The effect of variety seeking behaviour on optimal product positioning

In this paper we develop a stochastic (first order Markovian) consumer choice model that represents variety seeking behaviour and we investigate the practical implications of this model for optimal product positioning relative to a zero order model that does not incorporate variety seeking. We show that the optimal positioning implications of a variety seeking process is indeed different than those of a (no-variety-seeking) zero order process. Based on intuition, one might expect increased variety seeking to imply that firms should increase the distance between their products in an attribute space. In fact, we show that this effect does occur for relatively low share brands. But just the opposite effect holds for relatively high share brands. That is, variety seeking behaviour generates a desire to more differentiation among low share brands, and a desire for less differentiation among high share brands.     

Pharmacological properties of dicyanidoaurate(I)-based complexes: characterization and single crystal X-ray analysis

The synthesis of three bimetallic cyanido complexes with edbea [2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine)] ligand is reported. [Ni^II(μ-edbea)₂{Au(μ-CN)₂}₂]_n (1), [{Cu^II(edbea)}₂{Au(μ-CN)₂}₄]_n (2) and [Cd^II(edbea)₂][Au(CN)₂]₂·H₂O (3) were fully characterized by elemental, infrared, XRD (3), ESI-MS and thermal analysis. The DNA/BSA binding properties of these complexes were evaluated by spectrophotometric titration, fluorometric ethidium bromide kinetics, and DNA electrophoresis studies and their partially minor groove binding mode between the base pairs of DNA and electrostatic interaction between the amino acid residues of BSA were explained. The complexes were tested for their pharmacological properties. These molecules had excellent in vitro antiproliferative activity and also exhibited a strong tumor inhibiting effect against HT29, HeLa, C6 and Vero cell lines. These complexes had metastatic features as they are able to reduce cell migration activity and suppress tumor growth in vitro. Analysis of the DNA topoisomerase I relaxing activity indicates that the complexes do not inhibit topoisomerase I which regulates the topological states of the DNA double helix during DNA processing reactions. The TUNEL and DNA laddering assay results indicated that these compounds may destroy cell maintenance by triggering apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry staining analysis demonstrated that these complexes significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2 in HeLa and HT29 cells while increasing the expression of P53 levels. Overall, the potent antiproliferative activity, low cytotoxic effect, good solubility, and micro molar range dosage observed for these complexes emphasizes their potential as anticancer drug candidates.     

Surface properties of Reactive Yellow 2 immobilised pHEMA and HEMA/chitosan membranes: characterisation of their selectivity to different proteins

Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, and a composite pHEMA/chitosan networks were synthesized in the membrane form via UV initiated photo-polymerisation in the presence of an initiator ,′-azoisobutyronitrile. Reactive Yellow 2 (RY-2) was covalently immobilised as a dye–ligand onto both membranes. The polarity and surface energy of the investigated membranes were determined by contact angle measurement. The incorporation of chitosan in the pHEMA networks produced more hydrophilic surface, as indicated by contact angle analysis. The binding characteristics of lysozyme, γ-globulins, human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to pHEMA-RY-2 and pHEMA/chitosan-RY-2 affinity membranes have been investigated from aqueous solution and their dye–ligand free forms were used as control systems. When chitosan was incorporated in the pHEMA network as a cationic polymer led to higher adsorption capacity for the lysozyme. Selective adsorption behaviour was also observed in the case of pHEMA/chitosan-RY-2 membrane for the lysozyme. The non-specific adsorptions of the lysozyme on the pHEMA and pHEMA/chitosan membranes were about 1.9 and 7.2 mg/ml, respectively. These were negligible for all others investigated proteins. The lysozyme adsorption data was analysed using the first-order and the second-order models. The first-order equation in both affinity membrane systems is the most appropriate equation to predict the adsorption capacities of the adsorbents. The adsorption isotherms well fitted the combined Langmuir–Freundlich model. A theoretical analysis has been conducted to estimate the thermodynamic contributions (changes in enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy) for the adsorption of lysozyme to both dye–ligand immobilised membranes. The adsorption capacities of both dye–ligand immobilised membranes increased with increasing the temperature while decreased with increasing the NaCl concentration. Both affinity membranes are stable when subjected to sanitization with sodium hydroxide after repeated separation–elution cycles.     

Platinum (II) N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic properties

Platinum (II) complexes bearing N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been widely used in catalytic chemistry, but there are very few reports of biological properties of this type of complexes. A series of [PtCl₂(NHC)(PEt₃)] complexes were synthesized. The structures of all compounds were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR and elemental analysis techniques, which supported the proposed structures. The single crystal structures of complexes 1a and 1e were determined. The title complexes show slightly distorted square‐planar coordination around the platinum (II) metal center. The cytotoxic properties of the platinum (II)–NHC complexes have been assessed in various human cancer lines, including cisplatin‐sensitive and resistant cells. IC₅₀ values of these four complexes were determined by the MTS‐based assay on three human cell lines—brain (SHSY5Y), colon (HTC116) and liver (HEP3B). These complexes have been highlighted cancer therapeutic agent with unique structures and functions.     

Syntheses and modifications of bisdiazonium salts of 3,8-benzo[c]cinnoline and 3,8-benzo[c]cinnoline 5-oxide onto glassy carbon electrode and the characterization of the modified surfaces

The goal of this study was to prepare novel glassy carbon electrode surfaces using two similar bis-diazonium salts, 3,8-benzo[c]cinnoline (3,8-BCC-BDAS) and 3,8-benzo[c]cinnoline 5-oxide (3,8-BCCNO-BDAS) at the glassy carbon (GC) surface. These diazonium salts were reduced electrochemically and covalently electrografted onto the glassy carbon electrode surface to form modified electrodes. Electrochemical reduction of 3,8-BCC-BDAS and 3,8-BCCNO-BDAS salts on the electrode surface yielded a compact and stable film. The existence of BCC moieties on the GC surface was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, reflectance-adsorption infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, ellipsometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The stability and working potential range of the novel modified electrodes were also studied. The possibility of analytical application of these novel surfaces for inorganic cations and especially selectivity to copper ions was investigated. 3,8-diaminobenzo[c]cinnoline (3,8-DABCC) and its 5-oxide derivative (3,8-DABCCNO) were synthesized from the reductive cyclization of 2,2′-dinitrobenzidine and prepared their bisdiazonium salts via the tetrazotization reactions of the diamines with NaNO₂. The structures of 3,8-DABCC and 3,8-DABCCNO and their corresponding bisdiazonium salts are confirmed by spectral analysis.     

Characterization of immobilized catalases and their application in pasteurization of milk with H2O2

The catalase (fromAspergillus niger) has been immobilized by a chemical method on the pous SiO₂ modified with γ-aminopropyltrietoxysilane, followed with glutaraldehyde and by a physical method in alginate and γ-carrageenan gel. Optimum support:enzyme ratios and pH values were determined for modified SiO₂ in a series of immobilization reactions of catalase in the presence of the crosslinking agent glutaraldehyde, and for alginate and γ-carrageenan in the presence of hemoglobin and bovine serum albimine. pH and temperaturedependent activity variations and the stability properties of immobilized catalase preparations were investigated. Rate constants for H₂O₂ decomposition and catalase deactivation were determined. The decomposition rate of H₂O₂ used in the cold pasteurizatioan of milk were investigated in a discontinuous batch type reactor system. Activity half-lives of immobilized catalase were determined.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study on some Hofmann type clathrates: M(2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethylamine)2Ni(CN)4·2benzene (M=Ni and Cd)

New Hofmann type benzene clathrates in the form of M(CyHEA)2Ni(CN)4·2benzene (where CyHEA=2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethylamine and M=Ni or Cd) have been prepared in powder form and FT-IR and Raman spectra have been reported. The results suggest that title compounds are similar in structure to Hofmann type clathrates and their structures consist of polymeric layers of |M-Ni(CN)4|∞ with the CyHEA molecule bounded to the metal atoms (M).     

Production of citric acid using immobilized conidia of Aspergillus niger

Conidia of Aspergillus niger were immobilized in calcium alginate gel for the production of citric acid. First, the type of the preactivation medium, together with the preactivation period, was investigated. It was found that A. niger requires a 2-d preactivation period at a 0.05 g/L NH₄NO₃ concentration. Second, preactivated cells were used to determine the effects of nitrogen concentration and the flow rate of oxygen and air on the production of citric acid. Maximum citric acid production was attained with medium containing 0.01 g/L of NH₄NO₃. The rate of citric acid production in the nitrogenous medium was 33% higher when oxygen was used instead of air during the production phase. This corresponds to an increase of 85% when compared to production when neither oxygen nor air was fed into the system. In the nonnitrogenous medium citric acid concentration remained similar regardless of the use of air or oxygen. However, in the nonnitrogenous production medium, citric acid production was not influenced considerably when oxygen was used instead of air. The advantage of using immobilized cells is that production is achieved easily in the continuous system. Therefore, citric acid production was also tested using a packed-bed bioreactor, and an increase in productivity by a factor of 22 was achieved compared to the batch system.     

Voltammetry of resazurin at a mercury electrode

Electrochemical behavior of resazurin on HMDE in Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffers (pH 2.0–10.0) was studied using the square-wave voltammetry (SWV), square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The voltammogram of resazurin in B-R buffer at pH < 4.0 exhibited two cathodic reduction peaks. The voltammetric peaks were obtained at −0.144 V (reversible) and −1.250 V (irreversible) at pH 3.2, and correspond to the reduction of resorufin to dihydroresorufin and to the catalytic hydrogen wave, respectively. At pH > 4.0, a new irreversible cathodic reduction peak, assigned to the protonation of N-oxide on the phenoxazin ring, was observed. Electrochemical parameters (I _p/E _p, I _p/v, I _p/pH, I _p/t _acc) of the compound were determined. From the voltammetric data, electrochemical reduction mechanisms for all peaks have been suggested. Maximum peak current for the reversible peak was obtained at pH 4.1. A linear relationship between the current and concentration was determined, and also the lowest detection limit was found as 3.25 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ and 1.98 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ for SWV and SWAdSV, respectively.