Formation and crosslinking of latex films through the reaction of acetoacetoxy groups with diamines under ambient conditions

We investigated the processes of film formation, polymer diffusion, and crosslinking of latex films at ambient temperature, using low T_g methacrylate latex bearing acetoacetoxy groups, and curing the systems with 1,6-hexanediamine as the crosslinker. The addition of diamine induces floc formation, which modifies the rheological properties of the dispersion and increases its drying rate when coated onto a substrate. The crosslinking reaction between diamine and acetoacetoxy groups occurs at a rapid rate, even in the dispersed state. Although the crosslinking reaction precedes polymer diffusion in the two systems we examined, latex films with relatively good solvent resistance are obtained. Department of Chemistry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6. Department of Polymer Chemistry, P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.     

Application of constraint logic programming to asset and liability management in banks

Constraint logic programming is a relatively new and promising paradigm. In this paper it is shown that this approach yields flexible tools to support financial decision making. As an example we present an asset and liability management model implemented in the CHIP language.     

Pigmented flower extracts of plant species from the Geraniaceae and Lamiaceae families as natural food colourants: anthocyanin composition,thermal and oxidative stability

This study determined the anthocyanin profile of pigmented flower extracts from some Geraniaceae and Lamiaceae plant species found in South Africa, and their thermal and oxidative stability to assess their potential food application. Anthocyanins in the Geraniaceae (Pelargonium grandiflorum Willd. and Pelargonium × hortorum L.H. Bailey, Pelargonium zonale hybrid) were 3,5-diglucosides of delphinidin, petunidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and malvidin and acetyl-acylated malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin. The Lamiaceae species (Salvia aurea × dolomitica Bae’s blue, Salvia dolomitica Codd and Plectranthus zuluensis T. Cooke) mainly contained rutinosides of pelargonidin, glucosides of petunidin, pelargonidin and p-coumaric acid- and malonyl-acylated delphinidin and malvidin. Lamiaceae pigments had higher thermal and oxidative stability. This could be due to aromatic malonyl-acylated anthocyanin self-association and strong intermolecular interactions with phenolic acids and derivatives. Flowers from Lamiaceae and Geraniaceae have potential application as natural food colourants, but temperature and oxidising conditions must be considered depending on the particular species being used.     

Qualitative economics: An implementation in PROLOG

In this paper, we describe a formalism for qualitative reasoning in economics. The framework may serve as a common basis for the intuitive reasoning practised by experienced economists and the more formal qualitative models recently established in the field of artificial intelligence. The emphasis is on representation and implementation aspects of qualitative models. The formalism is illustrated in a well-known Keynesian model.     

Observation of quantum interference in molecular charge transport

As the dimensions of a conductor approach the nanoscale, quantum effects begin to dominate, and it becomes possible to control the conductance through direct manipulation of the electron wavefunction. Such control has been demonstrated in various mesoscopic devices at cryogenic temperatures, but it has proved to be difficult to exert control over the wavefunction at higher temperatures. Molecules have typical energy level spacings (～eV) that are much larger than the thermal energy at 300?K (～25?meV), and are therefore natural candidates for such experiments. Previously, phenomena such as giant magnetoresistance, Kondo effects and conductance switching have been observed in single molecules, and theorists have predicted that it should also be possible to observe quantum interference in molecular conductors, but until now all the evidence for such behaviour has been indirect. Here, we report the observation of destructive quantum interference in charge transport through two-terminal molecular junctions at room temperature. We studied five different rigid π-conjugated molecular wires, all of which form self-assembled monolayers on a gold surface, and find that the degree of interference can be controlled by simple chemical modifications of the molecular wire.     

Finite Element Methods for Eigenvalue Problems on a Rectangle with (Semi-) Periodic Boundary Conditions on a Pair of Adjacent Sides

This paper deals with a class of elliptic differential eigenvalue problems (EVPs) of second order on a rectangular domain Ω⊂ℝ², with periodic or semi-periodic boundary conditions (BCs) on two adjacent sides of Ω. On the remaining sides, classical Dirichlet or Robin type BCs are imposed. First, we pass to a proper variational formulation, which is shown to fit into the framework of abstract EVPs for strongly coercive, bounded and symmetric bilinear forms in Hilbert spaces. Next, the variational EVP serves as the starting point for finite element approximations. We consider finite element methods (FEMs) without and with numerical quadrature, both with triangular and with rectangular meshes. The aim of the paper is to show that well-known error estimates, established for finite element approximations of elliptic EVPs with classical BCs, remain valid for the present type of EVPs, including the case of multiple exact eigenvalues. Finally, the analysis is illustrated by a non-trivial numerical example, the exact eigenpairs of which can be determined. Received March 2, 1999; revised July 8, 1999     

Algebraisches Erdöl

Zusammenfassung  Mithilfe der Computeralgebra werden neuartige Modellgleichungen berechnet, die es gestatten, das Verhalten eines ?lfelds unter Produktionsbedingungen über l?ngere Zeitr?ume korrekt vorherzusagen.     

Spectral analysis of internally leaking shut-down valves

We herein describe the results obtained from a set of experiments conducted on a shut-down valve, the objective of which was to identify the degree of internal leakage through the valve in its closed state. Leakage in a valve is not only a concern in terms of safety, but can also contribute to high maintenance costs and the loss of supply. Any improvements to the methods available for monitoring the condition to the valve may yield substantial cost savings and safer working conditions. All the experiments were conducted after causing damage to a valve and by subsequent monitoring of the vibrations caused by the resulting leak, using different types of instrumentation, including acoustic emission and dynamic pressure sensors. We carried out an analysis of the data obtained, in which our primary focus was the spectrum of frequencies obtained from each of the signals emitted. The methods we used deemed to be effective for the detection of leaks. The quantification of the leaks is a rather more complex matter that warrants further investigation, however. Further research is also suggested on the effect of external disturbances, the influence of the experimental parameters, and the applicability of analytical models.     

A variational approximation method for 2nd order elliptic eigenvalue problems in a composite structure with nonstandard boundary conditions

In this paper we deal with the finite element analysis of a class of eigenvalue problems (EVPs) in a composite structure in the plane, consisting of rectangular subdomains which enclose an intermediate region. Nonlocal boundary conditions (BCs) of Robin type are imposed on the inner boundaries, i.e. on the interfaces of the respective subdomains with the intermediate region. On the eventual interfaces between two subdomains we impose discontinuous transition conditions (TCs). Finally, we have classical local BCs at the outer boundaries. Such problems are related to some heat transfer problems e.g. in a horizontal cross section of a wall enclosing an air cave.     

Collagen bundle morphometry in skin and scar tissue: a novel distance mapping method provides superior measurements compared to Fourier analysis

Histopathological evaluations of fibrotic processes require the characterization of collagen morphology in terms of geometrical features such as bundle orientation thickness and spacing. However, there are currently no reliable and valid techniques of measuring bundle thickness and spacing. Hence, two objective methods quantifying the collagen bundle thickness and spacing were tested for their reliability and validity: Fourier first-order maximum analysis and Distance Mapping, with the latter constituting a newly developed morphometric technique. Histological slides were constructed and imaged from 50 scar and 50 healthy human skin biopsies and subsequently analyzed by two observers to determine the interobserver reliability via the intraclass correlation coefficient. An intraclass correlation coefficient larger than 0.7 is considered as representing good reliability. The interobserver reliability for the Fourier first-order maximum and for the Distance Mapping algorithms, respectively, showed an intraclass correlation coefficient above 0.72 and 0.89. Additionally, we performed an assessment of validity in the form of responsiveness, in particular, demonstrating medium to excellent results via a calculation of the effect size, highlighting that both methods are sensitive enough to measure a treatment effect in clinical practice. In summary, two reliable and valid measurement methods were demonstrated for collagen bundle morphometry for the first time. Due to its superior reliability and more useful measures (bundle thickness and bundle spacing), Distance Mapping emerges as the preferred and more practical method. Nevertheless, in the future, both methods can be used for reliable and valid collagen morphometry of skin and scars, whereas further applications evaluating the quantitative microscopy of other fibrotic processes are anticipated.