Kochen-Specker theorem studied with neutron interferometer

The Kochen-Specker theorem shows the incompatibility of noncontextual hidden variable theories with quantum mechanics. Quantum contextuality is a more general concept than quantum non-locality which is quite well tested in experiments using Bell inequalities. Within neutron interferometry we performed an experimental test of the Kochen-Specker theorem with an inequality, which identifies quantum contextuality, by using spin-path entanglement of single neutrons. Here entanglement is achieved not between different particles, but between degrees of freedom of a single neutron, i.e., between spin and path degree of freedom. Appropriate combinations of the spin analysis and the position of the phase shifter allow an experimental verification of the violation of an inequality derived from the Kochen-Specker theorem. The observed violation 2.291±0.008?1 clearly shows that quantum mechanical predictions cannot be reproduced by noncontextual hidden variable theories.     

Experimental and numerical study of oblique impact on woven composite sandwich structure: Influence of the firing axis orientation

During flight, aircrafts can be submitted to complex loadings. The reliability of their structure is an essential aspect in ensuring passenger safety. In the specific case of helicopters, blades are subjected to impact loading. The following work will focus on the experimental and numerical study of an oblique impact on the skin of the blade. It is equivalent in a first approach to an impact on a sandwich panel comprising a foam core and a thin woven composite skin. This study aims to identify the mechanisms of damage to the skin for different orientations of the firing axis, and to develop a representative model of the damage kinetics adapted to the modeling of the complete structure. Thus, an F.E. semi-continuous explicit model has been developed. It relies on the development of a specific damageable element at the woven mesh scale. Numerical results obtained are accurate, allowing the identification of the damage mechanism of the woven skin for different firing orientations.     

Lipid biophysics and/or soft matter-inspired approach for controlling enveloped virus infectivity

Proven as a natural barrier against viral infection, pulmonary surfactant phospholipids have a biophysical and immunological role within the respiratory system, acting against microorganisms including viruses. Enveloped viruses have, in common, an outer bilayer membrane that forms the underlying structure for viral membrane proteins to function in an optimal way to ensure infectivity. Perturbating the membrane of viruses using exogenous lipids can be envisioned as a generic way to reduce their infectivity. In this context, the potential of exogenous lipids to be used against enveloped virus infectivity would be indicated by the resulting physical stress imposed to the viral membrane, and conical lipids, i.e. lyso-lipids, would be expected to generate stronger biophysical disturbances. We confirm that when treated with lyso-lipids the infectivity three strains of influenza virus (avian H2N3, equine H3N8 or pandemic human influenza H1N1) is reduced by up to 99% in a cell-based model. By contrast, lipids with a similar head group but two aliphatic chains were less effective (reducing infection by only 40–50%). This work opens a new path to merge concepts from different research fields, i.e. ‘soft matter physics'' and virology.     

Probabilistic performance prediction model for Austrian torrent control infrastructure

Due to the growing stock of torrent control structures and decreasing investments, the protection level can be reduced in the long term. Therefore, the focus of the future investments has been shifted on efficiency improvement and maintenance of existing structures. The maintenance of the existing structures is necessary to ensure safety from natural hazards, which are increasing as a consequence of the climate change. Due to the increasing number of structures, there is a strong need to develop a good maintenance management for these infrastructure works. This study is based on data from the condition rating programme of the Austrian Service for Torrent and Avalanche Control. For the structures relevant in this work, 75,343 records were available. The data were examined for different construction type and construction materials. The reliability of the structures was determined by means of the Markov chain. The study describes a homogeneous Markov chain model formed by the data of the condition rating. The result of this study is a proposal for a time to failure (TTF) and a time to repair (TTR) for several construction types with different construction materials as well as the time-dependent use of construction materials in the sector of the Austrian torrent control infrastructure.     

Function of hexameric RNA in packaging of bacteriophage phi 29 DNA in vitro

A methodology based on high-performance gel exclusion chromatography (HPLC-GEC) has been developed to perform permeability studies of vesicles. Encapsulation of two marker isothiocyanate fluorescein (FITC) dextrans of 4400 and 40,500 molecular mass was used as a model system. Combination of two TSK-PW columns, one efficient in vesicle sizing (G6000 PW), the other in that of dextrans (G4000 PW), was required to achieve complete particle separation and to remove entirely the unentrapped dextran after encapsulation into vesicles. Coupling fluorescence and light scattering detection allowed to control the efficiency of the separation, to quantify the vesicle leakage and to follow both the integrity of the vesicles and changes in their size. This methodology can be applied to other fields such as encapsulation of water soluble compounds and drug delivery systems.     

The Homothorax homeoprotein activates the nuclear localization of another homeoprotein, extradenticle, and suppresses eye development in Drosophila

The Extradenticle (Exd) protein in Drosophila acts as a cofactor to homeotic proteins. Its nuclear localization is regulated. We report the cloning of the Drosophila homothorax (hth) gene, a homolog of the mouse Meis1 proto-oncogene that has a homeobox related to that of exd. Comparison with Meis1 finds two regions of high homology: a novel MH domain and the homeodomain. In imaginal discs, hth expression coincides with nuclear Exd. hth and exd also have virtually identical, mutant clonal phenotypes in adults. These results suggest that hth and exd function in the same pathway. We show that hth acts upstream of exd and is required and sufficient for Exd protein nuclear localization. We also show that hth and exd are both negative regulators of eye development; their mutant clones caused ectopic eye formation. Targeted expression of hth, but not of exd, in the eye disc abolished eye development completely. We suggest that hth acts with exd to delimit the eye field and prevent inappropriate eye development.     

Structural studies of EcoRII methylase: exploring similarities among methylases

EcoRII methyltransferase (M.EcoRII) is a cytosine-C5 DNA methylating enzyme. A model of its three-dimensional structure is proposed on the basis of homology modeling. Crystal structures of two members of the same family of enzymes, HaeIII and HhaI methyltransferases (M.HaeIII and M.HhaI respectively), were used as template molecules. Molecular dynamics was used to ensure sampling of conformationally stable structures. The final model has good geometry. The DNA and cofactor binding residues are in expected positions and form proper interactions. M.EcoRII is 147 amino acids longer than the template molecules, and hence the model contains several loops that are significantly longer than those in M.HaeIII and M.HhaI. The model provides a framework for interpretation and designing site-directed mutants that have a potential to improve crystallization experiments of this enzyme, and possibly other similar enzymes.      

Hardening behavior and structural evolution upon strain reversal of aluminum alloys

The mechanical behavior and the dislocation structure change upon strain reversal are analyzed for 1050-O and 6022-T4 aluminum alloys. Dissolution of the dislocation structure and related transient hardening rate are observed in the AA1050-O but impeded by the numerous precipitates and the high solute content in the AA6022-T4.     

Peat filter performance under changing environmental conditions

Peat is a candidate filter material for in situ treatment of urban runoff, contaminated groundwater and landfill leachates. Until now research has focused on peat sorption in batch experiments and there is a lack of knowledge on peat performance in filter beds. In this project column tests were carried out to evaluate the capacity of peat to remove As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in multi-metal solution under a range of environmental conditions that may be encountered in real-life applications (draining, water stagnation, freezing, change in pH and metal concentrations, input of NaCl and elevated DOC). The removal capacity was 91–98% for Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb and the efficiency was unaffected by the changes of physical factors, but temporarily inhibited for solutions containing NaCl. Leaching of DOC from peat was detected in the initial samples and temporarily decreased metal removal. The peat filters showed high removal rates for Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb under all experimental conditions and are recommended for treatment of waters containing these elements. In contrast, peat was not found to be efficient for treatment of As and Cr in the multi-metal contaminated water at the pH range (6.7–8.0) studied.