Optimal speed as a function of system performance for continuous flow analyzers

The limitation to high rates of sample throughput with continuous flow automated analyzers is unacceptably high sample-to-sample carry-over. Previous programs for carry-over correction have involved relatively large computer capacities. Here, the simple expression derived for carry-over can be easily programmed in BASIC for a Commodore PET operating in real time. The program includes peak picking and calculation of the calibration graph and sample concentrations. At 240 samples per hour, the results obtained for total protein (linear calibration graph) and haptoglobin (non-linear calibration plot) showed acceptable precision and recovery and correlated well with the same determination conducted at normal operating speeds. Standard Auto Analyzer equipment was used througout. A parameter which monitors the instrument function is also calculated; this replaces the conventional visual examination of the curve for function monitoring. At high sample rates with degraded curves, visual curve examination is not effective.     

Structural,Thermal, and Storage Stability of Rapana Thomasiana Hemocyanin in the Presence of Cholinium-Amino Acid-Based Ionic Liquids

Novel biocompatible compounds that stabilize proteins in solution are in demand for biomedical and/or biotechnological applications. Here, we evaluated the effect of six ionic liquids, containing mono- or dicholinium [Chol]_1or2 cation and anions of charged amino acids such as lysine [Lys], arginine [Arg], aspartic acid [Asp], or glutamic acid [Glu], on the structure, thermal, and storage stability of the Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin (RtH). RtH is a protein with huge biomedicinal potential due to its therapeutic, drug carrier, and adjuvant properties. Overall, the ionic liquids (ILs) induce changes in the secondary structure of RtH. However, the structure near the Cu-active site seems unaltered and the oxygen-binding capacity of the protein is preserved. The ILs showed weak antibacterial activity when tested against three Gram-negative and three Gram-positive bacterial strains. On the contrary, [Chol][Arg] and [Chol][Lys] exhibited high anti-biofilm activity against E. coli 25213 and S. aureus 29213 strains. In addition, the two ILs were able to protect RtH from chemical and microbiological degradation. Maintained or enhanced thermal stability of RtH was observed in the presence of all ILs tested, except for RtH-[Chol]₂[Glu].     

Steady electro-optic characteristics of noninteracting colloidal particles

In previous papers on the electro-optic effects of beta-FeOOH particles we proposed a new procedure for analysis of the low frequency behavior of charged particles. The procedure is based on comparison of characteristic field intensity curves on an appropriate scale and helps to test the dependence of the slow effects on particle surface electric polarizability (relaxing in the kilohertz domain). The results stimulated us to test the applicability of the method to other samples and to reconsider the literature data on the electro-optic behavior of charged colloids in the hydrodynamic domain. The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate on a series of samples similar features of the electro-optic responses of charged particles in the relaxation interval of particle rotation. The analysis leads to a new hypothesis for explanation of the complicated low frequency behavior of charged particles. The superposition of two slow effects (linear and quadratic with field intensity), relaxing in the relaxation interval of particle rotation, can explain the complicated frequency curves in this domain. One of the slow effects is observed for all polarizable particles. It is of negative sign and displays the features of an induced dipole effect dependent on the "kilohertz" induced moment. It corresponds to a slow stage of the surface polarization process related to electrokinetic charge. The linear slow effect shows permanent dipole like behavior and appears only at certain ionic content of the medium. It shows no direct dependence on counterion mobility and on the "kilohertz" induced moment and is probably due to surface charge nonuniformity.     

Low frequency electric polarizability and zeta-potential of Escherichia coli HB101 (K-12) cells during inactivation with ethanol

The electric properties of bacteria determine their non-specific interactions with the environment, in particular their pathogenic activity. The electric polarizability of Escherichia coli HB101 (K-12 strain) was studied while inactivation with ethanol (20–40 vol.%). The current investigation might be regarded as a continuation of previous research on the polarizability of E. coli at lower ethanol concentration (≤ 20 vol.%) and higher frequencies (≥ 20 kHz). The bacteria polarizability at low frequencies (<10⁴ Hz) shows anomalies (unexpected increase in the polarizability at certain ethanol concentrations), while the parameter decreases with an increase in the ethanol concentration at higher frequencies. We investigated for the possible reasons causing the anomalies — in our case reduced to the medium dielectric permittivity, the average cell length and the surface electric charge density distribution, related to bacterial lipopolysaccharides. We suggest a hypothesis for the molecular mechanism of changing the surface charge of E. coli, carried by lipopolysaccharides, induced by the non-ionic ethanol.      

Whirlwind: a new cryptographic hash function

A new cryptographic hash function Whirlwind is presented. We give the full specification and explain the design rationale. We show how the hash function can be implemented efficiently in software and give first performance numbers. A detailed analysis of the security against state-of-the-art cryptanalysis methods is also provided. In comparison to the algorithms submitted to the SHA-3 competition, Whirlwind takes recent developments in cryptanalysis into account by design. Even though software performance is not outstanding, it compares favourably with the 512-bit versions of SHA-3 candidates such as LANE or the original CubeHash proposal and is about on par with ECHO and MD6.     

Investigation on chemical cross-linked collagen phosphoric acid hydrolysates with cyanuric chloride by differential scanning calorimetry

The process of cross-linking of collagen phosphoric acid hydrolysates (CH) with cyanuric chloride (CY) was studied by the increase in the denaturation temperature using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This measurement gave indications concerning the efficiency of the treatment, i.e., the extent of cross-linking of the collagen hydrolysates. The optimal conditions for cross-linking were determined: CH/CY in a ratio 1:1, reaction time 1 h at temperature 50 °C. At these conditions cross-linked structural units with higher thermal stability were formed.     

Estimating Relative Risk on the Line Using Nearest Neighbor Statistics

This paper considers a non-parametric method for identifying intervals on the line where the relative risk of cases to controls exceeds a pre-specified level. The method is based on the kth nearest neighbor (kNN) approach for density estimation. An asymptotic result is presented that yields an explicit formula for constructing a confidence interval for the relative risk at a given point. Numerical simulations are used to compare this approach with a kernel density estimation procedure. An application is made to a case-control study in which the relative risk of motor vehicle crashes caused by female drivers is compared to male drivers in the state of Kentucky as a function of age and then by time of day.      

Electro-optic characteristics of optically interacting beta-FeOOH particles

In this article the influence of multiple light scattering on the basic electro-optic parameters of optically dense colloidal particles is analyzed. The model system is an aqueous suspension of monodisperse ellipsoidal beta-FeOOH particles that displays large electric light scattering variations, including sign reversal, at very low particle volume fractions (two orders of magnitude below the critical concentration of particle electric interactions). The scaling method permits the relative variations in particle electric polarizability to be followed and its relaxation frequency to be determined. Particle rotational relaxation frequency and the phase shift of the responses at this frequency are obtained by the alternating component of the effects. Characteristic field intensity curves in the low-frequency range are used to follow the relative changes induced by the slow electrokinetic effect. The experimental results show that, despite the drastic variations in the effects with volume fraction, the basic electro-optic parameters are independent of multiple scattering and can be adequately determined for any particle concentration, excluding a narrow range in the vicinity of the electro-optic sign reversal. The investigation demonstrates that the dependence of the frequency behavior of aqueous beta-FeOOH on particle volume fraction reported in the literature is due not to optical interactions but to variation of particle surface electric state in the process of dilution.     

Preparation and stereochemical characterization of some N-acyl-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrazole derivatives from rotenoids

Summary Several new N-acyl derivatives of 1-(4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-7,8-di methoxy-1,9 b,2,3,3 a,4-hexahydro-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrazole-1-ene have been prepared by appropriate chemical transformation of isohydrazones of rotenone and amorphigenin. A study of their¹H- and¹³C-NMR spectra confirmed the presence of the twocis 3a, 9b, 2 and 3a, 9b, 2 diastereomers in the parent isohydrazones and revealed the strong predominance of the conformers withendo orientation of the 3-NAc group. The conformations due to rotation about the 1,5-bond between rings C and D in the 4-OH and 4-O-substituted compounds were also determined by taking into account the anisotropic effect of aromatic rings A and D, and the hydrogen bond between 4-OH and the 2-N atom, as well as by inspecting the Dreiding models.

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Darstellung und stereochemische Charakterisierung einiger N-Acyl-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrazol-Derivate von Rotenoiden

Zusammenfassung Mittels geeigneter chemischer Transformationen von Isohydrazonen von Rotenon und Amorphigenin wurden einige neue N-Acyl-Derivate von 1-(4-Hydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl)-7,8-dimethoxy-1,9 b,2,3,3 a,4-hexahydro-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrazol-1-en hergestellt. Eine Untersuchung ihrer¹H und¹³C-NMR-Spektren zeigt die Gegenwart von zweicis 3a, 9b, 2- und 3a, 9b, 2-Diastereomeren in den Ausgangs-Isohydrazonen und eine starke Bevorzugung der Konformeren mitendo-Orientierung der 3-NAc-Gruppe. Die Konformationen bezüglich der Rotation um die 1,5-Bindung zwischen Ring C und D werden für die 4-OH und 4-O-substituierten Verbindungen unter Berücksichtigung von Anisotropie-Effekten der aromatischen A- und D-Ringe, der Wasserstoffbrücken zwischen 4-OH und dem 2-N Atom und auch der Betrachtung der entspechenden Dreiding-Modelle diskutiert.