Computation of the quasi-stationary distributions inM(n)/GI/1/K andGI/M(n)/1/K queues

In this paper, we provide numerical means to compute the quasi-stationary (QS) distributions inM/GI/1/K queues with state-dependent arrivals andGI/M/1/K queues with state-dependent services. These queues are described as finite quasi-birth-death processes by approximating the general distributions in terms of phase-type distributions. Then, we reduce the problem of obtaining the QS distribution to determining the Perron-Frobenius eigenvalue of some Hessenberg matrix. Based on these arguments, we develop a numerical algorithm to compute the QS distributions. The doubly-limiting conditional distribution is also obtained by following this approach. Since the results obtained are free of phase-type representations, they are applicable for general distributions. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the power of our method.     

Fluorescence labeling of oligosaccharides useful in the determination of molecular interactions.

A simple method to label oligosaccharides with a multifunctional fluorescent group was developed. Oligosaccharides were quantitatively labeled at their reducing termini with pyrene butanoic acid hydrazide. The pyrene-labeled oligosaccharides were successfully applied to fluorescence polarization measurements and ELISA at picomole quantity, which was not previously reached by other procedures. This labeling method should prove to be useful in a variety of aspects in glycobiology.     

Thermosensitive biodegradable polydepsipeptide

A poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-like biodegradable thermosensitive polydepsipeptide, poly[Glc-Asn(N-isopropyl)], was synthesized by introducing an isopropyl amide group into poly[Glc-Asn]. Poly[Glc-Asn(N-isopropyl)] was degraded in vitro by cleavage of the ester bonds in the main chain in water at room temperature. The non-toxic nature of the polymer and its degradation products, coupled with a cloud point at 29 degrees C in water, make this polymer attractive for biomedical implant applications.     

Synthesis of acryloyl-type polymer fixing 5-fluorouracil residues through D-glucofuranoses and its antitumor activity

Acryloyl-type polymer fixing 1-β-carbonylethyl-5-fluorouracil residues through D -glucofuranoses via ester bonds was synthesized by means of polymerization of the corresponding monomer and polymer reaction. In order to provide the water-soluble objective polymer, the copolymerization of the acryloyl-type monomer with acrylamide was carried out. The extent of release of 5-FU residues from the copolymer was investigated in the enzyme or nonenzyme system in vitro. Furthermore, the antitumor activities of the water-insoluble homopolymer and water-soluble copolymer obtained were tested in vivo.     

Vinyl polymerization. CCCXXXIX. Effect of chain length of nylon 3 on the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated with the system of nylon 3, copper(II) ion,and water

It was found recently that the system of nylon 3, copper(II) ion, and water could initiate a radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA). In the present paper, the effect of average chain length of the molecules of nylon 3 on the rate of polymerization of MMA was studied. The rate increased with the chain length of nylon 3. This result was explained well by the fact that the shorter nylon 3 forms a complex with copper (II) ion more easily than longer nylon 3. It was assumed that the shorter nylon 3 fills three or four coordination sites of copper(II) ion and loses the ability to initiate the polymerization. The efficiency of grafting of MMA and the degree of polymerization of MMA homopolymer were independent of the chain length of nylon 3.     

Enantiospecific synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted allenes by palladium-catalyzed coupling of propargylic compounds with arylboronic acids

An enantiospecific coupling of propargylic esters and carbonates with arylboronic acids has been developed using a palladium catalyst. Optically active 1,3-disubstituted allenes were synthesized with high enantiomeric excesses by carrying out the reactions under basic aqueous conditions.     

Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part I. Chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at model electrodes

Equations for chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at partially covered electrodes have been derived using a model of hexagonal array of cylidrical spaces terminated, at the electrode surface, by concentric active and inactive regions. The boundary value problem was shown to be analogous to that for a charge transfer preceded by a chemical reaction. Experiments with the reduction of ferricyanide on gold model electrodes partially covered with photoresist layer showed excellent agreement with the theory. Application of the equations to estimation of coverage and size of active sites distributed on a electrode surface is discussed.     

Formation of polymeric micelles with amino surfaces from amphiphilic AB‐type diblock copolymers composed of poly(glycolic acid lysine) segments and polylactide segments

Amphiphilic AB‐type diblock copolymers composed of hydrophobic poly(L ‐lactide) (PLA) segments and hydrophilic poly(glycolic acid lysine) [poly(Glc‐Lys)] segments with amino side‐chain groups self‐associated to form PLA‐based polymeric micelles with amino surfaces in an aqueous solution. The average diameter of the loose core–shell polymeric micelles for poly(Glc‐Lys) [number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 1240]‐b‐PLA (M_n = 7000) obtained by a dimethyl sulfoxide/water dialysis method was estimated to be about 50 nm in water by dynamic light scattering measurements. The size and shape of the obtained polymeric micelles were further observed with transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. To investigate the possibility of applying the obtained PLA‐based polymeric micelles as bioabsorbable vehicles for hydrophobic drugs, we tested the entrapment of drugs in poly(Glc‐Lys) (M_n = 1240)‐b‐PLA (M_n = 7000) micelles and their release with doxorubicin as a hydrophobic drug. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1426–1432, 2002     

Separation and determination of some stereoisomers by capillary gel electrophoresis with cyclodextrin incorporated in polyacrylamide gel

Capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) was successfully applied to the separation of optically active isomers and position isomers by incorporating a suitable cyclodextrin chiral selector in polyacrylamide gel. A commercially available ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) was used for enantioselectivity towards o-, m- and p-nitrobenzoic acid, o-, m- and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-, m- and p-toluic acid and the optical isomers of dansyl-D,L-leucine and R,S-1,1-binaphthyl-2,2-dihydrogenphosphate. Especially the effect of organic solvents, such as acetonitrile, methanol, dimethylsulphoxide and others were examined in detail. The resolution varied to some extent with the addition of the organic solvent to the polyacrylamide gel and the running buffer solution. The possible mechanism has also been discussed. In addition, quantitative aspects of the separation of stereoisomers using CGE have been studied, showing that both the resolution and accuracy of the determinations were affected by the ratio of the enantiomers.     

Mechanism of gold adsorption by persimmon tannin gel.

Gold adsorption by persimmon tannin (PT) gel from a solution containing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) was examined. A flow-rate examination in a column system indicated the reduction of Au(III) ion to Au(0). XRD patterns clarified the existence of Au(0) on the gel which adsorbed gold. The gel could also adsorb colloidal Au(0) prepared independently. A model consisting of ligand exchange, Au(III) reduction to Au(0), and resulting Au(0) adsorption by PT gel was presented for the gold adsorption mechanism.