A microvalve for hybrid microfluidic systems

A hybrid valve for lab on chip applications is presented. The valve is assembled by bonding poly (methyl methacrylate), PMMA, and silicon-based elastomers. The process used to promote the hybrid bonding includes the deposition of an organosilane (TMSPM) on the thermoplastic polymer, PMMA to interface PMMA and elastomers. For this study, a membrane in ELASTOSIL^? is bonded in correspondence of the end of two microfluidic channels of a fabricated PMMA microfluidic chip. Prior the bonding, a plasma etching process has been used to remove the TMSPM in a confined circular area. This process made possible to bond selectively the edge of a membrane leaving free to move its central part. Actuating the membrane with an external positive pressure or vacuum is possible, respectively, to obstruct or to connect the microfluidic channels. The microvalve may be simply integrated in microfluidic devices and permits the control of microvolumes of fluid in processes such as transport, separation, and mixing. The deposition of the TMSPM, the bonding of the valve and its actuation has been characterized and tested. The flow rate control of liquids through the valve has been characterized. The results have been discussed and commented. The valve can stand up to 14 psi without showing leakages.     

Interactive Cable: Federal Policy and Programs

Urban development of cable, generally regarded as a prospective testbed of interactive cable services, has not started on the optimistic path many predicted when the current FCC cable regulations took effect in 1972. Cable growth, and industry emphasis, have been markedly within franchises rather than in new franchises recently. Economic rather than regulatory forces may have been largely responsible for this effect. This paper describes the factors in Federal regulatory policy that impinge on interactive cable systems and new service developments, including pay television, the first significant new service to emerge. Recommendations of the Cabinet Committee on Cable that are potentially significant for the development of new cable services, enhancement of rural broad-band services, and development of modern interactive systems are discussed. A few current programs compatible with the Committee's recommendations for Federal support in cable public service development are also indicated.     

Superconducting State of a Disk with a Pentagonal/Hexagonal Trench/Barrier

We study the influence of a pentagonal (hexagonal) trench or barrier on the superconducting properties of a perforated disk. Effects associated to the pinning (anti-pinning) force of the central hole and the trench (barrier) and the interplay between the boundary conditions and the shape of the inner defects on the vortex configuration are studied for a thin disk. Also, we considered two cases for the value of the order parameter at the surface. The first one is ψ _s ≠0; this is the usual supercondutor/vacuum interface, for which the deGennes parameter is b→∞. The second one is ψ _s =0, which is the surface of the sample in a complete normal state, simulated by b=0. The vorticity, Gibbs free energy, magnetic induction, supercurrent density, magnetization and Cooper pairs density as a function of the external magnetic field are calculated. We show that in our sample new phenomena are possible due to the competing interactions of the boundary and the geometry of the sample and the added geometry of the nanoengineered trench and barrier.     

Correlation between Down's syndrome and malformations of pediatric surgical interest

PURPOSE: This is a collaborative study carried out by Pediatric Surgeons of the "G.D'Annunzio" University and the Regional Association of Down Children of Abruzzo (Italy). METHODS: Data were collected of malformations combined with Down Syndrome (DS) during a 10-year period in a population of defined age to look for a possible improvement of the patients' life conditions. Reportedly, 50% of these patients may reach an age of about 60 years. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven DS subjects from this region were evaluated, 54% of whom had associated malformations (13% cardiac, 41% extracardiac, and 13% both). Seventeen patients of 53 underwent surgery for extracardiac malformations, with gastrointestinal malformations prevailing. The largest number of DS babies were born from mothers under 30 years of age; this is attributed to the largest birth rate and the least prevention at this age. Mothers older than 38 years gave birth to DS babies with the lowest rate of associated malformations. CONCLUSION: The role of the pediatric surgeon in multidisciplinary assistance for DS patients is stressed.     

贝卢诺省圣维托·迪卡多雷镇的学校综合楼

位于圣维托·迪卡多雷镇（San Vito di Cadore）的学校综合楼项目,与Krei项目一起入围国际比赛。该项目的设计是基于人们与多洛米蒂山峰的视觉和情感关系以及学生与整个背景之间的空间和物理关系。     

Determination of Evaporation from a Tailings Storage Facility Using Field Measurements and Satellite Observations

Most mining operations produce waste material, or tailings, which is commonly stored within impoundments known as tailings storage facilities (TSFs). A common TSF design involves depositing slurry on tailings ‘beaches’ which are sloped towards a containing wall or central pond which collects excess water. A crucial aspect of safely operating TSFs is managing the residual moisture content of the deposited tailings, which requires an accurate understanding of the water balance of the TSF. However, evaporation from a TSF is particularly hard to quantify as the degree of surface wetness varies spatially and temporally, and moisture content depends on the time since tailings deposition and the prevailing climate. This study addresses these issues at an active TSF by combining field measurements, models, and satellite observations. Evaporation from open water was measured using a floating evaporation pan and evaporation from the tailings beaches was investigated using micro-lysimeter measurements. Evaporation rates for different moisture contents were expressed as a fraction of open water evaporation and a strong relationship was developed for use in satellite analysis. Spatial and temporal patterns of open water and moisture content were determined at 20 m resolution using moisture indices applied to Sentinel-2 satellite scenes. Continuous open water evaporation rates and spatial moisture content information were combined to estimate total TSF evaporation. Comparison of TSF evaporation rates to those derived using an existing site water balance model showed very good agreement. The methodology developed could be applied at other locations around the world.

     

Vortex�CAntivortex Dynamics in a Mesoscopic Superconducting Prism with a Centered Antidot

In this work, we investigated theoretically the dynamics of the annihilation of a vortex?Cantivortex pair in a superconducting mesoscopic prism of square transversal section with a square antidot inserted at its center. The sample is immersed in a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the sample plane. It is assumed that the inner hole is made of a material whose properties are accounted on de Gennes boundary conditions via de Gennes extrapolation length (b parameter). We analyze the nucleation of vortices and antivortices by increasing the magnetic field from zero until the first vortex is created and then reversing the polarity of the applied magnetic field until an antivortex is also created. Depending on the b parameter, the vortex?Cantivortex encounter can take place at the hole or at the superconducting region around it. In the framework of the time dependent Ginzburg?CLandau theory, we calculate the magnetization, order parameter topology, the position and the velocity of the vortex and antivortex singularities as a function of time.     

Accidental inhalation of a foreign body. Presentation of 2 cases with atypical symptoms

Nonretarded and mildly retarded adults were compared in two experiments on an 8-choice reaction time (RT) task. Stimulus lights were either distant or close. Both groups responded more slowly when stimuli were distant, this effect being more marked for retarded subjects. Patterns of latencies suggested that, compared with nonretarded subjects, retarded subjects inspected information input for longer periods of time and made more inspections before responding. Faster RTs to stimuli nearest the ends and midline of the display and to stimulus repetitions indicated that retarded subjects were more reliant upon more discriminable cues in the stimulus display.