Functional polyamides. 3. Synthesis and chelating properties of a new poly(amide thioether)

Polymerization of β,β′-(ethylenedithio)dipropionitrile

1 IUPAC name: 4,7-dithiadecane dinitrile.

with formaldehyde in the presence of sulfuric acid was carried out in order to permit the synthesis of polymides containing thioether groups. The obtained poly(amide thioether)s were characterized; they coordinate mercury (II) with a high degree of selectivity.     

Group Study of Simulated Driving fMRI Data by Multiset Canonical Correlation Analysis

In this work, we apply a novel statistical method, multiset canonical correlation analysis (M-CCA), to study a group of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) datasets acquired during simulated driving task. The M-CCA method jointly decomposes fMRI datasets from different subjects/sessions into brain activation maps and their associated time courses, such that the correlation in each group of estimated activation maps across datasets is maximized. Therefore, the functional activations across all datasets are extracted in the order of consistency across different dataset. On the other hand, M-CCA preserves the uniqueness of the functional maps estimated from each dataset by avoiding concatenation of different datasets in the analysis. Hence, the cross-dataset variation of the functional activations can be used to test the hypothesis of functional-behavioral association. In this work, we study 120 simulated driving fMRI datasets and identify parietal-occipital regions and frontal lobe as the most consistently engaged areas across all the subjects and sessions during simulated driving. The functional-behavioral association study indicates that all the estimated brain activations are significantly correlated with the steering operation during the driving task. M-CCA thus provides a new approach to investigate the complex relationship between the brain functions and multiple behavioral variables, especially in naturalistic tasks as demonstrated by the simulated driving study.     

UV curable lens production using molecular weight controlled PEEK based acrylic oligomer (Ac-PEEK)

We produced UV curable lenses with properties blocking short wave UV light. In the UV-curable formulations, we used an oligomer (Ac-PEEK) with another urethan oligomer (Mw = 2000). Radically active, molecular weight controlled Ac-PEEK was obtained by reacting 2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate with molecular- weight- controlled and isocyanate terminated PEEK (Mn = 4500). We characterized all synthesized monomer, oligomer and optical materials with UV/Vis spectrophotometer with interferogram, elemental analyser, mass spectrophotometer, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy and gas chromatography. Results suggested that newly synthesized oligomer with the structure of PEEK absorbs short wave UV-light. Ageing tests [ISO 11979-5, Ophthalmic implants—intraocular lenses (IOL)—Part 5: Biocompatibility] performed on the IOL materials were successful. High contact angle of the obtained lenses suggests that all lenses were hydrophobic and SEM results revealed that lenses are morphologically homogeneous. Based on all positive properties just mentioned, we safely conclude that the lenses produced in this study are very promising for IOL production.     

Structural characteristics of Hagia Sophia: I—A finite element formulation for static analysis

The historic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which held the record as the world's largest domed building for some 800 years, is analysed with a finite element formulation, including the effects of thickness shear deformations and the term z/R$z/R$, to understand its structural behaviour under the action of static loading. The structure, including all essential elements of the system, is modelled by using the same curved trapezoidal finite element with 40 degrees of freedom. Its structural behaviour and its structural load carrying system are demonstrated and the results are compared with those obtained earlier and also with those observed at the structure.     

Structural characteristics of Hagia Sophia: II—A finite element formulation for dynamic analysis

The Hagia Sophia, a 6th century masonry edifice in Istanbul, is analysed with a linear finite element model including thickness shear deformations, the terms z/R, and rotatory inertia effects with consistent mass matrix to provide insight to the structure's behaviour under earthquake loading. The structure, including the primary main dome and supporting system, is modelled by using a two-dimensional model composed of eight-node shell element. The dynamic characteristics of the system are obtained by using the Wilson-θ method, step-by-step integration method, and also by applying the available ground motion data to understand its general structural behaviour in the future earthquakes.     

Description of the computer program used at the Hospital de Bellvitge for monitoring and control in the Parenteral Nutrition Unit

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a computer program to control the Pharmacy Service Parenteral Nutrition Unit. The program's main feature is a broad menu of possibilities for the clinical monitoring of patients receiving PN. We explain its operation, potential and applications and give some practical examples of some of those applications.