Mathematical model of substance active transport via cytoplasmic membrane of microbial cell along concentration gradient

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Considering the process of methane generation by methanogenic bacteria as an example, the model describes the distribution of methane concentration inside...     

The continuation of the periodic table up to Z = 172. The chemistry of superheavy elements

The chemical elements up toZ = 172 are calculated with a relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater program taking into account the effect of the extended nucleus. Predictions of the binding energies, the X-ray spectra and the number of electrons inside the nuclei are given for the inner electron shells. The predicted chemical behaviour will be discussed for all elements betweenZ = 104-120 and compared with previous known extrapolations. For the elementsZ = 121–172 predictions of their chemistry and a proposal for the continuation of the Periodic Table are given. The eighth chemical period ends withZ = 164 located below Mercury. The ninth period starts with an alkaline and alkaline earth metal and ends immediately similarly to the second and third period with a noble gas atZ = 172.

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Zusammenfassung Mit einem relativistischen Hartree-Fock-Slater Rechenprogramm werden die chemischen Elemente bis zur Ordnungszahl 172 berechnet, wobei der Einfluß des ausgedehnten Kernes berücksichtigt wurde. Für die innersten Elektronenschalen werden Voraussagen über deren Bindungsenergie, das Röntgenspektrum und die Zahl der Elektronen im Kern gemacht. Die voraussichtliche Chemie der Elemente zwischenZ = 104 und 120 wird diskutiert und mit bereits vorhandenen Extrapolationen verglichen. Für die ElementeZ =121–172 wird eine Voraussage über das chemische Verhalten gegeben, sowie ein Vorschlag für die Fortsetzung des Periodensystems gemacht. Die achte chemische Periode endet mit dem Element 164 im Periodensystem unter Quecksilber gelegen. Die neunte Periode beginnt mit einem Alkali- und Erdalkalimetall und endet sofort wieder wie in der zweiten und dritten Periode mit einem Edelgas beiZ = 172.

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Resumé Les éléments chimiques jusqu'áZ = 172 sont calculés à l'aide d'un programme Hartree-Fock-Slater relativiste en tenant compte de l'extension du noyau. On fournit des prédictions quant aux énergies de liaison, aux spectres X et au nombre d'électrons dans les noyaux pour les couches électroniques internes. Le comportement chimique prévu est discuté pour tous les éléments entreZ = 104–120 et comparé aux extrapolations connues auparavant. Pour les éléments Z =121–172 on effectue des prévisions de propriétés chimiques et l'on propose un prolongement du Tableau Périodique. La huitième période chimique se termine àZ = 164 sous le mercure. La neuviéme période débute avec un métal alcalin et alcalino-terreux et se termine comme la seconde et la troisième période avec un gaz rare àZ = 172.

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This work has been supported by the Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Bildung and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Calculation of skin permeability coefficient for ionized and unionized species of indomethacin.

The contribution of ionized and unionized species to the overall permeation of weak electrolytes through the skin was investigated to determine the effect of pH in the vehicle on the permeability of indomethacin (IDM), as a model drug, through hairless rat skin. The permeability of IDM through polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) membranes which may reflect lipid and aqueous pathway, respectively, was also measured for comparison. As the pH in the vehicle increased, there was an exponential increase in the skin permeation rate of IDM. The permeation rate of IDM through the silicone membrane was constant independent of pH, whereas that through the pHEMA membrane increased with increasing pH, similar to the skin permeation. The permeability coefficients of ionized and unionized species through the skin estimated using the skin permeation rates and solubilities of IDM at various pHs were 1.50 x 10(-7) and 2.79 x 10(-5) cm/s, respectively. These results indicated that the permeation of ionized species greatly contributed to the total permeation of IDM at higher pH, and that the total permeation rate of IDM was determined by the permeation of unionized species at lower pH. These contributions depend on the pH and pKa values and the ratio of permeability coefficient of each species. It was also confirmed that the skin has at least two kinds of permeation pathways and these two species permeate through a different pathway.     

Pulsed photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy for weak absorption measurement

A novel photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy configuration based on the retro-reflected beam interference has been developed and its operational principle is described. The weak absorption measurement ability of this technique is experimentally proven with a water/ethanol solution of standard Pyronine G dye and the limit of detection is found to be 1.8 x 10(-6) absorbance. Potential applications of the technique are discussed.     

Wirkungsgrade in der Welt des Lebens und der Technik

Zusammenfassung Um der oft gehörten Meinung entgegenzutreten, die energetischen Wirkungsgrade lebender Organismen seien wesentlich höher als die technischer Verfahren, werden entsprechende Werte miteinander verglichen. Der sehr niedrige Wirkungsgrad der Photosynthese zusammen mit der kleinen Energiedichte der Sonnenstrahlung erzwang ab einer kritischen Größe die Aufspaltung in Energiesammler, die Pflanzen, und Verbraucher chemischer Energie, den Tieren. Dank den 10 mal höheren Wirkungsgraden in der Technik, lassen sich Solarmobile bauen, die von der auf sie fallenden Sonnenstrahlung angetrieben werden. Wegen des Multiplikationsgesetzes der Teilwirkungsgrade ergeben sich sowohl für die Speicherung der Sonnenenergie in den fossilen Brennstoffen wie in der Nahrungskette extrem niedrige Wirkungsgrade.

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Efficiencies in the world of life and in engineering

One often hears the opinion, that the efficiencies in the world of life are higher than in engineering. To disprove this, many values of efficiency of corresponding processes are compared. The very low efficiency of photosynthesis in living plants together with the low density of solar radiation has led the world of life to split into collectors of energy, the plants, and consumers of chemical energy, the animals. Thanks to the ten times higher efficiencies of solar cells, it is possible, to produce solar mobiles, vehicles that move driven by solar radiation.

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Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. U. Grigull zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet     

An introduction to covariant superstring field theories

A pedagogical account is given of the recent developments in covariant (super)string field theories. After reviewing the construction of the free open bosonic string field theory, the super-symmetric case is treated and the space-time supersymmetry transformations are explained. The present status and some future problems are also summarized.Invited talk presented at the International Conference Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematical Physics, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, June 23–27, 1986.On leave of absence fromNational Laboratory for High Energy Physics (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.I would like to thank A. Neveu, H. Nicolai and P. West for many discussions, and the CERN Theoretical Physics Division for hospitality and generous support.     

On the diffusion field in the neighborhood of two identical spheres

Summary Under steady state conditions the reduction in the diffusive flux into a sphere due the presence of a neighboring, identical sphere is calculated. Taking the flux into a sphere as 1 when the particles are at infinite separation, the flux decreases to a minimum value of 0.693 when the spheres are touching.

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Zusammenfassung Unter stationären Bedingungen wird die Abnahme des Diffusionsflusses in eine Kugel, bedingt durch eine benachbarte identische Kugel, berechnet.Wird der Diffusionsfluß in eine Kugel gleich 1 gesetzt, wenn die Partikel unendlich weit voneinander entfernt sind, so nimmt der Diffusionsfluß auf einen Minimalwert von 0,693 ab, wenn sich die Kugeln berühren.

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With 2 figures