Phenomena Affecting the Equilibrium of Al(III) and Zn(II) Extraction with Winsor II Microemulsions

The extraction of Al(III) and Zn(II) from an aqueous solution with two water-in-oil microemulsions, one containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA), was investigated to aid the understanding of the role of the extractant and the metal specific characteristics in the mechanism of microemulsion extraction. The extraction of Al with the DEHPA microemulsion increased by a factor of about 10 with respect to that in the conventional DEHPA system, whereas the extraction of Zn was lower than that in the single DEHPA system. Extraction with the DEHPA-free microemulsion was very low, showing that metal ion solubilization was not important in the mechanism of microemulsion extraction. It is proposed that the effect of the mixed microemulsion on the metal distribution coefficient is the result of the balance between a decrease in the complexation reaction yield due to the interaction between butanol and DEHPA, and the adsorption of the metal complex at the macro- and microinterfaces. The former leads to a decrease in Zn(II) extraction and the latter to Al(III) extraction synergism. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Prospects for high-energy P−P beams: Study of hadronic jets and possible intermediate bosons

Predictions for large p_T hadronic jets in high-energy proton-antiproton collisions, produced by strong interactions alone or through intermediate boson production and decay, and strong interactions, are calculated and compared. Two alternative models are considered for the strong interactions between partons: the phenomenological model of quark-scattering and lowest order QCD. In the last case, gluons are also taken into account as partons, with different choices of the gluon distribution inside the proton. The differential cross-sections for two-jet productions are given in the more interesting regions of the phase-space, as well as the predictions for the mean charge of the jets. Possible signatures for the detection of the W are stressed. In particular, W's could show up only for jets with p_T near its maximum value. Our conclusions are mostly independent of the weak interaction model: the Weinberg-Salam one is considered for definiteness but alternative models are also discussed. The mean charge of the hadronic jets arising from either the weak or the strong interactions could be a rather distinctive tool in the search for the W. However, if gluons are present, their interactions could preponderate in the jet production mechanism and obstruct the search for intermediate bosons in the hadronic channels.     

Consumer perspectives on genetic testing, research and services for ethnoculturally diverse populations

A panel of individuals from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds and representing a variety of genetic disorders presented their consumer perspectives on genetic programs, testing and services. Their remarks emphasized how misunderstanding and miscommunication between health care professionals and many of the populations for whom they provide services can lead to unfilled genetic service needs. Panelists recommended that health care professionals become more aware and knowledgeable about the diversity of customs, beliefs and cultures of those receiving their services. Only by building a foundation of trust and mutual respect will genetic testing, research and services become more accessible to individuals from diverse populations, their families and their communities.     

Squark pair production mechanisms in pp collisions

Through a phenomenological analysis in the transverse plane of a $\text{p}\text{p}$ collision, we study different production mechanisms of squark pairs, decaying into a quark and a photino (missing energy): excitation of squarks inside the proton, fusion of light partons into squark pairs, and decay of heavier gluinos into squarks. The rates for missing transverse momentum are calculated and confronted with the monojet events observed at the CERN collider. In the framework of “minimal” supergravity models the excitation and fusion of squark pairs are disfavoured, whereas the dominant processes involve heavier gluinos and squarks cascading into photinos through intermediate squarks. The agreement with experimental data is better if heavier squarks and gluinos decay through an intermediate b-squark. We remark that energy dissipating effects during the cascade towards the final state tend to improve the comparison between theory and experiment.     

An approach to the study of heavy quarks ine + e − collisions

The production ofb- andt-quarks ine ⁺ e ^? collisions may be appropriately investigated from the observation of like-sign dileptons. We estimate the branching ratios and the average lepton energies in semileptonic decays of heavy particles, taking into account both cascade decays and the mass-mixing of neutral mesons. They are found to be relatively large. Then, we consider the angular distribution and correlations for events wheighted by powers of the lepton energies. These quantities (moments) have a transparent decomposition, where each factor corresponds to a dynamical step in the production of dileptons. Our computations suggest that the study of like-sign dileptons along these lines would provide interesting information on the heavy quark fragmentation and decay.     

Development of multianalyte sensor arrays composed of chemically derivatized polymeric microspheres localized in micromachined cavities.

The development of a chip-based sensor array composed of individually addressable polystyrene-poly(ethylene glycol) and agarose microspheres has been demonstrated. The microspheres are selectively arranged in micromachined cavities localized on silicon wafers. These cavities are created with an anisotropic etch and serve as miniaturized reaction vessels and analysis chambers. A single drop of fluid provides sufficient analysis media to complete approximately 100 assays in these microetch pits. The cavities possess pyramidal pit shapes with trans-wafer openings that allows for both fluid flow through the microreactors/analysis chambers and optical access to the chemically sensitive microspheres. Identification and quantitation of analytes occurs via colorimetric and fluorescence changes to receptor and indicator molecules that are covalently attached to termination sites on the polymeric microspheres. Spectral data are extracted from the array efficiently using a charge-coupled device allowing for the near-real-time digital analysis of complex fluids. The power and utility of this new microbead array detection methodology is demonstrated here for the analysis of complex fluids containing a variety of important classes of analytes including acids, bases, metal cations, metabolic cofactors, and antibody reagents.     

τ→μγ and μ→eγ as probes of neutrino mass models

We discuss the possibility of discriminating between different supersymmetric see-saw models by improving the experimental sensitivity to charged lepton flavour violating processes. Assuming a hierarchical neutrino mass spectrum, we classify see-saw models according to how the hierarchy Δm²Δm²_atm is generated, and study the predictions of each class for the branching ratios of τ→μγ and μ→eγ. The process τ→μγ is found to be a particularly promising tool to probe the fundamental see-saw parameters, and especially to identify the origin of the large atmospheric mixing angle. Predictions for μ→eγ are more model-dependent. We point out that, even with an improvement of the experimental sensitivities by three orders of magnitude, both τ→μγ and μ→eγ could escape detection in models where Δm²_atm is determined by one of the lightest right-handed neutrinos.     

机械泵驱动两相回路的实时动态模型分析

在航空航天领域,为了加速系统设计及测试进度,通常需要进行半实物实时仿真,即控制器用实物,受控对象采用数学模型。本文开发出了基于Matlab/Simulink的两相传热模块,并用其搭建了某机械泵驱动两相回路的实时动态模型。通过与实验的对比,验证了模型的可靠性,表明该模型满足实时要求,可以在下一步用于半实物仿真。