Effect of positional inaccuracies on multielectrode results

This paper investigates the effect of electrode positioning errors on the inverted pseudosection. Instead of random spacing errors (as usually assumed in geoelectrics) we exactly measured this effect among field conditions. In the field, in spite of the greatest possible care, the electrode positions contain some inaccuracy: either in case of dense undergrowth, or varied topography, or very rocky field. In all these cases, it is not possible to put the electrodes in their theoretical position. As a consequence, the position data will contain some error. The inaccuracies were exactly determined by using a laser distance meter. The geometrical data from real field conditions and by using Wenner-α, Wenner-β, pole-dipole and pole-pole arrays were then considered over homogeneous half space. As we have found, the positioning errors can be regarded as insignificant, even in case of relatively uncomfortable field conditions. However, in case of very rocky surface the distortions are more significant, but it is still possible to make some corrections: either by neglecting a few electrode positions with the greatest positioning error, or to minimize the inline errors, even on the price that offline deviations are high

A comparative study: Methods for the determination of ascorbic acid in small and middle sized food analytic laboratories

Although vitamin C is essential as an antioxidant and as a cofactor in a series of enzymatic reactions, the ability for ascorbate biosynthesis was lost in humans. Thus, horticultural products and derived fruit drinks or commercial vitamin C products are considered to be important sources for the ascorbic acid intake in the human diet. These facts underline the importance of analytical methods for ascorbic acid determination in different food products. In our study two spectrophotometric and a fluorometric ascorbic acid determination methods have been compared with each other and with the so-called etalon HPLC method to find the best for small or middle sized food analytic laboratories with a sample number of up to several hundreds. As a result of our experiments we could establish that the OPDA-fluorometric method can be suggested for the determination of samples containing ascorbate at low concentrations. Unfortunately, the analytical properties of the OPDA method with spectrophotometric detection have been lagging far behind the others. The 2,2′-bipyridyl method could give a balanced performance for all tests. Furthermore, the results gained by this method are the closest to the results of the reference HPLC method in the case of fruit and vegetable samples

Low-power methods of power sensing and frequency detection for wideband vibration energy harvesting

Power maximisation techniques in wideband vibration energy harvesting typically require the periodic sensing of input power or excitation frequency. This paper presents low- power circuits and sensing methods to obtain this information. First, an excitation frequency measurement circuit is presented that permits a reduced timer run-time compared to reported methods. Second, a power sensing method is presented, which extends the measurement range of reported techniques by adapting to the levels of the available power. Experimental results for the frequency measurement circuit tested in the range 35-51 Hz show a power consumption of 3.7 μW. The power-sensing technique is experimentally validated over a power range of 370690 μW, and its power consumption is 7.5 μW

From inadvertent to reluctant pioneer? Climate strategies and policy style in France

To comply with the Kyoto Protocol, signatory nations have implemented a policy template of reducing greenhouse gas emissions mainly from the electricity generation and heavy industry sectors. This article shows how, in the case of France, a policy style based on `environmental meso-corporatism' has largely exhausted this `standard recipe'. To consider how far France has developed fresh solutions, two phases of climate policy-making in the 2000s are analysed. Increased recourse to new environmental policy instruments is identified, but implemented through the institutional routines of `environmental meso-corporatism'. The article argues that although this policy style has proved relatively well adapted to regulating the technologies of production, it has little purchase on cultures of consumption within the residential and transport sectors. Faced with new challenges, policymakers have proved better equipped to reform policy content than policy style. But France shows some reluctance to resolve the problem of limited policy reach

The Prediction Properties of Inverse and Reverse Regression for the Simple Linear Calibration Problem

The calibration of measurement systems is a fundamental but under-studied problem within industrial statistics. The origins of this problem go back to basic chemical analysis based on NIST standards. In today's world these issues extend to mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering. Often, these new scenarios do not provide "gold standards" such as the standard weights provided by NIST. This paper considers the classic "forward regression followed by inverse regression" approach. In this approach the initial experiment treats the "standards" as the regressor and the observed values as the response to calibrate the instrument. The analyst then must invert the resulting regression model in order to use the instrument to make actual measurements in practice. This paper compares this classical approach to "reverse regression," which treats the standards as the response and the observed measurements as the regressor in the calibration experiment. Such an approach is intuitively appealing because it avoids the need for the inverse regression. However, it also violates some of the basic regression assumptions

\b{eta}-delayed three-proton decay of 31Ar

The beta decay of 31Ar, produced by fragmentation of a 36Ar beam at 880 MeV/nucleon, was investigated. Identified ions of 31Ar were stopped in a gaseous time projection chamber with optical readout allowing to record decay events with emission of protons. In addition to \b{eta}-delayed emission of one and two protons we have clearly observed the beta-delayed three-proton branch. The branching ratio for this channel in 31Ar is found to be 0.07(2)%.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Rev.

Discovery and Cross-Section Measurement of Neutron-Rich Isotopes in the Element Range from Neodymium to Platinum at the FRS

With a new detector setup and the high-resolution performance of the fragment separator FRS at GSI we discovered 57 new isotopes in the atomic number range of 60$\leq Z \leq 78$: \nuc{159-161}{Nb}, \nuc{160-163}{Pm}, \nuc{163-166}Sm, \nuc{167-168}{Eu}, \nuc{167-171}{Gd}, \nuc{169-171}{Tb}, \nuc{171-174}{Dy}, \nuc{173-176}{Ho}, \nuc{176-178}{Er}, \nuc{178-181}{Tm}, \nuc{183-185}{Yb}, \nuc{187-188}{Lu}, \nuc{191}{Hf}, \nuc{193-194}{Ta}, \nuc{196-197}{W}, \nuc{199-200}{Re}, \nuc{201-203}{Os}, \nuc{204-205}{Ir} and \nuc{206-209}{Pt}. The new isotopes have been unambiguously identified in reactions with a $^{238}$U beam impinging on a Be target at 1 GeV/u. The isotopic production cross-section for the new isotopes have been measured and compared with predictions of different model calculations. In general, the ABRABLA and COFRA models agree better than a factor of two with the new data, whereas the semiempirical EPAX model deviates much more. Projectile fragmentation is the dominant reaction creating the new isotopes, whereas fission contributes significantly only up to about the element holmium.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Application of direct bioautography and SPME-GC-MS for the study of antibacterial chamomile ingredients

The isolation and characterization of antibacterial chamomile components were performed by the use of direct bioautography and solid phase microextraction (SPME)-GC-MS. Four ingredients, active against Vibrio fischeri, were identified as the polyacetylene geometric isomers cis- and trans-spiroethers, the coumarin related herniarin, and the sesquiterpene alcohol (-)-alpha-bisabolol

Evaluation of gastrointestinal transit in clinical practice: position paper of the American and European Neurogastroenterology and Motility Societies

Disorders of gastrointestinal (GI) transit and motility are common, and cause either delayed or accelerated transit through the stomach, small intestine or colon, and affect one or more regions. Assessment of regional and/or whole gut transit times can provide direct measurements and diagnostic information to explain the cause of symptoms, and plan therapy.Recently, several newer diagnostic tools have become available. The American and European Neurogastroenterology and Motility Societies undertook this review to provide guidelines on the indications and optimal methods for the use of transit measurements in clinical practice. This was based on evidence of validation including performance characteristics, clinical significance, and strengths of various techniques. The tests include measurements of: gastric emptying with scintigraphy, wireless motility capsule, and 13 C breath tests; small bowel transit with breath tests, scintigraphy, and wireless motility capsule; and colonic transit with radioopaque markers, wireless motility capsule, and scintigraphy. Based on the evidence, consensus recommendations are provided for each technique and for the evaluations of regional and whole gut transit. In summary, tests of gastrointestinal transit are available and useful in the evaluation of patients with symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal dysmotility, since they can provide objective diagnosis and a rational approach to patient management.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/79321/1/j.1365-2982.2010.01612.x.pd