Reducing structural changes in van Emde Boas' data structure to the lower bound for the dynamic predecessor problem

We consider the problem of maintaining a dynamic ordered set of n integers in a universe U under the operations of insertion, deletion and predecessor queries. The computation model used is a unit-cost RAM, with a word length of w bits, and the universe size is |U|=2^w. We present a data structure that uses O(|U|/log|U|+n) space, performs all the operations in O(loglog|U|) time and needs O(loglog|U|/logloglog|U|) structural changes per update operation. The data structure is a simplified version of the van Emde Boas' tree introducing, in its construction and functioning, new concepts, which help to keep the important information for searching along the path of the tree, in a more compact and organized way.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new thiosemicarbazones of 2‐acetylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine

A number of thiosemicarbazones of 2‐acetyl‐imidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine were prepared in order to investigate their in vitro antineoplastic activities. Three compounds: (i) 2‐acetylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridin‐4‐ sec ‐butyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazone [(A₇), NSC674098], (ii) 2‐acetylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridin‐4‐tert‐butyl‐3‐thiosemi‐carbazone [(A₉), NSC674099], (iii) 2‐acetylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridin‐4‐cyclohexyl‐3‐thiosemicarbozone [(A₁₁), NSC674101] showed remarkable activity against some of the cell lines tested. The Biological Evaluation Committee of N.C.I. determined that further secondary testing should be carried out (these compounds were tested against prostate cancer).     

Protection of the Hydroxyphosphinyl Function of Phosphinic Dipeptides by Adamantyl. Application to the Solid-Phase Synthesis of Phosphinic Peptides

To develop solid-phase synthesis of phosphinic peptides, different FmocXaaPsi{PO(OAd)CH(2)}XaaOH building blocks have been prepared, where Fmoc is (fluorenylmethoxy)carbonyl. In this respect, the protection of the hydroxyphosphinyl function in these phosphinic dipeptides by the adamantyl group turns out to be convenient. The phosphinic adamantyl esters are completely stable in basic conditions and can be removed under relatively mild acidic conditions. Using these building blocks, despite the bulkiness of the adamantyl group, no particular problem of coupling was observed during the solid-phase synthesis of phosphinic peptides by the Fmoc strategy. The developed methodology is of particular interest to facilitate the development of potent inhibitors of zinc-metalloproteases.     

Fiber optic multi-channel protein detector for use in preparative continuous annular chromatography

On-line coupling continuous-flow liquid membrane extraction (CFLME) with HPLC, a novel automatic system was developed for the determination of sulfonylurea herbicides in water. After an automatic trace-enrichment process by CFLME, which is the combination of continuous flow liquid-liquid extraction and support liquid membrane (SLM) extraction, the target analytes were concentrated in 50 microl of 0.2 M Na2CO3-NaHCO3 (pH 10.0) buffer. The concentrated sample solutions were injected directly onto a C18 analytical column with a valve, and detected at 240 nm with a diode array detector. Metsulfuron methyl (MSM), and DPX-A 7881 were baseline separated with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 67 mM KH2PO4-Na2HPO4 (pH 5.91) buffer (45+55, v+v) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml min(-1). With an enrichment time of 10 min and enrichment sample volume of 20 ml, the enrichment factors and detection limits are 100 and 0.05 microg l(-1) for MSM, and 96 and 0.1 microg l(-1) for DPX-A 7881, respectively. The linear range and precision (RSD) are 0.1-50 microg l(-1) and 7.0% for MSM, and 0.2-50 microg l(-1) and 9.2% for DPX-A 7881, respectively. This proposed method was applied to determine MSM and DPX-A 7881 in seawater, tap water, and bottled mineral water with spiked recoveries in the range of 83-95% for MSM and 88-100% for DPX-A 7881, respectively.     

Dipole moments and conformation of 1-(N,N-Diaroyl)amino-1,2,3-triazoles

Experimental dipole moments of a number of the title compounds are given and theoretical dipole moments have been calculated by vector addition for all possible conformations. The graphical method has been used to correlate experimental and calculated dipole moments. The more probable conformation in solution of the title compounds and especially of the imide group is proposed.     

Speciation of chromium in wastewater and sludge by extraction with liquid anion exchanger Amberlite LA-2 and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple, integrated method for the speciation of chromium in wastewater and sewage sludge was developed, utilising liquid anion exchange by Amberlite LA-2 (LAES) and final determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Samples were filtered through a 0.45 μm membrane filter and chromium species were determined in filtered water samples and in sludge on the filters. In the former case (filtrate), total Cr was determined directly by ETAAS, while for the determination of Cr(VI) the filtrate was buffered to pH 6.4, extracted with LAES and Cr(VI) was determined in the organic extract. Cr(III) was determined by the difference. In the latter case (filter), the filters were leached with an alkaline buffer solution (pH 12.7) and the supernatant was subjected to the same extraction procedure. For the determination of total leachable Cr, the filters were subjected to acid leaching with dilute HNO₃ (pH 1) and the supernatant was subjected to ETAAS, after appropriate dilution with water. Then, Cr(III) was determined by the difference. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.39 and 0.45 μg l⁻¹ for total Cr and Cr(VI), respectively, in the dissolved phase and 2.10 and 0.87 ng g⁻¹ for total Cr and Cr(VI) in the suspended solids. The recoveries of total Cr and Cr(VI) in filtrated wastewater samples and filters were quantitative, ranged from 93 to 106%. The effect of time and temperature of sonication and suspended solids concentration on total Cr and Cr(VI) recovery was studied. No significant difference in recoveries was obtained for sonication temperatures between 30 and 70 °C. However, sonication time equal to or higher than 30 min and concentration of suspended solids equal to or less than 30 mg significantly improved Cr recovery. The ETAAS program for the determination of Cr(VI) in Amberlite/MIBK extract was carefully optimised in the absence of a chemical modifier to avoid memory effects. The developed analytical method was applied for the determination of chromium species in wastewater and suspended solids of a municipal and a lab-scale wastewater treatment plant.     

Kinetic-potentiometric assay of formaldehyde in pharmaceutical and industrial samples, monitored by copper solid ion selective electrode, after its reaction with the copper(II)-bis-(ethylenediamine) complex

A kinetic-potentiometric method is described for the quantitative assay of formaldehyde (HCHO) in pharmaceutical and industrial preparations. It is based on the reaction of HCHO with (ethylenediamine)-Cu(II)-sulfate [Cu(CH₂NH₂)₂(H₂O)₂] · SO₄. The changes in potential, resulting from the release of the Cu(II) cations, are monitored with a Cu(II)-ion selective electrode. The calibration curve for the HCHO is linear in the concentration range 50–250 mg L⁻¹, with a limit of detection of 8.5 mg L⁻¹. The method shows very good reproducibility with an RSD of 2.6% for successive injections (n = 5) of 150 mg L⁻¹ HCHO primary solution, while it is interference free. The method was successfully tested in various industrial and pharmaceutical preparations.     

Organic functional group analysis via gas chromatography. III

Summary A gas Chromatographic procedure for the analysis of carbamates is described. A specially prepared reaction tube, packed with a 10 % mixture of potassium hydroxide in glass beads, is placed inside the injection port of a Perkin-Elmer 900 Gas Chromatograph, in front of the Chromatographic column packed with Porapak Q. S.A solution of the carbamates (0.01–0.1mol) is injected directly into the gas Chromatograph. The carbamates are reacted with the alkali present in the reaction tube and the alcohols produced are separated, detected and recorded. Standard calibration graphs of the alcohols are prepared in the same manner and the quantities of carbamates are determined. The procedure is fast and quantitative.

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Zusammenfassung Ein gaschromatisches Verfahren für die Analyse von Carbamaten wurde beschrieben. Ein spezielles Reaktionsrohr, beschickt mit 10% iger Kalilauge auf Glasperlen, wird innerhalb der Injektionsöffnung eines Gaschromatographen Perkin-Elmer 900 vor dem mit Poropak Q. S. gefüllten Chromatographierohr angebracht. Die Carbamatlösung (0,01 bis 0,1 Mol) wird direkt injiziert. Die Carbamate reagieren mit dem im Reaktionsrohr befindlichen Alkali, die dabei entstandenen Alkohole werden getrennt, nachgewiesen und registriert. In gleicher Weise ermittelte Standard-Eichkurven der Alkohole dienen zur Bestimmung der Carbamate. Das Verfahren ist rasch und quantitativ.

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For Part II see Mikrochim. Acta [Wien]1966, 55. Inquiries and requests for reprints of this series of papers should be addressed to Prof. T. S. Ma, Department of Chemistry, City University of New York, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210, U.S.A.