High-Frequency Variations in the Rotation of the Earth

We report here observational results demonstrating that a three-station network of properly distributed VLBI observatories can routinely determine UT1 with a formal standard error of ±0.05 ms of time, in an observing period of 24 h. We also report the results of a three-month series of daily observing sessions of only 1-h duration with a single interferometer, which produced estimates of UT1 with standard errors of ±0.1 ms. The UT1 values obtained from the 1-h observing sessions track smoothly between the points of the 24-h time series, and the combined time series shows that it is not unusual for UT1 to vary by 1-2 ms in periods of several days. Preliminary results of reprocessing the 24-h observing sessions in 2-h segments suggest that variations of 0.4 ms may occur on time scales of only 6-8 h.     

Measurement of the delayed-neutron yields in the fission of233U,236U,237Np,240Pu,and241Pu by neutrons from the spectrum of a fast reactor

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 100–103, February, 1989.     

Multifunctional alkylphenol additive

Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 2, pp. 14–15, February, 1989.     

Structural proteins of the cytoskeleton as markers for determining tumor histogenesis

The data of literature about the structure of cytoskeleton proteins in the normal and malignant cells are analyzed. The possibilities of using a specific polyclonal serum and a monoclonal antibody for a more precise ascertainment of the origin and diagnostic of tumours are discussed. The intermediate and active filaments may be used as a new class of histochemical markers. Laminin, the protein of basement membranes, probably, plays an important role in metastatic spreading.     

Some Aspects of Binding GKS to C++

Aspects of a prototype binding of GKS to the C++ programming language are presented. The binding makes use of classes and derived classes to define GKS concepts such as segments and workstations. Operator overloading is used for some GKS Functions.     

PCR-based procedures in detection and DNA-fingerprinting of Salmonella from samples of animal origin

The usefulness of selected PCR-protocols for the detection of Salmonella in 117 samples of animal origin (17 raw minced meat, 27 raw chicken meat, 8 raw sausages, and 25 egg samples, as well as 18 poultry faecal, and caecal swabs samples) and DNA-fingerprinting typing is shown. To establish an accurate PCR-procedure for Salmonella detection the following parameters were evaluated: two pre-PCR concentration procedures, centrifugation and immunomagnetic separation (IMS) using Dynabeads anti- Salmonella; the specificity and sensitivity of 10 sets of primers; and different conditions of the amplification reaction. In light of the results obtained from the use of PCR-based procedures alone or in combination with conventional methods, the following findings can be underlined: First, IMS is more efficient than centrifugation in the recovery of Salmonella. Second, the selected IMS/PCR-detection protocol is less time-consuming (45 h) than the IMS/culture procedure (90 h), and a good concordance between them was found when the Kappa coefficient was calculated (0·87). Third, PCR-ribotyping technique showed a very low discrimination power, being able to differentiate only three profiles. Fourth, RAPD technique using specific primers supports previous works in which it was proposed as a simple and useful tool for discriminating isolates between and within serotypes. Fifth, The efficiency, rapidity, and flexibility of the PCR-protocols applied were high, and they can be performed using two PCR-programs and the same basic equipment.     

Predicting the performance of concrete structures exposed to chemically aggressive environment—Field validation

The behavior of two series of concrete slabs exposed to sulfate-bearing soils was investigated by a numerical model called STADIUM. In addition to the diffusion of ions and moisture, the model also accounts for the effects of dissolution/precipitation reactions on the transport mechanisms. The simulations yielded by the model were compared to the actual degradation of the slabs after 8 years of exposure. The microstructural alterations of concrete resulting from the penetration of magnesium, chloride and sulfate ions were studied by backscatter mode scanning electron microscope observations and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The comparison of both series of data indicates that the model can reliably predict the various features of the microstructural alterations of concrete.

---

Résumé Le comportement de deux séries de dalles sur sol en béton exposées à des sols chimiquement agressifs a été étudié à l'aide d'un code de calcul numérique appelé STADIUM. Ce modèle permet de décrire le transport couplé de l'eau et des ions dans des matériaux poreux non-saturés en prenant en considération l'influence des réactions chimiques. Les résultats des simultations de la dégradation du béton après huit ans d'exposition à des ions chlore, sulfate et magnésium. Les observations ont été réalisées par microscopie électronique à balayage. Des analyses par dispersion des rayons X ont également été effectuées. Les données démontrent clairement que le modèle perment de prédire avec précision le comportement du béton soumis à différents types d'agression chimique.

---

---

Editorial Note Laval University (Canada) is a RILEM Titular Member. Prof. J. Marchand was awarded the 2000 Robert L'Hermite Medal. He is Editor in Chief for Concrete Science and Engineering and Associate Editor for Materials and Structures. He participates in RILEM TC 186-ISA ‘Internal Sulfate attack’.     

Special features of the periodic-pulse-train laser radiation confinement in doped gallium arsenide and zinc selenide

Experimental data on the pulsed laser radiation confinement in compensated GaAs and ZnSe with deep impurity levels are reported for the laser wavelength λ=1.55 μm and a pulse repetition frequency of up to 100 kHz. It is demonstrated that an increase in the pulse repetition rate is accompanied by a decrease in the energy confinement threshold and by an increase in the radiation attenuation coefficient. These effects are explained by the accumulation of nonequilibrium charge carriers related to a dependence of the recombination time constant on the concentration of free impurity centers.