Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics Application to Vibrational Dynamics of Protein Folding

The vibrational dynamics of protein folding is analyzed in the framework of Tsallis statistics. We employ exact expressions for classical harmonic oscillators by considering the unnormalized constraints. As q→1, we show that these approximations agree with the result of Gaussian network model.     

Montgomery Multiplication in GF(2k)

We show that the multiplication operation c=a · b · r^-1 in the field GF(2^k can be implemented significantly faster in software than the standard multiplication, where r is a special fixed element of the field. This operation is the finite field analogue of the Montgomery multiplication for modular multiplication of integers. We give the bit-level and word-level algorithms for computing the product, perform a thorough performance analysis, and compare the algorithm to the standard multiplication algorithm in GF(2^k. The Montgomery multiplication can be used to obtain fast software implementations of the discrete exponentiation operation, and is particularly suitable for cryptographic applications where k is large.     

A locally computed suboptimal control strategy for a class of interconnected systems

In this paper, a locally computed suboptimal control strategy for a class of interconnected systems is introduced. First, optimal statefeedback control equations are derived for a finite-horizon quadratic cost. Then, the control for each subsystem is separated into two portions. The first portion stabilizes the isolated subsystem, and the second portion corresponds to the interactions. To achieve a locally calculable control, an approximation to the optimal control equations is introduced, and two iterative suboptimal control algorithms are developed. In the first algorithm, the initial conditions of subsystems are assumed to be known; in the second algorithm, this information is replaced by statistical distributions. The orders of errors in the iterations of the algorithm and in the suboptimality are given in terms of interconnections. An example with comparisons is also included to show the performance of the approach.     

Determination of bismuth, indium and lead in geological samples by electrothermal AAS Part 2. Comparative study of palladium and molybdenum containing chemical modifiers*

A comparative and systematic study has been carried out of the effects of palladium and molybdenum containing chemical modifiers, such as Pd + Rh, Pd + Pt, Pd + Ru, Pd + Rh + Pt, Pd + Rh + Ru, Mo + Pd, Mo + Rh, Mo + Ru and Mo + Pt and additionally tartaric acid (TA) as a reducing agent together with mixed modifiers for the thermal stabilization of Bi, In and Pb in a Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS). The effect of the mass ratios of the mixed modifier components on the maximum pretreatment temperature for the analytes has been determined. The modifier mixtures of Pd + Rh + Pt, Mo + Pd + TA and Mo + Pt + TA were found to be especially powerful for the determination of Bi, In and Pb. These mixed modifiers could increase the ashing temperatures of the analytes up to 1250–1400° C. They were applied to the determination of Bi and Pb in dissolved geological reference samples and accuracy and precision of the method were thereby enhanced. The percent relative error was decreased from 20.0 to 0.4 for Bi and from 10.5 to 0.3 for Pb, depending on the sample type. Received: 9 May 1997 / Revised: 19 August 1997 / Accepted: 20 August 1997     

Affinity adsorption of recombinant human interferon-α on a porous dye-affinity adsorbent

Interferons are potent biologically active proteins synthesized and secreted by somatic cells of all mammalian species. Dye-affinity adsorption is increasingly used for protein separation. Hollow fibers have several advantages as adsorbents in comparison to conventional bead supports because they are not compressible and they eliminate internal diffusion limitations. The aim of this study was to explore in detail the performance of polyamide hollow fibers to which Cibacron Blue F3GA was attached for adsorption of recombinant interferon-α (rHuIFN-α). The hollow fiber was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. These dye-carrying hollow fibers (35.8 μmol/g) were used in the rHuIFN-α adsorption-elution studies. The effects of initial concentration of rHuIFN-α, medium pH, ionic strength and temperature on the adsorption efficiency of dye-attached hollow fibers were studied in a batch system. The non-specific adsorption of rHuIFN-α on the hollow fibers was 1.2 mg/g. Cibacron Blue F3GA attachment significantly increased the rHuIFN-α adsorption up to 99.8 mg/g. Significant amount of the adsorbed rHuIFN-α (up to 94.8%) was eluted in 1 h in the elution medium containing 1.0 M NaCl. In order to determine the effects of adsorption conditions on possible conformational changes of rHuIFN-α structure, fluorescence spectrophotometry was employed. We resulted that dye-affinity hollow fibers can be applied for rHuIFN-α adsorption without causing any significant conformational changes. Repeated adsorption/elution processes showed that these dye-attached hollow fibers are suitable for rHuIFN-α adsorption.     

Concanavalin a immobilized affinity adsorbents for reversible use in yeast invertase adsorption

Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) beads were investigated for specific adsorption of yeast invertase from aqueous solutions. PHEMA beads were prepared by a suspension polymerization technique with an average size of 150-200 microm, and activated by epichlorohydrin. Con A was then immobilized by covalent binding onto these beads. The maximum Con A immobilization was found to be 10 mg/g. The invertase-loading capability of the PHEMA/Con A beads was 107 mg/g. The maximum invertase adsorption capacity on the PHEMA/Con A adsorbents was observed at pH 5.0. The values of the Michaelis constant K(m) of invertase were significantly larger upon adsorption, indicating decreased affinity by the enzyme for its substrate, whereas V(max) was smaller for the adsorbed invertase. Adsorption improved the pH stability of the enzyme as well as its temperature stability. Thermal stability was found to increase with adsorption. The adsorbed enzyme activity was found to be quite stable in repeated experiments. Storage stability of adsorbed invertase.     

Establishment of a quality system for nuclear analytical laboratories

Comprehensive Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) Program is stated on the quality policy, organization, methods and records for nuclear analytical laboratories which are necessary for improvement of productivity, to upgrade the performance, credibility and reputation. The proper and complete identification of quality elements for management and technical requirements are being written in Quality Manual as well as analytical and organizational procedures and working instructions according to ISO 17025 standard. Technical ability of gamma, X-ray and a/b laboratories in the Center has been checked by participation in proficiency test, critical technical variables, and quality results. Performance of quality system has been controlled by external audit inspection, progress reports and service to clients. The present study is a framework of the model project of IAEA, coded RER/2/004, which has resulted self-sustainable accreditation from the national body, TURKAK. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis of linear and starlike polymers from poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate using controlled radical polymerization

The copper‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate (PPGM) in solution to produce linear and starlike polymers is reported, using methylethyl ketone as the solvent and a temperature of 80 °C. The ATRP system used was efficient for polymerization of the functionalized monomer without protecting hydroxyl end groups of monomer. The polymerizations were consistent with “living” or controlled processes, as revealed by the linear evolution of molecular weight with conversion. Increasing the [M]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in increasing molecular weights, whereas the polydispersity indices remained low (M_w/M_n < 1.4) even at high conversion. Decreasing the [CuBr]₀:[I]₀ ratio resulted in lower conversions, slightly larger polydispersities, and decreased molecular weights, likely resulting from a lower initiation efficiency. Polymers were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR; molecular weights of polymers with low degrees of polymerization were estimated by end‐group analysis from ¹³C NMR spectra obtained using distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer and the gated decoupling techniques. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 334–343, 2002     

Determination of Lead, Chromium, Manganese and Zinc in Slurries of Botanical and Biological Samples by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using Tungsten-Containing Chemical Modifiers

Lead, Cr, Mn and Zn in slurries of botanic and biological samples were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using W, Ir, NH₄H₂PO₄, W and NH₄H₂PO₄, Ir and NH₄H₂PO₄, W and Ir, and W + Ir + NH₄H₂PO₄ chemical modifiers in an 0.2% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid mixture. Zeeman effect background correction was performed and platforms inserted into graphite tubes were used. Comprehensive comparative studies were carried out with respect to pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, detection limits and accuracy of the determinations in the presence and absence of modifiers. The mixture of W + Ir + NH₄H₂PO₄ was found to be preferable for the determination of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn in slurry samples. The pyrolysis temperatures of the analytes were increased up to 1250 °C for Pb, 1000 °C for Zn, 1400 °C for Cr and Mn by using W + Ir + NH₄H₂PO₄ with an 0.2% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid mixture used as diluent solution. The optimum masses of the mixed modifier components were found to be 20 µg W + 4 µg Ir + 50 µg NH₄H₂PO₄. The characteristic masses of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn obtained are 16.3, 5.6, 0.1 and 1.1 pg, respectively. The detection limits of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn based on integrated absorbance for 0.5% (m v⁻¹) slurries were found to be 0.14, 0.06, 0.02 and 0.01 µg g⁻¹, respectively. The slurries of botanic and biological certified and standard reference materials were analyzed with and without the modifiers. Depending on the sample type, the percent recoveries increased from 63 up to 104% for analytes when using the proposed modifier mixture.