ON A CLASS OF METHOD FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH RANDOM BOUNDARY NOTCHES AND/OR CRACKS(Ⅱ) COMPUTATIONS FOR BOUNDARY NOTCHES

This work is a continuation of the discussion of [1], On a class of method for solving problems with random boundary notches and/or cracks, (I) by C. Ouyang (Appl. Math. & Mech., vol. 1, No. 2, 1980). Here computations for boundary notches are made by using the theory and formulas presented in [1]. In the computation modification is also made for the boundary conditions in parametric plane in [1]. Numerical results for examples show that within ranges of parameter considered in the paper, for example L, the present method in quite workable in practical computations.     

Simultaneous determination of all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis retinoic acid and retinol in rat prostate using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Since retinoic acid (RA) and RA receptors are key developmental regulators during organogenesis, they might participate in the abnormal development of the prostate caused by early estrogen exposure. In order to test this assumption, a sensitive analytical method that can differentiate 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in small tissue samples ( approximately 8 mg) is required. Since retinol is the metabolic precursor to RA, simultaneous quantification of retinol would also provide valuable information. Here, we report a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of retinol and 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA in rat prostate. Mass spectrometric signal responses for RA were compared using positive ion atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray, as well as positive ion and negative ion APCI. Positive ion APCI was selected for all subsequent analysis for its better sensitivity, and to provide simultaneous determination of retinol and RA. Ventral prostate tissue samples were homogenized and extracted following simple protein precipitation without derivatization. Baseline separation of 9-cis, 13-cis, and all-trans RA standards was obtained by using a non-porous silica C18 column. Selected ion monitoring of the ions m/z 301 and m/z 269 was carried out for mass spectrometric quantitative analysis. The ion of m/z 301 corresponded to the protonated molecule of RA, whereas the ion of m/z 269 corresponded to loss of water or acetic acid from the protonated molecule of retinol or the internal standard retinyl acetate respectively. The method has a linear response over a concentration range of at least three orders of magnitude. The limit of quantitation was determined to be 702 fmol all-trans RA injected on-column. The method showed excellent intra- and inter-assay reproducibility and good recovery, and is suitable for analyzing RA and retinol in small tissue samples (approximately 8 mg).     

Gradient corrections in density functional theory calculations for surfaces: Co on Pd{110}

Ab initio total energy calculations have been performed for CO chemisorption on Pd{110}. Local density approximation (LDA) calculations yield chemisorption energies which are significantly higher than experimental values but inclusion of the generalised gradient approximation (GGA) gives better agreement. In general, sites with higher coordination of the adsorbate to surface atoms lead to a larger degree of overbinding with LDA, and give larger corrections with GGA. The reason is discussed using a first-order perturbation approximation. It is concluded that this may be a general failure of LDA for chemisorption energy calculations. This conclusion may be extended to many surface calculations, such as potential energy surfaces for diffusion.     

Mamanine and pohakuline,two unprecedented quinolizidine alkaloids from sophorachrysophylla

From the bark of the endemic Hawaiian tree Sophora chrysophylla Seem. we have isolated two unprecedented quainolizidine alkaloids, mamanine (4) and pohakuline (5). Both bases are 1-hydroxymethylenequinolizidines which are linked at C-3 to α-pyridone or α-piperidone moieties. The alkaloids may be intermediates in a heretofore unknown biogenetic pathway of Sophora alkaloids.     

Thermal Studies on Rare Earth Metal Ion Chelates of 8-Hydroxyquinoline, 8-Hydroxyquinaldine and Their Derivatives

The thermal behaviors of chelates of oxine, 8-hydroxyquinaldine and their derivatives (DCQ, 5, 7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline; DCQ', 5, 7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinaldine) in an air atmosphere have been studied. The order of heat stability of chelates, decreased with decreasing basicity of the ligand, i.e. oxine<DCQ<DCQ'. The presence of water or proton-containing compounds in the chelates seemed to lower heat stabilities,     

Aging of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene)/toluene solutions and subsequent effects on luminescence behavior of cast films

Morphological effects in luminescence properties of a representative semiconducting polymer, poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV), has recently attracted much attention. Previous studies indicated that short-term heat treatment of solution-cast MEH-PPV films may result in the formation of mesomorphic order that is responsible for the "red" emission around 640 nm, in contrast to the single-chromophore "yellow" emission near 590 nm from the disordered matrix. On the basis of microscopic and spectroscopic evidence for films cast from freshly prepared and aged solutions, here we show that prolonged storage of MEHyellowPPV solutions at room temperature or lower may result in retardation of the thermally induced mesophase formation in the subsequently cast films. According to small-angle neutron scattering and differential scanning calorimetric observations over aged MEH-PPV/toluene solutions, we propose that the suppressed transformation into mesomorphic order is due to further development of nanocrystalline aggregates that serve as physical cross-links among MEH-PPV chains in the solution state upon long-term storage. These solvent-induced nanocrystalline aggregates, however, do not exhibit new spectroscopic features beyond the suppression of "red" emission at 640 nm from the mesomorphic phase.     

Native and stearic acid modified ceria-zirconia supports in normal and reversed-phase HPLC

Porous ceria-zirconia composite with narrow particle size distribution and large specific surface area was synthesized by a sol-gel process. Chromatographic properties of the native supports was investigated in normal phase mode for the separation of test mixtures of basic, neutral and acidic compounds. The new packing material exhibited polar and basic properties, which are suitable for the separation of basic compounds. Lypophilic packing has been obtained by the modification of the ceria-zirconia with stearic acid, which exhibited strong hydrophobicity relative to the native packing. Therefore, the modified ceria-zirconia behaves as a reversed-phase packing material. Different selectivity towards basic compounds was observed on the new packing compared to the native ceria-zirconia and conventional ODS stationary phase.     

Determination of buprenorphine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: application to human and rabbit pharmacokinetic studies.

A rapid, sensitive, precise and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic assay with fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of buprenorphine in human, rabbit, pig and dog plasma. It is comprised of only a one-step extraction procedure with hexane-isoamyl alcohol at pH 9.25 and reversed-phase chromatography on a muPorasil column. The recoveries of buprenorphine and nalbuphine (internal standard) were greater than 90%. Calibration graphs were linear over the concentration range 3-300 ng/ml with a coefficient of variation, both within-day and between-day, of less than 9% at any level. The limit of detection was 1.0 ng/ml of plasma based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Eight other clinically used narcotics were investigated to check for potential interferences and their analytical conditions. The possible decomposed compounds of buprenorphine were also checked for the specificity of this assay. The method has been successfully applied to the stability and pharmacokinetic studies of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine in plasma did not decompose significantly at -20 degrees C for four weeks. Pharmacokinetic application in six rabbits and a surgical patient revealed that buprenorphine followed a linear three-compartment model with two distribution phases. The two distribution and elimination half-lives and the clearance of buprenorphine were 1.32, 24.8 and 230 min and 224 ml/min in human plasma, and 0.94, 12.5 and 232 min and 30 ml/min in rabbit plasma.