Les phenomenes de transport de masse dans la stratosphereMass transport in the stratosphereDie phänomene des massentransports in der stratosphäreявлeния пepeнoca мaccы в cтpaтocфepe

This paper describes various new experiments fulfilled in order to reach a better understanding on the mechanisms by which the low stratosphere pollutants are transported up to a higher altitude.     

Neuropsychological indexes of a partial frontal syndrome in patients with nonfrontal gliomas.

33 brain tumor patients (aged 26–74 yrs) were investigated with quantitative and qualitative neuropsychological assessments, systematic behavioral observations, and recordings of regional cerebral blood (rCBF). Ss with supratentorial highly malignant gliomas showed severe disturbances of attention, lack of control over premotor and executive functions, distractibility, a deficient abstract attitude, a loss of speech initiative, and diminished speech production. Such impairments are associated with functions of the frontal lobe system and may be related to frontal functional cortical changes as mirrored by rCBF. Signs of frontal dysfunction were seen in Ss with nonfrontal tumors and may suggest frontal lobe diaschisis in patients with Grade III–IV astrocytomas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hydrocarbons separation with polymer membranes. I. Butadiene–isobutene separation with nitrile rubber membranes

The permeation characteristics and the selectivity of four nitrile rubber films with respect to 1,3-butadiene and isobutene were studied as a function of experimental conditions and the nature of membrane material. A specific research apparatus was developed, allowing the determination of both permeation rate and selectivity, at a temperature varying between 0° and 30°C and under a pressure of from 1 to 3 bars. The inverse proportion of permeation rate to membrane thickness was verified for a thickness of from 12 to 500 microns. An increase in temperature promotes liquid permeation and is detrimental to gas permeation, the latter being facilitated by an increase in pressure. The introduction of an inert gas pressure on the liquid did not bring about an increase in the liquid permeation rate. The permeation rate decreases as a result of an increase in the proportion of acrylonitrile in the rubber, which also affects selectivity; the latter reaches a maximum value when said proportion is about 23%. The effect of the composition of the feed mixture was also studied and curves were determined relating, simultaneously, selectivity and permeation rate to the 1,3-butadiene content. Selectivity is maximal with mixtures having a very high 1,3-butadiene content. The solubilities of 1,3-butadiene and of isobutene in the four types of nitrile rubber were measured at 0°C and at 20°C (68°F). Selectivity can be interpreted in terms of the solubilities of the two hydrocarbons.     

Transportation Distance Measurement Data Quality

Data quality and spatial data accuracy issues are critical to any geographic information systems (GIS) application, especially GIS applications in the transportation community. This paper addresses one specific aspect of spatial data accuracy issues, namely, linear measurement (length measurement), through a transportation case study. In the case study, an alternative to distance measurement instruments (DMI) was proposed to determine road lengths for interstate highways in North Carolina. In the proposed alternative, the road lengths were calculated by overlaying GIS roadway linework over elevation data—in this case the National Elevation Dataset, which was developed based on U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 min digital elevation models and calculating a centerline roadway slope distance. The results of this approach were collected and compared with DMI lengths to assess the accuracy of the proposed approach. Error sources were tentatively identified and control mechanisms were discussed. Computer tools and models used to model surfaces and roadway linework are emphasized in this paper. The computer algorithms used for length calculations and accuracy assessment are described. This research concluded that, by carefully controlling quality of both the roadway linework data and the elevation data, GIS programs can be written to provide accurate length measurements to the transportation community. Furthermore, instrumentation like global positioning systems, high resolution cameras, and precise odometers can be combined to create productivity enhancing automated engineering systems.     

Poisoning by anorexigenics. Information from the data bank of the Anti-Poison Center of Marseille (1973)

Using the data bank developed by the Computer Service of the Lyon Hospitals, the Anti-Poisons Centre of Marseille presents an initial study of intoxications by appetite suppressants. The work was complemented by a simultaneous study using conventional manual techniques. An epidemiologic review of 1973 and an approximate assessment of toxic doses in the adult and child were possible. They should be of particular use in answering telephone enquiries at anti-poison centres.     

Serum zinc in highly trained adolescent gymnasts

Serum zinc was measured in 20 adolescent gymnasts (9 boys, 11 girls, age 12-15 yr) explored for detecting possible adverse effects of intense training on pubertal maturation and growth. They had low serum zinc (0.599 +/- 0.026 mg/L) when compared to matched control sedentary children (n = 118 mean 0.81 +/- 0.014 p < 0.001). Girls had lower zinc than boys (0.557 +/- 0.023 vs 0.651 +/- 0.044 p < 0.001). Zinc was correlated to isometric adductor strength (r = 0.468 p < 0.05). Children with serum zinc < 0.6 mg/L had lower insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 than others (2.326 +/- 0.264 vs 2.699 +/- 0.12 p < 0.01). Thus, zinc is lowered in trained adolescent gymnasts and even lower in females. This reduction could play some role in abnormalities of puberty, growth, or muscular performance.