1,006 research outputs found
Quick and robust method for trace determination of MeHg in rice and rice products without derivatisation
Peer reviewedPostprin
A priori prediction of aggregation efficiency and rate constant for fluidized bed melt granulation
This paper presents a predictive aggregation rate model for spray fluidized bed melt granulation. The aggregation rate constant was derived from probability analysis of particleâdroplet contact combined with time scale analysis of droplet solidification and granuleâgranule collision rates. The latter was obtained using the principles of kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF). The predicted aggregation rate constants were validated by comparison with reported experimental data for a range of binder spray rate, binder droplet size and operating granulator temperature. The developed model is particularly useful for predicting particle size distributions and growth using population balance equations (PBEs)
Identification of culturable vaginal Lactobacillus species among reproductive age women in Mysore, India
A healthy vaginal environment is predominated by certain Lactobacillus species, which lead to the prevention of infections of the reproductive tract. This study examined the characteristics of cultivable Lactobacillus species in both healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Between November 2011 and September 2013, 139 women attending a women\u27s clinic in Mysore, India, were evaluated for BV in a cross-sectional study. BV was diagnosed using Amsel\u27s criteria: homogeneous vaginal discharge, vaginal pH \u3e4.5, production of amines, and presence of âclueâ cells. Those with three or more of the characteristics were considered to have BV. Vaginal swabs were then cultured in Rogosa agar and de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth. Gram-positive lactobacilli generating 600â800âbp amplicons by16 sRNA were further characterized by sequencing. Cultivable vaginal samples were obtained from 132 women (94.9â%). According to the Amsel criteria, 83 women (62.1â%) were healthy, and 49 (37.1â%) had BV. Eleven different Lactobacillus species were isolated from 47 women. The common lactobacilli species found in this sample included L. crispatus (39.6â%), L. gasseri (45.8â%), and L. jensenii (14.6â%). Lactobacilli were isolated from 39 healthy women and eight with BV. L. gasseri was cultured from 18.8â% of healthy women and 6.1â% with BV. The presence of L. reuteri was significantly associated with normal vaginal microbiota (P-valueâ=â0.026). These results further our understanding of vaginal lactobacilli colonization and richness in this particular population. Our findings showed that lactobacilli species present in the vaginas of healthy women in India do not differ from those reported from other countries
NLTE solar irradiance modeling with the COSI code
Context. The solar irradiance is known to change on time scales of minutes to
decades, and it is suspected that its substantial fluctua- tions are partially
responsible for climate variations. Aims. We are developing a solar atmosphere
code that allows the physical modeling of the entire solar spectrum composed of
quiet Sun and active regions. This code is a tool for modeling the variability
of the solar irradiance and understanding its influence on Earth. Methods. We
exploit further development of the radiative transfer code COSI that now
incorporates the calculation of molecular lines. We validated COSI under the
conditions of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) against the synthetic
spectra calculated with the ATLAS code. The synthetic solar spectra were also
calculated in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) and compared to the
available measured spectra. In doing so we have defined the main problems of
the modeling, e.g., the lack of opacity in the UV part of the spectrum and the
inconsistency in the calculations of the visible continuum level, and we
describe a solution to these problems. Results. The improved version of COSI
allows us to reach good agreement between the calculated and observed solar
spectra as measured by SOLSTICE and SIM onboard the SORCE satellite and ATLAS 3
mission operated from the Space Shuttle. We find that NLTE effects are very
important for the modeling of the solar spectrum even in the visual part of the
spectrum and for its variability over the entire solar spectrum. In addition to
the strong effect on the UV part of the spectrum, NLTE effects influence the
concentration of the negative ion of hydrogen, which results in a significant
change of the visible continuum level and the irradiance variability.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in
Astronomy&Astrophysic
A Raman spectroscopic study of arsenite and thioarsenite species in aqueous solution at 25°C
The Raman spectra of thioarsenite and arsenite species in aqueous solution were obtained at room temperature. Solutions at constant ÎŁAs + ÎŁS of 0.1 and 0.5 mol kg(-1 )were prepared with various ÎŁS/ÎŁAs ratios (0.1â9.0) and pH values (~7â13.2). Our data suggest that the speciation of As under the conditions investigated is more complicated than previously thought. The Raman measurements offer evidence for at least six separate S-bearing As species whose principal bands are centered near 365, 385, 390, 400, 415 and 420 cm(-1). The data suggest that at least two different species may give rise to bands at 385 cm(-1), bringing the probable minimum number of species to seven. Several additional species are possible but could not be resolved definitively. In general, the relative proportions of these species are dependent on total As concentration, ÎŁS/ÎŁAs ratio and pH. At very low ÎŁS/ÎŁAs ratios we also observe Raman bands attributable to the dissociation products of H(3)AsO(3)(aq). Although we were unable to assign precise stoichiometries for the various thioarsenite species, we were able to map out general pH and ÎŁS/ÎŁAs conditions under which the various thioarsenite and arsenite species are predominant. This study provides a basis for more detailed Raman spectroscopic and other types of investigations of the nature of thioarsenite species
Effects of Fingolimod on MRI Outcomes in Patients with Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Results from Phase 3 PARADIGMS Study
Segmentation and Scene Content in Moving Images
The problem of scene content in moving images was brought by Aralia. The goal in this study group was to consider two problems. The first was image segmentation and the second is the context of the scene. These problems were explored in different areas, namely the Bayesian approach to image segmentation, shadow detection, shape recognition and background separation
Pathway to the Square Kilometre Array - The German White Paper -
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the most ambitious radio telescope ever
planned. With a collecting area of about a square kilometre, the SKA will be
far superior in sensitivity and observing speed to all current radio
facilities. The scientific capability promised by the SKA and its technological
challenges provide an ideal base for interdisciplinary research, technology
transfer, and collaboration between universities, research centres and
industry. The SKA in the radio regime and the European Extreme Large Telescope
(E-ELT) in the optical band are on the roadmap of the European Strategy Forum
for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and have been recognised as the essential
facilities for European research in astronomy.
This "White Paper" outlines the German science and R&D interests in the SKA
project and will provide the basis for future funding applications to secure
German involvement in the Square Kilometre Array.Comment: Editors: H. R. Kl\"ockner, M. Kramer, H. Falcke, D.J. Schwarz, A.
Eckart, G. Kauffmann, A. Zensus; 150 pages (low resolution- and colour-scale
images), published in July 2012, language English (including a foreword and
an executive summary in German), the original file is available via the MPIfR
homepag
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