Patents and literature

Protein engineering and site-directed mutagenesis is becoming immensely important in both fundamental studies and commercial applications involving proteins and enzymes in biocatalysis. Protein engineering has become a powerful tool to help biochemists and molecular enzymologists elucidate structure-function relationships in enzymic active sites, to understand the intricacies of protein folding and denaturation, and to alter the selectivity of enzymatic catalysis. Commercial applications of engineered enzymes are being developed to increase protein stability, widen or narrow substrate specificity, and to develop novel approaches for use of enzymes in organic synthesis, drug design, and clinical applications. In addition to protein engineering, novel expression systems have been designed to prepare large quantities of genetically engineered proteins. Recent US patents and scientific literature on protein engineering, site-directed mutagenesis, and protein expression systems related to protein engineering are surveyed. Patent abstracts are summarized individually and a list of literature references are given.     

Application of a mercuric iodide detector for the exploration and exploitation of niobium deposits in remote areas

The comparison of an ambient temperature mercuric iodide spectrometer (HgI₂) with a conventional cooled Si(Li) spectrometer is presented for the determination of niobium in Venezuelan laterites in the laboratory. The energy resolution of the HgI₂ spectrometer was only about 590 eV (FWHM) at 5.9 keV compared to about 150 eV for the conventional Si(Li) spectrometer. The efficiency was about 5 times lower in the region of the Nb_K peak as compared to the Si(Li) detector. Even though its energy resolution and efficiency is much poorer than the conventional Si(Li), the results it produced for the determination of niobium were acceptable for use in the exploration and exploitation of a niobium-rich deposit such as Cerro Impacto, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.     

The effective resonance energy as a parameter in (n, γ) activation analysis with reactor neutrons

In absolute or comparator standardization methods of (n, ) activation analysis with reactor neutrons, the epithermal neutron flux nonideality, if neglected, max lead to significant errors on the analytical result. The concept of the effective resonance energy , introduced to correct for this effect, is reviewed.     

X-ray investigation of the role of the mixed emulsifier in the structure formation in o/w creams

The aim of this research work was to clarify the role of the mixed emulsifier in the structure formation and water binding mode in the case of o/w creams prepared with different surfactants. The swelling behavior of mixed emulsifiers was examined by means of direct investigation methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The detailed structure image of the creams was created with the help of the latter. The influence of the structure of the hydrophilic gel phase, and the structural changes during storage were studied with rheological methods. On the basis of the results, it can be stated that the investigated creams had different structures from those mentioned in the literature: surfactant did not create a mixed bilayer with the structure to furnish fatty amphiphile; instead, micelles were formed. These results correlated well with the results of the rheological tests.     

A New Efficient Synthesis of p-Nitrocalix[4]arene

A new efficient synthesis of p-nitrocalix[4]arene from calix[4]arene by using nitrogen dioxide is described.The compound is an useful intermediates for the introduction of other functional groups to obtain N containing substituted calix[4]arene.The reaction mechanism is briefly discussed.     

Characterisation of raw materials for production of ceramics

The aim of this paper is to characterize some raw materials used for ceramics material production. Five samples of clay have been analyzed. It has been carried out a patterned sampling in a quarry in Rosarno (South Italy). Chemical-physical properties on clay samples are determined. Test pieces have been prepared and physical properties after firing are determined by DSC thermal analysis, XRD analysis and X-ray fluorescence. It is important to note the high amount of Fe₂O₃. The mixture principally contains quartz, illite and oligoclase. It has been observed the colour and the shape after firing: predominant colour is red. In this case the clay has been used in mixtures covered with glazes. The colour of internal clay is hidden by opaque of glazes. The analysed raw materials can be used in a slip for single fired red tiles. The A2sp clay produces best ceramics at 1000°C.     

Activation analysis of high-purity silicon

³²P was separated from the irradiated silicon matrix as ammonium phosphomolybdate and the activity was measured with a GM tube or on a plastic scintillator. The second-order interference was taken into consideration. Research associate of the N.F.W.O.     

FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic study of hydrated rubidium (cesium) borates and alkali double borates

FT-IR and Raman spectra of five hydrated alkali borates and five hydrated alkali double borates have been recorded at room temperature in the range 400 to 4000 cm⁻¹, and analyzed. Fundamental vibrational modes have been identified and assignments tentatively made in comparison with the work of Janda and Heller, and Li Jun. The text was submitted by the authors in English.