Enrichment of surfactant from its aqueous solution using ultrasonic atomization

Dilute aqueous solutions of dodecyl-benzenesulfonic acid sodium salt (DBS-Na) and polyoxyethylenenonylphenyl ethers (PONPEs) were ultrasonically atomized. The surfactants were concentrated in collected mist droplets. The enrichment ratio increased with decreasing surfactant concentration. Depending on the surfactant’s molecular weight and affinity to water, different enrichment ratio was observed in the range of low feed concentrations. For anionic surfactant, DBS-Na, the enrichment ratio was significantly improved by KCl addition and a peak appeared on the plot of the ratio against KCl concentration. Addition of NaCl or CaCl₂ · 2H₂O to the surfactant solution also enhanced the enrichment ratio; however, the effect was relatively small. Such behaviors of the ratio were interpreted as enhanced interfacial adsorption of the surfactant and a lack of supply of surfactant monomers from liquid bulk because of slow breaking of surfactant micelles. Time required for collecting an amount of mist was also observed. Among the three salt systems, the time for KCl system was twice as long as others. This fact suggested that the formation of smaller droplets in KCl system.     

Optical characteristics of uniaxial polyester films with the optical axis perpendicular to the surface

The functions of the main indices of refraction n(ν) and absorption κ(ν) of uniaxial thin polyethylene terephthalate films have been calculated by the experimental spectra of frustrated total reflection of s-and p-polarized radiation in the 700–760-cm⁻¹ range. The κ_o(ν) maximum falls at the the 727-cm⁻¹ frequency and the maximum of κ_e(ν) falls at the the 724-and 732-cm^{− 1} frequencies. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 72, No. 6, pp. 756–759, November–December, 2005.     

Fundamental Domains for Finite Subgroups in <Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>(2) and Configurations of Lagrangians

We show that every finite subgroup of U(2) is contained with index two in a group generated by involutions fixing Lagrangian planes. We describe fundamental domains for their action on related to the configuration of these Lagrangian planes.     

Parametrization of the effect of surface reflection on spectral infrared radiance measurements. Application to IASI

The recent launch of the Advanced Infrared Sounder (AIRS) on board EOS-Aqua and the scheduled launch of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounder Interferometer (IASI) on board the Meteorological Operational Satellite (METOP) in 2005 open interesting perspectives for remote sensing applications. Owing to their enhanced spectral resolution and sensitivity, this new generation of high-resolution infrared vertical sounders is first aimed at improving the vertical resolution of temperature and water vapor profile retrievals needed by the weather forecasting community. Another important possible use of these instruments, in the context of the study of global warming, is to permit the retrieval of the concentrations of greenhouse gases like , etc. In order to reach these two main objectives, improvement in the modeling of the radiative transfer is therefore necessary. One of the points which still needs some improvements is the contribution of the downward radiation reflected by the surface back to the satellite which is often improperly accounted for in radiative transfer calculation to save computer time. In this article, we show how it is possible to simplify the problem through the computation of a spectrally dependent “effective” emissivity for which a simple parametrization is proposed, while preserving the accuracy of the results.     

When Is a Sum of Partial Reflections Equal to a Scalar Operator?

We describe the set of values of the parameter for which there exists a Hilbert space H and n partial reflections A ₁,...,A _n (self-adjoint operators such that A _k ³ =A_k or, which is the same, self-adjoint operators whose spectra belong to the set {-1,0,1}) whose sum is equal to the scalar operator I _H .     

Generic compactness reformulated

We point out a connection between reflection principles and generic large cardinals. One principle of pure reflection is introduced that is as strong as generic supercompactness of ₂ by -closed forcing. This new concept implies CH and extends the reflection principles for stationary sets in a canonical way.Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 03E50, 03E55     

Multi-frequency harmonic arrays: initial experience with a novel transducer concept for nonlinear contrast imaging

Nonlinear contrast imaging modes such as second harmonic imaging (HI) and subharmonic imaging (SHI) are increasingly important for clinical applications. However, the performance of currently available transducers for HI and SHI is significantly constrained by their limited bandwidth. To bypass this constraint, a novel transducer concept termed multi-frequency harmonic transducer arrays (MFHA's) has been designed and a preliminary evaluation has been conducted. The MFHA may ultimately be used for broadband contrast enhanced HI and SHI with high dynamic range and consists of three multi-element piezo-composite sub-arrays (A-C) constructed so the center frequencies are 4f(A) = 2f(B) = f(C) (specifically 2.5/5.0/10.0 MHz and 1.75/3.5/7.0 MHz). In principle this enables SHI by transmitting on sub-array C receiving on B and, similarly, from B to A as well as HI by transmitting on A receiving on B and, likewise, from B to C. Initially transmit and receive pressure levels of the arrays were measured with the elements of each sub-array wired in parallel. Following contrast administration, preliminary in vitro HI and SHI signal-to-noise ratios of up to 40 dB were obtained. In conclusion, initial design and in vitro characterization of two MFHA's have been performed. They have an overall broad frequency bandwidth of at least two octaves. Due to the special design of the array assembly, the SNR for HI and SHI was comparable to that of regular B-mode and better than commercially available HI systems. However, further research on multi-element MFHA's is required before their potential for in vivo nonlinear contrast imaging can be assessed.     

Determination of the Coefficient of Laser Radiation Reflection from Dielectric Targets in Vacuum

We present the results of experimental determination of the coefficients of laser radiation reflection (₁ 10.6 m and ₂ 1.06 m) from dielectric targets of complex chemical composition in vacuum with allowance for a regime of developed plasma formation.     

Monitoring molecular beacon DNA probe hybridization at the single-molecule level

We have monitored the reaction dynamics of the DNA hybridization process on a liquid/solid interface at the single-molecule level by using a hairpin-type molecular beacon DNA probe. Fluorescence images of single DNA probes were recorded by using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescence signal of single DNA probes during the hybridization to individual complementary DNA probes was monitored over time. Among 400 molecular beacon DNA probes that we tracked, 349 molecular beacons (87.5 %) were hybridized quickly and showed an abrupt fluorescence increase, while 51 probes (12.5 %) reacted slowly, resulting in a gradual fluorescence increase. This ratio stayed about the same when varying the concentrations of cDNA in MB hybridization on the liquid/surface interface. Statistical data of the 51 single-molecule hybridization images showed that there was a multistep hybridization process. Our results also showed that photostability for the dye molecules associated with the double-stranded hybrids was better than that for those with the single-stranded molecular beacon DNA probes. Our results demonstrate the ability to obtain a better understanding of DNA hybridization processes using single-molecule techniques, which will improve biosensor and biochip development where surface-immobilized molecular beacon DNA probes provide unique advantages in signal transduction.