Clean and efficient extraction of copper ions and deposition as metal

AbstractA simple, clean and efficient one-pot process is offered as an alternative to the conventional complex processing presently used to extract copper ions from copper containing materials, like copper concentrate or slag, and to form copper metal. The alternative process uses a eutectic molten salt of potassium chloride, sodium chloride and zinc chloride as the reaction fluid which is recyclable, low in cost, environmentally benign, low melting (melting point 204°), high boiling (vapor pressure is only a few psi at 800°) and chemically, thermally and physically stable. The metal completely dissolves out of copper concentrate or slag in the aerobic eutectic molten chloride salt in a graphite or glassy carbon pot, which serves as a cathode, with a graphite anode, to reduce the metal ions to metal which sinks to the bottom of the graphite pot. The total efficiency for extraction and deposition is virtually 100% as determined by elemental and gravimetric analyses

Complex microwave conductivity of Na-DNA powders

We report the complex microwave conductivity, $\sigma=\sigma_1-i\sigma_2$, of Na-DNA powders, which was measured from 80 K to 300 K by using a microwave cavity perturbation technique. We found that the magnitude of $\sigma_1$ near room temperature was much larger than the contribution of the surrounding water molecules, and that the decrease of $\sigma_1$ with decreasing temperature was sufficiently stronger than that of the conduction of counterions. These results clearly suggest that the electrical conduction of Na-DNA is intrinsically semiconductive.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Does the quantity of enteral nutrition affect outcomes in critically ill trauma patients?

Abstract from Clinical Nutrition Week, Orlando, FL, January 29-February 2, 2005

Quantum transport through a DNA wire in a dissipative environment

Electronic transport through DNA wires in the presence of a strong dissipative environment is investigated. We show that new bath-induced electronic states are formed within the bandgap. These states show up in the linear conductance spectrum as a temperature dependent background and lead to a crossover from tunneling to thermal activated behavior with increasing temperature. Depending on the strength of the electron-bath coupling, the conductance at the Fermi level can show a weak exponential or even an algebraic length dependence. Our results suggest a new environmental-induced transport mechanism. This might be relevant for the understanding of molecular conduction experiments in liquid solution, like those recently performed on poly(GC) oligomers in a water buffer (B. Xu et al., Nano Lett 4, 1105 (2004)).Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

High sensitivity GEM experiment on double beta decay of 76-Ge

The GEM project is designed for the next generation 2 beta decay experiments with 76-Ge. One ton of ''naked'' HP Ge detectors (natural at the first GEM-I phase and enriched in 76-Ge to 86% at the second GEM-II stage) are operating in super-high purity liquid nitrogen contained in the Cu vacuum cryostat (sphere with diameter 5 m). The latest is placed in the water shield. Monte Carlo simulation evidently shows that sensitivity of the experiment (in terms of the T1/2 limit for neutrinoless 2 beta decay) is 10^27 yr with natural HP Ge crystals and 10^28 yr with enriched ones. These bounds corresponds to the restrictions on the neutrino mass less than 0.05 eV and 0.015 eV with natural and enriched detectors, respectively. Besides, the GEM-I set up could advance the current best limits on the existence of neutralinos - as dark matter candidates - by three order of magnitudes, and at the same time would be able to identify unambiguously the dark matter signal by detection of its seasonal modulation.Comment: LaTeX, 20 pages, 4 figure

Multi-performance optimisation framework for the selection of structural alternatives based on sustainable qualities

In recent years, the increasing demand for innovative sustainable policies in building engineering has shifted the decision rationale from traditional performance-based systems towards systems augmented by life-cycle sustainability notions. This paper investigates a novel optimisation framework, which supports the selection of buildings’ structural alternatives at concept stage by applying multiple performance, sustainable requirements. The established model explores ways to effectively compute and process expert knowledge across different stakeholders groups into a consolidated decision-making platform supported by Lean Theory. A systematic procedure based on the Quality Function Deployment is utilised to successfully translate 16 sustainability requirements into 27 corresponding engineering design requirements. The theoretical and mathematical principles of Analytic Network Process are applied on a pilot study to build general decision clusters, identify feedback links amongst the various engineering criteria and determine their inner dependences

Assessment of the model refinement category in CASP12

We here report on the assessment of the model refinement predictions submitted to the 12th Experiment on the Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP12). This is the fifth refinement experiment since CASP8 (2008) and, as with the previous experiments, the predictors were invited to refine selected server models received in the regular (nonrefinement) stage of the CASP experiment. We assessed the submitted models using a combination of standard CASP measures. The coefficients for the linear combination of Z‐scores (the CASP12 score) have been obtained by a machine learning algorithm trained on the results of visual inspection. We identified eight groups that improve both the backbone conformation and the side chain positioning for the majority of targets. Albeit the top methods adopted distinctively different approaches, their overall performance was almost indistinguishable, with each of them excelling in different scores or target subsets. What is more, there were a few novel approaches that, while doing worse than average in most cases, provided the best refinements for a few targets, showing significant latitude for further innovation in the field

Separation of Oligosaccharides from Lotus Seeds via Medium-pressure Liquid Chromatography Coupled with ELSD and DAD

peer-reviewedLotus seeds were identified by the Ministry of Public Health of China as both food and medicine. One general function of lotus seeds is to improve intestinal health. However, to date, studies evaluating the relationship between bioactive compounds in lotus seeds and the physiological activity of the intestine are limited. In the present study, by using medium pressure liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light-scattering detector and diode-array detector, five oligosaccharides were isolated and their structures were further characterized by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In vitro testing determined that LOS3-1 and LOS4 elicited relatively good proliferative effects on Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. These results indicated a structure-function relationship between the physiological activity of oligosaccharides in lotus seeds and the number of probiotics applied, thus providing room for improvement of this particular feature. Intestinal probiotics may potentially become a new effective drug target for the regulation of immunity

Blood glucose concentration does not correlate with organ failure or outcome in trauma patients receiving enteral nutrition

Abstract from American College of Clinical Pharmacy 2005 Spring Practice and Research Forum/Updates in Therapeutics, Myrtle Beach, SC, April 10-13, 2005