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Solar-UV/H2O2advanced oxidation for destruction of trace organics was investigated under a variety of operating conditions in homogeneous, laboratory-scale batch reactor experiments. Fluorescein and p-cresol were selected as representative targets in the experiments. Half times for degradation of p-cresol ranged between 500 min with 2 mM H2O2and 20 min with 50 mM H2O2during high-solar irradiance experiments (around noon on July 15th). A kinetic model, previously developed for monochromatic light, was adapted for use with solar UV irradiance, using (i) calculated ground-level solar spectral irradiance for the date and time of the experiments and (ii) wavelength-dependent light attenuation in the reaction mixture. The model accurately represents experimental data without adjustable parameters. Model output included the time-dependent pH arising from complete mineralization of the targets. Observed radical scavenging effects were correctly predicted by the kinetic model. Contaminant transformation was also measured in a municipal secondary wastewater effluent matrix. Here, 2-D fluorescence spectroscopy was used as a measure of the time-dependent bulk organic characteristics in treated wastewater. Results indicated that solar-UV/H2O2advanced oxidation is capable of eliminating or drastically reducing the concentrations of organic constituents that remain in conventionally treated municipal wastewater effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This numerical simulation study addressed the effects of the location of a discrete brain hematoma on the volumetric inductive phase shift of the brain measured with an induction circular sensor coil and an induction magnetron sensor coil. The theoretical study simulates the brain cavity as a circular sphere transversely centered with respect to the circular and magnetron sensor coils. As a case study for the effects of hematoma location, we employed similar size simulated spherical hematomas placed at three different positions from the center of the brain outward. A three-dimensional finite element analysis of the field equations in the frequency range from 100 kHz to 100 MHz revealed a substantial effect of hematoma location on the ability of both the circular and magnetron sensors to detect the hematomas. In particular it was found that there are frequencies, which may be related to resonance, at which the occurrence of the hematomas has no effect on the volumetric inductive phase shift of the brain. Furthermore it was found that the relative sensitivity of circular and magnetron sensor coils with respect to the occurrence of hematoma varies with the location of the hematoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genes involved in a viral resistance response in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Othello) were identified by inoculating a geminivirus reporter (Bean dwarf mosaic virus expressing the green fluorescent protein), extracting RNA from tissue undergoing the defense response, and amplifying sequences with degenerate R gene primers. One such gene (a TIR-NBS-LRR gene, RT4-4) was selected for functional analysis in which transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana were generated and screened for resistance to a range of viruses. This analysis revealed that RT4-4 did not confer resistance to the reporter geminivirus; however, it did activate a resistance-related response (systemic necrosis) to seven strains of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) from pepper or tomato, but not to a CMV strain from common bean. Of these eight CMV strains, only the strain from common bean systemically infected common bean cv. Othello. Additional evidence that RT4-4 is a CMV R gene came from the detection of resistance response markers in CMV-challenged leaves of RT4-4 transgenic plants, and the identification of the CMV 2a gene product as the elicitor of the necrosis response. These findings indicate that RT4-4 functions across two plant families and is up-regulated in a non-virus-specific manner. This experimental approach holds promise for providing insights into the mechanisms by which plants activate resistance responses against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents results of preliminary experiments carried out using an inexpensive commercial fish larval diet. Comparison of the performances of commercial fish larval diet with a more sophisticated commercial larval diet; Measurement of growth and survival of commercial larval diet; Size for changing from larval to salmon or trout diets.

Objective: The attention towards optimal signals for measuring electrical bioimpedance (EBI) has increased recently due to the many advantages they offer such as, for example, reduced measuring time. Here, the design of a three-harmonic optimized multisine input power spectrum for measuring bioimpedance is considered. Approach: The approach is based on designing the input power spectrum multisine excitation by optimizing a scalar function of the information matrix using the Fricke–Morse model. Main results: Simple analytical equations are provided that can be adopted by the reader to optimize the multisine input power spectrum to satisfy any specific application-related EBI measurement. Significance: The presented signal may be a good choice of excitation signal in EBI applications where optimal excitation power spectrum is desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic motor neuropathy/neuronopathy (CMNs) encompass a group of rare diseases characterized by muscle weakness mainly affecting distal muscles of the limbs. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be a useful tool for the diagnostic workup but has not been explored systematically in these patients. This is a retrospective study collecting clinical, genetic and imaging data. Muscle MRI included T1-weighted and Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequences. Fat replacement was quantified using the Mercuri score. Identification of patterns was performed using hierarchical clustering. We included 76 patients with a clinical and electrophysiological diagnosis of CMN. A pathogenic gene variant was identified in 29 subjects, a VUS was identified in 15 and 32 subjects remained without molecular diagnosis. We collected 25 whole-body and 51 lower limb (LL) MRIs. All patients but one had pathological findings. We identified features common to all patients regardless of the genetic diagnosis. Muscle fat replacement was predominant in the LL distal muscles (75/76 cases), but also affected the thigh in 59, the pelvis in 18 and the trunk/upper limb muscles in seven. The posterior compartment of the leg, including soleus and gastrocnemius, was the most affected (71/76) followed by the peronei (63/76). Asymmetric involvement was found in 19 patients. A distal to proximal gradient of fat replacement was observed in 39 patients (52%). Texture analysis showed a reticular pattern or "muscle islets" in 63 patients (83%). Hyperintensities on STIR were observed in 49/59 and were predominantly located in the distal LL muscles. A distal to proximal gradient in STIR was observed in 25 subjects. Besides features common to all individuals, we identified a pattern of muscle fat replacement characteristic of BICD2 and HSPB1 patients. We did not identify a correlation between fat content and age, disease duration or motor functionality. Muscle MRI of CMN patients reveals common features that could be helpful for the diagnosis of patients. We have observed a pattern of MRI involvement characteristic of patients with mutations in specific genes. There was no correlation between fat content and functional status or time of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work an analysis of some calibration effects in the overall response of a gas sensor based on cross-correlation spectroscopy is presented. For this analysis we considered that an Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) with long cavity length (>500 µm) acting as a modulator and a pyroelectric detector is used. Moreover we assumed that the cavity length of the FPI is scanned by driving a PZT with a triangular waveform. Here it is shown that the harmonic composition of the overall sensor response can be affected by small FPI cavity length differences. These effects are due to the pyroelectric responsivity and the triangular waveform used to scan the PZT. Moreover it is shown that the effects over the harmonic composition can be used to calibrate the sensor. Finally simulation results and experimental measurements are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we report a method for preparing a fluorescent thermosensitive hybrid material based on monodisperse, thermosensitive poly( N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels covered with CdTe nanocrystals of 3.2 nm diameter. The CdTe nanocrystals were covalently immobilized on the surface of PNIPAM microgels. The chemical environment around the CdTe nanocrystals was modified by changing the temperature and inducing the microgel volume-phase transition. This change provoked a steep variation in the nanocrystal photoluminescence (PL) intensity in such a way that when the temperature was under the low critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymer (36 °C) the PL of the nanocrystals was strongly quenched, whereas above the LCST the PL intensity was restored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]