In the present work, the thermodynamic activites of ironoxide, denoted as "FeO" in the slag systems Al2O3-"FeO", CaO-"FeO", "FeO"-SiO2, Al2O3-"FeO"-SiO2, CaO-"FeO"-SiO2and "FeO"-MgO-SiO2were investigated by employing the gasequilibration technique at steelmaking temperatures. Thestrategy was to expose the molten slag mixtures kept inplatinum crucibles for an oxygen potential, determined by aCO/CO2-ratio. A part of the iron reduced from the "FeO"in the slag phase was dissolved into the Pt crucible. In order to obtain the activites of "FeO", chemical analysisof the quenched slag samples together with thermodynamicinformation of the binary metallic system Fe-Pt is required.Careful experimental work was carried out by employing asolid-state galvanic cell technique as well as calorimetricmeasurements in the temperature ranges of 1073-1273 K and300-1988 K respectively. The outcome of these experiments wasincorporated along with previous studies into a CALPHAD-type ofthermodynamic assessment performed with the Thermo-Calc™software. The proposed equilibrium diagram enabledextrapolation to higher temperatures. The experimentally obtained activites of "FeO" in thepresent work, along with earlier investigations were assessedwith the KTH slag model, THERMOSLAG©. New binaryparameters were evolved and incorporated in THERMOSLAG©.The present model calculations are compared with othercommercially available software such as F*A*C*T™andThermo-Calc™. The validity of the modified model wasinvestigated by measurements carried out in case of Al2O3-"FeO"-SiO2, CaO-"FeO"-SiO2and "FeO"-MgO-SiO2ternary slags. The potential of the model tocompute the activities in the case of multicomponent slags wasdemonstrated. A correlation between the activity of a metallic oxide in aternary slag system and the sulphide capacity of the slag wasinvestigated by using the solubility of sulphur in the binarysystems CaO-SiO2and Al2O3-CaO along with the sulphide capacity of the Al2O3-CaO-SiO2system. The estimated values of the activitieswere found to be in good agreement with the measured values.This correlation also gives the possibility to elucidate theapplicability of Henry's law to the activity of a metallicsulphide and to determine the order in the affinity of a cationto sulphur between two metallic oxides in a slag. Model calculations were performed with THERMOSLAG©, by using plant data from the ladle refiningprocess at OVAKO Steel, Hofors, Sweden. It was found thatoxygen estimations in the metal from the "FeO" analyses ofslags, obtained by conventional sampling and analysis methodwere less reliable. Reliable estimation of the oxygen levelsutilising the sulphur partition between the slag and the metalwere carried out using THERMOSLAG© software. <b>Keywords:</b>Thermodynamics, Activity, Galvanic cell,Calorimetry, Gas equilibration technique, Iron-platinum alloys,FeO, Slags, Modelling, Ladle

<p>In the present work, the thermodynamic activites of ironoxide, denoted as "FeO" in the slag systems Al₂O₃-"FeO", CaO-"FeO", "FeO"-SiO₂, Al₂O₃-"FeO"-SiO₂, CaO-"FeO"-SiO₂and "FeO"-MgO-SiO₂were investigated by employing the gasequilibration technique at steelmaking temperatures. Thestrategy was to expose the molten slag mixtures kept inplatinum crucibles for an oxygen potential, determined by aCO/CO₂-ratio. A part of the iron reduced from the "FeO"in the slag phase was dissolved into the Pt crucible.</p><p>In order to obtain the activites of "FeO", chemical analysisof the quenched slag samples together with thermodynamicinformation of the binary metallic system Fe-Pt is required.Careful experimental work was carried out by employing asolid-state galvanic cell technique as well as calorimetricmeasurements in the temperature ranges of 1073-1273 K and300-1988 K respectively. The outcome of these experiments wasincorporated along with previous studies into a CALPHAD-type ofthermodynamic assessment performed with the Thermo-Calc™software. The proposed equilibrium diagram enabledextrapolation to higher temperatures.</p><p>The experimentally obtained activites of "FeO" in thepresent work, along with earlier investigations were assessedwith the KTH slag model, THERMOSLAG©. New binaryparameters were evolved and incorporated in THERMOSLAG©.The present model calculations are compared with othercommercially available software such as F*A*C*T™andThermo-Calc™. The validity of the modified model wasinvestigated by measurements carried out in case of Al₂O₃-"FeO"-SiO₂, CaO-"FeO"-SiO₂and "FeO"-MgO-SiO₂ternary slags. The potential of the model tocompute the activities in the case of multicomponent slags wasdemonstrated.</p><p>A correlation between the activity of a metallic oxide in aternary slag system and the sulphide capacity of the slag wasinvestigated by using the solubility of sulphur in the binarysystems CaO-SiO₂and Al₂O₃-CaO along with the sulphide capacity of the Al₂O₃-CaO-SiO₂system. The estimated values of the activitieswere found to be in good agreement with the measured values.This correlation also gives the possibility to elucidate theapplicability of Henry's law to the activity of a metallicsulphide and to determine the order in the affinity of a cationto sulphur between two metallic oxides in a slag.</p><p>Model calculations were performed with THERMOSLAG^©, by using plant data from the ladle refiningprocess at OVAKO Steel, Hofors, Sweden. It was found thatoxygen estimations in the metal from the "FeO" analyses ofslags, obtained by conventional sampling and analysis methodwere less reliable. Reliable estimation of the oxygen levelsutilising the sulphur partition between the slag and the metalwere carried out using THERMOSLAG© software.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Thermodynamics, Activity, Galvanic cell,Calorimetry, Gas equilibration technique, Iron-platinum alloys,FeO, Slags, Modelling, Ladle</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 256712 bytes, checksum: 96078d7a918b47a581d54f5c6c68b221 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-08-14 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different cooling rates, equilibration times and permeating cryoprotectants on motility characteristics and plasma membrane integrity of cryopreserved goat spermatozoa. Three experiments were designed. In the first one was evaluated the effect of different cooling methods on goat semen cryopreservation. A total of 20 ejaculates from Saanen (n = 2) and Alpine (n = 2) goats were frozen using a standard dry skim milk yolk diluent with 5% glycerol. Aliquots of the extended semen were then cooled using two different cooling methods (PR1; Becker or PR2; Fürst, 2002), before being frozen in liquid nitrogen. The semen was evaluated by total motility, vigor and the response to hypoosmotic solution test (HOST), live/dead stain and thermo-resistance test (TRT), before and after thaw. In this experiment the cooling method PR2 protected cell viability better them PR1 during the criopreservation process, reducing cold shock damage and improving the cryosurvival of goat spermatozoa. In the second experiment was evaluated the effect of different equilibration times on motility characteristics and plasma membrane integrity of cryopreserved goat spermatozoa. A total of 20 ejaculates from Saanen (n = 2) and Alpine (n = 2) goats were frozen using a standard dry skim milk yolk diluent with 5% glycerol. Aliquots of the extended semen were then cooled using the cooling methodology described by Fürst (2002) and remained at the temperature of 5-4 °C by a period of 15 minutes (TE1) or 75 minutes (TE2). The semen was evaluated by total motility, vigor and the response to hypoosmotic solution test (HOST), live/dead stain and thermoresistance test (TRT), before and after thaw. In this experiment the equilibration time of 75 minutes protected the cell viability better than the period of 15 minutes during the criopreservation process, improving the cryosurvival of goat spermatozoa. In the third experiment was evaluated the effect of the glycerol (G) and ethylene glycol (EG), on motility characteristics of cryopreserved goat spermatozoa by the in vitro semen analyses. A total of 20 ejaculates from Saanen (n = 2) and Alpine (n = 2) goats were frozen using a standard dry skim milk-yolk diluent with 5% glycerol. Aliquots of the extended semen were then cooled using the cooling methodology described by Fürst (2002). The semen was evaluated by total motility, vigor and the response to hypoosmotic solution test (HOST), live/dead stain and thermo-resistance test (TRT), before and after thaw. In this experiment EG promoted a better protection of the spermatic cell viability during the cryopreservation than the G. In conclusion the use of the cooling method PR2 associated with the one hour equilibration period and the ethylene glycol improved the motility characteristics and integrity of plasma membrane, increasing the number of viable goat spermatozoa after cryopreservation. / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes protocolos de resfriamento, tempos de equilíbrio e crioprotetores permeáveis sobre as características de motilidade e integridade de membrana de espermatozóides caprinos criopreservados. Para tal, foram delineados três experimentos. No experimento 1, avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes protocolos de resfriamento sobre a criopreservação de sêmen caprino. Um total de 20 ejaculados de bodes das raças Saanen (n = 2) e Alpina (n = 2) foram congelados utilizandose um meio à base de leite desnatado-gema, acrescido de 5% de glicerol. Alíquotas do sêmen, então, diluído, foram resfriadas até 5 °C, utilizando dois protocolos de resfriamento diferentes (PR1; média de -0,12 °C/min e PR2; média de -0,4 °C/min), antes de serem congeladas em nitrogênio liquido. O sêmen foi avaliado quanto à sua motilidade espermática progressiva, vigor, taxa de recuperação da motilidade, resposta ao teste hiposmótico (HOST) e coloração. Nesse experimento, a curva de resfriamento PR2 promoveu uma melhor proteção aos efeitos causados pelo choque térmico durante a criopreservação do sêmen caprino, que a curva PR1. No experimento 2, avaliou-se o efeito de dois períodos de equilíbrio sobre as características de motilidade e integridade de membrana de espermatozóides caprinos criopreservados. Um total de 20 ejaculados de animais da raça Saanen (n = 2) e Alpina (n = 2) foram congelados utilizando-se um meio à base de leite desnatado-gema, acrescido de 5% de glicerol. Alíquotas do sêmen diluído foram, então, resfriadas segundo Fürst (2002), e mantidas a temperatura de 5 °C, por um período de 15 minutos (TE1) ou 75 minutos (TE2) antes de serem congeladas em nitrogênio liquido. O sêmen foi avaliado quanto à sua motilidade espermática progressiva, vigor, resposta ao teste hiposmótico (HOST), ao teste supravital e ao teste de termorresistência (TTR), antes e após o congelamento. Nesse experimento, o tempo de equilíbrio de 75 minutos promoveu uma melhor criopreservação do sêmen caprino que o tempo de equilíbrio curto, de 15 minutos. No experimento 3, avaliou-se o efeito do glicerol e etileno glicol sobre a criopreservação de sêmen caprino, por meio de análises in vitro do sêmen. Um total de 20 ejaculados de animais da raça Saanen (n = 2) e Alpina (n = 2) foram congelados utilizando-se um meio à base de leite desnatado-gema, acrescido de 5% de glicerol. Alíquotas do sêmen diluído foram, então, resfriadas, utilizando-se a metodologia descrita por Fürst (2002). O sêmen foi avaliado quanto à sua motilidade espermática progressiva, vigor, resposta ao teste hiposmótico (HOST), ao teste supravital e ao teste de termorresistência (TTR), antes e após o congelamento. Nesse experimento, o uso do EG como crioprotetor permeável promoveu uma melhor proteção à viabilidade da célula espermática, durante o processo de criopreservação, que o glicerol. Em conclusão, o uso do protocolo de resfriamento 2, associado a um período de equilíbrio de 1 hora e ao uso do etileno glycol, promoveu uma melhor proteção das características de motilidade e integridade de membrana, aumentando a viabilidade dos espermatozóides caprinos congelados.

Based on the works [R1] - [R10], this thesis tackles various aspects of the dynamics of interacting quantum many-body systems. Particular emphasis is given to the understanding of transport and thermalization phenomena in isolated (quasi) one-dimensional quantum spin models. Employing a variety of methods, these phenomena are studied both, close to equilibrium where linear response theory (LRT) is valid, as well as in far-from-equilibrium situations where LRT is supposed to break down. The main results of this thesis can be summarized as follows. First, it is shown that conventional hydrodynamic transport, i.e., diffusion, occurs in a number of (integrable and nonintegrable) quantum models and can be detected by looking at different signatures in position and momentum space as well as in the time and the frequency domain. Furthermore, the out-of-equilibrium dynamics resulting from a realistic class of initial states is explored. These states are thermal states of the model in the presence of an additional static force, but become nonequilibrium states when this force is eventually removed. Remarkably, it is shown that in some cases, the full time-dependent relaxation process can become independent of whether the initial state is prepared close to or far away from equilibrium. In this context, a new connection between the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis and linear response theory is unveiled. Finally, this thesis also reports progress on the development and improvement of numerical and (semi-)analytical techniques to access the dynamics of quantum many-body systems. Specifically, a novel combination of dynamical quantum typicality and numerical linked cluster expansions is employed to study current-current correlation functions in chain and ladder geometries in the thermodynamic limit.

The scope of this research entailed the synthesis of novel polyorganosiloxanes with pendent phosphine, phosphine oxide, nitrile and carboxylic acid moieties. Such polysiloxanes were prepared with controlled concentrations of both the polar moieties and hydrido or vinyl pendent crosslinkable sites to afford precursor materials for well-defined networks. The intention was to generate stable microcomposite dispersions with very high concentrations of polar thermally conductive fillers. Lightly crosslinked elastomeric networks with controlled amounts of polar moieties were prepared via a hydrosilation curing mechanism. High concentrations of thermally conductive micro-fillers were dispersed throughout the resins and the microcomposites were investigated as thermally conductive adhesives. Random polysiloxane copolymers containing controlled number average molecular weights (Mns) and compositions with systematically varied concentrations of hydridomethylsiloxy- or vinylmethylsiloxy- units were prepared via ring-opening equilibrations of cyclosiloxane tetramers. These precursors were functionalized with precise concentrations of polar pendent moieties via hydrosilation (nitrile) or free radical addition reactions (phosphine and carboxylic acids). Valuable additions to the family of polysiloxanes were prepared by oxidizing the phosphine moieties to form phosphine oxide containing polysiloxanes. Defined concentrations of residual hydrido- or vinyl- reactive sites were crosslinked via hydrosilation to yield elastomeric adhesives. Specific interactions between the nitrile and phosphine oxide substituted polysiloxanes and the acidic proton of chloroform were shown using 1H NMR. The magnitude of the shift for the deshielded chloroform proton increased with the degree of hydrogen bonding, and was larger for the phosphine oxide species. The polar polysiloxane resins were filled with high concentrations of thermally conductive fillers including silica-coated AlN, Al spheres, BN and Ag flake, then hydrosilated to form microcomposite networks. Microcomposite adhesive strengths, thermal properties (glass transition temperature (Tg) and high temperature stability), and thermal conductivities were studied. An unfilled polysiloxane network containing only 15 mole percent phosphine oxide exhibited a dramatic improvement (46 N/m) in adhesive strength to Al adherends relative to a control polydimethylsiloxane network (2.5 N/m). Importantly, stable polysiloxane micro-dispersions were obtained with up to 67 volume percent (86 weight percent) silica-coated AlN. TEM data confirmed the dispersion homogeneity and XPS demonstrated that the particle surfaces were well-coated with the functionalized polysiloxanes. A microcomposite comprised of 67 volume percent silica-coated AlN and a polysiloxane containing only 9 molar percent nitrile groups had a thermal conductivity of 1.42 W/mK. The glass transition temperatures of the microcomposites were controlled by the amounts of polar functional moieties on the resins and the network crosslink densities. All of the microcomposites exhibited Tgs lower than -44°C and the materials remained stable in dynamic TGA measurements to approximately 400°C in both air and nitrogen. / Ph. D.

<p>In the present work, the thermodynamic activities of chromium and vanadium oxide in CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3 slags were measured using gas-slag equilibration technique. The slag was equilibrated with a gas mixture of CO, CO2 and Ar gases enabling well-defined oxygen partial pressures in the gas mixture (PO2=10-3,10-4,10-5 Pa) at temperatures 1803, 1823K, 1873, 1923 K. The slags were kept in Pt crucibles during the equilibration and the duration of which was 20 h. From a knowledge of the thermodynamic activity of chromium and vanadium in Cr or V in Pt alloy, obtained from literature, and the oxygen partial pressure in the gas stream calculated by Thermo Calc software, the thermodynamic activity of chromium, vanadium oxide in the slags could be observed.An assessment of the experimental studies in earlier works reveal that, the activities of chromium at low chromium contents and vanadium in their respective alloys in platinum exhibits a strong negative deviation from ideality, the logarithms of activity coefficient of these elements were found to increase with increasing mole fractions of these metals in the Pt-alloys.Regarding the slag phase, all the chromium in the slags was assumed to be present in the divalent state in view of the low Cr contents and the low oxygen potentials employed in the present studies. Analogously, vanadium in the slag was assumed to be in the trivalent state in view of the low vanadium contents in the slag and the low oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. Activity of chromium oxide, CrO decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing content of chromium oxide in slag and oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. Activity of vanadium oxide, VO1.5 in slag phase shows a negative deviation from ideality. Activity coefficient of vanadium oxide shows a decrease with basicity of slag and the “break point” occurs at about slag basicity of 1 under the oxygen partial pressure of 10-3 Pa and temperature of 1873 K.A relationship for estimating the actual content of chromium, vanadium in slag as a function of activities of chromium or vanadium, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and slag basicity were developed from the present results, the agreement between the estimated and experimental values is satisfactory, especially at lower oxygen partial pressure.</p>

Nous avons étudié le transfert de chaleur et de matière au cours de l'histoire de la Terre primitive à de multiples échelles en utilisant des modèles numériques. Deux systèmes différents sont abordés. Tout d'abord, nous nous concentrons sur les premiers stades de la formation du noyau terrestre lorsque le fer se sépare des silicates et descend vers l'intérieur de la planète. Au cours de la différenciation, des interactions chimiques et thermiques se produisent entre les gouttes de fer dispersées dans des silicates fondus formant un océan de magma. Nous étudions le transport chimique des éléments traces à l'intérieur et autour des gouttes. Nous tirons quelques relations fonctionnelles dépendante du régime dynamique d'écoulement et montrons que le système tend à être en équilibre chimique extrêmement rapidement par rapport à l'échelle de temps de la descente de la goutte de fer. Peu de temps après la fin de l'accrétion de la Terre, la fusion extensive de son intérieur profond ainsi que la formation d'un océan de magma en surface a lieu. Comme le rayonnement de la chaleur dans l'espace est très efficace, les silicates fondus superficiels cristallisent très rapidement. L'histoire thermique de la couche liquide enterrée, appelée océan de magma basal (OMB), se déroule sur une longue période de temps et il est proposé que ses restes soient aujourd'hui observables sous forme de poches partiellement fondues au dessus de frontière noyau-manteau. Nous déterminons les paramètres régissant un système convectif dans lequel se produit une transition solide/liquide. Les lois d'échelle ainsi obtenues ont été appliquées à l'OMB et indiquent que la différence de température qui peut être maintenue dans les couches limites supérieure et inférieure de l'OMB est infime. Par conséquent, la température du noyau suit la température de liquidus à la base du manteau et ainsi la vitesse de refroidissement de l'OMB doit être la même que celle du noyau de la Terre.

La détermination du partage des éléments sidérophiles et volatils entre métal et silicates aux conditions du manteau profond de la Terre primitive peut fournir des contraintes relatives au mécanisme de formation du noyau terrestre. Des expériences ont été réalisées dans des cellules à enclumes de diamant (DAC) chauffées par laser afin d'étudier l'évolution du partage métal-silicate du soufre et du platine à haute température et haute pression. Le partage est déterminé grâce à la mesure sur échantillons trempés des concentrations par NanoSIMS et sonde électronique. L’affinité du soufre avec le métal, mesurée aux conditions de formation du noyau terrestre, est moins grande qu’attendue. En accord avec les observables cosmochimiques (météorites), il semble que la quantité de soufre dans le noyau ne peut excéder 2 poids%. Les modèles d’accrétion de la Terre, combinés à nos mesures du coefficient de partage du soufre en fonction de la pression et la température, indiquent que la concentration globale de soufre du manteau terrestre doit être le résultat d'une accrétion hétérogène. Ces données indiquent également un apport tardif des éléments volatils au cours de l’accrétion et de la formation du noyau. Les valeurs de partage du platine suggèrent que son abondance dans le manteau terrestre peut être expliquée simplement par la formation du noyau. De manière générale, ces résultats supportent les hypothèses selon lesquelles les noyaux des gros impacteurs n’ont pas pu s’équilibrer entièrement avec le manteau terrestre. Certaines fractions métalliques ont donc pu atteindre le noyau terrestre sans affecter le manteau. L’hypothèse d’un évènement tardif de ségrégation de sulfure durant la formation de la terre pourrait aussi expliquer les compositions du manteau terrestre observées. Ces résultats permettent de caractériser les processus de différenciation du manteau et du noyau et de mieux comprendre la formation de la Terre. / Measurements of the metal-silicate partitioning behavior of siderophile and volatile elements at the conditions of the deep primitive Earth can provide constraints on the mechanisms of terrestrial core formation. Experiments were conducted in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell to investigate the metal-silicate partitioning of sulfur and platinum at high pressures and temperatures. The partitioning behaviors were quantified post-experiment by high resolution NanoSIMS imaging. Sulfur was found to be moderately siderophile at core formation conditions and this, together with cosmochemical estimates, argue that it cannot be a major light element in the core. Accretion modeling with this new partitioning data implies that a heterogeneous accretion scenario can best explain the mantle and bulk Earth sulfur contents. The measured partitioning values for platinum are such that the mantle's platinum abundance can be sufficiently explained by core-mantle equilibration. Overall these results support the hypothesis that the cores of large impactors did not equilibrate fully with the magma ocean and metal could have sequestered to the Earth's core without leaving a record in the mantle. A late sulfide segregation event also likely played a role in establishing the observed mantle compositions. These findings help to further elucidate the accretion history of the Earth and core-mantle differentiation processes.

Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de démontrer la faisabilité, l’acceptabilité et d’évaluer les bénéfices apportés par un programme d'APA multivarié à domicile pour des personnes âgées utilisant un système de visioconférence collectif. Quarante et un participants (67-80 ans) ont été recrutés et répartis en 3 groupes : un groupe témoin non entraîné, deux groupes entraînés en visioconférence et en face à face. Le programme d’APA a été dispensé sur 4 mois (2 séances d’1h par semaine). En vue d’améliorer la qualité de vie et les caractéristiques physiologiques des pratiquants, des exercices de résistance, d’équilibre et de travail aérobie étaient proposés à chaque séance. Afin d’évaluer les effets de ce programme, un protocole d’évaluation similaire en pré- et post-programme a été mis en place. La qualité de vie, la condition physique, l'équilibre, la marche simple et en situation de double tâche, la rythmicité biologique circadienne (température, somnolence et fatigue subjectives et cycle activité-repos) ont été évalués. Les principaux résultats ont montré une amélioration de la qualité de vie, de la puissance d’extension de la jambe, de la puissance maximale aérobie et du cycle activité-repos. L’entraînement n’a pas eu d’effet notable sur les capacités d’équilibration et de marche. Si des gains ont été obtenus, les effets sont globalement plus nombreux et semblent plus marqués suite à la diffusion classique par rapport à la diffusion en visioconférence. Les améliorations obtenues en visioconférence montrent cependant qu'il s'agit d'un outil pertinent et adapté au public âgé qui pourra être proposé en transition ou en complément des administrations traditionnelles. / The main goals of this thesis were to determine the feasibility, the acceptability, and to evaluate the benefits brought by a multivariate home based APA program for older adults using a videoconferencing system.Forty-one participants aged between 67 and 80 years old were recruited and separated into three groups: an untrained control group, and two groups trained by videoconferencing or face-to-face programs. The APA program was provided during 4 months, with two sessions of one hour per week. In order to improve the quality of life and the physiological characteristics of the participants, resistance, balance and aerobic exercises were conducted during each session. In order to evaluate the effects induced by this program, the evaluation protocol was similar for the pre- and post-program tests. Quality of life, physical condition, balance, simple and dual walking-tasks and circadian rhythmicity (temperature, subjective sleepiness and fatigue, rest-activity cycle) were evaluated.Main results showed improvement of quality of life, of the leg extension power, of the maximal aerobic power and of the rest-activity cycle. The training did not affect significantly balance and walking abilities of the participants.Although benefits have been obtained for both trained groups, effects are globally more important and seem larger when using the traditional face-to-face program in comparison to the use of the novel videoconferencing program. Nevertheless, the benefits observed using the video-conferencing program demonstrate its relevance in older adults. This program could thus be suitable as a complement or in transition of traditional methods (i.e. face-to-face).

In the present work, the thermodynamic activities of chromium and vanadium oxide in CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3 slags were measured using gas-slag equilibration technique. The slag was equilibrated with a gas mixture of CO, CO2 and Ar gases enabling well-defined oxygen partial pressures in the gas mixture (PO2=10-3,10-4,10-5 Pa) at temperatures 1803, 1823K, 1873, 1923 K. The slags were kept in Pt crucibles during the equilibration and the duration of which was 20 h. From a knowledge of the thermodynamic activity of chromium and vanadium in Cr or V in Pt alloy, obtained from literature, and the oxygen partial pressure in the gas stream calculated by Thermo Calc software, the thermodynamic activity of chromium, vanadium oxide in the slags could be observed.An assessment of the experimental studies in earlier works reveal that, the activities of chromium at low chromium contents and vanadium in their respective alloys in platinum exhibits a strong negative deviation from ideality, the logarithms of activity coefficient of these elements were found to increase with increasing mole fractions of these metals in the Pt-alloys.Regarding the slag phase, all the chromium in the slags was assumed to be present in the divalent state in view of the low Cr contents and the low oxygen potentials employed in the present studies. Analogously, vanadium in the slag was assumed to be in the trivalent state in view of the low vanadium contents in the slag and the low oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. Activity of chromium oxide, CrO decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing content of chromium oxide in slag and oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. Activity of vanadium oxide, VO1.5 in slag phase shows a negative deviation from ideality. Activity coefficient of vanadium oxide shows a decrease with basicity of slag and the “break point” occurs at about slag basicity of 1 under the oxygen partial pressure of 10-3 Pa and temperature of 1873 K.A relationship for estimating the actual content of chromium, vanadium in slag as a function of activities of chromium or vanadium, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and slag basicity were developed from the present results, the agreement between the estimated and experimental values is satisfactory, especially at lower oxygen partial pressure.