Extensions of Modules over Schur Algebras, Symmetric Groups and Hecke Algebras

We study the relation between the cohomology of general linear and symmetric groups and their respective quantizations, using Schur algebras and standard homological techniques to build appropriate spectral sequences. As our methods fit inside a much more general context within the theory of finite-dimensional algebras, we develop our results first in that general setting, and then specialize to the above situations. From this we obtain new proofs of several known results in modular representation theory of symmetric groups. Moreover, we reduce certain questions about computing extensions for symmetric groups and Hecke algebras to questions about extensions for general linear groups and their quantizations.     

Aggregation and solubility behavior of asphaltenes and their subfractions

Asphaltenes from four different crude oils (Arab Heavy, B6, Canadon Seco, and Hondo) were fractionated in mixtures of heptane and toluene and analyzed chemically, by vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), and by small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Solubility profiles of the asphaltenes and their subfractions indicated strong cooperative asphaltene interactions of a particular subfraction that is polar and hydrogen bonding. This subfraction had lower H/C ratios and modestly higher N, V, Ni, and Fe contents than the less polar and more soluble subfraction of asphaltenes. VPO and SANS studies indicated that the less soluble subfractions formed aggregates that were considerably larger than the more soluble subfractions. In general, asphaltene aggregate size increased with decreasing solvent aromaticity up to the solubility limit, beyond which the aggregate size decreased with heptane addition. The presence of a low wavevector Q feature in the scattering curves at 25 degrees C indicated that the individual aggregates were flocculating; however, the intensity of the feature was diminished upon heating of the samples to 80 degrees C. The solubility mechanism for Canadon Seco asphaltenes, the largest aggregate formers, appears to be dominated by aromatic pi-bonding interactions due to their low H/C ratio and low nitrogen content. B6 and Hondo asphaltenes formed similar-sized aggregates in heptol and the solubility mechanism is most likely driven by polar interactions due to their relatively high H/C ratios and high nitrogen contents. Arab Heavy, the least polar asphaltene, had a H/C ratio similar to Canadon Seco but formed the smallest aggregates in heptol. The enhancement in polar and pi-bonding interactions for the less soluble subfraction indicated by elemental analysis is reflected by the aggregate size from SANS. The less soluble asphaltenes contribute the majority of species responsible for aggregation and likely cause many petroleum production problems such as pipeline deposition and water-in-oil emulsion stabilization.     

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography approach in determining total red blood cell concentrations of 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine, methylthioguanine, and methylmercaptopurine in a patient receiving thiopurine therapy

A reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic procedure was developed to quantify 6-thioguanine, 6-mercaptopurine, methylthioguanine, and methylmercaptopurine in red blood cells. The free base of each thiopurine was liberated from the respective nucleoside and nucleotide moiety by acid hydrolysis, which allowed for a determination of the total thiopurine present. 6-Thioguanine and 6-mercaptopurine were analyzed on an octadecylsilane column using methanol + 20 mM sodium phosphate (15:85), pH 7.5, containing 0.07% tetrabutylammonium chloride. Detection was by potassium permanganate oxidation and fluorescence detection at 290 nm excitation and 400 nm emission. Methylmercaptopurine and methylthioguanine were analyzed on a cyanopropylsilane column using methanol + 40 mM sodium phosphate (18:82), pH 2.7, and then ultraviolet absorption at 314 nm and 290 nm, respectively. The method was used to quantify the four primary thiopurines present in red blood cells of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient. The procedure may be a therapeutic monitoring technique that quantifies the cytotoxic drug burden in patients receiving azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine therapy.     

Splitless on-line coupling of capillary high-performance liquid chromatography,capillary electrochromatography and pressurized capillary electrochromatography with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A mixture of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters was separated with a new splitless capillary set-up. With the employed apparatus configuration different capillary separation techniques such as capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (cHPLC), capillary electrochromatography (CEC) and pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) could be applied. The detection and identification of the sample compounds were accomplished by hyphenating these capillary separation techniques with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using a novel configuration of the detection capillary set-up. Using modified electrokinetically driven separation techniques, the electric field was applied solely across the separation column. With this improved interface for capillary liquid chromatography-NMR on-line coupling, the stereochemical assignment of the cis and trans configuration of unsaturated fatty acids could be easily accomplished. Finally, the results of cHPLC-NMR, CEC-NMR and pCEC-NMR coupling experiments were compared.Dedicated to Professor Günter Häfelinger on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Ueber die Untersuchung der Antipyretica

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Response times and voltages for PDLC light shutters

The response times and operating voltages of light shutters formed from polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have been studied experimentally and the results compared with calculations based on non-sperhically shaped nematic droplet models. The experiments were performed on light shutters with elongated and uniformly aligned droplets where the relaxation time and voltage response were measured. It is shown that the droplet shape can be a dominant factor, particularly for the relaxation time, and the data are compared with equations derived in terms of the aspect ratio of the droplet l = a/b, where a and b are the lengths of the semi-major and semi-minor axes, respectively, of the elongated droplet. It is further demonstrated that the electric field inside the droplet can be considerably smaller than the applied field, due to the conductivity and dielectric properties of the polymer and liquid crystal materials. These data are used to obtain values for the ratio of the conductivities of the polymer binder and liquid crystal droplet, as well as the anisotropy of the conductivity in the liquid crystal.     

A maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish single molecules by their fluorescence decays

We have developed a maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish between similar molecules at the single molecule level based upon fluorescence decay measurements. Time resolved fluorescence measurements for single Rhodamine 6G and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate molecules in fluid flow are derived from time-correlated single photon counting. A maximum likelihood estimator is developed and applied to data from a mixture of molecules. Single molecules are identified and distinguished by their fluorescence time decays. Comparison is made between identification error rates and theoretical predictions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported example of single molecule identification by fluorescence decay in a mixture.