Detection of filamentous bulking problems: developing an image analysis system for sludge composition monitoring.

This article describes a fully automatic image analysis procedure for fast and reliable characterization of the activated sludge composition, that is, the floc and filament features. The algorithms developed for each of the analysis steps, that is, segmentation, object recognition, and characterization, are described in detail. Although the application range of the recognition method is a priori expanded by introducing a number of control parameters, the procedure proves to be intrinsically robust as it produces satisfactory results for a fixed set of parameter values for a wide variety of image types.     

A new proof of the refined alternating sign matrix theorem

In the early 1980s, Mills, Robbins and Rumsey conjectured, and in 1996 Zeilberger proved a simple product formula for the number of n×n alternating sign matrices with a 1 at the top of the ith column. We give an alternative proof of this formula using our operator formula for the number of monotone triangles with prescribed bottom row. In addition, we provide the enumeration of certain 0-1-(−1) matrices generalizing alternating sign matrices.     

Improved chromosome classification using monotonic functions of mahalanobis distance and the transportation method

It is shown that the accuracy of chromosome classification constrained by class size can be improved over previously reported results by a combination of straightforward modifications to previously used methods. These are (i) the use of the logarithm of the Mahalanobis distance of an unknown chromosome's feature vector to estimated class mean vectors as the basis of the transportation method objective function, rather than the estimated likelihood; (ii) the use of all available features and full estimated covariance to compute the Mahalanobis distance, rather than a subset of features and the diagonal (variance) terms only; (iii) a modification to the way the transportation model deals with the constraint on the number of sex chromosomes in a metaphase cell; and (iv) the use of a newly discovered heuristic to weight off-diagonal elements of the covariance; this proved to be particularly valuable in cases where relatively few training examples were available to estimate covariance. The methods have been verified using 5 different sets of chromosome data.     

Use of a structural analogue versus a stable isotope labeled internal standard for the quantification of angiotensin IV in rat brain dialysates using nano-liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Quantifying low concentrations of neuropeptides in microdialysates requires a selective and sensitive analysis technique, such as nano-liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC/ESI-MS/MS). However, we observed reduced accuracy of the method due to matrix effects. Indeed, ESI-MS detection is known to be sensitive to matrix effects. Moreover, dialysates are complex mixtures of small molecules, peptides and other matrix compounds that can influence the ionization efficiency of the neuropeptide of interest and the stability of the peptide in the samples. In the study reported in this paper, we investigated whether the use of an internal standard (IS) can correct for these matrix effects. As a model compound for neuropeptides we used angiotensin IV (Ang IV). We compared the use of a structural analogue (norleucine1-Ang IV) with a stable isotope labeled (SIL) analogue. Linearity of the method was improved when either of the proposed ISs were applied. Only when using the SIL-IS could the repeatability of injection and the method's precision and accuracy be improved. Finally, the IS was able to correct for degradation of Ang IV in dialysates, prolonging the possible storage period of the samples. We conclude that the structural analogue is not suited as an IS and that the application of a SIL analogue is indispensable when quantifying Ang IV in dialysates using nanoLC/ESI-MS/MS detection.     

Microstructural analysis of the cementation process during soiling on glass surfaces in arid and semi‐arid climates

To investigate the soiling behavior of solar energy systems like photovoltaics or concentrated solar power, glass samples were exposed to outdoor conditions in Doha, Qatar for one month. Soil formation on the glass was characterized at microstructural level using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Further, elemental analysis of the crust was done with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Small fibrous structures were found on the glass surface and dust particles, providing evidence of a cementation process leading to a strong adhesion of airborne dust particles. In contrast to the common perception, that cementation occurs via the precipitation of salt (sodium chloride) these needle structures were found to be mainly composed of oxides of Si, Mg and Al. This indicates that cementation processes in desert regions are enhanced by the growth of fibrous clay minerals.

Cross section of cemented dust particle, connected via small needles to the glass surface.     

Revealing phenylium, phenonium, vinylenephenonium, and benzenium ions in solution

The 4-methoxyphenylium ion has been generated in the triplet state ((3)An(+)) by photolysis of 4-chloroanisole in polar media and detected by flash photolysis (lambda(max)=400 nm). This is the first detection of a phenylium ion in solution by flash photolysis and the assignment is supported by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. In neat solvents, the cation was reduced to anisole, a process initiated by electron transfer from the starting compound ((3)An(+)+AnCl-->An(*)+AnCl(*+), with the radical cation detected at 470 nm, then An(*)-->AnH). Addition of pi nucleophiles to the (3)An(+) cation offers a novel access to a number of other cationic intermediates under mild, nonacidic conditions. Two intermediates are successively formed with alkenes, a diradical cation and the phenonium ion, which are detected at 440 and 320 nm, respectively, by flash photolysis and are in accordance with calculations. Allylanisoles or beta-alkoxyalkylanisoles are the end products, with a small amount of alpha-alkoxyalkylanisoles that arises from a Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement to form benzyl cations. Further intermediates that have been predicted and detected are the phenylvinylium ion, possibly in equilibrium with the vinylenephenonium ion, with 1-hexyne (lambda(max)=340 nm) and the benzenium ion with benzene (lambda(max)=380 nm). The final products were anisylhexyne and methoxybiphenyl (an analogous product and intermediate were detected with thiophene).     

Synthesis and receptor binding evaluation of clavizepine analogues with no ring D substituents

Assembly of the azepine ring of xantheno[9,1-cd]azepines by electrophilic cyclization of sulfonamide acetals provides access to clavizepine analogues in the form of 2,12b-dihydro- or 4-hydroxy-2,3,4,12b-tetrahydro-1H-xantheno[9,1-cd]azepines, in the latter case producing the trans derivative stereoselectively. Binding assays for clavizepine and analogues at adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors are reported.