Monte Carlo simulation of the glass transition in polymeric systems: Recent developments

1995

Abstract The bond fluctuation model on square and s.c. lattices is used as a coarse-grained model for flexible polymers in dense melts. Using an energy that favours long bonds, a conflict is created between the tendency of the bonds to stretch at low temperatures and packing constraints. This simple concept of ‘geometric frustration’ leads to glass transition. Both static and dynamic properties of this model are investigated by Monte Carlo simulations, paying attention to effects found by varying the cooling rate and the chain length N of the polymers. In two and three spatial dimensions an effective (cooling-rate dependent) glass transition temperature T g can be defined, where the system …

THE OPTIMAL SCALING OF A LINEAR RELUCTANCE MOTOR BY FIELD COMPUTATION

1995

The work aims at investigating the law of miniaturization of a linear reluctance motor by expressing the ratio of force to mass as a function of bar position in per unit, for different scale factors. Corresponding to the same factors, inductance is also computed. Finally the ratio of the bar length to external diameter is changed and the analysis is accordingly repeated.

WHEN DEDUCTION LEADS TO BELIEF

1995

The paper questions the common assumption that rational individuals believe all propositions which they know to be logical consequences of their other beliefs: although we must acknowledge the truth of a proposition which is a deductive consequence of our beliefs, we may not genuinely believe it. This conclusion is defended by arguing that some familiar counterexamples to the claim that knowledge is justified true belief fail because they involve propositions which are not really believed. Beliefs guide conduct or issue in assertion by answering questions which arise in the course of deliberation and conversation, but the troublesome cases present propositions which do not present the agent…

Does increased serum creatine kinase activity reflect exercise-induced muscle damage in rats?

1995

To test a hypothesis that exercise-induced increase in serum creatine kinase activity and the concomitant necrotic muscle damage in unaccustomed rats may be interrelated phenomena, and that the first might largely be caused by changes in lymph flow, groups of rats were separately exposed to a swimming, combination of swimming and running, and running protocol. Their serum was then repeatedly analysed over a period of 72 h for creatine kinase activity, and their soleus and the red parts of quadriceps femoris muscles for beta-glucuronidase activity (damage marker) 72 h after the commencement of the experiment, i.e. at a moment when muscle damage is in the necrotic phase. The results clearly s…

Caractérisation des flots d' Anosov en dimension 3 par leurs feuilletages faibles

1995

AbstractWe consider Anosov flows on closed 3-manifolds. We show that if such a flow admits a weak foliation whose lifting in the universal covering is a product foliation, thenit is characterized up to topological equivalence by its weak stable foliation up to topological conjugacy. As a corollary we obtain that, up to topological equivalence and finite coverings, suspensions and geodesic flows are the unique Anosov flows on closed 3-manifolds whose weak stable foliations are transversely projective.

Muscle strength in healthy people and in patients suffering from recent-onset inflammatory arthritis.

1995

Neuromuscular function was compared among 20 patients with relatively recent onset (symptomatic period 17 +/- 24 months) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (experimental group; EG), and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy people (control group; CG). The comparison was repeated after a period of 6 months, when 16 patients had carried out progressive strength training. At baseline maximal grip strength and maximal dynamic unilateral strength of the knee extensors in the EG were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in comparison to the CG. The groups did not differ from each other in maximal isometric strength of the trunk flexors and extensors or the knee extensors. The 6-month dynamic strength training in the …

T-cell activation in HLA-B8,DR3-positive individuals early antigen expression defect in vitro

1995

The HLA-B8, DR3 haplotype is overrepresented in several autoimmune diseases, implying that genes predisposing to these disorders are linked to this haplotype. In the patients affected by these diseases, as well as in healthy HLA-B8, DR3 individuals, various dysfunctions reflecting an impairment of T-cell activation have been found. To better characterize T-cell impairment of HLA-B8, DR3-positive healthy individuals, we analyzed the surface expression of early (CD69) and late (CD71) activation phenotypes. MNC cultures were stimulated with PHA and used for T-cell phenotyping by flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that the percentage of CD69+ T cells was significantly decreased in MNC …

Health-Based Physical Education in Spain: The Conception, Implementation and Evaluation of an Innovation

1995

Membranes and More. Membrane-Mimetic Approach to Advanced Materials. ByJ. H. Fendler, Advances in Polymeric Science, Vol. 113, Springer, Berlin 1994,…

1995

Use of the Perceived Physical Competence Scale with Adolescents with Disabilities

1995

The construct validity and reliability of the 1987 Perceived Physical Competence Scale of Lintunen were examined to assess the applicability of the instrument for use with adolescents with disabilities. Subjects were 51 girls and 34 boys ( M age = 15.1 yr.) from several schools in central Finland. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation yielded the same two factors for adolescents with disabilities as reported for nondisabled adolescents in the related literature. Cronbach alphas for the two factors were .89 and .56. It was concluded that the scale is an appropriate measure for adolescents with disabilities. Statistical analysis indicated no gender differences for adolesc…

Food Caching By Willow and Crested Tits: A Test of Scatterhoarding Models

1995

In coniferous forests of Central Finland, Willow (Parus montanus) and Crest- ed Tits (P. cristatus) store seeds in a scattered distribution within their territory during the autumn. Individuals cache and recover food items while moving together as members of mixed-species flocks. The purpose of this study was to test certain predictions of scatter- hoarding models (Stapanian and Smith 1978, Clarkson et al. 1986), which predict how the animal should hoard food items from a superabundant source to maximize the number of caches recovered. Our field experiments gave support to most of the predictions of the models. Individual tits stored seeds closer to the food source when food had been availa…

Personality and reinforcement: An exploration using a maze-learning task

1995

A computerized maze learning task was investigated under control, reward and punishment, provided by differing financial reinforcement contingencies. The relationships between speed crossing the maze and anxiety and impulsivity personality traits were explored. Anxiety is hypothesized to reflect a behavioural inhibition system active in punishing environments; and impulsivity, to reflect an activation system active in rewarding environments. Of the measures of impulsivity taken, only one—venturesomeness from the I7—was associated significantly with increased maze crossing speed; this was found particularly in the reward condition and in males. Several anxiety variables were associated with …

Pulmonale Manifestationen bei HIV-Patienten: Rolle von Thoraxübersicht, CT und HRCT

1995

Aim To determine the prevalence of pulmonary changes on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT/HRCT) in HIV patients and their relation to pulmonary symptoms. Material and method 64 HIV patients were examined prospectively. 15 had no respiratory symptoms (group I), 30 had non-specific respiratory symptoms (group II), 19 complained of dyspnoea (group III). Chest radiographs and CT were performed within a week. In patients with positive findings, bronchoscopy was carried out with bacteriological and histological examinations. Results In group 1, 13% of chest radiographs and 40% of CTs showed infiltrative changes. In group II, the figures were 27% and 57% respectively. In group III, abn…

A survey of recent results in passive sampling of water and air by semipermeable membrane devices

1995

Abstract A survey is presented of some recent results for passive sampling of water and air for trace organic contaminants using lipid-filled semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs). Results of water sampling for trace organochlorine compounds using simultaneously exposed SPMDs and the most universally applied biomonitor (bivalves) are discussed. In general, the total amounts of accumulated analytes available for analysis in bivalves and SPMDs were comparable. However, SPMD controls typically had negligible levels of contamination, which was not always the case for transplanted bivalves, even after prolonged depuration prior to exposure. In surveys of the spatial trends of organochlorines at…

Effects of electromyostimulation and strength training on muscle soreness, muscle damage and sympathetic activation.

1995

Electromyostimulation (EMS) is known to develop muscular strength and hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to compare EMS exercise-induced damage with concentric (CONC) exercise-induced damage. Twelve male athletes were randomly assigned to concentric exercise (five sets of 6 voluntary contractions) or to EMS (30 contractions of 6 s duration, 20 s rest between contractions) on day 0 (D0). The load was 80% of the maximal isometric force. Criterion measures of plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and subjective ratings of muscle soreness and urinary catecholamines, were assessed 1 day before and for 3 days after exercise. Among the members of the EM…

Model building strategies for risk analysis of perioperative histamine-related cardiorespiratory disturbances.

1995

An assessment of the state of grain mixture with the use of the method of statistical reduction

1995

Abstract A new way of assessment of the state of a granular mixture is presented in this paper. It is based on the method of statistical reduction and it enables a more precise assessment to be made of the state of a grain mixture as compared with other methods, especially when the mixture represents a large population. The new method is illustrated by a computational example.

Mitochondrial DNA variability of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) in the Spanish Mediterranean waters

1995

Frozen muscle samples from 44 striped dolphins stranded on the Spanish Mediterranean coasts from 1990 to 1993 have been studied by means of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction site analysis. Thirty-five of these dolphins were affected by a die-off occurring during this time in the western Mediterranean Sea. The mtDNA from each dolphin was digested with 15 restriction endonucleases that recognized 61 different restriction sites. The specific location of these sites on the mitochondrial gene map allowed us to determine the distribution of variability along this molecule. From the restriction analysis, a total of 15 different composite patterns or haplotypes was obtained and their phylogenet…

Isolation and partial characterization of uronic acid-containing glycoproteins from Mucor rouxii.

1995

Five different fractions containing uronic acids associated with protein were isolated from the cytoplasm of the filamentous form of Mucor rouxii. A signle fraction was isolated from the cell wall by hot sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by ion exchange column chromatography. Two cytoplasmic entities (peaks I and II) were not adsorbed to DEAE Bio-Gel A. The molecular mass of peaks I to V ranged from 16.5 to 210 kDa. The protein-uronic acid ratios were different for each fraction. The cell wall fraction showed a molecular mass of 16.5 kDa, similar to that of peak II but with differences in chromatographic behavior and protein-uronic acid ratio. The possible role of these molecules as acceptors…

Kinematics of shoulder abduction in the scapular plane

1995

In this paper the kinematics of arm abduction in the scapular plane of 38 healthy experimental subjects is reported. The ratio of the glenohumoral and the scapulothoracic components of the motion were determined and the influence of the abduction speed and of the external load on it were investigated. The investigation of the effect of abduction speed involved all 38 subjects. Each of them performed one slow and one fast abduction. Statistical analysis showed that there were large differences between individuals, but that for any one individual the abduction process is essentially reproducible. For the one individual there is a strong, linear relationship between glenohumeral and scapulotho…

Discovery of Ca oxalate crystals associated with fungi in moss travertines (Bryoherms, freshwater heterogeneous stromatolites)

1995

Buffered decalcification of live moss and liverwort (Hepaticae) travertines resulted in the release of a large number of organisms (bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, eukaryotic algae, and small animals), which constitute an “organic mat”; (also called an algal mat or biofilm). This mat is calcified and commonly has laminations, allowing moss travertines to be considered as stromatolitic structures. After decalcification of 300 samples of travertines (using dilute acetic acid), only 9 released Ca oxalate crystals in the form of needle bundles, spherulites, and tetragonal bipyramidal prisms. These crystalline forms are identical to those found in some phanerophytes and soils. Mycelian filaments…

Effects of captopril on plasma endothelin-1 during thrombolysis: Preliminary findings

1995

Parosteal osteosarcoma of the talus.

1995

A case of parosteal osteosarcoma in the very rare location of the talus is presented. The radiological, pathological, and clinical characteristics of parosteal osteosarcoma are described and the differential diagnosis discussed.

Inelastic photoproduction

1995

Abstract Inelastic photoproduction of J Ψ particles at high energies is one of the processes to determine the gluon distribution in the nucleon. We have calculated the QCD radiative corrections to the color-singlet model of this reaction. They are large at moderate photon energies, but decrease with increasing energies. The cross section and the J Ψ energy spectrum are compared with the available fixed-target photoproduction data and predictions are given for the HERA energy range.

false

1995

Polystyrene-block-poly-1-azabicyclooctane[4,2,0] has been modified by protonation or alkylation of the polyamine moiety. Short chain alkyl iodides lead to quantitatively quarternized products while longer alkyl chains or alkyl-bromides give incomplete conversion. The viscosimetric behavior of the charged blockcopolymers is dominated by the polyelectrolyte block although the polyelectrolyte effect is drastically reduced by the presence of the polystyrene block. The blockcopolymers are insoluble in water, but concentrated solutions of the polymers in DMF can be diluted with any amount of water without any precipitation. Although the blockcopolymers have an amphiphilic structure they do not ex…

Myelography: current status and post-marketing experience with iotrolan

1995

There are three imaging modalities for the diagnosis of spinal diseases: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and myelography. The choice of modality is influenced by factors including diagnostic accuracy cost, radiation dose and invasiveness. For many indications, MRI has advantages over CT and myelography and is the modality of choice, and there is likely to be a trend away from myelographic examinations. In cases where myelography is indicated, it is of prime importance to reduce the frequency and severity of adverse events. During phase III and IV trials, involving over 2000 patients, general and neural tolerance of iotrolan was shown to be significantly better tha…

DNA Relatedness among Aeromonas allosaccharophila Strains and DNA Hybridization Groups of the Genus Aeromonas

1995

The genomic relatedness among three Aeromonas allosaccharophila strains, including the type strain, and other Aeromonas type and reference strains that were assigned to DNA hybridization groups was estimated by DNA-DNA hybridization (competition procedure using a membrane method). All A. allosaccharophila strains were highly related (70 to 100%) to strains 289T (= CECT 4199T) and ATCC 35942. Type strains of other validated Aeromonas species, reference strains of DNA groups 8 and 11, and the Aeromonas sp. strain ATCC 43946 (enteric group 501) were 0 to 41% related to A. allosaccharophila 289T and ATCC 35942. The G+Cs content of A. allosaccharophila strains were in the range 55.9 to 57.3 mol%…

Narrow-band to broad-band conversion for Meteosat-visiible channel and broad-band albedo using both AVHRR-1 and -2 channels

1995

Abstract Satellite-derived broad-band albedo offers a useful tool for monitoring surface conditions. Given the limited wavelength window of most satellite radiometers, satellite albedo studies need to define narrow-band to a broad-band transformations. Signals from the AVHRR channels on board the NOAA-11 satellite, the Meteosat visible channel and a rectangular spectral band from 0-3 to 2.5 μm were simulated for a set of 20 representative land surfaces. The radiative transfer code described in Tanre et al. (1990) was used to obtain top of the atmosphere radiances. The derived signals were then correlated to predict broadband albedo and the Meteosal response via the two AVHRR signals. The re…

Conceptual implicit memory: a developmental study.

1995

The widely accepted standpoint that implicit memory emerges earlier in development than explicit memory, and is more stable from childhood to adult age, is based on experimental data essentially collected in perceptual tasks. The present study was aimed at investigating whether these findings still hold when a more conceptual task is used. We compared the performance of children at two age levels (2nd and 4th grades) on a category-exemplar generation task. Results showed that performances of the two groups were comparable when the target items were typical of their categories, as in Experiment 2, and for a subset of the items in Experiment 1. However, the older children outperformed the you…

Test of isotopic fractionation during liquid-liquid extraction of volatile components from fruits

1995

Fruits constitute a natural source of flavoring molecules. Nevertheless, an isotopic fractionation could be induced by the extraction of volatile molecules from fruits. After the addition of six volatile molecules to Italia grape (hexyl acetate, acetic acid, linalool, butanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone, and methyl cinnamate) and five volatile molecules to Primofiori lemon (hexanal, trans-2-hexenyl acetate, 1-hexanol, trans-2-hexenol, and 4-decanolide) before extraction, it has been established that, for a particular extraction procedure, there is no significant difference between the 13 C enrichments of these molecules before and after extraction. Nothing has been concluded for acet…

An easy-to-use model for O2 supply to red muscle. Validity of assumptions, sensitivity to errors in data

1995

An easy-to-use capillary cylinder model of O2 supply to muscle is presented that considers all those factors that are known to be most important for realistic results: (1) red blood cell (RBC) O2 unloading along the capillary, (2) effects of the particulate nature of blood, (3) free and hemoglobin-facilitated O2 diffusion and reaction kinetics inside RBCs, (4) free and myoglobin-facilitated O2 diffusion inside the muscle cell, and (5) carrier-free region separating RBC and tissue. In a first approach, a highly simplified yet reasonably accurate treatment of the complex three-dimensional oxygen diffusion field in and next to capillaries is employed. As an alternative, a more realistic descri…

Mesoscopic gel at low agarose concentration in water: a dynamic light scattering study

1995

Previous work in our laboratory has shown that at very low agarose concentration in water gelation still occurs within mutually disconnected, high concentration regions generated by spinodal demixing. The freely diffusing particles obtained in these conditions are studied in the present work by depolarized dynamic light scattering and probe diffusion experiments. These particles are found to behave as large (in fact, mesoscopic) polymer fibers entangled in a continuously rearranged mesh with scaling parameters typical of partially flexible, neutral chains. The present results allow specifying the notion of mesoscopic gelation. They also reveal that the same symmetry-breaking mechanism that …

Arena birds

1995

Sequence and evolution of the gene for the monomeric globin I and its linkage to genes coding for dimeric globins in the insect Chironomus thummi.

1995

We isolated genomic clones containing sequences encoding globins I and IA from a Chironomus thummi thummi genomic library. Three clones contain globin IA (ctt-1A) genes, while one contains a globin I (ctt-1) gene. The coding regions of the four genes are identical except for the single base substitution accounting for the globin I/IA polymorphism. The noncoding DNA flanking the coding region is more than 98% similar, confirming a previous hypothesis that the globin ctt-1 and ctt-1A genes are alleles. Hemoglobins I and IA are monomeric in the insect hemolymph. Earlier in situ hybridization studies suggested that monomeric and dimeric globin genes are clustered at different chromosomal loci. …

Peripheral Acute Pain Mechanisms

1995

Many studies in several species, including humans, have identified a subset of primary afferent nerve fibres that are activated by potential or actual tissue-damaging stimuli. Discharge patterns of these nociceptive afferents faithfully reproduce some aspects of the applied stimuli (e.g. shape of the stimulus-response function) but not others (e.g. time-course of a sustained stimulus). Since primary nociceptive afferents provide the input to the central nervous system, their encoding properties have to be considered when studying central processing. On the other hand, pain perception correlates with some aspects of nociceptor discharges (e.g. fatigue with repetition of brief heat pulses), b…

Volume scanning in the evaluation of fetal malformations: a new dimension in prenatal diagnosis

1995

Three-dimensional ultrasound examination was performed in 204 patients with a fetal malformation detected by conventional ultrasound. The patients were examined between 13 and 40 weeks of gestation. The ultrasound equipment used was a Combison 330 and a Combison 530 (Kretztechnik, Austria) with an abdominal Voluson sector transducer (3.5/5 MHz) (Kretztechnik, Austria). This ultrasound system can provide a high-quality three-dimensional surface or translucency image of fetal structures similar to that of a photograph or an X-ray image within seconds without an additional expensive work-station. Of the 204 patients examined with three-dimensional ultrasound, this technique proved advantageous…