Designs,Codes and Crypts—A Puzzle Altogether

In this paper we present an algebraic specificationof a puzzle commercially available on the toy market which isclosely related to the area of designs, codes and cryptography.The purpose of this article is to show the different ways ofapproaching the problem of solving this puzzle. An algebraicapproach for finding a solution is given. The seemingly unknowncombinatorial type of this puzzle and the lack of a general theoreticalbackground have stimulated the set-up of this paper to be presentedin this volume.     

Global search for minimum energy (H2O)n clusters, n = 3-5

The Gaussian-3 (G3) model chemistry method has been used to calculate the relative deltaG(o) values for all possible conformers of neutral clusters of water, (H2O)n, where n = 3-5. A complete 12-fold conformational search around each hydrogen bond produced 144, 1728, and 20,736 initial starting structures of the water trimer, tetramer, and pentamer. These structures were optimized with PM3, followed by HF/6-31G* optimization, and then with the G3 model chemistry. Only two trimers are present on the G3 potential energy hypersurface. We identified 5 tetramers and 10 pentamers on the potential energy and free-energy hypersurfaces at 298 K. None of these 17 structures were linear; all linear starting models folded into cyclic or three-dimensional structures. The cyclic pentamer is the most stable isomer at 298 K. On the basis of this and previous studies, we expect the cyclic tetramers and pentamers to be the most significant cyclic water clusters in the atmosphere.     

Tunable DNA photocleavage by an acridine-imidazole conjugate

We report the synthesis and characterization of photonucleases N,N'-bis[2-[bis(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl]-3,6-acridinediamine (7) and N-[2-[bis(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl]-3,6-acridinediamine (10), consisting of a central 3,6-acridinediamine chromophore attached to 4 and 2 metal-coordinating imidazole rings, respectively. In DNA reactions employing 16 metal salts, photocleavage of pUC19 plasmid is markedly enhanced when compound 7 is irradiated in the presence of either Hg(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Zn(II), V(V), or Pb(II) (low-intensity visible light, pH 7.0, 22 degrees C, 8-50 microM 7). We also show that DNA photocleavage by 7 can be modulated by modifying buffer type and pH. Evidence of metal complex formation is provided by EDTA experiments and by NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectral data. Sodium azide, sodium benzoate, superoxide dismutase, and catalase indicate the involvement of type I and II photochemical processes in the metal-assisted DNA photocleavage reactions. Thermal melting studies show that compound 7 increases the Tm of calf thymus DNA by 10 +/- 1 degrees C at pH 7.0 and that the Tm is further increased upon the addition of either Hg(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), or Pb(II). In the case of Fe(III) and V(V), a colorimetric assay demonstrates that compound 7 sensitizes one electron photoreduction of these metals to Fe(II) and V(IV), likely accelerating the production of type I reactive oxygen species. Our data collectively indicate that buffer, pH, Hg(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Zn(II), V(V), Pb(II), and light can be used to "tune" DNA cleavage by compound 7 under physiologically relevant conditions. The 3,6-acridinediamine acridine orange has demonstrated great promise for use as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. In view of the distribution of iron in living cells, compound 7 and other metal-binding acridine-based photonucleases should be expected to demonstrate excellent photodynamic action in vivo.     

Ramanujan complexes of type<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ã</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis></Subscript>

We define and construct Ramanujan complexes. These are simplicial complexes which are higher dimensional analogues of Ramanujan graphs (constructed in [LPS]). They are obtained as quotients of the buildings of typeà _d?1 associated with PGL _d (F) whereF is a local field of positive characteristic.     

A New Class of Designs Which Protect against Quantum Jumps

We present the theory and construction of a new class of designs, which we call SEEDs (spontaneous emission error designs), arising in the study of decay processes of certain quantum systems used in the newly emerging field of quantum computing. We show that there is a simple and surprising connection between subspaces of the system Hilbert space, stable against these quantum jumps and the incidence matrices of SEEDs.     

Whither belting?

An explanation of belting appears necessary for practical as well as scholarly reasons. Tentative definitions are available in the literature; however, they are controversial, especially since most are based on personal opinion. Further, many individuals involved in the use and care of the voice believe that singers who employ this technique have a disproportionately high incidence of vocal dysfunction. In any event, a review of what is known about belting, its nature, and the difficulties associated with it would appear helpful in its understanding and the prediction of fruitful avenues of research.     

THE PLASMA DISTRIBUTION OF BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE and THE EFFECTS OF PLASMA LIPOPROTEINS ON ITS BIODISTRIBUTION

The plasma distribution and biodistribution of benzoporphyrin derivative were examined. Two analogs of benzoporphyrin derivative were mixed with human plasma in vitro and recovered in the lipoprotein fractions upon separation by chromatography or ultracentrifugation. The majority of both analogs was recovered with high density lipoprotein. The effect of prebinding benzoporphyrin derivative to lipoproteins on the biodistribution of the drug in vivo was studied in tumor bearing DBA/2J mice. At 3, 8 and 24 h post-injection, tumor and tissue samples were excised and analyzed for benzoporphyrin derivative content. Precomplexing benzoporphyrin derivative with low density lipoprotein or high density lipoprotein led to significantly (P less than 0.05) greater tumor accumulation than in aqueous solution.     

Solubility of water in polyimides: Quartz crystal microbalance measurements

The solubility of water vapor in four different polyimides at 100% relative humidity and 22°C was measured by means of a quartz crystal microbalance system. The results confirm earlier conclusions that diffusion in these polymers is Fickian, and are sufficiently precise that the order of solubilities is unambiguous. The differences between the values are interpreted in terms of morphological variations rather than variations in chemical affinity for water. Diffusion coefficients are also reported.