A model of weak viscoelastic nematodynamics

The paper develops a continuum theory of weak viscoelastic nematodynamics of Maxwell type. It can describe the molecular elasticity effects in mono-domain flows of liquid crystalline polymers as well as the viscoelastic effects in suspensions of uniaxially symmetric particles in polymer fluids. Along with viscoelastic and nematic kinematics, the theory employs a general form of weakly elastic thermodynamic potential and the Leslie–Ericksen–Parodi type constitutive equations for viscous nematic liquids, while ignoring inertia effects and the Frank (orientation) elasticity in liquid crystal polymers. In general case, even the simplest Maxwell model has many basic parameters. Nevertheless, recently discovered algebraic properties of nematic operations reveal a general structure of the theory and present it in a simple form. It is shown that the evolution equation for director is also viscoelastic. An example of magnetization exemplifies the action of non-symmetric stresses. When the magnetic field is absent, the theory is reduced to the symmetric, fluid mechanical case with relaxation properties for both the stress and director. Our recent analyses of elastic and viscous soft deformation modes are also extended to the viscoelastic case. The occurrence of possible soft modes minimizes both the free energy and dissipation, and also significantly decreases the number of material parameters. In symmetric linear case, the theory is explicitly presented in terms of anisotropic linear memory functionals. Several analytical results demonstrate a rich behavior predicted by the developed model for steady and unsteady flows in simple shearing and simple elongation.     

Study of the multilayer PCB CTEs by moiré interferometry

Microelectronics packaging has been developing rapidly due to the demands for faster, lighter and smaller products. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) provide mechanical support and electrical interconnection for electronic devices. Many types of composite PCBs have been developed to meet various needs. Recent trends in reliability analysis of PCBs have involved development of the structural integrity models for predicting lifetime under thermal environmental exposure; however the theoretical models need verification by the experiment.

The objective of the current work is the development of an optical system and testing procedure for evaluation of the thermal deformation of PCBs in the wide temperature range. Due to the special requirements of the specimen and test condition, the existing technologies and setups were updated and modified. The discussions on optical methods, thermal loading chambers, and image data processing are presented. The proposed technique and specially designed test bench were employed successfully to measure the thermal deformations of PCB in the −40°C to +160°C temperature range. The video-based moiré interferometry was used for generating, capturing and analysis of the fringe patterns. The obtained information yields the needed coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) for tested PCBs.     

Direct Bioelectrocatalysis by NADP‐Reducing Hydrogenase from Pyrococcus furiosus

The direct bioelectrocatalysis by an NAD(P)‐reducing hydrogenase is reported for the first time. In contrast to previous attempts to involve similar enzymes in bioelectrocatalysis [1–4], which were in fact unsuccessful, in our report an effective electrocatalysis by Pyrococcus furiosus hydrogenase is convincingly shown by (i) achievement of the hydrogen equilibrium potential and (ii) a high current of hydrogen oxidation (0.3 mA cm^?2 at 100 mV overpotential and at 75 °C). The latter is just a few times lower compared to enzyme electrodes based on NAD(P)‐independent hydrogenases.     

The influence of free convection on soil salinization in arid regions

Evaporation of groundwater in a region with a shallow water table and small natural replenishment causes accumulation of salts near the ground surface. Water in the upper soil layer becomes denser than in the depth. This is a potentially unstable situation which may result in convective currents. When free convection takes place, estimates of the salinity profile, salt precipitation rate, etc., obtained within the framework of a 1-D (vertical) model fail.Very simplified model of the process is proposed, in which the unsaturated zone is represented by a horizontal soil layer at a constant water saturation, and temperature changes are neglected. The purpose of the model is to obtain a rough estimate of the role of natural convection in the salinization process.A linear stability analysis of a uniform vertical flow is given, and the stability limit is determined numerically as a function of evaporation rate, salt concentration in groundwater, and porous medium dispersivity. The loss of stability corresponds to quite realistic Rayleigh numbers. The stability limit depends in nonmonotonic way on the evaporation rate.The developed convective regime was simulated numerically for a 2-D vertical domain, using finite volume element discretization and FAS multigrid solver. The dependence of the average salt concentration in the upper layer on the Rayleigh number was obtained.List of Main Symbols horizontal wavenumber - _L , _T dispersivities (longitudinal and transversal) - D ^* diffusion coefficient (in a porous medium) - g acceleration of gravity - H thickness of the vadoze zone - k permeability - p pressure - Pe Péclet number - q mass flux - Ra Rayleigh number Greek _L , _T dimensionless dispersivities - coefficient of concentration expansion - coefficient of viscosity variation - volumetric fraction of the liquid phase - viscosity - density - stream function - mass fraction of salt in water Vectors and tensors D dispersion coefficient - e unit vector - I unit tensor - J nonadvective salt flux - V liquid phase velocity - x radius-vector     

Synthesis,X‐ray Studies,and Catalytic Efficacy of a Novel Iron Complex Containing an N,O‐Type Bidentate Thiazoline Ligand

The reactions of FeCl₃ · 6H₂O and 2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐thiazoline as a bidentate O‐N donor thiazoline ligand (thoz) afford a five‐coordinate Fe^III complex [Fe(thoz)₂Cl] with a distorted square pyramidal configuration. Complex [Fe(thoz)₂Cl] was isolated as air‐stable crystalline solids and fully characterized, including by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Complex [Fe(thoz)₂Cl] shows very efficient reactivity in the oxidation of sulfides to their corresponding sulfoxides using urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as the oxidant at room temperature in air.     

The nucleolus for cooperative games with arbitrary bounds of individual rationality

We consider cooperative games with a given bound for individual rationality. We introduce the nucleolus with respect to the set of preimputations satisfying the newly defined bounds of rationality. An axiomatization of this nucleolus is given.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded and ethanol organosolv-pretreated douglas-fir by novel and commercial fungal cellulases

Softwood residues are the most abundant feedstock available for bioconversion in many northern countries. However, the high costs for delignification and enzymatic hydrolysis currently deter commercialization of softwood bioconversion processes. This study evaluates the abilities of two novel fungal preparations (MSUBC1 and MSUBC2) and two commercial cellulase preparations (TR1 and TR2) to hydrolyze cellulose in Douglas-fir pretreated by steam explosion or ethanol organosolv process. MSUBC1 showed significantly better performance than the other preparations on both lignocellulosic substrates. In particular, MSUBC1 achieved >76% cellulose conversion for hydrolysis of steam-exploded Douglas-fir (～44% lignin) after 72 h at low enzyme loading (10 filter paper units/g of cellulose) and without β-glucosidase supplementation.     

Direct quantitative analysis of peptides using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization

The protocol and various matrices were examined for quantification of biomolecules in both the low ca. 1200 amu and mid mass 6000–12000 amu ranges using an internal standard. Comparative studies of different matrices of MALDI quantitative analysis showed that the best accuracy and standard curve linearity were obtained for two matrices: (a) 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) combined with a comatrix of fucose and 5-methoxysalicylic acid (MSA) and (b) ferulic acid/fucose. In the low mass range, the quantitative limit was in the 30 fmol range and in the mid mass range the quantitative limit was in the 250 fmol range. Linear response was observed over 2–3 decades of analyte concentration. The relative error of the standard curve slope was 1.3–1.8% with correlation coefficients of 0.996–0.998.The main problem for quantitative measurement was suppression of the signal of the less concentrated component (analyte or internal standard) by the more concentrated component. The effect was identified with saturation of the matrix by the analyte. The threshold of matrix saturation was found to be in the range of 1/(3000–5000) analyte/matrix molar ratio. To avoid matrix saturation the (analyte+internal standard) to matrix molar ratio should be below this threshold. Thus the internal standard concentration should be as low as possible.DHB/MSA/fucose and ferulic acid/fucose matrices demonstrated good accuracy and linearity for standard curves even when the internal standard had chemical properties different from the analyte. However, use of an internal standard with different chemical properties requires highly stable instrumental parameters as well as constant (analyte+internal standard)/matrix molar ratio for all samples.     

The Universal Vassiliev Invariant for the Lie Superalgebra

We compute the universal weight system for Vassiliev coming from the Lie superalgebra applying the construction of [13]. This weight system is a function from the space of chord diagrams to the center Z of the universal enveloping algebra of , and we find a combinatorial expression for it in terms of the standard generators of Z. The resulting knot invariants generalize the Alexander-Conway polynomial. Received: 4 July 1996 / Accepted: 21 August 1996