Friendship Networks Through Time: An Actor-Oriented Dynamic Statistical Network Model

We propose a class of actor-oriented statistical models for closed social networks in general, and friendship networks in particular. The models are random utility models developed within a rational choice framework. Based on social psychological and sociological theories about friendship, mathematical functions capturing expected utility of individual actors with respect to friendship are constructed. Expected utility also contains a random (unexplained) component. We assume that, given their restrictions and contact opportunities, individuals evaluate their utility functions and behave such that they maximize the expected amount of utility. The behavior under consideration is the expression of like and dislike (choice of friends). Theoretical mechanisms that are modelled are, e.g., the principle of diminishing returns, the tendency towards reciprocated choices, and the preference for friendship relations with similar others. Constraints imposed on individuals are, e.g., the structure of the existing network, and the distribution of personal characteristics over the respondents. The models are illustrated by means of a data-set collected among university freshmen at 7 points in time during 1994 and 1995.     

Spin-glass-like behaviour in IrSr2RECu2O8 (RE=Sm and Eu)

We report the results of magnetic and specific heat measurements on the 1212-type compounds IrSr₂RECu₂O₈ with RE=Sm and Eu, prepared by high-pressure and high-temperature synthesis. The magnetic susceptibility of these compounds shows a large difference in the temperature dependence of the magnetization measured under zero-field-cooled and field-cooled conditions below 87 and 71 K, respectively, and upon further cooling below ∼10 K substantial maxima are observed too. Further AC susceptibility measurements support a glassy behaviour in lower magnetic transitions whereas the specific heat measurements do not show the typical long-range ordering commonly displayed in ferro, ferri or antiferromagnetic transitions. Hysteresis loops suggest the presence of magnetic clusters in the otherwise paramagnetic zone, indicating that these compounds probably display a reentrant spin-glass transition. Results are presented and discussed.     

Random fields and the partially paramagnetic state of CsCo0.83Mg0.17Br3: critical scattering study

We have performed measurements of the critical neutron scattering on CsCo0.83Mg0.17Br3, a dilute stacked triangular lattice (STL) Ising antiferromagnet (AF). A two component line shape associated with the critical fluctuations appears at a temperature coincident with T(N1) observed in pure CsCoBr3. Such scattering is indicative of fluctuations in prototypical random field Ising model (RFIM) systems. The random field domain state arises in this case due to geometrical frustration within the STL Ising AF, which gives rise to a three sublattice Néel state, in which one sublattice is disordered. Magnetic vacancies nucleate AF domains in which the vacancies reside on the disordered sublattice thereby generating a RFIM state in the absence of an applied magnetic field.     

Deep-ultraviolet cavity ringdown spectroscopy

The sensitive optical detection technique of cavity ringdown spectroscopy is extended to the wavelength range 197-204 nm. A novel design narrowband Fourier-transform-limited laser is used, and the technique is applied to gas-phase extinction measurements in CO2, SF6, and O2. Further demonstration of the system capabilities is given in high-resolution recordings of the Schumann-Runge (0, 0), (1,0), and (2, 0) bands in O2.     

3D phase encoding 1H spectroscopic imaging of human brain.

A three-dimensional (3D) phase-encoding proton spectroscopic imaging method is presented for a whole body MRI/MRS system. Metabolite images at 2 T of choline, creatine, and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) of normal brain were obtained with a spatial resolution of 1.5 cc. With PRESS volume preselection and outer volume suppression pulses, brain regions close to the skull could be studied without significant contamination by lipid and water signals.     

The effect of capillary forces on immiscible two-phase flow in heterogeneous porous media

We consider the one-dimensional two-phase flow including capillary effects through a heterogeneous porous medium. The heterogeneity is due to the spatial variation of the absolute permeability and the porosity. Both these quantities are assumed to be piecewise constant. At interfaces where the rock properties are discontinuous, we derive, by a regularisation technique, conditions to match the values of the saturation on both sides. There are two conditions: a flux condition and an extended pressure condition. Applying these conditions we show that trapping of the wetting phase may occur near heterogeneities. To illustrate the behaviour of the saturation we consider a time-dependent diffusion problem without convection, a stationary convection-diffusion problem, and the full time-dependent convection-diffusion problem (numerically). In particular the last two problems explicitly show the trapping behaviour.     

Asymptotic Results for Injection of Reactive Solutes from a Three-Dimensional Well

In this paper we consider some asymptotic aspects related to the profile of a reactive solute, which is injected from a well (radius  > 0) into a three-dimensional porous medium. We present a convergence result for  ↓ 0 as well as the large time behaviour. Regarding the latter we show that the solute profile evolves in a self-similar way towards a stationary distribution and we give an estimate for the rate of the convergence. This paper extends earlier work of C. J. van Duijn and M. A. Peletier (1996, J. Reine Angew. Math.479, 77–98), where the two-dimensional case was treated.     

Sizing up large protein complexes by electrospray ionisation-based electrophoretic mobility and native mass spectrometry: morphology selective binding of Fabs to hepatitis B virus capsids

The capsid of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major viral antigen and important diagnostic indicator. HBV capsids have prominent protrusions (‘spikes’) on their surface and are unique in having either T?=?3 or T?=?4 icosahedral symmetry. Mouse monoclonal and also human polyclonal antibodies bind either near the spike apices (historically the ‘α-determinant’) or in the ‘floor’ regions between them (the ‘β-determinant’). Native mass spectrometry (MS) and gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis (GEMMA) were used to monitor the titration of HBV capsids with the antigen-binding domain (Fab) of mAb 3120, which has long defined the β-determinant. Both methods readily distinguished Fab binding to the two capsid morphologies and could provide accurate masses and dimensions for these large immune complexes, which range up to ~8 MDa. As such, native MS and GEMMA provide valuable alternatives to a more time-consuming cryo-electron microscopy analysis for preliminary characterisation of virus-antibody complexes.

IrSr2TbCu2O8, a high-pressure metamagnetic cuprate: Structure, microstructure and properties

The synthesis, structure and microstructure of the IrSr₂TbCu₂O₈ cuprate showing metamagnetic properties are described. The sample was prepared at high temperatures and pressures up to 9.2 GPa. The structure is tetragonal, showing a 1212 type structure, that derives from the classical YBaCuO superconductor structure, replacing the tetracoordinated square planar copper [Cu-O₄] in the “chains” by octahedral [Ir-O₆] groups that form a perovskite-like layer in the basal plane of the unit cell. A “simple” cell, ∼a_p×a_p×3a_p, where a_p is the basic perovskite unit cell parameter (a_p∼3.8 Å), is supported by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and a so-called “diagonal” one, ∼√2a_p×√2a_p×3a_p, by SAED; a microdomain texture of latter cell and a series of very interesting extended defects have been observed by HREM. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show a magnetic transition, T_N∼6 K, with negative Weiss temperature, that indicates antiferromagnetic interactions among the Tb moments. The magnetic structure has been determined by neutron diffraction. A detailed magnetic study has revealed a metamagnetic behavior, something not previously observed in this type of cuprates. Specific heat and resistivity measurements have also been performed to characterize the transition.