Concentration effects on Pr luminescence in LaAlO3 crystals

Concentration dependant emission spectra and fluorescence dynamic profiles have been investigated in Pr_xLa_1−xAlO₃ single crystals in order to better understand processes responsible for concentration quenching of the praseodymium ³P₀ and ¹D₂ emissions. The cross-relaxation transfer rates were experimentally determined as a function of Pr³⁺ concentration. Decays were modeled and nearest-neighbor trapping rates were calculated.     

Modeling of bone conduction of sound in the human head using hp-finite elements: Code design and verification

We focus on the development of a reliable numerical model for investigating the bone-conduction of sound in the human head. The main challenge of the problem is the lack of fundamental knowledge regarding the transmission of acoustic energy through non-airborne pathways to the cochlea. A fully coupled model based on the acoustic/elastic interaction problem with a detailed resolution of the cochlea region and its interface with the skull and the air pathways, should provide an insight into this fundamental, long standing research problem. To this aim we have developed a 3D hp-finite element code that supports elements of all shapes (tetrahedra, prisms and pyramids) to better capture the geometrical features of the head. We have tested the code on a multilayered sphere and employed it to solve an idealized model of head. In the future we hope to attack a model with a more realistic geometry.     

On the approximability of minmax (regret) network optimization problems

In this paper the minmax (regret) versions of some basic polynomially solvable deterministic network problems are discussed. It is shown that if the number of scenarios is unbounded, then the problems under consideration are not approximable within log1−?K for any ?>0 unless NP⊆DTIME(npolylogn), where K is the number of scenarios.     

1H-NMR spectroscopic investigation of polyamide fibers grafted with vinyl monomers

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate the position of active centers in polyamide fibers subjected to graft copolymerization with poly(acrylic acid), poly(itaconic acid), and poly(2-vinylpyridine) initiated by thermal oxidation in air. As a result, structural changes in polyamide fibers brought about by oxidation and subsequent grafting of the above mentioned polymers were observed. It was estimated that the generation of active centers that initiate the copolymerization take place at the nitrogen atoms of the amide groups in the polyamide chain. This was confirmed by the broadening of the absorption band for the methylone group adjacent to the nitrogen as well as by the absence of a new absorption band for the methine groups, assuming that the generation of active centers and grafting would take place at the carbon atom of the methylene group in position α to the amide group. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of polymer suspensions for immunochemical studies

New methods of preparing polymer suspensions of narrow particle size distribution with amino and carboxylic groups on the particle surface have been suggested. The effects of various factors on the diameter and size distribution of polymer particles, their stability, and concentration of functional groups on the particle surface were investigated. The application of such polymer suspensions for immunochemical studies was shown. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Extracellular Nucleotides Affect the Proangiogenic Behavior of Fibroblasts,Keratinocytes, and Endothelial Cells

Chronic wound healing is currently a severe problem due to its incidence and associated complications. Intensive research is underway on substances that retain their biological activity in the wound microenvironment and stimulate the formation of new blood vessels critical for tissue regeneration. This group includes synthetic compounds with proangiogenic activity. Previously, we identified phosphorothioate analogs of nucleoside 5′-O-monophosphates as multifunctional ligands of P2Y6 and P2Y14 receptors. The effects of a series of unmodified and phosphorothioate nucleotide analogs on the secretion of VEGF from keratinocytes and fibroblasts, as well as their influence on the viability and proliferation of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were analyzed. In addition, the expression profiles of genes encoding nucleotide receptors in tested cell models were also investigated. In this study, we defined thymidine 5′-O-monophosphorothioate (TMPS) as a positive regulator of angiogenesis. Preliminary analyses confirmed the proangiogenic potency of TMPS in vivo.     

Study on the Reactions of 3-Benzoyl-2,4,5-pyrrolidinetrione with aliphatic diamines,phenylhydrazine, semicarbazide and guanidine derivatives

3-Benzoyl-2,4,5-pyrrolidinetrione ( 1a , b ) with aliphatic diamines, phenylhydrazine, semicarbazide, and guanidine derivatives yields mono and binary salts ( 4 , 7 , 10 , 11 - 14 ), enamines ( 2 , 3 ), imine ( 5 ), pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole ( 6 ) and pyrrolo [3,4-e][1,4]diazepine ( 8 ), respectively. The influence of the reagents basicity on the route of cyclocondensation is studied.