Potassium channels: a computer prediction of structure and selectivity

Model structures for the pore of the potassium channels Shakerand ROMK1 are predicted. The models arise from computer simulationsand suggest reasons for the striking selectivity of these channelsfor K+ and the blocking of ROMK1 by internal Mg²⁺. The modelledstructure of the Shaker pore is supported by mutagenesis data.The mutagenesis experiments indicate the side chains responsiblefor binding to blocking agents [tetraethylammonium (TEA) andcharybdotoxin (CTX)] and the model has these side chains suitablyoriented for binding. An aromatic K+ binding site part way downthe pore is also predicted by the Shaker pore model.     

Mass-Balance Model of Pulmonary Oxygen Transport

A dynamic lumped-parameter model for pulmonary gas transport has been developed to characterize the lung and predict the effect of various parameter changes. The gas side of the lung is modeled as a series and parallel arrangement of five perfectly mixed, variable-volume compartments that correspond roughly to airway and alveolar regions. The blood side of the lung is modeled as a series of perfectly mixed, constant-volume compartments that represent the pulmonary capillary bed. From nonsteady mass balances, equations are derived which yield the time course of concentration for each compartment. Model simulations indicate that the oxygen-hemoglobin reaction does not reach equilibrium in the pulmonary capillaries, an assumption commonly made in analyses of pulmonary oxygen transport. Simulations also show the extent to which breathing amplitude and rate can affect the oxygen level in the blood leaving the lung. A comparison of simulations for a normal state and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) with identical input conditions demonstrates that the oxygen level in the blood leaving the lung is much lower in COLD. Also, the simulations are compared with experimental findings.     

Electrochemical determination of rusted steel surface stability

The stability of a rusted steel surface exposed to a 0.11 M sodium sulphate solution has been studied. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization resistance and atomic absorption analysis techniques were used in conjunction with mild steel specimens rusted in a rural atmosphere and treated with different concentrations of phosphoric acid. Since most of the impedance diagrams obtained differ from the typical semicircle, it is not clear how to obtain kinetic information on the corrosion process. The polarization resistance technique gives more useful data.     

Fine structures and fracture processes in plastic/rubber two -phase polymer systems. I. Observation of fine structures under the electron microscope

Fine structures of several plastic/rubber two -phase polymer systems were studied by means of direct observations of ultrathin sections under the electron microscope using osmium tetroxide staining and a hardening procedure developed recently by Kato. Samples used are several types of both ABS polymers and high -impact polystyrenes, and several PVC/rubber blends and the results were discussed in relation to their dynamic viscoelastic properties. It is suggested that these studies may fruitfully be extended to clarify the structure -to property relationships by use of this method.     

Potentiometric titration of long chain quaternary ammonium compounds using sodium tetraphenyl borate

Current methods for determining the activity of long chain quaternary ammonium compounds (QACS) are based either on dye partition, titration, or colorimetric analysis. The two major disadvantages of these methods are the disparity of partition coefficients among differently constituted QACS and the difficulty in detecting visual end points. Some potentiometric titration methods for QACS have been reported in the literature. However, back titration techniques, as well as complicated electrode systems, are generally involved. A new potentiometric titration system is presented which uses aqueous sodium tetraphenylborate (TPB) solution as a titrant and a platinum-platinum electrode system to detect the end point. Standard potentiometric titration instruments may be used for this method. This new potentiometric method is superior in precision and accuracy to visual (colorimetric) methods. Original version presented at the 1986 Annual AOCS Meeting in Honolulu, HI.     

Factors influencing the formation of elongated morphologies in immiscible polymer blends during melt processing

The morphology of the dispersed phase in immiscible polymer blends plays an important role in the determination of the final physical properties. This paper considers factors that influence the final state of deformation of the dispersed phase, and in particular, the formation of fibers and lamellae. Blends of polyethylene and nylon-6 were extruded by ribbon extrusion at different draw ratios. Prior to single-screw extrusion the materials were blended in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, and the size of the dispersed phase was studied as a function of the viscosity ratio. As the blends are extruded into ribbons and drawn through the calender rolls, the morphology of the dispersed phase undergoes drastic transformations. The fiber formation is enhanced by increasing the draw ratio. At high draw ratios, long thin fibers are observed. Some biaxial deformation is obtained for the noncompatibilized systems when the extruded materials enter the calender with the maximum closing pressure applied to the rolls. The same effect is observed for the compatibilized systems with lower values of the viscosity ratio. As a general rule, it has been observed that the final dispersed phase deformation is diminished in interfacially compatibilized systems.     

Selective hydrogenation of soybean oil in the presence of copper catalysts

Many investigators associate the poor keeping properties of soybean oil with its linolenic acid content. On the other hand the high linoleic acid content is a desired property from a nutritional point of view. We have therefore developed a process for the preferential reduction of the linolenic acid content by selective hydrogenation. Conventional catalysts for the hydrogenation of fats have a rather low selectivity in this respect. When linolenic acid in soybean oil is hardened (e.g., with a nickel catalyst), most of the linoleic acid is converted into less unsaturated acids. It was found that linolenic acid is hydrogenated much more preferentially in the presence of copper catalysts than in that of nickel and other hydrogenation catalysts. At a linolenic acid content of 2%, soybean oil hardened with nickel catalyst contained about 28% linoleic acid, whereas with copper catalyst the hardened soybean oil contained 49% linoleic acid. By means of our process it is possible to manufacture a good keepable oil of, e.g., I.V. 115 and containing 1% linolenic acid and 46% linoleic acid. The storage stability of this product is comparable with that of sunflower-seed oil. A liquid phase yield of 86% is obtained after winterization at 5C for 18 hr. The high selectivity for linolenate reduction of copper catalysts must be ascribed to the copper part of the catalyst. Investigations into the structure of the catalyst indicate that the active center consists of copper metal crystallites; whether these centers are promoted by the carrier or traces of other substances is under investigation.     

Optimization of the planar hall effect in ferromagnetic thin films for device design

The planar Hall effect, although directly related to the magnetoresistance effect, differs in its potential uses by the disposition of the sensing electrodes allowing an internal balance of the excitation voltage drop. An experimental study of ferromagnetic thin film conditions of evaporation, film thickness, composition and shape of the electrodes has been undertaken. Anisotropic Ni-Fe films with various additions of Pd, V, Co, Mo, showed a maximum planar Hall effect for the composition 86-percent Ni, 14-percent Fe. The optimization of the geometrical parameters of the electrodes and the magnetic film elements is described, allowing one to design for maximum output voltage or maximum output current in a short circuited loop. Two schemes are presented for implementation of small NDRO memories.     

Temperature-stable low-noise ferrite memory cores

Temperature-stable low-noise memory cores made from the substituted lithium and nickel ferrites were studied. Ferrite compositions which are suitable for miniature cores have been developed by studying magnetic properties of the ferrite in the system Li-M-M' and Ni-M-M' ferrite (M:Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn). Technological approaches for fabricating small memory cores were made by studying the effect of ferrite-powder parameters and sintering conditions on magnetic properties of the substituted ferrites. Typical pulse characteristics taken with coincident current mode for cores of 0.48, 0.32, and 0.27 mm φ OD are presented. It was found that the Ni-Mn-F(II) ferrites are suitable for a low-drive high signal-to-noise ratio (dV1/dVz) temperature-stable memory core.