SAW, is shown to be an important parameter affecting the streaming flow induced in this confined regime. The reported numerical and experimental results are in good agreement over the range examined in this study and demonstrate that, at a lower gap heights of H?≤?100?μm, a significant decrease in streaming velocity or Reynolds number is induced, with the velocity approaching zero when the gap height is decreased to ~50?μm. An increase in the gap height results in an increased streaming velocity; however, if the gap height exceeds 70?% of the SAW attenuation length, any further increase in the gap height induces a drop in the streaming velocity.     

Oxide formation during etching of gallium arsenide

Characterisation of n-type GaAs, etched in a 5:1:1 mixture of H₂SO₄:H₂O₂:H₂O, was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical AC impedance. Quantitative XPS analysis of GaAs indicated that the as-received wafers had a gallium-rich native oxide which was not affected by solvent degreasing treatments. Subsequent, oxidative etching formed a thinner arsenic-rich oxide. It is suggested that etching causes initial thinning of the native oxide; subsequently, transport of Ga and As ions occurs through the film by high-field ionic conduction. Arsenic enrichment in the resultant oxide film arises from the greater mobility of Ga³⁺ ions compared with As³⁺ ions as well as the relative solubility of Ga₂O₃ compared with As₂O₃. The as-received oxide film thickness, determined from the ratio of the oxide to substrate XPS peaks, was approximately 1.1 nm. After etching this was reduced to about 0.7 nm. This thickness is consistent with the driving voltage for oxide formation being provided by the electrochemical potential difference between hydrogen peroxide and the GaAs wafer (i.e. between 0.4 V, for As, and 1.2 V, for Ga, at a nm V⁻¹ ratio of 2). Capacitance measurements, derived from electrochemical impedance data, combined with film thickness data, gave a value of about 5 for the dielectric constant of As₂O₃.     

Adaptation of thermafil components to canal walls

In summer 1991 an outbreak of a Salmonella enteritidis epidemic involving about 600 cases of gastroenteritis occurred at one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in southwestern Germany. The main source was a cold fruit soup, in addition Salmonella were isolated from meat strips and a curd cheese which were used for a salad dressing. A total of 2300 contaminated food portions were served resulting in an attack rate of about 25%. The possible origin could have been an asymptomatic Salmonella-positive member of the kitchen personnel who was the only one who was involved with the preparation of all the incriminated foods. A further spread of the epidemic and especially the possible contamination of pharmaceuticals was avoided by the timely and adequate reaction of the company's occupational medical service. This case exemplifies how classical crisis management, "increased initiative on one's own for prevention of infections in all areas of food processing" (Steuer) and finally the cooperation of the company with different institutions of the public health authorities contribute to the control of such a catastrophic scenario.     

An Overview of the Latest Metabolomics Studies on Atopic Eczema with New Directions for Study

Atopic eczema (AE) is an inflammatory skin disorder affecting approximately 20% of children worldwide and early onset can lead to asthma and allergies. Currently, the mechanisms of the disease are not fully understood. Metabolomics, the analysis of small molecules in the skin produced by the host and microbes, opens a window to observe the mechanisms of the disease which then may lead to new drug targets for AE treatment. Here, we review the latest advances in AE metabolomics, highlighting both the lipid and non-lipid molecules, along with reviewing the metabolites currently known to reside in the skin.     

Localized Heat Therapy Improves Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity but Not Fatty Acid Oxidation

AIM: Mild heat stress can improve mitochondrial respiratory capacity in skeletal muscle. However, long-term heat interventions are scarce, and the effects of heat therapy need to be understood in the context of the adaptations which follow the more complex combination of stimuli from exercise training. The purpose of this work was to compare the effects of 6 weeks of localized heat therapy on human skeletal muscle mitochondria to single-leg interval training. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects were assigned to receive sham therapy, short-wave diathermy heat therapy, or single-leg interval exercise training, localized to the quadriceps muscles of the right leg. All interventions took place 3 times per week. Muscle biopsies were performed at baseline, and after 3 and 6 weeks of intervention. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was assessed on permeabilized muscle fibers via high-resolution respirometry. RESULTS: The primary finding of this work was that heat therapy and exercise training significantly improved mitochondrial respiratory capacity by 24.8 ± 6.2% and 27.9 ± 8.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). Fatty acid oxidation and citrate synthase activity were also increased following exercise training by 29.5 ± 6.8% and 19.0 ± 7.4%, respectively (p < 0.05). However, contrary to our hypothesis, heat therapy did not increase fatty acid oxidation or citrate synthase activity. CONCLUSION: Six weeks of muscle-localized heat therapy significantly improves mitochondrial respiratory capacity, comparable to exercise training. However, unlike exercise, heat does not improve fatty acid oxidation capacity.