Measurement of Thermal Properties of Biosourced Building Materials

This paper presents both experimental and theoretical works concerning the evaluation of the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of hemp concrete. Experimental measurements of thermal properties are performed using a hot-strip technique for temperatures ranging from \(-\) 3  \(^{\circ }{\text{ C }}\) to 30  \(^{\circ }{\text{ C }}\) and relative humidities ranging from 0 % to 95 %, thus creating a large database for this material. These experimental thermal conductivities are then compared with the results from the Krischer theoretical predictive model. The comparison shows good agreement, and a predictive analytical relation between the hemp concrete thermal conductivity, temperature, and relative humidity is determined.     

Chemically oxidized polypyrrole: Influence of the experimental conditions on its electrical conductivity and morphology

The effect of synthesis conditions on the electrical conductivity and the morphology of a chemically oxidized polypyrrole was investigated. It was found that the electrical conductivity of polypyrrole was strongly dependent on the pyrrole/FeCl₃ ratio, which controls the redox potential of the reaction medium. The reaction temperature and the reaction duration also influence the electrical conductivity of the polypyrrole. A considerable influence of the nature of the solvent used on the aggregation state of polypyrrole particles was demonstrated. Optimal experimental conditions are proposed.     

Demonstration of sliding-filter-controlled soliton transmission at20 Gbit/s over 14 Mm

Soliton transmission of a 20 Gbit/s time/polarisation multiplexed signal over 14 Mm path in a recirculating loop with 46.3 km amplification span has been demonstrated using the sliding-filter soliton control technique. Demultiplexing was achieved by using a polarisation-insensitive electroabsorption modulator     

beta-Endorphin and blood pressure in multiple trauma victims

In addition to pain and stress, endogenous opiates and in particular beta-endorphin could be involved in the modulation of cardiovascular parameters. Several studies have thus shown increases in plasma beta-endorphin levels in the course of septic or hypovolemic shock. Our study involving 44 multiple trauma patients indicates that even in the absence of any hemodynamic disorders, there is a correlation between systolic blood pressure and plasma beta-endorphins. These results argue in favor of the existence of feedback between systolic blood pressure and plasma beta-endorphins.     

Full polarization insensitivity of a 20 Gb/s strained-MQWelectroabsorption modulator

We report on a MQW electroabsorption modulator with tensile-strained wells. The device transmission is shown to be fully polarization insensitive, i.e. both in amplitude and phase. The modulation efficiency is over 20 GHz/V (bandwidth higher than 20 GHz and 1 V drive voltage) which is the highest figure of merit reported for any kind of polarization insensitive modulator. Full polarization independence is further demonstrated by 2.5 Gb/s transmission at 1.55 μm over 475 km of standard fiber without penalty at 10^-9 BER whatever the polarization     

Social evolution and the emergence of leadership.

Used a cross-generational procedure to examine E. R. Service's (1975) redistribution theory of social evolution. 432 university students participated. The procedure involved 3 4-person groups that produced different products that could be retained or traded and that could be eventually exchanged for money. One group was advantaged in the diversity of its products, the time it took to make the products, and the value of its products. All trade was channeled through this central group. At the end of each time period, 1 member of each group was removed ("deceased") and a new member added. The monetary results indicate that the central group made the most money but that all groups made more money across generations, partially due to increased trade and partially due to increased production. Consistent with Service's prediction, the central group was perceived by the "deceased" group members as the overall leader. Ratings by observers, ratings by "deceased" members, and the division of money at the end of each generation all indicated that each of the 3 groups developed a seniority rule for within-group leadership. Ratings by "deceased" members indicated that this rule was stronger for the central than for the peripheral groups. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimizing driving conditions of a MQW EA modulator for solitongeneration

A detailed analysis of the pulses generated with a multiple quantum well (MQW) electroabsorption (EA) modulator used as a soliton source is performed. The pulse temporal and spectral shape are simulated and a good agreement is obtained with the experimental results. An irregular holed spectrum shape is observed under certain operating conditions and its existence is attributed to parasitic phase modulation. This type of spectrum could be observed even for pulses having a time bandwidth τΔν product below 0.4 which makes them usually considered as nearly transform limited. However it is not the case. The influence of the pulse spectral shape on transmission performances is investigated by means of a realistic simulation of soliton pulse propagation at 10 Gb/s. It is shown that for 9000 km propagation distance and for pulses presenting this irregular spectral shape a signal degradation occurs as the timing jitter is above 10 ps and the quality factor Q is below 2, which results in an increase of the transmission bit error rate. In order to avoid the generation of this kind of pulses when operating a MQW modulator as a soliton source, a mapping is realized giving the adequate voltages to apply to the diode for acceptable soliton generation     

Recombinant and chemical derivatives of apamin. Implication of post-transcriptional C-terminal amidation of apamin in biological activity

The use of the colicin A lysis protein to direct the extracellular release of a fusion protein from Escherichia coli was investigated as an approach for the preparation of recombinant animal toxins. Apamin, a bee venom neurotoxin, was used as the model toxin. It is reticulated by two disulfide bridges and interacts with small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. Substantial amounts of free recombinant apamin were obtained by CNBr cleavage of the fusion protein [col-(1-171)-apa] and HPLC purification. It was recognized by conformation-dependent monoclonal antibodies with a K0.5 value close to that for natural apamin, indicating that folding was correct. In toxicity and binding experiments, the recombinant apamin displayed low activity. The recombinant and natural molecules differed by the amidation of the C-terminal histidine residue. Previous structure/activity relationship studies do not implicate this C-terminal residue in activity but the role of its amidation was not investigated. An apamin analog with a non-amidated C-terminal residue was then chemically synthesized. The biological properties of both recombinant and chemical molecules were determined. Amidation of the C-terminal alpha-carboxyl of apamin appears to be essential for full expression of its biological activity.