Global Phase Time and Wave Function for the Kantowski-Sachs Anisotropic Universe

A consistent quantization with a clear notion of time and evolution is given for the anisotropic Kantowski–Sachs cosmological model. It is shown that a suitable coordinate choice allows to obtain a solution of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation in the form of definite energy states, and that the results can be associated to two disjoint equivalent theories, one for each sheet of the constraint surface.     

A posteriori error estimates for a time discrete scheme for a phase-field system of Penrose-Fife type

A time discrete scheme is used to approximate the solution toa phase field system of Penrose–Fife type with a non-conservedorder parameter. An a posteriori error estimate is presentedthat allows the estimation of the difference between continuousand semidiscrete solutions by quantities that can be calculatedfrom the approximation and given data.     

Microcalorimetric measurements of the metabolic activity by bacteria and fungi in some Brazilian soils amended with different organic matter

The effect of bacterial and fungal activities on organic matter degradation in Brazilian soils was studied by a microcalorimetric method. Bacteria and fungi isolated from tropical soils and added to: Rhodic eutrudox (R), Typic eutrudox (V) and Quartzipsamment (Q) soils amended separately with moisture (control) (A) and 25% of cattle manure (E), municipal refuse compost (L), earthworm casts (H) or 23 μg of trifluralin (T) were investigated. The number of colony forming units in soil suspension was quantified by microscopy and inoculated in respective soil. All processes were measured at intervals of 7 days over a period of 35 days. The exothermic thermal effect (μJ) per cm³ of bacteria or fungi per gram of dry soil, respectively, for each substrate was: [(9±1), (4±1)] RA; [(478±24), (105±5)] RE; [(121±6), (71±4)] RL; [(121±6), (71±4)] RH; [(8±1); (3±1)] RT; [(10±1), (9±1] VA; [(347±17), (261±13)] VE; [(71±4), (28±1)] VL; [(22±1), (33±2)] VH; [(7±1), (10±1)] VT; [(19±1), (12±1)] QA; [(1301±65), (46±2)] QE; [(89±4), (9±1)] QL; [(130±7), (11±1)] QH; [(32±2), (8±1)] QT. The calorimetric values are higher for bacteria than for fungi. In general, the results showed higher activities in the soil amended with cattle manure than with other additives.     

The liquid-crystalline properties of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] complexes of Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ni(II). A general view

The thermotropic liquid-crystalline phase behaviour of a homologous set of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] copper(II) complexes is examined. New data are reported and taken into account in addition to those previously reported in this Journal. The influence of alkoxy and alkanamine groups on the nature and stability of the mesophase is underlined. As a general trend, with some notable exception, smectic (C type) mesomorphism is favoured by longer alkoxy and alkanamine chains. Data concerning some Pd(II) and Ni(II) homologous complexes are also reported. The mesophase stability (nematic phase) is higher for palladium and nickel complexes than for the copper containing homologues.     

Large deviations of interacting particle systems in infinite volume

We prove a large deviation theorem from the hydrodynamical limit for the empirical measure of Ginzburg-Landau and zero range processes in infinite volume starting from deterministic initial configurations. In the Ginzburg-Landau case the main tool is the study of the evolution of the H_?1 norm and in the zero range case the attractiveness which allows couplings.     

Fixed point theorems under the interior condition

We show a fixed point theorem for condensing mappings under a new condition of the Leray-Schauder type. We call it the Interior Condition. We also discuss examples that demonstrate the independence of these two conditions.

     

A highly active fungal β-glucosidase

A highly active thermostable β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity from a strain ofTrichoderma sp. The enzyme was an extracellular glycoprotein and showed hydrolytic activity toward several β-glucosides. Cellobiose was found to be the substrate of choice for this enzyme. This finding could suggest future technological applications of the purified protein.     

The rotational-conformational distribution of 2,2'-bithienyl in liquid crystals

We have investigated the distribution of conformations and orientations for a simple internal rotor molecule, 2,2'-bithienyl dissolved in liquid crystal solvents, by re-analysing published proton dipolar coupling data with the maximum entropy internal order method (MEIO). We show that detailed, model independent, conformational information can be obtained when data of sufficiently high quality are available. We also propose a novel and convenient representation method for the orientational-conformational coupling.