[en] In 1980s, Arak has obtained powerful inequalities for the concentration functions of sums of independent random variables. Using these results, he has solved an old problem stated by Kolmogorov. In this paper, one of Arak’s results is modified to include generalized arithmetic progressions in the statement.

[en] A non-aqueous titration method has been used for quantifying the suppressor concentration in the MCU solvent hold tank (SHT) monthly samples since the Next Generation Solvent (NGS) was implemented in 2013. The titration method measures the concentration of the NGS suppressor (TiDG) as well as the residual tri-n-octylamine (TOA) that is a carryover from the previous solvent. As the TOA concentration has decreased over time, it has become difficult to resolve the TiDG equivalence point as the TOA equivalence point has moved closer. In recent samples, the TiDG equivalence point could not be resolved, and therefore, the TiDG concentration was determined by subtracting the TOA concentration as measured by semi-volatile organic analysis (SVOA) from the total base concentration as measured by titration. In order to improve the titration method so that the TiDG concentration can be measured directly, without the need for the SVOA data, a new method has been developed that involves spiking of the sample with additional TOA to further separate the two equivalence points in the titration. This method has been demonstrated on four recent SHT samples and comparison to results obtained using the SVOA TOA subtraction method shows good agreement. Therefore, it is recommended that the titration procedure be revised to include the TOA spike addition, and this to become the primary method for quantifying the TiDG.

[en] The groundwater facet of the revised CA is responsible for generating predicted contaminant concentration values over the entire analysis spatial and temporal domain. These estimates will be used as part of the groundwater pathway dose calculation facet to estimate dose for exposure scenarios. Based on the analysis of existing models and available information, the P2R Model was selected as the numerical simulator to provide these estimates over the 10,000-year temporal domain of the CA. The P2R Model will use inputs from initial plume distributions, updated for a start date of 1/1/2017, and inputs from the vadose zone facet, created by a tool under development as part of the ICF, to produce estimates of hydraulic head, transmissivity, and contaminant concentration over time. A recommendation of acquiring 12 computer processors and 2 TB of hard drive space is made to ensure that the work can be completed within the anticipated schedule of the revised CA.

No abstract available

[en] The study was conducted to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of E. rheedii methanol bark extract against P. canaliculata and to screen for phytochemical compounds of E. rheedii bark extracts. The golden apple snails with size range of 20 - 40 mm were treated with four different concentrations of E. rheedii (1000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 ppm) and paddy-field water mix with 50 % methanol serving as the control treatment. The molluscicidal effects of the extract were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The results of the study showed that high treatment concentrations (10000 and 20000 ppm) recorded the highest mortality rate (100 %) while low concentrations (1000 ppm) showed the lowest mortality rate (27 %). However, no mortality was recorded in the control treatment. The molluscicides activity with LC₅₀ is 1,611 ppm and LC₉₀ is 4,266 ppm and could be attributed to the presence of saponin in the bark extracts. E. rheedii bark extract provides a great potential for developing green pesticides to control P. canaliculata. Nevertheless, further research is needed to determine its biochemical mechanism. (author)

[en] Drugs that block the cardiac K⁺ channel encoded by the human ether-à-go-go gene (hERG) have been associated with QT interval prolongation leading to proarrhythmia, and in some cases, sudden cardiac death. Because of special structural features of the hERG K⁺ channel, it has become a promiscuous target that interacts with pharmaceuticals of widely varying chemical structures and a reason for concern in the pharmaceutical industry. The structural diversity suggests that multiple binding sites are available on the channel with possible allosteric interactions between them. In the present study, three reference compounds and nine compounds of a previously disclosed series were evaluated for their allosteric effects on the binding of [³H]astemizole and [³H]dofetilide to the hERG K⁺ channel. LUF6200 was identified as an allosteric inhibitor in dissociation assays with both radioligands, yielding similar EC₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. However, potassium ions increased the binding of the two radioligands in a concentration-dependent manner, and their EC₅₀ values were not significantly different, indicating that potassium ions behaved as allosteric enhancers. Furthermore, addition of potassium ions resulted in a concentration-dependent leftward shift of the LUF6200 response curve, suggesting positive cooperativity and distinct allosteric sites for them. In conclusion, our investigations provide evidence for allosteric modulation of the hERG K⁺ channel, which is discussed in the light of findings on other ion channels. - Highlights: • Allosteric modulators on the hERG K⁺ channel were evaluated in binding assays. • LUF6200 was identified as a potent allosteric inhibitor. • Potassium ions were found to behave as allosteric enhancers. • Positive cooperativity and distinct allosteric sites for them were proposed

[en] We describe the thermodynamics of a solution of rotaxanes which can change their length from a short state of length L to a long state of length qL in response to their surrounding environment. We call these rotaxanes “adaptive.” We show that such a system can exhibit both isotropic and nematic liquid crystalline phases. The system shows several interesting kinds of behaviour. First we predict that the fraction of short-length rotaxanes increases linearly with concentration and is a maximum at the critical concentration that marks the isotropic to nematic transition. Second, the critical concentration shows a minimum at a certain value of q. Our model suggests that the effect of adaptive length changes is most dramatic at small q and where the long state is slightly favoured.

[en] This GUM WorkbenchTM propagation of uncertainty is for the coulometric measurement of the plutonium concentration in a Pu standard material (C126) supplied as individual aliquots that were prepared by mass. The C126 solution had been prepared and as aliquoted as standard material. Samples are aliquoted into glass vials and heated to dryness for distribution as dried nitrate. The individual plutonium aliquots were not separated chemically or otherwise purified prior to measurement by coulometry in the F/H Laboratory. Hydrogen peroxide was used for valence adjustment.

[en] The recent advances in the theory and practice of potentiometric, conductometric and optical sensors based on ionophores are critically reviewed. The role of the heterogeneity of the sensor/sample systems is emphasized, and it is shown that due to this heterogeneity such sensors respond to the analyte activities rather than to concentrations. The basics of the origin of the response of all three kinds of ionophore-based sensors are briefly described. The use of novel sensor materials, new preparation and application techniques of the sensors as well as advances in theoretical treatment of the sensor response are analyzed using literature sources published mainly from 2012 to 2014. The basic achievements made in the past are also addressed when necessary for better understanding of the trends in the field of ionophore-based sensors. The bibliography includes 295 references

No abstract available