Reductive Cleavage of tert-Butyldimethylsilyl Ether via Intramolecular Transfer of Hydride

The cleavage of α-hydroxy tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether to diol takes place efficiently with LAH. It has been proposed that the reaction proceeds via intramolecular hydride transfer from the alkoxy aluminium hydride. In order to substantiate this, reduction of TBDMS ether with LAH in a variety of substrates was studied.     

Application of Polysaccharide Microarray Technology for the Serodiagnosis of Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection (Melioidosis) in Humans

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a bacterial infection endemic in tropical regions including southeast Asia and northern Australia. B. pseudomallei contains structurally unique polysaccharides (capsular polysaccharide and O?antigen saccharides of lipopolysaccharide). A polysaccharide microarray platform was developed by immobilizing these polysaccharides onto glass slides. Employing this microarray, we were able to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to these polysaccharide antigens in the sera of melioidosis patients, but not in serum from nonmelioidosis human subjects. The advantages of this polysaccharide microarray technology over the conventional tests for the serodiagnosis of melioidosis are discussed.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted Polyheteroaromatic Compounds by Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Multiple C?H Activation and Annulation

A new method for the synthesis of highly substituted naphthyridine‐based polyheteroaromatic compounds in high yields proceeds through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed multiple C H bond cleavage and C C and C N bond formation in a one‐pot process. Such highly substituted polyheteroaromatic compounds have attracted much attention because of their unique π‐conjugation, which make them suitable materials for organic semiconductors and luminescent materials. Furthermore, a possible mechanism, which involves multiple chelation‐assisted ortho C H activation, alkyne insertion, and reductive elimination, is proposed for this transformation.     

Quasi Monte Carlo-based isotropic distribution of gradient directions for improved reconstruction quality of 3D EPR imaging

In continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI), high quality of reconstructed image along with fast and reliable data acquisition is highly desirable for many biological applications. An accurate representation of uniform distribution of projection data is necessary to ensure high reconstruction quality. The current techniques for data acquisition suffer from nonuniformities or local anisotropies in the distribution of projection data and present a poor approximation of a true uniform and isotropic distribution. In this work, we have implemented a technique based on Quasi-Monte Carlo method to acquire projections with more uniform and isotropic distribution of data over a 3D acquisition space. The proposed technique exhibits improvements in the reconstruction quality in terms of both mean-square-error and visual judgment. The effectiveness of the suggested technique is demonstrated using computer simulations and 3D EPRI experiments. The technique is robust and exhibits consistent performance for different object configurations and orientations.     

An M/M/1 Driven Fluid Queue – Continued Fraction Approach

This paper presents complete solutions of the stationary distributions of buffer occupancy and buffer content of a fluid queue driven by an M/M/1 queue. We assume a general boundary condition when compared to the model discussed in Virtamo and Norros [Queueing Systems 16 (1994) 373–386] and Adan and Resing [Queueing Systems 22 (1996) 171–174]. We achieve the required solutions by transforming the underlying system of differential equations using Laplace transforms to a system of difference equations leading to a continued fraction. This continued fraction helps us to find complete solutions. We also obtain the buffer content distribution for this fluid model using the method of Sericola and Tuffin [Queueing Systems 31 (1999) 253–264].     

Quantum Markov Processes with a Christensen-Evans Generator in a Von Neumann Algebra

Let A be a unital von Neumann algebra of operators on a complexseparable Hilbert space H₀, and let {T_t, t 0} be a uniformlycontinuous quantum dynamical semigroup of completely positiveunital maps on A. The infinitesimal generator L of {T_t} is abounded linear operator on the Banach space A. For any Hilbertspace K, denote by B(K) the von Neumann algebra of all boundedoperators on K. Christensen and Evans [3] have shown that Lhas the form [formula] where is a representation of A in B(K) for some Hilbert spaceK, R: H₀ K is a bounded operator satisfying the ‘minimality’condition that the set {(RX–(X)R)u, uH₀, XA} is totalin K, and K₀ is a fixed element of A. The unitality of {T_t}implies that L(1) = 0, and consequently K₀=iH–R^*R, whereH is a hermitian element of A. Thus (1.1) can be expressed as [formula] We say that the quadruple (K, , R, H) constitutes the set ofChristensen–Evans (CE) parameters which determine theCE generator L of the semigroup {T_t}. It is quite possible thatanother set (K', ', R', H') of CE parameters may determine thesame generator L. In such a case, we say that these two setsof CE parameters are equivalent. In Section 2 we study thisequivalence relation in some detail. 1991 Mathematics SubjectClassification 81S25, 60J25.     

High pressure transport behaviour of AgI-Ag2O-MoO3 glasses and the cluster model

The effect of pressure on the conductivity of fast ion conducting AgI-Ag₂O-MoO₃ glasses has been investigated down to 150 K. The observed variation of conductivities appears to support the application of cluster model to the ionic glasses. Contribution No. 258 from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit.     

Gribov ambiguity in gauge theories

Gribov ambiguity in gauge field theories is discussed and it is shown that such an ambiguity exists even for Abelian theories in covariant gauge at finite temperature. Both geometric and algebraic proofs are presented. In view of the importance of non-perturbative methods, some special gauges are given in which such ambiguities do not exist or are not relevant. The significance of these in the study of confinement in QCD is pointed out.