SAFT-γ force field for the simulation of molecular fluids: 8. hetero-group coarse-grained models of perfluoroalkylalkanes assessed with new vapour-liquid interfacial tension data

The air-liquid interfacial behaviour of linear perfluoroalkylalkanes (PFAAs) is reported through a combined experimental and computer simulation study. The surface tensions of seven liquid PFAAs (perfluorobutylethane, F4H2; perfluorobutylpentane, F4H5; perfluorobutylhexane, F4H6, perfluorobutyloctane, F4H8; perfluorohexylethane, F6H2; perfluorohexylhexane, F6H6; and perfluorohexyloctane, F6H8) are experimentally determined over a wide temperature range (276 to 350 K). The corresponding surface thermodynamic properties and the critical temperatures of the studied compounds are estimated from the temperature dependence of the surface tension. Experimental density and vapour pressure data are employed to parameterize a generic heteronuclear coarse-grained intermolecular potential of the SAFT- γ family for PFAAs. The resulting force field is used in direct molecular dynamics simulations to predict with quantitative agreement the experimental tensions and to explore the conformations of the molecules in the interfacial region revealing a preferential alignment of the PFAA molecules towards the interface and an enrichment of the perfluoro-groups at the outer interface region

Chlorogenic acid content and antioxidant properties of potato tubers as related to nitrogen fertilisation

The chlorogenic acid and the total polyphenol content were analysed in two different potato varieties (Kennebec, Agria) grown under five different nitrogen fertiliser rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg ha-1). Chlorogenic acid content ranged between 6.0-22.3 mg kg-1 fresh weight and was not influenced by fertiliser levels. The chlorogenic acid in potato tubers accounted for almost 90% of the total polyphenols. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of the tubers were also analysed. Ethanolic extracts if the tubers showed marked hydrogen-donating activity in the experiment using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), they had reducing power as measured by the Fe(III)?Fe(II) reaction, but did not exhibit H2O2 scavenging activity assessed with a chemiluminescence method. Potato extracts showed significant, although weak Cu(II)-chelating activity and inhibited the autoxidation of linolenic acid as measured by the thiocyanate method. Chlorogenic acid containing extract of potato, can act as primary and secondary antioxidant in prevention of oxidative stress. The strong correlation between the antioxidant activity and the level of total pholyphenols suggests that the phenolic compounds are important antioxidant components of whole potato tubers. Variety had minimal, while nitrogen fertiliser rate had no effects on the levels of the studied characteristics

Thermodynamics with long-range interactions: from Ising models to black-holes

New methods are presented which enables one to analyze the thermodynamics of systems with long-range interactions. Generically, such systems have entropies which are non-extensive, (do not scale with the size of the system). We show how to calculate the degree of non-extensivity for such a system. We find that a system interacting with a heat reservoir is in a probability distribution of canonical ensembles. The system still possesses a parameter akin to a global temperature, which is constant throughout the substance. There is also a useful quantity which acts like a {\it local temperatures} and it varies throughout the substance. These quantities are closely related to counterparts found in general relativity. A lattice model with long-range spin-spin coupling is studied. This is compared with systems such as those encountered in general relativity, and gravitating systems with Newtonian-type interactions. A long-range lattice model is presented which can be seen as a black-hole analog. One finds that the analog's temperature and entropy have many properties which are found in black-holes. Finally, the entropy scaling behavior of a gravitating perfect fluid of constant density is calculated. For weak interactions, the entropy scales like the volume of the system. As the interactions become stronger, the entropy becomes higher near the surface of the system, and becomes more area-scaling.Comment: Corrects some typos found in published version. Title changed 22 pages, 2 figure

A performance analysis of context transfer protocols for QoS enabled Internet services

In nowadays wireless networks, mobile users frequently access Internet services that are often based on information concerning the application context and service status. In presence of mobility, the procedure of service handover, may require a restart of the ongoing service, if the necessary context information is not properly transferred to the new point of access. Context transfer procedures introduce additional overheads to handovers possibly affecting the quality of service perceived by mobile users and making handovers very critical. In this paper the need for efficient protocols for transferring service context and profile related information is pointed out with reference to many mobile internet services, and the possible scenarios are differentiated on the basis of the handover triggering mechanisms. A performance model to compare these mechanisms, when context transfer protocols run on top of IPv6 with fast handover, is proposed. Numerical results point out the necessity to adapt the triggering mechanism to the size of the context data

Ultrastructural study of acrosome formation in mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Spermatogenesis is a complex and very well organized process lasting from 30 to 75 days in mammals. The spermatogenic process has been described mainly in laboratory mammals, such as the rat, while correspondent studies in wild animals are scarce. The gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a small rodent native of the arid regions of Mongolia and China. Few reports are available on reproduction in the male Mongolian gerbil. The present study provides the first description of the ultrastructural alterations in spermatid cytoplasm and nucleus, with particular reference to acrosome formation in gerbils. The testes were processed by conventional transmission electron microscopy technique. Based on the development of the acrosomal system and changes in nuclear morphology, the transformation of spermatids in spermatozoon was divided into 15 steps. There were four phases in the spermiogenesis process in the gerbil: Golgi, cap, acrosomal and maturation phases. This provides the foundation for a variety of future studies of the spermiogenesis of this animal. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd