Borderline and schizotypal traits in college students: Relationship and personality profiles

The relationships between borderline and schizotypal traits are still debated. Borderline traits, schizotypal traits, and several psychopathological symptoms were assessed among 2,341 college students. A factor analysis was performed on borderline and schizotypal personality measures, leading to 10 factors. Borderline factors were largely intercorrelated, as were schizotypal factors. Moreover, borderline factors were weakly to largely correlated to schizotypal factors. Five factors were very strongly correlated (r > .50). Dissociation was strongly related to Odd Beliefs/Unusual Perceptive Experiences and Anxious-Depressive factors. Social Anxiety was strongly related to Suspiciousness. Based on these 10 factors, a cluster analysis was conducted, and resulted in four clearly distinct groups: a Low Traits cluster, a Narcissistic cluster, a Social Anxiety cluster, and a High Traits cluster. This High Traits cluster had the lowest levels of academic achievement and the highest levels of internalizing behaviors and externalizing behaviors. The clinical implications of the results are discussed

Les valeurs mobilières détenues par les Français en mars 2005.

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Investigation on reconstruction methods applied to 3D terahertz computed tomography

International audience3D terahertz computed tomography has been performed using a monochromatic millimeter wave imaging system coupled with an infrared temperature sensor. Three different reconstruction methods (standard back-projection algorithm and two iterative analysis) have been compared in order to reconstruct large size 3D objects. The quality (intensity, contrast and geometric preservation) of reconstructed cross-sectional images has been discussed together with the optimization of the number of projections. Final demonstration to real-life 3D objects has been processed to illustrate the potential of the reconstruction methods for applied terahertz tomography

Dielectrophoresis of charged colloidal suspensions

We present a theoretical study of dielectrophoretic (DEP) crossover spectrum of two polarizable particles under the action of a nonuniform AC electric field. For two approaching particles, the mutual polarization interaction yields a change in their respective dipole moments, and hence, in the DEP crossover spectrum. The induced polarization effects are captured by the multiple image method. Using spectral representation theory, an analytic expression for the DEP force is derived. We find that the mutual polarization effects can change the crossover frequency at which the DEP force changes sign. The results are found to be in agreement with recent experimental observation and as they go beyond the standard theory, they help to clarify the important question of the underlying polarization mechanisms

Electronic structure of wurtzite and zinc-blende AlN

The electronic structure of AlN in wurtzite and zinc-blende phases is studied experimentally and theoretically. By using x-ray emission spectroscopy, the Al 3p, Al 3s and N 2p spectral densities are obtained. The corresponding local and partial theoretical densities of states (DOS), as well as the total DOS and the band structure, are calculated by using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave method, within the framework of the density functional theory. There is a relatively good agreement between the experimental spectra and the theoretical DOS, showing a large hybridization of the valence states all along the valence band. The discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical DOS, appearing towards the high binding energies, are ascribed to an underestimation of the valence band width in the calculations. Differences between the wurtzite and zinc-blende phases are small and reflect the slight variations between the atomic arrangements of both phases

Discrete and continuum modelling of grain size segregation during bedload transport

Grain-scale discrete element simulations of bidisperse mixtures during bedload transport are used to understand, and model, bedload transport and particle-size segregation in granular media. For an initial distribution of fine particles on top of a coarse granular bed, this paper investigates the gravity driven percolation/segregation of the fine particles down into the quasi-static part of the bed. The segregation is observed to be driven by the inertial number at the bottom of the fine particle layer, and is independent of the number of fine particles. A novel travelling wave solution for the evolving concentration distribution is constructed using the continuum particle-size segregation model of Thornton, Gray & Hogg (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 550, 2006, pp. 1–25) and Gray & Chugunov (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 569, 2006, pp. 365–398). The observed behaviour is shown to be related to a local equilibrium between the influence of the concentration and of the inertial number. The existence of the exact solution relies on the segregation flux and the diffusion coefficient having the same dependency on the inertial number. This functional dependence allows the continuum model to quantitatively reproduce the discrete simulations. These results significantly improve on our understanding of the size segregation dynamics and represent a step forward in the up-scaling process to polydisperse granular flows in the context of turbulent bedload transport

Characterization of Fabric-to-Fabric Friction: Application to Medical Compression Bandages

Fabric-to-fabric friction is involved in the action mechanism of medical compression devices such as compression bandages or lumbar belts. To better understand the action of such devices, it is essential to characterize, in their use conditions (mainly pressure and stretch), the frictional properties of the fabrics they are composed of. A characterization method of fabric-to-fabric friction was developed. This method was based on the customization of the fourth instrument of the Kawabata Evaluation System, initially designed for fabric roughness and friction characterization. A friction contactor was developed so that the stretch of the fabric and the applied load can vary to replicate the use conditions. This methodology was implemented to measure the friction coefficient of several medical compression bandages. In the ranges of pressure and bandage stretch investigated in the study, bandage-to-bandage friction coefficient showed very little variation. This simple and reliable method, which was tested for commercially available medical compression bandages, could be used for other medical compression fabrics