An investigation of the membranotropic properties of the plant toxin thionin isolated fromPyrularia pubera

It has been shown by the ESR of spin probes that thionin initially interacts with with negatively charged membranes electrostatically and then passes into the membranes to a depth comparable with the length of the hydrophobic sections of the protein loops.Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 594–597, July–August, 1993.     

End unit effect on the Tg of differentiated series of perfluoro-poly (oxymethylene-co-oxyethylene) oligomers

Twelve series of linear oligomers of four different degrees of polymerization (x_n = 8.77−41.55), having a common perfluorinated random copolymeric chain as molecular body and two equal foreign end units of one of the types listed in Table 1, have been synthesized by derivatization of base samples of one of them having a diolic---CH₂OH functionality. The glass transition temperature T_g of all the series was measured and thus examined as a function of x_n. A clear end unit effect is observed, dominantly determined in every series by chemical nature and structure of the end units, quantitatively expressed at any x_n by different positive or negative T_g deviations from the common asymptotic T_g∞ value. The results are also discussed in terms of copolymer end effect and of relation between T_g and end copolymeric composition.     

Application of differential electrolytic potentiometry for detection in flow injection analysis

The applicability of differential electrolytic potentiometry as a detection system in flow injection analysis is investigated. A computer-controlled injector which delivers precise volumes of sample solutions in a reproducible manner was developed. Conditions such as current density employed, the concentrations of the solutions used and the flow rate were optimized. Chloride in water was determined by means of this system. The relation between chloride concentration and the measured signal was found to be Nernstian for solutions of concentrations above 6 μg ml⁻¹ chloride. For solutions below this concentration, the relation is linear.     

Investigation of the conditions for feeding filamentary silicon crystals,growing in a reactor with hot walls

An estimate of the factors which influence the rate of growth of filamentary silicon crystals in a standard chloride system using a quartz reactor with hot walls is given. It is shown that a diffusion form of crystallization is observed under the conditions investigated.Voronezh State Technical University. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 22–26, October, 1995.     

Integration of the equations of planar and flexural vibrations of anisotropic plates in special functions of generalized complex variables

On the basis of the method of successive approximations in formal series we construct systems of particular solutions of the equations of planar and flexural harmonic vibrations of thin rectilinear anisotropic plates with a plane of symmetry of elastic properties parallel to the faces. The solutions constructed are classified as special sk-functions of generalized complex variables. Translated fromTeoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika No. 24, 1993, pp. 54–61.     

Studies of the compositions of Pd(II) hydrolysis products

The characterization of the clusters formed on alkaline hydrolysis of [PdCl₄]^2– was performed using¹⁷O,²³Na,³⁵Cl,¹³³Cs NMR and UV spectroscopy. The chemical composition of the clusters was found to be [Pd(OH)₂] _n ·nNaCl. No mononuclear oxo- or hydroxocomplexes were detected. The spatial structure of the clusters is stabilized by alkali metal cations.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 675–679, April, 1993.     

Electrodialysis of Hydrosols of Ultradispersed Diamonds

The electrical conductivity of hydrosols of ultradispersed diamonds was studied. The electromembrane method for cleaning and concentrating of ultradispersed diamonds in hydrosols was considered. The influence exerted by the concentration of the dispersed phase on the electrical characteristics of the cleaning process was analyzed. A mathematical relation making it possible to evaluate the output characteristics of the process and to determine the geometrical characteristics of the apparatus was proposed.     

Forecasting call frequency at a financial services call centre

A forecasting model is developed for the number of daily applications for loans at a financial services telephone call centre. The purpose of the forecasts and the associated prediction intervals is to provide effective staffing policies within the call centre. The model building process is constrained by the availability of only 2 years and 7 months of data. The distinctive feature of the data is that demand is driven in the main by advertising. The analysis given focuses on applications stimulated by press advertising. Unlike previous analyses of broadly similar data, where ARIMA models were used, a model with a dynamic level, multiplicative calendar effects and a multiplicative advertising response is developed and shown to be effective.