The application of percolation theory to the compaction of pharmaceutical powders

Based on the concepts of percolation theory the compaction process is interpreted as a site-bond percolation phenomenon. The combination of the Heckel equation with an equation derived earlier yields a simple relationship between the tensile strength σ_t, or the deformation hardness P and the relative density. This mathematical model is identical with the fundamental law of percolation theory i.e., X = s(p − p_c)^q with X= system property equivalent to tensile strength or deformation hardness, S = scaling factor, p = site occupation or bond formation probability corresponding to the relative density p,p_c = percolation threshold and critical exponent q = 1 according to percolation on a Bethe lattice. In the case of the tensile strength σ_t and the deformation hardness p, two percolation thresholds p_c(1) and p_c(2) corresponding to p_c(1) and p_c(2) could be identified. The relative density p_c(1) which is close to the relative poured or relative tapped density can be interpreted as a bond percolation threshold. The particles are bonded by weak interparticulate forces and form only loose compacts as used for filling of capsules. The relative density p_c(2) is the relative density where the first stable pharmaceutical compact is achieved which can no longer be disintegrated mechanically into its primary particles. It is of special interest that the above equation is also valid for the elastic modulus with the only percolation threshold p_c(1) = p_c(1).     

等离子接枝处理的CF/PAA复合材料层间剪切强度及其形貌研究

采用等离子技术对碳纤维(CF)进行接枝芳基乙炔(PAA)处理，研究了影响CF／PAA复合材料层间剪切强度(ILSS)的因素。结果表明，经等离子接枝PAA处理后，复合材料的ILSS有了很大提高。SEM显示经接枝处理后CF和PAA树脂之间的界面结合紧密，改善了复合材料的界面结合性能。     

Muscular performance after a 3 month progressive physical exercise program and 9 month follow-up in subjects with low back pain. A controlled study

The purpose of this study was to assess, in subjects with low back pain, the changes and their permanence in muscular performance after a 3 month progressive physical exercise program. Ninety subjects with chronic low back pain participated in the study. The study design was controlled and it was carried out in three groups: intensive training, home exercise, and control group. Isometric and dynamic muscle strength of the trunk and lower limb were measured, at the beginning of the study and after the 3 months exercise program, and then during each of the follow-up sessions. The Oswestry Index and back pain intensity were also determined. Both exercise groups received benefit from the progressive exercise program. Their muscular performance improved and their back pain intensity decreased significantly. Among the home exercise group, the Oswestry Index also changed positively. The results demonstrate that the home exercise program could be as effective as the intensive training program in increasing muscle strength, as well as decreasing back pain and functional disability among low back pain patients with mild functional limitations.     

Effect of forward rapidly rotating shift work on circadian rhythms of arterial pressure, heart rate and oral temperature in air traffic controllers

Twenty-four-hour records of arterial pressure (AP), heart rate(HR), oral temperature (OT) and physical and mental performancewere obtained in air traffic controllers during morning (n=16),afternoon (n=17) and night (n=19) shifts. Data were analyzedby the cosinor method. The results obtained during the morningshift were as follows (mesor/amplitude/;acrophase): systolicAP (mm Hg)—113.6/10.0/16:03 h; diastolic AP—71.1/8.2—15:19h; mean AP—85.6/8.8/15:41 h; HR (beats/min)—77.5/8.9/16:00h; OT (dg C)—36.71/0.21/15:49 h; right-hand grip strength(kg)—49.8/2.0/17:43 h; left-hand grip strength—46.1/2.0/16.08h; mental performance (calculations/min)—14.9/1.1/16:39h. During the night shift either no change of the circadianacrophases (HR, right-hand grip strength) or acrophase delaysranging from about 2 h (systolic AP, OT, mental performance)up to 3 h (diastolic and mean AP, left-hand grip strength) wereobserved. Our data suggest that the shift system studied doesnot significantly alter the circadian rhythms, and does notinduce a desynchronization, particularly as concerns arterialpressure and oral temperature.     

Laser welded vascular anastomosis

Summary A comparative study was undertaken to investigate the application of a specially adapted microsurgical Neodymium Yag Laser system with a wavelength of 1,319 m and a CO₂ laser system for laser assisted microvascular end-to-end anastomosis (LAMA) of the rat femoral artery. Conventionally sutured anastomoses served as controls. Postoperative investigations included patency tests, light microscopy and tensile strength measurements. Both laser systems seem to be equally suitable for LAMA: The patency rates do not differ from those of sutured anstomoses and formation of microscopically small aneurysms occurred predominantly in control animals and only once in laser groups. The clamp time needed for LAMA was half the time that was needed for sutured anastomoses. Wound healing in all groups was similar with less fibrotic reactions and less foreign body granulomas in laser groups. At all intervals tensile strength was significantly higher for sutured anastomoses while differences between the CO₂- and the ND: Yag-laser groups were not statistically significant. Potential applications in urology include microvascular anastomoses in erectile dysfunction, pediatric and reconstructive urology.Contains parts of a dissertation     

Physical loading and performance as predictors of back pain in healthy adults A 5-year prospective study

We investigated muscle strength, aerobic power, and occupational and leisure-time physical loading as predictors of back pain in a 5-year follow-up study. A cohort of 456 adults aged 25, 35, 45 and 55 years, free of back pain, participated in measurements of anthropometric characteristics, aerobic power and muscle strength characteristics at baseline. The subjects' levels and types of physical activity and occupational physical loading were also determined. At 5 years after the baseline examinations 356 of these subjects (78.1 %) were reached by mail, and 262 of them (73.6%) properly completed and returned a questionnaire including a detailed back pain history for the 5 years following the baseline measurements. Of this number 56 subjects (21 %) who reported back pain ( > 30 on a scale from 0 to 100) and functional impairment during the 5-year follow-up composed the marked back pain group. Other subjects (n = 71, 27%) noting lesser symptoms were included in the mild back pain group; 135 subjects (52%) reported having had no back pain. The subjects with marked back pain were on average taller than the subjects without back pain, while no such difference was found in body mass. Heavy occupational musculoskeletal loading (P = 0.005) and high general occupational physical demands (P = 0.036) predicted future back pain. Leisuretime physical activity, aerobic power or muscle strength characteristics were not predictive of future back pain.     

骨水泥性能及其对人工关节柄固定强度的影响

本文研究了骨水泥三种不同临床使用方法所形成的内部气泡结构状态,测定了骨水泥的抗压强度、收缩率、疲劳强度、变形积累量等物理机械性能,以及关节固定强度,用气泡状态解释了不同临床使用方法对骨水泥性能及固定强度所带来的各种影响。     

医用磷酸钙骨水泥的制备及性能的实验研究

探索了磷酸四钙（Ca4（PO4）2O，TTCP）的制备，并合成了磷酸钙骨水泥（CPC），对CPC固化时间、引起浸泡液pH值的变化、抗压强度、产物物相组成及微观结构进行了研究。结果表明：在真空条件下、1500℃下煅烧6h可制得TTCP，并含有少量CaO。CPC初凝时间为4min、终凝时间为15min，浸泡1d和7d后的抗压强度分别为20MPa和35MPa，浸泡液的pH值在6．4～8．9之间变化，这些性能均符合临床用CPC的性能要求。CPC水化产物为片状或针状羟基磷灰石（Ca5（PO4）3OH，HA），相互交错呈连续分布的网状结构，这种结构有利于材料强度的提高。实验研制的CPC材料可用于骨缺损的修复治疗。     

The effects of creatine supplementation on muscular performance and body composition responses to short-term resistance training overreaching

To determine the effects of creatine supplementation during short-term resistance training overreaching on performance, body composition, and resting hormone concentrations, 17 men were randomly assigned to supplement with 0.3 g/kg per day of creatine monohydrate (CrM: n=9) or placebo (P: n=8) while performing resistance exercise (5 days/week for 4 weeks) followed by a 2-week taper phase. Maximal squat and bench press and explosive power in the bench press were reduced during the initial weeks of training in P but not CrM. Explosive power in the bench press, body mass, and lean body mass (LBM) in the legs were augmented to a greater extent in CrM (P0.05) by the end of the 6-week period. A tendency for greater 1-RM squat improvement (P=0.09) was also observed in CrM. Total testosterone (TT) and the free androgen index (TT/SHBG) decreased in CrM and P, reaching a nadir at week 3, whereas sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) responded in an opposite direction. Cortisol significantly increased after week 1 in CrM (+29%), and returned to baseline at week 2. Insulin was significantly depressed at week 1 (–24%) and drifted back toward baseline during weeks 2–4. Growth hormone and IGF-I levels were not affected. Therefore, some measures of muscular performance and body composition are enhanced to a greater extent following the rebound phase of short-term resistance training overreaching with creatine supplementation and these changes are not related to changes in circulating hormone concentrations obtained in the resting, postabsorptive state. In addition, creatine supplementation appears to be effective for maintaining muscular performance during the initial phase of high-volume resistance training overreaching that otherwise results in small performance decrements.     

Isolation and immunochemical characterization of the major allergen of birch pollen (Betula verrucosa)

The classification of some of the extractable birch pollen antigens as allergens was established by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE). In CRIE the major allergen (antigen 23) exhibited the strongest “radiostaining” and only a few other components of birch pollen extract were visibly radiostained. The major allergen and a preparation containing mainly the minor allergens, antigens 25 and 19, were isolated from a crude aqueous birch pollen extract by a combination of anion-exchange, size-exclusion, and chelate chromatography. Antigen 23 was purified to near homogeneity. The molecular weights and the pIs of antigens 23, 25, and 19 were determined to be 17,000 daltons, pI 5.25 (5.5, 5.0); 25,000 daltons, pI 5.0 (4.9, 5.4); and 29,000 daltons, pI 6.2 (5.4), respectively. The classification of antigen 23 as the major allergen in birch pollen was supported by results of RAST inhibition experiments, RAST screening, and skin prick testing.