Analytical process control of the Celeste R&D installation of IPEN-CNEN/SP

Celeste-1 is a lab-scale hot cell intended for R&D work in reprocessing of low burn-up spent fuel elements. The studies are concerned with head-end, first separation cycle by Purex Process using mini mixer-settlers and development of analytical techniques. The analytical monitoring for process control purposes is based on several off-line techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, potentiometric titration, -and -spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, density measurement and gas chromatography. The analytical treatment takes place in a shielded working place analytical hot cell, glove boxes and hoods and some final measurements are made in the associated analytical laboratory. A pneumatic system is used for transporting analytical samples. All analytical procedures are ready and in operation.     

Synthesis of stable and cell-type selective analogues of cyclic ADP-ribose, a Ca(2+)-mobilizing second messenger. Structure--activity relationship of the N1-ribose moiety

We previously developed cyclic ADP-carbocyclic ribose (cADPcR, 2) as a stable mimic of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR, 1), a Ca(2+)-mobilizing second messenger. A series of the N1-ribose modified cADPcR analogues, designed as novel stable mimics of cADPR, which were the 2"-deoxy analogue 3, the 3"-deoxy analogue 4, the 3"-deoxy-2"-O-(methoxymethyl) analogue 5, the 3"-O-methyl analogue 6, the 2",3"-dideoxy analogue 7, and the 2",3"-dideoxydidehydro analogue 8, were successfully synthesized using the key intramolecular condensation reaction with phenylthiophosphate-type substrates. We investigated the conformations of these analogues and of cADPR and found that steric repulsion between both the adenine and N9-ribose moieties and between the adenine and N1-ribose moieties was a determinant of the conformation. The Ca(2+)-mobilizing effects were evaluated systematically using three different biological systems, i.e., sea urchin eggs, NG108-15 neuronal cells, and Jurkat T-lymphocytes. The relative potency of Ca(2+)-mobilization by these cADPR analogues varies depending on the cell-type used: e.g., 3"-deoxy-cADPcR (4) > cADPcR (2) > cADPR (1) in sea urchin eggs; cADPR (1) > cADPcR (2) approximately 3"-deoxy-cADPcR (4) in T-cells; and cADPcR (2) > cADPR (1) > 3"-deoxy-cADPcR (4) in neuronal cells, respectively. These indicated that the target proteins and/or the mechanism of action of cADPR in sea urchin eggs, T-cells, and neuronal cells are different. Thus, this study represents an entry to cell-type selective cADPR analogues, which can be used as biological tools and/or novel drug leads.     

An effective method to use ionic liquids as reaction media for asymmetric reduction by Geotrichum candidum

An effective method was developed to use an enzyme in ionic liquids; the asymmetric reduction of ketones by Geotrichum candidum in ionic liquids proceeded smoothly with excellent enantioselectivity when the cell was immobilized on water-absorbing polymer containing water, while the reaction without the polymer did not proceed.     

Preparation and characteristics of photocrosslinkable hydrophilic polymer having cinnamate moiety

The reaction of copolymer of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and bromoethyl methacrylate with potassium cinnamate produced water-soluble photosensitive polymers. Photosensitive polyDMAA films were irradiated with a 400 W high-pressure mercury lamp (λ > 280 nm) to produce crosslinked polymers, which were swollen in water. The degree of swelling was controlled by the irradiation time and content of cinnamate moieties in copolymers. Higher cinnamoylation and longer irradiation time resulted in higher yield of crosslinked polymers and less swellability. Partial degelation upon irradiation at λ ～ 254 nm was observed. The advantage of gelation via photodimerization over conventional chemical crosslinking methods is discussed in conjunction with biomedical applications. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Radiation-induced terpolymerization of methyl α,β,β-trifluoroacrylate with tetrafluoroethylene and α-olefin

Radiation-induced terpolymerizations of methyl α,β,β-trifluoroacrylate (MTFA) with tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and α-olefins, such as ethylene, propylene, and isobutylene, were carried out in bulk at 25°C for the purpose of controlling the content of ester group in the MTFA-α-olefin alternating copolymers. These monomers polymerized to form alternating terpolymers which contained 50 mole % α-olefin in a wide range of monomer composition. The content of MTFA, namely, the ester group in polymer, can be varied without destruction of the alternating structures between fluoroolefins (MTFA, TFE) and α-olefin by changing the MTFA/TFE ratio in the monomer mixture. The relative reactivities of MTFA and TFE in the terpolymerization were discussed according to kinetic treatments by free propagating and complex mechanisms. The relation between the MTFA/TFE ratio in the monomer mixture and that in terpolymer was explained favourbly by the complex mechanism. It was also concluded that the relative reactivity of MTFA is larger than that of TFE in the terpolymerizations.     

Cooperative motions of protein and hydration water molecules: molecular dynamics study of scytalone dehydratase

Two molecular dynamics (MD) simulations totaling 25 ns of simulation time of monomeric scytalone dehydratase (SD) were performed. The enzyme has a ligand-binding pocket containing a cone-shaped alpha+beta barrel, and the C-terminal region covers the binding pocket. Our simulations clarified the difference in protein dynamics and conformation between the liganded protein and the unliganded protein. The liganded protein held the ligand molecule tightly and the initial structure was maintained during the simulation. The unliganded protein, on the other hand, fluctuated dynamically and its structure changed largely from the initial structure. In the equilibrium state, the binding pocket was fully solvated by opening of the C-terminal region, and the protein dynamics was connected with hydration water molecules entry into and release from the binding pocket. In addition, the cooperative motions of the unliganded protein and the hydration water molecules produced the path through the protein interior for ligand binding.     

A simple optimization strategy based on Rs-minimum and information theory of chromatography

Summary A simple optimization method based on the well-known Rs-minimum method and on the information theory of FUMI Φ is proposed. Resolution (Rs), peak area and height (or width) are the only parameters necessary for the calculation of the information Φ and information flow ϑ. The most precise analysis can be selected as the chromatogram having maximal ϑ. Mobile phase composition, column length, flow rate, detection wavelength, amount of internal standard, etc. can be optimized by this method.     

Study of adsorption of methylene blue and new methylene blue in liquid-solid interface by slab optical waveguide spectroscopy

A slab optical waveguide (SOWG) has been used for study of adsorption of both methylene blue (MB) and new methylene blue (NMB) in liquid–solid interface. Adsorption characteristics of MB and NMB on both bare SOWG and silanized SOWG by octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODS) were compared. Effect of pH on adsorption on MB and NMB was investigated. Binding rate constant analysis showed that both MB and NMB on bare SOWG demonstrates larger association constants than those on ODS-SOWG. Interactions of MB and NMB on bare SOWG and ODS-SOWG were analyzed by molecular mechanics calculation method. The binding energy change was in the following order: E_NMB–bare > E_MB–bare > E_NMB–ODS > E_MB–ODS.