A Composite Index of Compliance for Chronic In‐Center Hemodialysis Patients

We developed a composite compliance index as the sum of the compliance scores for interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), pre‐dialysis serum potassium and phosphorus concentrations (each scored from zero to 3, with 3 indicating the poorest compliance), and skipping hemodialysis sessions (scored from zero to 9, with 9 indicating the poorest compliance). We used this composite score to prospectively evaluate compliance in 25 prevalent hemodialysis patients over a period of 1 year. We then followed these patients for another 3.5 years. The patients studied were divided into two groups: group A (poor compliance) consisted of 9 subjects with composite score ≥ 9 (13.2 ± 3.2); group B (better compliance) consisted of 16 subjects with composite score < 9 (4.7 ± 1.8). Age, duration of hemodialysis, and frequency of diabetes mellitus did not differ between the groups. Group A contained higher fractions of subjects with history of alcoholism (66.7% vs 12.5%, p = 0.010), other substance addiction (44.4% vs 0%, p = 0.010), and severe psychosocial problems (88.9% vs 18.8%, p = 0.002). Mean survival from the beginning of observation, estimated by actuarial life‐table survival analysis, was 1.19 years in group A and 2.60 years in group B (p = 0.0265). A composite compliance index incorporating domains indicating adherence to diet, medications, and dialysis schedule identified other behavioral problems in poorly compliant patients. Hemodialysis patients characterized by this composite index as poorly compliant had shortened survival.     

2D crack growth simulation with an energetic approach

It is well known that the tearing resistance curve J–Δa is not a material property. A recent approach, based on an energetic critical parameter to model ductile tearing propagation, is used to model 3D effects. The approach considered in this work aims to estimate the dissipated energy in the fracture process during ductile tearing represented by an intrinsic parameter G_fr. A fracture criterion, which accounts for the crack extension length, is defined and lies on a critical energy release rate, noted G_c, which is compared to G_fr. Previously, this parameter was obtained from a numerical local energy release rate, which handicaps the application field of the approach: a fine mesh for the whole propagation area was needed and the criterion allowed only to model 1D propagation. A new manner to estimate G_c is then proposed in this article, based on the J plastic part variation, which allows to model 2D propagation by defining a local criterion. This new calculation method is validated on a CT specimen made in Tu52b ferritic steel, by comparing the results obtained from the two methods of G_c calculation. Then, the 2D crack growth case is studied, by modelling the propagation in a ring, loaded in compression. It is shown that a 3D effect, such as tunnel effect, could be successfully represented with this approach.     

Dependence of the Parameters of an Electronuclear System on the Composition of Mixed Uranium–Plutonium Fuel

Mathematical simulation is used to study the dependence of the parameters of an electronuclear system with uranium–plutonium mixed fuel on the amount of plutonium and ²⁴⁰Pu admixture in the fuel. As an example, a 10–20 kW(t) experimental system built at Dubna on the basis of a synchrocyclotron with 660 MeV protons is examined. A 2% admixture of ²⁴⁰Pu decreases the neutron multiplication factor from 0.95 to 0.9 and decreases the neutron yield and heat released by almost a factor of 2. This decrease can be compensated by increasing the plutonium content in the mixed fuel from 25 to 27%.     

The Scientific Research Seminar on Computer Algebra in 2000–2001

An annual report on meetings of the scientific research seminar on computer algebra is presented.     

Chain length effects in boundary lubrication

The effect of additive chain length on friction coefficient and transition temperature is investigated under different test conditions. Carboxylic acids and normal alcohols with 12 – 18 carbon atoms in the chain were used as additives in n-hexadecane base lubricant. It was found that the magnitude of the friction coefficient decreases as the additive chain length is increased. Matching of the additive chain length with the base lubricant had no effect on the friction coefficient. Similarly, the transition temperature at low sliding speeds increased with increasing chain length and was not affected by chain matching. At higher speeds, the acids containing 16 and 18 carbon atoms did not exhibit a transitional behavior within the studied temperature range. These results are discussed in terms of the separation distance between the contacting surfaces, the intermolecular dispersion forces and the structure of adsorbed layers. It is concluded that, at very low speeds, boundary lubrication is controlled by adsorbed monolayers, whereas at higher speeds, where partial elastohydrodynamic conditions prevail, ordered multimolecular layers may influence lubrication.     

Hydrogenation of canola oil in the presence of nickel and the methyl benzoate-chrome carbonyl complex

Canola oil was hydrogenated using a mixture of homogeneous methyl benzoate-Cr(CO)₃ and heterogeneous nickel catalysts. The effect of the methyl benzoate-Cr(CO)₃_to-nickel ratio on the activity, specific isomerization index, linoleate and linolenate selectivities, and fatty acid composition was evaluated, and the results compared with those obtained with commercial nickel catalyst and methyl benzoate-Cr(CO)₃ used individually. At higher chromium-to-nickel ratios the activity of nickel was inhibited and the system behaved essentially like the pure chrome complex, while at low chromium-to-nickel ratios the characteristics of the nickel predominated. In a short transition zone relatively high reaction rates were obtained with significantly reducedtrans-isomer levels in the product. In a broader sense, it may be possible to combine a homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst while retaining the advantages of both. We may thus be able to design catalyst systems for specific applications.     

Study of possibilities for a spin flip in high energy electron ring HERA

In a high energy electron ring the spins of electrons become spontaneously polarized via the emission of spin-flip synchrotron radiation. By employing a radio frequency radial dipole field kicker, particle spin directions can be rotated slowly over many turns. A model which couples three dimensional spin motion and longitudinal particle motion was constructed to describe nonequilibrium spin dynamics in high energy electron storage rings. The effects of a stochastic synchrotron radiation on the orbital motion in the accelerator synchrotron plane and its influence on the spin motion are studied. The main contributions to the spin motion, the synchrotron oscillations and the stochastic synchrotron radiation, have different influence on the spin polarization reversal in different regions of the parameter space. The results indicate that polarization reversal might be obtained in high energy electron storage rings with a significant noise even with relatively small strengths of a perturbing magnetic field. The only experimental datum available agrees with the model prediction, however further experimental data would be necessary to validate the model.