Partition Lattice q-Analogs Related to q-Stirling Numbers

We construct a family of partially ordered sets (posets) that are q-analogs of the set partition lattice. They are different from the q-analogs proposed by Dowling [5]. One of the important features of these posets is that their Whitney numbers of the first and second kind are just the q-Stirling numbers of the first and second kind, respectively. One member of this family [4] can be constructed using an interpretation of Milne [9] for S[n, k] as sequences of lines in a vector space over the Galois field F _q. Another member is constructed so as to mirror the partial order in the subspace lattice.     

Bounds on Codes Derived by Counting Components in Varshamov Graphs

We are interested in improving the Varshamov bound for finite values of length n and minimum distance d. We employ a counting lemma to this end which we find particularly useful in relation to Varshamov graphs. Since a Varshamov graph consists of components corresponding to low weight vectors in the cosets of a code it is a useful tool when trying to improve the estimates involved in the Varshamov bound. We consider how the graph can be iteratively constructed and using our observations are able to achieve a reduction in the over-counting which occurs. This tightens the lower bound for any choice of parameters n, k, d or q and is not dependent on information such as the weight distribution of a code. This work is taken from the author’s thesis [10]     

Three-component one-pot total syntheses of glyantrypine, fumiquinazoline F, and fiscalin B promoted by microwave irradiation

A microwave-promoted three-component one-pot reaction has been developed to provide access to the core pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazoline-3,6-dione (1) scaffold, which is common to several families of alkaloids with significant biological activities. By adapting this synthetic strategy through the use of selected Boc-amino acids and amino acid esters, we have accomplished highly efficient and concise total syntheses of glyantrypine (2), fumiquinazoline F (3), and fiscalin B (5), achieving overall yields of 55, 39, and 20%, respectively.     

Fluorescence-dip infrared spectroscopy and predissociation dynamics of OH A 2Sigma+ (v = 4) radicals

Fluorescence-dip infrared spectroscopy, an UV-IR double-resonance technique, is employed to characterize the line positions, linewidths, and corresponding lifetimes of highly predissociative rovibrational levels of the excited A (2)Sigma(+) electronic state of the OH radical. Various lines of the 4 <--2 overtone transition in the excited A (2)Sigma(+) state are observed, from which the rotational, centrifugal distortion, and spin-rotation constants for the A (2)Sigma(+) (v = 4) state are determined, along with the vibrational frequency for the overtone transition. Homogeneous linewidths of 0.23-0.31 cm(-1) full width at half maximum are extracted from the line profiles, demonstrating that the N = 0 to 7 rotational levels of the OH A (2)Sigma(+) (v = 4) state undergo rapid predissociation with lifetimes of < or =23 ps. The experimental linewidths are in near quantitative agreement with first-principles theoretical predictions.     

The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Accreditation – an overview

 Environmental quality is still deteriorating in the EU and worldwide despite all the Directives and Regulations in this field over the past 20 years. The European Community has devised a new approach to this problem with the introduction of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme Regulation. This Regulation provides industry with an opportunity to demonstrate that it can achieve continuous improvement in its environmental performance through a voluntary scheme which is not based on the traditional command and control mechanisms of Directives. This paper gives an overview of the steps involved in implementing the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme and the role of accreditation in supporting the scheme.     

Investigation of novel mediators for a glucose biosensor based on metal picolinate complexes

The metal complexes [Os(byp)(2)(pic)](+) and [Ru(byp)(2)(pic)](+) where byp is 2,2'-bipyridine and HPic is o-picolinic acid were synthesised and characterised using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. These complexes were then evaluated as mediators for a glucose oxidase (GOx)-based biosensor. Results demonstrate the electrocatalytic behaviour of both metal couples towards regeneration of the flavoprotein GOx (FADH(2)) group, when co-immobilised with glucose oxidase. Surface immobilisation was achieved by potential cycling in aqueous solutions of the metal complexes at a glucose oxidase (GOx)/Nafion modified electrode. This proved successful in terms of catalytic efficiency and stability of redox sites. Kinetic parameters associated with both enzymatic and mediator reactions were estimated and the stability/performance properties of the sensor were tested.     

The boron-mediated ketone-ketone aldol reaction

The first examples of the directed, boron-mediated aldol reaction between different ketones are presented. Transformation of a variety of ketones to their corresponding boron enolates with Chx₂BCl/Et₃N, followed by reaction with acceptor ketones in diethyl ether, and oxidation of the resultant boron aldolate (H₂O₂, MeOH/pH 7 buffer), provided the aldol addition products. The reaction was most facile when cyclic ketones were used, with the highest yields obtained for the reaction of boron enolates with cyclohexanone as the acceptor.