On the existence of thermodynamics for the generalized random energy model

Derrida's generalized random energy model is considered. Almost sure andL ^p convergence of the free energy at any inverse temperature are proven for an arbitrary numbern of hierarchical levels. The explicit form of the free energy is given in the most general case and the limitn is discussed.     

Lifschitz singularities for periodic operators plus random potentials

UsingX-bounding (lower bounds by Laplacians with mixed boundary conditions and discrete analogs), we obtain the Lifschitz exponent at the bottom of the spectrum for random operators of typeH =T+V , withT a (periodic) generator of a positivity-preserving semigroup, extending results by Kirsch and Simon.     

Infrared spectra of M+NO 3 − contact ion pairs in aprotic solvents and matrix isolated in the corresponding glasses

Studies of the vibrational spectra of matrix-isolated M⁺NO ₃ ^– ion pairs have been extended to glassy aprotic solvents. The deuterated form of the solvents DMSO, THF, and ACN have windows through the 7- nitrate ionv ₃(e) mode infrared region, so it was possible to clearly observe the splitting of the degeneracy of this mode,v ₃, produced by the contacting, but solvated, alkali metal cation. Primary attention has been directed to the extent to which this splitting is reduced relative to the argon matrix values. This reduction, which reflects electron-density transfer from the solvating molecules to the ion pairs, is comparable to that observed for H₂O and NH₃ matrices as the splitting is reduced to 20–35% of the argon-matrix values. The extent of reduction ofv ₃ for the different solvents has been related to Gutmann's donicity number scale with the correlation holding well for solvent molecules of comparable size, DMSO, THF and DMF, but breaking down for the smaller linear ACN, apparently because of more molecules in the cation solvation sphere. The matrix data have also been used, through comparison with spectra for saturated liquid solutions of Li⁺NO ₃ ^– , to show that the contact ion pair is the dominant species in liquid THF and ACN, whereas the ions are largely solvent separated in DMSO.     

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry — Optimization of the operating conditions in the determination of trace of elements in line-rich emission matrices

Radial viewing 40.68 MHz inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer was used in the determination of Y, Sc and rare earth elements in Eu₂O₃ or Lu₂O₃ as pure rare earth matrices. The Mg II 280.270 nm/Mg I 285.213 nm line intensity ratio was measured to evaluate the robustness of the operating conditions. The operating conditions were affected by varying the incident power and sheathing gas flow rate. The carrier gas flow rate remained a constant value. The relationship between the Mg II 280.270 nm/Mg I 285.213 nm ratio and the excitation temperature was obtained. A dependence of the magnesium ratio in the pure solvent and the corresponding values in the presence of the above matrices was established.     

Rare earth tungsten bronzes: a new method of synthesis. Perspectives for their application as inert matrices for transmutation of long-life actinide elements

A new method of synthesis of oxide tungsten bronzes containing lanthanide (Ln) Nd and Eu, based on thermal degradation of polyoxotungstate compounds, is proposed. The simplicity of the method allows to consider this class of compounds with chemical formula, Ln_xWO₃, as potential inert target for incineration or transmutation of minor actinides, Am and Cm, in neutron reactors. Nd and Eu were used as analogues of transplutonium elements. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of compounds synthesized reveal a cubic perovskite structure. The lanthanide content in bronzes was determined by optical spectroscopy analysis. The experimental density of the pressed bronze samples was estimated at 6.58 g cm⁻³, i.e., 89% of the crystallographic value. The thermal stability of the bronzes synthesized was checked up to 900°C in an inert atmosphere. Leaching tests were performed for europium bronzes in nitric acid solutions using luminescence technique.     

二维高分子链形态的计算机模拟

介绍在“高分子物理实验”教学中新开设的又一个计算机模拟实验，即应用自编的改进型四位置模型，模拟二维空间中的自回避行走链和无规行走链，并验算均方末端距和均方回转半径与聚合度的标度关系，所得结果与de Gennes的理论符合良好。     

THPep: A machine learning-based approach for predicting tumor homing peptides

In the present era, a major drawback of current anti-cancer drugs is the lack of satisfactory specificity towards tumor cells. Despite the presence of several therapies against cancer, tumor homing peptides are gaining importance as therapeutic agents. In this regard, the huge number of therapeutic peptides generated in recent years, demands the need to develop an effective and interpretable computational model for rapidly, effectively and automatically predicting tumor homing peptides. Therefore, a sequence-based approach referred herein as THPep has been developed to predict and analyze tumor homing peptides by using an interpretable random forest classifier in concomitant with amino acid composition, dipeptide composition and pseudo amino acid composition. An overall accuracy and Matthews correlation coefficient of 90.13% and 0.76, respectively, were achieved from the independent test set on an objective benchmark dataset. Upon comparison, it was found that THPep was superior to the existing method and holds high potential as a useful tool for predicting tumor homing peptides. For the convenience of experimental scientists, a web server for this proposed method is provided publicly at http://codes.bio/thpep/.     

Importance of the choice of assumptions and models in the estimation of analytical quality specifications

The validity of any model depends on its ability to imagine the situation or problem to which it is applied. Further, the assumptions made in relation to the model are determining for the actual outcome. Within the field of clinical biochemistry a lot of models for analytical quality specifications, based on a variety of concepts and ’clinical settings’, have been proposed. A hierarchical structure for application of these approaches and models has been agreed on at several occasions in 1999. In this hierarchy, the highest rank is given to evaluation of analytical quality specifications based on ’clinical settings’/’clinical outcome’ models, followed by specifications based on biological variation and on ’clinicians opinions’. This contribution, deals with the problems of combining random and systematic errors and the implications of application of different models to a variety of clinical settings. Received: 1 June, 2002 Accepted: 17 July 2002 Presented at the European Conference on Quality in the Spotlight in Medical Laboratories, 7–9 October 2001, Antwerp, Belgium     

Analysis of RNA sequence structure maps by exhaustive enumeration I. Neutral networks

Summary Global relations between RNA sequences and secondary structures are understood as mappings from sequence space into shape space. These mappings are investigated by exhaustive folding of allGC andAU sequences with chain lengths up to 30. The computed structural data are evaluated through exhaustive enumeration and used as an exact reference for testing analytical results derived from mathematical models and sampling based on statistical methods. Several new concepts of RNA sequence to secondary structure mappings are investigated, among them that ofneutral networks (being sets of sequences folding into the same structure). Exhaustive enumeration allows to test several previously suggested relations: the number of (minimum free energy) secondary structures as a function of the chain length as well as the frequency distribution of structures at constant chain length (commonly resulting in generalized forms ofZipf's law).

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Analyse der Beziehungen zwischen RNA-Sequenzen und Sekundärstrukturen durch vollständige Faltung, 1. Mitt. Faltung, Neutrale Netzwerke

Zusammenfassung Die globalen Benziehungen zwischen RNA-Sequenzen und Sekundärstrukturen werden als Abbildungen aus einem Raum aller Sequenzen in einen Raum aller Strukturen aufgefaßt. Diese Abbildungen werden durch Falten aller binären Sequenzen desGC-undAU-Alphabets mit Kettenlängen bis zun=30 untersucht. Die berechneten Strukturdaten werden durch vollständiges Abzählen ausgewertet und als eine exakte Referenz zum Überprüfen analytischer Resultate aus mathematischen Modellen sowie zum Testen statistisch erhobener Proben verwendet. Einige neuartige Konzepte zur Beschreibung der Beziehungen zwischen Sequenzen und Strukturen werden eingehend untersucht, unter ihnen der Begriff derneutralen Netzwerke. Ein neutrales Netzwerk besteht aus allen Sequenzen, die eine bestimmte Struktur ausbilden. Vollständiges Abzählen ermöglicht beispielsweise die Bestimmung aller Strukturen minimaler freier Energie in Abhängigkeit von der Kettenlänge ebenso wie die Bestimmung der Häufigkeitsverteilungen der Strukturen bei konstanten Kettenlängen. Die letzteren folgen einer verallgemeinerten FormZipfschen Gesetzes.

     

A new approach to the design of surface treatments for reinforcing agents

A new approach for design of improved interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and polymeric matrices is described. In this method the affinity of surface-treated carbon fibers to various polymer matrices is simulated by analyzing the adsorption characteristics of model compounds, typical of the polymer units, onto very high surface area carbon fibers. The affinity can be evaluated by the use of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to measure adsorption–desorption characteristics. Since high surface area, activated carbon fibers (ACF) can be chemically treated to obtain acidic, basic, nonpolar or highly polar surfaces, it should be possible to assess the interactions of chemically modified surfaces with model compounds such as methanol (MeOH), acetone, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylether, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water. Some preliminary results are presented, indicating that surface treatments for carbon fibers other than oxidation may lead to enhanced bonding with polymeric matrices.