Codimension-two border collision bifurcation in a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior

Nonlinear Dynamics - We consider a two-class growth model with optimal saving and switch in behavior. The dynamics of this model is described by a two-dimensional (2D) discontinuous map. We obtain...     

Determination of trace amounts of molybdenum in plant tissue by solvent extraction-atomic-absorption and direct-current plasma emission spectrometry

Methods are presented for determination of molybdenum in plant tissue by flame and graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry and direct-current argon-plasma emission spectrometry. The samples are digested in HNO(3)-H(2)SO(4)-HC1O(4) mixture, and Mo is separated and concentrated by chelation and extraction. Three organic solvents (methyl isobutyl ketone, di-isobutyl ketone and isoamyl alcohol) and two ligands (8-hydroxyquinoline and toluene-3,4-dithiol) were studied. The procedure were tested on pine needle and birch leaf samples.     

Relationship between Continuum of Hurst Exponents of Noise-like Time Series and the Cantor Set

In this paper, we have modified the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) using the ternary Cantor set. We propose a modification of the DFA algorithm, Cantor DFA (CDFA), which uses the Cantor set theory of base 3 as a scale for segment sizes in the DFA algorithm. An investigation of the phenomena generated from the proof using real-world time series based on the theory of the Cantor set is also conducted. This new approach helps reduce the overestimation problem of the Hurst exponent of DFA by comparing it with its inverse relationship with α of the Truncated Lévy Flight (TLF). CDFA is also able to correctly predict the memory behavior of time series.     

Concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient of polydisperse polystyrene in dilute solution

The concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficients (D) of two different polystyrenes in toluene was measured. The concentration dependence of D of a standard monodisperse sample (M = 498,000) for concentrations up to 1 · 25 g/dl is not linear. The dependence is adequately described by the theory of dilute polymer solutions up to about 0·7 g/dl and the second virial coefficients of the osmotic pressure can be evaluated. For a polystyrene sample having a broad molecular weight distribution, the concentration dependence of four different average diffusion coefficients was determined so indirectly characterizing the molecular weight distribution. These dependences are not linear and differ from each other owing to the different sensitivity of the individual averages to high-molecular and low-molecular weight fractions. The apparent distribution of the diffusion coefficients becomes narrower with increasing concentration. When evaluating polydispersity from the free diffusion data obtained in good solvents, it is necessary to determine directly the differential diffusion coefficients; an extrapolation of the integral diffusion coefficients can be misleading.     

Contrast-enhanced high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of autologous cartilage implants of the knee joint

Over the past decade, a number of interventions for durable cartilage repair have emerged. Magnetic resonance (MR) tomography is an excellent noninvasive method for monitoring cartilage repair tissues throughout the postsurgical period. However, evaluating cartilage morphology after matrix-based autologous cartilage implantation (ACI) with MR imaging (MRI) still remains a challenge. In this study, we combined a high-resolution cartilage-sensitive fast-spin echo (FSE) sequence with intravenous application of a contrast agent for enhancing synovial fluid. Two independent musculoskeletal radiologists interpreted the pictures for the thickness, length and surface of the cartilage implants. A multivariate two-way analysis of variance with two repeated measures was performed and showed that evaluation of cartilage implant morphology was significantly improved after the application of gadodiamide on proton density FSE images. Contrast-enhanced MRI of articular cartilages is a promising technique in the postoperative follow-up of patients after ACI.     

Fluorescence quantum yields of some rhodamine dyes

Fluorescence quantum yields of seven rhodamine dyes were measured relative to quinine sulfate dihydrate (QSH) in 1.0 N H₂SO₄. The values obtained were rhodamine 6G (0.95), B (0.65), 3B (0.45), 19 (0.95), 101 (0.96), 110 (0.92), 123 (0.90) at 25.0°C. Effects of temperature on the quantum yields of rhodamine B and QSH show a large temperature coefficient for rhodamine B and a significant one for QSH. Dye concentration was found to be critical in reporting observed fluorescence wavelength maxima.     

Fluorescence diagnosis of bladder cancer with new water soluble hypericin bound to polyvinylpyrrolidone: PVP-hypericin

Although conventional white light endoscopy (WLE) is currently the gold standard for diagnosing bladder tumors, rates of false negative results and residual tumors after transurethral resection are relatively high. The goal of the present clinical study is to investigate whether using new water soluble hypericin (PVP-hypericin) as a fluorescent dye improves bladder cancer detection and diagnosis. Following instillation of PVP-hypericin (total amount of 0.25 mg hypericin bound to 25 mg polyvinylpoyrrolidone [PVP], reconstituted in 50 mL phys. sodium chloride solution), WLE and fluorescence cystoscopy (photodynamic diagnosis; PDD) were performed on patients with suspected primary or recurrent bladder malignancies (n = 57). Incubation time was 1-2 h and biopsies (n = 163) were taken from fluorescing regions and/or from regions which were suspicious under WLE. Histological investigations of the biopsies provided the final proof of malignancy (or the counterevidence). Results indicated that overall sensitivity with PVP-hypericin and PDD is significantly higher (95%) than with WLE (85%). The sensitivity of PDD in the diagnosis of carcinoma in situ (n = 12) was 100% compared with 33% for WLE. In the diagnosis of dysplasia, the sensitivity of PDD was 85% compared with 31% for WLE. PDD has a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.75% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.86%, in comparison to WLE PPV = 0.66% NPV = 0.58%. Biopsies were not taken from healthy tissues, thus specificity was markedly lower in our study (53%) than that reported in other studies (98-100%). As a conclusion, PDD using PVP-hypericin is superior to WLE in terms of sensitivity in the diagnosis of malignancies of the bladder. Results suggest that PVP-hypericin is a promising formulation for various diagnostic and therapeutic applications.