Neutron diffraction studies of the magnetic structure of Ho3Pd4Ge4

Ho₃Pd₄Ge₄ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Gd₆Cu₈Ce₈-type of structure (space group Immm) in which the Ho atoms occupy two nonequivalent crystallographic positions: 2a and 4j. Neutron diffraction measurements indicate that the Ho moments in the 4j site below 6.7 K form a collinear antiferromagnetic structure with the magnetic moments parallel to the a axis, whereas the Ho moments in the 2a site below 5 K form a sine-wave modulated structure with the magnetic moments parallel to the c axis.     

Differences in bioactive protein and vitamin status of milk from certified organic and conventional farms

The aim of the study was to determine differences in the status of selected bioactive whey proteins and lipophilic vitamins in milk obtained from certified organic farms as compared to conventional farms (using traditional and intensive production systems). Significant relationships were noted with regard to production system and individual bioactive milk compounds, that is β‐lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, vitamins A, D₃ and E, and β‐carotene (P = 0.001) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) (P = 0.016). Milk obtained from extensive farms, especially certified organic ones, was a valuable source of certain antioxidant compounds: β‐lactoglobulin (3.32 g/L), lactoferrin (123.8 mg/L), vitamin E (2.044 mg/L) and β‐carotene (0.257 mg/L) in the case of organic farms.     

Nanowear of ultrathin TiN/NbN superlattices deposited on silicon

TiN/NbN ultrathin superlattices deposited on silicon by physical vapor deposition technique were tested. The test were performed for superlattices with constant thickness (5.84 nm) of NbN layer and varied thickness (2.2–13 nm) of TiN layer. The nanowear tests on 5 × 5 m scan size were carried out. The effect of the construction of the film on its wear resistance was observed. The specific energy of wear was estimated. The nanoscratch tests were performed additionally to estimate the friction force during the wear and to calculate the energy of friction. The results of the nanowear studies were also compared with the results of nanoindentation tests. The wetting studies by contact angles measurements were also carried out. The smallest wear was found for the thinnest TiN layer.     

Distribution of deoxynivalenol and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol in naturally contaminated and Fusarium culmorum infected triticale samples

Eight triticale genotypes, naturally contaminated (C) and collected from heads inoculated with two separate isolates Fusarium culmorum (I1 and I2) kernels were analysed for accumulation of Fusarium toxins. Triticale kernels were contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between naturally contaminated samples (C) and those inoculated with isolate I1 and I2. The following accumulation of toxins in kernels (mean mg/kg) was found: C, I1, I2--DON 0.06, 14.45, 8.09; 3-AcDON--0.01, 0.20, 0.49. Distribution of DON and 3-AcDON was studied in four size fractions of kernels (> 2.8 mm; < or = 2.8-2.5 mm, < 2.5-2.2 mm and < 2.2 mm). The highest concentration of DON and 3-AcDON was found in the smallest fraction of damaged kernels. The percentage distribution of DON and 3-AcDON in fraction < 2.2 mm was (C) 66%, 77%, (I1) 38%, 27%, (I2) 46%, 40%; and in fraction < 2.5 mm: (C) 85%, 94%, (I1) 57%, 51%, (I2) 80%, 76%. The naturally contaminated kernel fraction < 2.2 mm (although only 2% of all) contained 33% DON and 59% 3-AcDON, for more toxigenic isolate I1 10%, 15%, 14%, less toxigenic isolate I2 4%, 13%, 11%, respectively, calculated on dry matter basis. No significant correlation between examined characteristics was found for either I1 or I2 isolate. The biosynthesis mechanism of toxic metabolites was to approximate (significantly correlated) to pair objects C/I2.     

Use of the Rorschach test as a diagnostic criterion.

In his American Psychologist article, Joseph Lerner (see record 1964-01189-001) kindly ascribed to me words which properly belong to Samuel J. Beck. Beck does refer to my Perceptanalysis (Piotrowski & Lewis, 1957), but not on the same page. His words express my past belief. At present my attitude is more complex. It changed after I checked some "blind" Rorschach diagnoses and clinical psychiatric diagnoses on the same patients (Piotrowski, 1950, p. 363), and read published reviews of the reliability and validity of clinical psychiatric diagnoses. These revealed that a considerable percentage of first admission patients, discharged as psychoneurotics, are rediagnosed as schizophrenics after a re-examination several years later. In fact, some schizophrenic conditions escape detection through clinical observations for as long as 10 years, despite intermittent clinical examinations. The Rorschach test definitely is highly sensitive to schizophrenia even though at times some remitted or much improved schizophrenics produce test records failing to give any indication of the psychosis, let alone of the past acute psychotic episodes Lerner stated that "the Rorschach alone is of little assistance unless it is an integral part of the total evaluation." Well, if the Rorschach is never used as an independent diagnostic criterion, we shall never know how good or bad a diagnostic criterion it is. Using it as a part source of information, is to contaminate it (that is why "blind" diagnoses are important). The second point is: It seems advisable to follow the rule that if clinical observations or the Rorschach test--or both--suggest schizophrenia, this diagnosis is likely to be valid. This rule is compatible with Lerner's conclusion that an evaluation based on all available sources of information is better than one which utilizes only one diagnostic criterion, be it test, anamnesis, or clinical examination. To be certain that the Rorschach test is a dependable diagnostic criterion in neuropsychiatry we must have first highly reliable diagnostic test procedures. A digital computer program of Rorschach interpretation, including numerous diagnostic formulae, has been written to achieve objective and perfectly reliable application of the diagnostic test rules to individual cases. The computer program will be submitted to a stringent test of validity. We shall then be in possession of a test which will yield independent and uncontaminated diagnoses. These, in turn, will be available for use independently or as part of a "total evaluation." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

New method of view factor calculation in radiative transfer

The method of view factor calculation presented in this article is based on the methods of analytical geometry. The given method can be used when the surfaces are separated by non-absorbing gas and radiation from the surfaces, whether emitted or reflected, is diffused.     

Sollicitations des murs en cas de dégradation locale du sol modélisée par la variation de la raideur du sol et de son volume

Résumé On présente birévement les effets de la dégradation du sol sur les structures murales. L'étude de cette dégradation est faite par modélisation de la variation de la raideur et du volume du sol. Les murs sont modélisés par un système de poutres ou paros fléchies, croisées dans le plan et posées sur semelles, pieux ou puits. Les modèles de l'interaction sol-murs présentés sont construits d'une manière récurrente et permettent d'analyser toutes les phases de la construction et de l'exploitation et tous les changements causés par les destructions, reconstructions ou reprises des murs. Ils doivent faciliter l'analyse et le choix de l'intervention de sauvegarde appropriée. Ils peuvent être aussi appliqués dans le cas de structures murales nouvelles, soumises aux effets de l'hétérogénéité du sol dans le plan et en fonction du temps.

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Summary This report presents the relationship between the local degradation of soil and the state of walls, together with possible preventative measures. The degradation is modelled by the spontaneous inplane and time-dependent variation of the stiffness and volume of soil. It should be defined at the instant when destruction is observed. The walls are modelled by a generally hyperstatic system of beams or walls under bending, crossed in plane and placed on continuous footings, piles or shafts. The real flexibility of this system which is variable over time is modelled by a particular combination of two limit states of wall behaviour, accompanied by a distribution of loads in two parts, according to the type of loads, walls and soil. One of these parts is attributed to the system mentioned, but assumed perfectly flexible. It has no effect on the system loads and acts on the soil-like pressure transferred directly. The other is attributed to the same system but assumed perfectly rigid. This part causes the bending and torsion of the system and acts on the soil indirectly following the intervention of the system. The same can be carefully calculated by keeping plane soil sections in this case to apply the idea of equivalence of stiffness and of the homogenized section of the foundation. Once the soil reactions and settlement are calculated, the system becomes isolated and externally isostatic and the loads, stresses, deformations and displacements can be calculated by applying one of the known structural design methods. The models of soil-structure interaction are set up in a recurrent way and it is possible to use them to analyse all the phases of construction and service and all the changes caused by destruction, reconstruction or underpinning. They should make analysis and the appropriate choice of the prevention measures easier. They can also be applied in the case of new walls, subjected to the effects of the heterogeneous nature of soil and as a function of time.

     

Bivalent peptides as models for multimeric targets of PDZ domains

PDZ domains are among the most common modules in eukaryotic, including human, genomes. They are found exclusively in large, multidomain cytosolic proteins--often with other domains that belong to a variety of families--and are involved in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological events. PDZ domains mediate protein-protein interactions by binding to solvent-exposed and extended C-terminal short fragments of membrane-associated proteins, such as receptors and ion channels. Most of what is known about the mechanisms of target binding by PDZ domains is inferred from studies that involve isolated recombinant PDZ domains and short synthetic peptides that represent the targets. These binary systems constitute an obvious oversimplification and disregard factors such as noncanonical modes of binding and enhanced affinity due to multimeric interactions mediated by clusters and oligomers of PDZ-domain-containing proteins. We have tested whether the interaction between a dimeric form of PDZ domain that mimics a functional dimeric guanine nucleotide exchange factor, PDZ-RhoGEF (PDZ-containing RhoA-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor) or LARG (leukemia-associated RhoA specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor), and a bivalent peptide that mimics the dimer of the plexin B receptor, could enhance the interaction between the two moieties. Peptide dimerization was achieved by cross-linking the N-terminal ends of peptides attached to Wang resin with poly(ethylene glycol) spacers (30-45 Angstroms in length). The interaction of dimeric PDZ domains with dimeric peptides resulted in an up to 20-fold increase in affinity compared to the simple binary system. This is consistent with the notion that multimerization of both receptors and PDZ-containing proteins might constitute an important regulatory mechanism.