Band Of C3 Research Articles

Luminescent copper(I) complexes bearing benzothiazole-imidazolylidene ligand with various substituents: Synthesis, photophysical properties and computational studies

The synthesis and photophysical investigation of a series of copper(I) complexes bearing benzothiazole-imidazolylidene-type N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are reported. Their photophysical properties are tuned by adjusting the different substituens at 6-position of the benzothiazole ring. C1 and C2 exhibit the lowest-lying metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands at 325–400 nm, while the MLCT band of C3 is almost unresolved owing to the blue shift of this band. Upon excitation with UV light all the complexes emit bright yellow-green light (λem = 543–551 nm) with higher emission quantum yields of 24.9–44.1% and excited state lifetimes on the microsecond scale (τ = 13.7–32.7 μs) in PMMA films. Additionally, the electronic properties, absorption and emission profiles of these complexes were further explored using DFT/TDDFT methods.

O-2-40. Comparisons of functional EEG network during performing different bimanual motor tasks using graph theoretical analysis

Graph theoretical approach is emerging as a powerful tool for analyzing brain functional network. To compare functional electroencephalography (EEG) network between inphase and anti-phase of bimanual hand movement, 10 healthy subjects were carried out experiments. In the clustering coefficient (CC), the alpha band of dominant motor area (C3) and the beta band of non-dominant motor area (C4) during anti-phase movement were higher than those of in-phase movement. In the betweenness centrality (BC), the alpha band of C3 during anti-phase movement was lower than those of in-phase movement. On the other hand, the gamma band of C4 during anti-phase movement was higher than those of in-phase movement. Additional analysis revealed that patient with stroke in the left middle cerebral artery infraction tended to low CC both movement and low BC during anti-phase movement. Our findings suggest that task-specific functional network alterations reflect on these graph theoretical parameters. In conclusion, the graph theoretical analysis applied to EEG network during bimanual hand movement has a potential to evaluate the brain network function.

Infrared spectroscopy of the ν3 band of C3 in helium droplets

The C3 molecule is an important species known to participate in key chemical reactions in combustion and astrochemistry. Its occurrence in environments of interest, its intramolecular physics, and its intermolecular reactivity have been areas of extensive and ongoing study. Much of the interest in C3 is related to investigating its interactions with other species relevant to combustion processes or astrochemistry. Helium droplet methods offer a promising route to assemble and study a wide variety of novel complexes, clusters, and adducts made from C3. Here we report the results of our recent efforts to dope cold helium droplets with C3 molecules and record the rotationally-resolved infrared spectrum of the embedded C3. The spectrum consists of P(2), R(0), and R(2) lines well-described by a linear rotor Hamiltonian with ν0 = 2039.09(2) cm-1, B = 0.204(5) cm-1, and T = 0.37 K. The B rotational constant of the C3 molecule is found to be reduced from its gas-phase value by a factor of 2.1 due to rotational following by the helium solvent.

Structure analysis of collagen fibril at atomic-level resolution and its implications for intra-fibrillar transport in bone biomineralization.

Bone is a hierarchical biocomposite material in which a collagen fibril matrix self-assembled in a three-dimensional (3-D) pseudohexagonal array controls many important processes in mineralization such as providing the pathways by which calcium and phosphate species are delivered and a template for the earliest nucleation sites, determining the spatial distribution of the mineral and the topology for binding of associated non-collagenous proteins. However, the structural characteristics of collagen molecules in the fibril remain unclear at the atomic level. Here we performed the first large-scale molecular dynamics simulations to provide a comprehensive all-atom structural analysis of the entire fibril of Type I collagen including intra-fibrillar water distribution. We found that the ideal fibril structure is preserved in specific sites where the earliest nucleation occurs, but is severely distorted in areas that mineralize later. In detail, the ideal pseudohexagonal structure is well-preserved in the overlap zone (c1, c2 and b bands), in the a bands of the hole zone but is severely distorted at the hole/overlap transition (d and c3 bands). As a result, the expected uniform "channel," formed by connecting holes in adjacent unit cells along the b-axis, and having dimensions of 1.5 nm height along the a-axis and width of 40 nm along the c-axis is not formed. The expected uniform channel of 1.5 nm height is preserved only in the a bands in a narrow sub-channel region only 5.8 nm wide. At the hole/overlap transition, an irregular, tortuous sub-channel of widely varying dimensions (∼1.8-4.0 nm height × ∼3.0 nm width) is formed. The well-defined sub-channel in the a bands along with their preferred orientation of charged amino acid residues could facilitate faster molecular diffusion than the tortuous sub-channels and ionic interactions, thus providing the first nucleation sites. Intra-fibrillar water occupies nano-spaces and shows low density (∼0.7 g cm-3), which should promote dehydration of ion species. These results provide the first atomic-level understanding of the structure of the collagen fibril and the properties of the aqueous compartments within the fibril, which offer a physical, chemical and steric explanation for calcium phosphate infiltration paths and for the initiation of mineralization at the a band collagen fibril. The mechanism revealed here for the observed specificity of collagen biomineralization in bone formation ultimately contributes to the biochemical and biomechanical functions of the skeleton.

Detection of vibronic bands of C3 in a translucent cloud towards HD 169454

We report the detection of eight vibronic bands of C3, seven of which have been hitherto unobserved in astrophysical objects, in the translucent cloud towards HD 169454. Four of these bands are also found towards two additional objects: HD 73882 and HD 154368. Very high signal-to-noise ratio (∼1000 and higher) and high resolving power (R = 80 000) UVES-VLT spectra (Paranal, Chile) allow for detecting novel spectral features of C3, even revealing weak perturbed features in the strongest bands. The work presented here provides the most complete spectroscopic survey of the so far largest carbon chain detected in translucent interstellar clouds. High-quality laboratory spectra of C3 are measured using cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy in a supersonically expanding hydrocarbon plasma, to support the analysis of the identified bands towards HD 169454. A column density of N(C3) = (6.6 ± 0.2) × 1012 cm−2 is inferred and the excitation of the molecule exhibits two temperature components; Texc = 22 ± 1 K for the low-J states and Texc = 187 ± 25 K for the high-J tail. The rotational excitation of C3 is reasonably well explained by models involving a mechanism including inelastic collisions, formation and destruction of the molecule, and radiative pumping in the far-infrared. These models yield gas kinetic temperatures comparable to those found for Texc. The assignment of spectral features in the UV-blue range 3793–4054 Å may be of relevance for future studies aiming at unravelling spectra to identify interstellar molecules associated with the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).

Rotationally resolved spectra of the 4051 Å comet band of C3 for all six 12C and 13C isotopologues

Rotationally resolved absorption spectra of the A∼1Πu–X∼1Σg+ origin band of the tricarbon molecule (C3) are reported for 12C3 and its 13C-substitued isotopologues. The 4051Å electronic transition, also identified in cometary tails and in translucent interstellar clouds, has been measured using cavity ring-down spectroscopy and a supersonically expanding planar plasma. Previous spectroscopic studies of 12C3 are extended and the electronic origin band is re-investigated including a perturbation analysis of the upper state. The rotational analysis of spectra originating from 13C mono- and di-substituted C3 yields accurate spectroscopic parameters for all six isotopologues, including ground state molecular constants for 13C12C13C and 12C13C13C.

The changing rotational excitation of C3 in comet 9P/Tempel 1 during Deep Impact

The 4050 Å band of C3 was observed with Keck/HIRES echelle spectrometer during the Deep Impact encounter. We perform a 2-dimensional analysis of the exposures in order to study the spatial, spectral, and temporal changes in the emission spectrum of C3. The rotational population distribution changes after impact, beginning with an excitation temperature of ∼45 K at impact and increasing for 2 hr up to a maximum of 61±5 K. From 2 to 4 hours after impact, the excitation temperature decreases to the pre-impact value. We measured the quiescent production rate of C3 before the encounter to be 1.0×1023 s−1, while 2 hours after impact we recorded a peak production rate of 1.7×1023 s−1. Whereas the excitation temperature returned to the pre-impact value during the observations, the production rate remained elevated, decreasing slowly, until the end of the 4 hr observations. These results are interpreted in terms of changing gas densities in the coma and short-term changes in the primary chemical production mechanism for C3.

Multiplex spectroscopy of stable and transient species in a molecular beam

AbstractA new apparatus is described that uses nonlinear and linear spectroscopic techniques simultaneously for the characterization of stable and transient molecules in a molecular beam environment. Short‐lived species are generated by applying a well‐defined discharge on a suitable precursor prior to supersonic expansion. Femtosecond ionization and mass spectrometry is used to optimize the discharge source. Degenerate and two‐color resonant four‐wave mixing spectroscopy (DFWM and TC‐RFWM, respectively) are used in tandem with laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) and cavity ring‐down spectroscopy (CRD). We demonstrate initial experiments on the 4051 Å band of C3 ($\tilde{A}^{1}\Pi_{u} - \tilde{X}^{1}\Sigma_{g}^{+}$], 000–000). DFWM, LIF and CRD display similarities in the general shape and position of the rovibronic transitions. A more detailed view, however, reveals the complementary character of the methods and the potential of simultaneously measured spectra. High signal‐to‐noise ratios and well‐structured spectra are obtained by DFWM. LIF is favorable for the observation of weak features but strongly dependent on the relaxation mechanism of the upper excited state. CRD suffers generally from a large background signal but yields quantitative information. By applying the methods in parallel, quantitative measurements of molecular number densities, transitions dipole moments and relaxation rates are accessible. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Is Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus?

A 32-year-old woman presented with fever and swelling in the axillae of 2 months' duration, and erythema of the face, fluid-filled lesions on the trunk, oral ulcers, crusting of the lips, and redness and watering of the eyes for 3 days. The patient was initially diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis and was given antituberculous treatment. One month later, she developed the present complaints (see below). The patient was photosensitive. There was no joint pain or Raynaud's phenomenon. She had experienced three intrauterine deaths in the past with no live births. On examination, the patient was pale. Bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy was present. The lymph nodes were mobile, non-tender, and not matted. Mucocutaneous examination revealed a malar eruption, flaccid bullae on the back (Fig. 1), crusting of the lips (Fig. 2), oral ulcers, and redness and discharge from the eyes. On investigation, immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA for tuberculosis were negative. There was anemia and leukopenia, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised, albumin in urine was positive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was negative, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was nonreactive. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), dsDNA, and antiphospholipid antibody were positive. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the axillary lymph node showed loss of nodal architecture. The extensive infiltrate consisted of lymphocytes, histiocytes, immunoblasts, and necrosis of cortical and paracortical areas. There was histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis without granulocytic infiltration. These features were suggestive of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease (Fig. 3). Skin biopsy showed epidermal atrophy, basal cell vacuolation, focal hyperkeratosis, pilosebaceous atrophy, and follicular plugging. The dermis showed edema and a lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis and around the blood vessels. These features were suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Direct immunofluorescence of lesional skin showed a strong continuous basement membrane zone (BMZ) band of C3 and fibrinogen and a strong discontinuous granular BMZ band of IgG. IgA was negative. Covered skin showed moderate and strong positivity for IgM and IgG, respectively. C3, IgA, and fibrinogen were negative. These findings were suggestive of SLE (Fig. 4). Based on the clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease with SLE was made.

The 4051-Å band of C3 (ÃΠu1−X̃Σg+1, 000-000): Perturbed low-J lines and lifetime measurements

Rotational analyses have been carried out at high resolution for the 000-000 and 000-100 bands of the A (1)Pi(u)-X (1)Sigma(g) (+) transition of supersonic jet-cooled C(3). Two different spectra have been recorded for each band, using time gatings of 20-150 and 800-2300 ns. At the shorter time delay the spectra show only the lines observed by many previous workers. At the longer time delay many extra lines appear, some of which have been observed previously by [McCall et al.Chem. Phys. Lett. 374, 583 (2003)] in cavity ring-down spectra of jet-cooled C(3). Detailed analysis of these extra lines shows that at least two long-lived states perturb the A (1)Pi(u), 000 state. One of these appears to be a (3)Sigma(u) (-) vibronic state, which may possibly be a high vibrational level of the b (3)Pi(g) state, and the other appears to be a P = 1 state with a low rotational constant B. Our spectra also confirm the reassignment by McCall et al. of the R(0) line of the 000-000 band, which is consistent with the spectra recorded towards a number of stars that indicate the presence of C(3) in the interstellar medium. Fluorescence lifetimes have been measured for a number of upper-state rotational levels. The rotational levels of the A (1)Pi(u) state have lifetimes in the range of 230-190 ns, decreasing slightly with J; the levels of the perturbing states have much longer lifetimes, with some of them showing biexponential decays. An improved value has been obtained for the nu(1) vibrational frequency of the ground state, nu(1) = 1224.4933 +/- 0.0029 cm(-1).

Protein polymorphism of an isoform of the third complement component in the common carp Cyprinus carpio

: Polymorphism of immune-related genes has the potential to be utilized as a genetic marker to survey the disease-resistant fish population. The complement is a major factor functioning both in innate and adaptive immune systems. In the present paper it was found that C3-H1, a major isoform of the complement component C3 of carp, exhibits four genetic variants defined as electrophoretic mobility, and that the four variants have different hemolytic activity. Carp serum was electrophoresed on an agarose gel and blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane, and C3 bands were detected by immunoblotting using monoclonal antibody specific to intact α-chain of carp C3-H1 isoform. Four C3-H1 variants, designated I, II, III and IV, with different mobility were detected, and the phenotypes II and II/IV were dominant. Each of four C3-H1 variants free of cross-contamination was purified from carp sera and examined for the hemolytic activity. It was found that C3-H1-I had the highest specific activity, which was approximately fourfold higher than that of C3-H1-II, which had the lowest activity. The results suggest the possibility that carp individuals possessing a different type of C3-H1 variants have a different level of complement activity, and that the C3-H1 polymorphism can possibly be useful to screen fish with a higher level of innate immune defense.

Corticonuclear projections of the cerebellum preserve both anteroposterior and mediolateral pairing patterns.

The aim of the present study was to establish whether a diverging arrangement of the corticonuclear cerebellar projections exists and, if so, what relation it has with the inferior olivary complex. Iontophoretic injections of a 1 : 1 mixture of tetramethylrhodamine dextran amine and biotinylated dextran amine into the cerebellar cortex orthogradely labelled fibre terminals in the cerebellar nuclei and retrogradely labelled cell bodies in the inferior olivary complex. The injections were into A, B, C2, C3, D1 and D2 bands. These injections showed diverging projections to the cerebellar nuclei, with 'primary projections' directed to the nuclear region previously reported to be specifically connected with the injected band and 'secondary projections' directed to other nuclear regions. Secondary projections from the A, C2 and C3 bands diverged to nuclear regions primarily controlled by cortical bands lateral to those injected. Secondary projections from the D1, and D2 bands diverged to nuclear regions primarily controlled by cortical bands medial to those injected. Moreover, injections distributed along the D1 and D2 bands showed similar sets of nuclear targets, while those distributed along the A, C2 and C3 bands showed two sets of nuclear targets in relation to the anteroposterior location of the injected area within these bands. The cortical areas that projected to the same set of nuclear targets were innervated from single olivary regions, while those that projected to different sets of nuclear targets were innervated from different subsets of single regions of the inferior olive. The results suggest that the olivary bands of the cerebellar cortex project to the cerebellar nuclei with a diverging pattern that is organized in both the mediolateral and the anteroposterior axes.

New ÖX̃ vibronic bands of laser-vaporized C3

The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum for the à 1Πu–X̃ 1Σg+ band of C3 was observed under jet-cooled conditions. On the basis of our previous report [Chem. Phys. Lett. 242, 435 (1995)], in which the ν3 fundamental in the à 1Πu state was determined to be 541.7(1) cm−1 through the first identification of the Ã(0,0,1)–X̃(0,0,1) hot-band transition, we extended the measurements of the ν3 related key bands; the high-resolution spectra (Δν∼0.08 cm−1) of eight vibronically allowed Σu+–Σg+-type transitions and two Πg–Σu+ hot-band transitions were measured, and their rotational structures were analyzed. The determined band-origin wave numbers and the symmetries of the rotational structures led to firm assignments of the vibrational levels in the à 1Πu state. Using the vibrational level energies of the Ã(0,0,v3)(v3=1–3) levels, the anharmonic potential along the ν3 mode in the à 1Πu state was estimated to have double minima with a barrier height of 284.3 cm−1 at the linear configuration.

Observations of High Resolution Spectra of Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) at the SAO of the RAS

We present the results of the preliminary study of the comet Hale-Bopp spectrum obtained April 17, 1997 by K. Churyumov and F. Mussayev with the help of the 1-meter Zeiss reflector and the echelle spectrometer (spectral resolutionλ/Δ λ ≈ 50000), CCD and the long slit, oriented along the radius-vector(“Sun-comet direction”). Energy distributions for three selected regions including the C3, C2 (0-0) and CN(Δ ν = 0) molecules emissions of the comet Hale-Bopp spectrum were built. The rotational lines of the CN(Δ ν = 0) band were identified. The nature of the high emission peak near λ 4020 A in the C3 band is discussed. The presence of the cometary continuum of the nonsolar origin is assumed.

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the A-X and B-X System of CH in Comet Austin (1990 V).

We analyzed the A-X(0-0) band of CH, which appears in high-resolution spectra of comet Austin (1990 V), in order to understand fluorescence and collisional processes that influence the rotational structure of the A-X(00) band. Some of the weak lines of the A-X (0-0) band are clearly resolved, which have not been previously resolved with relatively low-resolution spectroscopy. We unambiguously confirmed the B-X (0-0) band lines around 3890 Å, which had been suspected previously, but it had not been clearly identified because of strong adjacent CN and C3 bands. In order to analyze the cometary spectra we have conducted two different fluorescence calculations: a single-cycle fluorescence and fluorescent equilibrium. The fluorescent equilibrium model includes infrared and ultraviolet fluorescence processes as well as electron and neutral collisional effects, and therefore the model is a function of cometocentic distance. We found that single-cycle fluorescence models with a Boltzmann distribution in the X state fit the observed spectra better than the fluorescent equilibrium models. However, single-cycle fluorescence models with two different temperatures (130 K for F1 state and 250 K for F2 state) in the X state fit the Austin spectra significantly better than the single-cycle fluorescence model with the same temperature (150 K) for F1 and F2 states. This suggests that we are observing two different Boltzmann distributions of nascent, short-life CH radicals right after they were produced by photodissociations of parent molecules. We presented g-factors of the A-X (0-0) and B-X (0-0) bands as a function of heliocentric velocity based on single-cycle fluorescence models with a 150 K distribution in the X state. We have calculated the expected intensity of the fundamental band (v' = 1 → 0) of CH and discussed the detectability of this band near 2730 cm-1. We also discussed possible parent molecules of CH and long lifetimes of the parent molecules, which may explain extensive emissions of CH up to 105km from the nucleus despite its short lifetime.

Novel susceptibility locus for mouse hepatomas: evidence for a conserved tumor suppressor gene.

We have identified previously a putative tumor suppressor gene (TSG) locus at human chromosome (hchr) 7q31 showing that it is altered in a variety of human epithelial tumors. To determine whether this TSG is conserved in mice, we studied loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in chemically induced mouse liver adenomas. The LOH analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of 17 (CA)n microsatellite repeats on mouse chromosome (mchr) 6 A2-C3. Ninety-six of 106 cases (90.6%) had LOH at D6Mit50, and 89.5% had LOH at D6Mit179. These two loci are 0.2 cM apart on mchr 6A2. Another high-LOH site was found in the C3 band. The high incidence of LOH in the 7q-homologous segment of mchr 6 indicates that the human TSG is conserved and is involved in the development of hepatomas.

Drug‐induced bullous pemphigoid with dermal fluorescence on salt‐split skin

AbstractThe immunological features of drug‐induced bullous pemphigoid appear to be similar to those of idiopathic bullous pemphigoid (BP), with presence of circulating and tissue‐bound antibodies showing anti‐basement membrane zone specificity. We describe a 28‐year‐old woman who developed a widespread blistering eruption with marked involvement of the mucous membranes shortly after commencing treatment with oral flucloxacillin. The eruption gradually cleared following drug withdrawal and treatment with oral corticosteroids. Indirect immunofluorescence showed circulating IgG anti‐basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibody and C3 which bound to the dermal aspect of salt‐split skin, and direct immunofluorescence (IMF) of perilesional skin showed a linear band of C3 at the BMZ. Western immunoblotting of the patient's serum showed positive reactivity with a 180 kDa antigen in epidermal extracts and no reactivity with dermal extracts. The dermal‐binding pattern on indirect IMF with salt‐split skin only occurs in a minority of patients with BP and has not been described previously in a drug‐induced case.

Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid with dermal fluorescence on salt-split skin

The immunological features of drug-induced bullous pemphigoid appear to be similar to those of idiopathic bullous pemphigoid (BP), with presence of circulating and tissue-bound antibodies showing anti-basement membrane zone specificity. We describe a 28-year-old woman who developed a widespread blistering eruption with marked involvement of the mucous membranes shortly after commencing treatment with oral flucloxacillin. The eruption gradually cleared following drug withdrawal and treatment with oral corticosteroids. Indirect immunofluorescence showed circulating IgG anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibody and C3 which bound to the dermal aspect of salt-split skin, and direct immunofluorescence (IMF) of perilesional skin showed a linear band of C3 at the BMZ. Western immunoblotting of the patient's serum showed positive reactivity with a 180 kDa antigen in epidermal extracts and no reactivity with dermal extracts. The dermal-binding pattern on indirect IMF with salt-split skin only occurs in a minority of patients with BP and has not been described previously in a drug-induced case.

Spectroscopic studies of Bi3+ colour centres in KCl single crystals

Absorption spectra of KCl:Bi3+ crystals were measured at various temperatures. Six absorption bands were observed at 335, 245, 212, 207, 201 and 196 nm. The first five bands are assigned to the A, B, C1, C2 and C3 bands and the last to the charge-transfer D' band. The emission from KCl:Bi3+ excited in the A absorption band was measured as a function of exciting photon energy and temperature. The A-band excitation produced two emission bands peaking at 388 and 430 nm, the excitation spectra of which are not the same. The temperature dependence of the decay times is described for the two emission bands. The polarized emission spectrum and the angular dependence of polarization ratios of the A-band emission were also investigated to determine the symmetry axes of the Bi3+-vacancies complex. The results are interpreted in terms of a model in which the reduction effect of the strong spin-orbit interaction on the Jahn-Teller effect coupling to the Eg mode is taken into account An additional perturbation caused by two cation vacancies is required to present the definitive assignment of the A-band emission from KCl:Bi3+.

Molecular structure and functional morphology of echinoderm collagen fibrils.

The collagenous tissues of echinoderms, which have the unique capacity to rapidly and reversibly alter their mechanical properties, resemble the collagenous tissues of other phyla in consisting of collagen fibrils in a nonfibrillar matrix. Knowledge of the composition and structure of their collagen fibrils and interfibrillar matrix is thus important for an understanding of the physiology of these tissues. In this report it is shown that the collagen molecules from the fibrils of the spine ligament of a sea-urchin and the deep dermis of a sea-cucumber are the same length as those from vertebrate fibrils and that they assemble into fibrils with the same repeat period and gap/overlap ratio as do those of vertebrate fibrils. The distributions of charged residues in echinoderm and vertebrate molecules are somewhat different, giving rise to segment-long-spacing crystallites and fibrils with different banding patterns. Compared to the vertebrate pattern, the banding pattern of echinoderm fibrils is characterized by greatly increased stain intensity in the c3 band and greatly reduced stain intensity in the a3 and b2 bands. The fibrils are spindle-shaped, possessing no constant-diameter region throughout their length. The shape of the fibrils is mechanically advantageous for their reinforcing role in a discontinuous fiber-composite material.