A modular integer GCD algorithm

This paper describes the first algorithm to compute the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two n-bit integers using a modular representation for intermediate values U, V and also for the result. It is based on a reduction step, similar to one used in the accelerated algorithm [T. Jebelean, A generalization of the binary GCD algorithm, in: ISSAC '93: International Symposium on Symbolic and Algebraic Computation, Kiev, Ukraine, 1993, pp. 111–116; K. Weber, The accelerated integer GCD algorithm, ACM Trans. Math. Softw. 21 (1995) 111–122] when U and V are close to the same size, that replaces U by (U−bV)/p, where p is one of the prime moduli and b is the unique integer in the interval (−p/2,p/2) such that . When the algorithm is executed on a bit common CRCW PRAM with O(nlognlogloglogn) processors, it takes O(n) time in the worst case. A heuristic model of the average case yields O(n/logn) time on the same number of processors.     

Unsteady axisymmetric stagnation flow on a circular cylinder

Unsteady, axisymmetric stagnation flow about a circular cylinderis examined when the far-field flow is a periodic function oftime with a fixed time average and an oscillatory part of prescribedamplitude and frequency. Solutions are computed for arbitraryvalues of the Reynolds number, quantifying the effects of surfacecurvature, and a frequency parameter based on the period ofthe far-field flow. It is found that solutions remain regularand periodic provided that the far-field amplitude lies belowa critical value. Above this value, solutions terminate in afinite-time singularity. The blow-up time is delayed by increasingthe curvature of the surface. These results are corroboratedby asymptotic predictions valid in the limits of small and largeamplitude and frequency. For large Reynolds number, the problemreduces to the two-dimensional stagnation-point flow againsta plane wall studied by previous authors.     

Determination of doxorubicin in human plasma by excitation-emission matrix fluorescence and multi-way analysis

Direct determination of doxorubicin (DXR), a cytotoxic anthracycline antibiotic, in human plasma was accomplished based on excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence measurements and multi-way chemometric methods based on parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and N-PLS. Several different procedures, such as residual analysis, core consistency diagnostic (CONCORDIA) and split-half analysis were employed to determine the correct number of factors in PARAFAC. These procedures converged to a choice of two factors, attributed to DXR and to the sum of two fluorescence species present in the plasma. Sample PARAFAC loadings were employed to build a regression model against concentration, resulting in a RMSECV of 0.060 μg ml⁻¹. N-PLS using two factors produced a RMSECV of 0.045 μg ml⁻¹. Figures of merit (FOM), such as sensitivity (SEN), selectivity (SEL) and limit of detection (L_D) were determined for both PARAFAC and N-PLS.     

Pyrolysis of the hybrid energy cane: thermal decomposition and kinetic modeling using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This work aims to investigate the thermal decomposition and reaction kinetics of the hybrid energy cane, as well as its thermochemical properties....     

Characterization and compatibility study of desloratadine

Desloratadine (DL) is a selective antagonist of the histamine H₁ receptor, which has been widely used to treat allergic symptoms, and stands out from other drugs in this therapeutic class because it does not cause sedative effects. In the present study, the physico-chemical properties of DL were fully characterized using six analytical techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The DSC curve shows a sharp endothermic event at 158.4 °C, and the TG/DTG curve presents two decomposition events between 178.4 and 451.9 °C. A compatibility study involving DL and nine pharmaceutical excipients generally used in pharmaceutical formulations was performed. Physical binary mixtures of DL with each excipient were prepared in a 1:1 (w/w) ratio. After preparation, the samples were analyzed immediately and the results reveal solid-state interaction with anhydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid.     

Polyethylene glycol matrix reduces the rates of photochemical and thermal release of nitric oxide from S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine

S -nitrosothiols have many biological activities and may act as nitric oxide (NO) carriers and donors, prolonging NO half-life in vivo. In spite of their great potential as therapeutic agents, most S -nitrosothiols are too unstable to isolate. We have shown that the S -nitroso adduct of N -acetylcysteine (SNAC) can be synthesized directly in aqueous and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 matrix by using a reactive gaseous (NO/O₂) mixture. Spectral monitoring of the S–N bond cleavage showed that SNAC, synthesized by this method, is relatively stable in nonbuf-fered aqueous solution at 25°C in the dark and that its stability is greatly increased in PEG matrix, resulting in a 28-fold decrease in its initial rate of thermal decomposition. Irradiation with UV light (λ= 333 nm) accelerated the rate of decomposition of SNAC to NO in both matrices, indicating that SNAC may find use for the photogeneration of NO. The quantum yield for SNAC decomposition decreased from 0.65 ± 0.15 in aqueous solution to 0.047 ± 0.005 in PEG 400 matrix. This increased stability in PEG matrix was assigned to a cage effect promoted by the PEG microenvironment that increases the rate of geminated radical pair recombination in the homolytic S–N bond cleavage process. This effect allowed for the storage of SNAC in PEG at −20°C in the dark for more than 10 weeks with negligible decomposition. Such stabilization may represent a viable option for the synthesis, storage and handling of S -nitrosothiol solutions for biomedical applications.     

Bose-Einstein correlations for pions produced inp p collisions at 360 GeV/c

Zeitschrift für Physik C Particles and Fields - Correlations among identically charged pions were measured for pions produced inp p collisions at 360 GeV/c using the EHS spectrometer. The...     

Promising anticancer mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes: systematic solution studies

During the last decade, our research group has prepared a number of metal dithiocarbamato derivatives of Pt, Pd and Au that were expected to resemble the main features of cisplatin together with higher activity, improved selectivity and bioavailability, and lower side-effects. Furthermore, we have already published the synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of novel ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes such as [RuL(3)] monomers (11) and α-[Ru(2)L(5)]Cl dimers (12) with five different dithiocarbamate ligands. As both the monomer and the dinuclear complexes have shown significant antitumor activity in different human tumor cell lines, we decided to widen the characterization studies and to analyse thoroughly their behavior in physiological-like medium by UV-visible and CD spectroscopy. In the present paper we report on the crystal structure of [Ru(DMDT)(3)], [Ru(PDT)(3)] and [Ru(ESDT)(3)] complexes and we determine the spin state of the paramagnetic Ru(III) by means of Evans' method. Then, we discuss in detail the UV-visible spectral data of the complexes in different medium. All the studied complexes are stable in dimethyl sulfoxide, and show low solubility in phosphate buffered saline solution, particularly the monomer species, even at low concentration, while increased solubility for both types of complexes have been found in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Moreover, no changes on the coordination sphere of the metal, as well as no direct interaction between the BSA protein and the complex have been identified by UV-visible spectroscopy. However, some conformational changes on the BSA structure, induced by the ruthenium(III) complexes have been confirmed by CD spectroscopy, indicating a probable secondary electrostatic interaction between the metal complex and the peptide. In addition, no significant interaction has been demonstrated with the components of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, used for the in vitro assays.