Stochastic binding of Ca2+ ions in the dyadic cleft; continuous vs random walk description of diffusion

Ca²⁺ signaling in the dyadic cleft in ventricular myocytes is fundamentally discrete and stochastic. In this paper we study the stochastic binding of single Ca²⁺ ions to receptors in the cleft using two different models of diffusion; a stochastic and discrete Random walk (RW) model, and a deterministic continuous model. We investigate if the latter model, together with a stochastic receptor model, can reproduce binding events registered in fully stochastic RW simulations. By evaluating the continuous model goodness-of-fit, we present evidences that it can. The large fluctuations in binding rate observed at the time level of single time steps are integrated and smoothed at the larger time scale of binding events, explaining the continuous model goodness-of-fit. With this we demonstrate that the stochasticity and discreteness of the Ca²⁺ signaling in the dyadic cleft, determined by single binding events, can be described with a deterministic model of Ca²⁺ diffusion together with a stochastic model of the binding events. Time consuming RW simulations can thus be avoided. We also present a new analytical model of bi-molecular binding probabilities that is used in the RW simulations, and in the statistical analysis. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Some Aspects of Stability in Stochastic Programming

Some developments in structure and stability of stochastic programs during the last decade together with interrelations to optimization theory and stochastics are reviewed. With weak convergence of probability measures as a backbone we discuss qualitative and quantitative stability of recourse models that possibly involve integer variables. We sketch stability in chance constrained stochastic programming and provide some applications in statistical estimation. Finally, an outlook is devoted to issues that were not discussed in detail and to some open problems.     

NMR Crystallography Reveals Carbonate Induced Al-Ordering in ZnAl Layered Double Hydroxide

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) serve a score of applications in catalysis, drug delivery, and environmental remediation. Smarter crystallography, combining X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy revealed how interplay between carbonate and pH determines the LDH structure and Al ordering in ZnAl LDH. Carbonate intercalated ZnAl LDHs were synthesized at different pH (pH 8.5, pH 10.0, pH 12.5) with a Zn/Al ratio of 2, without subsequent hydrothermal treatment to avoid extensive recrystallisation. In ideal configuration, all Al cations should be part of the LDH and be coordinated with 6 Zn atoms, but NMR revealed two different Al local environments were present in all samples in a ratio dependent on synthesis pH. NMR-crystallography, integrating NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, succeeded to identify them as Al residing in the highly ordered crystalline phase, next to Al in disordered material. With increasing synthesis pH, crystallinity increased, and the side phase fraction decreased. Using ¹H−¹³C, ¹³C−²⁷Al HETCOR NMR in combination with ²⁷Al MQMAS, ²⁷Al-DQ-SQ measurements and Rietveld refinement on high-resolution PXRD data, the extreme anion exchange selectivity of these LDHs for CO₃²⁻ over HCO₃⁻ was linked to strict Al and CO₃²⁻ordering in the crystalline LDH. Even upon equilibration of the LDH in pure NaHCO₃ solutions, only CO₃²⁻ was adsorbed by the LDH. This reveals the structure directing role of bivalent cations such as CO₃²⁻ during crystallization of [M²⁺₄M³⁺₂(OH)₂]²⁺[A²⁻]₁⋅yH₂O LDH phases.     

Oxide reduction and oxygen removal in water-atomized iron powder: a kinetic study

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The purpose of the present work is to investigate humidification–dehumidification desalination system and to explore the effect of pertinent...     

Simultaneous sensing of temperature,CO, and CO2 in a scramjet combustor using quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy

A mid-infrared laser absorption sensor was developed for gas temperature and carbon oxide (CO, CO₂) concentrations in high-enthalpy, hydrocarbon combustion flows. This diagnostic enables non-intrusive, in situ measurements in harsh environments produced by hypersonic propulsion ground test facilities. The sensing system utilizes tunable quantum cascade lasers capable of probing the fundamental mid-infrared absorption bands of CO and CO₂ in the 4–5 µm wavelength domain. A scanned-wavelength direct absorption technique was employed with two lasers, one dedicated to each species, free-space fiber-coupled using a bifurcated hollow-core fiber for remote light delivery on a single line of sight. Scanned-wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection was utilized to extend the dynamic range of the CO measurement. The diagnostic was field-tested on a direct-connect scramjet combustor for ethylene–air combustion. Simultaneous, laser-based measurements of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide provide a basis for evaluating combustion completion or efficiency with temporal and spatial resolution in practical hydrocarbon-fueled engines.     

Guest Editorial: Special Issue on Eduard Hála Symposium

Journal of Solution Chemistry -