On the construction of least favourable pairs of distributions

Summary Convex programming techniques were used by Witting and Krafft in [4] in order to reduce a testing problem for composite hypotheses to one for simple hypotheses. This is realized in terms of least favourable pairs of distributions, which represent the solution of the dual of a suitable program. Without further assumptions on the hypotheses, however, the results, derived that way (cf. Baumann [1], Österreicher [6] and Kusolitsch and Österreicher [5]), are of less practical impact. This is due to the fact that in this case the least favourable pairs depend on the level of the testing problem. Conditions avoiding this, were given by Huber and Strassen in [3]. These conditions make use of 2-alternating capacities in the sense of Choquet. The present paper offers a rather general principle of constructing the least favourable distribution in the case, when one of the two hypotheses is simple. This method works also for the local variation model and the Prohorov neighbourhood model in the case of monotone likelyhood ratio. For simple cases—subsuming the gross error model and the total variation model, for which the solution was given by Huber in [2]—a least favourable pair is obtained by using the mentioned technique of construction two times successively.     

Determination of D- and L-amino acids in biological samples by two-dimensional column liquid chromatography

Summary A two-dimensional, column liquid chromatographic system is used for the determination of the D- and L-enantiomers of amino acids in biological samples. Separation of the amino acids is first on ion-exchange column by gradient elution with a sodium citratesodium chloride buffer. Enantioseparation is by subsequent injection of 3 l heart-cuts of the individual amino acids onto a second column with a chiral crown ether stationary phase. Finally, fluorescence detection is after post-column labelling of the amino acids using ano-phthalaldehyde-2-mercaptoethanol reagent solution. The high separation power and selectivity of the system allow processing of complex samples with hardly any additional treatment and the determination of small quantities of D-amino acids in the presence of excess L-form. Applicability of the system is illustrated by the determination of D- and L-aspartate, serine, glutamate and alanine in various complex biological samples, such as protein hydrolysates, urine and biotechnological and food samples. Data are given on detectability, repeatability and linearity.     

Spectrothermal studies of 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of Co(II), NI(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) orotates

The 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) orotates were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, spectral methods (UV-vis and FTIR) and thermal analysis techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions in diaquabis(1,10-phenanthroline)metal(II) diorotate octahedral complexes [M(H₂O)₂(phen)₂](H₂Or)₂·nH₂O (M=Co(II), n=2.25; Ni(II), n=3; Cu(II) and Cd(II), n=2) are coordinated by two aqua ligands and two moles of phen molecules as chelating ligands through their two nitrogen atoms. The monoanionic orotate behaves as a counter ion in the complexes. On the basis of the first DTG_max, the thermal stability of the hydrated complexes follows the order: Cd(II), 68°C 68°C     

Trimethylsilylcyanid als Umpolungsreagens,VI. Anionische 1,4- O→C-Silylgruppen-Umlagerung

Trimethylsilyl Cyanide — A Reagent for Umpolung, VI. Anionic 1,4-O→C-Silyl Group Rearrangement The adducts 6 from substituted acroleins 5a – f and trimethylsilyl cyanide form the anions 6 _A on deprotonation at −78°C, which are silylated by trimethylsilyl chloride to 7 or (and) 8 in positions 3 or (and) 1. On warming up to room temperature, 6a _A and 6b _A undergo smoothly 1,4-O→C-silyl group rearrangements to form 13a _A and 13b _A which can be trapped by silylation. 6c – d _A decompose on warming up. Triethylsilyl instead of trimethylsilyl groups decelerate the rearrangement appreciably. Structure and configuration of the different products are determined.     

Investigation of potential-sensitive fluorescent dyes for application in nitrate sensitive polymer membranes

The applicability of various potential-sensitive dyes (PSD) for optical sensing of anions is reported. Specifically, nitrate-responsive polymer membranes have been developed which are composed of a plasticized polymer, an anion exchange catalyst, and a fluorescent dye. On exposure to nitrate, the fluorescence intensity of such membranes increases, while the wavelengths of the excitation and emission maxima remain virtually unchanged. The membranes typically are 2–4 μm thick and exhibit highest sensitivity to nitrate in the 2 to 200 mgl^–1 range. Signal changes on exposure to 100 mmol/l nitrate can be as high as +300%. The detection limit is 0.2 mgl^–1. The cationic PSD octadecyl acridine organe was tested in combination with a tin-organic and an indium-organic anion carrier rather than with tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, but both carriers were found to display no improved selectivity. Received: 2 December 1995 / Revised: 28 March 1996 / Accepted: 5 April 1996     

Potentiometric and antimicrobial studies on the asymmetric Schiff bases and their binuclear Ni(II) and Fe(III) complexes; synthesis and characterization of the complexes

The protonation constants of two nitro-Schiff bases SB¹, SB² and three asymmetric tetradentate diimines H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³ and the stability constants of their ML type binuclear Ni(II) and Fe(III) complexes have been determined potentiometrically. The asymmetric diimines are (2OH) RCHNC₆H₄CHNR′ (2OH) type compounds [where R = R′ = phenyl for H₂L¹; R = naphthyl, R′ = phenyl for H₂L² and R = R′ = naphthyl for H₂L³]. The effect of tautomeric forms on the acid-base properties of the diimines has been investigated and discussed. In addition, dimeric and binuclear Ni(II) and Fe(III) complexes of the diimines have been synthesized and characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques. Also, in vitro antimicrobial activities of the diimines and the complexes have been evaluated against three bacteria: Micrococcus luteus (NRLL B-4375), Bacillus cereus (RSKK 863), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11230) and the fungus: Candida albicans (ATCC 10239).     

Film Formation from Nanosized Copolymeric Latex Particles: A Photon Transmission Study

The photon transmission technique was used to monitor the evolution of transparency during film formation from nanosized copolymeric latex particles. The latex films were prepared from poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl methacrylate) (P(MMA-co-BMA)) particles which were produced by microemulsion polymerization. These films were annealed at elevated temperatures in various time intervals above the glass transition temperature (T(g)) of P(MMA-co-BMA). It is observed that the transmitted photon intensity (I(tr)) from these films increased as the annealing temperature increased. There are three different film formation stages. These stages are explained by the void closure, healing, and interdiffusion processes, respectively. The activation energies for viscous flow (DeltaH approximately 16 kcal/mol), minor chains (DeltaE(H) approximately 27 kcal/mol), and backbone motion (Delta E(b) approximately 132 kcal/mol) were obtained using various models. Void closure (tau(v), T(v)) and healing points (tau(H), T(H)) were determined. Using the time-temperature pairs, void closure and healing activation energies were measured and found to be 21 and 30 kcal/mol, respectively. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Determination of uranium and thorium in Eskişehir-Beylikahir ore samples by delayed neutron counting technique

The Eskiehir-Beylikahir district has the largest and richest thorium and rare earth elements deposits in Turkey. The uranium and thorium concentrations of samples taken from four different parts of this area have been determined by the delayed neutron counting technique. The results are compared with those of previous analyses by other techniques and found to be in good agreement.     

Selective LC Determination of Cabergoline in the Bulk Drug and in Tablets: In Vitro Dissolution Studies

Cabergoline (CAB) is an ergot alkaloid derivative with dopamine agonist activity. A novel, simple, and rapid stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for assay of CAB in tablets has been developed and validated. Chromatography was performed on a 4.6 mm i.d. × 250 mm, 5 μm particle, cyano column with acetonitrile–10 mM phosphoric acid, 35:65 (v/v), containing 0.04% triethylamine, as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1, and UV detection at 280 nm. Response was a linear function of concentration in the range 0.1–4 μg mL^?1 (r ² = 0.9999). The recovery of the method was good (99.45%) and RSD values for intra-day and inter-day precision were 0.24–0.88% and 0.66–1.19%, respectively. The method can be used for quality-control assay of CAB in tablets, for stability studies, and for in vitro dissolution studies.     

The Effect of a Cationic Polyelectrolyte on the Forces between Two Cellulose Surfaces and between One Cellulose and One Mineral Surface

The effect of a cationic polyelectrolyte, PCMA, on the forces between two cellulose surfaces and between one cellulose surface and one mica surface has been studied using the interferometric surface force apparatus (SFA). The cellulose surfaces were prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett deposition of trimethylsilyl cellulose onto hydrophobized mica. Prior to measurements the surfaces were desilylated to obtain pure cellulose. Introduction of a cationic polyelectrolyte into the solution drastically changed the interactions between the cellulose layers. It was found that the cationic polyelectrolyte does adsorb onto the cellulose surface, although the adsorbed amount is low. The adsorbed layer is very thin, as expected at a low electrolyte concentration. Before the adsorption has reached equilibrium, when only some polyelectrolyte had adsorbed, the adhesion between the surfaces was high, and it was noted that the cellulose layer was damaged on separation. After a longer adsorption time an electrostatic repulsion and no adhesion were observed between the polyelectrolyte-coated cellulose surfaces. An electrostatic repulsion was observed between cellulose and mica. When cationic polyelectrolyte was introduced to the system it overcompensated the charges on both surfaces, and the range and magnitude of the double-layer force was higher than without polyelectrolyte. The relevance of the results to flocculation mechanism and efficiency in cellulose systems is discussed. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.