Comparison of three different configurations of dual ultramicroelectrodes for the decomposition of S-Nitroso-L-glutathione and the direct detection of nitric oxide

Podoplanin (PDP) is a small transmembrane protein and widely present in various specialized cells throughout the human body. It is a specific marker for identification of lymphatic vessel and a candidate marker for cancer stem cells in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. We report on method for the highly selective determination of PDP by using a surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) that exploits the highly selective interaction between PDP and anti-human PDP monoclonal antibody (IgG). The sensor has a dynamic range between 0.25 and 1.0?ng?mL^?1, and a detection limit of 15?pg?mL^?1. It was applied to the determination of PDP in blood plasma and tissue homogenates from paired normal and lung tumor tissue.

Laeng-Morpurgo-Type Uncertainty Inequalities for the Laguerre Transform

In this work,we prove Clarkson-type and Nash-type inequalities for the Laguerre transform■on M=[0,∞)×R.By combining these inequalities,we show Laeng-Morpurgo-type uncertainty inequalities.We establish also a local-type uncertainty inequalities for the Laguerre transform■,and we deduce a Heisenberg-Pauli-Weyl-type inequality for this transform.     

Assessing bank efficiency and performance with operational research and artificial intelligence techniques: A survey

This paper presents a comprehensive review of 196 studies which employ operational research (O.R.) and artificial intelligence (A.I.) techniques in the assessment of bank performance. Several key issues in the literature are highlighted. The paper also points to a number of directions for future research. We first discuss numerous applications of data envelopment analysis which is the most widely applied O.R. technique in the field. Then we discuss applications of other techniques such as neural networks, support vector machines, and multicriteria decision aid that have also been used in recent years, in bank failure prediction studies and the assessment of bank creditworthiness and underperformance.     

Gas‐assisted fluid displacement in a circular tube and a rectangular channel

In this paper the amount of liquid left inside of a circular tube and a rectangular channel when displaced by another immiscible fluid are determined by solving the full creeping‐motion equations. The exact continuity of stress on the free surface is employed with a finite difference method. In order to solve the equations, the steady‐state shape of the interface is guessed and the normal stress boundary condition is dropped. The equations based on a stream function‐vorticity formulation are solved with the aid of elliptic grid generation. The computed results are compared with the experimental results of Taylor (J. Fluid Mech. 1961; 10: 161), the theoretical results of Reinelt and Saffman (SIAM J. Sci. Stat. Comput. 1985; 6: 542) and our experimental data. The computed results are in close agreement with our experimental data and those of previous investigators. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hybrid Materials from Carbon Nanotubes,Nickel Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine and Thin Polymer Layers for the Selective Electrochemical Activation of Nitric Oxide in Solution

The elaboration of hybrid materials from single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and tetrasulfonated nickel phthalocyanine (NiTSPc) was electrochemically performed to obtain chemically modified electrodes with improved electrocatalytic activity towards the electrooxidation of nitric oxide (NO). The characterization of these hybrid electrodes was achieved by cyclic voltammetry and AFM. The electrochemical performances of the electrodes towards the oxidation of NO were then analyzed by chronoamperometry and the obtained results show that the presence of SWCNT greatly enhances the electrocatalytic performances in terms of current intensity. Additional coatings were then electrodeposited over the hybrid electrodes to act as selective membranes against four major interfering analytes: nitrite, ascorbate, hydrogen peroxide and L ‐arginine. Several polymer coatings were tested to achieve the best balance between sensitivity to NO and selectivity against interferents.