Unconventional Charge Density Wave Arising from Electron–Phonon Interaction

We report of a theoretical study on quasi-one dimensional unconventional charge density wave (UCDW) driven by electron–phonon interaction. Within mean field theory, we find that the wavevector dependence of the coupling leads to a momentum dependent single particle gap on the Fermi surface. The presence of small energy single particle excitations around the gap nodes significantly changes the optical conductivity compared to the conventional CDW result. In addition to that, the collective phase excitation arising from fluctuation of the order parameter leads to further qualitative changes of the conductivity and results in an effective mass that is nonmonotonic in temperature.      

Incidence of neoplasms in ages 0-19 y in parts of Sweden with high 137Cs fallout after the Chernobyl accident

An experiment was conducted to elucidate the origin of tetraploids (2n = 4x = 44) of Paragonimus westermani that occur together with diploid (2n = 2x = 22) and triploid (2n = 3x = 33) types in Liaoning Province, the People's Republic of China. Metacercariae of the diploid type, obtained from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, and those of the triploid type from Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, were mixed and inoculated into dogs and cats. The following results were obtained. The flukes were found in pairs within cysts in random combinations of 2x + 2x, 2x + 3x, and 3x + 3x (7:15:7). Oocytes in the oviduct were at stages from diplotene to metaphase. In a triploid fluke encysted with a diploid fluke, the primary oocytes were intruded by sperms from the diploid fluke. In the primary oocytes of diploid as well as triploid flukes, from diplotene to diakinesis, the homologues of the nucleolar chromosomes were heteromorphic as far as the size of the short arm was concerned. This implies that the triploid is an autotriploid generated in an ancestral diploid population that was polymorphic for the nucleolar chromosome.     

Probabilistic cell modelling of cleavage fracture

Various aspects on probabilistic modelling of cleavage fracture are discussed. The investigation involves consideration of a unit cell with an explicitly modelled void. The results from this model are compared with results for the case when the void content is accounted for in the sense of a Gurson-Tvergaard law. It is found that explicit modelling of the void can give substantially different results for the fracture probability. The effect depends on the exponent in the assumed Weibull distribution, the threshold stress, the constraint conditions and the hardening of the material. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heat transfer and pressure drop in a new type of corrugated channels

An experimental investigation of heat transfer and pressure drop from a new type of corrugated channels is presented. The investigation has been carried out for Reynolds numbers in the range of $\text{800 <}\text{Re}\text{< 5000}$ for one corrugated and one smooth channel. It is found that the heat transfer from the corrugated channel is up to 3.5 times higher than for the smooth one. The pressure drop is however large (5 – 6 times the value of a smooth channel) and it is suggested that the corrugation height and length should be altered in order to balance the increases in heat transfer and pressure drop.     

On the solubility of aluminum in cryolitic melts

The solubility of aluminum in NaF-AlF₃-Al₂O₃ melts with various additives was found to increase with increasing NaF/AlF₃ molar ratio (CR) and increasing temperature and to decrease with additions of A1₂O₃, CaF₂, MgF₂, and LiF to the melts. With the use of literature data for the activities of NaF and A1F₃ in cryolitic melts, three dissolution reaction models were found to give a good fit to the experimental solubility data. According to the most probable of these models the total concentration of dissolved aluminum (aluminum and sodium species) is given by c_Al = c_Na(diss) + c_AlF2- + c_Al2F3- + c_Al3F4- + c_Al4F5- In NaF rich melts, aluminum will dominantly dissolve as sodium, while at cryolite ratios commonly used in aluminum electrowinning (CR = 2.25 to 2.7) the AlF _-2 ^- -ion is the predominant dissolved metal species. Other species (A1₂F₃ ^-, A1₃F₄-, A1₄F₅-) were found to be of some significance only in melts with high excess A1F₃ (CR < 2).     

The effect of appraisers in estimating metabolic rate with the Edholm scale

A study was made of the appraisers' effect on the estimation of metabolic rate with the Edholm scale and a table of the ISO 7243 heat stress standard. The appraisers, five experienced and five inexperienced persons, estimated the metabolic rate of three different work tasks from videotapes. Analysis of variance indicated significant ( [Formula: see text] ) differences in the appraisers' recordings of the activities. The appraisers were grouped according to the similarity of the estimated values they gave. The groups thus contained both experienced and inexperienced appraisers, and it was not possible to classify the appraisers into experienced and inexperienced groups according to their earlier experience. The metabolic rates according to the Edholm scale were higher than according to the ISO 7243 table. The differences in metabolic rates given by the individual observers varied from 38 to 118 W/m(2). The variations in the estimation of metabolic rates were greater when the Edholm scale was used. This variation caused considerable variation also in the predicted mean vote, PMV index. It is recommended that the appraisers be selected carefully, because it is not possible to know whether a randomly selected appraiser is an 'average' or an 'extreme' appraiser without a test. Before conducting extensive field surveys where several appraisers estimate the metabolic rates, it would be useful to arrange training in order to calibrate the levels of the Edholm scale as well as ISO method among the appraisers because training clearly unified the estimation.     

Majority gates vs. general weighted threshold gates

In this paper we study small depth circuits that contain threshold gates (with or without weights) and parity gates. All circuits we consider are of polynomial size. We prove several results which complete the work on characterizing possible inclusions between many classes defined by small depth circuits. These results are the following:

Enthalpies of formation of transition-metal lanthanide laves phases with the MgCu2 structure

Experimental information and theoretical estimates for the enthalpy of formation at 298 K for the RM₂ (whereM = Fe, Co,orNi andR = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, or Lu) lanthanide Laves phases with the MgCu₂ (C15) structure are reviewed and discussed in the light of information on lattice parameters and atomic volume. The purpose of the present study is to analyze all the available experimental information on enthalpies of formation for transition-metal lanthanide Laves phases and then plot the data in order to reveal tendencies and allow reliable estimates of data that have not yet been measured. It is concluded that as the lanthanide atomic number increases the enthalpy of formation is almost constant or becomes slightly more negative. The accompanying volume contraction is slightly larger than expected from the lanthanide contraction, 7.6 %. From the so-called Gschneidner correlation one would have expected the contrary behavior, that is, that the bonding strength would become slightly lower when going from LaM₂ to LuM₂. An increase in the transition-metal atomic number has a stronger effect on the enthalpy of formation and atomic volume than an increase in the lanthanide atomic number.     

Differential Subcellular Distribution of Cytokinins: How Does Membrane Transport Fit into the Big Picture?

Cytokinins are a class of phytohormones, signalling molecules specific to plants. They act as regulators of diverse physiological processes in complex signalling pathways. It is necessary for plants to continuously regulate cytokinin distribution among different organs, tissues, cells, and compartments. Such regulatory mechanisms include cytokinin biosynthesis, metabolic conversions and degradation, as well as cytokinin membrane transport. In our review, we aim to provide a thorough picture of the latter. We begin by summarizing cytokinin structures and physicochemical properties. Then, we revise the elementary thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of cytokinin membrane transport. Next, we review which membrane-bound carrier proteins and protein families recognize cytokinins as their substrates. Namely, we discuss the families of “equilibrative nucleoside transporters” and “purine permeases”, which translocate diverse purine-related compounds, and proteins AtPUP14, AtABCG14, AtAZG1, and AtAZG2, which are specific to cytokinins. We also address long-distance cytokinin transport. Putting all these pieces together, we finally discuss cytokinin distribution as a net result of these processes, diverse in their physicochemical nature but acting together to promote plant fitness.     

A replacement of traditional insulation refractory brick by a waste-derived lightweight refractory castable

Lightweight insulation refractories are essential for high-temperature performance to reduce energy consumption. This study investigates a new insulation material, that is, solid waste rice husk ash (RHA) derived lightweight refractory castable, replacing traditional insulation refractory brick. The RHA is generated after the burning of rice husk as biomass fuel. The RHA is used as an aggregate and alkali-extracted silica sol from RHA as a binder to fabricate the insulation castable. The nanosilica containing (~30 wt%) sol is employed to synthesize the refractory castable by varying the sol amount (2.5-12.5 wt% silica from sol). The castable specimens are cast by a vibro-caster and fired at 900-1200°C in a muffle furnace. The physic-mechanical and thermal conductivity (κ) of the castable is investigated. At 1100°C with 10 wt% dry sol retaining sample shows an excellent apparent porosity (~65%), low bulk density (~ 0.8 g/cm³), and κ (0.136 W/m k) with sustainable compressive strength (6 MPa). The acquired results are a good match with the literature (other wastes-derived insulation materials) and industrial (silica insulation brick) obtained data. These promising outcomes may inspire the refractory industries for using RHA as an aggregate and RHA extracted sol as a binder for making insulation castable.