Three-dimensional distinct element modelling and dynamic runout analysis of a landslide in gneissic rock, British Columbia, Canada

The McAuley Creek Landslide is a 6?million m³ gneissic rock slope failure that occurred in British Columbia (Canada) in late May–early June 2002. The geological strength index was used to characterize the quality of the overall rock mass and its reduced (damaged) quality near tectonic structures and alteration zones. Potential slope failure mechanisms were investigated using four analysis techniques including: kinematic analysis, surface wedge limit equilibrium (combination) analysis, block theory and three-dimensional distinct element models. Results from all four analyses suggested that the dominant slope failure mechanism was wedge sliding along the intersection of the gneissic foliation and a steeply dipping discontinuity set striking perpendicular to the slope. Of the 6?million m³ of material involved in the landslide, an estimated 5 million?m³ was deposited immediately below the source area against the opposite valley wall, with the remaining 1 million m³ travelling an additional 1.6?km downstream. The runout behaviour was investigated using a three-dimensional dynamic analysis code.     

Review of Guide des nouvelles thérapies.

Reviews the book, Guide des nouvelles thérapies by M. Riel and L. Morissette (1984). Three parts compose this work. In the first, Marquita Riel paints a general and psychosocial picture of the new therapies in Québec, needs which it answers and of the central place that it occupies in the lives of women and the middle class. The second part constitutes the core of the work. Twenty-six texts, of an average of five to six pages, by 36 collaborators, present some of these therapies new currently offered. Finally the third part of the book includes four texts, including one small guide that includes information for the future participant of therapy, a testimony of a ex-patient/client, that of a therapist (L. Morissette), and a test on the emergence from a new point of view in social sciences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Product properties of a two-phase magneto-electric composite: Synthesis and numerical modeling

Magneto-electric (ME) materials are of high interest for a variety of advanced applications like in data storage and sensor technology. Due to the low ME coupling in natural materials, composite structures become relevant which generate the effective ME coupling as a strain-mediated product property. In this framework, it seems to be possible to achieve effective ME coefficients that can be exploited technologically. The present contribution investigates the realization of particulate ME composites with a focus on their experimental and computational characterization. We will show that different states of pre-polarizations of the ferroelectric material have a decisive influence on the overall obtainable ME coefficient. Details on the synthesis of two-phase composite microstructures consisting of a barium titanate matrix and cobalt ferrite inclusions will be discussed. Subsequently we will employ computational homogenization in order to determine the effective properties of the experimental composite numerically. We investigate the influence of different states of pre-polarization on the resulting ME-coefficients. For the numerical incorporation of the pre-polarization we use a heuristic method.     

Impact of agglomeration on the relaxometric properties of paramagnetic ultra-small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles

Ultra-small gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (US-Gd(2)O(3)) are used to provide 'positive' contrast effects in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and are being considered for molecular and cellular imaging applications. However, these nanoparticles can aggregate over time in aqueous medium, as well as when internalized into cells. This study is aimed at measuring in vitro, in aqueous medium, the impact of aggregation on the relaxometric properties of paramagnetic US-Gd(2)O(3) particles. First, the nanoparticle core size as well as aggregation behaviour was assessed by HRTEM. DLS (hydrodynamic diameter) was used to measure the hydrodynamic diameter of nanoparticles and nanoaggregates. The relaxometric properties were measured by NMRD profiling, as well as with (1)H NMR relaxometers. Then, the positive contrast enhancement effect was assessed by using magnetic resonance scanners (at 1.5 and 7 T). At every magnetic field, the longitudinal relaxivity (r(1)) decreased upon agglomeration, while remaining high enough to provide positive contrast. On the other hand, the transverse relaxivity (r(2)) slightly decreased at 0.47 and 1.41 T, but it was enhanced at higher fields (7 and 11.7 T) upon agglomeration. All NMRD profiles revealed a characteristic relaxivity peak in the range 60-100 MHz, suggesting the possibility to use US-Gd(2)O(3) as an efficient 'positive-T(1)' contrast agent at clinical magnetic fields (1-3 T), in spite of aggregation.     

From curdlan powder to the triple helix gel structure: an attenuated total reflection-infrared study of the gelation process

Infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the hydration and gelation of curdlan, a linear polysaccharide built from repeating units of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucose. The spectra have been recorded using a temperature-controlled attenuated total reflection (ATR) device. Thermal gelation of curdlan could therefore be followed in situ and in real time. The transformation of the low-set gel, mainly formed with single helices, into a high-set gel, associated with a triple helix structure, could be directly observed. The relative intensities and positions of characteristic absorption bands in the C-O region (1200-850 cm-1) were found to be representative of the gel structure, as they are believed to be sensitive to the helical conformation of the polymer chains. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool for rapid and efficient characterization of curdlan gels.     

FSH withdrawal improves developmental competence of oocytes in the bovine model

Combinations of genetic, environmental, and management factors are suspected to explain the loss in fertility observed for over 20 years in dairy cows. In some cases, IVF is used. When compared with in vivo embryo production, IVF resulted in low success rates until the FSH coasting process (FSH starvation after superstimulation) was introduced in 2002. Increased competence associated with FSH withdrawal of aspirated oocyte for in vitro maturation and IVF has not been optimized nor explained yet. The goal here was to determine and characterize the optimal oocyte competence acquisition window during the coasting period by determining blastocyst rates and follicular cohort development. Commercial milking cycling cows (n=6) were stimulated with 3 days of FSH (6×40?mg NIH Folltropin-V given at 12?h intervals) followed by a coasting period of 20, 44, 68, or 92?h. Each animal was exposed to the four conditions and served as its own control. At the scheduled time, transvaginal aspirations of immature oocytes were performed followed by IVF of half the oocytes. The outcomes were as follows: i) FSH coasting was optimal at a defined period: between 44 and 68?h of coasting; ii) The best estimated coasting duration was ～54±7?h; iii) Under these conditions, the best statistical blastocyst rate estimation was ～70%; iv) Between 44 and 68?h of coasting, follicle size group proportions were similar; v) Follicle diameter was not linearly associated with competence. In conclusion, coasting duration is critical to harvest the oocytes at the right moment of follicular differentiation.     

Countertransference as the therapist's mental activity: Experience and gender differences among psychoanalytically oriented psychologists.

Compared the spontaneous written reactions to 2 clinical vignettes of 20 beginning (less than 1 yr) and 20 experienced (10 yrs or more) psychoanalytically oriented psychologists, using a countertransference rating scale (CRS). The Ss comprised equal numbers of women and men. The CRS distinguishes 3 major mental states: objective/rational countertransference is a detached, nonparticipating, observing position; reactive countertransference is an unconscious defensive reaction, in which the therapist is an unaware participant–subject; reflective countertransference is an aware, preconscious–conscious subjectively transparent participating state. Results indicate that beginning therapists were more reflective and that experienced therapists were more reactive. As for gender differences, female therapists were more reflective, and males were more objective/rational. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mentalization in adult attachment narratives: Reflective functioning, mental states, and affect elaboration compared.

Relationships between three measures of mentalization (reflective function, mental states, and verbal elaboration of affect), attachment status, and the severity of axis I and axis II pathology were examined. Seventy-three adults, both ex-psychiatric patients and nonclinical volunteers were administered the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). Comparisons between the three measures indicate that they share some aspect of a core mentalization process and that each illuminates a specific component. Reflective function was the only predictor of attachment status. The number of axis I diagnoses is partly explained by attachment insecurity, but the capacity to generate high-level defensive mental states as well as increments in verbal affect elaboration further contribute to the model. Finally, increments in affect elaboration, as well as augmentations in high-level defensive activity and reflective function are all associated with decreases in the number of axis II diagnoses, over and above the contribution of attachment status and axis I pathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Two-dimensional ECD FT-ICR mass spectrometry of peptides and glycopeptides

2D FT-ICR MS allows the correlation between precursor and fragment ions by modulating ion cyclotron radii for fragmentation modes with radius-dependent efficiency in the ICR cell without the need for prior ion isolation. This technique has been successfully applied to ion-molecule reactions, Collision-induced dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation. In this study, we used electron capture dissociation for 2D FT-ICR MS for the first time, and we recorded two-dimensional mass spectra of peptides and a mixture of glycopeptides that showed fragments that are characteristic of ECD for each of the precursor ions in the sample. We compare the sequence coverage obtained with 2D ECD FT-ICR MS with the sequence coverage obtained with ECD MS/MS and compare the sensitivities of both techniques. We demonstrate how 2D ECD FT-ICR MS can be implemented to identify peptides and glycopeptides for proteomics analysis.