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.     

A self-assembled multivalent pseudopolyrotaxane for binding galectin-1

A self-assembled pseudopolyrotaxane consisting of lactoside-displaying cyclodextrin (CD) "beads" threaded onto a linear polyviologen "string" was investigated for its ability to inhibit galectin-1-mediated T-cell agglutination. The CDs of the pseudopolyrotaxane are able to spin around the axis of the polymer chain as well as to move back and forth along its backbone to alter the presentation of its ligand. This supramolecular superstructure incorporates all the advantages of polymeric structures, such as the ability to span large distances, along with a distinctively dynamic presentation of its lactoside ligands to afford a neoglycoconjugate that can adjust to the relative stereochemistries of the lectin's binding sites. The pseudopolyrotaxane exhibited a valency-corrected 10-fold enhancement over native lactose in the agglutination assay, which was greater than the enhancements observed for lactoside-bearing trivalent glycoclusters and a lactoside-bearing chitosan polymer tested using the same assay. The experimental results indicate that supramolecular architectures, such as the pseudopolyrotaxane, provide tools for investigating protein-carbohydrate interactions.     

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.     

A fluorinated selenide linker for solid-phase synthesis of n-pentenyl glycosides

[reaction: see text] A fluorine-labeled selenide linker for installing terminal isolated olefins has been synthesized in high overall yield. The resin-bound linker could be glycosylated both with glycosyl trichloroacetimidates and glycosyl fluorides. The linker did not decompose after oxidation with tBuOOH but underwent beta-elimination when it was subjected to heat. This allowed the released n-pentenyl glycoside 15 to be isolated in excellent yield and purity after filtration.     

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     

Isocyanide addition to MN2(CO)5(Ph2PCH2PPh2)2 and the formation of a four-electron doubly-bridging isocyanide

The reactions of Fe(CO)₅, Fe(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃, M(CO)₆ (M  W, Mo, Cr), and (CH₃C₅H₄Mn(CO)₃ with KH and several boron and aluminium hydrides were investigated. Iron pentacarbonyl was converted quantitatively to K⁺Fe(CO)₄-(CHO) by hydride transfer from KBH(OCH₃)₃ allowing isolation of [P(C₆H₅)₃]₂-Nⁿ⁺Fe(CO)₄(CHO)^? in 50% yield. Lower yields were obtained with LiBH(C₂H₅)₃, and other hydride sources gave little or no formyl product. The stability of Fe(CO)₄(CHO)^? in THP was found to depend on the cation, decreasing in the order [P(C₆H₅)₃]₂N⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺. No formyl complexes were isolated and no spectroscopic evidence for formyl formation was observed in the reactions of the other transition metal carbonyls with several hydride sources. Fe(CO)₄-P(C₆H₅)₃ gave K₂Fe(CO)₄ when treated with KHB(OCH₃)₃. When treated with LiBH(C₂H₅)₃, W(CO)₆ gave a mixture of HW₂(CO)₁₀^?and (OC)₅W(COC₂H₅)^?; the latter was methylated to give the carbene complex (OC)₅WC(OCH₃)C₂H₅.     

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     

A novel way to study the initial stages of soap-free emulsion polymerizations: The intercalation of polystyrene oligomers into hydrotalcite

The dominant species in the early stages of an emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of styrene has been found to be an oligomer of two to three monomer units using a novel trapping technique. This involved the intercalation of charged primary oligomers between the layers of a hydrotalcite, [Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₂]²⁺[A]^2- (where A = dianion). Hydrotalcites are an important class of lamellar, inorganic compounds whose interlayer spacing can be mod-ified by anion exchange. Our approach first involved preparing a hydrotalcite precursor in which the layers were propped apart by an organic dianion (terephthalate = TA). This material was then used to capture the negatively charged polystyrene oligomers from the emulsion polymerization reaction mixture. We found that TA was rapidly ion-exchanged for the charged oligomers. The resulting pillared hydrotalcite material was characterized using XRD and SEC. We found that the interlayer spacing between the hydroxide layers increased to 23.2 Å on exposure to the emulsion reaction mixture. This represents an interlayer expansion of 18.3 Å (after subtraction of the hydroxide layer contribution), which is cnsistent with intercalation of oligomers with two to three monomer units arranged in a bilayer. This size estimate was confirmed by the results of size exclusion chromatography. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.