A new procedure for the monitoring of Cationic Detergents in solution

The paper describes a new procedure for the selective monitoring of cationic surfactants in solution. The procedure is based on the fact that cationic surfactants are accumulated inside mitochondria by a potential-driven mechanism. Once inside, the surfactant induces the release of the dye Safranine, previously accumulated inside mitochondria. Therefore the monitoring consists of a direct spectrophotometric measure of the rate of release of safranine in the resuspending medium containing the cationic surfactant

The ArDM experiment

The aim of the ArDM project is the development and operation of a one ton double-phase liquid argon detector for direct Dark Matter searches. The detector measures both the scintillation light and the ionization charge from ionizing radiation using two independent readout systems. This paper briefly describes the detector concept and presents preliminary results from the ArDM R&D program, including a 3 l prototype developed to test the charge readout system.Comment: Proceedings of the Epiphany 2010 Conference, to be published in Acta Physica Polonica

Development of wavelength shifter coated reflectors for the ArDM argon dark matter detector

To optimise the design of the light readout in the ArDM 1-ton liquid argon dark matter detector, a range of reflector and WLS coating combinations were investigated in several small setups, where argon scintillation light was generated by radioactive sources in gas at normal temperature and pressure and shifted into the blue region by tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB). Various thicknesses of TPB were deposited by spraying and vacuum evaporation onto specular 3M{\small\texttrademark}-foil and diffuse Tetratex{\small\textregistered} (TTX) substrates. Light yields of each reflector and TPB coating combination were compared. Reflection coefficients of TPB coated reflectors were independently measured using a spectroradiometer in a wavelength range between 200 and 650 nm. WLS coating on the PMT window was also studied. These measurements were used to define the parameters of the light reflectors of the ArDM experiment. Fifteen large $120\times 25$ cm$^2$ TTX sheets were coated and assembled in the detector. Measurements in argon gas are reported providing good evidence of fulfilling the light collection requirements of the experiment.Comment: 21 pages, 17 figure

A new procedure for the monitoring of cationic detergents in solution

The paper describes a new procedure for the selective monitoring of cationic surfactants in solution. The procedure is based on the fact that cationic surfactants are accumulated inside mitochondria by a potential-driven mechanism. Once inside, the surfactant induces the release of the dye Safranine, previously accumulated inside mitochondria. Therefore the monitoring consists of a direct spectrophotometric measure of the rate of release of safranine in the resuspending medium containing the cationic surfactant

Development of an integrated computer aided design and planning methodology for underground marble quarries

The EU dimension stone industry, in order to continue its successful operation in the difficult and unfamiliar underground terrain must be enhanced with the highest possible scientific and technological background. This will contribute to the minimisation of expected rising production costs due to: lower recovery, limiting space of operation, pillar and roof stability, to mention only a few of the problems an underground quarry operation will encounter. Most of the stone industries have accepted the need to proceed underground but they postpone their decision because of the aforementioned reasons, i.e. big risk and insufficiency of technological background. To face this challenge and involvement in a risk business, an integrated scientific approach to the problems associated with underground marble exploitation is urgently needed. The risk problem can be met by predicting block recovery in terms of size, quality and quantity, while the rising costs by optimising design of the rooms and pillars since it affects both recovery through size and orientation of underground works, and productivity through space availability and safety of working conditions