A non-MRA C^r Frame Wavelet with Rapid Decay

A generalized filter construction is used to build an example of a non-MRA normalized tight frame wavelet for dilation by 2 in . This example has the same multiplicity function as the Journé wavelet, yet has a Fourier transform and can be made to be for any fixed postive integer . L. Baggett and P. Jorgensen were supported by a US–NSF Focused Research Group (FRG) grant.     

Differential proteome analysis of colon carcinoma cell line SW480 after reconstitution of the tumour suppressor Smad4

The tumour suppressor gene Smad4 is frequently inactivated in gastrointestinal carcinomas. Smad4 plays a pivotal role in transducing signals of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins. Inactivation of Smad4 seems to occur late during tumour progression when tumours acquire invasive and metastatic properties. Identification of proteins directly or indirectly regulated by Smad4 would, therefore, ease the future design of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal carcinoma. We have used human colon carcinoma cell line SW480 stably transfected with Smad4 as an in-vitro model system to identify Smad4-regulated proteins by applying two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) then MALDI-PMF/PFF-MS. We identified a total of 47 protein species with a Smad4-dependent expression. From the functions of the candidate proteins we obtained new insights into Smad4’s participation in processes, for example apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation.     

Complex Inorganic/Organic Core-Shell Particles by an Inverse Emulsion Technique

Two synthetic approaches to modify the surface of inorganic particles are presented. In the first approach the inorganic particles are prepared in-situ in a confined space in inverse emulsions. The used amphiphilic statistical copolymers act not only as emulsifiers, but they also hydrophobize the remaining inorganic particles after the precipitation. This approach represents a versatile method to obtain various inorganic nanoparticles as well as more complex inorganic materials like core-multiple shell and perovskite-based nanoparticles. The second procedure uses preformed inorganic particles, as an aqueous dispersion, to modify them with surface active amphiphilic copolymers in a multicomponent solvent system. This method turns out to be a simple but highly efficient method to modify preformed inorganic nanoparticles. The particles are characterized by SEM, TEM and dynamic light scattering. The modified inorganic nanoparticles are suitable to be homogenously incorporated into a polymer matrix to form transparent nanocomposite materials.     

A unification of two refinements of Euler’s partition theorem

We obtain a unification of two refinements of Euler’s partition theorem respectively due to Bessenrodt and Glaisher. A specialization of Bessenrodt’s insertion algorithm for a generalization of the Andrews-Olsson partition identity is used in our combinatorial construction.     

Acetohydroxamatoiron(III) Complexes: Thermodynamics of Formation and Temperature Dependent Speciation

Studies of the thermodynamics of formation of the acetohydroxamatoiron(III) complexes were carried out in acidic media at temperatures ranging from 293 to 323 K. Through the isolation of the unique UV–visible spectra of all three complexes, it was possible to determine their formation constants and deduce enthalpies and entropies of formation as well as their molar absorptivities. The enthalpies of formation of the mono-, bis- and trisacetohydroxamatoiron(III) complexes were found to be −56.4, −17.09 and +19.74 kJ⋅mol⁻¹, respectively. Following the determination of the enthalpy and entropy of formation of these complexes, speciation diagrams were calculated for the complexes at temperatures ranging from 293 to 323 K.     

Measuring vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements for nutrition studies in the USA

This article illustrates the importance of having analytical data on the vitamin and mineral contents of dietary supplements in nutrition studies, and describes efforts to develop an analytically validated dietary supplement ingredient database (DSID) by a consortium of federal agencies in the USA. Preliminary studies of multivitamin mineral supplements marketed in the USA that were analyzed as candidates for the DSID are summarized. Challenges are summarized, possible future directions are outlined, and some related programs at the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health are described. The DSID should be helpful to researchers in assessing relationships between intakes of vitamins and minerals and health outcomes.     

Sample preparation techniques for the determination of trace residues and contaminants in foods

The determination of trace residues and contaminants in complex matrices, such as food, often requires extensive sample extraction and preparation prior to instrumental analysis. Sample preparation is often the bottleneck in analysis and there is a need to minimise the number of steps to reduce both time and sources of error. There is also a move towards more environmentally friendly techniques, which use less solvent and smaller sample sizes. Smaller sample size becomes important when dealing with real life problems, such as consumer complaints and alleged chemical contamination. Optimal sample preparation can reduce analysis time, sources of error, enhance sensitivity and enable unequivocal identification, confirmation and quantification. This review considers all aspects of sample preparation, covering general extraction techniques, such as Soxhlet and pressurised liquid extraction, microextraction techniques such as liquid phase microextraction (LPME) and more selective techniques, such as solid phase extraction (SPE), solid phase microextraction (SPME) and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE). The applicability of each technique in food analysis, particularly for the determination of trace organic contaminants in foods is discussed.