Theoretic quantum information entropies for the generalized hyperbolic potential

The Shannon entropy (S) and the Fisher Information (I) entropies are investigated for a generalized hyperbolic potential in position and momentum spaces. First, the Schrodinger equation is solved exactly using the Nikiforov-Uvarov-Functional Analysis method to obtain the energy spectra and the corresponding wave function. By Fourier transforming the position space wave function, the corresponding momentum wave function was obtained for the low-lying states corresponding to the ground and first excited states. The positions and momentum of Shannon entropy and Fisher Information entropies were calculated numerically. Finally, the Bialynicki-Birula and Mycielski and the Stam-Cramer-Rao inequalities for the Shannon entropy and Fisher Information entropies, respectively, were tested and were found to be satisfied for all cases considered.     

Asymmetry in the Multiprotein Systems of Molecular Biology

Signaling in living systems needs to achieve high specificity, to be reversible, and to achieve high signal to noise. Signaling mediated by multiprotein systems has evolved that avoids the requirement for high-affinity binary complexes that would be difficult to reverse and which, in the overcrowded cell, would lead to excessive noise in the system. Symmetrical structures are only occasionally formed. When they are, it is principally to colocate components, for example, the tyrosyl kinases of growth factors, where dimers form. Symmetry is, however, often broken, presumably to create more sensitivity and specificity in the signaling system by assembling other components, into higher-order multiprotein systems. The binding of a single heparin to two 1:1 FGF:FGFR complexes is an example, as is the binding of a single ligase to the Xrcc4 dimer, perhaps so creating a further DNA-binding site.     

Some modifications of the quasilinearization method with higher-order convergence for solving nonlinear BVPs

In this paper, modifications of the quasilinearization method with higher-order convergence for solving nonlinear differential equations are constructed. A general technique for systematically obtaining iteration schemes of order m (?>?2) for finding solutions of highly nonlinear differential equations is developed. The proposed iterative schemes have convergence rates of cubic, quartic and quintic orders. These schemes were further applied to bifurcation problems and to obtain critical parameter values for the existence and uniqueness of solutions. The accuracy and validity of the new schemes is tested by finding accurate solutions of the one-dimensional Bratu and Frank-Kamenetzkii equations.     

The protection of uracil and guanine residues in oligonucleotide synthesis

The protection of uracil and 2-$\text{N}$-acyl guanine residues with 4-$\text{O}$-phenyl [or 4-$\text{O}$-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)] and 6-$\text{O}$-(2-nitrophenyl) groups as in $\text{7a}$ [or $\text{7b}$] and $\text{9}$, respectively, is described. These $\text{O}$-aryl protecting groups, which appear to withstand the usual conditions of oligonucleotide synthesis, may readily be removed by treatment with 2-nitrobenzaldoximate ions.     

A stereotypic,transplantable liver tissue-culture system

A method of coculturing adult rat hepatic parenchymal cells (PC) and stromal cells in a three-dimensional framework of nylon filtration screens or biodegradable polymer meshes was developed in our laboratory. Rat liver stroma, which includes vascular and bile duct endothelial cells, fat-storing cells, fibroblasts, and Kupffer cells, were isolated by gradient centrifugation afterin situ liver perfusion and expanded in monolayer culture prior to seeding onto nylon screens or bioresorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) polymers oriented into a felt-like construct. A second inoculum of freshly isolated PC was applied after the stromal cells became established. Histological analyses revealed that PC proliferation occurred until all available space for expansion within the template was exhausted. These cells retained their rounded morphology, and after 4–5 wk 7–9 “layers” of PC filled the 140-μm deep template. Dioxin-inducible cytochrome P450 activity was detected for up to 58 d in culture, and albumin, fibrinogen, transferrin, and soluble fibronectin were detected in the medium by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for 48 d in vitro. Immunohistochemical analysis of sections through the cultures confirmed the presence of these proteins as well as cytokeratin at the cellular level; the extracellular matrix stained for both collagen type III and laminin. Long-term PC proliferation and function were enhanced by the presence of stromal cells as well as by a meshwork template whose geometry allows the interaction of PC with stroma and matrix on several different planes. To permit transplantation, co-cultures of hepatic PC and stromal cells were established on PGA felt constructs instead of nylon screens. After 24 d in vitro, these constructs were grafted into sites in the mesentery, omentum, and sub-cutaneous tissues of adult Long-Evans rats. The growth of hepatocytes after 30 din situ was evident by histological analysis; grafts of co-cultures regenerated a liver-like architecture consisting of sinusoids and putative biliary structures. In addition, PC at these extrahepatic graft sites were positive for albumin, transferrin, and fibrinogen synthesis by immunohistochemistry. Graft survival was enhanced when recipients were subjected to 40% hepatectomy. Hepatic PC:stromal cell cocultures may prove useful in the restoration of liver function either by direct transplantation using PGA or similar templates, or as extracorporeal devices, using nylon screens.     

Optimization of solid-phase clean-up prior to liquid chromatographic analysis of ochratoxin A in roasted coffee

An extraction and clean-up method for ochratoxin A (OA) in roasted coffee has been developed and the HPLC method optimized. An interfering compound with a similar retention time as OA was adsorbed by the aminopropyl (NH2) material at < or = 5% NaHCO3. Residual OA on the column was recovered by washing with the extraction solution followed with methanol. Fractions were mixed together for further clean-up with Ochratest immunoaffinity columns (IACs). Analysis by HPLC resulted in a well resolved OA peak and reduction in matrix interferences. Recoveries ranged from 72 to 84% and the detection limit was 1 ng/g.     

Viscous Dissipation and Thermal Radiation Effects on Mixed Convection from a Vertical Plate in a Non-Darcy Porous Medium

The paper presents an investigation of the influence of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation on the mixed convective flow due to a vertical plate immersed in a non-Darcy porous medium saturated with a Newtonian fluid. The physical properties of the fluid are assumed to be constant. The Rosseland approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations and solved numerically using a shooting method. The results are analyzed for the effects of various physical parameters such as viscous dissipation, thermal radiation, mixed convection parameters, and the modified Reynolds number on dynamics. The heat transfer coefficient is also tabulated for different values of the physical parameters.     

Convection from a stretching surface with suction and power-law variation in species concentration

The problem of laminar natural convection flow from a permeable semi-infinite accelerating vertical surface that is coated with a reacting chemical species is studied. The plate velocity and the species concentration vary as power laws. The fundamental parameters of the problem are the Schmidt number, the surface permeability and the reaction rate. The governing equations were transformed to a non-similar form and then solved analytically and numerically using the Keller box method. A parametric study illustrating the effects of the flow parameters on the velocity and the concentration fields was conducted and the physical aspects of the problem discussed. The study found, inter alia, that the fluid motion is decelerated by increases in the permeability of the accelerating surface and that the rate of mass transfer increases with Schmidt numbers but reduces with increasing reaction rates and the porosity of the accelerating surface.     

A multi-domain spectral method for non-Darcian mixed convection flow in a power-law fluid with viscous dissipation

The purpose of this study is to investigate non-Darcian mixed convection flow, heat and mass transfer in a non-Newtonian power-law fluid over a flat plate embedded in porous medium with suction and viscous dissipation and also is to demonstrate the application and utility of a recently developed multi-domain bivariate spectral quasi-linearisation method (MD-BSQLM) in finding the solutions of highly nonlinear differential equations. The flow is subject to, among other source terms, internal heat generation, thermal radiation and partial velocity slip. The coupled system of nonlinear partial differential equations are solved using a MD-BSQLM to find the fluid properties, the skin friction, as well as the heat and mass coefficients. We have presented selected results that give the significance of some system parameters on the fluid properties. This MD-BSQLM has not been used before in the literature to find the nature of the solutions of power-law fluids. Indeed, validation of this numerical method for general fluid flows, heat and mass transfer problems has not yet been done. This study presents the first opportunity to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of the MD-BSQLM in finding solutions of non-Newtonian fluids.     

Development of a colloidal gold-based lateral-flow immunoassay for the rapid simultaneous detection of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol

A multianalyte lateral-flow technique using colloidal gold-labeled monoclonal antibodies was developed for the rapid simultaneous detection of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA). The results of this qualitative one-step test were interpreted visually. A very simple and fast sample preparation was used, and the assay procedure could be accomplished within 10 min. When applied to spiked wheat samples, the technique gave accurate and reproducible results. Cut-off levels of 1500 and 100 μg kg⁻¹ for DON and ZEA, respectively, were observed. The described multianalyte format can be used as a reliable, rapid and cost-effective on-site screening technique for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins in grain samples.