Thermodynamics of two lattice ice models in three dimensions

In a recent paper we introduced two Potts-like models in three dimensions, which share the following properties: (A) One of the ice rules is always fulfilled (in particular also at infinite temperature). (B) Both ice rules hold for groundstate configurations. This allowed for an efficient calculation of the residual entropy of ice I (ordinary ice) by means of multicanonical simulations. Here we present the thermodynamics of these models. Despite their similarities with Potts models, no sign of a disorder-order phase transition is found.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Optimum spectral window for imaging of art with optical coherence tomography

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been shown to have potential for important applications in the field of art conservation and archaeology due to its ability to image subsurface microstructures non-invasively. However, its depth of penetration in painted objects is limited due to the strong scattering properties of artists’ paints. VIS-NIR (400 nm – 2400 nm) reflectance spectra of a wide variety of paints made with historic artists’ pigments have been measured. The best spectral window with which to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the imaging of subsurface structure of paintings was found to be around 2.2 μm. The same spectral window would also be most suitable for direct infrared imaging of preparatory sketches under the paint layers. The reflectance spectra from a large sample of chemically verified pigments provide information on the spectral transparency of historic artists’ pigments/paints as well as a reference set of spectra for pigment identification. The results of the paper suggest that broadband sources at ~2 microns are highly desirable for OCT applications in art and potentially material science in general

Supercooled-liquid and plastic-crystalline state in succinonitrile-glutaronitrile mixtures

We report a thorough characterization of the glassy phases of mixtures of succinonitrile and glutaronitrile via dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. This system is revealed to be one of the rare examples where both glassy states of matter, a structurally disordered supercooled liquid and an orientationally disordered plastic crystal, can be prepared in the same material. Both disordered states can be easily supercooled, finally arriving at a structural-glass or a glassy-crystal state. Detailed investigations using broadband dielectric spectroscopy enable a comparison of the glassy dynamics in both phases. Just as previously demonstrated for supercooled-liquid and plastic-crystalline ethanol, our experiments reveal very similar relaxational behavior and glass temperatures of both disordered states. Thus the prominent role of orientational degrees of freedom in the glass transition, suggested on the basis of the findings for ethanol, is fully corroborated by the present work. Moreover, the fragilities of both phases are determined and compared for different mixtures. The findings can be well understood within an energy-landscape based explanation of fragility.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

The use of low-invasive surgical procedures in the treatment of gunshot wounds of the liver.

The problem of diagnostics and stage surgical treatment of a combat trauma of the abdomen with liver damage is actual in conditions of increasing specific gravity of liver damage, accompanied by its severe functional insufficiency. The aim of the study was to improve the results of surgical treatment of gunshot wounds of the liver using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The analysis of surgical treatment of 23 men aged 19 to 49 years with gunshot liver damage at II-IV levels of medical care was carried out. Shock of I st. was observed in 5 (21.7%), II st. - in 8 (34,8%), III st. - 9 wounded (39.2%), IV st. - 1 woun­ded (4.3%), admitted in an agonizing condition. At the second level of medical care, 12 wounded underwent lapa­roscopic operations (52.1%). 11 wounded underwewnt laparotomy (47.9%) with the use of mechanical, physical and chemical methods of bleeding stopping. In 17 wounded (73.9%), concomitant lesions of other organs of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space (stomach, small and large intestine, kidneys, spleen) were observed. Correction of concomitant damages was carried out according to generally accepted methods. At the IV level of medical care, three wounded (12.9%) underwent puncture and drainage of intrahepatic abscesses using ultrasound navigation. Ultrasound examination allowed to determine the degree of liver damage, localization of a foreign body and safe access to its removal. In the structure of gunshot wounds of the abdomen, liver damage makes up 19.2% and the most often is observed in combined shrapnel wounds. In 30.4% of cases of gunshot liver damages, the condition of the wounded is regarded as severe and critical, which requires immediate surgical and resuscitative measures. The use of minimally invasive techniques (video laparoscopy, interventional sonography) in the surgical treatment of gunshot liver injuries can improve results and avoid unreasonable laparotomies

The use of low-invasive surgical procedures in the treatment of gunshot wounds of the liver.

The problem of diagnostics and stage surgical treatment of a combat trauma of the abdomen with liver damage is actual in conditions of increasing specific gravity of liver damage, accompanied by its severe functional insufficiency. The aim of the study was to improve the results of surgical treatment of gunshot wounds of the liver using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The analysis of surgical treatment of 23 men aged 19 to 49 years with gunshot liver damage at II-IV levels of medical care was carried out. Shock of I st. was observed in 5 (21.7%), II st. - in 8 (34,8%), III st. - 9 wounded (39.2%), IV st. - 1 woun­ded (4.3%), admitted in an agonizing condition. At the second level of medical care, 12 wounded underwent lapa­roscopic operations (52.1%). 11 wounded underwewnt laparotomy (47.9%) with the use of mechanical, physical and chemical methods of bleeding stopping. In 17 wounded (73.9%), concomitant lesions of other organs of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space (stomach, small and large intestine, kidneys, spleen) were observed. Correction of concomitant damages was carried out according to generally accepted methods. At the IV level of medical care, three wounded (12.9%) underwent puncture and drainage of intrahepatic abscesses using ultrasound navigation. Ultrasound examination allowed to determine the degree of liver damage, localization of a foreign body and safe access to its removal. In the structure of gunshot wounds of the abdomen, liver damage makes up 19.2% and the most often is observed in combined shrapnel wounds. In 30.4% of cases of gunshot liver damages, the condition of the wounded is regarded as severe and critical, which requires immediate surgical and resuscitative measures. The use of minimally invasive techniques (video laparoscopy, interventional sonography) in the surgical treatment of gunshot liver injuries can improve results and avoid unreasonable laparotomies

Advances in multispectral and hyperspectral imaging for archaeology and art conservation

Multispectral imaging has been applied to the field of art conservation and art history since the early 1990s. It is attractive as a noninvasive imaging technique because it is fast and hence capable of imaging large areas of an object giving both spatial and spectral information. This paper gives an overview of the different instrumental designs, image processing techniques and various applications of multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to art conservation, art history and archaeology. Recent advances in the development of remote and versatile multispectral and hyperspectral imaging as well as techniques in pigment identification will be presented. Future prospects including combination of spectral imaging with other noninvasive imaging and analytical techniques will be discussed

The Yuan-Tseh Lee Array for Microwave Background Anisotropy

The Yuan-Tseh Lee Array for Microwave Background Anisotropy (AMiBA) is the first interferometer dedicated to studying the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation at 3mm wavelength. The choice of 3mm was made to minimize the contributions from foreground synchrotron radiation and Galactic dust emission. The initial configuration of seven 0.6m telescopes mounted on a 6-m hexapod platform was dedicated in October 2006 on Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Scientific operations began with the detection of a number of clusters of galaxies via the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. We compare our data with Subaru weak lensing data in order to study the structure of dark matter. We also compare our data with X-ray data in order to derive the Hubble constant.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ (13 pages, 7 figures); a version with high resolution figures available at http://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/~keiichi/upfiles/AMiBA7/pho_highreso.pd

Adaptation of Mouse Skeletal Muscle to Long-Term Microgravity in the MDS Mission

The effect of microgravity on skeletal muscles has so far been examined in rat and mice only after short-term (5–20 day) spaceflights. The mice drawer system (MDS) program, sponsored by Italian Space Agency, for the first time aimed to investigate the consequences of long-term (91 days) exposure to microgravity in mice within the International Space Station. Muscle atrophy was present indistinctly in all fiber types of the slow-twitch soleus muscle, but was only slightly greater than that observed after 20 days of spaceflight. Myosin heavy chain analysis indicated a concomitant slow-to-fast transition of soleus. In addition, spaceflight induced translocation of sarcolemmal nitric oxide synthase-1 (NOS1) into the cytosol in soleus but not in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. Most of the sarcolemmal ion channel subunits were up-regulated, more in soleus than EDL, whereas Ca2+-activated K+ channels were down-regulated, consistent with the phenotype transition. Gene expression of the atrophy-related ubiquitin-ligases was up-regulated in both spaceflown soleus and EDL muscles, whereas autophagy genes were in the control range. Muscle-specific IGF-1 and interleukin-6 were down-regulated in soleus but up-regulated in EDL. Also, various stress-related genes were up-regulated in spaceflown EDL, not in soleus. Altogether, these results suggest that EDL muscle may resist to microgravity-induced atrophy by activating compensatory and protective pathways. Our study shows the extended sensitivity of antigravity soleus muscle after prolonged exposition to microgravity, suggests possible mechanisms accounting for the resistance of EDL, and individuates some molecular targets for the development of countermeasures

Ring-chain interconversion in high-performance polymer systems. 3. Cyclodepolymerization of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (Nomex) and entropically driven ring-opening polymerization of the macrocyclic oligomers so produced

A homologous series of macrocyclic oligoamides has been prepared in high yield by reaction of isophthaloyl chloride with m-phenylenediamine under pseudo-high-dilution conditions. The products were characterized by infrared and H-1 NMR spectroscopies, matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). A series of linear oligomers was prepared for comparison. The macrocycles ranged in size from the cyclic trimer up to at least the cyclic nonamer (90 ring atoms). The same homologous series of macrocyclic oligomers was prepared in high yield by the cyclodepolymerization of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (Nomex). Cyclodepolymerization was best achieved by treating a 1% w/v solution of the polymer in dimethyl sulfoxide containing calcium chloride or lithium chloride with 3-4 mol % of sodium hydride or the sodium salt of benzanilide at 150 degreesC for 70 h. Treatment of a concentrated solution of the macrocyclic oligomers (25% w/v) with 4 mol % of sodium hydride or the sodium salt of benzanilide in a solution of lithium chloride in dimethyl sulfoxide at 170 degreesC for 6 h resulted in efficient entropically driven ring-opening polymerizations to give poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide), characterized by infrared and H-1 NMR spectroscopies and by GPC. The molecular weights obtained were comparable with those of the commercial polymer