Influence of the bias-voltage on the anchoring energy for nematic liquid crystals

The influence of the bias-voltage on the anisotropic part of the nematic surface energy is analyzed. The experimental data show a strong dependence of the anchoring strength on the bias-voltage when the electrodes of the nematic cell are covered with WO3. The observed dependence can be interpreted taking into account the ions dissolved in the liquid crystal. We propose a model in which the effect of the bias-voltage is to collect the ions near the electrodes, in a surface layer whose thickness is of the order of the Debye’s screening length. The surplus of electric field due to this ions confinement gives rise to an electrostatic contribution to the total energy that can be considered as a surface energy. The proposed model is in good agreement with the experimental data. The model is used to interpret the observed independence of the anchoring strength on the bias-voltage when the indium-oxide electrode is covered with a film of polyimide, or it is without any covering. The influence of a charge emission from the electrodes under the bias voltage on the anchoring energy is also analyzed. Possible applications of the observed phenomenon are discussed

Ball Detection and Predictive Ball Following Based on a Stereoscopic Vision System

In this paper we describe an efficient software architecture for object-tracking, based on a stereoscopic vision system, that has been applied to a mobile robot controlled by a PC. After analyzing the epipolar rectification required to correct the original stereo-images, it is described a new valid and efficient algorithm for ball recognition (indeed circle detection) which is able to work in different lighting conditions and in a manner faster than some modified versions of Circle Hough Transform. Then, we show that stereo vision, besides giving an optimum estimation of the 3D position of the object, is useful to remove lots of the false identifications of the ball, thanks to the advantages of epipolar constraint. Finally, we describe a new strategy for ball following, by a mobile robot, which is able to look for the object whenever it comes out of the cameras view, by taking advantage of a block matching method similar to that of MPEG Video

Alignment transition in a nematic liquid crystal due to field-induced breaking of anchoring

We report on the alignment transition of a nematic liquid crystal from initially homeotropic to quasi-planar due to field-induced anchoring breaking. The initial homeotropic alignment is achieved by Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers. In this geometry the anchoring strength can be evaluated by the Frederiks transition technique. Applying an electric field above a certain threshold provokes turbulent states denoted DSM1 and DSM2. While DSM1 does not affect the anchoring, DSM2 breaks the coupling between the surface and the liquid crystal: switching off the field from a DSM2 state does not immediately restore the homeotropic alignment. Instead, we obtain a quasi-planar metastable alignment. The cell thickness dependence for the transition is related to theComment: 7 pages, LaTeX2e article, 4 figures, 7 EPS files, added references, accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter

Insulin pump failures in Italian children with Type 1 diabetes: retrospective 1-year cohort study

AimsInsulin pump failure and/or malfunction requiring replacement have not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluated pump replacement in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy.MethodsData were collected for all participants younger than 19 years, starting insulin pump therapy before 31 December 2013. For each child, age, disease duration, date of insulin pump therapy initiation, insulin pump model, failure/malfunction/replacement yes/no and reason were considered for the year 2013.ResultsData were returned by 40 of 43 paediatric centres belonging to the Diabetes Study Group of the Italian Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology. In total, 1574 of 11 311 (13.9%) children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes were using an insulin pump: 29.2% Animas VIBE, 9.4% Medtronic MiniMed 715/515, 34.3% Medtronic MiniMed VEO, 24.3% Accu-Check Spirit Combo and 2.8% other models. In 2013, 0.165 insulin pump replacements per patient-year (11.8% due to pump failure/malfunction and 4.7% due to accidental damage) were recorded. Animas VIBE (22.1%) and Medtronic MiniMed VEO (17.7%) were the most replaced.ConclusionsIn a large cohort of Italian children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, insulin pump failure/malfunction and consequent replacement are aligned with rates previously reported and higher in more sophisticated pump models

Dual-regulated lentiviral vector for gene therapy of X-linked chronic granulomatosis

Regulated transgene expression may improve the safety and efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy. Clinical trials for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) employing gammaretroviral vectors were limited by insertional oncogenesis or lack of persistent engraftment. Our novel strategy, based on regulated lentiviral vectors (LV), targets gp91(phox) expression to the differentiated myeloid compartment while sparing HSC, to reduce the risk of genotoxicity and potential perturbation of reactive oxygen species levels. Targeting was obtained by a myeloid-specific promoter (MSP) and posttranscriptional, microRNA-mediated regulation. We optimized both components in human bone marrow (BM) HSC and their differentiated progeny in vitro and in a xenotransplantation model, and generated therapeutic gp91(phox) expressing LVs for CGD gene therapy. All vectors restored gp91(phox) expression and function in human X-CGD myeloid cell lines, primary monocytes, and differentiated myeloid cells. While unregulated LVs ectopically expressed gp91(phox) in CD34(+) cells, transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally regulated LVs substantially reduced this off-target expression. X-CGD mice transplanted with transduced HSC restored gp91(phox) expression, and MSP-driven vectors maintained regulation during BM development. Combining transcriptional (SP146.gp91-driven) and posttranscriptional (miR-126-restricted) targeting, we achieved high levels of myeloid-specific transgene expression, entirely sparing the CD34(+) HSC compartment. This dual-targeted LV construct represents a promising candidate for further clinical development

Effect of preemengence herbicides diclosulam and metolochlor for Sida rhombifolia control in soybean

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos dos herbicidas diclosulam e metolachlor, aplicados sozinhos ou em mistura, no controle em pré-emergência de S. rhombifolia na cultura da soja, foi instalado um experimento em Latossolo Roxo distrófico, em Londrina-PR, no ano agrícola 1996/97.0 delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: diclosulama 25 e 35 g/ha, diclosulam +rnetolachlor a 25+ 1200,25+ 1800,35+ 1200 e 35+ 1800 g/ha e metolach1or a 1200, 1800 e 2400 g/ha. Como padrão foram utilizados chlorimuron + lactofen (12,5+ 96 g/ha) e testemunhas, com capina e sem capina. A cultivar BR-16 foi semeada em 05/12/96 e a aplicação foi realizada na mesma data, utilizando-se pulverizador costal pressurizado a CO2, equipado com barra de quatro bicos 110-02XP, pressão de 2,45 kg/cm- e volume de pulverização de 200 l/ha. Diclosulam + metolachlor e diclosulam sozinho, ambos na menor dose, controlaram satisfatoriamente a guanxuma, não diferindo estatisticamente dos tratamentos com as doses maiores. Metolachlor sozinho, nas maiores doses, apresentou nível de controle em torno de 80%, diferindo estatisticamente dos melhores tratamentos. Devido às condições climáticas adversas, o padrão chlorimuron + lactofen foi aplicado quando as plantas de guanxuma estavam com 4 a 12 folhas e 5 a 25 em de altura. Aos 49 dias após aplicação verificou-se 80% de controle, equivalendo ao tratamento com metolachlor a 2400 g/ha. A fitotoxicidade do diclosulam sozinho e em mistura com o metolachlor atingiu níveis de controle inferiores a 5%. Conclui-se que o diclosulam (25 g/ha) e diclosulam + metolachlor (25+ 1200 g/ha), controlaram eficientemente a guanxuma.An experiment was conducted on a Cerrado oxisol during 1996/97. The objective of experiment was to evaluate the effects of diclosulam and metolochlor alone or in combination, in preemergence control of Sida rhombifolia in soybean. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with four replications. Treatrnents were as follows: diclosulam at 25 and 35 g/ha, diclosulam + metolachlor at 25+1200,25+1800,35+1200 and 35+1800 g/ha, metolachlor at 1200,1800 and 2400 g/ha, and a tank mix of chlorimuron + lactofem at 1.5+96 g/ha used for comparison. A weedy and a weeded control were also included. Soybean seeds (BR-16 cultivar) were sowed December 5. 1996 and herbicides applied in the same day using a back sprayer, with four 110-02XP nozzles, operated at 2,45 kg/cm- to deliver 200 Ilha. Diclosulam and diclosulam + metolachlor at the smaller rates gave good control of S. rhombifolia, with no significant differences to the highest dosages. Metolachlor at 1800 and 2400 g/ha contralled about 80% of the weed. These results were significantly different frorn the results with diclosulam and diclosulam + metolochlor. Due to adverse climate condition in the area, chlorimuron + lactofen was applied when S. rhombifolia had 4-12 leaves and 5-25 em high. After 49 days chlorimuron + lactofen had controlled 80% of S. rhombifolia, wich was equal to metolachlor (2400 g/ha) results. Diclosulam and diclosulam + metolachlor gave less than 5% toxicity to soybean. lt was concluded that diclosulam at 25 g/ha and diclosulam + metolachlor at 25+ 1200 g/ha gave good control of S. rhombifolia

Bio-nanotechnology application in wastewater treatment

The nanoparticles have received high interest in the field of medicine and water purification, however, the nanomaterials produced by chemical and physical methods are considered hazardous, expensive, and leave behind harmful substances to the environment. This chapter aimed to focus on green-synthesized nanoparticles and their medical applications. Moreover, the chapter highlighted the applicability of the metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the inactivation of microbial cells due to their high surface and small particle size. Modifying nanomaterials produced by green-methods is safe, inexpensive, and easy. Therefore, the control and modification of nanoparticles and their properties were also discussed