Selection of solvent load and first-stage pressure to reduce interference effects in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

In inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry the first-stage pressure and solvent characteristics can strongly influence spectral and nonspectroscopic interference effects. By manipulating the pressure and solvent load, one can regulate the degree of analyte signal suppression observed in the presence of high concentrations (> 10 mM) of concomitants. Importantly, the same operating conditions that eliminate the matrix effects maintain the analytical utility of the system. However, for some interferent-analyte combinations, the identity of the concomitant anion and subsequent pH of the solution determine whether the interference effects can be eliminated entirely. The first-stage pressure does not appear to significantly affect the oxide-ion and doubly charged ion ratios; the solvent characteristics are the dominant factors that dictate these ratios.     

Recognition hysteresis of the acetylcholine receptor of torpedo Californica

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAcChR) of the electric organ of Torpedo californica fish exhibits a pronounced hysteresis loop in the high affinity binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (AcCh). When increasing amounts of AcCh are added (pulse mode) an extremely long-lived, metastable conformer distribution is obtained (lower hysteresis branch) between low affinity AcCh binding states (R_l) and high (R_h) and very high (R_vh) affinity states. Dialysis conditions always lead to the equilibrium binding curve (upper hysteresis branch; K̄_A = 5 × 10⁻⁹M, 4°C; one A bound to the R-monomer of M_r ≈ 290 000). Cyclic, pulse mode addition and dilution of AcCh results in scanning loops within the main hysteresis. The kinetic analysis of the changes in free and bound AcCh during the open-system conditions of dialysis, that releases the metastability, shows that the AcCh (A) binding proceeds along an induced-fit pathway according to A+R_h ⇋ AR_n ⇋ AR_vh. The rate constant of the step AR_h → AR_vh is k₂ = 6 × 10⁻³s⁻¹ and that of the reverse step is k₋₂ = 3 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹. Direct binding of A to free R_vh can be excluded. Therefore, the state R_vh does not preexist, it is induced and only stable, as AR_vh, by bound AcCh. The metastability can be described in terms of long-lived AR_vh ·R₁ hybrid dimers. Physiologically, the metastable hybrid may be viewed as a saving device: the functionally important, channel-active R₁ conformer is, at low AcCh-concentrations [A] < 1μM, prevented to convert to the desensitized states R_h and AR_vh. Furtheron, AcCh enhances the phosphorylation of phosphatidyl inositol and the auto-phosphorylation of the receptor. If the AcCh binding hysteresis causes a phosphorylation hysteresis the desensitized nAcChR may serve as a memory molecule of the transsynaptic information signalling of the neurotransmission.     

Viscoelastic type magnetic effects and self-gravity on the propagation of MHD waves

Meccanica - We take up the challenge to explain the correlation between the Jeans instability topic towards star formation within the accelerated expansion of universe and the role of torsional...     

On some properties of the curvature and Ricci tensors in complex affine geometry

We present a new approach — which is more general than the previous ones — to the affine differential geometry of complex hypersurfaces inC ⁿ⁺¹. Using this general approach we study some curvature conditions for induced connections.The research supported by Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung and KBN grant no. 2 P30103004.     

Phonetogram Changes for Trained Singers Over a Nine-Month Period of Vocal Training

Professional vocalists encounter demands requiring voluntary control of phonation, while utilizing a considerable range of frequency and intensity. These quantifiable acoustic events can be measured and represented in a phonetogram. Previous research has compared the phonetograms of trained and untrained voices and found significant differences between these groups. This study was designed to assess the effects of vocal training for singers over a period of nine months. Phonetogram contour changes were examined, with the primary focus on expansion of frequency range and/or intensity control. Twenty-one first-year, master's level, vocal music students, who were engaged in an intensive vocal performance curriculum, participated in this study. Following nine months of vocal training, significant differences were revealed in the subjects' mean frequency range and minimum vocal intensity across frequency levels. There was no significant difference for the mean maximum vocal intensity across frequency levels following vocal training.     

Minimal cogenerators need not be unique

A_n = A_n(?) denotes the unique left distributive binary system on {0, 1,…,2ⁿ?1) that satisfies a ? 1 = a + 1 mod 2ⁿfor all a ? A_n, and o_n(a) = k indicates the period 2^kof a ? A_n (if b,c ? A_n, then a ? b = a ? c iff b ‵ c mod 2^kand if 0 < b < c < 2^kthen a < a ? b < a ? c). Amongs others, we prove that o_t2(2^t?2) ≤ t holds for every integer t ≥ 2, the equality taking place iff t is of the form 2^2? for an integer s ≥ 0.     

Uniqueness of H-surfaces in {\mathbb{H}}^2 \times \mathbb{R},{{\vert H\vert \leq 1/2}} , with boundary one or two parallel horizontal circles

We prove that a H-surface M in ${\mathbb{H}}^2 \times {\mathbb{R}} ,\vert H\vert \leq 1/2$ , inherits the symmetries of its boundary $\partial M,$ when $\partial M$ is either a horizontal curve with curvature greater than one or two parallel horizontal curves with curvature greater than one, whose distance is greater or equal to π. Furthermore we prove that the asymptotic boundary of a surface with mean curvature bounded away from zero consists of parts of straight lines, provided it is sufficiently regular.