Quantum cellular neural networks

We have previously proposed a way of using coupled quantum dots to construct digital computing elements—quantum-dot cellular automata. Here we consider a different approach to using coupled quantum-dot cells in an architecture which, rather than reproducing Boolean logic, uses a physical near-neighbor connectivity to construct an analog cellular neural network.     

Nmr Structural Characterization of Oligo-N-Substituted Glycine Lead Compounds from a Combinatorial Library

Synthesis and screening of combinatorial librariesfor pharmaceutical lead discovery is a rapidlyexpanding field. Oligo-N-substituted glycines (NSGs)were one of the earliest sources of moleculardiversity in combinatorial libraries. In one of thefirst demonstrations of the power of combinatorialchemistry, two NSG trimers, CHIR-2279 and CHIR-4531,were identified as nM ligands for two 7-transmembraneG-protein-coupled receptors. The NMR characterizationof these two lead compounds was undertaken to verifycovalent connectivity and to determine solutionconformations, if any. The sequential chemical shiftassignments were performed using a new strategy forassigning ¹H and ¹³C resonances of NSGs. The conformational preferences were then determined inboth an aqueous co-solvent system and an organicsolvent to probe the effects of hydrophobic collapse. NSGs are expected to be more flexible than peptidesdue to the tertiary amide, with both cis andtrans amide bond conformations being accessible. Solution NMR studies indicate that although CHIR-2279and CHIR-4531 have identical backbones and termini,and very similar side chains, they do not display thesame solution conformational characteristics.     

A decision procedure using discrete geometry

A decision procedure is given which makes essential use of concepts in discrete geometry. The procedure decides for any one-state Turing machine with three-dimensional tape, whether or not it has an immortal configuration, i.e., it solves the uniform halting problem for such devices. The history and significance of the problem is examined. The solution is given with the main motivation of showing how traditional mathematical concepts can be used in decision procedures. The paper is introductory in the sense that all notions are carefully defined.     

An iterative method for the extrapolation of band-limited functions

We derive an iterative algorithm to extrapolate band-limited functions using the operators of Fourier transform and projection on convex subsets. The algorithm allows the use of a priori knowledge in the extrapolation procedure.     

Photobleaching of melanosomes from retinal pigment epithelium: I. Effects on protein oxidation

Melanin in the long-lived melanosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may undergo photobleaching with aging, which appears to diminish the antioxidant function of melanin and could make photobleached melanosomes less efficient in protecting biomolecules from oxidative modification. Here we analyzed whether photobleaching of melanosomes affects their ability to modify the oxidation state of nearby protein. As conventional methods developed to study soluble antioxidants are not well suited for analysis of granules such as melanosomes, we developed a new analytic method to focus on particle surfaces that involves experimentally coating granules with the cytoskeletal protein beta-actin to serve as a reporter for local protein oxidation. Isolated porcine RPE melanosomes were photobleached with visible light to simulate aging, then photobleached melanosomes, untreated melanosomes and control particles (black latex beads) were actin coated and illuminated in a photosensitized cell free system. Protein was re-stripped from particles and analyzed for carbonylation by Western blotting. Quantitative densitometry showed no reproducible differences for protein associated with untreated melanosomes when compared with control particles. Melanin has both anti- and pro-oxidant functions when light irradiated, but neither of these functions predominated in the protein oxidation assay when untreated melanosomes were used. However, protein extracted from photobleached melanosomes showed markedly increased carbonylation, both of associated actin and of endogenous melanosomal protein(s), and the effect increased with extent of granule photobleaching. Photobleaching of RPE melanosomes therefore changes the oxidation state of protein endogenous to the organelle and reduces the ability of the granule to modify the oxidation of exogenous protein near the particle surface. The results support the growing body of evidence that photobleaching of RPE melanosomes, which is believed to occur with aging, changes the physicochemical properties of the organelle and reduces the likelihood that the granules perform an antioxidant function.     

Structural and thermal investigations of starch polymers as matrices for retention of rhynchophorol aggregation pheromone

The present study aimed to prepare and characterize amylose inclusion complexes with rhynchophorol aggregation pheromone. The potato and cassava V-amylose–rhynchophorol complexes were successfully obtained, but the B-type polymorph was also formed. The potato (64.6%) and cassava (40.9%) amylose complexes have presented high crystalline indexes, confirmed by the XRD technique. No endothermic peaks associated with the melting of crystalline arrays were noticed between 30 and 100°C. The dynamic TG runs demonstrated that both the degree of order of crystalline arrays and molecular weights influence the thermal stabilities of the V-amyloses-rhynchophorol. The isothermal TG showed that the retention of rhynchophorol seems to be directly proportional to the molecular weights of starch polymers. The recovered rhynchophorol contents were in the order of 10^?7 grams per 50 milligrams of dried powders, which would be useful for insect attraction as demonstrated by the GC–MS technique. The starch polymers studied have presented suitable for retention of rhynchophorol guest molecules.

     

Scaling Platinum-Catalyzed Hydrogen Dissociation on Corrugated Surfaces

We determine absolute reactivities for dissociation at low coordinated Pt sites. Two curved Pt(111) single-crystal surfaces allow us to probe either straight or highly kinked step edges with molecules impinging at a low impact energy. A model extracts the average reactivity of inner and outer kink atoms, which is compared to the reactivity of straight A- and B-type steps. Local surface coordination numbers do not adequately capture reactivity trends for H₂ dissociation. We utilize the increase of reactivity with step density to determine the area over which a step causes increased dissociation. This step-type specific reactive area extends beyond the step edge onto the (111) terrace. It defines the reaction cross-section for H₂ dissociation at the step, bypassing assumptions about contributions of individual types of surface atoms. Our results stress the non-local nature of H₂ interaction with a surface and provide insight into reactivity differences for nearly identical step sites.     

Rapid synthesis of 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin using a carbamate annulation

A remarkably efficient synthesis of the biologically important iminosugar 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin (DGJ) is presented. Key to this strategy is the development of a novel carbamate annulation reaction that favours formation of a six-membered carbamate-containing piperidine skeleton over its five-membered counterpart.     

A mathematical model for weighing investments

This model assumes three separate investors each with a set amount of money. The full amount is to be invested in six investments, namely: long‐term bonds, short‐term bonds, treasury bonds, common stock, treasury bills, and commercial paper. The investment is made according to weights assigned to safety of principal, growth, current income, taxable income and volatility. The weights are derived by obtaining pairwise comparison matrices and then using an averaging process.