Free convection effects and radiative heat transfer in MHD Stokes problem for the flow of dusty conducting fluid through porous medium

The present note deals with the effects of radiative heat transfer and free convection in MHD for a flow of an electrically conducting, incompressible, dusty viscous fluid past an impulsively started vertical non-conducting plate, under the influence of transversely applied magnetic field. The heat due to viscous dissipation and induced magnetic field is assumed to be negligible. The governing linear partial differential equations are solved by finite difference technique. The effects of various parameters (like radiation parameter N, Prandtl number Pr, porosity parameter K) entering into the MHD Stokes problem for flow of dusty conducting fluid have been examined on the temperature field and velocity profile for both the dusty fluid and dust particles.     

A generalization of Ryser's theorem on term rank

In his work on classes of (0, 1)-matrices with given row and column sum vectors, Herbert Ryser proved that the maximum term rank possible in a normalized class, ρ, can be realized by a matrix having ρ (independent) 1's in positions (1, ρ), (2, ρ − 1), … , (ρ, 1). We study the positions occupied by sets of t ρ independent 1's.     

Review: Veratrum californicum Alkaloids

Veratrum spp. grow throughout the world and are especially prevalent in high mountain meadows of North America. All parts of Veratrum plants have been used for the treatment of ailments including injuries, hypertension, and rheumatic pain since as far back as the 1600s. Of the 17–45 Veratrum spp., Veratrum californicum alkaloids have been proven to possess favorable medicinal properties associated with inhibition of hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling. Aberrant Hh signaling leads to proliferation of over 20 cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, prostate and colon among others. Six of the most well-studied V. californicum alkaloids are cyclopamine (1), veratramine (2), isorubijervine (3), muldamine (4), cycloposine (5), and veratrosine (6). Recent inspection of the ethanolic extract from V. californicum root and rhizome via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry has detected up to five additional alkaloids that are proposed to be verazine (7), etioline (8), tetrahydrojervine (9), dihydrojervine (10), 22-keto-26-aminocholesterol (11). For each alkaloid identified or proposed in V. californicum, this review surveys literature precedents for extraction methods, isolation, identification, characterization and bioactivity to guide natural product drug discovery associated with this medicinal plant.     

A RECONSIDERATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF A PULSED RUBY LASER IN RELATION TO MICROSURGERY

Abstract— The properties of a pulsed ruby laser beam focused through a triocular microscope were studied in relation to microsurgery. Quantitative studies on 'model tissues' with different absorbencies at 6943 Å revealed that the spot diameter of the focused microbeam was dependent upon several factors. It decreased with (1) a decrease in the absorption by the object at 6943 Å; (2) a decrease in the energy of the microbeam; and (3) an increase in the magnification of the microscope. The existence of the 'tube of effect' in the optical path of the focused micro-beam was realized by irradiating the object at different planes. The depth of the tube of effect increased with (1) increase in laser energy or (2) decrease in magnification. By employing certain plant species ( Spirogyra praetensis Transeau, Ulva lactuca Linnaeus, Porphyra miniata (Lyngbye) C. Agardh and Elodea sp.) the reaction of the protoplasm to the laser microbeam in terms of 'primary damage' and 'secondary damage' was defined. Based on these experimental data the concept of minimal visible spot size in laser microsurgery and its limitations are discussed.     

Multilayered Dermal Subcompartments for Modeling Chemical Absorption

Abstract

Dermal penetration of chemicals and drugs is of concern to both toxicologists and pharmacologists. Environmental professionals try to limit exposure to chemicals using protective clothing and gloves or barrier creams to trap chemicals. Drug developers try to enhance penetration of chemicals through the skin for medical purposes. Both can use predictive biologically-based mathematical models to assist in understanding the processes involved. These models are especially useful when they are based on physiological and biochemical parameters which can be measured in the laboratory. Appropriately validated models based on conservation of mass, diffusion and chemical transport by flow can be predictive of human exposures. In this paper we develop two new physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) skin models to predict blood concentrations of dibromomethane in rats after skin-only vapor exposures. These new models improve the predictions of the blood concentrations especially at the beginning of the exposures. Sensitivity analysis shows that the permeability constants followed by partition coefficients have the most impact on blood concentration predictions. With proper validation the new models could be used to improve species, dose, and duration extrapolations of chemical or drug penetration. They could also be used to investigate and predict concentrations of drugs or chemicals in the skin.     

A catalytic, asymmetric formal synthesis of (+)-hamigeran B

A concise asymmetric, formal synthesis of (+)-hamigeran B is reported. A Pd-catalyzed, decarboxylative allylic alkylation, employing a trifluoromethylated derivative of t-BuPHOX, is utilized as the enantioselective step to form the critical quaternary carbon center in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. The product is converted in three steps to a late-stage intermediate previously used in the synthesis of hamigeran B.     

Heteroatom directed β-lithiation of a vinyl ether

Oxygen directed β-deprotonation of a vinyl ether leads to $\text{Z}$ substituted enol ethers. The stereoselective elaboration to a naturally occuring $\text{threo}$ 1,3-diol is described.