Finding the contour of a union of iso-oriented rectangies

Let R₁,…,R_m be rectangles on the plane with sides parallel to the coordinate axes. An algorithm is described for finding the contour of F = R₁ ∪ … ∪ R_m in $\text{O(m}\text{log}\text{m + p}\text{log}\text{(}\text{2m}{}^2\text{p}\text{))}$ time, where p is the number of edges in the contour. This is O(m²) in the general case, and O(m log m) when F is without holes (then p ≤ 8m ? 4); both of these performances are optimal.     

Total and differential cross-sections for the pp\rightarrow pp\eta^\prime reaction near threshold

The -meson production in the reaction has been studied at excess energies of Q = 26.5, 32.5 and 46.6 MeV using the internal beam facility COSY-11 at the cooler synchrotron COSY. The total cross-sections as well as one angular distribution for the highest Q-value are presented. The excitation function of the near-threshold data can be described by a pure s-wave phase space distribution with the inclusion of the proton-proton final-state interaction and Coulomb effects. The obtained angular distribution of the -mesons is also consistent with pure s-wave production.Received: 11 August 2003, Revised: 14 November 2003, Published online: 6 April 2004PACS: 13.60.Le Meson production - 13.75.-n Hadron-induced low- and intermediate-energy reactions and scattering (energy GeV) - 13.85.Lg Total cross-sections - 25.40.-h Nucleon-induced reactions     

Electronic spectrum of dibiphenylene-ethene radical anion

The electronic absorption spectrum for the dibiphenylene-ethene radical anion ( ), generated electrochemically in dimethylsulfoxide solutions, is reported. Based on calculations by the LCAO-MO method in theHückel approximation and on the analysis of the band positions it is suggested that in the molecule two planar fluorenylidene fragments are twisted (60°) about the central C=C bond.

---

Das Elektronenabsorptionsspektrum des Dibiphenylen-Radikalanions (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Das Dibiphenylenethen-Radikalanion ( ) wurde elektrochemisch hergestellt und das Elektronenabsorptionsspektrum aufgenommen. Auf Grund von LCAO-MO Berechnungen in derHückel-Annäherung und der Analyse der Bandenlagen wird nahegelegt, daß im -Molekül zwei planare Fluorenyliden-Fragmente ca. 60° um die zentrale C=C-Bindung verdrillt angeordnet sind.

     

Synthesis of unsymmetrical alkyl acetals via addition of primary alcohols to allyl ethers mediated by ruthenium complexes

Abstract  

Ru-catalyzed synthesis of mixed alkyl–alkyl acetals via addition of primary alcohols to allyl ethers has been extended to include long-chain and/or functionalized substrates. The catalytic systems for these reactions were generated from RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and [RuCl₂(1,5-COD)]_x and phosphines [PPh₃ or P(p-chlorophenyl)₃] or SbPh₃. Of particular importance is the almost quantitative elimination of transacetalization. The addition proceeds through allyl complexes, not via isomerization of allyl ethers––subsequent addition of ROH to vinyl ethers.     

Theoretical Treatment of a Cathodic Stripping Mechanism of an Insoluble Salt Coupled with a Chemical Reaction in Conditions of Square Wave Voltammetry. Application to 6‐Mercaptopurine‐9‐D‐Riboside in the Presence of Ni(II)

Cathodic stripping mechanism of an insoluble salt coupled with a homogenous chemical reaction is considered both theoretically and experimentally under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. For the mercury electrode in aqueous solution, the electrode reaction is described as L(aq)+Hg(l)=HgL(s)+2e^?, where L(aq) is the reactive ligand that forms a sparingly soluble compound HgL(s). The electrode reaction is coupled with a homogenous, first‐order chemical reaction, A(aq)=L(aq). Theoretical predictions are confirmed by experiments with 6‐mercaptopurine‐9‐D‐riboside in the presence of nickel(II) ions.     

Silicate Xerogels with Dopant-Induced Chirality

A series of silicate xerogels with entrapped chiral amino acids have been obtained via sol-gel technology. The transparent, glassy samples obtained exhibit chirality in the bulk due to the presence of the entrapped asymmetric molecules. Measurements of the optical activity of the doped xerogel samples revealed that the entrapment did not significantly influence the optical activity observed for liquid solutions of the amino acids. Thus, the sol-gel method enables the preparation of amorphous optical materials exhibiting properties of strictly spatially defined molecular systems. Apart from the obvious optical applications, such porous materials with asymmetric centers might find interesting applications in chiral chemical syntheses and separations.     

Apoptosis-accommodating Effect of Nitric Oxide in Photodynamically Stressed Tumor Cells

Using a 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-photodynamic therapy model, we have discovered a new effect of nitric oxide (NO)—the ability to accommodate apoptosis. When sensitized by disseminated ALA-generated protoporphyrin IX, COH-BR1 tumor cells in glucose-containing medium died mainly by necrosis with a low level of apoptosis. Introduced before light at a nontoxic concentration, the NO donor SPNO inhibited necrosis, but supported apoptosis such that the latter became predominant in the remaining cell death. Accompanying this was a large increase in caspase-3/7 activation. SPNO-supported apoptosis was more pronounced when glucose-deprived cells were compared with glucose-replenished, SPNO-treated counterparts. SPNO plus glucose also suppressed plasma membrane-damaging lipid peroxidation and loss of cellular ATP under photostress. The NO effect is attributed to membrane protection with maintenance of sufficient glycolytic ATP to sustain apoptosis.