Field on Poincare group and quantum description of orientable objects

We propose an approach to the quantum-mechanical description of relativistic orientable objects. It generalizes Wigner's ideas concerning the treatment of nonrelativistic orientable objects (in particular, a nonrelativistic rotator) with the help of two reference frames (space-fixed and body-fixed). A technical realization of this generalization (for instance, in 3+1 dimensions) amounts to introducing wave functions that depend on elements of the Poincare group $G$. A complete set of transformations that test the symmetries of an orientable object and of the embedding space belongs to the group $\Pi =G\times G$. All such transformations can be studied by considering a generalized regular representation of $G$ in the space of scalar functions on the group, $f(x,z)$, that depend on the Minkowski space points $x\in G/Spin(3,1)$ as well as on the orientation variables given by the elements $z$ of a matrix $Z\in Spin(3,1)$. In particular, the field $f(x,z)$ is a generating function of usual spin-tensor multicomponent fields. In the theory under consideration, there are four different types of spinors, and an orientable object is characterized by ten quantum numbers. We study the corresponding relativistic wave equations and their symmetry properties.Comment: 46 page

Superconducting properties of RuSr2GdCu2O8 studied by SQUID magnetometry

For polycrystalline RuSr2GdCu2O8 (Ru-1212), distinct peaks have been reported in d.c. magnetization in the superconducting state of the sample. Sr2GdRuO6 (Sr-2116), the precursor for the preparation of Ru-1212, shows similar peaks in the same temperature regime. Based on measurements performed on both bulk and powdered samples of Ru-1212 and Sr-2116, we exclude the possibility, that the observed behavior of the magnetization of Ru-1212 is due to Sr-2116 impurities. The effect is related to the superconductivity of Ru-1212, but it is not an intrinsic property of this compound. We provide evidence that the observation of magnetization peaks in the superconducting state of Ru-1212 is due to flux motion generated by the movement of the sample in an inhomogeneous field, during the measurement in the SQUID magnetometer. We propose several tests, that help to decide, whether the features observed in a SQUID magnetization measurement of Ru-1212 represent a property of the compound or not.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure

Membrane reactors for bioethanol production and processing

Dwindling supplies of fossil fuel along with detrimental release of greenhouse gases have led to the quest for renewable sources of fuel such as bioethanol from cellulosic materials. Conversion of biomass to bioethanol involves a set of “biotransformation” and “recovery/concentration” processes. With the help of membrane technology, several process steps that were conventionally separate can be integrated and the production of bioethanol simplified. In addition to efficient recovery of bioethanol, this can facilitate removal of inhibitory side products from the fermentation broth and recovery of the inhibitory but valuable side products. This chapter provides a critical review of the application of membrane technology in various steps of bioethanol production. The challenges to widespread deployment of full-scale bioethanol facilities equipped with membranes have also been outlined

Surveillance of viral contamination of invasive medical instruments in dentistry

Objective: To investigate the viral contamination of invasive medical instruments in dentistry and to provide health administrative institutions with surveillance data. Methods: Sterilized samples were randomly collected from the department of dentistry to detect HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, HIV-RNA and HBsAg. Results: Of the invasive medical instruments that were sterilized with 2% glutaraldehyde, one of the samples was positive for HBV-DNA, and another sample was positive for HBsAg. Conclusion: Though massive virus contamination of invasive medical instruments in dentistry has been reduced to a low level, the occurrence of contamination still remains