Acoustic Analysis Findings in Objective Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of objective laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) on the acoustic parameters of patients by comparing their voice samples with that of control subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study in two tertiary reference hospitals. METHODS: 48 consecutive patients with symptoms related to LPR and 64 control subjects were included in the study. Suspected LPR patients underwent a 24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring, and 25 (52%) of them were shown to have objective LPR. Acoustical evaluation results of objective LPR patients were compared with that of symptomatic LPR patients and control subjects. RESULTS: All frequency perturbation values obtained from objective and symptomatic LPR patients were higher than the control subjects (P<0.01). Mean fundamental frequency, amplitude perturbation measures, and noise-to-harmonics ratio were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: LPR patients have significantly different frequency perturbation values than control subjects.     

Nonextensive treatment of nucleation and growth in a thin layer

In this study, a generalized method based upon nonextensive statistics is presented for nucleation and growth processes in a thin layer between two interfaces. It is shown that the presented mathematical model, which uses an index called the entropic index that measures the nonextensivity of the physical system, successfully deals with the nucleation and growth processes, and works better than Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov model. The presented model also contains Austin–Rickett model as a special case.     

Investigation of the phase transition at the nematic liquid crystal-wall interface within nonextensivity

In this study, the nematic-isotropic phase transition is investigated for a sample in the shape of a slab of thickness d, using nonextensive formalism. The interaction potential is written as the sum of the direct interaction of a given nematic molecule with the substrate and of its incomplete interaction with the other nematic molecules due to the presence of the limiting surface. In this framework, we show the effects of the nonextensivity on the nematic-isotropic transition at the nematic-wall interface. The generalized model can shed light on the properties of nematic liquid crystal confined in small-scale structures.     

Synthesis of room-temperature ionic liquids with the weakly coordinating [Al(ORF)4]- anion (RF=C(H)(CF3)2) and the determination of their principal physical properties

A large series of ionic liquids (ILs) based on the weakly coordinating alkoxyaluminate [Al(hfip)(4)](-) (hfip: hexafluoroisopropoxy) with classical as well as functionalized cations were prepared, and their principal physical properties determined. Melting points are between 0 ([C(4)MMIM][Al(hfip)(4)]) and 69 °C ([C(3)MPip][Al(hfip)(4)]); three qualify as room-temperature ILs (RTILs). Crystal structures for six ILs were determined; their structural parameters and anion-cation contacts are compared here with known ILs, with a special focus on their influence on physical properties. Moreover, the biodegradability of the compounds was investigated by using the closed-bottle and the manometric respirometry test. Temperature-dependent viscosities and conductivities were measured between 0 and 80 °C, and described by either the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) or the Arrhenius equations. Moreover, conductivities and viscosities were investigated in the context of the molecular volume, V(m). Physical property-V(m) correlations were carried out for various temperatures, and the temperature dependence of the molecular volume was analyzed by using crystal structure data and DFT calculations. The IL ionicity was investigated by Walden plots; according to this analysis, [Al(hfip)(4)](-) ILs may be classified as "very good to good ILs"; while [C(2)MIM][Al(hfip)(4)] is a better IL than [C(2)MIM][NTf(2)]. The dielectric constants of ten [Al(hfip)(4)](-) ILs were determined, and are unexpectedly high (ε(r)=11.5 to 16.8). This could be rationalized by considering additional calculated dipole moments of the structures frozen in the solid state by DFT. The determination of hydrogen gas solubility in [Al(hfip)(4)](-) RTILs by high-pressure NMR spectroscopy revealed very high hydrogen solubilities at 25 °C and 1 atm. These results indicate the significant potential of this class of ILs in manifold applications.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of dinuclear iron(III) complex with ONNO-donor ligand

A new dinuclear Fe(III) complex, [Fe(5-MeOL1)(OH)_0.86(CH₃O)_0.14]₂?2(CH₃OH), [H₂-5-MeOL1 = N,N′-bis(5-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine], 1 has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal structure analysis. The structure of 1 consists of two Fe(III) centers with one tetradentate schiff base ligand (N₂O₂) which are bridged by dihydroxo/dimethoxo groups to yield a Fe₂O₂ core. Complex 1 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between Fe(III) ions with J = ?0.21 cm^–1.     

Temperature dependency of phase transitions in polymer-dispersed nematic liquid crystal mediums

In this work, electrical measurements were performed on a polymer-dispersed LC sample so that we could demonstrate the temperature dependent molecular behavior, determined according to the electrical response of the system. Experimental results are found to be in favorable accordance with the molecular theory in several aspects. Critical temperatures, order parameters and entropy of transition are acquired for the studied system.     

Study on bi-directional pedestrian movement using ant algorithms

A cellular automata model is proposed to simulate bi-directional pedestrian flow. Pedestrian movement is investigated by using ant algorithms. Ants communicate with each other by dropping a chemical, called a pheromone, on the substrate while crawling forward. Similarly, it is considered that oppositely moving pedestrians drop ‘visual pheromones' on their way and the visual pheromones might cause attractive or repulsive interactions. This pheromenon is introduced into modelling the pedestrians' walking preference. In this way, the decision-making process of pedestrians will be based on ‘the instinct of following'. At some densities, the relationships of velocity–density and flux–density are analyzed for different evaporation rates of visual pheromones. Lane formation and phase transition are observed for certain evaporation rates of visual pheromones.     

Pyridine-containing chiral macrocycles for the enantioselective recognition of amino acid derivatives and their molecular dynamics simulations

Two novel C₂-symmetric optically active pyridine-15-crown-5 type ligands containing lipophilic chains at the stereogenic centres, macrocycles 5 and 6, were prepared from (S)-1,2-propanediol and (S)-3-aryloxy-1,2-propanediol for the enantiomeric recognition of amino acid ester derivatives. These novel macrocycles have been shown to be strong complexing agents for primary organic ammonium salts (with K values of up to 1363.5 M^?1, ΔG^o of up to 17.86 kJ mol^?1 and a selectivity ratio of 80:20) by ¹H NMR titration method. These macrocyclic host exhibited enantioselective binding towards the l-enantiomer of phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride with K_L/K_D up to 8.57 in CDCl₃ containing 0.25% CD₃OD. Experimental results have been detailed with molecular dynamic calculations at atomic level concerning the molecular recognition and discrimination properties of a chiral pyridino-15-crown-5. The binding free energies were calculated as ～?25 kJ mol^?1. The results indicated that the host binds and discriminates valine salts better than phenylalanine salts. The molecular dynamics, MM/PBSA calculations are consistent with the ¹H NMR results.     

Optical characterisation of CuInSe2 thin films prepared by two-stage process

Optical absorption spectra of CuInSe₂ chalcopyrite semiconductor films prepared using a two-stage technique were investigated. In addition to absorption measurements, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) were also performed. Direct bandgap energy values for the CuInSe₂ films were derived from the variation of (αhν)² with energy. All the measurements were performed on samples with various Cu/In ratios. It was determined from the absorption measurements that the materials have strong absorption at the fundamental band edge. The E_g values showed an increasing trend with decreasing Cu/In ratios. Received: 26 May 2000 / Accepted: 31 October 2000 / Published online: 10 January 2001