A non‐linear and non‐local boundary condition for a diffusion equation in petroleum engineering

This article deals with a boundary value problem for Laplace equation with a non‐linear and non‐local boundary condition. This problem comes from petroleum engineering and is used to obtain an estimation of well productivity. The non‐linear and non‐local boundary condition is written on the well boundary. On the outer reservoir boundaries, we have both Dirichlet and Neumann conditions. In this paper, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution to this problem. The existence is proved by Schauder theorem and the uniqueness is obtained under more restricted conditions, when the involved operator is a contraction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The generalized beta- and F-distributions in statistical modelling

The univariate generalized beta- and generalized F-distributions are frequently in recent statistical modellings and applications. They have richer properties than the standard beta- and Snedecor F-distributions and provide more flexibility than these distributions, of which they are natural extensions. Their connection with the Gauss hypergeometric function and Lauricella functions leads to further generalizations and important properties. This article gives a unified and up-to-date treatment of these two generalized distributions using only simple arguments. Proofs are given for some original results and a complete reference to their source is provided for established ones. The important problem of parameter estimation is also studied.     

On the Smoothness of a Generalized Solution of the First Initial Boundary-Value Problem for Strongly Parabolic Systems in a Cylinder with Nonsmooth Base with Respect to Time Variable

We consider the first initial boundary-value problem for strongly parabolic systems in an infinite cylinder with nonsmooth boundary. We establish conditions for the existence of generalized solutions, an estimate for this solutions, and an estimate for the derivative of the solution.     

Effect of copper impurity on the edge emission of ZnTe crystals

The results are given of studies on the edge emission of undoped and copperdoped ZnTe crystals in the temprature range 4.2–300K. The copper impurity has been found to increase the intensity of the principal edge emission band substantially. Analysis of the structure of this emission band indicated that a temprature below 160K the main role is played by the emission from excitons that are most probably bound in Cu_Zn and Li_Zn centers while at higher temperatures it is played by emission during the transition of free electrons to these centers. An appreciable role is played over the entire range of temperatures by emission from free electrons with an energy of 13 MeV. The luminescence quenching energy below 160 K has a value of 7 MeV (the binding energy of a bound exciton) and at higher temperatures it is 78 MeV.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 68–73, August, 1987.     

Hyperfine structure and isotope shift investigations in202–222Rn for the study of nuclear structure beyond Z=82

The hyperfine structure (hfs) and isotope shift (IS) in the isotopic chain of the radioactive element radon have been studied for the first time. The measurements were carried out by collinear fast-beam laser spectroscopy at the mass separator facility ISOLDE at CERN. The IS between 16 isotopes in the mass range 202A222 and the hfs of 7 odd-A isotopes were determined in the transitions 7s [3/2]₂-7p [5/2]₃ (745 nm) of Rn I. The nuclear spins and moments, as well as the observed inversion of the odd-even staggering for^218–222Rn, can be associated with the effects of octupole instability around N=134.This work was supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Stoichiometry-dependent formation of quantum dot-antibody bioconjugates: a complementary atomic force microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis study

The unique advantages of quantum dot (QD) bioconjugates have motivated their application in biological assays. However, physical characterization of bioconjugated QDs after surface modification has often been overlooked. Here, biotinylated antibodies (biotin-IgG) were attached to commercial streptavidin-conjugated quantum dots (strep-QDs) at different stoichiometric ratios, and these QD bioconjugates were characterized with atomic force microscopy and discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE). The results from these complementary analytical techniques showed that the molar ratio determined the relative sizes, molecular weights and morphologies of the QD bioconjugates. Additionally, the novel discontinuous SDS-AGE analysis confirmed specific binding between biotin-IgG and strep-QDs. Researchers who design QD bioconjugates for cell-based assays should consider stoichiometry-dependent differences in the physical properties of their QD bioconjugates.     

A simple method for assigning multiple immunogens to their protein on a two-dimensional blot and its application to asthma-causing allergens

A "one-step" procedure, that not only removes the color and blocking proteins used in the colorimetric immunodetection step but also stains the proteins originally on the blot, is presented. Following immunostaining and recording of immunoreactive spots, the blot was allowed to air-dry overnight (or longer) at room temperature and then counterstained with a colloidal gold solution. This "air-drying" process apparently altered the affinity of the blocking proteins (and possibly other proteins added subsequently to the blotting step) towards the nitrocellulose membrane causing them to be removed by the acidic colloidal gold solution while the "blotted" proteins were being stained. The sensitivity of this counterstained blot was comparable to that of the blot without going through the immunodetection process. Since both immunodetection and protein staining were carried out on the same blot, this allowed easy identification of many immunoreactive spots to their corresponding proteins when the two profiles were superimposed. Using this procedure, we have detected 25 immunoreactive spots (or allergens) from the whole body extract of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) that contribute to asthma and assigned them to their corresponding proteins on a two-dimensional (2-D) protein map. The apparent Mr and pI for each of the allergens were determined. We have also located one of the major cockroach allergens, Bla g 5 (glutathione S-transferase). Two-dimensional zymography revealed the presence of ten gelatinase-type proteolytic enzymes. Only one of the ten proteases comigrated with the immunoreactive proteins indicating that unlike other allergen-producing systems, most of the cockroach allergens do not possess protease activity.     

Polymer-protected palladium nanoparticles. Morphologies and catalytic selectivities

Colloidal palladium nanocatalysts prepared by in situ reductions of palladium chloride were immobilized and protected by either of two water-soluble polymers. The particle sizes and size distributions of the palladium colloids were determined by transmission electron microscopy. Their selectivities as catalysts were determined by comparing the extents of hydrogenation of carefully chosen pairs of small-molecule olefins. There was found to be high hydrogenation selectivity with regard to cyclic vs. noncyclic olefins. Selectivity was relatively low, however, among olefins that differed only in size (such as hexene vs. octene), or olefins differing only with regard to the positions of the double bonds (such as 1-octene vs. 3-octene). Selectivity could be improved by careful choice of the immobilizing polymer, and by its use at relatively high concentrations.     

Natural anti-HIV agents. Part 3: Litseaverticillols A-H, novel sesquiterpenes from Litsea verticillata

Bioassay directed-fractionation led to the identification of litseaverticillols A-H (1-8) from the leaves and twigs of Litsea verticillata Hance. These new sesquiterpenes possess a unique skeleton that was recently designated as ‘litseane’. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR data. Structural configurations were determined by ROESY experiments. Mosher ester reactions and optical rotation measurements established the sesquiterpenes 1-8 as racemates. Isolates 1-8 inhibited HIV-1 replication in HOG.R5 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2 to 15 μg/ml (8-58 μM) while affecting the growth of HOG.R5 at concentrations 2-3-fold higher. Based on this data, structure-activity relationships can be discerned, suggesting compounds of this class are good candidates for analog production.