R&D in clean technology: A project choice model with learning

In this study, we investigate the qualitative and quantitative effects of an R&D subsidy for a clean technology and a Pigouvian tax on a dirty technology on environmental R&D when it is uncertain how long the research takes to complete. The model is formulated as an optimal stopping problem, in which the number of successes required to complete the R&D project is finite and learning about the probability of success is incorporated. We show that the optimal R&D subsidy with the consideration of learning is higher than that without it. We also find that an R&D subsidy performs better than a Pigouvian tax unless suppliers have sufficient incentives to continue cost-reduction efforts after the new technology success-fully replaces the old one. Moreover, by using a two-project model, we show that a uniform subsidy is better than a selective subsidy.

Effect of substituent on the thermodynamics of D-glucopyranoside binding to concanavalin A, pea (Pisum sativum) lectin and lentil (Lens culinaris) lectin

Titration calorimetry measurements of the binding of phenyl-alpha (alpha PhOGlu), 3-methoxy (3MeOGlu), fluorodeoxy and deoxy derivatives of alpha-D-glucopyranose (Glu) to concanavalin A (conA), pea lectin and lentil lectin were performed at approx. 10 and 25 degrees C in 0.01 M dimethylglutaric acid/NaOH buffer, pH 6.9, containing 0.15 M NaCl and Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions. Apparently the 3-deoxy, 4-deoxy and 6-deoxy as well as the 4-fluorodeoxy and 6-fluorodeoxy derivatives of Glu do not bind to the lectins because no heat release was observed on the addition of aliquots of solutions of these derivatives to the lectin solutions. The binding enthalpies, delta H0b, and entropies, delta S0b, determined from the measurements were compared with the same thermodynamic binding parameters for Glu, D-mannopyranoside and methyl-alpha- D-glucopyranoside (alpha MeOGlu). The binding reactions are enthalpically driven with little change in the heat capacity on binding, and exhibit enthalpy-entropy compensation. Differences between the thermodynamic binding parameters can be rationalized in terms of the interactions apparent in the known crystal structures of the methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside-conA [Derewenda, Yariv, Helliwell, Kalb (Gilboa), Dodson, Papiz, Wan and Campbell (1989) EMBO J. 8, 2189-2193] and pea lectin-trimanno-pyranoside [Rini, Hardman, Einspahr, Suddath and Carber (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 10126-10132] complexes. Increases in the entropy change on binding are observed for alpha MeOGlu binding to pea and lentil lectin, for alpha PhOGlu binding to conA and pea lectin, and for 3MeOGlu binding to pea lectin relative to the entropy change for Glu binding, and imply that the phenoxy and methoxy substituents provide additional hydrophobic interactions in the complex. Increases in the binding enthalpy relative to that of Glu are observed for deoxy and fluoro derivatives in the C-1 and C-2 positions and imply that these substituents weaken the interaction with the surrounding water, thereby strengthening the interaction with the binding site.

Measurement of $d\sigma/dy$ of Drell-Yan $e^+e^-$ pairs in the $Z$ Mass Region from $p\bar{p}$ Collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV

We report on a CDF measurement of the total cross section and rapidity distribution, $d\sigma/dy$, for $q\bar{q}\to \gamma^{*}/Z\to e^{+}e^{-}$ events in the $Z$ boson mass region ($66M_{ee}

First Measurement of the tt̅ Differential Cross Section dσ/dMtt̅ in pp̅ Collisions at √s=1.96  TeV

We present a measurement of the $\ttbar$ differential cross section with respect to the $\ttbar$ invariant mass, dSigma/dMttbar, in $\ppbar$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=1.96$ TeV using an integrated luminosity of $2.7\invfb$ collected by the CDF II experiment. The $\ttbar$ invariant mass spectrum is sensitive to a variety of exotic particles decaying into $\ttbar$ pairs. The result is consistent with the standard model expectation, as modeled by \texttt{PYTHIA} with \texttt{CTEQ5L} parton distribution functions.

Application of D transforms in the analysis of nonlinear distributed parameter systems

The scope of application of Laplace transforms presently limited to the study of linear partial differential equations, is extended to the nonlinear domain by this study. This has been achieved by modifying the definition of D transforms, put forth recently for the study of classes of nonlinear lumped parameter systems. The appropriate properties of the new D transforms are presented to bring out their applicability in the analysis of nonlinear distributed parameter systems.

Synthesis and identification of a new class of (S)-2,6-diamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazole derivatives as potent antileukemic agents

Benzothiazoles are multitarget agents with broad spectrum of biological activity. Among the antitumor agents discovered in recent years, the identification of various 2-(4-aminophenyl) benzothiazoles as potent and selective antitumor drugs against different cancer cell lines has stimulated remarkable interest. Some of the benzothiazoles are known to induce cell cycle arrest, activation of caspases and interaction with DNA molecule. Based on these interesting properties of benzothiazoles and to obtain new biologically active agents, a series of novel 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazole derivatives 5(a-i) were synthesized and evaluated for their efficacy as antileukemic agents in human leukemia cells (K562 and Reh). The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by H-1 NMR, LCMS and IR analysis. The cytotoxicity of these compounds were determined using trypan blue exclusion, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Results showed that, these compounds mediate a significant cytotoxic response to cancer cell lines tested. We found that the compounds having electron withdrawing groups at different positions of the phenyl ring of the thiourea moiety displayed significant cytotoxic effect with IC50 value less than 60 mu M. To rationalize the role of electron withdrawing group in the induction of cytotoxicity, we have chosen molecule 5g (IC50 similar to 15 mu M) which is having chloro substitution at ortho and para positions. Flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC/ propidium iodide (PI) double staining and DNA fragmentation suggest that 5g can induce apoptosis.

A mixed-split scheme for 2-D DPCM based LSF quantization

In this paper a mixed-split scheme is proposed in the context of 2-D DPCM based LSF quantization scheme employing split vector product VQ mechanism. Experimental evaluation shows that the new scheme is successfully being able to show better distortion performance than existing safety-net scheme for noisy channel even at considerably lower search complexity, by efficiently exploiting LSF trajectory behavior across the consecutive speech frames.

Synthesis of enantiopure bis-aziridines, bis-epoxides, and aziridino-epoxides from D-mannitol

A practical synthesis of enantiopure bis-aziridines 11 and 15, bis-epoxides 12 and 17, and aziridino-epoxides 27 and 30 is reported using inexpensive d-mannitol as the starting material. The key transformation involves the reductive cleavage of bis-benzylidene acetal 3 to form dimesylate 4, which was further converted to monoazides and diazides followed by reduction, mesylation, and cyclization to furnish the required compounds in good yields.

Crystal growth, transport and magnetic properties of rare-earth manganite Pr1-xPbxMnO3

Crystal growth, electrical and magnetic properties are reported for mixed valence manganite Pr1-xPbxMnO3 (x = 0.2, 0.23, and 0.3). The crystals with x = 0.2 and 0.23 are ferromagnetic and insulating, whereas that with x = 0.3 is ferromagnetic below 200 K and shows an insulator-metal transition at 235 K. This composition shows a magnetoresistance of 90% in a field of 5 T. In the paramagnetic region, the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of the crystals follows a Curie-Weiss behavior. The thermal evolution of magnetization in the ferromagnetic phase varies as T-3/2, in accordance with Bloch's law. The spin-stiffness constant D obtained from the Bloch constant is found to increase linearly with x. The magnetization does not reach complete saturation upto a field of 5 T. A possible contribution of the Pr spins to the total magnetic moment is discussed.

Purification and characterization of an alpha-D-glucuronidase from a thermophilic fungus, Thermoascus aurantiacus

An alpha-D-glucuronidase was purified from the culture filtrates of Thermoascus aurantiacus. A simple colorimetric method for its assay is reported. The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 118,000. It acts optimally at pH 4.5. It shows maximum activity at 65 degrees C. The t 1/2 at 70 degrees C was 40 min. It specifically cleaved the alpha-(1----2) linkage between 4-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucuronic acid and the xylose residue in xylan and several glucurono-xylooligosaccharides.

Peptide hairpin nucleation with the obligatory Type I' beta-turn Aib-(D)Pro segment

The alpha-aminoisobutyric acid-D-proline (Aib-(D)Pro) dipeptide is an obligatory Type I' beta-turn forming segment that nucleates hairpin formation.

Computer modelling approach to study the modes of binding of alpha- and beta-anomers of D-galactose, D-fucose and D-glucose to L-arabinose-binding protein

The modes of binding of alpha- and beta-anomers of D-galactose, D-fucose and D-glucose to L-arabinose-binding protein (ABP) have been studied by energy minimization using the low resolution (2.4 A) X-ray data of the protein. These studies suggest that these sugars preferentially bind in the alpha-form to ABP, unlike L-arabinose where both alpha- and beta-anomers bind almost equally. The best modes of binding of alpha- and beta-anomers of D-galactose and D-fucose differ slightly in the nature of the possible hydrogen bonds with the protein. The residues Arg 151 and Asn 232 of ABP from bidentate hydrogen bonds with both L-arabinose and D-galactose, but not with D-fucose or D-glucose. However in the case of L-arabinose, Arg 151 forms hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl group at the C-4 atom and the ring oxygen, whereas in case of D-galactose it forms bonds with the hydroxyl groups at the C-4 and C-6 atoms of the pyranose ring. The calculated conformational energies also predict that D-galactose is a better inhibitor than D-fucose and D-glucose, in agreement with kinetic studies. The weak inhibitor D-glucose binds preferentially to one domain of ABP leading to the formation of a weaker complex. Thus these studies provide information about the most probable binding modes of these sugars and also provide a theoretical explanation for the observed differences in their binding affinities.

Role of hydroxyl group on the mesomorphism of alkyl glycosides:synthesis and thermal behavior of alkyl 6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosides

A homologous series of alkyl 6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside amphiphiles was prepared,in an effort to identify the role of hydroxyl group in the mesomorphic behavior of alkyl glycosides. Synthesis was performed by a chlorination of the sugar moiety in alkyl-beta-D-glucopyranosides with methylsulfonyl chloride in DMF, followed by a metal mediated dehalogenation to secure alkyl 6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosides, wherein the alkyl chain length varied from C-9 to C-16. The mesomorphic behavior of these 6-deoxy alkyl glycosides was assessed using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction method. Whereas the lower homologues exhibited a monotropic SmA phase till sub-ambient temperatures, the higher homologues formed a plastic phase. A partial interdigitized bilaye structure of SmA phase is inferred from experimental d-spacing and computationally derived lengths of the molecules. The results were compared with those of normal alkyl glucopyranosides, retained with hydroxyl groups at C-2-C-6 carbons, and alkyl 2-deoxy-glucopyranosides, devoid of a hydroxyl group at C-2 and the comparison showed important differences in the mesomorphic behavior.(C)2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and Antileukemic Activity of 1-((S)-2-Amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)-3-(substituted phenyl)urea Derivatives

Heterocyclic urea derivatives play an important role as anticancer agents because of their good inhibitory activity against receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), raf kinases, protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), and NADH oxidase, which play critical roles in many aspects of tumorigenesis. Benzothiazole moiety constitutes an important scaffold of drugs, possessing several pharmacological functions, mainly the anticancer activity. Based on these interesting properties of benzothiazoles and urea moiety to obtain new biologically active agents, we synthesized a series of novel 1-((S)-2-amino-4,5,6.7-tetrahydrobenzo[d]thiazol-6-yl)-3-(substituted phenyl)urea derivatives and evaluated for their efficacy as antileukemic agents against two human leukemic cell lines (K562 and Reh). These compounds showed good and moderate cytotoxic effect to cancer cell lines tested. Compounds with electron-withdrawing chloro and fluoro substituents on phenyl ring showed good activity and compounds with electron-donating methoxy group showed moderate activity. Compound with electron-withdrawing dichloro substitution on phenyl ring of aryl urea showed good activity. Further, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining and DNA fragmentation studies showed that compound with dichloro substitution on phenyl ring of aryl urea can induce apoptosis.