A preconditioned domain decomposition algorithm for the solution of the elliptic Neumann problem

A new preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG)-based domain decomposition method is given for the solution of linear equations arising in the finite element method applied to the elliptic Neumann problem. The novelty of the proposed method is in the recommended preconditioner which is constructed by using cyclic matrix. The resulting preconditioned algorithms are well suited to parallel computation.     

GENETIC VARIATIONS AND LINOLENIC ACID INDUCED CHANGES IN THE ORIENTATION PATTERN OF CHLOROPHYLL a IN THYLAKOID MEMBRANES

Abstract Orientation pattern of the Q_y absorption and emission dipoles of chlorophyll a were studied in wild type Scenedesmus obliquus and in mutants deficient in chlorophyll b and carotenoids. Fluorescence polarization ratio at –140°C and linear dichroism at 25°C were measured in whole cells and thylakoids aligned in polyacrylamide gel. Unlike normal thylakoids, mutants displayed fluorescence polarization ratios significantly lower than 1.0 and showed a negative LD signal around 672 nm, indicating the tendency of the Q_y dipoles to tilt out from the membrane plane. Such an orientation pattern can also be artificially induced by treating normal thylakoids with linolenic acid.     

Specificity of Cyanine Dye L-21 Aggregation in Solutions with Nucleic Acids

Optical spectroscopy experiments were used to study the features of cyanine dye 3,3′-dimethyl-9-(2-thienyl)-thiacarbocyanine iodide (L-21) aggregation in binary solutions DMF:Tris–HCl buffer (pH = 8) containing nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). The appearance of absorption and luminescence bands associated with J-aggregates and dimers that are formed within the minor groove of DNA has been observed. The model of L-21 J-aggregate structure is proposed. It has been found that dimers are the building blocks of L-21 J-aggregates. Disorientation in dimers caused by the minor groove curvature is reason of observation of Davydov splitting in absorption spectrum of L-21 J-aggregates. In the solution containing DNA the absorption and luminescence bands of L-21 J-aggregates exhibit the specific properties that allows the dye L-21 to be used as a fluorescent probe for DNA detection.     

Pseudoisocyanine J-aggregate to optical waveguiding crystallite transition: microscopic and microspectroscopic exploration

Using fluorescent microscopy and microspectroscopy, optical properties and morphology transformations in individual pseudoisocyanine (PIC) J-aggregates in aqueous electrolyte solutions have been explored. A stringlike structure of J-aggregates with a string diameter much less than 1 microm has been observed. Photodestruction of the strings under short-wavelength excitation has been revealed. Rodlike PIC crystallites, about 1 microm in diameter, have been observed with time. The fluorescence spectrum of rodlike crystallites has been found to differ from that of stringlike J-aggregate and from PIC crystal powder spectra. The crystallites are very stable, and their photodestruction has not been observed under any excitation conditions. It has been found that rodlike crystallites in contrast to stringlike J-aggregates possess optical waveguide properties. The luminescence of crystallites can be observed only at the excitation spot and at butt ends located up to hundreds of micrometers from the excitation spot.     

A two-dimensional laser diameter gauge

A two-dimensional diameter control apparatus has been devised and constructed on the laser scanning principle, which uses a reference grating to determine the outer diameter of an object as well as the position of the scanning beam.     

Effect of hydrophobicity of cationic carbocyanine dyes DiOC<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> on their binding to anionic surfactant micelles

The interaction of a series of cationic dialkyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiOC _n ) dyes of different degrees of hydrophobicity with micelles of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), has been studied spectrophotometrically in aqueous solutions. The Benesi–Hildebrand equation was used to calculate binding constants (K _b ) of the dyes to surfactant micelles, the fraction of dye bound to the micelles (f _mic ), and the standard free-energy change (ΔG ⁰) for the transfer of dye from the aqueous to micellar phase. It has been shown that the interaction of oppositely charged dye molecules and surfactant micelles is controlled by both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. A small increase in dye hydrophobicity due to lengthening of the hydrocarbon radical has been shown to cause an abrupt nonlinear increase of the fmic value. This points to a key role of hydrophobic interactions in the binding of dye molecules with the micelles.     

Investigation of Thermal Degradation of PVC in the Solid State

The thermal degradation of PVC powders and the inhibition of this process by cadmium laurate was investigated by the measurement of discoloration, diffuse reflectance spectra, and the quantity of hydrochloric acid formed. Kinetic analysis of the data obtained by us previously showed that both the data of color measurements and those of diffuse reflectance spectra may be used conveniently for the calculation of the number of double bonds formed during the degradation.     

Increasing the solubility characteristics of D-norgestrel with cyclodextrins

Levonorgestrel dissolves only slightly in water. Attempts were made to increase the solubility properties of this drug by complexing with cyclodextrins. The products were investigated with a dissolution tester and a Sartorius resorption model. X-ray and NMR spectra of the inclusion complexes were analysed.