A multiplicative inequality for vertex Folkman numbers

Let G be a graph and a₁,…,a_r be positive integers. The symbol G→(a₁,…,a_r) denotes that in every r-coloring of the vertex set V(G) there exists a monochromatic a_i-clique of color i for some i∈{1,…,r}. The vertex Folkman numbers F(a₁,…,a_r;q)=min{|V(G)|:G→(a₁,…,a_r) and K_q?G} are considered. Let a_i, b_i, c_i, i∈{1,…,r}, s, t be positive integers and c_i=a_ib_i, 1?a_i?s,1?b_i?t. Then we prove that

F(c₁,c₂,…,c_r;st+1)?F(a₁,a₂,…,a_r;s+1)F(b₁,b₂,…,b_r;t+1).     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, structural and theoretical characterization of hydrogensquarate and mononuclear Au(III)-complex of dipeptide phenylalanyltyrosine

The mononuclear Au(III)-complex ([Au(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄)Cl]) and hydrogensquarate ([C₂₂H₂₁N₂O₈]) of dipeptide phenylalanyltyrosine (H–Phe–Tyr–OH) have been synthezised, characterized spectroscopically and structurally by means of solid-state linear-polarized IR-spectroscopy, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, ESI-MS, HPLC-MS–MS, FAB-MS, TGS and DSC methods. The structure of the Au(III)-complex has been predicted theoretically by DFT calculations. The dipeptide coordinated in a tridentate manner via –NH₂, –COO⁻ and N⁻-groups. One Cl⁻ ion is attached to the metal centre as a terminal ligand, yielding a planar AuN₂OCl chromophor. The hydrogensquarate consists in positive charged dipeptide moiety and negative one hydrogensquarate (HSq⁻) anion stabilizing by strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Large phase shifts in As2S3 waveguides for all-optical processing devices

A large phase shift of 4.7pi at 1.53 microm has been observed from a low-loss (0.2 dB/cm), small-core As2S3 waveguide fabricated by dry etching. The strength of the nonlinear response was limited by photosensitivity and photocrystallization of the As2S3 films at 1.53 microm, far below the material bandgap.     

Excitation functions and isomeric ratios in the reaction130Te (α,xpyn) for α-particle energies between 15 and 37 MeV

The¹³⁰Te(,n)¹³³Xe,¹³⁰Te(,p)¹³³I,¹³⁰Te(,pn)¹³²I and¹³⁰Te(, n)¹²⁹Te excitation functions for alpha particle energies between 14.7 and 36.5 MeV are presented. Excitation functions for the last three reactions are measured for the first time and more consistent results for (, n) are obtained. The isomeric ratios for the ( n), (, pn) and (, n) reactions were deduced. Calculations based on different theoretical models of equilibrium and preequilibrium decay are compared with the experimental results and discussed. Acceptable presentation of the energy behavior of the measured isomeric ratios was obtained when higher angular momentum depletion for preequilibrium emitted particles was included. The absolute values of the isomeric ratios however remain overestimated.We want to express our gratitude to Prof. Ts. Vylov and Dr. V. Brudanin (Dubna) who supplied us with measurement equipment, to Dr. Chr. Necheva for taking part in the experiments, to the U-200 cyclotron staff and to the direction of the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (JINR) for making the irradiation possible and to Dr. E. Dobreva (Sofia) for fruitful discussion of the experimental method. We wish to express our gratitude also to Prof. M. Uhl and the NEA data bank for making the computer code STAPRE available to us and to Prof. J. Ernst (Bonn) for fruitful discussions. This project has been completed with the financial support of the Committee for Science at the Council of Ministers under contract No. 644.     

Development of a microfluidic paper-based analytical device for the determination of salivary aldehydes

A low cost, disposable and easy to use microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) was developed for simple and non-invasive determination of total aldehydes in saliva with a potential to be used in epidemiological studies to assess oral cancer risk. The μPAD is based on the colour reaction between aldehydes (e.g. acetaldehyde, formaldehyde), 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) and iron(III) to form an intense blue coloured formazan dye. The newly developed μPAD has a 3D design with two overlapping paper layers. The first layer comprises 15 circular detection zones (8 mm in diameter), each impregnated with 8 μL of MBTH, while the second layer contains 15 reagent zones (4 mm in diameter). Two μL of iron(III) chloride are added to each one of the second layer zones after the addition of sample to the detection zones in the first layer. All hydrophilic zones of the μPAD are defined by wax printing using a commercial wax printer.     

Dissolution Behavior and Varied Mesoporosity of Zeolites by NH4F Etching

The mesopores formation in zeolite crystals has long been considered to occur through the stochastic hydrolysis and removal of framework atoms. Here, we investigate the NH₄F etching of representative small, medium, and large pore zeolites and show that the zeolite dissolution behavior, therefore the mesopore formation probability, is dominated by zeolite architecture at both nano- and sub-nano scales. At the nano-scale, the hidden mosaics of zeolite structure predetermine the spatio-temporal dissolution of the framework, hence the size, shape, location, and orientation of the mesopores. At the sub-nano scale, the intrinsic micropore size and connectivity jointly determine the diffusivity of reactant and dissolved products. As a result, the dissolution propensity varies from removing small framework fragments to consuming nanodomains and up to full digestion of the outmost part of zeolite crystals. The new knowledge will lead to new understanding of zeolite dissolution behavior and new adapted strategies for tailoring hierarchical zeolites.     

Novel codeinone derivatives via Michael addition of barbituric acids

Two novel adducts of codeinone with barbituric and 2-thiobarbituric acids have been synthesized via Michael addition. The compounds were spectroscopically elucidated by means of IR-LD spectroscopy of oriented samples as a suspension in nematic liquid crystals, UV spectroscopy and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The 2-thiobarbituric adduct was characterized by X-ray crystallography. HPLC tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC ESI MS/MS) and thermal methods were also employed. Quantum chemical calculations have been performed with a view to obtaining the electronic structure and vibrational properties of the novel compounds.