The Klein bottle and multicommodity flows

LetG be an eulerian graph embedded on the Klein bottle. Then the maximum number of pairwise edge-disjoint orientation-reversing circuits inG is equal to the minimum number of edges intersecting all orientation-reversing circuits. This generalizes a theorem of Lins for the projective plane. As consequences we derive results on disjoint paths in planar graphs, including theorems of Okamura and of Okamura and Seymour.     

A unique decomposition result for HT factors with torsion free core

We prove that II₁ factors M have a unique (up to unitary conjugacy) cross-product type decomposition around “core subfactors” N⊂M satisfying the property HT of [S. Popa, On a class of type II₁ factors with Betti numbers invariants, Ann. of Math. (2) 163 (2006) 809-899] and a certain “torsion freeness” condition. In particular, this shows that isomorphism of factors of the form Lαi(Z²)?Fni, i=1,2, for Fni⊂SL(2,Z) free groups of rank ni and αj=e2πitj, tj∉Q, implies n₁=n₂.     

A combinatorial sample-preparation robot system using the volumetric-weighing method

We have developed a new automatic sample-preparation robot system with use of the volumetric-weighing method. In this system, slurries, aqueous solutions, and other wet reagents are employed as starting materials and 64 (8×8) samples at the maximum are prepared on a library plate of 35 mm × 35 mm size. Volumetric-weighing and mixing of the starting materials and distributing reaction mixtures to the library plate are automatically performed by computer-controlled mechanisms with an easy-to-use programming software interface. While this robot is designed in terms of space saving and portability, it is able to equip with an atmosphere-controlled furnace to sinter the samples on the library plate. Typical preparation time for a library plate of 36 (6×6) samples is less than 40 min. This robot system is promising in enhancing throughput of wet-chemically synthesized materials researches.     

4-Hydroxyproline containing podands as new chiralcatalysts for the asymmetric Biginelli reaction

The novel C₂-symmetric chiral organocatalysts of (2S,4R)-hydroxyproline containing podand type have been synthesized and evaluated in the asymmetric Biginelli reaction. Combination of polyether spacer with (2S,4R)-hydroxyproline allowed one to enhance the effect of the latter on enantioselectivity of the Biginelli reaction by a factor of 5. The best results have been achieved for salts of (2S,4R)-hydroxyproline containing podands with trifluoroacetic acid.

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Application of preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography for isolation and separation of schizandrin and gomisin A from Schisandra chinensis

Following an initial cleaning-up step on the D101 macroporous resin, a preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (1:0.9:0.9:1, v/v) was used to isolate and separate schizandrin and gomisin A from Schisandra chinensis. A total of 107 mg schizandrin and 36 mg gomisin A with purities of 99.5% and 99.1% were obtained from 400 mg crude extract in one-step elution and less than 3 h, and the structure identification was performed by UV, IR, MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR.     

Synthesis,spectral, crystal structural,antimicrobial, DNA interaction and thermal behavior of some new zinc halide complexes: 3D supramolecular structure of zinc bromide complex

Three new four coordinated zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV, elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and X-ray single crystal analysis. The elemental analyses of the complexes are in agreement with the general formula of ZnLX₂ wherein L = Schiff base ligand and X = Cl^?, Br^? and I^?. Low molar conductivities in DMF indicated non-electrolyte character of all complexes. Spectroscopic studies well confirmed the coordination via azomethine nitrogens of the ligand to zinc ion. The single crystal X-ray analysis shows that ZnLBr₂ crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with space group $\mathit{P}\overline{1}$. It contains two crystallographically independent molecules noted as A and B, with both Zn1A and Zn1B being almost in perfect tetrahedral environments (τ₄ = 0.94 for Zn1A and τ₄ = 0.93 for Zn1B). A detailed structural analysis shows that there are three non-classical hydrogen bondings of C–H…Br in the structure. Various C–H…π and C–H…Br interactions play an important role in stabilizing the molecular structure and then give rise to a 3D supramolecular structure of the ZnLBr₂ complex. After characterization, the Schiff base and its complexes were screened in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by disk diffusion technique. Also the ability of the complexes for DNA cleavage was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis method. Finally, thermal behavior of the complexes has been studied by thermo-gravimetry and then some activation kinetics parameters of decomposition steps were evaluated based on TG/DTG plots.     

Isolation of the active constituents in natural materials by 'heart-cutting' isocratic reversed-phase two-dimensional liquid chromatography

A multidimensional heart-cutting reversed-phase HPLC separation approach, where two columns were operated independently via two six-port two-position switching valves, was employed in the isolation of a major bioactive found in the ethanol-water (80:20) crude extract of Clerodendrum floribundum. In this mode of operation, the specific productivity of the multidimensional approach under overload conditions was twice that of conventional gradient methods with the same loading factor. Isolated sample purities were greater than 99% with recoveries of 95%. The independent operation of each of the two columns employed in the multidimensional approach allowed the cycle time to be less than 7 min, compared to 23 min in the gradient elution single-dimension mode of operation.     

Setting staffing requirements for time dependent queueing networks: The case of accident and emergency departments

An incentive scheme aimed at reducing patients’ waiting times in accident and emergency departments was introduced by the UK government in 2000. It requires 98% of patients to be discharged, transferred, or admitted to inpatient care within 4 hours of arrival. Setting the minimal hour by hour medical staffing levels for achieving the government target, in the presence of complexities like time-varying demand, multiple types of patients, and resource sharing, is the subject of this paper. Building on extensive body of research on time dependent queues, we propose an iterative scheme which uses infinite server networks, the square root staffing law, and simulation to come up with a good solution. The implementation of this algorithm in a typical A&E department suggests that significant improvement on the target can be gained, even without increase in total staff hours.     

Column selectivity in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. VIII. Phenylalkyl and fluoro-substituted columns

As reported previously, five solute-column interactions (hydrophobicity, steric resistance, hydrogen-bond acidity and basicity, ionic interaction) quantitatively describe column selectivity for 163 alkyl-silica, polar-group and cyano columns. In the present study, solute retention and column selectivity for 11 phenyl and 5 fluoro-substituted columns were compared with alkyl-silica columns of similar ligand length. It is concluded that two additional solute-column interactions may be significant in affecting retention and selectivity for the latter columns: (a) dispersion interactions of varying strength as a result of significant differences in bonded-phase polarizability or refractive index and (b) pi-pi interactions in the case of phenyl columns and aromatic solutes. These 16 phenyl and fluoro columns were also characterized in terms of hydrophobicity, steric resistance, hydrogen-bond acidity and basicity, and ionic interaction.     

Determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in vegetables using solid phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography–flame photometric detector

An adequate and simple analytical method based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography–flame photometric detection (GC–FPD) for the determination of eleven organophosphorus pesticide residues (i.e., ethoprophos, sulfotep, diazinon, tolclofos-methyl, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, isofenphos, methidathion, ethion, triazophos, leptophos) in vegetables samples (cabbage, kale and mustard) was developed. Important parameters that influence the extraction efficiency (i.e., fibre type, extraction modes, extraction time, salt addition, desorption time and temperature) were systematically investigated. Four types of commercially available fibres (i.e., 50/30 μm divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS), 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB), 100 μm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and 85 μm polyacrylate (PA)) were evaluated. PA fibre exhibited the best performance and was used for the rest of the studies. The optimised extraction conditions were: extraction time, 30 min at room temperature; stirring speed, 1275 rpm; salt content, 10% NaCl; desorption time and temperature, 11 min at 260 °C; and no pH adjustment of the sample extract. The method was validated over the range 0.1–100 μg/L. Repeatabilities were satisfactory, ranging between 2.44% and 17.9% for all analytes. The limits of detection and quantitation ranged from 0.01 to 0.14 and 0.03 to 0.42 μg/L, respectively. The method was applied to twenty local vegetable (cabbage, kale and mustard) products. Chlorpyrifos (0.22–1.68 μg/kg) was the most detected pesticide in the tested samples. The obtained values are however lower than the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) as stipulated in the Food Act & Regulations of Malaysia.