Aggregation effects in maximum covering models

The level of aggregation is critical in discrete location analyses as it affects the level of data collection required, computation times and the usefulness of the analyses. We examine the effects of three alternative nodal aggregation schemes on (i) the model's solution times, (ii) the locational decisions indicated by the maximum covering model, (iii) the coverage provided by the aggregate solutions compared with the optimal solutions, and (iv) the coverage predicted by the aggregate model compared with the coverage that results from using the aggregate model's facility sites and the disaggregate demands. The results suggest that considerable aggregation can be tolerated without incurring large errors in total coverage, but that location errors are introduced at moderate levels of aggregation. The magnitude of these errors is significantly affected by the aggregation scheme employed.     

Optimal bounds for ratios of eigenvalues of one-dimensional Schrödinger operators with Dirichlet boundary conditions and positive potentials

Consider the Schrödinger equation –u+V(x)u=u on the intervalI, whereV(x)0 forxI and where Dirichlet boundary conditions are imposed at the endpoints ofI. We prove the optimal bound

Bis(amino acid) derivatives of 1,4-diamino-2-butyne that adopt a C2-symmetric turn conformation

1,4-Diamino-2-butyne was prepared from 1,4-dichloro-2-butyne via 1,4-diazido-2-butyne. Bis(amino acid) derivatives of 1,4-diamino-2-butyne having the general structure (Boc-Xxx-NHCH2C[triple bond])2 (Xxx = Ala, Phe and Met) were prepared and examined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Using chemical shift, coupling constant and DMSO titration data it is found that these compounds adopt a C2-symmetric turn conformation featuring two intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Group additive values for the gas phase standard enthalpy of formation of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon radicals

A complete and consistent set of 95 Benson group additive values (GAV) for the standard enthalpy of formation of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon radicals at 298 K and 1 bar is derived from an extensive and accurate database of 233 ab initio standard enthalpies of formation, calculated at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. The accuracy of the database was further improved by adding newly determined bond additive corrections (BAC) to the CBS-QB3 enthalpies. The mean absolute deviation (MAD) for a training set of 51 hydrocarbons is better than 2 kJ mol(-1). GAVs for 16 hydrocarbon groups, i.e., C(C(d))(3)(C), C-(C(d))(4), C-(C(t))(C(d))(C)(2), C-(C(t))(C(d))(2)(C), C-(C(t))(C(d))(3), C-(C(t))(2)(C)(2), C-(C(t))(2)(C(d))(C), C-(C(t))(2)(C(d))(2), C-(C(t))(3)(C), C-(C(t))(3)(C(d)), C-(C(t))(4), C-(C(b))(C(d))(C)(H), C-(C(b))(C(t))(H)(2), C-(C(b))(C(t))(C)(H), C-(C(b))(C(t))(C)(2), C(d)-(C(b))(C(t)), for 25 hydrocarbon radical groups, and several ring strain corrections (RSC) are determined for the first time. The new parameters significantly extend the applicability of Benson's group additivity method. The extensive database allowed an evaluation of previously proposed methods to account for non-next-nearest neighbor interactions (NNI). Here, a novel consistent scheme is proposed to account for NNIs in radicals. In addition, hydrogen bond increments (HBI) are determined for the calculation of radical standard enthalpies of formation. In particular for resonance stabilized radicals, the HBI method provides an improvement over Benson's group additivity method.     

Photodynamic Therapy of 9L Gliosarcoma with Liposome-Delivered Photofrin

Abstract— The effect of Photofrin encapsulated in a liposome delivery vehicle for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the 9L gliosarcoma and normal rat brain was tested. We hypothesized that the liposome vehicle enhances therapeutic efficacy, possibly by increasing tumor tissue concentration of Photofrin. Male Fisher rats bearing a 9L gliosarcoma were treated 16 days after intracerebral tumor implantation with either Photofrin in dextrose (n = 5) or Photofrin in liposome (n = 6). Nontumor-bearing animals were treated with Photofrin delivered either in dextrose (n = 4) or liposome (n = 4) vehicle. Tissue concentrations of Photofrin delivered either in dextrose (n = 4) or liposome (n = 4) vehicle were measured in tumor, brain adjacent to tumor and in normal brain tissue. Photofrin was administered (intraperitoneally) at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg and PDT (17 J/cm₂ of 632 nm light at 100 mW/cm₂) was performed 24 h after Photofrin administration. Brains were removed 24 h after PDT and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis of cellular damage. The PDT using Photofrin in the liposome vehicle caused significantly more damage to the tumor ( P < 0.001) than did PDT with Photofrin in dextrose. The PDT of tumor with Photofrin delivered in liposomes caused a 22% volume of cellular necrosis, while PDT of tumor with Photofrin delivered in dextrose caused only scattered cellular damage. Photofrin concentration in tumors was significantly higher ( P = 0.021) using liposome (33.8 ± 18.9 μg/g) compared to dextrose delivery (5.5 ± 1.5 μg/g). Normal brain was affected similarly in both groups, with only scattered cellular necrosis. Our data suggest that the liposome vehicle enhances the therapeutic efficacy of PDT treatment of 9L tumors.     

Accuracy and long-term reproducibility of lead isotopic measurements by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using an external method for correction of mass discrimination

The precision of isotopic measurements of Pb by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is limited by the fact that this element does not possess an invariant isotope ratio that can be used for the correction of mass fractionation by internal normalization. Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) can overcome this limitation, because with plasma ionization, elements with overlapping mass ranges are thought to display identical mass discrimination. With respect to Pb, this can be exploited by the addition of Tl to the sample solutions; the mass discrimination factor obtained for Tl can then be used for the correction of the measured Pb isotope ratios. In this article we present the results of a detailed study that investigates the accuracy and precision of such an external correction technique for mass discrimination based upon the results of multiple analyses of a mixed standard solution of NIST SRM-981 Pb and SRM-997 Tl. Our data indicate that normalization of the Pb isotope ratios to the certified isotopic composition of SRM-997 Tl produces Pb isotopic results that are significantly lower than recently published reference values by TIMS. This systematic offset can be eliminated by renormalization of the Pb data to a different Tl isotopic composition to obtain an empirically determined mass discrimination factor for Pb that generates accurate results. It is furthermore shown that a linear law is least suited for the correction of mass discrimination, whereas a power or exponential law function provide significantly more accurate and precise results. In detail, it appears that a power law may provide the most appropriate correction procedure, because the corrected Pb isotope ratios display less residual correlations with mass discrimination compared to the exponentially corrected data. Using an exponential or power law correction our results, obtained over a period of over seven months, display a precision (2σ) of better than 60 parts per million (ppm) for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and of better than 350 ppm for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. This represents a significant improvement compared to conventional TIMS techniques and demonstrates the potential of MC-ICPMS for routine, high-precision measurements of Pb isotopic compositions.     

Methodology for the preparation of C1-monoalkylated 1,2-dihydro[C70)] derivatives: formation of the "other" regioisomer

Deprotonation of 1,2-C(70)H(2) with TBAOH, followed by alkylation with methyl bromoacetate, results in formation of a C1-monoalkylated 1,2-dihydro-C(70) derivative. The position of the alkyl group (C1) was established by NMR spectroscopy and comparison with literature spectra of C2-monoalkylated analogs. Presumably, C1-alkylation is the major process due to selective deprotonation of 1,2-C(70)H(2) at C1. Substitution of benzyl bromide for methyl bromoacetate results in rapid dialkylation, unless the amount of base is carefully controlled, in which case C1-monobenzylation is the major process. This methodology for alkylation at C1 is complimentary to methods for the C2-monoalkylation of C(70) with Zn and methyl bromoacetate.     

Photophysical properties of borondipyrromethene analogues in solution

The photophysical properties of seven new 8-(p-substituted)phenyl analogues of 4,4-difluoro-3,5-dimethyl-8-(aryl)-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (derivatives of the well-known fluorophore BODIPY) in several solvents have been studied by means of absorption and steady-state and time-resolved fluorimetry. For each compound, the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime are lower in solvents with higher polarity owing to an increase in the rate of nonradiative deactivation. Increasing the electron withdrawing strength of the p-substituent on the phenyl group in position 8 also leads to lower fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. When the p-substituent on the phenyl group in position 8 is a tertiary amine [8-(4-piperidinophenyl), 8-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl), and 8-(4-morpholinophenyl)], the low quantum yields of these compounds in more polar solvents can be rationalized by the inversion of the energy levels of an apolar, highly fluorescent and a polar, nonfluorescent excited state, where charge transfer from the tertiary amine to the BODIPY unit occurs. These amine analogues can be protonated at low pH in aqueous solution. Fluorescence titrations yielded pK(a) values of their conjugate ammonium salts which are in agreement with the electron donating tendency of the amine group: piperidino (4.15) > dimethylamino (2.37) > morpholino (1.47), with the pK(a) values in parentheses. The rate constant of radiative deactivation (k(f)) is the same for all compounds in all solvents studied (k(f) = 1.4 x 10(8) s(-1)).     

Synthesis of substituted 5-aminomethyl tetrahydro-isoquinolines and dihydro-isoindoles

The synthesis of ten substituted aminomethylene tetrahydro-isoquinolines is described, proceeding in eight steps from 5-hydroxyisoquinoline via reductive amination of N-Boc tetrahydro-isoquinoline 5-carboxaldehyde. Likewise, reductive amination was used to prepare four substituted dihydro-isoindoles from the corresponding aldehyde. The dihydro-isoindole ring system was conveniently accessed via a 2+2+2 cycloaddition reaction.