Sparse pseudorandom distributions

The existence of sparse pseudorandom distributions is proved. These are probability distributions concentrated in a very small set of strings, yet it is infeasible for any polynomial-time algorithm to distinguish between truly random coins and coins selected according to these distributions. It is shown that such distributions can be generated by (nonpolynomial) probabilistic algorithms, while probabilistic polynomial-time algorithms cannot even approximate all the pseudorandom distributions. Moreover, we show the existence of evasive pseudorandom distributions which are not only sparse, but also have the property that no polynomial-time algorithm may find an element in their support, except for a negligible probability. All these results are proved independently of any intractability assumption.     

Enzymatic flow-injection determination of urea in blood serum using potentiometric gas sensor with internal nonactin based ISE

Ion-selective electrode with cellulose triacetate membrane containing nonactin is employed for the potentiometric detection of ammonia produced in biocatalytic reaction in flow-injection system with enzyme reactor. The elimination of interferences occurring in the presence of alkali metal ions was achieved by covering a nonactin membrane with outer hydrophobic gas permeable membrane. The obtained flow-injection response to ammonia indicates a possibility of ammonia determination down to 10 microM ammonia. In the flow-injection system for urea determination 200 microl of 10-fold diluted blood serum sample was injected into carrier stream of distilled water merged with TRIS buffer, passed through the urease flow-through reactor and then after merging with NaOH stream delivered to the detector. It was found in several series of natural blood serum samples, that the correction for endogenous ammonia in such a determination is not indispensable.     

Electrooxidation of phenol at exfoliated graphite electrode in alkaline solution

The present paper reports on exfoliated graphite (EG) used for the cyclic electrochemical process of phenol oxidation in alkaline solution. It is shown that the electrochemical activity of anode-produced EG decreases considerably in the second cycle due to the deposition of an oligomer film, composed of the products of phenol oxidation, on the EG surface. Thermal treatment of the inactive graphite anode in air at 500 °C provided a regenerated material of activity three times higher for the first cycle and 2.6 times higher for three cycles as compared to the original anode. The reason for such a behavior is assigned to a carbon film formed on the EG surface during the carbonization/oxidation processes involving the products of phenol oxidation. Comparative studies showed that electroactivity of the original EG can also be enhanced if before the process of phenol oxidation the original EG is activated by heat treatment. Unfortunately, the electrochemical activity of the product of such a treatment is higher only for the first cycle of phenol oxidation and drops dramatically in the following cycles.Contribution to the 3rd Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Gdask-Sobieszewo, 23–26 April 2003. Dedicated to the memory of Harry B. Mark, Jr. (28 February 1934–3 March 2003)     

Influence of Water Vapor on CCl4 and CHCl3 Conversion in Gliding Discharge

The effect of initial concentration of tetrachloromethane and trichloromethane on their conversion in gliding discharge was determined. The conversion of CCl₄ and CHCl₃ was carried out in air containing 20 or 8000 ppm of water vapor. The flow rate of the air containing 1.2, 2.5, or 6.0 vol% of CCl₄ or CHCl₃ was 200 Nl/h. The amount of tetrachloromethane and trichloromethane reacted was determined for a constant value of specific energy which was varied with 2.0 and 4.0 VAh/Nl. The amounts of CCl₄ and CHCl₃ reacted were a linear function of the initial concentration of these compounds in the inlet gas. The results obtained have shown that water vapor present in the air has a favorable effect on the conversion of tetrachloromethane and trichloromethane in gliding discharge.     

X‐ray investigations of bicyclic α‐methylene‐δ‐valerolactones. V. (4aS,7R,8aR)‐7‐Isopropenyl‐4a‐methyl‐3‐methyleneperhydrochromen‐2‐one

The title compound, C₁₄H₂₀O₂, adopts a conformation in which the δ‐valerolactone and cyclohexane rings are almost coplanar with one another. The γ‐methyl substituent occupies an axial position with respect to the cyclohexane ring. The δ‐valerolactone moiety adopts an envelope arrangement, while the cyclohexane ring exists in a chair conformation.     

Spontaneous Nef reaction of 3-aryl-2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-4-nitroalkanoic acids

Spontaneous Nef reaction of primary and secondary 3-aryl-2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-4-nitroalkanoic acids has been observed for the first time. The reaction provides a general and effective, highly diastereoselective synthesis of 3-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-1-hydroxysuccinimides and 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-4-oxoalkanoic acids.     

Molecular reorientation in the nematic and rotatory phases of 4,4'-di-n-pentyloxyazoxybenzene

Abstract

Results of dielectric relaxation, quasielastic neutron scattering, calorimetric D.S.C. and preliminary X-ray measurements on the fifth member, POAOB, of the 4,4'-di-n-alkoxyazoxybenzene homologous series are presented. It has been found that POAOB exhibits two mesophases: a nematic (N) and an intermediate crystalline phase (CI) just below it. From comparison of the dielectric relaxation and quasielastic neutron scattering studies we can conclude that in the nematic phase the molecule as a whole performs rotational diffusion around the long axis (ω ~ 150ps) and at the same time the two moieties perform faster independent reorientations around the N-δ bonds (ω denotes a benzene ring) with δ ~ 5 ps. The intermediate crystal phase is identified as a solid uniaxial rotational phase in which fast molecular reorientations exist. It seems that the fast reorientations observed in the nematic phase to some extent survive to the crystal I phase. A model of molecular arrangements in the crystal I phase is proposed, and it explains the reduction of the dielectric increment observed on passing from the nematic phase to this phase.     

Multiple anodic regeneration of exfoliated graphite electrodes spent in the process of phenol electrooxidation

The present paper deals with the studies concerning anodic regeneration of exfoliated graphite (EG) electrodes coated with oligomer products of incomplete phenol electrooxidation. The electrochemical activity of regenerated samples depends on the concentration of regenerating electrolyte and potential applied during the regeneration. The effective method of a single-step regeneration of spent EG electrodes was found to be anodic treatment proceeded in 6 M KOH at the potential of 1.3 V vs. Hg/HgO/0.5 M KOH. During the oxidative regeneration of EG, the physical and chemical interactions between intensively generated active oxygen and/or OH· radical and oligomer covering the EG surface take place. As has been proved by FTIR and XPS analyses, active oxidative agents cause significant modification of chemical composition of oligomer that resulted in enhanced concentration of surface functionalities mainly involving C=O bonds. The results of multiple regeneration of EG electrode, considered as promising method for practical application, showed that the highest efficiency of regeneration is attained due to potentiostatic treatment carried out in 6 M KOH at the potential of 1.2 V. The electrochemical activity of EG regenerated at this potential increases gradually with the number of regenerating loops and after the third regeneration is almost fourfold higher compared to that of the original EG.