NMR-study of structure and dynamics of associates of syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) in toluene

Summary High-resolution ¹H NMR spectra (¹H HR-NMR) of solutions of isotactic (i) and syndiotactic (s) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in toluene-d₈ were measured in the concentration range 0.2 to 10% w/v; for solutions of s-PMMA (10% w/v), ¹H NMR spectra with magic angle rotation (MAR-NMR) at various temperatures and ¹³C NMR spectra with strong proton decoupling were also measured. It was found that even in very dilute solutions of s-PMMA in toluene-d₈ a considerable portion (76%) of polymer segments are associated: association is of intramolecular origin and is due to interaction of long syndiotactic sequences. Prom NMR spectra the motion of associated segments appears as isotropic with and effective correlation frequency 10⁶ – 10⁷ Hz. A globular structure of the associates of s-PMMA is proposed.     

The structural integrity of a novel composite adhesively bonded flap-track beam

The structural integrity of a flap-track beam (FTB) made from non-crimp fabric composites and assembled using mechanical fasteners and adhesively bonded joints is investigated using full-scale experiments and numerical modeling. The FTB, being an aircraft structural component, has been selected as the verification structure and demonstrator of a novel material-driven design concept aiming to progressively replace mechanical fasteners by adhesively bonded joints and introduce fabric composites of enhanced through-thickness properties in aero-structures. For the sake of investigation, the FTB has been subjected to a combination of static and fatigue loading conditions taken from realistic load-scenarios. Due to size and complexity of the structure and testing demands, a special test-rig was developed for the occasion. During loading, the response of the structure has being fully monitored using a network of sensors along with an optical measurement system. After loading, the health of the structure was monitored using non-destructive inspection. Complementary to mechanical testing, a 3D detailed FE model was developed for virtual experimenting. On the basis of the model, progressive damage modeling has been implemented to simulate initiation and progression of composite failure as well as debonding. Both experiments and model have shown that the composite FTB is capable to effectively carry the load which the original fastened metallic FTB has been designed to carry. Localized damage that has no significant effect on the integrity of the structure has been detected at fastener areas and bonded joints containing initial defects. Between experiments and model a satisfactory agreement has been achieved considering the uncertainties in experimental procedure and numerical errors of the model.     

The ensiling capability of a mixture of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an additive comprising sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite on the quality of silages fermented from various forage crops. Thirteen crops in 3 groups (differing in dry matter concentration and degree of ensilability) were treated with the additive mixture and compared with untreated control silages. The main focus was on yeast and Clostridia spp. activity in the silages, although other silage quality criteria also were measured. Treated silages from difficult-to-ensile crops at low dry matter were found to have significantly lower silage pH, fewer clostridial spores, and reduced concentrations of ammonia N, butyric acid, and ethanol. In addition, dry matter losses were reduced in treated silages compared with those receiving no additive. Similar results were observed in silages from easy or intermediate ensilable crops when the dry matter concentration was <300 g/kg. When the dry matter concentration was >350 g/kg, the treated silages contained less ammonia N, ethanol, and yeast for 3 out of 4 forages. All treated silages from all crops were aerobically stable during the examination time. The application of the tested additive mixture reduced the growth of undesirable microflora and thereby reduced silage losses and prolonged the aerobic stability of the silages.     

Effects of prepartum dietary calcium level on calcium and magnesium metabolism in periparturient dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Ca level (4.9, 9.3, and 13.6 g/kg of DM) on Ca and Mg homeostasis in dairy cows around parturition. Cows of the Swedish Red breed (n = 29) with no previous veterinary treatment for milk fever were divided into 3 groups, and each group was fed one of the different diets during the last 15 to 32 d of gestation. Calcium was added as ground limestone, and the Mg concentration was 1.8 g/kg of DM in all diets. After calving the cows were fed similar diets. Plasma was sampled twice per week until calving, and 6, 12, and 24 h, 2, 4, and 7 d after calving. Spot urine samples were collected twice weekly until calving and creatinine was used as a marker of daily urinary excretion. Fecal samples were collected 2 times per day for 5 d starting 2 wk before expected calving, and acid-insoluble ash was used as an indigestible marker to estimate digestibility. Apparent digestibility of Mg and daily Mg excretion in the urine were lower in the dry period for cows fed the highest Ca level. Plasma Mg concentration was lower on 2, 4, and 7 d after calving in cows fed the highest level of Ca. Treatment groups did not differ in plasma Ca concentration, parathyroid hormone concentration, or bone mobilization, evaluated using crosslinked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTx) as a marker. Plasma Ca concentration decreased and plasma CTx concentration increased 6 h after calving. The apparent digestibility of Ca during the dry period was not affected by dietary Ca, but the cows fed 4.9 g Ca/kg of DM excreted 1.2 g of Ca/d in the urine, which was higher compared with 0.4 g/d and 0.6 g/d for the cows fed 9.3 g of Ca/kg of DM and 13.6 g of Ca/kg of DM, respectively. The results show that feeding 13.6 g of dietary Ca/kg of DM impaired the Mg absorption during the dry period, and resulted in decreased plasma Mg concentration after calving, but prepartum dietary Ca level did not affect plasma Ca, parathyroid hormone, or CTx concentrations.     

Comparative triplex tandem mass spectrometry assays of lysosomal enzyme activities in dried blood spots using fast liquid chromatography: application to newborn screening of Pompe, Fabry, and Hurler diseases

We report a comparative study of triplex tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) based assays of lysosomal enzymes in dried blood spots for the early detection of Pompe, Fabry, and Hurler diseases in newborns. Four methods have been evaluated that differed in sample handling and the equipment used. A newly developed method uses assay quenching with acetonitrile to precipitate blood proteins followed by analysis on an LC-electrospray/MS/MS system capable of multiple consecutive sample injections on two parallel chromatographic columns. This method requires 1.5 min per a triplex analysis of enzyme products and internal standards, which matches the throughput of the previously reported flow injection method. LC separation reduces matrix effects and allows for more facile sample workup. The new LC-based method showed figures of merit that were superior to those of the currently used method based on liquid-liquid extraction into ethyl acetate and flow injection into the mass spectrometer. The other methods we investigated for comprehensive comparison involved liquid-liquid extraction into ethyl acetate followed by LC-ESI-MS/MS and acetonitrile quenching followed by direct flow injection. Both methods using acetonitrile quenching were found to be robust and provide good quality data while requiring fewer liquid transfer steps and less disposable material and labor than did the extraction methods. The individual merits of the new methods are discussed to present an evaluated alternative approach to high-throughput analysis in newborn screening laboratories.     

Modeling the effect of reinforcement discontinuity on the tensile strength of UD flax fiber composites

To exploit the potential of natural fibers as reinforcement of polymer matrix composites, aligned bast fiber composite materials are being produced and studied. Bast fiber reinforcement is discontinuous due to the limited length of natural fibers, which needs to be reflected in predictive models of mechanical properties of composites. The strength in tension in the fiber direction of an aligned flax fiber-reinforced composite is modeled assuming that a cluster of adjacent fiber discontinuities is the origin of fracture. A probabilistic model of tensile strength, developed for UD composites containing a microdefect, is applied. It follows from the theoretical analysis that the experimental tensile strength as a function the fiber volume fraction can be described with acceptable accuracy assuming the presence of a cluster of ca. 4 × 4 elementary fiber discontinuities.     

Animal experiment study of the design of microelectrodes for selective detection of epicardial potassium ion activities

Early detection of myocardial ischaemia following cardiac surgery remains a central problem of intensive care medicine. On the basis of the observation in the epicardium that an elevated potassium activity accompanies myocardial ischaemia, a miniaturized electrode system for the measurement of epicardial potassium concentration was constructed and tested. Different types of electrode were implanted in two groups of rabbits. The electrode parameters were satisfactory (slope, screening) and it proved possible to record interference-free myocardial ion potentials, which with regard to the ionophores used is selective for potassium ion activity in the solid phase electrode. The system thus meets the prerequisites for further investigations into its suitability for early diagnosis of ischaemia.     

Overweight in Switzerland. Cross-comparison of various studies with the Heureka Study

In this study the most important Swiss studies on the incidence of overweight and obesity are summarized and compared to the corresponding prevalence rates from the Heureka study. Interestingly, data on body weight indexes (mostly mass indexes) and the various prevalence rates showed good accordance for younger age groups. In the upper age classes however, phenotypic differences concerning determinants and risk factors for overweight became obvious in the different Swiss populations (i.e. from geographically different regions of Switzerland). Nevertheless, regional risk factors could not been detected because specific data were lacking. The importance of uniform weight definitions for studies as well as for daily practise is stressed.     

Candida parapsilosis fungemia in cancer patients--incidence, risk factors and outcome

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of an ergonomic-educational course for nurses we assessed the number and percentage of harmful postures and of ergonomic and biomechanical errors made before and after the course. We also studied the perceived physical exertion. MEANS AND METHODS: In all, 12 nurses who had participated in the course (trainees) and 12 who had not (controls) were recorded on video while performing standardized nursing tasks. The wards from which the two groups of nurses came were comparable, as were the patient populations. The nurses were also comparable in some personal characteristics. The tasks they performed included washing, lifting, and repositioning a patient as well as certain tasks other than patient handling. Video recordings were made once before (1-2 weeks) and twice after the course (after 3 months and after 15 months). The harmful postures, the errors made, and the ratings of perceived exertion were measured by means of the Ovako Working-posture Analysis System (OWAS), a checklist, and Borg scores, respectively. RESULTS: When the first and last measurements of all the above tasks taken as a whole were analyzed the trainees showed a significant improvement in the number and percentage of harmful postures and errors, whereas the controls did not. The same could be concluded for lifting alone. After the course the new work routine did not appear to have caused any extra perceived physical exertion. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the course was successful, although it should be carefully investigated as to whether nurses remain capable of working safely in daily practice. The work pressure that nurses experience during their normal duties could prevent them from working safely during everyday work.