A new probe for measuring electrolytic conductance

A conductance cell of which the electrodes are provided with a 110 nm thick Ta2O5 insulating film is proposed and realized. The stable and very low impedance of the total oxide/solution interface largely reduces interference from redox processes. Measurement results, given as an output voltage between 10 and 600 mV as a function of the specific resistance between 0.1 and 8 k¿, are shown to be in agreement with theoretically calculated results, both at the constant current and constant voltage mode of operation

A micro CO2 gas sensor based on sensing of pH-sensitive hydrogel swelling by means of a pressure sensor

In this paper a sensor is presented for the detection of carbon dioxide gas inside the stomach in order to diagnose gastrointestinal ischemia. The operational principle of the sensor is measuring the CO/sub 2/ induced pressure generation of a confined pH-sensitive hydrogel by means of a micro pressure sensor. The sensor is capable of measuring CO/sub 2/ with a response time between 2 and 4 minutes and a maximum pressure of 0.29/spl times/10/sup 5/ Pa at 20 kPa CO/sub 2/. The sensor is able to resist up to 1 M HCl acid as can be present inside the stomach. The results are very promising for real application and clinical trials are planned

High-throughput on-chip DNA fragmentation

free microfluidic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation chip that is based on hydrodynamic shearing. Genomic DNA has been reproducibly fragmented with 2-10 kbp fragment lengths by applying hydraulic pressure ΔP across micromachined constrictions in the microfluidic channels. The utilization of a series of constrictions reduces the variance of the fragmented DNA length distribution; and parallel microfluidic channels design eliminates the device clogging

Seasonal Variability of Forces Controlling Sedimentation in the Sundarbans National Forest, Bangladesh

Southwest Bangladesh, located on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, is experiencing the impacts of sea level rise (SLR) due to processes at both the local and global scale. In particular, regional alterations of the hydrodynamic network, due to embankment construction, have drastically altered effective SLR, placing millions of inhabitants at risk of prolonged inundation, and threatening the world\u27s largest continuous mangrove stand, the Sundarbans National Forest (SNF). In order to effectively employ landscape recovery solutions, an understanding of local sediment transport and deposition is critical. This field-based study investigates the sediment dynamics between the mangrove platform and tidal channels of the SNF using data from a variety of instruments and sediment samples collected within a forested sub-basin (similar to 20 km(2)) fed by a major tidal channel. We observe profound seasonal variability within the sub-basin, with the wet season exhibiting a deeper and longer inundation of the mangrove platform and greater suspended sediment concentrations (SSC). Further, there exists a trend of decreasing SSC and median grain size from the perimeter of the SNF to the interior, and decreasing SSC from the tidal channel to the platform at both locations. We project seasonal platform sedimentation rates ranging from 0.17 +/- 0.16 cm in the dry season to 1.8 +/- 0.35 cm in the wet season. Importantly, the annual deposition rate measured at either location is sufficiently rapid to keep pace with observed rates of effective SLR published in other studies (similar to 1.0-1.7 cm/year). Based on our results, it appears that many controls on sedimentation are both covariant and of similar importance to land aggradation in the SNF. While inundation depth and frequency will likely increase under future SLR scenarios, sediment supply is threatened by India\u27s proposed River Linking Project, which could decrease the sediment loads of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers by as much as 75 and 25%, respectively. These rivers provide the sediment for the entire delta, and we predict that with decreasing SSC, some regions-particularly interior sediment-depleted regions-may begin to deteriorate and become submerged, including within the SNF

Seasonal Variability of Forces Controlling Sedimentation in the Sundarbans National Forest, Bangladesh

Southwest Bangladesh, located on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, is experiencing the impacts of sea level rise (SLR) due to processes at both the local and global scale. In particular, regional alterations of the hydrodynamic network, due to embankment construction, have drastically altered effective SLR, placing millions of inhabitants at risk of prolonged inundation, and threatening the world’s largest continuous mangrove stand, the Sundarbans National Forest (SNF). In order to effectively employ landscape recovery solutions, an understanding of local sediment transport and deposition is critical. This field-based study investigates the sediment dynamics between the mangrove platform and tidal channels of the SNF using data from a variety of instruments and sediment samples collected within a forested sub-basin (∼20 km2) fed by a major tidal channel. We observe profound seasonal variability within the sub-basin, with the wet season exhibiting a deeper and longer inundation of the mangrove platform and greater suspended sediment concentrations (SSC). Further, there exists a trend of decreasing SSC and median grain size from the perimeter of the SNF to the interior, and decreasing SSC from the tidal channel to the platform at both locations. We project seasonal platform sedimentation rates ranging from 0.17 ± 0.16 cm in the dry season to 1.8 ± 0.35 cm in the wet season. Importantly, the annual deposition rate measured at either location is sufficiently rapid to keep pace with observed rates of effective SLR published in other studies (∼1.0–1.7 cm/year). Based on our results, it appears that many controls on sedimentation are both covariant and of similar importance to land aggradation in the SNF. While inundation depth and frequency will likely increase under future SLR scenarios, sediment supply is threatened by India’s proposed River Linking Project, which could decrease the sediment loads of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers by as much as 75 and 25%, respectively. These rivers provide the sediment for the entire delta, and we predict that with decreasing SSC, some regions—particularly interior sediment-depleted regions—may begin to deteriorate and become submerged, including within the SNF

Ultra-rapid and relative humidity independent drying of nanochannels

We observed that water-filled nanochannels dried up to 1000 times faster than predicted by vapor diffusional drying. Here we show that this ultra-rapid water transport is caused by very sharp channel corners siphoning (wicking) the water to the channel exit before it evaporates. Evidence is also provided that these sharp corners make the drying process independent of the relative humidity (RH) of the environment up to an RH of more than 0.9. To our knowledge this is the first time that nanochannel drying has been observed, and both the acceleration of drying and the independence of RH are highly surprising

Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Heart Failure:Current Knowledge and Future Perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: (Mal-)nutrition of micronutrients, like selenium, has great impact on the human heart and improper micronutrient intake was observed in 30–50% of patients with heart failure. Low selenium levels have been reported in Europe and Asia and thought to be causal for Keshan disease. Selenium is an essential micronutrient that is needed for enzymatic activity of the 25 so-called selenoproteins, which have a broad range of activities. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence about selenium in heart failure and to provide insights about the potential mechanisms that can be modulated by selenoproteins. RECENT FINDINGS: Suboptimal selenium levels (<100 μg/L) are prevalent in more than 70% of patients with heart failure and were associated with lower exercise capacity, lower quality of life, and worse prognosis. Small clinical trials assessing selenium supplementation in patients with HF showed improvement of clinical symptoms (NYHA class), left ventricular ejection fraction, and lipid profile, while governmental interventional programs in endemic areas have significantly decreased the incidence of Keshan disease. In addition, several selenoproteins are found impaired in suboptimal selenium conditions, potentially aggravating underlying mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, and thyroid hormone insufficiency. SUMMARY: While the current evidence is not sufficient to advocate selenium supplementation in patients with heart failure, there is a clear need for high level evidence to show whether treatment with selenium has a place in the contemporary treatment of patients with HF to improve meaningful clinical endpoints. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Figure: see text

Perancangan Model Integrasi Manajemen Kebijakan Outsourcing Dalam Perspektif Hubungan Industrial

. This research objective is to design an outsourcing policy management integration model in industrial relation perspective in order to harmonize social, cultural, economic and legal aspects. The model is expected to improve welfare for workers, profit for industrial development, and provide benefit for the government.This research was initiated by field observation to analyze empirical condition on current outsourcing practices from the view of industries, government, and the workforce themselves along with their labor union. The result of problem identification was then analyzed to obtain outsourcing policy management integration model in order to build harmonious industrial relation. The method used was Soft System Methodology (SSM). Data were collected through FGD, IDI, and expert survey. Technique analysis was conducted through analysis CATWOE (Customer, Actor, Transformation, World-view, Owner, Environment constraint ), Analytical Network Process (ANP), Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing (SAST), through SSM Learning Models aiming to design Purposeful Activity Models (PAM). The Integration Management of Outsourcing Policy Model to perfom comprehensive management outsourcing system involving stakeholders in planning, supervision, guidance and enforcement to minimize conflict. The implication of modeling result is strong industrial relation trilogy; namely welfare for workers, security and sustainability for companies, conducive climate and benefits for the government

Surface Elevation and Sedimentation Dynamics in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Tidal Delta Plain, Bangladesh: Evidence for Mangrove Adaptation to Human-Induced Tidal Amplification

In the Ganges-Brahmaputra (G-B) delta, periodic flooding of the land surface during the tidal cycle coupled with enormous sediment delivery during the monsoon promotes sediment accretion and surface elevation gain through time. However, over the past several decades, widespread embankment (“polder”) construction in the GB tidal delta plain has led to numerous environmental disturbances, including channel siltation and tide range amplification. While previous research indicates that rates of sediment accretion are relatively high in the G-B tidal delta plain, it remains unclear if and how surface elevation is maintaining pace with relative sea-level rise (RSLR) in this region. In this study, we utilize an array of surface elevation tables, sediment traps, and groundwater piezometers to provide longitudinal trends of sedimentation and elevation dynamics with respect to local platform elevation and associated hydroperiod. Two hydro-geomorphic settings of the Sundarbans mangrove forest are compared: higher elevation stream-bank and lower elevation interior. Seasonal measurements over a time span of 5 years reveal that elevation gain is occurring in all settings, with the highest rates observed at elevated stream-bank zones. Elevation gain occurs primarily in response to sediment accretion, with possible minor contributions from pore-water storage and swelling of clay minerals during the monsoon season (i.e., belowground biomass and organic contribution is minimal). As a result, elevation loss and shallow subsidence in the G-B delta is unlikely to be caused by compaction of organic-rich soils, but rather appears to be controlled by seasonal lowering of the groundwater table and compaction of clay minerals. Rates of surface elevation gain in the Sundarbans greatly exceed rates of RSLR and more closely follow rates of RSLR augmented from tide range amplification, indicating that this landscape is adapting to human-induced environmental change. The proceedings of this study underscore the adaptability of the natural G-B tidal delta plain to local environmental disturbances, with the caveat that these defenses may be lost to future upstream reductions in sediment supply