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Microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) are thin film, cryogenic, superconducting resonators. Incident Cooper pair-breaking radiation increases their kinetic inductance, thereby measurably lowering their resonant frequency. For a given resonant frequency, the highest MKID responsivity is obtained by maximizing the kinetic inductance fraction $\alpha$. However, in circuits with $\alpha$ close to unity, the low supercurrent density reduces the maximum number of readout photons before bifurcation due to self-Kerr non-linearity, therefore setting a bound for the maximum $\alpha$ before the noise equivalent power (NEP) starts to increase. By fabricating granular aluminum MKIDs with different resistivities, we effectively sweep their kinetic inductance from tens to several hundreds of pH per square. We find a NEP minimum in the range of $25\; \text{aW}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ at $\alpha \approx 0.9$, which results from a tradeoff between the onset of non-linearity and a non-monotonic dependence of the noise spectral density vs. resistivity.

This paper discusses phosphorescent or ‘glow in the dark’ paint and its problems, charac- teristics and treatment possibilities, while using an artwork without title (1968, RMT, En- schede) by IMI Giese as case study. To understand the problems that can occur with this little examined material, it is crucial to know how phosphorescence works and what the composition and properties of different phosphorescent pigments are. The conservation challenges for this specific artwork are mostly due to the properties and composition of the paint: the lacunas for instance are a direct effect of the stickiness of the paint layer. The challenging search began for a phosphorescent retouching paint with an identical daylight colour and an afterglow with a similar colour, intensity, and duration as the original Wiedolux paint. Since all readily available phosphorescent paints and pigments did not match the properties of the original paint layer, it was necessary to manipulate self- made phosphorescent paints. The ways of manipulation have been tested through visual and technical analysis. This study provides insight into the results of the test sequences and offers useful information about the way conservators can adjust the properties of a phos- phorescent retouching material to suit their needs.

PURPOSE: To perform a comprehensive and systematic review regarding ophthalmic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to systemic drugs to: (i) systematically summarize existing evidence, (ii) identify areas, ophthalmic ADRs or drugs that lacked systematization or assessment (namely drugs with original studies characterizing specific ophthalmic ADRs but without causality assessment nor without meta-analysis). METHODS: Systematic review of several electronic databases (last search 1/7/2012): Medline, SCOPUS, ISI web of knowledge, ISI Conference Proceedings, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and Google scholar. Search query included: eye, ocular, ophthalmic, ophthalmology, adverse and reaction. Inclusion criteria were: (i) Primary purpose was to assess an ophthalmic ADR to a systemic medication; (ii) Patient evaluation performed by an ophthalmologist; (iii) Studies that specified diagnostic criteria for an ocular ADR. Different types of studies were included and analyzed separately. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility criteria, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. RESULTS: From 562 studies found, 32 were included (1 systematic review to sildenafil, 11 narrative reviews, 1 trial, 1 prospective study, 6 transversal studies, 6 spontaneous reports and 6 case series). Drugs frequently involved included amiodarone, sildenafil, hydroxychloroquine and biphosphonates. Frequent ophthalmic ADRs included: keratopathy, dry eye and retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: To increase evidence about ophthalmic ADRs, there is a need for performing specific systematic reviews, applying strictly the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of ADR and WHO causality assessment of ADRs. Some ophthalmic ADRs may be frequent, but require ophthalmological examination; therefore, ophthalmologists' education and protocols of collaboration between other specialties whenever they prescribe high-risk drugs are suggestions for the future.

INTRODUCTION Pumpkin is originated from America and belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. This fruit/vegetable has a huge nutritional and health protective value. Fresh pumpkins are very sensitive to microbial spoilage, even when refrigerated, being sometimes convenient to freeze or dry them. Drying is a method that allows the maintenance of nutritive properties of pumpkins and also has the capability to extend their life Presumably, drying process is the oldest and the most important method of food preservation. The main objective of drying consists in removing water in the solids up to a certain level, at which microbial spoilage and deterioration chemical reactions are much minimized. Freeze drying is considered a high technique of excellence and guarantees a higher quality of the product. METHODOLOGY In the present work the drying treatments used were convective air drying in a tunnel and a chamber at different temperatures, and freeze-drying. The chemical properties of the fresh and dried samples were evaluated in terms of ash, sugars (reducing, non-reducing and total), fiber and vitamin C, using established methodologies (AOAC). The phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were assessed using a spectrophotometer to read the absorbencies of the methanol and acetone extracts. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results show that drying influences the sugars contents, and vitamin C in a high extent. The values for phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity are very identical for all samples, thus indicating that drying has a minor effect on the antioxidant capacity and in the phenolic compounds contents. However, some slight differences were observed. Furthermore, the acetone and methanol extracts also show some little differences. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained enable us to conclude that drying does not induce important changes, either in the phenolic contents or in the antioxidant activity.

This paper presents an approach to the use and interpretation of tests on mortar samples when restoring historic masonry. It is largely based on the work performed by the former RILEM technical committee 167-COM, Characterisation of old mortars, closed in 2003, and the ongoing committee 203-RHM, Repair mortars for historic masonry. The focus of the present paper is on the decision process: what to test and how to interpret the test results.

Revista Habitat - Reciclaje & Restauración del Património Cultural (Argentina), XIV, nº 54 (2008), p. 38-42

Restoration of Buildings and Monuments, vol. 13, nº 6 (2007), p.389-400 The negative impact of biocolonization on buildings, particularly rendered ones, prompted the evaluation of a hydraulic mortar formulation to which copper metal, either as a powder or as fibres, was added as a means to control this problem. The study used in situ exposure in a location prone to biocolonization for over nine years. The results have proved that over this time period, no biocolonization occurred on samples containing 0.35 % by weight of copper powder with regards to the dry mortar mix. The mortar proved to acquire a slightly bluer-green hue which diminished after the nine year outdoor exposure. The mortars formulated with copper have a lower porosity as well as a lower capillary water absorption coefficient a definite advantage for their eventual life span. On the other hand, the mechanical resistance is slightly decreased but not significantly so. Further studies are envisioned to assess the performance with other types of binder, such as aerial lime.

Restoration of Buildings and Monuments, vol.11, nº 2 (2005), p.105-110