An algorithm for the linear complementarity problem with upper and lower bounds

In this paper, we adapt the octahedral simplicial algorithm for solving systems of nonlinear equations to solve the linear complementarity problem with upper and lower bounds. The proposed algorithm generates a piecewise linear path from an arbitrarily chosen pointz ⁰ to a solution point. This path is followed by linear programming pivot steps in a system ofn linear equations, wheren is the size of the problem. The starting pointz ⁰ is left in the direction of one of the 2 ⁿ vertices of the feasible region. The ray along whichz ⁰ is left depends on the sign pattern of the function value atz ⁰. The sign pattern of the linear function and the location of the points in comparison withz ⁰ completely govern the path of the algorithm.This research is part of the VF-Program Equilibrium and Disequilibrium in Demand and Supply, approved by the Netherlands Ministry of Education, Den Haag, The Netherlands.     

Separation and analysis of radioiodine in nuclear reprocessing solutions of high ionic strength

Ion chromatography (IC) can be used to separate radioiodine from fission products and other ionic species in complex reprocessing solution matrices. A preliminary concentration and separation of the radioiodine is performed using a column filled with a platinum-coated copper bed which converts all forms of iodine to iodide and selectively adsorbs the iodide. The separation is completed by employing an anion chromatographic system. The iodide peak aliquot is collected for subsequent radioanalysis by low energy photon spectroscopy. Results indicate quantitative separation and recovery of iodine. The entire system is automated under computer control and is able to handle small (l) and large (500 ml) sample sizes.     

Backward particle production in neutrino neon interactions

Backward proton and pion production is studied in ν and \(\bar v\) charged current interactions in neon. The results are compared with other experiments and theory. The complete backward proton data is compatible with protons produced by reinteractions in the nucleus. However in events with only one proton, muon variables appear correlated to those for the backward proton, as expected by the two-nucleon correlation model.     

Tobacco protein separation by aqueous two-phase extraction

Tobacco has long been considered as a host to produce large quantity of high-valued recombinant proteins. However, dealing with large quantities of biomass is a challenge for downstream processing. Aqueous two-phase extraction (ATPE) has been widely used in purifying proteins from various sources. It is a protein-friendly process and can be scaled up easily. In this paper, ATPE was studied for its applicability to recombinant protein purification from tobacco with egg white lysozyme as the model protein. Separate experiments with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-salt-tobacco extract and PEG-salt-lysozyme were carried out to determine the partition behavior of tobacco protein and lysozyme, respectively. Two-level fractional factorial designs were used to study the effects of factors such as, PEG molecular mass, PEG concentration, the concentration of phase forming salt, sodium chloride concentration and pH, on protein partitioning. The results showed that, among the studied systems, PEG-sodium sulfate system was most suitable for lysozyme purification. Detailed experiments were conducted by spiking lysozyme into the tobacco extract. The conditions with highest selectivity of lysozyme over native tobacco protein were determined using a response surface design. The purification factor was further improved by decreasing the phase ratio along the tie line corresponding to the phase compositions with the highest selectivity. Under selected conditions the lysozyme yield was predicted to be 87% with a purification factor of 4 and concentration factor of 14. From this study, ATPE was shown to be suitable for initial protein recovery and partial purification from transgenic tobacco.     

Capillary electrophoresis analysis of gentamicin sulphate with UV detection after pre-capillary derivatization with 1,2-phthalic dicarboxaldehyde and mercaptoacetic acid

A selective, sensitive, and rapid pre-capillary derivatization method for determination of the multicomponent aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin is described. The derivatization reagents 1,2-phthalic dicarboxaldehyde and mercaptoacetic acid were used and the thioisoindole derivative was UV detected at 330 nm. A central composite experimental design was performed to optimize selectivity and derivatization conditions. Baseline separation of gentamicin C1, C1a, C2, C2a, C2b, sisomicin and several minor components was achieved with a background electrolyte containing 30 mM sodium tetraborate, 7.5 mM beta-cyclodextrin and 12.5% (v/v) methanol at pH 10. Quantitative analysis was performed and illustrated the potential use of capillary electrophoresis for the identification and quantitation of gentamicin as an alternative to methods prescribed in the United States Pharmacopeia and European Pharmacopoeia.     

Polymérisation anionique amorcée par les composés lamellaires du graphite et du lithium

In the present work, we use the binary insertion compound LiC₁₂ to polymerize styrene, methyl methacrylate, butadiene, isoprene, and to copolymerize isoprene and styrene in various hydrocarbon solvents (aromatics and aliphatic) and etheral solvents. We show that the styrene polymerization in aromatic solvents gives better yields than in the etheral solvents, the polymer being atactic. Methyl methacrylate does not polymerize in toluene but does so completely in DME. More generally, the yields of polymerization are better with KC₃₇ than with LiC₁₂ because of the different capacities of the monomer to get into the carbon layers. The polymerization of dienes with LiC₁₂ shows that the microstructures of the polymer obtained in π-or n-donor solvents are similar to the ones obtained by homogenous polymerization with Li cation in such solvents. However, for isoprene in cyclohexane, the results are different. The isoprene styrene copolymers are statistical ones and the mean length of styrene blocks is less than 5. The monomer interaction with the insertion compound and the growing chain geometry between the carbon layers are the facts which control either the stereospecificity of the polymerization or the selectivity of the copolymerization.