Electric breakdown in liquids : faster ignition using less energy

The formation of vapor layers around an electrode immersed in a conducting liquid prior to generation of a plasma discharge is studied using numerical simulations. This study quantifies and explains the effects of the electrode geometry and applied voltage pulses, as well as the electrical and thermal properties of the liquids on the temporal dynamics of the pre-breakdown conditions in the vapor layer. This model agrees well with experimental data, in particular, the time needed to reach the electrical breakdown threshold. Because the time needed for discharge ignition can be accurately predicted from the model, the parameters such as the pulse shape, voltage, and electrode configuration can be optimized under different liquid conditions, which facilitates a faster and more energy-efficient plasma generation.

La traducción de textos en verso.

Se analizan diversos aspectos sobre las características del oficio de traductor y de las traducciones en sí mismas, en cuanto a forma y contenido, especialmente en lo que se refiere a la poesía.

Meat quality of young Nellore bulls with low and high residual feed intake

Fifty-nine Nellore bulls from low and high residual feed intake (RFI) levels were studied with the objective of evaluating meat quality traits. Animals were slaughtered when ultrasound-measured backfat thickness reached 4. mm, and samples of Longissimus were collected. A mixed model including RFI as fixed effect and herd and diet as random effects was used, and least square means were compared by t-test. More efficient animals consumed 0.730. kg dry matter/day less than less efficient animals, with similar performance. No significant differences in carcass weight, prime meat cuts proportion, chemical composition, pH, sarcomere length, or color were observed between RFI groups. Shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index and soluble collagen content were influenced by RFI, with a higher shear force and soluble collagen content and a lower fragmentation index in low RFI animals. Feedlot-finished low RFI young Nellore bulls more efficiently convert feed into meat, presenting carcasses within quality standards. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Effect of naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal on c-fos expression in rat corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus and extended amygdala

Morphine withdrawal is characterized by physical symptoms and a negative affective state. The 41 amino acid polypeptide corticotropin-releasing, hormone (CRH) is hypothesized to mediate, in part, both the negative affective state and the physical withdrawal syndrome. Here, by means of dual-immunohistochemical methodology, we examined the co-expression of the c-Fos protein and CRH following naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Rats were treated with slow-release morphine 50 mg/kg (subcutaneous, s.c.) or vehicle every 48 It for 5 days, then withdrawn with naloxone 5 mg/kg (s.c.) or saline 48 h after the final morphine injection. Two hours after withdrawal rats were perfused transcardially and their brains were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. We found that naloxone-precipitated withdrawal of morphine-dependent rats increased c-Fos immunoreactivity (IR) in CRH positive neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus. Withdrawal of morphine-dependent rats also increased c-Fos-IR in the central amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. however these were in CRH negative neurons. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.