Protolytic reactions of 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine and 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine

The dissociation constants of diprotonated 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine (DMN) and 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine (DMB) have been determined spectrophotometrically. They are: pK(a1) = 2.62 +/- 0.03, pK(a2) = 3.33 +/- 0.09 for DMN: pK(a1) = 2.83 +/- 0.07, pK(a2) = 4.05 +/- 0.12 for DMB. The molar absorptivities (l.mole(-1).cm(-1)) of all forms of the indicators have been also determined: epsilon(B) = 1.68 x 10(4), epsilon(BH(+)) = 9.34 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(2+)(2)) = 1.80 x 10(3) at 300 nm for DMB; epsilon(B) = 7.33 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(+)) = 3.73 x 10(3), epsilon(BH(2+)(2)) = 0 at 330 nm for DMN.     

Two-dimensional model of elastically coupled molecular motors

A flashing ratchet model of a two-headed molecular motor in a two-dimensional potential is proposed to simulate the hand-over-hand motion of kinesins.Extensive Langevin simulations of the model are performed.We discuss the dependences of motion and efficiency on the model parameters,including the external force and the temperature.A good qualitative agreement with the expected behavior is observed.     

Exploration of a Cheaper Carbon Source for Extracellular β-glucosidase Synthesis from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Debaryomyces pseudopolymorphus</Emphasis> NRRL YB-4229

In the present work, interactions between common media components and fermentation conditions were explored to come up with a simple media recipe for extracellular β-glucosidase (Dβ-gl) synthesis from Debaryomyces pseudopolymorphus to substitute cellobiose, which is currently used as a sole carbon source. Taguchi L₂₅ orthogonal array design was used to screen factors influencing Dβ-gl synthesis (carbon, organic nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, trace elements, inoculum volume, and fermentation time). A significant influence of xylose, peptone, and potassium nitrate as carbon, organic nitrogen, and inorganic nitrogen sources, respectively, on Dβ-gl synthesis was identified by Taguchi. These factors were further optimized using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that in the range studied, potassium nitrate had insignificant effect while xylose, peptone, and xylose-peptone interaction had a significant effect on Dβ-gl synthesis. Peptone/xylose ratio of 1.33 was found to be an important parameter for inducing Dβ-gl synthesis. The regression coefficient (R ²) of 0.915 and P value of <0.0003 for the model indicated that it was highly significant. The maximum activity obtained after RSM (32.2 U/ml) was comparable with that obtained (68.8 U/ml) when cellobiose (20 g/l) was used as a sole carbon source. Considering the cost difference between xylose and cellobiose, a 16-fold cost reduction could be obtained for equivalent Dβ-gl yield. Fed-batch fermentations were carried out wherein peptone/xylose ratio of 1.33 was maintained and continuous Dβ-gl synthesis was observed.     

Potentiometric determination of dialysate urea nitrogen

An enzymatically modified ammonium ion-selective electrode has been applied for the determination of urea in spent dialysate. The biosensor has been used in a simple flow-injection analysis (FIA) system. The system enables one to perform over 25 dialysate urea nitrogen (DUN) determinations per hour. The interferences from other components of posthemodialysis fluid were eliminated by simultaneous measurements with non-modified enzymatically ion-selective electrode. It is possible to use both the sensors in a simplified differential potentiometric system. The results of DUN determination using the biosensor/FIA system and a conventional method of urea determination were comparable. The presented analytical system can potentially find wider biomedical application in the monitoring of hemodialysis progress.     

Strain gauges of GaSbFeGa<Subscript>1.3</Subscript> eutectic composites

A needle-shaped metallic FeGa_1.3 phase oriented in a specific direction and uniformly distributed within a GaSb matrix was grown by a vertical Bridgman method. Strain-gauge characteristics, such as strain-sensitivity coefficient (S), temperature coefficient of strain sensitivity (TCS) and temperature coefficient of resistance, of GaSb and GaSbFeGa_1.3 eutectic alloy have been investigated in the range of 200 to 400 K under deformation up to strains of 1.3×10^-3. The value of S of the GaSbFeGa_1.3 composition is measured to be 40±5 and its TCS is about 0.2 %deg^-1 when the current is perpendicular to the needles and the needles are parallel to the plane of the gauge substrate. The strain-sensitivity characteristics are linear and hysteresis free in the investigated temperature range in the aforementioned direction. It was found that GaSbFeGa_1.3-based strain gauges possess better deformation characteristics than GaSb-based gauges. PACS 72.80.Tm; 73.40.-c; 77.65.-j     

Über den Begriff der „Pseudogruppe von Transformationen”

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Asymptotic solution for the El Nio time delay sea-air oscillator model

A sea-air oscillator model is studied using the time delay theory.The aim is to find an asymptotic solving method for the El Nio -southern oscillation (ENSO) model.Employing the perturbed method,an asymptotic solution of the corresponding problem is obtained.Thus we can obtain the prognoses of the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly and the related physical quantities.     

Effect of the nonlinearity of the CCD in Fourier transform profilometry on spectrum overlapping and measurement accuracy

In Fourier transform profilometry (FTP), we must restrain spectrum overlapping caused by the nonlinearity of the charge coupled device (CCD) and increase the measurement accuracy of the object shape. Firstly, the causes of producing higher-order spectrum components and inducing spectrum overlapping are analysed theoretically, and a simple physical explanation and analytical deduction are given. Secondly, aiming to suppress spectrum overlapping and improve measurement accuracy, the influence of spatial carrier frequency of projection grating on them is analysed. A method of increasing the spatial carrier frequency of projection grating to restrain or reduce the spectrum overlapping significantly is proposed. We then analyze the mechanism of how the spectrum overlapping is reduced. Finally, the simulation results and experimental measurements verify the correction of the proposed theory and method.     

The pressure dependences of elastic and lattice dynamic properties of AlAs from ab initio calculations

Ab initio calculations,based on norm-conserving nonlocal pseudopotentials and density functional theory(DFT),are performed to investigate the structural,elastic,dielectric,and vibrational properties of aluminum arsenide(AlAs) with a zinc-blende(B3) structure and a nickel arsenide(B81) structure under hydrostatic pressure.Firstly,the path for the phase transition from B3 to B81 is confirmed by analyzing the energies of different structures,which is in good agreement with previous theoretical results.Secondly,we find that the elastic constants,bulk modulus,static dielectric constants,and the optical phonon frequencies vary in a nearly linear manner under hydrostatic pressure.What is more,the softening mode of the transversal acoustic mode at the X point supports the phase transition in AlAs.