Practical algorithms for transposition-invariant string-matching

We consider the problems of (1) longest common subsequence (LCS) of two given strings in the case where the first may be shifted by some constant (that is, transposed) to match the second, and (2) transposition-invariant text searching using indel distance. These problems have applications in music comparison and retrieval. We introduce two novel techniques to solve these problems efficiently. The first is based on the branch and bound method, the second on bit-parallelism. Our branch and bound algorithm computes the longest common transposition-invariant subsequence (LCTS) in time O((m²+loglogσ)logσ) in the best case and O((m²+logσ)σ) in the worst case, where m and σ, respectively, are the length of the strings and the size of the alphabet. On the other hand, we show that the same problem can be solved by using bit-parallelism and thus obtain a speedup of O(w/logm) over the classical algorithms, where the computer word has w bits. The advantage of this latter algorithm over the present bit-parallel ones is that it allows the use of more complex distances, including general integer weights. Since our branch and bound method is very flexible, it can be further improved by combining it with other efficient algorithms such as our novel bit-parallel algorithm. We experiment on several combination possibilities and discuss which are the best settings for each of those combinations. Our algorithms are easily extended to other musically relevant cases, such as δ-matching and polyphony (where there are several parallel texts to be considered). We also show how our bit-parallel algorithm is adapted to text searching and illustrate its effectiveness in complex cases where the only known competing method is the use of brute force.     

Multiple scattering in the high-frequency limit with second-order shadowing function from 2D anisotropic rough dielectric surfaces: I. Theoretical study

In this paper the first- and second-order Kirchhoff approximation is applied to study the backscattering enhancement phenomenon, which appears when the surface rms slope is greater than 0.5. The formulation is reduced to the geometric optics approximation in which the second-order illumination function is taken into account. This study is developed for a two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic stationary rough dielectric surface and for any surface slope and height distributions assumed to be statistically even. Using the Weyl representation of the Green function (which introduces an absolute value over the surface elevation in the phase term), the incoherent scattering coefficient under the stationary phase assumption is expressed as the sum of three terms. The incoherent scattering coefficient then requires the numerical computation of a ten- dimensional integral. To reduce the number of numerical integrations, the geometric optics approximation is applied, which assumes that the correlation between two adjacent points is very strong. The model is then proportional to two surface slope probabilities, for which the slopes would specularly reflect the beams in the double scattering process. In addition, the slope distributions are related with each other by a propagating function, which accounts for the second-order illumination function. The companion paper is devoted to the simulation of this model and comparisons with an 'exact' numerical method.     

Multiple scattering in the high-frequency limit with second-order shadowing function from 2D anisotropic rough dielectric surfaces: II. comparison with numerical results

This second part presents illustrative examples of the model developed in the companion paper, which is based on the first- and second-order optics approximation. The surface is assumed to be Gaussian and the correlation height is chosen as anisotropic Gaussian. The incoherent scattering coefficient is computed for a height rms range from 0.5λ 1λwhere λ is the electromagnetic wavelength), for a slope rms range from 0.5 to 1 and for an incidence angle range from 0 to 70°. In addition, simulations are presented for an anisotropic Gaussian surface and when the receiver is not located in the plane of incidence. For a metallic and dielectric isotropic Gaussian surfaces, the cross- and co-polarizations are also compared with a numerical approach obtained from the forward.backward method with a novel spectral acceleration algorithm developed by Torrungrueng and Johnson (2001, JOSA A 18). (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)     

Shadowing function with single reflection from anisotropic Gaussian rough surface. Application to Gaussian, Lorentzian and sea correlations

In this paper, the monostatic (transmitter and receiver are located at the same place) and bistatic (transmitter and receiver are distinct) statistical shadowing functions from an anisotropic two-dimensional randomly rough surface are presented. This parameter is especially important in the case of grazing angles for computing the bistatic scattering coefficient in optical and microwave frequencies. The objective of this paper is to extend the previous work (Bourlier C, Berginc G and Saillard J 2002 Waves Random Media 12 145-74), valid for a one-dimensional surface, to a two-dimensional anistropic surface by considering a joint Gaussian process of surface slopes and heights separating two points of the surface. The monostatic average (statistical shadowing function average over the statistical variables) shadowing function is then performed in polar coordinates with respect to the incidence angle, the azimuthal direction and the surface height two-dimensional autocorrelation function. In addition, for a bistatic configuration, it depends on the incidence angle and azimuthal direction of the receiver. For Gaussian and Lorentzian correlation profiles and practically important power-type spectra such as the Pierson-Moskowitz sea roughness spectrum, the numerical solution, obtained from generating the surface Gaussian elevations (Monte Carlo method), is compared with the uncorrelated and correlated models. The results show that the correlation underestimates the shadow slightly, whereas the uncorrelated results weakly overpredict the shadow and are close to the numerical solution.     

Radiative decay channel assessment to understand the sensing mechanism of a fluorescent turn-on Al3+ chemosensor

The turn-on luminescent chemosensor [2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-(2-pyridyl) hydrazone] (L), selective to Al³⁺ ions, was studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent-DFT quantum mechanics calculations. The UV-Vis absorption and the radiative channel from the adiabatic S₁ excited state were assessed in order to elucidate the selective sensing mechanism of L to Al³⁺ ions. We found that twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) and photoelectron transfer (PET), which alter the emissive state, are responsible for the luminescence quenching in L. After coordination with Al³⁺, the TICT is blocked, and PET is no longer possible. So, the emission of the coordination complex is activated, and a fluorescence effect enhanced by chelation is observed. For compounds with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, the luminescence quenching is caused by PET, while for Ni²⁺, ligand to metal charge transfer is the prominent mechanism. To go into more detail, the metal-ligand interaction was analyzed via the Morokuma-Ziegler energy decomposition scheme and the natural orbital of chemical valence.     

Ring‐opening metathesis copolymerization of cyclooctene and a carborane‐containing oxanorbornene

The incorporation of a silyl‐protected oxanorbornene imide carborane (SONIC) in polyethylene‐like materials is reported. These copolymers were obtained via ring‐opening metathesis copolymerization of (SONIC) and cyclooctene followed by hydrogenation with p‐toluenesulfonylhydrazide. The composition of the copolymer was varied by altering the feed ratio. Structural and thermal properties were investigated and compared with that of a model polymer so as to gauge the impact on the inclusion of the silyl‐functionalized carborane. An initial observation of the modification of the chain sequence upon changing solvent polarity is also discussed. Finally, the potential utilization of these materials as radiation shielding materials is mentioned. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2557–2563, 2010     

Single‐Component Upconverting Polymeric Nanoparticles

Low‐power light upconversion is a highly desirable feature for a broad range of applications and new materials enabling this process are sought in both bulk and particulate form. Here, the preparation of upconverting nanoparticles is reported from a methacrylic terpolymer bearing diphenylanthracene and meso‐phenoxytris(heptyl)porphyrin pendant groups by a microemulsion technique. The use of a terpolymer in which the upconvering dye molecules are covalently attached mitigates some of the drawbacks of triplet–triplet annihilation upconverting nanoparticles made by other techniques, in particular dye leakage from the nanoparticles, and limited control of the sensitizer and emitter concentration within each nanoparticle. Size and morphology of the new upconverting nanoparticles are investigated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy and elucidated their upconverting properties by luminescence spectroscopy.

     

Real-Time Analysis of Polyphenol–Protein Interactions by Surface Plasmon Resonance Using Surface-Bound Polyphenols

A selection of bioactive polyphenols of different structural classes, such as the ellagitannins vescalagin and vescalin, the flavanoids catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and procyanidin B2, and the stilbenoids resveratrol and piceatannol, were chemically modified to bear a biotin unit for enabling their immobilization on streptavidin-coated sensor chips. These sensor chips were used to evaluate in real time by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) the interactions of three different surface-bound polyphenolic ligands per sensor chip with various protein analytes, including human DNA topoisomerase IIα, flavonoid leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase, B-cell lymphoma 2 apoptosis regulator protein, and bovine serum albumin. The types and levels of SPR responses unveiled major differences in the association, or lack thereof, and dissociation between a given protein analyte and different polyphenolic ligands. Thus, this multi-analysis SPR technique is a valuable methodology to rapidly screen and qualitatively compare various polyphenol–protein interactions.     

The stability of aliphatic azo linkages influences the controlled scission of degradable polyurethanes

A better understanding of polymer degradation and post-degradation processes are essential for the development of novel degradable polymers. Herein, we present the synthesis of a new aliphatic azo-containing polyurethane and its degradation behavior toward external stimuli like heat and UV light. A relatively stable radical forming azo-monomer present in the current polyurethane is readily undergoing thermal degradation, whereas the azo-group is less susceptible to optical degradation. A comparison of the stimuli-responsive properties of the new azo-polymer with a previously known, relatively active radical forming monomer incorporated azo-polymer reveals the dependencies of the monomer and radical stability in the controlled degradation process. Our results point toward the importance of radical activity in azo-containing polymers.