The kinetic evidence for the formation of multiple active species in a bis(phenoxy-imine) zirconium dichloride/MAO catalyst during ethylene polymerization

The effects of polymerization time and temperature on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polyethylene, produced over homogeneous catalyst bis[N-(3-tert-butyl salicylidene)anilinato]zirconium(IV) dichloride ^tBu-L₂ZrCl₂/MAO have been studied. The data on the number of active centers (C_P) and propagation rate constants (k_P) at different polymerization time have been obtained as well. It was found that at a short polymerization time two types of active centers, producing low molecular weight PE (M_w = (4-10) × 10³ g mol⁻¹) are formed. The number of these centers was estimated to be 11% of total zirconium complex and their reactivity is very high (the k_P value was found to be 54 × 10³ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 35 °C). High initial activity of the catalyst fell with the increase in polymerization time, whereas the polydispersity values of the resulting PE increase due to formation of new centers, producing high molecular weight PE (M_w = (30-1300) × 10³ g mol⁻¹). It was found that the decrease in activity is caused by reducing the initial active centers number and lower reactivity of the new-formed centers (k_P = 17 × 10³ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹).     

直流和脉冲工作的VDMOS可靠性试验

基于恒定电应力温度斜坡法(CETRM),对工作于直流状态和脉冲状态下的VDMOS功率器件进行可靠性研究,考察了器件阈值电压、跨导以及导通电阻的退化情况,得出在两种工作状态下均是跨导为失效敏感参数。在直流工作状态下,VDMOS失效激活能为0.57~0.68 eV,寿命为7.97×105~1.15×107h;在脉冲工作状态下,VDMOS失效激活能为0.66~0.7 eV,寿命为4.3×105~4.6×106h。对跨导的退化机理进行了分析。     

Fractionation of non-Brownian rod-like particle suspensions in a viscoplastic fluid

In this work we explore a fractionation technique for non-Brownian rod-like particle suspensions based upon the control of the threshold for motion in a yield stress fluid. The principle is demonstrated by observing the motion of particles under the influence of a centrifugal force in a weak gel. Here we develop calibration curves of the force required to initiate motion in a gel under numerous configurations of the particles. Demonstration separations of bidisperse suspensions are reported. Here we achieve complete separation of dilute suspensions based upon length, diameter, or density. The method is then applied to an industrially important suspension, that is a polydispersed papermaking fibre suspension, in which a length-based fractionation is reported.     

Modulation of Aβ42 Aggregation Kinetics and Pathway by Low-Molecular-Weight Inhibitors

The aggregation of amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) is directly related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Here, we have investigated the early stages of the aggregation process, during which most of the cytotoxic species are formed. Aβ42 aggregation kinetics, characterized by the quantification of Aβ42 monomer consumption, were tracked by real-time solution NMR spectroscopy (RT-NMR) allowing the impact that low-molecular-weight (LMW) inhibitors and modulators exert on the aggregation process to be analysed. Distinct differences in the Aβ42 kinetic profiles were apparent and were further investigated kinetically and structurally by using thioflavin T (ThT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. LMW inhibitors were shown to have a differential impact on early-state aggregation. Insight provided here could direct future therapeutic design based on kinetic profiling of the process of fibril formation.     

Adsorption of Positively-Charged β-Lactoglobulin Derivatives to Casein Micelles

Positively-charged β-lactoglobulin derivatives prepared by amidation or esterification of available carboxyl groups of the native protein were bound strongly by casein micelles. Increasing amounts of these additives progressively decreased rennet coagulation time of casein micelles. Higher concentrations of positively-charged proteins coagulated casein micelles without addition of rennet extract. Of the modified proteins tested, approximately 1.0 g amidated β-lactoglobulin, 2.0 g ethyl-esterified β-lactoglobulin, or 1.0 g methyl-esterified β-lactoglobulin would be required to coagulate 100 ml of casein micelles at concentrations in milk.     

On multiobjective combinatorial optimization and dynamic interim hedging of efficient portfolios

A dynamic portfolio policy is one that periodically rebalances an optimally diversified portfolio to account for time‐varying correlations. In order to sustain target‐level Sharpe performance ratios between rebalancing points, the efficient portfolio must be hedged with an optimal number of contingent claim contracts. This research presents a mixed‐integer nonlinear goal program (MINLGP) that is directed to solve the hierarchical multiple goal portfolio optimization model when the decision maker is faced with a binary hedging decision between portfolio rebalance periods. The MINLGP applied to this problem is formed by extending the separable programming foundation of a lexicographic nonlinear goal program (NLGP) to include branch‐and‐bound constraints. We establish the economic efficiency of applying this normative approach to dynamic portfolio rebalancing by comparing the risk‐adjusted performance measures of a hedged optimal portfolio to those of a naively diversified portfolio. We find that a hedged equally weighted small portfolio and a hedged efficiently diversified small portfolio perform similarly when comparing risk‐adjusted return metrics. However, when percentile risk measures are used to measure performance, the hedged optimally diversified portfolio clearly produces less expected catastrophic loss than does its nonhedged and naively diversified counterpart.     

Psychological services to Spanish-speaking populations: A model curriculum for training competent professionals.

The competent delivery of mental health services to Spanish-speaking clients requires knowledge of Latino cultures, racial and ethnic identity development, variables that impact service delivery, and the Spanish language. We present the Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations (PSSSP) program as a model for training mental health professionals to deliver services to Spanish-speaking clients. The goals for the program were to improve participants' oral and written Spanish language proficiency in work-related contexts and to improve multicultural competence in service delivery to Latino clients. Recommendations for those who wish to offer similar programs include (a) grouping trainees according to Spanish language proficiency, (b) using Spanish language instructors with expertise in teaching heritage language learners, and (c) developing criterion references or measures to assess program outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Route instructions in map-based human–human and human–computer dialogue: A comparative analysis

When conveying information about spatial situations and goals, speakers adapt flexibly to their addressee in order to reach the communicative goal efficiently and effortlessly. Our aim is to equip a dialogue system with the abilities required for such a natural, adaptive dialogue. In this paper we investigate the strategies people use to convey route information in relation to a map by presenting two parallel studies involving human–human and human–computer interaction. We compare the instructions given to a human interaction partner with those given to a dialogue system which reacts by basic verbal responses and dynamic visualization of the route in the map. The language produced by human route givers is analyzed with respect to a range of communicative as well as cognitively crucial features, particularly perspective choice and references to locations across levels of granularity. Results reveal that speakers produce systematically different instructions with respect to these features, depending on the nature of the interaction partner, human or dialogue system. Our further analysis of clarification and reference resolution strategies produced by human route followers provides insights into dialogue strategies that future systems should be equipped with.     

Comparison of two methods for extraction of volatiles from marine PL emulsions

The dynamic headspace (DHS) thermal desorption principle using Tenax GR tube, as well as the solid phase micro‐extraction (SPME) tool with carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane 50/30 µm CAR/PDMS SPME fiber, both coupled to GC/MS were implemented for the isolation and identification of both lipid and Strecker derived volatiles in marine phospholipids (PL) emulsions. Comparison of volatile extraction efficiency was made between the methods. For marine PL emulsions with a highly complex composition of volatiles headspace, a fiber saturation problem was encountered when using CAR/PDMS‐SPME for volatiles analysis. However, the CAR/PDMS‐SPME technique was efficient for lipid oxidation analysis in emulsions of less complex headspace. The SPME method extracted volatiles of lower molecular weights more efficient than the DHS method. On the other hand, DHS Tenax GR appeared to be more efficient in extracting volatiles of higher molecular weights and it provided a broader volatile spectrum for marine PL emulsion than the CAR/PDMS‐SPME method.     

Acoustic Resonances in Helium Fluids Excited by?Quartz Tuning Forks

Ordinary quartz tuning fork resonators, operated at about 30 or 200 kHz frequency, couple to acoustic first and second sound resonances in helium fluids under certain conditions. We have studied acoustic resonances in supercritical ⁴He, normal and superfluid ⁴He, and in isotopic mixtures of helium. Suggestive temperature, pressure, and concentration dependences are given. Furthermore, we propose a thermometric reference point device based on second sound resonances in helium mixtures, and indicate possible differences in the nature of second sound resonances in superfluid ⁴He and helium mixtures.