The Drinfel'd twisted XYZ model

We construct a factorizing Drinfel'd twist for a face type model equivalent to the XYZ model. Completely symmetric expressions for the operators of the monodromy matrix are obtained.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, second preprint no. added, reference [14] added, typos correcte

Notch effect on the fracture of several rocks: Application of the Theory of Critical Distances

The paper analyses the fracture behaviour of several rocks, namely a sandstone, a limestone and two marbles, one of them being a Carrara marble. The experimental program comprises in total 216 fracture specimens, tested in 4-point bending conditions and including specimens with notch radii varying from 0.15 mm up to 15 mm. The notch effect is analysed through the evolution of the apparent fracture toughness and the application of the Theory of Critical Distances. The present study aims to generalize a previous study on a granite and a limestone to a broader range of rocks. The point and line methods of the Theory of the Critical Distances successfully explain the notch effect on the fracture specimens. The value of the critical distance of these rocks is of the order of mm. Finally, the results show a correlation between the microstructural features of the rocks, specifically the grain size, and their critical distances.The authors of this work would like to express their gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financing the National Plan Project (Ref.: BIA2015-67479-R) under the name of ‘La Distancia Crítica en la Fractura de Rocas’ (The Critical Distance in Rock Fracture)

Working with argan cake: a new etiology for hypersensitivity pneumonitis

International audienceAbstractBackgroundArgan is now used worldwide in numerous cosmetic products. Nine workers from a cosmetic factory were examined in our occupational medicine department, following the diagnosis of a case of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) related to handling of argan cakes.MethodsOperators were exposed to three forms of argan (crude granulates, powder or liquid) depending on the step of the process. All workers systematically completed standardized questionnaires on occupational and medical history, followed by medical investigations, comprising, in particular, physical examination and chest X-rays, total IgE and a systematic screening for specific serum antibodies directed against the usual microbial agents of domestic and farmer’s HP and antigens derived from microbiological culture and extracts of various argan products. Subjects with episodes of flu-like syndrome several hours after handling argan cakes, were submitted to a one-hour challenge to argan cakes followed by physical examination, determination of Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity (DLCO) and chest CT-scan on day 2, and, when necessary, bronchoalveolar lavage on day 4.ResultsSix of the nine workers experienced flu-like symptoms within 8 hours after argan handling. After challenge, two subjects presented a significant decrease of DLCO and alveolitis with mild lymphocytosis, and one presented ground glass opacities. These two patients and another patient presented significant arcs to both granulates and non-sterile powder. No reactivity was observed to sterile argan finished product, antigens derived from argan cultures (various species of Bacillus) and Streptomyces marokkonensis (reported in the literature to contaminate argan roots).ConclusionsWe report the first evidence of hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to argan powder in two patients. This implies preventive measures to reduce their exposure and clinical survey to diagnose early symptoms. As exposure routes are different and antibodies were observed against argan powder and not the sterile form, consumers using argan-based cosmetics should not be concerned

Analysis of notch effect on the fracture behaviour of granite and limestone: An approach from the Theory of Critical Distances

This paper presents the analysis of the notch effect on granite and limestone fracture specimens. The research is based on the results obtained in an experimental programme composed of 84 fracture specimens, combining the two materials and 7 different notch radii varying from 0.15 mm up to 10 mm. The notch effect is analysed through the evolution of the apparent fracture toughness and the application of the Theory of the Critical Distances. The results reveal a significant notch effect in the limestone, whereas the notch effect in the granite is negligible for the range of notch radii analysed. Both observations are justified by the corresponding critical distance of the material

Genetic control of quantitative variation in carbonic anhydrase isozymes of mammals. I. The concentration within single erythrocytes of the mouse

The levels of the carbonic anhydrase isozymes (CA and CA II) in single erythrocytes of DBA/2J mice were assayed by measuring the specific immunofluorescence of CA I and CA II with a microspectrofluorometric technique. Measurements of 100 randomly selected cells showed a range (in relative fluorescence units) of 21–52 (mean 31.3±7.5) for CA I and 30–80 (mean 45.6±10.7) for CA II. The CA II/CA I ratio of the means obtained by the single-cell fluorescence assay was similar to the ratios obtained for the two isozymes from hemolysates of DBA/2J mice using an immunodiffusion assay. The influence of cell age on the variation in carbonic anhydrase levels was determined by separating red cells into several fractions by a gravity sedimentation procedure. The younger cells showed higher levels of CA I and CA II than the older cells; however, the extensive overlap in the variability between the cells from the different fractions indicated that although cell age was contributing to the overall heterogeneity, its influence was not pronounced.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44126/1/10528_2004_Article_BF00483984.pd

Linkage of murine (T,G)-A- -L-specific idiotypic determinants to the heavy chain constant region allotypic markers

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46735/1/251_2005_Article_BF01567784.pd

Cellular and humoral sensitivity to gluten fractions in patients with treated nontropical sprue

The presence of circulating antibodies and lymphocyte response to gliadin and fraction III were measured in three groups of 12 patients each. Group I consisted of patients with nontropical sprue maintained on a gluten-free diet; Group II contained patients with other gastrointestinal diseases manifesting malabsorption and Group III was composed of normal controls. Rabbits immunized to both antigens provided positive controls for each method of antibody determination. Results agree with those previously reported in that negligible antibody titers were present to either antigen in normals, patients with other forms of malabsorption or patients with nontropical sprue maintained, for some time, on a gluten-free diet. Lymphocyte stimulation failed to occur with either gluten fraction although the hyporesponsiveness to phytohemagglutinin, previously reported by others, was not observed. Further studies are needed in patients with nontropical sprue following controlled antigenic challenge. Antibody levels in jejunal fluid should also be studied. Until such studies are carried out, evaluation of immunologic factors in the pathogenesis of nontropical sprue will be incomplete.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44378/1/10620_2005_Article_BF02232292.pd