Semigroups for Generalized Birth-and-Death Equations in lp Spaces

We prove the existence of C₀ semigroups related to some birth-and-death type infinite systems of ODEs with possibly unbounded coefficients, in the scale of spaces l^p, For some particular cases we also provide a characterization of the spectra of their generators. For the proof of the generation theorem in the case p > 1 we extend the Chernoff perturbation result ([9]) on relatively bounded perturbations of generators. The results presented here have been used in [5] and they play important role for analysing chaoticity of dynamical systems considered there. As a by-product of our approach we obtain a result related to the classical Shubin theorem [20]. We show that this theorem, saying that for a class of bounded infinite matrices the spectrum of the corresponding maximal operator in l^p is independent on cannot be extended to unbounded matrices.     

Polyolefins - poly(ethylene oxide) blends: Structure and properties

Structure and properties of polyolefins-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blends were studied by combination of thermal analysis, light microscopy and fluorescence probe technique. Mixing and preparation conditions influence the calorimetric behavior, changing heat and temperature of melting and crystallinity degree of blended polymers. Values of the static mechanical parameters as well as flow characteristic parameters of the blends are lower for the higher PEO fraction in the samples. Fluorescence investigation of pyrene (changes in the vibrational fine structure) showed a nonhomogeneous distribution of the probe molecules between polyolefin and PEO environment. From these data the partition coefficient between polyolefin and PEO phase can be calculated and correlated with the crystallinity changes of the mixture composition.     

Efficiency of second harmonic generation for partially coherent light in anisotropic crystals

This paper analyzes the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of light with partial temporal coherence due to depolarization effects in birefringent media. It discusses relations between SHG efficiency fading, light source spectrum, crystal birefringence, and phase matching conditions. The efficiency of SHG pumped by the partially coherent light beam that may depolarize light in nonlinear birefringent crystal is also analyzed. The basic theory of SHG with its modification for partially coherent light with depolarization and some numerical calculations of the SHG process are described. Presented at 9-th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics Applications, NOA 207, May 17–20, 2007, Świnoujście, Poland     

Evidence for triaxial shapes in Pt nuclei

Positive parity levels in ¹⁹¹Pt obtained from (α, xnγ) reactions and β-decay are presented as a first example of a rather complete $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level family. The spectrum confirms triaxial shapes found before from $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ proton structures in this mass region. In addition to the usual decoupled yrast band, a second ΔI = 2 band within the $\text{i}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>13</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ family, built on a low-lying $\text{j?1 =}\text{11}\text{2}$ state, is observed in agreement with theory.     

Sur la solution fondamentale de l'équation aux dérivées partielles du type parabolique

Résumé L'auteur construit la solution fondamentale pour l'équation aux dérivées partielles du type parabolique à deux variables indépendantes en partant de celle de l'équation construite parJ. Hadamard. à Mauro Picone pour son 70^me anniversaire.     

Radon concentration of outdoor air: measured by an ionization chamber for radioisotope monitoring system at radioisotope institute

Gas-flow ionization chambers for radioisotope (RI) monitoring systems at RI institutes throughout Japan are commonly used to measure RIs which leak from the RI institutes. Before the Japan’s 2011 Tohoku earthquake [11 March 2011, moment magnitude (M _w) 9.0], ionization current data measured with a gas-flow ionization chamber at the RI institute of Fukushima Medical University were found to change. The question we must raise is whether the variation ionization current can be considered to the variation of outdoor radon concentration. The conversion factors (from ionization current to radon concentration in air) of the gas-flow ionization chamber can be obtained by measuring four levels of radon concentration (outdoor air, indoor air, high level and radon-free gas) with an AlphaGUARD monitor and the chamber itself. The two gas-flow ionization chambers consist of the air intake and terminal exhaust duct of the RI institute. It was found that the radon concentration in the exhaust air was the same as that in the air intake. This study provided evidence that variations of outdoor radon concentration could be determined using gas-flow ionization chambers for RI monitoring systems.     

[2]Benzothiophene bent-shaped liquid crystals

New liquid crystalline (LC) compounds containing the [2 Weissflog, W., Nádasi, H., Dunemann, U., Pelzl, G., Diele, S., Eremin, A. and Kresse, H. 2001. J. Mater. Chem., 11: 2748–2758. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]]benzothiophene chromophore unit have been synthesised and their mesomorphic properties studied. Mesomorphic and fluorescent properties have been modified by various chemical moieties. Among others, terminal fluoroalkyl and/or chiral chains were introduced to stabilise mesophases and support the formation of polar phases. In spite of the bent shape due to the central 1,3-diphenylbenzo[c]thiophene unit, all compounds exhibit phases typical for the rod-like LC: nematic, smectic A and smectic C or their chiral analogues using the chiral (S)-C₂H₅CH(CH₃)(CH₂)₆CO or (S)-C₁₀H₂₁OCH(CH₃)CO chain. The orientational order in the nematic phase was studied by polarised infrared measurements. The fluorescent properties of the studied compounds have been measured and their parameters established.     

Nematicon-nematicon interactions in a medium with tunable nonlinearity and fixed nonlocality

We investigate the attractive interaction between spatial solitons in nematic liquid crystals with a tunable nonlinearity and a constant nonlocality. The experimental study, carried out by controlling the orientation of the optic axis via the electro-optic response, shows how the interactions depend on reorientation, in excellent agreement with a model accounting for the anisotropic nature of the dielectric.     

Characterization of a cold-active and salt tolerant esterase identified by functional screening of Arctic metagenomic libraries

Background

The use of metagenomics in enzyme discovery constitutes a powerful approach to access to genomes of unculturable community of microorganisms and isolate novel valuable biocatalysts for use in a wide range of biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields.

Results

Here we present a novel esterase gene (lip3) identified by functional screening of three fosmid metagenomic libraries, constructed from three marine sediment samples. The sequenced positive fosmid revealed an enzyme of 281 amino acids with similarity to class 3 lipases. The 3D modeling of Lip3 was generated by homology modeling on the basis of four lipases templates [PDB ID: 3O0D, 3NGM, 3G7N, 2QUB] to unravel structural features of this novel enzyme. The catalytic triad of Lip3 was predicted to be Asp207, His267 and the catalytic nucleophile Ser150 in a conserved pentapeptide (GXSXG). The 3D model highlighted the presence of a one-helix lid able to regulate the access of the substrate to the active site when the enzyme binds a hydrophobic interface. Moreover an analysis of the external surface of Lip3 model showed that the majority of the surface regions were hydrophobic (59.6 %) compared with homologous lipases (around 35 %) used as templates. The recombinant Lip3 esterase, expressed and purified from Escherichia coli, preferentially hydrolyzed short and medium length p-nitrophenyl esters with the best substrate being p-nitrophenyl acetate. Further characterization revealed a temperature optimum of 35 °C and a pH optimum of 8.0. Lip3 exhibits a broad temperature stability range and tolerates the presence of DTT, EDTA, PMSF, β-mercaptoethanol and high concentrations of salt. The enzyme was also highly activated by NaCl.

Conclusions

The biochemical characterization and homology model reveals a novel esterase originating from the marine Arctic metagenomics libraries with features of a cold-active, relatively thermostable and highly halotolerant enzyme. Taken together, these results suggest that this esterase could be a highly valuable candidate for biotechnological applications such as organic synthesis reactions and cheese ripening processes.