Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for 24/7 automatic liquid slag analysis at a steel works.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied for the inline analysis of liquid slag at a steel works. The slag in the ladle of a slag transporter is measured at a distance of several meters during a short stop of the transporter. The slag surface with temperatures from ≈600 to ≈1400 °C consists of liquid slag and solidified slag parts.

A new type of gradiometer for the receiving circuit of magnetic induction tomography (MIT).

Magnetic induction tomography (MIT) is a low-resolution imaging modality which aims at the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the electrical conductivity in objects from alternating magnetic fields. In MIT systems the magnetic field perturbations to be detected are very small when compared to the excitation field (ppm range). The voltage which is induced by the excitation field in the receiver coils must be suppressed for providing sufficient dynamic range.

Sodium intake does not influence bioimpedance-derived extracellular volume loss in head-down rest.

Introduction: There is disagreement regarding the impact of dietary sodium on alterations in extracellular volume during head-down bed rest (HDBR). The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effects of salt intake on extracellular volume (ECV) during HDBR.

Methods: We performed whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy with controlled sodium intake during 4 d of ambulation and 8 d of -6 degrees HDBR in 10 normotensive men.

Head down tilt at -6 degrees to -24 degrees can neutralize the cardiovascular effects of LBNP at -15 or -35 mmHg.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify the combinations of head down tilt (HDT) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) that would counterbalance each other's effects on cardiovascular and endocrine variables to produce a "neutral point" (NP).

Methods: We conducted 8 30-min experiments in 14 normotensive subjects (2 male, 12 female). Conditions included four levels of HDT (-6 degrees to -24 degrees) and two of LBNP (-15 and -35 mmHg).

Bed rest immobilization with various oral sodium supply: plasma hormones and body fluids.

Objective: To answer the question if plasma hormone concentrations (plasma renin activity--PRA, vasopressin--pAVP, and aldosterone concentration) due to antiorthostatic immobilization (8 days -6 degree head-down tilt bed rest--HDBR) are altered by oral salt load, we provided constant sodium supply during 4 days ambulatory conditions followed by 8 days HDBR in 10 normotensive men.

Methods: A low' (LS: 143 10 mM) and high' (HS: 434+/-17 mM Na+/d excreted) sodium treatment were provided in randomized order, separated > or = 1 mo. Before and at the end of HDBR, hemodynamic variables and thoracic impedance were determined, and blood was taken for aldosterone and PRA, venous hematocrit, and plasma mass density.