On the stability of two-chunk file-sharing systems

We consider five different peer-to-peer file-sharing systems with two chunks, assuming non-altruistic peers who leave the system immediately after downloading the second chunk. Our aim is to find chunk selection algorithms that have provably stable performance with any input rate. We show that many algorithms that first looked promising lead to unstable or oscillating behaviour. However, we end up with a system with desirable properties. Most of our rigorous results concern the corresponding deterministic large system limits, but in the two simplest cases we provide proofs for the stochastic systems also.     

Growth of KH2PO4 crystals activated by organic phosphors

The conditions for growth of single crystals of potassium dihydrogen phosphate KH₂PO₄ activated by organic phosphors were investigated. Aqueous solutions of derivatives of naphthalic and perylenetetracar-boxylic acids were used as activators. A possible scheme of coherent matching of crystallochemical parameters of the KH₂PO₄ lattice with an organic activator molecule is proposed. The excitation and photoluminescence spectra of the activated crystals are measured in the range 200–600 nm. It is ascertained that the luminescence is related to the presence of organic phosphors in the KH₂PO₄ lattice.     

Effect of the organic modifier on the retention of retinoids in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Summary The retention of retinoids in reversed-phase liquid chromatography was studied using aqueous mobile phases of different composition (methanol 94–86% and acetonityrile 92–82%) at five temperatures (40–60 °C). With both organic modifiers the effect of the molecular structure increased as the water content and the polarity of the mobile phase increased. The temperature-dependence increased in the same manner with aqueous acetonitrile mobile phases. The - interactions between the retinoids and acetonitrile diminish when the water content of the mobile phase is increased, as happens also to the hydrophobic interactions with both organic modifiers. The net effect of these changes depends on the composition of the mobile phase. There was excellent correlation of retention with all polarity parameters studied(, P, x_e, x_d, x_n, E _T ^N , _T, , _o and _d), when the calculations were made separately with methanol and acetonitrile. The volume fraction of the organic modifier, , was the only parameter describing the retention well in both organic modifiers simultaneously.     

The versatile chemistry of thiophene. Some contributions by the Gronowitz' group

Investigations of the author in thiophene chemistry developed during the last four decades are reviewed. Stereochemical studies, metallation and halogen-metal exchange, spectral studies (mainly those of NMR in thiophene and related series), studies of tautomerism in hydroxythiophenes and atropisomerism in bithienyl derivatives, ring opening of 3-thienyllithium derivatives and thiophene-1,1-dioxides, as well as studies of thieno fused heteroaromatic boron compounds are considered in detail.     

Studies of the reaction of 3-bromo-2,5-dimethylthiophene 1,1-dioxide with some organocopper reagents

The coupling reactions of some organocopper reagents with 3-bromo-2,5-dimethylthiophene 1,1-dioxide leading to 3-alkyl and 3-aryl substituted 2,5-dimethylthiophene 1,1-dioxides have been found to proceed in high yields (50–100%). The less stable organocopper reagents reacted faster and at lower temperatures than the more stable ones. It is more convenient to use alkylcopper than lithium dialkylcuprate reagents, which give higher yields without side reactions.     

Analysis of small molecules by ultra thin-layer chromatography-atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

The feasibility of ultra thin-layer chromatography atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (UTLC-AP-MALDI-MS) has been studied in the analysis of small molecules. Because of a thinner adsorbent layer, the monolithic UTLC plates provide 10-100 times better sensitivity in MALDI analysis than conventional high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) plates. The limits of detection down to a low picomole range are demonstrated by UTLC-AP-MALDI-MS. Other advantages of UTLC over HPTLC include faster separations and lower solvent consumption. The performances of AP-MALDI-MS and vacuum MALDI-MS have been compared in the analysis of small drug molecules directly from the UTLC plates. The desorption from the irregular surface of UTLC plates with an external AP-MALDI ion source combined with an ion trap instrument provides clearly less variation in measurements of m/z values when compared with a vacuum MALDI-time-of-flight (TOF) instrument. The performance of the UTLC-AP-MALDI-MS method has been applied successfully to the purity analysis of synthesis products produced by solid-phase parallel synthesis method.     

Cationic wood cellulose films with high strength and bacterial anti-adhesive properties

In this work, periodate oxidized birch wood pulp and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were cationized using Girard’s reagent T or aminoguanidine. Cationic celluloses were used to obtain films via solvent-casting method, and the effects of the cationization route and the cellulose fiber source on the properties of the films were studied. Thermal and optical properties of the films were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and UV–Vis spectrometry, and the morphology of the films was examined using an optical microscope and a field emission scanning electron microscope. Bacterial anti-adhesive properties of the films were also studied using a modified leaf print method and against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Both cationizing agents exhibited similar reactivity with periodate oxidized celluloses, however, MFC had significantly higher reactivity compared to birch pulp. The films with high tensile strength (39.1–45.3 MPa) and modulus (3.5–7.3 GPa) were obtained from cationized birch pulp, aminoguanidine modification producing a film with slightly better mechanical properties. Modulus of the films was significantly increased (up to 14.0 GPa) when MFC was used as a cellulose fiber source. Compared to the unmodified MFC films, the cationic MFC films were less porous and significantly more transparent; however, they had slightly lower tensile strength values. It was found that aminoguanidine modified celluloses had no culturable bacteria on its surface and also exhibited resistance to microbial degradation, whereas there were culturable bacteria on the surface of Girard’s reagent modified films and they were partially degraded by the bacteria.     

Ultraviolet B irradiation modulates the immune system of fish (Rutilus rutilus, Cyprinidae). Part III: Lymphocytes

The effects of short-term exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on lymphocyte-related parameters were studied under controlled laboratory conditions using roach (Rutilus rutilus), a cyprinid teleost, as the model fish. In vitro lymphoproliferative responses stimulated with a T-cell-specific mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), or a B-cell-specific activator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were decreased in exposed fish. Also nonstimulated proliferation was lower than in unexposed fish. ConA-activated responses returned to normal levels within 7 days after exposure, but LPS-activated responses were reduced throughout the 14 day follow-up. The capability of UVB-exposed fish to produce an antibody response was studied by intraperitoneal immunization with bovine gamma-globulin (BGG). The concentration of anti-BGG antibodies in plasma as well as the number of anti-BGG-specific antibody-secreting cells in the spleen or blood were not decreased in fish exposed either to a single dose of UVB prior to immunization, or to single dose of UVB prior to immunization followed by three additional doses after immunization. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) production, when assayed as plasma IgM level or as the number of IgM-secreting cells in the spleen or blood, was not suppressed after exposure to UVB irradiation. These results indicate that a single dose of UVB or short-term exposure to UVB irradiation has no negative effects on IgM production or reactivity against antigen administered via the intraperitoneal route. However, the suppression of in vitro lymphoproliferative responses suggest that exposure to UVB has the potential to interfere with lymphocyte-related functions in fish.     

Broad-spectrum drug screening of meconium by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Analysis of the major drugs of abuse in meconium has been established in clinical practice for detecting fetal exposure to illicit drugs, particularly for the ready availability of the sample and ease of collection from diapers, compared with neonatal hair and urine. Very little is known about the occurrence and detection possibilities of therapeutic and licit drugs in meconium. Meconium specimens (n = 209) were collected in delivery hospitals, from infants of mothers who were suspected to be drug abusers. A targeted analysis method by liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for abused drugs: amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, morphine, codeine, 6-monoacetylmorphine, oxycodone, methadone, tramadol, buprenorphine, and norbuprenorphine. A separate LC-MS/MS method was developed for 11-nor-∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid. A screening method based on LC coupled to time-of-flight MS was applied to a broad spectrum of drugs. As a result, a total of 77 different compounds were found. The main drug findings in meconium were as follows: local anesthetics 82.5% (n = 172), nicotine or its metabolites 61.5% (n = 129), opioids 48.5% (n = 101), stimulants 21.0% (n = 44), hypnotics and sedatives 19.0% (n = 40), antidepressants 18.0% (n = 38), antipsychotics 5.5% (n = 11), and cannabis 3.0% (n = 5). By revealing drugs and metabolites beyond the ordinary scope, the present procedure helps the pediatrician in cases where maternal denial is strong but the infant seems to suffer from typical drug-withdrawal symptoms. Intrapartum drug administration cannot be differentiated from gestational drug use by meconium analysis, which affects the interpretation of oxycodone, tramadol, fentanyl, pethidine, and ephedrine findings.