Narrow Cuts Research Articles

Sidestep cutting technique and knee abduction loading: implications for ACL prevention exercises

BackgroundSidestep cutting technique is essential in programmes to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. A better understanding of how technique affects potentially harmful joint loading may improve prevention programmes. The...

Capillary electrophoresis in classical and carrier ampholytes-based background electrolytes applied to separation and characterization of gonadotropin-releasing hormones

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in classical buffer-based background electrolytes (BGEs) and carrier ampholytes-based capillary electrophoresis (CABCE) using narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes (CA) as constituents of quasi-isoelectric BGEs have been applied to separation and characterization of synthetic human and salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) and their derivatives and fragments. The selectivity, separation efficiency, resolution and speed of CZE and CABCE analyses have been compared within a wide pH range of the BGEs (3.50–9.75) using two mixtures of structurally related GnRH peptides as model analytes. A baseline separation of mixture 1 (human GnRH and its three fragments) was achieved in CA-based BGEs at pH 3.5 and in both classical and CA-based BGEs within the pH range 7.00–9.75. Full separation of mixture 2 (salmon GnRH, its two fragments and human GnRH fragment) was obtained in both types of BGEs at acidic pH values 3.5 and 4.00 and at neutral pH 7.00. In addition to the separation of related GnRHs, their effective electrophoretic mobilities were determined and from the dependences of mobilities on pH, the isoelectric points (pI) of analyzed peptides were estimated. The pI values obtained by CABCE were in a good agreement with those determined by CZE in classical BGEs but in some cases rather different from those predicted by theoretical calculations.

Taguchi based fuzzy logic optimization of multiple quality characteristics in laser cutting of Duralumin sheet

Capability of laser cutting mainly depends on optical and thermal properties of work material. Highly reflective and thermally conductive Duralumin sheets are difficult-to-laser-cut. Application of Duralumin sheets in aeronautic and automotive industries due to its high strength to weight ratio demand narrow and complex cuts with high geometrical accuracy. The present paper experimentally investigates the laser cutting of Duralumin sheet with the aim to improve geometrical accuracy by simultaneously minimizing the kerf width and kerf deviations at top and bottom sides. A hybrid approach, obtained by combining robust parameter design methodology and Fuzzy logic theory has been applied to compute the fuzzy multi-response performance index. This performance index is further used for multi-objective optimization. The predicted optimum results have been verified by performing the confirmation tests. The confirmation tests show considerable reduction in kerf deviations at top and bottom sides.

Hindered diffusion of residue narrow cuts through polycarbonate membranes

AbstractHindered diffusion plays an important role in catalytic processing of residue and heavy oil because of large size molecules in these feedstocks. Vacuum residue of Athabasca oil sand bitumen was fractionated into 13 narrow fractions and an end‐cut by supercritical fluid extraction and fractionation (SFEF). Diffusion transport of five SFEF cuts through four polycarbonate membranes was investigated using a diaphragm cell at 308 K. The results showed that diffusion coefficients of the five SFEF cuts decreased as the experiment proceeded, which illustrates that these cuts are polydisperse in size. The effective diffusion coefficients varied with molecular size and pore size. Hindered diffusion of the five SFEF cuts is significant in the membranes with nominal pore diameter of 15 nm, which is around the average pore size of typical hydrotreating catalyst. Comparisons between experimental data and theoretical prediction revealed that the actual hindered degree for diffusion of the five SFEF cuts is higher than that calculated by the Renkin equation. There were slight differences in diffusivity among saturate, aromatic, and resin constituents. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010

Application of the CPA equation of state to reservoir fluids in presence of water and polar chemicals

The complex phase equilibrium between reservoir fluids and associating compounds like water, methanol and glycols has become more and more important as the increasing global energy demand pushes the oil industry to target reservoirs with extreme or complicated conditions, such as deep or offshore reservoirs. Conventional equation of state (EoS) with classical mixing rules cannot satisfactorily predict or even correlate the phase equilibrium of those systems. A promising model for such systems is the Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) EoS, which has been successfully applied to well-defined systems containing associating compounds. In this work, a set of correlations was proposed to calculate the CPA model parameters for the narrow cuts in ill-defined C 7+ fractions. The correlations were then combined with either the characterization method of Pedersen et al. or that of Whitson et al. to extend CPA to reservoir fluids in presence of water and polar chemical such as methanol and monoethylene glycol. With a minimum number of adjustable parameters from binary pairs, satisfactory results have been obtained for different types of phase equilibria in reservoir fluid systems and several relevant model multicomponent systems. In addition, modeling of mutual solubility between light hydrocarbons and water is also addressed.

Damage detection in beam-like structures using deflections obtained by modal flexibility matrices

In bridge structures, damage may induce an additional deflection which may naturally contain essential information about the damage. However, inverse mapping from the damage-induced deflection to the actual damage location and severity is generally complex, particularly for statically indeterminate systems. In this paper, a new load concept, called the positive-bending-inspection-load (PBIL) is proposed to construct a simple inverse mapping from the damage-induced deflection to the actual damage location. A PBIL for an inspection region is defined as a load or a system of loads which guarantees the bending moment to be positive in the inspection region. From the theoretical investigations, it was proven that the damage-induced chord-wise deflection (DI-CD) has the maximum value with the abrupt change in its slope at the damage location under a PBIL. Hence, a novel damage localization method is proposed based on the DI-CD under a PBIL. The procedure may be summarized as: (1) identification of the modal flexibility matrices from acceleration measurements, (2) design for a PBIL for an inspection region of interest in a structure, (3) calculation of the chord-wise deflections for the PBIL using the modal flexibility matrices, and (4) damage localization by finding the location with the maximum DI-CD with the abrupt change in its slope within the inspection region. Procedures from (2)-(4) can be repeated for several inspection regions to cover the whole structure complementarily. Numerical verification studies were carried out on a simply supported beam and a three-span continuous beam model. Experimental verification study was also carried out on a two-span continuous beam structure with a steel box-girder. It was found that the proposed method can identify the damage existence and damage location for small damage cases with narrow cuts at the bottom flange.

Evaluation of carrier ampholyte‐based capillary electrophoresis for separation of peptides and peptide mimetics

Carrier ampholyte-based capillary electrophoresis (CABCE) has recently been introduced as an alternative to CE (CZE) in the classical buffers. In this study, isoelectric BGEs were obtained by fractionation of Servalyt pH 4-9 carrier ampholytes to cuts of typical width of 0.2 pH unit. CABCE feasibility was examined on a series of insect oostatic peptides, i.e. proline-rich di- to decapeptides, and phosphinic pseudopeptides--tetrapeptide mimetics synthesized as a mixture of four diastereomers having the -P(O)(OH)-CH(2)- moiety embedded into the peptide backbone. With identical selectivity, the separation efficiency of CABCE proved to be as good as classical CE for the insect oostatic peptides and better for diastereomers of the phosphinic pseudopeptides. In addition, despite the numerous species present in the narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes, CABCE seems to be free of system zones that could hamper the analysis. Peak symmetry was good for moderately to low mobile peptides, whereas some peak distortion due to electromigration dispersion, was observed for short peptides of rather high mobility.

Use of quasi‐isoelectric buffers to limit protein adsorption in capillary zone electrophoresis

The use of quasi-isoelectric buffers consisting of narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes (NC) has been investigated to limit protein adsorption on capillary walls during capillary zone electrophoresis experiments. To quantify protein adsorption on the silica surface, a method derived from that of Towns and Regnier has been developed. alpha-Lactalbumin (14 kDa, pI 4.8) and alpha-chymotrypsinogen A (25 kDa, pI 9.2) have been used as model proteins. Acidic narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes (NC, pH 3.0) obtained from fractionation of Serva 4-9 carrier ampholytes were used as BGE in bare-silica capillaries, and allowed to decrease significantly protein adsorption, as compared to experiments performed with classical formate buffer. The use of NC as BGE appeared to be as efficient as the use of polydimethylacrylamide coating to prevent protein adsorption. This increase of protein recovery when using NC was attributed to the interaction of carrier ampholytes with the silica surface, leading to a shielding of the capillary wall.

Use of quasi‐isoelectric buffers as anolyte and catholyte to improve capillary isoelectric focusing performances

The use of quasi-isoelectric anolytes and catholytes has been investigated to improve CIEF performances. Narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes (NC) have been compared to more conventional couples of anolytes/catholytes (phosphoric acid/sodium hydroxide and glutamic acid/lysine). First, a CIEF setup that consists in a bare silica capillary and 70:30 water/glycerol separation medium has been used. The experiments have shown that when using NC instead of more classical anolytes and catholytes, an increase in the protein detection time was observed and the resolutions obtained for neutral and acidic proteins were doubled. Moreover, according to the NC fraction used, the resolution was modified. In order to investigate further the mechanisms involved, a second setup using a capillary coated with hydroxypropylcellulose was used. With this setup no difference has been observed when changing anolyte and catholyte nature. A simple methodology has then been developed to evaluate EOF during focusing and mobilization steps of CIEF experiments. It highlighted the crucial role played by EOF when using a bare silica capillary. EOF indeed decreased by 33% during mobilization step when using NC instead of classical anolytes and catholytes.

Properties, compositions and structure characteristics of Kazakhstan and Russian Vacuum Residua

Kazakhstan vacuum residue (KAZVR) and Russia vacuum residue (RUSVR) were respectively cut into a number of narrow cuts and non-extractable end-cut by supercritical fluid extraction and fractionation (SFEF). The properties distribution and SARA compositions of the fractions were analyzed, structure parameters and structure configurations were determined by means of the modified BL method based on 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR data. The results show uneven enriching of contaminants in heavier fractions and much complex structure for end-cuts and removing end-cuts from residua will greatly favor further upgrading. The results would help detailed understanding of KAZVR and RUSVR and their processing adaptability.

Comparison of different capillary isoelectric focusing methods—use of “narrow pH cuts” of carrier ampholytes as original tools to improve resolution

Two capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) systems have first been optimized: one uses a bare silica capillary and 30% (v/v) of glycerol in the separation medium while the other uses a coated capillary and an aqueous background electrolyte. To perform permanent capillary coating, two neutral polymers have been compared: hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA). HPC coating gave best results for electroosmotic flow (EOF) limitation on a wide pH range: as compared to a bare silica capillary, it allowed to decrease EOF by 96% at pH 7.2 after acidic and basic treatments, whereas PVA coating lead only to a 76% decrease. The glycerol CIEF system was more satisfying for the separation of model proteins classically used as pI markers. Finally, the use of “narrow pH cuts” of carrier ampholytes added to commercial ampholyte mixtures allowed increasing resolution up to a factor 2.4 at a chosen pH for the separation of pI markers and milk proteins.

The Shape of Pulverized Bituminous Vitrinite Coal Particles

The shape of pulverized bituminous coal particles (vitrinites) was determined by optical and laser light scattering. Vitrain samples were collected from obvious tree remains located in the ceilings of two Appalachian coal mines. Wet sieving produced narrow size cuts. The particles were determined to be oblong or blocky in shape, with average length-to-width ratio of 1.7 and sphericity of 0.78. They were analogous in shape to a square ended, rectangular “house brick”. The two bituminous coals and different size cuts of each coal had essentially the same shape parameters. Characteristic heating times and terminal velocities were higher by 22 and 20%, respectively compared to spherical particles.

Protein tryptic digests analyzed by carrier ampholyte‐based capillary electrophoresis coupled to ESI‐MS

In this study, narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes have been used as buffers in CE for the analysis of protein tryptic digests. Their low conductivity allows very efficient separations under high electric field strength without inducing any significant Joule heating. In this study, the capabilities of narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes for the separation of protein tryptic digests have been assessed. Three proteins of different molecular masses have been studied: cytochrome C (horse heart), beta-lactoglobulin B (bovine) and human transferrin. Efficient, rapid and repeatable separations of the peptides resulting from the tryptic digestion have been achieved in this buffer. Moreover, the feasibility of the coupling of carrier ampholyte-based capillary electrophoresis with ESI-MS has been demonstrated through the study of the cytochrome C tryptic digest.

Loading capacity of carrier ampholytes – based buffers in capillary electrophoresis

Narrow pH cuts of carrier ampholytes (CAs), originally designed for IEF, have been used as BGEs in CE. Their physicochemical properties, rather high buffering capacity and low conductivity, allow very efficient protein separations under high electric field strength. Due to their isoelectric properties, CA BGEs are expected to present a low ionic concentration and consequently a low loading capacity. In this study, we developed a simple method that allows the estimation of the loading capacity of a UV-absorbing BGE by CE. We first characterized in terms of loading capacity, classical ammediol-chromate UV-absorbing BGEs and a 10 mM histidine solution, a classical isoelectric buffer. Then, the loading capacity of four different CA-based BGEs has been assessed. Experimental results have shown that the CA-based buffers were presenting a rather high loading capacity, comparable to classical buffer ones and far higher than the one of the 10 mM histidine solution.

Specific Nitrogen Boiling Point Profiles of Vacuum Gasoils

Vacuum gasoils are heavy petroleum cuts that are hydrotreated prior to being transformed into valuable fuels by hydrocracking. Hydrotreatment is a refining process carried out to reduce the content of heteroatomic molecules in petroleum cuts to meet the stringent fuel specifications and to prevent catalyst poisoning in downstream conversion processes. Kinetic modeling of hydrotreatment reactions requires information about the distribution of nitrogen compounds in vacuum gasoils and in their hydrotreated effluents. Analysis of heavy distillates is a challenge since nitrogen molecules are present in small amounts in the hydrocarbon matrix. Moreover, a large number of isomers are distributed over a large boiling point range (350−650 °C). This paper presents a GC-NCD method developed to determine the nitrogen distribution in vacuum gasoils. To validate the GC-NCD results, vacuum gasoils, narrow cuts as well as hydrotreated vacuum gasoils, have been analyzed. Quantitative data were compared to the total nitrog...

EDGE- AND AREA-SENSITIVITY OF SHRUBLAND BIRDS

Populations of shrubland birds in eastern North America have consistently declined since the 1960s, but conservation is hampered by an inadequate understanding of the area requirements of most species. We examined the sensitivity of shrubland specialists to (a) the area of shrub stands and (b) proximity to mature-forest edges, and we evaluated whether habitat characteristics, food resources, or productivity of bird populations could have caused the relationships we identified. In 2002–2003, we used constant-effort mist-netting on 6 small (4–8 ha) and 6 large (13–16 ha) regenerating clearcuts that were 4–6 years post-harvest in southern Ohio, USA. We placed 3 nets at 20, 50, and 80 m from the mature-forest edge (n = 9 nets per site), and we sampled vegetation, fruit, and arthropods at each net. Seven of 8 shrubland specialists, particularly blue-winged warbler, prairie warbler, yellow-breasted chat, indigo bunting, and field sparrow, avoided mature-forest edges, with twice as many birds caught 80 m from edges compared to 20 m. Abundances of most species, especially yellow-breasted chats, were positively correlated with area, though the combined area effect was not statistically significant. We found no evidence of reduced avian productivity in small stands. Neither area nor edge was associated with habitat characteristics, fruit abundance, or arthropod biomass. Our results suggest shrubland birds avoid habitat edges. Thus, small or narrow cuts may not provide optimal habitat for this suite of declining species, and managers should consider options to minimize edge and provide larger patches of shrubland habitats in landscape-scale planning efforts.

New Trim Configurations for Laser Trimmed Thick-Film Resistors – Experimental Verification

Laser trimming is the most effective and popular trimming method of thick-film and LTCC resistors at present. It is also still a subject of continuing theoretical and experimental analysis and optimization. Very recently a new approach to this process was suggested. It consists in replacing two-contact bar resistors by three-contact distributed structures trimmed by narrow cuts just around additional contact of different shape [1,2]. This paper presents experimental verification of such an approach. The relative trim characteristic and sensitivity are analyzed as a function of additional contact shape and cut length. Next long-term stability, pulse durability and low frequency noise are compared for two- and three-contact resistors versus trim pathway length. These investigations are completed by simulation of electrical potential distribution in two- and three-contact resistors with various length of trimming kerf.

Carrier ampholytes as potential buffers in electrophoresis: physico-chemical study

Joule heating is a limiting factor when separating proteins in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Low conductivity buffers, are required for high-speed separations. We investigated the use of carrier ampholytes (CA) as background electrolytes (BGE) in CZE. We prepared 25 “narrow pH cuts” of wide pH range (3–10) CA mixture in order to know if these fractions were suitable to be used as BGE in CZE. Each fraction was characterised by CZE analysis, giving an idea of its heterogeneity (number and relative abundance of molecular ampholytes). Conductivities and buffering capacities of each fraction have been also measured. Our conclusion is that “narrow pH cuts” of CA might be well suited buffers for electrophoretic separations.

Diesel quality and molecular structure of bitumen-derived middle distillates

Six to seven narrow fractions from each of six light gas oils obtained from various upgrading processes of Athabasca oilsands bitumen were evaluated as diesel fuels. The relationships among the boiling range, cetane number (CN), and aromatics content were investigated. The correlation between CN and aromatic content of narrow-cut fractions showed three trends; i.e. (1) CN increases as aromatics increase; (2) CN decreases as aromatics increase; and (3) a mixed trend of both. In order to investigate such trends, the narrow-cut samples were separated into saturate and aromatic fractions using HPLC, and analyses of type distribution and average molecular structures were carried out. CN of narrow cuts was estimated from the type distribution and CN data for pure compounds. From the H/C atomic ratio, each narrow-cut sample was represented by six types of compounds, i.e. alkanes, mono- and dicycloalkanes, alkyl and naphthenic benzenes, and diaromatics. The average molecular structures for those types had 4–5 branches. The CN trend of the narrow-cuts were reproducible at a certain assumption from the CN of the average molecule structure by type estimated from the CNs of pure compounds. It was found that for the prediction of CN, not only aromatic content but also hydrocarbon types of saturates are important.

GEL PERMEATION CHROMATOGRAPHY OF SULFUR CONTAINING AROMATICS IN VACUUM RESIDUES

Millions of tons of vacuum residues are produced annually in oil refineries. Further processing of these residues is hampered by the high percentage of sulfur. Hydrodesulfurization of the aromatic sulfur compounds is inefficient and structural information is therefore sought for the recalcitrant compounds. Ligand exchange chromatography was used to separate sulfur aromatic compounds from aromatic hydrocarbons. Due to the complexity of the samples, additional simplifications are necessary. Here, gel permeation chromatography is tested with different eluents. Fractions were collected and investigated using MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry. Despite narrow cuts, a very wide range of molar masses is found in each case. The total molar mass range indicated is from ca. 270 to well over 1100.