Phase diagram of symmetric binary mixtures at equimolar and non-equimolar concentrations: a systematic investigation

We consider symmetric binary mixtures consisting of spherical particles with equal diameters interacting via a hard-core plus attractive tail potential with strengths epsilon_{ij}, i,j=1,2, such that epsilon_{11} = epsilon_{22} > epsilon_{12}. The phase diagram of the system at all densities and concentrations is investigated as a function of the unlike-to-like interaction ratio delta = epsilon_{12}/epsilon_{11} by means of the hierarchical reference theory (HRT). The results are related to those of previous investigations performed at equimolar concentration, as well as to the topology of the mean-field critical lines. As delta is increased in the interval 0 < delta < 1, we find first a regime where the phase diagram at equal species concentration displays a tricritical point, then one where both a tricritical and a liquid-vapor critical point are present. We did not find any clear evidence of the critical endpoint topology predicted by mean-field theory as delta approaches 1, at least up to delta=0.8, which is the largest value of delta investigated here. Particular attention was paid to the description of the critical-plus-tricritical point regime in the whole density-concentration plane. In this situation, the phase diagram shows, in a certain temperature interval, a coexistence region that encloses an island of homogeneous, one-phase fluid.Comment: 27 pages + 20 figure

The E92K Melanocortin 1 Receptor Mutant Induces cAMP Production and Arrestin Recruitment but Not ERK Activity Indicating Biased Constitutive Signaling

BACKGROUND: The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) constitutes a key regulator of melanism. Consequently, many naturally-occurring MC1R mutations are associated with a change in color. An example is the Glu-to-Lys substitution found at position II:20/2.60 in the top of transmembrane helix II which has been identified in melanic mice and several other species. This mutation induces a pronounced increase in MC1R constitutive activity suggesting a link between constitutive activity and melanism which is corroborated by the attenuation of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) induced activation. However, the mechanism by which the mutation induces constitutive activity is currently not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we characterize the constitutive activity, cell surface expression and internalization of the mouse mutant, Mc1r E92K. As previously reported, only positively charged residues at position II:20/2.60 induced an increase in constitutive activity as measured by cAMP accumulation and CREB activation. Furthermore, the mutation induced a constitutive recruitment of β-arrestin. This phenomenon is only observed in MC1R, however, as the equivalent mutations in MC2-5R had no effect on receptor signaling. Interestingly, the mutation did not induce constitutive ERK1/2 phosphorylation or increase the internalization rate indicating the constitutive activity to be biased. Finally, to identify regions of importance for the increased constitutive activity of Mc1r E92K, we employed a chimeric approach and identified G102 and L110 in the extracellular loop 1 to be selectively important for the constitutive activity as this, but not αMSH-mediated activation, was abolished upon Ala substitution. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: It is concluded that the E92K mutation induces an active conformation distinct from that induced by αMSH and that the extracellular loop 1 is involved in maintaining this conformational state. In turn, the results suggest that in MC1R, which lacks an extracellular loop 2, the first extracellular loop may play a more prominent role during receptor activation than in general

The Impacts of Harvesting Activities on Prey-Predator Fishery Model in the Presence of Toxin

The present paper discusses a prey-predator fishery model where both species are subjected to harvesting effort. Both species release some toxic substances to each other. The prey species obeys the law of logistic growth. The model is a modified version from the classic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. The equilibria of the model are obtained and the dynamical behaviors of the proposed system are examined. Simulations of the model are performed and bifurcation diagrams are studied. The effects of harvesting and toxin on the stability of steady states are examined. In the present research, we found that the impact of harvesting activities is more influential on the dynamical behaviors in the fishery model than that of the toxin

Influence of Plating Parameter and Surface Morphology on Mild Steel

The plating parameter effect of zinc deposition on mild steel substrates was investigated. The results showed an improved surface finished and homogeneous layer. The distance between the anode and the cathode on voltage, plating time and coating thickness were considered. The mild steel was deposited into solution of zinc bath for varying voltage between 0.5 v and 1.0v. It was discovered that the sample plated at 0.8v for 15 minutes gives the best plating deposition and appearance. The surface morphology of the plated sample was analyzed by Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), AFM and X-ray diffraction

Convergent and Biomimetic Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)-Communesin F

The first biomimetic enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-communesin F based on a late-stage heterodimerization and aminal exchange is described. Our synthesis features the expedient diazene-directed assembly of two advanced fragments to secure the congested C3a-C3a′ linkage in three steps, followed by a highly efficient biogenetically inspired aminal reorganization to access the heptacyclic communesin core in only two additional steps. Enantioselective syntheses of the two fragments were developed, with highlights including the catalytic asymmetric halocyclization and diastereoselective oxyamination reactions of tryptamine derivatives, a stereoselective sulfinimine allylation, and an efficient cyclotryptamine-C3a-sulfamate synthesis by either a new silver-promoted nucleophilic amination or a rhodium-catalyzed C-H amination protocol. The versatile syntheses of the fragments, their stereocontrolled assembly, and the efficient aminal exchange as supported by in situ monitoring experiments, in addition to the final stage N1′-acylation of the communesin core, provide a highly convergent synthesis of (-)-communesin F.National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U.S.) (GM089732)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (CHE1212527)Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award ((F32GM097776)Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (PGS D3 Scholarship

Nonuniversal route to universality: Critical phenomena in colloidal dispersions

We investigate critical phenomena in colloids by means of the renormalization-group based hierarchical reference theory of fluids (HRT). We focus on three experimentally relevant model systems: namely, the Asakura-Oosawa model of a colloidal dispersion under the influence of polymer-induced attractive depletion forces; fluids with competing short-range attractive and longer-range repulsive interactions; solutions of star-polymers whose pair potential presents both an attractive well and an ultrasoft repulsion at shorter distance. Our results show that the ability to tune the effective interactions between colloidal particles allows one to generate a variety of crossovers to the asymptotic critical behavior, which are not observed in atomic fluids.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Infinite compressibility states in the Hierarchical Reference Theory of fluids. II. Numerical evidence

Continuing our investigation into the Hierarchical Reference Theory of fluids for thermodynamic states of infinite isothermal compressibility kappa[T] we now turn to the available numerical evidence to elucidate the character of the partial differential equation: Of the three scenarios identified previously, only the assumption of the equations turning stiff when building up the divergence of kappa[T] allows for a satisfactory interpretation of the data. In addition to the asymptotic regime where the arguments of part I (cond-mat/0308467) directly apply, a similar mechanism is identified that gives rise to transient stiffness at intermediate cutoff for low enough temperature. Heuristic arguments point to a connection between the form of the Fourier transform of the perturbational part of the interaction potential and the cutoff where finite difference approximations of the differential equation cease to be applicable, and they highlight the rather special standing of the hard-core Yukawa potential as regards the severity of the computational difficulties.Comment: J. Stat. Phys., in press. Minor changes to match published versio

Phase transitions in simple and not so simple binary fluids

Compared to pure fluids, binary mixtures display a very diverse phase behavior, which depends sensitively on the parameters of the microscopic potential. Here we investigate the phase diagrams of simple model mixtures by use of a microscopic implementation of the renormalization group technique. First, we consider a symmetric mixture with attractive interactions, possibly relevant for describing fluids of molecules with internal degrees of freedom. Despite the simplicity of the model, slightly tuning the strength of the interactions between unlike species drastically changes the topology of the phase boundary, forcing or inhibiting demixing, and brings about several interesting features such as double critical points, tricritical points, and coexistence domains enclosing `islands' of homogeneous, mixed fluid. Homogeneous phase separation in mixtures can be driven also by purely repulsive interactions. As an example, we consider a model of soft particles which has been adopted to describe binary polymer solutions. This is shown to display demixing (fluid-fluid) transition at sufficiently high density. The nature and the physical properties of the corresponding phase transition are investigated.Comment: 6 pages + 3 figures, presented at the 5th EPS Liquid Matter Conference, Konstanz, 14-18 September 200

Development and evaluation of a multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeats analysis assay for subtyping Salmonella Typhi strains from sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose: Molecular epidemiological investigations of the highly clonal Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) are important in outbreak detection and in tracking disease transmission. In this study, we developed and evaluated a multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeats (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) assay for characterization of S. Typhi isolates from sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: Twelve previously reported VNTR loci were evaluated and an MLVA assay consisting of five polymorphic loci was adopted. The MLVA assay was developed for use on capillary electrophoresis systems by testing a collection of 50 S. Typhi isolates. This S. Typhi strain panel consisted of six outbreak related isolates and 44 epidemiologically unlinked isolates. Amongst these were nine S.Typhi haplotype H58 isolates. Results: The MLVA assay characterized the 50 isolates into 47 MLVA profiles while PFGE analysis of the same isolates revealed 34 pulsotypes. MLVA displayed higher discriminatory power (Simpson’s index of diversity (DI) 0.998 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.995–1.000)] as compared to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [Simpson’s DI 0.984 (95% CI 0.974–0.994)]. Conclusion: The MLVA assay presented in this study is a simple, rapid and more accessible tool that serves as a good alternative to other molecular subtyping methods for S. Typhi

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of purple manganese (III) and red titanium (IV) phthalocyanine complexes octa-substituted at non-peripheral positions with pentylthio groups

The synthesis and electrochemical characterisation of octapentylthiophthalocyaninato manganese (III) acetate (4) and octapentylthiophthalocyaninato titanium (IV) oxide (5) complexes are reported. The complexes have an unusual purple (4) and red (5) colouration since the Q-band is shifted to the near infrared region with Q-band maxima at 893 nm and 808 nm in dichloromethane for 4 and 5, respectively. The structures of the complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis and interpretation of their spectroscopic data, including 2D NMR. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the Mn complex (4) showed four quasi reversible couples. The reduction processes are attributed to MnIIIPc−2/MnIIPc−2 and MnIIPc−2/MnIIPc−3 and the oxidation processes to MnIVPc−2/MnIIIPc−2 and MnIVPc−1/MnIVPc−2. The processes were confirmed by spectroelectrochemistry. A well-defined spectrum of the rare MnIVPc−2 species is reported. The CV of the Ti complex (5) showed two well-resolved reduction processes due to TiIVPc−2/TiIIIPc−2 and TiIIIPc−2/TiIIPc−2. However, oxidation processes of the complex revealed adsorption behaviour and resulted in decomposition on electrolysis using spectroelectrochemistry