The asymptotic distributions of response probabilities in the Audley-Jonckheere learning model, as applied to the two-choice learning situation, are described for (1) the experimenter-controlled events model, (2) the subject-controlled events model, and (3) the experimenter-subject-controlled events model.

The asymptotic values of response probabilities in the Audley-Jonckheere learning model, as applied to the two-choice learning situation, are derived for (1) the experimenter-controlled events model, (2) the subject-controlled events model, and (3) the experimenter-subject-controlled events model.

Techniques have been developed to produce microbial phytase for addition to diets for simple-stomached animals, with the aim to improve phosphorus availability from phytate-P in plant sources. The activityof the crude microbial phytase showed pH optima at pH 5-5 and 2·5. The enzyme was able to degradephytate in vitro in soya-bean meal, maize and a liquid compound feed for pigs. When microbial phytasewas added to low-P diets for broilers the availability of P increased to over 60 % and the amount of Pin the droppings decreased by 50%. The growth rate and feed conversion ratio on the low-P dietscontaining microbial phytase were comparable to or even better than those obtained on control diets.Addition of microbial phytase to diets for growing pigs increased the apparent absorbability of P by24%. The amount of P in the faeces was 35% lower.

Modifications of a recent model by Izumi et al.1 on diffusion controlled growth of YBa2Cu3O7−x (123) superconductors are proposed, taking into account especially the engulfment process of the Y2BaCuO5 (211) particles into the solidifying 123 interface. The proposed modifications are evidenced by experimental results and applied to explain microstructural features of the 123 superconducting material. In particular, the 1:1 correlation between 123 platelet thickness (planar defect spacing) and 211 particle size as described by Jin et al.2 is explained by an observed bridge growth resulting in a zipper-like mechanism. By this mechanism the platelets grow together in an oriented way leading to a quasi single crystalline material.

A continuous in vitro method for the estimation of the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements is presented. This in vitro method is believed to be more representative of in vivo physiological conditions than in vitro methods based on equilibrium dialysis, because dialysable components are continuously removed from the pancreatic digestion mixture. The continuous in vitro method is compared with the equilibrium in vitro method with respect to the dialysability of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn from eight different types of bread (varying in phytic acid content). The results show a pronounced effect of continuous removal of dialysable components from the pancreatic digestion mixture on the dialysability of minerals and trace elements. Furthermore, removal of dialysable components influences the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements. For these two reasons the importance of removal of dialysable components in vitro for the estimation of bioavailahility in vivo needs further investigation. The bioavailability of minerals and trace elements from bread samples is not related to the phytic acid content only. Therefore, the effect of phytic acid on the bioavailability of minerals and trace elements cannot be studied separately from the effects of other components on bioavailability.

A group of 48 adolescents who recently attempted suicide and 66 depressed adolescents were compared on sociodemographic, behavioural, psychological and relational variables. The variables which proved significant were used in different combinations in stepwise logistic regression analyses, resulting in seven variables which served as the content of an index of risk. The sensitivity of the index was 90% and the specificity 83%. At one-year follow-up the occurrence of a suicide attempt correlated with score on the instrument.

The damage introduced by CH4/H2 reactive ion etching (RIE) and its recovery after thermal annealing has been investigated by Hall measurements and low temperature photoluminescence (PL) on pseudomorphic AlGaAs/InGaAs modulation doped structures. After plasma exposure, the PL intensity has significantly decreased and shifted in energy. In order to study the recovery of the damage introduced by the plasma, thermal annealing was done at temperatures between 350 and 500°C. We observed that the luminescence emission is totally recovered after annealing at 450°C. Hall measurements at room temperature (RT) and at 77K showed that the electrical characteristics of these structures can be restored only after thermal annealing at 500°C.

The optimised etching conditions have been applied in a fabrication process for submicron dry gate recessed pseudomorphic delta-doped AlGaAs/InGaAs modulation doped field effect transistors (MODFETs). For a 0.25 mm gatelength device the maximum DC transconductance value was as high as 680 mS/mm. The same value was extracted from measurements at 15 GHz.

Techniques have been developed to produce microbial phytase for addition to diets for simple-stomached animals, with the aim to improve phosphorus availability from phytate-P in plant sources. The activity of the crude microbial phytase showed pH optima at pH 5.5 and 2.5. The enzyme was able to degrade phytate in vitro in soya-bean meal, maize and a liquid compound feed for pigs. When microbial phytase was added to low-P diets for broilers the availability of P increased to over 60% and the amount of P in the droppings decreased by 50%. The growth rate and feed conversion ratio on the low-P diets containing microbial phytase were comparable to or even better than those obtained on control diets. Addition of microbial phytase to diets for growing pigs increased the apparent absorbability of P by 24%. The amount of P in the faeces was 35% lower.

The characteristics of suicide attempters were ascertained in a sample of 9393 Dutch students aged 14–20. Broken homes and use of drugs and alcohol were found more often among attempters. Attempters more frequently lived with a single parent, in children's homes or foster homes, were disproportionately of female sex, reported more deaths of friends or relatives, and more often had an unemployed father. Thoughts of suicide and of death were reported more frequently, they were more depressed and hopeless, and had less self-esteem. They were less rational and perceived relationships with parents as poor.

Alloys based on intermetallic compounds such as Ti3Al (alpha-two), offer excellent elevated temperature strength and creep resistance. These same properties, however, combined with the susceptibility of the materials to interstitial element contamination, limit the use of “conventional” thermomechanical processing (TMP) in the production of sheet product forms. Plasma spraying of intermetallic alloys offers an alternative, near net shape processing path to produce homogeneous sheet products, having fine grained, equiaxed microstructures. This paper details the microstructural evolution and associted mechanical properties of Ti-24A1-11Nb (at.%) processed to sheet form using RF plasma spraying. The response of the microstructure/tensile properties of the plasma sprayed alpha-two to various controlled heat treatments is discussed.