Integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems

An integral equation formulation for buoyancy-driven convection problems is developed and illustrated. Buoyancy-driven convection in a bounded cylindrical geometry with a free surface is studied for a range of aspect ratios and Nusselt numbers. The critical Rayleigh number, the nature of the cellular motion, and the heat transfer enhancement are computed using linear theory. Green's functions are used to convert the linear problem into linear Fredholm integral equations. Theorems are proved which establish the properties of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the linear integral operator which appears in these equations.     

Permanently oriented antibody immobilization for digoxin determination with a flow-through fluoroimmunosensor

This paper reports a new flow-through fluoroimmunosensor, the function of which is based on antibodies immobilized on an inmunoreactor of controlled-pore glass (CPG), for determination of digoxin, used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and artery disease. The immunosensor has a detection limit of 1.20 microg L(-1) and provides high reproducibility (RSD=4.5% for a concentration of 0.0025 mg L(-1), and RSD=6.7% for 0.01 mg L(-1)). The optimum working concentration range was found to be 1.2 x 10(-3)-4.0 x 10(-2) mg L(-1). The lifetime of the immunosensor was about 50 immunoassays; if stored unused its lifetime can be extended to three months. A sample speed of about 10-12 samples per hour can be attained. Possible interference from substances with structures similar to digoxin (morphine, heroin, tebaine, codeine, pentazocine and narcotine) was investigated. No cross-reactivity was seen at the highest digoxin: interferent ratio studied (1:100). The proposed fluoroimmunosensor was successfully used to determine digoxin concentrations in human serum samples.     

Thermomechanical Properties of Carbon Nanocomposites PEGDA Photopolymers

In this work, UV-curable resin poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was reinforced with three different types of nanofillers: pristine graphene (G), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and a hybrid of MWNTs and graphene 70/30 in mass ratio (Hyb). PEGDA was mixed homogenously with the nanofiller oligomer by shear mixing and then photopolymerized, affording thin, stable films. The thermomechanical properties of the afforded nanocomposites indicated the superior reinforcing ability of pristine graphene compared with MWNTs and an intermediate behavior of the hybrid.     

Single Peptide Backbone Surrogate Mutations to Regulate Angiotensin GPCR Subtype Selectivity

Mutating the side-chains of amino acids in a peptide ligand, with unnatural amino acids, aiming to mitigate its short half-life is an established approach. However, it is hypothesized that mutating specific backbone peptide bonds with bioisosters can be exploited not only to enhance the proteolytic stability of parent peptides, but also to tune its receptor subtype selectivity. Towards this end, four [Y]⁶-Angiotensin II analogues are synthesized where amide bonds have been replaced by 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole isosteres in four different backbone locations. All the analogues possessed enhanced stability in human plasma in comparison with the parent peptide, whereas only two of them achieved enhanced AT₂R/AT₁R subtype selectivity. This diversification has been studied through 2D NMR spectroscopy and unveiled a putative more structured microenvironment for the two selective ligands accompanied with increased number of NOE cross-peaks. The most potent analogue, compound 2 , has been explored regarding its neurotrophic potential and resulted in an enhanced neurite growth with respect to the established agent C21.     

Human Neuroepithelial Cells Express NMDA Receptors

L-glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, binds to both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. In certain parts of the brain the BBB contains two normally impermeable barriers: 1) cerebral endothelial barrier and 2) cerebral epithelial barrier. Human cerebral endothelial cells express NMDA receptors; however, to date, human cerebral epithelial cells (neuroepithelial cells) have not been shown to express NMDA receptor message or protein. In this study, human hypothalamic sections were examined for NMDA receptors (NMDAR) expression via immunohistochemistry and murine neuroepithelial cell line (V1) were examined for NMDAR via RT-PCR and Western analysis. We found that human cerebral epithelium express protein and cultured mouse neuroepithelial cells express both mRNA and protein for the NMDA receptor. These findings may have important consequences for neuroepithelial responses during excitotoxicity and in disease.     

High-frequency EPR study of a new mononuclear manganese(III) complex:. [(terpy)Mn(N3)3] (terpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine)

The isolation and structural characterization of [(terpy)Mn(III)(N3)3], complex 1, is reported (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). Complex 1, a product of the reaction between the mixed-valence dimer [(terpy)(H2O)Mn(III)(O)2Mn(IV)(OH2)(terpy)](NO3)3 and NaN3, crystallizes in a triclinic system, space group P1, a = 8.480(1) A, b = 8.9007(2) A, c = 12.109(2) A, alpha = 93.79(1) degrees, beta = 103.17(1) degrees, gamma = 103.11(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Complex 1 exhibits a Jahn-Teller distortion of the octahedron characteristic of a six-coordinated high-spin Mn(III). A vibrational spectroscopic study was performed. The nu(asym)(N3) mode of complex 1 appears in the IR as a strong band at 2035 cm(-1) with a less intense feature at 2072 cm(-1), and in the FT-Raman as a strong band at 2071 cm(-1) with a weaker broad band at 2046 cm(-1). The electronic properties of complex 1 were investigated using a high-field and high-frequency EPR study (190-475 GHz). The different spin Hamiltonian parameters have been determined (D = -3.29 (+/-0.01) cm(-1), E = 0.48 (+/-0.01) cm(-1), E '= 0.53 (+/-0.01) cm(-1), g(x) = 2.00 (+/-0.005), g(y) = 1.98 (+/-0.005), g(z) = 2.01 (+/-0.005)). These parameters are in agreement with the geometry of complex 1 observed in the crystal structure, a D < 0 related to the elongated distortion, and a value of E/D close to 0.2 as expected from the highly distorted octahedron. The two values of the E-parameter are explained by the presence of two slightly different structural forms of complex 1 in the crystal lattice. A second hypothesis was explored to explain the experimental data. The calculation for the simulation was done taking into account that the g and D tensors are not collinear due to the low symmetry of complex 1. In that case, the spin Hamiltonian parameters found are D = -3.29 (+/-0.01) cm(-1), E = 0.51 (+/-0.01) cm(-1), g(x) = 2.00 (+/-0.005), g(y) = 1.98 (+/-0.005), and g(z) = 2.01 (+/-0.005).