Immunoassay for native enzyme quantification in biological samples

In order to detect low levels of enzyme activity, specifically glucose oxidase, in biological samples, an immunoenzymatic assay was developed since currently available methods could not be used because of either their lack of sensitivity or the conditions prevailing in our samples: turbidity of the medium, presence of redox systems other than glucose oxidase, and high concentration of proteins. The principle of the method is to coat a polystyrene surface with a fragment Fc-specific anti-IgG, then with an antibody directed against the looked-for enzyme, which is simultaneously the antigen and the enzyme activity required for immunoenzymatic detection. We applied this concept to biological samples after glucose oxidase administration to mice. This method achieves specificity and sensitivity (20 ng/mL or 1 ng) with samples of biological origin. No marker is needed since the antigen itself possesses an enzyme activity. This method, which requires a small sample volume (50 ΜL, 20 ΜL, if necessary), can be extended easily to the many enzymes currently used as markers. It could also be applied to the native enzymes of medical interest for which antibodies and a colorimetric reaction are available.     

Viscoelastic properties of amorphous polymers 3: low molecular weight poly(methylphenylsiloxane)

By making creep and recoverable creep measurements of a nearly monodisperse low molecular weight poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) sample, we have found on decreasing temperature towardsT _g that there is continuously a change in the viscoelastic spectrum concomitant with a decrease of the steadystate recoverable compliance. This behavior is exactly the same as previously observed in low molecular weight poly(styrene), proving that this spectacular anomaly in the viscoelasticity of low molecular weight polymers is general and deserves an explanation. Photon correlation spectroscopic measurements performed on the same sample have extended the observation of the viscoelastic response to shorter times and the result corroborates the trend of variation established by the creep data.Dedicated to Prof.Dr. E. W. Fischer on his 65th Birthday. Prof.Dr. Fischer is known for his valuable contribution to fosterine, international collaboration of research in polymer science. This work is an example of his contribution because it would not be possible without him bringing us together. One of us (KLN) would like to take this opportunity to thank Prof. Dr. Fischer for his unwaiving support of the 1st (Crete) and the 2nd (Alicante) International Discussion Meeting on Relaxations in Complex Systems     

Correlation of modified crack tip opening distance with heat input to the heat affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels

Investigated is the dependency of the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) on the local microstructure of the heat affected zone in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) microalloyed steel. Since the initiation of the crack tip location could not be controlled in fatigue, any possible correlation between heat iput in welding and fracture toughness could be smeared. Modified CTOD data are defined; they show that the fracture resistance of the weld joint decreased as the heat input increased.     

T1Effects in Sequential Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Experiments

Residual effects of an initial bolus of gadolinium contrast agent have been previously demonstrated in sequential dynamic susceptibility contrast MR experiments. While these residual effects quickly reach a saturation steady state, their etiology is uncertain, and they can lead to spurious estimates of hemodynamic parameters in activation experiments. The possible influence ofT₁effects is now investigated with experiments in whichT₁weighting is varied as well as with serial regionalT₁measurements. Little evidence for significant residualT₁effects is found, suggesting instead that susceptibility effects underlie these observations. An initial saturation dose of contrast agent minimizes this effect.     

Singularities in cascade models of the Euler equation

The formation of singularities in the three-dimensional Euler equation is investigated. This is done by restricting the number of Fourier modes to a set which allows only for local interactions in wave number space. Starting from an initial large-scale energy distribution, the energy rushes towards smaller scales, forming a universal front independent of initial conditions. The front results in a singularity of the vorticity in finite time, and has scaling form as function of the time difference from the singularity. Using a simplified model, we compute the values of the exponents and the shape of the front analytically. The results are in good agreement with numerical simulations.     

First excitations of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice

We study the exact low energy spectra of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on small samples of the kagomé lattice of up to N=36 sites. In agreement with the conclusions of previous authors, we find that these low energy spectra contradict the hypothesis of Néel type long range order. Certainly, the ground state of this system is a spin liquid, but its properties are rather unusual. The magnetic () excitations are separated from the ground state by a gap. However, this gap is filled with nonmagnetic () excitations. In the thermodynamic limit the spectrum of these nonmagnetic excitations will presumably develop into a gapless continuum adjacent to the ground state. Surprisingly, the eigenstates of samples with an odd number of sites, i.e. samples with an unsaturated spin, exhibit symmetries which could support long range chiral order. We do not know if these states will be true thermodynamic states or only metastable ones. In any case, the low energy properties of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice clearly distinguish this system from either a short range RVB spin liquid or a standard chiral spin liquid. Presumably they are facets of a generically new state of frustrated two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets. Received: 27 November 1997 / Accepted: 29 January 1998     

Stochastic integrators indexed by a multi-dimensional parameter

Summary Multi-parameter stochastic integrators are described and classified according to directions of integrability. Sets of directions are distinguished precisely by the combinatorial dimension of corresponding fractional Cartesian products. The main theorem establishes existence of stochastic processes which are integrators in prescribed directions but not others.     

Operational Research and Regulation: Theory and Practice

In this Blackett Lecture, Professor Littlechild, Director General of Electricity Supply in the UK's Office of Electricity Regulation, renews acquaintance with some models he has developed over the years, introduces some models he has recently met, and discusses models that it would seem to be worthwhile developing. He concludes that for all concerned in the electricity industry, success depends on ever improving decision-making, in which OR has a vital role.     

Investigation of the layer-by-layer transition near the bulk smectic-A-crystal-B transition in thick free-standing films

Highly sensitive optical reflectivity measurements are used to investigate the layer-by-layer transition in extremely thin and thick N-(4-n-hexyloxybenzylidene)-4-n-hexylaniline (6O.6) films. The simple power-law form, N=N ₀ t ^−1/3, for the penetration of the crystal-B order is found to describe the transitions only near the surface. A deviation from the power law is observed for the interior layers. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 63, No. 4, 266–269 (25 February 1996) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power,pulse duration and spectral width of a cw mode-locked picosecond optical parametric oscillator

We report on a cw mode-locked non-critically phase matched KTP optical parametric oscillator synchronously pumped by a picosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. High average signal output power of up to 950 mW over a large tuning range has been achieved. For this OPO the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power, pulse duration and spectral bandwidth has been investigated. The measured data are in good agreement with the results of a numerical simulation using a split-step Fourier method which considers the group-velocity mismatch, the group-velocity dispersion and the self-phase modulation. The numerical simulation also describes the measured strong pump depletion and its influence on the OPO output and efficiency.