Parametric Integer Programming Analysis: A Contraction Approach

An algorithm is presented for solving families of integer linear programming problems in which the problems are "related" by having identical objective coefficients and constraint matrix coefficients. The righthand-side constants have the form b + θd where b and d are conformable vectors and θ varies from zero to one.The approach consists primarily of solving the most relaxed problem (θ = 1) using cutting planes and then contracting the region of feasible integer solutions in such a manner that the current optimal integer solution is eliminated.The algorithm was applied to 1800 integer linear programming problems with reasonable success. Integer programming problems which have proved to be unsolvable using cutting planes have been solved by expanding the region of feasible integer solutions (θ = 1) and then contracting to the original region.     

Charged-particle multiplicity distribution in 100-GeV/c \bar pd and π− interactions

We present data on \(\bar pn\) and π^? n collisions obtained from an exposure of the 30′' FNAL deuterium filled bubble chamber to a mixed \({{\bar p} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\bar p} {\pi ^ - }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\pi ^ - }}\) beam with a momentum of 100 GeV/c. We find that in 17±2% of the collisions with the antiproton there is an interaction on the spectator while for the collisions with π^? mesons the corresponding number is 15±2%. The \(\bar pn\) and π^? n multiplicity distributions have average charged multiplicities of 6.46±0.07 and 6.53±0.08 respectively. The average multiplicities for both types of interactions are slightly smaller than those for the corresponding reactions on hydrogen by an amount that is the same as observed at other energies. As an estimate of \(\bar pn\) annihilation we have calculated the difference \(\sigma _n (\bar pn) - \sigma _n (pn)\) for each prong numbern. We find an average multiplicity of 9±1, a value close to that for \(\bar pp\) annihilation at the same energy. combining our data with lower energy \(\bar pn\) annihilation data, we observe that the average negative multiplicity is systematically larger than that for \(\bar pp\) annihilation similar to the difference between neutron and proton target data with other beam projectiles.     

Biaxial nematics: computer simulation studies of a generic rod-disc dimer model

One possible route to the elusive biaxial nematic phase is through rod-disc dimers in which the rod and disc mesogenic units are linked via a flexible spacer. We have developed a continuous generic model of such rod-disc dimers in which neighbouring like groups tend to align parallel to each other while unlike groups tend to be orthogonal. A torsional potential controls the relative orientations of the groups within a single dimer; depending on the strength of the torsional potential, the groups may be orthogonal or parallel in the conformational ground state. Monte Carlo simulations show that a rigid rod-disc dimer is most likely to form a biaxial nematic phase if the anisotropies of the two groups are the same. Introduction of flexibility is found to have little effect on the qualitative behaviour of the dimer as the relative anisotropy of the two mesogenic groups is changed. However, when the torsional potential strongly favours the alignment of the rod and disc within a single molecule with their symmetry axes parallel there is a dramatic change. The system then exhibits a strong hysteresis in the molecular shape and biaxiality and the biaxial nematic-isotropic transition becomes strongly first order, in marked contrast to the second-order character usually found for this transition. This first-order transition is observed to occur for a range of relative anisotropies of the two groups rather than at a single point.     

The use of stable carbon isotope analysis to detect the abuse of testosterone in cattle.

The use of stable carbon isotope analysis to detect the administration of anabolic steroids to cattle was investigated. Samples were extracted by solid-phase extraction on C18 cartridges. Stable isotope ratios (13C:12C) were measured by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) of the underivatised extracts. A programmed temperature vaporiser (PTV) injector was installed in the GC-IRMS system, which conferred a number of advantages. First, it allowed large volumes of sample to be injected whilst the injector liner was cool. The solvent was subsequently vented to the atmosphere prior to transfer of the sample to the GC column. Thus a significantly greater amount of sample could be presented for analysis, thereby increasing the sensitivity. Second, by this means virtually all the solvent could be removed prior to analysis. This eliminates solvent peak tailing, which can be a major problem in GC-IRMS. Finally, the PTV allowed the use of higher initial GC oven temperatures, which in turn facilitated the analysis of underivatised steroids by reducing the GC run time and improving the chromatographic peak shape. The carbon isotope composition of 5 beta-androstane-3 alpha,17 alpha-diol, the major metabolite of testosterone found in bovine bile, was measured in bile samples from untreated cattle and from cattle injected intramuscularly with testosterone or a mixture of testosterone esters. There was considerable inter-animal variation in the values obtained and there was no significant difference between samples from treated and untreated animals. However, when the isotopic composition of the metabolite was normalised with respect to that of an endogenous reference compound (cholesterol) in the same sample, the difference between treated and untreated animals become statistically significant.     

Dynamic metal-ligand coupling in the infrared MCD spectra of the cobalt(II) tetrahalides

The axial single-crystal magnetic circular dichroism spectra of Cs₃ZnCl₅/Co²⁺ and Cs₃ZnBr₅/Co²⁺ have been measured over the 4000–7000 cm^?1 region of the ⁴A₂ → ⁴T₁ (F) transition at ambient and liquid-helium temperature. The B/D and C/D terms obtained give transition moment ratios, 〈t₂∥m∥t₂〉/〈e∥m∥t₂〉, in accord with the value required (?3^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}/2^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}) by a dynamic ligand-polarisation model for d-electron transition probabilities in tetrahedral metal complexes.     

Identification of components in waste streams by electrospray and tandem mass spectrometry

Highly polar, non-gas-chromatographable compounds have few unambiguous analysis protocols for environmental applications. A recent environmental investigation, concerning the identification of a non-gas-chromatographable yellow component in chemical waste water and in effluents from a biological wastewater treatment plant required the use of a number of analytical approaches. Electrospray mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular spectroscopy of commercial and synthesized chlorodinitrophenol isomers were required in order to identify the specific isomer causing the color. The present report summarizes the electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometric studies that were used. The mass spectrometric study shows that two different isomers of chlorodinitrophenol exhibit very different collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra. Differences in the tandem mass spectra can be attributed to the different structures of the anions formed from these two different isomers. Instrumentation that uses electrospray ionization and produces CID mass spectra and optical absorption spectra in a single analysis may be required in order to produce highly specific information on non-gas-chromatographable compounds found in the environment.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Two Novel Anionic Aluminophosphates: A One-Dimensional Chain, UT-7 ([Al(3)P(5)O(20)H](5-)[C(7)H(13)NH(3)(+)](5)), and a Layer Containing Two Cyclic Amines, UT-8 ([Al(3)P(4)O(16)](3-)[C(4)H(7)NH(3)(+)](2)[C(5)H(10)NH(2)(+)])

UT-7 and UT-8 (University of Toronto, structure numbers 7 and 8) are two novel aluminophosphate materials prepared under non-aqueous conditions. Their structures, extended in one and two dimensions, respectively, have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized by a variety of methods including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), insitu high-temperature PXRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UT-7 ([Al(3)P(5)O(20)H](5)(-)[C(7)H(13)NH(3)(+)](5), triclinic space group P&onemacr;, Z = 2, a = 10.118(3) ?, b = 15.691(4) ?, c = 18.117(3) ?, alpha = 72.91(2) degrees, beta = 85.18(2) degrees, gamma = 79.49(2) degrees ) is built of polymeric one-dimensional chain units, hydrogen-bonded into anionic layers that are charge-compensated by interlamellar cycloheptylammonium cations. UT-7 is isostructural to our previously discovered UT-3 chain structure, isolated in the analogous cyclopentylamine system. UT-8 ([Al(3)P(4)O(16)](3-)[C(4)H(7)NH(3)(+)](2)[C(5)H(10)NH(2)(+)], monoclinic space group P2(1), Z = 2, a = 8.993(4) ?, b = 14.884(8) ?, c = 9.799(9) ?, beta = 103.52(3) degrees ) is a two-dimensional net isostructural to several previously reported [Al(3)P(4)O(16)](3)(-) layers. The interlayer region of UT-8 is occupied by two different cyclic organic amine species, namely piperidinium and cyclobutylammonium. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the crystal structure of an aluminophosphate material containing cyclobutylammonium or a mixture of cyclic amines. Interestingly, UT-7 is observed to thermally transform in the solid state to an as yet unknown layered material that can be independently synthesized in a similar synthetic system. In the same way as UT-3 transforms to the UT-4 layered phase, we believe UT-7 transforms to a layered material by means of a chain to layer transformation.     

The proton affinity of proline analogs using the kinetic method with full entropy analysis

The proton affinity of proline analogs, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze), L-proline (Pro), and L-pipecolic acid (Pip), have been measured using the Armentrout modification of the extended kinetic method in a quadrupole ion trap instrument. Experimental values of 223.0 +/- 1.5, 224.9 +/- 1.6, and 225.6 +/- 1.6 kcal/mol have been determined for the 298K proton affinities of Aze, Pro, and Pip respectively. High level theoretical calculations using both MP2 and B3LYP methods at a variety of basis sets were carried out in order to give theoretical predictions for the 298 K proton affinity and gas phase basicity of all three analogs. Recommended values for the gas phase basicity and proton affinity for proline based on our work and other recent determinations are 216 +/- 2 and 224 +/- 2 kcal/mol.     

An efficient synthesis of the novel triazoloquinazoline adenosine antagonist,CGS 15943

An efficient synthesis of the novel triazoloquinazoline adenosine antagonist, CGS 15943, is reported in five steps in approximately 50% overall yield. A key reaction in the synthetic sequence is the double cyclization of an N-(substituted-2-cyanophenyl)carbamate with a carboxylic acid hydrazide to afford a [1,2,4]triazolo-[1,5-c]quinazolin-5(6H)-one in high yield without either a Dimroth or “translocative” rearrangement occurring. Another key reaction is the condensation of a 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)benzenamine with cyanamide under acidic conditions to prepare a guanidine.     

Degradation of deoxycholic acid by Pseudomonas Sp. NCIB 10590

The microbial degradation of deoxycholic acid 1 by Pseudomonas NCIB 10590 has been studied and two major products have been isolated and identified as 12β-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione 2 and 12α-hydroxypregna-1,4-dien-3-one-20-carboxylic acid 9. Three minor products were isolated and evidence is given for the following structures: 12α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione 4, 12β-hydroxyandrosta-4-en-3,17-dione 7 and 12?, 17?-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one 8.