Ion exchange of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Cr(3+) on natural clinoptilolite: selectivity determination and influence of acidity on metal uptake

In the present study ion exchange of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), and Cr(3+) on natural Greek clinoptilolite was examined in terms of selectivity toward the above heavy metals in single- and multicomponent solutions in batch systems. Also examined are the influence of clinoptilolite on solution acidity and the effect of acidity on the ion exchange process. Clinoptilolite increases solution acidity due to the exchange of H(+) cations with the cations initially present in its structure. H(+) cations should be considered as competitive ones in ion exchange processes, and consequently ion exchange of metals is favored at high acidity values. Cu(2+) and Cr(3+) are the most sensitive cations with respect to acidity. Selectivity determination demonstrates that the selectivity at total concentration 0.01 N and acidity 2 in both single- and multicomponent solutions is following the order Pb(2+)>Fe(3+)>Cr(3+) > or =Cu(2+). This order is set since the first days of equilibration. However, Cu(2+) shows remarkable changes in selectivity and generally its uptake and selectivity are increasing with time. On the other hand selectivity in single metal solutions where acidity is not adjusted is following the order Pb(2+)>Cr(3+)>Fe(3+) congruent with Cu(2+).     

Shortest Path Problem on a Network with Imprecise Edge Weight

A network with its arc lengths as imprecise number, instead of a real number, namely, interval number and triangular fuzzy number is considered here. Existing ideas on addition and comparison between two imprecise numbers of same type are introduced. To obtain a fuzzy shortest path from a source vertex to all other vertices, a common algorithm is developed which works well on both types of imprecise numbers under consideration. In the proposed algorithm, a decision-maker is to negotiate with the obtained fuzzy shortest paths according to his/her view only when the means are same but the widths are different of the obtained paths. Otherwise, a fuzzy optimal path is obtained to which the decision-maker always satisfies with different grades of satisfaction. All pairs fuzzy shortest paths can be found by repeated use of the proposed algorithm.     

The Role of the Pars Recta and Pars Oblique of Cricothyroid Muscle in Speech Production

To evaluate the functional difference of the pars recta and pars oblique during speech production, the electromyographic activities of these muscles were measured in thyroidectomized patients. The hooked wire electrodes were inserted into the normal side of the bellies of the pars recta and pars oblique bundles. Two kinds of sentences were used to obtain pitch changes, a simple interrogative sentence and a complex sentence with stress contrasts. The pars recta and pars oblique were simultaneously activated for initial lengthening and tensing of vocal folds to produce speech. The pars oblique might be initially more active than the pars recta at the initial task of speech and the pars recta might be more active at the pitch elevation in the interrogative sentence and the stress contrast of the complex sentence. The maximum electromyographic activity range of the pars recta and pars oblique seemed to be nearly equal. These results demonstrated that the patterns of electrical activities of the two bellies are different during speech and the combined activities of the pars recta and pars oblique are important in the adjustment of the vocal fold length during speech.     

Functional model of oxomolybdoenzymes: Synthesis and characterization of a molybdenum complex with sulphur and pterin ligands exhibiting saturation kinetics with pyridine N-oxide

Redox reaction between 6-acetonylisoxanthopterin (H₂pte) and [Mo^VIO₂ (ssp)] [ssp = anion of 2-(salicylideneamino) benzenethiol] in CH₃OH-C₂H₅OH medium produces a new mixed ligand compound [Mo^IV (ssp) (Hpte) (OCH₃)] (1). It has been characterized by elemental analysis, ESMS data, UV-Vis, IR,¹HNMR (1D and 2D) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Kinetics of formation of this compound as well as that of its reaction with pyridine N-oxide have been followed spectrophotometrically. Both the reactions follow substrate saturation kinetics and involve metal-centred oxygen atom transfer process. Large negative values of entropy of activation indicate the operation of associative mechanism.     

镜像配基筛选:克服“酶屏障”的多肽、寡核苷酸药物研发技术

生物体内存在的酶屏障是功能性多肽和寡核苷酸成药的重要瓶颈.以镜像噬菌体展示技术(mirror-image phage display)和镜像适配体筛选技术(Spiegelmer technology)为代表的镜像配基筛选技术能有效地克服这一屏障,获得对靶点具有特异识别能力且在生理条件下高度稳定的D型多肽和L型寡核苷酸配基,有望成为多肽或寡核苷酸类特异性药物研发的有利工具.本文主要综述镜像配基筛选技术的原理及其在药学领域的研究进展.