Influence of pH on nickel electrodeposition at low nickel(II) concentrations

The effect of pH on the nucleation stages of nickel electrodeposition on vitreous carbon has been analysed using low nickel concentrations, without additives. The experimental results indicated that there was a change in the electrochemical response of the system at 4 < pH < 4.5. A predischarge adsorption ascribed to nickel(II) species was observed with a different surface coverage depending on the pH. Moreover, different inhibition and 3D nucleation processes were detected in varying experimental conditions.     

Modeling, characterization, and experimental/numerical comparisonof signal and fluorescence amplification in Ti,Er:LiNbO3waveguides

A complete model for signal and fluorescence amplification in Ti,Er:LiNbO₃ waveguides under 1480 and 980 nm excitation, which includes transitions involving high energy levels, is presented. Most of the waveguide parameters that the model requires have been determined or checked in situ. In order to numerically solve the proposed model, the overlapping factors method has been adapted to these waveguides and improved, obtaining a large computing time reduction with sufficiently accurate results. Finally, results from signal gain and ASE spectral measurements and numerical simulations have been compared. The remarkable agreement confirms both the model assumptions and the used characterization techniques. Moreover, the unusually short computing time which is consumed makes the model suitable for design and optimization processes     

Calibration models for routine analysis of cider by mid-infrared spectroscopy

Partial least square regression was used to develop different calibration data sets for multi-parameter routine analysis of ciders. Parameters included were those related with the monitoring of fermentation process and cider quality: specific gravity, total and volatile acidities, alcoholic proof, pH and fructose. Calibration performances were evaluated by means of the prediction residual sum of squares (PRESS), the root mean squared prediction error of cross-validation (RMSECV) and the residual predictive deviation (RPD) values (ratio of the standard deviation of the population to the standard error of cross-validation). Validation of the models was assessed in terms of accuracy and precision. Mean recoveries of the predicted results compared to the reference values were close to 100%, with repeatability and reproducibility similar to those of the reference methods.     

In situ measurement of absorption and emission cross sections in Er3+-doped waveguides for transitions involving thermalizedstates

An application to transitions involving thermalized states of a procedure based on the McCumber theory to determine emission and absorption cross sections in waveguides from transversal fluorescence spectra is presented. The procedure is tested in Er-doped Ti:LiNbO₃ waveguides to provide accurate cross-section values for the recently attractive 550-nm band. We also study the excited-state absorption transition around 860 nm and present, to our knowledge, the first published cross-section values for this transition     

Stable magnetic field gradient levitation of Xenopus laevis: toward low-gravity simulation

We have levitated, for the first time, living biological specimens, embryos of the frog Xenopus laevis, using a large inhomogeneous magnetic field. The magnetic field/field gradient product required for levitation was 1430 kG2/cm, consistent with the embryo's susceptibility being dominated by the diamagnetism of water and protein. We show that unlike any other earth-based technique, magnetic field gradient levitation of embryos reduces the body forces and gravity-induced stresses on them. We discuss the use of large inhomogeneous magnetic fields as a probe for gravitationally sensitive phenomena in biological specimens.     

High pressure tubular reactors for ethylene polymerization optimization aspects

Optimal policies for operation of high pressure tubular reactors for ethylene polymerization are presented. The work is based on a previously developed model, allowing accurate representation of different configurations and operation conditions of industrial relevance. Several policies based on temperature and initiator concentration as control parameters are evaluated and compared.     

Mortality as an outcome in hospital-acquired pneumonia

The most common route of entry of pathogens into the lung in patients managed in the intensive-care unit is aspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal secretions or gastric contents. In intubated patients, the risk of this type of infection is particularly high. Knowledge of specific risk factors for specific microorganisms, along with the origin of acquisition (primary endogenous, secondary endogenous, or exogenous), will permit a more rational and effective method of prevention. Attributable mortality is highly dependent on the institution of a correct initial antibiotic choice, as well as the interaction between the virulence of the pathogen responsible and host defenses. However, survival in these patients is determined primarily by the degree of severity at the time of pneumonia diagnosis and the response to initial therapy. As a consequence, the number of preventable deaths is likely to be much smaller than the total. Therapy requires both supportive and specific measures. When diagnostic information becomes available, it permits the rescue of some patients with inadequate therapy or simplifies the spectrum of the empirical therapy. Initial antibiotic choice should be based on expected etiologic pathogens, while knowledge of local microbial epidemiology and susceptibility patterns is crucial.     

Simplified Drift Evaluation of Wall-Frame Structures

Abstract: An idealized model for analysis of multistory buildings subjected to lateral loads is presented. Using a simplified structural model composed of connecting beams and columns, along with a rapid condensation procedure, an approximated lateral stiffness matrix is obtained from which the lateral deformations can be quickly determined. The proposed model is suitable either for preliminary analysis or for quick verification of more complex computational procedures. Commonly used analytical procedures are based on one of the following two approaches: (i] rapid evaluation of story drifts based on oversimplification of structures as specified primarily by building codes (shear systemslstick models), and (ii) detailed modeling of buildings as an assemblage of structural members combined with refined analysis of each individual component (finite element analysis). While the former approach requires only a small amount of data and simple hand computations to carry out the analysis, the latter requires an abundance of information and fairly complicated and elaborate computations requiring computers. However, the first approach leads only to very approximate results often invalidated by severe assumptions and restrictions while the second method produces results which are more comprehensive and accurate. The idealization proposed in this paper is a rational combination of the two approaches leading to more accurate results with only a minimal amount of data. The simplification is obtained by assuming contraflexure points at mid spans of horizontal beams, but not extending the same simplification to vertical elements, as is typically done in simplified design and code approaches. This allows a simple representation of beams as rotational springs coupled to vertical cantilevers representing the columns. The ensuing matrix computations on a vastly reduced and diagonalized stiffness matrix can be carried out with ease on microcomputers. Using the procedure outlined herein, the internal forces in members can be reasonably obtained, and axial stresses can be roughly estimated. An application of the proposed technique is presented using two sample buildings and are compared with results of more rigorous and accurate procedures.     

Characteristics of women with a family history of ovarian cancer. I. Galactose consumption and metabolism

BACKGROUND: Galactose metabolism may be a risk factor for ovarian cancer based upon evidence that galactose causes ovarian failure and that ovarian cancer arises from premature ovarian failure. This study examines galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) activity in women with a family history of ovarian cancer (FOC) to determine if low GALT activity occurs in women who are at risk for but in whom ovarian cancer has not yet developed. METHODS: The authors studied 106 premenopausal women (FOC patients) with one primary or two second-degree relatives with ovarian cancer compared with 116 age matched control subjects without a family history of ovarian cancer (FOC controls). All women completed questionnaires and had blood drawn to measure GALT activity and genotype. RESULTS: Mean erythrocyte GALT activity, in micromoles of hexose conversion per hour per gram of hemoglobin was 21.5 in FOC patients, significantly lower than the mean of 23.1 observed in FOC control subjects, (P = 0.001). FOC patients more frequently displayed the Duarte variant of galactosemia as detected by electrophoresis. In a subset of 87 patients and 113 control subjects for whom DNA was available, the allelelic frequency of the Duarte variant based upon molecular genetic detection of the N314D mutation that is associated with the Duarte variant was 15.5% among FOC cases compared with 7.5% among control subjects (P < 0.02). Galactose consumption did not differ between FOC patients and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Galactose metabolism differs between women with and without a family history of ovarian cancer, suggesting that it may be a genetic risk factor for ovarian cancer, possibly mediated through oocyte toxicity from galactose.