Some non-existence results on divisible difference sets

In this paper, we shall prove several non-existence results for divisible difference sets, using three approaches:

1. character sum arguments similar to the work of Turyn [25] for ordinary difference sets,
2. involution arguments and
3. multipliers in conjunction with results on ordinary difference sets.

Among other results, we show that an abelian affine difference set of odd orders (s not a perfect square) inG can exist only if the Sylow 2-subgroup ofG is cyclic. We also obtain a non-existence result for non-cyclic (n, n, n, 1) relative difference sets of odd ordern.     

Dopant-induced excimer laser ablation of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

Clean ablation of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) at etch rates in excess of 7µm/pulse has been achieved with an excimer laser using 308nm radiation and a 25 ns pulse width. This was accomplished by doping the ultraviolet-transparent PTFE polymer with polyimide. Ablation rates were investigated as a function of fluence in the range from 1 to 12J/cm² and dopant levels up to 15% (wt/wt). Results show that at a given fluence there exists an optimum absorption coefficient _max, for which maximum ablation rates are achieved. The value of _max was found to decrease with increasing fluence. The relationship between _max and fluence was determined from existing ablation rate models and found to compare favorably with empirical results.     

Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria by a combination of immunofluorescent staining and capillary electrophoresis

As the number of incidents of bacterial infections continues to rise around the globe, simpler, faster, and more sensitive diagnostic techniques are required to improve the safety of the food supply and to screen for potential bacterial infections in humans. We present here direct and indirect approaches for the detection of bacteria, which are based upon a combination of immunofluorescent staining and capillary electrophoresis. In the direct approach, Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria stained with fluorescein-tagged specific antibodies are detected by CE, while in the indirect approach fluorescein-tagged specific antibodies to E. coli are first captured by E. coli O157:H7 bacteria and then released and detected by CE. We have identified suitable bacteria staining and CE protocols, which involved a 10 mM Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer, 0.25 micro g antibody/1 million bacteria, and capillaries dynamically coated with poly-N-hydroxyethylacrylamide (polyDuramide). We have also successfully detected the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in contaminated meat. The total time required for analysis was 6-8 h, which is less than that realized in most commercial assays presently available.     

Intramolecular Mannich reaction in the asymmetric synthesis of polysubstituted piperidines: concise synthesis of the dendrobate alkaloid (+)-241D and its C-4 epimer

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Mannich reaction of delta-amino beta-keto esters with aldehydes and ketones is a new methodology for the synthesis of polysubstituted piperidines and is illustrated by the concise asymmetric synthesis of the dendrobate alkaloid (+)-241D and its C-4 epimer.     

Chemistry of (η5-C5H5)Ru(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)Cl: preparation of cationic ruthenium olefin complexes

The cationic ruthenium complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)L]PF₆ (L=olefin, CO, pyridine or acetonitrile) have been prepared by treatment of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)Cl with L and NH₄PF₆ in methanol of 20°C.