Standard De Research Articles

Novel Mn3O4 Micro-octahedra: Promising Cataluminescence Sensing Material for Acetone

Two novel morphologies of Mn3O4 micro-octahedra and hexagonal nanoplates were controllably synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of KMnO4 in the dodecylamine-Na2SO3-ethanol/dodecylamine-ethanol system. XRD, SEM, HRTEM and N2 adsorption measurements were used to characterize the prepared manganese oxide materials. With Mn3O4 micro-octahedra and hexagonal nanoplates as sensing materials, new acetone gas sensors were designed and their cataluminescence (CTL) property was evaluated. The effects of influencing parameters on the synthesis and sensing were studied. Experimental results show that the CTL properties of the prepared Mn3O4 materials are shape-dependent and Mn3O4 micro-octahedra show excellent sensing characteristics for acetone. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the calibration curve of the CTL intensity versus acetone vapor concentration was linear in ranges of 2.6−52.2 and 52.2−394.0 μg mL−1, respectively, with a detection limit of 0.4 μg mL−1 (signal/noise = 3) and a relative standard de...

Two canonical passive state/signal shift realizations of passive discrete time behaviors

A discrete time invariant linear state/signal system Σ with a Hilbert state space X and a Kreĭn signal space W has trajectories ( x ( ⋅ ) , w ( ⋅ ) ) that are solutions of the equation x ( n + 1 ) = F ( [ x ( n ) u ( n ) ] ) , where F is a bounded linear operator from [ X W ] into X with a closed domain whose projection onto X is all of X . This system is passive if the graph of F is a maximal nonnegative subspace of the Kreĭn space − X [ ∔ ] X [ ∔ ] W . The future behavior W fut of a passive system Σ is the set of all signal components w ( ⋅ ) of trajectories ( x ( ⋅ ) , w ( ⋅ ) ) of Σ on Z + = { 0 , 1 , 2 , … } with x ( 0 ) = 0 and w ( ⋅ ) ∈ ℓ 2 ( Z + ; W ) . This is always a maximal nonnegative shift-invariant subspace of the Kreĭn space k 2 ( Z + ; W ) , i.e., the space ℓ 2 ( Z + ; W ) endowed with the indefinite inner product inherited from W . Subspaces of k 2 ( Z + ; W ) with this property are called passive future behaviors. In this work we study passive state/signal systems and passive behaviors (future, full, and past). In particular, we define and study the input and output maps of a passive state/signal system, and the past/future map of a passive behavior. We then turn to the inverse problem, and construct two passive state/signal realizations of a given passive future behavior W + , one of which is observable and backward conservative, and the other controllable and forward conservative. Both of these are canonical in the sense that they are uniquely determined by the given data W + , in contrast earlier realizations that depend not only on W + , but also on some arbitrarily chosen fundamental decomposition of the signal space W . From our canonical realizations we are able to recover the two standard de Branges–Rovnyak input/state/output shift realizations of a given operator-valued Schur function in the unit disk.

The de Finetti theorem for test spaces

We prove a de Finetti theorem for exchangeable sequences of states on test spaces, where a test space is a generalization of the sample space of classical probability theory and the Hilbert space of quantum theory. The standard classical and quantum de Finetti theorems are obtained as special cases. By working in a test space framework, the common features that are responsible for the existence of these theorems are elucidated. In addition, the test space framework is general enough to imply a de Finetti theorem for classical processes. We conclude by discussing the ways in which our assumptions may fail, leading to probabilistic models that do not have a de Finetti theorem.

Deleterious effects induced by oxidative stress in liver nuclei from rats receiving an alcohol-containing liquid diet

Highly purified rat-liver nuclei were previously shown to have nuclear ethanol (EtOH) metabolizing system able to bioactivate alcohol to acetaldehyde and 1-hydroxyethyl radicals. These reactive metabolites were able to covalently bind to nuclear proteins and lipids potentially being able to provoke oxidative stress of nuclear components. In this study, the above-mentioned possibility was explored. Sprague Dawley male rats (125-150 g) were fed a standard Lieber and De Carli liquid diet for 28 days. Controls were pair-fed with a diet, in which EtOH was isocalorically replaced with carbohydrate. The presence of a chlorzoxazone hydroxylase activity inducible by the repetitive EtOH drinking further suggested the presence of CYP2E1 in the highly purified nuclei. Nuclei from EtOH-drinking rats evidenced significantly increased susceptibility to a t-butyl hydroperoxide challenge as detected by chemiluminescence emission, increased formation of protein carbonyls, and decreased content of protein sulfhydryls. In contrast, no significant changes in the nuclear lipid hydroperoxides formation or even decreases in the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2-deoxyguanosine were observed. No significant differences were observed in different parameters of the alkaline Comet assay. In immunohistochemical studies performed, no expression of p53 was observed in the livers of the animals under the experimental conditions tested. Since nuclear proteins and lipids are known to play a role in cell growth, differentiation, repair and signaling, their alterations by either oxidative stress, or by covalent binding might be of relevance to liver tumor promotion.

Field-theoretical Renormalization-Group approach to critical dynamics of crosslinked polymer blends

We consider a crosslinked polymer blend that may undergo a microphase separation. When the temperature is changed from an initial value towards a final one very close to the spinodal point, the mixture is out equilibrium. The aim is the study of dynamics at a given time t, before the system reaches its final equilibrium state. The dynamics is investigated through the structure factor, S(q, t), which is a function of the wave vector q, temperature T, time t, and reticulation dose D. To determine the phase behavior of this dynamic structure factor, we start from a generalized Langevin equation (model C) solved by the time composition fluctuation. Beside the standard de Gennes Hamiltonian, this equation incorporates a Gaussian local noise, zeta. First, by averaging over zeta, we get an effective Hamiltonian. Second, we renormalize this dynamic field theory and write a Renormalization-Group equation for the dynamic structure factor. Third, solving this equation yields the behavior of S(q, t), in space of relevant parameters. As result, S(q, t) depends on three kinds of lengths, which are the wavelength q(-1), a time length scale R(t) approximately t(1/z), and the mesh size xi*. The scale R(t) is interpreted as the size of growing microdomains at time t. When R(t) becomes of the order of xi*, the dynamics is stopped. The final time, t*, then scales as t* approximately xi*z, with the dynamic exponent z = 6-eta. Here, eta is the usual Ising critical exponent. Since the final size of microdomains xi* is very small (few nanometers), the dynamics is of short time. Finally, all these results we obtained from renormalization theory are compared to those we stated in some recent work using a scaling argument.

Annealing effects on the intermetallic compound formation of cold sprayed Ni, Al coatings

The annealing of Ni and Al coatings under various conditions on substrates fabricated by a cold gas dynamic spray process (CDSP) were investigated. The powder particles were accelerated through a standard De Laval-type nozzle with air used as the main carrying gas. The coatings were annealed at 450–550 °C in either argon or air atmospheres for 4 h. In the case of Ni coatings during annealing both in argon and air atmospheres, intermetallic compound layers such as Al 3Ni and Al 3Ni 2 were observed at the interfaces between the Ni coating and Al substrate. Also, the intermetallic layer formation of Al 3Ni and Al 3Ni 2 at the interfaces depended on the solid-state diffusion and the annealing temperature. The intermetallic compound AlNi was obtained at the interface of Al coating on a Ni substrate by low-temperature annealing under the melting temperature.

Optimal Power System Stabilizer Tuning in Multi-machine System via an Improved Differential Evolution

Power system stabilizer (PSS) is one of the most important controllers in modern power systems for damping low frequency oscillations. Many efforts have been dedicated to design the tuning methodologies and allocation techniques to obtain optimal damping behaviors of the system. Traditionally, it is tuned mostly for local damping performance, however, in order to obtain a globally optimal performance, the tuning of PSS needs to be done considering more variables. Furthermore, with the enhancement of system interconnection and the increase of system complexity, new tools are required to achieve global tuning and coordination of PSS to achieve optimal solution in a global meaning.Differential evolution (DE) is a recognized as a simple and powerful global optimum technique, which can gain fast convergence speed as well as high computational efficiency. However, as many other evolutionary algorithms (EA), the premature of population restricts optimization capacity of DE. In this paper, a modified DE is proposed and applied for optimal PSS tuning of 39-Bus New-England system. New operators are introduced to reduce the probability of getting premature. To investigate the impact of system conditions on PSS tuning, multiple operating points will be studied. Simulation result is compared with standard DE and particle swarm optimization (PSO).

Semiautoduality in a restricted family of aggregation operators

In this paper we consider aggregation operators satisfying non-decreasingness and some specific boundary conditions. We then analyze some properties of such a family of aggregation operators, introducing the semiautoduality condition, which is weaker than the standard autoduality condition (i.e., the standard self De Morgan identity). Particular families of aggregation operators will appear depending on the context.

Costs of chemotherapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Pharmacoeconomics is becoming increasingly important in assessing the benefits of new (combinations of) cytotoxic drugs. In fact, in several countries, manufacturers are required to deliver a pharmacoeconomic evaluation in order to obtain reimbursement or to have their product situated in clinical guidelines, for example in the Netherlands (http://www.cvz.nl) and the UK (www.nice.org.uk). In this issue, Antonanzas et al. present an economic evaluation of the standard versus simplified De Gramont dose regimen in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. In particular, a cost-minimisation study design was chosen (assuming similar effectiveness for standard and simplified so-called FOLFOX and FOLFIRI regimens). For chemotherapy in particular, economic considerations are of major significance because of high treatment costs, substantial toxicity and relatively limited efficacy. For over 40 years, 5-fluorouracil, frequently combined with folinic acid, has been the main cytotoxic drug for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Over the last decade, however, new cytotoxic agents have been introduced: raltitrexed, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and oral analogues of 5-fluorouracil, i.e. tegafur in combination with uracil (UFT) and capecitabine. In addition, novel biologically targeted therapeutics, i.e. angiogenesis inhibitors (e.g., bevacizumab), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGRF)-inhibitors (e.g., cetuximab), farnesyl transferase inhibitors, cellcycle interacting agents, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, immunotherapy, and gene therapy are being clinically evaluated for both single-agent and combination strategies [1]. At present, mainly 5-fluorouracil combined with folinic acid, or capacitating, with or without irinotecan and/or oxaliplatin are chosen for the treatment of colorectal cancer in clinical practice. The use of these agents is increasing due to the addition of second and even third line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer in the case of disease progression under first line and second line treatment, respectively. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy may be applied for the treatment of Dukes’ B or stage II colon cancer, as well as Dukes’ C or stage III colon cancer [2, 3]. Finally, elderly patients with colorectal cancer should no longer be excluded from chemotherapy, since they benefit to the same extent as younger patients from treatment with cytotoxic agents [4]. Better systemic chemotherapy has considerably improved prognosis. The median duration of survival among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was increased from 8 months without chemotherapy to 12 months with 5-fluorouracil. The availability of irinotecan and oxaliplatin, in addition to 5-fluorouracil, further extended median survival to 21 months [5]. However, treatment with combinations of these agents is still associated with substantial toxicity. In terms of pharmacoeconomics, a comparison of different dose regimens for the treatment of colorectal cancer is complicated by several factors. First, the types of direct and indirect costs that are included in a pharmacoeconomic evaluation have to be considered carefully. Examples of direct costs are drug acquisition cost, cost for outpatient visits, for the administration of cytotoxic drugs, costs for health care use and medication to manage adverse effects, and costs for travelling to and from the hospital. Indirect costs are harder to assess, e.g. loss of productivity of the patients. For comparative purposes, dose regimens with equal efficacy are usually chosen. The main differences in costs most often refer to the incidence and severity of toxicity symptoms and the administration of the cytotoxic drugs. One should also be on the alert for the duration of the treatment courses or the number of cycles of chemotherapy being investigated. For instance, Antonanzas et al. excluded patients who have received less than three cycles of chemotherapy and subsequently may have missed patients with relatively high treatment costs because of early major toxicity. Another factor involved is the difference in health care systems between countries, leading to discrepancies in cost comparisons and actual utilization. In particular, the new chemotherapeutics are subject to varying regulations in diffe-

Nonlinear waves of spatial polarization for a crystal of the deuterated seignette salt

The dynamic properties of order-disorder systems with an asymmetric double-well single-particle potential and two dipoles per paraelectric unit cell are investigated. The Hamiltonian of the problem has a standard de Gennes form for two sublattices and is used for describing a crystal of the Seignette salt. The conditions of existence of nonlinear waves of spatial polarization in different temperature phases of the system under consideration are analyzed numerically.

Ethanol-induced oxidative stress and acetaldehyde formation in rat mammary tissue: Potential factors involved in alcohol drinking promotion of breast cancer

Recent studies from our laboratory provided evidence that part of the carcinogenic effects of ethanol consumption might be related to its in situ metabolism at cytosolic and microsomal levels, to the mutagen acetaldehyde and to hydroxyl and 1-hydroxyethyl radicals. In this work, we report on our experiments where Sprague–Dawley female rats were exposed to the standard Lieber & De Carli diet for 28 days. We observed: the induction of the (xanthineoxidoreductase mediated) cytosolic and microsomal (lipoxygenase mediated) pathways of ethanol metabolism; promotion of oxidative stress as shown by increased formation of lipid hydroperoxides; delay in the t-butylhydroperoxide induced chemiluminiscence, and a significant decrease in protein sulfhydryls. In addition, the epithelial cells showed ultrastructural alterations consisting of markedly irregular nuclei, with frequent invaginations at the level of the nuclear envelope, condensation of chromatin around the inner nuclear membrane, and marked dilatation of the nuclear pores showing filamentous material exiting to the cytoplasm. In conclusion, the presence in mammary epithelial cells of cytosolic and microsomal pathways of ethanol bioactivation to carcinogenic and to tumorigenic metabolites might play a role in alcohol promotion of breast cancer.

A Matter of Contractual and Trust Subordination

A debt subordination may in general take two forms, viz., contractual subordination and turnover subordination. A contractual subordination occurs where, by agreement between debtor and creditor, debts owed to the creditor are to rank below other debts of the debtor. A turnover subordination (which may or may not involve trust) requires the junior creditor, on the insolvency of the debtor, to turn over to the senior creditor all recoveries received by the junior creditor in respect of the junior debt. Where trust is utilised, this technique is also called trust subordination. A trust is not charge. They are mutually exclusive. Despite the fact that trust may perform security function, a trust by way of equitable is never trust. It is merely charge masquerading as trust. The trust subordination in Re SSSL demonstrates this proposition vividly. In line with the general policy considerations in favour of the enforcement of contractual subordination, the decision in Re SSSL helpfully confirms that subordination agreement is unlikely to be liable to disclaimer by liquidator of the subordinated creditor. A proper reading of the decision in Re SSSL confirms yet again that British Eagle is wholly unconcerned with the principle of pari passu distribution. Hence the standard de rigueur caution against the enforceability of subordination agreements on British Eagle/pari passu grounds is simply misconceived. Decades of concern over the British Eagle/pari passu violation is in fact schism over an ism that is now an anachronism.

Design and Optimization of Drum-type Electrostatic Separators for Plastics Recycling

Electrostatic separation is a promising technique for separating a mix of plastics, which can acquire different sign charges through triboelectrification. A particular application of growing importance is the separation of plastics with o®erlapping densities from a waste stream of electronic products. Particle charging, which plays an important role in separation efficiency, has been the topic of much research. Howe®er, no systematic method has been proposed for design and optimization of the separation process itself, a gap that this research seeks to fill. The aim is to compare se®eral design options for free-fall electrostatic separators, taking into account the distribution of the particle charge and initial position. Particle trajectory and reco®ery models are deri®ed under a set of simplifying assumptions that are carefully analyzed. Optimization models are de®eloped that trade off the strength of the electric field with the size and number of stages of the free-fall separator. Se®eral different configurations are optimized and compared ( under ®arious conditions mean ®alue and standard de®iation of particle charges, feed ) rate, and product prices . Finally, a general guide is proposed for selecting an appropriate design.

Aerosol ultraviolet absorption experiment (2002 to 2004), part 1: ultraviolet multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer calibration and intercomparison with CIMEL sunphotometers

Radiative transfer calculations of UV irradiance from total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) satellite data are frequently over- estimated compared to ground-based measurements because of the presence of undetected absorbing aerosols in the planetary boundary layer. To reduce these uncertainties, an aerosol UV absorption closure experiment has been conducted at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC) site in Greenbelt, Maryland, using 17 months of data from a shadowband radi- ometer (UV-multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (UV-MFRSR), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) UV-B Monitoring and Research Network) colocated with a group of three sun-sky CIMEL radiometers (rotating reference instruments of the NASA Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET)). We describe an improved UV-MFRSR on-site calibration method augmented by AERONET-CIMEL measurements of aerosol ex- tinction optical thickness (t a) interpolated or extrapolated to the UV- MFRSR wavelengths and measurement intervals. The estimated t a is used as input to a UV-MFRSR spectral-band model, along with indepen- dent column ozone and surface pressure measurements, to estimate zero air mass voltages V0 in three longer wavelength UV-MFRSR chan- nels (325, 332, 368 nm). Daily mean ^V0&, estimates and standard de- viations are obtained for cloud-free conditions and compared with the on-site UV-MFRSR Langley plot calibration method. By repeating the calibrations on clear days, relatively good stability (62% in ^V0& )i s found in summer, with larger relative changes in fall-winter seasons. The changes include systematic day-to-day ^V0& decline for extended peri- ods along with step jump changes after major precipitation periods (rain or snow) that affected the diffuser transmission. When daily ^V0& values are used to calculate t a for individual 3-min UV-MFRSR measurements on the same days, the results compare well with interpolated AERONET t a measurements (at 368 nm most daily 1s root mean square (rms) differences were within 0.01). When intercalibrated against an AERO- NET sunphotometer, the UV-MFRSR is proven reliable to retrieve t a , and hence can be used to retrieve aerosol column absorption in the UV. The advantage of the shadowband technique is that the calibration ob- tained for direct-sun voltage can then be applied to diffuse-radiance volt- age to obtain total and diffuse atmospheric transmittances. These trans- mittances, in combination with accurate t a data, provide the basis for estimating aerosol column absorption at many locations of the USDA UV-B Monitoring and Research network and for correction of satellite estimations of surface UV irradiance. © 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-

Chimiothérapie adjuvante pour le cancer du colon de stades Dukes B2 et C comportant du 5-fluorouracile et de l'acide folinique, avec ou sans carboplatine. Faisabilité et comparaison d'une administration standard à une administration chronomodulée

Thirty-seven patients operated from a Dukes B2-C colon cancer were randomised to receive as adjuvant infusional chemotherapy, nine 5 FU and folinic acid courses with or without carboplatin, as standard (de Gramont ; 2 days every 2 weeks) or chronomodulated administration (4 days every 2 weeks). The overall tolerance was judged excellent with less than 7% courses with dose-adaptations. The two carboplatin arms presented an enhanced haematological toxicity, while some more cutaneous toxicity was observed in the chronomodulated arm with the three drugs.

Two-dimensional depth-averaged modeling of flow in curved open channels

The application of the depth-averaged De St. Venant equations for open channel numerical models dictate the adoption of hydrostatic pressure distribution. They are thus applicable to cases where vertical details are not significant. The alternative two-dimensional vertically averaged and moment equations model, in which more vertical details are accounted for, is used to analyze problems involved in curved channels of various curvature. The distribution of horizontal velocity components is assumed to be linear, while the vertical velocity and pressure is quadratic. The implicit Petrov-Galerkin finite element scheme is used in these simulations. Computed values for water surface profile, depth-averaged longitudinal and transverse velocities across the channel width and vertical profiles of longitudinal and transverse velocities are compared with experimental data. The comparison shows a good agreement between the simulated results and experimental data. In addition, this study recommends the supplement of the standard conventional De St. Venant model by the proposed model on simulating strongly curved flows. Finally, the use of refined finite element meshes is recommended only when some of the details near the channel edges are sought.

Monetary and Exchange Rate Dynamics During Disinflation: An Empirical Analysis

Based on the observed behavior of monetary aggregates and exchange rates, we classify inflation-stabilization episodes into two categories: de facto exchange rate-based stabilizations (ERBS) and non-ERBS. Unlike the standard de jure ERBS studied in the literature, de facto ERBS encompass cases in which the central bank intervenes in the foreign exchange market but does not preannounce the use of an exchange rate anchor. The number of the de facto ERBS is twice as large as that of de jure ERBS. Output dynamics during disinflation do not differ significantly between these two groups. We conclude that empirical studies on the effects of exchange rate anchors must seek to disentangle the effects of their announcement from those related to their role in the remonetization process.

Monetary and Exchange Rate Dynamics During Disinflation: An Empirical Analysis

Based on the observed behavior of monetary aggregates and exchange rates, we classify inflation stabilization episodes into two categories: de facto exchange rate-based stabilizations (ERBS) and non-ERBS. Unlike the standard de jure ERBS studied in the literature, de facto ERBS encompass cases in which the central bank intervenes in the foreign exchange market but does not preannounce the use of an exchange rate anchor. The number of the de facto ERBS is twice as large as that of de jure ERBS. Output dynamics during disinflation do not differ significantly between these two groups. We conclude that empirical studies on the effects of exchange rate anchors must seek to disentangle the effects of their announcement from those related to their role in the remonetization process.

Reply to Comment on ‘Experimental realization of a first test of de Broglie–Bohm theory’

We reply to Akhavan and Golshani's comment on our double-slit experiment addressed to test standard quantum mechanics versus de Broglie–Bohm theory. We show that their results, albeit representing a relevant contribution to the discussion on the realizability of a test of de Broglie–Bohm theory, do not allow us to draw any conclusion about our experiment since their wavefunction does not describe well the photon states produced by our set-up. On the other hand, we give arguments of why our experiment can be considered a good realization of the theoretical proposal of Ghose (1999 Foundations of Quantum Theory and Quantum Optics ed S M Roy), Ghose et al (2001 Phys. Lett. A 290 205) and Golshani and Akhavan (2001 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 34 5259).

Image Restoration in Optical-Acoustic Tomography

We consider the optical-acoustic tomography problem. In the general case, the problem is to reconstruct a real-valued function with a compact support in the n-dimensional Euclidean space via its spherical integrals, i.e., integrals over all (n − 1)-dimensional spheres centered at points on some (n − 1)-dimensional hypersurface. We deal with the cases n e 2 and n e 3, which are of the most practical interest from the standpoint of possible medical applications. We suggest a new effective method of reconstruction, develop restoration algorithms, and investigate the quality of the algorithms for these cases. The main result of the paper is construction of explicit approximate reconstruction formulas; from the mathematical standpoint, these formulas give the parametrix for the optical-acoustic tomography problem. The formulas constructed is a background for the restoration algorithms. We performed mathematical experiments to investigate the quality of the restoration algorithms using the generally accepted tomography quality criteria. The results obtain lead to the general conclusion: the quality of the restoration algorithms developed for optical-acoustic tomography is only slightly lower then the quality of the convolution and back projection algorithm used in Radon tomography, which is a standard de facto.