Refinement of measurability analysis of the linearized gravitational field

Second order transitions of a molecular detector employed in a Gedanken experiment devised for measurability analysis of the electric-type components of the linearized Weyl tensor are considered. It is found that the adjustability of the detectors permits probable excitations to involve either absorption of two gravitons of energy ?ωor absorption of a single graviton of energy 2?ω,where ωis the resonant frequency of the detector. However, the covariant character of the vibrational momentum is discovered to be crucial for understanding the relative efficacy of mechanisms for the latter sort of transitions.     

Sub-Tc electron transfer at the HTSC/polymer interface

The first kinetic measurements for electron transfer (ferrocene/ferricinium reaction) at the interface between an HTSC (Tl,Pb1223) and a redox polymer (ferrocene-tagged poly-pyrrole) show that superconductivity affects electron transfer rate, which thus offers a novel probe of the superconducting state.     

Complete elimination of the beam hardening effect in quantitative absorption tomography using polychromatic x-rays with single-component specimens

Absorption tomography has been a unique technique for 3D imaging in many scientific research and applications. However, the use of polychromatic x-ray sources for quantitative tomography has been limited due to the well-known beam hardening effect. In this article, we will describe the theoretical details of a new technique for quantitative tomography using polychromatic x-rays. The technique incorporates the full spectral information of the incident beam into the tomographic reconstruction process. Consequently, beam-hardening effects are eliminated and the result is quantitative. We will also demonstrate the technique experimentally using a single-component specimen. This technique promises great opportunities for laboratory-based x-ray sources to be used in quantitative applications.     

Beurteilung der Prozeßtechnischen Merkmale und des Funktionsverhaltens Eines Großen Futtermischers vom Typ MS-2500

Für einen groβen Futtermischer MS-2500, Typ PM-60, Fassungsvermögen 7,5 m³, Leistung 2500 kg pro Charge, wurden unter Verwendung von ²⁴Na als Indikator und FeCo₃ als chemischen Indikator der Homogenitätsgrad und die zur Homogenität der Kompoenten nötige Mischzeit festgestellt. Ferner wurden mittels üblicher Methoden der Feinheitsmodul und der Uniformitätsmodul bestimmt.     

Cell‐Friendly Inverse Opal‐Like Hydrogels for a Spatially Separated Co‐Culture System

Three‐dimensional macroporous scaffolds have extensively been studied for cell‐based tissue engineering but their use is mostly limited to mechanical support for cell adhesion and growth on the surface of macropores. Here, a templated fabrication method is described to prepare cell‐friendly inverse opal‐like hydrogels (IOHs) allowing both cell encapsulation within the hydrogel matrix and cell seeding on the surface of macropores. Ionically crosslinked alginate microbeads and photocrosslinkable biocompatible polymers are used as a sacrificial template and as a matrix, respectively. The alginate microbeads are easily removed by a chelating agent, with minimal toxicity for the encapsulated cells during template removal. The outer surface of macropores in IOHs can also provide a space for cell adherence. The cells encapsulated or attached in IOHs are able to remain viable and to proliferate over time. The elastic modulus and cell‐adhesion properties of IOHs can be easily controlled and tuned. Finally, it is demonstrated that IOH can be used to co‐culture two distinct cell populations in different spatial positions. This cell‐friendly IOH system provides a 3D scaffold for organizing different cell types in a controllable microenvironment to investigate biological processes such as stem cell niches or tumor microenvironments.

     

Detection of Nandrolone and Boldenone Abuse in the Ovine by GC�CMS�CMS

Under European legislation, the use of anabolic steroids as growth promoters in meat production is prohibited. Currently, there is no internationally accepted method used for the detection of the potentially endogenous steroids nandrolone and boldenone in the ovine. In the current study, a multi-residue GC?CMS?CMS-based urinary assay has been validated for boldenone as well as the nandrolone metabolites 5??-estrane-3??,17??-diol and epinandrolone. Using a standard addition calibration line approach in pooled bovine urine, the method was linear between the endogenous concentrations and those augmented with 6,000 pg mL^?1. The method was then applied to populations of wether (n = 242) and ewe (n = 237) ovine animals in order to establish urinary thresholds for detecting nandrolone and boldenone abuse. A statistical model (the Chebyshev inequality) was used to produce threshold concentrations for each analyte. Adjustment of the nandrolone metabolite data for specific gravity, a measure of the hydration status of the animal, allowed the effective thresholds to be reduced; potentially leading to a lower number of false positives. Furthermore, the proposed epinandrolone confirmatory thresholds (38,628 and 57,950 pg mL^?1 in wethers and ewes, respectively) were found to be effective in detecting abuse of nandrolone for at least 1 month post-dose of this steroid. However, further studies would be required to assess the efficacy of the proposed boldenone confirmatory thresholds (19,857 and 56,080 pg mL^?1 in wethers and ewes, respectively) since data on its excretion following administration to the ovine are lacking.