Urodynamic picture in high spinal cord ischemia, induced by addictive use of cocaine. Report of a case

Since in vitro experiments had excluded interactions between Fe-gluconate (Fe-gluc) and magnesium-L-aspartate hydrochloride (MAH) in aqueous solutions the present in vivo studies seemed to be justified. Animal studies: Rats were kept on magnesium-(Mg)- and iron-(Fe)- sufficient and deficient diets. The intragastral administration of Fe-gluc significantly increased plasma Fe after 3 h, either given alone, or in combination with MAH (inducing hypermagnesemia). Same results were obtained when fortified diets were offered to Fe/Mg-deficient animals. Human studies: The combination of Fe-gluc (2 x 50 mg Fe per day, per os) plus MAH (2 x 7.5 mmol Mg per day, p.o.) was well tolerated by healthy volunteers. Single dose experiments revealed that Fe-gluc alone and in combination with MAH increased plasma Fe levels during 3 h to the same extent. Two groups of pregnant women with moderately reduced hemoglobin levels either received Fe-gluc (out-patients) or its combination with MAH (at least temporarily hospitalised because of preterm labor). Treatments were well tolerated. Hemoglobin levels did not further decrease, as expected without Fe supplements, during the course of pregnancy, thus indicating the therapeutic availability of the electrolytes in both study groups. Progesterone-induced constipation is frequently observed during pregnancy; hence stool softening reported by 50% of the women receiving Fe-gluc plus MAH (versus 33% in the Fe-gluc group) can be regarded as desirable effect. It is concluded that MAH does not interfere with the enteral absorption of Fe-gluc when both electrolytes are orally administered together. Taking both electrolytes together instead of 2 to 3 h apart from each other, as actually recommended, means a less complicated dosage regimen and probably improves compliance.     

Simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation of pulp mill primary clarifier sludge

Bioconversion of sludge from the primary clarifier of a sulphite pulping operation to ethanol offers a number of advantages over conventional disposal options. The amount of material which must be disposed of is reduced while, at the same time, salable and environmentally friendly fuel-ethanol is produced. In this study, primary clarifier sludge (PCS) was shown to be hydrolysed to produce fermentable sugars at a rate proportional to enzyme loading. Initial (1 hour) hydrolysis rates as high as 12.6 g reducing sugar/L · h were observed at an initial enzyme loading of 10 filter paper units (FPU)/g. Hydrolysis was inhibited by spent sulphite liquor (SSL), an inhibition which could be completely overcome by fermenting the SSL to remove sugars. Surfactants were found to only marginally improve the production of sugars. To reduce the deleterious effects of end product inhibition, single stage simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) was carried out using cellulase enzymes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Offset printing inks based on rapeseed and sunflower oil. Part I: Synthesis and characterization of rapeseed oil-and sunflower oil-modified alkyd resins

Two sets of alkyd resins of variable oil lengths with the required properties for offset printing ink formulations, modified by sunflower and rapeseed oil, were synthetized according to the “monoglyceride” process. The influence of the acyl composition of the modifying vegetable oil and of the oil content on alkyds’ properties was determined by detailed chemical and rheological characterization. Molecular structure, size, and molecule size distribution appeared to be linked to these two factors. A comparative study with two usual linseed oil-modified alkyds led to determination of the more appropriate alkyds for applications in offset varnishes.     

A search space “cartography” for guiding graph coloring heuristics

We present a search space analysis and its application in improving local search algorithms for the graph coloring problem. Using a classical distance measure between colorings, we introduce the following clustering hypothesis: the high quality solutions are not randomly scattered in the search space, but rather grouped in clusters within spheres of specific diameter. We first provide intuitive evidence for this hypothesis by presenting a projection of a large set of local minima in the 3D space. An experimental confirmation is also presented: we introduce two algorithms that exploit the hypothesis by guiding an underlying Tabu Search (TS) process. The first algorithm (TS-Div) uses a learning process to guide the basic TS process toward as-yet-unvisited spheres. The second algorithm (TS-Int) makes deep investigations within a bounded region by organizing it as a tree-like structure of connected spheres. We experimentally demonstrate that if such a region contains a global optimum, TS-Int does not fail in eventually finding it. This pair of algorithms significantly outperforms the underlying basic TS algorithm; it can even improve some of the best-known solutions ever reported in the literature (e.g. for dsjc1000.9).     

Sociotechnical issues in the implementation of imaging technology

This study examined the implementation of imaging technology into two public sector organizations in the Midwest in the USA. The aims of the study were to analyze the impact of imaging technology on job characteristics and quality of working life, and the influence of the technological change process on employees and organizations. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaire surveys and structured and semi-structured interviews. Results showed that imaging users reported more problems with technology and less job satisfaction than employees who were still using their 'old' computer systems. In addition, imaging users in the organization that utilized end user participation in the implementation of their imaging system rated their imaging systems better and reported higher job satisfaction than imaging users in the organization that did not incorporate end user participation in the implementation of the system. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of the technology implementation/ change process, and future directions for research are provided.     

Modular Reconfigurable Robots in Space Applications

Robots used for tasks in space have strict requirements. Modular reconfigurable robots have a variety of attributes that are well suited to these conditions, including: serving as many different tools at once (saving weight), packing into compressed forms (saving space) and having high levels of redundancy (increasing robustness). In addition, self-reconfigurable systems can self-repair and adapt to changing or unanticipated conditions. This paper will describe such a self-reconfigurable modular robot: PolyBot. PolyBot has significant potential in the space manipulation and surface mobility class of applications for space.     

Characterization of multilayer anti-fog coatings

Fog formation on transparent substrates constitutes a major challenge in several optical applications requiring excellent light transmission characteristics. Anti-fog coatings are hydrophilic, enabling water to spread uniformly on the surface rather than form dispersed droplets. Despite the development of several anti-fog coating strategies, the long-term stability, adherence to the underlying substrate, and resistance to cleaning procedures are not yet optimal. We report on a polymer-based anti-fog coating covalently grafted onto glass surfaces by means of a multistep process. Glass substrates were first activated by plasma functionalization to provide amino groups on the surface, resulting in the subsequent covalent bonding of the polymeric layers. The anti-fog coating was then created by the successive spin coating of (poly(ethylene-maleic anhydride) (PEMA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layers. PEMA acted as an interface by covalently reacting with both the glass surface amino functionalities and the PVA hydroxyl groups, while PVA added the necessary surface hydrophilicity to provide anti-fog properties. Each step of the procedure was monitored by XPS, which confirmed the successful grafting of the coating. Coating thickness was evaluated by profilometry, nanoindentation, and UV visible light transmission. The hydrophilic nature of the anti-fog coating was assessed by water contact angle (CA), and its anti-fog efficiency was determined visually and tested quantitatively for the first time using an ASTM standard protocol. Results show that the PEMA/PVA coating not only delayed the initial period required for fog formation but also decreased the rate of light transmission decay. Finally, following a 24 hour immersion in water, these PEMA/PVA coatings remained stable and preserved their anti-fog properties.     

Experimental Evidence for Seed Metabolic Allometry in Barrel Medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.)

Seed size is often considered to be an important trait for seed quality, i.e., vigour and germination performance. It is believed that seed size reflects the quantity of reserve material and thus the C and N sources available for post-germinative processes. However, mechanisms linking seed size and quality are poorly documented. In particular, specific metabolic changes when seed size varies are not well-known. To gain insight into this aspect, we examined seed size and composition across different accessions of barrel medic (Medicago truncatula Gaertn.) from the genetic core collection. We conducted multi-elemental analyses and isotope measurements, as well as exact mass GC–MS metabolomics. There was a systematic increase in N content (+0.17% N mg⁻¹) and a decrease in H content (–0.14% H mg⁻¹) with seed size, reflecting lower lipid and higher S-poor protein quantity. There was also a decrease in ²H natural abundance (δ²H), due to the lower prevalence of ²H-enriched lipid hydrogen atoms that underwent isotopic exchange with water during seed development. Metabolomics showed that seed size correlates with free amino acid and hexoses content, and anticorrelates with amino acid degradation products, disaccharides, malic acid and free fatty acids. All accessions followed the same trend, with insignificant differences in metabolic properties between them. Our results show that there is no general, proportional increase in metabolite pools with seed size. Seed size appears to be determined by metabolic balance (between sugar and amino acid degradation vs. utilisation for storage), which is in turn likely determined by phloem source metabolite delivery during seed development.     

Cytocompatibility of titanium metal injection molding with various anodic oxidation post-treatments

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a near net shape manufacturing method that allows for the production of components of small to moderate size and complex shape. MIM is a cost-effective and flexible manufacturing technique that provides a large innovative potential over existing methods for the industry of implantable devices. Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) samples were machined to the same shape as a composite feedstock with titanium and polyoxymethylene, and these metals were injected, debinded and sintered to assess comparative biological properties. Moreover, we treated MIM-Ti parts with BIOCOAT®, BIODIZE® and BIOCER®, three different anodic oxidation techniques that treat titanium using acid, alkaline and anion enriched electrolytes, respectively. Cytocompatibility as well as morphological and chemical features of surfaces was comparatively assessed on each sample, and the results revealed that MIM-Ti compared to CP-Ti demonstrated a specific surface topography with a higher roughness. MIM-Ti and BIOCER® samples significantly enhanced cell proliferation, cell adhesion and cell differentiation compared to CP-Ti. Interestingly, in the anodization post-treatment established in this study, we demonstrated the ability to improve osseointegration through anionic modification treatment. The excellent biological response we observed with MIM parts using the injection molding process represents a promising manufacturing method for the future implantable devices in direct contact with bones.