Critical dimensions for strings,bags,...

Consider extendedd-dimensional objects such as strings (d=1), membranes (d=2), ... It is argued that their quantum theories cannot be consistent in space-times of dimension exceeding the critical valueD=2+24/d (orD=2+8/d in the supersymmetric case). This rules out consistent theories for objects extended in more than 5 (3 in the supersymmetric case) space-like dimensions.     

DNA Binding Studies and Cytotoxicity of Ethylenediamine 8‐Hydroxyquinolinato Palladium(II) Chloride

Interaction between ethylenediamine 8‐hydroxyquinolinato palladium(II) chloride and calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) in aqueous solution were studied by UV‐Visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopic techniques and gel chromatography at temperatures of 300 K and 310 K. The complex bound strongly and intercalatively to the CT‐DNA. The results of the cytotoxicity assay of the Pd(II) complex on the leukemia cell line, K562 indicated lower cytotoxicity than cisplatin. The Pd(II) complex is considered an agent with potential antitumor activity. The calculation of several binding and thermodynamic parameters of the inclusion Pd(II) complex with CT‐DNA may provide deeper insights into the mechanism of action of these types of complexes with nucleic acids.     

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene/ thermoplastic rubber blends

The morphology and crystallization behavior of blends of polypropylene (PP) and an ethylene-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM images showed a two-phase morphology for these blends. As TPO was partially crystalline, two distinct peaks were observed in both heating and cooling scans of DSC. The crystallization temperature of TPO in blends was higher than pure TPO. In contrast, the crystallization temperature of PP in blends was lower than pure PP. The crystallization behavior of blends was modeled by Avrami equation. It was observed that the presence of TPO accelerated the growth rate of crystals of PP in PP/TPO blends.     

A comparison of the inclusion behavior of human serum albumin and holo transferrin with fluoxymesterone in the presence of three different cyclodextrins

This article describes the interaction of fluoxymesterone (Flu) with HSA and HTF in the absence and presence of cyclodextrins (CDs) (α, β and γ). According to fluorescence data, the binding of Flu to the proteins caused strong static quenching in the binary and ternary systems. The fluorescence quenching results demonstrated that HSA and HTF had two and one class of apparent binding sites with a distinct binding constant in the presence of the CDs, respectively. The effects of Flu on the structure of HSA and HTF were analyzed using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, which showed that the interaction of Flu with both proteins in the binary and ternary systems altered the microenvironment around the Trp and Tyr residues. The distance, r, between Flu and the proteins was obtained according to FRET which pointed at a successful formation of a drug-protein complex. Far-UV CD spectra indicated that the binding of the drug to both proteins induced changes in the secondary structure of HSA and HTF in the binary and ternary systems. Finally, molecular modeling provided possible binding sites of Flu within the proteins for the binary and ternary systems and also confirmed the experimental results. The obtained data can be useful for determining usage drug doses in drug delivery.     

Dynamics of General Relativistic Spherically Symmetric Dust Thick Shells

We consider a spherical thick shell immersed in two different spherically symmetric space-times. Using the fact that the boundaries of the thick shell with two embedding space-times must be nonsingular hypersurfaces, we develop a scheme to obtain the underlying equation of motion for the thick shell in general. As a simple example, the equation of motion of a spherical dustlike shell in vacuum is obtained. To compare our formalism with the thin shell one, the dynamical equation of motion of the thick shell is then expanded to the first order of its thickness. It is easily seen that the thin shell limit of our dynamical equation is exactly that given in the literature for the dynamics of a thin shell. It turns out that the effect of thickness is to speed up the collapse of the shell.     

A two parameter mixed interior-exterior penalty algorithm

In this paper, we analyze the mixed penalty methods introduced in the classic book of Fiacco and McCormick usingtwo distinct penalty parametersr, t. The two penalty coefficients induce a two-parameter differentiable trajectory. We analyze the numerical behaviour of an extrapolation strategy that follows the path of the two-parameter trajectory. We show also how to remove the ill-conditioning by suitable transformations of the equations. In the resulting theory, we show that function values as well as distances to the optimum are both governed by the same behaviour as interior methods (two-step superlinearly convergent, with limiting exponent 4/3).Research partially supported by NSERC grant OGP0036512.Research partially supported by NSERC grant OGP0005491.     

A test theory of special relativity: I. Simultaneity and clock synchronization

The role of convention in various definitions of clock synchronization and simultaneity is investigated. We show that two principal methods of synchronization can be considered: system internal and system external synchronization. Synchronization by the Einstein procedure and by slow clock transport turn out to be equivalent if and only if the time dilatation factor is given by the Einstein result (1–v ²)^1/2. An ether theory is constructed that maintains absolute simultaneity and is kinematically equivalent to special relativity.