Iodine magnetic moments measured by on-line nuclear orientation

On-Line measurements of magnetic dipole moments of^117–122I are interpreted using coupling of the odd particles to a deformed core. The results show interesting effects of g_7/2, d_5/2 orbital admixtures in the odd-A isotopes, which are close to spherical. The odd-odd isotopes^{118, 120}I show clear examples of shape co-existence.     

A branch and bound algorithm for solving the multiple-choice knapsack problem

The multiple-choice knapsack problem is a binary knapsack problem with the addition of disjoint multiple-choice constraints. We describe a branch and bound algorithm based on embedding Glover and Klingman's method for the associated linear program within a depth-first search procedure. A heuristic is used to find a starting dual feasible solution to the associated linear program and a ‘pegging’ test is employed to reduce the size of the problem for the enumeration phase. Computational experience and comparisons with the code of Nauss and an algorithm of Armstrong et al. for the same problem are reported.     

Study of 170,171,173Ta isotopes at high spinṡ

High-spin data are presented for ¹⁷⁰Ta and ¹⁷¹Ta for the first time, and the known level scheme of ¹⁷³Ta is extended to higher spins. Anomalies found in the crossing frequencies for the alignment of a pair of neutrons are considered. At high spin a large and constant value of J⁽²⁾, with J⁽²⁾ > J⁽¹⁾, is found for two ¹⁷¹Ta bands and the implications of this are discussed. The πi_13/2 [660]1/2⁺, α = + 1/2 orbital is identified as it crosses the rotational band built on the [402]5/2⁺, α = + 1/2 orbital in ¹⁷¹Ta. Magnetic transition probabilities obtained from measured branching ratios show the effects of the aligning pair of neutrons and the spectator orbital. The data are interpreted using cranked shell-model calculations and a semiclassical vector-coupling scheme developed by Donau and Frauendorf.     

Comprehensive quality control programme for serology and nucleic acid testing using an Internet-based application

The National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia (NRL) has quality assured the serology for high risk blood-borne infections since 1985, commencing with anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) enzyme immunoassays and later extending the programmes to other blood-borne virus testing and to nucleic acid testing. A quality control (QC) programme was considered the most appropriate manner in which to achieve real-time monitoring. An Internet-based application, EDCNet, facilitates the entry of results of QC sample testing and returns the analysed results instantaneously. Results can be displayed in a variety of tables and charts, so that QC results from blood service and diagnostic laboratories can be monitored. Comparison of results between laboratories using the same system offers monitoring of accuracy, while within-laboratory comparisons offer monitoring of the assay precision. More than 200,000 data points were submitted to EDCNet in 2002 from blood service laboratories as well as from diagnostic laboratories. Analysis of reagent batch variability was determined, e.g. the coefficient of variation between batches of seven assays used to detect anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies ranged from 4.9% to 21.6%. Using EDCNet, laboratories can monitor both precision and accuracy of results by comparison with the results of other laboratories. The system may be a highly cost-effective method for maintaining quality.

Solid-phase synthesis and biological screening of N-alpha-mercaptoamide template-based matrix metalloprotease inhibitors

A series of N-alpha-mercaptoacetyl containing dipeptides have been prepared on solid-phase supports as putative matrix metalloprotease (MMP) inhibitors. Inhibitor design was based on a positional scanning approach of the amino acids present within a template molecule, previously shown to be an MMP inhibitor with good pharmacological characteristics. This study is the first step in a unique programme, designed to expand the repertoire of molecular templates which can be chosen as starting points for the development of more focused parallel and/or combinatorial libraries of MMP inhibitors as a means to accelerate the lead discovery process. This paper reports the success of such an approach in the development of agents with activity against a number of pathologically important MMPs. After screening of these positional scanning libraries, we have obtained important SAR information, in particular, pharmacophores with the ability to impart selectivity for particular MMP species.     

Speed-dependent Voigt profile for water vapor in infrared remote sensing applications

The Voigt profile does not provide a sufficiently accurate representation of the line shape for air-broadened H₂O vapor over a significant range of conditions commonly encountered in atmospheric remote sensing. A speed-dependent Voigt profile yields much improved residuals in the analysis of water from infrared measurements collected by the atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE), a satellite mission for remote sensing of the Earth's atmosphere. An analytical expression is presented for the rapid calculation of the speed-dependent Voigt profile.     

Localization of muonium at empty micelles: As evidenced by decreased spin relaxation rates

Muonium apparently localizes preferentially in the hydrocarbon phase of micelles in water. The evidence for this appears in the form of a decrease in the muonium relaxation rate towards a solute (nitrate ions) present in the bulk aqueous phase, when micelles are added. A two-component relaxation function for the muonium signal was used in the ‘fitting’, and showed that the residence time was short compared to the muon or muonium lifetime.