Personality disorders classification and symptoms in cocaine and opioid addicts.

The extent to which personality disorders (PDs) and associated symptom criteria were found among 117 cocaine- and opioid-dependent men selected from 350 consecutive inpatient admissions to a Veterans Administration Drug Dependence Treatment Unit over a 30-month period was examined using structured interview methodology. Drug groups were distinguished by higher rates of antisocial and borderline symptomatology rather than by features associated with other PDs. Cocaine users showed lower rates of borderline and adult antisocial features and reported less subjective distress than opioid addicts, and different constellations of target problem features emerged for the two groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interlaboratory comparison of radiation-induced attenuation inoptical fibers. II. steady-state exposures

For pt.I see ibid., vol.6, no.2, p.165-71 (1988). For pt.III see ibid., vol.8, no.6, p.977-89 (1990). The results of steady-state ⁶⁰ Co irradiations of silica core multimode fiber and silica core single-mode and Ge-doped graded index fibers are reported. These data were acquired over the interval of 1987-9. Several significant differences from the results and measurement procedures presented in pt.I must be accounted for in drawing comparisons between the two sets of reported data. Fiber wrap diameter and launched power level were observed to significantly influence the radiation-induced attenuation measured in silica core multimode and single-mode fibers, while the effect was less in Ge-doped silica core multimode fibers     

Inducible gene expression in mammalian cells and transgenic mice

The discovery of the superantigens (SAgs) offered new insights on the interaction between microorganisms and the host immune system. Associated to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules, SAgs bind to the variable domain of the beta chain (V beta) of the TCR alpha beta engaged in the family specificity of lymphocytes. Therefore, these molecules are able to activate a high number of T lymphocytes as well as surface MHC class II bearing cells, leading to an overriding release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, which have been related to their toxic effects. Endogenous SAgs are encoded by murine tumor proviruses (Mtv) which are integrated in the genome of mice. Bacteria and viruses produce exogenous SAgs and those related to food poisoning have been widely studied. The presence of parasite SAgs is still unclear and further studies are required to establish their existence and effects on the corresponding infections.     

Assessment by Microscopy of the Coverage of Sludge Flocs by a Nano‐scale Surface Layer

Flocs are irregularly shaped suspended particles of complex structure and composition that occur naturally in aquatic systems. In water treatment facilities, the settling of flocs is extremely important. Transmission electron microscopy was used to quantify the formation of a nano‐scale surface layer on flocs from two laboratory bioreactors modelling a biological wastewater treatment facility. By comparing different floc populations, we demonstrated that flocs that settled quickly out of wastewater had a significant amount of this layer, whereas those with little nano‐scale surface layer had poor settling properties. This morphological feature of floc ultrastructure may permit engineering manipulations that promote floc settling.     

Beitr?ge zur Analyse des Johannisbeersaftes

Ohne ZusammenfassungMitteilung aus dem Städtischen Untersuchungsamt zu Rotterdam.     

Impact of Ethanol on Benzene Plume Lengths: Microbial and Modeling Studies

Recent legislation in several states has called for the removal of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from gasoline. In order to comply with Federal Clean Air Act requirements for carbon monoxide and ozone attainment, ethanol is being considered as a replacement for MTBE. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential impact of ethanol on benzene plume lengths in subsurface environments following accidental spills of ethanol-blended gasoline. Two types of studies were conducted here. First, laboratory studies were performed using a pure culture indigenous to a gasoline-contaminated aquifer to evaluate the effect of ethanol on the rate of benzene biodegradation under aerobic conditions. Results from microbial studies showed that the biodegradation of 25 mg/L benzene was severely inhibited in the presence of 25 mg/L ethanol. While the enzymes responsible for benzene biodegradation by the culture were inducible, ethanol degradation appeared to be constitutive. Second, a two-dimensional model was developed to quantify the impact of ethanol on benzene plume lengths using weighted-average aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation rates for benzene in the presence and absence of ethanol. Model simulations indicated that benzene plume lengths are likely to increase by 16–34% in the presence of ethanol.     

Evaluating a supermarket relocation strategy using spatial competition analysis

The purpose of this paper is to show, in the context of a specific labor relations case, that spatial competition analysis can help regulatory authorities evaluate a firm's location strategy. The case involves the relocation of a supermarket franchisee, and two alternative explanations for the move are advanced. In the first explanation, it is argued that the supermarket relocation can be a form of strategic behavior that provides the least costly way of circumventing an institutional constraint that would otherwise make it difficult to convert a store from union to nonunion status. The second explanation is that the move is motivated by competitive considerations, particularly the desire of the franchisor to save a failing franchisee by moving it, and so that a new franchise could be opened in the vacated store and compete more aggressively with a recent entrant. A locational investigation, in conjunction with a regression analysis of sales data, support the rejection of the second explanation.The author would like to thank Brad Reid, Stuart Landon, Noxy Dastoor, Balder Von Hohenbalken, Dave Ryan, Greg Dow, Arnold Berry, David Batten, seminar participants at the University of British Columbia, and two anonymous referees for their many helpful suggestions. Financial support from the University of Alberta's Endowment Fund for the Future is gratefully acknowledged     

Transfer of analog temporal data vita standard dual-channel digital fiberoptic links

Two standard fiberoptic links designed for digital application have been used to transfer analog spatial information using a time-to-amplitude converter. The inferred 50–60 ps relative jitter between the two links results in about 10% degradation of spatial resolution.     

Design and Experimental Verification of a Linear Permanent Magnet Generator for a Free-Piston Energy Converter

This paper discusses issues that are pertinent to the design of a linear permanent magnet generator for application in a free-piston energy converter. To achieve the required high power density, high efficiency, and low moving mass, a tubular machine equipped with a modular stator winding and a quasi-Halbach magnetized armature is employed. It is shown that the machine design can be optimized with respect to three key dimensional ratios while satisfying other performance requirements. It is also shown that, when the generator is interfaced to an electrical system via a power electronic converter, both the converter volt-amps rating and the converter loss should be taken into account when optimizing the machine design. The performance of such a tubular generator is demonstrated by measurements on a 10-pole/9-slot prototype machine.