Stable isotopes for determining biokinetic parameters of tellurium in rabbits.

We have compared the use of stable and radioactive isotopes for determining the concentration of tellurium in body fluids of animals and man, specifically in the blood plasma of rabbits. Particular effort has been devoted to developing a sample-processing technique that allows the total amount of tellurium and isotope ratios to be measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), respectively. The procedure employed in the SIMS analysis is discussed in detail. Investigations on the plasma clearance and the fractional intestinal absorption were carried out on four rabbits. Tracer solutions containing stable tellurium enriched in 124Te or 126Te and radioactive tellurium (121mTe or 123mTe) were administered by gavage and/or intravenously. Blood samples were drawn during the first 2 days after application. The activity of the separated plasma was measured by standard gamma ray spectrometry. After wet ashing and solvent extraction with MIBK the samples were analyzed for stable tellurium. A detection limit of 1 ng/mL of plasma could be achieved with GFAAS. For SIMS analysis the processed samples were deposited on high-purity graphite backings. Reliable isotope ratios could be determined with sample fractions containing 1 ng of tellurium or even less. The results obtained by applying stable isotopes were found to be in good agreement with the data achieved by using radioactive tracers. Studies on the intestinal absorption and the metabolic behavior of tellurium in human volunteers may thus be performed with stable isotopes.     

Nearly resonant third-order optical non-linearity in c60 cast films

We have carried out measurements of the third-order optical non-linearityX⁽³⁾ of C₆₀ cast films using the z-scan technique. The measurements have shown that two-photon absorption is the dominant non-linear process around the 3.76 eV absorption region. The real and imaginary parts of X⁽³⁾ of C₆₀ films have been measured at 665 nm are found to be 2.8 × 10^?8 and ?3.2 × 10^?8 esu respectively.     

A small deletion of 16q23.1-->16q24.2 [del(16)(q23.1q24.2).ish del(16)(q23.1q24.2)(D16S395+, D16S348-, P5432+)] in a boy with iris coloboma and minor anomalies

The occurrence of lignicolous marine fungi in Antarctic marine water far from the coast is reported. Thirty-six wooden baits (beech and poplar), hung in a metallic structure were immersed in Penguin Bay (Adelie Cove) at a depth of 50 m for a year. Fourteen species belonging to Deuteromycotina and six Ascomycotina were observed on the baits examined in Italy. Phoma sp., Trichocladium achrasporum, Trichocladium constrictum and Trichocladium lignincola were the predominant species. Phoma sp., the first species, are not typically marine, but rather of terrestrial origin. Penguin dung proximity can explain this occurrence.     

Low‐alloyed TRIP‐Steels with Optimized Strength,Forming and Welding Properties

To obtain the superior strength‐ductility‐balance of TRIP‐grades, a special chemical composition in combination with well adapted processing parameters are a prerequisite. Despite of their excellent formability performance in terms of drawability as characterized by high n‐ and elongation values, compared to mild steels TRIP‐grades are challenging in the press and the body shops. The high strength level in combination with the high work hardening of TRIP‐grades result in higher levels of spring back compared to mild steels and higher press forces are required. Furthermore, a higher sensitivity to failure for sharp bending radii and a deterioration of the formability of punched edges is reported for TRIP‐grades. While spring back can only be minimized by advanced forming processes supported by new simulation techniques with improved ability to predict spring back, the sensitivity to failure under special forming conditions can be influenced by optimizing microstructural features. Contrary to the forming behaviour, which is influenced significantly by the microstructure, the weldability is mainly governed by the chemical composition and the surface condition of the material. The high carbon content of TRIP‐grades compared to mild steels results in a higher hardening potential after welding. Additionally, a fracture behaviour untypical for mild steels after destructive testing of spot welds is sometimes observed for TRIP‐grades, which is assessed critically by some OEMs. In this work, after a discussion of the processing conditions, possibilities are demonstrated to improve the forming behaviour by an optimization of the microstructure and the spot weldability by adapting the chemical composition of low‐alloyed TRIP grades. First very promising results for TRIP‐grades with a minimum tensile strength level of 700 MPa are discussed.     

Heat transfer from metallic filaments (whiskers) into helium under overcritical pressure for temperatures between 3.7 and 7.2 K

The heat transfer coefficient α, near the critical temperature, T_cO, was determined for several whiskers from the In-Pb alloy system. For this purpose the hysteresis of the voltage-temperature (V-T_B) transition curves at fixed currents, I, and of the V-I characteristics at fixed helium bath temperature, T_B, was determined. The advantage of using measurements made with whiskers is that there is no heat transfer to a substrate and negligible heat transfer to the contracts. The only heat transfer is that to the surrounding helium.     

Video documentation of urban areas

The massive amount of information that is currently available is challenging the ability of urban communities to organize, process, and analyze all the information they require. This paper focuses on the concepts and principles for multimedia assets (especially videos) aiming to provide easier access to geographically relevant views on urban areas. Geo-referenced videos can be a great support in the management process of urban communities.This paper explains the process of acquisition and geo-referencing videos using low cost equipment. Furthermore, it describes the architecture of a Geo-Multimedia service infrastructure which enables users to store, retrieve, and share geo-referenced video content. Via a standard and state-of-the-art Web Service interface, geographic and multimedia objects can be retrieved from the Geo-Multimedia service by systems and applications already in use for administration (e.g. street management) or marketing purposes.     

Relinquishment of control and the Type A behavior pattern.

Past research suggests that Type A (coronary prone) Ss have a higher need for control than Type B (noncoronary prone) Ss, and empirical evidence documents their greater reactivity to control loss. The present study investigated the case of control decisions and examined the hypothesis that Type A's would be less willing than Type B's to relinquish control to another person. On an initial 20-trial RT task, 160 male undergraduates (typed on the basis of the Jenkins Activity Survey, Form T) received feedback about their own performance and about that of a partner. The feedback indicated equal or superior performance by the partner. On a subsequent replication of the task in which only 1 S could work on any 1 trial, Type A's relinquished fewer trials to their partners than did Type B's, particularly when the partner had exhibited a superior initial performance. Attribution data indicated that Type A's were less convinced of their partners' ability, thus justifying lower relinquishment. Implications for job stress and management decision making are discussed. (60 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

There is hope for graduate education.

Comments on J. H. Korn's (see record 1984-32529-001) data on the probabilities of gaining acceptance into various PhD programs in psychology. Korn concluded that because of a reduction in the number of applicants, it is now easier for applicants to enter graduate programs. The present author qualifies Korn's conclusions, addresses the problem of applicant quality that may be facing many graduate programs, and suggests that there are jobs available to those with PhDs despite Korn's discouraging tone. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Properties of Large‐Scale Structure Workpieces in High‐Pressure Sheet Metal Forming of Tailor Rolled Blanks

In order to manufacture components optimised in regard to lightweight construction, the use of innovative forming processes like high‐pressure sheet metal forming (HBU) in combination with the use of tailor rolled blanks (TRB) as innovative semi‐finished material is a promising solution. Fundamental investigations on the HBU of TRB have been carried out in a joint research project at the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction (IUL), University of Dortmund, and the Institute of Metal Forming (IBF), RWTH Aachen. The experiments performed with cylindrical parts have provided basic knowledge on the sheet material flow and resulting part properties. To achieve sufficient process reliability, a non‐adjustable as well as an adjustable seal system have been tested and proved to be suitable solutions, depending on thickness ratio and thickness gradient within the TRB. In order to demonstrate the lightweight potential of this process chain, a forming tool for an automotive body structure has been designed and tested. The experiments have shown that this large‐scale structure can well be manufactured in the HBU process from a TRB.     

Computational aspects in multibody system dynamics

The modeling of discrete engineering and biomechanical systems is presented, kinematics and kinetics are developed with sparse matrix techniques, formalisms with minimal and maximal number of coordinates are discussed and the computational efficiency of simulations is analyzed. The animation is shown for a three-body pendulum and the overall dynamical analysis is verified qualitatively by an experiment.