End unit effect on the Tg of differentiated series of perfluoro-poly (oxymethylene-co-oxyethylene) oligomers

Twelve series of linear oligomers of four different degrees of polymerization (x_n = 8.77−41.55), having a common perfluorinated random copolymeric chain as molecular body and two equal foreign end units of one of the types listed in Table 1, have been synthesized by derivatization of base samples of one of them having a diolic---CH₂OH functionality. The glass transition temperature T_g of all the series was measured and thus examined as a function of x_n. A clear end unit effect is observed, dominantly determined in every series by chemical nature and structure of the end units, quantitatively expressed at any x_n by different positive or negative T_g deviations from the common asymptotic T_g∞ value. The results are also discussed in terms of copolymer end effect and of relation between T_g and end copolymeric composition.     

Why define atoms in real space?

The physics of a system is determined by a variation of the action integral, i.e., by a variation of the space–time volume integral of the Lagrange function. If one demands that the properties of an atom in a molecule be derived from physics, the atom must generate its own space–time volume, requiring that its boundaries be defined in real space. The variations in the action are related to the actions of generators of infinitesimal unitary transformations. In the general case, the action integral is altered by generators acting in both the spacelike and timelike surface bounding the space–time volume, whereas for a total isolated system, the physics is totally determined by their action in just the spacelike surfaces at the two time endpoints. It is shown and illustrated for a one-dimensional system that the definition of an atom corresponds to the possibility of choosing a subsystem in such a way that the contributions to the change in action resulting from the evolution in time of its spatial boundaries vanishes identically. The properties of these subsystems and of the total system of which they are a part are, therefore, determined by one and the same action principle. This choice of subsystem corresponds to the possibility of augmenting the Lagrange function by the divergence of the gradient of the electron density a step that, while leaving the equations of motion unchanged, modifies the generating operators in the required manner. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The external magnetic field dependence of RF splitting of57Fe hyperfine lines. NMR + Mössbauer double resonance experiment

We present the results of an experimental investigation of a RF splitting of⁵⁷Fe hyperfine lines in the regime of NMR and Mössbauer double resonance. The experiments have been performed as a function of RF field intensity and static magnetic field magnitude. The intensity of the RF components and the separation between them are extremely sensitive to the frequency and amplitude of the RF magnetic field. The RF splitting of hyperfine lines is inversely proportional to the strength of the static magnetic field.     

Forecasting call frequency at a financial services call centre

A forecasting model is developed for the number of daily applications for loans at a financial services telephone call centre. The purpose of the forecasts and the associated prediction intervals is to provide effective staffing policies within the call centre. The model building process is constrained by the availability of only 2 years and 7 months of data. The distinctive feature of the data is that demand is driven in the main by advertising. The analysis given focuses on applications stimulated by press advertising. Unlike previous analyses of broadly similar data, where ARIMA models were used, a model with a dynamic level, multiplicative calendar effects and a multiplicative advertising response is developed and shown to be effective.     

Study of the charge-exchange reactions\pi ^ - p \to (\pi ^0 ,\eta ,\eta \prime )n at 63 GeV

Muon electron pairs were detected in an Al multiplate spark chamber, exposed to a neutrino beam from the CERN PS. The leptons were not accompanied by other particles, except occasionally by protons. The background came mainly from muon associated π⁰ production, with one decay gamma lost. It was determined empirically, together with the small contribution from υ _e reactions. For electron energies above 2 GeV the background is 5.7±1.5 events, whereas 18 (μe)-candidates have been observed. Hence the effect is established, with a rate of about 10^?4 as compared to the muonic reactions above 3 GeV. Charm creation as the origin of this (μe)-production process is excluded; heavy neutral lepton production does not fit the kinematics observed. Instead the events are compatible with the two-body decay of an object with variable invariant mass of order 1 GeV, possibly resulting from axion interactions.     

A comparison of steady-state evoked potentials to modulated tones in awake and sleeping humans.

Steady-state evoked potential responses were measured to binaural amplitude-modulated (AM) and combined amplitude- and frequency-modulated (AM/FM) tones. For awake subjects, AM/FM tones produced larger amplitude responses than did AM tones. Awake and sleeping responses to 30-dB HL AM/FM tones were compared. Response amplitudes were lower during sleep and the extent to which they differed from awake amplitudes was dependent on both carrier and modulation frequencies. Background EEG noise at the stimulus modulation frequency was also reduced during sleep and varied with modulation frequency. A detection efficiency function was used to indicate the modulation frequencies likely to be most suitable for electrical estimation of behavioral threshold. In awake subjects, for all carrier frequencies tested, detection efficiency was highest at a modulation frequency of 45 Hz. In sleeping subjects, the modulation frequency regions of highest efficiency varied with carrier frequency. For carrier frequencies of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1 kHz, the highest efficiencies were found in two modulation frequency regions centered on 45 and 90 Hz. For 2 and 4 kHz, the highest efficiencies were at modulation frequencies above 70 Hz. Sleep stage affected both response amplitude and background EEG noise in a manner that depended on modulation frequency. The results of this study suggest that, for sleeping subjects, modulation frequencies above 70 Hz may be best when using steady-state potentials for hearing threshold estimation.     

Distribution of magnetization in an easy-plane ferromagnet

Physics and Mathematics Division with Computational Center of the Bashkir Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 80, No. 3, pp. 470–473, September, 1989.     

Issues in Managing Information Technology

This paper describes three case studies which investigated issues relating to the implementation and management of advanced information technology. The benefits derived from information technology were found to vary from one organization to another. These studies provide further evidence to support earlier research findings that senior management has an important role to play in the effective exploitation of information technology, and that the investment approach taken by an organization has a significant effect on the development of computer-based information systems. The effectiveness of a system depends not only on applying the appropriate technology, but also on how successfully technical and behavioural issues are resolved.