Questionnaire development: an examination of the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire

This paper describes the outcome of user trials of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire which encompassed the views of the following groups: data entry clerks, technical staff, administrative clerks and 481 subjects employed in 10 supermarkets. A significant number of improvements was identified, especially concerning its wording, layout and administration. This has led to a standardized version being produced for use in studying the prevalence of reported symptoms in many types of occupational groups.     

Intraspecific variation and interspecific differences in sex pheromones of sibling species inCtenopseustis obliquana complex

The specific status ofCtenopseustis obliquana pheromone-types I, II, and III has been more fully examined. Females of types I and III produce a mixture of (Z)-8- and (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetates (Z8-14:Ac, Z5-14: Ac). The previously reported different ratios of these two components in females of the two types (type I=8020, III=9010) have been reinvestigated. The median ratios of each type differed significantly, although there was some overlap in the ranges of these ratios. A field cage trial showed that males of type III are attracted to females of type I, so the observed differences may be ascribed to intraspecific variation. In contrast to females of types I or III, females of type II produce Z5-14Ac but no Z8-14Ac. The electroantennogram (EAG) profile of antennae of type II males shows a maximum response to Z5-14Ac, while the EAG profiles of types I and III show a strong response to Z8-14Ac. In wind tunnel tests using mixtures of these two compounds, type II males prefer blends consisting of all or mostly Z5-14: Ac, while type I males showed a preference to a mix of 70% Z8-14Ac plus 30% Z5-14Ac. We found that type I males are attracted to type I females when offered a choice between type I and type II females in a field cage test and that type II males similarly prefer type II females. Males of types I and II have specialist cells for Z8-14Ac and Z5-14Ac but differ with respect to relative densities of these cells and to further cell types responsive to other alkenyl acetates. Type IIC. obliquana is considered therefore a sibling species of types I and III. In addition, the amount of Z5-14Ac produced by type II females varied geographically. Females from the North Island produced significantly less (median=1.2 ng) Z5-14Ac than females from the South Island (median=2.2 ng). Type II populations in the North Island morphologically resembled sympatric type I, rather than type II from the South Island and are designated as type II (North Island). Type II (North Island) populations have so far been found only at Rukuhia (near Hamilton) and from Kerikeri. In contrast, type II populations are sympatric with type III populations over much of the South Island. In a field cage trial, males of types II and II (North Island) were attracted to females of both II and II (North Island). We tentatively ascribe the differences between type II and type II (North Island) to intraspecific variation.     

Solvent and oxygen effects on the free radical polymerization of 6-O-vinyladipoyl-d-glucopyranose

The vinyl ester-type glycomonomer 6-O-vinyladipoyl-d-glucopyranose was polymerized in water and alcohol solutions. In all cases, long polymerization times were necessary to achieve reasonable conversions. Depending on the nature of the solvent, polydisperse glycopolymers were obtained possessing a molecular weight ranging between 10,000 and 122,000 Da (PS equivalent). Higher alcohols appeared to act as chain transfer agents and oligomers with DP_n between 2 and 6 were indeed obtained when 2-propanol was the solvent. Also, thorough oxygen removal from the reaction mixture proved to be essential for the success of the experiment, plain nitrogen sparging being ineffective in most cases.     

Response of direct-seeded guayule to preemergence herbicides

Direct-seeding guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) in west Texas has been successful; however, seedlings grow slowly and are extremely susceptible to weed competition. An effective preplant or preemergence herbicide is necessary for establishment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of preemergence herbicides on guayule stand establishment by direct seeding. Experiments were initiated on a Dalby clay in 1991 and 1992 at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Guayule Research Site near Fort Stockton, Texas. Conditioned guayule seed (Mexican Bulk) was planted 10 mm deep on raised beds with a Gaspardo SV255 pneumatic planter at 100 seeds/m. The following herbicides were applied immediately after planting: dimethyl 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (DCPA) [4.5, 9.0, 11.0 kg ai/ha (hectare)], pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] (0.3, 0.6, 1.1 kg/ha) and prodiamine [N³,N³-Di-n-propyl-2,4-dinitro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-m-phenylenediamine] (0.3, 0.6, 1.1 kg/ha). Herbicides were applied in a 0.5-m band on each bed by using a CO₂-powered backpack sprayer with a single-nozzle boom delivering 300 L/ha at 172 kPa pressure. The lowest rates of all herbicides did not significantly reduce guayule stand density in 1991 when compared to the control. DCPA at 9.0 kg/ha was adequately selective in both studies. Guayule stand reduction varied from only 2% with DCPA at 4.5 kg/ha in 1991, to 71% with 1.1 kg/ha of pendimethalin in 1992. DCPA (4.5 and 9.0 kg/ha) would be recommended for preemergence weed control, depending on soil type, when direct seeding guayule. Based on row spacing recommendations for transplants, at least three established seedlings/m would be required for an acceptable guayule stand. Seeding rate could be reduced and still allow for effective preemergence weed control.     

The effect of pre-warming on performance during simulated firefighting exercise

This study examined the effect of active pre-warming on speed and quality of performance during simulated firefighting exercise. Twelve male firefighters performed two trials in counterbalanced order. They were either pre-warmed by 20-min cycling at 1.5 Watt kg⁻¹ body mass (WARM) or remained thermoneutral (CON) prior to a simulated firefighting activity. After the pre-warming, gastrointestinal temperature (P < 0.001), skin temperature (P = 0.002), and heart rate (P < 0.001) were higher in WARM than in CON. During the firefighting activity, rating of perceived exertion, thermal sensation and discomfort were higher for WARM than for CON. Finish time of the firefighting activity was similar, but the last task of the activity was completed slower in WARM than in CON (P = 0.04). In WARM, self-reported performance quality was lower than in CON (P = 0.04). It is concluded that pre-warming reduces the speed during the last part of simulated firefighting activity and reduces self-reported quality of performance.     

The Pigmentation of Acrylic Resins*

Acrylic resins may be divided into two main categories—solvent-bome and water-borne systems—and these have been further subdivided into two groups, namely solutions and dispersions. Problems associated with the pigmentation of acrylic resins are discussed, and methods of assessing the wetting properties of the system are mentioned. The use of wetting and dispersing agents is examined, and the concept of the hydrophilic-lyophilic balance (HLB) value is investigated in this context. Pigmentation is one important factor that must be considered in assessing the exterior durability of acrylic resins, certain types of which are ideal media for metallic finishes because of their excellent polishing and weathering properties. The phenomenon of geometric metamerism associated with metallic finishes is discussed.     

A geometric solution to the largest-free-sphere problem in zeolite frameworks

We have applied Delaunay triangulation to models of the known zeolite frameworks. We show that this well-established technique from computational geometry provides for each framework; (i) the location and shape of the open pores and channels, (ii) the diameter of the largest possible included sphere, and indirectly (iii) the diameter of the largest-free-sphere that can diffuse through the framework by at least one lattice translation. Since Delaunay triangulation naturally locates the empty spaces within a set of points, it provides a powerful computer-automated tool for determining the physical characteristics of pores and channels of zeolite frameworks. Such tools will further enhance the usefulness of large databases of hypothetical framework materials.

Here, we tabulate results for the 165 zeolite frameworks that are presently listed in the Atlas of Zeolite Frameworks. Of the known zeolites, refined as pure silicates, the largest included sphere occurs in the TSC framework, with a diameter of 16.39 Å. The largest-free-sphere has a diameter of 11.33 Å, for diffusion along the [0 0 1] direction in the VFI framework.     

Altered arachidonic acid content in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells from patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma

We previously have found that monocytes from patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma produce less PGE₂ than cells from normal subjects in response to a histamine-induced lymphokine. In order to investigate this observation further, we measured the fatty acid content in the total phospholipids derived from the plasma, red cells, buffy coat cells, neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes of 27 allergic patients and 21 normal controls. There were no substantial differences between atopics and normals in the fatty acid analyses carried out for plasma and red cells. However, linoleic acid (18∶2n−6) levels were elevated significantly in the buffy coat fraction, while arachidonic acid (20∶4n−6) levels were reduced. Measurement of fatty acid levels after fractionation of the buffy coat population into neutrophils and monocytes yielded similar elevations in 18∶2n−6 and reduced 20∶4n−6. In contrast, lymphocytes appeared to have the reverse pattern, i.e., significantly reduced 18∶2n−6 and elevated 20∶4n−6 levels. These data suggest that atopic leukocytes may have altered essential fatty acid metabolism.     

Novel Gas-Liquid-Solid Reactors

Multiphase reactors involving gas, liquid, and solid phases have several important applications in the chemical industry, particularly in catalytic processes. Some of the well-known examples are: hydrogenation and oxidation of organic compounds, hydro-processing coal-derived and petroleum oils, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and methanation reactions. Due to the presence of three phases, the problem of reactor design is often important to achieve effective mass and heat transfer as well as a mixing pattern favorable to the particular process. The reactors are mainly of two types: (a) solid catalyst is suspended either by mechanical agitation or gas-induced agitation and (b) solid catalyst is in a fixed bed with concurrent or countercurrent feed of gas and liquid re-actants. The reactor types conventionally used in industry are: (a) mechanically agitated or bubble column slurry reactors and (b) trickle-bed or packed-bed bubble reactor. The various design and modeling aspects of these reactors have been reviewed by Satterfield [1], Chaudhari and Ramachandran [2], Shah [3,4], Ramachandran and Chaudhari [5], Shah et al. [6], and Herskowitz and Smith [7]. In several industrial processes these reactor designs are modified to achieve a certain specific objective, such as better heat or mass transfer, higher catalyst efficiency, better reactor performance and selectivity, etc. Similarly, specially designed reactors are often used for laboratory kinetic studies or to understand a certain phenomenon. Thus, novel multiphase reactors are becoming important from both academic and industrial viewpoints. Some of the recently introduced novel gas-liquid-solid reactor types are: (a) loop recycle slurry reactors, (b) basket-type reactors, (c) ebullated-bed reactors, (d) internal or external recycle reactors, (e) multistage slurry or packed-bed reactors, (f) column reactors with sieve trays or multiple agitators, (g) gas-induced agitated reactors, and (h) horizontal-packed-bed reactors. are being used in several new commercial processes, and various design aspects, such as hydrodynamics and mass and heat transfer, have been the subject of investigations in the last few years. However, no attempt to review the scattered information on these novel gas-liquid-solid reactors has been made. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to review important developments in novel gas-liquid-solid reactors. For each type of reactor, advantages, disadvantages, and applications are discussed. Further, the status of information on hydrodynamics and mass transfer parameters and scale-up considerations is reviewed. These novel reactor designs are being used in several new commercial processes, and various design aspects, such as hydrodynamics and mass and heat transfer, have been the subject of investigations in the last few years. However, no attempt to review the scattered information on these novel gas-liquid-solid reactors has been made. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to review important developments in novel gas-liquid-solid reactors. For each type of reactor, advantages, disadvantages, and applications are discussed. Further, the status of information on hydrodynamics and mass transfer parameters and scale-up considerations is reviewed.     

Template-based program verification and program synthesis

Program verification is the task of automatically generating proofs for a program’s compliance with a given specification. Program synthesis is the task of automatically generating a program that meets a given specification. Both program verification and program synthesis can be viewed as search problems, for proofs and programs, respectively. For these search problems, we present approaches based on user-provided insights in the form of templates. Templates are hints about the syntactic forms of the invariants and programs, and help guide the search for solutions. We show how to reduce the template-based search problem to satisfiability solving, which permits the use of off-the-shelf solvers to efficiently explore the search space. Template-based approaches have allowed us to verify and synthesize programs outside the abilities of previous verifiers and synthesizers. Our approach can verify and synthesize difficult algorithmic textbook programs (e.g., sorting and dynamic programming-based algorithms) and difficult arithmetic programs.