Assessing Similarity of Random sets via Skeletons

Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability - The paper concerns a method for assessing similarity of realisations of random sets based on a construction of their morphological skeletons and a...     

The constrained degree and fixed-point index theory for set-valued maps

In the first part of the paper we give a construction of a topological degree theory for set-valued tangent vector fields with convex and nonconvex values defined on nonsmooth closed subsets of a Banach space. The obtained homotopy invariant is an extension of the classical degree for vector fields on manifolds. In the second part we propose a fixed-point index for inward maps on arbitrary closed convex sets.     

Application of flavonoids – quercetin and rutin – as new matrices for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric analysis of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes

Attempts are being made to overcome the resistance of tumour cells to platinum (Pt) drugs by the synthesis of new generations of Pt complexes, and it is important to find appropriate and simple methods for the characterization of those novel complexes. The additional applicability of such a method for the analysis of the interactions of metal complexes with biomolecules would be advantageous. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) seems to possess the capability to become this method of choice, since it could be applied to low‐mass complexes as well as for the analysis of large biomolecules. In this work the applicability of flavonoids – quercetin and rutin – as matrices for MALDI‐TOFMS analysis of dichlorido(ethylendiamine)platinum(II) ([PtCl₂(en)]), dichlorido(diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II) ([PtCl₂(dach)]) and chloride (diethylenetriamine) palladium(II) chloride ([PdCl(dien)]Cl) complexes is demonstrated. Spectra of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes recorded in the presence of quercetin and rutin are rather simple: Pt(II) complexes generate [M+Na]⁺ or [M+K]⁺ions, whereas the investigated Pd(II) complex gives ions generated by the loss of one Cl^? or HCl. Flavonoids give a relatively small number of well‐defined ions in the low‐mass region (at m/z 303.3 for quercetin and m/z 633.5 for rutin). Quercetin and rutin can be applied in much lower concentrations than other common MALDI matrices and require rather low laser intensity. We speculate that flavonoids stabilize the structures of the metal complexes and that they may be useful for the analysis of other biologically active metal complexes, thus implying their broader applicability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salting-out thin layer chromatography of transition metal complexes: A comparative study of the effect of increased number of CH2 groups in chelate rings

Summary The regularities previously established in salting-out thin-layer chromatography on silica gel of Co(III) complexes, in which the side chains of a specific chelate ring were successively increased in length, were also found to be valid for two series of Co(III) complexes of the EDTA type, in which different chelate rings were enlarged by one CH₂ group. It was found that in the case of complexes of the EDTA type the salting-out efficiencies were practically the same for all members of a series, while the values of the separation factors were paractically independent of the ammonium sulphate concentration in the solvent system used. The results obtained were consistent with the mechanism of nonspecific hydrophobic interactions. The method used can be applied to the separation of the members of the series of complexes that we investigated.     

The differentiation and identification of pathogenic bacteria using FT-IR and multivariate statistical analysis

Correspondence analysis was used to classify the pattern-like FT-IR spectra of intact bacteria. The analysis was performed on a data set of approximately 80 normalized spectral derivatives of a selection of pathogenic bacteria. The correspondence analysis proved that the various different bacterial species were clustering in distinct regions of the correspondence maps suggesting that there do exist correlations between spectral data and biochemical/microbiological classification.     

Estimation of surfactant activity of polluted seawater by kalousek commutator technique

The polarographic method of discontinuously changing potential, known as the Kalousek commutator technique, was applied to the estimation of surfactant activity of seawater samples from polluted area of a harbour. Adsorption isotherms of different detergents, lecithin and lauric acid at the HMDE have been used as calibration curves. The method is recommended for direct and rapid determination of the degree of seawater pollution by organic surface active substances.     

Synthesis and antitumor evaluation of novel derivatives of 6-amino-2-phenylbenzothiazoles

Novel derivatives of 6-amino-2-phenylbenzothiazole bearing different substituents (amino, dimethylamino or fluoro) on the phenyl ring were prepared as the corresponding hydrochloride salts. 6-Nitro-2-(substituted-phenyl)benzothiazoles (1-6) were synthesized by condensation reactions of substituted benzaldehydes with 2-amino-5-nitrothiophenol. Nitro derivatives were reduced to the amino derivatives with SnCl(2)/HCl.Water soluble hydrochloride salts of 6-amino-2-(substituted-phenyl)benzothiazole (13-19)were prepared using concentrated or gaseous HCl. Compounds 13-19 were found to exert cytostatic activities against malignant human cell lines: cervical (HeLa), breast (MCF-7),colon (CaCo-2), laryngeal carcinoma (Hep-2), and normal human fibroblast cell lines (WI-38).