Generalized second law for a simple chaotic system.

The generalized second law (nonequilibrium maximum work formulation) is derived for a simple chaotic system. We consider a probability density, prepared in the far past, which weakly converges to an invariant density due to the mixing property. The generalized second law is then rewritten for an initial invariant density. Gibbs-Shannon entropy is constant in time, but the invariant density has a greater entropy than the prepared density. The maximum work is reduced due to the greater entropy of the invariant density. If and only if the invariant density is a canonical distribution, work is not extractable by any cyclic operation. This gives us the unique equilibrium state. Our argument is extended for a power invariant density such as the Tsallis distribution. On the basis of the Tsallis entropy, the maximum q-work formulation is derived. If and only if the invariant density is a Tsallis distribution, the q-work is no longer extractable by any cyclic operation.

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol adsorption on super-powdered activated carbon in the presence of natural organic matter.

Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are naturally occurring compounds responsible for musty-earthy-odors in surface water supplies. They are a severe problem confronting utilities worldwide. Adsorption by powdered activated carbon (PAC) is a widely used process to control this problem, but it has low efficiency, which engenders large budget spending for utilities services. Super-powdered activated carbon (S-PAC) is activated carbon with much finer particles than those of PAC. Experiments on geosmin and 2-MIB adsorptions on S-PAC and PAC were conducted. Geosmin and 2-MIB adsorption capacities on S-PAC were not smaller than those on PAC although natural organic matter, which adversely impacted the adsorption capacity of geosmin and 2-MIB, was more adsorbed on S-PAC than on PAC, meaning that the adsorption competition is less severe for S-PAC than for PAC.

Analysis of the bromate-sulfite-ferrocyanide pH oscillator using the particle filter: toward the automated modeling of complex chemical systems.

This study was aimed at identifying a quantitatively accurate reaction model of the bromate-sulfilte-ferrocyanide (BSF) pH oscillator by using the simulation-based model estimation algorithm known as the particle filter. The Rbai-Kaminaga-Hanazaki (RKH) model proposed for the BSF system was extended by adding the protonation equilibrium of SO42-, for which the particle filter analysis was carried out to optimize the rate constants involved with reference to the measured pH oscillation data. The extended RKH model with the optimized rate constants almost completely reproduced the measured pH oscillations and the state diagram, showing the validity of the present analysis. Chemical oscillators such as the BSF system show drastic switching of the dominant reaction path, which strongly disturbs the convergence of the rate constants if the objective function is defined in a conventional manner to reflect only a single time step datum. In this study, the objective function was defined as the residual sum of squares with respect to pH taken over an interval longer than one oscillatory period, so that all of the relevant reaction steps can contribute to the objective function. This is the first report which exemplifies the effectiveness of the particle filter in the analysis of real complex chemical systems.

Regulatory off-gas analysis from the evaporation of Hanford simulated waste spiked with organic compounds.

After strontium/transuranics removal by precipitation followed by cesium/technetium removal by ion exchange, the remaining low-activity waste in the Hanford River Protection Project Waste Treatment Plant is to be concentrated by evaporation before being mixed with glass formers and vitrified. To provide a technical basis to permit the waste treatment facility, a relatively organic-rich Hanford Tank 241-AN-107 waste simulant was spiked with 14 target volatile, semi-volatile, and pesticide compounds and evaporated under vacuum in a bench-scale natural circulation evaporator fitted with an industrial stack off-gas sampler at the Savannah River National Laboratory. An evaporator material balance for the target organics was calculated by combining liquid stream mass and analytical data with off-gas emissions estimates obtained using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SW-846 Methods. Volatile and light semi-volatile organic compounds (<220 degrees C BP, >1 mm Hg vapor pressure) in the waste simulant were found to largely exit through the condenser vent, while heavier semi-volatiles and pesticides generally remain in the evaporator concentrate. An OLI Environmental Simulation Program (licensed by OLI Systems, Inc.) evaporator model successfully predicted operating conditions and the experimental distribution of the fed target organics exiting in the concentrate, condensate, and off-gas streams, with the exception of a few semi-volatile and pesticide compounds. Comparison with Henry's Law predictions suggests the OLI Environmental Simulation Program model is constrained by available literature data.

[Myoid/myofibroblastic differentiation in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: a clinicopathologic study of six cases].

OBJECTIVE: The nature of myoid/myofibroblastic differentiation in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and its clinical and pathological significance were studied. METHODS: 124 DFSPs were reviewed by light microscopy. 6 cases with areas of myoid/myofibroblastic differentiation were assayed with immunohistochemical technique and electron microscopy was applied in two cases. RESULTS: Myoid/myofibroblastic differentiation occurred most commonly in fibrosarcomatous DFSP (FS-DFSP). It was recognized histologically as peripherally distributed or randomly scattered small eosinophilic nodules or short bundles, which were composed of bland spindle cells, closely resembling smooth muscle cells or myofibroblasts. Immunohistochemically, cells in myoid/myofibroblastic areas showed positive staining for alpha-SMA, MSA and vimentin, but negative for desmin and CD34. Electron microscopic study displayed the presence of microfilament bundles, focal dense bodies and micropinocytic vesicles, consistent with those of myofibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Myoid/myofibroblastic areas in DFSP possibly represents the hyperplasia of stromal myofibroblasts, rather than true myofibroblastic differentiation of the neoplastic cells.

[Clinical application of three-dimensional ultrasound imaging as intraoperative navigation for liver surgery].

Intraoperative hepatic ultrasonography provides a great deal of information about tumor location and vascular anatomy in the liver, and is an indispensable procedure for hepatic resection. However, an accurate three-dimensional understanding of ultrasound (US) images depends on the operator's skill and experience, as the original display is two dimensional. We developed a new three-dimensional US (3D-US) image processing method by application of the intensity projection method to US. The minimum and maximum intensity projection can display the arrangement of blood vessels (hepatic veins and portal veins) and hyperechoic regions, respectively. The intensity projection from several points of view can reconstruct 3D imaging by cine-display. Moving a probe manually, images are taken and processed on a real-time basis (in about 10 seconds). 3D-US was used in 24 patients undergoing hepatic resection, and allowed easy visualization of the tumors and vascular anatomy. It is considered to be an efficient and safe navigation system in liver surgery.

Deterioration of platelet energy metabolism following energy crisis of liver after hepatectomy.

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship in energy metabolism between the platelet and the liver. The adenylate energy charge of human platelets and arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR:acetoacetate/3-hydroxybutyrate) were measured in 11 patients after hepatectomy. Hepatic energy crisis was defined as the decrease of AKBR below 0.7. The platelet energy charge was measured on the first (Day 1), the second (Day 2), third (Day 3) and sixth (Day 6) day during AKBR decreased and remained under 0.7. The values before AKBR decreased were employed as the control. The values of the platelet energy charge were 0.917 +/- 0.008 in the control (n = 11) and 0.896 +/- 0.009 in all samples after AKBR decreased under 0.7 (n = 30). There was no significant difference between them. The values of energy charge were divided into four groups according to the periods of time after AKBR decreased and remained under 0.7 and compared. The energy charge was 0.923 +/- 0.006 (Day 1, n = 11), 0.907 +/- 0.008 (Day 2, n = 10), 0.890 +/- 0.005 (Day 3, n = 5), and 0.815 +/- 0.012 (Day 6, n = 4). The energy charge of Day 3 was significantly lower than that of Day 1 (p < 0.01). The energy charge of Day 6 was significantly lower than that of Day 1, 2, 3 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively). The 4 patients whose AKBR remained under 0.7 for more than 6 days had hemostatic disorder. The deterioration of the platelet energy charge metabolism lags behind that of the liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Avaliaçäo radiográfica de restauraçöes a amálgama com excessos proximais / Radiographic evaluation of overhangs amalgam restorations

Verificou-se radiograficamente a porcentagem de restauraçöes a amálgama com excesso proximais tendo sido observado uma alta porcentagem (42,2 por cento) de restauraçöes com excessos do material restaurador. Este alto valor ressalta a necessidade de maior atençäo por parte dos profissionais, no que se refere ao procedimento restaurador