Particle ratios from a chiral SU(3) model

The measured particle ratios in central heavy-ion collisions are investigated within a chemical and thermal equilibrium chiral SU(3) σ?ω approach. Contrary to the commonly adopted non-interacting gas calculations, the chiral SU(3) model predicts modified effective hadron masses and effective chemical potentials in the medium and a transition to a chirally restored phase at high temperatures or chemical potentials. the influence of three different types of phase transitions is investigated. We show that the deduced freeze-out values considerably depend on the underlying model while the quality of the fit is approximately the same.     

Dielectric relaxation analysis of starch oligomers and polymers with respect to their chain length

Starch belongs to the polyglucan group. This type of polysaccharide shows a broad β-relaxation process in dielectric spectra at low temperatures, which has its molecular origin in orientational motions of sugar rings via glucosidic linkages. This chain dynamic was investigated for α(1,4)-linked starch oligomers with well-defined chain lengths of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 anhydroglucose units (AGUs) and for α(1,4)-polyglucans with average degrees of polymerization of 5, 10, 56, 70, and so forth (up to 3000; calculated from the mean molecular weight). The activation energy (E_a) of the segmental chain motion was lowest for dimeric maltose (E_a = 49.4 ± 1.3 kJ/mol), and this was followed by passage through a maximum at a degree of polymerization of 6 (E_a = 60.8 ± 1.8 kJ/mol). Subsequently, E_a leveled off at a value of about 52 ± 1.5 kJ/mol for chains containing more than 100 repeating units. The results were compared with the values of cellulose-like oligomers and polymers bearing a β(1,4)-linkage. Interestingly, the shape of the E_a dependency on the chain length of the molecules was qualitatively the same for both systems, whereas quantitatively the starch-like substances generally showed higher E_a values. Additionally, and for comparison, three cyclodextrins were measured by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The ringlike molecules, with 6, 7, and 8 α(1,4)-linked AGUs, showed moderately different types of dielectric spectra. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 188–197, 2004     

Recent advances in the analysis of steroid hormones and related drugs.

The development during the last 15 years and the state-of-the-art in the analysis of bulk steroid hormone drugs and hormone-like structures and pharmaceutical formulations made thereof are summarized. Other steroids (sterols, bile acids, cardiac glycosides, vitamins D) as well as biological-clinical aspects and pharmacokinetic and metabolic studies are excluded from this review. The state-of-the-art is summarized based on comparisons of monographs in the latest editions of the European Pharmacopoeia, United States Pharmacopoeia and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. This is followed by sections dealing with new developments in the methodology for the fields of spectroscopic and spectrophotometric, chromatographic, electrophoretic and hyphenated techniques as well electroanalytical methods. The review is terminated by two problem-oriented sections: examples on impurity and degradation profiling as well as enantiomeric analysis.     

Electrochemical reduction of 1-([(4-halophenyl)imino]methyl)-2-naphthols in aprotic media.

The electrochemical reduction of 1-([(4-halophenyl)imino]methyl)-2-naphthols on graphite electrodes was studied using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, constant-potential coulometry and preparative constant-potential electrolysis techniques. The data revealed that the reduction on graphite was irreversible and followed an EC mechanism. The diffusion coefficients and the number of electrons transferred were determined using the chronoamperometric Cottrell slope and the ultramicro disc Pt-electrode steady-state current. The number of electrons was also determined by bulk electrolysis. The compounds were subjected to constant-potential preparative electrolysis and the electrolysis products were purified and identified by spectroscopic methods. Based on these findings, a mechanism for the electro-reduction process is proposed.     

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs): Preparation and Properties of Calix[4]resorcinarene Derived Systems.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) have been prepared fromc-2,c-8,c-14,c-20-tetraundecyl-4,6,10,12,16,18,22,24-octahydroxyresorc[4]areneas colloidal suspensions. Photon Correlation Spectroscopy studies revealed aparticle hydrodynamic diameter of 150 nm. Non-contact mode Atomic ForceMicroscopy allows observation of the particles as slightly flattened sphericalobjects of 236 (±40) nm diameter and 145 (±40) nm height. Thestudy of the preparation parameters showed that shear force does not affectthe hydrodynamic size of the SLNs. In contrast, the viscosity and the pH ofthe aqueous phase, the amphiphile concentration in the organic phase and thevolume of organic phase used, all lead to variation in the size of the particles.In term of post preparation parameters only the ionic strength has been shownto affect significantly the particle size; while the pH of the storing solution,microwave, ultrasonic and thermal treatments do not. Short and long-termstability studies have been performed to measure the effect of the ionic strengthon the stability of the particles. The use of carbohydrate cryoprotectants does notallow re-dispersion of the colloidal suspension after freeze-drying.     

Some heteroclinic solutions of a model of skin pattern formation

In this paper we study travelling wave solutions to a system of four non‐linear partial differential equations, which arise in a tissue interaction model for skin morphogenesis. Under the ‘small‐stress’ assumption we prove the existence and uniqueness (up to a translation) of solutions with the dermis and epidermis cell densities being positive, which are a perturbation of a uniform epidermal cell density. We discuss the problem of the minimal wave‐speed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parabolic Capacity and Soft Measures for Nonlinear Equations

We first introduce, using a functional approach, the notion of capacity related to the parabolic p-Laplace operator. Then we prove a decomposition theorem for measures (in space and time) that do not charge the sets of null capacity. We apply this result to prove existence and uniqueness of renormalized solutions for nonlinear parabolic initial boundary-value problems with such measures as right-hand side.     

Appropriate problems for learning and for performing—an issue for teacher training

Selecting, modifying or creating appropriate problems for mathematics class has become an activity of increaing importance in the professional development of German mathematics teachers. But rather than asking in general: “What is a good problem?” there should be a stronger emphasis on considering the specific goal of a problem, e.g.: “What are the ingredients that make a problem appropriate for initiating a learning process” or “What are the characteristics that make a problem appropriate for its use in a central test?” We propose a guiding scheme for teachers that turns out to be especially helpful, since the newly introduced orientation on outcome standards a) leads to a critical predominance of test items and b) expects teachers to design adequate problems for specific learning processes (e.g. problem solving, reasoning and modelling activities).     

Filter-radiometer-based realization of candela and establishment of photometric scale at UME

The luminous intensity unit of candela was realized based on filter-radiometer, which is traceable to detector-based primary standard electrical substitution cryogenic radiometer (ESCR). In that realization the traditional Osram Wi41/G-type incandescent lamp and filter-radiometer consisting of an aperture, a V(λ) filter and a silicon photodiode based trap detector were used as light source and detection element, respectively. Measurement techniques of effective aperture area, spectral transmittance of V(λ) filter and absolute responsivity of trap detector are also presented.