Direct and rapid electrochemical immunosensing system based on a conducting polymer

A system device using multifunctional conjugated copolymer poly(5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-co-hydroxy-2-thioacetic acid-1,4-naphthoquinone) acting both as immobilizing and transducing element for reagentless immunosensor has been constructed. Its functionality was evaluated in an antigen-antibody interaction model using ovalbumin-anti-ovalbumin. It was shown that the system specifically detects via electrochemical signal the antigen-antibody immune interaction in a reagentless context. Comparison to the conventional ELISA technique relevant to performance and sensitivity was presented.     

A memetic algorithm for the team orienteering problem

The team orienteering problem (TOP) is a generalization of the orienteering problem. A limited number of vehicles is available to visit customers from a potential set. Each vehicle has a predefined running-time limit, and each customer has a fixed associated profit. The aim of the TOP is to maximize the total collected profit. In this paper we propose a simple hybrid genetic algorithm using new algorithms dedicated to the specific scope of the TOP: an Optimal Split procedure for chromosome evaluation and local search techniques for mutation. We have called this hybrid method a memetic algorithm for the TOP. Computational experiments conducted on standard benchmark instances clearly show our method to be highly competitive with existing ones, yielding new improved solutions in at least 5 instances.     

Two regularization methods for backward heat problems with new error estimates

We introduce two new methods for solving a backward heat conduction problem. For these two methods, we give a stability analysis with new error estimates. Meanwhile, we investigate the roles of the regularization parameters in these two methods. Numerical results show that our algorithm is effective.     

Local hydrodynamic investigation of the aeration in a submerged hollow fibre membranes cassette

The better understanding of the effective air distribution inside a membrane cassette is a particular challenge in submerged membrane bioreactor. The present study is the first one that investigates the hydrodynamics of the coarse bubbles flow inside a hollow fibre membranes cassette. The experimental investigations were carried out in a reactor equipped with commercial modules from ZENON ZeeWeed^® 500d. A bi-optical probe was used to measure the bubble size, the bubble velocity and the gas hold-up at different locations between the modules and for three different gas flow rates. These local measurements gave significant information about the lateral distribution of the air and its evolution with the height on the surface of the membrane modules, which can impact on the filtration performance and are the first step to an optimisation of the aeration system and module geometry.     

Fabrication and Tribological Properties of Pb Nanoparticles

In this paper, we describe a surfactant-assisted solution dispersion method to obtain metal nanoparticles, which involves dispersing and stabilizing metal droplets in an appropriate solvent. This method has been successfully used to prepare Pb nanoparticles from bulk Pb. The X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations show the formation of Pb nanoparticles possessing the same crystal structure as bulk metal and an average particle diameter of 40 nm. Thermal analysis indicates that Pb nanoparticles have organic shell, which is in agreement with the excellent oil-solubility. In addition, the tribological properties of Pb nanoparticles as additive in oil are discussed.     

Dependence of photoemission efficiency on the pulsed laser cleaning of Tungsten photocathodes, part 1: Experimental

3+ :YAG laser with 5^th harmonic generator, generating 16 ps duration pulses at 213 nm, with energies up to 0.5 mJ. Experimental results concerning the action of laser pulses, as well as the effects of residual pressure on the cleanliness of the photocathodes surface are presented and discussed. Influence of laser pulses and residual pressure on the work function of the metal are also investigated. Received: 15 April 1996/Accepted: 5 November 1996     

Iterative method for solving a nonlinear boundary value problem

In this paper, a boundary value problem for a nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equation is studied. By means of the maximum principle we established the existence and the uniqueness of a solution of the problem. Then for finding the solution an iterative method is proposed. It is proved that this method converges much faster than the Picar successive approximations and in a particular case it gives two-sided monotone approximations to the exact solution of the problem. Finally, some illustrative examples are considered to confirm the efficiency of the method.