The modelling and dynamic analysis of flow through the aortic valve during the cardiac cycle

The object under study is an aortic valve, located in the aortic annulus. The aortic valve leaflet has been assumed to be a three-dimensional object. The computations were performed using the Ansys Multiphysics system. The result of our analysis takes the form of a model describing the interaction between two domains. The opening of the aortic valve model was obtained by iteration process. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Polyester-based Copolymers for Biomaterials Fabrication

Summary: Results on synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)s possessing one or two hydroxyl groups at one terminus of the chain and carboxylic group at the other chain end are reported. These polymers were further functionalised via transesterification with dimethyl H-phosphonate thus incorporating a reactive/biodegradable center in the polyester backbone. Block/star-like copolymers composed of hydrophilic PEG and hydrophobic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) segments linked by phosphoester moiety were also obtained. Chemical structure and composition of the reaction products were analysed applying different spectroscopic techniques (¹H, and ³¹P NMR, IR and ESI-MS) and size exclusion chromatography was applied to describe molecular weight averages and distribution.     

On the Development of the VIPAR Polymer Gel Dosimeter for Three-Dimensional Dose Measurements

Summary: The new polymer gel dosimeter, based on the modification of the VIPAR gel composition, is described for the purpose of radiation dose distribution measurement in radiotherapy. It features increased concentration of the two VIPAR substrates: N-vinylpyrrolidone (8%) and gelatine (7.5%) (N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide was maintained at 4%), and the addition of copper sulphate (0.0008%) and ascorbic acid (0.007%) in order to facilitate the preparation through elimination of the need for deoxygenation of the gel. Following the exposure to ionizing radiation, polymerisation and cross-linking of the new gel monomers occurs retaining the spatial distribution of absorbed dose and causing opacity of the gel. Quantitative parameters of the new gel dose response were studied using magnetic resonance imaging to relate polymerisation induced physicochemical changes of the gel to dose. The dose threshold is found significantly lower than that of the original VIPAR gel. The linear part of measured spin-spin relaxation rate R₂(D) ( = 1/T₂(D)) reaches up to 35 Gy. Its slope and an intercept are slightly higher relative to the original VIPAR. The efficiency of the new polymer gel-magnetic resonance imaging dosimeter was also tested for dose verification of a 3D dose distribution planned by a commercially available treatment planning software (Eclipse External Beam v.6.5) and delivered by a 6 MV medical linear accelerator. The new polymer gel is proposed to be called, VIPAR^nd (after VIPAR-normoxic-double).     

Wavelet approach to vibratory analysis of surface due to a load moving in the layer

The paper analyses theoretically the surface vibration induced by a point load moving uniformly along a infinitely long beam embedded in a two-dimensional viscoelastic layer. The beam is placed parallel to the traction-free surface and the layer under the beam is assumed to be a half space. The response due to a harmonically varying load is investigated for different load frequencies. The influence of the layer damping and moving load speed on the level of vibrations at the surface is analysed and analytical closed form solutions in the integral form for the displacement amplitude and the amplitude spectra are derived. Approximate displacement values depending on Young’s modulus and mass density of layers are obtained. The mathematical model is described by the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation, Navier’s elastodynamic equation of motion for the elastic medium and appropriate boundary and continuity conditions. A special approximation method based on the wavelet theory is used for calculation of the displacements at the surface.     

A Convenient Approach towards the Synthesis of ADMDP Type Iminosugars and Nojirimycin Derivatives from Sugar-Derived Lactams

An efficient method for the synthesis of nojirimycin- and pyrrolidine-based iminosugar derivatives has been developed. The strategy is based on the partial reduction in sugar-derived lactams by Schwartz’s reagent and tandem stereoselective nucleophilic addition of cyanide or a silyl enol ether dictated by Woerpel’s or diffusion control models, which affords amino-modified iminosugars, such as ADMDP or higher nojirimycin derivatives.     

Circular Delaminations - the Effect of Thermal Strains on the Strain Energy Release Rate

The analysis presented focuses on the extent to which the thermal loading resulting from a difference between the curing and service temperatures and from variations in the thermal-expansion coefficients from layer to layer can affect the growth of delaminations. Square laminate plates containing circular delaminations are examined. The reinforcement combinations for the delaminated layer and the core plate considered are [0°]/[90°], [90°]/[0°], [0°]/[±45°] _s , and [±45°] _s /[0°]. The analysis is carried out using the FEM. The strain energy release rate components are calculated using the modified crack-closure integral method. The results obtained show that, for all the reinforcement combinations studied, with the exception of [±45°] _s /[0°], a temperature drop considerably reduces all the strain energy release rate components, but only minor changes in their proportion occur. In the case of the [±45°] _s /[0°] plates, all these components increase, and noticeable changes in their proportion are also observed.     

Spectroscopy of Ly-α Lines at Storage Rings by Crystal Spectrometry and Absorption Edge Technique

Crystal spectrometry and absorption edge technique have the capability to overcome the gap in accuracy between experiment and theory in the strong field domain of QED. New results are presented which indicate the capacity of these methods to measure the energies of X-rays emitted by highly charged heavy ions at modern storage rings with a precision sensitive to second order corrections to the Lambshift in H-like very heavy ions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Beobachtung des Stickstoffstoffwechsels bei Leguminosen mittels 15N

Es war Ziel dieser Arbeit, zu ermitteln, welchen Einfluß höhere Dosen von Stickstoffdüngemitteln in Form von KNO₃ auf die Menge des in der Pflanze fixierten Luftstickstoffs haben. Als Versuchspflanze wählten wir Pferdebohnen (Vicia faba, Chlumetzer Abart) wegen ihrer vielseitigen Verwendung in der Landwirtschaft und ihrer besonderen experimentellen Eignung.