Second-order properties of the loss probability inM/M/s/s +c systems

The Erlang loss function, which gives the steady state loss probability in anM/M/s/s system, has been extensively studied in the literature. In this paper, we look at the similar loss probability inM/M/s/s + c systems and an extension of it to nonintegral number of servers and queue capacity. We study its monotonicity properties. We show that the loss probability is convex in the queue capacity, and that it is convex in the traffic intensity if is below some ^* and concave if is greater that ^*, for a broad range of number of servers and queue capacities. We prove that the one-server loss system is the onlyM/M/s/s +c system for which the loss probability is concave in the traffic intensity in all its range.Research supported by Grant BD/645/90-RM from Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica.On leave from: Departamento de Matemática, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1096 Lisboa Codex, Portugal.     

THE COMPARISON OF LANZHOU LOESS PROFILE WITH VOSTOK ICE CORE IN ANTARCTICA OVER THE LAST GLACIATION CYCLE

Loess near Lanzhou in the late Pleistocene is very sensitive to climatic fluctuations. The Beiyuan terrace profile in Linxia City, of which the curve of susceptibility tallies with the trend of isotopic curves of Vostok 2083 m ice core in Antarctica, is 35m thick. There are five layers of paleosols under Malan loess(L_1). Upper three layers (S_(1-a),S(1-b)and S_(1-c) correspond to three warm stages in last interglaciation, Interstadial of Last Glacial (C stage in Antarctic ice core)was clearly recorded in the Beiyuan profile, in which three layers of paleosols and two of loess were formed. The lowest section of the profile belongs to penultimate glaciation, in which fossils of cold-drought-resistant mammal and mollusc have been discovered.     

A new Co(II) complex with N,O-donor Schiff base: Synthesis, structure and characterization

A new Co(II) complex with tridentate Schiff base ligand with a N,N,O donor set has been synthesized and characterized by single X-ray technique and spectroscopic techniques. The thermochemical properties have been studied. X-ray structure analysis of the title compound Co(II)L₂ [HL = 2-methyl-6-(2′-hydroxybenzylideneamino) pyridine] shows that the polyhedron around Co(II) is a distorted tetrahedron, and the self-assembly via intermolecular π-π interactions leads to a three-dimensional network. Crystal data for the title complex C₂₆H₂₂CoN₄O₂: Monoclinic, space group Ia, a = 11.741(7) Å, b = 8.149(5) Å, c = 22.764(16) Å, β = 98.530(12)°, V = 2154(2) ų, Z = 4.     

THE THEORETICAL STUDY OF ADSORPTION OF METAL IONS ON CHITOSAN

1. INTRODUCTION Chitin, the most abundant natural amino polysaccharide and estimated to be produced annually almost as much as cellulose, is well known to consist of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D- glucose through α, β(1→4) linkage. Chitin is the major source of surface pollution in coastalareas. Chitosan is the N-deacetylated derivative of chitin and their structures are shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 Structures of Chitin and Chitosan Because of the excellent properties such as biocompatibility…     

Ag@Au core/shell triangular nanoplates with dual enzyme-like properties for the colorimetric sensing of glucose

Due to the serious harm of diabetes to human health, development of sensitive assays for glucose level is of high significance for early prevention and treatment of diabetes. Currently, most conventional enzyme-based glucose sensors suffer from high cost and low stability due to the inherent defects of natural enzymes. Herein, we develop a pure nanozyme-based glucose detection method using Ag@Au core/shell triangular nanoplates (TNPs), which combines glucose oxidase (GOD)- and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-like activities of the Au shell and inherent plasmonic properties of Ag TNPs. The sensing mechanism is based on the fact that the Au shell possessed GOD-like activity, enabling the oxidation of glucose to produce H₂O₂, which can further etch the silver core, leading to the decrease of absorbance at 800 nm and the color change from blue to colorless. Compared with the previous nanozymes-based glucose sensors, our method avoids the use of enzymes and organic chromogenic agent. Moreover, the stability of the Ag@Au core/shell TNPs is much better than that of Ag TNPs due to the protection by the coating of the Au shell. This method was successfully applied to the detection of urine samples from patients with diabetes, indicating its practical applicability for real sample analysis.     

Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble “mystery boxes”. Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.     

Synthesis, biological activity and modelling studies of two novel anti HIV PR inhibitors with a thiophene containing hydroxyethylamino core

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of a versatile intermediate bearing azido, hydroxyl and ester functions, a useful precursor for peptidomimetic compounds. The two main features for this synthesis were the use of the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation on thiophene acrylate and the subsequent regioselective ring opening by sodium azide of the cyclic sulfite. Highly chemoselective reduction of the azido alcohol led to a key compound which was utilized for the synthesis of two analogues of commercial anti HIV PR such as nelfinavir and saquinavir. The biological activity and molecular modelling study on these two new potential drugs have been evaluated.     

Dielectric properties of beryllia ceramics in the near-millimeter wavelength range

We report the refractive indices and absorption coefficients for four beryllia (BeO) ceramic samples. These dielectric properties have been measured over the range from 4 to 18 cm^–1 by use of a Michelson interferometer. The index n, follows the linear relationship n=0.6517 cm³/g×+0.7130 with density, , over the range 2.8<<3.0 g/cm³.     

Real‐time lock‐in energy loss imaging with a novel high‐speed image processing CCD video camera

We have developed a high‐speed image processing CCD video camera for real‐time energy‐loss imaging using a conventional electron microscope with an energy‐loss imaging facility. As an initial demonstration of real‐time lock‐in energy‐loss imaging, a background‐subtracted energy‐loss image was observed by attaching the high‐speed image processing CCD video camera to an analytical electron microscope equipped with a floating‐type energy‐loss imaging analyser. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of gem-difluoropropargyl synthons through HF loss from protonated molecules in methane chemical ionization mass spectra

Electron impact and methane chemical ionization mass spectra were obtained following gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for several gem-difluoropropargyl compounds, which had been synthesized as potential intermediates for synthesis of gem-difluoromethylene-containing C-3 acetylenes. EI spectra were variable with respect to the presentation of molecular ions, depending on substituent functional groups present. Methane-CI spectra were characterized by loss of 19 mass units from molecular weight with all compounds examined. These [M − 19]⁺ ions often presented as base peaks of the CI spectra, and were more reliably present and abundant than [M + 1]⁺ ions for these compounds. These ions could have been formed by elimination of HF from the protonated molecules under conditions of methane chemical ionization.